The following are guidelines for character creation and apply both to existing characters that were previously involved in the Black Moon (or Gamma Company) game, and to new characters. If you have an existing character, you may need to revamp him or her a bit.
I use Hero Designer v3 to validate characters. If you can send me a copy of your character in HD v3 format, I will validate it there. Otherwise I will enter the character into HD v3 to validate.
--Concept, Concept, Concept--
Characters should be designed with a very cohesive concept. Character concept is going to be everything for this game. For purposes of character creation, I divide powers into native and focus. Native powers are integral to the character and focus powers are available through some sort of focus.
Native powers must be in line with your character concept. If you can't provide solid justification for having a particular power as a native power, then don't buy it as a native power. For example, if it makes no sense that your character would have infravision, then don't buy it as a native power. If you really want your character to have infravision, then buy it through a focus instead.
Your character should be either a mutant or a highly skilled norm. In the latter case, you should take the Normal Characteristic Maxima disad.
Stay away from "blanket" limitations that affect most of your powers. It is fairly common to take a blanket 1/4 limitation for most powers where they don't work in a particular, seldom faced, situations. Instead, take this as a 10 point physical disad (e.g., "powers unreliable in wet conditions" or "powers unreliable in extreme heat or cold").
--Starting Points--
You have 350 points to start with, plus up to 70 points in disads. If you previously played in Black Moon or Gamma Company, and had earned more points, talk to me privately.
--Power Frameworks--
No Variable Power Pools.
You can have a native Multipower or Elemental Control, but not both (in general, this excludes foci).
If you have no frameworks, you can have +5 character points.
--Skills--
Everyone should have at least 25 points in skills.
No Overall Levels.
You can have an 8 point skill level for all combat, but not for all skills.
--Disadvantages--
Maximum of 70 points in disads. Everyone should have two psych disads to help define their character.
Cannot take DNPC or Hunted.
--Foci--
A maximum of 10 to 15 percent of your points should be spent on foci. Foci should round out your character concept, but not be the main part of your character. It is very possible that you will lose your foci at some point in the adventure and, if you do, it is important that you still be able to contribute to the success of the team.
Stay away from truly unique foci. If you lose your foci, you should be able to replace it next time you visit an civilized world.
Some foci will be provided as part of the adventure. For example, if the adventure requires you to survive in a vacuum or unbreathable atmosphere, then vacc suits will be provided as part of the adventure. You do not need to buy them with your character points.
--Attack Power--
Your primary attack power should be in the neighborhood of 60 to 80 active points.
--Defenses--
No one should have all possible defenses unless that is the primary concept of your character. If your character is not a power drainer type, then you probably shouldn't have power defense. If your character is not a mentalist in any way, shape or form, then you probably shouldn't have mental defense. If force field or armor doesn't fit in your character concept, then don't buy it as a native power. Instead buy it as a focus. Everyone should have some resistant defenses (ED and PD).
--Experience Points--
Experience points will come much slower than the previous Champions games that I've run (Black Moon, Gamma Company, World of Shadows). I plan to award them only at the end of the adventure.
--Additional Info--
Also see the original character generation rules on the website for additional guidelines and info (although the guidelines in this email trump those in the original rules when there is a discrepancy).
http://www.championsoftheempire.com/A55A94/Champions.nsf/8f3b2420b537cbc386256d3d006674cb/d9b1e657bcc9b19f86256d3d0069bad2?OpenDocument |