@EltonJThe I think it cares a lot less about balance than 3E does. But I have always thought 3E was overly concerned with balance. I suggest looking at Everstone for a good take on the BESM D20 system. But Uresia is still a great setting.
P.S. sorry for the removed comment, I double posted.
Not trying to convince you Hero is the system for you. It's not the system for a lot of people. I just think that labeling "bland" is an odd critisism for a system without a setting. Have you ever played a game of Hero? The most exciting and vivid games I've played have either been in Hero, Savage World, or Cinamatic Unisystem. Each one has pros and cons. Hero by far has the best granularity and best skill system (IMO of course).
The fact that YOU find it too complicated for your play style is fine. Opinions will vary. But calling it "bland"? You understand that Hero System is pure mechanics, right? There is no setting to be called bland. If you mean the mechanics are bland, well I just don't know then. I love Savage World, but Hero has a granularity that is impossible to achieve with SW, and that granularity allows for everything from space opera to low fantasy to supers. How can that level of versatility be "bland"?
@MicahWolfe You see versatility. I see needless complexity. Let me put it this way: Every person I have ever known that liked the HERO system, was in the technical field of some sort. Mostly computer people but sometimes research. Every other person I ever met that knew about the system, hated it. I may well just not have the mental structure to appreciate it.
@tetsubo57 I was an English Lit Major that will be returning to school for Creative Writing. Love Hero System. I also know of at least 3 people who play it with grade schoolers. All the complexity is front loaded into world creation(and there are settings you can buy to bypass that)and character creation. Gameplay itself is fairly simple, especially if you don't use all the optional rules that can add complexity IF you want it. Check out the Hero System Basic for 20 bucks and you may reconsider
@tetsubo57 Odd. I have played with artist types, computer types, stay at home parents, teachers, and I used to work for a bank. I really don't see needing a "technical aptitude" for the game at all.
Apparently a generic system that can be tailored to any setting is 'bland' in this guy's mind. I suppose if you don't have any imagination whatsoever, that's fair. If you need to have an entire setting spoon-fed to you along with every gaming system you buy, that's true. If you can't take a neutral set of RPG rules and adapt them to an colorful, interesting, flavorful campaign by yourself, then yes the result will inevitably be something 'bland.'
@MicahWolfe You are aware that I like the book reviewed in this video, right? You didn't miss that point did you?
If a system becomes bogged down with endless, bland entries of the same powers with very slight differences than yes, I consider it a failure. It may be very thorough but it also becomes something I have no interest in. The best 'generic' system I have encountered in the past few years is Savage Worlds. Simple but not rules light. It strikes the right balance.
@tetsubo57 Are you referring to the sidebars that have examples of how to specialize powers? If so then that is a pretty lame complaint. They are there to show you some of the different ways to use the powers, not as the only ways to use them. The system is made to be adaptable to any genre. So if you want to play fantasy, you can use hero. 4 color supers? Hero. Buffy TVS style game? Hero. Easy to do and not at all complicated or "bland".
Oh sweet irony thy name is tetsbuo57! You claim Hero is generic and bland while reviewing a D20 BESM supplement. HINT: d20 is a generic rules system that you adapt to different genres. Hero is EXACTLY the same thing. It is easily playable and has been since it was Champions the superhero game. D20: D&D evolves and eventually evolves out of being only fantasy and now works in different settings. Hero: Champions evolves and eventually evolves out of only superheroes and now works the same as D20.
@badmojo71 But in evolving out of Champions it seems to have picked up a whole lot of 'textbook' along the way. It has become so bland and featureless that it is nigh unreadable. Endless pages of the same abilities with *slight* variations. D20 may have gone a similar route but it never went as far. Not to mention the system isn't as 'bulky'.
@tetsubo57 Having read through the last 3 editions of Hero, I really have no clue what you are talking about. What "abilities" are slightly different variations? Maybe you need to pick up some of the "setting" supplements to better understand how the system actually works. It's really not that hard once you actually play it. The idea that it is unplayable does not jibe with the number of people I know who play it all the time.
@badmojo71 I'm not discussing the supplements. I am discussing the core rules. Like I said, not all systems are made to suit all people. There are many other systems I can like. I freely admit that Savage Worlds & D20 are my preference.
BTW, I *like* the post-apocalyptic setting book for HERO.
@badmojo71 The game simply has a level of complexity and style of design I don't like. *I* consider it unplayable. If others enjoy it, have at it. But I was expressing my opinion. My opinion can't be wrong.
Is there a reason this bothers you so much? Be glad you don't like Fantasy Imperium. I had a much less favorable opinion of it.
@tetsubo57 It would be your choice of words that I object to, not your opinion. To call something unplayable is saying it cannot be played. It is stating this as fact. It can be played as many I know enjoy playing it. To say you can not see enjoying playing the system would be fine. To say it is unplayable is quite simply wrong. It is playable. I have played it many times. Also, do you actually have a group to play test games with? If you haven't played the games, then how can you review them?
Uresia is one of my all time favorite roleplaying games ever!!! Its sooo fun and worth every dollar. I've had a campaign where I was a Gypsy Elf and tried to set one of the slimes free from its slavery. Heh! My character was also addicted to sex and let me tell ya that slime was one of the best nights Jasmine ever saw! Heh! There will be a second Uresia coming out sometime hopefully this year!
Oddly enough, I JUST picked this up on Amazon for $2+shipping, well worth it. I actually don't play 3.5 or BESM, but I bought to pilfer ideas for my Swords & Wizardry campaign setting.
For more S. John Ross, this nerd recommends the Risus Companion (for any RPG player) and Encounter Critical (available for free at S John's Blue Room website).
The book was written for BESM Tri-Stat, then ported over to d20 using the OGL license. Just letting Tri-Stat fans know they have a version as well, and to let the d20 fans know not to just grab whatever U:GoH version they see on Amazon as they may be a bit disappointed if they get the Tri-Stat version.
Also, I was thinking of getting this version for use with Mutants & Masterminds 2E (+ Warriors & Warlocks supplement), which is one of my favorite games and IMHO d20 point-buy done right.
I've never played hero, but I've heard some people complain that BESM d20 is unbalanced.
EltonJThe 6 months ago
@EltonJThe I think it cares a lot less about balance than 3E does. But I have always thought 3E was overly concerned with balance. I suggest looking at Everstone for a good take on the BESM D20 system. But Uresia is still a great setting.
tetsubo57 6 months ago
@tetsubo57 Don't have too, I still have my contracts with GoO to use BESM d20 for my Atlantis Setting. Atlantis: Adventures in the Neolithic Age. :)
EltonJThe 6 months ago
Good Review I have the First book befor they converted to D20..
TheStupedCat 1 year ago
P.S. sorry for the removed comment, I double posted.
Not trying to convince you Hero is the system for you. It's not the system for a lot of people. I just think that labeling "bland" is an odd critisism for a system without a setting. Have you ever played a game of Hero? The most exciting and vivid games I've played have either been in Hero, Savage World, or Cinamatic Unisystem. Each one has pros and cons. Hero by far has the best granularity and best skill system (IMO of course).
MicahWolfe 1 year ago
The fact that YOU find it too complicated for your play style is fine. Opinions will vary. But calling it "bland"? You understand that Hero System is pure mechanics, right? There is no setting to be called bland. If you mean the mechanics are bland, well I just don't know then. I love Savage World, but Hero has a granularity that is impossible to achieve with SW, and that granularity allows for everything from space opera to low fantasy to supers. How can that level of versatility be "bland"?
MicahWolfe 1 year ago
@MicahWolfe You see versatility. I see needless complexity. Let me put it this way: Every person I have ever known that liked the HERO system, was in the technical field of some sort. Mostly computer people but sometimes research. Every other person I ever met that knew about the system, hated it. I may well just not have the mental structure to appreciate it.
tetsubo57 1 year ago
@tetsubo57 I was an English Lit Major that will be returning to school for Creative Writing. Love Hero System. I also know of at least 3 people who play it with grade schoolers. All the complexity is front loaded into world creation(and there are settings you can buy to bypass that)and character creation. Gameplay itself is fairly simple, especially if you don't use all the optional rules that can add complexity IF you want it. Check out the Hero System Basic for 20 bucks and you may reconsider
MicahWolfe 1 year ago
@tetsubo57 Odd. I have played with artist types, computer types, stay at home parents, teachers, and I used to work for a bank. I really don't see needing a "technical aptitude" for the game at all.
badmojo71 1 year ago
@badmojo71 Then your experience and my experience differ. Can we just move on?
tetsubo57 1 year ago
Comment removed
MicahWolfe 1 year ago
Apparently a generic system that can be tailored to any setting is 'bland' in this guy's mind. I suppose if you don't have any imagination whatsoever, that's fair. If you need to have an entire setting spoon-fed to you along with every gaming system you buy, that's true. If you can't take a neutral set of RPG rules and adapt them to an colorful, interesting, flavorful campaign by yourself, then yes the result will inevitably be something 'bland.'
Missing the point much?
MicahWolfe 1 year ago
@MicahWolfe You are aware that I like the book reviewed in this video, right? You didn't miss that point did you?
If a system becomes bogged down with endless, bland entries of the same powers with very slight differences than yes, I consider it a failure. It may be very thorough but it also becomes something I have no interest in. The best 'generic' system I have encountered in the past few years is Savage Worlds. Simple but not rules light. It strikes the right balance.
tetsubo57 1 year ago
@tetsubo57 Are you referring to the sidebars that have examples of how to specialize powers? If so then that is a pretty lame complaint. They are there to show you some of the different ways to use the powers, not as the only ways to use them. The system is made to be adaptable to any genre. So if you want to play fantasy, you can use hero. 4 color supers? Hero. Buffy TVS style game? Hero. Easy to do and not at all complicated or "bland".
badmojo71 1 year ago
Oh sweet irony thy name is tetsbuo57! You claim Hero is generic and bland while reviewing a D20 BESM supplement. HINT: d20 is a generic rules system that you adapt to different genres. Hero is EXACTLY the same thing. It is easily playable and has been since it was Champions the superhero game. D20: D&D evolves and eventually evolves out of being only fantasy and now works in different settings. Hero: Champions evolves and eventually evolves out of only superheroes and now works the same as D20.
badmojo71 1 year ago
@badmojo71 But in evolving out of Champions it seems to have picked up a whole lot of 'textbook' along the way. It has become so bland and featureless that it is nigh unreadable. Endless pages of the same abilities with *slight* variations. D20 may have gone a similar route but it never went as far. Not to mention the system isn't as 'bulky'.
tetsubo57 1 year ago
@tetsubo57 Having read through the last 3 editions of Hero, I really have no clue what you are talking about. What "abilities" are slightly different variations? Maybe you need to pick up some of the "setting" supplements to better understand how the system actually works. It's really not that hard once you actually play it. The idea that it is unplayable does not jibe with the number of people I know who play it all the time.
badmojo71 1 year ago
@badmojo71 I'm not discussing the supplements. I am discussing the core rules. Like I said, not all systems are made to suit all people. There are many other systems I can like. I freely admit that Savage Worlds & D20 are my preference.
BTW, I *like* the post-apocalyptic setting book for HERO.
tetsubo57 1 year ago
@badmojo71 The game simply has a level of complexity and style of design I don't like. *I* consider it unplayable. If others enjoy it, have at it. But I was expressing my opinion. My opinion can't be wrong.
Is there a reason this bothers you so much? Be glad you don't like Fantasy Imperium. I had a much less favorable opinion of it.
tetsubo57 1 year ago
@tetsubo57 It would be your choice of words that I object to, not your opinion. To call something unplayable is saying it cannot be played. It is stating this as fact. It can be played as many I know enjoy playing it. To say you can not see enjoying playing the system would be fine. To say it is unplayable is quite simply wrong. It is playable. I have played it many times. Also, do you actually have a group to play test games with? If you haven't played the games, then how can you review them?
badmojo71 1 year ago
Comment removed
badmojo71 1 year ago
@badmojo71 I think we are going to have to disagree on this. Not every system is liked by every person.
tetsubo57 1 year ago
Uresia is one of my all time favorite roleplaying games ever!!! Its sooo fun and worth every dollar. I've had a campaign where I was a Gypsy Elf and tried to set one of the slimes free from its slavery. Heh! My character was also addicted to sex and let me tell ya that slime was one of the best nights Jasmine ever saw! Heh! There will be a second Uresia coming out sometime hopefully this year!
vjanis123 1 year ago
Oddly enough, I JUST picked this up on Amazon for $2+shipping, well worth it. I actually don't play 3.5 or BESM, but I bought to pilfer ideas for my Swords & Wizardry campaign setting.
For more S. John Ross, this nerd recommends the Risus Companion (for any RPG player) and Encounter Critical (available for free at S John's Blue Room website).
HelicopterHoneymoon 1 year ago
The book was written for BESM Tri-Stat, then ported over to d20 using the OGL license. Just letting Tri-Stat fans know they have a version as well, and to let the d20 fans know not to just grab whatever U:GoH version they see on Amazon as they may be a bit disappointed if they get the Tri-Stat version.
Also, I was thinking of getting this version for use with Mutants & Masterminds 2E (+ Warriors & Warlocks supplement), which is one of my favorite games and IMHO d20 point-buy done right.
azirk83 1 year ago
OH Lord, this is awesome! Centaurs, mushhrooms, and slimes, how awesome!
alokov 1 year ago