Character Creation Guidelines

1) Submit a character concept / outline of the back story. This should include the basic character idea with a powers list, complications, and an origin with the source of powers. Remember, we are building a team, so someone with the ‘loaner’ complication will be looked at very closely. We are not after a bunch of UBER characters that don’t need or want the help of others.

2) When the basic concept is accepted, submit a fleshed-out character. If you have access to Hero Designer, please use that. I will try to get a template out with an Everyman skill list and maybe some package deals. At least it will have the base / complication point levels loaded. Also with your character, please include as detailed a back story as you can. All powers and skills need to make some sort of logical sense. Not real world / current tech sense, but at least comic book sense.

3) Costume – There a few ways you can do it. If you can draw, YEA! Champions Online has a costuming section, but it is more limited. Hero Forge is a nice place to make miniatures. You can download a digital version that is usable in Tabletop Simulator and other VTTS, or you can get ‘screenshots’ in Hero Forge even if you don’t pay a subscription. There are ways to get an image using the AI driven drawing programs, if you aren't too particular about specifics.

4) Please try not to discuss your character in games terms with anyone other than the GM or List Owners. We will have a “Rouges” gallery of Heroes and Villains, which may include some past player characters from The Sentinals of New Orleans campaign. The gallery will have pictures and brief descriptions of abilities and powers, discussed as if being described in the ‘real’ world, i.e. “Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound” not “he has a 40 STR and Super Leap x32 so that means he can jump 350 feet straight up.”

5) Overall, what we are looking for is characters that will be fun to play in a group. As the number of players increase, you will have the ability to form sub-groups, or play in different cities. Most cities will be ‘team’ oriented for play. As time goes on, we will be adding other cities to the server where other styles of play will be used. The main city will be superheroic in level. Jump

Specifics for Champions United! The Sentinals of New Orleans:

Character Point Guidelines: Base: 400, Complications: 75.

    Attack Power Active Cost: 100 max, 
    Defense Power Active Cost: 75 max, 
    Movement Power Active Cost: 75 to 100 max.
    Powers with a Yield Sign or Stop Sign: Preapproval before use.  
    Skills: Between 15 to 30 points min depending upon character concept.
    Everyman Skills: List to be determined.  

If an everyman skill is used semi-regularly, it must be upgraded to a ‘full’ skill. Also, most everyman skills are not usable in combat and some ‘extra’ time to use will be attached to its use. Once an everyman skill is upgraded to at least an 11 or less, then all restrictions drop away.

Power Frame works:

    Variable Power Pool:  Only allowed with a good background story and character concept.  The framework will be looked at for balance and story continuity.
    Multipower:  No restrictions beyond those in the book.
    List of Banned Powers:  To be determined.
    List of Banned Skills:  To be determined.
    List of Banned Complications:  To be determined.

The complication “Code against Killing” is mandatory for all characters in some form (5 points to 20 point level). Remember The Sentinals of New Orleans have a version of law enforcement powers.

The Sentinals of New Orleans falls under the Semi-realistic leaning towards 4-color comics format.

Specifics for Dark Champions United! Hudson City:

Campaign Concept: The campaign is set in Hudson City, New Jersey, within the Champions United universe. The Player Characters (PCs) are highly trained and skilled people in a city torn apart by warring criminal factions, political corruption, and urban decay. Advances in the economy, technology, and standard of living have disproportionately benefited those at the top, making the class divide more pronounced than ever. The PCs are the last best thing standing between the people and the urban abyss!

Player Character Concept: Players must submit a concept prior to making a full character sheet. The concept should be no longer than one sentence and summarize the character’s name, origin, background, archetype (if used), and skill set. Characters can be costumed vigilantes or “action heroes” somehow pitted against the criminal underworld.

Character Submission Guidelines: PC designs will be based on the Standard Heroic rules of Hero System 6th Edition (6e1, p. 34). All optional rules for Skill, Powers, Perks, and Talents from Chapter 2, Dark Champions (5th Edition) are available unless otherwise specified (The Super-Skills and Gun-Fu supplements from herogames.com will supersede where applicable). Total Character Points reflect the total of Base Character Points and Matching Complications.

Character Point Guidelines: Base: 175, Complications: 50.

    Attack Power Active Cost: 50 max, 
    Defense Power Active Cost: 6-10/ 3-5max, 
    Movement Power Active Cost: 50 max.
    Powers: Preapproval before use.  
    Skills: Between 30 to 75 points depending upon character concept.
    Everyman Skills: The Normal Everyman Skil List (Including Area Knowledge: Hudson City) on page 60, Volume 1 of the Hero System 6th Edition is available at no cost.  

If an everyman skill is used semi-regularly, it must be upgraded to a ‘full’ skill. Also, most everyman skills are not usable in combat and some ‘extra’ time to use will be attached to its use. Once an everyman skill is upgraded to at least an 11 or less, then all restrictions drop away.

Untrained Skills on 6- can be used with GM approval, as required by Role Play and the narrative. Combat use is the same as for everyman skills.

The Dark Champions 6th edition Templates supplement from Herogames.com is in effect.

The Normal Characteristic Maxima Table on page 50 of Hero System 6th edition is in effect. Characteristics purchased above the Maxima must be approved and have increased Character Point costs.

Power Frame works:

    Variable Power Pool: Only allowed with a good background story and character concept.  The framework will be looked at for balance and story continuity.
    Multipower: No restrictions beyond those in the book.
    List of Banned Powers: Metahuman Powers, Powers based on magic or psionics require express GM approval. Powers should be based on cinematic advanced skills and/or high-tech equipment.  See Dark     
         Champions, p.314 for details.  Other specific powers to be determined.
    List of Banned Skills: To be determined.
    List of Banned Complications: Psychological Complications – Casual Killer, Code vs. Killing (20 points); Reputation - Racist. (Note: Loner is not banned but strongly discouraged).

Resource Points: PCs are granted the following Resource Points at no cost. Resource Points can be used to purchase safe houses, contacts, and weapons/armor up to and including military-grade. Advanced high-tech equipment must be purchased with Character Points. Additional Resource Points may be purchased with XP. However, unlike equivalent resources purchased through normal Character Points, items purchased through Resource Points are treated as more easily disposable. PCs should not use Resource Points to purchase signature weapons or Contacts with whom they have close relationships.

    60 Equipment Points
    10 Vehicle/Base Points
     5 Follower/Contact Points

Dark Champions United: Hudson City falls under the Dark Anti-hero comics style. Character death is very possible but not likely and will be avoided to the reasonable extent possible. However, NPC death is expected, and collateral damage may occur.

PCs can form a team, but this is not required. That said, PCs will need to be able to work together for mutual survival. Cross purposes and personal agendas may become an issue in game, but full PvP will not be accepted at the table.

Heroic Rules for Endurance use apply to STR. Pushing requires an EGO Roll. The Dangerous Push rule may apply in special circumstances.

The Optional Effects of Damage and Other Damage Effects rules from 6e2, pp. 108 – 122 are available but generally not used unless for a specified narrative purpose (such as a dramatic NPC death scene). Optional Healing Rules will always be available for PCs, and Paramedics may be used Untrained for this purpose.

Content warnings for mature subject matter relating to violent crime and corruption are in effect. This campaign uses current Consent in Gaming guidelines, including the use of the Pause/X/Rewind system. Players with concerns regarding triggers are welcome and encouraged to contact the GM directly, regarding the nature of the trigger and potential resolution.

Specifics for Champions United! Vibora Bay:

Character Point Guidelines: Base: , Complications: .

    Attack Power Active Cost:  max, 
    Defense Power Active Cost:  max, 
    Movement Power Active Cost:  max.
    Powers with a Yield Sign or Stop Sign: Preapproval before use.  Skills need to be between 15 to 30 points min depending upon character concept.
    Everyman Skills: – List to be determined.  

If an everyman skill is used semi-regularly, it must be upgraded to a ‘full’ skill. Also, most everyman skills are not usable in combat and some ‘extra’ time to use will be attached to its use. Once an everyman skill is upgraded to at least an 11 or less, then all restrictions drop away.

Power Frame works:

    Variable Power Pool:  Only allowed with a good background story and character concept.  The framework will be looked at for balance and story continuity.
    Multipower: No restrictions beyond those in the book.
    List of Banned Powers: To be determined.
    List of Banned Skills: To be determined.
    List of Banned Complications: To be determined.

Champions United! Vibroa Bay falls under