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1. Introduction2. License3. CreatingCharacters
i. Aspectsii. Approachesiii. Stuntsiv. Refreshv. PowerFacts
i. RacialorCommonPowersii. Equipment-basedPowersiii. SidekicksandAlliesasPowersiv. Weaknesses
vi. SamplePowers4. UsingPowers
i. PowerFactsfromSituationAspectsii. Adding,Changing,andLosingPowersiii. LendingandBestowingPowersiv. DiscoveringPowerFacts
5. RunningFourColorFAEi. PickingDifficultyNumbersii. PowerLevelsiii. SpecificPowers
i. Duplication,Summons,SidekicksandAlliesii. ESPandRemoteViewingiii. ImmunitiesandInvulnerability
i. Generalvs.SpecificImmunitiesii. AffectingCharactersWithImmunitiesiii. Weaknesses
iv. PowerDuplicationorAlterationv. PrecognitionandTimeTravelvi. Super-SpeedandMovementPowers
i. ExtraActionsii. Super-movementasAttackiii. Zones
vii. TelepathyandMindControliv. Super-FightsandFailingForward
6. CampaignDesigni. PlanningaCampaignii. GMingaComicBookiii. TheFour-ColorFeeliv. CreatingChallengingEncounters
7. NewandOptionalRulesi. AlternateApproachesii. AlternatePhaseTrioRulesiii. NewStunts
i. DuplicatesorSummonsii. Invulnerabilityiii. PowerDuplicationorAlterationiv. Super-Movement
TableofContents
Four-ColorFAE
2
i. Super-Speediv. GenreAspectsandGenreStunts
i. ExampleGenreStuntsv. PowerLevelsandSuper"WeightClasses"vi. AlternateInitiativeRulesvii. AlternateInvulnerabilityRulesviii. CollateralConsequences
i. CollateralConsequencesandExtremeEffort8. FurtherReading
Four-ColorFAE
3
ByBillGarrettandMikeLindsey
Specialthankstothemembersofthe"Inklings"group:GaryAnastasio,PeterCurry,PhilNadeau,andReaganTaplin
Four-ColorFAE
ClassicSuperheroGamingWithFateAcceleratedEdition
Four-ColorFAE
4Introduction
Four-ColorFAEisasetofrulesforplayingsuperheroesintheFateAcceleratedEditionrules.It'snotspecifictoFAE-youcanusemostoftheserulesinFateCoreorotherFateproducts.
ThisworkislicensedundertheCreativeCommonsAttribution-ShareAlike4.0InternationalLicense.Toviewacopyofthislicense,visithttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
ThisworkisbasedonFateCoreSystemandFateAcceleratedEdition(foundathttp://www.faterpg.com/),productsofEvilHatProductions,LLC,developed,authored,andeditedbyLeonardBalsera,BrianEngard,JeremyKeller,RyanMacklin,MikeOlson,ClarkValentine,AmandaValentine,FredHicks,andRobDonoghue,andlicensedforouruseundertheCreativeCommonsAttribution3.0Unportedlicense(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).
License
Four-ColorFAE
5License
YoucreateasuperheroorsupervillainthesamewayasanyotherFAEcharacter,withtheadditionofanewsectiononthecharactersheet:PowerFacts.
CreatingCharacters
Four-ColorFAE
6CreatingCharacters
Whenyoucreateyourcharacter,you'llhaveatleastonecharacteraspectthattalksabouthavingpowers.Thisdoesn'thavetobeyourHighConcept,andprobablyshouldn'tbeyourTrouble.Thisaspectprovidesyouwithyourpowerfacts,describedbelow.Ifmultiplepower-relatedaspectsareappropriateforyourcharacterconcept,eachonecanprovideitsownsetofpowerfacts.
Thealternaterulesdescribeanotherwaytochooseaspects.
Aspects
Four-ColorFAE
7Aspects
Therearenospecificapproachesorstuntsthatarerequiredtohaveorusepowers.InFAE,youwilluseallyourregularapproachestoactivateyourpowers.
Superheroesoccupyacomic-bookreality.Itsheroes-andvillains-areskilledenoughtoatleastattemptanymundanechallenge.Itistheircourageandmotivesthataretested,nottheirspecificskills.
InFAE,characterskillsaredescribedbytheiraspects,whileacharacter'spersonalstyleisdescribedbyapproaches.Styleisanessentialelementofthefour-coloruniverse.Anamazingsuper-scientistisamazingnotbecauseofhishighLore,butbecausehehastheaspectSuper-scientistfromthe27thCentury.AschemingcrimelordgetsbynotwithahighDeceiveskill,butwiththeaspectBossofNewYork'sUnderworld.BothcharactersmighthaveCleverastheirpeakapproach,buttheyuseitfordifferentthingsandindifferentways.
Approaches
WhyApproaches?
Four-ColorFAE
8Approaches
Youdonothavetopayastunttohavesuperpowers,althoughyourstuntscanimproveandspecializethepowersthatyoudopick.
Forexample,asuper-strongcharactermighthaveastuntlikethis:
Becausethere'snothingIcan'tlift,Igeta+2toForcefullyOvercomeanextremelyheavyphysicalobstaclebyliftingandmovingit.
Stuntscanbeusedtodifferentiatecharacterswiththesamesortofpower.Onesuper-strongheropreferstoliftandcarrythings,andbuysastuntthatreinforcesthat.AnothermighthaveabonustoCreateAdvantageincombatbyusing"bricktricks"suchaspunchingthegroundtocreatetremors.Ifyouhavea"signature"ability,astuntisagoodwaytobringittotheforeground.
Stunts
Four-ColorFAE
9Stunts
CharacterscanstartwithaRefreshof3asnormal,orhigheriftheGMwantstorunamorecinematicgame.AhigherRefreshdoesn'tmeanmorepowerfulsuper-abilities,onlymoreFatepointspersession.
Refresh
Four-ColorFAE
10Refresh
Superpowersaredescribedusinganewelementofyourcharactersheet.Thesearelight-weightExtras,anideaintroducedinFateCore,andarecalledpowerfacts.
Powerfactsareanenumeratedlistofnarrativepermissionsconveyedbyoneormoreoftheseaspects.LikeanyotherFateAcceleratedgame,youraspectsestablishfacts.Youdefineyourpowersbywritingdownthesefactsaheadoftime.
Yourlistofpowerfactsshouldhave3to10items.Eachfactcanbeasdetailedorasvagueasyouwant.Somegroupswillpreferveryspecificdefinitionsforagivenpower("Icanrunat320mph"),whileotherswillbecomfortablewithgeneralities("Icanrunatsuper-speeds").Ifthegroupdiscoversthatapowerfact-particularlythingslikeimmunityorinvulnerability-istoovagueortoospecific,thepowerfactcanbeeditedduringplaywiththeGM'spermission.
Characterscanhaveavarietyofspecificabilities-wizardsandtheirspells,orgadgeteersandtheirinventions,forexample.It'snotnecessarytolisteverysinglespecificability,unlesstheyareasignaturepartofthecharacterorarelikelytoseefrequentuse.Forexample,agadgeteerwhowearsabattlesuitcanlistboth"Armoredbattlesuit"and"Abletoinventsmallusefuldevices"aspowerfacts.Similarly,awizardmighthave"AirArrow"(hissignaturespell),"Conjuredelementalservants"(acommonlyusedpower),and"Wielderofelementalmagic"aspowerfacts.
PowerFacts
Four-ColorFAE
11PowerFacts
Aliens,mutants,ormagic-usersmightallshareacommonsetofpowerfacts.Yourcampaigncanhaveruleslike"allmutantshavetheabilitytosenseothermutants",forexample.GMscanwritethesepowerfactsaheadoftime,orborrowthemfromplayerswhowanttointroduceanewclassofsuper.
Acharacter'saspectshouldspelloutwhatsortoforiginjustifiestheseracialorcommonpowers,suchas"talkingdogfromBetelgeuse"or"wise-crackingmutantfromJersey".
RacialorCommonPowers
Four-ColorFAE
12RacialorCommonPowers
Characterscanbuildequipmentaspowerfacts.Anavengerofthenightwillhavehissupplyofgadgetsandcoolcar.Agadgeteerorheroinpoweredarmorusesequipment,ratherthaninnatepowers,butthesearestillrepresentedaspowerfacts.
Equipment-basedPowers
Four-ColorFAE
13Equipment-basedPowers
Characterscancreateroboticallies,summonedmonsters,orenergyduplicatesusingpowerfacts.
Allycharactersarejustificationforthecharactertorollhisnormalapproachesandusehisnormalstuntsinanewway.Forexample,acharacterwhodispatchesamagicallyconjuredbloodhoundtotrackafleeingcriminalcanjustifymakingrollstoshadowthecriminal,evenifhehimselfisphysicallyoffsomewhereelse.
SidekicksandAlliesasPowers
Four-ColorFAE
14SidekicksandAlliesasPowers
Ifacharacterhasaspecificweakness,thiscanberepresentedasapowerfactaswell.Enemieswhointroduceasourceofweaknesscanuseittocompelthecharacter'spower-relatedaspect(s).
Forexample,avampiremighthaveapowerfactthatreads"Unabletofaceholysymbols".Whenconfrontedbyamastervampirehunter,thevampiremightbeofferedaCompel:"BecauseyouareaBloodsuckingMasterVampire,theholysymboldrivesyouawayandallowsthehuntertosaveyourlatestvictim.Damnyourluck."Evenifthevampirerefusesthatcompel,thepowerfactisstilltrue,andthevampiredoesnothavenarrativepermissiontofaceaholysymboloritswielder.Hemustworkaroundthehunterinsomeway,perhapsbyattackingadifferenttarget,causingadistraction,orhavinghismesmerizedvictimattackthehunterbysurprise.
Weaknesses
Four-ColorFAE
15Weaknesses
Let'screateasamplecharacter,calledMackAtlas.We'llgivehimanaspectthatreflectshissuper-poweredstatus:World'sstrongestsuperhuman.Weimaginehimasa"gentlegiant",whohastremendousphysicalstrengthbutismoreinterestedinconstructionandrescuethaninfightingsuper-battles.
We'llwritedownthefollowingtwopowerfactsforMack:
Super-strength(abletoliftbattleshipsorevenholdupamountain)Super-durability(abletosurviveartillerybarrages)
InthespecificcampaignMackwillbeapartof,allsupershaveahealingfactor,longevity,immunitytodisease,andotherthings.
Sowealsowrite:
Superhumanhealth(Regeneration,Longevity,Immunitytodisease)
SamplePowers
Four-ColorFAE
16SamplePowers
Powersdon'tchangeyourchoiceofactions,approaches,orrolls.Instead,theygiveyoupermissiontomakerollsinnewsituations.Forexample,aheroicadventurerarchaeologistinapulpcampaigndoesn'tgetanOvercomerolltoForcefullylifta10-tonrockfromhispath-hedoesn'thavenarrativepermissiontoeventry.ButthesuperheroMackAtlasdoes,becausehehasapowerfactsayingthathehassuper-strength.
Characterswithoffensivepowers,suchasblastsoffire,canrollAttackatrange.CharacterswithforcefieldsorarmorcanrollDefendagainstbulletsorbeams.WizardscanuseCreateAdvantagetoconjurewallsoficeorstone,whichflyingbrickscanOvercomeusingtheirgreatstrength.Noneoftheseactiontypesarenew-they'resimplynewapplicationsofFateAccelerated'straditionalactionsandapproaches.
Powerfacts,themselves,arenotaspects.Theycannotbecompelledorinvoked.Instead,usetheaspectwhichprovidedthepowerfactforinvocation,compels,andsoon.
UsingPowers
Four-ColorFAE
17UsingPowers
Situationaspectscanprovidepowerfacts.ThesecanbeestablishedbycharactersusingCreateanAdvantage,ornaturallyputinplaythroughnarrationortheGM.
Forexample,acleric'sHolyCircleofDevotioncanhavepowerfactslike"Repelsdemonsorpossessedbeings"and"Blocksattemptsatmindcontrol".Thesepowerfactswouldaffectanyoneinsidethecircle.Avigilante'sSmokeBombcanhavepowerfactslike"Blockslight-basedattacks"and"Exposesholograms".
Characterswhofrequentlyreusethesamesituationaspectsshouldworkouttheirpowerfactsinadvance.Theycanalsosuggestpowerfactsforaspectsthey'vejustcreated,ifitmakessensetodoso.
PowerfactsFromSituationAspects
Four-ColorFAE
18PowerFactsfromSituationAspects
Sometimes,acharacterwillgainorlosepowers.Amutantdevelopsasecondarymutation,orbe"cured"ofhispowersandtakeupcostumedcrime-fightingusingonlymartialartsandacrobaticexpertise.Aninventorbuildsarevolutionarypowersourcethatradicallyaltershisexistingtech,orcrashhisbattlesuitinaremoteareaandhavenothingbutthelocalhardwarestoreasasourceofpartsfornewgadgets.AwizardmightlosethevaluableAnkhofArgon,deprivinghimofmuchofhismagic,onlytofindoutitwasasecrettestofcharacterthatunlockednewarcanerealmsofpower.
Inallthesecases,theplayershouldsimplyupdatehischaracter'spowerfacts.SuchchangeshappenwiththeGM'sapproval,andcanhappeninplay,orduringamilestone.
Ifthecharacterchangestheaspectthatprovidesthemnarrativepermissiontousepowers,theyshouldupdatetheirpowerfactstoreflectthenewreality.
Adding,Changing,andLosingPowers
Four-ColorFAE
19Adding,Changing,andLosingPowers
Inventorscanlendgadgetstotheirfriends.Wizardscancasthelpfulbenedictionsontheiralliesorsummonedminions.Vampiresandwerewolvesmightinfectnormalvictims,turningthemintocreaturesofthenight.
Iftherecipientdoesn'talreadyhaveanappropriatecharacteraspect("friendswithGadgeteerGreg","Latentwitchblood",orwhatever),anaspectcanbecreatedontherecipientthatjustifiesaddingnewpowerfacts.Ifthiswoulddeprivetheoriginalwielderofthepowerfact-likeaninventorgivingawayaone-of-a-kindprototype-thenthisaspectdepriveshimoftheabilitytousethepoweruntilhegetsitback.
LendingandBestowingPowers
Four-ColorFAE
20LendingandBestowingPowers
CharacterscanusetheCreateAdvantageactiontodiscoveranothercharacter'spowerfactsbydiscoveringtheaspectwhichprovidesthem.Thisappliestobothcharacteraspects("he'susingtelekinesis")andsituationaspects("itlookslikethere'saforcefieldhere,anditblocksradiation").
Thisisonlyrelevantinencounterswhereapower'struenatureisintendedtobeimportanttotheadventure,suchaswhenfightinganinvulnerablevillainwithasecretweaknessorinvestigatingamysteriousalienartifact.Characterswhocanfly,throwboltsoffirefromtheirhands,andthelike,usuallyhaveobviouspowerfacts.
DiscoveringPowerFacts
Four-ColorFAE
21DiscoveringPowerFacts
RunningFourColorFAE
Four-ColorFAE
22RunningFourColorFAE
AsaGM,thefactoryouneedtobalancethemostisn'tpowerlevel,it'stimeinthespotlight.EveryPCshouldmatter.EveryPCshouldhaveachancetoshine.
TheFateLadderistheGM'sbestfriend.Whendecidingyourcampaign'stoneandfeel,yougettodecidejustwhat"Average"meansforasuperhero.Canan"Average"attackrollknockdownahalf-dozenarmedthugsinanalleyway?Orisitjustenoughtogiveasinglemuggerabloodynoseonanovicevigilante'sfirstnightout?
Theladdershouldbeusedwithacharacter'spowerfactsinmind.ALegendaryfeatofstrengthforthecrime-fightingphantomCovenantmightbeFairforMackAtlas,theworld'sstrongestman.
PickingDifficultyNumbers
Four-ColorFAE
23PickingDifficultyNumbers
Insomecampaigns,everyoneshouldgetachancetoshine,andpowerlevelisn'tasimportantasabilitytodosomethinginteresting.Inothers,somecharactersaresimplystronger,tougher,ormorepowerful,and"weightclasses"exist.
MackAtlasmightbethestrongestmanintheworld.Heevenhasanaspectwhichsaysso:World'sstrongestsuperhuman.SowhathappensifhegetsintoaliftingcontestwithBrawl,whosepowersofcarbonalchemygivehimasimilarformofsuper-strength?
Ifbothcharactershavenonspecificpowerfactslike"super-strength",thenitcomesdowntotheirrespectiverolls.TheserollswillbemodifiedbytheirStunts,aspectinvocations,andsoforth.Forexample,MackhasastuntthatgivesbonusestoOvercomewhenlifting,andcaninvoke"World'sstrongestsuperhuman",givinghimaclearadvantage.
Ifit'sbeenestablished(throughpowerfactsorinplay)thatBrawlhasonly10%ofMack'sstrength,successisveryunlikelyandthere'spointinrollingtoseewhocanliftmore.Butevenwhenonecharacterismostpowerfulinasinglearea,thatdoesn'tmeanyoushouldneverroll.Ahighlyagilecharactercandefeatasuper-strongcharacterbymakingthemostofhisagilitythroughnarration,situationaspects,andstunts.Acostumedvigilantecandefeatapowerfulparagonwiththerightglowingrock,becausehehastherightpowerfactsthatgavehimaccesstothatrock.Whatmattersishowtheconflictispresentedinthefiction.
PowerLevels
Four-ColorFAE
24PowerLevels
Themostproblematicpowersaretheonesthataremostasymmetric.Super-AlicecanaffectSuper-Bob,butBobcan'tdothesame.Alicecanreadhismind(Bob'spowersdon'tincludemindshields,whicharenormallyreservedforpsychicpowers),orteleporthimintotheupperatmosphere(Bobcan'tfly),oruseherESPorastralprojectiontofindhissecrets(Bobcan'tblockESP,andisn'tevenawareofit).
Thereareseveralwaystohandlethisgeneralproblem.
1. Alice'spowersareeffective,butBobhassomeotherpowerthatcanbeusedtocounterthem.Forexample,Bobhasregenerationandself-inflictspaintoblocksomeonefromaffectinghismind.OrAlicehasspeedsterpowers,butBobcanprojectafireauraaroundhisbodythatAlicecan'tpunchthroughwithouthurtingherself.
2. Alice'spowersareeffective,butoneofBob'steammatescanassisthim.Forexample,Bobcan'tfly,butasuccessfulDefendactionmeansthataflyingteammaterescuedhimintime.TheflyingteammatemightalsobethecharacterrollingtheDefendaction,usingherownpowerfactstojustifydoingso.
3. Alice'spowersareeffective,butsomethingunexpectedorinterestinghappensthatdrivesthestoryinsomedirectionotherthan"Alicewins".Forexample,Alice'sESPmightrevealthatBobrescuedAlice'skidsisterfromadisasterandispayingforherhospitalstay.
ManyoftheseoptionsaremechanicallyhandledthroughCreateAdvantageorOvercomemechanics.Iforwhenarollisappropriate,"failure"doesn'thavetomean"Bobsuccessfullyblockedtheattempt",onlythat"whatAlicewanteddoesn'thappenthewayshewanted,orhappenswithcomplications",andsuccessdoesn'thavetomean"Bobloses".
SpecificPowers
Four-ColorFAE
25SpecificPowers
Characterswhocanconjureupothercharacters(suchasduplicatesofthemselves,robotallies,elementalordemonicservants,andsoforth)canusethispowerformanyexcitingandcreativepurposes.Mostofthesearesimplyopportunitiesformakingrollsunderunusualcircumstances.Examples:
Allowingaduplicatortotakeactionorlearninformationfromsceneswherehisoriginalisnotphysicallypresent.Lettingdupesorsummonstrackdownusefulinformationorhandledifficultordangeroustasks.Sacrificingexpendablealliestotestadangerouscreatureorzone.Ganginguponenemiesincombat.
ManyoftheseareCreateAdvantageactions,eithertocreateanewadvantage(OverwhelmedbyConjuredImps)ortodiscoveraspecificaspect("asyourshadow-selfisdisintegrated,itlearnsthattheroomisprotectedbyanetworkoflaserbeams,andthatknowledgeistransferredtoyou").
Characterswhocancloneorduplicatethemselvescanusethisforconcessionsincombat("Mythreeenergyclonesdied,buttherealmewaselsewhere").
Characterswithintelligentalliesshouldnotreceiveextraactionsduringcombat.TheexceptioniswhenacharacterbuysastuntthatletsthemsummonNPCalliesoncepersession,forexample.TheGMshouldlookcarefullyattheuseofallsuchstunts.
Duplication,Summons,SidekicksandAllies
Four-ColorFAE
26Duplication,Summons,SidekicksandAllies
Inmanycases,theabilitytosensethingsatrangeorthroughbarriersshouldbetreatedasaCreateAdvantageaction,orasadeclarationoffactsbyspendingaFatepoint.WhenlearningaparticularfactresolvesaproblemthatthePCsarefacing,ESPcouldalsoberolledasanOvercomeaction.
TheGMshouldlookcarefullyattheroleofESP-typepowersinthecampaign,andmakesurethatsuchthingsdon'tshort-circuittheadventure(orthefun)ofthegame.Onecommonweaknessispsychicstress-thecharacterreceivesaConsequenceorothermedium-durationconditionasaresultoftheintensityoftheirvisions.
ESPandRemoteViewing
Four-ColorFAE
27ESPandRemoteViewing
Somepowerfactswillgrantimpliedorimplicitimmunitytocertaintypesofattacksand/orenvironmentalconditions.
Forexample,theaquaticadventurerarchaeologistPelagoshasthepowerfact'underwateradaptation'.Heisassumedtobeimmunetodrowning,canignorethecoldandpressureofthedeepocean,andignoresthingslikethebends.Likewise,theroboticcharacterPneumashouldntneedtoeatorbreathe,andthuswouldbeimmunetostarvation,thirst,suffocationandpoison/knockoutgasattacks,allthankstoher'roboticphysiology'powerfact.
Inplay,characterswiththesepowerfactscanignorehazardsthatmightposeaseriousrisktoanothercharacter.
SaythatPelagosandhisally,thegadgeteerpatriotAnthem,areforcedtoescapeatorpedoedsubmarineat300fathomsbeneaththesea.AlthoughPelagosisabletoswimawaywithoutanytroubleatall,thissituationcouldprovedireforAnthem.TheGMmightcallforaCreateAdvantagetodiscoversomescubagear,ortoquicklycobbletogetheragadgetthatletshimsurvivetheswimtothesurface.
ImmunitiesandInvulnerability
Four-ColorFAE
28ImmunitiesandInvulnerability
Othercharactersmighthavebroadimmunitiestocertainattacksourcesaswell.Insuchcases,itsbesttomaketheattackimmunityasanexplicitpowerfact,andtostatetheexactlimitsoftheimmunitytoavoidconfusionduringplay.
Example:BillseeshischaracterMackAtlasasthetraditional'brick'stylehero,andthusimmunetomundaneattacksourceslikeknivesandbullets.Hewrites'Invulnerability'asapowerfacttoreflectthis.TheGMthinksthatthisistoobroad,soBillclarifiesthepower-factas'Invulnerability(bulletproof)'.SoalthoughMackcannowsafelyignorethethreatprovidedbyamugger'spistol,somethinglikearocket-launcherorequivalentforcecanstillbeusedtomakeattacksagainstthehero.
Generalvs.SpecificImmunities
Four-ColorFAE
29ImmunitiesandInvulnerability
Whendealingwithimmunitiesandattacks,itsgoodtonotethatalthoughaparticularattacksourcemightnotbeabletocausestress/consequencestoacharacter,theycanstillbeimpactedbytheattacksourceorbeforcedtoreacttoitinotherways.
Forexample,MackAtlasconfrontsthevillainSnapshotonarooftop.SinceSnapshotsheaviestweaponishiswrist-mountedpistols,helackspermissionstoperformanattackthatwouldpierceMack'sthickskin.Butthevillainishardlydefenseless:usinghispistolshecreatestheadvantageBlindedbygunfireonMackwithasuccessfulopposedcheck,andthenusestomomentumoftheconfusedandchargingherotolaunchhimoffoftheroof!Snapshotmightnotbeabletodamagetheherowithhisguns,butafallof10+storiesmightjustdothetrick...
Immunitiesgrantedbycertainpower-factsreinforcesgenre,andgivescertaincharactersachancetoshineundersetcircumstances.Theyshouldneverbesobroad,however,thataparticularcharacterisneverinfearofanydanger:withoutriskboththetensionandthefunofthegameisirretrievablybroken.
AffectingCharactersWithImmunities
Four-ColorFAE
30ImmunitiesandInvulnerability
Afamiliartropeinsuper-herocomics(orindeed,inotherformsoffictionandmythology)isthatacharactergrantedenormousstrengthsisalsosaddledwithequallyenormousweaknessestobalanceouttheiradvantages.
Sometimesthesesortofweaknessesareimpliedbythepowerfactsthemselves:althoughafire-projectingcharactercanbeassumedtobeinvulnerabletofireandheat,theymightbeveryvulnerableindeedtowaterandcold-basedattacks.Vice-versa,acold-manipulatingcharactermightbemoresensitivetoheat/firebasedattacksandenvironments.
Especiallywhenthegamemixescharacterswithgodlikepowersandthosewithmoremundaneabilities,itmaybeappropriatetorequirethatanexceptionalpowerorabilitybepairedwithanequallyrestrictivelimitorweaknessthatnegatesitseffectiveness.
Likewise,it'sentirelyappropriateforaplayertoplacelimitsontheirowncharacterwithoutoutsidepromptingtohumanizethecharacter,emulatethegenre,providefurtherroleplayingopportunities,orjusttobeacompel-magnet.
Forexample,EmmaenvisionshercharacterMissInvictusasthetraditional'flyingbrick'archetype,andwritesdownahugelistofpowerfactsincludingsuper-strength,invulnerability,flight,super-speed,super-senses,andenergy-blasts.Tobalancethisout,shealsoincludespowerfactsmakinghervulnerabletocertainradiationwavelengthsandmagic,bothofwhichrenderhercharacterpowerless.SincetheGMseesroomforbothweaknessesascomingintoplayinthegame,theyagreethatthesearegoodlimitsforthesortofgametheywillbeplaying.
Likeallpowerfacts,feelfreetodiscusswhichonesmightbeappropriateforyourtablewithyourgroupandtheGM.Toomanyweaknesseswithtoofewstrengthscanmakeacharacterunplayable,whereasthereversecouldresultinacharacterthatisallowedtohogtoomuchofthespotlightcomparedtoherpeers.Thiscanbeabalancingact,andyoushouldbeunafraidofmakingadjustmentsasyougoifadditionalcalibrationisnecessaryasdiscoveredinplay.
Weaknesses
Four-ColorFAE
31ImmunitiesandInvulnerability
IftheGMhassetaminimumlengthoftimeforcharacterstochangetheirpowerfacts(suchas"nomorethanoncepersession"),characterswiththeabilitytomimicothers'powers,ortoradicallychangetheirown,mightrequireastuntthatletsthemchangepowerfactsmorerapidly.
Characterswhocanadoptavarietyofcommonpowers(suchasshapeshiftingintoanimals)usuallyshouldn'tneedsuchastunt.Instead,theirpowerfactswouldincludethingslike"Abletoadoptthephysicaltraitsofanimals".
PowerDuplicationorAlteration
Four-ColorFAE
32PowerDuplicationorAlteration
Characterswhocansensethefuture,orchangethepast,canbedifficulttobalance.IftheGMpermitssuchcharactersintohissetting,hehasafewoptions.
Characterswhocansensethenearfuture,ortravelbackintimetoundoarecentmistake,couldcreateordiscoveraspectstoreflecttheiraccesstotime.Theseaspectscanbeofferedascompelsifhistoryismeanttogoacertainway-andacompelcanberefused,ifcharactersareabletofighttheirownfateorifhistorycanbechanged.AprecognitiveortimetravelercanspendFatepoints,asusual,tomakedeclarationsthatareexplainedbytheirmeddlingwithhistory.
Thedistantpast,thefarfuture,andevenotherdimensionscanallbenewareasofthecampaignforthePCstodiscover,explore,anddefend.
PrecognitionandTimeTravel
Four-ColorFAE
33PrecognitionandTimeTravel
Speedstersinherently"breaktherules"inalotofways.Mostoftheseshouldbetreatedasnarrativepermissionsorcleveraspects,unlessthecharacterhasstuntsthatgivethemsomespecificbenefit.
Somesituationaspectscaneffectivelyneutralizeaspeedster'sadvantages,suchasasuper-slicksurface,athicklayerofcaltrops,orimpassablegridsoflaserbeams.
Super-SpeedandMovementPowers
Four-ColorFAE
34Super-SpeedandMovementPowers
Characterswithsuper-speedshouldn'tbegivenextraactionsincontestsorconflicts,asthiscanbeunbalancing.
Extraactions
Four-ColorFAE
35Super-SpeedandMovementPowers
Somecharactersusetheirsuper-movementdirectlyasanattack-teleportingpeopletogreatheightsandthendroppingthem,orrunningintosomeoneorpunchingthematveryhighspeed.
ThegoaloftheGM,andtheplayer(s)inquestion,istohaveananswerforthequestion"howwouldthispowerbeopposed?",and/or"whatistherealgoalIhavewhenusingthispower?"
Anexampleoftheformer:aspeedster'sattackscanbecounteredbydamagingzonesofenergy,slicksurfaces,especiallytougharmor,andsoforth.Anexampleofthelatter:ateleportertakingoutaseriesofhenchmentosneakintoagovernmentcomplexisn'ttryingtokillthemashismaingoal,andfailuredoesn'tmeanthehenchmansurvives.Instead,hisrealgoalistoremoveoppositionandkeepanalarmfrombeingraised.Inthatcase,asimplesuccessatOvercomeneutralizestheguards,whilefailuretriggersthealarm.
Super-movementasAttack
Four-ColorFAE
36Super-SpeedandMovementPowers
Normally,characterscaninteractwithothercharactersinnearbyzonesiftheycanjustifyactingatadistance.Super-speedandmovement-relatedpowerfactsprovidethatjustification.
Normally,youcanmoveonezoneforfree.Super-fastcharactersshouldbeallowedtomovemorethanthis,uptotheirstatedlimit,aslongastheyspendanactiontodoso.Optionally,theGMcanrequireasuccessfulOvercomerolltoreachtheirintendeddestination,withfailuresendingthemoffcourseordoingdamage(likerunningintoawall,teleportingintoasolidmass,andsoforth).
TheGMcanrequireastuntforsuper-movementthroughzonesifdesired,thoughthisshouldonlybedoneifsuper-speedisfoundtobeunbalancing.
Zones
Four-ColorFAE
37Super-SpeedandMovementPowers
CharacterswithTelepathyhaveanobviousavenuetoCreateanAdvantageonanNPC'scharacteraspectsbyprobingtheirmindsormemories,andusuallyhavenarrativepermissiontoattemptdoingso.Dependingonhowthepowerisdefined,theNPCmightbeawareofsuchprobeswhenotherrouteswouldbemoresubtle(likeadetectivegoingthroughpolicerecordsorahackerdoingInternetsearches).Youcanusethisasatrade-off,lettingthetelepathgaininformationthatthedetectiveorhackerdon'thaveaccesstoatthecostoftippingoffthetarget.
CanatelepathtakecontrolofanNPC'smind?Ingeneral,ifthatNPCcan'toffersignificantresistanceanditadvancestheplot,youshouldallowitasasimpleOvercome.Ontheotherhand,takingoveramajorNPC'smindandpuppetinghisorheractionscanbeamentalconflict,withtheTakenOutresultindicatingtotalmentalcontrol.
Acharacterwithmindcontrolcouldrolltoachievetheirrealobjective,bypassingtheOvercomeandjustifyingthatrollbysaying"I'vemind-controlledasuitabletarget".Thisisbestwhentheoutcomeofafailedattempttocontrolsomeone'smindisn'tinteresting,orsuccessatthetake-overitselfseemscertain.
Certaintelepathsmightbeabletoacquirenewinformationorskills.Thiscanjustifyusingtheirapproachestomakerollsoutsideoftheirstatedareasofcompetence(likeatelepathdoingsurgeryonacomrade,basedonexpertisecopiedfromthemindofabrilliantdoctor).
TelepathyandMindControl
Four-ColorFAE
38TelepathyandMindControl
Theideaof"failingforward"isimportanttoFate.Putsimply,failingforwardmeansthateachfailure-amissedrollorabotchedaction,losingafight,takingseriousdamage,andsoforth-shouldn'tstopthestory,butshouldchangeitsdirection.Forexample,whenthePCstrytostopasupervillainfromrobbingahigh-techlab,theymightsucceedinpreventingthetheft.Butiftheyfail,andthevillainescapes,anewdirectionfortheplotappears:stoppinghimfromusingthecomponentshestoletobuildadangerousinventionwhichthreatensthecity!Ratherthansaying"youfailed",theGMhasraisedthestakesontheoverallstory.
WhenafightisnotgoingwellforthePCs-particularlywhenfightinganunfamiliarvillainforthefirsttime-it'sappropriatetothegenretoallowPCstoconcede,ratherthantakingseriousdamagethatcouldlingerwiththemthroughthestoryarc.Thevillainwillgetaway,butthePCswillearnvaluableFatepointsthatcanbeusedtoimprovetheiroddsnexttime.
TheGMcanintroducegenrestunts(see"NewandOptionalRules")thatpromotethissortofplay.
Super-FightsandFailingForward
Four-ColorFAE
39Super-FightsandFailingForward
CampaignDesign
Four-ColorFAE
40CampaignDesign
Herearesomequestionstoaskwhenplanningyournewsuperheroiccampaign:
WhatstyleofgameamIaimingfor?DoIhaveaspecificcomic,orpublisherofcomics,thatfitsthestyleIwant?WhatsortsofcharactersamIinterestedinhaving?ArethereanysortsofcharactersIwouldprefernottohave?WhatoptionalrulesdoIwanttointroduce?ArethereanyrulesthatIdon'tintendtoinclude?
Itcanbehelpfultoestablishthetoneofyourgamebycreatingoneortwocampaignaspects,suchasMutanthysteriaorWhowatchesthewatchmen?.Youcanalsousesomeoptionalrules,likeGenreStunts,toencourageastyleofplay.Somegameswillfeatureknock-down,drag-outfightsthroughdowntown,whileothersareaboutsupersbeinghuntedbythegovernmentoralieninvaders,andyoucanuseaspectsandstuntstogetyourgroupintherightmindset.
Youcanusecampaignplanningaids,likeASparkinFateCore,tohelpmakegroupdecisionsaboutthefeelofyourcampaign.
PlanningaCampaign
Four-ColorFAE
41PlanningaCampaign
Therearetwocommonwaystorunagamebasedontheworldofcomicbooksandfour-coloraction:theepisodicstoryandtheongoingstory.
Episodicstoriesaregenerallyopenandshut.Theheroesaregoingabouttheirbusinesswhenavillainappearsandcausestrouble.There'ssomedifficultyinovercomingthevillainatfirst,buttheheroeseventuallytriumph!Thevillainusuallyendsthestoryimprisonedorotherwisedefeated,butcanreturnforfutureissues.Therecanberecurringstoryelementsandsupportingcharacters,buttheyareusuallynotthefocus.
Ongoingstoriesarecharacterizedbytheirstoryarcs.Thesestoriescanbraidtogetherandinteract-forexample,thestoryoftwocharacters'attemptstoreconciletheirrelationshipcanintersectwithavillainattackonamajorcity.
There'sno"right"or"wrong"waytorun,andyourgroup'sstylemightnotmatcheitherofthesetwoapproaches.
TheGMcancreategenrestunts(see"NeworOptionalRules")orintroduceotherrulesthatenforcetheflavortheyareinterestedinpromoting.
GMingaComicBook
Four-ColorFAE
42GMingaComicBook
Comicbooksareaboutoutlandish,amazingthingshappening,andhowawildlydiverseandinterestingcastofcharactersrespondtothosethings.Forthatreason,morethanmostothergenres,theGMshouldbepreparedtosay"yes"towhatevercrazinesstheplayersintendtotry,aslongasit'sfun.ThePCswillbeheroic,larger-than-lifesorts,andcanbeexpectedtodoimpossiblethings.
Sometimesthisdramaticlicensecangotoofar,ortakethegameinundesirabledirections.Ifyourgoalistoemulatethestyleof80'sMarvelcomics,andsomeofyourplayersaremoreinterestedin90'sImage,gettingonthesamepagebeforethecampaignbeginsisessential.
WhenfindingyourvoiceasGM,it'shelpfultothinkofyourselfasthenarrator,ratherthantheopposition.YourroleistointroducethePCs,helptelltheirstorytotheaudience,andputaspotlightontheirstrengthsandvictories.Youcanbeafanofthecharactersandstillthrowacity-wreckinggiantmonsteratthem.
TheFour-ColorFeel
Four-ColorFAE
43TheFour-ColorFeel
ThisadviceisbasedonthearticleCreatingChallengingOpponents.
AnimportantpartofconflictsinFateistheactioneconomy.However,agivenvillaincanbeatadisadvantageifheonlyhashisoneactionagainstseveralPCs.
Tochallengetheplayersinafight,startbypickingadifficultylevelfromtheFateladder.Takethecorrespondingbonus,multiplythatbythenumberofPCsinplay,thenhalveit.ThatistheapproximatenumberofNPCactionsthatwillgiveanappropriatelytoughfight.Onceyouhavethatnumber,youcandividethemupagainstyourmajorvillains,theirmundanehenchmen(orrobotallies,etc.),andanysupportingvillains(evilapprentices,C-orD-listvillainhelpers,ortoughuber-henchmensuchassnipers).Foreverymajorvillain,youwantabouttwominorvillainsorsupportingcharacters,andaboutthreeorfourhenchmen.
Forexample,aSuperb(+5)difficultyagainst4PCswouldyield(5*4/2)or10totalNPCactors.TheGMdecidestocreatetwomajorvillains,threesupportingcharacters,andfivehenchmen.
Thesecharactersshouldbeintroducedtothefightgradually-usuallyasmanyNPCsastheirarePCs,or1.5timesasmany,tostart.Forexample,fourPCsmightfacefourhenchmenandtwoofthesupportingvillains.Asthefightprogresses,amajorvillainandthefinalsupportingcharacterappear,thenfinallytheothermajorvillain.
IfthehighestapproachratingyourPCshaveis+3,giveyourmajorvillainsamaximumapproachof+4,theirsupportingvillains+3,andtheirhenchmen+2intheirparticulararea.ScalethisupasyourPCs'approachesincrease.
Youcancreatemonstrousopponentsbygivingthemextraactions,stressboxes,andspecialrulessuchasbeingabletohiteverytargetinazoneonasuccessfulattack.Theycanalsousetheoptionalpowerlevelrulestoinflictmoreortakelessdamagetosmallerorweakerplayercharacters.
Theweakersupportingcharactersshouldworktocreatesituationaspectsfortheirsuperiors.Thestrongercharactersshouldcreatesituationaspectsdirectlyontheirtargets,makeattacks,andsoforth.
CreatingChallengingEncounters
Four-ColorFAE
44CreatingChallengingEncounters
NewandOptionalRules
Four-ColorFAE
45NewandOptionalRules
NoteveryoneissatisfiedwiththeFAEstandardapproachesofCareful,Clever,Flashy,Forceful,Quick,andSneaky.Yourgamemightdecidetousedifferentapproaches.
Forexample,aGMmightdecidetoemulatetheclassicMarvelSuperHeroesroleplayinggame,andchoosesevenApproaches:Fighting,Agility,Strength,Endurance,Reason,Intuition,andPsyche.Characteraspectswouldcontinuetodefineanindividualcharacter'sskillsandareasofexpertise.
Whenchangingthenumberofapproachesfromsix,trytomaintainapyramidstructurefortheapproachbonuses.Forexample,withsevenapproaches,theGMmighttelltheplayerstopickasingle+3,two+2s,two+1s,andtwo+0s.
AmixtureofstandardapproachesandtheFreeformSkillsoptionalruleintheFateSystemToolkit(foundhere:http://fate-srd.com/fate-system-toolkit/other-solutions#freeform-skills)mightrevolvearoundthemes:theGMselectsthreecampaignthemes(likeViolence,Honor,andLegacy),andleteachPCpickthreepersonalthemesrelevanttotheircharacter(likeRevenge,Love,andMystery).Charactersrollontheappropriatethemewhenactingtofurtherthattypeofstorywithinthegame.
AlternateApproaches
Four-ColorFAE
46AlternateApproaches
Super-teamsaremadeupofcharactersthatcoordinatewelltogether.Theyhavedistinctroles,ratherthanclearrelationswithotherspecificcharacters.Originstorieshangheavilyovereventhestrongesthero,fromthemaskedvigilantemourninghislostfamilytothesolesurvivorofanalienplanet.Torepresenttheselastinginfluences,theplayercanchooseaspectswhichfilleachoftheseslots:
Position.Thisisthecharacter'sroleontheteam-leader,spy,enforcer,andsoon.Ifthecharacter'spowerschanged,theywouldlikelycontinueinthisroleinsomeotherway.Past.Thecharacter'soriginstory,wheretheycamefrom,andhowthathasaffectedtheirheroiccareer.Personality.Thecharacter'snature,habits,mannerisms,orpersona.Whotheyareasapersonandhowtheyappeartoothers.Powers.Adescriptionofthecharacter'spoweroriginorsuper-powers.Problems.Thetroublethecharacterfaces,recurringenemies,majorweaknesses,andsoon.
Notallgameswillhavealloftheseslots.Forexample,MackAtlasisinacampaignwhereallsupershaveacommonpowerorigin.Hemightskipthe"Past"aspectslot,andwriteagenericaspectinitsplace.
Ifyouaretranslatinganexistingcharacterintothismodelofaspectchoice,youcantreat"Position"or"Personality"asthecharacter'sHighConcept,and"Problems"asthecharacter'sTrouble.
AlternatePhaseTrioRules
Four-ColorFAE
47AlternatePhaseTrioRules
Thesestuntsarenotrequiredforcharacterswhohavethepowerinquestion.Theyarepresentedasawayforcharacterstoexpandonthenarrativepermissionstheirpowersprovide,inwaysthatgoagainstthenormalrulesofFAE.
Manyofthesestuntscanalsofunctionasgenrestunts,appliedtoallcharacterswhohaveagiventypeofpower.
NewStunts
Four-ColorFAE
48NewStunts
BecauseIcansummon,create,orconjurealliestomyaid,oncepersessionIcanbringoneormoreNPCsintoplayinaconflict.
SuggestedNPCstatistics:IfthecharactersummonsasingleNPC,giveitanapproachoranNPCskilllike"Supporting(playercharacter)"atthePC'shighestapproach+1.TheywillhavethesamenumberofstressboxesasthePC,butnoconsequenceslots.YoucansummonmorethanoneNPC,butreducetheirapproachesanddroponestressboxperextraNPCsummoned.SothreeNPCswouldhavethePC'sapproachat-1,andonestressboxeach.
DuplicatesorSummons
Four-ColorFAE
49DuplicatesorSummons
BecauseIaminvulnerabletoconventionalattacks,IusetheCollateralConsequencesoptionalrulewhentakingdamage.
IfaGMdoesn'twanttouseCollateralConsequencesforeverysuper,butdoesthinkitmakessenseforbrickswhowilltrashdowntownwhentheyfight,theycanrequirethatsuper-toughPCstakeastuntlikethis.
Invulnerability
Four-ColorFAE
50Invulnerability
Becausemypowerschangerapidly,orbecauseIcancopythepowerfactsofothers,Icanchangepowerfactsmoreoftenthannormal.
IngameswheretheGMhassetlimitsonwhenpowerfactscanbechanged(suchasduringaspecifictypeofmilestone),characterswhocanmimicpowersoraltertheirownpowersmightberequiredtotakethisstunt,forbalance.
PowerDuplicationorAlteration
Four-ColorFAE
51PowerDuplicationorAlteration
BecauseIhaveanextraordinaryformofmovement,suchassuper-runningorteleportation,Icanmoveanunlimitednumberofzonesasoneaction.
Ingameswheremovement,positioning,andplacementareimportant,super-fastcharactersmightneedthisstunttoensurebalance.DonottakethisstuntunlesstheGMhasspecificallymandatedthatsuper-fastcharactersneedit,however.
Super-Movement
Four-ColorFAE
52Super-Movement
BecauseIcanmoveatsuper-speed,twiceperconflictIcaninterrupttheinitiativeorderandmovebeforeanothercharacter.Icannotactmorethanonceperexchange.
TheplayershouldcheckwiththeGMaboutinitiativebeforetakingthisstunt,toensurethatit'srelevant.
Super-Speed
Four-ColorFAE
53Super-Movement
TheGMcancreategenreaspects,whicharecampaign-wide,thathelpdefineandenforcesomecommonelements.ExampleswouldbeCometMonstersAreEverywhere!foragamewhereacometfromspaceempoweredrandomcitizens,orMutantPrejudiceforagamewherepowerscomefromageneticmutationthatstigmatizessupersbornwithit.
Justlikeaspects,stuntscanalsobetiedtoacampaign,aparticularstoryarc,oralocation,notjustacharacter.InFourColorFAE,suchgenrestuntscanbeintroducedthatbreakthegamerulestoenforceaparticularconventionofsuperherogames.
Genrestuntsarealsoawaytointroduceriskyorpowerfuloptionalrules.Theycanproviderulesforallcharacterswithagivenpowerfact,suchassuper-speed,thattheGMfeelsisimportantenoughtoarticulatebutnotunbalancingenoughtorequireeachPCtohave.
GenreAspectsandGenreStunts
Four-ColorFAE
54GenreAspectsandGenreStunts
Becausethevillainalwaysexplainshisplans,onevillainpersessioncanbecompelledtorevealhisplansorgoalsthroughamonologue,atnoFatepointcosttotheplayerwhoproposedit.
Villainmonologuesareastapleoffour-colorcomics.Thisstuntallowsplayerstomoreeasilytakeadvantageofsuchdistractingspeechestoundothevillain'splan.
Becausethefinalfightagainstavillainshouldbeabigbrawl,duringsuchafighteachcharactercanusethe"CollateralConsequencesandExtremeEffort"optionalruleonceinthesession.
Somegamesliketohaveaflashyfinalbattle,whereavillainwhowaswipingthewallswiththeheroesfinallygetshiscomeuppance(andthecitygetssoundlytrashed).TheGMcandeclarethisstunttobeinplayduringthesessionwhentheplayersarereadyforthisbigshowdown.
Becausethefirstdefeatfromavillainrarelyleaveslastingconsequences,thefirsttimecharactersofferaconcessiontoavillain,theyeraseanyconsequencesinflictedbythatvillain.
Astapleofcertaingamesisthe"unbeatablebossfight"-theonewheretheGMgetstoestablishjusthowtoughhisvillainreallyis.Tosoftentheblowofthisfirstmeeting,theGMcanallowthisstunt.
Becausethestatusquoisgenerallypreserved,playerscanusetheirminormilestonetocleareitheraModerateoraSevereConsequenceinsteadofchangingtheirstunts,aspects,orapproaches.
Inepisodicgames,itiscommontoenforceastatusquo-theheroisalwaysafterhisgirlfriendtomarryhim,thevillainhasalwaysswornvengeanceonthehero,majorinjuriesorlife-changingeventsdon'thappen,andsoforth.Inthesegames,youcanhittheresetbuttononmanythings,themostcommonbeingConsequencestaken,attheendofthestory.
ExampleGenreStunts
Four-ColorFAE
55ExampleGenreStunts
Insomeworlds,noteverysuperiscreatedequal,andyourgaminggroupwantsmechanicaleffectstorepresentthisimbalance.TheGMcanusethe"Scale"rulesfromtheFateSystemToolkit,foundhere:http://fate-srd.com/fate-system-toolkit/scale.
Whentwosupersenterintoaconflictwithoneanother,thedifferencesintheirscalecomeintoplay.Foreverystepthatseparatesthem,applyoneormoreofthefollowingeffectsifitmakesnarrativesensethatthepowerlevelwouldmakeadifference:
Forattacks,+1totheAttackroll,or+1totheDefenseroll+1toactiveoppositionagainstanopponent'sCreateAdvantageroll(whetheractiveorpassive)Deal+2shiftsofharmonasuccessfulattackorreduceincomingharmby2
Forexample,inthecampaignworldwhereMackAtlaslives,supersgettheirpowerin"Stages".Stage2charactersarepeopleatpeakhumanability.Theycanfunctionascostumedvigilantes,butdon'thaveuniquepowersoftheirown.Stage3charactersareminorsuperhumans,andhavebasicpowerssuchasflight,energyblasts,andsoon.Stage4charactersareveteran-levelsupers,withastrongsetofpowers,agoodhealingfactor,andotherbenefits.ThefewStage5supersdominatetheirareas,andStage6wouldbetheheroesordemigodsoflegend.
MackisaStage4hero.HeisattackedbyaStage2vigilantewhousessmokebombs,tonfas,andshuriken.Becausethere'stwostepsofscaleindifference,Mackgetsa+2toopposeattemptsbyhisenemytoCreateAdvantageusingnervestrikesorcripplingjointlocks,andtoreduceincomingshiftsofdamageby4fromtonfaorshurikenattacks.TheGMrulesthatthevigilante'ssmokebombsarefullyeffective,becauseMack'spowerleveldoesn'tprovideabenefitforseeingthroughthicksmoke.
PowerLevelsandSuper"WeightClasses"
Four-ColorFAE
56PowerLevelsandSuper"WeightClasses"
Fluidcinematiccombatissometimeshardtostagewhenyouarerollingforinitiative,orevenusingeachcharacter'sQuickapproach.BecauseFateencouragesastyleofplaywhereseveralcharactersbuildupadvantagesforeachother,orplayoffofeachother'sactions,yourgroupmightpreferthattheplayersdeterminetheorderinwhichthesethingshappen.TheserulesarebasedontheinitiativerulesdescribedbyRyanM.Dankshere:http://ryanmdanks.com/?p=13
Whenaconflictbegins,initiativeisheldbythePCorNPCthatinitiatedit.Theplayer(orGM)ofthecharacterwhoactedthenchooseswhogoesnext,thenthatpersonchooses,andsoforth,untileveryPCandNPChastakenoneaction.Thelastcharacterwhoactedintheexchangegetstopickwhoactsfirstinthenextexchange.Acharactercannotgotwiceinarow,andeachcharactercanactatmostonceperexchange.
Characterswithpowerfactslike"super-speed"donotgettoactearlier,ortointerruptothercharacters'actions,withoutastunt.
Ifyouwantawaytosignalwhohasorhasn'tactedatthetable,RandyOesthasaPDFofcardsreading"ReadyForAction!"and"Done".YoucangetthePDFhere:https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14727805/Random%20Bits/2015/init.pdf
Alternatetextforsuchcardscanbefoundhere:https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/14727805/Random%20Bits/2015/cards.jpg
AlternateInitiativeRules
Four-ColorFAE
57AlternateInitiativeRules
Forgroupsthatwanttopermitinvulnerablecharacters(particularlyvillains)andaren'tsatisfiedwiththerulesaboutusingnarrativepermission,herearesomealternativeapproaches:
Treatinvulnerabilityasanopportunityforconcessionandcompels.Forexample,aninvulnerablevillainmightofferthePCsacompelonhispower-grantingaspect."BecauseyourattacksdonothingagainstthearmoredmightofDoomsayer,hegetsawaywithhisill-gottenloot,leavingyoutoponderyournextmove.Damnyourluck."ThisisagoodwaytobuildupFatepointsforalaterencounter.Treatthecharacter'sownconsequenceslotsas"collateraldamage",asoutlinedbyRyanM.Dankshere:http://ryanmdanks.com/?p=261.UsetheCollateralConsequencesrulesforinvulnerablecharacters.Youcanrequirethatastuntbespenttoinvokethisrulespecificallyforthosecharacters.
AlternateInvulnerabilityRules
Four-ColorFAE
58AlternateInvulnerabilityRules
Thefollowingisareprintofthe"CollateralConsequences"rulesfromtheFateSystemToolkit,andcanbefoundonlineathttp://fate-srd.com/fate-system-toolkit/consequences:
Inadditiontotheirusualcomplementofconsequences,theplayerscanalsomakeuseofthreecommunalconsequences,oneofeachdegreeofseverity.Theserepresentdamagetotheenvironmentornewcomplicationsinthestory,suchasInjuredBystandersorAnti-MutantHysteria.Playerscaneffectivelyusethemtooffloadharmfromthemselvesontotheworldaroundthem.Acollateralconsequencecanbecleared,usinganOvercomeactionwithwhateverapproachseemsmostappropriate,withtwoexceptions.One,itmustbedoneduringthesceneinwhichtheconsequenceisincurred.Two,theresnodelay-withagoodenoughrollitclearsimmediately.
CollateralConsequences
Four-ColorFAE
59CollateralConsequences
Thefollowingisavariantofthe"ExtremeEffort"rulesfromtheFateSystemToolkit,whichcanbefoundonlineathttp://fate-srd.com/fate-system-toolkit/consequences:
Playerscanusecollateralconsequencesforextraeffort:byvoluntarilycausinglargeamountsofcollateraldamageordestruction(andtakingacollateralconsequence),theygetabonusonarollequaltotheconsequence'svalue.Mildgrants+2,Moderate+4,Severe+6.
Noteveryuseofthisruleinvolvesthrowingsomeonethroughbuildings.Heroescantakeactionsthatendangertheirpublicimageinthenameofthegreatergood.Mutantscanrevealtheirfullpower,causinghysteriabutallowingthemtodefeatthebadguy.
ThisruleisintendedforPCswhoarefightingsomehighlychallengingfoe,ratherthanboostingAttackrollsagainstcasualopponents.GMswhofeelthatthisruleisbeingabusedshouldstarthavingvillainsofferCompelstothePCsbasedontheinflictedconsequence.Forexample:"BecauseyourammedtheManhattanMonsterthroughthatofficebuilding,severalciviliansareputatrisk.Inyourattemptstorescuethemandkeepthebuildingfromcollapses,theMonstergetsawayandyougetsomenegativepressonthe6o'clocknews.Damnyourluck."
CollateralConsequencesandExtremeEffort
Four-ColorFAE
60CollateralConsequencesandExtremeEffort
There'salotofinterestinsuperheroicgamingintheFatecommunity.Innoparticularorder,here'salistofproducts,articles,andrulesthatcoversuperheroes,powers,andfluidcinematicaction.PleasejointheFour-ColorFAEcommunitytoshareyourown!
TheGoogle+communityforthisgamecanbefoundhere:https://plus.google.com/communities/100813028091232745121
TroyRaycreatedacharactersheetforsuperherocharacters,alongwithablack-and-whiteversionwithalternateApproaches.
AtomicRobo-EvilHatBaseRaiders-SlangDesignVillainsAccelerated-FaintingGoatGames
ASparkinFateCore-JasonPitreofGenesisofLegendPublishingBuildingSuperheroesinFateCore-RyanM.Danks,basedpartiallyonthismaterialCreatingChallengingOpponents-BillGarrettTheEssentialFour-ColorFAE-MikeLindseyHeroesAccelerated-GeoffSpakesMakingSupermanTrulyInvulnerableinFateCore-RyanM.DanksSuperheroNation-howtowritecomicbooks,andsuperheroesspecificallyUsingIronMantoExploreAspectJustification-RyanM.DanksWritingaSuperheroComic-TVTropes
FurtherReading
Four-ColorFAE
PublishedProducts
Articles,Blogs,andAlternateRules
Four-ColorFAE
61FurtherReading
IntroductionLicenseCreating CharactersAspectsApproachesStuntsRefreshPower FactsRacial or Common PowersEquipment-based PowersSidekicks and Allies as PowersWeaknesses
Sample Powers
Using PowersPower Facts from Situation AspectsAdding, Changing, and Losing PowersLending and Bestowing PowersDiscovering Power Facts
Running Four Color FAEPicking Difficulty NumbersPower LevelsSpecific PowersDuplication, Summons, Sidekicks and AlliesESP and Remote ViewingImmunities and InvulnerabilityPower Duplication or AlterationPrecognition and Time TravelSuper-Speed and Movement PowersTelepathy and Mind Control
Super-Fights and Failing Forward
Campaign DesignPlanning a CampaignGMing a Comic BookThe Four-Color FeelCreating Challenging Encounters
New and Optional RulesAlternate ApproachesAlternate Phase Trio RulesNew StuntsDuplicates or SummonsInvulnerabilityPower Duplication or AlterationSuper-Movement
Genre Aspects and Genre StuntsExample Genre Stunts
Power Levels and Super "Weight Classes"Alternate Initiative RulesAlternate Invulnerability RulesCollateral ConsequencesCollateral Consequences and Extreme Effort
Further Reading