How to run a Super Hero RPG?

[fireinthedust]

I'm looking for some Campaign ideas for a Super Heroes RPG adventure/one shot or campaign, and advice for how to run such a game.

The game needs to be for a straight-up super heroes group, with tights and hero names, a team name, the whole nine yards. Points for style (ie: costumed villains, freeze rays, dinosaurs, power suits, monologues, etc.).

However: I want to know how you'd structure it, not just talk about it. Could you do, for example, a five-scene adventure for Superheroes in the same way we use the five room dungeon model? Or is there a better way to go about writing for super hero RPGs?

 

[Nagol]

The 5-room model isn't a bad place to start for superheroic adventures. The structure needs to be twisted just a bit to accommodate the more reactive style of superheroic play.

Entrance with Guardian
This converts to the villains' opening gambit -- what is the villain doing? What is the apparent motivation?

Puzzle Or Roleplaying Challenge

Trick or Setback
The villains' real plan is discovered or a different villain steps out of the shadows.

Big Climax

Reward, Revelation


The thing to remember is the world is really a soap-opera. No one dies, relationships get deep and in some cases complex. Villain and hero alliances can shift over time. The main source of exploration is relationship.

 

[am181d]

A good rule of thumb is:

EVENT ONE: Crime! (This could be a bank robbery or a giant monster attacking or whatever. Something that turns out to be part of a bigger scheme later on. Something for the heroes to stop, but which points to something bigger on the horizon.)

EVENT TWO: Heroes regroup! (Heroes settle on a course of action. Opportunity for role-playing.)

EVENT THREE: Heroes investigate! (Heroes follow plan and seek out more information. Opportunity for role-playing and non-combat skill use. Tends to lead right into...)

EVENT FOUR: Villain reveal! (Generally this WOULDN'T be the big bad just yet, but at this point the villain's masterplan is exposed and -- through violence -- probably stopped. For example, this might be where the goons who are poisoning the city's water supply are defeated.)

EVENT FIVE: Boss fight! (Now the Big Bad emerges. Possibly with a shocking twist reveal. "It was you all along???" And one more fight.)

You might also add some scenes with individual characters and their supporting casts before Event One or after Event Five to help advance sub-plots or highlight particular themes.

As you become more comfortable with the structure, you can certainly take more liberties, switching the order around, compressing or expanding scenes, etc. But this is a pretty start.

 

[fireinthedust]

Sweet!

Okay, interesting fact: I'm hoping to get a GM for a PbP game here on the boards. I am currently writing an RPG, so that's a lot of time and mental energy directed towards it, the playtest modules, etc., and I know myself: I won't do a good job.

HOWEVER: the show Young Justice is great, ditto Avengers (movie and cartoon) and I would LOVE to play in a game. I'm really very nice, a very supportive player, and can post regularly (preferably here as it's a great forum, but can do Atomicthinktank or Margaretweisproductions forums). PLUS there are a number of other players in the Talking the Talk forum who have expressed interest, so you've at least got a starting group!

Would either of you wonderful, kind, intelligent, probably very handsome, possibly majestic individuals be willing run a Supers game? Clearly you both have the right stuff. (that smiley could be either of you)

 

[MaliceX]

I had the experience to play the marvel rpg back in the day. You can use the icon characters, or build your own. It was a good system with only a few quirks. Now, you can try Silver Age sentinels (using D20 rules), WEG D6 Adventure (using the rules of D6 Space and/or Fantasy for your "super Powers"), but I think the D% system may be more appropriate for the vast array of pc's and npcs you are likely to encounter in that type of game. I am not sure if the Marvel version is still available ( not my kind of genre), but I do wish you luck in you endeavor. Good gaming and have fun. MaliceX
.

 

[am181d]

Would either of you wonderful, kind, intelligent, probably very handsome, possibly majestic individuals be willing run a Supers game? Clearly you both have the right stuff. (that smiley could be either of you)

Ha! I love supers games, but I don't do Play by Post. But best of luck to you!

 

[Thondor]

The "Event" structure (as Nagol and am181d describe) is a great way to plan supers scenario's. In fact this is how I write up my scenario's for Superheroes Unleashed.

One of the key things to remember is that the Events should be non-linear. Superheroes always do unexpected things meaning the order you plan may become irrelevant very quickly. This is especially true when you don't know the characters powers ahead of time. When I run con-games I always have players make characters.

Your best off outlining several events that could happen, but don't need to happen. Be flexible and think in possibilities. Including events with police, media, bystanders and other heroes adds quite a bit.

The thing to remember is the world is really a soap-opera. No one dies, relationships get deep and in some cases complex.Villain and hero alliances can shift over time. The main source of exploration is relationship.

This is the main reason Superheroes Unleashed includes a "Relations and Values" mechanic.

 

[Thondor]

Sweet!

Okay, interesting fact: I'm hoping to get a GM for a PbP game here on the boards . . .

Would either of you wonderful, kind, intelligent, probably very handsome, possibly majestic individuals be willing run a Supers game? Clearly you both have the right stuff. (that smiley could be either of you)

Could it be me too?

I've been thinking of running a PbP game of Superheroes Unleashed for a while.
One of the reasons I've held back is that it uses a 'opposed roll' mechanic which may be less than ideal for play-by-post (but works very smoothly in person).
I've been considering running some Google Hangout games instead . . . but I may be convinced otherwise if there is interest.
(And yes it would probably involve tights, monologues, and over-the-top hero and villain names.)

 

[Nagol]

Sweet!

Okay, interesting fact: I'm hoping to get a GM for a PbP game here on the boards. I am currently writing an RPG, so that's a lot of time and mental energy directed towards it, the playtest modules, etc., and I know myself: I won't do a good job.

HOWEVER: the show Young Justice is great, ditto Avengers (movie and cartoon) and I would LOVE to play in a game. I'm really very nice, a very supportive player, and can post regularly (preferably here as it's a great forum, but can do Atomicthinktank or Margaretweisproductions forums). PLUS there are a number of other players in the Talking the Talk forum who have expressed interest, so you've at least got a starting group!

Would either of you wonderful, kind, intelligent, probably very handsome, possibly majestic individuals be willing run a Supers game? Clearly you both have the right stuff. (that smiley could be either of you)

Although I enjoy running superhero games and the offer is tempting, my personal life at the moment can't support it. I'd be happy to play though!

 

[fireinthedust]

Thondor: I am all over that! I've never tried my hand at Superheroes Unleashed, but I'm hoping your text is a link to the rules so I can try them out!

If posting is prompt by all involved, it shouldn't be too bad. As well, you could consider Average target numbers for some NPCs, if that works (ie: like how d20 has 10+modifiers for DC's, but could easily make it d20+modifiers for saves or for contested rolls).

What setting are you considering?