When to set a "historical" supers game? (read OP before answering poll)

[Reynard]

Sure, but my point is that it will still feel like fantasy even if the thing doesn't have Tolkienisms and D&Disms in it. It will feel like playing through Greek mythology.

Supers can still work as a mechanical structure, and probably work well, but the "supers" fictional trope structures will be washed out. And if your supers ruleset has rules to actively support the trope structures, some of them will likely seem highly anacrhonistic.

I'm not sure Hercules: The Legendary Journeys isn't a superhero show.

I think you are making too much of the distinction. Gilgamesh and Heracles are the archetypes that became superheroes. The only real difference is the focus on nationalism versus altruism, but that certainly isn't universal as far as supers are concerned.

 

[TwoSix]

I suppose I should have been more specific: not intended to be a typical gaming fantasy setting. That is, with orcs and clerics and low level adventurers and all that baggage.

I thinking having special powers while running around in swords and armor in a world with no modern tech is enough to to threaten making it feel more like fantasy than supers.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I thinking having special powers while running around in swords and armor in a world with no modern tech is enough to to threaten making it feel more like fantasy than supers.

One reason why I favor Renaissance era or later.

 

[TwoSix]

I'm not sure Hercules: The Legendary Journeys isn't a superhero show.

I mean, yea, that lack of distinction is exactly the point.

Are you intending to heighten the distinction, so as to make the game feel like a supers game despite the historical milieu, or is the point to display how muddy the distinction is between the two?

 

[Reynard]

I mean, yea, that lack of distinction is exactly the point.

Are you intending to heighten the distinction, so as to make the game feel like a supers game despite the historical milieu, or is the point to display how muddy the distinction is between the two?

The point is a supers setting and game with a different historical context. that is why I made the distinction. Gilgamesh as Superman (or Homelander, if you like). Not just "high powered fantasy."

 

[Umbran]

I'm not sure Hercules: The Legendary Journeys isn't a superhero show.

The setting of that is Classical in the same way that movies "inspired by real events" are like the real events they inspired, though.

I think you are making too much of the distinction. Gilgamesh and Heracles are the archetypes that became superheroes.

I think you are making too little of the distinction. "Supers" as a genre is more than having power sets. Yes, the classical heroes are part of the genre's origin, but give the genre some credit for developing its own mannerisms, as well, hey what?

The only real difference...

No, it isn't, so don't give up your day job to write comics.
Ultimately, do as you will, of course.

 

[Thomas Shey]

By "Industrial Age" do you mean post-industrial revolution?

 

[TwoSix]

The point is a supers setting and game with a different historical context. that is why I made the distinction. Gilgamesh as Superman (or Homelander, if you like). Not just "high powered fantasy."

Ok, so recognizing and leaning into the historical precursors is the point, not a problem. Just wanted to be clear.

 

[Reynard]

nevermind

 

[Reynard]

By "Industrial Age" do you mean post-industrial revolution?

They are roughly in chronological order. This is the pre-WW1 "diesel age."