The Book of Crossbones

[MrNobody]

Originally Posted by Tornado

How about all squad figures and heroes that cost less points than Crossbones?

I honestly don't have a problem with introducing point cost into gameplay mechanics, but introducing it on a minor power on a c-list henchman character doesn't feel like the right place.

Originally Posted by Lazy Orang

I'd be tempted to just make it so he can bully all squaddies, or, ideally, all squaddies without Super Strength (bullying LexCorp or Thanagarians would be a little odd).

I'm just not in love with that either. Firstly, I don't like that it pushes him even more in the direction of being an anti-squad counterdraft. He still wouldn't be as bad as...Carnage, per se, but still not something I'm excited about.

Secondly, I think it loses a lot of thematics. There are a ton of Heroes he should be bullying. Having him rough up Jubilee, Billy Batson, Mary Jane, or Alfred is totally on point for the character, and I'd hate to lose that.

[Lazy Orang]

Originally Posted by MrNobody

I honestly don't have a problem with introducing point cost into gameplay mechanics, but introducing it on a minor power on a c-list henchman character doesn't feel like the right place.

I'm just not in love with that either. Firstly, I don't like that it pushes him even more in the direction of being an anti-squad counterdraft. He still wouldn't be as bad as...Carnage, per se, but still not something I'm excited about.

Secondly, I think it loses a lot of thematics. There are a ton of Heroes he should be bullying. Having him rough up Jubilee, Billy Batson, Mary Jane, or Alfred is totally on point for the character, and I'd hate to lose that.

It's more thematic than him beating up Captain America or Conan...
What about basing it on Life number? He can beat up everyone with a Life of 3 or less? Maybe even remaining Life (he can beat up Cap if he's close to death, but not before). Figure without Superstrength with 2 or less Life remaining?

[MrNobody]

I think something similar was proposed and rejected before, with the logic being that Crossbones should never be able to brutalize Superman, even a 1 life Superman.

The SS restriction would help with that, but seems like we're pretty resistant to having 2 separate qualifiers for the power.

[Lazy Orang]

Either we go for 2 qualifiers or a power that feels wrong in some way. I'd rather go 2 qualifiers than screw the theme.

[japes]

Originally Posted by Lazy Orang

Either we go for 2 qualifiers or a power that feels wrong in some way. I'd rather go 2 qualifiers than screw the theme.

I feel the same way.

[johnny139]

It's going to have issues theme-wise either way. There are some characters with super strength that should be "bully-able" - there are some without it that shouldn't. There are some squad characters that should be bullied (Civilians) and there are some that shouldn't (demons and alien bugs). We'll go insane if we try to box all of them in, and the more qualifications we put in, the more obvious those outliers become.

Pick something to exploit, that's the thing he exploits. Clean and elegant. I don't much care what gets picked, honestly.

[Soundwarp SG-1]

Originally Posted by johnny139

It's going to have issues theme-wise either way. There are some characters with super strength that should be "bully-able" - there are some without it that shouldn't. There are some squad characters that should be bullied (Civilians) and there are some that shouldn't (demons and alien bugs). We'll go insane if we try to box all of them in, and the more qualifications we put in, the more obvious those outliers become.

Pick something to exploit, that's the thing he exploits. Clean and elegant. I don't much care what gets picked, honestly.

[IAmBatman]

[MrNobody]

I generally agree that anything we do will be imperfect. Every day I’m regretting not giving the Daleks superstrength.

I think I’m going to go ahead with the version in the OP. If anyone disagrees strongly, they can meet me at high noon tomorrow with guns at the ready. Or...you know...just post about why.

[japes]

Version in the OP works for me. No change in my vote.

[Yodaking]

Was running a game with Capt. Britain today and noticed that once he loses all his confidence he no longer has SS and his att. is 4, so Crossbones can take advantage of his mental state and bully him a bit. If he manages to regain his confidence though, he can shut that down. Really cool interaction!

[Lord Pyre]

LD’s choice.