Taliesin's 3E Builds: Moonstone, Binary, Rulk, Wasp, Shang

[Taliesin]

And here...we...go.

For those of you who followed my thread in 2E, you know the drill; for those new to the game as a result of 3E and DC Adventures, welcome!

The crux of this thread is to create builds compatible with the builds in the DCA Hero's Handbook. This means that the builds will be more iconic and streamlined than what you may be used to seeing from me.

A few notes about some of the shorthand. The • symbol usually indicates an Alternate Effect in an array, while the open circle ○ is a Dynamic Alternate Effect.

Many thanks to digitalronin for providing file hosting for the Herolab .por files!

Clickable names indicate builds I've completed. Names that aren't linked indicate builds I'm planning on doing but haven't yet posted, either because they're not completed or not started.

Design Diaries
Design Diary #1: Benchmark Overview

House Rules
House Rules #1: Ranks and Measures
Density
Growth
Shrinking
Simple Growth/Shrinking Changes

Marvel Comics
Abomination
Absorbing Man
Adam Warlock
Agatha Harkness
Alex Wilder
Amadeus Cho
Angel
Annihilus
Apocalypse
Ares
Arsenic
Banshee
Baron Mordo
Baron Zemo
Beast
Beta Ray Bill
Binary
Bishop
Black Bolt
Black Cat
Black King
Black Knight
Black Panther
Black Widow
Blade
Blastaar
Bruiser
Bullseye
Cable
Cannonball
Captain America
Captain Britain
Captain Marvel
Captain Universe
Carnage
Cassandra Nova
Chamber
Champion
Cloak
Colossus
Count Nefaria
Crimson Dynamo
Crossbones
Crystal
Cyclops
Dagger
Daken
Daredevil
Darkhawk
Dazzler
Deadpool
Destroyer, the
Doc Samson
Doctor Doom
Doctor Octopus
Doctor Strange
Doctor Voodoo
Domino
Dormammu
Drax
Echo
Electro
Emma Frost
Enchantress
Executioner
Ezekiel Stane
Falcon
Fin Fang Foom
Forge
Franklin Richards
Galactus
Gambit
Genis-Vell
Ghost
Ghost Rider
Gladiator
Gorgon
Grandmaster
Graviton
Green Goblin
Grim Reaper
Havok
Hawkeye
Hawkeye (Kate Bishop)
Hellstorm
Henry Pym
Hercules
Hulk, the
Hulkling
Human Torch
Hyperion
Iceman
Ikaris
Impossible Man
Invisible Woman
Iron Fist
Iron Man
Iron Monger
Jean Grey
Jubilee
Juggernaut
Kang
Karnak
Ka-Zar
Kingpin
Kraven
Kree Supreme Intelligence
Kurse
Lady Deathstrike
Leader
Lizard, the
Lockjaw
Loki
Longshot
Lucy in the Sky
Luke Cage
M.O.D.O.K.
Machine Man
Mach-V
Mad Thinker
Magik
Magneto
Mandarin
Marvel Girl
Maximus
Medusa
Meggan
Mephisto
Mimic
Mister Fantastic
Mockingbird
Mole Man
Molecule Man
Moondragon
Moonstar
Moonstone
Morbius
Mordred
Morg
Morgan Le Faye
Ms. Marvel
Multiple Man
Mysterio
Mystique
Nick Fury
Nightcrawler
Northstar
Nova
Odin
Old Lace
Omega Red
Patriot
Pete Wisdom
Phoenix
Polaris
Professor X
Psylocke
Punisher, the
Pyro
Quasar
Quicksilver
Red Hulk, the
Red Skull, the
Rhino
Rogue
Ronan
Sabretooth
Sage
Sandman
Sauron
Scarlet Witch
Scorpion
Sentinel
Sentry
Shadow King
Shadowcat
Shang Chi
She-Hulk
Sif
Silver Samurai
Silver Surfer
Sinister
Sister Grimm
Songbird
Speed
Spider-Man
Spider-Woman
Spiral
Squirrel Girl
Stardust
Stature
Storm
Sub-Mariner
Sunfire
Super-Skrull
Swordsman
Talkback
Taskmaster
Terminus
Terrax
Thanos
Thing, the
Thor
Toad
Triton
U.S.Agent
Ultron
Valeria Richards
Venom
Victor Mancha
Vision
Void
Vulcan
War Machine
Warriors Three
Wasp
Watcher
Wiccan
Winter Soldier
Wizard, the
Wolverine
Wonder Man
X-23
Xavin
X-Man

The Legend of Zelda
Link

Street Fighter
Chun-li
Ken
Ryu

[Taliesin]

Spider-Man
PL11

Abilities
Strength 9, Stamina 7, Agility 11, Dexterity 5, Fighting 9, Intellect 4, Awareness 4, Presence 2

Powers
Spider-Movement: Leaping 4; Movement 2 (Wall-Crawling 2); Speed 4 (30 MPH) • 12 points
Spider-Senses: Enhanced Advantages 4 (Evasion 2, Improved Initiative, Uncanny Dodge), Senses 1 (Danger Sense [mental]) • 5 points
Web-Shooters: 30 points, Removable (–6 points) • 24 points total

Web Ball: Ranged Cumulative Affliction 9 (Resisted by Dodge; Hindered and Vulnerable, Defenseless and Immobilized), Extra Condition, Limited to Two Degrees • 27 points
• Web Throw: Move Object 9 • 1 point
Web Swing: Movement 1 (Swinging) • 2 points

Equipment
Camera: Feature 1 • 1 point
Flashlight: Feature 1 (Illumination) • 1 point
Spider-Tracers: Feature 1 (Tracking) • 1 point

Advantages
Agile Feint, Defensive Attack, Equipment, Evasion 2, Improved Defense, Improved Initiative, Inventor, Move-by Action, Skill Mastery (Acrobatics), Taunt, Uncanny Dodge

Skills
Acrobatics 10 (+21), Close Combat: Unarmed 4 (+13), Deception 12 (+15), Expertise: Science 4 (+8), Investigation 4 (+8), Perception 8 (+12), Ranged Combat: Web-Shooters 6 (+11), Technology 6 (+10)

Offense
Initiative +15
Unarmed +13, Close, Damage 9
Web-Shooters +11, Ranged, Affliction 9 or Move Object 9

Defense
Dodge 15, Parry 15
Toughness 7, Fortitude 11, Will 11

Power Points
Abilities 102 + Powers 41 + Advantages 8 + Skills 27 + Defenses 21 = Total 199

Complications
Enemy: Extensive rogues gallery.
Power Loss: Many storylines involve Spider-Man losing his powers. Peter Parker loses all powers and has Str and Sta 1, Agi, Dex, and Fgt 2.
Reputation: Smeared by J. Jonah Jameson.
Responsibility: Comes with great power.
Secret Identity: Peter Parker, photographer for the Daily Bugle.

Real Name: Peter Parker

Design Notes: This is a more modern take on Spider-Man and differs from his classic version primarily in superior attack and defense bonuses. Spider-Man’s other traits have been relatively stable over the years compared to a lot of other characters. The next version of Spider-Man would be the short-lived era after The Other storyline.

Update 1/12/2011: Minor changes but primarily to add the link to the .por file.

Herolab File

[Taliesin]

Captain America
PL13

Abilities
Strength 5, Stamina 5, Agility 7, Dexterity 7, Fighting 14, Intellect 2, Awareness 6, Presence 8

Powers
Super-Soldier Serum: Enhanced Advantages 2 (Diehard, Great Endurance); Regeneration 2; Speed 2 (8 MPH) • 6 points
Vibranium-Steel Shield: 15 points, Indestructible, Easily Removable (-5 points) • 10 points total

Shield Stunts: Array (14 points)

• Shield Carry:

Deflection: Enhanced Defenses 4 (Dodge 2 and Parry 2) • 4 points
Absorption: Impervious Toughness 8, Sustained • 8 points
Shield Bash: Strength-based Damage 2 • 2 points
• Shield Throw: Strength-Based Ranged Damage 2, Accurate, Ricochet; Enhanced Advantages (Precise Attack (Ranged, Cover)) • 1 point

Equipment
Vehicle: Motorcycle • 10 points

Advantages
Agile Feint, Assessment, Close Attack 5, Connected, Defensive Attack, Defensive Roll 3, Diehard, Equipment 2, Great Endurance, Improved Initiative, Inspire 3, Interpose, Languages 3 (German, Greek, Japanese, Russian; base: English), Leadership, Move-by Action, Power Attack, Quick Draw, Ranged Attack 7, Takedown 2, Teamwork

Skills
Acrobatics 8 (+15), Athletics 10 (+15), Deception 4 (+12), Expertise: Military 18 (+20), Insight 4 (+10), Intimidation 6 (+14), Perception 4 (+10), Persuasion 14 (+22), Stealth 4 (+11), Treatment 4 (+6), Vehicles 4 (+11)

Offense
Initiative +11
Shield Bash +19, Close, Damage 7
Shield Throw +16, Ranged, Damage 7
Unarmed +19, Close, Damage 5

Defense
Dodge 16 / 14*, Parry 16 / 14*
Toughness 8 (Impervious) / 8* / 5**, Fortitude 10, Will 13
*Without Deflection bonus.
**Without Defensive Roll bonus.

Power Points
Abilities 108 + Powers 16 + Advantages 36 + Skills 40 + Defenses 19 = Total 219

Complications
Fame: Public identity.
Nemesis: The Red Skull.
Patriotism: To the United States of America.

Real Name: Steve Rogers

Design Notes: I obviously used Batman as a comparator for Captain America. Without his shield, Cap is more or less Batman's equal; with his shield, he can duke it out with superhumans.

Cap has the choice each round to either wield his shield in close combat, in which case he benefits from its Deflection bonuses, or he can forgo those bonuses in order to use his Shield Throw. I decided to completely remove Multiattack or Area for his Shield Throw. Takedown should do the trick just fine, so he can use the shield to clear out a room full of minions but not heroic enemies.

Update 1/17/2011: Some significant changes. I removed Multiattack and while I had an idea to include Affects Others for his Deflection, Cap will just rely on his Interpose.

Herolab File

[DesertGhost]

Hey Tal! Can't wait to see what's in store for this thread. (Are you accepting requests yet?)

As a minor aside about Cap, I think the "Patriotism" Motivation Complication would fit better than Responsibility. Patriotism allows for those times when Cap gets conflicted as to his level of support for the shady things that go down from time-to-time.

Majorly nit-picky, I know, but otherwise I wouldn't have anything to add. He looks great.

I'm also curious as to his Strength and Stamina being below max-human (I can see where it was necessary in his PL caps) but I'll wait for design notes before commenting on the build any further. Like I said, he (and Spidey) looks great!

EDIT: Also noticed that Teamwork is not ranked in 3e, Cap has 2 ranks. Although I'm WAY new to this ruleset, so I may be off here about a possible related rule.

[Taliesin]

Hey Tal! Can't wait to see what's in store for this thread. (Are you accepting requests yet?)

I want to try to get in all the builds I've already made, which unfortunately aren't all formatted to look good on a message board. To start with, all the Marvel comparables to DC. Going to stick to the iconic comic characters outside of DC first.

Funky requests come a bit later. I suck at keeping up with requests anyway, since I'm notoriously slow.

As a minor aside about Cap, I think the "Patriotism" Motivation Complication would fit better than Responsibility. Patriotism allows for those times when Cap gets conflicted as to his level of support for the shady things that go down from time-to-time.

That is a better name for it.

Majorly nit-picky, I know, but otherwise I wouldn't have anything to add. He looks great.

I'm also curious as to his Strength and Stamina being below max-human (I can see where it was necessary in his PL caps) but I'll wait for design notes before commenting on the build any further. Like I said, he (and Spidey) looks great!

I no longer feel 7 is peak human for all abilities given the new progressions. Str 5 already lets him lift 1,600 lbs. That's right in Cap's wheelhouse. Str 6 & 7 will be given to guys like Deadpool, Midnighter, and Sabretooth, who are enhanced but not totally superhuman.

EDIT: Also, if the format doesn't look good or organized, let me know. I'm still fiddling with presentation, particularly circumstantial modifiers.

[DesertGhost]

I no longer feel 7 is peak human for all abilities given the new progressions. Str 5 already lets him lift 1,600 lbs. That's right in Cap's wheelhouse. Str 6 & 7 will be given to guys like Deadpool, Midnighter, and Sabretooth, who are enhanced but not totally superhuman.

That brings up a question: Are you going to give a new set of benchmarks for 3e, or are you sticking with what's said in DC Adventures? Since your mentioned keeping these builds in-line with DCA, I can understand if you didn't.

I would love to see a more concise benchmarking for skills than DCA lists in the very small sidebar, but it does do the trick.

EDIT: I like the presentation. The categories feel out of order given the format I'm used to from your 2e builds, but I'll get used to it. I can read and understand everything there.

[Taliesin]

I no longer feel 7 is peak human for all abilities given the new progressions. Str 5 already lets him lift 1,600 lbs. That's right in Cap's wheelhouse. Str 6 & 7 will be given to guys like Deadpool, Midnighter, and Sabretooth, who are enhanced but not totally superhuman.

That brings up a question: Are you going to give a new set of benchmarks for 3e, or are you sticking with what's said in DC Adventures? Since your mentioned keeping these builds in-line with DCA, I can understand if you didn't.

I would love to see a more concise benchmarking for skills than DCA lists in the very small sidebar, but it does do the trick.

Well, even looking at Batman with Str 4, I think there is already some drift between the book's benchmarks which come from 2E and the 3E builds. I have a set of benchmarks in mind, though, which are influenced by the 3E builds.

[Taliesin]

EDIT: Also noticed that Teamwork is not ranked in 3e, Cap has 2 ranks. Although I'm WAY new to this ruleset, so I may be off here about a possible related rule.

FIXED

That was my mistake. Unless an earlier draft of the rulebook had 2 ranks of Teamwork. I'm going to have to go through the final version and catch everything that has changed, which isn't going to be easy, since they're mostly small things.

[DesertGhost]

EDIT: Also noticed that Teamwork is not ranked in 3e, Cap has 2 ranks. Although I'm WAY new to this ruleset, so I may be off here about a possible related rule.

FIXED

That was my mistake. Unless an earlier draft of the rulebook had 2 ranks of Teamwork. I'm going to have to go through the final version and catch everything that has changed, which isn't going to be easy, since they're mostly small things.

To save time your could always just post what you have and rely on time pouring over the books and the community to catch discrepancies.

My 2¢

[Psistrike]

Builds look great, Taliesin. Although Spidey's Initiative should be +16.

[UnkindMirror]

Offense
Shield Throw +19, Ranged, Damage 7 (Multiattack 4, Selective 4)

It may well be that I'm just not reading your new layout correctly, but where's that Multiattack coming from? It's not listed in the statblock above.

[Taliesin]

Offense
Shield Throw +19, Ranged, Damage 7 (Multiattack 4, Selective 4)

It may well be that I'm just not reading your new layout correctly, but where's that Multiattack coming from? It's not listed in the statblock above.

Whoops, I changed it to Burst in the statblock. Fixed.

So that's why I couldn't sleep.

[Taliesin]

Thor
PL15

Abilities
Strength 17, Stamina 14, Agility 2, Dexterity 2, Fighting 10, Intellect 1, Awareness 2, Presence 4

Powers
Asgardian Physiology: Enhanced Strength 4, Limited to Lifting (lifting Str 21; 50,000 tons), Immunity 6 (aging, cold, disease, heat, poison, starvation and thirst), Protection 2 • 12 points
Mjolnir: 77 points, Removable (–14 points) • 63 points total

Hammer Swing: Array (24 points)

• Hammer Throw: Strength-Based Ranged Damage 3, Affects Insubstantial • 24 points
○ Dimensional Gateway: Movement (Dimension Travel 2), Portal • 2 points
○ Hammer Flight: Flight 10 (2,000 MPH), Movement 1 (Space Travel 1) • 2 points
○ Hammer Shield: Protection 2, Impervious 18 • 2 points
○ Hammer Smash: Strength-based Damage 3, Affects Insubstantial • 2 points
Life Support: Immunity 5 (high pressure, radiation, suffocation, vacuum) • 5 points
Magical Detection: Senses 1 (Magical Awareness) • 1 point
Weather Command: Array (34 points)

○ Air Control: Move Object 14, Accurate 2, Indirect 4 • 35 points
○ Lightning Strike: Ranged Damage 15, Accurate 2, Indirect 3, Activation (move action) • 2 points
○ Summon Storm: Environment 12 (cold, impede movement, visibility), Activation 2 (standard action) • 2 points

Equipment
Headquarters: Asgard • 16 points
Gargantuan; Tou 12, Features: Grounds, Gym, Holding Cells, Infirmary, Isolated (floating), Library, Living Space, Personnel, Workshop

Advantages
All-out Attack, Connected, Equipment 4, Fearless, Languages 2 (English, German; base: Norse), Power Attack, Ranged Attack 4, Ritualist, Startle, Takedown, Tracking

Skills
Expertise: Magic 8 (+9), Expertise: Military 12 (+13), Intimidation 12 (+16), Perception 4 (+6), Persuasion 8 (+12), Ranged Combat (Throwing) 4 (+10)

Offense
Initiative +2
Air Control +10, Ranged, Move Object 14
Hammer Smash +10, Close, Damage 20
Hammer Throw +10, Ranged, Damage 20
Lightning Strike +10, Ranged, Damage 15
Unarmed +10, Close, Damage 17

Defense
Dodge 10, Parry 12
Toughness 16 / +18 (Impervious)*, Fortitude 14, Will 14
*With Hammer Shield bonus.

Power Points
Abilities 104 + Powers 75 + Advantages 18 + Skills 24 + Defenses 22 = Total 243

Complications
Honor: Thor is an honorable warrior who faces opponents head-on.
Nemesis: His half-brother, Loki.
Power Loss: Often, Thor’s powers require his proximity to Mjolnir, and he can revert back to Donald Blake if separated from it.
Relationship: Thor is very close to the goddess Sif.
Responsibility: As ruler of Asgard.
Rivalry: Hercules.
Secret Identity: Donald Blake has STR 1, STA 1, AGI 0, DEX 1, FGT 2, INT 3, Treatment 12 (+15), and no defenses, with corresponding adjustments to skills. He carries Mjolnir as a wooden cane and can become Thor by striking it upon the ground.

Real Name: Thor Odinson

Design Notes: Thor is a complicated character in that his powers are often ascribed to several different sources. For example, he has shown control over the weather even without using Mjolnir, but in the interest of simplicity, I relegated this to a stunt using his Strength damage.

Likewise, I needed to build in a few reasons for him to use his various methods of attack rather than just spamming his Hammer Throw. Thus, in his Hammer Swing array, all the effects are dynamic except for Hammer Throw, so if Thor wants to use that effect, he can't use any of the others. This gives him a reason to use Hammer Smash or Lightning Strike.

Mjolnir is considered merely Removable, since Thor isn't easily disarmed and it's difficult for others to even lift Mjolnir to use it.

Update 2/7/2011: Smoothed out some things with Mjolnir’s arrays and made Thor’s Weather Control completely part of Mjolnir.

Herolab File

[DesertGhost]

Very nice Thor!

If you already have them written-up, can we see the rest of the Marvel Icons (Wolverine, Iron Man, and The Hulk)?

[vitruvian]

Spider-Movement: Leaping 2; Movement 2 (Wall-Crawling 2); Speed 1 (4 MPH) • 7 points
Spider-Senses: Enhanced Advantages 2 (Improved Initiative, Uncanny Dodge), Senses 1 (Danger Sense [mental]) • 3 points
Web-Shooters: 27 points, Removable (–5 points) • 22 points total

Web Ball: Ranged Affliction 8 (Resisted by Dodge; Hindered and Vulnerable, Defenseless and Immobilized), Cumulative, Extra Condition, Limited to Two Degrees • 24 points
• Web Throw: Move Object 8 • 1 point
Web Swing: Movement 1 (Swinging) • 2 points

Maybe I'm not understanding 3e notation, but can't he wall crawl and definitely swing much, much faster than 4 mph?