Naturally Speaking


Abigail

 

Posted

real heroes dont need power!

right, through my own fault, I missed the boat on teh psychic patrol group setup but in the original thread I made a suggestion for an all Natural team.

So, the plan:
create a team of heroes that use devices and skills to overcome enemies.

Rules:
must be natural in origin
powersets are limited to purely natural or technical abilities

maces, swords, bows , fists, guns, willpower, regeneration, resistances etc.

exception: healing should be allowed if all players signing up agree.

no outside influence (literally! ). We earn our own way so no transferring inf from higher alts. of course no-one has any way of checking this so its on an honour system, we just all trust that everyone is going along with it.

When: I would suggest 8:30 on a saturday to whatever time. This is open to discussion though. obviously people will have to miss a session every now and then but its up to the player to level up or be Sk'ed at before or at the next session.

potential problems:
1. travel powers
2. controllers and defenders (defenders have trick arrow ,but trollers dont seem to have a suitable primary).

Starting characters for week 1:
lvl 4 : gives you enough time to get the painful starts out of the way and enough leeway so everyone can make it to missions etc.


Anyone interested ?

possibilities so far:
myself
Xtream
_spirit


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
exception: healing should be allowed if all players signing up agree

[/ QUOTE ]
If you limit healing to the med pool that's done via the tricorder anyway - sounds thematically workable.


 

Posted

I have a claws/wp scrapper @ 22 (ish) who would appreciate the team. Natural origin.

However travel powers are easy enough to fudge, want flight? Get wings, Want jump get piston boots, wings or jump pack. Same for the others only SS isn't easy though I suppose winged boots.

But sure count me in.


 

Posted

good thinking there batma... oh hold on, dont want to get in trouble

will certainly make things tougher:
healing only available after lvl 6
cant heal self until lvl 14

means that the team would have to :
rely on insps up to 6
look after each other so we dont lose a strong healer
no res until 20 (time to stock up on awakens )

as for travel powers, fair enough, but the player has to make the necessary changes to the costume. and collect the required parts n stuff before taking the power.

But, I'm not trying to force rules on a group so it will have to be a group decision.

LostNinja, your scrapper would have to exemp down to 4th to match everyone else. as long as you're ok with that he's more than welcome. Just means you're not going to be rewarded properly until we catch up to you.


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]


Rules:
must be natural in origin
powersets are limited to purely natural or technical abilities



[/ QUOTE ]

First of all let me say it is nice to see you are starting that team.

For concept if you want only natural origin well there are alien races whose have natural powers like Krypton people (or whatever they called, Superman's race), Skrulls, Wraiths and many other races. So all power sets can be used; if you only want humans with natural like abilities (which i can't count regen as one, Super Reflexes is tho) you must say it.

Also i think one of the problems is AVs and GMs. I never faced an AV or GM with a TA defender/controller as a sole debuffer so i can't say much about its potential in that situation. Also Medicine pool can be so slow and inefficient in such a situation. Plus no mez protection or buffs to increase your relatively easily resisted damage (as most of your damage will be Lethal/Smashing). So accepting alien races can be a good option.

Anyway for me Natural origin is simply boring, i have one very misfortunate one in Union just for the sake of having all ATs and Origins: a BS/WP scrapper (my least playable AT and least liked origin (hmm maybe coupled with Technology))

So good luck to you all, it will be hard but fun event i guess.


 

Posted

Sounds an interesting concpt and would like to come along (provided I can think of a suitable AT).

No travel would be harsh in the extreme however, but I'm sure we can work something out.

You say regeneration is possible though? Would that really be considred as a natural ability?


 

Posted

Come to think of it, I do have a suitable At already. I got a lvl 21 AR/DE natural blaster, would be more than willing to exemp down.

I have taken SS as a travel power though, so ned to think how it's possible :/


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
You say regeneration is possible though? Would that really be considered as a natural ability?

[/ QUOTE ] Think of it this way, when you get scratched by a thorn bush, or when you get a papercut, etc... your body heals (regenerates) the effected area. Sure I appreciate this type of regen is slow, but it's definitely a natural ability.

As to teaming, unfortunately the time is no good for me. However, I already have a MA/WP natural scrapper (lvl 18) with no travel powers... that could help in the future.


Main 50 & Badger Nine Claws Claws/Regen/Body

Other 50's Ph10x Brute Unjust Law Tanker Samantha Urai Scrapper Codename 1250 Scrapper
Cepheus
Defender Nilus Scrapper
Electro Field Blaster S.PONGE Tanker

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You say regeneration is possible though? Would that really be considered as a natural ability?

[/ QUOTE ] Think of it this way, when you get scratched by a thorn bush, or when you get a papercut, etc... your body heals (regenerates) the effected area. Sure I appreciate this type of regen is slow, but it's definitely a natural ability.

As to teaming, unfortunately the time is no good for me. However, I already have a MA/WP natural scrapper (lvl 18) with no travel powers... that could help in the future.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am sure what you mentioned is natural regen of HP and End in game all characters have. A Regeneration as a Scrapper secondary is a bit of a super power (or mutant power in Wolverine and Sabertooth case )


 

Posted

sorry, regen popped in there without me noticing.

yes, I would say its a super power and so shouldnt be in a naturals setting (healing powers is enough of a let off imho!).

super speed: rocket boots ? roller skates ? use the prestige power slide animation and tell everyone its a skateboard ?

thinking about travel powers: in the absence of vehicles in the game, there arent that many heroes in comics to emulate (swinging isnt around, wall crawling/climbing is out). I would say we will have to relax that as long as you work it into the character somehow. (tech wings, rocket packs, piston boots etc. )

AVs and GMs without buffs etc. yes, it would be tougher but then again, in comic books naturals never really had it easy just means we'll have to choose our fights and work on our tactics 9and stock up on insps .

Of course I could be completely wrong and someone can fit a troller into a natural scheme.

Aliens: initially I hadnt even considered this but of course there is Jon etc. Up to the individuals and what you want in a team. I personally would prefer not, but if someone does, try to make it suitably alien looking and write a decent Bio.


Time / day of Play: as I said, I dont want to be setting rules for everyone so all aspects are negotiable. What time would suit you ? Would Sunday be any use ? just thinking that its the day before work / college / school so very few of us are in the pub , tv is usually rubbish.
In addition, it wouldnt clash with Knightly's psychic patrol so anyone wishing to do both , could.


 

Posted

What about TP? Sure the animation doesn't show a device, but it could in essence be by the means of some technological equipment.


 

Posted

hmmm, not sure.

are skyraiders naturals ? they have fly and tp using devices.

probably best to think in those terms.


 

Posted

To me, natural is both tech and natural, so no scientific modifications to yourself, no mutants, and no magic users. Natural has different definitions for different people, so we need more specifics I think.


 

Posted

Yup, I was originally going to write tech and natural, but then thought about fire/ice/elec , who's to say you cant have tech powers to emulate those so I left it at natural only.

I think perhaps a list of natural heroes to emulate might be best ?

like,

Batman , (springs to mind first) ,
Robin (as darkwing)
Robin (as wussboy)
The punisher
The Green Arrow
Iron man (to a lesser extent ?)
i said Luke cage before but turns out he is more science...
the shadow
black panther
Zorro

etc.


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
hmmm, not sure.
are skyraiders naturals ? they have fly and tp using devices.
probably best to think in those terms.

[/ QUOTE ]They would be natural, however their powers come from technology (in my book).

IMO a 100% natural AT will not have any travel power, not even a vehicle (not that the game allows that anyhow).

But the biggest argument would be is natural origin inherent???, as you could get around issues then by saying you naturally have the ability to teleport, run extremely fast etc....


Main 50 & Badger Nine Claws Claws/Regen/Body

Other 50's Ph10x Brute Unjust Law Tanker Samantha Urai Scrapper Codename 1250 Scrapper
Cepheus
Defender Nilus Scrapper
Electro Field Blaster S.PONGE Tanker

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
hmmm, not sure.
are skyraiders naturals ? they have fly and tp using devices.
probably best to think in those terms.

[/ QUOTE ]They would be natural, however their powers come from technology (in my book).

IMO a 100% natural AT will not have any travel power, not even a vehicle (not that the game allows that anyhow).

But the biggest argument would be is natural origin inherent???, as you could get around issues then by saying you naturally have the ability to teleport, run extremely fast etc....

[/ QUOTE ]Oooh, how about a MAN BUILD team, where people take as few graphically intrusive powers as possible, no travel powers, and generally as un-super seeming as possible?


 

Posted

Peace Bringers are natural and have innate fly.

Ultimately you can fudge most powers in the game if you include Technology as a basis, if you opt for pure Natural then it would be much harder.


 

Posted

In my opinion, a good All-Natural themed group would be Natural Humans and/or mid-level technology (so AR is ok, but no power suits for other sets.) Travel powers would be off the table, though fitness still used, and leadership would be a good option. After all, a team of normal people will have to come up with tactics that will allow them to do maneuvers to best assault their enemies
A list of sets that I think would be suitable, not necessarily a definitive list though, would be as follows:
Tanks: inv/, wp/ to a lesser extent. /SS, /WM, /BA, /DB
Scrappers: BS, Katana, DB, Claws, MA. /SR best for secondary, Inv and last WP (this is because of both graphics and mechanics.)
Defenders: Only see TA/A working as a true natural here.
Controllers: I'm not sure any of the primaries work for this, but if you find a great idea, then /TA is the only natural I see working with it.
Blasters: Arch/, AR/. /Devices.

Now, with all of these you could take one of your sets and just take passives from it or something to go for a better Natural. For example, a blaster could go another secondary, like Energy, taking some of the buffs. Though there is a lot of gimping, I think that a team like this could work if the team go together often. Especially if leadership is taken, and possibly one person dipping into medicine. Not uber min/maxed team, but not overly shooting one's self in the foot, and player skill and teamwork would make it viable IMO.

In my opinion, if you do a concept team it's good to define the concept better, otherwise it's just people teaming together with slightly similar stuff, and it's not a special kind of team.


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
I never faced an AV or GM with a TA defender/controller as a sole debuffer so i can't say much about its potential in that situation.

[/ QUOTE ]

2x TA breaks things sideways


 

Posted

_Spirit : I actually agree with averything in your post and if you re-read my first post its quite similar (apart from my regeneration faux pas).

so, for the naturals team:

must be human
Must not have any "super" powers (laser beams from the eyes etc). If you really want a super powerset, you can only take passive powers (personal buffs etc)
No travel powers beyond running
No help from other alts
All characters must have a bio (sounds silly but it does help lend character)
No Levelling outside of the team. if you miss a session, you have to be sidekicked to catch up. This way the team all have the same story and adventures.


There will be shortfalls in the team makeup. We'll most likely end up with a team of scrappers , tanks and blasters but we'll just have to work out new tactics and develope a new style of play.

CoX is supposed to be playable by any mix of ATs in a team nad just because teams ideally have x of one AT and y of another , doesnt mean it cant be done any other way. Just make friends with mr. debt. I have a feeling he will be a long term companion

power list courtesy of _spirit:
Tanks: inv/, wp/ to a lesser extent. /SS, /WM, /BA, /DB
Scrappers: BS, Katana, DB, Claws, MA. /SR best for secondary, Inv and last WP (this is because of both graphics and mechanics.)
Defenders: Only see TA/A working as a true natural here.
Controllers: I'm not sure any of the primaries work for this, but if you find a great idea, then /TA is the only natural I see working with it.
Blasters: Arch/, AR/. /Devices.


as I said, I have a BS/WP scrapper ready to go.

lets set a start night for during the week, give people time to draw up a good character that they are happy with.

Starting level for the team is level 4. This is to give you time to test out your alt, get the starting imssions out of the way, and if necessary scrap your first idea and try out another.


 

Posted

Okay I think I'll roll up an ar/dev for this. I am going to, and this is a good idea for all of us to do, but it's not compulsary, take leadership. All of it. (Maybe not venge till later though.) With that stacked up we'd have a thematically fitting solution to the problem of the lack of buffs and stuff. And when we fight foes with smash/lethal res, we need all the dam buffs (assault) we can get really. Different people will have different build tightness, but for those with spare picks definately consider leadership. I would order the powers like so in importance: Maneuvers, Assault, Tactics. Tactics is less important as one or two are more than enough.

Medicine is a plausible pool to take, however I personally would prefer leadership, but that's just taste. It could be handy to have the stimulant mez protect available, and there's always a time when a rez comes in handy (Possibly have someone with rez and venge?) Aid Other I personally wouldn't like to have to use, especially in combat, due to the long activation. But it's going to be the only targetted heal available, so perhaps useful.

Fighting is a pool that can be recommended more for anyone going scrap/tank. It's just extra/sl res, no intrusive gfx, and generally fits the concept.

Presence pool. Though mezzing, it's a natural way of doing so. You're skilled enough that you can make your foes quiver using the fears. I'm a presence fan, and though I can't fit it into the AR/Dev I'll probably use, I love this set. The AoE fear has a not bad rech/duration and though it is not hard mez it can nicely reduce incoming damage and effects.

Fitness is a great one to take, as I'm sure being travel powerless will be eased by having swift/hurdle (Jumping with hurdle is faster and more useful than swift btw) and stamina is great.

Those are the pools that I feel on the whole fit the concept nicely. Also takeable are the ST attacks from the pools; air sup, jump kick and flurry aren't bad and if someone wants them I say go right ahead. Maybe not flurry, I dunno, it might be too fast, but taking it would not be a great offense.

If this condradicts your vision, feel free to object, Ramon!

PS: It's late so excuse me if grammer makes no sense.


 

Posted

Count me out then, doesn't sound much fun with new rules TBH.


 

Posted

My Blaster that I was going to join with is Tech based as I consider AR & Devices to be tech, even though the Hero is natural he is using tech to fight crime.

Can I join with him tech based?

If I need to remake him I think I'll opt out.


50's -
Scrappers - Xtream & Ouroboros Enforcer. Controllers - Vanguard Phoenix, Midnight Protector & Mythical Illusion. Tanks - Stone Cold Sober. Blasters - Ultimate Solution & Crey Prototype. Defenders - Lucifer - Bound. Peacebringers - Xtream Justice. Masterminds - Xtream Malfunction. SoA - Arachnid Lord

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
My Blaster that I was going to join with is Tech based as I consider AR & Devices to be tech, even though the Hero is natural he is using tech to fight crime.

Can I join with him tech based?

If I need to remake him I think I'll opt out.

[/ QUOTE ]IMO AR/Dev works fine, as the team is not intending to be flashy superhumans. AR/Dev is far more natural then the tech of a Power Suit.