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HERO

A Genre Book for the Authors: Darren Watts and Jason Walters Editing and Developing: Steven S. Long Layout & Graphic Design: Bill Keyes Cover Illustration: Sam Kennedy Cartography: John Lees Interior Illustration: Brett Barkley, DT Butchino,Sample Andrew Dobell, file Brendon & Brian Fraim, Edd Ghent, Mark Helwig, Bill Keyes, Matt Lemmons, Bradley K. McDevitt, Kurt Wood, Jonathan Wyke

Dedication: This book is dedicated with much gratitude to the following people who have provided us with so much fun over the years: , , Mil Mascaras, , Lorena Velazquez, Elizabeth Campbell, Rene Cardona, Enrique Vergara, Federico Curiel, Fernando Oses, K. Gordon Murray, , , , , Mistico, Octagon, Fray Tormenta, , Jr. & Sr., Pierrotito, Satoru Sayama, FWAK!, Keith Rainville, Los Bros Chap, Rafael Navarro, Los Straitjackets and Big Sandy, The Phantom Surfers and Don Francisco. We’d also like to dedicate this book to the loving memory of Andy Mathews.

Hero SystemTM ® is DOJ, Inc.’s trademark for its roleplaying system. Except for the blank character sheet, no part of this book may be reproduced Hero System © 1984, 1989, 2002 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a . All rights or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, includ- reserved. ing photocopying, recording, or computerization, or by any information stor- age and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher: Champions © 1981-2008 Cryptic Studios, Inc. All rights reserved. DOJ, Inc., 226 E. 54th Street, #605, New York, NY 10022-48541. “Champions” and “Hudson City” are trademarks of Cryptic Studios, Inc. “Champions” and “Hudson City” are used under license from Cryptic Printed in Canada. First printing May 2009 Studios, Inc. Produced and distributed by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. © 2003 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved. Stock Number: DOJHERO401 Pulp Hero © 2005 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-58366-107-9 , Justice Inc., Danger International, Danger International, West- www.herogames.com • www.champions-online.com • www.crypticstudios. ern Hero © 2002 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved. com Table of Contents

¡BIENVENIDOS!...... 5 ESCAPES, DODGES, AND REVERSALS.. 73 Chapter Six: WHO’S RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?!?...... 5 GIMMICKS AND SPECIAL MANEUVERS. 74 A Lucha Libre Adventure A Note From Jason Walters...... 5 CUSTOMIZING LUCHA LIBRE MANEUVERS\ A Note From Darren Watts...... 7 75 CONTRA TODO MAL...... 137 SIGNATURE MOVES AND FINISHERS....75 INTRODUCTION...... 138 Chapter One: THE RULES OF LUCHA (SUCH AS THEY ADVENTURE SUMMARY...... 138 Lucha Libre ARE)...... 75 Scene One: La Arena LLM...... 138 Stipulations (Apuestas)...... 76 Scene Two: The National Museum Of LUCHA LIBRE...... 9 Mexican History...... 139 WHAT IS LUCHA LIBRE?...... 9 ROLEPLAYING LUCHA COMBAT...... 77 Scene Three: Copilco de Bajo...... 140 AN ABRIDGED HISTORY OF PROFES- IN THE RING...... 77 Scene Four: The Ice Factory...... 141 SIONAL ...... 9 OUT OF THE RING...... 78 Scene Five: Dr. Muerte’s Secret Lab.142 From A Sport To An Event...... 9 Game Mastering Out Of The Ring Combat\ CONCLUSION...... 144 WRESTLING COMES TO ...... 10 79 THE SILVER MASK AND THE SILVER ADDITIONAL RULES...... 80 Chapter Seven: SCREEN...... 11 COMBAT STUNTS AND TACTICS...... 80 The Hero System Rules LUCHA IN AMERICAN FILM, TV, AND POP Flair...... 80 CULTURE...... 14 Disarm And Takeaway...... 80 INTRODUCTION...... 147 LUCHA IS A STATE OF MIND...... 15 Double Team Maneuvers...... 80 Where Can I Get Some Help?...... 147 THE ELEMENTS OF LUCHA ACTION Losing A Caida...... 81 BASIC RULES & CONCEPTS...... 148 STORIES...... 15 Move By/Move Through...... 81 GAME BASICS...... 148 Like Superheroes, But Not Quite...... 15 Routines...... 82 CHARACTER CREATION...... 148 To Preserve And Protect...... 16 Throwing And Being Thrown...... 83 COMBAT...... 149 Other Common Lucha Tropes...... 16 Transitioning...... 83 LUCHA LIBRE HERO CHARACTER SHEET... Kayfabe, Smarts, And Marks...... 17 LESSER LUCHAS...... 83 Everyman Lucha...... 84 151 Chapter Two: Monster Lucha...... 84 Front Side...... 151 Putting On the Mask Otros Martial Arts Contra Lucha Libre.8 4 Back Side...... 152 OPTIONAL RULES: OTRO WAYS TO PLAY.. CHARACTER POINTS...... 156 CHARACTER CREATION...... 20 84 CHARACTER POWER LEVELS...... 156 CHARACTER ARCHETYPES...... 20 Variation Uno: Extra Pow For Your Peso. Realistic Lucha Characters...... 156 A Family Affair (Or, You Think The Flash 84 Standard Lucha Characters ...... 156 Is Confusing..)...... 21 Variation Dos: Stripped Down To The Superheroic Lucha Characters...... 156 Los Maestros...... 21 Bone...... 85 Restrictions On Spending Points...... 157 Los Minis...... 21 Variation Tres: Beyond The Bone...... 85 Luchadore ABILITY GUIDELINES TABLE. THE GIMMICK: MASKS AND COSTUMES.2 2 157 PACKAGE DEALS...... 23 Chapter Four: CHARACTERISTICS...... 159 THE BASIC LUCHADOR PACKAGE DEAL.24 GamemasteringSample Lucha file Libre Primary Characteristics...... 159 WRESTLER PACKAGE DEALS...... 24 Figured Characteristics...... 159 RUNNING LUCHA LIBRE HERO...... 87 BRAWLING RUDO...... 24 Movement...... 159 CREATING THE CAMPAIGN...... 87 CRIMEFIGHTING LUCHADOR...... 25 PRIMARY CHARACTERISTICS TABLE...159 Campaign Settings...... 87 NON-WRESTLER PACKAGE DEALS...... 30 FIGURED CHARACTERISTICS TABLE...159 LUCHA LIBRE IN OTHER GENRES AND MOVEMENT TABLE...... 159 ACTION STUNTS...... 36 METAGENRES...... 88 STRENGTH TABLE...... 160 OFFENSIVE ACTION STUNTS...... 36 ...... 88 EXPLANATION OF CHARACTERISTICS.160 DEFENSIVE ACTION STUNTS...... 41 Horror Hero...... 89 Primary Characteristics...... 160 MOVEMENT ACTION STUNTS...... 43 Champions...... 90 Figured Characteristics...... 161 SENSORY ACTION STUNTS...... 44 Star Hero...... 90 REDUCING CHARACTERISTICS...... 162 PSYCHOTRONIC ABILITIES...... 46 Ninja Hero...... 91 Characteristics For Luchadores...... 162 LUCHA LIBRE GADGETS...... 47 Other Genres...... 91 BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER...... 91 SKILLS...... 163 BUYING SKILLS...... 163 Chapter Three: PLOT SEEDS...... 93 SKILL ROLL TABLE...... 163 Bodyslams & Brawls ADVENTURES OUT OF THE RING...... 93 SKILL MODIFIERS TABLE...... 164 ADVENTURES IN THE RING...... 96 LUCHA AS A MARTIAL ART...... 50 TIME CHART...... 164 BASIC LUCHA LIBRE MANEUVERS...... 50 Chapter Five: USING SKILLS...... 164 Creating Lucha Libre Maneuvers...... 51 THE SKILL LIST...... 165 GRABS AND SUBMISSION HOLDS...... 51 A Lucha Libre Sourcebook SKILL DESCRIPTIONS...... 166 Grabs...... 60 HEROES...... 98 FLUENCY TABLE...... 169 Submission Holds: Mat Holds...... 61 RANGE SKILL LEVEL TABLE...... 170 VILLAINS...... 110 Submission Holds: Standing Holds.....63 SKILL LEVELS TABLE...... 171 MONSTERS...... 120 Submission Holds: Takedown Holds...65 PERQUISITES (PERKS)...... 173 PRESSURE SQUEEZES AND CRUSHES.66 ...... 130 PERK DESCRIPTIONS...... 173 STRIKES AND TAKEDOWNS...... 66 HISTORY AND DEMOGRAPHICS...... 130 FRINGE BENEFITS...... 174 Strikes...... 66 COLONIAS...... 132 TALENTS...... 175 Takedowns...... 70 El Anillo...... 135 The Wilderness...... 135 Table of Contents

TALENT DESCRIPTIONS...... 175 DISTINCTIVE FEATURES...... 214 RECOVERY...... 235 PeRkS and talents SUMMARY TABLE... DEPENDENCE...... 214 Holding Breath And Drowning...... 235 176 DEPENDENT NPC...... 214 Recovering BODY...... 235 POWERS...... 177 ENRAGED/BERSERK...... 215 PRESENCE ATTACKS...... 236 SPECIAL EFFECTS...... 177 HUNTED...... 215 PRESENCE ATTACK TABLE...... 236 gENERAL RULES...... 179 PHYSICAL LIMITATION...... 216 PRESENCE ATTACK MODIFIERS...... 236 WHAT POWERS DO...... 180 PSYCHOLOGICAL LIMITATION...... 216 ELECTRICITY...... 238 USING POWERS...... 180 REPUTATION...... 217 FIRE TABLE...... 238 SOCIAL LIMITATION...... 217 cATEGORIES OF POWERS...... 180 LIVING IN A DANGEROUS WORLD...... 238 SUSCEPTIBILITY...... 218 Adjustment Powers...... 180 CHEMICALS...... 238 VULNERABILITY...... 218 Attack Powers...... 181 FALLING...... 238 Body-Affecting Powers...... 181 EXPERIENCE POINTS...... 219 BREAKING THINGS...... 239 Defense Powers...... 182 EXPERIENCE POINTS...... 219 Mental Powers...... 182 SENSES AND PERCEPTION...... 221 VEHICLES...... 241 Movement Powers...... 183 Perception Rolls...... 221 VEHICLE TABLE...... 242 Sense-Affecting Powers...... 184 Targeting And Nontargeting Senses.221 Notes...... 242 Sensory Powers...... 184 Sense Groups...... 221 USING VEHICLES...... 243 Size Powers...... 184 BLINDNESS AND OTHER MISSING Vehicles In Combat...... 243 Special Powers...... 184 SENSES...... 221 VEHICLE DAMAGE TABLE...... 243 Standard Powers...... 184 ENTERING COMBAT...... 222 WEAPONS...... 244 POWERS TABLE...... 185 COMBAT BASICS...... 222 WEAPONS TABLE...... 244 POWERS SUMMARY TABLE...... 186 Game Scale...... 222 LUCHA LIBRE HERO WEAPONS TABLE.244 POWER DESCRIPTIONS...... 187 Combat Time...... 222 Key And Notes For Weapons Tables.. 245 COMBAT EFFECTS TABLE...... 187 THE SPEED CHART...... 222 ARMOR...... 245 DARKNESS TABLE...... 189 speed quick-reference Table...... 222 EXPLOSIVES...... 245 DETECT TABLE...... 192 BEGINNING COMBAT...... 223 ARMOR TYPES TABLE...... 245 FLASH TABLE...... 193 ACTIONS...... 223 HERO SYSTEM GLOSSARY...... 246 GROWTH TABLE...... 194 ACTIONS TABLE...... 223 CHRONOLOGICAL LUCHA LIBRE FILMOG- IMAGES SUMMARY TABLE...... 195 HOLDING AN ACTION...... 224 RAPHY...... 251 PERCEPTION MODIFIERS TABLE...... 195 ABORTING AN ACTION...... 224 INVISIBILITY SUMMARY TABLE...... 196 FIGHTING...... 225 Appendix: LIFE SUPPORT TABLE...... 196 Lucha Libre Source Material MENTAL ILLUSIONS EFFECTS TABLE.. 197 ATTACK ROLLS AND COMBAT VALUE...225 The Attack Roll...... 225 MIND CONTROL EFFECTS TABLE...... 198 SOURCE MATERIAL...... 251 ATTACK ROLL QUICK-REFERENCE TABLE. MIND LINK TABLE...... 199 The Authors’ Favorite Lucha Films....253 225 MIND SCAN MODIFIERS TABLE...... 199 Sample file BIBLIOGRAPHY...... 256 COMBAT SEQUENCE CHECKLIST...... 226 MIND SCAN EFFECTS TABLE...... 199 ENGLISH WRESTLING TERMS AND SLANG\ DCV MODIFIERS TABLE...... 226 SHAPE SHIFT...... 200 258 Calculating OCV And DCV...... 226 SHRINKING TABLE...... 200 GLOSSARY...... 258 TELEPATHY TABLE...... 202 MENTAL COMBAT...... 227 7 LUCHA TERMS AND SLANG...... 259 TRANSFORM...... 203 COMBAT MODIFIERS...... 22 RANGE MODIFIER TABLE...... 227 TYPES OF LUCHA LIBRE MATCHES...... 261 ADVANTAGES...... 204 COMBAT MODIFIERS TABLE...... 227 Index...... 262 Buying Advantages...... 204 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS TABLE.228 Using Advantages...... 204 ENCUMBRANCE TABLE...... 228 ADVANTAGE DESCRIPTIONS...... 204 COMBAT MANEUVERS...... 229 advantages and limitations calcula- EXPLANATION OF STANDARD MANEU- tions tables...... 207 VERS...... 229 ADVANTAGES calculation TABLE....207 COMBAT MANEUVERS TABLE...... 229 LIMITATIONS calculation TABLE.....207 MARTIAL ARTS...... 231 LIMITATIONS...... 208 DETERMINING DAMAGE...... 232 Taking Limitations...... 208 Damage Class...... 232 LIMITATION DESCRIPTIONS...... 208 Normal Damage Attacks...... 232 ACTIVATION ROLL...... 208 Killing Damage Attacks...... 232 CHARGES TABLE...... 209 TAKING DAMAGE...... 232 CONTINUING CHARGES TABLE...... 209 DAMAGE CLASS TABLE...... 232 INCREASED ENDURANCE TABLE...... 210 NORMAL DAMAGE...... 232 EXTRA TIME TABLE...... 210 EFFECTS OF DAMAGE...... 234 LIMITED POWER GUIDELINES TABLE.. 211 Stunning...... 234 LIMITED POWER EXAMPLES TABLE.....211 Knockout...... 234 SIDE EFFECTS...... 212 Injury...... 234 DISADVANTAGES...... 213 Death...... 234 DISADVANTAGE DESCRIPTIONS...... 213 KNOCKDOWN...... 234 ACCIDENTAL CHANGE...... 213 RECOVERY TIME...... 234 Lucha Libre Hero\5

¡BIENVENIDOS!

South of the border, wrestling — Lucha Libre, Chapter Four, Gamemastering Lucha Libre Hero, as it’s known — isn’t quite the same as it is in the provides information, advice, and tips for the United States. An intense cultural phenomenon, it Gamemaster (GM). Running a Lucha Libre Hero has grown beyond the ring to become the founda- campaign isn’t quite like running most other RPG tion for strange, amazing, bizarre movies in which games, so strap yourself in and prepare for a psy- wrestlers use their skills and honor to combat chotronic ride! monsters, mad scientists, invaders from outer Chapters Five and Six provide some material to space, mobsters, and just about any other threat to help you get started with your Lucha Libre Hero Mexico you can imagine. An incredible psycho- games. They include example heroes, some villains tronic mish-mash of genres, these movies inspire a and monsters for the GM to use, and a ready-to- new and exciting type of roleplaying gaming. run scenario that pits your heroes against more Lucha Libre Hero is your guide to roleplaying monsters than you can imagine! in the world of Mexican Lucha Libre movies, par- ticularly as exemplified by the approximately one For those of you who don’t already roleplay using hundred such movies released in Mexico between the HERO System rules, Chapter Seven contains 1952 and 1977. It is not intended as a complete a simplified version of them so you’re ready to guide to or using the HERO play Lucha Libre Hero without buying another System to run modern-day professional wrestling book. They cover character creation, combat, and campaigns, though players and GMs will no doubt anything else you need for an exciting roleplaying find much information they can use as a founda- experience! tion for such a game throughout the book (par- The final section of the book is an Appendix. It ticularly in Chapters Two and Three). Obviously, includes a comprehensive filmography of Lucha in the vast majority of Lucha Libre adventures the Libre movies and glossaries of wrestling terminol- protagonists are in fact professional luchadores, ogy. If you want to start experiencing the movies at least part-time, and nearly every Lucha Libre that inspired this book, here’s where you can find movie ever released includes at least one and pos- out how. sibly several professional matches (not to mentionSample So put fileon your mask, flex your muscles, and the generally less spot-filled [see the Glossary] get ready to defend the greatest country in the combat sequences between Our Heroes and their world, Mexico! It’s time for psychotronic action enemies outside of the ring). Therefore, rules, with Lucha Libre Hero! maneuvers, and advice for running Lucha Libre matches are included here in detail. However, the focus of the book (and the genre) remains on the WHO’S RESPONSIBLE luchadores as adventurers rather than on their day FOR THIS?!? jobs. Chapter One, Lucha Libre, discusses what this genre is, and how to simulate it in game terms. A Note From It covers the elements, tropes, and themes of the Jason Walters genre so you’ll have some idea what’s going on even if you haven’t had the chance to watch some American superheroes: who can really relate of the movies yet. to them? Be honest now. Can you really imagine yourself being Superman, Green Lantern, or Iron Chapter Two, Putting On The Mask: Character Man? Those cats can do anything, go anywhere, Creation, provides Lucha Libre Hero-specific rules and beat most villains without breaking a sweat. for creating characters, including Package Deals They aren’t people; they’re more like ancient Greek and “Action Stunt” abilities common to characters or Norse gods who’ve somehow stumbled into in the genre. (For the basic HERO System charac- our (okay, DC’s or Marvel’s) humdrum world and ter creation rules, see Chapter Seven.) have to wander around like children in a china Chapter Three, Bodyslams And Brawls: Lucha shop, trying not to break anything. They’re physi- Libre Combat, showcases the dozens (if not hun- cal marvels, mental geniuses, and moral stalwarts. dreds) of Martial Maneuvers available for lucha- That’s not me, and it’s probably not you. dores to purchase. It also discusses other ways I’ve always had the same problem identify- to build their fighting abilities using the HERO ing with godlike superheroes that I have doing System rules, and provides other information so with Donald Trump. No matter how hard I about combat in this genre. 6 Introduction\ Hero System 5th Edition Revised

try, I’m never going to be as rich as The Donald. bizarre, often psychedelic world of Monsters, Mob- This probably explains why I’ve always liked sters, and Mad Scientists that they certainly didn’t non-powered or barely-powered heroes, like the create. Our heroes often appear as confused by the Punisher, the Question, and Bob Burden’s Mystery turns of events in their films as, well, we the audi- Men: hard-working, bare-knuckled, blue-collar ence are. Yet through a combination of wrestling costumed adventurers who fight evil on the lowest maneuvers, stubbornness, and the ability to take a rung of the superhero ladder. To me they just beating, they push on, eventually warping reality make more sense. I have a hard timeSample picturing fileback to the point where they can pin it down into myself flying to Mars to prevent Mons Olympus a Submission Hold. Or blow it up. Or throw it off a from erupting... but breaking up a kidnapping cliff. Like the people of the great nation of Mexico, ring using a Mossberg Persuader, a bulletproof luchadores tend to be a rather pragmatic bunch. vest, and my booted foot? Yeah, that could almost The first response many people have had to happen. the announcement of Lucha Libre Hero (besides This is probably why my first exposure to stunned silence) has been “My God, why?” or Lucha Libre via the classic El Santo film Santo more occasionally “OK, but why use the HERO Contra las Mujeres Vampiros was such an epiph- System for it?” After some considerable playtest- any. A revelation. What we alcoholics-in-treatment ing, Darren and I have discovered that the HERO call a Moment of Clarity. Here’s a guy who fights System was inadvertently created precisely so we supernatural evil in a sequined cape, sweat-stained could one day write this book. The innate psycho- tights, and a silver mask, with only his overdevel- tronicness of classic Mexican wrestling cinema oped chest, wrestling abilities, and a refreshing demands a universal, cross-genre system like moral clarity to see him through. Santo has even HERO to be played properly. The very best Lucha less to work with than an American hero like films are part horror, part superhero, part sci-fi, Green Arrow. His lab looks like my dad’s garage part spy flick, part romance, and part something workshop (only with more tinfoil), he definitely utterly random, blurring the distinct lines of genre isn’t Einstein, and his gadgets are pretty much that we Americans have grown accustomed to in restricted to an imported convertible sports car films over the last 100 years. What better way to and the odd smoke grenade. He even trips when simulate the bizarre melting pot that lies at the chasing villains, something Batman never does. soul of Lucha Libre flicks than a game system that’s Yet it’s precisely these qualities that elevate, rather infinitely malleable? than diminish, the heroism of El Santo and his Like their cinematic cousins, live Lucha Libre numerous wrestling kin. He’s a human superhero. matches are a form of theater that in execution Like the rest of us, he just gets by somehow. and character most closely resemble comic books. There’s something deeply existential about It’s like watching live superheroes taking on their masked Mexican wrestlers. They’re caught in a rogue’s gallery — only better, because it’s low Lucha Libre Hero\7 budget. I mean no disrespect by this. Some make take sardonic pleasure in watching Lucha films and matches, but not me. I dig it, baby. The entire Lucha genre may easily lend itself to satire, but in and of itself it is not satirical. Like a good Eighties show that involved pyrotechnics, huge skeleton puppets, and outlandish costumes, Lucha Libre requires an enthusiastic fan base willing to engage in a massive group suspension of disbelief. To an outsider, the entire thing may appear as ridiculous in action as... well, a bunch of grown men and women sitting around a dining room table enjoying a roleplaying game. To a fan, how- ever, the entire event makes perfect sense. It can be appreciated purely for its own artistic merits, with a tongue firmly pressed in cheek, or both at the same time. A lot like this book. A Note From Darren Watts The news that Hero Games was working on a Lucha Libre Hero project was met with at best bemusement by the Hero fan community, at worst derisive scorn, and in the vast middle ground mostly confusion. A select few “got it” right out of the box, though, and this book is dedicated in spirit to them. As Jason points out, Lucha Libre is less a genre and more an attitude that can be applied to a wide range of genres, preferably several at one time tossed in a blender and set to Frappe. There hadn’t really been a game book about how to play Lucha Libre (though several books that came close or shared similar roots are given their due in the Bibliography), and we decided it was about time to back up the big talkSample file about the power of HERO’s underlying “generic” game engine by taking it out for a high-speed spin around Mexico City’s darkest side streets. If you’re already a fan of Lucha Libre in general, welcome aboard. If you aren’t, well, we hope you’re the kind of person for whom the idea of driving around the desert in a tricked out Karmann Ghia convertible with a lovely lady by your side, defending the good people of Mexico by drop-kicking mummies and applying Atomic Neckbreakers to the werewolf henchmen of mad scientists while electric guitar power chords and Latin rhythms echo across the sun-bleached hills hits you right in the limbic system and sends chills down your spinal column. If not, then maybe this book isn’t for you. We’ve been threatening people with this book for a long time. It’s been a labor of love for both of us, and we hope it provides you with at least a fraction of the entertainment we’ve gotten out of Lucha Libre over the years. If all this is new to you, well, I envy you the opportunity to enter the technicolor world of Cinema and Psychotronica for the first time. !Vivan los tecnicos!