ANY HERO LESS SYSTEM! The critically-acclaimed rules are now The Basic Rulebook includes: HERO SYSTEM BASIC RULEBOOK BASIC SYSTEM HERO available in a condensed form: the Basic Rulebook! H A quick introduction to the HERO System rules, The Basic Rulebook contains all of the core with guidelines and suggestions for character HERO System rules, including character creation, creation combat and adventuring, and equipment — but H Character creation rules, including Characteristics, without all of the options and details found in the stan- Skills, Perks, Talents, Powers, Advantages, Limita- dard rulebook. The Basic Rulebook boils the HERO tions, Complications, and more System down to its essential elements so you can easily teach yourself the game, bring new players into H Combat, adventuring, and task resolution rules your campaign quickly, or refresh your memory on a that are easily learned but offer a wide range of crucial rule. And when you’re ready to move up to the tactics and abilities complete HERO System, learning it will be a snap be- H Five sample characters, plus hundreds of example cause the Basic Rulebook’s already taught you the abilities, spells, weapons, and vehicles. basics! Sample file H A comprehensive glossary and index so you can But the Basic Rulebook doesn’t sacrifice the easily find just the rule you’re looking for. flexibility, customizability, and freedom that are the hallmarks of the HERO System. With it you can create any sort of character, ability, weapon, spell, gadget, or vehicle you can think of. It lets you do just what you want to do: create great characters and games. 2 - 2 2 1 - 6 6 3 8 5 - 1 - 8 7 9 DOJHERO1003 HERO

GAMES

ISBN: 978-1-58366-122-2 DOJHERO1003 $19.99 US www.herogames.com ANY HERO LESS SYSTEM! The critically-acclaimed HERO System rules are now The Basic Rulebook includes: HERO SYSTEM BASIC RULEBOOK BASIC SYSTEM HERO available in a condensed form: the Basic Rulebook! H A quick introduction to the HERO System rules, The Basic Rulebook contains all of the core with guidelines and suggestions for character HERO System rules, including character creation, creation combat and adventuring, and equipment — but H Character creation rules, including Characteristics, without all of the options and details found in the stan- Skills, Perks, Talents, Powers, Advantages, Limita- dard rulebook. The Basic Rulebook boils the HERO tions, Complications, and more System down to its essential elements so you can easily teach yourself the game, bring new players into H Combat, adventuring, and task resolution rules your campaign quickly, or refresh your memory on a that are easily learned but offer a wide range of crucial rule. And when you’re ready to move up to the tactics and abilities complete HERO System, learning it will be a snap be- H Five sample characters, plus hundreds of example cause the Basic Rulebook’s already taught you the abilities, spells, weapons, and vehicles. basics! Sample file H A comprehensive glossary and index so you can But the Basic Rulebook doesn’t sacrifice the easily find just the rule you’re looking for. flexibility, customizability, and freedom that are the hallmarks of the HERO System. With it you can create any sort of character, ability, weapon, spell, gadget, or vehicle you can think of. It lets you do just what you want to do: create great characters and games. 2 - 2 2 1 - 6 6 3 8 5 - 1 - 8 7 9 DOJHERO1003 HERO

GAMES

ISBN: 978-1-58366-122-2 DOJHERO1003 $19.99 US www.herogames.com THE HERO SYSTEM BASIC RULEBOOK Quick-Play Rules for the HERO System Author: Steven S. Long Layout and Graphic Design: Bill Keyes Cover Graphics: Andy Mathews, Albert Deschesne, Fred Hicks Interior Artwork: Brett Barkley, Christopher Burdett, Storn Cook, Anthony Cournoyer, Aléjandro Garza, Joshua Guglielmo, Brian & Brendon Fraim, Melissa Gay, Sam Kennedy, Chris Legaspi, Greg Smith, Christian N. St. Pierre, Imario Susilo, and Jason Williford

Dedication: We’d like to dedicate the Basic Rulebook to our hard- Steve Jones, Oliver Kammann, Ali Kaplan, Cary Karraker, Daniel working corps of volunteer GMs who run games for us at Origins Kasatchkow, Kevin Keel, Matthew Kerwin, Christine Kinney, Jona- and GenCon, and anyone else who runs HERO System games thon Kirkland, Ben Kisner, Stephen Klozik, Dave Kramer, Kerstin at conventions, game stores, or other places where gamers first Kramer, Scott Krok, Jenn Lach, Mike Lach, Keegan Lacy, Michael encounter the HERO System. Thanks for helping to spread the Larrimore, Kristen Lebowski, Steven Lebowski, Feral Lewis, John faith! Longenbaugh, Aimee Love, Aidan Malony, Ian Malony, Mike Malony, Ryan Malony, Sean Malony, Pedro Manholer, Vince Special Thanks: The HSBR’s roots lie in HERO System Sidekick, Mariotte, Adrian Martinez, Keith McGee, Jr., Keith McGee, Sr., a similar book that published in 2004. We were for- Charles McGinnis, Chris Meid, Luiz Gilberto O. Messias, Ron tunate to have a large group of playtesters help with the creation Micksch, Douglas “Hive” Miller, Will Mistretta, Justin Mitchell, of that book, and we’d like to thank them here once more: Tobie Susanna Mitchell, James Morris, David Mowery, Ray Moyer, Abad, Toby Akers, Katherine Allen, Jay Anyong, Kate Aton, Dexter Baraka Murdaugh, Eric Nannamen, Brendon Nuenfeldt, Mela- Ball, Barry Battle, Torsten Beck, Tommy Bisanz, Thomas Biskup, nie Oehlmann, Alexander Osias, Jeff Overman, Deanna Palmer, Lee Blankenship, Jonathan Bodey, Brett Bowman, Jackie Brenegar,Sample Jaguar Palmer,file Peter T. Palmer, Peter W. Palmer, Tania M. Palmer, Mike Brown, Gwynne Brunet, Christopher M. Cadeau, Amie Wylie Palmer, Meredith Peck, Scott Petersen, Marion Peuschel, Marie Carey, Sabrina Carlin, Sean Carlin, Ken Carlson, Marcelo Keith Phemister, Greg Piasentin, Jenny Precht, Dan Poryanda II, H. Cerri, Thomas Clegg, Barbara Coble, William Coble, Joseph Robert Pulchini, Mike Rodriguez, Ted Rowe, Jr., Slobodan “Slobo” Cocco, Randy Conklin, Robert Cote, Jesse Cox, Russel Cox, Char- Sardi, Jörg Schumacher, Chris Shaffer, Vincent Michael Simbu- lie Critz, The Cumberland Fire-Eaters (Dave Insel, Paul Reed, lan, John Simons, Tomas Skucas, Brian Sniffen, Justin Stamen, Cody Reichenau, S. John Ross), Dan Dean, Matthias Deigner, Kyle Stephens, Heather Strange, Chris Streb, John Stepp, James Thomas Dembach, Thalles de Mello, Patrick Deters, Beth Drum- “Cracky” Summa, Jacob Szeluga, Chris Tatro, James Tauscher, mond, Zachary Drummond, Bryant Durrell, Suzanne Eggebrecht, Jochen Terstiege, Thorne, Gary Trumble, Kim Roark Trumble, Ian Eller, Derek Ellis, Ali Eslami, Gabriel Falcon, Doug Field, Mark Ulbrich, Wagner Utiel, Richard Vaillancourt, Brett Walston, Tammy Field, Aaron Fink, James Flanagan, Ken Flickstein, Rob Lorraine Walston, Taylor Walston, Joel Williams, Jennifer William- Flock, Sven “8t88” Flottmann, Anthony Flynn, Dick Forney, Bruce son, William Yon, Bonnie “B-Chan” Zabytko, Argelia Zaucha, and Frazier, Slaine Fullerton, Wes Ganote, S. Alexander Gentry, Aaron Joe Zaucha. Gilbank, Lisa Graff, Ryan Graff, Melissa Grant-Ricks, Jason Gray, Phillip Green, Tara Green, Rick Haufe, Scott Henry, Don Hoban, Sean Hoban, Lenard Ignacio, John Jelsovsky, Chris Johnson,

HERO SystemTM ® is DOJ, Inc.’s trademark for its roleplaying system. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form HERO System Copyright © 1984, 1989, 2002, 2009 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, All rights reserved. recording, or computerization, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Publisher: Champions, , and all associated characters © 1981-2008 Cryptic DOJ, Inc., 226 E. 54th Street, #605, New York, NY 10022-48541. Studios, Inc. All rights reserved. “Champions” and “Dark Champions” are trade- marks of Cryptic Studios, Inc. “Champions” and “Dark Champions” are used under Printed in Canada. First printing August 2009. license from Cryptic Studios, Inc. Produced and distributed by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. Copyright © 2003 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved. Stock Number: DOJHERO1003 Pulp Hero Copyright © 2005 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved. ISBN Number: 978-1-58366-122-2 , Justice Inc., Danger International, and Western Hero Copyright © 2002 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION...... 5 LIMITATIONS...... 67 PRESENCE ATTACKS...... 105 What’s The Difference?...... 5 Taking Limitations...... 67 EXAMPLE OF COMBAT...... 106 Where Can I Get Some Help?...... 5 Limitations Descriptions...... 68 LIVING IN A DANGEROUS WORLD..110 What Else Is Out There?...... 5 MULTIPOWERS...... 72 BREAKING THINGS...... 111 BASIC RULES AND CONCEPTS...... 6 EXAMPLE POWERS...... 73 VEHICLES...... 113 Game Basics...... 6 Cyberware...... 73 Using Vehicles...... 115 Character Creation...... 6 Psionic Powers...... 74 Vehicles In Combat...... 115 Combat...... 7 Spells...... 75 WEAPONS AND ARMOR...... 116 Character Points...... 14 Enchanted Items...... 76 HERO SYSTEM GLOSSARY...... 130 Restrictions On Spending Points...... 15 Superpowers...... 77 Index...... 133 What Not To Spend Points On...... 15 COMPLICATIONS...... 78 Character Design Guidelines ...... 15 Complications Descriptions...... 79 CHARACTERISTICS...... 17 Experience Points...... 83 Movement...... 17 SIZE TEMPLATES...... 84 Explanation of Characteristics...... 17 EXAMPLE CHARACTER...... 86 Characteristics Table...... 17 SENSES AND PERCEPTION...... 90 Other Characteristics Rules...... 19 Perception Rolls...... 90 SKILLS...... 22 Targeting And Nontargeting Senses.90 Buying Skills...... 22 Sense Groups...... 90 Using Skills...... 22 ENTERING COMBAT...... 91 Skill Modifiers Table...... 22 Combat Basics...... 91 Skill Roll Table...... 23 Game Scale...... 91 Time Chart...... 23 Combat Time...... 91 The Skill List...... 24 The Speed Chart...... 91 Skill Descriptions...... 25 Beginning Combat...... 92 PERQUISITES (PERKS)...... 31 Actions...... 92 Perk Descriptions...... 31 Holding an Action...... 93 TALENTS...... 32 Aborting an Action...... 93 Talent Descriptions...... 32 FIGHTING...... 94 Perks and Talents Summary Table....33 AttackSample Rolls and Combat file Value...... 94 POWERS...... 34 The Attack Roll...... 94 Special Effects...... 34 Calculating OCV And DCV...... 95 General Rules...... 36 Combat Sequence Checklist...... 95 What Powers Do...... 36 Mental Combat...... 96 Using Powers...... 37 Combat Modifiers...... 96 Categories of Powers...... 37 Combat Maneuvers...... 98 Adjustment Powers...... 37 Explanation Of Standard Maneuvers.98 Attack Powers...... 38 DETERMINING DAMAGE...... 101 Body-Affecting Powers...... 38 Damage Class...... 101 Defense Powers...... 39 Normal Damage Attacks...... 101 Mental Powers...... 39 Killing Damage Attacks...... 101 Movement Powers...... 40 Taking Damage...... 101 Sense-Affecting Powers...... 40 Normal Damage...... 101 Sensory Powers...... 41 Effects of Damage...... 103 Size Powers...... 41 Stunning...... 103 Special Powers...... 41 Knockout...... 103 Standard Powers...... 41 Injury...... 103 Power Descriptions...... 45 Death...... 103 ADVANTAGES...... 62 Knockback...... 103 Buying Advantages...... 62 RECOVERY...... 104 Using Advantages...... 62 Holding Breath And Drowning...... 104 Advantage Descriptions...... 62 Recovering BODY...... 104 Advantages and Limitations Calculations Tables...... 66 Sample file

Welcome to The HERO System Hero System Basic Rules 5

INTRODUCTION

he HERO System, the award-winning role- Where Can I Get Some Help? playing game rules set that got its start as H Champions in 1981, is renowned for its If the HERO System 6th Edition doesn’t have T flexibility, customizability, and wealth of the answers you seek, there are two other resources UPGRADING TO THE detail. Instead of forcing players and GMs to create you can turn to for help. The first is the message FULL HERO System characters based on a limited conception of how a boards at the Hero Games website: game should work, or requiring them to pick abili- www.herogames.com After you’ve worked with ties from a finite list, the HERO System lets you The boards have hundreds of registered fans, the BR for a while, you’ll design anything you want for your character and many of whom post every day. They’re one of probably find yourself campaign, however you want it. However, HERO’s the friendliest, most enthusiastic communities in wanting to go beyond strengths come at the price of some complexity. gaming, and if you ask a question they’ll answer it it — to expand the The HERO System has a lot of rules, terms, and quickly. range of Skills, Powers, information — and sometimes that makes it seem Second, you can contact HERO System Line Advantages, Limitations, daunting to newcomers. Most gamers who give Developer Steven S. Long directly by e-mail at Combat Maneuvers, and other game elements it a try soon discover that its internal consistency [email protected]. Steve is glad to answer ques- available to you. If that’s makes it much easier to learn than they thought, tions from the fans about Hero’s rules or products. the case, you should but there’s still an initial learning curve. consider upgrading to To make the learning process easier, Hero What Else Is Out There? the full HERO System 6th Games presents the Basic Rulebook. The “BR” is a Edition rules. They come set of easily-learned “core” rules that can get you up Hero Games and the HERO System have in two books, Volume I: and running in a HERO System game quickly. been around for nearly 30 years, so there are lots Character Creation and of resources you can use with the BR. There are Volume II: Combat And What’s The Difference? tens of thousands of pages’ worth of HERO System Adventuring. materials published by Hero Games for the various Because the BR rules are BR differs from the full HERO System rules editions of the HERO System, and they’re all easy to the same as the HERO adapt to the BR rules. in just one major respect: the amount of details, System rules — just options, alternatives, and minor/special rules availSample- Buying file books isn’t the only way to get into the minimized and simplified able. The core mechanics of the two systems — how game (though it’s one we hope you’ll try eventu- — upgrading is easy. All you make an Attack Roll or a Skill Roll, how char- ally!). In addition to all the things you’ll find on the you have to do is start acters take damage, and so forth — are identical. Free Stuff page at www.herogames.com, there are adding elements from But where the HERO System might include ten hundreds (if not thousands) of fan-created websites the full rulebook to your paragraphs and four special Power Modifiers to containing HERO System characters, campaign set- characters as you need explain a particular Power and provide ways for tings, house rules, and just about anything else you them. For example, if you gamers to customize it, BR probably only has a can think of. want to create a charac- ter who’s highly resistant couple of paragraphs. It leaves out a lot of the detail to damage, you could and options of the full HERO System. The intent is pick up the 6th Edition to pare the HERO System down to its most neces- rulebook, learn about the sary rules — that way you can easily learn them Power Damage Reduc- before diving into the more complex, but much tion, and buy it for your richer, rules of the full system. character. If you have a question about any element of the BR rules, the best place to look for the answer is Sidebars throughout this the HERO System 6th Edition rulebook. It contains book list some of the hundreds of pages of additional information, rules, HERO System elements explanation, examples, and options that BR does the BR lacks, to give you not. As you explore more and more of the rules, an idea of what you’ll th you’ll gradually learn the full HERO System and find in the 6 Edition discover that it’s even more fun than BR. rulebook.