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Champions Complete Writing and DesignDerek HiemforthDerek’s Special ThanksTo the gamers with whom I first discovered Championsand fell in love with the game: Doug Alger, Andy Broer,Daniel Cole, Dan Connor, Dave Croyle, Guy Pilgrim, andNelson Rodriguez. Without you guys, my college gradesmight have been better, but my life would have been much,much worse.To Gary Denney, Robert Dorf, Chris Goodwin, JamesJandebeur, Hugh Neilson, and John Taber, who generouslyoffered insightful commentary and suggestions.And, above all, to my beloved wife Lara, who loves herfuzzy hubby unconditionally despite his odd hobby, evenwhen writing leaves him sleepless or cranky.Indispensable ContributionsChampions 6th Edition: Aaron Allston andSteven S. LongHERO System 6th Edition: Steven S. LongHERO System 4th Edition: George MacDonald,Steve Peterson, and Rob BellOriginal HERO System: George MacDonald andSteve PetersonLayout and Graphic DesignRuben Smith-ZempelHERO System . is DOJ, Inc.’s trademark for its roleplayingsystem.HERO System Copyright 1984, 1989, 2002, 2009, 2012 by DOJ,Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved.Champions, Dark Champions, and all associated characters 1981-2009 by Cryptic Studios, Inc. All rights reserved.“Champions” and “Dark Champions” are trademarks of CrypticStudios, Inc. “Champions” and “Dark Champions” are used underlicense from Cryptic Studios, Inc.Fantasy Hero 2003, 2010 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. Allrights reserved.Star Hero 2003, 2011 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rightsreserved.Pulp Hero 2005 by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rightsreserved.Danger International, Justice Inc., Western Hero 2002 by DOJ,Inc. d/b/a Hero Games. All rights reserved.No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in anyform or by any means, electronic or mechanical, includingphotocopying, recording, or computerization, or by anyinformation storage and retrieval system, without permission inwriting from the Publisher:DOJ, Inc., P.O. Box 247, Gerlach, NV 89412.Printed in the USA. First printing September 2012.DevelopmentJason WaltersCover ArtSam R. KennedyInterior ArtPeter Bergting, Storn Cook, Keith Curtis,Brendan and Brian Fraim, Fredd Gorham,John Grigni, Jeff Herbert, Eric Lofgren, EricRademaker, Scott Ruggels, and Greg SmithThe body text was set in 10 pt. Minion ProCondensed and the headers were set in 24, 18,14, and 12 pt. Gil Sans Bold Condensed. Skilland Power headers were set in 12 pt. MinionPro Bold Condensed. The index was set in 8 pt.Minion Pro Regular and 14 pt. Gil Sans BoldCondensed.Produced and distributed by DOJ, Inc. d/b/a Hero Games.Stock Number: HERO2000ISBN: 978-1-58366-145-1http://herogames.com1
TABLE OF CONTENTSINTRODUCTION.4 PERKS. 36TALENTS. 39POWERS. 42Pretend – The Universal Game. 4Champions And The HERO System. 4Other Products And Resources. 5Author’s Introduction. 5Special Effects.42Buying Powers.43Power Range.44Endurance Cost.44Using Powers.44Activating Powers.44The Standard Effect Rule.44Power Categories.45Adjustment Powers.45Attack Powers.47Automaton Powers.47Body-Affecting Powers.48Defense Powers.48Mental Powers.48Movement Powers.49Sense-Affecting Powers.50Sensory Powers.50Size Powers.50Special Powers.50Standard Powers.50Power Descriptions.51CORE CONCEPTS & GAME BASICS.6CORE CONCEPTS. 6Larger-Than-Life. 6Creative Freedom. 6You Can Change Anything. 6Game Mechanics & Special Effects. 6You Get What You Pay For. 7Base, Active, & Real Points. 7No Absolutes. 8GAME BASICS. 8Rolling Dice. 8Measuring Time & Space. 8Character Points. 9Character Abilities Overview.11Casual Use Of Abilities.12Combat Overview.12CHARACTER CREATION.13CHARACTERISTICS. 13Buying Characteristics.13Characteristic Rolls.13Characteristic Descriptions.13Presence Attacks.16Recovering.18Endurance & Pushing.19Characteristics Comparisons.20Characteristic Maxima.21Character Basics.21POWER MODIFIERS. 94Calculating Costs.94Partially-Modified Powers.95Using Power Modifiers.95Independent Advantages.95Power Modifier Descriptions.96SKILLS. 22POWER FRAMEWORKS. 122Buying Skills.22Skill Types.22Skill Enhancers.22Familarity & Proficiency.22Everyman Skills.22Categorized Skills.23Using Skills.23Skill Rolls.23Skill Versus Skill Contests.24Complementary Skills.24Skill Modifiers.24Extraordinary Skills.25Skill Descriptions.25Slot Purchases.122Limitations and Advantages.122Multipower.122Variable Power Pool.122COMPLICATIONS. 124Choosing Complications.124Using Complications.124Changing or Eliminating Complications.124Complication Descriptions.125RESULTS AND RECOGNITION. 130Heroic Action Points.130Experience Points.1302
Table of ContentsCHARACTERS AND THE WORLD. 131 CHAMPIONS –MOVEMENT. 131 SUPERHERO ROLEPLAYING. 167General Rules.131Movement Modes.132LIVING IN A COMIC BOOK WORLD. 167CREATING SUPERHERO CHARACTERS. 171SENSES & PERCEPTION. 133Superhero Origins.171Superhero Motivations.172Suggested Game Elements.172Skill Sets.173Powers Sets.174Complications Sets.176Superhero Archetypes.178Targeting and Nontargeting Senses.133Lack of Senses.134Sense Groups.134Perception Rolls.135Hiding and Finding Things.136TIME. 136Time Chart.136Combat Time.136Actions.137PLAYING COMIC BOOK CAMPAIGNS. 184Points & Power Levels.184Creating Champions Campaigns.184Running Champions Campaigns.186FALLING. 139LIVING IN A DANGEROUS WORLD. 139BREAKING THINGS. 142EXAMPLES. 191EXAMPLE CHARACTERS. 191COMBAT. 143The Champions.191Villains.200Average Individuals.207Types Of Combat.143Attack Rolls And Combat Values.144Mental Combat.144Combat Modifiers.145Combat Maneuvers.148Combat Maneuver Descriptions.148Optional Combat Maneuvers.153Martial Maneuvers.154Optional Combat Rules.156Damage.156Determining Damage.156Adding Damage.157Taking Damage.157Effects of Damage.158Optional Effects of Damage.160EXAMPLE TEMPLATES. 208EXAMPLE MARTIAL ARTS STYLES. 209EXAMPLE POWERS. 209EXAMPLE EQUIPMENT. apons & Armor.218APPENDICES. 221PLAYING OTHER GENRES. 221SIZE AND MASS TEMPLATES. 223SUMMARY AND REFERENCE TABLES. 227EQUIPMENT.
Champions is an RPG for playing out the sorts of adventure stories featured in comic books, from astonishing superheroes with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men, to grim urban vigilantes determined to clean up the streets. It was first published by Hero Games in 1981, with scores of peripheral products published since then, including several revisions of the rules engine (most .
