Your HU game

[RockJock]

What elements have worked there way into your HU game from other Palladium books?

I use bits and pieces from everywhere in the Megaverse.

From Palladium Fantasy I use monsters, creatures of magic, racial Rcc classes, various schools of magic and spells as well as magic and psychic Occs, Rune weapons, enchanted weapons, armor and items, and high quality mell weapons.

I've used almost everything from N&SS and Mystic China as is from time to time. The things I use the most from these books are the martial arts, classes and cybernetics. The magic and demons from Mystic China pop up from time to time as well. The world of N&SS and Mystic China is fully integrated into my HU games as elements in the shadows.

I use bits and pieces from Rifts and Phase World everywhere. In a general way I use gadgets, bionics, cybernetics, robotics, aleins, magic classes, spell types, and pyschics from both settings where ever they fit. A few things like the True Atlantean is an active part of my HU world. I use the Samas and Glitterboy in a early stage as cutting edge PA that is on the edge of being mass produced. I use mutant animals from South America as well as Juicers and Crazies in the same fashion.

My use of Robotech is more limited then in some of the other games, but I still bring elements in HU. I have a company that is using secret alien technlogy to build advanced robotics. While trying to reverse engineer things the company has reached a point of producing prototypes and trial versions. Their early production is similar to EBSIS designs, while there prototypes are the first generation Destroid. They are working on transformable designs as well, but the best they have worked out is a Tornado Bike. I've also used some of the Occs as a version of a military trained robot pilot.

Nightbane is another game that I come close to fully integrating into my HU game. Basically Dark Day hasn't, and may not ever happen. That being said, there are cults of Night, vampires, Templars, Seekers, Nocturnes, and Children of the Moon pretty much as is. There are a few ancient Nightbane who are awakened, but they aren't common. Spook Squad/ADA is another group similar to the Sector pulling strings behind the seens of government. Most of the Spook Squad developed psychics are around as government research programs. For an example, the Shadow Warrior Psychic came from the same research program as the militaries Ghost program. It was discontinues since only latent psychics would benefit from it and picked up by this group. The other big push is awakening Nightbane as a form of Super Soldier.

Spicers gives me ideas for robots, but the biggest value is in expanded eugenics. I have a company growing Proto Host Armor as a competing technology to power armor. Host Armor is in the works, but years away. A underground offshoot is a program to convert conscripts into animal like warriors.

ATB2 of course is where I get my mutant animals with a little help from the handful of TMNT books I have floating around.

I even use System Failures from time to time. The Bugs are testing the waters for an invasion of Earth. A private Biotech company is developing the Bug Hybrid technology used to mix Bug and human DNA. The same goes for Organitech weapons.

[Sentinel]

What don't I use?

N&SS and Mystic China dominate HtH in my campaigns (as well as for Rifts), I use stuff from Rifts Underseas, Atlantis, Triax, Spirit West, Lone Star, as well as non-human races from PFRPG, supernatural creatures from Nightbane, BtS-2, and various Rifts books, Transdimensional TMNT, Megaverse Builder, Phase World, and the mega sourcebooks (GMG, BoM, Bionics). Psyscape gets a lot of mileage, as does Africa and Pantheons, Dark Conversions, and Conversion Book One.

Palladium is my mixing bowl.

[RockJock]

I'm with you Sentinel. I find that just about anything I want to being into HU can be done within the Megaverse. I'm not saying that I don't take inspiration or down right steal things from other sources, but most idea already have at least a framework to work from somewhere in the Megaverse.

[Daniel Stoker]

What don't I use?

That's easy, meta-plot!


Daniel Stoker

[Sentinel]

What don't I use?

That's easy, meta-plot!


Daniel Stoker

That, and MDC.
Otherwise, the Palladium Megaverse is my playground.

[Sentinel]

do you use the Magi classes from Federation of Magic ?


I do not.
I never liked the Magi from FoM, and in fact I found them unnecessary.
Shortly into my second year as a poster, I got a thread locked as I solicited a conversion of a Marvel character (I didn't mean to, I was just enthusiastic). I solved my own problem by choosing the Mystic Bestowed, and selecting "Casts Spells". I chose combat oriented and attribute enhancing spells to build the type of character I wanted.

It's what I recommend to others in order to add variety to the magic users.

I do however like and use the Warlock, Shifter, Mystic, Shaman, and the "sorceror" types: The Arcanist, Sorceror, Ley Line Walker.

I also like the concept of Tattoo Magic, and have allowed the use of True Atlanteans.
I have given some hints as to the existance of a Chiang-Ku, but I have not directly introduced the character to the players as yet.

My jury is undecided on the Witch: as an NPC villain, they are great. Probably a bit more problematic as a player.

When it is appropriate for the campaign, I also include Dolphin Magic, Whale Songs, Ocean Magic Coral Shaping, Rain Magic, Bone Magic, Living Fire Magic, Techno-Wizardry,
I'm just wondering what sort of tweaks you might apply to make those fit like abandoning the "becomes a Creature O' Magic" for the Lord Magus, etc, where the emphasis isn't on becoming something alien but more accomplished.

For some reason, I'd be more apt to bring in a Smoker OCC than a Battle Magus.

I looked over the Smoker (and a couple of the other Manhunter OCCs) but I found little there to really interest me. I much more like the Wormwood OCCs.

[Sentinel]

do you use the Magi classes from Federation of Magic ?


I do not.
I never liked the Magi from FoM, and in fact I found them unnecessary.
Shortly into my second year as a poster, I got a thread locked as I solicited a conversion of a Marvel character (I didn't mean to, I was just enthusiastic). I solved my own problem by choosing the Mystic Bestowed, and selecting "Casts Spells". I chose combat oriented and attribute enhancing spells to build the type of character I wanted.

It's what I recommend to others in order to add variety to the magic users.

Interesting, I'm not real familiar with the HU spellcasting options.

Well, there's Mystic Study (Wizard) and Mystic Bestowed with the option to cast spells instead of Super Abilities. Also, there is the Immortal from PUII who can select spells instead of powers also.

However I did look at the HU Revised version of the mage and their abilities to cast spells without PPE limited by # per day was interesting, as an "alternate type of magic user" who uses a method that's very ancient/different.

I much preferred the adoption of the PPE system by HUII.

This has perks for the HU mage ability of Astral Projection, which seems to be unlimited in terms of duration. Meaning a HU Revised mage could travel and observe distant points for long periods and become quite a spy.

There are a lot of good applications for mages in the modern world with the right selection of Invocations. Spy is one of them. I would likely become a Pet-Sitter.

I looked over the Smoker (and a couple of the other Manhunter OCCs) but I found little there to really interest me. I much more like the Wormwood OCCs.

I rather liked what Bret Hegr did/suggested for mages on his web site. I wouldn't follow it blindly, but I think some of the work he did is worthwhile, especially for a GM who wants/needs more "flavor". He's got several categories of expanded magic spells which favor Smokers (and others) and can really add to someone playing a mage.

I like his MetaMage OCC if only for the fact it gives GMs a potent NPC that every other players doesn't already know what they can do.

I have found that using the basic mage (Sorceror type) and having access to a greater number of spell selections (such as those found in Rifts) adds quite a bit.

With a little work, one could also incorporate the Temporal Mages from Rifts England, although there is heavy abuse potential with these guys. Exercise caution.

I also advocate the use of Phase Mystics from Phase World.

[Dorlar]

I use everything and anything.....
Even books from other systems,..................

I know, its very shamefull!!!

[Sentinel]

I also advocate the use of Phase Mystics from Phase World.

???

they're psychics.

unless that's your intention to expand psionics.

Yes.
The mention of Phase Mystics was a little out of place, but I didn't want to start a new tangeant.

[Puroresu]

I use quite a different number of sources in my campaigns. Comic books such as CrossGen's The First, old DC issues such as Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes, DC's Infinite Crisis, etc.

I have a few non-Palladium books for resources. GURPS International Super Teams is a good one. A Babylon 5 RPG book about the Shadows and the Vorlons. The Archer Foundation from Spycraft's Shadowforce Archer series.

The only Shadowrun books I have are Shadows of Asia and Shadows of Europe. Believe it or not, I actually liked what I read in Shadows of Asia better than both Rifts China 1 and 2. Never really cared for either title, although I love the history of the Geofront in Rifter #28.

I use a lot of The Rifters, Phase World, Pantheons of the Megaverse, Transdimensional TMNT, Heroes Unlimited, Skraypers, Nightbane, Rifts: Atlantis, Megaversal Builder, Powers Unlimited 1 & 2, Mutant Underground, etc.

[Sir_Spirit]

I use quite a different number of sources in my campaigns. Comic books such as CrossGen's The First, old DC issues such as Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes, DC's Infinite Crisis, etc.

I have a few non-Palladium books for resources. GURPS International Super Teams is a good one. A Babylon 5 RPG book about the Shadows and the Vorlons. The Archer Foundation from Spycraft's Shadowforce Archer series.

I really want GURPS IST.

[Marrowlight]

I use quite a different number of sources in my campaigns. Comic books such as CrossGen's The First, old DC issues such as Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes, DC's Infinite Crisis, etc.

I have a few non-Palladium books for resources. GURPS International Super Teams is a good one. A Babylon 5 RPG book about the Shadows and the Vorlons. The Archer Foundation from Spycraft's Shadowforce Archer series.

I really want GURPS IST.

Hmmm....I've never even heard of GURPS IST. Interesting. New Book or real old one?

[Sir_Spirit]

I use quite a different number of sources in my campaigns. Comic books such as CrossGen's The First, old DC issues such as Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes, DC's Infinite Crisis, etc.

I have a few non-Palladium books for resources. GURPS International Super Teams is a good one. A Babylon 5 RPG book about the Shadows and the Vorlons. The Archer Foundation from Spycraft's Shadowforce Archer series.

I really want GURPS IST.

Hmmm....I've never even heard of GURPS IST. Interesting. New Book or real old one?

Like Gurps YRTH(which was part of gurps fantasy), it was originally part of another book called Gurps Supers.
OF course I ahd to get a ISTless version of Supers, jsut liek I had to get a Yrthless part of Gurps Fantasy .

Anyway, it was basically an official superhero world for the gurps setting.
IT had the UN quietly setting up IST teams everywhere, including Bagdhad(after the First Gulfwar, in which we got rid of Suddam like we should have).
They have a IST LA, and MLK survives to become a senator and then the first black president.
Suepr hero Liability Insurance, IST teams working in on call shift's(like emergency workers).
Very cool.

[Marrowlight]

I use quite a different number of sources in my campaigns. Comic books such as CrossGen's The First, old DC issues such as Who's Who in the Legion of Super-Heroes, DC's Infinite Crisis, etc.

I have a few non-Palladium books for resources. GURPS International Super Teams is a good one. A Babylon 5 RPG book about the Shadows and the Vorlons. The Archer Foundation from Spycraft's Shadowforce Archer series.

I really want GURPS IST.

Hmmm....I've never even heard of GURPS IST. Interesting. New Book or real old one?

Like Gurps YRTH(which was part of gurps fantasy), it was originally part of another book called Gurps Supers.
OF course I ahd to get a ISTless version of Supers, jsut liek I had to get a Yrthless part of Gurps Fantasy .

Anyway, it was basically an official superhero world for the gurps setting.
IT had the UN quietly setting up IST teams everywhere, including Bagdhad(after the First Gulfwar, in which we got rid of Suddam like we should have).
They have a IST LA, and MLK survives to become a senator and then the first black president.
Suepr hero Liability Insurance, IST teams working in on call shift's(like emergency workers).
Very cool.

Hmm....that might be in my copy of GURPS Supers.

[RockJock]

Phase Adepts/Mystics work as well in HU as they do anywhere else. You have to watch out or they become overpowering, but in a campaign with Megas they work well. They are also a good addition to espionage type campaigns. I've used them as an Alien agent several times.

[Sentinel]

In addition to using magic from across the board, I also make extensive use of Aliens Unlimited for advanced and energy weapons, particularly for weapons that were converted from MDC to SDC.
For galactic scale campaigns, I use both Aliens Unlimited and Galaxy Guide, Three Galaxies, Phase World, Anvil Galaxy, Macross II, Robotech, Mutants in Orbit, and and various Rifts books.

Transdimensional TMNT and the Megaverse Builder together are invaluable resources for my games as well. I can't help but sing the praises of these two books.

[Puroresu]

Yes, I too love GURPS IST and I'm so glad I have a copy to keep this time!

In some ways, I wish it was easy to adapt some of the history of Shadowrun into Rifts, however, thanks to Rifts, we don't have to worry about a dragon becoming President of the United States nor do we have to worry about large megacorporations, with the exception of Triax, of course.

I love the Mirror Universe from Star Trek. I loved the "Enterprise" episodes with the Mirror Universe in them, the one with the I.S.S. Enterprise going after the U.S.S. Defiant (the one looking like the old Enterprise from the original series).

Two other books that are good are GURPS: Alternate Earths 1 and 2.

Yes, another great reason for two great Palladium titles as references: Transdimensional TMNT and the Megaversal Builder! Just awesome books!

I too have thought about a Space Opera campaign and Phase World, Three Galaxies, Galaxy Guide, Aliens Unlimited, The Anvil Galaxy, etc. is perfect for it! The Robotech books are good as well, if you have them in your personal collection.

[Sentinel]

In some ways, I wish it was easy to adapt some of the history of Shadowrun into Rifts, however, thanks to Rifts, we don't have to worry about a dragon becoming President of the United States nor do we have to worry about large megacorporations, with the exception of Triax, of course.

Don't forget Japan: H-Brand, Ichto, and any I may have forgotten.

I too have thought about a Space Opera campaign and Phase World, Three Galaxies, Galaxy Guide, Aliens Unlimited, The Anvil Galaxy, etc. is perfect for it! The Robotech books are good as well, if you have them in your personal collection.

I do have Robotech, Invid Invasion, and Sentinels.
I use Skraypers and Anvil Galaxy, although to a lesser extent than the other Dimension Books. When the money permits it, I am looking to get Naruni Wave Two.

I am working on altering the background to suit me, and turning the UWW into what I call The Obsidian Imperative.