Post originally by Andy Staples at 2004-01-15 12:53:47
Converted from Phorums BB System

First of all, I'd like to thank all the posters for their kind words on the review. As a reviewer I usually try to maintain a certain distance from the product; I'm glad the personal touch worked, and maybe I can learn from that.

I'm grateful for the advice on using extra time to combat magic roll penalties. I'd managed to miss that suggestion in Fantasy Hero (not hard given the size of that book and the core rules... and if I tell you that I have other Hero 5th books as well, you'll understand there's a LOT of reading material by my bedside). Extra time would seem to counteract the 'flaw' I mentioned regarding Master's Version to some extent.

As to changing the penalty for Requires Magic Roll, I don't think I'm ready to go down that route yet. With the extra time reduction in Magic roll penalty, it may be easier to simply rule "Master's Version" out-of-bounds to players.

I am, I'm pleased to say, well acquainted with Hero's Forums: though I haven't posted there, I've surfed them quite a bit.

As to the GURPS/Hero debate, well I quite deliberately shied away from that little hornets' nest in the review proper. Maybe it's time to come clean. I've been using GURPS for more than a decade. I like GURPS. But I've been looking at Hero System to gain more flexibility; I've never really liked ther GURPS magic system, for instance, and even the Rotual Magic system doesn't do what I want.

I've also been toying with revamping that wonderful game 2300AD to a more up-to-date, character-orientated rules system. Working with GURPS Vehicles (even with computerised assistance) is too much maths for me; even converting the Stracher 11mm magnum automatic pistol was a job I never got round to finishing, never mind deigning a Bridgeport Swift Songbird hovercraft.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not turning my back on GURPS. I'd never, for instance, consider the trauma of converting Classic Traveller when there is already a very good GURPS version.

I'm not yet ready to run a fantasy campaign with Hero System. As I mentioned, to do what I want requires an understanding of power frameworks, which requires an understanding of the entire powers system as a prerequisite. I'm not there yet.

But for something like a 2300AD conversion, where a vehicle, once designed, is stable and unchanging, well, I'm ready to start.

But expect me to register for the Hero forums and begin posting questions reasonably soon.