Post originally by Buzz at 2004-08-25 14:39:11
Converted from Phorums BB System

<i>Take the one on page 175 for the Giant's Strength for example. There's a lot of stuff there for many people would say 'well, you drink it and you get strong'.

Or perhaps, the cuff on page 145.

But even the writeup of the Long Pike on page 141. "Why do I need to know it has stretching, with only damage but no non-combat?" is the likely answer from a non Hero player. "Just tell me it can reach into the next space." </i>

But these examples are appearing in a very obvious context, i.e., right next to the power that they exemplify. As you point out, it's not like the list of weapons includes a writeup of each item. The book doesn't claim you need to understand Stretching to use a pike. It just uses it as an example next to where it has the Stretching rules.

I dunno. I guess I can see how this might be overwhelming to a HERO newbie, but I'd much rather have the examples than not. They're part of what makes 5e, IMO, so dang great. I've used those writeups on more than one occasion.