I think I need some help.

I think I need some help.

I think I need some help. A link with some examples of character creation or maybe some more explanation of the system.

Bought the game, do not regret it at all, but what little I have with superhero RPGs leans more towards stuff like Mutants and Masterminds, so my head is having a hard time assimilating how the system works and how to mould my ideas to fit the system.

Let us say an example: I just had an idea for a Legacy–kind of a more light and soft version of the X-23/Laura Kinney and Wolverine legacy. So ok, cool, the Legacy playbook should help…

…But I dunno how the ideas for powers I have would fit.

So… help, plz?

And greetings from Costa Rica, as well.

5 thoughts on “I think I need some help.”

  1. The mechanics of Masks are focussed on the narrative of the PC not their capabilities. Powers, much like in comics, are mostly colour often emphasising the PC’s narrative arcs.

    So you start by just saying what your powers do as a part of the narrative, and that will define what you can do for the most part. When you use them for something they are established to be able to do, check to see if they trigger a move or if they are used in an unrestrained way roll the Unleash Power move.

  2. Ooh I like a challenge!

    Okay so first off, when it comes to abilities, you are not then happy to interpret them the way you like. So I would say, go for the third one on the list : athletic perfection (x23 can bounce!), intimidation (something wolverine is known best for) and Fearsome reputation (the best there is at what I do. And what I do isn’t very nice). You abilities don’t need to live up perfectly – as you can see, nothing about claws here – but that bit can be more loose for flavour description.

    Then, at have moves.

    Never give up never surrender is a perfect pick, as you constantly turn the tables against your opponent. Very much the style of the character too. I would personally go for words of the past four my second move, as since you’re a legacy you’re going to be meeting your elders quite often. But if that isn’t for you, The legacy matters also works.

    As for the rest, knock yourself it.

    Radical suggestion: as nice as legacy is, I however would not roll that for x23. Instead, I would roll a Bull. A bull would fit that far better in my head, with the whole back story of being a manufactured hero by a secret organisation, the abilites are a lot more open to interpretation, and most importantly, you get to pick a lover and a rival. Can’t go wrong.

  3. There’s a nice play example on the website:

    http://www.magpiegames.com/masks/long-example/

    It’s all about the Fiction in Masks. For example, instead of a player ‘using’ moves, moves are triggered by things the PC does. Punching someone in the face would trigger Directly Engage, while trying to trip someone up with your powers would trigger Unleash Your Powers. Likewise, if a PC is yelling at someone, the GM is free to jump in and say that they’re triggering Provoke Someone.

    Even the powers of the different playbooks are all about the Fiction. Yes, your Transformed has Inhuman Might, but what does that mean (Is it Super Strength or is it something a bit more nuanced?)? If you have Flight, well, how is it that your character flies (Do they have wings?)?

    When creating a character, don’t think so much about the powers at first, than the core issues of the concept. In X-23’s case, I’d direct you more to The Bull than The Legacy. Because the core issue of The Bull is that you were created with powers, presumably by bad guys as an experiment, and you’re struggling to get yourself under control. Meanwhile, The Legacy is about being one of the latest in a line of superheroes, and the struggle of living up to expectations.

    Creating X-23 as a Legacy, I’d choose the Athletic power suite:

    – Athletic Perfection

    covers enhanced strength, reflexes, and could be expanded to include healing factor

    – Holmesian Deduction

    covers enhanced senses; smell, sight, etc.

    – Gadgetry

    covers adamantium claws, as well as any other small gadgets an X-Man might have

  4. I wanted to add to this conversation. I agree with the other contributors; very good advice.

    Keep in mind that when you’re making your characters, they are much less defined by their powers than in other supers games. In a Mutants and Masterminds you’ll build your characters around being a brick or a blaster or a gadgeteer or psionic or something. In MASKS it’s much more about how you related to your friends, adults, and the world at large. It’s about the personal issues you deal with. X-23 deals with being an unstoppable weapon with anger issues and violent instincts. That’s more like the Bull than the Legacy. Miles Morales or Kamala Khan are more like Legacy characters in that have picked up the mantle of a well known and beloved hero and want to continue the tradition.

    Does that make sense?

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