|
Superworld is a superhero-themed role-playing game published by Chaosium in 1983. Written by Basic Role-Playing and RuneQuest author Steve Perrin, Superworld started life as one third of the Worlds of Wonder product, which also included a generic fantasy setting, "Magic World", and a generic science fiction setting, "Future World", all using the same core Basic Role-Playing rules. Only Superworld became a game in its own right.
Game system Superworld is based on the traditional Chaosium Basic Role-Playing system, here augmented by super-powers. Seven characteristics (Strength, Constitution, Size, Intelligence, Power, Dexterity, Appearance) are rolled with dice (2D6+6, rather the 3d6 used for many other Basic Role Playing games - these are superheroes!). The sum of these characteristics gives a total of Hero Points used to buy super powers. The super powers system follows the Champions model, that powers are described by their effects. For example, one does not buy "Laser Vision", but the effect "Energy Blast", and specifies that it is a laser emitted by the hero's eyes. Each effect can be modified by Advantages (less energy expenditure, for example) or Disadvantages (reduced number of uses, for example) which increase or reduce the cost of a power. Hero Points can also be used to buy skills, or increase characteristics, for a super-strong character, for example. It is possible to get more Hero Points for character creation by choosing Disabilities for the character, such as Public Identity, Vulnerability to a Substance, Psychological Problems, etc. More Hero Points would be awarded for experience at the end of a game session. The system functions in the same way as the other Basic Role-Playing games, by rolling percentile dice against skills. Lower rolls than needed can cause increased effect from Specials (equivalent to Impales in RuneQuest), or Criticals, and high rolls can cause critical failures (Fumbles). Combat rules have many options and take into account three types of energy for damage: Kinetic, Electric, and Radiation (including lasers). Kinetic includes not only heat and cold, but also physical impact, such as fists or bullets, so the three types do not seem to be equally balanced; Kinetic armor, for example, seems likely to see a lot more use than the other sorts. Game materials The game box contained three rules booklets, a booklet of character sheets, one of tables for the Gamemaster, a page of cardboard figure silhouettes to be cut out, and a set 6, 8, and 20-sided dice. 1984 printings also contained a 4 page errata booklet. Supplements
Bad Medicine for Dr. Drugs (1984) Scenario. Author: Ken Rolston. Set in a high school, and designed for teenage characters. It comes with six young pregenerated heroes, or lets players use their own. Beginning with the funeral of one of their friends, it sets the heroes on the track of a drug distribution network in their school, directed by the aforementioned Dr. Drugs. It also included rules for creating and of managing adolescent characters that have just discovered their powers, and a plan of Warren G. Harding High School, though the scenario recommends substituting the school in which the GM and the players studied. Superworld Companion (1985) Rules supplement. Many authors: Stephen R. Marsh, Stephen Perrin, Ian Lee Starcher , Anthony Affronti, Jimmy Akin II, William A Barton, Norman Doege, Bruce Dresselhaus, Ray Greer, Zoran Kovacich, George MacDonald, Steve Maurer, Sandy Petersen, Wayne Shaw, John Sullivan -- most are listed because they provided one or more optional rules. Includes: Trouble for HAVOC (1984) Scenario / Campaign. Authors: Stephen Perrin, Yurek Chodak, Donald Harrington, Charles Huber. A linked collection of three scenarios based around the members of the criminal organization HAVOC. All the characters are presented with characteristics for with three different systems, Superworld, Champions and Villains & Vigilantes. Each may be played separately, or as part of a campaign. Wild Cards Superworld's most famous child may be the Wild Cards series of science fiction books, which came from an Albuquerque, New Mexico campaign gamemastered by George R. R. Martin, and played in by other science fiction writers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
| |