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I'll know more when I have access to the book again (it's a long story, involviong moving, an overzealous housecleaning and a massive collapse of an entire book collection stacked precariously to begin with), but what with the new Spell Clusters rules I was thinking that CAH would be a very interesting system to try and do Slayers with. It may be anime, but in retrospect it resembles a lot of retro-toons (the massively powerful spells do a TON of damage to structures but not very many people die, for example). And, after all, more than anything else Slayers resembles a high-powered D&D campaign gone horribly, horribly wrong.

Most of thew anime obviously aimed at a younger audience (Pokemon) is close enough to the toons being done by CAH that you can get away with it. The over-the-topness of some stunts, though, might be harder to duplicate...

Now there's a scary thought -- Pokemon in CAH.

Then again, Pokemon isn't such a bad series and if I were to run a game of it I'd seriously consider CAH as my system.

Another show I'd seriously consider CAH for is Voltron. Remember Voltron? I think this series was my introduction to anime, and really to how wonderful animation of all types could be. I really wish I could see the original japanese series from which Voltron was constructed (getting to see Superdimensional Fortress Macross in japanese was a special treat I'll remember the rest of my life.)

Quote from: Michael HopcroftAnother show I'd seriously consider CAH for is Voltron. Remember Voltron? I think this series was my introduction to anime, and really to how wonderful animation of all types could be. I really wish I could see the original japanese series from which Voltron was constructed (getting to see Superdimensional Fortress Macross in japanese was a special treat I'll remember the rest of my life.)

Absolutely.  Many of the original anime "imports" (Robotech, Voltron, et al) are appropriate inspiration for CAH.

So... vehicles or lions?

Quote from: Eddy Fate

Absolutely.  Many of the original anime "imports" (Robotech, Voltron, et al) are appropriate inspiration for CAH.

So... vehicles or lions?

Lions. Definitely lions. I only saw one episode of vehicles.

Quote from: Michael HopcroftI was thinking that CAH would be a very interesting system to try and do Slayers with. It may be anime, but in retrospect it resembles a lot of retro-toons (the massively powerful spells do a TON of damage to structures but not very many people die, for example). And, after all, more than anything else Slayers resembles a high-powered D&D campaign gone horribly, horribly wrong.

As one of my favourite anime, I was a bit worried about the upcoming BESM Slayers sourcebooks, as BESM is just so damn packed full of options. It takes me an age to figure out how best to do anything, and the BESM Fantasy Bestiary worried me even more (did you see the hoops they had to jump through to do some of the creatures?). So this thought had occurred to me too!

I'm just not sure even a revamped CAH can do as much damage as Dragon Slave... But yes, the ability of people to survive ridiculous ammounts of damage does point to a CAH-like mechanic. Lodoss War, on the other hand, may require something a bit more serious (yes, it was based on a D&D campaign, but that would be just one step too far...).

Now... how about Dragon Half...

Wulf

I can't think about the Slayers without mentioning my other favorite fantasy anime: Those Who Hunt Elves.  Really funny stuff.

And, did you ever notice, the spells in Slayers are mostly carbon copy spells from D&D, even right down to their names?  Somebody in Japan has been playing waaay too much Dungeons & Dragons ;)

Quote from: SlantI can't think about the Slayers without mentioning my other favorite fantasy anime: Those Who Hunt Elves.  Really funny stuff.

And, did you ever notice, the spells in Slayers are mostly carbon copy spells from D&D, even right down to their names?  Somebody in Japan has been playing waaay too much Dungeons & Dragons ;)

IIRC, Slayers is actually based off of someone's D&D campaign.  Or was that Lodoss War?

Lodoss War (well, certainly the original series) certainly was based off a D&D campaign, but Slayers may well have been too. Only I doubt that all 4 series were based off actual play examples!

Wulf

I gotta get me 'Those Who Hunt Elves'...

Quote from: WulfLodoss War (well, certainly the original series) certainly was based off a D&D campaign, but Slayers may well have been too. Only I doubt that all 4 series were based off actual play examples!

If they were, I'm not sure I'd want to play in that game... ;-)

Someone at the last GenCon described Lina Inverse to me as "a D&D character played by a munchkin". Someone whod' read the Monster Manual cover-to-cover before picking up their dice, knew everything about the world even though their character could not possibly known so much, had min-maxed beyond the limits, and who had picked up spells no sane person would even attempt to learn.

I've always wondered how she learned that spell of hers that destroys the universe when you cast it wrong. How does she PRACTICE?

But then Slayers was meant to satirize a high-powered D&D campaign gone horribly, horribly wrong....

Quote from: Michael HopcroftSomeone at the last GenCon described Lina Inverse to me as "a D&D character played by a munchkin".

Basically, though, how ELSE do you play an 18th level MU? Or whatever level she has to be. How many Weapon Of Mass Destruction spells (9th level) does she know?

This is exactly why I have doubts that CAH can portray Slayers. It just never reaches that level of overkill...

On a side note, this Saturday I will play my first game of DD3e, as a Fighter/MU. The DM has never seen Slayers...

Wulf

Quote from: WulfThis is exactly why I have doubts that CAH can portray Slayers. It just never reaches that level of overkill...

I suppose it could be geared for that level of overkill, but it would take some work.

Hrm... let me contemplate that.

Quote from: Eddy FateI suppose it could be geared for that level of overkill, but it would take some work.

Hrm... let me contemplate that.

After These messages #2...

DRAGON SLAVE!

Wulf

Quote from: Wulf

Quote from: Eddy FateI suppose it could be geared for that level of overkill, but it would take some work.

Hrm... let me contemplate that.

After These messages #2...

DRAGON SLAVE!

Wulf

w00t!

You know, if I ever get my book back I just may write up these characters! I know it can be done, it's just a question of spending enough CPs and getting big enough Spell Clusters.

The biggest problem may not be Lina, who is relatively straightforward. It's Gaurry, who has this massively powerful magic "sword" (although it cats more like a lightsaber) and has to be the most skillful swordsman on the planet even without it, even while showing the introspective and social abilities of a jellyfish.

I'm looking forward to it. It'll be fun.

The problem with CAH (in the pdf version at least - due to my FLGS' supplier not knowing Z-Man Games existed I haven't seen the book yet...) is that the die roll total never gets high enough to smash down buildings - if you CAN smash down buildings, you can do it too easily with too weak an attack (and a good roll). No-one can roll higher than 12 (I understand there are alternative methods of calculating totals in the book, but I haven't seen them to compare).

Wulf

Here is my first attempt at writing up Lina Inverse. Note no attempt was made to balance the character! This is pure modeling.

Lina Inverse
"Hot-Tempered Young-looking Sorcery Genius"

Series: Slayers

Oomph: 5      Stunt Points: 4
Hurt Points: 32   Size: Medium

Story Hooks:
Has a temper – Moderate
Over-Sensitive About Her Looks – Moderate
Phobias of slugs and her sister Luna – Minor (they don't show up very often)
Reputation as person not to be messed with – Moderate
Frequent target of the Mazoku – Major

Traits:
Armed Combat 1, Body 1, Coordination 3, Ranged Combat 4, Stealth 1, Unarmed Combat  2, Detective 2, Knowledge (Magic) 4(2), Knowledge (The World) 4, Perception 3, Survival 3, Willpower 4(2), Appearance 3, Performer (Oratory) 1,  Persuasion 2, Psychology 1, Wealth 2

Special Abilities:

Giga Slave (Power Level: high)
A rarely used spell that does massive damage to its target but risks total destruction if miscast
   DR: 20 (65 CP)
   Ignore Magical Protections, Ignore Armor (+12 CP)
   Double Damage vs. Magical Entities (+3 CP)
   Special Restriction: When miscast, user becomes the living avatar of the Lord of Nightmares, who controls the enormous magical energies released by the spell at her whim. LON may also choose to subsume or destroy the user's identity permanently. (-10 CP)
   Self-Damaging, Major (-8 CP)
   Fickle (-4 CP)
   Total: 64 CP

Dragon Slave (Power Level: medium)
A more common offensive spell, still capable of causing massive damage
   DR: 16 (45 CP)
   Disturbance, Major (leaves impact crater and causes massive property damage for 1km radius) (-5 CP)
   Total: 44 CP

Offensive Spell Cluster (Power level: High)
   Cluster Pool: 14
   Total: 64 CP

Defensive Spell Cluster (Power Level: Medium)
   Cluster Pool: 10
   Total: 48 CP

Movement Spell Cluster (Power Level: Medium)
   Cluster Pool: 10
   Total: 48 CP

Miscellaneous Spell Cluster (Power Level: medium)
   Cluster Pool: 10
   Total: 48 CP

Transformation Spell Cluster (Power Level: medium)
   Cluster Pool: 8
   Total: 42 CP

Total CP value: 468

Quote from: Michael HopcroftTotal CP value: 468

Wow!  She could give Nekrottus a run for his money!  ;-)

Quote from: Eddy Fate

Quote from: Michael HopcroftTotal CP value: 468

Wow!  She could give Nekrottus a run for his money!  ;-)

Well, she has slain the Dark Lord Shabranigdo, destroyed numerous mazoku (high-grade demons), saved the world on several occasions, and nearly destroyed it twice.

Quote from: Michael HopcroftWell, she has slain the Dark Lord Shabranigdo, destroyed numerous mazoku (high-grade demons), saved the world on several occasions, and nearly destroyed it twice.

...but still needs to roll maximum to knock herself out with her own most powerful spell? Don't get me wrong, this is a good CAH Lina, as good as it gets (I'd have used Area Effect, but, oooh that would be expensive...). Even if her spells do double damage to architecture it just doesn't sound enough (stray thought... are damage values for walls and buildings detailed anywhere?).

CAH just doesn't go up to 11, despite using a D12.

Wulf

I haven't had anyone I could actually test Lina out on. Could someone run Lina Inverse through a solo adventure and tell me if she's underpowered?

Well, Nekrottus' name has popped up in this discussion so why not have someone run a Lina vs. Nekrottus match and see how it turns out. That should tell you if this first draft of Lina is over or under-powered.

Derek Devlin

Has anyone played out the Lina Inverse vs. Nekrottus match? How did it turn out? I haven't had much of a chance to play much of anything (been really busy with licneces, conventions, and writing new games for my own company....)

By the way, has anyone thought about writing up any of the other characters (Gourry, Zelgadis, Amelia, Slyphiel, Pihionel, Xellos, Martina, Naga, Filia)?