Heroes Unlimited
Encyclopedia
Heroes Unlimited is a superhero role-playing game
written by Kevin Siembieda and first published by Palladium Books
in 1984
. The game is based upon the Palladium Books
Megaversal system
and is compatible with any other game on the Palladium system, including Aliens Unlimited and Villains Unlimited.
The game features superhero
es fighting supervillain
s in a comic book
-like world. The game's introduction states that the game was designed to be a "thinking man's" Superhero RPG, where the characters were vulnerable and could not amass an incredible number of skills or abilities. The experience point system of the game gave great awards to novel thinking and heroic sacrifice, in addition to defeating one's enemies. Characters in the game are defined by their ability scores, skills (dependent on education level), and class, which allows the selection of certain powers or enhanced skills or equipment. The classes allowed for a wide range of play-types, from super-powered beings to aliens to technology-based or special-training-based characters.
However, the character creation system was widely divergent - some classes such as robotics allowed intense customization, while others were extremely random. Some classes and super powers (such as the ancient master class or the invulnerability power) started very powerful but hardly matured, while other classes and powers had effects strongly tied to character level.
The revised edition added new powers and minor rule changes, allowed many classes to take small "minor" superpowers to slightly expand play options, introduced the option of "crazy" wild-man heroes, and most notably added magic-powered characters to the game at the request of the players. The revised edition also included a short rules summary of the Palladium game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness, adding mutant animal character rules and a shortened selection of animals for character creation. However, mutant animals make characters that are in general much weaker than standard heroes, as the TMNT supplement Turtles Go Hollywood
noted.
The second edition of the game saw something of a renaissance in the line's production. In addition to the options previously provided, and updates of the previous supplements, Palladium Books produced several supplements for the game. These included a Gamemaster's Guide, a book on the Mutant Underground, and the setting of Century Station, with the nearby prison of Grammercy Island. Palladium has also published a series of supplements called Powers Unlimited, providing more character options for use in the game. A further product has been released, tying in with the Megaverse-wide Minion War, named Armageddon Unlimited.
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
written by Kevin Siembieda and first published by Palladium Books
Palladium Books
Palladium Books is a publisher of role-playing games perhaps best known for its popular, expansive Rifts series . Palladium was founded April 1981 in Detroit, Michigan by current president and lead game designer Kevin Siembieda, and is presently based in Westland, Michigan...
in 1984
1984 in games
This page lists board and card games, wargames, miniatures games, and table-top role-playing games published in 1984. For video and console games, see 1984 in video gaming.-Game awards given in 1984:...
. The game is based upon the Palladium Books
Palladium Books
Palladium Books is a publisher of role-playing games perhaps best known for its popular, expansive Rifts series . Palladium was founded April 1981 in Detroit, Michigan by current president and lead game designer Kevin Siembieda, and is presently based in Westland, Michigan...
Megaversal system
Megaversal system
The Megaversal system, sometimes known as the Palladium system, is a set of mechanics specifically employed in most role-playing games published by Palladium Books, the exception is Recon. It uses dice for roll-under percentile skill checks, roll-high combat checks and saving throws, and...
and is compatible with any other game on the Palladium system, including Aliens Unlimited and Villains Unlimited.
The game features superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
es fighting supervillain
Supervillain
A supervillain or supervillainess is a variant of the villain character type, commonly found in comic books, action movies and science fiction in various media.They are sometimes used as foils to superheroes and other fictional heroes...
s in a comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
-like world. The game's introduction states that the game was designed to be a "thinking man's" Superhero RPG, where the characters were vulnerable and could not amass an incredible number of skills or abilities. The experience point system of the game gave great awards to novel thinking and heroic sacrifice, in addition to defeating one's enemies. Characters in the game are defined by their ability scores, skills (dependent on education level), and class, which allows the selection of certain powers or enhanced skills or equipment. The classes allowed for a wide range of play-types, from super-powered beings to aliens to technology-based or special-training-based characters.
However, the character creation system was widely divergent - some classes such as robotics allowed intense customization, while others were extremely random. Some classes and super powers (such as the ancient master class or the invulnerability power) started very powerful but hardly matured, while other classes and powers had effects strongly tied to character level.
The revised edition added new powers and minor rule changes, allowed many classes to take small "minor" superpowers to slightly expand play options, introduced the option of "crazy" wild-man heroes, and most notably added magic-powered characters to the game at the request of the players. The revised edition also included a short rules summary of the Palladium game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness, adding mutant animal character rules and a shortened selection of animals for character creation. However, mutant animals make characters that are in general much weaker than standard heroes, as the TMNT supplement Turtles Go Hollywood
Turtles Go Hollywood
Turtles Go Hollywood is a supplement for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness role-playing game. It was published by Palladium Books in 1990 and uses the Palladium Megaversal system. It is a collection of five interrelated adventure concepts centered around drug lords, corrupt...
noted.
The second edition of the game saw something of a renaissance in the line's production. In addition to the options previously provided, and updates of the previous supplements, Palladium Books produced several supplements for the game. These included a Gamemaster's Guide, a book on the Mutant Underground, and the setting of Century Station, with the nearby prison of Grammercy Island. Palladium has also published a series of supplements called Powers Unlimited, providing more character options for use in the game. A further product has been released, tying in with the Megaverse-wide Minion War, named Armageddon Unlimited.