WW2 Era HU Game Question

[RockJock]

Ok guys, I've run a game campaign in WW2 years ago and loved it, and am considering doing it again. Any thoughts, tip, ideas from anyone who has done this before? I'm aware of the Heroes through the Ages in one of the early Rifters, and did something similar last time, with a very pulp feel.

I am considering something more like the first Captain America movie. High tech groups with weapons that mimic today's equipment(M4/M203, Barrett 50s, tactical body armor etc) could show up, as could individual Hardware types with that sort of kit available. Psychics, Hardware, Physical Training, and Special Training with minor changes will be the bread and butter, but I can make just about any class work with a little tweaking.

Anything that jumps out?

[Father Goose]

I would capitalize on "fringe science" being conducted by secret agencies within world governments. It's a pulp 40s staple and works well with Heroes Unlimited material. Super Soldiers, Harware, and Special Training are your go to categories.

[zerombr]

hah we were going to have a game in this time frame once! Never really got off the ground though

[Regularguy]

I’ve said before that it could be interesting to play a Mechano-Link character in that setting: he might not even realize he’s got a super power, he’d maybe just think of himself as a crack shot with solid vehicular skills because, hey, he’s never yet seen one of those huge computers that are rumored to fill up a great big room...

[Father Goose]

I’ve said before that it could be interesting to play a Mechano-Link character in that setting: he might not even realize he’s got a super power, he’d maybe just think of himself as a crack shot with solid vehicular skills because, hey, he’s never yet seen one of those huge computers that are rumored to fill up a great big room...

My brother made a character with a similar idea. He was an average Joe who just happened to be Immortal. He didn't want to know that at the start though.
That could be fun here. An undying soldier with no other powers.

[Regularguy]

I’ve said before that it could be interesting to play a Mechano-Link character in that setting: he might not even realize he’s got a super power, he’d maybe just think of himself as a crack shot with solid vehicular skills because, hey, he’s never yet seen one of those huge computers that are rumored to fill up a great big room...

My brother made a character with a similar idea. He was an average Joe who just happened to be Immortal. He didn't want to know that at the start though.
That could be fun here. An undying soldier with no other powers.

Another one I’ve pondered in the same context: a guy who has Mimic, but hasn’t met other supers. So maybe he’s a great soldier — especially if he’s serving alongside great soldiers — but if he’s never been near folks who can break Olympic records, he’s only ever been, what, a fit guy who knows how to throw a punch? He’s maybe the most powerful super on the planet, except it hasn’t really come up yet?

[Father Goose]

I’ve said before that it could be interesting to play a Mechano-Link character in that setting: he might not even realize he’s got a super power, he’d maybe just think of himself as a crack shot with solid vehicular skills because, hey, he’s never yet seen one of those huge computers that are rumored to fill up a great big room...

My brother made a character with a similar idea. He was an average Joe who just happened to be Immortal. He didn't want to know that at the start though.
That could be fun here. An undying soldier with no other powers.

Another one I’ve pondered in the same context: a guy who has Mimic, but hasn’t met other supers. So maybe he’s a great soldier — especially if he’s serving alongside great soldiers — but if he’s never been near folks who can break Olympic records, he’s only ever been, what, a fit guy who knows how to throw a punch? He’s maybe the most powerful super on the planet, except it hasn’t really come up yet?

There are several that fit this theme, provided they are "one power only" characters. It could make for a really great game, especially when combined with the idea of fringe science being a factor. What if some scientists in a eugenics project discovered an "X Gene" and started experimenting to uncover its secrets? Mutants are single power people and not overly powerful yet, but the potential...
Consider that one of the origins listed for Super Soldier in PU2 is Mutant. What if the PCs started as single power mutants who were impressive compared to normal people, but lacked any flashy powers. They then get recruited into the program and experimented on to try to isolate and enhance their powers...
There is a story here...

[RockJock]

I love the conversation. A single power character taken from an interesting angle should be fun.

[Father Goose]

I love the conversation. A single power character taken from an interesting angle should be fun.

It's all about setting. Dress the setting properly and minor heroes can be the most memorable. I'm definitely inspired by this conversation and I'm looking forward to a post detailing what you settle on.

[Daniel Stoker]

Also consider smaller budget Eugenic characters ala Doc Savage.


Daniel Stoker

[RockJock]

It will be awhile before we start, if we ever do. I'm working on sort of the world setting portion incase it actually gets rolling. We tend to have 50 ideas for games/campaigns and time for 1.

[Regularguy]

As long as we’re going back over low-key one-power stuff, I’ll ask: what if, in the real world, you truly believe you’re a great dealmaker?

So (a) someone who can — up against a “maybe” — supply a good enough counteroffer to get a guy from “maybe” to “yes”; but (b) you don’t think you can turn a flat “no” into a “yes”, because, hey, it’s all about what he gives you to work with, right? If he says “no”, he must have a reason; and so there’s no point in just insisting he do the reverse, that’d just be silly. No, you sensibly give him a reason when you try your hardest to make an offer he might accept; that’s how you get him to accept!

Okay, so imagine that mindset, plus Control Others.

[Father Goose]

As long as we’re going back over low-key one-power stuff, I’ll ask: what if, in the real world, you truly believe you’re a great dealmaker?

So (a) someone who can — up against a “maybe” — supply a good enough counteroffer to get a guy from “maybe” to “yes”; but (b) you don’t think you can turn a flat “no” into a “yes”, because, hey, it’s all about what he gives you to work with, right? If he says “no”, he must have a reason; and so there’s no point in just insisting he do the reverse, that’d just be silly. No, you sensibly give him a reason when you try your hardest to make an offer he might accept; that’s how you get him to accept!

Okay, so imagine that mindset, plus Control Others.

I see where you're going with this. The character has the potential to be exceptionally powerful, but has inborn limitations in his own mind that act as a limiter for the power. At least, until a charismatic villain starts making suggestions...

[csyphrett]

What you need is Project M and Creature Commandos fighting a war that time forgot
CES

[zerombr]

I see where you're going with this. The character has the potential to be exceptionally powerful, but has inborn limitations in his own mind that act as a limiter for the power. At least, until a charismatic villain starts making suggestions...

this happened to a character of mine, against my wishes >.>

I got captured by a villain and became a nemesis to the team. Unfortunately, the group was sort of on the outs, so that never got to play out.

[Pencroff357]

If you want to make it cool, Nazi superscience.
If you want to make it cooler, non-fictional superscience from other countries: Soviet drone tanks, British supercarriers out of ice mulch, American guided missiles... It would make great accessories and settings while stepping outside of what's already been covered through and through.

[RockJock]

I have a recurring character who basically doesn't think he has any powers, but really is a fairly high end mutant equivalent to a Natural Genius.

Basically he has slightly different versions of some of these powers that weaken them, or change to the flavor. For example his Weapons Melding doesn't have tendrils or anything, but also doesn't power/load the weapons. A mutant with Mechano Link, Immortality(doesn't know it), Weapons Melding, Extraordinary IQ, Book Worm, Linguistics, and Living Anatomy who comes across as a just askill monkey who is good at most things, but is really a mutant.

[Thom001]

Nazi era tech is so crazy. Look up some of their actual projects to throw in there (like the expedition to Antarctica for occult reasons or that time travel bell project)