Customer Reviews

Mutants & Masterminds: Instant Superheroes Sourcebook (Mutants & Masterminds Sourcebook)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Like the name says, this book contains ready-made characters for use in the Mutants & Masterminds superhero role-playing game. Like the examples from the Player's Handbook, character descriptions start with base archetypes, but also include a couple of variations on each archetype and suggestions for additional modifications to make characters even more unique.

The book's archetypes (and variations) are: Agent (Fixer, Imposter), Amphibian (Atlantean, Sea Deity), Android (Golem, Robot), Battlesuit (Cryosuit, Mystic Garment), Costumed Detective (Conspiracy Theorist, Dark Avenger), Cyborg (Braincase, Cybertrooper), Demon (Dhampir, Revenant), Duplicator (Duality, Spirit Caller), Elemental (Air, Earth, Fire, Water) Energy Controller (Magnetism Master, Pyrokineticist), Fortunate Hero (Black Cat, Good Luck Charm, Hex), Gadgeteer (Disabled Genius, Mystic Artisan), Jungle Lord (Barbarian, Beast Man), Living Weapon (Physical Booster, Nano-Augment), Martial Artist (Iron Palm, Wandering Monk), Martian (Alien Star Captain, Star Child), Mimic (Animal Mimic, Nemesis, Power Thief), Mystic (Illusionist, Witch) Paragon (Eternal Champion, Perfect Specimen), Powerhouse (Bulk, High Gravity, Titan), Psionic (Psychic, Psychic Investigator), Ring Bearer (Galactic Cataphract, Guardian of Light), Sentient Plant (Plant Spirit, Wood Beast), Shapeshifter (Elastic Hero, Size Changer), Speedster (Teleporter, Time Controller), Super-Soldier (Futuristic Law Enforcer, Soldier of Fortune), Swashbuckler (Mystic Knight, Samurai), Totem (Amoeba, Bear, Eagle, Insect, Leopard, Lizard, Monkey, Raven, Serpent, Shark, Spider, and Wolf), Tracer (Gumshoe, Supernatural Scholar), Wealthy Thrill-seeker (Affluent Dilettante, Patron), Weapon Master (Archer, Mystic Warrior), and Weather Controller (Temperature Controller, Wind Controller).

Reasons to buy: to add supporting characters to your M&M game without taking a lot of time; to find villains for one-shot adventures on the fly; to gain ideas about character archetypes not covered in other M&M books.

A bit pricey for its 96 pages, this collection of character descriptions is well organized and an efficient time-saver, but not essential to play the game.

Wow, what a time saver. Not only are there a great many examples of popular Marvel and DC characters with the serial numbers filed off, but there is even a PL 6 version of all the main templates (not variations) so you can use them as minions or for a street-level game.

Plus, all kinds of animals are statted up for shape-shifters, and each entry has some cool advice on tactics unique to each type of hero.

It is a little pricey, but I recommend it based on the time it can save a busy GM.

My copy of this book has seen plenty of wear and tear. It's useful for a number of reasons. First, it's a great way for new players to get right into the game without having to deal with M&M's character generation system, which can be extremely daunting to newbies. Second, it's useful for experienced players looking to model a certain power set. Third, it's a handy resource for a GM pressed for time, since the book could easily have the alternate title "Instant Supervillains." Any of the archetypes in here can be used to quickly assemble threats to the PCs. Finally, if you're the type who makes homebrew settings, this book contains plenty of character artwork and builds with which to populate your world.

As a side note, there are 30 Power Level 6 archetypes in the back that can be used for sidekicks, teen heroes and street level heroes. Another nice feature.