Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Powers Book (Marvel Super Heroes Accessory MA3)

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

 

 

This book is a fantastic resource for character inspiration. I have never seen another book that could inspire people to generate creative characters the way this one does. Ever GM a game where a newbie shows up and has no idea whats going on or what they can make? Hand them this book and in record time they will have character idea in mind. It's worth it just in the time saving alone. Plus it's a wonderful referrance for power definitions. If there is any question look at the book...

Some people may not want to go this in depth with a role playing game. I do. Mr. Martin didn't just have fun with this book, he WORKED on it, finding powers that everyone would want, and that no one would want. In fact, when I first got the book, I didn't use it for gaming right away; I just read and read and read.
Now I use it to get ideas for NPCs or PCs for all my superhero games, or just inspiration. For example, Mr. Martin says that the ability to grab people and objects and beat the crap out of them with just one's hair (like Marvel Comics' Medusa) is called prehensile hair. It works by a type of very specific telekenises, Martin says. And though any hero may have this power, historically in mainstream comics, it's only been women. So of course, I created an NPC guy with the power to lift half a ton with his hair, block bullets, etc. and called him, if I remember correctly, Super Hippy or Hairy Hippy. Fun!
I don't think the author gets anything in royalties from used books, so it's neat to see him explaining something once in a while (why'd you choose this, could I modify that, why is that chart there that doesn't lead to anything...)on the 'net. In fact, if you haunt various Superhero RPG forums, don't be surprised to come across David Martin, who still has an interest in comics and RPGs. And yes, I believe it's really him.
I think this compilation should be a Superhero RPG Hall of Fame entry! (Can you tell I like it?)

This book has been called by many, (myself included) as the greatest role-playing supplement ever. The ideas a player or a GM can get for a character are unbelievable. The character generation system is about the only flaw with the system. Each GM will have to adjust the tables for his universe. (I did not feel the 13% chance to get a demihuman or the 1% chance to get a deity were appropriate for most games.) Otherwise it's a real treasure Only recently has the UNTIL Superpowers Data Base from Hero Games has approached this book's value to creative players.

I've seen this book several years ago. More powers and character types than the Hulk can shake his big green fist at. Sometimes gets bogged down with unnecassry details. I would not follow the entire character creation process--just use it as a jumping off point. Can even provide fresh ideas for those using other super hero role playing games.

The Ultimate Powers Book: Special Module Ma3 (Marvel Super Heroes) by
David E. Martin is a really excellent resource for the first Marvel
Super Heroes Advanced role playing game.

With huge lists and detailed descriptions of possible power stunts
that can be developed it is a great thing to have for designing your
own characters.