Gameplay
The game system in DC Heroes is sometimes called the Mayfair Exponential Game System (or MEGS). DC Heroes uses a logarithmic scale for character attributes. For example, a value of 3 is double a value of 2 and four times a value of 1. The scale allows characters of wildly different power levels to co-exist within the same game without one completely dominating a given area. For example, although Superman is many orders of magnitude stronger, Batman is capable of surviving a straight brawl with him for a short period. Conflicts are resolved using an Action Table and two ten-sided dice. The die-rolling system involves re-rolling any double result (the same number on both dice), so that any result is possible. Depending on the result on the Action Table, play moves to a Results Table to determine the degree of success if an action succeeds.
Characters have a set of Attributes, Powers and Skills. Attributes are the nine qualities every character has, while Powers and Skills reflect innate ability or training. Attributes are divided into three categories (Physical, Mental and Spiritual) and three attribute types (Action, Effect and Resistance). For example, when Superman punches someone he uses his Dexterity to see if he connects, his Strength to see how hard he hits, and the opposing character's Body to see how much damage he did. The value of a Power usually serves as both Active Value (AV) and Effect Value (EV), resisted by the target's Resistance Value (RV). All actions taken, even against inanimate objects, use that system. For example, investigators use AV and EV against a RV to determine the quality of information their efforts gather.
Hero Points, which are used as experience points, can be spent during play to influence Action Table Results. Hero Points are also used in the creation of original characters -- as in other points-based games all abilities cost a certain number of Hero Points to buy and improve. Because the power level of characters in the DC Universe varies so greatly, characters are built using varying amounts of Hero Points depending on the scale of the campaign.
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