Hobbies And Interests
History
"Mutants and Masterminds" is produced by Green Ronin Publishing. Touted as the "World's Greatest Superhero Roleplaying Game," "M&M" has developed a loyal following since its introduction in 2002. It relies on the Open Gaming License, created by Wizards of the Coast, to provide a modified d20 rules set.
Features
The powers list will feel familiar to gamers who have played other superhero games. Flying, super speed and super strength are available in a comprehensive and flexible form. Also, most role-playing gamers will already know the d20 System developed by Wizards of the Coast. "M&M" uses the d20 rules as the basis of its own superhero system, albeit modified to allow for the customization of powers and super skills.
Mechanics
When supers start using their powers, anything goes. In other game systems, this can make combat unwieldy as players get bogged down looking up special effects and special situations that can change the tide of battle. "M&M" keeps things simple. With the single d20 game mechanic and elimination of the near-universal "hit points," "M&M" characters are "bruised," "stunned" or "staggered," all the way to "mortally wounded."
Variations
The basic list of more than 100 powers in "M&M" fills a page and a half of the game book. The possibilities expand even further with rules that customize each power with limits or special effects and invent new powers. "M&M" leaves it up to players to put the finishing touches on a power with their own description. For instance, any character can have the blast power, but Matchstick may have flame blast, while his teammate Decibel may have a sonic blast. When they face the evil Dr. Hydro, however, Matchstick may be out of luck while Decibel can blow the villain to droplets.