Yielding extraordinary powers amid a mundane world is what most of us dreamed of as children. With Superman reimagined once again, your table might be ready for a Super Hero adventure. Different systems try to capture the unique aspects of the genre.
Choosing a System
Before settling on a TTRPG system, gather your group’s input to ensure you select one that matches everyone’s interests and play style. Consider asking:
Mechanics vs. Narrative:
Do we prefer a system that focuses on detailed mechanics, emphasizes physics and power levels, or a system that leans into collaborative storytelling?
Learning Curve:
Are we excited to dive into a completely new system, or would we rather adapt one for which we already have expertise?
System Versatility:
Do we want a game designed exclusively for superhero adventures or one versatile enough to be repurposed for different genres?
Reflecting on these questions can help your group choose a system that fits your superhero campaign and enhances the overall gaming experience.
The Games!
Okay, now that you have a better idea of what we are looking for, let’s break down some options!
Mutants & Masterminds
Overview:
A modern, versatile system that lets players design a wide array of super-powered characters. It emphasizes detailed power customization, easily balancing epic abilities with tangible weaknesses.
Key Features:
- Customization: In-depth options for building powers, flaws, and skills.
- Pacing: Suits both cinematic, fast-paced adventures and more tactical combat scenarios.
- Community & Resources: An established fanbase with plenty of published adventures and supplements.
Champions
Overview:
Champions is one of the classic superhero role-playing systems that many players have used to channel their inner hero. It’s built on the Hero System, which provides a robust framework for customizing characters in a detailed, simulationist style.
Key Features:
- Realistic Detail: Offers nuanced rules that break down power mechanics into detailed components.
- Adaptability: Can accommodate both street-level heroes and the high-flying feats of a Superman-style character.
- Legacy: Known for its depth, Champions has been influential in the superhero RPG genre for decades.
DC Adventures
Overview:
This game, specifically aimed at the DC Comics universe, lets players inhabit a world populated by iconic characters. While it’s tied to DC lore, the mechanics are designed to capture the epic, larger-than-life feel of superhero narratives. This game uses the Mutants and Masterminds system!
Key Features:
- Familiar Setting: Direct ties to DC’s mythology help fans feel at home, making it a natural fit for those excited about the superhero movie scene.
- Narrative-Driven: Balances action-packed mechanics with storytelling elements to foster a cinematic gaming experience.
- Licensed Content: Offers official content that aligns well with familiar superheroes and villains, echoing the excitement of the films.
Masks: A New Generation
Overview:
This game takes a more narrative and character-focused approach. It’s designed especially for young adult superheroes, blending the coming-of-age story with epic superpowers.
Key Features:
• Narrative Focus: Emphasizes emotional storytelling and character development over overly complex rules.
- Fresh Perspective: Encourages players to explore themes of identity and responsibility, much like the evolving stories seen in modern superhero movies.
- Accessibility: The streamlined mechanics make it a great entry point for gamers new to the superhero genre.
You can try this game out with a great GM before you bring it to your table!
Fate Core (Superhero Adaptation)
Overview:
Fate Core isn’t a superhero game by default, but its highly adaptable system makes it excellent for crafting superhero campaigns. Many groups have created homebrew rules to capture the epic feel of comic book adventures.
Key Features:
- Flexibility: Encourages creative problem-solving, with a system that easily molds to a heroic narrative.
- Collaborative Storytelling: Prioritizes narrative over strict rules, which can lead to very cinematic gameplay.
- Community Creations: Numerous adaptations and supplements are available that tweak Fate Core for superhero play.
Cypher System (Superhero Adaptation)
Overview:
Created by Monte Cook Games, the Cypher System is renowned for its flexibility and narrative-driven approach. Although it’s commonly associated with science-fantasy settings (as seen in games like Numenera and The Strange), its lightweight mechanics make it an excellent candidate for a superhero campaign. You can fashion a campaign with the proper adjustments where characters wield extraordinary powers in a modern or futuristic setting.
Key Features:
- Narrative Emphasis: Focuses on storytelling rather than rigid mechanical structures, making it easy to introduce cinematic superhero moments.
- Adaptability: The system provides generic mechanics for powers and abilities, which you can easily modify or expand with homebrew rules to mirror iconic superhero feats.
- Simplicity: Its streamlined gameplay allows players to concentrate on creative storytelling and character development, which is perfect for the dynamic and evolving nature of superhero adventures.
Using It for Superhero Play:
- Custom Power Creation: You can design extraordinary abilities using the system’s flexible points or descriptors, ensuring characters have powers reminiscent of comic-book heroes.
- Setting Adjustments: Shift from the typical science-fantasy tone to a modern urban backdrop, or even a futuristic metropolis, fitting the vibe of a Superman-like narrative.
- Heroic Narratives: The narrative drive in the Cypher System naturally complements the themes of transformation, responsibility, and epic conflict that define the superhero genre.
Marvel Multiverse
Overview:
Marvel Multiverse immerses players in the expansive world of Marvel’s alternate realities, inviting them to explore diverse dimensions and encounter iconic characters. The system captures the energetic flair of Marvel storytelling with a blend of cinematic action and dynamic world-building.
Key Features:
- Diverse Realities: This series leverages the multiverse concept to traverse varied settings, from familiar urban landscapes to bizarre, otherworldly realms.
- Cinematic Storytelling: Emphasizes narrative-driven gameplay that mirrors the epic and interconnected storytelling of Marvel comics and films.
- Customizable Heroes: This feature allows for the creation of unique heroes and antiheroes, balancing extraordinary powers with engaging personal backstories.
Join with your friends to make your own Marvel adventure!
Dungeons & Dragons (Superhero Adaptation)
Overview:
Superheroized Dungeons & Dragons transforms the classic fantasy system into a modern framework for heroic adventures. With creative homebrew modifications, this adaptation reimagines traditional classes and spells as superpowers, enabling players to experience high-octane urban heroics while maintaining the familiar core mechanics of D&D.
Key Features:
- Familiar Core Mechanics: Retains the beloved structure of D&D while offering tweaks to support superhero themes.
- Creative Adaptability: Easily reinterprets spells, class features, and abilities as dynamic superpowers and cinematic maneuvers.
- Genre Flexibility: Balances traditional fantasy elements with the narrative needs of modern superhero campaigns.
Using It for Superhero Play:
- Custom Power Creation: Modify existing abilities and introduce homebrew rules to design extraordinary powers reminiscent of comic-book heroes.
- Setting Adjustments: Shift the focus from a typical fantasy world to a modern urban backdrop or even a futuristic metropolis, aligning with a Superman-like narrative.
- Heroic Narratives: Tailor the storytelling to emphasize themes of transformation, responsibility, and epic conflicts that resonate with the superhero genre.
Whether you’re drawn to the cinematic drama of epic blockbusters or the creative freedom of immersive role-playing, there’s a TTRPG system that fits your superhero fantasy. From the detailed customization of Mutants & Masterminds and Champions to the versatile storytelling of DC Adventures and Marvel Multiverse, each game offers a unique way to live out your heroic dreams. For those seeking a fresh twist on familiar terrain, the adaptable Cypher System and even a superheroized take on Dungeons & Dragons provide innovative alternatives that blend classic mechanics with modern narratives.
Ultimately, the best system is one that matches your group’s interests — whether that means intricate power modeling, engaging narrative arcs, or a flexible framework adaptable to various settings. So gather your team, explore these options, and dive into a campaign where every roll of the dice brings you closer to becoming the hero you’ve always envisioned. Happy gaming!
Matt Balogh (GMBalogh), a four-year Pro GM veteran who’s ready to include you in their game!
