Difference between revisions of "Characters"
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| − | To get a '''character bit''' on DCA | + | To get a '''character bit''' on DCA MU*, log in as a guest and talk to any one of our staffers. If you're not sure which characters are free, '''[[:Category:Available|this]]''' may be a good place to start. |
==Tiers== | ==Tiers== | ||
| − | DC Animated | + | DC Animated MU* uses a simple system to divide highly popular heroes and villains from less well known and infrequently used characters. This system breaks down as follows: |
| − | <br> | + | <br><br> |
| − | Tier 1: A city's principle guardian | + | '''[[:Category:Tier 1|Headliner]]''': A city's principle guardian and their archvillain, along with iconic DC staples. Examples of Headline characters include Batman and the Joker, Superman and Lex Luthor, Wonder Woman, and the Flash. Staff reserves the right to append this list. Please also note Headline chars will by definition have the most alt-crossover, often with entire rogues galleries or organizations of their own. |
| − | + | <br><br> | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | '''[[:Category:Tier 4|Support]]''': Support characters without a major career in either the hero or villain roles will fall into this category. They may also be exceptional in any number of ways, but their main purpose in life is something other than wearing tights and doing good and evil. Examples of Support tier characters include Alfred Pennyworth, Jim Gordon, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Linda Park, or Vicki Vale. These characters do not count towards alt quotas. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | <br> | + | |
| − | Tier 4: Support characters without a major career in either the hero or villain roles will fall into | + | |
==Alts== | ==Alts== | ||
| − | Players may have up to four superhero or supervillain alts. Of these, no more than one may | + | Players may have up to four superhero or supervillain alts. Of these, no more than one may be a Headline character. |
| − | <br> | + | <br><br> |
| − | There is no numeric limit to | + | Characters which should, thematically, interact a great deal cannot be alts for the same person. In general staff will be lenient about this, but in no case will the same player have, for instance: Batman and Robin, Aquaman and Black Manta, Hal Jordan and Sinestro, etc. |
| + | <br><br> | ||
| + | There is no numeric limit to support characters, but players are encouraged to be sensible about both alt interaction and RP availability. Waitlist and idletime concerns (see below) will be amplified when directed towards players with more than three alts. | ||
==Feature Characters== | ==Feature Characters== | ||
| − | Characters originating from DC Comics media including the comics and animated series are considered FCs. FCs who are featured in the shows that make up the game's [[theme]] are expected to incorporate these events and traits into their backstory and portrayal. While other sources may be adapted within reason, this single, relatively simple sequence of events provides a good foundation for the game to build from, and should be altered minimally if at | + | Characters originating from DC Comics media including the comics and animated series are considered FCs. FCs who are featured in the shows that make up the game's [[theme]] are expected to incorporate these events and traits into their backstory and portrayal. While other sources may be adapted within reason, this single, relatively simple sequence of events provides a good foundation for the game to build from, and should be altered minimally if at all. |
Subsequent players of an FC are encouraged to start their play where the previous player left off. It's helpful to read the previous player's logs, and speak with connected characters. If you have any particular concerns about the previous player(s), please talk to Staff. We understand that some elements can be difficult to pick up and play, like romantic entanglements and close friendships. While a 'soft reset' is certainly possible, we encourage players to consider compromises that move the story -forward-, rather than backwards. For example, an amicable (or not!) breakup, argument, or absence of some sort leading into the present day. | Subsequent players of an FC are encouraged to start their play where the previous player left off. It's helpful to read the previous player's logs, and speak with connected characters. If you have any particular concerns about the previous player(s), please talk to Staff. We understand that some elements can be difficult to pick up and play, like romantic entanglements and close friendships. While a 'soft reset' is certainly possible, we encourage players to consider compromises that move the story -forward-, rather than backwards. For example, an amicable (or not!) breakup, argument, or absence of some sort leading into the present day. | ||
| − | DCAM is not a "Year One" game. While some characters may be ideally suited to such an adaptation, perhaps due to absence in the AU or the simple appeal of starting from scratch, players are under no impetus to start a character 'over' simply because they are being adapted from mainline DC. In many cases, a character's career and history may be adapted in part or in full, for example when dealing with the elder members of the Justice Society. | + | DCAM is not a "Year One" game. While some characters may be ideally suited to such an adaptation, perhaps due to absence in the AU or the simple appeal of starting from scratch, players are under no impetus to start a character 'over' simply because they are being adapted from mainline DC. In many cases, a character's career and history may be adapted in part or in full, for example when dealing with the elder members of the Justice Society. Characters who have received massive or temporary upgrades in powers or items (Becoming the avatar of Parallax, White Lantern rings, artifacts of ungodly magic, etc) will likely be expected to start play without these powers and items. If you have any question, just ask staff. |
Characters from any DC label that you feel would mesh well with the AU may be discussed for adaptation. The final word on this is with Staff, please trust us to fully consider and discuss this before rendering a verdict, we understand that it can be difficult to be denied a favorite choice. Please also keep in mind when adapting characters that the animated universe is somewhat lower-power than the comics, and characters brought into it may need to be slightly downgraded in power level. In almost every case where Staff's primary concern with a character is power level, this will be the solution rather than banning the character itself. | Characters from any DC label that you feel would mesh well with the AU may be discussed for adaptation. The final word on this is with Staff, please trust us to fully consider and discuss this before rendering a verdict, we understand that it can be difficult to be denied a favorite choice. Please also keep in mind when adapting characters that the animated universe is somewhat lower-power than the comics, and characters brought into it may need to be slightly downgraded in power level. In almost every case where Staff's primary concern with a character is power level, this will be the solution rather than banning the character itself. | ||
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===Banned Characters=== | ===Banned Characters=== | ||
| − | On DCA | + | On DCA MU* there are a few characters who, as a general rule, may not be used as PCs. These characters are usually not available for application, but staff welcomes original and insightful suggestions for adapting them to theme. This list includes: |
{|width="75%" cellpadding="1" align="center" | {|width="75%" cellpadding="1" align="center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | |5th Dimension Characters || Alternate Universe Characters || | + | |5th Dimension Characters || Alternate Universe Characters || Amazo |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | |Non-Sentient Animals || Brainiac || Chemo |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | |Chronos || Despero || Doomsday |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | |Dr. Psycho || The Endless || Future Characters* |
|- | |- | ||
| − | |Dial H For Hero || Hippolyta | + | |Dial H For Hero || Hippolyta || Johnny Thunder |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | |The Monitor and Anti-Monitor || Morgaine le Fey || Nekron |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | |Some New Gods** || Olympians/Titans*** || Parallax |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | |The Phantom Stranger || Ray Thompson || The Spectre |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | |Starro || Swamp Thing || Waverider || |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | | | + | |
| − | |Waverider || | + | |
|} | |} | ||
| − | ( | + | (*) - Future Characters not banned: Booster Gold, Impulse, Goldstar, Sungirl, Rip Hunter, others TBD.<br> |
| − | + | (**) - New Gods banned: Highfather, Darkseid, Metron, Black Racer, Malice Vundabar<br> | |
| − | ( | + | (***) - Olympians/Titans not banned: Circe, Hercules.<br> |
| − | ( | + | |
'''This list is not all-inclusive. Theme Staff has the final say with regards to which characters may be PCs.''' | '''This list is not all-inclusive. Theme Staff has the final say with regards to which characters may be PCs.''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Restricted Characters=== | ||
| + | While not out and out banned, the following characters or character categories will need to be discussed with staff and are likely to have plot significance that will require cooperation and detail from the applicant, and/or a good plan to fit them in and make them work. | ||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | {|width="75%" cellpadding="1" align="center" | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |Kryptonians || Lanterns (other colors than Green) || The Ultimen | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |Wildstorm characters | ||
| + | |} | ||
==Original Characters== | ==Original Characters== | ||
| − | Original Characters are just what they sound like, original creations not found in any DC products. OCs are slightly limited by comparison to FCs; generally, they | + | Original Characters are just what they sound like, original creations not found in any DC products. OCs are slightly limited by comparison to FCs; generally, they will not be the very best at what they do. They may not be the near-perfect physical god Superman is, the ultimate super scientist Lex Luthor is, or a better detective than Batman for example. OCs may, however, grow through RP by the same measure as any other character, and are encouraged to shine. Try to equalize powers and skill levels with experience levels, and avoid coming in as super famous - as no one on the game will have actually heard of you yet! OCs are expected to consider carefully their goals, psychology, and flaws, and how these mesh with age, experience level, and desired RP. |
===Banned Concepts=== | ===Banned Concepts=== | ||
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*Clones of FCs | *Clones of FCs | ||
*Heretofore unknown relatives of FCs | *Heretofore unknown relatives of FCs | ||
| − | * | + | *Lanterns (However, OCs are eligible to join - or be selected by - the various Corps in play.) |
===Restricted Concepts=== | ===Restricted Concepts=== | ||
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*Immortals | *Immortals | ||
*Independently Wealthy Persons | *Independently Wealthy Persons | ||
| + | *Veterans | ||
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Q: When is our Theme cutoff?<br> | Q: When is our Theme cutoff?<br> | ||
| − | A: | + | A: DCAM diverges from the regular animated continuity after the JLU episode 5.11 "Ancient History". This is because the following episodes involve a lot of character death, and we think that'd be a waste when so many of the deceased in question could make great PCs. |
Q: Can I use a Feature/Original Character in my background?<br> | Q: Can I use a Feature/Original Character in my background?<br> | ||
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Q: If I'm applying for the Green Arrow, do I need to define every single one of his trick arrows on my sheet?<br> | Q: If I'm applying for the Green Arrow, do I need to define every single one of his trick arrows on my sheet?<br> | ||
A: No; we understand that the Green Arrow has a variety of different arrows for different situations that come up on the fly. Please outline a few examples in your traits and otherwise remain reasonable in your RP. However, characters with broader powersets like sorcery will be required to write out what, exactly, they are capable of. We realize this is not exactly in keeping with the comic books (where Zatanna, for example, can do anything she sets her mind to), but it's necessary to keep a consent game running smoothly, and keep power levels sane across the board. | A: No; we understand that the Green Arrow has a variety of different arrows for different situations that come up on the fly. Please outline a few examples in your traits and otherwise remain reasonable in your RP. However, characters with broader powersets like sorcery will be required to write out what, exactly, they are capable of. We realize this is not exactly in keeping with the comic books (where Zatanna, for example, can do anything she sets her mind to), but it's necessary to keep a consent game running smoothly, and keep power levels sane across the board. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Q: What if the character I want hasn't been in the Animated Universe?<br> | ||
| + | A: Some characters, such as Jason Todd or Hal Jordan will require significant tweaking, but are still available. The reason they never showed up in the Animated Universe is most likely due to back story issues or issues regarding wanting a different feel by the production staff. Hal Jordan is prime example, as his origins have been taken by Kyle Rayner. Please speak to staff regarding these kind of characters so we can help get them into a proper fit. | ||
===The Waitlist=== | ===The Waitlist=== | ||
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If you want a character but he or she is already being played, please feel free to contact staff to have your name put on the '''Waitlist'''. This is a +job only viewable by staff, where a record is kept of all waitlisted characters. If that character becomes available, you will get first crack at them. Characters with a waitlist will be more strictly enforced when passing out of the above outlined boundaries, so expect more prominent characters to require more consistent activity. | If you want a character but he or she is already being played, please feel free to contact staff to have your name put on the '''Waitlist'''. This is a +job only viewable by staff, where a record is kept of all waitlisted characters. If that character becomes available, you will get first crack at them. Characters with a waitlist will be more strictly enforced when passing out of the above outlined boundaries, so expect more prominent characters to require more consistent activity. | ||
| + | ===Advancement=== | ||
| + | Characters may evolve in strength, skill, status, and personality over the course of play. Much of this is in the hands of the player. If you wish to change a +sheet entry to better reflect your changing situation, please page or @mail appstaff. In most cases, this will involve a brief justification of how these changes have come about in one's RP. | ||
| + | |||
| + | We are considering an xp system of one kind or another to help provide an objective basis for judging more major shifts. | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{newsnav}} | ||
[[Category:Policies]] | [[Category:Policies]] | ||
