What are the best superhero-themed tabletop RPGs?

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Aug 5, 2020

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7 Games Considered

Best superhero-themed tabletop RPGs	Price	Last Updated
-- Marvel Super Heroes	-	Aug 4, 2020
-- Mutants & Masterminds	-	Aug 5, 2020
-- Icons Assembled Edition	$34.95	Jul 20, 2020
-- Supers! Revised Edition	-	May 12, 2020
-- DC Heroes RPG	$100	Jul 5, 2020

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score 14 · Answer 1

Marvel Super Heroes

Top Pro

Random character generation is quick and allows for some truly memorable superheroes

MSH has a quick and easy character generation process. Characters are created by rolling for origin, ability scores, powers, talents and deciding on a name. It usually takes less than 10 minutes and offers an impressive variety in characters created. See More

Top Con

Some of the karma system potential is lost

Karam system is used for 2 things in the game - advancing the character (getting new powers, abilities and raising ability scores) and improving character's rolls. Since most players tend to focus on advancing the character, the secondary function of the karma system is often wasted potential. See More

RealisticTohil's Experience

I loved this game in the late 80s and early 90s, running games with these rules through middle school and high school. See More

Top Pro

Designed to be beginner-friendly and narrative-focused

The game has a light ruleset that encourages roleplaying. Most conflicts are resolved with a percentage roll and a consulting table with the GM having a lot of flexibility due to rules being mostly just guidelines. See More

Top Con

Designed with a single interpretation of a superhero in mind

MSH's karma system rewards ethical behaviour, as such anti-heroes like Deadpool or Punisher are almost impossible to play as. See More

Top Pro

Karma system rewards heroic roleplaying

Karma is a resource used for character advancement and increasing chances in a conflict. It's gained by performing actions that a moral hero would perform. See More

Top Con

High level of randomness

Power balance between characters can be highly varied since all attributes are decided with a dice roll. See More

Top Pro

Power Stunt mechanic encourages creative use of powers or abilities

(not available in the basic set) See More

Top Pro

Character advancement is optional

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score 15 · Answer 2

Mutants & Masterminds

Top Con

Requires lots of suspension of disbelief

Because characters like Superman and characters like Catman are balanced by the game to be comparable in strength it may be difficult to suspend your disbelief. See More

Top Pro

Allows for quick character creation through the use of archetypes

M&M includes a variety of archetypes that players can base their characters off of. There are 15 archetypes to choose from. For example, there's a speedster archetype for Flash-like characters and shapeshifter archetype for Mystique-like characters, etc. See More

Top Con

Rather complicated especially 3rd edition

Too worried about balance such as will/fortitude which is not realistic or doesn't even simulate the comics. See More

Top Pro

Manages to balance characters of vastly different power types

Characters are built by expending Character Points on abilities, skills and advantages, and by choosing powers and complications. To balance the characters, the game imposes certain restrictions on what's possible based on game's chosen power level. See More

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score 5 · Answer 3

Icons Assembled Edition

Top Pro

Easy to learn

Malcolm Merlyn's Experience

If you have liked Icons and Mutants & Masterminds (same game designer), you will love this Assembled Edition which is better organized and improved See More

score 2 · Answer 4

Supers! Revised Edition

Top Pro

Only D6

You only need standard D6 to plays and rarely more than 5 or 6. See More

Malcolm Merlyn's Experience

I have tested the game four times, 2 as a game master and 2 as a players and this is a very easy and versatile games using a system which looks alike the OpenD6 system with a narrative strand. See More

Top Pro

Versatility

You can use your various Traits (Powers, Resistances, Aptitudes) in various ways. See More

Top Pro

Quick character creation

You create your character with a pool of dices but the budget is not over the top and so manageable See More

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score 5 · Answer 5

DC Heroes RPG

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score 1 · Answer 6

ICONS

Top Pro

Creating characters with random rolls is fun

While the game has an option for a point based character creation system, there's a random roll system that often produces exciting, unexpected results. See More

Top Con

The book is poorly organized

A lot of jumping around different parts of the book is required to perform certain actions, like create a character. See More

score 2 · Answer 7

Prowlers & Paragons

Top Pro

Narrative-oriented

The game seeks to emulate comics and is narrative-oriented. See More

Top Con

Only d6s

The game only uses d6s See More

Top Pro

Lightweight

Game system is lightweight and uses d6 only. See More

Top Pro

Core Book is self-sufficient

There is everything needed for a superhero RPG in the core book (character creation, equipment, world-building, and even an adventure). See More

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7 Games Considered

My Recommendation for Marvel Super Heroes

My Recommendation for Marvel Super Heroes

Random character generation is quick and allows for some truly memorable superheroes

Some of the karma system potential is lost

Designed to be beginner-friendly and narrative-focused

Designed with a single interpretation of a superhero in mind

Karma system rewards heroic roleplaying

High level of randomness

Power Stunt mechanic encourages creative use of powers or abilities

Character advancement is optional

My Recommendation for Mutants & Masterminds

My Recommendation for Mutants & Masterminds

Requires lots of suspension of disbelief

Allows for quick character creation through the use of archetypes

Rather complicated especially 3rd edition

Manages to balance characters of vastly different power types

My Recommendation for Icons Assembled Edition

My Recommendation for Icons Assembled Edition

Easy to learn

My Recommendation for Supers! Revised Edition

My Recommendation for Supers! Revised Edition

Only D6

Versatility

Quick character creation

My Recommendation for DC Heroes RPG

My Recommendation for DC Heroes RPG

My Recommendation for ICONS

My Recommendation for ICONS

Creating characters with random rolls is fun

The book is poorly organized

My Recommendation for Prowlers & Paragons

My Recommendation for Prowlers & Paragons

Narrative-oriented

Only d6s

Lightweight

Core Book is self-sufficient

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