When comparing Mutants & Masterminds 3rd edition vs Marvel Super Heroes, the Slant community recommends Marvel Super Heroes for most people. In the question“What are the best superhero-themed tabletop RPGs?” Marvel Super Heroes is ranked 1st while Mutants & Masterminds 3rd edition is ranked 2nd. The most important reason people chose Marvel Super Heroes is:
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.
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Pros
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.
Pro Familiar system
If you have played D&F, some mechnics will be familiar to you.
Pro One dice to rule them all
Only one dice, a D20, is needed to play the game.
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.
Pro Versatile
Any powers, any heroes can be constructed.
Pro Has a New Basic Hero Handbook for new players
In 2019 a "Basic Hero's Handbook" has been made for newbies to the game. It is a stripped down version of the full rules meant as an introduction to the system.
Pro Effect based
All powers are effect-based, you can construct any powers just by deciding which effect, advantages and drawbacks they have,
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.
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.
Pro Character advancement is optional
Pro Power Stunt mechanic encourages creative use of powers or abilities
(not available in the basic set)
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.
Cons
Con Tedious character creation
The gameplay is easy but character creation can be tedious.
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.
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.
Con High level of randomness
Power balance between characters can be highly varied since all attributes are decided with a dice roll.
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.
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.