When comparing Pathfinder vs Marvel Super Heroes, the Slant community recommends Marvel Super Heroes for most people. In the question“What are the best tabletop RPGs?” Marvel Super Heroes is ranked 14th while Pathfinder is ranked 26th. 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 Open gaming with lots of options
The base world is detailed but still open and there are tons of options.
Pro Compatible with D&D 3.x material
The D&D v3.x family was published under an Open Game License which encouraged third-party material and as a result provided an enormous pool of resources. And two D&D editions later, there is still a thriving market creating new 3.5-compatible resources.
Pro Modular system encourages creativity
The Dsystem is designed around building characters, monsters, magic items, etc., from small simple pieces. For each piece, any of countless others can be substituted, allowing near-infinite customization and variety.
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 Encourages character optimization outside of play
With so many options available to the player, and the almost unlimited ability to combine them, certain "character builds" are patently superior to others. Players who spend a lot of personal time poring over the rules can often create characters so powerful that players who don't optimize feel useless in games with those who do.
Con Detailed combat simulation slows down gameplay
Due to countless situational modifiers, players and DM alike have to put a great deal of thought into decisions about position, order of actions, etc., to the point that six seconds (one combat round) of "in-game time" frequently takes half an hour or more of play time.
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.