Super-science, magic, and Metahumans come together to create a rich tapestry of heroes and villains inspired by classic comic books. After a decade of alien invasion, war and strife the world needs new heroes as the heroes of yesteryear are scattered, missing or worse.
Become the hero you’ve always dreamed of, become a superhero, protect the world from power mad mutants, evil organizations. and corrupt government groups that seek to enslave or control Metahumans. Battle intergalactic conquerors seeking to harvest the resources of Earth or unlock the secrets of Atlantis.
Set in a world of superheroes Metahumans Rising is a self contained tabletop role-playing game. Drawing on iconic elements of the superhero genre Metahumans Rising creates a unique world while staying true to it’s roots. Our story begins when the world changed when German forces released the chemical agent Kaiser Box during World War I unknowingly giving birth to a new era of superbeings known as Metahumans.
The world has evolved with the number of Metahumans growing with each generation. In the modern era the Atlas Group, a think tank devoted to Metahuman research, estimates roughly seven hundred Class B and above Metahumans worldwide. Individuals who demonstrate powers or abilities beyond the scope of natural human potential. Some like the vicious Mock and his Brood, who seeks to punish the world for the cruelties he has suffered. Others, heroes able to rise to the challenge to protect the powerless.
What does Metahumans Rising do differently?
Powered by the Open Action system Metahumans Rising rewards compelling backgrounds and stories allowing players to pull from their character’s history to directly impact the larger narrative. As characters develop players define key elements such as their Origin, Catalyst and Drives which are similar to motivations but can include other things such always being unlucky or caring for an elderly relative. As play unfolds and the narrative develops players can insert these elements directly into game play. Calling on Drives often complicate’s a character’s life but rewards the player with Willpower, a metacurrency that allows characters to push their limits even alter the scope of their powers to perform amazing feats.
Bulwark, the Living Volcano is a hero trying to prove he’s not a monster. During a battle with Citizen Red, the mad engineer, Bulwark successfully defends against a barrage of micro-grenades. Because this confrontation is occurring in a public place Bulwark’s player decides they want to call on the Drive: Prove he’s no monster by opting to defend a group of onlookers that would have otherwise have been caught in the blast.
In activating this Drive the player has expanded on the narrative adding a group of people that will now need to be protected and injured their character. By doing so Bulwark also gains Willpower.
Choosing to increase the damage of their next attack Bulwark’s player spends Willpower to create a devastating blow defined as the hero pounding the earth below him only to engulf Citizen Red in a geyser of lava. Although, this is outside Bulwark’s normal abilities it fits both thematically and dramatically and so becomes possible by though Willpower.
The rules create a framework allowing players the freedom and flexibility to spread their imaginations and tell the stories they want to see. Take on super powered street gangs. Go toe to toe with the terrifying forces of Chimera, who use stolen science and an army of mutating Drifters to fuel their criminal empire. Seek out lost cities or go to the stars to face the intergalactic empire of the Zo. The world needs heroes. Are you ready to rise?
Pick up your core book here, or for the PDF.
Download the form fillable character sheet.
(A big thank you from our friends at Babies with Knives for putting this together. Check out their YouTube channel and Facebook page. )
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