Superior Synergy: Superheroic
From: Misfit Studios
Reviewed by: Ron McClung
Superior Synergy: Superheroicis a new d20 Mutants & Masterminds Rules Supplement from Misfit Studios.
Possibly the most under-used aspect of d20 in my game is Synergy. It is a great concept, just not implemented well. Superior Synergyis a PDF series that expands and explores it, in hopes to make it more practical for higher level characters. Superior Synergy: Superheroic covers skills and powers found in Mutants & Masterminds by Green Ronin Publishing.
From page 1: “We have attempted to maintain the original designers appeal to balance while bringing back the spirit of what the skill synergy system was originally designed for.”
With Mutants & Masterminds 2nd Edition hitting the market, things have changed for those used to core d20. In fact, the biggest change is the complete removal of skill synergy from the system. This supplement attempts exactly what the above quote says it does… to bring it back to M&M while still trying to maintain balance. Of all the three Skill Synergy series PDFs I have reviewed, this perhaps is the most bold because it does alter a system from the original intent, slightly. But it tries to consider all the new aspects of M&M, including the extra effort check bonus aspect of the game system as well as the reduced skill list and increased number of ranks per power point (4 ranks for 1 power point). More than 20 skills are covered in this Superior Skill Synergy section. Some are similar to those found in the d20 Modern, while others are slightly different.
From page # 12: “Much the same as how skills may form relationships to allow for additional benefits, so too may powers.”
Unlike the other two Superior Synergy PDFs, this one does not have Feat Synergy because of the reworking of feats in the 2nd Edition M&M. Instead, it has Power Synergy. Some power synergy effects may require not only a pair of powers, but also a power feat or modifier, and some require an extra effort. These are even more imaginative than Feats Synergy. There are 30 instances of power synergy described. Each of these are given a name and have several powers associated to them. Power synergies include Adaptive Battery, Emotional Buffet, Living Rail Gun, Anchor, Taste of Power, and Wink. An example of a power synergy is Astral Possession. With a little extra effort, plus Astral Form and Mind Control, the hero can possess a sentient being with his astral form.
Power Synergy could be easily seen as a threat to balance in the game, so a GM has to be careful. However, the author does supply the reader with some ideas on how to balance things out – the Dynamic Array/Linked Option, Power Feat Option and several others that require a little something extra to make these effects happen. One would think that some of these would naturally be in the system in some way or another. They are very creative and useful. Reading into these and what little I know of M&M, I can tell there is a lot of room for more synergies like this.
In conclusion, this is another great addition to the Superior Synergy series. It is very imaginative and useful. I have the same issues I had with the Fantasy and Modern/Future versions regarding better formatting in order to quickly look up things, but at least they supplied a cool table for the power synergies. It is well formatted with plenty of examples and explanations. It is obvious the authors wanted the reader to understand the concepts they were presenting. The art is moderately improved as is the the layout.
For more details on Misfit Studios and their new d20 Mutants & Masterminds Rules Supplement “Superior Synergy: Superheroic” check them out at their website http://www.misfit-studios.com.
Superior Synergy: Superheroic
From:Misfit Studios
Type of Game:d20 Mutants & Masterminds Rules Supplement
Written by:Steven Trustrum
Cover Art by:Steven Trustrum
Additional Art by:David Hamilton
Number of Pages:24
Game Components Included:One PDF file
Game Components NotIncluded:Core M&M Rulebooks
Email:Type Info Email (game company email)
Website:www.misfit-studios.com
Reviewed by: Ron McClung