UnVerse Resource Rules

 Toys are fun. They are an especially fun part of the superhero genre. As ICONS is a very “house rules” friendly game, here's yet another set of rules from someone who just can't help but tinker it to my liking. After all, as the creator of ICONS himself said -

=== “   It's hard for me to use a game system "out of the box" without tinkering with it in some way. So I like systems that don't hinder this.” -   Steve Kenson, creator of Mutants & Masterminds and ICONS   ===

The Basics

This system is predicated on the economies of Qualities and Challenges, and Character Points (part of the UnVerse Character Creation Rules). Characters can attain advanced gear, headquarters, and vehicles by spending CPs on them.

 For those not using the Character Point system, the alternative is to let Permanent Determination count for 5 points that can be used on Resources  .

Vehicles and Headquarters have various Qualities that can be added to them; more on that is below.

 Note that there is a list of Basic Equipment that costs  nothing   for characters to have, so long as they have no Challenges (such as Poverty or Unfamiliar with Modern Technology) that preclude any piece of gear.

Origins Effects

 With this system, the  Trained   origin gains 20 points that can be spent on Advanced Equipment, Vehicles, and Headquarters.  Gimmick <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> origins gain 10 such points.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px">Team Resources

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px">Teams with a Determination Pool can pull points from that pool to buy gear or improve what they have. Each such point is worth 5 points. Such points should be expended either at the beginning of a session or at the end; spending to acquire gear in the middle of adventure must be approved by the GM.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">GM Fiat <span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px">Of course, the Game Master may just decide to put together a package of stuff (including a Team HQ and Vehicle) and give it to the players' characters as part of the campaign. There's nothing wrong with this, but I highly recommend you still let the more gadget-oriented characters carry more of this stuff than those who can tear down buildings or mind control giant monsters.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px">Basic Resources

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px">These are the things any character can have if they have reasonable access to them. Some will require GM approval and an appropriate Quality (like Connections: Military or Billionaire). These are marked with a “*”.

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Weapons


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Knife (Strike 3)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">One-handed Melee Weapon (Strike 4)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Two-handed Melee Weapon (Strike 5)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Pistol (Blast 3)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Big Pistol (Blast 4)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Assault Rifles and Shotguns (Blast 5, Up to 3 targets)*

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Armor


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Leathers (Armor 1)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Bullet-Proof Vest (Armor 2)*
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Riot/Tactical Gear (Armor 3)*

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Shelter & Transportation


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Airplane* (Flight 5, Coordination 3, Structure 3)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Apartment/Condo
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Bunker* (Invulnerability 2, Life Support – Breathing, Pathogens, Radiation, Toxins, Cold, Heat)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Car (Speed 3, Coordination 2, Structure 3; older cars may have Invulnerability 1 or 2)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">High Performance Car (Speed 4, Coordination 4, Structure 3)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">House
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Mansion/Estate*
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Motorcycle (Speed 4, Coordination 5, Structure 2)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Private/Corporate Jet (Speed 6, Coordination 4, Structure 4)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Truck (Speed 3, Coordination 2, Structure 4; older trucks may have Invulnerability 2 or 3)

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Note  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">'' – Drive and Pilot gain more importance with these rules. Vehicles have a Coordination rating; regardless of what the operator's Coordination, it is normally limited by the vehicle's rating. Drive and Pilot bonuses are added to the vehicle's effective Coordination '' <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">'' If the operator's Coordination is actually lower than the vehicle's, the lower value is used (the vehicle is too good for the operator to get the most out of). ''

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Other Gear


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Binoculars
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Camera
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Camo Clothing
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Cell Phone/PDA
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Digital Audio Recorder
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Flashlight
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">GPS Receiver
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Handcuffs (STR 6)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Laptop
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Multi-tool
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Radio
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">SCUBA Gear
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Video Camera

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px">Advanced Resources

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px">This is the kind of stuff that falls between basic military issue and advanced super-agent tech. The GM may still need to approve the purchase of any of these items, again based on the character's Qualities and Challenges. Costs in CPs are in [brackets]

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Note  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">'' – This stuff is much cheaper than the Powers themselves, so players will need to expect to be without their gear fairly frequently. GMs have to balance the cheapness of such equipment by stealing and tearing it up on a semi-regular basis. ''

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Weapons


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Advanced Handgun (Blast 4, Piercing 2) [4]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Advanced SMG/Assault Rifle (Blast 5, Piercing 2, Up to 5 targets) [6]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Energy Pistol (Blast 5) [5]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Energy Rifle (Blast 6) [6]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Net Gun (Binding 4) [4]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Stun Gun/Tazer (Paralysis 4) [4]

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Armor


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Combat Armor (Armor 3; Communicator; LS: Toxins, Pathogens; Night Vision) [7]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Assault Armor (Armor 4; Communicator; LS: Breathing, Heat, Cold, Toxins, Pathogens; Night Vision, +2 Vision; Targeting +1) [14; <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Requires Coordination 4, Strength 4, and Military Expert. Not usable with most power sets  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> ]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Jump Troop Armor (Same as Combat Armor; add Leaping 2) [9]

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Vehicles

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px">Vehicles can have specialized Qualities that improve their performance, provide offensive and defensive capabilities, and other features. Every Advanced Resource vehicle can have up to 3 “free” qualities, so long as they have the same number of Challenges to balance the Qualities out. Additional Qualities can be purchased with Character Points at a rate of 3 per Quality (though some count as more than one Quality for their effectiveness).


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Super Agent Car (Speed 4, Coordination 5, Structure 5) [14]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Group Transport, Ground (Speed 3, Coordination 3, Structure 6; Can carry up to 8 with rapid deployment hatch) [14]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">This could be an APC, souped up RV, hover tank, etc.
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Group Transport, Air (Flight 6, Coordination 4, Structure 5; Can carry up to 8 with rapid deployment hatch) [17]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">This could be a super-VTOL, high-tech helicopter, advanced jet craft, etc.)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Air-Cycle (Flight 5, Coordination 5, Structure 3; rider gains no protection from the vehicle) [10]

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Vehicle Qualities


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Advanced Communication and Sensor Package (Vehicles are assumed to have basic systems; this suite includes global satellite access, discreet channel monitoring, and other applications. As well, it provides Night Vision, IR, Radar, and Detection of Energy, Radiation, and Magnetics all at Level 3; <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Counts as Two  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> )
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Armor Plating (+1 Invulnerability; limit 3 applications)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Enhanced Performance (+1 Coordination)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Enhanced Speed (+1 Speed or Flight; limit 3 applications)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Life Support, Basic (Breathing, Toxins, Pathogens)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Life Support, Greater (As above, plus Heat, Cold, Radiation, Vacuum, Pressure; <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Counts as Two  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> )
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Remote Control (User can operate the vehicle while not in it)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Submersible (Aquatic 5)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Weapons, Basic (Blast 6; Machine guns, blasters, etc.)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Weapons, Heavy (Blast 7, Piercing 2; Missiles, heavy blasters, cannons, etc; <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Counts as Two  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> )

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Vehicle Challenges


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Glitchy (Essentially, Bad Luck)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Sponsor (Government or private agency that can issue edicts, restrict usage, and impose requirements for the use of the vehicle).
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Unknown Technology (-1 with all Tests when using anything on the vehicle)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Wanted (The vehicle was stolen and the owners want it back)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Others as the players can come up with

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Headquarters

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px">Like vehicles, Headquarters can have Qualities and Challenges that enhance their basic traits. They pretty much work exactly as Vehicles, though with their own attributes in most cases. Headquarters are assumed to have living quarters for everyone, basic amenities, and a basic security system.


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Basic “Hangout” (Small warehouse; town home; small space on a military base; etc.) [5]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Actual Base (Large warehouse; mansion; large space on a military base; top floors of a major office building; large underground cave complex; etc.) [10]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Ultra-Base (An entire sky rise building; huge estate; an entire military base; an island; etc.) [15]

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Headquarters Qualities


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Advanced Communication and Sensor Package (Bases are assumed to have basic systems; this suite includes global satellite access, discreet channel monitoring, and other applications. As well, it provides Night Vision, IR, Radar, and Detection of Energy, Radiation, and Magnetics all at Level 3; <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Counts as Two  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> )
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Containment Cells (Designed to hold up to 6 super-powered prisoners; Power Nullification 5 {no feedback})
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Dimensional Gate (Dimensional Travel 3; <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Counts as Two  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> )
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Exotic Location (Underwater; Orbiting the Earth; Deep Underground; Pocket Dimension; note that the ability to get to and from the location is <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> not  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> part of the Quality – a vehicle or other Quality will be required)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Global Observation (Requires <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Advanced Communication and Sensor Package  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> above; ESP 8;  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Counts as Two  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> )
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Labs and Libraries (Provide +1 to the following: Business, Computers, Criminology, Electronics, Investigation, Law, Medicine, Mechanics, Occult, Psychiatry, and any Science; this is only for tests within the HQ; can be chosen up to three times).
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Life Support, Basic (Breathing, Toxins, Pathogens)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Life Support, Greater (As above, plus Heat, Cold, Radiation, Vacuum, Pressure; <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Counts as Two  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> )
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Off-the-Grid (HQ has its own power source, generally unlimited)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Security & Safety System (Fire suppression; emergency shut-offs; Level 4 Offensive Powers like Blast and Binding that go after intruders; etc.)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Staff (The base has a number of professional folks who provide support of all kinds to the team, up to – but not including – direct engagement of supervillains. The players can work with the GM to develop and name key members of the Staff)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Teleportation System (Teleport 7 – Continental – for up to 8 at once; <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Counts as Two  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> )
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Training Room (Once per session, a hero can check off a use of a Stunt for one of their Powers by using this room)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Ultimate Teleportation System (Teleport 9 – Moon to Earth – for up to 8 at once; <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> Counts at Three  <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif"> ).

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Headquarters Challenges


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Famous (The base is well-known and often mobbed by fans, who also become potential bystanders for super-battles. Cannot be applied to Exotic Location bases)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Glitchy (Essentially, Bad Luck)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Haunted (Some unhappy or malevolent spirit resides on the grounds, causing trouble; a variation on Bad Luck with a real story arc potential)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Shared (One or more other organizations share the location, often creating conflicts over usage of facilities and other problems)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Sponsor (Government or private agency that can issue edicts, restrict usage, and impose requirements for the use of the vehicle).
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Unknown Technology (-1 with all Tests when using anything on the vehicle)
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Others as the players can come up with

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px"> Other Gear

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 24px">These are all the other cool gadgets and pieces of tech that certain characters may wish to carry. Some listings are like this: [x/y]. The first number is how may points the item costs; the second number indicates how many times it can be attained, giving an additional bonus for each time it's acquired.


 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Communicators (Communication between those who have one over just about any distance) [1]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Flash Goggles (Immunity – Blinding) [5]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Gas Mask (LS – Toxins, Pathogens) [3]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Lock Release Gun (+1 any test to get past mechanical locks) [1/1]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Night Vision Goggles [5]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Rebreather (LS – Breathing) [3]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Specialized Kits (+1 to tests for specified skill area, such as Mechanics or Medicine) [3/3]
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif">Surveillance Gear (+1 to Awareness checks when spying on or following others) [3/3]