View source for Champions (role-playing game)

{{Short description|Tabletop superhero role-playing game}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox RPG
| title     = ''Champions''
| image     = RPG Champions cover.jpg
| caption   =
| designer  = {{ubl|[[Steve Peterson (game designer)|Steve Peterson]]|[[George MacDonald (game designer)|George MacDonald]]|Bruce Harlick|[[Ray Greer]]}}
| publisher = [[Hero Games]]
| date      = {{ubl|1981 ''(1{{small|st}} edition)''|1982 ''(2{{small|nd}} edition)''|1984 ''(3{{small|rd}} edition)''|1989 ''(4{{small|th}} edition)''|2002 ''(5{{small|th}} edition)''|2010 ''(6{{small|th}} edition)''}}
| language  = English
| genre     = [[Superhero fiction]]
| system    = [[Hero System]]
}}

'''''Champions''''' is a [[role-playing game]] published by [[Hero Games]] designed to simulate a [[superhero]] comic book world. It was originally created by [[George MacDonald (game designer)|George MacDonald]] and [[Steve Peterson (game designer)|Steve Peterson]] in collaboration with [[Rob Bell (Virginia politician)|Rob Bell]], Bruce Harlick and [[Ray Greer]]. The latest edition of the game uses the sixth edition of the [[Hero System]], as revised by [[Steven S. Long|Steve Long]], and was written by [[Aaron Allston]]. It was released in early 2010.

==Description==
''Champions'', first published in 1981,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Champions |url=http://www.herogames.com/aboutChampions.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225115701/http://www.herogames.com/aboutChampions.htm |archive-date=2008-02-25 |access-date=2008-02-26 |publisher=Hero Games}}</ref> was inspired by ''[[Superhero: 2044]]'' and ''[[The Fantasy Trip]]'' as one of the first published role-playing games in which character generation was based on a point-buy system instead of random dice rolls. A player decides what kind of character to play, and designs the character using a set number of "[[character point]]s," often abbreviated as "CP." The limited number of character points generally defines how powerful the character will be. Points can be used in many ways: to increase personal characteristics, such as strength or intelligence; to buy special skills, such as martial arts or computer programming; or to build superpowers, such as supersonic flight or telepathy. This point system was praised by reviewers for the balance it gave character generation over random dice rolls.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bennie |first=Scott |year=1982 |title=Champions |page=69 |work=Dragon Magazine |issue=57 |quote="...excellent game balance..."}}</ref> The stats in ''Champions'' are Strength, Constitution, Body, Dexterity, Intelligence, Ego, and Presence.

Players are required not only to design a hero's powers, but also the hero's skills, disadvantages, and other traits. Thus, ''Champions'' characters are built with friends, enemies, and weaknesses, along with powers and abilities with varying scales of character point value for each. This design approach intends to make all the facets of ''Champions'' characters balanced in relation to each other regardless of the specific abilities and character features. Characters are rewarded with more character points after each adventure, which are then used to buy more abilities, or eliminate disadvantages.

== The system ==
{{main|Hero system}}
Players can design custom superpowers using the ''Champions'' rules system. Rather than offering a menu of specific powers, ''Champions'' powers are defined by their effects. For instance, an energy blast is the same power regardless of whether it represents a laser beam, ice powers, or magic. The ''Champions'' rulebook includes rules governing many different types of generic powers which can then be modified to fit a player's idea.

This allows players to simulate situations found in superhero stories. Like most comic book heroes, characters and villains are frequently knocked out of the fight but seldom killed. There are special rules for throwing heavy objects like aircraft carriers.

== History and other genres ==
{{See also|List of Hero System products}}

The ''Champions'' system was adapted to a fantasy genre under the title ''[[Fantasy Hero]]'' (the first playtest edition of ''Fantasy Hero'' appeared before ''Champions'' was published), with similar advantages and disadvantages to the original ''Champions'' game. In 1984, the rules for ''Champions'' began being adapted into generic role-playing game system called the [[Hero System]], although no formal and separate generic release of this as a standalone system would occur until 1990; instead the ''Champions'' rules would be edited down, expanded, and otherwise adapted on an individual basis for a variety of different genre treatments, such as [[Pulp magazine|pulp]] and modern espionage. ''Champions'' now exists as a genre sourcebook for the Hero System. Books for other genres have also appeared over the years, including ''[[Star Hero]]'', ''[[Dark Champions]]'', ''[[Pulp Hero]]'', and ''[[Ninja Hero]]''.

==Character archetypes and designs==

===Archetypes===
{{See also|Superhero#Subtypes}}

While ''Champions'' does not use "character classes" as some RPGs do, it defines common superhero [[archetype]]s as found in comic books. These are based variably on how they use their powers in combat, motivation, or the powers' origin. As listed in the ''Champions'' genre book,<ref>''Champions'' genre book. Pages 69–80.{{cnf}}</ref> they are:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*''Brick'' – slower hand-to-hand fighter who relies more on raw strength and tougher defenses ([[Hulk]] / [[Colossus (character)|Colossus]])
*''Energy Projector'' – primary combat ability is a ranged attack, which, despite the name, is not necessarily energy-based ([[Cyclops (Marvel Comics)|Cyclops]] / [[Starfire (Teen Titans)|Starfire]])
*''Gadgeteer'' – abilities based on technological devices ([[Brainiac 5]] / [[Forge (character)|Forge]])
*''Martial Artist'' (or ''martist'' for short) – lightly armored hand-to-hand combatant who fights with skill, quickness, and agility ([[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]] / [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]] / [[Batman]])
*''Mentalist'' – abilities target the mind, not the physical foe ([[Professor X]] / [[Jean Grey]])
*''Metamorph'' – abilities involving changes in shape and/or size ([[Plastic Man]] / [[Mystique (character)|Mystique]])
*''Mystic'' – trained in the use of magic, or with abilities or items with magical properties ([[Doctor Fate]] / [[Doctor Strange]])
*''Patriot'' – an embodiment of his or her nation ([[Captain America]] / [[Captain Britain]])
*''Powered Armor'' – a variant of a Gadgeteer, who uses an "all-in-one" gadget worn as armor ([[Iron Man]] / [[Cyborg (DC Comics)|Cyborg]])
*''Sink'' – with primary abilities being drains or transfers, a "Sink" can diminish, nullify or steal another characters powers, abilities or stats, either temporarily or permanently. ([[Rogue (Marvel Comics)|Rogue]] / [[Parasite (comics)|Parasite]])
*''Speedster'' – with abilities based around movement ([[The Flash]] / [[Quicksilver (Marvel Comics)|Quicksilver]])
*''Weaponmaster'' – with expertise at using a particular type of weapon ([[Green Arrow]] / [[Swordsman (character)|Swordsman]])
{{div col end}}

It is possible for a character to fall into multiple categories, such as [[Superman]] (brick/energy projector/speedster/patriot), [[Batman]] (martial artist/gadgeteer), or [[Spider-Man]] (martial artist/speedster/gadgeteer). It is also common for characters not to fall into any easily defined category—these categories are simply to provide easy definition and have no impact on gameplay.

===The Champions Team===
The Champions superhero team is presented as an example of how to build a well-balanced team in terms of game mechanics, including the hero Flare. Their enemies include Foxbat and Doctor Destroyer.

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
;4th edition
*Defender – inventor wearing powered armor
*Jaguar – [[werecat]]
*Obsidian – alien prince brick
*Quantum – mutant energy projector
*Seeker – martial artist
*Solitaire – mystic

;5th edition
*Defender – an inventor wearing powered armor
*Ironclad – super-strong and super-tough alien
*Nighthawk – grim inventor/martial artist
*Sapphire – flying energy projector
*Witchcraft – sorceress

;6th edition
*Defender – inventor wearing powered armor
*Ironclad – super-strong and super-tough alien
*Kinetik – speedster
*Sapphire – flying energy projector
*Witchcraft – sorceress
{{div col end}}

===Setting===
Much of the game is set in Millennium City. After its destruction by Dr. Destroyer, Detroit was rebuilt and renamed.

==MMORPG==
{{main|Champions Online}}
A [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]] based on the license was announced by [[Cryptic Studios]], who had developed the popular ''[[City of Heroes]]'' and then reinvented [[Marvel Universe Online]] to ''[[Marvel Heroes (video game)|Marvel Heroes]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |date=2008-02-13 |title=Cryptic bringing Champions Online to PCs, consoles |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6186008.html |access-date=2008-02-15 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> The game was released in September 2009.<ref name="offpr">{{Cite web |date=2008-02-20 |title=Official press release |url=http://www.champions-online.com/node/16 |access-date=2008-02-20 |publisher=[[Cryptic Studios]]}}</ref> The game takes place in the established ''Champions'' universe and features classic ''Champions'' heroes and villains as [[NPCs]].<ref name="gameinfpre59">''[[Game Informer]]'', March 2008, Issue 79, p. 59</ref>

==Flextiles game supplement==
[[File:Flextiles.png|thumb|upright=.75|right|Flextiles supplement published by [[Hero Games]] ]]

''Flextiles'' is a 1983 role-playing supplement for Champions. It is published by [[Hero Games|Hero]].<ref name="SG"/> Craig Sheeley for ''[[Space Gamer]]'' commented in a review that "...the ''Flextile'' concept is a good idea, but not at the price ''Flextiles'' sell for now. Cut the cost [...] and they'd be much better."<ref name="SG">{{cite journal | last=Sheeley |first=Craig |date=July–August 1984| title=Capsule Reviews| journal=[[Space Gamer]]| publisher=[[Steve Jackson Games]]| issue=70| pages=50}}</ref>

==Reception==
[[Steve Perrin]] reviewed ''Champions'' for ''[[Different Worlds]]'' magazine and stated that "All in all, an excellent effort. If donning your colorful costume and flying out the window to fight crime in your never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American Way is for you, buy this game."<ref name="dw17">{{cite journal | last = Perrin |first = Steve |authorlink = Steve Perrin | title = Reviews | journal = [[Different Worlds]] | issue = 17 | pages =42–43 |date=December 1981}}</ref>

In the January 1982 edition of ''[[Ares (magazine)|Ares]]'', [[Eric Goldberg (game designer)|Eric Goldberg]] noted the "sketchy" design of the first edition, and yet believed that "in many ways, it is sufficient... What enables the designers to get away with this minimalist approach is an unswerving devotion to the philosophy and to the spirit of the superhero comic, which itself has never pretended to be terribly complex."<ref name="ares">{{Cite journal |last=Goldberg |first=Eric |author-link=Eric Goldberg (game designer) |date=January 1982 |title=Games |journal=[[Ares (magazine)|Ares]] |publisher=[[Simulations Publications, Inc.]] |issue=12 |pages=30–31}}</ref>

In the April–May 1982 edition of ''[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]]'', Dave Morris liked the first edition combat system, calling it "a good simulation of comic-book battles". But Morris questioned whether players would enjoy playing superheroes rather than more ordinary characters found in most other role-playing games. He gave the game an average rating of 7 out of 10, saying, "All the same, the occasional bout of world-saving might be enjoyable, and ''Champions'' is worth buying on this basis alone."<ref name="wd">{{Cite journal |last=Morris |first=Dave |date=April–May 1982 |title=Open Box |journal=[[White Dwarf (magazine)|White Dwarf]] |publisher=[[Games Workshop]] |issue=30 |pages=16}}</ref>

Reviews for two editions of the game appeared in ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'':
* In the January 1982 edition, [[Scott Bennie]] liked the well-written and concise text of the first edition, but noticed many gaps and holes in the rules, including a lack of any system for buying equipment. Nevertheless, Bennie gave the game a thumbs up, saying, "Despite these flaws, I heartily recommend ''Champions''. The more serious gamer will undoubtedly be put off by the silliness, and not everyone has a comic-book mind. But if you like this sort of thing, ''Champions'' is for you!"<ref name="dragon57">{{Cite journal |last=Bennie |first=Scott |authorlink=Scott Bennie |date=January 1982 |title=The Dragon's Augury |journal=[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] |publisher=[[TSR (company)|TSR, Inc.]] |issue=57 |pages=69}}</ref> 
* In the October 1990 edition, [[Allen Varney]] disliked the slow pace of the 4th edition combat system. But he concluded with a strong recommendation, saying, "Fans of previous editions will delight in the new consistency and versatility. Experienced players of other games, discontent with the arbitrary restrictions of their current system, should also find the HERO SYSTEM rules a superb investment. Lastly, for comic-book fans who want to simulate every maneuver they see in their favorite stories, the ''Champions'' game remains, after almost 10 years, the system to beat."<ref name="dragon162">{{Cite journal |last=Varney |first=Allen |date=October 1990 |title=Role-playing Reviews |journal=[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]] |publisher=[[TSR (company)|TSR, Inc.]] |issue=162 |pages=89–92}}</ref>

Reviews for various editions of the game appeared in ''[[The Space Gamer]]'': 
*In the September 1981 edition, [[Aaron Allston]] recommended the first edition of the game for those interested in the superhero theme, saying "If the subject matter interests you, I'd wholeheartedly recommend this product."<ref name="SG43">{{Cite journal |last=Allston |first=Aaron |author-link=Aaron Allston |date=September 1981 |title=Capsule Reviews |journal=[[The Space Gamer]] |publisher=[[Steve Jackson Games]] |issue=43 |pages=28}}</ref>
* In the September–October 1983 edition, Russell Grant Collins wasn't sure if readers should buy the second edition: "Should you buy this material? I think so, if you are interested in superhero RPGs. If you hated the original ''Champions'' rules for more than their slight omissions and loopholes, don't bother. The changes aren't all that significant. If you're happy with the old version, weigh your decision carefully."<ref name="SG65">{{Cite journal |last=Collins |first=Russell Grant |date=September–October 1983 |title=Featured Review: Champions |journal=[[Space Gamer]] |publisher=[[Steve Jackson Games]] |issue=65 |pages=10}}</ref>
* In the March–April 1985 edition, [[Allen Varney]] recommended the third edition for everyone, saying, "''Champions'' is the only superhero RPG I would recommend; and this edition of ''Champions'' is the one to buy."<ref name="SG73">{{Cite journal |last=Varney |first=Allen |author-link=Allen Varney |title=Capsule Reviews |journal=[[Space Gamer]] |publisher=[[Steve Jackson Games]] |issue=73 |pages=31}}</ref>
* In the October–November 1989 edition, Dave Rogers reviewed the fourth edition of ''Champions'' and recommended it, saying, "even if you have all the Hero Games products ever printed, it still has something new to offer. Now, it's the only role-playing game you'll ever need."<ref name="SG87">{{Cite journal |last=Rogers |first=Dave |date=October–November 1989 |title=Hero HOTline |journal=[[Space Gamer]] |publisher=[[3W (company)|World Wide Wargames]] |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=48–49}}</ref>

Ken Cliffe reviewed the 4th edition of ''Champions'' for ''[[White Wolf (magazine)|White Wolf]]'', rating it 3 out of 5 overall, and stated that "I recommend this book to anyone already familiar with the hero system, and suggest the Champions game to anyone who enjoys exact, complicated role-playing. To those looking for slick, fun role-playing, I say look to other SHRPGs and other game systems."<ref name="WW20">{{Cite magazine |last=Cliffe |first=Ken |date=April–May 1990 |title=Superhero Game Reviews |magazine=[[White Wolf Magazine]] |pages=15–16 |number=20 |url=https://imgur.com/a/8sFWUlb}}</ref>

In February 1989's issue of ''[[The Games Machine]]'', John Woods reviewed the 4th edition of the game and called the rules "a model of clarity", although he criticized the lack of an index. He concluded with a strong recommendation, saying, "One of the best aspects of this type of game is that you don’t need anything more than the rulebook and a little imagination to start playing a fast moving game where the future of the world lies in your hands!"<ref name="tgm">{{cite magazine|last=Woods|first=John | date=February 1989 |title=Reviews|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|publisher=[[Newsfield]]|issue=15|pages=80}}</ref>

In his 1990 book ''[[The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games]]'', game critic [[Rick Swan]] commented, "In addition to being one of the oldest superhero RPGs, ''Champions'' is easily the biggest and arguably the best." Swan noted that the character generation system "gives players near-total freedom in assembling the superhero of their dreams." However, he found that the combat system "is the game's weakest features, a seemingly endless array of numbers, formulas and tables that's all but certain to discourage first-timers." Swan concluded by giving the game an excellent rating of 3.5 out of 4, saying, "Of all the superhero RPGs, ''Champions'' remains the connoisseur's choice."<ref name=swan>{{cite book | last =Swan  | first =Rick | author-link=Rick Swan |title =[[ The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games]] | publisher =St. Martin’s Press | date =1990 | location =New York | pages =47–49}}</ref> 

In a 1996 reader poll taken by ''Arcane'' magazine to determine the 50 most popular roleplaying games of all time, ''Champions'' was ranked 27th. Editor Paul Pettengale commented: "It wasn't the first superhero RPG and it never had licensed links to any big-name comics – but it's still the classic of the genre. It popularised the now-commonplace 'points-design' approach to character creation; in fact, it's probably the most flexible, detailed points-based system ever, which makes it rather overwhelming for some new players, and combat can be a little slow. But once you've learned how to use it, no other game catches the feeling of superhero action in quite the same way."<ref name="Arcane14">{{Cite journal |last=Pettengale |first=Paul |date=Christmas 1996 |title=Arcane Presents the Top 50 Roleplaying Games 1996 |journal=Arcane |publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] |issue=14 |pages=25–35}}</ref>

''Champions'' was included in the 2007 book ''[[Hobby Games: The 100 Best]]''. Game designer [[Bill Bridges (game designer)|Bill Bridges]] described ''Champions'' as "''the'' superhero roleplaying game. While it wasn't the first game on the market that let you play superheroes and duke it out with supervillains, using earth-shattering powers, it was the most innovative. The major roleplaying games of the time involved characters stalking monsters in dungeons; the heroes in ''Champions'' delivered knockout blows to archnemeses—all while speaking the requisite inspiring soliloquies."<ref name="HG">{{Cite book |last=Bridges |first=Bill |title=[[Hobby Games: The 100 Best]] |publisher=[[Green Ronin Publishing]] |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-932442-96-0 |editor-last=Lowder |editor-first=James |editor-link=James Lowder |pages=52–54 |chapter=Champions |author-link=Bill Bridges (game designer)}}</ref>

In his 2023 book ''Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground'', RPG historian Stu Horvath noted that ''Champions'' was a pioneer in two respects. It "is the first entirely new game to embrace the idea of non-random character generation through a point-buy system, and it marks a significant expansion of the concept." The second new concept was "the idea of disadvantages."<ref name=mahg>{{cite book| last = Horvath| first = Stu| title = Monsters, Aliens, and Holes in the Ground| publisher = MIT Press| date = 2023| location = Cambridge, Massachusetts| pages = 87–89| isbn =9780262048224 }}</ref>

==Reviews==
*''[[Pyramid (magazine)|Pyramid]]'' (for Hero System 5th Edition)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.html?id=3269|title = Pyramid: Pyramid Pick: Champions (For Hero System 5th Edition)}}</ref>
*''[[InQuest Gamer|InQuest]]'' No. 27, July 1997 (for 5th edition)<ref name="Varney">{{cite magazine|title=On deck: Champions: New Millenniuml|last=Varney|first=Allen|issue=27|magazine=[[InQuest Gamer]]|page=90|publisher=[[Wizard Entertainment]]|date=July 1997}}</ref>
*''[[Computer and Video Games]]''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/ComputerAndVideoGamesIssue083Sep88/page/n89/mode/2up | title=Computer_And_Video_Games_Issue_083_Sep_88 }}</ref>

==Awards==
*At the 1999 [[Origins Awards]], ''Champions'' was installed in the Adventure Gaming Hall of Fame<ref>{{Cite web |title=Origins Award Winners (1999) |url=http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1999/list-of-winners |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209185322/http://www.originsgamefair.com/awards/1999/list-of-winners |archive-date=2007-12-09 |access-date=2007-10-17 |website=originsgamefair.com |publisher=Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design}}</ref>
* Three ''Champions'' adventures won [[ENnie Awards]]:
** In 2004, in the "Best Non-D20 Adventure" category, ''Champions Battlegrounds'' won a gold medal, and ''Shades of Black'' won a Silver Medal<ref name="ENnies2004">{{Cite web |title=2004 Noms and Winners |url=http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/?page_id=1357 |access-date=2011-07-30 |website=Ennie-awards.com |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716201909/http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/?page_id=1357 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
**In 2005, ''Villainy Amok'' won a silver medal for "Best Adventure"<ref>{{Cite web |title=2005 Noms and Winners |url=http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/?page_id=1359 |access-date=2011-07-30 |website=Ennie-awards.com |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716201836/http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/?page_id=1359 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== In other media ==
=== Comics ===
Starting in June 1986, a comic book [[Limited series (comics)|limited series]] was published by [[Eclipse Comics]]<ref>{{cite comic|title=Champions|url=https://www.comics.org/series/3221/|issue=1–6|date=June 1986 – February 1987|publisher=[[Eclipse Comics]]}}</ref> based on characters from the first ''Champions'' campaign. The Eclipse series included [[character sheets]] that allowed readers to incorporate characters used in the comic books into their own ''Champions'' campaigns; this practice was also used in the ''[[Villains and Vigilantes]]'' comic book limited series (also published by Eclipse in 1986–1987).<ref>{{cite comic|url=https://www.comics.org/series/3234/|title=Villains and Vigilantes|publisher=[[Eclipse Comics]]|date=December 1986 – July 1987|issue=1–4}}</ref>

Soon after Eclipse's initial limited series, an ongoing ''[[League of Champions|Champions]]'' series was published by Hero Comics<ref>{{cite comic|url=https://www.comics.org/issue/43338/|title=Champions|issue=1|date=Sep 1987|publisher=Hero Comics}}</ref> (later Hero Graphics,<ref>{{cite comic|url=https://www.comics.org/issue/48831/|title=League of Champions|issue=1|date=Dec 1990|publisher=Hero Graphics}}</ref> later still [[Heroic Publishing]])<ref>{{cite comic|url=https://www.comics.org/issue/328035/|title=Champions|issue=1|date=Feb 1992|publisher=Heroic Publishing}}</ref> from 1987 to 1993.

As of 2024, Heroic Publishing was still publishing comics about some of the Champions characters (under the title ''[[League of Champions]]''), although the publisher had long since parted ways with the makers of the game.<ref>{{gcdb publisher|id=560|title=Heroic Publishing|access-date=Mar 16, 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Speculative fiction}}
*[http://www.herogames.com Hero Games]
**[https://web.archive.org/web/20080225115701/http://www.herogames.com/aboutChampions.htm About Champions] (archived from 2008)
*[http://www.champions-online.com ''Champions Online''; official site of Champions computer game]

{{Hero System}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Champions (Role-Playing Game)}}
[[Category:Champions (role-playing game)| ]]
[[Category:Contemporary role-playing games]]
[[Category:Hero System]]
[[Category:Origins Award winners]]
[[Category:Role-playing games introduced in 1981]]
[[Category:Superhero role-playing games]]