Hey folks, I'm thinking of starting a DC Adventures game and could use some advice. I'm concerned with how a party of 3 superheroes would meet work together. I know it could be a branch of the Justice League or if they play batman-esque characters make them part if the family and protect Gotham and Bludhaven.
To help matters I was going to take a new 52 approach but reboot all the characters, this way if someone wants to make their own Batman they can, and there is a fully separate continuity no one has to worry about.
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I think superhero games work better if you work with a theme. So "street level vigilantes", or "World's Greatest" rather than the mix like the Justice League (because there's a lot of plot contrivance to make lower powered characters relevant).
In this case I would probably push for the idea of a Trinity (Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman), world's greatest sort of deal.
As to how to get them together?
Alien invasions are a classic.
The Marvel Super Heroes Advanced Set featured a scenario where three thugs break into a warehouse and accidentally activate a group of rampaging robots. Your heroes first notice one of the thugs screaming as he runs down the street, chased by one robot. Depending on group size and strength you can either increase the number of robots or increase their power level. Your goal is to stop the robots from tearing up the city or injuring others. Bonus goal is nabbing the thugs for their original B&E job.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Other ideas.
PCs are Bang Babies or the like. (Static Shock)
A family of supers (Think Jade and Obsidian)
A franchise (Think Batman, INC)
Disparate heroes tricked into uniting (The Avengers)
Best out of game option? Talk with the players and let them decide how to be connected.
Are you going for campy/light hearted or more serious and gritty?
One shot/couple of sessions or long campaign?
I'd completely ignore any canon if it was me, other than basic background info like Superman is from Krypton or Batman's parents were murdered if/when using established characters from the setting.
The overall feel will be something akin to the DCAU, which has both a serious gritty feel, but has room for humor without it being out of place.
Length, well I wouldn't mind doing an actual long campaign that lasts as long as it can, assuming everyone likes it and enjoys the games.
As far as canon I just want enough to give it foundation. This is where talking to my players will help, because if one wants to play Supergirl, one wants an original creation, and another can't decide between original or established character, they won't be boggled down by years of mythos.
As of right now I don't know what they'd pick. I will definitely let the players work out their origin story, since they might go something akin to the JL or Batman, inc.
Set it up as part of the premise.
"Make a character who is part of a superhero team"