What if you lived in a world full of superheroes, but none of them were particularly heroic?
That’s the setup for 100 Dead Heroes, an upcoming tabletop RPG from Rookie Jet Studio that turns the usual superhero formula on its head. Instead of playing as superpowered champions, players take on ordinary people determined to bring down a group of corrupt and dangerous superheroes. Inspired by shows and comics including The Boys, Invincible and Kick-Ass, the rules-light TTRPG is currently seeking support through Kickstarter.
No powers. No problem!
100 Dead Heroes puts players firmly on the powerless side of the superhero conflict.
Rather than choosing a traditional D&D-style class packed with magical abilities and special powers, players create everyday characters. These could include working-class people, disgraced intellectuals, detectives or pretty much anyone else who has a reason to stand against the world's superheroes.
The heroes they face aren't necessarily interested in saving the day, either. In the game's setting, superheroes are portrayed as powerful, corporate-backed figures who have become corrupt and dangerous, with ordinary people left to deal with the consequences. That leaves players with one rather difficult job: figure out how to take them down!
Keep the heat down!
The game uses a rules-light system designed to keep the action moving, with gameplay built around quick d6 rolls. One of its key mechanics is called Heat. As players carry out schemes against superheroes, their Heat increases, making it increasingly difficult to stay under the radar. The more trouble the group causes, the more attention they attract. Eventually, those superheroes may decide that the people causing problems need to be dealt with.
It creates a risk-and-reward system where players need to think carefully about how far they can push their plans before the consequences catch up with them.
Short and brutal
Combat is another major part of 100 Dead Heroes, but players aren't expected to stand toe-to-toe with superpowered enemies. Fights are designed to be quick and brutal, reflecting the huge difference in power between the two sides. Without a solid plan, ordinary people aren't going to last long against opponents capable of causing serious destruction.
That means preparation, teamwork, and knowing when to strike could be more important than simply having the biggest weapon.
More than 100 targets!
The game's title isn't just for show, either. 100 Dead Heroes features more than 100 superheroes for players to encounter and attempt to defeat. With its focus on ordinary characters taking on extraordinary enemies, 100 Dead Heroes offers a different take on the superhero TTRPG genre. Rather than asking players to imagine what it would be like to have superpowers, it asks a much more dangerous question: what would you do if the superheroes were the problem?
The game is currently available to support through a Kickstarter campaign, with Rookie Jet Studio looking to bring its rules-light superhero takedown to the tabletop.
