Mechanics Feature: Action Points

In our last mechanics feature we talked about zoned combat, the hex grid, and getting away from the time spent calculating movement during combat. Today we’re going to further that concept and talk about the game’s combat economy – Action Points.

We wanted to create combat mechanics suitable for a superhero capable of taking out multiple adversaries, sprinting across a vast area, or devising strategic goals for the team. However, even superheroes have their limits as to what they can accomplish in a few short seconds. 

We went back and forth for quite awhile on how to create the right balance until we finally realized that the balance should be in the player’s hands—let players weigh their options and act accordingly, just as a hero would need to weigh their options in a fight.

Action Points encompass everything a player is able to do during a single round of combat. A round of combat lasts six seconds in real-time. As such, players start each round of combat with six Action Points, one for each second. How these points are spent are up to the player. Movement, attacks, hiding, using items, and taking evasive measures are all great examples of how action points can be used. 

Want to spend all six points on moving across the map? That’s cool, superheroes are fast and you should be able to do that, but you won’t have any points left to attack. Don’t need to move at all? You can devote more of your turn to defending others, preparing for what comes next, or attacking multiple times (Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014) elevator scene, anyone?).

There’s a very short moment (about six seconds) at the very beginning of the final fight scene in Deadpool (2016) that is a prime example of how we envision action points playing out. Deadpool and Ajax first engage each other. They swing at each other multiple times and Deadpool throws his sword to puncture the chamber that Vanessa is sealed in.  It’s a great example of balancing a turn between fighting and saving the civilian—something that weighs heavy on every hero’s mind.

Regardless of how you decide to use your Action Points, we’re sure you’re bound to make some heroic moves.

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Stay super.