The HERO system is a very complete and general cross genre roleplay game system.

Although best known for its' super-hero settting, Champions, the HERO system actually has settings available for a wide varietyof genres including Fantasy, Cyberpunk, Space Opera and Pulp Fiction. Additionally, game masters may literally create any genre and style of game they wish using the system.

It takes a diametrically opposed poitn fo view on cross grenre from its cheif competitor, GURPS from Steve Jackson Games. GURPS approaches cross-genre gaming by having a very slims et of core rules and layering special rules ontop for each genre. HERO on the other hand has a very complete (and thick) set of rules that can model virtually any genre of game without additions or changes.

Unlike many games that define their rules in terms of the perception of the player, HERO defines rules in terms of game-system effects and then leaves the "look and feel" to be described according to the genre. Such "look and feel" is called the "special effect" in HERO terms. For instance, in AD&D an arrow and a magic missle spell use completely different rules. In HERO they would both be described as a "Ranged Killing Attack"with different special effects.

HERO adds in modifiers called "advantages" and "limitations" to vary the mechanics in minor ways. The magic missle might be created with the "requires gestures" and "requries incantation" power limitations to make it seem like a spell.

Sidekick

Sidekick is a stripped down version of the HERO system that is also published by HERO games and intended to ease entry of new players into HERO System based games. It uses all the same core rules of the full HERO System but slims down the options to appear significantly less daunting and complex.

System Resources

A good all around description of the HERO System can be found at wikipedia. TheHero Games company site has all sorts of resources including their own 3 page introduction to the system.

Games and Campaigns

• Heroes in Time and Space
• Dragon Dreams