Bulletproof Blues update

We have completed the revised print layout for Bulletproof Blues, and (knock on wood) it should be available on DriveThruRPG in a week or so (once we receive the proofs and confirm that the end result is what we want). The print version should also be available from Chronicle City soon.

While working on the print layout, we took the opportunity to correct and improve the download version. A few of the changes are:

  • Improved Index and PDF bookmarks
  • Improved layout of the “Characters” chapter
  • Corrected the licensing of the “Basics” and “GM Advice” chapters
  • Widened the margins just a bit to improve readability
  • Corrected a number of typographical errors

This update is free to anyone who has previously purchased Bulletproof Blues on DriveThruRPG. Just log into your DriveThruRPG account and look in your Library to download the updated version.

Bulletproof Blues is a “rules light” superhero roleplaying game set in the world-famous universe of Kalos Comics, creators of Paragon, Rook, Antiope, Doctor Arcane, and the rest of the Justifiers, as well as sinister organizations like Aegis and GORGON, and mysterious entities like The Bride. From the ancient ruins of Lemuria to the far reaches of the Hausdorff Dimension, the Kalos Universe is now yours to explore.

Translator wanted

Wanted: someone to translate Bulletproof Blues into other languages (particularly French, German, Japanese, and Spanish). I can’t afford payment up front, but I will give you half of the net royalties from each copy sold (which, in all honestly, will be very little, and probably not worth your time unless you feel like doing it as a public service).

Bulletproof Blues released on DriveThruRPG

Bulletproof Blues 1e cover

We are pleased to announce the official release of Bulletproof Blues on DriveThruRPG! The print versions should be available on DriveThruRPG and Chronicle City soon.

Bulletproof Blues is a “rules light” superhero roleplaying game set in the world-famous universe of Kalos Comics, creators of Paragon, Rook, Antiope, Doctor Arcane, and the rest of the Justifiers, as well as sinister organizations like Aegis and GORGON, and mysterious entities like The Bride. From the ancient ruins of Lemuria to the far reaches of the Hausdorff Dimension, the Kalos Universe is now yours to explore.

[Attribute] Boost revision

As a result of the playtest responses, we have revised the [Attribute] Boost power:

[Attribute] Boost

Activation: Activated
Task roll: —
Target: Personal
Range: —
Cost: 1 character point per rank

[Attribute] Boost permits the character to increase the rank of one of their attributes, chosen when this power is purchased. Once every ten minutes, the character may add their ranks in [Attribute] Boost to the rank of their selected attribute (up to rank 14 maximum). The boosted attribute remains at this increased rank for one minute (ten rounds). Once the [Attribute] Boost wears off, the attribute drops to its normal rank (rounded up). Once the character has used their [Attribute] Boost power, it may not be used again for ten minutes.

What do you think of [Attribute] Boost?

We are going through the playtest responses, and one of the earliest was a question about [Attribute] Boost. Here is the current version of the power:

[Attribute] Boost

Activation: Activated
Task roll: —
Target: Personal
Range: —
Cost: 1 character point per rank

[Attribute] Boost permits the character to increase the rank of one of their attributes, chosen when this power is purchased. Once per hour, the character may add their ranks in [Attribute] Boost to the rank of their selected attribute (up to rank 14 maximum). The boosted attribute remains at this increased rank for one minute (ten rounds). Once the [Attribute] Boost wears off, the attribute drops to one-half of its normal rank (rounded up) for ten minutes, after which it returns to its normal rank.

As written, the cost is exactly the same as simply buying the Attribute. Why? Two reasons.

First, this power is mainly for use with characters whose increased powers come from a serum or amulet, and which only lasts for a short time. We wanted a way for people to have a power like that without stacking up a bunch of power enhancements and defects.

Second, we intended that if the GM had a specific power level in mind for the game, that the GM would allow a character with [Attribute] Boost to exceed those limits since the power is so restricted.

Of course, both of these assume that you are playing a particular style of game, and not everyone plays the same way.

What do you think? Would you make [Attribute] Boost more powerful? Less expensive? Less restricted? Would you just get rid of it entirely?

Feel free to suggest anything that crosses your mind. We want to hear your input.

Playtest deadline extended

Due to the inclement weather affecting much of the East Coast (and Hawaii, although for different reasons), we are extending the deadline for submitting playtest reports to Monday, November 5. You can actually send us playtesting reports any time you like, but if you want to be eligible to receive a ProFantasy Software gift certificate, you will need to submit your playtesting report to support@kaloscomics.com no later than November 5. As always, feel free to post questions or comments on the Kalos Comics mailing list.

Public playtest for Bulletproof Blues

Bulletproof Blues 1e cover

Public playtesting for Bulletproof Blues has started. If you would like to be included in the playtest, go to the Bulletproof Blues playtest site, read the game, play it with your friends, and send your comments to support@kaloscomics.com. Note page titles and section headings when you can. Send scans of your character sheets and notes if you can. Most of all, have fun!

You might also like to join the Kalos Comics mailing list. We will be answering rule questions and posting clarifications on that mailing list. It’s entirely optional, though, so if you’d rather not subscribe, then don’t.

In a few days, we will wrap up the Bulletproof Blues Character Builder, which is a LibreOffice document designed to simplify creating and sharing your characters. We’re sorry that it isn’t quite finished yet, but we will make it available to you as soon as we can.

We would like to have all of the playtesting reports back by Sunday, October 28. On October 31 we will be giving the five best playtesters a $45 gift certificate to ProFantasy Software, makers of Campaign Cartographer. Alternately, if any of the five best playtesters would prefer a $20 Amazon.com gift card, they can have that instead.

Starting public playtesting for Bulletproof Blues

Bulletproof Blues 1e cover

On Monday, October 1, 2012, we will start public playtesting for Bulletproof Blues, a rules-light superhero game. If you would like to be included in the playtest, send an email to support@kaloscomics.com and introduce yourself. We will contact the selected playtesters. We would like to have all of the playtesting reports back by Sunday, October 28. To encourage detailed playtesting reports, on October 31 we will be giving the five best playtesters a $45 gift certificate to ProFantasy Software, makers of Campaign Cartographer.