Reputation

Reputation

The standing of your name among the people of the city where you operate as a hero, or perhaps more importantly how well the members criminal element knows you and the steps your willing to take against them. When the GM decides that a character’s reputation is relevant, a reputation check (d20+ reputation + NPC‘s Int modifier/or relevant Knowledge skill) is called for, with the standard check being a DC 20. If the NPC succeeds on the check, he/she recognizes the character and the character gains a bonus or penalty on any subsequent interaction checks based on the NPC’s roll. This can be purchased or earned. I prefer to have it be earned. I will calculate individual Rep and team Rep will be factored from that number.

The bonus or penalty only applies when you are interacting outside of combat with an NPC who recognizes you and is therefore aware of your reputation. Those who are unaware of your reputation are unaffected by it in any way.

Determining a character’s reputation is based on two factors: power level and points invested the Renown (increases a character’s reputation by +3) or Low-Profile (reduces a character’s reputation by -3) feats. As a default all characters have a reputation bonus equal t their power level (for player characters this is the power level of the game, or NPCs it is their power level relative to the campaign). So characters in a PL 8 game have a base reputation of +8, meaning that their reputation comes into play on a roll of 12 or better with a DC 20 reputation check.

GM’s might want to vary the base reputation bonus according to the needs of the campaign. If the characters are some of the only super-heroes active in the setting, for example, they may have greater reputations (perhaps one and a half to twice the campaign’s power level). If they are covert agents or otherwise out of the public eye, their reputation bonus might be lower.