D20 Superhero! Handbook

DEPENDENCE
You are dependent on a particular drug, chemical, or energy to maintain your health. Without it, your powers might
consume you. Each day you go without the substance, you suffer a number of negative levels equal to the total days
you have gone without it, cumulative (so 1 on the first day, 2 on the second day, etc.). You are dead when the total
negative levels equal or exceed your character levels.
FEAR
You suffer from an intense phobia even though you are not actually any more vulnerable to it. Choose a broad
category of phobias—acrophobia, claustrophobia, fear of bugs, fear of water, fear of fire. Every round that you are
exposed to the thing you are afraid of, you must make a Will saving throw (DC 15). If the save fails, you are
frightened until the source of the fear is out of sight.
MISUNDERSTOOD BY AUTHORITIES
Law enforcement almost everywhere doesn’t trust you. At best they think you’re an out-of-control vigilante, and at
worst they’re convinced you’re a villain. Your attempts to “help out” society are almost always seen in the worst
possible light by the authorities.
NOT A TEAM PLAYER
Maverick. Renegade. Lone wolf. Whatever the name you prefer, most other people think you are a jerk to work
with. You always have to be right or always need to call the shots. This often puts you at odds with teammates.
SECRET IDENTITY
The world does not know who you are when you’re not being a superhero. You take great pains to keep your
normal identity and heroic alter ego separate, because you would certainly endanger, embarrass, or anger your
family and friends if your identity were ever exposed.
SOMEONE NEEDS ME
You share an intense bond with a family member, friend, or lover. Nothing ever comes before this person. You
always protect this person above any other duty. You would not hesitate to sacrifice yourself to protect him or her.
If this person were ever used against you by your enemies, you would do anything to get him or her back.
SQUEAKY CLEAN
You are committed to being a virtuous and honorable hero. You won’t do anything that would soil your reputation,
hurt or endanger an innocent person, or break the law. You insist that your comrades hold to your high ethics, too.
VULNERABILITY
Something in the essence of your being makes you painfully vulnerable to a certain effect. Choose one type of
substance, energy, or force (poison, disease, cold, electricity, fire, sonic, or psionics). You automatically take +50%
damage from it, or suffer a –4 penalty on your saving throw if no damage is involved.
WEAKNESS
You are virtually crippled in the presence of a particular effect or in a particular situation. Choose a force, physical
effect, or psychological situation. Every round that you are exposed to the source of your weakness, you must make
a Fortitude (for physical weaknesses) or Will (for psychological weaknesses) saving throw (DC 20). If the save
fails, you are dazed or nauseated (as appropriate to the situation) that round. The chosen force, effect, or situation
must be something the hero has a reasonable chance of encountering or something that villainous enemies could
potentially use against him. For example, a hero who as a child saw his parents killed might be dazed whenever he
sees a loved one in danger, or a nocturnal hero could be nauseated when exposed to the sun.
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