Night Shift

System Resources

• The M&M Web site offers several downloadable files in PDF format (see under Gimmick's Gadgets).
• Arknight Software have just released a beta version of the Mutagen! Java-based character generator for M&M2e, which runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac platforms, etc.  So far it seems to work really well and it saves a lot of headaches.
• Simpson's MnM Excel Character Builder, an advanced spreadsheet requiring Excel 1997 or higher (preferably Excel 2003 if you want to take advantage of the XML data import-export feature).  The site also offers additional M&M-related utilities.
• A customized version of Simpson's MnM Excel Character Builder, with info specific to the Top 10: Night Shift campaign (zipped file).
• Pushing It to the Limit: Extra Effort & Hero Points
• The Rewards of Heroism: Earning Hero Points
• With Great Power...: power descriptors and countering powers
• Powers Far Beyond Those of Mortal Men...: Campaign power level and what it means
• Heroic Abilities: descriptions of the six abilities and how they affect characters, along with some additional notes
• Super Skills: List of available skills and their requirements
• Heroism Has Its Drawbacks: Drawbacks and Complications
• Taking Action: Actions in Combat
• It's Combat Time! Combat Modifiers

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Character Creation

I strongly recommend using either Simpson's Excel character builder, or the Mutagen! Java character generator from Arknight Software for which links are supplied above; using such a tool makes the process much faster and easier.  However, you will most likely still need to leaf through the book to see the description of the various powers, feats, etc.

Power Level and Power Points

The campaign power level (PL10) means that player characters are created based on 150 power points (PP).  In addition, players are allowed to rework their characters and reassign points after two or three games.

In addition to the basic 150 PP, players get the option to earn additional PP by writing some character background.  This option is lifted wholesale from Kevin "Demongg" Perrine.  In order to earn an extra 3 PP, write up three entries for three out of the five following topics (3x3); to earn 5 PP, write up three entries for each of the the five following topics (3x5).

• Friends/Allies
• Contacts
• Enemies
• Locations
• Organizations

To see examples of such short write-ups, visit this page or that page.

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Basic Training

In this campaign, everyone should take a minimum number of skill ranks corresponding to the basic police training received at the Academy.  The Basic Training skill package should include, unless you have a good in-character reason:

• Computers 1
• Drive 1
• Investigate 1
• Knowledge: Law 1
• Profession: Police Officer 4

Since skill ranks are bought at the cost of four for one Power Point, that's 2 PP (out of 150) that I'm requiring players commit to police skills.  All of those are skills that cannot be used untrained (characters can perform casual driving without the purchasing the skill, based solely on their Dexterity bonus, but vehicle chases and non-routine tasks require the skill.)  Players are, of course, free to purchase more ranks in those skills.

Combat skills are not included in the basic training package but I assume that players will buy combat kills and advantages that are appropriate for their character concepts.

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Benefit: Rank

Rank is bought as the Feat "Benefit" under the M&M2e rules.  Here is a quick description of what police ranks correnspond to in the game.  Police officers who prove themselves in investigative assignments may be promoted to the rank of detective.  Promotions to the supervisory ranks - e.g., sergeant, lieutenant and captain - are based on civil service examinations.  As you might have guessed, the highest available rank for PCs is lieutenant.  (Lt. Therius is of this rank.)

Administrative Officer (NPC rank, or get 3 extra PPs)

This is the rank of administrative support staff - the folks who file the paperwork, answer the phones, make sure everyone has pencils, etc.  This is considered to be a "civilian" rank, not a "sworn" rank like the others.  Officers traditionally wear khaki uniforms rather than blue ones like "sworn" ranks, and are therefore often referred to as "khaki officers".  There is actually a hierarchy here with "khaki officers" and "khaki sergeants" but they are all answerable to "sworn" officers so I am lumping them together.  Both Janus and Micromaid fall into this category (the former because she is a dispatcher, the latter because she is likely a civilian contractor or employee), as do Grease Monkey (the machine-shop operator) and Charon (coroner).  Vaux Aul may also be a khaki officer, depending on whether Trans-Solar Registry was an administrative or investigative/enforcement arm.

Police Trainee (NPC rank, or get 2 extra PPs)

This is the rank you get after coming out of the academy and first being hired on.  Officers with this rank are on probationary status, and are always assigned to work with more experienced officers.  Robyn "Toybox" Slinger is this rank.

Police Officer (NPC rank, or get 1 extra PP)

The vast majority of uniformed officers fall into this rank.  Many police officers spend their entire careers here.  These are "beat cops" who are crime first responders, usually charged with apprehending criminals, patrolling, and doing footwork.  They do not generally investigate crimes, but do secure crime scenes.  Shock-Headed Peter, Dust Devil, Girl One, Irma Geddon, Jeff Smax and Multi-Woman are all this rank.

Detective (Default PC rank, free)

This is a police officer who has received special training in crime investigation.  Detectives can examine crime scenes for evidence, and are put in charge of investigating specific crimes.  Synesthaesia and King Peacock are Detectives.

Sergeant (1 rank of Benefit: Rank)

This is a police officer who is in charge of other police officers. In order to make sergeant you have to pass an exam.  Hyperdog and Monsoon are both sergeants.

Detective Sergeant (2 ranks of Benefit: Rank)

A detective who is in charge of other detectives.  Phantom Jack is a Detective Sergeant.

Lieutenant (3 ranks of Benefit: Rank)

Lieutenants are typically in charge of major investigations requiring extensive manpower and/or resources, and may be in charge of specific departments depending on how large the department is.  Individuals who need to exercise authority in the field may also hold this rank.  Peregrine is a Lieutenant, and it is likely that The Voice is too.

Commander (not available for PCs)

Commanders are usually the ones in charge of major departments within a police department and may also exercise considerable command authority when the captain is away.  Wolf Spider is a Commander.

Captain (not available for PCs)

A given precinct or crime division usually has a Captain in charge. Jetman is a Captain.

Commissioner (not available for PCs)

In charge of an entire police department (remember that despite the fact that it covers an entire city, Top 10 is only considered to be a precinct station).  Ultima was a Police Commissioner

It is interesting to note that Top 10 has a very simplified structure compared to most police forces - it is more analogous to a single station house than a city-spanning police force.  This suggests that a lot of the higher police functions (such as Internal Affairs, Criminal Justice, and Organized Crime Division) are handled on a meta-dimensional level.

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