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Green Ronin Publishing is going up, up and away with a new version of its long running superhero RPG, with Mutants & Masterminds 4th Edition officially launching via a new Kickstarter campaign that has already leapt its target crowdfunding goal in a single bound.
Notably, it’s been almost 15 years since the third edition of the game was published, with the system beginning to show its age and losing ground to other more recent super hero games such as the Marvel Multiverse RPG.
So what can fans expect in the new M&M 4E? Below, we slap on our spandex and smash into all the details.
What is Mutants & Masterminds?
Mutants & Masterminds is a superhero tabletop RPG originally created by veteran game designer Steve Kenson and published by Green Ronin. The first edition of the game was officially released in 2002 and was based loosely on the Dungeons & Dragons 3e mechanics, with the second edition launching in 2005 and the third edition hitting in 2011.
Over the years, the game has grown in popularity, with dozens of official books, including numerous setting expansions and even an official tie in with DC Comics in 2010. The game has also seen a number of third-party titles which were released under Green Ronin’s Super-Powered Program (formerly known as Superlink), which allows publishers to create their own officially licensed M&M materials.
Mechanically, the game avoids the traditional RPG elements of character classes and levels. Instead, it features a point-buy system that allows players to build out virtually any type of superhero concept. Characters start with a set number of Power Levels, which determines a pool of Power Points they can then spend to build out their various skills, abilities and powers.
Skill checks and attacks are all based on a single d20 check against a target number. Famously, the game does not have hit points, with characters instead rolling a Toughness saving throw (based on their Constitution score), with successes allowing them to shrug off attacks and failures resulting in injuries and potentially being knocked out or even killed. The game also includes Hero Points, which are awarded by the GM and can be used for Heroic Feats, which allow characters to re-roll failed checks or shake off certain effects.
What’s New in Mutants & Masterminds Fourth Edition?
In a recent blog post on their website, Green Ronin broke out some of the key updates that will be featured in M&M 4e, including:
- Streamlined d20 System: M&M 4e will maintain the “one die handles everything” approach, but with updates and clarifications to how checks function across the game.
- Faster Hero Creation: The new edition will include fifteen base hero archetypes that allow players to build out new characters more quickly and easily, while also continuing to support the traditional Power Point build system used by veteran players.
- New Reaction System: Characters now gain a Reaction each round (something that was not included in M&M 3e) which allows for more tactical play and will integrate with a number of powers.
- Expanded Advantages & Heroic Feats: M&M 4e will include over 100 advantages, most of which can be activated as Heroic Feats through the Hero Point system.
- Refined Superpowers: The entire suite of superpowers has been updated and rebalanced. Players will be able to choose from ready-made powers or construct their own using the game’s modular effects-and-modifiers system.
- New Art & Layout: M&M 4e will feature brand-new art, including an original wraparound cover by comic artist Sean Izaakse, who has previously worked with Marvel and DC, and provided illustrations for past Mutants & Masterminds products.
- One Book for All Core Rules: The Hero’s Handbook will once again serve as the complete M&M 4e rulebook for both players and GMs (although an optional Mastermind’s Manual will also be released that offers expanded rules and GM tools).
When are the M&M 4E Kickstarter backer options?
- Hero’s Handbook PDF ($25 USD): This includes a PDF copy of the new 4th edition Hero’s Handbook.
- Hero’s Handbook & GM’s Kit PDFs ($40 USD): Includes PDF editions of both the Hero’s Handbook and a Game Master’s Kit (the latter of Which includes a GM screen with new art, reference cards, a combat tracker and a Campaign Journal).
- Hero’s Handbook Print & PDF ($50 USD): A physical copy of the Hero’s Handbook, plus PDF and all stretch goals.
- Hero’s Handbook & GM’s Kit Print & PDF ($80 USD): Both books in print and PDF formats, plus all digital stretch goals.
- Campaign Starter ($140 USD): All physical core books, plus a Condition Deck, Hero Point Tokens and a Reaction Token.
- Your Hero Illustrated ($500 USD): Everything in the Campaign Starter plus your character featured in the Hero’s Handbook.
Across all tiers, digital stretch goals are included automatically, while higher pledge levels include physical components and exclusive content.
Final Thoughts
With almost twenty five years of history behind it, Mutants & Masterminds remains one of the most influential superhero RPGs of all time. Yet it’s also a system that’s been growing a little long in the cape and isn’t without its flaws. With a new fourth edition, Green Ronin looks to be embracing a more modern game design philosophy and offering both new and veteran players a variety of suped up mechanics. Whether or not this new edition of Mutants & Masterminds still looks good in tights, however, remains to be seen.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on the new Kickstarter in the days ahead and will update this page with new information as it’s made available. In the meantime, you can back the campaign from now until March 5th on Kickstarter.