Editing HQ rules from M&M2e

==HEADQUARTERS==

Whether it’s an underground cave, the top floors of a skyscraper, a satellite
in orbit, or a base on the Moon, many heroes and villains maintain
their own secret (or not so secret) headquarters. Teams of characters also
may even pool their equipment points to have a headquarters they share,
with the Gamemaster’s approval.

A headquarters is unlike other “equipment” in that it is fixed and serves
as a home base, not something normally carried around. An especially
large vehicle may serve as a kind of mobile headquarters, and the GM
may allow characters to install some headquarters features into vehicles
of Gargantuan or greater size.

A character can even have multiple bases of operation. This is more common
for villains, who have back-up plans and secret bases they can retreat
to when their plans are defeated. If a character’s headquarters is destroyed,
the character can choose to rebuild it or build a new headquarters with
different features. Supervillains often go through a succession of different
=headquarters. At the Gamemaster’s option, characters can have additional
headquarters as “Alternate Power” feats of the first (see Alternate Power,
page 108), since they aren’t likely to be used all at once.

==HEADQUARTERS TRAITS==
Headquarters have two main traits—Toughness and size—and a number of
possible features. Each of these costs equipment points to improve.

===HEADQUARTERS TRAIT COST===

'''TRAIT STARTING VALUE EQUIPMENT COST'''

Toughness 5 1 point per +5 Toughness

Size Small +1 point per size category

Features — 1 point per feature

===TOUGHNESS===
A headquarters’ Toughness indicates the strength of its structural materials,
particularly its outer structure (walls, ceiling, etc.). Toughness 5 is
typical for most wooden structures, Toughness 10 for steel-reinforced
or concrete structures, and Toughness 15 or more for special alloys or
armored structures. A structure’s Toughness may be higher if its walls are
especially thick. See Damaging Objects, page 166, for more information.
A structure starts out with Toughness 5 for 0 points. +5 Toughness
costs 1 equipment point.

===SIZE===
A structure’s size is measured similar to that of a character or vehicle,
and gives a general idea of the overall space it occupies and how much
space is available inside it. Structures are measured on a different scale,
however. See the Structure Size Categories Table for guidelines. A
headquarters starts out at Small size for 0 points. Each increase in size
category costs 1 point, each decrease in size category gives you an additional
point to spend elsewhere on your headquarters.


STRUCTURE SIZE CATEGORIES
STRUCTURE
SIZE
CHARACTER
SIZE
SIZE EXAMPLES

Awesome — 5,000+ ft. Small town
Colossal — 2,000—5,000 ft. City block, private estate
Gargantuan — 1,000—2,000 ft. Skyscraper
Huge — 500—1,000 ft. Castle
Large — 250—500 ft. Mansion, cave complex
Medium Awesome 128—250 ft. Warehouse
Small Colossal 64—128 ft. House
Tiny Gargantuan 32—64 ft. Townhouse
Diminutive Huge 16—32 ft. Apartment
Fine Large 8—16 ft. Loft
Minuscule Medium 4—8 ft. Room


<span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">KEV: IS THIS HOW THE TABLE LINES UP?</span>

<div align="center">
{| style="text-align:center; border: thin solid silver;"
|+'''''STRUCTURE SIZE CATEGORIES'''''
|-
| '''STRUCTURE CHARACTER''' || '''SIZE''' || '''EXAMPLES'''
|-
| Awesome ||  5,000+ ft. || Small town
|-
| Colossal || 2,000—5,000 ft. || City block, private estate
|-
| Gargantuan || 1,000—2,000 ft. || Skyscraper
|-
| Huge || 500—1,000 ft. || Castle
|-
| Large || 250—500 ft. || Mansion, cave complex
|-
| Medium || 128—250 ft. || Warehouse
|-
| Small || 64—128 ft. || House
|-
| Tiny || 32—64 ft. || Townhouse
|-
| Diminutive || 16—32 ft. || Apartment
|-
| Fine || 8—16 ft. || Loft
|-
| Minuscule || 4—8 ft. || Room
|}
</div>


A headquarters may have a number of features, chosen from the list
below. A headquarters automatically has the basic structural amenities
like doors and windows, power outlets, utilities, and so forth at no cost.
Each feature costs 1 equipment point.

===COMBAT SIMULATOR===
A combat simulator or “danger room” is a special room equipped with
various devices intended to test characters’ powers and skills and allow
them to train in realistic combat situations. Generally, a combat simulator
has a suite of devices that can simulate any appropriate attack effect
at a rank up to equal to the campaign’s power level. A combat simulator
normally has safety interlocks so its attacks are always nonlethal damage,
but these can be disengaged so the simulator’s attacks do lethal damage.
For an additional feature, the combat simulator also can project realistic
illusions, allowing it to recreate or simulate almost any environment.
Combat simulators are useful for training and short “war games” (pitting
the characters against each other or simulated opponents). Clever heroes
also can try to lure intruders into the combat simulator or an intruder
might override the simulator’s control systems and trap the heroes in it,
turning it into a deathtrap.

===COMMUNICATIONS===
A communications system allows the headquarters to receive and transmit
on a wide range of radio and TV bands, monitor police and emergency
channels, coordinate communications between members of a team, and
so forth. It includes communications equipment, consoles, and monitors.
The system’s access to restricted communication bands depends on the
clearance and skills of the user. Heroes often have access to special government
channels, while a successful Computers skill check (DC 25) can
grant a user illegal access to restricted systems.

===COMPUTER===
A state-of-the-art computer system serving the entire headquarters (a
mainframe or mini-frame system). This allows characters to make full use
of the Computers skill and the computer can be programmed to handle
routine base functions (including monitoring communications channels
and controlling defensive systems). For an artificially intelligent computer
system, see Constructs, page 148.

===CONCEALED===
The headquarters is hidden from the outside world in some way. It may
be camouflaged behind a false façade, buried underground, and so forth.
Note this is in addition to the Isolated Location feature, if any. An isolated
headquarters is difficult to reach, while a concealed headquarters is difficult
to find in the first place. Skill checks to locate the headquarters
(Search, Knowledge, etc.) have their DC increased by +10. Each additional
feature applied to this increases the DC +5.

===DEFENSE SYSTEM===
A defense system consists of various weapon emplacements defending
the exterior and interior of the headquarters. A defense system can have
any attack effect with a rank no greater than the campaign’s power level.
These attack devices try to disable or restrain anyone approaching or
invading the headquarters. Their attack bonus is equal to the campaign’s
power level. Heroic HQ’s usually have nonlethal weapons while villainous
defense systems are often lethal.

===DOCK===
A dock houses water vehicles (see Vehicles, page 142) and includes
access to a nearby waterway, an airlock or lock system for moving vehicles
in and out of the dock, and dry-dock facilities for repairing and maintaining
water vehicles. The GM may require the headquarters be located within
reasonable distance of a body of water in order to have this feature.

===FIRE PREVENTION SYSTEM===
The headquarters is equipped with an automatic system for detecting and
extinguishing fires. Any large open flame sets the system off (beware, fireusing
heroes!). It functions like the Nullify power (see page 94) at rank 5
against fire. A computer-controlled fire prevention system can be programmed
to ignore certain sources of fire or the system can be placed on manual control
(requiring someone to throw a switch in order to activate it).

===GARAGE===
A garage houses ground vehicles (see Vehicles, page 142) and includes
a ramp or other access to move vehicles in and out, facilities for repairing
and maintaining vehicles, and a sliding access door.

===GYM===
A gym consists of weight-training and other exercise machines, space for
working out, stretching, and similar exercises, and all the necessary amenities
(lockers, showers, etc.). Some HQs may incorporate the gym feature
into the combat simulator, for a multi-purpose training room.

===HANGAR===
A hangar houses air and space vehicles (see Vehicles, page 142). It includes
a hatch and/or runway for the vehicles to launch and facilities for repairing
and maintaining flying vehicles. For some HQs the launch facilities of the
hangar may require a long tunnel or other access to the outside.

===HOLDING CELLS===
These are cells for holding prisoners, usually temporarily, although some
headquarters might have more permanent holding facilities. The cells are
equipped with Nullify devices (ranked at the campaign’s power level) or
their basic Toughness is increased by 50%, which option should be agreed
upon by both player and GM (both options for two features). Heroes use
holding cells to contain captured villains until they can be turned over to
the proper authorities while villains use them to keep heroes prisoner until
they can dispose of them in their latest deathtrap.

===INFIRMARY===
An infirmary consists of hospital beds and equipment for the full use
of the Medicine skill. An infirmary can provide treatment for a number
of characters equal to the base’s power level at one time and it can be
assumed to have the necessary facilities to handle any unusual physiology
of the base’s owner(s).

===ISOLATED===
Headquarters with this feature are situated somewhere out of the way like the
Antarctic, the bottom of the ocean, on top of a lonely mountain peak, even
in orbit or on the Moon. The base’s owner doesn’t have to worry about things
like door-to-door salesmen or other unwanted visitors but the headquarters
is also far from civilization (which can be limiting for heroes unable to travel
fast). The headquarters is assumed to provide all the necessary life-support
for its location, but it doesn’t provide characters with the means to get to the
base or travel back. They need the appropriate powers or a vehicle.

===LABORATORY===
A laboratory is a facility for the use of Knowledge skills in performing scientific
tests or experiments. It contains all the necessary scientific equipment,
including dedicated computers, if the headquarters doesn’t have its own
computer system. Characters can use the laboratory to perform research,
study unusual phenomena (including many super-powers), and so forth.

===LIBRARY===
A library allows for use of various Knowledge skills when doing research.
A library may consist of printed matter (books and periodicals), microfilm,
computer databases, or a combination of all three. A library allows characters
to take 20 on most Knowledge skill checks unless the information
they’re looking for is particularly obscure (in the GM’s judgment).

===LIVING SPACE===
The headquarters includes all the necessary amenities for people to live
there full-time. This is usually a number of people equal to the HQ’s power
level (possibly more, at the GM’s discretion). It includes bedrooms or
private suites, kitchen facilities, dining area, and common living areas.
Characters can live in a headquarters lacking this feature short-term, but
they’re not likely to be very comfortable.

===POOL===
The headquarters has a large heated pool, which may be part of a gym
area. At the owner’s discretion, the pool can provide access to an outside
body of water (connected to a lake, river, or even to the ocean), to the
base’s dock, or both at no additional cost.

===POWER===
A headquarters can be given any appropriate power as a feature with the
Gamemaster’s approval. The power cannot have a total cost greater than
twice the campaign’s power level or a rank greater than the power level.
Powers are assumed to affect either the headquarters itself or its occupants,
if they do both, they count as two features.

===POWER SYSTEM===
A power system makes the headquarters completely independent of outside
power. It has its own generators (which may be solar, geothermal,
nuclear, or anything else the designer wants). They provide for all the
base’s power needs. The headquarters also has emergency back-up power
should the generators fail. This generally lasts for a number of hours equal
to the HQ’s power level.

===SECURITY SYSTEM===
Various locks and alarms protect the headquarters from unauthorized access.
A Disable Device check (DC 20) overcomes these systems. Each additional
feature increases the DC by +5. The security system may be tied into a defense
system (if the headquarters is equipped with that feature), so triggering an
alarm activates the defense system to disable or restrain the intruder(s).

===WORKSHOP===
A workshop has all the facilities for use of various Craft skills. It includes
tools, workbenches, supplies, and so forth. The Gamemaster may rule certain
Craft skills cannot be used in a workshop, or require a workshop of
their own (which is an additional feature). For example, a workshop can
easily handle woodworking, metalworking, and machining, but might not
be suitable for creating magical inventions (see page 132), which require
a separate dedicated workshop.




==SAMPLE HEADQUARTERS==
Gamemasters can use the following sample headquarters as ready-made
lairs for supervillains, while players can use them as bases for their
heroes.

===ABANDONED WAREHOUSE===
Size: Medium; Toughness: 10; Features: Communications, Computer,
Concealed, Garage, Gym, Living Space, Power System, Security System.
Cost: 10 equipment points.

===MOON-BASE===
Size: Awesome; Toughness: 20; Features: Combat Simulator,
Communications, Computer, Defense System, Fire Prevention System,
Gym, Hangar, Holding Cells, Infirmary, Isolated, Laboratory, Living Space,
Pool, Power System, Security System (DC 25), Teleport (Affects Others),
Workshop. Cost: 27 equipment points.

===ORBITING SATELLITE===
Size: Colossal; Toughness: 20; Features: Combat Simulator, Communications,
Computer, Defense System, Fire Prevention System, Gym, Hangar, Holding
Cells, Infirmary, Isolated, Laboratory, Living Space, Power System, Security
System, Teleport (Affects Others). Cost: 23 equipment points.

===SANCTUM SANCTORUM===
Size: Medium; Toughness: 15; Features: Concealed, Laboratory, Library,
Living Space, Security System, Workshop. Cost: 9 equipment points.

===SEA-BASE===
Size: Gargantuan; Toughness: 15; Features: Communications, Computer,
Concealed, Dock, Fire Prevention System, Isolated, Living Space, Power
System, Security System. Cost: 15 equipment points.

===SKYSCRAPER (5 FLOORS)===
Size: Large; Toughness: 10; Features: Communications, Computer, Defense
System, Fire Prevention System, Gym, Hangar, Infirmary, Laboratory,
Library, Living Space, Power System, Security System, Workshop. Cost: 16
equipment points.

===STATELY MANOR===
Size: Huge; Toughness: 10; Features: Communications, Computer,
Concealed, Dock, Garage, Gym, Hangar, Infirmary, Laboratory, Library,
Living Space, Power System, Security System, Workshop. Cost: 18 equipment
points.

===UNDERGROUND LAIR===
Size: Huge; Toughness: 15; Features: Communications, Computer,
Concealed, Defense System, Garage, Holding Cells, Isolated, Laboratory,
Library, Living Space, Power System, Security System. Cost: 17 equipment
points.

===URBAN FORTRESS===
Size: Large; Toughness: 15; Features: Combat Simulator, Communications,
Computer, Concealed, Defense System, Fire Prevention System, Garage,
Gym, Holding Cells, Infirmary, Living Space, Power System, Security
System, Workshop. Cost: 18 equipment points.




-----
[[THE BAND OF STEEL]]<br>
[[NECESSARY EVIL in FREEDOM CITY]]