Cinematic Power Level

It is possible to run a cinematic
game at any power level. Cinematic
games are frequently high-powered
games – and vice versa – but “cine-
matic” is a style, not a point level.
Crack commandos in a grimly realis-
tic campaign might have huge point
totals, while many of Robin Hood’s
Merry Men would come in under 100
points yet be quite at home in a cine-
matic campaign.
Still, cinematic heroes should be
markedly more capable than ordinary
people . . . and perhaps even more tal-
ented than most heroes. Players find it
easier to believe in cinematic stories if
their characters are capable enough to
accomplish what the story calls for
them to achieve without too much
“fudging” on the part of the GM.
How the players spend their points
is somewhat more important. GURPS
provides many abilities suitable for
cinematic gaming. Epic heroes often
have a Destiny. Most possess “luck” –
although Daredevil and Serendipity
are often more appropriate than
plain Luck. The GM should permit
Gadgeteer,
Gizmos,
Gunslinger,
Rapier Wit, Trained By A Master,
Weapon Master, and Wild Talent. He
should also allow any skills associated
with these traits, and might even want
to use “wildcard skills” (see p. 175).