Character Misrepresentation

The issue of Character Misrepresentation is an easy one to define: It's ensuring that characters stay true to their canonical source. On Heroes Assembled it's a bit more fluid as the timelines have been adapted to merge and fit together to create as cohesive and understandable a game as possible, but the core of the concept is still there. There are three main ways that character misrepresentation typically occur: Personality, sexuality, and powers/abilities.
Personality has the most flexibility and room for interpretation as every player is different in how they see the character, but there are still guidelines that must be followed. To use an example, Batman is not going to suddenly become a card carrying member of the NRA and bust out a machine-gun. He abhors the use of guns, and does not condone killing. On the same spectrum, someone like The Punisher isn't about to become a pacifist, either.
While on the subject of personality we also have to address the issue of the sexual identity of a character. If a character is straight, bi, gay, or any other definition in their source material, they are to stay that way in-game. No matter how hot that fanfic you read was, or how interesting you think it would be, Jason Todd and Tim Drake are not secret lovers. Neither are Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne. Or Rogue and Mystique. Or Tony Stark and Captain America.
The truth is going to be found in the comics. Miss America is totally not into guys (even if there was that one time), Billy Kaplan and Teddy Altman are without a doubt gay, as is Kate Kane. If you don't feel like playing these characters as they are portrayed canonically, you may want to either look at another character or just not bring up the subject of relationships at all ICly.
Misrepresentation of powers for a character can be just as damaging to roleplay. A good rule of thumb is that if the power or resource being used is not on the player's ability sheet, they don't have the right to be using it. There will be exceptions to this, often times in regards to plots being run, but it is an exception and not the rule.
Spiderman is not going to suddenly have a Black AmEx card and never have to worry about money again. Let’s face it: Spidey is one broke sucker. Have you ever seen how much good cameras cost? And even if your character can see through walls like Superman, they may not have the medical knowledge to look at someone and say 'Oh, hey, I see you have a tumor, might want to get that fixed.' Likewise, the Flash may be able to move superfast, but that's not going to help him bake a cake. Some things still take time.
Category:Policy