How can Radiation heroes justify using their powers?

[Skyhawke]

On 4/6/2025 at 7:59 PM, DoctorDitko said:

After your dental x-ray, you don't walk around irradiating your co-workers.

 

Wait...that's not normal? 😬

[Parabola]

47 minutes ago, Marshal_General said:

My problem with radiation is that I have a Hulk type of character with radiation armor. The gets it's power from radiation, but does not emit radiation. I can't play the character until I can fully turn off any obvious radiation effects 

But can't you then just pick any low FX armour set and the science or mutation origin? Radiation in this case is backstory rather than power.

[Marshal_General]

3 hours ago, Parabola said:

But can't you then just pick any low FX armour set and the science or mutation origin? Radiation in this case is backstory rather than power.

Yes, I could. However radiation is one of the best resistance armor sets to pair with the crash that comes with SS since I would not be depending on defense.

[taigakirdape]

On 4/3/2025 at 9:46 PM, Zombra said:

I'm trying to make sense of a new hero concept of mine, and I want to use Radiation powers, but it just seems completely insane to go around shooting dangerous radiation everywhere.  How is it possible that Paragon City is even livable with this happening every day in every neighborhood?

 

Is there any common consensus as to why this is fine?  What's your headcanon that makes Radiation Heroes just as safe and helpful as an all-natural environmentally approved martial artist?  I'd rather have 100 Fire Blasters and Demon Summoners go through my neighborhood than a single Radiation Defender.

"Power does not need justification.
Power is its own justification."

 

[Scarlet Shocker]

12 hours ago, taigakirdape said:

"Power does not need justification.
Power is its own justification."

 

 

[Snarky]

Radiation, it’s good for everyone!

 

there, justified!

 

[Healix]

35 minutes ago, Snarky said:

Radiation, it’s good for everyone!

 

there, justified!

 

 

[srmalloy]

22 hours ago, taigakirdape said:

"Power does not need justification.
Power is its own justification."

"Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat."

[Snarky]

1 hour ago, srmalloy said:

"Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat."

Welcome to the New World Order.  We are taking vehicle orders now.  

[TheMoneyMaker]

[Scarlet Shocker]

Hi

 

Just popping in to say hello and remind you that I'm all about radiation.

 

Also, without me, you'd be completely fucked.

 

kthxbai

[Forager]

Eh... where do all those bullets from Full Auto end up?

 

The truth is we are all megalomaniacs who destroy everything around us all the time, but our narcissism prevents us from seeing the damage we actually cause because we believe we are "justified."

 

You think there are no babies in Paragon catching strays? Nah, homie! That's your delusions protecting you.

 

Rad heroes are giving EVERYBODY cancer. The citizens of Paragon are literal prisoners.

 

That's my headcannon anyway.

Edited April 14 by Forager

[Zombra]

2 hours ago, Forager said:

Eh... where do all those bullets from Full Auto end up?

The truth is we are all megalomaniacs who destroy everything around us all the time, but our narcissism prevents us from seeing the damage we actually cause because we believe we are "justified."

You think there are no babies in Paragon catching strays? Nah, homie! That's your delusions protecting you.

Rad heroes are giving EVERYBODY cancer. The citizens of Paragon are literal prisoners.

That's my headcannon anyway.

 

Kind of a "Meet the Pyro" interpretation.  I'm into it.

[BlackSpectre]

I only read the first page of posts, and the last post on the first page by @BasiliskXVIII pretty much covers it. But just in case...

 

Long lasting radioactive fallout from nuclear explosions and reactors is from the fissionable material (for example, uranium) that those devices use.  Tiny bits of the fissionable  material used in nuclear devices is spread across the area through either an explosion or the wind and rain or other weather. These tiny radioactive particles, the size of dust or sand have a half-life, which is when a radioactive material naturally decays, slowly throwing out pieces of itself (primarily radiating neutrons and protons) and dissipating until it no longer exists as the same element/material. The half-life of fissionable material (isotopes) lasts for different lengths of time. Some last only days, while others can last for 30 years or more. The radioactivity stays with the fissionable material, it does not transfer to the other materials it touches (cement, metal, clothes, skin, etc). When the fissionable material decays, the material also releases electromagnetic particles, and it's primarily gamma rays that damage animal cells and DNA (which in turn causes cancer), and those particles are invisible. However, the source of those particles, the fissionable material, is visible. If any of the fissionable material gets on you, the best way to avoid any medical hazard is simply to brush off the tiny fissionable particles as quickly as you can and vacate the area. If you've ever been to the beach, you know how difficult it can be to remove every bit of sand from your body and clothes. So other decontamination measures are required quickly afterwards such as washing off the radioactive fissionable particles (similar in size to sand, dirt, or dust) with water.  The more fissionable material or the greater the length of time you are exposed to the fissionable material increases your medical risk.

 

Anyway, back to COH... a superhero with radiation powers might be radioactive themselves, maybe, but more than likely they would somehow reproduce the effects of fissionable material... throwing out pieces of atoms and high energy electromagnetic particles (like X-rays or gamma rays). These effects don't linger and dissipate immediately. So really, no long term health hazards.

 

On the other hand, if the superhero is actually creating radioactive isotopes (fissionable material) and expelling it or able to materialize it in a certain area, it's still unlikely it could be a long term health threat. The fissionable material's half-life would have to be seconds or fractions of a second, as the radiation can be toggled off instantly with no lingering effects. Otherwise, the superhero would be able to create a location based AOE that doesn't disperse for days or years (and it would cost no endurance to maintain), which none of the radiation based powersets have the ability to do. Alternately, the superhero could possibly materialize fissionable material, and then just as quickly de-materialize it. Like magic. Who knows how these kind of superhero powers work biologically? It boggles the mind... 😉

 

 

[Healix]

[Marshal_General]

On 4/11/2025 at 1:53 PM, srmalloy said:

"Power corrupts. Absolute power is kind of neat."

True, but Real Ultimate Power is ninja.

[Healix]

4 hours ago, Marshal_General said:

True, but Real Ultimate Power is ninja.

[Octogoat]

1 minute ago, Healix said:

 

[Scarlet Shocker]

Enervating Field specifically says it "irradiates foes with a deadly dose of radiation," in its description.

 

That is pretty compelling. I can only think that my earlier solution is the closest I can think of. Clearly the tech is there and we can also assume that only those directly affected are impacted. There is no lingering after effect so at some point they are "cleansed."

 

The technology exists, so I'm thinking that Paragon won't allow people to just die of cancer and the villain groups won't allow their minions to be wasted when they can be sent out to strive again.

 

 

 

[High_Beam]

On 4/11/2025 at 5:21 AM, Scarlet Shocker said:

 

Woah.  35 years of knowing one thing and suddenly, another!

 

And the dancing is straight up off the hook.

 

Edited yesterday at 12:05 AM by High_Beam