The scale allows characters of wildly different power levels to co-exist within the same game without one completely dominating a given area.

For example, although Superman is many orders of magnitude stronger, Batman is capable of surviving a straight brawl with him for a short period.

For example, when Superman punches someone, he uses Dexterity to see if he connects, Strength to see how hard he hits, and the opposing character's Body to see how much damage he did.

For example, investigators use AV and EV against a RV to determine the quality of information their efforts gather.

As in other points-based games, abilities cost a certain number of Hero Points to buy and improve.

Some of DC Heroes design features include: Mayfair Games published the first edition in 1985.

As a result, the game included both Silver Age and pre-Crisis writeups alongside new, post-Crisis write-ups.

[2] The second edition of DC Heroes, published in 1989, was a boxed set which contained a "Read This First" introductory booklet, a "Rules Manual", an introductory adventure "Exposed", and a "Background/Roster Book" with game statistics for almost 250 DC characters.

The set also contained the gamemaster's screen, an "Action Wheel" for resolving gameplay, two decks of cards with statistics for DC Comics characters, and dice.

In the September 1985 edition of Dragon, Jeff Grubb found the rules of the first edition complex but well-written and well-presented, calling them "a very user-friendly set of rules that are enjoyable to read without making the reader lose track of what they are teaching".

This is a good game for superhero fans who are put off by the intricacy of Champions, the clumsiness of Villains and Vigilantes, and the juvenility of Marvel Super Heroes".

[3] Varney concluded his review with "if you find other superhero RPGs too slow or complex for your taste -- and if you don't mind one-table systems -- use the DC HEROES rules as a fast-paced superheroic combat system for your own campaign world".