Mutants & Masterminds 4e FAQ
Welcome! This FAQ is intended to answer common questions regarding the upcoming fourth edition of the Mutants & Masterminds Superhero Roleplaying Game from Green Ronin Publishing, including the “Origin Edition” playtest releasing this summer.
What is M&M 4e?
“M&M 4e” is short for “Mutants & Masterminds, fourth edition” and is the forthcoming new edition of the World’s Greatest Superhero RPG from Green Ronin Publishing.
Why a new edition?
The third edition of Mutants & Masterminds was published in 2011 and has had quite a long run for an RPG—longer than the first two editions combined! Nevertheless, time has moved on and we wanted to update M&M for the present decade with our many years of experience and offer a new jumping-on point for superhero RPG fans as well as players of previous editions.
Is M&M 4e the same as Valiant Adventures?
No. The development of Valiant Adventures contributed to the development of the fourth edition, but they are not the same. Think of Valiant as a self-contained “3.5” edition in-between M&M 3e and 4e.
What is the Origin Edition?
For Gen Con 2025, Green Ronin will be releasing a playtest edition of M&M 4e we’re calling the “Origin” Edition (since it is part of the game’s new “origin”). The Origin Edition will be available in PDF and in a limited softcover print run, from the Green Ronin Online Store as well as for sale at Gen Con. Our intention is to get the current iteration of the new edition into the hands of as many players as possible to take it for a test-drive and give us their feedback.
What format is the Origin Edition?
This playtest version of the 4e Hero's Handbook has two versions in our Green Ronin Online Store: Limited-print-run Softcover + PDF and PDF-only. Choosing either one in our Green Ronin Online Store will get you the PDF to download right away, while the softcover book will ship soon after we return from Gen Con 2025.
How close to finalized is the Origin Edition?
Because it is a playtest, the Origin Edition is not the final text of M&M 4e. It is a work in progress and will likely change in response to feedback.
Will the new edition use Green Ronin’s AGE system?
No, M&M 4e is still powered by the same essential d20-based mechanics as before and will not be an AGE system game.
What has changed in the new edition?
That question is well beyond the scope of this FAQ! For all of the details, you should simply read the Origin Edition to see the current version of the new edition, noting that it is not yet finalized.
The short(-ish) answer is: A lot, and at the same time not all that much, fundamentally: refined power creation effects, updated hero archetypes, an adjusted rank scale, a new size scale, new advantage and action options, and more. The core math and mechanics of M&M remain the same, but we’ve adjusted, cleaned-up, revised, added-on, and done a lot of work under the hood that we’re excited for players to see and try out.
How long will the playtest be?
We have a playtest window of two months: August and September of 2025. After that, we need to implement playtest feedback and finalize the text of the new edition for editing and production.
How do playtesters submit feedback?
We’ll provide online forms and channels for playtest feedback and communication via the Atomic Think Tank online community (atomicthinktank.com) and the Green Ronin website (greenronin.com).
When will the new edition be available?
Our plan is to release Mutants & Masterminds, fourth edition, in the third quarter of 2026.
What M&M 4e products will be released first?
The initial releases for fourth edition will be the Hero’s Handbook (the finalized version of the text in the Origin Edition and the core of the game) and the Mastermind’s Manual. These will be somewhat similar to the third edition Hero’s Handbook and Gamemaster’s Guide. They will be followed by an M&M Game Master’s Kit (including a GM screen) and Most Wanted, a sourcebook of villains for the fourth edition.
Will you update all of the M&M third edition products?
No. We will update some third edition products, particularly our Astonishing Adventures line, to provide immediate support for the fourth edition, but we’re not simply going to release 4e versions of all of the prior books. We have a robust line of supplements and support planned for M&M 4e.
What are the remaining products for M&M third edition?
The Vigilante’s Handbook, which is in production as of July 2025, will be a third edition book. As noted, Valiant Adventures Hero’s Handbook and Worlds of Valiant, also in production, will be a stand-alone “3.5” edition of sorts. There are also some third edition Astonishing Adventures still in the works.
Will there be third-party licensing for the new edition?
While we are still finalizing our 4e licensing plan for third-party partners, the Super-Powered by M&M license will continue for 3e and our licensed publishers can continue publishing third edition releases under that license. Very soon, third-party publishers will be contacted to sign an amended Super-Powered by M&M license with updated policies prohibiting the use of unlicensed intellectual property, and our policy against the use of generative AI.
We'll share the 4e licensing plan as soon as it is ready.
Will the new edition have character-creator support?
We are looking ahead to VTT (virtual tabletop) support and options for the new edition, including interactive character sheets and character generators. We’ll announce plans as they’re finalized.
Will the new edition feature updates to the Earth-Prime setting?
We have plans to revise the Earth-Prime setting, including Freedom City and Emerald City, in upcoming M&M 4e products. You’ll get your first looks in the art and examples in the Hero’s Handbook and Mastermind’s Manual and more detail in the characters and backgrounds in Most Wanted.