Explain M&M to a newbie

[Pesimismrocks]

So, I recently picked up a copy of M&M 3e and read the rules, I get creation, but I don't understand how combat works. Is it done on a grid, or more freeform? And could someone explain combat. Say MR.Good has STR10 and Fighting 6 and hits Dr.X with an axe (Toughness 9) what would he roll? Any help is much appreciated.

[The Rose Dragon]

It's not done on a grid. When characters can move miles in seconds, the grid quickly becomes an exercise in futility.

As for the axe thing, assuming you are using the battleaxe given in the equipments chapter, you roll d20 + 6 (if you have no feats or skill bonuses for close combat other than Fighting), and if that overcomes the character's Parry + 10, the villain would roll d20 + Toughness, and that is compared to 15 + the effect rank, which in this case is 13, for a total of 28.

[Pesimismrocks]

Thanks, that explains a lot.