MK's Nook: Cyclops as Batman Sidekick, Mace Returns

[MorningKnight]

It's the conversions that get the views, but my first love is original characters. This one is the best version I've come up with of an older character of mine. It follows several of my conceits - dragons are descended from dinosaurs and driven from Earth by malevolent human-like extradimensionals, and the dragons are benevolent creatures who can donate their bio-mass to humans with a minimum of harm. I now proudly present:

Dragon-Claw



Power Level: 10 (150 power points)

Abilities: STR 14(+2) DEX 18(+4) CON 14(+2) INT 16(+3) WIS 18(+4) CHA 18(+4)

Skills: Acrobatics 6 (+10), Bluff 6 (+10), Climb 6 (+8 ), Computers 3 (+6), Languages (English Native, Mandarin, Polish, German, French, Spanish, Latin, Draconian), Intimidate 4 (+8 ), Investigate 6 (+9), Knowledge (Streetwise) 4 (+7), Notice 4 (+8 ), Search 4 (+7), Sense Motive 4 (+8 ), Stealth 6 (+10), Knowledge (History) +4 (+7), Knowledge (Arcane Lore (+7)

Feats: Benefit (Favored of Dragonkine), Defensive Roll 2, Evasion 2, Jack of All Trades, Power Attack

Powers:
Protean Limb: Enhanced Feats 1 (Improved Grapple) (1pp)
Draconian Endurance: Enhanced Feat 1 ( Diehard) (1pp)
Eyes of the Dragon: Enhanced Feat 1 (Uncanny Dodge (visual)) (1pp)
Draconian Endurance: Protection 4 (4pp)
Protean Limb: Shape Shift: 6 (Flaw: Left Arm Only) (24pp)
Eyes of the Dragon: Super Senses: 5 (Extended Vision 2(Flaw:Distracting), Infravision, Tracking (Infravision), Darkvision) (5pp)

Combat:
Attack +10
Damage +2 unarmed (right fist, kicks), +10 (Combat Arm)
Defense 22*/20 (Flat-footed: 17*/15) with Elbow and Shoulder Spurs
Initiative +4
Grapple: +12 (Attack - +10,Strength - +2,Size - +0)
+25 (Combat Arm) ( Attack +10, Strength +8, Super Strength +3, Elongation - +4)
+28 (Grappler Arm) ( Attack +10, Strength +8, Super Strength +6, Elongation - +4)

Saves: Toughness +8/+6* Fortitude +6 Reflex +8 Willpower +8
*Flat-Footed

Lifting: 175 lb./920 lbs (Explorer Arm)/7 Tons (Combat Arm)/29 Tons (Lifter and Grappler Arms)

Typical Shape Shift pools:
->Lifter Arm: (30pt pool)
Bulging Musculature: Enhanced Strength 12 (26 Total) (+8 for Left Arm) (12pp)
Bulging Musculature: Super Strength 6 (Effective Str: 56) (Heavy Load 29 tons) (12pp)
Hammerfist: PF: GroundStrike (DC: 18 vs Reflex Save) (1pp)
Elbow and Shoulder Spurs: Shield 2 (Defense 22) (2pp)
Mercurial Limb: Elongation 3 (25 feet) (3pp)

->Explorer Arm: (30pt pool)
Pole Vault Arm: Leaping 6 (x100 Distance) (1800ft Running Long Jump, 900ft Standing Long Jump, 450ft Standing High Jump) (6pp)
Whip Arm: PF:AP Speed 3 (50mph) (1pp)
Rope-Muscled Arm: Enhanced Strength 12 (26 Total) (+8 for Left Arm) (12pp)
Whip Arm: Supermovement 1 (Swinging) (2pp)
Telescoping Piston Arm: Supermovement 1 (Slow-Fall) (2pp)
Elbow and Shoulder Spurs: Shield 2 (Defense 22) (2pp)
Mercurial Limb: Elongation 3 (25 feet) (3pp)
Mercurial Fingers: Enhanced Feat 1 (Improvised Tools) (1pp)
Shovel Like Paw: Burrowing 1 (1pp)

->Combat Arm: (30pt pool)
Bulging Musculature: Enhanced Strength 12 (26 Total) (+8 for Left Arm) (12pp)
Claws and Knuckle Spurs: Strike 2 (Power Feat: Mighty) (+10 Damage) (3pp)
Elbow and Shoulder Spurs: Shield 2 (2pp) (Defense 22) (2pp)
Bulging Musculature: Super Strength 4 (8pp)
Hammerfist: Power Feat: Groundstrike, DC 18 Reflex Save) (1pp)
Mercurial Limb: Elongation 4 (50ft) (4pp)

->Grapple Arm (30pt pool)
Elbow and Shoulder Spurs: Shield 2 (Defense 22) (2pp)
Bulging Musculature: Enhanced Strength 12 (26 Total) (+8 for Left Arm) (12pp)
Bulging Musculature: Super Strength 6 (12pp)
Mercurial Limb: Elongation 4 (50ft) (4pp)

Whiplash Arm: (30pt pool)
Elbow and Shoulder Spurs: Shield 2 (Defense 22) (2pp)
Whip Arm: Speed 3 (50mph) (3pp)
Whiparound Claws: Strike 10 (Extras: Penetrating, Power Feat: Indirect) (21pp)
Mercurial Limb: Elongation 4 (50ft) (4pp)

Cost Summary:
Ability 38 + Skills 17 (68 Ranks) + Feats 7 + Powers 36 + Combat 40 + Saves 12 = 0 / 150

Size: Medium

Description:
Background:
Morgan Kowalski was a University of Illinois Archeological Student who had gone to Central America on an internship. There, while checking out a cave, Morgan sensed a cry of distress in his mind. Drawn by the dying telepathic transmission of a sentient dragon, Morgan saw the being finished off by two wounded non-sentient Hydrae. Morgan saw that the predators had killed the dragon and were going to destroy a nest of eggs, so he picked up his shovel and attacked the creatures. He crushed the true brain of one of the wounded Hydras, killing it instantly, but was not so lucky with the other. The shovel broke skulls, but the acidic blood of the creature destroyed Morgan's left arm and his eyes. Certain he was doomed and dying, Morgan wrapped his right arm around the remaining Hydra's last head and squeezed with all of his strength to suffocate the beast. He passed out, and awoke in a magnificent city. Morgan discovered that he had defended a nest bearing the offspring of an exploratory team of Dragons. Unable to move the eggs once they had been nested, they left behind a protector who had been overwhelmed by predators unleashed by a transdimensional race known as the Atlanteans. Morgan's eyes and arm had been restored by a transplant of one of the parent Dragons' protean flesh out of gratitude.

Morgan spent several months, learning the language of the Dragons, as well as their secret history among humans. The Dragons were the ultimate evolution of intelligence bearing dinosaurs who had been driven from their home dimension by the Atlanteans. Morgan's heroism reinforced the bond of brotherhood between Dragonkine and the Inheritors, their name for humanity. Returning to our dimension, Morgan became their emmisary, keeping watch on the Atlanteans, battling their attempts to claim the Earth as their own, as well as exploring and uncovering ancient secrets of the world, and defending the knowledge of the secret war from unscrupulous forces who would utilize artifacts and magic for their own selfish means.

An update of one of my earlier ideas, assisted by my conversion of the Engineer and Mayfair Games' classic old power "Omni-Arm." It also draws on my old concept of Dragonkind as a benevolent species who had been blacklisted by a pan-dimensional race of conquerors who I'm calling the Atlanteans for now.

DragonClaw is a relatively soft brick, with a maximum toughness of only +8, and none of it is Impervious, but he makes up for it with being slightly harder to hit, his arm naturally forming elbow and shoulder spurs which make him more difficult to strike in combat.
One of DragonClaw's favorite means of transportation is his "Pole Vault" arm. He can hurl himself nearly 2000 feet thanks to the powerful muscles of his Dragon arm. Those monumental leaps then are decelerated when he reaches forward, stretches his arm out to grab the ground, and uses the compression of the elongated limb to bleed off his momentum (Slow Fall). For more controlled movement, he can swing or simply launch himself on his stretching arm, reaching upwards of 50 miles per hour - essentially, he's still springing off his hand.

Thanks to the protean nature of his arm, he can boost his Grapple to +28 at its best (putting as much into Elongation, Super Strength and Enhanced Strength as necessary). Because he can stretch his hand to great lengths, he naturally gets the Improved Grapple Enhanced Feat at all times, allowing one-handed Grapples naturally. When he needs to pump everything into hurting an opponent, his Combat Arm has claw-like talons and hard knuckle spurs (Mighty Strike) and his Power Attack to put him in the same punching category as a Powerhouse or Paragon. To be TRULY nasty, another damage option is his Whiplash Arm, able to strike from directions around cover, with +10 Penetrating Damage against anyone within 50 feet of DragonClaw. The Whiplash Arm can form the basis for Area Attack Strikes as well (Cone and Radius can be truly fearsome).

I have had TONS of fun finally putting this character down on paper. No use of Mutagen except to figure lifting capability. Everything is pure calculator, with the assistance of the Protege template from Hero High.

Let me know if the "Left Arm Only" shape shift is me breaking the system.

[MorningKnight]

This was a lark challenge based on Thorpocalypse's quote for Professor X. Enjoy as a larf, or give it to your next kitty petting Mastermind at his desk.

Winky, Professor X's cat


You better pray I just mental blast you instead of unleashing Mr. Winky here on your candy @$$!!!
(thanks to Thorpocalypse for the quote)

Power Level: 10 (150 power points)

Abilities: STR 22(+6) DEX 19(+4) CON 22(+6) INT 7(-2) WIS 14(+2) CHA 13(+1)

Skills: Acrobatics 10 (+14), Climb 8 (+14), Intimidate 12 (+9), Notice 10 (+12), Search 12 (+10), Sense Motive 8 (+10), Stealth 4 (+16)
* - includes bonuses from Shrinking

Feats: Acrobatic Bluff, All-out Attack, Defensive Roll 2, Evasion, Fearless, Improved Initiative, Improved Trip, Rage, Sneak Attack, Startle, Uncanny Dodge

Powers:
Leaping 2 (x5) (80ft Running Long Jump, 40ft Standing Long Jump, 20ft Standing High Jump)
Mind Shield 2
Shrinking 8 (E:Normal Strength;F:Permanent;PF:Innate)
Strike 2 (E:Penetrating;PF:Mighty)
Super-Senses 6 (Danger Sense, Low-Light Vision, scent, tracking(scent), ultra-hearing)

Combat:
Attack +10*
Damage +8 Claws, +10 Sneak Attack/Raging
Defense 22* (Flat-footed: 22)
Initiative +8
Grapple: +6 (Attack - +8,Strength - +6,Size - -8)
* - includes bonuses from Shrinking

Saves: Toughness +8/+6^ Fortitude +10 Reflex +10 Willpower +11
^Flat-footed

Lifting: 520 lb.

* - includes bonuses from Shrinking

Cost Summary:
Ability 45 + Skills 16 (64 Ranks) + Feats 12 + Powers 24 + Combat 36 + Saves 17 = 150 / 150


"Chuck..."
"Charles, please, Logan."
"Whatever. Chuck, I noticed you started carrying a cat around on your shoulder after that whole Cassandra Nova thing. What's up with that?"
"It is my own private matter, please, Logan."
"Chuck... you do realize that he smells like a Skrull, right?"
Xavier raised a thin eyebrow on his smooth forehead. "No he does not..."
Logan blinked. "What were we talking about?"
"How completely unfair it is that Summers is married to Jean, but he's banging Emma on the side."
"Thanks fer remindin' me, Chuck. I owe him a couple hard smacks in the next Danger Room session..."
Logan walked away, feeling slightly confused.
Xavier chuckled, scratching Winky behind the ears. "To tell the truth, Winky, you were never as annoying as he is when you were impersonating him..."
"Mew..."

Allegedly Skrullverine died. But waste not, want not. A little reprogramming, and Charles has a kitty cat bodyguard who could give even Sabertooth fits.

I mixed the Savage Manbeast and the Cat templates from the main book. Be glad, I almost took a page from Golden Age Champions and statted him based on Mechanon (or the Evil Robot).

[MorningKnight]

The Thing




Power Level: 12 (180 power points)

#Abilities: STR 34(14)(+12(+2)) DEX 14(+2) CON 30(14)(+10(+2)) INT 14(+2) WIS 14(+2) CHA 22(+6)

Skills: Bluff 4 (+10), Craft (Aircraft Maintenance) 8 (+10), Diplomacy 4 (+10), Intimidate 8 (+14), Knowledge (Bluff) 2 (+4), Knowledge (Card Games) 4 (+6), Knowledge (Current Events) 4 (+6), Knowledge (Flying) 8 (+10), Knowledge (Popular Culture) 4 (+6), Medicine 2 (+4), Notice 4 (+6), Pilot 8 (+10), Profession (Pilot) 8 (+10), Search 4 (+6), Sense Motive 4 (+8 )

Feats: Attack Specialization (Unarmed) 3, Benefit (Idol o' Millions), Benefit (Impervious Toughness 2 Physical Only) 2, Benefit (Wealth), Chokehold, Connected, Diehard, Endurance 2, Equipment 5, Fearsome Presence 2, Improved Grab, Improved Grapple, Improved Overrun, Improved Pin, Improved Sunder, Improved Throw, Interpose, Power Attack, Set-Up, Skill Mastery (Craft,Knowledge,Pilot,Profession), Startle, Takedown Attack 2, Teamwork, Ultimate Effort (Save (Willpower)), Weapon Break

Powers:
Rocky Form: Density 6 (E:Duration (Sustained->Continuous);F:Permanent;PF:Innate;Protection 3 (E:Impervious);
Strength of a Mountain: Enhanced Ability (Constitution) 16
Strength of a Mountain: Enhanced Ability (Strength) 8
Tough Hide: Impervious Toughness 1
Can Take a Pounding: Impervious Toughness 4 (Flaw: Physical Only)
Monstrous Strength: Super-Strength 4 (PF:Groundstrike,Super-Breath,Thunderclap)


Combat:
Attack +6, +12 Unarmed
Damage +12 Unarmed (+2 as Ben Grimm), DC 22 Trip Check on Groundstrike, 120 ft Radius, DC 22 Trip Check for 120ft Cone on Super Breath, DC 22 on Reflex save for 60 foot radius on Thunderclap
Defense 16 (Flat-footed: 13)
Initiative +2
Grapple: +24 (Attack - +12,Strength - +12,Size - +0)

Saves: Toughness +13(+10) (+2 only as Ben Grimm) Fortitude +15 (+7 only as Ben Grimm) Reflex +5 Willpower +12
*8 Impervious vs. Physical, 4 Impervious vs. Energy

Lifting: 89 tons

# - includes bonuses from Density

Equipment (15 points):
Sky Cycle (12), Commlink (1), Fantastic Four Flare Gun (1)

Drawbacks:
Noticeable (Impervious Toughness: Rocky Skin)

Cost Summary:
Ability 32 + Skills 19 (76 Ranks) + Feats 33 + Powers 51+ Combat 28 + Saves 18 - Drawbacks -1 = 180 / 180

Sky Cycle is based off of Helicopter, but needing the strength to carry the Thing, it has the Strength and Speed of a Helicopter.

Based off of TSR's Fantastic Four compendium, Ben Grimm, the Thing, is frightening offensively as a hand-to-hand combatant. His rank of Incredible in Fighting is only one level less than Captain America or the Black Panther, so he truly is a PL12 Offensively, if much softer Defensively, a PL9.5. His defenses are further granulated in that he only enjoys a +4 Impervious protection against Energy attacks, and his +8 Impervious against Physical attacks means that he will have to make save checks against opponents of equivalent Strength.

Offensively, Ben has multiple offensive options, with three awesome area attacks that force Reflex Saves on opponents.

Ben is quite possibly one of the best pilots in the Marvel Universe, as such, he has high skills across the board as well as Skill Mastery. Otherwise, he is experienced and comes with quite a few other skills to make him useful for more than his pure muscle. Plus, he's one seriously skilled Poker player, which means he's going to have an excellent Bluff score. And while he might have a short fuse, Ben actually has friends across the globe, and can arrange all manner of favors, forcing a decent Diplomacy score, being able to call in help from government agencies, other superhero teams, even wrestling leagues.

That Will save of +12, plus Ultimate Will Save reflects that while Ben is not the strongest one of all, he can't be made to stop. He won't quit, and is very hard to intimidate or frighten.

It's easy for me to go overboard with Ben, since he's MY MAN at Marvel. 'Course, I'm willing to bet that if he was ever given a chance to pick up Mjolnir, he'd be worthy of it. He also might have an inside advantage, since Ben's last name of Grimm was a common "secret identity" of Odin's when he interacted with his worshippers. This might not have been confirmed anywhere, but hey, it gives me a grand idea for some What If?/alt universe builds.

Speaking of Alt Universe/What If? builds, I'm also itching for Rogue Thor from "What if Rogue Possessed the Power of Thor?"

[Mendicant]

Twilight, the Indestructable Man


"You might try to keep the world in the dark about your evil, but you can't escape MY sight!"

Power Level: 10 (150 power points)

Abilities: STR 16(+3) DEX 18(+4) CON 40(20)(+15( -- )) INT 16(+3) WIS 18(+4) CHA 18(+4)

Skills: Acrobatics 8 (+12), Bluff 8 (+12), Climb 7 (+10), Computers 5 (+8 ), Disable Device 8 (+11), Drive 6 (+10), Escape Artist 6 (+10), Gather Information 6 (+10), Intimidate 8 (+12), Investigate 8 (+11), Knowledge (Streetwise) 7 (+10), Notice 8 (+12), Search 9 (+12), Sense Motive 8 (+12), Sleight of Hand 8 (+12), Stealth 10 (+14)

Feats: Attack Focus (Melee) 6, Equipment 1, Jack-of-All-Trades, Power Attack, Skill Mastery (Acrobatics,Disable Device,Escape Artist,Stealth), Sneak Attack 2, Startle

Powers:
Solar-Charged Metabolism: Enhanced Ability (Constitution) 20
Steel hard skin: Impervious Toughness 10
Steel hard skin: Strike 3 (PF:Mighty)
Echolocation: Super-Senses 4 (Blindsight)

Combat:
Attack +6, +12 Melee
Damage +6 unarmed, +8 Sneak Attack
Defense 15 (Flat-footed: 12)
Initiative +4
Grapple: +9 (Attack - +6,Strength - +3,Size - +0)

Saves: Toughness +15 Fortitude +15 Reflex +5 Willpower +7

Lifting: 230 lb.

Equipment:
PDA (1pp) (Contains Earphone and Speech Recognition Software and Speaker for Interaction with Standard Computers)
Grapple Gun (Supermovement: Swinging) (2pp)
Cell Phone (1pp)
Multi-Tool (1pp)

Drawbacks:
Disability (Blind, but with Blindsight;Uncommon,Moderate)
Noticable (Echolocation to characters with Ultrahearing, Uncommon, Moderate)

Cost Summary:
Ability 46 + Skills 30 (120 Ranks) + Feats 13 + Powers 38 + Combat 22 + Saves 4 - Drawbacks -3 = 150 / 150

Size: Medium
Description:


Created With Mutagen! version 0.8.7a - beta

One of my high-school era creations is Gan Foster, aka Twilight, the Indestructable Man. A combination of a Daredevil style blind detective with a Kryptonian archetype. Gan came from an alien world which had been cloaked in darkness. As such, the beings on this world became very hardy. Luckily, volcanic activity on their world kept the temperature of the darkened planet in a survivable Earth-style environment, while at the same time reducing visibility to naught. To compensate, the humans of that world developed echolocation powers.

Gan was an alien private detective who had been abducted from his world by a collector seeking specimens. Gan managed to escape and elude the alien collector until the being came to Earth seeking superheroic specimens. Gan threw in his lot with the heroes who were to be abducted and his assistance helped to save the day.

In the environment where solar radiation was plentiful, Gan's alien metabolism gave him incredible endurance and resistance to harm. Unfortunately, his vestigal eyes are useless. His echolocation abilities are of great compensation, however. He utilizes reader-style software to give him the ability to interface with Earth computers.

While almost impossible to hurt, Twilight only has normal human strength, so he can be trapped, snared or otherwise restrained quite easily. His super-hard skin helps to increase his hitting power in combat, but generally, Twilight has to hit from surprise to get the most out of his combat.

Almost impossible to hurt, but definitely hurtable. Since many of the archetypes can get +11 or +12, Twilight's Impervious Toughness is going to be tested whenever he comes up against real heavy hitters, but he still will end up hard to put down.

I like this guy, he's a balanced brick with a lot of skills. Kind of an unusual take, we usually think of blind detectives as nimble and hard to hit; I think you've put the lie to that prejudice.

[MorningKnight]

Twilight, the Indestructable Man

I like this guy, he's a balanced brick with a lot of skills. Kind of an unusual take, we usually think of blind detectives as nimble and hard to hit; I think you've put the lie to that prejudice.

Thanks. I was just looking at the Powerhouse from the Core Book and was reminded of the glory of that +14 Toughness Save and thought, why the heck not bring back one of my favorite Invulnerables?

In Heroes Unlimited, he had the strength to match his pure Invulnerability, but I thought that indestructable AND super strong might be a little boring. I like working concepts that others don't play with.

[Thunderstrike]

The Thing




Power Level: 12 (180 power points)

#Abilities: STR 34(14)(+12(+2)) DEX 14(+2) CON 30(14)(+10(+2)) INT 14(+2) WIS 14(+2) CHA 22(+6)

Skills: Bluff 4 (+10), Craft (Aircraft Maintenance) 8 (+10), Diplomacy 4 (+10), Intimidate 8 (+14), Knowledge (Bluff) 2 (+4), Knowledge (Card Games) 4 (+6), Knowledge (Current Events) 4 (+6), Knowledge (Flying) 8 (+10), Knowledge (Popular Culture) 4 (+6), Medicine 2 (+4), Notice 4 (+6), Pilot 8 (+10), Profession (Pilot) 8 (+10), Search 4 (+6), Sense Motive 4 (+8 )

Feats: Attack Specialization (Unarmed) 2, Benefit (Idol o' Millions), Benefit (Wealth), Chokehold, Connected, Diehard, Endurance 2, Equipment 3, Fearsome Presence 4, Improved Block, Improved Disarm, Improved Grab, Improved Grapple, Improved Overrun, Improved Pin, Improved Sunder, Improved Throw, Interpose, Power Attack, Set-Up, Skill Mastery (Craft,Knowledge,Pilot,Profession), Startle, Takedown Attack 2, Teamwork, Ultimate Effort (Save (Willpower)), Weapon Break

Powers:
Rocky Form: Density 6 (F:Permanent;PF:Innate;Protection 3 (E:Impervious);Immovable 2;Super-Strength 2)
Strength of a Mountain: Enhanced Ability (Constitution) 16
Strength of a Mountain: Enhanced Ability (Strength) 8
Tough Hide: Impervious Toughness 1
Can Take a Pounding: Impervious Toughness 4 (Flaw: Physical Only)
Monstrous Strength: Super-Strength 4 (PF:Groundstrike,Super-Breath,Thunderclap)

Combat:
Attack +8, +12 Unarmed
Damage +12 Unarmed (+2 as Ben Grimm), DC 22 Trip Check on Groundstrike, 120 ft Radius, DC 22 Trip Check for 120ft Cone on Super Breath, DC 22 on Reflex save for 60 foot radius on Thunderclap
Defense 16 (Flat-footed: 13)
Initiative +2
Grapple: +24 (Attack - +12,Strength - +12,Size - +0)

Saves: Toughness +13(+10) (+2 only as Ben Grimm) Fortitude +15 (+7 only as Ben Grimm) Reflex +5 Willpower +12
*8 Impervious vs. Physical, 4 Impervious vs. Energy

Lifting: 89 tons

# - includes bonuses from Density

Equipment (15 points):
Sky Cycle (12), Commlink (1), Fantastic Four Flare Gun (1)

Drawbacks:
Noticeable (Density: Rocky Skin, Always On;Common,Minor)

Cost Summary:
Ability 32 + Skills 19 (76 Ranks) + Feats 34 + Powers 51+ Combat 28 + Saves 18 - Drawbacks -2 = 180 / 180

Sky Cycle is based off of Helicopter, but needing the strength to carry the Thing, it has the Strength and Speed of a Helicopter.

Based off of TSR's Fantastic Four compendium, Ben Grimm, the Thing, is frightening offensively as a hand-to-hand combatant. His rank of Incredible in Fighting is only one level less than Captain America or the Black Panther, so he truly is a PL12 Offensively, if much softer Defensively, a PL9.5. His defenses are further granulated in that he only enjoys a +4 Impervious protection against Energy attacks, and his +8 Impervious against Physical attacks means that he will have to make save checks against opponents of equivalent Strength.

Offensively, Ben has multiple offensive options, with three awesome area attacks that force Reflex Saves on opponents.

Ben is quite possibly one of the best pilots in the Marvel Universe, as such, he has high skills across the board as well as Skill Mastery. Otherwise, he is experienced and comes with quite a few other skills to make him useful for more than his pure muscle. Plus, he's one seriously skilled Poker player, which means he's going to have an excellent Bluff score. And while he might have a short fuse, Ben actually has friends across the globe, and can arrange all manner of favors, forcing a decent Diplomacy score, being able to call in help from government agencies, other superhero teams, even wrestling leagues.

That Will save of +12, plus Ultimate Will Save reflects that while Ben is not the strongest one of all, he can't be made to stop. He won't quit, and is very hard to intimidate or frighten.

It's easy for me to go overboard with Ben, since he's MY MAN at Marvel. 'Course, I'm willing to bet that if he was ever given a chance to pick up Mjolnir, he'd be worthy of it. He also might have an inside advantage, since Ben's last name of Grimm was a common "secret identity" of Thor's when he interacted with his worshippers. This might not have been confirmed anywhere, but hey, it gives me a grand idea for some What If?/alt universe builds.

Speaking of Alt Universe/What If? builds, I'm also itching for Rogue Thor from "What if Rogue Possessed the Power of Thor?"

You forgot to put the extra on the Growth power to make the duration continuous before you can make it permenant and innate.

I also pictured Thing a littel stronger too. His effective strength with Super-Strength is 54. (Heavy Load: under 24 tons). I personally would like to see him at about 100 tons. (Effective Strength: 65) It fits more to the character. (I remember him having Unearthly Strength back in the FASERIP game in the 80's)

Also, you can't take the drawback on the Density. On pg 42 of the Ulimate Powers book, it states that Density is not Subtle by default; The character is assumed to take on some other form or outward manifestation of increased density (bulking up or transforming to a dense material like stone, for example).

Other than that, a nice looking Thing! [/b]

[Mendicant]

Thunderstrike's continuous/permanent critiques are dead on.

I also pictured Thing a littel stronger too. His effective strength with Super-Strength is 54. (Heavy Load: under 24 tons). I personally would like to see him at about 100 tons. (Effective Strength: 65) It fits more to the character. (I remember him having Unearthly Strength back in the FASERIP game in the 80's)

As I recall his strength was monstrous in the old game, giving a carrying capacity of ~ 75 tons. In the deluxe marvel universe (late 80's-early 90's?) he was listed ~85 tons, however, they also pointed out in that addition that he had consistently been growing stronger, and had started out ~10 tons. Seems power creep is not just a problem in M&M

[JackGiantkiller]

The Thing

It's easy for me to go overboard with Ben, since he's MY MAN at Marvel. 'Course, I'm willing to bet that if he was ever given a chance to pick up Mjolnir, he'd be worthy of it. He also might have an inside advantage, since Ben's last name of Grimm was a common "secret identity" of Thor's when he interacted with his worshippers. This might not have been confirmed anywhere, but hey, it gives me a grand idea for some What If?/alt universe builds.

I feel compelled to correct this, as an avid student of mythology:

Thor didn't use secret ids. The mythical Thor wasn't that bright. The person who went by the name Grim (or Harbard, or many other names) was Odin. On the other hand, I agree Ben would be worthy of the hammer.

[JackGiantkiller]

You forgot to put the extra on the Growth power to make the duration continuous before you can make it permenant and innate.

I also pictured Thing a littel stronger too. His effective strength with Super-Strength is 54. (Heavy Load: under 24 tons). I personally would like to see him at about 100 tons. (Effective Strength: 65) It fits more to the character. (I remember him having Unearthly Strength back in the FASERIP game in the 80's)

Also, you can't take the drawback on the Density. On pg 42 of the Ulimate Powers book, it states that Density is not Subtle by default; The character is assumed to take on some other form or outward manifestation of increased density (bulking up or transforming to a dense material like stone, for example).

Other than that, a nice looking Thing! [/b]

His effective Strength *is* 64, almost 65, thus just a little less than 100 ton heavy load. You must have missed the Super Strength from Density.

Also, just change the Noticeable to Impervious Protection, and you are all good. And please note that heavy load is what you can lift over your head without straining. Max load is higher. And extra effort doubles your lift.

[Thunderstrike]

You forgot to put the extra on the Growth power to make the duration continuous before you can make it permenant and innate.

I also pictured Thing a littel stronger too. His effective strength with Super-Strength is 54. (Heavy Load: under 24 tons). I personally would like to see him at about 100 tons. (Effective Strength: 65) It fits more to the character. (I remember him having Unearthly Strength back in the FASERIP game in the 80's)

Also, you can't take the drawback on the Density. On pg 42 of the Ulimate Powers book, it states that Density is not Subtle by default; The character is assumed to take on some other form or outward manifestation of increased density (bulking up or transforming to a dense material like stone, for example).

Other than that, a nice looking Thing! [/b]

His effective Strength *is* 64, almost 65, thus just a little less than 100 ton heavy load. You must have missed the Super Strength from Density.

Also, just change the Noticeable to Impervious Protection, and you are all good. And please note that heavy load is what you can lift over your head without straining. Max load is higher. And extra effort doubles your lift.

I did miss the 2 ranks of SS in the density array. (Normally they are grouped together in most builds)

Noticeable was a -2pp Drawback. How is he to change that to Impervious Protection? Just up the cost to 182pp or trim a few points from skills and abilities.

[JackGiantkiller]

You forgot to put the extra on the Growth power to make the duration continuous before you can make it permenant and innate.

I also pictured Thing a littel stronger too. His effective strength with Super-Strength is 54. (Heavy Load: under 24 tons). I personally would like to see him at about 100 tons. (Effective Strength: 65) It fits more to the character. (I remember him having Unearthly Strength back in the FASERIP game in the 80's)

Also, you can't take the drawback on the Density. On pg 42 of the Ulimate Powers book, it states that Density is not Subtle by default; The character is assumed to take on some other form or outward manifestation of increased density (bulking up or transforming to a dense material like stone, for example).

Other than that, a nice looking Thing! [/b]

His effective Strength *is* 64, almost 65, thus just a little less than 100 ton heavy load. You must have missed the Super Strength from Density.

Also, just change the Noticeable to Impervious Protection, and you are all good. And please note that heavy load is what you can lift over your head without straining. Max load is higher. And extra effort doubles your lift.

I did miss the 2 ranks of SS in the density array. (Normally they are grouped together in most builds)

Noticeable was a -2pp Drawback. How is he to change that to Impervious Protection? Just up the cost to 182pp or trim a few points from skills and abilities.

Make the Impervious Toughness and Protection the things that are noticeable instead of the Density. The fact that he's made of rock does cue people in that he's hard to hurt, after all.

Normal Density is not subtle, yes...but as a *permanent* effect it may well be. Most Permanent effects are. Also note that he may not be using UP. Also, Density always adds Super Strength.

You are correct about the Duration needing to be bought up before Permanent is applied, of course. A lot of people miss that. Do the points spent reflect not buying Continuous? Or did he just leave it out, as shorthand.

[MorningKnight]

Uh, it is Permanent and Continuous...

Rocky Form: Density 6 (F:Permanent;PF:Innate;Protection 3 (E:Impervious);Immovable 2;Super-Strength 2)

Oh wait... *face keyboard*

My bad.

It's gonna take some real effort to trim his skills. This is a guy who managed to be diplomatic and friendly with a Moloid when Terminus ganked thousands of them up in the Heroes Return story era.

As for Grimm/Thor...
Yup... you're right. My apologies. Though I'm certain that the old red-headed, bearded Thor loved that his hammer's handle was broken halfway through, so that it would be easier to hide under his cloak.

And yes, the Noticable was supposed to be charged to his Impervious Toughness as a drawback to that power. The rocky skin is his toughness, and the Density is apparent because the man has arms and legs thick as 18-wheeler tires.

I need to throw in Continuous, but I am positive that the cost had included the Continuous in the first place.

[MorningKnight]

Thanks to the gang for spotting my last of Continuous on Ben's Density. This board rocks... as does my big orange droog, Ben.

The Thing




Power Level: 12 (180 power points)

#Abilities: STR 34(14)(+12(+2)) DEX 14(+2) CON 30(14)(+10(+2)) INT 14(+2) WIS 14(+2) CHA 22(+6)

Skills: Bluff 4 (+10), Craft (Aircraft Maintenance) 8 (+10), Diplomacy 4 (+10), Intimidate 8 (+14), Knowledge (Bluff) 2 (+4), Knowledge (Card Games) 4 (+6), Knowledge (Current Events) 4 (+6), Knowledge (Flying) 8 (+10), Knowledge (Popular Culture) 4 (+6), Medicine 2 (+4), Notice 4 (+6), Pilot 8 (+10), Profession (Pilot) 8 (+10), Search 4 (+6), Sense Motive 4 (+8 )

Feats: Attack Specialization (Unarmed) 3, Benefit (Idol o' Millions), Benefit (Impervious Toughness 2 Physical Only) 2, Benefit (Wealth), Chokehold, Connected, Diehard, Endurance 2, Equipment 5, Fearsome Presence 2, Improved Grab, Improved Grapple, Improved Overrun, Improved Pin, Improved Sunder, Improved Throw, Interpose, Power Attack, Set-Up, Skill Mastery (Craft,Knowledge,Pilot,Profession), Startle, Takedown Attack 2, Teamwork, Ultimate Effort (Save (Willpower)), Weapon Break

Powers:
Rocky Form: Density 6 (E:Duration (Sustained->Continuous);F:Permanent;PF:Innate;Protection 3 (E:Impervious);
Strength of a Mountain: Enhanced Ability (Constitution) 16
Strength of a Mountain: Enhanced Ability (Strength) 8
Tough Hide: Impervious Toughness 1
Can Take a Pounding: Impervious Toughness 4 (Flaw: Physical Only)
Monstrous Strength: Super-Strength 4 (PF:Groundstrike,Super-Breath,Thunderclap)


Combat:
Attack +6, +12 Unarmed
Damage +12 Unarmed (+2 as Ben Grimm), DC 22 Trip Check on Groundstrike, 120 ft Radius, DC 22 Trip Check for 120ft Cone on Super Breath, DC 22 on Reflex save for 60 foot radius on Thunderclap
Defense 16 (Flat-footed: 13)
Initiative +2
Grapple: +24 (Attack - +12,Strength - +12,Size - +0)

Saves: Toughness +13(+10) (+2 only as Ben Grimm) Fortitude +15 (+7 only as Ben Grimm) Reflex +5 Willpower +12
*8 Impervious vs. Physical, 4 Impervious vs. Energy

Lifting: 89 tons

# - includes bonuses from Density

Equipment (15 points):
Sky Cycle (12), Commlink (1), Fantastic Four Flare Gun (1)

Drawbacks:
Noticeable (Impervious Toughness: Rocky Skin)

Cost Summary:
Ability 32 + Skills 19 (76 Ranks) + Feats 33 + Powers 51+ Combat 28 + Saves 18 - Drawbacks -1 = 180 / 180

Sky Cycle is based off of Helicopter, but needing the strength to carry the Thing, it has the Strength and Speed of a Helicopter.

Based off of TSR's Fantastic Four compendium, Ben Grimm, the Thing, is frightening offensively as a hand-to-hand combatant. His rank of Incredible in Fighting is only one level less than Captain America or the Black Panther, so he truly is a PL12 Offensively, if much softer Defensively, a PL9.5. His defenses are further granulated in that he only enjoys a +4 Impervious protection against Energy attacks, and his +8 Impervious against Physical attacks means that he will have to make save checks against opponents of equivalent Strength.

Offensively, Ben has multiple offensive options, with three awesome area attacks that force Reflex Saves on opponents.

Ben is quite possibly one of the best pilots in the Marvel Universe, as such, he has high skills across the board as well as Skill Mastery. Otherwise, he is experienced and comes with quite a few other skills to make him useful for more than his pure muscle. Plus, he's one seriously skilled Poker player, which means he's going to have an excellent Bluff score. And while he might have a short fuse, Ben actually has friends across the globe, and can arrange all manner of favors, forcing a decent Diplomacy score, being able to call in help from government agencies, other superhero teams, even wrestling leagues.

That Will save of +12, plus Ultimate Will Save reflects that while Ben is not the strongest one of all, he can't be made to stop. He won't quit, and is very hard to intimidate or frighten.

It's easy for me to go overboard with Ben, since he's MY MAN at Marvel. 'Course, I'm willing to bet that if he was ever given a chance to pick up Mjolnir, he'd be worthy of it. He also might have an inside advantage, since Ben's last name of Grimm was a common "secret identity" of Odin's when he interacted with his worshippers. This might not have been confirmed anywhere, but hey, it gives me a grand idea for some What If?/alt universe builds.

Speaking of Alt Universe/What If? builds, I'm also itching for Rogue Thor from "What if Rogue Possessed the Power of Thor?"

[MorningKnight]

Morning Knight



Power Level: 10 (150 power points)

Abilities: STR 12(+1) DEX 12(+1) CON 14(+2) INT 12(+1) WIS 12(+1) CHA 12(+1)

Skills: Bluff 8 (+9), Knowledge (Current Events) 4 (+5), Knowledge (Physical Sciences) 4 (+5), Notice 8 (+9), Sense Motive 8 (+9)

Feats: Assessment, Beginner's Luck, Dodge Focus 5, Improved Grapple, Improved Initiative, Interpose, Luck, Move By Action, Teamwork

Powers:
Alternate Form: Laser-Projection Cyberarmor 11
Photonic Generation Array:
Base Power: Light Control 11
Photonic Lance: PF:AP-Blast 11 (E:Targeted Area - Line (5' Wide x 275' Long),Penetrating;F:Distracting,Range (Ranged->Touch))
Laser Dazzle: AP-Stun (Ranged) 7
Photonic Burst: AP-Dazzle (Visual) 11 (E:Area - Burst (55' Radius);F:Range (Ranged->Touch))
Solar-Charged Fists: AP-Strike 10 (E:Penetrating;PF:Mighty)
Solar Charged Musculature: AP-Super-Strength 11 (Heavy Load 133 Tons)

Photonic Self Propulsion: Flight 6 (500 miles)
Morning Knight Armor: Protection 8 (E:Impervious)


Interior Nanite Latticework: Communication (Radio) 4 (1 mile)
Interior Nanite Latticework: Super-Senses 11 (Blindsight,Extended (Blindsight (radar)),Extended (Normal sight),Radio,Radius (Blindsight (radar)),Ultravision)

Combat:
Attack +9
Damage +1 unarmed, +11 Laser Fists and Laser Bolt (Penetrating)
Defense 21 (Flat-footed: 13)
Initiative +5
Grapple: +10/+21 with Solar Charged Musculature (Attack - +9,Strength - +1,Size - +0/+11 Super-Strength)

Saves: Toughness +9(+2) Fortitude +7 Reflex +7 Willpower +7

Lifting: 130 lb./133 Tons with Super-Strength

Drawbacks:
Noticeable: Super-Strength (Glows Brightly When Using Super Strength or Strike), -1pp
Noticeable: Protection (Metallic Body Armor Around Body) -1pp

Cost Summary:
Ability 14 + Skills 8 (32 Ranks) + Feats 13 + Powers 70 + Combat 30 + Saves 17 - Drawbacks 2 = 150 / 150

Morning Knight is a halfway Paragon, sort of my take on Apollo complete with light powers and utilizing stores of luminal energy to increase his lifting and hitting power.

He's not quite as tough as a Paragon, or Powerhouse, nor does he pump out ranged damage like an Energy Controller or a Mystic, but he is versatile in his combat options.

Right now, Morning Knight only has two combat settings - the three hundred foot "roast everything" ray, which he is loathe to use without knowledge of his backstop, and the Thermal Neural Impact stun beam which can wear down someone. As such, he's much more likely to use his Dazzle attack or hand to hand until he can get some room to pull out that Photonic Lance.

A bit of storytelling from his partner and girlfriend, the telepathic ex-superspy Celtic Rose.

The Legend of the Knight, as related by Celtic Rose.
He's not quite what you'd expect from a flying brick, being under six feet and under 200 pounds, despite the enormous power in his photon-charged limbs. Still, the Morning Knight is a formidable force spearing through the night skies. He was much brighter, flamboyant even, when he was known as the Seraph, a bright, shining beacon of power and light that tore through the darkness and struck down the predators who hid in the shadows.

Then, the armor that Seraph summoned was gleaming white with a wing-like cape and a halo that burned around him which only further emphasized with exclamation points that this was an earthbound angel, come to the city as its indefatigable guardian.

But that was before the day of the Robot Devil, Satan Blue. It hadn't been the first demon-themed foe that the Angelic Avenger had ever battled. Far from it, as a name like Seraph brought the kooks out of the woodwork as if on cue, sort of like that buggy chap in New York City with all of his animal themed opponents.

Satan Blue was different. This wasn't some nut job or an extradimensional megalomaniac looking for an easy, name-brand feud with an "appropriate" arc enemy. Satan Blue was all business, a soldier's disembodied brain cased in tons of blue steel, nursing a true grudge against Seraph's earlier form - "Powerboy." This was a professional warrior who had been bested by a teenaged champion back when he was flesh and cold blood.

Satan Blue came to murder and destroy, slaying thousands before the Seraph could stop him cold in a battle that resulted in the center of the city being levelled for several blocks.

In the rampage of the Robot Devil, Seraph had lost two of the most important people in his life. His then blushing bride, the woman he'd fallen in love with over years of hardship through their teens, and the unborn child that rested in her womb. I can't tell you her name, but the boy was going to be named Joseph. Naming a person who had never existed is easy, it doesn't betray my dearest friend's secret. Satan Blue had killed an angel by destroying his heart and soul. Even when he returned as Morningstar, he was clad mostly in black and accented with blood red gauntlets signifying the blood on his hand and dark burnished bronze highlights and a war mask, like an ancent spartan warrior. The young man had returned as a dark and serious fighter, not a bright and noble protector.

Then Lucifer came from a mirror world. Lucifer was our angel-themed hero, taken steps further after the death of his love. Where the Seraph here fell into quiet and retirement, the other universe's angel truly embraced the fallen angel aspect. He conquered his planet in a campaign which would give him a world where he would never suffer again. Except, he didn't feel like resting, the quiet of absolute power didn't silence Lucifer's guilt, and he struck at our reality with a transdimensional army of conquest. Our knight saw his anger mirrored in the dark, flaming monster who sought total destruction. But the fallen bride, and the rest of us, his loving friends and partners, bolstered his will.

Morning Knight struck back. The fallen angel of our world had been forged into a gold and black warrior, tempered by a glance at the darkness that was brewing in his soul.

Our friend and hero returned. He still associated himself with the Morning, the rise of a new hope after a long darkness, but he distanced himself from the devil he'd seen himself become. He is Morning Knight now, and he still shines. However, this glow doesn't come from the arrogance of believing himself an angel.

[Thorpacolypse]

I like your Grimm build a lot and your autobiographical build is good, too. Keep up the good work.