Datafile Inspiration - MU1 (TSR)

[MidnightBlue]

Datafile Inspirations: TSR Marvel Superheroes –
MU1 Gamer’s Handbook of the Marvel Universe Volume I
(Abomination thru Dreadnaught)


Note: I can see where there might be a LOT of call for feedback and discussion regarding these datafiles, if you can, please create a “Discussion” thread and avoid cluttering this datafile resource. It will make it easier for everyone to read and reference. Thank you.


As many of us have posted, TSR Marvel Superheroes was my first exposure to superhero roleplaying. I absolutely loved this game and got a LOT of mileage out of all of my books. But my favorite sourcebooks were the Gamer’s Handbooks and Updates. I have all of them to this day.

I’ve seen a lot of call for more villain (and hero) datafiles and I thought what better place to grab some of these than from this library of character knowledge that I already own.

So…this is the project that I’ve given myself…to take every one of these Gamer’s Handbooks and Updates and turn those character sheets into datafiles.

A couple of things to keep in mind as you read through this:

1. No two people will ever look at the same characters the same way. MHR gives us a LOT of ways to accomplish similar goals. This is just one person’s take on a datafile conversion. Feel free to modify these to your own tastes or create your own “whole cloth.”

2. I’m not an expert on every character in the Marvel Universe. I’m using these handbooks as my source of inspiration, though I may ignore aspects if I know they didn’t last all that long. I’ll probably miss something along the way.

3. I don’t feel the need to reinvent the wheel. As I go along creating these datafiles, if an official version of the character comes out, then I will probably skip that character.

4. I’m going to present most of these characters (hero or villain) using the Major Villain format. It shouldn’t be too hard, using the suggestions in the book, to step back these datafiles to Minor Villains or to step them up to full-on Heroes. I also agonized over making these datafiles with Watchers or Players in mind. I decided on Watchers, so all of these datafiles will consistently use the doom pool as a resource instead of PP. It shouldn’t be hard to convert.

5. These handbooks came out from the 80’s to the very early 90’s. If some of these don’t look right to you, then that could be one reason why. For example, we’ve got a post running about Captain Britain and it has been pretty well acknowledged that he is a major powerhouse currently. Yet my experience with him comes from this very book that I’m converting. In MU1, Captain Britain has Incredible Strength which puts him on par with Spider-Man…and his force field is also of Incredible Intensity, nowhere NEAR the power of Invisible Woman’s force field. Things change, but I’m using a particular reference book for these datafiles. As always, feel free to adapt for the times or your vision.

6. I’m not going to try to quote large blocks of text or paraphrase my own history write-ups. Wherever possible, I’m just going to link the datafile post to a Marvel or wiki database for the character.

7. This is a work in progress and will take a LOT of time as my work and home (and gaming) schedules allow. It is my goal to at least convert all eight of the MU books in order. While I’ve seen some AMAZINGLY pretty datafile creations on these boards, I’m going to save time by just typing it up and posting it to the boards. Sorry, graphics aren’t my thing. I hope those of you that will be making use of these characters will appreciate expediency over asthetics.

8. I reserve the right to edit these to my heart’s content as I agonize over them again and again and again…

Enough with the rules and qualifiers…on to the datafiles. Enjoy!

[MidnightBlue]

ABOMINATION

Real Name: Emil Blonsky (Secret)


AFFILIATIONS:
Solo D10
Buddy D8
Team D6


DISTINCTIONS:
Monstrous Appearance But Smarter Than The Hulk
Former Spy
Galactic Gallivanter


POWER SET – GAMMA RADIATED BODY
Godlike Strength – D12
Godlike Durability D12
Superhuman Stamina – D10
Leaping (Enhanced Speed) – D8

SFX – Gamma Fueled Rage [Versatile] – Spend D6 from the doom pool to double Godlike Strength for one action.

SFX – Scaly Skin [Invulnerable] – Spend D6 from the doom pool to ignore physical stress or trauma unless caused by psychic attacks.

SFX – Pathetic Mob [Area Attack] – Target multiple close targets with Godlike Strength. For every additional target, add D6 and keep +1 effect die.

Limit – Susceptible to Mind Control – Step up or add D6 to the doom pool and step up mental and emotional stress or complications caused by psychic powers.


SPECIALTIES:
Cosmic Expert D8
Covert Expert D8
Menace Expert D8


Marvel Wiki entry (not tied to this datafile):
http://marvel.com/universe/Abomination

[MidnightBlue]

ABSORBING MAN

Real Name: Carl “Crusher” Creel (Public)


AFFILIATIONS:
Solo D10
Buddy D6
Team D8


DISTINCTIONS:
Professional Criminal
Lacking Subtlety
Possessing Godlike Power But A Minions’ Brains


POWER SET– MATERIAL/POWER ABSORPTION
Mimic – D12 (Can Mimic appropriate Scene Distinctions and Power Sets, but not SFX.)
Reform Body [Godlike Stamina] – D12

SFX – Absorb the Attack [Absorption] – On a successful reaction against an action that would have inflicted physical stress, physical trauma or physical complications, convert your opponent’s effect die into a Material/Power Absorption stunt or double a Material/Power Absorption mimicked power trait +1 for the next action. Spend D6 from the doom pool to use this stunt if your opponent’s action succeeded.

SFX – Reform My Body [Invulnerable] – Spend D6 from the doom pool to ignore physical stress or trauma unless caused by psychic attacks.

SFX – Absorb Shape [Dangerous] – Add D6 to your dice pool for an attack action and step back the highest die in the pool by -1. Step up physical stress inflicted +1.

Limit – Poor Absorption Choice – Step up or add D6 to the doom pool three times and physically stress out Absorbing Man. Spend D12 from the doom pool or succeed in a recovery action to recover.


POWER SET – PRISONER’S BALL & CHAIN
Weapon – D6

SFX – Transformed Material [Dangerous] – Add D6 to your dice pool for an attack action and step back the highest die in the pool by -1. Step up physical stress inflicted +1.

SFX – Ball & Chain Sweep [Area Attack] – Target multiple close targets with Weapon. For every additional target, add D6 and keep +1 effect die.

Limit – Disarmed [Gear] – Shutdown Prisoner’s Ball & Chain and step up or add D6 to the doom pool. Spend D6 from the doom pool to recover.


SPECIALTIES:
Combat Expert D8
Crime Expert D8
Menace Expert D8

Marvel Wiki entry:
http://marvel.com/universe/Absorbing_Man

[MidnightBlue]

AGUILA

Real Name: Alejandro Montoya (Secret)


AFFILIATIONS:
Solo: D10
Buddy: D8
Team: D6


DISTINCTIONS:
Wealthy Swashbuckler
Defender of the Poor…Outside of the Law
Flamboyant Ladies Man


POWER SET – ELECTRIC SHOCK
Electricity Attack – D10 (Close or Ranged)

SFX – Taser Effect (Afflict) – Add a D6 to the dice pool and step up your effect die +1 when inflicting a Paralyzing complication.

Limit: Mutant – Add D6 to the doom pool when affected by mutant-specific tech or milestones.

Limit: Exhausted – Shutdown any Electric Shock power to step up or add D6 to the doom pool. Recover power by activating an opportunity.

Limit: Required Focus – If Double-Edged Steel Sword is shutdown, shutdown Electric Shock and step up or add D6 to the doom pool. Recover when Double-Edged Steel Sword is recovered or when an Asset is created to use as a replacement power focus.


POWER SET – DOUBLE-EDGED STEEL SWORD
Weapon – D6

SFX – Edged Attack [Dangerous] - Add D6 to your dice pool for an attack action and step back the highest die in the pool by -1. Step up physical stress inflicted +1.

Limit: Disarmed [Gear] - Shutdown Double-Edged Steel Sword and step up or add D6 to the doom pool. Spend D6 from the doom pool to recover.


SPECIALTIES:
Acrobatics Expert – D8
Psych Expert – D8
Sword Master – D10


Marvel Wiki entry:
http://marvel.com/universe/Aguila_(Alejandro_Montoya)

[MidnightBlue]

AIR-WALKER

Real Name: Gabriel Lan (Public – not commonly known on Earth)


AFFILIATIONS:
Solo – D8
Buddy – D6
Team – D10


DISTINCTIONS:
Herald of Galactus
Nova Corpsman
Galactic Explorer and Diplomat


POWER SET – POWER COSMIC:
Superhuman Strength – D10
Godlike Stamina – D12
Superhuman Reflexes – D10
Crimson and Gold Wings (Space Flight) – D12
Superhuman Durability – D10
Cosmic Blast – D12 (Select type when used in an action – force, heat, magnetism or electricity.)

SFX – Herald of Galactus [Multipower] – Use two or more Power Cosmic powers in a single dice pool at -1 step for each additional power.

SFX – [Immunity] – Spend D6 from the doom pool to ignore stress, trauma or complications from heat or cold based attacks.

SFX – [Boost] – Shutdown highest rated Power Cosmic power to step up Superhuman Strength, Superhuman Reflexes or Superhuman Durability +1. Recover power by activating an opportunity or during a transition scene.

Limit: Galactus Hungers [Exhausted] – Shutdown any Power Cosmic power and step up or add D6 to the doom pool. Recover power by activating an opportunity or during a transition scene.


POWER SET – HORN OF GALACTUS:
Summon the Devourer of Worlds – D12

Limit: [Gear] - Shutdown Horn of Galactus and step up or add D6 to the doom pool. Spend D6 from the doom pool to recover.

Limit: My Master Comes [Growing Dread] – Both 1 and 2 on your dice count as opportunities when using Horn of Galactus powers.


SPECIALTIES:
Combat Master – D10
Cosmic Master – D10
Psych Expert – D8
Vehicle Master – D10


Marvel Wiki entry:
http://marvel.com/universe/Air-Walker

[MidnightBlue]

ALPHA PRIMATIVES - (Specialty Character)

Real Name: NA

AFFILIATIONS:
Solo – D4
Buddy – D6
Team – D8


POWER TRAITS – (Cloned Slaves of the Inhumans)
Enhanced Stamina – D8
Enhanced Strength – D8


SPECIALTIES:
Physical Laborer Expert – D8

[MidnightBlue]

AMERICAN EAGLE

Real Name: Jason Strongbow (Secret)


AFFILIATIONS:
Solo – D10
Buddy – D6
Team – D8


DISTINCTIONS:
Navaho Tribal Leader
Peaceful Protester
Believer in Omens


POWER SET: SONIC ATTACK-VIBRANIUM ACCIDENT
Superhuman Strength – D10
Running [Speed] – D6
Enhanced Reflexes – D8
Superhuman Senses – D10
Superhuman Stamina – D10

Limit: Native American [Mutant] – Step up or add D6 to the doom pool when affected by a Native American specific milestone or attack.


POWER SET: CROSSBOW
Weapon – D6
Swingline – D6

Limit: Disarmed [Gear] - Shutdown Crossbow and step up or add D6 to the doom pool. Spend D6 from the doom pool to recover.


SPECIALTIES:
Combat Expert – D8
Navaho Indian Expert – D8
Psych Expert – D8


Marvel Wiki entry:
http://marvel.com/universe/American_Eagle_(Jason_Strongbow)

[MidnightBlue]

ANCIENT ONE

Real Name: Unknown


AFFILIATIONS:
Solo – D8
Buddy – D10
Team – D6
[Note: Uses Buddy when calling on Universal or Dimensional forces to cast spells.]


DISTINCTIONS:
First Sorcerer Supreme of the Earth Dimension
Body and Wisdom of 500 Years
Mentor of Mages


POWER SET – MASTER OF MYSTIC ARTS
Sorcery – D12
Mesmerism [Mind Control] – D10
Eldritch Beams/Bolts [Attack/Blasts] – D10 (Choose force or energy when making an attack.)

SFX – Split Concentration [Versatile] – Split Sorcery into 2d at -1 step or 3d at -2 steps.

SFX – Spell of Silence [Afflict] – Add a D6 and step up your effect die +1 when inflicting a complication that prevents the target from speaking of certain matters or subjects.

SFX – Resist Domination [Immunity] - Spend D6 from the doom pool to ignore mental stress, trauma or complications.

Limit: Concentration [Conscious Activation] – If stressed out, asleep or unconscious, shutdown Master of Mystic Arts. Recover Master of Mystic Arts when you recover stress or when you awake. If mental trauma is taken, shutdown Master of Mystic Arts until trauma is recovered.

Limit: Astral Form [Mutually Exclusive] – Shutdown Master of Mystic Arts to activate Astral Form. Shutdown Astral Form to recover Master of Mystic Arts.


POWER SET – ASTRAL FORM
Teleportation – D12
Intangibility – D12

SFX – [Immunity] – Spend D6 from the doom pool to ignore physical stress, trauma or complications.

Limit: Physical Form [Mutually Exclusive] – Shutdown Astral Form to activate Master of Mystic Arts. Shutdown Master of Mystic Arts to recover Astral Form.


SPECIALTIES:
Combat Expert – D8
Mystic Master – D10
Psych Master – D10


Marvel Wiki entry:
http://marvel.com/universe/Ancient_One

[MidnightBlue]

ANDROMEDA

Real Name: Andromeda


AFFILIATIONS:
Solo – D10
Buddy – D6
Team – D8


DISTINCTIONS:
Secretive Atlantean
Proud Warrior
Member of the Defenders


POWER SET – ATLANTEAN HERITAGE
Superhuman Strength – D10
Enhanced Stamina – D8
Enhanced Reflexes – D8
Swimming – D6

Limit: Atlantean [Mutant] – Step up or add D6 to the doom pool when affected by Atlantean-specific milestones or tech.

Limit: Surface Dwelling Serum [Exhausted] – Shutdown any Atlantean Heritage power to step up or add D6 to the doom pool. Recover power by activating an opportunity or during a transition scene.


POWER SET – ATLANTEAN TRIDENT & ATLANTEAN WARSHIP
Trident [Weapon] – D6
Swimming – D8
Flight – D10
Atlantean Laser Cannons – D10
Armored Hull [Enhanced Durability] – D8

Limit: Disarmed [Gear] - Shutdown Trident and step up or add D6 to the doom pool. Spend D6 from the doom pool to recover.

Limit: Stolen/Out of Range [Gear] - Shutdown all Atlantean Trident & Atlantean Heritage powers except Trident and step up or add D6 to the doom pool. Spend D6 from the doom pool to recover.

SPECIALTIES:
Combat Expert – D8
Atlantean Expert – D8

[MidnightBlue]

ANGAR THE SCREAMER

Real Name: David Allan Angar (Public)


AFFILIATIONS:
Solo – D10
Buddy – D8
Team – D6


DISTINCTIONS:
Radical Activist
Man of the 60’s
Criminal for Hire


POWER SET – HALLUCINATORY SCREAM
Horrifying Nightmares [Attack/Blast] – D10 (Emotional attack)

SFX – Loud Scream [Area Attack] – Add a D6 and keep an additional effect die for every additional target.

SFX – Never There [Afflict] - Add a D6 and step up your effect die +1 when inflicting a complication that prevents the target from remembering you were in the scene.

Limit: Appeal to Youthful Idealism [Conscious Activation] – If stressed out, asleep or unconscious, shutdown Hallucinatory Scream. Recover Hallucinatory Scream when you recover stress or when you awake. If emotional trauma is taken, shutdown Hallucinatory Scream until trauma is recovered.


SPECIALTIES:
Protests of the 60’s Master – D10
Crime Expert - D8