The Monster

[DocSamson]

This is a loose Hulk homage that was inspired by the Ultimate Adaptation and Hulk vs. Grond threads. If his appearance sounds familiar, it's a quote from Frankenstein (the original Hulk). I thought the Adaptation schtick was an interesting alternative to the Hulk's rage. The write-up is really lacking in skills and fluff but I have a hard time with 350s. I'll probably redo him later with more points. The Succor build to simulate various Senses is on loan from Hyper-Man (thanks!). Also, the Force Field is only useable against one type of attack at a time (i.e. if he has Adapted against a Fire based EB, the Force Field will only work against Fire EBs until he adapts again).


Character Name: Monster
Identity: Charles Mendel

Val Char Cost
10/60 STR 0
10/20 DEX 0
10/30 CON 0
10/15 BODY 0
18 INT 8
10/20 EGO 0
10/20 PRE 0
14 COM 2

2/30 PD 0
2/30 ED 0
2/5 SPD 0
4/30 REC 0
20/60 END 0
20/60 STUN 0

6" RUN 0
2" SWIM 0
2"/12" LEAP 0
Characteristics Cost: 10

Cost Power END
40 +50 STR (50 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) 5
24 +10 DEX (30 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
32 +20 CON (40 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
8 +5 BODY (10 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
16 +10 EGO (20 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
8 +10 PRE (10 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
14 +18 PD (18 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
19 +24 ED (24 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
16 +2 SPD (20 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
19 +12 REC (24 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)
12 Damage Resistance (15 PD/15 ED) (15 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) 0

20 Adaptation: Elemental Control, 50-point powers, (25 Active Points); all slots Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4)

23 1) Force Field (10 PD/10 ED/20 Power Defense), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (60 Active Points); Variable Limitations (requires -1/2 worth of Limitations; Only Works Against Limited Types Of Attack; -1/4), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) 0

17 2) Life Support (Eating: Character does not eat; Immunity All terrestrial poisons and chemical warfare agents; Immunity: All terrestrial diseases and biowarfare agents; Longevity: Immortal; Safe in High Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained Breathing; Sleeping: Character does not sleep) (50 Active Points); Costs Endurance (Only Costs END to Activate; -1/4), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) 5

17 3) Succor 3d6+1, any Sense power one at a time (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Trigger (Activating the Trigger requires a Zero Phase Action, Trigger requires a Zero Phase Action to reset; +1/2), Can Apply (Remove) Adders (+1) (55 Active Points); Self Only (-1/2), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) 0

20 4) Tunneling 8" through 8 DEF material, Usable As Flight (+1/4), Usable As Swimming (+1/4) (60 Active Points); Limited Medium (soil and rock only) (-1/2), Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4) 6

2 Environmental Movement (Aquatic Movement) (3 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4), Visible (-1/4)
1 Environmental Movement (Icewalking); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4), Visible (-1/4)
2 Environmental Movement (I Can Drunk Just As Good Fight!) (3 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4), Visible (-1/4)
2 Environmental Movement (Supreme Balance) (3 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4), Visible (-1/4)
3 Environmental Movement (Zero-G Training) (4 Active Points); Only In Heroic Identity (-1/4), Visible (-1/4)
Powers Cost: 315

Cost Skill
15 +5 with any three maneuvers or a tight group of attacks (Grab, Move Through, and Strike)
3 Scientist
2 1) SS: Biology 13- (3 Active Points)
2 2) SS: Genetics 13- (3 Active Points)
2 3) SS: Mutation 13- (3 Active Points)
Skills Cost: 24

Cost Talent
1 Resistance (1 point)
Talents Cost: 1

Total Character Cost: 350

Val Disadvantages
20 Normal Characteristic Maxima
20 Accidental Change: To Superhuman Form When Takes Damage Always (Uncommon)
15 Distinctive Features: Monstrous Appearance (Easily Concealed; Extreme Reaction; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
15 Enraged: When Teammates are Knocked Out (Uncommon), go 14-, recover 14-
15 Hunted: Evotech 8- (Less Pow, NCI, PC has a Public ID or is otherwise very easy to find, Capture)
5 Physical Limitation: Large Size/ Weight (Infrequently, Slightly Impairing)
15 Psychological Limitation: Scientific Curiosity (Very Common, Moderate)
15 Psychological Limitation: Protective of Teammates (Very Common, Moderate)
15 Psychological Limitation: Overconfidence (Very Common, Moderate)
15 Social Limitation: Public Identity (Frequently, Major)

Disadvantage Points: 150
Base Points: 200
Experience Required: 0
Total Experience Available: 0
Experience Unspent: 0

APPEARANCE
Hair Color: Black, Long
Eye Color: Glowing Yellow
Height: 2.45 m
Weight: 400.00 kg

Description:
About eight feet in height, with translucent yellowish skin that barely disguises the workings of the vessels and muscles underneath, watery, glowing eyes, flowing black hair, black lips, and white teeth.


BACKGROUND
"You have Good Genetics." That phrase seemed to have followed Charles Mendel throughout his life. President of his high school science club, Valedictorian of his college class, he was now one of the world's foremost experts in the field of Evolutionary Biology. Unfortunately his "Good Genetics" seem to have finally brought him some bad luck, Charles thought as the technicians strapped him into the restraining chair. His breakthrough in his "Spontaneous Mutation" research had brought him money, fame, and recognition. He was the director of Evotech's global research division...and he was also currently their latest experimental subject. "Don't worry Dr. Mendel, you have good genetics. Your sacrifice to the project will be worth millions.", Charles' former assistant said with a malicious smirk. His assistant turned out to be a corporate spy. His was charged with not only spying on Charles, but analyzing his work for military applications. Though Charles had intended his work to be used to help humanity, It seems that his recent discovery was worth more to Evotech as a weapon than his very life. "You may make history yet again Dr. Mendel, just not in the way you had hoped.” his treacherous assistant laughed. "Any final words Dr. Mendel?” he asked. Charles replied, "You won't get away with this. My name is in every newspaper. How do you plan to explain my disappearance?" "With great ease Dr. Mendel. Tomorrow's newspaper will read: Brilliant but eccentric scientist takes own life in insane experiment!” the traitor said coldly. "Begin the process!” he barked at the technicians.

It turned out that Charles Mendel’s "Good Genetics" would serve him well once more. The "Spontaneous Mutation" process not only didn't kill Charles, it granted him powers! He was transformed into a monstrous creature of vast strength and durability. He destroyed the laboratory and made his escape. He also gained the ability to adapt to and overcome almost any hostile condition, an asset he would put to good use numerous times during his adventures. Though Charles has the ability to become human at will, he thought it only fitting to use his new powers to help people as he originally intended. Calling himself The Monster, he pursues evil wherever it tries to hide. Though Evotech was disgraced when news of their treachery was made public, many of its leaders were able to utilize their immense wealth avoid jail and keep Evotech up and running. They now secretly hunt The Monster and want his power for themselves.

PERSONALITY
Protective of Teammates, Scientific Curiosity

QUOTE
"There is a monster inside of me and you are starting to make it angry."

POWERS/TACTICS
Strength, Adaptation

CAMPAIGN_USE
Brick, Minor Metamorph

[nexus]

20 Accidental Change: To Superhuman Form When Takes Damage Always (Uncommon)


What's the major drawback to this (and the only in Heroic IDs) since the character has a Public Identity?

[DocSamson]

What's the major drawback to this (and the only in Heroic IDs) since the character has a Public Identity?
The OIHID is easy I think. Would you rather spend your life as a giant yellow monster or a normal dude? OIHID means he is vulnerable to surprise attacks (such as from a low powered hunted) most of the time as he would be in his normal form when not in combat situations. The Public Identity means that he is easier to find for people who want to take a poke at him in his normal form. Together OIHID and Public ID are pretty harsh. I would question whether OIHID is really a limitation for a character with a Secret ID (examples include some Captain Marvel builds or some Iron Man builds (it's not a focus if you never lose it)) as no one hardly ever attacks them when they are without their powers.

The Accidental Change I'm not sure is justifed. I was trying to build it as a sort of involuntary "defense mechanism" but I'm not sure this is a disadvantage as I can only think of few situations where this would hinder him. Examples might include him trying to pass unnoticed or in disguise. Under those circumnstances a small injury would give him away. Another would be if he were too big (per the Physical Disad) to fit into a small area like a tunnel. If he were hurt and couldn't become human he might be stuck. I would argue however that the Hulk's accidental change when angry is similar in this regard. When is the last time Banner got angry but wasn't in danger? If you think of a better Disad of this nature I am open to suggestions.

Thanks for the input.

[nexus]

The OIHID is easy I think. Would you rather spend your life as a giant yellow monster or a normal dude? OIHID means he is vulnerable to surprise attacks (such as from a low powered hunted) most of the time as he would be in his normal form when not in combat situations. The Public Identity means that he is easier to find for poeple who want to take a poke at him in his normal form. Together OIHID and Public ID are pretty harsh. I would question whether OIHID is really a limitation for a character with a Secret ID as noone would be looking for them when they are without their powers.


I'd think OIHID would be more limiting to someone with a Secret ID. Everyone knows The Monster is the Monster. He can change at will, in public. The Secret ID character would have to find some place to change or remain in their Secret ID during a crisis situation in public or blow their secret ID. This character has the option of just changing at will even if his Heroic ID isn't phyically appealing, he can just change back when its over. He's doesn't seem to be like the Hulk who loses Banner's intelligence and rationality (at least in some incarnations) when he assumes his powered form unless I've missed something in the write up. There are situations where his Accidental Change and OIHID would be disadvantageous but I'm not sure it would be worth a numerical discount on the abilities. If I were vetting the character for campaign I'd have to think long and hard about it. In a way, giving them a disadvantage for them would shape the character's narrative a bit, in other words I'd make an effort to have them come up as more than very rare plot devices.



With the Accidental Change, he is vulnerable to surprise attack but if they're successful they'll switch him, more or less instantly, to his Heroic Mode (I suppose if they knock him or killed him instantly that will carry over to his Superpowered mode but I don't have the book handy to look it up.

[DocSamson]

I'd think OIHID would be more limiting to someone with a Secret ID. Everyone knows The Monster is the Monster. He can change at will, in public. The Secret ID character would have to find some place to change or remain in their Secret ID during a crisis situation in public or blow their secret ID. This character has the option of just changing at will even if his Heroic ID isn't phyically appealing, he can just change back when its over. He's doesn't seem to be like the Hulk who loses Banner's intelligence and rationality (at least in some incarnations) when he assumes his powered form unless I've missed something in the write up.

With the Accidental Change, he is vulnerable to surprise attack but if they're successful they'll switch him, more or less instantly, to his Heroic Mode (I suppose if they knock him or killed him instantly that will carry over to his Superpowered mode but I don't have the book handy to look it up.
You type quick!...caught me editing. I see your point now about Secret ID adding complications to OIHID but I still believe a Public ID is potentially just as limiting. Almost all of the Hulk's captures come while he is in Banner form.

I'm pretty sure if you are knocked out (which should be easy to do even with a low powered attack in a 350 pt. game) you can't change form. I read OIHID to mean changing forms is (at the very least) a Full Phase Action. I think I the Accidental Change was motivated a bit by scenes from the recent movie, where jumping from a helicopter or falling from a glacier forced him to change. Perhaps a Psych Lim would be better used to describe this.

[Hyper-Man]

The Succor build to simulate various Senses is on loan from Hyper-Man (thanks!).

As I originally wrote this up as a possible power for Superman (http://www.herogames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1721468&postcount=12) it can only increase Senses that he already has. Even this would require GM approval or a house rule.

Per the FAQ:
http://www.herogames.com/rulesFAQ.htm?ruleset=&section=&keywords=adjustment&dateString=


Can a positive Adjustment Power such as Aid be used to enhance the “internal” qualities of a Power, such as making Nonresistant Damage Reduction into Resistant Damage Reduction?

No.

[Legatus]

I like it.:thumbup:
Though there's something familiar about the name. Wasn't there a villain in CE (4e) who was called The Monster? I'm pretty sure about it.

[DocSamson]

I like it.:thumbup:
Though there's something familiar about the name. Wasn't there a villain in CE (4e) who was called The Monster? I'm pretty sure about it.
I think you are right. His back up name is Biohazard, maybe I'll switch to that.