Professor Hugo Strange is an extremely resourceful man. A scientist, a philosopher and a criminal genius. Strange is a brilliant criminal strategist who, thanks to his psychiatric training, specializes in knowing his opponents better than they know themselves. He is a very well-known psychiatrist and expert of the criminal mind, fully capable of deducing the secret identity of a superhero. He is also a genius in many scientific fields, and actually is an expert in multiple diverse fields such as yoga, holograms, robotics and biochemistry. He can seemingly extend his scientific knowledge to cover further unusual fields as desired. He is also a rather accomplished hand-to-hand combatant.

Professor of the odd sciences

Strange has knowledge of very unusual sciences and philosophies, mixing seemingly unrelated fields of science, and applying these in his criminal endeavors. This includes knowledge of Eastern yogic principles, unknown biochemistry, holography and robotics. Thus he will use different Equipment almost at every occasion.

First off, he is exceptionally adept at yogic techniques, and can adjust his breathing, even while being tortured, to slow down his metabolism enough to appear dead. Thus, he has used yoga to fake his own death on a number of occasions. In game terms, he uses Suspension as a Power Trick.

Secondarily, by employing unknown biochemical principles, he has created monster-like men of 15 foot (!) tallness. He uses Gadgetry, Medicine and Scientist with his Scholar to accomplish this. Anybody can be turned into such a monster, thus loosing control of their own personalities, and only being subject to the will and wishes of Strange (thus becoming one of his monster-like henchmen, stats given below). The theory behind it is probably accomplished by a combination of chemically reverting the subject back to animalistic instincts, combined with certain brain-washing techniques. It is done via injection of a chemical of his own creation into the subject, and once he/she has turned the effect seems to be permanent (Batman considered it more humane to put them out of their misery). Originally, the chemical required a full 18 hours to take effect, but the formula has since been perfected into only taking one phase to turn the subject. Previously it was possible to stop the transformation by injecting the subject with an antidote (which Batman himself developed). He also created a machine capable of covering the entire Gotham City in thick fog.

Thirdly, Strange is capable of creating very advanced holograms presented by miniature holographic projectors. Such projectors will be programmed to respond in a given way, for example, to play up a hologram when somebody enters a given spot in a room. He has recorded ghost-like holograms of himself, and others, with the intent of scaring and threatening the chosen subject, at which point he uses his own Charisma Skill. The holograms also speak, and their words are carefully chosen for maximum effect against a given subject. To figure out how it all works and where the projector is hidden takes the skills of one such as Dr. Terrence Thirteen to uncover.

Lastly, Strange seems to be able to build life-like robots, indistinguishable from the real deal, and fully programmed with a life-like personality. Not even the Batman could differentiate between the speech, appearance and manners of the robots and the real people. Strange regularly speaks with these robots as if they were living henchmen. He has also been known to perfectly copy scenery and architecture, so the OV/RV of Perception Checks to see through these effects are, at least, 15 APs. Furthermore, he once created a duplicate of Wayne Manor and the Bat-cave in every detail, revealing Strange’s skills in architecture. It also suggests that he has vast hidden wealth to use.

Description

The arch-criminal known as Professor Strange often wears a fine suit, sometimes with a fine top hat and a large cloak. Although it is covered by his clothing, he has a very impressive build and physique, which, according to Strange, is the result of having trained into physical perfection. He could easily pose as the Batman himself (although his height and weight have varied with his appearances). Other than that the professor is bald, wears thick, round glasses, that makes him look rather insane, and has a trademark thick, black beard.

Personality

Strange is one of the few criminals that knows the Batman’s secret identity. He did offer it up for auction, but then refused to supply the bidder with the answer because he found the bidder, the crime boss Thorne, unworthy. The reason was two-fold; he truly believes that the greatest threats of the Batman must also be worthy of being so. He believes this so hard that he was willing to gamble his life on the matter. The second reason was likely that he was planning some type of double-cross against the bidder, particularly as he was planning to replace Bruce Wayne himself, but that never came to fruition as he proceeded with other plans instead. It does, however, show that Strange regularly runs several agendas at once, and quickly adapts to new situations. Spur of the moment decisions have saved his life several times. He is convinced that none but he could do what he has done. Thorne tried to torture Strange for the information, but Strange faked his own death using yoga. As to Thorne, Strange later arranged for a devious revenge by first driving Thorne mad by appearing to him, using holograms, as a ghost, and later set him up to be killed by his peers. Strange never forgets a sleight. Also, despite being in top-notch physical form he never endangers himself needlessly, but will send in monster men or androids to fight in his stead.

Strange greatly respects and adores the Batman. Upon learning of Batman’s true identity, Strange first planned only to rob Wayne Foundations clean, but as he was falling deeper down into his own insanity he became obsessed with taking over the Batman’s identity for himself. He would play the role of the Batman in costume before the mirror, while being adored by his laughing, robotic minions. He planned the take over for several months. His use of science shows that he accepts no limits to his own knowledge or methods. He becomes an expert in any field that can aid him in his endeavors, to such a degree that he clearly rivals the top minds of the world in that subject. To that end, he is a master of, at least, biochemistry, holographics, yoga and robotics, and could quite likely extend his plans to include further unusual fields of science as needed. No doubt, he is a twisted genius with few peers, that enjoys the suffering and pain of others, and he is also quite insane, fanatic and obsessive, really belonging in Arkham Asylum.

Psychological warfare is his prime choice of method in combating his enemies. He usually carries out his plans during several months with great patience. He tends to disappear for years at end, possibly planning and learning new sciences, before again resurfacing as a fresh threat with an old face. He once duplicated Wayne Manor and the Bat-cave in perfect detail, and even went as far as making murderous robot doubles of Alfred and Dick Grayson to confuse Bruce Wayne and did manage to make him think that he was going mad. That said, he generally creates elaborate, highly detailed plans that work on his victim’s sanity as well as on their physical well-being.