B.A. Baracus
Context
The A-Team was a silly action/adventure TV show that ran from 1983 to 1987. A band of colourful soldiers, famously condemned “for a crime they did not commit”, is forced to become white-hat roving mercenaries.
With their improbable skills, supposedly military weapons and techniques, and improvised vehicles they always save the day with plenty of violence and explosions. Which seldom hurt anybody seriously.
In some localizations, Baracus’ nickname is changed to “M.A.”. In some others his nickname is changed to “Barracuda”.
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Background
- Real Name: Bosco “B.A.” Baracus (“B.A.” stands for “Bad Attitude”).
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: The A-Team (A is for Alpha).
- Base Of Operations: Mobile.
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black mohawk.
- Height: 5’11” Weight: 220 lbs.
Powers and Abilities
B.A.is the team’s mechanic. He has a truly amazing talent for making impressive machinery e.g. a tank from a standard pipe and the odd matchstick!
History
In 1972 a crack commando unit who fought during the Việt Nam War was sent to prison. They had been condemned by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit, the robbing of the Bank of Hanoi. After being arrested and tried they escaped from amaximum security prison (Fort Bragg).
In the years that followed, still wanted by the government, they were on the run and survived as soldiers of fortune, helped out victimized people in America and beyond, usually for very little money.
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Description
See picture.
Personality
He’s nicknamed “B.A.” on account of his ’bad attitude‘. This is because he used to enjoy beating up senior officers whilst in Việt Nam. Yet B.A. is possibly one of the nicest guys there is, devoting his little free time to helping poor children.
Still, B.A. has his one weakness: flying. He, on no accounts, will get on a plane while conscious. So it falls to the rest of the team to knock him out first. A swift tap on the back of the head with a wrench or an injection will usually do it. However, even though he will not fly, he is the A-Team’s driver and dedicates a lot of time to the van.
B.A. also never has got along too well with Murdock (although deep down they both like the other). He often calls Murdock a “a crazy foo” before trying to throttle him.
Quotes
“I pity the foo…”
“I ain’t flying on no plane.”
“Good thing my van is fast.”
DC Universe History
As they are they can be played on the late 80’s, and even be the inspiration for the later The Losers (bringing them, too, from Vertigo to the DCU).
If one wants to update them, and play with them nowadays, the second Gulf War, with it’s prisoner torture scandals, may be the better replacement for Nam when taking them into the XXIst century.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Sergeant Bosco “B.A.” Baracus
| Dex: 03 | Str: 05 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Upholding the Good |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 03 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Mercenary |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 05 | Spi: 06 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 012 | HP: 030 |
Skills:
Acrobatics (Climbing)*: 03, Charisma (Intimidation): 06, Gadgetry (Build): 07, Martial Artist: 06, Military Science: 03, Scientist: 02, Vehicles (Land): 07, Weaponry: 04
Advantages:
Rank (Sergeant), Scholar [Tinkering].
Connections:
The “A” Team (High), African American Communities (Low – yes, all of them).
Drawbacks:
CIF (Flying), Mistrust.
Equipment:
- A-TEAM VAN [STR: 06, BODY: 07, Running: 05, Flash: 01, R#: 02 ; Limitations: Running can only be pushed 1 AP at most].
- NECK JEWELRY [BODY: 01, Skin Armor: 01, Limitation: Skin Armor only around the neck].
- On a mission, he may carry different kinds of firearms, usually a submachinegun or a light assault rifle.
I pity the foo !
Sergeant Baracus is a very strong man who likes to toy around with his enemies. Once an opponent is grappled he can use his Missile Weapons Subskill as AV for throwing him away in a Planned Knockback maneuver.
Helper(s): Sébastien Andrivet, Mikael B., Jackson, David Johnston, Adam Fuqua, www.ateamshrine.co.uk .
Source of Character: “The A-Team” TV series.