Buzz-Off
(1984 boxed figure)
Context
Buzz-Off appeared in the 1983-1984 He-man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon series. If you’re not familiar with that, you should first read the Masters of the Universe (1980s) Setting article.
He was a Heroic Warrior, an ally to He-man, and leader of the Bee people.
His original concept was that of a spy. But he acts more as a diplomat for the Bee people.
He most often teamed with Mekaneck – who was also cast as a heroic spy.
More about the Bee people in the Denizens of Eternia article.
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Background
- Real Name: Buzz-Off.
- Other Aliases: Buzz, Buzzy.
- Known Relatives: The Bee People of his colony.
- Group Affiliation: The Bee People Colony; The Heroic Warriors.
- Base of Operations: Bee People Kingdom located in the Evergreen Forest.
- Height: 5’8″ (1.72m). Weight: 175 lbs. (80 Kg.).
- Eyes: Gray. Hair: None.
Powers & Abilities
As a member of the Bee People, Buzz-off has their physiology. Insect wings give him flight. Both hands are extremely durable pincher-like claws.
Buzz-Off has X-Ray vision when wearing his goggles.
Buzz-off employs a short spear called an electro-shock stinger. It can be used as a melee or ranged weapon. It delivers a powerful arc of electricity.
History
Buzz-Off was introduced as an envoy to King Randor.
He explained how many of the sea-going food transports had disappeared without a trace. Buzz-off had flown over the area and noted the existence of a small, uncharted island.
Adam and Man-At-Arms took a Wind Raider to investigate.
They initially had no luck. But upon return to the Great Eternian Dam, they found a floating island coming near the dam itself.
Island of Fear
He-man, Man-At-Arms, Orko, and Buzz-off searched the island. They found all their ships and who was behind it. Skeletor.
Skeletor’s plan was simple. Control Eternia’s food supply and control its people. When He-man showed up, Skeletor decided to ram the dam with his island in an attempt to flood the mainland.
He-man and the other heroes disabled the island’s engines. Though Skeletor escaped, the island would serve as the new nature preserve.
Disappearing Dragons
Buzz-Off teamed with Mekaneck to uncover the reason for the disappearing dragons.
The duo discovered two of Skeletor’s henchmen, Webstor and Kobra Khan. He-man joined them. The villains escaped after defeating the heroes.
The villains had been using a beam weapon to transport dragons away from Eternia – to the planet Mero. Orko accidentally activated the beam and sent both villains and heroes away.
The Darmi
An ancient alien race the Darmi held the dragons captive. The dragons would fight to the death in an arena for the Darmi’s amusement. He-man arrived and freed them.
Orko then inadvertently summoned Granamyr, the most ancient ruler of the dragons.
Granamyr judged the Darmi. They would be forced to fight to the death while Granamyr and his dragons watched. He-man convinced the dragons not to take this route, as it would only prove the dragons were no better than the Darmi.
Adνеrtisеmеnt
The Good Shall Survive
The Bee people’s ancient enemy, humanoid wasps called Tycons, awoke. Hungry. The Tycons, once presumed extinct, had only been cocooned below ground.
Once awake they made quick work of stealing and eating the Bee people’s honey supply.
Buzz-Off was being honored at the Royal Palace. Orko teleported to the Palace and warned them of the Tycons attack on the Bee Kingdom.
Soda will kill you
Skeletor teamed with the Tycons and led them to the Bee people’s storehouse. He-man intervened but was defeated by the Tycons’ stun beams.
The Tycons went on to eat everything at the Royal Palace storehouse too. Including a baking soda pie Orko made. The Tycons thus became very ill.
Seizing on this opportunity, Man-At-Arms helped the Tycon’s stomach aches. He-man and Buzz-Off then teamed up to defeat Skeletor.
Search for a son
King Randor and Queen Marlena planned an expedition to the Evergreen forest to visit the Bee people. The Bee people intended to demonstrate the wonderful healing properties of bee pollen.
However, Count Marzo captured them en route.
Buzz-Off noticed the King and Queen were late. He went to find out why and happened upon Teela fending off some flying creatures. Buzz-Off’s timely arrival meant Teela’s rescue from a deadly fall.
Teela and Buzz-Off rejoined the others in time to see Count Marzo defeated.
Description
Buzz-Off is a humanoid bee. He has four insect wings on his back. Claw-like feet and yellow and brown coloring or clothing.
His hands are shaped like hardened lobster claws.
Like most of the other Heroic warriors, Buzz-Off is built like a bodybuilder.
He precedes everything he says with a buzzing sound.
Personality
Buzz-Off is a stalwart friend and ally to the Royal Palace.
He’s good friends with Mekaneck and they work well together.
He takes it upon himself to care for his people. In turn, his people want to do their tasks well so Buzz-Off will be proud of them.
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Quotes
“ZZZZ, need some help pal ?”
(When King Randor and the Queen are running late)
“ZZZZ, strange they should be so late. I’ve had a funny feeling in my antennae all day. ZZZZ, perhaps I should see if everything is alright.”
DC Universe Adaptation
(This section proposes ways of using this character in DC Universe stories).
Buzz-Off is a generic bee themed hero. He should fit nicely alone or with his people if they too are included in the DCU.
DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Buzz-Off
A 392 points Character (without equipment).
| Dex: 04 | Str: 06 | Bod: 04 |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 03 |
| Init: 010 | HP: 025 |
Powers:
Claws: 03, Flight: 06, Skin Armor: 06
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Flight is Winged (-1 FC).
- Skin Armor only covers Buzz-off’s clawed hands and protects against energy attacks (+1 FC). Buzz-Off uses his claws to Block incoming attacks.
Skills:
Accuracy (Blocking): 06, Gadgetry (Identify Gadget): 06, Military Science (Cartography): 04, Weaponry (Melee, Missile): 05
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
Royal Palace (Low), Mekaneck (High).
Drawbacks:
Authority Figure (The Bee People Colony), Distinct Appearance.
Motivation:
Upholding the Good.
Occupation:
Leader of the Bee People.
Wealth:
000
Equipment:
- BUG-EYE GOGGLES [BODY 04, X-Ray Vision: 08, Bonuses & Limitations: X-Ray Vision cannot see through lead, R#2, Cost: 55].
- Electro-shock Stinger [BODY 08, Lightning: 05, R#2, Cost: 29].
Design notes
As far as I could tell the bee people had no coin. No money. But they did have resources and a kingdom of their own. So, a wealth score would be hard to nail down with any certainty.
Also, Buzz-Off’s action figure came with a brown axe. It wasn’t seen in the cartoon, but if you want him to have one:
Axe [BODY 05, Enhance (EV): 02 (cap is 07), Descriptor: Slashing, Recommended STR 04].
When attacking a shield, a battle axe receives a +1 to its final roll total. When attacking a person without body armour or a shield, the roll receives a -1 to its final roll.
Source of Character: The 1983/1984 animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe episodes “Island of Fear”, “Disappearing Dragons”, “The Good shall Survive”, and “Search for a Son”. Voiced by Alan Oppenheimer.
Helper(s): Wikipedia, Wiki Grayskull, toy photo from Lulu Berlu .
Writeup completed on the 6th of May, 2020.