6 min read


Warrior with the grip of evil.

Context

Clawful is an evil warrior with powerful lobster-like claws.

He appeared in the 1983-1984 He-man and the Masters of the Universe cartoon, but not in the She-Ra Princess of Power series.

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Background

  • Real Name: Clawful.
  • Known Relatives: None.
  • Group Affiliation: Skeletor’s Warriors.
  • Base of Operations: Snake Mountain.
  • Height: 5’0″ (1.4m). Weight: 400 lbs. (182 Kg.) (3 APs).
  • Eyes: Yellow with black pupils. Hair: None.

Powers & Abilities

Clawful is a tough physical warrior. He relies on the strength of his metal-rending pinchers.

He’s an intimidating brute who can quell his peers with threats.

When straight forward attacks don’t work, he’ll change tactics. For instance, tunneling through the sand to grab an enemy from below – or taking the high ground.

Clawful - Masters of the Universe - Lobster - Action figure

History

Clawful and Trapjaw arrived at Castle Grayskull with a stolen Trollan artifact, the Horn of Evil.

Its magical song caused everything it touched to become evil. Transforming gentle animals into carnivorous were-creatures powerful enough to give Battle-Cat a fight!

Dree Elle’s Return

The Sorceress could not combat the magic of the horn, quickly becoming its first victim.

Orko arrived with Dree Elle and her younger brother, Yuckers. Snatching the horn, they fled into the Evergreen forest.

Clawful and Trapjaw quickly caught up to the trio. They captured Orko and Yuckers.

Dree Elle’s Return (continued)

Dree Elle escaped to the Royal Palace to get help. She returned with Teela. He-man and Battle-Cat arrived soon after.

Orko used his magic to snatch the horn once more, shrank it down, and deposited it inside his hat. Teela, Yuckers, and Dree Elle took down Trapjaw.

Clawful briefly held his own against He-man before being overpowered. He-man tossed Clawful and their Doombuster into a near-by swamp.

Clawful - Masters of the Universe - Lobster - Cartoon

Castle of Heroes

Clawful arrived sometime later at Snake Mountain. Skeletor referred to him as his “right-hand man”.

Skeletor seemed to show him more respect than his other warriors. Though he still called him “fool”. Clawful seemed more intelligent and responsible than most of Skeletor’s other minions.

The Witch and the Warrior

Skeletor ordered Clawful to go with Evil-Lyn in another bid for ultimate power. This time, drinking from the Fountain of Life.

Evil-Lyn went inside the temple that held the fountain. She sent Clawful to delay He-man.

Knowing a straight fight with He-man would be useless, Clawful attacked from below. He tunneled through the sand and pulled He-man underground. Clawful then attacked from different angles.

Still, He-man’s strength was too much. He wrapped Clawful in stone and tossed him all the way to Snake Mountain with pin-point accuracy!

Things that go bump in the night

Skeletor monitored the Royal Palace, looking for any weakness he could exploit.

On King Randor’s birthday, Orko accidentally started, flew, and crash-landed the King’s new Strato-blaster. Man-At-Arms and Teela followed, and worked to repair it.

Skeletor again ordered Clawful and Evil-Lyn to work together. He sent their newest recruit, a young alien Prince named Glitch. Glitch thought being an evil warrior would be exciting.

Skeletor went along with them this time. When He-man showed up it was hardly a fight at all. Skeletor teleported away and all his warriors fled to regroup at Snake Mountain.

Skeletor ordered Clawful to prove himself by walking a laser beam tightrope. He and Evil-Lyn were successful, but Glitch was too afraid. Clawful forcefully tossed him out into the Enchanted Forest. Teela, Orko, and Man-At-Arms rescued him.

Glitch’s father arrived in his war-ship. Skeletor fooled him into believing King Randor was holding him prisoner. He-man and Glitch himself were able to convince him otherwise.

Where is he now

Clawful remains a warrior working for Skeletor.

Clawful - Masters of the Universe - Lobster - Suspicious face

Description

Clawful is about a head shorter than most of Skeletor’s warriors.

A brown crest runs along his draconic head.

Clawful has lobster-red skin.

Both hands are actually lobster-like pinchers.

Clawful - Masters of the Universe - Lobster - White background

Personality

Clawful is a bully with great confidence in the power of his crushing claws. He’s harsh when giving orders and expects others to do as he commands, even the other warriors.

During his first appearance, Clawful was introduced as a capable, intelligent warrior. Skeletor’s new right-hand man. Later, he fell into place as another minion vying for Skeletor’s approval.

He often clashes with Evil-Lyn for dominance.

After his first defeat at Castle Grayskull, Clawful was markedly less confident. He displayed an increased fear of Skeletor.

Other warriors have insulted him by calling him Lobster Lips or Fish-bait.

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Quotes

Clawful: “If the stories are true, not even the Sorceress would be able to stop the Horn of Evil. Blow the horn Trap-Jaw, Grayskull will be ours.”
Trapjaw: “This thing gives me the creeps. You blow it !”
Clawful: “You cowardly hunk of tin. Now blow it, unless you want me to use my claw as a can opener !” (Snaps his claw menacingly)
Trapjaw: (Gulps. Blows the horn)

“Give me that you little runt !”

“He-man ! My claw will take care of you.”

“He-man ? I’ve wanted to cut you down to size for years and right now seems the perfect opportunity.”

“Let’s get cracking.” (clacking his claws together)

Clawful - Masters of the Universe - Lobster - vs. He-Man

DC Heroes RPG

Clawful

A 590 points Character.

Dex: 04 Str: 05 (11) Bod: 04
Int: 04 Wil: 03 Min: 06
Inf: 03 Aur: 05 Spi: 06
Init: 014 HP: 020

Powers:

Claws: 07, Cold Immunity: 02, Density Increase: 01, Digging: 05, Skin Armor: 01, Water Freedom: 02

Bonuses and Limitations:

  • Str 11 is only for Clawful’s claws gripping strength.
  • Density Increase is always on and already factored (-1 FC).

Skills:

Charisma (Intimidation): 06, Martial Artist (AV only): 06, Thief (Stealth)*: 04, Vehicles (Air): 04, Weaponry (Exotic – Net): 06

Advantages:

Lightning Reflexes.

Connections:

Trapjaw (Low), Skeletor (Low).

Drawbacks:

Distinct Appearance, Minor Irrational Attraction to overconfidence.

Motivation:

Power Lust.

Occupation:

Warrior.

Wealth:

000


Design notes

When Clawful said he would someday take over, Skeletor retorted, “I’ll throw you back in the ocean before you rule Snake Mountain!”. This quote and the lobster remarks caused me to give him a couple of APs of Water Freedom.


Extra illustrations

For those who are particularly enthusiastic about Clawful.

Clawful - Masters of the Universe - Lobster - Model sheet turn

 

Clawful - Masters of the Universe - Lobster - Front view

Writeups.org writer avatar Ethan Roe

By Ethan Roe.

Source of Character: The 1983/1984 animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Voiced by Lou Scheimer.

Helper(s): Wikipedia. Action figure photo from Not Just Toyz  .

Writeup completed on the 7th of May, 2020.