Dormammu
Context
The dread Dormammu is an important mystical entity in the Marvel Universe. Though he’s not a pillar-of-creation type, he’s markedly mightier than even Doctor Strange and often has had hostile designs toward our dimension .
This article is primarily meant as a technical exploration of his game stats, with little general material to wrap around that.
Background
- Real Name: Dormammu.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Umar (sister), Sinifar (“father/mother”).
- Group Affiliation: None.
- Base Of Operations: The Dark Dimension.
- Height: 6’1” Weight: Unrevealed.
- Eyes: Green Hair: Black Skin: Covered with flames.
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Description
Dormammu is a powerfully-built humanoid dressed in a skintight violet suit, with red and yellow boots, red briefs, a thick golden belt, and red gloves. During his assault on Eternity, his suit was green.
His face is surrounded by flames. However that is not really a personal power but the manifestation of his regency over the Dark Dimension.
Personality
Dormammu is a very intelligent entity, although he is not omniscient. In fact, he tends to rush once his usually very slowly crafted plans start running well, a rushing that tends to forge his defeat time after time. He’s also the kind of powerful, classic villain that likes to gloat.
He comes from a dimension where energy is all and appraisal of matter is despised. He and his sister became too materialistic for their homeland and were exiled from it.
The relationship with his sister Umar is a complicated one: she’s at the same time a trustful ally in his conquers and a traitor that profits each of his brother’s defeats to gain personal power.
Quotes
“Dare you speak the name of Dormammu ?”
“I was beaten by a mere human ! Oh, the stinging shame of it !”
“At last ! A new world ; and new souls to consume.”
“Dormammu shall strike with all of the full phantasmagorical fury at his command !”
“Die, Strange ! Die !”
DC Universe History
In the DC Universe, Dormammu would be a frequent for of Dr Fate and the Justice League. His attempt to take over all Hells could have started the freezing of the main one, an occasion Asmodel took chance of by attacking Earth in the “Day of Judgment” arc.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Dormammu
| Dex: 05 | Str: 08 | Bod: 15 | Motivation: Power Lust |
| Int: 11 | Wil: 11 | Min: 15 | Occupation: Dimensional conqueror |
| Inf: 15 | Aur: 15 | Spi: 17 | Resources {or Wealth}: Unlimited |
| Init: 033 | HP: 175 |
Powers:
Air Walking (ML): 06, Bestow: 12, Dimension Travel: 15, Enchantment: 10, Flame Being (ML): 10, Flame Control: 12, Invulnerability: 20, Magic Sense: 07, Molecular Chameleon (ML): 20, Mystic Blast: 15, Neutralize: 15m, Personality Transfer (ML): 10, Regeneration (ML): 00, Sorcery: 25, Spirit Travel: 12, Spirit Drain: 15, Telepathy: 15/80, Teleport: 70, Time Travel: 30
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Dimension Travel: APs are halved for Travel purposes (-2); If Dormammu is banished from the Earth Plane, this Power automatically burns out and can’t recover it by himself (-2). He can use Sorcery to travel to other dimensions, but he can’t try to return to the Earth Plane until he somehow regains the Dimension Travel Power APs.
- Flame Being: see “The flame of ruling” special section below.
- Molecular Chameleon needs no original material and can be used on others.
- Neutralize works only on mystical effects and powers (-2).
- Regeneration: works only after death; it rebuilds a new body after 20-25 APs of being dead.
- Telepathy can be used through dimensions (+2) and has +35 APs of Range (+7). On the Dark Dimension he has full 80 APs of this Power and can contact thousands of minds at the same time.
Skills:
Acrobatics: 06, Martial Artist: 07, Occultist: 15
Advantages:
Area Knowledge (Dark Dimension), Immortal, Life Support (doesn’t breathe), Local Hero (Followers), Magic Background, Magic Rank (Sorcerer Supreme), Magician’s Code, Notoriety (magicians, Dark Dimension), Scholar (Darkness, Demonology).
Connections:
Baron Karl Mordo (High), Demons/Chaos (High), Faralloh (High), Mystic Community (High), Shuma-Gorath (Low), Umar (Powerful, High).
Drawbacks:
CIA (keeping his word), Exile (Faltine dimension, involuntary), Loss Vulnerability (all powers have -2cs whenever Dormammu is not ruling the Dark Dimension), Loss Vulnerability (lack of worship, reduces his Powers and Attributes accordingly, on GM fiat).
The flames of Regency
The ruler of the Dark Dimension wear a plume of mystic fire around his head called “the Flames of Regency”. It’s unknown if Dormammu’s Sorcerer Supreme Magic Rank and this “regency” are related or not, and thus we suppose the hindrances of losing each are different.
In this case, Dormammu’s Loss Vulnerability would activate and he would lose his Flame Being Power, that would go to the new Regent.
Dark Dimension to the Earth Plane and back
Dormammu can only cross to the Earth Plane under very special conditions and if banished from there he can’t return in a long while (usually requiring help to do so). It is in fact the way that Dormammu is usually defeated: he is banished.
Powerful friends
The Mystic Entities listed as connections for Dormammu will add a bonus to the casting, mimicking or use of the following magic abilities:
- Demons/Chaos: +2 APs to Dimension Travel (Banishment, Summoning), Enchantment, Exorcism, Flame Animation, Personality Transfer.
- Faralloh: +2 cs APs to Dimension Travel (Summoning): Farraloh only.
- Shuma-Gorath: +1 AP to Control (Demons only), Energy Blast, Magic Blast.
Design Notes
Added Invulnerability on top of high Body and the special Regeneration to account for the chance of a heavy hitter running into Dormammu. ”Trans dimensional” has a different meaning as a Bonus in the BoH:SE, so I changed the naming of the Telepathy Bonus.
It seems like Dormammu can teleport through galaxies without needing to change to a different dimension. It feels like Teleport is a power he really has. The current number would allow to travel 500 million light years in a single jump.
Also see our popular Short Guide to Magic in the Marvel Universe article for Sorcerer Supreme rules and the like.
Source of Character: Marvel Comics.
Helper(s): Danielle Mendus, Peter S. Piispanen, Pavone Bianco, Frank Murdock, Wikipedia, eumreborn.com (defunct), Norseman Central (defunct), Marvunapp , Marvel.com , www.drstrange.nl (defunct) and www.geocities.com/marvel_villains/badguys.html (defunct).