Hammer
(Lydia Berman)
Context
The Hammer is the super-strong co-protagonist in the 2021 film Thunder Force.
This profile is intended to be read after the character profile for her partner, Bingo.
It has S P O I L E R S about the movie.
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Background
- Real Name: Lydia Berman.
- Other Aliases: “Lydi” (nickname from Emily).
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Thunder Force.
- Base of Operations: Stanton 4.0 Lab, Chicago, IL.
- Height: 5’2″ (1.57m). Weight: 205 lbs. (93 Kg.).
- Eyes: Green. Hair: Red.
Powers & Abilities
Emily’s superhero formula injection made Lydia’s skin, muscles, and bones 10,000 times more resilient.
Since the super-strength injections, Lydia is incredibly strong. Estimated to be able to lift 20,000 lbs. (9 tonnes). But this estimate turned out to be much lower than what she demonstrated.
- Punching her hands straight into concrete.
- Pulling a steel girder right out of a skyscraper and using it as a weapon.
- She once threw a city bus!
Besides her strength she has:
- A solid level of superhuman regeneration.
- A vertical leap of over 14 feet (4¼ metres).
Other assets
For what it’s worth, she got a few weeks of boxing training too.
Her super suit is very resilient. While still early in her career, The Hammer comically took cover when being shot at. Bullets bouncing off her as she went.
Being a forklift operator gives her a slew of on-the-job skills. That includes knowledge of construction and various hand tools.
Thunder Force Trailer
History
See the Bingo (Emily Stanton) character profile for details on their story together.
Description
It’s Melissa McCarthy. Lydia is a Caucasian woman in her late forties with red wavy hair.
Like Bingo, The Hammer wears a black and blue Thunder Force super-suit with a silvered emblem on the chest. Her face is uncovered.
Personality
Lydia is the kind of friend you want in your corner. When she’s on your side, she’ll go to any lengths to protect you. And she’s a friend for life.
The Hammer uses over-the-top slapstick comedy, a brash tongue, and one-liners.
She’s a quick talker using comedy to lighten situations when she’s nervous. Making pop-culture references for a laugh.
Her constant joking can also get her in trouble, for instance talking about someone while they’re still on the phone.
Though she’s a total wreck at times, she wants to be accepted anyway and forgiven for any mistake. This is how she sees friendship. She will always forgive her friends unconditionally.
Loves the 1980’s rock bands including, Van Halen, Slayer, and AC/DC.
She likes beer! And since she grew up in Chicago her choice is “Old Style Pilsner”.
Quotes
Lydia: “Come on Em, it’s Van Halen ! It’ll be fun !”
Emily: “It would be fun, but I have to stick to the plan.”
“Who blows up an angel ?”
“I can’t hear you because I’m literally throwing a bus !””
Lydia: “It’s safe right ?”
Allie: “Oh my gosh, are they safe ? It’s a miracle you’re still alive.”
“Go easy on her, it’s my fault.”
The Hammer: “Oooh, this suit is getting ripe. I gotta wash it.”
Bingo: “You can’t wash it.”
The Hammer: “How do we roll, Chicago?”
The crowd all together: “Like thunder !”
Allie: “Hammer, can you read m e?”
The Hammer: “Hammer down.”
Allie: “What does that mean ?”
The Hammer: “Lingo, for like, ‘yup’.”
“Listen to what your mom says. I wish I always had.”
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DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
The Hammer
| Dex: 05 | Str: 17 | Bod: 10 |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 04 | Min: 05 |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 05 | Spi: 05 |
| Init: 011 | HP: 020 |
Powers:
Jumping: 01, Regeneration: 04
Skills:
Acrobatics (Athletics, Dodging): 05, Vehicles (Land)*: 05
Advantages:
Expertise (Construction equipment), Financial Backer (Filthy Rich).
Connections:
Frank, at the Diner (High).
Drawbacks:
Minor Irrational Attraction toward The Crab, Public Identity, Serious Irrational Attraction toward raw chicken.
Motivation:
Thrill of Adventure.
Occupation:
Forklift operator.
Wealth:
005
Equipment:
SUPER SUIT [BODY 08, Blunting: 06, Enhance (Ballistics, Explosives, Energy RV): 03 (cap is 12), Radio Communications: 14, Partial Coverage (Long Coat level)].
Design notes
Lydia had trouble identifying spoiled milk by smell. This made me wonder if this should be a Minor Physical Restriction. It’s left out for now since there is no other data.
After the injections, her tastes change too. She says nothing tastes right. We don’t know if this has a lasting effect or if it wears off. The only thing we’re sure of is the (gag) raw chicken.
In her fight against The King, she seemed to be going all out at the start of the fight and winning. She burned out quickly though and The King turns the corner, out-fighting her even though she’s stronger.
To me, she burned through her HPs while he’s offsetting it by matching for RV. He has more HPs and as she slows; he turns up his attack.
Throwing a City Bus!
Emily estimated Lydia would be able to lift around 20,000 lbs (09 APs, 9 tonnes). A city bus weighs between 25-40,000 lbs (09-10 APs, 11 to 18 tonnes). Lydia not only lifted a bus but threw it quite a distance.
In Chicago, a typical city block is 330 by 660 feet (100 m × 200 m). Meaning that 16 east-west blocks or 8 north-south blocks measure one mile. Other US cities have adopted this standard.
She throws down a street and hits Buckingham Fountain. She must be standing on East/West Ida B. Wells Drive. Meaning it’s east-west blocks. Estimated 10 blocks. 330′ X 10 = 3,300′ or 0.2 to 0.63 miles (07 to 10 APs, 320 to 1,000 metres).
This sets her STR at 16 – 19! I’ve settled on 17 because of Genre rules. Covering bases if she needs to push her STR to accomplish the feat. The “Gritty” genre can push a max of 02 APs while the genres to the left of that are unlimited.
Source of Character: The 2021 film Thunder Force, character played by Melissa McCarthy, Young Lydia played by Vivian Falcone, Teen Lydia played by Mia Kaplan.
Helper(s): IMDb, Adam Fuqua, pawsplay
Writeup completed on the 3ed of May, 2021.