Hammerhead
(Maggia don)
Context
Hammerhead is a cinematic mob boss in the Marvel Universe’s New York City. He first appeared in 1972, and has chiefly clashed with Spider-Man. He always, always comes back and has an amazing quantity of appearances since the concept has no right to work since, oh, 1978. And yet it works.
The following are quick, old notes – not a full profile.
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Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: A Maggia splinter group (with the Chameleon as a partner).
- Base Of Operations: New York City.
- Height: 5’10” Weight: 195lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: Black
Powers and Abilities
Hammerhead is a criminal badass. He’s a very strong fighter, and has an intense and powerful personality that inspires loyalty.
His skull was surgically replaced with a nearly unbreakable steel alloy, making his head flat on top. This formidable hand-to-hand combatant’s preferred tactic is thus to charge head-first like a bull at an opponent. The impact he can deliver in this way has been capable of stunning Spider-Man.
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History
The man who became Hammerhead was originally a small-time Maggia gunman. He was found severely wounded (his skull in particular having been thoroughly broken) in a back alley in the Bowery by Jonas Harrow, after having been beaten by unknown assailants. Harrow started “re-creating” him by replacing his skull with a special steel alloy.
However, Hammerhead had suffered brain damage, and was amnesiac. His last memory, which became very important to him, was a movie poster in the alley above where he laid. For days, his delirium revolved around this poster. His personality became centred around the aesthetics of a movie gangster from the Roaring ’20s, to fill the vacuum left by his amnesia.
Believing himself a new Capone or a new Luciano, the powerful amnesiac took control of a whole Maggia family with the support of Harrow. That was during a period of power vacuum, as the Kingpin’s organisation had been gravely damaged.
Godfather
Both Hammerhead and Doctor Octopus moved in. In short order their respective gangs clashed violently. This underworld war lasted for months, with occasional lulls. It seemed it had ended when Hammerhead was blown up in the explosion of a nuclear reactor (long story).
However, instead of being obliterated, Hammerhead was strangely shifted out of phase. Thus, he came back as a “ghost” to avenge himself on Octopus. Hammerhead almost destroyed Octopus’ sanity, but the doctor recovered and attempted to destroy him. However, Doc Ock only succeeded in turning Hammerhead solid again.
In the subsequent fight, it seemed Hammerhead had met his doom in an exploding helicopter. But of course the extremely driven made man survived again. All in all, Hammerhead survived almost a half-dozen seemingly successful attempts to kill him during the various mob wars in the following years.
However, Hammerhead never was able to compete successfully with the genius of the Kingpin, even though he did him considerable damage. For instance, he was responsible for the devastating clash between the Lobo brothers and the Kingpin).
Recent years saw his long-standing alliance with the Chameleon in order to unite the Maggia under their joint rules, and Hammerhead hiring Tombstone for various jobs and attempting to cover for him. However, the sadistic Tombstone turn on him when he gained superhuman powers.
Description
See illustrations.
Personality
Think of a young, far more powerful Capone, and here you go. Hammerhead is utterly convinced that he is a movie made man, and lives that way to the hilt. Be sure to say “youse guys” a lot.
Hammerhead should not be underestimated ; even though a powerful fighter like Spider-Man can take him down, not everybody is as tough and experienced as good ol‘ webhead.
Quotes
“I’m back Octopus… and this time I’m going to *demolish* you.”
DC Universe History
Hammerhead would obviously live in Blüdhaven, and be Amalgamated with Torque. He would be a police detective whose skull was busted by Blockbuster, and was saved by Harrow.
The rest of his history would be the same, but he would fight an uphill battle against Blockbuster’s syndicate and his main heroic nemesis would be Nightwing, not Spidey.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Hammerhead
| Dex: 04 | Str: 05 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: Power |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 07 | Min: 06 | Occupation : Maggia boss |
| Inf: 07 | Aur: 06 | Spi: 07 | Resources {or Wealth} : 08 |
| Init: 017 | HP: 040 |
Powers:
EV: 09, Invulnerability: 06, Skin armor: 06
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Skin armor is only active during Charges (-2), and only against damage from the Charge itself or the Charged subject (-1).
- EV is only usable during Charges (-2).
- Skin Armor can also be activated against a given attack by spending 3 HPs (+1).
Skills:
Charisma (interrogation, intimidation): 07, Detective (counterfeit rec., police proc.)*: 04, Martial Arts: 07, Military science (field command): 06, Vehicles (land): 04, Weaponry (firearms): 06
Advantages:
Area Knowledge (New York), Iron Nerves, Scholar (Maggia traditions, gangster movies).
Connections:
Underworld (High).
Drawbacks:
MIA toward Maggia traditions.
Equipment:
- Tommy gun [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 06, Ammo: 15, R#03, Advantage: Autofire. A M1928 Thompson with a 50 rounds “drum” magazine].
- M1911A1 .45 Colt pistol [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 04, Ammo: 07, R#02].
- Hammerhead has used stats-boosting exoskeletons on occasion to battle superhumans mano a mano ; such exoskeletons should be tailored to his opponent’s ability, but this represents a huge investment for the criminal, and should be a rare occurrence. One example of basic exoskel would be [/DEX/ 05 /STR/ 09, BODY 4, Limitation: Serious Power Burnout, R#2].
Thugs
Hammerhead’s soldato and capo are quite motivated and skilled, allowing this — relatively — small operation using outdated methods and rules to enjoy tremendous success for its size. The stats for a soldato from Hammerhead’s familia are :
| Dex: 03 | Str: 03 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Upholding Hammerhead |
| Int: 02 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 | Occupation : Maggia soldato |
| Inf: 02 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth} : 04 |
| Init: 007 | HP: 010 |
Skills:
Detective (legwork): 04, Vehicles (land): 03, Weaponry (firearms): 04
Equipment:
They typically use Tommy guns [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 06, Ammo: 15, R#03, Advantage: Autofire. A M1928 Thompson with a 50 rounds “drum” magazine] and M1911A1 .45 Colt pistols [BODY 04, Projectile weapons: 04, Ammo: 07, R#02]. I guess they must use up about half of the .45 ammo sold in NYC proper…
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Hammerhead — Averaged PL 9
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
Powers
Metal Alloy Skull Implant ● 5 points ● Descriptor: Experimental
– Head First — Immunity 2 (own slam atacks), Limited to Half Effect; Strength-based Damage 4, Limited (slam attacks only).
– Alloy Cranium — Protection 4, Limited to Physical Impacts, Sustained.
Devices
Hammerhead has used stats-boosting exoskeletons on occasion to battle superhumans mano-a-mano; such exoskeletons should be tailored to his opponent’s ability, but this represents a huge investment for the criminal, and should be a rare occurrence. One example of basic exoskeleton would be:
Exo-skeleton ● 8 points, Removable ● Descriptor: Technological
– Strength servos — Enhanced Strength 5, Reduced Trait (Strength-based Damage 4).
– Enhanced Movement — Enhanced Dodge 1, Enhanced Parry 1, Enhanced Advantage (Improved Initiative).
Combat Advantages
Close Attack 4, Defensive Attack, Defensive Roll 4, Diehard, Move-by, Power Attack, Ranged Attack 3, Second Chance (fear/intimidation).
Other Advantages
Connected, Equipment 4.
Skills
Athletics 1 (+5), Deception 4 (+6), Expertise: Criminal 10 (+13), Expertise: Popular Culture 10 (+13, Limited 3 to gangster movies), Insight 5 (+6), Intimidation 5 (+7), Perception 4 (+5), Persuasion 4 (+6), Ranged Combat: Firearms 4 (+10), Vehicles 3 (+6, Limited 2 to land)
Equipment
Tommy gun Ranged Damage 5, Multiattack ● 15 points
M1911A1 .45 Colt pistol Ranged Damage 4 ● 1 point
Offense
| Initiative +1 |
| Unarmed +11, Close, Damage 4 |
| Tommy gun +10, Close, Damage 5, Multi-attack |
Defense
| Dodge | 7 | Fortitude | 9 |
| Parry | 10 | Toughness | 8/4* (12 against physical impact) |
| Will | 9 |
* Without Defensive Roll
Complications
- Traditions Hammerhead is a devoted adherant to Maggia traditions. Further, he has a quirky obsession with movie gangsters, who fill his need for identity where his memories used to be.
- Power Lust Hammerhead wants to be a boss among bosses.
Power levels
- Trade-off areas Attack/Effect PL 10, Dodge/Toughness PL 8, Parry/Toughness PL 9, Fort/Will PL 9.
- Point total 121. Abilities 50, Defences 22, Skills 21, Powers 5, Devices 0, Advantages 23. Equiv. PL 9.
Notes
A slam attack using his unarmed strike would deal 9 damage, or 10 at full speed.
The basic exo-suit, above, would increase his unarmed damage to 9, Dodge to 8, Parry to 11, his initiative to +5, and hit point total to 129. His PL would remain unchanged.
Source of Character: Spider-Man comics (Marvel Universe).
Helper(s): Angel, sigma.net, DCA stats by Pawsplay.