Latverian robot supremacists
Context
These ‘bots ran into Luke Cage in 1973, and that’s it. Still, it is well possible that others of their kind still exist. And who doesn’t like Latverian killer robots in disguise, eh ?
This story was the run-up to the far more famous, and gloriously nonsensical, confrontation between Luke Cage and Doctor Doom.
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Powers and Abilities
These robots are superhumanly strong and tough. Howbeit like most robots, they tend to blow up when hit with overwhelming force.
They are fierce, intense combatants whose fists hit like hammers. The lot nearly beat up Cage.
History
In the early 1970s, a robot rebellion took place in Latveria. Perhaps there was a generation of robots in wide use that had a defective circuit. The would-be revolutionaries wanted to take power. Many of them were anti-Human militants, wanting to eradicate Humans in Latverian and quite possibly the entire world.
The robots turned into revolutionaries somewhat randomly. Furthermore, they apparently were rubbish at hiding their newfound beliefs. This forced them to go to ground in the countryside. At this point, sinister alien the Faceless One sought them out. He united them in an effective revolutionary organisation, including an espionage arm and a paramilitary arm.
The Faceless One had already been behind a revolution in Latveria. In 1970, he had backed and armed Prince Rudolfo and his loyalists for their uprising. At its conclusion, Doctor Doom had to destroy his castle to deny it to the rebels. The Faceless One survived the explosion, and presumably laid low until he could round another army up and give it another try.
Given his technological skills, it is in fact entirely possible that the Faceless One was actually responsible for the rebellious streak in the Latverian robots.
I like to be in America !
Four rebel robotic spies fled to the USA. There, they disguised themselves as Humans and hid in the Bedford-Styuvesant ghetto. One of Doom’s men at the Latverian New York embassy dteermined that they held stolen official documents. Thus, he hired Luke Cage to repossess these.
Working the grapevine, Cage found his quarry. He had not been told they were robots, and this surprise allowed the spies to flee. Cage demanded explanations at the Latverian embassy, and Doom (presumably a Doombot) provided more and fresher intelligence?
Cage found the robots again. Despite being outnumbered, he destroyed all four by hitting as hard as he could. However, when he attempted to collect his bounty, he discovered Doom had left and refused to pay !
The new day is doomed
The big robot rebellion took place about a day after that incident. It was initially quite successful – the human guards who had replaced many of the robots were no match for them. But due to Cage’s interference, the Faceless One failed to kill Doctor Doom. Doom then faced the robot revolution and destroyed them all.
Given the fanatical behaviour of the rebel robots, it is possible that they fought to the last.
Description
See illustrations for both their disguise as humans and their actual form.
Personality
When they break cover, they reveal themselves as Human-hating robot supremacists. They seem to care for each other, though.
In general they were obviously sapient and entirely able to feel emotions, friendship toward each other, etc.
Quotes
“Death to all Humans ! Everyone of flesh, blood and bone must die !”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Rogue Latverian robot
| Dex: 06 | Str: 08 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: Nihilist |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 03 | Min: NA | Occupation: Rebel |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: NA | Spi: NA | Resources {or Wealth}: NA |
| Init: 015 | HP: 010 |
Powers:
EV 10, Self-link (Gadgetry): 10, Skin armour: 04
Skills:
Gadgetry (Identify Gadget): 05, Weaponry (Firearms, exotic): 04
Advantages:
Lightning reflexes.
Connections:
None.
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Equipment:
Blaster carbines [BODY 04, Mental blast: 09].
Undercover brothers
The four robots Cage clashed with in New York were named Primus, Secundus, Tertius and Quartus. They had the Artist (Actor): 03 Skill, and humanomorph disguises.
They had enough knowledge of mainstream American cultures to operate undercover there. And to realise that if they disguised themselves as Black guys and lived in the ghetto, no White Latverian spy could look for them without being noticed.
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Rogue Latverian robot — Averaged PL10.5
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 (07) | ∅ | 02 | 02 | 04 | 02 | 00 | 00 |
Powers
Robot rock ● 88 points ● Descriptor: Technology of Doom
– Plating — Protection 7, Defensive Roll 2.
– Robot Nature — Immunity 60 (Fortitude and Will).
– Powerful servos — Enhanced Strength 05, Enhanced Advantage (Power Attack, Increased Initiative, Close Attack 3).
– Powerful servos — Strength-based blunt Damage 3.
– Fleshy disguise — Subtle.
Devices
Latverian blaster ● 10 points (Easily Removable) ● Descriptor: Technology of Doom
Ranged force Damage 8.
Combat Advantages
Close Attack 2 (5), Defensive Roll 2 (4), Increased Initiative, Power Attack, Ranged Attack 2.
Other Advantages
None demonstrated.
Skills
Athletics 2 (+9), Perception 4 (+4), Ranged combat (Latverian blasters) 1 (+5), Technology 2 (+4).
Offense
| Initiative +6 |
| Unarmed +9, Close, Damage 10 |
| Latverian blasters +8, Ranged, Damage 8 |
Defence
| Dodge | 10 | Fortitude | ∅ |
| Parry | 10 | Toughness | 07*/11 |
| Will | ∅ |
* Without Defensive Roll
Complications
- Viva la revolución These robots are fanatics. On the other hand, they are rational about it, so they’re not going to do crazy stuff if it’s not worth it.
- Robots in disguise This band’s on the run, hiding among the hated Humans from the agents of Doom.
Powers Levels
- Trade-off areas. Attack/Effect PL 10, Dodge/Toughness PL 11, Parry/Toughness PL 11, Fort/Will PL ∅.
- Points total 145. Abilities 24, Defences 14, Skills 5, Powers 88, Devices 10, Advantages 4. Equiv. PL 10.
Source of Character: Hero for Hire #8-9.
Helper(s): Darci.