Machinesmith
(Starr Saxon)
Context
Machinesmith is a B-list but classic Marvel villain. He first appeared in 1979, and is one of the big robotics expert in the Marvel Universe.
The following are older technical notes, not a full profile.
Background
- Real Name: Samuel “Starr” Saxon.
- Former Aliases: Mr. Fear II.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Former member of the Skeleton Crew.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile.
- [The following information assumes the Machinesmith in his typical robotic body.]
- Height: 6’1” Weight: 295 lbs.
- Eyes: Green Hair: Bald (red facial hair).
Powers and Abilities
Saxon exists as a living cybernetic-system program. He is equipped to transmit its program along an infrared laser beam from one robotic body to another within .25 seconds. Machinesmith can even place his personal program (personality) in multiple bodies at the same time.
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His physical properties vary in accordance with the robot body he is inside of. He has yet to inhabit a robot body greatly superior to a standard human-mimicking robot’s capacity.
Machinesmith is a genius at creating complex behavioral programs and bionic systems.
History
Starr Saxon was a master robot-maker. His ability rivaled that of Doctor Doom. Deciding to use his genius for personal gain, Saxon began offering his robots’ services to underworld clients. While carrying out a mission of murder, one of Saxon’s robots met and was thwarted by Daredevil.
Seeking to make Daredevil pay for his intervention, Saxon embarked on a scheme that culminated in his assuming the identity of Daredevil’s old enemy, Mr. Fear. He went so far as to murder the original Mr. Fear. In battle with Daredevil atop his hovercraft, Saxon fell hundreds of feet to the ground.
Back to “life”
Unseen by Daredevil or the authorities, Saxon’s robots, acting on pre-programming, retrieved the dying body of their inventor. They brought him back to his workshop. There, they transferred his encephalic patterns into a robot/computer system. When Saxon resumed a semblance of consciousness, he learned of his human body’s death. He now possessed a robotic body.
Though dismayed by his condition, Saxon constructed for himself a more human-looking body. He then resumed custom-building robots under the name of Machinesmith. His new specialty was the construction of robotic simulacra that looked and acted exactly like their human models.
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Despite his successes, Machinesmith grew to hate his pseudo-life. Yet he found that his programming would not allow him to terminate himself. During a lengthy encounter with Captain America, Machinesmith manipulated Cap into destroying his central computer system in an attempt to take his own life.
Despite this attempt, Saxon reappeared some time later. He now served the Red Skull as part of his Skeleton Crew. He has since ended this phase of his career and is working freelance. He has also since come to terms with his robotic existence.
Description
Starr Saxon’s robotic bodies are tall – and heavier than they looks, due to their mechanical nature. They usually have a bald head, red eyebrows, and red tufts of facial hair on either side of his chin.
Personality
Saxon is devoted to the theatrical. He plans all revolve around an almost-Hollywood vision of being a criminal. He builds his cast.
Other than that, I have no additional information.
DC Universe History
Saxon was a disgruntled LexCorp employee. As robotics is much more limited in the DC Universe, he could be a much bigger player than he was in Marvel. After all, he doesn’t have to compete with the Mad Thinker, Dr. Doom, The Pym/Ultron/Vision/supporting cast, or any Life Model Decoys .
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
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Machinesmith
| Dex: – | Str: – | Bod: – | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 08 | Wil: 06 | Min: 06 | Occupation: Robot Designer |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 006 |
| Init: 012+ | HP: 050 |
Powers:
Personality Transfer (Self-Linked): 08, Split: 20
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Personality Transfer only allows Machinesmith to inhabit robotic bodies of his own design (-1).
- Split only allows Machinesmith to inhabit multiple robotic bodies simultaneously.
Skills:
Gadgetry: 10, Scientist: 10
Advantages:
Genius, Scholar (Robotics).
Connections:
The Red Skull (high) ; The Skeleton Crew (high).
Drawbacks:
Serious Physical Restriction: Machinesmith has no body of his own and relies upon a collection of robotic forms. See Below.
Equipment:
- Typical Robotic Body: [/DEX/ 05 /STR/ 07 /BODY/ 08, Initiative: 20, Attack Vulnerability (-2CS) vs. Magnetic Attacks. Miscellaneous: These bodies are assumed to have the Cannot Heal drawback and do NOT have Hardened Defenses].
- Machinesmith has created a vast arsenal of weaponry, defense systems, and surveillance devices that are constantly upgraded. If rushed, assume that he has from 1-10 12 AP ABCD Omni-Gadgets in addition to as many as 20 duplicate robotic versions of his own body into which he can transfer his consciousness.
- During his service with the Skeleton Crew, Machinesmith upgraded his bodies. Possible boosts (each body may have about 0-4 boosts, according to his strategy) are DEX 07, STR 08, BODY 09, Regeneration: 09, Running: 06, Stretching: 02, Thermal vision: 06, Telescopic vision: 06, Ultra-vision: 06 or grenade launcher.
- He also used a Sleeper robot from times to times (since destroyed by Cap).
Source of Character: Marvel Comics.
Helper(s): OHOTMU:DE #7, Sébastien Andrivet.