Shoveler
Context
Mystery Men was a 1999 super-hero comedy, depicting a non-team of lamentable would-be heroes attempting to rise to greater heights.
It had it’s-okay-but-a-bit-chaotic movie critics, bombed commercially, and was considered awesome by many who wanted to see a super-hero comedy.
Background
- Real Name: Eddie (no last name revealed).
- Other aliases: The Shoveller.
- Marital Status: Married.
- Known Relatives: Lucille (wife), Butch (son, age 12), Tracy (daughter age 8), Roland (son, age 4).
In the original script, he also had two other children, Eddie Jr (15) and Lenore (12). They are not shown in the movie, and in fact the ages of the other children seem to be spread out more to cover the gaps. I’ve assigned them ages more in keeping with their looks than what the script says to allow for this. - Group Affiliation: Mystery Men.
- Base Of Operations: Champion City.
- Height: 5’ 9” Weight: 170 lb. Age: 30’s.
- Eyes: Blue-grey. Hair: Ginger Brown.
Advertisement
Powers and Abilities
He shovels well. He shovels very well. He shovels better than anybody you’ve ever seen.
The Shoveler is an unconventional hero at best, depending mostly on the uniqueness of his chosen weapon, and the fact that he’s better at using it than most people are…
But until he and his comrades learned to be effective heroes (in game terms, using Hero Points , teamwork, and practical tactics, plus strategically raising certain abilities), he could barely handle even normal thugs. And even then couldn’t handle more than one at a time.
After some training by the Sphinx, he suddenly was a very confident, and much more effective hero, able to take down both multiple “thug” level opponents, and even minor “named” villains like Tony C..
History
Soon to come.
Advertisement
Description
The Shoveler wears typical blue-collar dress, an amalgam of working clothes (jeans and workboots), and protective gear (Leather jacket, baseball catcher’s protective vest, and miner’s helmet), which evokes a “costume” feel without actually being one.
The Shoveler was played by William H. Macy.
Personality
The Shoveler is the man who shovels well but gets almost no respect. He is a uniquely blue-collar “everyman” hero, pursuing his superhero career aside from juggling a family and a job.
He might seem dim. As with the hilarious conversation about why Lance Hunt, the millionaire playboy, can’t be the same person as Captain Amazing. But he has soul, and of the kind rarely found these days.
Shoveler is undoubtedly a leftover to the “Captain America” type hero of the 50’s and 60’s… He’s resolute, steadfast, unwavering in his dedication even though everyone is laughing behind his back (which is bad) or, more commonly, to his face (which is worse).
Even his wife doesn’t believe in him, which causes the most heartache he has to endure. But endure he does.
It is extremely telling about Shoveler’s personality that he has spent 15 years doing a thankless job for no recognition, while personal abuse is heaped on him, just because “God gave him a gift.”
DC Universe History
The Mystery Men (in the movie) are definitely part spoof and part homage to the “mystery men” of early comics history.
As such they can be inserted dang near anyplace, but the feel of their movie is slightly skewed… They don’t feel very Golden Age , and don’t fit the humor genre.
But as low-level supers in a street-level campaign they actually might work, as long as they aren’t overpowering their foes. Their main bad guy ought always to be one who is on the surface more than they can handle.
Quotes
“We’ve got a blind date with Destiny – and it looks like she’s ordered the lobster.”
“We struck down evil with the mighty sword of teamwork and the hammer of…” (pauses awkwardly) “not bickering.”
[Drunkenly leaving a bar] “The Shoveler is hammered !”
“We can’t run.” (waves sandwich) “This is egg salad. It’s loaded with cholesterol. The wife won’t even let me touch it. Hardly seems to matter now, cause chances are we’re already dead. Amazing is gone. There’s no use waiting for the cavalry, because as of this moment, the cavalry is us. This is our fight, whether we like it or not. Just we few. We’re not your classic superheroes. We’re not the favorites. We’re the other guys. The ones nobody ever bets on.”
“We’re all in over our heads and we know it. But if we take on this fight, those of us who survive it will forever after show our scars with pride and say, “That’s right. I was there. I fought the good fight.”
“So… do we gather together and go kick some Casanova butt ? (holds up sandwich) Or do I *eat* this sandwich ?”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
The Shoveler
A 389 Point Character
| Dex: 05 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Construction Worker |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 05 | Resources {or Wealth}: 005 |
| Init: 015 | HP: 050 |
Skills:
Evasion: 06, Martial Artist: 05, Weaponry (Shovels): 06, Vehicles (Land): 04
Bonuses and Limitations:
Evasion requires wielding a shovel, and may be limited to defending against melee attacks.
Advantages:
Area Knowledge (Champion City), Leadership.
Connections:
Mystery Men (High).
Drawbacks:
Dependents: [Family].
Equipment:
- Shoveler’s Miner’s Helmet [/BODY/ 04, Flash: 01, R#02, HP Cost: 11. Limitations : Flash is Incapable of Multi-Attacks, Continuous Glow Only ; Partial Armor (Head Only) ; R# Represents the lamp needing new Batteries].
- SHOVELER’S PROTECTIVE VEST [BODY 03, Blunting: 02, HP Cost: 9. Limitations : Blunting against Blunt/Crushing Damage Only ; Partial Armor (Vest, -1 CS to Bypass)].
- Shovel [BODY 04, EV 03, HP Cost: 10].
- Hand shovel [BODY 02, EV 02, HP Cost: 5].
Previous Statistics
The Shoveler was originally a pretty poor superhero, which I attribute to a few things:
- Much fewer Hero Points (Around 10 is right, and explains why he wouldn’t spend any unless absolutely necessary).
- Lower actual stats and Skills.
The Shoveler at the beginning of the movie has 1 AP less in all Acting Attributes, his Martial Arts Skill is 03, His Weaponry (Shovels) is 04, and he does not have Leadership. This massive points expenditure is best explained by Shoveler having been hoarding HP for advancement for the last 15 years.
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
The Shoveler — Averaged PL 6.2
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 02 | 02 | 01 | 05 | 00 | 01 | 01 |
Powers
I Shovel Well ● 4 points (Removable (requires a shovel)) ● Descriptor: Skill
– Enhanced Parry 2.
– Shovel Better Than Any Man You Know — Quickness 1, Limited 1 (shoveling); Enhanced Strength 1, Limited 2 (shoveling).
– Enhanced Advantages (Improved Disarm, Improved Grab).
Combat Advantages
Close Attack 2, Defensive Roll 1, Improved Critical (shovels), Improved Disarm, Improved Grab, Inspire, Power Attack, Quick Draw.
Other Advantages
Equipment 2, Teamwork.
Skills
Athletics 4 (+5), Close Combat: Shovels 2 (+9), Deception 1 (+2, Limited to feinting), Expertise: Construction 4 (+4), Insight 2 (+3), Perception 4 (+5), Persuasion 2 (+3), Vehicles 4 (+5, Limited 2 to land vehicles).
Equipment
– Miner’s Helmet — Feature (illumination); Second Chance (resist blunt impact blows to the head, such as structural collapses) ● 2 points
– Protective Vest — Enhanced Fortitude 2, Quirk (not versus gasses or environmental extremes); Protection 1, Limited 2 (blunt impact) ● 2 points
– Shovel — Strength-based Damage 2 ● 2 points
– Hand Shovel — Feature (just sort of handy) ● 1 point
Offense
| Initiative +2 |
| Unarmed +7, Close, Damage 1 |
| Shovel +9, Close, Damage 3, Threat 19-20 |
| Hand shovel +9, Close, Damage 1, Threat 19-20 |
Defense
| Dodge | 8 | Fortitude | 7/5*** |
| Parry | 10/8** | Toughness | 3/2* |
| Will | 6 |
* Without Defensive Roll
** Without shovel
*** Against gasses or environmental effects, or without his vest
Complications
- God Gave Me a Gift The Shoveler shovels, he shovels well. His entire vocation is based on his belief that his abilities were intended for some good and just purpose.
- Relationships The Shoveler is a family man, with a fair and patient wife and two adoring children.
Power levels
- Trade-off areas Attack/Effect PL 6, Dodge/Toughness PL 6, Parry/Toughness PL 7, Fort/Will PL 7.
- Point total 68. Abilities 26, Defences 17, Skills 11, Powers 4, Devices 0, Advantages 10. Equiv. PL 5.
Notes
The Shoveler appears to display the Improved Disarm and Grab advantages in his battle with Tony C..
The Shoveler was originally a pretty poor superhero. Prior to training with the Sphinx and his baptism by fire against Casanova Frankenstein, he lacked the Improved Disarm, Improved Grab, Inspire, and Teamwork. His AGI, DEX, and FGT were all 1 lower, reducing his skills, defenses, and offense bonuses, and his Close Combat: Shovels skill had one less rank and Perception, two less ranks. He had one less rank of Enhanced Parry. And he couldn’t figure out how Lance Hunt would be able to see without his glasses.
Helper(s): Original Mystery Men script ; Roy Cowan, Sébastien Andrivet. DCA stats by Pawsplay.
Source of Character: Mystery Men (Movie version).