Shu-Hu the Lightning
Context
Shu-Hu is a tough robot who does kung-fu.
He’s also notable for having featured in the first Iron Fist story, back in 1974. Which is when Carl Douglas’ Kung Fu Fighting was kicking high in the charts, not coincidentally.
Background
- Base Of Operations: K’un-lun.
- Height: 6’11” Weight: 330 lbs.
- Eyes: Unrevealed if any Hair: Presumably none.
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Powers and Abilities
Shu-Hu is a martial arts robot. He’s as accomplished in K’un-Lun kung-fu as any champion, and superhumanly strong and durable.
He has slits in his palms, from which he can shoot big knives. He has one knife stored behind each hand.
History
Shu-Hu (Kunlunese for “Lightning”, sometimes translated as “Lightning Lord”) was a masked humanoid robot. He was part of a ritual trial for top champion martial artists in K’un-Lun.
The trial would begin by the Trial of the Many, pitting the fighter against half-a-dozen lesser champions. It would then progress to the Trial of the One, with Shu-Hu walking into the arena.
During one such trial, Iron Fist progressed to the Trial of One without undue difficulty. But then Shu-Hu quickly seized the upper hand. Iron Fist realised that the lightning lord was a robot, and Shu-Hu confirmed this by shooting knives from his hands.
Reflecting upon the death of his mother, Iron Fist found new strength. He hammered Shu-Hu, finishing him with the iron fist.
It is likely that there were other such robots. And since a part of K’un-Lun merged with Tōkyō semi-recently, it is possible that some such robots are now on Earth.
Description
Shu-Hu’s head is definitely robotic. But when he wears his hood most observers would think that he’s a very large human male.
Personality
Shu-Hu fights hard and doesn’t talk.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Shu-Hu
| Dex: 08 | Str: 07 | Bod: 07 | Motivation: Programmed |
| Int: 02 | Wil: NA | Min: NA | Occupation: Trial |
| Inf: NA | Aur: NA | Spi: NA | Resources {or Wealth}: NA |
| Init: 010 | HP: 000 |
Powers:
Density increase: 01, Projectile weapon: 06, Self-link (Gadgetry): 08, Skin armour: 02
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Density Increase is Always On and already factored in.
- Projectile weapon has Ammo: 02.
Skills:
Martial artist*: 08
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
None.
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Shu-Hu the lightning — Averaged PL9.5
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06 | — | 03 | 02 | 08 | — | 00 | — |
Powers
I, kung-fu robot ● 46 points ● Descriptor: K’un Lun technology
– Immunity 30 (Fortitude effects).
– Protection 10, with two Ranks having Impervious.
– Palm knife launchers — Ranged piercing Damage 5, limited 1 (two shots).
– Feature 1 (three Ranks of body mass).
Combat Advantages
Accurate Attack, Close attack 1, Defensive Attack, Improved trip.
Other Advantages
None demonstrated.
Skills
Athletics 4 (+10), Close combat (Unarmed) 3 (+12), Perception 1 (+1).
Offense
| Initiative +3 |
| Unarmed +12, Close, Damage 6 |
Defence
| Dodge | 12 | Fortitude | ∞ |
| Parry | 12 | Toughness | 10 |
| Will | ∞ |
* Without Defensive Roll
Powers Levels
- Trade-off areas. Attack/Effect PL 9, Dodge/Toughness PL 11, Parry/Toughness PL 11, Fort/Will PL N.A..
- Points total 105. Abilities 38, Defences 13, Skills 4, Powers 46, Devices 0, Advantages 4. Equiv. PL 7.
Notes
His “I, kung-fu robot” is arguably Subtle, but that only works with his hood on. And he generally falls well short of the level of Human life simulation you’d expect for a robot to get Subtle. OTOH, it does give him an advantage as his opponents likely expect to fight a Human person.
Source of Character: Marvel premiere #15.