Stronghold
(Heavy Mettle)
Context
Heavy Mettle is an obscure Marvel Comics criminal team. They fought the New Warriors during the 2000s.
They are a convenient, low-powered bunch that is easy to use in your own stories.
Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: Heavy Mettle.
- Base Of Operations: Formerly New York City.
- Height: 5’8” Weight: 145 lbs.
- Eyes: Unrevealed Hair: Unrevealed
Advertisement
Powers and Abilities
Stronghold wears the heaviest power armour suit among Heavy Mettle, and can engage superhumanly strong opponents. Despite the bulk of her armour, she’s actually pretty fast.
History
Heavy Mettle is a team of operatives wielding high technology weapons, usually as light power armour. They were assembled by Joe Silvermane when he started running the Silvermane family of the Maggia. Firestrike seemed to be their leader, and Warbow their tactical leader.
Other members included Barracuda, Blackwing II, Riot and Stronghold. Our guess would be that the armours and weapons were contracted from Madame Menace.
In 2000, Silvermane’s Heavy Mettle clashed twice with the New Warriors. The criminals performed well despite their generally lower power level. Still, they were defeated when their leader, Firestrike, betrayed them after falling in love with Turbo, one of the New Warriors. The members of Heavy Mettle were all arrested, including Firestrike.
In 2009 they registered with the Initiative. Heavy Mettle members were tapped for the second version of the Shadow Initiative. It no longer was an elite black ops squad, but a trap for cannon fodder troops. The Shadow Initiative was spent retaking the 42 Prison in the Negative Zone. They were to soften the alien opposition therein before more valuable assets would move in.
Though the assault was eventually successful, it was reported in the heat of the fight that half of Heavy Mettle had fallen. How many of them, who exactly and how gravely they were hit wasn’t revealed. Secondary sources list Blackwing and Riot as having been killed, and Barracuda and Stronghold as having apparently been retired, perhaps due to wounds.
Description
The faceplate of the Stronghold armour is polarised. This makes her face look odd and somewhat intimidating since it is seen backlit and in heavy shadows. The top of the armour is painted with the classic ’shark face‘ motif that is best known for decorating some American fighter aircrafts during WWII.
Personality
Stronghold is as disciplined and professional as the rest of Heavy Mettle.
Quotes
Speedball (as Stronghold grabs his ankle): “Hey ! Leggo, man !”
Stronghold: “That’s ma’am. Get away from me, little dork.” (hurls Speedball 09 APs away).
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Stronghold
| Dex: 04 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 03 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Mercenary |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 011 | HP: 020 |
Skills:
Martial artist (AV, OV): 05
Bonuses and Limitations:
Martial Artist only while operating the Stronghold suit (which bumps her Initiative to 013 when suited up).
Advantages:
None demonstrated.
Connections:
Underworld (Low), Heavy Mettle (Low).
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Equipment:
STRONGHOLD ARMOUR [/STR/ 11 /BODY/ 09, Sealed systems: 05, Shade: 01].
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Stronghold — Averaged PL 8.2
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 (11) | 02 (07) | 01 | 01 | 04 (06) | 01 | 01 | 01 |
Powers
Specialised power armour training ● 3 points (Removable – must wear the Stronghold power armour) ● Descriptor: Skill
Enhanced Fighting 2.
Devices
Stronghold power armour ● 36 points (Removable) ● Descriptor: Technology
Enhanced Strength 10, Enhanced Stamina 5, Immunity 10 (Life support), Protection 4.
Combat Advantages
Close attack 1.
Other Advantages
None demonstrated.
Skills
Athletics 2 (+3), Close combat (Unarmed) 1 (+6), Expertise (Mercenary) 5 (+5), Insight 1 (+2), Perception 3 (+4).
Offense
| Initiative +1 |
| Unarmed +6, Close, Damage 1 |
| Unarmed whilst armoured +8, Close, Damage 11 |
Defense
| Dodge | 5 | Fortitude | 5 (10) |
| Parry | 6 (8) | Toughness | 2 (11) |
| Will | 4 |
Complications
- Mercenary Heavy Mettle members serve the underworld for money.
Power levels
- Trade-off areas Attack/Effect PL 10, Dodge/Toughness PL 8, Parry/Toughness PL 10, Fort/Will PL 7.
- Point total 82. Abilities 24, Defences 12, Skills 6, Powers 3, Devices 36, Advantages 1. Equiv. PL 6.
Source of Character: Primarily New Warriors v2 (Marvel Universe).