Thing
(Benchmark #2 - Classic)
Context
Our Thing writeups are very old sets of notes that were done as early benchmarking. The numbers are still reasonably correct and the writeups have been modernised a bit, but these entries remain rough benchmarking notes, not researched profiles.
Background
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Daniel Grimm, Elsie Grimm (parents, deceased), Daniel Jacob Grimm (brother, deceased), Jacob “Jake” Grimm (uncle), Alyce Grimm (aunt, deceased), Petunia “Penny” Grimm (aunt), Franklin Benjamin Grimm (godson).
- Group Affiliation: Fantastic Four ; also an Avengers reservist. Former member of the Avengers West Coast, Thunderiders, UCWF and Yancy Street Gang.
- Base Of Operations: Baxter Building, NYC.
- Height: 6’ Weight: 500lbs.
- Eyes: Blue Hair: None
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Powers and Abilities
This is the Thing for the late 60’s – and the 70’s and 80’s. The stats are those for the mid-80’s, to be exact.
As you can see, Ben has been pumping Hero Points like crazy into enhancing his stats. His STR has been steadily rising with time and training, and he has overcame his grief to develop a very powerful personality. He can be considered as one of the greatest mortal fighters on Earth, as the Champion discovered to his dismay.
The Thing uses what his almost a Genre Rule for the FF. In most every situations, he will use very little HPs, and hence will seems less powerful than he really is and may even be knocked out by tough foes.
However, when the situation goes critical and the fate of Earth lies in balance, HPs flow like water and the FF are able to beat cosmic menaces. In fact, Ben holds the record for the longest string of Last Ditch Defenses in comic books history (during his aforementioned fight with the Champion).
History
See Thing (modern) writeup.
Description
The Thing is bulky (the same figure as the Kingpin) and looks covered with orange stone fragments all over his body. While working as a super-hero, he often wears a pair of blue trunks. He has sunk in blue eyes and no hair. The lips are missing and there is just a crack where the mouth usually is.
To some he might look funny, but most people are scared of his appearance. When taking a walk in private he usually wears a trench coat – although he still looks big.
The Thing’s movement might look a bit clunky and clumsy, but he actually moves much faster than what his size would indicate.
Personality
I think we all know about the classic Thing. He’s a greater than life figure, a grumpy New Yorker from a bad sitcom who smokes cigars, reads the sports section in the paper and pretends to have a bad temper. His fights with the Torch are both childish and well-remembered.
Below this rather comical figure lies the real Thing. While he’s gruff, he’s truly a man of the people, and has a heart of gold. He has tremendous resolve, compassion and willpower, and is an excellent leader.
And yet, below this apparently simple, good man lies a tormented soul who cannot really come to terms with his physical monstrosity. While his depressive periods become increasingly rarer, they still exist, and Ben would like nothing more than being able to know love.
Although he dearly wants to become a man again, he was still willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and revert to his Thing state, as he knew that the world needed him and his raw power.
DC Universe History
See Thing (modern) writeup.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Thing (classic)
| Dex: 05 | Str: 16 | Bod: 12 | Motivation: Upholding Good |
| Int: 06 | Wil: 08 | Min: 06 | Occupation: Adventurer |
| Inf: 06 | Aur: 05 | Spi: 07 | Resources {or Wealth}: 010 |
| Init: 018 | HP: 100 |
Powers:
Damage capacity (Physical): 02, Density increase: 01, Flame immunity: 02, Invulnerability: 07, Super-breath: 05
Bonuses and Limitations:
Density Increase is Always On and already factored in (-1).
Skills:
Martial artist: 08, Vehicles (Land): 04, Vehicles (Air, space): 10, Weaponry: 04
Advantages:
Conditional Soaking (Blunt), Expertise (Aircraft mechanics and maintenance), Headquarters (Expansive), Leadership, Popularity.
Connections:
Fantastic Four (High), Hero community (High, Powerful), Uatu the Watcher (Low).
Drawbacks:
Public ID, Creepy Appearance. For several years, Alicia was a Dependent.
Ben Grimm
During this period, Ben reverts to his human state in several instances (it’s too rare to be an Alter ego, and would classify as a Power Complication subplot). The human Grimm has the following stats :
| Dex: 04 | Str: 04 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Upholding Good |
| Int: 06 | Wil: 07 | Min: 06 | Occupation: Adventurer |
| Inf: 05 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 06 | Resources {or Wealth}: 010 |
| Init: 017 | HP: half |
Skills:
Martial artist: 06, Vehicles (Land): 04, Vehicles (Air, space): 10, Weaponry: 04
Advantages:
Expertise (Aircraft mechanics and maintenance).
Connections:
Fantastic Four (High).
Equipment:
Once used a Thing exoskeleton [/DEX/ 03 /STR/ 12 /BOD/ 08, Skin armor: 02].
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Thing (Classic) — Averaged PL 12
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 12 | 02 | 04 | 08 | 02 | 03 | 02 |
Powers
Rock-like body ● 11 points ● Cosmic Rays, Physiological
– Impervious Toughness 8, Noticeable.
– Growth 1, Permanent.
– Second Chance (Blunt Impact Damage), Second Chance (Fire Damage).
Super-Strength ● 2 points ● Descriptors: Cosmic Rays, Physiological
Enhanced Strength 2, Limited (to Lifting).
Strong Lungs ● 20 points ● Descriptors: Cosmic Rays, Physiological, Super-Strength
Move Object 5, Area (Cone), Limited Direction, Linked to Nullify Gasses 5, Area (Cone).
Combat Advantages
Accurate Attack, All-Out Attack, Close Attack 4, Daze (Intimidation), Defensive Attack, Defensive Roll 1, Diehard, Leadership, Power Attack, Ranged Attack 2, Startle, Ultimate Toughness.
Other Advantages
Benefit (Member of the Fantastic Four), Benefit 2 (Popularity – most civilians are automatically Favorable), Connected, Skill Mastery (Vehicles).
Skills
Deception 1 (+3), Expertise (Aircraft Mechanics and Maintenance) 7 (+9), Insight 5 (+8), Intimidation 3 (+5), Perception 5 (+8), Persuasion 3 (+5), Vehicles 2 (+6), Vehicles 8 (+14) (Limited – air and space only).
Offense
| Initiative +11 |
| Unarmed +12, Close, Damage 14 |
Defense
| Dodge | 8 | Fortitude | 12 |
| Parry | 12 | Toughness | 13/12* |
| Will | 9 |
* Without Defensive Roll
Complications
- Upholding the Good Underneath it all, Ben is a compassionate, self-sacrificing soul.
- Appearance Ben has an unusual and potentially startling appearance.
- Relationship During a period in this era, Alicia.
- Public Identity Ben Grimm is a bona-fide celebrity, with all that entails.
- Power Loss During this period, Ben reverts to his human state in several instances.
Power levels
- Trade-off areas Attack & Effect PL 13, Dodge/Toughness PL 11, Parry/Toughness PL 13, Fort & Will PL 11.
- Point total 174. Abilities 90, Defences 16, Skills 15, Powers 33, Devices 0, Advantages 20. Equiv. PL 12.
Uncapped !
If using the optional, open-ended equivalencies, the Thing’s Strength is 16. Drop his lifting-only Strength. This raises his Attack/Effect PL to 14, costs 2 points, and raises his average PL to 12.2.
Ben Grimm — Averaged PL —
In his human form, he is not only less powerful, but less confident and dynamic. However, he finds an easier time getting behind a steering wheel.
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | 03 | 02 | 04 | 06 | 02 | 03 | 01 |
Devices
Ben once used a Thing exoskeleton ● 17 points (Removable)
– Growth 3, Innate, Permanent.
– Enhanced Strength 7, Reduced Dexterity 1, Reduced Trait (Defensive Roll -3).
– Protection 4.
– Protection 1, Limited (Physical Impact only).
Combat Advantages
All-Out Attack, Close Attack 4, Defensive Attack, Defensive Roll 3, Power Attack, Ranged Attack 1.
Other Advantages
Benefit (Member of the Fantastic Four), Benefit 2 (Popularity), Connected, Skill Mastery (Vehicles).
Skills
Athletics 2 (+4), Expertise (Aircraft Mechanics and Maintenance) 7 (+9), Insight 5 (+8), Perception 5 (+8), Persuasion 3 (+4), Vehicles 4 (+8), Vehicles 6 (+14) (Limited – air and space only).
Offense
| Initiative +1 |
| Unarmed +10, Close, Damage 2 |
Defense
| Dodge | 6 | Fortitude | 8 |
| Parry | 10 | Toughness | 6/3* |
| Will | 8 |
* Without Defensive Roll
Source of Character: Fantastic Four comics (Marvel Universe).
Helper(s): Mark Ayen, Z, JKCarrier, Phil Dixon. One illustration detoured at rapsheet.co.uk .