Torpedo
(Daredevil enemy)
Context
The original Torpedo (no other name known) is an obscure Daredevil foe. He was seen once in 1969. There’s not relation whatsoever with subsequent users of the “Torpedo” name.
He ended up getting a writeups.org profile early on, after I cruised Marvunapp.com for characters with few appearances in cheap comics.
But then he has distinctive visuals, and isn’t hard to use.
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Background
- Real Name: Unrevealed.
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Group Affiliation: None known.
- Base Of Operations: Los Angeles.
- Height: 5’10” Weight: 170 lbs.
- Eyes: Unrevealed Hair: Unrevealed
Powers and Abilities
The Torpedo is, as his name indicates, a mob hitman. He’s a fit, well-trained killer and weapons specialist.
His main weapons are :
- A blaster that can also project the contents of a cartridge of knockout gas.
- His hat, which has a razor-sharp metallic brim and flies back to its owner like a boomerang. It is sharp enough to slice through a wooden pole.
- Padded gloves to catch his returning hat.
- Something within his mask so he can operate amidst his own knockout gas (and presumably other gasses).
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History
The Torpedo was hired by the villainous Crime-Wave (Mason Hollis) in New York City. Shortly after he arrived, he was assigned to terminate inconvenient witness Willie Lincoln. Within hours, the Torpedo had located the hotel where Lincoln had been placed in protective custody.
Using sleep gas, he easily took out the cops. But this was a trap, and within seconds Daredevil (Matthew Murdock) burst in.
During the fight, the Torpedo used his hat to cleave a wooden pole DD was swinging on. This left hornhead dangling from a ledge, with his opponent stomping on his hands to make him drop. Mr. Lincoln rushed in and pushed the hitman over. Daredevil caught Lincoln as he too fell off the building, but that resulted in the Torpedo plummeting to his death.
Notes
The Torpedo’s accidental death haunted Daredevil for some time, but he eventually let go of this guilt.
As a retcon , it is probable that the Torpedo worked for the Pride. These dominated the crime scene in L.A. back then, and the Torpedo was too well-paid to fly under their radar. Perhaps the Pride had intentions about Crime-Wave, who had been gaining power very quickly in New York City. Perhaps the Torpedo has been an important asset when establishing the Pride’s influence ?
Description
See illustration.
Personality
A cocky cowboy type. His “always gets his man” rep is very important for him.
Quotes
“The boys back in L.A. told me you’ve got yourself a problem, big man ! One that the Torpedo can liquidate for you !”
“In case you ain’t up on your underworld lingo, DD… [Torpedo] means a pro killer… a rub-out man !”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Torpedo I
| Dex: 05 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Enforcer |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 004 |
| Init: 012 | HP: 015 |
Skills:
Detective (Legwork): 05, Vehicles (Land): 03, Weaponry (Firearms, his hat): 06
Advantages:
Familiarity (Mob lore).
Connections:
Underworld (Low), Street (Low).
Drawbacks:
MIA toward maintaining his rep.
Equipment:
- Blaster [BODY 04, Energy blast: 06, Knockout gas: 05, R#03, Limitation : Switching from Energy blast to Knockout Gas takes an Auto Action, Knockout Gas has Ammo: 01].
- Oddjob Hat [BODY 05, Claws: 05, Gliding: 02, Limitation : Gliding only to fly back to thrower].
- GLOVES [BODY 02, Skin Armour (Slashing, piercing): 04, Limitation: Skin armour only protects his hands.]
- DISCREET GAS MASK [BODY 01, Sealed systems: 04, Miniaturisation: 02.]
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Torpedo — Averaged PL5.6
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | 02 | 02 | 02 | 05 | 01 | 01 | 01 |
Devices
Oddjob hat ● 10 points (Subtle 1) ● Descriptor: Technology
Ranged Slashing damage 4, Increased Critical 1.
Costume ● 4 points (Subtle 1) ● Descriptor: Technology
– Reinforced gloves — Protection 8 (Limited 3 to catching Slashing/Piercing objects).
– Discreet gas mask — Immunity 2 (Suffocation).
Custom blaster ● 7 points (Easily Removable) ● Descriptor: Technology
Array:
- Zapping beam — Ranged energy Damage 5.
- Knockout gas — Cloud area Affliction 7 (Fortitude, fatigued/exhausted/asleep) (Limited 2 (1, possibly 2 shots of this).
Combat Advantages
Close Attack 3, Defensive Roll 1, Improved aim, Ranged attack 3.
Other Advantages
Contacts.
Skills
Athletics 2 (+4), Expertise (Hitman) 6 (+7), Insight 3 (+4), Investigation 6 (+7) (Limited 1 to Search, Gather Info, Surveillance), Perception 3 (+4), Ranged combat (Firearms) 4 (+9), Ranged combat (Thrown) 4 (+9), Vehicles 4 (+6) (Limited 2 to common land vehicles)
Offense
| Initiative +2 |
| Unarmed +8, Close, Damage 2 |
| Zapping beam +9, Ranged, Damage 5 |
| Oddjob hat +9, Ranged, Damage 4, Crit. 19-20 |
Defence
| Dodge | 08 | Fortitude | 06 |
| Parry | 07 | Toughness | 02*/03 |
| Will | 02 |
* Without Defensive Roll
Complications
- Hitman As his name indicates, he’s a killer for hire.
- Always gets his man The Torpedo will take serious risk to preserve his rep as a man who always makes successful hits.
Powers Levels
- Trade-off areas. Attack/Effect PL 7, Dodge/Toughness PL 6, Parry/Toughness PL 5, Fort/Will PL 4.
- Points total 88. Abilities 32, Defences 13, Skills 13, Powers 0, Devices 21, Advantages 9. Equiv. PL 6.
Source of Character: A 1969 issue of Daredevil (Marvel comics).
Helper(s): Darci.