Triumvirate of terror
(Hammerhead, Pile-drive and Thunderboot)
Context
These blokes only appeared once, in a 1967 Avengers issue.
But if you need a trio of stock, ready-to-use Silver Age comics heavies, then they’re just right.
Powers & Abilities
The Triumvirate members appear to be competent, decisive fighters. Our game stats assume that they are solid hand-to-hand/brawling specialists.
Their pop art costumes protect them against minor attacks, and enhance their strength by a factor of 15 or more.
Each costume has its own gimmick.
- The Hammerhead has an armour-plated hat. It can be used to charge head-first or to block attacks and projectiles.
- The Pile-Driver is armoured enough to take the Wasp’s “sting”, sports metal gloves, and seems to have “Class 10” strength.
- The Thunderboot has boots that manipulate gravity allowing for swift movement, powerful kicks and shockwave stomps.
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Follow the script
The main advantage of the Triumvirate operatives is that the Mad Thinker will have provided them with a script for their fight.
Since the Thinker can predict the future to a fraction of a second, his men will know exactly what to do and can perfectly counter any attack or trick. As long as the Thinker’s predictions aren’t derailed by the “human x-factor”.
For instance when Hammerhead faced Hawkeye (Clint Barton), he knew at which point Hawkeye would shoot what exact type of vibrating arrow at him and along which trajectory. That allowed him to block the projectile with a plank of thick wood that would absorb the vibrations.
Likewise, Thunderboot knew exactly when to stomp to send Quicksilver flying and where he would land. And Pile-Driver knew when and how to break an I-beam to send a steel cable flying that would hit the Wasp.
History
In 1967, the Mad Thinker attacked the Avengers to pillage the Stark technology in their mansion. He waited until Captain America (Steve Rogers), by far the most experienced member, was busy elsewhere.
He recruited three bruisers, equipped them with light power armour and trained them. In typical Thinker fashion, he told them what to do exactly with a tasks list timed to the second.
- Hammerhead ambushed and defeated Hawkeye.
- Pile-Driver ambushed and defeated Giant-Man (Dr. Henry Pym) and the Wasp.
- Thunderboot attacked Avengers Mansion and took out Quicksilver.
- Which all gave an opportunity to the Thinker to defeat the Scarlet Witch by turning her own power against her.
Godlike
However, Hercules (Herakles) then walked into the mansion. Flabbergasted since his near-infallible computer models did not account for demi-gods coming to Earth, the Thinker could only order his three henchmen to attack. But Hercules and the Avengers soon prevailed.
The Thinker slipped away, but the Triumvirate was arrested and never seen again.
Personality
The Triumvirate members were, as thugs go, competent and dedicated. They could reliably follow the very precise scripts of the Thinker (which isn’t easy, especially in combat). When deprived of a script they were loyal and took initiatives.
In all three operations, the Triumvirate member had a moment where they seemed on the ropes. But it was just a trick to land a blindside attack and wrap up.
Quotes
“Guess again, Hawkeye ! My armoured head-plate can take anything you can dish out ! And, by the way, the time is now precisely 8:41 !”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Hammerhead, Pile-driver, Thunderboot
| Dex: 03 | Str: 03 | Bod: 03 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 02 | Wil: 02 | Min: 02 | Occupation: Lowlife |
| Inf: 02 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 02 | Resources {or Wealth}: 003 |
| Init: 009 | HP: 005 |
Skills:
Martial Artist: 04, Vehicles (Land): 02
Advantages
Area Knowledge (an unspecified area of New York City), Familiarity (Street culture). One gets the impression that Hammerhead has a Familiarity with carpentry, Pile-Driver with construction, and Thunderbolts with athletics.
Connections:
Street (Low).
Drawbacks:
None demonstrated.
Equipment:
The three suits are :
- HAMMERHEAD SUIT [/STR/ 07 /BODY/ 05, Force shield: 09, Limitation: Force shield is performed by lowering the head to Block with the hat, which can easily be inconvenient.
- PILE-DRIVER SUIT [/STR/ 09 /BODY/ 07, EV 02 (10 w/STR)].
- THUNDERBOOT SUIT [/STR/ 06 /BODY/ 06, EV 08, Jumping: 02, Running: 05, Shockwave: 09, Bonus: Shockwave is resisted by STR/STR rather than DEX/DEX, Limitation: EV is limited to kicks, Limitation: Shockwave requires a shared surface to stomp].
I predict a riot
In game terms, the combat script provided by the Thinker give the Triumvirate members :
- Superspeed: 08 (only to substitute for DEX or perception AV/EV, and increase Initiative).
- Enhanced Initiative: 12. They will often Press the Attack or Lay Back to use their Initiative, and of course winning the Initiative means that they know what their opponents will do so they can act preventively.
- Hero Points provided by the Mad Thinker through Leadership (often 25 or 30 for a fight).
All these assets disappear when the situation goes off the rails.
Source of Character: Avengers volume 1 #39.
Writeup completed on the 6th of August, 2013.