Effects

Strength 7d

Agility 4b

Intellect 6x

Willpower 6d

Hand Size: Edge:

3 (17) 2

Powers:

(none)

Equipment:

Catapult (i): inexplicably, Effects carries a catapult with him into action. This small unit can be used to fling globs of burning napalm at an opponent, globs which inflict intensity 10 fiery damage per strike... and easily catch anything else in the vicinity on fire!

Explosives / Pyrotechnics (i): his stock in trade, Effects has the tools and supplies necessary to blow things up - but good! He can produce any explosion of up to intensity 13, which has a fragmentary effect and/or simply looks visually dazzling!

the Joe-Com (i): this is a new device given to all Joes since the group's reactivation. This high-tech wristband functions as an audio/video transceiver with various other goodies built in to help a soldier on the go, and is described in greater detail in its own equipment entry.

Laser Rifle (a): Effects' primary weapon in the field, this rifle allows him to fire at a foe without kickback, thus eliminating any drift caused by the use of projectile weapons in space. This directed energy weapon can inflict his Agility +7 energy damage per deadly blast.

Monster Slash Knife (s): should he have to cut a line or even a Cobra astronaut on the job, Effects has started carrying a blade with him on missions. Built from m.s. 12 materials, it can cut through things of like m.s., or be used to inflict +2 damage in melee.

Semi-automatic Pistol (a): though he'd prefer to use his big guns in a fight, you never know when things aren't going to go as planned. Effects can fire this weapon to inflict his Agility +4 damage in a single shot, or his Agility +5 in a semi-automatic burst.

Space Suit (s): when he has to 'step out' into space, Effects will usually be seen in his space suit; he typically wears it while on the job anyway (just in case), but it's not always totally sealed up unless he's on a walk. Effects' space suit has these capabilities:

* Environmental Independence (s): Effects' helmet has a built in oxygen rebreather installed within, which helps to recycle his air - so that he need not carry about a bulky supply of pressurized, breathable atmosphere. This device works at intensity 2 for air (two day supply).

* Resistance to Cold and Pressure Variance (s): a self-sealing, pressurized suit, Effects' uniform offers him +10 protection against these damage forms, a necessity when working in the cold, hard vacuum of space (if you want to last a while, at least).

Hindrances:

(none)

Skills:

Boxing (s): a skill you can't get through Basic training without mastering, Effects has learned how to defend himself even without weaponry. He may divide his pre-cardplay action score between two unarmed melee attacks, the second of which occurs as a contingent action.

Demolitions: his stock in trade, Effects lives to blow stuff up. Whether just making an impressive light show or demolishing a building, he should receive a reduced difficulty on such efforts, and as a master level demolitionist, may resolve them with his Strength or Agility.

Marksmanship (a): while he usually prefers to blow things up, Effects has been fully trained in the fine art of modern gunplay. He may attack with a standard, semi-automatic or fully automatic rifle or pistol at one difficulty level lower than is usually necessary.

Military / United States (w): while he wasn't initially Army-minded, Effects enlisted in order to something more fulfilling with his life than mere Hollywood special effects. He's an expert on the S.O.P., and can easily fight within a modern combat unit.

Spatial Combat (a): being drafted onto the Gi Joe team's elite Star Brigade, Effects has been trained how to fight in the strange conditions in low earth orbit - and beyond. He should receive a reduced difficulty on all combat maneuvers attempted while subject to varying G forces.

Calling:

Thrill-Seeker, with a secondary calling of Soldier: Effects enlisted because all of the military men and women he'd met on the set inspired him to do more with his life. However, make no mistake that the man still loves making things explode - and spectacularly!

Costume:

Effects' Gi Joe field uniform is a space suit! The upper body is black and light blue in hue, while the lower body is navy blue in coloration. It is accented by navy blue gloves, long black leather boots, a black leather belt, and a navy blue helmet with a black, mirrored visor.

Personality:

Aron is something of a showoff - but then, his occupational specialty involves making big, flashy entrances. He likes to live large, talk large, and be large as much as is possible, and he essentially lives by the mantra that 'more is more'!

Real Name: Aron Beck, Grade E-6
Occupation: explosives ordnance disposal, special effects coordinator
Legal Status: citizen of the United States with no known criminal record
Marital Status: single
Alias(es), if any: none
Group Affiliation: Gi Joe, Star Brigade (Gi Joe sub-group)

Height: 6'
Hair: blonde
Eyes: blue
Weight: 190 lbs
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Aron often has a large, toothy grimace at all times. Possibly as a result of being exposed to so many explosions...

Story:

Aron 'Effects' Beck got his start working for the movie companies, engaging in a wide variety of special effects work that got him accolades throughout the industry. But while he was really good at making realistic looking explosions, Aron wanted to do more with his life.

After meeting up with several military 'consultants' on one project after another, Aron grew to appreciate just what these men and women did for their country on a daily basis. Hanging up his back stage hat, Aron enlisted in the Army - and dedicated himself to a life of service!

Deciding to put him where he would be most effective, the Army thought it best to make Aron an Explosives Ordnance Disposal expert, as well as a demolitionist. The man is good at blowing things up after all - why not let him run with that for all he was worth?

Thanks to his years of experience with things that go boom, not to mention the sheer artistry that Aron put into each and every one of his detonations, the man was noticed by the powers that be and, as soon as an opening became available, Aron was recruited onto the Gi Joe team.

Seeing that Aron had a truly special talent for what he does, the Joes put him to work in their elite Star Brigade unit almost immediately. After getting trained in the fine art of spatial combat, Aron began to join the Joes on missions beyond the earth's atmosphere!

All of these jobs entailed him using his special demolitions talents against the forces of evil, whether they be terrestrial threats like Cobra, or even more far-reaching foes like the representatives of the Lunartix empire - aliens who seem to have it out for the Gi Joe team.

If not humanity in general. Of course, Aron's time with the Gi Joe team the first time 'round was all too short, as within a year of his joining, the Joes were deactivated for a time. Shunted back to conventional services, Aron simply continued to hone his skills even more.

Of course, the Gi Joe team wasn't down for long, as the Cobra activity it was originally formed to counter rapidly spiraled out of control without opposition. Though he didn't make the initial 'cut' in the new team, Aron was eventually drawn back into the fold.

He made his first 'comeback' during the second Cobra Island Civil War, and his second after World War III, which seemingly saw Cobra defeated at long last. Of course, that's what the powers-that-be thought last time too, so who knows if they'll rise a third time...!

Extra Goodies:

Return to the Star Brigade main page!

Gi Joe directories featuring a version of Effects:

1994