Double Blast / Roadblock 2

Powers:

(none)

Equipment:

Browning .50 Caliber Machine Gun (a): the gun he's best known for, this back-breaker needs to be fired with a tripod. Incredibly powerful, the gun can be fired in a short burst to inflict damage per a +6 weapon in a single shot, or a nasty +7 in a full-auto hail of grinning, evil doom.

Helmet (s): a useful battlefield accessory, this headgear helps to increase Charles' mission survivability considerably. In essence, it offers him +2 protection from head shots, assuming they don't strike him in the face; hey, at least it protects his brains from bullet wounds...

J2J Pineapple Grenades (i): Charles always has at least one grenade on his person while 'on the job', helping him to blow up heavy opposition (such as vehicles) that gets in his way. These explosive devices can be thrown to inflict intensity 10 fragmentary (physical) damage to all within striking distance.

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.

Knife (s): in the event that he's got to cut something (or somebody) in a fight, Charles carries this useful, utility blade, sheathed on his right leg. Made from strength 12 metals, it can be used to cut through items of like m.s., and allows him to inflict damage per a +2 weapon in melee.

Semi-Automatic Pistol (a): a backup for his Uzi, this small handgun is less impressive, but similarly less unwieldy. Charles can fire it to inflict damage per a +4 weapon in a single shot, +5 in a small burst of lead. He carries it in a holster on his left leg when not in use.

Uzi 9mm (a): Charles has taken to carrying an Uzi with him for those instances where a .50 Caliber cannon would be considered 'overkill'. He can fire this smallish weapon to inflict his Agility +5 damage in a short, controlled burst, or his Agility +6 damage when firing full auto.

Hindrances:

(none)

Skills:

Boxing (s): part of Charles' basic training has involved his learning how to fight unarmed; hopefully he won't have to, but then you never know what'll happen in battle. When punching, kicking, etc... Charles may divide his pre-cardplay action score between two attacks, the last of which occurs as a contingent action.

Electronics (i): Charles went to college to become an electrical engineer, and performs such duties as his secondary military specialty. As such, whenever building or repairing electrical devices, Charles should receive a one difficulty reduction in any action he must resolve with cardplay.

Marksmanship (a): since he's a heavy machine gunner, Charles has been extensively trained in the use of guns - all guns. He can use standard, semi-automatic, or fully automatic rifles or pistols, as well as more esoteric guns like shotguns or harpoon guns, at a reduced difficulty level.

Military / United States (w): the origin for all of his skills (save the one below), Charles has been recruited into the military by the Joes and as such knows military protocols and procedures like the back of his hand. Furthermore, he can lead fighting men into battle if necessary.

Repair (a): a real MacGyver at heart, Charles can fix pretty much anything that is broken - though he hasn't yet made a bomb with bubble gum and tin foil. When attempting to modify or repair an existing device, Charles does so as a reduced difficulty level. This is a master level skill.

Calling:

Soldier: Charles is right at home in the military, being able to showcase his mechanical abilities, crushing the enemies of freedom all the while. His role as a Joe heavy machine gunner is the perfect vehicle for him to express his creative side and to prove his self-worth - not bad, eh?

Costume:

Charles' 2002 uniform was a bit different than his previous outfit. It included a pair of gray trousers with a black camo pattern scattered throughout, a cornflower blue, long sleeved shirt, black leather boots and gloves, a black leather belt, and black leather webbing to hold various useful items.

Personality:

Charles is a real 'never say die' sort of guy. He doesn't know the meaning of 'quit' or 'I give up.' He truly believes that where there is a will, there is a way - and he applies the same innovative mind that can fix any device with almost no spare parts handy to any tricky problem he may face.

Real Name: Charles L. Griffith, grade E-8
Occupation: heavy machine gunner
Legal Status: citizen of the United States with no known criminal record
Marital Status: single
Alias(es), if any: Roadblock 2
Group Affiliation: Gi Joe

Height: 6' 3"
Hair: black (though shaved bald)
Eyes: brown
Weight: 210 lbs
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Charles wears a moustache and a small goatee at all times.

Story:

Charles is quite the fix-it man, having an innate understanding of all things electromechanical - he just has a knack. He fixed his mother's vacuum cleaner as a child with nothing more than a rubber band that someone pegged him with in school that day - and it's worked just fine ever since.

The same goes for an electrical experiment that his instructor botched up in a college class; Charles repaired the apparatus in question with a thumb tack and a ball point pen. His quick thinking got him an 'A' in that class, and naturally attracted the attention of a Gi Joe recruiter.

His rather strong physique, along with his impressive mechanical abilities, got him a job as a heavy machine gunner with the Joes as soon as he cleared basic training - since he proved just how effective he was even then, without proper field experience. He got his fair share of that soon enough, mind you.

Put to use with his own team of gunners, Charles showed how well he can dish out the damage, displaying a propensity for 'shock' tactics on the battle field. He does his best to take the enemy by surprise, and with his improvisational knack, he manages that time and time again.

As far as his resemblance to another Gi Joe heavy machine gunner is concerned, Charles just shrugs at that. 'It happens, you know. S'not like I'm his evil twin brother or anything. Sometimes people just look a whole lot alike. Besides, I'm a whole lot smaller than Roadblock is anyway...!'

Though, of course, this remains to be seen. You see, Charles has actually taken to calling himself Roadblock on occasion. Whether this is to simply confuse Cobra operatives or is some jab at the original, we may never know, but if it is the latter, Charles may not be long for this earth...!

Extra Goodies:

Gi Joe directories featuring a version of Double Blast: