Starduster
| Strength 7d |
Agility 8c |
Intellect 3x |
Willpower 5c |
| Hand Size: Edge: |
4 (25) 2 |
Powers:
(none)
Equipment:
Grenade Launcher (i): his principal weapon, Edward can use this device to lob grenades at targets within firing distance - further if he's directly over them. These explosives inflict intensity 10 damage to all uncovered targets within near missile range of their detonation point.
Grenades (i): similarly, Edward keeps a back-up grenade or two pinned to his bandoiler in the event of emergencies - or if he simply runs out of ammunition. He can fling these explosives within near missile distance, and they then detonate as described above.
Helmet (s): while working as Starduster, Edward always wears a protective helmet - he's one gunshot away from a significant fall, after all. This head gear offers him +2 protection against physical attacks, and like Protected Senses for his vision, thanks to its darkened visor.
J.U.M.P. Jet Pack (i): a true acrobat, Edward has made amazing use of this device in the seemingly endless effort against Cobra. He can use it to provide aerial reconnaissance or fire support as is needed. The J.U.M.P. is described in its own vehicular entry.
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): a handy thing to have in combat conditions, Edward always keeps a blade on his person in the field. Made from m.s. 12 materials, this sharp object can cut through items of like m.s., or can be used to inflict Edward's Strength +2 damage in melee combat.
Semi-automatic Pistol (a): sometimes you just run out of grenades. For such circumstances, Edward carries a smaller hand cannon, one which he can fire to inflict his Agility +4 damage in a single shot, raised to his Agility +5 damage in a semi-automatic spread.
Hindrances:
(none)
Skills:
Acrobatics (a): his original claim to fame, Edward is an incredibly nimble acrobat and circus performer. He should receive a reduced difficulty during complex aerial maneuvers like walking the tight rope, and when attempting to dodge attacks and reduce falling damage.
Boxing (s): his natural skill honed by military training, Edward can easily defend himself even without all his heavy duty firepower. He may divide his pre-cardplay action score between two unarmed melee attacks, the last of which will occur as a contingent action.
Marksmanship (a): a standard military skill, Edward has been trained in the fine art of gunplay. Whether he's brandishing a standard, semi-automatic or fully automatic rifle or pistol at an opponent, Edward may wield such weapons at a reduced difficulty
Military / United States (w): though Edward had a career before joining the Army, his time in the military has honed his fighting abilities to a tee. Furthermore, this skill represents his ability to function seamlessly in a fighting environment and understand the S.O.P.
Performer (w): on top of being an incredibly flexible acrobat, Edward is something of a performer, and enjoys making a show of his capabilities. He can attempt an average difficulty Willpower (willpower) action to distract his foes with his high-flying antics for one exchange.
Calling:
Thrill-seeker, with as secondary calling of Soldier: Edward lives to entertain others, and he's equally at home doing that as a circus acrobat or as a jet pack trooper. Whether he's wowing his fellow Joes or a crowd of fans, Edward is just as happy.
Costume:
Edward's fourth Gi Joe uniform is a bit different than his others. It includes a sky blue pair of trousers, a sky blue collared T shirt, gray leather boots and gloves, a black leather belt, a sky blue helmet, and light brown holsters and sheathes for his gear all over.
Personality:
More than anything else, Edward is a performer. He loves the adulation of the crowds, whether it be a stadium full of circus fans or his fellow Joes. He's fearless in the face of adversity, and only seems to have fun when he's pushing himself to the very limit.
Real Name: Edward J. Skyler, Grade E-5
Occupation: infantry, air recon
Legal Status: citizen of the United States with no known criminal record
Marital Status: single
Alias(es), if any: Skyduster
Group Affiliation: Gi Joe
Height: 6'
Hair: black
Eyes: brown
Weight: 155 lbs
Other Distinguishing Characteristics: none.
Story:
Like fellow Gi Joe operative Taurus, Edward began his career as a circus acrobat. Unlike Taurus, he is a consummate performer, preferring to wow the crowds with amazing feats of agility in the air, instead of breaking 2x4 boards with his face.
Eventually wandering into government service, Edward became an Airborne ranger, because what else was he going to do with his natural skills? He naturally excelled at his job, and could perform flawlessly even when dangling out of a helicopter from a 150 foot rope.
His ability to function - and even fight - under such adverse conditions got Edward noticed by none other than Duke himself, who thought that he could make good use of Edward and his high-flying combat show. He quickly recruited the man onto the Gi Joe team.
Once he was through the horrifying Gi Joe entrance exam, Edward was given advanced gear in the form of the J.U.M.P. jet pack, and began to show the Joes it was capable of things they couldn't imagine. A bit of official schooling and on the job training, and Edward was off!
He quickly proved to the team that he's one of their best bets where air support is concerned. No matter how hairy conditions might be, he's all too happy to slip up into the air and provide the team some cover - or simply scout out enemy positions from his higher altitude.
Edward performed his duty with the Gi Joe team for the duration of its original incarnation, only leaving when it was disbanded for a time back in 1994. Edward returned to his circus show at that time, possible even more fearless than before, thanks to his military training.
Though not directly associated with the Gi Joe team these days, Edward is more than happy to answer the call of duty if the Joes ask for his help - as he did during the second Cobra Island Civil War, not to mention World War III itself, where he helped to stop Cobra from conquering the world!
Extra Goodies:
Gi Joe directories featuring a version of Starduster:
| 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 2008 |