Bruticus F A S E R I P Res Pop Ex 20 Ex 20 In 40 In 40 Ex 20 Ex 20 Am 50 Ex 20 Gd -10* Health: 120 Karma: 90 * Amongst humans, at least. Ex +20 among Predacons / Decepticons, Ex -20 among Autobots. Origin: Like the rest of his fellow Predacons, Bruticus is an electromechanical being from Cybertron, an evil robot that has, with his compatriots, waged a war against the heroic Autobots in a bid to conquer the universe. This alien may also be from another time period, making him doubly out of place on earth. Known Powers: Cybertronian Physique: like his fellow Predacons, Bruticus is a robotic entity of Cybertronian design and origin. As such, this fierce guard dog has, by his very nature, the use of a large variety of abilities that reflect this. His very body gives Bruticus these super human powers: * Armor Skin: like most Cybertronians, Bruticus was built (or formed) with a reinforced steel frame, one that offers him Excellent (20) resistance to injury. This makes him immune to most basic human attack forms, and moderately resistant to his fellow robots. His defense breaks down as follows: Ex 20 / Ty 6 / Fe 2 / Sh 0 / Sh 0 * Growth: most Cybertronians have some degree of control over their size, no matter what form they take. Due to his significant height in his humanoid mode, Bruticus has this power via technicality; he may very well grow somewhat while transforming, but doesn't appear to do so. According to the standard Growth rules, Bruticus has this power at Good (10) rank, making him stand approximately fifteen feet tall. Since his Strength rank is higher, this offers him no combat benefit, but on the other hand, human-sized folks targeting Bruticus receive a +1 CS to hit him in battle. The Ultimate Powers Book, on the other hand, gives Bruticus this power at Poor (4) rank, making him out to be a bit over twice a normal human's size. This would grant this relentless Predacon a +1 CS to the Strength score listed above (raising it to Amazing (50)), and add 10 points to his Health score. Now, according to the Transformers MSH Sourcebook, Bruticus' statistics are geared towards mixing it up with beings of like size. As such, when fighting folks of normal human size, he should receive a +1 CS to the damage he inflicts upon them (+1 CS per 2 CS of growth). Finally, per the Universal Heroes rules, Bruticus has a +1 size factor. As such, he inflicts +1 CS damage vs normal human opponents, and has 1 CS of Damage Reduction against them. On the other hand, he is at a -1 CS to hit them in combat, while they receive a +1 CS to hit him. * Invulnerability to Disease and Toxins: like all robots, Bruticus is highly resistant to diseases and poisons that would kill organic beings. He possesses this resistance at Class 1k rank versus organic pathogens, and at Unearthly (100) versus more chemically creative substances. * Microscopic / Telescopic Vision: all Transformers have the ability to alter their visual sensitivity as is necessary, where distance is concerned. Functioning at Feeble (2) rank, this power lets them see objects up to a mile distant with ease, as well as allowing them to read items on microfiche. * Radio Transceiver: as are most all Transformers on earth, Bruticus is equipped with an audio / video transmission system. This communications rig allows him instant contact with any other Decepticon or Predacon on earth, having Excellent (20) range (25,000 miles). Battle Tail: in his Cerberus form, Bruticus has a long tail with various sharp, barbed implements branching off of its center of mass, shaped like a flail. He can use this tail to inflict his Strength rank +2 CS in Edged Attack damage with this rather savage body part, and relies on it heavily in battle. Of course, that's not the only use for this limb. When he transforms into his humanoid shape, Bruticus' tail detaches, and can serve as a melee weapon that can be used by the arm he lacks weaponry in (his lower right arm). Used in this fashion, though, the tail / flail 'only' inflicts +1 CS damage. Blades / Claws: in his Cerberus form, Bruticus has short, thick claws on the digits of each leg, while in his humanoid shape, he has a sharp implement embedded in most of his arms (knives and such). Either way, Bruticus can use these implements to inflict his Strength rank +1 CS in melee combat. Fangs: supplementing his battle tail and claws, Bruticus is further blessed with not one, not two, but three sets of fangs - one in each of his three 'Cerberus' heads. He can inflict his Strength rank in Edged Attack damage with one set of fangs, +1 CS with two sets, and +2 CS with three sets (if they all hit). Multiple Limbs / Arms + Heads: In both of his modes, Bruticus has the benefit of this anatomical power, which primarily grants him multiple melee attacks. For instance, in his humanoid mode, he has two extra sets of arms, allowing one bonus melee strike each combat turn. However, when he transforms into his Cerberus form, Bruticus has three heads. This allows him two bonus strikes with his fangs, which he can combine into a single attack for extra damage (often helping him penetrate heavier armor), especially if he makes his 'standard' attack a fang strike as well... Shapechange: whenever he desires, Bruticus can transform between his humanoid and 'Cerberus' mode, and often does so quickly in battle to maximize the use of his abilities. This power is voice-activated, however ("Bruticus, Terrorize!"). Bruticus seems equally at home in both of his forms. Equipment: (none) Quirks: (none) Talents: Natural Weapons: as he lacks projectile weaponry like the vast, vast majority of his fellows (not to mention Transformers in general), Bruticus makes do with what he's got - and how. His extensive combat experience allows Bruticus a +1 CS to all melee attacks using his inherent weaponry. Contacts: As one of the Predacons, Bruticus can theoretically rely on Megatron or any of that villain's minions for assistance should he need it. However, since he's typically the instrument of long-term punishment that the Predacons experience when they've been bad, they may not be reliable contacts, really. Likeness: In his beast mode, Bruticus resembles a large, robotic version of the mythical beast, Cerberus (a three-headed dog); he's primarily red in this form, with black and yellow bits in place for variety. In his humanoid form, Bruticus appears to be a robot built from spare dog-bot parts, and has the same color scheme. Personality: Bruticus, despite his overall high intelligence, isn't very smart, per se. He devotes all of his energies towards his role as a guard dog for Megatron's various prisons and torture pits, as he really enjoys his work. Of course, he enjoys rending his charges into metallic scrap when they try to escape, too...! Real Name: Bruticus Occupation: jailor, guardian Legal Status: citizen of Cybertron wanted on earth for various crimes against humanity Marital Status: inapplicable Alias(es), if any: none Group Affiliation: the Predacons Height: 15' (approximately) Hair: inapplicable Eyes: red Weight: several tons Other Distinguishing Characteristics: Bruticus is made of a strong, alien metal that is primarily red in hue, with black and red trim (and blue accessories) regardless of his current form. Story: Bruticus is one of several Predacons in the service of Megatron, a powerful Cybertronian warrior that has journeyed to modern-day earth with designs on its bountiful supplies of energy. Exactly how Bruticus came to be in Megatron's service, as well as what time period he's actually from, is still a mystery. Regardless, he came to earth with Megatron and the other Predacons, only to find that the planet was lousy with Autobots; somehow, the heroic Cybertronians knew well in advance that Megatron and company were on their way, and had quite a lot of time to prepare for their arrival. Of course, this hasn't primarily been Bruticus' problem. You see, he isn't used by Megatron like the other Predacons, being charged with the guardianship of that villain's various prisons and torture chambers. As such, he rarely gets out of Megatron's Mega Star craft in order to inflict pain on the Autobots. But it happens. Whenever the Predacons collect Autobot or human prisoners, they are typically handed over to Bruticus' care, who usually just locks 'em up (after gnawing on them for awhile, for good measure). He also does this to the Predacons as well, when they fail in rather spectacular fashion. Since he's not in the field, though, Bruticus didn't experience the brunt of the schism between Megatron's Predacons and Decepticons when they became increasingly antagonistic towards each other; he was just on earth to do his job - everything else was pretty much irrelevant in his eyes. This all changed, of course, when the Mega Star was blown to pieces during a conflict between Galvatron (a vastly upgraded Megatron) and Fortress Maximus himself. Though his Mega Star was very dangerous, the city-sized Autobot defeated Galvatron while he was merged with his vessel. The problem, you see, what that Bruticus was likely inside the craft at the time. As such, it is unknown whether or not he managed to survive the Mega Star's destruction - though he likely did. If so, he was probably then captured with the other Predacons and Decepticons when Galvatron was ultimately defeated. This means that, like Galvatron's other cronies, Bruticus is probably now living secure within an Autobot prison on an asteroid colony near Cybertron. Which is an ironic twist of fate, when you get down to it...