Hardware: Automotive Genius

HARDWARE: AUTOMOTIVE GENIUS by Severus Snape

This character is a genius where automotive mechanics are concerned. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and any other vehicles you’d find on the roads and freeways are all second nature to this character. The character is a master at taking apart an internal combustion engine, modifying it, and putting it back together so that it works better than it did when the genius got a hold of it.

Automotive Related Skills and Bonuses

The following skills are received in addition to Scholastic and Secondary skills. Note that this character loses two skill programs due to receiving these and the special skills.

Advanced Mathematics (+25%)

Automotive Mechanics (+20%)

Basic Electronics (+10%)

Basic Mechanics (+10%)

Locksmith (+20%)

Mechanical Engineer (+30%)

3 Mechanical Skills of Choice (+20%)

Land Navigation (+10%)

Read Sensory Instruments (+25%)

Pilot Automobiles (+20%)

Pilot Motorcycles (+20%)

Pilot Tanks & APCs (+20%)

Pilot Trucks (+20%)

Weapons Systems (+20%)

Automotive Special Skills

Pilot, High-Speed Pursuit (80% + 2%/level): This skill is the art of engaging in high-speed pursuits, as well as engaging in combat while involved in a high-speed pursuit, while piloting a land vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, etc.). Combat, evasive maneuvers, tailing vehicles, and vehicle stunts are all part of this skill, and the automotive genius is skilled in pulling off all of these different types of maneuvers. Basically, this skill allows the pilot to perform any of the vehicle-related combat maneuvers on pages 83-86 of the core rule book without penalty, provided a successful skill check is made. Instead of using the applicable pilot skill to check against, the autmotive genius makes his/her check against this skill without any of the listed skill check penalties. For example, a driver with this skill who exceeds the cruising speed for a specific vehicle would make a check against this skill. A success indicates that the driver doesn’t lose control of the vehicle. Furthermore, a success indicates that the driver will always retain at least 1 melee action (unless the particular maneuver was the last action for that character in that round). Failure means that the technique has not worked, and the outcome is the same as indicated under the particular maneuver.

Build Super Vehicles (84% + 2%/level): This is the same skill as outlined in the Heroes Unlimited core rule book on page 126, except that the skill is applicable to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and tanks/APCs only.

Hot Wire Automobile (84% + 1%/level): This is the same skill as outlined in the Heroes Unlimited core rule book on page 122, except that the skill is applicable to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and tanks/APCs only.

Recognize Vehicle Quality: This is the same skill as outlined in the Heroes Unlimited core rule book on page 127, except that the skill is applicable to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and tanks/APCs only.

Budget

As per the original rules, the character starts out with a set amount of cash with which to build one or more super vehicles. At least 90% of the starting budget must be spent on the vehicle and its modifications. The remaining 10% can be spent on other weapons and equipment, spare parts, or saved for future repairs. Any money not spent cannot be used later for non-vehicle related expenses; any saved money can be used only to repair, retrofit, or rebuild the super vehicle.

The construction of a vehicle requires a large work facility, especially for larger aircraft. It is assumed that the character either has, has access to, or at one time had access to such a facility that is/was outfitted with 3d4 x $100,000 in equipment and tools needed to work on the vehicle(s). If the facility is owned by the character (see Sponsoring Organizations above), then it is assumed that the character has spent 4d6 x $10,000 on the location of the facility itself. Any money left over from the budget can be used for additional items for the facility, such as security or additional equipment.

Roll once on the following table to determine budget. Alternatively, you can select whichever amount you feel is adequate for the character’s concept.

01-06 $1 million

07-13 $1.5 million

14-19 $2 million

20-26 $2.5 million

27-32 $3 million

33-39 $3.5 million

40-45 $4 million

46-52 $4.5 million

53-58 $5 million

59-65 $5.5 million

66-71 $6 million

72-78 $6.5 million

79-86 $7 million

87-93 $7.5 million

94-00 $8 million

You’ll notice that the budget amounts can get quite large. While purchasing a standard car or truck is not that expensive, commercial and military vehicles can get a little pricey. The amount shown in building super vehicles is for the character to get a vehicle that runs but needs a little work.

Other Stuff

Alignment: Characters can be of any alignment, but heroes are generally good people.

Other Skills: For starters, the character receives a bonus of +10% to any mechanical skill, as well as any skills that deal with piloting land vehicles (except for High-Speed Pursuit). The character may use his or her Secondary Skills to pick any skills normally available as such, as well as using Secondary Skills to select any that are not normally available as long as they are mechanical in nature.

Hand to Hand Combat: Hand to Hand skills must be selected by the character. If not, the character will have only the 2 Hand to Hand melee actions per round that all heroes receive.

Actions/Attacks per Melee Round: As stated, unless Hand to Hand skills are selected, the character will only have 2 melee actions per round. If the character is piloting any land vehicle, he or she gets 1 additional action per melee round.

Weapons and Armor: Unless the character is extremely wealthy or has ties to the military, he or she will only have access to conventional weapons and armor.

Structural Damage Capacity (S.D.C.): As with all Hardware characters, the Automotive Genius starts with 35 SDC, plus any SDC gained through physical training/skill selection. Selection of multiple Hardware areas of expertise does not provide additional SDC bonuses.

Other Options: If the Game Master allows it, the Automotive Genius may give up 3 of his or her Hand to Hand attacks and reduce all skill bonuses in half to select a second area of expertise. These attacks may never be gotten back, and the skill bonus reduction is permanent, but the character would end up with quite the list of skills and abilities, as well as having not only a super-powered land vehicle but another super-powered vehicle thanks to receiving another budget. Characters may not have more than 2 areas of expertise.