Hero Datafile: Swordsman

Jacques “Jack” Duquesne is a charming former criminal, master fencer, and would-be hero trying to prove he belongs among the Avengers. His Makluan-tech sword gives him a wide range of tricks, from energy blasts to gas attacks, while his true strength is his skill, style, and nerve. He is a perfect redemption-arc hero, proud and theatrical, always one bad choice away from falling back into old habits.

Swordsman appears in Fifty State Initiative, FS123, but as Andreas von Strucker. He’s quite different than the one seen here.

SWORDSMAN

Affiliations

Solo d8
Buddy d10
Team d6

Distinctions

Dashing Rogue Seeking Redemption
Master of the Blade
Former Villain, Would-Be Avenger

Power Set: Makluan-Tech Sword

Concussive Force Beam d8, Electrical Bolt d8, Flame Jet d8, Nerve Gas d8, Razor-Edged Blade d8, Ultrasonic Shockwave d8

SFX: Choose the Right Button: When using a Makluan-Tech Sword power, step up or double one power for one action. Then shut down that power. Recover it by activating an opportunity or during a transition scene.

SFX: En Garde: Against a single opponent in close combat, step up Razor-Edged Blade or double it. Remove the highest rolling die and add three dice for the total.

SFX: Trick Blade: When creating an asset or complication using the sword’s special functions, add d6 and step up the effect die.

SFX: Disarming Flourish: When inflicting a complication related to disarming, pinning, stunning, or forcing an opponent off balance, step up the effect die.

Limit: Gear: Shutdown Makluan-Tech Sword and gain 1 PP. Take an action against the doom pool to recover it.

Limit: Complicated Controls: Change any Makluan-Tech Sword power into a complication and gain 1 PP. Activate an opportunity to recover the power.

Power Set: World-Class Fencer

Enhanced Reflexes d8, Enhanced Stamina d8, Leaping & Tumbling d8, Weapon Mastery d8

SFX: Riposte: On a successful reaction against a close-combat attack, inflict physical stress with the effect die at no PP cost, or spend 1 PP to step it up.

SFX: Flashing Blade: Against multiple foes, add a d6 and keep an extra effect die.

SFX: Duelist’s Eye: When studying an opponent in single combat, create a Read Their Guard asset. Step up the effect die if the opponent is armed with a melee weapon.

Limit: Human Limits: Gain 1 PP to step up physical stress from superhuman attacks, area attacks, or overwhelming force.

Limit: Pride Before Prudence: Gain 1 PP when Jack refuses a safer or more practical plan because a direct duel, dramatic entrance, or personal challenge is available.

Specialties

Acrobatics Expert d8, Combat Master d10, Covert Expert d8, Crime Expert d8, Menace Expert d8, Psych Expert d8, Vehicle Expert d8

Milestones

The Blade of Redemption

1 XP when you admit your criminal past, questionable reputation, or history with the Avengers has come back to haunt you.

3 XP when you protect someone who has every reason not to trust you.

10 XP when you either prove yourself as a true hero at great personal cost, or relapse into old habits to achieve what looks like a heroic victory.

Hawkeye’s Old Teacher

1 XP when you give another hero advice, training, criticism, or a theatrical fencing lesson.

3 XP when your history with Clint Barton, Barney Barton, the circus, or the criminal underworld complicates the mission.

10 XP when you either step aside and let your student or ally surpass you, or try to reclaim the spotlight and damage that relationship.