Watcher Datafiles: Non-Powered Characters

The Marvel universe is full of characters the heroes may encounter over the course of their adventures. Many of them don’t have powers. Today, we’re presenting you with a series of characters that can be used in any given scene. Enjoy.

Beat Cop

A uniformed officer on patrol, trying to keep order in a situation that’s already gotten weird.

Affiliations

Solo d6, Buddy d8, Team d6

Distinctions

Trying to Do the Job
This Is Above My Pay Grade

SFX: Call It In. Spend a doom die to create an asset such as Backup En Route d8, Roadblock d8, or Police Scanner Chatter d8.

SFX: Protect the Scene. When creating complications based on crowd control, restricted access, or preserving evidence, add a d6 and step up the effect die by +1.

Specialties

Combat Expert d8, Crime Expert d8, Menace Expert d8, Vehicle Expert d8

Detective

A sharp-eyed investigator who notices the things everyone else missed.

Affiliations

Solo d8, Buddy d6, Team d6

Distinctions

Seen Too Many Crime Scenes
Always Asking One More Question
Doesn’t Trust Masks

SFX: Read the Room. When creating an asset based on clues, witness statements, or behavioral tells, add a d6 and step up the effect die by +1.

Specialties

Crime Master d10, Psych Expert d8, Menace Expert d8, Tech Expert d8

Private Security Guard

A rent-a-cop, corporate security officer, museum guard, warehouse guard, or event security worker.

Affiliations

Solo d6, Buddy d6, Team d8

Distinctions

Underpaid and Overarmed
Nobody Gets Past Me
Following Company Policy

SFX: Lockdown Procedure. Spend a doom die to create an asset such as Security Doors d8, Camera Feed d8, or Building Lockdown d8.

Specialties

Combat Expert d8, Crime Expert d8, Menace Expert d8, Tech Expert d8

Gang Enforcer

A tough street-level criminal who handles intimidation, collections, and violence.

Affiliations

Solo d8, Buddy d6, Team d8

Distinctions

Loyal Until the Money Runs Out
Everyone Knows My Corner
Violence Solves Problems

SFX: Rough Up. When inflicting physical stress or creating intimidation-based complications, add a d6 and step up the effect die by +1.

Specialties

Combat Expert d8, Crime Expert d8, Menace Expert d8, Vehicle Expert d8

Investigative Reporter

Affiliations

Solo d8, Buddy d6, Team d6

Distinctions

The Public Has a Right to Know
Always Recording
One Source Away from the Truth

SFX: The Story Is Already Live. Spend a doom die to create a complication such as Public Scrutiny d8, Trending Footage d8, or Hero Under the Microscope d8. Step it up by +1 if the reporter has video, photos, or a named source.

SFX: Off the Record. When persuading, pressuring, or protecting a source, add a d6 and step up the effect die by +1. On a failed roll, create a complication such as Source Gets Spooked d6 or Someone Was Listening d8.

Specialties

Business Expert d8, Crime Expert d8, Psych Expert d8, Tech Expert d8

Lawyer

A defense attorney, prosecutor, corporate counsel, or civil rights lawyer.

Affiliations

Solo d8, Buddy d6, Team d6

Distinctions

Every Word Matters
I Know the Law Better Than You
This Is Going on the Record

That’s Discoverable. Spend a doom die to create a legal or investigative asset such as Subpoenaed Records d8, Deposition Transcript d8, Financial Disclosure d8, or Chain of Custody d8.

Procedural Trap. When creating complications based on warrants, jurisdiction, liability, custody, testimony, or due process, add a d6 and step up the effect die by +1.

On the Record. When a target lies, threatens someone, admits wrongdoing, or contradicts earlier testimony in front of witnesses or recording devices, spend a doom die to create Perjury Risk d8, Damaging Statement d8, or Legal Exposure d8.

Emergency Injunction. Spend a d8 or larger doom die to delay a corporate action, police operation, property seizure, deportation, demolition, raid, or public release of information until the end of the scene.

Specialties

Business Expert d8, Crime Expert d8, Psych Expert d8, Menace Expert d8

Corporate Executive

A polished, dangerous civilian who can ruin lives without throwing a punch.

Affiliations

Solo d8, Buddy d6, Team d8

Distinctions

Smiling Through the Scandal
Protected by Lawyers
The Board Will Hear About This

SFX: Paper Shield. Spend a doom die to create Legal Team d8, PR Statement d8, Security Detail d8, or Destroyed Records d8.

SFX: Control the Narrative. When creating social, legal, or media complications, add a d6 and step up the effect die by +1.

Specialties

Business Master d10, Crime Expert d8, Menace Expert d8, Psych Expert d8

Superhero Superfan

A superhero superfan can be a convention regular, livestreamer, amateur blogger, neighborhood Spider-Man watcher, “hero historian,” or full-on wannabe sidekick. They mean well.

Affiliations

Solo d6, Buddy d8, Team d6

Distinctions

I’m Your Biggest Fan!
Actually, I Know Your Whole History
Trying to Help, Making It Worse

SFX: Deep Cut Trivia. When creating an asset based on superhero history, villain patterns, public battles, online rumors, costume details, or old news footage, add a d6 and step up the effect die by +1. Examples include Recognized That Gear, I Know This Villain’s Gimmick, Old Battle Footage, or Forum Theory That Was Right.

SFX: Livestreaming the Action. Spend a doom die to create a complication equal to that die such as Crowd Gathering, Hero Caught on Camera, Villain Knows Where We Are, or Comments Section Panic. If the fan is trying to make the hero look good, the Watcher may instead create Public Support as an asset.

SFX: Wannabe Sidekick Move. When the fan jumps into danger to distract a villain, protect a civilian, or “assist” a hero, add a d6 to the hero’s next action. On a failed roll, create Civilian in the Crossfire d8 or Hero Has to Save Me d8.

SFX: I Brought Gear! Spend a doom die to reveal a ridiculous but potentially useful piece of fan-made equipment, such as Homemade Web-Gun d6, Replica Shield d6, Cosplay Smoke Bomb d6, Villain Detector App d6, or Emergency First Aid Kit d6. Step it up to d8 if it is funny, clever, and exactly the wrong tool for the situation.

SFX: Parasocial Pep Talk. When the fan encourages a hero by reminding them what they mean to ordinary people, add a d6 and step up the effect die by +1 when creating an emotional support asset such as People Still Believe in You, Friendly Neighborhood Legend, or You Saved Me Once.

Specialties

Cosmic Expert d8, Crime Expert d8, Psych Expert d8, Tech Expert d8