Astral Projections - Dr. Jonathan Reid, Vampyr (Mutants & Masterminds 3e)

One of the most iconic, scary, and enduring creatures of the night is the vampire. To mark Halloween 2018, I present M&M 3e stats–suitable for a PC–of the latest popular media interpretation of this undead monster. Or is he a monster? If he tries hard enough, can he be a hero, instead?

DR. JONATHAN REID
Concept: Vampyr Power Level: 8 (120 pp)

Abilities: STR 5; STA 4; AGI 1; DEX 2; FIG 3; INT 2; AWE 2; PRE 1

Advantages: Close Combat 2, Connected, Equipment 3, Improved Initiative 2

Skills: Expertise: Medicine 8 (+10), Intimidation 2 (+3), Investigation 4 (+6), Ranged Combat: Pistol 2 (+4), Stealth 6 (+7), Treatment 8 (+10)

Powers:
Unholy Swiftness: Quickness 2, Only physical tasks (-1); Teleport 4, Turnabout (+1 flat), Change velocity & direction (+2 flat)

Unholy Senses: Darkvision; Detect Blood Source (ranged)

Array: Vampyric Traits
Mesmerize: Mind Control 3: Perception Ranged Cumulative Affliction (Entranced, Compelled, Controlled), Resisted and Overcome by Will, Insidious
AE: Vampyr Bite: Weaken STA 8 (Resisted by Fortitude), Grab based (-1) Linked to Enhanced Traits STR 4 & STA 3, Fades (-1)
AE: Blood Heal: Weaken STA 8 (Resisted by Fortitude), Grab based (-1) Linked to Heal 8, Self only (-1)
AE: Vampyr Claws: Weaken STA 8 (Resisted by Fortitude), Grab based (-1) Linked to STR based Damage 8

Equipment: Doctor’s bag (1 point)
Webley Mark VI Revolver (Ranged Damage 4, Critical 20, 8 points)
HQ: Pembroke Hospital (6 points)
Size: Medium; Toughness: 6; Features: Infirmary, Laboratory, Library, Personnel, Workshop.

Complications: Motivation–To do good, in spite of his condition
Dependence: Must feed on blood or weaken.
Weaknesses: Traditional vampires are destroyed by exposure to sunlight and repelled by religious icons and certain plants (particularly garlic).

Abilities 40 + Defenses 25 + Advantages 8 + Skills (Ranks) 15 + Powers 32 = 120 PP

Offense
Initiative +9
Unarmed +5 : Close, Damage 5/8*
Pistol +4: Ranged, Damage 4

Defense
Dodge: 10
Parry: 10
Fortitude: 9/12*
Toughness: 4/7*
Will: 5
*Enhanced Trait

Design Notes: This M&M character is, of course, based on DontNod Entertainment’s Vampyr video game, set in London against the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. I haven’t played the game but have watched a lot of play videos because the setting intrigued me.
The stats don’t cover every ability Dr. Reid has in the game, just some of the key powers. (You can always power stunt other game abilities.) I pored over the Power Profiles book as I decided how best to emulate the video mechanic of draining blood to fuel Dr. Reid’s vampiric abilities. Weaken Stamina linked to attacks and Enhanced Traits was the closest I could come to those. The Teleport power is used to represent the way he moves in the video game.
While most of the M&M PCs I create are Power Level 10, I decided PL 8, the suggested PL for Pulp and Mystery Men type heroes, was a better fit for Dr. Reid, given the historical setting.

Credits: Empty Bacta Tank once more provided feedback & technical editing. EBT was also my informant about the Vampyr game’s plot and setting, as well as pointing me to all the cool play videos that inspired the write-up. My husband, Mark Whitson, an amateur military historian, told me about the Webley pistol he uses in the video game so I could select the appropriate stats from the Deluxe Heroes Handbook equipment section. Thanks, guys!

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Linda Whitson

Contributing Writer & Copy Editor at D20 Radio

Linda Whitson is a long-time RPGer, amateur musician & artist, & an officer in the Rebel Legion Star Wars costuming club. Linda met her husband in an AD&D game and they have 2 teenagers, an anime fangirl daughter and a son who plays on his university's quidditch team. She is the Lead Mod of D20 Radio's forums and Copy Editor for the blog. Linda can be reached at GMLinda@d20radio.com