James Rhodes—War Machine

We finally, finally get to our first real super hero. I know he isn't one of the big 4, but honestly, War Machine is a pretty imposing figure on his own.

We should be seeing Rhodey again in Civil War, so expect an updated post some time after next May.

Name: James Rupert Rhodes
Race: Human
Experience: 80 (Legendary)
Agility d8; Smarts d10; Spirit d6; Strength d8; Vigor d6
Pace 6; Parry 6; Charisma 0; Toughness 5
Hindrances: Loyal, Obligation (M—U.S. Military), Overconfident, Quirk (Show-Off)
Edges: Rich, Ace, Rank (Officer), Command, Steady Hands, Marksman, Connections—U.S. Military, Level Headed, Dodge, Combat Reflexes
Skills: Boating d6, Driving d4, Fighting d8, Intimidation d6, Knowledge (Battle) d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d8, Piloting d6, Shooting d10, Stealth d6

James Rhodes is a long-time friend of Tony Stark, even attending MIT with him. James, however, joined the U.S. Air Force, and quickly scaled up the ranks to Lieutenant Colonel, eventually working as the military liason to Stark Industries. This relationship often lead to James being Tony's (typically ignored) conscience, or covering for him on multiple occasions.

Rhodes is an expert marksman, having received extensive firearms and combat training with the military. He is also an accomplished pilot, and though he tends to brag a fair bit he is one of the most loyal companions a hero could ask for.

Name: James Rupert Rhodes
Race: Human
Experience: 80 (Legendary)
Power Level: Four Color with Super Karma (55 PP)
Agility d8; Smarts d10; Spirit d6; Strength d8 [d12+5]; Vigor d6 [d10]
Pace 6; Parry 6; Charisma 0; Toughness 6 [19 (12)]
Hindrances: Loyal, Obligation (M—U.S. Military), Overconfident, Quirk (Show-Off)
Edges: Rich, Ace, Rank (Officer), Command, Steady Hands, Marksman, Connections—U.S. Military, Level Headed, Dodge, Combat Reflexes, [Improved Nerves of Steel], [Ambidextrous, First Strike, Rock and Roll!, Two-Fisted]
Skills: Boating d6, Driving d4, Fighting d8, Intimidation d6, Knowledge (Battle) d6, Notice d6 [d8], Persuasion d8, Piloting d6 [d10], Shooting d10 [d12+1], Stealth d6
Inventory: War Machine Mk. I Armor, Comm Link, Flare System (AMCM, blind Power), M124 Minigun (2d8+4, AP 2, Heavy Weapon, RoF 4, 24/48/96), FN F2000 Tactical (2d8+1, AP 2, RoF 3, 24/48/96).

War Machine Mk. I:

• Armor +12 (9): Hardy, Heavy Armor. Device (–1, War Machine Armor), Slow to Activate. Limitation (–2, the armor may only be put on or taken off at pre-determined stations).
• Doesn't Breathe (1): Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor).
• Extra Action (1): Device (–1, War Machine Armor), Contingent on armor. Limitation (–2, may use the minigun at no multi-action penalty, but may not repeat the action).
• Heightened Senses (1): Data Sense, Eagle Eye, Low Light Vision, Super Sight. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor), Requires Activation.
• Super Attribute (14): Strength +7, Vigor +2. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor).
• Super Edge (2): Improved Nerves of Steel. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor).
• Super Edge (6): Ambidextrous, First Strike, Rock and Roll!, Two-Fisted. Contingent on heightened senses, Device (–1, War Machine Armor).
• Super Skill (3): Notice +1, Piloting +2, Shooting +2. Contingent on heightened senses, Device (–1, War Machine Armor).

Flight Systems (Switchable):

• Flight (18): Mach 1, Climb 2, –6 to hit while flying. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor). Switchable (primary).

with

• Repulsor Beam (4): Range 12/24/48, Damage 3d6, RoF 1, Heavy Weapon. Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).
• Repulsor Beam (4): Range 12/24/48, Damage 3d6, RoF 1, Heavy Weapon. Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).
• Flight (3): Pace 12, Climb 0. Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).

with

• Attack, Melee (5): Damage Str+2d6, Heavy Weapon, Multiple Attacks. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).
• Repulsor Beam (4): Range 12/24/48, Damage 3d6, RoF 1, Heavy Weapon. Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).
• Flight (3): Pace 12, Climb 0. Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).

Rhodes' job didn't get any easier when Stark ousted himself as Iron Man, as now he had to cover for his friend's irresponsibility with a suit of power armor. Rhodes constantly worked to try and keep the government away from Stark's armor, keeping a positive spin on Tony's immature behavior with the suit.

Unfortunately, during a party at Stark's mansion—where Tony was very drunk—Rhodey finally had the last straw, taking Stark's Mk. II armor, and even engaging in a fight against Tony in his suit. He quickly returned it to the Edwards Air Force Base, and the military began working on upgrading the suit, enlisting the aid of Hammer Industries in making the Mk. II combat-ready.

This new and improved suit was shown off at the Stark Expo along with Hammer's drones, and assisted Iron Man in dealing with Whiplash, a Russian crook that hacked into the Hammer Drones and was threatening civilians. Rhodes held on to this suit for the U.S. military until Stark approached him with an offer: Tony would improve on the suit's weapons and design as long as Colonel Rhodes was the only individual cleared to use it. The result is the War Machine armor:

Name: James Rupert Rhodes
Race: Human
Experience: 80 (Legendary)
Power Level: Cosmic (75 PP)
Agility d8; Smarts d10; Spirit d6; Strength d8 [d12+6]; Vigor d6 [d10]
Pace 6; Parry 6 [7]; Charisma 0; Toughness 6 [21 (14)]
Hindrances: Loyal, Obligation (M—U.S. Military), Overconfident, Quirk (Show-Off)
Edges: Rich, Ace, Rank (Officer), Command, Steady Hands, Marksman, Connections—U.S. Military, Level Headed, Dodge, Combat Reflexes, [Improved Nerves of Steel, Take the Hit], [Ambidextrous, Two-Fisted]
Skills: Boating d6, Driving d4, Fighting d8 [d10], Intimidation d6, Knowledge (Battle) d6, Notice d6 [d8], Persuasion d8, Piloting d6 [d10], Shooting d10 [d12+1], Stealth d6
Inventory: War Machine Mk. II Armor, Comm Link, Flare System (AMCM, blind Power), Mini-Rockets ×30.

War Machine Mk. II:

• Armor +14 (12): Hardy, Heavy Armor. Device (–1, War Machine Armor), Slow to Activate.
• Doesn't Breathe (1): Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor).
• Heightened Senses (1): Data Sense, Eagle Eye, Low Light Vision, Super Sight. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor), Requires Activation.
• Resistance (1): Air, Cold, Fire/Heat. +4 to resist, +4 Toughness. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor).
• Super Attribute (16): Strength +8, Vigor +2. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor).
• Super Edge (4): Improved Nerves of Steel, Take the Hit. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor).
• Super Skill (4): Fighting +1, Notice +1, Piloting +2, Shooting +2. Contingent on heightened senses, Device (–1, War Machine Armor).

Flight Systems (Switchable):

• Flight (19): Mach 1, Climb 4, –6 to hit while flying. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor). Switchable (primary).

with

• Repulsor Beam (5): Range 12/24/48, Damage 3d6, RoF 1, AP 4, Heavy Weapon. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).
• Repulsor Beam (5): Range 12/24/48, Damage 3d6, RoF 1, AP 4, Heavy Weapon. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).
• Flight (4): Pace 24, Climb 0, –1 to hit. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).

with

• Assault SMG (6): Range 24/48/96, Damage 2d6, RoF 3, AP 2, Lethal, Requires Material (–2, ammunition). Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).
• Assault SMG (6): Range 24/48/96, Damage 2d6, RoF 3, AP 2, Lethal, Requires Material (–2, ammunition). Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).
• Flight (2): Pace 12, Climb 0. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).

Weapons Systems (Switchable):

• Micro-Missiles (17): Range 12/24/48, Damage 4d6, AP 6, MBT, Heavy Weapon, Lethal, Requires Material (–2, micro-missiles). Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor). Switchable (primary).

with

• Stun (8): Area Effect (LBT), Strong (+2), Ranged Touch Attack. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Armor).
• Attack, Melee (5): Damage Str+2d6, Heavy Weapon, Multiple Attacks. Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet).

with

• Shoulder Cannon (9): Range 24/48/96, Damage 2d10, RoF 2, AP 4, Heavy Weapon, Lethal, Requires Material (–2, ammunition). Contingent on armor, Device (–1, War Machine Gauntlet). Switchable (primary).
• Extra Action (1): Device (–1, War Machine Armor), Contingent on armor. Limitation (–1, shoulder cannon only).
• Super Edge (2): Ambidextrous, Two-Fisted. Contingent on heightened senses, Device (–1, War Machine Armor).

This improved on many of the flaws of the original (several of which carried over from the flaws of the Mk. II suit), and added a more powerful, integrated shoulder mounted cannon, a higher durability alloy for the armor, improved flight stabilizers, more powerful repulsor beams, and a micro-missile system. This suit was primarily employed in dealing with the Ten Rings terrorist organization in the year or so following the events of the Stark Expo.

After the battle of New York, however, War Machine was rebranded as the Iron Patriot—a temporary name that "did better with focus groups—and continued to hit Ten Rings cells worldwide. This culminated in Rhodes' participation in stopping a plot to assassinate the president of the United States, though the terrorists were able to steal the suit itself with the use of Extremis-enhanced soldiers.

Due to the bad press the armor was receiving after its involvement with the presidential kidnapping, it was restored to its original paintjob and was made available to loan to S.H.I.E.L.D., who utilized him at the battle of Sovokia to exterminate Ultron sentries.

Power Stunts:

• Explode (7): Damage 5d8, MBT, Heavy Weapon. Device (–1, War Machine Armor), Contingent on flight. In the Iron Man 3 Prelude comic, Rhodes boosts his armor into the ground at several hundred miles an hour, disrupting the ground and tossing more than a dozen Ten Rings terrorists into the air, as well as damaging one of their tanks.

Rhodes is currently enlisted in the New Avengers roster under Captain America and Black Widow.
—DoctorBoson