Rock-Vipers
| Strength 7d * |
Agility 4c * |
Intellect 3x |
Willpower 6d |
| Hand Size: Edge: |
2 (10) 0 |
* Rock-Vipers generally know either Boxing or Martial Arts, but usually not both. If a Rock-Viper goes with Boxing, he or she will have a c code for both Strength and Agility, but if they go with Martial Arts, they will have a d code for Strength and a b code for Agility.
Origin:
As are most of the teeming masses of Cobra operatives, Rock-Vipers are but normal humans. Sure, they wield a variety of advanced technologies as they perpetrate various acts of high-altitude terorrism, but their amazing feats are simply a result of their equipment and expertise.
Powers:
(none)
Hindrances / Augmentations:
(none)
Equipment:
Climbing Pick (s): aiding their climbs, this hand-held tool assists Rock-Vipers when ascending icy or otherwise slick rock faces. Made from m.s. 12 materials, they can penetrate lesser rock, or be used in a pinch to inflict +3 slashing damage to others.
Grappling Gun (a): this backpack-mounted mechanism launches a tungsten steel hook, affixed to a megatensile-strength rappelling rope, which allows a Rock-Viper to rapidly ascend or descend cliff faces, buildings, and other vertical surfaces with relative ease.
Grenade Launcher (i): this small, hand-held device can fire a grenade anywhere within far missile distance of a Rock-Viper's location. Its projectiles detonate to inflict intensity 10 damage to all uncovered targets within near missile distance of where they explode.
Helmet: as falls are a regular facet of their work, Rock-Vipers wear high-quality head protection. Protecting all but their face, this implement deflects physical damage with intensity 8, or +2, ability, and their visors provide one's vision Screened Senses of like capability.
Knife: like almost all Cobras, Rock-Vipers carry a blade with which they can cut whatever needs cutting. Made from m.s. 12 materials, this weapon can slice through items of up to like m.s., given enough time, or be used to dish out +2 slashing damage in melee.
Missile Launcher (i): stored on and fired from their back, this weapon allows Rock-Vipers to inflict staggering damage to enemy personnel, equipment, and fortifications. Carring numerous rounds for extended bombardment, its mini-missiles inflict intensity 9 fragmentary damage.
Rifle (a): using this heavy duty weapon, Rock-Vipers may discharge a single round to inflict their Agility +4 in damage, a short burst of such to inflict their Agility +5 in damage, or fire it continuously to inflict their Agility +6 in damage.
Equipped with a scope to effectively double the visual range of its wielder, this rifle is also fitted with a long bayonet beneath its barrel. Using this in a slashing motion, Rock-Vipers may inflict their Strength +3 in slashing damage should anyone get too close to them.
Sidearm (a): in the event that their primary hardware fails them, Rock-Vipers carry a backup piece. They may discharge a single round from this firearm to inflict their Agility +4 in damage, or a semi-automatic burst of such to inflict their Agility +5 in damage.
Traction Suit (s): the uniform of the Rock-Viper is woven from a non-slip fabric, which gives them better gription when clinging to the vertical face of all manner of objects. While it doesn't assist in climbing, per se, these suits reduce the difficulty on efforts to avoid falling.
Skills:
Boxing (s): Rock-Vipers are well-versed in the art of self-defense. For some, this takes the form of the boxing skill, which lets them divide their pre-card play action score between two unarmed melee assaults, the second of which may be attempted as a contingent action.
Climbing (s): essential to their job, this skill demonstrates the Rock-Vipers' ability to easily ascend most vertical surfaces - with or without their fancy gear. While attempting to climb up or down the sheer face of anything, a Rock-Viper may do so at a reduced difficulty.
Guns (a): all Cobra operatives have the ability to wield firearms in combat, and Rock-Vipers are no exception to this rule. They may discharge any standard, semi-automatic, or fully automatic rifle or pistol at one difficulty level lower than is usually required.
Marksman (a): as most of their weaponry has considerable range to it, Rock-Vipers have been trained as marksmen. They may wield RPGs, grenade launchers, mortars, and even ICBMs at a reduced difficulty, disregarding penalties to range while attempting to do so.
Martial Arts (a): Rock-Vipers are well-versed in the art of self-defense. For some, this takes the form of the martial arts skill, granting them a reduction in the difficulty of actions intended to dodge attacks, catch thrown weaponry, or to strike in unarmed melee.
Military (w): Rock-Vipers most definitely have this skill, having proven themselves as Vipers before they acquired this rank. It allows them to function effectively within a combat unit, and gives them insight into Cobra's byzantine organizational structure.
Contacts:
Rock-Vipers are generally unpopular within Cobra, often playing terrible pranks on their fellows during climbs in the most inhospitable and unforgiving of locations, often to deadly effect. But they just as often save their fellows from on high, so it almost evens out.
Almost.
Calling:
Various Callings: pick a villainous calling and run with it! Sure, most members of Cobra are driven by Greed or aspirations of World Domination, but some have other motivations. For instance, some Rock-Vipers are simply Adventurers, seeking to climbing huge mountains!
Costume:
The first Rock-Viper uniform is comprised of a tan and black digital camouflage jacket and trousers, black leather boots and gloves with burgundy wrist and shin guards, burgundy web gear and sheathes, pouches, and holsters, and a burgundy helmet with a green visor.
Notes:
Rock-Vipers are Cobra's mountaineering experts. Generally, those Cobras who are offered a place in the Rock-Vipers' ranks are those Vipers who have demonstrated some climbing ability, whether recreationally or otherwise, or who can at least walk away from falls from great heights.
Whether they were nominated from within or are mountaineers who are enticed to join Cobra, these villains are given considerable training in climbing, whether up or down, using both the most advanced equipment available, as well as no equipment whatsoever.
Those Cobras who don't wash out of Rock-Viper training are dropped off on a five hundred foot tall cliff during their graduation ceremony. Given only two hundred and fifty feet worth of rope, it is incumbent on the would-be Rock-Vipers to figure out how to survive the trip down.
The only difficulty with this is that, once they earn their uniform, Rock-Vipers tend to think rather highly of themselves, and often amuse themselves at the expense of their fellow Cobras. This often takes the form of mean-spirited pranks that can hospitalize their ostensible allies.
Thus, more than one Rock-Viper has seen his career in Cobra cut short by 'friendly fire' that wasn't really all that friendly. On the other hand, Rock-Vipers are often crucial to the success of a Cobra operation, providing withering cover fire from on high.
So while they are generally unpopular, how they are treated ultimately comes down to the individual Rock-Viper.
2000 Variations
Costume:
Strangely, the second Rock-Viper uniform is a variant on the Range-Viper ensemble. It includes a gray T-shirt, gray trousers with red COBRA branding, black leather boots, red leather gloves, black belts and web gear, red pouches and bandoliers, and a gray and white 'skull' helmet.
2003 Variations
Equipment:
Wraith Suit: in '03, numerous Rock-Vipers traded in their non-slip camouflage uniform for a wraith suit. This ensemble makes them invisible to infrared scanners and radio wave detectors with intensity 15 ability, even if it doesn't protect them from falls as much.
Costume:
The third Rock-Viper uniform is a variation on their first, including a red and black pythonized jacket and trousers, black leather boots and gloves with gold shin and wrist guards, golden web gear, sheathes, holsters, and pouches, and a golden helmet with a red visor.
2011 Variations
Equipment:
Spear (s): again taking after the Range-Viper somewhat, Rock-Vipers began carrying a spear in the field in '11. They may use this weapon to inflict their Strength +3 in slashing damage, whether wielded in melee or flung at their opponents.
Costume:
The fourth Rock-Viper uniform is similar to the first, comprised of a tan and brown digital camouflage jacket and trousers, black leather boots and gloves with burgundy shin and wirst guards, black belts and web gear, burgundy sheathes and pouches, a black balaclava, and a black helmet.
Extra Goodies:
Cobra directories featuring a version of Rock-Vipers:
| 1990 | 2000 | 2003 | 2011 |
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