Heli-Vipers

Strength 6x *

Agility 6a *

Intellect 3x

Willpower 6x

Hand Size: Edge:

2 (10) 0

* Heli-Vipers generally know either Boxing or Martial Arts, but not both. If a Heli-Viper goes with Boxing, he or she will have a d code for Strength and an a for Agility, but if they go with Martial Arts, they will have an x code for Strength and an a+ code for Agility.

Origin:

As are the vast majority of Cobra operatives, save for a few freakish abominations of that organization's creation, Heli-Vipers are well within the bounds of conventional humanity. They only have their equipment, their skills, and their ludicrous daring with which to commit their crimes!

Powers:

(none)

Hindrances / Augmentations:

(none)

Equipment:

Battle Copter (i): built to combat Cobra's foes in three dimensions, the Battle Copter is a powerful, back-mounted helicopter! Heli-Vipers use these miniature vehicles in their daredevil maneuvers against aerial targets, and they are described within their own vehicle entry.

Headgear (s): the blast-proof helmets, shatter-resistant goggles, and toxin-filtering face shields of the Heli-Vipers provide their wearers protection against physical assault and (airborne) poison, and Screened Senses for their vision, all at intensity 8, or +2.

Knife (s): almost all Cobras carry a blade, and Heli-Vipers are no exception to this rule. Generally made from m.s. 12, materials, this implement can either be used to cut through items of up to like m.s., given enough time, or to inflict +2 slashing damage in melee.

Laser Pistol (s): their backup piece, this directed energy weapon fires a beam of coherent photons at the Heli-Viper's foe. Each successful hit with this short pulse of powerful light inflicts their Agility +4 in Armor Piercing energy damage, and the weapon can fire six blasts per charge.

Rifle (a): their principal weapon, this semi-automatic rifle be used to inflict their Agility +5 in damage when discharging one round, or their Agility +6 in damage when discharging several rounds at once. But perforations are only the basic use Heli-Vipers have for this weapon.

The large scope on top of this firearm can be used to increase the effective visual range of a Heli-Viper by one range category, and provides these brash aerial combatants a +1 to hit in the event that they can lie in wait for one exchange before discharging lead at their target.

Skills:

Boxing (s): Heli-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 they may attempt as a contingent action.

Advanced Guns (a): as they wield both conventional and futuristic arms in the field, Heli-Vipers have received advanced training in the use of directed energy weapons. They may fire such beam emitters, whether lasers, blasters, or even disintegrators, at a reduced difficulty.

Aerial Combat (a): one does not become a Heli-Viper without being an effective airborne combatant, whether they brought that skill with them to Cobra or picked it up on the job. As such, they may attempt combat card play while flying aircraft at a reduced difficulty.

Guns (a): all Cobra operatives have the ability to wield firearms in combat, and Heli-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 normally necessary.

Martial Arts (a): Heli-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): Cobra pilots cannot earn the rank of Heli-Viper without mastering this skill, even if they got their start as civilian pilots. It allows them to function effectively within a combat unit, and gives them insight into Cobra's byzantine organizational structure.

Piloting (a): the skill which Cobra recruited them for, Heli-Vipers are all highly competent pilots, and more than a few of them are true experts in their field. Heli-Vipers may attempt actions to control aircraft while in the air at one difficulty level lower than is usually required

Contacts:

Having attained the personal attention and approval of Cobra Commander, Heli-Vipers can consider all of Cobra a reliable contact. Everyone knows what they bring to the group, after all! Each Heli-Viper likely has additional contacts related to their chosen field of expertise.

Calling:

Various Callings: as Cobra operatives, Heli-Vipers can readily choose any villainous calling and run with it. However, this corps tends towards the Thrill-Seeker and Soldier lines of motivation, either focusing on showcasing just how impressive their aerial skills are.

Costume:

The original Heli-Viper uniform is comprised of a dark purple flight jacket, dark purple trousers featuring lavender padding, red shoulder pads and web gear, lavender leather boots and gloves, red belts and knife sheathes, and a dark purple helmet with a red visor and face shield.

Notes:

Heli-Vipers are the kind of pilots you could call daredevils if they weren't quite so reckless. Foolhardy and fearless, Heli-Vipers are the cream of the crop where Cobra's rotary-winged pilots are concerned. And one cannot fake their way into the Heli-Viper corps.

Those pilots with the appropriate levels of spine and skill can petition for an interview with Cobra Commander himself to join the ranks of the Heli-Vipers. And not all that many supplicants survive to make their way in, for the entrance exam is lethally brutal!

While blindfolded and unarmed, the would-be Heli-Viper must engage in ludicrously dangerous aerial maneuvers while being fired upon. Those who fail the test are no longer a concern, but those who would risk it all to attain this rank, and live, are given the Heli-Viper uniform.

Once in, the job they perform is vital to Cobra operations. They act as airborne sentries, spotting potential threats to the Cobra forces they're attached to. And, if they're airborne targets like themselves, the Heli-Vipers will gladly strike these threats down for their fellows!

2016 Variations

Equipment:

Tactical Flight Pack: replacing their old Battle Copters, Heli-Vipers adopted a more aggressive flight pack in '16. In addition to dropping up to six small bombs, each of which can inflict intensity 10 fragmentary damage, they can Fly or Levitate with intensity 3 ability.

Costume:

The second Heli-Viper uniform includes a purple flight jacket, purple trousers featuring lavender padding, red shoulder pads and web gear, lavender leather boots and gloves, red belts, knife sheathes, and knee pads, and a purple helmet with a red visor and face shield.

Extra Goodies:

Cobra directories featuring a version of Heli-Vipers:

1992

2016

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