Superball

From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe

Jump to: navigation, search
Superball1.jpg
Superball
Player: @Acyl
Origin: Mutant
Archetype: Scrapper
Security Level: 38
Personal Data
Real Name: Confidential
Known Aliases: Supes, SB, "Idiot!"
Species: Human
Age: Confidential
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 177 lbs
Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Blue
Biographical Data
Nationality: US Citizen
Occupation: Professional Crimefighter
Place of Birth: Paragon City
Base of Operations: Paragon City
Marital Status: Single
Known Relatives: Confidential
Known Powers
Short-range Personal Forcefield
Known Abilities
Intensive Crimefighting Training
Equipment
Comm device, first aid kit, and misc tools concealed in costume.
No additional information available.


Superball is the second costumed crimefighter to bear the name.


Contents

Affiliations

Supergroup: The Legendary (Rank: Epic)


Background and Personality

Superball I

The original Superball.
The original Superball was a crimefighter active from the mid-1980s til the Rikti War. He technically survived the war, but was killed in the chaos that followed. Paragon City was in ruins after the invasion, and most villain groups were not above taking advantage of the devastation. Superball was killed by an Outcast party that had taken a family hostage in an abandoned building. It is not clear what transpired. Apparently the hostages were saved, but at the cost of Superball's life.

However, there are inconsistencies in the eyewitness accounts. In particular, one of the rescued children claimed Superball was killed at the start of the fight, not the end - meaning that someone else fought off the gang members after the hero's death. To date, the incident remains a mystery. The official report has been sealed by the Federal Bureau of Super-powered Affairs.

His real identity and history are not publicly known, but it is believed he was a baseline human without any special powers. He did have a high level of athletic ability and martial-arts training, but not to the level of top-tier heroes. He compensated for this with an irreverent sense of humour and rapier wit. He was a man always ready with a wisecrack, silly pun, or full-fledged stand-up routine.

The first Superball concentrated his crimefighting efforts against ordinary criminals rather than super-powered villains. Due to this, he was not widely known among the hero community. He was part of the original Legendary supergroup, but functioned mainly as a reserve member and occasional comic relief.

Superball II

The new Superball costume.
The current Superball first appeared in 2005. Unlike his predecessor, he seems more willing to combat super-powered threats. This may be because the new Superball is a superhuman himself, and thus able to operate on a higher level. However, his basic fighting style is nearly identical to his predecessor's, save with far more aerial acrobatics due to his power of flight.

When he first turned up in Paragon City, his costume was a carbon copy of the original Superball suit. He has since adopted an alternate costume tailored to his form and powers, but retaining the colours and emblem.

Like the original, Superball II is the very personification of the costumed idiot. The crimefighting profession attracts a lot of would-be comedians and warped personalities...but Superball takes it to an entirely new level. His official hero license specifically notes he is NOT clinically insane - the fact such an advisory was necessary speaks volumes about his character.

But there's a strange deliberateness to Superball's behaviour. Those who have worked with him for extended periods often swear he isn't as stupid as he acts. He is remarkably competent when he needs to be. It may well be that he only behaves like a clown because the original Superball did so. So he acts like a fool because Superball is supposed to be a fool. The schtick is part of the legacy. There are in fact signs that the man behind the Superball mask is a fairly serious individual. He's just so immersed in his role that his real personality is almost completely buried. He refuses to give his name to anyone or remove his mask. He has been a serving member of The Legendary for some time now, but even his closest allies have not seen his real face.

It is often assumed that the current Superball is a protégé or former sidekick of the original. The truth is...rather more complex. He does speak as though he personally knew his predecessor, but he is oddly evasive as to their actual connection. He avoids telepaths and empaths, and has developed various techniques to block their senses. However, those who have actually been able to read Superball claim that he has a great deal of respect and regard for his predecessor - but the overwhelming feeling he has, with regards to the original hero, is not admiration...but guilt.

Superball has a working relationship with freelance reporter Juliana Nehring - insofar as she provides him with information, and he provides her with an increasing addiction to aspirin.


Powers

Superball's energy aura.
Superball is a mutant. His strength, stamina, agility and reflexes are all greater than human norm. However, his primary mutation is an overcharged nervous system. There is so much excess energy in his nerves that it emerges from his skin. Nor is that energy mere electricity - it appears to function as a force field. Applied in different ways, this field is responsible for most of his signature powers.


Martial Arts

The original Superball was a genuine martial artist. The current hero is one as well, to a degree. In truth, though, he is merely imitating his predecessor's moves. He is entirely self-taught, having trained himself by watching video footage of the first Superball. As such, his fighting style is flawed, but he compensates with his natural ability. More importantly, he also enhances his speed and agility with carefully-timed bursts from his energy field. That same energy, wrapped round his limbs, also gives his melee attacks far more power than they would otherwise have.


Invulnerability

Superball's energy aura has various protective qualities - it repulses enemy attacks. This defense is not automatic, however. He must consciously focus on an incoming attack in order to deflect it, meaning that surprise assaults can catch him off-guard. He is thus not truly invulnerable, at least not in the conventional sense.


Flight

The repulsion effect of Superball's field is strong enough to let him hover and fly. This is a large part of his highly acrobatic combat style.


Abilities

Superball has comprehensive knowledge of Paragon's super-powered gangs, their inner workings, politics, strengths and weaknesses. He is also an expert in police procedure and the laws governing costumed heroes. While the Superball persona is a complete goofball, the man inside the costume takes his job very seriously. He knows more about the practical aspects of heroism than most crimefighters - he could tell you, for example, precisely what brand of epinephrine auto-injector you want in your emergency medical kit. Given his manic persona, this often comes as a surprise to people.


Weaknesses and Limitations

Superball hides his real face. He always wears a mask. Both literally and figuratively. The latter is a problem. It isn't healthy for a man to conceal his true self so deeply. He seems happy-go-lucky, cheerful and carefree - but that's just part of the act. Technically speaking, Superball does have a secret identity, insofar as he refuses to reveal his real name. But he doesn't really have a life outside the costume. He is a full-time hero. The closest thing he has to friends are the other members of The Legendary. He trusts them with his life...but not with his secrets.


Battle Cries and Catch Phrases

"In Paragon City, balls kick YOU."

"I have the right to remain violent!"


Trivia

Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Navigation
Features
Toolbox
Advertising

Interested in advertising?