Superhero: Encyclopedia II - Superhero - Character subtypes

Superhero - Character subtypes

In superhero role-playing games (particularly Champions), superheroes are informally organized into categories based on their skills and abilities. Since comic book and role-playing fandom overlap, these labels have carried over into discussions of superheroes outside the context of games:

• "Martial Artist": A hero whose physical abilities are mostly human rather than superhuman but whose combat skills are phenomenal. Some of these characters are actually superhuman (Daredevil, Iron Fist) while others are normal human beings who are extremely skilled and athletic (Batman and related characters, Black Widow).
• "Brick/Tanker": A character with a superhuman degree of strength and endurance and usually an oversized, muscular body, e.g., The Thing, The Hulk, Colossus, Savage Dragon.
• "Blaster": A hero whose main power is a distance attack, usually an "energy blast" e.g., Cyclops, Starfire, Static.
  • "Archer": A subvariant of this type who uses bow and arrow-like weapons that have a variety of specialized functions like explosives, glue, nets, rotary drill, etc., e.g., Green Arrow, Hawkeye.
  • "Mage": A subvariant of this type who is trained in the use of magic that partially or wholly involves ranged attacks., e.g., Doctor Strange, Doctor Fate.
• "Gadgeteer": A hero who invents special equipment that often imitates superpowers, e.g., Forge, Nite Owl.
  • "Armored Hero": A gadgeteer whose powers are derived from a suit of powered armor, e.g., Iron Man, Steel.
• "Speedster": A hero possessing superhuman speed and reflexes, e.g., The Flash, Quicksilver.
• "Mentalist": A hero who possesses psionic abilities, such as telekinesis, telepathy and extra-sensory perception, e.g., Professor X, Jean Grey, Saturn Girl.
• "Shapeshifter": A hero who can manipulate his/her own body to suit his/her needs, such as stretching (Mister Fantastic, Plastic Man) or disguise (Changeling, Chameleon).
  • "Sizechanger": A shapeshifter who can alter his/her size, e.g., the Atom (shrinking only), Colossal Boy (growth only), Hank Pym (both).

These categories often overlap. For instance, Batman is a both a skilled martial artist and a gadgeteer and Hellboy has the strength and durability of a brick and mystic arts abilities of a mage. Very powerful characters, such as Superman, Captain Marvel and Martian Manhunter, can be listed in many categories; the Manhunter excels in every category except martial arts and gadgetry.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Character subtypes", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki