The Watchmen as reviewed by the family
Part one: Tropes from the movie
The Watchmen are not super heroes (with the exception of Doctor Manhattan). The characters in this series of articles were built using standard Savage World rules (with the exception of Doctor Manhattan) and as such can be dropped into any campaign without much difficulty.
Doctor Manhattan is a very powerful being, one who can manipulate the reality of whatever world he is placed in. In a technological setting the character can be used as is. In a high fantasy setting, Doc Manhattan can be a magical being or someone who has blessed/cursed by the gods.
Doctor Manhattan does not see time the way human beings do. He needs the companionship of a female to maintain any link at all with humanity. If this link is severed for any reason, Doctor Manhattan will in all likelihood leave the community. Even with the companionship of a young beautiful female, Doctor Manhattan is aloof and often forgets everyday courtesies. Wearing clothes is something he only does when reminded.
Name:Jon Osterman/Doctor Manhattan
Race: Energy Based Human Analog
Attributes: Agility d10, Smarts d12, Spirit d12, Strength d10, Vigor d12
Skills: Intimidation d8, Knowledge (Time) d12, Knowledge (Atomic Particle Physics) d12, Knowledge (Scientific Method) d12, Knowledge (Watchmaking) d10, Notice d6, Repair d8
Charisma: 30; Pace: 6; Parry: 2; Toughness: 8;
Hindrances: Distinctive Appearance, Heartless, Clueless (as in an aloofness)
Edges: Arcane Background (Super Powers), Inventor
Super Powers: • Absorption + Transfer + Reflection (12) • Awareness (3) • Ageless (1) • Altered Form + Fall Proof + Replenish (7) • Danger Sense (5) • Duplication + Extra (8) • Energy Control (2) • Extra Actions (3) • Fearless (2) • Flight (2) • Force Control (2) • Gifted (1) • Growth (2) • Matter Control (4) • Malfunction (3) • Regeneration (5) • Telekinesis (2) • Teleport + Rapid + Taxi + Other (13)
Vulcan Stev's Database 
Looks cool. But Charisma 30? I haven’t seen the movie, but I think that’s stretching it. 😉
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BTW, I have read the comic.
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@Ryan – I was trying to go for the the fact that he is the only super powered being and his unique look. Everyone on his Earth knows who he is.
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Yeah, but 30? 8 would pretty much guarantee he gets a raise on Persuasion, Streetwise, and NPC reactions. And despite that Laurie still persuades him to come back.
And yes, I fully recognize that this is the ultimate nerdy debate: RPG stats for comic book characters. It can only get nerdier if we try to have different stats for the comic book and movie versions. 😉
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I Think the solution to this debate is a new Edge.
Fame: +2 to Charisma
Cult of Personality: (Prreq: Fame) +4 to Charisma.
Under certain circumstances this can also function as a penalty to Charisma. These modifiers also stack with Attractive, Mean, etc.
I don’t even know how a 30 is even possible under the rules. Charisma isn’t Fame, BUT Fame can help you out.
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Well player Dr. One could even say, “checkmate.”
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Another game perhaps? 😉
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I need to remember to sign in to WordPress more often.
Stev: Funny, this is the character I was most curious about. Seems to me though that he ought to have more defensive powers, higher Duplication, and higher Growth. But, then again I’ve also thought that he would be the hardest to convert. I mean, he certainly couldn’t be built as a novice, or even a seasoned character, while most of the others if not all of them, could. I look forward to seeing Ozymandias and his cat.
Dr. Manhattan and Superman both sort of highlight where NE and supers games in general start to fall down if they are crunchier than FUDGE, FATE, or Risus. The “cosmic” power houses require a ridiculous amount of crunch. Especially in the Doctor’s case. I feel that his power implies a number of other powers, too. Even if we don’t see them used in the movies. Or, like Matter Control, we see them used for things that far exceed the uses outlined in the RPGs. Explosion seems like it’s one he ought to have, too.
By my way of thinking, he ought to be stated the same way as the Outsider… I don’t think this spoilers the Plot Point. Sorry if it does.
None of which is to say this isn’t a fine adaptation, cause it rocks.
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@Ryan & Dr. C. – Please remember that this is one man’s interpretation of the character 8-). Technically speaking Doc, shouldn’t fail in anything (neither should Supes). Cosmic powers are a royal pain to stat out.
My thinking behind the 30 Charisma, was the following; Doc has a way with the ladies, he is the only “Super” power on his Earth, everyone knows who he is.
Was 30 high? perhaps but then as I said I was shooting for the complete uniqueness of Doc M. Had Doc been on DC’s main world or in the Marvel universe, I wouldn’t have given him that high a Charisma.
By no means is this a “I’m right and you’re wrong argument”, I’m glad to see your comments. Glad to see the debate. Keep it coming.
Also @ Dr. C. The remainder of the Watchmen have been purposefully statted out using only the standard Explorer’s Edition rules.
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I wonder what I used to think when I was very frustrated before I read Dr. Manhattan’s “I am tired of earth, of these people” speech and it lodged in my brain
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