T is for the Thinker

There are two incarnations of the Thinker that have connections to the Suicide Squad.

In the comics, Cliff Carmichael is the second villain to take the moniker of the Thinker. He was originally a Firestorm villain. Well technically he started as a rival and bully of Ronnie Raymond (one half of Firestorm). He was eventually committed to a mental institution after accidentally paralyzing his cousin. For unknown reasons scientists experimented on him with the original Thinker's cap, turning him into the second Thinker. This cap is a powerful device and even corrupts the noble Rick Flag on one mission.  This is the version that has served on the Suicide Squad a few times. He was seemingly killed on a few missions. He eventually returned as a cyborg, before being killed again.

The Thinker of the The Suicide Squad is quite different. He's a degenerate Scottish scientist, played by the amazing Peter Capaldi. He works in Corto Maltese, where he continues the Nazi science experiments at Jötunheim and tries to weaponize Starro the Conqueror. 

Going to give stats for the DCEU Thinker and comics' Thinker's Cap.

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Code Name: The Thinker 
Real Name: Gaius Grieves

Team Affiliations: American Government, Corto Maltese Governement

Medium Humanoid, Neutral Evil 

Armor Class: 11 (Dex)

Hit Points: 52 (8d8)

Speed: 30 ft.

Challenge: 2 (100 XP)

Str 10 (+1) Dex 12 (+1) Con 12 (+1) Int 24 (+7) Wis 18 (+4) Cha 14 (+2)

Saving Throws: Int +9, Wis +6

Skills: Advanced Tech +9, History +9,  Medicine +9, Insight +6, Nature +9, Parapsychology +9

Senses: passive Perception 14

Languages: English, Spanish

Trait

Absolute Degenerate: Gaius is a true pervert and cannot be shocked or disgusted by any form of sexual deviancy. 

Brain Enhancers: The electrical diodes and antennas in his head are connected to his brain and enhance his intelligent. If they are suppressed or turned off (such as when affected by an EMP), his intelligence decreases to 18. 

Cunning Action: On each of his turns, Thinker can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Engage, or Hide 

Actions

Unarmed: Melee Weapon Attack. +3  to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4+1) bludgeoning damage.

The following item uses the advanced tech/magic item rules from Carbide City #2.

Thinker's Cap

Wondrous Item, legendary 

The Thinker's Cap increases the intelligence of anyone wearing it to 24. It grants the wielder the ability to cast several charm and telekinetic spells (though these abilities are not considered magical in nature). The Thinker's cap has 8 charges. It regains 1d6+1 charges daily at dawn. If the last charge is expended the Cap automatically gains temporary control over the wearer.  While 

Spells: You can use an action to expend 1 or more of the Cap's charges to cast one of the following spells/abilities from it, using a spell DC save of 17: charm person (1 charge), comprehend languages (1 charge), dominate person (5 charges), fear (3 charges),  hold monster (5 charges), hold person (2 charges), magic missile (1-5 charges), mind blast [see below] (4 charges),  or telekinesis (5 charges)

Mind Blast: The Thinker's Cap emits psychic energy in a 60 foot cone. Each creature in the area must succeed a DC 17 Intelligence saving throw or take 25 (4d8+7) psychic damage and be stunned for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. 

The Cap is sentient. It has the following stats: Int 24, Wis 18, and Cha 14. It is Lawful Evil and communicates telepathically with is wearer. It has the same senses of the creature wearing it. It seeks to continue the aims of the Thinker and will do anything to accomplish these goals.

S is for Support Staff

Today I thought I'd talk about some of the Squad's support staff. There are spoilers from the Max Peacemaker series. I try to mention both comic and DCEU versions if possible. Going to do this one a little different. Below you'll find generic support staff stats. These will be followed by a pic and background on the characters. I will also give suggestions on changes you can make to the generic stats.

Generic Suicide Squad Support Staff 

Medium Humanoid, Any (normally Lawful Good, Lawful Neutral, or Neutral Good)

Armor Class: 12 (Bullet Proof Vest, Dex)

Hit Points: 16 (3d8+3)

Speed: 30 ft.

Challenge: 1 (100 XP)

Str 13 (+1) Dex 12 (+1) Con 12 (+1) Int 16 (+3) Wis 13 (+1) Cha 12 (+1)

Saving Throws: Wis +3

Skills: Perception +3, Insight +3

Senses: passive Perception 13

Languages: English

Actions

Multiattack: Support Staff can make two melee or ranged attacks.

Unarmed: Melee Weapon Attack. +3  to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d4+1) bludgeoning damage.

Pistol: Ranged Weapon Attack. +3 to hit, range 50/150 ft., one target, Hit: 8 (2d6+1) piercing damage. (15 round clip)

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In the comics, John Economos is the warden of Belle Reve. He can be clumsy and is sometimes used for humor in the stories, but ultimately he's a good guy. It's noted a few times that despite their situation, the villains on the Squad tend to like John because he's a good and fair man. The DCEU version of a snarky, but well-meaning, aid to Waller. He's a tech guy and medic (when needed). 

Stat Adjustments: increase Int to 16, increase Wis and Cha to 14, add Medicine and Persuasion skill proficiencies, add Computer tool proficiency

Emilia Harcourt is a government agent that worked with Amanda Waller and A.R.G.U.S./Task Force X. She's a no-nonsense, investigator, spy, and mission coordinator. The comic version is more sinister, having betrayed the team while working for the terrorist organization The People.

Stat Adjustments: add 2d8 hit dice, increase Str and Dex to 16 and Cha to 14, add Deception, Intimidation, Stealth, and Sleight of Hand skill proficiencies

Briscoe is the pilot and main mechanic for Task Force X. He's a man with demons, having lost his daughter Sheba. He transported the Squad to their missions and saved the day a few times. He was killed while on a mission on Apokolips. 

Stat Adjustments: add Advanced Tech skill proficiency, add Mechanic tool proficiency, add air vehicle proficiency 

Florence "Flo" Crawley is a naïve and optimistic mission coordinator and computer tech in the comics. Sadly she is killed while on a mission to Apokolips. In The Suicide Squad she was part of the mission team that rebelled against Waller and helped the Squad save Corto Malteze from Starro the Conqueror. She knocked Waller out during that incident and according to Gunn she's serving prison time for it (which is why she isn't in Peacemaker). 

Stat Adjustments: increase Int to 18, add Advanced Tech skill proficiency, add Computer tool proficiency

Leota Adebayo (née Waller) is an original Gunn creation for Peacemaker. The daughter of Amanda Waller, before the series Adebayo lived with her wife, Keeya, and worked at a dog shelter in Gotham. After losing her job, he mother offered her a position in Project Butterfly. Despite the secret she hid from her team, she was one of the more kind members. She can be just as manipulative as her mother, but shows remorse when doing so (like when she got Vigilante to try to kill Peacemaker's father). She also used the human torpedo helmet and saved the day.

Stat Adjustments: increase Cha to 18, add Deception and Persuasion skill proficiencies

Another character created for the Peacemaker series, Clemson Murn was a mercenary and bad, bad man (gaining a reputation that was even known by someone like Peacemaker). Hailing from the the country of Nyasir. This reputation eventually garnered the attention of Amanda Waller who used Murn to do some missions. At some point he was possessed by a Butterfly named Ik Nobe Llok who killed him and took over his body. The Butterfly felt great remorse at this because it stole Murn's chance of redemption. He was eventually killed by the Butterfly queen, Eek Stack Ik Ik.

Stat Adjustments: Murn is a special case, for now I'd say just use the same adjustments I gave for Harcourt. I will stat out the Butterflies soon and give him a proper individual  write-up.

Father Richard Craemer was the chaplain at Belle Reve Penitentiary. He offered guidance (spiritual and psychological) to the team and was respected by everyone. After leaving this position he eventually became the friend and spiritual leader of the Spectre's mortal host, Jim Corrigan. 

Stat Adjustments: increase Wis to 18 and Cha to 16, add Persuasion and Religion skill proficiencies,  he also gains the following action:

Spiritual Guidance: Father Craemer's rhetoric allows any friendly character within 30 feet that can hear him to immediately make a saving throw to end the effect of being controlled, charmed, or frightened. He may not use this ability again until he takes a short or long rest.

While not an actual support staff member, it felt like a disservice to not mention the Suicide Squad's ride. Briscoe named the Squad's primary transport after his deceased daughter. In the comics Sheba was heavily armed and Briscoe could active it by voice. It was created by Ferris Aircraft. Not going to go stat the helicopter out, but wanted to mention her. 

Happy Earth Day

Have a happy Earth Day with this art from Marcelo Ventura…

Music Monday - Gangsta

Ayer's Suicide Squad soundtrack included the song Gangsta by Kehlani.

While I like the original version (despite hating the Harley/Joker pairing), I'm a big fan of New Years Day's cover and video of the track. I have a major crush on Ash Costello and thought she looked like New 52 Harley Quinn even before watching this video. I also dig the rest of the band dressed as other Batman rogues. 

The Power Puff Girls All Grown Up

Not going to lie, I really love Marcelo Ventura’s grown up Power Puff Girls and more adult version of HIM. Definitely a lot edgier than the one in X-Factor.

Insert Lame Pot Joke Here

This will be a quick one but I wanted to share. DM Dave’s Facebook posted some previews of a 4/20 themed adventure today, Weed Monster Spire. 5e Stats for the ritual Weed Monster were posted and can be seen below. Support him on Patreon to unlock the adventure. Details can be found here. 

The monster would be great to use as minions of a Poison Ivy-esque villain. I might need to update Reefer King.

R is for Rick Flag

In most iterations of the character, Rick Flag Jr. is the voice of reason and moral compass of the Suicide Squad. He's done some awful things while following orders, like many special forces soldiers, but ultimately he's a good man who does what's right. He genuinely cares for the villains and soldiers under his command and isn't afraid to call Waller out. He's a tragic character that has many physical and mental scars from his time serving his country.

Rick Flag Jr. has appeared in a few tv series, films, and video games. My favorite version is Joel Kinnamen's. Even though he's a dick in Ayer's Suicide Squad, I loved him. The version in Gunn's The Suicide Squad was perfect (and broke my heart).

Code Name: - 

Real Name: Richard "Rick" Roger Flag Jr.

Team Affiliations: Task Force X, US Army, Navy Seals, US Air Force

Medium Humanoid, Neutral Good

Armor Class: 15(Armored Vest, Dex)

Hit Points:  78 (12d8+24)

Speed: 30 ft.

Challenge: 5 (1,800 XP)

Str 16 (+3) Dex 16 (+3) Con 15 (+2) Int 14 (+2) Wis 17 (+3) Cha 14 (+2)

Saving Throws: Con +5, Str +5

Skills:  Athletics +5, Deception +4, Insight +5, Investigation +2, Perception +5, Persuasion +4, Stealth +5, Survival +5

Proficiencies: Land Vehicles, Air Vehicles, Water Vehicles, Explosives

Senses: passive Perception 15

Languages: English

Traits

Cunning Action: On each of his turns, Flag can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Engage, or Hide action.

No Soldier Gets Left Behind: The first time an ally within 30 ft fails a Death saving throw, they may reroll it. This ability can't be used again until Pete takes a short rest.

Actions

Multiattack: Flag can make two attacks.

Combat Knife: Melee Weapon Attack. +5  to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage.

Combat Knife: Ranged Weapon Attack. +5  to hit, range 20/60 ft, one target. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage.

Semiautomatic Rifle: Ranged Weapon Attack. +5 to hit, range 90/270 ft., one target, Hit: 16 (3d8+3) piercing damage. (30 shots before reload)

Bonus Action

Second Wind: Flag can draw on his stamina reserves to heal 1d10+12 hit points. He can't use this ability again until he takes a short or long rest. 

Trapped on a world that’s not his own, Colonel Rick Flag begins leading a new Suicide Squad of sorts. With the Thunderbolts, he finds himself trying to use some very bad people to do some good once again. 

Q is for Quartzite

Quartzite is a villain and member of Task Force X that's only made three appearances. She is recruited by Amanda Waller to replace Nightshade (who had left the team). She was a part of a team sent to capture Hawk (Sasha Martens) and Dove (Wiley Wolverman), who'd broke out of a US Airforce Base. She has dimensional travel, which I don't think is totally explained. Given her name I'm going to say that she can travel to and and from Gemworld.

Code Name: Quartzite

Real Name: Unknown

Team Affiliations: Task Force X

Medium Humanoid, Neutral Evil

Armor Class: 13(Costume, Dex)

Hit Points: 44 (8d8+8)

Speed: 30 ft.

Challenge: 2 (450 XP)

Str 10 (+0) Dex 12 (+1) Con 12 (+1) Int 12 (+1) Wis 14 (+2) Cha 16 (+3)

Saving Throws: Cha +5

Skills: Perception +4, Persuasion +5, Stealth +3

Senses: passive Perception 15

Languages: English

Actions

Multiattack: Quartzite can make two unarmed attacks.

Unarmed: Melee Weapon Attack. +2  to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2 (1d4) bludgeoning damage.

Dimensional Travel: While on the material plane Quartzite can transport herself and up to four people touching her to a location on the Gemworld she can clearly visualize in her mind. While in Gemworld she can teleport herself and up to four people touching her to any location of Earth she can clearly visualize in her mind.

Fuccubus Friday - More Love For Karlach

I’ve featured content related to my favorite Faerunian cinnamon roll, Karlach before. Well a few weeks ago, Ring of Honor’s Athena dressed as her for a match at the Supercard of Honor.