The Taskmaster's Minions

The Taskmaster is a realtively successful villain with a particular talent for reproducing feats of physical prowess. Some time ago, he chose to forgo the usual villain activities and instead started his own academy. Here, he trains the brutes and henchmen of the Marvel Universe, those faceless and nameless minons that heroes are always walking all over.

Although they suffer a great number of defeats, it is generally easier to recruit minions from the Taskmaster than to find them on your own. Thus, many villains use his troops. He trains two varieties: the henchman (or sub-villain, as I call them) and the brute. The henchmen are villains in their own right who, given enough time, will strike out on their own and cause mayhem. Brutes, on the other hand, just carry guns and shoot at people.

Using Taskmaster's Minions in Your Campaign: This is easy. These guys can be the cannon fodder for any villain or crimelord. In fact, I think it would be bitching to show just how bad these boys can be, rather than always just punching bags. Have 'em slap some folks around! You know your heroes deserve it!!


From left to right: Three of Taskmaster's more memorable henchmen, Death Shield, Jagged Bow and Blood Spider.

Blood Spider

Strength 11D
Agility 9D
Intellect 3X
Willpower 3X

Skills:

Brawling, Climbing.

Equipment:

Spider Pack 6
  Ensnarement, Wall-Crawling, Web-Slinging

Calling: Soldier

Death Shield

Strength 7C
Agility 5X
Intellect 3X
Willpower 3X

Skills: Brawling, Shields.

Equipment:

Shield +3

Calling: Soldier

Jagged Bow

Strength 6D
Agility 8D
Intellect 3X
Willpower 3X

Skills:

Brawling, Marksmanship.

Equipment:

Bow and Arrow +3

Calling: Soldier

The Steelskulls

Strength 5D
Agility 5D
Intellect 3X
Willpower 4X

Skills: Brawling, Marksmanship

Equipment:

Body Armor +2
Large firearms +3

Calling: Soldier.
Personality: None to speak of. Just point and shoot, really. Taskmaster's cannon fodder troops go under a variety of names and outfits. The Steelskulls are just the most recent flavor, utilized by the Grim Reaper in his assault on Madame Masque's headquarters.
       


The Split Second Squad

Strength 5D
Agility 6C
Intellect 3X
Willpower 4X

Skills: Brawling, Acrobatics, Martial Arts.

Equipment:

Body Armor +2
Repulsor Pads 8
  Energy Blast (Touch only), Gliding (as
  Flight Limit), Lightning Speed

Calling: Soldier.
Personality: None to speak of. The Split Second Squad was used by the Taskmaster when he led some reserve Avengers into a trap set by the Triune Understanding. Although they handled themselves well, the were, of course, defeated.
       


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