Thing
Real Name: Benjamin J. Grimm
First Appearance: Fantastic Four #1 (Nov, 1961)
Creators: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Capsule: Ben Grimm grew up in Yancy Street, a rough NYC neighbourhood. He eventually managed to get into college where he met Reed Richards, who would become his life-long best friend. Ben went on to become a graduated military pilot.
Ben's life changed when he accepted to pilot a starship Reed had designed in a unauthorized space flight. Ben and the rest of the crew were mutated by cosmic rays and acquired superhuman powers, becoming the world-famous Fantastic Four. In Ben's case, his body was transformed so that he became a sort of rock-like monster, possessing great strength and durability.
Ben's agonizing over his deformity is a long-running subplot in Fantastic Four stories, but has been toned down in recent years (at least in the comics). His gruff-but-lovable, down-to-earth demeanor is another one of his trademarks.
The Thing, PL 12
Str 40 [16] (+15), Dex 12 (+1), Con 40 [16] (+15), Int 12 (+1), Wis 13 (+1), Cha 15 (+2)
Skills: Bluff 4 (+6), Climb 0 (+9), Craft (mechanical) 4 (+5), Gamble 7 (+8), Intimidate 7 (+9), Knowledge (popular culture) 5 (+6), Knowledge (streetwise) 4 (+5), Knowledge (tactics) 4 (+5), Notice 4 (+5), Pilot 14 (+15), Profession (astronaut) 7 (+8), Profession (military pilot) 7 (+8), Sense Motive 4 (+5)
Feats: All-Out Attack, Attack Specialization (unarmed), Benefit (FF member), Benefit (wealth), Critical Strike, Endurance, Improved Block, Improved Critical (unarmed), Improved Grab, Improved Initiative, Improved Pin, Improved Sunder, Power Attack, Renown 3, Seize Initiative, Startle, Takedown Attack, Taunt, Teamwork, Ultimate Save (Will)
Powers:
- Density 6 (500 lbs, Extra: Continuous, Flaw: Permanent, Note: Traits derived from this power are already added to his other traits)
- Enhanced Constitution 24
- Enhanced Strength 24
- Immovable 4
- Impervious Toughness 12
- Sensory Shield 2 (Auditory)
- Super-Strength 9 (Heavy Load: 1600 tons, Power Feat: Groundstrike)
Combat: Attack +7 (+9 unarmed), Grapple +32, Damage +15 (unarmed), Defense +7 (+3 flat-footed), Knockback -18, Initiative +6
Saves: Toughness +17, Fortitude +15, Reflex +4, Will +8
Abilities 24 + Skills 18 (71 ranks) + Feats 22 + Powers 83 + Combat 28 + Saves 10 = Total 185
Complications: Enemy (Puppet Master, mostly back in the old days), Fame, Prejudice, Temper
Notes: The Thing is a more or less straightforward example of the Powerhouse archetype. Perhaps the only things that distinguish him from other Powerhouses are his fighting skills (represented by his collection of Combat Feats), and his expertise as one of the greatest pilots in the world.
