Scarlet Witch

From the cover of Avengers v3 #70, Art by Olivier Coipel

Real Name: Wanda Maximoff

First Appearance: Uncanny X-Men #4 (Mar, 1964)

Creators: Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

Capsule: Wanda was born a mutant, with the power to alter probability fields. An European Gypsy, Wanda and her twin brother Pietro, also a mutant, suffered persecution from superstitious peasants. The pair of youngsters eventually came into the protection of Magneto, mutant master of magnetism and joined their Brotherhood of Mutants.

But Wanda never really believed Magneto's creed of mutant supremacy. She and her brother helped Magneto's enemies, the X-Men, whenever they could. They finally deserted Magneto to travel to America and join the supergroup known as the Avengers when many of their original members had taken leaves of absence.

Wanda enjoyed a long stint as an Avenger, becoming a more regular member than Pietro, even though like Quicksilver she too was given to psychological problems. It was also in the Avengers that she met the android Vision, who became her husband, and Wonder Man who became her lover for a while.

Scarlet Witch, PL 12

Str 10 (+0), Dex 13 (+1), Con 14 (+2), Int 12 (+1), Wis 14 (+2), Cha 13 (+1)

Skills: Concentration 6 (+8), Diplomacy 4 (+6/+10), Intimidate 4 (+6), Knowledge (arcane lore) 5 (+6), Notice 4 (+6), Pilot 3 (+4), Sense Motive 4 (+6), Stealth 4 (+5)

Feats: Attractive, Benefit (Avengers Membership), Defensive Roll, Dodge Focus 2, Improved Initiative, Ritualist, Teamwork 2

Powers:

• Variable Power 10 (Probability alteration powers, one at a time, pool of 40 power points, up to Rank 12 powers, Flaw: Full Action)

Combat: Attack +4, Grapple +4, Damage +0 (unarmed), up to +12 (hex power), Defense +8 (+3 flat-footed), Knockback -2, Initiative +5

Saves: Toughness +3 (+2 flat-footed), Fortitude +5, Reflex +4, Will +6

Drawbacks: Power Loss (Wanda needs to gesture to use her Hex power, -1)

Abilities 16 + Skills 8 (30 ranks) + Feats 9 + Powers 30 + Combat 20 + Saves 10 - Drawback 1 = Total 92

Complications: Prejudice, Responsibility (Messy Romantic Life)

Notes: The Variable Power is taken from the Masterminds Manual. Wanda can basically duplicate any power, as long as it's within the limits of 12 ranks and 40 power points. She is limited to effects that can be explained as probability manipulation. Some examples:

• Melting gun barrels - Corrosion 10 (Extra: Range [Perception])

• Spontaneous combustion - Blast 8 (Extras: Range [Perception], Duration [Sustained])

• Poltergeist field - Deflect 12 (All Ranged Attacks, Extra: Ranged)

• Disruption of energy - Nullify 10 (All energy powers at once, Extras: Range [Perception], Duration [Concentration])

Wanda gained better control over her powers over the years, so the GM should most times let her choose the exact effect that will happen. Still, her power is chaotic by nature. The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe mentions a 20% chance of her power acting up in a unforeseen way. The GM could use that as a Complication.

This write-up is meant to represent Wanda as she was in the 1980s, a somewhat restricted character, better suited to a support position in a supergroup. She has developed broader magical powers in Kurt Busiek's run in the Avengers.