With the recent release of the Luke Cage TV show on Netflix, I’ve decided to be completely unoriginal and generate Power Man as an NPC.

Ability Scores

As a hero who possesses super strength, Power Man’s STR should be his highest ability score, with CON a close second, due to his durability and unbreakable skin. CHA and WIS should be Luke’s highest mental abilities, depending on preference. DEX and INT are not his strong suits, although still not dump stats.

Race

The obvious and easiest choice is Human, +2 to any ability score, bonus skill and feat are all stupidly powerful at early levels. For something a little different, an Orc’s +4 to STR is very useful to simulate his super strength, as well as an Orc’s ferocity, for a truly unstoppable Power Man, but takes a -2 to each mental ability score. Finally, a Dwarf’s +2 to CON and WIS allows for a more balanced stat array, along with a +2 against Poisons and Disease and +4 to CMD to resist Bull Rush and Trip attempts.

Class

I went for a mix of the NPC class, Warrior, simple, full BAB, kinda under powered, but combined with the Metal-Clad Creature template, quickly becomes a force to be reckoned with. Choosing Adamantine is the closest to Lukes unbreakable skin, which in the comics is as strong as Titanium. Adamantine grants immunity to Precision damage and Critical hits, massive ability score increases, +10 to his Natural armour bonus and DR10/Adamantine, but does reduce his base speed and DEX heavily.

If you wanted to make Luke a PC, so without the template and with a PC class, i would use both the Invulnerable Rager and Urban Barbarian archetypes of Barbarian, which replace Uncanny Dodge, Trap Sense, Fast Movement and alters Rage. Because the archetypes don’t overlap, you could pick them both at the same time. Invulnerable Rager grants DR equal to 1/2 your level, doubled against non lethal damage, constant Endure Elements and resistance to either cold or fire. The Urban Barbarian is mostly for flavour more than mechanics, giving the controlled rage ability, being able to choose which physical score to increase and still being able to use those INT, DEX and CHA skills are all a much better fit for the composed hero.

Skills

This section, while at first glance may seem easy, is actually deceptively difficult. In both the comics and TV show, Luke doesn’t display much in the way of skills, relying mostly on his strength and natural charisma, so Diplomacy and Intimidate are solid choices, as well as Sense Motive and Perception. Knowledge (Local) is another easy pick, really showing how much he knows and cares for his community. Anything else is personal choice.

Feats

Not being that complex a build, feats are fairly simple, Improved Unarmed Strike, Power Attack and Improved Bull Rush being obvious choices, with Toughness, Endurance and Great Fortitude emulating the background effects of unbreakable skin. To further help the image, the Deflect Arrows tree allows, with flavour, a single ranged attack to harmlessly bounce off of him.

Power Man Luke Cage CR 12

XP 38,400

Male Human Adamantine-Clad Warrior 8

LG Medium Humanoid (Human)

Init +1; Senses ; Perception +0

Defense

AC 23; Touch 13; Flat-Footed 20; (+10 Natural, +3 Dex)

HP 88 (8HDd10+48)

Fort +11; Ref +3; Will +2

Defensive Abilities ; DR DR10/Adamantine; Immune Precision Damage, Critical Hits ; Resist Electricity 15, Fire 20; SR

Offense

Speed 20ft

Space 5ft; Reach 5ft

Melee Unarmed +14/+9 (1d4+6. x2)

Ranged +9/+4.

Special Attacks

Statistics

Str 22, Dex 13, Con 20, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 12

Base Atk +8/+3; CMB +14 (+16 Bull Rush); CMD 25 (27 vs. Bull Rush)

Feats Improved Unarmed Strike, Toughness, Deflect Arrows, Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush.

Skills Climb 12, Handle Animal 5, Intimidate 10, Profession (Hero for Hire) 10, Ride 4, Sense Motive 7 Swim 12.; Racial Modifiers

Languages Common

SQ

Combat Gear

Other Gear

Headband of Mental Prowess Wis/Cha (+2)

Belt of Incredible Dexterity (+4)