City Of Heroes: Defender Archetype Walk-through!

The Defender

The Defender hero is a great teammate to have. On the one hand, he's got the ability to attack foes at a distance and whittle them down for Tankers and Scrappers (who are not as adept at long-range attacks). On the other hand, the Defender can use vitally needed buffs to aid friends and debuffs to hinder foes, providing a major advantage to any team. So without further ado, lets introduce you to...Impetus

Marco "Scooter" Curioso grew up on the streets of Paragon City. While he wasn't an out-and-out criminal, he flirted with the gangster lifestyle. It seemed inevitable that his life would eventually lead him to prison. He was an orphan and had little to no attachment to any of the myriad foster homes in which he had been placed. The only thing that kept him vaguely on the right side of the tracks was the influence of his best friend in the world, Daniel Chavez. They met in the orphanage at an early age and became practically inseparable. But while Scooter never found a home for himself, Daniel finally settled nicely into an upper class family in the suburbs. Even though they were no longer living together, the two friends frequently found time to hang out with one another, often occupying the city's sidewalks and alleys.

Unfortunately, the powerful gang known as the Trolls were trying to "recruit" Scooter into their ranks; and if Scooter didn't join, well, the streets would be less one small time ruffian. One humid night, the Trolls caught up with Scooter and Daniel and waylaid them into an initiation ritual. They were to break into a Crey lab and steal whatever drugs they could get their hands on. The Trolls were known to take pleasure in 'experimentation' with such substances.

Scooter wasn't exactly inexperienced in breaking and entering, but Daniel was. While Scooter stealthily entered one of Crey's many labs, Daniel bumbled around and tripped a security alarm. Both youths panicked and Daniel knocked over a series of beakers that subsequently covered Scooter with liquid. The ensuing chemical reactions created a pall of noisome smoke and allowed the two to escape. Considering the circumstances, Daniel suggested that Scooter hideout for a while with his family.

The Chavez family apprehensively took in the wayward Scooter, hoping to reform the teen. However, safety for Scooter proved illusory; for the Trolls were able to track the friends down even in the suburbs. Angry over the botched initiation ritual, they decided to make an example of Scooter by killing him and those he held most dear.

By this point, however, Scooter was feeling different. The various chemicals had changed him in some way, though it took this deadly Troll attack to complete his transformation. As Scooter watched helplessly, the Trolls killed the Chavez family one by one. But it wasn't until the Trolls killed Daniel that Scooter erupted with power. He fired blasts from his hands and drained the life energy from each gang member. Scooter completely surprised and overwhelmed the Trolls with his attack, which was so fierce that the house caught fire and burnt to the ground before the authorities could arrive.

Scooter, feeling guilt over the incident, decided to mend his ways by adopting his best friend's name. He ran away from his foster home and registered in a new school with his new identity. The newly erupted Rikti War devastated much of Paragon City - including all records of the now deceased Chavez family and it was during this rough time that, Scooter found food and shelter at various refuge camps. He knew that he was still too young and too inexperienced to help in the war, but he did his best here and there, using his powers in secret.

Now 18, Scooter has adopted the name "Impetus" and has taken to the streets in pursuit of justice. He uses his powers relentlessly to stop the rising tide of crime across the city. Impetus' thirst for justice is constantly fed by the deep shame and guilt he feels over his friend's death. Hiding his true identity, and in fear that his secrets will one day be revealed, this hero's past poses a continual threat to his future.

Origin

Science! Impetus is a classic example of a hero created by a scientific accident.

Primary Power

Skimming through the Power Sets, the obvious choice for Impetus becomes Kinetics. It is easy to foresee Impetus developing Super Speed down the line to compliment his Kinetic powers...

Now for the Power Choices. Transfusion is great in a team context; it means that all allies around a targeted foe gain a slight hit point bonus. Siphon Power, however, fits more with Impetus' overall theme - that of relentlessness. Siphon Power weakens an enemy's damage potential, while increasing Impetus'. Sounds perfect.

Secondary Power

Of the several ranged options available, the Radiation Burst seems to fit the idea of Impetus as a hero who's really fast. It also refines the concept of Impetus' powers: he manipulates particles on a subatomic level.

Avatar Selection

Impetus is still young, so he's relatively slim and athletic. He's also short, owing to a not-exactly ideal diet at a young age.

Costume Creation

Because of his urban background, Impetus eschews flashy colors. His costume is relatively simple - no more than a T-Shirt and pants with the barest minimum of a mask.