Black Cat (Felicia Hardy)
The Black Cat (Felicia Hardy) is a Marvel Comics anti-hero and one-time foe and girlfriend of Spider-Man. Created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Keith Pollard, she first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #194 (July 1979).
Occasionally mistaken as a homage of DC’s Catwoman, the character may have been inspired by a 1949 Tex Avery cartoon called “Bad Luck Blackie” in which a bulldog is hampered by a black cat’s bad luck.
Felicia Hardy is the daughter of Walter Hardy, a world-renowned cat burglar. After suffering a traumatic experience as a college freshman, she trained herself in various fighting styles and acrobatics and, after deciding to follow in her father’s footsteps, adopted the costumed identity of the Black Cat. As Black Cat, she has the subconscious ability to affect probability fields, producing “bad luck” for her enemies.
The character was originally a supervillain and adversary of Spider-Man, but over time the two fell in love, which motivated her into becoming both an antiheroine, and his partner. However, their relationship grew complicated after it became apparent that Black Cat was only attracted to the alter ego of Spider-Man and had little interest in the hero’s civilian life as Peter Parker. After their break-up, Black Cat maintained her role as one of Spider-Man’s most trusted allies and for years the pair shared an on-again, off-again romance before she eventually lapsed back into her criminal ways (much to Spider-Man’s dismay and annoyance).
The Black Cat is a skilled (and reformed) cat burglar who is currently an occasional crime fighter and adventurer. She was one of Spider-Man’s notably few costumed love interests.
Originally Posted by Bane of the Dicefreaks forums.
Felicia Hardy, Black Cat | |
Medium humanoid | |
Wounds | 16 WP, 131 VP (15d8+45) |
Initiative | +8 |
Speed | 30 ft., swing 60 ft. |
AC | 27 (+9 defense, +8 Dexterity) touch 27, flat footed 19 |
Base Attack/Grapple | +11/+19 |
Attack | Claw +21 melee (1d6+9) |
Full Attack | Claw +21/+16/+11 melee (1d6+9) |
Space/Reach | 5 ft. /5 ft. |
Special Attacks | Sneak attack +2d6 |
Special Qualities | Evasion, fem-feline, slow fall, streetfighting |
Saves | Fort +10, Ref +17, Will +8 |
Abilities | Strength 20, Dexterity 27, Constitution 16, Intelligence 13, Wisdom 16, Charisma 17 |
Skills | Appraise +11, Balance +43, Bluff +13, Climb +28, Computer Use +6, Craft (traps) +11, Diplomacy +12, Disable Device +11, Escape Artist +23, Gather information+13, Hide +35, Intimidate+7, Jump +27, Knowledge (streetwise) +6, Listen +13, Move Silently +35, Open Locks +23, Search +6, Sense Motive +8, Sleight of Hand+26, Spot +8, Swim +8, Treat Injury +6, Tumble +46 |
Feats | Acrobatic, Agile , Brawl, Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Defensive Martial Arts, Weapon Finesse |
Climate/Terrain | New York City |
Organization | Solitary (Unique) or Heroes of Hire (Group) |
Challenge Rating | 12 |
Treasure | Equipment |
Alignment | Chaotic Good |
Ample Cushions
Felicia possess bountiful attributes that bring men to their knees and help sway many to her train of thought. She receives a +10 malumptious bonus on all Charisma checks with males.
Fem-feline
Felicia is as graceful as her namesake. She receives a +8 competence bonus on Balance, Climb, Jump and Tumble checks. She receives a +4 competence bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks.
Slow Fall
If Felicia is within arm’s reach of a wall or other stable surface, she can use it to slow her descent and fall any distance without harm.
Street-fighting
Felicia trained herself in martial arts and into her current physical perfection after she was raped in college, she has further perfected her technique in numerous battles with superhuman enemies. She retains her Dexterity and defense bonuses even while flat footed, and cannot be flanked.
- Felicia can make a Bluff check to feint in combat as a free action against a male, she commonly uses her assets to distract.
- Felicia gains a +2 to strike and damage in hand to hand combat.
Possessions
Black Cat uses a wide variety of high tech equipment provided by the Tinker.
Black Cat uniform
Felicia’s costume provides her with a +5 bonus to her Strength due to micro-servos through the mesh.
Contact Lenses
Provide Darkvision, infra-red vision, and ultraviolet vision up to her normal range of sight.
Earrings
Felicia’s earrings interact with the Balance center of her brain and grant her a +5 bonus to all Dexterity based checks
and skills.
Gloves
Felicia’s gloves contain steel micro-filaments which form talons when she flexes her fingers. Her unarmed damage increases to 1d6 when using these in combat and she gains a +8 bonus on all Climb checks.
Grappling Cables
Inside the ‘fur’ on each of her gloves a miniature grappling hook is hidden. It enables her to swing from buildings in the manner of Spider-Man.