Luke Cage, Power Man

Luke Cage, born Carl Lucas and once called Power Man, is a fictional character, a Marvel Comics superhero. Created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., he first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (June 1972).

Cage was the first African-American superhero to star in an eponymous comic book series (although the first African-American character to do so was Dell Comics’ western hero Lobo).

A streetwise youth, Cage was sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. He underwent an experimental procedure that granted him titanium-hard skin and superhuman strength. Cleared of his crime, he became a ‘hero for hire,’ although, as a plot device, Cage was always forced by conscience not to take any money for his deeds. Later, he formed a business partnership with the martial arts hero known as Iron Fist. Through the groundbreaking series Power Man & Iron Fist, the two became one of the better-known superhero duos of the 1980s.

Cage was a groundbreaking but controversial hero. He was Marvel’s entry into the 1970s blaxploitation trend and sported a stereotypically streetwise tongue, including the catch phrase “Sweet Christmas!” Later revivals, which portrayed him as thuggish, were also criticized. Still, some portrayals of Cage are popular with black comic book fans.

Recently, Cage has been featured in the Brian Michael Bendis-written series Alias, The Pulse, Daredevil and New Avengers.

Originally Posted by Bane of the Dicefreaks forums.

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Luke Cage, Power Man
Medium Altered Human
Wounds	53 WP Vitality 332 VP (17d10+221)
Initiative	+3
Speed	60 ft
AC	30 (+3Dexterity, +7 defense, +10 natural) touch 20, flat footed 20
Base Attack/Grapple	+17/+34
Attack	Unarmed Strike +33 melee (3d6+24/20)
Full Attack	Unarmed Strike +33/+28/+23/+18 melee (3d6+24/20)
Space/Reach	5ft. /5ft.
Special Attacks	None
Special Qualities	Damage reduction 25/adamantium, fast healing 2, resistance to fire 25, resistance to cold 25, resistance to electricity 10, resistance to acid 30, mettle, street fighting, superhuman strength, superhuman endurance
Saves	Fort +28, Ref +8, Will +7
Abilities	Strength 38,Dexterity 16, Constitution 36, Intelligence 12, Wisdom 14, Charisma 16
Skills	Bluff +8, Climb +29, Hide +8, Gather Information +13, Intimidate +20, Jump +29, Knowledge (streetwise) +11, Listen +9, Move Silently +8, Search +11, Sense Motive +12, Spot+14, Swim +24
Feats	Athletic, Combat Brute, Diehard, Endurance, Greater Weapon Focus (unarmed strike), Improved Bullrush, Improved Grapple, Improved Overrun, Improved Sunder, Improved Toughness, Improved Unarmed Strike, Power Attack,Weapon Focus (unarmed), Weapon Specialization (unarmed strike)
Climate/Terrain	New York City
Organization	Solitary (Unique) or Avengers (group)
Challenge Rating	19
Treasure	None
Alignment	Chaotic Good

Street Fighting

Luke Cage was an exceptional street fighter and athlete before he gained his powers. His abilities have only flourished with his increased strength and durability.

• Full Attack Bonus
• Moderate Defense Bonus
• Bonus feats as a fighter½ his HD
• Cage receives a +4 bonus on all opposed Strength or Dexterity checks while in a grapple
• Cage receives a +2 bonus on all Listen and Spotchecks as he is used to watching his back.

Superhuman Endurance

Like his strength, Cage’s endurance has been increased to superhuman levels. Cage is virtually immune to fatigue and resistant to most other attacks that would attack his Constitution. Attacks that drain life force from Cage such as vampiric touch effect him normally.

• +6 bonus on all Fortitude saves
• Mettle

Superhuman Strength Level 3

Cage possesses superhuman strength and is able to lift 8x what her Strength score indicates.

• +6 bonus on melee damage
• +3 bonus on grapple and bull rush checks.

He also inflicts 3d6 damage with an unarmed strike. When using Power Attack, Cage adds +2 damage for every -1 penalty to strike he takes.

Possessions

None