Doppelganger
By moc.liamg|nyloaf#)erewfloW( nyloaF
Note: This creature was originally published in Monster Manual I
Doppelgangers are humanoid beings that can change shape to look like any other humanoid. In their natural form, they have gray, rubbery skin, long, gangly limbs, and strange octopus eyes. Their other facial features are small and seem half-formed. They can, and do, read minds constantly, in order to pick up the knowledge they need to make their shapechanging perfect. They are rather cruel and unpleasant beings and often act as spies and assassins.
| ST: 11 | HP: 15 | Speed: 6.5 |
| DX: 14 | Will: 14 | Move: 6 |
| IQ: 10 | Per: 13 | |
| HT: 12 | FP: 12 | SM: 0 |
| Dodge: 9 | Parry: 10 | DR: 2 |
Punch (15): 1d-2 crushing. Reach C.
Traits: Callous; Elastic Skin; Extended Lifespan; Mind Reading (Universal; Reliable 5); Morph (Active Change; Retains Shape); Rapid Healing; Selfish (9); Very Fit.
Skills: Acting-20; Fast-Talk-17; Mimicry (Voices)-16; Observation-15; Psychology-15.
Class: Mundane (Humanoid).
Combat Effectiveness Rating: 27 (OR 9 and PR 18).
Notes: This is a base. Many doppelgänger have weapons and weapon skills, for starters.
Variants
- Adding Injury Tolerance (Homogenous) would probably be appropriate and in some cases extended lifespan might be upgraded to unaging. Some resistance to metabolic hazards might make a good upgrade.
- As noted, these are base stats - a well established doppelganger with a good cover identity is liable to have all sorts of skills for day to day use.
- For *ahem* flavour, try restricting the mind reading power by obliging the doppelganger to consume the target's brain.
- A doppelganger may also be able to have various switchable striker advantages on the basis of transforming its hands into appropriate weapon shapes.
Adventure Ideas
- Potentially an old doppelganger which has had plenty of time to infiltrate a city and has replaced someone important and stolen their skills could be a formidable villain. Especially in a non-hack and slash setting where villain rank isn't ordered by combat effectiveness and PCs can't solve every problem with targeted killings.
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