forum Superhero Team Archetypes?

Started February 21, 2021 by @SingSongKV group

tune

What are the "Archetypes" of a superhero team? By that I mean the roles they take in a fighting situation. I'm asking because I don't know what superpowers compliment each other. I have 6 (possibly just 5??) Characters to work with.

This is an interesting idea, and there definately seems to be some sort of typing. I'll list some things I think are archtypes

• The face (the charismatic one, either the leader or the representative of the group, usually fits over another archtype)
• Tech/magic guy (fixes, hacks, or makes stuff in that area of expertise, can be both on a team if both are relavant to the world. The tech guy is usually the one on comms and cameras too.)
• Stealthy (rogue, assassin, theif, etc. Someone who works quietly but can still kick your butt)
• Powerhouse (That one guy who has all the physical strength and does melee fighting, like the hulk or the thing)
• Ranged fighter (guns, arrows, or blasters, whoever can fight from a distance)
• Person who is oddly versed in a specific weapon or fighting style (there's always one guy who can fight unmatched with a sword, martial arts, or some type of magical weapon. Usually melee, not as strong but more subtle than the powerhouse. I've noticed this one is sometimes the face of the group as well, like Robin from TT)
• The specialist (depending on the genre, can be a scientist or investigator/tracker, just a person who's specialised for filling in the gaps on the team depending on what they're facing)

Some will overlap, like ironman being ranged, tech, and sometimes the face of the avengers, or batman being tech and stealthy. It works in videogames where a team is built, or like in D&D where everyone on a team fills some sort of roll (i'm currently playing a melee fighter who grew into the stealth roll, while our healer turned into the face of our group. Our other party members act as a powerhouse, ranged/magic, and a specialist/weapon fighter).

I guess my point is to analyze what your heroes will be doing. Rescue is different from reconnaissance, which is different from punching supervillains, warfare, or tracking down organised crime. If your group is doing all these things, make sure there is a person on the team to do them. It also helps to know the environment. Is your world super tech-y or is it more magical? or both? A team of space superheroes will look different from a group of vigilantes in modern city streets. I hope this helps ^_^

oooooooo so I have some ideas, but they're based more on positions and stuff rather than powers

• Front Liner: The one who's always the first to the fight and specializes in hand-to-hand combat. Usually uses knives and their own two fists. I usually think of Black Widow and Captain America.
• Air Support: Just like how it sounds, the people in the air that usually aren't in the main fight. Usually has some big guns and stuff. Falcon and War Machine are good examples.
• Back Defender: The ones who usually stay in the back and help out where they can. Don't like to target one person and kind of float around the battlefield helping where they can. I think of Scarlet Witch with this one.
• Middle Ranger: Usually the one who works in the middle area. Uses their powers more than their fists and stuff. Spider-Man and Iron Man are two that I can think of.
• Long-Ranged: The person with the long ranged weapons that's really good at sneak attacks. Different than the back defender because they can focus on one opponent and take 'em out. Hawkeye and Bucky Barnes before HYDRA are some examples.
• Computer Guy: The one chilling on the helicopter or hiding in the van that helps everything go right. Good at tracking opponents and is usually the one talking a lot on the comms. Maria Hill for example.

Hope this helped :DD

Typically when it comes to a team of heroes, I always have a checklist for what the team should comprise of :)

All rounder: Balance is important with this character. They should have a bit of both melee and ranged. Overall simple in nature, but simple doesn't have to mean bad.

Ranger: Someone who can pick off foes from range with a long distance weapon. They should however find melee/close quarters combat somewhat difficult.

Healer/Support: You'll want someone in the team that's able to repair the damage your team takes, whether that be through magic or technology. A healer is there to make sure their allies remain in the fight for longer, however they might find fighting a bit challenging themselves.

Tank: Someone who can take a bunch of hits without falling. Tanks are the metaphorical shield in your team, and should be someone who can dish out damage as well as receive it.

Utility: Utility can be your wild card in the group, equipped with various gadgets that can help your allies and hinder your foes. There's no limit to what they can have at their disposal. They could have anything from landmines to turrets.

Scout: Nimble and quick, scouts can be lethal in small doses, but might be knocked down quickly if they aren't careful. To counteract this, perhaps give your scout stealth abilities to make enemy detection harder.

I'm not sure if this was helpful but I hope it was 😅