Superhero Gadget Arsenal

Chamomile · Post by **Chamomile** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 10:14 pm

So I've been thinking about superhero gadgets, particularly those in the vein of Batman, and wondering how you might make such an arsenal most effective. Batman is weighed down by a lot of legacy issues: He needs to have batarangs and a grappling hook and a big impressive cape that he glides around on because without those he isn't really Batman. But that doesn't mean batarangs are actually the most effective semi-lethal ranged weapon a caped crusader might have access to. So, here's the rules:

The objective is to make a superhero gadget set that would respond to as wide a variety of bizarre supervillain powers and capabilities as possible, as well as standard crimefighting. Each supervillain can be expected to be in the same basic power range of Batman villains, where at their weakest they're basically just a regular serial killer, and at their strongest they're slightly less powerful than a tank or helicopter gunship.

You can't predict the exact powers in advance, however, assume that if the situation really calls for it you can retreat to the batcave and use science magic to develop a new gadget that will defeat whatever wacky supervillain has come up (these specialist gadgets aren't really the reason I'm making this thread, but if you happen to know of a way cool gadget that would totally stop Killer Croc dead in his tracks, that'd probably be interesting to hear about too).

Thus, for the standard loadout, the priority is on dealing with common combat situations (guys with guns, knives, crowbars, etc.), rapid mobility (so you can get to a crime-in-progress before it's too late), threat detection (so you can find the crimes before it's too late, although a police scanner strikes me as the obvious way to go for this), CSI tricks so you can go all detective mode, and most of all a means of escape if you get ambushed by Bee Man and need to retreat to plan an anti-bee strategy.

The budget is arbitrarily large, however it must be spread out between a maximum of five people, and the fewer the better. Likewise the more plausible the gadgets are, the better, although the realistic-looking but not actually possible gadgets you see in the Nolan movies or Arkham games is fine.

Go.

Stahlseele · Post by **Stahlseele** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 10:56 pm

Easy:
Make Battarangs in all kinds.
Explodey, Gassey, poisoned.
Homing in on Target automatic.
Take a leaf from the Book of le epic Spider Man.
Have it explode into a goopey glue-mess to trap people with.

The Grappling Hook can have Electro-Shock built into it, and a Gas-Release on the far end. Or Explode. Or a needle with some poison.

You have now ways to basically incapacitate anybody you are likely to go up against.
Killer Croc? No Problem! Gas the sucker if you can't get through his Armor!
Freeze? No Problem! Electrocute him!
Joker? Eat Slime-Balls bitch!
Bane? Inject him with a Venom Antidote and see him shrivel right up!

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 10:59 pm

Wouldn't the easiest one be to gas them all into unconsciousness? Sure that might not be appropriate at certain times but that seems like the easiest batarang to have on hand. Having all of them, all the time seems like a lot of weight to be carried.

Stahlseele · Post by **Stahlseele** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:33 pm

Freeze can't be gassed because of his helmet at least.
And it depends what other batman enemies we are talking about here.
And who says to have them all with you every time all the time?
You are Batman. Your one Super-Power is to know which toys to have.
He probably even has Batmobiles stashed all around Gotham for Batmobile Emergencies . . oh, wait, that's actually canon if i remember correctly ^^

erik · Post by **erik** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 2:03 am

Stahlseele wrote:Freeze can't be gassed because of his helmet at least.

Though he is susceptible to a thermos of hot chicken soup.

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 3:38 am

- 10 foot pole, collapsible. Made of titanium or something.
- That paralyzing noise thingy the bad guy from the first Iron Man movie and the MIB in Serenity used. Maybe hook it up so you can just flip a switch and turn it on in a hurry. Plus ear filters, of course.
- If a monofilament whip in a ring is too stupid and dangerous, at least a high frequency knife that can cut through steel fairly easily.

Fairly light and concealable, definite utility. Mobility is trickier. Assuming cheesy teleportation is out of the question, throw some crazy augmentations on a bike so it can go fast and quiet without being too heavy for your grapple gun to lift it with you.

virgil · Post by **virgil** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 4:16 am

If we stuck to the realm of the Batman series:
- Mad Hatter's mind control cards integrated into batarangs.
- Clayface was made with skincare products; I'm certain a few super-scientists could make a more stable concoction that made him.
- Dr. Wakati's temporal manipulation devices
- Weather Wizard's weather wand

If we cleave closer to the more 'realistic' supertech:
- That sonic stun thing Jebediah uses that Avora mentions, with filters
- MiB's flash stick
- Scanners, from lie-detectors to "x-ray"
- Jarvis and associated software

PoliteNewb · Post by **PoliteNewb** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 7:23 am

Stahlseele wrote:Easy:
Make Battarangs in all kinds.
Explodey, Gassey, poisoned.
Homing in on Target automatic.
Take a leaf from the Book of le epic Spider Man.
Have it explode into a goopey glue-mess to trap people with.

So...Batman?

Chamomile · Post by **Chamomile** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:34 pm

Batarangs can't possibly be the most effective method of delivering knockout gas. They're tiny and thus probably can't contain very much of the stuff, and plus the learning curve for using them vs. any kind of more standard weapon is pretty high. Gas grenades would probably be better.

Also I should note that the point here is to come up with an effective gadget arsenal while straining plausibility as little as possible (though I still expect that to be rather a lot), not just take advantage of plot fiat prescience to always have the right gadget on hand. When you toss out limitations like "you can't know in advance which gadgets you'll need" then the whole exercise just becomes trivial. Think of a power, and then Batman has it in gadget form! It's not much of a thought exercise if you don't have to worry about any kind of limitations at all.

radthemad4 · Post by **radthemad4** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 10:59 pm

How about a gun that can fire different types of ammunition. One that could launch smoke pellets, gas pellets, explosives, or if you're desperate, bullets. Maybe it could also act as a shotgun, a sniper rifle, an assault rifle, etc. depending on what it's set to.

The Iron Man suit is the first thing that comes to mind, but it's implausible with current technology as far as I know.

Stahlseele · Post by **Stahlseele** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:46 pm

Batman used to use a gun too.
Way back when. like really far.
But i think yes, something like Darkwing Ducks Grenade Launcher Pistol would be good.
Knock out rounds are a possibility. Not just with Gas, but by sheer size of Projectile on short ranges.
Also works for the Glue-Gun.
And the Grappling Gun too.
Yes, i think this could work rather well.

Post by **fbmf** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 4:29 am

erik wrote:
Stahlseele wrote:Freeze can't be gassed because of his helmet at least.
Though he is susceptible to a thermos of hot chicken soup.

The only way to fight a cold.

Game On,
fbmf

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:42 am

Yep, I'm thinking a gun too.

Honestly, a shotgun of large enough gauge would probably cover you pretty well with enough different ammunition:

Birdshot- unlikely to kill a bog standard human, but they probably won't be in the mood to fight after a face full of it.
Shotgun with Red Jacket's taser rig mod (video 2): all your stun gun needs on your regular gun
Rock salt shells- another deterrent, also a dessicant, should do well against Clayface
Dragonbreath rounds except better engineered: Mr. Freeze's worst nightmare (alternately, birdshot might crack his helmet, and stop him from doing anything other than making sure he doesn't die from temperature imbalance)
Buckshot- shouldn't be fatal to a bruiser like Killer Croc, and a kneeshot wouldn't be fatal but would deter further activity
Tranq darts in sabots- have double barrel shotgun, make one tranq shell sufficient for dropping a standard human, against Bane/Killer Croc level threats, drop both barrels on them.
Concussion rounds: Rubber slugs, good for dropping someone with a cracked rib or two.
Gas rounds- Zsasz took a hostage and you can't get a clear shot for your spray of bird pellets? Drop a crazy purple knockout gas round behind them.

edit: Ok, that covers combat, I forgot about mobility etc. Obviously for defense, you're just wearing the absolute best body armour money can buy. For mobility, combine super electromagnet and nekode climbing gear and a collapsible gliding rig. So, basically you're Batman with a shotgun and a few bandoliers.

Clearly, the best Batman has Big Daddy's armament, and Batman's focus on non-lethal methods.

Username17 · Post by **Username17** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 9:28 am

Honestly, most enemies worth a damn have passed the bullet test already. As a superhero, you won't likely be called in unless the bad guy has already overpowered two cops at the low end. While you may be able to succeed with a bigger or longer ranged firearm than what the cops came to play with, I wouldn't bet heavily on that.

What you mostly want for combat is non-lethal and non standard methods of taking enemies down. Sleep gas, sonic incapacitators, hardening spray foam, bola arrows, etc.

-Username17

Chamomile · Post by **Chamomile** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 2:31 pm

A superhero, especially a Batman-level superhero, doesn't just save the city from threats the cops can't confront. He's also got foes like the Joker and Zsasz, where the cops just can't catch him but once you've caught up with him he is pretty much just a guy with a gun, as well as regular gangs of criminals like the Falcones who either wield cartel-like power and influence over the local government or else are simply absurdly well-armed and willing to have a gunfight with the SWAT team, and even if the SWAT team will probably win that fight there's still going to be lots of injuries and deaths and civilians caught in the crossfire that could all be avoided if Batman goes in and does his stealth takedown thing. I think there's room for a superhero who still does good while taking on enemies the cops could handle themselves.

JonSetanta · Post by **JonSetanta** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 9:32 pm

One pouch, only one, contains a small lump of kryptonite in a lead container for those "chance encounters" with you semi-ally.

Stahlseele · Post by **Stahlseele** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:09 pm

i'd do that a bit smarter . .
lead mask and have the kryptonite embedded there under another layer of lead you can remove easy.
*headbutts superman*
Like. A. Bat!

fectin · Post by **fectin** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 3:04 am

http://scifi.stackexchange.com/question ... kryptonite

erik · Post by **erik** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 3:08 am

Could have one of your gadgeteers be a juicer of sorts.
• Injections to get different abilities. Boost speed, strength, senses.
• Aerosol sprays for various poisons (paralysis, knockout, truth serum, hallucinogen, spider pheromones to use with hallucinogens!)
• And of course spray on skin for healing teammates.

An info-tech gadgeteer:
• Spraycans with simple nanocircuits that notify you when someone presses or steps on them.
• Tiny surveillance video cameras that can be tossed or placed. Video camera balls/drones
• Spy listening gear, spy thermal gear.
• A suit and utility belt for defeating thermal gear, infrared beaming hat to blind cameras.

JonSetanta · Post by **JonSetanta** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 7:48 pm

If Superman really wanted to he could blast Batman's head off with heat vision from long range before the lead container could be opened.
With such a person around I'm not sure if insurance items would even help. It would most likely be more of a sense of "I fucking give up"

name_here · Post by **name_here** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:19 pm

sigma999 wrote:If Superman really wanted to he could blast Batman's head off with heat vision from long range before the lead container could be opened.
With such a person around I'm not sure if insurance items would even help. It would most likely be more of a sense of "I fucking give up"

That's kind of why Batman is the designated kryptonite carrier, because if anyone can find a way to use it to take out evil superman it's him.

PoliteNewb · Post by **PoliteNewb** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 9:17 pm

FrankTrollman wrote:Honestly, most enemies worth a damn have passed the bullet test already. As a superhero, you won't likely be called in unless the bad guy has already overpowered two cops at the low end. While you may be able to succeed with a bigger or longer ranged firearm than what the cops came to play with, I wouldn't bet heavily on that.

There are a fair number of "superheroes" ("vigilantes" would be a better name) who don't get "called in" by anyone...they wander around on their own and fight whoever the fuck they feel is being a menace. Quite often, they stop crimes before the cops even know there is a problem to be dealt with, much less before the bad guy has dealt with cops.

For that matter, do even guys like superman see a run-of-the-mill mugger with a knife sticking up an old lady and say, "nah, cops can handle that one, I'm good" and fly on by?

But yeah, some superheroes basically are "super-cops", who are not particularly more effective than cops, but are more ruthless, less bound by legalities, and/or who walk whatever beat they want. It really depends on what kind of superhero you're talking about. Justice League/X-Man? Yeah, they don't fight anybody you can shoot with a gun. Batman/Daredevil/Green Arrow are a different story most of the time (and yes, I know Green Arrow is technically JLA, but c'mon, he's a second-stringer...and you've got cool JLA guys who are third-stringers, like Vigilante).

Stahlseele · Post by **Stahlseele** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 2:00 pm

Frank Castle is kinda like Marvels Batman i guess.
Just a bit more permanent in his solutions to problems.

Also, Superman does not kill. That is his one weakness really. Aside from Kryptonite. And being a stupidly naive goody two shoes . .

Prak · Post by **Prak** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:24 pm

Stahlseele wrote:Frank Castle is kinda like Marvels Batman i guess.
Just a bit more permanent in his solutions to problems.

Also, Superman does not kill. That is his one weakness really. Aside from Kryptonite. And being a stupidly naive goody two shoes . .

And boring. I once tried to read a Superman comic and wound up in a coma because my heart stopped from the soul-crushing yawn it tore from my body.

angelfromanotherpin · Post by **angelfromanotherpin** » Fri Jan 10, 2014 8:35 pm

Prak_Anima wrote:I once tried to read a Superman comic and wound up in a coma because my heart stopped from the soul-crushing yawn it tore from my body.

I once tried to read a fantasy novel and it was objectivist bullshit.

Seriously, Supes has had a lot of writers of extremely variant quality. Maybe check to see if your one sample was just the product of a hack?