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Contestants
Scarlett Martillo (Real name: Maria)
Let's just say for me, it's not about the money.
- Crusading Widow / Outliving One's Offspring: Scarlett used to be a fairly ordinary person. A cop with a husband (Jim) and two kids (Noah and Alyssa). Then Ulysses Derrick broke into her home and murdered her entire family just so that he could get arrested and put into a position to sign up for Homicidal All-Stars where he became a celebrity. The unfairness of the situation pushed her over the edge and she resigned from the police, received plastic surgery and purchased a fake bounty hunting license so that she could sign up for All-Stars herself and legally kill Ulysses and put herself in a position to murder the director of All-Stars Mr. Ford.
- Fragile Speedster: Scarlett starts the game with almost half as much health as Marty, but she can move faster than any other character, and her 'Berserk' ability allows her to regain a action point every time she kills an enemy with melee attack. With careful planning and positioning, she can wipe out entire groups of defenders in one turn. Taken even further if she takes the Tau Clinics sponsorship and receives the 'Seeing Red' implant which improves her speed, melee damage and gives her a regeneration feature turning her into an outright lightning bruiser.
Marty Manson
You take point this time. So I can't lose you again.
- Apocalyptic Log: When Scarlett returns to level-10 after Marty's death, she discovers that he left her a series of video recordings detailing everything that might come up on each episode of Homicidal All-Stars just in case he didn't make it.
- Badass Biker: Marty certainly has the look down with a leather vest bedazzeled in golden spikes and studs and a colorful bandana.
- The Berserker: Marty's 'Rage' ability gives him a massive boost to his HP and damage output, but removes control of him from the player.
- Crutch Character: As an former champion of the show, he already starts off near max-level and gives Scarlett (and by extension the player) some breathing room during the early-game. He's killed shortly after the first Ambush of the Abandoned Housing Block, and you're forced to fight with just Scarlett until Tybalt joins. Even then, you only get a rough equivalent, the Warden, after clearing the Abandoned Housing Block.
- The Big Guy: Marty's built like a tank; having almost double the health of Scarlett and his passive ability 'Tough Guy' gives him a 25% chance to heal 6hp as long as the damage isn't lethal.
- Face of a Thug: Downplayed. While Marty is a a friendly guy to his partner Scarlett, his 'Intimidate' ability can scare enemies into breaking cover and fleeing from him, leaving them easy targets.
- Nice Guy: Marty takes Scarlett under his wing, showing her the ropes of surviving on Homicidal All-Stars, letting her listen to his audio logs containing valuable information about the arenas and requesting that Nicole place them both on level-10. After his death Scarlett can commiserate with some of the other staff about his loss and find a recording in which he proclaims how thankful he is to the fans that still remember him from his first time on Homicidal All-Stars.Crew Member (Receptionist): Hey, how are you feeling?Scarlett: Do you really want to know?Crew Member: I was just... Marty was my favorite contestant. Like, ever. I thought it was cool that you two teamed up.Scarlett: Oh, I... thanks. I miss him.Crew Member: A lot of us do.Marty: What was that? The hardest part of being the first returning champ? Doing right by my fans, especially the ones who came back after all these years. That's some fuckin' loyalty, right there. And I'm gonna pay it back. Give 'em the show of their lives! And I'll look damn good doin' it too.
- Retired Badass: Subverted. Marty is a former champion of Homicidal All-Stars, but some bad investments chewed though his winnings and now he's attempting to become the first two-time winner. He doesn't succeed.
- Sacrificial Lion: Marty is killed by Ulysses in an ambush at the beginning of the Abandoned Housing Block.
- Shotguns Are Just Better: Marty's weapon of choice.
- Trick Bullet: Marty's shotgun can fire rubber bullets that stun enemies and always hit.
Tybalt Ivaschenko
Surprise, navoloch.
- Didn't Think This Through: Downplayed. Tybalt knew that he wouldn't last two weeks in prison after his status as a informant became common knowledge amongst the other inmates, so he signed up for Homicidal All-Stars, knowing it was dangerous, but just not HOW dangerous.
- Gadgeteer Genius: Tybalt's bread and butter. All of his special abilities are tech based and allow him to play merry havoc on the defenders, disabling weapons, throwing out decoys and using holograms to force enemies to target each other and buff Tybalt. He's also responsible for making sure the cameras on level-10 don't pick up Scarlett's night terrors that reveal her real reasons for entering All-Stars. Near the end, he manages to build a cloaking device for Scarlett's pistol so she can sneak a weapon through security in her attempt to assassinate Mr. Ford, though he ends up having to pull an all-nighter to get it finished in time.
- The Informant: Tybalt used his hacking and holograms to gather information which he then passed on to the police. However when it was discovered that the money he was being paid was gathered via 'overly creative accounting', he was thrown into prison on the charge of stealing funds from the police department.
- Secret-Keeper: Tybalt is the only one that knows Scarlett's real reasons for signing up on Homicidal All-Stars after hearing her night terrors. Despite his hatred of cops, he is sympathetic to her ordeal and makes sure that the cameras don't record anything that would reveal her motivation to Mr. Ford.
- Tattooed Crook: Tybalt has a large tattoo of a flaming heart wrapped in barbed wire located on his chest.
- Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Tybalt absolutely hates cops and fully expects to end up hating Scarlett, as a former bounty hunter would be almost as bad to him. Averted however, when he recognises who she really is and he's genuinely sympathetic to her true motivation for entering All-Stars. By the end of the game, Tybalt is closer to being Scarlett's lancer amongst the surviving contenders.Tybalt: Back in Ukraine, there's a saying: "Usi kopy vyrodky." All cops are bastards. It's true there, and it's true here.
Warden
- Deployable Cover: The Warden IS the deployable cover.
- Mighty Glacier: Even with upgrades, the Warden is SLOW. It makes up for that with an absolutely massive HP total.
- Robot Soldier: Explicitly called a combat mech by Nicole and more than lives up to that description.
Zoe Reed
This is our big moment. Don't fuck it up.
- A Girl and Her X: Zoe ends up becoming very attached to the Warden, feeling that it is a full teammate and should be allowed to stay on Level 10 with the other contestants. Shown even further in the Security Breach DLC when she expresses hope that the Judges will let her keep the Warden after the show is over.Zoe: He's like my emotional support combat mech.
- Bad Liar: Upon raiding the Omega Corp research lab, Zoe first gleefully states that she's going to steal the hell out of their designs. Scarlett points out that she just announced that live on TV and Zoe desperately tries to cover up her blunder. Her... attempt leaves much to be desired.Zoe: Shit. Right. I meant I'm going to get so creatively inspired by these designs.
- The Big Gal: Zoe has had so much enhancement surgery that she compares herself to a machine when she and Scarlett discuss the Warden not being kept on the same floor as them. She also has the heaviest armour of anyone in the game and her weapon of choice is a minigun.
- Honest Corporate Executive: Zoe is the CEO of Lucky Punk and entered Homicidal All-Stars to prove the strength of her company's weapons. Downplayed; as Lucky Punk is struggling to stay afloat and entering All-Stars is Zoe's idea of hardcore marketing in an attempt to save her company from bankruptcy.
- More Dakka: Zoe's 'Cone Attack' ability has her sweep her minigun back and forth in an arc that is absolutely devastating to enemies huddled in a group. Her minigun is also the only weapon that never needs to be reloaded.
- No Such Thing as Bad Publicity: In-universe, this is Zoe's reason for joining the final assault on Omega tower to kill Mr. Ford.
- Wrench Wench: The minigun that Zoe is wielding when Scarlett and Tybalt run into her in the Industrial Zone? She built it herself. And her reaction to discovering Phantom has either a mostly or completely artificial spinal cord?Zoe: Could I at least open up your spine and take a quick look inside? I've got my tools right here—Phantom: Absolutely not!
Phantom
Call me if you need sniper support in combat.
- Back Stab: Phantom can use her 'Invisiblity' ability in combination with her 'Stealth Strike' ability to hit a defender for massive damage. With all melee damage stat increases and the 'Hook Hand' implant, she can kill almost every type of defender.
- Defector from Decadence: Before heading to the Commercial District to fight Ulysess, Phantom claims to have been on Ford's security detail and gives some intel on Omega Corporation security, implying she's figured out who Scarlett is gunning for.
- Glass Cannon: Described as such in game. At max level, her HP is less than any other character, but her accuracy and damage are second to none, she can treat half-cover as full-cover; making her harder to hit and if an enemy does move in close enough to threaten her, her 'Invisibility' ability allows her to safely move to a new point to rain sniper fire down on the defenders.
- Lost Lenore: Phantom's partner Jeannie is in a coma and a big part of her motivation for entering Homicidal All-Stars was to win enough money to pay for her medical care and treatments. Knowing what kind of resources Omega Corp has at its disposal and what they use them for actually causes her stoic nature to crack slightly.Phantom: All those implants, drugs... they could be saving people. Instead, they just stick it all into this stupid show.Marcus: Omega's not know for their humanitarian efforts. All they care about is their bottom line.Phantom: I know. It just stings... to know they have the technology to help people like you. Like Jeannie. And they choose to do this instead.
Marcus Li
Take cover, challengers! I'll lay down some smoke!
- Bling of War: Marcus's gold painted armor certainly makes him stand out.
- Grenade Launcher: Marcus's weapon of choice, loaded with a variety of explosive, napalm and smoke grenades.
- Incurable Cough of Death: Marcus has severe issues with his lungs that will eventually kill him. The rejuvination chambers help suppress the coughing, but it isn't healing him.Marcus: *Coughs* God damn it.Tybalt: Getting Worse?Marcus: Think the cough suppressants from rejuvination might be wearing off.
- Jack of All Trades: At max level, Marcus has high HP, good movement and range, his basic attack can hit multiple enemies, he can create full-cover for allies to hide behind and his 'Healing Smoke' ability can heal multiple allies.
- Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: Marcus was dishonorably discharged from the military for refusing to follow orders. What very few know and the military will never reveal, is that Marcus's crime was refusing to shoot unarmed civilians (including children).
- Token Good Teammate: Even moreso than Scarlett, Marcus joined Homicidal All-Stars just so that he could hopefully leave his family with a big payday before he dies. He even assists Scarlett in her assault on Omega Tower, just because killing Mr. Ford would be a good thing to do before he dies.
Defenders
Scum
"Trigger-happy and murderous. Dodged death row for a chance to kill some more."
The main fodder of Homicidal All-Stars, these ex-convicts are bloodthirsty but not much else.- Mook: The absolute most basic enemy type in the game, sporting no gimmicks beyond their more expansive arsenal compared to the other enemy types, and often serving less as an enemy and more of an obstacle in tackling other enemy types.
Ronin
"Bastard with a sword. Keep your distance or get sliced."
- Cyberpunk for Flavor: They certainly have the look down with the neon yellow jacket, oni mask, katana and legs replaced with cyberware.
- Katanas Are Just Better: The Ronin certainly seems to think so. However after he draws it, he is limited to melee attacks and can be pinned down with stun and immobilization debuffs, leaving him completely helpless.
Fume
"Likes to hide in smoke. Doesn't like to get punched."
- Smoke Out: The Fume constantly emits a cloud of smoke as a defence mechanism to protect himself and anyone else standing in his aura.
- Logical Weakness: As long as he's hiding in his smoke, ranged attacks won't hit him. The same cannot be said for grenades, melee attacks or Tybalt thanks to his VR glasses.
Muerta
"She's toxic. Poisons enemies, heals allies."
- Abnormal Ammo: Her shotgun ammo deals poison damage that lingers for a few rounds.
- Dark Action Girl: Wears Día de los Muertos make-up, dark and red clothes, fishnet tights and wields a nasty shotgun.
- Healing Shiv: The Muerta will throw out grenades that will heal anyone in their area of effect, friend or foe.
Drone Monk
"Weak guy with strong toys. His drones attack, protect and are annoying as heck."
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Tybalt can invoke this to a hysterical degree via his Body Swap ability. If he Body Swaps a wounded Drone Monk and the Monk deploys a drone, the drone can easily turn on the Monk, killing him and causing the drone to self destruct.
- Support Party Member: The Drone Monk won't be winning any fights on his own, but between his drones and ability to buff the defense of other defenders, he can turn a simple fight into a protracted siege.
Ogre
"Small range, huge damage. Kill him fast or he'll start regenerating."
Bishop
"God sees all and so does this asshole. Inspires others to kill in the name of the lord."
Firestarter
"He starts fires. Even when he dies."
Freak
"Electric lady. Her embrace is literally stunning."
Ulysses Derrick
Welp... looks like I'm back on the clock.
The ultimate challenge of Homicidal All-Stars, Ulysses is a former serial killer who, after being turned over to Omega Corporation's custody, turned into the show's deadliest contestant before becoming a Defender.- Faux Affably Evil: In the few instances he speaks, most of the time he sounds remarkably laidback. One would almost count him as a Punch-Clock Villain...if it weren't for the fact that he's an ex-serial killer who used his murders as a vehicle into the show, and has ruined countless innocent lives who'd joined for their shots at fame and fortune.
- Climax Boss: Ulysses is the final opponent faced as part of Homicidal All-Stars itself, but not the actual Final Boss; that title goes to Mr. Ford.
- The Dreaded: It says something that there hasn't been an award ceremony for the show in ten seasons, with very few making it to even fight him at all.
- The Dragon: He's about as close as one gets for Mr. Ford, being his star Defender.
- Villain with Good Publicity: Explicitly said to have gone from convict to prime TV star during his meteoric rise in Homicidal All-Stars, and a few autograph opportunites involve fans of his.
- It's Personal with the Dragon: Ulysses went on a killing spree in a bid to get convicted and then use Homicidal All-Stars as his ticket to fame and riches; three of his victims just so happened to be the husband and children of one Maria, who quits the force and adopts a new identity in order to track down and eventually kill Ulysses.
Omega Corporation
Orion Ford
Challengers, I'm under the impression that our relationship is becoming more and more toxic. Just like the gas I'm releasing into the arena.
The Show Director of Homicidal All-Stars.- Corrupt Corporate Executive: It goes without saying considering he runs a death show on primetime TV with ex-death row inmates as the primary opposition to the volunteer contestants, but he also regularly interferes with combat arenas, creating "Plot Twists" that add increasingly more difficult challenges midway into combat.
- Final Boss
- Dirty Coward: Hides behind a forcefield armed with a high-powered experimental railgun while Omega Corp security flood the R&D labs during his boss fight.
- No-Nonsense Nemesis: Compared to the Judges, Ford prefers not to be a Slave to PR, and recognizes the danger keeping Scarlett alive would bring. He warns Ulysses about the party before they arrive at the Commercial District while directing more Defenders to him during the fight, and directly attempts to kill the party not once, but twice; once with a poison gas Plot Twist, which only fails because the Judges specifically cite clauses preventing such a thing in the first place, and again at the award ceremony, having seen through Scarlett and Tybalt's plot to sneak a weapon in and mocking them for thinking he'd fall for such a trick. Again, the Judges prevent Ford from simply executing the team right then and there on the stage as Scarlett gives too much of a ratings boost to simply be offed so unceremoniously, instead giving him a headstart to run before the team catches him.
- Last-Name Basis: Is almost exclusively called "Mr. Ford" by pretty much everyone.
The Judges (Cera, Julius, Mauro)
Ratings have spiked. A simple execution is not in the show's best interests.
Orion Ford's superiors in the Omega Corporation.- Slave to PR: Much to Ford's dismay, the Judges prioritize the show's ratings and popularity over actually dealing with Scarlett.
Nicole from Production
Okay! I think we've got some good material here.
- Slave to PR: Nicole knows how important sponsorship deals are and will often take a chance to remind the challengers to represent themselves well.
- Nicole: This is your friendly reminder to keep the logos and branding on your weapons and armor unobscured at all times. Stickers, drawings and other forms of customization must not cover up our sponsors' logos. Obviously there's going to be blood and, uh, whatnot on your equipment as you progress. Just remember to clean it up whenever possible.
The Announcer (Joe Stern)
I'm not sure I've ever seen a contestant with more pure grit than this!
