(FASERIP) The Boys : A-Train

/ angusabranson

The FASERIP system was first published by TSR in the Marvel Super Heroes RPG in 1984, and later expanded in the Marvel Superheroes Advanced Game in 1986. The game proved very popular, its easy and flexible system allowed for all levels of play from street level crimefighters to cosmic campaigns. Whilst the original games are decades out of print the system has continued to be available through a range of retroclones and has an active fan community online.

I’ve been playing the game since the 80’s and it’s one of my favourite systems. Whilst the game was originally for the Marvel universe I used to convert a load of other superheroes/villains from other comics and shows to the system to incorporate into my games. That’s something that has stayed with me and I love being able to drop cameo, or ongoing, appearences of characters that originate elsewhere in to my games. In this series of articles I’m converting a number of characters from TV shows and comics to the FASERIP system for a bit of fun.

First up I’ll be looking at some of the characters from The Boys, a dark satirical comic and TV series created by Gareth Ennis and Darick Robinson which began life at Wildstorm Comics before moving to Dynamite Entertainment.

A-TRAIN, MEMBER OF THE SEVEN

“Can’t stop the A-Train!“

Real Name: Reggie Franklin

Identity: Publicly known
Occupation: Superhero (member of The Seven), celebrity sprinter
Origin: Genetically engineered superhuman (Vought Compound V)
Base of Operations: Vought Tower, New York City

FASERIP Attributes

  • Fighting: Good (10)
  • Agility: Incredible (40)
  • Strength: Good (10)
  • Endurance: Incredible (40)
  • Reason: Typical (6)
  • Intuition: Good (10)
  • Psyche: Typical (6)

Health: 100
Karma: 22
Resources: Remarkable (30) — Vought sponsorship
Popularity: Amazing (50) (fan-favorite athlete), Poor (4) among teammates

Powers

  • Hyper-Speed: Monstrous (75) — sprinting speeds over 1,000 mph in short bursts; requires Endurance FEATs for extended use.
  • Hyper-Running: Monstrous (75) — long-distance running, though limited by cardiac strain (see Weaknesses).
  • Reflexes / Reaction Time: Incredible (40) — acts before most opponents can react.
  • Body Resistance (while moving): Excellent (20) — protection against friction, falls, and minor collisions.
  • Extra Attacks: Can make multiple attacks per round depending on Speed FEATs.
  • Water Running / Wall Running: Remarkable (30) — can run across water or up vertical surfaces briefly.
  • Inaudible Movement: Despite creating a sonic boom when speeding up and slowing down, he is completely silent while running at high speed. It was stated that cameras need to catch up to 5,000 frames per second just so that he can be caught on camera at all times.
  • Inertial Dampening: A-Train can transport persons or objects without them disintegrating under the extreme pressure of acceleration and deceleration. 

Talents

  • Athletics (Running)
  • Media/Celebrity Training (Rapper)
  • Streetwise
  • Deception

Contacts

  • Vought International
  • The Seven (fragile ties)
  • Drug connections (black market Compound V)

Limitations / Weaknesses

  • Cardiac Strain: A-Train’s heart is failing due to years of Compound V abuse. Pushing speed above Incredible (40) for longer than a few turns requires an Endurance FEAT — failure results in exhaustion or cardiac arrest.
  • Drug Dependence: Has relied on Compound V to maintain competitive edge; addiction is a recurring issue.
  • Psychological Weakness: Immature, insecure, and deeply competitive — can be manipulated by appealing to ego.
  • Fragility Compared to Speed: Despite being superhuman, he is not invulnerable — concentrated attacks, explosives, or Homelander-level threats can disable him quickly.

Roleplaying Notes

“You know, when I carried your ass to the ER, there was a kid there. His eyes were like “holy shit.” Looking at me… like I was a hero. There were no screaming fans, no cameras. Nobody even knew, except for this one kid. That felt better than anything that I had ever done at Vought, ’cause for once, I didn’t hate myself.”

A-Train is a classic glass cannon: incredibly fast and dangerous in short bursts, but physically fragile and prone to burnout. He works best as a hit-and-run attacker or a PR stunt hero rather than a battlefield powerhouse. His arrogance and desperation to remain “the fastest man alive” are just as much a liability as his failing heart.

For more information, and background, on A-Train please check out The Boys Wiki A-Train page.

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