Skulls

This information contains features from the Issue 24 beta that have been released on Homecoming.

Overview

The Skulls are an enemy group in City of Heroes and City of Villains.

Founded by the Petrovic brothers, the Skulls are a death worshiping cult whose initiation is a rather morbid affair. Recruits are ordered to kill a target in a rival gang (or a random person off the street) and are then taken to choose their own casket. They then must dig up a grave and take the front of the dead victim's skull as the mask that will make up their new 'face.'

They have a standard rank system; the Gravediggers are the basic street thugs, normally armed with knives and pistols. Above them are the Death Heads. They earn their rank through bloodshed and violence. They serve as the Gravediggers' keepers and report directly to the groups bosses: the Bone Daddies. The Bone Daddies are hand picked by the Petrovic brothers themselves. They are put through a ritual that grants them powers over the negative energies of the netherworld.

History

Among the street gangs of Paragon City, the Skulls are one of the worst. The Skulls have been at war with the Hellions over control of Perez Park for quite some time. They control the area known as the Boneyard and are always attempting to gain more territory.

Since the Rikti War, the Skulls have branched out to Kings Row. They are one of the main reasons why local Superadine rates are through the roof. Some evidence points to an external source helping them push their wares.

They are currently on good terms with the Trolls.

Background

The Skulls official info ( Copied from the City of Heroes official website [1]):

The Skulls are one of the many street gangs that operate in Paragon City. They are a death cult, of sorts, who seek personal glory and power through death, no matter whose. Today, their leaders lurk about one corner of Perez Park, called the Boneyard. They vie for control of the park, but are in the midst of a seemingly endless gang war with the Hellions.

The gang has recently spread heavily into the King’s Row zone, established new chapters as it tries to take over new territory. In King’s Row, the Skulls will battle anyone – cop, hero, rival gang – to dig in their stakes. As the war in Perez Park has reached a stalemate, it seems they want to expand in other directions to advance their position. Fledgling chapters have also been reported in Atlas Park and Galaxy City. Although not often found on the streets in Galaxy City, various drug labs have been reported. Despite their morbid trappings, the Skulls are ultimately a street gang, and thus concerned with usual aspects of organized crime. They run extortion rings, commit robbery, and sell drugs. Of late, like many in Paragon’s underworld, they are pushing Superadine.

In fact, they have been pushing it so hard in Perez Park and in King’s Row that they threaten to flood the streets. Some in the PPD suspect the Skulls may be working with a new partner to take control of the market. It is known that the Skulls deal with the Trolls generally on good terms.

One unusual rumor about the Skulls that has sprung up since the Rikti War is the story of a lone wolf hero obsessed with the destruction of the gang. His – or her – name is unknown, though some of the street tales suggest his (or her) family was killed by Marrow Snap and Marrow Drinker. Some stories describe him as a feral hero, barely able to communicate. He pulls in new heroes to his cause with a terse, muttered phrase, “Go. Hunt. Kill Skuls.”

The organization of the gang is fairly straightforward. The Gravediggers are the foot soldiers of the Skull gang. They are normally armed with knives and guns, and do the grunt work. When first brought into the gang, their initiation rituals all center around death. It is typical for a new recruit to be ordered to kill a random target (the victim is often a member of a rival gang). A veteran Skull will then take a number of new recruits to pick out caskets for their inevitable death. To them, dying as a member of the Skulls is the greatest honor one can find. By embracing death, it not only has no power over them, but gives them a dark inner strength. Finally, new recruits must go on a “black wake,” where they dig up a body and claim the deceased’s skull as their new “face.”

The veterans of the Skulls are nicknamed Death Heads. They have earned their bones through acts of bloodthirsty violence. They run the Gravediggers through their paces, and report directly to the top bosses – the Bone Daddies.

The Bone Daddies are chosen through some secret, black ritual performed by the original founders of the Skulls, the Petrovic brothers. This ritual gives them power over the negative world, and allows them to tap into spirit killing energy that they can use to feed off of their victims. Heroes who have faced them have stated that Bone Daddies are dead inside, their bodies just haven’t realized it yet.

Enemy Types

Minions

Gravedigger Brawler

The Skulls worship death in a very personal, creepy way. The Gravediggers are the gang's foot soldiers - wannabes who must prove their skill with knives and guns before they (literally) earn their bones.

Powers

Revolver Ranged, Lethal, Moderate Damage
Small caliber side arm. Not very accurate.

Brawl Melee, Smash
When all else fails, use your own 2 fists.

Resistance Auto, Self +Res( E-20 N20 )
Skulls are resistant to Negative Energy damage but vulnerable to Energy damage.

Gravedigger Chopper

The Skulls worship death in a very personal, creepy way. The Gravediggers are the gang's foot soldiers - wannabes who must prove their skill with knives and guns before they (literally) earn their bones.

Powers

Revolver Ranged, Lethal, Moderate Damage
Small caliber side arm. Not very accurate.

Fireman Axe Melee, Lethal, Moderate Damage, Foe -Defense
The Fireman Axe deals moderate damage and can decrease a target's defense when it hits.

Resistance Auto, Self +Res( E-20 N20 )
Skulls are resistant to Negative Energy damage but vulnerable to Energy damage.

Gravedigger Slammer

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The Skulls worship death in a very personal, creepy way. The Gravediggers are the gang's foot soldiers - wannabes who must prove their skill with knives and guns before they (literally) earn their bones.

Powers

Revolver Ranged, Lethal, Moderate Damage
Small caliber side arm. Not very accurate.

Sledgehammer Melee, Smash, High Damage, Foe Knockdown
This heavy, but unwieldy and slow Sledgehammer can knock down foes.

Resistance Auto, Self +Res( E-20 N20 )
Skulls are resistant to Negative Energy damage but vulnerable to Energy damage.

Gravedigger Slicer

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The Skulls worship death in a very personal, creepy way. The Gravediggers are the gang's foot soldiers - wannabes who must prove their skill with knives and guns before they (literally) earn their bones.

Powers

Revolver Ranged, Lethal, Moderate Damage
Small caliber side arm. Not very accurate.

Knife Melee, Lethal, Low Damage
Basic stabbing and cutting blade.

Resistance Auto, Self +Res( E-20 N20 )
Skulls are resistant to Negative Energy damage but vulnerable to Energy damage.

Gravedigger Slugger

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The Skulls worship death in a very personal, creepy way. The Gravediggers are the gang's foot soldiers - wannabes who must prove their skill with knives and guns before they (literally) earn their bones.

Powers

Revolver Ranged, Lethal, Moderate Damage
Small caliber side arm. Not very accurate.

Baseball Bat Melee, Smash, Moderate Damage
There is nothing like slugging someone in the head with this baseball bat.

Resistance Auto, Self +Res( E-20 N20 )
Skulls are resistant to Negative Energy damage but vulnerable to Energy damage.

Lieutenants

Death Head Buckshot

The Death Heads are proven leaders in the Skulls - utter nihilists who worship death in the hopes of eventually defying it. These bloodthirsty, cold-blooded killers are armed to the teeth and resistant to any kind of negative energy attacks.

Powers

Shotgun (Ranged) Cone, Lethal, Foe Knockdown
Good at close range. Fires a cone of buckshot pellets and can knock some foes down.

No Melee attacks No Hand to Hand
Death Heads don´t have any Melee attacks at all

Resistance Auto, Self +Res( E-20 N20 )
Skulls are resistant to Negative Energy damage but vulnerable to Energy damage.

Death Head Gunner

The Death Heads are proven leaders in the Skulls - utter nihilists who worship death in the hopes of eventually defying it. These bloodthirsty, cold-blooded killers are armed to the teeth and resistant to any kind of negative energy attacks.

Powers

Submachine Gun Ranged Lethal, Low Damage, Foe -Defense
Rapid fire rifle. Can reduce target's defense.

No Melee attacks No Hand to Hand
Death Heads don´t have any Melee attacks at all

Resistance Auto, Self +Res( E-20 N20 )
Skulls are resistant to Negative Energy damage but vulnerable to Energy damage.

Bosses

Bone Daddy

Bone Daddy

The Skulls' leaders, the Bone Daddies, have become living embodiments of the power of death. They can literally suck the life out of a foe to feed their own spirits. They can also focus the pure darkness of the netherworld into physical attacks that cause massive damage.

Powers

Gloom (Ranged) Damage over Time, Negative, Foe -Accuracy
Gloom slowly drains a target of life and reduces his chances to hit. Slower than Dark Blast, but deals more Damage over Time.

Dark Blast (Ranged, Negative, Damage over Time, Negative) Foe -Accuracy
A long range blast of dark energy. Deals moderate damage and reduces the target's chance to hit.

Shadow Punch Melee Smash/Negative, Low Damage, Foe -Accuracy
A basic punch draws power from the netherworld. Shadow Punch deals moderate damage and reduces the target´s accuracy.

Smite Melee, Smash/Negative, Moderate Damage, Foe -Accuracy
More powerful version of Shadow Punch, Smite deals more damage, but takes longer to recharge. Like Shadow Punch, Smite can reduce the target's accuracy.

Shadow Maul Melee, Smash/Negative, High Damage over Time, Foe -Accuracy
This deadly attack unleashes a flurry of shadow punches pummeling your foe with focuses negative energy. Shadow Maul deals a lot of damage over a short period of time. Like most Shadow Punches, Shadow Maul can reduce the target´s accuracy.

Siphon Life Melee, Negative, Foe -Accuracy, Self +HP
The Skull taps the powers of the netherworld to steal life from a target foe and transfer some of it to himself. Siphon Life can sometimes miss more often than normal since a good contact with the foe must be established for a sucessful transfer to occur. A sucessful hit can reduce the target´s accuracy.

Soul Drain Point Blank Area of Effect, Moderate Damage(Negative), Self +Damage, +Accuracy
Using this power, you can drain the essence of all nearby foes' souls, thus increasing your own strength. Each affected foe will lose some Hit Points and add to your Damage and Accuracy. Damage: Moderate, Recharge: Very Long.

Resistance Auto, Self +Resistances: Negative Energy
Skulls are resistant to Negative Energy damage but vulnerable to Energy damage.

Death Doll

Death Doll

The Death Dolls, like their Death Walker brothers, are an elite force among the Skulls who have learned how to twist the power of death into fearsome attacks that disable their foes while draining away their life essence. Even among the Skulls, who have dedicated themselves to death itself, they are a frightening force to be reckoned with.

Powers

Dark Blast Ranged, Minor DMG (Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You fire concentrated negative energy at a single target. The target suffers negative energy damage and a reduced chance to hit.

Moonbeam Ranged, Superior DMG (Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You fire a very powerful burst of negative energy at a target, causing negative energy damage and reducing their chance to hit.

Dark Grasp Ranged, Moderate DMG (Negative Energy), Hold (Foe), -ToHit (Foe)
You cause your target's shadow to wholly envelop them, leaving them held and rendered helpless while suffering negative energy damage. The target will also suffer a reduced chance to hit.

Night Fall Ranged (Cone), Moderate DMG (Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You fire a cone shaped burst of negative energy, striking all foes within range for negative energy damage. Affected foes also suffer a reduced chance to hit.

Resistance Auto, Self +Resistances: Negative Energy
Skulls are resistant to Negative Energy damage but vulnerable to Energy damage.

Death Walker

Death Walker

The Death Walkers, like their Death Doll sisters, are an elite force among the Skulls who have learned how to twist the power of death into fearsome attacks that disable their foes while draining away their life essence. Even among the Skulls, who have dedicated themselves to death itself, they are a frightening force to be reckoned with.

Powers

Dark Blast Ranged, Minor DMG (Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You fire concentrated negative energy at a single target. The target suffers negative energy damage and a reduced chance to hit.

Moonbeam Ranged, Superior DMG (Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You fire a very powerful burst of negative energy at a target, causing negative energy damage and reducing their chance to hit.

Dark Grasp Ranged, Moderate DMG (Negative Energy), Hold (Foe), -ToHit (Foe)
You cause your target's shadow to wholly envelop them, leaving them held and rendered helpless while suffering negative energy damage. The target will also suffer a reduced chance to hit.

Night Fall Ranged (Cone), Moderate DMG (Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You fire a cone shaped burst of negative energy, striking all foes within range for negative energy damage. Affected foes also suffer a reduced chance to hit.

Resistance Auto, Self +Resistances: Negative Energy
Skulls are resistant to Negative Energy damage but vulnerable to Energy damage.

Arch-Villains

Chernobog

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Powers

Deadly Smash Melee, Moderate DMG(Negative Energy/Cold), -DEF (Foe, All)
You perform a quick slash with your death infused weapon, causing negative energy and cold damage while also reducing the target's chance to hit.

Deadly Bolt Ranged, Moderate DMG(Cold/Negative Energy), -Speed (Foe, All), -Rech (Foe)
You launch a blast of death energy at a target, causing cold and negative energy damage. The target also suffers reduced movement and attack speeds.

Deadly Blast Ranged, High DMG(Cold/Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You fire a powerful blast of death energy at a single target, causing cold and negative energy damage. The target also suffers a reduced chance to hit.

Deadly Crush Melee, High DMG (Negative Energy/Cold), -Speed (Foe, All), -Rech (Foe)
You perform a forceful hack with your death infused weapon, causing negative energy and cold damage while also reducing the target's movement and attack speeds.

Deadly Bash Melee (Targeted AoE), High DMG (Negative Energy/Cold), -DEF (Foe, All)
You slash at multiple targets around you with your death infused weapon, striking them for negative energy and cold damage. Affected targets also suffer a reduction in their defenses.

Terrifying Stare Ranged (Cone), Terrorize (Foe), -ToHit (Foe)
Your gaze instills terror in your enemies, causing them fear and reducing their chance to hit.

Boon of Death Ranged, Minor DMG (Cold), -DMG(All,Foe)
You channel death energy through yourself to a targeted foe. Boon of Death drains life energy from the target and slowly transfers it to you and all nearby allies. The targeted foe suffers cold damage and a reduction in their damage potential, while you and your nearby allies are healed.

Death's Embrace Ranged, Superior DMG(Cold), Moderate DMG (Negative Energy, DoT), Hold (Foe), -Speed (Foe, All), -Rech (Foe)
You focus death energy on a single target, chilling the air so massively that the target is caught in a block of ice. The affected foe suffers cold damage and negative energy damage over time. The target also suffers reductions in their movement and attack speeds.

Resistance AV Auto (Self), +RES(Negative Energy)
The most powerful leaders of the Skulls retain their resistance to negative energy damage, but are no longer vulnerable to energy damage.

Archvillain's Might Resistance
Arch-villains are very powerful individuals, and as such have significant resistance to many status effects. They are not immune, however, and can be vulnerable for brief windows of opportunity.

Morana

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Powers

Shadow Punch Melee, Moderate DMG (Smashing/Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You charge up your fists with negative energy before punching a nearby foe. The target suffers negative energy and smashing damage, as well as a reduced chance to hit.

Smite Melee, High DMG (Smashing/Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You charge up your fists with negative energy and unleash a powerful attack on a nearby foe. The target suffers negative energy and smashing damage, as well as a reduced chance to hit.

Dark Blast Ranged, Minor DMG (Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You fire concentrated negative energy at a single target. The target suffers negative energy damage and a reduced chance to hit.

Shadow Maul Melee (Cone), High DMG (Smashing/Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You wrap your arms with negative energy before striking out with a series of blows that deal smashing and negative energy damage to nearby targets in front of you. These blows also cloud your target's vision, lowering their chance to hit.

Dark Regeneration PBAoE Minor DMG(Negative), Heal (Self)
You channel negative energy into your target in order to drain a small amount of life from all enemies nearby, healing yourself with the drained essence. The more foes affected, the more you will be healed.

Placate Ranged, Placate (Foe), Stealth (Self)
You trick a foe into dropping their attack focus on you. When successful, you will also be hidden for a short time.

Aura of Fear PBAoE, Terrorize (Foe), -ToHit (Foe)
You wrap yourself in a nightmarish aura of fear. Foes close to you are treated to visions most horrific, forcing them to tremble in terror, only attacking if attacked, and even then, with a reduced chance to hit.

Midnight Grasp Ranged, Superior DoT (Negative Energy), Immobilize (Foe), -ToHit (Foe)
You form negative energy into dark tentacles that can immobilize a foe, reducing their chance to hit and continuously drain their life force in the form of negative energy damage.

Resistance AV Auto (Self), +RES(Negative Energy)
The most powerful leaders of the Skulls retain their resistance to negative energy damage, but are no longer vulnerable to energy damage.

Archvillain's Might Resistance
Arch-villains are very powerful individuals, and as such have significant resistance to many status effects. They are not immune, however, and can be vulnerable for brief windows of opportunity.

Veles

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Powers

Grave Knight Summon Grave Knight
You summon a Grave Knight to assist you in battle.

Grave Knight

Only the most battle hardened warriors filled with a lust for revenge will return as a Grave Knight. This undead warrior may be sentient, but it has no understanding of a living world now alien to him. It can only see its own bloodlust and thirst for vengeance. Only the most powerful Masterminds can control them.

Resistance Self (Auto) +RES(Sleep, Fear, Disorient, Slow, Cold, Negative, Toxic, Psionic)
Grave Knights are resistant to Sleep, Fear, Slow and Disorient. They are also resistant to Cold, Negative Energy, Toxic and Psionic damage.

Super Leap Self (Auto), Super Leap
You are capable of Super Leap.

Hack Melee, Moderate DMG(Lethal), -DEF (Foe, All)
You perform a hacking strike that causes lethal damage and reduces the target's defenses.

Slash Melee, Minor DMG(Lethal), -DEF (Foe, All)
You perform a quick slash that causes lethal damage and reduces the target's defenses.

Shadow Punch Melee, Moderate DMG (Smashing/Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You charge up your fists with negative energy before punching a nearby foe. The target suffers negative energy and smashing damage, as well as a reduced chance to hit.

Dark Blast Ranged, Minor DMG (Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You fire concentrated negative energy at a single target. The target suffers negative energy damage and a reduced chance to hit.

Gloom Ranged, High DoT (Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
The Gloom is slowly draining your life and reducing your Accuracy.

Smite Melee, High DMG (Smashing/Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You charge up your fists with negative energy and unleash a powerful attack on a nearby foe. The target suffers negative energy and smashing damage, as well as a reduced chance to hit.

Siphon Life Melee, High DMG (Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe), Heal (Self)
You siphon the life out of a target, causing negative energy damage and healing yourself. The affected target also suffers a reduced chance to hit.

Soul Extraction Summon Ghost
You can extract the soul, creating a ghost to aid you in battle.

Spirit

This Spirit has been ripped from its own dead corpse. No wonder his hatred for all living things knows no end.

Resistance Self (Auto), +RES(Sleep, Fear, Immobilize, Slow, Smashing, Lethal, Cold, Negative, Toxic)
Souls are resistant to Sleep, Fear, Immobilize and Slow. They are also resistant to Smashing, Lethal, Cold, Negative, and Toxic damage.

Self Destruct Self (Auto), Destruct
You are only able to remain material for a few minutes before your soul permanently expires.

Ghastly Blast Ranged, Minor DMG (Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You unleash a blast of pure necromantic energy at a target, causing negative energy damage and reducing their chance to hit.

Fly Flight
Some members of the Talons of Vengeance have grown wings and are capable of flight.

Soul Drain PBAoE, Moderate DMG (Negative Energy), +DMG (All, Self), +ToHit (Self)
You drain the essence of all nearby foes' souls, thus increasing your own strength. Each affected foe will lose some Hit Points and add to your damage potential and chance to hit.

Lich Summon Lich
You summon a Lich to assist you in battle.

Lich

The lich is an undead entity that, when alive, possessed many dark powers of his own. Perhaps it was a dark wizard, or powerful arch villain. Perhaps it was even a Necromancer. Now it only hungers for the souls of the living, and is quite good at feeding itself.

Resistance Self (Auto), +RES(Sleep, Fear, Negative, Toxic, Cold)
The Lich is resistant to Sleep and Fear. It is also resistant to Negative Energy, Toxic and Cold damage.

Dark Blast Ranged, Minor DMG (Negative Energy), -ToHit (Foe)
You fire concentrated negative energy at a single target. The target suffers negative energy damage and a reduced chance to hit.

Torrent -To Hit
The Torrent has reduced your chance to hit.

Super Leap Self (Auto), Super Leap
You are capable of Super Leap.

Resistance AV Auto (Self), +RES(Negative Energy)
The most powerful leaders of the Skulls retain their resistance to negative energy damage, but are no longer vulnerable to energy damage.

Archvillain's Might Resistance
Arch-villains are very powerful individuals, and as such have significant resistance to many status effects. They are not immune, however, and can be vulnerable for brief windows of opportunity.

Named Enemies

Gravedigger Quantum Gunner (Minion)

The Skulls worship death in a very personal, creepy way. The Gravediggers are the gang's foot soldiers - wannabes who must prove their skill with knives and guns before they (literally) earn their bones.

Powers

Quantum Array Gun (Ranged, Negative) Foe -Recharge, -Speed
Your attack and Movement rate have been slowed by the Quantum Array Gun.

Objects

Superadine Lab (Lieutenant)

Superadine Lab

In the presence of this lab, you can´t help inhaling a whiff or two of Superadine. The substance will buff your Endurance until the lab is destroyed.

Powers

Vitality +Recovery (Area of Effect)
The chemicals of the Lab Table are increasing your Endurance Recovery.

Small Explosion Area of Effect, Moderate Damage (Lethal/Fire), Foe Knockback
This object erupts into a small explosion if destroyed.

Named Bosses

• Bonebreaker (Bone Daddy) (Found on Defeat all Gang Members mission from Lorenzo DiCosta)
• Boneshaker (Bone Daddy) (CoV)
• Brittle Bones (Bone Daddy)
• Compound Fracture (Bone Daddy) (Found on Defeat Skull leader and guards mission from Lorenzo DiCosta)
• Crypt Killer (Bone Daddy) (CoV)
• Death's Head (Bone Daddy)
• Defier, The (Bone Daddy)
• Ivory (Bone Daddy) (CoV)
• Jawbreaker (Death Head) (Found on Stop the gang war mission from Lorenzo DiCosta)
• Knucklebones (Death Head)
• Lasher, The (Bone Daddy)
• Marrow Drinker (Bone Daddy)
• Marrowsnap (Bone Daddy) (Found on Stop the gang war mission from Lorenzo DiCosta)
• Mr. Bones (Bone Daddy)
• Rattles
• Skelter
• Skull Cracker (Bone Daddy) (CoV)
• Strong Man, The (Bone Daddy)
• Thanathos (Bone Daddy) (CoV)
• Thanoxemos (Bone Daddy) (CoV)
• Tombstone (Bone Daddy) (CoV & CoH)
• Toothbreaker Jones (Bone Daddy)
• Totenkopf (Bone Daddy) (CoV & CoH)
• Vault (Bone Daddy) (CoV)
• Wrack (Death Head)

Trivia

• In Kings Row, Skulls can often be found attacking cars until they blow up.

Related Badges

Bonecrusher

You're all about knocking heads and beating Skulls.

Kill Skuls

Go. Hunt. Kill Skuls.