Equilibrium

Equilibrium is a Chinese mutant hero and a field commander in the Tiger Squad.

## Biography

Equilibrium, born Xian Wen, enlisted in the People's Liberation Army at age eighteen. Thanks to his drive, dedication, and physical aptitude, he eventually earned a promotion into the PLA's special forces. As part of his induction to this elite unit, he was given a standard mutation screening and was found to posses latent mutant powers. After a series of grueling experiments meant to place him under exceptional stress in a controlled environment, Xian's mutation activated and his powers manifested for the first time. He was immediately added to the Tiger Squad's roster, much to his delight.

In the years since he joined the team, his exceptional bravery, loyalty, and combat acumen have been rewarded with a leadership position. He regularly commands one of the Tiger Squad's combat teams and is ranked fifth in the team's overall hierarchy.

## Personality

Equilibrium is the Chinese heroic ideal: brave, selfless, and committed to the cause of his country. He is a patriot and has no qualms carrying out whatever orders his superiors hand down, and his military discipline is evident in how he diligently carries out his missions.

Other than his unshakeable loyalty to the Communist Party, Equilibrium is a model hero and will face any danger to protect the innocent. He is considered one of China's greatest heroes and is an extremely popular public figure.

## Powers

Equilibrium possesses enhanced strength, speed, and flight capabilities, as well as powerful superhuman senses that allow him to instinctually gauge the "hidden strength" of his foes. What makes him unique is that his powers shift radically based on the power of his opponent(s). When he senses he is facing a stronger foe, his powers gradually increase, and he passively drains the strength of anyone in close proximity (this is a psychic effect which is totally unconscious and out of Equilibrium's control). Conversely, when fighting an opponent weaker than himself, his powers begin to fade until he is "evenly matched" with his enemy.

As a result of this unusual component of his power, Equilibrium tends to send his allies to fight any weaker villains while he engages the most powerful target himself. His most common tactic is to fight defensively, biding time as his power slowly grows, until he can either defeat his opponent or stall them long enough for his allies to come to his aid.

In addition to his great strength, Equilibrium is a skilled martial artist thanks to his military training, and these skills often give him the edge he needs to defeat a foe once their powers are evenly matched.

## Weaknesses

Equilibrium's powers are based on his own perceptions of his opponent's abilities. Although he can telepathically sense when his foes are "holding back," he can still be caught by surprise and fail to properly assess a villain's strength, which causes his powers to adjust to his foe's perceived strength rather than their real power. Even when his powers work properly, it can take seconds or even minutes of pitched combat before his strength grows to match that of his foe, leaving him face-to-face with powerful enemies while he is at a disadvantage.

Equilibrium's powers are technically psychic in nature, and enemies with a particularly powerful mental defense can resist the "draining" portion of his equalizing power with ease. Despite the best training, he has been unable to develop his psychic powers in any meaningful way, and he cannot manifest any of the standard kinetic/esper abilities.