Mechadoppleganger Vex
Duplicating Vex's occult abilities through a robotic unit, which are typically incapable of manipulating the occult, was an engaging challenge for the HIVE Academy engineering staff. This was the result.

The duplicate has the bones of several species of demons implemented in the the construction of its casing. By stimulating these bones with the appropriate electrosonic frequencies, the robot can utilize them to amass infernal energies. Runes engraved on the bones and metals of the casing allow the robot to harness the amassed energy and generate semi-sentient infernal psuedo-lifeforms that mimic the phantoms created by Vex himself.

An extensive memory bank of occult rituals and techniques grant this doppleganger an outstanding array of spells. Projectors located at its hips and in its palms are capable of emitting holograms, which are used to instantly generate magical circles which better focus and empower its spellcraft.


While Vex was placed at a severe disadvantage during his final exam against this doppleganger, he was able to outwit the robot and pass by a thin margin.


The final exam at this HIVE Training Academy is to defeat a mechanical doppleganger. It must be done independently, and failure means another year of lessons before you get another shot at it. It's a pain, but it's the only way the Academy awards students their villainy license.
(In truth, villains don't need a license at all in order to go commit crimes haha. The licenses aren't so much "permission" to commit crimes so much as they are a certificate of the HIVE's recognition. A certified villain who is recognized by the HIVE is much more likely to not only be hired for blackmarket work, but is much more likely to be paid higher for the work they do.)