HeroClix A to Z – DC | CD Marquee Primer: Part 2 - Uncommons

[AZS]

Welcome to the Collateral Damage Marquee Primer Review!
Part 2: Uncommons

http://www.wizkidsgames.com/images/HDCD_logo_small.jpg

This new DC set comes out next week – Feb. 15, so to get ready for the Marquee, and any sealed games you play before then, here’s the regular Marquee Primer.

These reviews are intended for sealed, 300 point games with only this set.

Here’s the review schedule:

Part 1 - Commons (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1914963#post1914963) (Monday)
Part 2 – Uncommons
Part 3 – Rares (Wed)
Part 4 – Uniques (Thurs)
Part 5 – Cards & Special Objects (Fri)

click on ‘Replies’ below to read the review.

[AZS]

Welcome to yet another Marquee Primer Review!
We are happily getting another DC set, one that seems very well balanced, generally playable, and fun!
With the ever-evolving nature of the game, Collateral Damage has the “new” distribution akin to Armor Wars (or maybe more accurately, what AW was supposed to be.) That means the Vet Rares will be comparable rarity to the Unqiues, which are more common than they used to be.
All in all though, there aren’t any stand out power Uniques in CD like there have been in previous sets. And even the Commons and Uncommons are very playable, so just about anything you pull should make for a pretty decent team.


Standard Intro:
This review and rating system is for a 300 point, 3 booster Sealed event only. Using a (new) Smiley :) rating system.

:confused: – Steer clear of this figure.
:disappoin:disappoin – Not so good. Should be considered with caution.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: – Fair. Based on how you need to fill out a team.
:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: – Good. Definitely consider this figure.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: – Great! Should be a top choice for your team.


There will be very few 1 or 5 smiley ratings here, So please realize that even though your favorite character might not have gotten five smileys like you think it should, I’m just trying to be fair.

Everything written here is in the most general form possible.
Since the specific combination of figures pulled will work together to determine which are more playable than others.

Lastly, this review is just my opinion. And these are a lot of work to write, so I ask you very kindly, please don’t get angry at me for my ratings. I give reasonable explanations for each choice. If you disagree (and you are welcome to do so), please try to do the same.


Part 2: Uncommons

Captain Cold
40 / 68 – Calculator / 82 – Calculator
Plasticity is an interesting choice of powers for this figure, but could make him a very good tie up piece. At least for the 5 clicks that he lives until he’s knocked out.
He’s probably better as a Barrier figure, taking occasional pot shots with incapacitate.
Exp Cold starts off with a click of Running Shot to go with his Incap or increased damage, but he doesn’t get barrier until click #2.
The Exp and the Vet join up with the Calculator though, so that’s a plus. Although the Vet switches starting powers with the Exp and begins with Barrier instead.
The playability of this figure will be largely determined by what other figures you pull to use with his Wildcard. On his own, he’s good, but also somewhat vulnerable for nearly 70 or 80 points.
R – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
E – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
V – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Elongated Man
47 / 58 / 75 – All JLA
Starting off at nearly 50 points, the Rookie really doesn’t have a lot to show for his cost. Sure you could push him once to get to Probability Control, but since he’s only 5 clicks deep you might be tempting fate.
The Exp is a bit better since he not only starts with PC, but also a higher defense with Super Senses, making him a tough target. And his defense bumps back up to 17 after he loses SS.
PC will also be a huge factor in this format because there are so many high defenses but middling attack values.
For his Vet version, EL starts off with Charge instead of L/C, it’s a nice change, but it doesn’t necessarily justify his 75 point cost. PC is still a great power, and Outwit later in his dial keeps him useful, so it’s a fair bet he’ll see a lot of play. But the jury’s still out as to whether those points could be better spent elsewhere.
R – :disappoin:disappoin
E – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
V – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Blue Devil
50 / 76 / 100 – Mystics
Starting off as a very simple Super Strength / Toughness fig, Blue Devil isn’t really worth his 50 points. His best damage clicks come at the end of his dial when he only has a 6 AV, and when you’d probably rather use his Regen.
For 26 points more, the Exp is quite a bit better thanks to improved starting stats and an upfront click of PC. That will go a long way towards increasing his usefulness. The ending click of Regen will also likely put him back on a PC click, to extend his playability.
The Vet is the only version that isn’t a flier, but is a Mystic. That alone improves his value to the rest of your team (assuming you pull any of the multitudes of wildcards), and his starting click of Invulnerability isn’t too bad either. Psy Blast for just 1 damage is a little weak on his next 2 clicks, but if someone tries to base him to prevent him from shooting, he does have CCE.
R – :confused:
E – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
V – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Black Lightning
48 / 65 – Outsiders / 88 – Outsiders
Running Shot and Incap is a nice power combo, but for nearly 50 points with a short range, single target and low AV, the Rookie falls very short of actually being useful.
With increased range and more targets the Exp makes better use his RS / Incap, and has some ok powers at the end of his dial as well. If you do play him, make sure to use the Outsiders TA, you’re paying a lot of points for that.
The Vet increases his range to an impressive 10 and gets Willpower to start. The 10 range will do a lot for his defense though, mainly by keeping him out of range for retaliation. That’s important because he’s nearly 90 points for 6 unprotected (read: easy to kill) clicks of life. Because he is such a soft target, its hard to rate him much higher than 3 stars; not when an opponent can get so many points in one shot, and since he’s a grounded figure he’ll be particularly easy to tie up as well.
R – :confused:
E – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
V – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Green Lantern
80 – Titans / 121 – JLA / 167 – Green Lantern Corp
Ok, so we’re going for a color trifecta here; Blue, Black and now Green – although not exactly color coordinated.
With Rookie GL the Titans finally get some much needed TK on their team. If you pull this figure you’ll also get some very useful TK for any army you play. R- GL will also pull triple duty between TK, Running Shot, and Barrier. So keep a Wildcard handy to swap clicks off to in order to keep GL healthy. He is only 6 clicks deep for his 80 points, and by click #3 he’s practically useless (albeit, hard to hit with 16 + ES/D).
Kyle Ryner shows his creativity in the Exp with some EE and perplex. He’s also the hardest to hit of the bunch with a 17 defense + ES/D. His attack numbers are pretty good, so he can actually use his Perplex to help out the rest of the team. With so many low AV’s and high defenses, Perplex will go a very long way in the marquee.
Exp GL has a lot going for him down most of his dial, with a pretty consistent AV, so even though you won’t want to push him too frivolously, he can stand a click or two now and then.
Running off to space to help restart the GL Corp, Kyle trades his JLA membership for the ‘Green Lantern’ TA. This could be a pretty good ability for him, as well as for any flying Wildcards you happened to play. (Of course V GL is so many points you might not have many other figures for him to ferry about!)
The Vet has a great defense; both a natural 18, and a huge 12 range to help keep him out of range for any retaliation (nobody else in the set has a 12 range.) Keep in mind that you can use Running Shot to move away from an opponent and make an attack. Putting some distance between you and them so they can’t shoot back! RCE, Perplex, EE and more keep V GL well rounded and playable for most of his dial.
He’s a major point investment for anyone bold enough to play him, but he’s got a good chance of pulling it off.
R – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
E – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
V – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

Manhunter
37 / 44 / 52
A figure seemingly more fit for a common slot, Manhunter isn’t overly impressive or particularly bad. The rookie continues a trend of figures with 8 AV, but she’s at least mobile with L/C and can ping big figs with Exploit Weakness. Between the two she might be good as a tie up figure, also since her damage bumps up to 3 with EW on her 4th click. Still, she’s hit or miss for 37 points.
Some powers move around, and one of them is Battle Fury on her starting click in the Exp. An odd choice, seemingly done to intentionally hobble the figure. Still, with a better AV and opportunity for damage, she’s not bad. Also with Super Strength and Leap/Climb, E Manhunter can pull a ~yoink~ maneuver and grab an object out from underneath an opponent who is hiding on it! Still jut a so-so figure, but a so-so figure with options!
Moving on to the Vet, she gets EW back, along with a decent AV and defense. This is a good figure to send up against much higher cost bricks with the dare to attack her. They certainly can’t ignore her, but at the same time she’s a little fish, so she’ll do well to distract a big fig while the rest of your team sets up for the real attack.
R – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
E – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
V – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

Clayface
57 / 69 / 89 – All Batman Enemy
All around great figure with lots of potential. The rookie’s low AV may be offset by copying a Wildcard’s higher attack. But even if not, Plasticity on a figure with a high defense, toughness, and more than 6 clicks of life (shock!) is a great combo.
The Exp has an even deeper dial and better starting defense, although he’s definitely pushing the point limit for a figure with only an 8 AV.
For 90 points though the Vet is definitely a terrific piece to pull. Charge is a great way to get him into close combat, so he can hit with the object he’ll pick up along the way. And his 18 defense with Toughness will be very high for most figures to hit. Then if they do succeed in hitting him, then they’re stuck next to a figure with Plasticity for 7 clicks and a defense that stays high for a while.
Park a figure next to Clayface that he can copy an AV from, and then no matter how many hits he takes he can keep hitting back with the same attack value.
A good offensive piece and tie up piece. Devious through and through.
R – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
E – :disappoin:disappoin
V – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

Metamorpho
46 / 70 – Outsiders / 80 – Outsiders
Metamorpho’s starting click is a big disappointment across all his versions. The rookie has some potential with Plasticity and 3 damage, but his low defense is just underscored by the much higher defense on his second click. He also has Smoke Cloud… on a figure with zero range. Boo!
The best of the 3 (starting clicks) is probably the Exp, his Defense is the best, his attack has the most potential, and Plasticity is great on a close combat piece like this. Its just a big disspointment that he doesn’t start with Poison, instead getting it on his second click.
The Vet should be a lot better than he is, but starting with Smoke Cloud is just silly – he only has a 2 range! Exploit Weakness is cool too, but he’s probably be better with the base 4 damage on his second click. In fact everything about his second click is better than the first, almost encouraging you to push and give up a click of life just to get there. But that burns actions and gives up free points to your opponent, so why would you do that?
R – :disappoin:disappoin
E – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
V – :disappoin:disappoin

[Cliff Stockton]

Great reviews, azs! I am really looking forward to this set.

Keep 'em coming!

[Bloodsword]

I cant wait to get a Clay face. He will find his way onto my Bat villan team. They need the help!

[Ignatz_Mouse]

Vet metamorpho looks like he was designed for Passenger specifically.

[lchestnut81]

I love the ~yoink~ that Manhunter can pull! :p

Exp. Elongated man is a great piece all around, great for a Marquee pull. GL is of course gonna ge a great one, and oh, Clayface. What a great clix he is that will really help the Batman Enemies team.

I have to say I wouldn't mind pulling a Vet. Blue Devil though...He and the good possibility that you could pull some Wildcards could make a team hard hittling, and hurtful to hit.

Does anyone else forsee alot of Mystic Wildcard teams possible in the Marquee for this set?

[Oldguynewbie]

Good reviews. I wish Metamorpho had been a stronger character, since I've enjoyed the character for 35 years or so.

Well, thanks again! Where DID you get the inspiration to start doing these Marquee Primers??

[AZS]

Where DID you get the inspiration to start doing these Marquee Primers??You suggested it.
And it was the greatest suggestion I ever got!
You're responsible for the reading and clicking enjoyment of thousands of players!

Yay!

.

[Miraclo]

Enjoying each piece, Azs. I'll be back again tomorrow for the rares!

Does anyone else forsee alot of Mystic Wildcard teams possible in the Marquee for this set?

If they're pulled they'll be used. V Blue Devil, E & V Ragman, Eclipso and Felix Faust, I'd be likely to play any one of them if I pulled it, and with so many wild cards in the mix it's likely a player will pull at least one. Yeah, it'll largely hinge on whether or not one pulls one of the five Mystics.

[zakiszak]

Wait, this means that Red Tornado is a rare? Noooooooooooooooooooooo

[m0rpheus]

Green Lantern
80 – Titans / 121 – JLA / 167 – Green Lantern Corp


Am I the only one who is glad that he's an uncommon, and therefor wont suffer from Vet Iron Man syndrome...

[Miraclo]

Am I the only one who is glad that he's an uncommon, and therefor wont suffer from Vet Iron Man syndrome...

Based on all reports no one's going to suffer from "Vet Iron Man syndrome" in this set, as they've fixed the collation problems that led to those rarer-than-uniques vets in Armor Wars.

We'll know for certain one way or another in just over a week.

[WinterRiley]

great review, always helpful, not just for sealed, but just so i can learn the set faster

[krusticlese]

I thought Vet Iron Man Syndrome was the term used for a horribily plummeting attack value, as in XP Iron Man...




...I'm showing my age, aren't I. :laugh:

[Oldguynewbie]

You suggested it.
And it was the greatest suggestion I ever got!
You're responsible for the reading and clicking enjoyment of thousands of players!

Yay!

.


My self-actualization for the day is complete!

(and, ya know, that's kinda sad, really...)

[Oldguynewbie]

Based on all reports no one's going to suffer from "Vet Iron Man syndrome" in this set, as they've fixed the collation problems that led to those rarer-than-uniques vets in Armor Wars.

We'll know for certain one way or another in just over a week.


Yeah, well, excuse me if I move to Missouri...

[Top10]

Based on all reports no one's going to suffer from "Vet Iron Man syndrome" in this set, as they've fixed the collation problems that led to those rarer-than-uniques vets in Armor Wars.

We'll know for certain one way or another in just over a week.

I really hope so.
Its weird when you can buy a Unique House of M Magneto for less than a vet War Machine.

[tidge]

My observations (of the commons and uncommons): There are plenty of sub-50 point figures! This is one of the key requirements for making a set fun to play in sealed events.

Another interesting twist this time around is the many wild cards as well as wild-cardable TAs in the sub 100-point price range...so there should be some variety in the sealed teams too.

[Wolverine_Hulk]

awesome job

[Miraclo]

I thought Vet Iron Man Syndrome was the term used for a horribily plummeting attack value, as in XP Iron Man...




...I'm showing my age, aren't I. :laugh:

LOL! Well, that was just XP Iron Man syndrome, wasn't it? No need to single out the vet <i>there</i>. Since he made the point of the "uncommon", though, I figured he meant the Armor Wars one.

[Miraclo]

OldGuyNewbie & Top10: Oh, I know, I know... I'm in hopeful mode, too and didn't mean to come off as a Pollyanna.

Having noted the strides they'd made at the case level over the past couple sets - card distribution was terrific for at least two sets running, and the uniques were spot-on with all 12 covered and four, non-repeating extras in Armor Wars - and between reports from Brother Magneto and (I believe) Prophus, I'm optimistic about it, and at the very least I believe sincere efforts have been made.

We'll know the tale likely less than 8 days from now, because there are always some people who get their bricks/cases early and talk about it. (Not that I blame them.)

[Oldguynewbie]

OldGuyNewbie & Top10: ... didn't mean to come off as a Pollyanna.


No problem with that, since I'm making it a habit as coming off as a curmudgeon lately.

I still think Horrorclix is a bad idea...

and while you're at it, GET OFF MY LAWN!

[Mr. Pilkington]

I still think Horrorclix is a bad idea...

I dunno, I'd like to have zombie scrubs that same size as Heroclix. Braaaaaaaaaains.

[Oldguynewbie]

Yeah, well, excuse me if I move to Missouri...


Well, based on reports to date, Wizkids has fixed collation and I have moved to Missouri!

[deadshot042]

I normally agree with all of your reviews, but I think you gave V Metamorpho a bad rap. To me, his first click is an activation click with powers. The way to use him, especially on these new maps. Is phase him two turns in a row into one of your opponents larger figs. Then he is based with them and he has plasticity, poison and a 17 defense. If he has armor piercing then you've really put your opponent between a rock and a hard place. They have to decide whether to push their big gun or take an automatic click the next turn.
The reason I appreciate Seth's dial designs is for ones like V Metamorpho that serve a great purpose and all you have to do is dig a little to find it.

[pseudosoldier]

I thought Vet Iron Man Syndrome was the term used for a horribily plummeting attack value, as in XP Iron Man...




...I'm showing my age, aren't I. :laugh:


'round these parts, that's known as "Hypertime-itis".


I will never be happier to see Kyle than I will if I open him in a booster at the Marquee today.