HeroClix A to Z – DC | CD Marquee Primer: Part 3 - Rares

[AZS]

Welcome to the Collateral Damage Marquee Primer Review!
Part 3: Rares

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 (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158737) (Tuesday)
Part 3 – Rares
Part 4 – Uniques (Thurs)
Part 5 – Cards & Special Objects (Fri)

click on ‘Replies’ below to read the review.

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[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 3 – Rares

Emerald Empress
83 / 90 / 102 – All Calculator
All around a great figure in any version. Big 4 damage for not a lot of points, mobility of Running Shot, killer Pulse Wave, and the Wildcard TA.
The rookie and exp are good as secondary attackers, their 9 AV isn’t good enough to front a team. But the Vet is solid through and through, with good AV and defense, and consistently high damage.
R – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
E – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
V – :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Dr. Light
57 – Calc / 40 – Suicide Squad / 84 – Calc
Interesting progression here… but I’m sure that the Exp being less points than the rookie will get plenty of discussion elsewhere.
I’m not quite sure why rookie Dr. Light is a Calculator team member, but what the hey, it helps him out. He’s a good secondary attacker thanks to his long range and high damage potential. He’s pretty straightforward, so you’ll either be able to use him or not, there’s no real trick to him.
The Exp on the other hand might seem like the dud of the bunch, but is actually a gem in the rough for any wildcards you pull. The Suicide Squad TA is easy healing, especially if you have any bystander tokens to sacrifice to the cause.
Other than that, you’ll probably want to push light to his second click with better AV, and then hope he doesn’t get pasted (and if he does, that he’s next to a wildcard when it happens.)
Vet Light is an awesome attack piece, and has a killer defense to match, all for a very reasonable 83 points. He can make a good secondary attacker, or even be the front for a team comprised of mid range pieces (of which there are many in this set.)
R – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
E – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
V – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

Superman
105 – Superman Ally / 120 – Superman Ally / 168 – JLA
Ok, talking about this Superman can start to sound like a ‘Who’s on First’ routine.
Superman Blue is really yellow Superman, while the blue one is Superman Red, and the red one doesn’t have any descriptive, prompting people to ask which one you’re referring to!
Oy.
So anyway, Rookie Superman will be a pretty good pull for any team with a couple of Wildcards. The Superman Ally isn’t just good for Stealth-busting, but also for ignoring hindering terrain in general so Supes’ 9 AV doesn’t suffer any further indignity.
For grounded wildcard figs, also remember that the TA lets them ignore hindering terrain for movement as well!
Besides that, R Supes has a killer defense and great damage. The best thing you could hope to pull with him is a PC fig- to help him hit, and frustrate your opponent’s attempts to hit him back.
Exp Supes doesn’t have the damage or defense of the rookie, but does have Psychic Blast. It’s a toss up as to if that’s better or not, your call. Getting Running Shot earlier is helpful, but his defense drops steadily, so you might not want to be too quick to push him.
The Vet pretty much rocks with Hypersonic Speed, 10 range and solid damage. Just keep in mind that you cannot use HSS with Psychic Blast. (Just like Shazam can’t use HSS with EW.)
This Superman also has good attack and defense values for over half his dial. However, his stats do steadily decline, so he doesn’t take pushing very well either, and for a figure that’s this many points, you need to be able to push him (or even take a hit), without losing too much. As such, he’ll be hard to pull off in a 300 point sealed game. It also doesn’t help that his JLA TA isn’t worth much to any wildcard teammates either. However, you can still do the JLA (free move) / HSS attack.
R – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
E – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
V – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Red Tornado
42 / 53 – JLA / 67
Hey! Cheap TK! Guess he gets five stars… (at least that’s everyone’s knee jerk reaction.)
But seriously, the rookie is cheap TK, so he is good. But don’t push him; he only has TK for 1 click!
Hey, look its more cheap TK in the Exp… but he at least has 2 clicks of it, and a TA he can lend out. His AV, Range and Damage are also better, so he can act as a secondary attacker.
The Vet is the cream of the crop though, Willpower & TK is like biscuits and gravy, and his huge starting defense is just icing on the cake. (Uh, sorry about the mixed food metaphors.)
The Vet is also the most likely and most capable of being an attack piece in addition to being a TK taxi. It’s also fun to point out that he’s the only figure in the game with an all Purple click; # 6 with Force Blast, Smoke Cloud, Willpower and Close Combat Expert.
Gotta wonder if he got Smoke Cloud and/or CCE just so he could have that purple pedigree. Hmm… :rolleyes:
R – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: (ha!)
E – :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
V – :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Geo-Force
71 / 113 / 136 – All Outsiders
Ok, once more for those in the cheap seats… Wildcards can’t copy Outsiders.
Anyway, G-F is pretty good across all 3 versions. The rookie is a basic secondary attacker, for your choice of Close or Ranged combat.
The Exp and Vet pick it up a bit thanks to Running Shot and better starting damage and attack.
The Vet is very good, but won’t do as much at range as you might hope for the points. Arm him with a heavy object early so you don’t have to go hunting for one when he gets to his Charge clicks.
R – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
E – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
V – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

OMAC
59 – Calc / 83 – Calc / 109
A cheap Wildcard with Perplex and good defense? I’ll take two please!
Rookie OMAC’s only shortcoming is its lack of range, but with generally good stats and powers for the cost, he’ll still find a use on your team.
Ooh, an aquatic OMAC, this must be from his Aquaman run, you all read those issues, right? … Anyway, he’s aquatic and Stealthy, with even better defense than the rookie and now with range too. Outwit is always great, and the variety of powers down the dial is excellent.
The Vet is different yet again, now a flier that starts with Psy Blast and Outwit. Seemingly overlapping powers that actually work well together. Unlike Psy Blast and, say, Charge? :ermm
Vet OMAC also loses the Calculator TA, which did a lot for his playability. However, this one finishes with a very deviant 2 clicks; Stealth, Regen, and Shape Change! So Superman can say “Hey! Where’d that OMAC go?” Just like in the comics.
R – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
E – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
V – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Mary Marvel
99 / 163 / 224 – JLA
So Mary is just ‘Mary,’ but Billy is ‘Captain’? That doesn’t seem right.
Still, Mary got the better deal in Clix; not only does she get a full REV treatment, but her versions are arguably better and more powerful.
The rookie is a tricky wicket to play. The activation click is one thing, so she won’t get going until the 4th turn of the game, but besides that, she has some other limitations as well. Her AV is just 9, not terrible but not great for 1/3 of your team either. And there’s also the issue of not being able to use Quake with HyperSonic Speed. So not only will you probably never use Quake, but it also means there’s no Super Strength on her first click to boost damage potential.
On the flip side, she keeps her 9 for several clicks, and gets Charge & Exploit Weakness later in her dial. Her mobility is going to be great for any team, but her attack and damage leave a bit to be desired.
The Exp skips the activation click, but starts with Charge instead of HSS. She can use that with Quake, but will you really want to? Still, Outwit is nice and she has a good deep dial, although damage is still a touch on the low side. Watch out for her end of dial upswing, AV and damage come back up when her defense takes a dive. If you need to make a hail mary attack, she’s your girl.
The Vet is the powerhouse of the bunch, and pretty much of the whole set. However, she’s not a “guaranteed win” just because she’s a lot of points and pretty powerful. Aside from her first click with 4 damage, she’s down to 3 for most of her dial. Pretty weak for a figure over 200 points, and this will severely hamper her ability to take on figs with deep dials and/or damage reducers. Keeping in mind that you can’t use EW with HSS either. Also note that the Vet does not have the late dial upswing like the Exp.
Still, she’s plenty powerful and mobile, and there are a number of low cost figs in the set to round out a team. So with the right pulls she could be a winner. But she’s a far cry from a slam dunk.
R – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
E – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
V – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:


Monsieur Mallah /& The Brain
55 / 70 / 138
Hey Mallah, are you thinking what I’m thinking?
Sure Brain, but where are we going to find a size 68 tu-tu at this time of night?

Ok, so sometimes some HeroClix figures are hit and miss. But when WizKids can pull out something this clever, you gotta stop and give them props.
The Rookie is just plain Mallah. A starting click of Charge is nice, and his 6 range may catch a few people off guard. He also has a nice deep dial with plenty of toughness for only 55 points, so at the very least he’s a great tie up piece.
“The Brain” is far less mobile without his Monkey-Butler. So you will need a dedicated flier to carry him around. That’s not entirely bad though, since Brain has Mastermind to let him pass off damage to his lackey. Outwit is nice, and Perplex on clicks 2 – 4 is helpful too. However, his damage is less than stellar (and his AV is pretty low by the time he gets to Psy Blast) so Brain isn’t great as an attacker.
If you feel you need Outwit, or can benefit greatly from Perplex, play him. But give serious consideration whether you can get by without them, and if those 70 points spent elsewhere will balance out your team better.
Combining Mallah and the Brain for the Vet, and you get the best of both. Running Shot is always nice, as is his great 11 AV. With a deep dial plus good powers and defense, he’s a very playable figure. His only drawback is that damage drops to 2 on just the second click, so for his 138 points, he won’t be dealing nearly as much damage as you may like for a figure that is the majority of your team’s cost.
R – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
E – :disappoin:disappoin
V – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Cliff Stockton]

Great write up! Thanks!

[Miraclo]

On it rolls, another fine installment! So far, all largely as I'd expected, which makes me feel as if I've been paying attention. My first reaction was that Geo-Force fared a hair better than I'd expected him to, but on second consideration - and a fresh look at his dials - I can see why he falls where he does within a sealed format. I was probably having Cannonball flashbacks.

I'll forgive you the early morning biscuits with gravy and icing largely because I'm enjoying the thought that there will be people scouring the stats to see if they can find another character with an all purple stat slot, some of them looking for bonus points as they try to find an all black, green, red, etc. one. I should have such time to blow off!

Looking forward to the uniques, etc!

[coyotejack]

Just finished reading all three parts this morning. Very well written! :)

I'm glad that I'm not the only person that ranks R Supes higher than the other two versions (especially for sealed).

Wouldn't mind pulling a Vet Emerald Empress and a couple Ragman figures in the Marquee. Ouch and double ouch.

[lchestnut81]

The rares in this set are strong as they come.

I love Dr. Light, and Red Tornado is just sick. There is so much to like in this part of the set I cannot say enough about it.

I did want to say I think Vet. Superman will be a decent threat. On the other hand, there are alot of Mystics and Wildcards in this set.

Strong review Azs.

[DarkCrisis]

You know I never realized until someone pointed it out but the Quake on Cap Marvel and Mary's dial is supposed to be when they say "Shazam!" to get thier powers.... which really that should be on thier activation clicks.

I was really hoping Seth would not combine powers that dont work together like HSS - EW/Quake/etc

[MaxPayne1]

Figs are gettin' weirder xD. I'm sad because the lack of power houses in this set. Vet supes 168 points? he is far too xpensive for what he does, lacks damage reduction and stuff. Mary has similar problems, little impervius, damage 3 all the way down (we know from Martian Manhunter that an steady 3 damage makes the fig more expensive... well i think that steady low values are more expensive than fast decreasing high stats -firelord-). I like the selection of figs of this set, but don't like the dials.

[Buddyhoss]

Wasn't the Icons Marquee 400 points? I thought 400 was the new standard.

[Miraclo]

Wasn't the Icons Marquee 400 points? I thought 400 was the new standard.

Nope. 300. I know some spots reportedly ran theirs as 400 and my impression is that that didn't go over well with Wizkids. I don't know if anyone got in trouble for it, but since it was a sanctioned tournament it was supposed to be run the same way no matter where one went.

[AZS]

There was an Icons "Special Event" that was sealed and was 400 points, but it was after the marquee.

[Mr. Pilkington]

There really are nice rares in this set. I'm also happy to see generics (OMACs) rate a rare slot. Just because they are mass-produced doesn't *always* mean they are light-weights or shoddy products. (Of course I still like low-cost high-utility common generics like the HIVE goons!)

There aren't really that many characters in this set that i could pull and be all "meh" about (unlike say Liefeld-fest... I mean Mutant Mayhem). Knowing my luck I'll end up pulling a Guardian instead of a nice rare. I already have one from the "free unique" offer. Of all the uniques to get... *sigh*.

[tidge]

There really are nice rares in this set. I'm also happy to see generics (OMACs) rate a rare slot. Just because they are mass-produced doesn't *always* mean they are light-weights or shoddy products. (Of course I still like low-cost high-utility common generics like the HIVE goons!)

I'm on the fence. As a player and collector of theme teams (yes, I have a repainted & renumbered JLA squad of Rocket Reds thank you very much) I'd like to easily collect "generic"s for my own nefarious reasons. That being said, given the prices of the OMACs it doesn't look like it will be easy to build a team of nothing but OMACs, without some heavy duty feat use.

(I was kind of hoping that the exp version would be only 80 points, so that "Siphon Power" (cost 20) would easily fit. :(

[Marlow]

I was surprise Superan Red, I mean the Vet :o)
only got 3 stars, I expected four. Everything else is what I expected.

[X-Inferno]

Another great installment Azs!

I remember when I was just starting out how much your Marquee Primers used to help me out before the big sealed events. It's allways nice when they come back again!

I'm going to have to agree with just about every review... Except for one, Vet Superman. Sure He's 168 points, and his Psy Blast is incompatible with HSS but come on! When is 10 range 4 damage 12 move and HSS a mediocur thing? Nobody is going to out position him! and honestly at 168 points he still leaves you with enough room for plenty support figures. If you'r lucky enough to pull a r Dr midnight your golden! he has six clicks of move and attack powers... combined with his 10 range V Superman is going to be allot more difficult to deal with than a :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: rating gives him credit for. I think he deserves atleast a :cool: :cool: :cool: :rolleyes: rating!

but that's just my opinion... ;)

[swinte]

Another great article, keep 'em coming!

[Yagi-San]

lol, loved the Pinky and the Brain referance! thanks for the cheap laugh.

[Thanosied]

I think the E Omac is definitely a 5 and you could easily bump the V superman up to a 4. But everything else looks bang on. My god they should have took a little bit of Red Tornadao's gravy and given it to Metamorpho then they might both be good. Poor Metamorpho is just another cool dude that gets the praverbial shaft in this game. Poison to start and a 10 AV and he is almost playable on his E version but oh well Clayface is the 'better' version of him lol.

All and all its a well above average set but I think alot of sealed games will be won with characters with 18 DV. Knock your opponents down to a 9-8 AV its one shot each and its "lights out games over" almost cause no ones hitting 18 after that. The low AV's in this set means a few characters like V Green Lantern will win games on first strike attacks alone which is scary.

Cross your fingers and hope you get U Owlman and lots of filler too for a chain Probablitiy control effect and laugh the night away until your opponent finally rolls lower then a 7 and misses. Then swing away to drop his AV even more = win games. Crime Syndicate was waiting for a low cost guy that did it all for tournament play and now they have it. Could be interesting what people can come up with for full set contructed but I can only dream of a massive pog team with a couple of Damagers and Owlman and just annoy the hell out of the opponent.

So many possibilties in this one but definitely the piece to have is V Red Tornado by far. Great set though for sure.

[Wolverine_Hulk]

Your articles continue to impress me!

[Top10]

You know I never realized until someone pointed it out but the Quake on Cap Marvel and Mary's dial is supposed to be when they say "Shazam!" to get thier powers.... which really that should be on thier activation clicks.

I was really hoping Seth would not combine powers that dont work together like HSS - EW/Quake/etc


Interesting point. Quake on the first click would be appropriate. Then the second click can be HSS and Superstrength.
That would allow you to attack when you push off the activation click. Have the attack value at a 11 or 12 AV because when Marvel's say SHAZAM !!! it almost always lands a hit.

Why didn't Wizkids think of this !!!!!!!!!

[clandestine400]

The Exp skips the activation click, but starts with Charge instead of HSS. She can use that with Quake, but will you really want to?

Charge and Quake is one of my favourite combos in the game.
You are actually the one who turned me on to it in another article you wrote about Power Girl and Armor Piercing so I am surprised to see you say this about Mary Marvel.

With the Outwit you don't have to necessarily pay for Armor Piercing since it will take care of any defensive powers if needed and if not it can still be used elsewhere.

Also is it true that OMAC is a rare? That would suck big time to get a generic in the rare slot. Hope this isn't so.

[Phantom]

It hits me that Vet GL (along with a couple others) will probably not be as useful in this tourney as he could be. The new maps really minimize the usefulness of an 18-square range, and all the blocking terrain is going to make it hard for him to move-and-shoot while keeping his LOS to the target.