HeroClix A to Z – Sinister Marquee Primer: Part 2 - Uncommons

[AZS]

Welcome to the Sinister Marquee/Prerelease Primer Review!!

Part 2: Uncommons

http://www.hcrealms.com/temp/kitty1.jpg

Even though the ‘street date’ of this set isn’t for a few more weeks, the Pre-Release is coming up this weekend! With an expanded number of locations getting to run prerelease tournaments, many more of us will get a chance to play with this set before the official release!

Therefore

Here’s the review schedule:

Part 1 - Commons (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167742)
Part 2 – Uncommons
Part 3 – Rares (Wed)
Part 4 – Uniques (Thurs)
Part 5 – Cards & Special Objects (Fri)

These reviews are intended for sealed, 300 point games with only this set.
Also, even though some may believe that Sinister is a somewhat ‘weaker’ set in the grand scheme, this review series is written with the intent and mindset of this being a Sinister-only tournament. So figures may be stronger or weaker in this circumstance.

Click on ‘Replies’ below to read the review.

[AZS]

Welcome to yet another Primer Review!

We are getting another ‘theme’ set, this time focusing on the villains of the Marvel U (more specifically, Spider-man and NYC villains).

There aren’t many ‘power pieces’ in this set, so just about anything you pull should make for a relatively balanced team.
Many of the figures are also not too pricey, so you’ll probably end up with a fair sized army when all the dust clears.

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.

These figures are compared only against the Sinister set, so there will be only a 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

Sprite / Shadowcat
30 / 54 / 66 – All X-men
Rookie ‘Sprite’ is purely a harassment piece. Phasing plus super senses for 30 points, she’s great for harassment, but limited otherwise. As such, hold her for last and see if you have a 30 point gap to fill.
The Exp is solid gold with 17 defense and defend – sweet. Just in case you pull one of the figures in the set that doesn’t have a 17, there you go. :)
Beyond that, she has a decent offense with 9 AV and 2 damage w/ Exploit Weakness. All around a good deal for only 54 points.
The Veteran really comes into her own with an awesome defense of 18 w/ Super Senses, so she’ll be all but impossible to hit in this set. Move her up to an opponent and use EW. A couple clicks in she gets Perplex which is always useful, and she finishes with some CCE.
R – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
E – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
V – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:


Mach 1/3/4
58 / 77 / 100 – All Avengers
M1 is a very good secondary attacker for the cost. His long 8 range and fair 9 AV are actually exceptions in this set. His moderate damage of 2 is just ok, but he is just 58 points and has Running Shot, so you can’t be too picky. His defense is also just fair, but because he starts with Super Strength you can adjust for that by picking up the Desk 3D object. Exp M3 gets a couple minor boosts for a fair chunk of points. Since you probably won’t get to choose between the R and Exp, its not fair to say that you don’t get much improvement for the ~20 point increase. Still, the Exp is a good piece and could serve a team well.
The Vet is where its at though, his rare 10 AV will be a boon to your team. Add in the double target so you can hedge your bets and he’s even better. Plus you can use the double target for EE. He’s also fairly playable for most of his dial, thanks to RCE mid dial and Charge + Super Strength towards the end. He’s not long lived for 100 points (only 7 clicks deep) but he packs a lot into those clicks.
R – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
E – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
V – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:


Nighthawk
28 – SinSyn / 42 / 60 – Defenders
Yet another low cost, moderately useful figures. The only real benefit here is that he’s a SinSyn with a 9 AV for such a cheap cost. Those SinSyn fliers that needed help, here’s the guy for them. Willpower and Super Strength are also a cool combo, but if he’s moving on his own you should expect someone to take pot shots on him.
The Exp steps it up with Charge and Super Strength, so he can be a solid attacker for under 50 points. The Vet is nicer still with the same Charge up front, but also a 17 defense and Defenders TA, so he can share that with any Wildcards you have (he’s just a sharing kinda guy apparently.) Leadership will also be helpful in this format since you’re likely to have a good size team.
R – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
E – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
V – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:


Valkyrie
44 / 60 – Defenders / 71 – Defenders
Rookie Valkyrie has some interesting elements to her colorful dial; Flurry is good for her, since her starting damage is lackluster. Then she gets Blades, and finishes out her dial with higher damage and Exploit Weakness (albeit, backed by a lame 6 AV.) But for just 44 points she’s not bad.
The Exp is nicer thanks to Charge + SS, plus a good 10 AV and high base damage. Look out for a large chunk of Battle Fury mid dial though, it’ll nerf her ranged attack and keep her from being carried. (Also watch for this if your opponent is playing the fig, Battle Fury is one of the most overlooked powers in the game.)
One of the best pulls you can get is the Veteran though. Her 18 defense is killer, and that she can share it with the Defenders TA is icing. Her all around stats and powers are great, and she has an exceptionally deep 9 click dial. All for just 71 points is a bargain.
R – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
E – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
V – :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


Multiple Man / Madrox
17 – X-men / 32 – X-men / 44
Damage Sponge Man, uh, I mean Rookie Multiple Man is good if you pull another X-man or Wildcard to shirk damage onto with the X-men Ta. He’s good for little else.
The Exp on the other hand is super cheap Perplex. He’s only 4 clicks deep though, so you’ll want to keep him back and out of harm’s way. Even as a one trick wonder, if you pull him, play him!
More questionable is the Vet, Outwit is nice, but is it worth 44 points on a fig that is otherwise worthless? Sure he has Mastermind, but that implies that you’d rather keep him around instead of the figure he’s pushing damage too – which might not be the case.
R – :disappoin:disappoin
E – :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
V – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:


Deathlok
41 / 60 – Spiderman / 72
A whole lot of ‘meh.’ The rookie is somewhat interesting thanks to his numerous powers, but his 8 AV is low even by Sinister standards. He has some offensive ability, but you might want to leave him off to the side while you build the rest of your team and play him only if you’ve got a 41 point gap to fill.
The Exp is a little better with a 9 AV (that pains me to even say that. :rolleyes: ) His Wildcard TA might help his playability a bit, depending on who else you pull.
Running Shot, 10 AV, and 8 range are all nice, but starting 2 damage is disappointing. Even so, this is a playable piece for not a lot of points. He remains useful for nearly all of his dial, and is worth strong consideration if you pull him.
R – :disappoin:disappoin
E – :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
V – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:


Falcon
30 / 46 – Avengers / 57
You can’t go wrong with a flying Charging fig for 30 points. His 17 defense from range and fairly deep dial for the cost are nice too.
Going from afterthought to ‘should play’, the Exp is nice thanks to more Charge and better offense values. He finishes nicely too, with more charge and an upswing in defense. Look out for that if you face him and try to hit him for several clicks of damage, or risk putting him on his high defense click.
The Veteran has no such luck at the end of his dial. But he does start a little stronger with 16 def + ES/D. Instead he has a mid dial click with 10 AV and 3 damage. He also has a strong AV progression and super steady defense, so feel free to push him.
R – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
E – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
V – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:


Spider-man
51 – Spiderman / 77 – Spiderman (Transporter) / 106 – Avengers
17 defense plus Super Senses, great powers, great TA, and a 6 range, all for 51 points? Sweet. Also, do not forget to roll for Shape Change! He’s got a whopping 5 clicks of it, and it could save his hide.
The Exp has the interesting aspect of being a Transporter! Don’t forget the Trans move/attack option (also don’t forget that It can’t be used when he starts his movement next to an opposing fig.)
Still, high defense and damage, and a 7 click dial are all great aspects on an overall nicely designed fig.
Finally, a really, really good Spidey… who doesn’t have his own TA. We’ll overlook that for now, since the double target Incap, 10 AV, 3 damage and Perplex look SO nice. This is one of the best figs to pull in the Marquee – because he holds his own, and offers Perplex to the rest of the team.
R – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
E – :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
V – :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


Stay tuned tomorrow for the Rares, Radioactive Man through Kraven.

[Parallax_LE9]

Az's. seriously, thanks.
Bebies, have mine.

[Quebbster]

Great review, as always.
One minor point though: As far as I know, it IS possible to combine the transporter move/attack with Leap/Climb, as it is a move action. I might be wrong though.

[clixer11]

Excellent overview in regards to using these figures in the Marquee (or not using them). Great job!


As far as I know, it IS possible to combine the transporter move/attack with Leap/Climb, as it is a move action. I might be wrong though.

That would be correct.

[AZS]

Great review, as always.
One minor point though: As far as I know, it IS possible to combine the transporter move/attack with Leap/Climb, as it is a move action. I might be wrong though.Thanks. I was basing it off a combination of rulings; that Lockjaw can't use it with Phasing, and how you can't use L/C with Pounce. There's kind of a convergence of language there that I guess I'm not clear on.
Can someone clarify this? And I'll go back and amend the review so as not to confuse any players.

Thanks!

[Stuart_Rex]

I really want the Rookie Nighthawk to keep at the back of my sin syn teams and beef up AV late in the game.
More importantly I want me a whole load of Multiple men. Azs...surely you would mastermind the Vets damage onto MM pogs. Isn't that the point?

[ol_Dut]

Great review! I can't wait to get that Shadowcat and Spidey!

[AZS]

Azs...surely you would mastermind the Vets damage onto MM pogs. Isn't that the point?In a constructed game.. sure. But in a sealed game, the chances of you pulling a V Mult Man and his Pog are pretty slim. And you dont' have the luxury of building a team to maximize V Mult Man's potential. You have to make due with whatever you pull.

[Entropy]

it is because leap climb activates when you give the character a Move action. and the tranporter special ability is a Move action which grants an attack

phasing doesn't work because it is a power action

pounce requires giving a power action that allows you to move, which means that leap climb will not work

[clixer11]

Thanks. I was basing it off a combination of rulings; that Lockjaw can't use it with Phasing, and how you can't use L/C with Pounce. There's kind of a convergence of language there that I guess I'm not clear on.
Can someone clarify this? And I'll go back and amend the review so as not to confuse any players.

Thanks!

Hi azs,

I'll sum it up briefly, since this is just a slight rules issue...I don't want to detract from a great review thread.

Transporter move/attack requires a move action.

Pounce is a power action that grants a free cc attack at the end of movement.

Phasing is a power action, so LJ has to choose which action it wants to do.

Leap/Climb, I believe, allows a character to ignore terrain while taking a move action (like the Transporter move/attack).

I guess I should amend my statement since it has been a lonnnnng time since I actually looked at Leap/Climb on the PAC. If the part about ignoring terrain for movement does not require its own move action, then Quebbster and I are correct. I do not have access to a PAC at the moment.

[feluwelt]

the uncommons in this set realy rock,

I love the spidermen to death
shadowcat is also a favorite and valkerie will be fun to play, not to mention multiple mans fun fun and mach 3 is always a nice piece

[krazycp]

I did my own mini-review and we were pretty close. I do love that V Shadowcat with 18 SS. That will be a hard to hit piece.

[feluwelt]

i agree leap/climb is not a power action so it can be combined with transporter

which makes spidey so usefull that Exp is great but needs a push, to get to his best click, at least you can make some attacks while pushing with a 7 av but might as well try

[AZS]

OK, question regarding Spidey / transporter / Copying SinSyn TA.

When making a Transporter Move & Attack action (aka: HSS-lite), he gets -2 to his AV.
How does that interact with the Sinister Syndicate TA, if he was using his own Wildcard TA to copy an Attack Value. Would it be -2 to the AV he's copying, or would the shared AV simply replace his own (that was -2)?

Being able to carry another piece while making that Trans-attack will be very cool. And using L/C to move past an enemy blockade to hit at the back of the group will be great.

I might have to reconsider Exp Spidey as a 5 smiley piece.

[SFBull]

Also with the event being played on the Sinister map the E Spidey could be used to put up barriers to lock in opposing teams while the rest of your team gets into position and it would allow you to push him to that nice second click.

[SFBull]

OK, question regarding Spidey / transporter / Copying SinSyn TA.

When making a Transporter Move & Attack action (aka: HSS-lite), he gets -2 to his AV.
How does that interact with the Sinister Syndicate TA, if he was using his own Wildcard TA to copy an Attack Value. Would it be -2 to the AV he's copying, or would the shared AV simply replace his own (that was -2)?

Being able to carry another piece while making that Trans-attack will be very cool. And using L/C to move past an enemy blockade to hit at the back of the group will be great.

I might have to reconsider Exp Spidey as a 5 smiley piece.

The figure he is carrying is considered off of the map until he ends his move action, so no copying from a carried character. This is just like being un able to use a carried character's enhancement or PC on a hypersonic 1 attack.

[Jason Blood]

I would have given every spider-man five stars

the rookie is so amazing for his cost and the exp has the barrier up front

[Jason Blood]

The figure he is carrying is considered off of the map until he ends his move action, so no copying from a carried character. This is just like being un able to use a carried character's enhancement or PC on a hypersonic 1 attack.
I'm pretty sure it works with charge and running shot though

right?

they have to end their movement, drop the figure, and then make the attack if I am correct

[Emberwild]

I think the transporter move and attack specifically say it can't be use if based with an opposing character. It doesn't make an exception if the character has L/C

[clixer11]

If E Spidey were adjacent to one of the many SinSyn characters as he makes his Trans Move/Attack, he would share the AV first then modify down for the TM/A.

Anyway, I don't recall his dial for his numbers, but I'm sure it's got to be helpful on some of his lower clicks.

JasonBlood, you have it correct.

[clixer11]

I think the transporter move and attack specifically say it can't be use if based with an opposing character. It doesn't make an exception if the character has L/C

That's correct, but it was never an issue in azs' review. He specifically mentioned the TM/A can not be done if E Spidey starts the action based by an opposing character.

[GameBrain]

As stated before, Spidey can't borrow AV from the SinSyd he's carrying during a move-and-attack. However, like HSS, if he pulls up next to a SinSyd at the time of the attack, he can use the higher AV and subtract 2 from that for the move-and-attack.

As always, insightful reviews azs.

[SFBull]

As stated before, Spidey can't borrow AV from the SinSyd he's carrying during a move-and-attack. However, like HSS, if he pulls up next to a SinSyd at the time of the attack, he can use the higher AV and subtract 2 from that for the move-and-attack.

As always, insightful reviews azs.


I completely agree on all points. What this basically means is that the best AV spidey can hope to achieve on a TM/A is an 8 as all SinSyd and wild cards sport a max 10 AV

[wonderboy]

OK, question regarding Spidey / transporter / Copying SinSyn TA.

When making a Transporter Move & Attack action (aka: HSS-lite), he gets -2 to his AV.
How does that interact with the Sinister Syndicate TA, if he was using his own Wildcard TA to copy an Attack Value. Would it be -2 to the AV he's copying, or would the shared AV simply replace his own (that was -2)?

Being able to carry another piece while making that Trans-attack will be very cool. And using L/C to move past an enemy blockade to hit at the back of the group will be great.

I might have to reconsider Exp Spidey as a 5 smiley piece.

Two things to keep in mind:

1. There's been reports that E Spidey's dial is not printed with the transporter symbol (it's a misprint). So depending on if the errata is in tact and how the judge rules this may be an issue between players/judges who peruse the forums vs players/judges who don't and expect the figure to be played as printed on the dial.

2. If Spidey carries someone during the transporter move/attack, then the passenger is not set down until the end of the movement. Therefore, if he was copying SinSyn and was carrying a teammate with SinSyn, then Spidey would not be able to take advantage of the shared attack value because they are not "adjacent" during the move. It's just like a flyer with HSS that carries a passenger.

Just wanted people to fully understand the rules on this issue. E Spidey is a complicated piece.

[olcottr]

That rocks that a couple of the best figs in the set are Uncommons.

[Invis-slayer]

Regardless of how the transporter works for pieces he is carrying....
What if at the end of his move Spidey is adjacent to a friendly Syndicate character [one that he is not transporting]. How will his AV be determined in that scenario?

[Wolverine_Hulk]

Great Review!

[wonderboy]

Regardless of how the transporter works for pieces he is carrying....
What if at the end of his move Spidey is adjacent to a friendly Syndicate character [one that he is not transporting]. How will his AV be determined in that scenario?

The general rule is "replace then modify". So when spidey stops moving, and is now ready to make the attack, the AV would be replaced first with the Syndicate chacter, then the AV is modified -2 because of the transporter move/attack ability.

So if he moves next to a SinSyn character with a 10 attack. He would replace his Attack Value with the 10 attack first, then modify that value -2 because of the transporter move/attack ability, making it an 8 attack.

[Gentlegamer]

Comment: it would probably be good to stop refering to Transporter move/attack as "HSS lite" since HSS option 1 is now a power action . . . the two abilities aren't as analogous as before in how they interact with other powers.

[SFBull]

Comment: it would probably be good to stop refering to Transporter move/attack as "HSS lite" since HSS option 1 is now a power action . . . the two abilities aren't as analogous as before in how they interact with other powers.


We could refer to it as TMA from now on, just watch how you enunciate the letters

[Emberwild]

That's correct, but it was never an issue in azs' review. He specifically mentioned the TM/A can not be done if E Spidey starts the action based by an opposing character.

It seemed to be a point of discussion because he has L/C which allows free break away.

[Spy Master]

remember that E Spidye can use transporter feat cards as well, that can make him nasty like Shake off and Double time. Both of which are incredible feats for transporters. Now of course the question is can you use double time and leap climb together , if you can then E spidey is a monster mover. I would think that by the wording of the L/C power you can use it with the double time feat card. heres to hoping they can be used together.

[clixer11]

Since Leap/Climb works while using a move action, it can be used in conjunction with TM/A. Double Time works with a move action also, so you can Leap/Climb with Double Time.

[Phantom]

Comment: it would probably be good to stop refering to Transporter move/attack as "HSS lite" since HSS option 1 is now a power action . . . the two abilities aren't as analogous as before in how they interact with other powers.
Yeah, but they still have the same effect. It's just that HSS has more limiters.

Transporter does have the advantage of full range during the movement, though.

[the itsy bit]

Spidey Rocks !!

I sure hope I pull at least 1 of them !!

[AUKOS]

love the abilities that the designs have given spidey. but, i can't stand the spidey sculpts of this set. look like they just came off the dance floor of a vegas review and armor spidey is still doing his pole slide.

:confused: i think if i look close enough i can still see the dollar bills sticking out of his g-string.

nice review as always,


AUKOS

[boneyard]

It's about time we get a decent REV of Spidey! And I'm totally psyched that it's the black-suit version!!

[AZS]

It's about time we get a decent REV of Spidey! And I'm totally psyched that it's the black-suit version!!I agree! This is one of (if not the) best versions to date.

I'm just hung up on the anachronism of the Black Suit Spidey being in the Avengers.

[Mr. Pilkington]

love the abilities that the designs have given spidey. but, i can't stand the spidey sculpts of this set. look like they just came off the dance floor of a vegas review and armor spidey is still doing his pole slide.

:confused: i think if i look close enough i can still see the dollar bills sticking out of his g-string.

nice review as always,


AUKOS

It will pair well with the clixbricks Venom as a parton of said establishment. :)

[Rurouni KJS]

I'm just hung up on the anachronism of the Black Suit Spidey being in the Avengers.

Don't be! Remember Spidey's been a reserve/honorary Avenger since before he even got the black suit!

[spiderman9797]

Wow... I didn't even know Spiderman was an Uncommon... I thought he was a rare. This makes me VERY VERY happy. Can't wait to see your opinion on the Uniques.

[zero_cochrane]

i think if i look close enough i can still see the dollar bills sticking out of his g-string.Getting old, that joke.

[Uniquist]

Yeah, but *this* joke's not old....in fact I just found it!

Check out Cramcompany's review of the poledancer......specifically look at the comparison picture.....hilarious.......

http://www.pojo.com/heroclix/COTD/2006/Apr/24.shtml

[Mr. Pilkington]

V Deathlok proved to be a very solid piece in the Battle Royal after the prerelease. I had him paired with an E Hydra Technician and the two worked very well together. After Deathlok took a couple of hits he added Enchancement to the Hydra goon, and the goon gave him a much needed attack boost thanks to its TA. I probably would have won the BR if I had either a) pushed Deathlok when he got to Willpower instead of clearing him (stupid mistake) or b) successfully rolled healing with the Hydra Technician (who only needed a 7 and tried twice). Overall Deathlok was a nice addition (the whole BR team was V Deathlok, E Hydra Technician, R Hydroman and U Stiltman). I'm not sure how he'd do when you had to pay his points, but he was solid when points weren't an object.