The Trophy Room: Arthur Curry

[ol_Dut]

ol_Dut's LE Review: Arthur Curry
by Justin Dekker

http://www.hcrealms.com/gallery/data/500/aquastarro.jpg
Arthur show us how not to eat sushi.


Completionists everywhere were stunned this week when WizKids unveiled the Judge Rewards for those who presided over this summer’s Galactus and Starro events. This is good news for the Judges, but extremely bad news for all other players and collectors who will doubtlessly face no little amount of difficulty in finding them for trade, and those looking to buy them will be forced to eat Ramen (or worse) for months in order to afford them. But before we fly off all willy-nilly in mad pursuit of these figures, let’s pause a moment and figure out if we should chase them. Click in “Read More” as we examine Arthur Curry!

[ol_Dut]

Here’s what Arthur Curry looked like the last time we saw him:

#101 R Aquaman
Team: JLA
Range: 0 :bolt:
Points: 70
Keywords: Atlanis, Justice League of America, Ruler
m-dolphina-normald-normalg-normal810163891636916368162781527815388143KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO
:m-dolphin: - Surge: Aquaman can use Charge. When Aquaman occupies water terrain, modify his speed value by +2.
:d-normal: - King of the Seven Seas: When Aquaman occupies water terrain, he can use Invulnerability. When Aquaman does not occupy water terrain, he can use Toughness.


After a quick redo, here’s the new Arthur Curry:

#105 E Arthur Curry
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 0 :bolt:
Points: 70
Keywords: Atlantis, Justice League of America, Ruler
m-dolphina-normald-normalg-normal810163891638915378152781526814268142KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO
:d-normal: - King of the Seven Seas: When Arthur Curry occupies water terrain, he can use Invulnerability. When he does not occupy water terrain, he can use Toughness.
:g-starburst: - Aquatic Rejuvenation: When Arthur Curry occupies water terrain, he can use Close Combat Expert and Regeneration.

LE Arthur Curry’s Gains vs. LE Aquaman
Leading things off, Arthur picks up three clicks of Charge and two of Plasticity. The Charge opens his dial, giving him a way to get into battle faster than a great white shark with an attitude problem. The late dial Plasticity keeps foes in place for a late-dial, fish-style beat-down. One extra click of Super Strength helps Artie sling a little more damage a bit further into his dial. Defensively, Fishface’s Toughness lasts for two more clicks so that he can reliably reduce damage for the entire length of his dial. Because keep in mind that “King of the Seven Seas” provides him with Invulnerability when in water, and Toughness when he’s kickin’ it land-lubber style. Last, but certainly not least, "Aquatic Rejuvenation" is the final addition to Artie’s dial. Equal parts offensive power and defensive might, it gives him use of both Close Combat Expert and Regeneration.

LE Arthur Curry’s Losses vs. LE Aquaman
Most obviously, Aquaman’s JLA Team Ability is now in Davy Jones’ Locker. “Surge” is down there, too, to keep it company. Two clicks of 16 defense also get submarined, and two clicks of Combat Reflexes sink with them. Finally, two clicks of three damage wind up sleeping with Luca Brazi (and the fishes).

Neutral Dial Tinkering
Nothing fishy going on here; everything is either a straightforward plus or minus as far as Arthur is concerned.

If ol_Dut had to Choose?
For the most part, these figures are very similar. Lacking Aqua’s “Surge”, Artie has Charge. They have similar amounts of Super Strength, and both posses the “KotSS” special power to boost their defensive capabilities a bit. The real difference makers here are two powers, but one in particular. Aquatic Rejuvenation sets Artie above Aqua, without question. Chances are, if one is contemplating fielding either of these figures, having some amount of water terrain on the map is a must. Barring that, Atlantis Rising must be in play. Without a decent map or that BFC, both of these figures are operating at a huge disadvantage. Assuming an optimal amount of water terrain exists, the real question becomes who benefits most from the water. And the answer, of course, is Arthur Curry. “Aqautic Reju-ve” lets him heal like a starfish or sting like a, um, stingray. While the Plasticity may seem like an afterthought or a throw-away power, consider the fun it creates when it overlaps “AR”. Anyone who bases Artie at this point in his dial is going to have a very hard time breaking away while Artie goes after them with the ferocity of a pair of electric eels stuck in your swim trunks. Those who perhaps wisely avoid Mr. Curry at this point simply afford him the chance to Regen in peace. To that end, outfit him with Submerged to prevent unfortunate pot-shots at this, or any other point in his dial. Overall, the good news here is that Arthur Curry is a great figure, and would always be my choice between the two. The bad news is, if you’re not a judge, you’ve got your work cut out for you in tracking one down – and realistically the vast majority of players won’t have access to him. It’s a shame that such a playable and entertaining figure is so hard to get. But in a way, I guess, it’s oddly appropriate that in this 5th Anniversary year of HeroClix, we again have an Arthur Curry LE whose price is off the charts. Remember that old Hypertime chestnut? He was pretty cool, too.

That’s all for this week! Next week, we’ll wrap up the Starro Slaves and then move on to the Heralds. Thanks for reading!

[Hadez]

Great review; shame about the figure, tho :(

[ZZZ]

Oh, sure...just stir up the pot a little bit more ;)

Nice review and I agree, though the difference between the 2 isn't so great that the original Starro Aquaman is unthinkable. Both have their place.

[Garthon]

As a player, it's nice to see that the judges prizes are different, but not so much better that I feel the need to pawn my TV and buy them off of ebay. ;)

[phantalien]

I like the article and definitely understand the point of using arthur curry. Since his availability is so limited I would have chosen another clix to compare.

[anonym0use]

I really like the Slave I have access to as a non-judge.

He makes a decent brick - even out of the water - able to charge in with a 10 attack and (holding an object) smack someone for 5 to 6 damage... not bad at all. What I especially like is his rear dial 3 damage CR clicks - I know I was frustrated to knock around an opponents Aquaman during the Starro Tournaments and having to deal with a 17 defense up close.

[epalicki]

He'd be a great piece to play with alongside his more common counterpart and the JL sword of atlantis version from the boosters.

Shame that it's pie in the sky at the moment.

[lancelot]

As a player, it's nice to see that the judges prizes are different, but not so much better that I feel the need to pawn my TV and buy them off of ebay. ;)
Just throw a Starro and a Supernova Zombie or 2 a judge's way and you'll get all 8.

I know I did :p

[earinfection]

Thank you, WK for continously reminding me why I will never try to collect a whole set again!! Thought I was clever just going for REV until AW.. SR, Chase, Judges prizes..


Modding- Its cheaper!!!


Great article!! Orm's bro has always been treated like a 3rd stringer! He not only can TALK to water creatures, he can get them to do what he WANTS!!! Besides, all the girls love the Sea-man!

:p

[Badgerbite]

Oh Boy! Salt to rub into the cuts while they're still nice and fresh, I can't wait for more info on these figures! :rolleyes:

But thank you for the review it is good.

[zen007]

Ummmm....... I have Arthur Curry!!!!!!

[Surfer13]

I know this may not be much comfort, but when he starts comparing heralds the story will be a little different. Tyros is pretty bad.

Otherwise, I think the differences may be a litte exaggerated. Arthur may get better damage at the end, but Aquaman has better defense against close combat, and don't forget Aquaman has a natural 3, as opposed to Arthur's outwittable 2 with a special power.

In fairness, I am a judge and did get my Slaves (but no Heralds, as I didn't have a venue until after that was done), but for what it's worth, I would trade my set of "superior" Starro slaves for a set of "inferior" Heralds of Galactus if given the chance.

[eric94087]

I actually like the old Slave Aquaman better than the Judge version. Regen at the end is nice and all, but it just never seems to work out for me. With his Defense that low at that point, he seems like an easy KO to me (though the Toughness and Plasticity help slightly). I'd much rather have the old Starro slave's extra click of Surge, and higher Defense and Damage values.

[Miraclo]

A good comparison, as ever, Ol' Dut. Rep for the piece.

Always a fan of options, it's unfortunate this one's being handled as it is... but I've had my say on that in other threads.

[The Werle]

Good review, though I have to disagree on the conclusions. I think that the upfront utility of Surge and the natural 3 damage at the tail end of the normal Aquamans dial will ultimately be more reliable and useful than regen/CCE. Those powers are so often limited by conditions and situation already, but having them as a special power that prevents the use of Auto Regen makes me twice as doubtful they'll work. Couple that with the fact that I'd rather have Combat Reflexes and avoid a hit entirely than hope that a 14DV with toughness would hold out any day of the week.

[Cliffjumper]

I cant believe Im going to admit this...but the SOS Aquaman was my favorite out of the Slaves and the Arthur Curry will be no different from this set.

[1clickbraindmg]

I love and respect you, ol_Dut.

(Be that as it may, it's "completist," not "completionist.")

We now return you to your otherwise exceptional review.

[theanalogkid]

Great review.

[Grinner]

It looks like a draw between the two figures to me, depending mostly upon your play style.

Aquaman has an extra click of move & attack, which in and of itself will be enough for many people to pick him over Arthur. And Regen is great when you can make the roll, but most of the folks I play with don't use it because they never make the rolls.

[spider_ham]

I do like the variant dials for all the Starro slaves (my fav is Barry Allen/Flash with the PD TA). I'm also glad that I can use HCOnline to play the figures, as I won't be spending $100+ per fig on another "Zombie" chase.

[IceHot]

I think the Surge is much better then the Charge. But I like the flavor of the Exclusive figure, If you wnat to heal up you have to get him to water.

The image of Superman carrying him safely to a pool of water is what makes the difference for me.

[Sigdr]

the old Arthur Curry LE still > the new Arthur Curry LE for me. And since keywords for older sets will presumably be released soon, there'll really be no reason for me to hunt down the new one.

But hey, good writeup nonetheless: :)

[THECIMMERIAN]

Sweet review. I really like the toughness all the way to the end instead of combat reflexes, and the aqua regen is really sweet. I'm not a judge, so I didn't get this piece, but I might try to get him if he goes for an ok price.

I have not seen the other jude variants, so I don't know about them, but I'm glad to see the judges get these pieces. As far as Arthur goes he's not really that different from the one players got. Judges deserve something good for their efforts and this particular piece is not so good or so different that it burns us players who didn't get them. Like I said I don't know about the other pieces, but this one is just a little step above the other. If I don't ever get him then that's cool, and if I do then great. I'm not gonna pay an arm and a leg either way.

[Tylk]

Well, plus 2 clicks of Regen and minus one click of Charge is not going to be worth $50+ imo.

Granted that ignoring dollar values, Curried starfish is the figure to get though.