LukeCageH4H
03/02/2008, 04:50
My favourite thing to collect probably team-wise would have to be JSA I think. I once thought about just collecting JSA and Defenders because I could more easily trade off the really good stuff and there was less to get per set. Something that'd be really specific and defining, but I ofcourse didn't because I collect Heroclix for the minatures of my favourite comic book characters and all of those people aren't in the JSA/Defenders...a good amount are...but I could never overlook those who are not.
Anyways...I think as a team, the JSA are very underrated...a team you can't hit or who stays consistently challenging to hit will be effective against most strategies because it's just that simple. I love using them together too because more are just flat out fun. The sad part though is that defenses now are just ridiculous...in the recent Crisis set...it's like 18 means nothing...Robin for 35 points has a 19 defense from Range from a Superman (Stealth with Energy Shield/Deflection) which is just ridiculous...and that's just one using a power to get that high...most seem to have it naturally too! It's silly if you ask me...but anyways...these are my top choices...
Of what I use or have used mainly I'll put 6
1. Johnny Thunder LE (Origin)
2. Jakeem Thunder Unique (Origin)
3. Sandman Unique (Origin)
4. Crimson Avenger Unique (Collateral Damage)
5. Starman Unique (Origin)
6. Green Lantern Veteran (Origin)
I'll start off with Johnny
He's cheaper than Jakeem, is from the original JSA, has PC and can use Takedown for 2 clicks instead of 1 on the Jakeem. He has an activation click but I never minded.
He also keeps the required Offensive Powers like Running Shot and 8 Range 2 Target EE/Incap.
Jakeem, best used with Johnny in my opinion...is a must have if you like JSA
He has PC and 19 Defend (like you need it with JSA). He can hand out damage but you may not need to with him, only annoying part is that tempting push from 18 defense to 19 where you can no longer use Takedown, which works amazingly with any JSA you can fit it on, even if just for that 1 annoying click which if used right can be around for many turns and inflict much pushing damage.
When I use JSA, I usually use Johnny + Jakeem + Sandman, they just work so well together. Triple PC on a 18-19 (+1 to those in hindering)! And after you hit it the first time, you keep getting PC'ed as well as there's another guy who has it! It's really fun and cool to use. Sandman adds that PC, Stealth (for added protection) and the extra cool Willpower to be doing something of use on the front lines. The really fun part is putting that Takedown on him, he has 3 clicks of Incap and can use those high defenses. These 3 by themselves are great to have for support, but together can be pretty dirty with theme.
Crimson Avengers is another character that's great just to use on her own, but she adds the frontal assault. She has an amazing 6 click dial for 53 points and can use the JSA TA for those high defenses. If you're worried about not hitting Invuln/Imperv...she does it all 6 clicks then even goes into Regen! She starts out with Phasing to get around by herself if needed too. She's cheap and effective by herself but amazing on any JSA build so you can really pump her up.
Starman I must mention because for 106 points he's just a good figure. He's part of the original JSA which always scores him points in my books but he's a very good figure to use. He gets to fly, with 10 running shot, good damage and the real kicker is Energy Shield. He gets to have an extra 2 to that possible already 20 defense, while he hits you! He only has 1 click of Leadership but it's always worth it for just 1 click with the JSA...with characters that share defense...the point is not getting hit. But the really cool part is after he's hit he gets alot of Perplex after some RCE. So he hits for high damage from range, even if you're right beside him cause he flies, and then goes into supporting (and Barrier is there too after Energy Shield).
Last (and maybe least to some) is the 214 point Green Lantern. You only need 1 character per 150 points not so now you have 86 points to play with in 300 for theme with this guy. He's got that front 18 and alot of great stuff on him. 5 clicks of Running Shot (WITH 12 RANGE), 3 clicks of 10 followed by 2 clicks 9 attack, 2 of Invuln and great damage across the board pretty much (up to 5 actually). I used him in a huge sealed game with some wildcards and other JSA...the team was hard to touch and really annoying after a while. He's also a member of the original JSA which automatically puts him on my favourites list for clix.
Why are these clix so great though?
Because when you put them all together they become ridiculous sometimes. It seems like they're all above average and can do some cool stuff and would in theory be useful but when you start giving everyone crazy defense and the low defense character is delivering hard knocks but can't be hit back it gets extra crazy. They're the characters that you maybe could overlook when you first start building great Heroclix teams that are really effective. You see a bunch of characters that are good in theory but there's dirtier single clix and more obvious combos out there. But when you start putting them all together is when you get disgusting combos that aren't really cheese but are more just good teams with theme + are fun.
Honorable Mention
I faced a Star Girl today and she's got HSS, 18 defense and CCE for not the highest cost. She's tricky cause she doesn't look like she's gonna hit you as hard as she actually does...she's even got Super Strength.
Spectre can use the JSA TA and Regen back to the power that gives him it, plus he's Quintessence...so he keeps going.
Rookie Black Canary from Cosmic Justice. 21 points for a possible 20 defense in Hindering. I have nothing else to say about it. You can also put her in front of Johnny or Jakeem...so shes like a little blocker with crazy defense. She also starts with not the worst attack, 2 damage but that EE can come in handy sometimes. 21 points for up to 20 defense in hindering though...that just says it all.
REV Wildcat from Origin...awesome character...as a click he's not too expensive for heavy type damage with some Regen and it's just a too bad he can't share that 11 attack too.
Some of my favourite Combos
Johnny Thunder 109
Green Lantern 214
Jakeem Thunder 126
Sandman 59
Crimson Avenger 53
Starman 106
In 600 points you can use Johnny, Jakeem, GL, Starman & Sandman to get theme and have 39 points left to play with for feats like Takedown, Construct or whatever else you like to use...there's alot of powers to choose from and it comes down to personal preferance. The theme here is obviously Justice Society.
For Mystical you could put Crimson Avenger and Johnny Thunder with 138 points left (300) to find some effective wildcards with Mystical (not that hard) and feats.
For Golden Age JSA you can put Starman, GL, Johnny & Sandman together for a good mix of power and just enough left to give either Starman or GL a Contigency (or another different 12 points) in 500 and get theme. They're fun all together. Another Suggestion is making use of Mercenary for HT Flash or adding in a Hawkman (I like Carter Hall LE from HT...just because).
My favourite for 300 is still Johnny, Jakeem & Sandman (possible 4 PCs in 1 turn).
Some people also like Vet Shazam and Unique Stripe from Origin. Origin is very important if you like collecting JSA incase that wasn't already obvious.
That's it!
Anyways...I think as a team, the JSA are very underrated...a team you can't hit or who stays consistently challenging to hit will be effective against most strategies because it's just that simple. I love using them together too because more are just flat out fun. The sad part though is that defenses now are just ridiculous...in the recent Crisis set...it's like 18 means nothing...Robin for 35 points has a 19 defense from Range from a Superman (Stealth with Energy Shield/Deflection) which is just ridiculous...and that's just one using a power to get that high...most seem to have it naturally too! It's silly if you ask me...but anyways...these are my top choices...
Of what I use or have used mainly I'll put 6
1. Johnny Thunder LE (Origin)
2. Jakeem Thunder Unique (Origin)
3. Sandman Unique (Origin)
4. Crimson Avenger Unique (Collateral Damage)
5. Starman Unique (Origin)
6. Green Lantern Veteran (Origin)
I'll start off with Johnny
He's cheaper than Jakeem, is from the original JSA, has PC and can use Takedown for 2 clicks instead of 1 on the Jakeem. He has an activation click but I never minded.
He also keeps the required Offensive Powers like Running Shot and 8 Range 2 Target EE/Incap.
Jakeem, best used with Johnny in my opinion...is a must have if you like JSA
He has PC and 19 Defend (like you need it with JSA). He can hand out damage but you may not need to with him, only annoying part is that tempting push from 18 defense to 19 where you can no longer use Takedown, which works amazingly with any JSA you can fit it on, even if just for that 1 annoying click which if used right can be around for many turns and inflict much pushing damage.
When I use JSA, I usually use Johnny + Jakeem + Sandman, they just work so well together. Triple PC on a 18-19 (+1 to those in hindering)! And after you hit it the first time, you keep getting PC'ed as well as there's another guy who has it! It's really fun and cool to use. Sandman adds that PC, Stealth (for added protection) and the extra cool Willpower to be doing something of use on the front lines. The really fun part is putting that Takedown on him, he has 3 clicks of Incap and can use those high defenses. These 3 by themselves are great to have for support, but together can be pretty dirty with theme.
Crimson Avengers is another character that's great just to use on her own, but she adds the frontal assault. She has an amazing 6 click dial for 53 points and can use the JSA TA for those high defenses. If you're worried about not hitting Invuln/Imperv...she does it all 6 clicks then even goes into Regen! She starts out with Phasing to get around by herself if needed too. She's cheap and effective by herself but amazing on any JSA build so you can really pump her up.
Starman I must mention because for 106 points he's just a good figure. He's part of the original JSA which always scores him points in my books but he's a very good figure to use. He gets to fly, with 10 running shot, good damage and the real kicker is Energy Shield. He gets to have an extra 2 to that possible already 20 defense, while he hits you! He only has 1 click of Leadership but it's always worth it for just 1 click with the JSA...with characters that share defense...the point is not getting hit. But the really cool part is after he's hit he gets alot of Perplex after some RCE. So he hits for high damage from range, even if you're right beside him cause he flies, and then goes into supporting (and Barrier is there too after Energy Shield).
Last (and maybe least to some) is the 214 point Green Lantern. You only need 1 character per 150 points not so now you have 86 points to play with in 300 for theme with this guy. He's got that front 18 and alot of great stuff on him. 5 clicks of Running Shot (WITH 12 RANGE), 3 clicks of 10 followed by 2 clicks 9 attack, 2 of Invuln and great damage across the board pretty much (up to 5 actually). I used him in a huge sealed game with some wildcards and other JSA...the team was hard to touch and really annoying after a while. He's also a member of the original JSA which automatically puts him on my favourites list for clix.
Why are these clix so great though?
Because when you put them all together they become ridiculous sometimes. It seems like they're all above average and can do some cool stuff and would in theory be useful but when you start giving everyone crazy defense and the low defense character is delivering hard knocks but can't be hit back it gets extra crazy. They're the characters that you maybe could overlook when you first start building great Heroclix teams that are really effective. You see a bunch of characters that are good in theory but there's dirtier single clix and more obvious combos out there. But when you start putting them all together is when you get disgusting combos that aren't really cheese but are more just good teams with theme + are fun.
Honorable Mention
I faced a Star Girl today and she's got HSS, 18 defense and CCE for not the highest cost. She's tricky cause she doesn't look like she's gonna hit you as hard as she actually does...she's even got Super Strength.
Spectre can use the JSA TA and Regen back to the power that gives him it, plus he's Quintessence...so he keeps going.
Rookie Black Canary from Cosmic Justice. 21 points for a possible 20 defense in Hindering. I have nothing else to say about it. You can also put her in front of Johnny or Jakeem...so shes like a little blocker with crazy defense. She also starts with not the worst attack, 2 damage but that EE can come in handy sometimes. 21 points for up to 20 defense in hindering though...that just says it all.
REV Wildcat from Origin...awesome character...as a click he's not too expensive for heavy type damage with some Regen and it's just a too bad he can't share that 11 attack too.
Some of my favourite Combos
Johnny Thunder 109
Green Lantern 214
Jakeem Thunder 126
Sandman 59
Crimson Avenger 53
Starman 106
In 600 points you can use Johnny, Jakeem, GL, Starman & Sandman to get theme and have 39 points left to play with for feats like Takedown, Construct or whatever else you like to use...there's alot of powers to choose from and it comes down to personal preferance. The theme here is obviously Justice Society.
For Mystical you could put Crimson Avenger and Johnny Thunder with 138 points left (300) to find some effective wildcards with Mystical (not that hard) and feats.
For Golden Age JSA you can put Starman, GL, Johnny & Sandman together for a good mix of power and just enough left to give either Starman or GL a Contigency (or another different 12 points) in 500 and get theme. They're fun all together. Another Suggestion is making use of Mercenary for HT Flash or adding in a Hawkman (I like Carter Hall LE from HT...just because).
My favourite for 300 is still Johnny, Jakeem & Sandman (possible 4 PCs in 1 turn).
Some people also like Vet Shazam and Unique Stripe from Origin. Origin is very important if you like collecting JSA incase that wasn't already obvious.
That's it!