COMIC ACCURATE: The Frightful Four

[Dr. Morbius]

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=669&pictureid=7799

featuring...
The Frightful Four
Happy be-lated new year fellow clixers!!! Join me today as I try to give you some possible lineups of the Fantastic Four's old rivals THE FRIGHTFUL FOUR!
Who are those evil foes? What's so frightful about them? Who's Medusa's hairdresser and why is Klaw named Klaw and not...lampshade for instance?
I have no idea!! But if you want to know what you need to play them in 300 or 400 point games...click on Full Story!

[Dr. Morbius]

This infamous quattro has seen different incarnations throughout the years, but the most prominent and first assembly consisted of Spider-Man foe THE SANDMAN,
inhuman queen MEDUSA, The Trapster then known as PASTE POT PETE and their leader the WIZARD.
You can see them giving the FF a hard time in Fantastic Four Vol.1, #36:

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=669&pictureid=7844

transfered to 300 points of Heroclix figures the team could look like this:

sn027 V Wizard
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 8 :bolt:
Points: 93
Keywords: Frightful Four, Scientist
m-winga-fistd-normalg-starburst891727916268152671516715157141KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

ct095 U Medusa
Team: Fantastic Four
Range: 2 :bolt::bolt:
Points: 57
Keywords: Fantastic Four, Frightful Four, Inhumans, Ruler
m-boota-fistd-normalg-starburst691526814258142571314712146111KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

sn013 R Paste Pot Pete
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 6 :bolt:
Points: 36
Keywords: Frightful Four, Scientist
m-boota-fistd-normalg-starburst78162781526715167141KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

ct065 E Sandman
Team: Sinister Syndicate
Range: 2 :bolt:
Points: 79
Keywords: Frightful Four, Sinister Syndicate
m-boota-fistd-starburstg-starburst89153891537814278142671326713156121KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

Trickshot - 20 points - on Sandman
Stunning BLow - 10 points - on Medusa

So for 300 points you bring more figures to the table than you have actions, while having a keyword-themed team at the same time ("Frightful Four").


With good villains being hard to find and busy with their own plans of world domination and shop-lifting the Wizard had to find three other comrades to hang out with in the pages of Fantastic Four Vol.1, #326. He persuaded TITANIA, KLAW and the watery HYDRO MAN to help him get revenge:

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=669&pictureid=7845

Let's see how those four could look like in a 400 points battle:

sn027 V Wizard
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 8 :bolt:
Points: 93
Keywords: Frightful Four, Scientist
m-winga-fistd-normalg-starburst891727916268152671516715157141KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

sn012 V Hydro Man
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 4 :bolt:
Points: 72
Keywords: Frightful Four, Masters of Evil, Sinister Syndicate
m-dolphina-fistd-normalg-starburst9917389162781626815267151671417714186131KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

ct093 U Titania
Team: Master of Evil
Range: 0 :bolt:
Points: 85
Keywords: Brute, Femizons, Frightful Four, Masters of Evil
m-boota-fistd-normalg-starburst81015479153791436814368132571325712146121KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

ic114 V Klaw
Team: Master of Evil
Range: 10 :bolt:
Points: 90
Keywords: Frightful Four, Masters of Evil
m-boota-fistd-normalg-starburst81116271116271016161016169161591614815148131KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO


Trick Shot - 20 points - on Hydro Man
Stunning Blow - 10 points - on Klaw
Shellhead - 10 points - on Titania
Haymaker - 10 points - on Titania

only two issues later Klaw was replaced by Dragon Man...which offers yet another possible comic accurate approach at the Frightful Four.
Any other suggestions?
Be back in two weeks for more...

[Quebbster]

For the second team, I'd seriously consider ignoring keywords - E Hydro-Man's Defend can really help his teammates out. It probably works better as a 300 point team though:
U Titania 85
E Wizard 74
E Klaw 74
E Hydro-Man 57
equals 290 points - Shellhead on Titania would be a good way to round htings out, then she can have a 19 Defense most of the time.

[Ringer]

the first team looks like fun to me. but i think that trick shot on sandman is a bit of a waste. i would consider dropping it for entangle on him. i find this adds greatly to his survivability. since AVs stink for these guys, vendetta on sandman and wizard would be good ideas as well. turn those 9s into 10s.

[jak7890]

Hmm... I would much rather have the trickshot in your second team on Klaw than on Hydroman since Klaw could actually be pretty effective with it. You could put the stunning blow on Hydro but I'd rather just get rid of it; I'd also get rid of Haymaker since Titania's attack values really can't support it. I know it's kind of cheesy but from a purely game-play perspective I'd throw ICwO on there just because this team really seems to need the help.

Anyway, my $0.02!

[theboywholived]

Trick shot on Sandman?? Why?

[charlesdward]

V Wizard- 93
V Deadpool - 85
E Constrictor - 45
V Taskmaster - 75
Infiltrate on Deadpool or Taskmaster for 300 points.

Fun version from a Deadpool issue (can't remember the one atm), where Wizard runs these guys through a recruitment test. A single issue thing, but amusing enough to make me want to paint them up in yellow costumes...
Constrictor: We look like ducks.
Deadpool: Yes, but ducks with guns!

[mr-coffin]

The Frightful Four are my favorite villainous team and i see why you didn't use V Sandman since you want to use keywords but if you're trying to be that accurate why would you use V wizard for a 60's appearance of the FrF? It should be his Rookie or his Experienced at best. The founding members add up to 205 points and probably should only be played if your venue does special point value tournaments like 205-225. If you want to use any versions of the original team in a 300 point game I think you should upgrade PPP to V Trapster and maybe use the 12 points left for Vendetta on Wizard and Nanoarmor on Sandman.

As for the second team you have 50 points of feats in a 400 point game. Again I think that team is best player in a 325-350 point game with E Klaw to share the MoE TA and with Trickshot (if its 350). If you have to do 400 you need to replace him with Dragon Man (maybe with nanobots and shellhead?)

[anonym0use]

I love the Frightful Four, but there's just no way any 300 point version of them could take down a 300 point version of SI FF. So I guess it's comic accurate, and yet imbalanced game design.

I've always wanted to put Pounce on E Trapster for a fast way to activate his Perplex. I just imagine the funny visual.

Bam! What hit me? What was that?


Was that the Trapster?

[Manchine]

This is one group that needs an update really bad.

[dariusq]

I love the Frightful Four, but there's just no way any 300 point version of them could take down a 300 point version of SI FF. So I guess it's comic accurate, and yet imbalanced game design.


A sign of the times. Try putting them up against the E F4 from CT and it's a lot more balanced. They're still losers though.

[logan213]

I think that one of the fun aspects of playing a team like this, which can be easily outmatched, is the challenge of playing the team creatively. How might you play these guys in a way that baffles your FF opponent? Odds are you are going to lose, but if I couldn't have a lot of fun while losing, I probably wouldn't still be playing HC 8 years after I started :)
Challenge yourself to play as a loser team, if for no other reason than to brag about that one good hit you land on MR Fantastic with Paste Pot Pete! I for one am Loving this series of articles. Thanks Dr Morbius! Rep headed your way.

[anonym0use]

A sign of the times. Try putting them up against the E F4 from CT and it's a lot more balanced. They're still losers though.

Oh I hear ya. It's just sad that set with so many playable characters (Sinister) produced a few duds that I *want* to play, but can't bring myself to.

[Pepsirox08]

V Wizard- 93
V Deadpool - 85
E Constrictor - 45
V Taskmaster - 75
Infiltrate on Deadpool or Taskmaster for 300 points.

Fun version from a Deadpool issue (can't remember the one atm), where Wizard runs these guys through a recruitment test. A single issue thing, but amusing enough to make me want to paint them up in yellow costumes...
Constrictor: We look like ducks.
Deadpool: Yes, but ducks with guns!

always looking for deadpool teams!! ill write this one down! ducks with guns! love it!!!

[Surfer13]

You have 50 points of feats on the 400 point team, which is illegal.

I guess the big question, though, is "why bother"? They lose against the SI FF, they lose against the Ultimate FF, and I don't think that I would even bet on them up against the CT FF.

But trick shot on Sandman? Really? Spend 20 points for this feat on a character with a range of 2?

[Battletank900]

This is one group that needs an update really bad.

Agreed. I like comic accurate just as much as the next guy but cannot bring myself to play any of these in a competitive game (which are all for me). You need a chance to compete...not just be fulfilled with delivering one unexpected shot.

[Boozehound]

Really found the selection for feats to be ineffective in my opinon for both teams. For the first team I would upgrade Paste Pot Pete To E Trapster, since the team signifacntly needs to bring out more ranged capabilities. I would scrap Trick Shot and Stunning Blow for Entangle on Sandman and Construct on Trapster. Trapster's now 6 range can now me beneficial in setting up barriers to trap targets to face off against Medusa and Sandman. While The Wizard TKs his teams around for positioning.

V Wizard
U Medusa
E Sandman +Entangle
E Trapster + Construct

=299

Team two you're overpoints for feats. Simply scrap the Stunning Blow and it should keep your points at 40. I believe in issue 548 this line-up was the Frightful Five including Trapster/Paste Pot Pete. So I would downgrade Klaw to E, scrap Haymaker/Shellhead and put in Rookie Paste Pot Pete as an additional character to act as a tie up for 36 points.

V Wizard
U Titania +Shellhead/Haymaker
R Paste Pot Pete
E Klaw +Trick Shot
V Hydroman

=400

[adam1der]

One of my fav and potentially most powerful Frightful Four version would be: The Wingless Wizard, The Trapster, Sandman and Electro!!
This version of the FF went after Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. :cool:

[SevenBlueSeven]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Dr. Morbius again. :disappointed: *sigh*

Another fun write up.

Not exactly a competitive team. But something definitely worth playing for fun with friends in a comic accurate environment.

These pieces also prove that we need many new updates to older characters.

[I Am The Game]

No mention of the Exp Wizard over the Vet when trimming for points. Is his Outwit that beneficial to the team? If he moves up close enough to use Outwit or Mind Control, he'll be taken down shortly after unless the other team has no mobility whatsoever. If he sits back out of harm's way, you're spending a lot of points for just TK. The Exp Wizard can just sit back and be a support piece.

[CheeseWiz]

For the second team, I'd seriously consider ignoring keywords - E Hydro-Man's Defend can really help his teammates out. It probably works better as a 300 point team though:
U Titania 85
E Wizard 74
E Klaw 74
E Hydro-Man 57
equals 290 points - Shellhead on Titania would be a good way to round htings out, then she can have a 19 Defense most of the time.

I was going to say the EXACT same thing. E Hydroman would be the better way to go in 300 pt build. Sometimes it's just better to drop keywords.

A great article and a great point. Rep on both your houses!

[Quebbster]

V Wizard- 93
V Deadpool - 85
E Constrictor - 45
V Taskmaster - 75
Infiltrate on Deadpool or Taskmaster for 300 points.

Fun version from a Deadpool issue (can't remember the one atm), where Wizard runs these guys through a recruitment test. A single issue thing, but amusing enough to make me want to paint them up in yellow costumes...
Constrictor: We look like ducks.
Deadpool: Yes, but ducks with guns!
This lineup can be done with keywords:
V Wizard 93
R Deadpool 65
LE Frank Schlichting 63
E Taskmaster 58
equals 279 points, leaving some room for feats.
Not a team you'll play if you want to win though.
(BTW: I totally agree that E Wizard is the best one of the REV. But in this case the V was really the only way to fill out the team properly)

[Arsenalroy2k]

Even if you don't bother with the awful keywords when trying to build a Frightful Four team, there's eight incarnations of the group that can be made. The biggest hurdle though, is that your teams will be 300 or 400 points. Here's the 300 point teams:

Fantastic Four #36
V Trapster
V Sandman
E Wizard
Medusa w/ Alias

Fantastic Four #326
R Hydro-Man
E Wizard
Titania
V Klaw

Fantastic Four Unlimited #5
She-Thing w/ Unstoppable
V Klaw w/ Trick Shot
E Wizard
Red Ghost

Deadpool #35
V Deadpool w/ Running Start
V Taskmaster w/ Running Start
V Constrictor
E Wizard

The biggest problem with those teams is that you don't have anything in the way of defenses. One good hit and Klaw, Medusa, Constrictor and Trapster are worthless.

But ideally, you want your Frightful Four to be playing the Fantastic Four, which means you need 400 point teams. And here those are:

Fantastic Four #218
V Electro (Sin) w/ Trick Shot
V Spider-Man (CM) w/ Alias
V Sandman w/ Entangle
V Wizard

Fantastic Four #328
V Hydro Man w/ Takedown
Titania w/ Unstoppable
V Wizard w/ Protected
Dragon Man

Incredible Hulk #418
V Absorbing Man (CM) w/ Lunge & Unstoppable
Living Laser w/ Trick Shot
V Mr. Hyde w/ Unstoppable
V Wizard

Fantastic Four: The World's Greatest Comic Magazine #10
V Wizard w/ Alias
V Blastaar
V Sandman
V Trapster

Sadly, I would put more money on the Fantastic Four winning in these confrontations than their evil counterparts. Even if they aren't using LE Sue and the FF ATA. And you could probably also make the Frightful Five from McDuffie's run a little while back at 400 points, but that won't be much different.

[charlesdward]

This lineup can be done with keywords:
V Wizard 93
R Deadpool 65
LE Frank Schlichting 63
E Taskmaster 58
equals 279 points, leaving some room for feats.
Not a team you'll play if you want to win though.
(BTW: I totally agree that E Wizard is the best one of the REV. But in this case the V was really the only way to fill out the team properly)

Nice. I actually really like the Frank S. LE and E Wizard too, but my build was based on what I actually own, which is to say only those versions of those guys. Someday, though... :)
But building on what you have here, I'd go with Auto-Regen and Retaliation on Deadpool and maybe Inside Information on either Deadpool or Taskmaster, since Martial Artist seems to be the most likely common keyword here.

[Silver Lantern]

A good one that keeps theme and makes use of wildcards is:

E Taskmaster 58
She-thing 50
E Klaw 70
Titania 85

You can round it out with Paste Pot Pete or feats.

[Quebbster]

A good one that keeps theme and makes use of wildcards is:

E Taskmaster 58
She-thing 50
E Klaw 70
Titania 85

You can round it out with Paste Pot Pete or feats.

If we're just talking keyword, my favorite lineup is probably:
E Wizard 74
E Klaw 74
R Deadpool 65
She-Thing 50
Paste-Pot Pete 36
for 299 points.

[CornsilkSW]

V Wizard- 93
V Deadpool - 85
E Constrictor - 45
V Taskmaster - 75
Infiltrate on Deadpool or Taskmaster for 300 points.

Fun version from a Deadpool issue (can't remember the one atm), where Wizard runs these guys through a recruitment test. A single issue thing, but amusing enough to make me want to paint them up in yellow costumes...
Constrictor: We look like ducks.
Deadpool: Yes, but ducks with guns!

I'm working on mods of these three in the yellow suits just so I can build this.

Deadpool needs a Pistol Whippin' Poolman! power to really get the comic-accurate feel.

[Deadpool2449]

V Wizard- 93
V Deadpool - 85
E Constrictor - 45
V Taskmaster - 75
Infiltrate on Deadpool or Taskmaster for 300 points.

Fun version from a Deadpool issue (can't remember the one atm), where Wizard runs these guys through a recruitment test. A single issue thing, but amusing enough to make me want to paint them up in yellow costumes...
Constrictor: We look like ducks.
Deadpool: Yes, but ducks with guns!

i use a version of this team for the pass year in games,
E wizard 74
V deadpool 85
V Constricter 56 w/ stunning blow 10
V taskmaster 75

300 exactly sadly no room for auto regen and no keywords

surprisingly its won me some games, tk constricter w/ stunning blow equip out there, and using wizards, deadpool and taskmaster perplex's, he can be a pretty effective threat/tie up peice. then pick apart at range with DP and task. keep the wizard out of the frey for the tk reserve. a truly fun team, win or loose

[admironheart]

What about the BRUTE!!!???

The Evil Reed Richards of Counter Earth. Last month I finally repainted Ace as the Brute. Now I need an appropiate dial for him

Needs some Perplex/Shape Change, Super Strength, Invulnerability, etc.

Any Ideas on a dial. So far I only am thinking of Blockbuster.????

later

wes