The Range Game

[CheeseWiz]

The Range Game
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The only way to heat a Hot Pocket

Range has always played a dominant role in Heroclix, and is crucial to any successful team build. If you want to go the distance, then step inside and let's get back to basics!

[CheeseWiz]

While it is true that close combat pieces and strategies are getting better and more powerful, blasting away at an opposing force before they have a chance to retaliate will quickly wipe your opponent’s team off the board. Range has been a key strategy in WW winning teams, such as shooting arrows with Hawkeye, or sniping with Winter Soldier perched up on the Galactus Rooftop map. So, let’s look at some elements that are integral to a great ranged-based strategy.

Shoot Her! Shoot Her!
Basic Strategies:

-Maintain Range You should always have at least one character per force with the ability to make ranged attacks. Don’t find yourself unable to hit that perched rooftop sniper that’s blocking the only stairs up to the building.

-Keep that character open This character should be at the rear of your force, free to fire away. Don't let Mandarin, with his 12 range, run out and base the opposition. He will be about 10 rings short of a miracle to stay alive.

-Running shot Will add to your printed range and give you better battlefield maneuverability. However, often overlooked is that you can Running Shot AWAY from an opponent.

-TK is an obvious one, but too often, you can over-extend yourself and become vulnerable to counter-attack. Sometimes it is better to Running shot or HSS out, and then use TK to reel yourself back in.

-Perplex, again an obvious one, but sometimes overlooked in favor of bumping Defense. If your opponent can only hit from 8 squares away, why not park 9 away and be free of retaliation completely? Even better is the look on your opponent’s face when you perplex a 0 range character to hit someone one square away up on a tall building.

-Shield TA With the change to the Shield TA, it is not uncommon to see Pharzoof and his Parademon friends absconding Shield TA bases in order to let Darkseid hit from 15 squares away or Omega Effect from 8. Take THAT Batman.
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-Enhancement This power will greatly increase the sheer amount of damaged dished and served. Just one enhancer can benefit every ranged attack; particularly that of Duo’s.

-Dealing with Stealth Nothing will epic-fail more spectacularly than a weak ranged-based team that find themselves in the dark. Superman/Ultimate's aren’t hindered by this, and neither are a growing number of new characters like Captain America and Dr. Strange. Make sure you can actually SEE something to hit.

What? Who just threw that at me?
Unexpected Range:

-Throwing Objects Characters with SS strength and 0 range, can still be a threat from a distance. Light objects can be thrown 8 squares, heavy 6.

-Running Shot and Throwing Objects Use a character with Running Shot and Super strength to scoop up and object and chuck it at someone. This is especially devious when the printed value of the character is only 6, and you chuck a light object at someone 8 squares away; or your printed base damage is 2 and you chuck a heavy object or a Soda Machine to attack that character who thought was safe sporting Invulnerability.

-TK Objects Objects have yet another great way to throw a wrench into the works. There are many characters with a printed range less than that of their ability to move objects around the board.

In other words, objects are great for more than just close combat blunt-force trauma.

-Mind Control Is overlooked in general. But, one aspect of MC that shouldn’t be overlooked is that a character with a printed range of 0 can reach out and telepathically touch someone up to 4 squares away. Though this has been around forever, it still catches people off-guard. I heart Controller.

Close Combat Characters that Are Going To Surprise You:

-Secret Invasion Arachne with 0 printed range: pack stunning blow on her, and watch her psi-webs Incap 8 squares away, and dish out damage.

-Heimdall. He ignores stealth and can throw objects. Even though he has a printed range of 0, he can still target Batman with a light object 8 squares away. Like other bruisers with an 8 movement, he can throw objects further away than he can charge in. That too might take someone off guard.

-MM Colossus. Not only can Colossus fastball special annoying Canadians, he can also chuck objects--that aren’t even adjacent to him. Not very comic accurate, but kinda funny.

Stretching this just a bit further . . .
Other ways to get the most from range:

Special Abilities
-Sharpshooter. This ability pretty much speaks for itself. However, worth mentioning is the Elite Sniper Feat that will mimic this ability. Personally, I’m looking forward to a character with Sharpshooter and Pulsewave.
-Giant Characters with range. a nice way to see over the battlefield and select your targets. Legacy Steel is a nice piece to use this with (just remember that it goes both ways).

Feats
-Extended Range. Any figure that isn't relying on raw damage to make a attack can really get use out of this feat. Plus, it should really catch your opponent off guard.
-Cont. Plan. Yes. This one again.
-Ambidextrous. I got two guns. One for each of you.
-Trickshot. I can see you.
-Coordination. The poor man’s ‘I can see you‘.

Special Object
-The Kinetic Accelerator can give you that extra reach for those hard to reach spots.

Maps
Packing a 24 range is nothing if you are forced into close-quarters on the wrong field of battle. The best wide-open maps are the Arena and Galactus roof-top maps. However, if your venue allows it, you can’t go wrong with Hoth on the backside of the AW lab map. If you are forced to play on a map with lots of walls and blocking terrain, just start blowing holes in things.

Putting this all together, it should be fairly easy to see why range is so dominating in this game. A slow moving brick is just going to get shredded against a strong, mobile ranged attacker. Take FF V Hawkeye for example.
ff012 V Hawkeye
Team: Avengers
Range: 10 :bolt::bolt::bolt:
Points: 84
Keywords: Avengers, Thunderbolts
m-transport-winga-fistd-normalg-starburst101116381015289152891428814268132KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOThis figure, with a weak 16 defense and short dial, can hardly be said to be cheese. But at one point was one of the most competitive pieces in the game. His 10 range running shot is nice, but where he really works it is with the Move and Attack ability. Unlike poor Superman, M&A pieces don’t suffer the -½ replacement value to range. Plus, Hawkeye’s RCE and Avengers TA allowed feat stacking with Trickshot and Thunderbolts. Hawkeye could stay in a sheltered, distant map location, M&A out to hit nearly any character and then retreat back to safety. With his pit crew, and a couple of special objects, he was nearly impossible to get to and shut down. Now days, add Mockingbird, lunge and maneuver to keep most everyone from getting in too close. He is still quite good.

However, the Range Game is quickly changing, as close combat pieces are getting made better and better each set. Next time, we’ll look at some strategies to shut down range. But, for now, please tell me what I missed and what tips/strategies you have to maximize your range. Thanks for reading! Now shoot for the stars!

[Deaths Head II]

I'm kind of new to playing this game. So this is very helpful, i need all the help i can get. Haha! Thanks Wiz.

[logan213]

Great article. As a player who loves the up-close-and-personal approach, I have been torn to shreds many times by Range heavy teams. It is just a personality flaw that makes me want to play this way :) Plus the challenge of coming up with a way to get those swift buggers is fun. Thanks!

[logan213]

Throwing objects catches people off guard pretty well too

[Hero_guy]

*face palm for epic fail* I actually never realized that Fastball Special SP allowed Colossus to use TK to attack with an object. The wording would have been a good indication though, now that I think about it. More specifically I just assumed that option 3 for TK was the ability to move a friendly character. Wow...reading is good. :p

Now I gotta go run another X-Men team.

[AUKOS]

wonderful article -

Thanks,

AUKOS

[CheeseWiz]

*face palm for epic fail* I actually never realized that Fastball Special SP allowed Colossus to use TK to attack with an object. The wording would have been a good indication though, now that I think about it. More specifically I just assumed that option 3 for TK was the ability to move a friendly character. Wow...reading is good. :p

Now I gotta go run another X-Men team.

If it makes you feel any better, this is a result of recent changes to TK (as far as TK'ing objects that aren't adjacent to him). Plus, to give due credit: this was actually pointed out to me by anonymOuse. EDIT: He just pointed me in the direction of Colossus. I am the one who missed the bit in the players guide.

[Drunky]

Regarding Colossus, its special power has been errata'd :

"The first sentence of Fastball Special reads ―Colossus can use Telekinesis, but only Option 3 and only on adjacent objects."

(from the Player's Guide)

[canaaron]

Shoot Her! Shoot Her!


Nice Article. Even better, nice Jurassic Park reference.

[CheeseWiz]

Regarding Colossus, its special power has been errata'd :

"The first sentence of Fastball Special reads ―Colossus can use Telekinesis, but only Option 3 and only on adjacent objects."

(from the Player's Guide)

Naysayer! Always Naysaying, GEEZ!

Okay, so he can still toss adjacent objects for what it's worth. Thanks for the correction, rep coming to you.

Nice Article. Even better, nice Jurassic Park reference.

There's always oohing and aahing first; but then there's running and screaming.

[saturnflight]

Hoth? What venue allows that?!

[DaeRave]

Very smart article. Its reminded me of a few important things and taught me a couple others. I'm going to copy and paste this for future reference!

[Battletank900]

-Heimdall. He ignores stealth and can throw objects. Even though he has a printed range of 0, he can still target Batman with a light object 8 squares away.

Love that!!!! Nothing annoys me more than stealth...Well maybe generic keyword wildcard abuse too!

[brojase]

You got the SHIELD TA...the PD/Hydra TA's are pretty mean too. I had a friend run a Hitman team with some GC Detectives, SHIELD Agents, a T-Bolted Wiccan (to GL)...just brutal. All that enhancement/range pumping/attack boosting!

[CheeseWiz]

Hoth? What venue allows that?!

On [Edit: the backside of] one of the 2x3 maps (the AW Lab map, IIRC) there is a grid, but other than that, it is completely blank. It would depend on your venue whether it is legal or not.

You got the SHIELD TA...the PD/Hydra TA's are pretty mean too. I had a friend run a Hitman team with some GC Detectives, SHIELD Agents, a T-Bolted Wiccan (to GL)...just brutal. All that enhancement/range pumping/attack boosting!

Good points all of them. I had mentioned the Hydra/PD TA in another article recently, and just didn't want to repeat myself. Thanks for bringing it up!

[Mr. Cranberry]

Armor Piercing is a huge boon to the Range Game. Like on Hawkeye he can hit three targets for one each. And during the games you get to use Armor Wars he's doing two each.

[Hero_guy]

Armor Piercing is a huge boon to the Range Game. Like on Hawkeye he can hit three targets for one each. And during the games you get to use Armor Wars he's doing two each.

Only if they have a damage reducing power. Otherwise its still 1.

[AgentP]

Thanks for your great article on range!

[phillynorthstar]

again, awesome jurassic park reference

[Top10]

Another great article. I like throwing objects. Iron spidey is good for outwitting and then throwing an object.

I didn't realize that you could us rs and throw an object.

Can you steal an object from under a figure while using RS and then attack that same figure with the object.

[CHEWY]

i liked the ambidextrious tombstone reference :)

[anonym0use]

Another great article. I like throwing objects. Iron spidey is good for outwitting and then throwing an object.

I didn't realize that you could us rs and throw an object.

Can you steal an object from under a figure while using RS and then attack that same figure with the object.

Yes, as long as you follow rules of adjacency for ranged attacks.

For instance, if you're using Geo-force who has flight, SS & RS and you don't start adjacent to someone, you can Running SHot, grab an object out from underneath someone, and stop in a square that is not adjacent to them to attack them with it. :)

If you do start next to someone - you'll have to break away first. :)

[Fullmetalfreak94]

nice article!
i have all 12 range figs(except mandarin) & use them very frequently!

my favrite combos are cassandra nova + camouflage, ultron with nova blast.

you can also add mental shields to cassandra to make her realy annoying!

[PONX]

Winter soldier hiding up top holding a satilite(LOS special 3d object) for insurance. "You can either take 5 damage, or come closer for a risky 6 your choice, "feeling lucky punk, well? ARE YA?

[CheeseWiz]

i liked the ambidextrious tombstone reference :)

I'm your huckleberry.

nice article!
i have all 12 range figs(except mandarin) & use them very frequently!

my favrite combos are cassandra nova + camouflage, ultron with nova blast.

you can also add mental shields to cassandra to make her realy annoying!

You reminded me about some points I wanted to make about Pulse wave. While most players are familiar with PW and Nova Blast, not everyone knows about Single Target Pulse-wave. This is where you deal your unmodified damage value when there is only one character within the Pulse Wave range.

While Nova Blast is nice to have in psychological terms, don't overlook the ability to just destroy one target. Plus, you won't be taking the feedback damage (which I personally hope WK changes to include indomitable folks with the next rulebook release).

[JoeGualtieri]

That Hawkeye is even better now. T-Bolts+Pym Particles= Stealthy Giant Hawkeye with massive range.

[Wombatboy]

Hoth? What venue allows that?!

I believe by "Hoth" he meant the blank white map with grid on the back of the regular map. :classic:

[Tim Drake]

Terrific article, CW! Definitely a lot to think about in here for noobs like me. :-)

-Ambidextrous. I got two guns. One for each of you.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!! :D I've used that line every time I've played the Two-Gun Kid. And Hitman. And Deadshot. And... you get the idea.

Thanks for the great brain-fodder. :-)

[CheeseWiz]

Terrific article, CW! Definitely a lot to think about in here for noobs like me. :-)



HAHAHAHAHA!!!! :D I've used that line every time I've played the Two-Gun Kid. And Hitman. And Deadshot. And... you get the idea.

Thanks for the great brain-fodder. :-)

HA! What you talking 'bout 'noobs like me'? You ain't no noob, foo. I hereby dub thee, Novice. Keep it up and I'll make you Assistant to the Regional Manager. :p

Say, you gonna make it to the next Maryland Mega Game, March 7th?

[Tim Drake]

HA! What you talking 'bout 'noobs like me'? You ain't no noob, foo. I hereby dub thee, Novice. Keep it up and I'll make you Assistant to the Regional Manager. :p

Thanks for the promotion! :p

Say, you gonna make it to the next Maryland Mega Game, March 7th?

If I can take off work, I'll be there. Should be able to.

[phantomrider]

1st of all, awesome article, i love my winter solider and S.H.I.E.L.D. teams

there are a few more feats that should have been mentioned, like spotter, grate feat for those 22 point shield snipers from sinister and for only 5 points, homeing device for those that dont have a T-shot or Coordination, alias for a short lived shape change roll.

just a few thought shood get alittle spot light.

[darkjacen]

Great article. It reminds me of the reasons why I enjoyed using GLs in tourneys before. Very few characters can outrange and beat a GL when it comes to range attacks. Plus they used to combine two great elements together, TK and Running Shot. Shield TA you say....hmmm:cheeky:

[NucGhost]

-Dealing with Stealth Nothing will epic-fail more spectacularly than a weak ranged-based team that find themselves in the dark. Superman/Ultimate's aren’t hindered by this, and neither are a growing number of new characters like Captain America and Dr. Strange. Make sure you can actually SEE something to hit.


Which Captain America are you talking about? The one from Avengers or the one from Hammer of Thor?

Also, great article!

[CheeseWiz]

Which Captain America are you talking about? The one from Avengers or the one from Hammer of Thor?

Also, great article!

The Cap from HoT. Stealth does not block his LOF.

[klaw1]

very good info for everyone.

[webhead76]

Awesome Android/Andy and Yellowjacket are two surprises to me, they both have 4-6 range + they're Giants - maybe not the strongest of the giants, but decent.

[MacGyver2506]

Great article!!!
I think it's funny that you used Vet FF Hawkeye as your only example...he's pretty much my favorite low cost ranger...this is my favorite team to run:

Vet Hawkeye 84pts
-Trick Shot 20pts
-Thunderbolts 5pts (to Green Lantern)
7x Gotham City Detective 27pts each
Total: 298 points

Since the GCDs have good defense, range, and attack...the Green Lantern Tank has one big gun, and several small guns...each small gun with a 10-12 attack value and 4 damage. And Hawkeye can bring 12-13 attack with 5 damage. It's pretty nasty, and unless your opponent uses Energy Explosion or Pulse Wave, they can't touch Hawkeye without killing a few GCDs.

[DrZero]

While most players are familiar with PW and Nova Blast, not everyone knows about Single Target Pulse-wave. This is where you deal your unmodified damage value when there is only one character within the Pulse Wave range. The LE Johnny Storm from the FF starter set is wonderful for this, especially when he has the Reed Richards LE from the same set backing him up. There's a reason why the Skrulls fear these guys...

[CheeseWiz]

Great article!!!
I think it's funny that you used Vet FF Hawkeye as your only example...he's pretty much my favorite low cost ranger...this is my favorite team to run:

Vet Hawkeye 84pts
-Trick Shot 20pts
-Thunderbolts 5pts (to Green Lantern)
7x Gotham City Detective 27pts each
Total: 298 points

Since the GCDs have good defense, range, and attack...the Green Lantern Tank has one big gun, and several small guns...each small gun with a 10-12 attack value and 4 damage. And Hawkeye can bring 12-13 attack with 5 damage. It's pretty nasty, and unless your opponent uses Energy Explosion or Pulse Wave, they can't touch Hawkeye without killing a few GCDs.

Wow! Sounds like a pretty mean team! Just want to point out for general info that enhancement doesn't trigger with Move and Attack if Hawkeye is carting them around. It will certainly work with his running shot, and if he is standing still, or if he M&A's up to a cluster of GCD's. Ouch.

[BREAKALLDAY]

GR-8, i loved the part on Hawkeye, but now with contingency plan u can increase his range up to + three, & with some other perplexers to just give him the one extra on damage for max of 6 then also 1or 2 more plex on attack he will vertualy hit anyone. And in an unrestriced add AP just incase those inpervious rolls come through. I rill hope the redo AP card in the next set it is so GR-8 to chip away one clix at a time.

[tyroclix]

Wow! Sounds like a pretty mean team! Just want to point out for general info that enhancement doesn't trigger with Move and Attack if Hawkeye is carting them around. It will certainly work with his running shot, and if he is standing still, or if he M&A's up to a cluster of GCD's. Ouch.

And neither does the PD Team Ability. To get the most out of that build you have to use Running Shot for 3 spaces.