commandercool
02/25/2010, 23:18
I'm always on the lookout for new anti-Stealth tech, and HoT had a plethora of it. Captain America and Daredevil are both fine figures, but the real star was the Elite Sniper feat card.
First of all, what are the differences and similarities between Elite Sniper and it's predecessor, Trick Shot? They're both 20 points. They both trigger off of Ranged Combat Expert. Both of them allow characters to ignore Stealth.
The differences are significant, though - Trick Shot can be used by characters with Plasticity and Elite Sniper can be used by characters with the much more common Super Senses. Trick Shot cannot be used with an opposing character adjacent, but Elite Sniper allows the equipped character to continue shooting despite adjacency. Trick Shot allows the character to ignore the hindering terrain defense bonus, but Elite Sniper does not. Finally, Elite Sniper allows characters to ignore opposing characters for line of fire, while Trick Shot allows characters to ignore both friendly and opposing characters.
So which is better in which situations? Elite Sniper has the more versatile prerequisites, and it has the significant bonus of allowing close-combat shots, but it doesn't allow for the "hide behind a meat shield and shoot" nonsense that Trick Shot is famous for. Trick Shot seems better for less expensive, more mobile, or more fragile characters-anyone who is either unlikely to be based or who requires a meat shield to be effective. Elite Sniper belongs on characters who are very likely to be based by an opponent, usually tentpoles or at least threatening secondary attackers.
Elite Sniper has opened up a whole new world of Stealth hate to the game, so which old pieces will be getting the biggest boost from it? Some of my favorites are-
N'asthir-Elite Sniper makes him a fragile but deadly ranged threat. He can shoot three characters and divide four damage among them or he can Mind Control three separate figures. His low defense and alternating powers make him a bit of a risky investment, though.
Stardust-A mainstay of CoG era tournaments, Stardust didn't desperately need a way to deal with Stealth characters since she would often just base and Close Combat Expert them, but every little bit helps. She can do penetrating damage in close combat, and her Hypersonic Speed clicks become more flexible since she doesn't have to get too close to Stealth characters before running.
Time Trapper-His attack value is a little on the low side starting off, but he has Probability Control to back it up. Elite Sniper lets him continue to make Psychic Blasts when based, and it makes avoiding him difficult.
Crispus Allen-He's not old, but he is seldom used and Elite Sniper gives him a significant boost. Feat him up with Elite Sniper and Stunning Blow and his first click makes him a ranged powerhouse, which leads to close combat madness when he takes a hit. There is no good way to go about fighting him.
Hela-She's also not old, but due to her low attack I've found her lacking. Elite Sniper gives her the extra edge that I think she needs to be pushed into the "playable" category, even if it does make her pretty pricey. Use Immortal Contempt+Inside Information or Gharskygt to give her a reasonable chance of hitting, and she could suddenly become worth it.
First of all, what are the differences and similarities between Elite Sniper and it's predecessor, Trick Shot? They're both 20 points. They both trigger off of Ranged Combat Expert. Both of them allow characters to ignore Stealth.
The differences are significant, though - Trick Shot can be used by characters with Plasticity and Elite Sniper can be used by characters with the much more common Super Senses. Trick Shot cannot be used with an opposing character adjacent, but Elite Sniper allows the equipped character to continue shooting despite adjacency. Trick Shot allows the character to ignore the hindering terrain defense bonus, but Elite Sniper does not. Finally, Elite Sniper allows characters to ignore opposing characters for line of fire, while Trick Shot allows characters to ignore both friendly and opposing characters.
So which is better in which situations? Elite Sniper has the more versatile prerequisites, and it has the significant bonus of allowing close-combat shots, but it doesn't allow for the "hide behind a meat shield and shoot" nonsense that Trick Shot is famous for. Trick Shot seems better for less expensive, more mobile, or more fragile characters-anyone who is either unlikely to be based or who requires a meat shield to be effective. Elite Sniper belongs on characters who are very likely to be based by an opponent, usually tentpoles or at least threatening secondary attackers.
Elite Sniper has opened up a whole new world of Stealth hate to the game, so which old pieces will be getting the biggest boost from it? Some of my favorites are-
N'asthir-Elite Sniper makes him a fragile but deadly ranged threat. He can shoot three characters and divide four damage among them or he can Mind Control three separate figures. His low defense and alternating powers make him a bit of a risky investment, though.
Stardust-A mainstay of CoG era tournaments, Stardust didn't desperately need a way to deal with Stealth characters since she would often just base and Close Combat Expert them, but every little bit helps. She can do penetrating damage in close combat, and her Hypersonic Speed clicks become more flexible since she doesn't have to get too close to Stealth characters before running.
Time Trapper-His attack value is a little on the low side starting off, but he has Probability Control to back it up. Elite Sniper lets him continue to make Psychic Blasts when based, and it makes avoiding him difficult.
Crispus Allen-He's not old, but he is seldom used and Elite Sniper gives him a significant boost. Feat him up with Elite Sniper and Stunning Blow and his first click makes him a ranged powerhouse, which leads to close combat madness when he takes a hit. There is no good way to go about fighting him.
Hela-She's also not old, but due to her low attack I've found her lacking. Elite Sniper gives her the extra edge that I think she needs to be pushed into the "playable" category, even if it does make her pretty pricey. Use Immortal Contempt+Inside Information or Gharskygt to give her a reasonable chance of hitting, and she could suddenly become worth it.