Hero_guy
04/23/2010, 14:07
So I recently had a chance to play Checkmate with the new ATA.
Go here for a quick rundown of teams: http://bostonclix.wetpaint.com/page/Team+of+the+week
In any case, I have to say that I was not initially all too impressed by the Checkmate ATA. After using it in an actual match, I have am seeing things in a completely new light. My initial problems were the cost of the feat (6 per figure under 50pts) and the fact that the Perplex granted cost a non-free action. However, these two 'problems' really end up being a really well thought out way of balancing this feat so that it isn't too overpowered, but at the same time, can definitely be worth the points. I'll break down what I mean.
First the cost. At 6 pts per figure on your team that is under 50 pts (and can be assigned the feat of course), the cost of this feat adds up quickly. And this limits the number of figs on your team that gain Perplex by taking a huge chunk out of the 10% feat cap and the amount of fodder you can fit on your team while still throwing in that figure or two who end up being your only legitimate threats.
Next, it balances out the amount of Perplex you can use by making it a non-free action. Sure this is a real pain for swarm teams. I mean, burning actions on non-attacks when you need every chance you have to get through that Imp/Invul fig charging down the map at you? But here's where you run into the real beauty, imo, of the game balance. First, the Checkmate Pawns only have 1 dmg anyways. They don't have a chance of breaking through the best damage reducers without some Perplex. But really, do you think that 8-9 attack is going to hit? Do you want to take that gamble? Probably not. So you turn to the legit threats on your team with the 3-4 damage potential and use all your Perplex on that figure or two. Now that figure suddenly has a +2 Att or Damage. And because of the feat cap, not all of your figures that can use Perplex has. So you can take that 1 shot, give yourself better odds of hitting, or make the bruise it leaves larger. Basically, you put all your eggs into one basket and when you hit, it really does pay off, but when you miss it really hurts your chances of winning.
The trick is to maximize each shot which makes this ATA a finesse mechanic so its not for every player. And guess what. This set gives you two pieces that can make perfect use of this ATA. Both are inexpensive and both have good damage potential.
Mdme Marie: She's a beast on her own. She either has RCE or CCE (Lunge anyone?) on every click of her dial so she always has the potential to take down higher pt cost figs up close or at range. But her SP is what really makes her the meat grinder she can be.
Improvise: Whenever Mademoiselle Marie ko's an opposing character, put an improvise token on her character card if she doesn't have one already. If an attack roll made by her misses, but is not a critical miss, you may remove an improvise token to automatically hit instead.
Ok, so she can deal 4 damage (using RCE or CCE) AND she can automatically hit the target? Yes please! You can use the ATA Perplex to up her attack value to make sure that she hits, and hopefully ko's her first target. Once she gets her first Ko, you can use Perplex to increase her damage. 1 if she can use RCE or CCE during the current attack, and 2-3 (depending on the number of actions you have to spend) if she can't. Who cares about the attack value when you can use an Improvise token to hit? Couldn't ask for better synergy here.
Fire and Ice: Ack! A duo?? But we hates duos! Like them or not, this one is well worth the points. A potential 5 damage with RCE or 3+2 damage using duo attack? If that is bad, I'm afraid to ask what might be considered 'good'. And here's where we learn that the duo mechanic can be exploited. Ok, you've got pretty much no powers at your disposal when using duo attack. It sucks. But, a single use of Perplex now effects 2 attacks, vs. just one. So instead of doing 3+2 damage on the duo attacks, you are now doing 4+3. Add another Perplex to bump their attack to 11 and watch the jaws of your opponents drop to the floor. Or do what I did and use the enhancement on the Checkmate Knight (white) then use that same Knight to Perplex the attack and use that third action to Perplex with yet another Pawn on either attack or damage.
Its a great, well balanced ATA that should earn every pt you paid for it. I know, even in a 400pt, 4 player ffa, I got at least 10-20 uses of it! Would you pay 30pts (what I paid) for 10-20 uses of Perplex during a game?
So, who else out there has used this ATA? What was your build? Any other tips/tricks to share?
Go here for a quick rundown of teams: http://bostonclix.wetpaint.com/page/Team+of+the+week
In any case, I have to say that I was not initially all too impressed by the Checkmate ATA. After using it in an actual match, I have am seeing things in a completely new light. My initial problems were the cost of the feat (6 per figure under 50pts) and the fact that the Perplex granted cost a non-free action. However, these two 'problems' really end up being a really well thought out way of balancing this feat so that it isn't too overpowered, but at the same time, can definitely be worth the points. I'll break down what I mean.
First the cost. At 6 pts per figure on your team that is under 50 pts (and can be assigned the feat of course), the cost of this feat adds up quickly. And this limits the number of figs on your team that gain Perplex by taking a huge chunk out of the 10% feat cap and the amount of fodder you can fit on your team while still throwing in that figure or two who end up being your only legitimate threats.
Next, it balances out the amount of Perplex you can use by making it a non-free action. Sure this is a real pain for swarm teams. I mean, burning actions on non-attacks when you need every chance you have to get through that Imp/Invul fig charging down the map at you? But here's where you run into the real beauty, imo, of the game balance. First, the Checkmate Pawns only have 1 dmg anyways. They don't have a chance of breaking through the best damage reducers without some Perplex. But really, do you think that 8-9 attack is going to hit? Do you want to take that gamble? Probably not. So you turn to the legit threats on your team with the 3-4 damage potential and use all your Perplex on that figure or two. Now that figure suddenly has a +2 Att or Damage. And because of the feat cap, not all of your figures that can use Perplex has. So you can take that 1 shot, give yourself better odds of hitting, or make the bruise it leaves larger. Basically, you put all your eggs into one basket and when you hit, it really does pay off, but when you miss it really hurts your chances of winning.
The trick is to maximize each shot which makes this ATA a finesse mechanic so its not for every player. And guess what. This set gives you two pieces that can make perfect use of this ATA. Both are inexpensive and both have good damage potential.
Mdme Marie: She's a beast on her own. She either has RCE or CCE (Lunge anyone?) on every click of her dial so she always has the potential to take down higher pt cost figs up close or at range. But her SP is what really makes her the meat grinder she can be.
Improvise: Whenever Mademoiselle Marie ko's an opposing character, put an improvise token on her character card if she doesn't have one already. If an attack roll made by her misses, but is not a critical miss, you may remove an improvise token to automatically hit instead.
Ok, so she can deal 4 damage (using RCE or CCE) AND she can automatically hit the target? Yes please! You can use the ATA Perplex to up her attack value to make sure that she hits, and hopefully ko's her first target. Once she gets her first Ko, you can use Perplex to increase her damage. 1 if she can use RCE or CCE during the current attack, and 2-3 (depending on the number of actions you have to spend) if she can't. Who cares about the attack value when you can use an Improvise token to hit? Couldn't ask for better synergy here.
Fire and Ice: Ack! A duo?? But we hates duos! Like them or not, this one is well worth the points. A potential 5 damage with RCE or 3+2 damage using duo attack? If that is bad, I'm afraid to ask what might be considered 'good'. And here's where we learn that the duo mechanic can be exploited. Ok, you've got pretty much no powers at your disposal when using duo attack. It sucks. But, a single use of Perplex now effects 2 attacks, vs. just one. So instead of doing 3+2 damage on the duo attacks, you are now doing 4+3. Add another Perplex to bump their attack to 11 and watch the jaws of your opponents drop to the floor. Or do what I did and use the enhancement on the Checkmate Knight (white) then use that same Knight to Perplex the attack and use that third action to Perplex with yet another Pawn on either attack or damage.
Its a great, well balanced ATA that should earn every pt you paid for it. I know, even in a 400pt, 4 player ffa, I got at least 10-20 uses of it! Would you pay 30pts (what I paid) for 10-20 uses of Perplex during a game?
So, who else out there has used this ATA? What was your build? Any other tips/tricks to share?