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View Full Version : The Decennial Theory (long)


Orpheus
02/21/2003, 06:40
Hey there !

I have noticed, in composing my teams, that there were some gaps in the cost of useful (I'm talking optimised game only, here) figurines. Lemme explain myself (this list is of course non-exhaustive and concerns only the figurines I deem more interesting to play, based on personnal criteria ; I'm sure some of these are shared by many players, though) :

- under 20 we have medics and "fillers" (Hydra, S.H.I.E.L.D. and co.) ; plus three of the cheapest hero (villains) figures from Marvel : Quicksilver and Avalanche Rookie, both potentially useful for their cost, bot Brotherhood, and the greatest of all : R Vulture !!!

- we have a few interesting figures in the end of the late twenties (Scarlet Witch, R Pyro, Vet Quicksilver, R Doombots, D.C.'s E Huntress, Robin...)

- one of my favorite "decades" is the thirties : Black Panther E, U Elektra, E Bullseye, E Pyro... When you have 36 points left to finish a team, you have plenty of choice among the best figurines !! Not many D.C. there, though, although a few (expensive) flyers...

- In the 40s and 50s come the first big gap in Marvel. At 41 there is V Whirlwind, a useful but vrey specific figure : if you take the risk of using him (very useful on first click, useless after 3 damage...) you'll optimise him with some Perplex ; so I won't put him in most of my teams. At 54 you have Hercules R : very good, but if I can I'd rather put him at E. Same goes for Logan E at 49 : X-ellent already, better at V. Still, that ain't a lot of choice.

- Surprisingly, that's where D.C. fills the gap : some of the best figurines are between 40's and 50's : Hawk R (45), Hawkman E (43), Desaad (47), Dove E (51). But not everyone has D.C., and some tournaments don't allow mixed Marvel and D.C. ; on the other hand, D.C. lacks good small figures (especially on the villain's side). And it's still not a lot of 50's...

- The 60's is one of my favorite decades : Marvel gives us V Logan, R White Queen, E Hercules, R Firelord, R Strange, V Octopus, V Sabretooth... And D.C. adds R Bane. Great !!

- The 70's don't have much Marvel (except LE Berserker Wolverine maybe). D.C. gives us : V Solomon Grundy (born on a mundy) and V Steel.

- The 80's are the third decade I prefer : E Firelord, V Bane, Nightcrawler, V Strange, R and E Magneto, man, do we have choice !!!

The 90's seem a little empty to me (except the dreadful V Firelord), as do the hundreds (V Maggie, R Hulk, and...?). The hundred-and-tens hold many good figures, and on it goes to bigger numbers and choice become scarcier ; but then, if you choose a big figure you'll probably build the team around it, not the opposite.

All this leading to what ?

Well, first it was just for the sake of observation.

But now, an aside is : maybe Heroclix, especially Marvel, needs some good, useful figures in the 40's and 50's to help with the team building.

Maybe D.C. needs some more small useful figures, in the 30's for example.

I know, we're supposed to mix D.C. and Marvel, good and bad. Well, still, there are less good figures in the 40s and 50's all mixed up than in, say, the 30's and 60's.

Furthermore, D.C. and Marvel were designed differently, not only on the powers balance side, but on the esthetics, and it's more pleasurable to be able to do a "D.C. all" or "Marvel all" team in my opinion.

Just my 3,14159 eurocents, ;-)

Orpheus

Doctor Strange
02/21/2003, 07:32
A very interesting post!

On under 20's- I find that Shield or Hydra agents can be invaluable if you construct a ranged team with a wildcard theme. Teams like this boost these characters from "fillers" to "stars". I also find that Rookie Black cat is a fine filler piece for under 20 points.

In the late 20's- Rookie Harley Quinn also makes an appearance that is difficult to ignore.

The 30's include who I consider the most efficient figure in the game-Exp. Black Panther

Now, on the 40s you have ignored the good Doctor Octopus. He is a perfect character if you are using the Sinister Syndicate team ability (can you tell I like wildcards?) Also, Vet Bullseye, Vet Boomerang, Vet Pyro and unique wasp fall into this category.

The 50s offer us Daredevil (who I've seen put to great use, both as a wildcard and a destraction), Vet Jean Grey (for those "no medic purists") and I believe experenced captain america. LE Hawkeye is a 50 point character who I think is invaluable on a wildcard team.

The 60's no comment..

The 70's.. Now I have to ask, why did you pick rookie Doctor Strange for the 60's, but not for the 70's? For 7 more points you get a much more reliable figure.

After this I tend to stop thinking of figures as filling points.

As for your request, I think the exp. Beast is going to fill any gaps for interesting 50 point figures

Orpheus
02/21/2003, 07:53
Originally posted by Doctor Strange
A very interesting post!

Thank you.

On under 20's- I find that Shield or Hydra agents can be invaluable if you construct a ranged team with a wildcard theme. Teams like this boost these characters from "fillers" to "stars". I also find that Rookie Black cat is a fine filler piece for under 20 points.

Without Probability control ?!

In the late 20's- Rookie Harley Quinn also makes an appearance that is difficult to ignore.

Yes, although I find her a little expensive. I did mention, though, I couldn't and wouldn't possibly cite all interesting figures...

The 30's include who I consider the most efficient figure in the game-Exp. Black Panther

Agreed.

Now, on the 40s you have ignored the good Doctor Octopus. He is a perfect character if you are using the Sinister Syndicate team ability (can you tell I like wildcards?) Also, Vet Bullseye, Vet Boomerang, Vet Pyro and unique wasp fall into this category.

I usually use the good doc for his Perplex ability ; but if you need a leader, sure, the E isn't too bad ; not really good IMO, though (2 damage at 4 squares, the willpo isn't that useful...).

Boomerang is a loser. Both Pyro and Bullseye, although good at V, are better cost/quality in E.


The 50s offer us Daredevil (who I've seen put to great use, both as a wildcard and a destraction), Vet Jean Grey (for those "no medic purists") and I believe experenced captain america. LE Hawkeye is a 50 point character who I think is invaluable on a wildcard team.

Hawkeye would be good if you could use RCE and RS ; you can't. DD is too expensive for what he doesn't do...

The 60's no comment..

The 70's.. Now I have to ask, why did you pick rookie Doctor Strange for the 60's, but not for the 70's? For 7 more points you get a much more reliable figure.

Because I don't have him ! ;-)

After this I tend to stop thinking of figures as filling points.

Yup.

As for your request, I think the exp. Beast is going to fill any gaps for interesting 50 point figures

You know his cost ??

Thanks for your answer,

Orpheus

Doctor Strange
02/21/2003, 08:02
I don't know Exp. Beasts cost exactly, but Vet is 60, so im assuming the exp. verion will be 50-59..

ah, and I should note... Doctor Strange belongs both in the 60s and the 70s. He's just that psychedelic. :D

Orpheus
02/21/2003, 15:41
No, Beast is 80 at Vet ! So we do'nt know at all where he should sit at R and E...
Yeah, Strange is psyhcedelic !! ;-) His dial proves it...

And you should know, shouldn't you ?

Orpheus

NateTG
02/21/2003, 16:01
OK, let's take a look:

0-10 Filler
Not a whole lot of interesting stuff.
11-20 Small pieces:
Vampire Lackey, SHIELD Sniper, Medics, R Vulture
21-30
Electra & Blade, EV Quicksilver, R Black Panther, R Scarlet Witch.
31-40
U Electra, E Wasp, E Black Panther, E Boomerang, E Bullseye, R Sabretooth, R Invisible Girl, R Logan
41-50
RE Captain America, U Wasp, V Whirlwind, V Pyro, V Boomerang, E Logan, U Red Skull
51-60
Sabretooth Klaw Hercules Spiral

Really, the 51-60 decade is the weak one.