RavenProject
03/03/2003, 01:01
Knuckles (http://www.hcrealms.com/cgi-bin/get_unit.cgi?num=ic155)
Infinity Challenge #
Based on: Thug
Type: V+
Current eBay Value: $9.97 (02 March @ 11:15PM)
In professional wrestling, there's a special niche for a guy who has a name of his own, but his sole purpose within the company is to get the #### kicked out of him by the real superstars. Oh, occasionally they'll give him a victory on the syndicated show against some guy from a local wrestling school or a "dark match" before the televised event, but those are only done to keep that modicum of name recognition.
If you're building a wrestling stable like the NWO or even Team Canada, you're going to go for a solid mix of talent. You've got your big name, your solid mid-card performers, your promising tyros ready to run interference outside the ring... but when it's showtime, you find that you've got room for one more spot in your stable. You can't take on another Hulk Hogan or even another Lance Storm without upsetting the balance, but there's always that guy in the back who can add an extra boot to the party.
Horace Hogan. Mark Henry. Virgil.
Which is the delightful nickname granted to the HeroClix jobber: Knuckles.
I won't kid you by saying there's any great strategy to using Knuckles. Thugs are pawns in this game, mobile terrain and tie-up pieces. You're only taking one because you've got ten points you can't fill otherwise anyway.
However, Knuckles has an advantage in this game that no other LE figure does. He gains multiple boosted clicks at *no cost.*
Now this does kind of beg the question: If it was possible to do V Thug with greater damage for the same point cost, why didn't they do it? It's kind of baffling that they would deliberately underpower a figure when it could ahve been better within the same formula. But don't wrack your brain too hard -- it's only a Thug, after all.
But what a Thug! Movement, Attack and Defense are identical to V Thug. Damage is where the boost comes in, with clicks two and three (of four) raised from one to two damage. Yes, on that third click you'll really be calling the Hail Mary to hit. But for those who have yet to be on the giving or receiving side of a miracle hit from a spud figure, you're missing out. You'll never feel such a swell of luck -- good or bad -- in this game.
You'll hear a lot of complaints about the IC U Elektra because she renders V Elektra obsolete. You don't hear those complaints about Knuckles, but it's definitely true. If you're in a situation where you would use that ten-point Thug, why would you ever grab V Thug when you can have the sheer punching power of Knuckles?
Now, here's the really strange thing of it all. When I won Knuckles in a tourney this week, a number of other players commented on how they didn't have one yet. Same thing on a couple posts this week, I see a surprising number of people actually looking to trade for Knuckles. When I checked on eBay before this article, there were only two completed auctions for Knuckles on his own. It's a small but constant thing, which is just sort of odd to notice.
Given the limited utility, I'm not able to recommend paying the ten bucks for more than collector's purposes. However, if you spot him in a larger lot or can swing him in a good trade, it's definitely worth a look. You won't use him often at all, but when he does come up you'll be glad he's handy.
*** *** *** ***
Almost didn't get this one in -- pulled major overtime this weekend and had to prepare for tomorrow's tourney.
For Wednesday, I promise to do a "name" character from Marvel. But it won't be pretty. ;)
-J
Infinity Challenge #
Based on: Thug
Type: V+
Current eBay Value: $9.97 (02 March @ 11:15PM)
In professional wrestling, there's a special niche for a guy who has a name of his own, but his sole purpose within the company is to get the #### kicked out of him by the real superstars. Oh, occasionally they'll give him a victory on the syndicated show against some guy from a local wrestling school or a "dark match" before the televised event, but those are only done to keep that modicum of name recognition.
If you're building a wrestling stable like the NWO or even Team Canada, you're going to go for a solid mix of talent. You've got your big name, your solid mid-card performers, your promising tyros ready to run interference outside the ring... but when it's showtime, you find that you've got room for one more spot in your stable. You can't take on another Hulk Hogan or even another Lance Storm without upsetting the balance, but there's always that guy in the back who can add an extra boot to the party.
Horace Hogan. Mark Henry. Virgil.
Which is the delightful nickname granted to the HeroClix jobber: Knuckles.
I won't kid you by saying there's any great strategy to using Knuckles. Thugs are pawns in this game, mobile terrain and tie-up pieces. You're only taking one because you've got ten points you can't fill otherwise anyway.
However, Knuckles has an advantage in this game that no other LE figure does. He gains multiple boosted clicks at *no cost.*
Now this does kind of beg the question: If it was possible to do V Thug with greater damage for the same point cost, why didn't they do it? It's kind of baffling that they would deliberately underpower a figure when it could ahve been better within the same formula. But don't wrack your brain too hard -- it's only a Thug, after all.
But what a Thug! Movement, Attack and Defense are identical to V Thug. Damage is where the boost comes in, with clicks two and three (of four) raised from one to two damage. Yes, on that third click you'll really be calling the Hail Mary to hit. But for those who have yet to be on the giving or receiving side of a miracle hit from a spud figure, you're missing out. You'll never feel such a swell of luck -- good or bad -- in this game.
You'll hear a lot of complaints about the IC U Elektra because she renders V Elektra obsolete. You don't hear those complaints about Knuckles, but it's definitely true. If you're in a situation where you would use that ten-point Thug, why would you ever grab V Thug when you can have the sheer punching power of Knuckles?
Now, here's the really strange thing of it all. When I won Knuckles in a tourney this week, a number of other players commented on how they didn't have one yet. Same thing on a couple posts this week, I see a surprising number of people actually looking to trade for Knuckles. When I checked on eBay before this article, there were only two completed auctions for Knuckles on his own. It's a small but constant thing, which is just sort of odd to notice.
Given the limited utility, I'm not able to recommend paying the ten bucks for more than collector's purposes. However, if you spot him in a larger lot or can swing him in a good trade, it's definitely worth a look. You won't use him often at all, but when he does come up you'll be glad he's handy.
*** *** *** ***
Almost didn't get this one in -- pulled major overtime this weekend and had to prepare for tomorrow's tourney.
For Wednesday, I promise to do a "name" character from Marvel. But it won't be pretty. ;)
-J