COMIC ACCURATE: Factor Three

[Arsenalroy2k]

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1014&pictureid=12944
featuring...
Factor Three

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1014&pictureid=14079

Hi everyone, Arsenalroy2k here with the first Marvel edition of Comic Accurate for 2011! With Giant Size X-Men coming down the road, I want to build up to it's release with some mutant-themed teams! And we're kicking things off with an obscure group of villains from way back in the X-Men's early days.

[Arsenalroy2k]

Now this group goes all the way back to issues 28, 32-33 and 35-39 of the original Uncanny X-Men. Basically, The X-Men deal with this group and a series of kidnapping attempts, brainwashing, jailbreaks and yet more kidnapping and brainwashing. The group was led by a character called The Mutant Master and the roster consisted of Ogre, Changeling, Unus, Blob, Vanisher, Mastermind and a brainwashed Banshee.

Now you're probably about to ask, "Why are they called Factor Three if they had eight members?"

Truthfully, I have no idea.

You're also probably about to ask, "But Arsenal, almost half that team doesn't exist in Heroclix! So how can a remotely accurate team be built?" Well, Ogre's stint in the group was very short-lived and he was gone quick. Mutant Master just ran the group, not getting really involved so you can just say he's giving your roster orders from afar. And Changeling turned on said Mutant Master to free Banshee and help the X-Men. So between the short-timer, the turncoat, the victim and the man behind the scenes, all you really need for the group is the four villainous characters that already have figures!

mu052 U Mastermind
Team: The Brotherhood
Range: 8 :bolt::bolt:
Points: 117
Keywords: Brotherhood of Mutants, Hellfire Club, Mutant, Psychic
m-boota-fistd-shieldg-starburst7101617916169161691526814258141KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO
(Speed) Mind Games: Mastermind can use Mind Control and Stealth. Modify Mastermind's attack value by +2 when he uses Incapacitate or Mind Control.
(Defense) Chimera: Mastermind can use Mastermind and Super Senses.

mu042 V Unus the Untouchable
Team: The Brotherhood
Range: 4 :bolt:
Points: 90
Keywords: Brotherhood of Mutants, Mutant
m-boota-fistd-shieldg-starburst7918271018269172681726816257152KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO
(Defense) Untouchable: Unus the Untouchable can use Impervious and Super Senses.
(Damage) Bounce: Any successful close combat attack make by Unus the Untouchable knocks back the target 3 squares; Unus the Untouchable does not otherwise knock back targets of his attacks.

ct036 V Blob
Team: The Brotherhood
Range: 0 :bolt:
Points: 51
Keywords: Brotherhood of Mutants, Brute, X-Corps
m-boota-fistd-shieldg-starburst6916358152581524714247142361313513124121KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

mm005 E Vanisher
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 4 :bolt:
Points: 21
Keywords: Brotherhood of Mutants
m-boota-fistd-shieldg-starburst137152137141126141125131KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

Now the unusual thing is that only one figure in the game has the Factor Three keyword and it's the rookie Vanisher. But the figures we're using all have the Brotherhood keyword, so you've got that going. You could upgrade Vanisher to the veteran version for only four points more if you think you can get the group house ruled as a theme team. Though if you compare the dials of the experienced and the vet, there's not much of a difference worth the upgrade.

The team as we've built it comes out to 279 points. I'm throwing Mental Shields on Mastermind, just to help protect him against mind control feedback. This brings us up to 294 points. Now it's up to you where to go from here; Running Start or Takedown on Mastermind. Or maybe Passenger on Vanisher if you really think it'll help. And if you really want to think outside the box, either the Blue or Violet 3D Lantern objects. I've gone with Takedown, so if Mastermind gets his Super Senses, then the attacker will take two tokens; and if he doesn't get his Super Senses, he can just pass the damage to say, Blob.

I think it's fairly obvious at this point that Mastermind and Unus are going to be your team's heavy hitters, so protect them appropriately. And they did have Banshee as a brainwashed ally, so if you want to up the build to 400 points, feel free to tack him on. You'll have to use the Experienced or Vet versions, otherwise you'll be really short on points. But either Banshee will bring some much needed ranged attacks to your team.

Another alternative is Juggernaut, who they teamed with briefly, though he never got made a member. Why? Beats me. Seemed like if you showed up, you got to join. Regardless, if you go with our base 279 point build and throw on the rookie Juggernaut from Fantastic Forces (who has the Brotherhood keyword), that brings the build to 398, if you feel comfortable with that.

But who can Factor Three go up against if you go with the 300 point team? But the X-Men, of course! Throw the four First Class figures from Mutations & Monsters together with, I guess the Vet Archangel from Critical Mass and there you go. Duke it out and see who comes out on top.

That's all for this edition of Comic Accurate. Next time, we go underground!

[Hellboy]

Nice obscure and relevant pick! I like this edition a lot!

[Zephyrpower]

Cool Review.

So, when are these Giant-Sized X-men coming out. I'm guessing they're a seperate set? Or are they coming out with the next X-men set.

I was going to say they already had a dial for Changeling, but I think that was released in Hypertime, making him a DC character, so I'm guessing he's not the same.

Anyways, cool dials!

[adam1der]

Cool Review.

So, when are these Giant-Sized X-men coming out. I'm guessing they're a seperate set? Or are they coming out with the next X-men set.

I was going to say they already had a dial for Changeling, but I think that was released in Hypertime, making him a DC character, so I'm guessing he's not the same.

Anyways, cool dials!

In March, IIRC. Giant-Sixed X-Men and GSX are one and the same. :classic:

[Quebbster]

Now you're probably about to ask, "Why are they called Factor Three if they had eight members?"

Truthfully, I have no idea.
IIRC the ambition of Factor Three was to be the third world power, to balance out the East and the West.

[Shuttle]

IIRC the ambition of Factor Three was to be the third world power, to balance out the East and the West.

That was going to be my answer too. Well remembered.

[docsweeney]

Now, that's going old school! Interesting article. Thanks.

[algrim]

I think going against the 4 First Class X-Men from mutations and monsters along with a Danger room Angel makes for a somewhat accurate match-up, although you need to plug in the next 50 points or so. I suggest Professor Xavier Rookie from IC for 59 points... then let Factor Three take a 10 point feat and battle it out!

[rowdyoctopus]

Cool Review.

So, when are these Giant-Sized X-men coming out. I'm guessing they're a seperate set? Or are they coming out with the next X-men set.

I was going to say they already had a dial for Changeling, but I think that was released in Hypertime, making him a DC character, so I'm guessing he's not the same.

Anyways, cool dials!

This might be a big assumption on my part, but it sounds like you think these are in the next X-Men set. They are not. They are figures from older sets being used to make a comic accurate theme team. And if that wasn't what you were thinking, pay no attention to me!

I appreciate how obscure this team is, but man are you hard pressed to call them competitive. I know that isn't the point of these articles, but my favorite comic accurate theme teams are both accurate and at least somewhat competitive. I guess that is because my venue usually has competitive teams.

Anyway, great job with the article.

[Ribbon]

Great article! I think I'm going to run this for fun this week!

[MadCap#1]

I love reading this type of article! For me, it's the theme teams that make the game. Perhaps that's why I suck at competitive team construction.
This is as obscure as it gets! I have tons of X-Men comics and honestly don't remember this team. Props to you!

[Wombatboy]

Now you're probably about to ask, "Why are they called Factor Three if they had eight members?"

The rationale behind the name Factor Three was that they were going to make mutants into the third superpower, rivalling the USA and USSR.

EDIT: Someone beat me to it! Curse you, clumsy fingers!

I love the choice for this article and the feat suggestions are very appropriate, but I just can't see myself playing this team until we get a new Blob and Vanisher.

[I Am The Game]

Nice work.

Would Morph from Mutations and Monsters be too much of a stretch for this team? I know he's Exiles, but the character was plucked from the 90's X-Men cartoon, where Morph was inspired by Changeling, wasn't he?

[Mathew B.]

Great article. If I had the clix I would run them along with my U-Foes in a 600 point game.

This also goes to show that Blob needs an update. Hopefully we'll see him and Toad in GSX.

Mathew B.

[Deadpool2449]

i run this team all the time, using mental shields on mastermind and passenger on vanisher, Tk mastermind out and get the first strike using mindcontrol, then using passenger teleport unus out to get him to tie up range, then goes back to mastermind and him with blob make good MM fodder, plus, if blob never gets hit, has a decent opening clix, i've use the blob to take out both bullseye and LE daken with this team. only issue with the team i find is damage potential is pretty low, in the end mastermind has to incap people to death (unless blob or unus are still healthy)

[mermaidmurder]

i run this team all the time, using mental shields on mastermind and passenger on vanisher, Tk mastermind out and get the first strike using mindcontrol, then using passenger teleport unus out to get him to tie up range, then goes back to mastermind and him with blob make good MM fodder, plus, if blob never gets hit, has a decent opening clix, i've use the blob to take out both bullseye and LE daken with this team. only issue with the team i find is damage potential is pretty low, in the end mastermind has to incap people to death (unless blob or unus are still healthy)

that is a great way to make this team fun and playable. rep to u

[mr-coffin]

Would Morph from Mutations and Monsters be too much of a stretch for this team? I know he's Exiles, but the character was plucked from the 90's X-Men cartoon, where Morph was inspired by Changeling, wasn't he?

Thats how I understand it but it is a bit of a stretch. It seems to me as accurate as using Deathstroke as a fill in for Deadpool.

[michiganj24]

Actually it would be more like using Owlman as Batman
Chageling is not an inspiration for Morph he is MORPH albeit an alternate reality one
Thats how I understand it but it is a bit of a stretch. It seems to me as accurate as using Deathstroke as a fill in for Deadpool.

[Deadpool2449]

that is a great way to make this team fun and playable. rep to u

Thanks, the times I've play the team, my opponents get so frustrated and in the end, disheartened (thank you Mastermind). so far its undefeated, and i hope to keep it that way lol

[JoeGualtieri]

Sub Mr. Mind in for the Mutant Master. Thomas pretty clearly based him on Mr. Mind.

[kujonomore]

I don't even have one of those four figs.. :cool:

But it's cool to read the article just the same, thanks for the effort.

[WakandaMan]

Love this choice!

I really hope they get around to making Ogre one of these days. Although more for Thunderbolt teams than Factor Three teams to be honest. ;)