Giant Size X-Men Colossal Review: Frost Giant

[anonym0use]

<img src="http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=158&pictureid=14563" style="width:200px;padding-right:5px" align="left"> Giant Sized X-Men
Colossal Review
Part 1 FROST GIANT

Frost Giant wins the "Who invited you anyway" cameo award for GSX, and despite the fact that the X-men have a long standing association with Asgard (X-Men vs. Alpha Flight, Asgardian Wars) he wouldn't seem so out of place in this theme set if a handful of other X-fantasy types were in the SR mix:
see Anodyne, Storm/Thor: Goddess of Thunder, etc.

Regardless, the dial does not disappoint, coming at two flavors, both packed with power.

Click "Full Story" Below to read more!

[anonym0use]

At 300 points, 'Giant is a veritable one man army with the best opening attack, damage and defense values of all the GSX colossals. Take a look:


gxG06 V Frost Giant
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 4 :bolt:
Points: 300
Keywords: Asgardian, Brute, Monster, Mystical, Ruler
m-boota-fistd-shieldg-fist912195911184811184811184810184810173891738101738111748111738101638101637101627101637916279162KOK OKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO
(Speed) Dust of Enchanted Stone: Frost Giant can use Incapacitate as if he had a range value of 8 and 3 targets.

(Attack) Spear Throw: Once per game, Frost Giant can modify his attack and damage values by +3, and then make a ranged combat attack as if he had a range value of 10.

(Damage) Illusionary Might: Frost Giant can use perplex only to modify an atttack, defense, or damage value by +2 or -2. When the target of his Perplex attacks or becomes the target of an attack, before the attack roll, you roll a d6. On a roll of 1-3, the effect from this Perplex ends immediately.

Overview
Running Shot just feels off on a figure built like a tower but only possessing 4 range - thus allowing him to throw objects farther than he can "shoot." It's probably more meant to represent jabbing his spear than throwing it (Spear Throw happens later in the dial). The printed range value is deceptive for this Illusionist, as Dust of Enchanted Stone grants an 8 (with Incapacitate only) while Spear Throw acts as sort of a Hail Mary Pass/Death Blossom pumping his combat values up just before he's sure to be KO'd. Illusionary Might is a great name for his +2 Perplex power because he "might" make it work for him 50% of the time.

Drawbacks
Compared to the rest of his big-figure buddies is lack of Indomitable - playing him at 300 points means he'll probably have to push a lot. Fortunately he gets a little better as he pushes, with Poison helping him deal damage up close, and with up to 12 adjacent squares. This won't deter many damage reducing ground pounders from getting close, but should help handle soft skinned range attackers if Frosty is played aggressively.

<img src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/80851/HCRealms.com/201104/xmenalpha2.jpg" style="width:500px;" />

Tips for playing him:

Know when to push: keep him on his top click as long as possible - it's hard to hit a 19 defense, much less one that is protected by Shape Change. His defense, damage and attack values never get better from there.

Don't be an easy target: With low range Frosty may get sniped before he has a chance to get in close, so move upfield cautiously, be aware of your opponent's heavy artillery, and aim for the enemy's damage bypassing pieces.

Maximize damage: You'll probably want to push off the top to get Poison, so do it smart by attacking twice in a row - that way you're dealing out 10 clicks of punishment, enough damage to KO 1 or 2 figures. Wasting a push on a move action is a sucker's play.

Do the Math: When facing a squad of Non-Indomitable damage reducing bricks with tokens - use that Incapacitate. Many players underestimate the value of Incap because it doesn't deal damage... or does it? A successful 3 target Incapacitate attack on one Invulnerable figure and two Toughness figures will deal the equivalent of 7 clicks of damage (3 damage to the Invulnerable figure, 2 damage each to the tough ones), which is better than the 3 or 4 damage he could deal outright to one target. Plus, it robs the opponent of the ability to act the next turn.

Stop on Impervious: carefully consider the value of pushing him to act on his 5th click, where 18 Impervious overlaps with the Giant's 4 damage value. That sweet spot is the last 18 defense he'll see, paired with 4 damage. Push him once and he's down in threesville, barely pinging tougher opponents if his Illusionary Might fails to impress them. Let an opponent knock you off that Impervious, rather than doing it for them.

<img src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/80851/HCRealms.com/201104/frostgiant.jpg" style="width:200px;" />

Tips for playing against him:

Use his size against him: Big britches here suffers, as most of the colossals do - from power countering via Outwit, and the ability for figures to draw Line of Fire over other figures. Because of the giant's low range, an Outwit figure can stand far enough away from his threatening reach and still be a pain in his neck. Or thigh. Or back.

Stay in the back row: this applies to soft skinned figures only - and only when that Poison is present. There's no need for Cyclops to take free damage from basing the big guy, not when Slim can easily shoot from a distance.

He can't take his own medicine: The Frost Giant is an Incapacitate machine, but because he lacks Indomitable, he'll suffer a lot from pushing. Putting two tokens on this guy may force an opponent to use the Colossal push rule so he doesn't get out actioned, which will hurt the Giant even more. Thus one push from Incapacitate could easily translate to two damage taken.

Hit him hard and fast!: A saying I've heard a number of X-men give before they run into battle (and really, kind of a stupid turn of phrase. I always wanted some sarcastic mutant in the back row to say "Hard... and fast? So that's what I've been doing wrong!") The point being, you want to get the Frost Giant off his top dial and onto the back half where he loses 2/3rds of his SPs and a lot of his bite. To that end, it may be better to push early in the fight, and clear later, when he's weakened.

Thanks for reading! Got tips, tricks or otherwise great battle stories featuring this Frosty Mug? Share them below!

[Owlman]

Nice review, but nothing about playing him as a 100 point piece?

[saturnflight]

Did not realize that he's got the best starting click in the set! That's quite the accomplishment! I don't know that I'd ever run him at 300, just because he's so appealing at 100. This review was particularly well written: very extensive, with some great ideas in it that never occurred to me!

[anonym0use]

Nice review, but nothing about playing him as a 100 point piece?


For 100 points he's a solid attacker, but requires some other figures (Rock Trolls?) to run interference and block ranged attackers from just cutting him down thanks to his all too easy to hit 17 & 16 defense. Fortunately he stacks good powers on top of decent combat values making him a threat on every click.

Charge in with a heavy object for 6 damage.
Blades/Claws/Spears for penetrating damage with Exploit Weakness.
Spear Throw for 5 damage with an amazing finishing move.

Unfortunately, one Outwit can wreck his day (and opposing Outwit figures should really counter his attack powers rather than Toughness).

Because of his size and colossal line of Fire rules map choice is a crucial part of victory for this guy at any point level.

[Asterphix]

You really helpt me on how to play him! And how to kill him! If people use its 300 pt setting play him i suggest a open outdoor map like the bridge. I find the bridge my go to map cause i normally field some long range tent-poles like darkseid, and its really help full to because if your opponent has a colossal, especially this one you would want to hit from a long range.:devious:

[tyroclix]

Really great review. I love the using and playing against tips. This should be a requirement on every figure review.

While the 300 point version is a good figure, running 3 of them at 100 points each is much better. These make great 100 point sentinels. Makes me sad WK continues to not produce this type of figure.

I eagerly await these Colossals value to drop so I can get more. And I do want to swap some Mark 2 sculpts onto Frost Giant bases...

[airdomin8]

Great review!

Frost Giant's appearance in GSX was a wonderful surprise and he is a great figure!

[Troma99]

Actually if you're doing GOlden Age (I'm fairly Sure Normal Colossals Can get Feats) His non-indomitable can be an asset if you play him with shellhead.

[Quebbster]

Actually if you're doing GOlden Age (I'm fairly Sure Normal Colossals Can get Feats) His non-indomitable can be an asset if you play him with shellhead.
Colossals cannot be assigned Shellhead.

[Troma99]

ok I'm going to regret bothering: But why?

He's not indomitable...there's no damage prerequisite.

[Quebbster]

ok I'm going to regret bothering: But why?

He's not indomitable...there's no damage prerequisite.

Because the Player's Guide says so. That ruling came about around the time Shellhead was released. :)

[Troma99]

Because the Player's Guide says so. That ruling came about around the time Shellhead was released. :)

ah there it is. I'll have to apologize to that guy I played.

BUT I REFUSE TO APOLOGIZE TO YOU HORSEMEN!

But seriously thakns for your paitence.


Honestly the only Caveat I have with this piece is the Sculpt: That Spear broke on one of mine that I pulled fresh from the box (As in the owner went in back to get a new Box of Superboosters and I grabbed one out of there) : \.


Oh well.

[Mr.x_20xx]

Because the Player's Guide says so. That ruling came about around the time Shellhead was released. :)

That and Lazerous Pit. Only two feats with special rulings. Was done because it was sick on old collosals like Dark Pheonix and the like.

Which reminds me of an advantage of big Frostie's advantage with RS. With the up coming rules this will allow him to keep out of continous basing with mellee guys. One of the big advantages old Dark Pheonix had.

[lancelot]

I love this piece and have run him/them twice already, the first time with Urthgarr-Loki at 300 and 3 flunkies at 100...totally took down a Magneto-led Brotherhood team. The 2nd time was a singular 100 pointer in a 700 point game with SR Loki, Malekith, Enchantress, Kurse, & Balder...went 1-0-1, the tie being dual-KO's to end a game and the win against a Nemesis-led Horsemen team. That Frost Giant is not anything to scoff at...the Spear Throw is simply awesome.

[violentcalm]

Very helpful Thanks!

[DucksFlying81]

I'm slow. How does the triple target incap cause seven damage?

[Troma99]

I'm slow. How does the triple target incap cause seven damage?

Stunning Blow?

Three Incaps to push
Then Four Damage?...

[DucksFlying81]

Stunning Blow?

Three Incaps to push
Then Four Damage?...

Ah, feats.

[Superclone]

Great article! Can't wait to see the next ones. I didn't realize how potent this guy was.

[rorschachparadox]

Stunning Blow?

Three Incaps to push
Then Four Damage?...

Nope. He says its the equivalent of 7 damage, against an Invulnerable figure and 2 Toughness figures, if all are non-Indoms.

All get dealt the push damage, meaning 3 damage dealt. To deal that damage through an attack, the Invulnerable opponent would have to be assigned 3 damage, and the Toughness opponents assigned 2 damage apiece. Total of 7 damage.

No feats necessary, just a comparison of Incap. over straight damage output.

[DucksFlying81]

Nope. He says its the equivalent of 7 damage, against an Invulnerable figure and 2 Toughness figures, if all are non-Indoms.

All get dealt the push damage, meaning 3 damage dealt. To deal that damage through an attack, the Invulnerable opponent would have to be assigned 3 damage, and the Toughness opponents assigned 2 damage apiece. Total of 7 damage.

No feats necessary, just a comparison of Incap. over straight damage output.

I have no idea what you just said. The pushing damage doesn't come from the attack, and pushing damage ignores damage reducers anyway. And where did you get the seven damage from in the first place?

[gatharion]

I have no idea what you just said. The pushing damage doesn't come from the attack, and pushing damage ignores damage reducers anyway. And where did you get the seven damage from in the first place?

He's saying that even though the three Incapped figures only took one pushing damage each, one would have to be dealing a total of seven raw damage in order to achieve the same net result (the three hypothetical characters each taking a damage).

[gatharion]

I loves me the Frost Giants! I'd really like to get one more, anyone want to trade for a SHAZAM/Black Adam duo?

[DucksFlying81]

He's saying that even though the three Incapped figures only took one pushing damage each, one would have to be dealing a total of seven raw damage in order to achieve the same net result (the three hypothetical characters each taking a damage).

Gotcha, that makes sense.

[Mon_ami]

Great article Mouse, love the breakdowns.

I wish I had one of these guys..... let me correct myself, I wish I had 3 of these guys so I could run them at a 100 pts each. What fun that would be. Maybe someday.

I think the 300 is a beast, but I think I'd stick to the 100 pt version.

[rorschachparadox]

Gotcha, that makes sense.

Lol, sorry 'bout that :) So often things make perfect sense in my brain, but still leave people scratching their heads! Thanks Gatharion.

[rorschachparadox]

I loves me the Frost Giants! I'd really like to get one more, anyone want to trade for a SHAZAM/Black Adam duo?

I actually would in a heartbeat, by whit of being unable to accumulate more Frost Giants, but unfortunately, the one that I did have have disappeared. Either I left it at my venue after playing it, or my cats defeating it at home....

Darn cats.

[ultronMFer]

Best colossal figure in the set, IMO. I'd probably play him if he was 400 points. And NEVER push him off of his top click; keep that 19 Invuln/Shape Change as long as possible.

[anonym0use]

He's saying that even though the three Incapped figures only took one pushing damage each, one would have to be dealing a total of seven raw damage in order to achieve the same net result (the three hypothetical characters each taking a damage).

Thanks for the clarity. :grin:

[anonym0use]

He's saying that even though the three Incapped figures only took one pushing damage each, one would have to be dealing a total of seven raw damage in order to achieve the same net result (the three hypothetical characters each taking a damage).

Plus... they're pushed, which reduces the number of retaliation attacks significantly...

[DrugSex]

For 100 points, he's the best giant in the set.

[pg3wg]

I guess I was looking at this wrong. So the 300 point version uses the entire dial? I was under the impression that the red line separated two different figures

[sonicdash100]

My buddy and I teamed up against a guy running Frost Giants, Sentinels, and Onslaught. (It was an idea we had for a fun game.) Move of the game was definitely my buddy using mindcontrol to take Frost Giant's Spear Throw and hit Onslaught. It was awesome.

[brnbngls]

Maybe it was just the guy I was playing against, but he used one of these at 300 and I waled on it. Psychic blast for 5 followed up by the Wolverine/Colossus duo for another 8. Guess he never got a chance to really use it. Although I did take some poison from one in a different game and that did suck.

[kujonomore]

I have no idea what you just said. The pushing damage doesn't come from the attack, and pushing damage ignores damage reducers anyway. And where did you get the seven damage from in the first place?

I'm confused by this.....

If you incap three figs who all have one action token, don't all three of them take a second token AND the push damage if they are not indomitable??

[pg3wg]

I'm confused by this.....

If you incap three figs who all have one action token, don't all three of them take a second token AND the push damage if they are not indomitable??

What he is saying is that if you give three non-indomitable characters a second action token via incapacitate that you will be doing them each one damage from pushing. If one of these characters had invulnerability and two had toughness you would have needed to do 7 damage total to do one damage to each of them ex: 3, 2, and 2.
The original poster was implying that the triple incap can be as effective as an 7 damage triple target attack.

Back to my question though. Does the 300 point version use all 16 clicks of the dial?

[DS-00-0, FSD]

Back to my question though. Does the 300 point version use all 16 clicks of the dial?


Yes!


I cannot say how well the 300 pointer plays, but I did play 4 of the 100 pointers last week. Went up against an Ares tentpole team with Ice and the Shield Generator(?) for barrier overkill.

It was a brutal match. I KOed Ice right off the bat to keep from dealing with barriers but it allowed my opponent to get in a few shots on the giants while I cleaned out the pit crew. Their saving grace was the Spear Toss. I had whittled Ares down to his last few clicks but only had one Giant left with his spear. Otherwise, none of the other giants could hurt him with thier remaining 2 damage.

Chucked the last spear and finished him off. That SP is just ugly!!

[pg3wg]

Well that makes them so much better. I hadn't used the 300 point version because I didn't know that it could use the whole dial. I'll have to give it a try. I agree the spear throw makes them good for their whole dial.

[sylnzz]

If you're using the Frost Giant at full point value use another(or 2) Frost Giant at 100 point value to block lof to your ruler Frost Giant. That would be your cheapest colossal fodder to get you up close and for him to cause havoc. At 100 points he is still a great piece and he's 8 clicks and goes down with a fight. Of course you can only use this option in 400 point or more game.

[Bat-Phreak]

I fielded him in a "600-pt GSX only w/ at least 1 Colossal" force, and he did his job very well: blocking LOF for Magneto!

I intend to run a few demos on FCBD at my local store and will have a Thor table in honor of the movie release:

HoT Thor
Hot Odin
Warriors Three
2 x Valkyrie
-vs-
HoT SR Loki
Frost Giant Chief
3 x Frost Giant Warriors
2 x Asgardian Warriors

I expect the Frost Giants to tie-up the Warriors Three and provide Loki w/ Mastermind fodder that is easy to see!

[roguefenix]

I wonder if a Frost Giant (300 or 100 pt version) wouldn't be an excellent candidate to team up with Trevor Fitzeroy to teleport to the back lines and cause some major havoc...

[TODDRUSSELL]

Does anyone think 3 100 point frost giants could make it at gencon?

[gatharion]

Does anyone think 3 100 point frost giants could make it at gencon?

Nope. I think they'd be toast. I like 'em an all, but they're BIG targets with fairly soft defenses that are easy to out-range and to Outwit.

[SkrullThemeTeamer]

Have only ever played with or against him at his 100pt level, and I'll say this much he's a beast even at 100, I've always managed to take him down easily though for the fact that at 100pts he just can't deal with a character with 8-10 range and anyone with hypersonic will be his worst enemy, with that 8 movement he won't be able to catch someone with hypersonic or running shot so he's toast once he's on charge.

[gatharion]

Have only ever played with or against him at his 100pt level, and I'll say this much he's a beast even at 100, I've always managed to take him down easily though for the fact that at 100pts he just can't deal with a character with 8-10 range and anyone with hypersonic will be his worst enemy, with that 8 movement he won't be able to catch someone with hypersonic or running shot so he's toast once he's on charge.

That's not entirely true. With only an eight move and four range, they can be at serious disadvantage, but thanks to the ability to act every turn, it certainly IS within their ability to catch (nearly) anyone. However, it generally requires giving up a lot of clicks to pushing damage in order to do so.

[LittleDragon]

My 300 pt Frost giant, Crisis Green Lantern, 2 Gotham City Detectives and Sargon the Sorcerer (600 pts) was able to take out rookie Starro!