Writer Swap Week: Deep Dish Storm!

[saturnflight]

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/80851/HCRealms.com/201105/Deep Dish- Storm.jpg
FEATURING
STORM

As our Writer Swap Week continues, join saturnflight as he gets all up in Deep Dish Themes!

[saturnflight]

Ororo Munroe has always balanced between allegiances, beginning when Charles Xavier asked her to leave her position as weather goddess for an African tribe and become a symbol of mutant potential with the X-Men. A heroine with strong abilities and- as shown by a time spent powerless- stronger resolve, Storm has taken both supporting and leadership roles.

For years, Storm served as an X-Man, even leading multiple squads. But she's also shown a willingness to leave her comfort zone for the good of the disposessed, assuming leadership of the Morlocks in a time of unrest and turmoil. In recent years, Storm married the Black Panther and has tied herself to the wellbeing of Wakanda. She's even completed the Fantastic Four's roster on a temporary basis.

Yet through it all, Storm has remained an X-Man at heart, a truth that has caused conflict with new loyalties she continues to take on. Storm has embraced her role as an icon, and her presence, whether in Wakanda, New York, or Utopia, commands respect.

[saturnflight]

Rookie Storm
Set: XPlosion
Character #: 082
Rarity: Uncommon
Keywords: Deity, Morlocks, X-Men...........................................6:star:s
Team Ability: X-Men...............................................................8:star:s
Range: 8..............................................................................8:star:s
Targets: 1............................................................................4:star:s
Point Value: 35......................................................................6:star:s
Current Estimated Value: $1...................................................10:star:s
Dial:....................................................................................6:star:s
m-winga-fistd-shieldg-starburst8814167141671315613156121KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

Storm started the game timidly. A modest 35 points will add a goddess to your team, a godsend to deity theme teams. For her cost, there are only 57 figures in the game with 8 range; only 17 of those can do 3 damage at range; and only 1 of those does more damage than Storm. Only 1 of them can fly. What I'm trying to say is, despite a somewhat underwhelming dial, Storm has a lot on other figures in her point range.

Storm is fragile; one hit will rob her of Ranged Combat Expert. She does keep Energy Explosion for most of her dial, which can occasionally prove useful against swarms. But perhaps the most appealing use for her late dial is the X-Men team ability: after losing her damage potential, she can use the rest of her 5-click dial to heal wounded teammates.

Overall Rating: 6.9:star:s
View other players' ratings in the Units section (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179307)

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Veteran Storm
Set: XPlosion
Character #: 084
Rarity: Rare
Keywords: Hellfire Club, X-Men, X.S.E.....................................8:star:s
Team Ability: X-Men...............................................................8:star:s
Range: 10...........................................................................10:star:s
Targets: 1............................................................................4:star:s
Point Value: 52......................................................................6:star:s
Current Estimated Value: $3...................................................10:star:s
Dial:.....................................................................................5:star:s
m-winga-fistd-shieldg-starburst10101528814267141671315613156121KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

I really had a big thing for this dial back when it was still fresh. 10 attack, 10 range, 4 damage, and all for 52 points. And to be fair, that's still a fairly decent set of stats. What's changed is the relative value of a 17 defense. 1 damage is all it takes to turn this Veteran into a Rookie with longer range. Is that worth 17 points?

The addition of the Hellfire Club keyword is huge, thanks to the Hellfire Club Guard. This fragile figure now has a much more reliable way to stay on her first click. And speaking of fantastic team-ups with Giant-Size X-Men figures, consider that Storm can lend a 10 range and Ranged Combat Expert to Gideon. But then, that's hardly thematic...

Overall Rating: 7.3:star:s
View other players' ratings in the Units section (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179689)

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Rookie Storm
Set: Ultimates
Character #: 028
Rarity: Common
Keywords: Ultimate X-Men.....................................................2:star:s
Team Ability: None.................................................................0:star:s
Range: 6..............................................................................6:star:s
Targets: 1............................................................................4:star:s
Point Value: 24......................................................................8:star:s
Current Estimated Value: $1...................................................10:star:s
Dial:.....................................................................................4:star:s
m-boota-fistd-shieldg-starburst7714177131661326612156121KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

A low-cost attacker with fairly good damage can be a great asset. But the key to making this formula work is to have a competent attack value to go with it. And this was not the case with the Rookie incarnation of Ultimate Storm.

Right off the bat, note how similar this dial is to the Rookie from XPlosion. A bit of Ranged Combat Expert, a bit more of Energy Explosion, and some similarities in combat values. But even accounting for the 11 points savings, this version gives up a lot that makes the XPlosion dial a worthwhile filler figure. No flight takes away an alternative use. No X-Men team ability, likewise, robs the late dial of a fine secondary function. Useful keywords are gone; this young, inexperienced X-Girl isn't even a Teen! And if a 17 is becoming less daunting, a 14 is tossing a fat one across the plate. A top heavy figure who can easily be hit is even worse when you consider her targets will have to be within 6 squares of her. Even Kingpin can close that gap.

Overall Rating: 4.8:star:s
View other players' ratings in the Units section (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179397)

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Experienced Storm
Set: Ultimates
Character #: 029
Rarity: Common
Keywords: Ultimate X-Men.....................................................2:star:s
Team Ability: Ultimate X-Men.................................................8:star:s
Range: 8..............................................................................8:star:s
Targets: 1............................................................................4:star:s
Point Value: 38......................................................................8:star:s
Current Estimated Value: $1...................................................10:star:s
Dial:.....................................................................................5:star:s
m-winga-fistd-shieldg-starburst9815187141871317613276121KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

This alternative take on Storm seems to have learned from the mistakes of the Rookie. A longer range makes a difference in how I view that defense value, and the sustained damage output and attack values make this a viable option for a secondary attacker. Flight also makes for a useful second role.

This is as cheap as the Ultimate X-Men team ability comes, and it can be an awesome ability for wildcards. Unfortunately, this figure's lone keyword won't give you a bonus for playing with a wildcard, and the character's appearances have been too few to allow for many comic-based themes, outside of bringing in Ultimate Spider-Man. Storm definitely needs the +1 attack bonus to make her own dial look good, so it's not a total loss if she can't share.

Overall Rating: 6.4:star:s
View other players' ratings in the Units section (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179398)

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Veteran Storm
Set: Ultimates
Character #: 030
Rarity: Uncommon
Keywords: Ultimate X-Men.....................................................2:star:s
Team Ability: Ultimate X-Men.................................................8:star:s
Range: 8..............................................................................8:star:s
Targets: 1............................................................................4:star:s
Point Value: 56......................................................................4:star:s
Current Estimated Value: $1.50..............................................10:star:s
Dial:.....................................................................................5:star:s
m-winga-fistd-shieldg-starburst991529815287141871317613276121KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

If Experienced Ultimates Storm had found the sweet spot for points and dial design, Veteran Storm overdid it and missed the mark. Going from 38 to 56 points changes the role you need Storm to play, and with nothing more than a slightly drawn out dial with mildly upgraded stats, the defense is just too low to protect that investment.

Overall Rating: 5.8:star:s
(http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179398)View other players' ratings in the Units section (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179399)

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Ororo Munroe
Set: Ultimates
Character #: 210
Rarity: Limited Edition
Keywords: Ultimate X-Men.....................................................2:star:s
Team Ability: None.................................................................0:star:s
Range: 6..............................................................................6:star:s
Targets: 1............................................................................4:star:s
Point Value: 34......................................................................4:star:s
Current Estimated Value: $6.....................................................9:star:s
Dial:.....................................................................................3:star:s
m-winga-fistd-shieldg-starburst8714187132761317612166121KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

I had a roommate in college who was proud of his Ororo Munroe. It was his first tournament prize, and every so often he couldn't help but put her on the table. This always ended in laughter as he tried to push her to her powers, then tried to get her close enough to Pulse Wave, and ultimately missed the attack and was destroyed.

Ororo has had exactly one thing go right for her, and that's the recent change in Pulse Wave. Now she's free to miss adjacent opponents who will subsequently tear her apart. Nothing works on this dial. No defense, an activation click, minimal range, terrible attack values. She costs 10 points more than the only comparable version of her, Rookie Ultimates Storm. Yes, she can fly. Yes, she has a lot of Ranged Combat Expert. Despite all that, there is never a use for this figure.

Overall Rating: 4:star:s
View other players' ratings in the Units section (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179476)

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Experienced Storm
Set: XPlosion
Character #: 083
Rarity: Uncommon
Keywords: Twelve, X-Men......................................................4:star:s
Team Ability: X-Men...............................................................8:star:s
Range: 0..............................................................................0:star:s
Targets: 1.............................................................................N/A
Point Value: 40......................................................................2:star:s
Current Estimated Value: $1.50..............................................10:star:s
Dial:....................................................................................4:star:s
m-boota-fistd-shieldg-starburst8915278142681415713157131KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

This figure is one of the biggest letdown this game has ever given me. Due to the belief that a character must improve from Rookie to Experienced to Veteran, the designers tried to create a Storm that was more expensive and yet less powerful than the Rookie. This is flawed to begin with; Storm gained nothing when she lost her powers, so she should absolutely be cheaper than a version with powers.

How do you raise the cost of a dial rapidly? Add Incapacitate and Leadership! With 0 range and a 9 attack, Storm has a good chance of wasting an action without even succeeding at giving a token to an opponent who's guaranteed to be able to retaliate. And it's only recently that Leadership has gained much use; even with the current definition of the power, Storm can only remove tokens from adjacent characters under 40 points.

That's a lot of words to say this Morlock-leading Storm without the Morlock keyword is a disappointment.

Overall Rating: 4.6:star:s
View other players' ratings in the Units section (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179688)

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Veteran Storm
Set: Danger Room
Character #: 006
Rarity: Fixed
Keywords: Mutant, X-Men.......................................................6:star:s
Team Ability: X-Men...............................................................8:star:s
Range: 8..............................................................................8:star:s
Targets: 1............................................................................4:star:s
Point Value: 40......................................................................8:star:s
Current Estimated Value: $5.50................................................9:star:s
Dial:.....................................................................................7:star:s
m-winga-fistd-shieldg-starburst101016289161991528914278131KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

In the Danger Room, Storm apparently gets her act together. With the attack value of a Veteran and point cost of an Experienced, Storm deals the damage you've come to know her for from the safety of Stealth. And for the first time, we see a Storm with some variety in her powerset. Force Blast and Smoke Cloud both add to what Storm brings to an X-Men team. Her other keyword, Mutant, allows for a powerful team build, even if it's doomed to never get a new member.

There are certainly advantages to playing her predecessors, even at their slightly higher costs. But for most of your third string needs, Danger Room Storm will get the job done.

Overall Rating: 7.1:star:s
View other players' ratings in the Units section (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179863)

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Experienced Storm
Set: Mutations and Monsters
Character #: 057
Rarity: Super-Rare
Keywords: Mutant, X-Men.......................................................6:star:s
Team Ability: X-Men...............................................................8:star:s
Range: 10...........................................................................10:star:s
Targets: 2............................................................................7:star:s
Point Value: 100....................................................................6:star:s
Current Estimated Value: $18...................................................7:star:s
Dial:.....................................................................................9:star:s
m-winga-fistd-shieldg-starburst101017310101738916289162891527815278152KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO(Attack) Goddess: Storm can use Energy Explosion, Force Blast, Quake and Smoke Cloud.

9 full-sized Marvel sets after Storm's first appearance in Heroclix, we finally got a version that can play first fiddle, though strategically you're still better off if an ally keeps the heat off Ororo. Lots of what we see here has been seen before: Stealth and Leadership return, Energy Explosion and Ranged Combat Expert define her fighting style, and Smoke Cloud and Force Blast show up to keep her safe. This time, however, they focused not just on the lightning, but on all the weather conditions Storm can influence. Quake simulates Tornado forces, Force Blast a gust of wind, Smoke Cloud a fog. And conveniently, these powers all serve different roles for Storm: Group Busting, Focused Attacks on one Target, Pushing Away an Adjacent Opponent with High Defense, Clearing Out a Crowd of Low-Defense Attackers, even Covering for the Team. Storm is a multi-tool with an answer for everything.

Storm's keywords are no different from her Danger Room version, making them two equally worthy options for your builds: do your mutants need a primary attacker or a secondary one?

Overall Rating: 7.6:star:s
(http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179863)View other players' ratings in the Units section (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=219448)

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Veteran Storm
Set: Giant-Size X-Men
Character #: 048
Rarity: Super-Rare
Keywords: Deity, Ruler, Fantastic Four, Hellfire Club, Morlocks, X-Men...............................................................................10:star:s
Team Ability: X-Men...............................................................8:star:s
Range: 9*.............................................................................9:star:s
Targets: 1*..........................................................................6:star:s
Point Value: 86....................................................................10:star:s
Current Estimated Value: $25...................................................6:star:s
Dial:.....................................................................................9:star:s
m-winga-fistd-shieldg-starburst10101738917289162710163791627915268151KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO(Damage) The Weather Witch: When Storm occupies a square of outdoor terrain, modify her damage and range values by +1 and she possesses 2 targets.

The stats with *s by them are marked that way because of Storm's damage power, which allows her 10 range and 2 targets if she's outdoors. This should be the case in most games, as a theme team should be easy to build with Storm's reasonable cost and vast assortment of Keywords. Seriously, look at those fantastic keywords!

Storm gives up the options of the Mutations and Monsters version in favor of a more team-driven dial; opening Telekinesis will give your allies plenty of mobility. Storm is just as mobile, just as accurate, and just as well defended in this version as the aforementioned Super-Rare, but this time she's dealing higher damage (so long as she stays outside).

For a combat-focused Storm, Punk Ororo will give you all the tools to deal with whatever threat you face; but for a team build where you've already got an assortment of powers, Rain on your Wedding Day Storm brings a more focused dial.

Overall Rating: 8.3:star:s
View other players' ratings in the Units section (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=307647)

[saturnflight]

So you've read the reviews. Now it's time to choose the perfect Storm.

Keyworded Theme Teams
Deity: Rookie Storm (X-Plosion/Universe)

The Deity keyword is rightfully full of high-cost characters. When trying to make a theme team with a generic keyword, you'll appreciate the low cost Storm comes at. Let your true gods carry the team.
Fantastic Four: Veteran Storm (Giant-Size X-Men)
As the only Storm with this keyword, this choice was easy. Storm can really enjoy the Energy Shield/Deflection on top of the Fantastic Force Additional Team Ability.
Hellfire Club: Veteran Storm (Giant-Size X-Men)
On a team full of immobile attackers, the mobility of Running Shot and the support of Telekinesis could balance your force. That said, the Hellfire Club is full of expensive Kings and Queens; using the Veteran from X-Plosion may fit the points better.
Morlocks: Veteran Storm (Giant-Size X-Men)
Accuracy dictates the dial of the X-Plosion Experienced with the sculpt of the Mutations and Monsters Super-Rare (who sadly lacks the keyword), but the team needs a strong central figure, and GSX Storm can fill that role.
Ruler: Veteran Storm (Giant-Size X-Men)

The only Storm with the Ruler keyword, GSX Storm looks the part for a Black Panther team-up, and her dial compliments his fairly well on top of that.
X-Men: Experienced Storm (Mutations & Monsters)

The X-Men are all about variety of powers, and Storm excels at that. Generally, an X-Men team will have enough attackers to divert attention from Storm, and at 100 points she's at the perfect power level to be a central part of your team without restricting your ability to expand your roster.
Mutant: Veteran Storm (Danger Room)

With the Mutant keyword crossing allegiances, high-cost centerpieces have a lot more options, and Storm's role is best kept to second-string attacker.
Ultimate X-Men: Experienced Storm (Ultimates)

Of the four options, this dial best balances point cost with power level.
Twelve: Experienced Jean Grey (Infinity Challenge/Universe)

Because I really can't recommend Experienced X-Plosion Storm to anyone under any circumstances... though to be fair, on the Twelve lineup she could at least take tokens off Jean Grey and Cyclops.
X.S.E.: Veteran Storm (X-Plosion)

The only option for a neglected Keyword.

Other Possible Comic-Based Teams:
Holy Guard (http://www.comicvine.com/holy-guard/65-56621/), Lady Liberators (http://www.comicvine.com/lady-liberators/65-46791/), Civil-War Era Secret Avengers (http://www.comicvine.com/secret-avengers/65-40904/)

[UniqueLoginNamor]

I can't get GSX storm to work./ It's crazy. She's so good but she always gets hit

[Baron Impossible]

i prefer the punk rocker myself because storm's power is inherently versatile and this is the best representation of weather control in the game (i'm looking at you, woefully un-remade weather wizard).

plus she's a lot more affordable than wedding day storm. i think the price should be weighted more heavily in these reviews as it greatly influences what piece you'll actually wind up getting

[Baron Impossible]

i also remember xplosion vet being a great piece. 'course that was back when a 17 defense (ranged) was harder to hit

[Amora's_best_friend]

I think you're a bit harsh on the E Xplosion version. I've used her to great effect many times before. Use her to hurt and heal, onto her third click, and then sit in stealth and perplex your team. Not AMAZING for 40, but not useless either.

I mean, even her Leadership *is* useful, considering the X-Men have a few low-point characters. Set her down next to Pete Wisdom, and you're set for a pair of harassers.

[The Arachnid]

Yeah. I like Night Elf Storm better, but GSX Storm does have better keywords...

[BigBlueBeast1982]

I would have a liked a Storm with the 90's white costume. I can't believe we never got one with all the Storms we have...

[saturnflight]

I think you're a bit harsh on the E Xplosion version. I've used her to great effect many times before. Use her to hurt and heal, onto her third click, and then sit in stealth and perplex your team. Not AMAZING for 40, but not useless either.

I mean, even her Leadership *is* useful, considering the X-Men have a few low-point characters. Set her down next to Pete Wisdom, and you're set for a pair of harassers.

The trouble is that the role she fills is not a rarity among X-Men. Madrox, E Multiple Man, Gambit, and Psylocke can all act as stat bumpers, with Gambit and Psylocke doing the Stealth thing as well. Havok can provide cheap leadership with better attack contributions. Marrow (especially LE Sarah) and Multiple Man R make much better batteries, but even Gambit can do it as well as Storm. And by using Storm E, you're cutting out your option to thematically use any of the numerous other, better versions of Storm (including the 40 point Danger Room version, who could sit by Havok and have tokens removed).

There is no reason to use her; she didn't even get the appropriate Morlocks keyword, which would have provided at least a thematic reason...

[theemaxx52ad]

With the number of pathetic Storms that have been made, including the one you said you'd never play under any circumstances, I wonder what it would take for a character to get less than a 4-* rating from you...

[saturnflight]

To those discussing format suggestions... you will note that this is writer swap week...

[iMaraud]

She's amazing outdoors but I just can't seem to get her to work for me.

[Tim Drake]

I can't get GSX storm to work./ It's crazy. She's so good but she always gets hit

Same here, mate.

[PONX]

I would have a liked a Storm with the 90's white costume. I can't believe we never got one with all the Storms we have...

I second this, alot...

[saturnflight]

Why we've waited so long for a white suit Storm, or a green cloak Rogue, I will never understand.

[ValasCladdana]

GSX Storm has been apart of my X-men teams since I got her. And I can tell you first hand, she can almost single handedly wreck an opposing team.

For the first few games she was easily ignored as being "eye candy". As in she just looks cool. Until those close combat clicks fell to her range. Now I have a hard time keeping her alive because of it.

Now shes just an effective taxi for my other X-Men, that on occasion sends a Sabretooth to the ER.

[IceHot]

Nice write-up.

[tyroclix]

I can't get GSX storm to work./ It's crazy. She's so good but she always gets hit

Don't take it personally.

I used to be a HUGE Storm fan (the comic character). I've used the every version many many times.

I have made junky figures threatening. I use rarely played pieces all the time so I have experience with sub-optimal pieces and teams.

She has one of the worst win/loss records of any figure I have used. And she has a decent dial.

My XP Vet Storm is 11-14.

Ultimate Exp is 1-2

SR MM Storm is 2-5

SR GSX Storm is 0-1

For a total character record of 14-22.

I've had her do well for me in games but the team never rarely wins if she is on it. And regardless of the defensive precautions, you are right - she always gets hit.

I'll keep trying though...

[Darknesspwns]

Sculpt = !0
sexiest Storm Click right out of a box ever
there are some sexy customs out there

[Pentarch]

Oddly enough the GSX Storm has yet to fail me, but that could be the fact that I use her a ranged assault piece, and only run her on Hellfire teams. Those guards really do make up for the fact that she is incredibly squishy.

Besides that, wonderful write-up Saturn.

[Baron Impossible]

I second this, alot...

i third it. maybe as a modern age storm that isnt SR. perish the thought

[benjaminkch]

Very cool I like the GSX Storm... How about a Jean Grey/Phoenix deep dish next?

[ComicJunkie]

I don't recall Storm ever wearing a white costume in the comics. She wore a SILVER costume that was the basis for a white costume used in the cartoon and it's corresponding Toybiz action figure. I call this version the Jim Lee Storm, based on who designed the costume.

I would love to see the Joe Madurieira Storm with the purple outfit and shorter hair. Or maybe that was Carlos Pacheco, their eras were pretty close to each other.

[Lord Logan]

Mutant keyword has been disbanded

[saturnflight]

Mutant keyword has been disbanded

I'm fairly sure that you can still have a Mutant theme; you just won't see anymore Mutant keyword given out...

But I've been wrong before.