Thugit, Inc: The Burden of Dreams

[Thunderclese]

Inspired by thugit's great Vengeance of Bane thread, I'm going to be tracking one of my favorite characters of the past ten years. (Give or take 7 decades, if you want to get technical) :cheeky:

The "new" Captain America, James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes!

ca205 R Captain America
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 6 :bolt:
Points: 50
Keywords: Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., Soldier
m-boota-fistd-shieldg-starburst101016310101628101627111717916168161KOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKOKO

I'll be focusing on the gravity feed 50 point version for the purposes of this thread. I feel he's got a mix of powers/stats that are going to be highly underestimated, so he'll provide a sufficient challenge. The KOs will be all the sweeter!

Wins: 23
Losses: 16
KO's: 23

Notable KOs: Crisis KC Superman, HoT Captain America, Vet Icons Superman, JL SR Wonder Woman, WL Animal Man X2!, Silver Savage, Ryu, WL Green Arrow, WL Deadman, Guy Gardner, Caeira

[Thunderclese]

Team: 700 Points - 1 patriotic character, the rest have to have red, white, or blue on their costumes

I ran the current flagship Avengers team, as close as I could:

Captain America, HoT Thor, M&M Iron Man, SI Spider-Woman, WoS Spider-Man (Red&Blue), GSXM Wolverine, AV Hawkeye SR

Round 1: A lot of wasted time and missed attacks by my whole team left Cap wide open against my opponents WoS Iron Man. He didn't last, but was the only member of the team to go down. Sadly it was a loss, as I only managed to take out his Code: Blue Officer.

Round 2: Played on the new WWII map from Gridreality. I didn't have high hopes for this one. My opponent was using Crisis KC Superman, HoT Cap, Winter Soldier, the Chief, Isis, and V Dr Midnite. Luck kept Superman and Steve occupied with Spider-Woman for a while, who barely got touched. Logan didn't last, though; he was avenged. The map was on my side, as Thor was able to soften up Clark from on high while Buck moved into position. He managed to finish off Superman, and eventually Captain America, thanks to teamwork. Final enemy standing is a ghost from the past, Winter Soldier. Cap hits him hard, knocking him back onto his ship, but Spidey knocks him out, finishing off the team.

Round 3: Played in the warehouse side of the new map. Opponent had SI Sentry, Spider-Girl, and SR Scarlet Witch as notable members of his Avengers team. Oh, and E Quicksilver from IC, who somehow managed to hit Spidey with a knockback into some crates, dealing him 3 damage. Ridiculous! Thor gets crippled by Sentry with HSS, but doesn't go down. Buck manages to pick up the Crimson Gem, but has to work his way around the crates, the middle of which are occupied by the opponent. Shoots up at his AW E Captain America, hurting him, but spends the rest of the match essentially jockeying for positions. Overall a win.

Wins: 2
Losses: 1
KOs: 2 - Crisis KC Superman, HoT Captain America

[Thunderclese]

Same build as Saturday, different venue. Cap was teamed with a SHIELD all star squad this go-around: CAGF Captain America, GSXM Wolverine, SI Iron Man, Sharon Carter, CAGF Black Widow, Sam Wilson (Falcon LE), SI Spider-Woman, 1 SHIELD Sentry (human) and 1 SHIELD Sentry (robot), with Crimson Gem.

Round 1: Opponent's team: Vet Icons Superman, Vet Icons Wonder Woman, CD Captain Marvel (Mary in red), DC75 Deadshot, E SHIELD Sniper. Superman tore out early, extending his full movement to hit (and KO) Spider-Woman. Jessica didn't stand a chance. Buck managed to pick up the Crimson Gem. After a decent hit from Wolverine, Cap charged in with a Mass Absorber, clobbering Clark for 6 damage. Superman makes his break away roll and hi-tails it out of there. Sam picks up Buck and they pursue the Kryptonian, who takes out Wilson with a critical hit. Cap pushes to retaliate, KOing the Last Son of Krypton. The round goes to me.

Round 2: Opponent uses a Ladies of DC squad. Highlights include BD Hawkgirl, Cr Wonder Girl (grown), Alpha Harley Quinn, JL Wonder Woman (Artemis), Liberty Belle, and Origins LE Wonder Woman. Wolvie and Widow get into it with Artemis while Bucky moves into position to take pot-shots at her from afar. A final shield-sling takes her down. Meanwhile Sam's mixing it up with Wonder Woman and Harley outside the Lab. After clearing, Cap charges through the breach in the wall, shield forward, to avenge Falcon's KO by taking down Quinn. Overall a win.

Round 3: A tougher nut. DC75 Superman SR, R Jade, SR Scarlet Witch, DC75 Mr Terrific, SR Barry Allen, Phantom Girl, WL Bart Allen, CR Supernova, SI Elektra (human). I pick the Lab again, I seem to do really well there. Wolverine goes full-bore on Superman and takes out the old-timer. Bucky fights alongside Natasha for most of the fight, crippling Supernova through a hole in the wall, but doesn't KO anybody this time around. Still manage to squeeze out a win thanks to some high attack rolls on my part, and several misses at critical junctures on my opponents'.

Wins: 3
Losses: 0
KOs: 3 - Vet Icons Superman, JL SR Wonder Woman (Artemis), BA Harley Quinn

As an aside, just like to add that the Sentries are ridiculous and easy to underestimate.

[Carbon Rod]

I love it. As WWE Superstar R-Truth used to say, "It's time to get BUCK!"

[Thunderclese]

Had several sealed events and formats he didn't qualify for, but rest assured, he'll be back. You can't keep Bucky Barnes down!

[Carbon Rod]

I had an epic game against Bucky on Tuesday night. I was playing a home game with a friend. We were testing out 400 point silver age Captain America Floor teams. I was playing an animal team (led by Capwolf and Ursa Major) and he was rocking an Avengers team (led by the regular set Captain Bucky). After some craziness including:

Capwolf one shotting WoS regular Spider-Man with a 6 blades roll.
Ursa Major hitting 5 shape changes in a row
Captain Bucky KOing WL Animal man and Rocket Racoon without breaking a sweat.
Black Widow being taken out thanks to the TK of Vet Super Ape: Peotor.

It came down to a slugfest between Ursa Major and Buck. Buck ended up losing it, but he took Ursa down to his last clix.

My respect for that piece grew tremendously, and I'm excited to run him. I've run the gravity feed Buck with mixed results (1-1. And he jobbed out pretty bad in the loss) but am very eager to play him again.

[Thunderclese]

That does sound pretty epic, especially considering he went up against Ursa in the last Captain America storyline. Yeah the 89pt version is definitely good, which is why I've chosen the 50 pointer for the challenge.

[Thunderclese]

This week's format called for everyone to build a 250 point force from the Captain America set, then purchase one booster and pick another 250 points to include for a 500 point team.

I brought Captain America (GF), Black Widow (GF), Nick Fury (GF), and Falcon. Combined with a Red Skull SR pull (nice!), Sin, and Slingshot.

All three rounds were played on the S-4 side of the Hellicarrier map, the cramped indoors. My choice most times, actually. I like breaking up lines of fire.

Round 1: Versus Rojhaz, Dirk Anger, Black Panther, Batroc, Red Guardian, SHIELD Specialist, an Adaptoid....and 2 other characters that escape me. I got obliterated, but Buck managed to take out a lowly Shield Specialist all by his lonesome. (She had pushed) I couldn't handle the sheer number of characters my friend had, combined with his Rohjaz ignoring my stealth, Black Panther outwitting and slashing away, and Slingshot missing every. single. attack. Utterly, utterly, defeated.

Round 2: Versus "All Head" himself, MODOK, along with Fixer, Viper, Hardball, and some Hydra goons. It was a struggle; we tore down nearly every wall in the center of the map, which made for a cluster&*^% in the halls. Bucky managed to work over Phobos with his pistol, knowing from experience that I had to get the kid out of there or he'd just keep coming back. He also got a pot-shot or two off on the Big Giant Head, but not much else.

The middle of the match I was at a loss on what to do; without LoF with Outwit and all 2 damages, I couldn't hurt Fixer or MODOK. Eventually moved around some pieces instead of picking away at Hydra goons. Won this one after several poor attacks at critical junctures, including two crit misses (in a row!) by Sin.

Round 3: Faced Capwolf himself (a really lucky pull!), along with peanut Cap, Doorman, Kitty Pryde, Hyde and Nomad. Doorman kept me on my toes with the CapWolf, and the Skull almost bit it, but I needed him alive so I pushed to Regen up a few clicks and was able to poison Wolf down a few clicks. Cap and Falcon double teamed Hyde, finishing him up quickly thanks to some Perplexing help from the Widow. Cap did manage to take a hit from Hyde that landed him on his 11 attack, 1 damage click.

Nick and Sin kept Kitty occupied while Fury tossed outwit around from the command center in the main room. Once Pryde was out of the way, Bucky moved up to the command station to get a line of fire, and with Fury outwitting the Super Senses, pushed to take a shot, KOing the CapWolf with one click of damage. Doorman stood there and got beat up by Falcon and Red Skull.

Wins: 2
Losses: 1
KOs: 3 - SHIELD Specialist, Phobos, and Capwolf

Never once had an opportunity to use Red Skull's outwit, but his Leadership came in handy.. except in the first game when I faced Dirk Anger. He got smacked around a lot. Falcon is my new best bud for obvious reasons. Good to have you along, Sam!

[Thunderclese]

It's been a while, but I've had a few more KOs for Bucky's list.

He managed to dust a White Lantern Animal Man but it's been a while, so I've forgotten the details of the fight.

This past Tuesday in a losing battle against a warrior team, he and Warskrull managed to tag-team a Silver Savage. Finished him off with CCE and an 8 attack. Good work, soldier!

[Thunderclese]

Played Bucky in a 500 point random BFC format. Teamed with The Captain (NextWave), Noh-Varr, two GSX Madri, Hardball, and Rorshach.

Went 0-3 this time around.

Didn't expect to win, but I think my opponents had it out for poor Buck this week. The best he did was hit GF Kilowog for 4 damage (-2).

[Thunderclese]

Bucky went out into the field with a team of "street-level" Avengers:

CA Black Panther
CA Falcon
CA Black Widow w/ T-Bolts
SI Spider-Man

The 1st two rounds I T-bolted Mystics, but in the 3rd I forgot but he let me pick anyway, so I just did Ultimates since he didn't have any stealth.

Round 1 wound up as a win for the team versus a couple Street Fighters, Batman & Robin (Dick & Damien), Tarantula, and Batroc (ZE LEPAIR!!). The only thing Cap managed to do was sock the other sidekick-turned-hero, Dick Grayson, for 3 damage (1 + CCE), but then he got KO'd by him and Balrog.

Round 2 was against a rival, imposter gang of Avengers. Peanut Cap (brainwashed!), Falcon (faker!), 89pt Bucky (clone!), Spider-Woman (dirty Skrull!), and Iron Fist (.....look at his booties!). Well his Steve managed to pick up Mjolnir, so I could see the writing on the wall. Bucky only managed to hit his doppleganger and Iron Fist, not KOing anybody. Hope the people of NY weren't watching that one.

Round 3 the team went up against a bunch of celebrites, including Silk Spectre (classy dame), Deejay, Fei Long, R Legacy Joker, Vigilante, and the brick Spider-Man. Bucky got smacked good at the beginning, but he managed to make it to a vine that healed him up slowly. He healed up to the 11 attack, 1 dmg +CCE click while the rest of the team ran around hitting people. Falcon couldn't bring himself to punch Silk Spectre for half the game. His Spidey ended up on my end of OA (with the elevated starting area), where I was able to finally take him down. Bucky managed to finish off Fei Long with a shot after he was worked over by Spidey and Black Panther.

Wins: 2
Losses: 1

KO's: 1 - Fei Long

[Carbon Rod]

Love the battle reports. I'm sorry that Buck's having a tough go of it, but I was inspired by this thread to play the following team for the 400 point Captain America Floor event my venue is doing tonight:

CA Captain America (peanut base)
CA Falcon
CA Black Panther
CAGF Captain America
SI "Lampost" Spider-Man

For an Avengers theme team. I'm hoping to have Falcon taxi around Buck and those two to run roughshad. But I'll let you know how it goes.

[Thunderclese]

Love the battle reports. I'm sorry that Buck's having a tough go of it, but I was inspired by this thread to play the following team for the 400 point Captain America Floor event my venue is doing tonight:

CA Captain America (peanut base)
CA Falcon
CA Black Panther
CAGF Captain America
SI "Lampost" Spider-Man

For an Avengers theme team. I'm hoping to have Falcon taxi around Buck and those two to run roughshad. But I'll let you know how it goes.

Awesome man, I look forward to hearing back. Yeah it was bad planning on my part this week that did him in. I was using Falcon to carry the Widow onto the hammer first off, so he and Buck weren't ending up together.

Plus certain people know I'm trying to track his KOs and just have it out for him, the jerks! :laugh:

[Carbon Rod]

Unfortunately Buck (and the rest of my team) got stomped in the tournament. Went 1-2. My only win was due to the Falcon seeking vengence against SR Human Torch from the cap set. Johnny had his damage perplexed up and crit hit Bucky for 6, killing him. He was the only figure to fall in the game where I won :(

Aside from that, Buck played well the whole night. I just couldn't get outta the gate in my other two match ups. Buck did manage to take out Stonewall when I went up against the Secret Warriors however.

[Thunderclese]

Man, that seems like a really solid team, too. Well, at least he managed to take someone out.

I've learned the key is knowing when to push to charge in, getting him off the ES/D and onto Combat Reflexes. 10 movement on that Charge is nothing to sneeze at, and with the right target, he can do some damage. If I can't get him into a good position, I just sit back and shoot, relying on the high defense at range to be a deterrent until someone tries to get in close.

[Carbon Rod]

Yeah, using the Falcon as a taxi was great. The problem was that my first game was against a guy who we dub at our venue "The turtle". He unintentionally (and sometimes intetionally) turtles and plays the clock. So much so that we actually set the time and then hide it so that no one knows how much time is left in the round until the timer goes off. Anyway, he ended up taking out Spidey and by the time the action was truly "joined" the battle was up. The third round I just couldn't hit a target to save my life. I have brought Bucky in and had him hang back and take pot shots until I needed him (or Falcon) to charge in and bust some heads. Like I said, Buck played well. I blame myself.

[Thunderclese]

Bucky went on a pan-dimensional jaunt this week. The format was 500 points, all figures from 5 "mini" sets or off-properties. So Watchmen FF/CS, Green Lantern FF/GF, Cap GF, Gears of War, and Street Fighter. Must have at least 1 from each set.

The team:
Captain America
Anya Stroud
Augustus Cole
Fei Long
Abin Sur (Ring Passing version)
Rorschach (Fast Forces)
Molach the Mystic

Round 1
Bucky got a few good hits in, but didn't take anyone down. I wasn't able to win, especially with Baird backing up Marcus. The tide really turned when I took out his Abin Sur, who passed the ring along to Fenix, making him nigh-impossible to hit. My Abin Sur passed the ring on to Buck, who managed to hit Baird once, but couldn't KO anyone before time ran out. I screwed up, not realizing Cole's turret could be placed "within" 10 squares, and I had put it exactly 10 squares out, in a useless part of the map for my use.

Round 2
Got blasted by Tomar Re for 5 damage, putting him on his last click. Bucky beat a hasty retreat through the Bifrost so Rorschach could back him up. Zangief broke free of Ror's hold, and moved in to hit Buck, but luckily missed (one of the few misses my opponent made that game). The next round, Cap used CCE, KOing the big Russian lug. Woo! The real star of this game was Fei Long, however. He moved in to base Ramey H'oll and Chun Li, who had based Cole on his Raven turret. Fei then proceeded to push and Flurry, KOing both characters. When he cleared, he leaped to the other building, where Tomar, the SHIELD Sentry (robot), and Dominic had taken up sniping positions, along with Hal, who had just spoken the oath and changed into his action suit. He was untouchable, then pushed to use Quake, hitting with a roll of 10, smacking all 4 figures off of the building. It was truly glorious, my best results from a Quake ever, dealing 9 damage all around. Still managed to lose, though.

Round 3
Buck charged in, defying odds, needing a 9 to hit, and smacking a cleared Vega for 3....right onto B/C/F. Next turn he gets slashed for 5 with knockback, then proceeds to high-tail it out of there, taking up a defensive position while the rest of the team is in the mix. Abin Sur was my MVP that game, hitting for 5 or 3 depending on the turn. A Locust Drone gets in and knocks Cap back, preventing him from using CCE, but he still takes a shot, weakening him. Tomar moves in for the kill, but after getting beat up by the Raven gun and Abin, Bucky is able to dispatch him quickly. The team earns a win in the final round.

Wins: 1
Losses: 2

KO's: 2 - Zangief, Tomar Re

[Thunderclese]

Think I need to dedicate a Leadership piece to clearing Bucky to maximize his potential each game. Sam Wilson LE is probably the ideal choice, but I like the new Falcon so much. Decisions...

[Carbon Rod]

Think I need to dedicate a Leadership piece to clearing Bucky to maximize his potential each game. Sam Wilson LE is probably the ideal choice, but I like the new Falcon so much. Decisions...

HoT Cap and Buck could be quite vicious together. Maybe Steve Rogers could back Buck for comic accurate goodness? I agree with you about choices though ...

[Thunderclese]

The friend I played in the final round reminded me that Bucky also managed to finish off Tomar. Gotta get back to writing these things down!

[Thunderclese]

This week was a team-up event with each player providing 250 points of a team to be combined with a random teammate.

My force:
Captain "Bucky" America
"Deadly" Nightshade
Dirk Anger
Harry Leland
Scorpio Key

Designed to annoy and confound. Plus: BuckyCapWolf!

My team-up partner brought:

Wonder Woman (horse) w/ All-Star Squadron
Squirrel Girl
Roulette
Abe Sapien
Scorpio Key

With our powers combined, we made the most annoying team ever.

Round 1 versus some Gears of War pieces, FF Abin Sur and GF Ganthet. We ran roughshod over the whole team, Diana ripping Ganthet up with Exploit Weakness and a Dumpster, and Bucky ripped Abin a new one. He was almost able to take down Dom, but it came down to a teammates attack.

Round 2 versus a Mindless One, Doom 2099 and AA Wonder Woman. Got some good hits in on WW, and almost took down Doom if not for his lucky 6 regen roll while pushing. Thankfully Dirk kept us from taking any Mystical feedback, and Harry kept Doom from Running Shotting around. Unfortunately Bucky took the long way around (forcing them to run from him, of course) and didn't see much action at all. Nightshade picked up the Scorpio Key, hit WW twice, but she rolled her Super Senses special power both times. Those two rolls cost us the game as my teammate lost two of his characters to her Flurry.

Round 3 versus some Justice Leaguers and Larfleeze, essentially. Larfleeze was super-annoying!!! It was hilarious watching our guys scatter from the constructs, though. Nightshade wolfed up Bucky and he charged in to hit GF Hal Jordan (civilian); silly me I decided to go for the B/C/F knowing full well his base 3 damage probably would have KO'd him at this point. Rolled a 1. After he managed to power up, and Cap got smacked a little, he was able to finish off the flyboy once and for all. Crisis Green Arrow hit my partners Wonder Woman hard, landing her on her last click, but somehow after she based him, Ollie could not hit her again. Time ran out, and we managed to win on the points we got from KOing Hal and the FCBD Green Lantern, who just got dogpiled by WW and Abe early on.

Wins: 2
Losses: 1

KOs: FF Abin Sur, GF Hal Jordan
Bucky doesn't like Green Lanterns apparently.

[Thunderclese]

Venue's been in DC/Superman mode for a few weeks, but rest assured: you can't keep a good soldier down!

[Thunderclese]

Okay, it's been awhile since Buck's seen any action, but he had two tours in the past month. Updates will be coming soon!

[thugit]

Looking forward to the updates...

[Thunderclese]

Agh, so far behind on updates! I'll list the KOs I've missed updating, then get back on the ball.

Uncommon Ryu
Gotham PD
And 1 other that eludes me...
EDIT- asked the opponent and he said it was Caiera, thanks to She-Hulk's outwit

Darkhawk

3 White Lanterns in one game:
Animal Man
Green Arrow
Deadman (gladly took that Mystics!)

[Thunderclese]

I'm going to run him with the Gauntlet in a friendly game tonight to see how near-godhood fits Bucky. Expect some craziness.

[Carbon Rod]

I'm going to run him with the Gauntlet in a friendly game tonight to see how near-godhood fits Bucky. Expect some craziness.

Maybe he can grow himself a new left arm :p

[Thunderclese]

Maybe he can grow himself a new left arm :p

Ouch!

Filler.

[Thunderclese]

Bucky took his girl, Black Widow, out on a double date with Steve Rogers and Sharon Carter. Falcon showed up with a professor and a Madrox dupe in tow when Steve winds up with the Infinity Gauntlet...

400 points Silver Age, must have at least one couple on your team
SHIELD theme team:
Captain America (Buck)
Black Widow (60pt GF version)
Steve Rogers (99pt) + Infinity Gauntlet with Soul Gem (15)
Sharon Carter (50pt)
Madrox (44pt)
Falcon (79pt)
The Professor (2 point pog)

Round 1: A group consisting of a monster man (Blanka), an ear-biter (Balrog) a woman dressed as a cat (vet Catwoman from HT), and an uncomfortably familiar duo (Batman & Robin duo) intercept ours on a bridge (of the Rainbow variety). Steve gets the hang of semi-godhood, eventually getting a boost to his stats, but mostly runs interference while Sam and Bucky charge into the fray. Bucky manages to take out the beast-man with some nice, solid rabbit punches, and finishes off the 'dynamic' duo. Can't land a hit on the cat, though. The dupe outwits her, and Natalia lays into her pretty hard. A solid win.

Round 2 finds the group in a prison where a group of poser Avengers are attempting to start a riot. Included in this team are HoT Cap, R Vision, SR Scarlet Witch, Skrull Spider-Woman (surest sign they're fakers!), Jarvis (aHA!), and 100pt Iron Man (well.... I just don't like that guy). We trade blows in the hallway, and he gets in a lucky energy explosion that manages to hurt Steve. Bucky cleans Iron Man's clock but good! Madrox intercepts the Skrull lady and manages to pop a dupe out, but doesn't last much longer. Vision gets a boost from a Crimson Gem just lying around and proceeds to beat Barnes into submission. Steve gets full godhood, which saves his bacon. Unfortunately, it's not enough to bring down faux-Vision before time is called. Thanks to his gem-powered toughness he winds up on his last click, even after Steve's +2 with CCE (maxed at +3, natch) on his last click. A narrow loss on points.

Round 3: We run into some trouble with a group of international justice-fighters that are over-stepping their bounds. A mottly assortment including a Power Princess knockoff (DC75 Wonder Woman), a Dr Specturm simulacrum (Guy Gardner), an Ice-Woman (WL Ice), and a guy dressed like a bug (Crisis Blue Beetle). They had infiltrated the hellicarrier and we had to bust in and take them down. A major clash in the hallway ensued almost immediately, with Steve falling to the power-woman before he could get the gauntlet under control. Sharon and Natalia tag-teamed her and were able to drag her to the ground (cat-fat!). The bug got squashed with the tag-team of Falcon and Bucky, alternating charge and shooting with his pistol. The frosty woman went down next with a concerted effort (and some Quake), which caused the green dude to fly off the handle with an energy chainsaw! Everyone kept their wits about them, and pacified him before he could bring the carrier down. Solid win.

Wins/Losses: 2/1
KOs: Batman/Robin, Blanka, 100pt Iron Man, Guy Gardner

[RocketR123]

Awesome. I'm subscribing now.