So in the tradition begun by myself and Sceritz, me and Taylor pitted our favorite figures of the year 2017 against one another. It was my victory, but with an asterik because he’d had to substitute one of his faves for another he didn’t own yet.
BUT NOW HE HAD IT AND WE HAD TO HAVE IT OUT
Molly Hayes [What If 011] 50
Nico Minoru [What If 031] 75
Groot [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 002] 30
Tippy Toe [Deadpool+X-Force 010] 25
Squirrel Girl [Deadpool+X-Force 039] 85
Throg [The Mighty Thor 033] 45
Batroc [Avengers Defenders War 050] 40
Ms. Marvel [The Mighty Thor 037] 90
Spider-Gwen [WizKids MP17-005] 65
Iron Heart [Avengers Defenders War 071] 25
Hulk [The Mighty Thor 020] 110
Rachel Cole-Alves [Avengers Defenders War 070] 90
Colossus [Deadpool+X-Force 056] 150
Pirate Deadpool [Deadpool+X-Force ] 135
= 905 points
YES! It was time for the REMATCH
Miss America [WizKids M17-009] 95
Moon Knight [Avengers Defender War 062] 110
Troll [The Mighty Thor 039] 60
Elijah Snow [Elseworlds 046] 120
Muhammad Ali [WizKids DP17-004] 75
Sand [Harley Quinn and the Gotham Girls 060] 35
Hulk [Avengers Defender War 052] 160
Bat-Knight [WizKids WizKids DP17-006] 60
Uhura [Star Trek: The Original Series 038] 75
Peace Machine [What If 043] 50
Robin [Harley Quinn and the Gotham Girls 030] 40
=880 points
Taylor won map and, determined to deny me hindering terrain for Bat-Knight, selected that one map with ice orange terrain that doubles knockback.
But Muhammad Ali used his Sidestep and 3 damage to wreck squares of blocking for Bat Knight to hide in with Stealth. And the giant robot got the first shot off at Batroc, who was finished quickly after by a TK’d Moon Knight, I think.
Now most of the action was concentrating on an upper level of elevation, where I gathered most of the rest of my force to avoid the shooting and Outwitting skills of Pirate Deadpool and others. But baby Groot provided samurai Gwen and Colossus easy access upstairs to gang up on Robin, who I’d sort of left as bait on a heavy object.
Poor Taylor fell for it, spending a RANGE to blow up the cover, then Outwit on Robin’s Reflexes, then two CLOSEs to KO Robin and get all foes within 6 squares tokened up for all the trouble and enabling me to gang up on Gwen and Colossus.
But I was having a little scare elsewhere on the board when Bat Knight got a heavy shot out from under it and nearly took a hit. Fortunately, either Tay’s roll failed or I got my Kingdom Come evasion and Bat-Knight was able to Sidestep into cover next turn.
Tay REALLY HATES that Bat-Knight.
Upstairs, my plan to quickly finish Gwen and concentrate on Colossus was failing hard as she evaded attack after attack and the cramped quarters denied lines of fire and squares for, say, Miss America, to Space Portal in a gang to help. The good news was that Taylor’s offense was similarly blocked, so eventually I won out. Then I got a series of attacks on Pirate DP down on the ground and that was effectively the end of the game, with Taylor having lost most of his force and taking just Uhura and Robin from mine.
It was a well-played match on his part, but I think my force may be a tad stronger. The Robin trap was a turning point. Perhaps Taylor should have gotten Squirrel Girl (who was fully armored up) into the action sooner somehow.
———
This story reminds me that Taylor and I earlier this year played our 2018 faves against each other as well!
TAYLOR’S:
Magneto, Realist [X-Men Xavier’s School 050] 100
Captain America, Principled [Avengers Infinity 035] 65
Dee Dee [Batman The Animated Series 015] 45 x 2
Mr. Freeze [Batman The Animated Series 022] 100
The Phantasm [Batman The Animated Series 051] 75
Inque [Batman The Animated Series 062] 75
The four turtle chases: Donatello[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Unplugged 038], Leonardo [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Unplugged 035], Michelangelo [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Unplugged 036] and Raphael [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Unplugged 037], at 100 points apiece
Phat [X-Men Xavier’s School 048] 75
Spider-Man [Secret Wars Battleworld 002] 85
SPIDER-MOBILE [Avengers Infinity G015] 50
= 1115 points
MINE:
Dee Dee [Batman The Animated Series 015] 45 x 2
Batman [Batman The Animated Series 040] – 125
Black Panther [Secret Wars Battleworld 061] – 150
Hawkman & Hawkgirl [Batman The Animated Series 060] – 125
Clayface [Batman The Animated Series 001b] – 45 + trait 5
Daredevil [WizKids MP18-007] – 50
Giant-Girl [Avengers Infinity G001] – 50
She-Hulk – [Avengers Infinity 024]– 50
Nova [Avengers Infinity 032] – 150
Dust [X-Men Xavier’s School 053] – 50
Oya [X-Men Xavier’s School 031] – 60
Wasp [Avengers Infinity 044] – 70
Apache Chief [Batman The Animated Series 070] – 50
Baby Doll [Batman The Animated Series 049] – 40
= 1110 points
This was actually the second matchup. An earlier game was played at 980 points due to an error in which Taylor didn’t build in Spider-Man.
TURNING POINTS
A Dee Dee-baited trap
I took an early lead when Taylor ventured too close to my side with his Dee Dee duo, allowing my camped out Batman and Clayface to Outwit one for Black Panther and Nova to KO her with HSS 1-2 shots. But my complacency was punished when turtles Raphael and Michelangelo concentrated Flurries on Batman for a one-turn KO of their own.
But MY Dee Dee Tho
Taylor decided to devote some attacks on Dee Dee, who proceeded to roll out of AT LEAST 90 PERCENT of them via Shape Change or Super Senses. This is probably the difference in the game, especially when I made Sidestep breakaways to get them back paired up (after one Dee Dee got hit and knocked back). Focus on them meant far fewer rolls against the rest of my team.
BY PIECE:
Apache Chief [Batman The Animated Series 070] – Served as a solid backup and clean up fighter. INUK CHUK!
Baby Doll [Batman The Animated Series 049] – Initially useful as portable Outwit, she had the ability to take occasional pot shots once the action got close.
Batman [Batman The Animated Series 040] – SOOO disappointed that he got murdered after only using a single Outwit.
Black Panther [Secret Wars Battleworld 061] – Although poised as a lead attacker, he was actually more vital as my only source of Prob Control, so I held him in reserve most of the time.
Captain America, Principled [Avengers Infinity 035] — He didn’t work out much for Taylor in this game other than to supply me with points. If brought in the fight sooner, he and Mr. Freeze could be quite the tandem.
Clayface [Batman The Animated Series 001b] – He was my chief Stealth Outwit piece.
Daredevil [WizKids MP18-007] – Whenever I use him, I almost always misplace him and am unable to use his free placement ability. But I think I finally have gotten the hang of it and got a great effective boost of his Charge at game end.
Dee Dee [Batman The Animated Series 015] — MUCH more effective than I expected for my side — and this is with me COMPLETELY forgetting the AV bonus she gets with a second Dee Dee there.
Donatello [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Unplugged 038] — Though the least damaging of the turtles, Donny was an important source of Outwit for Taylor.
Dust [X-Men Xavier’s School 053] – At first backing up Stealthers like Batman and Daredevil with her free Smoke Cloud, she eventually got near enough to deal hurt with her Scouring Sand trait. She thrives in a big game like this.
Giant-Girl [Avengers Infinity G001] – My big retaliator was held in reserve most of the time to take advantage of her ability to heal by KO.
Hawkman & Hawkgirl [Batman The Animated Series 060] – A vital early-game taxi becomes a great Outwit and HSS threat when I’m ready. No complaints.
Inque [Batman The Animated Series 062] — Though a solid attacker for Taylor, Inque underperformed, especially when tangled in the Dee Dee trap.
Leonardo [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Unplugged 035] — Got caught up fighting Dee Dee and didn’t do as much as he could.
Magneto, Realist [X-Men Xavier’s School 050] — The key to Taylor’s team thanks to his AV-boosting skill, he’d have been more effective if not for the Dee Dee thing.
Michelangelo [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Unplugged 036] — Along with brother Raph, Mikey is a mega-potent attacker that scored the KO of Batman in the very early going.
Mr. Freeze [Batman The Animated Series 022] — Only got one effective attack off, but it slowed me down considerably.
Nova [Avengers Infinity 032] – His Leadership supports Black Panther (both have Cosmic keyword) but of course he’s more effective as lead attacker. He served well.
Oya [X-Men Xavier’s School 031] – Finally got to really use her hot and cold power effectively. Like fellow X-Man Dust, she thrives on a big force.
The Phantasm [Batman The Animated Series 051] — Though Taylor used her expertly, he lamented that she never seems to quite live up to her promise.
Phat [X-Men Xavier’s School 048] — He consistently rolled either 1 (-1 on my choice of stat) or 3 (-1 AV) on his Lifestyle trait. Disappointing for Taylor.
Raphael [Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Unplugged 037] — Massively dangerous with what can amount to a NINE SQUARE Charge+Flurry+Exploit. Taylor’s only disappointment has to be how quickly he dies after getting that first attack — which he and his brother Mikey will ALWAYS get.
She-Hulk – [Avengers Infinity 024]– I had fun throwing cases (CCE attacks) at opponents, especially those aggro turtles.
Spider-Man [Secret Wars Battleworld 002] — For most of the game, he served as pilot for the Spider-Mobile. By the time he emerged, the game was too far gone for him to really turn it around for Taylor.
Spider-Mobile [Avengers Infinity G015] — Tied up much of my secondary force from backing up Dee Dee, which backfired when Dust began scouring the vehicle and Dee Dee was able to take care of herselves just fine.
Wasp [Avengers Infinity 044] – My other portable Outwit, I actually preferred to use her as an attacker. But she tended to miss more than not.
Now it’s Sceritz’s turn!
Black Panther [Secret Wars Battleworld 061] – 250
Wolverine [X-Men Xavier’s School 053] – 150
Infinity [Avengers Infinity G022]– 150
Zatanna [Batman The Animated Series 061] – 75
Hawkman & Hawkgirl [Batman The Animated Series 060] – 125
Skeets [WizKids D17-006]– 115
Leech [X-Men Xavier’s School 024] – 30
Maestro [Secret Wars Battleworld 028] – 175
Clayface [Batman The Animated Series 056] – 125
Photon [Avengers Infinity 036] – 75
Viv Vision [Secret Wars Battleworld 047] – 90
Witch Hunter Angela [Secret Wars Battleworld 044] – 45
= 1405 points versus…
Dee Dee [Batman The Animated Series 015] 45 x 2
Batman [Batman The Animated Series 040] – 125
Black Panther [Secret Wars Battleworld 061] – 250
Hawkman & Hawkgirl [Batman The Animated Series 060] – 125
Clayface [Batman The Animated Series 001b] – 45 + trait 5
Daredevil [WizKids MP18-007] – 50
Giant-Girl [Avengers Infinity G001] – 250
She-Hulk – [Avengers Infinity 024]– 50
Nova [Avengers Infinity 032] – 150
Dust [X-Men Xavier’s School 053] – 50
Oya [X-Men Xavier’s School 031] – 60
Wasp [Avengers Infinity 044] – 70
Apache Chief [Batman The Animated Series 070] – 50
Baby Doll [Batman The Animated Series 049] – 40
= 1410 points. ALMOST EXACT MATCH (the Clayface trait puts it JUST over)
Sceritz didn’t have some of the figures for most of the year, which he’s used as an excuse to DODGE this game AND THIS DAMAGE. But no more! It’s ON at DRAGONCON Sept. 1!
