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I’ve spent several posts reviewing Panthers once and future on these metrics:
- SMARTS: Outwit is his signature power.
- SOVEREIGNTY: Leadership is a must.
- SPEED: Needs IM:Elevated and good values
- STEALTH: ‘Nuff said.
- STRENGTH: Can he hit for 3-6 clicks on top dial?
- SURVIVABILITY: Damage reducers and good values.
— both the standards of back in the day to the present — giving THE KING’S VERDICT.
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2023
Avengers 60th Anniversary 001 Black Panther
- SMARTS: Outwit to start. A-
- SOVEREIGNTY: Leadership is missing, but when he rolls well on his Willpower, he also un-tokens a keyword pal within 4. Worth a grade of B
- SPEED: Traited Leap/Climb is key, but his 8 speed Charge is mid. B+
- STEALTH: Traited. A
- STRENGTH: 11 AV Charge + Blades on top, Precision Strike + Close Combat Expert in middle. No range. OK but not great. B+
- SURVIVABILITY: No reducers, just Senses. C
THE KING’S VERDICT: Middling all around for 60 points. But at 35…?
Avengers 60th Anniversary 001V Black Panther
- SMARTS: Outwit only on the bitter end. C
- SOVEREIGNTY: See above. B
- SPEED: Only has Sidestep until his last click. C
- STEALTH: A
- STRENGTH: Not great at all. C+
- SURVIVABILITY: Just 3 clicks deep. C-
THE KING’S VERDICT: Normally a low dial like this would be all right if he supplied a key power like Leadership or Outwit. But he doesn’t reliably do either. So no.
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2024 Starter Set M24002A Black Panther 50 points
- SMARTS: Outwit nearly all dial. A
- SOVEREIGNTY: Leadership on most clicks. A
- SPEED: 8 Charge, no Improved Movement. B-
- STEALTH: Only on back half of dial. C
- STRENGTH: 12 AV Blades is nice to start. But he’s got 0 range, despite his “throwing energy daggers” sculpt. B
- SURVIVABILITY: Bare defense on top, Reflexes on bottom. D+
THE KING’S VERDICT: What a way to start new players with a 50-point Panther who’s ALMOST good. Maybe the 75-point Advanced version below improves enough?
2024 Starter Set M24002B Black Panther @75 points
- SMARTS: Not only keeps the Outwit but adds a defense nerf to his targets. A+
- SOVEREIGNTY: See above. A
- SPEED: See above. Worse grade because he’s way more points. C+
- STEALTH: See above. Worse for the points. C-
- STRENGTH: See above. FREE Pulse Wave is nice, but he has to get hurt first, which isn’t nice. B
- SURVIVABILITY: But at least he has traited Toughness now. A-
THE KING’S VERDICT: Close yet still short by a mile. Same as ever, eh?
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WizKids WKMV23-008 Black Panther
- SMARTS: No Outwit. F
- SOVEREIGNTY: Two clicks of Leadership to begin. He also gives Wakanda the Fantastic Four TA for the game. B+
- SPEED: 8 Speed Charge, 0 range, no Improved Movement. C
- STEALTH: Traited. A
- STRENGTH: Blades — with Flurry and Exploit later — that shred through STOP clicks. A+
- SURVIVABILITY: Zero armor. F
THE KING’S VERDICT: He does ONE GOOD THING but it’s not good enough.
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Short installment. That’s because the next one might be long: Is 2024 the Year of the Panther, with a whole doggone set branded with his name?