In the aftermath of the 2015 ROC World Cup, I hung out with Edward Shelton [a.k.a. Darklogos of Starting Over podcast fame], talking competitive play with a newer player who wanted tips on becoming top-tier. Edward said something that stuck with me, as he was trying to keep our friend from obsessing over the meta and net decking his teams:

Learn what kind of player you are. Learn your own play style. Then build from that.

As you readers know, I am Mr. F.U.N. — I really don’t have the inclination whatsoever to build a min/max team composed of the best power combos in the game. I have such an aversion to it that I almost detest using any figure that’s shown up in a ROC top 8 result.

So what’s my play style? It’s generally reactive rather than strategic. The best HC players have a definite strategy that they bring to the table. My mind doesn’t work that way. I instead look at what my opponent does, then formulate a counter, because whenever I try to plan too far ahead, I end up surprised by a move that obliterates my plans.

Therefore, I build teams that are designed with obliteration in mind — MY potential obliteration. I let you think you’re taking out my most important figure but there are two or three OTHER most important figs that will continue the fight undeterred.

There’s also my tendency to want to pick favorite characters that are off the radar, then be dangerous with them. It’s how I scrapped out top 8 finishes in two big 2014 tourneys and something I’m aiming to get back to in 2016 after some major failure with tentpoles and two-headed teams in 2015.

Even when I’m planning to go hard in high-level competition like the Realms Open Championship events, I can’t help but be F.U.N. Here’s the team I came up with to combat all the chases and Nick Furies and other cheesy nonsense in the metagame:

ATTACK OF THE 50-FOOT WOMEN

Chameleon Girl [Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes] 115

Giganta [Legion of Doom Fast Forces] 100

Elasti-Girl [World’s Finest] 100

Ms. Marvel [Avengers Assemble 056] 66

Hulkbuster Torso 10

Helmet of Fate 8

Pym Particles 2

=400 points.

All four can be giant- or colossal-sized. Normally, that’s a huge liability given the ease with which lines of fire can be drawn to giants. And this team has zero range, so there’s really no upside to their Great Size.

But it has three characters who are or can become standard-sized as well, giving them a shot at, well, NOT being shot at. Additionally, there’s SO much going on with this team. Cham Girl is a lead attacker and support piece and taxi and Stealthed meat shield. Giganta is expendable but a vital lead attacker and taxi and support piece. Ms. Marvel is a cleanup hitter and tie-up and taxi. Elasti-Girl is a lead attacker and support piece and tie-up fig.

Here’s how it playtested:

vs. Tim’s KC Flash, Mr. Mxyz, Dr. Fate and Black Cat, I got the United Nations map. This is a good map for the girls, as the indoor nature protects them from shooters and the special door terrain keeps them from taking hit-and-run Hypersonic attacks — vital against a HSS expert like KC Flash.

Tim was using the Weapon Drop special object on KCF. With KC double tokened, I had him where I wanted him and advanced my whole team to striking distance. Next turn, I threw about 7 attacks in a turn, overwhelming his numerous Probability Controllers and taking a lead that held up within the time limit.

Next I tested against Rob’s KC GL, Spectre, Harlequin, Mr. Mxyz and Mercury. He got an open map and immediately hit Elasti-Girl hard, stranding her on her late dial. It took me too long to get Harleqin and KC Green Lantern’s 20 DV was way too much to handle. Still, Rob had had a whole round to see how to counter my team and I was surprised by how aggressive he was.

So the 50-Foot Women went 1-1 in playtest, but with the loss coming courtesy of my best sparring opponent after he’d seen my team in action, I felt good about the girls’ chances. I really wanted to get one more play test out of the quartet, especially after switching the Torso and Helmet or other items such as the Weapon Drop out for H.E.N.R.Y.

Next week, Heroclixin’ reports on its actual tournament performance.