Errata & Crisis Thoughts
I have struggled with thoughts of this blog for most of this
month. When I so recently started blogging, I made the typical agreement with
myself to produce something, anything, on a weekly basis. I made my last blog,
just before “The Errata”, in preparation for my upcoming tournament. Giving me
a whole day-ish preparation to relearn how to run Thor. Since then, it has been
twenty-one days of me trying to settle my thoughts into speech. The Thanos,
Thor, Hellfire errata, and Crisis update to come are too grand in
details, that I find myself treading in opinion and discovery. In my private circle,
the current conversation is marveling at the new leaf turned by the recent changes.
Such simple changes, it seems such a simple idea to speak about it. However, I
don’t find any of it simple.
Asgard
Though I am wounded by the Thor, Hero of Midgard…adjustment.
The other changes feel so revitalizing that I have resolved to take Thor as he is
now. Knowing that though, I cannot see the merit of it. The designers are more
often right than wrong.
I’ve reoriented the strategy of my Asgard list, which included removing Thor,
Hero of Midgard. With the crisis changes to come, his current form makes me
uncomfortable. He now struggles to fund his own kit which means the only Asgard
leadership that supports his stalled gameplay is The Mighty Thor, as her
leadership is free. There is a place under Loki where Thor’s role is to fund
Loki’s turn, but Angela does that without trying, is a Threat less, and
completes her role with ease rather than at a rasping pace. Angela is even more
defensive with her modification negation. Especially in the face of the
Zemo/Namor meta chasers.
Overall, my list is shifting closer to midrange attrition. I’ve welcomed Thor,
Prince of Asgard and Hela, Queen of Hel. My practice games are fun and without exasperation
commentary. Thor, Prince of Asgard’s leadership, should see a resurgence within
Asgard, now that he is not overshadowed by his alter ego. My practice games
under it so far showcases an Asgard that weathers a lot of punishment, and most
inspiringly stagger storms. Mixed with Indomitable to cut some displacement.
The Prince of Asgard leadership ability creates a salve for some of the common
strategies against Asgard.
I have an infectious idea of running Versatile Strategy. Because Prince of
Asgard lacks relevance on Turn 1. Mighty Thor’s Renegade Thor of Asgardia,
mixed with Angela, Sif, Valkyrie, and other Turn 1 chargers. Leaping out and
smashing in as many Range 2 attacks, while having the defensive re-roll
available to cover their exposed positions. Then switching to Prince of Asgard
when relevant or necessary. This idea mostly stems from the lack of action
Prince of Asgard is needed for Turn 1. Verses Renegade Thor of Asgardia.
However, the thought of wasting a Tactic Card for this one-turn trick makes it
seem foolish. The upcoming Crisis pool does not have enough options that
support that style of opener either.
Hellfire
I think Hellfire is going to lose its pariah status. Though,
it is awkwardly gaining a mockery for its affiliation list. A mockery that I
find hazardous. The leadership ability did not change at all. The option to
splash in models has not been negated. The affiliation list is not lacking in
quality models. In fact, several are renowned. I go more into this later in
remarks about AMG’s apparent design philosophy. Within the affiliation list,
there is a slew of options simply requiring creativity and an ounce of
dedication. MCP is not a game won in list building but on the tabletop.
Not to be caught with my hand in the cookie jar, but I’ve been brewing a
Brotherhood-Hellfire list for a couple of months. (Creatively dubbed the
“Brotherhood Club”) The errata has shed the splash-fat from the list but
introduced some wish list items, such as Magneto. He was acting counter to my
Brotherhood win condition and barely being pushed out by more tactical splash
options on the Hellfire side, pre-errata. But now dual affiliated has him in an
MVP role. Saving the day against tall lists in Brotherhood and acting as a centerpiece
for Hellfire.
Black Order
I believe Black Order either sees a renaissance, or shows
AMG where more needed adjustments are. It is incredibly interesting to me. An
example of a character finding a better balance with the game itself. So that
it reveals a deficiency in its most related models. On the surface within Black
Order, Thanos has barely changed. The changes; Cosmic Portal and Reality gem. Which
only changed slightly but are forcing Black Order to reevaluate their list
building strategies. I only played Black Order during year one of the game and
abandoned them because of internal turmoil within my gaming group because of
our casual scene, and the original character cards being un-hinged. I went as
far as selling off all my models, which at the time were my only painted ones.
All of this was before the release of Black Swan, Supergiant, and Cosmic Ghost
Rider. So, through the errata I became inspired to try a hand of list building
them. The mini-game of Gem swapping is more involved than I remembered,
reminding me of my friend’s fun dealing in the Horseman of the Apocalypse.
While I think attrition is in a season of martyrdom. Black Order may find
success in dedicated players seeking niche crisis combinations and skillful
character play. The ability to be unpredictable and dramatic, I believe, is at
an all-time high.
Errata Conclusion
To me, it seems AMG is interested in models that are
expressed skillfully, or dramatically. The latter being the models that are
more likely to miss the mark the first pass. By dramatically, I don’t mean that
they are inherently over-powered. One of the best examples is Magneto’s terrain
throw. The most, hands down, awesome terrain throw in the game. Balanced by its
power consumption and a host of game interactions; opposing Tactic Cards, dodge
rolls, and collision mechanics. Fueled by a great power builder attack of
Reverse Polarity, and respectable Stamina pool. When Magneto is ready to prove
his moniker, “Master of Magnetism”, the game blossoms into a slurry of effects.
There is nothing skillful about him having power and chaining terrain throws,
but by my definition, it is dramatic. By being a 6-Threat Magneto also has skill-based
features in his defense dice buffing and Small movement. Both of which require
a fair amount of tact and Squad based teamwork. The Thor and Thanos errata’s
respectfully, are obviously pushing the characters back into more skillful play
patterns. Removing our capacity to make placement errors and have their
superpowers bail us out. I agree with AMG’s philosophy, as it creates more
dynamic gameplay and a fairer field of play.
Crisis Update
I think the Crisis update is nothing more than a brilliant
display of AMG’s leadership and wisdom. Their capacity to shed the weight of
unbalanced or unfit gameplay is nothing short of well-worn maturity. What has
occurred is a move of their power over the game, and on top of it they did it
without reaching into our pockets for our money. Allowing the support of
digital assets, so that those disinterested in the accompanied model may freely
participate without hesitation. What is happening is NOT a Games Workshop
rebalance of the model base to promote sales of previously underpowered models
to make them relevant and saleable. Instead, I see the reign in of a prominent
and escalating win condition that became overly relevant and had mastered
specific play patterns. All for the game to remain a game.
Never have a trusted a game, and it is designers more than
with AMG. They weave magic into their character design, both physical and
mechanical. It is a pleasure and a privilege to participate in their
masterpiece, and by proxy with those that choose to participate in it too.
Thank you for participating.
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