davidlhsl's Battles

[davidlhsl]

Round 3. Riddler's team gets initiative, so Befuddled Tactics is in effect.

Riddle me this: Batman picks the wrong Order Marker, so Riddler removes the order markers 1 and X from Alfred's card. Alfred breathes a sigh of relief. Riddler moves down the road towards Robin. Remember, Riddler can't be attacked this round while Poison Ivy is in play.

Alfred's turn is lost, so Riddler goes again. He climbs down towards Batman and attacks with height advantage. Two skulls not blocked by Stealth Defense against two shields. Riddler pouts.

Robin takes a turn and moves up the road. Since Robin didn't start on the road, he doesn't get the move bonus. Riddler can't be attacked, and Poison Ivy's Plant Camouflage protects her from range, so Robin's turn ends.

Riddler attacks Batman again. One skull not blocked against two shields. Riddler wishes he was Hulk.

Batman goes next. He grapples away from Riddler and up next to Robin. No viable targets for his Batarangadang, so end of Round 3.

Spoiler Alert!

Round 4. Riddler's team gets initiative. Batman misses Riddle Me This, so Alfred loses Order Marker 3. Riddler moves up between and below Batman and Robin, and attacks Robin, though Robin has height advantage. Three skulls against three shields, so Riddler just plain sucks eggs.

Batman goes next. He grapples over to Poison Ivy, making sure he stays away from the trees. Batman has height advantage. Batman decides to use the Batarangs to get three attacks instead of only one attack. Poison Ivy doesn't evade with Pheromone Control 16, so her Kissyface doesn't work. First Batarang: One skull against one shield. Second: two skulls against two shields. Third: two skulls against no shields for two wounds. Poison Ivy has 2 life left. Editor's note: I should have checked Pheromone Control 16 with each attack.

Riddler is next and climbs up to the road with height over Robin. Two skulls against one shield for one wound, with three remaining for Robin.

Robin goes next. He wants to grapple over next to Poison Ivy, but can't quite make it. However, he can reach her with normal movement, but will take an engagement strike from Riddler. Riddler rolls shield, so Robin escapes with no damage. Since Batman has an unrevealed Order Marker X on his card and both are adjacent to Poison Ivy, Robin attacks with Dynamic Duo Special Attack. Robin gets to roll 7 dice, but Poison Ivy first checks for Pheromone: 8. She takes the attack! Fives skulls against one shield kills Poison Ivy. They both still get a nasty rash.

Riddler goes next and decides to attack Batman with height bonus. Two skulls against no shields for two wounds, with two life left (I'll only report if Stealth Defense 13 blocks).

End of Round 4.

To be continued...

[davidlhsl]

Round 5. Riddler is no longer eligible for Befuddling Tactics. Batman's team gets initiative.

Robin has the first turn. He grapples up to the road next to Riddler. Batman is also engaged and removes his X Order Marker, so the Dynamic Duo attack. Two skulls blocked by two shields. Robin grapples up the road.

Riddle Me This: Batman misses, so Order Markers 2 and 3 removed from Alfred's card. No more turns for the Caped Crusaders. If Riddler moves to attack Robin, Batman will get an engagement strike. So Riddler stays and attacks Batman at height. Three skulls blocked by three shields. Batman remains with two life left.

Riddler attacks Batman again. Two skulls blocked by Stealth Defense 13.

One more attack. One skull blocked by two shields. End of Round 5.

Round 6.

Riddler gets initiative. Riddle Me This: Batman misses, and Riddler removes Order Marker 1 from Robin's card. Riddler attacks Batman again. Three skulls against two shields for one wound, leaving Batman with one life left.

Robin loses a turn, so Riddler attacks Batman again. Two skulls blocked by Stealth Defense 13.

Batman goes next and grapples up to the road. Batman goes for three attacks with his Batarang-a-tangs. Two skulls against no shields for Riddler's first two wounds. One skull against two shields. Two skulls against two shields. Riddler has two life left.

Riddler stays put and attacks Batman. One skull against two shields.

Alfred goes next. Remember him? He's the guy with the Grey Poupon. Batman cries, "Is there a Doctor in the house?" Alfred responds, "I'm a Doctor! I have a PhD in Philosophy. You are going to die!" Batman cries, "Is there a MEDICAL doctor in the house?" Alfred replies, "Oh, that. I'm one of those as well."

Alfred uses Remote Field Extraction to pull Batman to the road hex next to him and removes one of his three wound markers. Dang, that guy has his uses after all. Alfred has a choice between climbing up the road next to Batman for a future Field Medic, but out of shotgun range. Or, Alfred can do what he decided to do: Move up the road ahead of Batman for shotgun range on Riddler.

Ok, just hold it one stinkin' moment. What is a butler doing with a shotgun? Talk about your Coming Out Parties! Oh well, I just do what the card tells me, so Alfred... Alfred says, "Say Hello to my little friend" and blasts away. One skull against one shield. Nobody can hit anything in this game.

End of Round 6.

To be continued...

[davidlhsl]

"Round 7.

"Batman's team gets initiative, so Batman goes first. Batman grapples next to Alfred and within Batarang range of Riddler. Three skulls against one shield kills Riddler. Serves Quizzy Pants right for treating me like Western Union. The Bat Team wins!" Joker then cackled loudly and laughed for a solid two minutes.

Batman tried to remain stoic, but couldn't help breaking into a smile. "Joker, that is not the way it happened. After you told me your first battle report, I examined all the stat cards from the figures in that battle and was able to break Riddler's code. I left Commissioner Gordon and Gotham Police to rescue the woman, but I decided to take a chance and go straight to the bridge. Riddler and Poison Ivy were just beginning to set the bombs, but didn't expect me to arrive so quickly. When they saw they were outnumbered, they both immediately surrendered without a fight."

Joker caught his breath. "Batman, that is so boring! Look, I let you win. Doesn't that count for anything?"

"You proxied me with a Goblin Cutter!"

"I let you keep your stupid Batarangs! Well, your version will never make it into the movies. Your story ends before the opening credits finish. My version has spunk and pizzazz, and stars Mark Hamill."

Batman gets up and begins to leave.

"Are you going? Look, let me at least teach you how to tell an interesting story. Will you visit me again?"

Batman paused. "I have a feeling that fate will find a way to bring us back together. Just remember one thing: I will always be one step ahead of you."

As Batman walked away, Joker smiled and said, "We'll see, Batman. We'll see."

The End

[davidlhsl]

Afterward

A huge thanks to the entire customs community for creating figures that are amazingly fun to play and make stories like these possible. Honestly, even though I sketch the broad outlines, the stories have mostly written themselves.

[Sherman Davies]

Thank you for all the hard work. The anagram clues were especially fun.

One thing: Poison Ivy is supposed to be able to check for Pheromone Control each time she's attacked, so she should've rolled separately for each of Batman's three Batarang Attacks. She probably would've lost to him anyway, as she's very terrain dependent, but it might've kept her in the game a bit longer.

[davidlhsl]

Originally Posted by Sherman Davies

Thank you for all the hard work. The anagram clues were especially fun.

One thing: Poison Ivy is supposed to be able to check for Pheromone Control each time she's attacked, so she should've rolled separately for each of Batman's three Batarang Attacks. She probably would've lost to him anyway, as she's very terrain dependent, but it might've kept her in the game a bit longer.

Thanks for the clarification. I played her that way during practice, but second-guessed myself during the actual battle.

This is why I don't play Advanced Squad Leader.

I'll be adding more of both yours and Balantai's figures to my collection.

Edit: Poison Ivy took four wounds from the Dynamic Duo Special Attack, so she would have died at the same point in the game anyway.

[Balantai]

Awesome story, David. They are truely a pleasure to read.

[davidlhsl]

Another battle report coming soon. In fact, I just completed the battle. I typed my notes into Notepad on my Netbook, and I've been having a ton of problems with Notepad tossing the cursor all over the place and deleting stuff I didn't want deleted. I hope the notes are intact, as it was a fun battle.

This battle uses Sherman Davies' customs. You may know that he has a separate index for Marvel and DC customs, so that has inspired me to play out a battle... A BATTLE OF THE SEXES!!! That's right, kids! It's Chicks against the Chumps. By the time it's over, you know somebody will be sleeping on the couch tonight! Coming Soon (if my notes are intact... grrrrrr)

Edit: I left my tube of Lexan Mats at the park! Well, Miniatures Market has some in stock I can get, but still...

[davidlhsl]

Here's the venue:

Spoiler Alert!

And here are the teams:

The Ladies: Big Barda / Silver Sable / Lashina / Starfire / Maxima

The Gents: Doctor Fate / Booster Gold / Clayface / Boomerang / Ghost Rider

Here are the links:

Sherman Davies Marvel Customs

Sherman Davies DC Customs

[davidlhsl]

Here's the map. I simply laid out a Lexan mat (which is now GONE thanks to my stupidity ) and slapped some tiles around it. Don't expect to see this in Battles of Valhalla anytime soon.

Big Barda and Silver Sable begin off the map according to Big Barda's Boom Tube ability.

Sherman Davies has his own knockback rules, but I hope he doesn't mind if I use C3G's knockback rules in this battle.

This was at Long Hunter State Park, and Percy Priest Lake is off in the background. I didn't want to sit near the lake and disturb the other folks, as my dice tower is pretty loud. I should have carried my waterfall tower, but I would really hate it if I had left THAT behind.

Let's go!

Spoiler Alert!

Round 1

Check for Big Barda's Boom Tube = 6. Big Barda and Silver Sable stay off board.

Doctor Fate uses Hand of Fate on Clayface, advancing him way ahead (I forgot to write down the d20 roll, but he made it). Doctor Fate moves forward next to Clayface.

Starfire moves next and flies to high ground. Too far out of range.

Booster Gold moves next. He's within range of Starfire. Now Starfire has an unrevealed X Order Marker, so Booster Gold doesn't get the advantage of Future Insight. Attacks Starfire = 4 dice vs 4+1 dice = 2 skulls vs 0 shields = 2 wounds/3 life left.

Maxima is next and flies next to Starfire. She can attack Booster Gold with her Psi-Blast Special Attack. This means Booster Gold must defend with 2 fewer dice. 3 dice vs 6-2 dice = 3 skulls vs 2 shields = 1 wound/3 life left.

Ghost Rider is next, and he does not have to stop on water. He is within range to attack Starfire. 5 dice vs 4+1 dice = 5 skulls vs 1 shield = 4 wounds = knockout.

Spoiler Alert!

Round 2

Check for Big Barda = 16. Big Barda and Silver Sable enter the map!

Ghost Rider goes first. He roars uphill next to Big Barda and gives her a Pennance Stare = 3. No effect. He attacks Big Barda. 5 dice vs 6 dice = 3 skulls vs 1 shield/4 skulls = 2 wounds/0 knockback/4 life left.

Big Barda is next. She stays and attacks Ghost Rider, getting a +2 bonus for Close Combat Expert. 5+2 dice vs 5 dice = 5 skulls vs 2 shields/3 skulls = 3 wounds/2 knockback/4 life left. Wow, heavy skulls showing on these attacks.

Boomerang moves next. He's in range to attack Big Barda with his Shattering Special Attack, which will affect Silver Sable. 3 dice = 0 skulls. No need to roll defense. I guess the skulls dried up.

Lashina goes next.
She just moves up ahead.

Doctor Fate goes next. He uses Hand of Fate on Clayface = 5+8 for friendly figure = 13. He places Clayface ahead of Booster Gold. He then flies up next to Big Barda and attacks. 5 dice vs 6 dice = 2 skulls vs 3 shields/2 skulls = 0 wounds/0 knockback.

Silver Sable goes next. She drops down and back to attack at range, even though she does get a bonus for close combat. She attacks Ghost Rider. 3 dice vs 5+1 dice = 2 skulls vs 3 shields = 0 wounds.

Spoiler Alert!

To be continued...

[davidlhsl]

Round 3

Doctor Fate goes first and uses Hand of Fate on Ghost Rider. 17+8 (friendly) moves him to the back for hopeful safety. Doctor Fate considers breaking engagement with Big Barda, as Big Barda can attack with +2. Doctor Fate decides to stay and attacks Big Barda. 5 dice vs 6 dice =
2 skulls vs 3 shields/0 skulls = 0 wounds/2 knockback.

Big Barda goes next, flies up to Doctor Fate, and attacks with Close Combat Expert bonus. 5+2 dice vs 6 dice = 5 skulls vs 1 shield/5 skulls = 4 wounds/0 knockback/2 life left.

Clayface goes next. Clayface's Pliable Body makes him engaged with anyone up to 2 spaces away. Clayface moves around to 2 spaces away from Big Barda, Silver Sable, and next to Maxima. He will attack Silver Sable at height. 5+1 dice vs 4 dice = 2 skulls vs 1 shield = 1 wound/3 life left.

Maxima goes next. She attacks normal attack against Clayface with height. 7+1 dice vs 5 dice = 2 skulls vs 2 shields/2 skulls = 0 wounds/0 knockback.

Boomerang goes next. He moves around to attack Silver Sable with his normal attack. 3 dice vs 4 dice = 0 skulls. Attacks again with Return Shot. 3 dice vs 4 dice = 1 skull vs 1 shield.

Spoiler Alert!

Round 4

Doctor Fate goes first and attacks Big Barda with no need to use Hand of Fate. 5 dice vs 6 dice = 2 skulls vs 0 shields/3 skulls = 2 wounds/0 knockback/2 life left.

Maxima attacks Clayface again. 7+1 dice vs 5 dice = 5 skulls vs 0 shields/3 skulls = knockout.

Boomerang goes next. He climbs up 1 and attacks Silver Sable. 3+1 dice vs 4 dice = 3 skulls vs 1 shield = 2 wounds/1 life left. Boomerang attacks again with Return Shot. 3+1 dice vs 4 dice = 2 skulls vs 1 shield = knockout

Big Barda attacks Doctor Fate again with +2 Close Combat Expert bonus. 5+2 dice vs 6 dice = 4 skulls (Big Barda is rockin' with the skulls) vs 4 shields/2 skulls = 0 wounds/2 knockback/2 life left.

Clayface is out, and Silver Sable is out, so end of round.

Spoiler Alert!

Round 5

Doctor Fate goes first, and tries Hand of Fate on Maxima = 6 fails. No sense holding range against Big Barda, so he flies up and attacks Big Barda to at least take away her height. 5 dice vs 6 dice = 1 skull vs 1 shield/4 skulls = 0 wounds/0 knockback/2 life left.

Big Barda attacks Doctor Fate. 5+2 dice vs 6 dice = 4 skulls vs 1 shield/5 skulls = knockout. The Doctor is no longer in.

Booster Gold is next. Big Barda does not have an unrevealed Order Marker, so he will get +1 Future Insight. He attacks Big Barda. 4+1 dice vs 6+1 (height) = 3 skulls vs 3 shields = 0 wounds/2 life left.

Maxima is next. Booster Gold's Skeet's Advice would prevent Maxima from getting height advantage bonus, so she decides to use her Psi-Blast Special Attack at range, which causes Booster Gold to roll 2 less dice. 3 dice vs 6-2 dice = 2 skulls vs 1 shield = 1 wound/2 life left.

Ghost Rider is next, and he roars up the hill to attack Big Barda. Penance Stare vs Big Barda = 18! Missed it by one. 5 dice vs 6 dice = 2 skulls vs 1 shield/3 skulls = 1 wound/0 knockback/1 life left

Maxima is next. She flies down next to Booster Gold and attacks. 7 dice vs 6 dice = 4 skulls vs 1 shield/5 skulls = knockout.

Women have the advantage so far.

[davidlhsl]

Round 6

Ghost Rider tries Penance Stare on Big Barda = 18 again! Attacks Big Barda. 5 dice vs 6 dice = 1 skull vs 3 shields/3 skulls = 0 wounds/0 knockback/1 life left.

Big Barda attacks Ghost Rider. 5+2 dice vs 5 dice = 5 skulls vs 2 shields/2 skulls = 3 wounds/3 knockback/1 life left.

Boomerang is next. He attacks Big Barda. 3 dice vs 6+1 (height) dice = 1 skull vs 1 shield = 0 wounds. Return Shot attack. 3 dice vs 6+1 dice = 2 skulls vs 2 shields = 0 wounds/1 life left.

Maxima flies next to Ghost Rider and attacks from height. 7+1 dice vs 5 dice = 4 skulls vs 2 shields/3 skulls = knockout.

Ghost Rider had the 3rd Order Marker.

Maxima attacks Boomerang from range with Psi-Blast Special Attack, causing Boomerang to roll with 2 fewer dice. 3 dice vs 4-2 dice = 1 skull vs 1 shield = 0 wounds.

Spoiler Alert!

Round 7

Women actually get initiative this time. All order markers on Maxima and Boomerang. Maxima flies next to Boomerang to attack with normal attack. 7 dice vs 4 dice = 3 skulls vs 2 shields/1 skull = 1 wound/2 knockback/3 life left.

Boomerang pulls back to attack Big Barda. He's at range 7 from Big Barda. 3 dice vs 6+1 dice (height) = 1 skull vs 3 shields. Return shot = 3 dice vs 6+1 dice = 2 skulls vs 4 shields = 0 wounds. Big Barda still has one life left.

Maxima flies next to Boomerang. 7 dice vs 4 dice = 2 skulls vs 3 shields/1 skull = 0 wounds/1 knockback/3 life left.

Since Boomerang is no longer engaged with Maxima due to knockback, he's free to try Big Barda again. 3 dice vs 6+1 dice = 1 skull vs 5 shields. Return Shot = 1 skull vs 4 shields.

Maxima goes again. 7 dice vs 4 dice = 3 skulls vs 1 shield/2 skulls = 2 wounds/1 knockback/1 life left.

Boomerang tries Big Barda again. 3 dice vs 6+1 dice = 1 skull vs 4 shields. Return shot = 1 skull vs 2 shields.

Spoiler Alert!

Round 8

Same order markers. Maxima gets initiative. Moves to attack Boomerang and has height. 7+1 dice vs 4 dice = 3 skulls vs 2 shields/2 skulls = end of game.

And to think this whole thing happened because Doctor Fate left the toilet seat up. Remember, kids: If it's yellow, let it mellow. A Public Service Announcement from your good friend, the Joker.

A final look before leaving... MY LEXAN MATS BEHIND!!!

Spoiler Alert!