The Book of War Machine

[Griffin]

The Book of War Machine

C3G MARVEL WAVE 9
HOMELAND SECURITY

Comic PDF

Mini PDF

The figure used for this unit is a Heroclix figure from the Armor Wars set.
Its model number and name are #067-069 / War Machine.
Its model number and name are #211 / James Rhodes.

_________________________________________________________________
Character Bio - James Rhodes is the best, and perhaps the only friend of Tony Stark who is otherwise known as Iron Man. When Tony Stark was held against his will in a war camp during the Vietnam War, during his escape as the newly suited Iron Man, he encountered James Rhodes. The two worked together to escape as Rhodey commandeered an enemy helicopter and flew Iron Man away to safety. Tony Stark reached out to Rhodey and offered him a job to be his personal pilot. Tony Stark did this in an attempt to reward Rhodey for saving his life as he was disguised as Iron Man. Rhodey eventually took the job and the two became the closest of friends. When Stark fell into alcoholism and faked his own death, Rhodey took over the mantel of Iron Man for a brief time. When Tony Stark resumed the role of Iron Man, Rhodey continued his superhero career by using the War Machine armor that he modified and equipped with multiple assault class weaponry such as a mini chain gun, rocket launcher, sub machine guns, and laser guided ballistics with a built in targeting computer.
_________________________________________________________________

-Rulings and Clarifications-

• Q: If Killer Croc uses his Swamp Creature ability, would that trigger War Machine's Auto Chain Gun?
  A: Yes. If an opponent's figure is thrown, placed, summoned etc. into engagement with Mystique, then Engagement Strike applies. So if a figure not within Auto Chain Gun range ends up within Auto Chain Gun range for any reason, you may roll for it (prevents friendly fire situations).

_________________________________________________________________

-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:

• As a Human Soldier, War Machine has these
  • Human Synergies,
  • Soldier Synergies, and
  • Human Soldier Synergies.

Outgoing Synergy:

• N/A

_________________________________________________________________

-Immunities, Benefits, and Weaknesses-

Immunities

• As a figure with the Super Strength special power, War Machine cannot be affected by aspects of certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with the Super Strength Special power.
• As a figure with the Flying special power, War Machine cannot be affected by aspects of certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with the Flying special power.

Benefits

• As a figure with the Super Strength special power, War Machine interacts differently with certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with the Super Strength Special power.

Weaknesses

• As a figure with a Special Attack, War Machine interacts differently with certain special powers. Current Special Powers the Interact Differently with Special Attacks.
• As a figure with the Flying special power, War Machine interacts differently with certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with the Flying special power.

_________________________________________________________________

-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• N/A

-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

• Initial playtest: Griff
• Second playtest: Marv_Art
• Third playtest: Bats
• Fourth playtest: Porkins
• Art by tcglkn

[Griffin]

NAME = WAR MACHINE
SECRET IDENTITY = JAMES RHODES

SPECIES = HUMAN
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = SOLDIER
PERSONALITY = DISCIPLINED

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 4

MOVE = 6
RANGE = 4
ATTACK = 4
DEFENSE = 6

POINTS = 270

AUTO CHAIN GUN
When an opponent's figure that was not within 4 clear sight spaces of War Machine prior to moving ends its movement within 4 clear sight spaces of War Machine, you may immediately roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 11 or higher, the figure receives 1 wound. Continue rolling for Auto Chain Gun until the figure is destroyed or you do not roll 11 or higher.

ARMOR PIERCING ROCKET LAUNCHER SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 6. Attack 2.
Only non-adjacent figures can be attacked with this special attack. For each skull rolled, the defending figure subtracts 1 die from its defense. After attacking with this special attack, War Machine may attack two additional times.

TARGETING COMPUTER
Reduce War Machine's Range number by 1 for each Wound Marker on this Army Card. Add 1 automatic skull to whatever is rolled when War Machine attacks a non-adjacent figure with his normal attack.

SUPER STRENGTH

FLYING

[A3n]

Looks good Griff .

[IAmBatman]

I'm lovin it. The only thing I think might even need to be toggled in playtesting is the D20 number on Auto Chain Gun - but we'll see.

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Yeah, this design is the poop! Great stuff, this should fly through, though I agree with Bats, the d-20 number might need tweaked, but looks great for now.

[Griffin]

C3G INITIAL PLAYTEST FEEDBACK FORM

NAME OF THE TEST UNIT War Machine

- THEME TEST/ Check to see if there are any powers or stats on the test unit card that does not accurately reflect the theme or likeness of what the character would and could do. Also consider destructible objects, and whether or not this characters powers should affect them.
Pass

- MIRROR TEST/ Check to see if the unit were played against itself, if there would be any loops that would upset the balance of the Game.
Pass

- BONDING TEST/ Compare the unit card with all possible currently existing Bonding abilities to make sure there are no continual Bonding possibilities that do not stop appropriately or do not stop at all. This is to prevent loops in Bonding.
Pass

- SYNERGIES TEST/ Compare the unit card with all possible currently existing synergies to make sure there are no factors that could break the game by making any unit too powerful or too weak.
Pass

- POWER CHECK/ Consider the test unit and all existing units and all glyphs to compare to and check for any powers that could be over amplified and break the game. Each power must define when it takes place, who or what it affects, and What are the stipulations on the power if there are any.
Pass

- FUN TEST/ Consider whether or not the design was fun to play.
Pass

- FUN COMPETITIVE TEST/ Consider whether or not the design was fun to play against.
Pass

- DRAFTING TEST/ Consider whether or not this design is worth drafting.
Pass

- USAGE TEST/ Consider whether or not all of the powers on this card were used or at least usable.
Pass

- STRATEGY TEST/ Consider whether or not the design offers any real strategy or interesting tactics to the overall game.
Pass

Heavy Hitter or Mid-Level Hero Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes.
- What should be the unit's point value? 265-275, so probably 270.
- Give a brief overview. He has a great normal attack but it is also easily countered by just engaging him or forcing him to take enough wounds to lose his Targeting Computer. His Special Attack is a blast , and should also give him the crowd control he needs to really handle squads. His Auto Gun is a great tool, and though it can be out ranged and countered, it is still something his enemies have to keep in mind.

Spoiler Alert!

TEST 1
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine - VS - Flash.
When Flash first appeared in front of War Machine, the auto chain gun put two wounds on Flash. War Machine then took height flying away taking a wound, and put another wound on Flash with the rocket launcher. Flash then hid under the wareshouse and knocked the wall down. War Machine then landed on the bridge and shot at Flash with the Rockets again but flash zoomed away and hid under the bridge. Flash resurfaced on same height, and the auto chain gun failed. Flash put 2 wounds on War Machine with his SA then War Machine punched flash with 3 skulls and Flash failed to zip away and only rolled 1 shield.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? War Machine wins with 3 wounds.

TEST 2
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine - VS - Flash.
Flash engages and avoids the auto gun. War Machine takes a wound and flies away. His rockets only get in one wound. Flash starts taking down the building WM is on. WM comes down some and shoots with his rockets again but fails as Flash zips away. Flash comes back and takes height on WM but also takes a wound from the auto gun. Flash start hitting WM with a normal attack of 6 on height. WM gets in one more wound with his normal attack, then Flash takes him out.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Flash wins with 3 wounds.

TEST 3
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine - VS - Spider-Man (C3G).
War Machine got the first shot off, and Spider Man swung away. Spider Man used Web Slinger to put WM below him and put a wound on him. WM climbed up and tried to punch but SM swung away. SM put WM below him again and punched for another wound. WM disengaged, took a wound, flew away and shot Spidey for 3 wounds (close enough to use his damaged but operational targeting computer). War Machine got initiative and flew away (to set up for the auto gun) and shot Spidey with his rockets for 2 wounds, ending the game.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? War Machine wins with 3 wounds.

TEST 4
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine - VS - Spider-Man.
Spider-Man advanced. War Machine moved up and shot Spidey with his normal attack (using his targeting computer). He rolled 4 skulls + the extra 1. Spidey failed his senses, and rolled 1 shield, taking 4 wounds. Spidey then moved up close enough to attack WM, which was close enough for the auto guns to trigger, and Spidey took his last wound.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? War Machine wins with 0 wounds.

TEST 5
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine - VS - Iron Fist.
Iron Fist advances. WM moves up and attacks with his normal attack with the targeting computer and does 3 damage to Iron Fist. Iron Fist advances and gets hit once with the auto gun, then with his attack of 7, puts two wounds on War Machine then heals off a wound. War Machine disengages safely and attacks from range putting 2 more wounds on Iron Fist. Iron Fist hides beneath the bridge WM is on as that is as far as he could make it. WM comes down and attacks with the normal attack again and kills Iron Fist.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? War Machine wins with 2 wounds.

TEST 6
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine - VS - Iron Fist.
WM advances and so does IF. WM swoops down on the hiding IF and attacks with the rockets dealing out 3 wounds. IF engages, takes a hit from the auto gun, then puts a wound on WM and knocks him back for another against a wall. Then IF heals. War Machine disengages safely, fires down with the rockets, and hits for one. IF wins initiative and leaps up and kills War Machine.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Iron Fist wins with 4 wounds.

TEST 7
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine - VS - Absorbing Man.
WM kited him for two rounds until a switch of initiative occured and Absorbing Man absorbed a Manhole Cover then smashed in War Machine for 3 wounds. War Machine finished him off with an adjacent normal attack (no targeting computer though).
Who won and how many wounds did they have? War machine wins with 3 wounds.

TEST 8
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine - VS - Deadpool.
Deadpool moves up a hill and WM advances. Deadpool takes the hill but WM takes the bridge and attacks down on DP wounding him for 3. DP moves up on even height and engages WM so that he cannot use his Targeting Computer or his Rockets, and he takes a wound from the Auto Gun. but then DP puts 3 wounds on WM and heals one. WM swings back and hits DP for one wound. DP misses his attacks but heals two wounds off (for the turn and the X). War Machine punches for one wound, then DP ends it.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Deadpool wins with 3 wounds.

TEST 9
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine - VS - Deadpool.
Deadpool ran up the middle of the road and WM took height. DP jumped up on the Manhole Cover and started shooting. WM used his rockets to take out the Manhole Cover. Deadpool advanced but avoided the auto gun and hit WM for a wound. WM advanced and used his targeting computer to get DP within one of his life. DP engaged and put WM within one of his life. WM got DP within one of his life again after he healed, and he did it by disengaging and using his rockets. DP engaged again and killed WM.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Deadpool wins with 4 wounds.

TEST 10
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine - VS - Deadpool.
War Machine's SA isn't effecient enough to take DP out, and his Auto Gun is too easy for DP to avoid with his range of 6. So WM relies on his normal attack quite a bit, but as soon as he does, DP usually can engage him next turn and hold him down.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Deadpool wins with 3 wounds.

_____________________________________________________________

Squad Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes.
- What should be the unit's point value? 280.
- Give a brief overview. This was fast and close. I really thought WM was gonna get this one, but the PDs pulled it out in the end.
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine - VS - Parademons x3 +1 extra.

Spoiler Alert!

WM kept on using his rockets to clean the PD up and any that stragled through that offense would get eaten up with the Auto gun. But eventually the last two PD were adjacent to War Machine and they got initiative. He already had one wound from earlier, then they both rolled two skulls, dealing two auto wounds and though he blocked the first attack, the second one snuck in just one more wound.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Parademon's wins with 2 men left.

_____________________________________________________________

Squad Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes.
- What should be the unit's point value? 280.
- Give a brief overview. War Machine just had far too many attacks in his Special Attack for the Kree to keep up with, especially since the ranges matched.
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine - VS - Kree Scout x7.

Spoiler Alert!

WM was able to grab a bridge and keep on applying those rockets, and the Kreed couldn't handle that very well. Although they were able to use their range to avoid the chain gun and their teleportation to take the bridge a couple of times.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? War Machine wins with 2 wounds.

_____________________________________________________________

Army Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes.
- What should be the unit's point value? 280.
- Give a brief overview. A very well balanced game and it was a lot of fun using the targeting computer with Captain America's boost and also bonding with Bucky.
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine, Captain America (C3G), Bucky, Ant-Man, and Fire Ants x7 - VS - Ultron.

Spoiler Alert!

Captain chose each of the Unique Heroes to be part of his Avengers Assemble. The Ants flooded the nearby bridge and bucky scouted the hill as Captain followed. Ultron took the other Bridge. Bucky took that other bridge as War Machine followed and they both did damage on Ultron - Bucky with his Special Attack, and WM with his normal attack (with targeting computer and Captain America's boost). Ultron had a difficult time killing Bucky with his boost, but eventually knocked him back then won initiative and took height on him for the kill. WM then laid the heat down fom height and with Caps boost, but Ultron ignored him and focused that round on Cap until he was gone. War Machine got a single round off with his Auto Gun, then Ultron crushed him. Ultron engaged Ant Man and tried to hit him but kept on missing. The Ants kept jumping off the bridge in hopes of surviving the fall and stinging Ultron, but to no avail. Ant Man put one wound on Ultron, which now put him at one away from death. Then Ultron killed Ant Man. The Ants won initiative and were able to swarm Ultron with the three of them that were remaining but failed to sting him. Ultron hit one but only rolled a single skull. The Ant managed to roll the one shield needed and was knocked back. Pissed off, the Pissant reengaged Ultron and with the help of his buddies, stung Ultron for the final wound!!!
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Fire Ants win with 3 out of 7 left.

_____________________________________________________________

Army Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes.
- What should be the unit's point value? 280.
- Give a brief overview. He is fast enough and has a great arsenal of weapons to handle just about any opponent.
Map: Custom.
Units: War Machine and Silver Surfer - VS - Green Lantern (Hal) and Flash.

Spoiler Alert!

Flash engages SS and WM qickly. WM flies away and takes a wound, then starts firing with the rockets at Flash, and the race begins. Flash chases WM from building to building until they are both destroyed and Flash has 3 wounds and WM now has 3 wounds. WM is able to get one wound in on GL after Flash hides from the first attack, then Flash reappears and destroys WM. Flash goes after SS but is killed rather quickly. Then GL and SS went head to head, as SS forced Hal to burn battery shields, GL was engaging SS and Charging Fearlessly into his face.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Green Lantern wins with 2 wounds and 2 Power Batteries.

[Griffin]

This is a great response thanks. And after I did the tests and made some tweaks, he was worth about 280 to me, so good call on that. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Porkins

War Machine! Awesome, I've been waiting for this guy!

So at first glance, I like him. The Auto Chain Gun power is cool. Will make him very dangerous to melee squads and heroes. I do think the d20 roll may need to be a bit higher. Playtesting should be able to prove one way or the other. I like the wording of the power. I think it is more clear than the official wording for similar engagement strike type powers (Nakitas, Ice Spikes).

Armor piercing rocket seemed too powerful at first, with three shots per turn, until I looked back at Punisher and realized he was rolling more dice. Neat way to simulate miniature Man-portable type rockets that are dangerous, but not insta-kill.

Targeting Computer is great too. I love how damage reduces its effectiveness. Very nice touch!

I think his cost may be a bit too low. This guy is certainly more than 20 points better than Official Iron Man. But, of course, official Iron Man sucks, so maybe this is about right.

Really no big flaws I see here. Theme is great and powers are fun and interesting. I'll be printing this out for my games, and can't wait until Iron Man MK3 is out!

Rob

P.S. - Is this the kind of feedback you're hoping for? Am I looking at/thinking about the right things?

[IAmBatman]

Solid feedback from Porkins. Glad we decided to bring him into the ERB.

[SirGalahad]

That has got to be the fastest initial playtest on record.

[Good Pig]

Originally Posted by SirGalahad

That has got to be the fastest initial playtest on record.

Griffin hasn't slept for the last 72 hours.

[Griffin]

LOL. I have had a lot of down time the last few days, and I really wanted to devote it to playtesting and getting some things moving along, and not just my designs either, but public and private designs like Ronan, Banshee, War Machine, etc. Tomorrow evening is my only event for the week, so I am getting in as much C3G fun that I can. I have even been playing Heroscape with the kids. And tonight me and the wife threw them a "stay up TV night Ice Cream party" for being so good lately.

[Griffin]

I propose we move to Playtesting.