Unit Debate #27 -- Johnny "Shotgun" Vs. James Murphy

[MegaSilver]

Time to lay down the law in these here parts! Which cowboy's the better lawmen, the Mr. Shotgun or the Whipper?



This debate was suggested by clancampbell.

1. Stats/Special Powers

2. Playability

3. Overall Usefulness

4. Who Would Win Head-To-Head

5. Army Builds

6. Best Strategic Use

7. Situational Usefulness

Next Debate:

Spoiler Alert!

Movement is key.
Submitted by Lucas the Beast

MegaSilver

[GreenLanturn]

If their personalities were switched I'd go with Mr. Murphy, but they aren't. 10 points isn't worth the Whip ability in my opinion.

That's really their only difference right?

I voted for Mr. Sullivan

[Xn F M]

Dude, I'm in San Diego, how could I not vote for "The Murph?"

Seriously though, shotgun blasts just suck; they're just so easy to counter. So both heros are bogged down by bad specials. James has a decent melee special ability, and a point cost that works out better in most armies. James all the way.

[Obsidian]

Originally Posted by Xn F M

Seriously though, shotgun blasts just suck; they're just so easy to counter.

I find that they work pretty well for (cheap) rat control.

[Astronaut Jones]

Neither are especially great units, but for some reason I really like James Murphy and have good luck with him. In most games whip doesn't do a whole lot, but it can be real nice against heroes like Ne-Gok-Sa, Crixus, Migol etc. I think it's worth the 10 points if you're picking one of the two.

On a side note, I have seen both of these guys used well with a rat screen. I have a friend who engages three or four guys with a rat then blasts the rat the next turn. It's done some damage and it looks cool.

[Xn F M]

Originally Posted by Obsidian

I find that they work pretty well for (cheap) rat control.

Now this is mostly theoryscape, but it seems to me all you have to do to counter a cowboy on rat detail is to set up a soft screen and/or engage more agressively. True you would be spending more OMs on your rats that normal, but you should be more productive with your OMs on the units that do things than the guy taking pot-shots at single rats.

Edit:

Originally Posted by Astronaut Jones

On a side note, I have seen both of these guys used well with a rat screen. I have a friend who engages three or four guys with a rat then blasts the rat the next turn. It's done some damage and it looks cool.

This sounds pretty fun. I think I'll have to put that on my list of things to try.

[killercactus]

10 Points for the Whip is worth it. Murphy.

[A_Train]

I would suggest that in almost any situation, Sullivan and Isamu is better than Murphy. However, I still use James Murphy far more often than Sullivan (which likely has a lot to do with his 75 points evening out better than Sullivan's 65).

The whip does have its uses, for example, I've made a point of taking Murphy to deal with Sentinels in the past. But he is more of a fun unit than a competitive one. I mean, what is more fun than picturing your enemy's high defense unit taken taken off his feet by a whip around the ankle, and being finished off by a point blank shot gun to the face. Murphy gets my vote.

[KCU Master 2007]

Originally Posted by Obsidian

I find that they work pretty well for (cheap) rat control.

I've tried that but it has always been ineffective and, typically, a waste of an OM.

I voted for Murphy simply for the Whip, that at least gives him something that he can use when he does get engaged.

[champrjk]

Voted for Murphy because his whip at least is somewhat useful.

[MegaSilver]

Originally Posted by GreenLanturn

If their personalities were switched I'd go with Mr. Murphy, but they aren't. 10 points isn't worth the Whip ability in my opinion.

That's really their only difference right?

I voted for Mr. Sullivan

Well, Sully is one taller than Murphy, also. Small but important difference while moving.

MegaSilver

[Cyborgs Gaming]

Shouldn't this be Wyatt Earp vs Indiana Jones? I have to go with Indy, gotta love the whip