The Book of Jackal

[IAmBatman]

I wouldn't be as worried about him if the roll was at 20, but I fear that'd restrict him to specific builds to get his value (Sage, Brainiac V, Fan Four kind of deals).

[Red Eyed Jedi]

I like what ya got Karat. More clone synergy should be fun. I do share Bat's concern though, it may prove to be to powerful and that d20 may need tweaked some. If so, testing will show what and where any changes are needed.

[Karat]

Exactly. In order, here are the changes I'm contemplating, if they're needed: 18+ for the roll, 19 if needed, and then 2 unblockable attack die for degeneration.

[TrollBrute]

I'd like to see the roll at 17-18 and Cellular Degeneration left as is. Test him carefully and we can make more changes later if needed. If we test him well enough, he won't need reevaluated.

[Karat]

I think I'd rather test him as is before upping the roll.

[IAmBatman]

I could see starting him as is at 250. My other concern is the possibility of his making Zola undraftable, since they have a lot of overlap in the resurrection power and Jackal's resurrection is (currently) much superior.

[Karat]

That's a really good point Bats. Maybe we should start him with a roll of 18+.

[Zettian Juggernaut]

I don't feel he overlaps Zola that bad, one of the nice things about Zole is the he doesn't change the class on unit he clones, where Jackle does. I think making changes to other powers over upping the roll would be better, 'cause if you get the roll to high, it just won't be as fun. I was thinking one of the ways you could make him weaker would be to make Cellular Degeneration activate after taking a turn with a Clone (it activates for that Clone) and at the end of the round, so if you use it on some one like Ms. Marvel it wouldn't be as strong, than making the roll really high.

[Karat]

I like that ZJ. The more active they are, the more they degenerate plus the standard degeneration. I think that addresses Bat's concern nicely.

[Karat]

Here are tbe changes I'm looking at making once the 48 hours are up.

DRUG TIPPED CLAWS
After attacking an adjacent figure with Jackal's normal attack, if the defending figure received one or more wounds but was not destroyed, you may roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 14 or higher, remove one Order Marker at random from the defending figure's card. Androids, Constructs, and Destructible Objects are not affected by Drug Tipped Claws.

CELLULAR DEGENERATION
After taking a turn with a Clone Experiment you control, roll an unblockable attack die against that figure. At the end of the round, roll an unblockable attack die one at a time for each Clone Experiment you control. You must roll for Cellular Degeneration even while Jackal is destroyed.

[Viegon]

While we will have to be very cautious with Jackal, I don't think it's as worrisome as some think. Jackal and Arnim will have some overlap, but as ZJ said, the fact that Jackal changes the units class and opens them up to Degeneration will make them quite different. Also, Arnim Zola has 2 more life and his Consciousness Transmission power that makes him considerably tougher than Jackal.

For what it's worth, if changes are being made, I much prefer to see Degeneration tweaked (either with ZJ's suggestion or by making it an auto-wound, or whatever) then increasing the roll (Arnim Zola already struggles from being too unreliable at times, I've had him go whole game without hitting his roll; if Jackal's roll was to be even higher, I worry he'd become unreliable to the point of not being enjoyable to play).

EDIT: I like that, Karat.

[Karat]

Any other thoughts before tine expires and I update and send him out to ERB?