The Book of Mantis

[Arkham]

Down to Spidey here.

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Coulda sworn I voted here. Yea

[Arkham]

this passes

[Arkham]

C3G INITIAL PLAYTEST FEEDBACK FORM

NAME OF THE TEST UNIT Mantis

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Army Test 1
Map: Custom
Units:
Mantis(200), Captain America(240), Cosmo(160) (600)
vs.
Bug(200), Star-Lord(250), Green Arrow(150) (600)

Spoiler Alert!

Attack Damage:
R2T2: 1 wound on Star-Lord. (Cap + Nerve Punch)
R3T2: 1 wound on Star-Lord. (Nerve Punch)
R4T1: 2 wounds on Bug. (Nerve Punch = removes OM2)
R4T2: 1 wound on Bug. (Nerve Punch = removes OM3)
R4T3: 1 wound on Star-Lord. (Nerve Punch)
R6T1: 3 wounds on Bug(botch)(2 were excess). (Nerve Punch)
R6T3: 1 wound on Green Arrow. (Nerve Punch = removes OMX)
R7T2: 1 wound on Green Arrow, kills him. (Nerve Punch)
R8T2: 2 wounds on Star-Lord, kills him. (Nerve Punch)

Empathetic Link:
R3T1: moves OM1 from destroyed Cap to herself.

Organic Healing:
R4T1: fails
R4T2: fails
R4T3: heals 1 wound
R6T1: fails
R6T2: heals 1 wound
R6T3: heals 1 wound

Notes:
R2T1: Cap takes 1 wound from LEA, puts 1 wound on Star-Lord.
R2T2: Bug puts 3 wounds on Cap.
R2T3: Cosmo puts 2 wounds on Green Arrow.
R3T1: Bug kills Cap.
R3T2: Cosmo reveals X to protect Mantis from Bug.
R4T1: Bug puts 1 wound on Mantis.
R5T1: Cosmo protects Mantis from Bug.
R5T2: Bug puts 1 wound on Cosmo.
R5T3: Green Arrow puts 2 wounds on Mantis.
R7T1: Cosmo protects himself from Green Arrow.


Cosmo with 1/3 wounds, and Mantis unwounded.

Very back and forth game that felt like a couple of brick walls fighting at certain points. Mantis definitely did well, but Cosmo protecting her was the bigger win. Nerve Punch is already a proven power, so nothing new there, but she certainly over performed here. The enemy team just didn't have a lot going for it once Bug fell. Going to give the opposing team some better options.

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Army Test 2
Map: Custom
Units:
Mantis(200), Captain America(240), Cosmo(160) (600)
vs.
Punisher(180), Star-Lord(250), Tigra(170) (600)

Spoiler Alert!

Attack Damage:
R2T2: 3 wounds on Star-Lord(botch), kills him. (Cap + height + Nerve Punch)
R2T3: 2 wounds on Punisher. (Cap + Nerve Punch)

Empathetic Link:


Organic Healing:


Notes:
R1T3: Cosmo protects Cap from Punisher.
R2T1: Cosmo protects Cap from Punisher.
R2T1: Cap puts 2 wounds on Star-Lord.
R3T1: Punisher puts 4 wounds on Mantis in 3 attacks.
R3T1: Cap puts 1 wound on Punisher.
R3T2: Tigra kills Mantis.
R4T1: Cap puts 1 wound on Punisher.
R4T2: Cosmo puts 1 wound on Tigra.
R4T3: Cap kills Punisher.
R5T1: Cap puts 1 wound on Tigra.
R5T1: Tigra puts 2 wounds on Cosmo before he's forced to reveal the X.
R5T2: Tigra kills Cosmo.
R5T3: Cap puts 2 wounds on Tigra.
R5T3: Tigra puts 2 wounds on Cap.
R6T2: Tigra kills Cap.


Tigra with 4/5 wounds.

Very close game here. Mantis did some damage early on, but was quickly taken out by the Punisher. After that, it was just a blood bath as each team landed some decent hits, as well as some decent defenses. Ultimately Tigra was victorious, but it was anyone's game.

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Army Test 3
Map: Custom
Units:
Mantis(200), Star-Lord(250), Groot(275), Rocket(175) (900)
vs.
Warriors Three(900)

Spoiler Alert!

Attack Damage:
R2T1: 1 wound on Fandral. (S-L + Nerve Punch = Removes OM2)
R3T1: 2 wounds on Hogun(botch), kills him. (S-L + Nerve Punch)
R4T1: 3 wounds on Volstagg(botch). (S-L + Nerve Punch = Removes OMX)
R4T2: 2 wounds on Volstagg. (S-L + Nerve Punch = Removes OM3)
R4T3: 2 wounds on Volstagg(botch). (S-L + Nerve Punch)
R5T1: 2 wounds on Volstagg. (S-L + Nerve Punch = Removes OM )

Empathetic Link:
R2T3: moves OM3 from destroyed Rocket to Groot's card.
R3T2: moves OM2 from Groot to her own card.
R3T3: moves OM3 from Groot to her own card.
R4T1: moves OM1 from Groot to her own card.

Organic Healing:
R3T2: heals Groot 1 wound.
R3T3: heals Groot 1 wound.
R4T1: fails roll
R4T2: heals Groot 1 wound.
R4T3: fails roll
R5T1: fails roll
R5T2: heals Groot 1 wound.
R6T1: heals 1 wound
R6T3: heals Groot 1 wound.

Notes:
R1T2: Fandral takes 1 wound from Rocket.
R1T3: Volstagg puts 2 wounds on Rocket.
R2T2: Groot kills Fandral(botch).
R2T3: Volstagg kills Rocket.
R2T3: Groot puts 4 wounds on Hogun.
R3T1: Volstagg puts 2 wounds on Star-Lord.
R3T2: Volstagg puts 5 wounds on Groot.
R3: Groot heals 1 wound
R4T1: Volstagg puts 2 wounds on Groot.
R4T2: Volstagg removes marker to heal 2 wounds, then puts 2 wounds on Star-Lord.
R4T3: Volstagg heals 2 wounds
R4: Groot heals 1 wound
R5T2: Volstagg kills Star-Lord.
R5T3: Volstagg puts 2 wounds on Groot.
R5: Groot heals 1 wound
R6T1: Volstagg puts 2 wounds on Mantis.
R6T3: Volstagg puts 3 wounds on Mantis.
R6: Groot heals 1 wound
R7T1: Groot puts 3 wounds on Volstagg.
R7T2: Volstagg manages to kill Mantis with 1 attack.
R8T1: Groot kills Volstagg.


Groot unwounded.

Crazy match with a ton of bad luck on the Warriors Three side. Fandral and Hogun were pretty much non-factors, but Volstagg brought everything he had. Mantis did quite well since all focus was on her with attacks, but the opponent had to put more focus in keeping Groot damaged. It was close in the end, but ultimately Volstagg just couldn't keep up.

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Army Test 4 (rematch)
Map: Custom
Units:
Mantis(200), Star-Lord(250), Groot(275), Rocket(175) (900)
vs.
Warriors Three(900)

Spoiler Alert!

Attack Damage:
R2T3: 3 wounds on Volstagg. (S-L + Nerve Punch = OMX removed)
R3T1: 1 wound on Volstagg. (S-L + Nerve Punch = OMX removed)
R3T2: 1 wound on Volstagg. (S-L + Nerve Punch)

Empathetic Link:
R3T1: moves OM1 to her card from Groot.
R3T2: moves OM2 to her card from Groot.

Organic Healing:
R2T3: fails roll
R3T1: fails roll
R3T2: heals 1 wound

Notes:
R1T3: Star-Lord put 2 wounds on Fandral(double botch).
R2T1: Groot puts 3 wounds on Fandral.
R2T1: Hogun puts 2 wounds on Star-Lord. Fandral puts 1 wound on Groot.
R2T2: Groot kills Fandral.
R2T3: Volstagg removes a marker to heal 2 wounds, puts 4 wounds on Mantis.
R3T2: Volstagg removes marker to heal 2 wounds, kills Mantis. Hogun puts 4 wounds on Groot.
R3T3: Groot puts 2 wounds on Hogun.
R3: Groot heals 1 wound.
R4T1: Volstagg puts 1 wound on Groot.
R4T1: Groot puts 1 wound on Volstagg.
R4T2: Volstagg removes last marker to heal 2 wounds.
R4T2: Groot puts 2 wounds on Volstagg.
R4T3: Volstagg puts 2 wounds on Groot.
R4T3: Rocket puts 1 wound on Volstagg.
R4: Groot heals 1 wound.
R5T1: Hogun kills Groot.
R5T1: Rocket puts 1 wound on Volstagg.
R5T3: Hogun puts 2 wounds on Rocket.
R6T1: Hogun kills Rocket.
R6T3: Hogun kills Star-Lord.


Volstagg with 4/7 wounds, and Hogun with 2/6 wounds.

Just a slug fest. Fandral once again went out pretty early, but the other 2 remaining had a much better showing this go around. Mantis managed to get some decent hits in, but she was ousted before she could get going too crazy. Groot did some nice damage, but was taken out as well. Rocket couldn't hang with the dual attacks against him, and couldn't risk leaving engagement.

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Army Test 5
Map: Custom
Units:
Mantis(200), Star-Lord(250), Gamora(310), Nebula(240) (1000)
vs.
Fantastic Four(1000)

Spoiler Alert!

Attack Damage:
R3T1: 3 wounds on Human Torch(botch), kills him. (Star-Lord + Nerve Punch)
R3T2: 3 wounds on Mr. Fantastic. (Star-Lord + Nerve Punch = Removes OM3)

Empathetic Link:
R2T3: moves OMX to Nebula's card.
R3T2: moves OM2 to her card.
R3T3: moves OMX to Nebula and OM3 to Gamora.
R4T3: moves OMX to Nebula.

Organic Healing:
R5T1: heals 1 wound
R5T2: heals 1 wound

Notes:
R2T1: Human Torch puts 1 wound on Nebula.
R2T2: Gamora takes 1 wound from Thing's RWD4.
R2T2: Torch takes 1 wound from LEA, puts 1 wound on Nebula. Thing puts 4 wounds on Star-Lord.
R2T3: Gamora absolutely obliterates Invisible Woman.
R2T3: Torch takes 1 wound from LEA, puts 2 wounds on Nebula.
R2: Gamora and Nebula heal 1 wound.
R3T2: Thing puts 2 wounds on Mantis. Fantastic kills Star-Lord.
R3T3: Gamora kills Mr. Fantastic.
R3: Nebula heals 1 wound
R4T1: Gamora takes 1 wound from Thing's RWD4. Nebula puts 2 wounds on Thing.
R4T1: Thing puts 1 wound on Gamora.
R4T2: Nebula puts 1 wound on Thing.
R4T2: Thing puts 2 wounds on Gamora.
R4T3: Nebula puts 1 wound on Thing.
R4T3: Thing kills Gamora.
R4: Nebula heals 1 wound.
R5T2: Thing puts 3 wounds on Mantis.
R5T2: Nebula puts 1 wound on Thing.
R5T3: Nebula kills Thing.


Mantis with 3/5 wounds, Nebula with 1/6 wounds.

A decent back and forth match here. I'd say the Fantastic Four slightly under delivered on their average potential, as Torch didn't Supernova, and Thing only got to use Clobberin' Time once, not at full. So a bit of a dud. However, the match finished pretty close all things considered. Mantis had a decent showing.

___________________________________________________________

Army Test 6 (rematch)
Map: Custom
Units:
Mantis(200), Star-Lord(250), Gamora(310), Nebula(240) (1000)
vs.
Fantastic Four(1000)

Spoiler Alert!

Attack Damage:
R2T2: 2 wounds on Invisible Woman. (Star-Lord + Nerve Punch)

Empathetic Link:
R1T2: moves OM2 to Gamora.
R2T1: moves OM1 to her card.

Organic Healing:
R2T1: heals 1 wound
R2T2: heals 1 wound

Notes:
R1T2: Invisible Woman puts 1 wound on Mantis.
R1T2: Gamora puts 1 wound on Human Torch.
R1T2: Human Torch takes 1 wound from LEA, puts 2 wounds on Mantis and Gamora, then puts 2 more wounds on Gamora. Thing kills Gamora.
R2T1: Mr. Fantastic puts 1 wound on Mantis.
R2T3: Human Torch puts 2 wounds on Nebula and Star-Lord with Supernova. Thing puts 2 wounds on Mantis. Mr. Fantastic kills Mantis.
R2T3: Nebula puts 2 wounds on Mr. Fantastic, then kills Invisible Woman.
R3T1: Nebula puts 1 wound on Mr. Fantastic.
R3T1: Human Torch puts 1 wound on Star-Lord.
R3T2: Nebula puts 1 wound on Mr. Fantastic, then kills him.
R3: Nebula heals 1 wound.
R4T2: Nebula puts 1 wound on Thing.
R4T3: Nebula puts 2 wounds on Human Torch.
R4T3: Thing kills Nebula in 2 attacks.
R5T1: Star-Lord kills Human Torch.
R5T1: Thing puts 1 wound on Star-Lord.
R5T2: Thing kills Star-Lord.


Thing with 1/6 wounds.

Wow, that was a fun match. Lots of good back and forth with big moments for both sides. Fantastic Four got rid of Gamora early, which certainly gave them a good chance at victory. However, the Guardians had a decent comeback with Nebula doing some work, but ultimately they couldn't get it done against Thing.

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THOUGHTS ON THE TESTED UNIT'S COST, BALANCE, & DRAFTABILITY:
Mantis is definitely a nice fit for the Guardians. The Order Marker flex is important for them, giving them some on the fly reorganizing where needed most. Her healing can certainly keep her in the fight just a bit longer, and certainly can be beneficial to Groot if he can survive the incoming attacks long enough. Taking the Order Markers for herself while still being able to heal Groot, with a chance at potentially removing an opponent's Order Marker, is a nice combo. Nerve Punch is a nice feature for the Guardians as it's a decent attack in its own right even at a low attack number, feels a bit like Gamora on a budget attack wise. Ultimately, she makes a great addition to the team, and an easy draft for other teams if desired. She had a couple of really good games where she over performed, but then had a few more games where she came in at what you'd expect or slightly below. I tried to be thorough in testing to make sure the really good performances weren't the norm. I'm feeling pretty good at 200 going into Public Testing for further analysis.

[Arkham]

Initials updated. Feeling pretty good at 200 thus far. Can't see any need for a point drop, and a point bump could be possible if she comes in hot more often than not, but through 6 games her average felt pretty spot on at 200.

[Ronin]

Looking good.

[Arkham]

I propose a vote to move to Public Playtesting.
@japes - yea
@johnny139 - yea
@Tornado - yea
@Spidey'tilIDie
@SirGalahad - yea
@Ronin - yea
@Yodaking - yea

Can I get a wording check while we're at it?

[Ronin]

yea

On my phone, or I'd hit the wording for you.

[Arkham]

No real rush, just figured we'd knock it out so it's ready when we get there.

Wording should be pretty simple since Nerve Punch is a re-use, and Organic Healing was molded from Aquaman I's healing verbiage. Empathetic Link did the same with Sage's Telepathic Tactician. I always try to take the wording from existing powers to make things as close to good as possible.

[SirGalahad]

yea

[johnny139]

Yeah, that's a solid showing. Could see some tweaks in cost/stats/whatever based on testing, since healing Groot seemed pretty scary, but I'm happy with her as-is. Yea

[Arkham]

Originally Posted by johnny139

Yeah, that's a solid showing. Could see some tweaks in cost/stats/whatever based on testing, since healing Groot seemed pretty scary, but I'm happy with her as-is. Yea

She had a couple of games where she definitely went over what I'd imagine her average performance would be. However, that's pretty standard for any unit if certain factors end up in their favor. Luck, for example, definitely played a big factor in both Game 1 and 3(multiple botches by Volstagg and Hogun led to her higher damage, and Groot killed a botching Fandral to skew the game early on), which were her outlier showings. So as of now, I'm not too worried about it. I think the bigger takeaway was her average across all games, which I tried to get a good gauge on through the 6 I played.

Also important to point out that the damage dealt would have been the same had Kraven been in her place, who is 200 points and has the same attack stat and Nerve Punch special power. In fact, he has Bolas and Big Game Tracker to make those wounds even greater. I think they make a fairly even comparison. Kraven has higher attack and movement potential, whereas Mantis has higher support potential and longevity(Kraven has 1 higher life, Mantis was averaging 2.3 wounds healed per game, so she has the slight edge there). All in all I'd say they come pretty close.