The Book of Tul-Bak-Ra

[The B.I.V.]

Just for the record, teleporting Groks, doesn't sound good to me unless TBR is also adjacent to an engaged Warlord. The Groks movement is already good (at 8. It's their cost that's prohibitive...

Brandon

[nyys]

Originally Posted by Tai-Pan

Are the Legionnaires still doing all right? I've never been to tournaments or anything and my only play experience comes from playing with people I introduced to the game. In our circles, the Romans don't see much play time, and could use a boost.

I think we'll see them a lot more with the re-release of Wave 1 (this week I think), but I do see them pretty regularly anyway. They're very good as is, though I find they need a good ranged squad backing them up since they're so slow (like the AE as along as they drop and also have synergy with Marcus). If TBR were a Warlord it would definitely buy the Romans some time to get to the front lines while the Marro teleporters hold the enemy line (in theory).

So basically you'd get to move/attack with the Romans (or any squad that bonds with a Marro Warlord), after Teleporting TBR in (and attacking), and then move some squaddies up when he's attacked to buy the Romans that time. Almost like a double bond.

[Rich10]

Originally Posted by nickmodaily

Tul-Bak-Ra and his accompanying squad of Dividers are the Q-9 counter we've all been waiting for. It actually looks like they were designed to specifically take him down. It's about freakin' time.

I can see how he would be useful against Q9 (teleport in common squads to engage and take out Q9), but I think that the wave 9 "counter" to Q9 will be the Repulsors.

I do think that Tul-Bak-Ra would be a great assassin. I would think that he makes a good counter to Raelin and may be used to take her out. Tul-Bak-Ra may also be a good rat counter in that he can teleport himself past the rats and bring in reinforcements.

[killercactus]

Originally Posted by Rich10

I can see how he would be useful against Q9 (teleport in common squads to engage and take out Q9), but I think that the wave 9 "counter" to Q9 will be the Repulsors.

I do think that Tul-Bak-Ra would be a great assassin. I would think that he makes a good counter to Raelin and may be used to take her out. Tul-Bak-Ra may also be a good rat counter in that he can teleport himself past the rats and bring in reinforcements.

He can also teleport past Gladiatrons and get to Raelin or the Blastatrons, but he can also be easily surrounded by Trons. Plus, Cyberclaw negates his teleporting powers.

[Rich10]

Originally Posted by killercactus

He can also teleport past Gladiatrons and get to Raelin or the Blastatrons, but he can also be easily surrounded by Trons. Plus, Cyberclaw negates his teleporting powers.

Agreed, but unless he is well surrounded by Gladiatrons, once he is wounded he can bring in squads to take out Raelin, Glads, Blasts, ...

[killercactus]

Originally Posted by Rich10

Agreed, but unless he is well surrounded by Gladiatrons, once he is wounded he can bring in squads to take out Raelin, Glads, Blasts, ...

Right - I think he will still be pretty good against Trons, but he will be much better against Rats and range. It seems like a lot is being done in this wave to nerf Reavers. Mohicans Battle Fury, TBR's Teleporting past them and allowing free disengagement, possibly the repulsors working well against Soulborgs....

[Rich10]

Originally Posted by killercactus

Right - I think he will still be pretty good against Trons, but he will be much better against Rats and range. It seems like a lot is being done in this wave to nerf Reavers. Mohicans Battle Fury, TBR's Teleporting past them and allowing free disengagement, possibly the repulsors working well against Soulborgs....

I may be over thinking this, but wave 9 has a number of figures that are good counters to A+/A figures. TBR is good against Raelin, Deathreavers, Q9 (possibly with the ability to teleport in low point melee attackers). I agree with your assessment of the Mohicans. Repulsors are described as anti soulborg units (Q9, Q10, Deathreavers). We'll see about the rest. Maybe the Brawlers will be particularly good against the 4th Mass. and Stingers.

[Lordzum]

If Tul-Bak-Ra attacks an enemy with counter strike and they roll more shields than he has skuls, can he use his teleport minions special ability?

[Cavalier]

Originally Posted by Lordzum

If Tul-Bak-Ra attacks an enemy with counter strike and they roll more shields than he has skuls, can he use his teleport minions special ability?

No, because Counter-strike is neither a Normal nor Special Attack.

[kenjib]

The full implications of mind blast and teleport vis-a-vis the castle is pretty stunning. TBR can teleport into the castle from beyond the range of most castle defenders and then start mind blasting all of the units standing on the roof of the castle while being unassailable below (elvenenvy also pointed this out in the preview thread). If the castle defender brings troops down to attack him (taking several turns to get down the ladders), or has units by the door to do the same, he can then summon in additional units to help defend him and hold the door.

From now on I can't imagine why anyone would ever field a castle siege army without TBR and a couple of marro squads - probably dividers.

[killercactus]

He would also be pretty cool defending a castle. You could put him right behind the door, so he could be the one opening it when you need him to. Then, if anyone gets to the door to try and break it down, he can Mind Blast them from the other side.

[The B.I.V.]

I think people are overstating his Mind Blast because of the "nifty factor." In the end, it's really only a wimpy 3 attack with crappy range that can only hit one target. I think TBR's real value is as a tank/transporter.

Brandon