The Book of Mastermind

[IAmBatman]

The Book of Mastermind

C3G MARVEL WAVE 16
XTINCTION AGENDA

Comic PDF

Mini PDF

The figure used for this unit is a Heroclix figure from the Mutations and Monsters set.
Its model number and name are #052 / Mastermind.

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Character Bio - “Nothing is known of Jason Wyngarde's life before joining the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, except that he was a carnival mentalist. With Mastermind's help, the Brotherhood was able to take over a South American country, with an illusion of thousands of soldiers. However the X-Men were able to free the country, as Professor X quickly realized Mastermind's illusions, helping the X-Men when they believed they were trapped by a wall of flame. As a member of the original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, he aided Magneto in repeated clashes with the X-Men [….]Mastermind's mutant powers are of illusion casting. He can psionically cause other people to see, hear, feel, smell, and/or taste things that do not actually exist. He can also cause people to sense things in ways that they would not naturally; for example, he can make himself look and sound like a different person, or look and feel like a wall, or even seem invisible” (Wikipedia.org 2012).
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-Rulings and Clarifications-

• N/A

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-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:

• As a Mutant, Mastermind has these Mutant Synergies.
• As a Telepath, Mastermind has these Telepath Synergies.

Outgoing Synergy:

• Mutants may be activated after Mastermind via his Mutant Mastermind special power. Current Mutants.

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-Immunities, Benefits, and Weaknesses-

Immunities

• As a Telepath, Mastermind cannot be affected by aspects of certain special powers: Special Powers that Interact Differently with Telepaths.

Benefits

• As a Telepath, Mastermind interacts differently with certain special powers: Special Powers that Interact Differently with Telepaths.

Weaknesses

• As a Telepath, Mastermind interacts differently with certain special power. Special Powers that Interact Differently with Telepaths.
• As a Mutant, Mastermind interacts differently with certain special powers. Special Powers that Interact Differently with Mutants.
• Telepaths may bypass Mastermind's Psychic Camouflage special power. Current Telepaths.

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-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• N/A

-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

• Initial playtest: (IAmBatman)
• Second playtest: (Zettian Juggernaut)
• Third playtest: (Yodaking)

First Reevaluation Version Playtests:

• Frist playtest: (TrollBrute)
• Second playtest: (Viegon)
• Third playtest: (Ronin)
• Art: Comic, Figure, Background
• Art by Flame Gryphon

[IAmBatman]

NAME = MASTERMIND
SECRET IDENTITY = JASON WYNGARDE

SPECIES = MUTANT
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = TELEPATH
PERSONALITY = MANIPULATIVE

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 4

MOVE = 5
RANGE = 3
ATTACK = 3
DEFENSE = 3

POINTS = 95

MUTANT MASTERMIND
After revealing an Order Marker on this card and taking a turn with Mastermind, you may take a turn with any Unique Mutant Hero you control within 8 spaces of Mastermind.

PSYCHIC CAMOUFLAGE
Mastermind cannot be targeted for an attack or chosen for a special power by an opponent's non-adjacent figure unless that figure is a Telepath.

Spoiler Alert!

Comic Art Options:
http://www.comicvine.com/mastermind/...nd/105-700295/

http://www.comicvine.com/mastermind/...nd/105-143389/

http://www.comicvine.com/mastermind/...ind/105-79782/

[A3n]

Looks good to me. I don't know the character so I can't comment on theme but the mechanics look good & useful.

[Hahma]

Looks good Bats. I only have seen him when he tricked Jean Grey into becoming the Black Queen and made himself appear "dashing" and whatnot.

I like the Psychic Camouflage, that's cool and seems pretty thematic.

Mutant Mastermind might be kind of hard to pull off considering his movement, but if he can tag along with Wolvie, it can protect Wolvie from ranged attacks and if he can tag along with Cyclops he can control a ranged attacker. But still, it can be a pain to make use of the power too often in a game. I guess that would keep his cost down.

[Lord Pyre]

Simple and effective, I like it. I don't remember too much of him from the Phoenix Saga, been a while since I read that. Might be cool if he had a chance to control opponents' mutants, too, but probably would be harder to balance and unnecessary. Mid hundreds for a point cost?

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Lord Pyre

Simple and effective, I like it. I don't remember too much of him from the Phoenix Saga, been a while since I read that. Might be cool if he had a chance to control opponents' mutants, too, but probably would be harder to balance and unnecessary. Mid hundreds for a point cost?

Yeah, I thought about mind control, but I didn't think it was a thematic necessity, and I really think we have so many mind controllers already that I don't want to muddy the waters.

I'm thinking low 100s. He's probably not too different than a Shadowcat in terms of value, and she's at 80. Depends on how easy the other Outcasts make it for him to pull off his bonding.

Originally Posted by Hahma

Mutant Mastermind might be kind of hard to pull off considering his movement, but if he can tag along with Wolvie, it can protect Wolvie from ranged attacks and if he can tag along with Cyclops he can control a ranged attacker. But still, it can be a pain to make use of the power too often in a game. I guess that would keep his cost down.

Well the plus side is that he's going to want to be around his allies anyway to pull off the Cammo, and I'm hoping Outcast synergies like with Avalanche's special attack and Magneto's throws will help him stay near his allies and provide them some degree of Order Marker flexibility. If it proves too tough in playtesting, I might lighten the restrictions some.

[IAmBatman]

SP updated with a projected cost. Sending out to ERB.

[IAmBatman]

Thank you, sir! Comma dropping!

Cheers,
Bats

Originally Posted by davidlhsl

Mastermind

Another Outcast! Let's check him out...

Mutant Mastermind
I think you could drop the comma after "Mastermind's card."

Question: If you were to design customs for Ian Fleming's figures, would 007 have bonding? James Bonding?

Psychic Camouflage

Nice defense. Jean Grey could still strike, but that's because she's awesome.

Final Thoughts

Mastermind is sort of an Outcast version of Professor X in a way, which is really nice. No issues, and fun addition to the Outcasts.

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Porkins

Only comment I have on this one is: since he is a Telepathic Mastermind, why does he have to be adjacent to the Mutant he is taking a turn with after his turn? Better theme to allow some non-LOS distance between the two.

I like Psychic Camo very much.

Yeah, I was thinking about adding more tactical flexibility there, without letting him become too much like Prof X or Hush, so I think I'm going to open it up to 3 spaces. Thanks for the feedback!

Cheers,
Bats

[IAmBatman]

Yeah, I was unsure about adding Telepath as a second class that way ... it's a tough one, though, because he's very much a Telepath and should have those synergies, but he also was a founding member of the Brotherhood of Mutants (Outcast)! I'll see what the guys think.

Thanks for the feedback!

Cheers,
Bats

P.S. No Prof X issues - we've done a good job of consistently tying the majority of bonding to Order Markers being on a specific card.

Originally Posted by 1Mmirg

Interesting unit. Another figure I don't know well, but I'll offer some thoughts, fwiw:

Thanks for sharing it. Very fun unit!

[IAmBatman]

OK, any thoughts on whether this guy should be an Outcast, should be a Telepath, or if we should stick with him being both the way we have it?

[Hahma]

I guess the only thing about having dual classes is that it seems like we're doing it more with newer designs when perhaps the same could have been done with some older designs as well to help them with expanded synergies. I guess I don't mind it so much in this case because of your reasons given above Bats, but I just don't think we should continue to make a habbit of it.