Δ+ Unit Debate #3 - Moriko or the Mindflayer?

[kolakoski]

Well met!

I've been having far too much fun with these - to the detriment of my training regimen, such as it is, rehearsing for Songs for a New World (to be performed at the beginning of April), and my connection to the real world in general. So, on with the Debate:

In the previous 2 Debates (Drake (SotM) vs Jotun and the Kozuke vs the Ninjas of the Northern Wind), we were deep within the comfort zone of comparison and, at least for me, the issues were clear-cut. The pros of Δ+ have assigned the same price (80 points) to both Moriko and the Mindflayer. Now, we have, rather than apples and oranges, what? How about

The Kiwi?






or



The Tomato?

As per Mega's Debate format, evaluate for the following:

1. Stats/Special Powers

2. Playability

3. Overall Usefulness

4. Who Would Win Head-To-Head

5. Army Builds

6. Best Strategic Use

7. Best in Dungeon Crawl

[greygnarl]

Mind Flayer. There stats are basically identical. Psionic Blast is better than Saberstorm though since it removes OMs. That can give you a huge advantage. Plus Enslave is a nice bonus when it activates, letting you move people out of position or bring up a bit more hitting power.

[kolakoski]

Well met!

1. Stats/Special Powers - Identical basic stats, except Moriko has 1 more Move. Moriko has Phantom Walk and Saber Storm Special Attack while the Mindflayer has Enslave 17 and Psionic Blast Special Attack.

2. Playability - Both are highly playable. Moriko's Special Powers are more reliable, but less disruptive than the Mindflayer's.

3. Overall Usefulness - Apples and Oranges. Both are highly useful. Moriko's Special Powers are more reliable, but less disruptive than the Mindflayer's.

4. Who Would Win Head-To-Head - Contrary to Gnarly's implication, according to the Heroscape matchup calculator (9-22-10 update), Moriko wins hands down.

5. Army Builds - Apples and Oranges. Both fit into a myriad of builds.

6. Best Strategic Use - Very similar, in spite of the Apples and Oranges nature of their usefulness. Both hide in the Shadow while maneuvering into position to attack. Moriko, of course, is more in your face. Moriko's Special Powers are more reliable, but less disruptive than the Mindflayer's.

7. Best in Dungeon Crawl - Moriko's Special Powers are more reliable, but less disruptive than the Mindflayer's, so it's Apples and Oranges again.

I haven't played either of these a great deal. In general, while I like the Mindflayer, and there are a lot of scenarios where he is advantaged, Moriko's Special Powers are more reliable. The Mindflayer's Enslave 17 cannot be counted upon and Psionic Blast Special Attack must first wound (using 3 dice) to be effective. At 80 points apiece, from a power gamer's perspective [which is what these polls are about, aren't they?], I have to go with Moriko.