Groot

[IAmBatman]

Good call. I'm all-in on 4 with that consideration.

[MrNobody]

Sweet, seems like we have a winner with #4. Updated the OP; I added Height 8, set his class to Protector, switched in Entangling Roots, hanged Ragtag Protector to Ragtag Protection to avoid doubling up on words, and dropped the Royal keyword.

Let's go to Initial Playtesting!

[Arch-vile]

I am Groot (yea)

Wording:

ROCKET AND GROOT
Before Groot's move action, you may choose an unengaged allied Rocket Raccoon that is adjacent to Groot. After the move action, place the chosen figure adjacent to Groot. When determining height advantage between an adjacent allied Rocket Raccoon and a non-flying figure, add 8 levels to Rocket Raccoon’s elevation.

RAGTAG PROTECTION
If an ally in the Guardians of the Galaxy faction within 5 clear spaces of Groot would take 1+ wounds, you may inflict 1 wound on Groot to ignore 1 wound inflicted on that figure.

[Tornado]

Yea

[IAmBatman]

Yea

[Yodaking]

yea

[Ronin]

yea

[japes]

Still prefer Large...Our Trees are Large as well if that matters to anyone. I know there was a general push to increase the Large zone anyway.

[MrNobody]

Originally Posted by japes

Still prefer Large...Our Trees are Large as well if that matters to anyone. I know there was a general push to increase the Large zone anyway.

Ah sorry, I meant to get that updated too.

This passes, I have some prior commitments but I’ll try to get to him as soon as I can.

[Margloth]

Just to be clear, if we have a scenario where Groot is adjacent to an allied Rocket, and an enemy Hulk with height 6 is on an adjacent same-level space to Rocket, Hulk could still attack Rocket, as the elevation bonus is only considered for height advantage, and not for engagement, correct?

It would be kind of cool if Rocket was just considered to be at elevation 8 for all non-Flyers, so they'd have to take on Groot before (unless they have range of course) before going after Rocket.

EDIT: It would also allow Groot to continue to move and avoid the "rabble" with Rocket and Groot as Rocket would be considered unengaged.

[IAmBatman]

Could always do like Battle Cat and make Groot a defacto vehicle for Small figures or something.

[MrNobody]

I'm hesitant to go in those directions, for one because Pilot Rocket is already a pretty juicy piece and I'd be worried about making him even more survivable, but also because I'd be worried about the rules weight? The "when comparing height advantage" language is something we've used before, and I've always read it as only changing the figure's height for the purposes of height advantage.

I think things get messier when it's an "always on" +8 elevation, especially when it comes to engagements...Groot moves next to Rocket, Rocket suddenly shoots up 8 levels and leaves engagement with any figures he was engaged with...seems sticky.

The Battle Cat method feels like it would add a lot of text to achieve mostly the same gameplay experience. That works for that card because it's primarily focused on being a Mount and has the space to let that shine, but I'm worried Groot here would struggle because of the other stuff he wants to do.

I'd totally be cool with dropping the unengaged requirement on carrying Rocket around here though. Letting Groot pull him out of danger makes sense to me.