The Book of Buzzer

[Lord Pyre]

I wonder if a stat boost would be a better idea rather than an easier bonding roll. With vehicles now having four cheap bonders in Gundams might be pretty sick, and these guys seem to be intended to only be in motorcycles or cheaper vehicles. A stat boost doesn't affect our beefy vehicles, and would help their survivability.

Though I wouldn't put much stake in a test where 3 of them died in one turn. I'd probably restart that game myself, there's no data there.

[IAmBatman]

Any reason not to beef them up to 4 defense?

[fret_gurglo]

I struggle with theme for a 4 defense. Most of the Joes are 3 attack 4 defense and they are trained soldiers. The Dreadnoks are just a gang of bikers with weird and powerful weapons. I'm not strongly opposed, but it feels off to me

[IAmBatman]

Fair enough. Maybe it makes sense for them to be at their best piloting Gundams in that case.

[Yodaking]

They are just more or less hard core street thugs with a bit of flair and financial backing for upgraded weaponry. Street thugs are a 3 figure common squad for just 75 points, that's 25 points per figure, but then they only have 1 life each. As unique heroes with multiple life, they do seem like they should come in at over Alfred's 60 points. So dropping the bonding roll seems like a good move, that puts them closer to acting like a squad. Maybe the goal should be for Zartan to make the bonding automatic once he shows up.

[FreshFoods]

If you want to pull them towards basic vehicles a little more, could add to the Dreadnoks roll if they're in a large Uncommon vehicle.

[Lord Pyre]

Originally Posted by FreshFoods

If you want to pull them towards basic vehicles a little more, could add to the Dreadnoks roll if they're in a large Uncommon vehicle.

That's a pretty fun suggestion. The bonding is still good for gundams, but you get the boost if they're on motorcycles.

[Yodaking]

Yeah, I 'm not overly familiar with the Gundam issue as I missed out on that craze. Any idea to make them happier on their intended bikes and not just used to pilot other vehicles would be welcome by me.

[Lord Pyre]

Originally Posted by Yodaking

Yeah, I 'm not overly familiar with the Gundam issue as I missed out on that craze. Any idea to make them happier on their intended bikes and not just used to pilot other vehicles would be welcome by me.

Not really an issue, but essentially any figure can turn into a 300 point heavy hitter now. You still pay the points for that big beast, but cheap bonders, especially if they can bond multiple times can get you 3+ turns with big heavy hitters.

Of course you need the points for that, so it kinda balances itself, but if the Deadnauks are feeling kinda lackluster, then their go-to army is going to be Gundams just because they're cheap bonders. That's what I'm trying to say (poorly )

[fret_gurglo]

After thinking it over some more I do like the option that FF suggested with them being on uncommon vehicles. The one draw back is if their main vehicle, the Thunder Machine, is ever designed it would be a unique vehicle. I also don't want this team to be the go-to for multi gundams builds. With these thoughts, I think I might lean a little more on the Wrecking Crew and thinking in this direction:

DREADNOKS 9
After taking a turn with Buzzer, you may roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 9 or higher, you may take a turn with any other figure you control with the Dreadnoks special power that has not taken a turn yet this player turn. If Buzzer inflicted at least 1 wound during his turn, you may add 2 to the roll.

This way he doesn't get the bonus if he is in a gundam, but will still get it while on a bike. And although it does add 2 to Dreadnoks, it's conditional so it shouldn't be overpowered.

Thoughts?

[Lord Pyre]

Nice compromise!

Will the Thunder Machine be open cover as well to work with it?

[IAmBatman]

Don't suppose you could justify the Thunder Machine as Large and use that as a grouping?

I'm good with the inflicting wound bonus, though. Wrecking Crew have a similar thing with destroying figures and these guys are like a lightweight version of them, so feels like a good fit.