The Book of Scourge of the Underworld

[IAmBatman]

I could see Scourge or Punisher as their class. Not crazy about either, but they each worry me less than Vigilante on a mechanic level.

Originally Posted by Margloth

What if the Scourge could take their Order Markers instead of healing? Especially if the power allowed them to activate instead of the wounded hero.

To me, thematically, the hero is about to crack (wounds), and the Scourge kills him to keep the secrets (battle plans, OMs) safe.

From a gameplay standpoint, I could definitely see killing a figure I thought would die anyway to get back some inopportunely placed OMs.

I'll go hide in my ERB hole again.

I think that's an awesome idea! Maybe something like:

SECRETS MAINTAINED
After taking a turn with this Scourge, if a unique hero figure you control is within 6 clear sight spaces of this Scourge and has only 1 life remaining, you may destroy that figure, move any unrevealed Order Markers from the destroyed figure's Army Card to this card, and add 1 to this Scourge's Attack Number for the remainder of the round.

In fact, with a change like that, I don't even mind their being Vigilantes (though army combos would still be odd - but, w/e).

A3n - for Justice is served, that other version makes them seem like they have teleportation abilities. I'm guessing that wouldn't be thematic ....

The title "Justice is Served!" makes me think they're getting a boost for doing something good. Right now it seems more like they're obsessed with Justice, meaning a title like "Pursuit of Justice" would fit the mechanics better. Would "Pursuit of Justice" or "Passion for Justice" or "Obsession With Justice" be appropriate titles for what you're going for?

I tried thinking of mechanics that would fit "Justice is Served!" and reward them somehow for killing figures, but I couldn't think of any mechanics that weren't repeating a preexisting power ....

I actually think the current mechanics are a good start, just with the unblockable wound roll you suggested to limit it. I'm just not sure how well it fits the title of the power for me.

[A3n]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

I could see Scourge or Punisher as their class. Not crazy about either, but they each worry me less than Vigilante on a mechanic level.

I agree totally. Vigilante is definitely what their class should be but due to the interactions we have created with the Vigilante synergy it isn't the best for the game. Scourge could work but seems weird for it to be their name & class . Punisher doesn't seem right because they are killing them not just punishing them.

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

I think that's an awesome idea! Maybe something like:

SECRETS MAINTAINED
After taking a turn with this Scourge, if a unique hero figure you control is within 6 clear sight spaces of this Scourge and has only 1 life remaining, you may destroy that figure, move any unrevealed Order Markers from the destroyed figure's Army Card to this card, and add 1 to this Scourge's Attack Number for the remainder of the round.

In fact, with a change like that, I don't even mind their being Vigilantes (though army combos would still be odd - but, w/e).

I personally don't think it's enough to kill your own figure for. Maybe add 2 for the remainder of the round, or an additional turn immediately. Actually what about we make it an instead of attacking power then destroy your figure, get it's OMs take an extra turn with either plus 1 for the remainder of the round or plus 2 for that turn.

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

A3n - for Justice is served, that other version makes them seem like they have teleportation abilities. I'm guessing that wouldn't be thematic ....

I saw it more of them making the hit letting out the catch phrase ("Justice is Served") then disappearing again to their secret undergrown society & resting/healing.

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

The title "Justice is Served!" makes me think they're getting a boost for doing something good. Right now it seems more like they're obsessed with Justice, meaning a title like "Pursuit of Justice" would fit the mechanics better. Would "Pursuit of Justice" or "Passion for Justice" or "Obsession With Justice" be appropriate titles for what you're going for?

I actually think the current mechanics are a good start, just with the unblockable wound roll you suggested to limit it. I'm just not sure how well it fits the title of the power for me.

They are kind of obsessed with Justice, but "Justice is Served" is what they call out when they kill one of the bad guys. It's their catch phrase which is why it has to be the title & doesn't neccessarily have to relate to the actual power (but something close would be appropriate).

Anyway what about these changes:

SECRETS MAINTAINED
Instead of attacking with Scourge, if a unique hero figure you control is within 6 clear sight spaces of this Scourge and has only 1 life remaining, you may destroy that figure, move any unrevealed Order Markers from the destroyed figure's Army Card to this card, and take one additional turn with this Scourge adding 2 attack dice to any attack during that turn.

JUSTICE IS SERVED!
If this Scourge inflicts at least 1 wound on an opponents figure and there is only 1 wound remaining on that figure, roll one unblockable attack die against that figure.

[Hahma]

Originally Posted by A3n

Anyway what about these changes:

Would keeping it to his normal attack be a problem, just in case there's a glyph or some other way he could use a special attack?

[A3n]

No problem at all.

[IAmBatman]

I could roll with those changes if we can come up with a non-bonding class for them.

Enforcer? Watchdog?

[quozl]

I like:
NAME=SCOURGE OF THE UNDERWORLD
CLASS=SCOURGE

or if you really don't like Scourge, maybe Executioner.

[A3n]

I'm fine with using their full title "Scourge of the Underworld", & on thinking it's true meaning I think Scourge is a great fit. Is everybody else happy to have Scourge in his name & as his class?

I also want to make a small addition to Incognito:

INCOGNITO
If at the start of any figure's turn this Scourge has not attacked this round, is not adjacent to an opponent's figure and is within 6 clear sight spaces of a friendly figure, in addition to his current class he is also considered a Civilian and cannot be attacked and will not take any leaving engagement attacks.

[IAmBatman]

Sounds good! Incognito isn't going to work as a power title, though!

[johnny139]

"IN PLAIN SIGHT" would be a good alternative, I think.

[A3n]

Not quite the whole 48hrs but I have updated the SP anyway. Please check & provide any more feedback before I send to ERB.

Cheers

[A3n]

ERB from Davidlhsl:

Originally Posted by davidlhsl

Scourge of the Underworld

That certainly sounds ominous. Stepping cautiously ahead.

In Plain Sight
Reminds me a bit of Chameleon. The wording here might need cleaning.

Since engagement strikes aren’t considered attacks (I think I’m correct on this), the Scourges could make engagement strikes on the opponent while not compromising their In Plain Sight status. The opponent will most likely engage without breaking anyway to nullify this.

Secrets Maintained
Need to capitalize Unique Hero. Would you need to say “this Scourge” here as in the other abilities?

This is quite a novel bonding mechanic, and making a 1 life remaining figure the tempting sacrifice for the gain of a bonus turn with +2 attack should translate into interesting game play decisions.

Justice is Served!
Apostrophe: opponent’s

I love Deadshot’s Finish the Job as a way of handling those situations where you’re just one wound shy of taking down a figure, so I love this.

Final Thoughts
Since this is an Uncommon Hero and there can be multiples of this guy (gal? thing?), players will have to keep track of which Scourges maintain the benefit of In Plain Sight. Care has to be taken with untouchable figures to prevent situations where one side simply can’t attack while the other side is able to strike with impunity and maintain immunity, but I’m not seeing problems in this design. As with Chameleon, you have provisions that give the opponent options to nullify the immunity. Still, you have the ingredients that allow the Scourges to set up a first strike, which is neat.

[IAmBatman]

He makes a good point about IN PLAIN SIGHT being a bit tough to track with these guys as Uncommons ... any thought to making it an all or nothing for all the Scourge you control?