The Book of Black Tom Cassidy

[Splash]

One thing I just thought of,
Are there any powers that would also change Tom's class start of game that could break him a bit?

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Soundwarp SG-1

Is one ever truly ready for an initial?

A monogram store.

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Splash

One thing I just thought of,
Are there any powers that would also change Tom's class start of game that could break him a bit?

Apocalypse.

[IAmBatman]

Also, Stan Lee can change his and Yondu can make anyone without SS a Pirate, but only one figure, so that'd just let Black Tom work with Pirates.

[Splash]

Okay, I think if you're drafting Apocalypse that's gonna be your focus. Also Black Tom Cassidy in a Pirate army would actually be pretty fun, he has a piratey name already.

[Soundwarp SG-1]

Originally Posted by Splash

One thing I just thought of,
Are there any powers that would also change Tom's class start of game that could break him a bit?

There's not much that can change classes in the time frame that matters, right now.

It's not something I'd really be worried about even if there are more options there. It's not like his current class is a low powered one.

Like if he's going to be broken it's cause you can do some meaty chain bonding with him, chain bonding with different options doesn't really move the needle to much IMO.

[Splash]

Also him being an all important Horseman, but also running a side hustle would not be off character.

[Ericth74]

I'll hit this initial in a day or two

[Ericth74]

C3G STANDARD PLAYTEST FEEDBACK FORM

NAME OF THE PLAYTEST UNIT: Black Tom Cassidy

Version tested:

Spoiler Alert!

NAME = BLACK TOM CASSIDY
SECRET IDENTITY = THOMAS CASSIDY

SPECIES = MUTANT
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = OUTCAST
PERSONALITY = DEGENERATE

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 5

MOVE = 6
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 4
DEFENSE = 4

POINTS = 160

PARTNERS IN CRIME
At the start of the game you may choose a Unique Hero in your army that shares a class with Black Tom. For the rest of the game, both Black Tom Cassidy and the chosen Hero have the class of Criminal in addition to what is listed on their cards. Before taking a turn with Black Tom Cassidy, you may take a turn with the chosen Hero. After taking a turn with Black Tom Cassidy and that Hero, you may not take any additional turns with other figures you control.

THERMOKINETIC BLAST SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 5. Attack 4.
Choose a figure to attack. If Black Tom is adjacent to an Evergreen Tree or Jungle Piece, any figures adjacent to the chosen figure are also affected by the Thermokinetic Blast Special Attack. Roll 4 attack dice once for all affected figures.

ROUGH AND TUMBLE
When rolling defense dice against a special attack, Black Tom Cassidy always add one automatic shield to whatever is rolled.

Army Test
Map: City Park
Units: Mystique 200, Gambit 215, Magneto375, Destiny 55, Black Tom 160 VS Classic X-Men

Spoiler Alert!

Damage Dealt: R2T1 Iceman 2 wounds - SA - dead
R2T2 Jean Grey 4 wounds - SA - dead
R3T2 Beast 2 wounds - SA
R4T3 Angel 1 wound - SA
R5T1 Cyclops 1 wound - SA
R5T1 Great Evergreen Tree 1 wound - SA


Partners in Crime: This is his strongest power used very often. It worked great with Magneto being able to both wound enemies but pod them up for Tom's Special Attack

Themokinetic Blast Special Attack: See above. Did 11 wounds, was able to get adjacent to trees easily enough to get the multi attack bonus. All his attacks were Special Attacks.

Rough and Tumble: Used twice on special attacks by Cyclops

Close game going 5 rounds. The Magneto/Black Tom are Partners in Crime. That combo with Destiny helping out is very strong.

R1 - Mystique was killed by Iceman and Cyclops.

R2 - Magneto and Black Tom parntership take out Iceman turn one and Jean Grey turn two. Cyclops hits Gambit for a wound.

R3 - Turns one and two Magneto and Tom take out Beast between tosses and SA. Cyclops kills Gambit.

R4 - Turns one and two Magneto tosses Prof X around does 3 wounds. Black Tom has his first Special Attack Negated by Prof X and he blanks on turn two with three targets lined up. Turn 3 Magneto kills Prof X and Black Tom hits Angel for a wound.

R5 - Cyclops hits Tom for 2 wounds. Magneto tosses Cyclops next to Angel. Black Tom hits Cyclops and a Tree for a wound. Cyclops kills Black Tom. Magneto kills Cyclops and Angel.

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Magneto 1 wound/4 life remaining, Destiny full 6 life left.

___________________________________________________________

Army Test
Map: Ravaged Road
Units: Hush, Klaw, Wizard, Juggernaut 340, Black Tom VS Luke Cage, Songbird, Wolverine 280, Daredevil 200, Spider-Man 250

Spoiler Alert!

Damage Dealt: R2T1 Luke Cage 1 wound - SA
R2T2 Cage 1 wound - SA
R2T2 Wolverine 2 wounds - SA - dead
R2T2 Daredevil 1 wound - SA


Partners in Crime: Only used a few times. Jugs rolled almost no shields and went down fast in round 2.

Themokinetic Blast Special Attack: Used twice, did 5 wounds. Rolled 4 skulls when he had 3 targets.

Rough and Tumble: Didn't get used this game.


Very close 8 round game.

R1 - Movement and Klaw killed 2 trees.

R2 - Jugs and Tom got 2 strong turns off, doing 11 wounds between them. Jugs took 5 wounds from Wolverine and Luke Cage on turn 2 and Songbird hit him for 2 more wounds. He only rolled 2 shields in the 3 attacks.

R3 - Tom took 2 wounds from Daredevil. Wizard killed Daredevil.

R4 - Spidey hit Wizard for 2 wounds. Lots of Ignoring attacks from Spidey, Klaw and Wizard.

R5 - Cage kills Tom. Klaw puts 2 wounds on Cage by negating a shield.

R6 - 8 Spider-man kills Wizard. Hush kills Spider-Man. Round 8 begins with Klaw and Songbird left. Klaw outlasts Songbird.

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Klaw 4 wounds/1 life left

___________________________________________________________

Army Test
Map: Conflict Chernobyl
Units: Mastermind, Pyro, Destiny, Magneto 375, Whirlwind, Black Tom VS Cyclops 240, Wolverine 280, Colossus 260, Harpoon, Angel

Spoiler Alert!

Damage Dealt: R2T2 Cyclops 2 wounds - SA
R2T2 Colossus 1 wound - SA
R2T3 Cyclops 1 wound - SA - dead
R3T1 Wolverine 1 wound - SA
R3T1 Angel 2 wounds- SA - dead
R3T1 Colossus 2 wounds - SA
R3T2 Wolverine 2 wounds - SA
R3T2 Colossus 1 wound - SA
R3T3 Colossus 1 wound - SA
R4T1 Wolverine 2 wounds
R4T2 Wolverine 1 wound - dead

Partners in Crime: Used a lot in rounds 2 and 3. Magneto died in R4T1.

Themokinetic Blast Special Attack: Magneto again lined up the enemies for Tom's special doing 13 wounds with it.

Rough and Tumble: Used a few times against Harpoon


Tested Magneto again to see if the combo is too overpowered. It's strong but not too much.

R1 - Harpoon hits Pyro for 1 wound. Pyro hits Harpoon for 2 wounds and Angel for 1. Colossus tosses Wolverine at Pyro.

R2 - Cyclops hits Magneto for a wound. Wolverine kills Pyro. Magneto tosses Cyclops setting up Black Tom for a Special Attack on 3 figures but Tom blanks the roll. Cyclops hits Black Tom for 2 wounds and kills Mastermind with his Special Attack. Wolverine hits Tom for a wound. Magneto tosses Cyclops and Wolverine next to Colossus, Black Tom hits Cyclops for 2 wounds and Colossus for 1 wound. Cyclops downs a tree that hits Black Tom. Magneto tosses Wolverine. Black Tom kills Cyclops.

R3 - Magneto tosses Angel and Wolverine next to Colossus. Tom hits them with his Special Attack, killing Angel and hitting Wolverine for 1 wound and Colossus for 2 wounds. Magneto take 1 wound from Wolverine. Magneto tosses Wolverine twice, and Tom hits him for 2 more wounds, and Colossus for 1 wound. Wolverine hits Magneto for a wound. Magneto tosses Wolverine and Tom hits Colossus for 1 wound.

R4- Wolverine kills Magneto. Black Tom attacks Wolverine for 2 wounds. Black Tom attacks and finally kills Wolverine. Harpoon kills Black Tom.

R5 - Whirlwind kills Colossus.

R6 - Whirlwind kills Harpoon


Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Whirlwind 2 wounds/2 life left, Destiny full 6 life left

THOUGHTS ON THE TESTED UNIT'S COST, BALANCE, & DRAFTABILITY: Overall I really enjoyed playing Black Tom. He works great with Magneto, who happens to be one of my favorite characters to play. He also works well with other Outcasts like Juggernaut, giving him some new life. There are many Criminal and Mutant synergies available to him, so team building is not an issue. His powers are easy to understand and are all usable in just about every game. When paired with Magneto, Tom's Special Attack is a force. It was less powerful in game two without Magneto setting the table. I recommend moving forward with playtesting at 160. His special attack was really strong,but it may have been that he was in the perfect situation for him, playing with Magneto and maps with trees.

[Splash]

Awesome, I'm glad he played well! Looks like he's pretty heavy with Magneto. I don't have strong feelings either way, but if we wanted to weaken that bond we could change his partner's turn from before to after him. I'd like him to be best with Juggernaut, but if people enjoy him with Magneto as well that's good too.
Right now I'm good with charging on ahead to public at 160 and making that change if he keeps winning and we need to tamp him down to stay at 160. Mainly a test with few/no trees to see how well he does without the bonus and asomething to see how well he can exploit Criminal chain bonding would be interesting to see next.
I'll wait a day to see if any thoughts trickle in, before proposing for public.

[tcglkn]

I agree the swap of turns would make a big difference in who you want to team him with. Astute observation. Probably best to make him go first in general I think cause Magneto is always gonna be his best partner otherwise. Switching turns will keep Magneto as a good partner cause Magneto is good, but he won’t be the default.

[MrNobody]

I do think it'd be nice to de-emphasize Magneto a little, and it seems like he'll always have a big foothold. (Mags is the baddest Outcast in town, and his throw sets Tom up nicely for an AoE blast.)

Changing the bonding might help a little bit, but it could also help to give them a nudge. Not to complicate the design too much, but any interest in something like this?

PARTNERS IN CRIME
At the start of the game you may choose a Unique Hero in your army that shares a class with Black Tom. For the rest of the game, both Black Tom Cassidy and the chosen Hero have the class of Criminal in addition to what is listed on their cards. After revealing an Order Marker on the card of the chosen Hero and taking a turn with it, you may take a turn with Black Cassidy, during which figures that were attacked by the chosen Hero this player turn subtract 1 from their Defense number. You may not take any additional turns.

So pushes him towards the Outcast that can do a big multi-attack thing, and away from the one that does an "instead of attacking" thing.