The Book of Mephisto

[Smithy Winfred]

Could you have the figure destroyed after they are affected by "Time to Collect"

[IAmBatman]

That wouldn't be much of a "deal" for the hero who was saved. Also, Mephisto wants to keep these guys around so he can sacrifice them to save his own skin.

[Smithy Winfred]

You could have the figure take a wound, that would limit the amount of times he could use them.

[Lazy Orang]

Originally Posted by Smithy Winfred

You could have the figure take a wound, that would limit the amount of times he could use them.

I like that idea.

[quozl]

Originally Posted by Yodaking

I think the 'collection' roll should be automatic. If he is bringing his enemies back to life so they can continue to attack him, and once he transfers wounds once the marker is removed, he should at least be able to force them to attack their friends at will while the deal is in place.

Interesting. I think it should be higher. Saving yourself from wounds and getting another Unique Hero to control is too powerful, IMO.

[IAmBatman]

Re: Smithy

I guess that'd be OK, but I'm not sure we should be looking for ways to add complexity at this point ....

Honestly, though, I really think there's a lot of complexity and potential on the table right now. I think we're almost better off basing adjustments on early returns from testing. I'm honestly not sure if he'll feel too powerful or not powerful enough as is.

[Lazy Orang]

Originally Posted by quozl

Interesting. I think it should be higher. Saving yourself from wounds and getting another Unique Hero to control is too powerful, IMO.

Yeah, I actually think it can't be automatic either - when I agreed with that I misread the power and thought that Time to Collect removed the Deal Marker, but now I see that's just Blood Contract.

[Viegon]

With "Deal with the Devil", it'll need to specify which opponent's start zone the figure is placed in, otherwise it gets wonky in games with 3 or more players. Wording suggestion:

DEAL WITH THE DEVIL
Start the game with 3 red Deal Markers on this card. If an opponent's Unique Hero without the Valiant personality is destroyed within clear sight of Mephisto, if there is at least one Deal Marker on this card, you may immediately roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 6 or higher, remove all Wound Markers from the destroyed figure's card and place that figure on any empty space in the start zone of the player that controls that figure. After the figure is placed, place one of your Deal Markers on that figure's card.


As to 20-sided die rolls, what about dropping the roll entirely from "Deal with the Devil" (because it's already limited by 3 markers), and increasing the roll on "Time to Collect" to 9 or something?

I also agree that "Blood Contract" should be able to trigger any time he takes wounds.

[IAmBatman]

Can't we just say "its start zone" or "that figure's start zone"?

[SirGalahad]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

Can't we just say "its start zone" or "that figure's start zone"?

If Player A has his figure taken over by Player B and Player C's Mephisto goes to place it, whose Start Zone should it go in? Probably better just to say "an opponent's Start Zone"

[Lazy Orang]

Thematically, why is the figure returned to its start zone? Why doesn't it just stay where it is?

[Yodaking]

When I suggested making the one roll automatic I was overlooking the fact that he still got to take a turn too. I was reading it as an 'instead of' power so you can ignore that suggestion.

As far as the 'deal' roll, I seem to recall a much earlier discussion that some 'souls' were strong enough to resists his powers, which is why a roll was incorporated. I prefer it not being automatic.

In general, I think some testing will give us a better idea of how it all plays out in a game setting. Lots of different things going on with this design that might not work as we imagine them to. I'd advocate for some casual pre-initial/public testing for this design just so we can better gauge the design mechanics without fully committing to moving forward with this exact power set.