The Book of Sunfire

[quozl]

Maybe we should get an early CRB opinion on the startzone.

[IAmBatman]

Even if it encourages start zone podding (which I'm not convinced it does), I don't see it as a competitive issue, so much as an annoying playstyle issue. I doubt the CRB will see it differently, but I never mind hearing from those guys.

[japes]

Originally Posted by Viegon

Normally I'm not a fan of encouraging players to sit in their startzone, but I do think it's an interesting territory for designing that we haven't explored yet, and very thematic for the character.

And yes, we've referenced Start Zones in powers before (Heimdall and the Bifrost for instance, but I'm not sure if we've used it on any other cards or not).

We also have a few drafts that reference Start Zones or at least it has been discussed for certain scientist alter ego designs.

[Viegon]

So this seems to be where we're at:

NAME = SUNFIRE
SECRET IDENTITY = SHIRO YOSHIDA

SPECIES = MUTANT
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = PROTECTOR
PERSONALITY = HONORABLE

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 4

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

POINTS = ???

HONORABLE DEFENDER
At the end of an opponent's turn, if a figure you control within 4 spaces of your Start Zone received 1 or more wounds that turn, you may reveal an “X” Order Marker on this card to immediately take a turn with Sunfire.

ENGULF 10
Before moving, Sunfire may roll the 20-sided die once for each adjacent enemy figure. If you roll 10 or higher, that figure receives one wound. Figures with the Lava Resistant special power are not affected by Engulf 10.
Though we may want to update the wording for Engulf:
Before moving with Sunfire, you may roll the 20-sided die once for each opponent's figure without the Lava Resistant special power adjacent to Sunfire. If you roll 10 or higher, that figure receives one wound.

LAVA RESISTANT
Sunfire never rolls for molten lava damage or lava field damage and does not have to stop in molten lava spaces.

FLYING

I bumped his defense instead of his life (based on some research, his heat shielding is supposed to also give him protection against some forms of energy and even has the power to melt bullets), changed the name for Honor of my Country and reworded the beginning of it to match Hulk's power, then swapped Counter Strike for Engulf 10.

Thoughts?

Originally Posted by quozl

Maybe we should get an early CRB opinion on the startzone.

I agree with Bats that I don't think it's a competitive concern; most competitive armies don't sit in their startzone, and the ones that do are generally relying on figures who need the "X" (such as Mad Thinker and Ozymandias). That said, it wouldn't hurt to go ahead and see what they think: @dok , @Dysole , @Soundwarp SG-1 , @weebear; any competitive concern with a startzone based power like the one in the quote above?

[johnny139]

I'm not in love with Engulf 10, as I think it encourages you to engage with him and limit his mobility. Do we mind raising the roll? I feel it should make getting engaged less unattractive, not more attractive, if you get what I mean.

[Viegon]

Originally Posted by johnny139

I'm not in love with Engulf 10, as I think it encourages you to engage with him and limit his mobility. Do we mind raising the roll? I feel it should make getting engaged less unattractive, not more attractive, if you get what I mean.

Hmm, I see what you mean. We could definitely just bump the roll up, but maybe Engulf isn't the right power? I'm wondering if something more along the lines of an Engagement Strike would capture the right playstyle for him (encourages both him and his opponent to avoid engagement).

[johnny139]

I'd definitely be onboard with Engagement Strike (or a fire/heat inspired derivative).

[dok]

Honorable Defender is not a major competitive concern. It's a nice piece of extra efficiency in some situations but it's far from the most exploitative use of the "X" marker.

[IAmBatman]

Maybe something like: Engagement Burn where it triggers like Engagement Strike, but has the possibility of additional wounds (burning) if it hits?

[Viegon]

Originally Posted by dok

Honorable Defender is not a major competitive concern. It's a nice piece of extra efficiency in some situations but it's far from the most exploitative use of the "X" marker.

Thanks dok, that's what I figured.

As to a third power (replacing Counter Strike), it looks like we've got a lot of options. I'm going to put them together in a (sort of) poll. Feel free to vote on either just your favorite or all of the ones you support.

OPTION #1:
Engulf with a lower roll, encouraging Sunfire to engage

Spoiler Alert!

ENGULF 10
Before moving with Sunfire, you may roll the 20-sided die once for each opponent's figure without the Lava Resistant special power adjacent to Sunfire. If you roll 10 or higher, that figure receives one wound.

OPTION #2:
Engulf with a higher roll, making engagement not quite as enticing for Sunfire

Spoiler Alert!

ENGULF 15
Before moving with Sunfire, you may roll the 20-sided die once for each opponent's figure without the Lava Resistant special power adjacent to Sunfire. If you roll 15 or higher, that figure receives one wound.

OPTION #3:
Basic Engagement Strike, to discourage either player from engaging

Spoiler Alert!

ENGAGEMENT STRIKE 14
If an opponent's small or medium figure moves adjacent to Sunfire, roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 14 or higher, the opponent's figure receives one wound. Figures may be targeted only as they move into engagement with Sunfire.

OPTION #4:
A fire-themed Engagement Strike, to discourage either player from engaging

Spoiler Alert!

ENGAGEMENT BURN 16
If an opponent's small or medium figure moves adjacent to Sunfire, roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 16 or higher, the opponent's figure receives one wound and you may roll again for Engagement Burn on that figure. Figures may be initially targeted only as they move into engagement with Sunfire.

OPTION #5:
Raining Fire from Firefly's card, to encourage Sunfire to play a hit-and-run strategy and to avoid getting locked down

Spoiler Alert!

RAINING FIRE
After Sunfire moves with the Flying special power, instead of attacking, you may roll one unblockable attack die against each figure Sunfire passed over that does not have the Lava Resistant special power.

OPTION #6:
Some other power, preferably fire-themed (insert your suggestion)

OPTION #7:
None of the above, just leave him as a 2-power card


I'm currently leaning towards #3, 4 or 5, but I like all of the options well-enough.

[IAmBatman]

I like 4 or 5.

[japes]

I like 4 and 5.

Although since he's freshly being discussed how about following suit with Electro

ELECTRIC SKIN 12
If any figure without the Electrically Charged special power moves adjacent to Electro, you must roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 12 or higher, that figure receives one wound, and you may roll again for Electric Skin. Figures may be initially targeted only as they move adjacent to Electro.

and going...

ENGAGEMENT BURN 12
If any figure without the the Lava Resistance special power moves adjacent to Sunfire, you must roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 12 or higher, that figure receives one wound, and you may roll again for Engagement Burn. Figures may be initially targeted only as they move adjacent to Sunfire.

I really like #5 option of flying around throwing balls of plasma at several figures but Engagement Burn get the omnidirectional blast idea across

In the archetype slotting he should definitely play as a blaster and not a fighter.