Trial of Superman (custom by IAmBatman)

[GreyOwl]

Latest Version on top:



Allright, bring it on!

The Master-of-DC IAmBatman's second submission for TNT trials...Superman! All are welcome and encouraged to bring their admonitions, propositions and encouragements. Please be aware of the discussion guidelines for TNT trials.



Judges status on this Card:
GreyOwl
hi1hi1hi1hi1
Johnny139


Any play-testing should only include this custom and official units or other previously appointed TNT customs. To provide a suitable and diverse proving ground, play-testing with both Classicscape and Marvelscape is recommended.

Ideas for play-tests:
1 - Use Superman one-on-one against a similary priced figure, such as Hulk.
2 - Test him on a battlefield with LOS blockers, to test out his Heat Vision.
3 - Test him against both classic HS, other official or TNT heroes, and a mix.
4 - When judging his cost, keep in mind that future customs will more than likely make use of kryptonite, although there are no TNT customs that do so currently.

Already completed play-tests:
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In case you've been in a cave for the last 70 years or so and have never heard of Superman, you can learn more about him at the DC Database Project or at Wikipedia.

[GreyOwl]

I'll start out with my opinion on the look of the card. I think it's great and I don't really see any problems with it.

I have a question that's more general in nature, though. Do we have any guidelines on what to put (if anything) under the figure's name? The official cards have nothing, some customs put the real name of the hero (like this one does) and others use something different (for example, the TNT Batman says "Dark Knight").

As for the powers on Superman...Invulnerability seems like it isn't "invulnerable" enough. I don't think the power is broken or anything, but I don't see the extra 5% chance having a significant enough difference to make him seem invulnerable.

Super Breath seems cool. (pun intended ).

Heat Vision. Question, if your line of sight to the target is completely blocked by another figure, does the heat vision only hurt the target and not the figure it passed through in order to get there? The same question would also apply to destructible objects, if they are blocking line of sight. How do you envision handling situations like that?

[johnny139]

Hmm... I'll probably do a test or two sometime this week against some other TNT and Classic figures, then later this week, when I get MarvelScape, I'll do a real test.

Ah... this will be fun.

I hope.

[Grungebob]

So can Superman use his breath to blow figures up and over huge walls to land on the other side unscathed? So I can use Superman to blow a friendly figure (preferably the guy with the X marker) up to the top of a nearby building? This blow ability seems to be a little off.

On invulnerable. Did you mean to say "may" or"must "?

[Eclipse]

Originally Posted by Grungebob

So can Superman use his breath to blow figures up and over huge walls to land on the other side unscathed? So I can use Superman to blow a friendly figure (preferably the guy with the X marker) up to the top of a nearby building? This blow ability seems to be a little off.

On invulnerable. Did you mean to say "may" or"must "?

I've actually had my doubts on Superman since the Fly Icon was introduced. He seemed far more straight forward and clean to play before the extra abilities were added. Supes is always a tough one though. He's, at one time or another, had pretty much every single super power worth having

[IAmBatman]

OK, let's see ...

Originally Posted by GreyOwl

I'll start out with my opinion on the look of the card. I think it's great and I don't really see any problems with it.

As usual, I owe a debt of gratitude to Allskulls for that one.

Originally Posted by GreyOwl

I have a question that's more general in nature, though. Do we have any guidelines on what to put (if anything) under the figure's name? The official cards have nothing, some customs put the real name of the hero (like this one does) and others use something different (for example, the TNT Batman says "Dark Knight").

Guidelines? No. I started adding things there first to distinguish between versions of Flash or Green Lantern (i.e. putting Barry Allen or Guy Gardner below the superhero identity), and then I thought it would be a fun little flavor thing for some characters as well, with better known nicknames.

Originally Posted by GreyOwl

As for the powers on Superman...Invulnerability seems like it isn't "invulnerable" enough. I don't think the power is broken or anything, but I don't see the extra 5% chance having a significant enough difference to make him seem invulnerable.

Most auto destroy or mind shackle powers require a roll of 16 or higher. Actually, let's see, 16 for Chomp, 17 for Acid Breath, 19 for KMS's mind shackle, 19 for Red Skull's Dust of Death, 20 for NGS's mind shackle, and 20 for Runa's Helm. That means if they're going against Superman, those numbers have to be 17, 18, 20, 20, 21, or 21. I don't want to make Superman invinsible or broken or completely immune to autokills (as that'd take out a lot of fun), but when you're dealing with required rolls that high, being able to subtract one can make a HUGE difference, IMO.

Originally Posted by GreyOwl

Heat Vision. Question, if your line of sight to the target is completely blocked by another figure, does the heat vision only hurt the target and not the figure it passed through in order to get there? The same question would also apply to destructible objects, if they are blocking line of sight. How do you envision handling situations like that?

Yeah, I know it seems a little weird gameplay wise. The figure thing won't come up a whole lot unless he goes up against Nilfheim. Most figures aren't big enough to completely block other figures. I wanted a way to represent X-Ray vision and it really didn't apply to regular attacks at all. But you're right that it doesn't really make sense for his Heat Vision to go through things. If you guys agree, I'm willing to axe that part of the power.

Originally Posted by Grungebob

So can Superman use his breath to blow figures up and over huge walls to land on the other side unscathed? So I can use Superman to blow a friendly figure (preferably the guy with the X marker) up to the top of a nearby building? This blow ability seems to be a little off.

I think I need to change it to small or medium "enemy" figures. Superman really shouldn't be using his breath on friendly figures at all.

Originally Posted by Grungebob

On invulnerable. Did you mean to say "may" or"must "?

I meant may. Some D20 based powers from allies might have a *good* effect on Superman. I don't want his invulnerability to stop him from enjoying the full effect of Kelda's healing power, for instance.

Originally Posted by Eclipse

I've actually had my doubts on Superman since the Fly Icon was introduced. He seemed far more straight forward and clean to play before the extra abilities were added. Supes is always a tough one though. He's, at one time or another, had pretty much every single super power worth having

Yeah, but isn't the Super Breath power fun? Also, it seems like if he's going to be up in the same cost area as Hulk (which I believe he should be) he needs more than just a single attack per turn - so I think the Super Breath is an important addition for that reason - much like Hulk needs his Stomp to be worth his points.[/i]

[Penitus]

What? No X-Ray vision to see your opponent's order markers??

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Penitus

What? No X-Ray vision to see your opponent's order markers??

You know, that's a use for X-Ray Vision I hadn't thought of ...

[hi1hi1hi1hi1]

Originally Posted by Penitus

What? No X-Ray vision to see your opponent's order markers??

You could always make your own version of Superman to be TNT'd.

As for this one, good job. I can't see any intial wording issues. For Super Breath maybe you should make it so that if Superman blows an enemy of a cliff they take some damage.

[Eclipse]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

You know, that's a use for X-Ray Vision I hadn't thought of ...

X-Ray vision allows him to see positioning, but to my knowledge it hasn't ever allowed him to read intentions or thoughts, which is more of what the order markers represent. The X-Ray Vision was rolled into the Heat Vision, where you can't block LoS. Perhaps it needs to be added to the power somehow?

[Grungebob]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

I think I need to change it to small or medium "enemy" figures. Superman really shouldn't be using his breath on friendly figures at all.

So are you planning on allowing him to blow figures (small or medium) up and over 45 level high castle walls to land safely on the other side as I questioned? If so, I think that's just wierd.

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Eclipse

X-Ray vision allows him to see positioning, but to my knowledge it hasn't ever allowed him to read intentions or thoughts, which is more of what the order markers represent. The X-Ray Vision was rolled into the Heat Vision, where you can't block LoS. Perhaps it needs to be added to the power somehow?

I'm not sure if I understand what you're suggesting be added here ... just X-Ray added to the name, or what?