The Book of Polaris

[IAmBatman]

Yeah, I think the map I was on was a big part of it. With so many LOS blockers and so much open road, it's easy for figures to engage and make the auto shield less of a big deal. My hope/plan for her was to pair her with a lot of snipers and use her to keep enemies at bay, but it didn't quite work out that way. I think a more "wide open" map might've made it more possible.

[TrollBrute]

Ronin's tests:

Originally Posted by Ronin

C3G STANDARD PLAYTEST FEEDBACK FORM

NAME OF THE PLAYTEST UNIT: Polaris

Army Test
Map: Sewer Labyrinth
Units: Star-Lord, Sif, Beta Ray Bill, Polaris, Weather Wizard (1200) vs Iron Man Mk V, Iron Man Mk III, Iron Man Mk I, Hulkbuster, Iron Man Stealth (1200)

Spoiler Alert!

This one went way in favor of the Iron Men, thanks in no small part to some lucky rolls. Most Heroes on Team Star-Lord went down in two attacks, which makes winning against a bonding army just a little tricky.

In the early rounds, Sif and Bill use Sif's Sword Slash teleportation to move adjacent to a bunch of Iron Men and do some damage. Unfortunately, after a strong first attack showing, they're not able to do much. Hulkbuster joins the fray and makes short work of Sif and Bill (dealing 6 wounds to Bill in just one attack!).

Polaris uses her Bubble on Hulkbuster, hopefully locking down the only Iron Man with no range options. Iron Man Mk V makes do with his other options for a few turns, but still manages to take down Star-Lord in pretty short order. He also wounds Polaris to remove the Bubble Trap marker from Hulkbuster. Hulkbuster rejoins the fight, and together with Iron Man Mk V finishes things up pretty quickly.

Polaris didn't really get to do much here, besides slightly forestall her fate with a Bubble Trap marker. She got off an attack against Hulkbuster, but to no effect.

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Iron Man V with 1W, Hulkbuster with no wounds, Iron Man Stealth with 3W, Iron Man III with 1W, Iron Man I with 0W.

___________________________________________________________

Army Test
Map: Sacred Shrine
Units: Robot, Polaris, Purple Man, Meteorite, Doctor Octopus (1000) vs Magneto, Destiny, Toad, Blob, Gorgon (990)

Spoiler Alert!

This one went almost the opposite way; Polaris again didn't get to do that much but it had more to do with her team's good luck than bad.

Early on, she does manage to drop a bubble marker on Magneto, and Meteorite follows up by closing to Blinding Light range. Unfortunately, Magneto rolls a 20 to disarm the Bubble Trap, moves out of Blinding Light range, and throws Polaris into Blob's clutches. Gorgon moves into engagement (Polaris only gets 12 for Reactive Toss) and deals a wound to her with his normal attack.

Polaris is saved when Robot moves Meteorite to keep Magneto in Blinding Light, and gets Purple Man onto the scene. Magneto destroys Meteorite, but it's a worthwhile sacrifice play, since Purple Man takes control of Blob in the meantime, and uses him to prevent Mags from getting out of Blinding Light's range. As an encore, Purple Man takes control of Gorgon too (2 for 2 on Pheremone Rolls). Magneto, with his Mental Shield and ability to throw Killgrave out of Pheremone range, could turn the game around in one turn, but he doesn't get the turn to do it before Gorgon destroys him.

In the cleanup phase, Polaris deals one wound to Toad to finish him off. Gorgon deals with Destiny (somewhat slowly, since he and Blob have to stay in Pheremone range).

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Robot with 1W, Purple Man with 1W, Polaris with 2W, Doctor Octopus with 0W, Blob with 0W, Gorgon with 1W

THOUGHTS ON THE TESTED UNIT'S COST, BALANCE, & DRAFTABILITY: She seems pretty solid at 200. The bubble marker is a fairly versatile tool that definitely has room to get nasty (even if the situation didn't arise in these games).

GENERAL THOUGHTS ON THE TESTED UNIT: Fun unit. Not too flashy, but the bubble marker gives her a unique feel. I really enjoyed that second test I played with her; she meshed nicely into that big mess of engagement, aura and placement powers. Lots of interesting decision-making going on there.

Swingy results, but it went both ways, and it doesn't look like she was a major factor in either one.

[IAmBatman]

I think Sewer Labyrinth might be a bad map for her to shine on.

[TrollBrute]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

I think Sewer Labyrinth might be a bad map for her to shine on.

I think it depends on the strategy. If she's trying to defend her own figures, it's not a great one. On the other hand, it forces more adjacency, which allows Reactive Toss to see more play, and if she locks down an opponent in a key spot, it can clog up the map. For Ronin's tests, I think the Iron Men just had an advantage over the Champions, especially if their dice rolls are good early.

That's four testers with this version now, and Polaris' record is 5-4. ZJ felt that she was a little undercosted, Bats felt she was slightly overcosted, Ronin and I found her solid at 200. Overall, I feel comfortable with this version and her cost at 200. Any objections to moving to Final Editing?

[Karat]

Pre-yea @ 200

[IAmBatman]

Since I tested her and am up on this thread, I'll vote on this one. Pre-yea at 200.

[IAmBatman]

Should she have Super Strength? She can basically manipulate magnetism the same way as Magneto, right?

[Viegon]

Pre-Yea at 200

[TrollBrute]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

Should she have Super Strength? She can basically manipulate magnetism the same way as Magneto, right?

Not quite on same level, but yeah. I don't think SS would have a major effect on the design, so If be fine adding it in.

[IAmBatman]

I guess I'm asking what's most thematic, rather than necessarily arguing in favor or not.

[johnny139]

Historically I believe we've given magnetism/gravity manipulators and telekinetics Super Strength - correct me if I'm wrong - and I definitely think she'd qualify. Good call.

[IAmBatman]

Jean, Psylocke, Cable, and Magneto all have it at least.