The Book of Vandal Savage

[Arch-vile]

The Book of Vandal Savage

C3G DC WAVE 47
TRINITY


Comic PDF


Mini PDF

The figure used for this unit is a DC Heroclix figure from the Justice League: Trinity War set.
Its model number and name are #48 / Vandal Savage.

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Character Bio - Vandal Savage is an immortal warrior who intends to conquer the planet. Thousands of years ago, as a caveman during the Prehistoric Era, he was exposed to a meteorite that enhanced his physiology and intellect. He was the inspiration for the biblical figure Cain, having committed the first recorded murder. Throughout the ages he has been an influential figure in history, manipulating many of its greatest conflicts. Master of planning and many forms of combat, having survived and adapted through countless centuries, Savage is an extremely dangerous and formidable opponent. Although his campaigns frequently meet with heavy resistance, he is resilient in the knowledge that he will outlive all those who oppose him. Vandal has fathered thousands of children, but the only one he truly considers his heir is his daughter Scandal Savage.
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-Rulings and Clarifications-

• N/A

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-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:

• As a Metahuman, Vandal Savage has these Metahuman Synergies.
• As an Antagonist, Vandal Savage has these Antagonist Synergies.

Outgoing Synergy:

• N/A

Immunities, Benefits, and Weaknesses:

• N/A

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-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• Injustice League faction strategy guide

-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

• Initial playtest: Arch-vile
• Second playtest: Arkham
• Third playtest: IAmBatman
• Art: Comic, Figure, Background
• Art by Arkham

[Arch-vile]

NAME = VANDAL SAVAGE
SECRET IDENTITY = VANDAR ADG

SPECIES = METAHUMAN
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = ANTAGONIST
PERSONALITY = CONNIVING

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 7

MOVE = 5
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 6
DEFENSE = 5

POINTS = 335

PLANNED FOR CENTURIES
Once per game, when placing Order Markers for the round, you may place an additional set of Order Markers on your cards. You may reveal two matching Order Markers on your turn on different Army Cards, taking a turn with each card. You may choose which card to activate first. If you reveal more than one Order Marker in this way, you may not take any additional turns.

CHESSMASTER
After a figure ends its normal movement, you may reveal an "X" Order Marker on a card you control. If you do, move one figure from that card, during which it does not take leaving engagement attacks.

ENHANCED DURABILITY
When Vandal Savage is attacked with a normal attack, the most wounds he can receive from that attack is one.

[tcglkn]

Really like the concept here. Do have one issue with this power:

Originally Posted by Arch-vile

PLANNED FOR CENTURIES
Once per game, when placing Order Markers at the start of a round, you may place an additional set of Order Markers. You may not place two of the same numbered Order Marker on one card. You may reveal these additional Order Markers normally on your turn in addition to the same numbered Order Marker, taking a turn with each card. You may choose which card to activate first, and you may not take any additional turns.

Not really sure how this blue line is intended to work. How does your opponent know you didn't break this rule when placing OMs?

I would simply say you may not reveal two of the same numbered Order Marker on the same card. Or say this:

You may reveal two matching Order Markers on your turn as long as they are on different Army Cards, taking a turn with each card.

[IAmBatman]

Very cool! Agree with the feedback thus far.

Originally Posted by Arch-vile

PLANNED FOR CENTURIES
Once per game, when placing Order Markers at the start of a round, you may place an additional set of Order Markers on your cards. You may not place two of the same numbered Order Marker on one card. You may reveal these additional Order Markers normally on your turn in addition to the same numbered Order Marker, taking a turn with each card. You may choose which card to activate first, and you may not take any additional turns.

I'd probably add the red text above. I think we all assumed that's the intent, but a very literal reading of the mechanics could have people putting the Order Markers on other people's cards for whatever reasons.

Originally Posted by Arch-vile

CHESSMASTER
At the end of any player turn, you may reveal any “X” Order Markers on cards you control. If you do, move one figure from that card, during which it does not take leaving engagement attacks.

I'd probably make this "an "X" Order Marker on a card you control." The sentences flow together more smoothly that way and then it caps at a single extra move, which I think is plenty. During your Planned For Centuries round, you're already going to be revealing Order Markers on two cards and taking turns with them. Adding in two "X" reveals (or three if you decide to bring Loki or Ozymandias or something) for bonus moves on the same turn feels like it could start getting a bit excessive. Better to put a clear ceiling on it. You'll still be able to use the second "X" on another turn that round.

Also, one "X" at a time feels much more controlled and methodical, and less like an all-in, all-out assault.

Should be an interesting one to test. Probably worth doing some group brainstorming over best combos with him.

[Arch-vile]

Originally Posted by Arkham

For Chessmaster, what if we did something like this:

I think the tactical and defensive usage with that approach reads really well as a "4 moves ahead" "genius" chess match type feel, allowing you to potentially avoid getting attacked if the X is on the right figure, making the decision making between you and your opponent all the more important.

I like it.

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

I'd probably add the red text above. I think we all assumed that's the intent, but a very literal reading of the mechanics could have people putting the Order Markers on other people's cards for whatever reasons.

I'd probably make this "an "X" Order Marker on a card you control." The sentences flow together more smoothly that way and then it caps at a single extra move, which I think is plenty. During your Planned For Centuries round, you're already going to be revealing Order Markers on two cards and taking turns with them. Adding in two "X" reveals (or three if you decide to bring Loki or Ozymandias or something) for bonus moves on the same turn feels like it could start getting a bit excessive. Better to put a clear ceiling on it. You'll still be able to use the second "X" on another turn that round.

Also, one "X" at a time feels much more controlled and methodical, and less like an all-in, all-out assault.

That all makes sense, sounds good to me.

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

Should be an interesting one to test. Probably worth doing some group brainstorming over best combos with him.

For sure. Injustice League stuff is the obvious synergy, but Vandal's outgoing synergies are generalist. Probably worth running two tough attackers together to see how bonding with them feels. Vandal also would allow Event Heroes to bond, so there might be a combo there. Cost ends up being the big hurdle there of course. Just Vandal + Amazo for 1100 could be interesting.

[tcglkn]

Originally Posted by Arch-vile

CHESSMASTER
After a figure ends its normal movement, you may reveal an "X" Order Marker on a different card you control. If you do, move one figure from that card, during which it does not take leaving engagement attacks.

Should this specify a different card you control or is it meant to allow Batman to move twice in one turn?

[Arch-vile]

Comic Art:

Spoiler Alert!

Go with whatever here, I just found some easy options.

Mini Pics:

Spoiler Alert!

Background:

Spoiler Alert!

[Arch-vile]

That makes sense. I think you can simply it further to this:

You may reveal two matching Order Markers on your turn on different Army Cards, taking a turn with each card.

[Arkham]

Cool design. Definitely been looking forward to this guy, and more Antagonists is certainly great. 395 is a good number to shoot for given the 100 point difference from Reverse Flash. Makes for nice army building when we do that.

For Chessmaster, what if we did something like this:

CHESSMASTER
After a figure ends its normal movement, you may reveal any “X” Order Markers on cards you control. If you do, move one figure from that card, during which it does not take leaving engagement attacks.

I think the tactical and defensive usage with that approach reads really well as a "4 moves ahead" "genius" chess match type feel, allowing you to potentially avoid getting attacked if the X is on the right figure, making the decision making between you and your opponent all the more important.

@tcglkn if you're not dead set on this art, I'd like to take it as the return favor for letting you have Ghost Spider, otherwise no biggie if you really want to do it.

[tcglkn]

Nah you can have it. Dr. J has just been taking it all recently and I’ve been wanting to do some cards.

[IAmBatman]

Sure. It's also worth exploring if there's anything that burns extra OMs that's strong enough that one round of extras does the trick. Like is Silver Surfer with four extra auto skulls in one attack a game changer? Probably not, unless he's up against a single enemy or something, but it's worth at least thinking through that list. A game with a Temporal Defense figure or something is probably worthwhile.

[Arch-vile]

Ooh, I didn't think of those. I'll have to go through the index and seeing what's out there. TMNT might be a neat combo.

Pending SP updates:

PLANNED FOR CENTURIES
Once per game, when placing Order Markers at the start of a round, you may place an additional set of Order Markers on your cards. You may reveal two matching Order Markers on your turn on different Army Cards, taking a turn with each card. You may choose which card to activate first, and you may not take any additional turns.

CHESSMASTER
After a figure ends its normal movement, you may reveal an "X" Order Marker on a card you control. If you do, move one figure from that card, during which it does not take leaving engagement attacks.

ENHANCED DURABILITY
When Vandal Savage is attacked with a normal attack, the most wounds he can receive from that attack is one.