The Book of Low-Light

[Soundwarp SG-1]

Originally Posted by SirGalahad

"For the rest of" to me implies that there is something in-game that triggered it.

I meant more in general. Classic uses all 3 totally haphazardly, but for stuff that is triggered by something, I prefer 'for the rest of'.

For something like this that's just there from the start, I do agree 'for the entire' makes sense.

[Yodaking]

Calling this on time.

[Soundwarp SG-1]

Good, any longer and we'd have to call on thyme. And no one wants that.

[tcglkn]

Way to ignore conversation about how the powers work and push things forward.

[Yodaking]

Results are in from Eric. I'll let you digest his comments on your own and let me know what you think. Looks like Low-Light had some solid damage output even though he was prevented from attacking by a Fog Cloud 3 times in the first game, then one shot killed in the second. The one-shot drop isn't all that uncommon for the 4 life/4 def crowd, just usually is from a heavy hitter taking a whack at them.

Originally Posted by Ericth74

Below are my playtest results. One massive win and one big loss. Unfortunately Low-Light wasn't a big factor in either game. Fog got him in game one, death got him in game two.

Let me know if you need more info.

Eric


C3G STANDARD PLAYTEST FEEDBACK FORM

NAME OF THE PLAYTEST UNIT: Low Light

Version tested:

Spoiler Alert!

NAME = LOW-LIGHT
SECRET IDENTITY = COOPER G. MACBRIDE

SPECIES = HUMAN
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = COMMANDO
PERSONALITY = RESERVED

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 4

MOVE = 5
RANGE = 7
ATTACK = 2
DEFENSE = 4

POINTS = 160

NIGHT FIGHTER
While occupying a shadow space, Low-Light may not be targeted by any non-adjacent figure's attacks or special powers that require clear sight. For the entire game, an opponent's figure who occupies a shadow space rolls 1 fewer defense die when attacked by a Commando figure you control.

SNIPER TARGETING
If Low-Light does not move this turn, you may add 3 to his Range number and 1 automatic skull to whatever is rolled when he attacks a non-adjacent figure.

DEADLY SHOT
When attacking with Low-Light, each skull rolled counts as an additional hit.

Army Test
Map: Martian War Zone
Units: Duke, Breaker, Scarlet, Snow Job, Low-Light VS Captain Cold II, Abra Kadabra, Weather Wizard, Plunder, Rainbow Raider, Skrull Infiltrator

Spoiler Alert!

Damage Dealt: R2T2 Rainbow Raider - 3 wounds(dead)
R5T2 Weather Wizard - 1 wound(dead)

Night Figher: Took Shadow space early, which also had some height. Rogues avoided shadow spaces.

Sniper Targeting: Used early for bonus range and auto skull

Daedly Shot: Used every attack

Total one sided crushing! Rogues never rolled more than 2 skulls on an attack the entire game. Joes were able to get Scarlet's defensive bonus early, dropped Captain Cold Fast and cruised to an easy win. Low-Light had 3 attacks canceled out by Weather Wizard Fog.

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Low Light full 4 life, Scarlet full 4 life, Breaker full 4 life, Snow Job 1 wound/3 life left

___________________________________________________________

Army Test
Map: Hydra Base
Units: Duke, Breaker, Grunt, Scarlet, Snow Job, Rip Cord, Low-Light, Kick-Ass VS Royal Flush Gang

Spoiler Alert!

Damage Dealt: R1T3 Ace - 1 wound
R2T2 Ten - 2 wounds


Night Fighter: Didn't come into play on this map. I thought it made more sense to gain height than go to low ground shadow.

Sniper Targeting: Used for both attacks

Deadly Shot: Used for both attacks

Round 1 Duke got the troops moving forward, with Low Light moving to the ladder to gain high ground. Low Light was able to put a wound on Ace, and Jack put a wound on Duke. Round 2 Rip Cord dropped on height. The flying power of the Royal Flush Gang really started to get to the Joes starting in this round. Duke took 2 more wounds from Ten even with Scarlet's bonus. Jack put a wound on Rip Cord. Low Light hits Ten for 2 wounds, and Scarlet finishes off Ten later in the round. Rip Cord attack Jack and is blocked, but Grunt follows up doing a wound to Jack. Round 3 starts with a big blow as Jack was able to fly past some Joes and hit Duke for his forth and final wound, killing order marker number 1. He followed that up by getting a one shot on Low-Light taking him out, killing the 3rd order marker. Rip Cord was able to hit Jack for 2 wounds with order marker 2 but the damage was done. Rounds 4 through 7 were just clean up with the Royal Flush Gang getting multiple turns against a leaderless Joe team. The game wasn't as close as it looks in the end.

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Ace 4 wounds/2 life left, King 3 wounds/2 life left

THOUGHTS ON THE TESTED UNIT'S COST, BALANCE, & DRAFTABILITY: I like all the things that Low Light brings to the table but I think he's a little too expensive. I feel like I would draft Rip Cord at 130 pts over Low Light at 160. I think I'd like Low Light a lot more at 110 or 120. More than 120 I'm taking Rip.

GENERAL THOUGHTS ON THE TESTED UNIT: Low Light feels like a sniper. He has a sniper power set and a strong 1st power, Night Fighter. My only issue with that power is that there aren't a lot of shadow spaces on most C3G maps to take full advantage of it. Most of the time I think gaining height is the better option. Take away Night Fighter and Low Light is a 4 life SHIELD Sniper/Spotter in one. That's not a bad thing, but to me its an expensive thing. Earlier I said that I think Rip Cord is a better, cheaper option. Both start with a range of 7, but I can drop Rip Cord wherever I want, whenever I want. I don't have to take the extra turns or movement to get there. With either figure I can utilize the Duke/Breaker combo to get attacks off, with Rip Cord I can get the shot off quicker and usually not worry about the extra range that Low Light gives me, plus he has bombs. I've played quite a few games with the Joe team but I still feel like I'm learning how to play them properly to take advantage of all there tricks. Getting the Fire Team figures forward to help out, moving Scarlet forward to get her defensive bonus going or dropping Rip and his bombs at the right time. Now you add Low Light and his big range it can be challenging to get it all going. Duke and Breaker can give you flexibility, but once Duke drops it's tough going.

[Yodaking]

Here is a follow-up comment from Eric:

Originally Posted by Ericth74

In hindsight I think I could have played Duke a little better, I moved him forward to much early in game 1. He died in both games. I had a hard time try to prioritize who I should be giving his movements to, lots of options. But it's a fun puzzle to figure out!

[fret_gurglo]

I found Low-light to be very similar. A very good early game threat with his good range, but with extremely swingy hits. He either hits very hard or little to nothing for damage. After a couple of rounds he is not worth the OM as the enemy gets in close. I think his cost should still remain fairly high as when his hits succeed, it could be the deciding factor in the game. I had him one-shot take out Batman. He doesn't consistently hit great, but when he does...

I give eric props for using the RFG, that's 10 of my cards all in one game. Although he did list King with only 2 Life remaining at the end, where he should have 3.

[Yodaking]

Yeah, I wanted to let others review it for themselves, but I was thinking Low-Light was showing out fairly well in his games and wasn't planning on asking for a points drop as of right now. Personally I'm fine with it if his role on the Joe team is an early game striker used to soften up the enemy before others take over. Seems fairly spot on for a sniper. When facing high defense units, he'll continue to be considered an option as well.

Then their is the anti-shadow tile niche role he fills for them, which should come with some kind of points cost to the unit. Agree with him that few maps really utilize the shadow tiles, but their are a few units that can bring them into play and anyone can make up an "at night" scenario for their game at any time if they really want to get him into a game. I don't view him as a core Joe after all, so if he only pops up onto teams here and there I'm cool with that.

Thanks for the feedback Fret! Seeing so many of your cards in action at once is pretty cool.

[IAmBatman]

Seems like he'd get more out of Night Fighter if you paired him with someone who puts shadow on the battlefield. Then he can become safe from range, he and his allies can have +1, and his power can prevent enemies from really taking advantage of the shadow.

[Yodaking]

How do they get +1? His power just negates the +1 defense bonus shadow gives you, it doesn't add anything to your own attack.

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Yodaking

How do they get +1? His power just negates the +1 defense bonus shadow gives you, it doesn't add anything to your own attack.

Apologies for the short hand. His team gets the +1 defense from shadow.

[Yodaking]

Ah, okay now I follow.