The Book of the Batmobile

[IAmBatman]

I can't really think of a time where Batman or another person really attacked from within the Batmobile, though. They always use the weaponry of the Batmobile itself. You can kind of do that right now with the Caltrops, as you can drop them outside of the Batmobile while inside the Batmobile (cool theme). I don't find those all that effective, though, unless you're dealing with narrow passages or teamed with a thrower, though. I could see other future Utility Glyphs coming along that let you do something more active from inside the Batmobile (i.e. not needing clear sight to do it) whether that's something like a Concussion Grenade or something else you drop on the map.

[Lord Pyre]

Should we have some sort of attack that it could do? Even if only Vigilantes are the ones that could do it?

[IAmBatman]

Hmm, I'm reluctant to add any powers, and if I altered Automated Defenses to let you do it instead of attacking as well, the roll would have to go up a bit. I'm also not sure if just sitting in the Batmobile and auto wounding people feels thematic, whereas driving over in it, hoping out, and tossing shuriken did feel pretty cool.

[Lord Pyre]

A vigilante attack boost if they drove in it this turn? If it's fine as is, that's great. Just spitballing. This should be the premier vehicle.

[IAmBatman]

Hmm, what about these for changes?

AUTOMATED DEFENSES 13
When any figure that was not within 2 spaces of the Batmobile prior to moving ends its move within 3 clear sight spaces of the Batmobile, a Player controlling the Batmobile may roll the 20-sided die, adding 4 to the roll if there is a Driven Vigilante occupying the Driver space. If you roll 13 or higher, the figure receives 1 wound.

UTILITY: BATMOBILE REMOTE

EQUIPMENT GLYPH
Instead of moving this figure, you may take temporary control of the Batmobile and move it up to 3 spaces. After moving the Batmobile this way, you may choose one adjacent figure and roll the 20-sided die, adding 4 to the roll if a Driven Vigilante is equipped with this glyph. If you roll 13 or higher, the chosen figure receives one wound. Control of the Batmobile then returns to the player who previously controlled it. While you have this glyph equipped, enemy figures cannot enter the Batmobile.

OK, so several changes there. Here's how it breaks down:

1. Automated Defenses increase in range but lowers in effectiveness of roll. However, it gets a lot better at the roll when Batman is the one driving the car (as it should be).

2. If the Batmobile is moved by someone with the Batmobile Remote, there's an offensive option added. I made it instead of moving now so that Batman can stand beside it while it zooms off and rams someone and then throw some Shuriken if he's feeling brave, or he can stay inside it and drive it himself, but this ramming movement would be instead of the Batmobile's regular movement due to the "instead of moving" trigger. It gives Batman a reason to stay in the car, though.

3. I also made Batman better at doing the ramming with the Batmobile so it wouldn't be obviously better to have someone like Judge Anderson jump in the car at the start of the game, grab the remote from the car itself, and get auto wounding on top of her ranged attack (still a good move, though). But Batman can do it at +4 effectiveness and start with the Remote in hand.

[Yodaking]

Caltrops being dropped sounds cool, if limited in it's usefulness. Smoke bombs seem like another non-lethal vehicle gadget. I'd be okay with a Vigilante only attack option just to make it more likely for you to run the Batmobile with those who should be using it. Drafting the Batmobile with Sue Storm and no Batman around seems weird.

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Yodaking

Caltrops being dropped sounds cool, if limited in it's usefulness. Smoke bombs seem like another non-lethal vehicle gadget. I'd be okay with a Vigilante only attack option just to make it more likely for you to run the Batmobile with those who should be using it. Drafting the Batmobile with Sue Storm and no Batman around seems weird.

Hmm, good call. Instead of making the auto wounding work for everyone, I'll restrict it to Vigilantes.

[IAmBatman]

So this, then:

AUTOMATED DEFENSES 13
When any figure that was not within 3 spaces of the Batmobile prior to moving ends its move within 3 clear sight spaces of the Batmobile, a Player controlling the Batmobile may roll the 20-sided die, adding 4 to the roll if there is a Driven Vigilante occupying the Driver space. If you roll 13 or higher, the figure receives 1 wound.

UTILITY: BATMOBILE REMOTE EQUIPMENT GLYPH
Instead of moving this figure, you may move the Batmobile up to 3 spaces. After moving the Batmobile this way, if the figure equipped with this glyph is a Vigilante, you may choose one figure adjacent to the Batmobile and roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 9 or higher, the chosen figure receives one wound. While you have this glyph equipped, enemy figures cannot enter the Batmobile.


With the trigger of the Batmobile's free movement changed, I don't think the temporary control language is needed anymore, which frees up some space on the glyph. I also really like making it so only the Vigilante can trigger the auto wound, as that along with the bonus on the Automated Defenses helps keep Batman a logical choice to be the driver.

[tcglkn]

Sounds good to me. I'm all for making the Batmobile work much better with Batman than anyone else.

[Tornado]

Driven Driver.

[IAmBatman]

Cool. SP updated. I'll try to pick up testing again soon (it's been crazy today).

[IAmBatman]

Current version of the Batmobile Remote:

UTILITY: BATMOBILE REMOTE

EQUIPMENT GLYPH
Instead of moving this figure, you may move the Batmobile up to 3 spaces. After moving the Batmobile this way, if the figure equipped with this glyph is a Vigilante, you may choose one figure adjacent to the Batmobile and roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 9 or higher, the chosen figure receives one wound. While you have this glyph equipped, even if another figure occupies its Driver space, the Batmobile is considered under your control and enemy figures cannot enter the Batmobile.

Considering making this change:

UTILITY: BATMOBILE REMOTE

EQUIPMENT GLYPH
Instead of moving this figure, you may move the Batmobile up to 3 spaces. After moving the Batmobile this way, if the figure equipped with this glyph is a Vigilante, you may choose one figure adjacent to the Batmobile and roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 9 or higher, the chosen figure receives one wound. While Bruce Wayne has this glyph equipped, even if another figure occupies its Driver space, the Batmobile is considered under your control and enemy figures cannot enter the Batmobile.

My rationale is, thematically, this is Bruce's car, and he knows it and how to keep it safe and on lockdown better than anyone. This lets it play well with the Bruce Wayne civilian figure, as well as any Bruce Wayne Batman.

It also stops you from completely abusing it with someone like Judge Anderson as the driver and just zooming around with nobody else able to come in. Of course, this may or may not even be worth it, as you can just put a passenger in with Judge Anderson to block entrance anyway.

I dunno. Thoughts? I'm really liking where this is at, but the one thing that gives me pause for concern is figures that don't need LOS attacking from Full Cover vehicles.