The Book of Quentin Quire

[IAmBatman]

Mental Shield is a bit of a bummer to leave off just for the sake of immunities, but if a two power card is popular, I won't argue. There's a lot going on with those two powers.

For the first power, the use of "that Mutant" seems a bit off. I'm clear on what you're referring to, but it feels imprecise - or at least uses language that doesn't seem like anything we've used previously. I don't have a better option off hand and it's not a deal-breaker for me, but it seems worth considering.

Some other suggested word sharpening:


PSYCHIC ASSAULT
Instead of moving and attacking with Quentin Quire, you may choose an opponent’s figure within 5 spaces that does not have the Mental Shield special power. Roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 1-9, nothing happens. If you roll 10-15, you may choose one of the following effects to use. If you roll 16-19, you may choose up to two of the following effects to use. If you roll 20 or higher, you may use all three of the following effects:

• Roll 1 unblockable attack die against the chosen figure.
• View all unrevealed Order Markers on the chosen figure’s card.
• Remove 1 unrevealed Order Marker from the chosen figure’s card.

You may use the chosen effects in any order. Destructible Objects, Androids, and Constructs are not affected by Telepathic Assault.

[TrollBrute]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

Mental Shield is a bit of a bummer to leave off just for the sake of immunities, but if a two power card is popular, I won't argue. There's a lot going on with those two powers.

Mental Shield is simple enough that we could fit it in, but it's not super iconic for him. I liked the protection aura Psionic Shield has, but we can probably find a more fitting spot for it.

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

For the first power, the use of "that Mutant" seems a bit off. I'm clear on what you're referring to, but it feels imprecise - or at least uses language that doesn't seem like anything we've used previously. I don't have a better option off hand and it's not a deal-breaker for me, but it seems worth considering.

"that Mutant" is standard Sidekick power language. Not sure why it would be a problem here. I did realize that an "any other" should be added to the first sentence. I borrowed most of the wording from Jason Todd, but he bonds with Vigilantes without being one, where this shouldn't trigger on Quentin's turn.

After the breathing period, I'll update with suggested wording changes. I'm not a big fan of making the wound an unblockable attack die though. It's already relying on a D20 and it's limited to a single wound, so I really don't think it's a balance issue. He's already swingy enough that I'd like to avoid making him swingier.

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by TrollBrute

Mental Shield is simple enough that we could fit it in, but it's not super iconic for him. I liked the protection aura Psionic Shield has, but we can probably find a more fitting spot for it.

After thinking on it more, I believe more Telepaths don't have Mental Shield than do have it at this point, so I'm good with leaving it off.

Originally Posted by TrollBrute

"that Mutant" is standard Sidekick power language. Not sure why it would be a problem here. I did realize that an "any other" should be added to the first sentence. I borrowed most of the wording from Jason Todd, but he bonds with Vigilantes without being one, where this shouldn't trigger on Quentin's turn.

Ah, good to know it has precedent.

Originally Posted by TrollBrute

After the breathing period, I'll update with suggested wording changes. I'm not a big fan of making the wound an unblockable attack die though. It's already relying on a D20 and it's limited to a single wound, so I really don't think it's a balance issue. He's already swingy enough that I'd like to avoid making him swingier.

That's my bad on misreading the power intent. I think it was the use of "unblockable" in the original text. I think you probably just want something like:

"The chosen figure receives one automatic wound."

Or even just

"The chosen figure receives one wound."

It looks like we've been inconsistent with how we've worded this type of thing in the past, unfortunately (and not surprisingly). I think that keeping the "unblockable" language to instances in which a die is rolled is a good way to avoid confusion, though.

[TrollBrute]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

That's my bad on misreading the power intent. I think it was the use of "unblockable" in the original text. I think you probably just want something like:

"The chosen figure receives one automatic wound."

Or even just

"The chosen figure receives one wound."

It looks like we've been inconsistent with how we've worded this type of thing in the past, unfortunately (and not surprisingly). I think that keeping the "unblockable" language to instances in which a die is rolled is a good way to avoid confusion, though.

Good point. I like the latter suggestion.

[TrollBrute]

Breathing period is up. SP updated with suggested wording changes. I'll let this simmer a bit more though. With Noh-Varr just now hitting playtesting, there's not a huge rush for the Initial.

[TrollBrute]

There's been no more comments and I may be able to get the Initial this weekend, so here's the checklist:

Spoiler Alert!

1. Check if we are recycling a unit name or special power name. No, but Psychic Assault is close to the White Martian's Mass Psychic Assault 14.
2. What happens when the powers are negated (Zatanna, etc.)? No issues.
3. Should the powers affect destructible objects, undead, constructs, etc? No, and that's specified.
4. Check if the powers work correctly in a mirror match or in a mutiplayer game. No issues.
5. Do the powers allow turn stacking? No.
6. Are any powers expected to work after all figures have been destroyed? If so, is that clearly worded? N/A
7. Do any powers place figures on this card? If so, how does it interact with other place-on-card powers (Bug Drop, Frenchie’s Air Drop, Alternate Realities, Penance Stare 19, Helicarrier Drop Team, Timestream Reinforcements)? N/A
8. Does a power trigger off of an Order Marker being revealed on another Army Card? If so, is the power expected to trigger if all figures associated with that Army Card have been destroyed? If so, does this allow turn stacking, overpowered passive movement abilities, or unclear power timing? N/A
9. Is it clear which powers are mandatory and which are optional? Hopefully.
10. Does any power's name or wording unintentionally prohibit the power's reusability? No.
11. Are there any competitive concerns brought up by the CRB that need to be addressed in testing? We'll see what they say.

Movement Power Checklist: N/A
1. Does it allow leaving engagement attacks?
2. How does it interact with Engagement Strike?
3. How does it interact with Stuck/Rubber Wrap?
4. Is there any way the figure can be forced to end its movement on an illegal space?
5. Is it a space-by-space move power, or a teleport-like place power? Is it clear in the power which one it is?
6. How does it interact with bonus movement powers, such as Telepathic Directive or Guarding the Globe?

Aura Power Checklist: N/A
1. Is the aura intended to affect the figure with the aura? Is this clear?
2. If one member of a squad is within the aura, are the other squad members unintentionally affected?

Attack Targeting Triggered Powers: N/A
1. Is it intended to only work with normal attacks? If so, does it specify this? Is it intended to work only with melee attacks? If so, does it specify this?
2. Does it affect special attacks? Take careful note of special attacks that do not use targeting like Optic Blast Special Attack or Canary Cry Special Attack.
3. What happens if the attacker changes targets?

Receiving Wounds Triggered Powers: N/A
1. How does it interact with normal attacks?
2. How does it interact with special attacks?
3. How does it interact with leaving engagement attacks?
4. How does it interact with falling damage?
5. How does it interact with lava field damage?
6. How does it interact with the Glyphs that cause wounds?
7. How does it interact with Engagement Strike/Auto Chain Gun?
8. How does it interact with auto-wounding powers that choose the target?
9. How does it interact with Knockback?
10. How does it interact with Destructible Objects?

Uncommon Card Checklist: N/A
Do multiple copies of the Uncommon have unintended interactions? Note that each card represents a distinct copy of each power, unlike Commons.

Special Attack Checklist: N/A
If the unit is a squad, can some of the squad members use the special attack while others attack normally? Is it clear?

Only issue I see is that Psychic Assault is close in name to the White Martians' Mass Psychic Assault 14. It's a similar theme, but the mechanics are very different. I don't have an issue with personally. Anyone else feel different?


On the competitive side of things:
@dok @Dysole @Soundwarp SG-1 @weebaer any issues, worries, or combos I should be on the lookout for?

[IAmBatman]

The "Mass" makes the names different enough. No problems.

Yea

[Viegon]

I think Psychic Assault is fine, but we could always switch it to Telepathic Assault (assuming it's not already used) if we wanted to.

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Viegon

I think Psychic Assault is fine, but we could always switch it to Telepathic Assault (assuming it's not already used) if we wanted to.

Telepathic Assault seems to be free (just did a quick check in the updated spreadsheet).

[Dysole]

COMPETITIVE REVIEW BOARD CHECKLIST

Competitive Concerns
Does the design offer worrisome Order marker movement or efficiency? OM Removal is good. 55% odds are even better. (70% when activated by DMS)

Does the design offer superior Auto wounding? 55% (70%) auto wound chance is solid but inferior to OM Removal.

Does the design cause the prevention of abilities (Blob, Polaris, Meteorite)? No.

Does the design move other figures? No.

Does the design boost other figures (outside of a narrowly defined set)? No.

Does the design have one or more excellent defensive powers? Durability of Agent Carr. We know what that gets you.

Does the design auto destroy or take control of other figures in a way that unbalances the design? No.

Does the design have any other concerns? No.

Summary of Any Competitive Concerns/Suggestions for Changes:

See dok.

~Dysole, mentally burned

[dok]

Random OM removal on a 10+ is the only thing that sticks out as particularly powerful, but with the power itself limited by not moving, and with so many qualifications on using him, I'm not particularly worried.

Obvious partners are Vulcan (with a backup sidekick or Yukio for when he misses the roll) and Weapon X. Also Sage.

[johnny139]

Personally not a fan of the name closeness; too similar for comfort. I'll think on alternatives.