The Book of Shadow Demon

[IAmBatman]

The Book of Shadow Demon

C3G DC SUPER SECRET EXCLUSIVE 26
ANTI-MATTER UNIVERSE

Comic PDF



Mini PDF

The figure used for this unit is a Heroclix figure from the Crisis Anti-Monitor Action Pack set.
Its model number and name are #224 / Shadow Demon.

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Character Bio - “In more modern times, the being known as Pariah performed an experiment similar to the one Krona attempted long ago on a parallel Earth [….] This experiment resulted in the reawakening of both the Monitor and the Anti-Monitor, and the destruction of Pariah's Earth and his universe. The Anti-Monitor rebuilt his army, taking over Qward and using the Thunderers as his own private army, as well as creating the Shadow Demons from the elite of the Thunderers.” (Wikipedia, 2013). _________________________________________________________________


-Rulings and Clarifications-

• Q: On Swarm of Shadows, when the Order Marker is revealed on the Qwardian hero or squad you control, does only one Shadow Demon move (based on the word this), or do all of your Shadow Demons get to move?
• A: They all get to move, but each Shadow Demon only moves once. Each Uncommon Hero figure is supposed to have his own Army Card. If Shadow Demon had said something like "you may immediately move all Shadow Demon you control," then an unintended chaining effect would occur. Shadow Demon #1 would move all Shadow Demons, then Shadow Demon #2 would move all Shadow Demons, etc. That would allow each Shadow Demon to move multiple times. What actually happens with the current wording is that all Shadow Demons are triggered by the Order Marker reveal. As you process each Shadow Demon, the word this confines the effect to just that Shadow Demon. However, all Shadow Demons are triggered, so they all get to move.

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-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:

• As a Destroyer, Shadow Demon has these Destroyer Synergies.

Outgoing Synergy:

• Qwardians you control may allow Shadow Demon to move with its Swarm of Shadows special power. Current Qwardians include Shadow Demon and Thunderers of Qward.

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-Immunities, Benefits, and Weaknesses-

Immunities

• As a figure with the Flying special power, Shadow Demon cannot be affected by aspects of certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with the Flying special power.

Benefits

• N/A

Weaknesses

• As a figure with the Flying special power, Shadow Demon interacts differently with certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with the Flying special power.

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-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• N/A

-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

• Initial playtest: IAmBatman
• Second playtest: darkraptor5413
• Third playtest: clembo2021
• Fourth playtest: DocGlock
• Comic, Figure, Background
• Art by Scapemage

[IAmBatman]

NAME = SHADOW DEMON

SPECIES = QWARDIAN
UNIQUENESS = UNCOMMON HERO
CLASS = DESTROYER
PERSONALITY = DEADLY

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 3

MOVE = 5
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 3
DEFENSE = 6

POINTS = 130

SWARM OF SHADOWS
After revealing an Order Marker on any other Qwardian Hero or squad you control, before taking a turn with that Army Card, you may move this Shadow Demon up to 2 spaces.

INTANGIBILITY
This Shadow Demon can move through all figures, Fortress Walls, and obstacles, and is never attacked when leaving an engagement. This Shadow Demon cannot be targeted by opponents' non-adjacent figures for any attacks or for any opponents' special powers that require clear sight.

TOUCH OF DEATH 15
Before attacking with this Shadow Demon, one at a time for each Shadow Demon you control, you may choose an adjacent figure and roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 15-19, the chosen figure receives one wound. If you roll 20 or higher, the chosen figure receives three wounds.

FLYING

[IAmBatman]

[A3n]

Mechanically it all seems fine, they just seem more powerful then I picture them in my head.

You don't think it's too quirky to be bonding with the likes of Cyborg Superman, Doomsday, Ultron or [redacted]? [redacted] I think is a fine fit & don't see an issue with but the others do kind of seem a little too quirky.

[Hahma]

Subscribed. No time to comment as I have to playtest while I can.

[Hahma]

SWARM OF SHADOWS
After revealing an Order Marker on any Destroyer Hero you control, before taking a turn with that hero, you may move this Shadow Demons up to 2 spaces.

INTANGIBILITY
This Shadow Demon can move through all figures and obstacles such as ruins, and is never attacked when leaving an engagement. This Shadow Demon cannot be targeted by opponents' non-adjacent figures for any attacks or for any special powers that require clear sight.

TOUCH OF DEATH 15
When this Shadow Demon engages one or more enemy figures, you may immediately choose one figure this Shadow Demon is engaged with and roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 15-19, the chosen figure receives one wound. If you roll a 20 or higher, destroy the chosen figure.

Minor edit for Swarm (Demon instead of Demons).

For Touch of Death 15, could there be an issue with the Shadow Demon "engaging" multiple figures during its normal move or Swarm of Shadows move, thus allowing multiple opportunities to roll for TOD15 during its move? There is no limit, so it could roll for TOD each time it engages a figure during its move.

Maybe something like this?

TOUCH OF DEATH 15
When this Shadow Demon ends its move engagesd with one or more enemy figures, you may immediately choose one figure this Shadow Demon is engaged with and roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 15-19, the chosen figure receives one wound. If you roll a 20 or higher, destroy the chosen figure.

They would be able to do this during their turn or after a Swarm of Shadows move the way it currently stands, which is fine considering how much they are projected to cost.

[IAmBatman]

Good notes, Hahma. I'll definitely make that change after the breathing period to end the exploit.

A3n, the intent of them bonding with Destroyer Heroes was to let them bond with each other, Anti-Monitor, and Thunderers of Qward. Since they come from the Anti-Matter Universe, and Cyborg Superman is a Yellow Lantern, that one doesn't feel too terrible.

The others I chalk up to being about the same as Punisher bonding with Robin or Flash getting extra protection for Invisible Woman.

Edit: And in the comics, they were mostly swarming fodder, but they could instantly kill and were a bit tough to get rid of. I think this represents that somewhat well (hard to hit, but only 3 life, not great attackwise, but can swarm and do D20 damage).

[Hahma]

Yeah, I'm incredible sometimes

[A3n]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

A3n, the intent of them bonding with Destroyer Heroes was to let them bond with each other, Anti-Monitor, and Thunderers of Qward. Since they come from the Anti-Matter Universe, and Cyborg Superman is a Yellow Lantern, that one doesn't feel too terrible.

Yeah I knew why you did it (that's why I didn't mention those ones ), I just thought there were a lot more that their bonding is quirky with then it isn't.

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

Edit: And in the comics, they were mostly swarming fodder, but they could instantly kill and were a bit tough to get rid of. I think this represents that somewhat well (hard to hit, but only 3 life, not great attackwise, but can swarm and do D20 damage).

Again I did get what you are going for, just a lot tougher than I pictured them.

[IAmBatman]

SP updated - sending out to the ERB now!

[IAmBatman]

Any thoughts on the cost here? I'm wondering if it's not a little too high currently. That said, I wonder if I shouldn't try to make them any tougher, just because the figure is so rare.

A3n seemed to have the impression that they weren't very tough though, so maybe not? Thoughts/opinions, especially from folks who've read Crisis on Infinite Earths?

[Hahma]

I have no idea about these guys thematically, as I haven't read anything with them.

Cost-wise is kind of tricky. They do have 6 defense and can't be hit from distance.

Getting to move them with a Destroyer is nice in not having to put OM's on them and give the opponent something nasty to be pre-occupied with (the Destroyer), which can allow these guys to engage and have a chance of auto wounding or even killing, especially if there's a unit in their army that can boost their d20 roll.

If they activate on their own, maybe have the X on them when they are activated by the Destroyer most of the time and them switheroo to give them an OM to get them to reach an unsuspecting opponent's figure.

Really hard to know until testing though. Auto-kills are tough though and should be priced with err on the high side rather than too low.