The Book of Master Splinter

[Tornado]

I suggest running some quick tests with your version and the suggested tweaks and see how they go. Hard results will serve your cause better than discussion at this point.

If possible try to simulate the first test in the second, so the main difference is Splinter and not dice rolls. Not sure if that is workable but just trying to limit randomness in comparison.

Good luck. I know how hard it is to meet resistance on a passion project.
Try to stay open minded (like Splinter) and support your position with tests results.

[Lazy Orang]

Originally Posted by Tornado

I suggest running some quick tests with your version and the suggested tweaks and see how they go. Hard results will serve your cause better than discussion at this point.

If possible try to simulate the first test in the second, so the main difference is Splinter and not dice rolls. Not sure if that is workable but just trying to limit randomness in comparison.

Good luck. I know how hard it is to meet resistance on a passion project.
Try to stay open minded (like Splinter) and support your position with tests results.

That's a good idea - I was already going to re-test the version we decide on, it's a good idea to try the different ideas in a test each.
Don't think I can really simulate the actions and die rolls precisely, but I will be re-running the same armies on the same maps, so there's that.
Loving the random Splinter quotes.

I think I'll run this test:

Map: Sewer Labyrinth (Because I had to...) (No Glyphs)
Armies;
Master Splinter (230), Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo (930 points)
vs.
Shredder, Kirigi, Ubu, Foot Clan Ninja, 3x Hand Ninja (940 points)

With these two versions of Splinter:

MASTER SPLINTER

RODENT
UNIQUE HERO
SENSEI
WISE
MEDIUM 4

4 LIFE
MOVE 5
RANGE 1
ATTACK 4
DEFENCE 6

230 Points?

TEACHINGS OF THE RAT

After any attack dice, defense dice, or the 20-sided die is rolled for Master Splinter or a Ninja Turtle you control within clear sight of Master Splinter, you may add or subtract a skull, shield, or 4 from that roll. Splinter cannot modify another roll for that figure this round.

FATHER'S DEVOTION

Figures engaged with Master Splinter cannot attack a wounded Ninja Turtle you control. Once per round, when either an Order Marker is removed from the card of a Ninja Turtle you control or when a Ninja Turtle you control is destroyed, you may place any unrevealed Order Markers from that card on this card. When a Ninja Turtle you control is destroyed, for the rest of the round, when Splinter attacks, he may attack one additional time.

BREAKING BALANCE

When attacking an opponent's adjacent figure with a normal attack, or when defending against a normal attack from an adjacent figure, if they roll more skulls than shields and Master Splinter is not destroyed, that figure receives a wound.

********************


MASTER SPLINTER

RODENT
UNIQUE HERO
SENSEI
WISE
MEDIUM 4

4 LIFE
MOVE 5
RANGE 1
ATTACK 4
DEFENCE 6

230 Points?

TEACHINGS OF THE RAT

After any attack dice, defense dice, or the 20-sided die is rolled for a Ninja Turtle you control within clear sight of Master Splinter, you may add or subtract a skull, shield, or 4 from that roll. Splinter cannot modify another roll for that figure this round.

FATHER'S DEVOTION

Figures engaged with Master Splinter cannot attack a wounded Ninja Turtle you control. Each time a Ninja Turtle you control takes 1 or more wounds, but is not destroyed, you may immedietly move Splinter up to 5 spaces. When a Ninja Turtle you control is destroyed, you may place any unrevealed Order Markers from that card on this card, and for the rest of the round, when Splinter attacks, he may attack one additional time.

BREAKING BALANCE

When attacking an opponent's adjacent figure with a normal attack, or when defending against a normal attack from an adjacent figure, if they roll more skulls than shields and Master Splinter is not destroyed, that figure receives a wound.

************

Not sure when I'll be able to run these, but hopefully sometime next week.

[Yodaking]

Turtles have this thing called a Turtle shell, which was used historically by ancient human cultures as a shield, and which has protected the turtle itself from countless predators. Their 6 defense is not only representative of their ninja skills, but their natural armor. Splinter really should only have a defense of 5, but he is getting a base 6 defense due to his exceptional skill and focus. Adding another auto shield on top of that is giving him a defense on par with Superman, but he is no man of steel.

[Lazy Orang]

Originally Posted by Yodaking

Turtles have this thing called a Turtle shell, which was used historically by ancient human cultures as a shield, and which has protected the turtle itself from countless predators. Their 6 defense is not only representative of their ninja skills, but their natural armor. Splinter really should only have a defense of 5, but he is getting a base 6 defense due to his exceptional skill and focus. Adding another auto shield on top of that is giving him a defense on par with Superman, but he is no man of steel.

Yes, I'm aware of their shell, but it still feels like they're going to be too comparatively strong next to Splinter if they're getting this bonus and he isn't. 6 Defence is, IMO, right for Splinter - what he lacks in armour he makes up for in his uncredible skill and reflexes. You say adding an auto-shield on top of that makes him on par with Superman - but even if he does get that, it's only one per round, and then if he elects not to get an auto-skull on offence, far from 'an auto-shield on top of that'. And finally, if he's going to be able to step in when a Turtle's killed, that little extra surviveability is, IMO, needed to prevent him from being picked off before he can, if the enemy knows he's going to be a threat once a Turtle's killed.

[Lazy Orang]

Originally Posted by Lazy Orang

That's a good idea - I was already going to re-test the version we decide on, it's a good idea to try the different ideas in a test each.
Don't think I can really simulate the actions and die rolls precisely, but I will be re-running the same armies on the same maps, so there's that.
Loving the random Splinter quotes.

I think I'll run this test:

Map: Sewer Labyrinth (Because I had to...) (No Glyphs)
Armies;
Master Splinter (230), Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo (930 points)
vs.
Shredder, Kirigi, Ubu, Foot Clan Ninja, 3x Hand Ninja (940 points)

With these two versions of Splinter:

MASTER SPLINTER

RODENT
UNIQUE HERO
SENSEI
WISE
MEDIUM 4

4 LIFE
MOVE 5
RANGE 1
ATTACK 4
DEFENCE 6

230 Points?

TEACHINGS OF THE RAT

After any attack dice, defense dice, or the 20-sided die is rolled for Master Splinter or a Ninja Turtle you control within clear sight of Master Splinter, you may add or subtract a skull, shield, or 4 from that roll. Splinter cannot modify another roll for that figure this round.

FATHER'S DEVOTION

Figures engaged with Master Splinter cannot attack a wounded Ninja Turtle you control. Once per round, when either an Order Marker is removed from the card of a Ninja Turtle you control or when a Ninja Turtle you control is destroyed, you may place any unrevealed Order Markers from that card on this card. For the rest of the round, when Splinter attacks, he may attack one additional time.

BREAKING BALANCE

When attacking an opponent's adjacent figure with a normal attack, or when defending against a normal attack from an adjacent figure, if they roll more skulls than shields and Master Splinter is not destroyed, that figure receives a wound.

********************


MASTER SPLINTER

RODENT
UNIQUE HERO
SENSEI
WISE
MEDIUM 4

4 LIFE
MOVE 5
RANGE 1
ATTACK 4
DEFENCE 6

230 Points?

TEACHINGS OF THE RAT

After any attack dice, defense dice, or the 20-sided die is rolled for a Ninja Turtle you control within clear sight of Master Splinter, you may add or subtract a skull, shield, or 4 from that roll. Splinter cannot modify another roll for that figure this round.

FATHER'S DEVOTION

Figures engaged with Master Splinter cannot attack a wounded Ninja Turtle you control. Each time a Ninja Turtle you control takes 1 or more wounds, but is not destroyed, you may immedietly move Splinter up to 5 spaces. When a Ninja Turtle you control is destroyed, you may place any unrevealed Order Markers from that card on this card. For the rest of the round, when Splinter attacks, he may attack one additional time.

BREAKING BALANCE

When attacking an opponent's adjacent figure with a normal attack, or when defending against a normal attack from an adjacent figure, if they roll more skulls than shields and Master Splinter is not destroyed, that figure receives a wound.

************

Not sure when I'll be able to run these, but hopefully sometime next week.

Before I do so, I'll call in the mandatory sanity check. @dok , @Dysole , @Soundwarp SG-1 , @weebaer , any issues with either of these?

[Soundwarp SG-1]

Both options still have some pretty word-salady powers, so I'm going to have to take a bit to look through them.

[SirGalahad]

What part triggers the "For the rest of the round" portion of Father's Devotion? Because since it is a separate sentence, it could be interpreted to mean that if any one of the previous sentences in the power occurs, then Splinter gets the extra attack.

[Lazy Orang]

Originally Posted by SirGalahad

What part triggers the "For the rest of the round" portion of Father's Devotion? Because since it is a separate sentence, it could be interpreted to mean that if any one of the previous sentences in the power occurs, then Splinter gets the extra attack.

That's a good point, I didn't think of that. It's meant to be 'if a Ninja Turtle you control is destroyed, for the rest of the round', which is how I've been playing it.

[Lazy Orang]

Okay, I've run tests with the two versions.

Version 1 Test 1
MASTER SPLINTER

RODENT
UNIQUE HERO
SENSEI
WISE
MEDIUM 4

4 LIFE
MOVE 5
RANGE 1
ATTACK 4
DEFENCE 6

230 Points?

TEACHINGS OF THE RAT

After any attack dice, defense dice, or the 20-sided die is rolled for Master Splinter or a Ninja Turtle you control within clear sight of Master Splinter, you may add or subtract a skull, shield, or 4 from that roll. Splinter cannot modify another roll for that figure this round.

FATHER'S DEVOTION

Figures engaged with Master Splinter cannot attack a wounded Ninja Turtle you control. Once per round, when either an Order Marker is removed from the card of a Ninja Turtle you control or when a Ninja Turtle you control is destroyed, you may place any unrevealed Order Markers from that card on this card. When a Ninja Turtle you control is destroyed, for the rest of the round, when Splinter attacks, he may attack one additional time.

BREAKING BALANCE

When attacking an opponent's adjacent figure with a normal attack, or when defending against a normal attack from an adjacent figure, if they roll more skulls than shields and Master Splinter is not destroyed, that figure receives a wound.

Map: Sewer Labyrinth (Because I had to...) (No Glyphs)
Armies;
Master Splinter (230), Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo (930 points)
vs.
Shredder, Kirigi, Ubu, Foot Clan Ninja, 3x Hand Ninja (940 points)

Spoiler Alert!

Overview of Master Splinter’s performance:
Damage inflicted through normal attacks: 3 Hand Ninja knocked out, 1 Foot Clan Ninja knocked out
Damage inflicted thanks to Teachings of the Rat: 1 wound on Shredder from Raphael, 1 Hand Ninja knocked out by Master Splinter, 1 Foot Ninja knocked out by Master Splinter (indirectly - Splinter’s focus allowed him to survive the attack, which he would have failed to otherwise, which allowed him to use Breaking Balance)
Wounds blocked thanks to Teachings of the Rat: 1 on Raph from a Hand Ninja, 1 on Mikey from a Hand Ninja, 1 on Mikey from a Foot Ninja, 1 on Master Splinter from Shredder, 1 on Master Splinter from a Foot Ninja
D20 rolls swung by Teachings of the Rat: Donatello moves Raphael with the Anti-Gravity Gauntlet
Order Markers retrieved from ‘dead’ Turtles via Father’s Devotion: Order Marker 3 from Raphael in Round Two, Order Markers 2, 3 and X from Michelangelo in Round Three.
Order Markers retrieved from Leo’s Turtle Power! via Father’s Devotion: Order Marker 3 in Round One
Extra attacks through Father’s Devotion: Two
Damage inflicted through Breaking Balance when defending with Splinter: 1 wound on Shredder, 3 Foot Clan Ninja knocked out.
Damage inflicted through Breaking Balance when attacking with Splinter: 1 wound on Shredder,

Round One

The Turtles claim the initiative. Leonardo reigns Raphael in from going off half-cocked. Donatello advances - he would fail to use the Anti-Gravity Gauntlet, but Splinter’s teachings allow him to focus and move Raphael forwards.
Four Foot Ninja and three Hand Ninja run forwards.
Leonardo burns the 3 on Mikey, who leaps forwards - Splinter recovers the Order Marker for himself. Leo then activates the X on Raph, who runs forwards using the road and knocks out a Hand Ninja. Leo advances.
Shredder advances. One Hand Ninja advances while two, in range of Shredder’s Antagonising Presence, charge Raph and strike him from height - Raph cannot see Shredder, so his defence is not reduced. The second one strikes weakly, but the first strikes true, rolling 4 skulls - Raphael would receive two wounds, but he focusses and only receives one.
Master Splinter advances.
Shredder moves to where Raph can see him, and the ninja strike again, with a third Hand Ninja moving to strike him from equal ground where he can’t see Shredder. Raphael, luckily, receives only a single wound from their blows.

Round Two

The Foot Clan claims the initiative, and the four Hand Ninja swarm in and strike Raphael, two running away after they strike - Raphael, miraculously, blocks all their blows. The Hand Ninja then strike - but their blows are weak, and blocked easily.
Leo activates the X on Michelangelo, who charges a Foot Ninja and knocks him out. He then activates the 2 on Raphael, who leaps towards Shredder. His first blow is weak, 2 skulls, and blocked by the Shredder, who counters to strike him for a wound. His second blow would be equally weak, but he remembers his training and increases it to 3 skulls - Shredder is taken completely off guard and fails to block, but retaliates vengefully, striking Raphael and laying him low. Splinter, feeling his sons agony, is enraged, and claims Raphaels Order Marker 3. Leonardo advances gingerly.
Shredder moves forwards to get a good look at Michelangelo as three Hand Ninja charge him, spurred on by their master. The first one’s blow is weak, and Mikey retaliates, knocking him out. The second’s blow lands true, hitting with all his strength - Mikey would receive two wounds, but remembers his training and only receives one. The third strikes Mikey for a wound.
The Foot move in to strike Mikey - the first strikes poorly, and is countered, being knocked out, the second is merely blocked, and the third is also knocked out. The two Hand Ninja strike Mikey, and one is blocked while another is knocked out. One Hand Ninja advances.
Splinter charges the last Hand Ninja in combat with Mikey. His blow would be weak (1 skull), but he calls on his focus and strengthens it, allowing him to knock the Hand Ninja out, which he would not otherwise have managed, even with Breaking Balance.

Round Three

The Foot claim the initiative, and three Foot Clan Ninja appear from out of the shadows. The first strikes Mikey, who blocks and counters, knocking him out. The second charges Mikey, who is taken completely off guard, blanking on defence, and would be taken down, but he remembers his training and survives taking only one wound. The third also charges Mikey, who is finally brought down - Splinter recovers his Order Markers, the 2, the 3 and the X. Both who struck Mikey fade away again. The last one runs in to strike Splinter, but fails to hurt him before running to enngage Leonardo to keep the Turtle away from Shredder.
Leo strikes the Foot Ninja twice, but fails to harm him.
Shredder charges Splinter and strikes him from high ground - his blow is powerful, and Splinter would receive two wounds, but focusses, and only receives one. In order to strike so hard, though, Shredder sacrificed his balance, and Splinter makes him pay dearly for it, leaving him a wound off death. Two Hand Ninja advance from reserve while a third runs forwards and throws a shuriken at Splinter from high ground, but the rat bats it away with his stick.
Splinter engages the Hand Ninja and strikes him, knocking him out, before striking Shredder from low ground. He then strikes Shredder - his blow is weak, 1 skull, an obvious feint, which Shredder blocks, though he only rolls one shield in doing so, plainly overextending to capitalise on his adversary’s perceived weakness, as he rolls 2 skulls. I roll off to see if Breaking Balance or Ruthless Counter Strike will trigger first - Shredder wins the roll off, and slashes his hated enemy for two wounds. However, the rat still lives, if barely, and Shredder still left his stance weak - Splinter capitalises on this fact, breaking Oroku Saki’s balance and laying him low.
The three remaining Foot Ninja move in to strike Splinter from height, in an attempt to avenge their master - all are blocked, and one sacrifices his stance to make the blow, and is knoced out by the rat. The two others move away. Two Hand Ninja move up to cluster in reserve while another runs up to throw a shuriken at Splinter, but the rat dodges it.
Splinter moves into a puddle of water to strike the two remaining Foot, and knocks one of them out with his second blow.

Round Four

The Foot claim the initiative, and one Foot Ninja emerges from the shadows. One strikes Master Splinter, but overextends to get a strike, which he blocks and makes him pay for, knocking the ninja out. The other one also strikes Splinter, overextending, and it would pay off, but Splinter gathers all of his focus and just manages to block the blow, knocking the last Foot Ninja out.
Splinter moves to equal ground with the Hand Ninja he’s in combat with. His blow is weak, but the Hand Ninja fails to defend at all, and is knocked out.
Kirigi runs forwards and flings his Kyoketsu Shogi at the rat, impaling and killing him. The three remaining Hand Ninja move forwards gingerly.
Leonardo, enraged and in shock over the death of his sensei, charges forwards, engaging a Hand Ninja and taking it down.
Kirigi spears Leonardo with his Kyoketsu Shogi twice, inflicting a wound the first time and dragging him into a puddle of water with the second shot. He strikes the Turtle with his katana - Leo’s defence leaves something to be desired, and he receives a wound. The two remaining Hand Ninja slip away to opposite sides of Leo and throw shurikens at him, which he blocks.
Leo activates the 'X’ on Donatello, who runs and Staff Vaults forwards, knocking out one of the last two Hand Ninja. Leonardo leaps at the last Hand Ninja and knocks him out.

Round Five

The Turtles claim the initiative, and Leo activates the 'X’ on Don, who Staff Vaults forwards to strike Kirigi, striking him twice with his Bo Staff and inflicting a wound. Leo charges Ubu and savagely knocks him out with two deadly blows.
Kirigi slips away from Don and charges Leonardo, decapitating him without mercy and eliminating the Turtles’ second turn.
Kirigi runs forwards and flings his Kyoketsu Shogi at Don, wrapping it around him and dragging the tech turtle into the filthy water of the sewer before striking him, inflicting two wounds and causing him to drop the Anti-Grav Gauntlet.
Don runs away, taking a blow from Kirigi in doing so, before using his momentum to Staff Vault towards Kirigi, striking him twice with his Bo Staff, inflicting a wound.
Kirigi strikes Donatello, but the Turtle blocks.

Round Six

Don claims the initiative, and strikes Kirigi twice, inflicting a wound.
Kirigi runs Donatello through.

Foot Clan Victorious, Kirigi 3 wounds.

Overview: That... was really, really fun! Splinter felt great there - the ability to boost one roll for each Turtle per round is brilliant and really helps his sons to focus, the ability to reclaim Order Markers in the two ways he does is a real help, and him being able to attack twice in a round a Turtle has fallen is incredibly useful and makes him quite dangerous. I also do like that he can benefit from Teachings of the Rat himself - as I said, he simply feels like he’s drawing on his own training and focus, which feels thematic to me. He’s dangerous, but he’s definitely not unstoppable - only having 4 Life means he’s quite killable, even with 6 Defence, and that too feels more thematic - he’s hard to hurt, but can’t take too many hits before going down. I really enjoyed that game, and this felt like Splinter, as well as feeling like what the Turtles need.

********************

Version 2 Test 2
MASTER SPLINTER

RODENT
UNIQUE HERO
SENSEI
WISE
MEDIUM 4

4 LIFE
MOVE 5
RANGE 1
ATTACK 4
DEFENCE 6

230 Points?

TEACHINGS OF THE RAT

After any attack dice, defense dice, or the 20-sided die is rolled for a Ninja Turtle you control within clear sight of Master Splinter, you may add or subtract a skull, shield, or 4 from that roll. Splinter cannot modify another roll for that figure this round.

FATHER'S DEVOTION

Figures engaged with Master Splinter cannot attack a wounded Ninja Turtle you control. Each time a Ninja Turtle you control takes 1 or more wounds, but is not destroyed, you may immedietly move Splinter up to 5 spaces. When a Ninja Turtle you control is destroyed, you may place any unrevealed Order Markers from that card on this card, and for the rest of the round, when Splinter attacks, he may attack one additional time.

BREAKING BALANCE

When attacking an opponent's adjacent figure with a normal attack, or when defending against a normal attack from an adjacent figure, if they roll more skulls than shields and Master Splinter is not destroyed, that figure receives a wound.

Map: Sewer Labyrinth (Because I had to...) (No Glyphs)
Armies;
Master Splinter (230), Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo (930 points)
vs.
Shredder, Kirigi, Ubu, Foot Clan Ninja, 3x Hand Ninja (940 points)

Spoiler Alert!

Overview of Master Splinter’s performance:
Damage inflicted through normal attacks: 2 wounds on Kirigi
Damage inflicted thanks to Teachings of the Rat: None
Wounds blocked thanks to Teachings of the Rat: 2 on Raph from a Hand Ninja,
D20 rolls swung by Teachings of the Rat: 1 Cowabunga! from Michelangelo
Times Splinter moved when a Turtle was harmed: Five (Elects not to move twice times)
Order Markers retrieved from 'dead’ Turtles via Father’s Devotion: Order Marker 3 in Round Two
Extra attacks through Father’s Devotion: One
Damage inflicted through Breaking Balance when defending with Splinter: 1 wound on Kirigi, 1 Hand Ninja knocked out
Damage inflicted through Breaking Balance when attacking with Splinter: 2 wounds on Kirigi, 3 Foot Clan Ninja knocked out.

Round One

The Turtles claim the initiative. Donatello advances and uses the Anti-Grav Gauntlet to move Raph forwards, onto the road.
Four Foot Ninja and three Hand Ninja advance.
Leonardo burns the 3 on Mikey, who leaps forwards. Leo then activates the X on Raph, who runs forwards using the road and knocks out a Hand Ninja. Leo advances.
Shredder advances. One Hand Ninja advances while two, in range of Shredder’s Antagonising Presence, charge Raph and strike him from height - Raph cannot see Shredder, so his defence is not reduced. The second one strikes weakly, but Raph is taken completely off guard, blanking - he would receive a wound, but focusses his training and blocks it. The second blow inflicts a wound, and Splinter advances three spaces.
Shredder moves to where Raph can see him, and the ninja strike again, with a third Hand Ninja moving to strike him from equal ground where he can’t see Shredder. Raphael, luckily, receives only a single wound from their blows. Splinter advances.

Round Two

The Foot Clan claims the initiative, and the four Hand Ninja swarm in and strike Raphael, all but one running away after they strike - Raphael, miraculously, blocks all their blows. The Hand Ninja then strike - two strike Raphael for a wound each, one of which would have been two wounds, but Raphael would
Leo activates the 2 on Raphael, who leaps at Shredder, striking him with a deadly attack of 6 where he rolls five skulls - Raph inflicts three wounds, but Shredder retaliates, finishing him off, and Splinter recovers Order Marker 3. Splinter moves south. Leo burns the X on Mikey, who runs forwards and knocks out a Foot Ninja - he then, focussing thanks to Splinter, yells Cowabunga! and charges at Shredder, striking the ninja mastermind for a wound and receiving three in return. Splinter moves closer to Shredder. Leonardo advances.
Shredder strikes Michelangelo, taking him down, and Splinter rushes in to engage him. Three Hand Ninja throw shurikens at Splinter from equal ground while one charges him in melee. None of them harm him.
Kirigi advances and throws two Kyoketsu Shogi at Splinter - the first misses, the second he uses to pull him into the sewer water. He strikes Splinter hard, inflicting two wounds, but Splinter retaliates, inflicting one in kind. Three Hand Ninja strike Splinter, one attacking in melee from high ground, two throwing shurikens from high ground. The one in melee strikes him for a wound, but overextends in doing so, being knocked out by Breaking Balance. The two shurikens are dodged.
Splinter moves to equal height with Kirigi, striking him twice. The first blow inflicts a wound normally and gets the undead ninja off balance, so Splinter can infict a wound with Breaking Balance. The second blow is weak, but Kirigi fails to block it altogether, and receives two more wounds, one from the weak strike, and one for Blacking Balance

Round Three

The Turtles claim the initiative, and Splinter strikes Kirigi, but Kirigi blocks and keeps his balance.
Shredder retreats. Three Hand Ninja throw shurikens at - or three would, the second one sticks in Splinter’s throat and kills him.
Leonardo triggers Don’s 'X’ Order Marker, and Don advances. Leo charges a Foot Clan Ninja and knocks it out.
Ubu advances and discovers a Lazarus Pit. Three Hand Ninjas advance and throw shurikens at Leo from high ground, one of them inflicting two wounds.
Leo charges two ninja, knocking one out.
Shredder steps into the Lazarus pit, regenerating himself. Three Hand Ninja strike Leo from height, two throwing shurikens at him and one striking Leo from height while Shredder can see him, though Shredder can’t see Leo. They inflict a wound on Leo.

Round Four

The Turtles claim the initiative. Leo activates the X on Deo, who runs forwards and Staff Leaps at Kirigi, striking him and knocking him out before turning and knocking out a Hand Ninja. Leo leaps at the last two Foot Ninja and takes them both out.
Ubu charges Donatello and strikes him for a wound,knocking the gauntlet out of his hand. One Hand Ninja charges Leo, but Shredder can’t see either, and he fails to harm Leo. Two other Hand Ninja throw shurikens at Leo, but fail to harm him.
Leo activates Order Marker 3 on Don. Don breaks away from Ubu, taking a wound, before leaping at Splinter, attacking him with a single attack of 6, rolling 4 skulls and inflicting three wounds, but Shredder retaliates by killing him. Leo leaps at Shredder, striking him from low ground, decapitating him with his first blow before striking Ubu, who blocks his blow.
Ubu strikes Leo, who blocks. Three Hand Ninja throw shurikens from height at Leo, one of them inflicting a wound.
Ubu strikes Leo, but is blocked. A Hand Ninja throws a shuriken at Leo, killing him.

Foot Clan Victorious, Ubu unwounded, 5 Hand Ninja.

Overview: That... was interesting. I feel like Splinter’s good here, and if I played him like this, I wouldn’t be entirely disappointed, but of the two options, I think the first is better. Him moving when a turtle was hurt rather than recovering OMs spent through Turtle Power was interesting, and not without its charms - I was able to manoeuver Splinter to where I felt he’d be most useful, almost on a whim - but had a few small issues. The first is that it was easy to forget to do, far more so than the once per round recovery of an Order Marker - I actually had to go back and move Splinter later on after I’d forgotten to do so before a couple of times. This is probably something you could get used to, but is a small strike against it. The second is that he, IMO, can move too fast sometimes. In one turn where a couple of Turtles got hurt in the same turn, he moved 10 spaces, which feels unthematically fast to me - though it’s not too much of a big deal (Raph can move that fast when he goes off on one), it’s still a little niggle. The last is that you’re almost encouraged to overextend him here, which you can resist, but it feels too... impulsive for Splinter, he’s a very deliberate character. I probably would be fine with it if we’d come up with this without an alternative, but this and recovering the Order Marker seem to do similar things, only this has a few minor issues where the other, IMO, doesn’t, and the other one ties directly into Leo’s Turtle Power ability, which, to me, is an, albeit minor, plus. As for being unable to benefit from Teachings of the Rat himself, it, to me, had the problem I was predicting - it felt like he was allowing his sons to focus in a way he can’t manage himself, which feels like more than a bit of a theme break to me, and he didn’t feel quite strong enough. I’d like to keep the mechanics there so that he can benefit from it, though if the name feels distracting or unthematic to people, we can certainly try to come up with a better one.

************

In final analysis, I would like to move forward with Version One, though if anyone would like the name of Teachings of the Rat change, just say so and give a suggestion!

[Arkham]

To be fair, there's several figures that offer a bonus to others, that don't benefit from the bonus themselves. Captain America, Hasbro Cap, Star-Lord, Bane etc.

Doesn't really matter to me either way, as long as his point value is balanced based on his power, and that the power is appropriate for the character.

[Lazy Orang]

Originally Posted by Arkham

To be fair, there's several figures that offer a bonus to others, that don't benefit from the bonus themselves. Captain America, Hasbro Cap, Star-Lord, Bane etc.

Doesn't really matter to me either way, as long as his point value is balanced based on his power.

Yes, but it feels different to me. Captain America is inspiring other people, he's not inspiring himself. Splinter is teaching his sons to focus like a true ninja... but can't manage to do so himself? He felt, in comparison, unfocussed when he was unable to boost his own rolls. Splinter, if he can't boost himself in that way, feels like he doesn't practice what he preaches, which doesn't feel like the character at all.

[johnny139]

I'm good with Version One. I'd still kind of want to split out the Decoy part of his Devotion just to simplify it. He's on the very upper end of complexity but I can live with it.

For the first power, does he teach any specific martial art? "RAT STYLE SENSEI" or whatever could work.