The Book of League Assassin

[IAmBatman]

COMPETITIVE REVIEW BOARD CHECKLIST

Spoiler Alert!

Efficiency- Check to see if your design is providing armies with turns/moves/etc. to a degree that would make it difficult or impossible for an opponent to keep up with your output.

1. Does your design allow itself or figures to move/attack/take a turn/etc. instead of/in addition to your normal turn for revealing an Order Marker? Is it granting these benefits to too broad a range of units? Does it combine with other powers to create overly long or powerful chains of actions?
They’re basically a lesser Hand Ninja on this front
2. Does your design allow you to take actions during an opponent's turn? Can it combine with other powers to create tediously long reactions to enemy actions or a restrictive environment?
No.
3. Does your design allow you to rearrange your Order Markers or otherwise bypass the costs of Order Marker requirements on the special powers of other figures?
No.

4. Is your design doing anything outside of a player's turn, at the start or end of the round? Is the effect too powerful by itself or when combined with other powers?
No.

5. Does your design have any powers that trigger anytime it moves as opposed to only when it moves normally on its turn? Will it be too efficient when combined with figures that grant extra moves to figures?
Only Phantom Walk, so no issues.

6. Is your design adding or subtracting from initiative rolls? Will it pair too easily with other figures that alter initiative or have powers triggering on the results of initiative rolls?
No.


Potency- Check to see if your design is wounding/removing/etc. enemy figures, increasing the chances of other figures in your army doing so, or otherwise directly effecting the number of figures available to players to a degree that would make it difficult or impossible for an opponent to recover from.

1. Does your design have a chance to inflict wounds or destroy figures? Is it getting these chances too frequently or having to high a chance of success? Is the power balanced against expensive targets that can cause a massive swing in the game when destroyed?
No.

2. Is your design adding to the stats or 20-sided die rolls of other figures in your army? Is it a boosting a broad enough range of units effectively enough to become a 'mandatory' draft or inhibit future design space? Can it be combined with other boosts too easily?
No.

3. Will your design benefit from stat boosts or other enhancement to an overpowering degree? Will it restrict future growth within its faction or point cost by limiting available boosts to others?
No.

4. Does your design take control of enemy figures permanently or temporarily? Is it too difficult to for your opponent to regain control of their figure or recover from the losing the figure? Does the method of taking control expose the enemy figure to the powers of other figures in your army that can easily destroy it?
No.

5. Can your design heal itself or others or revive itself or others? Is it doing so in a way that an opponent cannot hope to overcome in certain scenarios?
It sort of revives Elite League Assassins. This will be a focus of testing, but doesn’t seem too dangerous on its surface, given the necessary triggers.

6. Does your design place enemy figures on its card or otherwise have an unconventional method of temporarily removing enemy figures from play? Will it guarantee your victory against a single remaining enemy figure?
No.


Chicanery- Check to see if your design is preventing your opponent from taking actions with too much ease or is otherwise causing negative play experience through tactics that make your opponent feel you're 'not playing fair'

1. Does your design restrict the movement of enemy figures, or allow you to move enemy figures? Can it do so in a way that results in an unwinnable scenario for your opponent if they are down to one figure, posses only figures with a range of 1, etc.? Can your design easily combine with other figures to greatly impede enemy figures or otherwise gain an excessive advantage?
No.

2. Does your design effect/change the placement of an enemy's Order Markers, or remove their Order Markers entirely? Can it force Order Markers to go onto cards that have no figures on the battlefield? Can your design easily combine with other figures to completely dictate the placement of an enemy's Order Markers or remove all of their Order Markers?
No.

3. Does your design inhibit your opponent from attacking your figures or make attacking a losing proposition? Are there scenarios or combinations that make your opponent totally unable to harm your figures through attacking?
No.

4. Does your design directly negate the powers of enemy figures or otherwise ignore them in a way that can completely disrupt the opponent's strategy or leave them feeling like they are stuck playing figures without special powers?
No.

5. Does your design become overly powerful in a podded group of figures, or provide significant benefit to your army without leaving your Start Zone?
No.

6. You can attack your own figures in Heroscape, does your design have any powers that will trigger off of doing so or otherwise wounding/destroying your own figures? Is this intentional on your part? Will the design be too efficient or potent when doing so?

No. Trial By Blood specifies enemy figure.

CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST (SHORT FORM)

Spoiler Alert!

Consistency Concerns
Name and Identity
Verify character is named in a way that is clear, accurate and feels consistent with the way other characters are named.
All good
Uniqueness and Type
Verify that the power text reflects the listed uniqueness and type, that the uniqueness fits the character, and that squad size is listed for squads.
All good

Left Box
If the character's species, class or personality is reused, verify that the character feels thematically consistent with other figures that have that species, class or personality. If they are not reused, verify that there is no pre-existing species, class or personality that would make more sense.
All good

Size and Height
Verify that the listed size and height are accurate. Standing the mini up next to a stack of tiles, and a few other minis of various sizes, is encouraged.
All good

Super Strength and Flying
Verify that these special powers are present if they make sense, and not if they don't.
All good

New Powers - Names
Verify that any new powers are not using power names identical to, or very similar to, pre-existing powers. Verify that any new powers are actually new and not old powers with new names.
All good


New Powers - Effects
Verify that the effect and timing of all new powers is clear. Verify that any logical immunities, benefits, or weaknesses (whether those be necessary for thematic or mechanical reasons) are implemented: consider whether defensive powers that work against normal attacks should also work against special attacks, whether or not a power has an elemental component that some figures should resist, and whether or not unliving figures (such as Undead and Androids) should be affected.
All good

Reused Powers
Verify that the design is reusing special powers in place of creating new ones (and, where relevant, reusing power markers in the place of creating new ones), where reused special powers (or power markers) could implement the same theme and mechanics with no differences or only trivial differences. Verify that any reused special powers have the correct text.
All good

Power Level
Verify that the character's movement, attack, range, and defense (in conjunction with any special powers that enhance those stats) feel consistent with the capabilities of characters with analogous powers and abilities. Verify that the character falls into a similar point range to characters with comparative powers and abilities.
All good

[IAmBatman]

I propose we move to Initial Playtesting

[LordVenoc]

Yea

[MrNobody]

Yea

I almost wonder if that Diabolical Mastermind callout could be expanded/changed into a Ra’s/Talia callout. But I appreciate you hearing me out on wanting it to be a bit more tied into our Ra’s designs!

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by MrNobody

Yea

I almost wonder if that Diabolical Mastermind callout could be expanded/changed into a Ra’s/Talia callout. But I appreciate you hearing me out on wanting it to be a bit more tied into our Ra’s designs!

Talia is an Assassin, so I think she fits in just fine as-is. I don't mind their not having direct bonding with her outside of Ra's, as I don't feel the Talia we have is really "Leader of the League" Talia. Definite design space for one of those, though.

[fret_gurglo]

Yea

[Tornado]

Yea

[IAmBatman]

This passes. Thanks, all!

[japes]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

Talia is an Assassin, so I think she fits in just fine as-is. I don't mind their not having direct bonding with her outside of Ra's, as I don't feel the Talia we have is really "Leader of the League" Talia. Definite design space for one of those, though.

Ohhh do her next

this is cool and I didn't see this one coming.

[IAmBatman]

I took my shot at Talia. I'll leave a v2 to the next interested party.

[IAmBatman]

C3G INITIAL PLAYTEST FEEDBACK FORM
NAME OF THE PLAYTEST UNIT: LEAGUE ASSASSIN
VERSION TESTED

Spoiler Alert!

NAME = LEAGUE ASSASSIN

SPECIES = HUMAN
UNIQUENESS = COMMON HERO
CLASS = ASSASSIN
PERSONALITY = DEVOUT
SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 4/5?

LIFE = 1
MOVE = 5
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 4 (3 in first test)
DEFENSE = 3
POINTS = 50

THE DEMON'S HANDS
After revealing an Order Marker on this card or the card of a Diabolical Mastermind you control and taking a turn, you may take a turn with up to three other League Assassins you control. You may not take any additional turns with any other figures you control.

PHANTOM WALK
League Assassin can move through all figures and is never attacked when leaving an engagement.

TRIAL BY BLOOD
If this League Assassin destroys an enemy figure with its normal attack, you may immediately replace it on the battlefield with a previously destroyed Elite League Assassin figure in your Army. If you do, remove this figure from the game.

Army Test
Map: SACRED SHRINE
Units: Ra’s al Ghul (II) (260), Elite League Assassins (150), Talon (x1) (140), League Assassins (x9) (450) (1000) vs Spider-Man (250), Thing (II) (340), Luke Cage (190), Jessica Jones (220) (1000)

Spoiler Alert!

Round 1: Talon goes on his card. Initiative League of Assassins. Ra’s has the Elites advance and three League Assassins follow.
Thing and Luke advance.
Ra’s has the Elites and League Assassins advance again, hiding behind pillars.
Jessica Jones advances.
Ra’s has the Elites advance. One fails an attack on Jessica from height disadvantage. League Assassins advance.
Spidey advances and takes out an Elite League Assassin from height. Thing takes height.

Round 2: Initiative Four of a Kind. Spidey advances and shoots at a League Assassin, who blocks. Luke takes height.
Ra’s has the Elites advance. One attacks Jessica but can’t hit. The League Assassins attack Spidey (who dodges) and Thing (who takes two wounds).
Spidey web slings a League Assassin and punches it out. Luke punches out another.
Elites fail two attacks on Jessica. League Assassins advance and one fails an attack on Jessica.
Jessica KO’s a League Assassin and finds the “X” with Pound the Pavement. Luke fails to hit an Elite League Assassin.
Elites hits Jessica with three wounds and Luke with one. League Assassins advance and fail to hit Jessica or Thing.

Round 3: Talon drops behind a pillar. Initiative League of Assassins. Talon and three League Assassins attack Jessica but roll terribly and can’t hit.
Jessica punches out a League Assassin, but can’t find the “X.” Luke punches out a League Assassin.
Talon hits Luke for a wound. A League Assassin fails to hit Jessica.
Spidey and Luke combine to KO Talon.
An Elite League Assassin KO’s Jessica. League Assassins advance. One hits Luke for a wound. One fails an attack on Thing.
Thing and Luke each KO a League Assassin.

Round 4: Initiative Four of a Kind. Spidey punches out an Elite League Assassin. Luke tries to KO another but it vanishes.
An Elite KO’s Luke. Thing gets his Order Markers. A League Assassin fails an attack on Spidey.
Thing KO’s a League Assassin.
An Elite fails to hit Thing and the last League Assassin advances.
An Elite vanishes when Thing attacks, then whiffs an attack in return. The last League Assassin advances.

Round 5: Initiative League of Assassins. The last Elite this Thing for a wound. The last League Assassin fails to hit Thing.
Thing punches out the last League Assassin.
The last Elite can’t hit Thing.
Spidey can’t hit the last Elite.
The last Elite puts two wounds on Thing.
Spidey webslings the last Elite but can’t hit it as it vanishes.

Round 6: Initiative League of Assassins. No one can get in any hits this round.

Round 7: Initiative League of Assassins. The last Elite KO’s Thing and kills OM1 for the Fighters. Spidey takes the full round but finally finishes the last Elite.

Round 8: Initiative League of Assassins. Ra’s advances.
Spidey advances.
Ra’s advances.
Spidey webslings Ra’s and hits him for a wound.
Ra’s can’t hit Spidey.
Spidey hits Ra’s for another wound.

Round 9: Initiative Spider-Man. He hits Ra’s hard.
Ra’s can’t get past Spidey’s senses.
Spidey KO’s Ra’s.

Unit Summary: A lot of streaky D20 rolls down the stretch let the last Elite League Assassin and Spidey both punch above their weight. This felt like an uphill climb for the League of Assassins. The swarming activations were useful, but the League Assassins lacked a little offensive punch. If I kept them as is, I think I’d want to drop the points a tad. But I think I’d like to try them with an attack of 4 at 50 points and see how that feels.

• Damage Done (Normal Attack): Inflicted [3] wounds on [Thing [2], Luke Cage [1]]
• THE DEMON’S HANDS: Used to take [32] turns with League Assassins
• TRIAL BY BLOOD: Changed [0] League Assassins into Elite League Assassins

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Spider-Man with Full Life wins.

___________________________________________________________

Army Test
Map: ISLAND PLANE CRASH
Units: Ra’s al Ghul (II) (260), Elite League Assassins (150), Talon (x2) (280), Talia al Ghul (110), League Assassins (x4) (200) (1000) vs Black Lightning (160), Katana (Outsiders) (150), Geo-Force (280), Batman (Outsiders) (220), Halo (190) (1000)

Spoiler Alert!

I bumped their attack to 4 for this test.
Round 1: Talons both go on their cards. Initiative League of Assassins. Talia and three League Assassins advance.
Black Lightning and Katana take to the plane wing.
Talia takes to the top of the plane and shoots down at Katana but can’t hit. League Assassins advance.
Black Lightning zaps Talia for a wound. Geo-Force flies forward but can’t hit Talia from height disadvantage.
Talia shoots at Geo-Force from height but can’t hit. League Assassins advance and one falls to Lightning Chain when attacking Black Lightning.
Geo-Force throws down some lava field and Talia takes a wound and one of two League Assassins fall. Geo blasts Talia for another wound. Halo uses her Yellow Aura and KO’s Talia.

Round 2: One Talon drops. Initiative Outsiders. Katana, Halo, and Batman move forward. Geo throws down lava field, which KO’s one League Assassin. He blasts the other, ending them.

Rest of game summary: Black Lightning and Geo-Force take down a Talon. The Elite League Assassins take down Geo-Force. An Elite falls attacking Black Lightning. Elites take out Halo. Elites hit Batman for two wounds. Elites vanish left and right. The other Talon drops in. Katana strikes down the last Talon. Batman’s shuriken take out an Elite. The last Elite puts a wound on Batman before Batman takes him out. The Outsiders surround Ra’s from height and Katana strikes him for two wounds. Batman punches his old foe for two wounds. Ra’s slices Katana for a wound, then takes an Iajutsu Strike. Lightning Chain finishes Ra’s.

Unit Summary: Rough showing for the League Assassins here as their slow mobility, lack of range, and relative squishiness made them easy for the Outsiders to cull through. They were gone before they really had a chance here. In the end, I think this was a rough combination of map and match up.

• Damage Done (Normal Attack): Inflicted [0] wounds.
• THE DEMON’S HANDS: Used to take [9] turns with League Assassins
• TRIAL BY BLOOD: Changed [0] League Assassins into Elite League Assassins

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Black Lightning with Full Life, Katana with 3/4 Life, and Batman with 1/4 Life win.

___________________________________________________________

Army Test
Map: CITY PARK
Units: Ra’s al Ghul (I) (200), Elite League Assassins (150), Talon (x3) (420), Hired Guns (130), League Assassins (x6) (300) (1200) vs Nightwing (200), Raven (190), Starfire (210), Arsenal (190), Tempest (210), Cyborg (I) (200) (1200)

Spoiler Alert!

Round 1: Initiative League of Assassins. The Talons go to their cards. The Elite League Assassins advance.
Arsenal advances and wounds a Great Evergreen.
Elites advance.
Tempest advances. Arsenal fails to hit an Elite. Tempest moves forward a couple more spaces and throws down some water, which doesn’t hit the Elite.
Elites advance and knock down a Great Evergreen and an Evergreen, putting one wound on Arsenal and two on Tempest.
Titans Go! Tempest avoids a swipe, backs up, and throws water out, KO’ing an Elite. Raven takes his wounds and Soul Selfs one to an Elite. Nightwing advances. Arsenal shoots but can’t hit an Elite. Nightwing moves up more and KO’s the last Elite.

Round 2: Initiative Titans. Starfire flies forward.
Hired Guns advance but can’t hit anything.
Titans Go! Raven advances and Soul Selfs a Hired Gun. Tempest and Nightwing advance but can’t get anything done.
Hired Guns do four quick wounds on Raven.
Tempest advances. Arsenal fails to hit a Hired Gun but does move up Cyborg. Tempest takes out a Hired Gun with a water tile.
Ra’s advances. Hired Guns shoot down Raven and wound the Great Evergreen. League Assassins advance.

Round 3: The Talons all drop next to Nightwing. Initiative League of Assassins. The Talons hit Nightwing for two wounds.
Titans Go! Starfire flies forward. Arsenal fails to hit a Hired Gun but Cyborg advances. Starfire triple attacks but only hits one Talon for one wound. Tempest finishes the wounded Talon off and Nightwing punches out another Talon.
Talons lost a turn.
Arsenal KO’s a Hired Gun and Cyborg advances. Starfire engages a Talon and hits him for two wounds.
Ra’s has the last Hired Gun hit Starfire for a wound from height, then he misses his Demon’s Head roll twice. League Assassins advance and attack three times but can’t hit Nightwing.
Arsenal can’t hit a Hired Gun. Tempest punches out a League Assassin.

Round 4: Initiative Titans. Titans Go! Tempest punches out a League Assassin. Starfire takes out the last Hired Gun and the last Talon. Arsenal hits Ra’s for two wounds. Cyborg advances. Nightwing can’t hit Ra’s.
Ra’s takes a swipe but advances onto the Lazarus Pit and heals, then hits Starfire for two wounds. He hits one Demon’s Head roll and moves a League Assassin into Nightwing for the killing wound. Three League Assassins advance.
Arsenal hits Ra’s for a wound and Cyborg advances. Starfire hits Ra’s for a wound.
Ra’s takes Starfire down to one life. Demon’s Head puts a wound on Tempest with a League Assassin. Two remaining League Assassins fail attacks.
Aresnal can’t hit Ra’s, but advances. Tempest throws down a water tile and hits three unblockables. He destroys a Great Evergreen, taking out a League Assassin. He takes out a regular Evergreen, wounding Ra’s, then he wounds Ra’s again.
Ra’s avoids a swipe and hits Tempest for a wound from height. The last League Assassin KO’s Starfire and brings back an Elite.

Round 5: Initiative League of Assassins. The Elite League Assassin hits Arsenal for a wound from height.
Arsenal can’t hit the Elite but moves himself up. Tempest punches Ra’s for a wound.
Ra’s hits Tempest for a wound, then sacrifices the last Elite with Demon’s Head to take out Tempest.
Tempest had OM2.
Ra’s whiffs an attack on Cyborg.
Cyborg finishes Ra’s.

Unit Summary: Though the Hired Guns and extra Talons were nice, as were the chances at auto wounds from Demon’s Head, this army never quite fired on all cylinders and the League Assassins couldn’t quite fix that. Interesting build, though, and they at least challenged the Titans, which I’ll take.

• Damage Done (Normal Attack): Inflicted [1] wound on [Starfire [1]]
• THE DEMON’S HANDS: Used to take [12] turns with League Assassins
• TRIAL BY BLOOD: Changed [1] League Assassins into Elite League Assassins

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Cyborg with Full Life and Arsenal with 2/4 Life win.

___________________________________________________________

UNIT SUMMARY: I’m liking them with 4 attack instead of 3 (a change I made after the first test) and though they aren’t a perfect fit with Ra’s I, they work well enough, and I really like how they work with Ra’s II, so I’m happy with their moving forward as is. I wouldn’t be shocked to see their cost dip a tad in public testing.

[IAmBatman]

I propose we move this to Public Playtesting