The Book of Desaad

[IAmBatman]

I'm going to update the SP at 220 and hopefully get one last round of tests at 220 points to verify it's not a crazy cost.

[IAmBatman]

C3G STANDARD PLAYTEST FEEDBACK FORM
NAME OF THE PLAYTEST UNIT: DESAAD
VERSION TESTED

Spoiler Alert!

NAME = DESAAD
SECRET IDENTITY =

SPECIES = NEW GOD
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = TORMENTOR
PERSONALITY = SADISTIC
SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 7
MOVE = 5
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 1
DEFENSE = 3
POINTS = 220

APOKOLIPTIAN TORTURE
When rolling attack dice for Desaad's normal attack against an opponent’s figure, if you roll a skull on every die, before rolling defense dice that opponent may immediately remove one of the defending figure's unrevealed Order Markers. If they do not, that figure immediately receives 2 wounds. If they do and it is a numbered Order Marker, place that Order Marker on any New God Army Card you control. You may reveal it normally on your turn instead of your other Order Marker of the same number. At the end of the round, all Order Markers moved by this special power return to the player who controlled the Order Markers before they were moved.

DARKSEID'S ELITE
Once per player turn, immediately after Desaad or an Invader figure you control rolls combat dice, you may reroll one of those dice that does not show a skull.

SUPER STRENGTH

Army Test
Map: Grundy’s Grave
Units: Kalibak (380), Desaad (220), Valkyrie (350), Wasp (I) (50) (1000) vs Fantastic Four (1000)

Spoiler Alert!

Round 1: Initiative Invaders. Valkyrie advances.
Thing and Mister Fantastic advance.
Wasp advances.
Invisible Woman advances. Mister Fantastic engages Wasp and whiffs an attack on her.
Kalibak advances and whiffs a ranged special attack on Mister Fantastic.
Human Torch advances and whiffs a ranged attack on Valkyrie. Invisible Woman advances and blasts Valkyrie for a wound from height disadvantage. Thing advances but can’t get into melee. Mister Fantastic locks down Kalibak and Valkyrie and fails an attack on Valkyrie.

Round 2: Initiative Invaders. Wasp hits Thing with one of two Sting attempts.
Human Torch takes one swipe and Flames On to KO Wasp, put two wounds on Valkyrie, and put two wounds on Kalibak. He punches Valkyrie for two more wound. Thing punches Valkyrie for a sixth wound. Mister Fantastic fails to finish her off.
Kalibak hits Mister Fantastic for a wound with his club.
Human Torch takes three swipes, but Flames On to KO Valkyrie and put two more wounds on Kalibak. Kalibak blocks attacks from both Torch and Mister Fantastic.
Desaad engages Human Torch and rolls twice for his attack, hoping to auto-wound Human Torch to death, but he fails both attempts.
Thing full on Clobbers Kalibak for two wounds, despite Desaad letting Kalibak reroll one blank on defense. Mister Fantastic fails to hit Kalibak to finish him.

Round 3: Initiative Invaders. Kalibak hits Mister Fantastic for one wound with a special attack.
Desaad’s rerolling of a blank for Kalibak can’t save him from full Clobbering KO’ing him. Desaad’s reroll does save himself one wound from Mister Fantastic.
Desaad uses a reroll to torture Human Torch and finish him.
Mister Fantastic leads poorly and whiffs an attack on Desaad.
Desaad can’t hit his skull on an attack or a reroll.
Mister Fantastic leads poorly again and a reroll of a blank helps Desaad only take one wound from an attack.

Round 4: Initiative Fantastic Four. Invisible Woman fails to blast Desaad from height. Thing Clobbers him for five quick wounds. Mister Fantastic can’t finish the job.
Desaad tortures Thing for two quick wounds.
Thing KO’s Desaad.

Unit Summary: Desaad’s powers were useful and worked well here. His slowness to get into combat stopped him from being a force early, and by the time he was getting his torturing in, an efficient Fan Four army had already torn through his allies. Definitely solid potential here and I like how he plays, but he doesn’t feel undercosted. Kalibak was not as effective without Darkseid around, making me think Desaad is going to end up feeling better in a New Gods build than a generalist one (which was a goal).

• Damage Done (Normal Attack): Inflicted (0) wounds on (X)
• APOKOLIPTIAN TORTURE: Inflicted (4) wounds on (Human Torch (2), Thing (2)), removed (X) Order Markers, and placed and revealed (X) Order Markers on New Gods.
• DARKSEID’S ELITE: Rerolled (6) dice on Desaad and (3) dice on Invaders.

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Invisible Woman with Full Life, Mister Fantastic with 3/5 Life, and Thing with 3/6 Life win.

___________________________________________________________

Army Test
Map: Martian War Zone
Units: Desaad (220), Parademons (x3) (240), Steppenwolf (440) (900) vs Black Canary (I) (190), Oracle (110), Green Arrow (I) (150), Red Arrow (150), Martian Manhunter (I) (300) (900)

Spoiler Alert!

Round 1: Initiative Invaders. Desaad advances.
Martian Manhunter advances, then dispatches up both Archers.
Steppenwolf moves up six Parademons.
Martian Manhunter KO’s a Parademon from height, then dispatches himself and Black Canary.
Steppenwolf engages Martian Manhunter and hits him for two wounds.
Martian Manhunter follows the Secret Attack Plan and hits Steppenwolf for one wound (the Parademon does not come back). Manhunter dispatches Canary.

Round 2: Initiative Invaders. Steppenwolf rolls 4 skulls (no extra skulls on the reroll) and is just blocked by Martian Manhunter.
Manhunter KO’s a Parademon, then Dispatches himself, Red Arrow, and Black Canary.
Steppenwolf, with the help of a reroll, hits Martian Manhunter for four wounds.
Martian Manhunter hits Steppenwolf for a wound from height, Steppenwolf brings back both Parademons, then Manhunter dispatches himself and Canary out of engagement with Steppenwolf.
Steppenwolf KO’s Martian Manhunter.
Black Canary screams into five Parademons but only rolls 1 skull, and they all block. Green Arrow is just out of range for a Skill Shot.

Round 3: Initiative Birds of Prey. Green Arrow advances. Red Arrow fails a Speed Shot on Steppenwolf, but Green Arrow Skill Shots him for a wound.
Steppenwolf moves over and one-shots Green Arrow.
Black Canary rolls 2 skulls with her scream and KO’s one Parademon (one is saved on a reroll and the other three just block).
Steppenwolf engages Red Arrow and puts one wound on him.
Black Canary screams at four Parademons and destroys three of them.
Desaad advances.

Round 4: Initiative Birds of Prey. Red Arrow puts a fourth wound on Steppenwolf with the Secret Attack Plan, all four Parademons come back, then Red Arrow fails his second attack.
Steppenwolf has his Parademons move and they put three wounds on Canary in six attempts (counting a reroll) and fail to hit Red Arrow in one attempt. Steppenwolf smacks Red Arrow for two wounds.
Red Arrow hits Steppenwolf for a fifth wound, then fails on his follow up attack.
Desaad tortures Black Canary to death.
It takes four tries, but Red Arrow finishes Steppenwolf.
Desaad advances.
Lava field takes a Parademon.

Round 5: Initiative Invaders. Parademons advance.
Red Arrow fails to snipe a Parademon from height.
Desaad advances.
Red Arrow hits Desaad for two wounds.
Desaad tortures Red Arrow, who removes OM3.
Lava field takes Red Arrow and spares Desaad.
Round 6: Initiative Oracle, who advances.
Desaad advances.
Oracle advances onto shadow tile.
Desaad tries to torture Oracle, but she won’t have it.
Oracle hits Desaad for a third wound.
Parademons advance.

Round 7: Initiative Oracle, who smacks Desaad for two wounds from height with the Secret Attack Plan.
Desaad tortures OM3 off of Oracle, but fails to hit her.
Oracle fails to hit Desaad thanks to his reroll.
Desaad tortures Oracle to death in two turns.


Unit Summary: Martian Manhunter made it tough for Steppenwolf to deploy the Parademons effectively, but got a lot of luck in getting one wound the first time Manhunter attacked him and was more effective one-on-one against Manhunter. After that, Steppenwolf was able to clean through the Archers and Canary and Desaad was able to clean up pretty well.

• Damage Done (Normal Attack): Inflicted (1) wounds on (Oracle)
• APOKOLIPTIAN TORTURE: Inflicted (6) wounds on (Black Canary (2), Oracle (4)), removed (2) Order Markers, and placed and revealed (0) Order Markers on New Gods.
• DARKSEID’S ELITE: Rerolled (2) dice on Desaad and (11) dice on Invaders.

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Desaad with 2/7 Life and 5 of 6 Parademons win.

___________________________________________________________

[Karat]

C3G INITIAL PLAYTEST FEEDBACK FORM

NAME OF THE TEST UNIT Desaad

Army Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes
- What should be the unit's point value? 220-230?
- Give a brief overview. This was a quick and brutal battle. Only Kalibak left the SZ thanks to an Infiltrator infiltrating round 1. Lots of wounds were exchanged but Darkseid and his Infiltrators had the upper hand.
Map: Icy Road
Units: Desaad, Darkseid II, Kalibak, 6xParademons (1,500) vs Zod, Non, 2xInfiltrator, 3xSoldier (1,500)

Spoiler Alert!

R1
One of the Infiltrators sneaks into the enemy SZ. Kryptonians have initiative. In T1 Zod has Non and a Soldier advance and the Infiltrator wounds Darkseid; Darkseid has Kalibak engage the Infiltrator hitting it for 2 wounds rerolling 1 die (shield) and Darkseid is Displeased and Kalibak lashes out taking out a Parademon and further wounding the Infiltrator. In T2 a Soldier and Non advance down the road and the Infiltrator is too shaken to use her skills; Darkseid has Kalibak finish off the Infiltrator. In T3 Zod sends 2 Soldiers up one of them taking out a Parademon and Non flies in taking out a Parademon; Zod sends Kalibak to engage Non but can't do much as wound him even with a reroll (Shield) and Darkseid is displeased and wounds Kalibak who takes it out on Non giving him a wound.
R2
Infiltrators have initiative. In T1 Darkseid has Kalibak take out Non with a reroll (skull); has 2 soldiers move up with 1 taking out a Parademon and a thrid flying onto the road. In T2 Darkseid has 2 squads of Demons surround a Soldier giving him 3 wounds but Darkseid is displeased and gives Desaad a wound; Zod sends 2 soldiers in and a third follows along the road. In T3 Darkseid has 2 squads of Parademons close in finishing off a Soldier at the last second with their Apokolitian Weapons; Zod has 2 soldiers close in with one of them using Horu-Kanu to wound Darkseid and Zod flies out. Darkseid unleashes the Omega Effect wounding both Soldiers.
R3
Kryptonians have initiative. In T1 Zod has a soldier and the last Infiltrator move up and the other Soldier disengages to engage Darkseid giving him a wound; Darkseid calls in Desaad who engages a Soldier and Tortures him for 2 wounds with a reroll (skull) but Darkseid is displeased and wounds him in return. In T2 Zod has a Soldiert and Infiltrator close in with the Soldier giving Darkseid a wound and the other Soldier would have destroyed Darkseid but he IS and destroys the Soldier instead; Darkseid sends in Desaad who fails with a reroll (blank) and Darkseid is displeased wounding Desaad. In T3 Zod has a Soldier and the Infiltrator move up and the Soldier uses Horu-Kanu to wound Darkseid while Zod flies onto the road; Darkseid has Deasaad Torture the last soldier to death. Darksied unleashes the Omega Effect summoning a Parademon.
R4
Kryptonians have initiative. Zod sends the Infiltrator to engage and attack Desaad giving him 2 wounds and then finishing him off; Darkseid sends in 2 squads of parademons giving her 2 wounds with their Apokoliptian Weapons but Darkseid is displeased and takes one out. In T2 Zod closes in and the Infiltrator fails to use her tools; Darkseid sends 2 Squads of Parademons in to finish off the Infiltrator. In T3 Zod flies in giving Kalibak a wound; Darkseid has Kalibak move to height on Zod but is blocked and Darkseid is displeased wounding him and Kalibak takes it out on Zod. Darkseid unleashes the Omega Effect but it doesn't go off.
R5
Kryptonians have initiative. In T12 Zod moves up and punches Kalibak for a wound; Darkseid has Kalibak finish off Zod for the win.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? The Infiltrators won with Darkseid bearing 6/8 wounds, Kalibak bearing 5/7 wounds, and 8/10 Parademons remianing.

_____________________________________________________________

Army Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes
- What should be the unit's point value? 220
- Give a brief overview. This was a brutal match but had more to do with Ultraman's solid wounding potential than anything Desaad did. Though Desaad removing OMs was definitely helpful here along with some good Tortures.
Map: Ivy's Greenhouse
Units: Desaad, Ultraman, Grid,
Owlman, Venom Pigeon (1,100) vs Deathstroke III, Ravager (Rose), Cheshire II, Impulse, Kid Flash (Wallace), Speedball (1,100)

Spoiler Alert!

Grid chose Owlman as his Study. Kid Flash is Mentored by Impulse. All Titans and Sidekicks are Mercenaries.
R1
The Criminal Syndicate has initiative. In T1 Ultraman flies up; Impulse and Wallace run onto the road and Ravager starts to Flank. In T2 Ultraman hits Wallace for a wound with his Heat Vision and Desaad moves onto the road; Speedy ,moves into position. In T3 Ultraman gives Speedy a wound with his Heat Vison and Owlman moves onto the road; Deathstroke sends Wallace to run through Ultraman and Cheshire moves up next to Speedy as Deathstroke moves up tauntingly across the river.
R2
Grid chooses Deathstroke and moves Venom Pigeon up (9+2). The Crime Syndicate has initiative. In T1 Ultraman hits Deathstroke for a wound with his Heat Vison and Owlman moves in hitting Wallace from range for a wound; Deathstroke has Wallace run up and knockout Venom Pigeon and Cheshire misses Ultraman as Deathstroke steps into the water and Ravager Flanks Ultraman. In T2 Ultraman giives Deathstroke a wound with his Heat Vison and Owlman moves to engage Deathstroke giving him a wound; Impulse runs through Ravager and Ultraman recklessly engaging Owlman from height giving him 3 wounds and taking 2 wounds over 3 attacks and Wallace comes speeding back giving Ultraman a wound. In T3 Ultraman uses his Heat Vison to give Deathstroke a wound and Owlman grapples to height finishing off Deathstroke; Impulse holds his ground and Ravager Flanks Ultraman giving him 2 wounds and Wallace is moving to fast to hit with any accuracy. Speedy's health deteriotates.
R3
Grid chooses Cheshire and moves Desaad up (12+2). The Criminal Syndicate has initiative. In T1 Ultraman gives Impulse a wound with his Heat Vision and Desaad moves in and Tortures Impulse taking OM 3; Speedy misses Ultraman. In T2 Ultraman finishes off Wallace with his Heat vision and Desaad Tortures the 2 off of Impulse; OM removed. In T3 Ultraman gives Ravager a wound with his Heat Vision and Desaad Tortures Impulse to death; OM removed. Speedy's health deteriorates further.
R4
Grid chooses Cheshire and moves Ultraman around Ravager (16+2). The Crime Syndicate have initiative. In T1 Ultraman gives Ravager a wound with his heat vision and Desaad moves in and fails to torture Ravager; Speedy runs into the water engaging Ultraman letting Ravager flank him and Spoiler moves in giving Owlman a wound but taking 2 wounds from his Calculated Defense. In T2 Ultraman gives Spoiler wound with his Heat Vision and Owlman grapples to height on Spoiler and Cheshire giving Cheshire 3 wounds (-2 Defense); Speedy distracts Ultraman as Ravager Flanks him and Spoiler climbs over the wall. In T3 Ultraman finishes off Cheshire with his Heat Vision and Desaad tortures Ravager to death; OM on Cheshire.
R5
Grid chooses Cheetah and moves Desaad up (17+2). In T1 Speedy climbs out of the water engaging Ultraman and Desaad giving Desaad 2 wounds; Ultraman finishes off Speedy with his Heat Vision and sends Desaad to engage Cheetah taking a wound. In T2 Cheetah swipes Desaad for 3 wounds; Ultraman flies up finishing off Spoiler with his Heat Vison and Desaad Tortures OM 3 off of Cheetah. In T3 OM removed; Ultraman fries Cheetah with his Heat Vision for the win.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? The Crime Syndicate wins with Desaad bearing 6/7 wounds, Owlman bearing 4/5 wounds, Ultraman bearing 3/7 wounds, and Grid unwounded.

THOUGHTS ON THE TESTED UNIT'S COST, BALANCE, & DRAFTABILITY: He feels useful but not overpowering with a slight glass jaw. 220 seems pretty on par for him.

GENERAL THOUGHTS ON THE TESTED UNIT: He definitely has a glass jaw so you want to hold him back till your opponent is distracted by a more durable threat. Solid all around and definitely useful in and out of New God builds.

[IAmBatman]

Thanks, Karat!

[IAmBatman]

OK, so that's 1 big win, 1 big loss played as intended at 200. 3 big wins and 1 big loss played as intended at 220. Then played slightly less effectively at 200, 2 big losses and a close win.

I could see moving forward with him as is, or, if we think he might be trending a tad too strong, dropping him 1 Life. I'd like to stay at 220 for army building.

[IAmBatman]

Talked with Karat on Discord and he agreed that a move to 6 Life is probably the smartest. Updating the SP and then proposing we move to Final Editing.

[Lord Pyre]

Yea

[tcglkn]

Yea

[Ronin]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

APOKOLIPTIAN TORTURE
When rolling attack dice for Desaad's normal attack against an opponent’s figure, if you roll a skull on every die, before rolling defense dice that opponent may immediately remove an unrevealed Order Marker from the defending figure's card. If they do not, that figure immediately receives 2 wounds. If they do and it is a numbered Order Marker, place that Order Marker on any New God Army Card you control. You may reveal it normally on your turn instead of your other Order Marker of the same number. At the end of the round, all Order Markers moved by this special power return to the player who controlled the Order Markers before they were moved.

Slight tweak.

[IAmBatman]

Thanks! I'll update now. Any chance of a vote with the tweak?

[Ronin]

Haven't read the tests/followed the tweaks here - if he's still in voting later I'll catch up on what's going on and vote.

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Ronin

Haven't read the tests/followed the tweaks here - if he's still in voting later I'll catch up on what's going on and vote.

No worries.