The Book of Terrax

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Tornado

Just.keep in mind the.spire strategy here. With him and Fire Demons you could have a 7 level spire before moving on your first OM.

I'm making a request in the Book of Fire Demons to avoid this issue as the "Spire" strategy was never the intention for them, nor was it for them to restrict this design space.

With the proposed change, you'd only be able to create two hex tall spires with Terrax and them together.

[Tornado]

Excellent.

[tcglkn]

I specifically worded it here so you can't stack single hex rock tiles on each other since that exploit was mentioned.

[johnny139]

I like that power but would word it as such:

EARTH MANIPULATION
Start the game with 5 single-hex rock tiles and 3 Rock Outcrop destructible objects on this card. Before moving, you may do either or both of the following:
- Place up to 3 rock tiles or 1 Rock Outcrop destructible object from this card onto empty spaces that are not single-hex rock tiles.
- Remove up to 5 unoccupied single-hex rock tiles or Rock Outcrop destructible objects and place them on this card.
Tiles and objects placed or removed by this special power must be within 8 spaces of Terrax.

Because that power was getting mighty wordy. I'm still not 100% clear on what you can do in a single turn. Can you place AND remove tiles, or do you have to choose one? Can you place up to 3 rock tiles AND 1 Rock Outcrop, or do you have to choose the tiles or the Outcrop? Same with removing - I assume in that case it's five total removals, be they tiles or Outcrops.

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by tcglkn

I specifically worded it here so you can't stack single hex rock tiles on each other since that exploit was mentioned.

Yep, but the Fire Demons would theoretically let you stack onto spires of lava field as is. With the change to them it shouldn’t be an issue, though.

[tcglkn]

There are a lot of things we can adjust here through testing, thanks for changing the formatting johnny. This started out simpler (and more busted) so this templating works better now.

EARTH MANIPULATION
Start the game with 5 single-hex rock tiles and 3 Rock Outcrop destructible objects on this card. Before moving, you may do one of the following:
- Place up to 3 rock tiles or 1 Rock Outcrop destructible object from this card onto empty spaces that are not single-hex rock tiles.
- Remove up to 5 unoccupied single-hex rock tiles or Rock Outcrop destructible objects and place them on this card.
Tiles and objects placed or removed by this special power must be within 8 spaces of Terrax.

[IAmBatman]

Looks good for playtesting. Wouldn't mind seeing the checklists run, but pre-yea for the initial.

[tcglkn]

COMPETITIVE REVIEW BOARD CHECKLIST

Spoiler Alert!

1. Does the design disrupt opponent's Order Markers in a way that offers a net gain in turns taken with strong figures versus the turns your opponent can take with strong figures (Ozymandias, Joker (I), Meteorite)?
   
   No
   
2. Does the design offer auto-wounding that either doesn't require taking turns or is otherwise extremely efficient (War Machine, Jason Voorhees, Cosmic Cube)?
   
   No
   
3. Does the design immobilize figures or prevent turn-taking (Blob, Spider-Girl, Diablo, Green Lantern Alan)?
   
   Could potentially trap figures with low mobility by placing Rock Outcrops in their way.
   
4. Does the design move opponent's figures in a way that's easy to pull off and can move figures multiple spaces in multiple directions (Graviton, Magneto, Vulture)?
   
   No
   
5. Does the design allow for moving friendly figures without taking turns, or for moving 2+ friendly figures while still taking a turn (Martian Manhunter [I], Green Lantern John, Angel)?
   
   No
   
6. Does the figure allow for two figures, one of them being a wide range of possible figures, to both attack on a single Order Marker (Zombie, Robot, Iron Patriot, Ms. Marvel, Rocket [II], Martian Manhunter [II], Nebula, Baby Groot, Havok)?
   
   No
   
7. Does the design offer any sort of passive boost outside of a narrow set of figures (Star-Lord, Sage, Brainiac 5, Captain America, Batman [III])?
   
   No
   
8. Does the design help keep your allies alive just by being nearby (Daring Decoy, Aaron Cash, Jocasta, Weather Wizard)?
   
   No
   
9. Is it OK for the design to have defensive abilities that could make it essentially unkillable in some matchups or endgame situations (Cosmic Cube, Healing Factor, Master Martial Artist)?
   
   I don't thing Earth Strength or the Power Cosmic qualify for this.
   
10. If the figure has auto-destroy powers or powers that can force the opponent's figures to attack each other, are they balanced for strong opposing figures and/or boosts that can make the powers more reliable (Puppet Master, Psycho-Man, Enchantress)?
    
    N/A
    
11. Is the figure likely to earn its value many times over by either running out alone at the start of a battle (pre-eval Crow, Solomon Grundy) or by sitting in the startzone until the end of a battle (Arnim Zola, Silk Spectre)?
    
    This guy is a stand alone beater but he doesn't have any resurrection ability to be concerned about.
    
12. Will synergies in the design create concerns for future designs (Mad Thinker, pre-eval Enchantress, Star-Lord)?
    
    N/A
    
13. Does the design combo particularly well with one of the design concerns above (Magma)?
    
    No

CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST

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.
Removed "the Tamer" from his name to be more in line with what we've done in the past i.e. Ronan.

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 here

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.
Ruthless Herald is perfect here in my opinion.

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.
Don't have the mini, it's possible he's M6.

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

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.
Only one new power here. It's 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 powers in place of creating new ones, where reused powers could implement the same theme and mechanics with no differences or only trivial differences. Verify that any reused powers have the correct text.
All good. Both reuses are simple and 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.
I think we're good now that I raised his range to 3.

[tcglkn]

I propose we move to Initial Playtesting

[Lord Pyre]

Yea

If we're concerned about trapping figures, we could always drop the rock outcrops to 1 or 2. I'm fine with waiting until after the initial though.

[Lazy Orang]

Originally Posted by Lord Pyre

Yea

If we're concerned about trapping figures, we could always drop the rock outcrops to 1 or 2. I'm fine with waiting until after the initial though.

I wouldn't worry about it - I've seen people get stalled or trapped by rock in superhero cartoons before, feels like something a terrakinetic should be able to do. Since they're now DOs it shouldn't be a problem - worst comes to the worst and you'll just have to break through. Once again, the sort of thing I've seen before and which sounds like fun to play through.

[johnny139]

Yea