The Book of Spike

[Yodaking]

yea

[Ronin]

This passes

[Ronin]

Something I missed during the consistency checklist but picked up on during testing was that Undying Dedication has a similar name to Hawkman's power, but a dissimilar mechanic. Might be worth addressing, if anyone has alternate name suggestions.

[IAmBatman]

What about Fool for Love? That's the title of an episode of the show that shares his backstory.

[Yodaking]

Dedication and Love are different enough that I don't think it really an issue you have to worry about. If you do want to change the name anyway though, I wonder if Dedication is the right word to describe his situation. When I read that history lesson on him you wrote up, I didn't get 'dedication' out of it. He seems more 'compelled' by other forces to follow a path rather then being 'dedicated' to a cause or person. Maybe something like Unholy Compulsion or Reluctant Sidekick?

[Soundwarp SG-1]

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

Can't wait to pair him with Bump and Set.

Weirdly enough, Bump actually was a semi-important character in IDW right before the shift to the new universe. So I guess he could justify a card .

Completely different character from the Neo version (20 foot tall or so Eukarian rookie Autobot/rebel compared to 6 foot tall or so neutral asocial physicist hobo). Still good enough for the word play though.

[Ronin]

Originally Posted by Yodaking

Dedication and Love are different enough that I don't think it really an issue you have to worry about.

Yeah, I'm not worried about anyone mixing the powers up based on the anmes, but if we can work out something else I also like for the power name, I might prefer to leave 'Undying xxx' type names more aesthetically associated with powers more like Hawkman's.

If you do want to change the name anyway though, I wonder if Dedication is the right word to describe his situation. When I read that history lesson on him you wrote up, I didn't get 'dedication' out of it. He seems more 'compelled' by other forces to follow a path rather then being 'dedicated' to a cause or person. Maybe something like Unholy Compulsion or Reluctant Sidekick?

Well, yes and no on being compelled. I was focusing a little more on his high-level arc and the whys and wherefores of his alignment switches than on his emotional life in that write-up. (Mainly because I wanted to establish the rationale behind his synergy set, and I will talk for six years about any character that I really like)

He does get his unlife shaken up in a couple big ways by outside forces (getting vamped by Dru in the first place and then getting chipped), but a lot of what makes him tick and dictates his path is at first his devotion to Dru, and then falling for Buffy later on.

I think the reluctant vibe would work for him early on in his redemptive arc where he's more conflicted, but not really later on after he reforms. (And not while he was evil either) The compulsion thing kinda works for his evil period, but it's not an outstanding fit.

Originally Posted by IAmBatman

What about Fool for Love? That's the title of an episode of the show that shares his backstory.

I could see going for that. It's kind of a specific reference that doesn't evoke the power directly, but it works.

[johnny139]

You could always just go with "Immortal" or "Eternal" instead of Undying. Hits pretty similar notes.

[Ronin]

Results from Midgie:

Originally Posted by Midgieboy3

Spike:
Army Test
Map: SEWER LABYRINTH.
Units: Team #1(Red)-Spike, Brides of Dracula, The Crow, and Deadshot.=650
Team #2(Blue)-Buffy Summers, Angel, and Blade.=640.

Spoiler Alert!

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes):

(12-7 Red)ROUND ONE:Spike chooses The Crow for “Undying Dedication”. The Crow placed his Crow marker onto Buffy. Buffy chooses Spike for “The Chosen One”.
RT1-Deadshot moves four spaces onto the second level sidewalk tile.
BT1-Buffy moves five spaces onto the second level road tile.
RT2-Spike moves six spaces onto the second level road tile.
BT2-Angel moves six spaces onto the second level road tile adj. to Buffy.
RT3-The Crow moves four spaces onto the second level sidewalk tile. The Crow activates Spike, Spike moves one space onto the second level road tile.
BT3-Blade moves four spaces onto the second level sidewalk tile.

(17-5 Red)ROUND TWO:

RT1-The Crow moves five spaces. Spike is three clear spaces away Spikes “Undying Dedication”moves Spike two spaces adj. to The Crow.
BT1-Blade moves five spaces onto the first level water.
RT2-Two Brides of Dracula move six spaces not on second level road tile, the third Bride moves five spaces onto the second level sidewalk tile.
BT2-Buffy moves six spaces onto the second level road tile
RT3-Spike moves five spaces adj. to Buffy and attack’s. Buffy has height advantage and defends the attack(2-3).
BT3-Angel moves five spaces adj. to Spike, and attack’s. Spike defends the attack(3-3)

(7-9 Blue) ROUND THREE:

BT1-Buffy attack’s Spike with height(3-1 no blanks were rolled). Spike has four life left.
RT1-Spike attack’s Angel(3-1) and gives Angel two wounds.
BT2-Blade moves two spaces onto the second level road tile, and attack’s The Crow three spaces away. The Crow rolls two fewer defense die from Silver Weapons. The Crow receives four wounds(1-0,3-0).
RT2- All three Brides of Dracula move five spaces one is adj. to blade, angel and another Bride. The second bride is adj. to Spike, Angel, Blade, and two other Brides. The third is adj. to a fellow bride and Blade. Two Brides attack’s Angel destroying him(3-2,2-3,2-0,2-1).
BT3-Angel was destroyed the previous turn.
RT3-The Crow moves four spaces onto the second level road tile. Spikes Undying Dedication is activated moving Spike two spaces still adj. to Buffy(Spike is three spaces away from Crow). The Crow attack’s Buffy from three spaces away. Buffy defends the attack(2-3). Sucker Punch was unsuccessful.

(7-4 Blue)ROUND FOUR:Spike heals one wound.

BT1-Blade moves four spaces onto the second level road tile.. Blade uses Day Walker destroying one Bride of Dracula. Blade attack’s Deadshot from four spaces away. Deadshot receives three wounds(2-1,2-0).
RT1-Deadshot uses Sniper Targeting attacking Blade four spaces away. Blade receives three wounds(4-1).
BT2-Buffy attack’s Spike. Spike receives three wounds(4-1).
RT2-The Brides of Dracula both move one space on first level road tile adj. to Buffy and attack’s, Buffy has height. Buffy receives one wound from the Brides(2-1,0,1-2,0) and one wound from Sucker Punch. The Crow marker goes back on the Crow.
BT3-Buffy attack’s both Brides of Dracula and Spike(Slayer Training). Both Brides of Dracula are destroyed(3-2,2-0). Buffy destroys Spike(3-0). The Crow marker is back on Buffy.
RT3-Spike was destroyed the previous turn.

(9-17 Red) ROUND FIVE:

RT1-Deadshot destroys Blade(4-2).
BT1-Blade was destroyed the previous turn.
RT2-The Crow moves five spaces onto the second level road tile and attack’s Buffy three spaces away. Buffy receives one wound(3-4,1-0). The Crow Marker is back on Crow.
BT2-Buffy moves three spaces away onto the second level road tile adj. to The Crow. Buffy attack’s Crow three spaces away, but the attack whiffs(no skulls).
RT3-The Crow attack’s an adj. Buffy. She receives one wound(2-3,1-0). She has one life left.
BT3-Buffy attack’s The Crow and destroys him(5-0).

(18-4 Red)ROUND SIX:
RT1-Deadshot attack’s Buffy seven spaces away and destroys her(2-0). GAME.

Red Team wins early sixth round: Deadshot received three wounds.

First game thoughts: Spike has to avoid Buffy, I knew she would be a problem I tried to jump on her quick and with range and sucker punch. Spike was able to advance up the map swiftly with Undying Dedication. Overall the unit moves smoothly and I have no issue so far.[/B]

___________________________________________________________

SPIKE:

Army Test
Map: SWAMP LAB.
Units: Red Team: Spike, Angel(Liam), Angel(Warren Worthington II)Buffy, and Bane.=890
Blue Team: Frankenstein, Blade, Solomon Grundy, and Arkham Inmates.=900.

Spoiler Alert!

(3-8 Red)ROUND ONE: Buffy chooses Frankenstein for The Chosen One. Spike chooses Buffy for Undying Dedication.

RT1-Buffy moves five spaces onto the second level road tile. Undying Dedication moves spike six spaces adj. to Buffy.
BT1-Frankenstein moves four spaces onto the second level sidewalk tile.
RT2-Angel(Liam) moves five spaces adj. to Spike and Buffy.
BT2-Blade moves four spaces into the first level Swamp.
RT3-Bane moves four spaces adj to Spike and Angel(Liam).
BT3-Grundy moves four spaces onto the second level sidewalk tile adj. to Frankenstein.

(18-6 Blue)ROUND TWO:

BT1- Arkham Inmates move three x2 and two x1 spaces onto the second level sidewalk tile.
RT1- Angel(WWII) moves six spaces into the first level swamp grass tile.
BT2-Blade moves two spaces onto the first level swamp grass tile.
RT2-Buffy moves six spaces still on second level road tile. Spike moves six spaces still adj to Buffy.
BT3-Frankenstein moves three spaces and attack’s Buffy from three spaces away. Buffy defends the attack(2-3).
RT3-Angel(Liam) moves four spaces into the first level water.

(12-4 Red)ROUND THREE:

RT1-Bane moves five spaces onto the second level road tile.
BT1-Blade moves three spaces and attack’s Buffy. Buffy defends the attack(3-3).
RT2-Buffy moves one space onto the first level swamp grass, Spike is activated and moves four spaces adj to Blade and is two spaces away from Buffy. Buffy attack’s Blade with CSA. Blade is 2 spaces away and defends the attack(2-3). Spike rolls a Skull for Sucker Punch Blade has four life left.
BT2-Frankenstein moves four spaces adj. to Buffy, Spike, and Blade. Frankenstein attack’s Buffy. Buffy receives two wounds(4-2).
RT3-Spike attack’s Blade (3-0). Blade has one life left.
BT3-Grundy moves five spaces onto the first level road tile.

(11-9 Blue) ROUND FOUR: Spike heals one wound.

BT1-Blade moves four spaces. Blade moves through Spike and rolls two skulls. Spike has four life left. Blade moves four spaces onto the second level road adj. to Bane and attack’s. Bane defends the attack(3-4).
RT1-Buffy attack’s Frankenstein. Frankenstein receives two wound from Undead Resilience(5-1). Spike successfully rolls for Sucker Punch. Frankenstein has four life left.
BT2-Grundy moves three spaces asks to Frankenstein and Spike, Grundy attack’s Spike(6-2). Spike has one life left.
RT2-Bane rolls a 10 for Venom Injection and attack’s Blade(2-0). Blade is destroyed
BT3-Frankenstein moves one space still adj. to Buffy and Spike, and attack’s Spike(5-3). Spike is destroyed.
RT3-Angel(Liam) moves four spaces onto the second level road tile.

(14-17 Blue) ROUND FIVE:

BT1-Grundy moves one space adj. to Buffy, and Frankenstein. Grundy attack’s Buffy(5-1). Buffy is destroyed.
RT1-Bane moves four spaces onto the first level road tile.
BT2-Frankenstein moves two spaces adj. to Bane and attack’s(2-3). Bane blocks attack. Frankenstein activates Grundy, Grundy moves three spaces adj. to Bane and Frankenstein. Bane is attacked and receives four wounds(5-1). Bane has two life left.
RT2-Buffy is destroyed the previous turn.
BT3-All three Arkham Inmates move four spaces.
RT3-Angel moves one space adj. to an Arkham Inmate, attack’s and destroys him(3-1). Dark Avenger roll was 16.

(20-13 Red) ROUND SIX:

RT1-Angel moves one space adj. to a Arkham Inmate, attack’s and destroys him(4-1). Dark Avenger roll is 7.
BT1-Grundy moves three spaces still adj. to Bane. Grundy attack’s Bane with height.
RT2-Bane was destroyed the previous turn.
BT2-Frankenstein moves three spaces into the water and attack’s Angel(WWII) four spaces away. Angel has height(4-2). Angel has two life left.
RT3-Angel moves three spaces adj. to Frankenstein and attack’s with height(2-2). Frankenstein defends the attack.
BT3-Grundy moves one space adj. to Angel(Liam) and attack’s(7-1). Angel(Liam) is destroyed

(9-15 Blue) ROUND SEVEN:

BT1- Frankenstein moves two spaces still adj. to Angel, and attack’s(3-1). Angel(WWII) is destroyed. Blue wins beginning first round.





LIST WHO WON HERE:BLUE TEAM WINS:Frankenstein 3 wounds, one Arkham Inmate, and Grundy didnt take a hit [/B]

THOUGHTS ON THE TESTED UNIT'S COST, BALANCE, & DRAFTABILITY: Spike did work early but that is the same reason He died first. Sucker Punch is a nice way to tally up wounds. The only problem was against the heavy hitters. Frankenstein synergy with Grundy was to much for the Red Team.

GENERAL THOUGHTS ON THE TESTED UNIT: [COLOR=“Red”]Spike is basically the same as Angel(Liam) witch is good, thematically it is good that Buffy works with and against Spike. Overall the games were competitive and fun.[/COLOR]

[IAmBatman]

So, looks like small win and big loss?

[Ronin]

Yep. Looks like he was playing with the pre-reeval Crow in that first game, but wasn't playing him in a particularly juiced way.

[Lord Pyre]

Originally Posted by Ronin

Yep. Looks like he was playing with the pre-reeval Crow in that first game, but wasn't playing him in a particularly juiced way.

Speaking of which, is there a list of all mechanically updated units? I don't want to accidentally do something like that.