The Book of Black Lightning

[IAmBatman]

The Book of Black Lightning

C3G DC WAVE 32
YEAR OF THE HERO

Comic PDF

Mini PDF

The figure used for this unit is a Heroclix figure from the DC Collateral Damage set.
Its model number and name are #046-048 / Black Lightning.
Its model number and name are #204 / Jefferson Pierce.
​

_________________________________________________________________

Character Bio - “A gold medal-winning Olympic decathlete, Jefferson Pierce, returned to his old neighborhood in the Southside (Suicide Slum) section of the city of Metropolis, with his wife Lynn Stewart and his daughter Anissa to become the principal of Garfield High School [.…] A family friend and tailor, Peter Gambi, had taught a much younger Jefferson how to suppress his inborn metahuman abilities so that he would not accidentally hurt any of the people he cared about. Upon his return, Gambi suggested to Jefferson that he should use his powers to help the neighborhood, and refers him to a plaque with the paraphrased Milo Sweetman quote ‘Justice, like lightning, should ever appear to some men hope, to other men fear.’ [….] Pierce adopts the costumed identity ‘Black Lightning’ where he had the costume, mask, and wig made by his tailor Peter Gambi. Years later, he would tell fellow African American superhero Mister Terrific that he chose the name Black Lightning because he ‘was the only one of us around’ at the time, and he ‘wanted to make sure everyone knew who they were dealing with’” (Wikipedia 2018 ).

_________________________________________________________________

-Rulings and Clarifications-

• N/A

_________________________________________________________________

-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:

• As a Metahuman, Black Lightning has the following Metahuman Synergies.
• As an Interloper, Black Lightning has the following Interloper Synergies.

Outgoing Synergy:

• Black Lightning can raise the defense of Interlopers you control within 3 clear sight spaces.

Immunities, Benefits, and Weaknesses:

• As a figure with the Electrically Charged special power, Black Lightning is affected differently by these special powers.
• Black Lightning's Lightning Lash Special Attack does not affect figures with the Electrically Charged special power.

_________________________________________________________________

-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• Outsiders faction guide

-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

• Initial playtest: (IAmBatman)
• Second playtest: (Ericth74)
• Third playtest: (Tornado)
• Art: Comic, Figure, Background
• Art by Scapemage

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Breathing

NAME = BLACK LIGHTNING
SECRET IDENTITY = JEFFERSON PIERCE

SPECIES = METAHUMAN
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = INTERLOPER
PERSONALITY = RIGHTEOUS
SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 4
MOVE = 6
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 5
DEFENSE = 5
POINTS = 160

LIGHTNING CHAIN
When Black Lightning, a figure you control adjacent to Black Lightning, or an Interloper you control within 3 clear sight spaces of Black Lightning defends against a normal attack, you may add 1 die to your roll. If the attacking figure is adjacent to a figure you control with the Electrically Charged special power, all excess shields count as unblockable hits on the attacking figure.

LIGHTNING LASH SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 5. Attack 5 + Special.
After attacking with this special attack, Black Lightning may attack one additional time for each Wound Marker that was on this Army Card at the start of his turn, rolling 1 fewer attack die for each subsequent attack. Any affected figure that occupies a water space rolls 1 fewer defense die. Figures with the Electrically Charged special power are not affected by this special attack.

ELECTRICALLY CHARGED
Black Lightning rolls 1 fewer defense die when he is on a water space.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Breathing

Mini Picture

Alternate Mini Picture

Background

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Breathing

Notes:

1. I'll probably change the mini info based on what we have pics of.
2. I changed the name of his lightning attack and made it connected to his having wounds after reading his bio and seeing he could make a "special black colored lightning when he got angry." Thought it could help differentiate this a tad.
3. Went with the Lightning Chain name. The only mechanical difference between johnny's last suggestion and this is that I put a requirement that the attacking figure be adjacent to a figure with Electrically Charged that you control in order to make the Counter Strike aspect work. Otherwise it could hit at limitless range, and that's too much, IMO.
@Ronin @Yodaking @johnny139 @japes

 

[johnny139]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Breathing

It being melee was my intention, no issues with the tweak there. You could also limit it to just Electrically Charged figures ("If the defending figure is adjacent to the attacking figure and has the Electrically Charged special power, all excess shields count as unblockable hits on the attacking figure.") if that one feels too potent.

I think "Black Lightning Rage" sounds a little goofy - reading the theme makes it click a bit better, but it seems a bit close to "BLACK LIGHTNING SMASH!" to a layman. If you want to incorporate the anger, maybe "LIGHTNING LASH" instead? He's lashing someone (like, hitting them quickly) and also lashing out (reacting quickly and with anger).

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Breathing

Yeah, something we can toy with the power title for. Lightning Lash is a consideration. Or maybe Rage Lightning? Obviously the Black and Lightning combo is too hard to see as anything but his name.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Breathing

Power title updated to Lightning Lash, second mini option posted in the SP. Art will have to let me know if either of those mini pictures work ( @Arkham @japes ). My preference is to go with the first, more modern mini, but I can go retro throwback if the pictures there are better.

Next step is to checklist both my LDs and then get some votes going.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Design Phase

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.

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, unless you count what's basically Counter Strike.

Does the design immobilize figures or prevent turn-taking (Blob, Spider-Girl, Diablo, Green Lantern Alan)?

No.

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.

Does the design allow for moving friendly figures without taking turns, or for moving 2+ friendly figures while still taking a turn (Martian Manhunter , Green Lantern John, Angel)?

No.

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.

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. He gives a passive boost to nearby Interlopers and figures with the Electrically Charged special power. Not a concerning group, IMO.

Does the design help keep your allies alive just by being nearby (Daring Decoy, Aaron Cash, Jocasta, Weather Wizard)?

Yes. But only with +1 defense against normal attacks. And only at the sacrifice of his special attack.

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)?

N/A

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

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)?

Not likely, no. Maybe against a group of low attack melee squaddies, but that's no different than anyone else with Counter Strike.

Will synergies in the design create concerns for future designs (Mad Thinker, pre-eval Enchantress, Star-Lord)?

Not likely, no, especially based on projections for Interlopers as a faction.

Does the design combo particularly well with one of the design concerns above (Magma)?

Not that I can see.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Design Phase

I propose we move to Initial Playtesting here!

 

[Ronin]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - VOTE for Initial Playtesti

yea

 

[Tornado]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - VOTE for Initial Playtesti

Yea

 

[japes]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - VOTE for Initial Playtesti

yea

 

[Arkham]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - VOTE for Initial Playtesti

yea

 

[johnny139]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - VOTE for Initial Playtesti

Yea

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - VOTE for Initial Playtesti

Cool. This is on pace to pass by this evening. No idea when/if I'll get to any testing!

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - VOTE for Initial Playtesti

This passes to Initial Playtesting. I'm hitting the road on Tuesday and will be away from my Scape until the new year, but I'll try to get at least one of these done tonight.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Initial Playtesting

C3G STANDARD PLAYTEST FEEDBACK FORM

NAME OF THE PLAYTEST UNIT: BLACK LIGHTNING

Army Test
Map: Custom
Units: Black Lightning (160), Metamorpho (290), Katana (190), Arsenal (170), Lightning Lad (180) (990) vs Fantastic Four (1,000)

Spoiler Alert!

Round 1: Initiative Outsiders. Lightning Lad flies to height and waits.
Mister Fantastic sends Invisible Woman to height and trails after.
Black Lightning climbs alongside Lightning Lad.
Mister Fantastic leads really well and sends Thing up towards the middle, sends Human Torch to even height with Lightning Lad, resulting in a fiery blast Lightning Lad blocks without Black Lightning’s help (though the help did add a shield), sends Invisible Woman to one flank (she scores two wounds on Lightning Lad when he whiffs, even with Black Lightning’s defensive boost), then moves out towards the middle himself. Black Lightning’s defensive boost is the difference between Lightning Lad getting KOed from Mister Fantastic’s attack or just taking one wound. So Lightning Lad lives to fight another day.
Metamorpho takes height on Mister Fantastic, three spaces from Black Lightning. Arsenal shoots at Mister Fantastic from long range, but misses. Katanna moves up two spaces. Metamorpho hits Mister Fantastic for one wound while still in gas form.
Mister Fantastic sends Thing rumbling up, too slow to find a target yet. Then Human Torch flies beside Invisible Woman and blasts Lightning Lad out of the game (Lightning Lad whiffs again on six dice). Then Mister Fantastic takes even height with Metamorpho and hits him for one wound.

Round 2: Initiative Fantastic Four. Mister Fantastic rolls well enough to have Human Torch try and fail an attack on Black Lightning and Thing hit Metamorpho for two wounds. Mister Fantastic then whiffs an attack on Metamorpho.
Metamorpho goes fully solid, Arsenal fails an attack on Mister Fantastic, Katanna moves two spaces, and Metamorpho attacks Thing from height, scoring three wounds as Thing rolls only one shield on ten defensive dice.
Mister Fantastic has Invisible Woman move up and fail an attack from height on Katanna. Then Human Torch attacks Black Lightning from height and scores two wounds. Then Thing takes a leaving engagement wound from Metamorpho to engage Black Lightning from height, and puts a third wound on Black Lightning. Finally, Mister Fantastic tries and fails to put another wound on Metamorpho.
Metamorpho goes, and Arsenal fails an attack on Thing, then Katanna moves adjacent to Human Torch and Metamorpho attacks Mister Fantastic, and just fails to hit.
Mister Fantastic continues to roll well, having Invisible Woman pull back, firing at Katanna from range and height, to no effect. Then Thing finishes Black Lightning. Mister Fantastic puts a fourth wound on Metamorpho.
Katanna goes, moving up to engage Invisible Woman. Before she attacks, Arsenal puts a fifth wound on Thing, then Katanna moves two more spaces, then puts four quick wounds on Invisible Woman and moves three spaces further from Thing.

Round 3: Initiative Fantastic Four. Thing clobbers Metamorpho to dust. Then Mister Fantastic gets height on Katanna and locks her down. She rolls like a boss on defense, though, and counter strikes him for second and third wounds.
Katanna goes, and can’t move, so Arsenal strikes, but can’t hit Thing. He does move himself two spaces closer. Katanna, with no options, attacks Mister Fantastic twice, putting a fourth wound on him.
Mister Fantastic has Thing move up and Clobber Katanna into dust. Then Mister Fantastic moves towards Arsenal.
Outsiders are missing their OM2 and OM3, so Mister Fantastic finishes the round, having Human Torch and Invisible Woman hit Arsenal for one wound each, then whiffing a chance to finish the Titan.

Round 4: Initiative Arsenal. He moves adjacent to Invisible Woman, fails to Bolas Mister Fantastic, then KO’s Invisible Woman.
Mister Fantastic has Human Torch Flame On for a third wound on Arsenal (Arsenal misses the swipe), then has Human Torch punch out Arsenal for the win.

Unit Summary: I played Black Lightning back, defensively, so the other Interloper sharks could try to soften up the Fantastic Four first, but they easily dispatched of him and his allies and Black Lightning’s offense never came out. Mister Fantastic’s leadership rolls were great and the attack and defense rolls were even enough that the Outsiders couldn’t keep up with the extra turns.

• Damage Done (Normal Attack): None
• LIGHTNING CHAIN: Useful for helping his allies, but not enough to stop Clobberin’ Time from going crazy.
• LIGHTNING LASH: Not used.
• ELECTRICALLY CHARGED: No water on the map. Never resulted in any wounds.
• Damage Taken: KOed in Round 2.

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Mister Fantastic with 1/5 Life, Thing with 1/6 Life, and Human Torch with 5/5 Life win.

___________________________________________________________​

Army Test
Map: Custom
Units: Black Lightning (160), Electro (135), Creeper (125), Lightning Lad (180), Arsenal (170), Jade (240) (1,010) vs Professor X, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Angel, Iceman (1,000)

Spoiler Alert!

Round 1: Initiative Outsiders. Electro moves up, but has no targets yet.
Professor X has Angel carry him to height, then has Jean move up (but she has no targets yet).
Lightning Lad goes, flying up to height and hits Jean Grey for one wound with his normal attack.
Professor X has Cyclops come up, but he can’t pierce Electro’s defenses. Jean wounds Lightning Lad with her throw, but can’t double down with her normal attack.
Black Lightning removes his marker and moves up adjacent to his electric buddies, Arsenal blasts Jean for a wound from full range and then moves himself up two spaces, then Black Lightning blasts Jean for a second wound, but fails to follow it up on subsequent strikes.
Professor X has Cyclops and Jean tag team Lightning Lad, but the most they can do is move Lightning Lad away from Black Lightning.

Round 2: Initiative X-Men. Cyclops and Jean tag team Lightning Lad again, and despite mostly terrible rolls, Jean aces her normal attack and KOs Lightning Lad.
Black Lightning keeps the marker off, but Jean Psionic Grips him. Arsenal fails to hit Jean from long range, but moves himself up two. Black Lightning KOs Jean, then rolls four skulls on Professor X, resulting in Prof X. burning the “X” Order Marker with Psychic Defense.
Professor X has Iceman Ice Slide up to height and hit Black Lightning for a quick wound. Cyclops also attacks from height, but Black Lightning continues to roll defense like a champ (3 shields twice in a row) and only takes a second wound.
Black Lightning goes, with Arsenal shooting at Prof X. from long range. This triggers Guardian Angel, but Angel can’t fly out of Black Lightning’s range, so just opts to keep height advantage, but does rearrange things so he’s Black Lightning’s only viable target. Black Lightning lets loose with Lightning Lash, but Angel rolls really well on defense and only takes one wound.
Professor X has Cyclops engage Black Lightning and both Cyclops and Iceman fire at Black Lightning, but neither can hit.
Lightning Lad took OM3 with him when he fell.

Round 3: Initiative X-Men. Iceman KOs Black Lightning and Cyclops puts two quick wounds on Arsenal.
Black Lightning took OM1 with him.
Iceman and Cyclops combine to KO Electro, taking the rest of the OMs for the round.
Iceman and Cyclops converge on Arsenal, with Cyclops KOing him.

Round 4: Initiative X-Men. Beast moves up. Cyclops takes a shot at Jade in the start zone, but can’t hit.
Jade rockets up and assaults Cyclops from height for three quick wounds. Angel flies around and advances Beast.
Professor X has Beast try and fail to hit Jade from height disadvantage. Cyclops climbs to even height and gets one hit in.
Jade removes her first Battery Marker to heal, then punches Beast from height for four wounds.
Professor X has Cyclops try and fail to blast Jade, then has Beast negotiate off the “X” before leaping away.
Jade finishes the round, finishing Cyclops.

Round 5: Initiative X-Men. Angel flies Professor X into Psychic Defense X range, but can’t hit Jade from height disadvantage. Beast gets the same height, but can’t hit either.
Jade rolls 3 skulls, so Professor X ends her turn with Psychic Defense X.
Prof X has Iceman unleash his special attack, resulting in two wounds, but Iceman can’t freeze off an Order Marker. Beast can’t land a hit.
Jade clears another wound with her last Battery Marker, then whiffs a chance to put down Beast.
Prof X has Beast attack Jade and she whiffs, falling.
Jade had OM3, ending the round.

Round 6: Initiative Creeper. He gets his first Insanity Marker and engages Beast, but can’t put Beast down.
Prof X has Beast and Iceman tag team Creeper, resulting in two wounds.
Creeper doesn’t go any crazier, instead Stealth Leaping next to Beast and attacking with a normal attack. He rolls 3 skulls and Professor X triggers Psychic Defense X. Creeper’s turn has ended, so he heals one wound.
Prof X has Beast and Iceman tag team Creeper, combining to put three more wounds on him.
Creeper progresses in his psychosis, and finally KOs Beast, then removes one wound.
Prof X has Angel and Iceman tag team Creeper now, with Angel putting a fourth wound on Creeper, but Iceman just unable to finish it.

Round 7: Initiative X-Men (big swing here). Prof X has Iceman successfully put Creeper down.

Unit Summary: Black Lightning mustered some offense early, but wasn’t mighty enough to cut through much of the X-Men’s forces. His defense was too tough to set up while maintaining a proper offense. He was almost in position to put a beating on Professor X during a pivotal portion of the game, but Angel’s shenanigans denied it.

• Damage Done (Normal Attack): None.
• LIGHTNING CHAIN: Not used.
• LIGHTNING LASH: 2 Wounds on Jean Grey and 1 Wound on Angel.
• ELECTRICALLY CHARGED: No water on the map. Didn’t result in any wounds.
• Damage Taken: KOed Round 3.

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Professor X with 4/4 Life, Iceman with 4/4 Life, and Angel with ¾ Life win.

___________________________________________________________​

Army Test
Map: Custom
Units: Black Lightning (160), Electro (135), Creeper (125), Lightning Lad (180), Arsenal (170), Jade (240) (1,010) vs Batman (200), Robin (Dick) (100), Black Canary (190), Oracle (110), Green Arrow (Oliver) (150), Batgirl (Cassie) (130), Robin (Tim) (120) (1,000)

Spoiler Alert!

Round 1: Initiative Gotham Knights. Black Canary moves up, with Batgirl and Robin (Dick) in tow.
Electro advances and sends an Electrostatic Bolt at Canary, but can’t hit her.
Black Canary charges right into engagement with Electro, who can’t hurt her with his skin. Batgirl grapples up further. She hits Electro for one wound (not enough skulls for Fists of Fury). Cupid’s Arrow can’t follow up with a second, but Robin (Dick) taking height from range and following the Secret Attack Plan, does hit Electro for a second wound.
Black Lightning moves adjacent to Electro, backing his buddy up, then Arsenal fails an attack on Robin before moving himself forward two spaces. Black Lightning then lets loose with Lightning Lash, benefitting from Black Canary’s bad defense rolls to KO her. Oracle’s Contingency Plan moves Order Marker 3 to Batman.
Batman advances, but not in range. Batgirl grapples to flank him on height. Robin falls back, taking height near Batman, and attacks Electro, but he can’t touch Electro.
Jade goes next, flying to height within range of Batman and Batgirl. Arsenal fires at Batgirl, but she had a premonition and easily dodges. Jade fires at Batman, and he fails to evade, but his armor holds.


Round 2: Initiative Gotham Knights (second one Oracle has swung). Batman starts it, moving adjacent to Jade. Batgirl stays put. Batman fails to hit Jade. Robin (Dick) engages Jade from height disadvantage, but can’t hit either.
Jade goes, with Arsenal blasting at Batman, but failing to hit (no Evasive Strike, though), then Black Lightning moving adjacent to Batman. Jade finally attacks Robin, who whiffs and falls in one shot.
Batman grapples backwards, Batgirl grapples into his spot, engaged with Jade and Black Lightning, and Batman throws Batarangs for his special attack, failing to hit Jade or Electro, but snagging Black Lightning for two wounds. Robin (Tim) advances, but his normal attack can’t hit Black Lightning.
Black Lightning goes, with Arsenal shooting at Batgirl as a distraction, Batgirl having a premonition (but Arsenal being too far away to get struck back), Black Lightning disengaging thanks to the Team Cover Fire, and Black Lightning putting only one wound on Robin with his special attack.
Green Arrow goes, targeting Black Lightning as the biggest threat, following the Secret Attack Plan and bringing little skill to his shot (10), but still landing the two wounds needed to finish Black Lightning, despite Lightning Lash being on.
Electro goes, sending his bolts at Batman and Robin, but only taking one wound from Evasive Strike.

Round 3: Initiative Gotham Knights (once again thanks to Oracle). Green Arrow starts off, and by following the Secret Attack Plan, he KOs Electro.
Jade goes, meaning Arsenal shoots at Batgirl (who again had a Premonition and blocks). Jade uses Team Cover Fire to move away from Batgirl and blasts Robin for a second and third wound.
Batman punches Jade for two wounds. Robin comes alongside Batman and hits her for a third wound.
Jade removes a Battery Marker to heal a wound, then Arsenal maxes out his range to shoot at Batman, failing, but letting Jade disengage. She then blasts down at Robin, finally KOing him.
Batman sprints down to Arsenal and punches the Titan for two wounds. Batgirl has also grappled alongside Batman, into engagement.
Jade goes, removing her second Battery Marker and getting down to one wound. Arsenal tries punching Batman in the face, and Batman fails to evade, but his armor holds. Jade blasts down at Batgirl from four spaces away, and Batgirl doesn’t see it coming and takes two wounds.

Round 4: Initiative Outsiders. Jade goes, so Arsenal takes a swing at Batgirl, hitting her for a wound. He moves Creeper up two spaces. Jade attacks Batgirl, who does see it coming, but can’t do enough and is KOed.
Batman goes, knocking out Arsenal in response.
Jade goes, engaging Green Arrow from height, but only rolling one skull, which he blocks.
Green Arrow goes, taking even height with Jade, and following the Secret Attack Plan. She easily blocks.
Lightning Lad goes, rolling all skulls on his special attack. Batman rolls a 14 for Evasive Strike, just missing, and takes three wounds.
Green Arrow goes, dodging a swipe from Jade, hitting a 20 for Skill Shot, and one-shotting Lightning Lad from height.

Round 5: Initiative Gotham Knights. Green Arrow takes even height with Jade from range, but does little else right, failing to hit Jade with his attack.
Jade goes, hitting Oracle for a quick wound.
Green Arrow goes again, adding the Secret Attack Plan and height, but only musters 3 skulls and Jade hits 6 shields on 7 dice.
Jade goes, KOing Oracle.
Batman goes, hitting Creeper for two quick wounds.
Jade goes, engaging Green Arrow from height disadvantage, but failing to hit him.

Round 6: Initiative Outsiders. Creeper goes, avoiding his psychosis, Stealth Leaping adjacent to Green Arrow, failing an attack, and healing a wound.
Batman goes, grappling into engagement with both enemies, and catches Jade by surprise, hitting her for two Wounds.
Jade goes, hitting Green Arrow for two wounds from height disadvantage.
Green Arrow goes, but can’t finish Jade from height.
Jade goes, and does finish Green Arrow.
Green Arrow takes OM3 with him.

Round 7: Initiative Batman, who takes the highest height and puts one wound on Creeper.
Jade goes, Batman fails to evade and whiffs his defense from height, falling.

Unit Summary: He was feeling a bit weak, so for this one I decided to drop the marker mechanic and just let both Lightning Chain and Lightning Lash always be on. I figured the tactical placement of figures for Lightning Lash was enough strategy already. He put a big target on his head, but his allies, Jade especially (who has been a beast in these games) came through and finished the Vigilantes. This definitely could’ve gone either way.

• Damage Done (Normal Attack): N/A
• LIGHTNING CHAIN: It was useful, but special attacks got around it as well. I think it’s OK for it to be always on.
• LIGHTNING LASH: I used it a lot here, KOing Black Canary and putting one wound on Robin (Tim).
• ELECTRICALLY CHARGED: No water on the map.
• Damage Taken: KOed at the end of Round 2.

Who won? List figures remaining in the winning army (include life remaining for heroes): Jade with 1/4 Life and Creeper with 3/5 Life win.

___________________________________________________________​

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Breathing

So I found Black Lightning to be a bit too fragile and his defensive boost to be a bit too small for me to think the who marker restriction was worth it. There's still plenty of tactical adjustment to be had to try to set him up
for the Counter Strike, so I just don't think the marker is needed.

I did the third of the three tests this way and didn't find it overpowered at all. So I'd like to change to the below version and go forward to public playtesting at 160 points for now.

What say ye?

NAME = BLACK LIGHTNING
SECRET IDENTITY = JEFFERSON PIERCE

SPECIES = METAHUMAN
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = INTERLOPER
PERSONALITY = RIGHTEOUS
SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 4
MOVE = 6
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 5
DEFENSE = 5
POINTS = 160?

LIGHTNING CHAIN
When Black Lightning, a figure adjacent to Black Lightning, or an Interloper within 3 clear sight spaces of Black Lightning defends against a normal attack, you may add 1 die to your roll. If the attacking figure is adjacent to a figure you control with the Electrically Charged special power, all excess shields count as unblockable hits on the attacking figure.

LIGHTNING LASH SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 5. Attack 5 + Special.
After attacking with this special attack, Black Lightning may attack one additional time for each Wound Marker on this Army Card, rolling 1 fewer attack die for each subsequent attack. Any affected figure that occupies a water space rolls 1 fewer defense die. Figures with the Electrically Charged special power are not affected by this special attack.

ELECTRICALLY CHARGED
Black Lightning rolls 1 fewer defense die when he is on a water space.

 

[johnny139]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Initial Playtest Posted

Works for me - you could probably fiddle with the balance if you wanted to stick with the marker, but I don't think the marker is integral to the design so I'm fine seeing it cut.

 

[Arkham]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Initial Playtest Posted

 

[japes]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Initial Playtest Posted

 

[Tornado]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Initial Playtest Posted

Cool. I like how Electro could get some light synergy.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - Initial Playtest Posted

Yeah, it's just more fun to not have to worry about the restriction, I think, and for his powers to be all on. Since y'all are in favor, I'm updating the SP now and propose we move to Public Playtesting.

 

[Ronin]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - VOTE for Public Playtestin



Looks a lot cleaner with the marker cut.

yea

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book of Black Lightning - VOTE for Public Playtestin

Yea tests look really promising, especially the last after the change.