The Book of Jewel

[NecroBlade]

Re: The Book of Jewel - Design Phase

Yea

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book of Jewel - Design Phase

Yea.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - Design Phase

Down to Hahma, A3n, GO, and Whitey!

 

[A3n]

Re: The Book of Jewel - Design Phase

You had me at, oh you just want a vote, ok, Yea.

 

[Hahma]

Re: The Book of Jewel - Design Phase

yea

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - Design Phase

This passes to ERB on time!

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

Early return!

Yeah, the "must" is definitely worth considering here. Might not be needed, but couldn't hurt.
I could see lowering her to 4 move, but it'd make her just annoying to play a lot of the time, especially when she's forced to walk.
She's really only fast right now when her powers fluctuate on the up side, and that's pretty unreliable.

They're trying to call her Power Woman right now.

Interesting. You might need a "must" on her fluctuation text. Thematically, she could be a little slower. She's never been a particularly fast flyer.

Thanks in advance for all your help with this!

NAME = JEWEL
SECRET IDENTITY = JESSICA JONES

SPECIES = MUTATE
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = SLEUTH
PERSONALITY = INTUITIVE
SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

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

POWER FLUCTUATIONS
Before taking a turn with Jewel, roll the 20-sided die. If you roll

* 1-5, Jewel may not use any special powers on this Army Card for the remainder of this turn,
* 6-15, nothing happens,
* 16 or higher, add one to Jewel's Move and Attack numbers for the remainder of this turn.

PSYCHIC VULNERABILITY
When Jewel rolls defense against a normal or special attack from a Telepath, she rolls one fewer defense die.

FLYING
SUPER STRENGTH

Design notes:

Yeah, she's a bit more of an obscure character, and for those DC fans she's kind of the Marvel equivalent of Donna Troy - she's been called lots of things, had lots of variations powerwise and identity wise, and been a bit "lost" at times. I tried to represent her inconsistent power levels with her "power fluctuations" power. I could see a future unit like Power Girl getting something like that as well.
Other than that, she's more or less a beatstick who's vulnerable to psychic attack. I made her an intuitive sleuth because she was a long time private eye as well (also a SHIELD Agent at one point, but not really in her Jewel identity).

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

NAME = JEWEL
SECRET IDENTITY = JESSICA JONES

SPECIES = MUTATE
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = SLEUTH
PERSONALITY = INTUITIVE
SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

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

POWER FLUCTUATIONS
Before taking a turn with Jewel, roll the 20-sided die. If you roll

* 1-5, Jewel may not use any special powers on this Army Card for the remainder of this turn,
* 6-15, nothing happens,
* 16 or higher, add one to Jewel's Move and Attack numbers for the remainder of this turn.

PSYCHIC VULNERABILITY
When Jewel rolls defense against a normal or special attack from a Telepath, she rolls one fewer defense die.

FLYING
SUPER STRENGTH

Nothing wrong mechanically that I can see, but with two powers that are actually drawbacks and nothing else going for her, this card seems seriously lacking in fun factor. I can't see anybody drafting her unless they truly want to stick to a theme team. Then again, she's more interesting as Jessica Jones than Jewel anyway, so maybe being boring is thematic.

She definitely is a more basic design than we typically put out, but I think there is some fun in doing things that way at times. And if we can't keep a character like this on the simple side, what character can we?

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

Thanks for the feedback! From what I've read on her, she's vulnerable to psychic assaults in general.

Sleuth and Intuitive are great fits on this card!

Power Fluctuations is interesting - I don't know much about Jessica's actual powers as I've only read stories about her in New Avengers where she doesn't really showcase her abilities. I didn't know her powers fluctuated as such.

I feel like a 5 attack (6 a quarter of the time w/fluctuations) is very high for someone who almost never uses their powers. Can she really hit that much harder than Spider-Man? If the argument is that Spider-Man's attack is only 4 because he is restraining his full potential, then I definitely think Jewel at a 6 is too high.

The issue I take is with Psychic Vulnerability is that it is pretty specifically a reference to when Purple Man controlled her in her early days (which is a defining aspect of her character and I'm glad it's included). I haven't seen your Purple Man card (if there even is one), but I don't know if he exactly qualifies as a Telepath. His mind control powers are based on touch and sight more than thought. It would seem like a major theme break if Purple Man was unable to benefit from this power. I know the ERB isn't here to design new powers or anything, but I feel like replacing the weakness towards telepaths with a weakness towards mind control powers would be a lot more thematic. (Ex: Opponents may add 2 to their roll for any power that would take temporary or permanent control of Jewel). I just think if there is a weakness on this card, Purple Man has to benefit from it. (Of course if Purple Man is a Telepath, this argument is out the window)

I understand this is a very difficult card to make, and I think it's almost there. I definitely want to see Purple Man (and others like him) have a distinct and powerful advantage over her.

Thanks in advance for all your help with this!

NAME = JEWEL
SECRET IDENTITY = JESSICA JONES

SPECIES = MUTATE
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = SLEUTH
PERSONALITY = INTUITIVE
SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

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

POWER FLUCTUATIONS
Before taking a turn with Jewel, roll the 20-sided die. If you roll

* 1-5, Jewel may not use any special powers on this Army Card for the remainder of this turn,
* 6-15, nothing happens,
* 16 or higher, add one to Jewel's Move and Attack numbers for the remainder of this turn.

PSYCHIC VULNERABILITY
When Jewel rolls defense against a normal or special attack from a Telepath, she rolls one fewer defense die.

FLYING
SUPER STRENGTH

Design notes:

Yeah, she's a bit more of an obscure character, and for those DC fans she's kind of the Marvel equivalent of Donna Troy - she's been called lots of things, had lots of variations powerwise and identity wise, and been a bit "lost" at times. I tried to represent her inconsistent power levels with her "power fluctuations" power. I could see a future unit like Power Girl getting something like that as well.
Other than that, she's more or less a beatstick who's vulnerable to psychic attack. I made her an intuitive sleuth because she was a long time private eye as well (also a SHIELD Agent at one point, but not really in her Jewel identity).

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

Jewel

Everything looks pretty clear, and I don't see any issues that could possibly arise.

I do like it when figures have some vulnerability built into its design. The detriments and benefits are modest in this case. However, if you can't fly when you really need to...

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

I'm gathering that Psychic Vulnerability may fit better on an older version of Jessica ... so I'm not sure if we should keep it or not (input welcome).
I'm iffy on whether her power level is appropriate. A couple of ERBers have commented on her seeming too powerful. I might be able to get behind lowering her move to 4 and her attack to 4 and her cost to 100.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

I worry that she's borderline not worth drafting/an Order Marker as is, though, due to her relative simplicity and lack of "wow" factor. I'd hate to make her really slow to boot!

That's the exact argument Bendis keeps making.

Nah, she's fine. It's just kind of hard to make Jewel exciting. Maybe she needs a synergy with Luke?

Might be an idea. I have half a mind to lower her move and attack to 4 each, keep her powers as is, and make her 100 points, though.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

Okay Bats, here is the way I see it:
a) I think we need to decide if she will be Jewel or Power Woman. The mini is called Jewel, but it is older and she is currently becoming a hero again in New Avengers and she has chosen the moniker Power Woman as an homage to Luke.
b) I think a choice is in order: leave her as is but possibly make the numbered rolls 1-6, 7-13, and 14-20; or make her stats human level and get rid of the middle part for her rolls. "1-10 Use no powers, 11 or higher can boost Range, Defense, and Attack by 1.

Honestly, I think the question is where do you see Luke Cage coming in? She should not be more powerful than him, but she should not be way weaker than him either. A slight difference with one or two stats lower would probably do it.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

Any thoughts on Luke Cage's potential power level, Hahma?
I definitely want her to be Jewel, not Power Girl.
If it's not right for her to be way less powerful than Luke Cage, I'd rather go with her as is, except maybe a synergy power with him.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

Any thoughts on Luke Cage's potential power level, Hahma?
I definitely want her to be Jewel, not Power Woman.
If it's not right for her to be way less powerful than Luke Cage, I'd rather go with her as is, except maybe a synergy power with him.

Fixed.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

That too. I'm leaning towards keeping her as is except swapping out Psychic Vulnerability for a synergy power with Luke Cage. That and maybe dropping her attack by one.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

That too. I'm leaning towards keeping her as is except swapping out Psychic Vulnerability for a synergy power with Luke Cage. That and maybe dropping her attack by one.

I think Psychic Vulnerability is really good and it is a HUGE part of her character. Why do you think she has been out of the Hero game for so long? Serious psychological problems after this. However, I would like to see any ideas for a bonding power with Luke.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

So you disagree with the questioning of the theme of the power she received from the ERB? I'd be lying if I said I knew a whole lot about the character, so I have to rely on what others tell me here.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

Well, he did say all would be well, if Purple Man was made a Telepath. I know its not technically correct, but he has a skin-contact mind-control, how mechanically would you describe that and represent it so this power works for him and others like him? I mean other than Puppet Master, who has mind control but is not a Telepath?

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

I don't think there's a good way to word it where she's vulnerable to those who would have mind control powers unless we just give her a vulnerability to telepaths.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

I don't think there's a good way to word it where she's vulnerable to those who would have mind control powers unless we just give her a vulnerability to telepaths.

Exactly. So lets make Purple Man a Telepath and be done with it. Whose to say he is not a kinestetic Telepath (requires touch to use his powers) I mean he is not a character who gets a ton of usage, so his powers and how they work could be undetermined. I mean Marvel isn't even set on his powers and their origin.

Zebediah Killgrave appeared in the X-Men episode "No Mutant Is an Island." In this episode, he does not use the "Purple Man" alias and in fact uses a face cream to hide his purple complexion in public. He is depicted as a telepathic mutant terrorist posing as a philanthropist who plans on taking over the government using a group of young mutants.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

Works for me. Plus, nobody's drafted Purple Man yet, so we're good for a while.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

I think we need to make a note though, that Purple Man needs to be a Telepath.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

Not sure where we'd note that exactly ...

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book of Jewel - ERB Phase

Blackboard would be a fun place. It would drop a minor hint that Jewel is coming.