The Book of Kirigi

[Hahma]

The Book of Kirigi​

C3G MARVEL WAVE 17
ANTAGONISTS ASSEMBLE​

Comic PDF​

Mini PDF​

The figure used for this unit is a Heroclix figure from the Hammer of Thor set.
Its model number and name are #003 / Hand Ninja.​

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Character Bio - "While it is known that the ninjas of ancient Japan feared Kirigi, little else is known of his history. Kirigi is an opponent of both the Chaste, a group commanded by Stick, and two of Stick's former pupils, Daredevil and Elektra Natchios. This hatred eventually prompts the Hand to resurrect him in order to destroy Elektra. This plot eventually reaches its climax as Elektra, walking into a trap laid by the Hand, attempts to kill the Hand's Jonin (ninja master) with the assistance of Daredevil. Instead of meeting the Jonin, she meets Kirigi. In response, she stabs him with two sai; however, he merely pulls them out effortlessly. He then dupes her into going for her sai, only to choke her with his rope knife. However, she manages to impale him with her blade, forcing him to break off the fight. A day later, however, he returns to attack Elektra again after recovering from his wounds using meditation and mystic ointments. Once again, a fierce battle ensues. Elektra flees into a semi-rig and smashes into him at a high speed. She then leaps out of the semi-rig before it explodes. In spite of this, Kirigi merely stands back up, though his skin is still engulfed in flames. Finally, Elektra simply decapitates him as he tries to regain his bearings, saying: "God or demon, Kirigi had a neck and that was human enough."
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-Rulings and Clarifications-

• Q - How does Undead Resilience interact with powers like Hogun's Bludgeoning Strike and Black Widow's Widow's Bite? Are the additional wounds added before or after you use Undead Resilience?
  A - The additional wounds are applied before Undead Resilience. For example, if Black Widow was to inflict 2 wounds on Kirigi with her attack and then place the additional wound with Widow's Bite, as long as those wounds don't kill Kirigi, he could then use Undead Resilience to remove 2 of those wounds, taking a total of 1 wound. Similarly, if Black Widow was to inflict only 1 wound with her attack, placing the additional wound would allow Undead Resilience to trigger and therefore she would do no damage with the attack.

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-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:

• As an Undead, Kirigi has these Undead Synergies.
• As a Ninja, Kirigi has these Ninja Synergies.

Outgoing Synergy:

• N/A

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-Immunities, Benefits, and Weaknesses-

Immunities

• As an Undead, Kirigi cannot be affected by aspects of certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with Undead.

Benefits

• As an Undead, Kirigi interacts differently with certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with Undead.

Weaknesses

• As an Undead, Kirigi interacts differently with certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with Undead.
• Tiny, Large, and Huge figures are not affected by Kirigi's Kyoketsu Shogi special power. Current Tiny, Large, and Huge figures.

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-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• N/A

-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

• Initial playtest: Margloth
• New Initial playtest Hahma
• Second playtest: Karat
• Third playtest: Streaky
• Art: Comic Art, Figure pix, Backgrounds
• Art by A3n

 

[Hahma]

NAME = KIRIGI


SPECIES = UNDEAD
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = NINJA
PERSONALITY =RELENTLESS

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 6

MOVE = 6
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 5
DEFENSE = 4

POINTS = 175

PHANTOM WALK
Kirigi can move through all figures and is never attacked when leaving an engagement.

KYOKETSU SHOGI
After moving and before attacking, if Kirigi was not engaged at the start of his turn, you may choose a non-adjacent small or medium figure within 3 clear sight spaces of Kirigi whose base is no more than 8 levels above or below Kirigi's base. Roll one attack die. If you roll a skull, you may choose to either inflict a wound on the chosen figure or place the chosen figure adjacent to Kirigi. Figures placed by Kyoketsu Shogi do not take leaving engagement attacks. After using this special power, Kirigi may use it one additional time.

UNDEAD RESILIENCE
If Kirigi receives two or more wounds from a single attack but is not destroyed, you may immediately remove up to two of those wounds.

SUPER STRENGTH

Spoiler Alert!

Background:

 

[Margloth]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

Undead Resistance is supposed to be capturing the common cinematic ploy wherein the hero sinks a blade into a monster's chest... the monster staggers back, as if in shock... and then graps the hilt of the blade and draws it out with a snarl, as it has minimal effect.

Let me know if you're getting that theme. It may be a bit too complicated... but I wanted to show the damage looking like it had been inflicted... but turning out not to be as effective as first thought.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

I really like this design, and I am excited to see a ninja and an undead in one.

ROPE KNIFE
After moving and before attacking, if Kirigi is not engaged, you may choose a figure within 3 spaces of Kirigi whose base is no more than 8 levels above or below Kirigi's base. Roll one attack die. If you roll a skull, you may choose to either inflict a wound on the chosen figure or place the chosen figure adjacent to Kirigi. Figures placed by Rope Knife do not take leaving engagement attacks. If Rope Knife inflicts a wound, you may use it again.

I think the last line is a bit too powerful. Maybe alter the last line to specify that he can't choose the same figure more than once per turn. This would also allow him to "attack" multiple figures in a turn.

UNDEAD RESISTANCE
If Kirigi would receive any number of wounds from a normal attack, you must first roll the same number of combat dice. For each die that does not show a skull, reduce the number of wounds inflicted on Kirigi by one.

The title hurts the understanding of the theme here, and so does the counting of non-skulls rather than counting skulls, since skulls translate to wounds better.

ROPE KNIFE
After moving and before attacking, if Kirigi is not engaged, you may choose a figure within 3 spaces of Kirigi whose base is no more than 8 levels above or below Kirigi's base. Roll one attack die. If you roll a skull, you may choose to either inflict a wound on the chosen figure or place the chosen figure adjacent to Kirigi. Figures placed by Rope Knife do not take leaving engagement attacks. If Rope Knife inflicts a wound, you may continue to use it but you cannot choose the same figure more than once this turn.

UNDEAD RESILIENCE
If Kirigi would receive any number of wounds from a normal attack, you must immediately roll the same number of attack dice. For each skull rolled, Kirigi receives one fewer wound from this attack.

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

Cool design. I think Griffin gave some good feedback and I see no other issues right now.

 

[Margloth]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

I want to give him the option of wounding the figure and then pulling them in for an attack though. How's this for a compromise:

ROPE KNIFE
After moving and before attacking, if Kirigi is not engaged, you may choose a figure within 3 spaces of Kirigi whose base is no more than 8 levels above or below Kirigi's base. Roll one attack die. If you roll a skull, you may choose to either inflict a wound on the chosen figure or place the chosen figure adjacent to Kirigi. Figures placed by Rope Knife do not take leaving engagement attacks. If Rope Knife inflicts a wound, you may continue to use this special power but no figure may receive more than one wound per turn from this special power.

That gives him the option of continuing to use it against other figures, and then go back to try and pull a juicy target in.

I like Undead Resilience much better, and I like your timing wording, but I have to admit it seems a bit wonky to me to have the skulls rolled reduce the attack. I know it keeps the probability the same, but I think I like my version of die that do not show skulls better. Unless it's confusing and I'm just not seeing it.

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

UNDEAD RESILIENCE
If Kirigi would receive any number of wounds from a normal attack, you must immediately roll the same number of attack dice. For each shield or blank rolled, Kirigi receives one fewer wound from this attack.

I agree having skulls cancel it out is weird. Shield or blank is only a couple extra words and it seems more defensive.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

On the Undead Resilience power, instead of the complexity of rolling dice after rolling dice and before taking wounds, why not just give him "shields of valor" against normal attacks? But give it that thematic comic flare like this:

UNDEAD RESILIENCE
When rolling defense dice against a normal attack from a figure that does not have the Magical Defense special power, each shield rolled counts for one additional block.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

Or just give him TOUGH like on Grundy.

Sometimes those simple powers can help let each player visualize a unique theme that they like, while more specific themed powers are more restrictive to the imagination. So while Margloth may imagine a blade pulled out of a chest, I imagine a solid attack being poorly placed on the body instead of the head/brains, and something like TOUGH covers that.

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

So while Margloth may imagine a blade pulled out of a chest, I imagine a solid attack being poorly placed on the body instead of the head/brains, and something like TOUGH covers that.

Those are basically the same situations. I really like Undead Resilience and would hate to see it get replaced by Tough.

 

[Margloth]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

I was trying to figure a 'your weapons don't hurt me' type power that could be reused on other Undead designs. I forgot Grundy just has Tough.

I do agree that the power may be too complex... although I kind of like the 'suprise! That didn't hurt!' aspect.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

Yes Tickle, it is the same, but it is imagined differently.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

Put me down for the "the card is too complex, and I think it is greatly benefited by utilizing TOUGH (like on DC's undead Grundy) rather than the current UNDEAD RESILIENCE."

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

How does Margloth's power prevent you from imagining your situation?

Tough is too boring, I would at least rather see something like this:
Undead Resilience
When rolling defense dice against a normal attack from a figure without the Magical Defense special power, Kirigi always adds one automatic shield to whatever is rolled.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

How does Margloth's power prevent you from imagining your situation?

With the changes, it doesn't, but it could to some people who imagine things differently. My only point was that people's imaginations are different, and the more complex a power is, the more it hinders that imagination. That is just one reason why I like TOUGH, because for years, it has served well to represent the same theme as Undead Resilience in a way where people imagine it differently and the mechanics are kept very simple.

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

Having Tough on the card is very misleading. Not knowing anything about Grundy, I honestly always thought he had tougher skin or something because of the C3G card. I never related that to Grundy's undead nature.

 

[Hahma]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

Cool design Margloth

I think he needs clear sight to pull this off and thought to simplify it by allowing him to use it one additional time instead of only if he inflicted a wound. He wouldn't be able to string a bunch together, but get two automatic chances anyway. But it's just a thought.

ROPE KNIFE
After moving and before attacking, if Kirigi is not engaged, you may choose a figure within 3 clear sight spaces of Kirigi whose base is no more than 8 levels above or below Kirigi's base. Roll one attack die. If you roll a skull, you may choose to either inflict a wound on the chosen figure or place the chosen figure adjacent to Kirigi. Figures placed by Rope Knife do not take leaving engagement attacks. If Rope Knife inflicts a wound, you may continue to use this special power but no figure may receive more than one wound per turn from this special power. After using Rope Knife, Kirigi may use Rope Knife one additional time.

I agree with Tickle as Tough translates nothing about Undead to me.

I do like this, as you can get the "oh yeah, that didn't hurt me" feel when he doubles enough shields to block a real nasty attack that should have wounded him at least.

UNDEAD RESILIENCE
When rolling defense dice against a normal attack from a figure that does not have the Magical Defense special power, each shield rolled counts for one additional block.

 

[Margloth]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

I think you may have found the best balance for Rope Knife there Hahma. Thanks.

No real hurry on this guy so I'll let him stew for a bit and get more comments on Undead Resilience v. Tough v. Whatever.

 

[Margloth]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

Updated the Rope Knife verbiage.

How's this for Undead Resilience:
Any time Kirigi would receive any number of wounds, you may reduce the number of wounds by 1, to a minimum of 1.

Similar to Tough yet slightly different. Works against all attacks and against special powers, but unlike Tough he's got more of a chance to take some wounds.

 

[Hahma]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

Good stuff there Margloth

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

Me likey.

 

[Margloth]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

2nd post updated and sent to ERB.

 

[Margloth]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

Thanks! Your interpretation of Undead Resilience seems accurate to me!

Kirigi

An Undead Ninja??? Uh, oh.

Rope Knife
I like this ability! You can try for two wounds, or you can wound and then bring over a figure to attack (pending skull cooperation, of course).

I'm reading this to mean that if your first attempt succeeds and you use it to pull an enemy figure next to Kirigi, that engagement prevents you from using it the second time.

Undead Resilience
Nice defense ability. I imagine that follow-up damage is processed separately. Example: Human Torch (Jim Hammond) delivers 3 wounds with Fireball, then makes 2 skulls for an additional 2 wounds. That would mean 2 wounds (3-1) plus 1 wound (2-1).

Final Thoughts
I love the design. Both the offense and defense abilities are creative, and he'll make a lovely addition to any haunted dojo.

 

[Margloth]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

Thanks. He's a somewhat minor character from Daredevil, a Hand Ninja who is resurrected. He's quite tough, as Elektra stabs him several times and lights him on fire to no effect.

Hi, Margloth. Got a pile of work today, but have to respond to this fun design, even if briefly:

Thanks guys!

Background:

NAME = Kirigi

SECRET IDENTITY = .

SPECIES = Undead
UNIQUENESS = Unique Hero
CLASS = Ninja
PERSONALITY = Relentless

SIZE/HEIGHT = Medium 5

LIFE = 6

MOVE = 6
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 5
DEFENSE = 4

POINTS = .

PHANTOM WALK
Kirigi can move through all figures and is never attacked when leaving engagements.

ROPE KNIFE
After moving and before attacking, if Kirigi is not engaged, you may choose a figure within 3 clear sight spaces of Kirigi whose base is no more than 8 levels above or below Kirigi's base. Roll one attack die. If you roll a skull, you may choose to either inflict a wound on the chosen figure or place the chosen figure adjacent to Kirigi. Figures placed by Rope Knife do not take leaving engagement attacks. After using this special power, Kirigi may use it one additional time.

[So, to be sure I get this right, Kirigi can move, then use Knife Rope, then use it again, then attack, correct?

However, he has to not use Knife Rope to move a figure adjacent, or he cannot use the 2nd Knife Rope?

I assume he can, though target the same person--first to do damage, then to move closer, then to attack (now they are adjacent). The downside is the 50/50 of the skull result.

An intriguing power. Assuming I've understood it right, I think this could be quite cool mechanically (in-game). It will make for some hard choices and fun play.]


UNDEAD RESILIENCE
Any time Kirigi would receive any number of wounds, you may reduce the number of wounds by 1, to a minimum of 1.

[Wow, so 6 Life and this on top of that? I assume this guy is an a beast in the comics. (I don't know him.) But that is a really solid amount of wounds, he can take.]


SUPER STRENGTH

Fun ideas. Hope the design turns out as you hope--all best, V

 

[Margloth]

Re: The Book of Kirigi - Designing

C3G INITIAL PLAYTEST FEEDBACK FORM

NAME OF THE TEST UNIT Kirigi

- THEME TEST/ Check to see if there are any powers or stats on the test unit card that does not accurately reflect the theme or likeness of what the character would and could do. Also consider destructible objects, and whether or not this characters powers should affect them.
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- MIRROR TEST/ Check to see if the unit were played against itself, if there would be any loops that would upset the balance of the Game.
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- BONDING TEST/ Compare the unit card with all possible currently existing Bonding abilities to make sure there are no continual Bonding possibilities that do not stop appropriately or do not stop at all. This is to prevent loops in Bonding.
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- SYNERGIES TEST/ Compare the unit card with all possible currently existing synergies to make sure there are no factors that could break the game by making any unit too powerful or too weak.
?

- POWER CHECK/ Consider the test unit and all existing units and all glyphs to compare to and check for any powers that could be over amplified and break the game. Each power must define when it takes place, who or what it affects, and What are the stipulations on the power if there are any.
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- FUN TEST/ Consider whether or not the design was fun to play.
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- FUN COMPETITIVE TEST/ Consider whether or not the design was fun to play against.
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- DRAFTING TEST/ Consider whether or not this design is worth drafting.
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- USAGE TEST/ Consider whether or not all of the powers on this card were used or at least usable.
?

- STRATEGY TEST/ Consider whether or not the design offers any real strategy or interesting tactics to the overall game.
?

Heavy Hitter or Mid-Level Hero Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes
- What should be the unit's point value? I'm liking 165 for now
- Give a brief overview. He's very tough, usually only taking 1 wound per attack, but struggles a bit offensively.

Spoiler Alert!

TEST 1
Map: All Tests on X Marks the Spot
Units: Kirigi v. Elektra (170)
These 2 seemed pretty evenly matched. Similar stats, similar unblockable attacks, similar lifespans, Phantom Walk.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Kirigi wins with 5 wounds R2T5.

TEST 2
Map: .
Units:Kirigi v. Elektra
Kirigi felt a tad better in this match.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Kirigi wins with 4 wounds R2T4.

TEST 3
Map: .
Units: Kirigi v. Daredevil (180) Rope Knife Amended from this test on.
Kirigi got a single wound on Daredevil, and DD was forced to stay in engagement to avoid autowounds. His Radar Sense made it work, though.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Daredevil wins with 3 wounds in R3T2.

TEST 4
Map: .
Units: Kirigi v. Daredevil
Daredevil's Radar Sense was hot here, poor Kirigi didn't have much recourse.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Daredevil wins with 1 wound R3T2.

TEST 5
Map: .
Units: Kirigi v. Mystique (165)
Mystique probably doesn't live up to her points one on one, and disengaging in an attempt to Kite was actually in Kirigi's favor, as he could then use Rope Knife. Mystique felt overmatched here.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Kirigi wins with 0 wounds R2T4.

TEST 6
Map: .
Units: Kirigi v. Mystique
This game presented an interesting scenario where Mystique took height. Kirigi didn't want to engage, as it would mean risking Engagement Strike and taking away Rope Knife. Mystique didn't want to engage for fear of losing height advantage (which she needs to win this fight). Kirigi got several rope knife wounds, but was always too greedy for wounds to pull her off her perch. Still, he's dang tough.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Kirigi wins with 3 wounds in R2T4.

TEST 7
Map: .
Units:Kirigi v. Black Widow (170)
Kirigi got Widow's Bite'd twice, which really helped Natasha cut through his defensive power. Meanwhile, pulling Widow in close didn't really help Kirigi much.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Black Widow wins R2T5 with 3 wounds.

TEST 8
Map: .
Units: Kirigi v. Black Widow
Widow's Bite made short work of Kirigi.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Black Widow wins on R1T6 with 1 wound.

TEST 9
Map: .
Units: Kirigi v. Gorilla Man (160)
This one felt pretty evenly matched. G-Man's definitely the heavier hitter, but Kirigi is tougher.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Kirigi wins with 5 wounds in R2T4 (although technically, G-Man would have won since Kirigi rolled an 8 for the Curse).

TEST 10
Map: .
Units: Kirigi v. Gorilla Man
Kirgi was tougher again, although again, technically the curse did in Kirigi, but for Heavy Hitters I'm gonna ignore it.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Kirigi with 5 wounds in R2T5.

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Squad Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes
- What should be the unit's point value? 150?
- Give a brief overview. Kirigi holds up well to multiple attacks, usually minimizing the damage, but has trouble taking out more than one squaddie per turn. He whiffed twice on attacks though, which I feel made him look worse than he is.
Map: X Marks the Spot
Units: Kirigi v. Street Thugs x2 (150)

Spoiler Alert!

Kirigi holds up well against the attacks, but without the multi-wounding option of the Rope Knife (Thugs stayed engaged), he struggles. Still, the fact that he whiffed twice on attacks changed this one a bit.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? 5 thugs remain in R2.

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Squad Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? .
- What should be the unit's point value? .
- Give a brief overview. .
Map: X Marks the Spot
Units: Kirigi v. Hand Ninja x2 (170)

Spoiler Alert!

Kirigi's attacks were a bit more consistent here, so he performed a tad better.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? 2 Ninja remain in R2.

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Army Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? .
- What should be the unit's point value? .
- Give a brief overview. .
Map: .
Units: .

Spoiler Alert!

(summary).
Who won and how many wounds did they have? .

_____________________________________________________________​

Army Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? .
- What should be the unit's point value? .
- Give a brief overview. .
Map: .
Units: .

Spoiler Alert!

(summary).
Who won and how many wounds did they have? .