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The Book of Maxima

johnny139

johnny139

Never CoN a CoN man
The Book of Maxima

C3G DC WAVE 26
WOMEN OF WONDER

C3G_Maxima_comic.png


Comic PDF

C3G_Maxima_mini.png


Mini PDF

The figures used for this unit is a HeroClix figure from the Superman/Wonder Woman set.
Its model number and name is #044 / Maxima.​

_________________________________________________________________

Character Bio - As the despotic queen of the planet Almerac, Maxima came to Earth seeking a suitable mate, as the legendary Superman had caught her eye. Strong enough to match the Man of Steel, she was soundly rebuffed - moreover, she learned that her homeworld was destroyed by Brainiac. She united with the Justice League to defeat him, and for some time joined the roster as a permanent member. However, her pride and fury - and lust for Superman - kept her loyalties fluid, up until her final sacrifice to protect the universe from Brainiac.
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-Rulings and Clarifications-
  • Q: If no other figure on the battlefield has a higher Attack number than Maxima, can Maxima still choose a Mate? What if the figure with the highest Attack number does not have the Super Strength special power? For example, if the only other figures on the battlefield are Captain America (6 attack, no Super Strength) and Scorpion (5 attack, Super Strength)
    A: In both of those scenarios, Maxima cannot choose a Mate. When choosing a Mate, you must choose a figure that does not have a lower Attack number than any other Unique Hero on the battlefield and also has the Super Strength special power. If there are multiple such figures, you may choose any one of them. If there are no such figures, you cannot choose a Mate.
  • Q: Do attack boosts from figures like Bane or Star-Lord affect what units Maxima can choose as a Mate?
    A: No, because Seeking a Mate references the Attack numbers listed on cards. When determining the Unique Hero with the highest Attack number, any special powers that add to or subtract from attack should not be taken into account. The only caveat here is Mister Sinister: because Sinister's Genetic Manipulation replaces the value on a card rather than modifying it, Sinister's power may influence who can be chosen as Maxima's Mate. If Mister Sinister alters a figure's Attack number, consider the altered value as the Attack number listed on that figure's card.
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-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:Outgoing Synergy:_________________________________________________________________

-Immunities, Benefits, and Weaknesses-

Immunities:Benefits:Weaknesses:_________________________________________________________________

-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-
  • N/A
-Heroscapers Community Contributions-
 
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Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

NAME = MAXIMA


SPECIES = ALDERACIAN
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = QUEEN
PERSONALITY = PROUD

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 7

MOVE = 7
RANGE = 4
ATTACK = 5
DEFENSE = 6

POINTS = 345

SEEKING A MATE
At the start of each round, if Maxima does not have a Mate on the battlefield, you must choose a Unique Hero other than Maxima with the Super Strength special power on the battlefield. The chosen figure must be the Unique Hero with the highest Attack number listed on its card among Unique Heroes on the battlefield. After her Mate takes a turn, you must move Maxima as close to her Mate as possible, moving up to a maximum of 7 spaces. When moving with Seeking a Mate, Maxima will take any leaving engagement attacks.

LOVER'S FURY
Add 2 to Maxima's Attack number when attacking an adjacent figure. When rolling dice for a normal attack against an adjacent figure or for a leaving engagement attack with Maxima, if Maxima is adjacent to her Mate, all blanks rolled count as extra skulls.

PSYCHOKINESIS 13
Instead of attacking with Maxima, you may choose a figure within 4 clear sight spaces of Maxima and roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 13 or higher, you may either inflict 1 unblockable wound on that figure or, if that figure is small or medium, you may place that figure on any empty space within 4 spaces of its original placement. Placed figures will not take any leaving engagement attacks.

SUPER STRENGTH
FLYING
 
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Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

So Maxima in a nutshell - crazy alien lady who wants Superman to be her king/mate/consort so they can have super powerful babies to serve as good heirs. Her first power makes her gun for whichever is the strongest dude on the field - if they're on the same side, they can tag-team into battle. If they're on opposite sides, she can run interference and tie him down. Both are thematic and it plays into her whole "flip-flopping alignment" stuff.

She also has really vague psychic powers (ranging from telekinesis to hypnotism to magnetism to teleportation to making clothes appear??), so I just truncated that into a general "throw or auto-wound power," but personally I prefer her as a bruiser, so I made it an "instead of attacking" rather than an "in addition to attacking" power.

The last bit is just to make her a more even match for Superman when they go head-to-head, as they often do. Do we have a generic "+2 to melee" power yet? I couldn't find one but it seems weird if we don't...
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

What if instead of 'may' in the first power it said 'must' move if not engaged. Then she really would be boy chasing.
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

Yodaking said:
What if instead of 'may' in the first power it said 'must' move if not engaged. Then she really would be boy chasing.
Click to expand...

I originally had it as a "must" but realized, in the case of ties (like, both Thor and Superman on the field) it'd be easy to make her ping-pong back and forth and take a ton of LEAs.

Thinking it over, though, we could probably make her choose a single unit to be her Mate at the start of the round and solve that problem. Is that something people would want?
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

That could work. Then she is just chasing one figure around at a time, then may have a change of heart on the next turn as to who to pursue.
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

I know nothing of the character, but I like what you have for the design. Based on the bio, wouldn't it be more thematic for her to choose a single figure at the start of the game to follow? If it works thematically, it seems like it would be cleaner mechanically. You could also toss in the Mongul "choose a new figure when the previously chosen figure is destroyed" mechanic.

Psychokinesis seems weird to me. Why does she roll an unblockable die against tiny, large, and huge figures, but can only toss small or medium figures? Also, is her normal range supposed to represent her psychic powers? If so, is it even necessary to also give her Psychokinesis?
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

Psychokinesis is not very clear right now. Do you only roll the unblockable attack die against Tiny, Large, and Huge figures, or them plus any small or medium figures that you roll 13 or lower on? Or is it only supposed to affect small and medium?

I also like the idea of choosing one figure at the start of the game. It cuts down on the amount of free movement she gets, and it makes for an interesting choice whether or not to choose one of your figures, or one of the opponent's.

Like the overall direction of the design though, super cool.
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

Psychokinesis should be - you can roll a die against anyone, or, if they're small/medium, you can move them instead. Switching the order there would probably help clarify.

In general I'm not in love with Psychokinesis, as in my media experience she's more of a straight bruiser, but having recently read some awful 90s comics with her, the magnetism and telekinesis and "grab/throw/smash with mind powers" stuff took over as her modus operandi. If people have ways to do that more interestingly, I'd be very open to hearing it - no attachment whatsoever to the current incarnation of Psychokinesis.

I'd be okay with her choosing on figure as long as it's dependent on that figure's Attack number. If Martian Manhunter suddenly gets a permanent +2 Attack, she'll lose interest in Superman. If he gets shrunken down or de-powered, she'll lose interest. Shouldn't be too tough to put that together.
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

Here's a shot at that newer version of Seeking a Mate:

SEEKING A MATE
At the start of the round, if Maxima has no Mate, choose a Unique Hero. As long as that Hero has the Super Strength special power and has or is tied for the highest Attack number among Unique Heroes on the battlefield, that Hero is considered Maxima's Mate. After a player takes a turn with Maxima's Mate, you must immediately move Maxima as close to that figure as possible, moving up to maximum of 7 spaces. When moving with Seeking a Mate, Maxima will take any leaving engagement attacks.
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

I like it, here's another stab at the wording:
johnny139 said:
SEEKING A MATE
At the start of the game, you must choose a Unique Hero with the Super Strength special power and that has or is tied for the highest Attack number among Unique Heroes on the battlefield to be Maxima's Mate. After a player takes a turn with Maxima's Mate, you must immediately move Maxima as close to that figure as possible, moving up to 7 spaces. If Maxima's Mate is destroyed, you must choose a new Unique Hero with the Super Strength special power and has or is tied for the highest Attack number among Unique Heroes on the battlefield to be Maxima's Mate.
Click to expand...
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

Highest Attack number is modified Attack or what is listed on the card?
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

Instead of that, why not go for something simpler, like give a bonus to Maxima for attacking anyone within 8 clear sight spaces of her "mate"?

It would also have the side effect of breaking up clusters.
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

Zettian Juggernaut said:
I like it, here's another stab at the wording:
Click to expand...

The only difference that sticks out here is that your version doesn't allow her to change if, say, her Mate loses Super Strength - she should be able to switch if her Mate is destroyed OR depowered, or if someone else becomes permanently stronger.

Tornado said:
Highest Attack number is modified Attack or what is listed on the card?
Click to expand...

Attack number specifically. For example, Nega-Bands would affect things, Shrink Ray would not. It's a bit finicky, I admit, but the cards specify either way and I think it's interesting new ground to work with.

C3G-EG_Nega-Bands.jpg

C3G-EG_ShrinkingRayGun.jpg


quozl said:
Instead of that, why not go for something simpler, like give a bonus to Maxima for attacking anyone within 8 clear sight spaces of her "mate"?

It would also have the side effect of breaking up clusters.
Click to expand...

Most of the time Maxima is punching the hell out of her Mate, and occasionally she's helping him - so any power would have to let her get equal value from choosing an ally or enemy and be focused on them specifically.
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

OK, cool. Just wanted to be clear.
So powers that specifically call out Attack number count(that includes Hulk?) but boosts like high ground would not?

I like the idea, theme and mechanics.
Does she stick with one mate for awhile(in the comics) or if a new beefcake shows up is she quick to switch?
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

I don't think creating a difference between stat number and dice rolled here is a good idea. We've used the two terms very interchangeably with no intent of them being different mechanically or thematically. Seems like we'd get ourselves into very messy and unintuitive situations.

Instead of calling out Attack number directly, what if we just encouraged players to pick the biggest guy on the board? For example, drop Melee Strength for a power that boosts her attack up to equal with her Mate's?
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

Tornado said:
OK, cool. Just wanted to be clear.
So powers that specifically call out Attack number count(that includes Hulk?) but boosts like high ground would not?
Click to expand...

Exactly. "Rolls additional dice" is a no, "adds X to Attack number" is a yes.

I like the idea, theme and mechanics.
Does she stick with one mate for awhile(in the comics) or if a new beefcake shows up is she quick to switch?
Click to expand...

She's generally fixated on Superman, but when she was with the Justice League she went through a few different guys like Captain Atom. She also submits to supervillains with unfortunate regularity.

My favorite is in her Superman the Animated Series episode, where she finally decides to let Superman go at the very end, wistfully remarks on how amazing he is... and then Lobo crashes in out of nowhere and she immediately forgets all about Superman.

Viegon said:
I don't think creating a difference between stat number and dice rolled here is a good idea. We've used the two terms very interchangeably with no intent of them being different mechanically or thematically. Seems like we'd get ourselves into very messy and unintuitive situations.

Instead of calling out Attack number directly, what if we just encouraged players to pick the biggest guy on the board? For example, drop Melee Strength for a power that boosts her attack up to equal with her Mate's?
Click to expand...

I think the potential messiness is worth the trade, as she's relatively simple otherwise. :shrug: We could specify written Attack number but that would prevent some fun moments.
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

johnny139 said:
quozl said:
Instead of that, why not go for something simpler, like give a bonus to Maxima for attacking anyone within 8 clear sight spaces of her "mate"?

It would also have the side effect of breaking up clusters.
Click to expand...

Most of the time Maxima is punching the hell out of her Mate, and occasionally she's helping him - so any power would have to let her get equal value from choosing an ally or enemy and be focused on them specifically.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've got a mixture of Knockout's Smitten and Yellowjacket's Unhealthy Obsession and Echo's Mimic going on.

SEEKING A MATE
At the start of each round, if Maxima has no Mate on the battlefield, choose a Unique Hero with the Super Strength special power to be Maxima's Mate. Maxima may use the Attack number of her Mate in place of her own while she is within 8 clear sight spaces of her Mate.
Click to expand...
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

johnny139 said:
Viegon said:
I don't think creating a difference between stat number and dice rolled here is a good idea. We've used the two terms very interchangeably with no intent of them being different mechanically or thematically. Seems like we'd get ourselves into very messy and unintuitive situations.

Instead of calling out Attack number directly, what if we just encouraged players to pick the biggest guy on the board? For example, drop Melee Strength for a power that boosts her attack up to equal with her Mate's?
Click to expand...

I think the potential messiness is worth the trade, as she's relatively simple otherwise. :shrug: We could specify written Attack number but that would prevent some fun moments.
Click to expand...

The problem is not that it'll make her too complex of a design, but that it will create a mess of odd rulings and unthematic situations.

For example, "add # to this figure's Attack number" counts and "roll # additional attack dice" doesn't, but what about the "add 1 extra die to this figure's attack" wording used in Tactician? What about "add one die to this figure's normal attack" used in powers such as Genis-Vell's and Creeper's Insanity powers? What about Darkseid who hits both with "subtract 1 die from their normal Attack number"?

Thematically, why does the C3G Hulk's Rage have an effect but the Hasbro Hulk's doesn't? Why does a Green Lantern's batteries have an effect but Groot's Cut Down to Size doesn't? Why does Apocalypse's boost count but not Allen the Alien's? Why do Dazzler's markers count for subtraction but not Atom's Molecular Irritant?

It forces players to have to analyze the power text of other units to figure out what does and doesn't count, and leads to lots of unthematic and unintuitive situations.

SEEKING A MATE
At the start of each round, if Maxima has no Mate on the battlefield, choose a Unique Hero with the Super Strength special power to be Maxima's Mate. Maxima may use the Attack number of her Mate in place of her own while she is within 8 clear sight spaces of her Mate.
Click to expand...

I like something more like this, but to avoid the above issue it should use Echo's wording for specifically referencing the stat number on the Mate's card.
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

I find the difference between "Attack number" and "attack" very intuitive - it's something I've always been aware of in Heroscape. I'll admit I'm likely a minority there, and the barrier for understanding may be higher than I assume.

Not a big fan of the Attack mimicking if only because, well, she's not mimicking or copying or even matching her object of affection. She'll be at 100% whether Superman is hanging around or not. I get the idea of the power but I don't think the mechanics match it.
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

johnny139 said:
Not a big fan of the Attack mimicking if only because, well, she's not mimicking or copying or even matching her object of affection. She'll be at 100% whether Superman is hanging around or not. I get the idea of the power but I don't think the mechanics match it.
Click to expand...

I agree here. It's not thematic for her to be stronger or weaker depending on her crush at the time.
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

johnny139 said:
I find the difference between "Attack number" and "attack" very intuitive - it's something I've always been aware of in Heroscape. I'll admit I'm likely a minority there, and the barrier for understanding may be higher than I assume.
Click to expand...

If it had been something C3G was conscious of from the beginning and that we had carefully worded each power with this intent in mind, then I'd totally be behind it because I do think it's interesting territory to explore. But as-is, with 6+ different ways of saying "add or subtract from this stat", it's just not clear and would lead to being a design that's not playable without a bunch of FAQs, and would lead to tons of unthematic situations (and considering that it's a theme-focused power, that seems to defeat the purpose to me).

johnny139 said:
Not a big fan of the Attack mimicking if only because, well, she's not mimicking or copying or even matching her object of affection. She'll be at 100% whether Superman is hanging around or not. I get the idea of the power but I don't think the mechanics match it.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, I don't want to mess-up the theme. In that case, I support the current version but with the Echo clarification added in (specifically triggering on the stat listed on the card).
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

Okay, here's a new attempt at wording Seeking a Mate to specify that it's the number on the card and consolidate things a bit. Does it work? Too confusing?

Also, do we need to specify that she takes LEAs? I had it, ZJ cut it, I put it back here because my gut says we usually specify but I honestly don't know.

SEEKING A MATE
At the start of the round, if Maxima does not have a Mate, you must choose a figure with the Super Strength special power that has the highest Attack number on its card among Unique Heroes on the battlefield. After a player takes a turn with Maxima's Mate, you must immediately move Maxima as close to that figure as possible, moving up to 7 spaces. When moving with Seeking a Mate, Maxima will take any leaving engagement attacks.
 
Re: The Book of Maxima (Design Phase)

How does that work out with Sage boosting a stat or Mr. Sinister changing their stats?
 
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