The Book of Ocean Master

[Scapemage]

The Book of Ocean Master

C3G DC PUBLIC EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION 19
APOCALYPSE NOW

Comic PDF

Mini PDF

The figure used for this unit is a Heroclix figure from the Justice League: Trinity War set.
Its model number and name are #029 / Ocean Master.

NOTE: Ocean Master requires 1x Glyph of Mystic Ocean Trident​

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Character Bio - As half-brother to legendary Atlantean king Aquaman, Orm Marius felt inferior for most of his life. Rising up to kill his own mother and steal the throne of Atlantis, Orm became Ocean Master by bargaining with the devil Neron for mystical powers. The ensuing Atlantean War saw the throne return to Aquaman, but Ocean Master remains a threat to the seas by wielding his weather-controlling trident and Neron's energy.
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-Rulings and Clarifications-

• Q: When Ocean Master is destroyed, does the water level recede to normal immediately?
  
  A: No. "For the entire round" means that even once Ocean Master is destroyed, the water level will remain the same until the beginning of the following round.

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-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:

• As a figure with a secret identity, Ocean Master has these Secret Identity Synergies.
• As an Atlantean, Ocean Master has these Atlantean Synergies.
• As a potential King, Ocean Master potentially has these King Synergies.
• As a potential Atlantean King, Ocean Master can have his defense boosted by adjacent Atlantean Palace Guards.
• As an Antagonist, Ocean Master has these Antagonist Synergies.
• As a figure with the Super Strength special power, Ocean Master has these Super Strength Synergies.
• As a figure with a special power benefitting from water tiles, Ocean Master can benefit from water tiles being placed by one of these figures.

Outgoing Synergy:

• As a potential Atlantean King, Ocean Master can allow the Atlantean Palace Guards to move with their Loyal to the Throne special power.
• As a figure that can turn spaces into water spaces, Ocean Master can benefit these figures.

Immunities, Benefits, and Weaknesses:

• As a figure with a secret identity, Ocean Master interacts differently with these special powers.
• As a figure with the Super Strength special power, Ocean Master interacts differently with these special powers.

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-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• N/A

-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

• Initial playtest: Scapemage
• Second playtest: LordVenoc
• Third playtest: Ronin
• Art: Comic, Figure, Background
• Art by Scapemage

 

[Scapemage]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

NAME = OCEAN MASTER
SECRET IDENTITY = ORM MARIUS

SPECIES = ATLANTEAN
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = ANTAGONIST
PERSONALITY = AMBITIOUS

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 5

MOVE = 5
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 5
DEFENSE = 5

POINTS = 250

SORCERY OF NERON
Start the game with the Glyph of Mystic Ocean Trident on this card. While equipped with the Glyph of Mystic Ocean Trident, Ocean Master may cast Spells as if he had the Magical Defense special power.

DEEP SEA ROYALTY
If Aquaman is not in your army, Ocean Master is considered to have the class of King in addition to what is listed on this card. Ocean Master does not stop his movement when entering water spaces. Add 2 to Ocean Master's attack, defense, and range while he is on a water space.

RISING TIDE
Once per round, after revealing an Order Marker on this card and instead of attacking with Ocean Master, you may place one blue Tide Marker on this card, to a maximum of 6 Tide Markers. At the start of each round, count the number of Tide Markers on this card. If there is at least one Tide Marker on this card, then for the entire round, all spaces on the battlefield on level X or lower are considered water spaces instead of their normal terrain types. X is the number of markers counted.

SUPER STRENGTH

 

[Scapemage]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

Comic Art

Spoiler Alert!

Mini Photos

Spoiler Alert!

Courtesy of Ronin

Backgrounds

Spoiler Alert!

 

[Yodaking]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

Should he lose his trident when he gets hit but not KOed?

 

[MrNobody]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

This is the DC 75th mini, right?

 

[Scapemage]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

Should he lose his trident when he gets hit but not KOed?

The intent was for him to be able to drop the Trident if he gets slammed. His water manipulation power comes from his helmet which he never loses (except in one arc I found where Aquaman really beats him to pieces), whereas the trident controls lightning and he can function without it.


EDIT: That's that mini MrNobody!

 

[Yodaking]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

I was just thinking about the spell casting aspect of it. I don't think I'd draft many spells, if any at all, with him if he can lose his ability to cast them after taking 1W. Maybe draft him with another MD figure so the spells are not lost when the trident is.

 

[Ronin]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

Seems like the New 52 design has way better comic art than the old-school version. (Not sure if there are any differences between the two takes on the character that would translate to actual gameplay differences?)

I have photos of both minis.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

Looks good! I really like the power set here.

Where does the “Sorcery of Neron” title come from?

 

[Ronin]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

Photos:

New 52/Modern

Spoiler Alert!

Classic

Spoiler Alert!

 

[MrNobody]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

Where does the “Sorcery of Neron” title come from?

Neron gave him the Trident in that one event where Neron gave people a bunch of stuff. Don’t remember what it was called... EDIT: Underworld Unleashed

I think the N52 costume is way cooler, but I always hate it when it looks like the mini has no mouth.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

OK, cool, was wondering if it was in fact the same Neron I knew.

 

[Dysole]

Just So You Know

I like the theme of Rising Tide and the mechanics, but I'm worried it can be used to devastating effect to slow down an opponent's army.

~Dysole, in her lifeboat

 

[Ronin]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

Would it help if Rising Tide were an end-of-the-round thing rather than an 'instead of taking a turn' thing? Obviously that reduces what you need to invest in it, but it also keeps him from being able to bring the ocean too high too fast.

Might also be a good idea to bring his stat boosts down from 2 to 1, since he has a way easier time getting on water than most water types.

 

[Yodaking]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

I would most likely draft him with all water based units and maybe a few fliers, then put all 3 OM's on him in the first round to turn any tile at level 2 or lower into water. So slowing the flood down to 1 level per round does sound like a good balancing move to make. It would at least give your opponent a few turns to try and spread out and get to higher ground before the flood traps them.

 

[MrNobody]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

What about having it every turn, but with a D20 roll? That would still make the player put OMs on him and also keep him from raising the water level every single turn.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

I like the idea of once per roind, but I would make Ocean Master do instead of attacking because it will still be worth it. Atlanteans are already really nasty on like 10% water maps.

 

[Scapemage]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

I was just thinking about the spell casting aspect of it. I don't think I'd draft many spells, if any at all, with him if he can lose his ability to cast them after taking 1W. Maybe draft him with another MD figure so the spells are not lost when the trident is.

I didn't consider the spell effect in full, but I don't think it's that large of an issue. As you pointed out, you can take another spellcaster or you can draft some defense for Ocean Master so he can unleash his spells early.

Seems like the New 52 design has way better comic art than the old-school version. (Not sure if there are any differences between the two takes on the character that would translate to actual gameplay differences?)

I have photos of both minis.

I chose the older mini because I have it and my owning of the mini was the reason I learned about Ocean Master to begin with. I'd be okay with the new mini if that's what the populous wants, but it will be a little less exciting for me.

I like the theme of Rising Tide and the mechanics, but I'm worried it can be used to devastating effect to slow down an opponent's army.

Would it help if Rising Tide were an end-of-the-round thing rather than an 'instead of taking a turn' thing? Obviously that reduces what you need to invest in it, but it also keeps him from being able to bring the ocean too high too fast.

Once per round would be fair for balancing. I like Bats' instead of attacking once per round shindig.

Might also be a good idea to bring his stat boosts down from 2 to 1, since he has a way easier time getting on water than most water types.

His stats in water are compared directly to Aquaman, so if the boost went down to 1, his base stats would go up by 1 to compensate. He should be punishable when water isn't nearby, similar to Aquaman. Open to more thoughts on this.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

Is he really Aquaman’s physical equal? I thought he had to rely on trickery and trechery to really threaten Aquaman.

 

[Scapemage]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

Is he really Aquaman’s physical equal? I thought he had to rely on trickery and trechery to really threaten Aquaman.

Almost, but just a tad shy (represented by 1 fewer attack than Aquaman here). They are related but Ocean Master is full Atlantean to Aquaman's half-Atlantean, which helps make up some of the strength difference between the two. I wouldn't mind a defense drop of 1 if there is demand.

 

[johnny139]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

For reference - this design seems to be drawing mostly on New 52 Orm, who is pretty different from the original. He's full-blooded Atlantean, and Aquaman's physical equal. He was raised in Atlantis. Because Arthur, despite being older, lived on the surface, Orm was legally king for a time, but is manipulated into going to war with the surface. Aquaman beats him, he's taken into custody by the US government, and Aquaman (somewhat begrudgingly) takes the throne.

For Rising Tides, I'd stick a once-per-round restriction. As it's currently worded, you need two markers to start flooding actual land tiles, which gives your opponent at least one round to move people onto high ground.

I like the idea of him dropping the trident. Giving him a bit of a glass jaw in that way is another good safety valve.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

Cool. Thanks for the clarification. My DCU knowledge is all pre-New 52.

 

[Ronin]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

Seems like the New 52 design has way better comic art than the old-school version. (Not sure if there are any differences between the two takes on the character that would translate to actual gameplay differences?)

I have photos of both minis.

I chose the older mini because I have it and my owning of the mini was the reason I learned about Ocean Master to begin with. I'd be okay with the new mini if that's what the populous wants, but it will be a little less exciting for me.

Totally fair.

Personally, my main concern is just that the mini we use, the comic art we use, and the card mechanics all align with the same version of the character. Kind of a bummer when those things aren't in sync.

I like the theme of Rising Tide and the mechanics, but I'm worried it can be used to devastating effect to slow down an opponent's army.

Would it help if Rising Tide were an end-of-the-round thing rather than an 'instead of taking a turn' thing? Obviously that reduces what you need to invest in it, but it also keeps him from being able to bring the ocean too high too fast.

Once per round would be fair for balancing. I like Bats' instead of attacking once per round shindig.

Might also be a good idea to bring his stat boosts down from 2 to 1, since he has a way easier time getting on water than most water types.

His stats in water are compared directly to Aquaman, so if the boost went down to 1, his base stats would go up by 1 to compensate. He should be punishable when water isn't nearby, similar to Aquaman. Open to more thoughts on this.

Well, unlike Aquaman, water's just about always gonna be nearby for Ocean Master. Plus he has the trident to lean in on a fight against Aquaman.

 

[japes]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

I think if we are going to be doing the New 52 version of the character we should use the New 52 art and mini (especially if they look better). I know it sucks to have a mini as an LD and it not be the one. I just this weekend switched to the better mini for my LD even though I had the other so I feel your pain. You can always do an alternate card for your mini though. About a third of my printed cards have alternate mini target info.

 

[Scapemage]

Re: The Book of Ocean Master (Design Phase)

For reference - this design seems to be drawing mostly on New 52 Orm, who is pretty different from the original.

Personally, my main concern is just that the mini we use, the comic art we use, and the card mechanics all align with the same version of the character.

I think if we are going to be doing the New 52 version of the character we should use the New 52 art and mini (especially if they look better).

That's enough convincing for me. It seems like the design I've drawn up is New 52 anyways. Mini info updated, thanks Ronin for photos.