The Book of Professor Zoom

[IAmBatman]

[FONT=&quot]The Book of Professor Zoom[/FONT]​

C3G MARVEL WAVE 5
WORLD'S VILEST

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[FONT=&quot]Comic PDF[/FONT]​

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Mini PDF​

The figure used for this unit is a Heroclix figure from the Arkham Asylum set.
Its model number and name are #036 / Zoom.​

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[FONT=&quot]Character Bio - [/FONT]"Eobard Thawne started out as a fan of the Flash. After gaining super-speed by replicating the electrochemical bath that gave Barry Allen his powers — even undergoing surgery to make himself look like Barry — he traveled backward in time to meet his hero using the cosmic treadmill. However, after arriving in the past after Barry's death, Thawne became mentally unstable upon discovering he is destined to become a villain, his mind- already disoriented by the stress of time travel — seeking escape by convincing himself that he is Barry Allen. However, his true nature is eventually revealed due to his more violent nature, "Barry" attacking Central City in 'revenge' for 'forgetting him', until he is ultimately defeated by the Flash family and sent back to the future, his memory wiped of the incident. Even though Thawne retained no memories of his trip through time, he was now left with a deep and bitter hatred of Barry Allen. This was due to feeling "betrayed" by Barry. Thawne began travelling back in time to battle the Flash to get revenge on him, using his knowledge of "history" to his advantage."
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[FONT=&quot]-Rulings and Clarifications-[/FONT]

• Q: For Negative Speed Force Special Attack, does it only occur when you first enter engagement with that figure or can you run in a circle around the figure and attack on every movement?
  
  A: "Engages" means when you first enter the engagement, yes. You can't engage a figure if you're already engaged with it.
  That said, thanks to Super Speed, he can engage, attack, disengage, engage again, attack again, etc.
• Q: Elektra's Deadly Barrage states she can only attack from a space where she can normally end her move. That isn't stated in Negative Speed Force. Does that mean that Professor Zoom can attack from spaces occupied by other figures as he's passing through?
  
  A: No. You must occupy a space on the battlefield in order to attack, because that's the basis for determining matters such as adjacency. Phantom Walk and Superspeed allow you to break the rule for passing through other figures, but it doesn't allow you to break the rule for occupying spaces.

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[FONT=&quot]-Combinations and Synergies-[/FONT]

Incoming Synergy:

• As a Metahuman, Professor Zoom has these Metahuman Synergies.
• As a Psychopath, Professor Zoom has these Psychopath Synergies.
• As a figure with the Superspeed special power, Professor Zoom has these Superspeed Synergies.

Outgoing Synergy:

• N/A

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[FONT=&quot]-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]N/A[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]-Heroscapers Community Contributions-[/FONT]

• [FONT=&quot]Initial playtest: Hahma[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Second playtest tcglkn[/FONT]
• [FONT=&quot]Third playtest Hidicul[/FONT]

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

NAME = PROFESSOR ZOOM
SECRET IDENTITY = EOBARD THAWNE

SPECIES = METAHUMAN
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = PSYCHOPATH
PERSONALITY = OBSESSIVE

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 4

MOVE = 12
RANGE = 1
ATTACK = 5
DEFENSE = 4

POINTS = 250

SUPERSPEED
Professor Zoom may move through all figures, never takes leaving engagement attacks, and does not have to stop his movement when entering water spaces. After taking a turn with Professor Zoom, if he did not use his Negative Speed Force Special Attack this turn, he may move up to an additional 4 spaces.

NEGATIVE SPEED FORCE SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 1. Attack 2.
Instead of moving and attacking normally with Professor Zoom, you may move Professor Zoom up to 8 spaces. Every time Professor Zoom engages one or more opponent's figures during this move, you may choose one of those figures to attack. You may continue attacking with Professor Zoom in this manner each time Professor Zoom engages a figure. Opponents' figures without the Superspeed or Speed Force special power roll 1 fewer defense die against Negative Speed Force Special Attack.

SPEED DODGE 4
When Professor Zoom defends against an attack and you roll at least one blank, Professor Zoom takes no damage and may immediately move up to 4 spaces.




Original Post:

Spoiler Alert!

Reserved for Design Updates.

10/23 A lot to add still for art and what not, but I thought you guys would want to have a chance to look at the initial write up!

10/23 The reference to Androids is removed from Professor Zoom's Phase Fists by popular demand.

10/24 Phase Fists is replaced by Negative Speed Force Special Attack for increased cowbell.

10/24 Speed Dodge 4 is changed with majority approval in a way that will promote a better relationship between Speedsters.

10/26 A caveat is added on Super Speed not allowing him to use it and his special attack at the same time.

10/26 Negative Speed Force Special Attack is reworded for better clarity.

10/31 Normal attack bumped to 5 in response to some early playtest results.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

PHASE FISTS
Android figures roll 2 fewer defense dice when defending against Professor Zoom's normal attack. All other figures roll 2 fewer defense dice.

Hunh?

Personally I don't need to see any Android synergy here. I mean Zoom doesn't hurt Android's worse, and he certainly isn't more merciful either way. If anything, Phase fists shouldn't work on figures with the Super Speed special power, but I wouldn't want to go that way either, as he should be somewhat of a counter/challenge to Flash.

How about something that allows him to hold a human hostage and possibly auto kill them if they try to take a turn. I bring up this theme because he seems to do that a lot in the comics and force Wally in to some sticky situations where he is afraid to attack Zoom or Zoom may kill the hostage.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

Also, does he need a special attack so that Super Speed can reference it like on Barry's card, or do we need to change the Super Speed title here, as the two texts are currently different?

 

[SirGalahad]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

The figure used for this unit is a Heroclix figure from the Icons set. Its model number and name is 209 / Professor Zoom.

 

[A3n]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

I'm with Griff here, 2-3 fewer for all figures no discrimination. He's pretty much just another Flash so no issues with anything else there currently.

Cheers

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

Also, does he need a special attack so that Super Speed can reference it like on Barry's card, or do we need to change the Super Speed title here, as the two texts are currently different?

I think it's a minor enough difference that we can get away with it. It's not like we'd be giving him the exact same special attack anyway, so there'd be a small difference there regardless. The official game has very slightly different text like this for different versions of Counter Strike.

The figure used for this unit is a Heroclix figure from the Icons set. Its model number and name is 209 / Professor Zoom.

Thanks! Will update.

I'm with Griff here, 2-3 fewer for all figures no discrimination. He's pretty much just another Flash so no issues with anything else there currently.

Cheers

Well I'd go 2 over 3. Really the only reason I went with the Android line is because it's a power I see using on Shadowcat as well and she iconically is more effective against Androids. And this part was done on Hahma's suggestion after I showed him my write up.
What about 1 on most figures and 2 on Androids? Can I sell you guys on that?

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

I think it is a theme break honestly, because of what I said already; his powers don't actually hurt Android more, and he isn't merciful either way. I don't think it is important to me either way for Shadow Cat and Zoom to have the same power, besides, I would imagine that Shadow Cat "iconicly" hurts Androids more due to a morality thing of holding back a bit against sentient life forms, which is again, a moral trait that Zoom does not share.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

OK ... it might be tough to think of different names for the powers, but I'll change this to a straight up -2 defense.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

OK, here's my question - is this guy interesting enough right now? I know he's highly similar to Flash, but I really think the first and third power just belong on here so much ... it does make him feel a bit in the same mold as Flash, though. What are people's thoughts on this and is replacing the special attack with Phase Fists enough of a difference?

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

OK ... it might be tough to think of different names for the powers, but I'll change this to a straight up -2 defense.

I would like for us all to have an extra round of Brainstorming here on what that power should be, because right now, it is a tad boring and I would rather have something with some SHOCK value. You dig?

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

Total 'd again, and you are on Vacation.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

Yeah, I'm getting a surprising amount of computer time today ... should end this evening though ...

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

I want something that will let him be comparable to Flash, and also have some type of fun scenario that plays out when they fight, like how we did with Spiderman and Green Goblin.

How about
NEGATIVE SPEED FORCE
When Professor Zoom rolls defense dice against a normal attack from a figure without the Super Speed special power, roll 1 additional defense die. When Professor Zoom rolls defense dice against a normal attack from a figure with the Super Speed special power, roll 1 less defense die.

This would fortify him against non-speedster's normal attacks, while keeping him just as susceptible to special attacks, and speedsters like Flash would be tempted to actually use his normal attack more because it would have a better chance of hitting him.

Just kicking the ball around here, feel free to dismiss it if you hate the idea.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

I guess I think the Superspeed vulnerability to Speed Dodge will already represent Flash and Reverse Flash being better against each other ... I see Zoom as a merciless killer who loves reaching through your skull and punching your brains, thus the Phase Fists.
Plus, two defensive powers on the same card? Or would this be in place of Speed Dodge? If so, I'd hate to lose that extra movement that would make him feel like a speedster ...

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

Like I said, just dismiss it.

I find it to be helpful in brainstorming when you just sorta willy nilly kick ideas around to help spark an even better idea, as long as everyone is willing to expand their minds.

Currently, Zoom and Flash are fun against everyone but each other, and that sucks. They can't speed dodge away from each other, and Flash is gonna tear him a new one with his SA. Those are two real theme/fun issues that need to be fixed desperately IMO.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

Yeah, I think we might've caused that with Flash's design though ... is there a way to fix it on this one?

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

Yeah, I think we might've caused that with Flash's design though ... is there a way to fix it on this one?

I agree - that is what I am wrapping my head around.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

I'm glad you brought it up ... right now they seem like the opposite of the Green Goblin/Spidey relationship, which is bad ... oye. I was hoping this one would be more straightforward, but I'm cool with that not being true, lol.
I think Speed Dodge is the issue here ... Is there any way to retroactively change it on Flash and make it so they still move on the roll of a blank, they just don't avoid damage when it's against a Speedster?

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

OK ... how's this?

NEGATIVE SPEED FORCE SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 1. Attack 2.
Professor Zoom may only use his Negative Speed Force Special Attack immediately after engaging an enemy figure. He may use this attack every time he engages an enemy figure. Enemy figures without the Superspeed special power roll 1 fewer defense dice against Negative Speed Force Special Attack.

SPEED DODGE 4
When Professor Zoom defends against an attack, and you roll at least one blank, Professor Zoom takes no damage and may immediately move up to 4 spaces.

I really like the idea of changing Speed Dodge around so that when speedsters attack each other it's not just a very quick, boring, non-moving slug fest that takes about a round to complete.
I really think we need to consider removing the Superspeed vulnerability from Flash's card for the sake of making Speedsters play well against each other ...

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

After thinking and talking about it in great detail, I know that we could design Zoom in a way that will fix Flash's Speed Dodge issue, but it will continue to become more and more difficult to accomplish that end with each additional Speedster we create (likely about 6 or 7 more). So, with great thought and concern, I have also decided that the best thing for us to do is to edit the Speed Dodge special power on Flash's card. I really hate doing it, but it is necessary for the sake of the future fun factor of the entire Speedster faction.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

I'm with you - right now Speedster battles would end in a round and would be based on who got the first attack and would involve zero movement. They'd take a great design in Flash and make it boring when another Speedster was part of it.

 

[NecroBlade]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

SPEED DODGE
When Flash (or Zoom or whoever) rolls defense dice against a normal or special attack and you roll at least one blank, Flash may immediately move up to 4 spaces. If the attacking figure does not have the Superspeed special power, Flash also takes no damage in the attack.

That way, you still get your running battles, but they can still catch and punch each other while on the move.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

SPEED DODGE
When Flash (or Zoom or whoever) rolls defense dice against a normal or special attack and you roll at least one blank, Flash may immediately move up to 4 spaces. If the attacking figure does not have the Superspeed special power, Flash also takes no damage in the attack.

That way, you still get your running battles, but they can still catch and punch each other while on the move.

I like it, I am just not sure I like it better than just straight Speed Dodge that works on everyone. Thanks though. I look forward to what the LD thinks, because both options are interesting, I just think that two speedsters avoid each others attacks and running away may be more interesting.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Professor Zoom - Design Phase

Actually, the more I think about it, the one benefit to the NB power is the added theme of Speedsters having a better chance of hitting each other, which I am sure was his intention. Either one is cool really; the first one will make Speedsters annoying against EVERYONE, and the second one will make Speedsters less annoying against each other and easier to kill.

I still think I prefer the first though.