The Book of Red Ghost

[tcglkn]

The Book of Red Ghost​

C3G MARVEL WAVE 14
FANTASTIC ADVENTURES​

Comic PDF

Mini PDF​

The figure used for this unit is a Heroclix figure from the Supernova set.
Its model number and name are #086 / Red Ghost.​

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Character Bio - Ivan Kragoff was a Russian scientist who worked for the former Soviet Union. He became fascinated by the Fantastic Four and began to study their history. Kragoff believed he could recreate the accident that gave the Fantastic Four their super-powers, and he convinced his government to build a spaceship that was specifically designed to expose its crew to cosmic rays. Instead of testing his theory on humans, Kragoff decided to use two great apes and a monkey that he trained for the mission. Blasting into space the same day Fantastic Four had embarked their journey, Kragoff and his apes headed directly into a cosmic storm that transformed them into the infamous Red Ghost and his Super-Apes.

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-Rulings and Clarifications-

• N/A

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-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:

• As a Mutate, Red Ghost has these Mutate Synergies.
• As a Genius, Red Ghost has these Genius Synergies.

Outgoing Synergy:

• Red Ghost may allow up to three Super-Apes to take a turn before him. Current Super-Apes include: Super-Ape (Igor), Super-Ape (Peotor), Super-Ape (Mikhlo)

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-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• N/A

-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

• Initial playtest: IAmBatman
• Second playtest: Red Eyed Jedi
• Third playtest: Smithy Winfred
• Card Art by tcglkn

Card Updates:
7 March 2021 - Class changed to Genius

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

NAME = RED GHOST
SECRET IDENTITY = IVAN KRAGOFF

SPECIES = MUTATE
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = GENIUS
PERSONALITY = ENVIOUS

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 4

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

POINTS = 200

SUPER-APE COMMAND
After revealing an Order Marker on this card, before taking a turn with Red Ghost, you may take a turn with up to three Super-Apes you control.

INTANGIBILITY
Red Ghost can move through all figures, Fortress Walls, and obstacles, and is never attacked when leaving an engagement. Red Ghost cannot be targeted by opponents' non-adjacent figures for any attacks or for any opponents' special powers that require clear sight.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

6 defense seems a tad high. Being able to move with all three Apes is going to be really nasty on offense. But it's kind of like a unique squad in that once one of them falls, it gets a lot weaker right away. So we'll see on cost!

He looks good overall.

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

He's been known to be able to turn invisible with his intangibility so I wouldn't say 6 defense is too high for him. All he does it command the Super-Apes and avoid attacks himself. I don't see him get involved in conflicts very often, he uses the Apes to do all his dirty work.

 

[A3n]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

Yep, straight forward design, no issues I can see.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

He's been known to be able to turn invisible with his intangibility so I wouldn't say 6 defense is too high for him. All he does it command the Super-Apes and avoid attacks himself. I don't see him get involved in conflicts very often, he uses the Apes to do all his dirty work.

But his Intangibility power represents the invisibility and intangibility ... Invisible Woman has all of that and an ability to put up a defensive shield and she's rarely rolling more than 4 defense. I just think 5 defense makes more sense if he's a regular shmo other than being intangible.

 

[Hahma]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

Looks good, but I think I'm with Bats with the defense. I mean Martian Manhunter has Intangibilty and a 6 defense by he's a super powerful dude and him only having 2 more lives than Red Ghost wouldn't represent the vast difference in durability between the two IMO.

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

Alright. I'll let this set for a while (breathing period and all) but you guys are just asking for 5 defense instead of 6 right? I can go for that.

 

[Margloth]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

5 defense works for me, and getting to take a turn with each of his monkeys means he should be able to screen pretty well.

Would it be easier to just say "Super-Apes" instead of "Simian Minion Heroes" for Super-Ape Command?

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

Would it be easier to just say "Super-Apes" instead of "Simian Minion Heroes" for Super-Ape Command?

Yea, that's why I changed them to Super-Apes and made their names into their secret identities, I just forgot to update this power when I did that.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

5 Defense was my first reaction as well.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

Yep, 5's what I'm asking for. He has too much offensive potential to make him too glass jawed, or he'll be too swingy.

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

SP updated and sent to ERB.

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

Let me know if you need a refresher on the Super-Apes, but I sent them all to you guys for ERB.

NAME = Red Ghost

SECRET IDENTITY = Ivan Kragoff

SPECIES = Mutate
UNIQUENESS = Unique Hero
CLASS = Physicist
PERSONALITY = Envious

SIZE/HEIGHT = Medium 5

LIFE = 4

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

POINTS = 210?

SUPER-APE COMMAND
After revealing an Order Marker on this card, before taking a turn with Red Ghost, you may take a turn with up to three Simian Minion Heroes you control.

INTANGIBILITY
Red Ghost can move through all figures and obstacles such as ruins, and is never attacked when leaving an engagement. Red Ghost cannot be targeted by opponents' non-adjacent figures for any attacks, or for any special powers that require clear sight.

Another very solid, very straight-forward build. I like it. The points may drift up, being able to activate 4 cards, but testing will show that.

I like what you've done. Thematic, simple, fun. Nice work! V

Thanks. We think he may suffer from the Unique Squad effect, where once one Super-Ape goes down, he won't be nearly as effective, but we'll see.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

Maybe ... but Mr. Fantastic doesn't suffer too much from that, and his bonding is a lot less reliable (and my typical experience with him is him and three Adventurers). That said, I think his Adventurers tend to have a bit more staying power than these guys probably will.

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

Red Ghost

And here's the Big Guy!

Super-Ape Command
I wonder if I can get him to teach Mr. Fantastic to control his units like this.

And... let me go through the Super-Apes.

Igor: Able to adjust his base stats at the beginning of each round. Oh, I just saw the card: Shapeshift is missing the 'e' in one occurrence.
Mikhlo: Able to Super Throw and has defense comparable to Magical Defense.
Peotor: Another toss ability (Magnetic Toss), but this doesn't deliver damage. This could be useful for placing a figure next to Mikhlo for his Super Throw, provided the dice go your way. If they don't, you've just forfeited your attack. Also has movement prevention.

Intangibility
I checked White Martian and Martian Manhunter, and they didn't have the comma after "figures for any attacks".

Final Thoughts
Interesting group. I think Igor's the most fascinating. Red Ghost's Life/Defense stats makes him vulnerable to getting taken down, assuming you can make it past his Minions to reach him. The ability of Mikhlo and Peotor to toss figures away (and for Peotor to pin them in one spot) will make reaching Red Ghost a fun challenge similar to pushing past Jean Grey to get to Professor X.

"Take your hands off me, you dang dirty apes!"

Thanks.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

C3G INITIAL PLAYTEST FEEDBACK FORM

NAME OF THE TEST UNIT (RED GHOST)

- 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.
PASS

- 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.
PASS

- 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.
PASS

- 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 to powerful or too weak.
PASS

- 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.
PASS

- FUN TEST/ Consider whether or not the design was fun to play.
PASS

- FUN COMPETITIVE TEST/ Consider whether or not the design was fun to play against.
PASS

- DRAFTING TEST/ Consider whether or not this design is worth drafting.
PASS

- USAGE TEST/ Consider whether or not all of the powers on this card were used or at least usable.
PASS

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

Heavy Hitter or Mid-Level Hero Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes
- What should be the unit's point value? 170-180
- Give a brief overview. Without the Super-Apes, Red Ghost just isn’t that tough, but I’m sure they’ll bring his cost up by a bit at least.

Spoiler Alert!

TEST 1
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost vs. Giant-Man (180)
Ghost Rider had difficulty cracking Giant-Man’s defense of 7 here.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Giant-Man with 1 wound wins Turn 2, Round 2.

TEST 2
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost vs. Giant-Man (180)
Red Ghost had no answer for Giant Defense.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Giant-Man with 1 wound wins Turn 2, Round 2.

TEST 3
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost vs. Hydro-Man (190)
Red Ghost had trouble hurting Hydro-Man and Hydro-Man used his Tidal Wave to keep Red Ghost at bay.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Hydro-Man with 1 wound wins Turn 2, Round 2.

TEST 4
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost vs. Hydro-Man (190)
Lots of big dice rolls on both sides here.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Hydro-Man with 4 wounds wins Turn 2, Round 2.

TEST 5
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost vs. Scorpion (200)
Red Ghost was just a bit outmatched here, but got in a good shot before dying.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Scorpion with 3 wounds wins Turn 1, Round 2.

TEST 6
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost vs. Scorpion (200)
Despite having height on several occasions, Red Ghost’s dice just abandoned him here.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Scorpion with Full Life wins Turn 1, Round 2.

TEST 7
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost vs. Baron von Strucker (210)
Strucker put 3 wounds on Red Ghost at the start of Round 2 with his Satan’s Claw, then finished Red Ghost off with an adjacent Death Spore release. Red Ghost didn’t quite have the stats to compete, but did nullify Strucker’s range, at least.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Baron von Strucker with 3 wounds wins Turn 2, Round 2.

TEST 8
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost vs. Baron von Strucker (210)
Very similar story. Strucker gets in 3 wounds with Satan’s Claw, then finishes Red Ghost with a Death Spore.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Baron von Strucker with wounds wins Turn 2, Round 2.

TEST 9
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost vs. Professor X (220)
Ouch. Prof X used Psychic Defense X to nullify all of Red Ghost’s good attack rolls and Red Ghost rolled poorly on offense otherwise. Prof X, meanwhile, had strong attack rolls with his special attack. I think Red Ghost could compete in this match up – the dice were just cruel to him.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Professor X with Full Life wins Turn 2, Round 3.

TEST 10
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost vs. Professor X (220)
Wow. The dice favored Red Ghost quite a bit here, but he positioned himself better as well to take advantage of height. Prof X ran out of psychic ammo.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Red Ghost with Full Life wins Turn 3, Round 2.

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Squad Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes
- What should be the unit's point value? 210
- Give a brief overview. Cops didn’t have the attack power here.
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost vs. Beat Cops x3 (195)

Spoiler Alert!

Intangibility was great for forcing the Beat Cops to come to Red Ghost and preventing them from getting height. He positioned himself so only two of them could get on even height with him, which helped give him strong enough attacks to wear them down.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Red Ghost with 2 wounds wins Turn 3, Round 5.

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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. Amazon Warriors had the needed offensive punch here.
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost vs. Amazon Warriors x2 (200)

Spoiler Alert!

Intangibility helped Red Ghost move around and keep things close, but the Amazon Warriors were just tougher.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Amazon Warriors with 3 figures win Turn 3, Round 2.

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Army Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes
- What should be the unit's point value? 190-200
- Give a brief overview. Luke and co were tougher and Wolverine went on a rampage, but the Apes and Red Ghost felt close.
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost (210), Mikhlo (200), Peotor (170), Igor (130) (710) vs. Luke Cage (190), Wolverine (280), Shang-Chi (230) (700)

Spoiler Alert!

The Super-Apes made a mistake by attacking Wolverine early and getting him just wounded enough to go on a tear. This cost them Mikhlo and Igor in Round 1. Red Ghost and Peotor still managed to keep it close, though, taking out Luke Cage (3 wounds from Red Ghost) before Red Ghost fell in Round 3. Peotor finished Wolverine in Round 4 (2 wounds from Red Ghost – 9 wounds healed this game) and then lost his end game match up with Shang-Chi. The fate of the Super Apes swung a lot on how well Peotor was rolling for Gravitational Grasp. As a group, they could use more range to take advantage of this power.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Shang-Chi with one wound wins Turn 2, Round 5.

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Army Test
- Does it pass, Yes or No? Yes
- What should be the unit's point value? 210
- Give a brief overview. Red Ghost’s team shone here, with the Moloids weakening the Fan Four just enough for them to come in, throw Mister Fantastic out of the way, and kill Invisible Woman.
Map: Custom
Units: Red Ghost (210), Mikhlo (200), Peotor (170), Igor (130) (710), Mole Man (100), Moloids x19 (190) (1,000) vs. Mister Fantastic, Human Torch, Thing, Invisible Woman (1,000)

Spoiler Alert!

Red Ghost went down in Round 5 after his Apes and he came in Round 3 to face a somewhat weakened Fan Four. The Fan Four had crazy good D20 rolls early and Human Torch blew away 5 Moloids early with his Supernova to prevent Mole Man and his Moloids from swarming Mister Fantastic. Red Ghost felt pretty balanced against the Fan Four as is, thought it was touch and go on both sides several times. Red Ghost put 2 wounds on Invisible Woman and 1 on Mister Fantastic before falling.
Who won and how many wounds did they have? Mikhlo with 3 wounds, Mole Man with 3 wounds, and Igor with Full Life win Turn 1, Round 7.

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

It'd be great if he could come in at 200 so that him and the Super-Apes were an even 700 points since you'll pretty much never draft him without all 3 of them.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

Yep. I was thinking that as well. Do I have permission to tinker as needed to get him there?

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

Yea, just keep me updated on the tinkering and I'll let you know if I'd rather change something else.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

No problemo. I'll try to start this tonight.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

Heavy hitters in. I'll try to do the rest tomorrow!

 

[tcglkn]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

Thanks man!

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

My pleasure. Just don't forget to link the test to the OP!

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Red Ghost: Design

All wrapped up here. I think 200 works for him. Pre-yea for playtesting at that cost.