The Book of Static

[Karat]

The Book of Static

C3G DC WAVE 32
YEAR OF THE HERO

Comic PDF

Mini PDF

The figure used for this unit is a Heroclix figure from the Teen Titans set.
Its model number and name are #045 / Static.​

_________________________________________________________________

Character Bio - Affected by a mutagenic gas in his hometown of Dakota, Virgil Hawkins found himself with powers over electromagnetism. He chose to use these powers for good and took the super name of Static and joined the Titans. Static continues to protect his hometown while serving with his fellow Titans.
_________________________________________________________________

-Rulings and Clarifications-

• N/A

_________________________________________________________________

-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:

• As a Titan, Static has these Titan Synergies.

Outgoing Synergy:

• N/A

Immunities, Benefits, and Weaknesses:

• Static's Taser Strike Special Attack does not affect figures with the Electrically Charged special power.
• While there is a Charge Marker on his card, Static is considered to have the Electrically Charged special power and is affected differently by these special powers.

_________________________________________________________________

-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• N/A

-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

• Initial playtest: Karat
• Second playtest: Arkham
• Third playtest: IAmBatman
• Fourth playtest: MrNobody
• Art: Comic, Figure, Background
• Art by Arkham

 

[Karat]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

NAME = STATIC

SECRET IDENTITY = VIRGIL HAWKINS

SPECIES = BANG BABY
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = TITAN
PERSONALITY = INGENIOUS

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 4

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

POINTS = 180

STATIC CHARGE
Start the game with a black Charge Marker on this card. While there is a Charge Marker on this card, whenever a special power on an Army Card or glyph refers to the Electrically Charged special power, it refers to this special power as well. Instead of taking a turn with Static, you may place a previously removed Charge Marker on this card.

STATIC-CLING
Instead of attacking, you may remove a Charge Marker from this card and place it on the card of a figure within 4 clear sight spaces of Static. Move the chosen figure up to 3 spaces and as close as possible to the nearest figure, Fortress Wall, or obstacle. For the entire game, before a figure other than Static moves, if it has a Charge Marker on its card, you must roll the 20-sided die. If 5 or lower is rolled, remove the Charge Marker from that figure's card. If 6 or higher is rolled, that figure may not move this turn. A figure moved with Static-Cling will not take any leaving engagement attacks but will take any falling damage that may apply.

TASER STRIKE SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 1. Attack 5.
If an opponent's figure would receive one or more wounds from this special attack, you may choose not to inflict those wounds and remove an Order Marker at random from that figure's card. Figures with the Electrically Charged special power are not affected by this special attack.

FLYING

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

I like it! Weren't you going to swap Mental Shield out for Electrically Charged?

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

I like it! Weren't you going to swap Mental Shield out for Electrically Charged?

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Karat]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

 

[Karat]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

The part that is throwing me off is the water weakness bit of Electrically Charged which is something he doesn't seem to have in the comics but does in the show. What if we just added it in a clause that makes it like he has EC but doesn't actually have the power? So something like:

STATIC CHARGE
Start the game with a white Charge marker on this card. While there is a Charge marker on this card, Static is considered to have the Electically Charged special power. Instead of taking a turn with Static, you may place a previously removed Static marker on this card.

Makes it a hair more interesting too IMO. I also dropped the water space bit as it doesn't really seem thematic from my research.

 

[johnny139]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

How are we looking on card space if we cut Mental Shield and include Electrically Charged language? It already feels pretty complex.

I think Electrically Charged characters should be affected by Static Cling at least. In general that power seems pretty complex... is there a way to work it without the d20 stuff? Like this? It's not 100% lockdown but I'm not sure we need it to be.

STATIC CLING
Instead of attacking, you may remove a Charge Marker from this card and place it on the card of a figure within 4 clear sight spaces of Static. Move the chosen figure up to 3 spaces and adjacent to the nearest figure or terrain piece. A figure other than Static with his Charge Marker on it's card subtracts 3 from its Move number. After that figure takes a turn, or at the end of the round, remove the Charge Marker from its card.

I've always been a little disappointed that he's running with the Titans rather than being a Crime Fighter but I imagine there's room for an original flavor version.

How do we feel about Bang Baby for species? They're a subset of Metahumans but it would be easier in the future to tie the Milestone characters together that way in the future - I'm thinking Blood Syndicate stuff, as remote a possibility as that may be.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

I think the D20 should be on there for competitive reasons, but I'm open to the rest of what you're saying, johnny.

I dig your change to Static Charge, Karat.

 

[Karat]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

I don't really want to lose the D-20 bit. I'd also prefer to keep the mental resistance bit. Maybe we can get a text mock up on a card to test space. I don't mind dropping the electrically charged part of Static-Cling though.

NAME = STATIC

SECRET IDENTITY = VIRGIL HAWKINS

SPECIES = METAHUMAN
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = TITAN
PERSONALITY = INGENIOUS

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 4

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

POINTS = ?

STATIC CHARGE
Start the game with a white Charge marker on this card. While there is a Charge marker on this card, Static is considered to have the Electically Charged special power. Instead of taking a turn with Static, you may place a previously removed Static marker on this card.

STATIC-CLING
Instead of attacking, you may remove a Charge marker from this card and place it on the card of a figure within 4 clear sight spaces of Static. Move the chosen figure up to 3 spaces and adjacent to the nearest figure or terrain piece. Before a figure other than Static moves, if it has a Charge marker on its card, you must roll the 20-sided die. If 15 or lower is rolled, that figure may not move this turn. If 16 or higher is rolled, remove the Charge marker from that figure's card.

TASER STRIKE SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 1. Attack 5.
If an opponent's figure would receive one or more wounds from this Special Attack, you may choose not to inflict one of those wounds to remove an Order Marker at random from that figure's card. Figures with the Electrically Charged special power are not affected by this Special Attack.

MENTAL RESILIENCE 2
If any player rolls the 20-sided die to take temporary or permanent control of Static, you may subtract 2 from the roll.

FLYING

I think it will be close. I count 26 lines of text (Mental Shield version would be 25 lines) in this version and 25 lines of text on Drac. That is not including Power Titles, symbols, or stats.

Though if we drop something, it would likely be the mental resistance bit.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

Yeah, I'd like to see an art test when we have the chance and go from there, cutting the mental part if it's looking too rough.

If you just wanted to go all in on the Static Cling part of the card, you could also drop the Taser power and really slim down the text.

 

[Scapemage]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

I'm okay with having Electrically Charged only while the marker is online. I can check text later.

 

[Karat]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

I'm okay with having Electrically Charged only while the marker is online. I can check text later.

Awesome! Thanks!

 

[quozl]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

What does the Electrically Charged power do?

 

[Karat]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

What does the Electrically Charged power do?

Its primarily a water weakness power but it is also used as a keyword on a lot of electrical based powers.

 

[quozl]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

I found it on Electro. Since it's not universal like Flying, I'd suggest adding the wording to the card like this:

STATIC CHARGE
Start the game with a white Charge marker on this card. While there is a Charge marker on this card, Static gains the Electrically Charged special power, rolling 1 fewer defense die when he is on a water space. Instead of taking a turn with Static, you may place a previously removed Static marker on this card.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

Gives him immunity to a lot of stuff that would otherwise zap him, primarily, like Electro's Electric Skin.

 

[Karat]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

The reason it's not there is he is specifically not weak to water in the comics.

 

[Ronin]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

You probably want more keyword-manipulation type language if you just want the interactions and not the actual power effects. Look at Kristoff or Orko.

I'd think about dropping Mental Resilience with that added in there.

 

[quozl]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

Like this?

STATIC CHARGE
Start the game with a white Charge marker on this card. While the Charge marker on this card, special powers act on Static as if he had the Electrically Charged special power. Instead of taking a turn with Static, you may place a previously removed Static marker on this card.

 

[Scapemage]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

The current write-up in the SP barely does not fit on the card at my understanding of the smallest size (6pt / 6.5 leading).

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

To me, Static Charge and Static Cling are this card in a nutshell. Anything else can be trimmed as it's less the "lunchbox" of the character.

 

[japes]

Re: The Book of Static (Design Phase)

Awesome....

 

[Karat]

Re: The Book of Static (Vote for Initial Playtesting)

Alright I updated the SP to this:

NAME = STATIC

SECRET IDENTITY = VIRGIL HAWKINS

SPECIES = METAHUMAN
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = TITAN
PERSONALITY = INGENIOUS

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 4

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

POINTS = 200?

STATIC CHARGE
Start the game with a white Charge marker on this card. While there is a Charge marker on this card, whenever a special power on an Army Card or glyph refers to the Electrically Charged special power, it refers to this special power as well. Instead of taking a turn with Static, you may place a previously removed Static marker on this card.

STATIC-CLING
Instead of attacking, you may remove a Charge marker from this card and place it on the card of a figure within 4 clear sight spaces of Static. Move the chosen figure up to 3 spaces and adjacent to the nearest figure or terrain piece. Before a figure other than Static moves, if it has a Charge marker on its card, you must roll the 20-sided die. If 15 or lower is rolled, that figure may not move this turn. If 16 or higher is rolled, remove the Charge marker from that figure's card. A figure moved with Static-Cling will not take any leaving engagement attacks.

TASER STRIKE SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 1. Attack 5.
If an opponent's figure would receive one or more wounds from this Special Attack, you may choose not to inflict one of those wounds to remove an Order Marker at random from that figure's card. Figures with the Electrically Charged special power are not affected by this Special Attack.

FLYING

....and I propose we move to Initial Playtesting

 

[Karat]

Re: The Book of Static (Vote for Initial Playtesting)

Competitive Checklist

Spoiler Alert!

Competitive Concerns

Does the design offer worrisome Order marker movement or efficiency? No

Does the design offer superior Auto wounding? No

Does the design cause the prevention of abilities (Blob, Polaris, Meteorite)? No

Does the design move other figures? Yes

Does the design boost other figures (outside of a narrowly defined set)? No

Does the design have one or more excellent defensive powers? No

Does the design auto destroy or take control of other figures in a way that unbalances the design? No

Does the design have any other concerns? Just movement shutdown on a D-20 roll of 15 or lower and potential OM removal.

Summary of Any Competitive Concerns/Suggestions for Changes: Figure movement adjacent to the closest figure/terrain piece, movement shutdown on a D-20 roll of 15 or lower, and potential OM removal

Consistency Checklist

Spoiler Alert!

Consistency Concerns

Name and Identity
Verify character is named in a way that is clear, accurate and feels consistent with the way other characters are named. Check

Uniqueness and Type
Verify that the power text reflects the listed uniqueness and type, that the uniqueness fits the character, and that squad size is listed for squads. Check

Left Box
If the character's species, class or personality is reused, verify that the character feels thematically consistent with other figures that have that species, class or personality. If they are not reused, verify that there is no pre-existing species, class or personality that would make more sense. Check

Size and Height
Verify that the listed size and height are accurate. Standing the mini up next to a stack of tiles, and a few other minis of various sizes, is encouraged. Check

Super Strength and Flying
Verify that these special powers are present if they make sense, and not if they don't. Check

New Powers - Names
Verify that any new powers are not using power names identical to, or very similar to, pre-existing powers. Verify that any new powers are actually new and not old powers with new names. Check

New Powers - Effects
Verify that the effect and timing of all new powers is clear. Verify that any logical immunities, benefits, or weaknesses (whether those be necessary for thematic or mechanical reasons) are implemented: consider whether defensive powers that work against normal attacks should also work against special attacks, whether or not a power has an elemental component that some figures should resist, and whether or not unliving figures (such as Undead and Androids) should be affected. Check

Reused Powers
Verify that the design is reusing powers in place of creating new ones, where reused powers could implement the same theme and mechanics with no differences or only trivial differences. Verify that any reused powers have the correct text. Check

Power Level
Verify that the character's movement, attack, range, and defense (in conjunction with any special powers that enhance those stats) feel consistent with the capabilities of characters with analogous powers and abilities. Verify that the character falls into a similar point range to characters with analogous powers and abilities. Check

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book of Static (Vote for Initial Playtesting)

For Static-Cling do we want it to be a movement power or a placement power? And we need a line about leaving engagement attacks in there.

You put 17 or lower in the Competitive Checklist, but 15 or lower in the power. I'm hoping it's meant to be 15 or lower (which even then might prove to be too much in playtesting).