The Book of Ultron

[Spidey'tilIDie]

The Book of Ultron

C3G MARVEL WAVE 5
WORLD'S VILEST​

Comic PDF​

Mini PDF​

The figure used for this unit is a Heroclix figure from the Armor Wars set.
Its model number and name are #082 / Ultron-5.
Its model number and name are #083 / Ultron-11.
Its model number and name are #084 / Ultron-16.
Its model number and name are #216 / Ultron-13.​

_________________________________________________________________
Character Bio - Arguably the greatest and certainly the most horrific creation of scientific genius Dr. Henry Pym, Ultron is a criminally insane rogue sentient robot dedicated to conquest and the extermination of humanity. Years ago, Pym began experimenting with artificial intelligence. Building a structurally crude robot, Pym endowed it with consciousness, using a copy of his own brain patterns as the basis for the robot's programming; however, the robot inherited not only Pym's great intellect, but also Pym's inherent mental instability, only without a human conscience. To Pym's surprise, the robot developed an advanced intellect within moments of its activation, and an unexpected irrational hatred for its "father" Pym and the human race Pym represented. Ultron escaped and has since tried repeatedly to destroy the Avengers and the human race.
_________________________________________________________________

-Rulings and Clarifications-

• Ultron is an Event Hero and follows Event Hero rules.

_________________________________________________________________

-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:

• Ultron may add 4 to his roll when rolling for his Program Transmission special power if he chooses Jocasta, due to her Ultron Imperative 4 special power.
• Ultron may add 2 to his roll when rolling for his Program Transmission special power if he chooses an Ultron (Drone), due to its Ultron Imperative 2 special power.
• As a Destroyer, Ultron has these Destroyer Synergies.

Outgoing Synergy:

• Ultron may choose Androids and Cyborgs for his Program Transmission special power. Current Androids and Cyborgs.
• Ultron can be activated by and activate Ultron (Drone) heroes with their Age of Ultron special power.

_________________________________________________________________

-Immunities, Benefits, and Weaknesses-

Immunities

• As a figure with the Flying special power, Ultron cannot be affected by aspects of certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with the Flying special power.
• As a figure with the Super Strength special power, Ultron cannot be affected by aspects of certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with the Super Strength special power.
• As an Event Hero, Ultron cannot be affected by aspects of certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with Event Heroes.

Benefits

• As an Event Hero, Ultron interacts differently with certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with Event Heroes.
• As a figure with the Super Strength special power, Ultron interacts differently with certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with the Super Strength special power.

Weaknesses

• As an Event Hero, Ultron interacts differently with certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with Event Heroes.
• As a figure with the Flying special power, Ultron interacts differently with certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with the Flying special power.
• As a figure with a Special Attack, Ultron interacts differently with certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with Special Attacks.
• Figures with Special Attacks may bypass Ultron's Adamantium Tough special power. Current Special Attacks.

_________________________________________________________________

-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• Ultron makes a useful core to an Android Army, giving him a number of spare bodies to fall back on and avoid destruction without requiring an attack. Loading up on cheaper Uncommon Androids such as Doombots and Sentinels makes Ultron difficult to stamp out permanently.
• While Program Transmission 20 works on any figure, Event Heroes cannot be destroyed by special powers - if used on an Event Hero, Ultron cannot return to the board and would be destroyed.

-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

• Initial playtest: IamBatman
• Second playtest: tcglkn
• Third playtest: Good Pig
• Fourth playtest: scapemage921
• Fifth playtest: Hahma
• Sixth playtest: tcglkn 2
• Seventh playtest: scapemage921 2
• Eighth playtest: Spidey
• Ninth playtest: CharosinCharge
• Art by tcglkn

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

NAME = ULTRON
SECRET IDENTITY = ULTRON PYM

SPECIES = ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
UNIQUENESS = EVENT HERO
CLASS = DESTROYER
PERSONALITY = CALCULATING

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 13

MOVE = 6
RANGE = 3
ATTACK = 6
DEFENSE = 4

POINTS = 680

ENCEPHALO RAY SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 6. Attack 5.
If Ultron inflicts one or more wounds with Encephalo Ray Special Attack and the defending figure is not destroyed, instead of giving that figure any wounds, you may choose to remove all unrevealed Order Markers from that card.

PROGRAM TRANSMISSION 20
After moving and attacking with Ultron, you may choose one figure within 10 clear sight spaces of Ultron. Chosen figures must be Androids, Cyborgs, or figures other than Destructible Objects that received at least one wound from Ultron's Encephalo Ray Special Attack this turn. Roll the 20-sided die, adding 1 to your roll for each wound given to a figure this turn with Encephalo Ray Special Attack. If you roll 20 or higher, destroy the chosen figure and Ultron. Immediately place Ultron on the space previously occupied by the chosen figure and remove all Wound Markers from Ultron's card.

ADAMANTIUM TOUGH
When rolling defense dice against a normal attack, Ultron always adds one automatic shield to whatever is rolled. Ultron's defense number cannot be reduced by any special power.

SUPER STRENGTH

FLYING


Original Post:

Spoiler Alert!

Encephalo Ray SA is meant to represent its ability to knock people out while also tying in the Program Transmission which shows his ability to Mind Control people with a different mechanic.

Program Transmission is meant to represent his ability to transfer his program from his body to other robotic bodies.

And the last is meant to represent his Adamantium body. This is the power I could see being take it or leave it.

The short range is meant to be represent his Concussive Blasts. And differentiate from his Encephalo Ray SA.

REVISION HISTORY:
11/22 - Posted initial Design
11/23 - Cut Adamantium Armor out and made changes to Encephalo Ray and Program Transmission to eliminate text. Changed from a Conqueror to a Destroyer to differentiate from Kang.
11/29 - After some discussion changed from Unique to Event and life and cost raised appropriately.
12/5 - After first two Army tests, removed 20-sided roll from Encephalo Ray.
12/6 - After Initial Playtest completed lowered cost to 650.
12/19 - Playtests completed, discussion ensued; Ultron undergoes some re-design
12/30 - After Hahma completes some playtesting and some additional tweaking, Ultron finally looking up to par. OP updated with new revisions.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Sorry, this took so long to post, but I have been really struggling with trying to make his powers work and being happy with the direction here. I think I have captured his theme really well, but I am not sure the wording is great. I am totally open to suggestions here, but I think the theme is cool and mechanically interesting.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Are you writing a card or a novel? Waaaaay too much text there, dude. My biggest suggestion - simplify.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

I can't read anymore..... to be blunt, CUT THE SPECIAL POWERS' TEXT DOWN BY AT LEAST 50%.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Changes made in first post.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Much more digestible.
Some suggestions below:

ENCEPHALO RAY SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 6. Attack 3 + Special.
Choose a figure within 6 clear site spaces of Ultron. Roll three attack dice. If Ultron inflicts you cause at least one or more wounds with Encephalo Ray Special Attack and the defending figure is not destroyed, you may choose to roll a the 20-sided die. If you roll a 13 or higher you may choose to only place one wound marker on the defending targeted figure's card and remove all remaining Order Markers from that figure’s card.

PROGRAM TRANSMISSION 11
Instead of moving and attacking with Ultron, you may choose one any Common, Uncommon, or Unique figure within 10 clear sight spaces of Ultron. Roll the 20-sided die. If you roll an 11 or higher, you may remove the chosen figure from the battlefield and replace it them with Ultron. Replace any wound markers on Ultron's card with those of the targeted chosen figure. Ultron may take control of an entire squad if one figure is controlled via by Program Transmission. Ultron may only use this power on Androids, Robots, or Cyborgs unless the targeted chosen figure received a wound from Encephalo Ray Special Attack this round.

There are still some mechanical questions (especially on the second power) and some wording adjustments that need to be made, but this brings it to a point where it's a little bit more readable so those issues can be examined.

 

[IAmBatman]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Also, I doubt we'll ever make anything the species of Robot ... I think we pretty much settled on Android as our generic machine term and Cyborgs will likely be used in limited cases (like Cyborg) as well. I'm pretty sure we decided against using Robot as a species.
Oh, and any power that applies to Unique Heroes applies to Uncommon ones. No need to put Uncommon in there.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Can we please avoid the "power stealing" aspect. I know it is cool on Doom, and I know Absorbing Man and Echo will have some cool affects, but if we do it too often (like one Ultron too often) the power becomes more and more common - :bad: Besides, shouldn't something like that be better suited for Amazo? Not saying what Utron can or can't do either, just saying that perhaps there is something better.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Can we please avoid the "power stealing" aspect. I know it is cool on Doom, and I know Absorbing Man and Echo will have some cool affects, but if we do it too often (like one Ultron too often) the power becomes more and more common - :bad: Besides, shouldn't something like that be better suited for Amazo? Not saying what Utron can or can't do either, just saying that perhaps there is something better.

Dude, that was the first cut. It was meant to represent his taking over their body and only being able to use their powers and his own Program Tranference (So he could do it again if need be), but it got the ax first because it was a ton of the text.

Currently he implants his program and becomes them, that's why he uses his own powers.

EDIT: First Post updated with Bats' rewrites.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

OK, gotcha. Seeing it all on the front page helps. More suggestions coming right up.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

ENCEPHALO RAY SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 6. Attack 4 + Special.
If Ultron inflicts one or more wounds with Encephalo Ray Special Attack and the defending figure is not destroyed, roll the 20-sided die. If you roll a 14 or higher you may choose to only place one wound marker on the defending figure's card and remove all remaining Order Markers from that card.

PROGRAM TRANSMISSION 11
Instead of moving and attacking with Ultron, you may choose one Common or Unique figure within 10 clear sight spaces of Ultron. Roll the 20-sided die. If you roll an 11 or higher, you may remove the chosen figure from the battlefield and replace it with Ultron. Replace any wound markers on Ultron's card with those of the chosen figure. Ultron may take control of an entire squad if one figure is controlled by Program Transmission. Ultron may only use this power on Androids or Cyborgs unless the chosen figure received a wound from Encephalo Ray Special Attack this round.

Special Attack

1. You don't place wound markers on a common squads card.

Program 11

1. Too powerful really and not really interesting or fun. Basically with a 50% chance of success, Ultron can destroy Sentinels, Metallo, Amazo, Metal Men, Vision, etc. This entire power needs to be rethought.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

ENCEPHALO RAY SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 6. Attack 4 + Special.
If Ultron inflicts one or more wounds with Encephalo Ray Special Attack and the defending figure is not destroyed, roll the 20-sided die. If you roll a 14 or higher you may choose to only place one wound marker on the defending figure's card and remove all remaining Order Markers from that card.

PROGRAM TRANSMISSION 11
Instead of moving and attacking with Ultron, you may choose one Common or Unique figure within 10 clear sight spaces of Ultron. Roll the 20-sided die. If you roll an 11 or higher, you may remove the chosen figure from the battlefield and replace it with Ultron. Replace any wound markers on Ultron's card with those of the chosen figure. Ultron may take control of an entire squad if one figure is controlled by Program Transmission. Ultron may only use this power on Androids or Cyborgs unless the chosen figure received a wound from Encephalo Ray Special Attack this round.

Special Attack

1. You don't place wound markers on a common squads card.

Agreed, but a common figure would be destroyed before you roll a 20 sider anyway.

Program 11

1. Too powerful really and not really interesting or fun. Basically with a 50% chance of success, Ultron can destroy Sentinels, Metallo, Amazo, Metal Men, Vision, etc. This entire power needs to be rethought.

Well, your entitled to your opinion, but I find it more fun than just another card with regular old Mind Control. I could definetely see raising the roll a bit (maybe alot), but I have heavily tweaked the power and (my apology) didn't think about upping the roll while I was fixing the wording. If you have a suggestion I am all ears. (Or eyes rather.)

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Your right on the SA, it is all good there.

The Program power though.... come on man. How is rolling a single die and auto killing an expensive figure with relative ease fun or competitive? I think if you played it, you would share my opinion that it is just too much. For it to work out OK, the roll would have to be one of those 19 or higher rolls (or near that range) and also, you could get rid of the "instead of moving or attacking" bit, because with odds that high, no one would ever attempt the power. I would suggest significantly raising the roll and open the timing of its use to before taking a turn. Also, if someone brought an entire army of one squad of Androids, just you rolling a single die and winning is NOT fun. I would drop the entire squad bit.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

How's this?

PROGRAM TRANSMISSION 17
Instead of moving and attacking with Ultron, you may choose one Common or Unique figure within 10 clear sight spaces of Ultron. Roll the 20-sided die. If you roll an 11 or higher, you may remove the chosen figure from the battlefield and replace it with Ultron. Replace any wound markers on Ultron's card with those of the chosen figure. Ultron may take control of an entire squad if one figure is controlled by Program Transmission. Ultron may only use this power on Androids or Cyborgs unless the chosen figure received a wound from Encephalo Ray Special Attack this round.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Much better. Now, go check out the Zombies card for better "replacement" wording and I think all systems are a go.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Wait, you may still wanna make the power more accessible by just making it "before taking a turn" or "after taking a turn".

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Your right on the SA, it is all good there.

The Program power though.... come on man. How is rolling a single die and auto killing an expensive figure with relative ease fun or competitive? I think if you played it, you would share my opinion that it is just too much. For it to work out OK, the roll would have to be one of those 19 or higher rolls (or near that range) and also, you could get rid of the "instead of moving or attacking" bit, because with odds that high, no one would ever attempt the power.

I totally agree which is why I had the odds lower to begin with, but 19 is too high. I do feel that the giving up movement and attack does outweigh it. It would be fun for me if I am reprogramming you, Mind Control is not fun to have happen to you either.

I would suggest significantly raising the roll and open the timing of its use to before taking a turn. Also, if someone brought an entire army of one squad of Androids, just you rolling a single die and winning is NOT fun. I would drop the entire squad bit.

I made some of these changes. I feel that it needs to have a price to try and do this.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Wait, you may still wanna make the power more accessible by just making it "before taking a turn" or "after taking a turn".

Don't you think the risk of wasting an entire turn (if you fail the roll) would allow the roll to be a little lower? Maybe we could add one of those "Take an immediate turn..." stipulations at the end? That way if you fail the roll, you lose your turn, but if you succeed, Jackpot!

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

17 is as low as it gets IMO (if that), but if you have to waste a turn to use the power, no one will use it - and if you lower the roll too much, the power is lame in that it is too easy to just auto destroy figures that are VERY LIKELY to be expensive. I would say leave it as you have it with a turn sacrifice, but if playtesting shows that it should be incorporated into his turn, you should be ready for that change.

Now other than that possibility and some wording issues that you can easily fix, I think you have a good card here that can tell a story without being one.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Oh, let me know when the front page is current with what you want and the correct wording.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Spidey, you can go to the gallery section at the top of the page, then to the official card section on the left side down, and from there you can look and search for the Zombies of Morindan (I don't know how it is spelled) and it is their card that will give you the wording you need for the "replacement" mechanic. Just let me know when you have the front page with what you like please, thanks.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

Griff, I checked the Zombies card out and the mechanic there is totally different. First off, they require a figure be destoyed to activate it. Second, they only bring back previously destroyed squad figures. Short of turning Ultron into a Unique Squad (which I am not a fan of and I seriously doubt you are), I am not sure what changes you are looking for.

 

[Spidey'tilIDie]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

First post updated with tweaked wording.

 

[Griffin]

Re: The Book Of Ultron - Design Phase

PROGRAM TRANSMISSION 17
Instead of moving and attacking with Ultron, you may choose one Common or Unique Android or Cyborg figure within 10 clear sight spaces of Ultron. Roll the 20-sided die. If you roll a 17 or higher, you may remove destroy the chosen figure. from the battlefieldand Replace the destroyed figure immediately, if possible, it with Ultron. Ultron may only target Androids and Cyborgs or figures that received at least one wound from Ultron's Encephalo Ray Special Attack this round.

1. removing the figure from the game is the same as destroying it in general terms, so just make the term official and let it be destroyed. This way you don't have to specify the uniqueness of the figure either, because Event Heroes can't be destroyed
2. the wording changes are based on the zombies and the wording it uses to communicate the replacement of figures.
3. Leave it as just Androids and Cyborgs mate. He shouldn't be auto killing Thor or Superman dude. Also, it is extremely difficult to keep track through a big round with lots of stuff happening who has been hit with what power, so expecting the players to remember which figures have been attacked with the SA for an entire round could often times be very difficult to remember, especially when juggling all the mechanics that come with this card.

PROGRAM TRANSMISSION 17
Instead of moving and attacking with Ultron, you may choose one Android or Cyborg figure within 10 clear sight spaces of Ultron. Roll the 20-sided die. If you roll a 17 or higher, destroy the chosen figure. Replace the destroyed figure immediately, if possible, with Ultron.