So thanks to Marvel.com for 'breaking' the story of the new Organized Play card for Month Two. We've already had a peek at the Thor from this month, but now we're getting our first hints of exactly how beastly some of these Organized Play cards can be. It's Spider-Man: The Amazing. He's our Month Two Organized Play. We already knew his name, and how much he cost, as well as his brand-new Avengers affiliation, but his abilities are new.When Spider-Man attacks, pay three fist to make your opponent lost half his life, rounded down. Well that's rough. Unlike his uncommon, Wall-Crawler, you only have to attack, not to hit your opponent. I'm also surprised how comparatively little this costs at 'only' 6. I'd really expect something this beefy to demand a 7, because it's actually not too difficult to get 6 energy pretty early on with a lucky roll or two. Indeed with a Tsarina (or other Black Widow) it's more than possible to be able to pick him up turn three or four, and it makes it far easier to get those 3 fist energy as well.
Let's do some analysis under the cut.
I'm actually a little worried about the power-level here. Obviously, as I said, six cost is surprisingly low for a card that has the potential to be this nasty. Really the only limiting factor is to be able to have him out in the same turn you have 3 fist energy to spare. I think that might keep it from being too horrible, but then again Spider-Man himself is fairly cheap to field, so I could definitely see some chances to get him out, and still have 3 fist energy. This is a prime Loki: Gem Keeper target, just because if he gets on the field, you're in some serious trouble.
I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It's one of those cards that definitely ruins a game for you if it gets on the field. The cost is a pretty big deterrent - at least the part about needing three fist - but I could definitely see strategies shaping up around this guy. Something like a Punisher: McRook, or a 'when attacks' Storm might be necessary to guard against this guy.
As with all cards that have an ability 'when attacks', it's prime Distraction bait; the problem there is, of course, getting 3 fist and 1 mask energy. Maybe I'm a little worked up over nothing, but this is the first reward card that's come out of the Organized Play Kits that made me go 'wow, I think you'd be at a disadvantage to not have the option of that card', and in some ways that could be the start of a troubling trend. There have been serious supply problems with both the Starter Kit, and the Organized Play Kit, that make it difficult to get out there and play at all, much less win an Organized Play.
In the end, I'm not sure it raised to the level of being a better card than Human Torch: Johnny Storm, but it's still pretty rough. What are your thoughts, guys? OP OP card, or just an interesting set piece that's too costly to really make it to the field and be used?
It does look like a powerful card. However, it may be detrimental for a team to focus on buying him and using his ability. The combined cost of purchasing the dice and using his ability is a lot. Also, like Katie says above, it is not easy to summon him and use his ability on the same turn, and that would be the best way to use him. Your opponent can take him out in a few ways, if you have to leave him in the field for a turn or 2 or 3. That may happen since getting 3 fists it not easy either. Then, the longer it takes you to use him, the less powerful he becomes. I don't think we have anything to worry about with this card. But we shall see.
ReplyDeleteThis card is awesome. So pumped about an Avenger Spidey, too. The 3 fists for his ability sort of forces you into a fist heavy squad. Hey another reason for Tsarina to be on your team!
DeleteYep. Friend and I were talking about it. If Uncanny has more low cost fist characters, that would help a lot. Right now Black Widow is all we have.
DeleteWell Falcon is a 3-cost Fist characters so that's a start.
DeleteHe's good, but I think he isn't as scary as he seems. He costs 6 (which is not that easy to get out early on), he requires three masks to use his ability (again, easier said than done), and there's only a die limit of 2 for this guy. When he works its going to be nasty just like his previous version, but getting it to work is going to be rare.
ReplyDeleteRally seems like it could be more problematic with things like Gobby out there, but we'll see once people start actually playing it.
About this card being OP I say no way no how. The only reason Johnny Storm is OP is his cost (which should be 6 or perhaps even 7). If you bring out a 6 card I expect it to be pretty badass. Plus, his ability gets less and less powerful as the game goes on so there's that. The best part about him is that making your opponent "lose life" is not damage! Sorry Hulk.
ReplyDeletePersonally, it looks like a great card - but so many look like great cards! Remember he is just one of (up to) eight cards you start with. By himself? Good, but not "be all end all." With the right team? You still have to get the right rolls...
ReplyDeleteBTW - I got burnt out on Magic some time back with "net decks" and "he who spends the most money wins." This game is VERY refreshing in that the "super rares" are still not the "be all end all" and even having the "perfect team" still requires you to roll the dice... I know people that don't care for randomness in gaming, but I thrive on it. :-)