Melee of Champions - Part 4

Been keeping an eye out for figurines in roughly the same scale as the Amiibos and Disney Infinity, picking up these few cheap at various stores.

Artorias (Dark Souls), Conker (Nintento/Rare) and Aquaman. 

A friend is a big fan of Dark Souls and Artorias in particular, so I nabbed him and Conker on a BOGOF sale. Got lucky and found this Aquaman FIGZ at a clearance place, sadly he was the only character left. I've been working on Super Mission Force stats for my collection of characters, so hopefully I'll be getting some more of those up sooner rather than later. 

Superhero Media: Dredd

Man did Dredd come out of nowhere or what? Even I, who's willing to sit through anything involving superheroes and comics, missed this one at the cinema and had to rent it on DVD when it came out. It seemed everyone missed it, as it didn't make much money, even on its small budget and now we live for scraps of news of Karl Urban maybe coming back to the role for Netflix. It's strange to think that Judge Dredd (1995) actually has more references and a style closer in look to the 2000 AD comics, but is pretty poor overall, but Dredd strips a lot of it down to basics and works really well. Let's be fair, Dredd borrows a lot from Die Hard, The Raid and even Punisher War Zone, and dresses it up in Judge Dredd clothes, rather than try to adapt "The Day the Law Died" or "Mechanismo". Taking the framing of Judge Anderson's first day, Dredd and Anderson are quickly trapped in Peachtrees Block and have to fight their way to the top through the Ma-Ma clan. 

This "day-in-the-life" approach to Judge Dredd works because the dry humour and hyper-violence of the comics are retained, but the more grounded look somehow suits the tone well. The language is heavily peppered with 2000 AD references, from Iso Cubes and Resyk to Muties and Med Judges, but the background also provides lots of fun nods to the comics, like a Fatty with bellywheel and the word "drokk" spray painted everywhere. For a while, Dredd was something of a regular watch for me, as it's a tight 90 minutes and can be very satisfying when a good bit of action is needed. However, the more I watch Dredd, the more I notice just how cheap the film is. Much of the foreground costuming and props are excellent, but all of the cars, costumes for extras and misc-en-scene look scavenged from the studio and mates' garages. Little things like a couple of the one-line extras being a bit crap, or odd wigs on actors to hide the fact they die more than once or the same corridor looking like the same corridor no matter how they vary the lighting. 

I'm a bit torn on seeing more of the Dredd universe. On one hand, more of Dredd would provide a chance to explore some deeper elements of the setting, like the Cursed Earth, Muties or the East Megs, but it could just as easily be even cheaper and more generic. Dredd seems destined to be something of a cult classic, with fans lamenting that it never went further, and I don't think that's a bad thing to be. Much like with Mystery Men, having more would be nice, in theory, but being a stand-alone film, rather than a franchise, has its own merit. Part of me is just a little too cynical to not picture a potential Netflix series having too many episodes and too tight a budget to really be allowed to shine. For now, Dredd is a treat, flaws and all and I would be up for Urban donning the helmet again, if the circumstances were right. Mega City One and the rest of Judge Dredd's Earth, as well as the other wonderful stories from 2000 AD are ripe for adaptation with the right team and it would be a shame for the trend to end here.

Miniatures Finished: Solo Villains

You know what makes great superhero settings like Marvel 616, DC Animated Universe and Invincible really feel "real"? Having a huge cast of characters. This is something I feel is often missing from film and television series, though the MCU and "Arrowverse" have done pretty well on this front, given the huge amount of time they've invested in world building (seriously, Human Target is in several episodes of Arrow, that's pretty cool). Although most of my own SS4 stuff revolves around my Equalisers team and/or Ulysses' adventures, I do work at some of the fringes of the setting to keep some verisimilitude where I can. For example, members of a defunct team "Counter Culture" can be found in my NewGen and Pendragon Security teams, as well as below, though I'll probably never run Counter Culture in a game; they having appeared in the Mutants and Masterminds game I ran over a decade ago which help spawn the entire setting. 

Originally, the idea of having a pool of "solo" Villains was to work with the "Unexpected Ally" mechanic in SS4, and I'd put together a team of solo Heroes as well. The heroes have been delayed because of a lack of appropriate minis and the Villains have become more of, "Boss Monster[s]", I guess would be the best term. Although most of my SS4 characters come in at 85 Build Points, most of the villains here are at least 100. After all of these years, I still can't get SS4 to catch on at NWA, so I'm in the process of planning games in my own setting where I can provide the minis and get people playing. Hopefully you'll be seeing more AARs in the near future.

Villains menace the Earth! (from left to right) Bubblegum (its "Prime" form in the rear), the Ultraversal Umpire, Kiswah and Argon.

Bubblegum (D&D Miniature) and Bubblegum Prime (toy). 

Bubblegum: One of the first enemies Alpha Section ever battled, before the Equalisers and birth of modern superhero teams, Bubblegum was an experiment intended to help people that went horribly wrong. An "intelligent" polymer designed for medical use, it was intended that the substance would "seek" injuries on a patient, sealing wounds and applying anesthetic. However, something went horribly wrong and the substance started absorbing and devouring test animals, gaining intelligence and becoming more dangerous as it did so. By the time the authorities were aware of the threat, the substance had killed several people and been dubbed "bubblegum" due to it's sickly-sweet odor. Alpha Section (then Wildcat, the Unknown Soldier, Fury, Sledge, Pearl Diver, Krakatoa and Tempest) were able to capture Bubblegum and place it in a deep freeze. A couple of times since, Bubblegum has escaped and gone on other rampages. When it absorbs enough intellects, Bubblegum reaches what has been dubbed it's "Prime" form, more humanoid and far stronger, but less destructive. It has been theorised that, should Bubblegum be able to absorb enough intellect, it may achieve true sentience.

The Ultraversal Umpire plans its next round of games (converted Reaper) 

The Ultraversal Umpire: An enigmatic being from outside the known Omniverse, The Ultraversal Umpire is best known for using its seemingly-limitless power to draw super-powered beings into gladiatorial combat. A recurring foe for both Ulysses and The Champions of the Omniverse, The Ultraversal Umpire is so difficult a foe not only for its ability to open portals and cancel super-powers, but because of the seemingly endless supply of brainwashed superheroes at its beck and call. Of course, once these heroes realise that they've been duped, they tend to team up and defeat The Ultraversal Umpire, but these continual defeats never seem to put a stop to its machinations. Is this unknowable creature part of a larger scheme, or just a bored demigod looking for kicks? Only time will tell.

Kiswah (Eureka) and Argon (Heroscape). 

Kiswah: His original name being long lost to time, the man known as Kiswah has been fighting for the Nation of Islam since the days of the PLO. Kiswah is in possession of a strange and haunting superpower; he cannot die. As a young man, full of the fire of jihad, Kiswah was lured by tales of glory and paradise, willingly giving everything for his cause as he detonated a bomb vest and awaited his reward; when he woke up days later, unharmed, his life began to change. Kiswah still passionately believes in removing Western influence from the Middle East, and that his people must be free to decide their own destiny, but as a veteran of the fight, he now questions the methods of his compatriots. Kiswah has seen too many young people go to their deaths for the cause, and has chosen to do all he can to prevent further loss of life. Under Kiswah's leadership, only he will wear a bomb vest, as the pain is something he can actually bear and return from. 

Argon: Aaron Weber was doing time in Juvenile Detention for drug-related crimes, despite being 19 years of age, as his father's money and influence had kept him out of a State Prison. Weber ran a small gang of nere'do'wells, his age and natural charisma suiting him as a leader, but he wanted out so volunteered for an experiment that may kill him, but would reduce his sentence. Like all members of the original Counter Culture, Weber was granted amazing powers, in his case, the ability to control and project colourful plasma, which Weber felt clashed with the Goth aesthetic he modeled at the time. During a conflict with the Equalisers, Weber was seemingly killed, only to return moments later in a form of pure plasma, which was eventually captured by Wildcat and the Scarlet Blade. Weber was imprisoned at the Boomerang facility in Melbourne until it came under attack by Pendragon Security and he was able to escape. Since then, Argon has been a recurrent foe for heroes the world over, with his immense power making him a formidable opponent, though he often pursues petty goals with his strength.

Name: Kiswah

BP: 85

Affiliation: None

AP: 4

Strike: 1

Strength: 3

Dodge: 4

Sense: 2

Toughness: 5 (1)

Mind: 3

Resolve: 6

Damage: 3/9 (3)

Powers

Lone Wolf – Does not gain nor grant Bonuses in Close Combat. May not benefit from Tactician Boon.

Regeneration – End of turn, roll 1D, heal 1 for each Goal, may not be re-rolled.

Hard to Kill – 4AP to Cuff or Ace Kiswah

Detonation – 3 Vitality, 9” AOE, 9 (3) Damage, one use only.

Super Toughness 1

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KO

Name: The Psychevore

BP: 130

Affiliation: None

AP: 12

Strike: 2

Strength: 2

Dodge: 2

Sense: 6

Toughness: 10

Mind: 10

Resolve: 9

Damage: 2/9 (1)

Powers

Soulless – Immune to Mind-based attacks and Healing. Automatically fails KO Checks

Telekinesis – 2AP hovers 24” in the air until start of next turn, Immune to falling damage

Density Decrease (Always On) – Immune to Damage rolled against Toughness

Mind Attack 9, Super 1

Massive 3 - +3D to attacks against this Model

Slow Footed – Model cannot Charge

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KO

Name: Ultraversal Umpire

BP: 165

Affiliation: None

AP: 20

Strike: 4

Strength: 4

Dodge: 6

Sense: 7

Toughness: 6

Mind: 12 (4)

Resolve: 8

Damage: 4/6

Powers

Dispel – 4AP 15” Range, Mind vs Power Dice, turns off Active Powers

- Supress – Can target Attributes and constant effect Powers. Attributes lose super and drop to 2D

Telekinesis – 2AP hovers 40” in the air until start of next turn, Immune to falling damage

Force Dome 6D – 3AP 7”AOE Physical attacks hit dome first, modes get +2D Toughness when active

Mind Attack 6D – hits Mind resisted by Resolve, Ignores Cover

Super Mind 4 (Second Sight) – May use Mind for Initiative, target Mind Attack without LOS

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KO

Name: Argon

BP: 85

Affiliation: None

AP: 11

Strike: 6 (1)

Strength: 3

Dodge: 6 (1)

Sense: 3

Toughness: 3

Mind: 5

Resolve: 3

Damage: 3

Powers

Density Decrease – 3AP, Immune to Damage rolled against Toughness, Cannot make melee attacks, may move through terrain, immune to fall damage, Cannot be Knocked Down

Reflection – 3AP Ranged Strikes missing by 2+ Goals can be reflected to Short Range

Flight

Lone Wolf – Does not gain Friends in Combat bonus or Tactician

Super-Strike 1 – May use Strike for Initiative Rolls

Super-Dodge 1 - +1D to resist fall damage

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KO

Name: Bubble Gum

BP: 100

Affiliation: None

AP: 7

Strike: 5

Strength: 4

Dodge: 3

Sense: 4

Toughness: 8 (2)

Mind: 2

Resolve: 2

Damage: 4

Powers

Elasticity - +2D to Grab rolls, 15” Melee attacks @ +2AP

-       Parachute – immune to Fall Damage

Drain 5D – 2AP, Max 2 per Stat per turn, Restores Vitality

Regeneration – End of turn, roll 2D, heal 1 for each Goal, may not be re-rolled.

Soulless – Immune to Mind-based attacks and Healing. Automatically fails KO Checks

Linked Power Framework

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KO

Name: Bubble Gum Prime

BP: 100

Affiliation: None

AP: 7

Strike: 5

Strength: 4

Dodge: 3

Sense: 4

Toughness: 8 (2)

Mind: 2

Resolve: 2

Damage: 4

Powers

Elasticity - +2D to Grab rolls, 15” Melee attacks @ +2AP

-       Parachute – immune to Fall Damage

Drain 5D – 2AP, Max 2 per Stat per turn, Restores Vitality

Regeneration – End of turn, roll 2D, heal 1 for each Goal, may not be re-rolled.

Soulless – Immune to Mind-based attacks and Healing. Automatically fails KO Checks

Density Increase (Always On) - +3D Toughness, +1 Super Strength + Toughness, All Attacks cost +1AP, Counts as a Class A Object

Massive 2 - +4D to target this model

Linked Power Framework

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KO