...So are these now done at the figures normal Range? No more universal 10square Range? For those with no Range, minimum 6squares?!

Yup. For the purposes of these abilities, you may target characters up to 6 squares away or your current range value, whichever is more.

Interesting change. Gonna try this stuff out tomorrow...

I like it. Heroclix has always favored range combat and this really increases the playability of little to no range figures.

Ranges have been decreasing progressively, this only falls in line with the Modern Age dial design.

By the looks of the new Sidestep power I'd imagine average speed values shall continue to decline as well. Makes sense to me whether I agree or not. If you won't give Flash or Long-Distance teleporters anything above a 15 you may as well slow everyone else down by comparison.

The only reason I don't like this change is that it devalues all previous characters that use these powers. Outwit used to be at a premium, so older figs (anything older than Teen Titans set) are going to be slightly over-costed with these powers.

I guess it's good marketing strategy on Wizkid's part because it'll make everyone feel like they have to buy newer figs for efficient point-cost. It just kind of sucks that 47 point Mole Man should be more of a 42- point Mole Man with that outwit range reigned in.

On one hand, the range decrease to these abilities fall in line well with non-range characters being able to Charge these support pieces. But on the other hand I also have to agree with you that the current ability to get across the entire map is ridiculously easy to execute and needs to be relied in.

I don't know about that. Maybe if you're always playing on a clear map. Most of the games that I play involves a fair amount of line of fires being blocked already, meaning these guys were already inching closer.

That's one way of looking at it. Another way of looking at it is to say that the characters were UNDERcosted before, and now they're about right.

Well, that's certainly a matter of opinion I guess, I was just stating my only reservation about the change. I wouldn't say Outwit was overpowered before, because it was usually factored into the cost of a character. Wizkids has some super secret mathematical formula, or so I am speculated at, that they use to calculate character point costs based on their powers and abilities. Now, balancing characters perfectly is a difficult matter considering all the special powers and abilities these days that can not simply be calculated, however it would be fair to say that Outwit/Perplex/Prob always add X amount of points to a character cost per click that they can use that power. I'd be VERY surprised if those associated costs haven't been changed according to the new rule and haven't been made slightly cheaper as a result.

Now, I guess this is par for the coarse, as there have always been rule changes, and it's fairly easy to understand that, intrinsically as a game, the older pieces get, the less balanced their point costs are according to modern standards. Which is why we even have a MODERN age to begin with (aside from the idea that retirement means future sales of the brand in order for players to stay competitive, which I have no problems with). I also understand that range has also always dominated and Game Design is trying to fix that. This is just a fairly big change, and I can't help but feel like all my figs that use these powers are not quite worth their points anymore.

For that matter, why did they decide on 6 minimum range? Why not 8? It just feels like those fragile utility pieces are worthless when they get that close. Is 6 range too close, did GD try to reign in range too much? Only time will tell. Most people seem to be liking the change, good for them. For me, I understand the need for it, but I can't help feeling a little cheated somehow. Maybe my feelings will change once I've started playing with the new rules.


Edit: I also realize that the new PAC also makes a lot of previously useless characters and powers way more useful, so those characters are now undercosted. It all balances out I guess.

Time to bring out Red Skull and his Hydra minions and ATA Hydra Deep Science back to the table... and watch your opponents groan.