I actually disagree with making Citizen V a shifting focus to and from Zemo. From a storytelling standpoint, it doesn't make a lot of sense.

I would have agreed with that to some degree, until shifting focus cap in swbs set which made no sense lol.

Shifting focus or not, I would take both of these either way!

Many thanks, DaSaul29! Glad you dug the dial! This was one of the first dials I'd made for the set, and I later had to power it down a bit. I think I'm enamored with the design!

I can definitely respect that! Hmmm... I wonder if Alter Ego would've been a more appropriate mechanic for Citizen V/Zemo. I've personally never gotten into the Shifting Focus mechanic, so maybe I don't have the fullest appreciation for it

I agree that Citizen V could/should remain fairly static, as his/her tactics are static no matter who's in the uniform, but I could see an argument for Zemo transitioning between strategist, fencer, marksman, and support!

Odd-looking dial, I know, but I figured it was the least-complicated way to give Norman a stripped-down version of the Alter Ego mechanic to make him just that right amount of unpredictable.



#082 Norman Osborn

Team: Thunderbolts, Sinister Syndicate

Range: 0

Points: 50

Keywords: Scientist, Dark Avengers, H.A.M.M.E.R., Politician, Sinister Syndicate


KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

6 10 17 3

5 10 17 2

5 10 16 2

5 11 14 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Norman Osborn begins on Click #5.
Thunderbolts Initiative: As long as Norman Osborn is on the board, the Thunderbolts Team Ability has a range of 8 squares.

 American Terror: As a Free Action, you may replace Norman Osborn with a character named Green Goblin or Iron Patriot on a click of the same number.

And that's DEFINITELY our last Norman. Promise.

UPDATE: 10/25/18: Thanks, DarkBlueAnt!
UPDATED: 10/26/18 More thanks to DarkBlueAnt & DaSaul29 for making excellent points about Norman's combat prowess. I realized that he was 50 points, but had the stats of a 25-point piece. This should set things straight C:
UPDATED: 10/31/18: Specified where the dial should begin. Thanks, Jetpack!

Love the simplicity of that Norman. That's how AE should have been.

Only thing is that the 0 damage seems weird to me. Even in his business suit, Norman could throw down. I know he's holding back for his public image here, but he should still at least have a 1. I seem to remember him beating up random guards and things like that. He straight up killed Swordsman in his office.

Many thanks, DarkBlueAnt! I've made the changes you suggested!

It's tricky to get the right balance with Norman because you're right, outside of his costumes, he functions like an Amanda Waller, but he always has those physical abilities.

Thats a great point. Remember in the new avengers when he launched luke cage like he was a football. Although I know that was more due to the super adaptoid stuff that was done to him.

Hi, everybody! Here's today's dial!




#083 Luke Cage

Team: Thunderbolts, Avengers

Range: 0

Points: 100/75

Keywords: Thunderbolts, Marvel Knights, Heroes for Hire, Avengers


7 10 18 3

6 10 17 3

| | | |

6 10 18 3

5 10 17 2

4 10 18 2

3 9 17 2

3 9 17 1

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Rehabilitation Program: Other friendly characters with the Thunderbolts or Marvel Knights keyword modify their defense values by +1.

Impregnable Skin: Ignore 1 damage when Luke Cage is dealt damage from an opponent

 Born Leader: Leadership & Close Combat Expert.

UPDATE: I tweaked Norman's dial to make his stats a little more accurate and befitting of his 50 points.

To be fair, I kinda hope he winds up leading the MCU's Thunderbolts... but that he literally never becomes Red Hulk.



#084 Red Hulk

Real Name: Thaddeus E. "Thunderbolt" Ross

Team: Thunderbolts

Range: 5 

Points: 200/150

Keywords: Avengers, Circle of Four, Hulkbusters, Intelligencia, Offenders, Soldier, Thunderbolts


11 11 18 4

9 11 18 4

7 10 17 3

| | | |

7 11 18 4

7 11 17 3

9 10 17 3

8 10 18 4

7 10 17 4

7 10 18 3

6 9 18 4

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

Hit 'em Hard: Other friendly characters with the Thunderbolts or Avengers keywords have +1 Damage.

Radiating Heat: Poison. If affected opponent has any Action Tokens, +1 Damage from this ability.

Tactical Smash: Quake & Super Strength.

Almost the only good thing that came out of Marvel in the mid-to-late 90s is Thunderbolts. I'd love this set, or even just a lot of these unclixed characters in Marvel sets.

Huge thanks, WillProgresivo! Glad you're enjoying the set! Totally agree that Thunderbolts was always a strong comic in terms of its characters, their actions, their commentary on the state of the 616, and even just in their conceit.

I get a kick out of rendering unclixed characters, and I think it's because it's easier to claim some kind of authorial stamp on them that isn't necessarily based on other iterations. Sometimes making a previously-clixed character can feel like painting by the numbers for me. One of my crutches, I think, is that I might try too hard to be original in those cases.

Our last Super Rare is the latest leader of the Thunderbolts! I don't see much conversation about this iteration of the team, probably because it's so new and because it ended so quickly, but Jim Zub's run was about as strong as Nicieza's work. The real bummer was that it had to end so soon to accommodate Secret Empire instead of finding its own thing to do during that time.

Btw: It took me FOREVER how to figure out how to incorporate Winter Soldier's arm...



#085 Winter Soldier

Real Name: Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes

Team: Thunderbolts

Range: 8 

Points: 100/75

Keywords: Soldier, Assassin, Spy, Invaders, Young Allies, Kid Commandos, Avengers, Thunderbolts, Department X


9 11 17 3

8 10 17 3

| | | |

7 11 17 3

7 10 17 3

6 10 17 2

6 10 17 2

6 10 16 2

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

KO KO KO KO

The New Man on the Wall: Other friendly characters with the S.H.I.E.L.D. or Thunderbolts keywords have +1 Speed.

 Cybernetic Arm: When Winter Soldier is the target of an attack, roll a d6. On a result of 4-6, Winter Soldier has Impervious instead of his defense power until your next turn.

 Cold War Assassin: Stealth & Running Shot.

Nice job with Red Hulk there! Feels worth the points for sure. That primary trait is going to be NASTY with the right teammates.

I'm with you on that point about Ross in the MCU. I'm thrilled that they brought him back even after as long a hiatus as he had. Even though Sam Elliot's Ross was pretty much the only good thing about the Ang Lee Hulk, and I dreaded the recast, William Hurt immediately won me over in the role, and I'd love to see him get even more to do.

One thing I always wondered with Red Hulk that I don't know was ever answered - was there ever a given reason for the disappearing and reappearing mustache?

My continued thanks, No-Name! In truth, I'm not terribly familiar with Red Hulk, so I'm pleased to hear that the dial worked out! haha I'd wondered the same thing about the mustache. At a guess, the transformation process is hottest along the upper lip? Same weird science that makes the Hulk's pants always turn purple? I saw that the ironically-patriot USA Avengers or whatever starring him allowd him to keep the 'stache, so who knows.

1,000% with you about MCU Ross. Personally felt it was a big loss losing Sam Elliot, but damn, every time I watch Incredible Hulk or Civil War, I find myself wanting more of William Hurt's Ross. Seems like he's definitely set up to be a Norman analogue...