Give a friendly character in this square or holding this object a power action to equip it. Opposing characters can KO this object only by using it in an object attack.

EFFECT: Character has the Animal keyword.
Once per game, when an opposing character hits the equipped character with a close attack, after actions resolve, you may choose a standard power the attacking character can use. The equipped character can use that power as long as this is equipped.

= = = = =

Given how under 2022 rules equipment is assigned to characters "during force construction," does the Mutagen Ooze now provide Animal keyword at the proper time to not break a themed team?

I'm gonna say "no" and here's why: Even though you have the equipment assigned well before time to determine theme, I don't believe that the Equipment's EFFECT is in play before it even hits the table. And it would have to be in order for this to work, since theme is determined before placement.

Anyone else looking to chime in on this? Just making sure this is correct. Is there a modern day analogy, such as Marvel Team Up Spidey and a Lantern Ring, that might relate?

I don't see why it wouldn't work. Unless they come out and say that it somehow newly doesn't, you could always assign an equipment character like Ophidian to a figure and have them be an Orange Lantern at the start of the game. I don't see why this would be any different

It has been brought to my attention that the way the new rules work is that objects are assigned at force construction, but they aren't equipped until after you do your theme team check so mutagen ooze still won't work the way you want it to

Given this, does this mean that the original War of Light entities don't work any more to bring a character onto a themed team properly?

Correct. Filler filler filler

I feel like the bearer of bad news.

That.

Sucks.

Well, any way to bring this to WK's attention to get them to fix it?

Wizkids, fixing a Golden Age component?

Good luck with that.

This was what I was going to say as well (Unfortunately)

Ok. I have reread the Game Setup and Equipment entries in the Comprehensive Rules. I don't see the issue that is happening here in that document. Can someone please break the process down, from start to finish, step by step, as to WHY this does not work now?

EDIT TO ADD:

The issue seems to appear in the Design Insight article introducing these rules but is NOT explicitly stated in the Comp Rules themselves.

"Equipping at Start of Game

Characters that have been assigned equipment during force construction will start the game with that equipment equipped. Noting that the EFFECTs of any equipment will not be accessible by the assigned character until the start of game."

That LAST sentence is the issue now, right?

I JUST LOVE how the "Comprehensive Rules" document is not actually comprehensive.

It kinda makes sense from a thematic point of view. Technically the character isnt an animal (I think monster would also apply but I digress) until after the ooze takes its EFFECT. So maybe not useful for theme teams but figures that play off of animal keywords will still have synergy.