8 character teams: the JSA

Continuing my 8 piece themed team as I try to make a finessed group (aka not all 200 points Superguys) of figures I like mixed with good playing pieces, I turn to the Legion for a turn. Love your feedback and to see your choices.

1. Dr. Mid-Nite E. An obvious choice with his stealth, willpower and support he's one of the best healers in the game. For a bit more robust of a choice the Vet is a good choice, I just like the E versions first click of support and willpower.

2. Wildcat E. Again a figure who's a little better in his E version. Wildcat's a real bruiser, just like in the comic. This is a figure that doesn't disappoint.

3. Flash. The AA version is simply more robust than the Hypertime version and wins almost every time between the two. The advantage of the HT version is he's the only figure with a 20 movement. Give him armor piercing and he's bound to tag even the toughest opponent with some damage.

4. Jakeem Thunder. Here we get a real treat in powers. PC, perplex and a high dv for other JSAers to take advantage of.

5. Hawkman V (Origin). Usually this guy is truly brutal. He can be hit easily (that first click with esd isn't helpful for a close combat kinda guy). I'd slap on endurance to him.

6. Mr. Terrific V. Wow, seeing I've only 3 choices left this is the first choice I might waiver about. Might. His support abilities make him awfully useful: pc, outwit, incap and stealth later on.

7. Ummmm....a woman! As I'm running out of room, I'd mix it up with one of the great but not essential females of the team. Want range? Take Stargirl V who gives some real damage on her first couple of clicks. Liberty Belle is a great close combat piece. I've always had a soft spot for Crimson Avenger as well. For tk Jade is the only choice. Liberty Belle and Stargirl offer the best choices, Belle's dial is a bit more impressive though so she wins.

8. Ah, the question of the brick. Hourman or Power Girl aren't really enough to fill this role. Atom Smasher's good but why take him with Shazam or Black Adam could make it. I admit I've a soft spot for Adam, and his Crisis version is pretty awesome. Also the Unleashed Shazam (both versions) still work well for me. I usually take the KC option.

Honorable mentions: Lots of 'em! Other great pc options can be found in Sandman or Johnny Thunder!

Hector Hall or the E GL offer Mystics ta to mix it up!

Stargirl and Crimson Avenger offer range! Or even Starman (Jack Knight not the old school kind).

Vet Hawkgirl is still worth the points or a close combat piece!

I could fill this one out in the blink of an eye...but I think when I'm done I'll have several honorable mentions.

1. Sandman. For 59 pts he's almost a staple for me. The Stealth/Prob to start is solid, and if he gets hit he could end up with Mind Control and Prob for more havoc, or be a Close Combat beast to have to deal with.

2. Hawkman. The Vet is the piece by which all of other versions must be measured. 12 Attack? Sweetness thy name is Hawkman. Just make sure if you're going to go in guns (maces?) blazing, you have someone to up his defense, because you're sure going to push off that ESD real fast.

3. Atom Smasher. Arguably one of the best Giants in the game, and that was before the changes made to them. For less than 100 pts, you can't go wrong with this behemoth. Granted, he wouldn't be the prime beat stick on my team, he'd still be hitting hard.

4. Jakeem Thunder. 18 prob/19 perplex. Either way, he's the JSA piece people clamored for years to have. Someone to make the rest of the TA better, and those numbers do just that. The dual target Incap or 3 damage isn't half bad off the top either.

5. Shazam. Oh, little Billy. You are clearly someone's favourite character or your rookie wouldn't be so broken. 105 pts my rear. But on a JSA team, I'll take it. Of course, he and Hawkman should probably be sporting Auto Regen, too. Then again, I like wasting 5 pts on double time to solve the first click problem.

6. Stargirl. From one of my favourite sets comes one of my favourite pieces, all for a mere 63 points. The ability to do 5 damage off the top scares many people, and they go after her. Problem is, I've usually got her sitting in hindering so unless they want to try a 19 (barring occasional circumstances), they've got to get to her. Wasting an action to do that usually sets up one of my other lovely pieces to crank `em hard.

7. Doctor Fate. Ah, Hector. Nearly full dial Prob makes you a gem on a team this big. I can use the points and not worry it will get wasted when you get cranked down to 15 Barrier (or worse). The only thing that would make him even better, is something more than 6 range. Of course, I'm talking about the E...you'll probably want the Vet or LE for the Mystics ability.

8. Wildcat. I love figures with decent attacks (since I tend to roll poorly, hence the Prob on this team). I also am a big fan of the mid-dial regen mechanic. The Experienced version gives both, as well as some charge and mid-dial close-combat expert. For 66 pts? I'll take him to round out my team. I've got enough flyers to get him out on the board and wreaking havoc quickly.

Honourable mentions to Uncle Sam (who I'd include if he had the keyword), Liberty Belle, Jay Garrick, Superman, and Dr. Mid-Nite. The last one is the only piece I might have flipped in over Wildcat.

No Love for E2 supes and Spertre? Best JSA IMO.

I debated on Spectre. Of course, I like the Colossal, lol. The small one is pretty sweet too. To be honest, though, E-2 is just too much cheese for me to play.

I love this thread concept! REP REP REP

My JSA reveals my Golden Age tendencies:

#1 Vet (Origin) Hawkman....with his "pop machine"/"Stanley Cup". This piece brings 7 clicks of punishment to many figures that will just wimper: Ghost Widow, Sandman, Batman, Winter Soldier, etc.

#2 U (Origin) Sandman. Such utility! Probably the only "smoke cloud" piece that actually uses smoke cloud for me! Such stats! Such support!

#3 U (Origin) Batman. Often overlooked, but for his 44 points I have always found him effective. If you need his perplex right away, just push to charge!

#4 SR Spectre. The Quintessence means that you have to beat on him straight-up...and he will likely be beating on you in return. Powerful without being borken, this piece makes the rest of the JSA so much more threatening.

#5 Liberty Belle -> Painfully consistent stats with move+attack...not to mention Pulse Wave! She has an 18 starting DV and she can be carried! She easily outclasses the U Origin Superman for 9 less points.

#6 U (Origin) Starman -> This piece ALWAYS takes a backseat to other figures, but IMO it has one of the best designed dials in the game. Starting Running Shot (8 range) that is natural 3 damage...this means you can probably destroy a strategically placed object or wall. ESD+JSA TA makes for a good defense....pushable...and then a seamless transition into a backfield support piece with Perplex. And those early clicks offer either straight-up damage, RCE or EE!

#7 U Johnny Thunder. I prefer this Thunderbolt to Jakeem, only because of the price difference, and the feeling that I'm pushing to get to some offense and not just defense. I should say that I've only ever beaten Jakeem Thunder teams in sealed play!

#8 Vet Obsidian (I was surprised to see the JSA keyword!) This was a favorite of mine from Legacy...Multi-target PsyBlast (w/ 3 damage) is a nice alternative to outwit/outwit/outwit.

#1 Vet (Origin) Hawkman- I could not agree with Tidge more. This figure just screams for abuse. He is just the type of figure that I love to use. Not overly expensive, but can really go toe to toe with most bricks.

#2 Spectre- With feats, he can be one of, if not, the best figures in the game. Plus his numbers throughout the dial are amazing. He can really bring his own sense of "Judgement" to any team.

#3 U (Origin) Sandman. He still continues to be the only figure with Prob that I can get any use out of. His utility powers help out others as well. Definitely not a one trick pony. Teams with Spectre really well.

#4 E. Wildcat- Please reprint Automatic Regen!! Please!! He just screams to have it slapped on him. I love seeing him get into a crowd and take it to them.

#5 Jay Garrick- Finally they reprinted him and they got it right. His HSS and Quake power sets him apart from all other Flashes. He gets the nod here just for finally getting the JSA team ability.

#6 Shazam!- The Rookie might be the most abusable figure in tournament history...sorry KC Flash. And he can really bring the pain for only 105pts. The vet, while pricey, is a damage machine. Wish I could use him more, but alas I haven't really had any opportunity.

#7 R. Alan Scott- While the rest of his set is overpriced....way overpriced, this one is really very playable. He loves to have Stunning Blow attached to him, though his opponents won't like it very much.

#8 Vet Stargirl- I don't know why, but I love playing this figure. Her stats may not be all that, but she is often overlooked until it is too late. She is well worth her 63pts, and if played properly, will net at least double that in most games.



Great idea for a thread by the way. I will post to the others soon!!

Partially inspired by this thread, today I played these eight figures in a 1000 point game:

234 SR (CR) Spectre
135 Vet (Or) Hawkman
120 SR (AA) The Flash <- First time using this piece
113 Exp (Unl) Doctor Fate <- I haven't used this piece since sealed!
109 LE (Or) Johnny Thunder
100 Vet (Leg) Hourman <- I haven't used this piece since sealed!
85 R (Or) Green Lantern <- First time using this piece
59 U (Or) Sandman
43 Exp (CD) Dr. Mid-Nite <- used once before outside of sealed

(Yes, there are nine, but you could pick one figure to KO at the start of the game, so I was typically playing without Spectre.)

Some comments:

Overall, I was shocked at how well the 100+ point figures did. I was almost always playing without Spectre (-234 points for me) and the most I ever auto-KOed was 151 points.

I played this team as a huddle, usually trying to keep LoF to Hawkman and Flash blocked. In order to get some attacks and keep a JSA defense chain alive, I did a LOT of carrying with the fliers (and Flash) and/or maneuvering the non-fliers under their own power...so dual willpower was handy.

2 figures with Smoke Cloud and Willpower turned out to be VERY handy. Adding hindering for Stealth and/or putting an extra +1 DV against ranged attacks was key.

The 8-range Running Shot/3-Damage from GL and Johnny Thunder was surprisingly useful against figures with Invulnerability and Impervious. I'm proud to say that my JSA never once destroyed an object or terrain feature (except in the course of a close combat smackdown!)

Vet Hourman was surprisingly effective, even when he wasn't doing anything except soaking up Outwit and damage from ranged attacks. His Leap/Climb enabled him to get back to Dr. Midnite for healing, and his Super Strength allowed for moving objects and that PC was just extra annoyance.

Dr. Fate was a mixed bag. He never did much more than serve as a phasing taxi to maneuver non-fliers, but he did get to make some ranged attacks with his Psyblast (and even hit some!).

AA Flash was kept out-of-sight of both Outwitters and 'Hail Mary' shots. He was pinged for a single click of (IIRC) Energy Explosion damage, but was then just another Prob Control to worry about.

Well what about the Hourman from JL, Damage, Q Hippolyta,

I played a JSA team(s) for 2 years in scenario games, (changed team a month or two after Origin) Ever expanding the rooster. And Power Girl, Stargirl, and the other Legacy JSAers where really great.

Add in Sandman & E Wildcat....Just AMAZING...

anyone tryed STRIPE & Stargirl?

Other than X-men, the JSA is perhaps the team I have a tough time putting together. Just so many great figs I literally sometimes don't know which one's to play.

1. AA Flash - Jay Garrick just needs to be on my JSA teams. While his remake ended up being pricier than I had thought it be, he's just a beast. This piece just gives your opponent a headache.

2. CR Liberty Belle - all I can say is that she's quite the firecracker. She's almost undercosted at 84pts. Great harrassment piece and can help take down any of your opponents big guns.

3. CD E Dr. Mid-Nite - one of the best healers in the game. Unless points are constricted, it would be foolish not to include him. Support with a 9av is gold. And that's before you throw in stealth and willpower.

4. OR Wildcat - great close combat piece, Wildcat is a staple of my JSA teams. While all his versions a great and effective, it's his exp version that shines, especially if you throw automatic regeneration on him.

5. CR Black Adam - this guy is just a beast. He's one of those figs you just have to respect or else he'll tear you a new one. I've enjoyed him in the comics the past few years so when he came out in crisis, it was just the capper.

6. CR Spectre - wow, is this fig awesome. Great dial and the quintessence ta. You really can't go wrong with that. It's usually a toss up between he and Black Adam as who fronts my team. But a high enough point battle then guess what, they're both on.

7. OR Jakeem Thunder - this fig is what the JSA is all about. Great team player who can dish it out in combat when needed. Everyone knows about the front loaded defend but it's that first click of pc then into perplex back to pc that is what I really like. 8 range 2 targets with an attack that stays steady is always great.

8. Leg Mr. Terrific - a great support fig that many people seem to overlook. Incap+willpower+outwit is just something you don't say "no" to. All 3 of his versions are quite playable but I tend to gravitate towards the V, although the others are there for you to adjust for points.

Shout outs to OR Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Starman, Atom Smasher, Sandman (who I can't believe I'm leaving off), Phantom Lady and of course, Hawkman.

"Always bet on Black!" That's my JSA motto.

V Mr. Terrific + Protected. With a higher-DV mate to copy, he's either the ultimate harrasser/support/2nd-attacker or the ultimate decoy piece to take the heat off your team. And he's Black!

Jakeem Thunder. Also Black, he's the best pal for Mr. T since E Dr. Fate bowed out. 18+ DV with PC or Perplex? Thanks, I'll take it.

Crimson Avenger. This Black sista is made for the JSA TA. Rock-steady AV throughout dial and can always deal with Invulnerability at range. Cheap, too.

SR Black Adam is not Black. He's the white reincarnation of a Middle-Eastern ruler. He's also a great finesse brick.

R or E Wildcat is not Black. He WEARS black. And is, like Mockingbird before him, a little too good. I can deal.

E Dr. Mid-Nite, the best medic in the game, is not Black but uses "Blackout Bombs." Stealthy Willpowered Healing FTW.

Liberty Belle is totally not Black even if her sculpt has the badonkadonk of a sista. Efficient 2nd attacker who, with Unstoppable, can share the heavy lifting.

The giant Atom Smasher is not Black, but a Jew and my sentimental favorite on this list. He just edges out Hawkman by also being nearly 40 points cheaper and less glass-jawed.

This is a team that does what it does best, beat face.

1) E Dr. Mid-Nite- Man is this guy awesome, Willpower with Support!?!? Perplex mid-dial helps him keep giving to his buddies! Support

2) U Sandman- Coming from a person with terrible rolls this guy helps alot. Stealh shield, mid-dial Incapacitate and CCE at the end give this guy alot of mileage! Support/3rd string attacker/harrasser

3) R Green Lantern- Stunning Blow, Force Field and maybe a Protected make this guy a goldmine. Mid-dial phasing allows him to break away and seek Dr. Mid-Nite for some healing! Ranged combat/mobility

4) E Wildcat- With Lunge this guy can move and attack on almost every click. Mid-dial and late dial Regen is nice so this guy can keep on hitting! Did I mention he's also cheap. Close Combat/2nd string attacker

5) U Jakeem Thunder- Perplex and PC all the way through. 19 DV on his second click! 2 targets Incap and EE! Use this guy! Ranged combat/support/harrasser

6) Cr Superman- Seriously with Fortitude this guy is unstoppable. He busts stealthy figs, he can 1 hit kill alot of support pieces, mid-dial HSS keep him moving. And his DV are just solid. Close combat/ranged combat

7) Cr Spectre- He can't be Outwitted and he has mid-dial Outwit. Put Auto-Regen on him and watch your opponent squirm. Phasing keeps him moving into position and Poison, Quake and Flurry are just nice. Ranged combat/close combat/mobility

8) AA The Flash- With Maneuver and Swingline he disrupts enemy support positioning so well, it's annoying. Without Armor Piercing he can't take on the big guys but that's fine he can take out several smaller figs so much easier anyway. Harrasser/close combat/mobility