I recently ran an unrestricted FF Team with the Sue LE giving everyone on the team a 19 Def. I also ran Reed with BT so I could Perplex everyone by 2. It was explained to me at the venue that the replacement team ability did not work if adding points to team members defensive values. I didn't get it then and I don't get it now. Can someone better explain how perplex works with the replacement team feat. Thanks!!!

Basically it comes down to timing:

If a modifier and a replacement value occur simultaneously, then the modifier will be added to the replacement value. You might hear some people say, "Replace, then modify."; they are refering to this situation when they say that.

However, if the modifer occurs before the replacement value, the replacement value completely replaces the old, modified value. No modification of the new replaced value occurs.

So, in the case you outlined above, Mr. Fantastic would Perplex up everyone's normal DV by +2. Then, on your opponent's turn, an opposing character attacks, say, The Thing which triggers the ATA and Thing's currently modified DV is replaced with a shiny new DV from one of the other FF ATA users. The old, modified DV is gone for the duration of that attack action.

As an example of a modifier that would be applied to the replaced DV, pretend that the opposing character attacked Human Torch (with a ranged combat attack) and Human Torch has ES/D. Well, the attack causes the DV to be replaced via the ATA and ES/D adds +2 to the DV because Torch is being attacked at range: two simultaneous effects, so you replace then modify. Any previous modifiers to DV would no be counted (for example, if Mr. Fantastic had Perplexed up Human Torch's DV), but ES/D would modify the new combat value just fine.


So, again, it all comes down to timing...

It forces you to also play differently with the BT. If you're up against a Mind Control figure, and your Thing is pushed, it could be wise to lower Thing's ATK or Damage DOWN instead of wasting it on his defense. (Though, if you're up against Dissent or Skrull Yellowjacket, it may still be a good idea to Perplex up Defense).

Similarly, Perplexing opponents' AV or DMG down when sharing defenses can also be a solid strategy.

I ran a similar Fantastic Four Team, using the LE Sue Storm as well, and Brilliant Tactician on Mr. Fantastic. I also used the Fantastic Four ATA Feat Card.

You can still use Brilliant Tactician to bump up Defense Values on your figures if it will be higher than using Sue Storm's 19 DV. I would use Sue Storm's DV for some of my figures, but for others, if I could get a higher DV by using BT, I would do so.

You DON'T have to use Fantastic Four Feat Card to replace a DV on a figure. The card says you 'MAY' replace a DV, not that you have to.

Here is the card:

Damn, I love the English language. It's all in how it's worded.

I just depends on if your opponent decides to use perplex or not. If not, just keep the higher perplexed defenses.