I've recently got back into DC comics, and I've been compelled to fill out my collection with all the essential DC heroes. I've realised I have no version of Garth/Aqualad in my collection.

Which of the three versions of the character is most essential for me to have in my collection, in your opinion?

Aqualad rookie
Garth LE
or
Tempest veteran

Bear in mind I play mostly large point games (800+ points), and I exclusively use theme teams.

Garth is good, but Tempest is a huge help to teams

At least Aqualad and Tempest. I don't care much for Garth, but the other two fill very different roles thematically and functionally. And you can get an Aqualad for next to nothing, so there's not much of a reason not to pick one up when you get Tempest.

Tempest is a must have for Atlantis teams. You have to have him to make the Atlantis team truly work. If you wanna play that theme, I suggest him first.

If you play mostly 800+ point games, then Garth is likely to get lost in the pack, whereas Tempest truly stands out in 500+ games. I ran him recently with Atlantean Warriors and it was very good. It i always hard to argue with a mystic. That, and if you ever decide you want to play Black Lanterns you can use him pretty much out of box

If one considers the character essential, then I would say that you should go with the most iconic version o fthe character, and that would be Aqualad.

Tempest is better, in my mind, but "essential" isn't the same as "most powerful".

I never go anywhere without my tempest ...

The way I'm seeing it at the moment:

Aqualad:
- Cheap in both game terms and real-life monetary value.
- Really great for the points, as a throwaway expendable beatstick.
- Iconic.
- Great sculpt (the swimsuit's pretty hot).

Garth
- LE status, which makes you feel special when playing. Question: Does he have the bronze ring?
- Solid dial, although more of an investment than Aqualad. The Salvage SP is particularly interesting.
- Same lovely sculpt.
- Probably the most expensive to get a hold of.

Tempest
- Different dial, with interesting SP and power lay-out. Also gains Mystics, which instantly makes him about twice as playable (it works amazingly as a deterrent).
- Not so sure about his sculpt. Does it look good in person?
- Not so definitive / iconic as the other two.
- Rare status, so will be relatively expensive to get a hold of.


I might just end up being content with Aqualad.

The tempest sculpt is awesome. I think you need to use him. Mystics plus perplex, plus the cool SP? A must play IMO.

He does not have a bronze ring, just the bronze color for the set symbol.

Aqualad, for his cost, is excellent in lower point games.
Garth is pretty decent too, but its his SP that shines- free objects might as well give him 8 for 2 damage.
Tempest in larger teams fills a role most ignore- whether or not youre playing theme, use him to your advantage and keeping ground forces at bay. Mystics TA typically keeps the big guns away, and her PX goes a long way all over. For a larger team (800 + as you say), Tempest will be your best pick of them all if you want a mainliner. otherwise, Aqualad. excellent support that slips under the radar, literally.

My vote's for Tempest, though to play him along with Aqualad and/or Garth isn't a bad idea for Atlantis for Teen Titans teams, considering the complimentary aquatic SP's.

Tempest makes for a fantastic support/ ranged attacker piece, though the price is hefty.

Aqualad and Garth don't necessarily have too many differences, though the point difference is noticeable in the dial stats. Considering Modern Age play mechanics, Garth's Salvage SP is a great way to play Aqualad with a modified version of the "Rip It Up" feat through that SP. Great 2nd-string attackers that can do a surprising amount of damage with objects.

Tempest is pretty fun to play with Submerged.

Well, as you say you play exclusively theme teams (I'm assuming you mean comic-accurate), you'll need both Tempest & Aqualad.
Why? Because you can't do certain line-ups onwning only 1 of them....

All three figures you mentioned are good for their points but I think Tempest is the best. If you're opponent attacks him, they take damage due to Mystics, but if the ignore him, he can put the hurt on someone!!!

Ugh, what a terrible question! Not because it's bad really, but because it's hard to answer.

Tempest is everything people forgot he was. He's a great second string attacker with great support and defense powers. For the teen titans teams he slows down the enemies, and for the atlantis teams, he helps bring out their best water terrain based powers. The mystics is fantastic too.

Garth is a fun piece to play, and he's certainly worth his points. His sp is super unique and helpful. His all around stats and power placement are good.

But if you're going to use one, I will still venture saying that Aqualad is the definitive. He's got good damage output, good point costing, and definitely a good tie up piece. He won't go toe to toe with supes, but a batman just might get a manhole cover dropped on him by that sea man of the deep....if you know what I'm saying.