Thanks normalview.

So in practice was it unbalanced? Or why did they change it? Too complex?

Most people never used it so it was phased out so that flight stands could be dropped (and flight stands were often a PITA... not sorry to see them go). At least, that's what we were told when it happened.

I had someone do this to me with an army of Johnny Quicks. I was standing the edge of elevation with the latters blocked... I did not see it coming.., he wiped out all my shooters before I knew what was happening. I was really impressed. I had to vote him fellowship, for such an awesome tactic.

Soaring basically said you took one movement to go 'up' to soaring elevation when occupying outside terrain. This was indicated on your figure by sliding the tab all the way to the top. While in soaring mode you had full range against other soaring figures and could not target grounded figures. Grounded figures could target you, but their range was halved including standard powers like Outwit, Perplex, and Probability Control. Leap/Climb ignored Soaring when adjacent to a Soaring figure for Close Combat attacks. Considering you can start the game in Soaring mode, I used to deploy my team across the map and engage when ready.

I wept the day they removed soaring. Many tournaments were won using that aspect.

I did that once in Mage Knight. the only difference is in Mage Knight, you could shoot DOWN

Go up, and plink down...

I used this this three times, once being at Origins, where I MC'd my opponents KC Flash. Kept moving in and out of range of the Aerial Baffler and kept going to Soaring prior to moving within range. Each time he gained Earthbound he'd fall and take his damage while I would continue to move and do it again. lol

I feel I should clarify that FLIGHT STANDS, and not Soaring itself, was what I didn't particularly care for. I loved Soaring.

If we had some other way to show that a character was Soaring (I know Mageknight had those cup thingys), I'd be all for Soaring making a return.

Why not use them again? They were great as they had pegs similar to the rings to help turn the H-base figures(though I never had trouble with them). Gale Force 9 also made flight stands as well.

I played MageKnight and I have to admit that I didn't really care for the cup stands. They were too difficult to carry, but...

I would mind using a translucent poker chip that I can simply slide beneath my figure to indicate that it is soaring.

And, somehow, I would argue against the Soaring aspect being something that 'no one uses' as everyone at my venue used it regularly. I even remember the winner of 'Worlds' (or it's equivalent) being a Silver Surfer character that used the Soaring mechanic effectively.

I think it was something that was used frequently by some, and never by others. Much like the old Hypersonic Speed option 2. And I think the fact that it required a specific (sometimes problematic) physical component made it less appealing as well.

I miss HSS Option 2. Being able to get use it and Low Gravity BFC was classic. Though I seem to recall there being a rule introduced later that stated the attack ended after a roll of doubles.

The problem I see with soaring is the SIF problem get a quick KO and if your opponent isn't prepared, go to soaring and wait it out. Plus it just neuters specific teams, oh your playing a brute army??? Tough cause none of 'em fly.

Many Brute figures have Super Strength so they can still throw objects for range. Granted, many Brute figures also have Battle Fury so they can't throw that object. Then again, many Brute figures have Leap Climb so they can make close combat attacks against any elevation. Another thing to remember is there are Brute figures that are range oriented like Scarlet Spider.

I assume that this was before you could make close combat attacks up ladders or there was some other reason why it would be desirable to Perplex up the range (Combat Reflexes, etc.) instead of the attack or damage or something.