So I've been out of the game for almost 5 years (which I just realized this week... my how the time flies) and in a recent game, it was pointed out to me that the FF ATA was updated while I was gone so I want to get some clarification in case I run the F4 team I was thinking about down the line.
I know that it now requires adjacency to use the defense level and I know that it used to work where you could "chain" shared defense values... like if 3 figures were in a line (A, B, and C, let's say) and they were all Defenders, A could share C's defense value because B could share it from him. Does it still work that way or do they have to be in base-to-base contact to share DVs?

I'm trying to catch up on all the rule changes before they come up in a game and it's getting rather hard with all the changes. LOL!!

As far as I know, that trick still works...

That does work. Just print out a copy of the new ATA: Fantastic Force from the units section.

"Characters using this team ability may replace their defense value with the unmodified defense value of an adjacent friendly character using this team ability."

So this is keyed off of the FF TA, not a keyword.

Perfect, just wanted to make sure before I show up to a game with the wrong idea. ;-) Thanks!

"Characters using this team ability"... refers to using the ATA, not the prerequisite. The prerequisite IS the Fantastic Four keyword.

Yeah, the daisy chain trick still works. Essentially this TA is now in-line with Defenders TA. The only other notable change is that the FF ATA now costs 5pts per fig (whereas it use to be 0pts).