Hang out a while. You'll find yourself wanting to Rep Miraclo a lot!

I'm watchin' a Chinese film called Devil Fetus right now that's kind of crazy and awesome so far. The audio is doubled for some reason, so that's all kay.

And I'm watching it at my buddy's house while he's dogsitting his neighbor's golden retriever. It's a real pretty dog. I don't know if I've ever seen one of them this big.

Sig material?

Hmm... I'll allow it.

With all due respect to the folks who take them, courses in creative writing are things I regard as being less than worth the cost --- unless the course experience serves to inspire the student to write in a way that wouldn't occur otherwise.

Before I got into print journalism on a professional level, I had gone back to school as an evening student with the idea of getting into teaching. But when I had the chance, I signed up for a course called "Media Writing" as a free elective because I had an interest in learning how to write ad copy, press releases, etc. For some reason, however, everyone else who signed up thought it meant CREATIVE Writing. When they found out, they -- all of them -- quickly withdrew to get their money back.

Luckily for me, the professor for this course was due to teach a marketing class after it. So the university let him carry on the Media Writing, despite it being for a class of one --- me!

All I know is: I learned so much from this man -- it was like having a private tutor for one semester -- that when the opportunity for a newspaper tryout came along, I was ready.

As for creative writing, well, I'm reminded of something that professor -- someone with extensive experience as an advertising professional -- told me about the difficulty of teaching advertising courses.

"You can't teach ideas and how to come up with them," he said. "Either you get them or you don't."

That's pretty much the way I feel about courses on creative writing. Either you're creative or you're not.

As always...just my two cents.

In Devil Fetus a guy got possessed by Devil Fetus and tried to drown a woman in a swimming pool and in the next scene she's having an intense conversation with her brother and at some point they both suddenly stop talking, yell "ball-game!" and immediately begin playing billiards. GO DEVIL FETUS GO!

I think I have to see this movie.

I'm patiently waiting for Magic Online to finish downloading so I can get to playing.

Ok so I've thought up a bunch of teams, I'll start posting a few to see what you guys think.

Team 1

Animal-600

Morlun-180
Sabretooth-93
Detective Chimp-62
Beast Boy-60
Solovar-98
Howard the Duck-35
Thor, Frog of Thunder-72

Total-600

No fliers, so mobility in that respect may be problematic, but its got Perplex, Outwit, great damage dealing potential, lots of Indomitable, secondary attackers, and it can be hard to take a lot of pieces out. Features lots of higher attacks, too. Were I to face NC, I'd probably TK Sabretooth out with Solovar, Perplex his attack, and charge the elf. Thankfully, Battle Fury will get past the Shape Change, meaning I only need a 6, and for him to miss Super Senses, to effectively take him out of the match (since Sabretooth's Mortal Wound SP will prevent NC from healing for the rest of the game provided he takes 3 damage, and Sabretooth does 3 damage for his first few clicks). Catching Cosmic Spidey could be problematic, but I figure that I'll try to TK Thor Frog up to him to use Exploit Weakness. Against Metron, probably try the same thing, or just base him with my close combat guys and keep smashing. This team is very strong up close, but it does unfortunately lack range. However, if I can keep close together and TK my heavy hitters into close combat, I should be OK, I think.


Team 2

Mystical-600

Dr. Strange-149
Sargon the Sorcerer-57
Doppelganger-93
Isis-94
Elsa Bloodstone-73
Deadman (Brightest Day)-87
Jason Blood-44

Total-597

This team is more balanced. Strange will be taking shots, carrying people around, Defending guys and supporting them as well. I've got a few TKers, so getting Doppelganger into action won't be a problem. I'll probably be using Isis or Strange to take tokens while Doppelganger constantly uses Flurry. I have lots of PC, a few Supporters, Perplex, Outwit, etc. And Strange will obviously be Wildcarding Mystics, which will mean I have 4 on the team (Strange, Sargon, Deadman and Jason Blood). Else and Doppelganger will be handling things up close, and with their high defense+Combat Reflexes, they should be alright. Plus, Elsa will be acting as my ace in the hole should I face Cosmic, since I can Perplex her up, TK her in, Charge/Blades and since he's over 250 pts, all damage will be penetrating. I've got a few rerolls, in case, as well. This will also work against ZenHattan, although he'll have his own PC and Super Senses. Alternatively, I could also drop Jason Blood and Elsa in favor of putting in Detective Chimp for some up front Outwit and later double Perplex for Mystical keyword pieces, and Puma for another Charge/Blades piece that's harder to hit, and has Flurry Blades mid-dial, plus Outwit, but doesn't get penetrating damage and has a shorter dial.


Team 3

Soldier-600

Thing-100
Dirk Anger-71
Madamoiselle Marie-73
Darkstar-98
Parademon Drill Sgt.-62
Steve Rogers-99
Warlord-50
Red Guardian-47

Total-600

Red Guardian made in in because I had exactly 47 points left and I like teams that are exactly on point value. Plus, no one else would really fit in that wasn't over or significantly under points. Basically, Dirk Anger will act as my trump card against heavy hitting Power Cosmic guys. By taking away their immunity to Outwit and ability to push, I'm gonna be limiting their actions. The Drill Sgt. will be taxiing Steve Rogers, since he'll give Steve a damage boost, and with Steve's 12 attack, I shouldn't have trouble hitting. Thing and Darkstar will be the other duo, as I Perplex his defense and put up Smoke Clouds every turn to keep him safe from range. Then the plan is to TK him in (he'll be getting a bonus to attack from Dirk's SP), have him smash someone, then up his Defense. Marie will try to pick off some lower point pieces so that I can build up her auto-hit power. Warlord and Red Guardian will run around taking hits when they can. Not many fliers here, and I am relying on Thing a lot for close combat, although Warlord and Guardian should provide decent backup. Rogers and Marie should be able to keep things held down from range, especially with Darkstar giving them Smoke Cloud for protection.


Avengers-600

Namor-150
Dr. Strange-149
Steve Rogers-99
Iron Fist-70
Beast-95
Jarvis-36

Total-599

Dual Outwits are never a bad thing, and Jarvis has the Skrulls TA for some protection. Essentially, Namor and Iron Fist, along with Beast, will be taking care of things up close. Strange will be taxiing Rogers around as well, sticking somewhat close, but enough back that I'm not in the fray. I've got X-Men and Defenders to Wildcard to, and both are pretty useful. Real shame Avengers is retired, since I'd love to be able to put Stingray on this team. Then again, that would also mean I'd probably be contending against Scarlet Witch, so its a fair trade.



Warrior-600

75th Wonder Woman-127
Amazon x2-100
Warlord-50
Elsa Bloodstone-73
Hawkgirl (Brightest Day)-71
Sinestro (Gravity Feed)-135
Amazon of Bana-Mighdall x2-38

Total-594

Except for Sinestro, its all up close and personal with this team. Wonder Woman's presence on the team means the Amazons will be sporting an 11 attack instead of 10, and Willpower as well. If they're adjacent to Wonder Woman, they'll have a 20 defense up close. Wonder Woman herself has great values, so she'll be able to handle most bruisers. Hawkgirl gets that bonus against fliers, and her awesome powers and stats will make her a great beatstick. The other Amazons are really filler, but can act as tie up and maybe even get a few hits in. Warlord will just be doing his own thing, with Charge/Blades. Elsa will be once against my secret weapon against the high cost beatsticks. Sinestro will mainly be taking shots at range while everyone else is up close wrecking things.


Ruler-600

Ultron-174
Annihilus-127
Storm (GSX)-86
Isis-94
Warlord-50
Norman Osbourne-66

Total-597

I'm a bit iffy on this team. Annihilus is a great piece, but he's also fragile in ways. Once he hits Regen, my opponent will rush to take him out, so I've gotta play him smart. Storm will be providing some TK and ranged support, Isis also has TK, PC and Suport as well. Warlord is just so versatile because he can do awesome damage and fits on lots of teams. Plus, he's so cheap. So I put him in as well. Osborne, well, I just had about 70 points left and he fit build best. A Regen-Outwitter is never a bad thing. Plus, I can transform into Goblin or Patriot. Ultron will be the main star of the team as he's TKed around. I'll try to take the opportunity to use single target Pulse Wave to neutralize most problematic foes I face (Zenhattan, NC, Cosmic, etc). And if he does get hit, I'll TK him back and have Isis use Support on him.


Metron-195
Mr. Fantastic-100
Beast (GSX)-95
Cave Carson-24
Black Panther-128
Spider-Man (SI)-50

Total-592

Black Panther is risky. He's a great piece, but he's also expensive. 17 Toughness up front is not too much to overcome defensively. He makes up for that by having un-Outwittable Outwit, lots of EW, great mobility and a ton of 11 attacks. I'll probably use Reed to up his defense, when Metron is safe from harm. Otherwise, that +2 Perplex is going to him. Beast provides another useful Outwit, so I'll have 3 at the start of the game, 4 if Reed gets hit later. Hank, Spidey and T'Challa will be holding down the front lines as Metron sits back, with Reed as support, doing his thing. Again, not many fliers, but 21 defense Metron...it sounds evil just saying it.


Asgardian-600

Heimdall-149
Baldur-130
Surtur-153
Fire Demon x3-99
Son of Surtur-68

Total-599


Asgardian-600

Baldur-130
Kurse-121
Son of Surtur-68
Valkyrie-38
Malekith-91
Thor, Frog of Thunder-72
Asgardian Warrior x2-74

Total-594

These two teams seem more for fun, especially the one with the Fire Demons, since they're easily taken out. Still, Surtur, Heimdall and Baldur can lay some serious pain on people. This team has lots of Fliers, and I'll be able to take advantage of both the Minion Power on the Fire Demons and the Fan the Flames power on Son of Surtur.

Team 2 is more competitive. Valkyrie provides a taxi and healing, Malekith gives Mystics damage, TK and flight, Son of Surtur is another taxi, but also has Poison, the Asgardian Warriors will provide nice backup in close combat, Baldur will be hacking and slashing away up close, and Kurse will be hopping around, chasing main bruisers down so he can deal them 6 penetrating damage.


I'll post 500 point teams next.

I like this 600 pt team

Build
195 AA050 Metron
95 GX010 Beast
119 AN054 Barry Allen
100 SI101 Mr. Fantastic
72 WS040 Scarlet Spider
15 WS003 Researcher
596

OH MY GOD THE DEVIL FETUS IS FIGHTING A WIZARD AND THE WIZARD HAS A LASER SWORD! This is the best movie. And the wizard can teleport and has an army of wooden samurais!

Ah, I'd love to give my opinion on your teams, KO Bossy, but I only played 2 of all the characters you mentioned - and I suck at team building anyway, ha ha.

For some reason, the title reminded me of "Demon Seed," that '70s sci-fi flick in which a computer impregnates the character played by Julie Christie.

The computer's voice was provided by Robert Vaughn, who did a good job of adding to the creepiness.

I vote Animal Keyword, but then, is anyone surprised by that? But hey, try this.

Build
72 HA100 Thor, Frog of Thunder
65 WS029 Wolfsbane
65 HA028 Rocket Raccoon
35 SI035 Howard the Duck
62 AN024 Detective Chimp
79 AN036 Animal Man
180 WS052 Morlun
40 AA017 Man Bat Assassin
598

These days, I believe you to be foolish to build an Animal keyword team without Animal Man. The man is crazy versatile, especially with this many awesome figures around him. Just don't forget to push Howard ASAP so that Animal Man has access to that scary Charge/Flurry/Blades Combo.

Glad you brought this up, TaT.

On the matter of Animal Man's versatility, I won't disagree. But for a few points more...would it be a better option to play the WL Animal Man, since he has the TK on his first click?

I'm really interested in learning your opinion!