1) I don't know that "very well" is an applicable term. At best, Roland gains a +1 when using a heavy object in close combat. If he's using it on his first two clicks, then he's swinging with a 9.

2) True dat!

Also 3-D objects can boost his attack.

Most of the time, figures I use have either 9 or 10 attacks. The consistent 8's I use are Jesse Quick, Cyborg, Deathstroke, and Raven. Raven, Cyborg, and Jesse rarely let me down. I also use Hawkgirl and Hawkman on occasion.

With the higher attacks (obviously) comes the higher cost and I rarely see the benefit of adding 9-14 points for a +1 attack on one click.

Add to that enough PC options in the game to improve odds of hitting and an 8 will hit an average defense most of the time. It's only a liability recently with so many 18+ defenses appearing...