OK, I have read the updated rules, checked FAQs and forums and I am still unsure about the following:

1. Why can EE be used in conjunction with running shot or multiple attacks while RCE cannot? EE was already much more broken than RCE from its enhancement options; in my book this does not balance things but cheese-ifies EE, making RCE almost useless in comparison. And as an aside, can perplex be used on EE damage or not? the rules state it cannot be used in the middle of an action but a lot of people seems to believe you can perplex EE damage. Furthermore, why do the rules say that about Perplex and not about Enhancement? What/where is the exact rule allowing Enhancement and not Perplex to be used in the middle of an action?

By the same token, why can BCF or EW be used in conjunction with charge while CCE cannot? again, I think this cheese-ifies BCF and EW, which are already unbalancing powers, while making CCE a weaker choice than it already was.

Just another thing... just to be sure... you cannot Perplex up the damage from BCF, right? that WOULD be using it in mid-action, right???

2. What exactly makes an arch-enemy according to the rules? it occured to me the other day that V jean grey and V cyclops from IC had arch-enemy bases with the same colour; this would mean they are arch-enemies?! they are on the same team! they are (or were) husband and wife, for chrissakes! Do the black bases have anything to do with it? If black bases do not make a character an archenemy of anyone, why do they exist at all? By the same token, how can Professor X and Magneto be arch-enemies if they have the same TA? My gaming group decided it was too stupid to interpret the letter of the rules in this case and assumed their having the same TA somehow cancelled their arch-enemy status, though I don't think this is the official/real solution. How does it really work?

Thank you for your time and attention,

JC

Well, Icons will feature some rules changes. Go ahead and pray that these are one. I really have no opinion on those things. It may be something to make the game "balanced."

Correct.

Well, first off, there are arch enemies that are on the same team (Shazam!/Black Adam, Prof X/E Magneto and a couple of others). Infinity Challenge had different bases, they changed them mid-way through Clobberin' Time (some I have old style base and some have new) and when production continued for Infinity Challenge, they also changed the base, and some Mail-Aways have the old style base. I don't know why it happened, but it changed to the ones we have today. However, the old style base is used for AE's, again, we don't know why. Because of this, black is not a qualifier for an arch enemy base, thus Jean Grey and Cyclops are not AEs. I typed that kind of fast, so I hope it made sense.

Thank you! so ProfX/mags and Shazam/Blacks cannot be used on the same team even though they both are part of it? that is just weird...

As far as RS and RCE go... RS uses a Power Action that lets you make a Ranged Combat Action. (So you could use RS and PB, or PW.

RCE is a Power Action that lets you make a Ranged Combat Action with additional damage.

So, the reason you can't use them together is because RS doesn't let you make another Power Action, only a Ranged Combat Action.

As for the other things (like charge and BCF) it all has to do with the words Action and Attack... very subtle but it does make the difference.

You haven't been playing long have you?

The thing with charge & running shot is that that the allow a free action to be given. Also since they are power action you can not use another power action with it. Example is cce & rce because these too are power actions. Also some abilities you don't need to give power action to use. Example are ew & pb. Now blades is not really broken because it depends on the roll of the dice. Energy explosion goes down to one so thats no really broken unless you put an enhancer & have two bolt.

I think SuperHiepsi understands that, he (or she) was wondering why RCE couldn't be a "when you make a Ranged Combat action, increase..." power, rather than the "give this character a Power Action" or the like.

At least, that is how I read it.

My point exactly... why allow PB and not RCE, which is more balanced? I know how it works, my question is why they haven't clarified/corrected it.

I've been at heroclix for two or three months, almost weekly; I don't know how that measures to your standards. I do consider myself a noob, though.

However, the reason I think EW, PB and BCF ARE broken is because I have played and suffered the other end of it. EE is only as broken as the player using it chooses it to be, which can be a lot. Ultron or green arrow with an u-men cohort can destroy a whole army in a couple of turns.

As I stated before, I know how it works; I only wonder about they not having corrected it.

Well, I feel the Universe rulebook did clarify it quite a bit.

As far as correcting it... is it broken?

I mean, RS and PB are a good combo against "armored" foes, but PB is only useful when you have that target. RCE simply adds Damage - which is a bit more powerful across the board.

I'm not sure exactly what you think is so horribly unbalanced.

The above post was meant as a reply to Nightangel3. I don't know why it didn't quote.

And yes, andrewtarius, that is what I meant. Thanks!

As I stated above, most of the powers you've listed are only useful in Certain situations.

PB and EW can easily be neutered when fighting againt non-damage reducers (like SS).

EE can be avoided or seriously reduced by careful placement/movement.

RCE is not situational - that's why I believe there is a difference.

Maybe it is the anger at 20-30 point pieces constantly beating the crud out of my thors and iron mans just because they were sculpted with a pretty knife on their hands. Maybe it is the bafflement at not being allowed to use my iron man to run and perhaps deal 1 damage to my invulnerable foe, while he is perfectly capable of charging in with his persuader and deal his full 5 damage to my iron man at half the cost.

While it may not seem right, it is comic accurate. During the time that Magneto was in charge of the X-Men and New Mutants, Xavier wasn't even on Earth. He was with the Shi'ar trying to heal himself, and when he finaly did return he and Magneto still were not on the best of terms.

...so it works. Yeah, I know. You're right of course.

I sound more like a complaint with Iron Man's dial... Which I totally feel you on. As a theme team player myself, he's hard to justify for the points - especially with such expensive powers that are an either/or scenario for him. It does give him some versatility, but it makes him an expensive and difficult piece to use.

I'm not totally against having both on same click, as I enjoy being able to stand still and hit for more, or move an attack - but I do wish there was a bit of a point break when certain powers appear on the same click.

But I think your beef is with Iron Man. take 4-6 SS/BCf figs for the same points as IM and Persuader will go home crying...