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Greetings players and welcome back to another installment of Slade’s Top 5!
In case you couldn’t have guessed, Slade’s Top 5 is where I examine various elements of HeroClix (and related materials) and rank them according to my top five in a given category. Think you can handle that? Great! Then click on the full story link below.
Last edited by Slade Wilson; 09/13/2016 at 11:09..
With a game offering sooo many reiterations of characters, from time to time I like to choose a named character and rank my favorite five of the bunch. This time I thought I’d go with my favorite badarse of all time, Slade Wilson aka Deathstroke. (I can’t believe it took me this long either.)
The conditions for this list are pretty simple. The character must be named “Deathstroke” and must be playable in a standard 300 point game.
Alrighty then, let’s go!
Slade’s Top 5: Deathstroke
Taking the number 5 spot on this list is the beefy 195 point version from the Arkham Asylum set. While there are a lot of things to like about this dial let’s face it, 195 points is about 2/3 of your force. He’s pretty mobile for sure, but he still can’t traverse elevated terrain on his own. Other drawbacks include limited range, lack of stealth and his stats drop pretty significantly after he takes a little damage. I’m not saying this version is terrible, but when you weigh his hefty cost compared to what you get in return, I’d take any other Deathstroke on this list over him every time.
Moving on to the most economic version to grace the listing it’s the Flashpoint Deathstroke, or pirate Deathstroke. This version of Slade is interesting due to his unique uses, like aquatic movement and the ability to carry two compadres with him. His combat values are pretty solid and well placed regeneration on an indomitable character is always a welcome. Unfortunately, he’s lacking when it comes to keywords and he’s a little too specific in his use case. Still, at 112 points he’s a reasonable choice that will shine on maps with lots of water terrain.
Next up is one of my favorites the NU52 set’s Deathstroke. With stealth, outwit and one of the best range values on the list, this Deathstroke is great for sniping the opposition. He also boasts of one of coolest and deadliest special powers to date. He also has a decent selection of keywords for theme building and he’s less than half the cost of your force. If he had a little more going for him like say the calculator TA or some regeneration, he would definitely score even higher on this list. (This sculpt is amazing!)
Nearly swiping the #1 spot, but ultimately settling for #2 is team pack Deathstroke from the Streets of Gotham set. This guy has a great selection of powers and in many ways this is the ideal Deathstroke dial. His top loaded perplex provide options galore while 3 targets with Energy explosion can do a number on the opposition. His only real glaring weakness is his special power; it’s a bit of a double edge sword per se. It’s great on maps that sport a lot of hindering terrain, but should your opponent win map roll and pick a map with little to no green, his effectiveness becomes something of a challenge.
And #1 is…
Titans Deathstroke!
For just one point more than what you would pay for SOG Slade you get: better combat values, an 8 range with penetrating/psychic blast, and he ignores hindering as well as characters for movement. Better still, when he evades an opposing characters attack, he get bonuses to his attack and damage; let me tell you, the look on your opponents face when you automatically break away from their low cost tie up character and hit their impervious bruiser for 4 penetrating damage is priceless. Like all the other on this list, elevated terrain can be a bit of a task for him, but with the left over points, you should be able to afford a taxi for him just fine.
There you have it, my top 5 picks for Deathstroke. Man, Deathstroke is my favorite DC character so this was a tough one for me. Which do you think is the best? Share your thoughts in the comments section and let me know.
Until next time players, good gaming!
-Slade
Last edited by Slade Wilson; 09/13/2016 at 10:48..
I agree with your list. I've had great fun with the New 52 one, like the time that a DC10 Jay Garrick used HSS to miss Slade, followed by a roll of 6 for the Precisely Timed Strike. So in my mind he decapitated Jay before he got the chance to hit Slade :D
Some version of Deathstroke has always been one of the best clix in the gae for years now. It would be good to find out where you rank the versions from Crisis and from Unleashed. The one from the Crisis set was built to take on a whole team of superheroes, just like in the comics.
Just store him well or you will end up with a Deathstroke with half a stick. which is not as intimidating.
Not sure he'd top the list, but surprised he didn't make the cut. He can take out a whole team in a single action. Needs Willpower sure, but that's an easy fix. Great stats to share if playing JSA or Batman Enemy. Click 3 defines Deathstroke IMO...
Haven't gotten around to snagging a Nu52 Deathstroke yet, but I can't really argue any of your choices.
I have found that the Arkham Deathstroke plays best the the Mob ATA and some of the many cheap peons he shares a keyword with.
He gives them a decent Attack Value (once he copies Batman Enemy off of one) and they keep him top dial long enough to wreck house
Great article, and what a snug fit. There's only 6 carded slades, so a top 5 is mostly about order. My only disagreement is first and second places should be swapped imho. That topdial perplex goes to show his wits and the stealth m&a shenanigans requires planning to play, making it feel more sladey than the point & click numbers of the titans version.