10. Johnny Quick – 50 pts.
Activation click shmacktivation click. 13 move hypersonic and 10 attack is always playable for 50 points, but adding in that perplex to get up to 3 damage makes Quick a go to for cheap perplex. Adding in the All Star Squadron ATA for an 11 attack on anyone more than double his cost means that he can be a threat to just about any figure in the game for an extremely affordable cost. He replaces Cr Kid Flash as go to cheap HSS, although any hit of 4 kills him, keeping him low on this list (although it’s a great set, so 10 here is worth far more than in Brave and Bold for instance, where he’d rank as #4 for me). At least he has Super Senses and a solid 17 defense for protection.
9. Atrocitus – 202 pts.
The best close combat beatstick since Green Scar, Atrocious is an absolute damage beast. Opening with 4 damage that never goes below 3, often with some BCF and Poison for a shot at free or extra damage. Indomitable and an attack that begins with 11 and never goes below 9 means he’s hitting a lot and his trait, which lowers Impervious to Invulnerability and Invulnerability to Toughness makes whatever damage he does deal stick. His second attack for free after he hits with a first late dial is awesome. He’s efficiently costed and awesome, especially with a Red Lantern. Why so low then? Bricks take a hit in value without Outwit protection Modern Age. Golden Age he’s Top 4, at worst.
8. Mr. Terrific – 59 pts.
I’m a bit of a sucker for characters who force a change in the way opponents play and Terrific is just that. Outwit for his cost is always at least solid, especially adding in that he’s a Martial Artist. 10 attack is great and his ATA makes it 11 against a 118 pt character or more, nice for dealing with high point enemies. But he’s ranked here for his Free Outwit. When he or an adjacent ally is Outwit, he can freely Outwit something on an enemy besides another Outwit. That absolutely devastates Charge and most HSS figures, while wreaking havoc on those intending to use Psychic Blast, TK and other such powers. That change is huge, as he can then devastate an opposing team multiple ways.
7. Ice – 47 pts.
Barrier and 3 damage for 47 pts isn’t bad, but the real good stuff here is the 10 attack with a special Incapacitate that allows nothing in the game to Move or Place the hit character. This obviously wrecks the most powerful abilities in the game – Move and Attack powers – for extraordinarily cheap cost. Against Ranged Characters Ice can even then be carried away out of range by a Running Shot or HSS speed character, taking a shot on the way out without fear or retaliation. There are so many nasty tricks Ice can pull, especially when doubles (or more) are played. She fits amazingly with BB Martian Manhunter, Fire and Ice, WL Ice, and a ton of Golden Age characters.
6. Crimson Avenger – 29 pts.
10 attack (with the ATA) only makes him a 32 pt investment, and he still packs 2 damage, 19 defense in close and Stealth to protect him from afar. A group of these will keep an enemy stopped for a fraction of a given opponent’s cost.
5. Deadshot – 89 pts.
In hindering, Deadshot gets 4 penetrating damage in close or afar with 2 targets and Stealth to keep him safe and 12 attack to make sure he hits. He’s a giant killer with Toughness to keep him alive longer and only 1 click that can’t break Invulernability and no lower than a 9 attack (that only for 1 click, as well). Suicide Squad heals him when an ally dies adjacent and when played whether played with that team, the Secret 6, Checkmate or the abundance of Smoke Cloud in Gotham, he’s one of the more deadly figures in the game and one that must be dealt with immediately, even at less than 1/3 of a 300 pt built.
4. Barry Allen – 119 pts.
Barry, meanwhile, offers a high cost HSS grounded speedster who is unique in the Modern Age. He has his 3 damage and 11 attack with a huge 14 move HSS to absolutely wreck opponents. Back end, he gets Flurry that allows him to be placed anywhere on the map between hits, all but guaranteeing points as he destroys support pieces. Outwit the final two clicks is just sweet icing on the already sweet, sweet cake.
3. Green Lantern – 145 pts.
Welcome to Gotham City, GL. He’s this group’s first TK and Stealthbusting, as anyone he hits in Stealth can’t use it until their next turn. Running Shot with Psychic Blast is great and really makes the 3 damage mean more, and starting with Impervious is just fantastic. He has damage reducers all down the dial and even a click of Regen to get back to being awesome. Still, he’s here because he can TK and Stealthbust – two absolutely pivotal roles. Being a primary attacker, as well, makes him great.
2. Flash (WL) – 138 pts.
For 138 pts, the ability to user Hypersonic Speed with 14 speed and 8 range and, with Perplex, have 4 damage. Super Senses is good here, too, and 18 defense helps, even though the TK isn’t all that useful, the great damage and mobility make him elite. Better still, his Shape Change that heals him makes him a pain to get rid of and he remains at least a harasser all the way down his dial. He’s un-pushable thanks to Force Blast on Click 2 rather than HSS and he has no useful Keywords, or he’d be #1 and a threat for best figure ever.
1. Beast Boy – 60 pts.
And then they went and made Teen, Animal and Teen Titans awesome in one fell swoop. Beast Boy alone is a good tie up. With Leap Climb and a full dial of Shape Change, he’s pretty solid. He can, of course, change what he does based on situation with a move action, at will (and ignoring pushing). The Bear is a good attack and damage figure with Blades and Toughness, the Cheetah can use Hypersonic Speed to pick off support or, with a touch of Perplex, do more to a bigger figure, and the T-Rex, well the T-Rex alone could have made the list. The T-Rex is 4 damage against up to 3 adjacent targets, great attack, defense and damage. The sheer options, Cheetah for picking off support, Bear against one big enemy, and T-Rex against a swarm, are just must-play.
