Post by Cosmic Commissioner on Jul 28, 2008 8:04:06 GMT -6
Stepping Up Your Game - Destroying Cosmic Crystals
These articles are infrequent at best, but there are a lot of hidden gems in the rules. And it is true that there are options that usually only come to light when Rick decides to show his hand. In my continual campaign to screw Rick over, I wanted to touch briefly on Destroying Cosmic Crystals.
To start, let's review the rules on Destroying Cosmic Crystals;
"A Cosmic Crystal may be destroyed by taking at least 5 clicks of Damage in a single attack. The resulting cosmic explosion deals 2 clicks of Penetrating Damage to all figures within 2 squares, ignoring Lines of Fire."
I know there have been some who see this as a useless option, but I think the reason it is not used more often because no one really knows it exists. During Game 4c, it was mentioned and the guy with the Gem, trying to make his escape plan, didn’t know the option existed. With his 10 Range and the ability to do 5 Damage, it was definitely on the minds of many if he needed to crack a Crystal in order to get out.
Okay, so using it to hit a Crystal one or two tiles away in order to allow you to escape the dungeon with your Infinity Gem is a given, but what else is it good for?
Well, you get to do 2 clicks of penetrating Damage to everyone within 2 squares of the Crystal. This can be useful in a LOT of situations that are very common;
Hitting Multiple Targets - If there are three or more opponents within range of the Crystal's explosion, you have more than made up for your 5 clicks of damage that went to destroy it. Remember, if a Crystal is placed in the center of the tile, 2 squares from the center covers the WHOLE TILE. That could be a lot of damage… your own mini Nova Blast.
Penetrating Damage - Okay, so I can target a guy with Impervious. I can either hit him for 5, hope that he fails his 1/3 chance of ignoring it (or if it's a Hero hope he fails with his re-rolls as well), and have him take 3 Damage… OR I can target the Crystal and the baddie takes 2 clicks automatically. Yeah, the damage output is off by one, but you eliminate the chance for him to ignore ALL your damage. Sounds like a good trade off to me.
To avoid making an Attack Roll - Got an opponent with a 18+ Defense vs. Range who is sitting within two of the Cosmic Crystal? Just hit the Crystal. There is no roll required to destroy the Crystal, and now you've just done 2 clicks to the guy. This is the bane of many high DV pieces who think by throwing themselves out there that you won't waste your time and re-rolls trying to hit them.
To avoid Counter-Attacks - Want to just jump into a tile and start letting loose? Too many high point baddies to make it happen without your team becoming swiss cheese? Have another situation where you just can't have them counter-attacking you? Hit the Crystal! Since you attacked the Crystal, and the Crystal does the damage to everyone, there is no Counter-Attack against you. This is a great way for your ranged heavy to soften everyone up without putting themselves out there to be smacked.
Of course, combine any or all of the above and you can definitely see the value in this little rule.
But are there any downsides?
Not Really.
Sure, you have taken 2 Exp off the board and away from the earning potential… but if you're shooting the Crystal, odds are you weren't planning to open it. In the political aspect of the game you may be viewed as robbing someone of points, but then again, that could always be a part of a strategy as well. In the end, this rule can help you 'win' the game by letting you get out of the dungeon with your Infinity Gem or simply help you stay in the game by inflicting damage on your enemies.
So, let's review.
Lots of uses and there are no tangible repercussion to you. What do you have to lose? Keep this option handy!
Wanna Step Up Your Game? Look no further than Destroying Cosmic Crystals.
These articles are infrequent at best, but there are a lot of hidden gems in the rules. And it is true that there are options that usually only come to light when Rick decides to show his hand. In my continual campaign to screw Rick over, I wanted to touch briefly on Destroying Cosmic Crystals.
To start, let's review the rules on Destroying Cosmic Crystals;
"A Cosmic Crystal may be destroyed by taking at least 5 clicks of Damage in a single attack. The resulting cosmic explosion deals 2 clicks of Penetrating Damage to all figures within 2 squares, ignoring Lines of Fire."
I know there have been some who see this as a useless option, but I think the reason it is not used more often because no one really knows it exists. During Game 4c, it was mentioned and the guy with the Gem, trying to make his escape plan, didn’t know the option existed. With his 10 Range and the ability to do 5 Damage, it was definitely on the minds of many if he needed to crack a Crystal in order to get out.
Okay, so using it to hit a Crystal one or two tiles away in order to allow you to escape the dungeon with your Infinity Gem is a given, but what else is it good for?
Well, you get to do 2 clicks of penetrating Damage to everyone within 2 squares of the Crystal. This can be useful in a LOT of situations that are very common;
Hitting Multiple Targets - If there are three or more opponents within range of the Crystal's explosion, you have more than made up for your 5 clicks of damage that went to destroy it. Remember, if a Crystal is placed in the center of the tile, 2 squares from the center covers the WHOLE TILE. That could be a lot of damage… your own mini Nova Blast.
Penetrating Damage - Okay, so I can target a guy with Impervious. I can either hit him for 5, hope that he fails his 1/3 chance of ignoring it (or if it's a Hero hope he fails with his re-rolls as well), and have him take 3 Damage… OR I can target the Crystal and the baddie takes 2 clicks automatically. Yeah, the damage output is off by one, but you eliminate the chance for him to ignore ALL your damage. Sounds like a good trade off to me.
To avoid making an Attack Roll - Got an opponent with a 18+ Defense vs. Range who is sitting within two of the Cosmic Crystal? Just hit the Crystal. There is no roll required to destroy the Crystal, and now you've just done 2 clicks to the guy. This is the bane of many high DV pieces who think by throwing themselves out there that you won't waste your time and re-rolls trying to hit them.
To avoid Counter-Attacks - Want to just jump into a tile and start letting loose? Too many high point baddies to make it happen without your team becoming swiss cheese? Have another situation where you just can't have them counter-attacking you? Hit the Crystal! Since you attacked the Crystal, and the Crystal does the damage to everyone, there is no Counter-Attack against you. This is a great way for your ranged heavy to soften everyone up without putting themselves out there to be smacked.
Of course, combine any or all of the above and you can definitely see the value in this little rule.
But are there any downsides?
Not Really.
Sure, you have taken 2 Exp off the board and away from the earning potential… but if you're shooting the Crystal, odds are you weren't planning to open it. In the political aspect of the game you may be viewed as robbing someone of points, but then again, that could always be a part of a strategy as well. In the end, this rule can help you 'win' the game by letting you get out of the dungeon with your Infinity Gem or simply help you stay in the game by inflicting damage on your enemies.
So, let's review.
Lots of uses and there are no tangible repercussion to you. What do you have to lose? Keep this option handy!
Wanna Step Up Your Game? Look no further than Destroying Cosmic Crystals.