Post by Big D on Sept 17, 2011 10:08:10 GMT -6
The basic concept of HeroClix is simple, if you and your opponent bring X number of points to a game, the winner will be determined by strategy and a little bit of luck. All clix are created equal, as long as they cost the same.
In my experience, this is true...in a vacuum. However, every game you play has one factor that greatly affects the outcome, the scenario. What is the objective of the game and how is a winner determined? Before you can build an effective team, you must know the scenario or you'll be shooting in the dark.
Knowing what a character does is one thing, but to be successful you need to determine how each team member can help you gain the objectives before your opponent can. For instance:
A) Do you have to KO your opponents as quickly as possible?
B) Do you need to cover great distances as quickly as possible? If so, is that for the whole team or just scouting?
C) Do you need to be able to survive an onslaught of attacks?
D) Is there more than one opponent?
E) Could your powers be countered regularly?
F) Will you be fighting in an open or closed map? Will there be lots of debris?
G) Is it more important to gain and hold objectives or earn KO points?
The great thing about Infinity Quest is the answer to each of these questions is "Yes" at some point during the season.
Still, some scenario aspects are more important than others. Let's look at these individually:
A) KO your opponents quickly - Most things in IQ revolve around upgrading your team. You do this by earning XP and VP. You earn XP and VP by KOing your opponents (either villains or other heroes). What's more, the best defense in IQ is a good offense. A weakened opponent is less likely to cause you problems as you make your way through the map. For all these reasons, this scenario is the most important. Ignore it at your peril.
B) Moving quickly - Speaking of mobility, having a member that is able to traverse the map quickly comes in quite handy. Having automatic breakaways (Phasing/Teleport, Leap/Climb, etc.), high movement values, and/or move and attack abilities (Charge, Running Shot, HSS, etc.) all contribute to making your team flexible. There will come a time when you need to get point X as quickly as possible, it's best to plan ahead.
C) Survivability - You are guaranteed to encounter big baddies in Infinity Quest. Whether it be counterattacking villains or other teams out to take what is yours, your team must be able to weather the coming storms. Luckily, you have many options available to you, whether it's avoidance (Shape Change, Stealth, Super Senses, ES/D, etc.) or reduction (Toughness, Invulnerability, Impervious, etc.). The more points you invest in a character, the more important it is the character has protection against inevitable aggression.
D) Multiple opponents - Some people can go through a whole season without making enemies. Or they can convince people that other people are greater threats than themselves, thus making them friends. If you are not one of those people, then you may need to plan on fighting against superior numbers. Useful abilities include being able to absorb/avoid damage dealt (see C), increased mobility (see B), and satisfying scenario A doesn't hurt either.
E) Countering powers - Having your powers countered comes in many forms. Outwitting, Exploit Weakness, Shape Change, Impervious, Super Senses, and the list goes on. You need to be able to protect yourself from being countered as well as getting passed the defenses of your foes. High damage is of no use if you can't bring it to bear. Luckily, what's good for the goose is good for the gander.
F) Map elements - The map could have no walls or have a ton of walls, be full of debris or full of villains...it could be filled with jello! The key is a balanced approach. Making a ranged cannon is probably not the best approach, nor is making a close combat monster. Keep your options open.
E) Offense vs. Defense - The answer to this is both. You will always need to KO opponents, but if you are successful you will also need to defend your earned rewards. What's more, a character that deals out high damage is no good to you if they crumple under pressure. Be sure you can protect your weak spots.
So here we have some common scenarios you are likely to encounter during an Infinity Quest season. No team solves all of these problems, but the good teams try to optimize their ability to respond to everything that will get thrown at them during the course of the game.
As you begin to put together your own team, it's useful to keep these scenarios in mind. As you interview heroes simply ask yourself, "What problems do they solve?" The answers to that question will help you determine how many of your precious points you will invest in them.
In my experience, this is true...in a vacuum. However, every game you play has one factor that greatly affects the outcome, the scenario. What is the objective of the game and how is a winner determined? Before you can build an effective team, you must know the scenario or you'll be shooting in the dark.
Knowing what a character does is one thing, but to be successful you need to determine how each team member can help you gain the objectives before your opponent can. For instance:
A) Do you have to KO your opponents as quickly as possible?
B) Do you need to cover great distances as quickly as possible? If so, is that for the whole team or just scouting?
C) Do you need to be able to survive an onslaught of attacks?
D) Is there more than one opponent?
E) Could your powers be countered regularly?
F) Will you be fighting in an open or closed map? Will there be lots of debris?
G) Is it more important to gain and hold objectives or earn KO points?
The great thing about Infinity Quest is the answer to each of these questions is "Yes" at some point during the season.
Still, some scenario aspects are more important than others. Let's look at these individually:
A) KO your opponents quickly - Most things in IQ revolve around upgrading your team. You do this by earning XP and VP. You earn XP and VP by KOing your opponents (either villains or other heroes). What's more, the best defense in IQ is a good offense. A weakened opponent is less likely to cause you problems as you make your way through the map. For all these reasons, this scenario is the most important. Ignore it at your peril.
B) Moving quickly - Speaking of mobility, having a member that is able to traverse the map quickly comes in quite handy. Having automatic breakaways (Phasing/Teleport, Leap/Climb, etc.), high movement values, and/or move and attack abilities (Charge, Running Shot, HSS, etc.) all contribute to making your team flexible. There will come a time when you need to get point X as quickly as possible, it's best to plan ahead.
C) Survivability - You are guaranteed to encounter big baddies in Infinity Quest. Whether it be counterattacking villains or other teams out to take what is yours, your team must be able to weather the coming storms. Luckily, you have many options available to you, whether it's avoidance (Shape Change, Stealth, Super Senses, ES/D, etc.) or reduction (Toughness, Invulnerability, Impervious, etc.). The more points you invest in a character, the more important it is the character has protection against inevitable aggression.
D) Multiple opponents - Some people can go through a whole season without making enemies. Or they can convince people that other people are greater threats than themselves, thus making them friends. If you are not one of those people, then you may need to plan on fighting against superior numbers. Useful abilities include being able to absorb/avoid damage dealt (see C), increased mobility (see B), and satisfying scenario A doesn't hurt either.
E) Countering powers - Having your powers countered comes in many forms. Outwitting, Exploit Weakness, Shape Change, Impervious, Super Senses, and the list goes on. You need to be able to protect yourself from being countered as well as getting passed the defenses of your foes. High damage is of no use if you can't bring it to bear. Luckily, what's good for the goose is good for the gander.
F) Map elements - The map could have no walls or have a ton of walls, be full of debris or full of villains...it could be filled with jello! The key is a balanced approach. Making a ranged cannon is probably not the best approach, nor is making a close combat monster. Keep your options open.
E) Offense vs. Defense - The answer to this is both. You will always need to KO opponents, but if you are successful you will also need to defend your earned rewards. What's more, a character that deals out high damage is no good to you if they crumple under pressure. Be sure you can protect your weak spots.
So here we have some common scenarios you are likely to encounter during an Infinity Quest season. No team solves all of these problems, but the good teams try to optimize their ability to respond to everything that will get thrown at them during the course of the game.
As you begin to put together your own team, it's useful to keep these scenarios in mind. As you interview heroes simply ask yourself, "What problems do they solve?" The answers to that question will help you determine how many of your precious points you will invest in them.