Black Mask Crew Evolution

I regard myself as a skirmish gamer, but not necessarily a successful one! It has been nice to play the recent BMG tournaments and I plan to play more. That means getting a handle on a crew to suit me.

While I don't think there is such a thing as a 'perfect list' in pretty much any table-top skirmish game, I do feel part of getting the 'right list' as a player is having a group of models you feel you understand and that you feel function adequately or better.

I am still very much getting to grips with BMG, which is influencing my crew selections. For example, I am happier so far with Black Mask than Poison Ivy. I like Deadshot, as he has performed well in 4 games out of 5.

Some models just don't meet my needs, so time for more change: out with the old and in with the new!

Riddler is going as his use is too specific for me, but accepting that others may get more out of him; he is helpful but maybe not the most efficient use of Reputation for my tastes. He can be devastating in combo, such as setting up a target for Deadshot, but effectively that almost doubles the cost of Deadshot to do that.

Turk has been a mainstay since my first games, but there are more efficient ways to add comparable or superior threat, with better range and/or fewer action Counters needed to attack at optimum rate of fire. Goon 2 has simply been underwhelming.

On the plus side, Anatoly has proved useful as a speed bump, tying up more expensive models used to quickly knocking out lower durability targets, so another similar option would be good.

So what am I thinking of adding? At first I thought of extra cheap Henchmen to add to the 'swarm', especially as so far Black Mask is still quite reliant on the 'generic' Henchmen, but then I thought I need more of a mix.

Currently I am thinking of:

• Scarecrow (Arkham) for Riddler, adds more threat, especially if no foes choose Riddles;
• Mesh for Turk (longer range, fewer Action Counters to get decent rate of fire);
• That frees up plenty of Reputation for Mule Goon instead of Goon 2, who is more durable and has a higher likelihood of causing Damage.

I could take 2 cheaper Henchmen instead of Mule Goon, but that doubles the VP available to an opponent, so sometimes 'less may be more'. Identifying these changes allows me to plan for the next tournament with something closer to the 'right' crew for me.

Basically, in looking at the basic Damage output of Mule Goon against Defense values 2 to 5, he is more cost-efficient than either Prisoner 01 or Goon 2. That is not factoring Collateral Damage, but it is telling enough for me. On the durability front, Veteran and Sturdy make the Mule Goon a potentially tough proposition, and not readily taken down in a single attack except maybe to pesky 3 Blood attacks. The more I think about it, the more I think taking Mule Goon will add some better balance to some of the other cheaper Henchmen.

Alternative Riddles & Lampposts for BMG

These are some alternative bits I will be using for BMG games.

Riddles
The Riddles were a necessity as the Knight Models Objectives pack only comes with one Riddle, and with the hard-cover book release they changed it to be a pair which was not too well thought out IMHO.

For these I simply ordered some question mark shaped acrylic markers from Counterattack Bases. I used a very, very fine sanding block to key the surface for spraying, then painted them and done.

Lampposts
I have a couple of packs of the first Lampposts KM did, and I was unimpressed. I packed my first 3 safely into my figure case for the first BMG tournament I attended. Unfortunately the poor design meant a light tap with my finger nail pinged the upper part of one from the main body. Consequently I will be using these going forward which are plastic and from a Tamiya set. they will prove more durable, I have little doubt.

Poison Ivy Crew (BMG)

Finally, I now have enough to field a crew for BMG after finishing the Elite Plants! It has only taken 15 months, better late than never.

The crew has been built around Poison Ivy as Leader of course, and these minis come to 351 Reputation and $550, allowing some options for upgrading the Henchmen (which I will worry about when I have a better grasp on the rules). There are no Sidekicks, and the maximum of 2 Free Agents for the crew size/cost. Solomon Grundy I see as my centre-table beat-stick.

If I take this crew to the Titan Games tournament I would drop the cheapest model (the 10 Rep Plant), to make it a legal list.

Before the tournament I want to try and get Deadshot finished, who would replace Riddler, and would take the the value up to 348 Reputation and $850 Funding.

Since I have yet to play the game, I have no clue how this crew will manage - only time will tell! Time to get some games in!

Batman Miniatures Game Rules Update

Knight Models have issued a free download updated rule book for the Batman Miniatures Game.

The English-language translation this time looks much better, thanks to the involvement of a couple of native speakers no doubt. This is a full update, with new layout and content. With the page count I think I will be waiting until a print version is available, but this is an excellent step forwards by Knight Models I reckon. I suggest heading over to their site and downloading this if you are interested in the game.