{"id":7684,"date":"2017-04-26T13:28:14","date_gmt":"2017-04-26T17:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/67272bb316.nxcli.io\/heroclix\/?p=7684"},"modified":"2017-04-28T09:09:20","modified_gmt":"2017-04-28T13:09:20","slug":"marvel-heroclix-avengersdefenders-war-shifting-focus-part-i","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wizkids.com\/heroclix\/2017\/04\/26\/marvel-heroclix-avengersdefenders-war-shifting-focus-part-i\/","title":{"rendered":"Marvel HeroClix: Avengers\/Defenders War – Shifting Focus Part I"},"content":{"rendered":"

Greetings HeroClix fans!<\/p>\n

Welcome back as we continue our look at the upcoming Marvel HeroClix:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>Avengers\/Defenders War<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>set!\u00a0 To help you prep for Pre-Release Events<\/a>, today we are diving into a feature that has proven rather popular in recent set releases: the Shifting Focus<\/em> traits.\u00a0 These traits have created an interesting design space where certain characters, who have a wide array of at times incongruent powers and abilities, can be represented as strategically useful pieces at a more sensible point cost than if they had everything all at once.\u00a0 Rather than containing just one or two characters with this feature, the Avengers\/Defenders War<\/strong> set has six!\u00a0 In this article, we\u2019ll look at three of these characters: Vision<\/strong>, Wasp<\/strong>, and Dr. Strange<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Marvel<\/a><\/span><\/div>

The artificial intelligence turned android, Vision<\/strong>, has among his many powers the ability to change the density of his physical form. The Avengers\u2019<\/em> resident robot<\/em> can match the density and hardness of a diamond, or he can become practically sub atomic, allowing him to pass through the spaces between atoms.\u00a0 The extreme edges of his powers are represented by his Shifting Focus<\/em> trait, Density Shift<\/em>, which is shared by the two versions of Vision<\/strong> in this set. Like other Shifting Focus <\/em>figures, you can give Vision<\/strong> a free action if he began the turn on your force and replace him with another character with the same trait on the same click number.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Marvel<\/a><\/span><\/div>

So, for 5 clicks of life at 50 points, you have options bouncing between a hardnosed close combat brick or a hard to pin down range combat sniper.\u00a0 If you need durability or a close combat fighter, you have Sidestep<\/em>, Invincible<\/em>, and Exploit Weakness <\/em>that turn into Impervious<\/em> and Close Combat Expert<\/em>.\u00a0 If you need ephemeral evasiveness or if you want to attack at a distance, the translucent sculpt Vision<\/strong> has the Flight <\/em>symbol, Phasing\/Teleport<\/em>, Penetrating\/Psychic Blast<\/em> with a range of 6, and Super Senses<\/em> with a daunting 19 defense value with Sidestep <\/em>and Range Combat Expert<\/em> on the back end.\u00a0 Both versions of Vision <\/strong>have Indomitable<\/em> to get the most out of your actions, Shifting Density <\/em>options, and the Avengers <\/em>team ability, which lets him take move actions without counting against your normal number of actions per turn.\u00a0 Keeping our attention on the Avengers<\/em> for the moment, they have another team member that can switch between forms, the Wasp<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Marvel<\/a><\/span><\/div>

This Celebrity Avenger<\/em> has a trait, Time For A Costume Change!<\/em>, that works exactly like Shifting Focus<\/em>.\u00a0 For 40 points and 4 clicks of life, the Tiny Sized<\/em> pair of Wasps<\/strong> bring versions that specialize in lockdown\/harassment and team leadership roles.\u00a0 The common Wasp<\/strong> has Running Shot<\/em> with the Flight <\/em>symbol and Incapacitate <\/em>with a range value of 5 and two targets to keep the opposition busy clearing action tokens. With a 19 defense value through Super Senses<\/em>, she is especially hard to hit.\u00a0 She also finishes with a taste of Sidestep <\/em>to get in a better sniping position for when she changes costumes.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Marvel<\/a><\/span><\/div>

The uncommon Wasp<\/strong> starts out with Sidestep<\/em> and transitions to Running Shot, <\/em>but she has a full dial of both Penetrating\/Psychic Blast <\/em>and Energy Shield\/Deflection<\/em>.\u00a0 While she keeps the Flight<\/em> symbol and 5 range, she can only focus on one target at a time. Since Wasp<\/strong> is also A Natural Leader<\/em>, she can use Leadership<\/em>. When she rolls successfully, she can add 2 actions to your action total instead of 1.<\/p>\n

Both Vision<\/strong> and Wasp <\/strong>have only two versions of pieces to shift between.\u00a0 The next character we are looking at today has three, Dr. Strange<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Marvel<\/a><\/span><\/div>

With all his magical skills and enough ancient mystical relics to turn his mansion into a museum, Dr. Strange <\/strong>could easily cost 150 points or more to field if he included some representation of all his powers; although, there is no guarantee they would be where you want or need them on his dial.\u00a0 Shifting Focus<\/em> solves this.\u00a0 For 50 points, the Mystical Defender<\/em> can have very specific and dedicated roles at different times during the game, at your discretion.\u00a0 Despite having a 0 range and combat values of an ordinary person, the common Dr. Strange could serve a specialized purpose for your team. Dr. Strange makes for an excellent taxi, he’s got Flight, Indomitable,<\/em> and a special power called Teleportation Spell<\/em>. This power will allow him to use Phasing\/Teleport<\/em> and carry 2 friendly characters (4 if they’re all Defenders<\/em>)! \u00a0Synergizing well with his fellow Defenders <\/em>in more ways than one, Dr. Strange<\/strong> also has the trait, Defenders Together<\/em>. \u00a0If everyone with the same trait uses the Defenders <\/em>team ability to replace their defense value with Dr. Strange\u2019s <\/strong>defense value, you may reroll one of the attack dice once per turn.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Marvel<\/a><\/span><\/div>

After you use Dr. Strange<\/strong> to taxi your team to and fro, you can shift your focus to team defense.\u00a0 Losing Flight<\/em> and Indomitable<\/em>, the uncommon Dr. Strange <\/strong>is more grounded, but he stays somewhat mobile by picking up Sidestep<\/em>.\u00a0 He can protect your team in two ways by either using his trait, Defenders Together,<\/em> or his special defense power, Stay Behind My Mystical Shield<\/em>.\u00a0 His trait works just like the other Defenders Together <\/em>traits. However, if a friendly character replaces their defense value with his 18 defense value, they may reduce any damage dealt by 1 (on top of any other reducers) if they have the Defenders<\/em> keyword.\u00a0 Additionally, his special power gives him Defend<\/em> so he can lend out his defense value to non-Defenders<\/em>.\u00a0 Furthermore, if an adjacent friendly character takes damage from an attack, you may immediately heal the hit character of one damage and roll a D6 after actions resolve. This deals Dr. Strange<\/strong> one unavoidable damage on a 1 through 3 result.\u00a0 Now, we have the strategic positioning and team defender Dr. Strange<\/strong>. Yet, where is the Sorcerer Supreme<\/em> who unleashes mind-bending, dimension-twisting magic on demons and fiends alike?<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Marvel<\/a><\/span><\/div>

Well seek no further because the rare Dr. Strange <\/strong>fits the bill nicely for the same 50 points.\u00a0 With 6 range, Improved Targeting:\u00a0 Ignores Characters<\/em>, Sidestep<\/em>, Penetrating\/Psychic Blast<\/em>, Energy Shield\/Deflection<\/em>, and Mystical Guidance<\/em> on damage letting him boost his team\u2019s damage output with Empower <\/em>and Enhancement <\/em>while also increasing attack values by 1 as a Unique Modifier.<\/em>\u00a0 Finishing up with Combat Reflexes <\/em>and Exploit Weakness,<\/em> Dr. Strange<\/strong> is given the ability to deal penetrating damage on every click.\u00a0 He also has the Defenders Together <\/em>trait that increases the defense value of friendly characters who use his defense value by +1 if they share the Defenders<\/em> keyword; though with a 16 defense value, he will most likely be borrowing theirs.\u00a0 Team him up with Man-Thing<\/strong> to get Dr. Strange <\/strong>up to a 19 defense value and pump up Man-Thing\u2019s<\/strong> numbers with Mystical Guidance<\/em>!<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a lot to digest today. Thanks for reading!\u00a0 Join us next time as we dive into\u00a0more exciting characters and highlight strategies and team builds (and the other 3 Shifting Focus <\/em>characters) from the Marvel HeroClix: Avengers\/Defenders War<\/strong> set and visit the WizKids Info Network<\/a> to find\u00a0Pre-Release Events<\/a> near you, beginning today!<\/p>\n

Until next time, shift your focus onto the game!<\/p>\n<\/div>

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