With Season 4 of the Tabletop Simulator League fast approaching, and with new models to play with, the Strike Better Crew are in the thick of the tournament pre-season. The recent break in competitive tournaments has allowed us some time to test some new affiliations and concepts, which have shone light on some interesting combinations.
This short article aims to show our listeners what the Strike Better Team are testing over the holiday period, as we finalise our competitive rosters for TTS Season 4. None of these rosters are set in stone, but with new players likely to pick up the game during the festive season, and with some seasoned players scratching their heads for squad inspiration, we wanted to show what we are testing over the next few weeks.
Ryan Farmer (Rytackle on Discord)
Our podcast host is now infamous for his love of the Web Warriors affiliation, so it is no surprise Farmer has gone all in on a Spider heavy roster. I asked him what his favourite threat level squad is at the moment, and what he is trying to achieve with it.
“My favourite squad from my roster is at 18 threat: Miles Morales, Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, Venom, Daredevil. All the web warriors? You better believe it. This squad has a surprising amount of balance, and incredible resilience. Three out of Five are long movers, making the squad flexible in how it deploys and reacts to in game situations.” “For tactics cards I have focussed on a core of All Webbed Up, Uneasy Allies, Medpack, Advanced R&D and Lethal Protector. Uneasy Allies gives the squad a surprising burst damage potential when paired with all webbed up. Either Miles or Peter can take advantage of the opportunity and it keeps your opponent honest. They can’t just assume the squad is never going to get a heavy attack. God help you if daredevil gets a devil’s deliverance on your squad after he webs you up!”
Jaren Foss (Von on Discord)
Jaren is testing a single affiliation Criminal Syndicate roster, that aims to end the game as quickly as possible. A strong core of Kingpin, MODOK and Taskmaster allows him to easily splash characters that are either tanky, to make the most of the CS Leadership ability, or excel at capturing objectives in their own right. Jaren says that in his testing, he has found the affiliation is more than just sitting a chunky character on an objective and forcing your opponent to do something about it (although it is a strategy he has adopted more than once). The rosters core allows him to build from there and adapt to different crisis to give the squad some surprising depth.
Jarens’s Roster:
Characters
Kingpin, Taskmaster, Crossbones, MODOK, Killmonger, Black Panther, Vision, Valkyrie, Shuri, Toad
Tactics Cards
All According to Plan, Cruelty, Advanced R&D, Hired Muscle, Medpack, Patch Up, Usurp the Throne, A.I.M. Lackeys
Extract Crises
Panic Grips City, Struggle for the Cube Continues, Spider-Infected Invade Manhatten
Secure Crises
Gamma Wave, Mayor Fisk Vows to Find Missing Witnesses, Infinity Formula Goes Missing
Morgan Reid
Morgan has been furiously testing Brotherhood of Mutants. A keen admirer of the villain affiliations, Morgan has been almost exclusively testing the might of Magneto’s leadership. Whilst Morgan hasn’t played many games with Mystique as a leader, having her there provides some flexibility despite only running a single affiliation roster.
Morgan’s Roster
Characters
Magneto, Sabretooth, Mystique, Toad, MODOK, Vision, Wolverine, Beast, Valkyrie, Okoye
Tactics Cards
Asteroid M, Magnetic Refraction, Deception, Medpack, All You’ve Got, Advanced R&D, X-Ceptional Healing, Hired Muscle
Extract Crises
Senators, Skrulls, Panic Grips City
Secure Crises
Mayor Fisk Vows to Find Missing Witnesses, Infinity Formula Goes Missing, Demons Downtown
I asked Morgan what Threat values he liked most, as well as what he liked so far about his roster. “I like 19 on Citizens with accessing Hired Muscle for tokens and potentially Vision for Synthesis to Evacuate the Citizens faster. I think the higher threat levels are easier to build for Magneto to fit more toys in and balance out his squad. I also like the flexibility in having 6 supporting characters at an even threat spread of 5/4/4/3/3/2.”
Travis Foss
Keeping with what seems to be a Strike Better theme, Travis is also trying his luck in the Brotherhood of Mutants affiliation. He is also starting to try dual affiliation with Criminal Syndicate, leveraging on some powerful characters to help build out multiple options depending on the Crisis. Travis has said that Mystique, with her amazing tactics card Deception is fast becoming one of his most favourite characters in the game.
Travis’s Roster
Characters
Magneto, Baron Zemo, Mystique, Toad, MODOK, Vision, Valkyrie, Okoye, Kingpin, Killmonger
Tactics Cards
Asteroid M, Disarm, Deception, Medpack, All You’ve Got, All According to Plan, Field Dressing, Hired Muscle
Extract Crises
Struggle for the Cube Continues, Fear Grips World as “Worthy” Terrorise Cities, Panic Grips City as Evacuation Efforts Continue
Secure Crises
Mayor Fisk Vows to Find Missing Witnesses, Infinity Formula Goes Missing, Gamma Wave Sweeps Across MidwestTravis says that he loves playing a core of Magneto, Toad and Mystique, with splash characters being used to fill out his roster.
At 17 Threat, a squad consisting of Magneto, Toad, Mystique, Zemo and Valkyrie provides lots of flexibility, with long movers and mobile characters to support the slow-moving Magneto. However, dropping Magneto on an unsuspecting back line objective holder through Asteroid M is always a satisfying experience!
Adam Murgatroyd (murgo61 on Discord)
After seeing my roster, you would be forgiven for thinking the Australian meta has moved towards the Brotherhood of Mutants. But I too have enjoyed this affiliation! I’ve enjoyed the fact that this affiliation allows you to fill it with strong support characters like you would for a single affiliation, but it gives you the flexibility of two leadership abilities that you lean on depending on the crisis selection. Further, I have thoroughly enjoyed the Long movers in the Brotherhood, and adding splash characters that also have increased mobility. The in affiliation Long movers provides plenty of options for using Asteroid M and dropping Magneto in an advantageous position, which allows him to throw terrain at will.
Adam’s Roster
Characters
Magneto, Beast, Mystique, Toad, MODOK, Taskmaster, Valkyrie, Okoye, Black Panther, Sabretooth
Tactics Cards
Asteroid M, Brace for Impact, Deception, Medpack, Magnetic Refraction, The Books of Truth, Advanced R&D, X-Ceptional Healing
Extract Crises
Mutant Extremis Target U.S. Senators!, Fear Grips World as “Worthy” Terrorise Cities, Panic Grips City as Evacuation Efforts Continue
Secure Crises
Riots Spark Over Extremis 3.0, Infinity Formula Goes Missing, Gamma Wave Sweeps Across Midwest
I have found the affiliation allows strength on multiple crises shapes, such as D and B. Mystiques leadership helps strengthen your roster on wide scenarios, whilst also letting you keep the model count low. Placing a token on a far away crisis and keeping to four characters let’s you get in the fight, but almost always leaves you with priority. My favourite squad has been at 17 Threat, with Magneto, Sabretooth, Mystique, Black Panther. Four very strong characters, oozing with power because of Magneto’s leadership and all except Magneto with Long moves. Makes for great objective grabbers, and launch pads for a Magneto bomb on the adversaries back line. A lot of fun!
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