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Being a fan of the Coruscant Nights trilogy in general and Laranth specifically, here is my critical review of this piece. Keep in mind I have not played this piece, nor am I a top-tier player. Echo24 wrote:Laranth Tarak Cost 25 - Inexpensive. Let's keep reading to see what that buys.HP 70 - RespectableDEF 16 - Very low, but I'm keeping an open mindATK 9 - On its own, this looks low. Perhaps there is a boost below.DAM 20 - Spot onSpecial Abilities Unique. - ObviousTwin Attack - Again, pretty obviousAgile [This character can move 2 extra squares at the end of her turn] - Hmm. New? Check. Useful? Check. Appropriate? Check.  Camaraderie [An ally whose name contains Jax Pavin gains Twin Attack] - Not surprising. Certainly helps the utterly underwhelming Jax Pavan WotC gave usEvade [When hit by an attack from a nonadjacent enemy, this character takes no damage with a save of 11] - Not terribly new or exciting, especially in the Rebel faction. However, it will help offset the abysmal 16 DefForce Powers Force 2 - This is limiting. Renewal would make her far more useful.Focused Attack [Force 2, usable only on this character's turn: This character ignores cover when determining legal targets] - Another new ability. Its handy, but with a cost of 2 FP, it reinforces my statement about lack of Force Renewal.Jedi Laranth Tarak preferred using twin DL-44 blasters over the traditional lightsaber.- I must nitpick. She professed to be a Grey Paladin, not a Jedi. Conclusion: Taken as a whole piece, I'm left wondering, "What happened?" Twin is great, but with only a +9 Attack how much damage will she be able to dish. Given Laranth's amazing blaster work, where is Accurate Shot, Blaster Deflect, Blaster Barrage, Blaster Flurry, or Blaster Assault? This is a solid piece, but it doesn't look or feel like the character its intended to represent. Purely as a shooter, the source material describes her in a way that would put her at least on par with Han Solo. Yet, this piece seems weaker than any of the competitive Han Solos out there. I'm sad to say this is the first piece of an otherwise brilliant set that feels a bit, well...disappointing. I'd love to hear from the designers and/or playtesters. Their input may show me what I've overlooked.
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I am glad to see Laranth (despite secretly hopng for Rianna), and it's cool that she boosts up Jax and can hold her own. Evade is nice but if we were putting new abilities on her I would have preferred some kind of interdiction ability like:
Blaster Defense (force 1, usable when an enemy within line of sight to this character makes a non-melee attack, this character can intercept and negate the attack with a save of 11)
Still I'm happy to have her and that focused attack I think really reflects her blaster preference/training and accuracy; also it is pretty powerful and useful.
Good job designers. So two questions then:
Will I5YQ make an appearance?
Rianna Saren? (Come on evey star wars videogame hero gets made, even Jaden Korr!)
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I would have prefered more along the lines:
Blaster Defense: Force 2; Replaces turn; Until the end of the skirmish, allies within 4 squares gain Evade.)
Evade as a force power (and an abstraction of blaster stopping) but still localized. Also, allows less reliance on Rieken and a choice between one power or the other.
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saber1 wrote:Being a fan of the Coruscant Nights trilogy in general and Laranth specifically, here is my critical review of this piece. Keep in mind I have not played this piece, nor am I a top-tier player. Echo24 wrote:Laranth Tarak Cost 25 - Inexpensive. Let's keep reading to see what that buys.HP 70 - RespectableDEF 16 - Very low, but I'm keeping an open mindATK 9 - On its own, this looks low. Perhaps there is a boost below.DAM 20 - Spot onSpecial Abilities Unique. - ObviousTwin Attack - Again, pretty obviousAgile [This character can move 2 extra squares at the end of her turn] - Hmm. New? Check. Useful? Check. Appropriate? Check. Camaraderie [An ally whose name contains Jax Pavin gains Twin Attack] - Not surprising. Certainly helps the utterly underwhelming Jax Pavan WotC gave usEvade [When hit by an attack from a nonadjacent enemy, this character takes no damage with a save of 11] - Not terribly new or exciting, especially in the Rebel faction. However, it will help offset the abysmal 16 DefForce Powers Force 2 - This is limiting. Renewal would make her far more useful.Focused Attack [Force 2, usable only on this character's turn: This character ignores cover when determining legal targets] - Another new ability. Its handy, but with a cost of 2 FP, it reinforces my statement about lack of Force Renewal.Jedi Laranth Tarak preferred using twin DL-44 blasters over the traditional lightsaber.- I must nitpick. She professed to be a Grey Paladin, not a Jedi. Conclusion: Taken as a whole piece, I'm left wondering, "What happened?" Twin is great, but with only a +9 Attack how much damage will she be able to dish. Given Laranth's amazing blaster work, where is Accurate Shot, Blaster Deflect, Blaster Barrage, Blaster Flurry, or Blaster Assault? This is a solid piece, but it doesn't look or feel like the character its intended to represent. Purely as a shooter, the source material describes her in a way that would put her at least on par with Han Solo. Yet, this piece seems weaker than any of the competitive Han Solos out there. I'm sad to say this is the first piece of an otherwise brilliant set that feels a bit, well...disappointing. I'd love to hear from the designers and/or playtesters. Their input may show me what I've overlooked. Cheap Unique Rebel that can fight without needing CE's. All Rebels have low attacks (the highest being 13 I think on one of the Jedi Luke's) At 25 she wasn't going to get a high attack. As far as the people wanting Blaster Deflect or whatever, she fell into the "Do we really want to make a new ability that only this piece will ever get?" pile. The answer was clearly, no, so Evade serves the same purpose. She is the cheapest Unique Rebel with Twin. So giving her accurate would have hopped her cost up to where she is competing with Han for playtime. She's not too bad. A good, solid, middle of the road backup attacker. Gives an option besides an extra ERC.
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YVH 2
Cost 30
HP 80
DEF 18
ATK 10
DAM 20
Special Abilities
Droid. Melee Attack; Twin Attack
Grenades 30 [Replaces attacks: range 6; 30 damage to target and to each character adjacent to that target; save 11]
Laminanium Armor [Each time this character activates, remove 10 damage from it]
Rapport [Costs 1 less when in the same squad as a character whose name contains Lando Calrissian]
Self Destruct Sequence 30 [Replaces attacks: 30 damage to each adjacent character, then remove this character from play.]
Vong Hunter +20 [+4 Attack and +20 Damage against Yuuzhan Vong characters]
"As part of the Myrkr strike team, two YVH 2 variations sacrificed themselves to optimize enemy losses and maintain the strike team's cover."
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Weeks wrote:YVH 2
Cost 30
HP 80
DEF 18
ATK 10
DAM 20
Special Abilities
Droid. Melee Attack; Twin Attack
Grenades 30 [Replaces attacks: range 6; 30 damage to target and to each character adjacent to that target; save 11]
Laminanium Armor [Each time this character activates, remove 10 damage from it]
Rapport [Costs 1 less when in the same squad as a character whose name contains Lando Calrissian]
Self Destruct Sequence 30 [Replaces attacks: 30 damage to each adjacent character, then remove this character from play.]
Vong Hunter +20 [+4 Attack and +20 Damage against Yuuzhan Vong characters]
"As part of the Myrkr strike team, two YVH 2 variations sacrificed themselves to optimize enemy losses and maintain the strike team's cover." Is it possible that minis like this could mean CLobot sees more play? What an excellent mini to be able to bring in on reserves. To be fair, I think the Vong Hunter +20 is just a bonus. These could make for a nice close support weapon that you can sac if needs be.
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What options does she have to boost her attack? At this time, a +9 just isn't going to cut it.
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Princess Leia gives her +4 on one shot via her CE. Ackbar gives her +4 attack against someone who has activated, Han Rebel Hero gives her Advantageous Attack, General Solo gives her Long Shot +10, the Rebel Leader lets folks who combine fire grant +6 and Spotter 20 so her, a few other threats and a bunch of Rebel grunts who can combine fire might be solid, the new Yoda can give her Ataru and Jolee Bindo can give her +2 attack. And of course the Rebel Force Spirits can give her Mettle (plus renewal which she probably needs.)
I might be missing some but that is what I could think of off the top of my head.
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Weeks wrote:YVH 2
Cost 30
HP 80
DEF 18
ATK 10
DAM 20
Special Abilities
Droid. Melee Attack; Twin Attack
Grenades 30 [Replaces attacks: range 6; 30 damage to target and to each character adjacent to that target; save 11]
Laminanium Armor [Each time this character activates, remove 10 damage from it]
Rapport [Costs 1 less when in the same squad as a character whose name contains Lando Calrissian]
Self Destruct Sequence 30 [Replaces attacks: 30 damage to each adjacent character, then remove this character from play.]
Vong Hunter +20 [+4 Attack and +20 Damage against Yuuzhan Vong characters]
"As part of the Myrkr strike team, two YVH 2 variations sacrificed themselves to optimize enemy losses and maintain the strike team's cover." That's going to be pretty good with Bao-Dur, Tech Specialist.
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Weeks wrote:YVH 2
Cost 30
HP 80
DEF 18
ATK 10
DAM 20
Special Abilities
Droid. Melee Attack; Twin Attack
Grenades 30 [Replaces attacks: range 6; 30 damage to target and to each character adjacent to that target; save 11]
Laminanium Armor [Each time this character activates, remove 10 damage from it]
Rapport [Costs 1 less when in the same squad as a character whose name contains Lando Calrissian]
Self Destruct Sequence 30 [Replaces attacks: 30 damage to each adjacent character, then remove this character from play.]
Vong Hunter +20 [+4 Attack and +20 Damage against Yuuzhan Vong characters]
"As part of the Myrkr strike team, two YVH 2 variations sacrificed themselves to optimize enemy losses and maintain the strike team's cover." Now that's what I'm talking about, simply epic and looking forward to rocking these guys on my Sep teams.
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Weeks wrote:YVH 2
Cost 30
HP 80
DEF 18
ATK 10
DAM 20
Special Abilities
Droid. Melee Attack; Twin Attack
Grenades 30 [Replaces attacks: range 6; 30 damage to target and to each character adjacent to that target; save 11]
Laminanium Armor [Each time this character activates, remove 10 damage from it]
Rapport [Costs 1 less when in the same squad as a character whose name contains Lando Calrissian]
Self Destruct Sequence 30 [Replaces attacks: 30 damage to each adjacent character, then remove this character from play.]
Vong Hunter +20 [+4 Attack and +20 Damage against Yuuzhan Vong characters]
"As part of the Myrkr strike team, two YVH 2 variations sacrificed themselves to optimize enemy losses and maintain the strike team's cover." I am always an outside the box thinker. Sadly, this never works in a positive direction. Yet, I see this piece as a loveable addendum to Kazden Paratus for that necessary bot drop if you ever play him.
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Wi' Lanath, you can always use Atris...
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This is my rough transcription of tonight's SHNN preview. It's pretty cool - I assumed it was just giving shooters accurate shot, but it works for force powers, and missiles, and other targeted things too:
DRK-1 Dark Eye Probe Droid
*like Darth Maul's
Sith, non-unique, 4/60
20 points
50 hp, 16 def, +5 att, 10 dam
Droid, Speed 8, Flight, Intuition, Self Destruct 10, Sonic Stunner, Sensor (allies can ignore cover when targeting enemies within 6 of this character)
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WOWI've been offline for about a month, and I come back on and what do I see? All these delightful new previews! Qui-Gon, FS - Cool, but when does he ever return as a Spirit (besides training Obi-Wan at the end of Episode III to become a Spirit)? Probe Droid - Not a whole lot of survivability, but it will really help while it lasts. YVH 2 - EPIC      I love the YVH 2s in the books, they are deadly, and I am glad to see these be represented as the insane enemies that they are. Bao-Dur is gonna love these babies.  Yoda - Not really a fan of him, although he is a decent piece, I just don't think we needed another Yoda. Laranth Tarak - If it wasn't for the Force Power (although no Force Powers would have made no sense), she would be great. The Force Power doesn't do a whole lot in my mind except get a Jedi Hunter bonus put on her. I love the way the new set is shaping up. Great job guys! 
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Bob Chizo wrote:WOWI've been offline for about a month, and I come back on and what do I see? All these delightful new previews! Qui-Gon, FS - Cool, but when does he ever return as a Spirit (besides training Obi-Wan at the end of Episode III to become a Spirit)? Probe Droid - Not a whole lot of survivability, but it will really help while it lasts. YVH 2 - EPIC I love the YVH 2s in the books, they are deadly, and I am glad to see these be represented as the insane enemies that they are. Bao-Dur is gonna love these babies. Yoda - Not really a fan of him, although he is a decent piece, I just don't think we needed another Yoda. Laranth Tarak - If it wasn't for the Force Power (although no Force Powers would have made no sense), she would be great. The Force Power doesn't do a whole lot in my mind except get a Jedi Hunter bonus put on her. I love the way the new set is shaping up. Great job guys! It allows her to target cloaked/ super-stealth figures. and giving her the benefit of psuedo accurate shot, though i think she should have renewal
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Something relevant to this thread just got put on the front page at www.swmresources.com....
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Love counter attacks, this is huge
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Hey, Ulic! I think you are gonna like this guy. He's good people. Also, Mr. Mareel needs to talk to him as well.
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Weeks wrote:Cheap Unique Rebel that can fight without needing CE's. All Rebels have low attacks (the highest being 13 I think on one of the Jedi Luke's) At 25 she wasn't going to get a high attack. As far as the people wanting Blaster Deflect or whatever, she fell into the "Do we really want to make a new ability that only this piece will ever get?" pile. The answer was clearly, no, so Evade serves the same purpose.
She is the cheapest Unique Rebel with Twin. So giving her accurate would have hopped her cost up to where she is competing with Han for playtime. She's not too bad. A good, solid, middle of the road backup attacker. Gives an option besides an extra ERC. I think you just made my day with that statement weeks :P Now if only we can get that philosophy to work on more mini's more often ^^ Weeks wrote:YVH 2
Cost 30
HP 80
DEF 18
ATK 10
DAM 20
Special Abilities
Droid. Melee Attack; Twin Attack
Grenades 30 [Replaces attacks: range 6; 30 damage to target and to each character adjacent to that target; save 11]
Laminanium Armor [Each time this character activates, remove 10 damage from it]
Rapport [Costs 1 less when in the same squad as a character whose name contains Lando Calrissian]
Self Destruct Sequence 30 [Replaces attacks: 30 damage to each adjacent character, then remove this character from play.]
Vong Hunter +20 [+4 Attack and +20 Damage against Yuuzhan Vong characters]
"As part of the Myrkr strike team, two YVH 2 variations sacrificed themselves to optimize enemy losses and maintain the strike team's cover." Another solid average mini. I like solid average in mini's!!! That means it can become very useful if you build creatively but it is not an auto include. I want to see more mini's like this who have few new SA's that are unique only to that mini and are not under cost by 5-10 points. Though, this guy could probably use a cost reduction...unless it is fringe and not NR like I am thinking it is for some reason...
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I could be mistaken, but if my math is right, we're now at the halfway mark in terms of spoilers: 30 of 60 and 6 of 12.
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