After the grunts on July 4th and the lieutenants Tuesday, Morrison looks at the field commanders below…

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Field Commander

These guys may not be as sturdy as the above, but they bring something else to the fight, great supporting ability.

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Rocket Raccoon (Hammer of Thor #028)

He brings cheap Prob (with the Leap/Climb mobility to use it best— Editor RKJS) (and, later, Outwit) to a Soldier team. His stats are kinda low, but consider giving him Guardians of the Galaxy ATA so his PC does not become vulnerable to pesky Outwitters. Overall though, his dial is similar to, but not as good as …

Domino (Giant-Size X-Men #017)

For 4 pts more, she brings the hurt. Higher attack, defense, and more Prob make Domino a great addition to a soldier team. (The chance to deal 6 damage doesn’t hurt either.)

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Steve Rogers (Captain America #031)

He comes to the fight prepared; with 12 attack and 3 damage he’s hardly a slouch. At 99pts, his Leadership will be used to great effect. His “Focal Point” Trait can be used to great effect to give Avenger friends S.H.I.E.L.D. TA. (and SHIELD guys get to use the Avengers TA for easier deployment! — Editor)

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U Nick Fury (Sinister #091 & Classics #2-11)

It’s hard to spend 63 points better. The trick to use this guy to greatest effect is to move him and a friend into hindering, get lucky on Leadership and push to hit. Then you camp out right where you are, sitting high and mighty on your Stealth, with 10 attack Psychic Blast for three damage with Willpower and Outwit. Many people disliked the Sinister set, but even today, Samuel L. Fury holds up pretty well.

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Captain Metropolis (Watchmen #008)

Captain Metropolis is one thing, pure and simple: a finesse piece of the highest order. It’s hard to argue with 5 clicks of Enhancement for 40 pts. This guy should be by a battalion of low-cost soldiers, as then he can utilize his STACKABLE, TOKEN REMOVING Leadership. After he takes a hit, he’ll be boosting his friends’ defense and damage.

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Sgt. Rock (DC 75th Anniversary #017)

Remember the first part of this review; you know that part where I described all of those effective grunts? Well imagine if you will, a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. Snipers. Now imagine a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. Snipers, Easy Company Soldiers, Black Hawks, Little Sure Shot, Hive Troopers, Checkmate Knights, and some of them equipped with Spotter. Now imagine that force, with each of the above with Willpower.

At 68 pts, you get the single best support figure for soldier teams.

I was always surprised right after DC 75th was released, the general consensus was about how bad it was that Sgt. Rock and his lost brigade couldn’t break Invulnerability. Those people just didn’t have the right perspective; this Sgt is meant to be the Rock of more than just Easy Company.

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Next time, Morrison looks at the Elite corps of Soldier keyword. 

Heroclixin’ guest reviewer Morrison presents an analysis of the Soldier keyword. Like he did for the Armor reviews a couple of months back, he’s split them up according to class, starting today with Ground Troops.

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Hello faithful readers out there on the internet. It’s ThatGuyoverthere again. For a while I was considering doing another keyword review, and between having some more time now, I thought that I would write a review for the Soldier keyword.

Ground troops

Solider is one of the most common keywords, and as such, a huge number of figures have it. Many old generics have, and can be parts of great teams, and as such, this is only a small fraction of the playable low point figures who have some special merit.

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Rookie Shield Trooper (Sinister #004)

S.H.I.E.L.D. trooper might not have much stat-wise, but she certainly brings two things: longevity and cheap S.H.I.E.L.D. TA. Overall, she works out to 3.4 pts a click, making for a tremendously efficient dial, meaning that she is great for filler, or for Mastermind fodder.

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Moon Knight (Avengers #006)

Moon Knight may be only about half as efficient, at 6 1/3pts a click, but for less than 40pts, you get a figure who between Stealth and ES/D can get close enough to an opponent to attempt to deal 4 damage with a 10 attack, which isn’t too shabby. A good soldier for a force.

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Badoon Commander (Supernova #012)

At 1 pt less you get a figure with less offensive capability and 1 less click, but you get marginally better range, copyable Skrulls TA, more stealth (with the advantage of smoke cloud), and most importantly, 3 clicks of Enhancement. While there are cheaper sources (22-pt E Hive Trooper), our Badoon friend here is pretty bargain basement.

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R Blackhawks (Origin #001)

This entire REV presents a very useful set. As inexpensive as they are, each has pretty good stats, and the Police TA. These guys make excellent filler, or third-tier attackers. Cheap Enhancement would make these guys superb.

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Rookie Puck (Mutant Mayhem #025)

This guy has a solid dial, and as I recall, there was a time where some version of Puck was found on most all competitive Avenger teams (before cards). Even now for the points he holds up great, with his only pitfall being his low movement.

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Rookie Domino (Mutant Mayhem #028)

For 35 pts, you get not one, not two, but three clicks of Probability Control, arguably the most powerful power in the game. Plus, on two of those clicks, Domino has Stealth to protect her from range, and Super Senses, providing another (if thin) layer of defense, giving that Prob some staying power.

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Easy Company Soldier (DC 75th Anniversary #001)

Unless you are playing in some special scenario, virtually every game features more than one figure over 50pts, effectively ensuring (given an even marginally well-constructed force) that you can use a 30 pt figure with both Running Shot, and 10 Attack Value, which is hardly shabby. A strong filler and low-key harasser.

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Checkmate Knight (Black) (The Brave and The Bold #014)

Many would bemoan such a short dial (three clicks), but being able to dish out 4 damage at 8 range for under 40 pts is near unprecedented. You wouldn’t want to build a force with too many of these, but a couple can really bring some low-cost hurt to your opponent. In larger point games that allow feats, this figure goes great with Spotter (with 8 range, she can see a lot of the board), making all of your other figures even more effective.

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Little Sure Shot (Cosmic Justice #201)

Some would scoff at a completely vanilla dial and a max damage of 2, but four things stand out about this guy:

• 15 pts is phenomenally cheap;
• 9 AV is still pretty good,
• copyable PD TA (great),
• and 10 range.

Who else has 10 range for 15 pts, much less 9 attack and opponent defense reduction? That’s right, nobody.

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Thunderer of Qward (Crisis #223)

Enhancement is great on any even mildly cheap figure, especially on one who can attack from 8 squares away, or deal 2 penetrating damage. An oft overlooked, but very playable figure.

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Captain America (Secret Invasion #019)

A casual glance at the dial reminds me of a figure 2 pts less costly, Guardian, but is much more playable. Between his 0 range and eventual Combat Reflexes, Bradley has one clear use, as a tie up piece, but as a very good one nonetheless.

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Warlord (DC 75th Anniversary #021)

Warlord is also destined for close combat, with 2 clicks of 11 attack, 2 clicks of 10, a dial full of B/C/F, Charge, Combat Reflexes, and Close Combat Expert. On his last 2 clicks, Warlord picks up some useful range capability.

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S.H.I.E.L.D. Sniper (Sinister #005)

S.H.I.E.L.D. Sniper epitomizes everything good about a grunt:

• long dial (5.5 pts a click);
•  a support power for comrades (S.H.I.E.L.D. TA),
•  protection (Stealth), and
• the ability to deal damage at a low price tag (9 attack and 3 damage should not be scoffed at).

In my opinion, she is the best Soldier grunt for the points. Consider giving her Spotter to help your teammates even more.

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That’s it for the inexpensive ground troops. Next, Morrison looks at the Lieutenants, mid-range pieces that can help anchor a Soldier team. Be here!