"Wizkids" Battle Report: Fantastic Four - The Cosmic Cube Of Doom

THE FANTASTIC FOUR BATTLE DOCTOR DOOM FOR THE COSMIC CUBE

This game was played using some homemade rules (M.I.S.S.) in order to allow us to quickly field a handful of my re-painted "Heroclix" miniatures, and took place upon the Atlanta Suburbs 20" x 20" rubber gaming mat produced by "Mantic Games". The battlefield was populated with a variety of scenery produced by “Wargames Terrain Workshop” and "Mantic Games", most notably an abandoned vehicle, a ruined building and a series of wooden fences.

The Fantastic Four, which started in the north-east, consisted of the super-team's original line-up, Mister Fantastic (10pts), Invisible Girl (10pts), The Thing (10pts) and the Human Torch (10pts). Whilst Doctor Doom's forces began the fight in the south-west corner, and consisted of the Latverian Monarch himself (15pts), along with three Doombots (total 30pts). The New York City battlescape had five strategic locations, each worth an unknown number of victory points. These would only be revealed at the end of Turn Six, and could only be claimed by an unopposed unit touching it.

THE TABLETOP - A RUN DOWN PART OF NEW YORK CITY

"The story so far… The Cosmic Cube has mysteriously appeared within a derelict suburb of New York City. Detecting the object's great power using his equipment inside the Baxter Building, Reed Richards has rushed to the device in order to take it into safe-keeping. But having arrived, Mister Fantastic has realised that he is not the only one to have uncovered the Cosmic Cube's location. Doctor Doom has speedily travelled from his Latverian Castle to seize the cube for himself..."

DOCTOR DOOM ORDERS HIS DOOMBOTS TO CLAIM THE COSMIC CUBE

Having won the initiative, Doctor Doom ordered his robotic companions to fan out away from the south-western corner. The Doombots were slower than their master [Move: 4"] so he impatiently commanded for Doombot Alpha to run north towards Objective One (Debris) and Doombot Beta to run east in the direction of Objective Five (Statue). Although this extra impetus enabled the automatons to travel further than normal [an additional 2" each], it also meant that the two Doombots were now easier targets to attack [causing them to be hit on a roll of 4, 5 or 6 rather than a 5 or 6]. Doombot Omega simply secured Objective Two (Oil Barrels) and watched his armoured monarch approach his position, making sure to place an abandoned vehicle between his himself and his hated opponents.

In response, Johnny Storm took to the sky [using Flight - ignore all terrain] and used his impressive speed [Move: 8"] to quickly close the gap between himself and Objective One (Debris). The Human Torch's sister, Sue Storm-Richards, made her way to Objective Four (Bin), whilst Benjamin Grimm slowly stomped [Move: 4"] towards Objective Three (Cosmic Cube). To the south, Reed Richards headed towards Objective Five (Statue).

VICTOR VON DOOM'S ROBOTS SPREAD OUT AND ENGAGE THE FANTASTIC FOUR

Seizing the opportunity, the Human Torch flew over the ruined building in the north-west corner, and landed right beside Objective One (Debris). The Thing got ever closer to Objective Two (Cosmic Cube) and Mister Fantastic continued moving south towards Objective Five (Statue). Invisible Girl however, decided that it was time to take the fight to Doctor Doom's forces, and resultantly sent a pair of her force field projections [Shooting: 2 dice] flying towards Doombot Alpha. One of the projectiles struck the automaton, but failed to damage it due to its "advanced armour" [Heavy Armour: Saves any hits on a roll of 5 or 6].

Despite being under-fire from Sue Storm-Richards, Doombot Alpha continued north and approached the ruined building within which both Objective One (Debris) and Johnny Storm were housed. Doombot Beta pressed east towards Objective Five (Statue), whilst Victor von Doom moved further around the abandoned vehicle and placed himself between his more vulnerable robot and The Thing. The Latverian Monarch not only wore the same armour as his automatons [Heavy Armour: Saves any hits on a roll of 5 or 6], but because of his "elaborate schemes" was far harder to successfully hit [Stupefy: Opponent's are -1 Attack/Shoot when fighting this model].

Doombot Omega aimed his energy gauntlet at Mister Fantastic's 'bendy' form and unleashed the weapon's beams [Shoot: 2 dice]. The leader of the Fantastic Four was soundly struck by one of the attacks, and despite his elastic body providing him with a modicum of protection [Armour: Saves any hits on a roll of 6], Reed Richards took a wound.

THE HUMAN TORCH SECURES AN OBJECTIVE BUT MISTER FANTASTIC IS WOUNDED

With the battle already approaching its half-way point, Doombot Alpha ignited its jet-boots and flew into the Ruined Building and straight at the Human Torch. The charge gave the automaton some additional momentum [Attack: 2 + 2 dice for the Charge], and one its devastating karate chops found its mark. Johnny Storm admittedly had some protection from such blows on account of his fiery physique [Armour: Saves any hits on a roll of 6], but it wasn't enough to prevent the successful strike.

Realising that Ben Grimm was getting ever closer to his precarious position, Doctor Doom fired at the Human Mutate [Shooting: 2 dice] and hit with both. The Thing's rocky hide gave him superb protection [Heavy Armour: Saves any hits on a roll of 5 or 6], yet was readily penetrated by the Latverian Monarch's lethal laser beams [Armour Piercing: Opponent's are -1 Armour Saves]. Turning at his team-mate's roar of pain, though Aunt Petunia's favourite nephew still had plenty of gas left in his tank, Reed Richard found himself to be the target of an energy blast from Doombot Omega, and promptly screamed as the robot's laser beam wounded him for a second time...

To be continued...