In the depths of the Marvel Universe, two iconic characters from the New Mutants, Sunspot & Warlock, make their triumphant entry into Marvel: Crisis Protocol. These characters bring a new affiliation, the New Mutants, led by Illyana Rasputin. The New Mutants are a group of mutant superheroes headquartered in Professor Xavier’s mansion. Both of these characters have been members of this team & now they enter Marvel: Crisis Protocol, offering players a fresh & dynamic experience on the tabletop battlefield.
Sunspot: The Solar-Powered Hero
Roberto Da Costa, better known as Sunspot, is a wealthy Brazilian mutant who harnesses solar radiation to empower himself. When his abilities first manifested, he was targeted by mutant haters but was rescued by Professor X, who enrolled him in his school. As one of the founding members of the New Mutants, Sunspot leverages both his mutant abilities & family wealth to influence the world.
In Marvel: Crisis Protocol, Sunspot is a robust Threat Value 4 character. He has 6 Stamina on both his healthy & injured sides, with defenses of 4 Physical, 4 Energy, & 3 Mystic. Despite his Medium Speed, Sunspot lacks the Flight superpower, which many might expect given his abilities.
Flare State: Harnessing Solar Energy
Sunspot’s Innate superpower, Flare State, is central to his gameplay. This mechanic allows him to store solar energy, represented by Flare tokens. Whenever he ends a movement, he gains one Flare token, up to a maximum of three. These tokens are used to fuel his other superpowers. Additionally, when Sunspot is Dazed or KO’d, he can discard his Flare tokens to deal 1 Damage to everyone within a range equal to the number of tokens discarded.
Active Superpowers
Sunspot has two Active superpowers:
- High Energy Conversion: For 2 Power, Sunspot can Throw an enemy or terrain feature with a Size equal to or less than his number of Flare tokens a Short distance.
- Sunburn: This superpower costs an Action & 2 Power. It is a special version of the Charge superpower. If used with 3 Flare tokens, Sunspot’s Speed becomes Long, & he gains the Flight superpower for the movement.
Thermokinesis & Attacks
Sunspot’s reactive superpower, Thermokinesis, triggers during an attack. It costs Flare tokens instead of Power, adding one die to the attack for each token discarded. Additionally, if a Flare token is discarded, the target gains the Incinerate special condition.Sunspot’s attacks include:
- UV Strike: A close-range, Strength 5 attack that generates Power based on damage dealt. Its special rule, Heating Up, grants a Flare token after the attack resolves.
- Dark Solar Blast: A midrange, Strength 7 attack costing 3 Power. Its special rule, Thermokinetic Concussion, deals 1 Damage to all characters within Range 2 of the target, preventing them from gaining Power from this damage.
Warlock: The Techno-Organic Life-Form
Joining Sunspot is Warlock, a techno-organic life-form from a distant world. Warlock comes from a race that battles their parents to prove their right to exist. Rejecting this practice, Warlock fled to Earth, where he eventually joined the New Mutants after initial conflicts.
Warlock enters Marvel: Crisis Protocol as a Threat Value 3 character. His Stat Card features 5 Stamina on both sides, with defenses of 3 Physical, 3 Energy, & 4 Mystic, & a Medium Speed. Warlock’s Immunity [Bleed, Poison] superpowers grant him resistance to effects that would hinder most characters.
Potent Attacks
Warlock has three potent attacks:
- T-O Talons: A close-range, Strength 5 attack that can inflict the Bleed & Poison special conditions, generating Power based on damage dealt.
- Buster Cannon: A longer-range attack that generates one Power per use & can inflict the Shock special condition.
- Self Must Protect Selffriend: A medium-range, Strength 7 attack costing 4 Power. Warlock can destroy a terrain feature within Range 3, rerolling attack dice equal to the terrain’s Size. A Wild result can Throw the target a Short distance.
Active Superpowers
Warlock’s Active superpowers include:
- Techno-Organic Absorption: Allows Warlock to destroy a nearby terrain feature, removing damage equal to the terrain’s Size.
- Transmode Virus Infection: Deals 2 Damage to all enemy characters with the Poison special condition within Range 2, also affecting Warlock.
Unstable Outline
Warlock’s Unstable Outline Innate superpower grants him an additional defense die against Physical & Energy attacks if the attack is outside of Range 3, providing extra protection.
Team Tactics & Synergy
The Sunspot & Warlock pack includes several Team Tactic Cards, such as New Mutants, which carries the Leadership ability for the New Mutants, Cry For Help, & Tomorrow’s Soldiers. The latter is a Reactive card that triggers when a New Mutants character is Dazed or KO’d, granting 2 Power to all other New Mutants characters for retaliation.
The New Mutants team works closely together, rapidly repositioning in response to enemy attacks. Their ability to disrupt enemy activations with defensive superpowers & Team Tactic Cards like Survive The Night makes them a formidable force. However, they must be cautious of over-extending & falling into enemy traps.
Sunspot & Warlock bring unique abilities & tactical depth to Marvel: Crisis Protocol. Players can look forward to leveraging Sunspot’s solar-powered attacks & Warlock’s techno-organic versatility to dominate the battlefield. Pre-order the Sunspot & Warlock box at your local game store or through the webstore today, & prepare to lead the New Mutants to victory!
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