Greetings HeroClix fans!
The subject of today’s DC HeroClix: Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes preview is a villain who has committed a host of heinous acts against Aquaman, such as killing the sea king’s infant son! Please welcome the enigmatic Black Manta!
Black Manta comes into play at 97 points and hits the battle map with a trait called Technology and Patience, which allows him to use the Carry ability. Additionally, lines of fire drawn to Black Manta by opposing characters are blocked if they cross water terrain.
In Golden Age play, consider adding to your force the Bucket of Water special object (from the DC HeroClix: DC 75th Anniversary OP kit) for some somewhat portable water terrain. You may also want to try out an unconventional team-up of Black Manta and Tempest from the DC HeroClix: Crisis set. Tempest’s Summon the Elements special power transforms clear grounded terrain within three squares into water terrain.
Moving on, Black Manta has the Swimmer speed symbol, which lets him use the Swim ability. Black Manta also has the Indomitable combat ability, which lets him use Willpower, and has a range of 5 squares and two targets for his ranged attacks. Black Manta has worked with other villains in the past so he has the Calculator team ability, which makes him a wild card.
Black Manta starts his dial with Sidestep in his speed slot, allowing him to use a free action to move with a with locked speed value of 2. He then switches to Running Shot for a click. In his attack slot Black Manta begins with a pair of Penetrating/Psychic Blast clicks to deal penetrating damage with his ranged attacks. Defensively, he’s supported by Toughness to reduce damage dealt to him by 1.
Mid-dial, Black Manta changes from a ranged attacker to a close combatant as he picks up Charge in his speed slot and Blades/Claws/Fangs in his attack slot. If that’s not enough, Black Manta can fall back on Close Combat Expert to increase his attack value or damage value by +2 (or both by +1). In his defense slot, Black Manta gains Combat Reflexes to ignore knock back and gain a +2 modifier to his defense value against close combat attacks.
On his last two clicks, Black Manta reverts back to making ranged attacks. Running Shot and Sidestep return, respectively. Close Combat Expert makes way for Ranged Combat Expert. Incapacitate replaces Blades/Claws/Fangs.
Finally, Black Manta has the Injustice League and Legion of Doom keywords to offer options when including him on themed teams.
At 97 points, Black Manta leaves plenty of room for other attackers and support characters. His attack and damage values make him a viable choice as a secondary attacker, and the Carry ability (from the Technology and Patience trait) make him an excellent choice as a taxi for the other characters on your force. On a map with an adequate amount of water terrain, Black Manta could help lead you to victory!
Thanks for reading! Join us next time as we reveal more secrets from the DC HeroClix: Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes set! Just keep asking yourself if it truly is safe to go into the water…
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