Got an interesting one for you all in this instalment of a “Dice Masters Keyword Profile” here at BritRollerSix Towers. In today’s Profile we’re taking a brief look at Stun Tokens.
OK, OK, I know it’s not technically a “keyword”. It doesn’t feature on the cards as bold text in the traditional Dice Masters keyword fashion, you’re right. BUT, it features in the official Dice Masters Keywords list so I’m throwing it under this series for lack of a better place. LOL
I’ve been inspired to think about the possibilities with Stun Tokens again, and my memory has recently been cast back to some experiences I’ve had with Stun Tokens in the past, and how the mechanic could be used again. Let’s get into it…
Dice Masters Stun Tokens? That’s a Thing?
Well… no. Not really. Up to this point (*wink wink*) the mechanic had only appeared on one character. This was Mr Freeze in the DC Dice Masters set Batman.
As you can see; each rarity of the Mr. Freeze activated the Stun Token in a different way.
It didn’t make much of a splash, but the mechanic was actually REALLY oppressive control, and we certainly tried it out quite a bit down my FLGS. (Want to see just how oppressive? Check out this recent match we recorded: Mr Freeze Vs Dum Dum Dugan)
There was some brutal combos you could pull of with Mr. Freeze that could really starve your opponent of resources and options. One time my friend played the Uncommon and forced me into a tricky corner using a “force attack” global. I seem to recall he used Bane, but you’re not short of options…
I was relentlessly forced to attack and blocked by the Stun Token creating machine ‘Cold Blooded Criminal’. Then, on my turn, he was throwing Freeze at me – leaving me with some tough choices. Do I pay to un-stun? Should I block? Shall I let him through and take damage? Do I field and create a new force attack victim?
It was a brutal game that I remember vividly. That UC Mr Freeze gave me PTSD.
I once tried the Common out, this time with Absorbing Man. The plan was to create 2 Stun Tokens each time I fielded a Mr Freeze. That also turned out to be an oppressive nightmare; my opponent was WAY salty about his increasingly limited options. I even threw on BEWD to double-y make sure he was getting fielded in my go.
I even tried to fire it off with The Collector – Tanleer Tivan once. That was… ambitious. LOL
So Why Are You Thinking About it Now?
As if you’ve not figured it out already – the Stun Token mechanic is poised to make a return. It’s remains in the DC Dice Masters sphere, with a number of new cards in the upcoming Superman: Kryptonite Crisis set using the mechanic.
For example; we’ve already seen the functional re-print of the Common Mr Freeze in Bizarro – Arctic Vision…
As I described above with Mr Freeze – this guy has the potential to really restrain your opponent’s field and give them a wealth of tough choices. With his stat line, he brings some scary damage potential to follow up on the limited blocking capability of your opponent’ characters. It’s quite a threat, and they’ve got to consider paying to free up their stunned characters with him in the field, but that’s really going to eat into their spending power each turn.
There’s a couple of KO global options knocking around in Modern so you’re also in a position to rinse & repeat if you wanted to. (You’ll need to deal with those fielding costs though.)
You Said “A Number of New Cards”…
That’s right. Bizarro isn’t the only instance of the Stun Token mechanic appearing in Superman Kryptonite Crisis.
We’re going to see a return of Stun Tokens from a KO trigger too with this card…
She’s a little less versatile than the rare Mr Freeze (He just needed to take some combat damage), but she still presents some opportunity.
One idea that immediately springs to mind is to combo her with some “force attack” or “force block” globals to guarantee the KO by Combat Damage. With her fairly strong stats you’ll want to manipulate things in your favour.
In addition to the “force attacks” shown above, you’ve also got this guy just arrived in Dark Phoenix Saga…
…and the best “force block” global knocking around right now is arguably this one from WWE:
Both of which are going to place you in a good position to Spam Harley’s Stun Tokens and start messing with your opponent’s plans!
I love how theme-y this one is too – the idea that Harley, in the midst of a chaotic ruck, has slapped someone upside the head with her mallet and stunned them. Priceless.
Any More Stun Tokens?
Oh yes. And the next one we have for today is quite interesting because its a Basic Action card, adding a little element of risk…
Another great bit of theme-y game play there.
The fact its a Basic Action is going to give many pause for thought about this card’s value – the old Dice Masters adage that “you need to be able to use it better than your opponent” certainly applies here. Before you know it your opponent will be buying them out from under you and you’ll be paying the stun token tax intended for them.
I am considering gambling with an Energize Forge – roll him in and buy all 3 in one blast. Hoping desperately two of them don’t get bought in the meantime. It would be hella fun to pull off though LOL.
Or maybe its time to fill a team with the “Can’t be targeted by opposing Action Dice” so even if your opponent did buy them they’d be useless. I’ve always thought Fantomex would one day have his time to shine LOL.
In any case – it’s a bit of a thinker this one…
There we go folks – a little peek at the Stun Tokens return to Dice Masters in the kryptonite Crisis set, and a few thoughts as the juices are flowing. There are many more examples of stun token effects in the Kryptonite Crisis set, these are just the Wizkids approved spoilers for now.
What do you think of this mechanic/keyword making a return? Do you think you’ll be using it much? Let me know in the comments below…
Want More Dice Masters Kryptonite Crisis Content? Try These Vids…
Here at BritRollerSix is not the only place we publish new release related content. You’ll find a wealth of news & information over on our YouTube channel too, including more Dice Masters Kryptonite Crisis spoilers.
Here is a playlist of related videos you might enjoy…
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