Question Team Shenanigans

I think this band of misfits deserves a thread for them as a group to discuss them and how they may go about facing their primary opponents, while they could probably beat them in a straight fight with those with similar powers against each other, i think they will try to avoid that for the most part. Ribbon is the best counter to Gravamax, being nearly unaffected by him, while Saphire is a good disabler like Exquisite, i think her focus should be Kraken or Drama, Mischief can keep Exquisite distracted, Monkey would probably be best against Rusty, D (can't spell her codename) on starbright with Amy, Aegis on Kraken. This maximizes their effectiveness while preserving certain advantages like Alyss's rarely recognized raw strength.

Someone needs to convince Gravalax to challenge either Misty or Shawn to a gravity powers duel. Superchick would be the more embarrassing defeat for Miramax... but I wouldn't put it past Gentlax to whip out some racist and/or homophobic slurs, and the only thing G-Force would regret about the outcome would be going back on the UV list until after Grabbymax is able to eat without a straw again.

(Often, the worst thing you can do to a diehard homophobe is to say he's gay, and after what happened the previous Halloween, Shawn is going to be really touchy about that. He probably would brush a racist remark off a lot more readily... though if Ferrous Disulfide hears his 'best friend' flinging the n-word around, that's a different sort of trouble for Gravysacks.)

Neither of them are part of Team Shenanigans though, him being tied up in a cacoon of pink ribbons would be plenty embarrassing, I paired up Aegis with Kraken for the specific purpose of killing his intimidation factor, which is probably his greatest asset, and to that end Aegis's fearlessness or at least inability to be intimidated really plays into his favor so long as he fights smart.

Good point. Though if Melissa were to find a way to convince him he had been insulted by one of those two... maybe whisper a rumor about it in the presence of, I dunno, Teri maybe...the speed of gossip is transluminal, after all.

Nah, too complicated. Better stick to hanging him from his feet on a tree branch, wrapped in pretty pink bows.

Schol-R-LEA wrote: Good point. Though if Melissa were to find a way to convince him he had been insulted by one of those two... maybe whisper a rumor about it in the presence of, I dunno, Teri maybe...the speed of gossip is transluminal, after all.

Nah, too complicated. Better stick to hanging him from his feet on a tree branch, wrapped in pretty pink bows.

I thought it was just bad news that was transluminal, though using it to travel faster than light is a really bad idea, and will result in angry people where ever you go...

Besides the only way it will be settled is in the arena, both parties are concerned enough about security anyways.

Well with mischief 3 we got to see just how capable Melissa can be, I wonder if Imp also taught her how to reverse pick pocket, that can be incredibly useful combined with certain holdouts

Not to mention in framing someone else...

Sir Lee wrote: Not to mention in framing someone else...

That's the boring use for that skill, i was thinking something like a goop bomb/ open super-duper glue bottle, or a devise/spell slip that gathers ambient electrical energy and releases it on a delay, though that one is pretty specific to energizers.

I know! Gravmax gets distracted during lunch, then when he turns around, he finds his tray has been replaced with some weird fish thing...

The only problem is that good quality salmon isn't cheap, not to mention all the time Amy spent preparing that gravlax , so it will be a shame that he starts another food fight with it... but at least Donner appreciated the handful he caught while walking past on his way to the elevator. It is a dish best served cold, after all.

Team Shenanigans is surprisingly ahead of the game for a team of freshman.

Consider that at least Ribbon, Sapphire, Roulette and, Mischief have long term experience with mutants and what sort of things can be done.

Both Ribbon and Roulette have maturity beyond their apparent years. Sapphire seems to also, probably because of her younger sisters. This balances the immaturity of Mischief and Monkeywrench, and somewhat of Aegis.

They are currently, at least some of them, being tutored in creative ways to use their powers by Imp. Roulette has a needle gun that she used her Devisor Power to build, her Energizer Power to recharge, and her Wizard Power to enhance, along Sapphire's Venom to increase its effectiveness.

Give them a year and Team Tactics, and they'll give Wondercute a run for their money, both in goofiness and effectiveness.

I don't see Kaylie joining, but I do see Kara joining if she manifests.

Valentine wrote: Team Shenanigans is surprisingly ahead of the game for a team of freshman.

Consider that at least Ribbon, Sapphire, Roulette and, Mischief have long term experience with mutants and what sort of things can be done.

Both Ribbon and Roulette have maturity beyond their apparent years. Sapphire seems to also, probably because of her younger sisters. This balances the immaturity of Mischief and Monkeywrench, and somewhat of Aegis.

They are currently, at least some of them, being tutored in creative ways to use their powers by Imp. Roulette has a needle gun that she used her Devisor Power to build, her Energizer Power to recharge, and her Wizard Power to enhance, along Sapphire's Venom to increase its effectiveness.

Give them a year and Team Tactics, and they'll give Wondercute a run for their money, both in goofiness and effectiveness.

I don't see Kaylie joining, but I do see Kara joining if she manifests.

They are lacking a flyer and a true blaster, they are mostly comprised of brains and wildcards, Alyss is their only true brick.. Kaylie might be able to solve the flyer problem.. Kara is a good possibility, depending on what her powers end up being.

mhalpern wrote: They are lacking a flyer and a true blaster, they are mostly comprised of brains and wildcards, Alyss is their only true brick.. Kaylie might be able to solve the flyer problem.. Kara is a good possibility, depending on what her powers end up being.

One of the standing jokes in D&D is the half-serious idea of having a party composed of five bards. All brains, all wildcards, all controllers, and it's a brutal combination if the players understand how to play bards effectively.

A team that doesn't rely on having its own people up topside can afford to use measures that deny aerial approaches to all comers. Also, while the team may lack dedicated blasters, spells and long-range weapons are time-honored ways to reach out and just say 'Die!'

mhalpern wrote:

Valentine wrote: Team Shenanigans is surprisingly ahead of the game for a team of freshman.

Consider that at least Ribbon, Sapphire, Roulette and, Mischief have long term experience with mutants and what sort of things can be done.

Both Ribbon and Roulette have maturity beyond their apparent years. Sapphire seems to also, probably because of her younger sisters. This balances the immaturity of Mischief and Monkeywrench, and somewhat of Aegis.

They are currently, at least some of them, being tutored in creative ways to use their powers by Imp. Roulette has a needle gun that she used her Devisor Power to build, her Energizer Power to recharge, and her Wizard Power to enhance, along Sapphire's Venom to increase its effectiveness.

Give them a year and Team Tactics, and they'll give Wondercute a run for their money, both in goofiness and effectiveness.

I don't see Kaylie joining, but I do see Kara joining if she manifests.

They are lacking a flyer and a true blaster, they are mostly comprised of brains and wildcards, Alyss is their only true brick.. Kaylie might be able to solve the flyer problem.. Kara is a good possibility, depending on what her powers end up being.

I was thinking less of the team composition, than the team knowledge and experience. Roulette may have a better understanding of what devisors can do than most devisors. Mischief's father is a hero, and so is her aunt, also she has apparently known this for quite a while. Sapphire grew up a "mutant" before she manifested as one. Ribbon has the mind and knowledge of a fifty year old that raised a mutant daughter, I don't count his son because he didn't know.

null0trooper wrote:

mhalpern wrote: They are lacking a flyer and a true blaster, they are mostly comprised of brains and wildcards, Alyss is their only true brick.. Kaylie might be able to solve the flyer problem.. Kara is a good possibility, depending on what her powers end up being.

One of the standing jokes in D&D is the half-serious idea of having a party composed of five bards. All brains, all wildcards, all controllers, and it's a brutal combination if the players understand how to play bards effectively.

A team that doesn't rely on having its own people up topside can afford to use measures that deny aerial approaches to all comers. Also, while the team may lack dedicated blasters, spells and long-range weapons are time-honored ways to reach out and just say 'Die!'

Well the advantage of a flyer that they are lacking is recon and intercept, aerial denial is hard and not always feasible, there could be allied or neutral flyers in the area, and while, Roulette, Monkeywrench, Darqueheart and at medium ranges- Ribbon can provide range support, unless Mischief knows where a target is, they lack intercept power though Saphire's speed may assist there, Aegis is better fighting as a rouge but for a short time can fight as a psuedo brick push comes to shove.... actually come to think of it, Saphire is their blaster, sort of, provided exposed skin.

Mischief's powerset is more than capable of allowing her to play recon in her own manner. Not the same as a flier, sure, but it makes me think that their team composition would be more suited to closer quarters and urban/indoor scenarios considering the aforementioned lack of a flier and dedicated blaster.

Is Ribbon strong enough to throw Mischief and Aegis up, together?

Can Mischief make others intangible / invisible, basically Aegis, while he shields her?

Fastball Special techniques, when you just need occasional air.

Malady wrote: Is Ribbon strong enough to throw Mischief and Aegis up, together?

Can Mischief make others intangible / invisible, basically Aegis, while he shields her?

Fastball Special techniques, when you just need occasional air.

Ribbon is an EX-6 capable of lifting 7 tons(?)

When Dr. Pivvens told me, I nearly shit my pants in surprise. I stared at the machine in disbelief, sure that he had to be messing with me. I knew that I was a lot stronger than before, but I'd thought that I'd probably end up benching a thousand pounds or something. But to my shock, what I'd been lifting hadn't been measured in pounds so much as in tons. Specifically, I'd just benched over seven tons.

So yeah she can throw people.

Let me point out that the tactical categories, as outlined in canon, are: Blasters, Brains, Bricks, Movers, and Wild Cards. "Flyer" is just a subtype of Mover, and can be largely replaced by another Mover subtype such as Speedster or... Teleporter (which Mischief is).
Let's parse Team Shenanigans among those categories to see where they are strong and weak:

*Blasters - Sapphire (maybe)
*Brains - Monkeywrench, Darqueheart
*Bricks - Aegis, Ribbon
*Movers - Mischief
*Wild Cards.- Roulette

...not sure how to classify Sapphire... Does she have any power other than biting/spitting venom?

Sir Lee wrote: ...not sure how to classify Sapphire... Does she have any power other than biting/spitting venom?

Exemplar 4 (A Little R&R 2: Alyss in Wondercute Land, Part 2) backed up with basic martial arts makes for a decent brick.

Sir Lee wrote: Let me point out that the tactical categories, as outlined in canon, are: Blasters, Brains, Bricks, Movers, and Wild Cards. "Flyer" is just a subtype of Mover, and can be largely replaced by another Mover subtype such as Speedster or... Teleporter (which Mischief is).
Let's parse Team Shenanigans among those categories to see where they are strong and weak:

*Blasters - Sapphire (maybe)
*Brains - Monkeywrench, Darqueheart
*Bricks - Aegis, Ribbon
*Movers - Mischief
*Wild Cards.- Roulette

...not sure how to classify Sapphire... Does she have any power other than biting/spitting venom?

I would clasify Aegis closer to wildcard than Brick, he's no more brickish than Imp, he is just starting to realize how squishy he really is.

mhalpern wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: Let me point out that the tactical categories, as outlined in canon, are: Blasters, Brains, Bricks, Movers, and Wild Cards. "Flyer" is just a subtype of Mover, and can be largely replaced by another Mover subtype such as Speedster or... Teleporter (which Mischief is).
Let's parse Team Shenanigans among those categories to see where they are strong and weak:

*Blasters - Sapphire (maybe)
*Brains - Monkeywrench, Darqueheart
*Bricks - Aegis, Ribbon
*Movers - Mischief
*Wild Cards.- Roulette

...not sure how to classify Sapphire... Does she have any power other than biting/spitting venom?

I would clasify Aegis closer to wildcard than Brick, he's no more brickish than Imp, he is just starting to realize how squishy he really is.

Aegis, is what PK (shield) 3 and not really a firm three at that if I recall correctly. Otherwise he's an ex2 or ex3 as well. Really in the Whateley 'verse that is pretty darned squishy. He is a low level regen as well, probably about the same as his exemplar level. Anyway, just agreeing with the above analysis of Aegis ability.

Anne wrote:

mhalpern wrote:

Sir Lee wrote: Let me point out that the tactical categories, as outlined in canon, are: Blasters, Brains, Bricks, Movers, and Wild Cards. "Flyer" is just a subtype of Mover, and can be largely replaced by another Mover subtype such as Speedster or... Teleporter (which Mischief is).
Let's parse Team Shenanigans among those categories to see where they are strong and weak:

*Blasters - Sapphire (maybe)
*Brains - Monkeywrench, Darqueheart
*Bricks - Aegis, Ribbon
*Movers - Mischief
*Wild Cards.- Roulette

...not sure how to classify Sapphire... Does she have any power other than biting/spitting venom?

I would clasify Aegis closer to wildcard than Brick, he's no more brickish than Imp, he is just starting to realize how squishy he really is.

Aegis, is what PK (shield) 3 and not really a firm three at that if I recall correctly. Otherwise he's an ex2 or ex3 as well. Really in the Whateley 'verse that is pretty darned squishy. He is a low level regen as well, probably about the same as his exemplar level. Anyway, just agreeing with the above analysis of Aegis ability.

I would also place Roulette as Brains given how she has to heavily rely on holdouts to maximize her powers,

"Wildcard" means "fits in more than one category." Roulette sometimes has Brick-style powers (Exemplar), sometimes she's an Energizer (blaster), much of the time a Brain (PDP, Wiz, Devisor) and also is a fairly good general thinker (also Brain). So yes, she's a Wildcard.

Sapphire comes off as more of a utility role to me. She's a strong enough exemplar to act offensively or defensively, but her real asset to the team is incapacitating or weakening their opponents. She can float pretty freely between those roles while doing it.

Melissa and Sapphire make for a pretty devastating pair once they get into close range.

I think the real weakness of the team is that aside from Darqueheart's mid-range magic skills and Amy's railguns, they are limited on the ability to act at range.

I'd say that they are more like a special forces infiltration team than a standard military fire team.
They don't have the fire power to force their way in any situation.
They don't have the endurance to stand up against enemy fire. (well, they have in Alyss, but they have nothing to back that up with and will crumple under AoE fire when trying to use her for 'infantry moving in using heavy armour as shielding' tactics.

What they excell at is creating a diversion and then slip through enemy lines (well, they will if they can train up Aegis a little better). And yes, they are more suited for similar tactics that Wondercute uses..
They are not versatile in the range of missions they can tackle (like Team Kimba can as they have all boxes ticked with at least double but mostly triple redundency) but within their more limited scope they are actually more versatile than most all superhero teams.
They would not do great in most of the scenarios that Team Kimba faced in the small teams tactics course, but give them SAR scenarios or infiltration and exfiltration missions, and yes, espionage and grand larceny as well. With the Imp coaching them they are going to be quite effective at those kind of jobs I think.

I am somewhat surprised though that both powers testing and medical haven't put their foot down and excluded Roulette from all combat curricula, given her vulnerability to burn out and the fact that high stress situations also trigger those.

Erianaiel wrote:
I am somewhat surprised though that both powers testing and medical haven't put their foot down and excluded Roulette from all combat curricula, given her vulnerability to burn out and the fact that high stress situations also trigger those.

several reasons, 1 self defense, crime for all this expensive education to go to waste
2 best opportunity to learn how to address her medical issues,
3 she is a target
4 they dont want a weapons specialist devisor after them for not properly training her daughter, even if they can handle it, no one wants to have to.
5 quick path to doyle
6 liability forms

Amy also has a bit of a unique means to survive burnouts. Once she switches powersets, she ends up in perfect health. She only has to survive the short time between burnout beginning and the switch kicking in at some point when she is unconscious. Until recently.

It is a bit of a pity for the Doyle staff and testing staff that all the research on her was destroyed, but don't cross a distraught Dricking devisor by daring to dash distantly with her daughter!

Well now Amy can provide heavy mid range firepower, with her coil gun,

If the team ever went to Charlottesville, Virginia for some reason, there is a toy store named Shenanigans. Came across this by accident and the name just struck me.

www.yelp.com/biz/shenanigans-charlottesville