Gotham Invitational - Game two Penguin v Riddler

Penguin crew

The second game in the Gotham Invitational was Penguin v Riddler, both trickier teams than in the first outing and I would be astonished if there were no mistakes in this batrep. Spoiler alert.. there is at least one and perhaps more! Penguin was at home with the Iceberg lounge centre stage as can be seen above. The stl is actually by Saucerman studios and is a supermarket but using some free stl letters I thought it might become the infamous nightclub. Penguin's crew is Penguin new 52, Deadshot, Mr Toxic, Hypno, Loose lips, Hi-vis guy, Elite guy and Gun thug. Hypno and Elite have radios at Looselips price and Elite has a Grapple. As mentioned in the previous batrep I am not attempting to create 'super lists' with either figures or decks as I am just not good enough to take advantage! In the past I have had no wins with Penguin but for this game I was determined to try and use the Business counters and side deck better than I had in the past

Riddler crew

Riddler's crew was one I knew marginally better and had had both big and low scores with depending largely on the luck of the draw cardwise but also depending on how many guns the opposition had. If the cards came out right and Riddler's crew survived the first two turns then decent scores were possible but if they struggled with cards turn one and lost a few pieces it was not a happy scene.

The courthouse is an mdf model by TT Combat with scales added from a free stl. Riddler was taking Quelle, Deadshot, Echo and Query, Finn macBikey, Sickles, Knuckles, Batguy and Bagman. Echo and Finn macBikey have grapples and Riddler has Level up.

The Table - Penguin's Iceberg Lounge

Penguin was playing at home, hence the Iceberg lounge, with Riddler looking to cause mischief on Penguin's turf. Riddler was set up on the left whilst Penguin came in right of picture. Several minis were set up on sewers.

Riddler was obviously looking to bang out suspects round 1 and started Knuckles and Sickles in inspire range ready to run out and drop or go through the sewers and get in position. Finn was ready to move out and either drop or hit. Query was just there on overwatch to mid table as she only has medium range. The Riddle droppers were just to move out and position for turn 2. This was probably a mistake as perhaps they should have been nearer Riddler. Echo was on Grapple move overwatch and Quelle was sneaking just behind the Iceberg lounge inspiring the Riddle droppers and Echo (just!).

The opening hand for Riddler was pretty good with two scores probable in 'riddle box' and 'activate' and two possibles if things went well. certainly if 'riddles of nowhere' was played with one activation left and nothing capable of stopping it. 'Riddle of the night' just needed 3 even numbers in play during phase IV. Going for both was a risk but possible with a high suspect count.

Penguin crew also deployed in two rough groups with Penguin and his guys nearer the southern end.

Deadshot and the better quality stuff set up further towards the centre looking to dominate the Iceberg lounge roof and northern end of the table. Once again errors were made and in retrospect Gun Thug and Elite should have changed places. The placing of Gun Thug was poor all around as he is better as an attacker than an overwatch piece.

Penguin's opening hand was less good with two copies of a card highly unlikely to score turn 1 (price) and one probably unlikely to score (smuggle).

Turn 1

Riddler got proceedings underway with 'Level up'and popped out two suspects at the northern and southern ends of the board just outside his deployment zone while Penguin put a 'smuggled goods' into play with little to zero chance of completion but hoping for something better to replace it in hand. To score he would need somebody to race forward and interact with it and with no business points at this point to help move it. It can be seen just behind Sickles who ran out and dropped a suspect. The suspect in the foreground is one of the two from 'Level up'

For Penguin Hi-vis ran out dropped a suspect and played 'Get it fast' with a 6 activation delay. This was almost certain to score as it was far from Riddler's reach. It was Penguins only decent chance to score.

Ignoring the sewers having seen Deadshot and Hypno standing next to a sewer grating Knuckles ran out and dropped another suspect - 4 already!' Riddles of nowhere' and 'Riddles of the night' were already looking good.

Quelle watches Knucles drop a suspect

Penguin Elite wandered the front of the Iceberg loung and dropped a suspect whilst burning a copy of 'everyone has a price' to cycle the hand. Finn macBikey then trundled out and manipulated the event marker from 'smuggled goods' to ensure it would not score. He was then about to continue his move using 'Always on the move' before realising you can only pause your move for an attack action not a manipulate so the big dummy was stuck and due to the suspect markers already placed was unable to drop a suspect!

Hypno manipulated up through the sewer onto the roof of the Iceberg Lounge without Inspire but with a radio so popped down a suspect.

Batguy from Riddler's crew simply moved and hopped over the fence near to Quelle and using her Inspire dropped a suspect. I wonder if he had not been better with an audacity to drop a riddle but Riddlers opening hand was too focussed on getting the suspects down really.

Loosey then moved and had a shot at Finn macBikey which in retrospect was a waste of time as after losing the strength dice managed to do only 1 blood and stun as Finn ignores one damage anyway and would recover the stun at the end of the round. Wasted ammo!

All a bit meh but Riddler now entered the battle moving up and dropping two suspects near Hi vis, removing them tos score 'activate the riddle' and then Goading Hi vis just for fun! Penguin was off the mark with business tokens but honestly forgot to use them until turn two.

Penguin now moved, Sideways. Having realised that Gun Thug was absolutely useless out in the northern zone and moving brought him into Inspire range. Unimpressive but followed by an equally unimpressive move by Quelle who moved north just far enough to drop a suspect where it might be safe.

Gun thug now inspired ran to the sewer and exited next to Hypno on the Iceberg roof. At this point the lack of scoring was painful.

With no viable targets on limited ammunition Query just moved to the edge of the building bringing Gun Thug and Hypno into range though possibly still in the dark depending on the light by the containers.

Now though came some star quality as Deadshot used an inspire to hotfoot through the sewer and pop up in Riddler's deployment zone. He then fired into Riddler using 'Rapid fire' and inflicting 6 blood 3 stun - oof! With only 7 endurance Riddler is in big trouble turn 1.

Riddler Bagman leapt into inaction in response. He moved over the fence and did not even have spce to put down a suspect between Quelle and Batguy! He also put 'riddles of nowhere' into play

Mr Toxic then moved forward and used his beam weapon to get a hit on Riddler, Finn and Knuckles. This actually finished off Riddler but due to a mix up between willpower (7) and endurance (8) he was left on table in the belief he had one life left. This was annoying as it caused Deadshot to use an activation at the start of the next turn shooting a corpse! Toxic also removed a suspect with the number 3 on it causing 'Riddles of nowhere' to fail.

The final move of the turn fell to Echo who to nobody's surprise grappled over to Hypno, battered him for 6 stun and put down a suspect to replace the 3 just removed by Toxic. Cunningly she also made base contact with Gun Thug so he would have to move before shooting her next turn. No points were scored here but it was fun!

At the end of the turn 'smuggled goods'failed to score but Riddler added 'riddle soft' having 3 even numbered suspects, 'riddle night' having 3 odd numbered and riddle box hero for Penguin not having enough of his own suspects near his deployment. All in all the Riddler had a lead of 8 to 2 in a low scoring first round. Penguin had 5 business tokens though and a zombie Riddler so all was not yet lost despite Hypno remaining KO!

End of Turn 1 situation

Turn 2

'Riddles on the storm' put into play - needs Riddlers crew to have most reveals by phase IV

'Secret equipment bases' will score if Penguin's crew has a suspect or mini on the Iceberg lounge and within 4" of the clock tower - as they currently do

Penguin won initiative again and with 5 Business counters to spend this turn it is worth looking at the sideboard which is all about extra defence, healing or returning units from KO, none of which was necessary turn one but may be useful going forward. As previously mentioned the mistake with Riddler's life status meant that Penguin's first activation - Deadshot - was not as efficient as it might have been. Deadshot shot Riddler even more dead with his handguns and then dropped a marker in Riddler's DZ to score 'Goods raid' and double the Penguin crew's points total. If the Riddler error had not occurred he might have shot Finn MacBikey instead but such is life. As an aside Having shot Riddler dead some more obviously he should not have dropped the suspect but I suppose it sort of balances out as he could have dropped the suspect had he not felt he needed to take the shot!

Sickles who for the first time ever had Audacity moved up and revealed Hi Vis's suspect and then successfully put 'Distract' on Mr Toxic reducing his defence for this turn.He also scored a quick 'Easy riddle' by being the first to reveal a suspect this turn and put a marker on 'riddles on the storm'. All in all his best activation ever! Sadly no photograph was taken...

Hi vis then dipped into the business counters moving and revealing the most southerly of the Riddler suspects. Out of inspire range he used a business counter to get another action and drew an 'enervation card' as well. Using business counters to provide an extra action requires the spending of a point plus the draw of a card from your deck the resource cost for which results in an enervation penalty on a henchman at the start of next turn. It also cuts your deck a bit. This evened up 'Riddles on the storm'.

Quite why he did this ionstead of just dropping a suspect and staying within 4" of the clock tower for 'vsecret bases' is beyond me now...

Next the explosive Echo broke away from combat with Gun Thug, ran across the roof, fell to the floor by Penguin and leathered him. Her 11" move was just enough to get in contact and she did 6 stun almost taking him to KO. She then dropped a suspect from Quelles inspire range to round out an impressive activation. Penguin had even used a Business token to activate an extra defence die from the sideboard cards but failed to make a save.

Gun Thug then had a great turn of his own putting 'limited funds' into play requiring 3 ranged attacks this turn, then shooting at Query for 3 blood despite shooting into the night, then using a business counter to use the sideboard card to wake Hypno from KO and finally moving across the roof to get a better shooting position for the southern action and out of the light himself. Star turn!

MacBikey moved up to Elite Thug and after both efforted and Elite changed one stun to blood inflicted 4 stun and a blood which is serious damage to Elite and he wont be efforting this turn! He also revealed Elite's suspect to reduce the Penguin total suspect count and put another counter on 'storm' giving Riddlers crew the advantage This was definitely an error as he should not have been able to reveal not being within an Inspire range for a second manipulate. In the heat of the battle I find this is the rule I most often get wrong.

The Penguin with no Audacity decided to save bullets and stabbed Echo with his sword stick knocking her down and doing a couple of damage. The knock down will have no effect should she survive to stand up due to her inate gymnastic ability but the stabby wounds will hurt as she is only a 5 wound mini.

Quelle was now the new boss and again this was an error though hardly critical as on her card it says that Quelle can never be the boss. Had I realised Batguy would have become the boss and the same inspire range would have existed but worth remembering in future. It would in fact have helped Riddler's crew post Riddler as Quelle has her own inspire range so making her boss deprived the crew of a second inspire range mini.

In an interesting move she wandered back to the corner of the Iceberg Lounge and used 'Disarray' on Toxic to remove his Audacity and pass it to the quite inept Loose lips. There is some ambiguity in the wording which reads 'If that model has an audacity marker you can move that marker to another enemy model within 8" that has yet to activate.." This could mean both have to be within 8" of Quelle or alternatively that the receiving model has to be within 8" of the model losing the audacity. This second way is how it was played and Toxic was suddenly bereft of Audacity.

The newly audacious Loose lips took a moment to decide what to do and obviously shot at someone, this time Knuckles and a couple of wounds got through. He then ordered Gun Thug to drop a suspect because it seemed like a good idea...In retrospect he should have gone closer to the clock tower and dropped a suspect to possibly score the 'secret equipment bases' in play.

In a more thought through move Knuckles moved and dropped a suspect putting a 3 on it in case Hypno removed the one on the rooftop with a 3 on. During the first part of this turn nothing has been scored since Sickles and both sides have burned cards to no avail as yet.

Hypno did manage to score a 'profitable negotiation' by moving and spending a business counter to drop a suspect close enough to Echo. He then chose 'you activate the riddle' from Riddlers hand which needed to be successfully scored almost immediately by the Riddler crew for 'profitable negotiations' not to score. This was not going to happen and 'negotiation' would score. The suspect placed by Hypno was misplaced and needed to be to Hypno's right to be 4" away from that by Elite but had no adverse game effect.

Bat guy then simply moved up and dropped a suspect to bulk out the spread and get a second nearer Toxic for future use. He also put a 'riddles of the world' card into secret play as it seemed likely the Penguin crew would reveal the suspect on the roof and 'riddle of the world' just needs Riddlers crew to have more suspects out.

Toxic suddenly without Audacity had little to do except Beam weapon Quelle for a couple of damage but more importantly putting the third counter on 'limited funding' put into play earlier by Gun Thug for 2 victory points. Better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Bag guy with his bag of swag then moved and played 'activate the riddle' now there were two expendable counters in place by Toxic before dropping another suspect to replace one of the lost numbers. Another good turn from what is usually the merest of minions.

Elite was not not hanging around to get hit by Finn Macbikey again so grappled up to the roof grappled up onto the roof to reveal the suspect placed by Echo denying 'Riddles on the storm' but unfortunately scoring the hidden riddler card put into play earlier by Bat guy.

The final action of the turn fell to Query who with no audacity or targets beyond Mr Toxic decided it was more important to drop an even numbered suspect up at the top of her building.

Situation at end of Turn 2

Amazingly everyone but Riddler still alive! The scores had narrowed a bit as Riddler scored only 'Riddles of the night' in phase IV thanks to query's last gasp suspect drop. somehow Penguin had failed to score 'Secret equipment bases' being unable to get another person/suspect within 4" of the clock tower after Sickles removed the one that was there early doors in the round. Enervating 1 went onto Hi vis as a result of business counter usage and 2 business counters were used to return the used cards in the side deck back to play.

Score Riddler 14 - 8 Penguin

Turn 3 Riddles of the storm in play - reveal more suspects

Turn 3 started with Penguin attempting to escape Echo, firstly by stabbing Echo for 2 blood after Echo efforted one die away. Next he scrambled up the side of the iceberg lounge and dropped a suspect spending a business token on the side deck to conjure a medical cannister and heal 3 stun.

Echo though would not be denied and followed him onto the roof having no penalty for standing up. She then apparently battered him over the head with the medical container despite Penguin buying an extra defence dice with a business counter! Penguin KO by quite alot! She was herself now on her last legs in terms of stun/effort damage but put a 'riddles of the world' into play which would definitely score on the next reveal.

On a brighter note Penguin was able to play a 'Not buying dont touch' off being KO'd! This nominated Echo and scored immediately.

Having learned from the previous Quelle experience Toxic went hard in on Quelle, charging in and efforting twice which was matched by Quelle and in the end Toxic caused...Zero damage! In a fit of pique he then Electric stormed so at least put 2 more stun on her and Quelle was almost KO. Bagman also took stun damage.

Quelle decided to act before she went under and scrambled up the side of the Iceberg joining the party on the roof. Once there she played 'diversion tactic' scoring as Penguin had less than 5 suspects in play. She then burned a card to cycle the deck and finally robbed Elite's audacity and gave it to Hypno reasoning he was less able to kill her!

However Hypno was about to shine. First he moved, then hypnotised Quelle easily. In her hypnotised state. She dropped a marker (as if a penguin team member) and then shot Echo and killed her!! Tragic! Off the suspect drop Hypno played 'profitable negotiation' chose an unplayable card(riddles everywhere) and scored. There was a bit of a bodge here as Hypno could have dropped his own marker and scored 'negotiations' but having Quelle drop it lead to confusion as a die was then put on the wrong colour suspect and it entered play for Riddler.

Knuckles then essentially did nothing but burned another card as Riddler's deck was now running cold.

Deadshot miffed at his wasted Riddler 'kill' now took it out on Bagman pumping 6 kills into him, moving and revealing a suspect with a 1 to make phase IV cards harder to score. The reveal did allow the scoring of 'riddles of the world' as a face down card. Again Deadshot did not have the inspire manipulate to allow the reveal but spotted too late.

Sickles popped down a suspect with 3 on it and put'riddle me softly' facedown

Gun Thug had the choice of a certain kill with Quelle or a possible with Finn MacBikey and went for Finn. It was a good call as he did 9 blood on Finn and smeared him across the pavement. Poor old MacBikey. This deprived Riddler of an activation as well.

Seeing the shooty death all around Bat guy ran towards the clock tower hoping to be useful turn 4.

Loosey was now Boss apparently but with no audacity simply moved to the corner of the Iceberg lounge to share inspiration!

Query finally decide to shoot her LMG at Elite, it wasnt a great shot but put a bit of damage on him raising his stun damage to very close to KO again. She also put'Riddles of nowhere' in play to force a reveal and score the 'riddle me softly' face down card.

As if being puppeted Elite moved off the roof taking 2 blood in the fall but with the use of a business counter fell onto the suspect Echo had placed (and been protecting until her demise using 'Thats mine'), revealed it and stopped the scoring of 'riddle of nowhere' and scored 'Street guy' for 3. It did cost him 2 blood for the fall though!

With only Hi-vis to go the turn was essentially over. Hi vis could have used the last business counter to drop a suspect but decided to spend on the side deck reviving Penguin from KO.

End of Turn 3 situation

Score at end of Round 3 - Riddler 22 - Penguin 15. Penguin is out of business counters going into round 4 and both Hi vis and Elite have enervating 2 counters. Riddler has a difficult hand now and it is just possible Penguin might catch up.

Turn 4

Penguin puts 'secret bases' and 'smuggled goods' in play. Secret bases markers are on the Iceberg lounge and by the clock tower again. Riddler has 'Riddles on the storm'

Gun Thug started the round but having no ammo just ran into contact with Quelle to stop her shooting without moving. He also played 'Territory fight' and this looked a hard card to score as Riddler did his best to place 2 markers far away. It was just about possible but would take a lot of movement. Also dropped a suspect though no idea why to be honest.

Bat guy in search of meaning having been denied leadership by Quelle charged over to Hi Vis and hit him. Both efforted and only one stun resulted although it was a 6 on the strength die so he was knocked down in this blurry action pic.

Elite thug moved and dropped a suspect within 8" of a territory fight marker way back in the top of the map

Quelle who was frankly surprised to still be alive, realise that there was an ambiguity to be exploited and put 'easy riddle' into play face down. She then moved an revealeda penguin suspect. Now here's the thing. On the face down card 'easy riddles' it says "a friendly model reveals an enemy suspect before an enemy model reveals a friendly suspect". Now given that face down cards are scored when an enemy reveals a friendly suspect it seems that this card could never be scored 'anonymously' as you would have to track who revealed the first suspect giving away what the face down card was. I decided that it must be triggerable by Riddler's crew but that the 'trap' would not happen. I will play it this way going forward. She also disarrayed the audacity from Toxic to Penguin hoping to stop Toxic from getting a suspect near the distant territory fight marker.

Loosey now had to move carefully and being inspired by Penguin dropped a suspect near enough to the territory fight marker nearby but far enough from any removal by sickles or Knuckles.

Query with nothing better to do shot at Toxic but to little effect.

Toxic having shrugged off Query's shooting now legged it towards the most distant territory fight marker and ironically was able to drop a suspect using the business counter gained by Quelle successfully scoring 'easy riddle'

Knuckles moved and revealed a Penguin suspect back in Riddler Dz for no really good reason. I'm not sure it helped but it but it didnt hurt. Actually it did hurt - see Deadshot later.

Hypno moved as far as possible towards query hoping to hypnotise but was just out of range. He did however change the colour of the suspect at this point to Penguin as it had been dropped by Quelle under Hypnosis.

Sickles now changed the game by moving to Hi vis and knocking him out with a mix of efforts, the combo skill and good rolls. This essentially seemed to make secret bases impossible to score despite giving a last business counter to Penguin. Hi vis should have activated earlier and dropped a suspect to secure secret bases but too late now.

Penguin now tried to rescue the situation on 'territory fight' using the Audacity given by Quelle! Firstly jumping off the Iceberg lounge and moving towards the clock tower. Then using the final business counter from the KO of Hi vis he paid to get an extra 'set action' as the resource on 'unlimited funds. He then moved again to within 4" of the secret base clock tower and dropped a suspect securing secret bases. He could have moved further if necessary but it would do.

Deadshot simply moved back to the Riddler Dz and dropped a goods raid again not requiring the extra manipulate from Penguin. He could have shot knuckles but there was no point especially as Knucles had just removed the previous suspect which would have denied Deadshot the space to drop this one! Actually it wouldnt as Deadshot could easily move far enough but it's a better story.

Territory fight and Secret bases both scored in phase IV for Penguin, rescuing a draw from what looked like a serious situation at the end of turn 1.

End of round 4 score was Riddler 26 : 22 Penguin. If the scoring of 'easy riddle' is wrong it becomes 24 to 22 but either way it is a draw!

Final thoughts

Riddler got all the right cards turn 1 and stormed into a lead but then slowed mainly to not having the Riddle markers out It seems that there is more set up required for about half Riddler's deck than for Penguin. Having said that having to track business counters and a side deck was quite a burden playing Penguin and I think i will do better with it next time out.

Next game will be Riddler v Batman GCPD