Storytime Fighting

Batman is a very cinematic fighting-based war game. Unlike many other wargames, where the melee-based abilities are relatively few, Batman can show how different two equally skilled opponents tend to fight.

There are the brutish Titan Penguin which launches slow, deadly uppercuts. The 3 AC show that his attack is relatively easy to block or dodge in combat, yet with Str 3+ and Reinforced Gloves demonstrate the hard hitting. We know he hits hard because while the Titan Clown may have Reinforced Gloves, they're not equipment that can be stolen so they're more of a property of a giant meat fist.

Stun Damage

Origins Bane's Masterfighter provides +1 to hit with his dice rolls, turning 2s to 3s, 3s to 4s, 5s to 6s and 6 already naturally hits with 1 always missing. His high AC with Reinforced Gloves tell the story of a big guy whose even glancing blows can destroy you and that's all what a Masterfighter needs, a mere glance. These two big fighters also demonstrate their degree of Brutality with the chance of inflicting more damage.

Then there are the most precise fighters, who rely on sure strikes such as Silk Spectre's Close Combat Master which is effectively Handy. Of course, there are always those who blitz through with particular potent combinations with Combo Unarmed. Masters of defensive Katas, such as Ra's al Ghul's Sustained Defense show the ease of which he halts attacks.

Technical fighters, such as Copperhead, make a splash with Technique Special Attacks. Perhaps she is using Aikido to send opponents sailing. Nothing more like using an opponent's strength against them than with Counterattack. Power Blow just might be a heavy weight champion's strike that would be considered a slip in a boxing match, but ample opportunity in the streets. Yet Martial Artists are completely comfortable when surrounded, showing their prowess at handling any number of obstacles.

Capoeira is a fighting style from Brazil which is indistinguishable from a dance, until that first blow hits. I wouldn't be surprised if some Tricksters prance around the battlefield, being difficult to hit until they spring full attacks on unsuspecting foes. The Unpredictable fighters may be ones that use environments to fake out opponents, throwing sand or feinting so dice get spent on these "hits".

How tough these heroes are also demonstrated with a variety of grades. Batman relies on his armor to save him from danger, yet Hardened fighters readily jump into lethality territory with a scare. Completely Insensitive fighters just might not care about anything but the objective. Sturdy fighters do care about their personal health but are more than those who have learned to fight the pain; they embrace it. With Killer Croc's Tough Skin to ignore Wounds others cannot.

And that's what I really like about the Batman game: it tells the tale of the battle. Models with 4 AC and 3 DC might be vastly different in the personal technique they use and the Batman Miniature Game allows that story to be told. Do these heroes place dice in Offense for a full out attack, a balanced stance or full on defense. Of course, there's always the willful that take it on the chin.