The Monthly Venture Issue 4

Page 1


For Legion Members Only...

A First Look At DC OverPower!!!
This September, brains meet brawn in DC OverPower.

DC OverPower is fully playable with Marvel OverPower -- either as mixed decks or as stand-along decks pitted against one another. Expect heroes like Batman, Superman, Robin, Supergirl and Superboy, and villains the likes of The Joker, The Riddler, Doomsday and The Penguin. All Starter Decks will be fully playable, randomy collated decks that include either all Heroes or all Villains. Booster Packs will contain an assortment of both.

The Power Grids you've loved (and hated) have been updated to reflect an all-new stat -- Intellect. (Intellect makes its inaugural appearance on Onslaught cards in August.) The addition of Intellect will, of course, change the 58-point Hero rule, as well as change the effect of Spectrum KO's and a whole host of other rules should you decide to combine a Marvel deck with a DC Deck. Watch this space for more information in the coming months about important rule changes. You can also find rule changes in new, updated rule books that will be included with every DC OverPower Starter Deck. For Legion Members eyes only: Here's some stats that no one knows about yet -- can you keep a secret? (Oh, well, you can't blame us for asking!)

The Voice of OverPower
If you've called 1-800-OPRules and heard the voice that asks you to leave your number and message, logged onto the Internet and chatted with a Fleer/SkyBox Rep, written a letter with a game or strategy question, or stopped by the Fleer/SkyBox booth at a convention and talked to the "the blonde", you've communicated with Kathy Probe. They say that the key to every successful game is how well supported its communication channels are. If that is the case, then Kathy definitely holds the keys to OverPower. Kathy is super busy when it comes to orchestrating all the players who want to know "stuff" about OverPower. Whether it's answering a question by mail from a player concerning how to play certain Specials, surfing the Internet, or telling everyone about upcoming tournaments, Kathy is dedicated to giving prompt, accurate information to anyone who asks for it.

In addition to the duties mentioned above, Kathy also is the primary writer and chief editor for The Monthly Venture. When she beats on the the rest of the OverPower team to provide her with all the information for each issue, you can frequently hear her yelling "Hey Mister! I need more information!". She also fills in as a judge for some of the more prestigious OverPower tournaments. With a job that takes her so close to all the rules for playing Specials, everyday, no matter how it's communicated, Kathy has become quite the OverPower Player. Her deck is titled, "Bad Girls and Bald Guys" and consists of Silver Surfer, Ghost Rider, Domino and Black Widow in Reserve. "I like this deck because of its Spectrum KO capabilities. Defensively, each of the characters has some sort of Avoid as well as Surfer and Widow contributing teammate Avoids. Ghost Rider acts as the link between Surfer's energy and the girls' fighting. My favorite move is to set everybody up for a Spectrum KO and let Widow step-up and throw her 'Avenging Agent' to finish somebody off." Kathy's OverPower deck may not always win, but she's got some Specials of her own that can tip the game in her favor if you're not prepared. Watch out for "Batting Eyes" or that infamous "Flashing Smile". They're enough of a distraction that they can throw your whole game off.

Kathy can be reached via her E-mail address: Address removed.

I Do Declare!
You're in the throws of a hot OverPower battle and your opponent is about to put an end to your key Front Line Hero. He promptly throws out a level 4 MultiPower Power card, but doesn't say anything. What do you do? Well, starting now, the Legion's official ruling on this part of the game is that you give your opponent a couple of seconds to declare what Power Type he is going to make it. If he fails to declare it before you have to ask, then you get to tell your opponent what Type of hit is going to be. You then would be free to make it whatever Power Type you'd like it to be. This can be very important when you've got a card that says "Avoid one Fighting attack. The reason for this rule being instituted is that so many OverPower players know every Hero and all the Specials associated with that Hero. If you attack me with a MultiPower card and I have to ask you "What Power Type," based on your knowledge of my heroes, you would know what NOT to make it so I wouldn't get to use my specialized avoids. Now, if you are at the point of having to ask "What power type is it," merely state to your opponent "I'll make it BLANK Power type." This should, hopefully, put a stop to those players not paying attention to what they're doing while playing.

Tracking Down Onslaught?
''Another Legion Members Exclusive... Where To Find the Onslaught Cards''

In specially marked issues of Marvel Comics (on sale now!), you'll be able to pick up the totally cool, uniquely Marvel Comics Onslaught OverPower cards. But... only those informed Legion members will have this knowledge: the exact books you need to look for to find the cards! Two randomly collated cards can be found in the following books:


 * Incredible Hulk #446
 * 2099: World of Tomorrow #2
 * Sensational Spider-Man #9
 * Amazing Spider-Man #416
 * Spectacular Spider-Man #239
 * Cable #36
 * X-Factor #127
 * Excalibur #102
 * X-Man #20
 * X-Force #59

Each of these books will be marked with the OverPower diamond on the cover.

The Big Sale
If you missed the Wizard and Inquest magazine offer for the Oversized Placard Hero Cards featuring the first thirty-nine heroes from OverPower, or you've never had the opportunity to win a set at a tournament, here's your chance! For a limited time, OverPower Legion members have the opportunity to order a set of these, soon-to-be unavailable, collectible and playable Oversized cards. Still missing the Wolverine or Spider-Man Hero Cards? Well here's an opportunity to get them and play with them without having to spend a fortune. But you better hurry! Supplies are limited and orders will be filled on a first come-first serve basis. Just send eight American bucks (that's $8.00, check or money order) to:

Address Removed

This offer is good for OverPower Legion members only, so be sure to enclose your OverPower Legion member number. Limit one set per Legion member. Allow three weeks for delivery.

The Onslaught OverPower Checklist
because you asked for it...
 * Onslaught Hero Card
 * Onslaught "Psychic Absorption Special" Special
 * Onslaught "Dark Enigma" Special
 * Onslaught "Baptism By Fire" Special
 * Onslaught "Mutant Gestalt" Special
 * Onslaught "Merciless Conqueror" Special
 * Onslaught "Raw Power" Special


 * Holocaust Hero Card
 * Holocaust "Impervious Crystal" Special
 * Holocaust "Apocalyptic Minion" Special
 * Holocaust "Death Cannon" Special
 * Holocaust "Otherworldly Evil" Special
 * Holocaust "Consume Lifeforce" Special
 * Holocaust "Devastate" Special


 * Post Hero Card
 * Post "Obfuscate" Special
 * Post "Lethal Tester" Special
 * Post "Protective Plates" Special
 * Post "Herald of Onslaught" Special
 * Post "Gather Info" Special
 * Post "Strategic Assault" Special


 * Dark Beast Hero Card


 * Assault on Onslaught "Spy Discovered" Event
 * Assault on Onslaught "Helping Hands" Event
 * Assault on Onslaught "On The Move" Event
 * Assault on Onslaught "Do Or Die!" Event
 * Assault on Onslaught "Fighting Spirit Lives!" Event


 * Assault on Onslaught "Unity in Chaos" Mission
 * Assault on Onslaught "Incredible Forces" Mission
 * Assault on Onslaught "Child of the Future" Mission
 * Assault on Onslaught "Display of Power" Mission
 * Assault on Onslaught "Sphere of Influence" Mission
 * Assault on Onslaught "Desperate Reunion" Mission
 * Assault on Onslaught "Ground Zero" Mission

Venturing from the top
Question: How do I get Mission Cards out of the Defeated Missions Pile, and is there a way for me to get a Mission Card from the Defeated Missions Pile directly into the Completed Missions Pile?

Answer: Mission cards in the Defeated Missions Pile move up when you win a battle in which you Ventured Mission cards from the Completed Missions Pile. Only when you have a Mission Card in the Defeated Missions Pile are you allowed to Venture a Mission Card from the Completed Missions Pile. In addition, when you have at least one or more Mission cards in the Defeated Missions Pile and two or more Mission cards in the Completed Missions Pile, you may Venture two from the top to move one Mission Card in the Defeated Pile up two positions into the Completed Missions Pile, or two Mission cards up one position into the Reserve Missions Pile. This would allow you to venture two from the top for the win if, for example, you had six Missions in the Completed Pile and one Mission in the Defeated Pile. Remember, Mission cards in the Defeated Missions Pile can never move up by Venturing Mission cards from the Reserve Missions Pile.

Regional Observations
Well, it seems that the Regional Tournaments were dominated by strength decks, by far. Teams consisting of Thing, Hulk and a number of variations including Rogue, Juggernaut, Morbius, Colossus, Blob and of course Namor seemed to bulldoze their way to victory, again and again. We are aware of this and are currently working on leveling the playing arena so that any Power Type, whether it be Energy, Strength, Fighting, or Intellect is just as successful to use. In addition, cards are now being designed that will add to the mechanic so that two, three, and four color teams could have an advantage that a single color team will not be able to achieve (Top-Secret, for now!).

It also seemed like there was some confusion over tournament rules. The specifics on playing Specials, and even some basic rules. Our recommendation is that everybody get a hold of the rule book found in starter decks of DC OverPower. This new, revised rulebook is much more user-friendly and includes all the new tournament rulings. As for the "Guide to Playing Specials", we recommend having your local OverPower retailer call [phone removed] and request the new-improved "Guide to Playing Specials". It is perfectly okay (in fact it's encouraged!) for this guide to be photocopied and distributed to players. As more and more of you play in tournaments, whether sanctioned or not, you will encounter various house rules and subtle variations on how to play certain cards alone or in combination with other cards. 'If ever you have a question, call [phone removed]. We've added staff to make the response time quicker' for all OverPower players. We're quite sure, with DC OverPower coming around the bend, that there will be a number of questions that will need to be answered, so don't hesitate to call.

Many players were protecting their cards with plastic card sleeves. Formerly, the tournament kits provided to retailers specified that these card protectors were not allowed in OverPower tournaments. Based on the overwhelming number of OverPower players that do not wish to see their cards get bent, folded, or mutilated, we've amended this decision. The new ruling is that 'as long as the card protectors do not interfere with proper deck shuffling and do not affect card visibility, they can be used in tournaments.''

Keep your eyes on this senction of the Monthly Venture for the ever changing, always up-to-date OverPower observations.

Chicago
The Rosemont Convention Center was a buzz with excitement as hopeful..... I give up.