Greetings everyone! Hope you all did well in your Might Thor pulls! Today, I’m going a hybrid article which is a follow up to the last Colossal Retaliator series along with a full review of the EIGHT new colossals we got in Thor. Which of these new 8 are worth getting?

While I probably should wait for the OP Titano to come out, I feel that most of you are clamoring for a review of these new colossals as I purposely left them out of my freaking gigantic review of the newest set. You’ll probably see something bonus on an article in the future about Titano, so don’t fret. Today we’ll be talking about the 8 new colossals we got in The Mighty Thor. I’ll be covering their dials and whether they’re playable on their own, and then talk about their retaliation clicks, and I’ll make it very clear which section I’m covering so those of you who are only interested in playing them at a high cost can skip the retaliation portion and vice-versa. You get all your information in one easy article!

Before we get into the pieces, keep in mind that all of these pieces will have a power called Colossal Indifference, which reads like so, (or slightly different as you’ll see):

COLOSSAL INDIFFERENCE: STOP. Toughness. If -Character- began the game on the (lowest)-point starting line, it can’t attack smaller characters except via Colossal Retaliation.

If you remember the last article which came out not too long ago, I want to talk about why each retaliation click is good, and why one isn’t worth your time (yes, we have our second somewhat poor retaliator). Just like last time, I’ll give you my recommendation of whether you should get the figure or not since space is usually an issue for these guys. However, since this is also a review, I’ll be rating the regular dials on our typical Yes Please!, Seems Good, and No Thanks rating scale, so you get two different ratings on each figure!

Also like last time, on the retaliation portions, I’m going to leave out the portion of retaliation that says “Give -Character- a free action if no other Colossal Retalliation power has been activated this turn and choose an opposing character that attacked -Character- or damaged a friendly character since your last turn.”

Let’s get this show on the road, Part Deux!

TMT G001 – Surtur

As a Colossal, Surtur comes in at 3 point values of 550, 350, and 125.

550 Points – A deep dial of 20 clicks is nice, but Surtur’s big gimmick is his special damage power, which he doesn’t have on any of the clicks in this tier, whereas he starts with at 350. The huge attack and damage is great, along with the Power Cosmic/Invincible combo, but he’s just not really worth it at this level.

350 Points – If you want to play this guy, this is the level you want to run him at. His absolutely devastating damage power, Twilight, Sword of Doom makes him insanely strong and gives him the capability to completely KO pieces in a single shot. At this level, we still get to retain much of his durability, while getting what we really want out of him.

125 Points – 8 clicks with a killer STOP click, Power Cosmic, and a big Energy Explosion power is fantastic, and every click on his dial is capable of obliterating his opponents. The Flurry/Blades/Twilight Sword combo on the back half of his dial is fantastic.

Overall: Yes Please! While his highest point value isn’t that great for the cost, his two lower values are very strong. Still, with Power Cosmic, even that higher value works.

As a Retaliator, 25 Points, Asgardian/Diety/Monster/Ruler Keywords, 6 Watch the World Burn, 12 Attack, 18 Colossal Indifference, 3 Twilight, Sword of Doom.

Watch The World Burn: Place Surtur such that he can make a close combat attack targeting the chosen character, then do so. After resolutions, deal 1 penetrating damage to each opposing character within 2 squares.

Surtur redefines what a retaliator can do, as his stats are unreal with a whopping 12 attack, and he essentially nukes an opposing character. What’s even more disgusting is that his retaliation doesn’t deal with his printed damage value, meaning you can Perplex him up to 6 damage and essentially destroy any character in the game. Afterwards, the 1 penetrating damage to everyone else who witnessed the strike is pouring salt in the wound. Power Cosmic is just icing on this stupidly potent cake.

Should I Get Him? Yep, 100%. If you’re looking to add a retaliator that truly destroyes whatever he gets a shot at, this is your guy.

TMT G002 – Ymir

As a Colossal, Ymir comes in at 3 point values of 550, 350, and 150.

550 Points – 21 clicks of life makes him a tad deeper than Surtur, but unlike the demon lord, Ymir has a very brutal top click. His power is really focused on this top section where he can rain ice down on three characters every turn, Incaping them, and dealing normal damage. Like Surtur, he has great values and reducers, along with Power Cosmic.

350 Points – This is probably his most questionable dial, but still very good. Two clicks of Impervious is a little light for this big of a character though. Still, that’s outweighed by that same attack power, along with a nice single 5 damage click up top.

150 Points – 10 whopping clicks with STOP at the end, 11 attack with his special attack power (for three clicks), and 4 damage make this a very strong start. The only issue here is his 17 Toughness, dropping to a 16 on click seven. If you can get around his vulnerability, this is a great starting line.

Overall: Yes Please! While Ymir isn’t going to annihilate quite like Surtur, he has much more control, and has his special attack on all three dials, making him a more likely play in any game.

As a Retaliator, 25 Points, Asgardian/Diety/Monster/Ruler Keywords, 5 Bring Forth The Ice Realm, 11 Attack, 18 Colossal Indifference, 4 Damage.

Bring Forth The Ice Realm: Place Ymir such that he can make a close attack targeting the chosen character and all other opposing characters within 4 squares and line of fire, then do so. Instead of normal damage, give each hit character two action tokens that don’t deal pushing damage.

I love this retaliation power because it completely eliminates choice from your opponent. Most games, a bulk of the enemy force will end up clumped together, or fairly close together when making their strike, especially now that TK is down to 6 squares. Ymir blasts everyone within a 9 square box with two action tokens, completely stopping them from doing anything on their next turn. What’s even better is he doesn’t hit your own characters, so throwing out a small meat shield to absorb an attack could completely give you the game based on how you use the ‘free turn’ Ymir delivers to you. I think he’s seriously underrated.

Should I Get Him? Absolutely. While Ymir doesn’t do any damage as a retaliator and is very slow, the utter control you get from him is massive, and sets up the rest of your team to potentially win off of one strike.

TMT G003 – Groot

As a Colossal, Groot comes in at 3 point values of 200, 150, and 100.

200 Points – Exceptionally playable with 16 clicks (and a STOP), huge attack and defense values, and great reducers for eight clicks. Groot does a wonderful job of rushing in, dealing damage, and then becoming a gigantic pain in the ass for your opponents.

150 Points – While the aggression is slightly better here thanks to Super Strength and Close Combat Expert, you loose a lot of Groot’s reducers, and the starting Sidestep is dangerous on a colossal. Still, you can’t argue with 12 clicks for the points.

100 Points – For those of you like me that want him on a Guardians team as your main Groot, this is your starting line. While his stats aren’t great, the starting Plasticity will make him a pain right out of the gate, and 8 clicks of health with STOP is pretty good. He’s also got VERY solid damage the whole way through.

Overall: Seems Good. Groot isn’t anything to write home about, but he does a fantastic job of, ya’know, sticking around, which is totally Groot’s bag. If you want a Colossal that you can play in any 300 point game, this is your guy.

As a Retaliator, 20 Points, Brute/Guardians of the Galaxy/Howling Commandos Keywords, 2 Sidestep, 11 Attack, 18 Colossal Indifference, 4 I AM GROOT!

I AM GROOT! Place Groot such that he can make a close attack targeting the chosen character and all other characters except Groot within 4 squares and line of fire then do so. Instead of dealing normal damage, give each hit opposing character an action token and heal each hit friendly character 1 click.

Groot has a somewhat odd retaliation click in that he kind of does what Ymir does, but also helps your force out. The issue is that with his incredibly slow speed, Groot has no way to pull himself out and get out of trouble to have this trigger again to be a sustainable source of healing for your force. Groot is pretty good for a one-time shift in the board. What I do like about Groot though is that if the tokens that come in are a second action token and his targets can’t use Willpower, he does dish pushing damage. Also, A+ that a fun theme team now has a themed retaliator!

Should I Get Him? If you like the character, get him. If not, get Ymir instead. I’d rather have something that reliably does one job really well than something that kind of does that job for 5 points less. Guardians fans like myself have no choice!

TMT G004 – Carnage

As a Colossal, Carnage comes in at 3 point values of 300, 200, and 100.

300 Points – Carnage is the first retaliator to have his retaliation power on every starting line, which makes him a much bigger threat than the others. While he is incredibly squishy with just ES/D, the fact that he can deal an absurd amount of damage, create Symbiotes to lock you down and heal himself, and has a deep dial of 20 clicks is amazing. His range is poor, but his aggression makes up for it.

200 Points – This dial is massively playable, and when combined with 5 symbiotes, you have a very strong one-man-army. He’s got so much sustain for something of this size, and even though it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll hit him (except on his Shape Change + Super Senses clicks), again, he’ll deal so much damage in return.

100 Points – 8 clicks with STOP, no attack below a 10, Flurry with a way to place himself, free healing from his traited Symbiotes, three clicks of Regen before STOP, and big damage values make this an easy play. Seriously, how is this guy so cheap?!

Overall: Yes Please! The strength of this colossal is flat-out unreal. While he’s very easy to hit at all point values, the terror and -sorry- carnage he brings is insanely high. He’s the type of colossal that just laughs while you hit him, and doesn’t mind pushing/colossal stamina because he’s good on every single click.

As a Retaliator, 10 Points*, Maximum Carnage/Monster Keywords, 6 Sidestep, 11 Symbiote Spawn, 16 Colossal Indifference, 2 Damage.

Symbiote Spawn: Place Carnage such that he can make a close attack targeting the chosen character, then do so. After resolutions, you may generate a Symbiote bystander adjacent to the chosen character.

Let’s face it, Carnage is probably the best retaliator in the game right now. For 60 points (spawning 5 symiotes at the start), you get 5 extremely good tie-up pieces with high damage values and are incredibly hard to hit. If one of your Symbiotes dies, throw him in and make another one, and then just run away back to safety. Carnage is going to be huge in the meta, and is by far the strongest on this list.

UPDATE: From the Comp. Rulebook supplement, part 2: “Some effects or game elements may be added to your force that increase the cost of a character (such as optional traits, effects that add bystanders, etc.). While these increase the overall cost of adding the character to your force, they do not increase the character’s point value, unless the effect specifically says so.” This means he wouldn’t be able to call-in ID characters at 60 points or less.

Should I Get Him: If you can find him, GET HIM. If you pull him, do NOT get rid of him. This guy is a beast, and you will always get your money’s worth when you play him.

TMT G005 – Ms. Marvel

As a Colossal, Ms. Marvel comes in at 2 point values of 250 and 125.

250 Points – Unlike the others on this list, Kamala is almost exclusively a colossal you play at her normal point values. At this level, she has some impressive attack values, good defense, and has a huge damage swing with her special Quake. Perplex is a fantastic addition to her kit, and the mid-dial shapeshifting gives her some nice tech. 15 clicks is okay for her points.

125 Points – This is exceptionally playable, with 10 clicks and STOP, her shapeshifting to start to help her out in getting to her targets, and the special Quake at the end of her dial. Two clicks of Regen before the retaliation click is good, but you have to hope she lands there. The only problem with this dial is the lower attack values, with 8 showing on two clicks.

Overall: Seems Good. Kamala has some nice point values and can see some play in any-sized game, which gives her a win in my book. She looks fun to play and will probably be a surprisingly good piece at full points.

As a Retaliator, 15 Points, Avengers/Champions/Inhumans Keywords, 10 I Have Super Powers!, 10 Attack, 18 Colossal Indifference, 3 Damage.

I Have Super Powers!: Place Ms. Marvel such that she can make a close attack targeting the chosen character and all other opposing characters within 3 squares and line of fire using KNOCKBACK, then do so.

This certainly isn’t a bad retaliation click, but it’s not that great either. Kamala does a decent job of disrupting enemy teams, and at 15 points, she’s a solid investment for Avengers teams, if not just for a 10 movement taxi. On the right map, she could be very good with the ability to knock opponents off of buildings and getting an extra 2 damage on them. Still, our other 15 point retalatiors in The Atom, Ameridroid, and Skyscraper Wonder Woman are just better for the points.

Should I Get Her? She’s a toss-up, and completely up to you. If you like playing Avengers, get her. If not and you already own two of the three others I just mentioned, you can pass on her.

TMT G006 – Mangog

As a Colossal, Mangog comes in at 3 point values of 700, 400, and 150.

700 Points – While his values are incredibly with HUGE defenses and damage, along with Power Cosmic, I’m going to stop and say never play him at this level. You’re basically completely giving up his trait if you do.

400 Points – 16 clicks for 450 points isn’t really a good bargain, although everything but his movement is fantastic. 19 defense with an un-Outwittable Invincible is chaos, and Shape Change helps protect him even more. At this point level, we get the option to utilize his trait and potentially turn him into that 700 point click, which will probably happen. 16 clicks with STOP to make it across the board? Bring it on.

150 Points – Again, a huge 19 defense with Invincible to start, and Super Strength down the entire dial. 8 clicks with STOP is decent for 150, but not great, but why wouldn’t you play something that can potentially transform into a 400 point piece in a 300 point game? Teams will be built around this guy, with tons of lockdown to help him achieve his goal and then flat-out win the game single-handedly.

Overall: Yes Please! Out of every Colossal on this list, nothing is going to be more safe than Mangog. The sheer amount of damage you have to pump into him is incredible, and 100% worth your time.

As a Retaliator, 30 Points, Cosmic/Minions of Thanos Keywords, 5 Sidestep, 10 Super Strength, 19 Impervious Colossal Indifference, 4 Multi-Powered Tail.

Multi-Powered Tail: Place Mangog such that he can make a close attack targeting the chosen character and all other opposing characters within 3 squares and line of fire, then do so. Hit characters are each dealt 4 damage instead of normal damage. After resolutions, make a close attack targeting each opposing character within 2 squares and line of fire. Hit characters are each dealt 3 damage instead of normal damage.

Seven damage?! This guy hits everyone within 2 squares for 7 freaking damage?! While the 30 points makes him the second most expensive retaliator, the Power Cosmic and freaking Impervious make him potentially the overall strongest (not best). 19 defense like Solaris, tons of damage like Surtur (but to multiple characters), and the incredibly unlikely but still possible chance that he can transform into his 150 point version make him a must-have.

Should I Get Him? If you like broken pieces, then yeah, you should get him.

TMT G007 Frost Giant

As a Colossal, Frost Giant comes in at 3 point values of 300, 200, and 100.

300 Points – 17 clicks and STOP for 300 is pretty decent, and these giants have some fantastic values. 12 attack, 19 Invincible, and 5 damage is pretty sweet, and they don’t drop to single-digit attacks until click nine. Their fantastic ability to token either one person (or most of the time, every adjacent figure) is brutal.

200 Points – Sacrificing 5 clicks, 19 defense, and dropping to Invulnerability, this is still a decent dial. They’re still going to do a lot of damage and token many pieces down, but their attack values are a little scary for this investment.

100 Points – 7 clicks isn’t really anything to write home about, but they do still have the potential to dish some nice damage throughout the dial. They’re pretty squishy for giants with only Toughness, but they do start with a nice 18 defense.

Overall: Seems Good. These guys are pretty simple, but the tokens they give out is really nasty and gives you a little bit of immunity rushing in. If you pull one, cool. If not, you probably don’t need to track them down.

As a Retaliator, 20 Points, Asgardian/Brute/Warrior Keywords, 6 Colossal Retaliation, 10 Attack, 17 Colossal Indifference, 3 Special Damage (this name is huge).

Colossal Retaliation: Place Frost Giant such that it can make a close attack targeting the chosen character and all other opposing characters within 3 squares and line of fire, then do so. (Hit characters are each dealt this character’s damage value.)

The most basic type of retaliation is one that doesn’t have a unique name, and that’s what this giant does. While this isn’t the most exciting retaliation, it has the potential to nuke an entire force. Thanks to “printed damage value” missing from the text, just like Surtur, the Frost Giants can have their damage raised to a 6, and then jump in and hit every character within 3 squares of their initial target for 6. That’s huge, and 100% worth their measly 20 point cost. Oh yeah, and they actively lock down a single target adjacent to them every turn, making them a pain once they leap in.

Should I Get Him: Sure. Unlike a lot of the others, he’s passable, but on the right team they can really be destructive. The nice thing is that as a generic retaliator, they shouldn’t be too expensive or hard to get ahold of. I think they’re much stronger than they seem.

TMT G008 – Flora Colossus

As a Colossal, Flora Colossus comes in at 4 point values of 400, 300, 200, and 100.

400 Points – This thing has some decent defense up front, but man does it plummet fast. It’s attack is okay, as is it’s damage, and it’s got a really neat Quake power, but there’s just not a lot going on here for the points. The best part about him is the trait to help him heal for free based on the terrain of the map.

300 Points – If you’re going to play the Flora, this is the line you want. While you don’t get those first three clicks with high defense, he has the ability to heal up into them. You can basically pick a map with water all over, sit in it, and then heal up to another 100 points. Still, the dial is mediocre for all that effort.

200 Points – If you really want to stall the game out, you could go with this dial and do basically the same thing of trying to cheat even more points onto him. Looking at this dial though, there’s just not a lot going on that really makes him worth playing.

100 Points – This is the dial I can see the most play with as he doesn’t eat your force, but can be an incredibly long-living character/taxi/ID summoner. He still gets his Sleep Spores for a single click, and could potentially pay off if you play him right.

Overall: No Thanks. There’s just too much effort involved for the Flora to be of any real use. By the time you heal him up enough to get into the fight, he’ll probably be alone and you’ll have given up too many points to earn your way back into the game.

As a Retaliator, 10 Points, Cosmic Keyword, 4 Colossal Retaliation, 8Attack, 18 Colossal Indifference, 1 Damage.

Colossal Retaliation: Place Flora Colossus such that it can make a close combat attack targeting the chosen character and all other opposing characters within 3 squares and line of fire, then do so. Hit characters are each dealt this character’s damage value.

So for 10 points, we get a piece with 8 attack, 1 damage, and no other bells or whistles aside from a healing mechanic that will literally take him forever to be of any use? Let’s just cut this one short.

Should I Get Him? Nope. Leave this one behind. Unless you’re playing strictly for fun and want to see if you can actually grow him large, there’s just no reason to ever touch this piece.

That wraps up the hybrid review of the colossals/retaliators of The Mighty Thor. Overall, this was an extremely strong showing for the mechanic, and really helps Thor become a very good set. The only complaint I have is that the Flora Colossus is just so freaking bad. It’s really unfair that there are 7 of these pieces that are good to meta, and a single piece that is a total let down if you pull him. He could have easily been swapped out for another colossal from the various Thor storylines and still remained a generic that had some actual utility. It’s never good when you dissuade your customers from purchasing sealed product because they don’t want to end up pulling the one dud of the set.

What are your thoughts on which pieces I recommended? Think I judged something too harshly or gave it too much of a pat on the back? Who is your favorite of the bunch, and which is your favorite for each style (i.e. your favorite main-board and your favorite retaliator)? I’d love to hear about it!

And with that, the first article of September is done. Since I wrote this before ROC States, which occurred this passed weekend, I would love to do a follow up on how that went. Then again, I know some people want a review of the items from this set as they’ll have a HUGE impact in the game, and I’m sure there are plenty of you eager to see some team builds as they’ve been on hiatus. Once I re-read the rules, I’ll feel comfortable building teams again, but I promise it’s not far off!

See you guys on Thursday on Two Clicks From KO, and here again in one week!