Black Widow

Marvel Ultimates #025, 026 & 027

Black Widow is actually in a couple elite groups when it comes to the Ultimates set.  One of those is the – previously created group.  There are several figures in this set that were printed in other sets, but the Ultimates figures seem to stronger all around.  This is obvious with Black Widow, as she has gained several new abilities since we last saw her.  The second elite group is the “Ultimate” team.  A very short list of well-rounded figures who are destined to be some of the best HeroClix ever created.  In this review, you’ll see that the rookie version is cheap and resourceful, much like the experienced, but the veteran version blows them all out of the water!

~Rookie~

Speed / Range:  Six movement with six range on her attacks to start the game.  There is nothing wrong with these stats, especially when you consider her first two clicks provide her with stealth.  She doesn’t have the long enough range to be considered a sniper or ranged attacking threat, but she will draw some attention when she runs across the board.  After her two clicks of stealth, we find running shot on the 3^rd and 4^th click.  This will add a little extra range to her arsenal, which can be nice in late game situations or indoor play.

Attack:  Her actual attack value is a little low for my liking.  I prefer to use figures with at least a 9 attack when I pick offensive pieces for my teams.  The first click of incapacitate works nicely with her damage, giving her a chance to hold down larger figures.  Her 2^nd thru 5^th click give us no abilities, but her attack value is so low at this point, it really wouldn’t matter.

Defense:  I love figures with stealth and willpower on the same click.  These figures are easy to use and extremely powerful.  Unfortunately, Black Widow only provides use with one click of this ridiculous combo.  The 2^nd thru 4^th click have the combat reflexes ability, but I have yet to use this ability with much success.  I feel is was extremely overrated and Wizkids could of done much better.  The overall defense of this figure is low.  She only sports a 15 defense to begin the game and it drops like a rock from there – ending at a miserable 12.

Damage:  Nothing fancy at all about this area.  A base two damage for three clicks, then it drops to 1 on her last two clicks.  None of these clots offer any abilities, but I didn’t expect them to.

Overall:  The first click is nice, and almost worth her point value alone.  She will be an excellent piece in draft and sealed tournaments, but I don’t see this figure getting any form of constructed play.  Her inner dial is weak and fragile, which will lead to short games.

~Experienced~

Speed / Range:  Seven movement with six range this time.  Although this piece offers three straight clicks of stealth, which is MUCH better then the rookie version!  She picks up her two clicks of running shot once again as well, which can lead to come from behind wins in close indoor games.  Running around corners to get surprise shot can free up a lot of area on maps!

Attack:  The attack value is still to low for my liking.  I expected it to rise from an 8 to a 9 when we got to the experienced version, but it did not.  We did get one extra click of incapacitate, but it will not be used as often as you might think.  The 3^rd thru 6^th click provide no abilities, but once again, it wouldn’t matter, as her attack values are so low, she doesn’t have much of a chance to make a successful attack.

Defense:  Ahhh, two clicks of willpower this time!  This is a nice addition to the piece, but her low attack ruins everything.  Much like the rookie version, we see three clicks of combat reflexes, but you won’t be using the ability very much, which I feel they could have spent the points on something different.  If Black Widow is left out in the open, she will be easy prey, as her actual defensive numbers are low again.

Damage:  Nothing fancy again, just solid base 2 damage with no abilities.

Overall:  A nice piece when it comes to speed and defense abilities, but the attack values and the base defensive numbers are LOW!  Way to low for my liking, and this will hold the figure back from seeing any form of serious constructed play.  In draft and sealed tournaments, she can be a threat, unless an Ultimates team member gets to her!

 ~Veteran~

Speed / Range:  Three straight clicks of stealth combined with her 6 range can be nice in open maps, when you have a few bushes to hide behind.  Take advantage of the stealth whenever you can, it will make this figure 20x better.  Without something to hide in or behind, she is a HUGE target.  When the stealth fades away, we are left with running shot.  Unlike the other two versions, the veteran carries this ability all the way to the end of her dial.  So, even on her last click, she can move with ease and torment lonely pieces.

Attack:  Well, I’ve been complaining about the low attack, and Wizkids helped the version out just a tad, but not enough to be impressive by any means.  Double digit attack values would have been nice, but a base 9 attack will get the job done with requiring a super high roll.  After the one click of 9, we drop back down to an 8 attack and slip slowly from there – all the way to a 6 before the KO.  The first three clicks offer incapacitate, but I’m not a huge fan of this ability, although it does help to lock down large opposing figures.

Defense:  We actually get a slight rise in the defense values to start the game.  We now see a starting click of 16 defense, which gives Black Widow a better chance of surviving those annoying TK’ed blades/claws/fangs figures we find ourselves playing against here and there.  Her first two clicks hold willpower, much like the experienced version, but as I said, the actual numbers are a bit higher, which is nice.  We still have the three clicks of combat reflexes, which is disappointing, but Wizkids knows what they are doing, I guess…   Once you get out of your stealth clicks, be careful, as her defensive numbers drop fast and she can be hit by just about any figure on the map.

Damage:  A slight rise in this area as well.  Black Widow has risen from a base 2 damage to a starting click of base 3 damage.  She is now capable of dealing damage to any figure on the board, but her low attack value will make this task a small challenge.

Overall:  The key to this figure is the team ability.  Teams will be running the veteran version is stealth / anti-stealth teams instead of the rookie steel.  The reason for this is – the Widow is only 59 points and the rookie Steel is 66.  You save 7 points and Black Widow is actually a playable figure in her own right – more so then Steel in my opinion.  The combo is stealth, decent range and willpower is incredible.