Force 2, FR1: Block, Deflect, Precision, Riposte,
Master of the Force 2
Today we look at one of the best new Jedi for New
Republic. Shado is a Jedi from the Legacy
comic that is one of Cade's teachers. Shado is a mixed bag. He has some areas where he could
be better, yet has enough going on that he is a
quality Jedi.
For 48 points you get a very shallow 100HP, a very
solid 22DEF, an average +13 ATK and the base 20DAM.
For 48 points i really wish he had more than 100HP.
He has some tricks to extend it, but they are not
consistently reliable enough. Even 110HP would
have been better. 100HP just doesnt go as far
as it used to in today's game. His defense and
bag of tricks will help some though. I can
live with his +13ATK because only the bigger Jedi
are going to get into that precious +15 and up
status.
Of course Shado has double attack. No self
respecting Jedi today will come to the party with
less, but he also has the new ability from this set
that is fantastic. We have had twin attack,
which only allows you to move and attack one target
twice. We have had Mobile attack which allows
you to move/attack/move. Garm Iblis was the
first step in bring movement and multiple attacks
together. Now we get Greater Mobile Attack.
With this Shado can move/double attack/move.
This is great for Jedi as it can allow him to
advance and still get his two attacks, and then
possibly move again. Combine this with his bag
of tricks, and you can have some sick combos that i
will get to in a minute.
Shado's
force powers are tremendous. He has an answer
for everything, and his renewal means he can do them
the whole game. He can deflect blaster shots.
He can block melee. He can riposte melee.
You give me a Jedi with all of this, and i am
normally a happy camper, but Shado also has Master
of the Force 2, which allows for a wicked combo of
these abilities. You can block and riposte the
same attack. You can deflect a double attack,
or use one of them and have a reroll if you miss.
These are great! As if that wasn't enough,
Shado has a long forgotten force power that made my
list of force powers that we need to see more -
Lightsaber Precision. Shado can now do 30 DAM
on a single attack, double attack for 60, riposte
for 30. This opens up a whole world of
possibilities with MotF2 and all of his assorted
powers. If you add in greater mobile, you can
mobile for 60. You can move up double attack
another Jedi, then move away, and when they take
their attack of opportunity, you can go for a block.
If you make it, you can then block the damage and
riposte the attack for an effective triple that
leaves you not based to the jedi, taking away their
chance to double/triple. Dont even ask what
happens when you get a Shado vs Shado. ;)
100pts: The only thing stopping him here is his
100HP. He has the cost and abilities to do
some damage, but he will fall too fast to the big
guns of 100pts.
150pts: Here he will shine greatly. He can
have a lot of help with his cost and can do a lot in
return thanks to his renewal. His big downside
is going to be his HP and running into force
immunity. Take away his bag of force tricks
and he is vastly over costed and not worth his
points, but something has to keep this Master Jedi
in check. He is a great piece that is both
powerful and fragile.
willis maximus
Shado Vao Faction: Republic Cost: 48
HP: 100 Def: 22 Att: +13 Dam: 20
SA: Melee Double Attack Greater Mobile Attack
Force 2: Renewal 1 Master of the Force 2 Lightsaber Block Lightsaber Deflect Lightsaber Precision Lightsaber Riposte
Today's mini is one I have somewhat mixed feelings
on. The stats feel a little low in some areas, good
in others. 100 HP is low for 48 pts. The defence
is great on a Jedi these days. +13 attack is average
for a melee piece in this range. Shado just has
double attack but greater mobile is an interesting
take on a melee beat. It's almost like a built in
Lightsaber assault but also allows you to make hit
and run attacks.
Force powers are where Shado gets complicated. He
has renewal and MOTF 2 which are outstanding
together. He also has dang near everything this the
word "lightsaber" in it. Few pieces have block AND
deflect, not to mention the ability to reroll a
failed block or save with MOTF 2. This helps his
100 HP out tremendously. Precision is a crappy
ability, to be honest. You can use Precision on
both of your attacks if you like to boost him to 60
damage a turn, but you also loose two force points
and the ability to reroll those attacks. With a
+13, Shado will miss a lot, so you're better off
saving for rerolls and deflects/blocks.
All this looks great on paper, but in reality,
Shado's force points drain so quickly that he can
easily be drained by round 3. Once those points are
gone, he drops like a ton of lead. The damage
output isn't great either. Like I said, Precision
is just an awful Sith Rage as it just affects one
attack . . . often times you'll want to spend those
points elsewhere. Riposte could help boost damage
too, but you'll probably want to block again or
reroll the first block instead in most scenarios.
It's weird . . . everything feels like he should be
a great piece but somehow he falls flat on his
face. I'll give him another chance at some point,
but he's hard to really recommend.
100pts 2/5: He's very hit or miss here.
Unfortunately when he *does* hit, it isn't hard
enough to make a big difference. It mostly comes
down to the match-up and the map.
150/200pts 3/5: He's better here, but still
struggling. If you use him, you will most likely
have very varied results.
