I always like Visionary with both TtE and a WtM out and preferably a Demoralization, then you shut yourself up in a cocoon and watch the world burn.
I've probably played Vis 30 times, and only pulled this off once, vs. Chairman, it was glorious. The Hitman killed everything that wasn't the Chairman or a hero.
Hey Lynkfox, I really like the way you presented this argument. I totally agree with you on what the intent for the card is. This is the least messy way to think about it, even if it does get a little meta. This is the way I will play it from here on out.
Yeah, but every single time Fixer avoids damage by Jack Handle I THOUGHT it was CONTRARY to the PURPOSE of the card. Mechanically it was doing what it wasn't supposed to do where as in both of your examples at least Wrest is doing what it is supposed to do.
I have since been correct about what the purpose of the card is so I'll post this a second time:
Now thematically mind controlling a wagon doesn't make sense because of course the wagon doesn't have a mind, I can't say to much about it. With lthe Living rockslide at least Visionary was mind controlling it (EXACTLY what the story of that card is) she just didn't get hurt by it so there is really no thematic issue.
However ANY time Fixer uses jack handle to not take self damage its makes no thematic sense. Not only does he avoid the damage but somehow turn it around into an AOE attack. Not everything has to be thematic, but I would say thats one of the reasons I didn't realize avoiding self damage was the intent of the card. Avoiding self damage doesn't fit with the description at all.
The only really problem now is "Why would he use any other weapon?" I can't help but think any time I pull a pipe wrench I'm going to think, oh, this is literally just a pipe wrench. UNLESS! Can his entire tool set be magical? Street level hero my *** no one knew it but he's been sitting on a whole tool set of magical artifacts this entire time!
Jack Handle is awesome once you incap Fright Train.
They're not magical. It's clear what he really is.
He knows martial arts. That's Venusian Aikido for the uninitiated
He uses tools but eschews a screwdriver now.
He can draw infinite cards with his tool box, it must be bigger on the inside.
He came back to life. Number 10 used up a regen and stayed the same
Well it's not really magic. The tools are actually special Chi weapons. When someone channels their Chi energy into these tools, they unlock special properties. As it has been discussed, the Jack Handle allows Fixer to harm only enemies. The Pipe Wrench gives a protective Aura. When Dual Crowbars causes harm to a target, a second target also feels the pain. The Hoist Chain drains the will to fight. Lastly, the Tire Iron instantly vanquishes weak fows.
Well, thematically, I see Mr Fixer with his Jack Handle entering an heightened "mastery over himself" state : he is so enthralled in his combat trance that anything that would hurt him or "control" him to hurt a friend fuels a cold rage he uses to run from ennemy to ennemy and punish his opponents. But it would have made more sense for something like this to be a Style rather than a tool. Anyway, it has become one of Fixer's bag of tricks - intended or not, it's a good tool to have for a hero who is seen by many (not me) as lacking.
Chinese Medicine, the Answer to this thread is Chinese Medicine.
Yes, I agree special Chi weapons fixes my thematic issue. Like I said mostly I didn't think it was intended to actually protect him from harm. All my cries of Shenanigans were not so much about crazy combos (which I love and encourage) as much as cards being used in ways that they were not intended (which I thought was the case with him avoiding self damage).
So when Visionary mind control's a wagon she is redirecting damage, which is what the whole purpose of the card is. If you can work out some crazy combo to avoid the damage that is great, I have no problem with combos.
Again, my problem have a problem with cards being used to do things that they are not supposed to do. The revelation that Jack Handle wasn't meant to just be an aoe attack but was actually meant to be an anti-self damage effect means that I no longer have said problem with the mechanics of it.
All of this to say "I'm sorry, you were right. I didn't know that was part of the design philosophy."
From what I understand Visionary has telekinesis and telepathy. Wrest the Mind is intended to represent both of those effects, if I remember correctly.
I get your frustration, though. My explanation was developed purely so I could get past my own confusion about Jack Handle!
Yeah, I never considered them more than mundane, not even as a Chi focus. I figured pipe wrench gave defense because it is small and light and easy to parry with. I figured crowbars gave a second attack, because he is dual weilding. I figured tire iron is projectile and destroys low hp things becaue he throws it and gets a head shot. I figured hoist chain reduces attack because he tangles them up. I figured jack handle gave a wide aoe because he weilds it like a bo staff swinging it in a wide arc (like in the artwork). I couldn't figure how a mundane mechanics tool prevented him from being poisoned or hexed (whatever kismets things are called) which is why I thought the fact that it did those things was unintentional.
Officially, it has never been said that the tools have anything to do with Chi, but it would be perfectly reasonable that they are. Though they could also be mundane tools, but in the hands of Mr. Fixer and his mastery of martial arts, he could use his chi to produce various effects. We already know he is quite capable of using Chi for his Styles, not really a stretch to think when using his tools he uses Chi as well.
We are talking about a blind martial artist, he probably is constantly in use of Chi.
Well especially now that he is blind and resurected. I don't think he was blind when orignally released but your statement is still valid. Like Trees said (and you less directly), it might have been more consistent to put such an ability on a Style rather than a Tool but its not that important I guess.
I don't know, I like the "Mr Fixer is a Time Lord" theory better...
Oh no, I would never say Jack Handle's ability should of been a style, because that would lead to Jack Handle + Dual Crowbars, which is very devastating. And Hoist Chain, as all non-hero targets would reduce their damage by 1. Jack Handle is far less insane as a tool than it would be as a Style.
And he was actually blind when he was originally released.
I can't help but wonder if when Christopher said "blind" he meant it literally or figuratively. It probably is literal, but the figurative fits too in some cases.
Oh, two thoughts.
Harmony is how he sees the world even though he is blind, it is the only artwork of his I feel we see from his perspective.
We never have figured out when Fixer stopped being "Black Fist". Maybe he was "Black Fist", got blinded, ran a school, lost students, stopped teaching, then became Fixer
I'm throwing this in the house of speculation.
Of course, I just meant the self protection (possibly Chi based) portion being more style than tool.
That would be Driving Mantis.
Apologies for bursting a bubble, but I believe Christopher has stated he has always been blind.
(Now, knowing Christopher, he probably said, "Mr. Fixer's always been blind," which still fits your theory from a certain point of view…)
He said something to that effect, but he said "Is he? Well-you know what? I'm feeling generous. Yes. He is blind. Fixer has always been blind."
I could be misremembering, and I'm sure some of those words weren't quite put together that way, but "generous" was definitely used. I don't think he was playing around with language.
…
Or was he?