Kierthos

Yeah, but the point is, they'd have to make an entirely new AT for it, which takes a while, and depending on what they already have in the project development pipeline, means that even if it's asked for now, it could be six months to a year before we see it.

They just can't shove it in one of the existing ATs.

Although, I wouldn't mind seeing them add a Praetorian Epic AT....

Okay, sure. But you got to think that even Recluse is thinking "Wait, he did what?" and have something to say to him about it.

The thing is, he's not normal now, considering part 2's fight in the Midnight Squad base where he's using powers. (Or am I horribly mistaken?)

That's one of the many reasons why I just don't buy him as the big bad behind this whole thing.

I haven't run any of the villainside parts at all.

Now, is it possible that the person who was revealed as being behind it all is really behind it all (and isn't being run/managed by someone else)?

Sure.

I just have a hard time believing it. I mean, given the power level of the Freedom Phalanx, given the enemies they've already fought and defeated, I was expecting someone... more powerful. Yes, I admit it... I was half-expecting it to be a Nemesis plot.

Given who it is, though? I gotta say, I'm expecting more to it then what we've seen. I mean, now that, hero-side, we know who it is, if we don't go and hand them their own head (heroically, of course), in the next part, I have to wonder why not?

Yeah, but Calvin Scott isn't one of the Surviving Eight. Out of those, Back Alley Brawler is the only black character.

It doesn't make sense for it to be Citadel, because really, he should have a backup somewhere, unless Paragon Studios plans on going with the whole "He doesn't have the emotional connection" thing like Marvel did with the Vision when they took him apart.

There are only two women in the Surviving Eight, and one of them is already dead (and still around), so unless they want to deal with "Women in Refrigerators" syndrome, Numina and Sister Psyche are probably safe too.

So that leaves Statesman, Positron, Synapse and Manticore. My bet is that it will be Statesman. He's already going to be in an incredibly bad mood because of what happens in part 3 of "Who Will Die", and that's going to lead him making dumb, half-cocked decisions. Plus, out of all of the Surviving Eight, he's got the most enemies AND if it is someone we haven't seen before (no, I haven't played the villain side arcs, as I barely have any villain characters), well, you go after the biggest guy on the block to make a name for yourself.

All that being said, I could likewise see it being Synapse simply for thinking "Naah, there's no way that they could hit me. I move too fast." *BLAM* *DED*

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn! Ia! Ia! Cthulhu fhtagn!


....

Sorry, I blacked out for a second there. Did I miss anything?

You aren't kidding. I served on a jury years ago, and it was bad then. Luckily, there was good forensic evidence.

Never seen an episode of "Bones" have you?

Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!

Well, of course. The other origins don't have a revolving door on their vaults.

There you go, injecting logic and sensibility into the whole thing.

Most every non-comic Marvel product (Complete Guide to the Marvel Universe, Marvel Superheroes RPG, etc.) has described them as force blasts, though.

I'm not saying it's impossible that they're Cytorrakian energy, but just because they're crimson beams, doesn't mean that they have to be from Cytorrak. Also, you'd think since the X-Men have worked with Doctor Strange more then a few times, he might have mentioned it.

I can't find it now (of course), but yeah, the purple versions of the ATIOs are stronger/more powerful.

Moar luv 4 defenders plz.