Nice rewiew Martin
Although I did not playtested them in early Bang edition, I've played all of them for years!
Dynamite Dick - we play it in literal terms: Dynamite works like usual but he gets no damage. Take care this is just unofficial reply.It's not so funny having only 1-2 cards to use ability, I guess that's the reason for his elimination, but all in all it's a good one to play, especially with Dodge City: no need to fear Dynamite is a dream for me
Another unofficial version (
Dynamite Joe) allowed to take Dyna from discard pile and use it again but he was not immune, just he could discard cards from hand to avoid damage (1 card per 1 life).
Capt. Barrett - it would be quite nice but too linked to the table position... at Sheriff turn is quite good if he is last in the table (2 more possible defense for a whole turn) or first in turn (4 cards together), the problem is low defence in general, even in option 1 all in all.
Another unofficial version added immunity to Bang cards, with all the related issues especially with basic set only.
Juan Miranda - it's not so strong and your alternative version is exactly like the original one ;)In other words his 'automatic' Bang can be avoided by missing it (Missed or Missed-effect-cards).
Jugde Dread - interesting one all in all, some strategy needed but actually the draw 'after the turn' looks it was discarded in general (e.g. Capt.Barrett).
July Ann Winslow - deadly one if she manages to use as much cards as possible, the problem is some kind of stall, in some conditions, opponent(s) may use General Store to give cards to her, and once with 4 cards they may just draw to infinity.A minimum of 1 card would be necessary like Bill Noface.
Matthew Hazard - this is funny and not so weak, I agree today would be probably set to 5 life points, but I've played it several times in the original version: at the right time he may be decisive against opponents or in favour of allies.
Dalton Gang - stronger than he (or they
) looks like. Although we know that Sean Mallory is damn powerful once he is able to collect cards, we also know that is a tricky goal for him. Dalton Gang should rather be compared with other 'classic' characters: he starts with a huge amount of cards 6 which means 8 during first turn (wow), and in any condition he is always able to organize a good hand (how to duel him when he has got 6 cards? How to find him without a defense?). Even at 1 life point he is still able to defend with 2 cards, and 1 lonely Beer would be enough to get back to a typical (4) hand.
Will Penny - we play it separating hand and table cards, but once again is just an unofficial reply. He is a strategical and very strong one, probably the strongest of the whole Boothill unless the ability looks not showy. Imagine him with Dodge City cards in the table like Pony Express or Conestoga, to not speak about horses! Same in hand: imagine him with 2 cards, a Missed and a useless one... Cat... he discards always the useless one!
Tharley Callum - this ability comes back in playtest every time and then
Actually I don't like it too much in 'serious' games, but it's funny, perfect for a WWS-style expansion IMHO!
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You forgot one:
Jaremy Baile - "
Each time a player drew a card from his hand or in play in front of Jaremy, that player had to lose 1 life point".
Intractable one, I guess discarded because blocking too much the game... almost no way to touch his cards, but at the same time weak with only 3 lifes without Dodge City by the classic Bang attacks. With DC he becomes more funny and deadly