From Panel To Play: Crystal

CP35 Crystal

Sure, princesses are great. But princesses who can manipulate the environment on a molecular level to produce raging infernos and maelstroms? They’re just better. This time in From Panel to Play, we’re taking a closer look at another member of the Inhuman Royal Family, Crystal.

Crystalia Amaquelin is the younger sister of the Inhuman Medusa and a part of the Inhuman Royal family. Her exposure to the Terrigen Mists as an infant allows Crystal to manipulate the four classical elements of Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. She can summon the winds of a Category 3 hurricane, generate earthquake tremors of nearly 7 on the Richter scale, manipulate thousands of gallons of water, mold fire to burn, or protect, who she desires, among many other applications of her extraordinary abilities.

Of all the Inhumans, Crystal has the most sturdy bond with humanity. She spent much time among Earth’s people, partnering with terrestrial heroes on multiple occasions, like when she joined the Avengers to destroy Onslaught’s menace. Crystal’s rapport with humans led to Medusa appointing her as an ambassador of the Inhuman people. In this role, she helps with humanitarian efforts and oversight of regions threatened by the Terrigen Mists.

Crystal’s miniature is dramatic and full of intensity. She stands poised atop stones she has lifted from the earth, simultaneously sending out a wave of water to overwhelm her foes and holding a fist full of fire, just in case. She captures the sense of potential energy about to be unleashed in a torrent of elemental might.

Translating Crystal to the tabletop was a fun challenge. After all, she’s not just an Inhuman, but an Inhuman who can wield four distinct elemental powers as weapons. What is a humble developer to do? We couldn’t just give her four different attacks, each with their own unique special rules to reflect her incredible array of powers, right?

Nah, I was just kidding. That’s what happened.

Crystal has four unique attacks for her different elemental powers. All of them have a remarkable effect if the attack roll has any wilds, like pushing a target with a gust of hurricane-force wind or lighting it on fire with a bit of volcanic fire. Her attacks have a mix of different ranges, powers, and damage types, letting Crystal tailor her strikes to the current circumstances and her target.

Making things even better, Crystal’s mastery of her powers allows her to unleash a torrent of elemental fury. The Elemental Onslaught active power enables her to follow up one attack with another, though she can’t use one of the attacks she’s already used that turn. She’ll have to diversify her powers!

There’s more to say about how Crystal can make the lingering effects of her attacks stick around or use her innate Inhuman power to a better result, but that will be all for our first look at this particular inhuman.

Check back for our next installment, when we examine another of your favorite characters as they jump onto the table in Marvel: Crisis Protocol.

Until then, this is Atomic Mass Transmissions, signing off.