Peoria Casual Play for National HeroScape Day (Illinois)

[Vydar]

http://www.heroscapers.com/community/gallery/files/1/1/5/nhdpia.gif

Date: October 18, 2008
Time: 1pm-4pm (Setup at 12 noon and possibly some open gaming afterwards.)
Location: Just for Fun Game Store (Website (http://www.justforfungames.net/index.php), Map (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Peoria&state=IL&address=4640+N+Brandywine+Dr&zipcode=61614))

Rather than running a tournament, the emphasis of this event will be on casual play for players of all skill levels and ages.

Bring the following:
1) Enough terrain to build a map and your favorite map design. Scenarios with alternate victory conditions are highly encouraged!
2) A 450 point army (200 points of which should have a C+ or lower rating on the HeroScape Power Rankings Thread (http://www.heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=6171)).

If for some reason you can't bring terrain or meet the army build recommendations, we are flexible. This is casual play after all!

Please, post your comments, ideas, maps, and scenarios so we can start can start pulling this event together!

Notes:
1) I will be bringing enough terrain to construct this map (http://www.heroscapers.com/downloads//swampthing_7w9.jpg), but I cannot supply enough terrain for everyone to play.
2) The point value for armies is simply to give us a common ground to play from. I intend to play an entire army of C+ or worse units.


List of Attendees
Vydar
Ryougabot
briaka & son
vminer
Zann
1 BGG member & son
(If your name isn't on the list and you are planning coming, please, respond to this thread so we can add you and plan accordingly. I'd like our count to be as accurate as possible so we can be sure to accommodate everyone.)

[jetjake]

Hey, count me in.

[Ryougabot]

I would love to be there.

Anotehr way to make a low impact came that draws a lot of figures is to generate armies using the "Surprisingly Tart Heroscape Draft Wizard".
http://waronline.net/heroscape/draft/hsdraft.htm

The armies are well made, bonded and random. Each player gets a random army and it is fast (no draft)

[briaka]

Search your pm's Vydar. We (2) will plan on being there. Let me know what kind of terrain to bring, maybe which maps to use so they could be somewhat pre-made to save on setup time.

[Vydar]

Okay, I'm back from my trip and starting to catch up with the backlog of work that piled up.

I've updated the first post and will continue to do so as we make decisions on formats and the like.

Ryougabot - Interesting idea on the Tart system. That would be interesting to try out, but I think for open gaming we'd be better off sticking with people bringing their own army and maybe a few spares.

Briaka - Thanks for letting me know about the confusion at "Just for Fun." I called them yesterday to set things straight. Everything is good to go.

Some ideas in regards to maps:
1) I thought it might be fun to run some 4 player team maps.
2) It might be nice to have one 3 player map/scenario in case we have an odd number of attendees so that no one has to sit out.
3) I'd love to see actual scenarios rather than just "kill the other guy." If anyone finds the time and can go scrounging around for cool, well tested scenarios, I'd love to give some a try. You might start by looking through articles featured in the Codex (http://www.hscodex.com).
4) Start posting any map ideas you would like to play on to this thread.

[Ryougabot]

Another way to help the game be more fun and not a "kill the other guy" game is to use quest cards.
http://www.heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=583

http://www.heroscapers.com/community/downloads.php?do=file&id=39
The format is great for multiple players.

[vminer]

I and 2 others would like to attend as of right now

[Ryougabot]

I can help set up.

I have 2 MS, 2 RTFF, 1 TT, 2 VW, 2 FOTA, 1 SOTM and 1 TJ as well as all of the terrain from 1 each of the waves (all in a handy box that fits in my trunk). I have several scenarios in mind and am always up for some "Quests". I really thing quests is a good way to have 4 people around a large map, and I like the "taint the waters" game in TJ.

Let me know what I can do

[briaka]

The Quest thing looks intrigueing, however when I click the link on the first page I get a 404 error.

I have 2 MS, 2 castles, 2 roads, 1 TT, 1 VW, 1 SotM.

I have a couple of maps in mind. 1 very small 1 on 1 tourney style from this sites download section (10 starting spaces. We play 1 hero & 3 squads per army). And one that I've put together that I'd like to see playtested with some feedback. It's late I'll dig them up later to post here.

Looking forward to the get-together, too bad it couldn't be for a longer time.

[Vydar]

vminer - Glad you'll be joining us! I added you to the list a few days ago, but I've been spacing out my posts to try to keep this thread bumped as much as possible. ;)

Ryougabot - I've never played with Quest cards, but I'm willing to give them a try if someone is willing to figure out how they work. I had the same problem as briaka, I get a 404 missing error when I try to look at them. Regarding scenarios - Do you want to post the scenarios before-hand, or do you want to surprise us when we arrive?

Regarding times:
The time was set so we wouldn't collide with other groups. They have tournies all morning, so we were put at 1pm. Apparently, there is another tourny at 5pm, so they wanted us to start cleaning up at 4pm. (As you know, tear down can take a little while for HS.) However, there are 2 sections in the store for gaming and I'm pretty sure some of us (there may not be room for all of us) could stick around in the open gaming area and get in some more games. Also, I'm planning on arriving early (around noon) to set up some maps. If other people show up at that time, we could probably do a small battle before 1pm.

[Ryougabot]

I can handle a quests table. I can set up a large 2 MS map with every type of terrain and have a couple of quests games with 2-4 players. Each player can roll up a random 450 pt army and use my figures, or they can bring their own.

Just curious, why 450 instead of 540? I though that 540 was the number for NHSD.

[Vydar]

Hmm...I didn't realize there was an official NHSD number. Do you have a link where they stated that? I know there wasn't a number last year when I played in the 440 point Florida Frenzy.

I picked 450 because it was halfway between 400 and 500 points, which I consider to be good sizes for armies. If we move up to 4-player games and have 540 point armies, things could get a bit long. I wanted to make sure that we could cycle through a number of games rather than just get to play one big long one for the whole event.

What does everyone else think? If everyone else wants the boost, I'd be fine doing that. I'd probably add a statement that you could have no more than X point value of A rated units as well (where X is 100 or so points).

[Ryougabot]

Hmm...I didn't realize there was an official NHSD number. Do you have a link where they stated that? I know there wasn't a number last year when I played in the 440 point Florida Frenzy.

I picked 450 because it was halfway between 400 and 500 points, which I consider to be good sizes for armies. If we move up to 4-player games and have 540 point armies, things could get a bit long. I wanted to make sure that we could cycle through a number of games rather than just get to play one big long one for the whole event.

What does everyone else think? If everyone else wants the boost, I'd be fine doing that. I'd probably add a statement that you could have no more than X point value of A rated units as well (where X is 100 or so points).

http://heroscapers.com/community/showthread.php?t=20921

I like your reasoning to keep games short. 450 for Peoria it is

[Vydar]

Here is the map I am planning on bringing:
http://www.heroscapers.com/downloads//swampthing_7w9.jpg

Also, if anyone is interested in trading:

Have:
Morsbane
Gorillinators x2 (maybe)
Acolarh (Ullar Flagbearer w/ dice)
Road to the Forgotten Forest
Unopened SotM Set
Unopened RotV Set
Unopened Marvel Set
3 Chraal figures (D&D Minis)

Want:
Otonashi
Ticalla Jungle
Aquilla's Alliance
Cash
Other HS stuff

[Zann]

need to start checkin the site more often. i'm in for this for sure. are we gonna need to cover any charges to reserve the room?

[Vydar]

Zann - Glad to hear you'll be coming!

No cover charges are required. We are holding it at a local gaming store, which is happy to have us. However, if you feel inclined, I'm sure they would appreciate your business. They do carry HeroScape at MSRP (last time I was there they had most of Wave 8, Aquilla's Alliance, and the Ticalla Jungle sets). They also stock quite a number of other board games and miniature games that might strike your fancy.

Unfortunately, jetjake will not be able to make it, he found out his family had other plans for that weekend.

[Vydar]

I'll be posting fliers at Just for Fun games tomorrow. Hopefully, we'll get a few walk-ins that see them.

[Vydar]

Okay, I posted a flier on Just for Fun's announcement bulletin board Friday afternoon.

I didn't see the announcement for organizers to e-mail GB addresses for support until today, so we definitely aren't getting any support. Sorry, about that guys. I was a little late in announcing this event anyway, and, being a casual play event, I don't know if we would have received anything anyway. I did send GB a PM a while back, but he either ignored it or missed it in the pile of PM's he probably receives on a daily basis.

[briaka]

I was going to try and post the map I plan on bringing but don't know how. I still have the dark ages Win98 and used LandSCAPE to design and save it. I don't know how to get my design out of there as a separate file. Here's the gist: Its called "Volcanic Park" w/ 24 start zones at opposite ends. Picture a fountain area with walkways and bridges approx. 15x30. There is some lava at first to get out and around but otherwise fairly open, using (2)RTTFF as walkways along the water and for bridges that cross it, with trees on both sides.

Other than that map, how much extra terrain should I bring? Drinks/snacks allowed or available?

[vminer]

the 2 others I thought would be coming with me have bailed
I will be alone,but I still am coming.

[Vydar]

Other than that map, how much extra terrain should I bring? Drinks/snacks allowed or available?

If everyone brings a map worth of terrain and their own army, I think we should be fine. In theory, that should give us twice as many maps as people, so if a few people are unable to bring their own, we should be fine.

I'm unsure about drinks/snacks. I will try to check on that today. If you want to check yourself, you can call them. The link to their website is in the first post. Worst case scenario, you can step outside for a snack.

[Vydar]

I called Just for Fun. They have a drink vending machine, but currently their snack machine is broken. There is a certain area of the game store you are allowed to eat and another part where you are not allowed to. The owner told me, "I'm pretty lenient until someone screws up."

@vminer: Thanks for the update.

[Ryougabot]

I am going to bring all of my terrain and figures. I will make a large enough map to play about 4-5 players in "Quests games". These are kind of short games that are never the same each time. I have about 10 pages of premade armies made up thaat can be rolled at random for those who don't have an army to bring. It will make more sense once we play once. I hope it will be fun.

I will try to be there to help set up at 12

[Vydar]

@Ryougabot - That sounds great!

News: MrQuatsch said he can't make it, so we're down to 8 confirmed. 8 is a good number though. Plenty of gaming to be had there.

[Zann]

I'm still in. Far as terrain goes...most of my stuff has been customized at this point. I'll bring some but I'm not 100% sure how well they'll fit into other games.

[Ryougabot]

I know it is a bit late in the day, but I used Peoria's flag to create a logo for this event.

http://www.heroscapers.com/community/gallery/files/1/1/5/nhdpia.gif

I hope Vydar can use it

[Vydar]

Thanks! I posted it on the first page.

See you all tomorrow!

[Codeman]

Jumping around the boards leaving a quick note to everyone for tomorrow – Have fun and be good sports enjoy NHSD and good luck to all.

[Vydar]

We had a turnout of 7 people. It was great meeting everyone and had a very enjoyable time. I managed to play three 1-on-1 games as well as a 2-on-2 partner game. Thanks for a great event, guys! Also, thanks for the laminated cards, Ryougabot.

[briaka]

Had a great time today guys :D (tech. yesterday). Hope we can do it again sometime, maybe for a little longer. 2-1 on the day with a little help to Briaka Jr. (sorry vminer, hope you recover soon :p)
Thanks for organizing Vydar. Already looking forward to next year. BTW what did you 2 think of the lava bridge map? I think you were the only ones to play it.
Ryougabot don't forget pix of Nerak for my repaint please? Thank you all. Had a great time, and so did Jr. Now he'll be back to "kicking his dad's butt".

[briaka]

BTW COOL custom terrain Zann! I've had some thoughts about some things like that too, but can't bring myself to do it yet. I want to make an Orc rope bridge, similar to Indy Jones #2, or Shrek, but haven't worked out all the details yet. I have the materials I should need, its just finding the time, room, and patience.
Keep up customizing!

[Vydar]

@briaka - The lava bridge was interesting. Honestly, it wasn't much of a game because DW8000 nearly killed Sudema in one round (3/4 hitpoints) and then my DW8000 got killed by the first shot he took with his DW8000. That left 6 Gorillinators on his whole army minus the Nakita's (DW8000 killed an entire squad of them in one round and I still had the Minions to contend with).

I almost think that the road running under the bridge should go into the starting zone. That way you have the option to really blitzkreig or try to take the high ground.

@Zann - Next time we need to include your terrain in one of the maps.

[Zann]

I'm hoping to have a full table "finished" by Christmas time. It probably won't be the whole completed vision but a playable table.

[Ryougabot]

Vminer,

You had one of the best one liners I have heard in a long time

http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/images/2007/11/16/mule_2.jpg

:rofl:

[Vydar]

Oh, one thing realized after our game Saturday:
When I killed the DW8000 by rolling 3 skulls with the Deathstalker, you should have been able to roll defense and see if the DW8000 survived. Maul only works on Small and Medium figures. Sorry, about that.

[briaka]

@ Zann -- As I was 'scaping around the site, I realized that the bonus for extra height is +2 from the attacker/defenders HEIGHT, not their BASE. Making a single level castle only normal height advantage. Sorry about that, even though it was in your favor Deadeye!