An Apologetic Revdyer

[Revdyer]

After all these many years, my gaming partner and I were getting a little tired of the same old combinations. Our method (we use 550 point armies) has been (playing two games on two days a week) to say, "If you win, you have to keep that army, and I get to choose a new army." That works really well for the scissors/rock/paper structure of HeroScape (one of the real strengths of the game, of course). However, after several years we have found ourselves going "round and round." The same sequences of armies (with slight variations) kept coming up. We were seriously look at other games (especially since I'd been given a copy of Axis and Allies 1942...a interesting looking game). However the other games were, generally, too time consuming. So, today, I flipped out a Valiant army (4 x 4th Mass, Kyntela Gwyn, Eldrim, and Captain America (because of the movie)). An amazing slug-fest between Captain America a Charos was the high-light of the two games. We're back to playing 'Scape for a while (a year??). Or, as my friend said, on leaving with a double-defeat, even using Zelrig and Charos, "I'm bringing the evil Marvels next time."

So, I've been wrong. (Not the first, not the last time.)

My apologies to the M-community.

[davidlhsl]

I had been absent for a long time on Heroscapers.com, as I felt I didn't have anything else I could really contribute to the community. It wasn't until I discovered the Superhero customs in this area of the forum that I even knew it existed. I discovered the great work by the C3G customs group. I began to de-lurk, and found areas where I could make a contribution to their project. In the process, I've also discovered fantastic customs created by Matt Helm, Sherman Davies, Balantai, and recently hi1hi1hi1hi1 (just to name a few).

I've been highly active in the Marvel section of the forums for just about one year now, with some posts in other areas of the forum. The latter two links in my signature indicate two threads I've created that I'm especially proud of.

I recently thought of something: I could've done some of the things I do now -- especially with my battle stories -- with Classic Heroscape as well. It turns out that I actually had something I could've contributed to the forums. So, in a real sense, I owe the Classic Heroscape Community an apology of my own.

I know you're not interested in incorporating customs into your collection; but you are most welcome to check out my Battle Stories thread (linked in my signature). You'll see stories based on actual games that I've played by myself solo (mistakes and all). Hopefully, you'll find it entertaining.

[Revdyer]

davidlhsl, I don't know what shape my HeroScape gaming will take. It feels like we've got months of fun with the Marvel madness released by Hasbro before we go to the customs world. But I very, very much appreciate the spirit of welcome expressed in your post. That is what is best about HeroScapers.com I my experience.

[habs1009]

Just a warning, avoid playing high point games against Thanos...he has a tendency to not die.

[Garada]

That's good stuff, Rev; Cap & The 4th Mass are ALWAYS a blast to play, great for beginners and veterans alike! In the spirit of the awesome new Captain America flick, which I just saw today with my daughter, girlfriend and Dad [for his 65th Birthday], why don't you try Cap with Sgt. Drake & The Airborne Elite? Thematic WWII action, especially if your opponent plays Red Skull with some Marro squads.

I LOVE mixing Classic with ONE Super Hero per team... I just built a fun 665 point [our Standard for 1-on-1 matches] army using a custom [NM24 certified] Thor & The Heroscape Vikings. Another favorite is Iron Man & Omnicrons [which make great Stark Industries Battle Robots]. It's all about theme for me!

[SuperflyTNT]

How about this, Rev. I have a triangular and 99.99% symmetrical map for 3-player games, and we just played a 2000+ point setup where one player took ALL of the Marvel figures, with the other two teaming up against him with (1/2 -200) of the points per side to make up for the fact that he's got 6 order markers fighting against his side. It was Epic.

The pinnacle moment was when The Hulk leaped 10 spaces to land on a single high spot in the center of a 7-hex tile which was surrounded by 6 figures, all of different ilks. Only 2 got away before the smash attack hit and killed the others.

[Kaemon Awa 123]

Why Rev, I certainly hope that you're apologetic! This doesn't belong in the Official Marvel Rules and FAQ's section!

:p

[lefton4ya]

Why Rev, I certainly hope that you're apologetic! This doesn't belong in the Official Marvel Rules and FAQ's section!

:p

Well there is no Marvel Competitive Armies Discussion or Marvel Heroscape Strategy Articles sub-forums, so where else would you put this?

I recommend adding Spider-man or Venom to any army where you need a ranged hero, either as a first strike against heavy-hitters such as dragons or Q9, or as cleanup after you have taken out the opponent's ranged units.

[IAmBatman]

I suppose this could be in Marvel Discussion, but we're not all that OCD around here in the Marvel section. We're all about kicking back and having fun. :-)
Speaking of, great post, Rev! Great to see you stopping by this neck of the woods.

[Kaemon Awa 123]

Joking! Just joking!!

:razz:

[Revdyer]

I guess the statement "Live and learn" means if you're not learning then you're not living. <smile>

And I additionally apologize for placing my post in, possibly, the wrong place.

[IAmBatman]

:reapershrug: Looks like it found the right audience. That's all the placement that matters to me. :-)

[Revdyer]

Thanks IABm.

[EternalThanos86]

Now, go brother and spread to the good News to those Marvel haters that they may see the err of their ways and come to the light of the Fun Side.

[Manatee]

I posted a similar thread about the D&D figures, so I can fully empathize.

[jcmcminis]

Me and my kids have had alot of fun mixing Marvel and classic. I dont own multiples of commons but I usually go with Cap, 4th Mass x1, Kow x1, Finn and Thorgrim. I move out my knights and viking heroes first. I try to keep Cap near the 4th and when Finn and Thorgrim die Cap gets their spirits.

[DrRansom]

Just a warning, avoid playing high point games against Thanos...he has a tendency to not die.

:) Rev it's so good to see a heavy hitter like yourself jumping into what used to be the neglected stepbrother of Valhalla. A valiant army similar to what you posted has long been a favorite pick of my group.

And yes, watch that Thanos. He just doesn't know when to quit.

... and with that thread title I was expecting to read a treatse on how board gaming fits into post-pentacostal model of the Church as a unified and loving community...

[Revdyer]

Apologia pro Scapium or something like that? <grin>

[nate the dawg]

I recommend adding Spider-man or Venom to any army where you need a ranged hero, either as a first strike against heavy-hitters such as dragons or Q9, or as cleanup after you have taken out the opponent's ranged units.
Venom is a great counter to Q9, due not it the least to the 'bang-for-your-buck' factor. Those six attack dice (likely to often be seven) can break through the major's defense fairly quickly; he's like an Isamu that can afford to take a hit.

All of the 'cheaper' (cost < 250) marvel heroes can be worth their points when drafted into a good army. The big'uns, however, continue to seem overpriced, particularly when you consider that you could take a small army for the same amount of points! Not to say Hulk and his high-cost buddies aren't worth playing - they're all quite a bit of fun.

[Hidicul]

Why not try putting Spider-Man, Venom and Sonlen together, or Hulk and Kaemon Awa.

[Griffin]

My suggestion: Isamu, Death Reavers x4, Marcu, and Thanos = 550 That is a good army to push hard with Thanos until he dies or kills everything in sight, then use all those other units to basically keep giving you chances to bring Thanos back.

I can usually bring him back at least once per game, which is brutal because he is honestly worth 360 even if he doesn't resurrect. So basically if you can get him to resurrect, you give yourself an extra 360 points for the game - if you lose then, it is your own fault. :p

I don't even play with Thanos any more because I found him to be too dominate in my games. Either way, have some marvelous games. ;)

[Revdyer]

That's an interesting army, Griffin; I'm working on variations of it now.

[IAmBatman]

Spider-Man's not a bad addition to a Thanos army either for the above mentioned reasons - but it's hard to beat Isamu for a bargain in an army like that. :-)

[Hogg]

How about Spider-Man and the Fyorlag Spiders? :D

Or the FS with Venom and Estivara.

[DrRansom]

Thanos works well in conjunction with any army that can spread out and drag the game out..

Ooh.. a return themed army featuring only Thanos + Zombies.

[Kaemon Awa 123]

On the subject of Thanos, he works well with Kurrok because activating elementals you get 3 Rejected rolls per OM. This works best with Air Elementals because they can stall well. However, 600 is a bare minimum, and I probably wouldn't play it at less than 700.

Here's the core:

360 Thanos
120 Kurrok
120 Air Elementals x4

Build on that with more AEs, and some Waters if you want some more non-Thanos offence.

[Griffin]

What I am hearing all around is that Thanos works well in just about any army. :lol:

If you are going for a straight up fun thematic game, I don't think there is a more perfectly thematic design than Hulk. 8)

[Revdyer]

Well, to tell the truth, the only theme I really worry about is "HeroScape."

I'd put Kelda and the Hulk and Taelord in the same army if I wanted to.

[Griffin]

Well, to tell the truth, the only theme I really worry about is "HeroScape."

I'd put Kelda and the Hulk and Taelord in the same army if I wanted to.
There ya go. For me, I have always preferred thematic armies and factional fighting. It took me a year and a half before I would mix even my Valhalla Generals together. :lol:

[Rich10]

We haven't played Marvel in a while, but you might want to consider a house rule that Marvel figures can't be insta-killed. Braxas, Grimnak, the Rechets, Sudema, ... can wreck an opposing army very quickly. Of course, it might be fun to play these figures against Marvel before you make it a house rule.

[Griffin]

We haven't played Marvel in a while, but you might want to consider a house rule that Marvel figures can't be insta-killed. Braxas, Grimnak, the Rechets, Sudema, ... can wreck an opposing army very quickly. Of course, it might be fun to play these figures against Marvel before you make it a house rule.
I think Rev and his buddy appreciate and look for counter opportunities. So I think think "their game" is using Heroscape to continuously come back at each other with counter armies to the one that beat them the previous week. With that said, they will likely want to keep those counter options you listed on the table. Though I agree that they are what I consider "unbalanced" counter options.

[Revdyer]

Yeah, our style of "you have to keep your current army until it loses" means the insta-kills are sometimes the only way to take an army down. We'll keep the regular rules.

[1Mmirg]

I look forward to hearing about your continued play with (mixed) Marvel, Rev. We mix at my house, but not all the time. And, having young boys who love Supers, we've gone into the Heroclix/C3G cards and figures so much that we don't mix as much as we used to--there are just so many fun Supers to play now!

Anyhow, I'm really curious to hear about some of your favorite mixed armies.

[Revdyer]

Well, this evening we proved (twice) that the Silver Surfer and Zelrig (backed by Isamu and Marcu who didn't even enter into things) will beat Capt. America and the 4th Mass (backed by Kyntela). Once close. Once a shut-out. Zelrig was rolling good and the 4th pretty much went down without a fight. Ouch.

[Griffin]

Dang! 4th getting owned. I am guessing Zelrig had the biggest part to play in that.

[dok]

Zelrig+SS is a nasty combo. A great opener and a great closer.

[RobWeaver]

That's good stuff, Rev; Cap & The 4th Mass are ALWAYS a blast to play, great for beginners and veterans alike! In the spirit of the awesome new Captain America flick, which I just saw today with my daughter, girlfriend and Dad [for his 65th Birthday], why don't you try Cap with Sgt. Drake & The Airborne Elite? Thematic WWII action, especially if your opponent plays Red Skull with some Marro squads.

I LOVE mixing Classic with ONE Super Hero per team... I just built a fun 665 point [our Standard for 1-on-1 matches] army using a custom [NM24 certified] Thor & The Heroscape Vikings. Another favorite is Iron Man & Omnicrons [which make great Stark Industries Battle Robots]. It's all about theme for me!
An even better WWII Captain America look is Cap + Airborne Elite + Drake vs. Red Skull + Microcorp. They look so much like Hydra from the movie!
We have a weird WWII them going at the moment that mixes Marvel and Classic. The American get the superheroes like Captain America (and the customs SGT Rock, Wonder Woman and Hellboy) as well as the assortment of groundpounders like the AE. The Germans get undead. The Soviets get the knights and certain kyrie that look good with them. The trick is to take these archtypal characters and figs and give them a period thematic "feel."

[Garada]

That's good stuff, Rev; Cap & The 4th Mass are ALWAYS a blast to play, great for beginners and veterans alike! In the spirit of the awesome new Captain America flick, which I just saw today with my daughter, girlfriend and Dad [for his 65th Birthday], why don't you try Cap with Sgt. Drake & The Airborne Elite? Thematic WWII action, especially if your opponent plays Red Skull with some Marro squads.

I LOVE mixing Classic with ONE Super Hero per team... I just built a fun 665 point [our Standard for 1-on-1 matches] army using a custom [NM24 certified] Thor & The Heroscape Vikings. Another favorite is Iron Man & Omnicrons [which make great Stark Industries Battle Robots]. It's all about theme for me!
An even better WWII Captain America look is Cap + Airborne Elite + Drake vs. Red Skull + Microcorp. They look so much like Hydra from the movie!
We have a weird WWII them going at the moment that mixes Marvel and Classic. The American get the superheroes like Captain America (and the customs SGT Rock, Wonder Woman and Hellboy) as well as the assortment of groundpounders like the AE. The Germans get undead. The Soviets get the knights and certain kyrie that look good with them. The trick is to take these archtypal characters and figs and give them a period thematic "feel."

You're my kinda Scaper, Rob!
You're right, MicroCorps DO look kinda like the Hydra guys in the movie, but I usually just use 'Clix Hydra guys. I mainly suggested the Marro because:

A] I figured Rev probably has TONS of Marro and wouldn't be into adding Customs to his game... [yet ;)]

B] In the 'Ultimates' version of Cap's origin, he is fighting Alien Invaders, not Hydra [I think they're called Chitauri or something like that], so we always substitute the Marro for any generic evil alien baddies as needed in our games. I can totally picture Red Skull selling out humanity to a malevolent alien invasion force, as long as he gets a piece of the new world.

Anyway, this thread rules, thanks for starting it Rev, thanks for allowing it Bats! 8)

[Revdyer]

Yes, the thanks should go to Bats for allowing my mis-placed, but well intentioned, posting.

[Garada]

Yeah, our style of "you have to keep your current army until it loses" means the insta-kills are sometimes the only way to take an army down. We'll keep the regular rules.

Rev, even though we play completely different flavors of Heroscape [my games being built primarily around strongly-themed Armies and TONS of Customs mingling with a solid collection of Classic], I completely AGREE with your sentiment. Sure, it sucks when your XXX point Hulk gets Sniped on a lucky D20 roll, but them's the breaks, kid. My buddy Tom's 665-point 'C3G Superman & The 4th Mass' Army is UNDEFEATED in Tournament Play, so he is worth the 400 points. You want big results, you have to take big risks.

[Griffin]

Yeah, our style of "you have to keep your current army until it loses" means the insta-kills are sometimes the only way to take an army down. We'll keep the regular rules.

Rev, even though we play completely different flavors of Heroscape [my games being built primarily around strongly-themed Armies and TONS of Customs mingling with a solid collection of Classic], I completely AGREE with your sentiment. Sure, it sucks when your XXX point Hulk gets Sniped on a lucky D20 roll, but them's the breaks, kid. My buddy Tom's 665-point 'C3G Superman & The 4th Mass' Army is UNDEFEATED in Tournament Play, so he is worth the 400 points. You want big results, you have to take big risks.
Out of curiosity, how often does Tom's army use Heroic Duty in a beneficial way as opposed to it being used against him as a detriment?

[Garada]

Out of curiosity, how often does Tom's army use Heroic Duty in a beneficial way as opposed to it being used against him as a detriment?

It actually almost never actually comes into play. Tom plays Superman in a very Non-Heroic way, almost like Superman on Red K... he either sends the 4th in ahead while Supes hangs back then flies in to clean up, or he sends the Big Blue Boy Scout on up ahead of the 4th, all depending on who he's facing. He basically always keeps them more than 3 hexes apart!

[Griffin]

Out of curiosity, how often does Tom's army use Heroic Duty in a beneficial way as opposed to it being used against him as a detriment?

It actually almost never actually comes into play. Tom plays Superman in a very Non-Heroic way, almost like Superman on Red K... he either sends the 4th in ahead while Supes hangs back then flies in to clean up, or he sends the Big Blue Boy Scout on up ahead of the 4th, all depending on who he's facing. He basically always keeps them more than 3 hexes apart!
Yep, that falls in line with how I have seen Superman played and how I always play him - as a stand alone hero. I have pulled off some heroic duty before in the past, but I have found that it is all too easy for a clever opponent to trap Superman in a situation where he ends up taking a few leaving engagement attacks... and that really sucks for Superman. Lex Luthor is especially good at this, even when Superman tries to avoid it, but that is cool and intentional. :D

[RobWeaver]

That's good stuff, Rev; Cap & The 4th Mass are ALWAYS a blast to play, great for beginners and veterans alike! In the spirit of the awesome new Captain America flick, which I just saw today with my daughter, girlfriend and Dad [for his 65th Birthday], why don't you try Cap with Sgt. Drake & The Airborne Elite? Thematic WWII action, especially if your opponent plays Red Skull with some Marro squads.

I LOVE mixing Classic with ONE Super Hero per team... I just built a fun 665 point [our Standard for 1-on-1 matches] army using a custom [NM24 certified] Thor & The Heroscape Vikings. Another favorite is Iron Man & Omnicrons [which make great Stark Industries Battle Robots]. It's all about theme for me!
An even better WWII Captain America look is Cap + Airborne Elite + Drake vs. Red Skull + Microcorp. They look so much like Hydra from the movie!
We have a weird WWII them going at the moment that mixes Marvel and Classic. The American get the superheroes like Captain America (and the customs SGT Rock, Wonder Woman and Hellboy) as well as the assortment of groundpounders like the AE. The Germans get undead. The Soviets get the knights and certain kyrie that look good with them. The trick is to take these archtypal characters and figs and give them a period thematic "feel."

You're my kinda Scaper, Rob!
You're right, MicroCorps DO look kinda like the Hydra guys in the movie, but I usually just use 'Clix Hydra guys. I mainly suggested the Marro because:

A] I figured Rev probably has TONS of Marro and wouldn't be into adding Customs to his game... [yet ;)]

B] In the 'Ultimates' version of Cap's origin, he is fighting Alien Invaders, not Hydra [I think they're called Chitauri or something like that], so we always substitute the Marro for any generic evil alien baddies as needed in our games. I can totally picture Red Skull selling out humanity to a malevolent alien invasion force, as long as he gets a piece of the new world.

Anyway, this thread rules, thanks for starting it Rev, thanks for allowing it Bats! 8)
I gotta try that. I like Marro and they do have a creepy look to them.

[IAmBatman]

Heroic Duty is most advantageous for the player playing Superman when Supes is parked next to Batman (or another, less thematic multiple attacker) and you're going up against a bunch of squads. :-) The best way to consistently take down Superman, though, is to just make sure you have some solid special attacks in your army.
But, I shouldn't hijack Rev's thread with all this custom talk. :-P

[Griffin]

But, I shouldn't hijack Rev's thread with all this custom talk. :-P
Par for the course considering the placement of the thread. :p Besides, you know we want Rev to give some C3G units a go. :D

[IAmBatman]

Sure, but all in good time. ;-)

[Griffin]

"It's all part of the plan."
http://www.lacelesteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/All-Part-of-the-Plan.jpg

[1Mmirg]

Well, this evening we proved (twice) that the Silver Surfer and Zelrig (backed by Isamu and Marcu who didn't even enter into things) will beat Capt. America and the 4th Mass (backed by Kyntela). Once close. Once a shut-out. Zelrig was rolling good and the 4th pretty much went down without a fight. Ouch.

I haven't tried big Z with SS. I like that idea. I haven't played SS in a while, but he is one of my absolute favorites. So much great C3G units that I haven't played some of the originals for a while. I'll try that army out soon--thanks, Rev!

[Revdyer]

You're more than welcome, 1Mmirg.

[saywhat]

Marvel is the whole reason I am even here right now. Several years ago I was at the game store looking to buy a new game, the choice came down to Heroscape: Marvel the Conflict Begins and Marvel Heroes (published by FFG). The modular board and seemingly better looking sculpts finally made my descision. I have never once regretted that choice. (Especially when I finally got a used copy of the other game). This set opened up the whole Heroscape universe to me and my family. We have always played mixed games since the beginning. However my wife has forbidden me from playing with Thanos since the game where I mopped the floor using him and some Deathreavers.

[Crypto-Knight]

Speaking of mixin' it up, my 8-year old son ALWAYS drafts The Hulk. I have yet to play anything but a really close game with him. I admit, I am a pretty lousy tactical thinker, and he has a phenomenal memory. But we have tons of fun throwing super-dudes into the mix. (He does get pretty torqued when my Grimnak swallows Hulk in one chomp.)
PS: kind of off topic -- we sometimes play capture the flag in which the glyph has to be carried to the starting zone, and he uses Hulk to just leap over me or stop me from getting there.... Sob...

[The B.I.V.]

Calling your son an SoB? It's just a game dude. :joke:

[Crypto-Knight]

Nah, I'm just cryin'. 'Cause if I called him that, what would that make his parents? :)

[The B.I.V.]

Exactly. ;)