C3V/SoV Collaboration, Synergy, and Playtesting

[Nirek]

As someone who has thoroughly enjoyed playtesting with the C3V and playing games with their already released cards, I began to wonder what the collaboration between the C3V and the SoV looked like. I understand that the two groups have agreed not to use the same figures for custom units, but what else is intended by their collaborative efforts?

For instance, the SoV has solved the "Deathwalker problem," if you will, with the Zettian Infantry. It's a very clever way of keeping Deathwalkers alive if they get wounded by non-attacks, but not making them invincible. So, would it be within the confines of the relationship of the two customs groups for the C3V to create another unit to solve the problem in a different way? Maybe a Deathwalker 6000 that allows other Utgar Soulborgs within 6 spaces to roll a 20-sided die to avoid receiving wounds from anything other than an attack?

Further, if the C3V did create such a unit, should playtesters assume the synergy between the ZI and the new unit when playtesting? Or should we look only to Official and C3V units when playtesting C3V units and doing the synergy test on the comprehensive playtest form?

Is it reasonable to expect overlapping synergies? For example, Vydar Kyrie from the C3V that have some sort of synergy with Tyrian the Kyrie Warrior? Or should we expect the two groups to develop in different directions?

Sorry for the many questions, which probably have little relevance at this early stage in the user-based development of Heroscape. I look to the future wondering if my support of C3V means that I ought to hop on the SoV bandwagon as well in order to make the most of future C3V units. To clarify, I very much like SoV as well, but have not yet bought into it.

[ZBeeblebrox]

At first the SoV and the C3V were two separate entities but with 4 of the five judges also in the position of C3V Executive Review Board members it was decided that they need to work together, so we were not stepping on each others toes. Thus, we developed the SoV/C3V merger.

The merger allows all SoV judges, to be part of the C3V and to have full voice inside the C3V Inner Sanctum. This allows for any unit that is being developed by the C3V designers to be seen by the SoV judges, and to remind the Design Team of possible overlapping synergies or "illegal" synergies (like double bonding) that SoV inducted units may cause developing C3V Units.

Also SoV judges are encouraged to test against Official and C3Vm units, as well as, C3V Lead Play testers are encouraged to test against SoV units.

All C3V Units and SOV units go through a final Cooperative vote where all C3V Members and SoV judges vote on the induction of a unit to its corresponding Groups inductees.

So the Sov and the C3V attack the *official* Custom idea from two different directions, but both are tested and approved to be the new Unofficial addition to Heroscape and we hope will be adopted by Heroscapers across the world.

[Dad_Scaper]

Excellent question!

They are chocolate in each other's peanut butter. Nothing escapes without both groups getting to vote on the worthiness of the unit, as Zaphod said, plus as icing on the cake the C3V art team puts fairy dust on the SOV cards and makes them perfect.

[Xotli]

To answer your specific questions:

Originally Posted by Nirek

So, would it be within the confines of the relationship of the two customs groups for the C3V to create another unit to solve the problem in a different way? ...

Yes, we could, although we'd be careful not to overlap with the SoV unit. We wouldn't the second unit to be redundant, or to make the original unit obsolete, or for the combination of both units to make the faction too powerful. All that would go into consideration before the C3V would release such a unit.

Originally Posted by Nirek

Further, if the C3V did create such a unit, should playtesters assume the synergy between the ZI and the new unit when playtesting?

Absolutely. C3V playtesters and SoV judges should definitely check such things; public playtesters for C3V units don't have to, but certainly could.

Originally Posted by Nirek

Is it reasonable to expect overlapping synergies? For example, Vydar Kyrie from the C3V that have some sort of synergy with Tyrian the Kyrie Warrior?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Nirek

Or should we expect the two groups to develop in different directions?

Yes.

Hope that sheds some further light.

[Nirek]

Thanks everyone. It's very cool that the two groups are working in such close conjunction, but that they are still different. My head is very happy to hear your responses, but my wallet is not.

[Nirek]

Well, hearing your responses has encouraged me to take the plunge. This morning I ordered 3 sets of Zettian Infantry, a Zombie Hulk, and arranged a trade with a friend for a set of Protectors to repaint into Tyrians. I'm really excited to get the figures!