Battlefields of Valhalla Discussion Thread

[Wind Lane]

Originally Posted by Elstree

My position as a judge was somewhat different. I was willing to accept special rules so long as they were simple, clear, and unambiguous. "The tops of the columns cannot be occupied by any figure" would fall into that category, and could be easily implemented in a tournament setting.

Something like "At the end of each round, figures standing in water spaces risk being swept downstream. Roll the 20-sided die for each figure standing in water. If the figure is small and the roll is 6 plus..." (etc) would clearly be too complicated for BOV.

I guess it's up to a newer generation to decide...

Would a simple solution of just changing the build so that the columns didn't have the tile on top be an acceptable solution? Figures can't stand where there aren't any tiles, but it drops in how esthetically pleasing it looks.

[Eirikr]

Originally Posted by Wind Lane

Would a simple solution of just changing the build so that the columns didn't have the tile on top be an acceptable solution? Figures can't stand where there aren't any tiles, but it drops in how esthetically pleasing it looks.

Unfortunately that would be against the map building rules as stated in the FotA rulebook and is therefore unlikely to be eligable for consideration in BoV.

[Einar's puppy]

Originally Posted by Eirikr

Unfortunately that would be against the map building rules as stated in the FotA rulebook and is therefore not eligable for consideration in BoV.

The BoM is having an issue with a uncapped map right now. The general idea is to not allow it, but there has been some thoughts the other way as well. I personally think we should follow the rules as best we can.

[Revdyer]

I think we disallowed a previous map without column caps. One solution that has been used is to put lava up there, but that involves using another expansion.

[Dignan]

Marpesia's Glory by Gamebear

This is another interesting entry by one of the site's most decorated map makers, GameBear. In this map, Gamebear has crafted a unique look with the use of SotM, FotA, and TJ sets. The use of the trees, bushes, battlements and towers combine to make an original map with a style all of it's own.

However, at the heart of this map is a problem. Gamebear set out with an ambitious goal of using the FotA columns as line of sight blockers while preventing players from accessing the vantage points that they normally grant. To achieve this, jungle trees were placed next to the columns with the intent being that their canopies would prevent figures from being placed atop the columns.

In practice, this method doesn't work. First, for this to be achieved, the trees need to be oriented just so and additionally require their canopies to be adjusted precisely. Build instructions for maps do not include this information (for obvious reasons) and, hence, achieving the mapmaker's intent is not guaranteed. Secondly, due to small variances in the tree's manufacturing, the result is not consistent from tree to tree (from different sets). Some of my 14 height trees simply wouldn't fit where the build instructions call for it, while others seem to work. Also, at no point could I get any of my 16 height trees to block off both columns that they were intended to cover.

In all cases, access to the column tops could be granted by twisting the canopies. This could result in a nightmare situation for a tournament director as players adjust the trees throughout the day (hence having a major impact on the gameplay of the map).

Without a way to guarantee no figures can access the tops of the columns, this map becomes severely imbalanced. With the common appearances of AE in tournament armies, the presence of this map at a tournament makes their value go up ten fold.

The rest of the map is fine and represents solid mapmaking choices. Interesting use of battlements and water generate thoughtful choices for the players. It's pleasing to look at and has a nice footprint. All of this simply can't overcome the problem with the column tops. This is a great map to use at game days or small tournaments where it is easy to explain to all players the special rules concerning access, but for larger events, it's not desirable to give the tournament director and players involved one more thing to worry about (especially when it drastically effects the gameplay like this). I vote NO to accepting Marpesia's Glory into the BoV.

[SuperflyTNT]

Originally Posted by LongHeroscaper

The Lowland Paths by Superflytnt should be taken out of the review because the building is illegal. I know, there are things in the rule that I do not agree with, but it is the rule, we have to abide.

AH, DRAT. This was simply a "Mappo". I have this map set up in my living room right now and it's got the tiles underneath using the same set - the southern side of the map, the 2 1-hex stone tiles beneath the leftmost Glyph are replaced with one 2-Hex Grass Tile, and the two single stone tiles lie beneath the trees. I will amend this, and good catch, LHS!

EDIT:
Updated, monsieurs! Play at will, I know I have 2 games tonight on it!

[The Silver Surfer]

I would like to nominate a map I made quite a while ago,

Thormun's Wellspring (1 RotV, 1 Marvel)


I know it's not a well known map in the least, but I have played on it many times and it is a very fun map. Other than that, I don't really have any comments on it, so judges, let me know what you think.

TSS

[Dignan]

With limited LOS blockers, high ground right outside the starting zones, and a very difficult glyph to capture (dominated by said high ground); it looks like Thormun's Wellspring is a shooting gallery. I vote NO to review.

[Kahrma]

Maps pending acceptance for review:

Sidewinder by Gamebear
I nominated “Sidewinder” for use in our latest KC tourney. I’ve already played a good number of games on this battlefield, including two tournament matches. I was kinda hoping someone would nominate it here. An enthusiastic yes to review.

[Gulp]

Originally Posted by Eirikr

Unfortunately that would be against the map building rules as stated in the FotA rulebook and is therefore unlikely to be eligable for consideration in BoV.

My unsolicited opinion here. The fantastic BoV system is not going to fall apart if a simple 'house rule' was added that said, 'You may specify that columns are LOS blockers and may not be landed on.' Saying that by putting lava on the top would technically mean that the VW set is being used is true, but come on, can't we stretch a little here? Most Heroscapers are not going to be so vexed that they can't be told at the start of a tournament, 'No figures may be placed on the columns.'

This will clearly be a decision left to the judges, but we're talking about a technicality that, if simply allowed to bend slightly, would add a new dimension to map building because very few maps with columns are used. The FotA is nearly useless at the moment except for the road tiles and the ramparts.

If we were talking about 10,000 people playing Heroscape, then that would be different, but at this point we are dealing with a throng of dedicated HS fans that can be trusted with a little responsibility.

[RobertDD]

Originally Posted by Gulp

My unsolicited opinion here. The fantastic BoV system is not going to fall apart if a simple 'house rule' was added that said, 'You may specify that columns are LOS blockers and may not be landed on.' Saying that by putting lava on the top would technically mean that the VW set is being used is true, but come on, can't we stretch a little here? Most Heroscapers are not going to be so vexed that they can't be told at the start of a tournament, 'No figures may be placed on the columns.'

This will clearly be a decision left to the judges, but we're talking about a technicality that, if simply allowed to bend slightly, would add a new dimension to map building because very few maps with columns are used. The FotA is nearly useless at the moment except for the road tiles and the ramparts.

If we were talking about 10,000 people playing Heroscape, then that would be different, but at this point we are dealing with a throng of dedicated HS fans that can be trusted with a little responsibility.

I'd be very much opposed to "stretch it a little", because how much is a little, and how much is too much? Ask ten skapers and you will have ten answers.

The BOV represents the Best of the Best. Maps that make it should not require any stretching of the rules.

It would be really nice if a future expansion includes column toppers that prohibit ffigures from standing on them. I can see some kind of roof system... Meanwhile, bushes from the Jungle could work.... (although they have their own placement requirements that might make that difficult)

[Jexik]

Three things about FotA:

1. Embattled Fen and Broken Skyline are in the BoV, and they use it. One of them even uses some towers.

2. I don't think we've seen the limits of what can be done with the set in an interesting, balanced, and still legal manner. Even just the road/wall-walk tiles, battlements, and often-neglected ladders can still be used in new ways. For example, I don't think I've seen more than one user created map that incorporates TT and FotA in the same build.

3. Fortress of the Archkyrie is one of the least abundant and most expensive expansion sets around. For these reasons, I don't think there's a huge problem if it's an underused set.