Dignan's Customs - New Unit 9/28/23

[Taeblewalker]

I agree that it's a great unit. I would start playtesting him at 100 points instead of 120 but otherwise great job!

[Dignan]

Originally Posted by Taeblewalker

I agree that it's a great unit. I would start playtesting him at 100 points instead of 120 but otherwise great job!

Yeah, we actually dialed him down a little bit. He was originally at 5 wounds and had Imperceptible Strike 11 instead of 13. He can be very powerful against certain armies and of course will fair less well against large cheap ranged mass.

In the end, I don't want to make a figure overpowered. I'd rather him be a B figure, rather than A+.

[Myriadite]

I'll join in with the chorus: a super fun design that looks very well done!

The photograph of him is just epic.

[Shiftrex]

Really nice unit! Samurai can always use fun pieces.

[Dignan]

Update 9/28/23

One of the Patreon Studios I subscribe to came out with a great dwarven bannerman sculpt. As soon as I saw it, I had to make a custom unit for it. I don't have an Aquilla flag bearer, so I thought he would fit the bill. In the games we've tested him in so far, he has been very unique and powerful. I may have to dial him back a little. Each game I find that his ability has a new trick up its sleeve. Its definitely fun to play with.

The mini is from Artisan Guild. They did a great job with the sculpt. I had to print it at 90% as it is a little too large for Heroscape scale as is.
https://www.myminifactory.com/object...adar-ii-292541

Unit: Balin Heartsong

[Myriadite]

That sculpt fits in exceptionally well! The design is also quite fun.

I will say that Tactical Advantage does create some weird effects: could enemy figures adjacent to Balin not be chomped by your own Grimnak?

Also, I really like the name. It sounds like a Heroscape name.

[Dignan]

Originally Posted by Myriadite

That sculpt fits in exceptionally well! The design is also quite fun.

Yeah, I really loved the sculpt. Heroscape has an exaggerated design aesthetic that I think this mini captures well. It really looks heroic.

I will say that Tactical Advantage does create some weird effects: could enemy figures adjacent to Balin not be chomped by your own Grimnak?

Yeah, its an unorthodox ability, but so far I've liked how it fits in with the dwarves. It also makes you want to move Balin into the fray and put him at risk to get the bonus. Hopefully it doesn't break anything

Also, I really like the name. It sounds like a Heroscape name.

Thanks, I was trying to follow the theme of the other dwarf heroes.

[Sherman Davies]

Looks like a fun take on an Aquilla flagbearer!

Originally Posted by Dignan

In the games we've tested him in so far, he has been very unique and powerful. I may have to dial him back a little. Each game I find that his ability has a new trick up its sleeve. Its definitely fun to play with.

Yeah, powers that allow a player to move their opponent's figures can be tricky to balance. They allow for a lot of creative tactics, but those can be very map dependent.

Also, Tactical Advantage seems a somewhat generic name for such an Axegrinder-specific power.

[Dignan]

Originally Posted by Sherman Davies

Yeah, powers that allow a player to move their opponent's figures can be tricky to balance. They allow for a lot of creative tactics, but those can be very map dependent.

Yeah, luckily there are two dials to adjust on the ability (dice and range). I think the easiest is shorten the range. His effect has been hit and miss. Sometimes it seems huge and sometimes it's not a big deal. It really depends on the map and the matchup. We'll continue playing him and see if I need to issue a 2.0 version.

Also, Tactical Advantage seems a somewhat generic name for such an Axegrinder-specific power.

Yeah, I was trying to play off of the "Fearless Advantage" ability on the Axegrinders. I was trying to come up with something like "discover weakspot" or "Bolster Allies". I just couldn't come up with something I loved. I will keep thinking on it.

[Myriadite]

Thinking about Tactical Advantage again, how about this?

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE
When using the Fearless Advantage power on any Army Card, all small or medium enemy figures adjacent to Balin Heartsong (typo) are considered to be Large.

Since it now only applies to the Fearless Advantage power, this eliminates the possibility of the power having weird effects with Chomp, Acid Breath, Zombies Rise Again, and the like.

Also, what do you think of the name "Fearless Inspiration"?

I still can't get over how great that sculpt fits.

[Dignan]

Originally Posted by Myriadite

Thinking about Tactical Advantage again, how about this?

Since it now only applies to the Fearless Advantage power, this eliminates the possibility of the power having weird effects with Chomp, Acid Breath, Zombies Rise Again, and the like.

Also, what do you think of the name "Fearless Inspiration"?

I still can't get over how great that sculpt fits.

Love the feedback on both of those. That change to the ability text really cleans up any concern that might be caused in play and the name fits much better. Thanks for the input and reply. I'll get an update to the card here shortly.