Battlefields of Valhalla Discussion Thread

[1Mmirg]

I'm not so sure about Hail and Brimstone Morazz.

I see a few issues that make me nervous about it's broad use in multiple formats and tourneys and events:

Contesting glyphs will be difficult - there is no height near glyphs and even if you get adjacent you are risky the same lava field the holder is (but with no direct reward--just forced into a bad position to even try to contest a glyph). If anyone like Moltenclaw lands on a glyph there is just about no way to dislodge him easily with melee units.

Even more, the Glyphs are not equi-distant from each side and a player can snipe the glyph closest to him from his start zone with many range 6 units.

Raised start zones make for little incentive to leave the start zone. Given that only lava fields are higher than the start zone, I can imagine a player deciding to just take a risk and stay home, turtling from round 1, only moving out when needed to deal with some advancing troops--but there doesn't appear, other than the glyphs, which will be random and one only a T-glyph, to be a lot of reason to move out. And I have to admit that I really dislike maps that make anyone even think that start zone turtling may ever be worth it. Yes, a pet peeve--you found one .

Limited LOS placement on this map means that range in start zones (or most anywhere) can have fairly free and open shots. The LOS that is used is mostly employed to work cross-map, making the decision to leave the start zone that much less valuable. You actually appear to (in many, but not all, cases) to lose tactical position by going forward.

Few tactical choices, in general, make me nervous about this map. While I'd love to play a fun game on this map with a decent player, I can see myself also having a very frustrating game on a map with a player that isn't above cheaper plays.

There just doesn't seem to be enough different ways to deal with this map. Relative height is limited and LOS is basically all or nothing.

Out in the middle, negotiating lava fields and slippery ice and molten lava, the map looks quite tricky to play on, which means that melee are likely to really take the biggest hit.

One other question: Which glyphs is which? Which is the T-glyph and which the standard? I'm guessing you mean for them to just be random, but I wasn't sure. (We often use the Brandar to designate a T-glyph, since T-glyphs are clearly different looking on any map. Of course, if you really were going for random placement, then, yes, I see why you did it this way. Just a question.)

Wow, sorry, I feel like I just dumped a bit on you. I want you to know that if I didn't like the concept and didn't think there was possibility here, I never would have taken this long to look it over. My critique is related to the value that I saw.

So, for all of my negative comments, let me be clear, this does look like a solid and fun map. It's because it looks that good that I had to look at it closer and try to figure out if I'd like it at one of my local events. A really close look, for me, says No. I'd love it at home, but not at a tourney.

I vote NO to review Hail and Brimstone Morazz. A very fun looking map, but I think problematic in a tourney setting.

[Robber]

I looked around and couldn't believe this map hadn't been nominated- Bad Moon Rising by Gamebear.



An incredible map- I got seven games in on it for my review in the MFN. I love the competition for the 4 top spaces of height, and the shadow in the middle, the perfectly-placed LOS blockers, and the 2 roads really make this a melee-friendly map. It is a blast to play on, and it is currently my favorite map so far.

[Dignan]

Maps pending acceptance for review:

Bad Moon Rising by GameBear

I noticed this map sometime back and it immediately caught my eye. I've since tested it out myself before selecting it for an upcoming event. I think it's excellent. YES to review.

[nyys]

YES to review BMR by Gamebear.

I've actually had nothing to test for a couple weeks. Thanks for giving me something (assuming it gets by the rest of the panel).

[1Mmirg]

Gamebear and I have actually been exchanging emails about Bad Moon. I had a chance to play on it at an event and liked it, but he had some last changes he was working on and so I was waiting to nominate it after he makes those revisions. (He said he was planning on doing it soon.)

So, I'm going to hold off on a vote for a couple of days and give him a chance to post his revisions (they are small, but I think will make the map even better).

[Robber]

Yeah, I just got word from Gamebear that he is slightly modifying the map, including moving the 4-height "Raelin perch" right by the starting zone.

[GameBear]

I have uploaded the modified file; the link for the Download page has not changed. This URL should be used for the image; refresh if it still shows the old image (below). A brief explanation of the change can be found here. Thank you for your consideration.

[1Mmirg]

Thank you, Gamebear, for revisiting this map. I've been excited by it since I first saw it, enjoyed the plays I got on the last version, and think that this version will be even better.

The biggest challenge I had with the last one was sliding it from one table to another. The base pieces don't slide as smooth or hold as tight standard pieces. That said, if that's the worse thing I find after a more careful review of the map, well, this one will certainly be getting my vote.

I vote YES to review Bad Moon Rising.

[marroking1]

This is a map that I have had on my gaming table for a while. And today I decided I would build the map on VS so I could share it with you and Nominate it for the BoV. I bring you Razor Glades.

Building instructions are here.

[1Mmirg]

Looks like RotV, BftU, and RttFF, is that right? Can you say something more about it? I'll admit it looks a bit haphazard; have you tried it at some events or with players outside your family?

[Matthias Maccabeus]

Yes to review Bad Moon Rising.

[marroking1]

Originally Posted by 1Mmirg

Looks like RotV, BftU, and RttFF, is that right? Can you say something more about it? I'll admit it looks a bit haphazard; have you tried it at some events or with players outside your family?

You are correct. The map was inspired when I first got the RttFF. And I wanted to make a map that used it that was different. And this was what I came up with. No I have not used it at any events outside of my family. I would like to but I only go to an event every once in a blue moon. Im sorry if it feels haphazard. The veiw may have something to do with that. Do have any advice for the map?