HeroscapeLunatic's Helm's Deep - 6-16-07

[HeroscapeLunatic]

After receiving all of my Master Sets and Castle Sets from the great Hasbro & ToysRUs sales, I decided to give a go at one of my favorite battle scenes of all times - the Battle of Helm's Deep.

I used my Special Extended DVD Edition of LotR: The Two Towers to get the ultimate details on the ins and outs of the Hornburg and the Deeping Wall, as well as these shots from a very informative website:




Yes, I know that a few people have already created their visions of Helm's Deep, and I would like to point out that I in no way am trying to better their versions or copy them. This is simply my attempt at creating it using the media at my disposal.

I will eventually post a layout map for those who wish to re-create it for their own play.

The entire map took roughly 2 weeks of design & construction before I was satisfied with it. 1 week was spent designing and testing the map on VirtualScape, as well as finding all of the reference material for the design. The last week was spent building the map and reinforcing several structural mishaps that occurred along the way. There's nothing like tearing down something you've almost completed, just to find that you need to reinforce the entire tower base because it collapsed 10-12 levels of hexes.

Oh, and for those wondering the height of the tower....

161 levels high!!

Unfortunately there is no access to it for non-flying creatures. Unless you can get somebody to "toss ya".

The entire map requires full use of 12 Master Sets, 13 Castle Sets, 2 Volcarren, 6 Forest, & 4 Glacier.
Anyway, here are the pics (sorry for the quality - taken on a digital camcorder).

[johnny139]

WOW!!!

Man, that's one of the biggest maps I've ever seen! Though the novelty if lost on me, having never seen LotR, still... wow. Great map!

[skyknight]

Great great job man...outstanding work. Welcome to the world of Giant Map Makers

[super kyrie]

That is awesome!!!! Can't wait for more!

[Teamski]

Yep! Excellent job on the map! You definately got the feel for the castle....

-Ski

[Scape_Scrub11]

That looks awesome!!!

[GForce3062]

HOLY CRAP! That's another map I have to add to my list that are AMAZING Well done!!!

[Hex_Enduction_Hour]

Jaw-droppingly stunning!

The extremely high tower gives a grandiose and huge compliment to size of the fortification.
The interior of Helm's Deep is gorgeous.

[HeroscapeLunatic]

And just a word to you fellow 'Scapers - my bro-in-law and I are trying out a LotR-esque battle tonight on this map and I'm doing a round-by-round photo montage.

[GForce3062]

Originally Posted by HeroscapeLunatic

And just a word to you fellow 'Scapers - my bro-in-law and I are trying out a LotR-esque battle tonight on this map and I'm doing a round-by-round photo montage.

Is it gonna be in this thread or in the 'Battle Reports'? You are soooo lucky to be able to 'scape tonight, cause I want to soooooo badly, espicially on that map! What are the details of the battle?

[HeroscapeLunatic]

Originally Posted by GForce3062

Is it gonna be in this thread or in the 'Battle Reports'? You are soooo lucky to be able to 'scape tonight, cause I want to soooooo badly, espicially on that map! What are the details of the battle?

Yeah I am lucky considering both of my HS buddies have bailed out on me for 2 months straight!

This is the first 'Scaping I have got to do since I received my early B-day presents that allowed me to make this monstrosity.

As far as the battle goes, I just barely finished constructing the map, so I didn't really get to develop any real iron-clad scenario. Here are some of the small details.

Common unit recruitment - At the end of every round, if any player has one full common army that has been destroyed, they may roll the 20-sided die to recruit reinforcements.

Deploying Ladders - The Evil side starts with 5 Ladders that are pre-built to reach the top of the Deeping Wall. Each Ladder requires two assigned non-mounted figures to carry it. The two assigned figures move at half of their normal Move rating. Once both figures are on adjacent spaces outside of the Wall, they must roll a 10 or higher on the 20-sided die to set up the ladder.

Knocking Down Ladders - The Good side may attempt to knock down any Ladder that has been set up, even if the Ladder is occupied by a climbing opponent. The Good figure must be on a space adjacent to the Ladder and must roll a 17 or higher to knock it over. If the Ladder is occupied by one or more figures, the Evil side must roll a 10 or higher to see if each figure successfully jumps off or is killed.

Bombs - At the beginning of a turn, the Evil side may designate one figure to carry a Bomb (grenade) and set at the weak point in front of the Deeping Wall. Once the Bomb has been deployed, the Evil side must assign a different figure to be the torchbearer that will attempt to light the Bomb's fuse. If the torchbearer successfully makes it to the same hex that is occupied by the Bomb, they must roll a 17 or higher to light the Bomb's fuse. Once the Bomb is active, the Deeping Wall is breached and the torchbearer is sacrificed. Both sides must roll a 17 or higher for each figure that they have on any adjacent spaces on top of, besides, in front of, or in back of the Deeping Wall.

There are just some of the custom rules that we are developing as we play. We are on Round 3 of our battle and so far my Aubrien Archer line has made short work of the Heavy Gruts. More to come later...

[Homba]

Great re-creation, you really captured it. Looking forward to the battle pictures.