Week @ Heroscapers, February 9th 2011

Image of the Week.



This week's image of the week is brought to us by Jahosaphat. He has just started out on his custom making journey, but you'd never guess that by looking at his figures. Check out the rest of his figures and the card for this one in his custom thread.

Map of the Week.

We have an important announcement to make regarding our map of the week column. LordEsenwienIV from the Warzones of Valhalla project has joined our little band at W@HS writing Map of the Week. Enjoy!



The great efforts by the Warzones of Valhalla bring you their second map that went through the process and was inducted into the Warzones of Valhalla. Congratulations Eiriker for his 3 player map, More Ways to Die. This map features a three person free-for-all in which teams attempt to control the glyph of Astrid (Attack +1) and three symbol side up glyphs to aid their team.

Soldiers of Valhalla.

If you somehow missed the first half of the SoV interview be sure to check it out here.

1. The Soldiers of Valhalla project is the most rigorous of all of the custom testing projects. What inspired you to create and work on such a massive undertaking?

nyys: I'll admit that I've pretty much been at the periphery of the customs community since I found this site. I've dabbled with some of my own customs, and made comments on others work, but I never dove in fully.

Then Scape was discontinued. Killometer was the 1st to step-up (that I saw) to keep the torch lit, and once I saw who else was getting involved the 'need' to be a part of it as well was too great to resist. So I threw my hat in and was foolishly accepted.

The thing I liked most about how Killo wanted to run things was that it would involved the entire community. Our 6-judge panel may utimately make the decisions concerning the SoV, but anyone can design/test a unit and submit it for review. Doesn't matter who you are, if it's a great design, then it's a great design.

ZB: It all started with the discussion for the C3V project. I am 100% behind C3V, but I also thought there were lots of customs on this site that could help fill the void of the end of Scape as we know it. I knew this because I have over 200 customs printed from this site and have tried probably 100 more that I did not like. But, I was informed that the C3V does not use other member's customs, so Killometer mentioned that we could start a BoV-type of Custom project where a group of judges tested and reviewed polished customs to see if they could be added to the heroscape universe. So Killometer contacted the main people behind Heroscape, got permission for this group and the SoV was born.

2. What criteria do you use when deciding what units to review, and was there a unit that you personally liked that didn't make the cut?

nyys: The one constant for me is that it can't be broken and needs to 'fit' seemlessly with the Scape world. This is somewhat open to interpretation, but it's what's most important to me.

Things like mini availabilty and aesthetics are also high on my list, but if it's a great unit, then I tend to relax my standards a little in those categories.

Gor'vath by robdaman was awesome. It ws voted down before I got a chance to test it but it looked exactly like something we could have seen on the shelf at Walmart. It was that good.

ZB: I follow the main guidelines of the SoV when I make a decision about reviewing a custom:
* Balance-Are the points correct?
* Playability-Are the powers clear and understandable? Are its master stats appropriate?
* Creativity-Does it add something new to the game?
* Theme-Does it fit in the HS universe?
* Accessibility-Is the sculpt, or sculpts, available, at a reasonable price, and with limited modification?

And I have not found a custom yet that i like that did not make the cut. We have a great team of judges and we are all on the same page when it comes to what is worth reviewing.

3. After a unit is selected to be reviewed by the Soldiers of Valhalla how exactly do you test it?

nyys: I pair the unit with armies that naturaly come to mind. When I tested the Zombie Hulk it was pretty obvious to get some Zombies in there with them. After that I look for combos that could break things, Raelin is usually a part of that conversation.

As for what I throw units up against. I try to find good counters to the unit. If the unit dominates in one area, but gets dominated in another then for me that breaks even for the most part.

From there they go up against the strongest builds and a red flag goes up if it consistantly performs too well against the likes of the 4th, Stingers, Raelin armies, Knights, etc...

ZB: I play lots of games! I plat Kill Em all battles, Treasure Hunts, Dungeon Crawls, Heat of Battle, General Wars...ect. I think you get the picture. I try every way I can think of to "break" the custom...if I "break" it 3 times...Strike Out! It's a No! (Unfortunately that is what happened to robbdaman's Gor' Vath)

4. Where would someone who was interested in getting involved with the Soldiers of Valhalla get involved?

It's all about the SoV Nomination and Discussion thread. The panel may only consist of 6 judges, but there are many other Scapers whoes opinons I value very much and enjoy hearing from in that thread. Several times points have been brought to light that I did not consider and would not have were it not for folks chiming in.

Don't be afraid to tell us what you think of any unit that has been nominated or is under review. All we ask is that an explanation come with your opinion.

ZB: I suggest you post on the SoV thread. Pick a unit, test it on your own and tell us how it turned out. Nominate that Unit for review, and see if what SoV team thinks. This will demonstrate your interest in this project. When we might need a new judge, I will be looking to see who posted helpful insight in the SoV thread.

5. Currently Soldiers of Valhalla has not passed a unit, but what is your personal favorite of all units you have reviewed thus far, either rejected or currently in review?

I don't know if it will make it in ultimately but I voted yes to induct the Zombie Hulk by Good Pig/dok. This one was hit out of the park IMO. It met all the major critetria for me, I would be very happy to see it be the 1st induction into the SoV.

ZB: That is a tough choice. I really enjoyed dok's Zombie Hulk, which just is fun to use with the Zombies. And Hextrip's Zombikazes are so much fun, I decided to make my own, since I could not find the miniatures used. But the most fun I have had so far was with robbdaman's Gor' Vath and if he was adjusted a little he would get a yes from me in a heartbeat. (Unfortunately the version that was submitted was "broken")

Once again thank you for agreeing to this interview. It really means a lot to us. I hope you enjoyed reading our interview of the Soldiers of Valhalla team.