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D&D Heroscape rant, part 2

Posted January 8th, 2010 at 09:10 PM by Melwing17
This blog post is in reponse to this thread: http://www.heroscapers.com/community...t=28291&page=4

I don't get people acting like this set finally allows you to play story-driven Heroscape. The ability to play story-driven Heroscape has always been there. The Scenario Writers Guild will happily tell you that, I'm sure. The scenarios in past master sets have not been any less story-driven. And there's only ONE in the D&D booklet. Yes, they're adding more scenarios online now- but they did that with the other master sets, too.

This is perhaps the best way to explain my confusion about the excitement about this set (outside of the general excitement about 'new scape is good scape, which I agree with):

Imagine this. Master Set 3 comes out without the D&D tag. Perhaps they still recycled the figures, perhaps not- that doesn't really matter. But anyway, it's just Master Set 3. D&D isn't, and never was involved (again, except for the possible recycled figures). The rulebook calls them 'scenarios' instead of 'dungeon adventures'. Would we be having these conversations about 'dungeon armies'? I don't think so- because nothing has changed, yet we certainly are acting like it has.

"D&D Heroscape" is the same as Star Wars Monopoly. It's just Monopoly with Star Wars characters on the box and on the figures. Don't get me wrong- I'm thrilled to see people wanting to play Story-driven Heroscape. I always have, even if only thinking the story to myself as I play. But from what I can see, this set added NOTHING even related to D&D except in completely superficial terms.

I'm just baffled- a brand name on a cardboard box is enough to make you feel like a whole new dimension has been added to the game? This box presents no new gameplay options, outside of the natural progression in glyphs and terrain, just like the transition from RotV to SotM.
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Comments

Old
The fabled "Hype Machine" at its finest?

Anyways, I wouldn't call this a "rant," it is more like an observation. A 100% true observation, might I add. Maybe it is something to do with the "official-ness" of it. Maybe people just wanted a model or something to go off of. Maybe it is just due to the hype-machine. Either way, nothing to complain about here.
Posted January 8th, 2010 at 10:48 PM by Warlord Alpha Warlord Alpha is offline
Old
Jexik's Avatar
"This box presents no new gameplay options, outside of the natural progression in glyphs and terrain, just like the transition from RotV to SotM."

I think that treasure glyphs are outside of the natural progression. They're similar to something people suggested and used in certain scenarios, but certainly something new. Same goes for Uncommon heroes. We haven't seen a new unit type for the first time since Utgar's Rage with the Swog Rider as a Common Hero.

I think what you're getting at (and missing from that thread) is this idea of "theme." I'm with you mostly. Mechanically, this is 95% scape we're used to, with a few tweaks. But there are those who feel that putting the D&D logo on the box really does change their perception of the product inside.

Imagine if it were a Nike swoosh instead.

Another way to take that thread's point would be "what are some cool fantasy units that you want to play alongside the D&D stuff?"
Posted January 9th, 2010 at 12:12 AM by Jexik Jexik is offline
Old
A_Train's Avatar
Another way to take that thread's point would be "what are some cool fantasy units that you want to play alongside the D&D stuff?"

That sorta was the intent of the thread in question.
Posted January 9th, 2010 at 10:52 AM by A_Train A_Train is offline
Old
Creationist's Avatar
Im sure this sounds mean, and it is not intended to be as I am just curious, but other than The Road to the Underdark, what has the Scenario Writers Guild accomplished?
Posted January 9th, 2010 at 12:29 PM by Creationist Creationist is offline
Old
chas's Avatar
I basically agree with you. But the excitement of new stuff is combined with the marketing idea. If it does draw in new players, whether D&D fanciers or not, so much the better. Believe it or not, I know a guy who got out of Scape due to his dislike of customs and supposed Power Creep, but now bought the new set--because "it is its own little world." Perception is all!
Posted January 9th, 2010 at 01:06 PM by chas chas is online now
 
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