The Book of Solomon Kane
 

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Character Bio - Famous for his quest to rid the world of evil in all its forms, Solomon Kane vanquishes evil not only to protect the world but atone for his past misdeeds. He is often depicted as a stern pale man in his forties. Being an Elizabethan puritan he looks upon all magic as being of devious origin and a phenomenon he has to fight by all means. This fight also allows him to quench his inner rage and unleash his berzerker like temper onto beings he shall feel no regrets for exterminating. (ComicVine)
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-Rulings and Clarifications-

• Q: Exactly how does Master Swordplay work with multiple adjacent opponent figures that are at standing on varying levels of height in relation to Solomon Kane?
• A: The first attack "locks in" a number of attack dice to roll, and every subsequent attack after that is based on the initial roll. Lets do an example: If Solomon Kane (with 3 Attack) had height advantage on the first target, he would be able to use Master Swordplay for a maximum of 4 attacks (using 4,3,2,1 dice), regardless of who he attacked after the first attack. This is assuming that he rolled at least 1 skull on each previous attack.

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-Combinations and Synergies-

Incoming Synergy:

• As a Human, Solomon Kane has these Human Synergies.

Outgoing Synergy:

• N/A

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-Immunities, Benefits, and Weaknesses-

Immunities:

• N/A

Benefits:

• As a Human, Soloman Kane interacts differently with certain special powers. Current Special Powers that Interact Differently with Humans.

Weaknesses:

• N/A

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-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• N/A

-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

• Initial playtest: Pre-Changes: Viegon Post-Changes: Karat
• Second playtest: darkraptor5413
• Third playtest: Heroscaper Guy
• Fourth playtest: Tornado
• Art: Comic, Figure, Background
• Art by Flame Gryphon

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

NAME = SOLOMON KANE


SPECIES = HUMAN
UNIQUENESS = UNIQUE HERO
CLASS = VINDICATOR
PERSONALITY = FANATICAL

SIZE/HEIGHT = MEDIUM 5

LIFE = 4

MOVE = 6
RANGE = 5
ATTACK = 3
DEFENSE = 5

POINTS = 160

RIGHTEOUS RETRIBUTION
Start the game with 1 black Retribution Marker on this card. If a friendly figure within clear sight of Solomon Kane receives one or more wounds from an opponent's attack, you may place your Retribution Marker on the attacking figure's card. Before Solomon Kane attacks a figure with your Retribution Marker on its card, you may return the marker to this card and add 2 to Solomon Kane's Attack number for the remainder of the turn. If a figure with your Retribution Marker on its card is destroyed, place the marker back on this card.

MASTER SWORDPLAY
If Solomon Kane attacks an adjacent figure with his normal attack and at least one skull is rolled, he may attack an adjacent figure again. He may continue attacking adjacent figures, rolling 1 fewer attack die for each subsequent attack, until you fail to roll a skull. Before any of these attacks, if you reveal an "X" Order Marker on this card, you may add one automatic skull to that attack.

KEEP THE FAITH
Any time an opponent would take temporary or permanent control of Solomon Kane, you may instead remove one unrevealed Order Marker from this card.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Naturally the power order should change ("Start of Game" power first, then Swordplay, then Faith).

I'd prefer 5/4 for Move/Defense, but if we only want to drop one I'd rather move Move down to 5 and keep Defense as-is.

Re-reading it seems sort of odd to me that he's a "Fanatical Wanderer" with the power "Relentless Avenger" which uses "Retribution Markers." I think moving things around a bit there to make it more aesthetically consistent would help some.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

If anything I'd prefer to move down Defense and keep Move as it is. :lol: I'm not too strongly attached to either one, but I feel Move is slightly more thematic for him.

I can change the markers back to being Vengeance markers, which might help a bit. From there, I'm not really sure what to say. :shrug: Maybe change his personality to Relentless? Although then Relentless Wanderer sounds a little odd.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Maybe change the name to "Unrelenting Avenger?" It's just that "Relentless" has such personality connotation in HeroScape.

Vengeance Markers would be preferable for me too I think.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

I'm wondering if his class shouldn't be Vindicator.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Not sure on that part. I was kind of trying to bring some of those connotations in. :shrug: This is a guy who will track someone down across several continents and oceans to get retribution for a crime committed over a year ago. That feels less "unrelenting" and more "relentless", imo. Especially since we're trying to bring across a trance-like berserk rage...

I'll make the change to Vengeance markers when the grace period is up.


Vindicator would work. I originally had three possibilities with Vindicator, Wanderer, and Avenger, so I'm fine with any of those. :up:

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Need to specify that the markers are going on the opponent's cards.

4 might be a bit many--four auto-skulls plus his attack dice, which can be boosted by a number of friendly figures=yikes.

Yes, I know he'd have to stay alive long enough to get all four, but that's what Beat Cops are for. ;)

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Yeah, that could be a problem... :? Maybe change it so there are more markers, but there's a cap on how many auto-skulls can be added using it? So if, for example, there's a figure that manages to get all four on his card, that just means Kane gets two turns where he gets a single attack with 2 auto-skulls? It could help balance it a bit... :shrug:

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

You could just limit it to where a figure can't have more than 2 Vengeance Markers on their card.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Yep, like this (also added in "your" in case there is more than 1 Solomon Kane on the battlefield):

RELENTLESS AVENGER
Start the game with 4 black Retribution Markers on this card. Whenever a friendly figure within clear sight of Solomon Kane without your retribution marker on its card receives wounds from an opponent's figure's attack, you may place one of your Retribution Markers on that figure's card. When Solomon Kane attacks an opponent's figure, you may add 1 automatic skull for each of your Retribution Markers on that figure's card. If you do so, remove all your Retribution Markers on that figure's card from the game.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

The wording here has you placing the markers on your figure's card. Something I just noticed happened in the original version too. I believe the original intention was for them to be placed on your opponent's figure's card. How about?

RELENTLESS AVENGER
Start the game with 4 black Retribution Markers on this card. Whenever a friendly figure within clear sight of Solomon Kane receives one or more wounds from an opponent's figure's attack, you may place 1 Retribution Marker on thate attacking figure's card. When Solomon Kane attacks an opponent's figure, you may add 1 automatic skull for each black Retribution Marker on that figure's card. If you do so, remove all black Retribution Markers on that figure's card from the game. A figure may never have more than 2 Retribution Markers on its card.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Looks good except it needs "your" to differentiate your markers from another player's Solomon Kane's markers.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Good catch. Fixed.

RELENTLESS AVENGER
Start the game with 4 black Retribution Markers. Whenever a friendly figure within clear sight of Solomon Kane receives one or more wounds from an opponent's figure's attack, you may place 1 of your Retribution Marker on the attacking figure's card. When Solomon Kane attacks an opponent's figure, you may add 1 automatic skull for each of your black Retribution Marker on that figure's card. If you do so, remove all of your black Retribution Markers on that figure's card from the game. A figure may never have more than 2 Retribution Markers on its card.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Things look good.
Though I think "on this card" should be on there.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

I don't think it really matters, but if you add that you have to add the line "...other than Solomon Kane.." to that last line.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

I'd much rather limit the retribution markers to 1 per card instead of 2.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Agreed. It just feels more thematically and mechanically cleaner.

I'm also with johnny on preferring 5 Move/4 Defense.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

I got nothing more that hasn't been said so far. Don't know the character well enough otherwise.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

What about keeping the "Retribution Markers" and calling the power "Righteous Retribution" or something like that?

Is there a particular reason why the markers are removed from the game? It seems to oddly limit his uses throughout a game and adds more wording. And thematically, why would his vengeance be so limited? Personally, I think the power would be most thematic if done something like this:

Just my :2cents:.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

I think it'd even be more thematic if he only had 1 marker and reused it so he focuses on avenging one figure at a time.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Oh, yeah, I like that more (nicely thematic and cleans up the wording).

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

1. Firstly, you'll need to paint pretty much all the clothes black. The harness, hat, and the various pouches along with it. His undershirt should be white, however.
2. The various buttons were painted a dull silver, and the buckles a dull bronze.
3. You can sandpaper the belt down if you want, but regardless paint it a nice green-blue color to represent his gypsy sash.

These are really all you need to get a pretty great Solomon Kane mini! If you want to add all the little touches I added... ;)

1. Paint the hilt on the sword the same dull bronze, and the blade a little lighter silver then you used for the buttons.
2. I darkened the pistol, changing it from silver and light wood to more of a bronze and dark wood.
3. Although it can't be seen on the card, he has a few accessories on the back of his belt. Paint the trap a dull silver. For the bible, I painted the pages in, then painted the cross on the cover gold.
4. You can also do what I tried to do and paint the face to have a little more life in it, as well as to actually have eyes. It's not needed, but if you do, I suggest going slow and using small amounts of paint and going back for more. I used a peach color, then put a light red wash over it before dotting in the eyes in black.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

It currently does work on squads, I believe - doesn't specify type of unit.

I don't mind a the multiples, and probably prefer it, but I agree that having one marker he just reuses is definitely a lot cleaner.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Agreed. One marker and works on Squads and heroes. which it does currently, and I like the name Righteous Retribution more than Relentless Avenger.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

I like one marker, it's just more clean.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Yeah, I like one marker for game play's sake and allowing the marker to be placed on squads so that he can hunt down groups of characters and still maintain some theme for the character.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

I just had another idea: what if Relentless Avenger/Righteous Retribution boosted his attack number by 1 or 2 for that turn instead of an auto-skull? That power and Swordplay don't play together that much right now (an auto-skull doesn't count as a skull rolled, so it can't trigger another attack), and it seems to me an attack boost would be more thematic. You described him as going into a vengeful rage, so wouldn't it be more thematic if he just kept slicing away at his enemy with more attack? It seems to me the auto-skull for one attack comes off as more precise then rage-like. Something like:

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

I do like that better, V. Slight change though:

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Put me down in favor of 5 Move, either way for the Defense, and Wanderer or Vindicator (prefer Wanderer if we have RELENTLESS AVENGER or UNRELENTING AVENGER for the power name. Prefer Vindicator otherwise).

For the previous version of the Retribution/Avenger power, you could have just had him cap at one auto skull regardless of how many markers he placed (which could have been done in quite a bit less text). This new direction works as well, though.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

SP updated with 5 Defense, 5 Move, correct ordering of powers, and newest version of Righteous Retribution. :up:

Any comments before I send this out to ERB and start the initial? :)

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Looks good to me! :up:

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

:up:

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

:up:

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

I still like Vindicator better, but that's a minor thing.

On a side note, I watched a movie entitled Solomon Kane last night and really enjoyed it. Not sure how accurate it is, as I don't know the character, but it really got me hyped for him to get through the design process.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Oops, thought I updated that. :oops: Class changed to Vindicator, and thanks for the catch! :)

EDIT: I've heard the movie is pretty good, but I haven't watched it myself. :shrug: May have to load that up sometime this week to get fully in the mood. :)

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Cool. Glad it got caught then :up:

I watched it on Netflix.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

I'll definitely have to look it up on there.

SP sent out to ERB. :up:

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

We have two responses! I think we're about ready for an initial here. I was thinking 180-230 for rough range, but I'm pretty bad at costing, so... :shrug:

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Enchantress is definitely one to watch out for - be sure to get a test in with her!

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Yep! Her and Cap, for sure. :)

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Yeah, put him into an Avenger's Build with Cap, Helmut, and Wasp II, or Ms. Marvel for the activations. With Helmut you reveal your 1 on Cap and your X on Helmut and take the turn with whoever you want and they're being boosted by Cap turn 1.

Oh and I think 190 is a good place to start him.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Looks good, though I not sure 190 points is the best to start him at, 'cause if compare Kane to Swordsman (who is 160) you get:
Stats: Swordsman has 2 more attack for 4 less range.
Left Box: the same besides Swordsman has Fighter Synergy.
Powers: Both have Swordplay, but Swordsman has SA with range and Counter Strike.
So I would say more like 150-160 points actually.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Yeah, 150 sounds like a good starting place. Heavy hitters can really help establish that, though. :-)

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Where are we at here?

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

I am currently working on the Initial Playtest.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

Cool. Can't wait to see the public response to him. I'm pretty excited about this one personally.

Re: The Book of Solomon Kane - Design Phase
 

:word: