Why Would I ever Step on Lava/Molten lava?
 

Before it’s said, if I have no other choice, yes I would step on lava. But what if only part of the map has lava. Sure if there’s a glyph or an opponent retreats onto lava but let’s assume both armies don’t have units that can resist lava damage. Why would I move onto lava and risk the damage? Can I be pushed onto lava or otherwise forced onto lava?

I’m genuinely confused and don’t understand the appeal of the lava rules. The tiles look cool and I want to play with them.

Re: Why Would I ever Step on Lava/Molten lava?
 

The lava rock is generally used as high ground, so if you want height advantage it might be worth it. Plus, lava rock only hurts you at the end of the round, not the end of your turn.

Molten lava on the other hand is a death trap and should only be used sparingly or as aesthetics in places players shouldn’t be.

Re: Why Would I ever Step on Lava/Molten lava?
 

Lava rock is good for balancing places that might be highly strategic: a spot with a really powerful glyph, a mountain with extreme height advantage, etc.. Molten lava serves as more of an obstacle to maneuver around; kind of like normal water but much more limiting as to who can traverse through it. It also just looks really cool :).

Re: Why Would I ever Step on Lava/Molten lava?
 

You can certainly force people onto lava, though, by doing things like throwing them (Jotun) or mind controlling them (Ne-Gok-Sa). (There are other examples as well).

Molten lava rules are way, way too punishing, though, I agree. I only use the C3G revised rules for Molten lava that are a bit more reasonable, IMO (insta-death just doesn't work when you have so many 300+ figures).

Re: Why Would I ever Step on Lava/Molten lava?
 

Yeah, certainly thematic, but maybe "it's a game, not a simulation" should've applied a little more to the rules of molten lava.

Re: Why Would I ever Step on Lava/Molten lava?
 

Re: Why Would I ever Step on Lava/Molten lava?
 

Figures can force you into lava. Jotun can throw you into it, Mindflayer can control your figures and send them into it. There are some figures with lava resistance that can survive the lava spaces too.

From a normal gameplay perspective I don't think there are any reasons to step your own non-lava resistant figure into lava unless you have some wacky rules where your opponent is guaranteed to win unless you step into lava to stop them. Like Capture the Flag or something. Even then it's a crazy niche.

I'll try to come up with one reason. Drow Chainfighter vs. Tandros Kreel 1v1 on a lava map? I think you might have better odds of winning the 1v1 as the Drow if you jump into the lava and try to pull Tandros in with you than trying to get 7 wounds before he gets 1. It's pretty close though with Hide in Darkness. I can't find a link to the Heroscape Unit Head-to-Head calculator but if it's worse than 5% (minus a little bit, since Drow can survive the lava hit and then Tandros could get pulled in and survive it too) for the Drow Chainfighter then braving the lava is the best move. If you're adding Marvel then Drow vs. Captain America it's definitely better to step into the lava and hope you survive.

Re: Why Would I ever Step on Lava/Molten lava?
 

I played a game at the Tree Town Open where my opponent had the Airborne Elite and everything else was 4th Mass. After the paratroopers were down to one last figure, he jumped to a molten lava death to give the Masses their Valient Army Defense Bonus.