The following tutorial discusses the use of the
HS Online app, in conjunction with
Google Docs, to play games of Heroscape online. It's long and detailed, but really the process is pretty simple. Post any questions you have in this thread.
What you will need:
- A google account to edit Google docs - https://accounts.google.com/NewAccount - this account can be associated with any valid e-mail address).
- Internet access.
- A Web browser that isn't Internet Explorer.
- Skype or Google Hangout; optional, but highly recommended.
- A physical map if you want to be able to check close LOS calls. This is completely optional.
First, login to
Google Docs. Then, go to the
Online HS Maps & Figures. When you find the map template you want to play on, click File>Make a copy (while viewing the template), re-name it, and hit OK.
If you want others to be able to view the map, go to File>Share.
Or, you can click on
Share at the top right of the document:
Then, do one of two things (the first is slightly easier, the second slightly better):
1. Hit "Change" next to "Private" and change it to "Anyone with the link" and "Can edit."
Spoiler Alert!
*Note that this will allow
anyone to move figures around on the map.
2. Hit "Change" next to "Private" and change it to "Anyone with the link" and "Can view," hit "Save," and then put the email address(es) of the other players into the "Add people" box.
Now go back to the Maps & Figures and go to the Figure template you that want to get figures from. Once there:
- Hold down Ctrl and click on all of the figures that you want to select.
- Click Edit, scroll over Web Clipboard, and click "Copy shape(s) to web clipboard."
- Go to your map. Click Edit and scroll over Web Clipboard again. Now scroll over the "Shapes" button right below "Copy shape(s) to web clipboard."
A preview window showing what you copied from the template should appear. If there is no "Shapes" button or the preview window shows the wrong things, move your cursor out of the Clipboard and wait a few seconds for it to update.
- Hit the Shapes button that shows the right figures. It will probably take a few seconds for the figures to paste; DO NOT hit anything unless it's been more than, say, 10 seconds. If you are using any reasonably modern online Heroscape map, the figures should show up in the visible part of the screen.
- Repeat for all of the templates that you need figures from.
If you can't find a figure you need, PM
awesomeunleashed a request for it. In the meantime, use a proxy.
A couple more things:
- To duplicate a figure or squad, select it and then press CTRL + C to copy it, and CTRL + V to paste it.
- Double-click on the WOUNDS text boxes and change them to show the names and life values of any heroes in the battle. When a figure takes one or more wounds, simply double-click on the box and change the number of wounds the figure has.
- Want to see your move history? Use the REVISIONS feature: click on File>See revision history. The revision history will open up to the right of the document. Click on "Show more detailed revisions" (bottom of revision panel) to view clickable links of all of the moves/actions. This is a great way to review your game, as well as create an illustrated, accurate battle report!
Now that you have a map, you need to get it set up in the app.
- Go to the HS Online app.
- Type in your player name. Leave Game Name empty if you are starting a new game.
- Copy the Google Doc string out of the URL of your Google Doc. For example, the string is the red part in the following URL:
https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1ujwCt6ol6EeReU9sqrXKfQdXev2hKBuwBKGbNeAEdWY/edit
- Click Enter.
You will now have access to a chat window, a dice rolling window, an Order Marker window, and a stats window.
- The Chat window has a Quick Message list; the Initiative and Wannok messages automatically roll the d20 for you.
- To see how many blanks/symbols you rolled when rolling, check the "Roll Valkyrie dice" box before you roll.
- If a figure in play has an ability that can remove or move your Order Markers, check the "Add random characters" box before you submit your Order Markers. If, for example, your opponent needs to remove one of your Order Markers, he/she should state (in the chat window) something like "I am removing OM ####." *
All dice rolls and OM revealing will be displayed on the chat window, which in turn is written to a log file for future viewing. You can access this log file directly by copying the Game Name located at the top of the HS Online app (for example: 4f218959d30541327597913.html) and going to the following URL:
https://www.heroscapers.com/ohs/[your game name]
Now, you can create the full game link. Here's the format:
https://www.heroscapers.com/ohs/index.php?log=[your game name]&gdoc=[your Google Doc string]
Give this link to anyone who will need to access you game, and they will be able to automatically come into the app with the correct chat log and map.
The use of either Skype or Google Hangout is highly recommended, as it emulates the verbal banter that is usually found in real-world games.
You can also use the HS Online app for SoloScape. The best way to do this is to open up the game in two different browsers (Player 1 in one window; Player 2 in another). You can then track Order Markers and roll dice separately for each "player."
How to differentiate Uncommon figures
Video Tutorials
* Here's how to handle the C3V's Glyph of Xipta in the app: