Battlefields of Valhalla Discussion Thread

[dok]

Originally Posted by ProtoFury

I guess it's just one of those common sense thigs--don't jut bring 5 squads of Hounds and Me-Burq-Sa.

Yeah, especially since that takes 32 hexes.

I've often thought Houndsx3/Q9 is a pretty solid 450 point base, but then you've got Q9.

[nyys]

Not that it isn't a concern, in the few games I've played so far on Paved Paradise its really hard to even get up on the castle wall. With flying negated, the arduous climb up the hill (even with road) and then the ineviatable melee clash, there is a lot working against getting up on the wall. Maybe look at it as reward.

Great point though dok.

[ProtoFury]

Originally Posted by dok

Yeah, especially since that takes 32 hexes.

I've often thought Houndsx3/Q9 is a pretty solid 450 point base, but then you've got Q9.

That's what I get for randomly throwing out bogus army sugegstion, I suppose. However, it further proves the point that you shouldn't bring them!

[dok]

I actually did seriously suggest that Deathstalkersx4 would be a good army to bring for a tournament one time. It was a 400 point event where no A/A+ figures were allowed. I figured Braxas and Cyprien would both be really common (this is before Braxas was promoted to A), and the Deathstalkers are immune to both of their specials. (Nobody took my advice, although Braxas and Cyprien did end up being in several armies.)

There weren't any maps like this one in the pool there, so it seemed safer. I would definitely want some single spacers and/or some range on that map.

Anyway, you could argue I spend too much time thinking about double spacer-access issues, just as I spend too much time thinking about Zelrig bombs.

(I also regularly evaluate maps for Trample stomp and zombie onslaught effectiveness, but I usually keep that to myself, lest I end up complaining about every single map. It's not reasonable to expect every map to allow easy use of those powers.)

[Warlord Alpha]

Originally Posted by dok

(I also regularly evaluate maps for Trample stomp and zombie onslaught effectiveness, but I usually keep that to myself, lest I end up complaining about every single map. It's not reasonable to expect every map to allow easy use of those powers.)

Some maps have mega issues when it comes to powers like that. Cell Divide, Trample Stomp, and basically any unit with powers that rely on expanses of flat ground get shafted big time on some maps.

[ProtoFury]

Originally Posted by Warlord Alpha

Some maps have mega issues when it comes to powers like that. Cell Divide, Trample Stomp, and basically any unit with powers that rely on expanses of flat ground get shafted big time on some maps.

That's why I try to alleviate those conerns on my maps as muchs I can. You don't see a huge issue with it on Vadmont's Tomb, except for the actual little tomb area. But then again, if you want the height thre, you sacrifice same-level adantages you may have, and it makes you weigh your options. Tht's the stuff going through my mind while I'm building and teaking my maps. I put a lot of time into Vadmont's Tomb, hopefully this thread picks up a bit.

But yes, same-level powers are often a trade-off for height. In my book, that seems fair.

[Dignan]

Originally Posted by ProtoFury

I put a lot of time into Vadmont's Tomb, hopefully this thread picks up a bit.

Don't worry, the judges will get around to voting on your map. This is a very busy time of year (with NHSD less than a week away) for the judges. Many of us are heavily involved with organizing our local events.

[dok]

Originally Posted by ProtoFury

That's why I try to alleviate those conerns on my maps as muchs I can. You don't see a huge issue with it on Vadmont's Tomb, except for the actual little tomb area. But then again, if you want the height thre, you sacrifice same-level adantages you may have, and it makes you weigh your options.

The issue is not the trade-off made by a figure taking the height, it's the ability to deny special powers to figures not on height by by using the irregularities in the terrain.

Vadmont's Tomb is actually pretty zombie-friendly - all the high spots can be attacked with onslaught, although you have to drop into the water to onslaught the high sand pinnacles on each side. None of the high points are vulnerable to Trample Stomp, though. As I said, this is a very common situation and I don't count it against a map, because that's a really unrealistic standard.

Originally Posted by ProtoFury

Tht's the stuff going through my mind while I'm building and teaking my maps. I put a lot of time into Vadmont's Tomb, hopefully this thread picks up a bit.

As Dignan said, I'm pretty sure it will get a thorough review in the fullness of time. I like the look of that map a lot. I have some concerns about the effectiveness of the LoS blockers, but I would really need to actually play it to know one way or the other. The judges will take their turn to see if the gameplay is balanced and enjoyable for a wide range of armies.

The biggest strikes against that map's chances may be its large footprint, and the fact that three BoV maps already use the exact same terrain set. Those things don't make it a bad map by any stretch, though, just one that may have a slightly harder time getting inducted into the BoV.

[dok]

I nominate Swamp Gas by mad_wookiee:



It's been pointed out to me that this was a bit brief for a nomination post, so let me list some things I like about this map:

1. It uses a terrain combo (SotM+TJ+VW) that very few maps use and that isn't represented in the current BoV, and it uses the components of all three terrain sets very well.
2. Glyphs on lava fields! I first saw this on longheroscaper's "Hot Meal", and I immediately loved the idea. It's a great way to encourage dynamic play.
3. The compact layout and clean footprint fit the current zeitgeist well.
4. Turtling on this map is almost impossible, because the heights are hot and the starzones are fairly exposed.
5. The molten lava, which is really hard to use well IMO, plays a very big role here.
6. I've looked at it a bunch of times, and I can't figure out whether melee or range has the edge. It really depends on a lot of factors, and I think it comes down to tactical skill. That's a good thing.

[ProtoFury]

Originally Posted by Dignan

Don't worry, the judges will get around to voting on your map. This is a very busy time of year (with NHSD less than a week away) for the judges. Many of us are heavily involved with organizing our local events.

Oh I understand, I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining--far from it! I'm just anxious/excited.

Originally Posted by dok

The biggest strikes against that map's chances may be its large footprint, and the fact that three BoV maps already use the exact same terrain set. Those things don't make it a bad map by any stretch, though, just one that may have a slightly harder time getting inducted into the BoV.

Yeah, that makes sense. In terms of footprint, It actually fit very well onto our coffee table, so it didn't cause any problems for me--but everyone isn't me. The lack of LoS blockers was kind of intentional--since things are open a lot, it's more difficult to get a really good position on someone. However, in all my playtestings where I used lots of range (Stingers and Arrow Grut/Swog combos), armies never got dominated by ranged roops. In fact, I occasionally found my ranged at a disadvantage, when melee troops got to the road before I had finished positioning my units.

However it works out, it was my first attempt at a serious BoV-regulations map. The fact that it's gotten good remarks so far is enough for me--I've still got a few I would also like to submit, I just need to playtest them some more to see if I need to tweak them at all. Besides, one submitted at a time is enough.

[Shades fan]

I would like to nominate Feylund Fountain


I've played on the map so many times, it's a natural choice( IMO) for a tournament. It's a very easy build... to the point where I have actually memorized how to build it, and is a great small little map.

I've wanted to nominate it for a while, but I wanted to make sure my choice was a wise one before nominating it.

While their are many 1 Rttff 1 RotV maps, it's unique in it's design, and offers some great games!

I've actually been using this to test armies for a long time now( mostly against Q9/Laglor teams!


~Shades

[Matthias Maccabeus]

Yes to review Swamp Gas by mad_wookie. I'm a sucker for lava maps. The choke points do concern me a little though from initial observation.

Yes to review Feylund Fountain. It's a small map, melee should have a chance.

I'm still up in the air about Inner Courtyard. I'll have to build it and take a closer look at it after NHSD. I've been busy trying to play on all the maps Codeman has posted for the TTO V.