[Pod 1] Velkhor (Ob Nixilis, Demon of Spite) - Playtesting

[Captain Stupendous]

Have we determined what planet velkhor is from? Didn’t see it listed in OP. @Scytale

[Scytale]

Originally Posted by Captain Stupendous

Have we determined what planet velkhor is from? Didn’t see it listed in OP. @Scytale

Huh, I don't think we ever did. Well, plenty of fantasy worlds to choose from.

[Captain Stupendous]

Originally Posted by Scytale

Huh, I don't think we ever did. Well, plenty of fantasy worlds to choose from.

I’m guessing there would be resistance to arctorus, and I don’t know enough about dnd to know if the mini can pass for a Toril or Eberron demon? I’d rather not introduce demons to Icaria or Valhalla. That leaves us with Grut or Feylund, neither of which I love but either of which I could live with.

[Scytale]

Originally Posted by Captain Stupendous

I’m guessing there would be resistance to arctorus, and I don’t know enough about dnd to know if the mini can pass for a Toril or Eberron demon? I’d rather not introduce demons to Icaria or Valhalla. That leaves us with Grut or Feylund, neither of which I love but either of which I could live with.

It's a pretty generic-looking demon, and there are lots of different kinds of demons and devils in D&D. So yeah, it could be one, though the powers aren't really reminiscent of D&D designs.

I kinda like the warworld Grut. Feylund always works.

[Captain Stupendous]

Yeah, at this point I think I’d prefer grut over feylund. The idea of demons there fits in kinda neatly with the ritualistic tribal vibes of the orca and varkaanan

However, if it fits in dnd that probably has the strongest precedent. I was a bit worried it might look more like a dnd devil rather than demon, but glad to hear that isn’t the case.

[Scytale]

Originally Posted by Captain Stupendous

However, if it fits in dnd that probably has the strongest precedent. I was a bit worried it might look more like a dnd devil rather than demon, but glad to hear that isn’t the case.

Well, it does look more like a D&D devil than demon.

If we make it a D&D devil or demon, his powers should be changed to be ones that more closely align with D&D devils/demons.

[Captain Stupendous]

Originally Posted by Scytale

Well, it does look more like a D&D devil than demon.

If we make it a D&D devil or demon, his powers should be changed to be ones that more closely align with D&D devils/demons.

Sounds like Grut it is then �� Really rather not do a whole redesign just because we never nailed down the planet.

[NecroBlade]

Velkhor was used in one of two quick playtests at ScapeCon.

Mimring, Velkhor, Nephda, Tarn
vs
Airborne Elite, Katryn Vade, Syvarris, Izumi Samurai

The map was a multiplayer map that we simply used small sections of. This was mostly an alley between some ruins, with the Pillars of Har added in the middle across some swamp.

After some positioning, Airborne Dropped Round 2, with two going on a hill near the start zone, and two taking the Pillars. Tarn won initiative and knocked one off a Pillar to his death (fun moment!). Out of the 3 remaining Grenades, only 1 skull was rolled and killed 1 Tarn. Velkhor moved up to put all enemy figures in range of the Aura, which meant Mimring's 3-skull Fireline catching 2 Airborne killed them both no matter what they rolled (another cool moment). Syvarris took height over everything and rained fire, killing Mimring in one turn, then Velkhor (who gave him the Spirit in revenge). Sadly, this meant Nephda didn't really get tested as she moved out just too late to heal her allies. She got a hit on 0D Syvarris, then also died to his hot dice. Izumi moved out and engaged the last 2 Tarn, then Katryn used her SA to target an Izumi, killing it but also both Tarn to end the game.

This wasn't a major test by any means, but it was enough to get a little bit of a feel for some characters. Velkhor certainly seemed like he had a lot of potential, getting all enemies within the aura and not giving Airborne even a chance at defending. With Stealth Flying and the drop to 110 points, anything more (larger Aura, for example) seems like it would be overkill.

[Tornado]

Fun read, thanks for sharing that.

[NecroBlade]

While I'm suggesting basic stats... 7/1/4/5.

[orgsbane]

I've been wanting to this guy a go for while, I love the Wolves so much and it's always great to see them getting some new bonding options. Finally, snuck a game in, and it was... interesting.

Points: 450
Map: Remains of Clionesia
Glyphs: Lucky d20, +1 Attack

Army 1: Wolves of Badru x3, Velkhor, Siifv
Army 2: Warriors of Ashra x3, Drake 1.0, Raelin, Isamu

Which units survived?
Wolf of Badru

The game was played mostly normally, with the Wolves tearing through the Warriors with their pounce ability. Drake came out near the end of the game and cleaned them up, including Velkhor. However, my opponent only won initiative once, and rolled very poorly on defense dice throughout. Despite this, at the end of the game, there was only a Wolf of Badru left against Isamu, a one-life Drake, and a three-life Raelin. Absurdly, the wolf killed them all in two rounds, winning the game.

How useful were playtesting units' powers and how often did they come into play?

Velkor's Frailty Aura ability came up three times. It resulted in two dead Warriors, and one wound against Drake. With him placed on Drake's card, a pounce from the lone wolf killed him, which otherwise had the possibility of being blocked.

Any additional comments (theme, balance, fun factor with and against)?

Despite my opponent's ridiculously bad luck, they still almost won with an army that is far from tournament ready. Like Morgoloth, I feel like Velkhor gives the wolves a really cool option of making pounce more viable against squaddies, allowing them to compete in the common squad meta, but in a completely different way. Six move and stealth flying meant he could easily keep up with the wolves' threat range, so he felt like the perfect compliment to them. Given the outcome of the game, he might be a little underpowered as an option compared to Morgoloth, but I think that's okay, given how strong Morgoloth is.

[Alexandros]

I'm probably way too late to point out a flavor thing, but I figure this can't hurt- the flavor of a "frailty aura" seems kind of awkward? Demons are often depicted as spiteful and tricky but I'm not sure I get the flavor of a demon making you weaker just by being close, unless it's in like a spiritual/possession sense- which this doesn't seem to be. It seems like there may be a better name for the power.