NEW CONTEST - Triple Play Frenzy

[Sir Heroscape]

Current Contest

We have listened and we are back with an intriguing proposition to all of the cartographers of Valhalla. Show us your best 3-way play. That's right. We are running a contest for 3 player maps. We’re calling on all map builders to come up with worthy maps to submit for review, scoring, and potential entry into the Triple-Play Frenzy contest.

The top 10 Triple-play maps will be chosen by the ARV judges and then a public vote will take place. The map with the greatest number of votes will receive fame, glory, and an awesome prize … A custom dice bowl designed by TREX!

Why are we doing this?
We want to create a repository for great 3-player maps. A quick place to go where heroscapers throughout the realm can find a quality map to conduct a fair truel.

Submissions accepted starting...
March 3, 2019

Submissions will be due...
March 31, 2019

Guidelines

General guidelines for all contests are specifically outlined in OP of the Welcome thread, with the following exceptions for this contest:

1. Submissions

Open for 4 weeks, allowing for 2 submissions from each cartographer. Submissions do NOT need to be new creations. Find your best 3-player map that fits the terrain requirements, fine tune it, play test it, tweak it, and then submit it.

2. Terrain

Master Sets. One of the following may be used as a master set:
Rise of the Valkyrie
Swarm of the Marro
D&D: Battle for the Underdark
Marvel: The Conflict Begins

Expansions: Up to 4 of the following may be used, but no more than 2 of any one expansion:
Road To The Forgotten Forest
Volcarren Wasteland
Thaelenk Tundra
Fortress of the Archkyrie
Ticalla Jungle

Hybrid Master Sets: One of the following may be used in place of 1 expansion:
Swarm of the Marro (Except when also used as a master set.)
D&D: Battle for the Underdark
Marvel: The Conflict Begins

3. Start Zones

Start zones can range from 18 to 24 hexes.

Scoring

ALL maps submitted will be reviewed and scored according to the following Rubric:

Aesthetics/Creativity (originality of build/looks good/playability): 10 pts
Balanced (doesn't favor one build over another and allows each army equal access to victory): 20 pts
Use of Terrain: 10 pts
Name and theme: 10 pts

Total: 50 pts

*Judges scoring the maps:
@Flash_19
@Sir Heroscape
@Nomad
@BiggaBullfrog
@TREX (emeritus)

*Each map will have a rubric filled out, one from each judge. All the scores will then be averaged for one final score for that map.

*At the end of the deadline, the top 10 maps will be chosen and posted. A PUBLIC POLL will then be opened for the community to vote on the best map out of the top 10. The map winner will be posted after the poll and the prize will be awarded.

*Maps can have a backstory included with your submission. Helping us to envision being there, and the story behind it, can tip things in favor when we complete our initial scoring. It can be as simple as a couple sentences or much longer.

Inclusion into ARV:

*Because 3-player maps are not typically used in tournaments, maps won't be given the distinction of "tournament worthy". Also, the evaluation process for determining the balance of maps that are submitted will be slightly different due to the uniqueness of 3-player maps. However, we are hoping to create a repository of quality 3-player maps that will still carry our recommendation for being balanced and well-designed. Quality 3-player maps that will be added to the ARV repository will require a MAJORITY approval vote from the active ARV judges.

*Many 3-player maps have varying start zones and have special scenarios attached. All start-zones must be 18-24 hexes for this contest. If you want to add a scenario in the description, that is fine. But, scenarios will not be considered in determining the quality of the 3-player map.

*Maps will be added to the 3-player ARV repository by a simple majority vote of the judges. Again, we are not evaluating maps on being tournament worthy. Rather, we are asking the question: Is this a good, fair, and worthwhile 3-player map?

[Sir Heroscape]

Old Contest:

All right everyone, we're back in action with another exciting map building contest. We’re calling on all map builders to come up with competitive, tournament worthy maps and to submit them here for scoring. In the end, 10 maps will be chosen as the best and of the 10, #1 will be given a very high quality prize…that is: A custom dice bowl designed by TREX!

Why are we doing this?
It's time to have another contest and keep the excitement going with new and fun maps.

Submissions Accepted Starting...
July 11th, 2018
Submissions will be due...
August 8th, 2018 @11:59pm MST

Guidelines

1. General guidelines for all contests specifically outlined in OP of the Welcome thread.
2. Maps MUST have a backstory as you submit the map. Help us envision being there, and the story behind it. It can be as simple as a couple sentences or much longer, but we want to see more than just the map itself.
3. Remember to keep map design focused on the theme. This theme is fairly vague because we'd like to see some unique creativity with this one.

Scoring

ALL maps submitted will be revised and scored according to the following Rubric:

• Aesthetics/Creativity(originality of build/looks good): 10pts
• Balanced (doesn't favor one build over another): 20pts
  Maps should not heavily favor any one special ability to the point that it makes the map non-competitive if an army does not contain that ability (i.e. range, flying, etc.)
• Fits Theme & Good name: 10pts
  
  Total: 40pts

*The sitting judges scoring the maps:
@Robber
@Sir Heroscape
@Nomad
@BiggaBullfrog

*Each map will have a rubric filled out, one from each judge. All the scores will then be averaged for one final score for that map.

*At the end of the deadline, the top 10 maps will be chosen and posted. A PUBLIC POLL will then be opened for the community to vote on the best map out of the top 10. The map winner will be posted after a week long poll and the prize awarded.

Map Building Tips for Competitive Design (from the judges)
1. avoid putting Power Glyphs on height (exceptions may be made depending on the build)
2. Double-spaced figures must be able to access all glyphs
3. Glyphs should not be able to be reached turn 1 by 5 or 6 move figures
4. avoid too much elevation close to the start zone (exceptions may be made depending on the build)

Map Building Checklist: For Competitive Balance
Take into consideration:

1. Does Raelin break this map?

   Look for spots she can fly to on turn 1. Can she get onto a single-hex height position? Can she get next to a jungle bush? Can she protect a glyph holder, or two glyph holders for that matter? Can she remain on height on an easily defendable position? These are types of things you want to look for

2. Does a Dragon build break this map?

   Can a Dragon fly and turn 1 attack the opponents startzone? Not always unbalanced, but can be if the position is easily defendable or on height. You also have to consider how dragons fly and shoot. Could a dragon fly from perch to perch and remain unengaged while shooting an opponent?

3. Do rats break this map?

   Look for choke points. Are there any areas where 1 or 2 rats could block an oncoming army and virtually lock the board down without much of a contest? Are the glyphs too easily obtained/defended by rats?

4. Is it impossible to place the hive in the start zone?
5. Is it too easy for pods to set up?

   There are many competitive builds that are played by finding a position and simply holding it while the opponent advances to attack. Consider finding areas where an army could easily set up their pod without being contested by an opponent, or where a position is too easily defendable from height.

6. Is it too easy to defend/control glyphs?

   Generally speaking, you'll want at least 2-3 positions where an opponent can attack a glyph holder and even better if from height. Glyphs should be in a spot relatively equidistant from each startzone and in a fairly weak position. Glyph holders should be at a disadvantage.

7. Is there elevation in the start zone?
8. Can move 5 or 6 figures reach glyphs on turn 1?
9. Are there too many choke points?

   Basically what was stated on the rats question. Look for too many narrow areas where map flow could get clogged down and hinder an army's ability to move and develop.

10. Are you unable to develop armies quickly?

    This is harder to describe...but basically maps should allow your army to reach midmap at least by turn 3. Maps that hinder movement so much that fighting doesn't happen till Round 2 will make games slow and arduous. Develop maps that figures can move through without too much restriction. Too many elevation changes can cause problems with development.

If you can answer yes to 2 or more of these questions, you’ll likely want to revise your map. For more details on the above list, refer to Biggabullfrog's recent article on 10 Tips for Map Building

Prizes

• Trex's handmade custom dice bowl/tower!
  
  Spoiler Alert!

  
  

  
  

  
  

Known Mapmakers
@TheSparkleInYourWater @Cleon @Skylord163 @TheEpicAlpaca @capsocrates @Tornado @Dad_Scaper @Colorcrayons @Dignan @All Your Pie @Annerios @arp12 @Bengi @BiggaBullfrog @Blodshogams @Browncoat @Buddy Lee @Cavalier @cavie @dok @Eclipse @Elstree @nyys @Fedex worker @Filthy the Clown @GaryLASQ @GeneralRolando @Hahma @Nadi @Hex_Enduction_Hour @hivelord @j-Bird @Jexik @killercactus @Killometer @kolakoski @kriegskeks @Lamaclown @legoboy @lonewolf @mad_wookiee @master4sword @MegaSilver @Mooseman @NecroBlade @Obsidian @ollie @pauldragon @peteparkerh @quozl @rednax @Retlaw @robbdaman @Robber @Rÿchean @rym @Ryougabot @'Scaper94 @Shades fan @Sherman Davies @skyknight @Scapemage @srmalloy @stubobj @SuperflyTNT @Swamper @Taelord @tannergx @The CEE @tom @twilkerson @Typhon2222 @Viegon @Warlord Alpha @Wind Lane @Yodaking @zanter
@A3n @vvildeyedjoker @heroscaper2010 @Herofly @Dr.Goomonkey @Leaf_It @rednax @TheTravelingScaper @GaryLASQ @Flash_19 @antmarchingroves @majofa [/spoiler]

[Sir Heroscape]

Submissions open Wednesday, so start thinking about what you're going to build!

[heroscaper2010]

Originally Posted by Sir Heroscape

Guidelines

1. General guidelines for all contests specifically outlined in OP of the Welcome thread.
2. Maps MUST have a backstory as you submit the map. Help us envision being there, and the story behind it. It can be as simple as a couple sentences or much longer, but we want to see more than just the map itself.
3. Maps MUST have a designated Wellspring(s) on the map indicated by a powerside up power glyph on it.

For clarity,

#3, is which power glyph we use or what it does up to us? Or is it even supposed to do anything other than indicate the wellspring(s)? Or is that up to us too?

[Sir Heroscape]

@heroscaper2010

Whatever power glyph you use is up to you and it will be active, it is not just a placeholder. The idea is that the Wellsprings are giving you greater power against your enemies...just like in the lore.

[Yodaking]

I'll muse a bit about the theme and see if anything comes to mind.

[Sir Heroscape]

Originally Posted by Yodaking

I'll muse a bit about the theme and see if anything comes to mind.

Well the past two times you've mused have turned out pretty well, so I'm excited to see what you come up with

[vvildeyedjoker]

Hi all,

I think I want to throw my hat into this ring. This is my first contest. On the Welcome Thread for this I saw that we were allowed to upload the map to our threads as long as we state that it is for this contest. Being new to this contest I wanted to try and upload it to my own thread first to make sure I knew how. To preface this I am not asking anyone to review my map or anything, but I was wondering if someone could follow the map link in my signature and see if everything uploaded correctly. Again not asking for any opinions or anything on the map itself (although I would definitely be open for tips or critique if thats allowed) I just wanted to make sure I uploaded it correctly and in the right format. Thanks.

[Sir Heroscape]

Originally Posted by vvildeyedjoker

Hi all,

I think I want to throw my hat into this ring. This is my first contest. On the Welcome Thread for this I saw that we were allowed to upload the map to our threads as long as we state that it is for this contest. Being new to this contest I wanted to try and upload it to my own thread first to make sure I knew how. To preface this I am not asking anyone to review my map or anything, but I was wondering if someone could follow the map link in my signature and see if everything uploaded correctly. Again not asking for any opinions or anything on the map itself (although I would definitely be open for tips or critique if thats allowed) I just wanted to make sure I uploaded it correctly and in the right format. Thanks.

The image looks good and the link is working just fine. I think you've got it all figured out

[Sir Heroscape]

You may now submit your maps for the contest!

[Sir Heroscape]

Anxiously awaiting to see what people come up with

[TREX]

Originally Posted by Sir Heroscape

Anxiously awaiting to see what people come up with

I have finally finished up all my have to do projects around the house and the prize for this contest is up next on my agenda. Once the prize is posted it should bump up some competition I would think. Its going to be sweet looking. I'll probably be able to finish it tonight.