ScapeCon Map Contest: Finished

[infectedsloth]

ScapeCon (July 29th to August 1st) is just around the corner. What better reason is there for a map contest!

The twist for this contest is all maps have to use split starting zones. Maps with split start zones require tough decisions from the word go and frequently have interesting aesthetics. They have a long history in scape, and many iconic maps make use of them. Despite this, split start zone maps are severely underrepresented. The ScapeCon organizers are calling on the community to help rectify this deficiency.

Map building parameters:

• All maps must use split starting zones
• Map submissions can have no more than 1 Master Set and 2 Expansions OR 2 Master Sets and 1 Expansion
• 24 Hex starting zone
• Uncapped pillars are allowed
• Maps must be able to accommodate the Marro Hive
• The Marvel set is not allowed, since the Gencon terrain doesn't include any sets
  

Split start zones examples:

Spoiler Alert!

Quasatch Playground by Mad_wookie


Trailblazer by Dignan


Aeon by Flash_19


Burial Marsh by Panopticon


Capuan Arena By Map_wookie

A reminder that your map must be able to accommodate double-blind tournament style armies. Maps like Capuan Arana, while fun, would not fit this contest.

SUBMISSIONS:
Submissions should include a display image (ideally a 3D VirtualScape rendering) and build instructions
A maximum of 2 entries per person.

DEADLINE:
Submissions will be accepted starting now, and ending Sunday, May 9th. To submit a map, just post it in this thread by the end of the 9th.

If you submit your map early and end up tweaking/revising it later, don't worry. Just post the revised version in the thread, and I'll happily update things. I'd much rather have people submitting early, knowing they can revise if they like than have people hold off until the last minute.

Deadline May 9th at 11:59 central

VOTING:
Voting will be done by the community. Submissions will randomly be placed into one of several heats. The maps that receive the most votes will advance to the final round of voting.

PRIZES:
It wouldn’t be a contest without prizes.

• 1st: $30 to Amazon

If we get over 20 submissions

• 1st: $30 to Amazon
• 2nd: $15 to Amazon

If we get over 40 submissions:

• 1st: $35 to Amazon
• 2nd: $20 to Amazon
• 3rd: $10 to Amazon

Clarification: The winning map isn't guaranteed to be selected to ScapeCon's map pool. The winning map will be playtest by event organizers to determine its viability.

Good luck everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone's creations!


Tags:

Spoiler Alert!

Known map makers curtesy of ARV:
@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

People who've entered recent map contests:
@WarBeast @superfrog @All Your Pie @wumpis @Owlman @Ulysses @Longy418 @JaesShurrig

ScapeCon people:
@Vydar is the man @Chris Perkins @boromir96 @lefton4ya @Deroche @Sir Heroscape @nicktheant @Mr Migraine @vegietarian18 @Viideosayg @Dysole @Hahnarama @Earl_of_Sandwich @JohnnyFrisbee @MrWookiee @Phantom @Matthias Maccabeus @Garenex @Razqua

Maps:

Styx and Stones


The Jabberwock


Mine's Rift


Steer into the Skid


Mausoleum Ruin





Off the Beaten Path


Gambit


Cedrus Drift






Sauna


Honor


Desolation


Foothold


Frosty Lake


Fantasy


Peace Unknown


Chronicles



Forest Fire

[Flash_19]

Hey this is way cool! Thanks for doing this! Were you going to limit it to maps that have previously not been posted? To be more specific, I have a map or two in development that I haven't posted that are split start zone - would those be fair game to submit?

[superfrog]

Are we allowed to use a master set as an expansion?

Something like Swarm/Dungeon/Road or Dungeon/Dungeon/Lava?

Also, uncapped pillars, yes or no?

[TREX]

Originally Posted by superfrog

Are we allowed to use a master set as an expansion?

Something like Swarm/Dungeon/Road or Dungeon/Dungeon/Lava?

Also, uncapped pillars, yes or no?

Uncapped pillars is a great way to make bigger ruins. ARV has allowed them in our contests.

[OEAO]

This is Nathan's project, but yes, uncapped pillars are allowed. It's his call on the other things.

Personally, I'd like to see 2 MS + 1 Exp maps allowed, because those are honestly easier to build with the GenCon terrain pool than 1 MS + 2 Exp maps. We have so many RotVs and SotMs. My advice would to just be conscious about size, and know that you don't have to use all the terrain (nor do you have to use 3 sets).

[infectedsloth]

Originally Posted by superfrog

Are we allowed to use a master set as an expansion?

Something like Swarm/Dungeon/Road or Dungeon/Dungeon/Lava?

Also, uncapped pillars, yes or no?

I've updated the OP. Uncapped pillars are allowed, as are two master set+1 expansion maps.

Originally Posted by Flash_19

Hey this is way cool! Thanks for doing this! Were you going to limit it to maps that have previously not been posted? To be more specific, I have a map or two in development that I haven't posted that are split start zone - would those be fair game to submit?

As long as they haven't been posted, then your good to submit them.

[Dysole]

I don't think you want me designing maps since I said I'd probably do something like put a bunch of Proftkas scattered across the high ground. ~_^

Still appreciate the tag.

~Dysole, admitting that map assessment and building is one of her weak points in this game

[Yodaking]

Thanks for the tag. Explain why the Capuan Arana map wouldn't be acceptable due to double blind army rules.

[OEAO]

Originally Posted by Yodaking

Thanks for the tag. Explain why the Capuan Arana map wouldn't be acceptable due to double blind army rules.

It’s technically acceptable, but my understanding (as someone who admittedly hasn’t played it) is that it’s a Turret Rocks/Hot Heights scenario where it just isn’t that good for traditional tournament games.

[boromir96]

Originally Posted by OEAO

It’s technically acceptable, but my understanding (as someone who admittedly hasn’t played it) is that it’s a Turret Rocks/Hot Heights scenario where it just isn’t that good for traditional tournament games.

Also cannot accommodate the hive.

[vegietarian18]

Originally Posted by OEAO

It’s technically acceptable, but my understanding (as someone who admittedly hasn’t played it) is that it’s a Turret Rocks/Hot Heights scenario where it just isn’t that good for traditional tournament games.

It splits up armies too much, and that warps matchups and leads to highly initiative-dependent early games. Every startzone area is quickly reachable by another startzone area which doesn't leave you with much way to keep particular figures safe, so armies with lynchpin figures like Kurrok or Ulginesh are very vulnerable. For successful split startzone maps, it's important to have a space where certain figures can be safe.

[Chris Perkins]

I certainly agree with what's previously been said regarding the rationale behind avoiding maps like Capuan Arana in a double-blind tournament setting, but I wanted to add one more thought about a generalization (in the way I think about it, at least) to the root issue:

If the map ends up making a significant number of figures move up or down the power rankings more than a half a grade, then it's not ideal for this type of format.

For example with Capuan Arena, Ulginesh & Kurrok would drop down in power rankings considerably (as Vegie mentioned), and flying figures would jump up considerably (i.e. Einar Imperium are actually decent, as they can jump from one SZ pod directly into the next, kill most of the figures, and avoid being engaged by any kind of mele); comparably, mele squads drop considerably and have almost no chance against good flying squads or ranged squads. If one A/A- army has almost no chance against another A/A- army on the given map, then that's an issue.

In general, I feel the best split-SZ maps enhance & decreases just a few key heroes (Cyprien & Kursus for example) but don't affect the overall power-rankings level of most of the 'whole' competitive armies (i.e. Knights v. 4th/10th).