Arrow Grut Customs

[Arrow Grut]

Hey all. Got some customs I'd like to share and remembered I made this thread 10 years ago. Let me know what you think of my first. Bonus points if you can tell me the source material .

Spoiler Alert!

Ironbound Slayer

Unique Hero
?????
Warrior
Merciless
Medium 6

7 Life
5 Move
1 Range
6 Attack
3 Defense

??? Points

Sword Boomerang
Range Special. Attack 4.

Choose 2 different figures to attack within 3 spaces. Your opponent must choose a figure they control, if possible, to be affected by this attack within 3 spaces of Ironbound Slayer. They may select a target that is already affected this turn by Sword Boomerang Special Attack. Ironbound Slayer may ignore engagements when using Sword Boomerang Special Attack. Roll attack dice once. Each figure rolls defense dice separately.

Reaper

Instead of attacking, roll 1 attack die for every figure adjacent to Ironbound Slayer. If you roll a skull, that figure receives 1 wound and you may remove a wound from Ironbound Slayer. Ironbound Slayer can only use Reaper once per game.

Corruption

At the end of each round, add 1 Corruption to this army card. For each corruption marker, subtract one from this army card's defense dice. While a corruption marker is on this card, one shield will block all hits.

No figure in mind. Probably needs some fix ups on wording, hopefully I'm close though.

Spoiler Alert!

Zettian Scrapyard

Unique Hero
Soulborg
Factory
Relentless
Huge 12

Life 1
Move 0
Range 7
Attack 4
Defense 10

??? points

Magnetised Scrap Collection

Whenever a unique large or huge soulborg hero is destroyed, and there are no soulborgs on this army card, you may place that figure on this army card. If there is a soulborg hero on this army card, roll a 20-sided die. If you roll a 13 or higher, you may place the destroyed figure on this army card.

Scrap Bombardment

After moving and before attacking with Zettian Scrapyard, you may remove a Unique Soulborg Hero from this army card. Roll attack dice equal to that figure's defense. For each skull rolled, your opponent must place a wound on a figure they control. Instead of removing a Hero from this army card, you may instead destroy Zettian Scrapyard and roll attack dice equal to it's defense instead.

Vengeance Protocol

When this unit is destroyed, you may place a unique hero that follows Utgar that you controlled on this army card adjacent to Zettain Scrapyard. Then, move all order markers from Zettian Scrapyard to that army card.

This one is ambitious. No idea on points, though likely in the 150-200 range. 6-hex like the hive. Wouldn't be removed when destroyed.

Two New Customs:

Spoiler Alert!

Zellix

Life-4
Move-5
Range-3
Attack-4
Defense-4
Points: ??? (140)-(170)

Illithilich
Unique Hero
Mastermind
Arrogant

Illithilich Mastermind:
After revealing an order marker on Zellix’s army card you may either:

-Reveal your X order marker. Instead of taking a turn with Zellix, you may instead take a turn with the army card that you revealed the X order marker.

-Select an army card controlled by your opponent. If there is an X order marker on that card, they must reveal it. Then, swap the X order marker with another order marker your opponent controls.

Zellix may only use this ability once per round.

Master Arcanist:
Zellix does not need line of sight to attack an opponent’s figure. After attacking an opponent’s figure, if that figure was not destroyed, you may either:

- Select 1 figure adjacent to the targeted figure. That figure receives 1 wound.
-You may move that figure to any space within 4 spaces of its current space. That space must be on the same level as Zellix.
-You may remove 1 wound from Zellix.

Timestop:
Once per game, after taking a turn with Zellix, you may immediately take another turn with Zellix.

This is an old one I found in a word document. I need to go over it again, but I really like the idea behind it. A stronger Rygarn with a lot of choices within the design. I have a mini in mind, I will post it soon.

Spoiler Alert!

Sembali Grimtounge

Life: 7
Move: 5
Range: 6
Attack: 4
Defense: 2

Points: 170-200?

Reversal: If Sembali would receive one or more wounds, you may roll the 20-sided die. If you roll a 1-14, nothing happens. If you roll a 15 or higher, ignore any wounds Sembali would receive. If you roll a 19 or higher, Sembali deals wounds to the figure that would have dealt her wounds equal to the number of wounds she would have received.

Angel’s Embrace: If a figure within 4 spaces of Sembali would receive wounds not from an attack, you may remove 1 order marker on this card. If you do, ignore any wounds that figure would receive.

Ban Manifestation: If a unique hero you control within 4 spaces of Sembali is destroyed, you may select a squad figure within 4 spaces of Sembali. That figure is destroyed.

This a nod to Ashes Rise of the Phoniexborn (1.0) from Plaid Hat. That game has a problem with a unit designation of conjurations being too strong. This is a similar design idea under the same name.

[cmgames]

Originally Posted by Arrow Grut

James Bond
Vydar

Life- 4
Move-6
Attack-4
Defense-4
????

You Only Live Twice-
At the beginning of the game, place a black life marker on this army card. At the start of each of your turns after James Bond has been destroyed, and there is a black life marker on this army card, roll the 20-sided die. If you roll a 16 or higher, immediately place James Bond on a space adjacent to any figure you control and remove all Wound Markers on James Bond's Card, then remove the black life marker from James Bond's army card.

The Man With the Golden Gun-
If James bond attacks an non-adjacent enemy figure, subtract one from his attack. For every skull James Bond rolls when attacking, counts as an additional skull.

Quantum of Solace-
If James Bond attacks but doesn't destroy an enemy figure this turn, you may immediately move him 4 spaces. James Bond is never attacked when leaving an engagement when using this ability.

It's kinda funny. I'm not really a James Bond fan, I'd just thought it would be fun to do... This is a rough draft, so revisions can be accepted. Points anyone?

One major problem I see is that you forgot his Range stat. As to Points? - A Buncha.

He is effectively an 8 life hero with 4 defense which make him up in the Braxas range, but better defense. Also has a Scatter-like ability, and a Deadly Shot-like ability (with more dice than any other Deadly Shot unit). I think it might be better to specify the number of dice rolled for the "Man With The Golden Gun" ability and change it to a Special Attack. Like:

The Man With the Golden Gun Special Attack -
Range-6, Attack-3
When James Bond attacks with this special attack, each skull rolled counts for one additional hit. James Bond must target a non-adjacent figure when using this special attack.


~Z

[Arrow Grut]

Reserved

[Arrow Grut]

Updated thread with new custom.

[yamissflash]

Originally Posted by Arrow Grut

Spoiler Alert!

Sword Boomerang
Range Special. Attack 4.

Choose 2 different figures to attack within 3 spaces of Ironbound Slayer. After choosing 2 different figures, your opponent must choose a figure [they control? Can it be a figure already chosen?] within 3 spaces of Ironbound Slayer. That figure is also affected by Sword Boomerang Special Attack. If Ironbound Slayer is engaged when using this special attack, Ironbound Slayer may attack figures he is not engaged with with this special attack. (Maybe better as Ironbound Slayer May ignore engagements when attacking with Sword Boomerang Special Attack, but not sure)

Reaper

Instead of attacking, roll 1 attack die for every figure adjacent to Ironbound Slayer. If you roll a skull, that figure recieves 1 wound and you may remove a wound from Ironbound Slayer. Ironbound Slayer can only use Reaper once per game.

Corruption

At the end of [each?] round, add 1 Corruption to this army card. For each corruption marker, subtract one from this army card's defense dice. While a corruption marker is on this card, one shield will block all hits.

No figure in mind. Probably needs some fix ups on wording, hopefully I'm close though.

Bold added/modified.

I’m not 100% sure I interpreted Sword Boomerang SA correctly.

I really like corruption, I’m having trouble determining how good it is. Seems like this guy will work very well with Raelin RotV against a big hero, but he’ll get massacred by squads, but with the counterweight of having a one-time anti-swarm ability and a multi-attack SA with the interesting opponent choice. Not sure on points.

[Arrow Grut]

Originally Posted by yamissflash

Bold added/modified.

I’m not 100% sure I interpreted Sword Boomerang SA correctly.

I really like corruption, I’m having trouble determining how good it is. Seems like this guy will work very well with Raelin RotV against a big hero, but he’ll get massacred by squads, but with the counterweight of having a one-time anti-swarm ability and a multi-attack SA with the interesting opponent choice. Not sure on points.

Thanks for the great feedback and edits.As you might have guessed, I'm pretty happy with Reaper and Corruption but iffy on Sword Boomerang. Having it hit your own figures makes little sense in retrospect. I think it needs a playtest or two with your interpretation.

As for points, I think he's pretty similar to a Nilf/Quahon without bonding or flyung but with other strong attrubutes. I think 190 is a fair start. He's got tons of damage potential and until round 3 he's going be tough as nails. He also has fantastic synergy with the best figure in the game, as you point out.

[Arrow Grut]

Added Zettian Scrapyard.

[Myriadite]

Regarding Zettian Scrapyard:

Whoa, some crazy stuff going on there. Scrap Bombardment can only be used up to six times (Deathcommander Mark 3, Deathwalkers 7000, 8000, 9000, Warden 816, and Executioner 616), but it works like an intense version of the Glyph of Wannok. I like how the defense value reflects on the size of the scraps raining down, even though it is strange to imagine pieces of Warden 816 doing a whole lot. And then there is the choice between keeping that last soulborg hero on the card for Vengeance Protocol or sending the bits flying - very interesting.

Part of me wishes that Magnetized Scrap Collection would not be limited to soulborgs you control; there is something beautiful about destroying an opponent's soulborg hero and then repurposing them as ammunition. Release the prisoners

If you were looking to simplify this, the Self-Destruct Special Attack does not seem very necessary (even though a vengeful Deathwalker arising from the ruins of a self-destructed factory is pretty awesome).

Range 7, Attack 4 is pretty brutal, especially if this were ever placed on height. However, it only gets to attack once. I would imagine a factory would have weaker, multi-attacking turrets for defense purposes, but I can see the larger attack making more sense because of how an order marker would be used. The scrapyard does not have a "mind link" ability like the Marro Hive, meaning that an order marker on the scrapyard will solely be a turn with the scrapyard. As a result, the larger attack makes the scrapyard more likely to actually do something. It has its little metal friends for the multi-attacks.

Overall, it is a very imaginative design that gets more out of using deathwalkers without being a cliché soulborg rebirth factory.

Zettian Scrapyard would hate MacDirk Warriors (Alastair would gladly absorb all those skulls, thank you very much) and Sgt. Drake (who can run up unhindered), both of which would lay waste to 10 defense with their high attacks. I like that.

Oh, and I noticed it has 1 life, because of course it does.

[Arrow Grut]

Thank you for the feedback @Myriadite !

Yeah, the card has a lot going on. I might try to combine a few of the powers. Scrap Bombard is an effect from an official Tundra scenario. I'm with you maybe large and huge only would be better. I'm also think Scrap Collection/Bombardment could work on ANY soulborg unique hero, but only your Utgar Unique Borgs could be revived.

I will have to test it, but I think self-destruct is pretty necessary. There are scenarios where this guy can't do anything and you are waiting for him to die. The enemy can wait right outside your range then rush you, grab wannok and kill you, and Scrapyard loses most of it's pupose once you are down to one borg on the card.

What do you think for points? I was thinking 20-50 above 8k and 9k, with the recognition that Scrap can revive them. The power itself is potent, but your opponent choosing where to assign wounds limits it's immediate impact til the end game.

[Arrow Grut]

Made a few edits to Slayer and Scrapyard.

Slayer is mostly edits Yammiss suggested.

Scrapyard now can pull all unique borgs, can only seek vengenace with your own Utgarians, and it's even easier to find scrap. You can also no longer rain death with the remains of Eldgrim or a Starlich.

Added a race to both (slayer is not meant to have synergies, this is placeholder). Decided to not make scrapyard a soulborg for now.

[yamissflash]

I do find it a little funny that I comment on your custom then you make a scrapyard for my avatar’s faction (a zettian guard, albeit it he isn’t directly synergistic). Now I know how you really feel (That’s a joke)

But seriously I think it’s awesome. You have to make epic decisions with limited resources. I would suggest instead of making self destruct it’s own power, give the scrapyard the ability to rain death with itself. That way instead of an entirely separate ability it’s just one or two extra clauses in the other power.

I like that you lowered the magnetic collection roll. With such a limited resource (especially considering this guy is a big points investment), a low roll is better. I’d probably go lower than 9. It’s something you’ll probably only get to roll 2ish times a game, so it should be pretty consistent or this guy will feel really swingy.

As a general thought, I think making this guy reduce/offset the swing factor of Deathwalkers is a good idea. If everyone in your army is swingy, it can feel like your decisions aren’t relevant anymore. Might actually be more frustrating for your opponent than you. You’ll have picked the army because you like it, whereas your opponent might feel like we could have just rolled for magnetic pull and skipped the rest of the game.

As for points, I’d start playtesting at 190 (assuming you don’t make any changes) My first thought is he’s worth a lot but since he doesn’t move it makes it harder to judge points. His magnetic collection’s hit or miss thing makes him tough to price. Also his protocol ability requiring Deathwalkers means you have to take not so competitive units. Be aware that with having abilities that work on different groups you’re going to have to do some fine tuning or risk him only being good with one or the other.

Also magnetized scrap collection says large not unique which looks to be a typo based on your description of the changes.

Scrapyard now can pull all unique borgs

Also for Slayer, I think it works with either opponent chooses their own or they can choose one of yours. I was just guessing because the wording wasn’t clear. I really don’t think either is particularly more logical. That your opponent controls how a sword bounces but it still gets back to you seems to require either magic or magnetism, but I’m not familiar with source material. It could be something that requires more playtesting to figure out which one is more fun (or make it chose one of yours to lower the points or give the custom a solo playstyle).

[Arrow Grut]

@yammisflash Thanks for the kind words. Deathwalkers/Zetts are far and a way my favorite faction, despite my desire to rain your ilk upon my enemies.

I really like the self-launch change. Much simpler than a special attack. I hear you about the randomness of scrap collection, it is something I've been mulling over. I think the better solution is to make it so if a borg is on the card, you are much less likely to collect; but if there is no borg, you collect for free. I'll figure out the wording in wake hours. 190 sounds good.

As for Slayer, having him hit his own figures helps against the Raelin problem, in a very direct way lol