IshMEL's Customs: Updated 7/11/2018

[IshMEL]

I forgot that when I changed Venom Strike, the snakes no longer have a d20 power! Thanks for catching that. Movement Frenzy (Serpentine Frenzy?) is a good option that can replace Horde Attack. I think I'll keep their species as Snakes -- Vipers are clearly the "guys from Marr" and I have a backstory on how Sahelia communes with both species. As for the change in Venom Strike -- I like the concept, but it could get weird if it's an additional attack (like, if the Serpent gets Counter Striked [Counter Struck?], the poison can't "work" because it can't attack again.)

So my options are:
1) Venom Strike = 1 auto-skull if all skulls are rolled. Replace Horde Attack with movement frenzy so there's a d20 power for them.

2) Venom Strike = if all skulls are rolled, roll the d20, on X or higher the figure takes an unblockable wound. Potentially better than option 1, since that wound could get past, say a 3-shield roll. Keep Horde Attack since Venom Strike now has a d20 component.

3) Something else I haven't thought of.

In the meantime, here's another beastie I'm hoping to rebase this weekend:

Kraal. Just in case you ever wanted a weaker Shurrak who could bond with Spiders. 100 pts.

Spoiler Alert!

Kraal
General: Aquilla
Species: Kraal
Uncommon Hero
Class: Predator
Personality: Wild
Large 5
Life: 5
Move: 6
Range: 1
Attack: 4
Defense: 4

Points: 100

Base: Double
Planet: Grut

Sweeping Tail Special Attack
Range 1. Attack 3. Choose a figure to attack. Any figures adjacent to both this Kraal and the chosen figure are also affected by Sweeping Tail Special Attack. Roll attack dice once for all affected figures. Each figure rolls defense dice separately.

Knockback 14
When a small or medium figure rolls defense dice and is not destroyed by a normal or special attack from this Kraal, immediately roll the 20-sided die. If you roll a 14 or higher, you may Knockback the figure by placing it on any empty space within 3 clear sight spaces of this Kraal. The space must be on the same level as or lower than its current location. A figure moved by Knockback never takes leaving engagement attacks. A non-flying figure moved lower by Knockback can receive any falling damage that may apply.

Predation
If this Kraal makes a normal attack on a small or medium figure that causes enough wounds to destroy that figure, you may remove one wound marker from this card.

Figure: Houjix #29 Masters of the Force (Star Wars Miniatures)

With a tail-swing power, Shurrak's powerset seemed the obvious way to go. The Kraal gains bonding with the Spiders, but loses one Life and one Attack. Also the SA is now 3, instead of Shurrak's 5. And it has a Predator power! Nom Nom Nom Nom Nom.

Have a great weekend all!

[IshMEL]

A few units that I've either updated or haven't posted yet -- these are more or less notes to myself as works in progress (although you can look if you want to!)

The Raven. Familiar. 20 pts.

Spoiler Alert!

The Raven
General: Ullar
Species: Animal
Unique Hero
Class: Familiar
Personality: Loyal
Small 2
Life: 1
Move: 7
Range: 1
Attack: 1
Defense: 3

Points: 20

Base: Single
Planet: Feylund

Familiar Movement Bonding
After revealing an Order Marker on the Army Card of a Ranger or Wizard Hero you control who follows Ullar, you may immediately move The Raven up to 4 spaces.

Through The Eye Of The Raven
When The Raven is within 3 clear sight spaces of an opponent's figure, a Ranger or Wizard figure you control with a Range of 4 or higher who follows Ullar may add 2 to its Range when targeting that figure for a normal attack.

Evasive Flight
When defending against a normal attack from a figure with a Range of 1, The Raven adds 1 shield to whatever is rolled. When determining adjacency, or when determining height advantage on a non-flying figure, The Raven may add 3 to the height of its base.

Stealth Flying
When counting spaces for the Raven's movement, ignore elevations. The Raven may fly over water without stopping, pass over figures without becoming engaged, and fly over obstacles such as ruins. When the Raven starts to fly, if it is engaged it will not take any leaving engagement attacks.

Figure: Omens Raven

Synergy: Haduc, Arkmer, Ulginesh, and Brandis (who needed a boost).

Jorn Ironfist. A wild and crazy Dwarf with a big big hammer. 100 pts.

Spoiler Alert!

Jorn Ironfist
General: Aquilla
Species: Dwarf
Unique Hero
Class: Fighter
Personality: Bold
Medium 4
Life: 4
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 2

Points: 100

Base: Single
Planet: Toril

Hammer Strike
When making a normal attack, if at least 1 skull was rolled, you may add 1 skull to whatever was rolled.

Overextended Fury
Once per round, after taking a turn with Jorn Ironfist, you may take an additional turn with him. During that turn, add 1 to his Move and Attack. After that turn, place one wound marker on this card.

Tough
When rolling defense dice against a normal attack, Jorn Ironfist always adds one automatic shield to whatever is rolled.

Figure: Dwarf Maulfighter

I wanted a sort of "Berserk Dwarf" for this guy. Hammer Strike is pretty potent. This version of Overextend Attack is not only stat-boosting, but the wound comes at the end of the extra turn, so he can kamikaze out.

The Mechanical Turk. Putting the "Steam" back in "Steampunk". 40 pts.

Spoiler Alert!

The Mechanical Turk
General: Aquilla
Species: Clank
Unique Hero
Class: Construct
Personality: Resolute
Medium 5
Life: 1
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 4
Defense: 6

Points: 40

Base: Single
Planet: Yarth

Building Up Steam
Begin the game with 1 Steam Marker on this card. At the end of each round, if there are fewer than 4 Steam Markers on this card, place a Steam Marker on this card. If there are no Steam Markers on this card, you may not take a turn with The Mechanical Turk.

Head of Steam
Once per round, you may remove 2 Steam Markers from this card and take an additional turn with The Mechanical Turk.

Steam-Powered Punch
Once per turn, after The Mechancial Turk makes a normal attack, you may remove 1 Steam Marker from this card and make an additional normal attack.

Figure: 1 - Robotman - 007

Wulfenbach Siege Engines. The cure for the common battlement. 50 points.

Spoiler Alert!

Wulfenbach Siege Engines
General: Einar
Species: Clank
Common Squad
Class: Construct
Personality: Precise
Large 6
Life: 1
Move: 4
Range: 7
Attack: 3
Defense: 3

Points: 50

Figures: 2
Base: Single
Planet: Yarth

Battlement Blast
Instead of attacking, a Wulfenbach Siege Engine may use Battlement Blast. Choose a battlement within 7 clear sight spaces and roll the 20-sided die. If you roll a 16 or higher, remove the battlement. If you roll a 20, you may also remove up to two battlements adjacent to the chosen battlement. All figures adjacent to a removed battlement receive one wound.

Siege Engine
When attacking a destructible object, a Wulfenbach Siege Engine adds 1 to its Attack, and ignores any special powers that give automatic shields to that destructible object.

Long-Range Artillery
When attacking a figure within 3 spaces, a Wulfenbach Siege Engine rolls 2 fewer attack dice.

Figure: Star Wars: LR-57 Combat Droid - 14

Vahan the Stalwart, Glyph grabber and defender. 60 pts.

Spoiler Alert!

Note -- I need to update the card with the new version of Defender's Determination.

Vahan the Stalwart
General: Einar
Species: Human
Unique Hero
Class: Vanguard
Personality: Determined
Medium 4
Life: 4
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 2
Defense: 4

Points: 60

Base: Single
Planet: Earth

Hold Position
If there are no Order Markers on this card, add 1 to Vahan's Defense.

Overextend Attack
After taking a turn with Vahan, you may place a wound marker on this card and take another turn with him. You may only use this power once during a round.

Defender's Determination
If Vahan receives enough wounds from a normal or special attack to be destroyed, he is not removed from the battlefield until the beginning of the next round, after rolling for initiative. Remove all Order Markers from this card.

Figure: D&D Mercenary Sergeant - 27

Vahan does one thing well -- go out, grab a glyph, and defend it to the last. The name means "Shield" in Armenian, apparently.

Ticalla Serpents. Snakes. Why does it always have to be snakes? Common Squad. 30 pts.

Spoiler Alert!

Ticalla Serpents
General: Ullar
Species: Snake
Common Squad
Class: Scout
Personality: Wild
Medium 4
Life: 1
Move: 6
Range: 1
Attack: 2
Defense: 2

Points: 30

Figures: 3
Base: Single
Planet: Valhalla

Slither
A Ticalla Serpent never stops when entering a water space.

Venom Strike 16
When a Ticalla Serpent rolls for a normal attack, if at least 1 skull is rolled, you may roll the 20-sided die. On a 16 or higher, add one skull to whatever is rolled. Venom Strike does not affect Soulborgs, Constructs, or destructible objects.

Horde Attack
You may attack with any 3 Ticalla Serpents you control, even Ticalla Serpents that did not move this turn.

Figure: Flame Snake, Displacer Serpent, Fiendish Snake

A cheap squad to work with Sahelia Kaa.

Taran Cynwyd. Aquilla Flagbearer. 110 pts.

Spoiler Alert!

Taran Cynwyd
General: Aquilla
Species: Human
Unique Hero
Class: Aquilifer
Personality: Inspiring
Medium 4
Life: 5
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 4

Points: 110

Base: Single
Planet: Earth

Flag of Courage
Begin the game with 12 Aquilla Valkyrie dice on this card. When a figure you control that follows Aquilla within 3 clear sight spaces of Taran Cynwyd rolls for defense, or for a normal attack on a figure that does not follow Aquilla, you may remove one die from this card and add it to that roll. An Aquilla symbol rolled counts as an additional shield or skull, respectively. At the end of each round, you may return up to 2 Aquilla Valkyrie dice to this card. Flag of Courage does not affect Taran Cynwyd.

Aquilla's Glory
Each time Taran Cynwyd attacks and destroys an opponent's figure that does not follow Aquilla, you may return 2 Aquilla Valkyrie dice to this card.

Fallen Flag
If Taran Cynwyd has been destroyed, place him on this card. While Taran Cynwyd is on this card, you must remove 2 Aquilla Valkyrie dice from it at the end of each round, and, when rolling for initiative, subtract 1 from your initiative roll, plus 1 for each Aquilla Valkyrie die remaining on this card.

Figure: D&D Standardbearer - 03

With apologies to SoA's Laertan Oresun. I started working on this before I saw his, and both before and after that my design was converging on his. I thought the Valkyrie die mechanic was something different for a flagbearer, a sort of resource-management aura. You can get aggressive with it, but at most you'll get 2 (or 4) back each turn, so it's limiting. Aquilla's Glory is there to give you incentive to put him up front and whacking at things, while Fallen Flag gives you the disincentive for doing the same.

I didn't want to make him a Champion, because of the Jandar KoW synergy, which didn't seem right for an Aquilla flagbearer. An Aquilifer was the Roman standard-bearer, and of course the Roman standard was an Aquila. Too perfect to pass up. "Taran" comes from the Lloyd Alexander "Book of Three" series, and old favorite, and "Cynwyd" is a Welsh place name that sounded good with it.

I saw the thematic critiques of Oresun when he was submitted to the SoV. While a knight-like figure would seem to belong to Jandar or Einar, it seems fitting to me that the "chaotic" Aquilla would reach across "party lines" for a figure to unite her disparate forces. Or at least, that's what I'm telling myself.

Some things I'm considering:

* Should Taran be able to use the Valkyrie dice himself? If so, I'd probably have to adjust either his stats or his points to compensate. Mechanically it would be better if he could, because taking a turn with him means not using the Valkyrie dice that turn. Thematically, it doesn't seem like he should be able to inspire himself.

Skeletal Archers. While we're waiting on the VC version... 30 points.

Spoiler Alert!

(Two-figure squad, uses the same figures as the upcoming VC version. I'm impatient.)

Skeletal Archers
Utgar
Undead
Common Squad
Archers
Mindless?

Life 1
Move 4
Range 6
Attack 2
Defense 1

30 points

Skeletal Archer Horde
After revealing an Order Marker on this card, you may move any 4 Skeletal Archers you control. You may attack with any 3 Skeletal Archers you control, even those who did not move this turn.

Skeletal Body
When defending against a normal attack from a non-adjacent figure that is not an Archmage or Wizard, a Skeletal Archer adds 1 shield to whatever is rolled.

Called Back From The Dead
When a Skeletal Archer receives any wounds from an attack, place it on this card. At the beginning of each round, before placing Order Markers, roll the 20-sided die. Add 1 for every Skeletal Archer on this card. If you roll a 16-19, you may choose 1 Archer from this card. If you roll a 20, you may choose up to 3 Archers from this card. Place all the chosen figures adjacent to one medium or large Unique Demon or Undead Hero you control, if possible.

[DanieLoche]

How are you going to do to fit all the text of the Raven on the army card ? ^^ 4 powers, and not the shortests, courage ! Otherwise, the card looks interesting, it brings a nice boost for Brandis and the powers are originals, I like the idea of Evasive flight.

[Ixe]

I'm falling behind on your figures, IshMEL. I totally missed when Kraal got put up there.

I like option 1 for the vipers. Option 2 is cool, but it's a little more complicated than it needs to be (roll all skulls and then roll the d20 is just one too many hoop to jump through). While it's weaker than Maul or Lethal Sting, it's more likely because of their base 2 attack (25% of the time) so I wouldn't push it.

Kraal
This thing looks like it has 4 feet and 2 legs. Pretty crazy miniature, but I like seeing non-humanoids worked in every now and again. Is it Large 5 because it would take a peanut base?

I otherwise like the different parts put together with this guy and he seems a nice option to bond with the spiders, but I wonder if you have a bit too much going on between the baby Shurrak powers and Predation. Tailsweep and Knockback are cool and thematic, and Predation is cool and thematic, but together they seem a tad conflicting. It is nice to have options sometimes, but it just strikes me that this creature would be more inclined to try to feed than swing its tail around. It you want to keep it as is, I'd consider dropping his normal attack to 3. Normally I like there to be a choice between the SA and normal attack, but in this case I think Predation makes up for that option. Still a cool build overall.

[Ixe]

The Raven
I must echo Daniel Loche over the concern that that powers may run a bit long for what you can expect to fit on a card.

Otherwise, this build doesn't do much, but what do you expect for 20 pts? Otherwise, Familiar Movement Bonding is thematic (though I see it as Animal Companion Bonding for the ranger) and allows you to get your 2 range bonus without even needing order markers on the raven. Stealth flying is fine with this small bird, but my real problem is with Evasive Flight. It strikes me as odd that it is a unique hero given the name, though that may be a good thing given the balance.

For one, this is a pretty complicated power. In addition to getting an automatic shield in melee (a significant bonus on 3 defense), you have the matter of height advantage against most opponents and can affect adjacency. So, against a grounded melee unit, you are looking at 4 defense with an auto shield. The fact that the raven can get into position with the use of order markers on it makes it a fairly effective single hero screen, so it is a good thing that it is unique instead of common. I believe that the most problematic issue, however, is the fact that it may add 3 to its base height against non-flying units. For one, against height 3 and smaller opponents, it can't actually take advantage of the height for attacks since it would otherwise not be considered engaged. More to the point, when do you choose whether or not to add 3 to the height. Is it at will? If I were fighting your Raven with some Fyorlag Spiders, you could claim that the raven is flying 3 in the air and my spiders can't attack it. If I go to move with them, however, could you just as easily claim that your bird is now on the ground and can dole out leaving engagement attacks if they move away? Could it attack the spiders, give them leaving engagement attacks if they move, and claim that it's base is 3 up if they go to attack it. This sort of problem can happen to almost any non-flying unit if the raven claims a suitable perch. Overall, I think it is just creating more problems than it is solving for this already dense card.

Overall, this is a thematic and interesting bird which has probably gone a little further than necessary in the name of theme. If you dropped Evasive Flight entirely, I think you are looking at a much more reasonable 20 pt filler for your rangers and wizards.

For Through the Eyes of the Raven, I would say "with a normal attack" instead of "for a normal attack."

[Ixe]

Jorn Ironfist

I think I can guess the miniature you are suggesting for Jorn Ironfist, but it looks like you have also walked into the coolstuff image trap. You got squirreled. I made this mistake myself not too long ago, but it looks like you'll have to like a picture from a different sight.

Otherwise, I really like this guy. He certainly seems to play bold and relies hard on Tough between his 4 life and 2 defense. His attack of 3, while seeming small, has a nice lesser version of Deadly Strike with your Hammer Strike Ability.

The real flash is tied into the nice Overextend Variant, Overextended Fury. I appreciate that he takes the wound at the end of the turn so he can use it to go out with a bang.

He seems very cool and like he should be some fun. I suspect that he may be costed a tad high at his current stats, but it's possible I'm underestimating the sum of his abilities. He'll crumple quickly to special attacks (maybe could stand a bit more life), but is otherwise a fun addition to the dwarf family.

[Ixe]

The Mechanical Turk

I must say that Clank is a strange species and the name is even stranger. His stats are otherwise identical to the Hoplitron save his size, making him on average slightly less survivable than that common hero.

As such, it strikes me as a little odd that most of his powers are concerned with him being alive for multiple rounds. Still, I suppose his role is to sit back as filler hero and not join the battle to the end. When he does, he has the option for a nice double attack and overextend before he needs to build up steam again. Not being able to take turns when that resource is spent is a significant downside, but one that you should be able to play around if you're clever about it.

I think I overall like him, but it seems that he needs a few wording changes on some of his powers:

Head of Steam
After taking a turn with the Mechanical Turk, you may remove 2 Steam Markers from this Army Card and take another turn with him (it?). You may only use this power once during a round round.


Steam-Powered Punch
When The Mechanical Turk attacks, you may remove 1 Steam Marker from this Army Card and attack one additional time. You may only use this power once during a turn.

[IshMEL]

Thanks guys for taking a look -- like I said, these are WIPs, but it's always good to get your notes.

Kraal: Yeah, it's a crazy miniature. Actually there's SoV-level availability on him, which is hard to find. I'm going to change the name to "Kraal Predator." Also, you're right, there's not a meaningful choice if Predator is 1 more than the SA. So if I drop it to 3, he'll have the choice of a normal attack (with the hope of nom nom nom nom) or a multi-attack.

The Raven: As you both noted, this is pushing it both word-wise and power-wise. I think I'll knock the second part of Evasive Flight off, which will help with both.

Jorn: I fixed the image... oops! Glad you like Overextended Fury, it's my favorite power tweak of the week.

The Mechanical Turk: This is from my "Steampunk" series inspired by the Girl Genius webcomic. "Clanks" are their generic term for robot/constructs. The Mechanical Turk was an historic chess-playing automaton. My other possible name is "Professor Babbage." I'll use those wording changes, thanks. I wanted to play with time, something like Growing Heat but round-based instead of turn-based. I'm not sure how he'll play, but I hope the high defense will give him a chance to build up steam. We'll see (if I ever get him to the table).

Thanks again!

[Maklar the Silver Prince]

I really like Taran Cynwyd. He's really got the look of an Aquilla Flagbearer. However, I'm not entirely sure about him thematically, as he doesn't seem to have the feel of a figure that boosts an Aquilla exclusive stat or ability (though the some of the official flagbearers seem this way as well). An aquilifer also seems a bit strange for Aquilla, even with the coincidental names. Is he supposed to be Roman of origin?

He may also be a bit undercosted, as flag of courage is a great passive cheerleader ability. It seems like it could use some sort of requirement, like an order marker or wound on Taran. I really like the resource management idea. Very creative!

Finally: What are these Aquilla dice like? Are they black with a yellow Aquilla symbol, or the other way around? (That was actually my main question about this guy )

[IshMEL]

Thanks Maklar! You've given me some ideas.

So there are two problems with Taran: he's not thematically tied to Aquilla, and there are no Aquilla Valkyrie dice. What about:

Alliance of The Sun
Begin the game with 12 white combat dice on this card. If no friendly Army Card follows Utgar, Vydar, or Valkrill, when a figure you control within 3 clear sight spaces of Taran Cynwyd rolls for defense or for a normal attack, you may remove a die from this card and add it to that roll. At the end of each round, if there is at least one Order Marker on this card, add two dice to this card. Taran Cynwyd is not affected by Alliance of the Sun.

So he's not the "Aquilla Flagbearer," he's the Alliance Flagbearer. It's both more powerful (many more units) and less (regular dice).

I could make him Jandar, even, to fit better with Knights. I'm guessing his cost will go up to 130 maybe.

[Lyrgard]

I really like the twist on overextends attack for Jorn, too. Like with Eltahale, I like to be able to go out with a bang !!

Taran's power seems pretty powerfull ! It is an aura quite similar to that of Raelin v2 AND Taaelord combined. Sure the supply of dice somewhat balances that, but a squad of omnicron sniper on height with Taran would be a nightmare, and being able to using it full extends for a round and a half may be enough to change the tide of the battle. I like the idea, but it is hard to price units with aura like that.

I don't know about the others, but Jorn and Taran miniatures are a little on the small side of the scall for heroscape. In fact, I have the Taran's mini (used it before I managed to get sir Gilbert), and was thinking making it a female knight, something like a Jeanne of Arc of sort, because of the size.

[IshMEL]

Originally Posted by Lyrgard

I really like the twist on overextends attack for Jorn, too. Like with Eltahale, I like to be able to go out with a bang !!

Taran's power seems pretty powerfull ! It is an aura quite similar to that of Raelin v2 AND Taaelord combined. Sure the supply of dice somewhat balances that, but a squad of omnicron sniper on height with Taran would be a nightmare, and being able to using it full extends for a round and a half may be enough to change the tide of the battle. I like the idea, but it is hard to price units with aura like that.

I don't know about the others, but Jorn and Taran miniatures are a little on the small side of the scall for heroscape. In fact, I have the Taran's mini (used it before I managed to get sir Gilbert), and was thinking making it a female knight, something like a Jeanne of Arc of sort, because of the size.

Well, Jorn is a Dwarf...

Here is version 3 of Taran:


Jeanne du Soliel
Jandar
Human
Herald
Inspiring

Alliance of The Sun
Begin the game with 12 white combat dice on this card. Once per turn, when a figure you control within 3 clear sight spaces of Jeanne du Soleil rolls for defense or for a normal attack, you may remove a die from this card and add it to your roll. Jeanne du Soliel is not affected by Alliance of the Sun. You may not use Alliance of the Sun if any friendly figures follow Utgar, Vydar, or Valkrill.

Glory of the Alliance
If Jeanne du Soliel destroys a figure that follows Utgar, Vydar, or Valkrill with a normal attack or leaving engagement attack, add 3 white combat dice to this card.

Fallen Flag
If Jeanne du Soleil is destroyed, place her on this card. While she is on this card, subtract 1 from your initiative roll, plus 1 for each die on this card. You may not remove dice from this card while Jeanne du Soleil is on this card.

"Alliance" is now once-per-round, and doesn't include an automated dice refill. The "Glory" bonus is now 3 dice, since it's the only way to regenerate the flag, and includes LEAs for good measure. "Fallen Flag" is simplified, without the "recovery" clause.

Again, thanks all for the public workshop!