NO POSTING - Heroscape 2.0 News from Designers and Staff

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I thought this from DS on the concept art process was an interesting read

Originally Posted by Dad_Scaper

Oh, definitely not. Here's the process: We talk through the look we envision for one faction or another with Craig. He workshops it with us, individually at this point, to make it better. Then we get to work on our designs.

Some time later, maybe a few weeks or a couple of months, he produces a "board" - I forget the name - which has some doodles on it that express the vibe that we're going for. I suppose that, at that point, we could object, but these boards are always so cool that that doesn't happen.

Then we work on our designs. When the designs are basically in their final form, Craig works with the sketch artist or artists to produce these sketches and the minis. I'm not sure what the order of operations is on that side of things.

Sometimes we then tweak the design to match some feature of what the artist has created, which is of course not a problem. Working with existing sculpts is something that we have been doing, in the C3V, for 12 years.

I have already said elsewhere that it has been an extraordinary thing, to see the ideas from my brain go down onto paper, and then from paper to a sketch, and then from a sketch to a mini. It's really been wonderful.

edit: Thank you for your interest. One point of clarification. We've already put down some design ideas when the boards ("mood boards"?) are created. We're working on designs throughout. So the boards are created with that in mind. Also, the sketches are based on our designs. Sometimes with some variation or other, but normally they are prepared exactly for what we've created with the designs we put on paper.

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Today's doggos.

Originally Posted by Encarmine

DESIGNER'S NOTES - DAY 016 - "YOU’RE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE MATTER-ALTERING, TELEPORTING, RAVENOUS, LIGHTNING FAST, INTERGALACTIC SPACE PUPPY THAT YOU BRING WITH YOU INTO BATTLE" One essential key to the Dryan Lifeborne Order’s tactical prowess, is the Magi’s usage of Etheric Familiars to augment their already mystical powers. Each Dryan Magi carefully selects their animal companions based upon the parameters of the coming battle. Some Etheric Familiars can make it almost impossible to utilize range attacks against the Dryan from afar, some can move effortlessly through impeding opponents, quickly flanking their enemies, and others still can project auras of immense magical protection to guard nearby allies from falling to the most grievous mortal blows.

Image name: IWantOneForMyBirthday.

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Originally Posted by Encarmine

You mean out of the new ones?


You haven’t seen them yet.


I mean really, did you think we were stopping at three? Buahahaha

Originally Posted by Encarmine

Currently.

Another faction (or several) forthcoming; another week of reveals (or several) forthcoming.

Originally Posted by Encarmine

You can look at this two ways, both positive: 1. Chris is insane posting something everyday how many figures are there in this set, the longer this goes on the bigger the set will be? 2. Chris is insane posting something everyday how many figures are there in this set, he can’t possibly keep this up forever, which means some bigger announcement needs to happen? Either way you win. So enjoy the journey.

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Wet.

Originally Posted by Encarmine

DESIGNER'S NOTES - DAY 017 - "THE SEA DOES NOT LIKE TO BE RESTRAINED" The oceans and rivers of Valhalla were as deadly as any battlefield, and that was before the Dryan Lifeborne Order arrived on the planet. With Dryan Magi as diverse as the various lifeforms of their home planet of Arboreas, it is small wonder that one such as the Master of Tides would arrive to unleash the cataclysmic destruction of Valhalla’s oceans upon her enemies. Capable of drawing upon the elemental powers of water from rivers deep beneath the earth, the Master of Tides magic is capable of forming localized tsunamis and violent waterspouts to wreak havoc. The Master of Tides can become near impossible to harm when using local water sources to mask her form from would-be attackers, making her all the more frustrating to opposing commanders.

Originally Posted by Dad_Scaper

Today's reveal.

What we're looking at here is a second wizard. The Dryan wizards all have some sphere of influence: beasts, water, etc.

Image name: Because_Jcustar07_Asked_Nicely.

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Originally Posted by Encarmine

DESIGNER'S NOTES - DAY 018 - “The old unit was destroyed that day protecting her, but found the greater purpose it so desperately wanted. When the new unit came online, the smallest metal scrap of what remained of the old, all that could be found in the still smoking crater, was forged into its new construction. To honor its sacrifice, and his love for her.” (Happy Friday! See Everyone On Monday.)

The name of the image is "legends never die"

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Today's Designer's Notes

Originally Posted by Encarmine

DESIGNER'S NOTES - DAY 021- "THE CLOCKWORK COMBINE" FACTION LORE - Once a peace loving and pacifist society of farmers and artists from the planet Noxdorma, the various creatures of the Clockwork Combine have been forced to learn to make war on a previously unimaginable scale or face their complete extinction at the hands of their enemies. In their desperation, and with an utter determination to survive, the Combine’s artificers, engineers, and scientists developed amazing new technologies and fantastic flying machines of wonder to create havoc on the battlefields of their home planet and allow them the tactical flexibility to move their best troops to exactly the right place, at the right moment. With the help of their advanced technology and limitless ingenuity, the Combine is now capable of lightning quick troop redeployment, aggressive aerial insertions and even equipment repairs in the very heat of battle.

The filename is "you asked for it"

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The daily update is still on its way, but for now:

Originally Posted by Encarmine

The Clockwise Combine are a separate species.

the Eisenek are the humanoids in ICC.

Most of the species you have seen in the concept art is known as the VORID.

Additionally, something vague but promising:

Originally Posted by Encarmine

I promise the entire team has been "all hands" on Heroscape for the past 48 hours to take things to the next phase, so while we seem quiet, it's because people are jogging down hallways this week in the office.

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Originally Posted by Encarmine

DESIGNER'S NOTES - DAY 022- "DON’T LET THE FEAR OF FALLING KEEP YOU FROM FLYING." Air Captain Zed Nesbitt is a living legend among the Vorid people, not simply for his keen eyes and skills as a talented sharpshooter, but for his almost uncanny ability to survive his signature “strategically inspired rapid descents to the surface” flying maneuvers in his custom engineered war dirigible. Quick to capitalize on Zed Nesbitt’s utter fearlessness in combat, and amazing knack for being at just the right place, at just the right moment, many Clockwork Combine jump infantry are quick to volunteer to hitch a ride with the Air Captain, engaging where the carnage is heaviest. Bringing fangs, claws, and death from above.

File name and explanation for the lateness are both: Ugh_Real_Life_Getting_In_The_Way




On the subject of tentative and finalized names:

Originally Posted by Encarmine

Actually, that is final.

Originally Posted by Encarmine

Um. I'd have to go back in look. We've been using alot of placeholders... but his name puts a smile on my face every time I read it.

Originally Posted by Encarmine

Its name is HELLFORGE MANDUKOR

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On the spatial relationship between the planets:

Originally Posted by Encarmine

So why couldn't you travel conventionally between planets?

They are still planets in the galaxy regardless of the Valkyrie's ability to astral project across the galaxy.

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Today's designer's notes!

Originally Posted by Encarmine

DESIGNER'S NOTES - DAY 023- "WHO EVER HEARD OF THE SCREAMING BEAVERS?" The Vorid Glider Strikers are the Clockwork Combine’s elite light infantry air assault division. Capable of rapid deployment and insertions behind enemy lines, the unit is comprised of all volunteers, who have the fortitude, resolution and training to meet the harsh requirements needed to “wear the sky sails”. Generally considered glory seekers by other Clockwork units, the Vorid Glider Strikers are nonetheless respected by fellow soldiers for their tenacity and feared by enemies for their effectiveness.

The name of the file is Death_from_above

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Originally Posted by Encarmine

Vorid is ONE of the species of the Combine
Generally the small furry mammals

Originally Posted by Encarmine

roughly human in scale. maybe slightly shorter. Like a chipmunk is 4ft tall.

And one more I missed yesterday, about Zed Nesbitt specifically:

Originally Posted by Encarmine

He's pretty amazing

Let's just say the Dragon at GenCon wasn't the only miniature of that grandeur

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Originally Posted by Encarmine

Common unit types are still part of Heroscape.

Dad_Scaper had cited the NDA seven minutes earlier in response to the same question.
Encarmine subsequently avoided my question about Uncommons.