The Holocron of Han Solo (Hoth)

[Yodaking]

Originally Posted by Koolster25

Is this ready for playtesting? If so, sign me up!

He's now available for public testing!

[Yodaking]

Originally Posted by Schulzy

to test.

He's now available for public play testing if you are interested.

[Koolster25]

Sign me up!

[TREX]

Sign me up for this as well. I know I'm signed up for two play tests already, but until the ewoks are tweaked in the inner sanctum and are ready for me to play, I needs me some play testing loving.

[Tai-Pan]

I'm workingon playtests right now and already have an idea to discuss (I'll post the playtests here later).

I suggest making Rescue Mission only work on engaged figures, possibly with the further stipulation that they have to end the move unengaged. Right now, Han makes the thematical impression that he's more of a warhorse. If we wanted that, he could just have plain old carry.

[TREX]

@Tai-Pan , I plan on running a couple tests with him tonight on Hoth Generator Ruins. I may hold off to see what you got in the works.

[Tai-Pan]

My Playtest Form

Spoiler Alert!

NAME OF THE TEST UNIT Tauntaun Han
ARMY CARD TEXT
Paste the text for the version of the card used in the test.

Han Solo (on Tauntaun)
Rebel Alliance

Human
Unique Hero
Scout
Bold
LARGE

Life 5
Move 7
Range 5
Attack 3
Defense 4
Points 110

RESCUE MISSION
After moving Han Solo, you may choose a friendly small or medium figure that he moved though or that was adjacent to him at any point before or during his movement. Place the chosen figure on any empty space adjacent to Han Solo. Figures moved with Rescue Mission never take leaving engagement attacks.

AGGRESSIVE SCOUTING
If Han Solo attacks a figure that was not within 5 clear sight spaces before moving, he may attack one additional time. Han may not use Aggressive Scouting and Rescue Mission on the same turn.

SNOW AND ICE ENHANCED MOVEMENT
Slippery Ice and Heavy Snow only count as 1 space when moving.
THEME TEST
Check to see if there are any powers or stats on the test unit card that do not accurately reflect the theme or likeness of what the character would and could do. Also consider destructible objects, and whether or not this characters powers should affect them.
Loved it. Snow and ice movement is a must. Aggressive scouting also seemed fitting. Rescue mission was the money-maker for this guy.
Thematically, it didn’t quite work out, in my opinion. Tauntaun Han did less rescuing than he did setting up attacks (which he did really, really well!). It would be better if the Rescue were somehow more of a Rescue rather than moving really any unit to any place.


MIRROR TEST
Check to see if the unit were played against itself, if there would be any loops that would upset the balance of the Game.
Okay

BONDING TEST
Compare the unit card with all possible currently existing Bonding abilities to make sure there are no continual Bonding possibilities that do not stop appropriately or do not stop at all. This is to prevent loops in Bonding.
Okay

SYNERGIES TEST
Compare the unit card with all possible currently existing synergies to make sure there are no factors that could break the game by making any unit too powerful or too weak.
Tauntaun Han activates quite a bit of synergy, especially movement synergy, and that can be very powerful. With one OM, it’s possible to move Tauntaun Han, Chewbacca, Yoda and any Small or Medium Hero. That’s powerful, but it was also a cool feeling to have a whole pod of figures moving across the map. In a literal sort of sense, it was absolutely hilarious to envision Yoda hanging onto the back of the Tauntauns head, Han and 2-1B or a Rebel Gunner sharing the Tauntaun and Chewbacca running alongside.
As far as being too powerful, I think it’s okay. In most cases, taking Chewie along will cause him to go slower and he sacrifices his high move (boosted move, even, if he starts with Chewie). Yoda’s ability applies to any figure, so it should be somewhat separate in the considerations.
Another synergy point is that of scouts. With Chewie at his side and Mittens around, Han shoots out of the gate with 10 move. Impressive, but I feel it’s still okay seeing as he either chooses to carry Chewie, rather than carrying another character or using Aggressive Scouting, or it’s a pretty limited occurance.

POWER CHECK
Consider the test unit and all existing units and all glyphs to compare to and check for any powers that could be over amplified and break the game. Each power must define when it takes place, Who or What it affects, and What are the stipulations on the power if there are any.
Okay

FUN TEST
Consider whether or not the design was fun to play.
Tauntaun Han was a lot of fun.

FUN COMPETITIVE TEST
Consider whether or not the design was fun to play against.
I found it to be a lot of fun to actually be running towards a unit to prevent getting hit hard as opposed to running away from it. Thumbs up!

DRAFTING TEST
Consider whether or not this design is worth drafting.
If you have heroes that need help getting somewhere or getting setup, he is very much worth the points.



USAGE TEST
Consider whether or not all of the powers on this card were used or at least usable.
The one is map-dependant, but the other two are very nice and both have a time and place.

STRATEGY TEST
Consider whether or not the design offers any real strategy or interesting tactics to the overall game.
YES! Between the extreme logistical advantage he offers, the fact that he wants to hit targets far away, the fact that the enemy can protect itself by moving closer to Han, this was a very interesting game as far as tactics go.


OVERALL SUMMARY
Describe your overall impressions of the design and how it plays.
Tauntaun Han is a good design. I would tweak him a little in order to make Rescue Mission more Rescue and less Warhorse.
Recommendation:
RESCUE MISSION
After moving Han Solo, you may choose a friendly small or medium figure that he moved though or that was adjacent to him at any point before or during his movement. Place the chosen figure on any empty space adjacent to Han Solo and not adjacent to any enemy figures. Figures moved with Rescue Mission never take leaving engagement attacks.

I originally considered choosing only engaged figures, but it SW-Scape with all the blasters, a figure can truly be in danger and not be engaged. It’s hard to argue that picking someone up and parking him next to an enemy is a rescue mission, but I found that to be very tempting to do with Han as he is.

____________________________________


Army Test 1: Does it pass?
Create a competitive army with the design and play it against another competitive army of the same or similar point cost.

Map: Canyon with a frozen river (normal ice) down the middle. On each side is a sandy way towards the enemy SZ and a narrow access to height along the way. Once on the high path, figures are safe from melee attack from below until they get to the other side, where another access is accessible by going through the water.
Units:
Army 1: Tauntaun Han, Chewie, Rebel Heavy Gunner, 3x Snow Rebels = 505
Army 2: 3x Snowtroopers, Veers, Imperial Officer, E-Web, 3PO = 505
Results: Chewie 3/6, Rebel Blaster Cannon 2/3, Snow Rebels 6/9

Opening Moves
Imperial Officer moves to a position where he will be able to support the rest of the battle, Snowtroopers move up. On the other side, a squad of Snow Rebels progress towards a controlling position. With OM3 the Imperials move their E-Web up and open fire on the Rebels, but only killing one and exploding, wounding the Imperial Officer. Han packs the Rebel Heavy Gunner on his Tauntaun and makes for high ground, Chewbacca running alongside.

Despite having C3PO, the Imperials lose initiative and Rebel Troops move up, but fail to wound or kill anything. General Veers moves up and calls in an ATAT-Strike on the Tauntaun, landing a wound. His Ground Support then killed of a Rebel. Han responded by progressing to higher ground with the Gunner and Chewie in tow. Imperial Snowtroopers moved up and fired at the Gun Emplacement, failing to hit their mark. The Gunner returned fire, killing only a single Snowtrooper. Snowtroopers fire futilely at the Hero Pod.

Veers called in another Strike on Han, but it missed completely. His Snowtrooper Escort did manage to put a wound on the enemy Gunner though. The Gunner returned fire, killing the Snowtrooper on height. Veers calls in another Strike, missing again. Han rides over the ridge and discovers the Imperial Officer and blasts him, whiffing once, but landing a wound with the second attack. Two Snowtroopers run out of the SZ and fire at Han, who avoids a hit. Another Snowtrooper surprises a hiding Rebel, but despite height fails to kill him. The Rebel Gunner mows down two Stormtroopers.

The Imperial Officer called for Reinforcements before the Rebels had a chance to attack. Chewbacca fired at Veers, landing only a single wound. Veers fired at Han, giving him a second wound and moved two Snowtroopers up. Han charged at Veers and moved to the lowest point on the map in order to place Chewie adjacent to him. Han put a second wound on him. Veers then put another Wound on Han and his two escorts managed another wound.

Rebels win initiative and Chewie attacks Veers, hoping to save his friend, but moving away from him just in case. He only lands a single wound and Veers is still around to call in a strike on his position, killing the Tauntaun. Then he dies as the hands of the raging Wookiee. OM2 was on Veers, so the Rebels open up with the Cannon, killing only a single Snowtrooper. The Snowtroopers move up, one onto height over the Gunner, one out of range of the Gunner near the other side of the map and another from the SZ. They manage only to kill a single Rebel Trooper.

The Imperial Officer bolts for cover, which pays off because Chewbacca can’t move and shoots, so Chewie takes out a Snowtrooper who is threatening the Rebel Cannon. Snowtroopers move up and fire at Chewie, landing three wounds against two whiffs. Tragically, the Rebel Gunner takes out the only Trooper he sees with the first shot, wasting the next three. Stormtroopers move into position and fire uselessly at Chewie. Rebel Troops move up and pick off a Snowtrooper.

In the following rounds the Officer managed to call one last squad before Chewie ripped him asunder. The Rebel Blaster Cannon mowed down all Snowtroopers outside the SZ in one turn and all the Snowtroopers were caught in engagement with Chewbacca in the SZ and failed to take him down. All the while, 3PO was panicking in the background, causing the Imperials to lose every initiative roll.

Han was vital to getting the Blaster Cannon into position and the Hero Pod with Chewie, the Cannon and Han was quite strong. It was interesting having Veers as a good counterdraft for Tauntaun Han and it worked out fairly well. Aggressive scouting only happened once.


Army Test 2: Does it pass?
Create a competitive army with the design and play it against another competitive army of the same or similar point cost. Only HoSS designs that have passed playtesting and finalization can be used in this test.

Map: Canyon with a river down the middle. On each side is a sandy way towards the enemy SZ and a narrow access to height along the way. Once on the high path, figures are safe from melee attack from below until they get to the other side, where another access is accessible by going through the water. All hexes count as heavy snow and slippery ice.
Units:
Army 1: General Veers, 2 AT-ST = 500
Army 2: Tauntaun Han, Chewbacca, Padawan Luke, Yoda, 2-1B = 490 (no idea why 3PO wasn’t here)
Results: Chewbacca 1/6, Luke 4/4

Spoiler Alert!
With the first three markers, the Empire moves the Walkers out and gets in one volley against Yoda for one wound. Luke moves out towards the middle and Tauntaun Han carries 2-1B, Yoda hangs on and Chewie moves behind him for the first move, for the second Han charges toward a Walker carrying Chewie and shoots uselessly at the Walker.
Chewie tears into the Walker for another three wounds, ignoring its armor with his special attack. The Walker moves away and engages Han, but shoots at the healing droid for only a single wound. Han disengages and takes a hit, and moves to height above another Walker and aggressively scouts it for a wound. Chewie moves to his side. The Walker he disengaged with moves back into engagement with the both of them and fires at Yoda, who avoids all damage. Han disengages for another hit and runs back towards Luke, firing behind him, landing a wound on a Walker (4 of 6). A walker rushes to engage him and fires at Chewbacca, landing two wounds.
Chewie destroys the Walker he’s engaged with with his SA. The other Walker fires at him, he fires back, the Walker fires back. Chewbacca took 3 wounds in the action and the Walker 3 wounds. Yoda pulled the Walker to himself and whacked it for a wound. The Walker disengaged, moved to height out of Chewie’s range and destroyed 2-1B.
The Walker fires from height at Yoda, taking him up to three wounds. Yoda pulls the Walker down from the overhang and whiffs his attack. The Walker flees again out of range of Chewbacca and kills Yoda. Luke force leaps to the Walker and slashes it to destruction. General Veers runs to directly beneath Chewbacca and within 5 spaces of Han and calls in an AT-AT strike against Tauntaun Han, but misses. Luke drudges his way through the snow.
Veers calls in another strike, this time putting another wound on Tauntaun Han. Han runs to Luke, grabs him and rushes towards Veers, engaging him and landing three wounds on him. Veers, feeling the pressure, decides to take matters into his own hands and points his blaster at Tauntaun Han, firing three skulls and Han whiffs, falling dead on the ice. Luke strikes Veers down for the win.

I thought about my suggestion a little more, and a figure can be in grave danger, even if it's not engaged. I would limit rescue mission in only allowing the figures to be placed not adjacent to enemy figures. I used Tauntaun Han as a Warhorse to transport slower hard hitters to their enemies - not really the kind of Rescue Mission I envisioned.

[TREX]

Cool, nice play test @Tai-Pan . So the only changes you would like to see are, The figure that is tagging along with solo not to be placed adjacent to an enemy, correct?

[Yodaking]

I see Bossk & Boba Fett won the first game but I don't see them in either army.

[Tai-Pan]

Originally Posted by Yodaking

I see Bossk & Boba Fett won the first game but I don't see them in either army.

Fixed it, sorry.

Originally Posted by TREX

Cool, nice play test @Tai-Pan . So the only changes you would like to see are, The figure that is tagging along with solo not to be placed adjacent to an enemy, correct?

Right. Mechanically and gameplay-wise, that was a great ability. I used it to throw Chewbacca and Luke into engagement at different times. But thematically, if it's a rescue mission, I shouldn't be able to "rescue" someone who is unengaged and drop them off at the foot of an Imperial Chicken Walker - he probably wouldn't feel too rescued.

The ability retains offensive capability, seeing as most figures in SW are ranged, so setting them up unengaged can be just as effective, but then it's more about putting figures in good spots where they are safer, rather than rushing figures into engagement.

[Yodaking]

I'm on board with your proposed change, and would even consider the more robust change you suggested too. He is adept at moving people up into position, which really isn't a rescue and is not the normal function of a scout. If we were to limit it further by requiring the passenger to be engaged prior to pick up, you would not be able to carry allies out of the start zone. Carrying a support figure like Raelin around is something that might get to be too good as more and more units get released. I also see the Hoth Han team won both battles with quite a few points worth of figures. If we don't scale him back then his points may need to go up.

[Sheep]

Instead of the Rescued figure having to be engaged, I would make the Rescued figure have to be within X clear sight spaces of an opponent's figure.

RESCUE MISSION
After moving Han Solo, you may choose a friendly small or medium figure that is within X clear sight spaces of an opponent's figure [with a range of X or more] that Han Solo moved though or that was adjacent to him at any point before or during his movement. Place the chosen figure on any empty space adjacent to Han Solo. Figures moved with Rescue Mission never take leaving engagement attacks.

The [] part isn't absolutely necessary, but I suppose you could add it in.