Soldiers of Valhalla - nominations and discussion

[Arch-vile]

I'd like to nominate my own custom, Polyphemus. The miniature used is the Cyclops Hewer from D&D Demonweb, which was repainted for the official heroscape figure Torin. Unfortunately, there are only 25 on abprices and 10 on ebay. Fortunately, the only difference is skin color, which would be an easy enough repaint (like Tyrian). The heroscape pack that Torin is in is one of the most available, and Auggies alone has 44 of Torin for under $2.00. I originally made a card for Polyphemus with the heroscape colors, it is here as an alternate card.

The name is from Greek Mythology. Polyphemus was the cyclopes that kidnapped Odysseus as he and his men sailed home from the Trojan War. Polyphemus ate several of Odysseus' soldiers and laughed while doing so. Odysseus outsmarted Polyphemus and blinded him, enabling Odysseus to escape.

The obvious name comparison is Sudema, an anigram of Medusa. However, actual historical/mythological names have been used before. Nidhog (C3V) is a Norse Myth dragon-like creature, and Jotun is the Norse name for a giant. Spartacus is the only historical figure that actually existed in real life. I would not be opposed to changing Polyphemus' name, but I would prefer to keep it as is.

Next, the stats and powers. Polyphemus starts off terrifyingly strong. 6/6 stats are brutal against anything. Once he gets wounded though, he falls quickly. Blinded reduces his defense for each wound, making him strong against squads at first, but once a high-attack hero slaps a few wounds on him, Polyphemus dies quickly to ranged squads. However, Polyphemus can kill a figure to heal a wound and raise his defense by 1! This back-and-forth gameplay is fun. His third power is a negative one, giving all figures Counter Strike against him. This doesn't come in to play much with an attack of 6, but an unlucky attack roll can spell doom for Polyphemus. That keeps his cost down and works well with Tasty Snacks.

I think he is well balanced, but a little overpriced. He is only a melee figure with one attack and no bonding or synergies, so he won't do great against range (what single attack melee hero does?). Against melee though, Polyphemus is a huge threat that is a cheaper option that Sgt. Drake 2 to get a 6 attack hero that has pretty good survivability. Thanks for looking at him!

[Killometer]

Jarek Guy by fishguy1 has received 4 NO votes to review (Killometer, qt.bangerang, Scytale, ZBeeblebrox) and is removed from the process.

Horned Skull Champion by qt.bangerang has received 5 YES votes to review (1Mmirg, Killometer, Scytale, Super Bogue, ZBeeblebrox) and moves on in the process.

Clyemne by DeathDoom has received 2 NO votes to induct (qt.bangerang, Scytale) and is removed from the process.

Vargach by Kaemon Awa 123 has received 2 NO votes to induct (qt.bangerang, Scytale) and is removed from the process.

[William099]

What would your guy's opinion of a repainted Mimring figure as an SOV nomination be as far as availability is concerned? I would describe the paint job as moderate difficulty.. I'll have a pic up later.

[ZBeeblebrox]

Originally Posted by William099

What would your guy's opinion of a repainted Mimring figure as an SOV nomination be as far as availability is concerned? I would describe the paint job as moderate difficulty.. I'll have a pic up later.

I have no problem with that, since a lot of people probably have an extra Mimring lying around...but I cannot speak for the rest of the judges.


Also I do not see a problem with using the D&D Hewer, even though its was used by Torin...just like Rorshack it can be considered a re-paint.

Also I think the design is very interesting, like a reverse Krug...so I'll vote YES to review Polyphemus

[Super Bogue]

I would have rather see one of the other Cyclops figures used for Polyphemus, but this one probably has the best availability. He looks like he might be over priced, but that's why we test. I vote for review.

[Dad_Scaper]

Interesting, the first unit (I think) with *two* powers he'd rather do without.

Originally Posted by Super Bogue

He looks like he might be over priced, but that's why we test.

I'll take Eltahale at ten points less, thank you very much.

(And yes, Eltahale is the answer to most questions, as those who have been reading my posts for a long time already know.)

[Scytale]

I do like how Polyphemus is built around the Greek legend. The powers are very fitting for that. But I just can't get past repainting a unique hero into another unique hero. Repaints are a part of classic 'Scape, but the original designers did a nice job of making the repaints stand out from the originals (in part due to repainting commons into uniques). Having both Torin and Polyphemus in Fanscape would not sit right with me, especially since they are such radically different designs. Clones with no relation.

I vote to review Polyphemus

[qt.bangerang]

I am not against repaints...as they are apart of classic scape I just feel that they also need to be more distinguishable then simply a lighter/darker skin tone.

With that being said I like the idea of Polyphemus and building a custom around/specific to a legend. I don't like the mini choice for reasons I stated above. I also don't know how I feel about having 2 negative powers...this does help bring his points down, but would it make him just a dust collector.

In his current form I vote NO to review Polyphemus.

[TheExplodingCheez]

here's my submission, Gargoyles of Mitonsoul! Please give feedback! And if this ever got anywhere, it would need some edits to the picture by someone a little better at photoshop than me :P

(click for full size)


feedback? You don't think they're too overpowered, do you?

[Arch-vile]

Thanks for looking over him, and for the advice. I'll be on the lookout for any new cyclops minis, and continue testing him.

[Scytale]

As has been stated elsewhere, this is not a thread for soliciting feedback on customs (though it sometimes acts that way). Given the changes to the card occurring due to feedback in another thread, I vote to review the Gargoyles of Mitonsoul at this time.

[qt.bangerang]

I vote NO to review the Gargoyles of Mitonsoul base on the card and the figure choice.