Welcome to AotV and FAQ! (Read this first!)

[Captain Stupendous]

WHAT IS ARENA OF THE VALKYRIE?

Arena of the Valkyrie is a community driven effort to create a new Master Set that is compatible with both Classic Heroscape and VC (C3V and SoV) customs.


We will be using figures and materials from all three Arena of the Planeswalkers sets (Arena of the Planswalkers, Battle for Zendikar, and Shadows over Innistrad). Not all the figures will be used at first, but the figures we’ve accepted for use in project will number 24 units, both heroes and squads.


The Master Set will eventually feature maps, scenarios, and other features you’d expect from a master set. A rule book PDF will be released alongside all unit cards.


MISSION STATEMENT AND GOALS


1. To be compatible with Classic/Official Heroscape, and completely VC-compliant: that is, designing with C3V and SoV figures in mind, and focusing on the AOTP figures that would be acceptable to SoV (figures that are pre-painted or usable without paint).


2. To provide an affordable and user-friendly entry point to both new and returning players, that captures the feel of a true Master Set.


3. To create balanced units that are relatively simple, easy to understand, and feel at home in a self-contained set together. Units will come from a wide range of themes, and capture the diversity of theme Heroscape is beloved for.


HOW CAN I HELP?

1. VOTE! Keep an eye on threads that have public votes, and participate. Soon, we'll have a new "Pod" open (a series of units to be designed) and we'll need help deciding which units go into what pod. Additionally, soon we'll have a poll up for the public to decide on Project Leads - heroscapers that will help guide the Pods. Join the Public Voting Thread!



2. Volunteer for a pod. We'll need help with design and ideas when the units come up for that phase! Come join the Brainstorming thread!



3. PLAYTEST! This is the big one. We'll need all the help we can get in playtesting. Any time you can contribute will be very much needed. You can find the playtesting thread here.

Originally Posted by Astroking112

Here's the official development process for the project, so that everyone can see the steps:

Each Pod is expected to have 5 volunteers from the community and 2 assigned Pod Leaders to help guide the group.

1. DESIGN PHASE:
Pod members contribute ideas and settle on a design. One of the two Pod Leaders can begin a vote to move forwards to the Editing Phase. All members of the pod can vote, and a majority vote is needed to move forwards (in the case of inactivity of one or more members, it is up to the Pod Leaders' discretion for when to call a vote closed after a reasonable amount of time has passed).

2. PUBLIC FEEDBACK PHASE:
Once a pod is satisfied with the design of the unit and has voted to move it forward, the thread will enter a state of public review. For 1 week, outside feedback is openly encouraged on the unit. Anyone is welcome to leave their thoughts on the unit, even people not regularly involved in the project (we'd love to hear from everyone!). The pod is not under any obligations to make changes to the unit, but public feedback can be useful to know how people are feeling overall. Once the week is up, the unit will return to Design so that the Pod Members can discuss any changes that they want to make. Like before, a Pod Leader can start a vote to move forward, but this time to Editing.

3. EDITING PHASE:
The editing checklist is run for the unit, and any potential issues are identified and brought up. The pod must either resolve substantial issues and pass the Editing check, or return to the Design Phase if the issues are too deeply routed to be fixed.

Once a unit passes the Editing Checklist, it can move immediately onward to the Balance Testing Phase.

4. BALANCE TESTING PHASE:
After the unit successfully passes the Editing checklist, it is opened for official playtesting. All pod members will run playtests for the unit (outside members are also encouraged to run playtests), prioritizing its individual balance.

Once the two Pod Leaders are satisfied with the balance of the unit and a reasonable number of playtests have been run, they can propose a vote to move the unit forward to Compatibility Testing. Once again, a majority vote is needed by the official members of that pod to move forward.

5. COMPATIBILITY TESTING PHASE:
Similar to the Balance Testing Phase, this stage focuses on collecting playtests, but prioritizes the Arena of the Valkyrie Master Set as a whole. This would also be a good time to run scenarios from AotV once they are available, and to just generally ensure that the set is fun to play on its own. As such, running tests with other units that we've finalized is important here.

Because we're not trying to ensure complete balance so much as that our set feels great as a whole, testing here is less intensive than the Balance Testing Phase. It's important nonetheless, however, because if our box doesn't feel fun to play together, then it won't be a satisfying release.

Once the pod is satisfied with the unit's place in Arena of the Valkyrie, they can vote to move forward to the final review. A majority vote is needed from the pod members before leaving Compatibility Testing.

6. FINAL REVIEW:
This is where all of the Pod Leaders (not just the ones assigned to that pod) will vote on whether the design should join AotV, looking at the unit on its own as well as its place within the set as a whole. A majority vote of all Pod Leaders is needed to pass Final Review, or the vote can be called if a full week of inactivity on it passes. Once a design is officially approved, it will move forwards to the Art Phase for its card to be created.

7. ART PHASE:
Once a unit enters the Art Phase, the design should be completely finalized and ready for release. Once the card is made, it will be reviewed by the Pod Leaders for any errors or typos. After all of these are fixed, one last vote will be made to officially release the unit.

Once a unit has been officially released, no further changes to the design will be made. Congratulations: the unit has successfully made it into AotV!