Suggestions for the C3V

[dok]

I come from a different place than many (but certainly not all) custom creators in that I tend to start with the gameplay effects I want, and work backwards towards a good thematic figure that executes that gameplay. As such, my ideas for where I want new figures to take us are less about theme and more about gameplay. Here's my quick hits:

• Look for simple combinations of powers and stats that create new ways to play. A great recent example of this from the design team is the Phantom Knights. The powers are about as simple as anything the game has seen, and yet the way Phantom Knights play is completely new and opens up a host of interesting armies and combinations and counterdrafts. To me, this is the epitome of good figure design.
  
  This is not to say that every stat card should have powers as simple as the Phantom Knights. Nor am I saying that every power should just be a slightly changed version of an old power. What I'm saying is that I think there's a ton of mileage left in the realm of relatively simple figures, and I don't think I'm alone in appreciating the finesse that goes into a simple figure that is really fun to play.
  
  I think the D&D waves were great in this regard, as we got several things (like figures with a range between 2 and 4, or common squads of squadsize of 2, or more large single-spaced figures) that are good examples of simple design producing novel gameplay. I'd love to see more examples. Large squads that break from the current mold (by having either ranged attacks, or disengage/phantom walk, flying, or being single spaced) is another area with a lot of potential.
  
  
• Use new customs to revive figures that see relatively little play. I loved the way the Death Knights gave a bunch of relatively unpopular heroes a chance to get on the board thanks to bonding. Using either a bonding squad or an Ulginesh-esqe hero to bring some of our clusters of less commonly-seen heroes (non-Isamu ninjas, lawmen, Deathwalkers/Warden, etc) seems like a great idea. You can get creative to give a single card new life, like bee did with some targeted chain bonding for Consul Dominicus (which I copied and tweaked a bit for Marcus Agrippa). The Werewolf Lord was a good example from the recent waves of a figure that helps raise up one other card (Wolves of Badru).
  
  Sometimes the answer isn't explicit bonding or free activations, either, but more subtle synergy. One of my favorite designs I've come up with was a relentless unique ranged squad that had a d20 power that worked like frenzy but was called "unleashed fury". So they got two different bonuses from Khosumet, even though there wasn't anything about Darklords on their card. When you look at the heroes in the D&D master set, you see this same sort of implied synergy - the Darrak/Tandros thing being the most obvious.

[tcglkn]

Could we possibly use some Star Wars miniatures? They seem to be abundant and I am sure there are some fairly generic looking humans and aliens we could use.

[Griffin]

@ DOK, Thanks for that. Sometimes less is certainly more, especially in Classic scape. In C3G we are all about raising the bar with how much we can get away with, but here, our biggest goal is matching the aesthetics of Classic scape (DnD is included in that as well, but Rise of the Valkyrie is still the gold standard)

@ tickle, sure, no reason why those minis should be off the table. There are some great robots and aliens to look at to be sure.

[tcglkn]

Originally Posted by Griffin

@ tickle, sure, no reason why those minis should be off the table. There are some great robots and aliens to look at to be sure.

Plus some great gun slinging heroes. People won't know they are blasters. Even if they did, it wouldn't matter. Its HeroScape, anything goes.

[Taeblewalker]

LlamaClown's resource with units by class, species, etc., should come in very handy - for example, if a Sheriff unit is made to take Ulginesh -style double bonding turns with Lawmen, we need to remember that Dan is a Sniper, and so far the only Sniper hero, and then decide whether to limit the bonding to Lawmen, or to allow Snipers, with the understanding that other Sniper heroes might not be cowboys.

[Prometheus]

I believe somebody said this already, but I'm tired of Isamu being the only Ninja that hits the table. Something to bring in two classes might be nice: Ninjas and Hunters. Dund and Moriko need your help...

[Agent Minivann]

Originally Posted by tcglkn

Plus some great gun slinging heroes. People won't know they are blasters. Even if they did, it wouldn't matter. Its HeroScape, anything goes.

It being the battle of all time allows for blasters just fine.

[robbdaman]

Originally Posted by Taeblewalker

LlamaClown's resource with units by class, species, etc., should come in very handy - for example, if a Sheriff unit is made to take Ulginesh -style double bonding turns with Lawmen, we need to remember that Dan is a Sniper, and so far the only Sniper hero, and then decide whether to limit the bonding to Lawmen, or to allow Snipers, with the understanding that other Sniper heroes might not be cowboys.

I like that idea and yeah it'd have to be taken into account for possible future snipers. Those could always be called something else though. DED with a bonding could be pretty ugly but certainly would boost his use along with all the other cowboys. Finding cowboy minis is of course going to be hard, especially ones that are either pre-painted or not metal.

[1Mmirg]

Originally Posted by robbdaman

I like that idea and yeah it'd have to be taken into account for possible future snipers. Those could always be called something else though. DED with a bonding could be pretty ugly but certainly would boost his use along with all the other cowboys. Finding cowboy minis is of course going to be hard, especially ones that are either pre-painted or not metal.

Yeah, I would imagine that the designers made DED a sniper and not a lawman for a reason. That said, I could absolutely see a Sheriff (or whatever it ends up being) that bonded with Lawmen and also had a power that boosted a Sniper as well (maybe a movement bonus, maybe a defense bonus, but something that would add DED synergy, but different from the other Lawmen).

[Lamaclown]

Originally Posted by 1Mmirg

Yeah, I would imagine that the designers made DED a sniper and not a lawman for a reason. That said, I could absolutely see a Sheriff (or whatever it ends up being) that bonded with Lawmen and also had a power that boosted a Sniper as well (maybe a movement bonus, maybe a defense bonus, but something that would add DED synergy, but different from the other Lawmen).

I seem to remember one of johnny139's build-a-custom projects designed a Lawman. Have to go see if I can find it.

[ZBeeblebrox]

Originally Posted by Lamaclown

I seem to remember one of johnny139's build-a-custom projects designed a Lawman. Have to go see if I can find it.

Yep, his name is Sam Sixkiller...I helped with that one and it is a fun custom to play.

[IAmBatman]

Originally Posted by Agent Minivann

It being the battle of all time allows for blasters just fine.

I'm a fan of this aesthetic. The Battle of All Time essentially means anything goes (thematically, anyway).