The Playgrounds of Valhalla

[Riggler]

I don't know that Burning Barracks is ready for BOV or not, because it doesn't sound like its been playtested. I only took a passing glance.

But what I do like about Burning Barracks is the "outside-the-box" thinking that it incorporates. And who knows, if its playtested and no problems are found, it might be ready to be considered by BOV.

I don't think I'm alone in the thinking now that BOV should encourage some ways to do things that maybe would not have been considered in it's earlier year or so.

[ollie]

I've added my latest map Mole Hills: Hellbound (a mod of Jonathan's Mole Hills) to the display post. It takes a lava mod of the original that I've used a bunch (but never virtualscaped) and also uses Kolakoski's idea of adding shadow tiles to an existing map. It uses so little of its terrain that it's screaming out for a buddy. That'll be my next project.

Other playground musings. Uncapped pillars seem to be the poster child for useful map-building tricks that we don't want on best-of-the-best BoV maps. What others are there? A start zone that doesn't accomodate the Hive without a special rule is one---I've added Bengi's normandy Beach to the display post in this category. Others I can't find maps for: ladders that end on water, stacked water (or other height 0) tiles. What other categories are there. Any tricks you're inspired to use?

That's really interesting Riggler. Anything in particular you have in mind?

[Sup3rS0n1c]

Originally Posted by ollie

Any tricks you're inspired to use?

Well, I've got two...
-single ladders at the top of pillars to be used as stepping stones between pillars
-archer slits; basically placing two battlements on a hex under a pillar or other such thing pulled down until it touches the top of the battlements, in between two more pillars. I've made some awesome castles with this technique, and though I've yet to put it to practical use, I think it has some wonderful potential if done right.
An example of the second:

Spoiler Alert!

[rednax]

The road wall or jungle pieces not being properly connected.

A map that goes against BoV build requirements slightly, (two castle, swamp, or marvel sets, lexan mat).

[Xn F M]

Originally Posted by Sup3rS0n1c

-archer slits; basically placing two battlements on a hex under a pillar or other such thing pulled down until it touches the top of the battlements, in between two more pillars. I've made some awesome castles with this technique, and though I've yet to put it to practical use, I think it has some wonderful potential if done right.
An example of the second:

Spoiler Alert!

Hey Sup3rS0n1c, How big is that space under the center column? I'll try throwing that build together when I get home, but I really don't think that anything much bigger than a repulsor could actually fit under there.

[rednax]

Originally Posted by Xn F M

Hey Sup3rS0n1c, How big is that space under the center column? I'll try throwing that build together when I get home, but I really don't think that anything much bigger than a repulsor could actually fit under there.

Actually, battlements are roughly 5 spaces tall.

[AliasQTip]

The space underneath the column would be 4 levels tall. Battlements are 5 levels high but that bottom level is attached to the base tile. Not many figures can fit in that space. Of course you could adjust the height of your window easy enough.

[Xn F M]

Originally Posted by rednax

Actually, battlements are roughly 5 spaces tall.

Isn't that from the outside though? I could swear you'd only have a space 3-4 hexes tall on the inside (though there would be extra headroom under the FotA base).

[rednax]

You are correct my mistake.

[Sup3rS0n1c]

Originally Posted by Xn F M

Isn't that from the outside though? I could swear you'd only have a space 3-4 hexes tall on the inside (though there would be extra headroom under the FotA base).

Well, I guess it would be about four, but I never took the time to do the math and count the spaces, thus just letting any 5 heights under there. :P

Still, raising the middle pillar just one hex could allow for legal placements of those figures. Though this project's goal is not exactly legality.

Edit: Annnddd, I completely overlooked AliasQTip's comment. :P
He's right, though.

[Sup3rS0n1c]

Sorry for the double post, just wanted go get this up here.

Originally Posted by rednax

The road wall or jungle pieces not being properly connected.

Oooh, building on that, I have ideas for a map including something like this:

Spoiler Alert!

The battlements are around the jungle hexes, almost as a "pot" of sorts.

[White Noise]

Another rather interesting thing you can do with ladders is put them underneath the edge of a piece as a support, essentially having the piece rest upon the space between the adjoining side and the little "nubs" on the ladder (you can make slightly larger overhangs using this method).