Kolakoski’s Pre-SoV Custom Corner

[Blue Trails]

I would pick Evasive 1 to start and change to Evasive 2 or 3 if testing proves it necessary.

Barsoom; John Carter, right? It's nice to reference the classics sometimes.

[chas]

As in Tars Tarkas, a major John Carter character!

[kolakoski]

Well met!

Originally Posted by yamissflash

First, I agree with the switch to Evasive 1 is a good idea.

Second, as a maybe change is because against a 4 man (non-bonding) melee squad, a Shi-Tarkas will be rolling 8 times (4 Acid Spit and 4 Attacks) in addition to taking a turn with the spiders. Yes you could roll the Acid Spit at the same time, but it's still a lot of rolling and checking.

I think it would probably improve the fun factor if you changed Acid Spit to being a "skull on every die = no defense" like the Wyvern's Venomous Sting. This way you aren't rolling twice for every single 3 skull attack. It would be a little weaker than the current version in terms of output against squads especially if you manage to get on higher ground.

Third, as a clarification, is Thri-Kreen Assault supposed to allow for a Shi-Tarkas to attack an non-adjacent enemy if engaged? The way its currently worded "Shi-Tarkas may add 1 to her Range when attacking that figure" doesn't allow that. The wording "in addition" earlier in the power almost sounds like you want it to be able to attack an enemy two spaces away while still engaged. I would reword it regardless of how you want the mechanics to work, because the words "in addition" in front of the reader's face stand out more than the part of the rulebook that says you can't attack someone if you are adjacent to an enemy.

Originally Posted by Blue Trails

I would pick Evasive 1 to start and change to Evasive 2 or 3 if testing proves it necessary.

Barsoom; John Carter, right? It's nice to reference the classics sometimes.

Originally Posted by chas

As in Tars Tarkas, a major John Carter character!

Thanks for commenting, guys. For the time being, we'll go with Evasive 1. In the meantime, I'll see if I can come up with another power that is sculpt specific. For instance, Thri-Kreen Defense would be against normal attacks and have a chance to deflect a non-adjacent attack into an opponent's figure adjacent or nearby.

yamissflash, Acid Spit is easy peasy mechanically, as you roll the 20-sider with the attack dice. Removing "In addition" done. Blue Trails, agreed. And yes, chas, I was referencing Tars Tarkas when I chose Shi-Tarkas' name.

[kolakoski]

Well met!

Going with this (for now):

SHI-TARKAS
General: Aquilla
Race: Insect
Uniqueness: Uncommon Hero
Class: Predator
Personality: Fearless
Size: Medium 5
Life: 5
Move: 6
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 3
Points: 75

ACID SPIT
When a Shi-Tarkas attacks an adjacent opponent's figure, roll the 20-sided die. On a roll of 17 or higher, that figure may not roll defense dice against that Shi-Tarkas' attack.

THRI-KREEN ASSAULT
A Shi-Tarkas may attack any or all figures adjacent to her. If a figure is within 2 spaces of a Shi-Tarkas, and its base is no more than 1 level above or 1 level below that Shi-Tarkas' base, that Shi-Tarkas may add 1 to her Range when attacking that figure. Roll each attack separately.

EVASIVE 1
When a Shi-Tarkas rolls defense dice against an attacking figure who is not adjacent, add 1 defense dice to the defending Shi-Tarkas.

[kolakoski]

Well met!

Posted this in another thread. Thought it appropriate for this one.

"To me, designing a unit for Heroscape is an art very much like Jazz. The soloist creates within a cooperative context. Improvisation and pushing the creative envelope are encouraged, but the soloist is always listening and his version of the original melody evolves through the contributions of the other players, as well as his own imagination. Kha would not be who he is without the comments and contributions of a plethora of members of this Community. I believe I have a talent for this, and a good general design philosophy."

[Blue Trails]

Maybe just stick with Evasive 1; the rest of Thri-Kreen Defense is difficult to justify from a thematic perspective. Deflecting arrows is perfectly reasonable, but what happens if a Shi-Tarkas defends against a shot from a gun-wielding unit? What about a magic spell from one of the Elf Wizards? What about a Mezzodemon's toxic gas breath? What about a hydra bite (as you mentioned) or a Cathar spear? What about a weird special attack such as dragon fire or one of Tul-Bak-Ra's Mind Blasts? Neither the design nor the sculpt really suggest that an otherwise ordinary Thri-Kreen should be able to redirect all of those varied forms of attacks.

[kolakoski]

Well met!

Originally Posted by Blue Trails

Maybe just stick with Evasive 1; the rest of Thri-Kreen Defense is difficult to justify from a thematic perspective. Deflecting arrows is perfectly reasonable, but what happens if a Shi-Tarkas defends against a shot from a gun-wielding unit? What about a magic spell from one of the Elf Wizards? What about a Mezzodemon's toxic gas breath? What about a hydra bite (as you mentioned) or a Cathar spear? What about a weird special attack such as dragon fire or one of Tul-Bak-Ra's Mind Blasts? Neither the design nor the sculpt really suggest that an otherwise ordinary Thri-Kreen should be able to redirect all of those varied forms of attacks.

I hear you. So:

SHI-TARKAS
General: Aquilla
Race: Insect
Uniqueness: Uncommon Hero
Class: Predator
Personality: Fearless
Size: Medium 5
Life: 5
Move: 6
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 3
Points: 75

ACID SPIT
When a Shi-Tarkas attacks an adjacent opponent's figure, roll the 20-sided die. On a roll of 17 or higher, that figure may not roll defense dice against that Shi-Tarkas' attack.

THRI-KREEN ASSAULT
A Shi-Tarkas may attack any or all figures adjacent to her. If a figure is within 2 spaces of a Shi-Tarkas, and its base is no more than 1 level above or 1 level below that Shi-Tarkas' base, that Shi-Tarkas may add 1 to her Range when attacking that figure. Roll each attack separately.

EVASIVE 1
When a Shi-Tarkas rolls defense dice against an attacking figure who is not adjacent, add 1 defense dice to the defending Shi-Tarkas.

[kolakoski]

Well met!

All of these are cool.

Including the latest:

SHI-TARKAS
General: Aquilla
Race: Insect
Uniqueness: Uncommon Hero
Class: Predator
Personality: Fearless
Size: Medium 5
Life: 5
Move: 6
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 3
Points: 75

ACID SPIT
When a Shi-Tarkas attacks an adjacent opponent's figure, roll the 20-sided die. On a roll of 17 or higher, that figure may not roll defense dice against that Shi-Tarkas' attack.

THRI-KREEN ASSAULT
A Shi-Tarkas may attack any or all figures adjacent to her. If a figure is within 2 spaces of a Shi-Tarkas, and its base is no more than 1 level above or 1 level below that Shi-Tarkas' base, that Shi-Tarkas may add 1 to her Range when attacking that figure. Roll each attack separately.

EVASIVE 1
When a Shi-Tarkas rolls defense dice against an attacking figure who is not adjacent, add 1 defense dice to the defending Shi-Tarkas.

In what order do I submit them to the Pre-SoV Workshop?

[kolakoski]

Well met!

Screwed up previous orders (on hold) from RPG Locker, so Serpentfolk Hunter most likely won't be here for game day. Blessing in disguise as I canceled the on hold orders and made a new, larger order that will save me a ton in shipping.

SHI-TARKAS
General: Aquilla
Race: Insect
Uniqueness: Uncommon Hero
Class: Predator
Personality: Fearless
Size: Medium 5
Life: 5
Move: 6
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 3
Points: 75

ACID SPIT
When a Shi-Tarkas attacks an adjacent opponent's figure, roll the 20-sided die. On a roll of 17 or higher, that figure may not roll defense dice against that Shi-Tarkas' attack.

THRI-KREEN ASSAULT
A Shi-Tarkas may attack any or all figures adjacent to her. If a figure is within 2 spaces of a Shi-Tarkas, and its base is no more than 1 level above or 1 level below that Shi-Tarkas' base, that Shi-Tarkas may add 1 to her Range when attacking that figure. Roll each attack separately.

EVASIVE 1
When a Shi-Tarkas rolls defense dice against an attacking figure who is not adjacent, add 1 defense dice to the defending Shi-Tarkas.

Ordered 2 Serpent Hunters and 2 Thri-Kreen. The plan is to make Komura Uncommon as well, and to play all 4 in next month's game, if I receive chas' permission.

P.S.: chas' permission granted. Asked @mac122 for cards.

[kolakoski]

Well met!

Posted in Gang thread:

Tomorrow's the big day! Fielding the following in a Rogue army:

Spoiler Alert!

125 Ravenwolf
100 Wyvern
95 Rieka the Wolf
75 Kha
75 Komura
70 Nottingham Brigand x 2
60 Elaria the Pale
600 points, 9 spaces

In April, chas will be Hosting, and has given me permission to test (with none of the other custom) Komura (as an Uncommon Hero), and a new Uncommon Hero, Shi-Tarkas:

SHI-TARKAS
General: Aquilla
Race: Insect
Uniqueness: Uncommon Hero
Class: Predator
Personality: Fearless
Size: Medium 5
Life: 5
Move: 6
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 3
Points: 75

ACID SPIT
When a Shi-Tarkas attacks an adjacent opponent's figure, roll the 20-sided die. On a roll of 17 or higher, that figure may not roll defense dice against that Shi-Tarkas' attack.

THRI-KREEN ASSAULT
A Shi-Tarkas may attack any or all figures adjacent to her. If a figure is within 2 spaces of a Shi-Tarkas, and its base is no more than 1 level above or 1 level below that Shi-Tarkas' base, that Shi-Tarkas may add 1 to her Range when attacking that figure. Roll each attack separately.

EVASIVE 1
When a Shi-Tarkas rolls defense dice against an attacking figure who is not adjacent, add 1 defense dice to the defending Shi-Tarkas.

I've created a few armies for them:

Spoiler Alert!

200 Wyvern x 2
150 Komura x 2
70 Nottingham Brigand x 2
60 Darrak Ambershard
60 Izumi Samurai
60 Elaria the Pale
600 points, 13 spaces

150 Shi-Tarkas x 2
150 Mimring
120 Fyorlag Spiders x 3
100 Wyvern
80 Estivara
600 points, 16 spaces

200 Amberhive Protectors x 4
150 Shi-Tarkas x 2
150 Mimring
100 Mellifera
600 points, 22 spaces

While, thematically, having more than 1 Wyvern Rider seems cool, building an army with more than 1 was tough. The Shi-Tarkas, on the other hand, were easy, for both Insects and Spiders. Mimring over Major Q10 was a purely thematic decision.

[kolakoski]

Well met!

Our March 13th game day found us with only 3 players, rather than the planned on 5. All of my Rogue customs and Captain Xue hit the table, the Rogues for both games. It was a strange game, with Heavy Snow and Slippery Ice restricting movement and Phantom Knights and Dzu-Teh being relatively impervious to the Rogues' normal ranged attacks.

While Captain Xue did little in the game she was in (my bad), and will probably be revised again, but the Rogue customs did enough to draw a few conclusions about them, in spite of the fact that Mark of the Raven saw little use.

Rieka the Wolf did end up Cornered, but Go for the Throat's Blood Frenzy aspect was not used. Komura, the Wyvern Rider, with Range 7 and Poison Weapons, was very strong here against the Ice Trolls and Greater Ice Elementals (rolling well didn't hurt). They generally didn't get a chance to heal before being blown away. As he generally had height, rolling 2 skulls for Sighted In was almost a guarantee of a double attack. Our consensus was that he should cost around 100 points. My idea to make him Uncommon seems not all that, as 2 Komuras and their corresponding Wyverns (400 points) leave little room for other figures. I've decided to let Komura go for April (focusing exclusively on the Shi-Tarkas).

Ravenwolf, given the opportunity, did well as aforesaid, taking out a Greater Ice Elemental in his first turn (with the help of his own and a Brigand's 3 skull attack rolls). Ravenshield and Grit were non-factors. The consensus was that Ravenwolf's cost is almost spot on, and he is fine as is. However, . . .

It seems to me that none of these customs need necessarily be Rogues. As they have evolved, their synergies, with other units and each other, make that Class superfluous, as well as some of their powers. If Komura is not a Rogue and eschews Sighted In, he may stay at 75 points. Rieka the Wolf need not be a Rogue to benefit doubly from Mark of the Raven, and could cost less (75 points?). And Ravenwolf need not be a Rogue to benefit other figures with Mark of the Raven. If that were his only special power, and his Life was restored to its original 5, I'm thinking his cost would be lower (around 100 points?).

The result of all this is a lot of simplification, which I imagine would sit well with SoV.

[chas]

I thought your intent on making the new customs Rogues was to build up that faction to help out the other Rogues. No?