ARV Contest Thread

[Sir Heroscape]

THE CONTEST IS COMING...
NEW THEME


The theme has been pre-posted for you to begin preparing designs and thinking about what you want to do. You'll have roughly 2 weeks to prepare before submissions open so that you'll have more time to design and playtest before submitting.

Remember to keep map design focused on the theme. We STRONGLY suggest you look at basing your map builds off of Heroscape Lore for this contest (check the compendium for reference). Landmarks are very specific...so we're looking for some creativity as well as accuracy. Lets see Valhalla revealed!

Also. Our contests have brought along a lot of amazing maps that are fun and exciting, and yet many fall short of tournament competitiveness. We would like to be a little more clear with our mission. The ARV's purpose is to bring excitement and involvement from the community to build new maps for everyone to enjoy. But, it's a twofold purpose...While our contests are meant for the "fun" aspect of this experience, we also want to provide the community with tournament worthy competitive maps.

In an effort to help map builders, we've provided the following checklist as a way for designers to make sure their maps aren't broken or unbalanced. Please be aware that these are REGULAR questions we ask ourselves when we evaluate and playtest maps for tournament worthiness. Please use this checklist as you prepare your maps as it will help you to create a more balanced and competitively exciting design.

Map Building Checklist: For Competitive Balance
Take into consideration:

1. Does Raelin break this map?

   Look for spots she can fly to on turn 1. Can she get onto a single-hex height position? Can she get next to a jungle bush? Can she protect a glyph holder, or two glyph holders for that matter? Can she remain on height on an easily defendable position? These are types of things you want to look for

2. Does a Dragon build break this map?

   Can a Dragon fly and turn 1 attack the opponents startzone? Not always unbalanced, but can be if the position is easily defendable or on height. You also have to consider how dragons fly and shoot. Could a dragon fly from perch to perch and remain unengaged while shooting an opponent?

3. Do rats break this map?

   Look for choke points. Are there any areas where 1 or 2 rats could block an oncoming army and virtually lock the board down without much of a contest? Are the glyphs too easily obtained/defended by rats?

4. Is it impossible to place the hive in the start zone?
5. Is it too easy for pods to set up?

   There are many competitive builds that are played by finding a position and simply holding it while the opponent advances to attack. Consider finding areas where an army could easily set up their pod without being contested by an opponent, or where a position is too easily defendable from height.

6. Is it too easy to defend/control glyphs?

   Generally speaking, you'll want at least 2-3 positions where an opponent can attack a glyph holder and even better if from height. Glyphs should be in a spot relatively equidistant from each startzone and in a fairly weak position. Glyph holders should be at a disadvantage.

7. Is there elevation in the start zone?
8. Can move 5 or 6 figures reach glyphs on turn 1?
9. Are there too many choke points?

   Basically what was stated on the rats question. Look for too many narrow areas where map flow could get clogged down and hinder an army's ability to move and develop.

10. Are you unable to develop armies quickly?

    This is harder to describe...but basically maps should allow your army to reach midmap at least by turn 3. Maps that hinder movement so much that fighting doesn't happen till Round 2 will make games slow and arduous. Develop maps that figures can move through without too much restriction. Too many elevation changes can cause problems with development.

If you can answer yes to 2 or more of these questions, you’ll likely want to revise your map.

You guys are awesome, we're excited to see what you've got in store for us this time around!!!

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