Wargrounds of Scape (WoS) - discussion thread

[dok]

Want to see all maps inducted into the WoS? Visit the WoS Display Thread.


Wargrounds of Scape curates a collection of high-quality maps from community nominations. In the spirit of recognizing the decade-plus tradition of mapmaking on this site, we seek to provide a one-stop shop of maps from all eras and projects that provide consistently excellent gameplay for the modern meta.

We hope that tournament directors — and anybody else seeking high-quality competitive maps — will find this a valuable resource.


By-laws of the Wargrounds of Scape

Map Nominations

1. Anyone can nominate a map for consideration. A map must have been played at a minimum of 2 tournaments (6+ players, announced in advance on Heroscapers), in its most recent iteration, before it can be nominated to the WoS.
2. Nominations MUST include:
A. A PDF link to the build instructions; and
B. Links to the two tournaments it was used at (no link necessary if it was used at GenCon or ScapeCon- see the spreadsheet of all maps used at one of these conventions here).
3. Nominations should also include any necessary stipulations as to the intended use of power or treasure glyphs, the intended use of specific or recommended glyphs (or a specific or recommended glyph pool), or the intended use of heavy snow or slippery ice.
4. Mapmakers are strongly encouraged to solicit feedback from events where their map was used before nominating their map. A great place to do so is the Tournament Map Feedback Thread.

Map Guidelines

1. Although there is no strict terrain limit for submitted maps, standard map-building rules apply. Maps should include a 24-hex starting zone.
2. Uncapped FotA columns and the Marvel ruin (with or without the second level) are permitted, and the 6-space Hive tile can be used without the Hive.
3. If the map contains glyphs, it may designate random glyphs, or it may stipulate specific glyphs. Please specify whether Treasure glyphs or Power glyphs are intended. Released C3V glyphs may be used.

Judging Criteria

1. Judges may not vote on their own maps.
2. Judges may vote "no" based on their initial impressions of the map, but they are expected to base any "yes" votes on playing experience.
3. Maps will be judged subjectively by each judge on the quality of play in 1v1 games.
4. Consideration may be given to aesthetics, whether the start zone accommodates the Marro Hive, build stability, ease of construction, the footprint, the terrain sets used, and other such factors.

Judging Procedure

1. Maps that receive a super-majority of 75% of votes will be added to the list of approved maps.
2. Maps are accepted or rejected based on the votes that have been cast (75% yes required) when the timer runs out (or if acceptance or rejection is impossible given the current votes).
3. A 4-month timer will run on the 6 oldest nominees in the queue. Once a map on the timer is inducted or rejected, the timer will begin on the next oldest nomination.

Map Updates & Removals

1. If a map receives an update, it may be nominated for an update following the normal map nomination procedure. If the updated map passes, it is inducted into the WoS, and it replaces the original map.
2. A map that is part of the WoS may also be nominated for reconsideration if it is believed that it no longer belongs on a list of the best maps in use by the community. Again, the map will be judged as if it has been nominated anew, and if it fails, it is removed from the WoS.

Self-Governance

1. Current judges are: 1Mmirg, BiggaBullfrog, dok, Flash_19, OEAO, and superfrog.
2. Judges will maintain their position unless they fail to submit at least 1 vote on a map within an 8-month period during which there were outstanding votes to make.
3. New judges will be added by a majority vote of votes cast within a 2-week period following the nomination.
4. These bylaws may be changed and amended at any time by a 75% majority of votes cast within a 2-week period following the proposal.

Thanks
To awesomeunleashed, for making many topdowns of maps under review.
To GameBear, for redoing all of our second and third post links.
To Ninja Status, for our neat badges and our shmexy logo.
To superfrog, for providing high-quality renders and topdowns of many of our inducted maps.

[dok]

(yes votes, no votes, abstain votes)

Inducted Maps

REMAINS OF CLIONESIA by tannergx
dok, kevindola, Typhon2222, Foudzing, Kinseth

WYRMWALK by Panopticon
dok, Foudzing, Kinseth, Typhon2222

PLATYPUS by Robber
Typhon2222, dok

HIGHWAYS AND DIEWAYS by UranusPChicago
dok, OEAO, superfrog, Flash_19, Dignan

BAD MOON RISING by Gamebear
dok, OEAO, superfrog, Flash_19, Dignan

TICALLA SUNRISE by Gamebear
dok, OEAO, superfrog, Flash_19, 1Mmirg

FULCRUM by Dignan
dok, OEAO, superfrog, Flash_19, 1Mmirg

STYGIAN RIFT by Typhon2222
dok, OEAO, superfrog, 1Mmirg, Flash_19

INVASION by LongHeroscaper
dok, OEAO, Flash_19, 1Mmirg, superfrog

DRAUGUR by mad_wookiee
dok, OEAO, superfrog, Flash_19, Dignan

DANCE OF THE DRYADS by Typhon2222
dok, OEAO, superfrog, Flash_19, Dignan

BATTLEFIELD 23 by Flash_19
OEAO, dok, Dignan, superfrog

AEON by Flash_19
OEAO, dok, superfrog

TURMOIL by superfrog
OEAO, Flash_19, 1Mmirg, dok

ORIGIN by Flash_19
OEAO, superfrog, 1Mmirg, Dignan, dok, BiggaBullfrog

Maps Under Review

ROYAL GARDENS by Flash_19 (12/18/22)
OEAO

VENOM by Flash_19 (1/10/23)
superfrog, OEAO, BiggaBullfrog

HONOR by Flash_19 (2/6/23)
OEAO

DESOLATION by Flash_19 (2/12/23)
OEAO

PERCOLATOR by Ulysses (2/13/23)
OEAO, Dignan

AFTERMATH by Sir_Heroscape (2/13/23)

SONG OF THE WALRUS by Typhon2222

SLATED by Sir_Heroscape

[OEAO]

(yes votes, no votes, abstain votes, withdrawn posts)

Previously Reviewed Maps

MAYBERRY by mad_wookie
kevindola, Foudzing, Typhon2222, Bengi

CAGE MATCH by Dignan
Foudzing, dok

THE BOROGOVES by Typhon2222
Foudzing, Killometer

CALIDA by Superfrog
dok, Foudzing

MOLE HILLS by Jonathan and Rÿchean
dok, OEAO

ARCTIC DIVIDE by UranusPChicago
dok, OEAO

MARR HIGHWAY by Velenne
dok, OEAO

EMBER CANYON ROAD by Homba
dok, OEAO

THE BROKEN SKYLINE by LongHeroscaper
dok, OEAO

RUINS OF PINE TREE MARSH by Rÿchean
dok, OEAO

HOT HEIGHTS by Jormi Boced
dok, OEAO

SWAMP THING by Browncoat
dok, OEAO

TURRET ROCKS by Kahrma
dok, OEAO

ROAD RAMPAGE by Ch1can0
dok, OEAO

ICE BLOSSOM by STAROCEAN980
dok, OEAO

FLASH FIRE by Dignan
dok, OEAO

BADRU VALLEY by Gamebear
dok, OEAO

SIDEWINDER by Gamebear
dok, OEAO

BLACKROOT by mad_wookiee
dok, OEAO

SIROCCO by mad_wookiee
dok, OEAO

FIRE ISLES by yagyuninja
dok, OEAO, Flash_19

IF YOU CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT... by Dignan
dok, OEAO, Flash_19

EMBATTLED FEN by Gamebear
dok, OEAO, Dignan

CAN'T SEE THE JUNGLE... by Dignan
dok, OEAO, Flash_19

QUASATCH PLAYGROUND by mad_wookiee
dok, OEAO, Flash_19

BURIAL MARSH by Panopticon
dok, OEAO, Flash_19

ELSWIN PLATEAU by Mooseman
dok, Flash_19

FOSSIL by Rÿchean
dok, OEAO, Flash_19

TICALLAN TOWER by Sir Heroscape
dok, Dignan

VALLEDONN FORTRESS by antmarchingroves
dok, OEAO

THE CRYPT by Flash_19
OEAO, superfrog

FROM THE ASHES by BiggaBullfrog
Dignan, OEAO

BELLY OF THE BEAST by Sir Heroscape
superfrog, dok

RUINS OF RENNOC by Flash_19
dok, Dignan

EVERGLADES AND EVERGREENS by Rednax
dok, Dignan

HOME OF THE DRUDGE by Sir Heroscape
OEAO, dok

SONG OF THE WALRUS by Typhon2222
dok, OEAO, WITHDRAWN

SAVAGE CORRIDOR by Nomad
dok, superfrog, Flash_19, OEAO

ZEPHYR by Robber
OEAO, Flash_19

ASHFALL by Flash_19
OEAO, superfrog

THE SWAMPS OF OIGHIR SCATH by Heroscaper2010
Flash_19, superfrog

ARROYO by Sir Heroscape
OEAO, Flash_19

BLACKTOP by dok
OEAO, Flash_19

HIGHWAYS OR THE HIGH WAY (JUNGLE EDITION) by 1Mmirg
dok, Dignan, OEAO

PLAYTESTING MAP #1 by Sir_Heroscape
superfrog, OEAO

HIGHWAYS AND DIEWAYS: SWARM EDITION by Rÿchean and UranusPChicago
superfrog, 1Mmirg

COMMON GROUND by Gamebear
OEAO, Dignan, dok, 1Mmirg

THE END OF THE LINE by Sir Heroscape
WITHDRAWN

FOREST FIRE by Unseen Shadowz
OEAO, Flash_19, superfrog, (1Mmirg)

PARALLEL by Cleon
OEAO, Flash_19

ROCKY MOUNDS by Leaf_It
superfrog, OEAO

RUINED CITY by Leaf_It
Flash_19, dok

HELLSGATE by mad_wookiee
Flash_19, BiggaBullfrog

DRY SEASON by Killometer
OEAO, dok, Flash_19, 1Mmirg, superfrog

TROLLSFORD ROAD by heroscaper2010
superfrog, Flash_19

WINGSPAN by superfrog
OEAO, Flash_19

TERRANOVA by Sir_Heroscape
Flash_19, OEAO

LIGHTFOOT by Sir_Heroscape
Flash_19, OEAO

THE BOROGOVES by Typhon2222
Flash_19, superfrog, OEAO

TROUBLE ONCE LURKED BENEATH by tannergx
OEAO, Flash_19, BiggaBullfrog

[MegaSilver]

I'd like to nominate Mayberry by mad_wookie.



PDF Download.

VC/HSC File.

Requires 2 Marvel and 2 Road sets. Can be played in live games and online, as it has been played on both ways.

NOTE: 2nd Levels of Warehouse Ruins are not used. VS does not have a way to remove them during the building process.

[Typhon2222]

@MegaSilver , I've admired @mad_wookiee 's Mayberry since I first saw it. Makes a grand inaugural submission for our project.

[caps]

What are the "Standard map-building rules?"

[dok]

Originally Posted by capsocrates

What are the "Standard map-building rules?"

Just that with the exception of what follows that sentence (i.e. legality of uncapped FotA columns and the Marvel Ruin without the second level) the official building rules should be followed. So no floating ladders, no jungle pieces that aren't connected to at least two other pieces of terrain, etc.

[Simval]

Just posting to say that I love this idea ! I thought about something like this a while ago, since the online tournaments open up a lot of possibilities since thare are no realt terrain requirement (e.g. Running Hot).

Glad to see this kind of project.

[Typhon2222]

@Simval , thanks for the encouraging note. We sure hope the Wargrounds of Scape will be of service to the community.

[dok]

I would like to nominate Remains of Clionesia, by tannergx.



pdf link

Topdown for online play

.hsc (.vs)

The requirements for this map are simple: RotV + FotA. I've played on this map in, I think, three different online events and three different live events; It works in both settings.

---

And, of course, I vote YES to induct this map. With all the times I've used this map it needs no further review from my end.

The road and excellent pathing makes it hard to clog things up. Combine that with the LoS blockers, and there are definitely ways for ranged forces to find height and snipe at an advancing force, but they have to work for it (shades of Highways and Dieways).

This map is a great model for how to use uncapped columns. It's not a "maze" map, with lots of narrow openings that can easily get clogged up. Instead, the columns naturally divide the map into zones, without restricting movement too greatly. There's a tension between clogging things up and blocking line of sight, and the balance is really well-struck here.

I also appreciate the restraint on height changes. There's of variation, to be sure - nearly every space in the middle area of the map either gives up height to an adjacent space, or has height advantage on an adjacent space (or both). But there are large stretches of connected same-level terrain, which is not just great for my boy Tor-Kul-Na, but for any double-spaced walking melee figure.

If there's anything I'd change on the map it's the startzones - that's the one area where the map is too flat. It's just two rows of level 1 grass. That said, I think that's pretty much necessary given the terrain used (most of the material is dedicated to creating the dynamic middle area of the map).

A great map that I'm happy to give a to. I hope to see it getting more use at tournaments everywhere.

[Lyrgard]

I like Remains of Clionesia a lot. This map was used in the French Heroscape Tournament last year.

I don't know if it can help, but I made 3 fully pictured battle reports on this map (here, here and here). Really fun to play on.

[caps]

I would like to nominate Cage Match, by Dignan.



pdf link

.hsc link

google doc template

The requirements are SotM + FotA. I've played on this map in multiple live events as well as in-home games. It offers very different play from most other maps I've played. The action happens very quickly and most of the map is almost always used. The central glyphs in the .pdf are very strong, but I found that to be sufficiently mitigated by their very vulnerable positions (and by the use of moderately strong glyphs on the exterior positions, like Wannok). I found Thorian to typically be a balanced glyph on this map in that location, as it is fairly easy to access but difficult to hold. I have even felt that the Thorian glyph in that location gives melee a needed edge against some ranged matchups. I imagine the map could be tested with different glyphs--I don't know if that would require a separate submission or not.

This is one of my favorite maps to play. I hope it meets your approval.