Wargrounds of Scape (WoS) - discussion thread

[dok]

We are delighted to announce a new map-evaluation project that has sprung out of deliberation within the online 'Scape community.

We envision this project as a complement to the BoV. Like the BoV, the Wargrounds of Scape will accept nominations of maps and judge them for overall tournament-play quality, with the best being given our stamp of approval. Unlike the BoV, the Wargrounds of Scape will have looser terrain requirements, allow things such as uncapped FotA columns and Marvel ruins, welcome submissions for C3G/HoSS maps as well as classic maps, consider (though not be limited to) maps intended for online play, and be able to take advantage of feedback from online play. We've also devised a streamlined and flexible judging structure intended to ensure fast processing.

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

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


By-laws of the Wargrounds of Scape

Map nominations & guidelines

1. Anyone can nominate a map for consideration. Nominations must include a link to PDF build instructions.
2. There are no strict terrain limits for submitted maps. As long as it's possible to construct the map with physical Heroscape terrain, it is eligible for consideration. (See #5, however.)
3. Standard map-building rules apply. 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.
4. 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.
5. Unless a map is intended only for Heat of Battle or similar formats, the map should contain 24 hexes of start zone for each player, marked in the build instructions.
6. If maps contain glyphs, the map may designate random glyphs or may stipulate specific glyphs. Please specify whether Treasure glyphs or standard glyphs are intended. Released C3V glyphs may be used.
7. If the intention of a submitted map is that it will be used solely for online play, then state as much clearly, and it will be reviewed as such. Otherwise, the judges will take into account the amount of terrain needed when judging the map; maps that take more than a couple expansions, or maps that are difficult to use at a tournament (large footprint, for instance) will be less likely to be accepted. Issues of stability and ease of construction may also be taken into account for live-play maps.

How maps are judged

1. Maps will be judged subjectively by each judge on the quality of play in 1v1 games. Consideration will also be given to aesthetics, how easy the map is to use in online play, and whether the start zone accommodates the Marro Hive. Build stability and material used will be considered for maps intended for live events.
2. Maps that receive a super-majority of 75% of votes will be added to the list of approved maps. Judges may vote "no" based on their initial impressions of the map but are expected to base any "yes" votes on playing experience.
3. Once both a VirtualScape (.hsc) file and a properly formatted google drawing of a top-down map (including level numbers, etc.) have been generated for a nominated map, a 4 month timer to judge that map begins*. The map is accepted or rejected based on the votes that have been cast (75% yes required) if the timer runs out.

* The timer will only run on six maps at a time; if there are more than six nominees then when one of the maps on a 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 in the same fashion as a normal nomination. If the updated map passes, it is inducted into the WoS and replaces the original.
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, Dignan, 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. Judges are not eligible to vote on their own maps.
5. These by-laws 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 Ninja Status, for our neat badges and our shmexy logo.

[dok]

(yes votes, no 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

Maps Under Review

STYGIAN RIFT by Typhon2222 (1/1/22)
dok, OEAO, superfrog

DRAUGUR by mad_wookiee (1/2/22)
dok, OEAO, superfrog, Flash_19

DANCE OF THE DRYADS by Typhon2222 (2/4/22)
dok, OEAO, superfrog

INVASION by LongHeroscaper (12/29/21)
dok, OEAO, Flash_19

SAVAGE CORRIDOR by Nomad (2/11/22)
dok

EVERGLADES AND EVERGREENS by Rednax (2/11/22)
dok

BATTLEFIELD 23 by Flash_19
OEAO

RUINS OF RENNOC by Flash_19

THE SWAMPS OF OIGHIR SCATH by Heroscaper2010

HIGHWAYS OR THE HIGH WAY (JUNGLE EDITION) by 1Mmirg

BELLY OF THE BEAST by Sir Heroscape
superfrog

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

[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.

[capsocrates]

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.

[capsocrates]

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.

[Typhon2222]

Originally Posted by 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.

@Lyrgard , thanks for sharing your experience and battle reports on the map -- those are always fun to read, and useful too.