Exploring the use and value of Glyphs in gaming

[sigourneyanderson]

Our games usually only use the most basic glyphs to add initiative, power, defense or moving. I'd like to know your guys "go-to" glyphs are? Are there certain types of games where the artifact glyphs are fun to use? Are the glyph cards worth keeping? I have a random assortment of cards and glyphs from aquiring some sets and selling off others. Do you always keep extras of a certain glyph? Are some more rare than others?

Thanks much!

 

[Scott]

Here's my tournament-style glyph use instructions sheet I use at home (based on this post by the solid gold @MegaSilver). Apparently these were selected for being the most interesting in regular play without being too powerful/swingy or too complicated. So far, I agree that these keep things balanced and interesting. I guess these are the go-to glyphs for the community and now their my go-to glyphs as well.

I think the cards are very useful, which is why I printed out a sheet with the tournament glyphs powers as most of those don't have cards. I have two or three cards for some glyphs and I put all the duplicate cards in the same sleeve.

I keep all my glyphs because I keep all my HS . While it may seem that it's pointless to have duplicates of some, they can be very versatile in scenario creation. They can be used symbol-side up to represent things that need to be collected or destroyed (e.g. Renegade's free scenario this month), you can use face-up duplicates as point-to-point teleport pads - endless possibilities!

I'm currently making a scenario that uses treasure glyphs to enhance the survivability of a low-point, unique hero that the scenario is built around. Sure, I could just make a new army card for that unit for the scenario, but I like to design scenarios within the official rules where possible. (Also been meaning to play more scenarios using treasure glyphs as intended, been a long time.)

Finally, I used some specific glyphs in different ways in this scenario which you ought to check out!

 

[MegaSilver]

Thanks for the shout out!

 

[Nukatha]

I really like choosing glyphs on a per-map basis, generally avoiding blanket stat buffs like Astrid and Jalgard.

When playing on maps without many Line-of-Sight obstacles, I like Thorian to help mitigate total ranged domination.
I'll consider Rannveig on a heavy snow map, as fliers would otherwise dominate with their high mobility.
If you include a large body of water, I'd consider putting an Oceanstrider Amulet in each player's starting zone (or just allowing it to start on one of each player's heroes) so that the water feature is actually used, without negating the utility of figures with Slither/Flying.
But generally, I really like Treasure Glyphs.
There's a reason Heroscape is often called Squadscape. Throwing a few random or curated Treasures on a map gives heroes a nice (and often much-needed) buff, mitigating their lack of multiple attacks per turn.

 

[Myriadite]

I really like choosing glyphs on a per-map basis, generally avoiding blanket stat buffs like Astrid and Jalgard.

When playing on maps without many Line-of-Sight obstacles, I like Thorian to help mitigate total ranged domination.
I'll consider Rannveig on a heavy snow map, as fliers would otherwise dominate with their high mobility.
If you include a large body of water, I'd consider putting an Oceanstrider Amulet in each player's starting zone (or just allowing it to start on one of each player's heroes) so that the water feature is actually used, without negating the utility of figures with Slither/Flying.
But generally, I really like Treasure Glyphs.
There's a reason Heroscape is often called Squadscape. Throwing a few random or curated Treasures on a map gives heroes a nice (and often much-needed) buff, mitigating their lack of multiple attacks per turn.

These are really great ideas!

 

[PaladinCodex]

I like pulling out all of my glyphs and spreading them face down across the map. I have enough that some small maps have very few non-glyph spaces, but it makes certain decisions more tactical, like 'is it worth leaving this glyph to find out what that one is, or attack.'