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NGC Community Contest #2: Mounts

Alexandros

Active member
Site Supporter
Hello NGC fans- it's time for us to announce our next community customs contest.

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Have you ever wanted to design an entirely custom Heroscape unit, using a figure from your imagination? I know I have.

That's why we're pleased to announce a special theme for the next NGC Community Contest, where we will be collaborating with Chris Torres AKA Shaper to design a sculpt from the ground up based on a winning entry.

Who's Shaper? Shaper is a professional sculptor best known for his recent work on Source and TimeStrike. They have volunteered to design a sculpt for use in NGC, and in the spirit of community collaboration Shaper and the NGC team have reached a joint decision to have that sculpt be based around a submission from a community member.

Some examples of Shaper's work:
Spoiler Alert!

What criteria does a submission have to follow? Entrants will be asked to submit two card drafts, representing a Hero and its mounted variant. An excellent example of what we're looking for is C3V's Hrognak. (unmounted/mounted). What the hero does, how it looks, where it fits among settings established in classic HeroScape and NGC canon- these are all details the entrant is free to determine for themselves.

Here's how it works: Community members have from now until May 24th to submit their entry, using the form in the second post. They may post their submission here or in the #mounted-design-contest discord channel, though each user is limited to a single submission. Anyone is eligible to participate, provided they are not a current member of the NGC team and they are able to join the NGC Discord. Submissions need not be worded perfectly or have their lore figured out down to a T- we will primarily be judging these entrants based on strength of design, and can focus on polish during the design process. Please note that NGC designs are expected to function with other NGC and official HeroScape units. While compatibility with designs from other customs projects is welcome, and even encouraged, we are not likely to approve a design that is dependent on a unit from those projects to function.

Determining the Winner: After May 24th, the NGC team will discuss the entrants with Shaper to ensure each entry is possible to sculpt at the appropriate size. If sculpting the proposed unit is not feasible, the entrant will be notified and given a brief period of time to make changes (if possible). Then, the NGC team will hold a private vote to determine which submission we will be prepping for release. We will walk the winning entrant through the design and playtesting process in the NGC Discord, and continue to work with Shaper on a sculpt that best suits the design.

Upon release, the STLs for this unit will be released to the community, free of charge. This thread and the #public-customs-and-brainstorming channel on the NGC Discord will remain open for users to discuss possible submissions.

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We look forward to seeing all of the wonderful designs the community has in store.
 
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Here is our submission form. Items in bold are required. Items in italic are strongly suggested but only absolutely necessary if relevant to the design.

Spoiler Alert!
 
Then, of course, there is Hrognak, Mounted (on the wall in Jotun's study):

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~Z
 

Well met!

Name: ZHOU TONG
General: Ullar

Race: Serpentfolk
Uniqueness: Unique Hero
Class: Archer
Personality: Precise
Size: Large

Life: 5
Move: 5
Range: 5
Attack: 3
Defense: 3

SINGING SCIMITAR
Range 1, Attack 3
If Zhou Tong inflicts a wound with Singing Scimitar, he may attack again. He may continue attacking with Singing Scimitar until he fails to inflict a wound.

POISON WEAPONS
Each time Zhou Tong attacks a small, medium, or large Hero with a normal attack or a leaving engagement attack and inflicts at least 1 wound, roll the 20-sided die. If you roll a 1-11, nothing happens. If you roll a 12 or higher, add 1 additional wound to the defending figure.

Briefly describe the appearance of the character below: Serpent Archer with Scimitar.

Provide up to three images of the character and/or the mount. Feel free to point out specific elements of the image you want or do not want to be included in the character's sculpt:

yuan-ti_render.jpg

Describe any elements of the character's lore that you would like to highlight:

Name: FEI TAN
General: Ullar

Race: Woven
Uniqueness: Unique Hero
Class: Scout
Personality: Disciplined
Size: Huge

Life: 3
Move: 7
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 3

FLYING CARPET
Before moving Fei Tan, you may place an adjacent small, medium, or large figure you control onto Fei Tan's sculpt. Fei Tan and any figure on Fei Tan's sculpt always has height advantage relative to non-flying figures.

SMOTHER
Before attacking, choose one medium or small figure adjacent to Fei Tan. If the chosen figure is a Squad figure, destroy it. If the chosen figure is a Hero figure, roll the 20-sided die. If you roll a 16 or higher, destroy the chosen Hero.

Briefly describe the appearance of the character below: A Flying Carpet, duh!

Provide up to three images of the character and/or the mount. Feel free to point out specific elements of the image you want or do not want to be included in the character's sculpt:
flying-carpet_pre.jpg

Describe any elements of the character's lore that you would like to highlight:

Tell us about an NGC unit you've played or would like to play- what do you like about it?

Frostclaw Paladins. 2 Life squad figures. Saves space.

 
All Shadow has known is sadness. When he was just a young wolf pup, his pack was killed for by a group of poachers for their pelts. Alone and terribly weak Shadow tried his best to stay alive but to no success. After a while a kyrie named Natsuri from the moon tribe found Shadow and brought him to Valhalla to fight alongside and to be part of a pack once again. Under the protection of his new pack and by the powers in Valhalla Shadow grew large enough for Natsuri to ride. And so together they fought, an unstoppable force of power and loyalty. But one fateful day Shadow and Natsuri were ambushed by the wolf forces of Utgar led by Nilsia herself. The battle was long and ferocious, but Shadow fought them off only to find that in the pitched fray His rescuer and friend Natsuri had been mortally wounded and soon gave into his wounds. Afterwards Sadow Howled and whimpered for what seemed like an eternity. What was he to do, the only family he had ever known was now dead. Eventually he decided that if he couldn’t be happy then know one deserved to be. He went back to the moon tribe where he soon began to fight with them once again but as a lone wolf killing anyone who gets in his way foe and friend alike.

Shadow and Natsuri
HUNTERS MENTALITY
If Shadow and Natsuri start their turn adjacent to at least one other friendly hunter figure you may move up to 3 common wolf or hunters, you control up to 5 spaces. figures moved this way must end their move adjacent to another friendly hunter.
PACK OF HUNTERS
When Shadow and Natsuri roll defense dice if there is at least one other friendly hunter within 3 spaces you may add one additional shield to whatever is rolled.

Shadow
Ambush
Shadow may add one to his attack and move numbers if he is adjacent to no other figures at the start of his turn. Shadow must be able to end his turn adjacent to an opponent’s figure to use ambush.
Deranged Assault
Shadow must attack all figures adjacent to him. Roll each attack separately. If Shadow attacks more than one figure and does not inflict a wound Shadow must suffer one wound

I have played with Nilsa and quite enjoyed the figure and though that maybe she could use a rival
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The look for the figure is a hunter looking Kyrie ridding a larger than normal Wolf. I imagine the wolf would looing something like this and the kyrie would look like a cross between Raelin and Kiova but wearing a hunters attire.
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Moniphar is a member of the Einar Imperium whose prowess in battle grew fiercer than his comrades. He was a natural born fighter and his sense of care he felt for his fellow soldiers made him popular and adored by Einar's forces. It also made him a target.

One night, he was ambushed, captured and tortured by Utgar, who tore his wings from his body and scarred his torso. To Moniphar's surprise, Utgar then released him. Believing he had destroyed the Kyrie's mind and body, Utgar was arrogantly confident that upon his return to Einar's forces, Moniphar would destroy morale and spread fear among the soldiers.

Instead, Moniphar was as determined and ready as ever to lead the charge alongside his fellow Kyrie and the men of earth. His fortitude and force of will forbade the pains of the past to conquer his mind, and he became a symbol, officially given the title, The Honored.

He inspired his allies and terrified his foes. His unyielding drive even impressed the mystical creature Awdiya, a Valhallan griffin who Moniphar released from a cursed slumber. Sensing Moniphar's iron will and loyal heart, Awdiya swore her allegiance and joined him for future battles where they continue to support and inspire Einar's forces.

Name: Moniphar the Honored

General: Einar

Race: Kyrie

Uniqueness: Unique Hero

Class: Soldier

Personality: Disciplined

Size: Medium 5

Life: 4

Move: 5

Range: 1

Attack: 3

Defense: 3

Abilities:

Double Attack

When Moniphar attacks, he may attack one additional time.

Loyal Soldier

When taking a turn with a squad of soldiers that follow Einar, you may choose to only activate one or two figures on that squad’s army card. If you do, after taking that turn, you may also take a turn with Moniphar.

Vengeful Strike

Start the game with 1 Strike Marker on this army card. When an Einar soldier you control within 3 sight spaces of Moniphar is destroyed by an opponent’s figure, transfer the Strike Marker to the Army Card of the figure that destroyed that soldier. Moniphar rolls an extra attack die when attacking a figure with his Strike Marker on its Army Card.

Name: Moniphar the Honored (mounted)

General: Einar

Race: Kyrie

Uniqueness: Unique Hero

Class: Champion

Personality: Inspiring

Size: Large 7

Life: 5

Move: 6

Range: 1

Attack: 5

Defense: 4

Abilities:

Flying

Fire Burst Special Attack

Range: 1 Attack: 3

All figures adjacent to Moniphar are affected by Fire Burst Special Attack. Roll 3 attack dice once for all affected figures. Affected figures roll defense dice separately. Affected figures cannot roll extra defense dice granted by terrain or height advantage.

Pyre of Hope

When Moniphar is destroyed, you may immediately replace him with up to two previously destroyed soldier squad figures you control if possible.

Moniphar is an Einar Imperium soldier with two major distinguishing features. A) He has a massive x-shaped scar across his chest and B) his wings have been sawed off at the first joint, please see the edgy tumblr art to catch my meaning. His pose, in my mind should be focused, like he's honing in on his next target.
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Moniphar's mount Awdiya, is a dark brown or perhaps black griffon with a phoenix motif. I imagine fire being featured somewhere on her model. End of the tail ala charizard, and/or perhaps within the feathery mane. Pose-wise, I'd like her to be sort of breaching upward with her forward half, kind of like the middle lioness in the below reference picture. Probably less dramatic and the head should probably face forward. Moniphar would be riding on her back, thrusting out his chest.

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Spoiler Alert!


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Spoiler Alert!


Briefly describe the appearance of the character below:

AL-13 is a slender humanoid soulborg with a runner's physique a ragged grey hooded cloak that only covers his torso. His body is mostly a gunmetal grey, but he has green lights that trace lines around his body, down his legs and into his hands. I picture him in a running motion, forming a finger gun with his hand as if he's about to fire a bolt of energy from it.

AL-13's mount is an armored feathered deer. He has plates on his face, breast, and legs that are dyed green leather and silver metal. Behind him, his has a long tail that ends in colorful feathers. Obviously, his antlers are quite large and beautiful. While AL-13 is mounted, he wields a white bow.

Describe any elements of the character's lore that you would like to highlight:

AL-13 is from the early days of the war on Alpha Prime. The factory that made him didn't last long before it was absorbed into the Zetti combine, releasing only 13 functional units in that time. They had been a supplier of specialty Robota before the rise of the soulborgs, and so couldn't match the pace of their competitors and conquerors. AL-13's model allows for him to shift the energy in his body, either for a burst in speed as he traverses the Valhallan landscape, or to fire bolts of pure energy at his opponents. Unfortunately, he lost the modulator that made this possible while scouting within Utgar's territory. As thanks for his bravery and loyalty, Ullar gifted him a bow and a feathered deer, and granted him the title of "Warden" - promising he would no longer be sent on missions to battle alone.

Tell us about an NGC unit you've played or would like to play- what do you like about it?

Can't lie, I like the Stellanauts! Love how colorful and weird they are, and their unique playstyle.
 
I'd like to present my submission for this contest:

Xavix, Tinkerer
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Unit, Description, and Bio
Spoiler Alert!


Xavix, Doomsayer
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Unit, Description, and Bio:
Spoiler Alert!


Tell us about an NGC unit you've played or would like to play- what do you like about it?

I was happy to see the rest of the AoA units fleshed out before we knew about any relaunch. My favorites were the vorid glide strikers.
 
Small update to my submission. As a part of the ongoing fanfiction contest that timed nicely with this one, I wrote a more lengthy story about Xavix and Layla. I wasn't sure if I would finish it before this contest ended, but I would like to add this story to my submission, if possible. Thanks!
 
Name: Eralic The Elven Warrior
General: Revna
Race: Elf
Class: Warrior
Personality: Rebellious
Size: Medium 4 unmounted Large 7 mounted

Appearance: Female elf with the large horned headpiece resembling an American Bison simular to the one worn by the Ashra warrior. She is heavily armored made from vines and tree bark. When unmounted an eagle is perched on her left arm and a sword is held in her right hand in a relaxed position pointed at the ground. Her mounted version sits atop a palomino unicorn with paint markings and the sword is swapped out for a sling.

Unmounted stats
Life: 5
Move: 5
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 4

Abilities: Eagle Swoop
After moving and before attacking you may choose a figure within four clear spaces of Eralic The Elven Warrior. Roll the 20 sided die. If you roll an 18 or higher the chosen figure receives a wound.

Mounted stats
Life: 5
Move: 7
Range: 4
Attack: 2
Defense: 5

Abilities: Unicorn Healing
Before moving you may choose a wounded figure within four clear sight spaces of Elaric The Elven Warrior. Roll the 20 sided die. If you roll a 12 or higher remove one wound marker from the chosen figure. Unicorn Healing can be used on Eralic the Elven Warrior

Lore:
The cry of an eagle. An unanswered distress call. The glint of the sun on my sword. Quiet.

Years ago the Aubriens needed help in their fight against the encroaching wolves. The Ashra Warriors were summoned but a decision was made that the journey from Ashra to the Head of the Great Forrest would be too far and too dangerous and the battle would long be over by the time we arrived. I heavily argued against that decision, and ventured out on my own. My arrival occurred shortly before the fall of the nine when the tide had been long out of our favor. I fought hard and long but was soon overwhelmed by the wolves. Wounded in battle and left to die until a lone unicorn came to aid. Physical pain can be easily healed but the pain of defeat ate at me. I made the decision to take the cowards way out but for some reason Revna gave me another chance.

NGC unit I'd like to play:
I haven't ventured into NGC due to the unavailability of a 3D printer. However I am a frequent listener of the Tales of Vahalla Podcast and am very familiar with the custom group. This said I'm most looking forward to playing the Vorid Glide Strikers. One of the first expansion packs I picked up was Snipers and Vipers so them being both precise and scouts brings a big smile to my face. I'm looking forward to using them as range support with a viper army where they can also take advantage of Venoc Warlord's Movement Leadership bonus
 
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I didn't end up having enough time to workshop these as much as I'd have liked to, but here:

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He is a Carthaginian commander of the era of the Second Punic War, on foot and riding his war elephant. As the Carthaginians relied on auxiliary troops and mercenaries for the bulk of their armies, his power set plays into that theme.

As far as existing NGC customs, the one that I find most interesting is Day La Pucelle; the MacDirks benefit nicely from her ability and they could really use the help, haha.
 
Name: Ambrozi Esenwein (unmounted)

General: Utgar

Race: Undead

Uniqueness: Unique Hero

Class: Duke

Personality: Terrifying

Size: Medium 5

Life: 3

Move: 6

Range: 1

Attack: 2

Defense: 3

Abilities:

Flying: (standard)

Life Drain: (standard)

Unnatural Riposte: When Ambrozi is targeted by a normal attack from an adjacent figure that was not engaged with Ambrozi at the start of the turn, you may immediately roll the 20-sided die. If you roll 1-16, nothing happens. If you roll a 17-20, the attacking figure receives one wound.

*****

Name: Ambrozi Esenwein (mounted)

General: Utgar

Race: Undead

Uniqueness: Unique Hero

Class: Duke

Personality: Terrifying

Size: Large 7

Life: 6

Move: 7

Range: 1

Attack: 4

Defense: 3

Abilities:

Life Drain: (standard)

Cavalry Tactician: Large or huge squad figures you control within 8 clear sight spaces of Ambrozi are never attacked when leaving an engagement.

*****

Briefly describe the appearance of the character below:

Ambrozi is a lightly-built Esenwein of fairly standard design. Unmounted, he stands alert and holds a short, slender sword. His hair is evocative of Iskra's, with a high widow's peak. He appears to be welcoming a challenge or delivering orders, fangs bared and mouth open.

When mounted, Ambrozi rides a horrifying amalgamation of Feylundian skeletons- from Fiantooth, Griffilins, Ogres, Doggins, and an unnnerving number of Elves. The shape appears to take the most from a Trolticor. However, the torso, instead of being a clear head to the body, is a mass of tangled bone forming a small elevated platform. Ambrozi stands on this platform. At the base of the bony column are three skulls from creatures the amalgamation is made of. Their eye sockets, and the gaps between the densely packed bones, glow with a deathly pale blue light.

Provide up to three images of the character and/or the mount. Feel free to point out specific elements of the image you want or do not want to be included in the character's sculpt:

Unfortunately, I don't have any preexisting images of this idea.

Describe any elements of the character's lore that you would like to highlight:

As the ambitious nephew of Cyprien, the ambitious Ambrozi had become a high-ranking member of his uncle's army long before Utgar summoned the notorious vampire family to Valhalla. Ambrozi is a formidable close-quarters opponent, seizing upon weaknesses in enemy combatants, turning aside charging foes with precision. However, Ambrozi's strategic mind is what led him to be a true success, guiding the deadly Esenwein skeleton cavalry from atop his monstrous undead battle platform. With Ambrozi's goading, Utgar's cavalry has truly become a force to be feared, raking up and down enemy lines, breaking defensive fronts and causing Utgar's foes to flee in terror.



Tell us about an NGC unit you've played or would like to play- what do you like about it?

The Saguar Stalker is such a clever creature design, so I can't wait to see how it ends up, but I also have a soft spot for Klatzenskoll Nightwalker's clever design. I particularly enjoy the Deathly Chimes ability and how it can quickly shift up the landscape of a fight with some lucky rolls.
 
Honestly just stoked I was able to meet the deadline here; I've been swamped this month. I've thrown the lore bits into spoiler tags, as I don't want to clutter the thread.

Unmounted:

Name: IRIS Agent Harry Griffiths

General: Vydar

Race: Human

Uniqueness: Unique Hero

Class: Agent

Personality: Precise

Size: Medium

Life: 4

Move: 5

Range: 7

Attack: 3

Defense: 2

Abilities:

GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE

Before taking a turn with IRIS Agent Harry Griffiths, you may look at one unrevealed Order Marker on an opponent's figure's Army Card.

STASIS FIELD GENERATOR

Start the game with a Stasis Icon on this Army Card. After moving and before attacking, you may place a Stasis Icon under a figure within 5 clear sight spaces of IRIS Agent Harry Griffiths. A figure with a Stasis Icon subtracts 1 from its Move and Defense values and cannot make leaving engagement attacks against small or medium figures. At the end of the round, return the Stasis Icon to this card.

PRECOGNITIVE WARNING

When rolling defense dice for IRIS Agent Harry Griffiths or an Agent figure you control within 4 clear sight spaces of him, if there is at least one revealed Order Marker on this Army Card, you may re-roll all dice that did not show shields. You may only use Precognitive Warning once each turn.

Briefly describe the appearance of the character below:

Physically fit special agent / FBI type in his early thirties. Sharp facial features; practical/regulation haircut; no facial hair. Carries a pistol on his hip and holds a "stasis ray" (imagine your favorite sci-fi ray gun in rifle form) in one hand. Wears a trench coat over light body armor. Partial headset worn on right side of head allows for fast and clear communication with distant agents. Stylistically matches the Cryptain Agents, but helmetless.

Provide up to three images of the character and/or the mount. Feel free to point out specific elements of the image you want or do not want to be included in the character's sculpt:

See mounted version's section.

Describe any elements of the character's lore that you would like to highlight:

Spoiler Alert!


Mounted:

Name: IRIS Agent Harry Griffiths

General: Valkrill

Race: Undead

Uniqueness: Unique Hero

Class: Stalker

Personality: Terrifying

Size: Huge

Life: 8

Move: 6

Range: 1

Attack: 5

Defense: 2

Abilities:

GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE

Before taking a turn with IRIS Agent Harry Griffiths, you may look at one unrevealed Order Marker on an opponent's figure's Army Card.

PHASE SHIFT

Instead of moving, if IRIS Agent Harry Griffiths is not engaged, you may remove him from the battlefield, place him on this Army Card, and place a Phased Icon on the spaces he occupied. If IRIS Agent Harry Griffiths is on this card, you may instead place him on his Phased Icon.

CREEPING HORROR

After revealing an Order Marker on a Terrifying Army Card you control and taking that turn, you may move IRIS Agent Harry Griffiths' Phased Icon up to 3 spaces.

PSYCHIC DISTRACTION

When rolling for initiative, opponents must subtract 1 from their results for each of their Order Markers on a card with at least one figure within 3 spaces of IRIS Agent Harry Griffiths or his Phased Icon.

Briefly describe the appearance of the character below:

The "mount" is a giant, (12+-ft tall) genderless, human-like, knuckle-walking quadruped. Its neck and broad torso are roughly twice as long as a proportionately sized human. Skin is grainy and hairless; face nearly featureless, with crimped-edged depressions in place of eyes and mouth. Long, slender forelimbs are anatomically close to those of elephants (i.e. they could be mistaken for having knees instead of elbows) and end in long-fingered human hands. A pair of human-like arms reaches from the middle of its torso. Its feet are toeless. Its head/face and back (including rear sides of neck, arms, and legs) ooze a sticky substance, giving them a slick, shiny appearance.

The remains of IRIS Agent Harry Griffiths are adhered face-down to the creature's back. His body is technically intact, but his limbs are mangled and twisted and his clothes and back have been torn by large fingers.

Provide up to three images of the character and/or the mount. Feel free to point out specific elements of the image you want or do not want to be included in the character's sculpt:

screen-shot-2021-05-16-at-09.40.23.png


This image from Netflix's Love, Death, and Monsters is roughly what I mean by a "featureless" face, in that many important parts are missing, and that the "shadow" of the eyes is visible. However, the "mount's" face would have no trace of a nose or ears, and it would have crimped-edged depressions where eyes and a mouth would otherwise belong.

Describe any elements of the character's lore that you would like to highlight:

Spoiler Alert!


Tell us about an NGC unit you've played or would like to play- what do you like about it?

The Slatescale Direworms seem like a lot of fun; I enjoy figures with movement-forcing powers, and the worms have some subtle and interesting synergies. The sculpts are cool, too.

Best of luck to all of my fellow participants!
 
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