The Book of Asterios

[DanieLoche]

The Book of Asterios

Soldiers of Valhalla

Printer-Friendly PDF - Alternative figure version PDF​

Basic Side Card:

Spoiler Alert!

The figure used for this unit is a Reapers Minis figure from the Legendary Encounters set. The name of the figure is Minotaur of the Maze.​

This figure fits on a large single-spaced base.
​

Character Bio: Dwelling in the Maze was the Minotaur. This mystical being from Feylund relentlessly preyed upon the poor men let wandering alive in the Maze. Many time have armies of valiant troops tried to bring the beast down, only to never return, as the Minotaur is not an opponent for the puny weapons of mere mortals. Their blows never seemed to pierce the thick hide of the Minotaur whereas he furiously charged and wreack havoc in their ranks, unconcerned by their blades or pikes. It is said, however, that some day a true hero would appear, blessed by the gods. Faced with this Hero, the Minotaur will finally bleed, and after a long battle will be left dead on the ground. The Hero will emerged victorious from the Maze, the first man to ever do it, carrying at his wrists the ornaments of the beast horns. Or so said the legends.
Theseus was believed to be the Hero of the legend. He claimed to have killed the Minotaur, and leaved the Maze alive. And true be told, the Minotaur was no more in the Maze. But never did Theseus bring back the ornaments of the horns of the Minotaur...
Some whisper that the Minotaur is not dead. That he was taken by a potent God to help him in his war. That the Hero born to kill the Beast has still not showed up...

FURIOUS CHARGE SPECIAL ATTACK
Range 1. Attack 3.
Instead of moving and attacking normally with Asterios, you may move Asterios up to 5 spaces. Asterios can attack up to 3 times with Furious Charge Special Attack at any point before, during, or after this move as long as Asterios is on a space where he can end his movement. Asterios cannot attack the same figure more than once on a single turn. Asterios will never take any leaving engagement attacks from small or medium Squad figures while using Furious Charge Special Attack.

LEGENDARY CREATURE 3
When rolling defense dice against a normal attack from small or medium Squad figures, Asterios receives 3 additional defense dice.

_________________________________________________________________

-Rulings and Clarifications-

• TBA.

_________________________________________________________________

-Combinations and Synergies-

Synergy Benefits Offered

• None.

Synergy Benefits Received

• None.

_________________________________________________________________

-Strategy, Tactics and Tips-

• Unit Review - Scytale
• Unit Review - capsocrates
• Unit Review - superfrog
• Unit Review - Soundwarp SG-1

_________________________________________________________________
-Heroscapers Community Contributions-

Power Ranking & Master Index
The 120 point standalone hero field is a crowded one, for sure, and Asterios is far from the top of the heap. But against squad armies Asterios will have little trouble earning his value. B+

Unit Strategy Review- TBA

 

[DanieLoche]

I just noticed one thing :

With the submission, we already gave a name to the "wave" : Guardian of the Maze. (shown on the basic side of the army card)

And the actual name is... Minotaur of the Maze. ^^

 

[kevindola]

From my memory, is this the first special attack that grants an additional ability without having to attack? In this case disengage? Referencing the other movement special attacks, Kumiko already has disengage and I don't believe that Augamo gains it.

If that's true then this would be the first special attack where you might want to use your special attack without attacking? Is that within the rules? Example being wanting to disengage freely from a figure you don't want to wound (Krug, 1 lifee viking spirit, chokepoint holder...) or if you want to make a beeline for kelda or a treasure glyph in TQ.

 

[McHotcakes]

So Aesterios is the Minotaur from the original myth, but he's from Feylund? How on Earth did this guy end up on another planet?

 

[betawolf36]

He's not from the myth, the maze he's in is on feylund.

 

[DanieLoche]

From my memory, is this the first special attack that grants an additional ability without having to attack? In this case disengage? Referencing the other movement special attacks, Kumiko already has disengage and I don't believe that Augamo gains it.

If that's true then this would be the first special attack where you might want to use your special attack without attacking? Is that within the rules? Example being wanting to disengage freely from a figure you don't want to wound (Krug, 1 lifee viking spirit, chokepoint holder...) or if you want to make a beeline for kelda or a treasure glyph in TQ.

Yes and no... because his Disengage is only against small and medium Squad figures. So no Krug, Vikings...

 

[Maklar the Silver Prince]

He's not from the myth, the maze he's in is on feylund.

Yep, that's what I gathered too. He's based off a Greek myth, but twisted into the Heroscape universe, sort of like how Sudema is to Medusa. Who exactly is Theseus? I'm personally thinking/hoping that he's one of the Kresnik, like Van Nessing. He's definitely a character whom I think would be interesting to see come to life in fanscape.

Great looking Minotaur!

 

[superfrog]

@DanieLoche

I guess we didn't really think to use the existing basic information you gave in the submission, because I think it was the first submission to actually include a full basic side, and so we weren't used to it at all. It's a miracle that we happened to come up with the same stats as you did!

 

[superfrog]

From my memory, is this the first special attack that grants an additional ability without having to attack? In this case disengage? Referencing the other movement special attacks, Kumiko already has disengage and I don't believe that Augamo gains it.

If that's true then this would be the first special attack where you might want to use your special attack without attacking? Is that within the rules? Example being wanting to disengage freely from a figure you don't want to wound (Krug, 1 lifee viking spirit, chokepoint holder...) or if you want to make a beeline for kelda or a treasure glyph in TQ.

It is within the rules to do so, at least as far as I can tell. Also notice that it is only 5 move rather than the normal move of 6, so it's not just a straight advantage.

 

[kevindola]

If that's true then this would be the first special attack where you might want to use your special attack without attacking? Is that within the rules?

It is within the rules to do so, at least as far as I can tell. Also notice that it is only 5 move rather than the normal move of 6, so it's not just a straight advantage.

So someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the first special attack you can activate and not actually attack. Is there a precedent for such a thing?

I would argue that Kumiko/Augamo is not a good example because declining to attack for them is not functionally different than just moving. Whereas with Asterios there are cases (small/medium squad cases ) where you can activate the special attack in order to get disengage, but not do any attacking. (We'll call that usage a Mildly Perturbed Charge 'Attack')

EDIT: Btw, I should say that I love this unit. Fantastic sculpt and the application of the design intent was really well done. I look forward to games with this guy to see his impact. Bravo [MENTION]French Community[/MENTION].

 

[DanieLoche]

Yes, it's the first special attack that allow to do this. ^^

But there's almost some precedent :
- Othkurik's Embush and Kozuke's Charging Assault can allow them to add 1/3 to their move without attacking. Those can be strange Embushes and Assaults, aren't they ?
- Goblin Cuttes' Scurry give them Disengage only when they use it.
- And the most important : Eltahale can use Thunder Step without attacking ! It's not a Special Attack, but same result : you can give her Disengage and a no-high-limit move of 5, without attacking, even if it's the first aim of the power.

@superfrog : I should make a scandal now... but I won't, no time for it.

 

[McHotcakes]

He's not from the myth, the maze he's in is on feylund.

But the bio references Theseus the GREEK hero who killed it. Was Theseus a soldier summoned to Valhalla and spread the story when he got back to Earth. Or am I just way over thinking this? Probably the latter.

 

[superfrog]

He's not from the myth, the maze he's in is on feylund.

But the bio references Theseus the GREEK hero who killed it. Was Theseus a soldier summoned to Valhalla and spread the story when he got back to Earth. Or am I just way over thinking this? Probably the latter.

First, that's not necessarily the official bio. Second, Feylund is home to legendary adaptations of mythological creatures (Sudema being the prime example).

 

[Dad_Scaper]

He's not from the myth, the maze he's in is on feylund.

But the bio references Theseus the GREEK hero who killed it. Was Theseus a soldier summoned to Valhalla and spread the story when he got back to Earth. Or am I just way over thinking this? Probably the latter.

It's magic.

Spoiler Alert!

I believe Chris Dupuis may have been the one who retrieved the answers to these questions from Craig and then created the FAQ(s)(I was around before we even had an FAQ).

Clear or unclear, I do know one thing. If Craig saw this kind of circular kibitzing over this kind of thing, he would just tell you that "it's magic", and that's why it is the way it is.

At a certain point, the debate becomes more destructive than it's worth. When a person is so determined to prove themselves right, they lose track of the harmony that is so important in a community.

Quirky, as the ruling is, it has served well for many many years now. It is the odd little quirk like this, that I find so charming, and is also the reason I would defend it against someone who is primarily intent on proving themselves correct at all cost.

 

[superfrog]

@Dad_Scaper +all the rep.

 

[McHotcakes]

He's not from the myth, the maze he's in is on feylund.

But the bio references Theseus the GREEK hero who killed it. Was Theseus a soldier summoned to Valhalla and spread the story when he got back to Earth. Or am I just way over thinking this? Probably the latter.

First, that's not necessarily the official bio. Second, Feylund is home to legendary adaptations of mythological creatures (Sudema being the prime example).

I have no problem with mythological creatures being from Feylund. I'm just trying to figure out how a monster from Feylund inspired a myth on Earth.

And in case anyone is wondering I'm not taking this too seriously. I'm just having some fun speculating about magical beings from fictional universes.

 

[Dad_Scaper]

@Dad_Scaper +all the rep.

That post is never far from my mind, SF. Thank you for perceiving its wisdom.


No worries, McHotcakes. That post from GB followed a more serious debate than your question about Asterios's background. But Heroscape is a game, and not a simulation or a narrative, so there will often be inadequate answers to questions like yours. Which you already knew, I think, but I responded anyway.

 

[McHotcakes]

@Dad_Scaper +all the rep.

That post is never far from my mind, SF. Thank you for perceiving its wisdom.


No worries, McHotcakes. That post from GB followed a more serious debate than your question about Asterios's background. But Heroscape is a game, and not a simulation or a narrative, so there will often be inadequate answers to questions like yours. Which you already knew, I think, but I responded anyway.

I knew there probably wasn't a serious answer to my question. I was just curious if anyone had a theory.

It's like asking what happens to Optimus Prime's trailer when he transforms, or when does Batman find time to sleep? Obviously there is no real answer but its still fun to speculate.

That's what my original question was meant to do. I had no intention of bringing down the unit or anything, and I'm sorry if anyone took it that way.

 

[Lyrgard]

Well, as the main author of Asterios' bio, this is what I can tell you :

Originally, Asterios was from Earth, at the time I wrote the bio (at that time, Asterios also had a power allowing to loot his horns ornaments once he died, hence the reference in the bio). The lore of Heroscape made us originates him from Feylund, and the sake of design simplicity made us drop the looting power.
The bio stayed like it was. We liked it this way.

Also, if a mythical being from Feylund can inspire Earth's myths (like Sudema, Asterios, ...), how can one be sure that Theseus is really a greek hero ? Perhaps he was from Feylund too, but was adopted by greeks that made him one of them when the myth arised on Earth. It is good for one's pride if the heroes have the same nationnality, right ? In the same way, we know for sure that Asterios is from Feylund (who with a sane mind would believe such a creature really existed on Earth, right ?), but the myth says that the minotaur is the (step-)son of Minos, King of Crete. Doesn't that prove that the myth is a distorded view of the reality ?

Does this argument convince you ? ;-)

 

[wriggz]

One of my observations when people discuss History in games, movies and TV shows is the confusion with "actual" earth history and "fictional" earth history. There is nothing to say that there is a Theseus in fictional heroscape history. For example we know that Spartacus did not vanish from actual history to fight in some alien war.

Keep your histories (real and fictional) seperate and you will not have any issues.

 

[McHotcakes]

For example we know that Spartacus did not vanish from actual history to fight in some alien war.

Actually his death was never confirmed. For all we know he could have been recruited in an inter dimensional war.

 

[Xotli]

So someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the first special attack you can activate and not actually attack.

I wouldn't put it like that. I believe you're perfectly free to "activate" an SA and not attack. It's just that typically that would have no effect. With this one, it does.

 

[redcometx]

Anyone else having issues getting the .pdf of the card to open? I get this message:

Your submission could not be processed because a security token was invalid.

If this occurred unexpectedly, please inform the administrator and describe the action you performed before you received this error

 

[Dad_Scaper]

I'm phone-posting at the moment but check to see if the print link has the following string at the end: "&act=down." If so, delete it and try again.

 

[DanieLoche]

Corrected...

That's strange because the structure of the url I put was the good one, but the security token wasn't the good one... I don't know if it's the security tokens that is changing regularly or if I made an error of copy/past when I made the book...