Heroscape Wave 13 Beta

While we design large sets, like Lords of Madness, it seems we are usually so busy that we never actually relate what goes into the process of design. Usually, we have a theme in mind for a given miniature. Sometime, its really obvious what this is, and sometimes less so. With the release of four figures for Heroscape that were originally sculpted for DDM (see arrows in the image below), it provides an opportunity for us to spend a little time relating how this thought process goes on. At the same time, there is a fair bit of sadness. The cancellation of the line means more limited access to older sculpts, like the recently released Heroscape Frost Giant and the Large Red Dragon, two of the older favorites of mine.

And so, we don’t really have to get into the netherworld debate of whether we should continue to stat Heroscape figures once their Dungeons and Dragons run finishes. This is just a one-off, and it permits this Heroscape set to be used in DDM Draft events. I’d normally point out that this particular set is very useful for Blind Draft and for Auction Draft, as all bases are correctly sized for DDM, but that just means that I need to publish our Auction Draft Guidelines. That’s certainly coming, but given the choices with limited time available, I’d rather get new stats in the hands of the players before new formats. After all, the holidays are coming.

Now, I’d like to share the betas of all four of the ‘Hero-eScapees” and discuss the general theme behind their design. I hope you will agree that they all bring something new and interesting to DDM.

Master of the Hunt

The first minature comes in a package of three, with the Ice Troll and the Frost Giant. The Master of the Hunt is based on Celtic legend, and the original stats were designed by Peter Lee. During our development, the theme that one enemy creature would be “the hunted” came forward. While the Huntmaster’s attacks are not outstanding for his level, they are mystical and may not be redirected, providing him with a power level all his own. Against his quarry, the Huntmaster is truly awe-inspiring, with a spear that hits more often, for greater damage, and will even stretch itself up to ten additional feet to hit the Huntmaster’s Quarry. During combat, as an immortal, the Master of the Hunt appears impossible to damage. This is reflected by the fact that he is never bloodied. Yet against foes that accord themselves well (which we model in DDM by scoring 90 points of damage), he simply nods and disappears, perhaps returning to hunt them another day.

Frostrager Barbarian

The next three miniatures all come in the same Booster, (alongside ‘Moltenclaw’, who DDMers know as a Large Red Dragon). First, we’ll visit the Frostrager Barbarian that was initially statted by Logan Bonner. I believe that he was intended for the Feywild set as well. During development, we played off of the cold theme with the addition of a new power, Early Freeze. Just as the Frostrager can infuse cold into each of his melee attacks, he can also do so into the terrain. We’ve all seen cartoons in which a cold-based hero can touch water and freeze it over in an instant, but this type of power has never been translated into DDM – at least until now. This can make fording rivers simple work, if you time it correctly. Of course, that only works if the Frostrager himself is worth including in your warband, so pull out your cold-themed concepts and start testing.

Warforged Juggernaut

In designing the Juggernaut, there were some inter-edition considerations to address. In the 3e game canon and Eberron lore, the juggernaut is a figure that is most formidable when charging. In 4e, the juggernaut still charges, of course, but is modeled more as the ‘unyielding’ hero, advancing in the face of any adversity. Our Warforged Juggernaut ended up as an amalgam of both, but with perhaps more of a nod towards the new Juggernaut. His Dedicated power is a nod to his new role as an unshakeable soldier that just keeps advancing, whatever you throw at him. His Warborn Charger Power means that he can do things that few other charging figures can; he can perform a breakthrough manuever all by himself. Ruinous Charge clears the way, and Warborn Charger lets him advance through the gap with a subsequent move action.

Tuhli, Goliath Defender

Tuhli could easily have been named “Goliath Warden,” but then we wouldn’t have been able to be as aggressive in exploring her new protector/defender roles. In 4e, Wardens have some interesting controller functions. I wondered whether a Warden could be tranlated to an effective but unique controller-type defender in DDM, too. After several different attempts, I think we succeeded here. Tuhli is no slouch in straight up combat, giving some top soldiers a run for their money. However, when Tuhli hits with her Warden’s Pin attack, her damage seems almost irrelevant to her purpose. Your opponent will be far more worried about the conditions she bestows. Tuhli’s ability to perform the Warden’s Pin repeatedly as an immediate action means that she will certainly be a focus for your opponents attacks early in the match. But, of course, that’s the role she was meant to fulfill.

Are these figures legal?

Yes, they are useable through the end of 2010.

At that point, they will no longer be legal as betas. We certainly hope to have any updates, or tweaks in wording done by the new year, and thus release them in their final form.