Heroscape

[Matthew Baldwin]

http://www.heroscape.com

Has anyone here tried it yet? It's reportedly the best "battle game" of all time.

[Michael Mikaelian]

I didn't get a chance to play, but I watched hundreds of people demo the game at the Wizards booth across from the Paizo booth at Gen Con Indy. They looked like they were having fun.

[Alfredo Lorente]

I had a chance to play on Sunday, before leaving the Con.

Is it the best miniatures game in the world? That really depends on what you are looking for. It isn't a clicky game, but different units have different special abilities. Combat is simple, and terrain is very simple, too.

Is it historical? Perhaps, although the Airborne squad I was playing had no Wehrmacht (sp?) troops to shoot at. It's strength revolves around it's simplicity and how you can match those same 82nd troopers against a dragon, or orcs, or Roman legionnaires, or if you are willing to work out the stats yourself, Imperial Stormtroopers.

What makes this game a "must have" is that it is easy to learn, has a high toy value, and will be the new game to hook children on the hobby. If you do miniatures yourself, the additional bonus is the interlocking terrain -- with enough sets you can build the Sierra Maestra and have really neat streams and ponds at half depth, giving you cheap, handy and neat-looking terrain.

With luck, I'll get to do a longer, more detailed write-up for Undefeated. Keep your eyes peeled on the magazine.

Alfredo Lorente

[Doom]

Yeah, I've been checking it out, too. I certainly like the look, and the "figures from every era/epoch/genre" hook seems to work nicely.

Then again, actually setting up the board is a puzzle...I practically needed a nap after assembling one, trying to put every piece in the right place (and, darnit, there seems to be a piece missing).

It's not exactly a CMG, tho, and it does seem like some pieces are costed a bit too kindly. Ah well, must be time to playtest. :)

Take care,

Rick

[Brad Hardman]

This game look awesome. Worth buying for the minis and terrain alone. Just have to wait for it to get a mass release.

Lord, I envy those lucky enough to get in playtests for stuff like this.

[Russell Brown]

I bought the game at GENCON. It was $40 on Friday when I bought mine. My nephew had to pay $50 on Satruday, but by them we had played a couple games and he was willing to pay.

Its a visually appealing game - the terrain pieces all snap together easily and actually fit back into the box. There are enough unique abilities for each piece (appropriate to their period/theme) to keep the game interesting and encourage armies constructed from similar periods.

It's a good game - though I wouldn't say the best of all miniature games. It could be the best miniature game where I don't have to paint the figures!

The game also features special treasure/powerup tiles and a little bit of architectural terrain - enough to make some interesting scenarios other than "kill everyone".

I think it will really hit its stride in December/January when the expansions are released. The had an example expansion pack at GENCON - four roman legionaires (with higher defense if you keep them next to each other) and three roman archers (who could combine fire into a single attack). The expansion also came with new terrain tiles, and I suppose there will be new buildings and new terrain types in the future. A scenario book might be nice too :)

It's a very good, very portable, very easy, low barrier-to-entry game. (and if you have two you can make a huge map!)

[Doom]

Yup, the more I play it, the more I like it (and I even found that missing piece!).

It really does fit back in the box? I've been kinda dreading trying that, it seemed such a snug fit when I emptied it all out.

Ah well, back to slaughtering space aliens and dragons and vikings and elves oh my...

Take care,

Rick

[grey_zealot]

HeroScape.

Heard a lot of great things about it.

I go into Wal*Mart or Toys 'R' Us, and I always pick it up and just hold it.

But, it's going to have to wait until AFTER Christmas. I'm only halfway done with shopping for my family, and I feel guilty enough I'm going to spend a chunk of change next week when picking up my case of Mutant Mayhem.

But, soon.... Soon.... Yes, it will be mine.

[Landshark]

grey_zealot wrote:

HeroScape.

I go into Wal*Mart or Toys 'R' Us, and I always pick it up and just hold it.
But, it's going to have to wait until AFTER Christmas.
But, soon.... Soon.... Yes, it will be mine.

Last month, there was a weekend where they sold them 2-for-1. I got some then. You might hope for a similar deal in January after the Xmas rush.

[Eyeball]

I'm sure you've all had a chance to try Heroscape by now, but I just thought I'd chime in and say that it's among my favorite games.

[ZeroCharisma]

Heroscape is a lot of fun. I have a hard time finding opponents, but even my nine year old daughter caught on when we played the basic version. Occasionally someone will want to play, but most of the guys in my group are die-hard D&D'ers.

As an added bonus, the terrain works well for the Mechwarrior clicky bits, which we use with original battletech rules, on the HeroScape terrain. I tried to use the terrain for D&D, but it was difficult for the players to understand the change in scale. The mini's however, with some adjustment work really well. I have used Mimring for a Copper Dragon. I bought the original set and a few of the expansions, but stopped because I couldn't find players.

All in all, I think it's a great alternative, and also fun for more casual gamers, but D&D afficianados may be sceptical. I think the value is high and if you can get a twofer or something, the value is not an issue at all, you'll have fun just setting up the various scenarios and building dramatic terrain, and playing with all the colorful figures.

[Valegrim]

yeah, the game is ok and fun; but like the game Titan that was big a few years ago, which incidentally is a cool game too with armies and terrain and stuff, hard to find the time and opponents.

[Eyeball]

I've never had a chance to play Titan, but I've heard really great things about it. Would love to give it a try sometime.

[scorpionkiss]

Love the game
bought two masters sets cheap here in england at £14.99 and £19.99.
Another of my D&d players plays it. Regular lurker on the heroscapers.com website

love the custom units
I am going to unleash it on my D&d players as a break of playing but in the context of the campaign.
Kind of like Lord of the rings where there are the big battles as well as the smaller stuff of characters adventuring.

[prjt2501]

I bought a copy for my wife for Christmas a year or so ago...we've only played it a few times, but it's been a lot of fun. We plan on picking up some more of the "booster" unit packs and terrain expansions as well...

[caps]

This wonderful game is making a comeback via crowdfunding campaign! More here.