Heroscape Master Set and Marvel Review
This Fantasy Battle Board Game comes with dozens of painted plastic miniatures, each representing a warrior from a different era, and hex-based hard plastic terrain pieces which can be put together in many different ways. The warriors include 30 plastic figures, including World War II soldiers, futuristic robots, aliens, a T-rex-riding orc, a large dragon, and many more. Each hero or squad has its own card that details both movement and combat abilities.
There are 2 large ruins and 85 tiles of terrain in the base game. Some terrain tiles are large (up to 24 hexes) while others are small (1 hex). There are water, sand, rock and grass tiles (in roughly increasing order). Many different battlefields can be built by attaching and stacking the tiles.
The rulebook features two games: a basic and a master version. In the basic version (designed for younger players < 8 years), characters move, attack, defend, and have range — but there are no special powers and some other rules are minimized and/or eliminated. The master game includes special powers, wounds, engagement rules, falling rules, and a few other additions.
A battlefield/scenario book shows how to build five battlefields, layer by layer. Each battlefield may have multiple scenarios, where the goals vary. It can be opponent elimination, getting to a certain space, protecting a certain figure, or holding out for a certain number of turns.
Each unit in the Master Set has a movement rating ranging from 4 to 8, which is the number of hexes it can move in a turn. Moving up a level counts as a hex; moving down does not incur that penalty. Moving down more levels than your height when moving from one hex to another counts as falling and you might take damage –unless you are falling into water.
Combat in the game is fairly straightforward. You roll attack dice as listed on your unit’s card (1 to 8 dice in the Master Set), and the opponent rolls defense dice equal to the number on their unit’s card (1 to 9 dice). Skulls rolled in excess of shields count as wounds (hero figures may have more than one Life).
The master game uses a point system in which players alternate drafting cards until they reach the pre-assigned point value for the scenario. It’s possible to bring a “pre-fab” army to the battle in order to save time.
The basic game is for two players. The master game is for 2 to 4 (and more) players.
The game is eminently customizable, with many expansions which add more abilities, terrain, and options. There are also user-created maps, scenarios, custom units and advanced rules available online.
HeroScape: Rise of the Valkyrie is the master set for the HeroScape series of games.
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Based on the popular HeroScape Master Set: Rise of the Valkyrie game and set in the Marvel Universe, Marvel Heroscape features plastic figures of Marvel heroes and villains - each with its own card to control both movement and combat strength.
Using terrain tiles, players can build any kind of battleground, including cities. Some terrain tiles are large (up to 24 hexes) while others are small (1 hex). Many different battlefields can be built by attaching and stacking the tiles.
The rulebook features two games: a basic and a master version. In the basic version, designed for younger players, characters move, attack, defend, and have range — but there are no special powers and some other rules are minimized and/or eliminated. The master game includes special powers, wounds, engagement rules, falling rules, and a few other additions.
A battlefield/scenario book includes many different scenarios and terrain layouts. Games can be opponent elimination, getting to a certain space, protecting a certain figure, or holding out for a certain number of turns.
Each unit has a movement rating ranging from 4 to 7, which is the number of hexes it can move in a turn. Moving up a level counts as a hex; moving down does not incur that penalty. Moving down more levels than your height when moving from one hex to another counts as falling and you might take damage –unless you are falling into water.
Combat in the game is fairly straightforward. You roll attack dice as listed on your unit’s card (2 to 6 dice), and the opponent rolls defense dice equal to the number on their unit’s card (2 to 9 dice). Extra hits count as wounds (figures may have more than one wound).
The master game uses a point system in which players alternate drafting cards until they reach the pre-assigned point value for the scenario. It’s possible to bring a “pre-fab” army to the battle in order to save time.
The basic game is for two players. The master game is for 2 to 4 players.
The Set includes:
10 Figures, 6 (7 hex) Tiles, 23 (2 hex) Tiles, 9 (1 hex) Tiles, 1 (6 hex) Warehouse Tile, Warehouse Corner with breakable wall and floor piece, 2 Glyphs, 12 Combat Dice, 1 (20) Sided Die, 8 Order Markers, 23 Wound Markers, 10 Figure Cards, 1 Breakable Wall Card, and Instruction Booklet.
Figures included:
Super Heroes:
• Captain America: This Valiant Soldier can use his Vibranium shield to bring down any foes not within his reach. He can also inspire his friends when they are near!
• Iron Man: This Iron clad adventurer flies through the air as effortlessly as.. well.. as effortlessly as a huge Iron suit with Jet Boots can… He can also attack multiple times, so enemies beware!
• Spider-Man : Spider-Man can swing through the air using his web lines, and has been known to strike enemies that he can’t reach with his balled up webbing. He also has the uncanny knack to dodge attacks!
• Silver Surfer : Once a misunderstood Super Villain, now a Super Hero, the Silver Surfer uses the Powers Cosmic to strike fear into all of his enemies. He can fly on his board undetected, and speed away from any encounter!
• Incredible Hulk : Don’t make this green machine angry! He can leap across great distances without warning, and uses any injuries to fuel his anger.
Super Villains:
• Thanos : Not much is known about Thanos, although it has been reported that this deadly conqueror cannot die.
• Red Skull: This evil mastermind can manipulate anyone into doing his bidding.
• Doctor Doom : Doctor Doom has been known to take control of other Super Beings to do his own will, which is always nefarious in nature.
• Venom : Sworn enemy of Spider-Man, Venom is almost an exact copy of the Wall Crawler, although many have reported that he is stronger than Spider-Man, just a bit slower with his reflexes.
• Abomination : One of the known enemies of the Incredible Hulk, Abomination uses his massive size to his advantage while stomping around the city. He has been known to take out entire crowds just by using his advanced strength.
Marvel HeroScape is part of the HeroScape series of games.
War is being Waged in Valhalla!
Valhalla was a happy and peaceful place until the discovery of the wellsprings. The water from the springs brought powers and visions to those that drank from it. The visions included images of heroes and warriors from other worlds and times locked in deadly combat. With their new powers, the Valkyrie devised ways to beckon these creatures and use them against their enemies. The lush lands of Valhalla have now become a war-torn and desolate ruin.
Heroes and warriors from all worlds and times are now ready to wage war in Valhalla, and you have come to lead them. Will you be part of the Jandar Army who longs for peace? Or will you be vengeful and lead the Utgar Army to gain control for yourself and your minions?
Build your battlefield, gather your armies and wage war against your enemies. Will you be cunning and powerful enough to crush your enemies and claim victory?
HeroScape’s subtitle is “The Battle of All Time” and it certainly is. Everything about this game is well done: the figures, the terrain, the rules, the scenarios.
If you’re at all interested in the theme (battles involving warriors from different time periods), I strongly recommend that you try HeroScape.
Publisher’s Site
Pros
* Clever, simple, flexible combat system.
* Wonderful components, especially plastic terrain and warrior figures.
* Ability to play a wide variety of scenarios and build new boards.
Cons
* Very limited appeal to those who don’t enjoy fantasy battle theme.
Description
* For 2 or more players (best with 2 to 4), ages 8 and up.
* Time to play varies by scenario.
* Designed by Stephen Baker, Rob Daviau and Craig Van Ness.
* Published by Milton Bradley / Hasbro.
* Includes 30 painted figures and 16 army cards.
* Includes grass, rock, sand and water terrain tiles, plus two ruins.
* Includes basic and advanced rules.
* Numerous expansions are available, including new figures and new terrain.
Guide Review - HeroScape
With HeroScape, the fun starts by setting up your battlefield. The interlocking terrain pieces can be assembled in a practically infinite number of combinations. Players then draft armies — choosing from dinosaurs, robots, airborne troops, samurai, and more. Each army has unique statistics, including life points, movement, attack strength, and defense.
The game comes with five pre-planned battlefield layouts and 10 scenarios; more are promised for HeroScape.com, and players can easily create their own. Goals for scenarios range from “destroy all of your opponent’s figures” to “make it through Durgeth Swamps to the Valkyrie’s transfer post.”
To accomplish a goal, players determine in which order to move their armies, then move and attack. Movement is simple on flat terrain, but moving up or down can cost energy. Attacks are carried out when the enemy is within range and a clear line of sight exists. Dice are used to resolve an attack. Special powers also factor into the game.
HeroScape is as elegant as I can imagine a battle game being. Its simplicity ensures that it will be played for countless hours by young boys — and the young at heart. Deservedly so. But it’s also flexible enough that more serious gamers can add rules if they want to.
I own two copies of the base game for HeroScape so that the combat in my house can take place on a grander scale. In my mind, HeroScape rates as the ultimate battle game.
