It was announced at GenCon that WotC will be releasing a D&D themed master set for Heroscape. The Heroscape forums are awash in speculation about what this means...
Of course, the D&D forums for the most part don't even recognize this as a D&D announcement.
The set uses old DDM figures on Heroscape terrain and use Heroscape rules. Is this game something that would interest old DDM players? And whatever happened to the plan from a year or so ago of releasing minis tied to specific scenarios?
Hate to admit it, but I love the idea. My son and I have played HS and he loved the bits and the game system was easy tio pick up. He's getting into 4e now, but the HS tie in will be a great gateway game for us while he transitions over.
I already use heroscape master sets for a hex map, and it really brings the encounter alive, because it allows for elevation and uneven terrain in outdoor encounters, and setup is extremely quick. It works especially well with 4e, given there are easy rules for difficult terrain.
I would love if WotC made square plastic pieces that clicked together like heroscape hexes do to create dungeon complexes. Dwarven Forge is too expensive and fragile, while dungeon tiles aren't as easy to put together into the shape you want as heroscape's component parts.
I'm actually hoping that's what 3-D dungeon tiles are going to be all about.
Have you seen any of the planetary/campaign tile sets that GW put out for its minis lines? I would LOVE something like that for dnd if adapted to a grid and meant for dungeons. They dont even have to be textured so long as they interlock. Cast in grey, black ink wash, lighter grey drybrush. Done.
From the box, the "dungeon terrain" is nothing more than standard Heroscape hex pieces in a new, gray color. I didn't see anything that looks like walls, which i agree, is a disappointment!
It wouldn't be too tough to make a wall that fits the hexes. The Ruins in the original Heroscape masterset are straight walls with a 90 degree corner. There are also expansions that have had walls in them. There assuredly is a way to make it work.
The problem, however, is with hexes themselves. How hard is it to play D&D using hexes? Would you even want to?
The problem, however, is with hexes themselves. How hard is it to play D&D using hexes? Would you even want to?
I've seen several people here that already use hexes in D&D, and there are a few quick conversions floating around, so it isn't too hard, at least for an outdoors setting. For old school dungeon rooms/corridors it would be a bit problematic though.
Dungeon rooms and corridors don't really present a problem for hex grids--hexes will support rectangular-shaped rooms in three different orientations. (see image)
Obviously, if you're building your dungeon out of plastic hexes you won't get the same straight walls, but you can definately build the same basic shapes.
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I don't know anything about Heroscape, but from the pictures, I already know that I want it! This looks like an awesome way to get my 11-year-old cousin into gaming.
Can anyone tell me what the price point on Heroscape products is? How much will this D&D set probably cost?
Can anyone tell me what the price point on Heroscape products is?
I think you can get a master set for ~$40 (US) and then add-ons for less (~$15-30), cheaper if you buy on-line. All you really need to get started is the master set #1 since it comes with something like 30 minis. (Master set #2 would work too, but it's heavily themed, you'll see.)
It's a fun game with many ways to customize the map, scenarios, etc. And you can use the hexes with many other games -- e.g., our group has recently been playing a BattleTech RPG (of sorts) on Heroscape hexes.
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I think it's great that they are doing a D&D set for Heroscape. As for playing 4E with hexes, we've been doing that since we started 4E. I prefer them to squares for a number of reasons. I'll have to break out the Heroscape tiles for the next multi-leveled terrain area we have a fight in. That could be fun.
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