Is a Horse Still a 10 by 10 creature?/Should there be facing?

[Glyfair]

Personally, I like the way that HeroScape just has two sizes of bases: 'regular' (one hex) and 'large' (two hex). You would be surprised how big of a figure you can fit on something that size if you are creative with the sculpt.

And now that WotC is taking over the Heroscape line...

 

[Ahglock]

I don't know the answer, but, honestly? I hope so. Rectangular bases are a PITA. The less exceptions to things, the better. Does it hurt my suspension of disbelief? Maybe, but, to be frank, I don't care.

If it was just the shape of the base so we got the idea that there was no facing I'd be ok with it, its all the wierd rules that came along with it that I hope not to see. Things like 5' corridors became cramped to a horse so they had to move slow down them, I'd think a 10' wide couldn't fit but hey that's me.

Not that I expect to see this in a D&d game but for the miniature gamers a square base is a huge liability since it increases by a large margin how many creatures can attack you. There usually aren't enough players in a game for this to make a difference in my games though I guess it can be something for the NPC mobs vs a mounted PC and it reduces the movement needed to attack the square creature in many cases.

 

[The Little Raven]

I honestly am not sure how its easier to play. maybe I hand waved things without knowing it, but I never found any ease of play issues with the 5'by 10' horses.

Because with a rectangle like that, you have implied facing in a system that doesn't support it. If he's arranged north-to-south, then which way is he facing? North or south? And why can't he be facing east or west, since every other square-base (as opposed to rectangle) can face any direction at any time? Does turning 90 degrees cost movement, since you're now occupying a square you didn't occupy previous? What if someone is standing there... no turning for me and my horse, while anyone else can turn without penalty?

 

[Hussar]

I've heard the "charging line of cavalry" argument a bunch of times. Has this actually ever happened in your game? 20+ years of gaming and, outside of Battlesystem, I've never once seen ranked cavalry charge in game.

 

[Ahglock]

Because with a rectangle like that, you have implied facing in a system that doesn't support it. If he's arranged north-to-south, then which way is he facing? North or south? And why can't he be facing east or west, since every other square-base (as opposed to rectangle) can face any direction at any time? Does turning 90 degrees cost movement, since you're now occupying a square you didn't occupy previous? What if someone is standing there... no turning for me and my horse, while anyone else can turn without penalty?

I guess we just never implied the facing so we didn't have an issue.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Because with a rectangle like that, you have implied facing in a system that doesn't support it. If he's arranged north-to-south, then which way is he facing? North or south? And why can't he be facing east or west, since every other square-base (as opposed to rectangle) can face any direction at any time? Does turning 90 degrees cost movement, since you're now occupying a square you didn't occupy previous? What if someone is standing there... no turning for me and my horse, while anyone else can turn without penalty?

Don't miniatures by their very nature, having a front and back, imply facing? :\

 

[The Little Raven]

Don't miniatures by their very nature, having a front and back, imply facing? :\

Miniatures do, but the game rules do not, else we'd have to deal with rules for facing, which pile on a whole new layer of unnecessary complexity in a combat system that is as abstract as D&D's.

 

[JoeGKushner]

Miniatures do, but the game rules do not, else we'd have to deal with rules for facing, which pile on a whole new layer of unnecessary complexity in a combat system that is as abstract as D&D's.

What layers of complexity would you foresee in a 6 second round?

Which direction are you facing? Seems pretty simple. It's not like backstabbing actually works like it used to.

But I suppose it's another sacrifice of even 'semi' realism for the sake of faster game play.

So it's not really changing anything, in this instance, from the older edition at all.

 

[The Little Raven]

What layers of complexity would you foresee in a 6 second round?

Simple things like someone bumping my mini, and then resetting it facing the wrong way, and me not noticing. Then something happens, like a "backstab" or a "side-flank" and things would have been extremely different if that minor mistake hadn't occurred.

Which direction are you facing? Seems pretty simple. It's not like backstabbing actually works like it used to.

But if you put facing in, then you have to make it relevant to the rules (so, backstab would only work against an enemy's rear). If no rules take advantage if the fact that this orc is facing away from me, then it's pointless to include facing.

But I suppose it's another sacrifice of even 'semi' realism for the sake of faster game play.

So it's not really changing anything, in this instance, from the older edition at all.

Can you demonstrate anything that facing would add to the game, except additional bookkeeping in addition to your location/movement and extra rules clutter to deal with situations like attacking someone from the side/behind and whatnot?

 

[frankthedm]

Ease of play vs. realism?

What ease of play? The 10' fat horse clogs the battlemat something fierce. Its fat ass eats up so much room, the main way it eases play is by discouraging players from bringing their mounts to combat.