Nomad Tue Aug 20, 2013 7:33 pm
NAME OF THE TEST UNIT: Torver
THEME TEST: Are there are any powers or stats on the test unit card that do not accurately reflect the theme or likeness of what the character should be able to do? Also consider whether or not this character's powers should affect destructible objects.
PASS. All powers reflect the sculpt and the theme of Torver. His throw of a GG should provide a wound against a door (that is one big boulder), so I will reword the power to get rid of “enemy figure.” Basically how Derek had it.
FUN TEST: Was the unit fun to play?
PASS. Meh – Torver got himself killed by Stingers (about 12 attacks and 6 of those were where the Stingers had height, so he has some staying power). His throws weren’t that successful, but his real job of getting the GGs moving and to height paid off in the end game.
FUN OPPOSITION TEST: Was the unit acceptable to play against? Could it be considered annoying?
PASS. No problems here.
USAGE TEST: Were all of the powers on this card used, or at least usable?
FAIL. All powers were used, but I would like to drop the wound from throwing a GG from 14 down to 11 so that the wound roll is the same whether he throws an enemy or a GG. As is, I don’t think he is worth his 130 points. By dropping it, he becomes more of a threat. Very balanced otherwise. His real benefit is to get those GGs moving and that is difficult to put a point value on.
STRATEGY TEST: Does the unit offer any real strategy or interesting tactics to the overall game?
PASS. Torver brings the GGs to life! Which is a huge accomplishment. After playing him a couple of times, I’ve realized that he really gets in the way of his own GGs at times. I had markers a couple of times on GGs to get three attacks in, but the GGs are so slow, they couldn’t move around Torver to attack. There will be a learning curve on how to play him well and positioning with every move, every Gain High Ground, every Greater Gain High Ground is an important consideration. Which I think adds to the strategy.
BONDING TEST: Compare the unit card with all currently existing Bonding abilities. Are there any Bonding loops that do not stop appropriately?
PASS. No bonding loops.
SYNERGIES TEST: Think of all the current cards that would have synergy with the unit card. Are there any factors that could break the game by making a unit too powerful or too weak?
PASS. Having Warden in this army sure would have helped with those wasted OM on the GGs. I don’t think Torver makes the GGs too powerful. Tor-Kul-Na rolled terrible defense . . . Team Marro may have won.
POWER CHECK: When considering the test unit against all existing units (including released C3V and SoV units) and all glyphs, are there any powers that could be overamplified and break the game?
INCONCLUSIVE. The GGs got the Initiative +8 glyph and it really turned the tide the last couple of rounds. More playtests are needed.
DRAFTING TEST: Is this unit worth drafting?
PASS. Torver makes the GGs worth playing.
MIRROR TEST: Consider the test unit against itself. Are there any loops that would upset the balance of the Game?
PASS.
ARMY TEST 1
Did the unit perform adequately? What should be the unit's point value? Give a brief summary. [insert pass/fail, point value, and brief summary] Still need to play test and tweak a few things. Torver’s real benefit came from the Greater Gain High Ground. He threw 2 GGs, killing a Stinger on 1. He attempted to throw 2 Stingers, but could roll a 14 or higher. Torver killed a total of 80 points (4 Stingers) before falling . . . but he did get his GGs into the fray and to high ground for them to do their stuff with range and with height.
Map: Sirocco
Units:
Army 1: Granite Guardians x3, Torver = 430 points
VS
Army 2: Stingers x3, Nagrubs, Tor-Kul-Na = 430 points.
Rd 1. Torver charged up the hill on the right side on the first two OMs with the Guardians trailing behind. The Stingers climbed to height and blasted Torver for 2 wounds. One Stinger died.
Rd 2. Stingers kept firing down – two more wounds on Torver for a total of 4 and two GGs fell. Only 1 Stinger died, but they were starting to lose their grip on height. GGs kept plodding up the hill behind Torver . . . we was bearing the brunt of Stinger attacks.
Rd 3. Torver died, along with two GGs. 3 Stingers fell. The GGs finally got height on the hill and the +8 Initiative glyph. It was a bummer to see Torver die so early, but I put him in the direct line of Stinger fire. I must learn to play him better. GGs did get height because of Torver, so that is all good.
Rd 4. With the Initiative glyph and height, the GGs made quick work of the last 4 Stingers (who lost OM#2). And then on OM#3, three GGs used their range of 3 to hurl stones at Tor-Kul-Na. The GG’s rolled 2/4, 1/4, and 3/4 skulls for 6/12 – just as the averages would predict. Poor Tork, he did not roll a single shield in his 15 dice and died (he was seen crying in the locker room after the battle). A Grub did manage to take out a GG to close the round.
Rd 5. On the first OM of the round three Grubs were crushed and the game was over. Four GGs were left for a total of 133 points.
Final thoughts: I thought that when Torver went down, the game was over. Init+8, having all of the GGs on height, and 0/15 in defense for Tork turned the match around. Torver’s real benefit was getting the GGs into the action, so, even though he only killed 80 points worth I guess he did his job so that the GGs could do their job.
On second thought, I don’t think I’m going to change the roll for a wound to 11 from 14 after tossing a GG. It is too early. Plus, I’m thinking that the other Stone Giant unique hero (unique is my preference, I am not overly fond of uncommons) can give a 20-sider boost to Torver and the Greater Ice because they are both Dauntless. Just thinking.
