Did you know that Heroscape dates back all the way to 2004? I didn’t. If the internet Wiki stuffs are to be trusted, it began with Milton Bradly (a subsidiary of Hasbro) and then shifted to Wizards of the Coast (another subsidiary) in 2008. Much later, in 2022, Avalon Hill (yet another subsidiary of Hasbro) announced “Heroscape: Age of Annihilation” with Renegade Games licensing this endeavour in 2023. Needless to say, there’s a LOT of history here. Renegade was kind enough to send the “Heroscape: Battle for the Wellspring Battle Box”, a beginner friendly set that can be played by itself or included with other Heroscape products.
2 Players, Ages 14+, Average Play Time = 60 Minutes
Overview
The “Heroscape: Battle for the Wellspring Battle Box” (hereby dubbed “HS:WS”) includes 6 detailed miniatures, several hex tiles of varying terrain types, a couple of trees, 4 scenarios to play, custom dice, and several other components. These scenarios will instruct players on how to set up the hex tiles, minis, and other components as well as dish out clear goals.
While I have no direct experience with any of the other “Heroscape” products, I imagine that the rules are mostly similar. Both players decide what scenario they want to play and setup accordingly. These scenarios can either incorporate a Basic ruleset or a Master ruleset. The Master ruleset introduces hidden turn order markers, actual hit points on the minis (one-hit kills are present in the basic rules), drafting of minis to form custom teams, special abilities on each character, and much more.
Typically, at least in the Master ruleset, players begin by secretly choosing their minis’ turn order via one-sided turn order markers (similar to those found in “Stratego”). Some minis may move twice, others may not move at all. There’s an “X” turn order marker to throw off the other player, a decoy if you will. Players then resolve their 1-2-3 turn order markers, starting with the player who rolled a higher initiative.
Minis move and then attack, using any special abilities they may have in the process. In battle, dice are rolled with swords rolled being compared to shields rolled to determine if wound markers are assigned to the defender, if any. Each mini has its own attribute values, but they also must conform to any height advantage or disadvantage they have due to their relative position. As Obi-Wan knows, whoever has the high ground has the advantage, so do your best to be there!
Scenarios may task players with wiping out all their opponent’s minis or last a certain number of rounds with points being awarded appropriately should both sides survive. There may be other special conditions via glyphs (special tiles) to watch out for but you’ll have to discover all of those on your own.
Review
“Heroscape” as whole intimidates me a bit. Here I am trying to review one beginner / expansion box on a series that has spanned almost 21 years. I can only imagine how many characters, scenarios, and special terrain / glyph types are out there. As you’re reading this, consider this a review from a newbie to the series. I have a feeling that more experienced long-standing players will have a lot more to say.
“HS:WS”, luckily, was very accessible. One of the rulebooks went over the new content, while the other gave me the rundown of the core basic and master rules. I had my chosen scenario (#2 – Master rules) set up in minutes, though admittedly the toughest part was understanding the special abilities of each of the six different characters. We decided not to draft and keep the teams as they were in the rulebook…I imagine drafting is best for folks who have the “Heroscape: Age of Annihilation” (“H:AoA”) set with many more characters from which to choose.
Strategy games isn’t one of Aidalee’s favorite genres, yet she’s played several similar style games to where she had very little trouble understanding the rules. Compared to some of the hex-based video games we play, this one was quite tame. I, being an avid “Chess” player in my youth, enjoy abstract games like this…though dice and I typically never get along. To that end I enjoyed the positional strategies one is encouraged to create based on the terrain before them, but hated that dice can still screw you over despite your best attempts.
What both attracts me to and worries me about “Heroscape” as a whole is the “gotta have them all” mindset. It’s like introducing someone to “Pokemon” for the first time, giving them Charizard, and then telling them there’s hundreds more with different elements that do different things. I learned my lesson investing in the “Star Wars: X-Wing” series by Fantasy Flight…that is, getting into any game involving miniatures can be expensive. I counted 16 different products on the Renegade site (there may be more) but admittedly some are paint sets and terrain related stuff.
The wellspring mechanic is interesting, adding a bit more chaos to the mix. It is a shame however that it was featured in only one scenario out of the 4 available. In said scenario, the pirates are trying to poison the wellspring while the Aquilla faction is trying to save it. In the meantime, the wellspring has dangerous effects to those near it, but happens to grant death saves. Those on death’s door though, while saved, are at the mercy of the water’s poisonous effects…you can read all about it in the rulebook.
Perhaps I’m a cheapskate, but I was hoping for more characters out of a $45 box. I get it, crap ain’t cheap anymore and minis themselves can be costly to make and paint. Still, as an introduction to the series, it did enough to wet my appetite for more content as well as get me familiar with the rules that no doubt 90-95% carry over to any other box you pick up. It’s worth mentioning that the “H:AoA” set expands the supported player count to 4 instead of 2.
Aidalee expressed in interest in playing again, but only if there was a co-op mode.
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Score: 7/10 (Good)
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