Introduction
This is a review for people familiar with the heroscape system but unsure if they want to take the plunge with the Marvel aspect of it. You can find many good reviews that cover heroscape game play elsewhere.
I avoided HS:M until, starved by the current heroscape famine, I picked it up on clearance on a whim. Just like when I purchased the original heroscape:RotV years ago, I regretted buying this until I finally opened it up for my first games.
I will cover the units first and then why I think any heroscaper would benefit by adding this to his or her collection. PLEASE NOTE: All images herein were taken by the extremely talented <PERSON> aka <PERSON>. In some ways these pictures inspired this review. If you want to check out more of <PERSON>'s stuff, look here.
The Units
Venom - 150 pts
Life - 5
Move - 6
Range - 1
Attack - 6
Defense - 4
Specials - Spider-Sense 14, Swing-line 4, Web Special Attack (range 4, attack 3)
Uses: Venom is quite possible the perfect assassination unit. His relatively high attack of 6 is enough to punch through most normal defenses, and his special ranged attack bypasses many other abilities WHILE lowering his victim’s defense by 1 dice. He also has a spider sense 14, which gives him a 35% chance to completely bypass an attack WHILE allowing him using his flying-like ability to either get closer to his target or out of range.
He excels at picking off units one by one outside of the main force OR assassinating an opponent's Raelin or Taelord . A very well rounded, dangerous, and hard to kill unit. I fear fighting against him, and I love him for that reason.
My Rating -
Spiderman - 160 pts
Life - 5
Move - 6
Range - 1
Attack - 4
Defense - 4
Specials: Spider-Sense 11, Swing-line 4, Web Special Attack (Range 4, Attack 3)
Uses: Spider man’s stats look just like venoms except his attack is lower and his spider sense has a 50% chance to work. <PERSON> is probably heroscape's most well rounded character. He is great at whittling down tough enemies while being a pain in the neck for your opponent. His spider sense makes him extremely hard to take down. 366
Because of his wide range of abilities, he gives you some of the best tactical options in all of heroscape.
My Rating -
Red Skull - 190 pts
Life - 5
Move - 5
Range - 5
Attack - 4
Defense - 3
Specials - Master Manipulator, Dust of Death (10% chance at auto kill)
Uses: Red Skull is a tricky one to use correctly. His stats alone don’t get him very far for 190 pts and so his true worth is in his abilities. Master Manipulator allows him to sacrifice his turn so you can take a turn with any hero within his clear sight. This can give you a huge tatical advantage, allowing you the freedom to choose where you will strike each turn. Very cool if you can place him on a tall hill overseeing the battle on huge maps.
My Rating - (mostly because I don’t play too much on huge maps)
Captain America - 220 pts
Move - 5
Range - 1
Attack - 6
Defense - 6
Specials - Shield Throw Special Attack (3 attacks at range 5, attack 4), Tactician, Counter Strike
Uses: <PERSON> is another very strong, well rounded character. His high attack allows him to put opposing heroes down quickly, and his high defense and decent life gives him some staying power. With 6 defense his counter strike ability is better than <PERSON>, and his Shield throw gives him Nilfheim ability word for word for swarm control. On top of all this, he gives a +1 bonus to the attack and defense of all units around him. He is another unit that is extremely strong for his point value and gives you several tactical options by drafting him.
My Rating -
Iron Man - 240 pts
Life - 4
Move - 6
Range - 6
Attack - 4
Defense - 6
Specials - Double attack, Flying
Uses: Ironman excels in extremely hilly terrain. His ability to run and gun (err.. FLY and double gun, BABY) is unmatched below his point value. This can make him an extremely dangerous opponent. However, with a life of 4 he cannot afford to take too many hits. It’s really fun to engage your opponent’s army with knights and/or deathreavers and then fly him around blasting your opponent to pieces (with little they can do about it). 17