HeroScape, the best WarHammer Alternative?

[Spdstr]

Well, as many of you may or may not know, WarHammer and WarHammer 40,000 great table top games that date back about 10-20 years ago. They are still being made of course, but Hasbro has made an "alternative" for kids 8+ that is way cheaper than buying WarHammer. Of course, the idea of it being only for kids 8+ makes some people not want to try it because it may be "too kiddy." Of course I went ahead and bought the "Master Set" of HeroScape... Here is my review ;).

I just bought this game last night and have played 4 games with my neighbor so far (keep in mind I'm 15 ;)). As I said above it may steer you away because it's for kids 8+ and is made by Hasbro. I just have to tell you that you're VERY wrong for not at least giving it a try. Of course the 40 dollar price point may SEEM very high, but you have to look at what you get with it. You get 30 minifigures, 30 gamecards, about 12 artifacts, and a ton of "Hex building blocks" (as I call them) and you can actually use your imagination for something other than looking at "pr0n" :-P (I'm sure the mods will love this thread ;)). Anyway, just get 3 of your friends to admit that they're curious about it and all of you put 10 dollars towards it. I actually wasted 3 hours playing this thing with my neighbor and enjoyed it all the way. Keep in mind this wasn't even playing with everything the game had to offer because we played basic rules. So...

If you're looking for a way less expensive form of WarHammer that's easier to understand (I never played it but read the rulebook... CONFUSING) give HeroScape a try ;). I've also read rumors that there's an editor that you can get from somewhere to help you put together your maps on the computer and then translating them to the actual master set ;).

Links:
www.heroscape.com (http://www.heroscape.com)
www.heroscape.net (http://www.heroscape.ne)

Map Creator! (http://home.mchsi.com/%7Elogrey/index.html)

Member,
~ Spdstr

[Ragnarox]

I was looking at Heroscape myself.

However, from what I saw about it, it seemed to be just a large semi-rpg/strategy table top game.

I don't like table-top Rpgs (with the exception of Heavy Gear)

I was going to give it a try, but I wanted to try it without purchasing any models, and unfortunately, I don't know anybody that owns any Heroscape collectables.

Also, I don't like the idea of the "Hex Building Blocks" compared to the homemade terrain that you use in Warhammer or 40K.

If I find somebody that plays it, nearby mind you, then I will most certianly give it a try.

[DragonPaladin]

I smell D&D, I don't deal in table-top games. I might be interested in a figure or two, but not the whole set.

[GrassDragon]

I always wanted to get into a tabletop or pen and paper RPG, but I never had the money to spend, the time to commit, or the space to build/paint the figures. All of that, combined with the fact that I know no one that plays any of these games really limits me...

[Spdstr]

Um... Guys... It's NOT, I repeat NOT a tabletop RPG! lol. As I said it's a table-top STRATEGY game, much like Warhammer. No roleplay is involved, although I'm sure if someone writes their own set of rules it could be ;). This strategy game is a mix between risk and Warhammer, but with less math and it can still take an hour to play. As I said, it's good if you'd get 3 other friends to put 10 dollars towards it and give it a try, even though I used all of my own money to buy mine ;). Oh yah, and you don't have to build/paint them, I think I already said that, but just because of the one reply.

Member,
~ Spdstr

[Spdstr]

BUMP!

Found the editor for it ;).

Member,
~ Spdstr

[Jedi_Templar]

Warhammer 40k pwns joo!

[Spdstr]

WarHammer 40,000 sucks my friend :-P. Actually, I've never played it, but the instructions confuse me so I didn't even bother :-P.

Member,
~ Spdstr

[Jedi_Templar]

WarHammer 40,000 sucks my friend :-P. Actually, I've never played it, but the instructions confuse me so I didn't even bother :-P.


Then get Dawn of War. Game kicks ass.

[DragonPaladin]

"Ha, my Paladin with his +8 Holy Sword pwns your puny Dwarf!"
"That's it! These figures are going up your nose!"
"Ahhhh! Run! He's got a pointy one!"

[Spartan-II]

Please Dragon, DON'T SPAM. And I might check out HeroScape, but I would have to find some friends willing to play..

[Jedi_Templar]

"Ha, my Paladin with his +8 Holy Sword pwns your puny Dwarf!"
"That's it! These figures are going up your nose!"
"Ahhhh! Run! He's got a pointy one!"

http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/images/comics/20050509.jpg+_+

[singo]

WarHammer 40,000 sucks my friend :-P. Actually, I've never played it, but the instructions confuse me so I didn't even bother :-P.



Ahh, most of the rulebook is background, the actual RULES themselves are quite simple :P. Well, myself and all the people I know who play ignore the complex ones of course.....


Seriously, just pop along to a games workshop store on one of their training days and ask to be taught some of the basics, and if you liketh it not, you lose nothing right?

But heroscape sounds okay, might give it a try.

[HeroScape_40K]

I'm not sure if anyone is still reading this post or replies, but I thought I would drop in a few of my own experiences.

I have been interested in Warhammer since I first saw the Games Workshop in our mall a few years ago. I like the miniatures, the painting and modeling aspect and the resulting battle once you've collected your army. I new the cost would most likely be prohibitive (since I get carried away very easily), so I was looking far an alternative for my son and me. This past Christmas I discovered HeroScape at Toys R' Us.

After reading the box I found I had hit pay dirt. This was similar and as stated in earlier postings rather cheap in comparison ($39.99). My son and I have been playing since he opened the box and have even purchased a few of the expansion packs. I've even got my oldest daughter (15) playing with us (though 3 player campaigns are long and crowd the play area). Every time you play you can draft (build) a new army with the 30 some odd creatures that come with the game and it’s like starting over. We’ve even created games senarios of our own.

As you would have guessed, I have in the last month spent money on ....you guessed it, Warhammer 40K. My wife convinced me to finally get involved and of course, my Chaos army is growing and my son is building a Black Templars army.

Does this mean HeroScape will be shelved and never played again? By all means no! We only need more terrain (trees, bridges, etc. with expansion packs) to open up the game and make it more challenging. There is even a new expansion pack available (Zanafor’s Discovery).

So the question is:

Is this game the best alternative to Warhammer?
That's going to be your call.

Does it give you enough insight to the TT (Table Top) gaming world to help you make a decision about your future in TT gaming?
Yes. I believe so. You will like it or you won’t. You may believe it to be very difficult to play by the Master rules. If so, than most likely, you will not like Warhammer. If you like the game but want something more challenging, than Warhammer is one of many TT games you can advance to.

Truthfully, I don’t believe any one person can answer these questions. We all have our own likes and dislikes. But for about $40 (US) you can get HeroScape and find out real quick without any modeling time. Even if you by a starter set for Warhammer (Battle for Macragge is recommended by GW employees at about $45), there is still construction time required to build you army’s (Space Marines and Tyranids). Which depending on your personality could take from 45 minutes to many hours to complete, with or without any painting (I’m a stickler for detail, so it was hours!).

How ever you decide to proceed, both are fun and can lead to many hours of entertainment.