by jcb231
Radiation_King wrote:
Hey,
Wow, thanks for the responses. I have a better sense of the factions now. I have one additional theme/mechanic related question (promise this is last one for this thread):
I played a game the other day and began to think about the various hit zones on the character cards in gray and red. I could see this occasionally coming into play e.g. just a sword is sticking out from around a corner, but for the most part this seems like added fluff.
For example, the Roman Legion figures have a large shield that is not a valid hit zone, but the head, legs and body are. Given the simplified line of sight mechanic (e.g. you only need to see a sliver of the target to roll the full number of attack dice), I can't even imagine a situation where ONLY the shield is visible with the head, legs and body all hidden behind cover.
I almost get the impression that there may have been plans on the designer's part to add extra complexity/mechanics down to road to incorporate the hit zones, and then they changed their mind. It's a minor point, but I feel a bit like it's meant to trick players into thinking there is added depth there when for the most part it's only for theme. Is there a name for this type of thing? A pseudomechanic? Maybe the only other time I've seen this is in more complex hex and counter wargames where an obscure rule is added for chrome (e.g. if it is June 1943 AND the allies have control of these 3 towns, AND no german mechanized unit is within 2 spaces AND the weather is foggy THEN roll one extra attack dice).
Are there any rules (other than the Partial Cover rules) that take hit zones into account in a more specific/meaningful way?
Cheers,
Zak
Wow, thanks for the responses. I have a better sense of the factions now. I have one additional theme/mechanic related question (promise this is last one for this thread):
I played a game the other day and began to think about the various hit zones on the character cards in gray and red. I could see this occasionally coming into play e.g. just a sword is sticking out from around a corner, but for the most part this seems like added fluff.
For example, the Roman Legion figures have a large shield that is not a valid hit zone, but the head, legs and body are. Given the simplified line of sight mechanic (e.g. you only need to see a sliver of the target to roll the full number of attack dice), I can't even imagine a situation where ONLY the shield is visible with the head, legs and body all hidden behind cover.
I almost get the impression that there may have been plans on the designer's part to add extra complexity/mechanics down to road to incorporate the hit zones, and then they changed their mind. It's a minor point, but I feel a bit like it's meant to trick players into thinking there is added depth there when for the most part it's only for theme. Is there a name for this type of thing? A pseudomechanic? Maybe the only other time I've seen this is in more complex hex and counter wargames where an obscure rule is added for chrome (e.g. if it is June 1943 AND the allies have control of these 3 towns, AND no german mechanized unit is within 2 spaces AND the weather is foggy THEN roll one extra attack dice).
Are there any rules (other than the Partial Cover rules) that take hit zones into account in a more specific/meaningful way?
Cheers,
Zak
You are right...on most of the cards it is rarely used.
BUT.....there are enough cards with major aspects of the figure that inconsistantly are or aren't hit-zones (wings on dragons and kyries, for example) that it is worth having on the card, especially since that bit of real estate isn't really being used for anything else. If the cards had been differently shaped or more info had had to be put on them, I'd agree that maybe it could be dropped and a small bit of explanatory text put onto the cards where it is a major concern (like the wings, again).
There are sometimes when you'll have things lined up just ever-so-perfect on an obstacle heavy map and a bit of tree or rock or jungle will hide a figure just perfectly, but it often takes some doing, especially as you can't touch your figures on your opponent's turn. As you point out with the Romans, it is pretty tricky to not be able to see, say, their foot or something sticking out.
Zombies probably use this aspect of the card more than other figures, as only their heads are valid hit-zones...they are possibly the easiest figures to conceal in cover for that reason.