In HeroScape, we usually try to figure out an army that is invincible and can still fit within our point range. There are lots of combos out there, and nearly all of them are hard to beat. But is there an unbeatable army? No matter what, some way, some how that army will get beaten. It’s inevitable. So, the next best thing would obviously be an army that wins 99% of the time, right? Now, you don’t just happen along these armies randomly. You combine them, piece by piece.
Now the obvious strategy would be to combine the best figures, right? Maybe you can have one or two good figures, but in order to stay within your point range, you have to combine them correctly. Keep in mind here, I am no expert.
Not counting the figures in Marvel set, the best figure is probably either Jötun or Tor-Kul-Na. Jötun, with his incredible offensive abilities, can pretty much wipe anyone out and is definitely an ultimate asset. Tor-Kul-Na can easily take out squads, and, with his attack of 6, can usually strike a deadly blow.
However, just having the best figure there is isn’t going to guarantee you victory. It might take out quite a few figures, but it will die. So, what you need to do is get the best figures that work with your army. Also, no figure is too menial to serve you. Who knows, maybe the Nagrubs will become the ultimate combo piece one of these days.
Of course, in order to find the best combo pieces for your army, you must first decide what kind of an army you will have. You could have an army that is purely offensive. Super attacks that will take out the enemy before he takes you out. You could have a purely defensive army: one that is so hard to destroy it is the only one left standing. You could have a custom army. Custom armies require a better plan than “fight ’till you die”.These custom armies take time to develop. After they are made, they must be perfected in trials.
However, for the person that does not have an immediate strategy at hand when a friend suddenly springs a HeroScape game on him, a backup is required. Backups are hand-crafted, cost-efficient, and potentially deadly armies. Backups do, of course, change from game to game. This depends on the army you need to fight. If your opponent winds up with Sgt. Drake, Tor-Kul-Na, Charos, Jötun, the Hulk, and the arrow Gruts (hee hee), then you do not want to be stuck with Thorgrim and twenty-one Nagrubs. You need to watch what your opponent picks.
A good way to play one-on-one and still win is to counter your opponent’s choice. Read about figures and discover their nemesis. (Nagrubs- about a billion) Once your opponent has picked, pick the figure that can eliminate that figure the fastest, easiest, and with as little danger to your own figure as possible.
While this strategy may work, if your opponent starts to target your figures with their ‘non-opposites’, things could get ugly. You should have some way to make sure that you control what happens on the board. You don’t want to have Ne-Gok-Sa all set up to take out his target figure when Syvarris’s target figure takes him out. Things can quickly descend into havoc. You need a figure to take out any one that is destroying your battle plan. A good combo might be a proven killer and a healer to keep him going.
Also, healers are almost necessary in backup armies. They can keep your figures from dying prematurely. If you over-rated someone, you don’t want that figure dead while the killer is at large. You need a way to keep it alive. Of course, you also need a healer that can take care of himself too. People like Sonlen, who can heal himself while bloodying up others, can be helpful. However, people like Rhogar Dragonspine and Kelda can heal a lot faster than Sonlen. More often than not, Sonlen ends up dying because he couldn’t decide if he wanted to heal himself or not. Pieces like Realin can offer vast defensive boosts, too.
However, probably the best army is a self-constructed backup. Think up an army that can fit into a 400-500 point round that is potentially deadly. With more than one round, you can use the rest to fill it out a bit. Your custom backup army should be basic. You don’t need a bunch of figures for a skeleton army (not bones type skeleton). You just need to discover a few figures that work really well together. As long as they pose a good sized threat, you should be safe. On the next round, if there is one, focus on the figures that promote your army. Su-Bak-Na can be an excellent second-round pick for a marro army. Healers and defenders can be helpful too.
So, you have several choices when drafting an army. Of course, there are other things that you need to keep in mind, too. You have to make sure you don’t wind up needing a figure but not being able to buy him. Your starting zone can be another factor. Make sure you know where you want your figures to go, and how much space they’ll be taking up. Also be aware of terrain. Many figures’ abilities depend on what kind of terrain they are on. Be aware of the board and plan ahead.
One last thing to keep in mind is your opponent(s)’ strategy. Too often have I come up with a grand plan, only to have it destroyed by my opponent’s first unexpected move (which, coincidentally, is usually his first). You need to plan ahead. Put yourself in your opponent’s position. Would YOU send Charos against Deathwalker? Or would you send Dünd out while you keep him in readiness for Sgt. Drake?
Above all, you have to have backup plan. If something goes wrong, you don’t want to have it all over in one turn. Have your backup figure, your surprise tactic, anything at all up your sleeve that could upset your opponent’s strategy and possibly win you the game. Although it is unlikely that you need it once you discover your backup army, it is good to have many reserves.
As are all games of strategy, HeroScape is a game that requires a fine-tuned plan. You can’t just go barging in with your half-dozen squads of Gorillanators (pause…). You need to know how your opponent)s) play, what their custom armies usually are, and how to defeat them. Good Luck!
If you have any strategies or other things to add to this post, please contact me below. I will peruse your content and hopefully add it to the post.
