The Planet Eaters

Currently my favorite faction to play in Monsterpocalypse is the Planet Eaters. I have developed a play style that maybe suits a couple of the other factions better, but I find myself the most happy when I’m playing the Planet Eaters.

The Planet Eaters came to Earth in a comet that split and crashed in six locations around the globe. One hit actually destroyed some of Chicago and altered the outline of Lake Michigan. Since then, these creatures have been “hoggin’ down” on the unlimited buffet that is Earth. (Comic fans: if you happen to be at San Diego Comic Con this year, Privateer will be handing out an exclusive copy of the Monsterpocalypse Issue Zero that chronicles this very event!)

The Planet Eaters have no problems with humanity or with the Earth itself; they just hunger. A lot. I had a boss that was the same way back in the day; as the clock approached the 12 o’clock hour, you stayed out of his way lest your hand be mistaken for a sandwich. For the Planet Eaters, Earth just happens to be the salad bar and humanity the crumbled bacon.

Occasionally these forces of destruction break from their consumption, dig into the Earth, and take a nap, sort of like after a big Thanksgiving dinner when you go in the living room and snooze for a while. Then, just like my uncle, they arise from that nap hungrier than ever and begin feeding again!

It would be easy to label the Planet Eaters as evil or demons, but they really are no more evil than a domesticated animal that turns on its trainer or a wild animal that attacks a hiker. It’s just their nature. I’m sure they would be fine with a live and let live policy, as long as you could live in their tummy.

Game-wise Gorghadra and Rogzor play very well together and apart. Gorghadra has a low defense, making him easy to hit, but he has more wounds than any other monster, which keeps him rampagin’ and stompin’. Rogzor is the king of the blast attack. He can smash enemy monsters into buildings with his Blast Attack and his built-in Hit and Run ability keeps him moving after every attack. This allows him to put units between himself and his target and remain at a distance. Both monsters are excellent at wreaking havoc and laying waste to their enemies – and the towns around them.

Their units include the Explodohawk. This flying brawler cannot combine attacks with other units but is more than capable of delivering damage to monsters on its own and is also a great unit for taking out your opponent’s secured buildings. Blast-based units like the Belcher really shine when teamed up with Rogzor as he grants them extra Boost Dice when they attack. The Destructomite is a quick little devil capable of running out and taking key points on the map, while retaining some brawl stat to fight back.

My play style is still developing but this week I won more than I lost - I am turning a corner people! Lately I have taken to securing some buildings and holding Power Zones, then moving my monster out to destroy my opponent’s buildings and his units holding Power Zones. By shutting down his Power Dice production, I keep the game in my favor. The Planet Eaters work well for getting a monster out to start destroying buildings and rampaging around the city. Gorghadra actually gets extra Power Dice from his Rampages, and Rogzor’s blast ability also has the Explosion rule, which is great for taking out groups of units that securing buildings.

There is something else great about the Planet Eaters. While still being terrifying monsters to behold, their appearance has something likeable in it. Visually they have a really low center of gravity and the most adorable potbellies. This goes back to the visuals of the classic kaiju movies. Of all of the monsters in Monsterpocalypse, I think that Gorghadra would be the most likely candidate to find his way into a battle with the kaiju greats. That little potbelly would be the perfect visual for the celebratory bounce the monsters take after throwing another monster through a building or over a mountain.

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