Monsterpocalypse World Tour

April 12, 2010 on 9:06 am | In Monsterpocalypse, blog | No Comments

It’s been a while since my last post here on MonsterInsider, so allow me to reintroduce myself. This is DC, the coordinator for the MonsterWatch rules team and staff judge for Monsterpocalypse Masters and Champion events, such as those at Gen Con, Monsterpocapalooza, and AdeptiCon. This promises to be a great year for Monsterpocalypse events, and we’re already off to a solid start.

The year’s Monsterpocalypse convention events started with a bang back in February with TempleCon 2010 and continued into March with AdeptiCon 2010. Both conventions hosted a pair of qualifier tournaments to determine the top Monsterpocalypse players present, an elite crew who would play for the title in a championship showdown.

May will bring us not only another convention with great Monsterpocalypse events but also the first-ever Monsterpocalypse-themed convention. MonCon out in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a dedicated platform for Monsterpocalypse madness and is the perfect opportunity to put your monster-bashing, city-smashing skills to the test against a wide cross-section of Monsterpocalypse players. The three-day event also features 24/7 kaiju movies as well as contests, panels, and unique prizes. Check out the following link to learn more:

http://teamcovenant.com/02/17/2010/moncon-2010/

August will take Monsterpocalypse players back to where it all began—Gen Con. Gen Con 2008 hosted the unveiling of Monsterpocalypse to the world, and Gen Con 2009 hosted the first Gen Con championship event. Will Gen Con 2010 see another title for Josh Grimillion (XandZero2), or will a new champion carve his initials into the rubble of a decimated city?

In addition to the qualifier and championship events, Gen Con 2010 will also showcase the return of a new and improved casual event. The event formerly known as “All You Can Eat” is now a part of the larger “Iron Arena” event. Players will be able to earn points redeemable for all sorts of great prizes by playing Monsterpocalypse casual games, Voltron games, or by playing demos of other Privateer Press games. As before, these points can be redeemed for great prizes like promotional figures and other rare items.

I hope that you’re as excited as I am about the new season of Monsterpocalypse convention events. Join me again next blog when I take a look back at AdeptiCon and my experiences with the great players in Chicago.

Series 5 Character Units

March 15, 2010 on 8:19 am | In Monsterpocalypse | 2 Comments

Monsterpocalypse: Big in Japan features one super-rare character unit for each of the six factions in the block. These character units all possess the Limited skill and a cost of 2. We’ll take a look at what each of these monstrous characters bring to the battlefield in their faction’s quest for supremacy.

Master Elemental Warrior

Tenshi Seigikan called many air kami, powerful elemental warriors of the winds, to assist in the battle against the forces of evil. One of these warriors, known as Tornadus, shows a mastery over the winds surpassed only by Yukikaze herself.

Tornadus swoops into battle at tremendous speed, blasting powerful gusts of wind to Fling enemy units.

Robo Brontox Alive

UberCorp International has developed A.I. systems for their robotic protection vehicles (RPVs) to handle the incredible dangers of combat in the Monsterpocalypse. The first of these unmanned vehicles is the Sentient 1 Robo Brontox. This Robo Brontox has learned how to tap into power sources to boost the potency of nearby RPVs.

The S1 Robo Brontox can Intensify the blasts of other UCI units.

Elite Invader

Even the invaders from the deep boast their own war heroes. The ambitious Kor’al commands one of the Tritons’ elite Maco Hunter Subs. Kor’al utilizes his attack vessel’s enhanced targeting systems to pinpoint enemies at great distances.

Hunter Kor’al improves the range of his force’s blasters with Radar.

Fire Ant

During the Tokyo showdown between the Shadow Sun and the monstrous insect destroyers, a unique green dire ant stood out among the ranks of the Savage Swarm. The radioactive ant both awed and frightened onlookers as it swiftly ran through a raging fire only to emerge completely unharmed.

Warlord Rifa is not only Fireproof but also considerably faster than the Savage Swarm’s other dire ant warriors.

Fierce Fiend

Subterran grinder tanks are known for their destructive prowess. Rumors persist of a particularly ferocious grinder tank that positively thrives on destruction. Its very presence incites the Subterran forces to a deadly and empowering anger.

Ral Kurrilik’s fiendish allies share his Rage.

War Skills

The Empire of the Apes continues to make use of mankind’s weapons and tools of war. Some of their warriors are more adept than others with the scavenged weaponry. One ape in particular knows how to use the land-to-air rocket launcher with great precision and trains other apes to improve their own accuracy.

Commander Haldar takes down enemy fliers with his Anti-Air skill.

 

More To Come!

Although we’ve previewed most of the shiny new goodness coming up in next month’s Monsterpocalypse: Big in Japan release, the Mega forms and glass units still remain and we’ll periodically spoil them on the Monsterpocalypse.com front page. Check back at MonsterInsider.net often to check out new, awesomely fun scenarios specifically tailored to the figures found in Monsterpocalypse: Big in Japan!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Empire of the Apes: WAR!

March 8, 2010 on 11:21 am | In Monsterpocalypse | 1 Comment

Monsterpocalypse: Big in Japan will bring more radical gargantuan apes from the Congo to the industrialized cities of the world. Today, we’ll look at the new Empire of the Apes monsters and units.

Menace in the Jungle

The Monsterpocalypse arrived in the Congo when a force of invading Martians attempted to overtake the unassuming Empire of the Apes. The warrior apes did not know how the silver and green machines found their way into their secluded empire, nor did they care. They just did what they knew how to do: fight.

The invaders’ crawling attack vehicles were quickly met by a gang of apes wielding scavenged hardware. Laser attacks rained down from Martian flying ships. The Empire showed that it possessed formidable firepower of its own as a platoon of apes shot down wave after wave of Martian invaders with rocket launchers.

Monsterpocalypse: Big in Japan features two dangerous additions to the Empire of the Apes unit line-up. The Frontline Ape boasts a Speed of 6 and dominates the front lines with the Gang ability. The Rocket Ape brings a boosted Explosion blast attack that works well with the Howitzer Ape’s Intensify ability.

Radical Protection

The towering Martian crawler Phobos-7 advanced into the fray, blasting away at the apes. The assault didn’t last long once the Empire’s armored gargantuan ape rushed into the battle, shielding the smaller freedom fighters. Laser blasts to the chest riled the armored ape, who vented his anger on the Martian machine with a devastating one-two punch.

The Armored General Hondo protects his units with Force Field. In alpha form, the general uses Follow Through to combo punch. In ultra form, he Chain Attacks punches into power attacks.

Cold Grip

As the damaged Phobos-7 staggered, the armored ape’s grimace turned into a grin at the sight of another gargantuan ape rampaging through the invading ships in the distance. Originating from the frosted peaks of Mount Kilamanjaro, this ape had snow-white fur and wielded a giant, gleaming ice shard. The great white ape lunged and grappled the Martian crawler from behind. The machine’s green glow faded as the white ape lifted it over his head and smashed it into the ground. Emboldened, the smaller apes rallied to position, knowing more invaders would be sure to come.

White Dajan Riots into battle and his units make a Synchronized Move after he power attacks the enemy. In ultra form, he uses his giant ice shard to make Lightning Attacks.  

Up Next

We’ve previewed most of what the factions in Monsterpocalypse: Big in Japan are going to bring to the table. Next time, we will take a look at the all-new character units. So which units will the characters be based on? Come back to MonsterInsider.net to find out!

 

 

 

Subterran Uprising: Rising Oppression

March 1, 2010 on 9:29 am | In Monsterpocalypse | 2 Comments

Those fiends from beneath the earth’s surface will strengthen their ranks of oppression in Monsterpocalypse: Big in Japan. In this Monster Insider installment, we’ll take an up-close look at the new units and monsters from the Subterran Uprising.

Dark Development

From the rooftop of his apartment building, photographer Timothy Mooze was snapping the peaceful cityscape. Just as he focused on a flock of birds flying over a beautiful cathedral, the sky suddenly darkened. Timothy looked up to see a black cloud looming over the city, slowly increasing in size. Despite the chills of fear he felt, Timothy repositioned himself to capture the growing darkness over the city.

Clamps!

At a loud rumbling, Timothy directed his camera lens to the city streets below just as a massive drill broke through the pavement. The drill was only a part of a humongous subterran monster with metal-teethed clampers for hands. As the horrific monster rose from the crumbled earth, its grinding metal lower body chewed up several vehicles in the street and destroyed a nearby apartment building.

The new Subterran Uprising monster Hammerlak-Korssivik Burrows through cities and takes out multiple units and buildings with its Super Stomp. In ultra form, Hammerlak-Korssivik can Sprint into action and Sidestep away from danger.

That’s a big gun!

Heart racing, Timothy followed the advancing horror with his camera. Suddenly he noticed a second subterran monster with two heads. This abomination of flesh and metal raised its mechanized cannon arm and shot a powerful blast directly into a distant office building. It immediately advanced, then fired off another blast, hitting the apartment building next to him. The frightened photographer grabbed his cell phone as another blast from the monster took down two buildings at once.

Blastik-Rukivall is the Subterran Uprising’s energy-cycling, long-range blasting monster. Blitz in his alpha form allows him to blast two different targets, and Demolish in his ultra form makes standing close to buildings a very bad idea for opponents.

No! Tanks!

As Timothy tried to dial the number from his UCI Rescue Coupon with shaking fingers, another blast came from below. Peeking over the side of the roof again, he saw several huge tank-like drill vehicles in the shadow of the cannon-armed behemoth. Yellow beams of light began to emit from a number of these as they brought even more destruction upon the city.

The 4 Defense Grinder Tank uses its Marker advantage to blast opponents with great proficiency.

Sucking Subterrans!

Timothy stared at his phone as he heard a recorded message that simply stated, “Your account has been charged. Help is on the way. Please remain calm.” He slumped against the wall, trying to catch his breath. That help had better arrive soon—even more subterran creatures were joining in on the carnage below. The newest arrivals moved slowly along the streets, sucking up hapless victims with large mechanical vacuum arms.

The best brawling grunts for the Subterran Uprising, Oppressors Burrow their way toward victims to Abduct them.

Up Next

Next time, we’ll go into the Congo for the last Monsterpocalypse: Big in Japan faction preview. So what’s that big armored ape’s name? Come back to MonsterInsider.net to find out. 

Voltron: Defender of the Universe

February 24, 2010 on 8:33 am | In Monsterpocalypse | 3 Comments

Remember when Saturday morning was the time for awesome cartoons? Yes, Saturday morning was sweet—and not just because of all that extra sugar you poured on your already-sugary breakfast cereal. It was because five mecha-lions piloted by a super force of space explorers showed up each week to form Voltron, Defender of the Universe! Now the intergalactic champion protector will make his way into Monsterpocalypse with the Voltron: Defender of the Universe battle miniatures game.

Before its summer release, we’ll periodically take some peeks into what’s inside the two-player Voltron box. We’ll start with one side of the double-sided battle map.

Because Voltron’s battles take place in space, the buildings you’d normally find in a Monsterpocalypse game weren’t appropriate. Instead we created a cosmic starscape full of hazards and benefits that could only be found in space. Of course, if you want to see Voltron and Lo-Tron battling it out over an urban landscape, you can always bring them in to your regular Monsterpocalypse games.

Solar Conflict

The Solar Conflict map pits the Voltron Force and the Galaxy Alliance against Prince Lotor and the Drule Empire right in the midst of a powerful super nova.

Power crystals found throughout the map will give you the opportunity to power up. A successful power up roll will net you a power die for each power crystal space occupied by any of your units or morphers. As the battle rages on you’ll vie for control of the solar amplifier that doubles the power dice gained from a power up roll.

There may be no buildings floating in space, but that doesn’t mean it’s empty! Certain spaces on the map cause extra damage when you throw, smash, body slam, or toss your opponent into them. Active asteroid fields cause 1 damage, while the super nova in the center of the map causes 2 damage. And if a figure ends its activation in an active asteroid field or the super nova, it will take even more damage!

Accessing the fueling station will give your force an edge with a speed boost for all your figures. Although the battle map is a bit smaller than the normal Monsterpocalypse map, the extra speed will go a long way—especially when navigating through those movement-hindering asteroid fields.

Playtest Notes

Playtesting on the Solar Conflict map was super fun. The 13 x 13 gridded battle map meant the action began really quickly, allowing us to get in the testing we needed and still have time for trash talking. (Who am I kidding? We always make time for that!)

While developing the figure interactions with the battle map, we explored many different ideas, including both old and new map elements. In the end, we found a nice balance that would couple some of the classic Monsterpocalypse feel with the experience of a Voltron space battle. We ended up with an awesomely fun map that’s sure to be a top choice for your game table.

Stay Tuned

Next time we’ll take a look at the other side of the map, Cosmic Influx. 

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