Voltron’s Transformation

After Brent’s quest to bring Voltron over to Monsterpocalypse, the responsibility fell to Erik, Michael, and I to bring the characters of Voltron to life within the context of the Monsterpocalypse game.

As noted last week, we really wanted the Voltron game to be accessible to new players, so we decided to trim down which sorts of abilities the morphers, metamorphs, and units of Voltron would have. Out of Actions, Advantages, Triggers, Reactions, and Skills, we chose to hone in on the Triggers and Skills, the two most plentiful ability types. We also chose to forego granted abilities (those that appear red or blue on Monsterpocalypse figures). These choices made it easier to craft an easy-to-learn rulebook while leaving us with plenty of ability options to give the Lions and Robeasts.

Since the Voltron game would move away from city-smashing and take the fight into space, the next decision was an easy one. All Voltron figures gained the Flight Skill. This was a logical thematic choice, but it also allowed certain additional simplifications in the rulebook.

From there, we fleshed out the Voltron figures with all sorts of juicy Skills and Triggers – Explosion, Motivator, Power Gorge, Quick, Radial Attack, and more. We gave each of the morphers a slightly different niche within the overall game play elements of the monster and made the monster ultra forms capable of really dishing out damage. The lack of some of the trickier ability types left plenty of room for raw beat down potential. Even the relatively simple Galactic Garrison Cruisers and Skull Ships demonstrate this efficiency flavored with the organized fleet tactics of the Galactic Garrison versus the raider strike force feel of the nefarious Skull Ships.

Once the basics of the figures, rules, and maps were in place, playtesting could begin in earnest. Early on in the playtest process, Voltron included asteroids that functioned somewhat akin to buildings in Monsterpocalypse. Playtesting, development discussions, and production input led us to consider a new spin for Voltron – map-based terrain rather than building-based terrain. After much discussion, we ultimately decided to go with two unique maps each offering a very different game play experience. The shift to Power Crystals for powering up and stellar bodies for collision damage worked out perfectly to capture the feel of Voltron and the feel of Monsterpocalypse simultaneously.

Michael previewed the Solar Conflict map a few months ago. This map centers quite literally around the supernova terrain feature. This brutal map element can cause two collision damage to an enemy monster smashed into it and can cause even more damage if they don’t move quickly away from the star’s burning plasma.

The other Voltron map has a very different theme from Solar Conflict, a theme that we are certain to more fully explore in a future MonsterInsider blog entry.

Until next time!

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How Voltron Came to Monsterpocalypse

As promised, today we’ll be looking at Voltron’s trail from cartoon hero to Monsterpocalypse figure. From its inception, part of the plan for Monsterpocalypse was an open-ended format. From alien invaders and giant robots to Lovecraftian horrors, anything was possible in the world of Monsterpocalypse, and monsters from a broad range of media could find a place within that world.

Matt Wilson’s original vision for the setting allowed for the possibility of “guest stars” from movies, cartoons, novels, or comic books. These guest stars would appear in their own stand-alone games but could also smash their way onto Monsterpocalypse game maps around the world to fight our own monstrous creations.

Voltron is the first of those guest stars.

When it comes to licensing and Privateer Press products, we turn to Brent the Legal Guy, and setting up our very first Monsterpocalypse guest star license was no exception. Brent had several criteria for choosing any licenses we would pursue for Monsterpocalypse.

First off, the characters had to fit the game mechanics. The timing worked out perfectly here, as Brent began looking into licensing about the time the morpher game mechanics entered playtesting. Frequent playtest sessions with Legionnaire and Galaxius-4 were a constant reminder of the Voltron lions and their own combining mechanics from the cartoon.

Secondly, Brent was looking for characters that would really resonate with the existing Monsterpocalypse player base. Many Monsterpocalypse players (such as those found throughout the Privateer Press offices) grew up with the Voltron cartoons and toys, so the nostalgia factor was very high with our target audience.

Finally, the monsters chosen would need to be something easy to present within the Monsterpocalypse world but also as a stand-alone product. By zeroing in on Lion Voltron and his nemesis from the Fleet of Doom movie, we had a nice self-contained game that also stayed true to the story. This allowed us to make a product that appeals to new players but also fits seamlessly into the broader Monsterpocalypse game.

So Brent the Legal Guy excitedly contacted World Events Production, owners of the Voltron license, and the rest is a story for another day. Join me in my next blog as I explore how the Voltron lions converted from cartoon heroes into Monsterpocalypse game figures.

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Monsters in Chicago

In my last blog, I mentioned I would be taking a look back at AdeptiCon and at the great Monsterpocalypse players I had the opportunity to spend time with at the convention. One thing that has repeatedly impressed me about our Monsterpocalypse players is their great sportsmanship and helpful attitude, and AdeptiCon was no exception.

During the Leveling Lombard event, we had an odd number of players, so I had the opportunity to jump in and play in the “bye” round. I enjoyed a lot of great, hard-fought battles with my Invaders force of aliens and fishfolk led by the mighty Ultra Anglax. The players were quick to loan me plenty of figures, dice, and a map so that I could take part in the action. I think my favorite moment of the event was watching Anglax perform a 16 P-Die Rampage (thanks to Super Rampage) all through my opponent’s power base. Now granted, I only got to keep 10 of those P-Dice, but it was quite a payoff for clearing a path during my unit activation and stepping to get to just the right Rampage starting point.

The Leveling Lombard winner was Dragon (FireSoCold) with his Mega Mantacon army. One might assume that our takes-no-prisoners conqueror was immune to that great sportsmanship I mentioned earlier, but you’ll have a hard time finding a nicer opponent than Dragon. I lost track of the number of times he helped an opponent remember an extra P-Die from an ability or how to get the most out of a particular Skill or Trigger.

Saturday’s Annihilating AdeptiCon event was a two-monster event that really shook things up. It quickly became clear the two-monster tournament requires slightly different skills than the more common one-monster variety. The Destroyers made a big showing in the event, and the final matchup pitted Ultra Rogzor and Mega Mantacon against Ultra Rogzor and Mega Mucustos. Did someone say High Impact? Bilal (B_mad) walked away with the Annihilating AdeptiCon plaque, and we were all set for the championship event.

Sunday’s championship event threw a number of curveballs at the players. This event allowed the top 4 players from the previous events to compete for the overall title and a Full Metal Mega Cyber Khan. It also required players to play a different monster in each tournament round, guaranteeing that the champion was not only a master of one particular monster but had a broad range of city-smashing abilities.

This event threw me a curveball as well. Due to a late drop, I had the opportunity to play in the championship event against more of the great Monsterpocalypse players in Chicago. This time, I turned to the Fiends led by Ultra Cthugrosh, Mega Yasheth, and Mega Osheroth. Saturday’s champion, Bilal, was kind enough to loan me his considerable Fiends collection. My favorite moment of this event had to be when I was able to use Summon, Transmutation, and Manufacture extensively in a single unit activation. My team of Towers of Corruption and Snatchers raised a blighted little tide into a raging tidal wave of darkness.

Terrence (ChiVenger) took home the title and the Full Metal Mega by demonstrating his mastery of Mega Sky Sentinel, Mega Legionnaire, and Ultra Defender X. It’s worth repeating that these Chicago guys are not only great sports but also great Monsterpocalypse players. They’re sure to prove their mettle at MonCon and Gen Con, and it will be really interesting to see who steps up to challenge these Monsterpocalypse gurus.

Join me again next time when I take a look at how Voltron came to be part of the Monsterpocalypse universe.

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Monsterpocalypse World Tour

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.

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Series 5 Character Units

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!  

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