Heroscape

Heroscape is a fully customizable game system that lets you build your own battlefields out of hexagon terrain tiles, create armies from across time and space, and battle your enemy for victory in the mythical world of Valhalla. Beginning with a release by Milton Bradley in 2004, the game reached acclaim and gathered a dedicated fan base. Its ownership was transferred to Wizards of the Coast in 2008, and the original toyline was discontinued in November 2010.

It has been revived by Renegade Games Studios with the intent to put it back on retail shelves in time for its 20th Anniversary in 2024.^[1] This continuation is called Heroscape: Age of Annihilation.

History[]

Heroscape was designed by Craig Van Ness, Stephen Baker, and Rob Daviau, who had previously collaborated on projects like Risk 2210 A.D. and Battleball, and released by Milton Bradley and Hasbro in August 2004.^[2]^[3] It continued to gain popularity and acclaim, releasing eight waves of figures, two Master Sets, and various terrain expansions, large figure expansions, and special convention or store exclusive figures, until January 2008. At this time it was transferred to Wizards of the Coast, makers of popular RPGs and card games like Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering.

Heroscape Gencon 2007 — Heroscape's display table at Gencon 2007.

Wizards of the Coast ended the core Heroscape brand after releasing the in-progress content with Wave 9: Blackmoon's Siege, as well as doing a Special Release Wave 10 of re-released or repainted figures in 2009. After this, they pivoted the brand to the Dungeons and Dragons subtheme for the remaining year of its production time in 2010. In November 2010, they announced that they would be discontinuing Heroscape in favor of focusing on their core brands (the aforementioned Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering).^[4]

The brand would remain dormant for twelve years, during which it maintained an active community of fans clamoring for its return.^[5]

At Gencon 2022, August 4th, new Heroscape figures were revealed for the first time in twelve years.^[6] Following this, a HasLab campaign was announced to try and bring Heroscape: Age of Annihilation, a continuation and revival of the game, to life via Vanguard Edition, a $250 all-in-one box containing five factions and over seventy figures.^[7] However, the campaign failed to raise its target 8,000 backers, and was placed "Back in the Vault".^[8] In June of 2023, it was announced that Renegade Games Studios would instead bring Heroscape: Age of Annihilation to retail shelves beginning in 2024, ushering in a return for the game for a new generation of players.

[See Heroscape: Age of Annihilation][]

Heroscape Gameplay[]

Age of Annihilation Map — Heroscape: Age of Annihilation brings new terrain features to the table.

A game of Heroscape begins by building a battlefield out of Heroscape's unique interlocking hexagon terrain tiles. Some terrain types have different effects in the game, such as Water, which halts your figure's movement, or Jungle Trees, which offer additional defense from ranged attacks to nearby figures.

After this, a Goal is decided. This can be as simple as destroying all of your opponent's figures, or more complicated, such as defending an objective, moving an item or character from one end of the map to the other, or scoring points in specific methods. Players are welcome to devise their own maps and scenarios, or reference the many official maps and scenarios available. The Victory section details the specific parameters of winning the battle.

Each figure in the game has a Point Cost. Players may use the rules available to Draft their armies until a specific point cost is reached, or bring a predetermined army that costs an agreed-upon amount of points. Players set up their armies in their Start Zones, indicated in official scenarios. After this, each player places their three numbered Order Markers, along with the 'X' decoy order marker, on their Army Cards, and they roll initiative for the first Round.

When the round begins, the player with the highest initiative reveals their first Order Marker, and takes a turn with the figures listed on that Army Card by Moving and then Attacking if possible. Then, play passes to the left. When it comes back to the player with the highest initiative, they reveal their second Order Marker, and play continues. When all players have revealed all of their numbered Order Markers, the round is over, and it is time to place your Order Markers anew and roll for initiative again.

Heroscape examples — Some Rise of the Valkyrie figures face off on different elevations.

Each figure has four basic statistics - Move, which tells you how many spaces they can travel, Range, which tells you how close they must be to attack a figure, Attack, which is the number of dice rolled when making a normal attack, and Defense, the number of dice they roll when defending against attacks.

Some modifiers, including glyphs, special powers, and being on a higher elevation than the other figure, can add additional dice to your roll. In the Basic Game, these are your only statistics. In the Master Game, some figures have multiple Lives and take wounds when harmed, and have Special Powers that add additional strategy, special attacks, and complication to the game.

When the Goal is achieved, or in some scenarios when a specific round counter has run out, then the game is over. In some scenarios, the sole surviving player is the victor; in others, Point Scoring is available to score the game based on the surviving figures on the board.

Storyline[]

Valhalla Map — Map of Valhalla, the world in which Heroscape's story primarily takes place.

Heroscape has an ongoing storyline focusing on characters like Sgt. Drake Alexander as they are summoned from their homeworlds and original time periods to Valhalla, a world of rolling plains, haunted forests and dangerous jungles. They are summoned by Valkyrie Generals as part of their ongoing war in Valhalla for the Wellsprings, sources of magical power, immortality, and world-to-world travel. Another frequent character is Raelin the Kyrie Warrior, a native of Valhalla who, like many Kyrie, regrets to see her home destroyed by this conflict.

Rise of the Valkyrie[]

Many characters that feature heavily in the classic period of the storyline are summoned to Valhalla. Worried about the Valkyrie general Utgar's growing forces and devastating power, the Valkyrie Jandar sends his friend and fellow Valkyrie Thormun on a mission to visit the other generals Ullar, Einar, and Vydar, with the hope of convincing them of an alliance. This period is described in detail in Thormun's Journals. These generals agree in forming an Alliance against Utgar.

Swarm of the Marro[]

SOTMmasterset — The Swarm of the Marro master set.

Some time after the Alliance is formed, a threat is identified in the Ticalla Jungle to the south - Utgar's Marro forces have established a hive that threatens to spawn a great army. Sgt. Drake Alexander, Raelin the Kyrie Warrior, a ninja named Shiori, an archmage named Sonlen, and the soulborg Major Q10 are sent on a desperate mission to dispatch it.^[9] The mission is successful, although comes at heavy cost to Sgt. Drake and his crew, and they are rescued by the new Valkyrie Aquilla, a young member of Ticalla's native Moon Tribe. Aquilla joins the Alliance.

Dungeons and Dragons[]

In 2010, Wizards of the Coast released a Dungeons and Dragons themed Master Set as well as three waves of supporting content featuring characters sourced from the D&D worlds of Toril and Eberron. While there was little ongoing story material during this time, some events did occur with relevance to the main story, including the entrance of Valkrill as Valhalla's seventh Valkyrie, the exploration of a vast cavern system beneath Valhalla, and Vydar betraying the Alliance.

Age of Annihilation[]

An unknown amount of time after the events of Swarm of the Marro, Valhalla enters an apocalyptic period called the Age of Annihilation.

Retail Releases[]

[See All Heroscape Releases]

Rise of the Valkyrie Master Set[]

The first Master Set and the beginning of the brand, released in August 2004.^[3] This iconic box set of 30 figures and terrain contained characters that would go on to be mainstay characters in Heroscape, including Sgt. Drake Alexander and Raelin the Kyrie Warrior. A 2.0 edition was later released which featured opaque water tiles instead of 'Sparkly', a single set of white combat dice instead of separate red attack and blue defense dice, and minor rules changes. There was also a Wal-Mart exclusive Viper's Vengeance version in November 2005 that came bundled with the exclusive Elite Onyx Vipers.

Wave 1: Mallidon's Prophecy[]

This first wave of 25 expansion figures for Heroscape was released in December 2004.^[3] It included Heroes of Bleakewoode, the IX Roman Legion, Grut Orcs, and Snipers & Vipers.

Wave 2: Utgar's Rage[]

This wave of 22 expansion figures for Heroscape was released in June 2005.^[3] It included Heroes of Barrenspur, Drones & Minions, Knights & the Swog Rider, and Minutemen & Wolves.

Orm's Return: Heroes of Laur[]

This Large Expansion of 5 larger hero figures was released in July 2005.^[3] It included Brunak, Charos, Deathwalker 8000, Dünd, and Su-Bak-Na. Unfortunately, there were three of these in boxes alongside a single highly-demanded Road to the Forgotten Forest, which meant that this remains one of the most ubiquitous large expansions in Heroscape.

Road to the Forgotten Forest[]

This Large Expansion of terrain was released in July 2005.^[3] It included new Evergreen Trees, Road Tiles, a modular bridge, and the iconic Dumutef Guard.^[10]

Volcarren Wasteland[]

This Toys-R-Us exclusive Large Expansion of terrain was released in August 2005.^[3] It included new Molten Lava and Lava Field terrain, as well as the Obsidian Guards.

Wave 3: Jandar's Oath[]

This wave of 24 expansion figures for Heroscape was released in September 2005.^[3] It included Heroes of Nostralund, Monks & Guards, Kilts & Commandos, and Gorillas & Hounds.

Wave 4: Zanafor's Discovery[]

This wave of 25 expansion figures for Heroscape was released in February 2006.^[3] It included Heroes of Trollsford, Lawmen & Samurai, Soulborgs & Elves, and Greeks & Vipers.

Heroes of Lindesfarme reveal photos — Heroes of Lindesfarme promo image.

Raknar's Vision: Heroes of Lindesfarme[]

This Large Expansion of 5 larger hero figures was released in May 2006.^[3] It included Braxas, Jotun, Major Q9, Theracus, and Nilfheim.

Thaelenk Tundra[]

This Large Expansion of terrain was released in May 2006.^[3] It included new Snow and Ice tiles, Glacier terrain pieces, and the Dzu-Teh.

Fortress of the Archkyrie[]

This Large Expansion of terrain was released in August 2006.^[3] It included modular castle walls, battlements, Wall Walk tiles, ladders, a flag, and the Fortress Door.

Wave 5: Thora's Vengeance[]

This wave of 26 expansion figures for Heroscape was released in August 2006.^[3] It included Gladiators & Agents, Soulborgs, Warriors & Soulborgs, and Ninjas & Samurai.

Crest of the Valkyrie[]

This wave of 5 Flagbearer figures for Heroscape was released exclusively at Toys-R-Us in October 2006.^[3] It included Laglor, Ornak, Sir Gilbert, Acolarh, and Hatamato Taro.

Wave 6: Dawn of Darkness[]

This wave of 21 expansion figures for Heroscape was released in December 2006.^[3] It included Heroes of Durgeth, Archers & Kyrie, Shades & Orcs, and the Zombie Horde.

Wave 7: Fields of Valor[]

This wave of 21 expansion figures for Heroscape was released in July 2007.^[3] It included Heroes of Elswin, Vampire & Fiends, Riflemen & Spearmen, and Knights Templar.

Swarm of the Marro promo picture — Promotional image of Swarm of the Marro.

Swarm of the Marro Master Set[]

This second Master Set of 30 figures was released August 2007.^[3] It included new Swamp Grass terrain and Swamp Water, and featured the first 2.0 versions of characters Sgt. Drake Alexander and Raelin the Kyrie Warrior, alongside new heroes Shiori, Major Q10, and Sonlen fighting against hordes of Marro to defeat Tor-Kul-Na and the Marro Hive. It featured a more connected Campaign Mode of sequential adventures to recreate the heroes' journey into the swamps near Ticalla.

Aquilla's Alliance: Heroes of the Quagmire[]

This Large Expansion of 5 larger hero figures was released in June 2008.^[3] It included Zelrig, Zetacron, Gurei-Oni, Wo-Sa-Ga and Sujoah. Due to being released near the end of the original product run, this expansion demands some of the highest prices in aftermarket Heroscape.

Wave 8: Defenders of Kinsland[]

This wave of 19 expansion figures for Heroscape was released in June 2008.^[3] It included Heroes of the Molten Sea, Elves, Militia & Wolves, and Marro Cavalry.

Ticalla Jungle[]

This Large Expansion of terrain was released in June 2008.^[3] It included new Jungle Trees and Jungle Bushes, as well as the Fyorlag Spiders.

Wave 9: Blackmoon's Siege[]

This wave of 24 expansion figures for Heroscape was released in July 2009.^[3] It included Heroes of the Moon Tribe, Dwarves & Repulsors, Braves & Brawlers, and Dividers & Defenders. This wave was in progress during Wizard of the Coast's acquiring the Heroscape brand, and the last fully developed release.

Valkrill's Gambit packs — Valkrill's Gambit packaging.

Special Release Wave 10: Valkrill's Gambit[]

This wave of 11 expansion figures, plus reprints of Wave 5's Soulborgs and Warriors & Soulborgs, was released in September 2009.^[3] It included Champions of Renown, which held reprints of previous exclusives Sir Hawthorne, Nerak the Glacian Swog Rider, and the Elite Onyx Vipers, as well as Warriors of Feldspar, which held the repaint figures Quasatch Hunters and Granite Guardians. Thus, there were no new sculpts in this wave, and it marked the end of Wizard of the Coast's furthering of Heroscape's core IP. They could continue to create the Dungeons and Dragons subtheme (see below).

Convention Exclusives[]

Nerak's Return[]

This release consisted of a single figure, the Gencon 2005 exclusive Nerak the Glacian Swog Rider.^[3] He would later be re-released in Wave 10: Valkrill's Gambit.

Sir Hawthorne's Arrival[]

This release consisted of a single figure, the Gencon 2006 exclusive Sir Hawthorne.^[3] He would later be re-released in Wave 10: Valkrill's Gambit.

The Master's Arrival[]

This release consisted of a single figure, the Gencon 2007 exclusive Master Win Chiu Woo.^[3]

Heroscape samuel brown 1 original — Samuel Brown's digitally released card.

Skahen's Rescue[]

This release consisted of a single figure, the Gencon 2008 exclusive Agent Skahen.^[3] She would be offered as a promotional figure for some National Heroscape Day events that year.

Forever Valiant[]

This cancelled Gencon 2009 exclusive would have consisted of a single figure, a repainted 4th Massachusetts Line figure named Samuel Brown. His card design was revealed after Heroscape's cancellation had been announced, and was regarded as the 'final figure' in the Heroscape line.

Heroscape: Age of Annihilation[]

Age of Annihilation[]

[See all Age of Annihilation Releases][]

In 2022, Hasbro subsidiary Avalon Hill unsuccessfully attempted to raise funds for a continuation of the Heroscape brand, Age of Annihilation: Vanguard Edition. Although it did not succeed, the property was licensed to Renegade Games Studios, who are bringing the revealed material as well as new original content to shelves starting in 2024.^[11]

Subthemes[]

Heroscape: Marvel[]

[See all Heroscape Marvel Releases][]

A mid-sized Heroscape game set called Marvel: The Conflict Begins was released in July 2007.^[3] It was the only release in the Marvel Subtheme, as the transition of the brand to Wizards of the Coast brought the cancellation of a planned 10-figure expansion.

Heroscape: Dungeons and Dragons[]

STK408777 — Battle for the Underdark master set.

[See all Heroscape Dungeons and Dragons Releases][]

After Wizards of the Coast acquired the brand, from January to November of 2010 they released a line of Dungeons and Dragons themed Heroscape sets. Beginning with the Battle for the Underdark Master Set, they released three full waves of expansion figures prior to the discontinuation of the brand in November 2010.

Other Heroscape Media[]

In addition to the game itself, Heroscape has had a number of media tie-ins and features. These include:

Thormun artwork — A portrait of Thormun from his first journal entry.

Thormun's Journals[]

A series of journal entries by the Valkyrie Thormun, describing his experiences on a mission from Jandar to unite the other generals. A portion of these are later written by Sgt. Drake Alexander, documenting his mission to destroy the Marro Hive. Some of these entries can be found inside the Rise of the Valkyrie and Swarm of the Marro rulebooks; the rest were uploaded to Heroscape.com.

The Animated Commercial[]

One of the first commercials that aired for Heroscape, and provided a look at some of the Rise of the Valkyrie heroes prior to their summoning to Valhalla.

The Will of Kee-Mo-Shi[]

Kee-Mo-Shi in the animated short — Kee-Mo-Shi's plans turn sour in the Will of Kee-Mo-Shi Animated Short.

An animated short featuring Kee-Mo-Shi and the seeming conclusion of the Evil Raelin plotline. (That is, until Age of Annihilation).

The Heroscape Mini-Movie[]

A 3d-rendered webisode featuring the Swarm of the Marro heroes prior to their southern adventure.

Heroscape Comics[]

Heroscape has had several mini-comics over the years, with four issues and a fifth mini-issue that served as a poster for a Heroscape sweepstakes.

Heroscape Merchandise[]

[See Heroscape Merchandise][]

Maps & Scenarios[]

The iconic map Migol's Tomb was featured prominently in Heroscape advertising.

Rise of the Valkyrie Master Set[]

This Master Set came with five maps, each of which had two playable scenarios, with more scenarios available online.

Table of the Giants[]

Basic Game: Attack at Dawn
Master Game: Clashing Fronts
Master Game: The Long Wait

The Forsaken Waters[]

Basic Game: Dive the Dark Lakes
Master Game: Winter Holdout
Master Game: The Killing Fog
Basic Game: Skirmish for the Wellspring
Master Game: Mallidon's Prophecy
Master Game: The Battle of All Time Demo

Durgeth Swamps[]

Basic Game: The Search for Comfrey Plants
Master Game: Under Tempest's Cover
Master Game: The Standoff at Durgeth Swamps
Master Game: Deadly Waters at Durgeth Swamps

Trollsford Swamps[]

Master Game: A Desperate Rescue Attempt
Master Game: A Toxic Mist
Master Game: Quicksand Firefight

Migol's Tomb[]

Master Game: Mimring's Fortress
Master Game: To Take Barrenspur
Master Game: Battle for Mimring

Knights of the Dinner Table[]

A special map and scenarios were released in the 100th issue of the comic Knights of the Dinner Table.

The Meat Grinder[]

Master Game: Carvin' Marvin
Master Game: The Zombies of the Meat Grinder
Master Game: The Gawds Must Be Crazy

Gencon 2004[]

A special map booklet with four scenarios was given as promotional material at Gencon 2004.

Soulrazor Canyon[]

Basic Game: King of the Hill
Master Game: Lingering Spirits
Master Game: Marked for Death
Master Game: The Grass is Greener

Road to the Forgotten Forest[]

The Forgotten Forest[]

Master Game: The Bridge to the Forgotten Forest
Master Game: Fall of the Dumutef Bridge

Volcarren Wasteland[]

Master Game: Battle for the Volcarren Obsidian Guards
Master Game: The Unexpected Battle

Thaelenk Tundra[]

The Battlefield of Frozen Souls[]

Master Game: The Storm of Frozen Shards
Master Game: The Deadly Frozen Wellspring

Fortress of the Archkyrie[]

The West Barbican of Idona Castle[]

Master Game: Ambush at the West Barbican
Master Game: The Siege of the West Barbican

Swarm of the Marro[]

The Narrows[]

Basic Game: A Long Wait
Basic Game: Spring Surprise
Campaign Master Game: Exploration Part 1: Ominous Beginnings

Montiqua Ledge[]

Basic Game: Protect the Waters
Master Game: Deadly Wall of Water
Campaign Master Game: Exploration Part 2: The Unexpected Capture

Xualtiaca[]

Master Game: Siren's Call
Campaign Master Game: Exploration Part 3: Source of Corruption

Waters of Life[]

Master Game: Waters of Life
Master Game: Rogue Hive

Ticalla Jungle[]

Avorice Stand[]

Master Game: New Waters
Master Game: Jungle Guardians

Online-Exclusive Battlefields[]

Many maps and scenarios were released only on Heroscape.com, Hasbro's Heroscape website, and later on Heroscapers.com once the official site ceased to receive further updates after the Wizards of the Coast brand acquisition.