I picked up my packages last night. As usual, the packaging was ridiculous, with every square inch in that box filled with something.
I was originally under the impression that some standard terrain came in the box, with the advertised count of 150+ pieces etc. I was wrong. There is 150+ pieces, but its all for wall building. The only thing that comes close to standard terrain is the extra stone (road) pieces which have special snaps on them for fitting to the tops of walls. The majority of the pieces are these "battlement" pieces which are the little pegs at that top of walls that creates the slotted cover that's so typical of a castle. Each slot is an individual piece that can be snapped to the side of any standard terrain piece in the game. From looking at pictures i always though that the battlement slots were part of the top of the wall, not so, its all piece together. The wall, platform on top of the wall, then the battlement slots are all individual pieces, each reusable with other pieces not wall related. The battlement pieces provide almost full coverage for small to medium figures, and they have special rules where if a unit is adjacent to one, you’re targeting point of view can be from the slot opening instead of from the unit’s head. It’s to simulate leaning into view to take the shot but not leaving yourself vulnerable to return fire.
Really, i was very impressed with how these pieces integrate into the game, giving them utility that goes beyond just castle building. I would say as revolutionary as the forest expansion.
I built a castle last night just to see how big of a structure i could get with 6 sets. Its a good thing that i did get 6 because 1 set will build you a small tower with a gate and a tiny bit of wall. With 6 sets i was able to build a full fortress with towers and multiple levels etc. I took some pics of it, but did get around to uploading them last night.
The door is going to be pretty cool. From the sounds of the rules, if you actually want to change its state from open or closed, you actually have to have a character manning the door. So for example, if the door belongs to your team, and its closed and you’re trying to get in but no one is on the other side to open it.... well your SOL. The door can be barricaded, and it has hit points and defense dice. So storm the castle scenarios can be done quite easily.
I’m also impressed with the rules for ladders, I’ve never seen anything explained as good as ladders in the rule book. They really spent some time on this one thinking out all possibilities, and going to the extent of listing specific characters and how their specials may affect the rules. Hopping from one ladder to another etc. Moving up a ladder allows you to climb a rock face about twice as fast if you were just following a slope. This could/will change how we design maps significantly; giving us options we never had before. Really well done IMO.
Like i said, from what i see so far, this expansion is the most significant and will change our game to the magnitude that the forest expansion did. A+, these guys really know how to design a great game.
