Wall of Stone Defend Dice

[Ethica]

There is a difference between the two methods of defence and the way it simulates the situation (and I don’t wanna hear that it’s just a game so it’s not important, because the HQ combat system , while simple, could be argued to be reflective of real combat).

When you roll extra defence dice for armour you're similating a probability that you successfully deflected the attack with your armour or weapon. The wall can not field an active defence though, all it can do is take the hit.

In short, the damage to the wall is dependant only on how it is hit, not how well it could stop itself from being hit. So it should only have body points and not defence dice.

I know I’m not going to change anyone’s opinion with this argument (especially since it’s an official rule, I just think MB are wrong on this occasion).

[wallydubbs]

I do like the idea of multiple body points over defense dice: when playtesting through Frozen Horror, I can't remember which quest, but an Ice Gremlin stole something from the Barbarian's equipment, but the Wizard was close by and cast Wall of Stone, preventing the Gremlin from escaping. However, this was in the corridor leading to the exit door... so the Barbarian and Wizard backtracked to join the others in destroying the Scepter of Glacial Majesty, leaving a scout behind to chip at the wall.
Although he was the only mercenary to survive that quest (all others died when the Scepter went "BOOM") he still hadn't managed to break it down by the time the heroes returned. So something with 2 attack dice probably won't work on something with 6 defense die.

[lestodante]

I agree with Ethica. The wall should only has a certain BP so the hero should perform a strong attack and slowly destroy it. It is supposed to be a protective spell so the purpose is to delay monsters to protect someone.
Same matter for the Ice Wall, but it is different for the Fire Wall, because it should not be a physical obstacle. It should burn the adiacents miniatures and a character should be able to jump through the flames but should roll a dice test to check if it will burn into the magic flames or safely jump over them.

[wallydubbs]

I agree with you on the Fire Wall, it's not a solid object that should be able to block heroes, a hero should be able to pass through it whilst rolling for damage.

[Daedalus]

For another tact that models a static, inanimate defense better and saves time, swap out the variable 6 defend dice and instead have the wall spells ignore the first two dice of damage from a hit. Anyone looking to take one down with weapons rather than the proper tools had better hit it hard, as the wall consistently resists all but the strongest force. A Potion of Strength, Genie, or possibly Courage spell would likely prove handy, though a Battle Axe will do.