How to counter door blocking + Crossbow LoS issues

[knightkrawler]

The two most important factors to victory in grid-based tactical games are frequency and mobility. HQ does not allow you to alter how frequently you take an action and movement for heroes isn't at a fixed rate. This makes monsters superior to heroes in terms of overall mobility. If the heroes didn't get to take all their actions in unison, for instance if the Evil Wizard were allowed to move one type of monster between each hero turn, the game would be more challenging just because enemies would be able to best-utilize their superior tactical advantage.

Now THIS is an idea. I'll try this. This is such a good idea in concept I almost came in my pants.

[slev]

Now THIS is an idea. I'll try this. This is such a good idea in concept I almost came in my pants.

Then you'll REALLY like what I'm working on!

[knightkrawler]

I'm always looking forward to seeing your work, mate!
I just now implemented this rule as an optional rule:
OPTIONAL: Alternating Hero/Morcar Turns
To play the game with a tactical twist, implement individual monster turns after Hero turns. To be precise, after a Hero has taken their entire turn (including a passed turn where the Hero does neither move nor take an action), Morcar may take one complete turn with one active monster. During a round, each monster may only take one turn. Thus, the turn order looks like this: Hero 1 – monster 1 – Hero 2 – monster 2 – Hero 3 – monster 3 – Hero 4 – monster 4 – monster 5 – monster 6 and so on.

[chaoticprime]

A trick many people use as indication for figures that have been activated is to turn them around.

[Jafazo]

Hero Quest rulebook, page 15, "SEE"
Quote: "For the Elf or Wizard to cast a spell, the target must be visible. Heroes and monsters are only visible if an unobstructed straight line can be traced from the spell-caster to the target."

This text is supported by a visual image that provides examples as to which monsters the Elf character can 'SEE', and within that image, his line of sight is blocked by the Wizard effectively preventing the Elf from casting a spell on an Orc behind the Wizard.

Within the Hero Quest Armory the description for a Crossbow reads as follows...
"This long range weapon gives you the attack strength of 3 combat dice. You may fire at any monster that you can "see". However, you cannot fire at a monster that is adjacent to you..." and so on and so forth.

Key words are vital to any rule set and in this case we need to pay attention to the keyword, "See". If a Hero can't cast a spell at a target who is hiding behind another Hero, that means we cannot "See" that monster, therefore, if the Crossbow only allows us to attack targets we can "See", the Elf CANNOT stand behind the Barbarian and fire a volley of arrows into the room. The Elf can do nothing. You've been allowing and having a problem with this issue because you missed an important rule. The game needs no adjustment.

[chaoticprime]

Hero Quest rulebook, page 15, "SEE"
Quote: "For the Elf or Wizard to cast a spell, the target must be visible. Heroes and monsters are only visible if an unobstructed straight line can be traced from the spell-caster to the target."

This text is supported by a visual image that provides examples as to which monsters the Elf character can 'SEE', and within that image, his line of sight is blocked by the Wizard effectively preventing the Elf from casting a spell on an Orc behind the Wizard.

Within the Hero Quest Armory the description for a Crossbow reads as follows...
"This long range weapon gives you the attack strength of 3 combat dice. You may fire at any monster that you can "see". However, you cannot fire at a monster that is adjacent to you..." and so on and so forth.

Key words are vital to any rule set and in this case we need to pay attention to the keyword, "See". If a Hero can't cast a spell at a target who is hiding behind another Hero, that means we cannot "See" that monster, therefore, if the Crossbow only allows us to attack targets we can "See", the Elf CANNOT stand behind the Barbarian and fire a volley of arrows into the room. The Elf can do nothing. You've been allowing and having a problem with this issue because you missed an important rule. The game needs no adjustment.

You're not the first to try reason. You may want to save your post, so you can cut and paste it in two months when this same thing comes into debate again.

[Jafazo]

That's how the life of moderator works man... repeat answers to the same question time and time again. No doubt I'll reduce my responses over time but I was bored today and had fun elaborating. Realistically, I don't expect people to scour forums searching for answers. I do expect them to try a half assed, quick search but most of the time things get lost in conversation so there's no choice but to repeat the response. It's like the fight against computer viruses, it'll never end. New virus, new patch update. New virus, new patch update.

I probably should copy my answer into a kind of archive for reference sake. Not a bad idea... I might actually do it.

[Goblin-King]

Can we all agree this is how it works.
You can't shoot PAST the orcs, but you can legally shoot at the individual positions (if the other orcs weren't obstructing).

But again, shooting isn't really the main problem in door-blocking, it just allows you to pick off a few extra monsters if the room is filled.
Main problem is the armored tank blocking so that only a single monster can attack each round.

[The Road Warrior]

Can we all agree this is how it works.

Probably not

[Goblin-King]

Touche