@#$*&!! Giant Rolling Boulder ??

[Kurgan]

So back in the day I remember throwing a kid hissy fit when I got smacked by this deadly trap a few quests into Kellar's Keep (right guys?).

Anyway, I am curious how people interpreted this trap... I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought about somehow "nerfing" or "balancing" this event, but I'm curious how people actually interpreted it.

The rules make it sound like it rolls in and just smacks into the first Hero and ... stops. It just keeps pushing along, touching heroes and doing damage, until it hits the end wall then it turns into a single blocked square (same as a sprung falling block trap).

But the way we played it, it just "bowled over" the Heroes... basically this was a way to force the Wizard to use up one of his healing spells to survive. The Elf was the only one who could get past it by using Pass Through Rock...

Any other experiences? I'm curious the "right way" to use it and then what people think "makes the most sense."

[Maurice76]

We also always played it as bowling alley. There's no way you're going to stop such a mass that's on the move with just some muscle power. The Heroes either had to outrun it, or dodge it (by entering a door to the side, leaving the hallway but crashing right into some monsters).

[lestodante]

I agree, it should not stop after overwhelming a Hero, it must continue on its way until it crushes on a wall

[Kurgan]

Thanks everyone. So basically it's a cheap way for Zargon to weaken the Heroes (if only by forcing the Elf and Wizard to use up a healing ability, leaving one between them). Of course if they are lucky enough to have stockpiled armbands and potions too, it isn't that big a deal. Considering there's only ever one event like this in HeroQuest it's an "arggghh" moment but not insurmountable.

Sorry for whining all those years ago! (whinging, as they call it in the UK)

[mitchiemasha]

well no adventure would be complete with out a rolling bolder somewhere.

[SirRick]

It only seems to make sense that the boulder plow right over heroes it runs into, but its possible the heroes could fail the quest if their movement rolls are bad, they could be trapped in that hallway with no way to advance.

[Anderas]

No, the corner room provides an exit. Also, the quest is even better if the rolling boulder restarts rolling after each corner. Well, make sure to hide some potions of healings then.

[mitchiemasha]

No, the corner room provides an exit.

I was just about to point out that people seem to be over looking that.

[Maurice76]

Thanks everyone. So basically it's a cheap way for Zargon to weaken the Heroes (if only by forcing the Elf and Wizard to use up a healing ability, leaving one between them).

Why reduce it by just one? If the Heroes roll particularly bad, all four of them get overrun before they can get out of harm's way - and all four would end up taking damage then. In fact, with a lucky roll by the EW, he could straight up kill the Wizard .

[Kurgan]

Makes me wonder about the "living boulder" character.. he can't attack, only roll into things, dealing absurd amounts of damage. The only way to stop his reign of terror is to open a pit trap under him!