by nathanielz » October 19th, 2020, 8:38 am
Hello all. I just posted this on BGG - apologies for the redundancy if you watch both forums - I thought that this might be useful information.
So yesterday we did a playthrough game with wizard, dwarf, warlock, and druid, with EU/UK rules.
All characters had accumulated previous earnings, so the Warlock started with 2atk, 3def (the warlock inherited bracers and staff, of similar value to what the Elf had previously bought), and the druid started with 2atk, 2def (she inherited a hand axe, of similar value to what the Barbarian had previously bought).
Both the wizard and dwarf had equipment allowing them to attack with 2 dice, defend with 3.
Here's some observations
Druid - quite powerful, played a nice barbarian-like role with 3atk and 3 def in her bear form. However, very fragile to traps, which make her insta-lose her power (the party sent the warlock first - and later realized that too was a mistake). Between her healing spells, the wizard's, and found healing potions - she managed to shapeshift twice (and could have done it again but the game was over by then). Healing spell was used once, but not pixie - very situational. Fun to play, though I wonder how she will fare at higher levels. Give her a battle-axe for 5atk 3def, compared to a maxed barbarian with 4atk 5 def (plate and helm).
Warlock - fun to play, she spent most of her time in demonform with 3atk and 3def. She felt like a rogue, immune to traps. the party sent her forward, until they realized that while she doesn't trigger the traps, neither does she reveal them automatically - the dwarf spent most of his time "disarming" the traps with his face (read- he activated every single trap!). The 3atk ranged attack didn't feel overpowered, since the elf did play with a 3atk crossbow the previous game. She transformed twice too, losing a first HP due to a careless door opening (swarmed by orcs). She killed one, getting her power back, and in the final scene she would have lost her power again, but instead used her "dark wings" spell. That felt great. Fear wasn't used mainly because the boss got instakilled by a genie (5 atk dice, 4 skulls, even if I gave him 3hit points like by US rules, he rolled very badly in defense... Even the goblins rolled better, dude), otherwise the party planned on using it as plan B. Not sure how she will evolve at higher level, maxing with 3 atk, 4 defense (compared with the mage's 2atk, 4 defense, but a total of 9 spells to chose from).
In short, both characters felt great mechanically, and the druid seems OK with her evolution (she has access to weapons though she will lack in defence). The warlock seems to have an easier access to her demonform spell (it is easier for her to kill safely from a distance), but she feels like she will max out as a weaker character compared to others. in my humble opinion, here is the ranking I would give them
1: the barbarian (I mean, Look at the Muscuulaarity!). Greatest number of dice late game (4atk, 5def) AND hit points!
2: the druid. Stronger attack, but weaker defense and hit points than the barbarian. She can heal a total of 6HP though
3: the elf. Same dice throw as the barbarian when fully maxed and same hp as the druid. Has access to 3 spells (we usually play him with earth spells, giving him a 4hp healing ability)
4:the mage: super weak in attack, but has 9 other spells (2 fire attacks, 1 genie massive attack, 1 courage spell to stengthen another player for a while, 1 healing spell of 4hp, 1 ability to put an enemy to sleep, and 3 other spells rarely used (1 spell to make another miss a turn, 1 running spell for a turn, 1 spell to pass through villains (?) for a turn).
5: the dwarf. Same dice as the barbarian, 1 fewer HP, but only compensating ability concerns traps (and somehow still manages to always roll a black shield...)
6: the warlock. Early game she would be ranked higher than the mage, but late game she is bested by a crossbow-wielding elf or a 9-spell-versatile mage.
There we go. TL:DR - warlock and druid are mechanically fun additions. Druid is well balanced throughout the game as a weaker barbarian alternative. Warlock seems well balanced in early games, but I'm concerned she'll feel less powerful as other heroes gain in strength.
