THE SPIRIT QUEEN'S TORMENT discussion

[j_dean80]

Can we stop with the political/idealogical discussions and name calling? This is a forum and game for anyone of any background. This is against the forum rules and I'm quite surprised the moderators haven't stepped in yet. Some like the Orc Bard. Some think it's trash. Some don't care either way. It's fine, agree to disagree and drop it for the sake of the forum.

[Markus Darwath]

As to the Orc Bard, he came with the pack, and so we used him as a Special Henchman in this quest pack. He was useful, [but won't get used again. The idea of an Orc dressed as a pirate stereotype, singing songs, reciting poetry, and telling tales of daring do and adventure to amuse and inspire his comrades does not appeal to me personally.

Honestly, if someone finds something to be stupid and refuses to use it, that's their right. My take is simply that they may be needlessly limiting their own creativity.

I literally said I did use him, but maybe your comment was not directed at me.

It was a general comment, but stemming from your statement of "won't get used again." And I was genuinely curious if your distaste for his depiction would be lessened if he wasn't actually an orc at all, but simply made to look like one.

[Markus Darwath]

The Orc Bard being illogical, who would bring a Bard into battle with them?

It's pretty obvious that the bard class concept was borrowed from D&D, and in HQ is functionally similar to the elf. So in game terms, bringing a bard into battle is no more illogical than bringing an elf into battle.

[The Admiral]

I was genuinely curious if your distaste for his depiction would be lessened if he wasn't actually an orc at all, but simply made to look like one.

Well in that case he wouldn't actually be an orc. We have played a quest where all the Heroes became Ogres and that was fun. I suppose the 'Bard' concept seems more suited to a human. I just struggle to see a brutish in that roll, whether fighting on the side of good or not. It just didn't sit well with us, and I have so many different figures for interesting special henchmen that I don't see him appearing again, but you never know.

[TheLastChaosWarrior]

My issue with the Orc Bard is I can't imagine an Orc as being able to sing well, and that is a key requirement of being a Bard!!
He is useful if you ignore his bonus defense die, and arm him with armour the same as other Heros. Then it's a normal Hero, albeit with only 5bp, but with higher MPs, that brings another healing spell into the mix. Plus the inspiring tale spell is ok to buff other Heros when the Bards attacking action is not needed, maybe just before entering a room. Its certainly a lot easier to gain back than Druids recoverable spell!!!

[Vorimir]

The orc bard is a stupid joke made true.
Designers:
-I dare you to create an orc bard!!!
-Hold my beer.

[Markus Darwath]

My issue with the Orc Bard is I can't imagine an Orc as being able to sing well, and that is a key requirement of being a Bard!!

Historically speaking, some bards actually just recited poetry or told tales instead of singing.

Your comment does make me think of Klingon opera.

[wallydubbs]

The Orc Bard being illogical, who would bring a Bard into battle with them?

It's pretty obvious that the bard class concept was borrowed from D&D, and in HQ is functionally similar to the elf. So in game terms, bringing a bard into battle is no more illogical than bringing an elf into battle.

In game terms, yes. The Elf and Bard are somewhat similar with a few pros on cons. The Elf can choose from a variety of spells whereas the Bard is stuck with his 3, but he can reclaim 1 multiple times throughout a quest. The Bard starts off with an extra defence dice and can attack diagonally., however this extra defense is somewhat limited as buying metal armor nullifies it. No such limitations on the Elf, who starts off with 1 additional body points, so it all kinda evens out.

The point I was trying to make is that a traditional Bard lacks fighting prowess that wouldn't be the best allie for a battle. I meant this in general, not in HeroQuest.
If you recall the Dungeons and Dragons movie, Honor Among Thieves, the group consisted of a Bard, Barbarian, Wizard and Druid (funny that, we can run a quest pack with these characters), the main character (which I assume was a bard because he played a lute in one scene) wasn't any good at fighting. He was just clever and came up with plans.

[TheLastChaosWarrior]

My issue with the Orc Bard is I can't imagine an Orc as being able to sing well, and that is a key requirement of being a Bard!!

Historically speaking, some bards actually just recited poetry or told tales instead of singing.

Your comment does make me think of Klingon opera.

Hahaha, that would sound just like Ord (OrcBard) singing!!
Question, how do you quote just one line of a post and not all of it?

[j_dean80]

Question, how do you quote just one line of a post and not all of it?

Click on quote then delete the text you don't want.