Heroclix Map Review: Centennial Park Zoo

[saturnflight]

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1412&pictureid=14060

The impact a map can have on a game is often overlooked. A good strategy incorporates a tactically-sound map choice. But when it comes to locale, sometimes it's hard to see the forest for the trees. We're here to help you make smart decisions when it comes to Heroclix real estate.

[saturnflight]

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1412&pictureid=14055
Map photo is courtesy of mr_moneypenny. Rep him here for giving us all a visual aid for today's article! (http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5091546&postcount=48)

[saturnflight]

The Icons starter set was our first glimpse of the future of Heroclix maps. With a new rulebook to explain things, Wizkids took the opportunity to clarify their maps via terrain markings. Armor Wars may have been the first set following the new map standards of one new release per set and 24" by 36" maps, but Icons eased the transition.

The Zoo is a dubious title at best, as there's not an animal to be seen. This map would perhaps be more accurately titled the Courtyard. It offers an elevated perimeter with a relatively open center, decorated with four identical and centrally-located pools. Bucking a prior trend of placing water terrain off to one side, this map made a conscious effort to give swimmers a chance to take part in the heart of the battle.

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1412&pictureid=14056

This is the first time we've examined a 36" by 36" map, so how is that going to effect your game? For the most part, it's not. As much as you'd think adding 4 columns to either side of the map would make a difference, there are few characters who will actually make any use of those lanes. Even if you buck that trend by playing off one side, you'll likely be drawing your opponent over toward you, keeping the entirety of the game within a 16 square area. There are few characters who can mount an attack from outside of that distance, and the few that do will likely use that extra reach from their starting area rather than some arbitrary point along the side of the map.

Perhaps the one time it will come into play is placing objects. If your opponent doesn't plan on using them, they can put them much further from the main battle areas, which can mean as much as 8 extra points of movement to retrieve that precious heavy object. For a lot of bricks that's an entire turn, and may not prove to be worth investing in. If objects are important to you, you may not want to choose a full-sized map.

Of course, the last thing to be said for a 36" by 36" map is that it's designed for multi-player games. The tactics in a multi-player game are drastically different than a standard two-player match, and I won't be discussing them.

Arguably, the Zoo map's most significant feature is the ring of rooftops. These buildings create an arena effect for the map: those inside the ring are easily targeted, while it is extremely difficult to mount an attack against anyone outside the perimeter. There is a definite advantage here for ranged combatants, who can draw line of fire to most anyone as they run along the rooftops. Expect to see several figures take up sniper positions, and don't take to the center without a plan to deal with those snipers. A map like this really encourages you to bring a designated tie-up figure to counteract these rooftop tactics, such as Vanisher, Sidewinder, Lockjaw, or even Secret Invasion's Mole Man.

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1412&pictureid=14057
Catgirl has a massive area of effect, even with only a 4 range. Killer Croc takes cover in one of the few safe areas, forgetting that Toughness is enough to make Catgirl useless.

The rooftops aren't just for long range attackers. Mobile characters, such as those with flight, Leap/Climb, or Phasing/Teleport, can use the rooftops to cover themselves as they advance. A flying Hypersonic piece may find their best fallback position to be just beyond the rim of a rooftop, while a close combat Leap/Climb figure may find the best way to keep outsiders from interfering with their one-on-one fight is to take that fight to the rooftops.

In the center of the effective arena, the battle can be heated. A bevvy of snipers can light up the unlucky combatants who take to No Man's Land. Hindering Terrain is placed close to the base of buildings, which doesn't offer much in the way of traditional cover using the common and popular Stealth ability. Instead, this map provides four 2x2 pools, giving Submerged aquatic characters the prime positions without fear of crossfire. At the same time, this crossfire effect will prevent opponents from coming close enough for the largely range-free aquatic forces to find targets.

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=1412&pictureid=14058
King Shark may hold the center of the map, but being aquatic won't keep him safe from snipers.

All of this means that cautious players may find themselves in a standstill on this map. Rooftop snipers shouldn't be close enough to exchange fire, and it's well-publicized suicide to step into the center of the ring without a plan to deal with the massive firing range. What figures have the confidence to take the initiative on a map like this?

-Hypersonic Speed with Flight. Getting in and out fast is going to be critical for dealing with a firing squad. A figure like Northstar, Unleashed's Black Adam, or (of course) Web of Spider-Man's Nightcrawler can score those quick hits while falling back to safety off the edge of an unoccupied ledge. Using the outside of the ring to make progress will keep the slower speedsters safe during the approach.

-Smoke Cloud can really come in handy here for your displaced Stealth team. If your map roll didn't fall in your favor and you find yourself on this battlefield, a Stealth team may need to designate one of their figures to smoke duty for the others, providing well-placed cover as the team moves forward. X-Force, as an example, will find this power indispensable here, while a Batman team may instead turn to Leap/Climb for the round and find Smoke Cloud unnecessary.

-Barrier. It takes a well-coordinated effort, but a pair of well-positioned Barrier figures who can survive a push can keep a wall ahead of your force through the most intense moments of the ground battle before taking to the roofs to end the battle. The Brotherhood is well equipped for this tactic (and really need it with their close combat roster), as are the Titans, the X-Men, and certain HYDRA builds.

-Long-range figures with Running Shot. Just having long range is enough to keep an opponent at bay, but unless the opposition is playing a recklessly aggressive team, you may never get to fire at anyone. Just a few steps to reposition may change everything, and a figure like Ultimates' Magneto or Collateral Damage's Green Lantern can reign over the arena like Caesar.

[saturnflight]

That all said, where does the Zoo map fall?
Theme: 1/5
The name doesn't really have an effect on the map's graphics, and this ends up being one more 'Better Homes and Gardens' design. There's nothing about this map that thematically pulls you to it, leaving it a game element that does nothing to enhance the comic book experience.
Clarity: 5/5
As the map that debuted the terrain labels, the Zoo is entirely clear even as it dabbles in unprecedented terrain configurations (hindering on elevated). The graphics are colored well as to not interfere with readability.
Tactical Impact: 4/5
This map certainly dictates how each and every figure will be played: long range on the roof, and close combatants cautiously dancing outside the firing range. That said, it should be noted that rooftops and a field littered with terrain features is pretty standard for this game's map designs; the tactics this map forces are not at all uncommon tactics, but merely exaggerated.
Balance: 2/5
Range is king here, but at least both players can use that same advantage. A mismatching of teams here can end a game quickly, and as range is already a dominant game element, a map accentuating that doesn't come as a welcome change of pace.
Terrain Diversity: 3/5
Elevated, Hindering, and Water is a fine showing for an outdoor map; and seeing this much elevated terrain is enough to make this map unique. However, the layout is repetitive, assigning a designated role to any figure occupying a designated piece of terrain. Water: tying up the middle. Hindering: support role. Elevated: sniping. Any variation comes from dealing with an opponent's effort to use the terrain for that purpose.

Overall: 3/5
The map is technically well-made, and has seen plenty of great games played on it. I had an epic win here with a Skrull army back during Fantastic Forces thanks to a Brilliant Tactician Taskmaster. However, the gameplay here is predictable, and the Zoo can quickly become an irritating battlefield. There are better elements of the Icons starter to motivate a purchase.


That's all for the Zoo! We'll revisit the Icons Starter Set in a future edition, and come back next week for a look at one of the fine custom maps available for casual play! Until next week, enjoy the scenery!

[TheRedHood]

Great Review. Thanks for doing these. Sometimes I don't give enough thought to what map to choose and end up using the same ones over and over. This definitely helps.

[Kwagamon]

Man seeing all these maps I don't own makes me a tad sad. I only got into HeroClix with HoT, so my map collections is Rainbow Bridge, The Graveyard, the dual-sided Brightest Day map, and the tiny maps that came with the Iron Man and Batman battle packs.

[saturnflight]

Man seeing all these maps I don't own makes me a tad sad. I only got into HeroClix with HoT, so my map collections is Rainbow Bridge, The Graveyard, the dual-sided Brightest Day map, and the tiny maps that came with the Iron Man and Batman battle packs.

The bad news is I have SO many more to cover!

The good news is that this one, from the DC: Icons starter, is pretty cheap and still easy to find. If you don't have older sets at your local shop, check online.

This map is MUCH easier to find than, say, the Armor Wars map...

[SLVRSR4]

Yep...I've been playing too long. I don't even remember this one. I signed on and saw this article, and I said, "Oooo, is this a NEW map preview?"

ICONS, you say? I own it then. I probably own several of them. It's been years.

[mr_moneypenny]

These articles are so great! I love them. I've been playing since the first IC starters were released, at least a game or two on every map, and you always seem to mention at least one thing I've never thought of before (really liked your handling of the 36x36 vs. 24x36 dimensions...). Fantastic. Thank you! :)
-jason

EDIT - "You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to saturnflight again."
Catch you later, I'm sure...

[charlesdward]

This map is still one of my faves of all time, and even though I really like the zoo side, the other side - Axis Chemicals - gets even more play. This is one of the reasons the Icons Starter was one of the best ever, imo. Plus the figures were quite good, too... well, all of them except for Hawkgirl.

[mattsolo]

Huh. In all my time playing clix I have never seen or played on this map before. Anyone got an extra they are willing to part with?

[supremepontiff]

also, this is a good map choice for people who want to try the Atlantis /Submerged theme team (BD Aquaman,tempest,SI namor and a bajillion aqualads) as tempest turns almost the entire middle of the map into a huge pool for your guys to hide in/charge out of.

[eagletsi]

since you have so many maps. Can you please post all of the maps released in the game? I know there is one on the help section, but it's still behind. I was hoping they would add them to the units section on this site, but never got around to it.

I still don't know what map you are talking about here. Is this a super small map?

Thanks,

[Top10]

I've played in this map quite a bit. The center can be a death trap.
The elevated terrain that is only one square thick is tricky. You can hide a sniper between two other figures and it's really tough to target them. You have to remember to destroy objects that your opponent is hiding on top of. Some people forget to do that.

[CustomCreator]

When I saw that picture on the home page of the forum, I thought we were having a blood donation drive....

[saturnflight]

Posting a listing of every map would be very difficult to do, as there is not an official place to get this info from. I will point you toward the Map Inventory thread here on the Realms (I'd link you if I weren't mobile).

In this article, I identified this map as being 36" by 36", which means it isn't small. I said it came from Icons, which tells you what set it was associated with. I provided a picture. I don't know how else to identify it...

[DaeRave]

lmao this map is a ZOO?!

i've had, and loved, this map for years. i never had any idea it was a zoo.

[eagletsi]

Posting a listing of every map would be very difficult to do, as there is not an official place to get this info from. I will point you toward the Map Inventory thread here on the Realms (I'd link you if I weren't mobile).

In this article, I identified this map as being 36" by 36", which means it isn't small. I said it came from Icons, which tells you what set it was associated with. I provided a picture. I don't know how else to identify it...

Sorry about that I didn't look at the 2nd thread, just the first. Now that i see the full map thanks.

Now i really want to get this one.

[NeoShazam]

I remember playing on this map for Icon Sealed tournaments, the land of Vet Icons Superman and Unique Flash.

I think 2x3s see a lot more play than the 3x3s though so I'd like to see more 2x3 reviews first.

[DKowGawd]

This has been one of my favorite maps for the longest time. So many fun games have taken place in the zoo...

[tidge]

This is a map I like to choose when playing "Lamppost" Batman-centered Bat-family teams. It's particularly good for a 200-point team-up of

120 AA Lamppost Batman
+5 Lunge
+8 Protected
66 AA Robin
= 199 points

I played the above force and this map really makes them shine.

[Rurouni KJS]

also, this is a good map choice for people who want to try the Atlantis /Submerged theme team (BD Aquaman,tempest,SI namor and a bajillion aqualads) as tempest turns almost the entire middle of the map into a huge pool for your guys to hide in/charge out of.

Only in Golden Age, when you can outfit them with Submerged. Otherwise they only get shot to pieces from the rooftops. (Although, with BD Aquaman, that's a little less likely.)

I recommend two Special Objects on this map: the Dynamostat to offer some real mid-field cover and the Kinetic Accelerator to help characters run across the killbox as fast as possible.

I kinda hate this map for being so range-friendly.

[M.Drake]

Ilove this map

when I started playing heroclix we almost exclusively played that one

good memories, I should play it again next time

[saturnflight]

I do have a system for how I choose which map to review. 3/4 will be 2x3, so no worries there.

[edward_nigma]

Another great article, thanks SF!

[themonkey]

lmao this map is a ZOO?!

i've had, and loved, this map for years. i never had any idea it was a zoo.

Yep, and if you look closely, you can see that all the signs have turtles on them. An entire zoo and nothing but turtles. (Insert your own joke here.)

I love playing on this map with an animal theme team. It's just so appropriate.

[saturnflight]

Best I can figure, the buildings all represent exhibits and walk-through houses. But no outdoor exhibits at all?

And while it's appropriate, it's probably not STRATEGIC to use Animals here. Aside from a couple of smart monkeys, Animals have very little range, and will likely get dominated by anyone with a gun (I guess there's something thematic to that too).

[Owlman166]

Nice map. I've been playing since late 2003, (I'm a vet!) but I've yet to play on this map. From Icons, huh? I'll have to get one, eventually.

[Puquak]

since you have so many maps. Can you please post all of the maps released in the game? I know there is one on the help section, but it's still behind. I was hoping they would add them to the units section on this site, but never got around to it.

I still don't know what map you are talking about here. Is this a super small map?

Thanks,

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238030

[BatMite]

The Zoo is a dubious title at best, as there's not an animal to be seen.

As the map artist, I would like to point out the WK specifically asked for no animals in the pens/pools. Really.

So sorry about all the signs being turtles, but with no animals in the pens, I didn't see any reason to change them.

The artwork is based off a real zoo near me and the trash in the trash cans is real trash from that zoo! Really.

[eagletsi]

http://www.hcrealms.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238030

Awesome.

Thanks so much for link. Rep to you

[themonkey]

As the map artist, I would like to point out the WK specifically asked for no animals in the pens/pools. Really.

So sorry about all the signs being turtles, but with no animals in the pens, I didn't see any reason to change them.

The artwork is based off a real zoo near me and the trash in the trash cans is real trash from that zoo! Really.

Wow! Thanks for the insight.

The fact that all the signs are turtles adds to the charm of one of my favorite maps.

Great job on the map!

[saturnflight]

As the map artist, I would like to point out the WK specifically asked for no animals in the pens/pools. Really.

So sorry about all the signs being turtles, but with no animals in the pens, I didn't see any reason to change them.

The artwork is based off a real zoo near me and the trash in the trash cans is real trash from that zoo! Really.

That's a fantastic story!

If you ever want to chime in on a future map review (if you've done art on other maps), I'd love to include your insights!

[BatMite]

Unfortunately the only maps I worked on were the two in Icons starter. But I was the guy pressing for the Heroclix maps to have terrain marking lines on the maps.

Older player will remember that until the Icon maps, you just guessed if something was hindering terrain or not. There were no indicators on the map! For anything! (start area, elevated, etc. all had to be interpreted by the images of what was in the square). And as a player of the Star Wars miniature game, I came to really appreciate that game info on the maps. So it is not a coincidence that both games share the same hindering terrain color lines, etc.

[saturnflight]

Unfortunately the only maps I worked on were the two in Icons starter. But I was the guy pressing for the Heroclix maps to have terrain marking lines on the maps.

Older player will remember that until the Icon maps, you just guessed if something was hindering terrain or not. There were no indicators on the map! For anything! (start area, elevated, etc. all had to be interrupted by the images of what was in the square). And as a player of the Star Wars miniature game, I came to really appreciate that game info on the maps. So it is not a coincidence that both games share the same hindering terrain color lines, etc.

You can expect a PM when I take on Axis Chemical Plant!

Thanks for the neat history on terrain markings!

[Badger]

HoT Captain America shines on this map !!

So many places to Shield Sling from without being hittable in return.
(over the buildings and deep on the rooftops )

[American Dragon]

What set is this map from?

AmDrag