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.
Official Titles: Collector's Ship
Dimensions: 24" x 36" (16x24 squares)
Set: Infinity Gauntlet tournament series
Map on Reverse: Space Racetrack
Status: Active as of June 1st

The suggested format for Infinity Gauntlet month 6 is a 400 point Modern Age team with a named keyword. All that really means is that you can expect to see anything aboard the Collector's ship, EXCEPT for a one- or two-man army. The minimum number of characters on a team should be 4. Keeping that in mind, let's look at the map:



You may look at this map and be drawn to the holding cells, noting the cool creatures found inside. Or you may see the opportunity for hindering terrain, especially as the long, straight runs of it in columns D and M can afford flexibility in positioning that Stealth figures don't usually enjoy. You may even see the elevated walkways on either side of the map, providing a safe haven to retreat to (especially if you can fly, hop, phase, or are just to big to care).

That's what I saw when I tested out this map. What I failed to see was the empty space.

The majority of the combat area of this map is composed of wide open space. If you can't afford to run down the center at your opponent, you'll struggle to come out of this ship alive. There are few alternatives to a head-on battle. Going over the top along elevated terrain only gives you one exit point, and it's not very conveniently placed. Your other option, then, is to make the most of the +1 from hindering terrain, using Barrier or a Stealthed friend to keep your advancing force safe.

If you make the map roll, choose the top side. Starting from the hallway allows you to use the Elevated terrain as part of your strategy, whereas starting at the helm of the ship squeezes you through a bottleneck as you confront your opponent.

As with all Gauntlet events, I won't give you much more insight than that. Competition is fierce, and I wouldn't want to give anyone suggestions that might help too much (or invite your wrath if you lose). Good luck to everyone as the battle for the Elders of the Universe rages on!

Good mornig over there.

Thanx for this good review.
One qeustion (it might be an stupid one) but what is the top side.
This with the golden ring and silver middle ?

the map rewievs are allways a very good help for those that are new to the game or still have difficulty to the advantage or disadvantage of an map.

so keep your good work.

Played twice on it today. Rangers definitely should camp out on the elevated terrain on either edge and just rain down pain on the corridor. I barely came out of it alive in the first game where I ran practically 0-range Asgardians and won by basing my opponents left and right, bashing them into the ground.

2nd game I simply hung back outside of the corridor, close to the middle set of stairs, and drew the opponent to the helm area for a more balanced brawl.

I agree, choosing Deployment Zone rows 22-23 loooks to offer more tactical options.

I got slaughtered by a Nova team on this map. It was like a turkey shoot.

I look forward to playing the non-generic keyword of Infinity Watch against you. On this map.

I think it is blocking.

Great review! I really appreciate these IG ones so I can see the map before time, but all of them are good.

Thanks again for a cool review. Guess Ill keep the ground pounder brick no range team for another day.

Does the format require a theme team? You mention they have to share a keyword but that doesn't mean they have to have a theme team so there could still be 1-3 figures.

Thanos is gonna die, clown!

This month is a named-keyword team, meaning a minimum of 4 characters for a 400 point team.

I'm going out on a limb here, but I think Fujin was wanting to know which side of the map Saturnflight considers topside. I don't think he/she was asking what that gold object was, but rather is the topside the side with that golden thing?

Having never seen this map before, I also curious. Thanks in advance!

Lol amazing what a cup o joe can do for the brain. Got er all figured out now, d'oh!!

I'm seriously looking forward to running the Hand here.

Just going to have a Gauntlet'd out daredevil running back and forth between the walls with hypersonic taking names.