Friday 9 March 2018

"Wizkids" Battle Report: Star Trek - The Devil In The Dark Returns

CAPTAIN KIRK AND MISTER SPOCK BATTLE THE HORTA ON PLANET JANUS VI
This game was played using the 2017 "Heroclix" Quickstart Rules by "Wizkids" in order to allow us to quickly field a handful of pre-painted miniatures from the New Jersey-based company's "Star Trek HeroClix Away Team: The Original Series" range, and took place upon six of the cardboard game tiles found within the "Necromunda: Underhive" boxed set by "Games Workshop".

The Federation faction, which began on the western edge of the tabletop, consisted of Captain Kirk with Mister Spock, and cost 100 points. Whilst their opponent, a single Horta, started in the east and also cost 100 points. The planet Janus VI had five strategic locations identified and at each of these sites was placed a piece of the pergium mining colony's dismantled main circulating pump. However, until either Kirk or Spock examined the component it would not be know just how many parts it would provide Scotty's repairs with. The U.S.S. Enterprise's Chief Engineer required eight parts to "rig one up" before the reactor went super-critical in ten turns time...

In addition, it was decided not to utilise the Star Fleet officers' Team Ability: "United Nation Of Planets"; which provided each figure with +1 Speed whenever "given a Move action". As we were only playing with 100 points per side, each faction's starting Action Total was only one. But because Kirk started the game with "I'll Keep That In Mind, Mister Bailey, When This Becomes A Democracy", the Federation were allowed "Action Total +1" on account of this Leadership; providing both the Captain and his First Officer with the ability to act whenever possible.
THE TABLETOP - THE PERGIUM MINING COLONY ON THE PLANET JANUS VI
"Captain's log, Stardate 3196.1. A distress call from the pergium production station on Janus Six has brought the Enterprise to that long-established colony. Mister Spock and I have beamed down to locate some odds and ends which will help Chief Engineer Scott rig up a spare circulating pump. However, somewhere within these passageways lurks a killer silicon-based life-form known as a Horta..."

Taking the initiative, Captain Kirk directed Mister Spock to travel west towards Objective Three (Drink Dispenser). The Starship skipper was ordinarily quicker than his First Officer with a Speed of 8 to the Vulcan's 7, but currently the blue-shirted scientist could utilise "Fascinating"; which courtesy of a Sidestep provided a Free "move up to 2 squares." The green-blooded half-human easily reached his goal and gathered up two spare parts to aid Scotty in building his temporary fix.
KIRK AND SPOCK BEAM DOWN TO THE PLANET JANUS VI
James Tiberius Kirk meanwhile, headed north to Objective Four and incredibly collected four more parts. The U.S.S. Enterprise crew-mates were already only two pieces shy of completing their mission. And yet, before the Constitution-class vessel's captain could celebrate, he heard Commander Spock gasp in surprise as the Horta, using its "Astonishing That Anything Of That Bulk Could Move So Rapidly" trait, travelled east straight up to Objective Three and closed with his pointy-eared friend...

Mister Spock attempted to break away from his rocky opponent, and see whether Jim could make a Running Shot at the creature. To do so though he needed to attain a 4-6 on the roll of a D6, but rolled a 2 and failed. His action was over, and to make matters worse because this was his second action on-the-trot, he was dealt "1 unavoidable damage".
AS SPOCK FACES THE HORTA, JAMES KIRK MAKES SURE THE MISSION IS WELL IN HAND
"The first and only student at Starfleet Academy to defeat the Kobayashi Maru test", Captain Kirk was torn between making a break for it and heading towards Objective Five or racing south-west in order to help his friend. In the end he decided to simply stay put and catch his breath. He couldn't help his half-Vulcan colleague by arriving at his side winded (i.e. also being dealt "1 unavoidable damage" for receiving an action on two turns consecutively).

The Horta however, infuriated by the Humans invasion of his territory had no such qualms and immediately utilised its "This Creature's Body Secretes An Extremely Powerful Corrosive" free action to "deal 1 damage to all adjacent opposing characters." Spock cried out in pain and then watched in increasing horror as the "silicon-based life-form from Janus VI" launched an attack at him. The creature had an Attack Value of 10, and rolled a 1 and 4, thus totalling 15. Fortunately for the blue-shirted scientist his Defence Value was 16, meaning the U.S.S. Enterprise's Commander narrowly avoided the assault.
CAPTAIN KIRK CATCHES HIS BREATH AS COMMANDER SPOCK BATTLES THE HORTA
Despite owning a "physiology [that] was very different from the carbon-based norm more commonly found in the galaxy", the Horta gave an involuntary shudder. Like its green-blooded target it had received a second action on-the-trot, and been duly dealt "1 unavoidable damage" through its exertions.

Believing his pointy-eared friend could manage on his own, James Kirk decided to take advantage of the rocky creature's inability to momentarily do anything, and struck out west for the far away Objective One. If Spock could escape the acidic clutches of the Horta then he'd be able to retreat back towards Objective Five, and having scoured four separate objectives the Federation officers would definitely own enough spare parts to help Scotty complete his temporary repairs. It was a gamble for sure, but one "Starfleet's youngest starship captain" was willing to risk...

To Be Continued...

20 comments:

  1. Though not a Star Trek fan I do remember this episode fondly, and its nice to see that you have captured the spirit very well with your report. Nice work Simon.

    p.s. will Spock be "mind melding" with this Horta?

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    1. Thanks very much Roger. I think there's a bit too much acid being thrown about on this occasion for Spock to want to try a mind-meld ;-)

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  2. Great opening to this batrep Simon, really brings back a lot of memory's with the characters you've used

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    1. Cheers Dave. I must confess although there are a lot of rules for each mini, their names really help conjure up the spirit of "Star Trek" imho. Baby steps with the rules for now, but I have few additions planned for this campaign over the following months.

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  3. What a nice refreshing change to see someone still playing Heroclix. Good on you, Simon. I have a great fondness for both it and Horrorclix. Whilst I'm not a big fan of the whole "Star Trek" franchise, I'm still going to enjoy your batreps, because they are always so entertaining. I fully understand your desire to start small - it make so much sense.

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    1. Thanks Bryan. There's seemingly still a huge amount of support for "Heroclix" online and as someone who loves the original "Star Trek", I'm hopeful this version takes off.

      Simple stuff is always good, especially when between just these three minis there are 24 different abilities in play outside the main rules!! "Heroclix" certainly doesn't appear to be the simple game it once was.

      I have though bought a few more Starter Sets, predominantly "DC Comics" ones, including the "Harley Quinn and the Gotham Girls" game, so expect plenty of Gotham shenanigans coming at some point :-)

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    2. Anything with Harley Quinn in is guaranteed to attract my interest. Oh, you tease!

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    3. There certainly seem to be quite a few Harley Quinn "Heroclix" out there currently, Bryan, so it seemed silly not to buy a set based upon her character and friends. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long ;-)

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    4. Indeed there are many Heroclix versions of Harley. I currently have four of them! I haven't got the starter set version but that is high up on my to buy list.

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    5. Well hopefully a BatRep will give you an idea as to what's in store. The minis are nice, though I was little disappointed that the set didn't come with a map.

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  4. A very enjoyable read, I'm really looking forward to reading more.

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    1. Cheers Vagabond. Part 2 is ready to post, just need to find a slot in the schedule to put it in :-)

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  5. Very nice battle report. An entertaining read this Sunday morning. Nice use of the Necromunda tiles. Can't wait to see if Kirk's gamble pays off in part 2.

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    1. Thanks Undercoat. The "Heroclix" rules for "Star Trek" seem to work rather well imho. Part 2 should be posted same time, next week :-)

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  6. Nice looking game and a great write up Simon :-)
    You really surprised me when I saw you're using Heroclix 'as is' - I was fully expecting to see the mini's off their original bases and the game using either "Mutants & Deathray Guns" or your homebrew set.
    Brilliant stuff and looking forward to the sequel :-)

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    1. Cheers Greg. I specifically bought the "Star Trek" minis to re-learn "Heroclix", so don't expect these minis to be popped off of their bases and re-painted anytime soon - plenty of others to do that with.

      I've bought a few other starter sets too, so they could well be quite a few proper "Heroclix" BatReps posted over the coming months. Certainly Part 2 of this one is ready for next week :-)

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  7. Brilliant! Love the classic Trek storyline here :) Can't wait to see more

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    1. Thanks Ivor. More "Star Trek" will be coming I assure you :-)

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  8. Lovely batrep and very entertaining! Looking forward to the next one with bated breath!
    Best Iain

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    1. Cheers Iain, much appreciated. The conclusion should be posted up at the end of the week :-)

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