Part of the difficulty with Alien Warzone is that there are only 3 actual paths of engagement, and 2 of them (the top and bottom paths) are quite restricted. That will lead to a relatively predictable game, and often with a stalemate situation, where the first person to extend themselves will lose. I agree that the shooting lanes aren't quite as bad as they look at first, though.

To improve the map, I'd probably put a 3-square long door through the gambit zone, right next to where the vong-forming has started to creep in (ie, east of where the 2 small doors are right now). I'd also probably suggest a hole in the wall, both north of the gambit zone, as well as south of it. This would allow for some more creative paths of engagement. The art looks phenomenal on this one, though!

That would be awesome if you could do that, Matt.

Congrats on getting your project funded.

I'll level with you, other than cutting a bit out here and there, the maps are going to stay as they are. Its just way too late in the game for me to be tooling with these. I just collected almost 10k from people, most of whom are strangers and most of whom don't even play SW minis let alone play competitively, and I can't keep them waiting.

For what it's worth, I consciously ignored movement needs of huge pieces this time around on some of the maps. I agree with Deri: Huge friendly generally means advantage shooter. on the other hand a few maps are really shooty, with a lot of spaces for huge peieces, BUT...they're too open in general (Blue Squadron Headquarters is on example, but I don't think I've posted that one yet.

It's possible that the other mystery map(Oasis City) is a candidate, BUT, with only 100 copies in production its not going to really be readily available.

lol...I'm starting to feel guilty about releasing 14 new maps and other than one of them, not really resticted quality. Next time I'll leave 2 or 3 slots open for Deri to create some some layouts.

I wouldn't worry about it. We're just glad to have new maps! I voted for 3 for the Restricted list, with another 4 having potential. (Of course, all just first impressions.)

Also, I think that with the proliferation of options to counter a Lancer, some older maps may now be eligible for the Restricted List, too. I think some are kept off the Restricted list in part because a Lancer can just tear through the backfield too easily. With more Jedi Reflexes, Djem So, etc, it may be possible for a map like Remote Listening Post to make the Restricted List. I like that map a lot, but I know that someone setting up outside is just dead against a Lancer from the outset. Or at least they were when it came out.

That's what I had in mind with Mercenary Camp - Lancer vulnerability. So if Lancers are less of a concern overall, it may be less of a concern for Mercenary Camp. Also, it is possible to get into a building pretty quickly from either side of Mercenary Camp, and you can't shoot from one end to the other so there is some safety on the starting zones. So that one could be a possibility, too. I'm going to add to my list of maybes.

I don't expect you to make wholesale changes now. You have a commitment to upkeep and you have to honor that in a timely fashion.

If you are able to just remove those 8 square edge walls then awesome, its all that map needs, if not then no worries.

Bump.

Thanks for all the discussion on this. Still interested if anyone else has an opinion. A preliminary image for the last map went up briefly but has been taken down. Maps should be shipped out shortly anyway.

In our first games on the new maps, I went straight to some of the ones I thought had the best chance at the restricted list.

Two games on Imperial Plaza. (I was in the first game but not the second.) I still think it's good for the Restricted list, but I didn't like it as much as I expected. I thought my game went very slow because I started on the left bottom, and approaching through the buildings was slow. The players in the second game did all their fighting in the street and they seemed to like it better than I did, so I definitely want to play on it again soon.

One game on Great Library (I wasn't in it). Big surprise was that huges can't get from one side of the map to the other. I hadn't noticed that previously, although a huge can get to gambit. Despite that, both players liked the map - even the player with the Bantha. I think it's probably good for restricted, but it needs more games played on it - especially with huges.

One game on Oceanic Facility. This one was a lot of fun to play on. I was on the right side and the left side did not attempt to park in gambit. My concern with this map is that it looks like the left side has far easier access to protected gambit, and then the right side has a tough approach to engage. In our match, the left side charged right in at me (and beat me), so the gambit issue was a moot point.

Someone should try to exploit the gambit issue before this makes the restricted list. In particular, the top right corner of the Managers Office is in gambit and the left side can reach it in round one with virtually any movement breaker. The right side can easily reach the north-south hallway for round one gambit, but that seems much more vulnerable than the Managers Office. Of course, if that's the case anyone bringing this map would just plan to start on the right side so I guess that sort of balances itself. Anyway, this map was enough fun that I'm tentatively changing my vote (as if I have a vote) to 'in' on the restricted list.

Keep in mind that I will likely delay the Floor Rules this year until Late Feb/Early March as that will give us more time to review the large amount of maps that came in. I haven't picked up my set yet either, but I knew I'd likely be delaying it anyway.

It's a possibility, but not a promise. That's right on the beginning edge of my timeframe.

So now that I've gotten all of my maps laminated, now that I have had a chance to really eye ball them & would recommend the following be considered for inclusion.

1. Financial District - The new and improved "Grand Plaza" IMO.

2. Tomb of the Acolytes

3. Great Library

4. Imperial Plaza