It's a slow Bloomilk day today, so let's talk about another map. Last time we talked about a long-established one, so this time, let's talk about a brand new addition to the Restricted list from Map Maker's Battle Stations. I played my first game ever on it yesterday.


Made by: Maps of Mastery
Year of Release: 2012
Current Status: Restricted List B

- what do you like about this map?
- what squads does it suit?
- which side do you normally choose? (although I don't think it really matters for this map, since it's symmetrical!)
- a memorable game on this map?
- Dreadtech, what do you rate this one out of 5?
- and anything else you want to

If you don't have a copy already, you can get it here: http://www.mapsofmastery.com/store.html

I've only played on this once, so don't have strong opinions on it, but I do think this map has some really unique features:
- a bunch of small pits around gambit - they're a fun option for a squad that can move the opponents pieces around, but they're placed cleverly enough that they're not unbalanced.
- the defense towers have cute little slots to hide in that can see into a lot of gambit
- doors that don't connect into a wall

It seems really balanced to me, and in my opinion it's a great addition to the Restricted List. Simulation Deck is a strong and unique concept for a map, and it's been well executed.

My opponent was also pointing out that it would be a good map to run a Capture the Flag scenario on.

The only 2 games I've played on this map were during the Mystery Map tournament at GenCon 2012, but I enjoyed it quite a bit. Obviously it's perfected left/right balanced, what with it being symmetrical. I love the free-standing doors, they make a really neat strategic addition especially when you and/or your opponent has Override. I like all the pits too, and agree that you don't see them enough.

Since I've only played on this map twice it's easy to pick a most memorable game. I was playing against Mike Giles (AceAce on here and WacoBlaze on Gamers, and our awesome playtesting organizer) at GenCon, and I was playing a goofy squad with Grand Master Yoda, Eeth Koth, Foul Moudama and Roron Corobb (http://www.bloomilk.com/Squad/117546/monster-mash-2012). He was playing Yobuck, Mace Windu, and some Gungan Artillerists. Anyway, in round 2 he had towed Yobuck up near one of the 2x2 pits on his side and opened the door splitting the sides, obviously planning a hit-and-run with Yobuck on his next phase. I had moved my squad up together, keeping R2 next to Roron Corobb. In round 2, before any other attacks had been made, I had the opportunity to tow Roron over next to Yobuck. I then used Force Repulse 3, obviously killing both his R2 and my R2, and also pushed his full HP Yobuck into the pit, who then failed his pit save and died. It was awesome. After that it became fairly easy to clean up, since over a quarter of his squad had died without doing anything and he didn't have any good way to kill Roron (Mace was too far away to get to him).

I think it's a little more of a shooter's map, because it does have some lengthy lines of sight, but Gambit is pretty crowded with walls which helps, and if your melee pieces can hop from safe spot to safe spot they can advance well enough.

The only complaint that I have at all is that it can be really hard to see the yellow lines sometimes. Otherwise the art is fantastic, as usual from Mapmaker.

That is a good non-Restricted map to look at, since it was a very popular Restricted map for a long time. I want to look at a Jedi Cartographer/Armored Gear map next though, since we haven't looked at one yet, probably one of the ones from Restricted List A (so Peaceful City or Theed Palace). But I look forward to hearing your story.

Sounds good!

This is one of his newest maps, he ran a kickstarter for it last year (that is how I got mine.)

EDIT: Restricted is a term used in tournament play to determine what maps are legal. See the list here: http://www.swmresources.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=258:restricted-map-list&catid=9&Itemid=104

Thanks to the ever helpful SWMResources!

It's not so much a 'ban', but rather to limit the pool of maps that are used for for high-level competitive tournaments so that abusive map/squad combos do not stifle the diversity of squad types that can be played successfully. Using the Restricted list is only required for major SWMGPA sanctioned events like Regionals and Gencon. Below that level, it is recommended, but at the tourney organizer's discretion.

And there are 18 maps on the Restricted List now, so there's lots of choice. I really dislike maps like Korriban where there isn't a safe starting area.

Mobile shooters with high damage (Rex, Cad, Atton) can RULE entire sides of the board when they hide in one of the four Defense Towers.

I also like the free-standing doors, but when they're open they give a HUGE amount of wide-open lines of sight, almost across the board; pieces with Shatterbeam (OR Juggernaut Droid and Veteran Ugnaught) are very powerful for that purpose. Stealth pieces with Override can be very effective here too.

I think this map is actually a bit too advantageous to shooters because of the many long lines of fire and the large amounts of difficult terrain. It's simply awesome for 500pt Epic Lord Hoth Furious Assault squads!!! I know because this was my map at a recent 500pt tournament.

The only thing I dislike about the map is that there are too many difficult terrain (yellow squares) around the middle of the map. They stifle movement too much. Other than that, this thing can be lots of fun to play on, if you're prepared for it.