Roolz

Typically: Scenarios with leap areas have leap icons (with difficulty) on the setup diagram. Dudes with Leap skill can leap over these areas if they beat the difficulty. Others can’t. 

There are a few scenarios (IIRC), where dudes without Leap skill can also leap over leap areas but it’s explicit in the scenario. 
 

If you have Protected skill, you’re protected by friendly units in your area. So enemies cannot attack you. 
Friends do not protect you from area attacks (explosions etc). They don’t have a magic shield/dome. 
2 units with Protected skill cannot protect each other. It would make them almost invincible. So you can only be protected by a friend without Protected skill. 

Not a translation error, it's the same in the FR version.

So probably just because 🙂

https://conan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Monolith_TOTE_Rules.pdf

Review: Reusable membranes for Wet Palette (Redgrass Creative)

RedGrass Creative (the new name for RedGrass Games) has been offering dedicated tools for miniature artists and painters for several years now. The "Everlasting Wet Palettes", a handle for miniatures, brushes, and lots of other nice things: cutting pliers, cutting mat, glass palette, lamp (see the RedGrass website).

For the release of their new "V2" range of wet pallets, RedGrass have developed new reusable membranes. It's already been a while (2022). At the time, they graciously sent me a pack of these reusable membranes (thanks!), and I've been testing them ever since. This review comes a little late, but better late than never, and what's interesting is that it's not a hot-off-the-press feedback, but after about 1 year of use.

Disclaimer: The following is my point of view and therefore does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the rest of the universe.

Preamble:

Their 1st range of wet palettes ("V1") came with disposable membranes. That is, once the membrane is full of paint and you need to switch to another color scheme, you just throw it away and replace it with a new one. RedGrass disposable membranes are super practical, pre-cut to the right size, with good porosity, they're the only ones I use.

With its "V2" range of pallets, RedGrass has come out with reusable membranes. That is, the membrane can be washed and reused a number of times (at least 4 uses, according to RedGrass).

Unpacking the stuff:

The packaging is the same as for disposable membranes (a resealable bag), except that it's marked "reusable" on it. There are 15 membranes per pack.

Reusable membranes are a little whiter and more matt than disposable membranes. They also have a specific direction of use (see below).

Perceived quality is fine. It's in line with RedGrass standards.

Note: There are several membrane sizes, corresponding to the various sizes of existing RedGrass pallets. The package I received was for a pallet slightly larger than mine, so I have to cut the membranes to fit. But that doesn't change anything in the test below.

Using the stuff:

Set-up is almost identical to that of a disposable membrane. Almost, because you just have to be careful to place the membrane correctly, there's a direction of use: the coating that makes it reusable is on one side only. Easy, the direction is printed on the membrane. The printed side is placed on the sponge side, with the blank white side on the paint side.

In practice, it works well.

Porosity is virtually identical to that of disposable membranes. So, in terms of dilution, it's the same. As with disposable membranes, the water diffuses constantly (slowly but surely), so you need to reload a little with paint between sessions to keep the same dilution ratio.

Reusable membranes have a whiter color than disposables, so visually the paint hues stand out a little better on the palette. It's not life-changing when you're used to painting, but it can help a little for those who find it hard to tell the difference between very similar hues.

Once the job is done, you run the membrane under water (taking care not to fold it). It takes 30 seconds, the paint is washed off and you're ready to go again. Possibly, you can gently wipe the membrane with a kitchen sponge (but gently, see below). Sometimes the membrane remains slightly stained in places (depending on the pigment), but that's no problem at all.

And now you'll say "OK, but how many times can you use it?”

RedGrass say "at least 4 times". My experience after about 1 year of use tells me this is true. My minimum use is 2 times; when I combined two “don'ts” (see below). My maximum use is 6 times, but it's certainly possible to push it further, by being more careful. [edit: 10 times is doable]

Because reusing the membrane "quite a few times" requires following the instructions (on the back of the pouch). It goes without saying, but it's better when you say it.

In particular, if the paint is left to dry completely in the pallet, it will stick to the membrane, of course (this may take days or even weeks or months, but it's possible). You can still remove the paint, but you'll have to rub quite hard, and this will damage the coating on the white side. Likewise, if you stir the paint like a brute on the palette, it can also damage the membrane (with a stiff drybrush and some rough handling, it's also possible). In short, it's exactly the same as with a disposable membrane, except that the idea here is not to throw it away each time.

Where the membrane coating is damaged, porosity is affected: paint will migrate to the sponge underneath, and water will migrate faster to the paint side. This is inevitable over time, as only diamonds are eternal. This doesn't pose a major problem as long as it's limited/localized, but when the membrane is well worn all over, it's time to throw it away.

So just follow the instructions. Don't forget to add water to the palette from time to time when you're not using it, so that the paint never dries out. Considering that reusable membrane pouches are almost the same price as disposable ones, but there are fewer in them, a quick calculation shows that if you use each membrane less than 4 times, it's more cost-effective to use disposable membranes. If you're a bit careful, reusable membranes quickly become cost-effective, even very cost-effective. I won't go into environmental impact considerations, as it's impossible to say which option is "greener" than the other without life-cycle analysis data (which I don't have).

Photo of the thing at the end of a painting session (the membrane has already been used & washed 2 or 3 times, I can't remember). You'll note the immaculate workspace, a testament to the meticulous care I take with my gear:

Photo of the same thing just after I've washed it one more time. If you look closely, you can see that the fluorescent orange of the last few sessions has left a slight stain, and you can also see a few dark gray areas where the coating has worn over time. It still looks good enough:

Conclusion:

RedGrass reusable membranes work very well.

The plus side is that they're very white and opaque.

The downside (so to speak) is that you need to properly care for your material (mostly, maintain humidity) if you want to reuse them enough times. In this case, it can be very cost-effective, especially if you paint a lot.

Thanks for your time.

Roolz

New version (V2) uploaded.

Mostly, some parts reworded for clarity's sake.

Expansion for the Conan boardgame, themed around Red Nails. Being written. Conan RPG themed around.... Conan. Being written.

Nesh-Shogta has not logged for a while so I'll try to answer, since I helped proofreading the 1st French version. It was a long time ago (almost 3 years) so take my answers with a grain of salt (at the end of the day, use your best judgement 🙂 ).

On 4/16/2023 at 2:08 PM, Thorg said:

Scenario 2: I assume all non-scorpion units are undead, and killing the warlock is also required to win. 

Almost. Aesir and Vanir are undead, Scorpions and Warlock are not. Heroes have to kill the Warlock as well.

On 4/16/2023 at 2:08 PM, Thorg said:

The murderous rock doesn't really activate the warlock I suppose, (getting movement, casting spells, attacking) and this is more for flavor explaining how the rock is rolling?

Yes, I think so. Overlord just chooses the target/path and rolls for damage.

On 4/16/2023 at 2:08 PM, Thorg said:

The rolling rock/damage starts at 1 zone away from the warlock? (Not zone 0) 

Yes. The mention of the warlock's area is just to help determining the rock's path, damage starts 1 area away.

On 4/16/2023 at 2:08 PM, Thorg said:

Quicksands: if read literally, when targeted at a hero's zone during the overlord turn, the hero needs to spend already 3 extra movement points during his turn. I assume only the heroes turns count for this, and the first hero turn would only be 2 extra. 

Yes. Quicksand effects start on next Heroes' turn (as soon as the Hero tries to move).

On 4/16/2023 at 2:08 PM, Thorg said:

Mission 4: 

Kerim Shah and his guards attack the Picts and not the heroes I suppose? 

Yes.

When all the picts & Thak are dead, Kerim & the Guards will attack the Heroes.

Though, you might rule ("hard mode") that the OL gets full control of Kerim & Guards as soon as all Heroes are free.

On 4/16/2023 at 2:08 PM, Thorg said:

Until this point, all heroes still have their starting equipment. Only Balthus thus keeps wearing his breastplate, and all other weapons are given to the guards/chests.

 

Counting the weight of all weapons, they have an encumbrance value of exactly 10. Thus what is the point of the 10 encumbrance limit of the chest?

I believe it comes from an early draft of this campaign. Seems useless here, indeed.

On 4/16/2023 at 2:08 PM, Thorg said:

Escape: I assume the second manipulation roll also has a difficulty of 1. 

Yes. Same as the 1st Complex Manipulation.

On 4/16/2023 at 2:08 PM, Thorg said:

Weapons of the guards: (3 life points, difficulty 2) does this mean kerim Shah has 3 life points, and, without the key, the chest has a manipulation difficulty of 2. I assume that the key makes it so that this chest becomes a simple manipulation. 

Yes, I think so.

On 4/16/2023 at 2:08 PM, Thorg said:

What is the interaction between the Lockpick of Belit and this chest? 

The Lockpick gives an extra Gem for lock-picking, so if a Guard drops it, it can be used to help opening the chest without the Key  (complex manipulation difficulty 2).

On 4/16/2023 at 2:08 PM, Thorg said:

I believe that the first player opening the chest can choose one weapon, and all the other ones would go into the zone where they can be picked up with a simple manipulation.

Yes, I think so.

A question about:

- Tome of Skelos, from Conan's Conqueror expansion?

- Shadow Kingdom?

- Tales of the Red Brotherhood?

An error or typo spotted in a scenario?

Post & ask hereunder!

On 1/13/2023 at 7:38 PM, Akiro said:

Hi - absolutely love the app, but I'm having a lot of trouble getting any artwork to load for the custom hero sheets.  So far, only certain .png links will work.  Is there any way to expand what will work on these or allow for direct uploads from my files?  Even a full sample of a working link format might help. Thanks.

Works for me.

Random web page, I right-click on the picture and copy image link.

Then I paste link in the Studio, image appears in the preview (here the link is to a jpg):

Use of images from the computer does not work at the moment, but it's in the to-do-list of the next release, as far as I remember.

On 1/13/2023 at 8:15 PM, Akiro said:

Also: I’ve just noticed that “Leap” is not available under skills.

It is. In the Studio section, scroll down "Skills" menu -> Movement -> Leap.

Have you tried to clean your cache and reload the app/website ?

1 hour ago, SmallRealities said:

Thank you! I know many players have been looking forward to a new issue of The Overlord.

 

Since there are no plans for print edition, would it be possible to have a version that we can print on Lulu.com?

We're looking into it but we have to do print tests first. Lulu has constraints that impact the layout.

Not the monolith board games logo. So, most probably not the actual store. 

Anyway, it’s not supposed to open before this  fall. 

2 hours ago, Civing said:

I would also appreciate to find all the add-ons not marked as „KS Exclusive“ in the upcoming shop, as well as the Book of Set. I would like to complete my collection without serving scalpers.

Many of the small add-ons from 2015-2017 KS were reprinted for the Conqueror KS, so there will probably be copies in the upcoming online store.

Many, but not all of them, due to insufficient demand.

The Book of Set was not reprinted, but all its scenarios are downloadable here.

7 hours ago, Civing said:

I love the companion. Just one thing makes me wonder. What are the „Monolith‘s gifts“ mentioned in the „My game and expansions“ sections?

These are material given as free downloadable pdfs (at the moment, 7 Heroes' sheets).

Try support@monolithedition.com

they might take time to answer due to the current KS campaign, though. 

15 hours ago, starflier23 said:

Doesn't Sogar only teleport to a space adjacent to his current hut? I always found that location to be within his 3 movement spaces (which allowed him to move and attack one of our heroes). The good news is that we beat the game last night! Now we are on to fighting pirates!

Depending on the heroes position on the board, you can choose an area so that Sogar cannot reach any of them (hard to do, though), or (more frequently) so that its fits with the heroes' strategy. For example,  place the Target hero and choose the area where Sogar teleports so that it moves him far away from the other heroes that are filling the objectives.

Anyway, if you lose you can apply the "Defeat conditions" and move to the next scenario :).

You can try the following:

Grab weapons a.s.a.p., then search for the life potion.

Once you have the life potion, use wall wrecker (or manipulation) to make a hole in the hut, and make Zapo flee through it. It should allow him to avoid most of the enemies, since they have targeted the Heroes previously, so they should be in the "center" of the board.

When teleporting Sogar Zag, you can choose where he teleports. I.e. you can choose to an area that makes it more difficult for him to attack heroes.

On 4/5/2022 at 1:11 AM, bmash said:

Hello and thanks for the great book. Just sharing some printer feedback - my hardback cover had a line going down the side that looked like a color problem or ran out of ink.  There was another issue that lulu had to address with the cover anyways, but for this  they said 'I am able to see that the line on the front cover is not present on the source file, but does appear on the print-ready file.  This appears to be the result of unflattened transparencies within the file that become visible as part of our normalization process. '  They then sent me a link to a flattened hardcover file and had me revise the upload for them to reprint it.  I used the files provided here for lulu but if no one else was having any issues maybe it's nothing on this end after all; I just wanted to share in case this means anything to anyone else out there 🙂

I just checked my copy (french version), the cover looks fine.

Note that Lulu uses a network of local print shops, as close as possible to the order/delivery point. So I believe it adds to the variability of the physical printed books (plus the usual variability due to print-on-demand process). This might also explain that.

1 hour ago, Nesh-Shogta said:

How can I do that ? I can not delete and upload the files in the right order, because  I would lose the indication of the number of downloads.

-Click on the 3 dots icon,  top -right of the post ("Edit post").

-The attachments show in a box under the post.

-Click on the X icon ("remove attachment") on top right of each attachment you want to remove.

I'd say :

Grab weapons a.s.a.p., then search for the life potion.

Once you have the life potion, use wall wrecker (or manipulation) to make a hole in the hut, and make Zapo flee through it. It should allow him to avoid most of the enemies, since they have targeted the Heroes previously, so they should be in the "center" of the board.

When teleporting Sogar Zag, you can choose where he teleports. I.e. you can choose to an area that makes it more difficult for him to attack heroes.

I concur. "Key of K" only requires core/retail box.

On 2/18/2022 at 11:20 AM, UncleMogrel said:

hey guys!

Can any1 tell me if the Villian "chain" attack explained at the rulebook p. 36 Killer Crok,  is considered as one big attack pool of dices, or several smaller one?

Is the attack 3 different attack, and should the Hero then make 3 defence rolls and get 3* free automated defence, or is it one big attacks, henc only giving the Hero 1* free defence and one big defence roll?

 

Br William and Co. from denmark, playing Batman for the first time this very weekend 🙂

As per his villain tile, Killer Croc can either make 1 big attack (Yellow Die rerollable + 1 Black Die rerollable) OR 4 small attacks (1 YD + 1YD rerollable).

If he chooses to do 4 small attacks, they're resolved separately (i.e. in that example Batman defends separately 3 different attacks, and Montoya for 1 attack).

Into the area above the snake. It's an opening between the 2 topmost areas.