Re: Using Miniatures

From: Roderick and Ellen Robertson <rjremr_at_...>
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:27:59 -0800

> So, it seems pretty obvious that the new HeroQuest has absolutely no need
> for miniatures. Conflict scenes are very narrative driven and handwavey,
> with no need for tracking such minutiae as tactical placement with
> miniatures.

I say "Pbpbpbpbp". So it doesn't *need* miniatures, but neither did RQ, or D&D (until 4.0). Miniatures are good in a number of ways -

The player can identify more with the miniature than with just a vision in their heads. Visions are ephemeral, miniatures are concrete. Even with all the handwaving, miniatures help remind you that if you're over there defending the door, you can't also be by the throne. They're fun to paint/collect. I find that (when the cats let me) painting can be a great stress reliever.

Heck, no less a narrator than Ludovico Ariosto used miniatures to help him remember who was where when he was writing the Siege of Paris scenes in Orlando Furioso (written in the eraly 1500's).

So just because it doesn't *need* them, doesn't mean you can't use them if you want to.

RR
He was born with the gift of laughter and the sense that the world was mad R. Sabatini, Scaramouche