LIBO Heroscape League 2008
Flexible Schedule
Rather than having a schedule that must be followed, the league will feature a flexible schedule. We will meet one Sunday afternoon and one Thursday evening, from July through December. We'll aim for two games played on Thursday evenings and three games played on Sunday afternoons.
The host of the event will use the automatic scheduler to determine the number of scenarios, titles of those scenarios and the matchup of players for each scenario.
Each subsequent game will also be randomly assigned. Hosts can change matchups to maximize the potential point earning from each player.
The host should always have at least one scenario that can play 2 OR 4 players, and another scenario that can handle an odd number of players.
Scoring
Players will accumulate points, based on the number of games they play, and how they perform. The top overall point accumulators will advance to the playoffs.
We will have mostly 2-player games, but with several multi-player games as well. Scoring in the league will be done similar to the NHL point system:
7 points for an individual win against a new opponent in a new scenario
5 points for an individual win against a previously played opponent, or in a previously played scenario
5 points for a team win with a new teammate in a new scenario
4 points for an individual win against a previously played opponent in a previously played scenario
4 points for a team win with a previous teammate or in a previously played scenario
1 point for any loss
Any scenario being played using a “variant” will earn both participants +1 points.
Drafting
Drafting will take place online. The average scenario in the books requires 400 points, and varies from 160 to 500+. Everyone will draft no more than 1,500 points to form a team. There will be requirements limiting people to the different groups (major and minor), as described separately in “Heroscape Drafting” in the Files section.
Keepers
At the end of each season (before the next season starts), every team in the league can opt to retain one group (major or minor) and one individual unit (or two units, if they total 100 points or fewer). The league champion can retain two individual units (or two at 150 points or fewer, and one with no restriction). New units added to inventory can be used by those teams (in other words, the team retains the `group' - not necessarily the individual figures used during the previous season).
Trades
No trading will be allowed once the season has begun. Trades following the draft but before the season begins ARE allowed, but must adhere to the requirements set forth in “Heroscape Drafting” i.e., no trading across groups; teams must still have fewer than the maximum points allowed.
Starting Lineups
Each player will be designated as home or visitor for each game (based on the scheduler). The home team will get the choice of starting/set up area. The teams choose their starting lineups secretly and simultaneously.
The visiting team can choose whether to setup (on the board), first or second, and also has the first option to take a flagbearer, if he chooses. If he selects the flagbearer, he must use that flagbearer - he cannot take him just to prevent others from taking him.
Additionally, teams can exceed/fall short of the recommended points for scenarios. Teams can field teams ranging from up to 15 points more than the recommended scenario. However, for every 5 points above the scenario limit (or above the opponent, if both are above the scenario limit), the opposing team will receive the ability to re-roll one die during the game (so, a maximum of 3 dice can be re-rolled during the game).
For example - if the scenario is 400 pts, and player A has 410, player B would receive a die roll(s) depending on the number of points he has:
380 2 die rolls (A is 10 pts. above the scenario limit)
400 2 die rolls
405 1 die roll (A is only 5 pts above B, and both are above the scenario limit)
410 0 die rolls
Time/Round Limits
All scenarios will have “round” limits: If the scenario is less than 415 square tiles, it will be 10 rounds; if it is greater than 415 square tiles, it will be 12 rounds.
Each scenario will also have “time” limits (of actual play). If the scenario has 1 master set, it will be timed at 50 minutes. If it has 2 master sets, it will be timed at 90 minutes.
There will be no time limit for the playoffs or All-Star Game.
Statistics
In addition to wins and losses, we will track the following stats for each player:
Points remaining on the board at the end of each game (modified for wounds)
Number of kills for each unit (where the unit killed the opposition outright (i.e., 'one-shot' or all damage from one unit)
Number of kills for each unit (where the unit killed an already-damaged opposing unit)
Writeups
Writeups will be completely optional
Playoffs
The top four point-getters will qualify for the playoffs; but will be ranked by winning percentage (including team wins and losses). The top three players - based on wining percentage -- will actually make the playoffs. For the first round of each series -- the #2 vs. #3 team -- the playoff will be one game, using a neutral board/scenario. The championship series will be a best-of-three. The favorite (better win/loss percentage) will be the “home” team first, with the underdog taking the role of home team for the second game. The games will be played on a symmetrical board.
Tie Breakers
If two people end the regular season with the same number of points, then we will look at win percentage, defined as W / W + L. However, note that team wins and team losses are not counted in this percentage, only individual wins and individual losses (unlike the playoff seeding, above).
All-Star Game
An All-Star game will be held at the end of the regular season. This will be a massive free-for-all or individual mission-type game played on a double board with unusual terrain. Each player will bring his/her top two killers, based entirely on the statistics. The All-Star game will not count towards any standings.