Heroscape Age of Annihilation Boiling Tension Expansions Review

Stats:
No. of players: 2
Amount of time to play: 60-120 min
Age requirements: 14+
Set-up time: 10-20 min

Boiling Tension marks the fourth wave of expansions for Heroscape: Age of Annihilation, turning up the heat with a surge of new content. This release introduces dynamic new heroes and versatile common units. This gives players even more great figures to add into their armies and experiment with on the battlefield. To top it off, the lava terrain pack brings volatile new environmental threats into play.

Heroscape Age of Annihilation Boiling Tension Expansions Description:

Heroscape Age of Annihilation has had four waves of releases. I got some of the fourth wave, titled Boiling Tension, expansion boxes and this post will be about them. If you’d like to read about the first wave or second and third, check out my previous reviews.

The Molten Crustaceans and Tanuki Tricksters are both common units. That means you may include multiple copies of the same squad (or hero) in your army. The box contains three crustaceans, two tricksters and some lava terrain tiles. Molten Crustaceans are lava resistant and when killed turn into lava fields (or if you roll high enough molten lava). Tanuki Tricksters are able to move enemy units as well as some of your other Vorid and Ninja units. They also can move through all figures and do not trigger attacks when leaving engagement.

Another common army expansion released in the Boiling Tension wave is the Revnan Acolytes and Grave Grim box. It contains four figures, three acolytes and one grave grim. Both are affiliated with Revna. In fact the Revnan Acolytes allow your other Revna units to re-roll one die if they are adjacent to them. Also once per turn one acolyte can return to play adjacent to one of your Revna heroes. The Grave Grim helps you move supporting figures into position before it moves and reduces enemy d20 rolls for special powers by three if they are within three spaces of it.

Scavorith, Lord of Ruin is a single, huge, unique Eisenek hero for Revna. He has a ranged double attack. And you can reveal your X order marker on him to take an additional turn.

The other single unique hero from this wave is Imperator Kayne. He is a Vorid that fights for Volarak. His size is huge and he can stomp one small or medium-sized figure as he walks. They take one wound if you roll and eight or higher on a d20.

Boiling Tension contains a lava terrain pack, The Lava Fields of Valhalla. It features lava fields, molten lava and lava rock outcrops. Entering a molten lava hex forces you to roll a d20. If you roll a 20 you live. Otherwise that figure is eliminated. If you end your turn on a lava field, you must roll an attack die. A skull result inflicts that figure with a wound.

Heroscape Age of Annihilation Boiling Tension Expansions Review:

Boiling Tension introduces common units to the Heroscape Age of Annihilation. Up to this point since the relaunch all the new units have been unique. Like some other waves it also adds terrain. And the unique units in this set add some great options to add to your collection.

The figures and terrain look fantastic. I really like how the Molten Crustaceans in the pre-painted packs are made from translucent red plastic. It gives them a striking, fiery effect. The lava terrain pieces look great, and Scavorith, Lord of Ruin is an especially intimidating figure.

Speaking of Scavorith, Lord of Ruin, he is a great addition to any Eisenek build and his multi-attack forces your opponent to respect his threat range. Imperator Kayne is not as big of a heavy hitter, but he can wound enemies by moving and punishes poor positioning. In the hands of the right tactician he can be impressive.

The common squads can easily be added to any army for support and bring interesting abilities to the table. Revnan Acolytes help your probability with re-rolls and are hard to keep down. The Grave Grim can help you get Undead and Eisenek figures into position. The Tanuki Tricksters are free to move around the map unhindered and that gives them great mobility. But they can also move enemy units into less than ideal (and even dangerous) hexes. While the Molten Crustaceans can change the map and your opponent’s plans. They can excel with proper positioning.

Adding any of these unit or terrain boxes to your collection makes sense. They all add some fun and interesting options for your Heroscape armies. If you do need to choose, you might want to start with the packs that enhance your current army builds, based on their abilities and faction.

Score and synopsis: (Click here for an explanation of these review categories.)
Strategy 3 out of 6
Luck 5 out of 6
Player Interaction 6 of 6
Replay Value 4 out of 6
Complexity 3 out of 6
Fun 5 out of 6
Overall 5 out of 6