Monsterpocalypse: Rise product details
Privateer Press have released details of the pricing and contents of the initial Monsterpocalypse boosters, starters and accessory sets that will be released in October. All prices are in US$.
- Monsterpocalypse: Rise Starter Box $24.99
- 1 random Alpha form monster,
- 1 corresponding Hyper form monster
- 2 preset buildings
- 4 preset units
- 1 Health Tracker
- 1 double-sided map
- 10 Action Dice
- 10 Power Dice
- 4 Boost Dice
- Monsterpocalypse: Rise Monster Booster $12.99
- 1 random Alpha form monster
- 1 corresponding Hyper form monster
- Monsterpocalypse: Rise Unit Booster $12.99
- 1 random building
- 4 random units
- Monsterpocalypse: Rise Map Pack TBD
- 1 exclusive building
- 3 doubled-sided maps
- Monsterpocalypse: Blue Accessory Pack $14.99
- 1 Health Tracker
- 10 Action Dice
- 10 Power Dice
- 4 Boost Dice
- 31 blue ID Rings
- Monsterpocalypse: Red Accessory Pack $14.99
- 1 Health Tracker
- 10 Action Dice
- 10 Power Dice
- 4 Boost Dice
- 31 red ID Rings
- Monsterpocalypse #2 (of 3) $3.99
I hope the prices won’t be too hiked in the UK!
$13 for a single random creature. Dreamblade thy name is Monsterpocalypse. This makes AT-43 look cheap.
Yeah, this sounds like a pretty heavy investment for a game that is stressing casual play.
You’re technically getting two 60mm minis in that set, but the whole randomness of the purchase doesn’t seem worth it.
I wanted to like this game, but my interest in it has been fading. I’ll try to get a demo at GenCon, but still not sure if I’ll be buying into this one.
Way to slam three games in one comment.
Price comments aren’t really all that interesting though are they? You’ve told us that you think that this game and AT-43 are more expensive than you like but other than that you haven’t provided us with any info.
The Dreamscape comment was pithy. Should have left it at that. :-)
My issue with the packaging is that with a single monster in each booster you really have problems trying to collect a faction unless you do case purchases and split them with friends.
I will have to go to eBay to get the Martian figs I want for some conversions
Everything I have read about the Alpha/Hyper/Ultra minis is that it is two figures, but one ‘thing’ for the game.
With the Unit and Building packs being separate it will be interesting to see which ones sell and which ones gather dust.
Woohoo - buildings and map seperate - hopefully it will be cheap so I can get some Battletech terrain out of this.
So just to clear up any confusion on this, we broke the boosters down into A) ‘monster’ and B) ‘unit’ to make collectability easier. The initial feedback was: “what if I only want either units OR monsters?” This new format mitigates that problem AND enabled us to lower the price on the boosters and starters.
There are only 12 monsters in the first set (2 for each of the 6 factions) and when you pull a monster, his matching Hyper form comes with it– no need to chase it separately. All 6 factions are compatible as well, so you can use anything/everything you get in a booster.
Regarding the starters: Only the monster is random. Everything else (units and buildings) come pre-set and are shown on the side of the box.
Sounds good to me. With only 2 monsters per faction I don’t see any problem in collecting your faction either through trade or secondary market purchase.
I for one will probably just get a case because all the factions look really appealing.
Any word if you can get a complete collection through case purchase?
I just hope the inevitable failure of this game doesn’t hit their bottom line too much as I want them to keep making WM/Hordes :P
Because we all know how wildly unpopular CMGs are :-)
uh in my area they aren’t popular, but that’s regional.
There are arguably what 3 popular CMGs? Star Wars, D&D, HeroClix?
Each has a big fan following behind it OUTSIDE of the actual game that helps brings people into the game.
Does AT-43 count as a CMG at all? Im not sure how it works with the collectible aspect.
its not collectible at all. you see what you buy
Fortunately, Monsterpocalypse has decades of Kaiju-related films, along with legions of giant monster/giant robot/alien invasion fans to draw from. In fact, the majority of the positive feedback we’ve received has been from fans of the genre who AREN’T necessarily CMG players. That means new customers and growth for the industry, and from people who dont’ have pre-conceived angst about the collectible model. We expect that fans of other CMGs will continue to be loyal to those games, and so we’re successfully building a new fan base for Monsterpocalypse from that already very popular genre.
It’s not all that expensive for a CMG. I am confused though. Are there special Ultra form monsters that will be short-packed? There’s variants shown in the Monsterpocalypse website, but I’m not sure if they;re just alternate hyper forms, or something else.
Also, anyone want to split a case with me : )
Damn… I want the Terrasaurs and Cthulhu-like thingies badly… but knowing how things are 12,99$ will directly transform into 12,99€ (when it should be more like 8€) and that’s something I am not gonna accept… unless PP is gonna be fair in the price-department.
I might get the starterset and see if I like it. But I am not gonna go and buy this stuff retail… this is going to be a straight 2nd hand thing for me.
I somewhat really hate that they picked monster-trash fans as their new target audience, because I am addicted to all that shit and Monsterapocalypse is definitely having the right feeling… need a second job.
Good question on the Hyper forms.
Monsters have 2 forms:
Alpha form: the ‘regular’ or ‘normal’ form of the monster
Hyper form: the translucent ones (in the game, events may occur that cause your monster to enter its Hyper form, and this changes his abilities and powers. Each of the 12 monsters in Series 1: Rise comes with 1 matching Hyper form. They are not short-packed.
Ultra or Mega forms: different variations of Hyper forms. These will usually be Limited Edition figures, available at cons, shows, demos, and as awards in Organized Play events at your local hobby game store. These versions are NOT any more powerful than the Hyper forms in the boosters, just different. They have different abilities that you may prefer to use, depending on how your force plays.
EXAMPLE: If you open a Starter Set or Monster Booster and pull Sky Sentinel (from the G.U.A.R.D. faction) he will come paired with “Ultra Sky Sentinel” (the Hyper form that Sky Sentinel can turn in to. You also have the option to take advantage of the comic book promotion we’re running (see http://www.monsterpocalypsegame.com/comic for details). If you purchase alll 3 issues and mail in the special form with your receipts, we’ll send MEGA Sky Sentinel to you (this being his Limited Edition Hyper form).
Another L.E. Hyper form you should be aware of is MEGA Terra Khan, which you can get for free by taking a demo at San Diego Comic Con or Gen Con (other shows as well, as long as supplies last). So I hope that answers your question, but if you have more you can always email me at: bobby@privateerpress.com
Oh no! We’ve been invaded by Privateer Press people :P
So Ultra and Mega forms will have different powers rather then better powers?
Thanks for coming in Bobby and giving us the official word.
I’m liking the look of this one - particularly for playing with my kids as well as the usual gaming suspects.
Is the October release worldwide? and if so who in the UK is going to distribute it?
@Bobby: Will we be able know what the other forms can do, even without actually having them? So, one could proxy one “hyper” form as the “mega” form?
In general, how forceful will the whole “collecting” aspect be? Will there be need for many boosters, and lots of “thingies” or will the game be good and honest fun with the starterset only (and maybe just a few added boosters)? Will there be any gain from having a “perfect set”?
@ Bobby
Thanks for the explenation! And I’m convinced the Hyper Forms are supposed to look like Bullmark toys : )
Aulbath, the current answer to your first question is “maybe.” We’re working out the details on that as we speak, and I’m sure I’ll have a more definitive answer in the near future.
For casual (non-tourney) play, there is no rule against proxying, but it may be kind of tough. For example, if you have a G-Tank and want to proxy it as an Elite G-Tank, you and your opponent will have to keep in mind that all of the stats are printed right there on the base. You’ll run into a lot of “I know that G-Tank is supposed to be an Elite G-Tank, but that would mean its defense is 5, not 4, and it gets 2 boost dice, not one, etc…”
With regards to many ‘thingies”: You can play the game right out of the box if you choose. True statement. But honestly, I LIKE bringing more buildings to the table, I LIKE maxing out my units. Also, by creating a force of mixed factions, you gain all sorts of tactical flexibility and broaden your strategic options. By building a more ‘pure’ force of all one faction, you can trigger extra bonuses for your units in the game. Totally depends on what you’re going for.
well, mixing factions is a turnoff for me, I was hoping you needed to keep it pure. There are way too many red flags in this game for me and it’s too bad, as I was almost ready to give it a shot.
I like that fact that you can mix factions, especially for a CMG. You’re never going to get useless stuff. I can also repaint other factions to make a unique uniformed force of my own. I on the other hand see a lot of green flags for this game in terms of game play, force building and booster distribution.
Why are people surprised when CMGs are set up to allow you to mix factions? It’s like they never expected something with a random sort to have a rule built in that prevented you from having a portion of your collection unplayable…
Sorry, I’m just always surprised that anyone who knows how C(x)Gs work is ever surprised…
I’m looking forward to giving the game a try. I enjoy the ’surprise’ factor of C(x)G games, so already know what I’m getting myself into. ;)
@Bobby: Thanks for the insights, this just supports my idea of getting the starter and seeing wether I dig M.A. or not.
Any word on Euro-prices? Or a german release? I’d wager it is probably cheaper to just get into the US game…
One more thing, how “thick” is the prepaint-color on the models? In order to reapaint them, would a coat of primer on top of the prepaint work or obscure some details already? I know people do strip their D&D Minis… but I don’t want to go through all that hassle just to “paint-pimp” my monsters a bit (did I mention I love your Terrasaurs and the Cthulhus (I know they are called something else, but they are just “The Cthulhus” for me ;)).
Okay, I lied… really, one last thing now… why do the “Hyper”-Forms look like they look? Why not minis with, I dunno… more spiky bits, teeths, claws, tentacles like the normal ones (basically a hulk-version of the non-hyperforms)?
I think you’re good with just primer. While I don’t have word on Euro pricing, it looks like rulebooks in other languages will be available in some form very soon.
They Hyper forms represent a more ‘energized’ state. If we were to change the poses, it would be easy to confuse those models as just alternates of the monster itself, or as another monster entirely. Plus, we wanted to try out a lot of the cool translucent and sparkley effects that you can do with that kind of plastic. Honestly, one of the most difficult things so far has been showing photos of the Hyper forms. They look AWESOME in person, but it’s so hard to photograph them and still convey all the ’special effect’ look they have.
This game looks fantastic - I love the fact that the boosters are split up too. Can’t wait for this one to appear at GenCon. :D What a creatively cool idea for a CMG.
“In fact, the majority of the positive feedback we’ve received has been from fans of the genre who AREN’T necessarily CMG players. That means new customers and growth for the industry….”
You know, that’s just what Wizkids thought about Horrorclix, and Haloclix, and you only need to look a little into WoTC’s history to see LICENSED products failing left and right. This game will live or die on the established gamer community’s reaction to it whether you want to believe your hype about new bodies or not.
I wish you luck, but I’m pretty sure this IS going to hit and sink like Dreamblade. I’m personally only going to be looking for singles for sure.
Two words of advice: City Pack.
People who don’t play the game will buy a set of just the buildings for use with small scale games. Just make sure they look good for Battletech. Plus players of the game will want cities, not just a building or two the average person is going to be able to afford getting into the game.
I bet the buildings turn out to be pretty expensive on the secondary market. Heroclix scenery packs go for decent money, and they’re much less versatile.
It was the same thing with the grunt aliens in Haloclix. A bad recipe for CMG products is:
Take one (1) item/figure that everyone wants lots and lots of.
Make the item relatively hard to get.
Let players simmer to a boil in frustration.
Serve resulting humble pie to the game’s investors.
:)
Wizards did that with the Starship Battles CMG. One of the Republic ARC fighters was rare. Quite annoying