Monsterpocalypse

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Monsterpocalypse is a Kaiju-themed collectible miniatures game which is published by Privateer Press. Released series include Rise, I Chomp NY, All Your Base, Monsterpocalypse Now and the current series Big in Japan. [1]

Contents

A Voltron-themed set was released in 2010 as a Standalone set. [2]

In 2010, Privateer Press moved from a purely random format to a new system for their new two-player boxed sets. Each set comprising two random factions. With each faction having a fixed set of minis with the only other random element being that tone of the packed monsters from a fixed set of two possible figures. In 2011, Privateer Press released the DMZ series of faction-specific boxed sets with a fixed set of figures in each.

In fall 2018 the game was rebooted with streamlined rules and new, larger figures are sold unpainted to allow players to customize them.

Gameplay

The game is played on one of a variety of maps, which resemble cities. Structures (such as office buildings and oil refineries) are placed on it to build a cityscape. Monsters and other units (represented by miniatures) battle to the death while destroying the structures. The monster is represented by two forms: an Alpha and Hyper form. The goal of the game is to destroy both forms of the enemy monster. This is done by brawling, blasting or making devastating power attacks against the enemy monster. Units can attack a monster as well, but they typically need to work together in order to deal damage. However, the most damage comes from using the monster exclusive power attacks that deal damage by, for example, sending the opposing monster crashing into one or more buildings on the map.

The basic game is played with one monster (its Alpha and Hyper form) against one other monster. The basic rules also allow for double monster battles. The I Chomp NY strategy guide details other possible battle formats.

Gameplay focuses on three parts:

Factions

Monsterpocalypse features several different factions of monsters. As of the 2018 Reboot of the game, each faction belongs to one of two Agendas: Destroyers, who are determined to destroy the planet for their own benefits, and Protectors, who battle to protect the Earth. Players can employ armies consisting of monsters from different factions under the same agenda.

Protectors

Destroyers

Game maps

Each map to play the game has the following parts:

Each map also has:

Some maps also contain:

The "Block War" and "Smashville" game maps are included with the Rise starter set.

This is a list of the currently available maps:

Maps available in the Voltron expansion:

Game aids

There are three strategy guides available for the current series: Rise Strategy Guide, I Chomp NY Strategy Guide, and All Your Base Strategy Guide. The books have sections for each Faction: statistics for each monster and unit, tips for using your monster and units effectively, and how to effectively play double-monster battles. Both contain general strategy tips, tips for playing on the various maps, playing in organized play, dice probability tables, a puzzle to solve, a section on the buildings and their use, as well as a glossary of all the game abilities. The guides each come with one double-sided map.

A map pack was also released with the Rise set, including 3 double-sided maps and the Government Building, which can only be obtained with the map pack. The most recent map pack for 'All Your Base' was released with one doubled sided map and one 'Privateer Press Building'.

The All Your Base Strategy Guide hit store shelves a considerable amount of time after the set itself shipped out. According to Privateer Press's Monsterpocalypse page, the late release of the guide was due to "a hold up with the Department of Homeland Defense."

Dice

Official sets of dice include 10 white action dice, 4 blue boost dice, and 10 power dice. These sets come in the various Starter Boxes as well as the Voltron Box Set. They are also sold in accessory kits, which also come with plastic bases that affix to your buildings, monsters, and units in red and blue flavors. These help distinguish each player's figures on the battle map.

Unofficial fan-made dice have also been produced.

Monsterpocalypse Conventions

Team Covenant held a Monsterpocalypse-only convention every year known as MonCon. The first run of the convention, MonCon 2010 was held in Tulsa, OK over a 3-day period and included panels with special guests from Privateer Press, a Monsterpocalypse Masters event as well as others. MonCon has taken place on the following dates:

Comic

A four-issue comic book (issues 0 through 3) [3] by Stephan Nilson, Jason Avery, Karl Waller, Rick Bonilla and Marek Oko was published by Desperado Publishing.

Film adaptations

In May 2010, DreamWorks announced that it had acquired the rights to a film adaptation of the game. [4] The studio had approached Tim Burton for the project. [5] On July 19, 2010, it was confirmed that Burton was attached to direct, [6] but the film went unproduced partly due to being similar to another Kaiju film called Pacific Rim , directed by Guillermo del Toro. Some elements were used for another DreamWorks film, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken .

On May 3, 2016, Warner Bros. won the bidding war over film rights of the game, with Fede Álvarez co-writing and directing the film. [7]

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References

  1. "Monsterpocapalooza 2009: Tear up the Town!". Privateer Press, Inc. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2009-06-05.
  2. "Privateer Press Announces VOLTRON: Defender of the universe Edition of MONSTERPOCALYPSE" (Press release). Privateer Press, Inc. 2009-04-13. Archived from the original on 2009-06-04. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
  3. "GCD :: Covers :: Monsterpocalypse".
  4. "Tim Burton and John August Reteam to Bring Us a Monsterpocalypse?". DreadCentral. October 2012.
  5. "Tim Burton and John August Reteaming for 'Monsterpocalypse'? – Bloody Disgusting!". 10 June 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  6. Peter Sciretta (2010-07-19) "Exclusive: Tim Burton Developing Monsterpocalypse, Full Details Revealed".
  7. Kit, Borys (May 3, 2016). "Warner Bros. Nabbing 'Monsterpocalypse' Movie Rights in Bidding War (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 4, 2016.