True, 6 squares then you hit water. It definitely is a big difference compared to the Junkyard in that aspect.

Just playing devil's advocate, I would say the opposite is true too - if a certain map screws your team (i.e., you have no way to get around water, such as including a flier on your force) then your team also is likely not that competitive.

So going back to the Junkyard (excellent review HERE ) and our favorite character, Nightcrawler...he is going to own with his killbox on this map.

All he has to do is set up shop in the trash compacter with his stealthed martial artist buddies blocking the ladders into the compactor. Now, the same argument for Anura temple hosing low mobility teams also applies here.

- I happen to like both the Junkyard and Anura Temple. And again, I will state that I am glad that there are a limited number of maps that can be chosen for GenCon Worlds. It's much easier to plan around 15 maps instead of all of the 2X3 maps that WK has made so far.

I'm with you, but there is no easy way to determine that for most of the maps. Krakoa was an easy call, but some of the others have arguments for either decision. I also happen to favor the 2sided map that was originally released at GenCon 2007 and later given out at venues, the Castle Ruins/Carnival map. I don't think this map influences outcomes in any way, but WK had to make cuts somewhere.

That is definitely a possibility, yes. But because it is such an obvious tactic it is possible to plan around it - you could try to get to the trash compactor first, for instance, or just keep your distance enough that Nightcrawler cannot drag you in.

I love judging things before we even see them.

Me too, that's why I did it. Duh.

Are Science Cells, Krakoa, Hawkworld, Temple of Anura, and the Prison Map permitte in the Grinders and Nationals at Origins in Columbus?

Sure are. There's nothing saying they aren't.