I did a search, but could not find the answer. Has it been revealed how the Epic Actions work? All I read on the Heroclix website is that it can be used once per turn. Is it a power action? Does it give a token?

Are LOTR pieces considered golden age? Do the tokens for armies grant theme bonuses?

We have no information yet. We will probably have to wait until the LotR starter comes out or if they post the rules online.

And yes the LotR figures are Golden Age, any HeroClix compatible figure is Golden Age legal.

I understand all Clix are golden age. Is LOTR ONLY golden like Gears of War and Street Fighter or will it be modern age legal?

From Heroclix.com:

(bolded the parts that are important)

How do the epic actions work?

Epic actions are a special kind of action forces get only in epic battles, and they can be given to characters only to make use of epic abilities.

Epic abilities are game-changers, with effects that can really help shape the course of a battle– the secret to how a little hobbit can play a critical part in the middle of a thousand soldiers. In fact, they’re so formidable that you only get one epic action per turn, so you can only use one epic ability per turn, no matter how many characters on your force might have them available.

Though they use the familiar mechanics of actions and abilities, it’s important to note that you can’t use the normal actions you get each turn (or those generated by powers like Leadership) to fuel an epic ability. Similarly, you can’t use your epic action to power up Quake or Support. When you use an epic action, epic things happen!

They described them in the very first LotR preview (http://heroclix.com/heroclix/design-...ings-heroclix/).

They only work in "Epic" games (games over 300 points). The only real difference between an Epic Action and a standard one is that you can only use one Epic Action per turn, so if you've got more than one character with the ability on your force, only one of them will get to use theirs before you can't use any more. Otherwise they appear to function exactly like any other non-free action.

The only thing we don't know about them is whether or not they're free.

Epic starts at 400, not 300, and it's been said off-the-record that you get one Epic action per turn, which you do get a token for [although, again, that was off-the-record].

For your other question, no. Hoardies don't have keywords, so I'm sure they'll be treated like bystanders as far as Theme bonuses matter [although I'm hoping Epic rules also include a different interpretation of the Theme mechanic].

Yup, only the tiniest detail.

It will make a huge difference on their playability. Especially on the high pointed figures.

We don't know that yet either. We've been told that Street Fighter is going to be modern age, which will require a Player's Guide change, but we don't actually know yet how the Player's Guide will be changed and whether it will enmodernate more than just Street Fighter.

I'd put good money down on all the recent non-DC/Marvel sets being enmodernated.

(If inventing words is good enough for Shakespeare, it's good enough for me.)

Sooo...short answer, you don't know either.

They said the new Street Fighter set will be Modern Age legal, I don't think they will be switching the old one over.

But like I said for the most part we don't know much about Epic Actions and how they work (Do you get a token? Are all games of over 400 Epic Games now? Or only when your using LotR? Or only if the tournament allows it?). Still to many unanswered questions, wait till the rulebook comes out.

I think the Epic Actions would be useless if they were token-able actions.

Seriously? They are all exceptionally powerful abilities (at least, all the ones revealed so far). I'd actually say the opposite: if you DIDN'T give the character a token for using them, they'd be virtually broken.

For example:

YOU SHALL NOT PASS!: Give Gandalf the Grey an epic action and place 1 SPECIAL marker per 50 points of the game's build total in squares of either the row or column that Gandalf occupies. The first marker must be placed adjacent to Gandalf, the second adjacent to the first, etc. Until your next turn, any opposing character that would move out of or through the marked squares must first make an attack roll of their printed attack value against Gandalf the Grey's printed defense value. If the attack roll is unsuccessful, movement stops. (Character may continue with the rest of their action if able.)

Here Gandalf can basically cut the map in half. Unless you get lucky, you aren't moving past the row or column selected. That type of board control is HUGE.


LEAVING DECOYS: Give Strider an epic action; for each 200 points of the build total, choose one friendly character next to an opposing character, place the friendly character in an unoccupied square adjacent to Strider but not adjacent to any opposing character, and place a hindering terrain marker in the square formerly occupied by the friendly character.

Since 400 is the minimum point value for an Epic Game, Strider will be pulling at least two characters out of harms way plus leaves a bit of hindering terrain behind to hamper the opponent. And the best part is, nothing in this description says the yoinked characters couldn't peform their own actions before or after the yoinking.

FROZEN WITH FEAR: Give Sauron an epic action and choose one opposing character for each 200 points of the build total. Until your next turn, the chosen characters cannot be given move actions or power actions unless there are no other opposing characters.

Again, a minimum of two characters won't be using any fancy HSS or Charge or such (or even just moving). Sure, they can still attack, but remember there is no LOF or range to this... Sauron just says "You can't do that neener neener neener" and there isn't anything they can do about it.

why so?? it really depends on the game. if the build is over 300 then you have lots of room to build around a certain fig or powerset. sure, most will choose to fight. i'd use sauramans epic action all the time in the right game. can you imagine having 5 characters throwing grenades or using blades and it's penetrating! oh yes, he will be teaming up with ppl from halo and gears!!

That'd indeed be great on any character that is a small part of your force. For someone at 335 points though I wouldn't want to waste my action that turn on making sure an opponent is a bit hindered, but I'd rather use my strong character to do something itself.

As far as I can see, if Epic Actions would really use up your action that turn, I wouldn't use them too often, if at all with the ones currently spoiled (perhaps the Strider example you use would be an exception). Although I do agree that if they're free, they would be powerful (but honestly I thought that would be the case, looking at the actions currently spoiled, them being called 'epic', and being restricted in how many you could use)