Ringmaster Zero - A HorrorClix Campaign

Ringmaster Zero
A HorrorClix Freakshow Campaign by J.S. Johnson (aka ChaosIndustries)

Players fight battles and win goal driven scenarios to dominate sections of the Stephens Brothers Circus, gaining more and more power until they can finally go after the Big Top. Weekly territory clashes bring battle comparisons and various powerful titles. Each area added brings new powers and monsters, swelling the tides of each side until the climactic battle inside the three rings….

Besides, we all know we want that hat.

Rules

Setup - Each player begins with a 300 point “troupe”. While there is no permanent “force” list, to allow more flexibility between games, there are stipulations:

No beginning troupe may field any model other than Rookies. As the weeks go on & as territory is taken at the circus, more experienced models can be fielded. The campaign itself is broken into 3 sections followed by a climactic final battle for ease of play & to allow late players a chance to catch up. Each new section allows the use of the next step up in experience & the use of 1 Unique or Limited Edition model.
(1st section = Rookie + 1/ 2nd section = Experienced + 2/ 3rd section = Veteran + 3 Unique or Limited)
At least one of these models must have the Carny or Carnival trait. This is your troupe’s “boss”. It is a title that can be given to another model after a battle & has small effects on game play. The new “boss” must be of the Carny or Carnival trait. The title also makes this model the only static part of your troupe, so it must always be recorded with the ZM.
Each troupe must field at least 100 points of cabal each battle. This not only shows each troupe’s affiliations at the circus, but also ties in with the Storyline events. If no Storyline events are being used, this rule may be ignored.
The Ringmaster model can only be used by whoever holds the Big Top location (ZM only until Section 3 of the campaign).

Name your troupe & boss for the ZM to record. The ZM will then show you your starting area on the circus map.

“Boss” - A model that has the Boss title automatically gains the Boss ability (All adjacent friendly monsters get +1 to their attack). In addition, if the model belongs to a cabal, it may act as the cabal leader during battles - whether or not the actual leader is fielded. The loss of the Boss is also counted as losing the leader in that case, though if the real cabal leader remains on the board on your side, the cabal power is still active.

Cabals - Due to the lack of more cabal support from WizKids, this campaign will use a custom cabal list. Props to Aahz from IWF (http://www.itswickedfun.net/) for starting the first one. Some of the ones found on this new list are there for story purposes.

Aliens - Alien class
B.P.R.D. - Cabal Symbol
Beastial - Beast class
Bloodcall - Cabal Symbol or Vampire trait
Furies - Cabal Symbol, Fury trait or Spirit classes
Familiars - Occultist class
Hellbound - Cabal Symbol or Hellspawn class
Killers - Slasher class
Predators - Predator class
R'Lyeh - Cabal symbol or Cthulhu trait
The Dead - Zombie trait
The Order - Cabal Symbol or Guardian class
Wolfbrothers- Cabal Symbol or Werewolf trait

New Cabal Powers - When more than one cabal power can be had by a model it’s the ZM’s call or democracy as to how to play it.

Aliens - (Alien Queen) Come Out of the Walls: All Aliens gain Stealth (A line of fire drawn to this monster that crosses hindering terrain, including the space this monster occupies, is blocked).
Beastial - (Fiji Mermaid) Taste For Man: All monsters of this cabal gain a +1 to their attack value against Guardians or Hunters.
Familiars -(Gyrus) Assimilate: Before each battle, attach each familiar card to a monster with a cabal power. The Familiar is considered to have that power also, so long as that monster is on the board. Multiple Familiars can be attached to the same monster.
Killers - (Jack the Ripper) Herd the Prey: If a member of this cabal uses a move action while within 2 squares of a victim, the owning player may move one of those victims and then move that model.
Predators -(Elder Predator) Distress Signal: If a Predator dies, the owning player may move one monster of this cabal to a space adjacent to the dead model as a free action - ignoring all terrain & other monsters.
The Dead - (Pierced Zombie) Harvest: When a monster of this cabal slays another monster, you may replace the dead model with any model of this cabal that you’ve lost in this battle of equal or lesser value.

Time - Each match or game is composed of rounds, in which each player takes their turn. Some scenarios will change the timing of some things or add extra steps to either the rounds or players’ turns. Unless stated by the ZM or scenario, all matches last 60 minutes.

Titles - Not counting the “Boss“, titles are an optional part of the game . Based on certain factors in-game the ZM will give titles to players that earn it or monsters that win it. This will require the players & ZM keep up with more stuff, but definitely give a lot more to brag about. See the Title section in the appendix.

Turn Sequence

Weekly
ZM Chooses/Rolls 3 Ring Effects
Bosses pick the area, they’ll invade (If they won their last battle they go 2nd, while losers go 1st)
Battles are fought (This is a 1st come, 1st serve battle line) <see Each Battle table>
ZM tallies up scores & new territory
ZM gives out titles

Each Battle
Check location (if neutral, that player takes it/if not they must battle owning player for it)
Check 3 Ring Effects (roll on that table)
Roll for 1st Player
Roll for Random Event (roll on that table)
Finish as normal
Turn in results to ZM

Locations
Each location is worth 100 points. Fighting for some locations will require special maps, but until I’ve finished them or you’ve made them on your own, I’ve supplied alternate map ideas for those. Please print this section for reference purposes. In the map use section I’ve also put some other existing ideas for maps that could be used. Not all locations could have a corresponding map until then, so I was forced to leave it to your imagination. When lacking the correct map, I suggest having the players decide amongst themselves as to which
Holding a location allows the use of one its many powers, but only one from each location each battle. The power or discount used can be changed between battles in multiple matches.

Animal Cages: <Crumbling Mausoleum>
Rules: Extra closed door objects are provided to close each room off. Models that stop in any of these rooms take a click of damage after their action is finished.
Benefit: Can use the next experience level of models named: Animal Tamer; Alana; Rabid Bear; Bobo; She-Wolf; & Lupina OR can bring one extra model with the Beast class that is worth no more than 50 points OR can field Snake Charmer and/or Elephant Man for ½ price (restricted by U/LE rules).
Big Top (1 of 2 Satellite Rings): <Stephen Brothers Carnival WizKids>
Rules: Models with the Beast class or the Carny or Carnival trait can setup outside of their start areas, so long as they place: in hindering terrain, no closer than 6 squares from their opponent’s side of the map, & no closer than 3 from a victim.
Benefit: The player holding this location may choose this week show in that ring OR roll for the show instead of the ZM doing it & field an 1 extra model with the Legend trait for ½ price (in addition to the U/LE restrictions).
Big Top (Center Ring): <Falloutboy12‘s Steampunk Circus Map>
Rules: Models with the Beast class or the Carny, Carnival, or Legend trait can setup outside of their start areas, so long as they place in one of the 3 rings (Green Big, Archery Small, Water Small) on their side of map.
Benefit: The player holding this location may choose this week’s show in the center ring OR roll for the show instead of the ZM doing it & field Ringmaster for ½ price (in addition to the U/LE restrictions).
Carousel: <?>
Rules: None other than having to pick another map & abide by those rules.
Benefit: Spirits gain a +1 to movement OR can give 3 models the power Invisible (This monster can't be targeted by ranged combat attacks and does not block line of fire) OR can field Heart Eater and/or Carousel Ghost for ½ price (restricted by U/LE rules).
Concessions: <Crumbling Mausoleum or Falloutboy12‘s Freakshow map>
Rules: Each player brings 2 times the normal amount of victims for this board with the extras set up adjacent to at least one bloodspot. Walls of mausoleum are actually low walls of stalls & are treated as hindering terrain instead. All monsters get the power Hungry <Bloodsucker> When a target monster takes at least 1 damage from this monster's attack, heal this monster of 1 damage. It cannot heal past the green starting line, but it can heal past its red starting line. This stacks with any other healing.
Benefit: Can use the next experience level of models named: Undead Vendor; Southpaw; Carny; Skell; Hungry Bertha; & Big Big Bertha OR can give 2 models the Hungry power for the duration of the battle OR can field an extra model worth 30 points or less that has the Beast class or the Carny/Carnival trait.
Ferris Wheel: <Stephen Brothers Carnival WizKids>
Rules: No extras.
Benefit: Can use the next experience level of models named: Vampire Roustabout; Bloody Tom; Kuranes; King Kuranes; Flying Monkeys; & Lost Winkies OR give 3 models the Leap/Climb power OR can give 1 model the power of Flight.
Fiji’s Swamp: <Use B.R.P.D. map>
Rules: Aquatic monsters may setup outside of their start areas, so long as they place: in the water, no closer than 4 squares from their opponent’s side of the map, & no closer than 3 squares from a victim.
Benefit: Can use the next experience level of models named: Victorian Vampire; Gerard; Bat Boy; & Eddie the Bat Boy OR give 3 models the Stealth power OR field Fiji Mermaid for ½ price (ignoring U/LE rules).
Gypsy Camp: <Crumbling Mausoleum>
Rules: No extra rules.
Benefit: Can use the next experience level of models named: Gypsy Seer; Madame Gehenna; Fan Dancer; Crimson; Tattoed Man; & Abel Terror OR give 2 models the Teleport power OR field Templar for ½ price (ignoring U/LE rules).
House of Mirrors: <Use Haunted House map>
Rules: Place an extra closed door token in the center hall where squares: H3&H4/ H8&H9/ H13&H14/ and G19&H19 meet. Each player is also given 3 extra closed door objects. These are treated as indoor mirror walls as are all the rest of the walls, which can be destroyed as per the Heroclix rules.
Benefit: Can field a second LE/Unique model of ONE figure per game (model must be paid for a second time) OR a model with no cabal can use another model‘s cabal as if it had that power. The model & the power must be decided before the game begins and the cabal being copied must be on the board. You can copy your opponent’s cabal power OR you may field Funhouse for half price (restricted by U/LE rules).
Midway: < Use Haunted House map>
Rules: Walls of house are actually low walls of stalls & are treated as hindering terrain instead. Monsters/victims killed in the stalls are worth 1.5 times their normal value. Each player brings 3 times the normal amount of victims for this board with the extras set up adjacent to at least one bloodspot.
Benefit: Can choose to have points awarded for killing victims doubled in this battle; OR can bring double the amount of victims to this battle, though they must be adjacent to a bloodspot and on your half of map; OR can use the next experience level of models named: Cannibal Clowns, Snack Pack, Snake Oil Salesman, Dr. Barker, Officer 7, Officer 13, or Officer Friendly.
Petting Zoo: <Use Haunted House map>
Rules: Walls of house are actually low fences & are treated as hindering terrain instead. Roll a d6 at the end of your monster’s move while inside one of the rooms or “zoo areas”. On a 6, they take 1 point of damage.
Benefit: The owner of the Petting Zoo can field one level higher experience models if they are named: Monster Patrol, Bailey & Jameson, Wolfboy, or Jak Jak the Wolfboy; OR can field Boogeyman and/or Wacko Jacko Lantern for half price (restricted by U/LE rules).
Performer’s Tents: <Use Haunted House map>
Rules: No extras
Benefit: Can use the next experience level of models named: Firebreather; Scorch; Firefighter; & Big Red OR give 3 models the Grenade power OR field Yama for ½ price (following U/LE rules).
Sideshows: <Stephen Brothers Carnival WizKids or Falloutboy12‘s Freakshow map>
Rules: No extras
Benefit: Can use the next experience level of models named: Escape Artist; Voodini; Knife Thrower; the Great Slicini; Zombie Strongman; & Herculon OR give 3 models the Snapshot power OR field Cotswald Giant and/or Bull for ½ price (following U/LE rules).
Trash Heap: <Use B.R.P.D. map>
Rules: Models with the Beast class can setup outside of their start areas, so long as they place: in the water, no closer than 4 squares from their opponent’s side of the map, & no closer than 6 squares from a victim.
Benefit: Can use the next experience level of models named: Wildman; Wildman of Borneo; Phantom Maneater; & Snuggles OR give 3 models the Tough Pelt power OR field Tracker for ½ price (ignoring U/LE rules).
Tunnel of Terror <Use Haunted House Map>
Rules: No Extra
Benefit: Can give 2 models the Ghost power OR give 3 models the Teleport power OR field Tunnel Terror or Maneater for ½ price (ignoring U/LE rules).

3 Ring Effects

These are rolled by the ZM at the end of each week’s battles. This represents what the current Ringmaster has scheduled in each of the rings of the Big Top for the next week. Shows in the two smaller rings affect everyone to a lesser effect, but the Center Ring’s show produces the Greater effect. These remain in place until the end of the next week. Please print this section for reference purposes.

11d6 Roll-
11-14	A loose elephant…
Lesser	Elephants Gone Wild!! Elephant token (2 spaces long/1 space wide) begins at center of map. Elephant moves randomly after each player has taken their turn (therefore, it moves twice in each round). The last player that moved rolls a d6 & a d8. The d8 determines the direction (1 being towards opponent/6 being towards them), while the d6 sets its speed for that move. It moves in a straight line in that direction until it runs into a monster, blocking terrain (it ignores all hindering terrain except water), or runs out of movement. If the elephant leaves the board, it’s gone for the match. If the elephant moves over a victim or minion, remove it from the game & no points are awarded for it. If it stops at or passes a monster, that model takes 1d6 preventable damage, divided in half (1-3 pts). A monster killed by the elephant is also worth no points. By giving a model an action to target the elephant with an attack (area, close, or ranged with no attack roll needed) another move will occur with the attacker rolling. The direction roll is now set from the attack (1= directly away from attack/6 = towards the attacker). It’s speed is equal to the damage done to it +2.
Greater	Rampaging Pachyderms!!! As above, but: Elephant now does 1d6+1 damage to monsters during its move & it has Stamina. When it collides with a wall it destroys it (leaving hindering terrrain behind) and continues its move, while hitting a monster only stops it if it’s out of move or would have stopped on the monster. Should the elephant leave the map, it moves onto the map of the game being played to the left of the players. It enters the new map opposite the square it just left and any unused movement is lost. If no other games are being played, it wraps around to the opposite side of the map. Should this elephant run into another one, the rammer stops and the one hit is treated as if was attacked by the first. A damage roll for the elephant should occur to determine the other’s speed. Then direction is rolled again by the player that did not roll last for the elephant.
15-22	Jugglers
Lesser	Clowns on the Loose Models with the Carny or Carnival trait gain a +1 to all stats (adds to damage before and during frenzy).
Greater	Extreme Juggle Off At the beginning of the match, after the troupes set up, start with the 1st player and make an attack roll with 2d6. Use the monster card to that player’s right or left (following down the line after that) for the attack value. If they hit a 10, then they catch & throw it to their opponent’s model, who must hit a 11 or drop it. The value to hit goes up by one after each catch. A critical hit not only automatically catches, but it ups the value to catch the next throw by one. A critical miss ups the damage inflicted in the drop by 1 point. The diabolical jugglers throw out 3 different extreme things to juggle: 1st Catch > Bomb-Dropping causes 2 damage to the model doing so & 1 damage to adjacent models (Obstructing terrain protects against this area damage). 2nd Catch > Chainsaw - Causes 1d6+2 damage to model that drops it. 3rd Catch > Barrel of Toxic Waste - Does 3 unpreventable damage to model that drops and 2 unpreventable damage to all models within a 2 space radius. (Obstructing terrain does not protect against this area damage)
23-26	Gypsy Show
Lesser	Contacting the Other Side When a player takes their turn, any Spirits or Gypsies in their troupe get a +1 to all their stat values. This resets during all other players’ turns.
Greater	Power Mad At the start of each turn, before either player has taken their turn, each chooses one of their models. That model is treated as being possessed and under the opponent’s command for the duration of this turn. No points are scored if the possessed model dies, though points for what it kills are treated normally. While each model takes its damage in the hourglass phase of the turn in which it could have moved the models don‘t become friendly to their owner again until the end of the round.
31-34	Flying Trapeze
Lesser	The Flying Graysons Each monster may during their move, completely ignore one terrain effect (hindering, blocking, etc.) or pass by one opposing monster. A second foe or terrain effect stops it as per normal rules. As if each monster had one Leap/Climb in them each move.
Greater	You Can Fly All models gain the ability to fly and can carry other characters (see HeroClix rules on these for space reasons). Shooting down a model soaring still does bring down damage.
35-42	Animal Tamers
Lesser	The Animals Snap! Models with the Beast class gain a +1 to all stats (adds to damage before and during frenzy).
Greater	You Sure These Are Trained? Each player brings an extra monster of the Beast class worth up to 60 points. This model doesn’t count towards their troupe total for this battle. These extras are placed within the center 4 squares of the map, but can’t be adjacent to another model or a victim. Each player gains an extra action each turn that can only be used on the extra Beasts. When given an action that monster is considered friendly until end of that player’s turn. No points are scored for killing these extras.
43-46	Freakshow Showcase
Lesser	Show Offs Each player has one extra action each turn that may only be used on a model that has the Legend trait.
Greater	Gods Among Man Each model with the Legend trait gains the Raging ability (At the beginning of your turn, turn this monster’s dial to the green starting line.), but now counts as double points when killed.
51-54	Blades Demonstration
Lesser	Razor Sharp! Models with the Slasher class gain a +1 to all stats (adds to damage before and during frenzy)
Greater	You Sure They're Restrained? Each player brings an extra monster of the Slasher class worth up to 75 points. Model doesn’t count towards their troupe total for this battle. These extras are placed within center 4 squares of the map, but can’t be adjacent to another model or a victim. Each player gains an extra action each turn that can only be used on the extra Slashers. When given an action that monster is considered friendly until end of that player’s turn. No points are scored for killing these extras.
55-62	Zombified Funny
Lesser	Fast For A Corpse Models with the Zombie trait have +1 to base move.
Greater	You're Killin' 'Em All victims slain are replaced with Zombie Minions in an adjacent square that are friendly to the force that killed it.
63-66	Death Defying Stunts
Lesser	Posers Knockback rule (see Heroclix) applies to doubles & all victims gain Leap/Climb.
Greater	Daredevil All damage except hourglass damage is Knockback damage and monsters/victims gain Leap/Climb.

Random Events

Each player rolls 11d6 & count from 1st player
Please print this section for reference purposes.

11 - A Dark Fog Rolls In. (-1 to all Attacks/ Ranged attacks reduced to 2 squares range)
12 - “Body Armor Day” at the Carnival. (A monster must make an attack roll vs. 11+ victim’s speed to slay it)
13 - Move as One (Friendly monsters do not block line of fire)
14 - Spiked Drinks (+1 to each model’s base move)
15 - A Fieldtrip Ends at the Carousel… (Furies get +1 to all Stats; occultists/psychics get -1 to attack/defense)
16 - The Chaos Subsides (Nothing happens)
21 - The Fates Laugh at You (Reroll)
22 - “Free Stiletto Day” (Monsters gain the Slash power)
23 - Ungrateful Tourists (Monsters that rescue must now slay victims, otherwise unchanged).
24 - Complete Darkness (No ranged attacks & no roll to break away)
25 - Full Moon Lights Up the Sky… (Werewolves get +1 to all Stats; guardians/hunters get -1 attack/defense)
26 - Ambush (When a victim is slain/rescued that player rolls a d6. On a 6 opposing playercan switch the victim with one friendly model placing the vic in its spot and it adjacent to 1st model)
31 - You’re Safe….for Now (Nothing Happens)
32 - Super Strong (Use objects and rules from Heroclix - monsters with damage of 2 or less can carry light objects while those with a 3 or better damage can
33 - Mutant Madness (+2 to all models damage and move values, before & after frenzy)
34 - The Earth Splits Open (Reroll)
35 - Indigestion (All victim related powers now work every second victim or every other round)
36 - Wrath of the Righteous (Guardians get +1 to all Stats; Hellbound/Nightmares get -1 attack/defense)
41 - Like You’re THAT Lucky (Reroll)
42 - Sidearms (All models gain a 4 square ranged attack or an extra attack if they were already ranged.)
43 - Circus-Wide Virus (-2 to each model’s defense)
44 - Super Hungry (All models gain the Bloodsucking power)
45 - Fast Food Junkies (Bloodcall get +1 to all Stats; Beasts/Slashers get -1 attack/defense)
46 - All is Well (Nothing Happens)
51 - In-Between (Flip Cards can flip at the start of their turn whether they normally can or not)
52 - A Long Enough Timeline (At start of each player’s turn, each of their models takes 1 click of unpreventable damage)
53 - The Gypsies Warned You… (Each player may bring 2 more Plot Twists)
54 - Shaggs & Violent J Flip the 6th Card… <Clowns now rescue victims, but otherwise the same>
55 - Healing Salve (Each turn a player may heal 1 friendly model 1 click)
56 - Burning Meteors Tear Through the Circus… <Roll a d6 for each model in troupe at start of your turn. On a 6, that model takes 1 damage)
61 - A Bearded Man Comes with a Strange Gold Box… (All Hellbound get +1 to all Stats; -1 to Priests/Hunters)
62 - Peace at Last (Nothing happens)
63 - Time Slip (All movement is halved - monsters only)
64 - Brains for All (All Zombies get +1 to all Stats; -1 to werewolves/vampires attack & defense)
65 - The Heavens Part (Roll again twice, ignoring this result if rolled again.)
66 - You Gain Power Over Reality (Each player picks one result < except #65> to apply to this battle.)

Titles

If the playing group is willing to keep up with more than just win/loss stats than you may use this optional system to reward players that wish to have a more permanent troupe. Some of the titles are negative, but provide a positive effect to help out those in a slump. Groups are encouraged to not only make up new titles and requisites for them, but also to change the names of the ones presented here to better represent the game that they are playing.
Titles are awarded or moved by the ZM after the weeks’ scores have been tallied up. The titles might exchange more frequently if the ZM has multiple events in one week.

A few examples are:

* Most Victims Killed: “Stalker” - This model gains +1 to its movement
* Most Killed by Victims: “Changed My Ways” - Monster now rescues victims, but is otherwise the same.
* Most Monsters Killed: “The Shredder” - This model gains +1 to its attack value.
* Most Killed by Monsters: “Glass Jaw” - This model gains Raging (At the beginning of your turn, turn this monster’s dial to the green starting line).
*Most Possessions: “My Ex-insert model’s trait here” - This model gains +1 to its range.
*Most Cabal Killed: “Cabal’s name’s Nemesis” - This Cabal gains a -1 to their defense value when this model attacks them.
*Most Killed by Cabal: “Marked for Death” - This model gains a +1 to its defense value.

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Zombie Master Setup
The Zombie Master will choose many of the parameters of the game before starting and keep up with quite a bit of information. Please be sure as a player to support your ZM as much as possible. As ZM, they’ll choose the game type, point total of each section leading to the finale, the length of the sections, & the final battle.

Game Types

Cutthroat - Each Unique location is Unique and each other location has a # equal to the number of players starting the campaign. Areas may only be attacked by players that own locations adjacent to them & if they lose in their attack the person who just won can counter attack their location. [This game type is for experienced players & ZM’s. Late players may have a harder time]

Open - There is 1 of each Unique location for every player in the campaign. There is an infinite number of other locations. [This game type favors new ZM’s or players & penalizes late players less, but may require changing the circus map]

Campaign Sections

Section One
600 points. 4 actions. 8 monster field limit. 1 Unique or Limited Edition model.
Concessions (Limited), Midway (L), Petting Zoo (Unique), & Trash Heap (U) are available.

Section Two
900 points. 6 actions. 12 monster field limit. 2 Unique or Limited Edition models.
Sideshows (L), Performer’s Tents (L), Gypsy Camp (L), Animal Cages (L), Ferris Wheel (U), & Tunnel of Terror (U) become available.

Section Three
1200 points. 8 actions. 16 monster field limit. 3 Unique or Limited Edition models.
House of Mirrors (L), Carousel (L), Fiji’s Swamp (U) & the Big Tops (2 small & center ring - all U) become available.

Final Battle
1,800 point cthulu battle/ Storyline finale/ or anything climactic your ZM comes up with
The point cap for the sections was based on the final battle being against the full Cthulu, with random & 3 ring effects. If the ZM has a different finale in mind, change the point system as needed. This can occur once the owners of the Big Top have been firmly established and everyone’s had a fair shot at it.

Sample Circus Map
Ringmaster Zero Circus Map