Sunday, December 11, 2016

Dystopian Wars Kickstarter Bolt-on and Expansion renders

Well the kickstarter has done very well so far at 155% funded. The campaign is only 2,200 GBP short of unlocking a new faction for the game. I believe I noted this in one of my previous posts but I am exceedingly excited for this stretchgoal! The possible factions that backers will be able to choose from are: Teutonic Order, Spanish Confederacy, Republic of Egypt, Hellenic Kingdoms and Garibaldi's Legion. Out of these I think the Teutonic Order and Garibaldi's Legion are my least favorite options but any would be cool. Tomorrow, I believe, there is supposed to be an overview of the possible factions released so that we can vote on which will be added to the game as part of this Expansion.

Other than my excitement of helping pick a new faction I wanted to share images of many of the terrain bolt-ons. A large part of this kickstarter campaign is the addition of terrain specific to Dystopian Wars. Of all of the images shown so far these look awesome and will a ton of character to any battlefield they are added to.

Sturginium Rig - This thing measures about 5"by 6" and looks fantastic!

Overhead pic of the sturginium rig. Lots of excellent little details all over this model.
Island and Hazard Set - Love the little buildings set into the side of the rocky outcroppings.
New Resin iceberg set. The largest of these look to be about the size of a battleship. I plan to pick up a set of these as I think they will be awesome painted up on a game board.
Second shot of the iceberg with the new Prussian Empire monitor and destroyers..`
New fortified harbor set with a Prussian Empire monitor for scale purposes. There are supposed to be some additional buildings which have not been completely rendered as of yet which will be part of this set as well. This is another set I really want to pick up!
This is a close up of the harbor gates. It has been indicated that there will later be nation specific gates to further customize this set. Very excited to see the buildings which have yet to be rendered.
Several renders have been revealed for the Core Nation Expansion Sets. So far they have revealed the medium ships for the Blazing Sun, Republique of France, Kingdom of Britannia and Federated States of America.

Chita class robot submarines - Love these models!
Royan class gunship - I really like the look of this model. It has the appearance of a pocket battleship.
Felshaw class light carrier - Cool looking little model. My brother-in-law is expecting to pick up a few models.
Calico class light carrier - Very cool little ship. The rocket battery in the back is replaceable giving three different configurations.
Russian Coalition Mezan gun corvette - I very much like the triple barreled guns on the front of this ship. These will be a lot of fun to paint.
I am very excited to see this kickstarter finish out and in particular getting to vote on adding a new faction. I will post again once some more renders are released or the new faction is determined. Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Spartan Games Kickstarter - Dystopian Wars Expansion

I'm a few days late posting the beginning of Spartan Games Dystopian Wars game expansion through Kickstarter. As of writing this the campaign is 81% funded with 27 days to go which is very exciting. They have numerous pledge options be you a gamer or retailer.

Dystopian World Expansion Kickstarter

It does not appear that there will be any issues hitting the funding goal. I am very hopeful that the campaign will reach the stretch goal for creating a new Naval Battle Group from either the Spanish Confederacy, Teutonic Order, Free Hellenic Kingdom, Republic of Egypt or Garibaldi's Legion. The faction will be determined by backer vote. My vote would be for the Spanish Confederacy, I've been waiting for Spanish or Portuguese models since I started playing Dystopian Wars.

I have backed this project at the Fleet Admiral level and am very much looking forward to getting the models of the Ice Maiden Iceberg Carrier and Murmansk Fleet Operations Vessel. The Murmansk was a surprise to me but its appearance as a massive floating factory really appeals to me. In fact it has convinced me to build a Russian Coalition fleet around it.

Murmansk Fleet Operation Vessel. I love this model. Supposedly the back of the model can be glued or magnetized open to allow a cruiser sized vessel or smaller inside this behemoth. It is going to be a blast to paint!

The Fleet Admiral Pledge will allow me to select 4 Expansion boxes to go along with the two player set and resin super vessels. So far Spartan has only post the contents of the Russian Coalition and Prussian Empire expansion boxes which are the same new models contained in the two player set.

Magadan Large Submarine. I really like this model. Actually I like it better than the original Deathbringer submarine and am very curious to see how its armament works.
The Onega Light Cruiser. This model looks good in my opinion and is a good evolution of the current Russian Coalition aesthetic.
The Mezan gun corvette sounds really cool, unfortunately the enlarged picture uploaded is of the Rustov destroyer also a cool model but not the new corvette.

I must say I love this model. The Gustav Bombard Monitor equipped with the PAK-800 KYC Siege Artillery Piece. The fact that the gun has a the steam engine still on the ship just makes it that much more awesome in my opinion. Also equipped with broadside tesla torpedoes!
Second picture of the Gustav showcasing the train and siege artillery.
The Brandtaucher Assault submarine. From the description this unit sounds like a lot of fun armed with its luftlancers and forward firing cannons. It definitely takes inspiration from the Prussian Sturmbringer Submarine.
Lahn Anti-Air Destroyer armed with a speerschluder. Looks and sounds like a nifty little vessel.
The League of Crimson Poinard ambush corvette and Blade armored cruiser. These two models are beautifully detailed befitting their wealthy masters. The Poinard Corvettes gets to deploy after all other models and is armed with broadside weapons. The Blade Cruisers are armed with a Tesla lance, fixed channel electrical weapon and energy broadsides. 
Lots to be excited about, I will make sure to post more once the other Expansion boxes are revealed. Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Spartan Games Kickstarter plans

Spartan Games has recently unveiled plans for a massive expansion to Dystopian Wars using Kickstarter. I for one am extremely excited by this and can not wait to see the new French models. I may even look at picking up a new fleet like the Russian Coalition. I have long appreciated their aesthetic but just have never gotten around to picking them up.

Spartan has posted two blog articles dropping some tidbits regarding the impending Kickstarter.
Dystopian World Expansion Kickstarter

Return of the Battleships

- There will be an expansion set for each of the main 7 nations, (Federated States of America, Kingdom of Britannia, Russian Coalition, Covenant of Antarctica, Republique of France, Prussian Empire & Empire of the Blazing Sun). The expansion sets will include a new large, medium and small squadron from naval or aerial theater.

- There is supposed to be Nation Guide Books for each of the above nations.

- A new two player box set, (Operation: Ice Maiden), featuring Prussian and Russian models and including the new Ice Maiden Super Carrier which will measure over 10" long.

The Ice Maiden has been indicated to measure more than 10" in length. This model will be a blast to paint!

- There is also supposed to be two campaign books. One for Operation Ice Maiden related to the above 2 player set and one for Operation: Bronze Typhoon which will be set in the pacific around the city of Singapore.

- The League of Crimson will also be debuting in the Kickstarter. They are supposed to be made up of extremely wealthy big game hunters capitalizing off of the world war. Slated to have some very unique models I have very curious to see these guys finally, Hopefully the League of Honorable Gentleman will not be too far behind them!

The New Mark 1 battleships for the first four nations. (Left to Right, Mississipi, Yokai, Magnate & Eider). I really like the evolution of the design aesthetic for each nation so far. Extremely excited to see the new French battleship!
The mark 2 version of each of the above battleships.The new battleships have been designed to be easily magnetized so that they can be re\vised to best fit each battle they are used in. Their is also mention that new marks may be released in the future which will allow further customization.
On the forums it has been reported that the Kickstarter is slated to start sometime next week and their will be several blog posts with additional model renders and more information over the next few days. Alliance nations have also been address and will be further expanded in the the phase 2 of the World Expansion. Whether this will be part of the Kickstarter, a separate Kickstarter or something else entirely is uncertain.

The future of dystopian wars looks very positive. I am very excited for the impending Kickstarter and will be definitely backing it in some capacity. I will try to post further once more information is available.

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Chinese Federation Armored Battle Group - Unboxing

Recently I purchased these models after playing some land games with my French forces using the Fleet Action rule set. The games were a blast so I decided to expand my land forces. First with the Chinese Federation and then next I am looking to possibly acquire an Empire of the Blazing Sun set of forces.

The exterior of the box. Pretty standard stuff for Spartan
The Shen Long Mobile Airfield. The details on this model are incredible and really show off how much Spartans designs have improved over the years.
The individual gear spokes will fit into the slots on the main model allowing you to glue the extensions on in a extended or closed position much like a drawbridge.
Love how this beast looks like a castle!
Shi Medium Robots. These models were probably my least favorite when purchasing this set but have been steadily growing on me since seeing them in person.
I got a little ahead of myself here and glued the bases on. Lots of little details visible on these models.
A close up shot of one of the Shi to show off the excellent detailing present on the model.
Chiwen Medium Tanks. Much like the Shen Long I love how these are like a little rolling castles.
Closer picture of a Chiwen. Its hard to see but the wheels have a lot of detail on them.
Chao Feng Rocket Bombards. I think these guys look awesome with their giant Fireworks launchers.
Close up of a Chao Feng. Again excellent detailing on these models.
All of the Yazi class small tanks. These a pretty cool little miniature. Up close they look like a little house on wheels.
A closer picture of the little wheeled houses. 
A picture of the Chinese SAS tokens. A very cool little model. Same as what is in the Aerial and Naval boxes.
Unfortunately, the boxed set I purchased did not contain the Fushi small robots. I have contacted Spartan and they have already sent replacements to for these so I will update this unboxing once I receive them.

I'm very much looking forward to painting these and getting them onto the tabletop. I have a little time yet as the Fleet Action ruleset still doesn't have stats for the Chinese but it sounds like those are only a week or two off so they will likely be released right around the time I finish painting these guys.

Until next time!

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Naval Group - Painted

I know it has been a while since my last post. Life has been unfortunately busy recently. With the release of the new Fleet Action fast play rules I have been able to play a little more frequently.

I also was able to snap some pictures of my completed Polish naval forces.

PLC Skimmer Fleet
Triglav Assault Carrier
Overhead shot of the Triglav. 
Underside of the Triglav Assault Carrier
Dazbog Pocket Battleship
Marowit Class Gunships
Podaga Class Cruisers
Baggiennik Heavy Frigates
All of the SAS tokens painted.
Closer shot of the fleet including the Triglav Assault Carrier, Marowit Gunships and a Baggiennik Heavy Frigate.
Closer shot of the other half of the fleet including the Dazbog Pocket Battleship, a Marowit Gunship, Podaga Cruisers and some Bagiennik Heavy Frigates.
I was really happy with how these all turned out. The scheme was a little bit different that my previous Dystopian Wars schemes. I tried to do more with sturginium glow and I am really pleased with the results. It is something that I will definitely be working with more on future projects.

Speaking of future projects, I am currently working on my recently purchased Danish fleet. I also recently decided to purchase a Chinese Federation Armored Battle Group and some Blazing Sun miniatures.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Naval Battle Group - Unboxing

Its been a long while since I last made a post on here. I apologize for the long absence. I had some major work and personal life occurrences that made it difficult to post regularly. That all is done now though so I will be making posts a little more frequently. I have since then fallen prey to the awesomeness that is Firestorm Planetfall and have started a blog for that as well called the After Planetfall Codices.

For my first post after returning I wanted to do an unboxing of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Naval Battle Group. I really like these models and like what their play style appears to be. I am also a major fan of the Republique of France who also love to set things on fire though a little less aggressively. These guys should be a lot of fun to play against my brother-in-law's Covenant or my son's Prussians.

Box Exterior.
Overhead view of the Triglav Assault Carrier. I got a little too excited and glue the nose tip onto the carrier before taking the pictures.
Underside of the Triglav Assault Carrier.
Underside view of the Dazbog Pocket Battleship and its turrets.
Overhead view of the Dazbog.
Side/Overhead pic of the Podaga Cruiser/Marowit Gunship hulls.
Underside of the Cruiser/Gunship hulls. Similar to the battleship and carrier I love all of the details crammed onto the bottom of these.
Turrets for the gunships and some eagle wings for the cruisers. There was the normal amount of flashing on the bits but overall excellent details and nothing too difficult to clean off.
Bagiennik frigates, again a lot of good details on these models. I personally really like the propellers on the back of the ships.
Russian SAS tokens. I have always been a fan of these and I am very excited to get them painted up.
All of the acrylic bases for the fleet. I clipped all of the stands shorter so that the skimmer are just above the "water".
I am really excited to get this fleet all painted up and into a game. I like the aesthetic and their statistics. Very much excited to try these guys out.

I will try to be a little more frequent with my posts from here on out. Feel free to check our my other blog as I will posting on there as well.