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Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/17 15:04:40


Post by: zedmeister


Kickstarter LIVE!

Current planned goals:


£40k - Goal Reached
£70k - Race Pins (Bolt-on)
£100k - Hostile Map Set (Bolt-on)
£110k - Faction dice (Bolt-on)
£130k - SHALTARI PLASTIC STARTER SET UNLOCKS (Bolt-on)
£140k - Acrylic Tokens (Bolt-on)
£150k - 1 Free Scourge Cruiser Sprue (1 cruiser with all upgrades) (All backers) + 1 Free Scourge Frigate Sprue (4 frigates) (High Rank Backers)
£190k - Alien Map Set (Bolt-on)£195k - Art Print 2 (Bolt-on)
£200k - High Rank Backers - 1 Free UCM Frigate Sprue (makes 4 Frigates)
£210k - PHR PLASTIC STARTER FLEET UNLOCKS (Bolt-on)
£230k - Art Print 3 (Bolt-on)
£240k - Nocturnal Map Set (Bolt-on)
£250k - Kickstarter Exclusive Paper Radar Map (Bolt-On and Free for High Rank Backers)
£275k - Launch Assets Pack (Bolt-On)
£290k - Dropfleet Commander Bases Pack (Bolt-On)
£300k - High Rank Backers - 1 Free Shaltari Frigate Sprue (makes 4 Frigates)
£310k - Collectors Edition 2 up KS Exclusive UCMF Atlantis model (256mm length)
£325k - Miniature Unlock to be announced
£350k - High Rank Backers - 1 Free PHR Frigate Sprue (makes 4 Frigates)

£370k – Activation card pack
£390k – (Free to all Backers) Deluxe rulebook extras for all rulebooks
£400k – UCMF Admiral T-shirt
£415k – (Free to all Backers) Desktop and screen saver assets download pack
£425k – (1 Free to each High Rank Backer) Civilian Cruise liner (ship and base)
£440k – Eden Prime Map pack
£460k – Deluxe cluster upgrade pack (resin)
£475k – Dropfleet Commander Poster range
£500k – Frigate Bonanza
£525k – ???
£550k – ???
£575k – ???
Final Day unlock: (Free to all Backers) Dropfleet Commander KS exclusive T-Shirt

Free Rewards for all backers:

£150k - 1 Free Scourge Cruiser Sprue (makes 1 cruiser with all upgrades)
£200k - 1 Free UCM Cruiser Sprue (makes 1 cruiser with all upgrades
£300k - 1 Free Shaltari Cruiser Sprue (makes 1 cruiser with all upgrades)
£350k - 1 Free PHR Cruiser Sprue (makes 1 cruiser with all upgrades)

£500k - Frigate Bonanza (Super Reward) 4 Frigates for each race (16 Frigates total!)

Backer number Free Rewards:

2000 backers: UCM Credit
3000 backers: UCM Dog Tag


Timed based Rewards:

25th November - KS Exclusive Battlecruisers for Scourge, Shaltari and PHR (Bolt-on)






Shaltari fleet:











Box cover:








UCM

The below shows some of the possible ship classes that can be built just from the standard UCM Cruiser Sprue.






Older news
Spoiler:

Cavebreaker


Ramses, the Firstborn


Gunnar, the Ferryman


General Arthur J. Wade


Jocasta Caine, Battle Vizier


Jessie Adams, Guide of the Damned



The Dropzone Commander Special Edition Rulebook - limited to 1500 with some being sold at Gencon


New Units:

Resistance ATVs:


UCM Flak Teams


Scourge Vampires


PHR Valkyries


Shaltari Samurai


Latest newsletter

New Dropfleet ships previews:










Spotted this on the Hawk Forums. Some preview art and unit concepts:

Some nice (and large) artwork within:

This year we wanted to do something a little different!
Since Patrice joined the Team, Hawk Wargames has been able to produce some great artwork for Dropzone Commander. We want to share some new pieces with you, alongside a few other things...

With each piece of artwork you are invited to enter a caption competition to describe the scene, max 100 words, with the best one from each piece winning our show only model (the escape pod). (A winner will be announced the following day for each piece).

So, without further ado... to start the Advent Calendar off, The UCM Colonial Legionnaire.


"CIC, UCMS Avenger"



New unit concepts:

Commander Isis


Catos Ferrum


Karl Foley's Hellhog


Marcus Borros' Hades



Still waiting for the scourge preview...


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/17 19:28:01


Post by: Jaceevoke


You don't happen to know what the approximate dimensions of the Marcus Borros' Hades? I don't play dropzone commander, so sorry if thats a dumb question I just love that model and want to buy one when its released


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/17 19:45:03


Post by: zedmeister


 Bolognesus wrote:
http://www.hawkwargames.com/products/hades-super-heavy-walker

135mm
Been out for a while now, afaik


I know. This is a variant Hades that hawk have today posted on their Facebook as part of this years advent calendar. Speculation is that it's Marcus Borros hades.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/17 19:47:34


Post by: Souleater


I initially wondered what on earth they were doing having 'old' models as this years Advent Calender but these models have some slight differences to represent them housing a 'famous commander'.

Looking forward to the Scourge ones as we are a bit starved fro HQ choices.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/17 20:06:27


Post by: Compel


Yeah, getting a desolator with a 'proper' gun will be pretty awesome.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/17 20:23:32


Post by: Charax


gf got me a desolator and Hades at Salute last year, while I love them both I'm thinking of scourgifying the Hades and using it as Cavebreaker's annihilator - shame that'll mean I can't use the Desolator though.

Will be very interesting to see what Hawk produce for the scourge, not a massive fan of the stock annihilator


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/18 00:48:18


Post by: Jaceevoke


 Bolognesus wrote:
http://www.hawkwargames.com/products/hades-super-heavy-walker

135mm
Been out for a while now, afaik


Ah thank you very much


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/18 01:23:29


Post by: Nightwolf829


Isis's particle cannon is terrifying on that skimmer chassis. A beautiful model that I can not wait to kill. That said, I want to see Salakhan. Anything to do with the M3 Alexander makes me incredibly happy.

Also found some more artwork on their facebook page from their advent calendar. Put it under the spoiler tag.
Spoiler:
Scourge Razorworm:


Shaltari Brave:


Scourge Warrior:


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/18 14:48:21


Post by: zedmeister


Today's reveal:



Artwork for the forthcoming dropfleet? Tantalising...


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/18 23:00:36


Post by: RiTides


Very cool! Although everyone I know is jumping into Star Wars Armada, so dropfleet is going to have competition. It's a slightly different market, and maybe the rising tide of space game popularity will raise all boats, but the timing might be unfortunate.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/19 01:01:12


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


Armada is quite different from Dropfleet so there is not that much shared market


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/19 02:14:46


Post by: BobtheInquisitor


As long as a single frigate isn't $40, I'm far more excited for Dropfleet. (I already have all the Star Wars ships I need. Probably. Maybe. For now.)


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/19 02:53:05


Post by: RiTides


Well I'm planning for both but I think Armada will hit a lot sooner. Hopefully they'll reveal more about it, I'm definitely interested!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/19 11:24:28


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


They revealed a lot about it on the FFG-website.

Dropfleet will have a plastic starter as far as I know and will probabaly see the light of day during GenCon for the first time.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/19 11:26:17


Post by: Daba


That's a nice Caiman. Shame I have a strider heavy army, but I will probably get one as I get more grav tanks.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/19 15:17:53


Post by: zedmeister


Here's todays preview. The dirty Scourge:



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/20 05:04:40


Post by: RiTides


 Daba wrote:
That's a nice Caiman. Shame I have a strider heavy army, but I will probably get one as I get more grav tanks.

Yeah, I'm unwilling to trade in my warstriders, no matter how nice the commander-in-Caiman model is.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/20 10:24:10


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


Wekk, caimain makes a nice strider support, so why not use both.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/20 10:28:53


Post by: Bolognesus


 zedmeister wrote:
 Bolognesus wrote:
http://www.hawkwargames.com/products/hades-super-heavy-walker

135mm
Been out for a while now, afaik


I know. This is a variant Hades that hawk have today posted on their Facebook as part of this years advent calendar. Speculation is that it's Marcus Borros hades.


Ah.
... they all look so alike?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/20 15:21:53


Post by: RiTides


 Duncan_Idaho wrote:
Wekk, caimain makes a nice strider support, so why not use both.

Oh I am . But Isis, the special named commander whose uniquely armed Caiman mount that model represents, cannot take warstriders.



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/20 18:33:48


Post by: Nightwolf829


Full imagines of the new Desolator variant are up. Likely the version belonging to Eden's Dinosaur.





Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/20 18:54:38


Post by: Compel


It's so very, very awesome.

However, the one thing I'm not sure about is... I don't think it'll look right if I angle it Reaper style, like my normal desolator.



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/21 23:26:10


Post by: zedmeister


Todays art reveal:



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/21 23:33:30


Post by: BobtheInquisitor


I love that artwork, but it does raise questions such as "where is the Admiral's adjutant?" and "why didn't he iron the Admiral's uniform?"


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Forest and Bubba look pretty sharp, though.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/22 16:09:03


Post by: zedmeister


Oh yes!



Salakhan!!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/23 15:01:56


Post by: zedmeister


And the full reveal. Brutal:



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/23 16:42:33


Post by: Nightwolf829


Absolutely stoked about Salakhan. This is the one I have been waiting to see.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/23 17:43:25


Post by: RiTides


Whoa. What faction is that for? Extremely menacing tank... love it.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/23 17:52:42


Post by: Consul Scipio


Salakahn is part of the Resistance faction.

If you take him you get to take tanks as standard. Not sure how viable that is but I'm doing it.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/23 20:27:42


Post by: overtyrant


 Consul Scipio wrote:
Salakahn is part of the Resistance faction.

If you take him you get to take tanks as standard. Not sure how viable that is but I'm doing it.


Completely viable! If an objective is in a building just blow it up so no one can have it


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/23 23:54:54


Post by: Piston Honda


This stuff is impressive. Is it true you can bend some of these miniatures at a 45 degree angle without them breaking with the material they use?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/24 00:15:12


Post by: Nightwolf829


Not sure on the exact degree to which you can bend it, but they are quite resilient. Natfka even had a video where he bounced one of the larger more delicate resin models off of a wall to demonstrate it a while back (a Shaltari Eden Gate I believe). I would be more worried about paint damage than model damage most of the time. I have only seen one model actually break in two years of play against a myriad of opponents.

That said I am not actively trying my luck. The idea of bending one of my models unduly makes me wince. >.<

Also, in regards to Salakhan. He also allows you to take the M3 Alexander as a heavy choice in addition to getting Hannibals as standard units.



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/24 02:33:42


Post by: Piston Honda


 Nightwolf829 wrote:
Not sure on the exact degree to which you can bend it, but they are quite resilient. Natfka even had a video where he bounced one of the larger more delicate resin models off of a wall to demonstrate it a while back (a Shaltari Eden Gate I believe). I would be more worried about paint damage than model damage most of the time. I have only seen one model actually break in two years of play against a myriad of opponents.

That said I am not actively trying my luck. The idea of bending one of my models unduly makes me wince. >.<

Also, in regards to Salakhan. He also allows you to take the M3 Alexander as a heavy choice in addition to getting Hannibals as standard units.



I wonder if you can use the material he uses for other minis? Or is the stuff really only practical For the style he uses for vehicles? Could you use them for 28+mm figs?

The detail seems fan-fahkin-tastic!

How is the clean up on these miniatures? Are the mold lines anything like PVC miniatures?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/24 04:24:51


Post by: Nightwolf829


I wonder if you can use the material he uses for other minis? Or is the stuff really only practical For the style he uses for vehicles? Could you use them for 28+mm figs?


Dropzone has a number of large models with no loss of detail, so I do not see why it would not transfer over well. Would be pretty sweet to be honest.

How is the clean up on these miniatures? Are the mold lines anything like PVC miniatures?


Mold lines are next to nonexistant. When they do appear they are easily cleaned off with a gentle knife scrape or a very light sweep or two of fine sandpaper. There is also little to no actual flash (it is very thin and easily brushed away on the rare occasion when it does exist). There is also no residue to clean off of the resin from the casting process. You can spray up and start painting. I have never had so much as a spot appear afterwards.

Not sure exactly what sort of resin it is, but the material is absolutely fantastic.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/24 05:34:44


Post by: Piston Honda


Thanks, I was googling around, I saw some Dropzone minis on a frame.

Are they going into hard plastic? Or is it just a box starter deal and went with hard plastic for price point/cost reasons (if that what it really is)

So you think they could use the material with Infinity/War Machine/40k type of miniatures?

How are their miniatures produce? Are they hand poured or... ???


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/24 05:37:08


Post by: RiTides


Most DzC minis are resin, but the starter deals (except for Resistance) are in hard plastic (polystyrene) and so come on a sprue.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/24 14:22:11


Post by: Nightwolf829




This image is so incredibly atmospheric.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/24 15:33:25


Post by: RiTides


Now that is some cool art. Space derelict?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2014/12/27 17:22:54


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


We had actually a table accidentally being overturned during a tournament, really looked horrible. What happened to the minis? 2 soldiers had to be glued back to their base and one model had a slight paint chip (approx 1-2mm²). And the card-buildings were more than OK, not even the slightest sign of damage.

So that stuff takes a lot of abuse, even when painted.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 15:56:39


Post by: zedmeister


Just spotted the new gear up for pre-order:

Lieutenant-General Luciana M. Cato

£26.50

Eden's Dinosaur

£19.00

Marcus Barros, Grand Vizier

£26.50

Warchief Isis, the Clairvoyant

£13.50

Karl Foley, Prince of New Troy

£15.00

Salakahn, Tyrant of Atlantia

£14.00

Underground Hangar Scenery Pack

£40.00

And a preview:




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh, and missed these:















Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 17:14:43


Post by: RiTides


Oooh, I had not seen those previews / sneak peaks! Very cool


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 17:33:26


Post by: Time 2 Roll


Very cool. That Scourge crab walker is bigger than I expected.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 18:58:44


Post by: judgedoug


Any more news of plastics? I've been buying the plastic box sets because they look great and are such a good value... and I haven't even played a game yet


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 19:25:16


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


Only the starters will be plastic.

Changing everything to plastic would be extremly expensive. And quite some detail would be lost due to plastic not being easy to get undercuts into. But the Dropfleet Starter will be plastic too.



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 19:27:47


Post by: judgedoug


 Duncan_Idaho wrote:
Only the starters will be plastic.

Changing everything to plastic would be extremly expensive. And quite some detail would be lost due to plastic not being easy to get undercuts into. But the Dropfleet Starter will be plastic too.


Was hoping for the Resistance dudes to get a plastic Starter, or maybe a "Expand your army with Expansion Boxes" that have other units in plastic


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 19:58:07


Post by: RiTides


 Duncan_Idaho wrote:
But the Dropfleet Starter will be plastic too.

Interesting! Is there a source for this? Will they be revealing more about "Dropfleet" (maybe even the actual name ) at Salute?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 20:27:32


Post by: zedmeister


 RiTides wrote:
 Duncan_Idaho wrote:
But the Dropfleet Starter will be plastic too.

Interesting! Is there a source for this? Will they be revealing more about "Dropfleet" (maybe even the actual name ) at Salute?


Found this little quote:

Dave wants to have a demonstration of the "Dropfleet Commander" (Apparently the actual name it's been given now) game available at salute.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 20:30:59


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


Source is Hawk Wargames, we are doing translations for them.

Dropfleet will be probably fully shown for the first time during GenCon and a maybe release at the end of the year. They are testing and designing the hell out of it right now. Dates are all possible to change if something unforseen happens. Salute will be an early demo as far as I know.

Andy Chambers writes the rules for Dropfleet so this might give you a hint in which direction the game goes.

It will be scenario-based as DZC, there will be no direct connection to DZC in the rules, i.e. what happens during a Dropfleet game does not influence a DZC-game played at the same time, but of course you can create your own campaign that does include this. And Andy is working quite hard on avoiding that "empty space and we meet all in the middle"-problem quite some space games had.

As of now it is planned that alle factions will get their plastic starter and that is it for DZC for the time being.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 20:42:21


Post by: Compel


The thing is. I can see Hawk saying only the starters will be plastic and believing that, right now.

But... Once the range gets a bit larger, there are going to be things out there that people are going to want enough og to justify them being in plastic.

To give an easy example, it'd probably only take 1 extra standard like release for the PHR to have a plastic sprue of their light and heavy mechs and something else.

On the other hand, maybe it's a maths problem and they've done some calculations and any extra plastic sets, even if they could afford the tooling, would not give enough volume of sales for the business to be viable.

It costs what? Around £150 to make a good sized army up. If you make plastics so that can army costs say £70 to build. Even doubling the interested player numbers still leaves a £10 per sold army shortfall.

On the third hand, the plastic starter armies gamble worked ridiculously well and made the game massively take off at my club, roughly going from 3 interested players to near 15. Admittedly only another 4 or 5 have bought a set so far.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 21:00:11


Post by: RiTides


 zedmeister wrote:
Found this little quote:

Dave wants to have a demonstration of the "Dropfleet Commander" (Apparently the actual name it's been given now) game available at salute.

 Duncan_Idaho wrote:
Source is Hawk Wargames, we are doing translations for them.

Dropfleet will be probably fully shown for the first time during GenCon and a maybe release at the end of the year. They are testing and designing the hell out of it right now. Dates are all possible to change if something unforseen happens. Salute will be an early demo as far as I know.

Andy Chambers writes the rules for Dropfleet so this might give you a hint in which direction the game goes.

It will be scenario-based as DZC, there will be no direct connection to DZC in the rules, i.e. what happens during a Dropfleet game does not influence a DZC-game played at the same time, but of course you can create your own campaign that does include this. And Andy is working quite hard on avoiding that "empty space and we meet all in the middle"-problem quite some space games had.

As of now it is planned that alle factions will get their plastic starter and that is it for DZC for the time being.

Excellent, thanks for the info guys!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 21:34:23


Post by: judgedoug


 Compel wrote:
It costs what? Around £150 to make a good sized army up. If you make plastics so that can army costs say £70 to build. Even doubling the interested player numbers still leaves a £10 per sold army shortfall.

On the third hand, the plastic starter armies gamble worked ridiculously well and made the game massively take off at my club, roughly going from 3 interested players to near 15. Admittedly only another 4 or 5 have bought a set so far.


Well, from my own subjective point of view...
I had a ton of interest in DZC models, but zero interest in buying any DZC stuff due to the prices. Then they released the plastics. Within the last three months I have bought one Scourge starter, one UCM starter, one PHR starter, and now the DZC starter set (which I hope combined with the UCM and Scourge will give me two good sized armies). Now I'm probably gonna get a second PHR starter because the models are great. And I know I won't resist buying two Shiltari starters as well eventually. That's money for Hawk Wargames that normally would have gone to something else (like probably my credit card bill, ouch) but now has gone to them due to the value of the plastics.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/12 21:55:54


Post by: UNCLEBADTOUCH


That phoenix looks pretty sweet


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/13 00:53:56


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


But... Once the range gets a bit larger, there are going to be things out there that people are going to want enough og to justify them being in plastic.


The problem is that Hawk does not want to compromise on the details of the miniatures. And while the basic units are quite close to the resin ones with the other models there would be too many parts needed to keep the detail. Already the plastics are a compromise on detail and it shows especially in the plastic infantry. Because of the undercuts it was not possible to create them differently.

The forms are already quite expensive and were a gamble, that fortunately payed off. Also the plastic used is partially not your standard stuff, take the clear stands and compare them to other plastics, the weigh way more.

The miniatures are by the way not expensive for 10mm. There is actually no other company at the size that has that much detail. Also the material is very forgiving when it comes to accidents. At one instance we had a table crashing down with a whole army on it. Result? One unit had a slight paint chip-off that could be repaired in a few seconds. Compared to Spartan or Battlefront the prizes are at the same level.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/13 01:37:06


Post by: Compel


I never said that DZC models were expensive.

The detail compromise point definitely works for the infantry.

But when you start talking about things like the light or heavy tanks/walkers, the argument doesn't really hold weight in my view. In theory a medium sized plastic sprue of say, 2 UCM heavy tanks, 3 UCM light tanks and some theoretical new 3 model support choice with all the weapon options would not be unreasonable a product to make. Call it a UCM Reinforcements set.

What I'm saying is, there could be doubt from Hawk that the payoff for making that set for Hawk, even if they could afford to do it, would be worth it in additional sales compared to the resins.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/13 01:46:15


Post by: Sining


There's a fair amount of detail lost from resin to plastic though. Looking at my resin eagle vs the plastic condor; which are roughly the same sculpt just that the eagle has an extra bit, the detailing on the plastic condor is a lot shallower.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/13 02:05:44


Post by: -Loki-


Don't forget the plastic infantry with their bendy-straw arms.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/13 02:28:32


Post by: RiTides


I think the plastic is fantastic for the starter sets, though! It really, Really helps to have an affordable starter set.

But the models needed to play this game (which is basically 1500 points everywhere and no higher) are quite low actually, so the cost isn't too bad. I just got my army back from Ramos Asura of Rollin' All Ones Studios and Dakka Dakka who did some amazing airbrush work on it!



This is only 30 models (not counting infantry), but it's enough to run any of the top 3 Shaltari lists from the recent Hawk Wargames Invasion tourney, with options for other list variants, too!

So, you're not looking at a huge model count investment, and the big army bundles on the Hawk Wargames site are a really good deal.

Here are some more pics if interested

Spoiler:






Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/13 08:05:00


Post by: zedmeister


Those are amazing!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/13 09:25:21


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


Great paintjob.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/27 18:58:38


Post by: warboss


Wasn't Hawk at the LVO? Did anyone take any pictures of upcoming stuff at the booth (assuming they had it there)? I haven't seen any coverage of much of anything beyond 40k tourney results from the LVO. I was hoping they'd have more pics of the new Phoenix command gunship model for the UCM.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/27 19:46:47


Post by: overtyrant


I'm hoping for more news on the upcoming 'Dropfleet' game.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/27 23:28:10


Post by: RiTides


I would expect a lot of news from Salute in April, but I'll try to snag some pics at AdeptiCon later this month.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/27 23:49:19


Post by: Nightwolf829


I expect we will see more on the new generic command units very soon. They are supposedly going up for sale in March. They also have new infantry and small vehicle sets coming out over the next couple months.

Also, from Faeit 212: http://natfka.blogspot.com/2015/02/dropzone-commander-new-units.html

Yesterday we laid out the Dropzone Commander release schedule. In it was revealed many new things that have not really been discussed and a few that had been seen in early concept art at the latest shows. I had some time with Hawk Wargames and have some great details on what is coming in the near future of the game. Fans of the game will be thrilled by the creative new units that are coming over the next few months.


There are new infantry/small vehicle units being released in three waves coming for each faction. While the three waves are all separated by months, I dont have which of these units will come out in which month. So here we go, separated by faction, what is on the horizon for Dropzone Commander.

If you missed the release schedule yesterday. here is your link.
http://natfka.blogspot.com/2015/02/dropzone-commander-6-month-release.html

UCM- Infantry
-2 power suit variants; one anti-tank and the other anti-air. These are like mortar teams.
-The third one takes a unique position of a Heavy Choice with Heavy Railguns. Think 2, 3 man squads
I may have some things mis-interpreted here regarding the UCM. My notes got a little jumbled here. There are three new infantry units though, and the Heavy Infantry choice with Heavy Railguns is in there.

PHR- Infantry
-A specialized ultra elite 1 man infantry base who commands drones. Apparently the models are very dynamic and there was some excitement over this one. These guys specialize in clearing buildings.
-This one is based off the immortal longreach rifle. Instead of 1 longreach rifle per base, this squad will have 5 longreach rifles per base. With shaped charges and a 24" range vs counter measures, these guys will be very cool.
-the last one is a jump/jet pack unit. These guys are not as good as sirens, but come with twin guns, and the ability to jump across streets from one building to the other.

Shaltari- Infantry/Vehicles
-Specialists heavy warsuits that are too big to go into buildings. 2x the size of normal warsuits and are considered small vehicles. There are two variants of this model, a flamer based one, and an anti-tank version.
-a new slave race that will be a cheap infantry choice for Shaltari. They are not as strong as the standard shaltari infantry, but come cheap, but must be taken in squads of 4 bases.The cool things about these guys is they have been retrofitted with teleportation devices and shoulder mounted guns.

Scourge-infantry
-Flying creatures (the dragon like things we saw in the concept art), are small flying like prowlers. Meaning they are move quickly and have a CC anti-air attack. They come 8 to a blister.
-Ground Based Creature that is ravager sized. It was 2-3 per blister on this.
-CC Destroyer that sound devastating in CQB. It will be interesting to not have the guns that I so much very like, and instead rely upon their Close Quarter fighting.

Resistance- I believe there are supposed to be 3, but only two were in my notes. Either I missed this one or we skimmed over it during the conversation.
-Quad Bikes that are small vehicles for scouting.
-Small vehicle armed with grenade launchers.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/02/27 23:53:13


Post by: warboss


 RiTides wrote:
I would expect a lot of news from Salute in April, but I'll try to snag some pics at AdeptiCon later this month.


Thanks. I agree that we'll see more at Salute and likely Adepticon as well but I thought it was a bit odd for them to travel thousands of miles to be at a convention and not have any coverage. I had hoped some of the attendees might post something here in the thread if I posted a gentle nudge as well. *fingers crossed* The only coverage I saw from their invasion open day over in the UK was some very mediocre footage from a cell phone over at a satellite beasts of war youtube channel.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Nightwolf829 wrote:
I expect we will see more on the new generic command units very soon. They are supposedly going up for sale in March. They also have new infantry and small vehicle sets coming out over the next couple months.

Also, from Faeit 212: http://natfka.blogspot.com/2015/02/dropzone-commander-new-units.html" target="_new" rel="nofollow"> http://natfka.blogspot.com/2015/02/dropzone-commander-new-units.html

Yesterday we laid out the Dropzone Commander release schedule. In it was revealed many new things that have not really been discussed, and a few that had been seen in early concept art at the latest shows. I had some time with Hawk Wargames, and have some great details on what is coming in the near future of the game. Fans of the game will be thrilled by the creative new units that are coming over the next few months.


There are new infantry/small vehicle units being released in three waves coming for each faction. While the three waves are all separated by months, I dont have which of these units will come out in which month. So here we go, separated by faction, what is on the horizon for Dropzone Commander.

If you missed the release schedule yesterday. here is your link.
http://natfka.blogspot.com/2015/02/dropzone-commander-6-month-release.html

UCM- Infantry
-2 power suit variants; one anti-tank and the other anti-air. These are like mortar teams.
-The third one takes a unique position of a Heavy Choice with Heavy Railguns. Think 2, 3 man squads
I may have some things mis-interpreted here regarding the UCM. My notes got a little jumbled here. There are three new infantry units though, and the Heavy Infantry choice with Heavy Railguns is in there.


Those do sound interesting! I had hoped the UCM infantry would be smaller humanoid walkers so I could use some alternate figs but those do look nice as well. It's good to see in that 6 month release link that the big boys are coming out supposedly next month. I'm considering starting a UCM force and that Phoenix would be a nice centerpiece.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/01 12:38:15


Post by: Silent Puffin?


Hawk Wargames are one of the 2 sponsors for this years UK Games Expo in May so I would expect that they would have something special to show there.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/03 17:51:31


Post by: RiTides


Some info on "Dropfleet" direct from Andy Chambers in the below link, listen from 7:30 - 15:00:

muwhe wrote:
AdeptiCon Talks: Andy Chambers

Legendary game designer and author, Andy Chambers, speaks with Adam “Loopy” Fasoldt in this week’s episode of AdeptiCon Talks. They cover a little about his storied past (Battlefleet Gothic), but A LOT about some upcoming projects, including his new spaceship combat game for Hawk Wargames. Andy discusses some design theory and what we might expect from this new game set in the Dropzone Commander universe. Andy also talks a little about his work with Warlord Games, a little teaser with regard to All Quiet on the Martian Front and, finally, what he has planned for AdeptiCon weekend!

Take a listen here.

Obviously, if it is at all possible some of us need to pick his brain further at AdeptiCon


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/14 23:36:36


Post by: zedmeister


Some tasty new releases. That Thunderstorm Custom looks wicked!

Phoenix Command Gunship

The legions were designed for shock and awe, descending on the cradle worlds without warning and rapidly taking back what belongs to humanity. The Phoenix is an up-gunned beast. It is a heavy command platform which is always first into the fray with weapons blazing, issuing directives in real time to the troops. It was designed to come in with the first wave of planetary assaults where there is no existing ground presence and where a beachhead has to be established under enemy fire.

The ship itself is one of the heaviest aircraft utilised by the UCM, both in terms of mass and armament. All aspects of the unit revolve around close support for the rest of the squadron – being able to take punishment and return such extreme levels of firepower that there is nothing left to threaten the drop zone a second time.

Oppressor

As the UCM pushes deeper into Scourge controlled territory they are encountering new and even more menacing enemy constructs, most recently the horrifying Oppressor.

Clearly a command unit of some kind, the Oppressor is a far more resilient, albeit ground-based alternative to the dreaded Desolator. It features an awesome array of weapons which are at their most potent up-close, where aggressive Scourge commanders can build a vanguard force around this formidable monstrosity. It has also been seen operating from the rear of Scourge lines, using its survivability and overcharge fire ability to extend range and keep high value commanders alive through protracted engagements.

Oppressors are most often seen with large numbers of Prowlers, Stalkers and Ravagers, but unlike many command units are frequently on the sharp edge of any attack where they can do the most damage. Leading with two Plasma Carbines and an Electroweb caster, it carves a gory path through the enemy, scuttling over all obstructions to rip any survivors apart with apparent glee.

Nemesis Command Walker

This PHR command unit has been seen only fleetingly in previous battles. Confirmation of this command vehicle’s very existence has been hard to verify given the lack of solid evidence and very few first-hand accounts as there so few survivors. It is likely that the Nemesis has been mistaken for the Hades in previous encounters, but hard intel from the Atlantia front has shown the clear difference in walker armament.

Its mandible weapons are the equal of two smaller walkers combined, but are only a sideshow to the construct’s main gun – The Nemesis Laser. This fearsome tail gun has a seemingly infinite range, and has the ability to punch through the toughest armour with ease while causing maximum devastation. The Nemesis is deployed when implacable advance is needed; a mobile wall of firepower that grinds the foe to dust.

Gharial Command Grav Tank

Speed and power have always been the watchwords of the Shaltari tribes. The Gharial embraces both ideals in one command package, taking the fight to the enemy, dealing maximum damage and then relocating to sow more destruction elsewhere.

Based on a Caiman hull, the Gharial is a more aggressive fighter than its longer-ranged cousin, and is designed as the ultimate in close support. Its tactical role makes the Gharial the preferred mount for the most aggressive of Shaltari Warchiefs, individuals that live for nothing but war and distain risk more than any others of their usually prudent kind.

The Gharial's fearsome Heavy Microwave Cannon is able to slice through tanks with contemptuous ease and is also powerful enough to liquefy all organic matter in enclosed spaces even through several layers of concrete and steel. If that is not enough to stop the enemy, this command skimmer is also equipped with close range Neutron Launchers that fire one-shot heavy density projectiles into the core of structures, often levelling them in one volley.

NT-5 Thunderstorm Custom

The NT-4 Leviathan earns its name is sheer scale, but the command variant – the NT – 5 Thunderstorm Custom – is a step further. Its huge fusion generators are massively over-sized given modern technological advances, yet no less potent. They have such a high level of power output that many resistance bands can run an entire forward base’s power network from them. But the truly fearsome application is only appreciated when used as a combat unit on the front lines. The dual power plants are unleashed through four over-charged looted Plasma Cannons, capable of reducing anything in range to a bubbling pool of cooling liquid in seconds.

Few commanders can resist the lure of such awesomely destructive power, and often choose the Thunderstorm Custom as their mount when going into battle. Almost all will then employ their most trusted lieutenants as a mobile strike force, disgorged from the vast transport platform that the craft is built around. Together this combination has spelt doom and destruction to many Scourge garrisons, as well as any other enemies foolish enough to get in the Thunderstorm’s way.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 01:33:43


Post by: Azreal13


I love that Phoenix, I've had an eye for a UCM force for a while, I just hope it isn't too big to play in a small starter force!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 03:44:16


Post by: DrRansom


The interview sounds fantastic, almost everything I'd hope the game would be.

A modern take on space combat to compliment the Jutland style of BFG.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 08:50:27


Post by: jah-joshua


that Nemesis Command Walker!!!
i think i will have to do a Dropzone dio one of these days...

cheers
jah


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 11:46:13


Post by: NoggintheNog


Surprised this weekends Beasts of War DZC event hasn't been mentioned.

They just posted an interview with Dave about the new rules changes





Plenty of coverage of the event on the site itself.

Just to edit in, they added an interview about the new commanders as I was typing that one.




Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 13:40:01


Post by: warboss


That Phoenix command ship is nice but I'm nkt sure it is $50 nice. Ouch!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 13:51:05


Post by: str00dles1


New rule changes?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 13:54:37


Post by: Compel


 warboss wrote:
That Phoenix command ship is nice but I'm nkt sure it is $50 nice. Ouch!


I suppose it depends on its final size but, to talk about its equivalents, it's still $15 cheaper than a Tau fighter plane.

Yeah, cheaper than GW isn't the best argument normally, until you take into account, it's resin, in which case, think of forgeworld prices...


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 14:00:50


Post by: RiTides


str00dles1 wrote:
New rule changes?

That may be referring to the new errata up in the downloads section of the Hawk Wargames site, with some unit cost/ability tweaks. My Jaguars got pricier, but the Ocelot can now move 2" and fire, so it may actually be worth taking! Thunderbird and Warspear, which are almost never taken, also got buffed a bit. Overall, after thinking about it for a week or so, I think the balancing was good and I'm looking forward to trying these tweaks out.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 14:21:32


Post by: Davor


 Compel wrote:
 warboss wrote:
That Phoenix command ship is nice but I'm nkt sure it is $50 nice. Ouch!


I suppose it depends on its final size but, to talk about its equivalents, it's still $15 cheaper than a Tau fighter plane.

Yeah, cheaper than GW isn't the best argument normally, until you take into account, it's resin, in which case, think of forgeworld prices...


It depends on the final size is correct. If it's too small for me, I don't care what material it's made out of. High prices is high price. Giving the excuse of having a higher price because of a material I don't care for makes it a dummy whammy not to buy. I would like a lower price. I don't really care for resin so that is another reason not to get, high price and resin. Hopefully this is not turning into a we make what we want and not a who cares what the company wants. Want to make it out of resin, fine. Make it a lower price.

$50 for one ship? For that I can get a fully assembled, fully painted ship in X-Wing. Hell I can get 2 or 3 of them. I don't have to do the work, cut out mold lines, glue and paint. I hate to say it, but Warhawk Games is turning into Games-Workshop really fast in the pricing department. At this rate, I am thinking we were ALL WRONG about GW and their pricing policy when we see other companies doing the same now.

Only a select few like resin. So if companies are catering to the select few, then GW has been right in their way of thinking all this time. Catering to the collectors instead of what the masses want.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 14:22:40


Post by: AegisGrimm


It's so cool to see a company talk to the customers like this. These videos are one of the main things that's constantly tempting me towards Dropzone. Can you imagine if this was GW talking to us about 40K, and making changes to the game that are actively based on what's working in the game and what's not?

I also don't see the prices as all that bad. Also, such a cool thing that you can use the hero models as regular versions of their vehicle, especially as the hero versions are so cool looking.

It depends on the final size is correct. If it's too small for me, I don't care what material it's made out of. High prices is high price. Giving the excuse of having a higher price because of a material I don't care for makes it a dummy whammy not to buy. I would like a lower price. I don't really care for resin so that is another reason not to get, high price and resin. Hopefully this is not turning into a we make what we want and not a who cares what the company wants. Want to make it out of resin, fine. Make it a lower price.

$50 for one ship? For that I can get a fully assembled, fully painted ship in X-Wing. I don't have to do the work, cut out mold lines, glue and paint. I hate to say it, but Warhawk Games is turning into Games-Workshop really fast in the pricing department. At this rate, I am thinking we were ALL WRONG about GW and their pricing policy when we see other companies doing the same now.


I think you are being more that a little overdramatic. At least they are not like Planetfall, where Spartan is only selling expansions for armies at 25 or 50 dollar chunks at a time. Or 100 for Leviathans with some extra smaller models. How would you like to get just those 3 Sabres you want but only if you also buy 5-8 other tanks as well at 50 bucks instead of 15?

90% of the Dropzone catalog, especially with online discounts, is practically comparable to buying Epic 40K material more than ten-fiveteen years ago, or at the very least is better than GW prices would be in Epic was still available..


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 1115/03/17 10:29:54


Post by: NoggintheNog


Those talking about the Phoenix, is that the UCM one?

He talks about (and shows it) here. Biggest flyer they have ever made.




They have one of these interviews for each faction, full list is on http://www.beastsofwar.com/eventslist/dropzone-commander-boot-camp-day-3/


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 15:12:41


Post by: Nightwolf829


The Phoenix is also the alternative to the Kodiak. An excellent command choice that is far cheaper (at around $15) and brings an E13, infinite range, small blast orbital strike to the battlefield. I am happy with options. The Phoenix is also not quite $50 dollars. At full retail it is $44 for the second largest piece in the entire game-line (and you will likely only ever want one).

That said, those guns look brutal. I will keep a pair of 32mm Rail Cannons primed for it.



Not the best lighting that I could find, but that is huge. It is less like an aircraft and more like a small up-gunned space-ship.

Spoiler:


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 15:18:49


Post by: warboss


From the previous hawk open game day video, its about the size of an adult male's palm or a remora tau drone from forgeworld and a bit smaller than the fully painted ready to play
$35 Xwing Millenium Falcon. Being the biggest model in DZC still makes it significantly smaller than the average 40k vehicle so that metric isn't as helpful as you'd think at first glance. I got interested in DZC with the plastic starter that made things much more affordable but prior to that the gsame had a rep for expensive per model costs for the size.

At $50 given a rough currency conversion to USD, it isn't worth it for me personally given I don't have a local DZC scene. YMMV. I'm just a bit disappointed as I was looking forward to it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Nightwolf829 wrote:
The Phoenix is also the alternative to the Kodiak. An excellent command choice that is far cheaper (at around $15) and brings an E13, infinite range, small blast orbital strike to the battlefield. I am happy with options. The Phoenix is also not quite $50 dollars. At full retail it is $44 for the second largest piece in the entire game-line (and you will likely only ever want one).

That said, those guns look brutal. I will keep a pair of 32mm Rail Cannons primed for it.



Not the best lighting that I could find, but that is huge. It is less like an aircraft and more like a small up-gunned space-ship.

Spoiler:


Where did you get the USD price? I tried switching the currency (admittedly on the phone) unsuccessfully.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 15:33:55


Post by: Nightwolf829


I used google to do the currency exchange. The Phoenix is 30 British pounds, which currently translates to 44.23 U.S. dollars.



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 15:34:44


Post by: AegisGrimm


And then throw an online discount from The Warstore or Miniature market at that price.

The Warstore already has it listed as $39.99.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 15:39:08


Post by: Silent Puffin?


 Nightwolf829 wrote:

Not the best lighting that I could find, but that is huge. ]


Judging by the base size that is gigantic. The base it is mounted on is 40mmx40mm.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 15:48:02


Post by: Azreal13


Frankly, if the game is fun and I find the models attractive, price isn't really a consideration, other than perhaps limiting exactly when I pull the trigger on a purchase.

DZC has both those criteria and also seem to care about actively engaging with their customers and maintaining the game to keep as many options playable as possible.

This means buying in is a case of when, not if, for me, because I have no problem paying the premium on price if I feel I'm supporting a good company and product.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 15:57:32


Post by: AegisGrimm


I think that the fact that you would only ever need one in your UCM army and it's not even necessary if you like Kodiaks for $13 instead for your particular playstyle, 40 bucks is not that bad for such a large resin model.

Hawk is seriously NOT running the risk of turning into GW, by a long shot.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 19:58:28


Post by: Davor


I didn't mean Hawk is going to turn into GW, I just ment the price are like them. At least the books that Hawk have are a real great price.

$40 bucks is not that bad, but when I convert that to Canadian prices, the prices go up really fast.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 20:07:38


Post by: overtyrant


Davor wrote:
$40 bucks is not that bad, but when I convert that to Canadian prices, the prices go up really fast.


Well thats hardly HW fault now is it?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/15 23:15:04


Post by: Davor


overtyrant wrote:
Davor wrote:
$40 bucks is not that bad, but when I convert that to Canadian prices, the prices go up really fast.


Well thats hardly HW fault now is it?


No, no it's not their fault. But if they don't get as many sales in Canada at least they may know why now.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/16 02:02:38


Post by: jah-joshua


@Davor: why do you not like resin???
it hold crisp detail better than any other material...
it also takes undercuts better than plastic...
just curious as to why you don't like it...

also, do you paint models???
saying that X-Wing is more attractive because it is preassembled and prepainted, well, it kind of defeats the whole purpose of painting and modeling...
this is why i have zero interest in X-Wing minis, but am stoked about these ones...

it constantly amazes me that there are so many people out there seem who to have no interest in the creative side of painting and modeling, yet still want to play with miniatures...

cheers
jah





Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/16 02:58:58


Post by: -Loki-


 jah-joshua wrote:
@Davor: why do you not like resin???
it hold crisp detail better than any other material...
it also takes undercuts better than plastic...
just curious as to why you don't like it...


Have to agree here. Plastic has its place, but resin is a fine substitute for metal for highly detailed models. It really just depends who is producing it.

 jah-joshua wrote:
also, do you paint models???
saying that X-Wing is more attractive because it is preassembled and prepainted, well, it kind of defeats the whole purpose of painting and modeling...
this is why i have zero interest in X-Wing minis, but am stoked about these ones...

it constantly amazes me that there are so many people out there seem who to have no interest in the creative side of painting and modeling, yet still want to play with miniatures...


To be fair, the reverse can be said. I see people who only partake in the creative side, and not the social gaming side, and I just don't understand it.

But it's a multifaceted hobby. Some like certain aspects far more than others. I won't begrudge those that don't like to paint just as I won't begrudge those who don't like to game.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/16 04:04:24


Post by: jah-joshua


@Loki: i am not begruding anyone...
did my post seem judgmental, instead of curious???

i am just curious what Davor's reasoning is behind prefering prepainted models over models that need assembly...
for example, i don't game because i would rather spend that time perfecting my painting...
i paint because i like to bring the fiction to life in mini form...

what is it that you don't understand about someone wanting to paint, but not play???
i can still go hangout at the shop with my friends, and paint while they play, thus still having the social aspect...

i like what Hawk are doing, in this scale, because you can get the impression of massive ships and walkers, or battles, in less space than 28mm...
smaller scales have more appeal for dioramas, to me...
i also like that resin holds detail that is even that little bit more crisp than metal...
personally, cost is less of a factor, than a cool look, and quality casts...

cheers
jah





Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/16 06:39:38


Post by: overtyrant


I'm a gamer not a painter. Most of my stuff is painted but if I had the option for buying prepainted I probably would.

I just don't enjoy painting that much and would rather spend my time perfecting my play style and I sometimes find it a struggle to get to my painting table.

I take as many shortcuts as I can when it comes to painting, so I can get them to the tabletop quicker, for example my UCM (not finished) is airbrushed metro camo then dipped.

Painting also fights for time in my very busy schedule. I also have a friend that HATES painting and another who all he does is paint and is not to fond of gaming. As was mentioned there are many sides to this hobby and not all of them need to be liked. You yourself said you don't really game but would rather paint and I understand this but also find this very strange.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
As for the price of the models, I was put of of the game for a long time because of it but when they released the absolutely fantastic deal that is the 2 player starter set (I bought 2!) I dived right in and now think the price isn't to bad because the game is very good, all they needed was a cheaper entry point for the game and the starter set did this lovely, which also funnily enough shows that the HIPS can hold the detail just as well as resin and is MUCH cheaper.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/16 06:56:08


Post by: jah-joshua


@overtyrant: well, painting IS my job...

it is not even as moderate as i "don't really game"...
i never play any boardgames, or tabletop mini games...
that is time taken away from my painting...
if i'm not painting, i'm surfing or chasing women...

i am loving the quality of Hawk's casts...
some of these sculpts look like they would be fun for painting contest...
unfortunately, my schedule is way too booked to have any time to try my hand at one of these ships, and a few walkers...

i am thinking of getting the rulebook to check out the setting...
is there much fiction in the book???

i really want to support this company, because i totally respect how much work one guy put into realizing his dream...
it's nice to see how he has succeeded, so far...

cheers
jah


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/16 07:34:30


Post by: Killionaire


The type of resin used in the Hawk models (at least resistance, which I picked up) is of incredible detail and effectively zero mold lines that are not trivial to clean.
Honestly, you can treat it as plastic, just easier to assemble and capable of far more detail. I've had a minor bit of warping with one cannon barrel, but that bent back into place with hot water just fine.

Some earlier runs I understand may have had a few lines though.

The game's surprisingly subtle, but it's hard to get that in a starter box game. A full sized game at 1500 pts though really makes it a 'skill' game instead of a beer and pretzels variance game, especially the way objectives work.

As for fluff and fiction, the main rulebook is pretty much just setting the actors: Who each faction is, what they do, what kind of tech they use. It's very realistic in terms of why the models are designed the way they are (ie, why would you make a tank that shape? What do each of these weird greebles that reappear all over the faction do? etc).

In the 1st expansion book is most of the 'current' setting fluff, mostly about the human re-invasion of their conquered home planets, largely from the perspective of the UCM.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/16 15:45:26


Post by: Davor


 jah-joshua wrote:
@Davor: why do you not like resin???
it hold crisp detail better than any other material...
it also takes undercuts better than plastic...
just curious as to why you don't like it...

also, do you paint models???
saying that X-Wing is more attractive because it is preassembled and prepainted, well, it kind of defeats the whole purpose of painting and modeling...
this is why i have zero interest in X-Wing minis, but am stoked about these ones...

it constantly amazes me that there are so many people out there seem who to have no interest in the creative side of painting and modeling, yet still want to play with miniatures...

cheers
jah





I suck at modelling. For what ever reason I can't glue the blasted thing. Plastics I have a so much easier time so I enjoy it more. I guess that is why my boxset and resistance is not put together yet and I don't buy more. I don't like working with resign. Maybe because I don't know how to. Maybe I am not the only one. If I am then it's a moot point. If I am not, then that could be an explanation as to why there is not lots of sales. I guess you can go GW way and say, "This is what we make, You buy IT!". Or you can ask "Why are we not selling much? What will it take to sell more product? Could it be people don't like resin even though it's a superior product detail wise? Do we need to change to plastics to get more sales?"

Now that I see HW has plastics now, it seems they are trying to appeal to the people who like plastics as well.

As for painting yes I do. I suck at it but still do it. I just mention the X-Wing because for the price, it's so much cheaper to do that. It's a price comparison. You get so much more money wise.

As to the creative side, that is why I have come back to miniature gaming, be it X-wing, 40K, or Dropzone. I want to reinvigorate my creative side again. So that is why I am slowly coming back to everything I can find. Money wise, it just means I have to save more if expensive.

I guess I am playing devils advocate here. It didn't hit me until I had to buy some Skylanders for my wife and kids. I really felt like an idiot. Why? Because she is paying $15-$30 for a fully painted mini. She didn't have to cut it off the sprue. She didn't have to take mold lines off. She didn't even have to assemble and paint it. All for $30. What do I do? I have to pay almost twice that much. I have to cut of the sprue, take mold lines off, assemble it and paint it. So who is the smart one when it comes to money wise for entertainment? LOL

Then it hit me. I like to assemble. I like to paint. Even though I suck at it, I like doing it. I just wish it wasn't so expensive lol. But my point stands though. When it comes to resin, I am not good at it. I don't want to keep paying the high prices for resin to practice to become good at it and there that is where it stops for me. I love the quality of resin. Really looks sharp and clear. Thing is I don't know how to use it properly and not willing to practice with it no more. When I see plastics so much cheaper, I want to go that way. At least for me when I practice with plastics it's more affordable to practice with.

I guess if I was good at painting and modelling as you and a lot of others my opinion would be different. But I am not and just more comfortable with what I can work with.



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/16 16:40:24


Post by: warboss


I enjoy both depending on my mood for the month or season (I've been in a bit of a hobby funk recently where I like to assemble and convert models but painting them is something I'm not motivated to do). I think it's perfectly fine for someone to only enjoy part of it AS LONG AS THEY DON'T TRY TO CLAIM THAT THE PARTS THEY'RE IGNORING ARE INSIGNIFICANT.

I put that in all caps because I feel strongly about that. I've seen douchebags on both sides claim that you're not a real gamer if you don't paint your models and lazy idiots who choose not to paint claim that they should get a free pass for skipping it at comprehensive events that score on the entirety of the hobby. If you enjoy one and not the other, power to you and I hope you have a blast doing whatever part of the overall hobby you enjoy most... just don't try to put someone down for enjoying the other or dismiss other's efforts while you ignoring an integral part of the hobby. Painting and playing are both basically ends of a photoshop slider bar for the hobby and where you end up is unique to you. Some folks go all the way to the left and only game... but that doesn't mean that the right side painting goes away (the opposite is also try). Others are smack dab in the middle. To each his or her own.

edit: The above rant isn't in regards to any posts here in the thread but rather a general release on my part to other events elsewhere. In particular, a guy who never planned on attending adepticon was railing that legions of folks who spent $$$ to get their armies propainted for an event and lost every game were going to steal the only award away from folks who won every game but didn't paint their armies. I know... internet fanboy rage hyperbole but as an official demo rep for the company, his "voice" was heard regardless of how ignorant of the realities of adepticon style comprehensive scoring. In the end, I'll give the company credit that they didn't just do what he wanted but instead expanded the awards from a single overall winner to multiple winners in each field but the ridiculously unrealistic opinions expressed in that forum struck a nerve with me.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/16 23:23:08


Post by: jah-joshua


@Davor: thanks for sharing your viewpoint...
i love plastics, too...
not so much because they are cheaper, but because they are so durable...
i am always bummed when i open a new resin or metal mini, and it has a broken bit:(...

@warboss: i hear you, man...
that is why i always show respect to others' views, and say that something is my opinion...
i am not a fan of people telling others that they are having fun in the wrong way...
it really kills me when people say that painting and modeling is a "waste of time"...
it sucks to think that some people would see me trying to be one of the best painters in the world as a wasted effort, when it is my passion...
i don't talk about what i do because i am conceited, or think that my way is the only right way, but because i am not here to judge, so can only speak from my perspective...

anyway, i guess i should start a discussion topic, so as not to derail this thread any further...

cheers
jah


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/17 14:45:24


Post by: Davor


Anybody know what the Canadian prices will be by chance?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/17 17:32:22


Post by: Thokt


Is it just me, or do the cannons on the Oppressor seem incredibly large?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/17 19:20:20


Post by: HoverBoy


 Thokt wrote:
Is it just me, or do the cannons on the Oppressor seem incredibly large?

All the better to oppress you with


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/18 00:39:47


Post by: Piston Honda


Just spent a pretty penny on some dropzone stuff

interested in seeing the quality first hand.

Stuff looks great online.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/18 09:26:31


Post by: overtyrant


 Piston Honda wrote:
Just spent a pretty penny on some dropzone stuff

interested in seeing the quality first hand.

Stuff looks great online.


You won't be dissapointed!!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/19 16:45:33


Post by: Time 2 Roll


overtyrant wrote:
 Piston Honda wrote:
Just spent a pretty penny on some dropzone stuff

interested in seeing the quality first hand.

Stuff looks great online.


You won't be dissapointed!!


+1


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/19 19:06:27


Post by: Pacific


Has anyone got the little Resistance biker dudes yet and can attest to the sculpts?

Thought the 3D renders for those looked really cool.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/19 20:27:19


Post by: HoverBoy


 Pacific wrote:
Has anyone got the little Resistance biker dudes yet and can attest to the sculpts?

Thought the 3D renders for those looked really cool.

They are insane, i never thought detail like that was possible at this scale.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/03/28 03:31:04


Post by: nobody


The new commanders are now available. Their rules are also up at the website:

http://www.hawkwargames.com/collections/new-standard-commanders


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 10:36:17


Post by: zedmeister


First shots of the minis for Dropfleet



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 10:41:56


Post by: David Clarke


Those Dropfleet ships are quite lovely, my brain may explode between these and the Halo:Fleet Battles reveals today!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 11:11:26


Post by: Dravis


More photos at: https://twitter.com/OBDZC

Those ships look really detailed. I assume they are UCM.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 11:17:33


Post by: RiTides


Nice find, Dravis!

Copying some of them over:






They also have the very large scale model done, I'm sure that's really attention grabbing at the con





Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 11:28:57


Post by: Nightwolf829


I also spotted this picture posted by Golem Gary. I am loving the look of these models.



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 11:53:21


Post by: warboss


Gotta say... those ships look pretty cool in both scales. For those who didn't see it last year, the really big 6ft ship is actually the smallest size UCM ship from the space combat game and is in DZC 10mm scale. The tiny ports on the side actually have a DZC dropship in each ready to launch!

Despite being a big Halo fan, I think I'm more excited about seeing this come to the table than the other bigger name game.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 11:58:37


Post by: Medium of Death


Those ships are cool as feth.



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 11:59:30


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


I knew they would turn out good, but that... is incredibly good.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 12:09:15


Post by: Azreal13


FFS, I was already struggling with investing in Armada or waiting for Halo, and now this?!!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 12:11:49


Post by: Nostromodamus


Super awesome

Can't wait to see the other factions!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 12:12:08


Post by: Vertrucio


I like the aesthetics of the ships more than the ground battles.

I wonder if the scourge ships will also see a jump in design.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 12:23:52


Post by: warboss


 Azreal13 wrote:
FFS, I was already struggling with investing in Armada or waiting for Halo, and now this?!!


It gets worse... I just found this over on BOW... Battlestar Galactica space combat game. Seriously, wtf?? Was there an industry wide memo that 2015 would be the year of space combat? Lol.



I guess GW will hitch onto the bandwagon when it cools down in 2 years with dreadfleet in space (or a really crappy half assed BFG rerelease).


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 12:25:06


Post by: GenRifDrake


Yep, those models look a bajlllion times better than the DZC models by far. When I first heard they were doing a space combat game I pretty much rule out if I would play it based on the model quality of DZC, will have to actually keep an eye on this one now.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 12:30:29


Post by: usernamesareannoying


the BSG game is a full thrust mod from some german team.
the ships are custom made and what you see is for a scenario book they made.
blood and steel.

the hawk spaceships are cool although I don't care for their dzc models. kind of funny to like one and not the other.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 12:33:27


Post by: warboss


I don't know if those are ERTYL model kits or stuff made for the game. I did a quick google search and that is the only mention of the BSG: Blood and Steel game I found. In any case, it might be better to discuss it elsewhere to not take any spotlight from DZC (does the space game have a name yet?) which does look pretty great visually itself. I posted about it over in the Salute general thread in any case.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 12:39:23


Post by: Dravis


It sounds like they are sticking with Dropfleet Commander


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 12:42:03


Post by: warboss


 Dravis wrote:
It sounds like they are sticking with Dropfleet Commander


Thanks. It's a bit clunky and too similar of a name but I guess it works.

Video with some news on this... watching right now. Nice (and not surprising) but there is a connection between the DFC and DZC games in play.




Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 12:54:55


Post by: Nostromodamus


Any word on if these will be in plastic or resin?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 12:59:51


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


Starter was planned in plastic.

(Sorry, designwise I agree the game is more on the realistic side and thus not to anyones taste, but generally the DZC-Minis are fine examples of great model-design)


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 13:24:54


Post by: warboss


 Duncan_Idaho wrote:
Starter was planned in plastic.

(Sorry, designwise I agree the game is more on the realistic side and thus not to anyones taste, but generally the DZC-Minis are fine examples of great model-design)


Not to "anyones" taste or everyone's taste? I'm not sure if that is a typo or an overly broad statement that I disagree with (and disprove personally with my N=1 sample size).


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 13:25:10


Post by: lord_blackfang


Nice ships, but again a bit too large to function well on the table, I think, same as Spartan's.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 13:28:22


Post by: Compel


I'm pretty sure that BSG game isn't actually a sellable game and not just a Salute participation game they're doing, probably made out of Revel kits and the like.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 13:47:17


Post by: Dravis


Hard to tell from the pictures but the middle sized cruiser looks about the same size as a medium dropship from DZC, I think that's a pretty good size.
Loving the orbital/atmospheric focus rather then deep space, its pretty different to most spaceship games out there.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 14:45:39


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


BSG is just participation game.

And anyone was a typo.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 16:09:29


Post by: DrRansom


Can anyone who went to Salute give an idea of the fleet size and number of ships on a side?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 16:42:44


Post by: BobtheInquisitor


I am super excited for the DFC plastic starter. Unfortunately, all my liquidity is tied up in Mantic and MEdge stock, so I will have to wait until December. Those look like everything I could want in spaceship miniatures.


 Compel wrote:
I'm pretty sure that BSG game isn't actually a sellable game and not just a Salute participation game they're doing, probably made out of Revel kits and the like.


If ever a game demanded exploding 1's, it is a BSG game. There also needs to be a chemical dependency table.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 17:43:57


Post by: Theophony


 warboss wrote:
 Azreal13 wrote:
FFS, I was already struggling with investing in Armada or waiting for Halo, and now this?!!


It gets worse... I just found this over on BOW... Battlestar Galactica space combat game. Seriously, wtf?? Was there an industry wide memo that 2015 would be the year of space combat? Lol.



I guess GW will hitch onto the bandwagon when it cools down in 2 years with dreadfleet in space (or a really crappy half assed BFG rerelease).

Unfortunately those are homemade models using the full thrust rules . They don't have the rights to the game. I was sooooooo excited when I saw that picture....but then .....Alpharius ruined it for me


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 17:44:20


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


The fleet in the display seems to be a complete fleet, but don´t know whether it is standard or lowest size.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 18:17:22


Post by: Flashman


Giving a good deal of thought to picking up DZC starter, but may hang on for this - love space battle games.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 19:45:51


Post by: Thokt


That game sounds incredible. I cannot wait!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 19:48:03


Post by: Nostromodamus


 Thokt wrote:
That game sounds incredible. I cannot wait!


Indeed! Fighting above a planet, trying to get to drop points to unload your guys down to the surface is genius. The signature system for tracking and targetting enemy ships also sounds cool as hell!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 20:31:42


Post by: warboss


 Alex C wrote:
 Thokt wrote:
That game sounds incredible. I cannot wait!


Indeed! Fighting above a planet, trying to get to drop points to unload your guys down to the surface is genius. The signature system for tracking and targetting enemy ships also sounds cool as hell!


I mentioned it in another thread but that mechanic caught my ear so to speak as well. I'm not sure about the variable range thing but I'm open to seeing it in action before making any first impressions.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 20:35:32


Post by: RiTides


Any word on release timeline?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 20:42:41


Post by: Nostromodamus


 RiTides wrote:
Any word on release timeline?


IIRC late this year/early next.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 20:42:54


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


2015/16 if it goes according to plan.

heavy betatesting is going on right now.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 20:58:59


Post by: zedmeister


 RiTides wrote:
Any word on release timeline?


I had a quick chat with him today. He's currently hoping for a Christmas release and they're currently in playtesting. Andy Chambers is, apparently a really chilled gent. Honestly, with the Calibre working on this, sod Halo!

Also, managed to get one of the ships in metal today as well, so I'm well chuffed!
Here's some more piccies:










One thing he was going for was consistency in turret design across the ships. Ramming or boarding actions won't feature in the game. The resistance may feature but only in a minor pirate/mission objective style.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 21:18:15


Post by: RiTides


Thanks for the date info, guys!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 21:26:33


Post by: DrRansom


Questions for those who went there:

- How many more ship classes are anticipated for, say, the UCM. There is at least the dreadnought, but will there be something like a destroyer / light cruiser.

- Will there be smaller ships, a la fighters?

- How large is the suggested game-board, for those large models, what is the suggested board space to ship ratio?

- How detailed will the ships be, in terms of gameplay mechanics. Their size suggests something more complex than usual.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 21:34:08


Post by: zedmeister


DrRansom wrote:
Questions for those who went there:

- How many more ship classes are anticipated for, say, the UCM. There is at least the dreadnought, but will there be something like a destroyer / light cruiser.

- Will there be smaller ships, a la fighters?

- How large is the suggested game-board, for those large models, what is the suggested board space to ship ratio?

- How detailed will the ships be, in terms of gameplay mechanics. Their size suggests something more complex than usual.


He mentioned several classes - Frigate, cruiser, fleet carrier, dreadnought and battleship. Fighters and fighter actions will feature. Gameplay will be around ships signiature radius - the larger it is or the more active it is, the easier it is to hit. So if a ship lets rip with everything, it lights up like a christmas tree making it much easier to shoot. There are 3 levels - high orbit, low orbit and atmosphere. Only frigates and dedicated drop ships can go into low orbit.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 21:40:34


Post by: DrRansom


zedmeister - Thanks for the answers. I guess my only compliant right now is that there aren't small enough ships to properly scale the cruiser and battleships.

For the game board size, I knew that it was based roughly off signature radius (modern naval combat), I guess my question is more about the size of the board, which determines how much space ships have to hide in.

Oh, and the designs look awesome.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 23:23:29


Post by: warboss


I'm going to take a wild guess and say the PHR stuff will be pretty close to covie ships. Heck, you may even be able to mix and match the UNSC and UCM and PHR and Covenant.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/25 23:41:19


Post by: overtyrant


These are absolutely fabulous! I am going to be all over these!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/26 02:38:35


Post by: RiTides


Just watched the video, and wow, this looks spectacular! Release at the end of this year or early next is good for giving the wallet a breather, too. Very stoked to see more on this!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/26 06:01:52


Post by: underfire wargaming


Davor wrote:
 jah-joshua wrote:
@Davor: why do you not like resin???
it hold crisp detail better than any other material...
it also takes undercuts better than plastic...
just curious as to why you don't like it...

also, do you paint models???
saying that X-Wing is more attractive because it is preassembled and prepainted, well, it kind of defeats the whole purpose of painting and modeling...
this is why i have zero interest in X-Wing minis, but am stoked about these ones...

it constantly amazes me that there are so many people out there seem who to have no interest in the creative side of painting and modeling, yet still want to play with miniatures...

cheers
jah









I suck at modelling. For what ever reason I can't glue the blasted thing. Plastics I have a so much easier time so I enjoy it more. I guess that is why my boxset and resistance is not put together yet and I don't buy more. I don't like working with resign. Maybe because I don't know how to. Maybe I am not the only one. If I am then it's a moot point. If I am not, then that could be an explanation as to why there is not lots of sales. I guess you can go GW way and say, "This is what we make, You buy IT!". Or you can ask "Why are we not selling much? What will it take to sell more product? Could it be people don't like resin even though it's a superior product detail wise? Do we need to change to plastics to get more sales?"

Now that I see HW has plastics now, it seems they are trying to appeal to the people who like plastics as well.

As for painting yes I do. I suck at it but still do it. I just mention the X-Wing because for the price, it's so much cheaper to do that. It's a price comparison. You get so much more money wise.

As to the creative side, that is why I have come back to miniature gaming, be it X-wing, 40K, or Dropzone. I want to reinvigorate my creative side again. So that is why I am slowly coming back to everything I can find. Money wise, it just means I have to save more if expensive.

I guess I am playing devils advocate here. It didn't hit me until I had to buy some Skylanders for my wife and kids. I really felt like an idiot. Why? Because she is paying $15-$30 for a fully painted mini. She didn't have to cut it off the sprue. She didn't have to take mold lines off. She didn't even have to assemble and paint it. All for $30. What do I do? I have to pay almost twice that much. I have to cut of the sprue, take mold lines off, assemble it and paint it. So who is the smart one when it comes to money wise for entertainment? LOL

Then it hit me. I like to assemble. I like to paint. Even though I suck at it, I like doing it. I just wish it wasn't so expensive lol. But my point stands though. When it comes to resin, I am not good at it. I don't want to keep paying the high prices for resin to practice to become good at it and there that is where it stops for me. I love the quality of resin. Really looks sharp and clear. Thing is I don't know how to use it properly and not willing to practice with it no more. When I see plastics so much cheaper, I want to go that way. At least for me when I practice with plastics it's more affordable to practice with.

I guess if I was good at painting and modelling as you and a lot of others my opinion would be different. But I am not and just more comfortable with what I can work with.



It is fair enough that you want to use a certain material, however the cost of producing a miniature in plastic is a very unreasonably high cost ( between 5k and 20k for a single mold ignoring currency exchange rates), its just not affordable, and very , very few companies can do it let alone produce a few miniatures and gain enough sales ( currently only GW and a few historical companies can do this and only GW can do monthly releases in this material) to grow and continue their range with such an expensive material.

This is why we do not see the few skirmish games that have gone into this material be able to really produce new miniatures without relying on going back to kickstarter or getting crowd funding, Mantic even cannot afford to expand their range in plastic without getting crowd funding the material is just too cost prohibitive. Resin and Metal do hold detail in a much higher level and are reasonable in cost. With our coming Veil Fall campaign what we will be asking to get funded will allow us to produce many more different miniatures to support our game for a fraction of the cost any other company starting their range in plastic will ask without them already having invested in much of the process.

We will be able to grow and support our range, increasing the diversity of available miniatures for our game as other miniature companies can do , were with the ones starting out in plastic will end up having to kickstart another expansion and the fair majority not being able to be self sufficient enough to afford to produce expansions for their game in plastic. Also this allows many companies too support local casters instead of commissioning their casting over seas usually into China and other markets that have a lower minimum wage for their employees.

Dropzone Commander seems to be doing very well with their resin line, they have kept stock and ensured they can meet demand, I have seen their miniatures first hand and I can say they are highly impressive. A starter box is doable in plastic however for starting up companies and up to medium sized companies kickstarter will be the only way to truly fund such material costs. Metal and Resin are simply a realistic and what the market will continue to be dominated by until one day we have a caster who innovates a new casting method that can have the best of two or all three such materials. PVC from Reaper miniatures I feel is quite a fantastic material however some warping does occur and the use of this material really depends on what type of game your trying to produce.

I Hope we continue to see Dropzone Commander thrive and grow , smaller scale wargames are one of my personal most liked scales of gaming when it comes to anything of a battle style game system.

I hope this clears up a bit why you don't see most of the market ever picking up plastics they are simply cost prohibitive and not a suitable material to produce most game types in, with the few being very large scale games and even then the costs are so high it cuts into diversity of a range and holds back a lot of other areas in miniature design that such money would be better spent on.

I hope to not offend anyone , this is my personal view and feelings on plastic and I hope we can at least agree to disagree if we cannot agree.

with best regards - Shawn.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/26 06:32:14


Post by: Silent Puffin?


DrRansom wrote:

- Will there be smaller ships, a la fighters?


One of the images above has a 'New Orleans class Strike Carrier', presumably fighters and other small craft will function in a similar way to Battlefleet Gothic so essentially tokens. Having watched the video the Strike Carriers are actually for dropships so....

I have been interested in this game since I heard about, more so since I heard that Andy Chambers was writing the rules and even more so once I have seen the models and more so again after watching the above video. This is a must buy game for me.

I also quite curious about the DZC stuff that everyone seems to be ignoring in favour of shiny spaceships


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/26 08:07:00


Post by: Souleater


The ships look great - Hawk Dave pointed out that he has got some great detail on them.

And the rules sound good, too.

Even more eager to get this game now that I've heard more about it.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/26 09:40:28


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


As with DZC the game will be mainly resin. Plastic being too expensive for a whole line and for holding the same detail as resin the models would necessitate to be cut in too many pieces to make it affordable. GW gets a lot of detail out of plastic, but needs to slice the miniatures a lot, which really pushes the price up.

That´s also the reason only the basic models with easier shapes from DZC are done in plastic.



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/26 11:28:54


Post by: Compel


What was the 2015 show only model?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/26 11:49:26


Post by: zedmeister


 Compel wrote:
What was the 2015 show only model?


There were two: a double decker resistance battlebus and one of the Frigates in metal


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/27 03:30:57


Post by: Thokt


Pretty interested to see what the studio playing surfaces look like!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/28 11:02:25


Post by: Vertrucio


Out of all the recent and not so recent space game announcements, these look really, really good. Not just in terms of make, but also of design. They're silly, but they are certainly interesting.

Sadly, I really need to see the Scourge before I can start hyping the game to friends.

However, they're big BFG fans, so the rules writer is a plus.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/04/29 02:52:45


Post by: Thokt


Those designs are so clean and sleek. Cannot wait to see how the other races look.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/01 13:59:15


Post by: zedmeister


The latest newsletter is available - some new info on Dropfleet as well as new Dropzone Commander previews


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/01 14:48:31


Post by: overtyrant


These are simply stunning and have blown FSA and Halo right out of the water! And thats with one faction, looking forward to seeing the other 4 races! The brief overview of the game seems really interesting. Can't wait to hear more about it.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/01 14:53:50


Post by: Gasmasked Mook


Sounds like a really unique sort of game and the models are quite extraordinary; I don't think I have seen such inventiveness in design for a very long time.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/01 14:54:31


Post by: Accolade


overtyrant wrote:
These are simply stunning and have blown FSA and Halo right out of the water! And thats with one faction, looking forward to seeing the other 4 races! The brief overview of the game seems really interesting. Can't wait to hear more about it.


Yeah, I had been considering getting Halo as my space fleet game (since I never picked up Firestorm), but this model is incredibly impressive. I might have to weigh out these two a bit! (I've only space for one!)


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/01 15:09:36


Post by: warboss


That newsletter has some nice size and close up pics of the designs. I have to say that I like the berlin design the most. I'm curious which city they'll pick as the token US ship if any. My guess would be LA or NY.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/01 15:14:36


Post by: overtyrant


Isn't New Orleans a city in the USA? I'm quite partial to the Beijing class.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/01 15:19:07


Post by: warboss


Derp... yes it is. I didn't actually notice that name on there! When I saw that pic, I just instantly assumed it read "avenger" as the name which I know is the class and didn't take a closer look to see the individual name since I had seen the 50x larger version!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/01 16:26:17


Post by: Time 2 Roll


Curious to learn more about the sculpt of the woman riding the wave and what faction she falls to. My first guess was PHR.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/02 01:02:39


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


She is probably PHR with house-clearing drones.

@DFC
There will be no boarding actions and Scourge will keep the basic style of ground-troops but will still be quite different.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/02 09:13:44


Post by: Pacific


Some pics from the newsletter (courtesy of BoW http://www.beastsofwar.com/dropfleet/hawk-wargames-reveal-details-dropfleet-spaceship-game/ )

Looking like Hawk are going to be taking the lead in terms of the detail with the various space combat games coming out! The last one gives the sense of scale with the massive ship they had at Salute, and all of the little drop ships in the side of it.













Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/02 09:24:15


Post by: zedmeister


Can't wait for this. I had a quick chat with him at Salute and he hinted at even bigger dreadnought class ships. The PHR are supposed to be slow, heavy and over gunned. Shaltari are tricksy (in his words) and the scourge are short ranged and fast.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/02 09:27:34


Post by: Killionaire


I wondered even if the races would make more sense not having as good a tie to their ground forces.

Like, perhaps since the Shaltari are a long spacefaring race with powerful energy manipulation, (and fast/tricksy ground forces) their spacecraft could be monstrously shielded juggernauts. PHR ships could be nimble and stealthy. Scourge could be tricky or whatnot.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/02 09:56:35


Post by: Sidstyler


Those are some beautiful models. Stunning, really. I really love the design of the battleships.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/02 10:12:16


Post by: Silent Puffin?




This is supposedly half a tournament sized fleet. I wonder if this will be the starter set (less the Beijing)?

The one aspect of the design that I dislike is the mass drivers, they just look too big.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/02 11:30:46


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


The Beijing class is very close to the upper size-limit for this game. They don´t want to wander into the realm of the ridiculous large ships that are hard to handle on the table.

And if you see what the mass-drivers drive, you will understand the size.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/02 15:47:56


Post by: Gitzbitah


Some of the ideas in the newsletter look very compelling. Various profiles for weapons, multiple altitudes sound amazing.
Dropping the scale down to what would be a knife fight for any other space game is fascinating.

And the ships! I'm already a huge fan of the Heavy Cruiser- and if the PHR is overgunned compared to that it should look like a sleek flying porcupine!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/05 07:57:52


Post by: Silent Puffin?


 Duncan_Idaho wrote:

And if you see what the mass-drivers drive, you will understand the size.


Hawk wrote the fluff though so they didn't have to go for something to disproportionally large.

The ship's superstructure is sleek and graceful yet their turrets are Gamesworkshopesque. I find it jarring.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/05 08:23:17


Post by: Vertrucio


Those are bigger version of the turrets on UCM ground vehicles, so it works. And the little lasers on the side fins of the ships are giant orbital defense lasers on the ground game.

I think DFC will go over much better than DZC.

However, the biggest question is the Scourge models still. Scourge in DZC are hit or miss with some people.

I honestly want to know how this all grew out of practically one guy (or so I heard).


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/05 11:56:54


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


Do you remember the mass-drivers the Centauri had in B5? That´s the kind of mass-driver UCM uses on the big ships.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/05 12:08:08


Post by: Darkjim


Damn Centauri.

As to the models -


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/05 13:06:43


Post by: Ruckdog


Great looking models! Looks to me like they are at about the same level as Spartan's latest releases, which is no mean feat. I will definitely be keeping an eye on this game.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2828/05/20 03:18:42


Post by: zedmeister


Some new releases imminent. Courtesy of Faeit 212 and Hawk Forums:



Dropzone Commander has a lot of new models on the near horizon, and ever since their showing at Salute, many of us have been watching almost daily for some news of exactly when they would be coming out. Original rumors had them coming this month, but recent information I have heard have them coming the first week of June.


So what does this mean for the second and third waves of models....

via sources on Faeit 212
1st Wave- 1st week in June
2nd Wave- End of June or beginning of July
3rd Wave/ Special Commanders- July/August

and...... ReConquest Phase 2.... realistically looking at November.


Why are the dates flexible and move around a little? Simply to insure the quality of what is getting released over a set release date.



Also, appeared on Element Games and War Store for pre-order:

Immortal Longreach Team


Legionnaire Mortar Teams


Shaltari Ronin


Scourge Eviscerators


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/05/26 19:28:35


Post by: zedmeister


Now up on Hawk's website. No experimental rules as yet


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/06/24 11:04:29


Post by: zedmeister


Experimental rules are now available:

Legionnaire Mortar Teams

Immortal Longreach Team

Eviscerators

Ronin

Also, spotted this on the Hawk Facebook:

We are having an exhibition of some of Patrice's artwork and the huge spaceship (if you haven't had a chance of seeing it) in Croydon, at the Rise Art Gallery, from next thursday in the evening (private view 2nd July) for two weeks. Here's the Facebook event to keep up to date with what's going on: https://www.facebook.com/events/561897073949774/





RISEgallery is proud to announce its new show in partnership with Hawk games..YEAR 2670

Private view Thursday 2nd of July

RSVP@rise-gallery.co.uk for guest list or click going on event page...

A Golden Age of humanity has passed into history. A time when mankind advanced implacably and unopposed through the stars has gone beyond living memory.

Planet Earth and the original Cradle Worlds are lost to the great foe, the Scourge. The shattering invasion of this terrible enemy has torn the domains of man asunder.

The remnants of human civilisation now exist in a collection of frontier planets. Thinly spread and underdeveloped, they are pale shadows of mankind's former glories.

However, this is not an age without hope. Humanity has found new strength, unity and purpose in these times of dire fortune. The colonies are undertaking a period of vigorous, dynamic expansion, unrivalled in the history of our race, united by a common purpose - Reconquest.

The armies of the United Colonies of Mankind march towards humanities' former heartland, battling the dreaded Scourge one world at a time. Many enemies and allies await on this journey; an odyssey through the stars towards a distant and glittering goal - Earth.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/06/25 20:49:50


Post by: Flashman


Yet more Dropzone infantry minis on the way...

UCM Battlesuits...



PHR Medusa (and transport). Rides a wave of nanobots (think the villain in Big Hero 6)



Shaltari Auxillaries apparently...



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/06/25 21:38:19


Post by: zedmeister


Oooo, good spot. Missed these:






Automatically Appended Next Post:
UCM Heavy Hazard Suits
Heavy Hazard Suits were developed for working in extreme conditions on frontier worlds and on the outside hulls of ships. Since 2653, many Heavy Hazard Suits have been used as pickets in areas where hostile aliens and fauna are frequent threats - militarising them was the next logical step.

Removing the original civilian systems freed up space for the capacitors and hyper accelerators needed for a suit-portable railgun.


Scourge Screamer and Raider Heavy Dropship
The Screamer is a chillingly familiar unit to Resistance fighters, but is only now being encountered by UCM troops. Unlike many enemy units, it is rare that the Screamer is visually identified.

The Screamer is a consummate terror weapon, part of a second wave of any Scourge invasion to root out pockets of resistance and demoralise any survivors, breeding a miasmic sense of despair as is scuttles with chilling speed towards its prey. In addition to its already potent mental weapons, the Screamer is armed with sets of powerful, metal sheathed claws which in conjunction with its massive size and augmented musculature make it more than capable of ripping a heavy battle tank to shreds.

The Raider is a dedicated insertion platform for esoteric and specialist Scourge units. It is designed to fully envelope bulky units that have highly specific mission parameters, often as outliers to the main Scourge force. Horrific weapon systems complete the package, supporting the elite troops it disgorges with lethal anti-personnel acid hoses comparable to those on a Tormentor heavy battle tank.


PHR Medusa and Triton-X
While little that is known of PHR Siren corps, one thing is very clear; these women are the elite, and exceptionally few in number. However even among the rarest individuals there are exceptional specimens – those whose innate affinity with their technological enhancements allow them to effortlessly control many hundreds of viewpoints with ease, and many thousands with dedicated training and further honing of their talents.

These are the Medusae, the 0.0001 % of the PHR’s population capable of harnessing the power of thousands of slaved Familiars to their will with devastating effect. In battle, a Medusa will appear to 'fly', levitated on a swarming, seething pillar of nanomachines and Familiars, sowing destruction and aiding her allies in combat until the enemy is utterly destroyed.

The Triton– X is a specially modified transport for Medusa units. The fact that the PHR has created a specific transport to carry these exceptional women into the fray reflects their immense power. It also has the capacity for additional nanomachines, which can replenish and repair any losses that the Medusa's swarm might sustain from enemy fire.

Shaltari Pungari Auxiliaries (aka the slave race)
The discovery of the Cradle Worlds and very foundation of the UCM can be traced to the first contact with the Shaltari and their help in exploring the galaxy. However, the less than altruistic designs that the Shaltari apparently had for using humanity as cannon fodder quickly put paid to any thoughts of long term alliance. In the Pungari, it seems the Shaltari have found a much more pliant (if less capable) race to exploit. Despite their obvious mental and technological inferiority to their masters, they are slavishly devoted to the Shaltari and appear willing to die in large numbers for them should one be present to witness their sacrifice.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/06/25 22:18:37


Post by: warboss


 zedmeister wrote:
Oooo, good spot. Missed these:

*snip*





That sourge unit is so tough he literally eats other ground units and poops them out like Duke Nukem! He just destroyed a tank yesterday and is pooping it out track link by track link!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/06/27 16:30:29


Post by: Sikil


Love the UCM and PHR release!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/06/29 23:44:45


Post by: Digclaw


The Medusa is just rediculas. My local PHR player id drooling over it


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/24 11:51:21


Post by: zedmeister


New releases

The Dropzone Commander Special Edition Rulebook - limited to 1500 with some being sold at Gencon


New Units:

Resistance ATVs:


UCM Flak Teams


Scourge Vampires


PHR Valkyries


Shaltari Samurai



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/24 11:54:56


Post by: GiraffeX


Silly question but whats special about the Special Edition Rulebook?

I never liked PHR but those Valkyries look nice.

edit: rulebook info

£40

We are proud to announce the release of our core rulebook, in a special limited edition, 176 page hardback run of just 1500 copies. Only a limited number of these copies will be available from us direct. The book has been reimagined, with new cover artwork, Spot UV front-plate, printed end papers and a marker ribbon, printed on thick paper stock and finished with a high quality silk coating.

20 new pages, and over 50 new pieces of artwork sit alongside lavish photographic images, creating a gorgeous tome for your coffee table, sci-fi library or gaming room. This book comes in a printed box, to ensure the book is protected, and each book is cellophane wrapped.

This special edition still includes all the gaming content of the core rulebook, including:
- Core Rules: All the rules you need to play.
- Background: Rich and detailed setting for the DzC game universe, as well as in depth background for all four races and their units. You'll be in no doubt as to where you're fighting, why you're fighting and who you're fighting with!
- Army Lists: The full stats, lists and special rules for all four races.
- Scenarios: A wide selection of scenarios to keep your games fresh!
- Colour Schemes: A wide selection of colour schemes and camouflage patterns are showcased for each race, giving you plenty of inspiration when painting your armies! Further hobby tips, articles and information will be made available from our downloads section in the coming weeks.
- Guest Painters Pages: Some inspiring work by keen gamers and painters unaffiliated with Hawk Wargames.
- Index: Double page index of terms and key phrases.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/24 13:25:09


Post by: zedmeister


Also, this Scourge preview - Dropfleet Ship perhaps?




Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/24 17:03:54


Post by: Souleater


Not sure. In the news letter it's right after the text in which they talk about Dropfleet.

Looks very cool, whatever it is.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/24 17:57:59


Post by: Killionaire


It looks huge whatever it is. It's shape seems like it'd be some sort of flying thing. Sounds like a preview for Scourge capital ships.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/24 18:01:28


Post by: Souleater


I have managed to contain myself to just one faction with DZC...I have a wonderful yet terrible feeling that DFC is going to be much, much more expensive for me


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/25 03:33:42


Post by: JOHIRA


Hawk Wargames needs to give us some pics of the other factions fleets. That way I can finally find out if I'm going to give them all of my money when this finally comes out or just most of it.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/25 07:01:07


Post by: AegisGrimm


Yikes, that first flak team loader is melting into the ammo canisters.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/25 07:38:07


Post by: Silent Puffin?


 AegisGrimm wrote:
Yikes, that first flak team loader is melting into the ammo canisters.


Luckily its only a render


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/25 07:39:11


Post by: Vertrucio


They should probably show renders of 10mm infantry from farther away, and just put more of them in an image rendered on a base. They look nothing special up close, even if you try and remember that they are 10mm. It won't be until it gets in hand that they'll really look good.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/25 10:53:02


Post by: Souleater


 JOHIRA wrote:
Hawk Wargames needs to give us some pics of the other factions fleets. That way I can finally find out if I'm going to give them all of my money when this finally comes out or just most of it.


Reading the news letter there is going to be a lot more information, including the rules and how/when we can order. I would imagine we'll get a lot of pictures and background at that point.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/25 17:52:25


Post by: Thokt


The renders are also not always reflective of the final posing on the model either. The eviscerators are much more dynamic looking - excited to see how the vampires look.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 09:36:53


Post by: Dravis


Looks like some info coming out from GenCon.
Scourge dropfleet plastics:
http://verlag-martin-ellermeier.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/HW_Dropfleet_Gencon_Previews.jpg

The ships are apparently designed you can built all 4 variants from one sprue.

There will be a Kickstarter in October for the 2 player starter plastic boxset, with the other factions to be released via retail.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 09:52:57


Post by: zedmeister


Excellent stuff. A ton more here: https://www.facebook.com/dzcommenter

Also, Kickstarter? Gulp...


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 12:33:14


Post by: Nostromodamus


Dropfleet KS?

Oh my...


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 12:36:02


Post by: Dullspork


Hawk Wargames sure does make pretty things.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 12:40:50


Post by: RiTides


 zedmeister wrote:
Excellent stuff. A ton more here: https://www.facebook.com/dzcommenter

Also, Kickstarter? Gulp...

Nice, pics of everything only shown as renders before are at that link, with most painted! That screamer for Scourge is incredibly awesome.

Not sure about the Scourge for Dropfleet, though - they all look very samey:



That's from Dravis' link. I think the UCM are nicely varied, but not these. Will really come down to how it plays, though. We are spoiled for choice on space games now, which is awesome!!



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 12:47:30


Post by: warboss


I've actually respected that they don't use kickstarter as a company until now despite the seemingly handfuls of cash companies with less capable heads were making. I can't blame them for doing it though and I'd actually put them in a small category of companies that I'd consider backing without reservations due to their past work. Now I have to make a relatively uninformed decision about whether to go with DFC or Halo... tough choice.

Those scourge screamers look really disturbing... and I like it. Are they for dropship or dropfleet?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 12:52:11


Post by: overtyrant


Absolutely no problem for me with them KS this. KS is there for a reason and it will help them get this out faster and with more content. I wouldn't like to see what shape Dreadball would've been in if Mantic didn't KS it...


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 13:25:41


Post by: Silent Puffin?


 warboss wrote:

Those scourge screamers look really disturbing... and I like it. Are they for dropship or dropfleet?


Dropship. The plastic cruisers are the only Scourge seen so far for Dropfleet.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 warboss wrote:
Now I have to make a relatively uninformed decision about whether to go with DFC or Halo... tough choice.


Not for me


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 13:46:45


Post by: Nostromodamus


 Silent Puffin? wrote:

Automatically Appended Next Post:
 warboss wrote:
Now I have to make a relatively uninformed decision about whether to go with DFC or Halo... tough choice.


Not for me


Likewise Dropzone is such a tight game, and everything I've heard on Dropfleet is fantastic!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 13:53:52


Post by: zedmeister


 Alex C wrote:


Likewise Dropzone is such a tight game, and everything I've heard on Dropfleet is fantastic!


Indeed and the fact that Andy "BFG" Chamber is writing the rules, well...


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 14:01:15


Post by: Ahtman


If they still have any of the books when I get to the vendor hall Sunday at GenCon I imagine I'll get one of the LE Books.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 14:03:24


Post by: Silent Puffin?


The LE books apparently have some updated points costs so they aren't that bad a start if you don't intend to get the starter set.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 14:14:54


Post by: overtyrant


 Alex C wrote:
 Silent Puffin? wrote:

Automatically Appended Next Post:
 warboss wrote:
Now I have to make a relatively uninformed decision about whether to go with DFC or Halo... tough choice.


Not for me


Likewise Dropzone is such a tight game, and everything I've heard on Dropfleet is fantastic!


I did want to get both but because Spartan are doing Halo I won't go near them.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 15:56:40


Post by: BobtheInquisitor


That's another kickstarter I'll pledge in.


....



Am I the only one thinking those cruisers would make some superb Karist Angels?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 16:00:32


Post by: RiTides


 Alex C wrote:
 Silent Puffin? wrote:

 warboss wrote:
Now I have to make a relatively uninformed decision about whether to go with DFC or Halo... tough choice.
Not for me
Likewise Dropzone is such a tight game, and everything I've heard on Dropfleet is fantastic!

As a Dropzone Commander player myself, it is a tough call for me... the Halo game could have some broad appeal, it's ready now, and so far I've heard good things on the rules (and my friends really like FSA 2.0).

Dropfleet sounds intriguing, but I've personally found the ground game rules to be a little... I don't know, repetitive? I think playing on different types of boards would help, but the local group got frustrated with trying to play it, and I ended up kind of stranded in the system...

I'm open to either, possibly both, space games - but I'd rather not throw either one under the bus until we've seen more reviews / etc

Edit: On the other hand, scrolling back through the thread... THIS is really convincing to me



Not as sold on the Scourge yet, but man those UCM ships are ace!



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/07/31 17:47:01


Post by: Alpharius


I was only vaguely interested in DROPZONE but DROPFLEET - hell yeah!

I love the look of everything so far - including the Scourge ships!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/02 21:48:25


Post by: Silent Puffin?





Short combat demo for Dropfleet.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/02 21:52:34


Post by: zedmeister


Oh, excellent. Limited in what we've seen, but combat's going to be lethal.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/02 21:59:57


Post by: RiTides


That Scourge ship looked like it would tip over any moment... From playing Dropzone Commander I felt those stands could really use beefening up, and it'd be even more important for this game. Hopefully someone close to the team will think so / give them that feedback.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/02 22:02:45


Post by: Silent Puffin?


 RiTides wrote:
From playing Dropzone Commander I felt those stands could really use beefening up....


In what way? Mine are perfectly sturdy, I glued the wee plug in directly to my models and the actual base has been 'based'. They seem well balanced and nothing has fallen over so far.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/02 22:19:38


Post by: Nostromodamus


Great little video! Love the range determination and the burn-through laser rules


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/02 22:50:50


Post by: chaos0xomega


I dont play UCM... but I will be picking up a UCM fleet. Those ships are amazing, though I cant help but feel that their spacefleet aesthetic is not at all aligned with their ground aesthetics.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/02 22:57:43


Post by: Killionaire


I LIKE how the space aesthetics for the UCM fleet is not similar to the ground forces. Tanks do not look like battleships or jets. They have different design patterns.

The UCM ships have more in common with the terrain items of the space defense laser and bunkers, which make more sense.

I do like the 'any hit is horrible' way this game seems to work, and the emphasis on signature control dictating range and accuracy. If it's 'Battlefleet Harpoon' with a modernized ruleset, then perfect! A unique niche that's not mindless age of sail cannon hammering .


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/02 22:59:26


Post by: Nostromodamus


I really hope they have a planetscape map in the Kickstarter, either with the box set or add-on. I love the orbital setting for the combat and having to get your Dropship Carriers to hot spots on the planet.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 09:22:34


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


The Scourge-ships are still WiP and not final. So there WILL be some design-upgrades.

DZC-bases are quite heavy, even the plastic ones, if one tips over there has to be quite some force. You also better use two widgets per base... makes it easier to assamble and a bit sturdier.

The fleets not looking like ground units in space was exactly the point for Dave. There are some basic design choices, but also space dictates how the design pattern is altered.

KS... the plastic starter boxes are quiet expensive to produce.... we are talking 200K. Adding the fact that the ships are planned to be quite modular and designed to hold magnets for quick exchange of moduls from the beginning on I can understand why he uses KS for the start. Especially since this game is produced in addition to DZC. Only the core ships will be plastic btw, the more specialized ships will be resin as usual.


Dropfleet sounds intriguing, but I've personally found the ground game rules to be a little... I don't know, repetitive?


Actually no, but judging from videos and experiences quite some american players seem to favor a different Meta than Europeans. Over here we prefer a more dropship-focused battle with much more non-conventional ways of attacking. It takes some time to adapt to the different way of fighting but once you get it it really is not your usual standard-battle.



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 09:43:03


Post by: Cosmic


I really like the sleek and organic look of the Scourge ships... like space Octopuses, or something


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 09:46:40


Post by: CthuluIsSpy


Dropfleet just keeps looking better and better.
I might pick it up. If I can find them in France :(


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 10:17:12


Post by: FeindusMaximus


Love DzC and can't wait for DfC.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 10:42:02


Post by: griffen127


At Gencon they told me that a KS will be launched in September or October. They want to make the ships in plastic and said the cost was so high they really need to KS to get it all out at the same time. It's very interesting. I may have to get this and halo. The game seems like a blast.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 12:15:42


Post by: chaos0xomega


Shifting back to DzC for a second, it seems that theyre already looking at more rules changes and ajustments/balancing for later on this year, which makes me wonder what the point of a LE hardcover rulebook is for whats apparrently intended to be a "living" ruleset.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 12:35:31


Post by: Silent Puffin?


chaos0xomega wrote:
Shifting back to DzC for a second, it seems that theyre already looking at more rules changes and ajustments/balancing for later on this year, which makes me wonder what the point of a LE hardcover rulebook is for whats apparrently intended to be a "living" ruleset.


Some people simply like 'coffee table' books. Personally I prefer physical rule books.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 12:59:39


Post by: warboss


 Duncan_Idaho wrote:
The Scourge-ships are still WiP and not final. So there WILL be some design-upgrades.

DZC-bases are quite heavy, even the plastic ones, if one tips over there has to be quite some force. You also better use two widgets per base... makes it easier to assamble and a bit sturdier.


I'm constantly knocking over my DZC fighters and these ships will be even more unstable. I'd prefer if it used a bigger base to counteract the really long stem (which I like btw so wouldn't want them to change). Just take a look at the quick demo video posted above and see just how wobbly the scourge ship is. I don't know if there is a light breeze or if it is just from the stampede by the booth at gencon in the dealer hall but it never stops teetering.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 13:50:02


Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim


Man... I am probably going to go DEEPLY at a Dropfleet Commander KS.

I've been wanting a perfect way to play Fleet-level, and then ground level in gaming for a while, always wanting to play BFG/Epic/40k as a massive cross-game campaign.

I thought Firestorm-Armada/Planetfall would scratch the itch, but despite PF having solid rules, there is no community at all, and I can't get even a droplet of momentum going around one.

Considering Dropzone Commander comes so highly regarded, maybe I can actually get a player-base for this one. :-p


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 13:53:14


Post by: Nostromodamus


NewTruthNeomaxim wrote:
Man... I am probably going to go DEEPLY at a Dropfleet Commander KS.


Me too. I hope Hawk waits until October rather than September as my wallet is still recovering from Black Plague, Bones and Terra Tiles...


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 13:59:09


Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim


My dilemma is being torn between several gaming worlds. My lazier friends who oppose painting also expect me to go hard at the Reaper Bones pre-paints around the same time. :-p

I'm going to be dirt poor... and love it. :-p


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 14:04:28


Post by: Nostromodamus


Crap, forgot about the Legendary Encounters KS!

God damn it...

Well, Hawk gets my money over Reaper on that decision.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 14:29:49


Post by: Alpharius


 Duncan_Idaho wrote:


Dropfleet sounds intriguing, but I've personally found the ground game rules to be a little... I don't know, repetitive?


Actually no, but judging from videos and experiences quite some american players seem to favor a different Meta than Europeans. Over here we prefer a more dropship-focused battle with much more non-conventional ways of attacking. It takes some time to adapt to the different way of fighting but once you get it it really is not your usual standard-battle.



Really?

Seriously?

I've heard this issue from more than one person, but I certainly don't remember if they were all....American.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 14:40:38


Post by: gr1m_dan


Interesting if slightly bloated rules for a space game but then Hawk have always gone over the top and old school with the rules, which appeals to a lot of old school 40k/Epic/BFG players.

I'll stick to Halo and FSA for now.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 16:48:34


Post by: RiTides


 Silent Puffin? wrote:
 RiTides wrote:
From playing Dropzone Commander I felt those stands could really use beefening up....


In what way? Mine are perfectly sturdy, I glued the wee plug in directly to my models and the actual base has been 'based'. They seem well balanced and nothing has fallen over so far.

Well, for instance most wargaming bases are hollow in the middle, rather than with a completely flat bottom, and thus they stay sturdy. Did you see the video above with the ship wobbling? Even if you glue it (and most people don't so they can remove them for transport) it's still quite spindly... I'd like to see a thicker stem at least.

 Duncan_Idaho wrote:
The Scourge-ships are still WiP and not final. So there WILL be some design-upgrades.

DZC-bases are quite heavy, even the plastic ones, if one tips over there has to be quite some force. You also better use two widgets per base... makes it easier to assamble and a bit sturdier.

The fleets not looking like ground units in space was exactly the point for Dave. There are some basic design choices, but also space dictates how the design pattern is altered.

KS... the plastic starter boxes are quiet expensive to produce.... we are talking 200K. Adding the fact that the ships are planned to be quite modular and designed to hold magnets for quick exchange of moduls from the beginning on I can understand why he uses KS for the start. Especially since this game is produced in addition to DZC. Only the core ships will be plastic btw, the more specialized ships will be resin as usual.

That's some great info, and a good idea about using two widgets (one above and one below the stem) per base to make it sturdier! Maybe they should supply that as the stock configuration, since you'd have to buy extra widgets otherwise?

 Duncan_Idaho wrote:
Dropfleet sounds intriguing, but I've personally found the ground game rules to be a little... I don't know, repetitive?

Actually no, but judging from videos and experiences quite some american players seem to favor a different Meta than Europeans. Over here we prefer a more dropship-focused battle with much more non-conventional ways of attacking. It takes some time to adapt to the different way of fighting but once you get it it really is not your usual standard-battle.

While I grant it could be different elsewhere (and usually is for any game when talking about different continents) in my local gaming group is the Gencon 2013 champion and 2014 runner up for DzC (he actually won the Star Wars Armada tourney at GenCon this year when not working at the Hawk Wargames booth - what a beast!). So, this isn't just like a tiny meta I'm talking about here... I really think that a different board layout could help, but straight streets with little or no cover between tall buildings is kind of a recipe for repetition.

Objectives help with this, but even those are not that varied in style. I definitely think it's an area with room for improvement (this was the take away from much of our gaming group after my friend and I really tried to get DzC adopted) and I hope they consider ways to do so (perhaps with a different type of card terrain, maybe lots of very low 1-story buildings for example). I've always wanted to do a desert themed board with much smaller structures, but it's a bit pricey to do with the terrain I've found available for that look.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 18:49:38


Post by: BobtheInquisitor


So, a San Fanceisco style board with hills and streets that curl and fold in upon themselves would help the game stay fresh?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 19:28:39


Post by: RiTides


Quite a bit actually, yes

Some of Hawk's photography shows setups like this with elevation variances, but it's just hard to get a table like that made in practice, especially at a smaller scale than a lot of wargamers have terrain in. But there are some sweet options - my DzC display board uses a Secret Weapon tile with a "creek" in it, but it looks like a little mini canyon with 10mm models on it


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 19:39:24


Post by: Souleater


chaos0xomega wrote:
Shifting back to DzC for a second, it seems that theyre already looking at more rules changes and ajustments/balancing for later on this year, which makes me wonder what the point of a LE hardcover rulebook is for whats apparrently intended to be a "living" ruleset.


Hawkwargames are already aware that this could be an issue.

"Since the Limited Edition Rulebook has just been published, there will be no changes to the core rules (besides the aforementioned coming back onto the table on a 4+ after leaving with an objective) for at least 6 months. Dave said that he likes to keep the rules as a living rules set, so they will continue to make tweaks on an approximately 6 month tick-tock, but if a rule or unit's rule is in the Core Rules, it will not change until then, and maybe not even then. So keep that in mind when you're asking about a rule from the Core Rules. Nuff said." http://www.hawkforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=6980&start=40

Also, Hawk are planning to launch an electronic, living rulebook version of the rules "On a completely unrelated topic, Hawk Wargames are very close to releasing a ... (wait for it...)... App. Yes, an app for both iOS and Android (at the same time!) that will not be free (sorry, Ljevid!), but will be very reasonably priced. The main app will contain all of the core rules and unit rules, and will probably (but it hasn't been finalized yet) be in the $10-$15 price range. There will also be "the books" which are extra, but will be very reasonably priced. For reference, I think all of the Warmachine/Hordes online material costs a total of $40, and all of the current DzC stuff (core app, plus books) will be "less than that". The app and books will be actively maintained, and you will just need to buy the app once, and it will "always stay current". This is Hawk Louis' brainchild, and I met the developer, Andrew, tonight, and he will be doing demos of the app at the Hawk booth tomorrow. I am very excited about this "

Some more information on DFC "Also on the Dropfleet front, the Shaltari will not have gate-like mechanics in space, as that's not how they work, but they will, of course, have shields. However, if you remember from previous info about Dropfleet, the way you determine range to an enemy ship is a combination of your sensor capability and the enemy ship's "signature", and when a Shaltari ship decides to raise its shields, "it will light up like a Christmas tree!"

PHR and Shaltari DfC ships are just in Dave's head, but PHR will be very much in favor of broadsides, and will from an aesthetics point of view have a combination of "curvy bits and straight, hard edges; think of a PHR rail gun like the Ares or Odin carry". "

These snippets are courtesy of JD Welch on the official Hawkforums. Big props to him for getting the information from Dave, the guy behind Hawk.





Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 20:07:41


Post by: Silent Puffin?


There is also a free and standalone army builder which has all you need to build lists.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 20:40:01


Post by: Vertrucio


I know it's impossible for the core units due to the steel molds being made already, but I hope that the scourge ground units from here on forward use these ships as a base, as opposed to the more 80s style designs.

If they did that, and updated everything else to these newer aesthetics, I would buy back into DZC and DFC in a heartbeat.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/03 21:10:03


Post by: BobtheInquisitor


 RiTides wrote:
Quite a bit actually, yes

Some of Hawk's photography shows setups like this with elevation variances, but it's just hard to get a table like that made in practice, especially at a smaller scale than a lot of wargamers have terrain in. But there are some sweet options - my DzC display board uses a Secret Weapon tile with a "creek" in it, but it looks like a little mini canyon with 10mm models on it


I wonder if it might be worth it to buy some of those My Busy Books with the little maps for hot wheels cars or the Island of Sodor, and then just cover everything but the roads and rivers with DZC buildings or Proxie Models terrain? Some of those maps have quite a lot of variety.

Or could you use Heroscape tiles and fish tank deco to make a Shaltari planet?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/04 11:12:43


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


I can see a pattern here. With Infinity and with DZC I often found it interesting that our tables look so different from the American ones. Over here we use way more scenery and rearrange them very often. So there is seldom a repetetive game since every time we play we have a different table and even with the mission layouts we use them just as a list what has to be absolutly on the table but still add extra stuff. On The other hand, we do have companies like Warmill, 4Ground and Blotz etc. over here which makes getting a lot of good-looking terrain easier.

I know it's impossible for the core units due to the steel molds being made already, but I hope that the scourge ground units from here on forward use these ships as a base, as opposed to the more 80s style designs.


Absolutly noch chance. The design ist not so much 80s but very technically sound. Dave makes a point of it that he approves only designs that do not work with handwavium. Also ground units will look different from space units but keep the basic aesthetics. As with modern planes that look different from modern tanks etc. this will be the standard for both games.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/04 11:34:09


Post by: RiTides


Our local scene is very Infinity heavy and definitely uses tons of terrain in as many different configurations as possible, as you describe your local scene . Approaching DzC in a similar manner is smart, but just makes the buy-in a lot higher since the terrain is smaller in scale. That's why most people use the paper buildings DzC provides, but then you have the repetitive issue.

Having Hawk promote alternate table types would be a really good idea for growing the game - all the "official" games and tournaments I've seen from Hawk have been on their cityscape terrain only, including all the tournies the Hawk team has come over to run in the US (at AdeptiCon, GenCon, and in the past TempleCon). Can anyone in the UK speak to if they use other terrain in their home events?

I think an Infinity approach could really make the game much more viable, but unlike Corvus Belli I haven't seen this pushed at all. I'd really like to see some pics of your table setups if you have them, Duncan!



Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/04 11:44:46


Post by: piperider361


While it's still subject to change, I feel like I'll point out that Dave has repeatedly mentioned that the DFC Kickstarter will only be used to product the plastic starter sets (which allows most of the ships to be built), and nothing more. They don't want to exclude retailers and the standard supply chain by doing one of the huge Kickstarters where everyone buys everything there, and then retailers are left in the dust. Which I think is a great plan, myself.

I know some folks love their huge giant Kickstarters where you get hundreds of models and loaded with exclusives, but at this point, that doesn't appear to be Hawk's plan, and I'm happy for that.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/04 13:05:30


Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim


piperider361 wrote:
While it's still subject to change, I feel like I'll point out that Dave has repeatedly mentioned that the DFC Kickstarter will only be used to product the plastic starter sets (which allows most of the ships to be built), and nothing more. They don't want to exclude retailers and the standard supply chain by doing one of the huge Kickstarters where everyone buys everything there, and then retailers are left in the dust. Which I think is a great plan, myself.

I know some folks love their huge giant Kickstarters where you get hundreds of models and loaded with exclusives, but at this point, that doesn't appear to be Hawk's plan, and I'm happy for that.


Plans are all well and good, but sometimes change. I can see a LOT of money pouring into that KS, and hopefully Hawk has a plan for that if it happens.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/05 02:57:30


Post by: nobody


Yeah I love DZC, but at this point in my LGS we're pretty much limited to the cardboard DZC terrain (and occasional re-purposed FoW terrain). It's mainly due to there not being many of us plus the cost of terrain.

I'm envious every time I see pictures of some of the terrain on tables in stores in Europe.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/05 20:35:42


Post by: Vertrucio


If the KS gets extra money, it should just go towards more future sprues that allow for even more variants. Plastics are ridiculously expensive to produce. I'm pretty sure Hawk is still paying off the bank for the DZC plastic starters, which is why they want to do KS for these ships.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/05 21:04:57


Post by: CthuluIsSpy


Has DZC gone retail? I still can't find it in my FLGS.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/05 21:23:25


Post by: NewTruthNeomaxim


So, weird question, and I know this isn't quite the place, but it IS one of the only high-traffic discussions on DFC/DZC on DakkaDakka...

I plan on getting into DFC, and want to play DZC, but my one brief demo proved difficult, because as a gamer with a disability, I sit rather low versus most gaming tables. It never mattered much for 40k, etc... but DZC's paper-craft buildings, and densely packed tables actually made seeing and having a sense for the full battle-field, quite tough.

Can anyone speak to how the game does with still numerous, but "shorter" terrain pieces?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/05 21:40:20


Post by: zedmeister


NewTruthNeomaxim wrote:
So, weird question, and I know this isn't quite the place, but it IS one of the only high-traffic discussions on DFC/DZC on DakkaDakka...

I plan on getting into DFC, and want to play DZC, but my one brief demo proved difficult, because as a gamer with a disability, I sit rather low versus most gaming tables. It never mattered much for 40k, etc... but DZC's paper-craft buildings, and densely packed tables actually made seeing and having a sense for the full battle-field, quite tough.

Can anyone speak to how the game does with still numerous, but "shorter" terrain pieces?


4Ground do some 10mm scale buildings meant for DZC that are shorter but also allow you to remove the upper floors to allow east access: http://www.4ground.co.uk/urban-zone

Worth a look. Also, the missions in the book don't all require an urban battlefield to play.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/05 21:43:00


Post by: Silent Puffin?


 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
Has DZC gone retail? I still can't find it in my FLGS.


Ages ago....

DFC is supposedly out around the end of the year.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/05 21:48:16


Post by: CthuluIsSpy


 Silent Puffin? wrote:
 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
Has DZC gone retail? I still can't find it in my FLGS.


Ages ago....

DFC is supposedly out around the end of the year.


I guess it hasn't arrived in France yet then


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/06 01:47:52


Post by: nobody


 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
 Silent Puffin? wrote:
 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
Has DZC gone retail? I still can't find it in my FLGS.


Ages ago....

DFC is supposedly out around the end of the year.


I guess it hasn't arrived in France yet then


Judging from the tournaments I've come across, it certainly seems to be. Your LGS may not carry it normally due to demand.

Mine (U.S.) doesn't, but they can order the models from one of their suppliers.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/06 09:32:43


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


DFC will be more like early 2016.

And we do have quite a lot scenery companies for 10mm over here. 4Ground, Blotz, Warmage, etc.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/06 12:37:51


Post by: RiTides


Release in 2016 but Kickstarter in October, right?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/06 12:39:13


Post by: RexInvictus


True shame no one in my area is playing this, otherwise I'd be buying PHR immediately. :(


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/06 12:46:57


Post by: Nostromodamus


 RiTides wrote:
Release in 2016 but Kickstarter in October, right?


Right


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/06 19:38:52


Post by: Thimn


I recently got into this game and I'm having a blast.

I'm hoping to build up a player base in the Cleveland area over the next 6 months. Perfect for when Drop Fleet hits


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 0011/08/07 18:04:50


Post by: Silent Puffin?


Rules for the Screamer and Raider

The Abhorrent rules sounds quite useful but the complete lack of a ranged weapon is a hefty limiting factor IMO, at least the Screamer is cheap.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/07 18:24:19


Post by: RiTides


Wow, a +1 modifier when searching for objectives! I think they should FAQ if that stacks or not, seems like you could make it basically impossible to discover an objective by hiding a bunch of screamers by the building

I would seriously consider fielding a few just to run up the board (rather than fly) with that rule, and Movement 6 (so 8" on a road)!


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/07 18:41:07


Post by: Thimn


Ya the screamer is going to be great to just slow down some points gathering. Also would be annoying for people to hunt down instead of something of more value. I like it.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/08 07:31:42


Post by: Nightwolf829


 Silent Puffin wrote:

The Medusa is terrifying.


No kidding. I find myself suddenly re-thinking my approach to flame weapons, not going to lie. Might be time to invest in some Fire Wagons.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/08 08:52:48


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


Only thing I don´t like is the taming of Shaltaris. They are beatable as they are it just takes some more brains than usual. No real reason to nerf them.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/08 21:48:03


Post by: Killionaire


Some Shaltari nerf was in order, mostly due to how extremely good Gates are, while their other units are as capable in combat as anyone else's. It's minor if anything, probably an extra 30 points in a 1500 list.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/09 10:49:31


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


And still their gunships are quite useless...


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/09 15:31:27


Post by: chaos0xomega


with the release of all these new infantry units, I have to question:

1. Are anti-infantry units and weapons now worth investing in?
2. Are the original infantry choices that werent used all that much still worth investing in?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/09 16:51:47


Post by: piperider361


chaos0xomega wrote:
with the release of all these new infantry units, I have to question:

1. Are anti-infantry units and weapons now worth investing in?
2. Are the original infantry choices that werent used all that much still worth investing in?


I'm not sure I'd say any of the original infantry weren't used much at all...they're pretty much staples in every list. The majority of the new infantry are not Troops choices, but rather Exotics and Scouts, so you won't see them outright replacing a lot of other infantry.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/09 16:51:57


Post by: Nightwolf829


chaos0xomega wrote:
with the release of all these new infantry units, I have to question:

1. Are anti-infantry units and weapons now worth investing in?
2. Are the original infantry choices that werent used all that much still worth investing in?


1. CQB specialists were always potent, but now flamers are more worth taking than they ever have been. This is particularly true if your opponents run units like Freeriders or Medusae.
2. Infantry are necessary to find objectives and count double in focal point missions inside of buildings. Up until now each faction has only had a couple of options regarding them; so most of them always saw use. These new choices are not replacements, but options. They cover different niches than their counterparts (often fitting in an exotic or scout slot instead of the standard infantry one*) and they typically bring a stronger shooting presence to the battlefield**. This is always at a cost. Normally with a reduced body count or CQB presence.

*The UCM and PHR each received alternatives to their standard infantry selections, but both suffer from reduced CQB performance. The UCM options in particular also suffer from reduced body count.
**Scourge Eviscerators and PHR Valkyries are the outiers here. The former is new dedicated CQB specialist, arguably the best in the game, that has reduced objective finding capability and loses the shooting attacks of its Destroyer brethren. Valkyries on the other hand are a fast scout option, but they lose the firepower of a team of Immortals.

TL;DR: None of these units replace their original counterparts and more or less all of those units saw play to begin with. The only exceptions that I can think of are Razorworms (an upgrade choice for the Scourge heavy grav-tanks) or the Aged-Ones upgrade to basic Scourge Warriors. The former many people love or leave and the latter is simply a non-modeled upgrade available to Scourge Warrior stands. It was a stop gap put in place before the Scourge had dedicated exotic units.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/09 18:46:57


Post by: CthuluIsSpy


How many infantry units do you really need in a DzC list?
It seems to me that vehicles are more effective combat wise, and infantry are just for objectives.

Then again, I don't play the game. Interested, but I don't have it.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/09 18:53:13


Post by: Charax


seems like that's precisely the perception they're trying to change with the new releases - making infantry that CAN stand up to tanks and AREN'T just for objectives


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/09 19:16:38


Post by: CthuluIsSpy


Charax wrote:
seems like that's precisely the perception they're trying to change with the new releases - making infantry that CAN stand up to tanks and AREN'T just for objectives


Ah, so that was the old way.
Interesting.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/09 21:58:44


Post by: chaos0xomega


but are they better at it than non infantry options are?


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/09 22:47:45


Post by: Nightwolf829


Dropzone Commenter has been making a number of great articles about the game recently. I feel like his analysis of the new infantry (see the link below) is spot on. Also note that not all of the new releases are infantry. A number of light vehicles have come out too. Which make the lighter anti-tank weapons (like PHR stealth missile batteries) a lot more useful.

http://gamerati.com/hawk-to-the-future-new-troops-new-tactics/


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/10 00:49:29


Post by: AegisGrimm


They also had one of the UCM commanders in a bad-ass tank at GenCon, besides the aforementioned light vehicles.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/10 17:16:42


Post by: Vertrucio


I'm still not sold on "optional" commander characters. I dislike the very GW style hand waving they do in this regard. It's either in the game, or not, don't drive potential wedges into your already limited player base this early in the game's growth period. If you want to have rules that are wildly unbalanced, just release alternative wild rules, rather than spending time and money and release schedule on something no one might use, or worse, misuse.

Same for the command cards, I hope in the next book they do more in-game with command, rather than offloading it into random cards.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/10 19:18:03


Post by: Compel


I think they've handled the special commanders thing quite well.

Basically, if you want to field one, the best thing to do is have your mate field one too.

The thing is, the way the games rules work, if the Special Commanders were absolutely 100% totally in line with the power levels and costs of everything else.

They'd either:

1) Be not all that special at all, and actually rather boring.

OR

2) Due to the army building points value percentage rules, be unfieldable in games of less than 2500 points plus.

Plus, anywhere outside of a tournament, I'd be rather disappointed if someone complained about you using a Cato as a normal Ferrum, or Marcos Barrios as a Nemesis command walker.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/10 23:43:36


Post by: Thokt


Very excited for DFC, but a bit bummed about the kickstarter route. The company has done little that disappoints me, so perhaps it will all go swimmingly.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/11 00:22:46


Post by: warboss


 Thokt wrote:
Very excited for DFC, but a bit bummed about the kickstarter route. The company has done little that disappoints me, so perhaps it will all go swimmingly.


They're making you wait for precioussss...


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/11 00:40:58


Post by: Vertrucio


 Compel wrote:
I think they've handled the special commanders thing quite well.

Basically, if you want to field one, the best thing to do is have your mate field one too.

The thing is, the way the games rules work, if the Special Commanders were absolutely 100% totally in line with the power levels and costs of everything else.

They'd either:

1) Be not all that special at all, and actually rather boring.

OR

2) Due to the army building points value percentage rules, be unfieldable in games of less than 2500 points plus.

Plus, anywhere outside of a tournament, I'd be rather disappointed if someone complained about you using a Cato as a normal Ferrum, or Marcos Barrios as a Nemesis command walker.


It's a little unreasonable to assume both players have character commanders, or want to use them. Plenty of games do have interesting and unique commanders and find ways to balance them, not just through points. The points system exists, and DZC already uses points, so DZC isn't special in this regard. Overall, this seems like a big holdover from GW-style backwards thinking, the kind of thinking that gave us AoS.

Honestly, it smells of a bit of laziness, they wanted to push a few more models into the release schedule, but knowing that special characters take more time to balance, just hand waved away the need to balance them. Not that they are totally lazy, since Hawk does great work balancing the game's normal units, but this is one area where they've cut a very specific corner in terms of game design. Or it could be worse, they let themselves be held back by very backwards thinking that would limit the sales and use of such models.

As for Kickstarter, well I don't think Hawk actually has enough equity to fund their own new set of plastics. If they went to the bank now, or looked for other investors, they'd have to give up more than they would normally. So kickstarter is a way for them to have a bit more control and security.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/11 01:24:55


Post by: AegisGrimm


I would just use the characters as awesome looking versions of regular units. At worst, they are variant models, so it's not really that big a deal to gripe about.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/11 08:44:39


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


Very excited for DFC, but a bit bummed about the kickstarter route.


The KS is only for the starter-box. The starter being 200+K that is quite understandable. Either we wait longer or we kickstart it. The rest of DFC will be released as usual.


It's a little unreasonable to assume both players have character commanders, or want to use them.


No, cause it says right there in the rules that you should talk about using commanders beforehand with your opponent.

Plenty of games do have interesting and unique commanders and find ways to balance them, not just through points. The points system exists, and DZC already uses points, so DZC isn't special in this regard. Overall, this seems like a big holdover from GW-style backwards thinking, the kind of thinking that gave us AoS.

Honestly, it smells of a bit of laziness, they wanted to push a few more models into the release schedule, but knowing that special characters take more time to balance, just hand waved away the need to balance them. Not that they are totally lazy, since Hawk does great work balancing the game's normal units, but this is one area where they've cut a very specific corner in terms of game design. Or it could be worse, they let themselves be held back by very backwards thinking that would limit the sales and use of such models.


Yes, but still they are rather generic. The way DZC does it we can get more detailed characters without changing the rest of the game too much. Special commanders on the battlefield are intended to be special and not a commander you choose for every battle. Lesser commanders you choose all the time and you really need them to win the game. That´s not laziness that´s just offering an optional way of playing the game without changing the standard game too much.

Same for the command cards, I hope in the next book they do more in-game with command, rather than offloading it into random cards.


Won´t happen and the cards are not that random. You know quite well what to expect and what the chances are. The cards add some more narration which is always a good thing for games.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/11 10:15:47


Post by: scarletsquig


I'll be in on Dropfleet if the plan is 4 fleets in hard plastic, will get the lot.

DZC was interesting, but I never did quite get a feel for the game and how I should be playing it.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/13 08:57:07


Post by: Duncan_Idaho


Only the core units will be plastic, the rest resin.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/14 06:03:14


Post by: Vaktathi


 Duncan_Idaho wrote:
Only thing I don´t like is the taming of Shaltaris. They are beatable as they are it just takes some more brains than usual.
This is a pretty strong indication that something is wrong with balance when it requires a higher level of play to beat one faction over others

Besides, the nerf's don't look huge, 4pts on Gaia's, 5pts on Eden's, 3pts on Spirits, and 15pts supposedly on the Caiman. For most lists, this may amount to like 25-30pts? If one were running like 4 Caiman's before, it might hurt a whole lot, but most lists probably won't see more than a 25-50pt change or so at 1500pts.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/14 13:02:58


Post by: CthuluIsSpy


What's a good army to start with, that's not UCM?
I don't like the UCM aesthetic that much.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/14 13:07:44


Post by: Nostromodamus


 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
What's a good army to start with, that's not UCM?
I don't like the UCM aesthetic that much.


Scourge, PHR, Shaltari or Resistance

Seriously, the game is so well balanced they're all fair game.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/14 13:08:06


Post by: Thimn


There really isn't a bad Army. Just different play styles. In 40k terms.

UCM - Plays like the IG
Scourge - a mix of Tyranids/Dark Eldar
PHR- Generally elite units so more like Marines
Shaltari- Eldar with high movement shenanigans with teleporting.
Resistance - I haven't had a chance to play vs yet so I can't offer any opinions


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/14 13:22:54


Post by: CthuluIsSpy


 Alex C wrote:
 CthuluIsSpy wrote:
What's a good army to start with, that's not UCM?
I don't like the UCM aesthetic that much.


Scourge, PHR, Shaltari or Resistance

Seriously, the game is so well balanced they're all fair game.


So they are all noob friendly? That's interesting.
Do the PHR really rely on transports? I heard they are the slowest faction.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/14 13:31:57


Post by: Nostromodamus


Shaltari work differently, but not really any more complex, with their Gates.

PHR can use transports as much as anyone can. The "slow" reputation comes from the Mechs I think.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/14 16:19:03


Post by: RiTides


I would not classify PHR as "noob friendly", Cthulhu - locally, it was one of the harder factions for people to get the hang of because of how slow they are (and thus not very forgiving of positioning mistakes). They also have done poorly at the official tournies... for myself, I found Shaltari easy to play, and Scourge is scary and has a very unique style. You might also consider the Resistance if you want to play humans


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/14 17:05:36


Post by: Vertrucio


The way releases are going seem to indicate that every army will have options to play in every style. Fast, swarm, elite, etc. Just all in different ways.

Scourge, for example, can definitely play in elite and tough styles, not with every unit slot or type yet, but give it time.

I know I plan to play PHR but with their fast stuff only, with only a few of the heavy walkers as backup. This is due to the release of the newer jet skimmers.

UCM had their light tanks released pretty quickly.

The army building and objectives do force some level of balanced building though.


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/14 18:21:44


Post by: nobody


 RiTides wrote:
I would not classify PHR as "noob friendly", Cthulhu - locally, it was one of the harder factions for people to get the hang of because of how slow they are (and thus not very forgiving of positioning mistakes). They also have done poorly at the official tournies... for myself, I found Shaltari easy to play, and Scourge is scary and has a very unique style. You might also consider the Resistance if you want to play humans


Can't speak to your local meta, but PHR tends to do as well as UCM and Scourge (if not a little better). They just happen to be the most populous faction so it skews the optics. The outliers tend to be Shaltari (which win and place in the top 3 a lot), and Resistance (who are really rare).


Dropfleet Commander News - Kickstarter orders being dispatched - Ongoing! @ 2015/08/15 21:21:12


Post by: RiTides


I'd give you UCM, but as far as top finishes I think Scourge have shown to have much more potential. Here are the Invasion 2015 results, for reference:

Spoiler:

I was just speaking from personal experience that local players found them slow and unforgiving... but I do think the speed of Shaltari and Scourge give them an edge (and if I wanted a human faction, I'd personally go with Resistance).

If just depends on what style you like to play - Shaltari are obviously extremely solid, Scourge are glass cannons and very dynamic, whereas PHR are extremely "tanky" and hard to kill. I like the differing styles and I think the new releases will likely level the playing field a bit, along with the tweak to Shaltari (which hurts, since they're my faction but is probably needed).