Hm, I do remember someone mentioning something about a spider like infantry choice for the Isorians.
If the Isorians could field alien units, that would differentiate them from the Concord a little bit.
That artillery piece does look pretty nice, and the boromite monster looks better in its final release. Before it looked odd. Isn't the name wrong though? I thought the Matriarch was a fat lady Boromite.
CthuluIsSpy wrote: That artillery piece does look pretty nice, and the boromite monster looks better in its final release. Before it looked odd.
Isn't the name wrong though? I thought the Matriarch was a fat lady Boromite.
They might have changed the name. In the book it is called the Matronite Broodmother.
I think it's a safe bet that the Isorians get the Tsan Ra. The latest studio update stated that sculpting was complete for a new troop type/race for the Isorians, and they share the "phase troopers" name.
Tsan Ra and X-Howitzer both look amazing for Isorians.
Boromites look like they have a lot of units lined up and ready for release.
Any new freeborn? Supposedly the Skarks are already being worked on.
Those Tsan Ra (from what I can tell) look pretty darn awesome. I should be getting my Isorian skirmish force in the mail this week, and I can't wait for more units to be released.
I like that the Tsan-Ra are wearing the same type of bio armor as the regular human Isorian troops. If you look closely, you can see one of them has its helmet opened. I actually kind of like those Freeborn Nuhu, too. They look like they should be posed together, clasping hands though.
The reason that the Concord and (partial) Isorian lists are similar is that the Panhuman Concord is the society that spread from the planet Isori. The Concord is not just or even primarily a political institution; rather it is a unified integrated machine intelligence society. Most tech in this setting is nanospore-based. When Concord tech comes into contact with other sufficiently advanced tech, the machine intelligence embodied by the nano-sphere (IMTel) attempts to absorb it. The IMTel is not just one monolithic thing but a system of networks called, at various scales, "shards." So when a Concord force sets out across interstellar distances, that force can be thought of as an IMTel shard.
One such, the so-called Tsatean shard, ran into the silicon-based Tsan Kiri aliens while exploring. The Tsan Kiri were also an integrated machine technology society but the IMTel of each race could not interface with the other and when that happens - and this is a vast oversimplification - the IMTel directs the host species (i.e., humans and Tsan Kiri) to fight it out. The resulting war lasted centuries until the Tsan Kiri devised a way to bridge the carbon-silicon gap between their respective networks ... but this backfired: the two united and the resulting IMTel started spreading "back" through Concord space, including to Isori.
The hybrid IMTel could not merge with Concord IMTel shards located more remotely from Isori itself, however. So the current Panhuman Concord is just the margins of the previous one.
I don't know what the relationship between Tsan Kiri and Tsan Ra is ... are Tsan Ra a kind of Tsan Kiri absorbed into Isorian society? Before fighting and ultimately fleeing from the Isorians, the Tsan Kiri had conquered other non-human races. Could Tsan Ra be one such race, abandoned by the Tsan Kiri and forced to merge with the Isorians? Or are the Tsan Ra a new faction entirely, the Tsan Kiri returned to take revenge on the Isorians?
Manchu wrote: The reason that the Concord and (partial) Isorian lists are similar is that the Panhuman Concord is the society that spread from the planet Isori. The Concord is not just or even primarily a political institution; rather it is a unified integrated machine intelligence society. Most tech in this setting is nanospore-based. When Concord tech comes into contact with other sufficiently advanced tech, the machine intelligence embodied by the nano-sphere (IMTel) attempts to absorb it. The IMTel is not just one monolithic thing but a system of networks called, at various scales, "shards." So when a Concord force sets out across interstellar distances, that force can be thought of as an IMTel shard.
One such, the so-called Tsatean shard, ran into the silicon-based Tsan Kiri aliens while exploring. The Tsan Kiri were also an integrated machine technology society but the IMTel of each race could not interface with the other and when that happens - and this is a vast oversimplification - the IMTel directs the host species (i.e., humans and Tsan Kiri) to fight it out. The resulting war lasted centuries until the Tsan Kiri devised a way to bridge the carbon-silicon gap between their respective networks ... but this backfired: the two united and the resulting IMTel started spreading "back" through Concord space, including to Isori.
The hybrid IMTel could not merge with Concord IMTel shards located more remotely from Isori itself, however. So the current Panhuman Concord is just the margins of the previous one.
I don't know what the relationship between Tsan Kiri and Tsan Ra is ... are Tsan Ra a kind of Tsan Kiri absorbed into Isorian society? Before fighting and ultimately fleeing from the Isorians, the Tsan Kiri had conquered other non-human races. Could Tsan Ra be one such race, abandoned by the Tsan Kiri and forced to merge with the Isorians? Or are the Tsan Ra a new faction entirely, the Tsan Kiri returned to take revenge on the Isorians?
So Isorians are the "true" concord then, as they are from the Concord homeworld?
CthuluIsSpy wrote: So Isorians are the "true" concord then, as they are from the Concord homeworld?
In a sense. Most interstellar travel takes place through the eponymous gates that develop in the star Antares - but the gates have collapsed several times in the past, isolating previously connected systems. What would become the technology/way of life of the Concord was preserved during one such dark age by the people of Isori. Isori itself had long been a hub of human development. When the gates eventually reopened, the Isorians made contact with many other humans who had technologically regressed, re-spreading the culture of the previous age. This is the origin of the Panhuman Concord. However - the remainder of the Concord is closer now to what the Isorians were before the Tsan Kiri wars. And the "Concord" itself has no real homeworld. The Concord is defined by the IMTel and the IMTel is not really as monolithic as it superficially seems. At every level of organization, the so-called "shards," the IMTel is slightly different. This is why the Tsatean shard, the one infected by the Tsan Kiri's carbon-silicon bridge, could only spread so far. The larger the Concord is, the more diversity there is between shards. But as long as the shards can interface, they remain part of the same IMTel. The current Isorian IMTel can no longer interface with the Concord IMTel, so what was originally a single culture and society has split into two.
I see, that's interesting.
Its a bit reminiscent of the Roman Empire to me, with the West / Original Empire falling to foreign influence (Isorian) and the newer branch being closer to the original (Concord)
CthuluIsSpy wrote: So Isorians are the "true" concord then, as they are from the Concord homeworld?
In a sense. Most interstellar travel takes place through the eponymous gates that develop in the star Antares - but the gates have collapsed several times in the past, isolating previously connected systems. What would become the technology/way of life of the Concord was preserved during one such dark age by the people of Isori. Isori itself had long been a hub of human development. When the gates eventually reopened, the Isorians made contact with many other humans who had technologically regressed, re-spreading the culture of the previous age. This is the origin of the Panhuman Concord. However - the remainder of the Concord is closer now to what the Isorians were before the Tsan Kiri wars. And the "Concord" itself has no real homeworld. The Concord is defined by the IMTel and the IMTel is not really as monolithic as it superficially seems. At every level of organization, the so-called "shards," the IMTel is slightly different. This is why the Tsatean shard, the one infected by the Tsan Kiri's carbon-silicon bridge, could only spread so far. The larger the Concord is, the more diversity there is between shards. But as long as the shards can interface, they remain part of the same IMTel. The current Isorian IMTel can no longer interface with the Concord IMTel, so what was originally a single culture and society has split into two.
Interestingly, if they are part of the Isorian Senatex, then they and Isorian humans probably don't perceive themselves as being different peoples. The biological sense of species is unlikely to be as important to an IMTel-based society than otherwise. To us, they look completely different but to themselves they are all Isorians.
Unread postby RichWarlordGames » Mon Apr 18, 2016 11:16 am
2. Next plastic infantry release is likely to be the Algoryn I believe, how soon (and will this include component to build both AI and Assault troops)? We don't have a definite release date for the Algoryn plastics just yet, as they're still being worked upon... however as soon as we have news, we'll be sure to shout about it via our Newsletter - so keep watching!
3. The recent Drone release seems to have drones in styles for all 4 buddy drone using races, will we see things like 4 race versions of a gun drone for example (I'd buy them)? Absolutely - in time, we plan to release all of the units outlined in the core Rulebook (and forthcoming expansion books) - however again - we don't have definite dates for all of the specific products just yet, as they're still in development
4, The resin scenery pieces (Ghar junkyard, alien fora for Xilos etc) featured a few months ago, will we be seeing these released soon? Yes! - the originals were produced by members of our web-team for our staff gaming... however, they were so good that we've been working with the resin production team to have them mass-produced... we've been tweaking the design with their help, and should see them on sale soon.
5. The plans were for an hard plastic infantry box to be released for each race, with us 2 down and 3 to go (well it could be six....hint hint) when will the last box be released (2 years down the road).[b]
The plan is to have plastics for each faction in the first year
Plastics for all factions within the year, eh? Hopefully they can pull that off.
Back during the original Kickstarter, I recall them saying that humanoid robots would play a big part in the various armies. I wonder if that's still in the plans at all?
The first Themed Army List I know will be the Ghar Outcast Revolt in the first Suppliment. ATW it looks like this will be the only one in this Book. :(
There is reason for any supplemental army lists not being on top of the priority list. The basic ones are not finished yet, and only Concord and Ghar got their plastic infantry kits. The first campaign book is accompanied by basic miniature releases for the rulebook factions. Fartok's army list is part of the story-focussed concept of GoA. He's an outcast, hunted by the Ghar Empire. Several of the missions are about him and his followers. Fartok and the other character releases are there to add to the background of the universe afaik. Yes, new lists will be added but the general intend of the campaign books is to enhance the rulebook armies.
Quite large parts of the GoA model ranges consist of 'beta-sculpts', placeholders if you will, released to testplay and enjoy the game before the Xilos starter came out, and some were re-released after beta because of popular demand. Give Warlord the time to bring into shops what they have in the pipeline for the current factions, before anything more esoteric like adding too many subfactions. The rulebook is full of vehicles and other units' artwork and rules without models. Warlord has started to release these in late December and they said it will take the entire year 2016 to finish.
The german rulebook (~35 EUR) and starter set (looks to be identical to the english one but not sure if shops have the correct info about it) (~95 EUR) are available to preorder at some webshops like Radaddel. Street date: May 2nd
Warhams-77 wrote: The german rulebook (~35 EUR) and starter set (looks to be identical to the english one but not sure if shops have the correct info about it) (~95 EUR) are available to preorder at some webshops like Radaddel. Street date: May 2nd
That's actually a pretty nice paint scheme.
I don't like the default bluish white for the Ghar suits, but it looks surprisingly good in dark purple with highlights.
A little overdue but here's a wee studio update for you...
Steve continues to design the Skarks. There are looking AMAZING. We'll preview them when the sculpting is finished. Next up her has the Freeborn mag Mortar crew as well as 47mm anti-tank gun crew for the French Army in Bolt Action.
Wojtek is completing Napoleonic Highlanders as well as working on Volksgrenadiers for Bolt Action. Next up will be Isorian Pulse Bikes...
Russ is putting the finishing touches to Fartok' Outcast Rebel army. Most of this is already completed with only a couple of pieces yet to finish off. He then returns to the Time Vortex and more Doctor Who.
Andres is on holiday taking a well-earned break. When he returns he'll be working on photography for the Xilos supplement and more Algoryn support/heavy weapons.
Darek has been painting a forthcoming Soviet T-70 light tank for Bolt Action as well as painting more German vehicles also for future release.
Kirsten has now finished the Xilos Gulper she was painting at Salute last Saturday. Her attention is now focused of an Outcast Rebel command team with Rose Tyler for Doctor Who and Isorian Tsan Ra phase troopers next in line.
Anna has been hard at work on the Xilos supplement which is not far off being completed bar artwork and photos. She's also been preparing lots of images for Bolt Action second edition.
Mark's been up to his eyes in box design s for a variety of game systems as well as also preparing images for BA2.
Now, if you'll excuse me I have a maglash to crack...
CthuluIsSpy wrote: Ah, so they are a non-senpiant mount then.
Is there a description of the Xilos? What kind of alien are they, humanoid, bug or squid?
That's interesting, are there rules for wild life that operates as an independent force on the table? I recall seeing rules for wild life in a White Dwarf for 40k a while back, but wild life isn't really something that shows up in wargames.
CthuluIsSpy wrote: That's interesting, are there rules for wild life that operates as an independent force on the table? I recall seeing rules for wild life in a White Dwarf for 40k a while back, but wild life isn't really something that shows up in wargames.
Not yet. I assume they'll be in the Xilos supplement book as NPCs for scenarios or hireable mercs (Boromites and Freeborn have animals and handlers so there is precedent) or maybe both.
CthuluIsSpy wrote: Ah, Xilos is a planet, not a race.
Well, now I feel silly. I guess this Xilos Gulper is more fauna then.
The Antarean technology is largely based on technology found from a race called the Builders (including Antares itself, which is essentially a planet-sized portal linking millions of planets together) . Nobody has actually encountered Builders.
Xilos is a contested planet that has been discovered which has Builder technology on it - something that hasn't really ever been found before. Obviously every race sees value in capturing this planet and the potential treasure trove of new technology it would bring.
CthuluIsSpy wrote: That's interesting, are there rules for wild life that operates as an independent force on the table? I recall seeing rules for wild life in a White Dwarf for 40k a while back, but wild life isn't really something that shows up in wargames.
There was a whole section in Rogue Trader for animals/wild-life, although that was a while back!
Not really surprising considering the Rick Priestly 40/GoA crossover though!
Freeborn have animals in their army list if I remember correctly. But I dont have the book nearby. There are also critters with random abilities in the rulebook. Actually these could be the same.
Reports continue to circulate of a renegade Ghar Outcast, known only as Fartok, attracting a growing force of rebel Ghar. Their objectives are unknown at this stage. A C3 scout probe captured this image of one the battle walkers utilised by the commanders of Fartok's force. More as we receive hard facts...
The Antarean technology is largely based on technology found from a race called the Builders (including Antares itself, which is essentially a planet-sized portal linking millions of planets together) .
Well more like a giant star. IIRCGoA's Antares is pretty much our Antares in terms of location and size, so, "With a radius that is approximately 883 times that of the Sun, if placed in the center of our Solar System, its outer surface would lie between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter." Which is why in-universe, with ships that don't have FTL speeds, there's empires carved out of portions of the space Antares occupies.
Man, all recent GoA sculpts / releases have been ace!! My only problem is I'm not a fan of the infantry, which I think were early sculpts, for most factions... but seriously incredible work on these and everything from this year.
The Antarean technology is largely based on technology found from a race called the Builders (including Antares itself, which is essentially a planet-sized portal linking millions of planets together) .
Well more like a giant star. IIRCGoA's Antares is pretty much our Antares in terms of location and size, so, "With a radius that is approximately 883 times that of the Sun, if placed in the center of our Solar System, its outer surface would lie between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter." Which is why in-universe, with ships that don't have FTL speeds, there's empires carved out of portions of the space Antares occupies.
One of the things I like is the vastness of the setting. That double-page map of the surface of Antares in the rulebook... a map of earth would be smaller than a single microscopic ink dot on the page. Imagine that whole area covered with gates to other worlds and galaxies, even other universes, past and present and future.
And it's not just size but flexibility too - the notion of the gates rising and falling in the star's photosphere gives a good reason for contact with planets to be lost and regained. Campaigns of exploration, trade and conquest all fit in well - the whole thing feels suitably epic and there's all the space in the world to "do your own thing" with the setting. And the second gate horizon in the Xilos system (leading to... who knows?) gives the setting that kick of "something new". You can see in the intro vids with Rick Priestley just how invested he is in the universe.
Minor astro-nitpick - I reckon the circumference of the star is 24.8 AUs, not 248 as on the map (the orbital radius of Mars is 1.5 AUs), but hey, it's still an area that's vast beyond imagining.
Images have been acquired from an Oszoni Freeborn mercenary company of Ghar troops the like of which have not been previously encountered. Whether these are a new formation within the Ghar Empire or a splinter from it cannot be corroborated. The repurposing of Algoryn and Concord weaponry is a new development.
These are obviously the Ghar Outcast rebels that will be featured in the upcoming expansion book. It would make sense that they'd scavenge battlefield to equip themselves...or possibly trade with the Freeborn (who may have in turn sold those photos to Concord; making money on both ends, lol).
Reports continue to circulate of a renegade Ghar Outcast, known only as Fartok, attracting a growing force of rebel Ghar. Their objectives are unknown at this stage. A C3 scout probe captured this image of one the battle walkers utilised by the commanders of Fartok's force. More as we receive hard facts...
Is this maybe another Character for the Fartok Rebellion Army? I doubt this is a generic Battlearmour of a regulary Renegade.
I am pretty sure that suit is in Fartok's "colors" as it were (spiked ghar skulls + suit head). Looks like it might be decorated with some kind of hide as well?
Reports continue to circulate of a renegade Ghar Outcast, known only as Fartok, attracting a growing force of rebel Ghar. Their objectives are unknown at this stage. A C3 scout probe captured this image of one the battle walkers utilised by the commanders of Fartok's force. More as we receive hard facts...
Is this maybe another Character for the Fartok Rebellion Army? I doubt this is a generic Battlearmour of a regulary Renegade.
Must be a character - Paul Sawyer stated that Rebel Ghar battle/Assault/Bomber suits will be the same as the Ghar Empire versions - no additional parts.
It would be nice if they offered a rebel ghar 'trophy bitz' blister for decorating battle suits.
It looks like those unarmored Ghar are wearing suits similar to Fartok's pilot suit. It looks like they might also be wearing hides like that battlesuit.
After a few days away from the office, I returned this morning to find a heap of rather exciting shiny new *things* on my desk... any speculation as to what might be included?
Is that a work in progress? The sculpting on that monster looks very basic.
I wonder how that guys stays on the monster without straps. I guess he really only needs to balance on that inflatable piñata until it clears the stage and he can dive into the mosh pit. Later, when he has a stable job, a wife or husband, and kids, he is going to look back at this and wonder what the hell he was thinking.
Amazing? They look like the kind of prop Leonard Nimoy would hold onto while crying, "No hurt I." Or maybe some crazy admiral would crash his shuttle into. It could go either way.
If that's finished, then wow. What price point will they hang on that gem?
BobtheInquisitor wrote: Is that a work in progress? The sculpting on that monster looks very basic.
I wonder how that guys stays on the monster without straps. I guess he really only needs to balance on that inflatable piñata until it clears the stage and he can dive into the mosh pit. Later, when he has a stable job, a wife or husband, and kids, he is going to look back at this and wonder what the hell he was thinking.
Obviously they haven't attached the reigns to his as yet to be sculpted nipples in these particular pictures.
Flying sphincter monster with optional merkin is not the model to bring me through the Gates.
judgedoug wrote: They look like if the sculptor had spend a few more hours making the Medge FlapBat 2: The Spawning miniatures look better.
That's an unfair statement. The MEdge flap bats are well-sculpted whatever you think of their design. This skark's eyes were made from lumps of clay indented by a straw, its tendrils scooped by toothpicks. Ed Fortae has sneezed out more complete monster sculpts.
The best GOA sculpts I've seen were the plastic Ghar power suits. Their metal models are all a decade out of date compared to the plastics. The skark and rider are a quarter century behind the cutting edge of the industry. It feels like Priestley got the old band back together, only half of them haven't been practicing for a while.
Steve has now pretty much finished the Skark squad for the Freeborn. As a special treat here are pics of one of the Mhagris atop his fearsome steed. He's now moved onto crew for the Freeborn mag mortar.
Wojtek has been designing the Isorian Pulse Bikes which will be introduced with the Xilos supplement. He's also been working on new stuff for the Polish in 1939.
Kirsten is splitting her time between painting Doctor Who figures and models from Fartok's Rebel outcasts.
Andres has finished painting a new Algoryn heavy weapon. He's currently working his magic on the Tsan Ra phase squad for the Isorians
Darek is sweating under the lights of our photography set-up taking shots for the new supplement. He's also painting several Bolt Action resin vehicles.
Anna is putting the finishing touches to the supplement and Mark is pulling together boxes and construction leaflets for all manner of goodies coming your way in the future...
The Freeborn were the one faction that really grabbed me. I quite liked the design of the troops, and the Raiders just made me even happier.
I was really curious to see how they would translate "skarks bear some resemblance to a dragonfly although they are in other repects entirely alien" into a model.
The answer is... poorly.
My first thought was literally, "Wait, what Lovecraft Mythos model are they using to pose the prototype rider on?"
Welp, now that I know what size bases they use, I guess I can kitbash my own skarks.
..ok. So, maybe don't watch old Doctor who seasons from the 60s and Star Trek: TOS eps for inspiration anymore? Or at least work upwards from there? That would be swell.
CthuluIsSpy wrote: I kind of like the concept of that leech's design, but it is a pretty rough job. Hopefully its only a draft, and the end product will look better.
Yes I think they did say that it is WIP..
I actually think it looks really cool, although the concept is somewhat 'out there'
the first Antares sculpt that has peaked my interest...but when I look at the rest of the faction they have nothing else like this lovecraftian monster...too bad.
I think a few more xenos gribblies are coming in the wake of the new campaign book. There are also some rock monster type things available/in the pipeline.
I know they did (will do?) these guys in metal, but I'll bet they would sell well enough in hard plastic to make that a worthwhile (and ultimately more profitable) investment:
Can't help but like these guys. I can only hope we see more armored / masked Ghar like them. Much better than the nekkid ones.
Once again penned by game author Rick Priestley, the supplement continues the events from the main rulebook - triggered by the discovery of the planet of Xilos.
The book describes, in the form of an exciting and continuing narrative, the struggle for control of the planet and the ancient builder tech hidden beneath its surface - and includes a campaign system featuring a series of scenarios which cover the different stages of the battle for Xilos, from the initial landings to... well, we'll come onto that... with a cool system for gathering campaign victory points and fielding some of the strange builder tech artefacts that your forces will capture along the way!
Battle for Xilos also includes a whole raft of new content - including the likes of rules for including allies and mercenaries in your force as well as new army lists for the Ghar Outcast Rebels, and the mercenary forces of the Freeborn Adventurers and Boromite Clans, not to mention a host of special characters, new troop types, new weapons and vehicles, and some rather scary native creatures.
- 6 New Scenarios.
- Complete Campaign System, inclusive of force and character progression.
- Rules on how to build your own characters.
- New rules for incorporating allies either by combining forces or with mercenaries.
- Xilos creature rules.
- One Completely new Ghar Outcast Rebel Army.
- Two new Mercenary army lists, The Freeborn Adventurers Army and the Boromite Clan Army.
- Army list updates for Isorians and Algoyrn.
- New Characters.
- New troop types including Isorian Pulse Bikes, new Drone types, Ghar Outcast Support weapons and the Rebel Creeper...
Contents
Ghar Outcast Black Guard Leader - Special Mini
Fartok in Battle armour should be available soon as well - Box art
If you order anything produced by Warlord direct from the Warlord website before the end of this month using the code:
BONANZA2016
You get 20% off.
Just be wary of the £5 minimum shipping charge, although shipping is free over £50. Even if you order bang on £50 then use the code to take it under that amount your shipping will be free. I just used the code to buy the new supplement, an X-Howitzer and c3m4 combat drone.
An update robbed from social media:
"BtGoA Release Schedule June/July 2016
JUNE
‘The Battle for Xilos’ narrative supplement
Boromite Rock Riders
Boromite Guildess Arran Gestalin
Boromite Micromite Probe Shard
Fartok, Leader of the Outcast Rebellion
Fartok’s Black Guard
Ghar Outcast Rebel Command
Ghar High Commander Karg
Xilos Snapper and Drummer
Xilos Gulper
Amano Harran, Freeborn Mercenary Captain
Freeborn Hound Probe Shard
General Tar Es Janar
Algoryn Medic Team
Algoryn Drop Capsule Assault Pack
Algoryn Drop Capsule Support Pack
Algoryn Compression Cannon
Commander Josen
Concord Drop Command Squad
Isorian Tsan Ra Phase Squad
JULY
Just a few snippets from July’s schedule, while we work-out the particulars…
Freeborn Striker Attack Skimmer
Boromite Hatchling Swarm
Algoryn Mag Mortar
C3T7 Transporter Drone
…and that’s just a taster! There are heaps of new releases coming – not just for Beyond the Gates of Antares, but across all of our ranges – so keep watching the Warlord Newsletter for specifics as-and-when we have them!"
I was just explaining to a friend how, after a rocky start with the self-entitled KS, BoGA is now turning into a refreshingly sensible exploration of future warfare what with all the drones and LOS sharing over WiFi and stuff like that.
And then they put out a naked guy on a palanquin with a retinue of hookers.
wow, and here i am thinking that Karg is the first Ghar model i will actually buy and paint...
space pimp/Jabba reference seems like a fun little bit of humor in a range of goofball aliens...
not to mention, it is a very well executed sculpt, with a beautiful paint scheme, and he is puffin' on a space hookah...
plus it is a good opportunity to finally paint a green alien women, a la classic Star Trek...
he does give off the vibe that he is a despicable warlord, which seems to fit the intended idea behind this character...
different strokes for different folks, i guess...
i like it...
You guys realize those aren't strippers, right? Like, I'm not an expert, but I'm pretty sure there's more to stripping than wearing revealing clothing, sitting down and looking really sad.
Those are clearly slave girls. They even have collars on.
You'd think no one here saw Star Wars Episode VI.
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jah-joshua wrote: wow, and here i am thinking that Karg is the first Ghar model i will actually buy and paint...
space pimp/Jabba reference seems like a fun little bit of humor in a range of goofball aliens...
not to mention, it is a very well executed sculpt, with a beautiful paint scheme, and he is puffin' on a space hookah...
plus it is a good opportunity to finally paint a green alien women, a la classic Star Trek...
he does give off the vibe that he is a despicable warlord, which seems to fit the intended idea behind this character...
different strokes for different folks, i guess...
i like it...
cheers
jah
Yeah, it is a nice model.
I'm still holding out for Isorians, because biomechanical armor is cool.
The model is fine and I like the way they adapted the command crawler to a personal cruiser. I'm just not a fan of the overall concept, but then I'm more on the renegade side of the ghar army. Fartoks suit is the better of the two character ones they've produced.
I think what I don't like about the concept is that the impression of the Ghar is that they are devoted to war above all else and the dedicated, single minded, pursuit of that to the exclusion of all else.
Then we get a Ghar commander who likes slave girls with little clothing on.
Sort of clashes with what I expected. But, it does mean they aren't a one dimensional race if the commanders can have different foibles, so opens up a degree of freedom within the racial characteristics of the army.
Well, he is taking his slave girls to the battlefield, so I guess that counts
What if one of them gets shot? Is there a crate full of slaves near the zone of engagement, and there has to be a 10 minute break while his handlers get a replacement? Are there slave supply drops?
He's a despotic mutated warlord. Why shouldn't he have strippers?
Well, for starters, he's a Ghar. They are supposed to hate every other "degenerate" species. They are basically bipedal daleks... I wouldn't expect to see a dalek on a carriage with strippers.
Might fly for Rifts, but this game felt different in that regard.
For me the slaves, and the implied sexual predation that goes with it, are far worse than mere stripper costumes. Cheesecake is embarrassing and tacky, but rapey cheesecake? Thanks for sharting the bed so thoroughly, Warlord. I thought I was running out of reasons to despise you as a company.
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judgedoug wrote: Because there's about ten times more conversation about el wierdo ghar guy than the absolutely fantastic C3M4 drone plastic kit.
BobtheInquisitor wrote: For me the slaves, and the implied sexual predation that goes with it, are far worse than mere stripper costumes. Cheesecake is embarrassing and tacky, but rapey cheesecake? Thanks for sharting the bed so thoroughly, Warlord. I thought I was running out of reasons to despise you as a company.
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judgedoug wrote: Because there's about ten times more conversation about el wierdo ghar guy than the absolutely fantastic C3M4 drone plastic kit.
I just cannot wait to see the Algoryn drop pods. The art direction from Warlord means they will fit in with the Algoryn aesthetic, I just hope they are suitably cool.
As for Kaaaaaaargggggggg! I can see why some people would have an issue with it, and it is an oddity given the likes of the strong/positive female inluences seen in the Algoryn and Boromite armies.
He's a despotic mutated warlord. Why shouldn't he have strippers?
Well, for starters, he's a Ghar. They are supposed to hate every other "degenerate" species. They are basically bipedal daleks... I wouldn't expect to see a dalek on a carriage with strippers.
Might fly for Rifts, but this game felt different in that regard.
Eh, it sort of works if you interpret less as him liking non-Ghar girls, and more as it being as a form of psychological warfare. He probably has his own harem of pretty ghar girls at home (are there ghar women? Not too familiar with their biology) Something like "see these girls here? This is what you are to my empire. You're little more than pets. So roll over like good doggies" It would also explain why they are on the battlefield; he wants the enemy to see them, he wants them to know what sort of tyrant they are dealing with.
Who knows? Perhaps he makes a point of shooting them if the enemy starts gaining the upper hand. Sort of like how Tamerlane once built a pyramid of severed heads to scare an enemy city into surrendering.
Do my eyes deceive me? Did they actually design the main turret's gun to be swappable? Why don't more companies do this when their vehicles can take different cannons?
He's a despotic mutated warlord. Why shouldn't he have strippers?
Well, for starters, he's a Ghar. They are supposed to hate every other "degenerate" species. They are basically bipedal daleks... I wouldn't expect to see a dalek on a carriage with strippers.
Might fly for Rifts, but this game felt different in that regard.
The ghar fluff is pretty contradictory - they refer to basically being programmed for the ghar cause, but all fluff from ghar perspective describes a significant degree of self-interest.
BobtheInquisitor wrote: For me the slaves, and the implied sexual predation that goes with it, are far worse than mere stripper costumes. Cheesecake is embarrassing and tacky, but rapey cheesecake? Thanks for sharting the bed so thoroughly, Warlord. I thought I was running out of reasons to despise you as a company.
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judgedoug wrote: Because there's about ten times more conversation about el wierdo ghar guy than the absolutely fantastic C3M4 drone plastic kit.
They couldn't have put that out before the trenchcoat-and-fedora bait?
Why play the game and support them if you "despise" them? Put the money somewhere else, its not as if there's a shortage of games out there.
That was kind of my point. I wanted to buy the drone because I like Sci Fi plastics, especially vehicles with good design. However, now I'd feel like I was supporting PP and Brother Vinnie at the same time, which requires more than just holding my nose like buying GW minis does.
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CthuluIsSpy wrote: Its almost as if the race of disgusting mutated warmongers do horrible things to other races.
It's almost as if they could have such a race without giving an already embarrassingly retrograde hobby yet another reason to look bad. I hear people can have movies, books or games about war with dastardly villains that don't involve portrayals of sexual slavery.
This isn't Kingdom Death we are talking about. We are talking about a range that includes goofy rockmen, goofy hobbit-daleks, goofy latex-head aliens, and a faction that panders to Firefly fans. One might consider those to be good indicators that the range isn't going for brutal grittiness or realistic portrayals of the dark side of human conflict. The mindset of the game developers seems to say throwing in a couple of token despoiled women to make a villain look 'pimp' fits into their silly game aimed at regular blokes. It's 2016, but every aspect of this game's development seems to come right out of 1986. It's pathetic.
Well, they are sort of the class of 1986. Still not seeing why you despise them and think they are pathetic, yet want to buy stuff and support them? Things I think are pathetic.......I tend to not engage with or bother giving the time of day.
We now see that Inquisitor Bob doesn't actually own any miniatures, if all it takes is a bad model kit in an entire _range_ to dissuade him from purchasing a good model kit from said range.
Nagash "Meatball" Necromancerman and Space Wolf Wulfen Murderpack Sharpteeth Hairynads are calling; you should quickly dispose of all of your GW models post-haste.
Oh noes - an over the top silly evil villain trope in an over the top sci fi game... I've come to the forum to trash it lest people think that I myself am sexist.
Cryptek of Awesome wrote: Oh noes - an over the top silly evil villain trope in an over the top sci fi game... I've come to the forum to trash it lest people think that I myself am sexist.
Really. You can't think of even a single other reason people might say they don't like the mini than to avoid that "people think that I myself am sexist".
Cryptek of Awesome wrote: Oh noes - an over the top silly evil villain trope in an over the top sci fi game... I've come to the forum to trash it lest people think that I myself am sexist.
Really. You can't think of even a single other reason people might say they don't like the mini than to avoid that "people think that I myself am sexist".
Really
But he didn't just say he doesn't like the miniature. That would be reasonable. He said he is so offended by it that he is going to boycott the company that makes it.
durecellrabbit wrote: I imagine someone at Warlord was a big fan of Vect. I've been quite happy with their other models but I dislike this one.
Yeah, I thought of Vect and his girls too when I saw it.
The girls looked happier with Vect, iirc.
I guess Dark Space Elves are better to be with than Jabba with legs.
Cryptek of Awesome wrote: Oh noes - an over the top silly evil villain trope in an over the top sci fi game... I've come to the forum to trash it lest people think that I myself am sexist.
Really. You can't think of even a single other reason people might say they don't like the mini than to avoid that "people think that I myself am sexist".
Cryptek of Awesome wrote: Oh noes - an over the top silly evil villain trope in an over the top sci fi game... I've come to the forum to trash it lest people think that I myself am sexist.
Really. You can't think of even a single other reason people might say they don't like the mini than to avoid that "people think that I myself am sexist".
I wonder if the girls are molded to the spots they're seated on? If not, one could always replace them with turrets or other little Ghar dudes sitting on the sides.
Supposedly, the plan is for a plastic kit for the basic infantry of each faction in year 1, but that would require a lot coming out in a very short period of time.
decker_cky wrote: Supposedly, the plan is for a plastic kit for the basic infantry of each faction in year 1, but that would require a lot coming out in a very short period of time.
I believe "first year" by End of 2016. Algoryn plastics have already been discussed and I believe are the first non-Ghar and non-Concord plastic infantry kit coming out, using CAD renders. I can imagine Boromites and Freeborn would be 3-up traditionally sculpted.
Algoryn have been confirmed as the next plastics several times.
Still...accepting the June release schedule as complete, that means Warlord needs to release plastics for Algoryn, Boromite, Freeborn and Isorians over the next six months (with Bolt Action 2.0 dropping in the middle of that window).
Definitely doable, but it's a pretty intense release schedule (assuming the normal assortment of releases over the same period).
BobtheInquisitor wrote: For me the slaves, and the implied sexual predation that goes with it, are far worse than mere stripper costumes. Cheesecake is embarrassing and tacky, but rapey cheesecake? Thanks for sharting the bed so thoroughly, Warlord. I thought I was running out of reasons to despise you as a company.
It's almost as if they could have such a race without giving an already embarrassingly retrograde hobby yet another reason to look bad. I hear people can have movies, books or games about war with dastardly villains that don't involve portrayals of sexual slavery.
This isn't Kingdom Death we are talking about. We are talking about a range that includes goofy rockmen, goofy hobbit-daleks, goofy latex-head aliens, and a faction that panders to Firefly fans. One might consider those to be good indicators that the range isn't going for brutal grittiness or realistic portrayals of the dark side of human conflict. The mindset of the game developers seems to say throwing in a couple of token despoiled women to make a villain look 'pimp' fits into their silly game aimed at regular blokes. It's 2016, but every aspect of this game's development seems to come right out of 1986. It's pathetic.
Wait what? I find it really weird when people detest sexual violence in settings that involve literally genocide and massed slaughter. Are you so desensitized to death war that you can happily enjoy a game that not only depicts it in a large scale but also portrays it in a positive light? Why is the mere and minor implication of female slaves where you draw the line?
Is this a genuine example of white knighting? I mean, come one dude, you even used the "it's the current year!" phrase. If anythings cringy in this thread it's you mate. Since you have a problem with sex but not war or killing how about if you happen to buy the model replace the ladies with crucified ones in nice burkas instead. That way you dont need to see anything sexual but you still get the killing this hobby is based around.
It's 2016 mate (see what I did there), no need to be erotophobic. It's not the 1980s anymore didn't you realize? In all seriousness can you please explain, how killing and genocide is not a "dark side of human conflict", but the female slaves are? Because I'd like to know why one is fine for you but not the other. Since you feel so strongly about one those 2.
I know if I where evil and conquered endless planets I too would grow fat, take the women of the men I slaughtered and take them around as trophies. That's a message every race fighting me will understand. It's very fitting for a warlord to do and certainly not out of place as you claim. But thats my opinion.
Swastakowey wrote: In all seriousness can you please explain, how killing and genocide is not a "dark side of human conflict", but the female slaves are? Because I'd like to know why one is fine for you but not the other. Since you feel so strongly about one those 2.
I will have a stab at this one as I feel similar about the slave girls.
Playing a wargame with models isnt about having graphic images of peoples brains being splattered around the board or the other ugliness of war. My kids can play 'army men' and go 'pew pew' and shoot people without the graphic understanding of actual conflict or the motivations behind it but they can still have fun with their own concept of army men and tanks etc.
The slave girls are a visual cue linking those ugly behind the scenes concepts to the tabletop game (the same as the old GW eversor assassin with the severed head.)
If my kids watched me play a wargame and saw models and tanks with guns its just like a cartoon represented in miniatures, pew pew all very G rated but what do I (or you) say when a kid says, "what is that dad?" pointing to scantily clad women chained up.
Maybe that doesnt make you uncomfortable, maybe you dont have kids, whatever, but I dont want to expose my kids to those sort of visual cues about gender imbalances and issues.
That is why I call this a hugely DUMB move especially with the amount of gender equality issues that are in the mainstream in recent years.
Swastakowey wrote: In all seriousness can you please explain, how killing and genocide is not a "dark side of human conflict", but the female slaves are? Because I'd like to know why one is fine for you but not the other. Since you feel so strongly about one those 2.
I will have a stab at this one as I feel similar about the slave girls.
Playing a wargame with models isnt about having graphic images of peoples brains being splattered around the board or the other ugliness of war. My kids can play 'army men' and go 'pew pew' and shoot people without the graphic understanding of actual conflict or the motivations behind it but they can still have fun with their own concept of army men and tanks etc.
The slave girls are a visual cue linking those ugly behind the scenes concepts to the tabletop game (the same as the old GW eversor assassin with the severed head.)
If my kids watched me play a wargame and saw models and tanks with guns its just like a cartoon represented in miniatures, pew pew all very G rated but what do I (or you) say when a kid says, "what is that dad?" pointing to scantily clad women chained up.
Maybe that doesnt make you uncomfortable, maybe you dont have kids, whatever, but I dont want to expose my kids to those sort of visual cues about gender imbalances and issues.
That is why I call this a hugely DUMB move especially with the amount of gender equality issues that are in the mainstream in recent years.
These girls are hardly dressed differently to girls at the beach with a towel and bikini on. It is not graphic in the west.
I would say that guns and tanks are also a visual cue to the ugly behind the scenes concepts of war.
Bikinis do not make me uncomfortable. Not any more than guns or tanks or other military gear do.
At the end of the day, if you consider the model obscene or "graphic" then simply replace the women with something more friendly like mini guns or missiles. Im sure your kids will love it.
Swastakowey wrote: In all seriousness can you please explain, how killing and genocide is not a "dark side of human conflict", but the female slaves are? Because I'd like to know why one is fine for you but not the other. Since you feel so strongly about one those 2.
I will have a stab at this one as I feel similar about the slave girls.
Playing a wargame with models isnt about having graphic images of peoples brains being splattered around the board or the other ugliness of war. My kids can play 'army men' and go 'pew pew' and shoot people without the graphic understanding of actual conflict or the motivations behind it but they can still have fun with their own concept of army men and tanks etc.
The slave girls are a visual cue linking those ugly behind the scenes concepts to the tabletop game (the same as the old GW eversor assassin with the severed head.)
If my kids watched me play a wargame and saw models and tanks with guns its just like a cartoon represented in miniatures, pew pew all very G rated but what do I (or you) say when a kid says, "what is that dad?" pointing to scantily clad women chained up.
Maybe that doesnt make you uncomfortable, maybe you dont have kids, whatever, but I dont want to expose my kids to those sort of visual cues about gender imbalances and issues.
That is why I call this a hugely DUMB move especially with the amount of gender equality issues that are in the mainstream in recent years.
Then don't buy the model, or convert it - issue solved.
Seriously chief, "I don't want my kids exposed to that" is pretty much the daftest reason to want something banned/not to be made in the first place ever, because you're the one who decides what they're exposed to. It's like those numpties you see decrying videogame violence because think of the children, when the only reason children saw videogame violence at all is their pushover parents bought them a 16 or 18 rated product in the first place.
And if we really want to start getting properly "right on" about things - is it not pretty irresponsible to allow kids to grow up playing at war without understanding its full implications? Will those memories of childhood fun playing armymen not distort their reaction later in life, making them less capable of empathising with the victims of war and violence? Surely if you want to be consistent you should either be using your models to have a teachable moment with your kids to explain the nature of genocide and the politics of war in the modern age, or be refusing to allow them to be exposed to the concept at all.
Or, alternatively, they're just models and your kids would have an equally nuanced understanding of the tasteless strippers(lol, bewbs) as they do of tables full of models playing out a brutal slaughter(pew pew pew).
I don't have kids myself - I wonder what it is about having them that makes adults forget what it was like to be one?
Swastakowey wrote: In all seriousness can you please explain, how killing and genocide is not a "dark side of human conflict", but the female slaves are? Because I'd like to know why one is fine for you but not the other. Since you feel so strongly about one those 2.
I will have a stab at this one as I feel similar about the slave girls.
Playing a wargame with models isnt about having graphic images of peoples brains being splattered around the board or the other ugliness of war. My kids can play 'army men' and go 'pew pew' and shoot people without the graphic understanding of actual conflict or the motivations behind it but they can still have fun with their own concept of army men and tanks etc.
The slave girls are a visual cue linking those ugly behind the scenes concepts to the tabletop game (the same as the old GW eversor assassin with the severed head.)
If my kids watched me play a wargame and saw models and tanks with guns its just like a cartoon represented in miniatures, pew pew all very G rated but what do I (or you) say when a kid says, "what is that dad?" pointing to scantily clad women chained up.
Maybe that doesnt make you uncomfortable, maybe you dont have kids, whatever, but I dont want to expose my kids to those sort of visual cues about gender imbalances and issues.
That is why I call this a hugely DUMB move especially with the amount of gender equality issues that are in the mainstream in recent years.
Then don't buy the model, or convert it - issue solved.
Seriously chief, "I don't want my kids exposed to that" is pretty much the daftest reason to want something banned/not to be made in the first place ever, because you're the one who decides what they're exposed to. It's like those numpties you see decrying videogame violence because think of the children, when the only reason children saw videogame violence at all is their pushover parents bought them a 16 or 18 rated product in the first place.
And if we really want to start getting properly "right on" about things - is it not pretty irresponsible to allow kids to grow up playing at war without understanding its full implications? Will those memories of childhood fun playing armymen not distort their reaction later in life, making them less capable of empathising with the victims of war and violence? Surely if you want to be consistent you should either be using your models to have a teachable moment with your kids to explain the nature of genocide and the politics of war in the modern age, or be refusing to allow them to be exposed to the concept at all.
Or, alternatively, they're just models and your kids would have an equally nuanced understanding of the tasteless strippers(lol, bewbs) as they do of tables full of models playing out a brutal slaughter(pew pew pew).
I don't have kids myself - I wonder what it is about having them that makes adults forget what it was like to be one?
Everything I would have said in words much better than I could have thrown together - have an exalt.
Seriously chief, "I don't want my kids exposed to that" is pretty much the daftest reason to want something banned/not to be made in the first place ever, because you're the one who decides what they're exposed to. It's like those numpties you see decrying videogame violence because think of the children, when the only reason children saw videogame violence at all is their pushover parents bought them a 16 or 18 rated product in the first place.
So you are saying that the game is an R rated game? I have no problems with that, if thats the direction warlord want to go with the game but thats now what I have seen in other products in the range.
Yodhrin wrote: - I wonder what it is about having them that makes adults forget what it was like to be one?
Its called responsibility and if you think exposing children to the horrors of war or reinforcing gender stereotypes is a good thing then you have alot to learn
Those look pretty cool - I was hoping it was single-man drop capsules like the Mobile Infantry in Starship Troopers (novels) but it looks like those are large enough for a 5 man squad at least.
I have actually loved Sarissa kits. MDF likes to absorb paint, but I have found if you give it two coats of an oil-based primer (Krylon Fusion or Val*Spar or equivalent at Lowe's, in the USA at least) then you're good to go.
I am still surprised to see a fat, debauched Ghar warlord. My impression was, Ghar have an engineered compulsion to wage war for its own sake. So for example, they pay no heed to the destruction they wreak because they do not value an objective for any purpose beyond its tactical/strategic implications. Then again, IIRC, Karg and Fartok are from the same brood, and there is something "off" about that generation. So maybe Karg is just exhibiting his own form of "degeneracy," from the Ghar perspective, and no one is in a position to call him out because he has yet to fail.
I think they would be comparable to the Dalek Cult of Skaro. I know, comparing them to Daleks sgain, but that's basically what they are. The Cult of Skaro, like Karg and Fartok's brood were engineered to be more creative and individualistic. The idea was that they couldn't really think outside of the box, so some special tacticians were created who could think like their enemies so as to best counter them. The downside is that they end up being a bit eccentric compared to their brethren. Their eccentricities are ignored though due to them delivering results.
Manchu wrote: I am still surprised to see a fat, debauched Ghar warlord. My impression was, Ghar have an engineered compulsion to wage war for its own sake. So for example, they pay no heed to the destruction they wreak because they do not value an objective for any purpose beyond its tactical/strategic implications. Then again, IIRC, Karg and Fartok are from the same brood, and there is something "off" about that generation. So maybe Karg is just exhibiting his own form of "degeneracy," from the Ghar perspective, and no one is in a position to call him out because he has yet to fail.
"...Except that Karg is quite unlike any ordinary Ghar. Karg was one of a series of genetically improved clones created to form the next generation of top-ranking leaders and commanders. Karg is possessed of mental powers both considerable and unusual for his race; perhaps more unusual than the Supreme Commander’s geneticists intended. For Karg is ambitious, hungry for power, willing to put his own interests over and above all Ghar-kind… over and above even the Supreme Commander.
Karg has established a base of operations on Xilos, a world ideally placed to launch further attacks upon the hated Algoryn. The world has been turned into a fortress, but its substantial defences prove unable to keep the enemy from effecting a landing. With his fleet driven from orbit Karg is forced to send for reinforcements. Unfortunately his messengers are captured by Karg’s old enemy Fartok, and instead of the reinforcements he was expecting he finds himself with another battle on his hands as Fartok’s slave army hunts down the rebel leader’s old adversary."
I imagine he's got some Heart of Darkness / Apocalypse Now style megalomania going on at this point.
A good deal from Warlord if ordering direct from their site, they have added the Ghar and Concord starter armies to their 15% off starter armies deal so they are now priced £42.50:
jah-joshua wrote: wow, and here i am thinking that Karg is the first Ghar model i will actually buy and paint...
space pimp/Jabba reference seems like a fun little bit of humor in a range of goofball aliens...
not to mention, it is a very well executed sculpt, with a beautiful paint scheme, and he is puffin' on a space hookah...
plus it is a good opportunity to finally paint a green alien women, a la classic Star Trek...
he does give off the vibe that he is a despicable warlord, which seems to fit the intended idea behind this character...
different strokes for different folks, i guess...
i like it...
cheers
jah
+1
Hilarious to hear people refer to the concept as juvenile while they spend butt loads on scifi aliens to play with....hmmmm....
But hey, it;s 2016 and everything is problematic! Offense is never an option you know!
As you said, the sculpt is intended to lightly depict how despicable he is, obviously paying homage to Jaba, lol.
He's a despotic mutated warlord. Why shouldn't he have strippers?
Well, for starters, he's a Ghar. They are supposed to hate every other "degenerate" species. They are basically bipedal daleks... I wouldn't expect to see a dalek on a carriage with strippers.
Might fly for Rifts, but this game felt different in that regard.
So then maybe, just maybe it is possible he has the slaves not for his own twisted pleasure but to demoralize his combatants. There are many ways to interpret a thing, it is fine to dislike it, but I feel like people are branding a thing as being one and only one possible thing when that is patently false. Now, if they go and label the kit, Gar Pimp with Bong and Strippa' Hoes then there isn't much defense But so far I feel people are simply chosing to take offense at a thing that isn't nefarious or serious.
Question has been definitively answered above: Karg is from a brood of Ghar designed for free(r) thinking and therefore has abnormal personality traits; in this case, debauchery. I agree with those who have identified the sculpt as an obvious reference to Jabba.
I am wondering what the main differences will be between the standard and rebel Ghar army lists? An army full of rebellious critters in lethal tin cans is very enticing to me.
"In conjunction with the release of the new ‘The Battle for Xilos‘ narrative supplement for Beyond the Gates of Antares, we’re working with our friends over at Beasts of War on a massive multiplayer online campaign where you can post the results of your tabletop battles and try to affect the overall course of the war – due to run from 18th June to 30th July.
And the most exciting thing is – the outcome of the online campaign will be written into the history of the universe and become part of the official history – written-up by none other than Rick Priestley… so this really is a chance to make your mark, and shape the universe of Beyond the Gates of Antares.
Teaser Screenshot:
Every Antares player can join in, whatever your army – when the campaign starts you’ll sign up by registering your faction and coming up with a name for your force. After that you’ll just need to play loads of battles and report back!
Note that the majority of narrative scenarios in ‘The Battle for Xilos’ supplement use 750pt forces – so now’s the perfect time to begin list-writing, or even recruiting a brand new force with which to explore the battlefields of Xilos…"
Thanks,Thraxas Of Turai! The drop pods look good. The alternate Ghar faction is what I was waiting for, nice models. Edit: The Algoryn Commander is great imo, and I now like his cape+banner seeing it from a different angle.
Immediately ordered the Algoryn drop pods and medic team to go with the Xilos campaign book! Very excited by the spate of new releases.
ALSO! Warlord is having a mini sale on GOA for the remainder of the month in celebration of the release of the Xilos supplement.
20% OFF All Gates of Antares!
The Battle for Xilos supplement is now shipping and our online campaign kicks off in just 1 week! There have also been some stunning new models released today, so there couldn't be a better time to recruit your forces for the coming battles.
To help you get prepared we're offering you 20% OFF all Antares products!
Just use the code below during June!
20% OFF Gates of Antares:
XILOS-20
Applies to Gates of Antares products only. One use per customer.
Expires 30th June 2016.
@RobertsMinis: of course it is, Kirsten is an ex 'Eavy Metal painter
@Fenrir Kitsune: how are you liking the new book???
to be honest, the only model in the whole range that is a true "must have" for me, so far, is Hansa...
a Kev White sculpts meets a Tommie Soule paint job???
yes, please i really want to recreate that scheme...
i'm not sold on the Techno Barbarian homie that comes with Hansa, so i'll just use some store credit to pick the pack up, and not feel like i am buying a mini i don't want, just to get one that i do...
nice to see that this is taking off for Rick, after the early stumble out of the gate...
good on him...
The current online campaign (The Battle for Xilos) is one of the coolest things I've seen for a miniatures game in quite a while. It's very fun to participate in.
The Rebel Ghar certainly make up for the limitations of the standard Ghar Outcast miniatures...I have ordered two sets of them. With 6 in a standard unit you can easily make three units out of that lot.
I am not that fond of the drop command leader...the arms seem a bit off...but apart from that I love this wave of releases.
If ordering direct from Warlord remember the code Xilos 20 for 20% off. Valid for one use and until the end of June.
@Navarro: full painting competition details are here:
As much as I like the rebel Ghar models and my own background for my army fits them perfectly, the list as presented doesn't do a lot for me, functionally speaking. The appeal of the Ghar for me was a fully armoured small model count army that looked like robocrabs, so the option for lots of small unsuited Ghar en-masse is good but not for me. I think I'll make my general the equivalent of a tank ace for the rebels.
that Commander may have just made it onto my "must have" list...
sadly, the paint job is in my least favorite style, and makes his face look poorly sculpted...
i'll have to see him in the blister...
@Fenrir: i totally feel you...
love the suits, but hate the dudes...
when you said tank ace, i just thought of a Ghar who thinks he's General Patton...
i wonder if the robocrabs would look good painted up like Shermans???
@Jah: Commander Chosen should be with me by midweek, I will pm you a picture.
I am glad that the rebel Ghar list is quite different to the standard list but do wish that there was more room for battlesuits in the list. As it is they are all limited choices/support slots. I guess you could run lots of 26 odd points disruptor cannon teams as your tactical choices and try and fillthe rest with battlesuits.
Think the releases have really taken a step up in quality. And, I think there is finally now enough out there to start making this look like a serious contender in the 28mm platoon-level market.
Think my favourite of the bunch are the Isorians - have got a real WTF/creepy look to them. They almost remind me a bit of the old RT-era Chaos marines, when Chaos was again more WTF/creepy and unintelligible rather than evil with spikes and skulls. ( Funny how many times you keep thinking about old RT/GoA connections isn't it! )
The Concorde captain does look like he is meant to be converted for a diorama though, as someone that has just been hit in the chest.
And the Freeborn skimmer with the pilot making the rock hand-sign is pretty cool (although I'm guessing there is some other reference there that I'm missing )
Got to see the Gulper in person at Historicon this past Saturday and ... I went from not liking it to ... buying one of course! I also got to see the Brood Mother, another model I was skeptical about and she is really fantastic, as well.
I picked up a Striker.
The pilot is a single pose pewter.. and he's trimmed to a wedge below the chest. Altering his arm to be in any other pose would be really tough to pull off.
There's a spot on the front right where it kinda seems like the resin didn't fully cure and the base for this thing is laughably small. The wingtips and rotors are pewter inserts as is the seated gunner. The gunner is in two pieces, separated just below the chest. There are two separate weapon options... that look basically the same but one is a little longer. The fitting of most of the pieces is pretty good and the details are sharp outside of that one spot with the resin. There is a bit of flash here and there but it's all manageable. Not a bad kit.. it's smaller than a Vyper Jetbike but similar in a lot of ways.
Barzam wrote: Why is the skimmer pilot rocking the horns?
Everything in this release is looking good though. I may need that transport though.
Maybe he was holding up his whole hand and all the fingers and the weapon fired. The barrel trajectory looks about right to dematerialize the middle two fingers.
Then why are they loading it with obelisks? If I ever got one, I'd have to write "Washington says duck!" on one face. Nice sculpts though. I do like the algoryn armor aesthetics.
Barzam wrote: Why is the skimmer pilot rocking the horns?.
And how is his hood staying up? Is it glued to his scalp?
Cool looking model other than that.
That screams to be conversion! change head and make into Black Sabbath War Pigs flyer!
My hat's off to anyone that could do it.. The heads are either too integrated into the torso in the case of the driver or such a large part of it's component in the case of the gunner (clipping the head would be problematic and not leave much material to work with). I'd like to see it anyway though!
The plastic Algoryn do look great, the exception being the size of the hand in the squad leader is laughable.
I think the Isorians look really interesting, I like that organic technology asthetic as it reminds me of the old TV series Lexx which is no bad thing at all.
For those looking to start the game new introductory set is a lot better value than the old set, £35 for 25 plastic infantry, an A5 mini rulebook and templates etc. If ordering direct from Warlord the shipping is currently free as well
Very tempted by that set, especially seeing your paint up of the concord . Just was talking to my brother in law about it last night actually. He is interested in the combat dice pool, and is somewhat interested in it. Plus a good jump on for new players ( to all games) as that's a big drawback to 40k because some of getting into a game is not being overblown by all the history and decades of player base.
You know, algoryn are starting to look pretty good. If this game takes off in France I might go as them, should I start an Antares army.
I do like the Isorians aesthetically, but I'm not sure what paint scheme to use that can really bring out the organic parts of their armor, and gameplay wise I'm still not seeing any real difference to concord.
Is there a battle report video of them? So far I've seen Ghar, Concord, Algoryns and Boromites in action, but not Isorians and Freeborn.
I only have metal Algoryns, and they are really beautiful sculpts IMO. The plastics look pretty great, too. I hope Antares goes from strength to strength in 2017. Cool game with a very interesting background.
CthuluIsSpy wrote: You know, algoryn are starting to look pretty good. If this game takes off in France I might go as them, should I start an Antares army.
I do like the Isorians aesthetically, but I'm not sure what paint scheme to use that can really bring out the organic parts of their armor, and gameplay wise I'm still not seeing any real difference to concord.
Is there a battle report video of them? So far I've seen Ghar, Concord, Algoryns and Boromites in action, but not Isorians and Freeborn.
Isorians and Concord are mirror armies in that they have near identical choices, but Isorians have different (better) armour, an extra upgrade available on their drone units (similar to the armour difference), and the tsan ra alien unit. Concord have drop troopers and a general purpose drone as the major distinguishing units, both of which are very effective units. The armour difference makes the Isorian army play quite differently, as the army is nearly impossible to shake with shooting alone (though going down too much has its own built in downside).
Had to post a pic of the latest Sarissa/Warlord release, the Algoryn Drop Fortress. So cool, but I think at £90 it is about double the cost that I would like it to be:
All good. I think the freeborn would benefit from a different colour scheme, so will have to look into whether I want another force to oppose my Ghar or not.
Somehow I overlooked the Algoryn special division figs , those are sweet.
I just ordered Kar'A nine, the xilos book and preordered Chryseis. I only started in the game last week with buying the main 2player box. Unfortunately I forgot about the month of June when I ordered and none will ship until Chryseis ships at the beginning of July . Guess that'll give me time to build and paint the core box set.
I just saw this book full of short stories at Barnes and Noble. I bought it but won't have a chance to read it for a while. I hope it does a good job selling the background to me.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Those freeborn look quite distinctive. Are the Algoryns plastics available outside of the Kara Nine starter? How would they compare in size next to the upcoming plastic Cybermen?
BobtheInquisitor wrote: I just saw this book full of short stories at Barnes and Noble. I bought it but won't have a chance to read it for a while. I hope it does a good job selling the background to me.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Those freeborn look quite distinctive. Are the Algoryns plastics available outside of the Kara Nine starter? How would they compare in size next to the upcoming plastic Cybermen?
I've read most of the way through Open Signal, a lot of great short stories, my favorite was subversion. I think they did a good job selling the setting, a big focus on fighting and combat tech but also some about civilian life outside combat.
The Algoryn have two plastic boxes, the infantry squad from the Kara 9 starter and a new command box.
Just meseared one of my Algoryn, stands at 37mm high, compared to the C3 trooper that's 33mm high. No idea about the Cybermen however.
highlord tamburlaine wrote: @Bob- if you don't get any before I see you next time, I've got some plastic Algoryns you can check out.
Any word on if those Hazard suits are plastic or what?
I'm pretty sure those will be metals. It looks like only their core troops are in plastic at the moment (and only 4 of the 6 factions so far).
Mymearan wrote: I like much of the Infantry for BoA, but honestly those vehicles look both outdated and uninspired.
Agreed, it's a bit of a shame too since the troops are so nice. However that does seem to fit with the rules being good but the fluff being fairly lackluster.
Just placed an order for Togg, we will see how long it takes for that to arrive, but my last two orders from Warlordgames direct from England to St.Louis MO took 7 days or less(total days, not business days), 5 business days each and that was with basic shipping not the expedited shipping. Just FYI for anyone else in the states wondering about shipping times. Now that's from when I received the email notice of shipping till they were on my doorstep.
Damn, I like that new Algoryn skimmer, also those new Isorian sculpts look really nice. I was a bit turned off by their original designs but they are either listening to feedback or really just finding their groove now.
What the 
is that supposed to be???
. Just was talking to my brother in law about it last night actually. He is interested in the combat dice pool, and is somewhat interested in it. Plus a good jump on for new players ( to all games) as that's a big drawback to 
, those are sweet.
