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Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/26 18:16:20


Post by: Tamwulf


The Marcher Worlds just arrived on my doorstep. Is anyone else getting into Warcaster?


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/26 18:22:42


Post by: Overread


I nearly back but in the end could not make a choice of faction. Rather glad that I did not since the newly announced fourth faction for the next ks looks fantastic and just what I want. Though I still like the hulking ramshackle marcher worlds big ,ech and the consortiums as well. Look forward to seeing photos of you mechs


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/26 18:30:26


Post by: Sunno


I didn't back it as i don't have time for another game (I already have a small squad level skirmish game in Malifaux), i wasn't taken with the model designs, don't use Kickstarter and nobody in our group was interested. they were actaully very very turned off the game.

However im interested in the games mechanics as im sure than some of the simplified mechanics will make their way into WM/H if we ever have an edition change. PP have already stated on several podcasts that this could be their intention.

My FB feed has been full of people getting their boxes last week and putting their models together. Seems like people are hyped. I hope that Warcaster draws in non PP gamers but iv seen little evidence of that.

I want it to do very well. Its just not for me.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/26 21:39:56


Post by: Valander


Skipping this one. Didn't like the models shown. Didn't like the idea of the setting, really. Don't have faith in rules quality anymore from PP. So wound up being a hard pass from me, since I already have far too many games in my pipeline...


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/26 21:48:49


Post by: Sqorgar


When does it show up at retail? End of August right?


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/26 22:17:12


Post by: Sunno


Thats going to be the acid test of the game. Does it turn up on stores shelves....


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/26 22:18:58


Post by: Kanluwen


 Sqorgar wrote:
When does it show up at retail? End of August right?

End of August/start of September is wave 1 if I remember right. They did some reshuffling so all the Command Group/starter sets are coming out at the same time rather than Continuum being a wave later.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/27 12:28:41


Post by: Turnip Jedi


Gave it a miss in the end, wmh has 3 players locally and real life concerns means i cant really travel even prior to The Event



Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/27 16:44:50


Post by: LunarSol


I'm not in the market for a new game at the moment, but I really like the design and gameplay. I'm curious to see what it looks like in 6 months when its a little more mature and there's more units to pick from.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/27 17:40:55


Post by: chaos0xomega


I was eyeing the Aeternus Continuum but couldn't justify another game from a company whos support has collapsed and which several of my local stores no longer stock for various reasons.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/28 04:26:13


Post by: Vertrucio


Looking forward to seeing where PP takes it. I've been hugely critical of them, but Warcaster is a step in the right direction. Worth getting a starter. But we'll see if it sticks.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/28 16:03:50


Post by: Deadnight


I'll wait and see, but I can't imagine myself getting involved.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/28 18:46:55


Post by: NinthMusketeer


I am interested to hear about the miniature quality. I know they are resin & metal, but how good are the casts? Do they assemble well? Do they look as chunky and thick-detailed in person?


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/28 19:23:27


Post by: LunarSol


Havent' seen them in person, but I've been pretty impressed with PP's recent output. Lots of character and sharp detail. I've actually noticed their photography has really fallen by the wayside, and more often than not I'm more impressed with what I get in person than what was in the picture.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/29 15:41:22


Post by: Boss Salvage


I passed because I'd rather play WMH in the Iron Kingdoms than WMH+ in Space if I'm playing a PP skirmish wargame. Also I'm sick of metal minis. If PP had gone all resin, I likely would have backed despite not needing another game, etc.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/29 19:28:55


Post by: RiTides


 Boss Salvage wrote:
Also I'm sick of metal minis. If PP had gone all resin, I likely would have backed despite not needing another game, etc.

I was all in until I realized the extent to which they're relying on metal. If even the jack equivalents had been all resin, I'd have been in.

I mean seriously! The company was founded in 2000, but they shouldn't be producing miniatures like it's 20 years ago...


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/29 20:02:25


Post by: Overread


Reaper are older and biggervand still use metal.

Heck with a good set of diamond files metal is nice to work with


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/29 20:17:15


Post by: Turnip Jedi


 Overread wrote:
Reaper are older and biggervand still use metal.

Heck with a good set of diamond files metal is nice to work with


true but PP do seem to have a knack for breaking down a model so assembly moves from minor faff to blood boiling fork wittery and mixing materials in strange ways, the Gallows Grove being a fine example, resin tree with metal branchs /slowclap


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/29 20:29:24


Post by: Overread


Eh I rank Infinity worse they have tiny tiny tiny contact points


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/29 20:44:20


Post by: Turnip Jedi


 Overread wrote:
Eh I rank Infinity worse they have tiny tiny tiny contact points


ill see yer infinity and raise you a malifaux


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/29 21:00:47


Post by: LunarSol


 Turnip Jedi wrote:
 Overread wrote:
Reaper are older and biggervand still use metal.

Heck with a good set of diamond files metal is nice to work with


true but PP do seem to have a knack for breaking down a model so assembly moves from minor faff to blood boiling fork wittery and mixing materials in strange ways, the Gallows Grove being a fine example, resin tree with metal branchs /slowclap


I think that's one of the best things about their models. The big chunks are in resin, but the smaller details that would be prone to being easily broken or having the kind of bubble and gating issues you see in most resins are metal instead. FWIW, I also find metal/resin glues together a lot better than metal/metal or resin/resin for some reason.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/29 22:06:31


Post by: Sqorgar


 Overread wrote:
Eh I rank Infinity worse they have tiny tiny tiny contact points
Not anymore. Just put together the Kaldstrom box and most figures were two or three pieces that connected with larged extruded trapezoidal connections that fit together perfectly - no more gluing tiny ass little antennae on.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/29 22:11:45


Post by: Deadnight


 Turnip Jedi wrote:
 Overread wrote:
Eh I rank Infinity worse they have tiny tiny tiny contact points


ill see yer infinity and raise you a malifaux


Heh.

PP swings back!

Nyss Hunters.

PP wins!


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/30 04:14:42


Post by: Charistoph


 Turnip Jedi wrote:
 Overread wrote:
Eh I rank Infinity worse they have tiny tiny tiny contact points


ill see yer infinity and raise you a malifaux

I thought Malifaux was rather well known for converting over the plastic by now, or are you referencing their older works?

And Infinity's tiny models are one of the reasons why I haven't gotten in to it. I had enough fun with the Nyss Hunters, and most of my fingers are bigger than their average torso.

Much like Overread, I couldn't make a choice of faction, but am liking the Empyrean, which is naturally a later wave of release. As people have received their books, a fifth faction has been mentioned coming out, but they sounded a lot like the Convergence, so if I do have the time and money to invest, it will be the the Empyrean. Give them a little gold covering with blue glows, and they'll double down as Protoss.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/07/31 04:15:45


Post by: greenskin lynn


i didn't back the kickstarter, though that was mostly a lack of free funds at the time, but i like the look of the models and the gameplay videos i've seen, so at some point i plan to pick up a starter or two


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/17 05:19:17


Post by: marxlives


 Tamwulf wrote:
The Marcher Worlds just arrived on my doorstep. Is anyone else getting into Warcaster?


Marcher Worlds here. I am going to paint them like Protectorate.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Turnip Jedi wrote:
 Overread wrote:
Reaper are older and biggervand still use metal.

Heck with a good set of diamond files metal is nice to work with


true but PP do seem to have a knack for breaking down a model so assembly moves from minor faff to blood boiling fork wittery and mixing materials in strange ways, the Gallows Grove being a fine example, resin tree with metal branchs /slowclap



Put together and even magnetized my jacks. Contact points are fine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2sgPkJXeJ0


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/17 15:36:32


Post by: LunarSol


The game is rapidly rising up my radar as I see more of it. Likely pick it up next time I get my backlog down to the point where buying in isn't completely insane.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/17 15:53:29


Post by: Kanluwen


 NinthMusketeer wrote:
I am interested to hear about the miniature quality. I know they are resin & metal, but how good are the casts? Do they assemble well? Do they look as chunky and thick-detailed in person?

So, wave one is all metal. It's not until we get the Heavy Warjacks(Strike Raptor for Marcher Worlds, Nemesis for Continuum, Morningstar for Iron Star Alliance) we'll see resin & metal. The vehicles in Kickstarter #2 are also supposed to be resin with metal guns as an 'addon' to the main body and everything.

The casts for my Marcher Worlds and Continuum were really good. Didn't see much mold shrinkage or have any real notable gaps other than weapons attaching to the Dusk Wolf's arms...but that's more because the arms don't have a good, solid 'wraparound' point for the guns like AC did for theirs.

The only real thing close to a letdown is the face on the variant Hunter for Marcher Worlds. But it's like Infinity models, IMO, where the paintjob makes a huge difference.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/18 18:22:26


Post by: NinthMusketeer


Thanks for the info Kan.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/18 18:46:13


Post by: Kanluwen


All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the stuff my brother and I got. We pledged for just a 'Head' to Head' and are waiting for the variant heads+weapons for the warjacks to arrive, but even if they're lost in the suckhole that is the USPS right now? That's no big deal, cause you can purchase them separately when/if you decide to grab the variant stuff later.

Biggest complaint I might have with the 'line troopers' right now is that there was no real interchangeability of parts. You can swap the heads, that's about it, on the Marcher Worlds Fire Team. The Aeternus Continuum stuff is two pieces, so you can't even do that.

I think they said that variants are a possible stretch goal for Kickstarter #2, but the big thing is new units and the Empyrean Faction are the focus.

Sidenote:
If you're not familiar with the army composition for games?
Up to 15 units(that includes solos) plus up to 3 Hero solos(none of which are out just yet, even for backers as far as I'm aware).
Up to 4 of a specific unit can be included.

So a Marcher Worlds list could be:
4x units of the Ranger Fire Teams
4x Dusk Wolf Light Warjacks
4x Hunter Solos
1x Weaver Solo

Then:
1x Voitek Sudal(Wildcard Hero, works for Iron Star or Marcher Worlds)
1x Artemis Fang(Marcher Worlds Hero)
1x Brobot Guy They Previewed Not Long Ago(Marcher Worlds or Empyrean)


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/18 19:26:03


Post by: Vertrucio


With metal, the fewer pieces the better in my opinion. Although it's still awkward to have 4 identical squads marching around.

Most of the game customization within a squad is by adding attachments, which you don't have to decide on while list building, you just choose an attachment and pay the extra cost when you summon the unit in game.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/18 19:43:48


Post by: LunarSol


I generally really like the dynamic deployment of the game. From what I've seen the game size scales fairly well to the point where a lot of the people I talk to that have it aren't really interested in hitting the 15 unit size game. Personally, part of the reason I'm waiting is just for a bit more stuff to release, since like MonPoc the composition seems to lend itself more towards specilization that spam and filling out an army now seems to require duplicates to replace later.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/18 19:52:57


Post by: Kanluwen


 Vertrucio wrote:
With metal, the fewer pieces the better in my opinion. Although it's still awkward to have 4 identical squads marching around.

Most of the game customization within a squad is by adding attachments, which you don't have to decide on while list building, you just choose an attachment and pay the extra cost when you summon the unit in game.

For sure! The only downside is that right now, only the Iron Star Alliance have a Unit Attachment(the Aegis).
Aeternus Continuum are confirmed to get one in KS#2, that's what the last Warcaster Thursday update was.

Right now is the only timeframe I really expect it to be an issue for these initial 3 factions. Once the 'second unit'(Heavy Rangers, Annihilators, the other Continuum unit) drops? It'll be a big shift in terms of what composition will look like--and once the KS#2 hits, even more. The Ranger Infiltrators alone for Marcher Worlds have been a big point of speculation.

From what I've been seeing, the variant warjacks and the standard warjacks are fairly compatible with parts which is

Note:
Not saying "BLAH! TERRIBLE!". I genuinely don't expect people to hit 15 unit cap for a year or so at least.

Right now, my 'goal list' is:
1x Ranger Fire Team
2x Hunters(I got two out of the Marcher World box since we backed, the normal and the variant)
1x Weaver
2x Dusk Wolves(I'm going to grab a B when it comes out)
1x Ranger Heavy Fire Team
1x Voitek Sudal
1x Mechanic
1x Strike Raptor

That comes out to 10 choices, one of which(Voitek Sudal) is a Hero Solo choice.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/21 21:38:09


Post by: marxlives


 Kanluwen wrote:
All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the stuff my brother and I got. We pledged for just a 'Head' to Head' and are waiting for the variant heads+weapons for the warjacks to arrive, but even if they're lost in the suckhole that is the USPS right now? That's no big deal, cause you can purchase them separately when/if you decide to grab the variant stuff later.

Biggest complaint I might have with the 'line troopers' right now is that there was no real interchangeability of parts. You can swap the heads, that's about it, on the Marcher Worlds Fire Team. The Aeternus Continuum stuff is two pieces, so you can't even do that.

I think they said that variants are a possible stretch goal for Kickstarter #2, but the big thing is new units and the Empyrean Faction are the focus.

Sidenote:
If you're not familiar with the army composition for games?
Up to 15 units(that includes solos) plus up to 3 Hero solos(none of which are out just yet, even for backers as far as I'm aware).
Up to 4 of a specific unit can be included.

So a Marcher Worlds list could be:
4x units of the Ranger Fire Teams
4x Dusk Wolf Light Warjacks
4x Hunter Solos
1x Weaver Solo

Then:
1x Voitek Sudal(Wildcard Hero, works for Iron Star or Marcher Worlds)
1x Artemis Fang(Marcher Worlds Hero)
1x Brobot Guy They Previewed Not Long Ago(Marcher Worlds or Empyrean)


The who way you pic 15 units and 3 Heroes and have a side bar or bench that you spawn from makes this a revolutionary game design wise for a 28mm+ sci-fi.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/24 02:47:53


Post by: Seabass


hard pass, sadly. Privateer Press has become curse words with my local stores. Just too much bad blood there.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/24 04:13:58


Post by: aphyon


Nope, i am enjoying mopoc and MK III warmachine for fun casual play from PPs offerings. i have infinity if i want to play skirmish level cyber punk/scifi. ( and i like the rules better).


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/24 04:28:12


Post by: NH Gunsmith


I REALLY wanted to like Warcaster, but the game just doesn't seem to do it for me.

Been warming up to the model designs... but the rules just aren't for me. Would rather try Infinity again with a different faction.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/08/24 07:46:07


Post by: Sunno


People who backed the KS in the UK seemed to have got their stock last week.

Sadly I can find no stores stocking it. Not even a coming soon or preorder from any of the major or smaller stores that have a reasonable presence in the UK. Which doesn't bode well for the longevity of the game over here.

Thankfully WM/H is having something of an uptick over here in the UK. But not enough for store to invest in the new game. Which is a shame as i want this to do well for PP.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/05 21:44:57


Post by: Shrapnelsmile


 NH Gunsmith wrote:
I REALLY wanted to like Warcaster, but the game just doesn't seem to do it for me.

Been warming up to the model designs... but the rules just aren't for me. Would rather try Infinity again with a different faction.


What were the most significant turn-offs within the rule set / gameplay experience?


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/11 13:14:12


Post by: Sim-Life


I have no faith in PP anymore. This feels liked the AoS of Warmachine but the company hasn't learned anything from their previous lines failure.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/11 14:12:10


Post by: LunarSol


 Sim-Life wrote:
I have no faith in PP anymore. This feels liked the AoS of Warmachine but the company hasn't learned anything from their previous lines failure.


Meh, I'll bite. In what way?


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/15 19:08:21


Post by: Arbitrator


It's interesting to me GW fail time and time again, but people will give them infinite chances. Other companies mess up once and they're sworn off forever.

I suppose that's really the secret to GW's success more than anything else.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/15 23:01:37


Post by: Robert Facepalmer


I dunno, people that I have known that have sworn off of GW are pretty good about not going back. Meanwhile, there seems to be a constant flow of new players. That churn is the golden goose.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/15 23:38:44


Post by: Overread


 Robert Facepalmer wrote:
I dunno, people that I have known that have sworn off of GW are pretty good about not going back. Meanwhile, there seems to be a constant flow of new players. That churn is the golden goose.


There's a few factors:

1) Some of those who swear off online are just venting. They vent online and yet they might well be gaming the next week at the club; they just don't bother telling people online

2) Some will swear off but are, indeed, replaced by the recruitment of many more new wargamers

3) Some swear off and then begrudgingly return because its the only game in town and they either don't want too* or lack the skill/setup/understanding to establish and promote another game.



*I should note that its not easy to start a new game in an area so sometimes its not a person being lazy; it can be quite a big commitment in time and effort.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/16 15:01:31


Post by: LunarSol


All true of WMH as well. The main issue right now is just that WMH doesn't have a very good entry point for new players, which GW constantly dumps must have entry points that appeal to existing and new players.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/16 16:11:09


Post by: Polonius


 Arbitrator wrote:
It's interesting to me GW fail time and time again, but people will give them infinite chances. Other companies mess up once and they're sworn off forever.

I suppose that's really the secret to GW's success more than anything else.


At the end of the day, I am more invested in my 40k armies than I am in my Warmachine army. I've stepped away from 40k when I wasn't having fun, and I knew what I wanted to happen before I returned.

40k is a big enough hobby that you can keep a toe in it through lore, painting, or hyper casual events as well.

I have hundreds of painted cyngar models that I'd love to use again, but I'm not holding my breath.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/16 16:16:53


Post by: Overread


Yep and with the PG system gone PP has issues with recruitement. You'll always get people leaving, but if you can recruit as people leave you're fine.

You see the same with forums; forums these days have it hard on recruitment and every lost member is a blow. Some very active sites 10-15 years ago are ghost towns now; not because anything wrong happened. They just couldn't find a way to advertise and compete with Facebook and get high enough google rankings and social media setups.


GW has embraced all that- they are getting those high ranking;s they are spreading their IP wide; they've got stores and staff and front line troopers ready to convert new people; they've got specific game modes for beginners and smaller game formats for those new to the game.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/16 16:21:28


Post by: Polonius


I think if you compare GW and PP, you can almost figure out why one rebounded from it's 2015 Nadir, while another cratered from it's 2015 peak.

I think PP and GW listen to different outside sources. PP listens to it's "fans" and players, while GW listens to it's paying customers. PP kept trying to make tournament players happy, even though they weren't buying nearly enough to keep them in business. GW basically wrote off tournament games, and focused on the people who, for whatever reason, kept buying their stuff.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/16 16:35:05


Post by: Overread


At the same time its not one of the other.

If you look at Blizzard and esports (taht do well) and at games like Magic the Gathering - then the competitive end, run well, can be very profitable. It also has the big bonus of being very marketable. You can sell advertising space; you can promote it everywhere; you can use it to advertise your own product and generate hype and interest.

With a big playing population you can even ensure a healthy local level casual format system.



So in the end its not one or the other. GW could improve by focusing a bit more on tournaments. PP a bit more by focusing on newer gamers and getting fresh blood into their game. A tight rules system doesn't have to be unfriendly to beginners. I think it was in some ways as I recall back in 2nd edition there were tricks- like using charges (that fail) to run instead of runs. Things that a beginner won't get, but will tip the scales.



Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/16 19:22:36


Post by: Polonius


 Overread wrote:
At the same time its not one of the other.

If you look at Blizzard and esports (taht do well) and at games like Magic the Gathering - then the competitive end, run well, can be very profitable. It also has the big bonus of being very marketable. You can sell advertising space; you can promote it everywhere; you can use it to advertise your own product and generate hype and interest.


That's undneniable. One thing a buddy of mine pointed out that separates minis games from magic/esports, and also separates WMH from 40k? How long each game takes to not only play, but to set up.

You can rock out dozens of games of Magic in an evening, and video games can be reset and played at will. with clocks and only playing things to a tipping point, good players can get in multiple games of WMH on a work night. 40k takes all evening, and even four games in a full day is exhausting.

Minis games require room, a partner, and time to physically set up and tear down. You just can't get in the reps to playtest, or even build up a high level of player skill.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/16 21:16:18


Post by: Mr. Grey


deleted


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/16 22:42:15


Post by: LunarSol


 Mr. Grey wrote:
more than once I've seen managers complaining about the difficulty of getting stock from Privateer.


Welcome to a world in which distributors won't restock product beyond it's initial release. :(


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/17 19:45:25


Post by: Arbitrator


 Mr. Grey wrote:
 Arbitrator wrote:
It's interesting to me GW fail time and time again, but people will give them infinite chances. Other companies mess up once and they're sworn off forever.

I suppose that's really the secret to GW's success more than anything else.


Yep, they sure are failing a lot right now with their ever increasing profits even during a pandemic and higher sales year after year the last 4-5 years running. I don't know what it's like in your area, but in my local meta even a lot of long-term, die hard WHM players dropped the game like a hot rock and went back to Warhammer 40K when 8th edition dropped. Pandemic aside, my local game store(one of the biggest in the southeast US) doesn't even keep more than a bare minimum of PP stock on the shelves anymore. Rather, they do a weekly or bi-weekly PP order and more than once I've seen managers complaining about the difficulty of getting stock from Privateer.

That's my point. We're back to a similar position we were in 7th, wherein GW have cranked prices to the absurd, the balance is completely out of whack, they're doubling down on Space Marine explosions, etc, etc. By fail I don't mean financially, as even at their worst (7th) GW were still pulling in millions in profit, just that profit was shrinking more every year. Yet people will gripe, moan, bitch, whatever and see keep paying hand over foot for it. Most of the people who made WHM boom were disgruntled 40k'ers who were always going to go sprinting back to GW the second they started showing the slightest sign of improving. I'd say WHM is no in worse or better a position it was prior to 7th edition, it just had a very brief, but memorable, time in the sun.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/18 00:57:11


Post by: Mr. Grey


deleted


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/18 01:40:09


Post by: Valander


 Mr. Grey wrote:
I've also seen rumors that part of the issue with hiring new people is that PP doesn't wanna pay an appropriate salary for the area, and Seattle's cost of living is pretty high.
Both of these I can confirm as true. I had several friends who worked at PP, and confirmed that the pay rates are definitely on the low end for this area, and yup, Seattle area (even eastside) is bloody expensive.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/29 21:38:02


Post by: thesilverback


I want to get into Warcaster but got to find the right faction.

So for right now playing Monpoc with the wife and kids.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/30 04:25:48


Post by: NinthMusketeer


 Arbitrator wrote:
 Mr. Grey wrote:
 Arbitrator wrote:
It's interesting to me GW fail time and time again, but people will give them infinite chances. Other companies mess up once and they're sworn off forever.

I suppose that's really the secret to GW's success more than anything else.


Yep, they sure are failing a lot right now with their ever increasing profits even during a pandemic and higher sales year after year the last 4-5 years running. I don't know what it's like in your area, but in my local meta even a lot of long-term, die hard WHM players dropped the game like a hot rock and went back to Warhammer 40K when 8th edition dropped. Pandemic aside, my local game store(one of the biggest in the southeast US) doesn't even keep more than a bare minimum of PP stock on the shelves anymore. Rather, they do a weekly or bi-weekly PP order and more than once I've seen managers complaining about the difficulty of getting stock from Privateer.

That's my point. We're back to a similar position we were in 7th, wherein GW have cranked prices to the absurd, the balance is completely out of whack, they're doubling down on Space Marine explosions, etc, etc. By fail I don't mean financially, as even at their worst (7th) GW were still pulling in millions in profit, just that profit was shrinking more every year. Yet people will gripe, moan, bitch, whatever and see keep paying hand over foot for it. Most of the people who made WHM boom were disgruntled 40k'ers who were always going to go sprinting back to GW the second they started showing the slightest sign of improving. I'd say WHM is no in worse or better a position it was prior to 7th edition, it just had a very brief, but memorable, time in the sun.
This is the same WMH that offers models at GW prices with worse quality? Yeah, I can see why GW's 'failures' are more successful.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/30 15:54:11


Post by: Ghool


Strange how any thread devoted to PP tends to evolve into what PP did wrong.
I didn’t pick up Warcaster due to the cost. With the shipping and exchange rate, just getting a single heavy would have cost around $75CAD.
While the models looked fine, sci-fi really isn’t my bag. So I passed. I haven’t been to the LGS in almost 6 months so I have no idea if it’s even there or how well it’s doing.

The game had some decent models but I have way too much to paint as it is. And as I get older, I’m finding I want to have whole armies and games painted. So I’ve been collecting less and competing projects more.
Plus, my interest has shifted more toward my first love of gaming - board games.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/30 23:19:07


Post by: Kanluwen


As far as I've seen, it hasn't hit retail just yet.

I really have enjoyed what I've played with my Marcher Worlds.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/09/30 23:23:43


Post by: Overread


I'm eagerly waiting for KS 2 and the alien race!


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/10/01 02:55:47


Post by: Charistoph


Apparently there is a second alien race mentioned as well, but who knows if they'll ever be made in to their own army, just a few individuals being Wild Cards, or just a background force.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/10/01 13:37:50


Post by: LunarSol


 Kanluwen wrote:
As far as I've seen, it hasn't hit retail just yet.

I really have enjoyed what I've played with my Marcher Worlds.


October release I believe.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/10/01 17:04:24


Post by: Kanluwen


 Charistoph wrote:
Apparently there is a second alien race mentioned as well, but who knows if they'll ever be made in to their own army, just a few individuals being Wild Cards, or just a background force.

The Keepers.

Their fluff points more towards them being a background force.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/10/01 18:26:34


Post by: Vertrucio


Although their production capacity is likely stressed, it'd be a bad idea to go to full launch without a few aliens. They're a staple of scifi settings.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/10/01 18:30:43


Post by: Overread


The full launch will be without the Aliens, just the two three factions already created.

Aliens are in the second KS which, in theory, should also see new models for the other 3 factions and be a much bigger seller having the interest of a new 4th faction and larger ranges for the 3 current ones.

Remembering that the KS policy for this isn't steep discounts so there won't be vast savings over retail - instead its far more of a simple pre-ordering system so that PP isn't screwing over retailers by flooding their own market since ultimately they are short term KS and fast retail release once KS are over.



Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/10/01 18:51:40


Post by: LunarSol


 Overread wrote:

Remembering that the KS policy for this isn't steep discounts so there won't be vast savings over retail - instead its far more of a simple pre-ordering system so that PP isn't screwing over retailers by flooding their own market since ultimately they are short term KS and fast retail release once KS are over.


And by all means, if you can, pledge through your FLGS to help them get a cut.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/10/01 21:00:17


Post by: Charistoph


 Kanluwen wrote:
 Charistoph wrote:
Apparently there is a second alien race mentioned as well, but who knows if they'll ever be made in to their own army, just a few individuals being Wild Cards, or just a background force.

The Keepers.

Their fluff points more towards them being a background force.

The elves of Ios were just a background force for a long time, and the Crucible Guard were just a Mercenary supplier for some time. Now, I'm not saying that we'll see the Keepers next year, but if Warcaster hasn't died in 5 years, that may change.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/10/01 23:30:27


Post by: Overread


https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/privateerpress/warcaster-neo-mechanika/posts/2971584


KS 2 is coming next month (November). There's also a video in that link of the new alien race, though not a huge amount more detail than we already know but some neat still shots of concept art and such (again much we've seen already but its all in one place and getting slowlyready for the KS buildup)


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/10/05 21:26:41


Post by: marxlives


 Arbitrator wrote:
 Mr. Grey wrote:
 Arbitrator wrote:
It's interesting to me GW fail time and time again, but people will give them infinite chances. Other companies mess up once and they're sworn off forever.

I suppose that's really the secret to GW's success more than anything else.


Yep, they sure are failing a lot right now with their ever increasing profits even during a pandemic and higher sales year after year the last 4-5 years running. I don't know what it's like in your area, but in my local meta even a lot of long-term, die hard WHM players dropped the game like a hot rock and went back to Warhammer 40K when 8th edition dropped. Pandemic aside, my local game store(one of the biggest in the southeast US) doesn't even keep more than a bare minimum of PP stock on the shelves anymore. Rather, they do a weekly or bi-weekly PP order and more than once I've seen managers complaining about the difficulty of getting stock from Privateer.

That's my point. We're back to a similar position we were in 7th, wherein GW have cranked prices to the absurd, the balance is completely out of whack, they're doubling down on Space Marine explosions, etc, etc. By fail I don't mean financially, as even at their worst (7th) GW were still pulling in millions in profit, just that profit was shrinking more every year. Yet people will gripe, moan, bitch, whatever and see keep paying hand over foot for it. Most of the people who made WHM boom were disgruntled 40k'ers who were always going to go sprinting back to GW the second they started showing the slightest sign of improving. I'd say WHM is no in worse or better a position it was prior to 7th edition, it just had a very brief, but memorable, time in the sun.


Pretty much it. PP is in the same place Infinity/Malifaux/Mantic and many other non-publically owned businesses were in. And I agree much of the bump game from disgruntled 40k players. I think profit over time all of these companies will be okay.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/10/29 16:54:28


Post by: marxlives


 Kanluwen wrote:
 Charistoph wrote:
Apparently there is a second alien race mentioned as well, but who knows if they'll ever be made in to their own army, just a few individuals being Wild Cards, or just a background force.

The Keepers.

Their fluff points more towards them being a background force.


I think the Keepers are not an alien race, but figures like Nemo Prime and such who travelled with the refugees during the Oblivion event and are still alive. The lore paints them as still being clockwork and that if you want to be a Warcaster, your training has to go through them because they are the only ones who know how to do it. The Empryean want to kill the Keepers real bad doe.

https://warmachineuniversity.com/mw/index.php/Artificer_Prime_Nemo_%26_Arcane_Mechaniks


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/11/29 02:07:23


Post by: MFrailgun


It’s really fun, I prefer it over warmachine currently. They’ve simplified the rule set in positive ways. The model count is significantly smaller than warmachine and the game is capped at a resource level of 7 “arc” (pseudo focus) with which to manipulate your dice or do “fancy tricks”. Squads are 3 man currently and use a movement akin to legion where you move one model and place the other two within two inches in coherency of the “mover” which eliminates a lot of “precise, let’s play trig aspects” of warmachine that have mostly turned me off to that game. Warjacks murder things like you would’ve probably hoped they would in warmachine.

Yeah, overall very fun game (I’ve probably played around 80 games or so so far between online and in person). I’m looking forward to getting into 40K though.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/11/29 02:28:02


Post by: Overread


I think one big thing for Warcaster is the whole summoning mechanic.

With 40K as the diversity of models has grown, armies have grown as well. Whereas in the past a handful of gaunts was a squad, now its 30. Whilst that has downsides of its own, it is one means to allowing players to put more models on the table.

With Warmachine you hit a hard limit because of the focus mechanic and the way the game works; it gets too technical and the way they've tried is with themes. But I don't think that worked well, if anything it has had the opposite effect - you can't so easily "free build" and have to build within themes instead.



Now both those approaches have the issue that optimal models will get chosen over the suboptimal. Themes tries to get around it by letting each model have themes in which it shines, but that means you're taking one theme over others.


Warcaster lets you cast models into the game; you basically have a near infinite sideboard option. This, I think, makes niche and situational models FAR more viable in a wargame. Models that otherwise might get overlooked in generalist and take-all-commers armies, now get a look in. You can have that special model that looks cool and only tends to work well in a set situation because when that situation arises BAM it goes down.

With a simpler and less finicky system it also leaves itself well to growing over time and expanding the system. Plus whilst the warcasters are cool, they do directly hamper expanding armies beyond a certain point in warmachine/hordes; with no caster as such in warcaster that limit isn't there to break.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/11/29 06:00:23


Post by: Grey Templar


For me as it stands, this game is a hard pass right now.

While the rules and game mechanics are definitely solid, and I absolutely love games with solid rulesets, I just can't get past the... boring nature of the setting combined with the factions all having very same'y aesthetics. Without really staring at the models close up its really tough to see much unique aesthetic features for the different factions. You know its bad when the only way to tell the difference between factions is what accent color is being used.

The setting really seems incomplete. A half-baked idea which can be summed up as "We blew up Warmachine and nuked it in the microwave for 10 million years". They sneak in references that humans escaped Caen and spread across the galaxy, nods to the existing product line in an attempt to engage players of that setting. But the attempt falls flat. Only humans managed to escape, big FU to everybody else, and the only one true god is Cyriss, a 2-bit side deity.

It would really be easier to swallow if they didn't try to tie it into Warmachine and just made it a 100% new setting. Its a bit of a turn-off for people who like the setting of Warmahordes.

They'll really need to fix the background and give the factions some visual definition to get me interested.

"Warmahordes...In Space!!!" would have been more interesting. Like literally just having the descendants of Warmachine species in a sci-fi setting would have been more intriguing. A couple human factions, Skorne, Elves, and Dwarves, and the successors of various religious and political groups in Space would have been fascinating IMO. Maybe some aliens in there too!


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/11/29 21:14:16


Post by: Charistoph


 Grey Templar wrote:
"Warmahordes...In Space!!!" would have been more interesting. Like literally just having the descendants of Warmachine species in a sci-fi setting would have been more intriguing. A couple human factions, Skorne, Elves, and Dwarves, and the successors of various religious and political groups in Space would have been fascinating IMO. Maybe some aliens in there too!

A LOT of things can change in 5000 years. We only guess at what the cultures were in 5000 years of our own past, and as far as we know, they didn't come from an age of industrial revolution. I see no reason to expect an actual Cygnar or Khador in them. Nor have they finalized who made it through to Cyriss. Skorne weren't really close to the portal, as far as I know. Right now, they are starting off slow with 3 human factions and 1 alien. The original Warmachine was 4 factions, and it wasn't until the first update that Mercenaries were introduced, but Warcaster has them now.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/11/30 16:35:03


Post by: LunarSol


I think the lack of consistent color schemes makes it harder to appreciate how much the factions really carry the design of existing Warmachine factions in space.

Marcher Worlds are somehow both the most and least obvious. The tattered cloaked armor large orbs for shoulders are clear pulls from the original Mercnar nature of the Iron Kingdoms with a bit of Cyriss thrown on their spellcasters. The jacks have a very Talon/Nomad/Ironcald kind of look to them that's a blue paint job away from being far more recognizable. ISA pulls a similar trick with their priestly spellcasters and cyber-Menofix shields.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/12/01 05:34:42


Post by: Grey Templar


 Charistoph wrote:
 Grey Templar wrote:
"Warmahordes...In Space!!!" would have been more interesting. Like literally just having the descendants of Warmachine species in a sci-fi setting would have been more intriguing. A couple human factions, Skorne, Elves, and Dwarves, and the successors of various religious and political groups in Space would have been fascinating IMO. Maybe some aliens in there too!

A LOT of things can change in 5000 years. We only guess at what the cultures were in 5000 years of our own past, and as far as we know, they didn't come from an age of industrial revolution. I see no reason to expect an actual Cygnar or Khador in them. Nor have they finalized who made it through to Cyriss. Skorne weren't really close to the portal, as far as I know. Right now, they are starting off slow with 3 human factions and 1 alien. The original Warmachine was 4 factions, and it wasn't until the first update that Mercenaries were introduced, but Warcaster has them now.


Yeah, a lot can change, but at the same time I find it hard to believe that only humans escaped. Plus what is the point of connecting the settings if you're not actually going to do anything with that connection? The previous setting's lore is irrelevant in the new one, so why even tenuously connect them? Just start from complete scratch.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/12/01 14:12:15


Post by: LunarSol


Technically I think Nemo is still alive and running things in some form, but I'm no expert on the lore of this game.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/12/01 15:21:50


Post by: B0B MaRlEy


Just had my first game, felt pretty decent although those white dice seem to hate me.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/12/06 18:58:46


Post by: Slarg232


 Overread wrote:
I think one big thing for Warcaster is the whole summoning mechanic.


Warcaster lets you cast models into the game; you basically have a near infinite sideboard option. This, I think, makes niche and situational models FAR more viable in a wargame. Models that otherwise might get overlooked in generalist and take-all-commers armies, now get a look in. You can have that special model that looks cool and only tends to work well in a set situation because when that situation arises BAM it goes down.


It also allows you to create two lists in one if your preferred list has a couple extremely bad matchups.

Marcher Worlds, for instance, is supposed to be the shooty hit and run faction, but Aeturnum gets a lot of Stealth. Being able to field 9 long range units and then 6 shorter range ones for that particular matchup could be a thing we see a lot of people doing depending on how specialized certain other lists end up being.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/12/09 16:54:27


Post by: marxlives


 B0B MaRlEy wrote:
Just had my first game, felt pretty decent although those white dice seem to hate me.


That is me in every dice game I have played. I even curse dice when I touch them. I touch another man's dice just out of light fun and he went from rolling hot to rolling like me the whole game. Never did it again. If I had a superhero name it would be No Chance


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 LunarSol wrote:
Technically I think Nemo is still alive and running things in some form, but I'm no expert on the lore of this game.


Nemo is one of the Keepers referred to in the Lore. Basically, warcasters who still know how to type into warcaster powers and crossed the gate into the Cyriss galaxy. They are the ones who train you how to use warcaster powers. They wander around in secrecy and have godlike powers. The Empereans want to dissect them badly.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Grey Templar wrote:
For me as it stands, this game is a hard pass right now.

While the rules and game mechanics are definitely solid, and I absolutely love games with solid rulesets, I just can't get past the... boring nature of the setting combined with the factions all having very same'y aesthetics. Without really staring at the models close up its really tough to see much unique aesthetic features for the different factions. You know its bad when the only way to tell the difference between factions is what accent color is being used.

The setting really seems incomplete. A half-baked idea which can be summed up as "We blew up Warmachine and nuked it in the microwave for 10 million years". They sneak in references that humans escaped Caen and spread across the galaxy, nods to the existing product line in an attempt to engage players of that setting. But the attempt falls flat. Only humans managed to escape, big FU to everybody else, and the only one true god is Cyriss, a 2-bit side deity.

It would really be easier to swallow if they didn't try to tie it into Warmachine and just made it a 100% new setting. Its a bit of a turn-off for people who like the setting of Warmahordes.

They'll really need to fix the background and give the factions some visual definition to get me interested.

"Warmahordes...In Space!!!" would have been more interesting. Like literally just having the descendants of Warmachine species in a sci-fi setting would have been more intriguing. A couple human factions, Skorne, Elves, and Dwarves, and the successors of various religious and political groups in Space would have been fascinating IMO. Maybe some aliens in there too!


There are other races who escaped the Empyreans cleansing and reordering of the galaxy, however the gatelike travel that is required to get around and near genocide of them makes them rare. But there are suggestions, Mooregrave's sword, Oblivion seems to come from a race that is not Empyreans (https://store.privateerpress.com/baron-cassius-mooregrave-wild-card-hero-solo/) and as humanity uses the essence of the goddess Cyriss to power their own innovations, Infernals are a future thing.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2020/12/10 17:38:16


Post by: marxlives


#wargaming Got three Marcher Worlds Hunters painted for Warcaster. Unlike the two Ranger Fire teams, I wanted these guys to look like they are made for urban fighting. First time doing camo, so hard for the camera to focus.

https://pin.it/1ZpkkQD



Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/01/10 18:01:00


Post by: Tamwulf


marxlives wrote:
#wargaming Got three Marcher Worlds Hunters painted for Warcaster. Unlike the two Ranger Fire teams, I wanted these guys to look like they are made for urban fighting. First time doing camo, so hard for the camera to focus.

https://pin.it/1ZpkkQD



Isn't the point of camouflage making it difficult to see? But I think it's more operator error than the paint job making it difficult to photograph.

Here's a couple really good videos about taking pictures of miniatures with a cell phone.

This one by The Mini Witch is pretty technical as she is a professional photographer. If you really want to get into the nuts and bolts of lighting, contrast, white levels, focusing planes, ranges, reflectors, light boxes, etc. etc. then this video is for you.

This video is much more generalized and has some good techniques and advice. Tabletop Minions He references everything off an older iPhone (iPhone 8 I think?) using the stock camera. There is no reason why most of his advice wouldn't work on any cell phone camera.

GW did one as well, but it was such a simplistic and general video that it can be summed up as "use a sheet of paper as a background and use bright light".

Good Luck! Nothing is worse then an awesome paint job that you want to share with everyone but the pictures just don't do it justice. Miniature photography is an art unto itself, but just a few simple things can make a dramatic improvement in your pictures.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/01/18 20:51:15


Post by: marxlives


 Charistoph wrote:
Apparently there is a second alien race mentioned as well, but who knows if they'll ever be made in to their own army, just a few individuals being Wild Cards, or just a background force.


I hope they are space rhinos.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Overread wrote:
I think one big thing for Warcaster is the whole summoning mechanic.

With 40K as the diversity of models has grown, armies have grown as well. Whereas in the past a handful of gaunts was a squad, now its 30. Whilst that has downsides of its own, it is one means to allowing players to put more models on the table.

With Warmachine you hit a hard limit because of the focus mechanic and the way the game works; it gets too technical and the way they've tried is with themes. But I don't think that worked well, if anything it has had the opposite effect - you can't so easily "free build" and have to build within themes instead.



Now both those approaches have the issue that optimal models will get chosen over the suboptimal. Themes tries to get around it by letting each model have themes in which it shines, but that means you're taking one theme over others.


Warcaster lets you cast models into the game; you basically have a near infinite sideboard option. This, I think, makes niche and situational models FAR more viable in a wargame. Models that otherwise might get overlooked in generalist and take-all-commers armies, now get a look in. You can have that special model that looks cool and only tends to work well in a set situation because when that situation arises BAM it goes down.

With a simpler and less finicky system it also leaves itself well to growing over time and expanding the system. Plus whilst the warcasters are cool, they do directly hamper expanding armies beyond a certain point in warmachine/hordes; with no caster as such in warcaster that limit isn't there to break.


Ya, with Warcaster, the focus really limits how much you can summon so your bench becomes more about options. And if you play your cards right you can cast spells in 3 different phases!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Tamwulf wrote:
marxlives wrote:
#wargaming Got three Marcher Worlds Hunters painted for Warcaster. Unlike the two Ranger Fire teams, I wanted these guys to look like they are made for urban fighting. First time doing camo, so hard for the camera to focus.

https://pin.it/1ZpkkQD



Isn't the point of camouflage making it difficult to see? But I think it's more operator error than the paint job making it difficult to photograph.

Here's a couple really good videos about taking pictures of miniatures with a cell phone.

This one by The Mini Witch is pretty technical as she is a professional photographer. If you really want to get into the nuts and bolts of lighting, contrast, white levels, focusing planes, ranges, reflectors, light boxes, etc. etc. then this video is for you.

This video is much more generalized and has some good techniques and advice. Tabletop Minions He references everything off an older iPhone (iPhone 8 I think?) using the stock camera. There is no reason why most of his advice wouldn't work on any cell phone camera.

GW did one as well, but it was such a simplistic and general video that it can be summed up as "use a sheet of paper as a background and use bright light".

Good Luck! Nothing is worse then an awesome paint job that you want to share with everyone but the pictures just don't do it justice. Miniature photography is an art unto itself, but just a few simple things can make a dramatic improvement in your pictures.


Are you trying to ruin my reputation as King of Suck. Cause I can't compromise that.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Grey Templar wrote:
 Charistoph wrote:
 Grey Templar wrote:
"Warmahordes...In Space!!!" would have been more interesting. Like literally just having the descendants of Warmachine species in a sci-fi setting would have been more intriguing. A couple human factions, Skorne, Elves, and Dwarves, and the successors of various religious and political groups in Space would have been fascinating IMO. Maybe some aliens in there too!

A LOT of things can change in 5000 years. We only guess at what the cultures were in 5000 years of our own past, and as far as we know, they didn't come from an age of industrial revolution. I see no reason to expect an actual Cygnar or Khador in them. Nor have they finalized who made it through to Cyriss. Skorne weren't really close to the portal, as far as I know. Right now, they are starting off slow with 3 human factions and 1 alien. The original Warmachine was 4 factions, and it wasn't until the first update that Mercenaries were introduced, but Warcaster has them now.


Yeah, a lot can change, but at the same time I find it hard to believe that only humans escaped. Plus what is the point of connecting the settings if you're not actually going to do anything with that connection? The previous setting's lore is irrelevant in the new one, so why even tenuously connect them? Just start from complete scratch.


I can. The Infernals were hard core about getting human souls since the Infernals are responsible for the humans Gift of magic. If you ain't human, they don't care. Non-human intervention in the (shudder) Twitter account seems to point to wanting to capture the Infernals, demolish them into soul juice. Other ones like Trollbloods. I don't even know if they can exist off planet.

Humans, we are always the problem.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 B0B MaRlEy wrote:
Just had my first game, felt pretty decent although those white dice seem to hate me.


BOB Marley, you just leave the door open like that.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/01/18 22:24:00


Post by: Overread


Eh in the end its a very light connection and since its so far removed the old lore isn't really impacting it - I think its just there as a tease much like how in the old days 40K and Old World could be connected through Chaos and there were always those "Maybe the Emperor is Sigmar" type chats etc...


That said Warcaster only has 4 factions out and of those 3 are already pure human. I do hope they reach a little outside of the box as they explore more factions - even perhaps to four legged basic mechs and such. Right now the 3 human factions have a lot of equivalent mirror units - which aids balance, but can end up with things feeling a touch bland here and there. Even something as simple as a mech with snake body or more than 2 legs or tracks etc.. .can start to add some casual differences and flavour.

Already the first alien race has introduced some of that with support models looking very alien and different with bodies atop tentacles.


Hordes was really great at that, each race was really wildly different ;whilst with Warmachine 2 factions had mechs that almost looked the same (big hulky upper body and tiny legs).


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/01/21 18:45:11


Post by: B0B MaRlEy


marxlives wrote:



Automatically Appended Next Post:
 B0B MaRlEy wrote:
Just had my first game, felt pretty decent although those white dice seem to hate me.


BOB Marley, you just leave the door open like that.

Sorry, it seems you were hoping for a follow-up? Had another game, in skirmish the warjacks are terrifying, notably my opponent's Marcher worlds ones. It didn't help that it took me a few months to finally get the second one I wanted.
I'm curious about how full games feel, as the larger battlefield, necessary squads for scoring and other scenarios should prove interesting. The upcoming wave of releases seems to bring good stuff for my faction, too.
(I skipper the kickstarter, as shipping basically negates the freebies and the "early" access is inexistant 'round my parts, so buying local, yey!)


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/02/02 18:41:17


Post by: marxlives


Mommy, I am scared. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arXByW6dng0


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/02/24 12:12:12


Post by: Kaptajn Congoboy


We finally got a few skirmish groups up and going and have played a few games. It is quite interesting. The dice feel extremely swingy compared to WmH, but they are more stable than, say, Infinity or most single-d6 games I have played. The placement and board control is REALLY important and the Arc management, summoning and card mechanics gives you a lot to think about even on the small 30x30 tables.

You need a lot of terrain. Infinity-level amounts of it with a lot of scatter terrain. No real need for towers, but a couple of levels of terrain is lots of fun.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/02/24 21:27:06


Post by: marxlives


Kaptajn Congoboy wrote:
We finally got a few skirmish groups up and going and have played a few games. It is quite interesting. The dice feel extremely swingy compared to WmH, but they are more stable than, say, Infinity or most single-d6 games I have played. The placement and board control is REALLY important and the Arc management, summoning and card mechanics gives you a lot to think about even on the small 30x30 tables.

You need a lot of terrain. Infinity-level amounts of it with a lot of scatter terrain. No real need for towers, but a couple of levels of terrain is lots of fun.


That is my experience too. I call it a momentum game since atrittion is not a thing. And when you are in that 3rd round you really feel the impact from the previous two unfold.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/03/07 04:15:02


Post by: LunarSol


I think I’m in on Empyreans after looking into it more. Now I just need to wait 3 months so I can buy them.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/03/07 11:18:08


Post by: Overread


I was a little worried about the Empyreans early on when their infantry were basically the same model 3 times over. However the new concept art has been outstanding and really rekindled my enthusiasm for them - which is great as I've got a box of them from the KS on its way to me once they start shipping

It wouldn't surprise me if the 3rd KS does a lot better in terms of expanding all 4 armies with a lot more flavour. I do wonder how their pricing and bringing to market affects the KS in that PP isn't steep discounting and is bringing things to market pretty fast after the KS ends so its much more like an early pre-order with small discount rather than major discounts and super early deliveries.

I know for myself it makes me feel a LOT less pressure to back to insane levels during the KS because I know that not long after the KS I can get them retail. Though, of course, I still know that the more I back a KS the more it helps toward unlocking new products







Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/03/08 19:38:24


Post by: LunarSol


They're using Kickstarter as a direct sale distribution method. If the KS isn't doing as well because people are waiting and buying at retail later... that's arguably a win as its growing the game outside of its KS crowd.

I backed the Riot Quest KS, mostly because there were a lot of solos that fit my factions this time around. It didn't put me out ahead by much or anything, but overall I found the bonuses and savings worthwhile. For Warcaster, I'm currently in the limbo of wishing I had backed, but realizing I probably would have backed too much and been disappointed if I had.

I think what I learned is that PPs kickstarters are definitely worth backing, and I probably will back the next one. What I don't need to do is stress about FOMO. Order kind of my base level of new stuff, get a couple nice bonuses and a small discount and whatever I learn I need later I can get later without feeling like a goofed not putting it in my initial order.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/03/08 19:50:27


Post by: Overread


I have to say I like it as a KS approach. There's a few that I've honestly walked away from because when I add up the cost of everything I'd like to own its way more than I can back for - which then all goes up in value once it hits retail so I get a double "I can't afford it" shock/concern. Plus there's some where the stock after KS is very limited so it can be a case that you're just delaying the "FOMO" element till then


I also like that their approach means that the KS is generally closer to on-time. I'm not left with a KS that might take another 5 months or years to deliver


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/03/08 22:01:56


Post by: Kanluwen


What I'm, personally, liking about their Kickstarter model is that they're using it as a way to not only keep their production and distribution from getting overtaxed but also as a way of controlling the SKUs as they come.

It sounds like Kickstarter #3 will have another kind of "Faction Starter" box coming for all 3 of the original factions, and an add-on box for Empyreans because of the Cadres being added and things of that nature.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/04/01 19:05:27


Post by: marxlives


From a business perspective especially in light of current retail distribution which is basically if you are not WOTC, Asmodee, or GW we wont carry anything in volume a well managed KS approach works. You can make product available for interested retailers who know their customers rather than distributors, tracking how many customers you have and what the growth over time looks like is easier, product is not over produced so the need to spray and pray releases to see what bites goes down.

For non-corporate business structure I think Co-Vid really put on rails where the future of small to midsize hobby companies were going to need to go anyway.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/17 18:49:07


Post by: NinthMusketeer


So how is Warcaster doing for everyone? Has there been a community popping up?


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/17 18:57:09


Post by: Overread


My warcaster pack arrived from the last KS. Great metals as always, nice resin marker and the rules and all.

The more I read them the more I like these rules and wish that Warmachine might pick them up for its skirmish side. I think they are ideal rules for a skirmish game to retain that skirmish feel; whlist also expanding its unit rosters to have a huge variety of options. Sideboarding during the game itself and being able to bring back fully dead units makes for a lot of tactical flexibility. Meanwhile the scoring system means that you can't just choke your opponent by spamming lots of cheap units


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/17 19:09:15


Post by: LunarSol


Really excited about it. We have a few players that have built up armies. I'm waiting for the Empyrean release in a couple weeks and then we're hoping to play now that things have opened up.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/17 19:11:43


Post by: Kanluwen


The only thing bad I have to say about the last KS is the Razorbat does not fit together well.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/18 14:25:33


Post by: LunarSol


That's too bad. I wonder if that's why a friend of mine turned it into a podracer.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/18 15:57:55


Post by: greenskin lynn


 Kanluwen wrote:
The only thing bad I have to say about the last KS is the Razorbat does not fit together well.


what was bad about the fit, cause marcher worlds is one of the factions i've most considered getting


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/18 16:00:51


Post by: Kanluwen


 greenskin lynn wrote:
 Kanluwen wrote:
The only thing bad I have to say about the last KS is the Razorbat does not fit together well.


what was bad about the fit, cause marcher worlds is one of the factions i've most considered getting

You can't really see it in the photos, but the front of the 'cockpit' is two parts. There's a bit with the feed for the pilot in metal and the main body is in resin.

There was a mold gate right on a part that joins the two, and it's made an awkward fit that I'm having to slowly resculpt because of the angle.

"does not fit together well" might be the wrong term? maybe I should say that the mold attachment points are not great?


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/19 11:36:35


Post by: Kaptajn Congoboy


 NinthMusketeer wrote:
So how is Warcaster doing for everyone? Has there been a community popping up?


We have around 10 people locally that have bought in and show interest in playing. And perhaps 2-3 that fell off. Most of them have not played a game due to covid so far


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/19 22:47:00


Post by: NinthMusketeer


I'll be honest in that I am not interested in Warcaster directly, but I want it to succeed because if it doesn't PP as a whole is probably going down the drain. So I am glad to hear about it being played despite pandemia.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/19 23:00:36


Post by: Overread


I also don't want PP to die and I do think that since MK3 started they've had a rough run. I'd love to see the tables turn and for them to have some either steady built success or a roaring success so they can rebuild to what they were.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/20 01:24:26


Post by: greenskin lynn


i hope to pick up a starter for it soon, maybe see if i can get some friends to play

as for PP, it seems like MonPoc puts on a pretty steady amount of stuff these days, plus riot quest which just finished another kickstarter


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/20 09:19:15


Post by: Kaptajn Congoboy


I am pretty sure PP will not go down anytime soon.

There is still interest in WmH, just not on 2016 or release levels - the recent IKRPG KS is in the top 5 list of tabletop RPGs on Kickstarter both in terms of backers and money raised.

Monpoc seems to be doing very well (it has a Discord presence of about 1/2 of WmH, with a very active community). Warcaster also seems to have been surprisingly successfull despite the pandemic, as noted.

Riot Quest is impossible to evaluate as I have no idea whether the game's relative popularity is due to the WmH models it puts out or that it is actually popular.

It seems like non-GW or Asmodee-owned miniature games have taken a real hit lately due to the collapse of the distribution network that started back when Asmodee also began controlling its own distribution and so many boardgames moving to KS. That's the real KS culprit, really - with so much business going down the drain for the distributors, they had to cut back on a lot, and it means many are going down or getting bought (the nordic distributor of WmH and a few other games got bought by Asmodee two years ago).

The real question will be what happens when the 3d printing shift happens in miniature games. Things are moving fast now and it is not my impression that any of the large or even medium-sized companies are well prepared for it.



Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/20 14:44:53


Post by: LunarSol


One of the big advantages of being privately owned, is you're unlikely to really go bankrupt as long as you avoid taking massive risks. Plastic IS a massive risk, but it seems likely that PP did well enough during the PVC era to whether any issues with HIPs. Retreating back to metals and resin just means they've fallen back on things they have control over the production costs for. They're a smaller company than they were, but in some ways that's where a lot of their strengths lie.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/20 22:21:45


Post by: Kanluwen


 greenskin lynn wrote:
i hope to pick up a starter for it soon, maybe see if i can get some friends to play

Kickstarter #3 is supposed to launch in June. You might want to wait for that to see what's coming, and pledge a Head to Head level.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/20 23:27:32


Post by: Overread


Just note that the KS prices aren't far off 3rd party store prices. Because the KS fullfills so close to stores getting retail stock, PP has been smart in not undermining their own distribution and market system by flooding things with super high kickstarter discounts. Which can be great for getting a lot of models, but can mean that your core market is fully satisfied and thus you don't get the uptake of sales from retailers that you might otherwise get.

The other bonus is it means you can get started right now if you want and not suffer regret that you didn't wait for the KS


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/21 00:24:26


Post by: Kanluwen


That might be true in the UK and for KS#2, but it was not for KS#1.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/21 16:13:48


Post by: LunarSol


Just pre-ordered my Empyreans which triggered a friend to by the Aeternus stuff. Looking forward to getting into this soon.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/21 16:35:50


Post by: marxlives


 NinthMusketeer wrote:
So how is Warcaster doing for everyone? Has there been a community popping up?


I am got my second box and start assembling my Empryeans in store today and doing demos!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 LunarSol wrote:
One of the big advantages of being privately owned, is you're unlikely to really go bankrupt as long as you avoid taking massive risks. Plastic IS a massive risk, but it seems likely that PP did well enough during the PVC era to whether any issues with HIPs. Retreating back to metals and resin just means they've fallen back on things they have control over the production costs for. They're a smaller company than they were, but in some ways that's where a lot of their strengths lie.


And stuff they have personal experience in. I have been VERY impressed with PP metals and resins. I think it helps that they are going to a chunkier 35mm scale. God knows, my eyes and hands enjoy the change during painting.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/23 09:11:41


Post by: Kaptajn Congoboy


Despite a lot of noise to the contrary, metal is still the best material for getting accurate detail. It flows and settles better than injection mold polystyrene and doesn’t require as much work to get crisp details as resin does. That requires vacuum and has a high failure rate.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/24 17:53:00


Post by: marxlives


Kaptajn Congoboy wrote:
Despite a lot of noise to the contrary, metal is still the best material for getting accurate detail. It flows and settles better than injection mold polystyrene and doesn’t require as much work to get crisp details as resin does. That requires vacuum and has a high failure rate.


That is true, I think from a consumer end, plastic has ease of construction. Overcome with practice. Do got to say though, when I get to break out the power drill to do my pinning I do get some sort of enjoyment out of it. Just makes me feel like a bad a$$, instead of a dude just putting toys together. Power drill gate keeping!


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/24 18:21:20


Post by: LunarSol


The main issue with metals is that they're more prone to paint chipping and their weight adds up when you transport a whole bag. I'm REALLY fond a PP's mix of metal and resin personally, but I do like the lack of fear that comes from plastic.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Totally forgot to mention that I finally got to play a game this weekend and really enjoyed it. Really unique feel to it; probably the only things vaguely similar is Relic Knights. I think the resource mechanics are the best they've done, and the general "engine" feel of fuel and fire to refuel encourages you to hold nothing back while also giving you too many places to spend it. Good stuff, looking forward to picking up my models and giving it a go soon.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/24 21:58:54


Post by: Kaptajn Congoboy


Oh yes, the I can’t be bothered factor is central to people’s preference for plastic.

On a the other note, how many of you have tried the game yet? I’ve got just short of ten rounds under my belt, most of them starter and skirmish but one full battle as well. I am not a big fan of playing miniature games online, so all of them physical. Really like this game. It flows beautifully and there always seems to be a way to victory. Also, it is very «cinematic» in its dice system even if the opposed rolls drive some people crazy. It also needs a bit more work on the scenario side.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/24 22:05:07


Post by: Overread


I'm a big fan of the card-style method of bringing units into the game as I think it works wonderfully for a skirmish game that, we hope, will grow to have a large unit roster of very diverse looking models.

I think the failing with Warmachine was the more models PP made the bigger people's collections got and the more models they wanted to play with; but the single list approach meant that people would only go for the best choices so the situational and fringe models got pushed out; plus army sizes kept going up. They've sort of tried to patch that by going heavy with themed forces, but those in a sense just lock you into smaller niches of the whole army.


The warcaster system also throws the concept of suicidal units into the mix and takes a chunk out of the "unit must buy back its cost in kills" concept of gaming. Because a unit that dies can come back you can start to see new and fresh strategies for using models. You can sacrifice a unit to delay the enemy; you can take losses without it destroying your game plan.

It's a neat system and it will be interesting to see how well it scales as the game, inevitably (hopefully) grows.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/25 08:54:27


Post by: FrozenDwarf


Can someone drop 2 or 3 lines about what kind of game this is?


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/25 14:03:31


Post by: LunarSol


 FrozenDwarf wrote:
Can someone drop 2 or 3 lines about what kind of game this is?


It's an objective driven, ranged focused game of resource management. The goal is to aggressively position models on objectives to score points and prevent your opponent from doing the same while constantly resummoning destroyed models further up the table to gain position. Combat wise, it's primarily about balancing the ARC you allocate to summoning with how much you use to boost the models you already have on the table with a bit of support combo play provided from a pretty solid pool of low combat solos.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Overread wrote:

The warcaster system also throws the concept of suicidal units into the mix and takes a chunk out of the "unit must buy back its cost in kills" concept of gaming. Because a unit that dies can come back you can start to see new and fresh strategies for using models. You can sacrifice a unit to delay the enemy; you can take losses without it destroying your game plan.

It's a neat system and it will be interesting to see how well it scales as the game, inevitably (hopefully) grows.


Taking that a step farther, you actually really NEED to put your models in danger. If a model isn't contesting objectives, there's not a lot of incentive to kill it, particularly if it diminished in some capacity like a long squad member or something. Putting models in "safe" places is often less helpful than making sure your opponent has to kill them.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Kaptajn Congoboy wrote:
Also, it is very «cinematic» in its dice system even if the opposed rolls drive some people crazy.


The weird thing about the dice system is that while the result of the rolls are very random, the result of attacks is fairly consistent. 1 damage per attack happens way more often than anything else. Probably 2:3 or better depending on the arm value. Generally speaking it seems like models hit fairly reliably unless the opponent is in cover and generally if you hit you'll get damage through unless the target is well armored and your gun is relatively weak. Boosting without cover (or with melee) only seems to land 2 damage a bit less than half the time unless you're talking a Warjack with a full load of ARC.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/05/25 17:38:53


Post by: marxlives


The game is definitely a momentum game. Keeping models safe or engaging reckless will change the moment in your opponents favor. You can really feel the momentum change in round 3, making the last 2 a hectic scramble or shoring up.

The Action, Boost, and Red dice system is pretty good. I have used it in RQ and MonPoc and someone at PP did the math on it.

Basically Action are supposed to swing but as you graduate into Boost and then Red dice the chances of your successes become more reliable.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/06/04 18:16:35


Post by: Kanluwen


This is not a drill, dinosaur riders!

Ranger Outrider.

There's a tease of something for each faction, also this exciting news:
In addition to the Cadres, we’ll be seeing some exciting new heroes and solos, and we have a quartet of new nefarious Wild Cards available as premium rewards for backing the project. But what’s got us most excited right now is The Thousand Worlds sourcebook that we’ll be offering alongside the new Cadres. The book will collect all of the existing Warcaster lore into one place while diving deep into each Faction and the history of the Hyperuranion. The Thousand Worlds has also given us an opportunity to work with one of our favorite collaborators, Aeryn Rudel, who is contributing ten fantastic stories to the book that will truly flesh out this exciting new setting.

Cannot. Wait.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/06/04 19:05:18


Post by: Overread


Darn it that's a cool model! Though the Empyrains are getting some cool air units to strike fast and hard!


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/06/07 22:45:22


Post by: NinthMusketeer


That is a very chonky boi.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/06/09 18:37:05


Post by: LunarSol


Finallly got to play in person last night and really enjoyed it. The little skirmish table meant we could play on a single card table at the shop and it was quick, tense and really decision intensive. Ultimately I lost by one point, stopping my opponent from scoring an objective on turn 1, but losing momentum turn 2 and when the objectives are worth an extra point. A couple key plays would have made all the difference, and putting effort into contesting is pretty vital.

Heavies feel a little OP, but they suck up all your resources so you can't really spam them. Squads are kind of weak but their movement, while kind of abusive feeling makes them quick in an otherwise slow game and vital for grabbing objectives. My opponent did a great job robbing me of momentum by killing my solos and draining my support as well. All in all, pretty solid stuff. Looking forward to more.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/06/10 14:14:49


Post by: Arbitrator


Not a fan of the Everblight cavalry but I can see why they want to make them more distinct from the other factions.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/06/11 15:20:06


Post by: LunarSol


 Arbitrator wrote:
Not a fan of the Everblight cavalry but I can see why they want to make them more distinct from the other factions.


I think they tried to hard to make the energy lines stand out when they chose the paint schemes for the game. The number of people I've had mention that all the factions look the same, only to show them Marcher Worlds with a scheme that better separates the cloth and armor has sold the sculpts to a lot of people that were previously disappointed.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/06/12 20:50:22


Post by: marxlives


 LunarSol wrote:
Finallly got to play in person last night and really enjoyed it. The little skirmish table meant we could play on a single card table at the shop and it was quick, tense and really decision intensive. Ultimately I lost by one point, stopping my opponent from scoring an objective on turn 1, but losing momentum turn 2 and when the objectives are worth an extra point. A couple key plays would have made all the difference, and putting effort into contesting is pretty vital.

Heavies feel a little OP, but they suck up all your resources so you can't really spam them. Squads are kind of weak but their movement, while kind of abusive feeling makes them quick in an otherwise slow game and vital for grabbing objectives. My opponent did a great job robbing me of momentum by killing my solos and draining my support as well. All in all, pretty solid stuff. Looking forward to more.


Playing PP's recent games like Warcaster and Riot Quest are my go toos. Simple, sleek, and deep strategy. I have seen people who are not into wargames at all really enjoy these.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/06/13 21:01:38


Post by: marxlives


You can run on for a long time, run on for a long time. Sooner or later Infernals gonna hunt you down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePG-T_Y8kcM


Automatically Appended Next Post:
In a galaxy far far away, Protectorate of Menoth rolls strong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMUMJozHc98


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/08 16:07:46


Post by: Arbitrator


Next Kickstarter's up on the 13th.

Free Wildcard if you pledge within the first 48 hours.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/08 17:32:36


Post by: LunarSol


The Cadres look great. Probably not going all in on the source book and solos required for the early bird. The Wildcard would be more enticing, but there's already quite a few of them to pick from.

Absolutely loving the game right now though. Playing regularly, but the Cadres look to inject some significant variety. My biggest issue at the moment is there's not a lot of value in different jack loadouts where the majority of list variety sits. Expanding unit types should remedy that nicely.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/08 18:11:36


Post by: B0B MaRlEy


Those cadres look decent, I'm getting the Aeternus Continuum one, the golem unit should be bringing something interesting to the table even without the Cadre considerations.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/08 19:00:35


Post by: Overread


Honestly I think the system they've designed will really shine with a medium to large range of models. It's really a neat trick to basically sideboard in what you need and the style of "if it dies you can bring it on again". Means that some of the "it must kill what it costs in points" goes out the window as a theory. It's still important, but now a whole new rafter of sacrificial tactics opens up. You can sacrifice units, you might even be encouraged too; similarly your opponent might be discouraged just wiping out your units without a thought.

There's a lot of added flexibility in the system and I really hope it gets translated over to Warmachine at some stage as I think it could be the breath of fresh air it needs; and again I think it really shines at allowing a tactical skirmish game to remain just that; whilst also supporting a big diverse model range.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/08 21:28:19


Post by: LunarSol


One of the absolute hardest aspects of the game to wrap my head around has just been the inversion on what it means to "protect" a model.

In most games, you try to hide valuable stuff. In Warcaster, that's really only true of Hero models. Everything else returns when its dead and in some ways, is more valuable dead than it is alive but out of position or somehow incapacitated, even if that's just having an activation token on it. Killing 2/3 squad members leaves the remaining figure pretty useless and you can do the same thing to quite a few figures.

At the same time, so much of the game is about denying your opponent access to objectives. The main thing you have to do is put your models places where your opponent is forced to kill them. Putting all 3 squad members in a contesting position guarantees they can't be ignored. It makes the game naturally aggressive in a way I really didn't expect.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/09 10:25:52


Post by: thekingofkings


I like the rules quite a bit, and the models are better than ok, but the lack of player base where I am at made getting into it a bad move for me though. The starter boxes were pretty decent for getting going IMO.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/09 10:54:25


Post by: Overread


New games typically need people who have at least two starter armies, terrain and a good understanding of the rules coupled with a big desire to do demo games and such to get people into the game.

You've got to become a GW staffer in style and a salesperson if you want new games to kick off locally


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/09 14:33:58


Post by: LunarSol


One thing that helps a LOT is that Skirmish mode is really good, arguably better than the full game. 2 starter boxes is actually a completely viable Skirmish army (probably want to add a hero solo) or a starter and a few of the newer options (heavy warjack, vehicle, a couple solos). It's a lot quicker to jump into than I expected from the first KS release.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/09 17:01:45


Post by: marxlives


 thekingofkings wrote:
I like the rules quite a bit, and the models are better than ok, but the lack of player base where I am at made getting into it a bad move for me though. The starter boxes were pretty decent for getting going IMO.


Best thing to do is buy 2 starter forces and demo day. Even doing solo games are bringing a friend that you can learn how to play with and do learn how to play demos at the store. As always make you demo forces are fully painted to help generate interest


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/09 19:46:33


Post by: LunarSol


There's also an official scenario in this packet that only uses 6 units (battlebox +2) that's great for intro games or just pretty fun in general.

https://home.privateerpress.com/first-contact/


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/09 22:34:11


Post by: thekingofkings


marxlives wrote:
 thekingofkings wrote:
I like the rules quite a bit, and the models are better than ok, but the lack of player base where I am at made getting into it a bad move for me though. The starter boxes were pretty decent for getting going IMO.


Best thing to do is buy 2 starter forces and demo day. Even doing solo games are bringing a friend that you can learn how to play with and do learn how to play demos at the store. As always make you demo forces are fully painted to help generate interest


The store did that, unfortunately thats when most interest dried up :( I have 3 starters (this was before empyreans)


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/10 12:52:46


Post by: Sunno


Sadly iv not seen or heard of anyone playing the game here in the UK. Most of the big stores don't seem to have anything in stock. You can order it but its very limited actually available.

The only UK FB page I could find for it has 67 members and only 4 posts in the past few months. Maybe im missing something?

But they are pushing out yet another kickstarter with updated rules. Not sure this is really going the way they want it to.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/10 13:51:15


Post by: Mr. Grey


deleted


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/10 15:02:05


Post by: Overread


Firestorm Games tends to have pretty good stock - shortages are likely a mix of PP issues but also most likely Corona just being a pain along with the global postage issues.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/11 15:59:10


Post by: Arbitrator


Sunno wrote:
Sadly iv not seen or heard of anyone playing the game here in the UK. Most of the big stores don't seem to have anything in stock. You can order it but its very limited actually available.

The only UK FB page I could find for it has 67 members and only 4 posts in the past few months. Maybe im missing something?

But they are pushing out yet another kickstarter with updated rules. Not sure this is really going the way they want it to.

The first Kickstarter had the unfortunate honour of launching when the pandemic started taking off in the West. By the time the models were out, most of the world was still under harsh restrictions/lockdowns. It hasn't really had a chance to breathe yet, but to say they're on their third Kickstarter it must not be doing too badly all things considered.

PP stuff hasn't done too well in the UK since 8th 40k, so the poor showing on this side of the pond isn't too surprisingly unfortunately. Legion and MCP seems to have gobbled up most of the "will try non-GW games" audience now but as far as I can tell Warmahordes still has a smaller but loyal showing State-side and Warcaster seems to get a much stronger showing there.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/12 08:03:42


Post by: Sunno


Yea, not having a poke at anyone personally, but im not sure those sorts of explanations and/or excuses really stand up much anymore.

Other companies, Wyrd, CB, Goblin King etc have all launched product lines during this time and had none of the issues, lack of engagement or ridicule from the wider wargaming community/social/media. And that's all before you get to GW.

And I know GW is a different scale of beast but similar and smaller companies seem to be having no issues with exposure, store relationships, engagement etc.

I only say this and point it out because I WANT PP to get/be/do better.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/12 08:14:58


Post by: Overread


At the same time most of those other games were already established games in the market prior to corona hitting. They already had customers wanting their product when the shutdowns and problems hit.


Warcaster wasn't out, people hadn't played it before things shut down and the world went nuts.


So that compounds things when PP already had some issues of their own on top. Heck postal systems are insane right now with fees going up and delivery times going up, esp for international shipments. Indeed I've seen several companies having to eat big shipping increases or scale back expansion or other investment plans because of those rising costs - some of which are simply because there's no container to put their stuff on to move it around.


PP had issues before and resolving them is very important, its just really the worst time to try and resolve them when they aren't flush with cash right now. I do want PP to get better - I like their sculpts and I want to see them rise up back to their old powerful position in the market.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/12 10:00:01


Post by: Arbitrator


Sunno wrote:
Yea, not having a poke at anyone personally, but im not sure those sorts of explanations and/or excuses really stand up much anymore.

Other companies, Wyrd, CB, Goblin King etc have all launched product lines during this time and had none of the issues, lack of engagement or ridicule from the wider wargaming community/social/media. And that's all before you get to GW.

And I know GW is a different scale of beast but similar and smaller companies seem to be having no issues with exposure, store relationships, engagement etc.

I only say this and point it out because I WANT PP to get/be/do better.

The UK's gaming scene has barely had weeks to play in stores, at least legally. Restrictions around game stores were extremely strict because they fell into only one category removed from nightclubs - a shop nearby opened up just before lockdown and the council came down on them for reimplementing gaming until the last month or so. Some clubs out of community centres were able to eek a few weeks before the second lockdown. It hasn't been like the US where gaming resumed within a few months.

The comparison to Malifaux and Infinity isn't really fair because those games are established and will've had plenty of people wanting to get back to playing their old favourites before trying something completely new. There's been zero time or opportunity for people to grow any sort of Warcaster scene/community even among surviving Warmahorde players because unfortunately those things do take time.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/12 10:02:19


Post by: Overread


If anything we should be impressed that PP has managed to run these KS and deliver on them in good time in general during the pandemic when international shipping/postage is a nightmare and where even materials or just having staff to come to work has been a challenge.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
ALSO KS starts TOMORROW

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/privateerpress/warcaster-the-thousand-worlds


I (or if someone else gets there first) will start a new news thread on this when it goes live


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/12 17:15:43


Post by: Arbitrator


Visually I'm still torn between Marcher Worlds and ISA. I love the MW infantry but hate their Warjacks and vice versa for ISA. The latest Kickstarter MW designs look like GI Joe toys, being so crammed with oversized guns whilst the totally-not-Exemplar-Bastions are calling to me.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/12 23:14:15


Post by: thekingofkings


 Arbitrator wrote:
Visually I'm still torn between Marcher Worlds and ISA. I love the MW infantry but hate their Warjacks and vice versa for ISA. The latest Kickstarter MW designs look like GI Joe toys, being so crammed with oversized guns whilst the totally-not-Exemplar-Bastions are calling to me.


Oddly enough for me, I love the dusk wolf (not so keen on the strike raptor) for the marchers, but not a fan of the firestar. but even the models i dont favor are still pretty good imo.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/13 18:44:15


Post by: Arbitrator


It's up. Already funded.

The Marcher Worlds stuff looks a lot better painted. Bit disappointed the new Solos are addons rather than being included in the already pricey War Chief pledge.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 00:42:56


Post by: marxlives


 Arbitrator wrote:
Visually I'm still torn between Marcher Worlds and ISA. I love the MW infantry but hate their Warjacks and vice versa for ISA. The latest Kickstarter MW designs look like GI Joe toys, being so crammed with oversized guns whilst the totally-not-Exemplar-Bastions are calling to me.


I think it is pretty ironic that in Immoren, Protectorate is dying lorewise, while in the galaxy of Cyriss their Iron Star Alliance descendents are rockin' it.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 15:58:23


Post by: Mr. Grey


deleted


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 16:43:12


Post by: Overread


I think its PP trying to avoid SKU bloat, but it does have the bad effect of creating very expensive boxed sets, esp when they've chunky metal models inside them. On their own the prices don't look too bad, but when they are mashed into a single box and single purchase (both in game and in real life) it can make the game appear more expensive than it is.

That said you've certainly got a lot of model choices you can add without the big sticker item


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 16:53:14


Post by: Shrapnelsmile


 Overread wrote:
New games typically need people who have at least two starter armies, terrain and a good understanding of the rules coupled with a big desire to do demo games and such to get people into the game.

You've got to become a GW staffer in style and a salesperson if you want new games to kick off locally


It's so true. Any game beyond 40K here needs advocates and alpha - gamers to push. Then it builds naturally.

My biggest concern with this game is the need to apparently magnetize models to have different weapon options? I dislike assembly and really
suck at it.

Kind of hoping my local privateer press crew will just let any weapon that is legal on a model "count as" in our lists...

Considering getting into this, we all are.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 17:00:26


Post by: Arbitrator


What's odd all of the Marcher Worlds Cadre are uniquely posed, despite there being more of them than what's in the ISA box. I suppose it's possible the ISA might get a few more poses, but it seems a bit of glaring 'the designer had more fun/time with MW'.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 17:05:42


Post by: greenskin lynn


i saw that and was wondering if it was just someone only having those images at the time they made the graphs, rather then it being repeat poses in such small units


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 18:42:18


Post by: LunarSol


All the Empyrean stuff has that issue. The 3 existing squads actually only have 2 unique bodies and heads across the 9 total models and only 1 set of arms for each squad type.

It's not as bad as it seems though, because they're a lot more posable than the more human stuff. I got 6 fairly unique sculpts from my 2 squads of Strike Sabers just by adjusting the direction of the heads and arms.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 19:32:04


Post by: marxlives



 Mr. Grey wrote:
I see from the Iron Star Alliance that PP is still doing the whole "multiple duplicate poses in a small unit" thing. They really couldn't have sprung for three unique sculpts in a unit of three minis? Looking here at the Regulators Squad and the Witch Hounds specifically.

Scrolling further, I see that the Harbingers of Cyriss have the same issue.

Is it just me, or is $150 for roughly 9 minis quite the expensive buy-in? I don't know much about Warcaster, but that seems pricey and you'd still need additional units to fill out an army, yeah?


No.

Isn't there a game you play or plan on playing that you can comment on? Or do you purposely troll forums for games you don't play or plan on playing?

You can only have a maximum of 15 models in you army.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 19:49:48


Post by: Mr. Grey


deleted


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 20:22:34


Post by: Overread


There is no traditional "army" as such - your army is your sideboard and vis versa. You can have up to 15 units (keeping in mind that a squad might have more than 1 model - eg most infantry units) and in addition up to 3 heroes.

Units can be summoned to the table and removed by the player or destroyed by your opponent. Any full unit that is removed returns to your sideboard and can be called in again (squads have to lose all members to be removed and then added again).

Each unit has an arc cost and you start the game being able to deploy up to 5 arc in units from your force to the table. Thereafter you have to manage your arc resource that you get per turn (you start with 7); whilst also using void gates to at as summoning points.


Basically there's no fixed army or point system like in a traditional wargame.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 20:54:26


Post by: Mr. Grey


deleted




Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 21:06:37


Post by: Overread


Also note the new KS introduces cadre champions. These are basically a free model you can add outside of the previously mentioned limits; but only if you take the units that comprise their specific cadre in your army. The regular units in the cadre can be used just like regular models otherwise and added to your roster in any number without having to be part of the cadre.


Also note there's a limit like in MTG - so you can't have any 4 of the same unit in your roster. So you can't just spam the same unit over and over.
Of course during the battle you can pull those units out or let them/encourage them to die so that you can summon them again.


Basically it creates a situation were sacrificial units are possible and practical to use; and one where you have to consider if you really want ot kill an enemy unit or pressure your opponent into such a choice. Killing things helps, but do you really want to obliterate your enemies powerful close combat unit when they've got an arc gate very near to your units and could call that unit right in close up etc...


I think it presents a fresh take on the concept of building an army for a wargame. Plus the nature of the sideboard style of army construction means there's more room for variety and more room for adding niche and situation units which, in regular wargames, might never or rarely see table time (esp at competitive events); but which might well see more use in Warcater because if you don't need them you don't call on them.

It also means that the army size - ergo roster - can be adapted very easily as its just 1 value to change. If they find 15 too limiting after a while they can raise the limit; or lower it etc....


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/14 23:51:16


Post by: marxlives


I got the last two KS'ers to get a solid Marcher Worlds starter and the Empyrean one.

For this one I am only getting the lore book.

I am kinda of conflicted on the price point. For 200$ I can get to 300 Pt. Infinity armies. Part of the cost is due to the scuplts having alot of chunk. These don't look like small models!

However, I am surprised that the 150 dollar price point level is not the force and soft cover lore book or something akin to that. I think the point is to not have their KS interfere with retailers, and while I can appreciate the effort, KS on any level will interfere with retailers unless you got a group that can gather up funds and give to the retailer ot back the KS..

KS is all about planting a seed and having it grow, so I am interested in seeing of PP approach gives Warcaster a good foothold because it is a lot of fun to play and I appreciate how it doesn't follow the standard force building every single other wargame implements.

As far as purchasing cadres, I think once I start seeing the models in comparison with other lines, I could get into them if they got enough chunk to them.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 07:36:03


Post by: Overread


KS is about planting a seed, with PP's approach the seed is designed to try and not wipe out the local supply. By not steep discounting they likely are having KS that don't fund as high. However it also means they make greater profit per sale and also means that they don't flood the market with cheap product making it very hard to impossible for retail to pick up after because most of the core customers not only have everything they want, but also have a different sense of value.

When you buy a model on a KS for £5 that's its value to you. When the local store then charges £15 it feels a lot lot more expensive even if its still cheap for a model of that size and style.




And yep these are big chunky models in most of these sets; big heavy metal thick armoured guard models and walkers. It's more like getting a force of Tags rather than a force of infantry for Infinity.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 08:24:25


Post by: thekingofkings


marxlives wrote:

 Mr. Grey wrote:
I see from the Iron Star Alliance that PP is still doing the whole "multiple duplicate poses in a small unit" thing. They really couldn't have sprung for three unique sculpts in a unit of three minis? Looking here at the Regulators Squad and the Witch Hounds specifically.

Scrolling further, I see that the Harbingers of Cyriss have the same issue.

Is it just me, or is $150 for roughly 9 minis quite the expensive buy-in? I don't know much about Warcaster, but that seems pricey and you'd still need additional units to fill out an army, yeah?


No.

Isn't there a game you play or plan on playing that you can comment on? Or do you purposely troll forums for games you don't play or plan on playing?

You can only have a maximum of 15 models in you army.


This is not exactly correct, you can have 15 units plus 3 hero solos, not 15 models for a full size game (pg 41), for a skirmish its 8 units and 1 hero solo. (pg 57) still a very small model count, though it could get higher if you prefer units over solos and warjacks. starter sets were half a skirmish, but all things considered, it was relatively affordable and easy to bulk to a minimum 8 for skirmish, the hardest part really was deciding how you wanted to do it. Personally I liked going with the multiple coalition weavers for MW but decided to do 2 marauders for AC.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 14:52:31


Post by: LunarSol


You're paying MSRP for the Kickstarter. It's serving more as a direct sale distribution model to get around the problems they're having with the existing distribution network crumbling apart over the last 5 years. This isn't a "plant the seed" loss leader system (which, lets be honest, has almost never actually worked) its a full blown business model built around direct orders, both to players whose local stores can't get PP products and to those stores who want to but can't through their distributors.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
My main disappointment with this KS is the lack of the Armory rewards. Those have been JUST enough to sweeten the deal in a lot of cases.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 15:09:02


Post by: Arbitrator


They confirmed on the KS comments the repeated sculpts aren't just a lack of renders, they actually are duplicates. That's a real bummer for things like the NotBastions who're big and only come in 3s.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 15:39:49


Post by: Boss Salvage


marxlives wrote:
I am kinda of conflicted on the price point.
Price has pushed me out of all of the KS for Warcaster (and to a lesser extent metal minis). It's a bummer, as the game looks cool and I like supporting PP, but during each KS I get to a point where I'm fine waiting until somebody in my area plays the game and my LGS can get the minis and sell them to me at 15% off (+ 8% tax but without shipping ) From what I've seen there aren't even stretch goals to make me want to jump in a KS, the goals often seem to just unlock minis that I can pay a bunch to add on.

That said, still seems like a neat game. A bit mindboggling they didn't sculpt magnet holes into the jacks and their weapons, but ah well.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 16:17:41


Post by: Mr. Grey


deleted


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 16:28:24


Post by: LunarSol


 Boss Salvage wrote:
marxlives wrote:
I am kinda of conflicted on the price point.
Price has pushed me out of all of the KS for Warcaster (and to a lesser extent metal minis). It's a bummer, as the game looks cool and I like supporting PP, but during each KS I get to a point where I'm fine waiting until somebody in my area plays the game and my LGS can get the minis and sell them to me at 15% off (+ 8% tax but without shipping ) From what I've seen there aren't even stretch goals to make me want to jump in a KS, the goals often seem to just unlock minis that I can pay a bunch to add on.

That said, still seems like a neat game. A bit mindboggling they didn't sculpt magnet holes into the jacks and their weapons, but ah well.


The Empyrean stuff does, fwiw, though only on the arms.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 16:39:58


Post by: marxlives


 Mr. Grey wrote:
 Arbitrator wrote:
They confirmed on the KS comments the repeated sculpts aren't just a lack of renders, they actually are duplicates. That's a real bummer for things like the NotBastions who're big and only come in 3s.


Why Privateer Press, whyyyyy?


What are you talking about. You don't even play these games. On every post in the PP section you dog them all, but you don't even play them. Feedback, free speech all that good stuff, however there must be some game on the Dakka Dakka site you can put positive energy into. Critical opinions are good but your comment patterns on this portion of the Dakka site is just a pure black hole negativity.

There is a having an opinion that is critical of a product you play. Then there is just using forum space to attack products you don't like just because, I don't know you just are fixated. Bored. Working for another company. It's therapy. Whatever you are doing it is just not normal behavior. I am not trying to be mean or anything, it is just a noticeable thing.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 16:43:09


Post by: Mr. Grey


deleted


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 16:43:11


Post by: Boss Salvage


 LunarSol wrote:
The Empyrean stuff does, fwiw, though only on the arms.
Hey, that's awesome! Empyrean are the faction I'm most likely to pick up as well.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 16:45:10


Post by: marxlives


Ya, I magnetized the weapon load out but it is not new player friendly at all. Having magnet holes sculpted into the pieces, with the guns being resin, and heck I would go as far as saying have magnets packaged with the product would be really get things to do.

The game itself is great mechanically, the aesthetic and story are shaping up. However, the logistics of the models themselves needs to be addressed if the game is to have normie appeal.

All the Star Wars stuff exploded post Co-Vid in our stores and is the same size as 40k in audience. Part of that has alot to do with the hobby side being either non-existent or very light on the normie side of thngs.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 18:10:48


Post by: LunarSol


So, one thing that makes the magnetizing a lot less of an issue than it first appears is just that Warjacks are both incredibly powerful, but also very resource intensive. You 100% absolutely want/need a Warjack or 2 in your list, but you cannot realistically get much out of more than that. Heavies in particular consume half your ARC pool, so a second is a really tough sell.

One magnetized heavy/light is likely all you will ever need and the only other thing that you'd want to magnetize are the vehicles which have far fewer parts to swap. I bought the Empyreans when they were first released and picked up a second light because the heavy wasn't available for a month; now that I have my heavy, I'm very unlikely to ever use that second light.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 18:49:46


Post by: Overread


I wonder if the arc limits per army and turn might increase as time goes on. The neat hting is that PP can raise and lower those limits pretty easily and its a very fast change. No need to write a whole new book or such to update 2 values.

I could see, over time, them raising the sideboard to 20 and raising the arc amounts up somewhat. It's a very simple system that lets them slide the sliders up and down to change the nature of the game.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 19:15:35


Post by: LunarSol


The OP packet has basically already one that. They let you take 1 extra of each unit type (Warjack/Squad/Solo/Vehicle) and each card type that you can swap into your deck or model pool between rounds. There's also an "enhanced" version of Skirmish that ups the 8/1 to 11/2 for more roster variety.

Not sure if they'd change ARC though. It's very different from focus. Having more of it wouldn't really enhance the game. It might let you keep more models charged on the table, but one of the joys of the system is how ARC flows during your turn. Summoning more on the table doesn't really benefit the game since you're really limited in activating models so it would mostly just result in stuff for your opponent to kill. It's really more about getting things out and using up the ARC to get it back for further use.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 20:08:03


Post by: marxlives


I think War Budgies is getting in on the kickstarter. I want to see how it will affect the narrative in his stories when the cadres come in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf6hVtYN8BQ&list=PLoiwQMLdtchS7GleBD0GuYZvawwHAEAxR


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 LunarSol wrote:
The OP packet has basically already one that. They let you take 1 extra of each unit type (Warjack/Squad/Solo/Vehicle) and each card type that you can swap into your deck or model pool between rounds. There's also an "enhanced" version of Skirmish that ups the 8/1 to 11/2 for more roster variety.

Not sure if they'd change ARC though. It's very different from focus. Having more of it wouldn't really enhance the game. It might let you keep more models charged on the table, but one of the joys of the system is how ARC flows during your turn. Summoning more on the table doesn't really benefit the game since you're really limited in activating models so it would mostly just result in stuff for your opponent to kill. It's really more about getting things out and using up the ARC to get it back for further use.


Arc not being an expansive resource does give the game a momentum feel that is very different than any other game I have played.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 23:19:44


Post by: chaos0xomega


Feel like this KS would benefit from providing an entry point for new players, i.e. including pledge levels that net you content from previous releases or add-ons at least for those items.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/15 23:52:55


Post by: Arbitrator


750ish backers at the time of writing. Considering the last Kickstarter ended at 1100ish they seem to be doing something right by way of retention?

chaos0xomega wrote:
Feel like this KS would benefit from providing an entry point for new players, i.e. including pledge levels that net you content from previous releases or add-ons at least for those items.

The last Kickstarter you could purchase the starter sets as an Add-On I believe. I think they mentioned in the Comments they'd be making some of the previous stuff available, so I assume it includes them.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 00:04:44


Post by: Overread


Honestly given that they've basically had the worst luck at starting a new game over the whole of Corona breaking out the world over, I'd say if they manage to retain most of their active customers from before then they've done really well.

This one might have fewer if just because its a lot to buy in one go and there aren't as many options for lower cost buy-ins. But in general I'd say that retaining what they had is the best outcome right now.

With a view toward turning as many of those people into ambassadors at the local level in some form so that they can push for local growth. PP really needs to get some kind of scheme like that running again - even if its totally informal.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 13:39:30


Post by: chaos0xomega


 Arbitrator wrote:
750ish backers at the time of writing. Considering the last Kickstarter ended at 1100ish they seem to be doing something right by way of retention?

chaos0xomega wrote:
Feel like this KS would benefit from providing an entry point for new players, i.e. including pledge levels that net you content from previous releases or add-ons at least for those items.

The last Kickstarter you could purchase the starter sets as an Add-On I believe. I think they mentioned in the Comments they'd be making some of the previous stuff available, so I assume it includes them.


Their second KS was like 50% of their first one though, we'll see how this one finishes I guess.

Good to know about the add-on stuff, I may jump in if I can settle on a faction. I wanted to do Continuum but I only current opponent already has them.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 14:10:58


Post by: Arbitrator


chaos0xomega wrote:
 Arbitrator wrote:
750ish backers at the time of writing. Considering the last Kickstarter ended at 1100ish they seem to be doing something right by way of retention?

chaos0xomega wrote:
Feel like this KS would benefit from providing an entry point for new players, i.e. including pledge levels that net you content from previous releases or add-ons at least for those items.

The last Kickstarter you could purchase the starter sets as an Add-On I believe. I think they mentioned in the Comments they'd be making some of the previous stuff available, so I assume it includes them.


Their second KS was like 50% of their first one though, we'll see how this one finishes I guess.

Very true, but to be fair, the first Kickstarter landed right before most of the world locked down. I didn't back the second Kickstarter because there was no gurantee I'd get to use the stuff any time this or the next year and I doubt I was the only one.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 15:03:36


Post by: marxlives


 Overread wrote:
Honestly given that they've basically had the worst luck at starting a new game over the whole of Corona breaking out the world over, I'd say if they manage to retain most of their active customers from before then they've done really well.

This one might have fewer if just because its a lot to buy in one go and there aren't as many options for lower cost buy-ins. But in general I'd say that retaining what they had is the best outcome right now.

With a view toward turning as many of those people into ambassadors at the local level in some form so that they can push for local growth. PP really needs to get some kind of scheme like that running again - even if its totally informal.


Ya, it is a wierd bag. Warmachine and Monsterpocalypse have legs, even if WMH's has shrunk. Riot Quest and Warcaster are still trying to stick, but mechanically RQ and Warcaster are awesome. While I enjoy WMH at the Brawlmachine level and I enjoy the aesthetic of MonPoc, RQ and Warcaster are just fun. I do think the PP KS method will allow these IPs to stick (barring something like hyper-inflation wrecking all of our gaming habits for a while in the U.S.). And it is a good strategy.

Having different games with their own target audience and growth is a good plan.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 15:22:29


Post by: LunarSol


It's also worth noting that the first KS was 3 factions of content while the second was relatively small additions to those armies and mostly focused on adding the 4th. A drop off there shouldn't be too surprising. This one is a major addition to all 4, so I'm not surprised its doing better. As for retention.... the game is good. It's been very well received once we actually got it on the table.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 16:18:46


Post by: Arbitrator


marxlives wrote:
 Overread wrote:
Honestly given that they've basically had the worst luck at starting a new game over the whole of Corona breaking out the world over, I'd say if they manage to retain most of their active customers from before then they've done really well.

This one might have fewer if just because its a lot to buy in one go and there aren't as many options for lower cost buy-ins. But in general I'd say that retaining what they had is the best outcome right now.

With a view toward turning as many of those people into ambassadors at the local level in some form so that they can push for local growth. PP really needs to get some kind of scheme like that running again - even if its totally informal.


Ya, it is a wierd bag. Warmachine and Monsterpocalypse have legs, even if WMH's has shrunk. Riot Quest and Warcaster are still trying to stick, but mechanically RQ and Warcaster are awesome. While I enjoy WMH at the Brawlmachine level and I enjoy the aesthetic of MonPoc, RQ and Warcaster are just fun. I do think the PP KS method will allow these IPs to stick (barring something like hyper-inflation wrecking all of our gaming habits for a while in the U.S.). And it is a good strategy.

Having different games with their own target audience and growth is a good plan.

I think the problem Warcaster has is that a lot of people won't touch PP after MK3/GW drew them back. Meanwhile a sizeable segment of the WMH community initially feared Warcaster would be it's equivalent of AoS and are wary of it finishing off their favourite game. Presumably enough time has passed for that view to have largely faded, but when PP-playing communities are already so tiny outside of the US (and have dramatically shrunk there) it's no surprise most WMH players are largely trying to consolidate their play around the one game.

At least the Iron Kingdoms 5e Kickstarter was a pretty big success, so the IP does still have legs.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 16:22:58


Post by: Overread


I think the issue is that with Corona its very hard to grow a game. It's actually impressive that PP has done 2 KS pretty much on time over that period and are now doing a 3rd.

I think the real test is 2022 when things might start to resume some degree of normality. The other thing is PP REALLY needs some kind of organised formal system for local promotion. Warmarchine grew in part because of the PG system promoting it constantly at the loca level. Someone local who had a vested interest, support and at least 2 armies and the knowledge to play them to do welcome games. With the support to keep going and promote until it could take off.


If PP could then improve distribution and other aspects then it would really start to come together.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 17:12:32


Post by: chaos0xomega


marxlives wrote:
 Overread wrote:
Honestly given that they've basically had the worst luck at starting a new game over the whole of Corona breaking out the world over, I'd say if they manage to retain most of their active customers from before then they've done really well.

This one might have fewer if just because its a lot to buy in one go and there aren't as many options for lower cost buy-ins. But in general I'd say that retaining what they had is the best outcome right now.

With a view toward turning as many of those people into ambassadors at the local level in some form so that they can push for local growth. PP really needs to get some kind of scheme like that running again - even if its totally informal.


Ya, it is a wierd bag. Warmachine and Monsterpocalypse have legs, even if WMH's has shrunk.


I think that depends where you live. Here in North Jersey Warmachine/Hordes is basically dead. Theres an occasional tournament but no active community - two of my close friends were reaaal big warmachine fans going into the pandemic (i.e. they traveled nationally and internationally (... well, to Canada anyway) for tournaments and were playing 2-3x a week at local stores that had small but active communities (used to be very large communities like 5-6 years back). Both started out as 40k players around 6 editions ago and had sold out of the game completely before 8th released. Imagine my surprise about 3 months ago at my first visit to a hobby shop since the pandemic started, watching them playing 40k again. All the local WMHDs players have apparently converted over to 40k, the closest regular community is about a 1-2 hour drive from us. Occasionally (maybe once every other month) theres a tournament or whatever at a local shop that draws 6-8 players but nothing regular like their used to be.

Meanwhile every weekend theres a 40k tournament at one of 5 shops within an hours drive of us, often there might be 2 scheduled on the same day and both fill up.

As for their other games, I've never seen MonPoc or RQ played anywhere around here, ever. Warcaster I know had a small community when the first ks shipped but nobody is playing it actively.

 Overread wrote:
I think the issue is that with Corona its very hard to grow a game. It's actually impressive that PP has done 2 KS pretty much on time over that period and are now doing a 3rd.


Did they, though? When they launched KS1 they said their plan was to do a Warcaster campaign *quarterly*. Its been about 16 months since the first kickstarter campaign and they have only done three total - if they kept to the quarterly plan they'd be working on delivery of campaign 5 and launching campaign 6


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 17:14:28


Post by: Arbitrator


They really do need to bring Press Gangers back. I think after the initial legal scare around WotC's Judges - to which PG's being scrapped seemed like a direct pre-emptive strike against - most other companies like Warlord and more recently Para Bellum kept their versions around to great success, especially the latter.

I do think an MK4 launch that isn't botched will be necessary for momentum's sake, even if it's just changing the number by one and making no other adjustments.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 17:40:59


Post by: Boss Salvage


chaos0xomega wrote:
I think that depends where you live. Here in North Jersey Warmachine/Hordes is basically dead.
My buddy is back to running WMH tournaments out of the Portal in the Allentown area of PA, he keeps trying to lure me back in with tales of how packed and awesome it is. Which is to say, you've got some WMH nearby if you don't mind a little drive Zero idea on if they're playing any other PP game.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 18:47:58


Post by: LunarSol


One thing I keep finding myself glad of these days is that my area seems to have gotten over the system wars culture. Not many people define themselves by a game so much as by people that play miniature games. We're not even that large of a community, but if its out there, someone probably plays it and if YOU want to play it, just ask and someone will jump in. Tournaments aren't the thing they once were, but I wouldn't trade them for the freedom I feel when I'm able to say "I'm thinking about trying Warcaster" and have 2-3 opponents ready to go.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 19:40:20


Post by: chaos0xomega


 Boss Salvage wrote:
chaos0xomega wrote:
I think that depends where you live. Here in North Jersey Warmachine/Hordes is basically dead.
My buddy is back to running WMH tournaments out of the Portal in the Allentown area of PA, he keeps trying to lure me back in with tales of how packed and awesome it is. Which is to say, you've got some WMH nearby if you don't mind a little drive Zero idea on if they're playing any other PP game.


One of the two friends I referred to previously is actually heading out this weekend for a tournament somewhere in PA, not sure if it was Allentown or King of Prussia or elsewhere. For me, thats too far of a trip to make, especially since I've never been big on the competitive side of things.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/16 23:19:00


Post by: marxlives


 LunarSol wrote:
One thing I keep finding myself glad of these days is that my area seems to have gotten over the system wars culture. Not many people define themselves by a game so much as by people that play miniature games. We're not even that large of a community, but if its out there, someone probably plays it and if YOU want to play it, just ask and someone will jump in. Tournaments aren't the thing they once were, but I wouldn't trade them for the freedom I feel when I'm able to say "I'm thinking about trying Warcaster" and have 2-3 opponents ready to go.


Me too. I don't compete with 40k players, AoS players or Star Wars for players. Honestly if PP crashed and burned, I am at the point in my life I would not go to another game. Mechanically and aethestically those games are just not for me. I got friends, family, community, I play because I like the game. For sure my Warframe online time would skyrocket though!

And maybe that is a point too. If Warframe crashed and burned, I wouldn't all of a sudden be interested in playing Destiny. I tried, I can respect that there is an audience for it, but it is just not for me.

There are games in my area that when they popped, those people are just gone. Forever. This is the problem of the old Highlander, there must be one approach. For every Star Trek, Star Wars fan, there is always going to be a Babylon 5 fan. As great as people who are in the hobby imagine having everyone play their game, sometimes that game is just not for everyone. Some people are not into Grimdark, whatever genre AoS, or high sci-fi. Having a there must only be one mentality over a buffet mentalty is that you really don't grow the hobby.

This is probably the biggest problem with negativity from people injecting themselves into spaces for games they don't even play. Which is pretty bad on forums. Because it is not about having a community enjoy a game while someone else enjoys their game. It is really about some sort of real domination fantasy. But not all genres, systems, and aesthetics appeal to all people. You really just end up with a consolidation into a niche.

Where a small group of people take satisfaction in having games available anytime they want, but lacks any large genre of wargames to attract many different people. Some who never would have even considered wargaming at all. I have experienced this personally with running Riot Quest nights. I got everything fully painted and I attract people who never would have ever even imagined getting into wargaming.

Not every game can do that. Not every game can be all things for every person. And I really enjoy what Warcaster offers, a sci fi game with defined mechanics and aesthetics that if quick to play and runs off a bench system rather than a point system and strike dice rather than d whatevers. Not that those other things are bad, but Warcaster offers something to the gaming space.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/19 15:11:42


Post by: LunarSol


marxlives wrote:

This is probably the biggest problem with negativity from people injecting themselves into spaces for games they don't even play. Which is pretty bad on forums. Because it is not about having a community enjoy a game while someone else enjoys their game. It is really about some sort of real domination fantasy. But not all genres, systems, and aesthetics appeal to all people. You really just end up with a consolidation into a niche.


There's always a need to feel like your purchase was the right choice and for al lot of people, that requires that everyone around them make the same choice. These games also just require other people to play and I think we've all felt the sting of wanting to play a game but not being able to find anyone else willing to play. I get it, particularly with huge investments like Warmachine or 40k and the like. I've just gotten to where rather than continue to pour money into those kinds of games and chase the meta with new factions, I can just have an army ready to go whenever people want to play and instead build armies for other systems so that more people can feel like they can try other games without worrying whether they'll have an opponent.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/19 22:00:27


Post by: Kaptajn Congoboy


marxlives wrote:
Ya, I magnetized the weapon load out but it is not new player friendly at all. Having magnet holes sculpted into the pieces, with the guns being resin, and heck I would go as far as saying have magnets packaged with the product would be really get things to do.


There is a clever workaround there if you have certain resources. PM me?


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/28 21:45:08


Post by: Overread


LAST DAY for the Warcaster campaign!!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/privateerpress/warcaster-the-thousand-worlds

They've said that they'll be adding the merchant tier pledges at a higher value than listed for counting toward unlocks so the front cover art stretch goal is already unlocked from that


I feel bad as I'm only in this one for the book right now (budget won't stretch any further). I do wonder if the high buy in for the models this time around has hurt the campaign a bit. I do think that PG shoots themselves in the foot going for these very high priced sets even if they work well at keeping the SKU bloat down, they are still a big sticker shock item to pick up.

That said who knows when the PM ends I might have more money and I do love the sculpts - that or I'll just send some money to Firestorm Games and get some current models as I don't have that many to start with right now.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/28 21:47:21


Post by: Kanluwen


Eh, I think it wasn't the high buy in but rather that the forces are "static". If you want any of the Cadre Champions? You gotta take the whole Cadre at once.

I'd be interested to see what the books plus two new individual items(solos and heroes) ends up as for pledges.

Also:
The lack of a Head to Head option likely played a part. A friend of mine and I went for the Head to Head option on Collision Course. The lack of that option has kept him on the fence, whereas the other one was a pledge as soon as H2H went live.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/28 21:52:39


Post by: Overread


IT might not be clearly put, but you can take any of the models within the cadre on their own and in any number up to hte normal game limits. The only one you can't is the special character within the cadre, they can only be added to your army if you take the whole cadre. The bonus is that the unique model is added without taking one of your model army slots.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/07/28 22:22:12


Post by: LunarSol


For me, there's just not a huge incentive to buy in now when I can get it on release easily enough. Not having the armory/QM rewards was kind of a bummer and funny enough, part of my issue is just that I don't really want to have to paint one of the wildcard heroes that you get for "free".

I'll probably jump in before the end though for just the cadre box. They're all really exciting and I'll want to get it built and painted ASAP.


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/08/13 16:20:55


Post by: marxlives


Always network. Warcaster has a Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/849450372086515


Warcaster anyone?  @ 2021/08/14 00:52:40


Post by: thekingofkings


marxlives wrote:
Always network. Warcaster has a Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/849450372086515


The group is pretty good too.