I believe I read it somewhere but I can't find it now, so I'll ask to be sure:
Do all the ships we'll receive in the KS (starter fleets, free add ons, etc) already come with the fancy DFC bases or do you have to buy those separately?
OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote: I presume that's for people who want to bring their existing ship mini (eg FSA or Halo) into the game either as proxys or to build reistance units etc
That makes sense. Thanks!
Now, just to hope there are more PHR pics before the end of the kickstarter to make the choice of PHR or UCM easier xD
Theophony wrote: Couldn't they come up with a ragtag fleet of ships with maybe one carrier or escort at its center to be a fleet escaping from alien occupancy. The fleet could be made of mining vessels, pleasure ships, and bulk transporters that tried to escape a captured world, and have gotten just minimal defensive capabilities. Perhaps some UCM forces defected to protect them and are on the run with their illegitimate government and could then still fight against the main faction. This galactic battle fleet could just be trying to find a new world for the survivors to live peacefully on, and are constantly being harassed by the big bad Cyl.........er........, wait I've seen this before, maybe it will happen again.
And they wouldn't survive ten seconds against the Scourge.
No plot armor here. Just hot plasma up the metaphorical exhaust.
chaos0xomega wrote: Im a bit confused as to why people would expect the resistance to have a fleet in the first place, it really makes no logical sense.
You honestly can't understand why people would want the faction they pay for and play to show up in a new game that could very well be the development focus for the next year or so? Not everyone would put fluff sanctity over being able to stick to their own faction.
Oh just use UCM and say they've been hijacked or requisitioned or something. You can always model them up however you like.
Hawk are not doing Resistance for Dropfleet Commander any time soon, and have no plans to, they've explained their justification and it's certainly an understandable one, that should be the end of it for the N&R thread. People don't derail the Forgeworld thread with "Well I really think Tyranids should have Leviathan Dreadnoughts too" discussions do they?
Hell, I love the Resistance and I already find it hard to justify why they would have the plentiful units they do, especially their air assets. 200 years of repairs and storage only get you so far when you can't simply manufacture and ship in more like the other factions can.
AegisGrimm wrote: Hell, I love the Resistance and I already find it hard to justify why they would have the plentiful units they do, especially their air assets. 200 years of repairs and storage only get you so far when you can't simply manufacture and ship in more like the other factions can.
Resistance space fleet concept art and 20x up model spotted? Could it be that Dave is working on the followup DZC scale DFC model to fight against his UCM one?
Spoiler:
Or maybe those are just orks from a quick google search...
winnertakesall wrote: Desperately trying to find someone to split the £110 pledge with, moving to a new part of the country kinda sucks.
I'm personally interested to see whether any future releases for these are released on resin or plastic, have they given any indication?
According to the Q&A the Cruisers of all main types will be possible from the same plastic sprue, the KS-exclusive Battlecruisers will be resin addons for the sprue and Battleships will be pure resin. From the sounds of things anything other than the cruisers probably won't make it to plastic
It'd be really, really awesome if they could make a plastic battleship sprue in addition to the Cruisers and frigates. The worst part of the old BFG metal battleships was trying to balance the large heavy weight on top of a tiny plastic base post. I never had too much trouble with the bases on my cruisers breaking, but I've gone through dozens of the things on the battleships. I eventually gave up and just went with 3/16" steel rod. Now resin isn't quite as heavy, but plastic would still be a definite plus.
Yeah, I'd really love plastic battleships (or even dreadnoughts) too! They haven't given any indication of going that route for them, though. They will get great in their resin, of course, but you can't beat injection molded plastic (would also help with the price point for those big ships...)
I got around the giant metal battleship problem in BFG by just converting mine from the plastics, but having just put together (and converted) my first largeish resin DZC flyer, a Desolator, I don't think the larger ships being in resin is going to pose any big issues
Resistance space fleet concept art and 20x up model spotted? Could it be that Dave is working on the followup DZC scale DFC model to fight against his UCM one?
Suggesting to Dave to build another big model for DFC is a sure way to have an unforseen accident involving a delivery truck and you.
As with DZC only the core-minis will be plastic. Anything else would be obscene to produce, moneywise. The resin does not differ much from the weight of the plastic, and actually they settled for a heavier plastic than usual with their DZC starters. Especially the transparent bases are quite heavy.
Also resin aloows you undercuts plastic can´t provide. So with resin for verything else Dave can go places...
chaos0xomega wrote: Im a bit confused as to why people would expect the resistance to have a fleet in the first place, it really makes no logical sense.
You honestly can't understand why people would want the faction they pay for and play to show up in a new game that could very well be the development focus for the next year or so? Not everyone would put fluff sanctity over being able to stick to their own faction.
"oh well, deal with it?"
Honestly, no, I cant. Theyre two different games. Do you expect to find Tyranids as a faction in Horus Heresy? Do you expect ti find Tau as a faction in Age of Sigmar? Do you expect to find Sorylians as a faction in Halo Fleet Battle?
chaos0xomega wrote: Im a bit confused as to why people would expect the resistance to have a fleet in the first place, it really makes no logical sense.
You honestly can't understand why people would want the faction they pay for and play to show up in a new game that could very well be the development focus for the next year or so? Not everyone would put fluff sanctity over being able to stick to their own faction.
I don't think he's confused about why anyone would want their faction to exist in the new game, but confused as to why anyone would expect the resistance to exist in it given the fluff is pretty explicit on the matter.
chaos0xomega wrote: Im a bit confused as to why people would expect the resistance to have a fleet in the first place, it really makes no logical sense.
You honestly can't understand why people would want the faction they pay for and play to show up in a new game that could very well be the development focus for the next year or so? Not everyone would put fluff sanctity over being able to stick to their own faction.
I don't think he's confused about why anyone would want their faction to exist in the new game, but confused as to why anyone would expect the resistance to exist in it given the fluff is pretty explicit on the matter.
New fluff including Resistance is the only reason I purchased DZC to start with. I started in phase 2, probably unlike most of the folks in this thread. As a customer, it's easy to feel swindled.
You find a game you are newly exposed to.
You purchase a faction within that game, which didn't exist until fluff writers said it did.
Game expansion comes out. Everyone else gets new things. You do not. Grognards on the internet tell you that you should never have expected it because fluff tells you it's improbable. New fluff is written easily. Someone scoffed at Resistance using scavenged ship parts, but they use scavenged Scourge bits for guns in a couple of places. They also have an alliance with either UCM or PHR, depending on your flavor.
It's less like wanting Tyranids in AoS (which was a jackass comparison to be honest) and more like wanting Guard Flyers, since Space Marines and Tau got flyers. Considering the talk about campaign scenarios where what happens in the air affects the ground, I'd say it's not so radical an expectation. Either way, why the hostile tones? Is Hawk above criticism? Are we only allowed to talk bad about GW?
So how likely do we think this will hit 500k? With only 11 days left how quickly have the pledges been coming in? I've just pledged at commodore level for all the pieces in the starter set, a PHR and shaltari fleet for me and my brother and all the extra high ranking goodies. The UCM and scourge are just a bonus because I'm loving all these models so far bar maybe the scourge frigates.
chaos0xomega wrote: Im a bit confused as to why people would expect the resistance to have a fleet in the first place, it really makes no logical sense.
You honestly can't understand why people would want the faction they pay for and play to show up in a new game that could very well be the development focus for the next year or so? Not everyone would put fluff sanctity over being able to stick to their own faction.
I don't think he's confused about why anyone would want their faction to exist in the new game, but confused as to why anyone would expect the resistance to exist in it given the fluff is pretty explicit on the matter.
New fluff including Resistance is the only reason I purchased DZC to start with. I started in phase 2, probably unlike most of the folks in this thread. As a customer, it's easy to feel swindled.
You find a game you are newly exposed to.
You purchase a faction within that game, which didn't exist until fluff writers said it did.
Game expansion comes out. Everyone else gets new things. You do not. Grognards on the internet tell you that you should never have expected it because fluff tells you it's improbable. New fluff is written easily. Someone scoffed at Resistance using scavenged ship parts, but they use scavenged Scourge bits for guns in a couple of places. They also have an alliance with either UCM or PHR, depending on your flavor.
It's less like wanting Tyranids in AoS (which was a jackass comparison to be honest) and more like wanting Guard Flyers, since Space Marines and Tau got flyers. Considering the talk about campaign scenarios where what happens in the air affects the ground, I'd say it's not so radical an expectation. Either way, why the hostile tones? Is Hawk above criticism? Are we only allowed to talk bad about GW?
With so many fleets available on the pledges (I know it's not the same as having an official release for your faction) but couldn't you scratch build a resistance fleet using the UCM as a base and steal parts from other races ships so they look salvaged and just use the UCM rules, your resistance fighters could be collecting wreckage that's fallen from orbit and rebuilding the UCM ships that failed to take off in the invasion.
Mantle wrote: So how likely do we think this will hit 500k? With only 11 days left how quickly have the pledges been coming in? I've just pledged at commodore level for all the pieces in the starter set, a PHR and shaltari fleet for me and my brother and all the extra high ranking goodies. The UCM and scourge are just a bonus because I'm loving all these models so far bar maybe the scourge frigates.
chaos0xomega wrote: Im a bit confused as to why people would expect the resistance to have a fleet in the first place, it really makes no logical sense.
You honestly can't understand why people would want the faction they pay for and play to show up in a new game that could very well be the development focus for the next year or so? Not everyone would put fluff sanctity over being able to stick to their own faction.
I don't think he's confused about why anyone would want their faction to exist in the new game, but confused as to why anyone would expect the resistance to exist in it given the fluff is pretty explicit on the matter.
New fluff including Resistance is the only reason I purchased DZC to start with. I started in phase 2, probably unlike most of the folks in this thread. As a customer, it's easy to feel swindled.
You find a game you are newly exposed to.
You purchase a faction within that game, which didn't exist until fluff writers said it did.
Game expansion comes out. Everyone else gets new things. You do not. Grognards on the internet tell you that you should never have expected it because fluff tells you it's improbable. New fluff is written easily. Someone scoffed at Resistance using scavenged ship parts, but they use scavenged Scourge bits for guns in a couple of places. They also have an alliance with either UCM or PHR, depending on your flavor.
It's less like wanting Tyranids in AoS (which was a jackass comparison to be honest) and more like wanting Guard Flyers, since Space Marines and Tau got flyers. Considering the talk about campaign scenarios where what happens in the air affects the ground, I'd say it's not so radical an expectation. Either way, why the hostile tones? Is Hawk above criticism? Are we only allowed to talk bad about GW?
With so many fleets available on the pledges (I know it's not the same as having an official release for your faction) but couldn't you scratch build a resistance fleet using the UCM as a base and steal parts from other races ships so they look salvaged and just use the UCM rules, your resistance fighters could be collecting wreckage that's fallen from orbit and rebuilding the UCM ships that failed to take off in the invasion.
That's a great idea, and likely what I'll wind up doing. Scratch building 10mm is going to be a challenge.
New fluff including Resistance is the only reason I purchased DZC to start with. I started in phase 2, probably unlike most of the folks in this thread. As a customer, it's easy to feel swindled.
Phase 1 is the only book out, Phase 2 is still in early stages, hence only beta-rules for the few new miniature releases. Most of the recent releases delivered the missing units from Phase 1. And in Phase 1 it is clearly stated that Resistance has no fleet to speak of.
Game expansion comes out. Everyone else gets new things. You do not. Grognards on the internet tell you that you should never have expected it because fluff tells you it's improbable. New fluff is written easily. Someone scoffed at Resistance using scavenged ship parts, but they use scavenged Scourge bits for guns in a couple of places. They also have an alliance with either UCM or PHR, depending on your flavor.
Resistance got the same amount of units in Phase 1 all other factions have including Phase 1. The new beta-releases also do include Resistance releases. So you are definitly not left out.
And DFC is no expansion it is a game of its own. New fluff is written easily, but Hawk is known for staying true to its fluff and not altering it on a whim. And the fluff in Phase 1 tells you how much trouble the Resistance has with the scavanged parts from Scourge tanks and that they burn through them at a high rate since they only start to begin their technology. They do use PHR-shields on commander-tanks, but the PHR had to install them for them and the Shltari cooperate with them sometimes but do not share any technology with them. UCM is also more of an cooperation than a sharing of technology. And most factions within the Resistance only cooperate with one other faction. That would be a major rewrite of the fluff and invalidate Phase 1 completly.
It's less like wanting Tyranids in AoS (which was a jackass comparison to be honest) and more like wanting Guard Flyers, since Space Marines and Tau got flyers. Considering the talk about campaign scenarios where what happens in the air affects the ground, I'd say it's not so radical an expectation. Either way, why the hostile tones? Is Hawk above criticism? Are we only allowed to talk bad about GW?
What you actually want is: fighters for the Gungans (which have a capable army on ground) though the SW fluff makes clear that they have no pilots and fighters to speak of, which would also be a major rewrite of the fluff.
How exactly is a player whose invested in DZC being swindled if their faction is not in a different game by the same company? There is absolutely no bait and switch.
Either you get you explore one of the other fleets, or you never get into it and have that much more money in your pocket for other things. I personally enjoy the first option.
Mantle wrote: So how likely do we think this will hit 500k?
Its quite likely, people tend to put of backing until the last couple of days so there will be a big spike at the end of the campaign. Its currently in a bit of a slump but thats common for all KS projects at this stage.
I'm hoping they either making the UCM battle cruiser not one per pledge and make it where you can pick any combination for the 4 battle cruisers. I'd like more than one UCM battle cruiser and I'm sure there are some people who would rather have no UCM battle cruisers. If it comes down to it, could always trade with my friends pledging to focus on other factions
I play Resistance in DZC and I'm totally fine that there is no Resistance fleet in DFC. it wouldn't make sense anyway.
BUT how can you still play linked campaigns with Resistance as a ground army?
1. Play Allied Resistance. You have the UCM covering you in space (DFC) and you do the dirty work on the ground (DZC).
2. Play Feral Resistance. You told the UCM to evacuate your people aboard their ships. Then you betrayed them and were able to capture a lot of ships that way. You may even had help from the PHR doing this. (Read the fluff of the Asgard System from Reconquest: Phase 1). This is probably how i will play it fo funsies.
3. Play whatever Resistance. A UCM expedition fleet into an enemy system got cought off and has now to survive. During this struggle for survival it allies up with a huge Resistance group from the planet they are in orbit. During this fight for survival both sides build up a very close friendship. In an act of blinded grandeur they declare together a new society and that they will defend against anyone that doesn't adhere to their beliefs. They may even see the future UCM actions as hostile.
4. As a feral Resistance you may even play PHR in DFC and feral Resistance on the ground. PHR has been known to support many UCM hostile resistance groups.
5. The Shaltari have already tried to use Humans to fight for them. It's not unrealistic to think that on a wartorn planet some Resistance groups have formed some kind of alliance with a Shaltari tribe.
Be creative. The fluff of this universe gives you enough examples that the Resistance groups are not all happy to see the UCM coming back for a reconquest...
Oh and if you're that interested in fluff, read the Dropzone Rulebook and the Reconquest: Phase 1 expansion. Loved reading them. The fluff is great!
@ Silent
You are not aware how much a set of form for one faction costs. One faction starter in plastic costs around 100k.
The goal is only there to get the production started faster. Only somehwere between 300 and 400K Hawk does no longer need to add their own money to get the starters made. The KS never was there to get the game made it was there to speed up production.
chaos0xomega wrote: Im a bit confused as to why people would expect the resistance to have a fleet in the first place, it really makes no logical sense.
You honestly can't understand why people would want the faction they pay for and play to show up in a new game that could very well be the development focus for the next year or so? Not everyone would put fluff sanctity over being able to stick to their own faction.
I don't think he's confused about why anyone would want their faction to exist in the new game, but confused as to why anyone would expect the resistance to exist in it given the fluff is pretty explicit on the matter.
New fluff including Resistance is the only reason I purchased DZC to start with. I started in phase 2, probably unlike most of the folks in this thread. As a customer, it's easy to feel swindled.
You find a game you are newly exposed to.
You purchase a faction within that game, which didn't exist until fluff writers said it did.
Game expansion comes out. Everyone else gets new things. You do not. Grognards on the internet tell you that you should never have expected it because fluff tells you it's improbable. New fluff is written easily. Someone scoffed at Resistance using scavenged ship parts, but they use scavenged Scourge bits for guns in a couple of places. They also have an alliance with either UCM or PHR, depending on your flavor.
It's less like wanting Tyranids in AoS (which was a jackass comparison to be honest) and more like wanting Guard Flyers, since Space Marines and Tau got flyers. Considering the talk about campaign scenarios where what happens in the air affects the ground, I'd say it's not so radical an expectation. Either way, why the hostile tones? Is Hawk above criticism? Are we only allowed to talk bad about GW?
Its not an expansion, its a whole new game. They are including rules for linked battles, yes, but that doesnt mean you have to use them (generally speaking, most wont). If you are playing a campaign and want to use resistance, than get the ok from your gaming group to use a UCM fleet instead if youre so bothered by it, its really not that complicated.
chaos0xomega wrote: Im a bit confused as to why people would expect the resistance to have a fleet in the first place, it really makes no logical sense.
You honestly can't understand why people would want the faction they pay for and play to show up in a new game that could very well be the development focus for the next year or so? Not everyone would put fluff sanctity over being able to stick to their own faction.
I don't think he's confused about why anyone would want their faction to exist in the new game, but confused as to why anyone would expect the resistance to exist in it given the fluff is pretty explicit on the matter.
New fluff including Resistance is the only reason I purchased DZC to start with. I started in phase 2, probably unlike most of the folks in this thread. As a customer, it's easy to feel swindled.
You find a game you are newly exposed to.
You purchase a faction within that game, which didn't exist until fluff writers said it did.
Game expansion comes out. Everyone else gets new things. You do not. Grognards on the internet tell you that you should never have expected it because fluff tells you it's improbable. New fluff is written easily. Someone scoffed at Resistance using scavenged ship parts, but they use scavenged Scourge bits for guns in a couple of places. They also have an alliance with either UCM or PHR, depending on your flavor.
It's less like wanting Tyranids in AoS (which was a jackass comparison to be honest) and more like wanting Guard Flyers, since Space Marines and Tau got flyers. Considering the talk about campaign scenarios where what happens in the air affects the ground, I'd say it's not so radical an expectation. Either way, why the hostile tones? Is Hawk above criticism? Are we only allowed to talk bad about GW?
Its not an expansion, its a whole new game. They are including rules for linked battles, yes, but that doesnt mean you have to use them (generally speaking, most wont). If you are playing a campaign and want to use resistance, than get the ok from your gaming group to use a UCM fleet instead if youre so bothered by it, its really not that complicated.
Its actually pretty fluffy for the resistance to rely on a UCM fleet, as there are resistance factions that have close ties with the UCM. Just field some of those special UCM units in your resistance army and you are good to go.
A bit trickier with non-UCM factions though. Like, you can't say that the PHR or Shaltari are dropping down soldiers to help the resistance, as there are no units like that. I really hope they introduce special PHR / Shaltari units in the next DZC expansion. Can you imagine some sort of PHR assassin unit with a kickass sniper rifle in a resistance army?
paying one or more staff members to design/playtest the game, expand the background, etc (divided by 4), art and design for the new ships, digital sculpting for the new ships (inc a bunch of test printing etc), then cut the required tools and paying for them to be used to press the number of sprues to fulfil the KS and for final retail
I would not be surprised if you count all those cost you could get there (especially if we're talking the more ubiquitous $ rather than £ or Euros)
Duncan_Idaho wrote: @ Silent
You are not aware how much a set of form for one faction costs. One faction starter in plastic costs around 100k.
I find that figure to be extremely unlikely.
Not sure I do; that's only 25k a tool which is pretty in line with my limited knowledge of what steel molds cost (which you'd be using for "core" products over aluminum or other materials that are cheaper but degrade); towards the higher end but they are fairly detailed tools as well. You will likely have a hull sprue and a weapons sprue for both cruisers and frigates. Multiplied out by four fleets, with the addition of the tool(s) for the flight bases and I don't see where it's outlandish for the final tally for the 4 starters to be in the realm of 400k.
It all depends on how they're having this done (and they're much more experienced!) but it's not just tool cost of course, it's the cost of the production run of plastic. Even at a low cost per shot, once you factor in spreading out the tool cost as well, it adds up really quickly!
I'm really excited they're able to tool more things in plastic already though, the ordnance is going to be really useful and are the space stations also slated for plastic?
Duncan, that's not necessarily true - and I actually would think that is a rarity, especially for wargaming.
The cost of a tool is really high, and you don't make another "just in case" for a wargaming model. Many manufacturers will also guarantee their tools for a certain number of shots, and replace it themselves if it wears out early.
And even if that had been true in the pantograph days of yore, nowadays you'd just store the cutting program that got it right the first time around and have them run that again in case you needed a second tool. Keeping a completely cut tool just as a backup when you're dealing with the sort of small, niche market such as wargaming is, would just be pants-on-head slowed.
Nearly all somehow succesful companies these days cut several tools. The loss in sales from a broken tool is much higher than the price of an additional tool.
And very often all tools are in use which increases output.
Duncan, again, from what I've seen that isn't the case (at least for wargaming). There is also not necessarily a loss in sales from a worn-out mold... most companies will have a lot of extra stock run all at once, so if a tool were wearing out there would be time to replace it before the next production run.
In hindsight I'm wondering if you were talking about multi-cavity molds rather than separate tools. But we can always take it to PM if we want to discuss further! (edited based on biggesthat's post below, fair point . Let's get back to talking about awesome spaceships!)
Anyone else going to try to convert some ships out of the space station sprue and the leftover weapons from the UCM cruiser sprues? Might that be a good look for La Resistance?
It might, Bob! Hard to know how it could look with just art shown for the space stations - and I'm probably not adding them on since they can be picked up locally later. But definitely excited for them
On the whole resistance fleet band wagon discussion, i would expect that the resistance would use captured ships, so a rag tag fleet of all kind of ships.
I guess my problem with the Resistance is that while it is very possible to justify a rag-tag refugee convoy fleeing the Scourge or a privateer-style squadron of corvettes harassing enemy supply ships and isolated outposts, that is not what DFC seems to be about. The core mechanic of this game is fully fledged planetary assault: literally D-Day in Space with entire battalions of troops being thrown into the fray and cities being stormed. These are not things that a Resistance-style force would have as their MO (leaving aside whether or not they even have the capabilities to attempt it). This is not a space game; it is an invasion game
We know there has been some serious anticipation in the run up to seeing some painted PHR models, and we are happy to announce we have the Ajax Class Cruiser for you to see. There are more photos on the Campaign Page, under the PHR.
We hope to have some more video based information about the Shaltari and PHR for you all before the end of this campaign, so there is further details about how these factions work. More will be revealed on this in due course!
Tomorrow's update will contain a lot more information about the KS Exclusive Battlecruisers that will be unlocking! As we get closer to the start of the last week of this campaign, we have some exciting things to show off...
Thanks again for your continued support in Hawk Wargames, and this Dropfleet Commander Kickstarter.
Kind regards
The Hawk Wargames Team
Update #20 - The Activation Card Pack
We’ve unlocked Activation cards, an important extra when moving from starter to larger scale games of Dropfleet Commander. How does this work and are they 100% necessary to the game? Read on…
As with Dropzone Commander, Dropfleet Commander works on an alternate activation method of gameplay. This means that instead of a player doing all their moving, shooting and deployment of ground forces at once, players take turns in activating battlegroups.
Similar to Dropzone Commander, the groups of units which activate together are battlegroups, and created by players when they make their fleet lists before the battle. Each battlegroup will be made up of a collection of ships, determined by the players. By consulting a simple table player will be able to work out the command value of each battlegroup, which become important in playing the game.
The difference in the games comes from who activates first, and when.
In Dropzone commander, players role a die and add their command value. Whoever has the higher total chooses to go first or second, and then players alternate activations until all battlegroups have activated, ending the turn.
In Dropfleet commander there is no dice off for who activates a battlegroup first. Instead, at the start of each turn players issue their fleet manoeuvre orders by way of activation cards. They choose an order that the cards will be flipped over in, and place them face down on the table in a stack. Both players then flip their first card. The cards are numbered, or, in the case of our unlocked cards, have a complete list of what is in the battlegroup on the card.
Players then compare command values of the flipped cards. Whichever battlegroup has the lower command value (i.e. 1 is low, 10 is high) gets to activate that battlegroup first or second (as the player chooses). The other player then activates the battlegroup on the card they have flipped. Once both battlegroups have activated, the players flip again and the process is repeated.
What this means is that the die roll at the start of the turn in Dropzone Commander has become a flip and compare before each battlegroups activates in Dropfleet Commander. In this way players have to work out which battle groups they want to activate in which order at the start of the turn, and also adds an element of reading your opponent to out manoeuvre / out think them and get the drop on the enemy.
To be clear, in basic terms this means:
Players create a stack of battlegroup cards.
They flip a card each, comparing command values to determine the order battlegroup activation.
Once those battlegroups have both activated, players flip again.
When both players have finished their card stacks, the turn ends.
They then decide card order, and create a stack again.
Concept for Activation cards (with Battlegroup A card shown)
The Activation cards are designed to help players with this game mechanic. Players could you anything they like, from a deck of cards to numbered chips, so long as they refer to their fleet list and are all the same on the other side. However we have created these activation cards so that players can add command values and exactly what is in each battlegroup, then flip the cards which have a battlegroup letter on them. They are for ease of use, and can be written on – players who want to re-use them over and over can add clear card sleeves and use a washable marker to make the cards completely mutable.
So how may cards are in the Activation card pack? well:
There are 8 cards labelled Battlegroup A, 8 labelled Battlegroup B etc. up to Battlegroup F, which gives players 6 battlegroups – the standard amount for a Dropfleet Commander game.
However there are also 4 labelled Battlegroup G, 2 labelled battlegroup H and two with no battlegroup label. This allows players to expand into even larger games, and also have 2 spare cards to use for whichever battlegroup they would like.
In total this makes 56 cards in one pack.
We hope this has cleared up some information about the Activation Card Pack - as useful aid to playing Dropfleet Commander.
The PHR stuff looks fabulous and I find the Scourge designs both disturbing and attractive in equal measure! I'm not a fan of the shaltari though personally as I find it too "busy" and crammed with detail ala the skulls popping out everywhere in AOS.
If anyone at a lower backing level wants to trade an Avalon for the Atlantis (which is only available as part of the Commander or above pledge levels, not as a bolt-on) PM me as I would swap my Atlantis for one
Ugh, having such a hard time picking what I want in my pledge. I'm torn between UCM and PHR. Two friends are going PHR so that pushes me towards UCM. Girlfriend likes Shaltari so I may go 1x ucm and 1x shaltari for the two faction picks in the commodore pledge so I'll have 2 ucm and 1 for her. Probably trade all the scourge stuff off, not a fan of their aesthetic personally. Glad they decided to add another UCM battlecruiser like some of us have been asking
Really like the look of the Adamant, first Shaltari ship I really like. Odd though, PHR are my DzC faction and been very happy with how their ships look... Apart from the new battle cruiser. Making it difficult to decide which battlecruisers to pick.
For those of us who are less familiar with Hawk, what kind of deal is this KS compared to retail? Not sure whether to wait for online discounters for this. Advice?
Fugazi wrote: For those of us who are less familiar with Hawk, what kind of deal is this KS compared to retail? Not sure whether to wait for online discounters for this. Advice?
Depending on how patient you are, you'll certainly be able to find a better deal on the starters via online retailers. However, once the funding level hits $500k, the freebies piled onto most pledge levels will tip the balance into "better than retail" more or less, depending on how you feel about paying a year in advance.
Captain seems like a good deal, each starter will probably be 55 pounds or dollars retail similar to the current setup. The 2 player starter is basically two of those, and you get two starters.
BobtheInquisitor wrote: you'll certainly be able to find a better deal on the starters via online retailers.
That's debatable. The KS boxed set is already discounted, I would estimate at around 10-15%, and also gets you 1x cruiser sprue for each race and probably the same for frigates by the end of the KS. You may well be able to find the starter box cheaper on retail, although not that much cheaper, but the KS will certainly be a better deal due to the extras.
As a high level backer, assuming >£500k funding which will definitely happen, you'll get almost another starter worth of models (two frigate sprues and one cruiser sprue, as opposed to a starter which has three cruiser sprues and one frigate sprue) free for each race, PLUS one battle cruiser for each race AND a civilian cruiser. On top of that, the base pledge without any of the freebies is already discounted. If you pledge Commodore and want all four races, you'll have 4 Cruisers, 1 Battlecruiser and 12 Frigates for each of the four races. For £150. The value is pretty crazy!
Generally speaking, Hawk Wargames don't discount much at retail, by the time you take shipping into account from most online stores, you're usually talking no better than a 10% discount.
I think the timespan for the toys actually arriving is more like a few months than a year though.
In the UK it's certainly going to be better than retail (and probably most sale prices too)
In the US with their heavier discounting (and much better and more frequent sales) I'd say Bob is right and it really only becomes a no brainer once the extra sprues get added...
but going retail and waiting for heavy discounting will probably add another 9-12 months to the alreadly long waiting time for the KS,
and who knows maybe GW will have released epic battlefleet necromunda and nobody will want to play the 'old' dropfllet commander game by then, if you and/or your group want to play now the KS is the fastest way to get the game and that counts for a fair bit too
Bob does raise an interesting point though; as most people who have backed a project before know, initial KS delivery estimates are often turned into total lies with scope creep and additional goodies added and that I don't think KS let's you adjust those once the campaign is live. Campaigns with massive explosions of funding often end up delayed by years as a result. Some companies, and I'd tentatively include Hawk in this so far, seem to have their ducks in a row more than most to accommodate such things but that is a question worth asking I suppose. Does Hawk still think they will be delivering to (some) backers by Q2 2016, or should we go ahead and shift it to Q4 already?
I mean, mentally that's probably the best approach anyway, but I wouldn't mind being pleasantly surprised if they already had everything slotted with their UK factory anyway and just wanted the capital.
Some stuff (like the space stations) are clearly being pushed ahead in development thanks to the 'lots of funding' but as long as they are not trying to shoehorn in more plastic (the extra stuff all seems to be resin) they should, in theory, still be able to hit their target,
but I'd still doubt they'll actually have everything done and dusted on time, but I'd guess 3-6 months late rather than any longer
They have added quite a bit to the campaign. Initially they were adamant they would do the starter spruces and nothing else. Now they're doing the launch sprue, battle cruisers, space stations etc as well.
Krinsath wrote: Bob does raise an interesting point though; as most people who have backed a project before know, initial KS delivery estimates are often turned into total lies with scope creep and additional goodies added and that I don't think KS let's you adjust those once the campaign is live. Campaigns with massive explosions of funding often end up delayed by years as a result. Some companies, and I'd tentatively include Hawk in this so far, seem to have their ducks in a row more than most to accommodate such things but that is a question worth asking I suppose. Does Hawk still think they will be delivering to (some) backers by Q2 2016, or should we go ahead and shift it to Q4 already?
I mean, mentally that's probably the best approach anyway, but I wouldn't mind being pleasantly surprised if they already had everything slotted with their UK factory anyway and just wanted the capital.
As the renders for the core stuff are already complete it would just be a case of getting them physically made, I don't anticipate much in the way of delays. We are around 6 months out from release anyway.
Silent Puffin? wrote: As the renders for the core stuff are already complete it would just be a case of getting them physically made, I don't anticipate much in the way of delays. We are around 6 months out from release anyway.
The time from render to plastic model can be substantial though; in some cases it can be six months just to get all the tools cut. That doesn't include getting models produced, shipped to the company and received for fulfillment which, while far less time than tool-cutting, is not "no" time either.
Caution there aside, I don't believe that "KS Doomsday prophecy" will be the case here, as Hawk is using a UK-based manufacturer rather than China. That alone cuts down on the lag in the process substantially. That we've seen physical models for 3 of 4 factions is encouraging too as that means there are likely masters of those 3 factions already done. Not spending a month or two on the water after production is also a good thing, as is the lack of a Chinese New Year stoppage; yes there's still Christmas but that's no where near as much fanfare and it's early in the process versus right in the middle. It's really just the little add-ons that have me wondering about the date, especially as I really like little gubbins and such on the table and will undoubtedly want those. Still, they are indeed little so Q3 for colonial deliveries might not be overly optimistic like it would with other projects.
The point about it being made in the UK is also a good indicator that the sets probably aren't going to be found dramatically cheaper at retail. The basic costs to make the things are a bit higher than other companies because they're not being made as cheaply as possible, but that does come with the benefits outlined above.
I would assume it's them since I'm thinking that the UK doesn't have a massive injection plastic industry in general, let alone for miniature wargaming. I could be grossly misinformed though, and they don't list the company by name; simply that they have worked with them before. I would have to defer to someone with local knowledge if there's other candidates out there that aren't as well known or if that is pretty much the option.
The parts that I base my assumptions on from is from the KS page's "Risks and Challenges" section in case anyone wants to double-check:
These points, added to the fact that we manufacture in the UK rather than sourcing from other countries or continents, means reduced turnaround times and greater reliability on quality as well as timings.
...
We have had experience in creating plastic sets before, with Dropzone Commander, and have worked with all our manufacturers before on a range of products, so are confident in our ability to deliver a high quality game in Dropfleet Commander, both in terms of product quality and, of course, gameplay value!
jSewell wrote: Ugh, having such a hard time picking what I want in my pledge. I'm torn between UCM and PHR.
Same here, but with a minor difference. I went for the commander starter set, but I wish you could pick and choose fleets for it - at the KS level at least. I like the scourge ships, but it's UCM and PHR for me. The PHR ships look excellent to me; like mechanical, spacefaring whales. (And with that colour scheme...) I'd go lieutenant and bolt on PHR, but commander just comes with so much extra stuff that I bolted PHR onto that. So now I'm sucked into the Kickstarter thing of buying something (the scourge fleet) just to sell it on again. Bah.
come to think of it, DZC sprues feel suspiciously like the sprues from the PDC plastics KS, rather than Renedra sprues. Rigidity, weight and colour all seem to match those better than Renedra's. Not even saying it's them per se, but it would be an unusual mix for Renedra, IMO.
Not much in todays update, just some info on the upgraded rulebook:
We can also give out some more information on the deluxe rulebook upgrade. Thanks to your support we will be able to make all rulebooks deluxe, both in pledge level and bolt ons, as well as for retail later next year. The deluxe edition includes:
- Pages now printed on thicker paper stock (150gsm).
- Cover to be Matt laminated and have spot UV on raised areas.
- Increased content and background.
- And due to popular demand, we will also be providing each book in a card box which will help to keep the book protected, and also allow player to put it on their shelves in portrait (the rulebook is A4 Landscape).
Q&A session 3: Saturday 28th November, 5.30 – 6.30pm (GMT) – This will be run on the comments section of update #25.
Q&A session 4: Sunday 29th November, 11.30am – 12.30pm (GMT) – This will be run on the comments section of update #26.
The two different times are to make it easier for backers around the world to plan for them. Our usual Q&A guidelines will be in effect, and we’ll reiterate those at the top of each update.
Definitely want all the fleets now. What's the pledge manager situation on this one? Can we pledge minimum of £1and upgrade? Or are these kickstarter only pledges a la Mantic kickstarters.
I think to get access to the pledge manager you have to pledge for one of the pledge levels (not £1)... and have they said whether you can change pledge levels in the pledge manager or not?
They've said that you need to actually pick a pledge level, so no £1 pledges, and that you can't change this in the pledge manager. So you can add more bolt-ons but not increase/decrease your pledge level.
So, this is the first Kickstarter I've backed. What time will Kickstarter charge me on Thursday? I get paid Thursday but also have all my bills due Tuesday so I'm worried about there being a gap in available funds for the level of pledge + bolt ons currently.
jSewell wrote: I'm hoping they either making the UCM battle cruiser not one per pledge and make it where you can pick any combination for the 4 battle cruisers. I'd like more than one UCM battle cruiser and I'm sure there are some people who would rather have no UCM battle cruisers. If it comes down to it, could always trade with my friends pledging to focus on other factions
AFAIK, the KS exclusive UCM Battlecruiser is a unique, named ship. There are also four generic battlecruisers available as bolt ons that include a generic UCM ship. So, everyone is stuck with at least one UCM BC, but you can get as many additional BCs for each of the four factions as you want.
Shaltari appear to be the glass cannons of the game. They have long range scanners, possibly the best weapon in the game, useful shields but crappy armor.
str00dles1 wrote: Sure I missed it but the add on for the bombers and fighters...do you get them in the 2 player? OR are they an extra not needed part?
They are a £10 bolt on. I would imagine that there will be card counters in the start boxes for small craft but actual models will look much nicer.
The 'sector' resin counters will be £30, I think I will be moving towards divorce territory if I was to get them as part of this KS
Automatically Appended Next Post:
The resin sector token renders have been released. £30 seems a little steep.
If you want extra bolt-ons, then Hawk will probably let you do that (although it's not guaranteed; adding extras after the campaign ends is by definition nothing to do with the Kickstarter itself ), but if you want to change the actual pledge reward level, that might not be possible.
That's what I expected. It's just that a lot of people seem to think that post-campaign add-ons are part of Kickstarter, rather than an entirely separate thing.
Presumably having to handle people wanting to change their reward level after the fact is too much paperwork, and would lead to too many inevitable errors.
Mymearan wrote: They've said you can add bolt-ons but not change pledge levels in the pledge manager.
Yeah, this was confirmed a few times afaik - no need to worry about getting all the bolt-ons you want added to your pledge by the deadline (in 7 hours). Just make sure you've managed to get up to the top pledge level you want!
This may well make 600k given how much its made today.
Only 7k away with 3 hours to go,they will definitely make it.
Automatically Appended Next Post: Update time
to ensure everyone gets the rewards and Bolt-Ons for their pledge, there are a couple of points we wanted to make:
In order to receive any Free Rewards, you need to back a specific pledge level. Any level of support (of any value) that isn't linked to a Pledge Level will not count towards any rewards, (including any freebies). You also won't be able to add any bolt ons. While we're thankful for all your support, we really want you to be rewarded! So please do choose a pledge level if you'd like freebies and the ability to add bolt-ons.
In the Pledge Manager (which will go out after the Kickstarter) you will not be able to change your pledge level, so please make sure you're happy with your level. however:
The Pledge Manager will allow backers - who have pledged against a Pledge Level on this Kickstarter - to select and/or add Bolt-Ons. More information will go out about this in the next few weeks.
I wish I had the cash for this. There are so many nice freebies and the game looks lovely. But with no guarantee of a community around that will also play, I will just save the Christmas cash and wait for retail.
(That's "page 2" of most funded tabletop games, here's the Top 25 for reference)
Really impressive campaign, and what's more I don't think the overextended themselves or have done anything that will keep it from being a success at retail. Awesome job by the Hawk team!
When do I get my minis? I want them now!
I hate waiting...
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Still waiting...
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Ah well, guess it gives me time to get my DZC armies painted.
I did end up going for commodore too. The Shaltari battlecruiser thingie was just too awesome to pass up on.
Yeah, I ended up at Commodore; I rationalize this with it being June 2016's hobby money...this makes perfect sense...
My great fear with that is I'll end up bulking out the fleets with bolt-ons, but maybe I'll skate with just adding another PHR and UCM starter since I'm a species-ist. I can't see any sense in not getting one of each starter fleet out of the pledge though with the freebies. 4 cruisers and 12 frigates seems a good basic+ force based on what I can see of how DZC starters work out.
The extras are going to be killer too...hopefully the PM runs for a bit so I can rationalize a bit more.
I backed this, but I was massively disappointed that there was no way to avoid UCM and Scourge, but still get the stretch goals. I'm only interested in Shaltari and PHR, but in order to get only those I would have had to back at Lieutenant, buy an extra starter fleet, and forgo any of the bonuses and savings everyone else got.
NTRabbit wrote: I backed this, but I was massively disappointed that there was no way to avoid UCM and Scourge, but still get the stretch goals. I'm only interested in Shaltari and PHR, but in order to get only those I would have had to back at Lieutenant, buy an extra starter fleet, and forgo any of the bonuses and savings everyone else got.
Wasn't well planned by Hawk in that regard.
I think the opposite is true. It kind of blows if you are not a UCM/Scourge player. However, everything they are releasing except for the KS battlecruisers are going to be boxes that exist at retail. A second two player starter box probably is not cost effective for hawk to invest in. It becomes one of those things where no matter what you are not getting full player coverage. If you only play PHR and your buddy plays scourge, the box is still a negative deal as well the case for other combinations. The 2 player box becomes something that is for mostly new players getting into the game. In fact, I think the commodore level was specifically designed for that. So you could have one of ever faction to demo the game to as many players as possible.
It would have been nice if they released a level that was choose your own 4 starter fleets or something at high levels. However, I suppose they were still trying to avoid the KS becoming a store thing. Again, I agree with PHR/Shaltari it sucks. However, long run this is probably much better for their needs as a company.
They didn't have to nail themselves to the 2 player starter box though, that was a decision they made out of insecurity early and had to stick with it - much to the detriment of anyone who didn't want UCM and Scourge.
I don't think anyone can deny that Hawk completely and utterly failed to read the enthusiasm leading into the project, which caused them to make some decisions in their planning which were good for a project that would struggle to meet the basic goal, but somewhat crippling for a wild success.
They raised almost a million dollars, I think that is pretty wild success!
I think it is more an intentionally conservative approach on their part - in many ways it is similar to the way they launched Dropzone Commander, although that was through their own site, of course.
They are leaving room for themselves to add on key things everyone will want (Battleships / Dreadnoughts / Commanders!) along with room for retail sales. For almost any game, the starter box has two preset factions, rather than letting you choose any faction... I am not a huge fan of starter boxes for my own collections either (I prefer to have more choice over the units I get), but I don't think they're doing anything out of the ordinary by having one!
It would have been nice to have a pledge for just two or four starters of any faction plus the rulebook and tokens, but that's not really a bundle I see most companies offering, and people often buy starter sets just to get all the "essentials" even if they don't play the factions.
I don't think they made a bad choice with this. Can anyone name an inprint game that has multiple SKU's of plastic game 2 army starter sets (NOT individual army starters)?
RiTides wrote: I think it is more an intentionally conservative approach on their part .
This is what I just said, except I think their approach was far too conservative, and it left them unable to adjust when the wild success that was inevitable to all observers hit. No agility.
warboss wrote: I don't think they made a bad choice with this. Can anyone name an inprint game that has multiple SKU's of plastic game 2 army starter sets (NOT individual army starters)?
Thanks for not reading a word I posted. They didn't need to make a second SKU 2 player box, they needed to make a Commander-sized and Captain-sized pledge level that dumped that 2 player starter box, and put in the PHR starter, Shaltari starter, and other box contents instead - or pick 2, so you can combine UC and Shaltari, or Scourge and PHR, etc.
iirc they said they wanted to avoid that because it would increase logistics and packing complexity by order of magnitude. Its the same reason they're not allowing people to upgrade their pledges in the PM.
I admit its slightly annoying (i primarily wanted PHR as well), but based on their track record and dealings so far with the backers, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. If they deliver on schedule by June, then for me their conservative approach was correct.
Ah, I see - yeah it would have been very nice to have that pledge level, but I'm guessing they thought then a decent percentage of folks would skip the 2-player starter box (maybe a third?) and obviously starter boxes do best with volume of sales! But yeah, our group would have appreciated such a pledge level (but as it was, not having one tempted us to up our second pledge to Commodore to get those 2 extra single faction starters - so they get more out of us ).
Unfortunately I don't have a group I can split a pledge with, it's just me. Not sure I've even got a good enough market to resell the UCM and Scourge stuff with around here.
Thanks for not reading a word I posted. They didn't need to make a second SKU 2 player box, they needed to make a Commander-sized and Captain-sized pledge level that dumped that 2 player starter box, and put in the PHR starter, Shaltari starter, and other box contents instead - or pick 2, so you can combine UC and Shaltari, or Scourge and PHR, etc.
It was a mistake, and an annoying one.
Thanks for clarifying your earlier much broader posts. If you had posted that instead of generically whining about the starter, it would have been alot clearer. You had the option of picking up one or two individual fleets btw without being but you wanted in effect a second starter set pledge with all the benefits congruent to it that you could completely customize to your heart's content. I'm sorry that you didn't get to cherry pick every little thing but Hawk did meet you half way with the pledge of just the fleets you wanted and the book and some of the freebie goals. If you wanted the cherry on the top, you have to order the full sundae on the menu. NedTCM already said it
It would have been nice if they released a level that was choose your own 4 starter fleets or something at high levels. However, I suppose they were still trying to avoid the KS becoming a store thing. Again, I agree with PHR/Shaltari it sucks. However, long run this is probably much better for their needs as a company.
Honestly, I agree with you and him that it would have been nice to be able to cherry pick everything but complicates things significantly and I don't think it is "massively disappointing" that they didn't want to do it especially given that you CAN cherry pick your fleets at the cost of missing out on some freebies. They know their retail box of choice for shelves will be the starter and making it the core of the big pledges that give you extras is a reasonable trade off for them likely getting a bulk per box production discount on their end.
warboss wrote: I'm sorry that you didn't get to cherry pick every little thing but Hawk did meet you half way with the pledge of just the fleets you wanted and the book and some of the freebie goals. If you wanted the cherry on the top, you have to order the full sundae on the menu.
What I wanted, and clearly sated in my first post, was sensible pledge levels that catered to people who didn't want UCM or Scourge, simply swapping out the basic starter fleets in exchange for others, which would be large and simple changes which are in no way remotely close to cherry picking. If you think that's generic whining and cherry picking, then there's little point in trying to converse with you, because you're clearly irrational.
The campaign was not well managed by any stretch of the imagination. First time jitters maybe, but they were scrambling from day 1 and never really caught up.
It will be hard to guess we really haven't seen enough yet.
I think UCM is going to end up having to trend towards a balanced fleet (surprise!). However, I kind of want to build a ton of frigates and like 2 fleet carriers with a pair of Battleships or a Dread. I like the idea of lots of smaller ships. UCM is what I am planning on playing. Colonial Marines look is just too cool.
I think PHR is actually going to benefit more from that. With your smaller ships having a lot more weapons Investing too much into medium stuff is going to be a points sink. Those smaller ships have some big guns like the one frigate with the burn through on it. The issue is the cruisers unless you getting in close you aren't making the most of those broad sides. It may be better to take a few battleships to slug it out in the middle and hold ground with their durability. Then the mass of frigates take pot shots from the sides. My little bro is picking that one up, but no word what he is planning.
Shaltari Probably benefits from lots of cruiser and frigates I think. With the light armor too much investment in heavy ships is going to be a mistake. You use frigates supported by the ion cannon ships to force people to rise their spike. Those ships like the tri particle lance ships hiding in the back will snipe doing main damage. Meanwhile you play the void gate game to deploy troops without having to get close.
Scourge we haven't see enough of to know how they are different. However, I bet they are probably a swarm army. So that probably means a ton of frigates.
Hawk was saying the beta rules should be done soon so hopefully in the next month or so we may have a better idea soon.
Congrats to Hawk on a massively successful campaign! I dropped out of a Commodore pledge a few days ago because money's tighter than expected and I can't really justify dropping that kind of cash on a new game with no local group of players, but it's got my interest (as DZC had too) and I'll certainly pick up some bits at Salute if anything's for sale there.
I'm proud of them for sticking to their guns - they said towards the start "This is the starter set, these are the forces in it, that's not changing" and weathered the storm of calls to change it. I can't walk into a GW and ask for a boxed game with Tyranids Vs Chaos, why should this be any different just because it's a KS?
Also pleased they didn't over-promise. I'm still waiting for my Annihilation KS pledge from 2012, and I remember almost giving up on ever getting my Dreamforge pledge because they piled on extra levels and rewards. Hawk ran a measured, calculated campaign and did amazingly well.
Now, hopefully big pledge levels will translate to long-term revenue as well, you only have to look at Heresy's KS to see that the two are very different things
Charax wrote: Congrats to Hawk on a massively successful campaign! I dropped out of a Commodore pledge a few days ago because money's tighter than expected and I can't really justify dropping that kind of cash on a new game with no local group of players, but it's got my interest (as DZC had too) and I'll certainly pick up some bits at Salute if anything's for sale there.
I'm proud of them for sticking to their guns - they said towards the start "This is the starter set, these are the forces in it, that's not changing" and weathered the storm of calls to change it. I can't walk into a GW and ask for a boxed game with Tyranids Vs Chaos, why should this be any different just because it's a KS?
Also pleased they didn't over-promise. I'm still waiting for my Annihilation KS pledge from 2012, and I remember almost giving up on ever getting my Dreamforge pledge because they piled on extra levels and rewards. Hawk ran a measured, calculated campaign and did amazingly well.
Now, hopefully big pledge levels will translate to long-term revenue as well, you only have to look at Heresy's KS to see that the two are very different things
Exalted and I agree. Kickstarters have to work for both ends and I'm glad that they found a reasonable middle ground with choices that prioritized both choice and value in varying degrees depending on which pledge level you choose. I didn't pledge but I'll be giving this a close look once it hits retail and battle reports start being posted. I would have preferred UCM and PHR personally at a lower price but, being a reasonable person, understand that the middle ground they chose was best for the largest number of people even if it didn't work out perfectly for me as a consumer. Congrats to Hawk for a well run and successful campaign!
Realistically, I think waiting for discounted retail is the best option for PHR or Shaltari players. If DZC is anything to go by, prices will come down to a more comfortable level pretty quickly.
Does anyone know if the add on battleship or cruiser prices will be typical of retail cruisers or if they are special KS prices? Will the space stations become available through retail?
I'm just glad that this kickstarter will likely mean there's more choices in the game from the starter.
DZC suffered a bit due to its more rigid battlegroup building system and only just enough units to fill it at launch.
You can bet on space stations being a retail release, considering that they've already got a line of sometimes impractical DZC terrain in stores, space stations will hit stores at some point.
I had allocated for a PHR starter, but I also realized I could special order it from my local store on release for close to the KS total cost. So I figured I'd grab some KS battlecruisers instead as a stopgap while waiting for battleships and dreadnoughts to release for use as flagships.
I got the pledge manager weeks ago. Filled it out already. I'd post a link, but it's run by Geiger...
It's a shame we couldn't upgrade our campaign pledges to higher tiers. On the other hand, DZC's discounts tend to be pretty good at certain retail establishments, so waiting for retail is just about as good.
Compel wrote: Adding a Lieutenant pledge to your main pledge seems to be a *Very* good deal if you want another starter fleet.
I'd have only gone for upping to High Rank for all the bonuses, but not paying to add an entire High Rank pledge on top of the Commander level I already had. I just bought a few of the exclusive ships instead. The rest can wait.
Gotta say, this is my first time to experience a stealth pledge manager invite haha. Most times there's a big announcement to get people to pledge more (or a big brouhaha if its delayed). I only knew about it from randomly deciding to read the latest KS comments last week.
I managed to grab one of every shiny exclusive models they are making. I am happy now. I just need to decide which one I like more: the Avalon or the Atlantis?
So I wondered why I hadn't gotten any pledge manager updates, and then I see I have multiple messages in my spam folder that claim to be from Dropfleet Commander but which come from geiger.io. These are legit?
Pretty sure that was never a thing, they always said you needed multiple users to make multiple pledges. They put the lieutenant pledge in the pledge manager by mistake but you can't actually select it.
Wow. A dedicated Gunship for PHR. This is wonderful!. As large as the Poseidon so I hope the missiles are fairly good. Also I have high hopes for Thor Bombard. The Taranis is so horrible, its never taken by anyone
Courtesy of Ravenar from this thread on the Hawk forums.
Scourge
Corruptor - Razor worm firing gunship/transport the "Projectiles" can cause damage to buildings the worms are fired at like a small boarding torpedo.
Monitor - This is a light anti tank minder. It's weapons are mainly aimed at anti scout but there may have been a mention about it being effective against medusa so it's likely got just a few shots.
Overseer - Desolator variant, Buffs the range of nearby plasma weapons and has a token attack (So not very offensive on its own) the range increase is currently suggested to be 6".
Resistance
Memhed - This is a demolition tank, it's a heavy unit with blowing up buildings in mind.
Thunder Wagon - Big Explosive missile. Suggested to use the Large blast but also only firing one missile within the squad a turn, naturally one use per vehicle.
Typhoon - Cyclone with something like the Phoenix Chain guns so more direct, powerful AT.
UCM
Crossbow - Scimitar grade laser on a static platform. Dropped in by raven like the longbow. This will be a very cheap unit because it can't move but it also will lose the Marksmans touch rule
Falcon B - Missile falcon which "May or may not be AA".
Seraphim Retaliator - All the missiles forever. It's a more anti tank focused variant.
Shaltari
Firebird - Very short range powerful weapon with a focus towards building Demo.
Leopard - Dreamsnare weapons with the shield buffer swapped out for another Anti tank weapon. Very short range think an AT knife fighter. (The Jaguar taken to the extreme in AT)
Panthar - Unlimited range AA, 3 shots, energy 8 (maybe 7) ACC 3+ and -3 to hit when reaction firing. Personal thoughts are this will be a risk/reward unit. The more you expose it the better you get from it but the more vulnerable it becomes.
PHR
Thor - Barrage variant of the Taranis. Closer to standard Artillery.
Menchit A2 - swaps the 2 mini guns for 2 skyhammer missiles which can be fired without a mercury.
Njord - Sorry JD, don't know too much about this one beyond it transport 4 vehicles and gets a good number of missile shots off. No AA. I think the fine details here are being mulled over.
Aether (Helios A2) - Skimmer with the Triton - X black nano machine swarm (So IF, no blast)
Angelos A2 - Yep, it's an angelos with a flamer, roast a building, drop troops out, get stuck in.
Where appropriate, these new units mark the start of the Hawk consolidation of stock codes as new components will be added to existing kits. E.g. the Panthar will be a combined Ocelot/Panthar kit.
Additonal news - Book 2 of the reconquest is coming along nicely and will feature a host of rules for weather and terrain effects. Think night fighting, heavy rain, low gravity, high gravity, extreme temperatures etc.
Book 3 is planned to feature upgrades for units to eat up those last few points left in a list. Hunter killer missiles, support weapons, swapping a base in one infantry unit for another and so forth.
Naturally all this is subject to change so please bear that in mind and there's probably going to be a few more bits found out today by various people but again, looks like we've got a lot to look forward to.
Dave is wanting to have these units out before Dropfleets release with the first of which aimed for Salute.
Duncan_Idaho wrote: Only in your meta... some other gamers make good use of it...
Well this was also coming from the forums. As a general consensus it is a pretty terrible unit and most people who've used it don't like it at all for what it does, everything does it better.
On another note, when do Dropfleet pledge managers need to be in by?
So I registered to get a late backer pledge as I really do like Dropzone Commander (despite only owning the 2 player starter) and space combat games in general. And obviously I need another project to work on.
I was totally ready to go in on a Commodore pledge to get the Atlantis class, Princess class Civilian, and three sweet KS exclusive battle cruisers and a starter for every faction and all the free goodies. But now since I wasn't able to pledge back in October ( layoffs) I can only get the base 60 quid pledge? Is it even worth it? Like others have pointed out, I can just get the starters and space stations after it goes retail for a not-insignificant discount. So for late-backer pledge your freebies are four frigates and one cruiser sprue for each faction, and a credit chip?
What about the KS exclusive ships? Are they worth 14 quid a pop? Or 10 for the civvy ship? Or 30/40 for the two packs of PHR/UCM exclusives?
The Civilian cruise liner is the one that seems most different in concept but I'm really struggling to visualize it's purpose in the game. I think it would be fine as a "pretty" objective marker but then what the hell is a Cruise ship doing in an active warzone? It's not rugged like the Rebel Transports or Blockade Runners from Star Wars so it has no business evacuating refugees from Eden Prime. This isn't a universe where there's a lot of grey area and criminal activity to support a piracy situation. Even if it was being used as a diplomat's shuttle, none of the factions would have a reason to intercept the craft and prevent an alliance, except maybe the Scourge, but that doesn't really seem their speed.
The only scenario that would make sense would be for a Princess class to be press-ganged as a troop ship for the UCM. But the UCM is not desperate for ships. They already seem to have plenty and are socking it to the Scourge pretty hard (not to say they're winning). They don't need to repurpose old civilian ships with no weapons and poor carrier capabilities for their fleets. I mean they're the only faction with an honest-to-God battleship in the kickstarter
How long am I looking at waiting between KS release and retail release? Is there anything KS exclusive that's a must-have? Help me decide if I should give Hawk my hard earned money
The cruise ship is there because Wall-E brought the plant to the Lido Deck.
Really, I don't know what purpose it might have in an actual game. It certainly looks sweet, though. I bought one based on that.
The basic pledge with one fre cruiser and four escorts per race is what I pledged for because that was all I could afford in October and I wanted to support the company/plastic spaceships. If you don't feel like the freebies are worth it now, then I suggest you don't buy that pledge because you feel a lot more remorse when the delays start adding up. There's no real "can't miss it" deal here.
bocatt wrote: So I registered to get a late backer pledge as I really do like Dropzone Commander (despite only owning the 2 player starter) and space combat games in general. And obviously I need another project to work on.
I was totally ready to go in on a Commodore pledge to get the Atlantis class, Princess class Civilian, and three sweet KS exclusive battle cruisers and a starter for every faction and all the free goodies. But now since I wasn't able to pledge back in October ( layoffs) I can only get the base 60 quid pledge? Is it even worth it? Like others have pointed out, I can just get the starters and space stations after it goes retail for a not-insignificant discount. So for late-backer pledge your freebies are four frigates and one cruiser sprue for each faction, and a credit chip?
What about the KS exclusive ships? Are they worth 14 quid a pop? Or 10 for the civvy ship? Or 30/40 for the two packs of PHR/UCM exclusives?
The Civilian cruise liner is the one that seems most different in concept but I'm really struggling to visualize it's purpose in the game. I think it would be fine as a "pretty" objective marker but then what the hell is a Cruise ship doing in an active warzone? It's not rugged like the Rebel Transports or Blockade Runners from Star Wars so it has no business evacuating refugees from Eden Prime. This isn't a universe where there's a lot of grey area and criminal activity to support a piracy situation. Even if it was being used as a diplomat's shuttle, none of the factions would have a reason to intercept the craft and prevent an alliance, except maybe the Scourge, but that doesn't really seem their speed.
The only scenario that would make sense would be for a Princess class to be press-ganged as a troop ship for the UCM. But the UCM is not desperate for ships. They already seem to have plenty and are socking it to the Scourge pretty hard (not to say they're winning). They don't need to repurpose old civilian ships with no weapons and poor carrier capabilities for their fleets. I mean they're the only faction with an honest-to-God battleship in the kickstarter
How long am I looking at waiting between KS release and retail release? Is there anything KS exclusive that's a must-have? Help me decide if I should give Hawk my hard earned money
Late backers don't get any freebies at all. It's basicaly just a preorder. This is from the relevant update:
"We will also be offering one late backer pledge level. This £60 pledge will simply allow for those who missed the Kickstarter (or who couldn't pay by card) to get onboard with the Kickstarter wave of deliveries, which will be for a Dropfleet Commander 2-Player Starter Set. While this will allow late backers to pledge and add bolt-ons to their pledges if they like, this pledge will NOT include any of the freebies that where available to Kickstarter backers. Only bolt-ons that are paid for on the pledge manager will be available with this pledge level."
The forums are quite nice, but when it comes to meta and RL-effects they can be quite wrong.
Last year they agreed that the German meta was wrong and did not have a chance in RL... turned out this Meta won the Invasion and got placed first and in the top tiers.
str00dles1 wrote: Wow. A dedicated Gunship for PHR. This is wonderful!. As large as the Poseidon so I hope the missiles are fairly good. Also I have high hopes for Thor Bombard. The Taranis is so horrible, its never taken by anyone
You trollin? The Taranis has been my mvp on numerous occasions. Sometimes it doesnt even feel fair to my opponent. The ability to more or less delete buildings at-will is huge.
Just watched this video I should have had faith in HW this looks incredible and that modular space station, WOW, I mean wow! Wish I had got in on this initially and not waited for retail, but not sure how many people in FLGS will be playing it.
I would say that while I'm not a backer, it'd be awesome if this is available at Gencon! I have needed an easily available, well-designed game since the days of Battlefleet Gothic, as it's obviously so dang expensive to get ships for nowadays.
The only bummer it that even with the new bases, you still have to touch the ships all the time, as whenever you dial the base, the ship will rotate with it, so without redirecting them all the time your fleet will constantly be pointing in all different directions. Still a great improvement on lots of tokens and roster sheets for tracking damage, though.
The only bummer it that even with the new bases, you still have to touch the ships all the time, as whenever you dial the base, the ship will rotate with it, so without redirecting them all the time your fleet will constantly be pointing in all different directions. Still a great improvement on lots of tokens and roster sheets for tracking damage, though.
They have redesigned the bases to have a textured upper surface, that should go a long way to keeping the models stationary.
Yeah, but the flight peg still rotates with the center ring, doesn't it, rather than being attached to the outer ring, poking up through, and with the inner rotating around it? Because that would be the only way to keep the ship aligned with the outer ring.
AegisGrimm wrote: Yeah, but the flight peg still rotates with the center ring, doesn't it,
Doesn't look like it. At the hour mark(ish) in the latest BoW video they have one of the new Mk3 bases and that looks like it will be quite easy to manipulate without moving the actual model.
RiTides wrote: I don't see any others, could you link me to them / the gallery?
Spoiler:
The other pics are of older stuff or of in progress games, which look a little chippy (lots of paper chits and unpainted minis) but then the game is still in development so that's understandably
If that's right, it's awesome - dual builds would be most welcome! Honestly drove me a bit crazy how I had to re-buy the same unit multiple times to get different turret options if I wanted to magnetize - I'd rather pay more for the blister and get all the turret options, even if I have some leftover.
Yeah, it is pretty neat. There is supposed to be a duel set for the Poseidon as well, that allows you to field it as a Njord (I think that's the name), which is basically a Poseidon that carries less, but it comes with missiles. I think Dave said it shared a kit anyway.
Here's what they are going release eventually. Good part starts at around 47 minutes.
Also, I appeared to have put this in the wrong thread; I thought this was DzC. Whoops.
Someone did a writeup of the beta ruleset - apparently there is an NDA but they still have a lot of cool details I haven't seen elsewhere and some general impressions of the game.
The imgur gallery linked at the top has some excellent close up pictures of the models as well, including a some partially disassembled ones to show modularity and a mock-up of the space station parts. Those paintjobs on those ships are really just phenomenal
Patrice's artwork in the new book is ace. As Dave said, some things just cannot be conveyed In 10mm scale - does this mean that we might see a 28/30mm skirmish game set in the DZC universe (and that Half Life 3 is releasing tomorrow)?! One can only hope...
That would be interesting. All factions have options that could easily be converted to 28mm scale.
The walkers would probably be titan sized though, so the likelihood of them being 28mm is low.
But I don't think he meant it like that; I think he was just referring to artwork.
CthuluIsSpy wrote: That would be interesting. All factions have options that could easily be converted to 28mm scale.
The walkers would probably be titan sized though, so the likelihood of them being 28mm is low.
But I don't think he meant it like that; I think he was just referring to artwork.
CthuluIsSpy wrote: But I don't think he meant it like that; I think he was just referring to artwork.
Oh yes, absolutely. Still, it would be pretty cool, though Play Dropfleet, then move down to Dropzone, and lastly onto a skirmish-sized game. It would complete the picture!
AegisGrimm wrote: Anyone know if anything Dropfleet will be at this year's GenCon for purchase?
I would definitely buy the starter, and then recoup the cost by selling some Battlefleet Gothic stuff.
I hope HWG keeps their promise and does not sell product to the general public until it is shipped out to the backers. Of course this will mean they ship the Monday before gencon and sell at gencon. Although sense I live in the USA, GENCON buyers will get DFC before i do. Because it will be on the slooooooooooooooooow boat from the UK. Hope I'm wrong, but doubt it.
winnertakesall wrote: AFAIK the official release isn't until late august or something, but I could be wrong
The prelaunch event is the 20th of August and the full retail release is supposedly the start of September. KS pledges are supposedly getting sent out at the end of July.
There hasn't been much news from Hawk regarding the KS but the bolt on pledge manager was apparently closed last week and pledges are in the process of being packed so its possible that pledges will actually still be sent at the end of the month.
As for Gen Con the timings aren't great, perhaps you may be able to pick up your pledge there though?
Mymearan wrote: The pledge manager was actually closed a long time ago, that e-mail they sent out was just someone slipping up on the keyboard apparently.
It was only completely closed last week apparently, there is a post about it on the DFC facebook group.
The lastest Kickstarter update has some (non) news.
Basically they are nearly done but it will probably be the end of the month at least before anything is shipped.
They are apparently still waiting on some printed elements and a few final runs for some of the sprues before they start getting stuff posted. There may also be more than 1 wave of orders.
The rules for one of the new Scourge special characters for DZC have surfaced as well.
All four battleships and alternate versions are at Gencon at the moment. I'll see if I can figure out how to post pictures from my phone.
After talking with Hawk Dave earlier today, they're looking at shipping near the end of the month (with the scourge resin station parts following later in a seperate shipment). Battleships will follow a couple of months later (straight to retail) and alternate Battlecruisers and corvettes will follow that.
Duskland wrote: After talking with Hawk Dave earlier today, they're looking at shipping near the end of the month (with the scourge resin station parts following later in a seperate shipment).
That's a shame, I'm starting to chomp at the bit here.
After talking with Hawk Dave earlier today, they're looking at shipping near the end of the month (with the scourge resin station parts following later in a seperate shipment). Battleships will follow a couple of months later (straight to retail) and alternate Battlecruisers and corvettes will follow that.
Supposedly Hawk Simon has said that they are looking to get stuff shipped before the launch event on the 20th of August as they want to get the KS stuff shipped before they start selling DFC stuff to the general public, which they will be at the pre launch event on the 20th.
To be honest if they are just waiting for the paper maps I am happy to live without them
Am I the only one who thinks those prices are bananas?
Can those battleships carry ten space marines inside them?
For the cost of the space station pack, I'd better be able to fit the Enterprise AND the Excelsior inside it, with room to spare for that Planet of the Titans study model.
Brunius wrote: Hawk Louis chimed in on facebook to confirm that they haven't released pricing to anyone yet, it's just miniature market speculating
The most expensive model that Hawk currently makes is the Phoenix Command Gunship at £30; in terms of mass its probably about the size of a Landspeeder (thinner but longer and wider) and it is made of resin. Going by the relative size of the bases when compared to the new Battleships they would seem to be smaller than the Phoenix (longer but a lot thinner) so £25 seems about right to me.
Apparently the KS will start shipping in 2 weeks
My copy of Reconquest: Phase 2 has literally just arrived while I was posting this
The Beijing is about six inches long and super detailed resin. $40-$50 seems pretty appropriate (still slightly less than, say, Mierce, for a comparably sized model). Seems like most games will never even feature a Battleship. However, yes, I would prefer to pay less.
CthuluIsSpy wrote: Once again, I torn between the Scourge and the PHR fleets. They are both so goood :(
Is there an date for the Dropfleet rules release?
There isn't even a date for the KS release
Apparently they are waiting for the rulebooks to be delivered from the printers before they can get stuff sent out.
The only actual date that we currently have is that there will be a limited quantity of starter sets available at the open day on the 20th (although if the KS hasn't shipped by then Hawk will probably pull them). The full retail release is still sometime in September.
Just to get this straight:
These Battleships we're getting pics of are NOT from the Kickstarter, right? Those were the smaller Battlecruisers, while the Battleships are much bigger, is that correct?
Mymearan wrote: Just to get this straight:
These Battleships we're getting pics of are NOT from the Kickstarter, right? Those were the smaller Battlecruisers, while the Battleships are much bigger, is that correct?
Yeah although they will be the first post release release.
While talking to Hawk Dave at Gencon, he told me that the battleships will follow the original release by a couple of months and will be followed by additional releases of the nonkickstarter battle cruisers and the corvettes. The stations, terrain and launch assets will be in there somewhere as well.
Do we have numbers of the precise number of ships we're actually getting in the kickstarter at the different levels. Between the whole starter fleet, frigate bonanza, bonus sprue things I haven't the foggiest anymore...
I am because my store has put up a price list now...
RRP
Starter set £65
Activation cards £8
Space station £45
Launch assets £20
Battleships £30
Starter fleets £40
I am because my store has put up a price list now...
RRP
Starter set £65
Activation cards £8
Space station £45
Launch assets £20
Battleships £30
Starter fleets £40
I don't think that these are official as Hawk hadn't given retailers prices etc, at least they hadn't last weekend
A Commander gets 4 cruisers and 8 frigates for UCM and Scourge and 1 cruiser and 4 frigates for PHR and Shaltari.
A Captain gets 1 Battlecruiser, 7 Cruisers and 12 Frigates for UCM, 7 Cruisers and 12 Friagtes for the Scourge and 1 Cruiser and 8 Frigates for the PHR and Shaltari. Plus the cruise liner, T-shirt and other odds and ends.
A few US websites had price lists up over the weekend but one of the Hawk guys said that they were pure guesswork and they have apparently been taken down now. Of course today is a new day so you never know and those prices look about right so.....?
Having seen the Battleships in person, they really arent that much larger than the Cruisers. They are similar in size to the battlecruisers, only slightly longer and a tad bit bulkier. The Shaltari and the Scourge BBs seemed much larger in comparison to the cruisers than the PHR and UCM ones.
AegisGrimm wrote: No, they are not smaller than the old BFG battleships. I saw them at Gencon.
Isn't that one of the battleships in the photo with, apparently, Andre the Giant's hand? If they are larger than that looks, then I'll be pleasantly surprised.
It's also worth mentioning that Hawk is a tiny company (only a handful of employees IIRC) and they're also releasing a new rulebook (Reconquest: Phase 2) and lots of new models for DZC at the same time as Dropfleet is coming out. On top of that the Dropfleet kickstarter exploded well beyond what anyone anticipated and add-ons like the modular space station added to the workload. Frankly, I think that the level of productivity from such a small company is pretty impressive. They've also been really good about keeping their customers in the loop.
While I want my new toys as much as the next guy, a few months' delay is well within the acceptable range for delivery. I'll bide my time painting up the new shinies for DzC.
str00dles1 wrote: Think its worth noting that 99% of kickstarters that do well are never ever on time, regardless of company. Silly to think/hope otherwise.
While true, this does not lessen the sting of it basically being guaranteed that my DFC is going to arrive just *after* all of my holiday time I was hoping to use to assemble and paint. Instead it's likely to arrive right when I get slammed with after-summer work. Definitely disappointing.
Been a while since ive seen a BFG BB but theyre about the same size IIRC. I think the Shaltari one is probably roughly the size of the Planetkiller, while the UCM one is probably only a hair smaller than say an Emperor Class Battleship.
str00dles1 wrote: Think its worth noting that 99% of kickstarters that do well are never ever on time, regardless of company. Silly to think/hope otherwise.
This my 2nd KS. 1st was FLGs Fatmats that delivered ON-time.
It's all dependent on the type of campaign you back - some are literally just a concept, others are basically finished products. The Fat Mats were definitely the latter, and I've gotten a ton of great use out of mine! But there's also some cool campaigns I've backed that were earlier in development, and thus still open to a lot of backer feedback and tweaking (but also more prone to delays).
I actually think this campaign was nicely in the middle - pretty far along in development, but still some left to be done with backers getting some insight into the process. Really can't wait to receive mine!
str00dles1 wrote: Think its worth noting that 99% of kickstarters that do well are never ever on time, regardless of company. Silly to think/hope otherwise.
This my 2nd KS. 1st was FLGs Fatmats that delivered ON-time.
Take a look at the product. A game mat is child's play compared to a entire miniature game.
In The video dave says that the blister will be able to make all variants with some easier to switch than others the shaltari just the top piece and phr bow needing 2 bits swapped never showed the scourge or ucm as they had all types ready made
Most look like they will be pretty easy to magnetise, only tricky one might be the UCM carrier battleship as you have to swap out the prow. The other two variants (turrets or orbital cannons) should be a very easy swap.
Something interesting to note - Shaltari battleships come in 2 variants, and you can make either one by simply swapping out a piece.
That's a good sign - it drove me crazy in DzC their not including alternate guns. It's so much less work as a hobbyist to paint one tank and swap the gun, but to do so previously you had to buy two whole blisters!
So what do I have to sacrifice to the god of miniature games to get this game in my hands? Are we talking sheep, small woodland animals, a virgin, a 40K-scale Tau Manta? Tell me, please!
Oh man I wasn't going to go for the big ships on principle but they are all gorgeous and the UCM carrier is particularly so (although I do have to wonder about the torpedos that seem only a little bit smaller than a full size frigate with potentially thousands of troops aboard). Shame that they didn't have a preview of the orbital bombardment battleship though.
So this is a bit of an aside but does anyone know if there are the naming conventions are for the ships themselves? I know the classes for the UCM are named for cities etc but are there any examples of named individual ships in the fluff? I quite like the system used in Mass Effect where individual frigates are named for famous battles, cruisers for cities and dreadnoughts for mountains but wondered if there was official word on the subject
So no advanced copies at the Cardiff promo day. No official announcement just changed the wording on the event page. Guess there is a bigger delay than they are letting on.
Nah, Dave from Hawk specifically said at some point that no dropfleet would hit retail before the backers had their pledges, so even if it's in the shipping stage right now, people wouldn't have it before the promo day.
The event notice stated until today that there would be advance copies of the starter set available. It now says that people participating in the events will get one free scourge or UCM frigate spree. The event notice was changed today. So they obviously were intent on selling product in advance until today.
"Since the Kickstarter pledges are unlikely to have been delivered yet, the Hawk Wargames Team have decided not to proceed with the original planned sale of core products. Instead, each person who attends the pre-release day and participates in one of the planned activities will receive a free UCM or Scourge frigate sprue! (each sprue builds 4 frigates). In addition to this anyone who places pre-orders for Dropfleet Commander products on the day will receive one free UCM or Scourge Cruiser sprue! (each sprue builds 1 Cruiser). "
Gasmasked Mook wrote: I know the classes for the UCM are named for cities etc but are there any examples of named individual ships in the fluff?
'Azure Night', 'Eternal Darkness' and 'Leprechaun' are 'Lysander Lighters'- Stealth Frigates which may or not be in DFC. The 'Silent Blade' is probably a Lysander as well.
'Anastasia'- a cargo ship
The current fluff is centered on the very large scale (for the 'intelligence briefings') and the very small scale (fluff pieces) so there isn't much information about individual ships aside from some Lysanders as they are used to provide a background to mysterious goings on or some Marine Force Recon skullduggery. From what little is available suggests that there is no set naming criteria but that could well change.
Compel wrote: How do you sign up to the event again anyhow? I've been debating with myself for the past couple of weeks.
Thing is I probably would need to take like a 7am train to go
Its fully booked unfortunately. I couldn't go originally as I was busy this weekend but that fell through so I tried to book this morning and all the events are sold out.
Hawk have just released an update on the KS. No real change, they are still waiting on a delivery from a printers, supposedly the rulebooks, but everything else is currently being packed and they are looking to get stuff sent out in August.
Exciting stuff! This is the first glimpse of rules that outside of the admiral pledge and I am especially glad to see they are including a lot of fluff and detailed descriptions for the ships.
Wayland also seems to have a bunch of detail shots on the new battleships - including the third UCM battleship varient (Tokyo-class?) which I don't think we've seen before.
Wayland also seems to have a bunch of detail shots on the new battleships - including the third UCM battleship varient (Tokyo-class?) which I don't think we've seen before.
It was in the most recent BoW videos. Heavy bombardment cannon, Battlecrusier levels of firepower and apparently the cheapest Battleship in the game.
I currently have 3 games in my must play list 1 is Konflikt 47 which because the Brit starter isn't out until December I won't be getting into that for a while. 2 is the dungeon saga in space that mantic are doing which isn't even up for funding let alone anything else then there is dropfleet which now looks like a first week of October release. As long as there are people in my gaming community wanting to play this and it's not to complicated I will be spending a massive amount of money on a massive fleet.
From what little I know of this game looking into videos and reports etc, it is not a game I would call overly complicated by far.
The only thing that feels like it can get clunky to me is the Scanning system, which I appreciate for it's attempt at Realism, but to people I know it's very much like Marmite. Some love it, some hate it, but I think once people get into it and use to scanning system, it'll play fine just like breaking into any new tactical gimmick.
Hm, the scanning system doesn't seem too bad. Add modifier to base scanning range and check to see if the target is in range. Doesn't seem too complicated on paper.
Of course, it depends on how many modifiers there are. If there's like 3-4 it should be fine. If there are about 20 with differences of one or two inches, then yeah its going to be awful.
CthuluIsSpy wrote: Hm, the scanning system doesn't seem too bad. Add modifier to base scanning range and check to see if the target is in range. Doesn't seem too complicated on paper.
Of course, it depends on how many modifiers there are. If there's like 3-4 it should be fine. If there are about 20 with differences of one or two inches, then yeah its going to be awful.
I don't think that there are any modifiers at all. Just scan range+signature range+minor/major spike so at most its adding 3 single digit numbers together. Scan and signature range does vary between ship classes and races though so that is an added complication but not much.
The latest KS update has finally arrived, Hawk's communication for the last few months has been terrible, and the situation is exactly the same as it was in the middle of August.
Still waiting for "a printed component" and no idea when it will turn up.
Well, to be fair, I have a feeling that they are quite frustrated by the delays as well. They need to take a page out of Ninja Division's book and put out some articles with their non-updates. That way the mob is at least slightly appeased.
hopefully their printed stuff hasn't been caught up in the great container ship bankruptcy that's just happened (and is messing up CMON's The Others for the EU)
and are the space stations also slated for plastic?
. Check them out on the Updates page:
layoffs) I can only get the base 60 quid pledge? Is it even worth it? Like others have pointed out, I can just get the starters and space stations after it goes retail for a not-insignificant discount. So for late-backer pledge your freebies are four frigates and one cruiser sprue for each faction, and a credit chip?
Play Dropfleet, then move down to Dropzone, and lastly onto a skirmish-sized game. It would complete the picture!
I'm speechless... what incredible sculpts (or rather