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This is a pretty cool game its cheaper than GW and Warmachine and to me its a better game.


This is the Official Forum for Dream pod 9
dp9forum.com/

This is there website.
www.dp9.com/

This is about Heavy gear
www.dp9.com/index.php?option=com_content...id=73&Itemid=171

This is the quickstart rules
www.dp9.com/index.php?option=com_jotload...;cid=9&Itemid=62

cool battle report

dp9forum.com/index.php?showtopic=8357

You should probably tell us more rather than just post links to other sites.

So, not only is this in the wrong section, but the HTML is poorly coded, the punctuation is horrid, and for what he's advertising, the OP hasn't even made a statement, let alone a decent one.

This one's a keener.

On the up side, looking at some of the "Northern Miniatures" theyd make cool Tau suits. Although on the whole they just seem very Gundam/other robot fiction

countchocula86 wrote:On the up side, looking at some of the "Northern Miniatures" theyd make cool Tau suits. Although on the whole they just seem very Gundam/other robot fiction

Most would be too small. The average Gear is smaller than a 40K infantryman.

Well then cute chibi Tau-army. Or some advancted Grot-mech army.

countchocula86 wrote:On the up side, looking at some of the "Northern Miniatures" theyd make cool Tau suits. Although on the whole they just seem very Gundam/other robot fiction

Heavy Gear (See my sig, I do work for Dream Pod 9 so I'm somewhat biased) is much more closely inspired by a less-well-known series called 'Armored Trooper VOTOMS.' The big difference between VOTOMS and the better known Gundam series is that it has a lot more 'real military' feel. Less super units: Heavy Gears (the mecha) are more of a mid-point between tanks and infantry. They need to use pack tactics to take down tanks, and infantry can get lucky shots.

The minis are a smaller scale (1/144) such that a Gear miniature is a bit bigger than a 40k human figure. In scale, a Gear is generally 3-5 times as tall as a human.

I think the prices are reasonable (again, I'm biased). I won't argue that the miniatures do cost a couple bucks, but they're available in pretty useful squad boxes and have a lot of add-ons. Depending on the size of games you want to play, an army is generally around 3 squads, which are about $40-$50 if you can make them from the (recently revised) box sets.

The most current rules (Heavy Gear Blitz! Locked & Loaded) are pretty good. There's some valid arguments (a few units are less useful than others), and effort is being made to resolve them. I don't think there's a 'perfect' game system out there, after all. I can put up with some weird stuff if the game is good overall and doesn't frustrate me.

As an extremely high-level overview Blitz! uses opposed rolls and each model (or a set of infantry bases). To make an attack, you roll a number of dice (d6) equal to a model's skill and take the highest die. The opponent does the same. Apply modifiers and compare the two. If the attack rol is higher you subtract the two and have determined the 'Margin of Success' or MoS. Multiply the MoS by the attack's damage number, and compare to the unit's armor, and the effects of the attack are determined.

It sounds more involved than it is. It means each attack is essentially two rolls and done, and the attacks factor in range, skill of both the attacker and defender, cover, and speed of both units. The MoS system is a neat concept, but it does cause a couple weird points.

The setting is very 'deep' as it's been around as an RPG/tactical hybrid from the mid 90s. It's a bit more subtle than settings like 40k: Two major factions, the North and South, are really enemies more for political and social reasons than because of a clear good and evil like 40k.

I've played HG for a while. It is a great game. It's more involved than 40k and easier. it's fast, reactive and the models are kick ass. as far as size. the Gears could all replace stealth suits. too small for battle suits. they may be "scale" different, but to the eye and on the table they're the same size as 40k. thing is, like someone else mentioned, it just isn't advertized well or highly supported. I found it by accident, attempted to support it. brought it to local shops and played for a bit, but no one carried it and so no one was interested in investing in it.

Heavy Gears great, I used to play the RPG/Tactical level game with a small group of friends and you can get really deep into the background.

Doesn't seem that popular in the uk though I wouldn't mind getting back into the RPG side.

Balance wrote:

countchocula86 wrote:On the up side, looking at some of the "Northern Miniatures" theyd make cool Tau suits. Although on the whole they just seem very Gundam/other robot fiction

Heavy Gear (See my sig, I do work for Dream Pod 9 so I'm somewhat biased) is much more closely inspired by a less-well-known series called 'Armored Trooper VOTOMS.' The big difference between VOTOMS and the better known Gundam series is that it has a lot more 'real military' feel. Less super units: Heavy Gears (the mecha) are more of a mid-point between tanks and infantry. They need to use pack tactics to take down tanks, and infantry can get lucky shots.

The minis are a smaller scale (1/144) such that a Gear miniature is a bit bigger than a 40k human figure. In scale, a Gear is generally 3-5 times as tall as a human.

I think the prices are reasonable (again, I'm biased). I won't argue that the miniatures do cost a couple bucks, but they're available in pretty useful squad boxes and have a lot of add-ons. Depending on the size of games you want to play, an army is generally around 3 squads, which are about $40-$50 if you can make them from the (recently revised) box sets.

The most current rules (Heavy Gear Blitz! Locked & Loaded) are pretty good. There's some valid arguments (a few units are less useful than others), and effort is being made to resolve them. I don't think there's a 'perfect' game system out there, after all. I can put up with some weird stuff if the game is good overall and doesn't frustrate me.

As an extremely high-level overview Blitz! uses opposed rolls and each model (or a set of infantry bases). To make an attack, you roll a number of dice (d6) equal to a model's skill and take the highest die. The opponent does the same. Apply modifiers and compare the two. If the attack rol is higher you subtract the two and have determined the 'Margin of Success' or MoS. Multiply the MoS by the attack's damage number, and compare to the unit's armor, and the effects of the attack are determined.

It sounds more involved than it is. It means each attack is essentially two rolls and done, and the attacks factor in range, skill of both the attacker and defender, cover, and speed of both units. The MoS system is a neat concept, but it does cause a couple weird points.

The setting is very 'deep' as it's been around as an RPG/tactical hybrid from the mid 90s. It's a bit more subtle than settings like 40k: Two major factions, the North and South, are really enemies more for political and social reasons than because of a clear good and evil like 40k.

"Armored Trooper VOTOMS" brings up memories... From the days of young when I drooled over the Assault Suit Valken resin kits on the HLJ.com webstore. The eara before I had gotten myself a VISA card and thus couldn't order stuff online... (When I got my first VISA, the mechs where OOP and sold out... :( )

Come to think of it, Valken looks more Heavy Gear than the VOTOMS.

I still hate the fact that I never aquired any Valken 'suits. :(



For the record; I do own a HG model: A Northern Cheetah, that I've painted in a midnighty/blackops black-blue. Was fun and I might get some more at some point... And finnish all those Jovian Chronicles mechs I have scattered all over my modeling studio.

Heavy Gear also had two computer games. Heavy gear and Heavy gear 2 both where great games. They did have a TV show but it was for kids and it was not really that good. I posted the links cause I thought it was easier for people to see this game I discovered. Since I have found this game I have built 3 army's and heavy gear has started up in my store and in Monroe near bossier. And yes its not as popular in England cause its hard to break into the 40k homeland but it is growing their. It has really picked up in the US and other country's.

The game is more tactical than 40k and fantasy but dose not have the book keeping of battletech. They use data cards and a lot of the stuff they do makes since. There are no scatter dice is use's the base of the model to scatter so there is no fighting as to where the Mortor or missiles hit. Indirect Fire is nice as you can use another gear to spot for your fire support guys so you can keep them out of line of sight from the enemies.

there is ECM and ECCM to block Forward Observations (spotting) and CP (command points) which CP's let you like give your guy a parting shot before he blows up move again , shoot again things like that but you can only give one CP to any model so that way you can poor like 3 CPs into the same dude.

HG also has a lot of objectives Offense, defense, and standard objectives which are picked according to your PL (priority Level) and a dice roll.

There are Air support and Artillery as well as the ability to get turrets.

Its a great game lots of factions to choose from I enjoy it a lot and with GW prices going up and I do not like warmachine kill the wizard its a good replacement.

I agree. Heavy Gear really is a good game. it's got a solid core set of rules. you can really approach you're style of play without dumping hundreds of dollars into it. you're not dependant on the gears. you can do infantry heavy, tank heavy, Gear heavy...all of it. I'm not leaving 40k anytime soon, but variety is beautiful and if you get burnt out HG would be a good choice to explore.

Eh, cool minis, yeah, but having played a good few games of Heavy Gear, 40K's actually the better, more tactical game, and that's saying something...

40k is not even close to being more tactical it used to be back in the day like second edition not no its to simplified. and GWs rules are normally clear as mud shall i saw doom from the nid dex and other rules. HG has examples next to there rules

I'm sorry - did you actually play 2nd edition?

Whats not tactical about teleporting comissars with vortex grenades .and crowbaring deadnaughts into rhinos ?

Which then tips over and triggers a chain reaction

yeah I did it was fun 5th is a very simple game compared to HG. have you played HG to even say 40k is more tactical?

drahazar wrote:yeah I did it was fun 5th is a very simple game compared to HG. have you played HG to even say 40k is more tactical?

40K 5th ed has manoeuvering and ranged warfare. HG doesn't.

As for playing the game, check the 1.0 southern and paxton books, and the L&L rulebook playtesting credits...

I think i remember a TV show called Heavy Gear.
Is that any relation?
(silly question, i know but you never know till you ask)

No, I haven't played Heavy Gear. I have played all editions of 40K and there was very little tactics in 2nd edition.

If an unnecessary level of detail combined with virtually no ability to manoeuvre is your idea of more tactical then I'm not inclined to try it.

VikingScott wrote:I think i remember a TV show called Heavy Gear.
Is that any relation?
(silly question, i know but you never know till you ask)

Somewhat embarrassingly yes. The official answer is that the HG Cartoon is an in-setting cartoon aimed at very young children. It takes a couple setting concepts and used a very simplistic take on the dueling theme of the setting that isn't particularly representative. OTOH, the vehicle animations aren't bad, even if the characters aren't great.

As to the game, there's Quickstart rules available online. The quickstart rules skip a couple things, but should get the idea across.

I won't say the game works for everybody, HudsonD is an obvious example of someone it doesn't. a lot of people don't like the 'feel' which does simulate range heavily, as long-ranged shots are much less likely to do anything 'big'. But if you want to try something different, it's certainly worth trying.

Balance wrote:a lot of people don't like the 'feel' which does simulate range heavily, as long-ranged shots are much less likely to do anything 'big'.

Emphasis mine, because I'm genuinely curious on what you mean by "simulating range heavily".

Yes some people mgiht not lick it regardless HudsonD 5th is a simplified game and dose not have a lot of depth like HG or some other games (battletech) there's plety of Manoeuvering and ranged warfare most action takes place at long, medium and short ranges. And the detail is very necessary Not not as crazy as battletech.

Yeah the show was kind of sillly they did not have to much control on the show.

And there on HG V2 At least all thier armys get updated at the same time and their rules are pretty solid as well something GW struggles with like DE, Necrons for example.

drahazar wrote:Yes some people mgiht not lick it regardless HudsonD 5th is a simplified game and dose not have a lot of depth like HG or some other games (battletech) there's plety of Manoeuvering and ranged warfare most action takes place at long, medium and short ranges.

[...] and their rules are pretty solid as well [...]

I have no problem with the rest of you post, but that part is, quite frankly, completely contrary to my experience with LnL.

To provide you with some context : I have played at least 10 games of LnL, in a period of about 6 months, plus weekly games of Blitz before that, and the playtest of LnL. Compared to many on dp9forum, that's a lot, BTW.

Let's just say that the playtest was disappointing, so none of our group actually bought the book for about 6 months after that.
Eventually, we decided to give it a chance, got books (and more minis,) and restarted playing.
That's how much I used to care about HG : I was willing to retry and spend money on a game I had previously tried (the playtest) and being dissatisfied by!

In all those game, and during the playtest, I never saw a hit at long range that did not come from artillery. Ever.
I did not ever see a hit at medium.

Why? Because, the chance of actually doing some damage drop with the range. Past about 6", it's less than 25%.
That's the chance of doing some damage to a target that's not particularly trying to stay alive.
You can improve that, by working hard. The target can drop that even more by running. In fact, if you spend a couple of turn soothing at target that are running toward you, you die.

So we ended up running toward each other, to get a low chance of doing some damage. The first to stop running die.

That's the "depth" of the game.

oh, and before someone mention using terrain : has soon as there is some cover, you can't do any real damage. The odds falls like my interest in this game fell.

As for the solidity of the rules... let's just say that I have seen better writing, with less exploitable loopholes.
Although, I must admit I have seen worst, and only a few cases were actually a problem.

I wont say more than that. If anyone want to know more, I used to post on dp9forum.
I stopped that a while ago, when I realized that I was actually hostile to the game.
Interpret that as you wish.

HudsonD wrote:

Balance wrote:a lot of people don't like the 'feel' which does simulate range heavily, as long-ranged shots are much less likely to do anything 'big'.

Emphasis mine, because I'm genuinely curious on what you mean by "simulating range heavily".

Drop-off with range is exaggerated from 'real life' for the sake of making things more entertaining.

Well i am new to the game only played for a few months. I learned if you just run at the dude you die and I have killed guys at medium range only a few times at long though that was with my stealth gear with sniper trait.

I found you have to move your guys to good positions to put negative modifiers on there defence and make use of indirect fire from your support gears.

I like the objectives so the games don't feel stale and haveing support points to use to get either artillary or air power. I like how they have WYSIWYG for real they make the units and parts for all there items.

So far its a great game to me I think it has some good complexity but not to mcuh to the extent of battletech. I have to think where I am going to move and where my opponet might move since its you go I go.

As with all games, your experience may vary, of course. When I complaints about the range issues I tend to think of the various reports about rounds fired/casualty for various real-world 20th century battles.

Balance wrote:

HudsonD wrote:

Balance wrote:a lot of people don't like the 'feel' which does simulate range heavily, as long-ranged shots are much less likely to do anything 'big'.

Emphasis mine, because I'm genuinely curious on what you mean by "simulating range heavily".

Drop-off with range is exaggerated from 'real life' for the sake of making things more entertaining.

That's what I hoped you meant.
That make more sense than what you wrote, but English is my second language.

As for how entertaining that is, I obviously disagree, but I won't pretend that's not a question of personal preferences.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Balance wrote:As with all games, your experience may vary, of course.

Part of the problem is that the experiences seems to vary way to much in the case of Heavy Gear.

I have seen Running recon gears (a Skirmisher, for the interested), with all the possible disadvantages (stun, attacked from behind, crossfired and designated) survive the attention of a squad of Iguana with LAC and Frag Cannon (a giant shotgun) for 2-3 turns, just because I managed to stay out of Point Blank range, by running in circle, not through fancy maneuvering. It died (to a grenade) when I decided to slow down and try to take a shot at PB on one of its attacker.
I have seen a squad of Basilisk runs in the open toward a stationary Aller, on a hill, during three turns, and survive.
I have seen entire squads shoots a running target and all miss more than anything else, yet drahazar see the target dies.

I do know that other forumers (once more on dp9forum) had vastly divergent experiences from mine, while others had similar.

Having just read the rules, my first observation is that the modifiers for shooting are nearly all negative.

Given the way the opposed rolling works, given no modifiers you need to be shooting at a gear with low defence to have a decent chance of having a better base roll.

The only positive modifiers available are for enemies entirely in the open, being in the enemies rear arc and being in point blank range. Of course, the enemy can wipe out most of those by running in a circle.

The impression given is that everything possible has been done to prevent you hitting. More than half the weapons in the list have a negative accuracy modifier basic! And how many have a positive? 1.