The Dust Tactics (& Dust Warfare) News and Rumors Thread

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**Mad4Minis**

BrookM wrote:I'm eagerly awaiting the command squad and walker boxed sets myself, which are sadly still some time off. March wasn't it?

Im awaiting the Soviet stuff. Im considering ordering the 1:48 kit, but I dont like the idea of ordering from over seas...I prefer to keep my orders inside the US if possible. I guess if its gonna be a long wait for FFG to release the Soviet stuff I will have no choice.

Anyone know what country that stuff ships from?

**Kanluwen**

I'd assume Spain or the UK. Not 100% sure though.

But, I think you're in for a long wait for Soviets. Considering they're not listed in any of the expansions, it's likely they'll only be released when we see the full-on tabletop game.

**Mad4Minis**

Kanluwen wrote:I'd assume Spain or the UK. Not 100% sure though.

But, I think you're in for a long wait for Soviets. Considering they're not listed in any of the expansions, it's likely they'll only be released when we see the full-on tabletop game.

Thats why I may end up ordering the model...or just putting DT on the back burner for a while. Im not interested in the allied stuff. Id also be using the minis with a different rules system, so I dont need those either. So I likely wont buy the box game.

There are so many things I want, but about 3-4 weeks before I have my money. Guess we will see whats out and what gets my interest when I have some cash in hand.

**Duncan_Idaho**

Dust Studios is located in Hong Kong and al stuff ordered will be send from their warehouse there.

This year all realeases will be Allies and Axis, next year will be Vrill and Sinosoviets.

**Mad4Minis**

Duncan_Idaho wrote:

This year all realeases will be Allies and Axis, next year will be Vrill and Sinosoviets.

Well, if that is the case then back into limbo DT goes. Im not even going to bother thinking about things that are over a year away. Too many things, both for me and the game, can change in that amount of time.

The Soviet walker might make it into my just for display collection someday though...

**Kanluwen**

Where have you seen that the "Sinosoviets will be released with the Vrill"?

The only one that I saw regarding a "new army entering the fray" was about the Vrill, and that's the aircraft expansion.

**Alpharius**

Mad4Minis wrote: Id also be using the minis with a different rules system, so I dont need those either. So I likely wont buy the box game.

What game system is that, if you don't mind?

**BrookM**

Kanluwen wrote:Where have you seen that the "Sinosoviets will be released with the Vrill"?

The only one that I saw regarding a "new army entering the fray" was about the Vrill, and that's the aircraft expansion.

No.. You are mixing up Operation Downfall, which brings the Vrill and Operation Harpoon, which is about aircraft.

**Duncan_Idaho**

@Kanlunwen

The information is right from the source and everything else is covered by an NDA.

**Kanluwen**

BrookM wrote:
Kanluwen wrote:Where have you seen that the "Sinosoviets will be released with the Vrill"?

The only one that I saw regarding a "new army entering the fray" was about the Vrill, and that's the aircraft expansion.
No.. You are mixing up Operation Downfall, which brings the Vrill and Operation Harpoon, which is about aircraft.

Well damn. That explains it.

Still, I hadn't seen anything discussing the Sinosoviets though.

Duncan_Idaho wrote:The information is right from the source and everything else is covered by an NDA.

Gotcha. Neat.

**Mad4Minis**

Alpharius wrote:
Mad4Minis wrote: Id also be using the minis with a different rules system, so I dont need those either. So I likely wont buy the box game.

What game system is that, if you don't mind?

Most likely Shockforce, by demonblade games. Its been OOP for quite a while now. To many fans of 40k it would be too simple, but thats part of the attraction. The biggest part is the full creation rules...troops, elites, characters, vehicles, weapons, etc. I get bothered by games that are 100% fixed like 40k, I like to be able to tweak things, and have it still be useable against other players without argument. Though the chance of running into another Shockforce player is virtually nil. Good thing the wife and kid will play anything.

Ive also been toying with a system of my own for a while. Its somewhat along the lines of how Warmachine started...focused on vehicles/walkers with foot troops being essentially just light support. Its not complete yet, but doesnt really need much more to be able to play test.

Either way, bottom line is I have no need for Allied stuff or the rules. For now Im gonna keep an eye out for people parting oput the box set on ebay...pick up the German walkers and the terrain.

**Maurin**

I'm really liking the look of DT. Gonna grab the box soon. Seems easy enough that I can get friends/family into it

**Shrapnelsmile**

My Blue Thunder box is on its way from Miniature Market. I am purchasing two of the squad expansion boxes from my FLGS this Friday.

I'm still debating getting a second starter box; the amount you get, for the money is excellent compared to the expansions. if I enjoy my first match as much as I feel I am going to tomorrow, I will double my collection to allow 4' x 5' of tile to be the standard (or more if I like).

**Scott-S6**

Duncan_Idaho wrote:Not to be too picky, but maybe you should recalibrate your digital meter, my analogue meter tells me that the upper rim of his goggles is excatly 31mm and eye level 30,5,

No, I've checked the meter against one of the shop gauges and it's fine, thanks.

Duncan_Idaho wrote:this meter is the same that architects use for scale drawings.

Nice appeal to authority though.

Curious as to why you think you're measuring the exact same mini - you're assuming that the same torso and legs are matched in all the kits and that I haven't swapped any of them around (I have).

I'm not sure where you got the idea that 1:48 = 30mm. Most conversion charts seem to list it as around 33mm, which is exactly what the DT minis are.
http://theminiaturespage.com/ref/scales.html

**Duncan_Idaho**

Special Ops Boxes

His squad had been concealed in a frigid foxhole for nearly 30 hours, having escorted the observers perilously close to the enemy base. Now, finally, the sergeant spotted the target through the scope of his massive .50 caliber sniper rifle. “It’s her, alright. Sigrid. Range 1300 meters.” He concentrated to keep her in his sights, but the Axis Colonel moved like a woman possessed, weaving between tents and behind tanks as she barked orders to her men. “Damn,” he finally conceded, “I can’t get a clean shot.”

“Time’s up, Sergeant” grumbled a nearby radioman. “You had your chance. We’ll take it from here.” Peering through his binoculars, the observer lifted his radio’s mouthpiece. “13 Foxtrot to Steel Rain. You have the coordinates. Commence bombardment.”

Sometimes you want to eliminate your opponents with pinpoint accuracy... and sometimes you just want to reduce their position to a smoking crater. This spring, you’ll have the firepower to do both. Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of two new expansions for Dust Tactics, the tactical miniatures board game of explosive battlefield combat!

With the Allies’ Special Ops Rangers and the Axis’ Special Ops Grenadiers, you’ll wield the deadly precision of expert snipers and the superior tactics of long-distance observers. Each expansion contains two units consisting of two figures, for a total of four figures per box.

Precision and Power

The Allies’ Special Ops Rangers expansion contains figures and cards for both a sniper squad and an observer squad. These highly trained units specialize in frustrating their enemies from afar, whether by picking off individual targets with high-powered rifles, or by providing coordinates for artillery-bearing units. Crack Shots have the devastating “Sniper” ability, and can individually pick their targets — officers beware! 13 Foxtrot, observers best kept off the front lines, can use their “Artillery Strike” ability to provide useful coordinates to friendly walkers.

Meanwhile, the Axis’ Special Ops Grenadiers are deadly squads formed in response to recent devastating losses at Stalingrad. The Sturmgrenadiere Sniper Squad, secretly trained by the Blutkreuz Korps in the heart of the Black Forest, use a highly specialized weapon: the Sniper Gewehr. The Sturmgrenadiere Observer Squad (also known as Beobachter), like their Allied counterpart, is adept at collecting the coordinates needed to guide a devastating artillery strike.

Looking for premium painted versions of these exciting squads? They’ll be released concurrently with their unpainted counterparts, and they’ll come in the same box configurations.

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp?eidn=1913

**wildger**

This is a must buy for further expansions

**Duncan_Idaho**

And as you can see, some writing errors are already corrected on the german units

.

**Mad4Minis**

Scott-S6 wrote:
I'm not sure where you got the idea that 1:48 = 30mm. Most conversion charts seem to list it as around 33mm, which is exactly what the DT minis are.
http://theminiaturespage.com/ref/scales.html

The online hobby shop Squadron.com has a list of scales used in modeling...they show 32mm equal to between 1/48 and 1/55. 28mm is 1/60. No listing of 33mm.

I would consider them to be relatively accurate. They are one of (if not the) largest mial order/online hobby shops. I used to use them a lot when I was about 14, thats 19 years ago.

**Eisenhorn**

Check out this neat scale conversion site I found
http://www.wwmodelclub.org/extra/sd_scalecalc2.htm

**Kanluwen**

I wish they'd get their crap together and give us firm release dates.

Those snipers look like they'll be a joy to paint.

**Alpharius**

Eisenhorn wrote:Check out this neat scale conversion site I found
http://www.wwmodelclub.org/extra/sd_scalecalc2.htm

That site IS awesome - thanks!

(Bookmarked!)

**Duncan_Idaho**

@Kanlunwen
There are release dates, ask your dealer.

The minis from the box in seperate boxes are scheduled for January and February and the others for March.

**Kanluwen**

What dealer? Nowhere locally stocks it, and The Warstore only stocks the core game.

FFG's site doesn't even have the snipers or artillery boxes up for preorder, at least that I can find anywhere.

**Alpharius**

Two places that carry more of the line are:

http://www.miniaturemarket.com/inc/searchresults?s=dust%20AND%20tactics&ss=dust%20tactics&n=594319

and

http://www.frpgames.com/cart.php?m=search&s=dust+tactics

Though I don't think either has the sniper box set up yet...

And, who knows about the release dates listed!

**Noble713**

I'm trying to get away from 28mm skirmish but these Germans are making it much harder.

**BrookM**

This is FFG, so release dates are known to shift..

**Duncan_Idaho**

But not much, January releases are on time in our stores.

**BrookM**

Hmm, well the stuff I want isn't popping up until March, so I've still got a bit of a sit ahead of me.

**Scott-S6**

Mad4Minis wrote:
Scott-S6 wrote:
I'm not sure where you got the idea that 1:48 = 30mm. Most conversion charts seem to list it as around 33mm, which is exactly what the DT minis are.
http://theminiaturespage.com/ref/scales.html

The online hobby shop Squadron.com has a list of scales used in modeling...they show 32mm equal to between 1/48 and 1/55. 28mm is 1/60. No listing of 33mm.

I would consider them to be relatively accurate. They are one of (if not the) largest mial order/online hobby shops. I used to use them a lot when I was about 14, thats 19 years ago.

Exactly - 32mm is a little smaller than 1/48. The tallest of the Dust mini's is 32mm but would be 33-34mm if he was standing up straight. Not the 30mm that Duncan_Idaho is insisting on.

**Ebonsword**

Shrapnelsmile wrote:How is DUST Tactics playing out for people who own it? are you enjoying it?

So far I own the Deluxe Blue Thunder Box Set and the two special edition walkers (with cards) released via Paolo's site.

Overall, I'm really liking the game. It's shaping up to be what I always wanted AT-43 to be. I know a lot of folks here feel differently, but I find the "measure than move" mechanic used in AT-43 and most other minis games to be tedious--the simplified, boardgame-style movement is exactly what I was looking for.

Right now my biggest concern is lack of unit variety (it's kind of boring to always field the same units in a 16 point game). I'm thinking of getting a second box set to help with that.

My other concern is with unit balance. The BBQ Squad that the Allies have seems way overpowered, for example. The Recon Rangers, on the other hand, seem kind of weak (as do the Laser troops on the Axis side).

Now that individual unit boxes are coming out, I'll be interested to see if Allies players start to field large numbers of BBQ Squads. 16 points of BBQ squads is 8 units, which seems like it could crush just about any Axis setup (except maybe one specifically built to be entirely anti-infantry).