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I can see that. The aesthetic of Atalan and Axibalan is fairly different, and even though the two can be used in each others' faction, there's a pretty notable difference in the look of each one. Thus I can see a person digging the look of one but not the other.

Still though, I like to think we're living in a world where there is a place for Aztec-themed rhinomen abominations in the hearts of some gamers...

You can't go wrong with Dark Mariners.

There's just so much crud on them. Guys I've been painting have been a blast to paint.

Lots of fun reds, blues, purples, and browns can get tossed on them.

Sculpts are nice. There's really a lot of detail to them.

I like the Dark Mariners a lot too. The squid-tentacles, barnacles, and horror-of-the-deeps look combined with plasma weaponry is pretty intriguing.

My favorite is probably the Scaly Horde, though (which gets farmed out to the Sunless Kingdom and Drconids pretty well). Hard to beat a fish guy with a trident and net riding some sort of prehistoric monster.

Those extra stretch goal bonus points that were thrown in made me up my pledge from Commander ($175) to Gamemaster ($225); I'm betting we will at least get to $25K which will make it worthwhile. At present my plan is to keep the Axibalan starter and the hardcover rulebook, and then trade in the two remaining starters which together with the 8 bonus points will net me 20 points to shop around with. I'm not specifically going for any particular faction here, so I'll just pick up minis that I like, with kind of a big focus on lizardmen (I like lizardmen!):

Quetzali KS exclusive (2), Mayahuel KS exclusive (2), Ridgeback Lizardmen Warriors A (2), Ridgeback Lizardmen Warriors B (2), Ridgeback Lizardman Lord (2), Ridgeback Stalker (1), Ridgeback Gorger (1), Ridgeback Lizardman Lancer (1), Ridgeback Lizardmen Breaker (1), Dagathonan Brute (3), Pirate Mad Bomber (1), Elder God Statue (2).

This is all subject to change, though; I certainly wasn't planning on getting that Mad Bomber, but the sculpt made me change my mind. I'm also eyeing those Troglodytes, they look like they might be a good deal but I can't really decide if I like the sculpts or not from the picture on the KS page. Does anyone here happen to own those Trogs, or know of any better pictures somewhere? Also, the Ghastly Leaper from the Order of Yosoth looks pretty fun; anyone have any thoughts on that mini?

latest update- my nagging of Anitmatter results in them showing off their new Kalath sculpt.

For reference, here is Kalath.


They're updating the look, making the rider a bit more manageable size, changing the dino's pose up a bit, and generally making a bad ass armored dinosaur being ridden by a dragon man.



He was a big boy too. Here's the original model with a few 28mm guys for reference.



An updated version of that is pretty much the best thing ever for a guy like me. It's not included in this kickstarter, unless we see some astronomical pledges, but hey, there's always the future. The new rulebook is funded at least, and we're getting new starter sets. Hopefully we'll hit a few stretches along the way.

Am I wrong in thinking that this would be less interesting, mechanically, than Deepwars? And with less compatibility with Deepwars, in that "guy in a coat and hat" can't be jumping around on the ocean floor, while "guy in dive suit" can be exploring ancient landscapes (with certain penalties)?

Trying to talk myself out of a test pledge, but mostly as I regret not backing Deepwars. The Shadowsea minis alone aren't blowing me away.

Well plastictrees, as for whether this is less interesting than DeepWars, that's a pretty personal call, so I can't answer for you. For me, it's fairly equal. The novelty of being underwater is pretty cool in DW, but ShadowSea has similar rules to depth with flying units, and to me has more room for different and interesting environments (fungal forests with spores, Aztec-temples with laser turrets, etc.). Both are potentially cool and interesting backdrops for minis games to me.

As for the compatibility, I think your read is mostly right. More things exclusively from DW can be used in SS than the other way around. I think a lot of that also depends on your faction. I think Dark Mariners and Draconids both have lots of SS units that can function just fine in DW, whereas humans and Aztec people have far fewer.

Finally, in terms of regretting not getting DW in the original Kickstarter, if you really desire, you can just cash in all your SS units and books for DW units and books at no penalty, if you wish. I think this KS is a slightly better deal for DW minis than the original KS was (if we 25k or more, at least), so you needn't regret missing the first Kickstarter. Or you can make sure you choose DW minis that can be used in both games, and hedge your bets. Something to consider.

Three days left on this, the pledge amount has been hovering just above the funded level for some time now. I really hope we can get through a few of those stretch goals in these last days; check it out people, there are some very nice minis to be had here! Also, remember that everything is tradeable, so you can really pick and choose to get a few specific minis that are to your liking. And with the Deep Wars stuff and eveything from the old Dragonblood line available, there is a lot to choose from here.

Some more finished sculpts and WIP's have been posted by the way. Quality is looking good.

Cephalid Remote Viewer (stretch goal at $21K):


WIP of Azcalta - Mistress of the Apocalypse (stretch goal at $24K, I'm really hoping we get to this one myself):


WIP of the Iron Conquerer Mech, next to the Templar Demon Slayer:

Dammit, you beat me to it Trodax!

Seriously people, there's some good stuff here! Join us!

I love all the "cephalid" type models. They have this at my FLGS, and some of these models are Really big in-person (in a good way). But I do feel that there is some inconsistency in the feel of certain factions / they don't all have a lot of continuity.

Also, the prices are hard to predict- some models seem like a Really good deal! And others, not as much. Still been trying to think of a use for the cephalid type models for those who don't play the game... maybe as some weird chaos creation

 RiTides wrote:
Still been trying to think of a use for the cephalid type models for those who don't play the game... maybe as some weird chaos creation

Yes. By pledging heavily on this Kickstarter you will build an army of sea dwelling Nurgle abominations. And with the rest of your monies you will also buy into the Axibalan faction and become the owner of a Slaanesh beastman horde, led by Aztec goddess-women. And these forces will battle it out before you, and your life will be fulfilled. Do it man, you know you want to.

Some of the those beastmen might end up hanging with my Fomorians in Darklands.

I don't own a lot of beastmen.

My family was keen to the idea of having an ongoing campaign of Hooves and Fur versus Scales and Claws.

Should be fun.

Minis look great. Interesting KS. Would love to pledge but involved in WAY too many projects and have too much of a backlog.

Final 48 hours! A decent amount of new adds... jump aboard, all!

Am I the only one that is hopelessly confused by the pledges and pledge levels?

Also is there any Kickstarter exclusive stuff? What do I get special as a backer?

And isn't there already a Shadowsea game?

 Phobos wrote:
Am I the only one that is hopelessly confused by the pledges and pledge levels?

Also is there any Kickstarter exclusive stuff? What do I get special as a backer?

And isn't there already a Shadowsea game?

In terms of your questions, Phobos:

1. I'm not sure if others are confused by the pledges and pledge levels. To explain it a little more, as at the least you are confused (and perhaps others), most of the pledge levels unlock "Deluxe starter sets." Essentially that translates to "unlocks 6 points."

Pretty much every model, and most other items (books/terrain/etc.) listed on the page have a dollar amount listed next to them, and a point amount listed next to them as well. Most 30mm models are 1 point. Bigger ones are more points. If your pledge level unlocks one Deluxe starter set, then you get 6 points worth of models, chosen however you please. If your pledge level unlocks 4 Deluxe starter sets, you get 24 points of models, chosen however you please.

This is in addition to "bonus" points that come with each pledge level, granting you extra models.

2. There are a few, minor things available only to the Kickstarter backers. Two sorceress models, cast in resin, will be available only to Kickstarter backers (they will be available later in metal as well, but with fewer details in the figure). The Amatzl warriors from the old Dragonblood line will be available to Kicksarter supporters with bare chests, but will be covered up at retail. As these are minor Kickstarter exclusives, that's probably not the reason most backers are buying in. The reason to get it here is a.) you get a better deal than you would at, say, Miniature Market at release; and b.) you are supporting a small, boutique company that is producing a game that wouldn't get made without it.

Neither of those may be good enough reasons for you. That's fine. People do Kickstarter for different reasons, and doing it for exclusives is totally valid. For me, and I think a lot of the backers already in, the main reason is to get minis that are visually appealing and an interesting game, and getting them for a reasonable deal off future retail.

3. There is already a ShadowSea game, but this changes the core ruleset and makes it compatible with DeepWars. The old version is pretty defunct now, and the new rules/game is streamlined and notably different from the old version.

zarnof wrote:
The Amatzl warriors from the old Dragonblood line will be available to Kicksarter supporters with bare chests, but will be covered up at retail.

Oh, I had missed that the boobies were KS exclusive, so to speak. Cheers for the heads-up; maybe I'll grab a couple of those then (that sounded a lot worse than I meant it).

Only 8 hours to go on this Kickstarter, time to jump off the fence people! We're nearly at the Azcalta stretch goal, and after that it's just 1K to go for free points!

This image is cool for seeing most of the items all in one place (copy into your browser url to see full size, spoilered below)

http://antimatter-games.com/kick/DeepWars_Rewards.jpg

So we just flew past the Azcalta stretch goal! Less than $700 away from the stretch goal where backers get extra points for figures. Some nice momentum today!

 RiTides wrote:
I love all the "cephalid" type models. They have this at my FLGS, and some of these models are Really big in-person (in a good way). But I do feel that there is some inconsistency in the feel of certain factions / they don't all have a lot of continuity.

Also, the prices are hard to predict- some models seem like a Really good deal! And others, not as much. Still been trying to think of a use for the cephalid type models for those who don't play the game... maybe as some weird chaos creation

I originally got them for D&D mindflayer/aboleth creations. Just hit the Azcalta stretch goal, now only $658 to bonus minis.

Boom! Hit the stretch goal where backers get additional free models, AND the next figure unlock! Let's try to hit some remaining stretch goals in the last few hours!