WARCASTER KICKSTARTER 2 Collision Course

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**Soul Samurai**

Kanluwen wrote:
That's more of a problem with the Infinity ranges. Everything's super generic barring the Combined and Tohaa. There used to be more flavor, but they've ditched most of it.

Feels about right. I mean, I LOVE Infinity models, but I would struggle to point out any specific stylistic elements that are characteristic to Infinity as a whole or a specific human army other than just "sci-fi".

Warcaster at first glance might feel reminiscent of Infinity, but that's just because Infinity is THE big name in "clean" sci-fi humans, and has a broad range of models of which many are fairly generic.

Of course, even then it really only applies to the basic grunts and some solos in Warcaster; take a look at the warjacks, weavers, and many of the solos, and you won't find much in Infinity that looks like them. Take for example:

**LunarSol**

Mr. Grey wrote:
"Warmachine in space in the far future" isn't hugely of interest to me.

I think the spawn gate mechanic looks really dynamic on the table. I've been really enjoying games that move away from points as a primary balance mechanic and have really liked how they seem to emphasis bringing the stuff you want to the table rather than feeling like you're trying to win before the game begins.

**AduroT**

I have Heard that Warcaster is super fun to play from my online friends. None of the locals have picked it up that I am aware of however.

**Kanluwen**

Greetings Warcasters!

We’ve been in communication with many of you regarding the ability to pledge for multiple reward tiers as well as previous backers of the Master of Time and Space reward level looking for a reward tier that backs for everything available. We want you to know that we are working on solutions for all of these requests and want to share our progress so far.

We are in the process of contacting Backerkit (our pledge manager provider) to see if they can help us customize our configuration to allow pledging for additional reward levels. We don’t know if this will be possible or not, but we hope to find out within the next couple of days. If that doesn’t work out, we have been working up some new reward levels that we can add that combine rewards conveniently and provide Gold Reward Levels for those wishing to pledge for non-Empyrean faction models.

Below are three rewards we are reviewing. Your feedback in the comments section of this update will be most welcome:
Beyond Time and Space

Gold Level Reward

$880

Once you’ve mastered time and space, there’s only one thing left to do – go beyond! With the Beyond Time and Space level, you will receive everything from the Ultimate Empyrean pledge, as well as the new MW, ISA, and AC vehicles, solo, attachments, and squads, the new Collision Course rules and Cypher Deck, PLUS you’ll receive DOUBLE the Gold Level rewards achieved through our Supply Drops at the end of the campaign.

Full Battle Force

Gold Level Reward
$330

It’s time to step up and fight back against the Empyreans! At this level you’ll receive a full battle force for the Faction of your choice (MW, ISA or AC), including: 1 starter set, 1 A variant Light Warjack, 1 B variant Light Warjack, 1 NEW B variant Heavy Warjack, 4 Solos, 1 Attachment, 2 of the previously released squads, and 2 of the new squads, as well as the Collision Course Rules Expansion and Cypher Deck! The Full Battle Force configuration is fixed and models cannot be substituted.

Double Duty

Gold Level Reward

$310

Double down on your armor, and get any 2 Heavy Duty pledges! (Only includes one set of Collision Course Rules and the new Cypher Deck.)

We are also working on a new open-ended retailer pledge level, which we’ll detail in a separate update soon.

Thank you for your input and suggestions!

Double Duty is something that people were really clamoring for. Only downside is the one set of rules & cypher deck.

**Overread**

To be fair I suspect most of those wanting a doubleduty are just wanting to double up on their own models rather than group buying so one set of rules and deck makes sense.

**Kanluwen**

Nah, it was people wanting something similar to Head to Head.

**Soul Samurai**

Overread wrote:
To be fair I suspect most of those wanting a doubleduty are just wanting to double up on their own models rather than group buying so one set of rules and deck makes sense.

Plus it seems it will cost $10 less than two "Heavy Duty" pledges, meaning one Double Duty and an extra "collision course" rules expansion add-on is the same price as two Heavy Duty pledges - and pretty much gives you the same amount of points for Quartermaster bonuses) as it's a gold pledge level.

**MaxT**

A couple of days in and it’s done about half of what the first Kickstarter did in the same timeframe. So certainly it hasn’t had the splash that the first one did, but that’s to be expected.

**Overread**

MaxT wrote:
A couple of days in and it’s done about half of what the first Kickstarter did in the same timeframe. So certainly it hasn’t had the splash that the first one did, but that’s to be expected.

True but there's a few things working against it

1) Asian market still hasn't got KS1 releases so there's a bit of lag. Non KS customers also don't have theirs yet, they don't arrive till November. So there's potentially a market "on the fence". One would hope that many of these will pledge for $1 during this new KS; get their products and then use the pledge manager to update if they like what they see. So that could be a boon for PP in the Pledge manager phase.

2) It's not as "exciting" a KS as some others, in that prices are near retail prices. So there's a bit less of that "Good deal buy now" pressure on it. Though this is perhaps simply weeding out those who have model addictions and won't turn into long term customers. This might well be hurting the KS itself more so, however its really hard for us to judge without getting details of sales going through retail.

3) They are only adding one or two new models into the existing armies. So for 3 of the 4 factions they are only getting a smaller update. This means there's less for those players to grab, esp if they pledged big first time around. Remembering that at its core its a skirmish game so chances are one or two vehicles (esp if you magnetize weapons) is perhaps all that some people will want.

4) It's only adding one new faction whilst the first added three; so one aspect might well be that there's just less interest because they are only getting one factions worth of new interest instead of three factions worth.

I do wonder if waiting another month and doing this in November might have helped in terms of having more product in peoples hands from the first and from retail. That said even then its a close run to Christmas.

**Kanluwen**

MaxT wrote:
A couple of days in and it’s done about half of what the first Kickstarter did in the same timeframe. So certainly it hasn’t had the splash that the first one did, but that’s to be expected.

It doesn't help that some of the reward levels are a bit fragmented or outright missing compared to the first Kickstarter. Not dumping on them, just noting that it's different.

Kickstarter #1 had every faction, more or less, at the same 'level' for getting swag. This go around, the original 3 have different setups than the new kids on the block do...and there's no 'bundles' for people who went in like before.

For comparison's sake:
350 backers picked

Early Bird Full Battle Force Kickstarter 1 wrote:Includes:

Your Choice of One Command Group Starter Set
2× Light Warjack
Heavy Warjack
4× Squads
4× Solos
Micro Stretch Goal Rewards
Digital Stretch Goal Rewards
Faction Stretch Goal Rewards
Universal Stretch Goal Rewards
Access to our post-campaign pledge manager

vs 119 backers picking

Early Bird Empyrean Full Battle Force wrote:
Includes:

Empyrean Command Group Starter Set
Sentinel Warjack (A Variant)
2× Daemon Warjack (B Variant)
2× Factotum Solo
2× Saber Guardian Squad
Saber Vanguard Squad
Saber Strike Force Squad
Oculus Solo (Variant Sculpt)
Fulcrum Solo (Variant Sculpt)
Astreus, Aeon of the First Magnitude Hero
Collision Course Expansion Rulebook & Cypher Card Decks
All Digital Rewards
All Stretch Goal Upgrades
Gold Level Supply Drops

KS1 had that at $280 while KS2 has it at $330. You do get some extra goodies(if fully funded, Gold level has 600 credits for solos, mantlets, and weapon/ sculpt variants plus another 600 for objective/scenery bits) this time around but it's a much more faction limited one.

No comparative "Master of Time And Space" pledge level hurts too. 43 people backed at that level in KS1, for $900+ a pop to get a Battle Force of each faction in one swoop.

Right now, "Heavy Duty"(one of everything for a single non-Empyrean faction) is the most backed one at $160 a pop for 282 people.
Next highest is the Early Bird Empyrean force(119 people), then the Vehicle & Co level(62 people @ $80 per), Ultimate Empyrean(50 people @ $450 per picked the one that gives them a Full Empyrean Battle Force plus all the goodies), then the next is the Command Group Starter Bundle(44 people @ $80 per), then the Rules Expansion+New Cypher Cards Deck(35 people @ $10 or more), then the Empyrean Skirmish Force(28 people @ $160 per), then the two Retailer Reservations round out the bottom with 6(Small Bundle) and 5(Large Bundle).

Automatically Appended Next Post:
New Pledge Levels added!

Greetings Warcasters!

Thank you for your feedback on our proposed pledge level additions! The following four pledge levels have been added to the Kickstarter to simplify the process of completing a full collection as well as providing a non-Empyrean Full Battle Force entry point, combined pledge levels for backers looking for multiple rewards in the same category, and offering Gold Level rewards for non-Empyrean backers. The pledge levels are live for anyone wishing to add a pledge or adjust a current pledge.

For those still looking for something outside the new pledge levels, we’re continuing to explore a solution for enabling pledging for multiple rewards in the pledge manager and will update you when we know more.

^--there's more, but I'm not going to copy/paste it all. Sorry, just not wanting to overload the thread!

Vehicle Start Cards!

Below are the stat cards and maneuver cards for all of the vehicle models featured in this campaign, as well as their corresponding Hero pilots which may be obtained through the Quartermaster Armory Rewards or added-on in the pledge manager. These cards are still going through our layout, editing and proofing process and should be considered works-in-progress (WIP). If you notice anything that looks like an error, please leave a comment below so we can be sure to fix it.

More stat card files will be posted in upcoming updates. Check back frequently to see what’s new!

Thanks!

As a note, they've confirmed that the 'Hero' Vehicles(Duchess[Iron Star Alliance], Fiddler & Co[Marcher Worlds], Aenigma[Continuum], and Execrator Nix[Empyrean]) do not count towards your 4 unit limit on the vehicles. They count towards your 3 Hero limit instead.

**Overread**

Fresh update
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/privateerpress/warcaster-collision-course/posts/2995561

Now if you pledge for additional reward tiers you will get the unlocked Quartermaster rewards that go with that pledge. The values in "coins" for the rewards can't be combined, they are unique to each reward tier you choose.

Of course you can only choose in the Pledge Manager, Ks will only allow one choice (your pledge). But you can add money to your KS to cover additional reward tiers.

This means you no longer need multiple accounts to get multiple amounts of free Quartermaster rewards.

**Overread**

Recording of a live game (with some QA) with the new faction

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/783539611

**Overread**

Entering the last 63 hours of the campaign!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/privateerpress/warcaster-collision-course/description

They've unlocked the heavy warjack card and they've also made some changes to the way that the retailers can pledge with a more open ended retail pledge option. So if you've any local store interested this might be one for them.

Campaign feels like its slowed compared to the first and its curious to see only a smaller number of backers compared to the first. That said this one has hit near the end of 2020 - a year of rather a lot of corona problems which might well have pushed people to more instant purchases (when they've the free money) rather than to investments for the future.
It might also be a reflection of the fact that the first is only just out the door and for those returning from the first there is only a heavy vehicle for them. So on that light the 880 odd are basically buying into one faction which is the primary focus of this set after the heavy vehicles.

**B0B MaRlEy**

I'm torn on this campaign, as a non-US backer, it's not quite as beneficial VS retail, and I'd also like to try to give money to on of the 3(?) ish european retailers still dealing with PP .
I like most of the new stuff shown for my faction though.

**Overread**

B0B MaRlEy wrote:
I'm torn on this campaign, as a non-US backer, it's not quite as beneficial VS retail, and I'd also like to try to give money to on of the 3(?) ish european retailers still dealing with PP .
I like most of the new stuff shown for my faction though.

Well far as we know PP gets about the same from you through KS or through your local store. So either way they are profiting the same so long as you're spending the same. The only real boons to the KS are getting to have stuff earlier than retail by a little and also getting to unlock freebies and such through the KS.

It does mean that these Ks aren't as "omg awesome deal must have" types of campaign, but it also means that PP aren't killing their own retail connections/opportunities by flooding the market with cheap and then leaving no real avenue for stores to want to get involved.

**LunarSol**

I'm thinking about buying in. Part of me figures I should just wait for retail, but I think PP is really got a good thing here and want to support.

**Overread**

My problem is GW releasing Shadow and Pain ( both armies I collect) and the end of the Reaper Bones campaign pledge manager all in the same month.

I really want to support PP, but I might end up only getting the basic core starter set for the new aliens.

**B0B MaRlEy**

Overread wrote:
B0B MaRlEy wrote:
I'm torn on this campaign, as a non-US backer, it's not quite as beneficial VS retail, and I'd also like to try to give money to on of the 3(?) ish european retailers still dealing with PP .
I like most of the new stuff shown for my faction though.

Well far as we know PP gets about the same from you through KS or through your local store. So either way they are profiting the same so long as you're spending the same. The only real boons to the KS are getting to have stuff earlier than retail by a little and also getting to unlock freebies and such through the KS.

It does mean that these Ks aren't as "omg awesome deal must have" types of campaign, but it also means that PP aren't killing their own retail connections/opportunities by flooding the market with cheap and then leaving no real avenue for stores to want to get involved.

That's not quite true, PP's retailer pricing is 50% RRP, while they probably "lose" 15% ish between KS and backerkit cuts, so the second one should be more interesting for PP.
The other thing to consider is, for non-US residents, that those freebies basically cover the shipping cost incurred by going through the KS, when Retail often has free shipping options. So no net benefit there for me.
It is beneficial for the retailers, for those few remaining stores that still carry PP ranges. Which is another point towards Retail for me. Once Brexit is in effect though, PP's going to be in trouble in an already suffering EU market.

**Overread**

Race game twitch stream https://www.twitch.tv/privateerpress

And its also down to the last 12 hours of the campaign.

They've updated that they've past the race mode unlock at $200K with a currently not yet live retailer pledge in the system (I believe very high bids sometimes get delayed for approval by KS to avoid someone just pledging millions to "unlock" things)

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/privateerpress/warcaster-collision-course/posts/3010826

**MaxT**

Finishing at around about $200k for a company the size of PP is... not great. Less than half KS1. They’ve been unlucky as hell with the 2020 situation, but still. Without a solid improvement on that for KS3 I can’t see a KS4 happening.

**Kanluwen**

Wildly disagree. 200k is fantastic for what is, effectively, a 'wave 2' of the initial factions and a 'complete range' for a fourth faction.

Remember that, supposedly, Aeternus Continuum were going to be KS2 if KS1 hadn't done as well as it did. Same goes for the Heavy Warjacks.

Remember that a big portion of KS1 was people either buying full faction ranges or 'dual' setups for them to grow a community before 'rona.

**MaxT**

$200k for a small indy games maker is fantastic. $200k for a real company is buttons. It’s probably 3 staff’s pay after material costs. They used to spend double that on just their gencon booth.

From a company that used to be a (smaller) rival to GW, who make 6 times that every single working day.

**Overread**

In the end PP's attitude with these KS is different to many others. A lot of other KS heavily discount the KS prices which often really spikes sales because the deals can be exceptional value compared to retail - even when talking about generally lower non-GW firms.

PP isn't giving us models at near cost nor heavily discounting from retail. The KS are short, with close targets and its basically a glorified pre-order system in its pure state. You can already see that much of the work and investment from PP has already been done. If the KS failed chances are they would still be able to deliver on those models.

So that's likely taking some pressure off the immediate "want" from the KS compared to others.

Plus the update for the current 3 factions from the first KS is quite small in terms of model count and the shipment for that KS is only just out the door. So people are likely not quite yet in a big spending spree having just got their models and being in the build and paint segment.

It's likely hurting that Corona is stopping play and hindering people really getting into the game and clubs picking it up.

I figure smaller slow burn KS but more often isn't bad for PP. The real test is when a KS has bigger updates for the core factions and how things appear on the retail front.

It's not a blazing success story, but I don't think its damning at the same time. Perhaps middle of the row right now.

**ottokill**

I like the idea of this game but am really disappointed that the marcher worlds didn’t utilize more of a beastial aesthetic with their Jack’s and solos. They would have been set apart from the other two factions. Adding mechanics and technical technologies to creatures would have been amazing IMO

**Overread**

Who knows perhaps that might come in the future. It's a theme I'd certainly enjoy if done right.

Right now I'm in for the base starter set for the Empyrians. The Pledge Manager is set to start in a few weeks and ends mid January. So I'm really hoping that lets me put some January money into it as I'd really like to up my pledge and at least get one of the larger mechs.

**LunarSol**

I balked, mostly because I know if I get them and still can't play its going to be hard to get enthused about painting them. Hoping by the time they get to retail I'll be ready.

**ScarletRose**

MaxT wrote:
$200k for a small indy games maker is fantastic. $200k for a real company is buttons. It’s probably 3 staff’s pay after material costs. They used to spend double that on just their gencon booth.

From a company that used to be a (smaller) rival to GW, who make 6 times that every single working day.

Yeah, with the decline of Warmahordes, people leaving and PP failing to reinvent itself I figured they'd backslide into just being another small miniatures company.

For me the KS being for metal is what kept me out. I haven't handled a metal miniature in ages and don't particularly want to (heavy, paint chipping, hard to convert, etc). I get why PP made that decision but it's a turn off for me personally.

**highlord tamburlaine**

The kicker for me is that their resin has gotten pretty nice too.

I'd much prefer Privateer do a run of these things in resin as opposed to metal. I'll certainly be grabbing a few models here and there once they hit retail regardless, but I'd still prefer resin.

Of course I'd also prefer they offer up some of their minicrate models in a modified form but that's a whole other can of worms...

**LunarSol**

My understanding is that their resin production hasn't gotten back to capacity since they moved.

**Kanluwen**

ottokill wrote:
I like the idea of this game but am really disappointed that the marcher worlds didn’t utilize more of a beastial aesthetic with their Jack’s and solos. They would have been set apart from the other two factions. Adding mechanics and technical technologies to creatures would have been amazing IMO

What you're describing is what the Aeternus Continuum got with KS2. The 'Raker' is a biomechanical construct made from wildlife that is used as an attachment to Vassal Squads to sniff out infiltrators/stealthy units.