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The second issue of Gear Up, the official Dream Pod 9 magazine, is now available as a free download on the DriveThruRPG site. You will need an account on DriveThruRPG to download the free issue.


Highlights include RPG info for some of the new Utopian units introduced in the Heavy Gear Blitz! game line, new units for Operation: Drop bears Dive, errata and trial rules, and some other fun stuff.

A big focus is some info on the upcoming Heavy Gear Arena game, which is a smaller-scope game (but using minis in the same scale, and the same minis can be used for both games) focusing on Arena battles with pilot combos, campaign rules, and other neat stuff added.

@Balance - Would you explain the HG system or at least point me in the right direction?

I really like the HG mini combat system. I used to own a copy of the rules. I dumped the book because the state of the game seemed to be in constant flux. First it was HG Tactical, then Blitz, then the mini size changed. I think there may have been another rule revision in there somewhere. Also, there are old HG Tactical books on the market and on your online store. I'm not sure what is compatible.

Here is what I see:

HGB Locked & Loaded Rulebook Rev 1.1 - Current HG miniature rule system
Black Talon, Shattered Peace, and Terra Nova Gambit - Current system resource books

Here is what I'm unsure of:
Are the older books such as Tactical Field Support, Army Lists Books, Vehicle Compendium Books, and Record Sheet Books part of the old system? Or do they also work with Blitz?

Thanks for any help.

the older books are useless except for the art and storyline they contain. i too gave up on heavy gear because of the edition churn DP9 was keen on doing. i played in 1st edition and the original blitz, both of which lasted less than two years before a replacement edition was announced.

Heavy Gear Blitz! is the current game line. It is effectively a trimmed-down version of Heavy Gear Tactical. Tactical games could get very detailed... There were options for nearly any battlefield situation you might want, in addition to scales ranging from infantry on the ground up to aircraft and some limited support for 'Fleet Scale' stuff (think like GW's Epic.).

Blitz! is an attempt to trim that down to a easier-to-play core. The 'essential' book for Bltiz! is Locked and Loaded, which has core rules and army lists for the North (+3 sub-factions), South (4 sub factions), PAK, Peace River, and Leagueless.

After this the next book I recommend is Black Talon- Return to Cat's Eye, as it has something for all players including the base army list for the CEF and. Shattered Peace, and Terra Nova Gambit are a bit more specialized, and certainly not required. They have basic army lists for Eden and Utopia, but these planets are primarily used as allies to other forces. They can be played indepently, but have limited selections of troops.

The older books are mainly useful for background. When I have time for hobby stuff, I still use the Vehicle Compendiums a lot as they are good references for how certain options might be modeled.

Gear Up is a free magazine of official content. It has a mix of 'official' stuff (This issue has a new squad based around Medevac Badger APCs), trial stuff (There's some rules in this issue that simplify range bands), and some 'advertising' stuff. (Pics of new products. Hey, it's free.)

Well, it's a bit of a necro post, but curiosity got the better of me, and I checked GU2.
I've blasted DP9 plenty of time before, but I was pleasantly surprised with that one. Plenty of content (and not just promotional material), and the test rules look very promising, if at a very early stage. From the explanations, it's like they've finally started listening to all the complaints from players about range and tactics (or lack of, rather), I'll be following things more closely from now on...

Edited for grammar