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Still no Ottoman fleet?

The Saultanite are only just getting going with a range so I'd wager the Ottoman would be within that force if I recall right. So might be a little bit yet before they are on the horizon.

Ottomans are the ruling faction of the Sultanate, the Sultanate fleet is their fleet.

I've recently finished the new Skyfortress model and it was an absolute joy to work on!




Didn't deviate too much either from the preview render video Warcradle released early this year.

Dear Warcradle - just freaking hire Elmir to paint you fleets to show off cause this stuff sells!

 Overread wrote:
Dear Warcradle - just freaking hire Elmir to paint you fleets to show off cause this stuff sells!

Hehe, thanks. Doesn't look like this set had a hard time selling even before I painted this one up though... Wayland games has the set sold out with them awaiting reprint, so I'm guessing this set did way better than expected.

But their Dystopian Wars website definitely needs a section with the ships that are painted up on some nice terrain.

Well this is the first proper set with big airships in it and they were always popular in the old SG days too. Makes me really hope we see more concept art and models for more airships across the other factions.

I think airships for everybody is on the to-do shortlist for 2023. Avalon skyfortress is right around the corner, we've seen sketches of Union blimps too, and the Spanish aerogalleon.

I really think 2023 will be a big year for Dystopian Wars. Airships marks the game really getting into its stride of mad-future-steampunk-historical science stuff. Plus most of the forces now have a fairly good core of models to draw from and provide options and variety on the tabletop.

I think my only sadness is that its looking like Firestorm Armada might not make it back in 2023 or might only at the end of the year

 Overread wrote:
I really think 2023 will be a big year for Dystopian Wars. Airships marks the game really getting into its stride of mad-future-steampunk-historical science stuff. Plus most of the forces now have a fairly good core of models to draw from and provide options and variety on the tabletop.

I think my only sadness is that its looking like Firestorm Armada might not make it back in 2023 or might only at the end of the year

Is there any news on Firestorm Armada making a return? The latest thing I could find was a blog post from 2020. Seems a pretty open market right now for a good space fleet game…. or at least ships. It can be tricky tracking OOP things down on eBay.

They have their hands full and also don't feel like launching against Dropfleet (not to mention the sword of Damocles that is a BFG relaunch).

Eh Dropfleet are stable, but they've never pushed hard to dominate the market that's almost been handed to them.

I think that the market could easily take competition without crippling either firm.


I think the real issue is that Warcradle hasn't got the resources to grow their current games and take on another.
Whlist I'd utterly love to see FA return, I also don't want to see a repeat of what killed Spartan Games - too many games, too many model lines and basically getting overwhelmed.

If Dystopain Wars keeps growing in popularity, diversity and sales that's money that can be ploughed into more staff, machines and investment which can mean that they can build headroom to take on another game like FA. Heck it might even mean that FA could get a faster roll out of models and can also benefit from the plastic development that WC are learning - heck we've already seen them generally improving the way they do little turrets on ships.

I think the best we can do is give Warcradle financial support and let them do their thing, from what I've gleaned of Chris and Stuart they have a solid long term plan for the company and its stable of IPs.

They've basically said they won't launch another game until they feel Dystopian Wars is stable and all the factions are properly well-supported, etc. The second criteria is that their production capacity expands a bit so they can produce kits for another game at a second pace without having to completely give up release slots for Dystopian (i.e. rather than 2-3 Dystopian boxes per month they might only go down to 1, but then Firestorm Armada would still have 2-3 releases per month on top of that).

The new Commonwealth ORBAT dropped and there's quite a few artwork teasers in there...

Big flying drill ship being one of them!

My first thought upon seeing those -- Helium filled iceberg ray gun!

Give me the biggest drill you have!
,
,
,
No, that's too big.

While we hope you are enjoying the Holiday season, there’s exciting news about what you can expect in January from us here at Warcradle Studios. This month is a massive one with plenty to get excited about for Dystopian Wars and Warcradle Scenics.

The Icarus Battlefleet Set sees itself enter the seas of Dystopian Wars for the Enlightened, poised to launch a volley of Squadrons at the first sight of an enemy! Not to be outdone, the Empire employ the use of a terrifying threat as the Heilong Battlefleet Set becomes available to pre-order.

New Year means new starts, and there is no better way to start the year than with a new fleet. If you’ve ever wanted an easy way to get started with the Union, Empire, Sultanate or Alliance, then our new range of Faction Battlefleets are for you.

The Enlighted Advanced Squadrons and Canadian Frontline Squadrons are available to order outside the Archimedes Battlefleet Set, Sturginium Skies and the Protecteur Battlefleet Set.

Finally, the Promethean Complex Set becomes available as individual terrain kits to help you customise your Enlightened complex to host gunfights and twisted experiments.



DYSTOPIAN WARS

This month is packed full of releases for Dystopian Wars; from the introduction of the Icarus and Heilong Battlefleet Sets to the Faction Battlefleet Starter Sets and even the Squadrons - there’s a lot to look forward to.



Icarus Battlefleet Set




One of the largest vessels built by the Yemoja shipyards in Mombasa, the Icarus features multiple vertical magnetic catapults that can simultaneously launch squadrons of fighters.

The class has fabrication and repair facilities comparable to a small naval base and makes use of these to maintain the Icarus’ squadrons and lend support to other vessels in the battlefleet.

This box contains:

1x Icarus Aeronautic Fabricator (can also be built as a Daedalus Fortified Tethership)

2x Cruisers (can be built as either a Lovelace, Copernicus, Antarctica, Stiletto, Ulysses or Chatelet Class ship)

6 x Frigate Automata (can be built as either a Germain, Merian or Prevost pattern ship)

2x SRS Tokens

Heilong Battlefleet Set



The largest vessel produced by the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, the Heilong strike battleship emphasises combined attacks with deadly rocket and Huoqiang fire to annihilate its foes.

This box contains:

1x Battleship (can be built as either a Heilong or Ergun Class ship)

1x Tianlong Draconic Colossus

1x Cruiser (can be built as either a Jian, Wusong, Meru or Dao Class ship)

2x Gong Destroyers

2x Shanghai Class Frigates

FACTION BATTLEFLEET STARTER SETS

Offering a range of must-have units for a specific faction, these Starter Battlefleets present a great way to pick up a new faction. These sets remove the stress of figuring out the best place to start as they offer a perfect jumping-off point into playing a brand new faction at a great price. Complete with a rule book, victory and valor cards, dice and more, now is the perfect time to try out a new faction this New Year.

Union Starter Set - Faction Battlefleet



Headed by the Constitution Class Battleship, this set offers Union players the ability to harness the military might necessary to not waiver in the face of a threat to freedom.

This box contains:

1x Constitution Class Battleship

2x Frontline Cruisers (can be built as either a Yorktown, Intrepid, Lexington, Reliant Class Ship)

4x Farragut Class Frigates

2x Akron Observation Rotors

2x Union Support Cruisers (can be built as either a Discovery, Roanoke, California, Montgomery, Washington Class Ship)

4x RC-52 Patriot Automata

2x SRS Tokens

1x Rule Book

1x Victory and Valor Card Decks

20x Action Dice

6x Critical Dice

1x Token Sheet

1x Template

Empire Starter Set - Faction Battlefleet



Take control of a power that has reigned supreme for almost a thousand years, allowing the newer powers to take their positions that they incorrectly assume to be safe. Spread the glory of the Immortal Celestian Empire with the Empire Starter Set - Faction Battlefleet, led by the Kongo Heavy Battleship.

This box contains:

1x Kongo Heavy Battleship

2x Japanese Cruisers (can be built as either Osaka, Kanagawa, Hokkaido, Okinawa, Miyagi, Yamaguchi, Ishikawa, Honshu Class Ship)

4x Kyoto Frigates

8x Chita Automata

2x Japanese Submersibles (can be built as either Kensai, Ryujin, Mizuchi, Koromodako, Umibozu or Kagutsuchi Class Ship)

2x SRS Tokens

2x Chubu Submarines

2x Sakata Destroyers

2x Rin Exosub Tokens

1x Rule Book

1x Victory and Valor Card Decks

20x Action Dice

6x Critical Dice

1x Token Sheet

1x Template

Sultanate Starter Set - Faction Battlefleet



The time for action has come and New Learning has revealed the way for the Sultanate to take back control of the holiest lands. Command your fleet, headed by the Anatolia Battlecruiser and take back control.

This box contains:

1x Anatolia Battlecruiser

2x Frontline Cruisers (can be built as either Iskander, Pasha, Izmir or Shadrazam Class Shio. Can be combined to build Hurrum Grand Cruiser or Mehmed Grand Monitor Class Ship)

2x Support Cruisers (can be built as either Aydin, Mihrimah, Konya, Morea, Constantinople Class Ship. Can be combined to build Nemrut, Bursa or Bayezid Class Ship)

4x Temir Frigates

4x Escorts Skiffs

2x SRS Tokens

1x Rule Book

1x Victory and Valor Card Decks

20x Action Dice

6x Critical Dice

1x Token Sheet

1x Template

Alliance Starter Set - Faction Battlefleet



The Alliance attempt to rise from the ashes and make their voice heard with the introduction of their Faction Battlefleet. Strive to reclaim your once-lost power and authority over Europe, guided into combat by the Oriflamme Battlecruiser.

This box contains:

1x Oriflamme Battlecruiser

2x Frontline Cruisers (can be built as either Loire, Picardy, Chevalier or Charlemagne Class Ship)

4x Ecuyere Frigates

2x Levant Vessels (can be built as either Chasseur, Furieux Voliere Class Ship)

2x Submarines (can be built as either Epaulard or Sirene Class Ship)

2x SRS Tokens

1x Rule Book

1x Victory and Valor Card Decks

20x Action Dice

6x Critical Dice

1x Token Sheet

1x Template

Canadian Frontline Squadrons



The mainstay of the Canadian fleet, these impressive warships are the stalwart frontline in the Crown’s defence against Union expansionist ambitions.

This box contains:

2x Canadian Frontline Cruisers (can be built as either a Newfoundland, Bonaventure, Halifax, Toronto or Yukon Class ship)

4x Orca Hunter Submarines

2x SRS Tokens

Enlightened Advanced Squadrons



A battlefleet represents a huge investment of resources and talent for the Covenant of the Enlightened. Deploying several Origen class Lathe Ships in support, ensures that the risks to such an investment are greatly reduced.

This box contains:

2x Advance Cruisers (can be built as either a Newton, Zumeena, Vesalius or Origen Class ship)

2x Assault Machines (can be built as either a Ketos or Lotan Class machine)

2x Enlightened Escorts

2x Orca Tokens

WARCRADLE SCENICS

Home to the most nefarious experiments of the Wild West, the Promethean Complex becomes host to yet another gunfight as the Promethean Complex Set becomes available as individual terrain kits. This series of scenics are ideal for Wild West Exodus or any wargame where height advantages and deadly machinery are key themes.



Promethean - Refinery



In the Dystopian Age there are all sorts of curious compounds and esoteric elements that need to be refined before they can be used in engineering applications. These refineries are a common site in and around Promethean complexes. Any visitors are repulsed by the toxic fumes given off by these sites and surprised that any workers in the vicinity could get used to such a foul stench.

This box contains:

1x Promethean Refinery

Promethean - Derrick



Derricks are dotted about everywhere in Promethean Complexes. Used for moving heavy loads where it might be required and a construct wouldn’t be practical, they are also converted to pump jacks on occasion.

This box contains:

1x Promethean Derrick

Promethean - Forge



The forges of a Promethean Complex burn night and day to smelt all sorts of raw materials for use in their engineering breakthroughs. It would be impossible to acquire the vast quantities of iron and other metals from outside so ore is brought in from all over the Union and beyond to keep the fires of industry burning.

This box contains:

1x Promethean Forge

Promethean - Walkways



The labyrinthine surroundings of a Promethean Complex are home to all sorts of workshops, storage facilities and industrial buildings. Often the only way to traverse these sites is via walkways added after the fact to make sure engineers and construct-drones can get from point A to point F.35b.

This box contains:

1x Promethean Walkways

Promethean - Mine Entrances



Often it’s easier for a Promethean Complex to just be built over a mine in the first place. If that’s not an option then the Enlightened have advanced machinery and indentured servants that allow them to mine otherwise deposits of ore inaccessible to the other great powers.

This box contains:

2x Promethean Mine Entrances

We’re starting this year off strong with so many exciting January releases, what are you looking forward to the most? Will you be picking up a new faction in 2023? Make sure not to miss out when these pre-orders go live on the 30th of December 2022 at your FLGS or Wayland Games Online.

Keep up to date with all the latest news and releases on the Warcradle Studios Blog and socials, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

As a heavily enfrenchised player let me emphasize how good those 1-player Dystopian Wars starters are. They're a smidgen cheaper than getting just the ships seperately, so the book, dice, cards, templates and tokens are included for absolutely free. They have everything you need to play a good sized introductory game (around 1000 pts I'd say) apart from a literal table.

Yeah those starter sets look really exciting to get into for a new fleet or even to bolster an existing one. Really feels like 2023 is going to be a massive year for Dystopian Wars!

I can't lie. Warcradle are starting to scratch an itch I never knew I needed scratching.

I have an unopened WWX starter set waiting to be broken open.

Dystopian Wars could also find a place in my games rotation for '23 Now which fleet do I fancy?....

Yeah and I think this next year we are going to see the air side of things really come to life! Heck if we are lucky maybe we'll even see Dreadnoughts appearing on the high seas!

A Dreadnought is mostly just a Battleship+1, it's the least interesting of upcoming concepts

 lord_blackfang wrote:
A Dreadnought is mostly just a Battleship+1, it's the least interesting of upcoming concepts

They were visually very different in general to the battleships - some very much so.
Heck you can argue that the mobile fortress that we have out already is a dreadnought in size and theme if slightly different.
Plus there were sea and sky dreadnoughts (and land ones but we know we aren't getting those).

10mm land game someday tho! Pretty cool that we'll get to explore the world at a good "tanks and airplanes" scale.

I will still miss the original land game with mobile airfields and mega tanks and mechs.


That said I kinda hope that Firestorm Armada comes before the ground battle game.

January releases are now available to pre-order!

Make sure to check out the Warcradle Studios Blog for more information.

Dreasnoughts being battleships +1 is a tabletop fantasy naval gaming concept that needs to just... die.

chaos0xomega wrote:
Dreasnoughts being battleships +1 is a tabletop fantasy naval gaming concept that needs to just... die.

So you want fantasy naval gaming to not mirror our reality in this regard and invent a new concept of what a dreadnought is, or just drop the term altogether?

I mean I'd argue that Dystopian Wars Dreadnoughts are more like +10.

In the end all it is, is giving us a larger ship, ergo model, to put on the table that has more power to it, but costs more in points. It's a show off item. Heck Leviathans were teased in Firestorm Armada for ages and they were even bigger; and Starwars Armada even made a to scale Super Star Destroyer