Mantic Deadzone Kickstarter - Completed! - $1,216,482 final total.

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**NewTruthNeomaxim**

Compel wrote:
This one does not think it is too far outside the new standards...

This one is also painting his forces in Mass Effect colour schemes and is so very happy to have Blasto join the crew.

[Moderately Impressed] Now, if only we could get an Elcor. [Disappointed] Oh well, I don't suppose that will happen. [Enthusiastically] At least new factions seem to be coming up next.

**Alpharius**

Psychedelic!
Update #35 · May 13, 2013 · 35 comments

Absolutely brilliant! That's the Fortifications BattleZone unlocked - incredible!

The Fortifications BattleZone contains 3 Buildings Sprue of approximately 6 tiles and 1 Connector Sprue.

By hitting this goal you have:

- Unlocked the Fortifications as one of your choices if you have pledged for the Urban Fight ($25), Urban Skirmish ($50), Urban Battle ($95) or Urban War ($185) scenery add-ons.

- Unlocked the Fortifications as one of your choices if you have pledged at either the One-Click Urban Battlefield ($100) or One-Click Urban Wargames Table ($285) scenery-only pledge level.

Next up!

$460,000 – Chovar Mercenary

The Chovar are among the strangest sentient creatures encountered by the GCPS, intensely telepathic creatures that bear a striking resemblance to the jellyfish of Old Earth. They exist in a shared consciousness, but despite this (or possibly because of it) they are fiercely individualistic and consequently keen to seek out new cultures and technologies. They are traditionally employed by corporations to witness important contracts, but are often sent to scientific outposts on frontier worlds where their mind-networks are capable of astounding computational feats.

A multi-tendril alien capable of computing immense calculations in seconds, having the Chovar in your ranks can only lend your squad a tactical advantage.

If we hit this goal we will be able to tool the Chovar Mercenary and make him available to add-on to your pledge for $10:

After that, we’re going to be looking at new factions…

So Forgefathers and Asterians (Spelling?) coming soon!?!?

**Pacific**

You know the bit in Family Guy where Peter does the child-like clapping and laughing? That's me right now..

That must surely be the Forge Fathers! Really looking forward to what these guys will turn out (and intrigued whether they will follow the 'mini juggernaut' style of the Dreadball team).

Cheers for posting that video Alpharius, makes the Plague somewhat more interesting with that explanation.

**judgedoug**

scarletsquig wrote:

I love the Mantic fantasy orcs and think they're the best orcs on the market, but I guess they didn't sell too well, so now they're trying a different direction for greenskins, more in-line with what the market expects.

This breaks my gamer-heart. I love the Mantic Orcs, and I agree, they are hands down and overwhelming the best, most evil looking Orcs on the market.
The new art direction blows.

**NewTruthNeomaxim**

I LOVE the Forge-Father team from Dreadball, and think they're some of the coolest dwarf miniatures i've seen, stylistically. Of all the races I hope get very direct translations to Deadzone/Warpath, they're the ones I wish for most. Fingers very much crossed.

**marv335**

I've upped my pledge to get the not-aegis and some of the scenery add on pieces.
Looking forward to this.

**Barzam**

Did you guys not see the lineart for the Forge Fathers posted earlier? They had pics of the art at Open Day. We already know what they look like. They're decked out in exoskeletons like the old Squat Terminators. I even pointed that out a page or so back.

They also mentioned in the comments that the Asterians and Forge Fathers will be paid add-ons and that there will not be faction swapping. Disappointing, but not surprising.

**scarletsquig**

^ I'm kinda wondering what this means for the rest of the kickstarter now that the first 4 factions are "complete".

E.g. will future stretch goals be "free asterian mini, but only if you've bought an asterian starter as an add-on" and similar?

I'm hoping not, since it would mean a a move to a more CMoN-style kickstarter where there isn't as much value and you have to buy one mini for $10 before you get a second one for free.

If faction swap-outs were possible, that kind of thing would be a lot more palatable, since I'd ditch the Plague and Marauders and replace them with Forgefathers and Asterians in a flash.

I think you either have to offer loads of value or loads of flexibility in any given Kickstarter campaign for it to really work out.

E.g. Reaper Vampire pledge came with a ton of stuff that a lot of people won't use, but the sheer mass of minis overrided that.

Other kickstarters haven't been massively generous with freebies, but have allowed people the chance to pick their freebies, or customize what they get from their pledge levels, and that in itself has offered good value since people only end up with the minis they want.

I think there's a risk here of this offering neither, if we're set for the next $300k or so of stretch primarily being composed of "free minis for forgefather/asterian backers only" stretches.

**Ronin_eX**

They may start doing stretches as a grab-bag of minis. Maybe one or two Mercs and some FF/Asterian upgrades. The Mercs (and add-on versions of the latter) being paid upgrades helps to subsidize free upgrades to starters, and it wouldn't be a wash for those not getting FF/Asterians. Either that or maybe the initial FF and Asterian starters will begin more "complete" than the others. I guess we'll see once we hit the current stretch and see what lies ahead.

**Ashitaka**

I really like the non-humanoid alien.

Also excited about the Forge Fathers!

**judgedoug**

Well, I did my duty and gave feedback on the Orx, and got the "your feedback is noted and we really do appreciate you taking the time to tell us

Hopefully the actual photos of the models will be more to your liking

" response.

Don't think they'll be changing them.

**Hulksmash**

Sad to hear about the Orx. If the Forge Fathers are add-on only it could actually lead to me cancelling the strike pledge (naturally much closer to the conclusion) and purchasing what I want.

As it stands I like the Rebels, I'm ok with the Plague and Enforcers, and loathe the Orx. So the value for me right now is basically the Rebels and the Terrain (of which there is a $85 value total). Now some of the Enforcer stuff is pretty cool so let's add that in at $35 more. So you're up to $120 which means just $30 for two more factions (one that isn't turning out well at all), a cool playing matt, the Survivor, and some misc. gaming stuff. Right now it's ok. But the value might not be there if I'm suddenly deciding between faction specific stuff I'm interested in.

Oddly enough if they let us swap out for what we wanted I'd probably go with Assault Team in a heartbeat. Guess we'll see.

**Black Nexus**

they also said to you in their initial response they were wip and changing them based on the feedback so i don't quite know how you made that jump.

E.g. will future stretch goals be "free asterian mini, but only if you've bought an asterian starter as an add-on" and similar?

suspect there will be a mix. they've mentioned free mercs in the comments and free models and free scenery sprues.

**Alpharius**

Hulksmash wrote:
Sad to hear about the Orx. If the Forge Fathers are add-on only it could actually lead to me cancelling the strike pledge (naturally much closer to the conclusion) and purchasing what I want.

As it stands I like the Rebels, I'm ok with the Plague and Enforcers, and loathe the Orx. So the value for me right now is basically the Rebels and the Terrain (of which there is a $85 value total). Now some of the Enforcer stuff is pretty cool so let's add that in at $35 more. So you're up to $120 which means just $30 for two more factions (one that isn't turning out well at all), a cool playing matt, the Survivor, and some misc. gaming stuff. Right now it's ok. But the value might not be there if I'm suddenly deciding between faction specific stuff I'm interested in.

Oddly enough if they let us swap out for what we wanted I'd probably go with Assault Team in a heartbeat. Guess we'll see.

That is a good point Hulk, and I think I'd be joining you there if they allow us to do this!

**decker_cky**

I imagine the upgrades will still give a free mini every one and a while, but probably every 50k or so. Actually....this is probably a good point to add free terrain for stretches. Over a $50k area, they could have an addition to the new race, the addition of a battleground, and the addition of a terrain sprue. Add a bit of spice with some paid mercs and the odd free merc, and it looks like a good mix. Certainly doesn't compare to the KoW or dreadball KS, but it's could still provide good value.

One thing that the current setup may make possible is for all of the basic pledges to be completed in a single shipment.

I bet mantic could increase pledges considerably by saying that assault team (and higher multiples of strike team) lets you pick any 8 factions (including duplicates) rather than just being double of strike team. Let people make warpath armies, etc..

**Earth Dragon**

@Decker - I believe that's what their going for. People don't realize how taxing a Striker bundle really was/is when you factor in it's still has another shipment to send out even to those that just stuck with a $150 pledge. So factor in shipping x3. I don't see them going past two shipments on this one, at least on the package bundles. Everything pasted shipment #2 will be add-on

**Da Weirdboy**

Eilif wrote:
New stretch goal.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1744629938/deadzone-the-sci-fi-miniatures-board-game/posts/479404
10 dollar jellyfish alien.

Color me unimpressed, but it's only 10k more and they can't all be too my liking. Also it's a nice indication that Mantic is really thinking out side the traditional Sci-fi wargames box for the Warpath universe.

Well it isn't traditional sci-fi, sure, but it isn't original. As stated, Mass Effect has an alien race just like this.

**RoninXiC**

Who cares about Mass Effects?
Squid like aliens have been canon for a quite long time...

**Da Weirdboy**

RoninXiC wrote:
Who cares about Mass Effects?
Squid like aliens have been canon for a quite long time...

It isn't a squid, its a Jellyfish...

**Barzam**

I'm pleased to be getting something that is clearly not humanoid. Hell, it isn't even insectoid. As far as miniature gaming goes, I think that might actually be fairly unique. I can't recall any other games that let you use flying jellyfish in combat.

Regarding freebie/upgrades for factions, I'm still quite certain we haven't receied everything yet. By now, we've received every Enforcer that's shown up in various photos and artwork except for one. That's the one with the powerfist. He's the only one missing. So, I suspect we will have at least one more basic faction upgrade. I'm hoping though that either the Forge Fathers & Asterians come with everything unlocked from the get-go, or that they have some unlocks that get included free even if you don't purchase their starters. Enough free figures included from both factions to let you field small forces of them without actually having to purchase the starters would be kind of cool.

**RoninXiC**

Da Weirdboy wrote:
RoninXiC wrote:
Who cares about Mass Effects?
Squid like aliens have been canon for a quite long time...

It isn't a squid, its a Jellyfish...

yeah... was trying to say so ... but i

'ed up ^^

**overtyrant**

With Kow and DB you got freebies when they hit the certain stretch goal lvl, for example: Free Angel at certain pledge lvl and 3 at a higher pledge, 2 players from each team when they were funded. The tokens have yet to be upgraded, I asked if we were going to get a acrylic tokens streach goal in the seminar and was told yes but they may look at 3D resin tokens. Maybe upgrading the rulebook to hardback? start to fund the 1st expansion I.e Swarm Deadzone (Zz'or), Infested Deadzone (Ver'myn). They could actually just add more of the same figures to each set. If the pot gets bigger then whats to stop them adding bew stuff like specific new leader's, a support Enforcer commander. An Orx boss in Ripper suit. The possibility is almost endless.

**RiTides**

I've never wanted "some of every faction" which is part of the reason why I think Mantic's campaigns have never appealed to me. I want a lot of one faction, for almost any game I play as a general rule... not a little bit of each.

**Hulksmash**

Seems to be a fella getting cranky at people pointing out that swapping would increase the value enormously over in their comments.

Either way I'm excited to get past this goal and onward toward the new factions.

**NewTruthNeomaxim**

scarletsquig wrote:
^ I'm kinda wondering what this means for the rest of the kickstarter now that the first 4 factions are "complete".

E.g. will future stretch goals be "free asterian mini, but only if you've bought an asterian starter as an add-on" and similar?

I'm hoping not, since it would mean a a move to a more CMoN-style kickstarter where there isn't as much value and you have to buy one mini for $10 before you get a second one for free.

If faction swap-outs were possible, that kind of thing would be a lot more palatable, since I'd ditch the Plague and Marauders and replace them with Forgefathers and Asterians in a flash.

I think you either have to offer loads of value or loads of flexibility in any given Kickstarter campaign for it to really work out.

E.g. Reaper Vampire pledge came with a ton of stuff that a lot of people won't use, but the sheer mass of minis overrided that.

Other kickstarters haven't been massively generous with freebies, but have allowed people the chance to pick their freebies, or customize what they get from their pledge levels, and that in itself has offered good value since people only end up with the minis they want.

I think there's a risk here of this offering neither, if we're set for the next $300k or so of stretch primarily being composed of "free minis for forgefather/asterian backers only" stretches.

I love Mantic games, and have for some time, but am late to their whole Kickstarters. I've heard them spoken of in hushed-tones as value-laden as hell, etc... To be honest, i'm not sure i'm seeing it thus far. YES, someone will pull up a graphic explaining how you get "X" dollars of freebies already at "Y" tier.... but I heard about famously high volumes of minis, etc... Considering my Orx stand to be turds that get chopped up for bits, I actually feel like the added freebies so far just kind of put me back at, "Ok... we're cool."

I'm still sitting on about a $400 pledge... but had the weird realization that I would enjoy this more, AND likely spent more, if this were two Kickstarters. I'm in half for terrain, and half for the game, but both being desired by me for somewhat different reasons, it just feels like several half-Kick-starts. :-p

**scarletsquig**

@Hulksmash: Yeah, about that...

You know how a lot of you guys in this thread have said "I have an idea/ suggestion, but I'm not going anywhere near the comments section because I'll get shouted down by a dozen people with brian blessed avatars" ...?

Well, you're right. Completely and utterly right.

**edlowe**

Hi first post long time lurker, ive been on the dz comments from day one and it seems recently to have become very negative towards any criticism or alternative suggestion. In particular there seems to be an instance that bringing up any issues you have are damaging to the ks and should not be voiced.

Is this usual for ks, ive never experienced this before?

**decker_cky**

This KS has a weird comments section. No amount of negative posting is going to have the negative effect that the Brian Blessed spamming has on the overall experience. TBH, where I usually read most KS comments, I pretty much avoid the comments on this KS.

**PsychoticStorm**

I cannot recall it in the Dreadball Kickstarter.

Now the Orx will be a real test for mantic, IF they understand it, how they will deal with it will characterize them for quite a while.

**edlowe**

To be honest ive had a bit of fun with the brian comments at the start even having a bb avatar but I changed it last week after people started to get fed up with it.

A little bit of light hearted fun is fine but I agree I shouldnt dominate the comments section.

The problem at the mo is nobody is will to let you discuss the orx figures any comments are instantly shot down and told to go away. I was really excited by the concept art but I feel the figs dont live up to it