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

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**Earth Dragon**

Dais wrote:
Well said Vermonter.

I've been watching this project like a hawk since they introduced the terrain pledge levels knowing mantic have a habit of making the end value of a pledge more appealing than the starting value. The current value is not enough to make me go in for the project, but hopefully that will improve over the next two and a half weeks. I haven't read the comments so I'm unsure if there are any intentions to add more sprues or battleones but I imagine it is on their mind with earlybird deals still available almost a week after introduction.

Though I have no interest in the game or miniatures, I agree with your sentiments on the company's standards of sculpt quality as well. I remember being wowed by the kings of war ogre concept art and let down by the greens. They are very hit and miss on their ranges right now.

It has been strongly implied earlier by Ronnie himself that the bigger terrain packages would get sweetened. My best guess, a different type of accessory type sprue. Maybe a specific blockade/sandbag type sprue? Maybe a good thing to suggest. Mantic is very responsive to e-mails. Drop them a line and see if you can't pry out of them what they have in store. I've gotten some great info. Or PM me if you'd like me to ask.

**Azazelx**

scarletsquig wrote:

I'd put a safe bet on ~100+ minis for $150 by the time this ends, or 70% overall discount (we're already at 50%).. both KoW and Dreadball finished at this sum.

Mantic are pretty heavily committed to actually using KS money purely for tooling and manufacture, it is genuinely about creating as many new minis as possible.

It's possible that their pricing was too high off the bat, though, the starting offer of 6 minis for $40 required a lot of stretch goal freebies before it started looking like a good deal, and a lot of early birds that jumped in purely on the notion of "expected value" might be getting itchy fingers at this point since we've had 2 non-freebie goals in a row now, and Mantic have said that the next 1-2 stretch goals (new faction starters) will not be freebies either.

I'm just sitting on an early bird, and I only got that because it's an early bird. While I like the enforcers and rebs, there's not enough value there for me at this point, especially with the dual issue of the orcs being gak "we'll take better photos, we swears!" and the ...shall we say? ...mixed results of great concept art in the KoW stuff. Basically, I'll stay in for now, and if I drop down dramatically it'll be in the final 48 hours, but as the KS stands right now I'd pull money out before I added anymore in. Minis I'm not even interested in painting don't really add value to me. Let's see what the next 2 weeks brings, and if they decide to become a bit more flexible. I can't see them changing it up now, but they might at the 11th hour.

**Saxon**

While I don't particularly care about sci-fi Orcs in general (though the sniper and ripper suit look good), I wouldn't swap them as I'd prefer to have the option to use them and try them in the game - whether myself or a friend.

Looking forward to more factions, variety is the spice of life!

**Azazelx**

Perfectly understandable. Squig (and I, and others) are simply after the option to do so. I've got figures I much prefer from both GW and Mantic themselves I'd much rather use than those previewed.

**Earth Dragon**

Mantic is on answering some questions

**Joyboozer**

I find I'm struggling to get into this. I love the idea of the game, the factions and the setting,but something's missing. It just feels like an attempt to sell terrain and draw board gamers into war gaming with Warpath light.

**OrlandotheTechnicoloured**

Joyboozer wrote:
I find I'm struggling to get into this. I love the idea of the game, the factions and the setting,but something's missing. It just feels like an attempt to sell terrain and draw board gamers into war gaming with Warpath light.

Well that is what it is

A fun game with plenty of potential that will (hopefully for mantic) will feed players into their main larger scale system in the same way that GWs specialist games used to.
(not to say that the game itself won't be lots of fun)

Maybe you are somebody who thrives on larger model count games? that could be while you feel a bit uneasy.

**Joyboozer**

I had thought Mantic had rekindled my love of the skirmish game and I was done with larger scale war gaming. Well except for Robotech. Oh and three Tablescapes themes.
Oh god, I'm a closet war gamer!

**Black Nexus**

looks that way!

guess we shouldnt tell you that the deadzone figures are compatible with the warpath figures effecitively meaning that you're starting your warpath army with this lot

plus you'll get enough scenery to fill those tablescapes.

**nkelsch**

Black Nexus wrote:

deadzone figures are compatible with the warpath figures effecitively meaning that you're starting your warpath army with this lot

How can you say that when the Mauraders from Warpath have a totally different scale and anatomy than the Deadszone models...

It would be like Combining LotR Orcs with Warhammer Fantasy orcs and claiming they will be good for the same army.

Unless they make some Fluff where when Orx are young, they have normal humanoid proportions and grow up to have hands twice the size of their heads and are constantly unable to walk correctly and have an innate tendency to show off their guns opposed to hold them like actual weapons. Every 'oversized' orx sculpt mantic as right now looks like they are having a stroke, even back to the horrible warlord model.

**Alpharius**

scarletsquig wrote:
^ Welcome to the forums, Vermonter - great first post.

As for wondering if it'll be good value... it will be, eventually.

I'd put a safe bet on ~100+ minis for $150 by the time this ends, or 70% overall discount (we're already at 50%).. both KoW and Dreadball finished at this sum.

While that is what KoW and Dreadball did, we don't really know if that's what Deadzone will do.

Maybe Mantic felt that they gave away too much with those campaigns?

With the disappointing Marauder miniatures shown to date, I'll have to sit down and figure out if there's a better way to get the stuff I really want/like outside of Strike Team.

Azazelx wrote:
Basically, I'll stay in for now, and if I drop down dramatically it'll be in the final 48 hours, but as the KS stands right now I'd pull money out before I added anymore in.

Whew!

I was getting worried there for a bit!

Azazelx wrote:

Minis I'm not even interested in painting don't really add value to me. Let's see what the next 2 weeks brings, and if they decide to become a bit more flexible. I can't see them changing it up now, but they might at the 11th hour.

All kidding aside, I agree with you 100% on this...

**decker_cky**

nkelsch wrote:
Black Nexus wrote:

deadzone figures are compatible with the warpath figures effecitively meaning that you're starting your warpath army with this lot

How can you say that when the Mauraders from Warpath have a totally different scale and anatomy than the Deadszone models...

It would be like Combining LotR Orcs with Warhammer Fantasy orcs and claiming they will be good for the same army.

Unless they make some Fluff where when Orx are young, they have normal humanoid proportions and grow up to have hands twice the size of their heads and are constantly unable to walk correctly and have an innate tendency to show off their guns opposed to hold them like actual weapons. Every 'oversized' orx sculpt mantic as right now looks like they are having a stroke, even back to the horrible warlord model.

The other alternative is that they plan on releasing new Marauder plastics in the Warpath kickstarter. And let's not pretend that there isn't companies that have kept models as stylistically different in the same line for 15 years. Look no further than the 40k Orks - compare the drivers of the gorkamorka vehicles to the rest of the line.

**Bolognesus**

nkelsch wrote:
Black Nexus wrote:

deadzone figures are compatible with the warpath figures effecitively meaning that you're starting your warpath army with this lot

How can you say that when the Mauraders from Warpath have a totally different scale and anatomy than the Deadszone models...

It would be like Combining LotR Orcs with Warhammer Fantasy orcs and claiming they will be good for the same army.

Except I believe mantic has already stated marauders and forgefathers would be getting new hard plastics with the WP final release KS, in all likelihood. So I'm guessing they're moving away from the KoW orcs look entirely.

**NewTruthNeomaxim**

scarletsquig wrote:
^ Welcome to the forums, Vermonter - great first post.

As for wondering if it'll be good value... it will be, eventually.

I'd put a safe bet on ~100+ minis for $150 by the time this ends, or 70% overall discount (we're already at 50%).. both KoW and Dreadball finished at this sum.

Mantic are pretty heavily committed to actually using KS money purely for tooling and manufacture, it is genuinely about creating as many new minis as possible.

It's possible that their pricing was too high off the bat, though, the starting offer of 6 minis for $40 required a lot of stretch goal freebies before it started looking like a good deal, and a lot of early birds that jumped in purely on the notion of "expected value" might be getting itchy fingers at this point since we've had 2 non-freebie goals in a row now, and Mantic have said that the next 1-2 stretch goals (new faction starters) will not be freebies either.

I'm quite surprised that Mantic doesn't have Warpath 2.0 lists for all the minis in all 4 factions already live + heavily pimping the "buy an extra couple of starters and then you'll have an elite shock trooper army for Warpath too!" angle... there's a lot of missed potential for cross-promotion here since WP 2.0 is a very good game, and they should be shouting from the rooftops about it and how you can use your deadzone minis in this awesome game of theirs instead of not really mentioning much about it at all.

Hell, have "Elite Warpath army bundles" and whatnot as add-ons, people would lap it up. Feels like there's an obvious upsell route that isn't being taken, it's hinted at with the 6x4 board options available, but has never been explicitly stated.

I cannot agree with you more Squig. I was there, literally from Day 1 of this KS'er shouting from the roof-tops that they should link this to Warpath 2.0 in every way possible, without compromising it as a stand-alone game.

Lets be frank... Deadzone stands to be a wonderful game, but it is a diversion. In a year or two, like most hobbyist board-games, it will be relegated to niche product. What WILL endure, is the terrain born from it, and the Warpath game, which Ronnie has often said stands to be their HUGE game that really makes waves.

The problem is... I was met, so often, with Brian Blessed types telling me to go away, leave Warpath out of this.... blah blah blah.... And the problem, as I see it, is that this extremely loud minority yelling their vision to the high-heavens, have planted an ear-worm in Mantic.

I'll say again... your "Warpath Army" bolt-on is a BRILLIANT idea, and it would get me throwing more money into this KS rather than debating pulling back some, or at least re-jiggering my investment so I can avoid paying for those disgusting Orx. Likewise, they absolutely should play-up, on the front page that the minis will ALL come with Warpath rules, and that WP rules are available for free...

A nice selling point for Dust miniatures was always, "Buy one set of affordable models/unit, and play it as either a simple board-game for that crowd, or as a serious table-top war-game." Familiar opportunity here, being wasted because of some folks so obnoxious that it made me flee the comments, never-to-return.

**Hulksmash**

This is moving so very slow today. I know Tuesdays are slow but at this rate we "might" break the 460k mark today. Makes me sad as I want to see what's next.

Sidenote the update has a new models sculpt photo and it's pretty solid.

**pretre**

It feels like the Chovar is much bigger than I thought it was.

**adamsouza**

scarletsquig wrote:

I'd put a safe bet on ~100+ minis for $150 by the time this ends, or 70% overall discount (we're already at 50%).. both KoW and Dreadball finished at this sum.

We're at 52(53?) figures and 9 Scenery Sprues.

I suspect the inclusion of the Scenery Sprues is going to keep the model count down to something a lot closer to what it is now than 100.

I'd bet on us getting some of the new scenery sprues, as they are unlocked, instead of additional figures at this poiint.

Is "The Survivor" included,or just unlocked and available for purchase ?

scarletsquig wrote:

I'm quite surprised that Mantic doesn't have Warpath 2.0 lists for all the minis in all 4 factions already live + heavily pimping the "buy an extra couple of starters and then you'll have an elite shock trooper army for Warpath too!" angle... there's a lot of missed potential for cross-promotion here since WP 2.0 is a very good game, and they should be shouting from the rooftops about it and how you can use your deadzone minis in this awesome game of theirs instead of not really mentioning much about it at all.

Hell, have "Elite Warpath army bundles" and whatnot as add-ons, people would lap it up. Feels like there's an obvious upsell route that isn't being taken, it's hinted at with the 6x4 board options available, but has never been explicitly stated.

I definitely agree. Warpath 2.0 stats should already be up. Definitely missed sales potential.

Honestly, I'd be willing to bet they don't have the stats ready. KS to see what models are included, and then write stats for them before they are released.

**NewTruthNeomaxim**

I feel like this is awful for me to say, because I don't wanna be one of those folks... as such, I will put the blame squarely on me, and say maybe I simply found this game for the wrong reason.... BUT... the more I read people's comments who mention Warpath, the more I realize that really IS what I wanted this KS to be.

I have Dreadball for a fun, side, novelty game... so I really wish they had just skipped straight to WP2.0.

Increasingly i'm wondering if I should just go all-in for terrain, and cherry pick a bunch of models, but not at the level I previously expected to. Obviously i'm not crazy enough to do anything until we see how this all shapes up... but I just don't want all these random race merc units, etc... I wanted wider/deeper faction boxes, and options.

Meanwhile, in a chilling resemblance to CMoN Kickstarters (which i've come to loath as opportunistic cash-grabs), I see sooo many of the comments, etc... devoted to people asking for random tribute models, asking for favorite characters, races, etc... to get one-off models.... and all the while I just see the shrinking potential for the core factions, and their future viability to Mantic as multi-purpose models for several games.

**Hulksmash**

@NewTruthNeomaxim

We're pretty close to on the same page. I admire Mantic ability to play the crowd but at this point I'm in for $300 and it's looking more and more like I won't actually be finishing at that level. I might be in for a Rebs Faction, all the FF stuff, some random other attractive single mini's for painting, and a ton of the terrain.

Right now, with the way the Orx look, I feel like the Strike Team is actually costing me money I could apply better elsewhere.

**Earth Dragon**

Warpath SHOULD be left out of this in the sense that what is added should be of the benefit of this game, not warpath. It should be a side effect it melds with Warpath. You can tell by some of the comments that there are Warpath players who don't care about the survivability of this game at all and just want it to develop more Warpath options. So naturally, when your comments clearly show that intent, people who are in this for Deadzone and NOT warpath are gonna get a little defensive.

And I don't see why they wouldn't have every right to expect that Deadzone supports Deadzone first, and brings Warpath options as a side effect.

**overtyrant**

I think we should wait untill the game is out and been played though for a bit untill we say it's going to be a passing fad.

**Hulksmash**

@overtyrant

It's not guarenteed to be a passing fad but it's likely. There are a lot of sci-fi skirmish games. This is another one. It's not offering anything outside of what's been offered before and not offering some things that have been offered before. It's extremely likely it isn't going to become a long established game.

However Warpath, and the mini's Deadzone produces that can be used for Warpath, is one of Mantic's primary systems. It's going to be around as long as Mantic is. This means it's smart to tie the two together. Especially in this day and age of gaming.

Just my two cents of course.

**Krinsath**

I'm starting to feel the same way Hulk; I'm not ruling out a Strike Team because I'm a completion-ist. However, I've gone from astronomical thoughts (Suppression Team + mats + terrain + other factions) to maybe a strike team and some terrain, depending on what I see in the future.

While I'm just one person, I can't help but feel that Mantic is uncharacteristically missing out on a lot of support with how they're going about things. Time will tell though, as we're a long way from the finish line here and these things always pick up at the end.

**overtyrant**

The only Sci fi Skirmish game worth it's salt IMO is Infinity, cant think of any others. DB was an entry gate to Mantic and Deadzone will be an entry gate to Warpath. There is plenty of room for expansions with the Zz'or and also the Ver'myn. I also think its doing Mantic and Jake a disservice by saying it will be a passing fad. If Deadzone is a great set of rules and gets the support (both from Mantic AND the community) it will be around for a long time.

**Hulksmash**

Necromunda and Infinitey tend to rule the skirmish roost. There are more but they off the two things people love. Infinitey adds insane depth and crazy tactical gaming. Necromunda provides a fun game with an RP element. Deadzone seems to be trying to be a middle ground, which is fine but while the game might be around a while you probably won't be getting pick-up games for it, at least here in the US.

**Earth Dragon**

Hulksmash wrote:
Necromunda and Infinitey tend to rule the skirmish roost. There are more but they off the two things people love. Infinitey adds insane depth and crazy tactical gaming. Necromunda provides a fun game with an RP element. Deadzone seems to be trying to be a middle ground, which is fine but while the game might be around a while you probably won't be getting pick-up games for it, at least here in the US.

And that's all theorycraft. I see it as a viable option as it breaks the barrier between board and miniature games. If it has good gameplay and the same sort of system that pushes you to want to play more like Necromunda, it'll have a following even in the states. I think a couple rough days have a bunch of people looking for reasons to jump ship as well. If something was a little different yesterday, half of these DOOOOOOOM!! Comments would be something positive instead.

Except from nkelsch

I don't see why this game isn't given a fair chance. If Deadzone compares to Necro like Dreadball compares to Blood Bowl. We got something. And since GW is abandoning its specialist games......

**NewTruthNeomaxim**

Tyrant... I love Mantic... Heck... that is why I am willing to give them $400 for a game i'm not really sure I want. :-p That said... if I am being candid, as much as I like Jake Thornton (Dreadball is AMAZING), Deadzone is very, very similar to Dust Tactics, with a mature layer of progression/campaign system over-laid. Even the much discussed innovations in melding cover, but retaining measuring in "squares" is an advancement, yes.... but you really can experience some of the flavor of DZ right now by picking up a Dust Tactics Revised Core set.

Mind you, this isn't a bad thing. DT got me to try it out, which led me to Dust Warfare which essentially everyone agrees is the superior game. That said... everyone wins as it is a viable board-game for a more casual, pick-up-and-play, crowd, or evening... whereas it is a gateway to a much, much, more substantial product.

Deadzone will have a niche, no doubt, and i'll be right there to support it... but there is every likelihood that this will be part of a secondary line for Mantic. Its a nice, relatively self-contained experience that can give folks the flavor of "My First Miniatures War-Game", but I just cannot see it existing WITHOUT Warpath as a companion. The two games will benefit from each-other, and might even need each-other... so I don't see why Mantic shouldn't embrace this all the sooner, at welcome in both crowds more fully.

Do you really think Mantic is showing off 6x4 tables, massive terrain bundles, and already talking about 4x4 rules for DZ, for fun? ;-)

**Black Nexus**

How can you say that when the Mauraders from Warpath have a totally different scale and anatomy than the Deadszone models...

easily.

because i have a marauder guard and a warpath warboss, which the crappy pics I've seen of the wip commandos that everyone's basing their opinions on more resemble.

There is plenty of room for expansions with the Zz'or and also the Ver'myn. I also think its doing Mantic and Jake a disservice by saying it will be a passing fad. If Deadzone is a great set of rules and gets the support (both from Mantic AND the community) it will be around for a long time.

quite right, necromunda is still being played, workshop just don't support it.

there's a reason for the former and a reason for the latter.

dreadball was such a success they won't be droppping that, imagine the same with deadzone.

While I'm just one person, I can't help but feel that Mantic is uncharacteristically missing out on a lot of support with how they're going about things.

how exactly?

**NewTruthNeomaxim**

Oh, and incidentally, i'm not remotely calling for doom, and/or gloom. :-p

I do think this game looks wonderful, and i'll likely buy most everything for it, for however long it is supported.

I just feel like Mantic could do a few small things to be more successful without having to expend resources to do so. :-)

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Oh, and incidentally, i'm not remotely calling for doom, and/or gloom. :-p

I do think this game looks wonderful, and i'll likely buy most everything for it, for however long it is supported.

I just feel like Mantic could do a few small things to be more successful without having to expend resources to do so. :-)

**Eilif**

Just took a look at Kicktraq Pledges/backers per day.
http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/1744629938/deadzone-the-sci-fi-miniatures-board-game/#chart-daily
I don't know if it's the unconventional jellyfish alien, the fact that it's the second non-freebie stretch goal in a row or some combination of the two, but this has been the lowest performing goal period of the entire pledge.