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Poll
Why did you never start or alternately stop playing/collecting Heavy Gear?
Never heard of it... what's Heavy Gear?
Don't like the mech minis genre in general.
Don't like the look of Heavy Gear specifically (art, minis, etc).
Don't like the price of Heavy Gear (books, minis, etc).
Don't like the mechanics of the game/silhouette system.
Don't like edition changes in Heavy Gear every 2-3 years.
Couldn't find any opponents to play against.
Couldn't find any of the products locally to buy.
Other (please elaborate below)
Inadequate support from DP9 (expansions, communication with fans, FAQs, etc).
Power creep and unequal efficacy between factions.
Poor resource management (playtesters, freelancers, website, etc) by DP9.

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Made in es
Inspiring SDF-1 Bridge Officer






 warboss wrote:
Congrats on the positive review? Possibly stupid question just from skimming it... Is Tachikoma a Japanese name? I'm only familiar with it for GITS robot tanks with cute voices.


It's just from GitS: SAC, and they use katakana to spell it, so it's most likely a made up word. Koma can mean spinning top or horse, whereas tachi could mean either standing up or the old sword precursor of the katana, same way as the fuchi from the manga can mean edge, but there's no reason to think they are intentional.
   
Made in gb
Regular Dakkanaut






Sort of, sort of not. It's Japanese, but the name comes from Ghost in the Shell. I just liked it, and stole it.

I've worked out a reason for the characters name that make sense in the setting of my books. I've not written said explanation within the story, because it would be too easy to find myself writing, " As you know Bob, Tachikoma is a made up name using the katakana for tachi meaning cutting, sharp or bright, and koma meaning horse, or spinning top."

And so on and so forth.

Perhaps I should've called her Tachikami, where kami means spirit as it would fit her character better.

But there is a very good reason, or at least a reason why she's called Tachikoma, and it is an allusion to GitS for reasons! No spoilers from me. All will be revealed if and when revealed.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/05/10 11:40:24


Ashley
--
http://panther6actual.blogspot.co.uk/ 
   
Made in us
Imperial Guard Landspeeder Pilot




On moon miranda.

Glad to hear about the positive review! I've still got it on my shelf in the "to read" section.

Speaking of GitS, I need to rewatch the series again soon, I've got the theme song stuck in my head

IRON WITHIN, IRON WITHOUT.

New Heavy Gear Log! Also...Grey Knights!
The correct pronunciation is Imperial Guard and Stormtroopers, "Astra Militarum" and "Tempestus Scions" are something you'll find at Hogwarts.  
   
Made in ca
Fireknife Shas'el






So 3rd edition of Blitz is up on DriveThruRPG. They're still working on the 'all forces' army lists.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/355141/Heavy-Gear-Blitz-Tabletop-Wargaming--3rd-Edition-Rules

   
Made in es
Inspiring SDF-1 Bridge Officer






 John Prins wrote:
So 3rd edition of Blitz is up on DriveThruRPG. They're still working on the 'all forces' army lists.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/355141/Heavy-Gear-Blitz-Tabletop-Wargaming--3rd-Edition-Rules


Can't help but notice that the layout is 95% the old layout but with new page borders ^^
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





The Battle Barge Buffet Line

Albertorius wrote:
 warboss wrote:
Congrats on the positive review? Possibly stupid question just from skimming it... Is Tachikoma a Japanese name? I'm only familiar with it for GITS robot tanks with cute voices.


It's just from GitS: SAC, and they use katakana to spell it, so it's most likely a made up word. Koma can mean spinning top or horse, whereas tachi could mean either standing up or the old sword precursor of the katana, same way as the fuchi from the manga can mean edge, but there's no reason to think they are intentional.


Thanks! I could see a spinning horse being a cool name given the mobility it has.

Paint it Pink wrote:Sort of, sort of not. It's Japanese, but the name comes from Ghost in the Shell. I just liked it, and stole it.

I've worked out a reason for the characters name that make sense in the setting of my books. I've not written said explanation within the story, because it would be too easy to find myself writing, " As you know Bob, Tachikoma is a made up name using the katakana for tachi meaning cutting, sharp or bright, and koma meaning horse, or spinning top."

And so on and so forth.

Perhaps I should've called her Tachikama, where kami means spirit as it would fit her character better.

But there is a very good reason, or at least a reason why she's called Tachikoma, and it is an allusion to GitS for reasons! No spoilers from me. All will be revealed if and when revealed.


In that case I won't question further! I was just curious if it was a common name in the culture of it the inspiration was what I was thinking.



Automatically Appended Next Post:
 John Prins wrote:
So 3rd edition of Blitz is up on DriveThruRPG. They're still working on the 'all forces' army lists.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/355141/Heavy-Gear-Blitz-Tabletop-Wargaming--3rd-Edition-Rules


Congrats to dp9 and the fans. I hope the added wait was put to good use. Did your TD concerns get addressed in the final (for now) version of the rules?

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2021/04/26 21:52:41


We Munch for Macragge! FOR THE EMPRUH! Cheesesticks and Humus!
 
   
Made in ca
Fireknife Shas'el






 Albertorius wrote:
 John Prins wrote:
So 3rd edition of Blitz is up on DriveThruRPG. They're still working on the 'all forces' army lists.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/355141/Heavy-Gear-Blitz-Tabletop-Wargaming--3rd-Edition-Rules


Can't help but notice that the layout is 95% the old layout but with new page borders ^^


I wasn't expecting a massive visual upgrade.

   
Made in es
Inspiring SDF-1 Bridge Officer






 John Prins wrote:
 Albertorius wrote:
 John Prins wrote:
So 3rd edition of Blitz is up on DriveThruRPG. They're still working on the 'all forces' army lists.

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/355141/Heavy-Gear-Blitz-Tabletop-Wargaming--3rd-Edition-Rules


Can't help but notice that the layout is 95% the old layout but with new page borders ^^


I wasn't expecting a massive visual upgrade.


No, no me neither... but I kinda was expecting something, given how long it has taken. This amount of recycling kinda tells me they didn't do much for a long period of time.
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





The Battle Barge Buffet Line

You got borders, mon ami! And, yes, I know that's apparently a movie french cliche.

We Munch for Macragge! FOR THE EMPRUH! Cheesesticks and Humus!
 
   
Made in us
Imperial Guard Landspeeder Pilot




On moon miranda.

So, I've had a bit of an inside view on the rulebook development, and while I can't comment on details, it's way later than intended, but I genuinely think it's a substantially superior product for the extra time. It's a lot cleaner read, a lot of effort went into the wording, and while it's not a radically different style, there's definitely some visual improvements over the 2.0 book (the Traits section for instance), though admittedly no new art (sadly). A lot of thought and effort went into it by some insanely dedicated people. I think anyone new getting into Heavy Gear for the first time is going to have a far easier time with this book than any other version of Blitz.

I'm just sad it didn't hazard stripe borders like I advocated for

IRON WITHIN, IRON WITHOUT.

New Heavy Gear Log! Also...Grey Knights!
The correct pronunciation is Imperial Guard and Stormtroopers, "Astra Militarum" and "Tempestus Scions" are something you'll find at Hogwarts.  
   
Made in es
Inspiring SDF-1 Bridge Officer






 Vaktathi wrote:
So, I've had a bit of an inside view on the rulebook development, and while I can't comment on details, it's way later than intended, but I genuinely think it's a substantially superior product for the extra time. It's a lot cleaner read, a lot of effort went into the wording, and while it's not a radically different style, there's definitely some visual improvements over the 2.0 book (the Traits section for instance), though admittedly no new art (sadly). A lot of thought and effort went into it by some insanely dedicated people. I think anyone new getting into Heavy Gear for the first time is going to have a far easier time with this book than any other version of Blitz.

I'm just sad it didn't hazard stripe borders like I advocated for

Oh, just to be clear, I was not commenting on the actual contents or writing quality of the book, just on the presentation.

Then again, had they gone for the stripes, the book would have looked 100% like the old ones...

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2021/04/27 06:54:01


 
   
Made in re
Focused Dark Angels Land Raider Pilot






 Vaktathi wrote:
So, I've had a bit of an inside view on the rulebook development, and while I can't comment on details, it's way later than intended, but I genuinely think it's a substantially superior product for the extra time. It's a lot cleaner read, a lot of effort went into the wording(...)


Are you saying the FO rules might actually be playable now ?

Text aside, from the preview, the layout looks... Really rushed. Like somebody remembered they had to release a book after a couple years, and did it all over a week.

Virtus in extremis 
   
Made in us
Imperial Guard Landspeeder Pilot




On moon miranda.

Yeah there's not much in the way of new visuals, particularly art, most of the effort has been in ensuring readability and moving the text away from reading like a technical manual. If there's anything that looks particularly rushed or haphazard, feel free to point it out and I'll bring it up for attention.

FO should be pretty simple. Make your EW test with the spotter, if successful, pick a Combat Group, any model in that CG can react with an indirect fire weapon. Indirect fire weapons suffer a -1D6 to hit penalty, FOing adds +1D6 (so cancels out the penalty), and if its Guided with a TD it adds a second dice to the attack (for a net +1D6). If there are any questions on that or stuff that needs to be cleared up, feel free to hit me up about it.


IRON WITHIN, IRON WITHOUT.

New Heavy Gear Log! Also...Grey Knights!
The correct pronunciation is Imperial Guard and Stormtroopers, "Astra Militarum" and "Tempestus Scions" are something you'll find at Hogwarts.  
   
Made in ca
Fresh-Faced New User




bobloblah wrote:
I've gone back to Tactical recently, and realised I'd forgotten how smooth it is in comparison, even on the tabletop (i.e. Skirmish scale). It's also remarkably easy to teach someone how to play, unlike Blitz! One of the only holes, I'm finding, is the lack of army lists in Tac for pick-up-and-play games. I started looking at the barebones stuff in SilCore Miniatures as a starting point, and tried to solicit feedback on the DP9 Forums, but the Older Miniatures Rules forum is pretty dead over there. I'd be interested in any house-ruled lists anyone has come up with for Tac or SilCore over the years, or any feedback anyone can give on the structure of the SilCore Miniatures' lists.

Recently, I have done the same (going back to Tactical) and I have no idea why I let it collect dust on my shelf for so long. It's become my main game right now and I'm having a ton of fun with it again—it's great to be back on Terra Nova! I think you may be going about it wrong though... Heavy Gear never had army composition rules and it is frankly better off for it. Treat it like an old school historical wargame and tailor the force composition to the scenario at hand and you'll have more fun. Come up with wacky situations, like a group of Stone Masons having to defend themselves against a lost platoon of GREL that stumble upon their logging site in the jungle. Come up with creative scenarios like a cadre of Swamp Jägers having to stealth there way across a river at night and evade patrols of ATV infantry supported by Klemm light tanks. That's the best way to play Tactical in my mind. It doesn't have to be "balanced"... asymmetrical games are much more fun in my experience. Set reasonable objectives given the relative force disparities and see how well each side does compared to what you would have expected. I honestly don't even look at TV when I build a scenario anymore: I just take a look at each side and adjust to taste. If I want to play a scenario with obviously unequal forces, then I might give the stronger side harder objectives or some other handicap. Likewise, I might give the smaller force multiple different routes to victory. If you make it an art and not a science, you'll have a lot more fun with it.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2021/07/09 00:56:13


 
   
Made in ca
Regular Dakkanaut





NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWS!!!!

EldoniusRex, of Battletech fame, joins Heavy Gear!
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





The Battle Barge Buffet Line

Will that be for the minis game or the rpg? Is the rpg still an upcoming thing? I'm not familiar with his work but some news is better than no news I suppose.

We Munch for Macragge! FOR THE EMPRUH! Cheesesticks and Humus!
 
   
Made in es
Inspiring SDF-1 Bridge Officer






So, someone forwarded me this:

https://store.dp9.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=140

It seems DP9 has started selling 3d files, which is a move I fully endorse. As soon as they sell Heavy Gear stuff, I will buy it.

That said, I think this would be the perfect opportunity for them to address their horrible non-USA distribution issues. Now they have decided to go this route, they should embrace it and sell files for private hobbyists like me, but also license the commercial use of the files so that printers can produce minis locally and sell them.

That could certainly help with that.

EDITED TO ADD: Well, I will buy them except if they are the 3d models from the KS, particularly the North/South ones, because those were 1) made for the limitations they had for plastic sprue production, and 2) utterly horrible.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/01/15 22:29:02


 
   
Made in ca
Regular Dakkanaut





 warboss wrote:
Will that be for the minis game or the rpg? Is the rpg still an upcoming thing? I'm not familiar with his work but some news is better than no news I suppose.
Don't know, and don't know. EldoniusRex is internet-famous from, at least in part, doing a lot of the art for TexTalksBattletech. I can definitely see some Battletech in that Golem, but the overall finish makes it look like it would not be out of place next to one of Barbe's, so I am definitely looking forward to more.

And wouldn't that make a GREAT Protomech??
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





The Battle Barge Buffet Line

 Firebreak wrote:
 warboss wrote:
Will that be for the minis game or the rpg? Is the rpg still an upcoming thing? I'm not familiar with his work but some news is better than no news I suppose.
Don't know, and don't know. EldoniusRex is internet-famous from, at least in part, doing a lot of the art for TexTalksBattletech. I can definitely see some Battletech in that Golem, but the overall finish makes it look like it would not be out of place next to one of Barbe's, so I am definitely looking forward to more.

And wouldn't that make a GREAT Protomech??


Thanks and agreed. I'm glad they have some fresh blood. I may love Ghislain's classic HG art but that appreciation (nostalgia?) doesn't seem to carry over to newer fans.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
 Albertorius wrote:
So, someone forwarded me this:

https://store.dp9.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=140

It seems DP9 has started selling 3d files, which is a move I fully endorse. As soon as they sell Heavy Gear stuff, I will buy it.

That said, I think this would be the perfect opportunity for them to address their horrible non-USA distribution issues. Now they have decided to go this route, they should embrace it and sell files for private hobbyists like me, but also license the commercial use of the files so that printers can produce minis locally and sell them.

That could certainly help with that.

EDITED TO ADD: Well, I will buy them except if they are the 3d models from the KS, particularly the North/South ones, because those were 1) made for the limitations they had for plastic sprue production, and 2) utterly horrible.


Also agree. I think testing it out on a dead franchise might be a good move. I doubt they're cannibalizing any sales as likely those with a Weird War II itch have been scratching it in 28mm with Dust (which I think just closed down again). I'd probably personally recommend doing Jovian Chronicles next instead of moving onto HG for the same reason. That's in addition to the fact you mentioned that the most popular Polar gear designs were very compromised to work within the strict technical and financial limitations they had.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2022/01/16 18:21:47


We Munch for Macragge! FOR THE EMPRUH! Cheesesticks and Humus!
 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

Gear Krieg was already a great choice to start with, and Heavy Gear would certainly be the last. Jovian Chronicles sits right between them, so I agree that'd be the more likely choice vs cannibalizing active HG sales. Thing is, selling into a dead space seems like a bad idea.

   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





The Battle Barge Buffet Line

 JohnHwangDD wrote:
Gear Krieg was already a great choice to start with, and Heavy Gear would certainly be the last. Jovian Chronicles sits right between them, so I agree that'd be the more likely choice vs cannibalizing active HG sales. Thing is, selling into a dead space seems like a bad idea.


Welcome back! I'm starting to wonder if you're a human-cicada hybrid though... Or a career criminal.

We Munch for Macragge! FOR THE EMPRUH! Cheesesticks and Humus!
 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

Thanks!

My absence is actually much, much simpler: I switched from wargaming to mostly PC gaming, so I didn't have much to say on Dakka.

   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





The Battle Barge Buffet Line

 JohnHwangDD wrote:
Thanks!

My absence is actually much, much simpler: I switched from wargaming to mostly PC gaming, so I didn't have much to say on Dakka.


Bah! That's never stopped me. I just default to shouting at cloud sprues and telling those damn kids to get their figs off my flock!

We Munch for Macragge! FOR THE EMPRUH! Cheesesticks and Humus!
 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

Oh, I did plenty enough of that, too! Haha!

   
Made in es
Inspiring SDF-1 Bridge Officer






Oh, hey, nice to see you, JHDD, long time no see .

JC models would also be very welcome, actually, there's some cool stuff there, and being as they are gundam ripoffs for the most part, they are generally useable in multiple other settings, particularly if the models are well designed and modular enough to mix and match.

Gear Krieg is cool, yeah, but it's much less generally useable than JC or HG would be.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/01/17 09:05:24


 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

Thanks, Al hope you're doing well.

Yeah, JC never took off, but at least HG got a lot of stuff.

   
Made in es
Inspiring SDF-1 Bridge Officer






 JohnHwangDD wrote:
Thanks, Al hope you're doing well.

Yeah, JC never took off, but at least HG got a lot of stuff.


Well enough, thanks

So, FB just told me that DP9 has released an open beta for the new edition of the RPG. Just downloaded, and... hm.

Well.

The first impression is that a regular docx file without real formatting makes this much harder to read than it should. A basic layout with at least some section separation, titles of varying size to see where you are and the like would improve readability immensely. As it is, right now, it just feels like... well, like what it is, a massive wall of text. Doesn't really help retention.

Before anything else I would advice some slight format to be applied here, probably with some images to help the mind remember where stuff is.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
This is what I mean. The document, as presented, is literally a docx file, without formatting other than using the default titles:



This took me literally 5 minutes, and about 4 of those spent looking up and installing fonts. I do believe it improves readability quite a bit.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/01/17 14:54:21


 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut





The Battle Barge Buffet Line

I agree on the increase in both legibility as well as professionalism in appearance even for a "beta" document. First impressions are important.

Also, it's this kind of toxic fan behavior/effort that got you banned on the official forums. Will you ever learn?!?!

We Munch for Macragge! FOR THE EMPRUH! Cheesesticks and Humus!
 
   
Made in es
Inspiring SDF-1 Bridge Officer






Apparently not xD
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






SoCal, USA!

I get that it's a beta, but your version is so much cleaner and easier to read.

You should send that sample to the Pod, and ask them to PAY YOU to format their stuff so it looks like a professional, commercial document. Seriously. It'd be a huge boon to the community.
____

Oh, you're banned by the Pod. Sorry, nevermind.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/01/19 00:43:20


   
 
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