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Davor wrote:

 AlexHolker wrote:
I really wish companies would stop going to Beasts of War with this stuff. You don't need to dilute this kind of announcement in two and a quarter hours of video.

Sometimes it's great to hear it from the horses mouth. I mean you just want GW previews and excitement?

I want to know what is in the PHR plastic starter. For that I only need a photo and 30 seconds to look at it. I do not want to watch these clowns for two hours, or worse, one hour of technical difficulties, one hour of drinking beer out of bedpans like some idiot fraternity and only then, two hours after the official starting time, getting onto the announcement.

For anyone else who wants to know what is in the PHR starter, you get:

3*Neptune Medium Dropship
2*Ares Battle Walkers
2*Phobos Battle Walkers
2*Juno AFVs
4*Immortals bases

Edit: There are actually 3 dropships. Beasts of War showed a photo of the supposed contents that was incorrect.

Second edit: The new starters are up for preorder on the Hawk Wargames website now, so I retract my complaint about getting Beasts of War involved.

In part, it's that Beasts of War is always just one or two bored looking guys standing around going 'uh huh... this game has railguns, right?' and just nodding and clearly having a minimal interest in what they're doing aside from being paid.

It's a real shame, since there's potential for such advertisement venues. But Beasts of War is just so uninteresting to watch and forced, that I always feel it detracts when they get an exclusive instead of other fan sites.

They're certainly not one of my favourite sites,

but on the other hand they have put in the time and effort to create a site that has a wide viewer base, which is why companies give them exclusives (well actually not exclusives, they're just first looks)

If other fan sites were able to deliver the numbers I'm sure game developers would consider them as well

 AlexHolker wrote:

Davor wrote:

 AlexHolker wrote:
I really wish companies would stop going to Beasts of War with this stuff. You don't need to dilute this kind of announcement in two and a quarter hours of video.

Sometimes it's great to hear it from the horses mouth. I mean you just want GW previews and excitement?

I want to know what is in the PHR plastic starter. For that I only need a photo and 30 seconds to look at it. I do not want to watch these clowns for two hours, or worse, one hour of technical difficulties, one hour of drinking beer out of bedpans like some idiot fraternity and only then, two hours after the official starting time, getting onto the announcement.

I see we both watched that live Mantic interview then. Worst thing I've ever stayed up until midnight to watch!

The bedpan beer bong thing was just fething dumb.

The plastic sets look pretty interesting, looks like a way to get into PHR and Shaltari, which I was kind of interested in.

I like that the PHR starter set has the options to make a menchit walker instead of an ares or phobos (if you chose) and both weapon variants for the juno.

So, any photos?

Actually, the models in the PHR are modular. While you get the parts to make 2 Ares and 2 Phobos, there's also the arms for a Menchit. If you're in to magnetizing, you can make all 3 versions.

They also do the same with the APC. You get the turrets for the Juno A1 and Juno A2, so a wee bit of magnetizing and you can use both.

Add that value to the reduction in cost and this is a really amazing move on the part of HWG. Not to mention new data cards for each unit so you have the rules at your finger tips.

I should be bitter that I've bought the higher priced resin starter, the old 1.0 rule book and will have to buy the data cards separately. Oddly enough, I'm not as I like the game that much and want to see the company succeed.

 scarletsquig wrote:
Okay, looks like I'll be starting this game now.

The lack of good plastic starters and me liking Shaltari/ PHR the most are what has been keeping me out so far.

For the price, I'm not that impressed by Hawk's resins, 3d print lines are still visible on some of the models.

The plastics are brilliant though, so I'll be getting a Shaltari starter or two as soon as they're released.

A lot of people play locally too which helps.

I totally agree. I always loved the look of the PHR and my buddy has the starter box, so as soon as the PHR starter gets released we're gonna try it. I have enough cheap Z-scale terrain that can serve double duty between Battletech, Robotech and this (yeah I know it's not perfect, but whatevs) so additional investment cost is minimal. Starting with a cheap $50-$60 plastic box set or two makes it much more palatable instead of having a $100+ buy in to just try the game, plus after the inexpensive starting point it's way easier to just to add another resin unit to it here and there from the FLGS or added onto orders from online stores.

I thought the 3d print lines thing was only on the first generation or so of releases?

So pumped Hawk has moved in this direction. These sets are an incredible deal, I just hope they follow up by getting more merch in FLGS's.

Well, looks like I better finally get around to assembling that starter set.

Why are there no images in this thread?! Sacrilege!

Noticed that the new Resistance stuff hasn't been posted yet - should I put it here or start a new thread?

@Davor - great post, completely agree with the sentiment. Perhaps could have been a bit more succinct, but it is great to see people being passionate about the work they are doing (and TBH I find it quite enthusing).

Beasts of war has the unboxing of all the plastic starters on their weekender, but I've got the box art posted for those who are interested. I love the commanders of the races that are shown.

Box art for the plastic Scourge starter:



Box art for the plastic PHR starter:



Box art for the plastic UCM starter:



Box art for the plastic Shaltari starter:



While still in resin I will add the box art for the resistance as well. I can only find the front, not the back, but natfka has the images for the Resistance feral commanders on his website currently.

OK, I need those plastics.

Close-ups of some of the new minis, think they look absolutely awesome!

As a fan of Command and Conquer: Generals, I love the Battle Busses. The gunship looks good too. The technicals, I'm not really a fan of.

Mmmmhhh...
At another price level i actually might get into Dropzone Commander. The game system is still too much skirmish size IMO with just too few models that cost just a bit too much.
But with cheaper models you can go bigger and still afford it.

Good news!

What kind of plastic are we talking about here? Hard plastic?

Hard plastic, really sturdy stuff if it's the same stuff as the 2 player starter box.

I actually find I like the more military side of the Resistance, rather than the Mad Max stuff, actually. I love the old military tech look. Although it's cool that depending on which version of Resistance you field (Loyalists or Ferals) you can being in UCM models as super-elite Green Beret-style allies.

I think the resistance stuff works well together. Reminds me a lot of the resistance in Falling Skies. Some military tech that they've managed to scrounge, but mostly repurposed civilian tech with guns strapped to them.

There is also a look of the Matrix hover-ship thingies about the dropship and bomber. You can imagine crackling blue energy (and a very loud humming sound) coming from the engines - think they look fantastic!

 Vertrucio wrote:
Hard plastic, really sturdy stuff if it's the same stuff as the 2 player starter box.

Is it polystyrene or PVC based?

Really like the more militaristic resistance stuff. Not such a big fan of the ramshackle vehicle, but I'm sure some are.

Good news on the plastic starters.

Aye, the contrast between the ramshackle 'technicals' and the more sophisticated looking aircraft and tanks is too sharp for my tastes, that said the militaristic side is the most aesthetically pleasing group of models produced by Hawk and the price drop needed to start the game has certainly got myself and a few mates interested.

Top stuff!

 Daba wrote:

 Vertrucio wrote:
Hard plastic, really sturdy stuff if it's the same stuff as the 2 player starter box.

Is it polystyrene or PVC based?

I am not a chemist, but I believe that it is polystyrene. You can use plastic glue on it, and it has lots of detail.

The Resistance models are really cool.

 Daba wrote:

 Vertrucio wrote:
Hard plastic, really sturdy stuff if it's the same stuff as the 2 player starter box.

Is it polystyrene or PVC based?

Polystyrene traditional plastic sprues (model kits, GW, Wargames Factory, Perry, Warlord, etc)

Huh, wow. Some of those plastics are REALLY nice.

I didn't realise they were this good- the older resins didn't impress me this much.

And this will get me into Dropzone. I love the PHR but the cost was just a little silly to me for 10mm resins. Now I'll probably grab two boxes (since the walkers are swappable) and start playing with some of our locals.

Roll will to resist - failed. I managed to hold out for the starter set as I didn't like either army.
Now a PHR plastic starter is what will get me in.
Depending on the ally options for the resistance, I was thinking a 750pt resistance and and a 750pt PHR allied force.
If that's possible this gives me 2 starter forces as a demo game and a whole army.