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FSA without significant terrain were particularly obnoxious. I don't think it's a problem particular to the FSA, it's just very noticeable with that Core nation.

Part of the original problem of being the starter faction was they got a little more direct AD in exchange for lots of fancy MARs and niches. Turns out in a bucket of dice game that...didn't go so well.

[u]

 doc1234 wrote:
I'll withhold some judgement till i'v had more 2.0 games, but back in 1.1 the FSA naval got SM levels of flakk for being the "Easy starter button". Could be they dialed that back a little TOO much.

I first started playing DW just about three months after its initial release, when we were still trying to get carriers for the starter fleets. I've played the FSA the entire time, and I personally think the firepower excess of the FSA was overplayed. I think that the other first four nations started out with an uphill battle, but as soon as the CoA, RC, RoF, and other alliance nations were released there really was not a big deal.

In particular my opponents all played CoA, with a smattering of RoF, RC, and Australians.

I started the FSA because I loved the resemblance to talk ACW ironclads. I have been severely disappointed though watching the later releases because while every other faction has received new ships that expand the nations themes and make multi faceted playstyles with different options... The FSA has received nothing but the same ship in all the size variances.

They have been blasted among the forums for such a boring fleet design and playstyle, and come 2.0 what do the FSA get? Nothing more than 1-3 dice on each turret, which is NOT what was needed. They also gave us 5 new ships... 3 of them are exact copies of the older ships with just 2-3 extra dice per turret, and a carrier that just marries a big gun with some aircraft.

The new sub is a breath of fresh air, but I refuse to purchase the new boxes because they refuse to actually take a few moments to actually make interesting options for the fleet.


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I know I've already gone on a long rant, but the lack of variety in the FSA is my biggest complaint about the game.

I do think that there is a bit of a problem with the actual balance of the fleet as well though.

I don't think that the FSA was nearly as far ahead of the other factions in power level in 1.x because while I could more reliably cause crits on 1-2 of my opponents medium or big ships my opponents were regularly able to crit my BB at the same time as he puts damage, likely crits on my cruisers/small vessels. The FSA had the ability to hurt 1-2 models, while the CoA had turrets that were just about on par, but their broadsides were regularly putting out just as much damage as I could, and they also had partial accelerators that often made me regret fielding frigates.

The RoF ALWAYS made for horrible games due to their AA making it worthless to even attempt an air game and their heat lances utterly cut through the FSA armor.

Now the FSA still only has turrets for its weapon systems and it's even worse due to the removal of Split Fire. We only have a firepower advantage at RB 4 where my Independence has 10 dice compared to my opponents BBs which have 8. From RB 3 onwards my opponents have more firepower than I do, along with abilities to take down my shields, boost their own attacks, cause critical effects when they don't get a crit, or lose weapon effectiveness at half the rate.

Our toughness is also not quite what it's meant to be. The Prussians reduce all incoming attacks by 1 dice, while half the time it isn't as good as an extra DR, the other half its just as good and it easily has the potential to be much better than +1 DR, in addition it also really helps reduce the chance of crits providing a much better source of toughness. Along with a similar availability of shields and redoubtable weapons.

The KoB don't fear critical effects, have shields that they can extend to all nearby vessels including their escorts and frigates, and almost all of their weapons are mostly unaffected by damage received they are a VERY tough fleet.

The CoA have more shields than we do, reroll misses and reduce the effectiveness of our shields.

I'm not saying the FSA are unplayable, but what I've been finding is that a fleet for them must rely upon the new HBB, new Cruisers, with much better effectiveness while fielded with the submarine. If the FSA fleet stays away from the new models (or dreadnought which is still a powerhouse although i don't think it holds up as well when compared to other dreadnoughts) it is lacking in firepower with nothing to make up for it.

So played another game, was more fun than the last. Still picking up the rules (still without the main rulebook). I posted the link to the russian forum where I started a thread and have picture. I just got the Naval and Ariel Battlegroups in, so reinforcements have arrived!!!

Not sure what my next list will be, or the anchor of it. I can choose from the Moskva, Tunguska, Dudinka, Kostroma, Borodino, or Khatanga......I love having choices!


http://community.spartangames.co.uk/index.php?/topic/10883-first-game-of-dystopian-wars-russians/

The ships are all good, although I think I'd want the to reserve the Kostroma or Dudinka for a support vessel, and not the backbone of the fleet like all the naval battleships can be.

The Moskva throws great fire in all directions while being a bear.
The Khatanga provides very good RB 2 and 3 firepower and can definitely crit entire cruiser squadrons in one volley with the Heavy Mortars. If you don't know the Light Mortars and broadsides can link together for very powerful close ranged firepower.
The Borodino is known as the Borodinosaur, and that moniker more or less rightly applies. It is a simple juggernaut that you just point at what you want dead and your opponent has to hope they can bring it down enough by the time it arrives.

They are all good, the decision relies upon how you want to build your force and what role you want the big flagship to fulfill.

If you want to get use out of the Myshkins you'll need to field the Khatanga and/or Tiksi's.

Quick mortar question. The Khatanga has two range band 3 mortars. I use the template correct? And then everything underneath gets hit with the 10ad? If anyone could help is appreciate it.

Need this rule book to get here lol.

The light mortars are just generic Secondary gunnery that can fire indirectly if fired on their own.

The heavy mortars are generic Primary gunnery with an additional ability to use the Area Bombardment firing option.

That means that when firing the two heavy mortars, they can choose one of three options each turn.
-Fire separately at the same or two targets for a standard 10 AD attack each.
-Link fire at one target for a single 15 AD attack.
-Use the Area Bombardment firing option, where you will get two small 1.5" templates. The first one is placed where the center is touching the target model, and the other is placed in a random direction touching the first template. Each model touched by the template suffers a 10 AD attack.

roadkizzle wrote:
The light mortars are just generic Secondary gunnery that can fire indirectly if fired on their own.

The heavy mortars are generic Primary gunnery with an additional ability to use the Area Bombardment firing option.

That means that when firing the two heavy mortars, they can choose one of three options each turn.
-Fire separately at the same or two targets for a standard 10 AD attack each.
-Link fire at one target for a single 15 AD attack.
-Use the Area Bombardment firing option, where you will get two small 1.5" templates. The first one is placed where the center is touching the target model, and the other is placed in a random direction touching the first template. Each model touched by the template suffers a 10 AD attack.

Thank you, clears up a lot of confusion for me then. Made this as a funny theme then:

Khatanga
3 Myshkins
3 Tiksis
4 Novgorods
2 Suyetkas

While the Suyetkas may be tough to kill as Stratospheric flyers, a squadron of two won't do much in a squadron of 2.

2 Veliky's would probably provide more with their ability to link fire with the Khatangas heavy mortars for 19 dice in RB 2. While providing it with some additional RB 1 protection and have the ability to hide behind its glaciers when not needed.

They are 60 points compared to the Suyetkas 50 though.

I think I would also rather field two squads of 3 Novgorod's rather than the 4 Novgorod's and 2 Suyetkas.

I only have 4 Novs and I dont own any Velikys as of yet.

I have this to work with...

1 Dudinka/Kostroma
1 Moskva
1 Tunguska
1 Khatanga/Borodino

3 Tambov
3 Suvorov/Tiksi
2 Peset
3 Saransk Skyships

4 Novgorods
4 Rostovs
5 Suyetka Interceptors

Just started looking at Dystopian Wars. What nation is pictured in on the Dystopian Wars product page at Spartan Games?
http://www.spartangames.co.uk/products/dystopian-world/dystopian-wars
The "Great White Fleet" one. I can't seem to match those ships and aircraft to any of the nations or factions.

The Great White Fleet is the Russian Coalition I thought?

The pictured fleets are I think League of Italian States (the ships), the spider walkers are the Covenant of Antarctica, the tanks are Kingdom of Britannia and the fliers are Empire of the Blazing Sun.

I hadn't heard of this game until I found this thread, it looks really interesting especially with land sea and air units and its steam punk theme but I have some questions.Is the land and sea units different games or are they part of the same game. also is it more focused on sea or land, and could some one give me a basic rundown of the factions as while if they want to.
Thanks

I started this, but never posted pics! SHAME ON ME!!!

I got Russians




Was playing against the Brits




I also own some Americans to lend to others to try out the game

 ds9lord wrote:
I hadn't heard of this game until I found this thread, it looks really interesting especially with land sea and air units and its steam punk theme but I have some questions.Is the land and sea units different games or are they part of the same game. also is it more focused on sea or land, and could some one give me a basic rundown of the factions as while if they want to.
Thanks

Dystopian Wars combines land, sea, and air, though afaik the sea battles are by far the most popular. For obvious reasons, you need to coordinate with your opponent about whether the first two elements will be in play, and if so then how much.

There's also a "land battles only" rules system called "Armored Clash" that lets you fight larger-scale battles using land and air forces. It's still in the "semi-beta" phase, though, and afaik the only hard copy of the rules available is found in a Dystopian Wars campaign book (it's available free as a PDF on SG's website).

Nice to see some DW on here. I'm ordering the 2 player box set myself.

The Russians look awesome to me, and while the FSA may have historically influenced design, they really don't appeal to me in pictures. Maybe they will in person.

The FSA aren't my cup of tea, but man...those rockets. It's a good fleet for someone to start with or tryout.

If people want more pictures of anything in particular I'll take them.

 foto69man wrote:
The FSA aren't my cup of tea, but man...those rockets. It's a good fleet for someone to start with or tryout.

If people want more pictures of anything in particular I'll take them.

The FSA have previously been regarded as a good beginner's faction, as their higher DRs and easier access to shields made them hardier and a bit more tolerant of tactical mistakes. However, with the new re-stating that took place in 2.0, I think the factions have been leveled out a bit in terms of power level.

One of the things that has made me hesitant about dropping $$$ for the DW 2.0 rulebook is that so many battle reports show the middle and later turns of the game turning into a close, muddled scrum in the middle of the table as soon as the various units of either player can be maneuvered into those positions.

Although admittedly not just limited to DW reports, is that jumble in the center of the board due to player preference, or inherent to the ruleset itself for effective play due to an inability to hit and/or damage opposing models at range?

_
_

 Smilodon_UP wrote:
One of the things that has made me hesitant about dropping $$$ for the DW 2.0 rulebook is that so many battle reports show the middle and later turns of the game turning into a close, muddled scrum in the middle of the table as soon as the various units of either player can be maneuvered into those positions.

Although admittedly not just limited to DW reports, is that jumble in the center of the board due to player preference, or inherent to the ruleset itself for effective play due to an inability to hit and/or damage opposing models at range?

_
_

Well as the Russians, I get most of my dice in range band one...so weathering the storm and getting in close is necessary for me.

 Smilodon_UP wrote:
One of the things that has made me hesitant about dropping $$$ for the DW 2.0 rulebook is that so many battle reports show the middle and later turns of the game turning into a close, muddled scrum in the middle of the table as soon as the various units of either player can be maneuvered into those positions.

Although admittedly not just limited to DW reports, is that jumble in the center of the board due to player preference, or inherent to the ruleset itself for effective play due to an inability to hit and/or damage opposing models at range?

_
_

Prefacing of course that I have not played DW myself, my impression from looking over the stats and rules is that some nations want to get in close and board, while others count heavily on maintaining a healthy distance. Similar to some 40k armies, where the game is reduced to a mess of models huddled in the middle of the table, rolling mitfuls of dice, it could happen with certain lists pairing off. On the contrary, I've been impressed by the depth of maneuvering that exists in the battlereports I've seen.

I'll necro my own thread here.

His everyone doing in Dystopian? I've been getting done games in and thoroughly enjoying it. I'll post pictures of my Russia tonight, plus the East India Trading Company in pairing for someone else.

Again, everyone post up pictures and battle reports.


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Picture dump!

East India Company to paint at the bottom. Enjoy!

Some inspirational terrain! One day I'll be able to make pieces like this...hopefully

Does anyone know when we can expect printed versions of the Dystopian Wars fleet guides?

Been a while since I've seen those pics! Very cool. I just finished up some PE reinforcements myself:

I love the look of those Sturmbringers. They are some sleek looking submarines.

That terrain makes me drool every time I see it

Foto69man, nice work with the paintjobs. Think the splash of colour helps break up the grey a bit nicely.

How are you getting on with the game, have you introduced air units yet?

I appreciate the compliments. Still working on them slowly but surely.

I have a Tunguska, some Saransks, and not the Mishkin, but the small interceptor.

Been enjoying the game immensely. Love having to play chess in my head with what to do and move. I just bought a Khatanga, so that will be fun as well.

My local club has just got into this and as this has been a game I have kept my eyes on I decided to join them!

Just ordered a Britannia Battle Group Should give me most of the core stuff I need.

First DW mini painted, a PE Metzger:



more pics: https://gabbigames.wordpress.com/2015/02/27/dystopian-wars-prussian-empire-metzger/
some w.i.p.: https://gabbigames.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/dystopian-wars-prussian-empire-metzger-wip/