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How is deadzone as a skirmish game?
Where can I find lore about it?
Is it worth the $100 for the starter?

Let me know
Thanks
Austin

It's not really a true skirmish game. Most skirmish games use the low model count to really 'zoom in' to each model, Deadzone sort of goes for this but not to the same degree I've seen elsewhere. I think it can be summed up as a pseudoskirmish game with some board game elements to make it faster playing.

If you include the expansion books there's not quite a bit of lore across the rulebooks, though I'm not sure there's much online to read. It's worth noting that Deadzone is set in the Warpath universe (same as Dreadball), so you could perhaps widen seach terms there.

Deadzone's a good game. Much like X-wing (for me), I would never consider it as a main game to play every week, but it's a lot of fun to pull out every so often. In terms of value, if you have alternative uses for the terrain then the starter is well worth it.

 Redbad wrote:
How is deadzone as a skirmish game?
Where can I find lore about it?
Is it worth the $100 for the starter?

Let me know
Thanks
Austin

"How is deadzone as a skirmish game?"

It's more the missing link between a skirmish and board game. It's a lot of fun, and the 2x2 board makes it nice and focused on the action. Also, I've found the boardgame elements (basically you move via a cube mechanic on the board (three dimensional squares) and meaure ranges by the same) lends the game as a really good intro to people new to wargames.

"Where can I find lore about it?"

There's a fair amount of background, but most of it is in the rule books. If you check out the Kickstarter page there's an intro video there which covers the important points (likewise if you get on Youtube and search for Deadzone demo game Beasts of War you'll find a nice batrep on how its played). Mantic Digital has all the books available in e-form if you're interested in grabbing an e-copy and reading through them, plus they have the Containment Protocols anthology if you want some short fiction based around the game (shameless plug: Beasts of War have a free story from the collection on their website this week).

"Is it worth the $100 for the starter?"

In my view, yes. Not only do you get all you need for a full, and very fun game, it's also a building block for more scenery, armies, and could be used as an intro for the Enforcers or Plague into Warpath when it comes out. But yeah, check out the demo game I mentioned above if you want to see how it plays first.

As stated above, Deadzone is only somewhat a skirmish game. In it's present state it's a beefy board game with wargame elements. It's also expandable, flexible, and extremely clever. I've played lots of wargames over the years and Deadzone is by far my favorite. You can play a normal small scenario and finish a game in an hour or so, or you can play with a bigger force and zombies and 4 mats, and have a serious skirmish game that lasts all evening.

The starter kit is without a doubt the best value you can want in a starter game box. Mantic's retail price is lower than most companies already, and the starter box piles more stuff into it free on top of that good price. I heartily recommend it.

As for lore and background stories, it's so new they don't have that much out yet. I too am hoping for more soon.

The starter kit is without a doubt the best value you can want in a starter game box. Mantic's retail price is lower than most companies already, and the starter box piles more stuff into it free on top of that good price. I heartily recommend it.












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I had my first deadzone game sat with a pathfinder and I immediately went out and bought a starter box. My opponent (who only plays historical games usually) enjoyed it so much he was hooked.
Agreed with the comments above...lots of boardgame elements. In this respect they work (so far in my limited experience). Lots of people have suggested their is a balance issue with certain units but that shouldn't be a problem for me..
I would recommend playing some games if you can with a pathfinder. If not take the plunge and dive in.
Good luck!

As a game, it's great. Not as complex as Infinity or Necromunda, not as (deliberately) simple as Mars Attacks (although you can make DZ that simple by scrapping the cards and command actions for your first few games). It's fast, effortlessly cinematic and very accessible to gamers and non-gamers alike.

As for the starter set, it is a great deal; the minis in it are all pretty damn nice (they take a bit of cleanup, but Restic really isn't as bad as some make out) and the terrain is excellent, especailly if you play other sci-fi games as well.

All will say is that, depending on how quickly you want it, there is a new Deadzone Kickstarter coming at the end of this month. This time, all minis will be either Hard Plastic or Metal, the rules will be updated and it should be an excellent deal by the end of it. There may also be a chance to grab the DZ starter or some of the existing minis cheaper than retail, so you might be better off hanging on if you can wait a bit.