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I dunno I would agree with that. I mean, model wise, yes absolutely, Hawk is doing some of the finest work out there. Rules wise, you see some definite GW influences there, though IMO the bigger issue is Hawks poor implementation of a living rule set. Being a "living rule set" in and of itself isnt a problem, but the way theyre doing it is absolutely not user friendly and in fact confusing to newer players, as it can be hard to find updates if you delete newsletter emails, and if you dont get the newsletter then you would never even know. Also given the frequency of balance changes I feel the rules are in a live beta more than they are in a finished state, particularly when they release updated rulebooks every year or two (which are themselves invalidated by the latest rule update approx 6 months later). IMO it would be better if Hawk went with free rules pdfs, at least until they get the rules to an actual finished/polished state that they can release published content with only a minor errata at some point in the future if needed.

I think you are right, with free pdf more people will play Dropzone Commander. Planetfall, Mantic, Infinity all of them have versions of the rulebook in PDF now.

I'd tend to agree and, it wouldn't invalidate the rulebooks either. Nowadays, I tend to flit between different games and the DZC rulebook is the one of the very few that I've read and regularly re-read all the non Game mechanics things in it.

 Compel wrote:
I'd tend to agree and, it wouldn't invalidate the rulebooks either. Nowadays, I tend to flit between different games and the DZC rulebook is the one of the very few that I've read and regularly re-read all the non Game mechanics things in it.

Yes, you are right about it. I read more the fluff in the DZC rulebooks than the ones in 40K.

Getting back to topic, I like Hawk with the limited personnel and resourses they concentrate a lot in DZC. Other companies like Mantic, they have so many games they have problems with sculpts and the release of games. I did wait 3 years for Warpath to get a remake and another year for kickstarter. Spartan I read people saying they also have limited resources and they have too many games: Distopian Wars, Distopian Legacy, Uncharted Seas, Firestorm Armada, Planetfall and there is another Planetfall in 28 mm.

This starts to look like video games, they charge you for an unfinished beta game.

Spartan is likely legally obligated to support Halo to some extent, I imagine it will come at the expense of a lot of their other games.

Spartan has already all but discontinued support for Uncharted Seas and from what I understand canned any and all spinoffs that were in development (they were working on a ground combat game at one point).

They have also seemingly canned Armoured Clash, which, is basically ground combat Dystopian Wars in a different scale? Not really sure, but it doesnt seem like anyone played it. Dystopian Legions has lasted a bit longer but isn't getting much love. Firestorm Armada and Dystopian Wars were Spartans 2 big sellers, it'll be interesting to see if they continue to receive the amount of attention they have in the past with Halo on the table now.

These companies are abandoning these games like video games abandonware. For example last year EA announced they will close many servers for their old games. But wait, these games costs around $60 at most. Miniature games armies are not cheap, and all the effort of assembling and painting, then learning the rules. Unfair

On the other hand, if Spartan stops "supporting" their games, I can still play them. Not the same as with a computer game requiring a game server.

I play Planetfall on a regular basis. The game is actually fun, tactical and quite fast to play. At least in normal 4000-5000 points. Smaller games are obviously even shorter.

Spartan Games made some mistakes in the past, but you see they're using their experience from previous games to polish their game systems. Planetfall is using this from Dystopian Wars and Firestorm Armada. And Halo did as well from all the others.

Planetfall is still young; we don't have all the units for each faction and the army lists are still being tested. They are modified with each new product, the last one doing a huge overhaul on all the armies. Spartan Games is also using a new team of beta testers and take their advice into account. They're quite taking that Living Rulebook statement to heart. The downside is that the paper edition is now obsolete...you have to take the last version on their website.

Planetfall miniatures are quite well done. Spartan Games did a lot of progress since their first edition and now their resin is quite known for their quality. Still have some troubles with logistic, but there was a significant improvement in the last months. For example, in the nex boxes, they now put a retail number to make the task of resupply easier. I never had any trouble to ask for a replacement - sometimes, they even give back more than I asked.

I'd say the game has a very good potential for the future. We just need more products. System Wars is also out and allow players to link their games of Firestorm Armada so that they have an influence for those of Planetfall (it allows players to buy advantages/disadvantages based on their result on the Battlelog - if it's positive, they can buy advantages, if it's negative they HAVE TO "buy" disadvantages). Simple and effective.


About DZC, I never played mainly because there weren't players interested in it in my region. The game looks interesting, but it's definitely different. I'm dying to see the Valkyrie infantry painted and built, because they are only showed as renders on their website and they look so cool! Would love to buy them if I could have a comparison picture, so that I can be sure how truly big they are.

Simply put, I think that Dropzone Commander is better. WAIT! Sorry, Better is the wrong word. Better implies explict, objective improvement.

I will say, though, that...

-I like Dropzone's minis more
-I like DZC's fluff a little bit more
-I don't think that Spartan will be giving their games the love they need
-DZC had a lower buy-in with the cheaper starter boxes.

I would have actually played Planetfall alongside DZC, since the terrain is compatible, but sadly I just don't trust SG.

They're actually very different games, FPF is more mass battle, DZC is all airborne fast combat with small groups.

Terrain is very compatible. I saw some Planetfall battle reports with the ruined cityscape from DZC. And it was quite nice looking.

For myself, I began with Firestorm Armada so playing Planetfall was the opportunity to link games in a full campaign mode; first in space, then on the planet. Now that's a true planetary assault!

I think there is enough place for everyone, there. Both games are distinct enough so that they don't really "feel the same" when playing. And having the same scale is useful to make some "crossover battles". Sure, you will need to make some profiles for the miniatures you bring from "that other game".

I like the visual design of PHR and Shaltari factions. Maybe I should use them for Planetfall with some house made rules...or just using some human soldiers to have different looking Light Infantry for my human factions.

Such a Golden Age for miniature wargaming!

Around 2012 the Golden age began to get stronger. Maybe after 40K 6th edition.