mattl wrote:
Would love to see the scale of these alongside other Epic scale games

SU-152 wrote:
Wow Ben strikes back! I hope the infantry and vehicles are better than the ones from years ago.

Also, are the rules similar to Epic:A?

Campaign Update: 45% in one day! Novan Infantry Feature Day.



Hi Backers and Watchers,

45% Funded!

Wow, what a start! We're already at 45% Funded, which bodes really well for the Campaign to come. Thank you so much for the support you're showing us so far, everyone who's already a Backer.

And for Watchers, it's time to jump in! The sooner we get to 100%, the sooner we start chasing down Stretch Goals and seeing extra surprises!

Novan Infantry Feature

I thought we'd start the Campaign by doing Feature Days, where we look at the various tiny models in close-up detail. First up, the Novan Infantry choices.

The Novan troops included in this plastic boxed set are known as Industrial Wastes troops. They habitually wear gas masks, protective thigh-length coats, and sturdy boots.



Various infantry squads.

Although you can of course build your squads in any manner that you like, in the CityCrushers:Epic Battles game rules, the Novan squads that come in the plastic boxed game are broken down into four core types.

Infantry Squad (Riflemen, with one Missile Launcher on every second base)

Missile Support Squad (With two Missile Launchers on every base)

Sniper Support Squad (With Snipers on the base)

Command Squad (With Command figures on the base, plus a Missile Launcher team)

The Infantry Squads have reasonable ranged firepower, but cannot match most Skinners for close combat ferocity, or indeed raw numbers.

Specialist Support Squads can't be generally expected to hold the line of battle on their own, but they can provide shocking strikes to degrade enemy morale, placing powerful precision attacks at the right spots for other Novan formations to then exploit.

Command Squads in the rules system, allow players to direct multiple formations into battle, by interrupting the normal back-and-forth orders sequence and taking a second action before an opponent can direct their own army to react.


Novan Command Squad, painted by Smallscale painting hero and legend “The Hobby Brush”, aka “TuffSkull”.

We'll be taking a deeper dive at those game rules themselves later in the campaign, after we've covered the various squad, vehicle, and superheav types, in our daily updates.



The set includes eight distinct infantry sculpts - A Flag Bearer, an Officer/Observer, A Missile Loader, a Missile Trooper, three Riflemen, and a Sniper.

Thank you for your support so far everyone, we look forward to revealing more about the sculpts tomorrow!

Ben @ TMG

Campaign Update: 50% Funded! Novan Artillery Feature Day.

Hi Backers and Watchers,

We're over half way there already!

Historically, Troublemaker Games Kickstarters tend to do strongly in the first couple of days, then stabilise for most of the Campaign, and then have an uptick in orders near the end as well. But we've never crossed 50% in just two days before. Heck, we've never even gotten over 35% in two days before. So to say this has been a strong start that bodes well for the Campaign, would be an understatement. A big thank-you is coming from TMG HQ to all the Backers we've had so far.

We've also had some great feedback on our Novan Infantry feature yesterday, including some excellent suggestions on what kind of extra details people would like to see added before all the models are moulded - and that's something we can do, and are happy to do!

If you have any feedback on our model feature days to help us upgrade the models before the factory gets their hands on them, please do let us know.

Novan Artillery Feature

Novan infantry forces don't tend to be as numerous on the battlefield as Skinner warriors, so they cover that numerical disadvantage with the use of artillery platforms. Each plastic Novan Armies Sprue contains two artillery vehicles.

The Self Propelled Gun hull can be fitted with a choice of either a long range Howitzer, or a short range Siege Mortar.


The turret can be rotated 360 degrees, and the weapon can be elevated or depressed, allowing for a fair degree of "posing".

The Novan Multiple Rocket Launch System meanwhile uses long range heavy strike rockets.

The MRLS missile array can likewise be rotated, and elevated.

Novan Self-Propelled Howitzer, painted by Smallscale painting hero and legend “The Hobby Brush”, aka “TuffSkull”.

Thank you again for your support so far everyone, we look forward to revealing more about the sculpts tomorrow. We'll continue going through the Novan models first, before moving on to the eeeevil* Skinners.

Ben @ TMG

*Or maybe noble, your call.

Evil & Chaos wrote:
Thanks for the thumbs up Sigkill, we'd certainly love to have you in on the Kickstarter, helping us reach the funding target. ?

 sigkill wrote:

Evil & Chaos wrote:
Thanks for the thumbs up Sigkill, we'd certainly love to have you in on the Kickstarter, helping us reach the funding target. ?

Naturally; I am supporting it now. I hope you will reach the funding goal.

SU-152 wrote:
This is top notch... takes me back to 1997...

Campaign Update: 55% Funded! Novan Tank Feature Day.

Hi Backers and Watchers,

55% Funded

Incredible support has seen us go to 55% Funded. Normally a TMG campaign doesn't reach this stage until about 3 days before the end of the Campaign, so we're rather happy with that!

Novan Tanks Feature Day

The Novan Tank included on the sprue, can be constructed in a variety of ways.

The turret can be rotated through 360 degrees, and can mount three different guns that give the tank three different roles : The Main Battle Tank, the Sniper Tank, and the Siege Tank.

In our rules, the Main Battle Tank gives a good all-round medium range performance. The Sniper Tank gives fewer but more powerful long range firepower. The Siege Tank gives a shorter range but more powerful attack.

Novan tanks advance in search of targets.

The hull weapon position can also be fitted with a choice of either laser beamer or machinegun, but in our rules this is just an aesthetic choice that doesn't affect how the tank performs in the game.

Novan tanks prepare for war... or perhaps a nice parade in a peaceful area...

In general, the Main Battle Tank is a powerful unit type that hits hard, and is difficult to damage. Unless, like Skinners often attempt to do, it is overwhelmed in close combat. Screen your tanks well, with a protective deployment of infantry!

Two isolated Novan tanks are ambushed by a Skinner patrol.

Also, technically you could fit the turret guns into the hull weapons position, and even vice-versa, as the mounting points are the same size. Feel free to convert to your heart's content, as plastic miniatures are so easy to snip-and-glue with.

This tank has lost its turret, and is searching the battlefield to find a new one!

All in all, Novan Tanks are powerful, versatile, and are (obviously) best painted bright blue.

Thanks, and see you tomorrow, when we'll look at the Novan Infantry Fighting Vehicle... and then on Monday, we'll look at something quite a bit larger...

Ben @ TMG

Hi Backers and Watchers!

We're over £7500 Funded now, which is just incredible. Thank you for your support so far everyone. The sooner we get to 100%, the sooner we get to start showing off what the Stretch Goals look like...

Novan Infantry Fighting Vehicle Feature Day

The Novan Infantry Fighting Vehicle acts as both a troop transport, and a light battlefield combat unit.

Novan Infantry deploy from their transports.

Using IFVs allows Novan armies to move fast to meet threats, or to advance quickly to take objectives - a key part of our rules system.

Novan Armour on the move.

While other Novan armoured units might be more "flashy", dropping artillery fire from a distance, or dishing out powerful strikes, the humble Infantry Fighting Vehicle (along with their many transported infantry squads) forms the bedrock of a Novan manoeuvre battlegroup, without which the artillery and tanks would quickly be overwhelmed.

And tomorrow, we'll look at something slightly bigger...

Thank you for your support so far everyone,

Ben @ TMG

Nomeny wrote:
I really love my City Crushers, so this is an auto-back.

Campaign Update: Novan Conveyors Feature Day.

Hi Backers and Watchers,

Today, we look at the ultimate in Novan firepower, the Ordinance Conveyor.

The base plastic kit for the Novan Ordinance Conveyor comes with a choice of three weapons options. The Laser Cannon, the Energy Cannon, and the Howitzer Cannon.

In our game rules, the Laser Cannon has a very long range, and highly powerful attack. It doesn't roll many attack dice, but those that hit are liable to cause a lot of damage, particularly to any larger target units that have Structure Points, as it can do multiple points of damage to such larger units even from a single hit.

The Energy Cannon is intended as a medium range weapon. In our game rules, it is treated as an weapon that fires a fair number of shots, and defeats armour - not quite as powerful per shot as the Laser Cannon, but able to lay down a greater volume of fire.

The Howitzer Cannon strikes out at extreme range, laying down barrages to shock the enemy from afar. It makes normal Novan artillery feel quite inferior...

Resin Weapon Options

We are also releasing several resin weapon upgrade options that can be purchased as top-ups.

The Sonic Cannon is treated in our game system similarly to artillery weapons, only it lacks the ability to fire indirectly, and its range is relatively quite short. It is particularly dangerous to infantry formations taking cover in buildings or similar.

The Triple Laser Cannon is a direct fire weapon with a relatively long range and reasonable firepower, but lacks the extreme armour penetration ability of the larger single barrelled Laser Cannon weapon.

The Gattling Cannon is treated as an all-rounder type of weapon, useful in most circumstances, but not especially brilliant at any one task.

The Double Rocket Pod. For when you simply need to drop several tons of high explosive on an enemy formation. What it lacks for in range, it makes up for in whump-boooom.

Compatibility with our other model kits.

We have been asked to show how compatible the anti-aircraft gun found on our plastic modular Airbase set is, with the Novan Artillery hull. It uses the same diameter turret ring, so is fully compatible.

Next Feature Days: Skinners!

For now, this completes our look at the various Novan plastic model kits (until we return later in the Campaign to look at the Novan Command Carrier, and also ***bzzzzzt, transmission lost*** which will be pretty cool).

Instead, for the next few days we'll be looking at the various Skinner units.

Thanks for your attention (and Campaign support!) so far, we're looking forward to unveiling more about the Novans' most mortal enemies...

Ben @ TMG

Campaign Update: 60% Funded! Skinner Infantry Feature Day.

Hi Backers and Watchers,

We're now over 60% Funded!

By quite a big margin, this is the fastest ever that one of our Plastics Kickstarters has reached 60%. This bodes rather well as we eyeball things like Stretch Goals, and special campaign-exclusive Rewards for our Backers.

Skinner Infantry Feature Day.


The four core infantry types included on the plastic Skinner Armies sprue are the Gobblers, the Skinner Axetroops, Skinner Guntroops, and Skinner Leaders.

Gobblers are the artisans and inventors of Skinner society. Physically weak, they prefer to fight at range (or even avoid the battlefield altogether). Because they're comparatively small, larger Skinners don't tend to even notice when they die in battle...

Skinner Gunners use rifles and heavy machineguns to strike at foes.

Skinner Axetroops use the superior strength and striking power of their ape-like bodies, to mash their enemies into pulp. Typically, squads of Axetroops will also include a Heavy Machinegunner, in order to suppress the enemy while the axe-wielding troops advance.

Skinner Leaders typically wear heavy armoured suits, mounting slicing claws and powerful guns. Some of them stick banners or flags to the back of their armour suits, as is apparently a Skinner tradition.

Correction.

We've adjusted the numbers of infantry models stated on the infographics to be included in several pledge types, as a couple of miscounts snuck through in part due to accidentally prematurely including certain stretch goal figure numbers in the final total figure counts, and also because we didn't include several of the Skinner gun crew figures in the total count. Humans were listed at 105, that's been changed to 100. Skinners were listed at 160, that's changed to 174.

Keep an eye both of those totals, because with the right stretch goals, they should both be higher by the end of the campaign...

Beasts of War Article

We were featured in a big write-up on the Beasts of War website.

It's pretty cool to see our game getting some great news attention. Please do let us know if you see any other cool mentions of us on wargaming websites, or on Social Media.

And please do feel free to share our Campaign on your social media yourself - every Backer who participates in the Campaign will help us reach towards those Stretch Goals!

Thank you for your support so far everyone, tomorrow, we'll take a closer look at the fast strike units of the Skinner army - the Scout Bikers and the Scout Buggies.

Ben @ TMG

Campaign Update: 65% Funded! Skinner Fast Strike Feature Day.

Hi Backers and Watchers,

Over 65%!

We had an incredible day in the Campaign yesterday, surging forwards to over 65% Funded on day 7. By way of comparison, it took our original CityCrushers Kickstarter 27 days to breach 65%. We just want to work as hard as we can to make CityCrushers: Epic Battles everything we all want it to be, so thank you so much for your backing so far. If/Once we get to 100%, we can start revealing Stretch Goal designs... Tell yer mates!

Skinner Fast Strike Feature Day


Skinner armies tend to be less regularised, less armoured, but generally also faster, than Novan forces. Where the Novan army grinds forward slowly, the Skinners hop lightly between battlefield positions.

A Skinner patrol speeds down a city street.

Scout Buggies and Bikers typically carry flame throwers or heavy machineguns respectively, using their superior speed to outmaneuver and harass enemy forces, probing for weaknesses in their lines, which can then be exploited. In order to protect their vulnerable logistics and support formation sites, Novan armies are thus often forced to deploy screening garrison forces to protect their rear echelon assets - slowing down their deployments still further, when compared to the lighter Skinner raiding forces.

Skinner fast strike units sweep behind enemy lines to attack a Novan artillery detachment.

In order to fit three large bikes on a base, a larger base size than typical (32mm diameter) is included for them. All other units in the core game box will either be on 25mm diameter bases, or (for vehicles) do not require bases.

Note that the Scout Buggy turret gunner uses the same type of socket as is used for the Field Gun, and for the Modular Combat Transports, meaning the flame thrower gunner seen on our test print models here, can be swapped out with other weapons choices if you prefer. And as for those other choices, we'll be looking at those tomorrow, when we focus on those two units...

Thank you again for your support so far everyone,

Ben @ TMG

Campaign Update: 70% Funded! Skinner Modular Combat Transport Feature Day.

Hi Backers and Watchers,

Funding Progress!

We're over 70% Funded! This is amazing progress - to the extent that we've started prepping our Stress Markers sprue for its grand debut...

Modular Combat Transports Feature Day


The MCT comes with choices of two different cab designs, and four different tracks/wheels designs, as well as a choice of different turret gunners.

The MCT can also mount the cannon found on the Skinner armies sprue, to make a more heavily armed battlefield asset.

The MCT can also mount the secondary guns (an anti-aircraft gun, and a heavy machinegun) found on the Capital Crusher weapons sprue. Rather conveniently, and with absolutely no long term planning involved, you get a spare weapon on every sprue.

If you want, you can also mount a few spare extra-heavy guns from the City Crusher sprue - you get two spare guns per sprue - which are also have rules in our game system.

Basically, the Modular Combat Transport is an extremely flexible unit type, capable of mounting a variety of weapon types. The only more flexible unit types as regards weapons choices would be the eponymous Crushers themselves, after which our game takes its name.

So tomorrow, we'll take a look at the big chaps themselves, and discuss how they work in our new game system.

Thank you for your incredible support so far. We're really excited to start showing off more about the Stretch Goals we have stashed away...

Ben @ TMG

Campaign Update: Crushers Feature Day.


Hi Backers and Watchers,

We're solidly into the £9k range now, amazing. Thank you everyone for backing us thus far, onwards we go towards the final few £K before we reach Funded status! (Tell your friends about us on Social Media, and we'll get there quicker!)

After that - I can't wait to show off some Stretch Goals...

Crushers Feature Day

Crushers are the iconic giant battle robots from the game CityCrushers that we Kickstarted in 2023. They come in three primary sizes.

City Crushers stand on a 40mm diameter base, and carry two powerful weapons. Gattlers are great for mowing down infantry at short range, Beamers are energy weapons that melt armour, Howitzers are a good general purpose ranged weapon, and finally Slicers are rotary buzz-saw weapons with a blade as big as a cargo van. City Crushers are tough to kill, surprisingly fast, and can tear enemy formations apart. A single City Crusher can confidently take on several Novan Battle Tanks and expect to have reasonable odds of winning the fight.

Capital Crushers are significantly larger than City Crushers, as they stand on an 80mm diameter base. They mount three large weapons with the same four weapon types (but much larger and more powerful) as the smaller City Crushers. They also mount two light defence guns on their shoulders, either a light cannon, or an anti-aircraft gun. A well-handled Capital Crusher can face off against a Novan Ordinance Conveyor with a decent chance of victory.

When you want to crush something even bigger than a regional city, or a larger capital city, you need something capable of crushing entire countries... The Country Crusher is the ultimate in Skinner battlefield firepower. It mounts three superheavy weapons on its arms and torso, and on the shoulders it mounts two more heavy weapons of the City Crusher arm weapons class. It is mounted on an 80mm base, and turns entire enemy formations to mush with supreme ease. Nothing in the Novan armoury can stand against it one-on-one.

The plastic sprues for the three sizes of Crusher (particularly the 80mm base sprue) also come with various extra items to spice up your games, like ruined walls, and industrial style scenery "doodads" (we also use these in games, as objective markers).


Four City Crushers prepare to rip a Novan army apart (or... be attacked by a Novan Ordinance Conveyor from half a tabletop away...?).

We're so excited to see your Crushers, showing off their size and power against whole armies of diminutive Novans or rival Skinner armies. Huge armies will clash. Gargantuan Epic Battles will be fought. Cities will be crushed.

Thank you for your support so far everyone, coming up in future updates, we'll look at the terrain pack as included in the Enhanced Edition (and larger) pledge levels, the plastic City Streets featured in a lot of our photos, and also reveal the prototype design for the Stress Markers Plastic Sprue Stretch Goal.

Ben @ TMG