The Rise and Fall and Resurrection

As many of you know who read my blog post I am very keen on Space Genre Gaming with almost all of my post focused on this subject.  Upon my return to scene I was trying to catch-up on the news of the my gaming interests.  While going through the latest news, forum posts, and looking at what gaming conventions this year an interesting thought came across my mind.

2017 saw the rise and fall of two great gaming lines and now 2018 will hopefully see their resurrection. The first victim being Firestorm Armada by Spartan Games and the second being Dropfleet Commander by Hawk Wargames.

Each of their demises was sudden and tragic because new gamers are being drawn into each system. I myself have a large investment in Firestorm Armada and I backed the Dropfleet Commander Kickstarter at the highest pledge I could at the time. Each universe has a great back story and even more potential.

However all is not lost, first we heard that Spartan Games struck a deal with Warcradle for several of their games including Firestorm Armada and recently TTCombat entered into an agreement with Hawk Wargames for the Dropfleet/Dropzone Commander games.

While we have not seen anything new from Warcradle regarding Firestorm Armada miniatures. However their online presences has been changing constantly.  Warcradle has updated the Spartan Games websites and moved over the existing form or started a new one on their website, https://community.warcradle.com/forum/28-firestorm-armada/. I have not determine this for sure as of late. I may have missed a forum posting while quickly browsing all of the content.

I just saw, albeit late, that TTCombat is already working to bring the new ships of Dropfleet Commander to market.  For example they are now offering the Remnant Centurion Cruiser as limited time offer, 4 February 2018, on their website and then it will only be available at shows that TTCombat Attends. This is an amazing way for TTCombat to show their support for the game and its gamer following.

Remnant Centurion Cruiser

I have begun to turn my frown of disappointment upside down with all of these exciting changes going on with two of my favorite games.  I just now have to get Dropfleet Commander miniatures battle ready.

Veydreth Hunter Class Destroyer

In the beginning I bought a few Veydreth Hunter Class Destroyers and I have now finally painted them up to added to the Alliance of Kurak.

Anton Kurak realised early on that the Veydreth tribes represented a considerable source of military strength which could easily be harnessed to the Terran cause.

Through his contacts within the Hawker Consortium, Kurak arranged for many Veydreth tribes to be taken on as mercenaries. In addition to the payments they would receive, Kurak’s agents made clear to the assenting chieftains that they would be free to loot and pillage whatever they liked from assets belonging to the Dindrenzi and their allies.

Many Veydreth leaders and their tribes jumped at the chance, not only to garner a slice of the spoils of war, but also at the prospect of testing their martial skills against a whole new array of potential opponents.

I now bring to bear the Hunter Class Destroyer. This subtle stealth ranged hunter is designed to circle its target like a bird of prey, working best from a distance where it can utilize its broadside launch tubes to become an invisible killer when it cuts its engines. Indeed, no one is safe when the Veydreth are unleashed!

Space Stations and Installations

In every game system inevitably there comes a time when you need a space station. The needs vary from situation to situation. Sometimes you need one for system or sector defense, a resupply point, a mission objective, or just cool scenery. I have the need for all of those. Therefore I have decided to pull out a few and start adding to my painted miniatures versus just those in storage awaiting to see the light of day. I have space stations in boxes ranging from Babylon 5, Ravenstar Studios, Spartan Games, etc. The question is where to begin. Do I pick a stationary platform or mobile?  Well I have decided this week to do both.  I decided to paint up Battle Station Raiden, Fort Courage, the Forge Mobile Repair Station from Ravenstar Studios as well as some gun/torpedo satellites from Spartan Games. I think next week I will paint up a few more from Spartan Games and maybe finish my Babylon 5.

Fort Courage by Ravenstar 

Battlestation Raiden by Ravenstar 

TA-4 Starport by Spartan Games 

Gemini Repair Station by Spartan Games 

Point Defense and Communications Satellites by Spartan Games 

Gun Torpedo Satellites by Spartan Games

Mobile Repair Ship by Ravenstar

Halo Fleet Battles: Bust Collection

A few weeks ago I was looking through Miniature Markets clearance site and found the two Halo Fleet Battles bust collections extremely discounted.  Since I have always thought they were actually pretty cool I decided to take the plunge and buy the two sets.  The two sets consist of three busts each and they are very detail.  This is something I am coming to expect from Spartan Games in all of the lines.  I need to now find time to fit this project into my painting schedule, maybe sometime after the space stations are completed.  The projects just keep coming!

UNSC Bust Collection

The UNSC Bust collection consists of Fleet Admiral Lord Hood, Vice Admiral Michael Stanforth and Artificial Intelligence Cortana. The busts are made from high quality resin and come unassembled and unpainted. I was surpised to fing two detailed dice plinths are also provided.

Covenant Bust Collection 

The Covenant Bust collection consists of Supreme Commander Rho ‘Barutamee, Imperial Admiral Xytan ‘Jar Wattinree and the Minister of Etiology. The busts are also made from high quality resin and come unassembled and unpainted as well as including two detailed dice plinths.

So finally after waiting a couple of days for them to arrive here they are in all their glory.  First up we have the UNSC Commanders. When I opened the box I was not expecting the bust to be in multiple pieces.

So as we get a close up shot of the pieces you can tell the sculptures are very detailed and great care and patients was taken on every piece.

The detail on these models is amazing.  I am so glad I bought these guys.  However I don't know when I will be able to paint the up.  My list of project is growing.

Lots and lots of pieces to put together.

The Covenant Busts are just as detailed however they will require a bit more assembly. These guys are gonna look mean on the gaming table.

Spartan Games: 30% off Selected Halo Fleet Battles Products!

You read that right, Spartan Games is offering a 30% discount on select Halo Fleet Battles products. This weekend only apply the coupon code HFB30 at checkout and bam you have some amazing models at a great price. Remember this offer will end on Tuesday 4th October, 2016.

Flashpoint Amber: The Medusa Offensive

Spartan Games has done it again with this amazing new flash message traffic.  This just in updated from the front, The Medusa Offensive.

As war rages across the Firestorm Galaxy and each side looking for a major victory Spartan Games zoomed in on the Kurak Alliance Medusa Offensive in the Amber System, on the very southernmost spur of the Moore Systems cluster.

This amazing offensive is destined to bring about epic battles especially since it is protected by a bulwark of defenses.

The most formidable being the new Daedalus Space Station. No intel has been released for this station, but based on the others that we have seen it is going to get crazy in the Amber System.  So strap on your anti-grav shoes, we are going for a ride.

Spartan Games has also introduce some new rules for running mixed cruiser squadrons that are sure to change each sides strategies. Now up to one Cruiser in a Cruiser Squadron may instead be a Heavy Cruiser or an Escort Carrier, for the Points Cost listed in the relevant Statistics profile. Up to one Light Cruiser in a Light Cruiser Squadron may instead be a Standard Cruiser, Gunship or an Escort Carrier, again for the relevant Points Cost. In all cases, the minimum Squadron requirements must still be filled with standard Cruisers or Light Cruisers, and the Squadron cannot contain more models than its maximum Squadron Size.

Check out the full article on the blog site at: http://www.spartangames.co.uk/flashpoint-amber

Spartan Games: Flashpoint Messages

Recently Spartan Games announced in its blog that it will be sending out Firestorm Galaxy updates via what it has dubbed Flashpoint Firestorm. They will be using these rolling updates to discuss both Firestorm Armada and Planetfall games under the same heading since they are part of the same Galaxy, and definitely interrelated.

According to Spartan Games these blog updates will be used to discuss and deliver a wide range of information, improving communications, and keeping us up-to-date with Spartan Games Firestorm plans. Updates will include new and expanded narratives about the Firestorm Galaxy, new model designs, rule discussions, statistic discussions.

As part of their first update Spartan Games announced that long anticipated version 3.0 Firestorm Armada core rules update has moved to 2017. This will allow Spartan Games the flexibility that it needs to add core strength and balance of the 2.0 rules and statistics.

They also announce a new amazing model the Indomitable Class Assault Carrier, see below. 

There is more to come and I am super excited to see what they have in store for us next.

Omni-Dynamics Systems on the Rise!

Like so many Directorate corporations, OmniDyne thrives on creating conflict, which will inevitably generate new markets for its lethal products. However, Nerivar and his managerial board are not fools. OmniDyne keeps all of its most effective weapons and defensive technology very firmly to itself. To that end my I introduce the next generation of the OmniDyne Special Operations (OSO) Company Fleet.

Never known to turn down a contract, they require only that their customers pay good money up front, and exercise a strong moral ambivalence towards how they get the job done. Modularity and replication is a key part of any vessel build for the OSO and many of their ships feature a standardized build, allowing fleets operating far afield to be readily maintained.

The OSO Patrol Fleet features the Executive Class Battleship, a solid and dependable Tier 1 vessel which can anchor its fleet while Auditor Class Gunships wreak havoc on the enemy, supported by Synergy Class Corvettes.

Inside an OmniDyne Patrol Fleet you receive 1 x Executive Class Battleship, 2 x Auditor Class Gunships, 6 x Synergy Class Corvettes, 9 x acrylic flight stands, 2 x Large SRS Tokens and 2 x Small SRS Tokens.

The gigantic Foundry Class Dreadnought forms the basis of the OSO Dreadnought Group, a monstrous weapon of war designed to act as a mobile control and command centre for OSO fleets operating far from their home systems.

Inside an OmniDyne Dreadnought Group you receive 1 x Foundry Class Dreadnought, 2 x Synergy Class Corvettes, 3 x acrylic flight stands, 2 x Large SRS Tokens and 2 x Small SRS Tokens.

An ideal add-on to any Patrol Fleet, the Reinforcement Group gives commanders a wealth of choice, with options to add Synergy Class Corvettes, Representative Class Light Cruisers or Paradigm Class Escort Carriers to their force.

Inside an OmniDyne Reinforcements Group Fleet you get 6 x Synergy Class Corvettes, 4 x Representative Class Light Cruisers, components to modify Light Cruisers into Escort Carriers, 10 x acrylic flight stands, 2 x Large SRS Tokens and 2 x Small SRS Tokens.

The OmniDyne Support Group provides further choices for expansion, with Synergy Class Corvettes, and up to two squadrons of Leverage Class Cruisers, a well-pointed, aggressive complement to the Patrol Fleet's Auditor Class Gunships.

Inside an OmniDyne Support Group you receive 6 x Synergy Class Corvettes, 4 x Leverage Class Cruisers and 10 x acrylic flight stands.

These four new boxed sets are making their way onto the shelves in June 2016, giving you a huge choice for how to next expand and customize your Firestorm Armada fleets.

The Devious Syndicate!

The Syndicate is one of the more shadowy factions in the Firestorm Armada Galaxy. This mercenary 'crime family' has only flourished since it was created by the devious Tauris Vylia'sal and his underhanded political scheming.

Wraith Class Gunship

Phantom Battleship

Unlike other factions, the Syndicate Traders League, or STL, use a Battlecruiser (the Spur Class) at the heart of its Patrol Fleet, supported by gunships and frigates. The ability to use this as a building block allows STL forces to easily scale up to deal with larger fights. And when more firepower is needed a Battleship Group can be rolled in, which has the devastating Phantom Class at its core and even more frigates thrown in for good measure.

Syndicate Patrol Fleet (FAMP20)

The Syndicate Traders League (STL) Patrol Fleet has been designed to be light on its feet and rapidly deployed to deal with any incursion into space controlled by this faction. The highly capable Spur Class Battlecruiser takes up the Tier 1 slot on this fleet, bringing with it plenty of firepower and flexibility. Whilst not the most devastating spaceship in the Firestorm Galaxy, few rival its all-round capability in battle. Two Wraith Gunships add more violence to this Patrol Fleet, and 5 Shadow Class Frigates round things off. The Shadows can be fielded in a maximum of 3 to a Squadron, which allows players to field 1 full strength and 1 slightly under-strength Squadron OR take 2 of the Frigates and attach them to the Spur Class.

Syndicate Battleship Group (FAMP21)

Although designated as a Battleship, the Phantom Class was redesigned by head of the STL family, Tauris Vylia'sal, with the sole purpose of intimidating any foe that stands before it. In truth the superstructure of this vessel is more akin to that of a Dreadnought, but it sits as a Battleship in the Tier 1 fleet building structure. As a result of its bulk, the Phantom certainly packs the punch of such a vessel, and is majestic to behold in battle as it swoops in to destroy its foes. The addition of 5 Shadow Class Frigates allows 2 vessels to be attached to a Phantom and the remaining 3 create their own Squadron.

Pirates on the Starboard Bow!

A maelstrom of war and villainy, invasion and expansion. And within this we have the Marauders, the space age equivalent of pirates of old. The Syndicate have moved to completely control the former Rift Traders League, bringing it closer to the Terran Alliance. This has been aided by the presumptive loss of the singular Supermax-89 whilst on Syndicate enforcement duties in the Rift. Nevertheless, their new-found bonds with the Terrans have given them access to several old Reformer-class stations…

A little Firestorm Armada treat to kick off the weekend, courtesy of Spartan Games. They recently finished a redesign of the Syndicate models as part of a whole bunch of design modernization they are doing to the Marauder Fleets.

I really love these redesigned ships for the Syndicate.  Take a look!

Spartan Games: Firestorm Taskforce

Spartan Games has just announced three new Two Player Box sets, encompassing all of the core six races:

• Terran Alliance vs Dindrenzi Federation
• Aquan Prime vs The Directorate
• Sorylian Collective vs The Relthoza

Inside each Two Player Box come the components to play a 30-minutes plus game:

• Two Starter fleets (7 models in each)
• Firestorm Taskforce Rulebook
• D6 Dice
• Punch-Out Token Sheets
• Acrylic Movement Templates

The contents will allow anybody to quickly and easily start playing, whether they are an experienced gamer or a new player looking to start playing space combat. These new models are also the first to embrace a modular build design, and this is something gamers will see become pervasive across the future Firestorm model ranges. For existing Firestorm Armada 2.0 players, individual Reinforcement Sets, sold by race, are also available, containing Cruisers and upgrade components, Light Frigates and the necessary Flight stands.

Sitting at the entry point of Spartan Games’ space game family, Firestorm Taskforce is aimed at both existing and new players. As a set of rules, it is intended to service a need for quicker game-play and smaller gaming space, whilst providing a fantastic addition to the rich universe of Firestorm Armada. As game designer Derek Sinclair explains, “Taskforce isn’t a replacement for Firestorm Armada 2.0, rather an easy and very affordable introduction to exciting space battles, whilst providing a smooth upgrade route for when they want more from the Firestorm Galaxy.”

Bases, Stands, and Connnector Review

Over the years I have been trying to find the best combination of bases, stands, and ship connectors to set as the standard for all of my various gaming systems.  What is the perfect setup and cross between full scale, fleet action, fleet scale or many of the various scales that each vendor has for their gaming line.  Do you stick with what the vendor supplied or go with something else.  What is the easiest to transport, what looks the best, which ones are the most functional?  I have tried several different variations and determine that each of course have its own pro and cons.  Therefore I have compiled my list of systems below that I have tried for you to decide on your own.

So first off I think I need to develop some judging criteria for this assessment and how did I come to the conclusion to use the systems I currently have on the majority of my miniatures.  Those would be cost, durability, compatibility with a game system, looks, transport, and my of course does it provide the model the stability it needs on the table.  The latter the most important.  I do not like it when the table gets bumped and my models start this weird lurch on the table.

At this point you might be asking so which systems are we going to look at in this post.

1.  CorSec Engineering Omni-Stand System
2.  Ninja Magic Magnetic Adapters
3.  Home Depot nails and washers
4.  Spartan Games stock acrylic stands
5.  Mongoose Publishing (B5 Wars) stock stands
6.  Studio Bergstrom VersaStands
7.  Brigade Models Hex Stands

That pretty much rounds out the most popular stands, according to google searching. Now on to our analysis.

1. CorSec Engineering Omni-Stand System.

This system is now by far my favorite. As you can tell all of my miniatures now feature this system and are slowing being converted as time allows.  They travel well, stand up to may table games, and are overall very versatile.

2.  Ninja Magic Magnetic Adapters

This was my first set of adapters that I used when building out a common stand system that I could easily transport from game to game. They were awesome until I could not get anymore as the manufacture has not taken up a permanent job.  Nowadays these magnetic adapters are now very hard to come by.

Picture is from Sergeant Crunch's Miniature Madness

3.  Home Depot nails and washers

This method is by far my least favorite. They are cost effective and durable, but lack the transportability, and looks.  I could not find any good pictures from the good old Google.

4/5. Stock Stands from Spartan Games stock and Mongoose Publishing (B5 Wars)

These are my second least favorite, they work, but I just don't really like them. They are cost effective and look okay, but they are not very transportable and durable.  I have broken to many of these stands that I can count.

Spartan Games stock acrylic stands

6/7.  Studio Bergstrom VersaStands and Brigade Models Hex Stands

These two are tied for second place after the CorSec Stands.  They are cost effective, durable, and pretty easy to transport. The Studio Bergstrom VersaStands come in .5 and 1 inch Dark grey molded silicone bases do not take paint well.

Studio Bergstrom VersaStands

Brigade Models Hex Stands

Everyone has to decide what they want to do and I am happy with my choice. Happy Gaming!