DeepWars has received an award for "Best New Miniatures/War Games Rulebook" from Diehard GameFAN!
WOOT!
They also got runner-up placing for "Best New Miniatures Line".
EXCELLENT NEWS OR WHAT!
http://diehardgamefan.com/2013/01/11/diehard-gamefans-2012-tabletop-gaming-awards/
Though not STRICTLY a "Piratey" Game, it's still got elements in there (especially in ShadowSea - the game that "spawned" DeepWars).
The Kickstarters for DeepWars ended a while ago now, But if ANYONE still fancies a crack at DeepWars, there's another "Chip-In" promotion going!
Now's your chance to Pledge, you'll help get the last few Miniatures of the initial "run" released - and get stuff for yourself a little cheaper too -
DeepWars Pre-Order Pledge "Chip-In" Thingy
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW DeepWars is set below the waves of a lost underground ocean beneath a frozen southern continent, vying for control over ancient sunken ruins and wrecks holding powerful artifacts and golden treasure. Set in an alternate (late) 17th century, several years after the discovery of an underground continent known as the Shadow Sea, which is located miles beneath miles of ice and snow. The recovery of ancient technology by the first explorers has forced and accelerated the development of undersea vehicles and personal pressure suits that allow the exploration of previously unknown locations of the deep DEEP ocean floor and locate caverns that link the underground sea to the oceans of the surface. The Fortune Hunters (Human Faction) are not alone however, as other factions have been drawn to the deep ocean trenches and ruins, and the other races are wonderfully adapted to survival in these deep and dark underwater environments: the enigmatic Dark Mariners (an Ancient race that has mutated into squiddy crabby entities), the advanced Ancients of Atalán (sort of Sci-Fi Atlanteans) and the vicious Scaly Horde (Lizardmen, intelligent man-sized Insects, Dinosaurs, and Prehistoric Fish). DeepWars uses a modified version of the rules used in the ShadowSea game (also excellent), and all rules needed for gameplay are included in the core rulebook. The rules themselves are derived from the Song of Blades and Heroes game system (from Ganesha Games) and are designed for easy play with plenty of fast paced heroic action - the system is D6 based - if you want to know more - here's the Antimatter Homepage
Anti-Matter Games Home Page
Something a little "different" today, not Supers, not Pirates, not Cult TV - but rather Undersea Adventures!!
Unfortunately, I can’t pass on my thoughts about the DeepWars rulebook as I don’t actually have it yet.
However, I’ve had a good long “play” with the Fortune Hunters Deluxe Starter Set – I am in a position to give some thoughts.#
The Box contains – A 400 point starter warband (well, 405 points)
1 x Armored Dive Soldier (63)
1 x Heavy Support Trooper (77)
1 x Marie du Chaletet - Scientist of the Ethers (99)
1 x Anti-Ship Breaching Mech Construct (91)
1 x Recon Trooper (75)
The
Box also comes with the game card for each miniature, and the requisite
plastic bases. Each model also comes with a base insert in the same
material as the parent model, and is “undersea” themed – the Fortune
Hunters inserts fit the bases well, but not “exactly” – a little putty
work can easily sort this however.
There’s also supposed to be a
way (according to the website – there is no mention of it on the Box) to
get a hold of the free downloadable rulebook – that information is
neither on the Box nor on the Website – the only thing I can assume is
that if you buy direct, that link is supplied to you.
The
packaging/presentation is quite nice overall, the box card sturdy and
the colour printing bright and strong. HOWEVER, the “sticker” on the
front wouldn’t fill the casual buyer with confidence – it LOOKS ill
thought out, like its either an afterthought or maybe something got
screwed up along the way – I know I’m being picky here, but the first
“bite” of any product on the shelf is with the eyes – and in this oh so
competitive hobby of ours, if a potential buyer has any doubts – they
can move onto a different product (of course to online shoppers and
die-hards it makes no never mind LoL).
This is a nice touch,
inside the box with the contents are a number of polystyrene popcorn
packaging pieces, which I think are a really good solution to packing
miniatures for sale. The Miniatures themselves are in strong stapled
shut plastic bags, as are the Bases. The only thing I wasn’t keen on
here was the fact the Cards are loose inside the box, and whilst the
polystyrene popcorn packaging pieces did their job protecting them – I
could envisage of a scenario where they don’t. The use of another
plastic bag would prevent any chance of damage to the cards.
Right, enough with the Packaging – onto the Miniatures themselves.
The
Armored Dive Soldier is a cracking sculpt, and was for the most part
flash free – there is one problem however – where the Spear on his Gun
meets the housing, the cast seemed very “thin” when I attempted to clean
the gun arm it snapped off. A minor repair (but now the spear is a mm
or so shorter LoL) but worth mentioning to others, to ensure they are a
little more careful with the part.
The
Heavy Support Trooper is another cracking sculpt, nothing super fancy –
it does exactly what it says on the tin. He has heft, and looks like he
could “do the business”. This one was totally mold line and flash free.
Marie
du Chaletet - Scientist of the Ethers. She was my least favourite
sculpt till I got her in my hands. She is far nicer and more interesting
in the flesh – and a worthy addition as a named character to the set.
Again she was totally mold line and flash free.
The
Recon Trooper is a Scuba Diver wearing an undersea “jet pack” (for
want of a better term), the pose is a little “odd” so I can’t see me
ever owning more than one (he looks pretty awkward to convert to any
satisfying degree) but as a single miniature, he’s really nice. Again
mold line and flash free – there is an issue where he fits into (onto?)
his scenic base insert, it’s not a brilliant fit with mine – I can only
assume it’s down to warping/shrinkage during the casting process –
easily fixed with a little greenstuff though.
Lastly
the Anti-Ship Breaching Mech Construct – unlike the other miniatures in
the set which are metal, this is resin. The quality is good, just not
as good as the metal casts in this set. In particular around the
“thrusters” at the ass-end of the Construct. Theres a lot of extra
material in and around there, when it’s cleaned away (no mean feat, I
recommend intermediate to advanced modelling skills here) there are
“issues” with the casting, the thrusters and other parts of that area
are somewhat malformed, fortunately it’s a part of the model you don’t
look at a lot!
DeepWars
has a LOT of promise, the ideas and concepts are cool – and the
Miniatures are great. I just hope they can keep this game going, because
it deserves a fair crack of the whip – and as with all new miniature
games – only time will tell.
I don't know if many people use much premade Resin Terrain, but Ainsty Castings are doing some stonking new accessories atm (they also do some gorgeous resin Ships and Dockyard terrain as well).
Got some new bits through today, pots and pans, ornate crates and treasure chests, and some cracking tables and chairs.
Ainsty Castings
This is really for people who don't want to use the standard Freebooters Fate Basing Option.
Loads of people buy resin bases for their miniatures nowadays, and whilst buying resin bases is nice and easy, you can lack variety - and with the ease of availability of products like "Instant Mold" its becoming increasingly easy to create your own.
Create a "disc" of card (or plasticard) that fits the top of your base, add your "detail" (either from a basing kit, or in this instance I created my own using simple sculpting techniques - and finished the set product with a selection of files and a scalpel) - if you create a "textured base" make sure it has plenty of time to dry/set and that it's been sealed with PVA (thats also been left to dry properly, at least 24 hours) - warm up your Instant Mold and take your impression of your creation (I always do at least two of each master for ease of production).
Press in your putty of choice, I use Milliput with Greenstuff mixed in - this makes it less brittle than using just straight Milliput - but unlike using all Greenstuff is better for basing/sanding/drilling/pinning etc - when mostly set, I turn them out of the mold and make sure they're nice and flat. Then mix more putty and start on the next lot
The "toppers" I've been working on could double as small flagstones or large cobblestones (users choice - they will work for Empire of the Dead, Carnevale, or more Modern Games like 7TV or Pulp City) - in this picture I have my latest "batch" setting.
As all Freebooter's Fate fans (wow, now THAT'S an alliteration) there is an official Excel application which makes it much easier for you to chose and plan your crews.
The most recent version was made available today - and now includes the recently released Freebooter's Fate Equipment Cards!
Freebooters Fate Crew Calculator 2.1.0
Re-painting Cutlass Miniatures as well at the moment (crappy figure cases wouldn't protect a fracking Diamond if you ask me) - I present Lieutenant Wilkinson . . . . .
