Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Sci-Fi Small Skirmish Games => Topic started by: nicknorthstar on 06 April 2021, 04:13:48 PM
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Hi everyone.
The Nickstarter pre-order program for the new Stargrave game and the official miniatures range begins today.
You can join in here: http://nstarmagazine.com/STARGRAVE_1.htm (http://nstarmagazine.com/STARGRAVE_1.htm)
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These figures, painted, are very interesting, in the end. Time to convince myself I need another SF game :D :D :D
By the way, the Goal 2 is... amazing :D
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By the way, the Goal 2 is... amazing :D
I don't have one in blue either.
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Must Contain Minis did a preview thread which can be found here:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=130605.0
Please also visit that thread and the respective blog entry linked therein:
https://mustcontainminis.com/2021/04/the-stargrave-nickstarter-preview.html
for various info on the project.
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I can't find information on the shipping prices on that Nickstarter page. Where are they?
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The shipping is identical to Northstar’s normal shipping policies explained on the main website. I see you’re in the USA, so you’ll benefit from having the VAT deducted from list prices. It offsets over half the shipping cost.
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I can't find information on the shipping prices on that Nickstarter page. Where are they?
I thought there was a US distributer who was mirroring the NickStarter (maybe on the MCM thread).
[Edit]
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=130605.msg1655759#msg1655759 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=130605.msg1655759#msg1655759)
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Badger Games out of Wisconsin will also be a stateside retailer for the Nickstarter.
https://shop.badgergames.com/category.sc?categoryId=997 (https://shop.badgergames.com/category.sc?categoryId=997)
This is probably who I'll end up buying from. I would rather go this route than deal with international shipping (when I can).
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I'm so confused by the offered plastic kits. I assumed we were waiting for the previews for the remaining sets, but then realised, that they all look basically the same and I had been seeing all of them, just didn't realise it. Which is so confusing. all the artwork shown for the book looks beautiful and is a hightech version, but then those figures... I don't get it. they look like they are for 7tv, in which they would go for a trash-TV episode of space odyssee in the 70ths... i mean. startreak jumpsuits looked more hightech, then the overalls with tiny armor plates the minis are wearing... all of them. it really does look like a band of guys in the 70th put on some cheap costumes for a halloween-sci-fi party... I don't want to bash them, I just cant get them together with the artwork and style the game tries to convey... heavily baffled. not sure I want any of those... also the choice of weapons... so they have space ships, but still use AK47-looking equipment? I am so confused.
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The game is figures agnostic, like Frostgtave, so if you don't like the style of the 'official's minis then there is no shortage of sci fi models that will fit an aesthetic you like.
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Oh dear. Actually I’ve always considered hard round weapons in sci-fi a good thing,and the various lazguns et al faintly ridiculous. The miniatures look good to me :)
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The game is figures agnostic, like Frostgtave, so if you don't like the style of the 'official's minis then there is no shortage of sci fi models that will fit an aesthetic you like.
Agreed. The main thing is the rules. It is not a GW sponsored game so no one will question the use of alternate figures.
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yes I know that. I was just really looking forward to some nice interchangeable sci-fi plastics.. and what we got is just... vexing. I don't know, it doesn't seem on par with what was released for frostgrave, doesn't fit the bill for the style propagated in the book and just overall look like a parody. very surprised. unfortunately negatively.
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yes I know that. I was just really looking forward to some nice interchangeable sci-fi plastics.. and what we got is just... vexing. I don't know, it doesn't seem on par with what was released for frostgrave, doesn't fit the bill for the style propagated in the book and just overall look like a parody. very surprised. unfortunately negatively.
The sprue closeups make it pretty clear that the three boxes more-or-less tier upward in terms of tech level and gear quality. Crew are mostly armed with near-future slugthrowers (including an obvious AK-XX homage) and wear a mix of civvie outfits that wouldn't look out of place on modern day factory workers, mechanics, or truck drivers. The mercs have a mix of zap guns and slightly scifi-ish slugthrowers and more obviously armored outfits that still have enough variation to not really be uniforms. The troopers are toting more energy weapons and/or advanced bullpup designs and wearing real uniforms with a lot of armor plating and helmeted heads, although their arms do seem kind of lightly armored. Obviously you can mix-and-match between kits (and probably between them and the other XXXgrave fantasy stuff if you want some soldiers from a regressed colony or something) so none of that's a hard limit, but the trends is apparent.
There are some things that don't really seem to fit the Stargrave rules, and other things missing. Two of the three sets seem to have personal missile launchers, which aren't a thing in the game AFAIK unless you squint and call them grenade launchers, so that's odd. Some of the scifi weapons could double as flamethrowers or rapid-fire guns (which are in the rules) but something more obvious for them on the sprues would have been nice. The armor on many of the figs could be either light or heavy depending on what you want to call it (which might be confusing for opponents unless you use some sort of visual cue to differentiate them) but none of them are really the really heavy combat armor power-suits - but you shouldn't need very many of those anyway and there's lots on the market elsewhere.
So overall not perfect, and maybe you dislike the aesthetic, but I'd want to see them painted up differently before making any final judgements. The shots we've seen are very cleanly and crisply painted (as usual if that's Dallimore's work) but maybe too clean and too crisp. This is supposed to be kind of a "desperate post collapse period" setting and those minis would look very different with a more grungy, beat-up, dirtied look. The artwork you wanted them to match is relatively dark and muddy outside of pronounced lighting/energy glow effects, which fits the setting and makes the very tidy paint jobs look relatively garish by comparison.
I don't see this "70s scifi look" you are at all, but I'll agree they aren't as high-tech looking as (say) Corvus Belli's work. Be curious to see what the (probably inevitable) modular robot box will look like, and whether they retain the more futuristic look of the artwork. Little surprised there's no "bot box" in the initial release, honestly. The rules support using a bunch of them (8+ per crew if you really pushed it) but I suppose they wanted t start with a good mix of organic human and humanoid alien bits.
Probably too much to hope for a kit with more exotic alien body types down the road, but like power armor, there's quite a lot on the market elsewhere.
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I have to agree with Chief Lackey Rich.
There appears to be a scoped rifle and an LSW with bipod on the Merc sprue.
As long as the crew type is identifiable, the weapon and armour set is implied (similar to Frostgrave).
I also admit to have ordered two boxes of each.
Anvil have just released Exo-supported armour (Male and Female Drop Troops) (plus new Gothic Void troops) plus the recent Eco-Lords for super troopers.
Spiral Arm have rather Live/Die/Repeat style Exo-supported troops (Master Bot Handler) and the SecDef troops for Combat Armour.
https://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/05/maelstroms-edge-epirian-master-bot.html (https://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/05/maelstroms-edge-epirian-master-bot.html)
https://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/07/spiral-arm-epirian-secdef-troops.html (https://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/07/spiral-arm-epirian-secdef-troops.html)
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The Nickstarter has got through the £42,000 Spend Goal. So that's 7 free figures, 3 loot tokens, a free plastic frame and a D20 for all participants.
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I went in for the three box deal, although I too have reservations regarding the aesthetics.
It will be interesting to see how they mix with other ranges. I have the old Wargames Factory zombie survivor sprues sitting about, mostly unbuilt, so I'm hoping arms and heads will be interchangeable between the sets. Frostgrave cultists, barbarians and Gnolls with guns are definitely on the to-do list.
Modiphius has just announced a new version of the Five Parsecs rules, so there are plenty of adventuring opportunities out there for these crews :D
edited to correct the manufacturer of the zombie survivors.
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Modiphius has just announced a new version of the Five Parsecs rules, so there are plenty of adventuring opportunities out there for these crews :D
Rogue Stars, Void Pirates, 5150, AE Bounty, Blasters & Bulkheads, Laserburn, Stargrunt, etc, etc, etc. Yeah, there's a few uses for scifi figs with guns. :)
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I had thought I was going to pass on this one... but Nickstarters are just so darned cost effective. Hmm.
Truth is I was not convinced on the aesthetic of the sculpts but I am coming around to them. Kev does great brushwork (he painted the ones in the marketing photos, right?) but I would not be painting them in that style. I do wonder how well they will kitbash with other manufacturers, like Wargames Atlantic in particular.
I suppose really what I want is more sprues for the bits box. Maybe take some ideas from the Stargrave book for my Core Space project.
Sorry if this has been asked elsewhere Nick but how does shipping to the EU work? Is VAT going to be deducted from the prices listed and then we pay 20% postage?
“20% on all products to Europe. Minimum charge £5.50. Maximum charge £30.00”
Or do we pay the list price of 75 quid (all or nothing for me, go big or go home) and the additional 20% postage... and potentially get charged charged EU VAT and fees?
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They look nice, but that's all I can say tbh. The best bit will be mixing with other sprues even from ROSD etc, but they just seem to lack any dynamism. I think Ill use some reaper, infinity and zombicide stuff tbh.
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I had thought I was going to pass on this one... but Nickstarters are just so darned cost effective. Hmm.
Truth is I was not convinced on the aesthetic of the sculpts but I am coming around to them. Kev does great brushwork (he painted the ones in the marketing photos, right?) but I would not be painting them in that style. I do wonder how well they will kitbash with other manufacturers, like Wargames Atlantic in particular.
I suppose really what I want is more sprues for the bits box. Maybe take some ideas from the Stargrave book for my Core Space project.
Sorry if this has been asked elsewhere Nick but how does shipping to the EU work? Is VAT going to be deducted from the prices listed and then we pay 20% postage?
“20% on all products to Europe. Minimum charge £5.50. Maximum charge £30.00”
Or do we pay the list price of 75 quid (all or nothing for me, go big or go home) and the additional 20% postage... and potentially get charged charged EU VAT and fees?
Once you have put your adress in and get to the update and confirm stage you will see that they deduct 20% VAT from the order.
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Once you have put your adress in and get to the update and confirm stage you will see that they deduct 20% VAT from the order.
Excellent, thanks mate. Now to discuss with the missus.
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I had thought I was going to pass on this one... but Nickstarters are just so darned cost effective. Hmm.
Truth is I was not convinced on the aesthetic of the sculpts but I am coming around to them. Kev does great brushwork (he painted the ones in the marketing photos, right?) but I would not be painting them in that style. I do wonder how well they will kitbash with other manufacturers, like Wargames Atlantic in particular.
I suppose really what I want is more sprues for the bits box. Maybe take some ideas from the Stargrave book for my Core Space project.
Sorry if this has been asked elsewhere Nick but how does shipping to the EU work? Is VAT going to be deducted from the prices listed and then we pay 20% postage?
“20% on all products to Europe. Minimum charge £5.50. Maximum charge £30.00”
Or do we pay the list price of 75 quid (all or nothing for me, go big or go home) and the additional 20% postage... and potentially get charged charged EU VAT and fees?
you can also order via (the german) shop miniaturicum... they are the EU distributor and participate in the nickstarter programm... https://www.miniaturicum.de/Stargrave-Nickstarter however, I don't know how much shipping is outside of germany. maybe drop them a mail and they tell you? at least no customs there..
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Hi
Yes, VAT is removed from our prices for all non-UK customers. So the top deal would be £75 inc postage. I can't say what your customs will charge. In our experience it's financial Russian Roulette, about 4 in 5 EU customers are getting their parcels with no charges at all.
Or buy from Miniaturicum and guarantee no extra charges.
Nick
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My wife and I have quite liked dealing with Miniaturicum in the past, so that sounds good. Thanks and good luck with the campaign.
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Went with the book and box of crew - would have done the 3 boxes and rulebook but I don't like the look of the troopers. Can't wait to get my grubby mits on the rulebook :D
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I ordered it and one of each of the 3 mini boxes. Not going to keep track of the freebies but I also ordered a copy from amazon so I'll have two for rules lawyering purposes and might get that copy sooner since I am in the states.
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I went in for the book and a box of mercs. There's just something about a chimp in a space suit... :D
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There's just something about a chimp in a space suit... :D
Damn right there is. :)
(https://shop.hydraminiatures.com/images/comet-2.jpg)
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And I'm in.
I've dealt with Miniaturicum before and have been quite pleased with their service, so I'll be taking that route.
Being a difficult person to buy something nice for, my wife decided she'd gift me this, so extremely lucky there. Looking forward to some kitbashing.
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We've hit the £69,000 mark with the Nickstarter today.
http://nstarmagazine.com/STARGRAVE_1.htm (http://nstarmagazine.com/STARGRAVE_1.htm)
I think there's a good chance we'll get to the final Spend Goal that releases a free frame of Frostgrave Cultists to everyone to kit bash into Space Cultists/ Reavers/ general Naughty Persons. Kev's already had a go below.
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Getting a real Necromunda Cawdor/Redemptionist vibe off those kitbashes, and they'll be out right around the release of House of Faith book too. Isn't poor GW having a bad enough time of things lately without you doing better versions of their figs than they do at a fraction of the cost? :)
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The Nickstarter ends 12PM Monday (BST)
Our latest newsletter shows all the free stuff that has been unlocked, and the link to the Nickstarter page
http://downloads.northstarfigures.com/newsletter/newsletter238.htm (http://downloads.northstarfigures.com/newsletter/newsletter238.htm)
As the last Spend Goal has been passed, we're going to start putting the orders together tomorrow so the first ones can be sent on Monday.
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The last day folks.
Everything gets switched off at Mid-Day tomorrow, then we concentrate on shipping the orders out.
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Woo just got in there
I'm getting the book and a box of mercs, plan is to split the box of mercs with a mate which should give us both a nice starting force
but I get to keep all the free stuff MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
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Will the unlocked figures be available for sale after the Nickstarter?
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Hi Nozza
Yes, at some point later in the year. They are just part of a wider range of metal characters and specialists we're working on now.
Nick
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The Nickstarter has finished.
It ended on a massive £100,000 Spend Total, a huge thank you to everyone who got involved.
http://nstarmagazine.com/STARGRAVE_1.htm (http://nstarmagazine.com/STARGRAVE_1.htm)
We're working on getting the orders out now, it's going to take quite a while to do it all so please bear with us.
Nick
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Impressive final tally there. Not surprising, but impressive. :)
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Me and my mate jumped on board too, through miniaturicum. Can't wait, it looks awesome!
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Got a message today that mine has shipped and is on it's way - can't wait. :)
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I got my Stargrave preorder (made last summer? FALL? I dunno...) from Amazon today so I know that Nick's must likewise be immanent. Eminent? No, I think imminent is the word I was looking for.
Yes, the Nickstarter must be imminent. GO GO READER'S DIGEST WORDPOWER QUIZ POWERS, SUCH AS THEY ARE!
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I've just checked and Amazon is showing my pre-order as scheduled for delivery sometime between May 5th and June 4th :o
I hope it's just their systems having an off day, but I'm half expecting to have to cancel and re-order it
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My box of Northstar Stargrave goodness just arrived. Quite happy. :D
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Just got an email about the release from Osprey. Felt quite snarky when I noticed the email topic read: 'Osprey Games launches Stargave' :D
Doug
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Just got home from work to be welcomed by a nice little parcel full of Stargrave goodies. Never having bought into any previous Nickstarter I had no real idea of what to expect but I’m definitely not disappointed. The book itself is beautiful, I’ve only had a flick through it so only have a v.rough idea of rules etc(never played FG so it’s all new to me) but it’s very well laid out, lovely art and mini pics and I’m v.happy with it. The models, oh my, the models. I went in for this ‘cos I love messing about with plastic kits and these little buggers are very very nice. Lovely detail, minimal/almost non- existent mould lines and just itching for scalpel and glue and then we have the stuff I didn’t even have to pay for. All the metal freebies are frankly ace. Easily live up to the pics and in some cases are even better than I’d hoped for. Add in 3 v.nice loot metals, a sprue of Gnolls and a sprue of cultists plus a d20(which will def come in handy) I can’t help thinking I’ve done rather well out of the whole affair! So after my ramblings I’d just like to say a quick thanks to NickNorthstar and all his wee helpers for getting it out so quickly, Mr.McCullough for writing the rules and all those involved with the creation of the book(artists painters etc) and the A1 mini makers, just thanks to all involved. My week off next week just started to look even more enjoyable!
PS: Nice to see LAF get a mention too
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Got mine :D
Just the rulebook for me as i have far, far too many sci-fi minis already and quite alot are painted to :o
Looking forward to trying this out in the new pub gaming group i am going to once we can go indoors at pubs etc.
From a quick flick through it looks pretty much how i wanted a scifi frostgrave to look when it first came out. Good work Mr. McCullough
Glen
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Mine turned up yesterday.
Rules look good, now to decide what to build (and how to base them, 25mm Rendra or 30mm lipped - probably the latter to match up with some of my existing SF).
Best guess weapons from the sprues (with detail photographs) here: https://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2021/04/stargrave-weapons.html (https://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2021/04/stargrave-weapons.html).
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Mine turned up yesterday.
Rules look good, now to decide what to build (and how to base them, 25mm Rendra or 30mm lipped - probably the latter to match up with some of my existing SF).
Best guess weapons from the sprues (with detail photographs) here: https://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2021/04/stargrave-weapons.html (https://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2021/04/stargrave-weapons.html).
Thanks for the detail photos! I miss flamethrowers a bit... And I think there has to come supplements for sniper rifles and missile launchers.
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Had my order delivered this morning - which was a pleasant surprise as I joined the NS towards the end.
Me and a mate have split the 3 boxes of figures - and I’m glad we went for this option, as they bodies look fairly different, and there are loads of options for heads and weapons. The figures look very crisp and clean on the sprues. The extras are very nice too, and the Gnoll and Cultist sprues look like they will add to the variety
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Mine arrived during the week and I was able to pick it up today. Not had more than a brief flick through the rulebook ( which looks of a very high quality) as I also collected my latest WI which had an interview with the author so I read that first. Now to start on the rulebook then go through the pile of shame (30 years of unpainted mins) to start making crews. o_o
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Just got an email that Nick/Northstar is shipping my stuff.
I'm in the USA.
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Nickstarter just came in yesterday. Got my book, my metal bonus figs, my sprue of gnolls, my sprue of cultists, and one box each of crew, mercs, and troopers.
Also got my bareheaded Copplestone future kill troopers that I ordered on the side.