Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: YPU on November 16, 2015, 08:34:29 AM
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Spotted a link to this on TMP (I swear, I only did it once) HLJ is selling fatty sets for 1.44 Euro a piece. These are action figures rather then model kits, and only 8cm tall but that makes them very nice for 15mm. I ordered 6. Only thing I don't like about the design is the weapon, so I will be printing some replacements for that myself. I'm thinking something between a fn p-90 and a auto cannon.
http://www.hlj.com/product/TAK14139 (http://www.hlj.com/product/TAK14139)
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Interesting! If they're 1/48 like the description says they ought to work for 28mm as well (in fact they'd even be slightly oversized by VOTOMS canon standards).
My only hesitation is that I already play Heavy Gear Blitz (which is 12mm), so I'm not sure I need VOTOMS-style mechs in another scale :)
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My only hesitation is that I already play Heavy Gear Blitz (which is 12mm), so I'm not sure I need VOTOMS-style mechs in another scale :)
I have been tempted by HG for ages, since I do like their look but price+shipping always turned me off in the end. I was hoping the kick-started plastics would change that but now I have these, I'm not sure I need them any-more. Ah who am I kidding, I always need more mechs.
And your right, a squad of these might pull double duty for 28 and 15mm as long as you don't open the cockpit.
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And your right, a squad of these might pull double duty for 28 and 15mm as long as you don't open the cockpit.
Maybe I'm missing something, but wouldn't they work in 28mm even with the cockpit interiors visible? 28mm is in the neighbourhood of 1/56 so a 1/48 mech should be slightly bigger than required.
(That is, unless you assume that regardless of scale, the cockpit as modelled on the mech doesn't leave enough room to realistically accommodate actuators, hydraulics, servos and whatnot for the shoulders/arms.)
And yeah, HGB is expensive. I'm going to stop using the actual HGB rules partly because I want to get away with using fewer figures.
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1/48 scale VOTOMS are perfect for 28mm. You'll easily be able to fit a Guardsman in the cockpit (or use the existing pilot).
I have 1/35, 1/60 and 1/48 scale VOTOMs and if I had had the choice of injection-plastic kits, I would have gone for 1/48 (unfortunately, there aren't many of them).
I will be using converted 1/60 scale VOTOMs for my Grymn Mech army but have converted 1/35 in the past.
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Maybe I'm missing something, but wouldn't they work in 28mm even with the cockpit interiors visible? 28mm is in the neighbourhood of 1/56 so a 1/48 mech should be slightly bigger than required.
You are correct, I said "and 15mm if you don't open the cockpit." Should probably have specified that better. they should work for 28mm just fine, assuming the sculpt of the pilots fit with the models your using. (we all know how much variation there is in "28" mm)
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These guys are the weird kids of the Votoms line. I haven't tried painting them, but the plastic on them feels just a little different from the styrene of all of the other kits. More like polypropylene. I'm not sure how well paint would stick.
As for the size, when these kits come with standing models, the figures scale perfectly with 28mm. The seated pilots, though (and thus the cockpits) are a little on the small side.
While it isn't this specific kit, I did a review of another of the Actic Gear kits a few years ago.
http://overloadedqueue.blogspot.com/2010/07/opening-box-votoms-148-ag-vtm03-chaos.html (http://overloadedqueue.blogspot.com/2010/07/opening-box-votoms-148-ag-vtm03-chaos.html)
This particular kit doesn't have this level of paint or amount of accessories, but if you wanted a table of robots, you can't beat this price.
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These guys are the weird kids of the Votoms line. I haven't tried painting them, but the plastic on them feels just a little different from the styrene of all of the other kits. More like polypropylene. I'm not sure how well paint would stick.
Hm good to know, luckily I have a pretty aggressive plastic pre-primer lying around that should probably make it porous enough to have paint stick OK. and beyond that enough varnish always helps. Still now that I'm warned I'm going to do some tests first on those guns, since I won't be using them anyway.
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You are correct, I said "and 15mm if you don't open the cockpit."
Ah, sorry, I misread you there.
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They are more polythene (like Airfix toy soldiers) than polystyrene so painting them would need to be thought about.
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Luckily they have no thin parts so the issue you often have with toy soldier type models, ie weapons or arms bending and paint chipping and flaking from there, shouldn't be an issue, but yes, painting will need pre and post work. In any case I'm going to wait till they actually arrive to see how things fare before I start worrying. And heck at this price losing one to a paint mishap I could live with. ;D
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The one time I don't have money to spare on them. To be fair if these were the Tortoises, I'd find a way. The Fatty's never did it for me.
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Thanks for the heads-up. I've been looking for some mini mechs/robots for a project and I can't go past 5 for under $25AUD including shipping. :D
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I may have bought 10...
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Thanks for the heads up!
These will be perfect hardsuits for 28mm.
I may have bought 10...
I might have done the same...
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I may have bought 10...
I might have done the same...
I might have bought 10 right after the GF made an order for 10. :-)
Grimm
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Grabbed another 10 when I realized they could be used like infantry/elementals in our 28mm scale mecha games. Gonna be absolutely bananas if I can get them all painted up. Also grabed a plarail train for my son. I've never seen them for 12 bucks before!
For anyone who might be interested, my buddy just showed me where they're selling Starblazers mini kits for $2.50 each. I don't know the exact scale, but he's building a Full Thrust fleet out of them.
http://www.hlj.com/scripts/hljlist?rel=nav&GenreCode=Sci&MacroType=InjKit&Scale=0&DisplayMode=images&Dis=2&Sort=std&qid=13AKUHTU38B0Q&set=1&SeriesID2=5880
I guess there's the upside of a weak Yen...
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I hope that when all these VOTOMs start arriving they are unpacked and photographed in their horde-like glory :D
VOTOMs look so cool when ranked up :)
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...when all these VOTOMs start arriving...
And so they did. I only opened one for now to test painting a few parts to be sure it can be done, but this stuff feels like your average Japanese model building plastic, which is very paintable. In fact the whole model is simply slotted together quite loosely, it took me less then ten minutes to dissemble the first one, and I was being careful. (there are a grand total of 3 screws tough!)
Potential poses are very good, most things move in every direction, head and eye move separately even. The gun looks better in person then I had expected, but its still not great so I think I'm going to try and print some replacements. Could any VOTOM nerds tell me what this gun is supposed to be anyway?
No ranked up pictures yet, but I'll do a nice dissembled anatomy type shot tomorrow if I have half decent light.
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Could any VOTOM nerds tell me what this gun is supposed to be anyway?
Some sort of autocannon or rapid-firing RPG launcher. In the original VOTOMS anime it's depicted with the sort of artistic license that's common to anime action sequences, so its function appears a bit different from scene to scene. In one scene it seems to be firing rocket-propelled grenades/shells, in another scene it's more like a machine gun and in a third it even seems to be firing an energy beam. I think the lattermost is likely the least accurate depiction.
In the classic Japanese tradition of awkward Engrish names for things, it's called a "catapult launcher". More specifically, it's a "G-BATM-04 catapult launcher", although mahq.net (http://mahq.net) seems to have mixed it up with the "G-BATM-02 hardblade gun".
Fatties start appearing halfway through the original anime, at the start of the "Deadworld Sunsa" story arc. The catapult launcher is their most commonplace armament.
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Right, that does not make it any easier, thanks for the thorough explanation though.
My main problem with The weapon is the barrel size, and the fact there are four of em, the wheel like side pod could be ammo, but its slimmer then the bore of the weapon. It just doesn't make sense. Still beyond that its a nice kit, and it gives me another 3d print target.
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Not a bad idea, though then I would probably use my regular methods of doing cables. Golden hammer rule and all that.
But even then I just dont like the weapon, too many barrels too large bore. So at least a barrel topper at leas, if not a whole gun.
Also, a few hours later and I have openned all the boxes and put the mechs up for parade.
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My main problem with The weapon is the barrel size, and the fact there are four of em, the wheel like side pod could be ammo, but its slimmer then the bore of the weapon.
If that's the case then I suspect it's an inaccuracy in the model. In the gun as depicted in the anime, the wheel (which I likewise assume to be the ammo magazine) looks to be just barely thicker than the the bore, at least in the more well-drawn frames (perhaps not in some of the more fast-and-loose frames wherein the object in question is shown mid-motion).
In the first battle scene featuring Fatties (end of episode 29), their catapult launchers are absolutely definitely firing physical projectiles which I would best describe as rockets, rocket-propelled grenades or unguided missiles (take your pick) of a diameter consistent with the bore. They're certainly rocket-propelled and they explode impressively upon impact. They launch out of alternating barrels.
In the second, third and fourth battle scenes (beginning of ep 30, end of ep 30 and beginning of ep 31) they're firing at a much higher rate and the projectiles are not as clearly visible (appearing more as streaks of light, like tracer rounds from a machine gun), giving a more autocannon-like impression, but ultimately I think the projectiles are still the same. They still explode upon impact. The fourth battle scene also has the shot in which a catapult launcher appears to be firing what look like "slow" energy beams, but upon further review that may just be a mistake or an instance of corner-cutting by the animators - the same shot has Fatties with hardblade guns (which confusingly seem to be energy weapons despite their name) and both gun types are animated as firing the same type of beams. I think the animators just made things easier on themselves. Anime is like that. Action scenes are fast, loose and impressionistic. I advise against overthinking it.
I'll leave it at those four scenes as I for one am fairly convinced of the nature of the beast by this point.
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If that's the case then I suspect it's an inaccuracy in the model.
Yeah I might have been talking out of my arse there. The guns are actually in parts (rest of the model is pre-build) I only build one of the guns and then disposed it into the box without really looking at it. On closer inspection they are indeed wider then the barrels, but there is your typical plastic saving cut-outs on the inside of the wheel, which make them appear a lot more flimsy in my minds eye then actual fact.
I like the multi barrel.
Figured you would, you went crazy over gun fingers on the last Japanese kit. ::) ;D
Still tough, they entire thing is just too retro-raygun shaped for my taste. But the fugly green plastic isn't helping that so I really ought to paint at least one gun up in slightly more realistic colours and see how I feel about that. Problem is I'm having mayor doubt as to how I'm going to paint them in general.
Scurv, last time I heard about metal storm I don't recall mention of back loading new stacks. The whole notion that its even a functional mechanism just blows my mind, it sounds to under engineered. Just stack bullets atop each other and start firing from the front. o_o
Also I have this image of a tank gun sized FN-p90 in my head ever since I ordered these guys and I might just need to do something bout that.
What I will say for these guns, while the stock shape only enforces the retro-raygun look it does actually sit pretty decently against the upper arm when held in a L armed position. Not how a human would (or should) use a stock but then its not human, just humanoid.
Roderick, I noted the ground fatty has a similar weapon but with longer barrels and only 3, but identical ammo wheels.
EDIT: I keep harping on these things, but also the jet-pack has a thruster array in the middle exactly the same look as the barrel of the gun.
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EDIT: I keep harping on these things, but also the jet-pack has a thruster array in the middle exactly the same look as the barrel of the gun.
Yeah, I noticed that in the anime too :)
As for the gun, I agree that it's one of the more wonky-looking designs of the VOTOMS franchise. Personally I find it rather endearing, but only within the framework of an anime-style setting. I know VOTOMS belongs to (and to no small extent pioneered) the "real robot" subgenre of mecha anime, but still, it's not supposed to be all that realistic. Obviously, if you want to "convert" into a more realistic design (to whatever extent humanoid fighting vehicles can be realistic), that's perfectly fine and in that case the gun may have to go.
I never thought of the gun as "retro" before, but you may be right. VOTOMS is over 30 years old by now and in some respects it may not have aged well. I do think of my Heavy Gear project as having an ever-so-slight retro (1980s) slant to it, so I won't have to justify some of the less realistic aspects of it so much against ultra-modern hard sci-fi. It represents a slightly aged and naive, but romantic and endearing, vision of the future.
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That gun... is so easily modified, but unexpurgated makes a passable Multilaser for WH40KRT if ya ask me... 8)
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All 20 of mine are still in my "personal warehouse" as I wait for another item to become available so they can ship together.
This to say, please post some pics to help me with the wait!
Very good to hear that it's good model styrene and easily dis-assmblable. I'm particularly interested to see how the pilot fig scales with 28mm. Could he take a 28mm head swap and not look distorted?
As for the weapons, I'm not fussed either way. If it looks great, fine, but no worries if not. I won't be using them in the Votoms universe so I can go any number of directions. I've got a batch of extra Tau weapons, tons of sci-fi, model parts, bits, etc....
I've been wanting some power suits and I was briefly regretting selling a batch of Tau stealth suits I had. I regret no longer!
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Very good to hear that it's good model styrene and easily dis-assmblable. I'm particularly interested to see how the pilot fig scales with 28mm. Could he take a 28mm head swap and not look distorted?
Don't pin me on the type of plastic. It does have a oily kind of feel to it so I would recommend a good wash before paint at the least. The gun I painted I gave a plastic pre-primer and army painter primer over that and it went fine, no flaking after pretty rough handling for now.
Size wise the pilot might be more 25mm sized then 28, marbe true 28 but I think to slender for heroic 28 at least. (then again what isn't) The cockpit its pretty decently sized for fitting 28mm models though I think.
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Don't pin me on the type of plastic. It does have a oily kind of feel to it so I would recommend a good wash before paint at the least. The gun I painted I gave a plastic pre-primer and army painter primer over that and it went fine, no flaking after pretty rough handling for now.
Size wise the pilot might be more 25mm sized then 28, marbe true 28 but I think to slender for heroic 28 at least. (then again what isn't) The cockpit its pretty decently sized for fitting 28mm models though I think.
Good to know. I'll probably be using these guys to go along with my Ventaurans, so if they're 25 or true 28 the Ventauran heads (available separately in a pack) should work just fine.
(http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2011/9/23/274223_sm-.JPG)
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All right, mine are on the way now.
My order was big enough that their automated system didn't want to give me the cheapest long-wait-no-tracking option which is usually half the price of the others. However, by removing and then putting back the items between my "personal Warehouse" and my "order" I was able to trick it into somehow giving me the lower cost option. 20 Fatties and a pack of Tomy Plarail trestles shipped from Japan for only $18 is a pretty great shipping cost.
Just a tip for anyone looking to get in on this deal since they still look available.
http://www.hlj.com/product/TAK14139
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Still not sure but the idea of using gundam wing Leo colours for this is beginning to take hold. For those not in the know that would basically be a more muted version of the current colours, military green with grey detailing and some red on the head. I think that of all the options it would make them the most versatile since it would allow them to fit into most periods easily enough.
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Mine came in today. Much faster shipping than I had expected!
I can't seem to find my camera, but if I can't find it later today I'll put up some pics from my really-sub-par cell phone camera.
In the meantime, here's a few measurements and factoids.
-The mech measures 87mm from sole to top of head, 90mm if measured to the top of the exhaust. That makes it bigger even than the CMG hardsuit.
-As best as I can figure, if standing, the pilot would be 25mm from sole to eye. He's very thin and is probably about a true 25mm fig.
-The plastic appears to be glueable with plastic cement
-Poseability is kind of amazing. All the expected joints and rotations of a mecha toy. Additionally, the head swivels and even the "eye" can be individually adjustable.
-Comes with options for open or closed hands and a right hand closed on a gun handle
As for the driver, I think the fig may be a smidge to small for a head swap, but I'll give it a try later. If it doesn't work out, there's probably enough room in the cockpit if I remove the seat (appears to be a separate bit) to put in a Denizen minis (27mm) grav bike rider figure as I've done with a different mech. Of course I may just end up dispensing with a pilot all together.
All this to say I'm very pleased with this kit. It's shockingly cheap, being less expensive than an average 28mm figure, but also being of very high quality. Though ostensibly a toy, it seems just as well done as a wargaming model. This is THE answer for someone who wants to put hardsuits on their 28mm battlefield but doesn't have alot of scratch. I was briefly thinking that I might end up selling some of these, but now I'm glad to have gotten so many.
Thanks again to YPU for the heads up on these. For those interested, stock is now reading "low" so get them now before they're gone!
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No luck with the camera. Here's the cell phone pics.
-Compared to a 29mm (sole to eyeline) Sedition wars Vangaurd trooper
-Same trooper compared to the unimpressive pilot figure
-The sprue of accessories included along with the two loose open hands that come in the box.
In addition to instructions, the box also has a tiny cardboard label stand meant to be displayed alongside it. There is also a full color card (all in Japanese) perforated for inclusion in some kind of mini-binder. I assume this was part of a series, but I don't know anything about the others. My guess is that since this is dated to 2006, whatever set of figures it was part of never took off and/or are long since discontinued. Either way it's clear this is some kind of old stock or over-production.
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Your picture reminds me I promised a dissection report of the separated parts. Really should get round to that.
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Your picture reminds me I promised a dissection report of the separated parts. Really should get round to that.
That'd be cool. I won't have much time to disassemble mechs for the next few days.
I was looking closer at the brochure in the package and it looks like there were 4 other models in this "Arctic gear" series.
-Brutishdog
-Scopedog
-Berserga
-Scopedog turbo custom
I looked up the others on line and when you can find them they seem to go for between $35 and $60! As someone intending these for generic sci-fi I'm really glad this is the one that wound up on-sale. Compared to the others the Fatty is by far the most generic and basic-military looking of the batch. I don't know much about the series, but from what I read it appears to be the "faceless bad guy" unit.
The weapon has grown on me a bit, but if I do keep any of them they will need a barrel extension. Luckily the gun muzzle and frame are separate pieces. Also, there are separate handle and handle in hand pieces so it would be especially easy to stick a different gun on there. Maybe next week I'll have time to dig out the tau parts.
Lastly, based on the pics on Necromundicon, it looks like these would scale pretty well (maybe a few mm taller) with the Gashapon figs that he uses for gaming Votoms and are still available in a few places for not unreasonable sums of money. http://www.ironhands.com/votomsminis.htm
(http://www.ironhands.com/mvotoms32.jpg)
His Votoms campaign reports are some of the best looking narrative/pictorial AAR's I've ever seen.
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There are WAY more than 4 other models in the line. Heck, there's three different Fatty designs alone. The trucks are incredible terrain, and the AT-Transporters (http://www.ebay.com/itm/TAKARA-TOMY-Votoms-1-48-AT-TRANSPORTER-/321935121899 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/TAKARA-TOMY-Votoms-1-48-AT-TRANSPORTER-/321935121899), not my sale but about what I've paid for mine) are great. Worth noting that the wheels are only pegged on for easy removal for painting, so if you don't plan on painting them you might want to glue them in place so you don't lose them. The helicopters are a little boxy for my tastes, and I wonder how birds that small could really carry suits so big (anime logic, I know).
If you're looking for generic military in the future, I recommend keeping an eye open for scopedogs and red shoulder units. Those seem to be the most broadly used ones in the series. The latter tend to be more heavily armed versions of the former. Marshydogs look similar, but keep in mind that there's flotation devices at the hips to deal with.
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He means in that toy range.
My favourite has always been the Tortoise:
Something wonderfully utilitarian about it
(http://plamoya.com/bmz_cache/5/580c234141db0d012ee53426b52f988b.image.333x500.jpg)
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I know for a fact there are also two versions of Fatty ground types in the series, (A and B version) Which are done in desert tan and have over the shoulder launchers.
I agree the tortoise has a good look, I like grunt type mecha for some reason, more so then hero types.
The fatty model we all ended up with (I make no apologies) has two "exhausts" sticking out over the shoulder. These are, IIRC, sideways thrusters, what with the type of fatty we have being a space type. (you'll note they lack the alternative movement system so iconic for VOTOMS) in any case I think these parts make great mounts for over the shoulder weapons. One of the reasons mecha are unrealistic is the lack of top mounted weapons, they need to expose half their hull to shoot, meaning there is no decent hull down cover to be taken. Now if these fatties were to have some shoulder weapons and low profile head actually combine to address this kinda nicely.
I have already attempted to print some weapons but my printer issues are far from over with anything larger then a few mm I'm afraid, so I might start sourcing them elsewhere as well. My first thought was the mecha bits from CMG http://www.criticalmassgames.com/default.asp?category=mecha (http://www.criticalmassgames.com/default.asp?category=mecha) but tau bits might also work.
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Here we go with the parts:
Overview, note the thrusters on the back of the backpack do come loose on some, but were to tight on this one. The hip ball joints are also rather tight so I didn't pop them loose. About 65 pieces in total, plus the weapon on the sprue.
(http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag109/Sordorel/VOTOMS/20151210_111120_zpsxubpoa51.jpg)
Torso
(http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag109/Sordorel/VOTOMS/20151210_111154_zpssiewwuuv.jpg)
Legs
(http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag109/Sordorel/VOTOMS/20151210_111201_zpsxbvpulcl.jpg)
Arms
(http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag109/Sordorel/VOTOMS/20151210_111215_zpsl8nfhstt.jpg)
Additional components, hands, pilot and weapon sprue.
(http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag109/Sordorel/VOTOMS/20151210_111357_zps5khvtfuk.jpg)
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Lastly, based on the pics on Necromundicon, it looks like these would scale pretty well (maybe a few mm taller) with the Gashapon figs that he uses for gaming Votoms and are still available in a few places for not unreasonable sums of money. http://www.ironhands.com/votomsminis.htm
(http://www.ironhands.com/mvotoms32.jpg)
His Votoms campaign reports are some of the best looking narrative/pictorial AAR's I've ever seen.
Wow, thanks for the Necronomicon heads-up! He's really captured the look and feel of the VOTOMS universe.
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Thanks YPU,
Good to see that the seat is separate. If I take it out I should have more than enough space to put a Denizen pilot in there!
Mrgrigson,
Thanks for the info. That AT transporter is a cool model. A bit rich for my cheapo blood, but I'll be looking out for one now.
(http://www.1999.co.jp/itbig05/10053023.jpg)
One question I have is the rest of the "1/48" line as equivalently mis-scaled as the Fatty? Based on the size of the mech and the pilot, it's pretty clear that it's much closer to 1/64. It's still a great model and looks good alongside 28mm (1/56) figs, but it's pretty far from 1/48.
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That transporter is seriously cool... :-*
Like most mecha-heads I often hop on amazon or ebay just to see if there is anything crazy cool VOTOMS out. I'd love to game it...as you almost could with the right scale. Shame all of the gashapon seem pretty awful. I had a beautiful 1/48(?) Votoms a bit ago, a couple actually and I used them for parts unfortunately. It'd be fun to create a "super" anime game, which you could keep confined because of the comparative lack of speed vs. other anime universes.
Each player controlling a single VOTOMS or some such.
This "Big Carry" showed up on Amazon...
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Q4KGVOFUL.jpg)
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Elbows, its kinds of ironic that a anime where the mechs almost all have skates or hover plates for faster movement is still slower then most. lol
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Shame all of the gashapon seem pretty awful.
What, specifically, are the shortcomings of the gashapon models? I ask because Japanese model collecting isn't my scene and I'd like to know what flaws or problems to look for.
(Not that I'm definitely getting into 28mm VOTOMS. Yet.)
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That Big Carry is awesome. I've got a 1/35 Dragon Wagon kit from some time ago that I've been meaning to convert into a mech retrieval unit, but the Big Carry looks purpose built for the job.
That transporter is seriously cool... :-*
Like most mecha-heads I often hop on amazon or ebay just to see if there is anything crazy cool VOTOMS out. I'd love to game it...as you almost could with the right scale. Shame all of the gashapon seem pretty awful. I had a beautiful 1/48(?) Votoms a bit ago, a couple actually and I used them for parts unfortunately. It'd be fun to create a "super" anime game, which you could keep confined because of the comparative lack of speed vs. other anime universes.
Each player controlling a single VOTOMS or some such.
This "Big Carry" showed up on Amazon...
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Q4KGVOFUL.jpg)
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What, specifically, are the shortcomings of the gashapon models? I ask because Japanese model collecting isn't my scene and I'd like to know what flaws or problems to look for.
(Not that I'm definitely getting into 28mm VOTOMS. Yet.)
I don't know that the Gashapon are awful. As you saw in the Necromundicon pages, they can look pretty good.
just know that you have the regular issues associated with Gashapon which include.
-Monopose or mostly monopose figures. So, getting a good amount of variety, new poses or alternate weapons will require conversion.
-You will have to hot-water treat some guns or aerials for the inevitable occasion when they arrive bent.
-The stock paintjobs are pretty bright and will probably need to be dirtied up a bit.
-They are vinyl so superglue and latex/acrylic paint are the order of the day. No plastic glue or oil based enamels.
To be clear I don't own any Votoms Gashapon, but I've done alot with pre-painted vinyl figures and as long as the mold is good you can get some great figs, often for much less than metal or plastic. My small scale sci-fi gaming is mostly done with vinyl 10mm rebased mechwarrior clix figures and I didn't even repaint them.
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I should clarify...most of the smaller gashapon I've seen look really bad. Gashapon varies IMMENSELY in quality since it's just a term for vending-machine toys essentially. All of the anime franchises have Gashapon figures.
Some are excellent, some are hard plastic w/ detail...some are gummy rubber toys which are terrible. I've excellent and poor gashapon for Robotech/Macross/Dougram. Normally they're cheap enough to take a swing at.
As with most things you can probably paint and save them (looks like many people have). I've just had some that weren't worth saving.
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Thanks for the clarification, eilif and Elbows.
It's funny, I've been a Japanophile and anime/manga fan for half my life, and a miniature wargamer for all that time as well, but I never have combined those two interests by getting into Japanese hobby models. That whole area is still "here be dragons" for me. I'd like to do some sort of mecha wargaming project with Japanese models at some point in the future (those Necronomicon VOTOMS and Gundam sections are how I imagine such a project in my head), but it feels like I'd have to spend some time studying the Japanese model hobby before being able to commit. Ah well, maybe some day.
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Alternatively there is heavy gear, which is VOTOMS the miniature wargame in everything but name.
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Alternatively there is heavy gear, which is VOTOMS the miniature wargame in everything but name.
I did mention Heavy Gear in my first reply to this thread :)
Although, I did also say I don't need similar mechs in another scale and I'm no longer sure about that. Still, I'll bide my time for now, so I'll just be letting the present Fatty bargain slip away. Maybe I'm more interested in something more Gundam-esque anyway, or even, dare I say it, something along the lines of Escaflowne, Five Star Stories and Magic Knight Rayearth. (EDIT: Or Patlabor!)
For the Heavy Gear universe I have multiple (currently stalled) projects, all based on different "hot spots" of the setting and storyline. I'm doing the Eastern Sun Emirates Rebellion and both the Downing and Mekong fronts of the War for Terra Nova. I also intend to do the adventures of the Black Talons on Caprice but don't have figures for that yet. Some general Badlands mayhem with Leagueless, Peace River and NuCoal forces is also something I'd like to game. I really like the Heavy Gear setting and have read the RPG sourcebooks just to have a better idea of all the stuff going on in it. It's a rather deep and complex setting, especially from a miniature wargamer's point of view.
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I did mention Heavy Gear in my first reply to this thread :)
Although, I did also say I don't need similar mechs in another scale and I'm no longer sure about that. Still, I'll bide my time for now, so I'll just be letting the present Fatty bargain slip away. Maybe I'm more interested in something more Gundam-esque anyway, or even, dare I say it, something along the lines of Escaflowne, Five Star Stories and Magic Knight Rayearth. (EDIT: Or Patlabor!)
Ah! forgot about that, a lot has been said since then. :D
I can see what you mean, while gundam just never really worked for me as wargame material, personally I'm more partial to dunbine then it might actually be worth, so I get what your saying here.
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Thanks for the clarification, eilif and Elbows.
It's funny, I've been a Japanophile and anime/manga fan for half my life, and a miniature wargamer for all that time as well, but I never have combined those two interests by getting into Japanese hobby models. That whole area is still "here be dragons" for me. I'd like to do some sort of mecha wargaming project with Japanese models at some point in the future (those Necronomicon VOTOMS and Gundam sections are how I imagine such a project in my head), but it feels like I'd have to spend some time studying the Japanese model hobby before being able to commit. Ah well, maybe some day.
There is alot to the Japanese model hobby, but I don't know how much you need to know before incorporating it into gaming. I don't know much about the Japnese hobby, and in terms of painting and modeling certainly don't do my kits up like display quality kits but I love them as a source for stompy robots in 28mm. Here's a few things I've learned.
-They tend to release kits in waves. When the kit is released or re-released, they're often quite affordable. For example, I got some 1/100 Glaug (aka Battletech Mauraders) kits that look great -though not perfectly scaled- in 28mm for around $10 each!
-When you see something you like affordably buy it NOW because when it goes out of production it will suddenly appear on Amazon and ebay for 2-5 times as much. The same goes for Gashapon sets which are often quite affordable when they're in production and much more expensive afterwards.
-Some properties will have a lower priced line. Often these are smaller scale and not quite as detailed, but they are still usually far more detailed and articulated than most wargaming models. For example, Gundam has a 1/144 line (around 4-5 inches high IIRC) with dozens of models that are only 2-5 bucks each! You can do big robot gaming for less than the price of most 28mm figures! http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/list/682/2/1?sold=1
-Hobbylink and Hobby Search are two reputable dealers in Japan who have huge selections and often quite good prices. If you are willing to go for the slowest shipping option (sometimes several weeks long) you can usually save even more. On top of that, that the YEN is quite weak right now so it's a very good time to buy.
-If you're looking to do gaming, check both action figure and model kit lines. They are often compatible. You may have to search for reviews on the actual size of toy lines that don't always list a scale, but it's a great way to increase the options available to you. Since we game in our own homebrew gaming universe, I mix and match freely between toys, model kits and wargaming kits of various fictional universes. You can see some comparative pics here: http://chicagoskirmish.blogspot.com/2014/07/robotech-battletech-and-mechwarrior.html
Anywho, if you decide to take the plunge, good luck and good hunting!
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Is it the HG rules that are holding you back?
Maybe give "Mech Attack" a shot for some fast-play mech action with the figures you've already got?
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Another issue with Anime-based mecha stuff is that like many lines of toys, they'll release 4 model kits for a series...which features 10-15 different mecha. Scales can be a bit wonky (particularly on Gashapon where the figures are simple scaled to the package size, etc.).
They're hard to mix w/ gaming because the vast majority of models are 1/100-1/72 etc. and you end up with 10" or taller models. That takes up a lot of space on a normal gaming table and it's feels like sacrilege if you try to use rules to force them to move super slowly.
VOTOMS is a nice mix because the mecha aren't moving at Valkyrie/Gundam speeds...flying 1000 mph through the air firing hundreds of missiles. I can see 1/60 or 1/48 gundam gaming working on a 4'x6' or 4'x8' table quite easily.
To easier play mecha-scale games you really need to consider 1/300 or so...and that's where figures/miniatures disappear. It's just tough to get a realistic project going. Even at 1/300 scale the arbitrary need to differentiate weapons/etc. leads to comically short ranges, but that's the nature of wargaming I s'pose.
If the above sale had been on just about ANY other VOTOMS than the Fatty, I would have bought in big...huge. Scopedogs, Standing Tortoise, Snapping Turtle, Diving Beetle etc...all over it. The Fatty does nothing for me. :?
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I definitely see a "part" on the far centre-right hand side. Made me do a double take, so it did and wondered if this kit had more than one "weapon" ;)
Here we go with the parts:
(http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag109/Sordorel/VOTOMS/20151210_111154_zpssiewwuuv.jpg)
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To easier play mecha-scale games you really need to consider 1/300 or so...and that's where figures/miniatures disappear. It's just tough to get a realistic project going. Even at 1/300 scale the arbitrary need to differentiate weapons/etc. leads to comically short ranges, but that's the nature of wargaming I s'pose.
Years ago I painted a gundam deathscythe gashapon for my now ex, I did some measuring on it and came to the conclusion that it was very close to 1/300. Pity I didn't keep it for myself. :?
I definitely see a "part" on the far centre-right hand side. Made me do a double take, so it did and wondered if this kit had more than one "weapon" ;)
Ah yes, the shoulder joints, one would be a dick to tear his arm of at the shoulder indeed.
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If I had bought 20 of those mechs, every box would have been opened and they would all be on the table and photographed by now :D!
Where are the group pics?! :D ;)
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Boxes are open alight, all of them scattered across my table even, (including the poor chap who got dismembered for the pics above) only downside is my table is full of pulp minis being painted.
Also with only 6 I'm sure my pictures would be the least impressive, considering everybody else's lack of impulse control. ;D
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Thanks again for the tips and warnings! It's precisely the sort of information I need.
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If I had bought 20 of those mechs, every box would have been opened and they would all be on the table and photographed by now :D!
Where are the group pics?! :D ;)
I've opened 2 so far. I'm mostly keeping them packed neatly away until I decide how and what I want to do with them. I'm going to make at least a couple of units of them (probably 3-4 suits per) for our big mech games. I'll probably also give one to my son in his christmas stocking. He's only 4 but he's asked me when he can make a robot model.
To be honest, I'm still kicking around the idea of keeping 4 or 5 set aside MISB to sell when hobbylink sells out and I can make back what I spent on the whole lot by just selling a few. I'd probably get $8-10 each at my FLGS bi-annual auction which would make this whole deal a net of FREE!
I'll post a pic of at least a squad or two of them out of the box soon. Based off of YPU's excellent pics I've got some solid ideas on how to de-Votom them.
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I went in for five, and have been rather quietly watching this space as everyone gets the toys and starts playing with them. Wanted more, but hard time justifying paying money for my toys, erm, models, this close to Christmas. If it gets here early enough, though, might toss one to by 3 year old.
Then I saw this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AG-V09-Fatty-Armored-Trooper-Votoms-Actic-Gear-Takara-/151900867585?hash=item235dff4c01:g:w-AAAOSwPhdU9RkM
Not my auction, but isn't this the model we all just bought? Reminds me of a time, long ago, when I snagged a bunch of toy spider mechs, tossed on some Tau bitz, sold them as super Tau walkers on eBay and made $40 in profit on each model I sold. I was a bad, bad man.
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Like I said, there's more than 4 kits in the line. Heck, these have apparently been released under 8 different labels :)
On the question of scale: I agree that the pilots are on the small side, but the designers seem to insist that these kits are proper 1:48. In the second photo, the white models are styrene figures that came with the Big Carry. The gray figures with the plasticarded bases are more rubbery figures that came with one of the black box diorama packs. The heights are generally right, the proportions are just not what us gamer types are used to. Regardless, I'm very happy with the kits I have, and the AT-Transporters are appreciated on the Infinity table for being blocking terrain that isn't just another 40K wall set :)
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I went in for five, and have been rather quietly watching this space as everyone gets the toys and starts playing with them. Wanted more, but hard time justifying paying money for my toys, erm, models, this close to Christmas. If it gets here early enough, though, might toss one to by 3 year old.
Then I saw this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AG-V09-Fatty-Armored-Trooper-Votoms-Actic-Gear-Takara-/151900867585?hash=item235dff4c01:g:w-AAAOSwPhdU9RkM
Not my auction, but isn't this the model we all just bought? Reminds me of a time, long ago, when I snagged a bunch of toy spider mechs, tossed on some Tau bitz, sold them as super Tau walkers on eBay and made $40 in profit on each model I sold. I was a bad, bad man.
Yep, that's the one. To be fair, the other mechs in this particular series are going for 30-50 USD or so. It's possible this is just someone selling one they bought before though I wouldn't be surprised if it's a quick-flip.
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On the question of scale: I agree that the pilots are on the small side, but the designers seem to insist that these kits are proper 1:48. In the second photo, the white models are styrene figures that came with the Big Carry. The gray figures with the plasticarded bases are more rubbery figures that came with one of the black box diorama packs. The heights are generally right, the proportions are just not what us gamer types are used to.
Thanks for the pics. I think that based on the standing figs rather than the little pilots, they are almost 1/48. Supposedly 1/48 is about 33mm to the eye and they do look to be notably taller than the 28mm figs you've got with them.
Those trucks sure are awesome. I'm also a fan of blocking interesting blocking terrain.
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Those trucks sure are awesome. I'm also a fan of blocking interesting blocking terrain.
The front 4 wheels even steer. With all of these folks getting into the 3d printable terrain, it sure would be nice if someone would do a couple of big trucks, methinks. *cough*
I kick myself for not getting the Armorcast Battletech truck. I'd also love to see a 1/48 kit of the truck that carried the Dougrams around. http://www.modelkitcollecting.com/topic2501.html (http://www.modelkitcollecting.com/topic2501.html)
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The front 4 wheels even steer. With all of these folks getting into the 3d printable terrain, it sure would be nice if someone would do a couple of big trucks, methinks. *cough*
I kick myself for not getting the Armorcast Battletech truck. I'd also love to see a 1/48 kit of the truck that carried the Dougrams around. http://www.modelkitcollecting.com/topic2501.html (http://www.modelkitcollecting.com/topic2501.html)
The Armorcast truck was a great piece of kit. Also something I wish I had, along with the whole armorcast BT line! I built a sci-fi flatbed of my own this year back based off a toy I found in a resale shop and a bunch of other toy bits. Ot's not nearly as big as the ones you've been posting, but more than big enough to transport a hardsuit or two.
(http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/9/4/741460_md-.JPG)
(http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/9/4/741462_md-.JPG)
As for 3d printing, it would be cool to see a mech-transport-truck, but I think a 3d print that large would be ridiculously expensive.
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Mr. Grigson, what are the black box sets in the middle of your picture? That's (I believe) the source of the two VOTOMS figures I had, which were absolutely tits. Scale/manufacturer? I recall them being much more affordable than $40-50 though...
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Roughly how much would the Big Carry and the AT Transporter cost? It may have been mentioned somewhere earlier in the thread but I can't find it right now. Are they OOP?
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The smaller black boxes were little dioramas that were released by Takara. Exact same figures as the white boxes but with more paint applied and more accessories. I have a link to a detailed writeup of the Chaos Space set (for the Fatty's spaceborne opponent) on the first page of this thread. I seem to recall suggested retail on those being 4800 yen, but I got mine on a 70% off sale. http://anymoon.com/blog/?p=5972 (http://anymoon.com/blog/?p=5972) claims the AT Transporter went for 4500 yen. Yes, all of these toys are currently OOP.
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Roughly how much would the Big Carry and the AT Transporter cost? It may have been mentioned somewhere earlier in the thread but I can't find it right now. Are they OOP?
Based on Ebay and Amazon and including the shipping, the Big Carry is fetching 70-80 bucks and the AT Transport around 60.
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Yeah, most of these are OOP, but they're all available on ebay..just depends on your ability to part with cash. If I could find either of those trucks for 40-ish, I'd be tempted to go in on them.
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And the Super Cheap Votoms are gone! :'(
http://www.hlj.com/product/TAK14139
The remaining stock is up to $12.50 USD. Still a pretty good deal (especially compared to the rest of the series) but I wouldn't have bought a platoon of them at that price.
I've got 7 assembled so far. When I get a few more I'll do a group shot.
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I have been contemplating what to do with the thruster stacks over their shoulder for a couple of weeks no, and still cant decide, partially due to not being sure what I'm going to use these for. (might even want them unarmed for some games) but the holes are 3mm and 1mm deep, more then enough for magnetizing them, and then sticking a magnet in any and all weapons I might want to mount on them. my left over rebel minis viper weapons and missile pods, EM4 mecha weapons, probably print some ECM and active countermeasure suite myself... Might need to get at least 100 magnet I think.
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I have been contemplating what to do with the thruster stacks over their shoulder for a couple of weeks no, and still cant decide, partially due to not being sure what I'm going to use these for. (might even want them unarmed for some games) but the holes are 3mm and 1mm deep, more then enough for magnetizing them, and then sticking a magnet in any and all weapons I might want to mount on them. my left over rebel minis viper weapons and missile pods, EM4 mecha weapons, probably print some ECM and active countermeasure suite myself... Might need to get at least 100 magnet I think.
There are people who do that with Heavy Gear Blitz miniatures, which are much, much smaller, so it sounds feasible to me.
If you mean for the thrusters to be an option, are you thinking of using the mechs for space gaming?
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If you mean for the thrusters to be an option, are you thinking of using the mechs for space gaming?
No I just meant I might want to stick to main weapons only in some games/settings. I don't find their design particularly great as thruster to be frank, but I am now tempted to do jet/thruster arrays as an option for them, might need to put a magnet in that big round thing on the back. darn you. :D
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Don't give up hope on the super cheapness! This happened around black Friday too, when there was a site-wide sale. I think the site discounts overrode the per item discounts.
That said, if you're still jonesing for some and the 90% discount returns, grab any and all that you can :)
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Managed to misplace 2 of the 9 Fatties I've opened/assembled, but here are casual and formal 7 Suit group shots
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I still actually like the guns. Yeah, they're goofy, but so are the VOTOMs themselves.
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I still actually like the guns. Yeah, they're goofy, but so are the VOTOMs themselves.
I don't hate the Mark IV Hairdryer, but I don't like it enough to keep it. I don't know if it's been mentioned, but the nozzle is a separate piece, so it'd be easy to attach the barrel of your choice to the frame. I'm hoping to have some suitable bits for conversion or replacement of the guns when I dig out my Tau bits and/or beg some off the club.
Barring that I've got lots of old toy weapons (transformers, etc...) and other model bits.
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Thread necromancy engaged: GUYS THESE THINGS ARE ON SALE AGAIN! 1.50 euro for a model, still crazy!
http://hlj.com/product/TAK14139/Act (http://hlj.com/product/TAK14139/Act)
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Too bad I only seem to be allowed to order one. No option to increase the number ordered after choosing checkout. :(
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Interesting, I can go up to 17 when viewing my shopping cart.
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As long as I stay in my shopping cart I can add VOTOMs to my heart's delight. But as soon as I choose checkout the number is decreased to one and I can choose between 1 or Cancel.
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Your right, same here for some reason. Funny thing is I have another mech in my basket (lot of cool stuff on sale) and that says *3 per customer* above it. I have enough fatties as it is, but you should maybe take a look at the "private warehouse" option on HLJ if I remember correctly you can buy stuff without paying for shipping and then have it ship together at some later date. That might allow you to stack a big order of fatties, even if you need to pay for each one separately.
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Thread necromancy engaged: GUYS THESE THINGS ARE ON SALE AGAIN! 1.50 euro for a model, still crazy!
http://hlj.com/product/TAK14139/Act (http://hlj.com/product/TAK14139/Act)
Wow, I bought 20 last time and yet I'm still somehow tempted...
I would advise trying the "Private Warehouse option" to buy more than 1. I've used it several times now when there were backordered items that I wanted. You pay for what's in stock and they set it aside for you for a certain amount of time.
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Weird, I could not add any for several tries. Then it let me add 6.
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Perfect, I wanted one more! :D
Also some other kits for other projects.
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I think you guys scared them right out of their sale! lol
When I checked just now, the Votoms Fatty that YPU linked to, costs about €12,- again... ;)
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Ah bugger, I didn't get around to ordering the other stuff I wanted.
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o_o
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Whew, I dodged that bullet. Almost ordered more!
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Got mine! :D
Enough for two units in Warpath or 40K now!
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Got mine! :D
Enough for two units in Warpath or 40K now!
How many did you get and what are you using them for?
I bought 20 and have given away 2. I'll probably make 2 units of 3-5 as battle armor for my 28mm Mech Attack games, but I'm not sure what I'll do after that. I thought about putting 2 in my FLGS auction at $10 each just to see what happens...
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There was an utterly bizarre sequel to this. I went to the site through the link in this thread to check my shopping cart and look around for a bit. There was still 1 VOTOM in my cart for 190 yen. So I just, for the heck of it, increased the number. And it worked! So eventually I had 6 Fatties in my cart for 190 yen apiece and have just ordered and paid them. 20 euros for six Fatties including shipping. This site is so weird.... :o
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lol
I can't explain why any of that would have happened, but I'm glad somebody more could join our VOTOM fatty squad owner club.
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How many did you get and what are you using them for?
Now I will have six, which enables me to field two squads of Sentinels in 40K or two squads of Striders in Warpath (or just six loose in Firefight).
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Too bad I just missed out there; I really could have used a couple of those as a basis for some more mechs in my 15mm Battletech project... ::)
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lol
I can't explain why any of that would have happened, but I'm glad somebody more could join our VOTOM fatty squad owner club.
And they have been shipped. 😃
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Too bad I just missed out there; I really could have used a couple of those as a basis for some more mechs in my 15mm Battletech project... ::)
They might be a bit big for 15mm. Instead, have you seen the semi poseable 3" robotech toys?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ExoSquad-Robotech-Raidar-X-Battloid-Civil-Defense-Unit-Mecha-1994-/272278598303?hash=item3f6511b29f:g:b1UAAOSwM4xXZcR3
I've got a few and they're pretty nice. They were released by Matchbox and later by Playmates for ExoSquad. I think they came in all 4 destroid types...
SpartanTM
GladiatorTM
Excaliber Mk VITM
RaidarXTM
...though I only have the ones BT calls Rifleman and Warhammer.
OOP now but worth hunting down and usually affordable.
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You may be thinking of N-scale, which is 1/160. I'm working on stuff in 15mm, which is about 1/100.
In that scale, most mechs are around 10cm (10m in-universe). See; that's not only very easily calculated, but I already have most, if not all, the unseen mechs, in 1/100 (mostly Robotech ones, obviously).
I used the Warhammer (Excalibur) as my baseline, and have scoured the entire series of novels for references to mech sizes (and also www.sarna.net), with most mechs ending up in an 8m to 13m range. It's one of my goals to be as scale consistent as possible (although I fully understand that most of those references are shaky at best and I often have to go with the trusty TLAR* system instead).
So one of those Votoms, at 8cm, would be a perfect basis for one conversion or the other... ;)
* That Looks About Right
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And the next game is scheduled when......?
;)
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Yea I picked up a destroid phalanx and monster to go with my votoms, I think we need to talk dutch 15mm mech game some time.
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You may be thinking of N-scale, which is 1/160. I'm working on stuff in 15mm, which is about 1/100.
In that scale, most mechs are around 10cm (10m in-universe). See; that's not only very easily calculated, but I already have most, if not all, the unseen mechs, in 1/100 (mostly Robotech ones, obviously).
I used the Warhammer (Excalibur) as my baseline, and have scoured the entire series of novels for references to mech sizes (and also www.sarna.net), with most mechs ending up in an 8m to 13m range. It's one of my goals to be as scale consistent as possible (although I fully understand that most of those references are shaky at best and I often have to go with the trusty TLAR* system instead).
So one of those Votoms, at 8cm, would be a perfect basis for one conversion or the other... ;)
* That Looks About Right
I could be wrong. I'm actually not sure of the size of the Votoms. I was thinking of the matchbox/playmates robotech figures because the ones I have are cool but noticably too big to play well with my 10mm'ish Mechwarrior clix, so I thought they'd do well for BT in 15mm. As for the scale of macross mech kits, I don't pay much attention since the sizes are different in the Macross and BT universes.
At some point I should probably do some comparisons of the various small mecha I've collected. I've already done so for my big 28mm'ish mechs here:
http://chicagoskirmish.blogspot.com/2014/07/robotech-battletech-and-mechwarrior.html
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... I think we need to talk dutch 15mm mech game some time.
I think something along those lines might eventually be in order, yes. So far though, I only have a handful of mechs built, but not painted and several lances worth of unbuilt ones as well.
At least this might give me a reason to pick up where I left off and start churning these bad boys out... lol
As for the scale of macross mech kits, I don't pay much attention since the sizes are different in the Macross and BT universes.
That's so true. You can't imagine the effort it took to find the right size RT Valkyries for use as BT Wasp/Stingers in the right scale. In the end I had to source very old 1/170 scale kits in Japan for them to be correctly sized for use in a 1/100 BT environment... ::)
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I think something along those lines might eventually be in order, yes. So far though, I only have a handful of mechs built, but not painted and several lances worth of unbuilt ones as well.
At least this might give me a reason to pick up where I left off and start churning these bad boys out... lol
I haven't the foggiest when it comes to battletech rules, though I think mech attack might work here. (their infantry even is roughly 15mm if you use the paper models)
If you've come to the conclusion one of these fatties really fits a design you were planning to do I might be conviced to part with one or two. I've had them for half a year and hardly done anything, besides trying to figure out a better looking gun.
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Actually, I'm not too convinced by the original battltech rules either. They're very detailed but incredibly cumbersome and a skirmish between 2 lances can take an entire afternoon to play out (at least; for me, and my hamfisted grasp of rules in general ::) ).
I've been eyeing Mech Attack for this purpose though, so might as well give it a whirl.
One thing I would like to keep in one form or the other is the damage locations on mechs and heat management. That's what really makes a Battletech game for me, especially since those factors are so important in all the fluff as well.
I have this crazy plan to use the legs and lower torso of that particular Votom as the basis for an Urbanmech; it just needs the R2-like domed head and rotund torso (plus a stonking big cannon of course).
And I think the size is perfect to work as the basis for several other light or medium designs too.
If you are willing to part with one or two, I'd be happy to take them off your hands... :)
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You should know I've always had a particular dislike for that design. lol I'll need to dig up my bots first and check how many I ordered in the end again.
Mech attack has always looked interesting to me, but I'm not sure either if its exactly the right amount of simplification or that that its too simple in the end. A while ago I spend a decent amount of time working on 15mm mecha rules based on pulp alley dice mechanics, I might try and finish those up for once.
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You should know I've always had a particular dislike for that design. lol I'll need to dig up my bots first and check how many I ordered in the end again.
Yeah; the 'Urbie' doesn't do it for most people. But I figured; if I can fit in two Locusts, an Urbanmech should be within the realm of possibilites too. lol
It's not the greatest design, but it does add variety to an already ecclectic range of mechs. Originally, I found this guy doing mechs in resin from his garage and he had one that looked very much like an urbanmech, although the scale was off. I contacted him, and he was willing to cast one up for me, but communication just petered off from there and I never got mine.
It must have lingered in my head though, because I'm still looking to add an Urbanmech to my line-up. ::)
Mech attack has always looked interesting to me, but I'm not sure either if its exactly the right amount of simplification or that that its too simple in the end. A while ago I spend a decent amount of time working on 15mm mecha rules based on pulp alley dice mechanics, I might try and finish those up for once.
Indeed; I would still like to be able to allocate hits to locations; shooting weapons, armor or limbs off, whilst having to keep a keen eye on the heat generated by my own mech. But in a much simpler package than the original rules. And combined arms would be nice too; tanks, hovercraft, infantry, helicopters and even Aerospace fighters... :D
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Mech attack has always looked interesting to me, but I'm not sure either if its exactly the right amount of simplification or that that its too simple in the end. A while ago I spend a decent amount of time working on 15mm mecha rules based on pulp alley dice mechanics, I might try and finish those up for once.
Indeed; I would still like to be able to allocate hits to locations; shooting weapons, armor or limbs off, whilst having to keep a keen eye on the heat generated by my own mech. But in a much simpler package than the original rules. And combined arms would be nice too; tanks, hovercraft, infantry, helicopters and even Aerospace fighters... :D
I think you guys might really like mech attack. It has a solid heat mechanic (simplified of course) where you can push your heat to do more, but you run the risk of side effects like weapon or engine shutdown, or worse. As for scale it's 15mm, though we use it in 10mm with no modifications.
As for damage, it uses a damage grid instead of individual locations, but somehow it has a similar feel while being alot faster in play. The different "shapes" of damage really add to the game. A laser cuts deep, a missile affects a wider area, etc. You don't track individual locations, but rather when one column of damage goes all the way down you roll for crits which often will blow off an arm, destroy a torso weapon or damage your engine, etc...
Combined arms rules are included (vehicles and infantry). Beta aircraft rules have been released on the forum, but probably won't be for sale until a new edition is released. I'm looking forward to this because I've got a good number of MW clix aircraft and recently bought a bunch of Dust VOTL's to incorporate into my 28mm games also.
The one BT'ish thing it is really missing is jump jets though there have been some good suggestions made on their forums for incorporating them. However, the Build-Point based construction is fast and makes it easy to invent your own gear and incorporate it into your designs.
All this to say I highly recommend it. We've been using it in 10mm and 28mm (with double ranges) for about 5 years now and it continues to be enjoyable. The cost-to-fun ratio for us has been right up there with Song of Blades.
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... A while ago I spend a decent amount of time working on 15mm mecha rules based on pulp alley dice mechanics, I might try and finish those up for once.
That sounds like a lot of fun! We've played a bunch of Pulp Alley scenarios with armored walkers. ;)