Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: PatrickWR on September 26, 2013, 04:16:17 PM
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I've started to gather together photos and fluff for my homebrew sci-fi setting, the Galactic Frontier. Most of this stuff has been stewing for years, influenced by stuff like Aliens, Firefly, Rogue Trader, Full Thrust and Tomorrow's War (to name just a few).
So far, the setting is based around a single planet, Fornacis V, the largest planet in the system of the same name. It's a dusty, windswept world with a few temperate forests and significant mineral resources. The Fornacis system itself is home to a few more planets, mostly outside the habitable zone but nonetheless colonized by various factions using atmosphere domes and other tech.
The Fornacis system is a major jumping-off point for fleets exploring the outer reaches of the galaxy, and it has all the trappings of the wild west: expeditionary forces, mercenary armies, indigenous threats, bugs, plus plenty of locations for land and space battles to take place. Most of this will be detailed later.
My goal with this setting is to create games at various scales (28mm, 10mm and fleet-scale starship gaming) that tie together to create a flavorful narrative campaign. For 28mm skirmish, my preference would be to use Tomorrow's War, In the Emperor's Name or perhaps WarEngine. At 10mm, my options are Panzer8 (extremely rules-lite but dead simple), Future War Commander, or Alpha Strike (the new fast-play BattleTech game). At fleet scale, I'll use Full Thrust.
Many of my factions are already painted and ready to go, so check back regularly for updates and battle reports!
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Here are some pics of the main mercenary army operating in the Galactic Frontier: Markham's Thunderbolts.
Backstory: After an impressive series of campaigns in the galactic core, Colonel Wade Markham led his Thunderbolts to the untamed frontier for an extended contract with the Voyvoda Mining Guild. They are tasked with protecting the guild's interests in the system. So far they have skirmished with virtually all of the known factions, though the constantly shifting allegiances in the frontier have made for some odd bedfellows these last few months.
Here is Col. Markham himself overseeing a routine deployment outside the Hultgren Refinery on Fornacis V.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9ISaH0G1E4k/UkQ-7RQLbgI/AAAAAAAAEZI/cvESPHc7A7E/w829-h656-no/20130925_205236.jpg)
Infantry are from Pig Iron and Markham is from Reaper's Chronoscope line. I envision him as a sort of shrewd sci-fi Texan, with a drawl and a keen command of strategy and tactics on the battlefield. Think Sam Elliott in power armor.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-N5__Ye2VG3U/UkQ-8VUcp_I/AAAAAAAAEZQ/abe4tvTihik/w973-h656-no/20130925_205111.jpg)
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This sounds good. I like the background to the setting, it should make for some interesting scenarios. Have you drawn up any maps of the world yet? I always get carried away at that point and end up researching the climatic effects of mountain ranges (rain shadows and the like) and useless stuff like that! Looking forward to seeing your stuff.
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I'm a firm believer in creating my own sci-fi settings, so I can only applaud your decision. Can't wait to see more ;)
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Ha! You managed to get some stuff up while I was replying! I really like the look of those, they 'fit' the fluff nicely.
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Thanks for the encouragement, y'all! Here are some more pics of Markham's Thunderbolts.
In action: Securing the well-head near the Wexpro Pipe Interchange, just south of New Tupelov.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HoOXMi8z9RI/UkQ-6ISpCEI/AAAAAAAAEZA/qRJ7kQOHH70/w923-h656-no/20130925_205517.jpg)
In action: Squad and medic taking a break after the big push toward Geirrod City.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wPzxBNnPjlU/UkQ-49AHJXI/AAAAAAAAEYA/V1A9lWVy07U/w1166-h656-no/20130925_205739.jpg)
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Nice paint jobs.
8)
Making up your own campaign setting is half the fun.
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Nice idea for a setting and those miniatures look great. Really like the Chronoscope miniature. Fits in perfectly with the Pig Iron guys. On first glance, before I had a proper look, I assumed it was just another one of the Pig Iron guys with an old west head.
Keep 'em coming. Looking forward to seeing who they're going to be throwing down against. :D
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Choked a bit on the 'space-suited marshal', but you had me with 'Think Sam Elliott in power armor.' lol
Loads of fun!
However, if you include Aliens, those piccies are entirely to 'shiny'. Where's the dark, dank, and dripping water? ;)
Will watch in anticipation.
Doug
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This sounds good. I like the background to the setting, it should make for some interesting scenarios. Have you drawn up any maps of the world yet? I always get carried away at that point and end up researching the climatic effects of mountain ranges (rain shadows and the like) and useless stuff like that! Looking forward to seeing your stuff.
I've not done any maps yet. To avoid driving myself crazy, I'll probably only detail the areas on the planet(s) that are part of a conflict, and leave the rest shrouded in the fog of war. 8)
However, if you include Aliens, those piccies are entirely to 'shiny'. Where's the dark, dank, and dripping water? ;)
Indeed, there are xenomorphs in this setting, just waiting to infest various reactors, refineries, ruined cities and derelict spaceships. Also regular stomp-em-with-your-boot bugs, too. I'll do my best to take some atmospheric shots of both in their natural habitat.
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A few more pics of the Thunderbolts mercenaries, including heavy weapons ...
Moving into position:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qHd19PVsCC4/UkQ-21R9d-I/AAAAAAAAEYo/9b5eEqCAI2s/w1025-h629-no/20130925_205932.jpg)
Heavy laser team deployed:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NJgZeuM2R8E/UkQ-1yMesiI/AAAAAAAAEYw/ptdkTQOsAMs/w950-h629-no/20130925_210054.jpg)
Missile launcher team deployed:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nJnrxGxz9Qg/UkQ-znMuGpI/AAAAAAAAEZY/v_aOiqgJCbM/w748-h629-no/20130925_210301.jpg)
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Here is another big player on the Galactic Frontier -- the Terran Heavy Infantry.
Backstory: The tip of the spear for the humans of Old Earth, the Terran Heavy Infantry arrived on the frontier 10 years ago and has expanded its influence in the intervening years. The faction boasts a fleet of starships and a capable land-based force of Terran marines and light infantry. They are the establishment-based foil against rogue operators like Colonel Markham and his Thunderbolts mercenary army.
Figures are mostly plastic Warzone Bauhaus guys with gas mask heads from Pig Iron. The chunky power armor guy in the back is from Legions of Steel ... he's a squad leader here.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6C85RdU2_JI/UkQ-xQh1_xI/AAAAAAAAEZk/QV-YX1zKS1M/w1265-h656-no/20130925_210619.jpg)
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More Terran Heavy Infantry, this time an action shot from the Cronid Sector Pacification Operation.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vfGU4FjJ4rI/UkTXzPMvHEI/AAAAAAAAEac/-bv2PgbfkJg/w1166-h656-no/20130926_191808.jpg)
And a close-up of the heavy infantry taking up defensive positions inside a bombed-out building.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qpWIIROR7uw/UkTX1vofakI/AAAAAAAAEaw/uGhIgZ2rdVk/w1166-h656-no/20130926_191842.jpg)
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Ah, finally, some dark corners... lol
Coming along nicely; are those shock troopers?
Doug
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Some great ideas and minis, i will be following :)
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Coming along nicely; are those shock troopers?
They're Warzone plastic Bauhaus troopers with Pig Iron heads. Multi-part but not really multi-pose, although they look decent in a group (and they're super cheap at less than $1 per figure).
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They're Warzone plastic Bauhaus troopers with Pig Iron heads. Multi-part but not really multi-pose, although they look decent in a group (and they're super cheap at less than $1 per figure).
I hang my head in shame!
Had them until recently; a chum was dying to use them, and I've yet to see them in action. ;)
Now I have to cogitate on uses for the Imperials. It will come to me...
Thanks!
Doug
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PM sent about where to source cheap Warzone plastics, but just in case anyone else is curious: Prince August sells the original bag of 80 soldiers from the boxed set (40 Imperial, 40 Bauhaus) for less than $40 + shipping. Link: http://shop.princeaugust.ie/warzone-mutant-chronicles-wargame/warzone-games-expansion-sets/tg2420-1-warzone-mutant-chronicles-bag-of-80-plastic-soldiers/
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I have some of the Imperial ones going spare if anyone wants them.
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Alright, here are some more pics.
The Terran Light Infantry is the mobile recon force that supports the Terran Heavy Infantry. On the galactic frontier, they are often relegated to garrison duties, border patrols, and bug hunts.
(Figures are DemonBlade Shockforce Tac Troopers)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FxM8P1O0qLU/UkTXtrsUxAI/AAAAAAAAEZ8/8GzKQlvF-Eo/w1166-h656-no/20130926_190650.jpg)
Here's a heavy weapon, the 30mm gauss cannon
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MYVy0Aok6o0/UkTXuyFfg0I/AAAAAAAAEaI/qbod5B2BBms/w1166-h656-no/20130926_190857.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VJ8Bb2yOpLM/UkTXwBqt_lI/AAAAAAAAEaM/AgWYhFzIqTU/w1166-h656-no/20130926_190926.jpg)
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Up next we have a pair of Terran L.O.S.T. marines. L.O.S.T. stands for Low Orbit Shock Troopers, and these guys are literally angels of death. They drop in small groups from rally points about 200km above the planetary surface, using satellite-guided jump packs to arrive at predetermined coordinates where their advanced armor and weaponry can be used to turn the tide of the battle. L.O.S.T. marines regularly drop into radioactive or chem-saturated environments, but their armored drop suits can hold up under these punishing conditions. They are a force multiplier in every sense of the word.
Figures are from Legions of Steel, I'm not exactly sure what faction. I picked 'em up at a flea market.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q76VYVPT6To/UkTXxQZn2QI/AAAAAAAAEaY/hacWTi1ReC4/w1166-h656-no/20130926_191123.jpg)
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Nice paint jobs
:)
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By request, here are the xenomorph-style aliens that inhabit the Galactic Frontier. Equally at home in an underground hive or aboard a derelict starship, these cunning creatures are anything but mindless drones. Man-sized warrior aliens are backed up by larger species equipped with a variety of natural weapons.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AlCC15x8T0U/UkTX3AApmrI/AAAAAAAAEa0/VE3WavrGLfo/w1118-h629-no/20130926_192649.jpg)
The xeno infantry are from Reviresco, the larger leader-types are from Kyromek, and the big scorpion/beetle things on the rock ledge are from Grenadier. All were painted black, drybrushed a tiny bit and then dipped with Minwax Polyshades Tudor satin. I deliberately skipped the matte spray step at the end so they would stay shiny.
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Great looking minis and factions. I love your terrain too.
I am a big fan of creating your own settings. I like yours, great stuff.
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Love this project! Mixing and matching different lines of miniatures to your heart's content is always fun.
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I like this for so many reasons, but mainly because it is the precise approach I have with my main two projects of fantasy and sci-fi.
I buy models that I like and models that I can afford and fit them into a 'universe' of my own creation. When I say my own, I borrow a hell of a lot from things like Firefly, BSG, Blade Runner and sometimes other genre's I just like concepts of.
IMHO it is the best way to game.
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I like this for so many reasons, but mainly because it is the precise approach I have with my main two projects of fantasy and sci-fi.
I buy models that I like and models that I can afford and fit them into a 'universe' of my own creation. When I say my own, I borrow a hell of a lot from things like Firefly, BSG, Blade Runner and sometimes other genre's I just like concepts of.
IMHO it is the best way to game.
Same as me. Good thread.
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Cool thread!
Mashing up influences and miniature ranges is a lot of fun. Slavishly sticking to a single manufacturer encourages the sort of cookie cutter look that hand painting toy soldiers should be the antithesis of.
You have loads of humans painted. I rarely get around to painting humans when there are so many aliens/robots/ET wildlife etc to get done. I rarely seem to get the enthusiasm up to paint plain ol' humans for some reason.
Whats next?
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I am a big fan of creating your own settings. I like yours, great stuff.
Thanks Danny. I am a big fan of your Mattblackgod post-apoc stuff...I regularly browse your threads and blogs when I need inspiration!
Love this project! Mixing and matching different lines of miniatures to your heart's content is always fun.
I like this for so many reasons, but mainly because it is the precise approach I have with my main two projects of fantasy and sci-fi.
IMHO it is the best way to game.
Thank you! Yes, I did the Warhammer 40k thing for many years as younger man, but now it's all about diversity and painting what I want, not what I *should* be painting...you know, to "complete" my army.
damm missed this one. The sheriff is boss. I applaud everything about this project. well done that man.
I'll admit: I stared at that sheriff for a long, long time before inspiration struck.
Same as me. Good thread.
Thank ya sir! From browsing the Future Wars LAF board, I can tell I'm in exceedingly creative company. You guys have set the bar very high!
You have loads of humans painted. I rarely get around to painting humans when there are so many aliens/robots/ET wildlife etc to get done. I rarely seem to get the enthusiasm up to paint plain ol' humans for some reason. What's next?
I've got a few more factions painted up, including an array of Terminator-style robots and a whole bunch of Kolony Ferals from Pig Iron.
I also have the Terran Heavy Infantry represented in 10mm rebased Mechwarrior clix as well as 1/X000 scale spaceships, all painted up. So I'll try to get some photography of those groups so you can see the entire army in three different theaters (28m skirmish, 10mm mass combat, and stellar).
On the painting bench, I'm working on some terrain pieces (mostly urban ruins, tumbledown chunks of concrete, shattered walls with rebar poking out, that sort of thing). I've also got about 30 Kolony Rebels to paint...not sure what faction they'll fit in with. They might be their own group?!
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Alrighty, I played two games of Tomorrow's War over the weekend. The first battle report is up on my blog -- you can read it here: http://chicagoskirmish.blogspot.com/2013/10/tomorrows-war-block-by-block-in-geirrod.html
The game featured Markham's Thunderbolts (my mercenary army) defending a command post in the ruins of Geirrod City. The invaders were Ventaurans from Denizen Miniatures. The game was a true "hard" sci-fi game -- narry a skull nor chainsword to be seen! Firepower and player tactics were the order of the day. Here are a few pics from the game.
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YI9eheyp2sg/UlsantV8YxI/AAAAAAAAEkQ/O2buTcNws9U/s1600/20131013_132230.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUFNaz51Sas/UlsarUPxM5I/AAAAAAAAEkA/82ldBGiCOjk/s1600/20131013_132313.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eg84jUZH5gc/UlsbAm7tDiI/AAAAAAAAEic/V7NfWGq1ds8/s1600/20131013_150618.jpg)
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Fantastic battle report. Great terrain and figures. Keep 'em coming! Tomorrow's War looks great, though I am leaning towards 5150.
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Gibby, I have played both. Each has it's own strengths and weaknesses. TW is definitely a firefight simulation first and foremost. Individual figures can't act on their own. Fireteams perform best by coordinating with their comrades in arms. Whereas 5150 puts a lot of emphasis on the behavior of individual soldiers, especially the psychological stuff that can cause a trooper's nerve to fail at the wrong time.
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I think it would be useful to have both rulesets. I do love the THW rules but I find they can be a bit confusing, even after a few games, trying to figure out who reacts to what and how many "In-Sight" tests you take over the course of a turn, who gets added to the In-Sight test, who is exempt... gah!
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Great looking stuff!!!
And a comment to something back in the thread. I love the Legion of Steel stuff!! I really wish it was available again and here in Europe.
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Cool looking stuff, and good game! I too am a big fan of making up your own universe, it makes things all the more interesting! Allows you to mix all your favourite SF in too! :D
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I think it would be useful to have both rulesets. I do love the THW rules but I find they can be a bit confusing, even after a few games, trying to figure out who reacts to what and how many "In-Sight" tests you take over the course of a turn, who gets added to the In-Sight test, who is exempt... gah!
Do you mean Two Hour Wargames' 5150, or Tomorrow's War by Osprey, because that sounds like my one TW experience. Infinite recursive reactions?
I won the game, but it felt like only because the still-learning moderator let me have more recursions. :?
Sorry, back on thread: REALLY impressed with the bugs, and looking forward to sitting down for a nice long read of the AAR!
Doug
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REALLY impressed with the bugs, and looking forward to sitting down for a nice long read of the AAR!
The shiny black figures on page 2 are xenos.
These here are bugs! Perfect for any scenario calling for annoying wildlife, these bugs come in both scampering and flying varieties. The figures are rebased Heroclix Brood. I didn't bother to repaint them since I was doing a lot, so what you're seeing here are the original paintjobs. Definitely passable for the tabletop.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O9bHJowlSX8/Ulw8A_CVO2I/AAAAAAAAEr8/wT0uU-tcby4/w882-h656-no/20131013_174122.jpg)
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True, Lieutenant Gorman, but was going back to the quote 'Is this going to be a straight up fight or another bug hunt?' :D
I hear you about the various cliccie paintjobs; most are atrocious, but some are quite serviceable. You need to mostly deal with the eyes. Mostly.
Doug
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I was on the other side of the table from Patrick for the battle in Geirrod. It was great to get the Ventaurans on the table vs his Mercs. Looks like I'll have to write up some backstory for them.
As for the THW vs TW issue. I much prefer TW. I played THW's 5150 Star Army (their platoon level sci-fi set) and didn't like the amount of control it takes away from the players. It's not a bad ruleset, just a matter of taste. Lots of folks like it, and I don't think there are many games that can compare when it comes to solo play.
As to TW, I had played it before and didn't like it that much, but it looks like third time's a charm. I enjoyed this battle and am looking forward to the next. I still can't claim to really be able to understand the rulebook, but I'll give it another shot. We've both got a few vehicles for our forces, so I look forward to bringing a vehicle or two onto the table the next time the Ventauran Empire encounters Markhams Thunderbolts.
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aye I've never managed to fathom out the THW rules I've bought, think it's the layout and examples. Tried a game with a mate, first shooting phase two guys ended up just reaction shooting back and forth at each other for ages - one would shoot, not kill, the other makes an reaction, shoots back, original firer makes a reaction, fires ad infinitum - we must have buggered it up, but it wasn't clear. shame as some great ideas in the rule sets.
Back on topic, loving the project. everytime I come back to LAF I see someone doing a project, look at all my unfinished or unstarted stuff, get depressed, and go buy more toy soldiers to make myself feel better (briefly, I then have more unstarted stuff) lol
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Here's another faction (well, more of an auxiliary unit) operating on the Galactic Frontier. Robot infantry troopers are used by most human forces to augment regular soldiers. This particular squad is earmarked for use with the Terran Heavy Infantry.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fJMDGr2aEg8/Ulw8DgufWnI/AAAAAAAAElA/tTaUH6I_E6U/w1166-h656-no/20131013_174606.jpg)
The figures are Copplestone, EM-4 and Legions of Steel, all mixed together. Paint jobs can best be described as "quick and dirty."
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-giRpHoKj7JY/Ulw8CbcF49I/AAAAAAAAEk8/xBYvKcbfaAQ/w1118-h629-no/20131013_174327.jpg)
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Looks good. It is hard to go wrong with skeleton robots :)
What manufacturer is the container?
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Looks good. It is hard to go wrong with skeleton robots :)
What manufacturer is the container?
I think it's a Rust Forge one:
http://rustforge.com/
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Man keep up this great work!, defiantly i myself am a big fan of game systems that allow you to make your own universe or at least your own world / faction in that world ;)!. Though when i produce my own game system its certainly going to be much more abstract when it comes to scale of combat :P!.
I cant wait to bring out my own range and show everyone what they will look like painted up :D!.
with best regards - Shawn.
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I think it's a Rust Forge one:
http://rustforge.com/
Yep, it's from Rust Forge. A buddy picked up several kits at Adepticon last year. They look great!
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Thanks.
I have been looking for containers for quite some time. But I haven't decided on buying any yet lol
Not that there is a lack of manufactures, but quality and price is very different, so it is hard to decide.
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The same guy who painted up that crate did a more in-depth review of the product over on our club blog. Check it out here: http://chicagoskirmish.blogspot.com/2013/04/review-rust-forge-28mm-shipping-crates.html
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Time for a big update! Back in January, when Chicago was buried under 2 feet of snow, I braved the weather to play a game of Tomorrow's War with Josh. He was fielding his newly painted Tau warriors, but in true DIY fashion we added them to the Galactic Frontier as the Subathi Empire. Here's the fluff for our battle:
The Slums of New Tupelov
Colony World: Fornacis III
Area: New Tupelov
New Tupelov, long prized for its position overlooking the primary spaceport on Fornacis V, has been the scene of low-intensity urban fighting between the expeditionary elements of the Subathi empire and the Terran heavy infantry. During a brief lull, a squad of heavy infantry was able to deploy a heavy anti-infantry cannon to cover a key approach used by the Subathi to move soldiers and material in and out of New Tupelov. Within days this strongpoint was responsible for the destruction of three reinforced platoons. Subathi expeditionary command quickly drew up plans for a coordinated assault against the strongpoint and the additional Terran squads presumed to be operating in the area. Shortly before twilight, Subathi pathfinders deployed into the slums to find and destroy their well-hidden enemy.
Check out the full blog post here: http://chicagoskirmish.blogspot.com/2014/01/tomorrows-war-slums-of-new-tupelov.html
And here are a few pics from the game. It was a big battle, with action taking place all over the map!
(http://www.jlopatin.com/pictures/2014/01-20-14tw/photos/P1203406.jpg)
(http://www.jlopatin.com/pictures/2014/01-20-14tw/photos/P1203399.jpg)
(http://www.jlopatin.com/pictures/2014/01-20-14tw/photos/P1203413.jpg)
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I figure I'll keep this thread updated with photos and links to our more recent Tomorrow's War games, even if those games are 6-8 months old at this point. Here's the next installment in our mini-campaign, which we played out in February of this year.
Operation Snakepit
Colony World: Fornacis III
Area: New Tupelov
Following their decisive victory in New Tupelov’s urban core, the Subathi empire has begun redeploying its heavy weapons in preparation for a long-expected siege of the city by Terran armored divisions. Sensing an opportunity, the Thunderbolts mercenary army, operating under its own agenda, has prepared an ambush along one of these resupply corridors, hoping to catch the Subathi off-balance and inflict a devastating defeat. A setback here would give the Terrans an opening for their massed assault -- and it would serve the Thunderbolts’ own strategic purposes.
Read the blog post here: http://chicagoskirmish.blogspot.com/2014/02/tomorrows-war-operation-snakepit.html
And here are some pics from the game!
(http://www.jlopatin.com/pictures/2014/02-17-14tw/photos/P2173422.jpg)
(http://www.jlopatin.com/pictures/2014/02-17-14tw/photos/P2173429.jpg)
(http://www.jlopatin.com/pictures/2014/02-17-14tw/photos/P2173435.jpg)
(http://www.jlopatin.com/pictures/2014/02-17-14tw/photos/P2173427.jpg)