When I was younger I was inspired by Starship Trooper
(book, of course,) and then I ram into StarGuard
and the Dreenoi...
Downhill ever since...
Since then I have given some thought to "Bugs" and figures for "Bugs" and decided there are (in theory) several possibilities of "Bugs" for gaming that immediately come to my mind.
Type One - Planet Bound Hordes. The battles are between a native (?) life form like massive Army Ants and the planet bound "Humans" - Mindless ravaging hordes threatening a colony without outside aid (for whatever reason) in a fight to the hilt.
Type Two. Space faring (lots of possibilities besides technology for that) Melee bugs led by "intelligence" -
subtype A - Psychic led (Brain Bugs/Queens) Melee based hordes with some "specialist" natural ranged weapon Bugs (acids, poisons, glues, etc.) - one colony or multiple competing/cooperating groups
subtype B - non-psychic intelligence led (pheromones, audible communications, maybe even technology based communications gleaned from conquered opponents) wiith/without ranged weapons of some kind of technology (Javelins to Blasters possible.)
Type Three. Space faring, psychic communication, technology using, size of horses, 6 legged, blaster using (similar to FGU's Space Marines rules) Bugs. Walk on four "legs," shoot with two "arms" figures.
Type Four. Bipedal weapons using (psychic sub-type A or or non-psychic sub-type B) bugs like the Dreenoi in Starguard.
I am sure you can/will come up with other types of "Bugs" so feel free to toss those out too.
First Question - what do you prefer stylistically for "Bugs" in SF games?
Second - Who makes the figures that best represent "Bugs" as you envision them?
Gracias,
Glenn
Maybe we should try a poll but I am too lazy/busy to do so right now...