Mantic Modern US Military... Sound Off!

[Arlequín]

Folks, you may, or may not, be aware that Mantic are running a Mars Attacks Miniatures Game Kickstarter. It's set in the present/near future and features somewhat generic US military as one of the lines on offer.



Besides these figures there is a rather decent Squad Leader and a guy with a rocket launcher (currently a RPG type, but they are going to remodel this to an AT4).

I've been pressing the case for the addition of an M249 SAW gunner and for a more accurate representation of the US Army squad structure (i.e. Squad Leader and two fire teams:- FT leader with AR/GL, SAW Gunner, 2 riflemen), on the basis that historical gamers might be willing to pledge on the KS just for these.

Can I get a head count of anyone interested if this was the case please? It all helps add to my argument (or not as the case may be).  

 

[Conquistador]

I chose the second option as closest to:

More accurate weapon selection and a realistic squad organization.  Right now, as is, not going to be considered.

Not that I am actively looking towards buying more "big" figures, moving a lot of stuff to 3 mm for battles and debating between 15 and 20 mm for smaller skirmishes.

Gracias,

Glenn

[Arlequín]

Glenn, as with all polls, the more that contribute, whatever their opinion, helps give a better picture. I appreciate that the options are 'wooly', but I'm only trying for a vague idea.

Thanks though. 

[Arrigo]

Well, I am in the camp of 'thanks, no thanks'. While I applaud the effort I am put off by the messed up unit composition and by the cartoonish look. Plus I already own 2 infantry squads and a weapons squad from Empress and frankly I do not think I need more. How many 28mm I need for a single table?

[Quirkworthy]

Having spent the afternoon playing Mars Attacks with these very models, I have to say that I think they look really good in the flesh (so to speak). I was also arguing to get a SAW and so on to give them a proper weapon selection. Might happen. My point was that they are fairly close to a proper squad and it wouldn't take a lot to push them into being more broadly useful.

Surprised to hear Arrigo call them cartoonish. The anatomy and equipment is far more accurate proportions than most gaming figures on the market. Whilst Empress make some lovely figures, it's difficult to cast the weapons in accurate scale in metal without them being very flimsy.

Anyway, I like them, and think they're even better in person.

Putting my vote in for a bigger/more accurate squad 

[Arlequín]

I do like them, I admit, so I am somewhat biased in their favour... I don't see 'cartoonish' either, but each to their own. 

I was also arguing to get a SAW and so on to give them a proper weapon selection. Might happen. My point was that they are fairly close to a proper squad and it wouldn't take a lot to push them into being more broadly useful.

Blimey Q, if you can't tip the scales, what chance do I have? 

I made the statement that I thought none MA gamers would go for them if sorted into a proper squad... just trying to see if I was right or wrong on that, before making more of a fool of myself.

[ancient one]

I'm backing the KS too, and I can defo. go with a SAW in the mix.
(I'll be using them for an X-Com/Xenonauts squad as well as MA). 

[Quirkworthy]

Blimey Q, if you can't tip the scales, what chance do I have? 

Maybe we can all tip the scales between us. I only mentioned it a couple of hours ago so let's see what they say. At a guess the issue is things like what will fit on the sprue rather than them being obstinate for the sake of it. Nobody I know at Mantic is any good at resisting making more toys unless there is a good technical reason for it. Or the accountant tells them off 

[commissarmoody]

I might consider it, if they had accurate weapons. As for them looking cartoony I will say that there helmets look to be a little to snug.

[Quirkworthy]

As now is the time to get any tweaks like this done, I had a look at the helmets. To start with I agreed that they looked a bit too close fitting. However, after looking at a whole bunch of photos of real soldiers I can't decide. Some of them look close fitting too, while others look like their helmets are so loose they'd fall off all the time.

Partly I think it's to do with the amount of bits that get attached to real helmets which make them look bigger - sometimes.

It could also be to do with the helmets coming in different sizes, so some individual troopers have ones that are a bit big or small. Not sure. I'm more confused after doing 10 minutes of picture research than I was to start with.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

[Quirkworthy]

Apparently we should, also be asking whether they're modelling the latest ACHE (Advanced Combat Helmet) or the older PASGT. I think the newer one is slightly smaller, but they both seem to come in 5 sizes.

I'm sure the good old M1 came in a single size. Ah, the good old days...

[Arlequín]

Commissar should be able to answer that, as he's worn one a few times... is it one size suits all?  

I have to admit 'ultra-modern' is not my forte, if I could say I had one, I'm very old school... so any input would be welcome.

[Quirkworthy]

Current and previous generations of US Army helmets seem to come in 5 sizes.

Comments from those that have worn them would be both helpful and interesting.

[Arlequín]

The M1 definitely did... that's why ARVN and other 'smaller' soldiers looked very odd in theirs in the main. I know the current one is cushioned and adjustable, but that's about it.

[matakishi]

I'm getting some because they're in the game box but I doubt I'll ever paint them.
I think they're fine as game pieces and do their job well as part of the boxed game but they don't work for me as separate infantry figures that I'd use for my modern games.
My main reason are the poses, they're game piece poses not fire team poses and they wouldn't look any good based up as a team regardless of their weapon load out.
I already have US forces to oppose a Martian Invasion and US forces to fight in Mogadishu and Afghanistan. I wouldn't add these to either group.
I'll happily move them around a Mars Attacks board if someone wants to play the game though, they're fine for that.