Storage Tower

This storage tower was purchased in San Diego about 10 years ago and I no longer have the box. Its made of compressed foam and was painted with dollarstore paints with a little Agrax Earthshade wash for spill and age effects. Suitable for multiple scales.

Air Vent and Pipes

These air vents are from Epicast, which is no longer in business. I used dollarstore paints and still deciding if I am going to give it a paint wash. It is usable with all kinds of scales though, as the picture shows.

Batman Miniature Game First Runthrough

I recently went through a small Batman Miniature Game using 150 reputation points. Under the Brave and Bold crew was Nightwing, Alpha SWAT, and Gotham Policeman. Under the Joker crew was Harley Quinn (with pole dancer bonus) and Goat Headed Priest. I had set up the terrain more or less randomly but my friend suggested it look like a city street and it definitely looked better. Also made suggestions for the model cards and helper sheets I made.

By the end of the fourth turn, of six, it was all over as Nightwing took out Harley and the scenario we were playing was Skirmish. In this you gain extra VP for taking out the enemy Boss as well as more for taking out greater than 50% of the opponents reputation points by the end of the game. This game does flow quite well and is not complicated but has many options.



I also agree that I need some terrain that models can go into. You can with these buildings but its not easy when there is also models on top of the buildings or on different levels. A warehouse building would work well, with a large open area, side areas with two levels, and a token for models on the roof with clearly indicated "skylights" that they can shoot or move through. Also have to splotch this plain grey felt mat up a bit and make roads and sidewalks. Its getting there.

Granite

For Guildball, the Mason's team gets a new addition for season three...Granite. The model is tough, medium base size, and doesn't like nearby allies getting hit.

Primed white. Washed with Nuln Oil. Skin painted Khardic Flesh, drybrushed Midlund Flesh, lightly drybrushed Ryn Flesh. Blues painted Cygnar Base Blue, drybrushed Cygnar Blue Highlight, lightly drybrushed mix Cygnar Blue Highlight and Menoth White Highlight. Metals painted Pig Iron and highlighted Quicksilver. Straps painted Bloodstone and drybrushed Bootstrap Leather. Boots, gloves, and chaps painted Umbral Umber and drybrushed Bloodtracker Brown. Hair painted Ember Orange, drybrushed Sulfur Yellow, lightly drybrushed Cygnar Yellow. Hammer painted Greybcoat Grey, drybrushed Cryx Bane base, and lightly drybrushed Cryx Bane Highlight. Leather on hammer painted Rucksack Tan.

Base insert made with Basius 3 "Immaculate Lawn". Painted dollarstore black, heavily drybrushed Ordic Olive, drybrushed Wurm Green, lightly drybrushed mix Wurm Green/Menoth White Highlight. Entire model washed Agrax Earthshade. Rim painted Cygnar Blue Highlight.

Harley Quinn (Suicide Squad Version)

Harley Quinn, sidekick for the Joker for the Batman Miniatures Game, comes in the Suicide Squad starter box (OOP) and is from Knight Models. This version of Harley has a multitude of abilities to help in defeating the enemy and has deadly weapons, like her"goodnight bat" and "hate/love gun"

One caveat before I mention what paints I used...I'm sorry about the face. I swear it looked fine under a X2 magnifying glass and looks great on the table at arms length. Sigh.

Primed white and skin painted Morrow White. Blues painted Cygnar Base Blue and drybrushed mix Cygnar Blue Highlight/Morrow White. Reds painted Skorne Red and drybrushed mix Khador Red Base/Morrow White. Hair painted Sulfur Yellow and drybrushed Cygnar Yellow. Bat painted Rucksack Tan. Neck collar, hair ties, and belt painted Cryx Bane Base. Pistol painted Murderous Magenta and drybrushed Carnal Pink.Shirt painted Wurm Green and drybrushed Necrotite Green. Lips painted Murderous Magenta. Eyeshadow painted Arcane Blue. Back logo drybrushed Platinum Radiant.

Base painted dollarstore black. Drybrushed Cryx Bane Base, drybrushed Cryx Bane Highlight, lightly drybrushed Trollblood Highlight. Legs washed Ogryn Flesh then washed Nuln Oil. Entire model, except legs, washed Agrax Earthshade. Rim painted Murderous Magenta. After realizing my other Joker crews had the rim painted Beaten Purple, I changed this one.

Katana (Suicide Squad Version)

For the Batman Miniatures Game, this version of Katana came in the Suicide Squad starter box (OOP), an excellent deal. The model is a melee monster but cannot take many hits with six endurance but rerolling Block rolls with the Tanto will aid in that. Can also move around effectively with acrobatics. This is a model to get in quick and finish the mission.

Primed white. Pants and hair painted Thamar Black. Pants drybrushed Cryx Bane Base, lightly drybrushed Cryx Bane Highlight, and very lightly drybrushed Trollblood Highlight. Hair drybrushed Coal Black. Jacket painted Exile Blue, drybrushed Cygnar Blue Highlight, lightly drybrushed mix Cygnar Blue Highlight and Menoth White Highlight. Sword painted Cold Steel and highlighted Radiant Platinum. Skin painted Khardic Flesh, drybrushed mix Midlund Flesh and Hearthfire, lightly drybrushed mix Midlund Flesh/Hearthfire/Ryn Flesh. Shirt, armband, and mask painted Morrow White, a dot and trim of them with Thamar Black, and smaller dot of Khador Red Base. Sash Skorne Red and drybrushed mix Khador Red Base/Menoth White Highlight. Detail on jacket painted Solid Gold and drybrushed Radiant Platinum. Sword hilts and scabbard painted Coal Black.

Base painted dollarstore black, drybrushed Cryx Bane Base, lightly drybrushed Cryx Bane Highlight, and very lightly drybrushed Trollblood Highlight. Everything washed with Agrax Earthshade and rim painted Exile Blue. Another model finished for the Brave and the Bold.

Gotham Police Set 1 and 2

The average citizen requires the beat cop to protect them from average crimes. Are they enough to protect them from the odd criminals and vigilantes of Gotham? Sold in two pack from Knight Models, Gotham Police 1 and Gotham Police 2 are made up of those beat cops and can greatly assist a Brave and Bold crew in their missions.

Police primed white. Uniform painted Exile Blue, drybrushed Cygnar Base Blue, lightly drybrushed mix Cygnar Blue Highlight and Menoth White Highlight. Skin painted either Khardic Flesh, drybrushed Midlund Flesh, and lightly drybrushed Ryn Flesh or Umbral Umber, drybrushed Khardic Flesh. Weapons painted Thamar Black, drybrushed Coal Black, lightly drybrushed mix Coal Black and Cold Steel. Badge painted Soldi Gold and cap badge painted Quick Silver. Shoulder badge painted Morrow White and a paint pen used to squiggle on it.

Base painted dollarstore black. Heavily drybrushed Cryx Bane Base, drybrushed Cryx Bane Highlight, and lightly drybrushed Trollblood Highlight. Models washed with Agrax Earthshade and base rim painted Exile Blue.

Commissioner Gordon and Gotham SWAT

The Commissioner Gordon and SWAT four model pack, from Knight Models, is a good addition to a Brave and Bold crew and is sculpted off the Christopher Nolan Gordon. As a Leader or Sidekick, Commissioner Gordon adds some abilities to police forces under him to take down criminals and vigilantes without costing too many points. The SWAT are Elite so only one can be used in a crew without Gordon but the Shield SWAT is useful in a crew for protecting fragile models. The new four pack resin is here.

Gordon was primed white. Pants and blazer painted Thamar Black, drybrushed Greacoat Grey, lightly drybrushed Cryx Bane Base, and very lightly drybrushed with Cryx Bane Highlight. Trenchcoat painted Umbral Umber, drybrushed Bloodstone, and lightly drybrushed Bloodstone mixed with Menoth White Highlight. Skin painted Khardic Flesh, drybrushed Midlund Fleash, and lightly drybrushed with Ryn Flesh. Shirt painted Underbelly Blue and drybrushed with a mix of Underbelly Blue and Menoth White Highlight. Tie painted Skorne Red and drybrushed Khador Red Base. Hair and mustache painted Thamar Black and drybrushed Cryx Bane Highlight. Shoes painted Umbral Umber and drybrushed Rucksack Tan. Glasses painted Thamar Black and then Arcane Blue mixed with Morrow White. Gun pInted Thamar Black and drybrushed with mix of Coal Black and Cold Steel.

SWAT primed white. Uniform painted Exile Blue, drybrushed Cygnar Base Blue, lightly drybrushed mix Cygnar Blue Highlight and Menoth White Highlight. Skin painted either Khardic Flesh, drybrushed Midlund Flesh, and lightly drybrushed Ryn Flesh or Umbral Umber, drybrushed Khardic Flesh. Weapons painted Thamar Black, drybrushed Coal Black, lightly drybrushed mix Coal Black and Cold Steel. Helmet, Vest, and boots painted Thamar Black and drybrushed Greatcoat Grey. Glass parts painted Thamar Black and then painted Arcane Blue and Morrow White. Zapties, back tag,  and nametag painted Morrow White.

The base was painted dollarstore black, heavily drybrushed with Cryx Bane Base, drybrushed with Cryx Bane Highlight, and lightly drybrushed with Trollblood Highlight. Models were washed with Agrax Earthshade and rim was painted Exile Blue.

Demise of Spartan Games and the Future of Wayland Games

Founded in 2008, Spartan Games has created many great games over the last ten years. They started with Fantasy fleet combat (Uncharted Seas), then expanded their product line with 1:100000 scale , Space Fleet Combat (2009 - Firestorm Armada), 1:12000 scale Steampunk Victorian era fleet/air/land combat (2010 - Dystopian Wars), 32mm steampunk skirmish (2012 - Dystopian Legions), and recently 10mm future combat (Planetfall). I was hooked ever since buying, in 2011, my first fleet boxes for Firestorm Armada and Dystopian Wars. The scale was perfect and models were cool. The exploding dice mechanic added an element of surprise and shock. The rulesets were suited for fun games. I added models from time to time and still have many more in boxes awaiting eventual assembly, painting, and playing the occasional game.

 

In winter of 2016 I had participated in the Dystopian Wars kickstarter for their new 2.5 edition of the rules, starter with new models, and lots of cool add-ons including Egyptian hover ships that had been delayed in delivery until summer of 2017 and I went for it. The summer of the delivery there was another offer for Canadian and Teutonic Order war/air ships and I went for it. Then in August of last year, Spartan Games announced that they were folding.

 

Besides losing out on the money for the projects, which my credit card company has refunded, I had mixed feelings. I was angry that they were encouraging people to advance buy projects while on the knife’s edge of their bank account. A friend of mine was so upset that he is thinking of selling the Dystopian Wars models I sold him in 2017 and turning his back on the game, which also makes me upset because the community for Spartan Games items in my neck of the woods is very small.

 

Then Wayland Games, maker of Wild West Exodus (WWE) and internet gamestore, announced that they were acquiring the IP rights to all of the Spartan Games products. Although I have heard mixed experiences with their internet gamestore, I have heard good things about the WWE models. They not only are incorporating their WWE world with Dystopian Wars, but they are going to begin making a 3^rd edition rulesbook and Dystopian Wars models in 2018. In successive years they plan to add to their lineup the other nee-Spartan Games products including Uncharted Seas which was stopped in production and development at Spartan Games for years.

 

This made me hopeful. Only caveat is I am not a fan of the Dystopian Wars land game being redesigned in 10mm scale vice the original 1:12000 scale. What made me more hopeful was when I received an email that Wayland Games wanted to send me the personalized Dystopian Wars rulebook made, but not delivered, for the Kickstarter! Not only that but they wanted to send me a copy of the 3.0 rulebook they would make for free. I just had to provide an address and a picture of myself in the world of social media with an older rulebook. Well, the first has arrived…the 2.5 edition of the rules.

It’s very nice and shiny inside and out and am happy with this effort of Wayland Games to build trust. Although I declined their offer of 30% off the Icemaiden carrier, their first Dystopian Wars model, I am looking forward to future efforts. In the meantime I will assemble and paint Spartan Game models, and play games using the existing rules. I will be continuing to post Spartan Games models under that tag in this blog though. I just hope Wayland Games can expand the player base without sacrificing the fun gameplay and cool models. Time will tell.

Maki Containers for Batman Miniature Game

These containers are from a Maki Games Kickstarter I donated to in 2013 and received a year later. I didn’t do anything with them because I stopped playing Warhammer 40k and my interest in Infinity waned in favour of other games. When looking through my terrain kits collecting dust in order to make some Batman Miniature Game terrain, I decided to put some together to see what I could come up with.

Unfortunately, I did not get the modern setting sides to make proper modern setting containers but the sci-fi ones work very well for high-security ones. They sell the containers, in 40k skull and flip side modern, here at their webstore as well as other items. One issue that the company advised people of is to either shave the pegs or file the holes so that the pieces could go together and come apart with greater ease. All was painted with dollarstore paints and logos/text printed and glued on and coated with glue with Gorilla brand wood glue.

The Blackgate Penitentiary is my favorite of the three I made. The prison orange and worn look, made it feel that it is used to transport criminals both powered and unpowered but all dangerous.

The WayneTech container is basic and blends into the background. Perfect for Batman to get one dropped where he may need equipment for a mission or as support.

The LexCorp container is a little Superman in the world of Batman, but Lex does provide arms to the highest bidder. He also could be planning schemes against powered humans and aliens no matter where they are and supporting a crew in Gotham. Nothing can be proven in court, of course.

I will see what from the Maki Games Kickstarter I can use for terrain as time progresses.

Heroes of the Aturi Cluster for X-Wing

A friend and I started a cooperative X-Wing campaign called "Heroes of the Aturi Cluster". X-Wing is a tabletop spaceship dogfighting game set in the world of Star Wars and made by Fantasy Flight.

It made an immense impact on the tabletop gaming world when it was released and is still as popular today. The campaign is also free to download and enables you to start off with rookie Rebel pilots as they engage in missions to gain experience and save the galaxy. 

We have played two missions and it is a lot of fun. The charts that determine what the Imperial ships do is logical and well thought out. The only downside is that it benefits the group, when some or all the participants have the ship miniatures required for the missions. I'm looking forward to playing more games.