[Darkest Star Games]

I recall someone once telling me “realistic battle doctrine makes for not-so-fun games”, referring to the heavy use of artillery…

Those dice, always boggles me how one set can be so against you and another set so much more compliant! 😀

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Part of your print issues may also be the type of printer being used as well as the resin.  I have long used VisionProto (out of NY state) as my go-to guy for printing masters ( while using home type printers for proofing) and they were able to print some veeeeery small troops for me (4.5mm to top of helmet) for a commission I did.  I believe they were printed on a SLS (sintering) type machine, and the masters surprisingly survived the vulcanizing process.  Paul is a really good dude, knows his stuff and isn’t afraid to help out.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

bobm wrote:

Now that so many ranges are being designed on computers (metal, resin and plastic) I’m wondering if the “accidental” scale creep will disappear.

  I seriously doubt it as it will be the same reasoning that has been used in hand sculpting for years: “that’s just my style”.  It’s why we have some slim 20mm (like the old SHQ) and some chunky 20mm (like Britannia) as different artist have different visions of what ‘character’ means for their designs.

Now, if all digital sculptors used the same basic dolly to start their figures from, there might be able to be some consistency, but then you’d hear complaints about sculptors not able to make things look different enough so how could 2 different companies make, say, WW2 Germans as they’ll look identical? Also, to some people realistic proportions look quite off on minis so some customers would want bigger heads so they’re easier to paint, some would want bigger hands to you could see rings on fingers or joints on plate gauntlets and the like.

This issue has long cracked me up because you don’t see this issue with model railroad or plastic model figures, at least not often.  I mean, a Tamiya 1/48 scale US tank commander model figure matches in size to a Hobby Boss 1/48 scale German tank commander, and Walters HO figure will match size and proportion with a Preiser HO figure.  Miniature makes just like to be different I guess!

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

I’d consider the losses the Germans took to be quite high considering how much damage was done with the bombardment.  Do you think there would have been a difference if you’d stuck to doctrine as you have wished to?

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Found these 3d print guys.  I think they can work, though their lazguns have no stocks.

https://cults3d.com/en/3d-model/game/retro-spaceguards-15mm-28mm-parts

I have a bunch of Ion Age figs I need to get to.  I really like them, they have a lot of character.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

I really liked FEAR, especially once the creepy little girl ghost started manifesting and spooking me.  But the gun play was excellent for the time the game came out.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Coming along nicely.  How many of what troops do plan for?  Any of the old style IG going to make an appearance?  (I always loved those IG from the original Chapter Approved booklet!)

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Sounds like it was a pretty good game.  I appreciate that you are willing to change some stats and even exclude some models in order to have a more fun game instead of a guaranteed route.

Those Stirland undead mixed into the enemy are pretty cool, makes sense that the undead would replenish their ranks with the fallen of their enemies.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Mr. Average wrote:

just need some rules to play it with

Well, seems the new GW rules should fit as it has big walkers and tiny troops…

I do really like the Tavshar mechs, they’re really cool looking.  It’s a shame that the versatility of multipart also means these sorts of models end up very fragile.  I have the same problems with my SpecSec mechs.  I think in the future I will design mechs to have a couple of limited poses by using mortis and tenon jointures, with there being a few slots for the tab to fit into so an arm could be in 1 of 3 positions, or some such.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

I find it slightly hilarious that all of the sudden there is a competitive rush into a “new” scale for GW and Mantic, which will hopefully benefit the smaller makers that have been in this scale for a while now.  I know that the Big Guys think they are breaking new ground here, but I can’t wait to see how cross compatible everything ends up.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Exactly as Mike said.  Its way easier to size down an actually scaled model, like going from 1/100 to 1/285, than try to figure out a percentage for a figure size (like 28mm).

If your friend can’t measure in his slicer program then create an object that the file can be scaled to, like as Mike suggested a block that is 8mm tall x 4mm wide with a slight depth.  This can be imported to the build plate setup and then the building can be manually scaled next to it until the doorways sync in size with the block.  (this is how I print some vehicles when I know the figures I intend to us with them are larger or smaller in scale to the STL file).

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

I’m with Mike, the white worked just as well as the toned down grey.  The Word Bearers are quite dark to my eyes.

Say, what’s that interesting plane in the background?  Looks like some pseudo-Luftwaffe contraption, or perhaps something from The Sky Crawlers…

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

It does look like a nifty game.  You had fun?

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

John D Salt wrote:

Our attitude was well summed up by one of our number who said “I refuse to learn the rules, on the grounds it would violate my amateur status.”

  The perfect statement, if I’ve ever heard one!

These rules sound quite excellent, and not too “gamey”.  Though “Gummipanzergrenadier” doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue…

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Can the colonists make concrete?  You could still have false fronts but also include nifty sculptural elements along with salvage.  So, say, a an nice portico with Greek pilasters but a techy metal salvage bit for the entablature.  Or even  Steel beams holding up concrete slabs for exterior walls with punched window openings.

Corrugated metal is quite scrappy/salvage looking, but I honestly don’t see it as being used much on a starship.  Maybe more repetitive panels and plates instead? Like grided flooring?

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

OldBen1 wrote:

I was hoping to fuse Frostgrave and Mordheim rules together.

That’ll be an interesting integration, would love to see what you come up with!

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

There are good reads, thanks!   I really like the sound of the “observed’ and “pinpointed” enemy/obs.  Are these a set of rules you or someone you know are writing?  (or are they just “new to you” rules?)

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

That’s wild that they’re still “good” (at least on the surface).  Did you dip them into paint, or just use a brush?   Perhaps the paint and spray coat has protected them from the ravages of oxygenation.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Nifty!  Playing solo?

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Say, a new version of OGRE has come out in videogame format (purchasable via Steam) which includes head-to-head play.  I’ve got it but not given it a try.  I’ll poke around with it and if it seems viable perhaps we could get a bash in?  He have a 6 hour time difference (with me farther west) but I think it could be doable.  Not a real “face to face” game, but we would be able to get stuck right in without having to paint minis!  Hopefully it fully emulates the tabletop rules.

Will let you know how it looks!

 

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Really interesting.  I’ve heard good and bad things about this game.  Doing FPS in VR is a whole different level.  Being able to play UR games in VR just might be the thing that pushes me over to getting a new computer so I can give it a try.

 

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

It does take a while to get used to a new army, and longer to be able to maximize their performance.  It’s great that she is keen to play again!

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

I’m glad you got a game in!  Aside from the win, how did Samantha like playing the undead army?

The laminated orchard is brilliant, looks good too.  Reminds me of how some video games lighten occupied terrain.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Visually, I really like the scattering of dirt and foliage bits you have along the road and in gardens, it adds so much.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

I’m so sorry you’re feeling poorly, Andrew.  Hopefully some of those birds you’re seeing out back will be rarities or maybe you’ll catch a cheeky squirrel antic or 2, provided you some mild satisfaction.  But hey, since your sense of taste is gone now is a great chance to catch up on all those icky veggies and whatnots that the docs swear are good for you but taste gross!

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Was not expecting such a positive review.  Guess I HAVE to see it now!  (and hold you totally responsible for whether I enjoy it or not!  Haha!)

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Thuseld wrote:

Grouped on coins. They are in threes, twos and some are just one.

  That makes it much tougher.

If you don’t want to buy more figures to make dedicated foxholes perhaps you can create a slip over?  Basically a base that is the foxhole and basing stuff that has an open center so you can drop it over your figures.  It won’t look realistic but gets the point across.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

So they retire to the country with their riches for an easy life of luxury and story telling?  Or will you be flinging them into future adventures?

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Aw daaaaaang!  He is one of my favs from my younger days.  I was hoping he’d get to do a wrap up of the RCN series, but I guess that’ll be yet another arc that never gets completed by the original author (sadly like the REAL Dune series, not the subpar stuff put out by the inheritor).

I guess 78 years is a good long for a Vietnam vet with agent orange exposure…

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Are your troops individually based on coins, or grouped on them?

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Great campaign, bummer on the gov though.  Missing so many activations like that in a row must have been gutting.

Does the gov’s death mean an overall loss for the campaign?  What about rewards, advancements and fame?

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Lovely ships as always!  Based upon your reading of various sources do you think that Capt. Williamson stayed out of the fight out of cowardice or due to (as the log said) not wanting to hit friendly ships?

Dumb question: do you happen to know why ship plans are drawn with the decks being so curved?  Was this for drainage, or perhaps the decks flattened out with the weight of the ship once in water…?

EDIT: discovered this is called SHEER, and why it exists.  I already knew about camber, but discovering the name for the longitudinal curve opened up a lot of info!

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

I think these look pretty good.  I like that they are so customizable, but that may also be a downside.  Waaay back when Palladium did the Robotech KS they did models that had the same set up for arms and hands which made them super difficult to put together, especially since all of the ends are flat.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Andrew Beasley wrote:

If you have a spare piece of the 3D print why not try that to see if it is degraded by thinners?

  I do have some extra parts that I’m not going to use, I’ll do just that!

The part is too big for a bath of Simple Green (it’s like 3 dinner plates put together big!), but I could probably put a soaked towel over it.

 

Thanks!

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

It’s great you got a game in!  May you have infected your chum with the historical bug and he finds his own non-warhammer period of interest!

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

140lbs is a pretty hefty bow,  I shot a few when I was (much) younger and it ain’t easy, especially the pace he set.  I do wonder about the posture though, back arched like that is a sure way to strain, I’ve done it!

I get Todd’s reasoning, but I didn’t think there was really doubt that the arrows would go farther.  There are accounts of troops on hills outranging their foes below them, quite an advantage to have.

Didn’t Todd do a short vid of historical archers shooting from the right side (outside) rather than how we do it modern ways with the arrow set on the left (inside) of the bow?

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Sounds like anyone could be a monster or demon based on those figure descriptions.  fantasy AND paranoia, nice!

 

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

Chris Pringle wrote:

We have the battlemat and the game photos, so it wouldn’t be hard to reset that pivotal moment …

   I’d love to see someone do a series of games where they do this, go back to that one moment and see how it could go if there was a rewind button.

Chris Pringle wrote:

Next stop: Chickamauga!

  Woa, now there’s a little bit of a venue jump!

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

I played a pair of games of “Check Your 6!” the other week and we used clear Lego cones with a transparent blue one every 5th to denote different altitudes.  Each model had a small rod sticking down that fit right into the top of the topmost Lego.  Super easy to add or subtract the cones.  Worked a treat for both 1/300 and 1/144 planes.  (it’s probably not that cheap though…)

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

[Darkest Star Games]

It would be nice if you could setup the game again to the point where your cavalry charged and see what the result would have been had they succeeded.  Maybe too much metagaming would occur based upon other actions from the first go, so it might not work.  But, it’d be an interesting exercise.

"I saw this in a cartoon once, but I'm pretty sure I can do it..."

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