They Come In The Night..........Mostly

It's been a fraught weekend spent recovering my final data analysis after it finally decided to go tits up at five to six on Friday. It was only due for submission to the CEO and Corporate Directors at 8.00am this morning, with a presentation followed by Q&A session this afternoon.

Well, I have to say the gods were looking after me as the mishap had several major positive ramifications. The long and the short being that I AM TOP DOG! And my hard work is recognised by the CEO!

Here's Johnny!

I drove all the way home this evening grinning from ear to ear! Seven months work vindicated. And to cap it all, there's a package waiting for me inside the front door. Rebel Minis or Khurasan? Rebel Minis or Khurasan?


It's my first order of Space Demons from Khurasan Miniatures! Well, I may have come home Top Dog, but these minis ARE the Dogs Bollocks!

I haven't got them all out of their ziplock bags and I already want more! Especially that Space Demon King. Luckily I intend buying some of Khurasans new Vikings in a month or so and will just include these in the order.

There are 5 Space Demon types: Space Demon King, Queen, and then Infiltrator, Hammerhead and Assault Warriors. The 3 warrior types have 4 different bodies and separate heads to allow for plenty of variation.

15mm Space Demon Infiltrator Warrior

You can find out more about the Space Demons in my previous entry here (Click here if you want to know more).

Jon at Khurasan is currently preparing the Space Demon web page for his online shop, which should be ready soon. I'll write a full review in a few days time, with comparison shots against GZG and Rebel Minis figures. Afraid it will have to wait till I've got the final report to the Scottish Government done and dusted and I can regain my sanity and 20 hours a week of my life.

Cheers
Mark

The Master Chef on eC3 in Future War Commander

OK Marines, Listen UP! The Master Chef here with a few words on any true Marine's least popular word: Command. Now any of you who have served with me know that there is only one command - Do What The Master Chef Tells Me To!

As we all know, however, there are also officers and worst still officers who think they know what they are doing. If that is not enough, they think that they give the orders........

So, over to Technical Sgt Name Deleted For Security Reasons to explain the wonders of the INTEGRATED COMMAND NET.......take it away Sgt, a long way away.....

ICN enables HQs and COs to exercise command functions without being on the battlefield; instead they are in orbit, in deep bunkers, anywhere where the battle ain't. Comms are presumed to be via satellite, computer net, microwave signal or similar technologies.

Only forces comprised of Advanced Tech can use it but only if the entire force is of the same tech level, otherwise the buffers wont interface the subwave on the same ghz. ;-)

You still pay for the command elements as normal plus an extra 20pts per unit (infantry base/vehicle) because they are all Independant. No, not Independants, Mr Reynolds.

Usual rules then apply except that all units can act as FO or make a recce roll - but can't do anything else that turn (non recce units do not get recce cover bonuses).

Net Overload - the chances of a command blunder can be increased to a double 5.

OK thats all for now, I'll leave it to CoB Hannam to try to explain how to jam signals on the ICN.

Stand......EASY !

FAD v4.0: Tabletop Review

FAD V4.0
FAST AND DIRTY
Generic Wargame Rules for Fast And Dirty Modern and Sci Fi Combat


by Ivan Sorensen

From: Fast And Dirty

Price: Free Download



THE BOOK:

70 pages, A4, B&W illustrations throughout:

- 13 pages of core rules
- 5 pages of game set up and building forces
- 19 pages of Advanced rules, character traits and vehicles specs.
- 22 pages of Appendices including points system, scenario generation, campaign system
- 3 pages of Quick Reference Tables

SCOPE:
Platoon Level Tactical Future/Science Fiction

ARMY SIZE:
2-3 Squads (20-30 figures) to reinforced platoon (40+ figures)


SCALES
1 Figure/Model = 1 soldier, single vehicle or piece of equipment

Ground scale is not determined and described as 'relative' to the eye.

Miniatures are based individually but must be organised into Squads

BATTLEFIELD:
4ft x 4ft recommended for 15mm/28mm.

GAME LENGTH:
2 hours plus depending upon number of figures and type of scenario

PLAYING AIDS REQUIRED:
2x Normal 6 sided dice (d6)
A tape measure
Markers/dice for denoting 'suppression' etc

UNIT STATS:
Each Squad unit will have the following basic stats which create it's unique profile: QUALITY/RESOLVE/MOVEMENT/ARMOUR/WEAPONS

Squad Quality determines a number of key factors, including coherency, fire priority, ranged combat and close assaults

Squad Resolve determines how committed the unit is to achieving it's objective.

Movement is the base movement rate for infantry or vehicle type.

Armour defines the protection provided by body armour or vehicle armour.

Weapons are your arms and their offensive capability.


THOUGHTS:

The best way to describe FAST AND DIRTY (FAD) is probably as Stargrunt without the pain. It is a superb set of generic platoon level rules that encourages tactical play and feels more like a platoon level game rather than a individual skirmish with 30 individuals running around who happen to be wearing the same uniform.

The game is based around simple d6 rule elements that click into place very easily. The unit, weapon and personnel traits add character to the game and a lot of fun on the tabletop without.

I have to say that the most glaring ommission from the rules is that whilst there are Modern/Sci Fi weapons aplenty, the electronic command, control and communications that will be a defining aspect of future combat are missing. I think these should be the basic building block upon which all Futuristic and Sci Fi military combat games are built.

Ivan has made this a complete game for the gamer through including simple but effective rules for force generation, scenario creation together with a playable campaign system.

Ivan has broadened the use of the rules with two recent add-ons:

Solo Play/Uncontrolled Forces

and

Boundless Wars, Infinite Stars Campaign System


SUPPORT:

Fast And Dirty Website
Fast And Dirty Yahoo Group

GZG 15mm FREE TRADER CREW AND PASSENGERS

We'll I'll be a 猴子的屁股！Those pokes over at GZG have released another gorram fine set of 15mm Sci Fi Miniatures. Space Cowpoke!

GZG SG15-X04: Free Trader Crew and Passengers
9 individual character sculpts £3.50

Sculpted by Martin Baker, due for release at SALUTE.....Free Trader Crew and Passengers!

And for a bit of related Serenity humour check out this blog (Click here)

Cheers
Mark

Do Not Adjust Your Set

DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SET

Normal Service Will Be Resumed.......

Finished the last of the workshops today!


Drinks all round!

I have to present an outline of the potential outcomes to the Corporate Management Team on Monday and it's heads down next week to finish the high level business cases and draft a report to the Scottish Government by Thursday lunchtime. No pressure then!

On the upside, I thought you'd like an introduction to two new aliens in the pipe and due to land at Dropship Horizon, ETA 01.05.09.....

Moskau & Zollie
6 Weeks old Russian Blues

To celebrate the end of the workshops, I'm flexing the plastic (ouch!) and ordering a platoon of GZG V15-50.

GZG Chunky Mid-Tech Goodness!

I fancy an Afrika Korps look for them.

Keep an eye on the blog for some photos of exciting new miniatures within the next few days

Cheers
Mark

Latest Intel

A roundup of latest releases and news in the 15mm Sci Fi universe......

15mm Earth Force Marines
21 miniatures for $10.95 from Rebel Minis
(Click here if you want to know more)

15mm Earth Force Marines Heavy Weapons
2 Sniper teams, 2 Autocannon & 2 medium Missle launchers
for $3.49 from Rebel Minis
(Click here if you want to know more)



15mm Octopod Infantry
10 miniatures for £3.50 from 15mm.co.uk
(Click here if you want to know more)

15mm Human Rim Mercenaries
10 miniatures for £3.50 from 15mm.co.uk
(Click here in you want to know more)

15mm Post Apocalyptic Warriors
10 miniatures for £3.50 from 15mm.co.uk
(Click here if you want to now more)


15% OFF ALL ORDERS
at 15mm.co.uk
This offer gives 15% off all Orders placed with 15mm.co.uk via email,
post or web shop for ALL customers.
Those going to the Salute Convention also pay no shipping!
(Click here if you want to know more)


15mm Spacer Ship Crew
A forthcoming release from Splintered Light Miniatures
(Click here if you want to know more)


15mm Space Demons
Khurasans new Space Demons have arrived from the casters
First batch on the way to me for preview
(Click here if you want to know more)



FAD 4.0
Fast And Dirty Rules for Fast And Dirty Combat
FAD 4.0 the latest version of these excellent free Sci Fi
miniatures rules are avilable online in PDF format:
(Click here if you want to know more)


BLACK AUTUMN PRODUCTIONS
An exciting new kid on the block
(Click here if you want to know more)

Please mention DROPSHIP HORIZON

if you contact any of these companies

Cheers
Mark