Category: Wargames (Page 3 of 5)

Thought I’d pull together notes along with photos to show my technique for rebasing MechWarrior minatures (which had a Heroclix style dial-base). I have some custom Mecha wargame rules I’m working on, and the clix dials annoyed me since aesthetics are a big part of wargaming in my opinion.

Step 1: Rebasing and Creating Basing Material

Using pliers and using some safety protection glasses (since there can be sharp pieces of plastic flying) I carefull broke off the MechWarrior minis from their bases. In a couple of case I use a utility knife to pop them off (cutting away from myself towards a towel on the table).

Then I created basing material by taking some clay kitty litter, and using a mortar and pestle to grind the material down to a find sand with some loose chunks.

Then I used 5 minute epoxy to glue the models onto 2″ round MDF wood bases I got from Texas Toy Soldier.

Step 2: Gluing on Basing Material

Next up, I used 100% PVA glue and used a paint brush to paint the bases with glue. Then I sprinkled the crushed kitty litter basing material on, and let that dry (I put it next to a fan to accelerate the drying process).

Step 3: Sealing the Basing Material

After it dried, I then watered down PVA glue with about 50% water and 50% glue and brushed that on. When dry it will form a seal to keep the basing material in place.

Step 4: Beasty Brown Base Coat Paint

Using various Vallejo paints, I do a full base coat of Beasty Brown and let it dryl.

Step 5: Highlights with Leather Brown

Next I highlight (sort of a heavy dry-brown) with Leather Brown and let dry.

Step 6: Drybrush with Bonewhite

Lastly, I drybrush with Bonewhite. Now the rocks really start to pop! If I get too much paint in some places, I’ll apply flocking or grass in that spot to ‘fix’ it. After these dry I re-apply Beasty Brown around the rim to fix any spots where Leather Brown or Bonewhite got on the sides.

Step 7: Applying Flock Grass and Static Grass

I paint on 50/50% PVA glue/water with a brush in certain spots, I sprinkle on grass flocking, then turn upside down and tap off the excess. Then using 5 minute epoxy, I glue static grass clumps.

The Final Product!

And here’s what the finished product looks like! I might try some different grass flock material colors when I do this in the future, but I think it looks pretty good!

So many wargames, so little time…

I visited Texas Toy Soldier, a hobby store in Carrolton dedicated to miniatures games. Great store! I was surprised to see such a huge section dedicated to a game called Kings of War.

I’ve heard of Kings of War, but had no idea it had such a following. Apparently, much like Warmachine rose in the wake of discontent with Warhammer, Kings of War arose in the wake of Warhammer Fantasy Battles dumping their line in 2015 in favor of a new product called ‘Age of Sigmar’ that is very, very different that its predecessor. It dumped factions and let many players cold (see this blog article discussion).

Anyway, looking through the Kings of War rulebook, about 35 pages are actually rules (and half of that is pictures), so it’s a pretty simple game, yet has high production values and a huge following. For tournament play, there are competitions across the region in DFW (April 28-29, 2018), Austin (June, 2018), Houston (Aug. 2017) and San Antonio (Nov., 2017).

They also released a Historical version of the game that has army lists for Byzantines, Crusaders, and all sorts of historical armies which would work well with Robert’s Byzantine and Crusader armies and his basing scheme.

Here’s a video review.

Anyway, it seems to fall between Neil Thomas’ One Hour Wargames and Mark Lewis’ Sword and Spear in terms of complexity. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re interested in tournament games. You can buy it off Amazon.

Also check out the online army builders for fantasy and historical.

Kings of War is an interesting fantasy wargame written by the authors of Warhammer. It is reported to be simpler and faster that Warhammer Fantasy. There is also a Kings of War tournament in November 2017 in San Antonio. Kings of War is a fast-play fantasy miniature game by Mantic Games which can play in an hour).

In addition to fighting fantasy battles, you can also do historical games, since they are simply a subset of the fantasy medieval battles.

Their quickstart rules are free.

They had a recent, fairly successful Kickstarter to fund the new edition.

Here are some reviews:

• http://www.talkwargaming.com/2014/12/editorial-5-reasons-to-play-kings-of-war.html
• 2nd edition Kings of War Review – Part 1
• http://cheaphammer.blogspot.com/2012/07/kings-of-war-report-review.html
• http://diehardgamefan.com/2015/07/22/tabletop-review-kings-of-war-second-edition-rulebook/

Although Warhammer and Warmachine have a sizable presence at conventions and local stores, interest in Historical Miniatures gaming is also fairly active, although typically seen at different venues.

I created a page which has an overview of the various groups and cons in the region which feature Historical Miniatures Wargames. Check it out!

I took a picture of some minis that I don’t have to re-base that will work well in the Star Wars setting. Here are some possible stats. Note that some of these ships are at the X-Wing Miniatures skirmish scale rather than the Star Wars Armada fleet scale.

Imperial Fleet

MODEL #3: Imperial Escorts (Fighters, 2 pts) [Have 3]

Move 8″, Cruise 12″, Ram 12″, Range 12″
Accuracy 4, Strength 2, Evasion 11, Toughness 9
Components:

• ☐☐ Laser Cannons (Cannon: May be fired at one enemy unit within 18”, has Accuracy 3 and Strength 5.)

MODEL #2: Imperial Intercepter (Destroyer, 6 pts) [Have 3]

Move 6″, Cruise 9″, Ram 9″, Range 18″
Accuracy 2, Strength 4, Evasion 9, Toughness 11
Components:

• ☐☐ Shield #1 (Shield: The ship gets +1 Toughness.)
• ☐☐ Turbolasers (Giga Cannon: may be fired at one enemy unit within 6”, has accuracy 2 and Strength 8.)
• ☐☐ Laser Cannons (Cannon: May be fired at one enemy unit within 18”, has Accuracy 3 and Strength 5.)

Rebel Fleet

MODEL #5: Rebel Fighter (Fighters, 2 pts) [Have 1]

Move 8″, Cruise 12″, Ram 12″, Range 12″
Accuracy 4, Strength 2, Evasion 11, Toughness 9
Components:

• ☐☐ Laser Cannons (Cannon: May be fired at one enemy unit within 18”, has Accuracy 3 and Strength 5.)

MODEL #6: Rebel Fighters (Fighters, 2 pts) [Have 3]

Move 8″, Cruise 12″, Ram 12″, Range 12″
Accuracy 4, Strength 2, Evasion 11, Toughness 9
Components:

• ☐☐ Laser Cannons (Cannon: May be fired at one enemy unit within 18”, has Accuracy 3 and Strength 5.)

MODEL #4: CR90 Corvette (Destroyer, 6 pts) [Have 2]

Move 6″, Cruise 9″, Ram 9″, Range 18″
Accuracy 2, Strength 4, Evasion 9, Toughness 11
Components:

• ☐☐ Repair Bay (Repair Bay: Remove one point of damage from a friendly ship within 3”. Note that you may only take 1 repair bay per ship.)
• ☐☐ Laser Cannons (Cannon: May be fired at one enemy unit within 18”, has Accuracy 3 and Strength 5.)
• ☐☐ Laser Cannons (Cannon: May be fired at one enemy unit within 18”, has Accuracy 3 and Strength 5.)

MODEL #1: Tyrannus (Destroyer, 6 pts) [Have 1]

Move 6″, Cruise 9″, Ram 9″, Range 18″
Accuracy 2, Strength 4, Evasion 9, Toughness 11
Components:

• ☐☐ Hyperspace Drive (Warp Drive: The ship may be placed anywhere within 2D6” of its position.)
• ☐☐ Turbolasers (Giga Cannon: may be fired at one enemy unit within 6”, has accuracy 2 and Strength 8.)
• ☐☐ Laser Cannons (Cannon: May be fired at one enemy unit within 18”, has Accuracy 3 and Strength 5.)