Dystopian Wars.

[Ronin_eX]

Yes, I've been looking through the forums as well as the book, but need to register as I have a few extra questions.

Quicky question - rolls on the critical table are clearly the sum of 2d6 as it's 2-12 but is this written anywhere? I've been through that section three times now without seeing it.

Can't find it on a quick skim, but it is indeed a 2d6 just as it is in other games.

Honestly, SG has some troubles with editing when it comes to the first print run of their rules. What I will say is that they are great about errata at least so it tends not to be a problem for long.

As for learning the rules I found that the best way was to read it front to back and not skip anything. The problem with a lot of the rules is that they are heavily interlinked with each other, and while some extra time on layout could have helped I doubt it would leave everyone happy. But I found that when I read the whole thing in one chunk without skipping any sections it was a lot less confusing. So it'll be a bitch to search for some stuff in there but it was a pretty simple affair to sit down and learn the basics.

For the most part the rules were easy to grok and thankfully odd omissions like what one rolls for the crit chart are rare. And it at least isn't as bad as the first printing of Uncharted Seas where they never explained how a ship with 0 HP sank (that one took a while to find on the forums). They've gotten better to be sure, but still have a ways to go.

But hell, the games are damn fun and they are good about supporting their products after release so don't fret too much. I personally see most Spartan games as living things that change over time and I'm sure DS will at least be similar in that regard. The important thing is to hop on the SG forums and post questions and comments so they can fix any problems.

[Gazak Blacktoof]

After listening to the D6G review a friend and I have each ordered a fleet & carrier, plus a rulebook and card set. I liked uncharted seas but there were issues with the complexity of the submersible and flyer rules that seem to have be streamlined in DW, improving the experience.

Initially I found a lot of the DW designs off-putting but after seeing some historical precedents I understand the aesthetic a bit better and more and more of the models are appealing to me. I can't wait for the release of the french flying battleship, I have a feeling that it will become an iconic DW model alongside the prussian zeppelin carrier.

[The Obdurate Bureaucrat]

Initially I found a lot of the DW designs off-putting but after seeing some historical precedents I understand the aesthetic a bit better and more and more of the models are appealing to me.

I know exactly what you mean. I have the rulebook, and initially only the Britannians appealed to me, because they were the closest in concept to late 19th century pre-dreadnoughts, but all of the factions have grown on me. Saying that, thus far, the only faction where I like all of the models in the ranges are the Prussians.
I also like the Japanese naval and aerial units, but although their heavy walkers are cool, the medium tanks look too crude even for this setting.
The FSA models are quite gawky at first glance, but the naval units also seem to have an air of aggressive functionality about them. However, the medium tanks and bombards are a bit too gawky for my liking, although the Monitor-style amphibious landship looks great.

As with everyone else, I love the flying battleship...

[Gazak Blacktoof]

Its funny that you immediately caught the historical precednt for the KoB styling, I knew nothing about the ram ship revival of that period. I kept going back to them and wondering why they chose to make them look like triremes. I'm still having a hard time loving the KoB carrier with its odd twin-hull design.

The FSA models are quite gawky at first glance, but the naval units also seem to have an air of aggressive functionality about them. However, the medium tanks and bombards are a bit too gawky for my liking, although the Monitor-style amphibious landship looks great.

I'm not sure what you mean by "gawky". I think the FSA land units share an over the top steam punk visual with the blazing sun land units, neither would be out of place in an adeptus mechnicus EPIC force.

I was very close to picking the Prussians as my fleet/army but the double-hull landships put me off, but that damn zeppelin made it an agonizing decision.

[donuter]

I would say that the best ships are Prussian with the KoB being a bit too bulky and stubby for my liking and the EotRS ships look like battle trains in my mind (which does have some appeal...). Ground wise though i like KoB most with Mk 1 tanks left right and centre, EotRS second as the walkers look ace. I just hate the white house on tracks. As a prussian player i'm glad i get to take it off the board

[Azhrarn]

Its funny that you immediately caught the historical precednt for the KoB styling, I knew nothing about the ram ship revival of that period. I kept going back to them and wondering why they chose to make them look like triremes. I'm still having a hard time loving the KoB carrier with its odd twin-hull design.




I'm not sure what you mean by "gawky". I think the FSA land units share an over the top steam punk visual with the blazing sun land units, neither would be out of place in an adeptus mechnicus EPIC force.

I was very close to picking the Prussians as my fleet/army but the double-hull landships put me off, but that damn zeppelin made it an agonizing decision.

You could always wait until they bring out the airborne carrier for the KoB. Look up the preview for their medium flyers earlier in the thread and imagine a massive flying carrier in a similar style.
Also consider that the KoB dreadnought will be sporting 6 turrets, with a maximum of 5 linking into a single volley.

[The Obdurate Bureaucrat]

I'm not sure what you mean by "gawky". I think the FSA land units share an over the top steam punk visual with the blazing sun land units, neither would be out of place in an adeptus mechnicus EPIC force.

It's only IMO of course, but they simply lack the 'functionality' of the KoB and Prussian land units. That said, I actually prefer the Japanese to the American land forces - the heavy walkers are so far out cool that make up for any deficiencies of the smaller vehicles!

The FSA ships could do with having taller hulls in between their paddlewheels and/or more superstructure - atm, the gun armed ships don't 'scale up' very appealingly to the carrier - it is very high and they are very low. That said, the low lying hulls give them that aggressive look I mentioned.

When I initially saw the Japanese ships, I thought , but again, I've come to like the 'train' aesthetic. Personally, of all the models, I don't think the 'factory' colour scheme does them much justice - something about the red detailing makes them look a bit jarring, as your gaze is drawn disproportionately to it. However, they have the largest hull mass, and IMO would be the ships to try out camouflage patterns on, with the KoB vessels coming a close second.

My faction is probably going to be Prussians, although if I were to do a second, I could swing between FSA and Blazing Sun - probably the latter, as both FSA and Prussia use airships, and the Blazing Sun gyros and walkers just rock

[Sorrow Seer]

I got Prussians, they seem to be really popular overall, glad my mate got a different fleet though

Looking forward to the terrain releases, though the land units will be a treat.

[Gazak Blacktoof]

It's only IMO of course, but they simply lack the 'functionality' of the KoB and Prussian land units. That said, I actually prefer the Japanese to the American land forces - the heavy walkers are so far out cool that make up for any deficiencies of the smaller vehicles!

Though I love the MK1 tanks that donuter mentioned, the wonderfully outlandish FSA and blazing sun land forces scream steam punk in the same way as the mobile architecture, the paddle wheels and the flying aircraft carriers. Non-functional gawkyness is where it's at.

I just want my models now, they were posted from maelstrom on monday and haven't arrived yet

[eldargal]

I was actually quite dissapointed when I first saw the DW miniatures. I was very enthusiastic about the concept, being a bit of a steampunkette, but really didn't like the miniatures. But after seeing some peopels painted versions and getting an idea of the scale of them (big models, the battleships at least) they really started growing on me. I still don't like the EotBS and FSA stuff that much*, but the KoB and Prussian ranges are gorgeous.

Some of the future released look wonderful, the bunker in the land boxed set and the French airship thingy are just beautiful. Best of all, SG have finally shipped my order yesterday (placed Dec 16). Worst timed order ever, stupid weather.


*Actually, not true, I just prefer the other two ranges.

[basher]

not bad i ordered my pruissians on the 6th dec from maelstrom and i still havn't got them yet

[Archibald_TK]

I didn't even bother that December. I will not place an order until Maelstrom have the boxes in stock and in quantity. I resisted buying a FSA or Blazing Sun fleet during the meantime.

I fear SG production was overwhelmed by the demand on some armies.

[basher]

they had both fsa and blazing sun in stock for 2 weeks but brittania and prussians are very popular they did get some in but they put them on ebay instead of giveing them to the people that have already payed for them. i did point this out to them and they took them off but i still didnt get one.

[Gazak Blacktoof]

Royal Mail delivered my FSA fleet today (sunday) so they must be dealing with a backlog of Christmas post.

The majority of the models are flawless casts, the detail is better than I thought too, which is excellent. I'm particaularly impressed with the detailing on the flyer stands and the tiny cogged turrets that appear all over the FSA ships.

My only gripe with the model quality is the carrier I've got which seems to bow between the two paddle wheels on both sides, warping the detail and meaning the top flight deck wobbles when I put it on. I think I'll contact spartan games and send them pics if necessary. The high level of regular pattern detail on these models means its going to be impossible to fix with greenstuff and I don't think bending it will do the trick either.

[Ronin_eX]

Got my Prussian Sky Fortress and a second BB on the way now. Can't wait to get them integrated into the rest of the fleet. I'm finding that I love the added tactical aspects of DW more than the other games.

Things as simple as giving primary guns a -1 to hit at range band 1 opens up a load of new positioning and range control tactics depending on the fleet you are engaging. If you are running against the FSA getting under their big guns ends up dropping their firepower meanwhile against the Prussians or KoB they see a fairly equal rating between RB1 and RB2 while the EotBS sees an actual point blank increase in firepower on its main turrets. With RB1 no longer being the most effective range maneuver in close becomes a lot more interesting with each fleet having a strength the other must seek to nullify.

The interplay between different theatres also looks pretty interesting. I'll be interested in seeing how people handle the upcoming medium fliers as boarding threats prior to the release of dreadnoughts which will finally allow faction BBs to shine as workhorse vessels rather than as centrepieces like they tend to be right now with a limited amount of releases.

Can't wait to get some games in when my friend's EotBS makes it to his place. Hopefully my Sky Fortress will be in by then and I can give it a go when we play.

[The Fett]

Slowly working through the rulebook myself. I'm enjoying using the Yanks.

[Zond]

I ordered the megadeal plus extra battleships and carriers, extra rulebook and extra cards on the 7th of January and recieved it a week later on the 14th, so no worries there.

Did a swap with a friend and he chose the FSA and the Prussians as he has a thing for blimps. Slowly priming my models with gesso as I decide what colour schemes to go for. I'm thinking something nice and red for Britain.

Love the background and looking forward to picking up Antartica and France when they make a debut. Hopefully the Ottoman Empire, Poland/Lithuania, Korea and Australians make an appearance modelwise soon. I'd love to see their ideas though the latter two might be fluff only.

[Ironmonger]

Slowly working through the rulebook myself. I'm enjoying using the Yanks.

And no one had any interest in playing non-GW when I was there a few years ago. Oh, well. Must have been me.

I ordered the Prussian and FSA starters with the carriers for both, the cards and the rulebook, so hopefully they'll show up some time in the next few days (I ordered them on the 27th and they shipped on the 12th).

[lorelorn]

I've got the rules and a Prussian fleet and carrier on order with Wayland, hopefully they will ship soon.

I recently finished reading Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, and would recommend it to everyone interested in this setting. tbh, I'd almost advise the SG guys to dump their setting and licence Westerfeld's, but there's room in steampunk-land for both.

Here's a trailer for Leviathan. The map at the beginning is taken from the book, and is a favorite of mine.

[Hellebore]

just bought Uncharted Seas and Firestorm Armada.

Tell me, has the grammar of the books improved at all in Dystopian Wars? Because the grammar in the former books is attrocious. Tense changing, redundant wording.

That said, miniatures are BEAUTIFUL. I love space ships and ever since the B5 space ships stopped being produced I was sad I'd never find any more.

Their space ship designs are just great. Top work.

Hellebore