Project Pandora: Grim Cargo

[mattjgilbert]

Let's see what I can remember. If anyone spots something inaccurate, please let me know

General points

• Released in April
• Features 10 models each of the Corporation and the Veer-myn
• Full colour tiles like Dwarf Kings hold – as many floor tiles as in Dead Rising (although a couple are used as room features rather than tiles (e.g. blocking LOS))
• Dice, counters, rulebook etc.

The game

• The game mechanics (movement and combat/shooting) are similar to Dwarf King’s Hold so people familiar with this should get to grips with it quickly… however – there are some subtle differences and some interesting nuances which will take time to master!
• Both players get a set of counters to play to perform different combinations of actions during their turn. Once used, a counter is discarded so you need to plan in advance what you (and your opponent) are doing carefully. You can replenish your hand at any time taking all the counters back BUT this takes your entire turn so choose when to do so carefully.
• Both sides have special rules – the Corporation can unload full magazines (but might run out of ammo!) and snap-fire at moving targets. The Veer-myn all sneak a square extra movement every turn and have a “Rush” counter for ganging up on unfortunate troopers. The Veer-myn sometimes have guns too.
• Veer-myn that die in lit corridors are very dead… the model goes back in the box. Ver-myn killed in the dark however… did that rat die, or just squeak like it did? The model comes back on at a re-enforcement point. Battling for control of light and dark spots (and light switches and flares) is going to be important!
• I also seem to remember talking to Jake about interactive terrain… crates that may or may not explode or leak toxic sludge or be harmless… and how it’s random each time you play which crate is which.
• The first mission is a training one where 3 Corporation troops face an endless tide of rats coming from either end of a long corridor. How many can you kill before you die (whilst learning the basic rules of course )?

[sasheep]

Cheers Matt. I can't wait to give this game a go. The rules for light and dark areas sound pretty interesting. Did you get to play any other missions at the tourney?

[Max Jet]

Thank you very much for the information collection, though I think it would be better in the Science Fiction news and rumour thread. Darsc is making an excellent job at compiling the rumour.

The game mechanics (movement and combat/shooting) are similar to Dwarf King’s Hold so people familiar with this should get to grips with it quickly… however – there are some subtle differences and some interesting nuances which will take time to master!

This is worrying. The Excellent Ruleset of KoW and Dwarf Kings Hold where specificaly designed for a fantasy game, which made them so excellent. Although the tweaks where brilliantly done on Warpath, the fantasy core showed up to much. I fear the same thing for the Pandora Ruleset, so I was hoping for a radical new design, fit for the strength of a Science Fiction game, not a retooling of a Fantasy Ruleset.

Veer-myn that die in lit corridors are very dead… the model goes back in the box. Ver-myn killed in the dark however… did that rat die, or just squeak like it did? The model comes back on at a re-enforcement point. Battling for control of light and dark spots (and light switches and flares) is going to be important!

That is a fine and characterful idea!!

Thank you very much for the info Matt.

[mattjgilbert]

This is worrying. The Excellent Ruleset of KoW and Dwarf Kings Hold where specificaly designed for a fantasy game, which made them so excellent. Although the tweaks where brilliantly done on Warpath, the fantasy core showed up to much. I fear the same thing for the Pandora Ruleset, so I was hoping for a radical new design, fit for the strength of a Science Fiction game, not a retooling of a Fantasy Ruleset.

Don't worry - movement is movement and is similar in any game like this (there's not much you can do different when moving from one square to another!). The mechanic similar to DKH is the way dice rolls are paired up to see who won a combat or if a shot beat armour. Otherwise the games play very differently.

[Tonny]

Sounds like a fun game!

[darkPrince010]

Out of curiosity, how similar is it to Space Hulk? Are exact direction and order of units ina corridor important, or mainly just overall location and location of enemy tokens?

[mattjgilbert]

Well you have forward and rear facings and LOS to targets for shooting so yes, placement is important. You also want to be in the right place and time it right for snap-firing at moving rats (like overwatch but you have limited shots per turn).

[Duncan Ferguson]

Thanks a lot, matt, definitely looking forward to playing Pandora. I'll get Ancient Grudge in the meantime.,,

[mattjgilbert]

Will be on sale at Salute: http://www.manticblog.com/?p=5574

[Darsc Zacal]

Although this a Darksword mini and NOT from Mantic, It would make a great Corporation proxy against the Veer-myn in a game of Pandora.



Just wish I would've found this pic in time for Aprils fools.

[Rogue Star]

Although this a Darksword mini and NOT from Mantic, It would make a great Corporation proxy against the Veer-myn in a game of Pandora.

Clearly the result of the Ship's cat being kept around to ward off Veer-myn.

[Pacific]

Although this a Darksword mini and NOT from Mantic, It would make a great Corporation proxy against the Veer-myn in a game of Pandora.



Just wish I would've found this pic in time for Aprils fools.

That would have been an excellent April Fools!

[Cuchulain84]

Not really a fan of the veer-myn concept, but this game sounds great. Hpefully they'll bring out expansions for the other races.

[Nightsword]

New Pandora Hub if you wants to see more:

http://www.manticgames.com/Project-Pandora.html

[Rogue Star]

So the Veer-myn are after something called "Verminium"? Judging by how much that sounds like a mineral associated with them, it wouldn't happen to be some glowing green crystalline substance, would it?

[Duncan Ferguson]

The game will be published in english, french, spanish and italian. I miss german language, though I'm happy about (and surprised by) the spanish translations. Let's see how this translated versions fare.

[wachinayn]

If I may ask, where have you read about the french and italian translations?

Espero que te guste la traducción al español, Duncan.

[Darsc Zacal]

If I may ask, where have you read about the french and italian translations?

Espero que te guste la traducción al español, Duncan.

Mantic mentioned it over in their official forums.

http://forum.manticblog.com/showthre...=5413#post5413

[wachinayn]

Oh, didn't think about looking there. My bad. Thanks!

[The Devourer]

I'm not able to give anything major away but the rules look very good. As expected they are based on DKH. While teh basic stuff is similar there is a lot of extra rules which is great as it adds a lot of character and sufficient detail for a game at this scale. A major improvement on DKH is that the teams play very differently. There is also a lot more to focus on with moving troops only part of the game- You can do a lot of work with your troops at first but if you don't use everything you've got you will lose.