DEAD WALK AGAIN

Zombie

Welcome to the world of the living dead, a fictional future where the human kind is on the verge of extinction.

Dead walk Again is a simple skirmish action miniatures game where a few characters are placed against hordes of zombies. The game can be played in any way you like, from a stealth game where characters try to sneak around, to mega large shootouts between soldiers and hordes of zombies.

It’s only your imagination that sets the boundary and if the rules don’t fit your vision, change them!

Get involved. Join the Yahoo Group here.

URBAN WARFARE

Urban combat in WARMACHINE is all about Buildings and Structures. It can be a lot of fun to play through some games where the majority of the terrain pieces are just different kinds of buildings, and the armies are fighting to root out fortified enemies and capture vital sections of the city for a strategic advantage.

And when you decide to set up a game using a city theme there are four types of Buildings/Structures that you will be using:

• FOOT PRINT: A footprint is the ruins of a destroyed building that really has no walls remaining and basically is just a rough terrain template with rubble and the smashed remains of inner or outer walls.
• COMPLETE: A complete building/structure is an intact building that has either one story or multiple stories with a rooftop. These buildings make cityscape fighting interesting because they sometimes block LOS and allow for models to enter them to gain cover. Also, rooftop combat can be fun and exciting. Decided ahead of time if complete building may be entered or not. If they may be entered, build them with removable tops to allow models to be moved in and out easily.
• PARTIAL: A partial building is a typical ruined or damaged building that only has part of its walls and a partial roof. These buildings may have been burned out, bombed, or otherwise suffered collapse during combat.
• FLATS: Flats can only be used in special situations with certain tables or board. I have used flats when I have butted a table up against a wall, or when the building is on an extreme edge of agame board. A flat building has a front, but has no rear of the building. These are usually used as backdrop buildings in model railroads. This link shows a good example of a flat. Notice the front is detailed and the back is open.

No matter what kinds of buildings you choose to use, remember that you should build them with game play in mind. Allow for walkways, stairs, and windows where models can enter and exit the buildings … but whatever you do make sure that you have fun playing out some of the cool scenes from Legends in your cityscape battles.

EASY GROUNDWORK

Ground work can be easy and simple.

When you have built your piece of terrain and painted it, then it is time to add the groundwork.

There are plenty of materials to use, including mundane ( herbs, lichens, moss) and hobby focused (turf, field grass, static grass, and flock.) Either way, the materials should be mixed and matched to provide variance so that no color is dominant. (In the picture above, you’ll notice the static grass has brown and green mixed.)

Remember to consider your scenery before haphazardly adding vegetation. In some places the grasses and weeds may be growing wildly while in others foot traffic may have worn it down to nothing.

Distribute the flocking materials so that they look natural. Make sure that when the materials are fixed in place that they look realistic, are easily distinguished, and do not clash with each other.

And remember, you can use this method with terrain pieces and miniature bases. The concept is the same.

Alright, folks. Time to get to work!

Until next time, keep rollin’ sixes!

 

 

BRICK BUILDINGS

Painting brick buildings can be an annoying task.

Here is one way to accomplish the task without losing your mind.

My reference paints are Vallejo Model Color.

• Spray paint the entire building a single color. I used black. Make sure the spray paint is room temperature, well shaken, and matte. If you’re painting plastic, make sure the spray is intended for plastic. If your building has any signs like the one above did, cover the signs (and windows) with blue painting tape. I actually put a strip of blue painter’s tape on the interior of each window as well to give the building a “glowing blue” look from inside. After all, Cygnar is known for it’s glowing blue gadgets.
• Drybrush the entire building using #921 English Uniform. (You could use P3 Gun Corps Brown) This will give the building a nice overall “brick” look.
• Using #828 Woodgrain, create an ink by adding a 1:1 ratio of water/paint. Ink the entire building. Allow this to dry.
• Using 886 Green Grey (You can mix 3:1 Ironhull Grey and Gnarls Green) drybrush the walls up and down to create what would appear to be weathering from water running down the walls. If you wish, use a little crumbled up white or gray chalk to lightly dust the entire building.
• Seal with a matte sealer when you are happy with the completed building.

Ok then, get out there and paint your buildings!

Until next time, keep rollin’ sixes!

UnderCity Game Fair

Image via Wikipedia

Undercity Game Fair 2011 Sept 17th.

It’s mid september, the sun is finally starting to become forgiving from the dog days of August, the hint of fall is in the air, and the sound of dice and cards are echoing from below the city streets. The Undercity Game Fair is calling! Come join us for a day of gaming and adventure on saturday September 17th, 2011 from 10am till 9pm.

Under All American Comics and Cards
161 W. Market St.
Warren, Ohio 44481

MODEL RAILROAD SCALES

Since there is a link between the Iron Kingdoms and steam locomotives, I often read posts on the Privateer Press forums about model railroading. Most of the time the questions deal with scale and cost of materials. Most of the time the other people responding are correct. However, not always. Please refer to this link which helps describe the scales.

I have been involved in model railroading since before I was ten. So I have a little information that I can supply about the right size of model railroad models that work with WARMACHINE and HORDES miniatures.

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Take a few minutes and watch this video: Introduction by Michael Gross. Also, be aware of this website as it offers excellent information.

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The Train Approaches ...

The Big Question: SO WHAT?!

First, please understand that model railroading is a hobby all on its own. It has folks who are passionate about their hobby in the same way you love playing WARMACHINE or HORDES. So understand that model railroad models are relative to war game miniatures. They are Big Boy Toys and can easily get expensive. Second, wrap your head around the idea that model railroaders and their hobby shops are an awesome resource for the miniature wargamer. These guys tend to be good at making terrain and scenery. So they can offer tips and tricks that you don’t know or understand yet. Also, model railroad hobby shops have a great supply of tools and materials you’ll need for WARMACHINE and HORDES. So make friends with the local model railroad geeks. You might find out that they like miniature wargaming as much as you do. So find your local hobby shop, and start networking! Click this link for even more information.

What is the difference between gauge and scale?

Gauge refers to the distance between the inside edges of the running, or outside, rails on a piece of track. The most popular gauge of track in the toy train hobby is O (pronounced “oh”), which measures 1.25 inches between the running rails. Scale refers to the ratio of a miniature train’s measurements compared to the dimensions of a full-sized, or prototype, train. For example, an O scale train has a 1:48 proportion to the real thing, meaning that 1 inch on the surface of the model equals 48 inches on the surface of the prototype train. Toy train manufacturers generally have not made trains that are completely to scale because doing so might increase production costs and leave the trains unable to negotiate the sharp curves on typical layouts. Increasingly, however, firms are making trains that deserve to be called scale models. Article about Scales and Gauges.

Keep in mind that S Scale and O Scale are a little easier to find (especially on eBay) and less expensive. S and O both work just fine with WARMACHINE and HORDES models in size ratios. (Although the Black 13th might work better with OO scale models … because they are so damn tiny.) G scale is big and although it is idealistically the best to use with WARMACHINE and HORDES best the Iron Kingdom locomotives are B-I-G …  BIG! … the price is much higher and availability of G scale models can be tough depending on where you live.

MODEL RAILROAD SCALES

What should I look for in buying a model train?

Modelers should consider these elements: realism, running capabilities, and level of detail. Beyond that, you’d use the same considerations as deciding whether to buy a $1,000, a $50, or a $5 watch. Obviously, there should be more inherent quality and value in an expensive locomotive, but the mid-priced version is often an attractive and well-equipped alternative. It’s the inexplicably cheap one that warrants caution. Check out eBay. And if you just want to buy a little toy train that you can hack up, convert, and paint for playing WARMACHINE scenarios then check out your local DOLLAR STORE, DOLLAR TREE, K-MART, AND WAL-MART. Especially at Christmas time they tend to carry plastic toy trains that are an excellent scale, and right price for miniature wargamers.

What types of track are there?

Besides the obvious size differences between O and S gauge toy trains, O gauge track comes in a variety of measurements that allow hobbyists to create circles of track with different diameters and so operate trains of varying lengths and sizes. O-27 track means you can build a circle of track with a 27-inch diameter. Shorter locomotives with a few cars run best on this track. O-31, O-42, and O-54 track can be used on most average-sized layouts, while O-72 track creates the largest curves for longer locomotives and trains. Operators seeking realistic track can select from GarGraves (available in rigid sectional or “flexible” versions), the 21st Century Track system by Atlas O, and the Rite-Trax system from MTH (a modular system with pre-formed plastic roadbed).

Types of track

Where can I buy this stuff online?

Well, again, I encourage you to find local sources of model railroad supplies. You probably have a local hobby shop in your area that maybe doesn’t carry Privateer Press stuff, but does stock model railroading supplies. Go there. Introduce yourself. Meet people, and support your local hobby shop.

But beyond that, you can always check out eBay as mentioned before. Then you can shop around on the following website that I often shop:

Hobby Linc.com

Walthers Online

RAILRAMA

Train Universe

Wal-Mart

In any case, there are a couple of fun scenarios out there for WARMACHINE using model trains. Find whichever type of model train is right for you, and have some fun with it. Convert it, kitbash it, and paint it up. When you get your model done, please come into the Privateer Press forums and post the finish product. I’d love to see it.

Have a good one!

Keep rollin’ sixes.

SMALL TREES

Do you follow the crowd, or form your own opinion?

We live in a time dominated by all kinds of public opinion polls. Decisions are being driven by the crowd, and sometimes this is a good thing. Surveys can inform us about people’s experiences with products helping us make wiser purchases. Opinion polls can tell elected officials of how their policies have been received by the public. And when information is gleaned on a personal level, it can help us in making decisions in a variety situations.

The same can be said about the scenery and terrain pieces we use with our little toy soldiers. Blogs, podcasts, and videos reveal the good, bad, and ugly about all the choices of terrain that we have out there. Before buying, most people will do a little research in order to find out if the piece is made well, transports easily, and holds up decently to the use and abuse of miniature gaming. However, in the end, personal opinion wins out.

Some people like homemade terrain, and others hate it. Some people only buy their terrain, and would never waste their time making something that they would view as “ugly” and “unattractive.” Others just want something that works and is inexpensive to put on the table. Heck, some people just use whatever is laying around like books, plates, soda cans, and pie pans.

There’s nothing like playing “King of the Hill” from WARMACHINE using a big fat pie pan.

Anyway, it really comes down to the reality of what you want in quality. Do you want to spend some hard earned cash to have beautiful stuff to put on the table, or do you need to use “upcycled” stuff from around the house and “found items” to make your terrain? It’s really up to you.

If you’re into inexpensive items that you can have fun making into terrain, then this is another idea for “Terrain on the Cheap” for you!

As I discussed last year, you can make simple, functional trees using Moss Rocks and Dowel Rods. You can likely find both items in a local craft store or dollar store. Here in town you can buy them for $1 each at the Dollar Store, Dollar Tree, JoAnn Fabrics, and other stores of that kind.

You simply need to cut the dowel rods to your desired length, and paint them to your desired color. After they are dry, carefully push one end pf the dowel rod into the foam “rock” to make a tree. You can also do this using toothpicks if you choose. Additional detail can be added easily by using Green Stuff on the dowel rods to bulk them up, and carve in details to resemble tree bark. In the end, you’ll probably want to attach them to some kind of base depending on what game you play. I recommend at least a 40mm base for WARMACHINE.

And ta-dah, you have trees for your favorite miniature wargame!

Also, go over to WWPD and check out this awesome article about making flocked felt tree templates. Not a bad idea.

REALMS OF THE FLATLANDS

Southpaw Arts and Designs: Advanced Deployment makes cool gadgets, widgets, and tokens for your favorite role-playing and miniature games. Although it is not released yet, they will be featuring a “Portable Terrain Set” called the Realms of the Flatlands. From the looks of it, it features acrylic templates and terrain for use with miniature games like WARMACHINE and HORDES.

Keep your eye on them, they make some pretty cool stuff.

Coupon: Save 15%

Image via Wikipedia

Southpaw Art & Design makes groovy tokens and gadgets for your favorite miniature games. Right now they are offering a coupon to save you a little money when you order their swag. Just enter CONCRUD to receive 15% off your next order! They have just returned from Lock & Load put on by Privateer Press, and have some new goodies coming out soon! And don’t forget to check out their Blog, Advanced Deployment, for more information.

ELVEN TEASE

Elven Set Teaser

Dwarven Forge has released a sneak peek of their upcoming Elven Set with this small teaser. Click on the image to see the picture on their website.