Man Battlestations Forum
Warcradle Naval Games => Dystopian Wars => Topic started by: Last Rites on August 09, 2013, 08:03:21 am
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So I heard that the new stats are out for the New Orleans and the two sets of bombers, as well as an update to the Freedom class Robots. However I have yet to find them. Does anyone know where these are posted? Thanks!
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Where did you hear that the stats were out for the new flyers? I checked Spartan's "Resources" page where all of the downloads can be found, and I didn't see anything for the New Orleans or the new bombers. There's a stat card there for the Freedom-class small flying robot, but since I'm at work I can't compare the download with the card I have to see what the difference is.
I am excited about the new flyers, though. Will definitely be adding those to my fleet.
And the pile of unpainted resin just keeps getting bigger and bigger....
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There is some mighty suspect chatter on the Spartan forum under the aerial box set. Sadly I too am at work, so the site is blocked. I thought it may have been something released to those who actually have accounts there, but due to a forgotten password and shody forum support i'm blocked out womp womp. Anyway a few ppl are "excited" about the new flier stats, so figured they were out.
Thankfully i'm nearly caught up with all my painting and just in time for a few games tomorrow at E&E!! Pretty pumped as i am 2-10 against the EotBS and hoping the freshly painted Dread can help that. Agreed on the new set tho. THIS WILL HAPPEN! So many fliers...so many
oh and the stat card for the Freedom online is the same as the one currently out...
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I'll have to check the forums later and see if I can find the discussion. You've piqued my curiousity. Am REALLY looking forward to those new flyers--I like the look of the airplanes, and the blimp looks like a streamlined Valley-class.
If you remember to, take some pics of your battles this weekend and write up a battle report. Always good to see model ships in action. And if you've got finished models, let's see some pics in the Showcase section!
Yes, that FSA dread should help against the Japanese...I had an FSA dread rip open my Chinese battleship last night like a can of sardines. ???
Good hunting tomorrow!
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It's on the Spartan forums, under the Dystopian Wars Playtester Thread, p. 87:
http://community.spartangames.co.uk/index.php?/topic/3730-dystopian-wars-playtester-thread/page-87
It's about halfway down the page, posted on 23 July. Shouldn't need an account to view that thread.
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Well that's was a read, thanks!! Still absolutely want this set, but I see myself using the "air hunting" PYB-2's more than anything else. New blimp seems legit as well. Our current campaign maxes out at 1200, so would really only see it in "exhibition" type games. Prof. Fix-it is amazing however!
Out of our little group there is only one submersable...the Ika. So despite being so pretty dunno how good the strike bombers would do. It would be fun to give the "Ik" a bit of damage with them tho. Instead of just running away from it. (I like to think of it as the guy rushing to catch a train pulling away from the station).
Speaking of the EoBS...couldn't help but read up on their new new. So much fire...so much. Oddly enough my EoBS buddy at the game yesterday told me he was making a bunch of Raging Fire columns...he hadn't even read the new rules yet. So I'm sure THAT will be oh so fun :(
The changes to the Freedom are pretty interesting. Since i'll soon have a surplus of them can't help but imagine them diving out of the clouds, to coast along just above the waves (that new MAR is fantastic!!) playing search and destroy. Not to mention the bump up to DR+1
Game ended up being another loss. :-[ but I'll try to get up the game pics soon, along with the latest scheme and pacific themed islands
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I think the Freedoms are now going to be a serious force to be reckoned with. I haven't used them much up to this point, but I foresee that changing.
Agreed on the repair ship. I see running it at the skimmer level behind the main force, repairing where needed and staying out of everyone's line of fire. Maybe once the enemy has been sufficiently bloodied, it could pop up and start throwing rockets.
I've already got the box set on order!!
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The A5 booklet for the new FSA aerial box set is now available from Spartan's "Resources" page.
I find the PYB-2's interesting. They're like a smaller version of the A-17, but with rockets. A full squadron can throw 15 rockets at RB3. That will be lethal for small ships and dangerous for mediums. And since they are not capital class, they'll be hitting small targets on 4+. I see a role for these as small ship killers--splitting them up into twos attacking different targets, that's still 9 rocket AD--likely enough to kill individual corvettes, frigates, and destroyers (unless, of course, you roll dice like I do!)
With 10" of movement, you might just be able to keep them in orbit in RB3 so as to maximize their damage potential (and increase their survivability). But, they have a blessed 3 HP, meaning they *should* survive at least their first engagement, and damage doesn't affect rockets, so they'll be dangerous until they're shot down.
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Becoming more and more enamored with this box set. Just a matter of time till the wallet catches up to the wishlist!
Agreed on the PYB. Putting out 15 dice at RB3, they become pretty formidable against most ships. Even a 9+9 one two punch is more than pretty decent. I really like the idea of taking them out on smalls. Been plotting on how to go after them lately, but I guess I should save that for the tactics section.
Im still a little confused on how the Salvage Crew MAR works. The do it all HQ/Repair ship can reclaim the boarders on a prized ship?? Moving at just 6" i'm a bit worried that this ship wont be able to keep up with the a faster fleet. There would be a classic race against time scenario, as he New Orleans trudged towards whatever injured target. Not to mention that damaged ship is probably going to continue to be under fire the whole way in. Perhaps that's why they gave it such amazing rocket and broadside power!
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Not sure on the Salvage MAR myself--haven't really looked into it. Regarding your other comment, though, about not being able to keep up with the fleet...I suspect that the Salvage MAR will be used to repair critical effects on important ships--likely battleships, dreadnoughts, and carriers. I wouldn't want to waste the repair ability on anything below a battleship, I believe, especially since, as you pointed out, that will take the airship into harm's way (since smaller ships tend to close with the enemy faster).
I have a suspicion that the first several times I field this airship, it's going to be a fire magnet for everything on the board that can reach it. Which is fine with me--allows my other ships to wade in and start punching holes in hulls! But we'll see. I intend, at first, to field it skulking behind the capital ships, both for protection and so it's closeby in case there is a need for repairs.
Keeping my fingers crossed that my box set comes this week.....
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Aaaaaaaaand.....
STILL haven't gotten the new FSA aerial box set. Issue with the distributor at my local FLGS. They sent the FSA Air Cav section for Dystopian Legions, which was cool (and which I purchased), but now they can't get the new FSA aerial box in stock. Not like I don't already have many, many models piling up waiting to be painted, but still...
Anyone else get their hands on it yet? If so, please post some pics!
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Looks interesting! I'm hoping you get yours soon, Landlubber! The one aerial game I played with MadDrB had an interesting feel to it, so I am definitely OK with Spartan branching out further in this direction.
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Finally got it! Actually, it came in about a month ago, but between work, life, holidays, and travel (personal and business) I'm just now sitting down to write this up.
First off: the New Orleans-class airship.
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/95073a106d852f5f634c3008aebb455e.jpg)
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/fc04b10e7b8fcec059ff60f1eb7d5bb4.jpg)
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/f99662673eb828b173c62275d171a15f.jpg)
This is one good-looking airship! It has a very industrial look to it, which is fitting given it's role as a repair ship.
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/0ae9d20ffdf250517e0d3a71fd0c5f70.jpg)
Slightly bigger than the Valley-class, it still packs a mean punch--even fires rockets in RB1!
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/224a8a5f367fadaa5c04dca6aea89846.jpg)
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/b1045518bb92e45c4e97b38fde8c6c9a.jpg)
The boxed set comes with some industrial-looking chain and hook attachments that can be mounted underneath the airship--you can see the mounting points here:
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/185e4e3aa4e3beee9b9f934db293c6aa.jpg)
I likely won't use these--this model has the "Low Level" MAR, meaning it can get down on the surface and act as a skimmer. So I'm going to trim down a large flight stand to indicate this flight level.
The New Orleans-class has two forward-facing rocket batteries, one in the nose and one mounted under the wings. The wing-mounted rockets look pretty cool:
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/36bbac02885e6cf86ad60f0647a58937.jpg)
I've used this airship once so far. The ability to conduct repairs on the go is outstanding, and was somewhat frustrating to my Prussian opponent. But since I've been raked over the coals several times by Prussian players, I didn't feel too badly for him.
The other models in the box are the PYB-2 medium flyer and the A-3 strike bomber--one full squadron of each:
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/845c639363bf10cc1836e30e1cf2909d.jpg)
The PYB-2 is awesome. Its only offensive weapon is fixed-forward rockets, but as a medium it can really put the screws to small ships. Full squadron strength is 4 aircraft, and the amount of rockets it can throw even at RB3 is lethal to small ships.
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/ce00103e160ea30e8e08d4fab8c67eae.jpg)
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/6d0c1f5e7a4087d3478379b112345534.jpg)
Two more great things about the PYB-2: it has 3 HP, and rockets aren't affected by damage. So it can survive an initial critical hit, and still has full firepower until shot down.
I haven't yet used the A-3 strike bomber, but I REALLY like the look of the model:
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/85f1e908a6ad50c054403832ef66e975.jpg)
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/265b852fb74b801ba86606934bb3fd6c.jpg)
Reminds me of a cross between an F4 Corsair from WW2 and a modern A-10 Warthog. This is strictly a bomber, and with the "Water Hunter" MAR it should be very effective against diving models, but I find myself wishing it was more versatile so I'd have good reason to use it more often--simply because I like the way it looks! The PYB-2 is effective against both surface and flying targets, but is a fairly ugly bird in my opinion...
Here's a size comparison with the A-17:
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/90dab7d4f5dd587e60032b6dc0b407eb.jpg)
I'll try to post some action shots at some point. Thanks for reading!
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Nice pics, thanks for posting. The new metal aircraft are really interesting. I like the concept of a rocket-armed attack plane! Those gull-wings really do scream Corsair!
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Oh my, the detail on that airship is amazing. Gotta give it to Spartan Games, got one hell of a modeling team!
Stitch
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OK so not part of the 1.1 Aerial Support box, but still flying...that new FSA HVY Bomber looks amazing!
(https://element270.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/fsa-heavy-bomber-1.jpg)
Here's a link if you haven' seen it. http://element270.wordpress.com/2014/08/14/federated-states-of-america-heavy-bomber/ (http://element270.wordpress.com/2014/08/14/federated-states-of-america-heavy-bomber/)
From just the look of the model there will be rockets, and what appears to be a Kinetic gen in the tail section!! Cant see any other guns which is rather disappointing, bombs aside of course. Perhaps with the K Gen on the back, they are also fairly decent boarders...
My next question is ARE THOSE HEAT LANCES on the EotBS HVY Bomber??! ???
(https://element270.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/10499569_791545824248633_2592888927076348999_o.jpg)
Some links to the other Bombers:
EotBS http://element270.wordpress.com/2014/08/22/eotbs-heavy-bomber-revealed/ (http://element270.wordpress.com/2014/08/22/eotbs-heavy-bomber-revealed/)
KoB http://element270.wordpress.com/2014/08/18/the-halifax-heavy-bomber-kob/ (http://element270.wordpress.com/2014/08/18/the-halifax-heavy-bomber-kob/)
Prussian http://element270.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/heavy-bombers/ (http://element270.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/heavy-bombers/)
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They are rocket pods. We French have no intent on sharing the Heat Lance.
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Haaaaa!
Anyone heard anything about a release date for these models?
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Not sure but would love to know, as well!
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My guess is those are not rockets, but bombs, really big bombs. And not much else- little AA guns.
So probably two Bomb bays with 9 AD each, maybe more- otherwise, just use a a Valley.
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I'm guessing these heavy bombers will likely run as a squadron of one? Would be cool to see one lumbering along with a few Freedom robots flying as escorts!
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It's hard to say...but I'm thinking these will still end up being classified as Mediums, which means we will probably see a squadron size of 2 or 3. While these are big planes, they are still a lot smaller than the large air ships (based on the size of the cockpits and weapons on those renders).
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If that's the case, we're starting to get a lot of medium flyer choices. For the FSA, we already have the Lee, the A-17, the PYB-2, and the John Henry. Not that I'm complaining, however!
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That's true, though I think the FSA is the only faction to have seen that many medium flyers (off the top of my head). My guess is that these will be the flying equivalent of the battlecruisers, in the way that the A-17 is the flying equivalent of a cruiser (in terms of rough points cost and effectiveness). So yeah, I'm going with Medium Capital Flying on these ;).
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Been a while since we've heard anything about these guys...looks like Spartan has been mostly focused on Planetfall the last couple of months! I'm hoping we see them before Christmas.
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Well the stats are out or the next level of bombers, and there is another dent in my wallet (if only to paint them up). Looked at the stats earlier this morning so i could be off on this, but appears they are only squadron size (1). This would normally be a poor option when using rockets, but each model has two hefty batteries of them at 7/8/9 each. POW! That's pretty impressive! Also those rockets are considered Piercing, which can make them all the more fun. DR is a solid (6) with 6 HP as well for longevity. Moving at 10" this bomber should really be able to get on top and cause some serious damage. FSA air power got a wonderful boost in these models IMO! Oh and they are Spotter expert, which is a good synergy with the faction and the HVY Destroyers also in the box.
Another thing i noticed was that the carriers both got a little cheaper. Are cheap and plentiful carriers + air power going to be the FSA's stand out against other nations?
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It's interesting. The B-72 seems to be a less expensive, stripped-down version of the Valley. A bit faster, true, but the rocket armament is the same. Bombs are stronger (nine for the bomber vs six for the airship); no broadsides for the bomber, of course. I'm a little disappointed that it's only a squadron of one. Being a heavy bomber, I was hoping for a squadron of two. Piercing munitions for the rockets will certainly help.
Spartan seems to be releasing models for the core seven nations to fill every possible play style. Lots of models filling in the "gaps" in armament and capabilities.
I like the stats on the heavy destroyer, and I think that's the first FSA model to get the "high angle" MAR.
Agreed on the aesthetic. I love the look of the Avion strike bombers, and the B-72 seems to be a much larger version of that.
I haven't taken the time to do a line-by-line comparison of the rest of the stats, but I guess I'll have to do that at some point. :D
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All of the heavy bombers run in squadrons of 1 with SAW support. It's an interesting choice but honestly a pair of them would be seriously powerful.
You'll have to go through the stats with a fine tooth comb. The French and Russians both changed, nothing incredibly drastic but I missed some stuff on first perusal. Some of the changes were a bit odd though, I didn't have a copy of the FSA stats downloaded do I couldn't compare.
Also, I think the FSA gunships had high angle before this update.
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Hmm, maybe they did...mine just never survived long enough to get close enough to any flyers to use it. :(
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Wow, I Love the FSA gunships! One of the best models out there, 3 were scary as hell., shields(2) or kinetic generator, rockets and IDF so back to 2/sq.
They are a target, but fast enough to hide and use IDF.
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Picked up the FSA box, as I'm addicted. Then also grabbed the KOB bombers to help with the subs. The Halifax looks to be a monster with the stat lines they gave it. Hopefully it works as a nice compliment to the heavy sub based naval core.
Here's the first WIP pic
(http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w600/dcno27design/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsxz6mdodf.jpg) (http://s1331.photobucket.com/user/dcno27design/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsxz6mdodf.jpg.html)
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That is a massive flying model! I might have to invest in a couple of these boxes myself.
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Yeah they are definitely hefty models. Yet are extremely light as the are made from resin.
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Last Rites, I look forward to seeing more pics!
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I started looking at the stats for these guys today...pretty interesting! Looks like they are essentially "flying battlecruisers" in the sense that they are Medium Capital, have 6 HP, and have a squadron limit of 1. Hmmm...this has my gears turning on doing a comparative stats article on them 😎.
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This model truly is a Battlecruiser, Ruck. The shield (2) and Devastating Munitions are add ons to what is already a great stat sheet. I half expect this model to get retooled by Spartan a little later down the line.
Very much looking forward to running the FSA HVY bomber along with the PYB's or A-3's in a future game, as i'm quite curious on how well they will work in unison. The synergy with the rest of the FSA Air really seems to be there, but time will really tell. I also like that there is expert spotter on this behemoth. Perhaps this is turning into a FSA unofficial MAR? Would make sense with all the guns and the new bombard.
Haven't seen much on the rest of the HVY Bombers besides the Italian Hasta...which seems to be the weakest at the moment.
Last Rites, I look forward to seeing more pics!
I'm really getting excited to painting these up! Sadly, the month of May is ALWAYS a busy one, so will see what progress can get done.
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Here are some pics of the new FSA heavy bomber (didn't take any pics of the new heavy destroyer that also comes in the bombardment box):
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/IMG_3066.jpg) (http://s1082.photobucket.com/user/gregwright2/media/Dystopian%20Wars/IMG_3066.jpg.html)
They kept the gull-wing design that the Avion strike bomber also has, which makes me happy:
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/IMG_3067.jpg) (http://s1082.photobucket.com/user/gregwright2/media/Dystopian%20Wars/IMG_3067.jpg.html)
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/IMG_3068.jpg) (http://s1082.photobucket.com/user/gregwright2/media/Dystopian%20Wars/IMG_3068.jpg.html)
The rockets are Piercing Munitions, which is nice, and it can fire 14 of them at RB3.
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/gregwright2/Dystopian%20Wars/IMG_3069.jpg) (http://s1082.photobucket.com/user/gregwright2/media/Dystopian%20Wars/IMG_3069.jpg.html)
These new bombers look REALLY cool on the table. I deployed them in a 2000-point slugging match against Stephan's Prussians over the weekend. Unfortunately they came in as a flanking force that was too far out of position to help my commodore, but they still looked cool.
Can't wait to start painting them, but I have a couple other projects in the queue ahead of them right now...
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Agreed on the gull wings! Very distinct and cool looking. In your game did you run them alone or with another unit in the Flanking Force? I have only fielded the Halifax, but am very much looking forward to using the B-72's in the next bout. Very interested to see what scheme you come up with for these, as the rest of your air power looks phenomenal! Been tossing round the idea of doing mine up like this: http://img.wp.scn.ru/camms/ar/550/pics/9_7.jpg
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I ran both B-72s in the flanking force, along with a squadron of the Avions and a squadron of corvettes. I just screwed up and picked the wrong side of the board for deployment--the enemy formations were just too far away for me to engage with anything but rockets.
Thanks for the vote of confidence! For my FSA, I'm trying to develop a good steampunk-ish paint scheme. The ships are painted as bare metal and wood, so the non-blimp fliers will probably be mostly metallic colors (as opposed to my French, which are camouflaged). I think the scheme in that illustration would be great for your Halifax bombers, make sure to post up some pictures when they're done!
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Even firing only rockets they were giving my Imperium hell, and would have killed it if not for that TAC card.
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Thanks for those comparison pics! Their size is really noteworthy!