Dystopian Legions - Empire of the Blazing Sun Starter Set

I know it has been a while since the last Dystopian Legion Starter reviews, but its finally time for the Empire of the Blazing Sun!

Empire of the Blazing Sun Starter Set

(Click any pics to view larger)

The packaging for the Empire of the Blazing Sun (EBS) Starter is very impressive.
On the front you have a colour render of the EBS Lieutenant and a contents list. The back gives you a little bit of info about the force and some renders of each model included. These renders are taken directly from the models so show you the exact detail. I think this is a great thing as many companies use 'pro' paint jobs to make model look better. Spartan don't need to do that, the models speak for themselves.

Inside the box is a TON of stuff!
- Full Colour 80 page Quickstart Rulebook. I'm not sure why it is called a 'Quickstart' as it contain ALL the rules you need to play the game with anything released so far.

- EBS Stat Sheet. All the stats you will need to cover whats in the box.

- Dystopian Legions tokens sheet (needs cutting)

- Laser Cut Dystopian Legions 'Range Band' ruler

- Black, Blue and Red dice.

- EBS Faction specific Card Deck.

- EBS Blank Activation Cards

- 13 High Quality metal miniatures. These come to 100 points. Exactly the right amount for the smallest sized game in the rules

To find out more about the rules, dice, deck and activation cards you can read my post on the DL rules >HERE<
With everything in the box, all you need to play is a table and an opponent. No need to pick up ANYTHING else!
Lets have a closer look at the models.

Master Okinawa + EBS Lieutenant

Master Kozo Okinawa (left)

EBS Lieutenant (right)

These 2 models are the leaders of your force.
Master Okinawa is a highly skilled commander and a master of warfare. As one of the greatest swordsmen of the Empire of the Blazing Sun he becomes a storm of steel, slicing down enemy warriors like reeds
EBS Lieutenants are often Samurai or direct descendants of. They watch over their soldiers closely but are always ready for honourable single combat

Lieutenant is on the left and Okinawa is on the right.
The lieutenant is a single piece model with a lot of detail. Armed with a sword, which is a little thin but has detail all the way down the blade, and a Kappon Pistol he is a force to be feared.
There are a couple of small tabs (extra bits of metal) on the model but these clip off and aren't in a place where there is any detail so nothing gets damaged.
Master Okinawa comes with a main body and 2 arms. He charges into battle with 2 blades and a Type 31 Pistol. You do not what to get your enemy infantry anywhere near him!
The swords on this model are a little thin again but still very detailed. The model has a couple of tabs on the arms but they are placed at the joints.

The Lieutenant has a slight mould line running around the edge of the model but this comes off with a quick run over with a file.
Both of the commander models are stunningly detailed and capture the feels of ancient Eastern forces perfectly. Really looking forward to getting these up and running.

Shinobi Assassins

The Shinobi, also know as ninjas, are skilled operatives that can throw down smoke clouds to mask other Sections or swiftly decapitate enemy forces, infiltrate positions and cut down opponent officers.

The Shinobi come in a Section of 3 models, each armed with twin blades, shurikens and smoke pellets.
Close combat masters that can devastate entire enemy sections in one hit!
They have a wonderful cross over look between ancient Eastern and Steampunk. It might sound odd but it works!
The main bodies of the models have some small vents (where the air escapes the mould) but these come straight off leaving no marks at all. The blades need to be cut off the sprures and filed down on the sword handles. Be careful with these pieces as they are extremely thin and fragile. As you can see above, the bottom sprue is going to need a little bending to straighten the blade out.

A great looking, high detailed Section that is going to need minimal work to have them ready to go.
I have a feeling they will be amazing in the game as well.

Ashigaru Infantry and Rocket Specialist

Basic Ashigaru Infantry

Ashigaru Specialist with Rocket Projector

The Ashigaru wield short ranged automatic shotguns called 'Dragons Breath', Combined with gas grenades and heavy layered armour it makes the basic Infantry fearsome opponents.
They are backed up by Specialist armed with large Rocket Projectors which make the unit just as dangerous to Ironclads as they are to Infantry

Specialist - Top row, far left

The Ashigaru section comes with 7 basic Infantry and 1 Specialist. Each Infantry member has a single piece main body and an additional banner to goes onto their backs. The Specialist has a separate rocket launcher and ammo harness.
All of these models are in different poses which is really nice to see in a full unit. You don't get that in many games. They are also just as highly detailed as the character models. No corners were cut just because they are core troops.
There are a couple of tabs and vents but nothing major. The entire section can be cleaned up in minutes.

One of the best looking core Sections of the game so far?

Price
This set can be picked up from The Troll Trader for just £36! For all the stuff you get in the box, that is an amazing price! I know of game that have less than half the models and bits in a box for the same price!

Overall
I really like this set. The quality and detail are fantastic, the design is really appealing and the price for what you get is almost unbeatable!
I was never really keen on the Eastern style until I got my hands on these models but now that are becoming my favourite force in Dystopian Legions.
I highly recommend picking up this set and giving them a go.
On a side not, I would have liked the swords to be a little less fragile but if they were thicker they would have the 'master crafted' look they have already.

9 out of 10 Badger Points!

What do you think of the Empire of the Blazing Sun?

Check back in a couple of days for my look at the final Starter Set (for now). The Federated States of America!

Hendybadger awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!