Marvel Universe - Starter Contents + What Else You Need

Knight Models have just updated their online store to show what comes in each of the new Marvel Universe starter sets.
I thought this would be a good chance to have a quick look at them as well as what else you might need to play the game.

In each of the starters you get 4 models with bases, coming to a total of Level 30, 4 character cards and a mini (but full) rulebook. Each rulebook also contains a specific Scenario themed around that team but usable by any.
So what else do you need to play?
Not very much!

As well as they starter sets you will need a Spray template. Rocket is the only model that uses it in the starters but several more will in the future.
You also need a handful of D8s (8 sided dice)
A Tape measure marked in inches.
The final main part is a selection of tokens or dice to mark Power, Endurance, stat changes and for deciding initiative.
To be a little more specific on tokens and dice, you will need to be able to add up the total Power of your team, +1 for each models Endurance and 2x6 of the same size and shape but different colours for the Initiative.

For an area to play a game you can use anywhere that is 3'x3' or 36"x36". As it's set in the Marvel universe, almost any selection of terrain and scenery works. Just make sure you have some for the models to throw around. Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Modern can all be placed in the Marvel world.

So, that's about it!
The starter set , some D8s and a few bits that most people that game already should have available.

If you have any questions, post them below.

EXCELSIOR!

- Hendybadger

Review: Dystopian Legions Federated States of America Starter Set

Its here at last. My final Dystopian Legions Starter set review. (Just in time to start looking at Wave 3!)
Make sure you check out the captions on the painted mini pics as some have mixtures of models in. Couldn't find separate pics for each Section I'm afraid.

Federated States of America Starter Set

Lets start off by taking a look at the box it all comes in .
On the front you have a full colour render of the Federated States of America (FSA) Federal Infantry Sergeant and a contents list. The back of the box gives you a little bit of info about the force and renders of each model included.
You may know by now that I LOVE the fact Spartan Games use renders taken straight from the models. It means you can see exactly what the models look like without having your eye drawn to certain parts by the paint job.

In the box is a LOT of stuff once again.

- 80 Page Full Colour Dystopian Legions (DL) Quickstart Rulebook. Not your usual 'Quickstart' rules either. This includes everything you need to play a full game

- Red, Blue and Black Dice. 24 in total

- Laser Cut DL 'Range Band' Ruler

- FSA Stat Sheet. For all the models included.

- DL Tokens sheet. Needs cutting

- FSA Game Card Deck. Force specific game cards plus a couple of special cards for the Character and Veterans.

- FSA Blank Activation Cards

- 14 High Detail Metal models plus bases.

So much stuff in 1 box! This is also EVERYTHING you need to play the game. No need to find extra dice, cards, rulers or print more stats. You just need a table and an opponent.
For more info on the rules including the Game Cards, Activation Cards and dice colours you can check out my post on the Rulebook >HERE<

Doctor Orglington and FSA Lieutenant

Doc Orlington on large base in the middle. Infantry Sergeant to the left.

Doc Orlington is a freelancer also known as 'Scatergun Sam'. Personally field testing new weapons on the front line he favours his twin wrist-mounted snub Gatling guns. Loaded with his own 'special reserve' ammunition he is the perfect troubleshooter.
The Lieutenants of the FSA are a tough breed, capable of inspiring their hardy troops to great feats of valour.
Carefully versed in all of the FSA tactics they lead the Sections while picking out enemies with a Model 4 Revolver and blade.

Left- Doc Orlington Right- FSA Lieutenant

The model for Doc Orlington is by far one of my favourites in the entire range. He comes in 2 parts with the main body and an additional Gatling barrel. Simple to assemble. Doc is very highly detailed and packed full of character from the cigar gripping grin to the steampunk style goggles on his hat.
The FSA Lieutenant is a one piece model. Although he is similar to the Infantry Sergeant you can tell them apart by the fact the Lieutenant has a moustache. This is obviously a symbol of rank in the FSA forces!
These 2 metal models are fantastic quality. A couple of tiny vents (where the air escapes the mould) in easy to remove places and some barely visible mould lines that can be taken off in seconds.
Very impressed with the both of them

Buffalo Hunters and Scouts

2 Buffalo Hunters and a Scout stalking around the treeline

The Buffalo Hunters and Scout in the FSA forces are freelancers and mercenaries. Hardy mountain men and natives from the Great Plains can become deadly snipers or assassins that lay bear traps in the paths of oncoming opponents.

Above are the 2 Buffalo Hunters. Armed with Hunting Rifles and Revolvers they are lethal close up and far away.
Both are single piece metal models jam packed full of high quality detail. The Hunter on the left has a large support from the base to the gun that needs to be clipped off and filed flat but apart from that they are extremely clean models. One or two vents and then they are ready to go!

These 2 are the Scouts. Along with the Rifles and Revolvers they also carry Bear Traps and Tomahawks. Not the sort of person you want to meet in the woods on your own.
These come with a main body each and then two or three smaller parts. This means there are a few more vents and tabs to remove and file, but they still go together well.
Another pair of very detailed and characterful models.

Federal Infantry and LMG Specialist

Federal Infatry with LMG in front rank and FSA Lieutenant in the rear

The Federal Infanty , or FIs, use Doctorines unlike the European forces. They fight in loose highly mobile units and excel in small unit tactics.
Closing on their targets they take them down with rapid-firing Winchester Carbines and Orlington Light Machineguns before falling back before the enemy can retaliate.

Left- FI Sergeant Right- LMG Specialist

As mention above, the FI Sergeant is very similar to the FSA Lieutenant. Just minus the facial hair!
A one piece model armed with a revolver and blade. The detail is again fantastic and the cast is very high quality. A couple of tiny vents and that's it. Base and go!
The FI Specialist with a LMG comes in 2 parts. Body and weapon. The body is another clean piece but the weapon does have a few vents that will need removing. Slightly less detailed than the Sergeant but still much more than your usual troops in other games.

Federal Infantry Section

The Federal Infantry (FIs) are single part models. The sport impressive looking Winchester Repeating Carbines than use an ammo tube that runs to the backpack. I love the look of these weapons as they are so different to any others in the game.
You will also notice that all 8 (inc Serg and Spec) models in the Section are different sculpts. You can also get an add-on that adds another 2 sculpts as well. This is an awesome things for a game that uses units. In most other game like that you will have at least 2 of each sculpt in each unit. Not in DL! Spartan Games have made these Sections look awesome! (Can you tell I like it?)
The model need a little bit of a clean up as there are a few vents on them but all are in places without lots of detail so they are easy to clip and file down.

Price
This FSA box set comes in at £36 from The Troll Trader. Yes, £36 for all the stuff in that box! You cant go wrong at that price! I would have happily payed more and not complained.
There are £35 sets out there for some games with less than half the amount in.

Overall
If you have read this far you might have noticed that I like the FSA Starter set. To begin with, the FSA was my least favourite style. But after seeing the models up close and having a look over them I am becoming a big fan.
The casting and amazing detail are such high quality. Along with the historical / steampunk mix it gives an impressive look force.
For me there is a tiny something missing. I just cant put my finger on what it is though. Maybe the fact that the Vets in the other forces are more outlandish? I don't know.

9 out of 10 Badger Points!

Head over to the Spartan Games Site and take a look at what else they have on offer for Dystopian Legions.
Also, keep an eye on here for the next wave of releases coming soon!

Hendybadger awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

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!

Dropzone Commander Scourge Starter Force by Hawk Wargames

"The Scourge are foul, neuro-parasitic lifeforms which can utterly dominate an unfortunate host, bending its life to its will. They thrive on the conquest and absorption of other races, their very mode of existence as potent a threat as their formidable battlefield technology. They are the galaxy's ultimate predators.

Their breathtaking assimilation of the central planets, including Earth itself, has made them the primary threat to the very existence of mankind. Their methods of killing on the battlefield are abhorrent to witness, but violent death at the hand of their potent plasma weaponry can be as nothing compared to the dread of being taken alive"

Today on ToaTS I will be taking a look at the Dropzone Commander Scourge Starter Force from Hawk Wargames

Scourge Starter Force

The Scourge starter comes in a quite sizable box. On the front is a fully painted force showing what is included. On the back you have some info about the force, contents lists and any other info you may need.

Inside the box it gets very interesting though. everything is packed in a KR Case accessories tray!
Now that's a bonus!

Pulling out the contents you can see that you get 1 Scourge card deck, 6 bases of metal Warrior troops, 3 Marauder Dropships with flight bases, 3 Hunter Gravtanks, 3 Reaper Gravtanks and 2 Invader APCs.
That is quite a lot of stuff! All the vehicles are in a high detail resin, as are the warriors bases.

Marauder Medium Dropship

The Marauder Medium Dropship is the spearhead of the landing forces. Bringing heavy armour into the fight

The Marauder is a fully resin model in 9 parts. Main body, 2 wings and 6 supports.
The supports can be fitted in a position to carry 3 tanks or 2 APCS.
There is a little extra resin around the 'eyes' but that's wasn't bad to clean off. The bottoms of the wings also have a tab of resin but that clipped off cleanly.

The model fits together really well. The wings fit perfectly and the supports just slide in. I chose to do this as a tank dropship with the 3 levels.
The Marauder is VERY highly detailed. After cleaning off the eyes I honestly couldn't find a single problem with the casting. All the detail is in great condition.

Hunter Main Grav Tank

The Hunter is a frontline armour vehicle armed with a massive plasma cannon.

The Hunter is a 2 part resin mini. Main body and turret. There were hardly any mould lines on the model at all. You can see 2 tabs at the front of the hull that need careful removal as they are attached at an angle. This wasn't too hard to do.
The eyes again had some roughness but easily fixed with a hobby knife being run over the front.

If you hadn't guessed, the Hunter was VERY simple to put together. Nice detail all over the model and the only but that was touched was under the tabs. This can be cleaned up in no time though.
I like it. Very nice indeed.

Reaper AA Grav Tank

The Reaper is the Anti-Air attack for the Scourge forces.

The Reaper is a 3 piece resin mini. The main hull is the same as the Hunters above and the AA turret has a pole fitting that attaches to the base.
Minimal mould lines again and a tiny bit of flash that just scraped away.

The Reaper went together well again. The gun part of the turret can be positioned how ever you like so there can be some variety between several copies of the same model.
A nice piece that will be great fun for a painter.

Invader APC

Invaders APCs are unarmoured assault vehicles that release hordes of Scourge troops via the front hatch right into the heart of battle

Invaders come in 2 resin parts. Main hull and base.
To be honest I did wonder why there was a base to begin with. Then I realised they can be placed into flying Dropships and a hollow bottom wouldn't look very good.
Apart from a very small tab on the inside of the base, this APC took NO time to clean up. That's good!

Another simple mini to put together. As the main body is one piece is keeps all of the very intricate detail without anything getting damaged at all.
I do like these a lot!

Warriors

Warriors are the core fighting force of the Scourge attack.

The Warriors come on sprues of 5 different designs that fit into a resin base.
They just need clipping off the sprue and sticking straight in. No files or anything. Some of the base have a small resin tab on the bottom but a quick cut sorts that right out.

A closer look at the sprue shows that even the smallest models in the box still have quite a high level of detail.

The Warriors look very nice once together. I would suggest some sort of flock to hide the joins but apart from that they are ready for some paint!

I was quite surprised by the size of the model after being told they were 10mm. I am used to 30mm so thought these would be very small. I was wrong.
In the 2 pictures above you can see 1 of each type in the box next to the 'Doctor' who is a 28mm mini on a 30mm base.

I wanted to add this picture quickly to show how the transports work. A brilliant way of doing things. I love the fact the tank actually fit IN in the transport. Something several other games don't consider.

Price - I have seen several thoughts on the DzC prices online and as these were sent for review for free (Thanks again HWG) I can't comment on a personal level.
The set is £70 from the Hawk Wargames Site. For everything that is included, I think that is a good price. Maybe a a little towards the higher end of the market but still good for the quality.

Overall - The Scourge Starter Force is a nice set. The high level of detail is impressive and the models to together well. They may need a little more prep work than some are used to but it is worth it in the end.
Out of the forces I have seen so far, I think the Scourge is the one I would continue with.

8 out of 10 Badger points

A bit less cleaning needed and maybe a touch cheaper (£5 or so less?) and these would make a 10

What are your thoughts on this set and the Dropzone Commander game in general?

Hendybadger awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!