Dystopian Wars version 1.1

I just picked up version 1.1 of rules and initial thoughts are its a vast improvement. I think its mainly due to having two new authors Glover and Walpole. Version one was written by Padfield and Fawcett and its obviously the base for the new version but its written in a completely different style. The graphics have also been updated , lots of new pictures of all the latest models and some fantastic artwork. The double page art of the airship is stunning.

Old

 

New 

The order of the book has been changed significantly and this is for the better. Its seems to follow a more logical order. The stats at the back of the book are all updated and this was the main reason (before I read it) for purchasing the new version. I know you can download stats but I prefer to have them in one easy to access place.

Also the tokens have been updated with cool new symbols and hopefully they will be downloadable soon.

The disappointing omission is there is not a chapter for scenarios or mission etc. Most rules books have standard mission DA has 20, Malifaux has 24 and Eden has lots (I have never counted them). I know there is a small section on field orders but this does not really cut the mustards. Its a shame as they have gone to the effort to add the field orders like its almost an afterthought. 

I'm not going to go into a detailed reveiw as thats not my style but I would recommend getting the new book and its 25% off at the moment although not sure for how long.

Kingdom of Britannia - Version 1.1

Well , for those of you who did not know, I actually have a DW fleet and air force. I have had the models for a while and it was one of those "wow the models are awesome" purchases but then finding out that the rules were very, very average. In fact I thought that the rules were almost unplayable especially the tiny flyer rules. With version 1.1 recently release I have decided to give this another look. The tiny flyer rules have been rewritten and with numerous updates to the stat cards ( I think KoB had about 8 updates!) and streamlined play I think it is looking better. Good on Spartan for changing the rules that didn't work and trying to balance the models by tweaking the stat cards. I play Uncharted Seas and always have really enjoyed it.

So to help motivate me to get my fleet and air force spruced up and ship shape here are my current models.

Here are some that need some major work 8-/

Finally , Here is one of the new air force models which I think is very nice.

And the model that never worked for me i.e. looked like it was cobbled together , Hey Spartan , time to re release this please....

I have been painting my DW flyers. I have a unit of 3 KoB Bombers undercoated. I also have 2 new Hawks undercoated and ready to start overbrushing with a lighter brown.

I have based all of my Hamelin crew , using milliput to create some "dirt" bases. I Also have based Ryle.

I have been working on my frigates, basing them on some ID submarine lead tokens. It has provide a much needed weight to stop the frigates tipping over and it means I can position the sails in a realistic fashion. 

Very please with these. I might end up basing all my US Ralgard boats.

Not much progress, made up the Dindrenzi Federation models.

KoB Hawk Scout Rotor

My KoB Hawk Scout Rotor arrived today. First impression, excellent molding and detail, the resin really does hold the fine detail better than using the metal. Separate rotors and gun to finish off. Size, well see the comparison to the metal bomber.

Lets get them painted for a game I have this Sunday. Very cool.

Black Hawk Down - FSA vs Prussian

We thought we would try a scenario I converted from 40k. The idea is to get the hawk that has gone down, and secure the area. See Black hawk down.

FSA had

I had

Bombers and sky fortress are all deployed flying obscured.

Turn 1: Due to the sea fog , LoS was restricted to RB2. Its a good chance for some subtle repositioning of units after deployment. I decided to split into 2 sides and also put the BS in the middle but heading towards the RHS. We were using tiny fighters , FSA has 10 and I had 10 + 6.

Turn 2: I steamed full ahead towards the middle, trying to set myself up for claiming the Hawk. FSA moved minimum possible without stopping and took out a Prussian bomber (rolled 12 on critical after some exceptional rolling against an obscured flyer). I kept moving in.

Yes, this has not been edited , "good" camera but dodgy memory card. Might be time to get a card.

Turn 3: FSA rolled for the Hawk, and a 1 wasn't enough. Needed 3+ to make the hawk appear. I won initiative and decided to do a bombing run against the FSA cruisers, taking one out. I lost a bomber to ack ack fire. I also took a hit on the sky fortress.  FSA took a hit on its bomber and 1/2 movement as well. I also took some hits on my Cruisers. I dived bombed the FSA battleship and managed to inflict 1 HP. 

We ran out of time... (played for 2 & 1/2 hours ) due to playing 750 points and not knowing Tiny Fighter rules. I rolled to see where the hawk would come down and it landed right next to my models. See white cutout of a "Hawk" in following picture. All I had to do was board and secure the black box. FSA were still gaining speed, maybe they need some more coal but were nowhere to be seen. 

There some some debate about how to claim the "hawk" black box, and I will make some adjustment to the scenario rules. FSA commander suggested some sort of escalating engagement but I think you just need to secure the area by putting some AP on board and then creating some sort of blockade or even maybe "towing" the hawk to safety. 

Oh well, better luck next time. I am still unconvinced that the tiny fighters rules actually make the game more fun and that they just add extra time and effort. The last game we had without the tiny fighters was a lot more fun. I will keep 'trying' to use the tiny fighters but the using dice to record hits etc is just a pain. 

custom Decals - part 3

Here is my Dystopian Wars Prussian bomber with a decal . I hand painted around it, the decal gave me something to paint to. I think its ok.

Here is my ID battleship with a decal. I painted around the edges with blue. It also looks ok ;-)

Another squadron of bombers with Prussian Decals

Custom Decal

I brought a "custom decal kit" made by Testors so I could make some decal (I call them transfers) for my DW and US models. I got some images from Spartans web site and used "pixelmator" to make some 20mm, 10mm and 5 mm shapes. I figure I can put them on the sides of the ships and maybe even print on paper to a makes some flags.

I then printed onto the paper and sprayed. I need to let this dry and then try and cut out and do it!. I need to get some symbols for my planes. I hope this will work as it will add some detail to my models that I cant paint.

Well, this is very tricky stuff, for me anyway. I managed to get one on my KoB Bs but thats as far as I got.

As you can see I have a bit of work to do to finish this model. The coat of arms looks ok so I will keep trying and I will do some more. 

KoB vs FSA - The straits of Kaipora

I changed the points value of the scenario to large model to 4 points down from 5.


Fleets were

KoB Battleship	180
KoB Battleship	180	59.50%
Bombers * 2	120	19.83%
Frigates * 3	75
Frigates * 2	50	20.66%
	605

vs

Battleship	170
Cruiser * 3	180
Frigates * 3	75
Frigates * 3	75
Bombers * 2	110
	610

Deployment was 

 

Turn1: 

Mainly just moving into position , I (KoB) decided to try and get the bonus point for entering the middle strait first. It cost me 2 frigates in turn 2 but in hindsight it was worth it!

my 2 KoB bombers are bottom right corner.

Arial shot shows positions at end of turn 1

Turn 2: We are both moving into RB4 so I expect some guns to be fired and maybe even some damage.

FSA are keeping together and moving towards the middle straight. The FSA frigates and bombers move towards the bottom (on picture) to try and close down both channels. I (KoB) moved my frigates into the middle straight to claim the bonus VP but it cost me 2 frigates. I passed my break test. I torpedoed a FSA frigate and headed my bombers towards the FSA ready for a bombing run. The KoB BS was bringing it guns to bear ready for the next turn and the shielded KoB BS was steaming towards the top channel ready to confront the FSA BS. I didn't know that the bombers could deploy flying obscured so they tried to swiftly ascend but couldn't. 

Some close up shots (you asked for them) . My opponent has done a very nice job of painting up the FSA. I should mention that he used to have a very nice Space Wolf army so I think I see where he got the style from ;-)

Some of my bombers 

Turn 3:

I won initiative (although I think you should have the choice to go second if you win, Spartan Hint: please change this) so I changed direction of my bombers and decided to attack the FSA bombers. Dumb idea. Ended up getting ack acked and his bombers just flew away! the KoB BS had a shot at the FSA BS and took out his shields and 2 HPs. The FSA cruiser were sailing an intricate course and I could see the FSA Commanders waving shaking his head. The FSA BS opened up on the KoB BS with the 4 turrets and got nothing - nothing at all. I lucky break for the KoB commander I think. The KoB BS was steaming around the rightmost island to try and torpedo the FSA BS. 

Turn 4: 

The KoB BS had a good round of shooting the FSA Cruiser took some damage and one was sunk. The main turrets on a KoB BS are very effective at RB2. The FSA BS also took a hit from the fore torpedoes and turrets of the other KoB Bs. The Battleship looked like they were running out of space and a collision was imminent.

Turn 5:  Bombers dropped a bomb on the KoB bs and wounded it. The FSA BS took some more wounds and the KoB BS was wounded. A collision happened and the KoB Bs took a wound, but to no avail, it blew the FSA BS to smithereens. The FSA cruisers were badly damaged and with the loss of the FSA BS it was all but over.

Turn 6:

The FSA cruiser was  sunk and the bombers had taken out the KoB frigates but the KoB claimed the victory with 2 objectives to 1. Remember that only naval models could get VP to secure the objectives. Harsh but I wanted the emphasis to be with the fleets not the aircraft.

Victory to the KoB.

Overall a very enjoyable game. It wasn't all about the shooting you had to control the straits at the end of turn 6 to win. The bonus VP for entering the middle strait gave me the victory 2 to 1 but i timed my run with the BS and had some lucky rolls. Surprises -  The FSA Bombers were good, very good. The KoB BS when it can get all its turrets to bear was very good.

Game time

I've been sick so no blogs for a while, but I going to have a game Sunday, so I'd better get my army sorted.

I'll take the KoB as I like them more than the PE.

My list with %. As you can see the Battleships only take up 62% so well beneath the 70% allocation for large models. The bombers are medium class. No cruisers , lets see if a Battleship is as good as 3 cruisers.
No tiny fighters as we are still learning rules.

KoB Battleship	180
KoB Battleship	180	62.07%
Bombers * 2	120	20.69%
Frigates * 4	100	17.24%
	580

Here they are ready to go!

I'll try and take some pictures of the action. No sure what scenario yet, maybe one of mine .

Straits of Kaipora - Batrep

I thought I'd better test my scenario to see if if works. See dystopian-wars-scenario . Extra conditions for todays game are , No Fog of War (we are still learning rules) and No tiny fighters(still learning rules). My preference is just to use the naval models anyway, but they may change.

Prussians had 1 Battleship, 3 Cruisers, 4 frigates and 2 bombers for 575.
KoB had 2 Battleships and 3 squadrons of 3 frigates for 585.

Straights marked by blue counters and middle straight marked by pink counters. Deployment marked by green and black D6's.

Table

Deployment Prussians

Deployment KOB

Turn 1

Plenty of movement, Kob frigates had a shot at RB3 linked vs PR cruisers with torps and gun and nothing. PR bombers moved and had a shot at KoB frigates and nothing. Fully turreted KoB Bs had a linked shot at the PR cruisers, got a critical and can only move in straight line. PR Bs moves and hits KoB frigates but no damage. Shielded KoB BS moves up.

Turn 2

KoB won initiative. Moved up frigates to secure bonus for claiming straits. PR Cruiser move up with middle one having to move straight ahead. Fire an obscured tesla RB1 shot at KoB frigates and roll well to get a critical hit, The broadside and turrets finished off the last 2. Wow, that was impressive. Frigates are very fragile. KoB Bs retaliates against PR cruiser. At this rate there wont be any models left.... The main turrets lined up the PR cruisers and caused 2 HP on each. Broadside did nothing. PR commander decides to concentrate on the objectives. PR frigates turn around to cover the closest straight. KoB commander a bit more aggressive, he sees the PR cruiser are in trouble and want to finish them off. KoB Bs fires turrets linked and got 7 hits (Lucky) and CR's a PR Cruiser. The Aft turrets do nothing. PR Bs moves around to get all turrets to bear on KoB frigates. Kills 2 and leaves one to do a bravery test(Checks rules re this). KoB moves up BS to try and have a shot at the PR Bs.RB4 so thats good,  Hits recorded but not enough to cause a Dr. PR Bomber fly high, aim is to take out KoB frigates, which move away behind KoB BS.

Turn 3.

KoB won initiative again! The last frigate did a break test (need to check if I should have done before). Within 8" of commander on shielded Bs. Got 2 hits so frigate ok. It moves off towards bay to try as stay alive. Has some turret shots but no good. PR cruiser move one has to go straight ahead and other moves behind, to have a shot at the last frigate in the bay. Got 8 hits on the KoB frigate - Kapow. The other cruiser shoots at the KoB Bs. No hits but they manage to repair the steering. KoB Bs moves to get aligned on PR cruisers. This wont be pretty for the Prussians. 10d6 from 2 linked turrets on the wounded Pr Cruiser yielded only 3 hits. Next 2 turrets got 1 wound. 4 torpedos hits not cancelled by any PR cc caused another wound - Kablooey. Broadside got a wound on last Pr Cruiser. Only 1 wound left. The Pr Bombers moved up and had some shots at the KoB frigates which were not shielded by the Bs anymore. The bombers sunk a frigate. The shielded KoB Bs moved quietly into position to finish off the last cruiser. 8 hits from the torps not cced sunk the cruiser. The Bs still had some turrets to shoot at the Pr Bs and took a wound on the Pr Bs. The Pr Bs moves a bit and lets rip on the KoB Bs. Turrets do 1 hit on the KoB Bs. Frigates from both sides just move as shown.

Turn 4.

KoB win initiative again!! KoB Bs move 2" and then signal a All Stop. It fires at the obscured Pr Bs hoping to hit with turrets. No luck, but the Bs has one objective at the moment. Pr Bombers move forward and strafe the frigates ( I need to check LoS rules) and sunk both of them. KoB Bs torpedoes the Pr but its CC stops all of them - the weakness of torps. The 2 front turrets let rip causing a wound. The rear turrets cant shot at plane as they are in RB1 (check after game please). Pr Bs moves into centre strait and targets shielded Kob BS with rear turret and causes 1 hit. Kob shields didn't work. Front turrets on PR Bs shoot the other KoB Bs getting 4 hits, bad shooting boys. 

Turn 5.

No point rolling initiative as KoB will win it!!! The 2 front turrets opened fire on the Pr BS. Amazing shooting causing a CR and raging fire. The Pr Bombers cause a hit on the KoB Bs. The KoB Bs moves so it can get all its turrets into RB1. Wow a Cr for 2 linked turrets and then another. RB1 is awesome. 

Pr Bs blows. This is effectively end of the game. Kob has 2 objectives to one.

Good fun playing a scenario with some objectives, not just about shooting.