Weekender: DreadBall Season 5 & Gen Con Next Week!
July 25, 2015 by lloyd
A jam packed week in wargaming and plenty more to look forward to with the Weekender!
Journey: Wrath Of Demons Competition
First up a little reminder that you can check out a pair of articles by BoW Dawn on Journey: Wrath of Demons from Marrow Productions.
Both of these articles look at the game in great depth and if you comment on the Gameplay Article you will be in with a chance of winning a copy of the game for yourself. We think this looks superb and really good fun.
DreadBall Season 5
We're also talking about DreadBall Season 5 from Mantic Games which is in the studio. There are some really fun new ways to play the game including the ability to make your own robot and genetically modified players.
There are also some neat new teams with the Convicts and Asterians and MVPs too.
Gen Con Live Blog
Next week is Gen Con and both Dawn and Gianna are going to be there covering the event with a Live Blog.
We talk about some of the cool things we're hoping to see more of including Dark Age, Warsenal Infinity Terrain and some new models for Wild West Exodus.
Project VLOGs!
Last but not least make sure to check out the Project VLOGs that we've been running on the website for both Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000's Astra Militarum.
Watch The Weekender XLBS Tomorrow With A Backstage Free Trial
What other things would you like us to cover with Live Blogs for both Backstage and Frontstage?
Let us know in the comments!
Supported by (Turn Off)
Supported by (Turn Off)
Supported by (Turn Off)
![Warcradle Studios Reveal TINY New 10mm Festive Marker! [Updated]](https://images.beastsofwar.com/2025/11/christmas-kyle-main-600-338.jpg)
Happy Saturday!
I just woke up to find that I’m out of coffee…this is a REALLY shitty saturday! 🙁
Well that sucks, unfortunately a “Happy [day goes here]!” wishes the reader a good experience, it does not guarantee one.
I’m really enjoying the Laketown VLOG, seriously cool stuff guys
Warren: the paint you want is Nihilakh Oxide.
forgot to say, happy weekend.
Spartan games Halo I’m hopping we see some 15mm figs and vehicle’s
That’s on our list to check out! ☺
Happy Weekend!
No – we don’t do ” Happy Saturday” but you may proclaim ” IT’S THE WEEKEND! “
Re GenCon. I’d like a focus on some of the small British studios that have made it over there, some post-KS. How are they faring and how are their products going in the big US market?
With the new Plogs format, how about presenting other series, like Romain’s pair berries in this way, continuity of comments etc is a big benefit of this format.
If you”re looking for a name (I like Plog BTW except spell checker keeps changing in to Plot although it’s learning quickly) how about Clogs (continuous logs); Slogs ( serial logs) or if Lloyd’s doing one… Llogs?
#%#¥ auto correct – how does ‘paint series’ become ‘pair berries’ ????
Yeah, not sure I’m that keen on a video of Roman’s pair berries…
Lol love the names. We’ll see what we can find out on the small companies. ☺
Do you know of any spefically? I’d appreciate any quick pointers.
Even if you took a boat across the Atlantic you’d still need to take a plane from what ever port you dock at to get to Gencon. Well I guess you could take a train but I think your looking at around 24+ hour train ride.
I totally get Warren when talking about the zenithal lighting. Recently I’ve been taking a step back from that technique (for certain projects at least) and been moving back towards the more classic foundry style (thank Frostgrave for that!).
The only bad thing about GenCon this year is that I’m not there. It’s good to see that GW have read my GenCon article from last year and are taking my advice on board….
As for what I’m looking forward to? The pre-release questing knights for Relic Knights, naturally.
Justin, I believe Marie Claude will be cosplaying as Betty. She’s been working on a Lug to go with it but I don’t think it’ll be ready for GenCon.
https://instagram.com/p/5Wm15WKaet/?taken-by=marieclaudebourbonnais
As for places for Dawn & Gianna to get to, see if Cool Mini have anything interesting to say about The Others and Wrath of Kings, and ask Japanime Games about all things Krosmaster.
You got it!
Ben you will definitely be missed this year. I guess we will see you at Salute next year.
I’ll definitely be at the show, but I’m not sure if I can stretch to the meet-up the night before. Especially if I want to get to GenCon in the next couple of years. Hope you have a great long weekend next week 🙂
Gotcha covered, Ben!
Please show Wyrd games
Most definitely! ☺
And happy weekend
New character for Warren’s Dreadball team – Zenith Lighting, Plinth of Darkness 🙂
Gen Con:
Dark Age miniatures game
Spartan Games – Halo
Fantasy Flight
Soda Pop minis – Marie-Claude and the huge robot she has been building.
Check, check, and check! ☺
Another enjoyable show.
I have a bit of dreadball and enjoy the game but I’ve been so switched off by the minis – awful to clean up, that I can’t bring myself to buy any more.
On the terrain, I have to say I love stuff painted that way, the style is exactly what I like for games. The only issue I have is that I know I can’t replicate it, so it’s almost off putting because it’s too good.
I really do think it’s just a personal preference thing.
Morning SuperfurryManiac – I have friends that are exactly in the same boat as you.. my view on it is that you are somewhat paying for what you get… the mantic stuff can have a lot of flash or be a bit too bendy… but it’s affordable… and for assembling 4-8 models, I’m okay spending the time cleaning them up… I also have found some of the MVPs to be really, really nice… for me, it’s been the Kalyshi, original Robots, and a few others that were a pain.. the other thing is there are lots of other sports games out there… if you can find models that work (or just convert them to be clearly Jacks, Guards, and Strikers) then use 3rd party models!
I’d agree with your view, I think the standard is absolutely fine for the price. My problem is I’m lazy and probably find cleanup and assembly the least enjoyable part of the hobby so anything that makes that worse does push me away. Still I’m sure I’ll get a couple more teams.
Also @spamelot thanks for the heads up, I remember seeing about it in the kickstarter but then with looking at other stuff and not staying close to dreadball at all completely forgot. I may go for newer teams if I decide to delve back into it then.
keep in mind the new season teams (funded with dbx) aren’t restic 🙂
Interestingly my Dreadball league has just agreed not to use the customisable teams in the next season. They just look too overpowered!
… but Season One teams are still vaild – our final round is tomorrow and the favourites to win are yer basic Corporation (yes my team, since you ask :))
gak gak AK ak ak akakakak GAAaak ak ak?
boo… learn to adapt, or go extinct I say =p lol..
I think the only issue with the customizable teams is going to be for new players remembering what each upgrade/stat change is.. and it isn’t like there aren’t already “better” basic teams or teams that can end up dominating a League due to some good rolls on the XP charts…
Please check out monoliths stand and find the gossip or any updates on the Conan board game please
Good call. We’re on it! 🙂
Would love to see live blogs for everyone’s personal projects kinda a hobby journal if you will not necessarily tutorials or anything in depth like that more a snapshot of project progress stuff like that
Great Weekender packed full with cool themes and new miniatures.
@warzan zenital lighting is not the right term to adress the point with those thechnique applied to those Warsenal terrain I believe. It’s called color modulation and is mostly used by military modelers to hyper accentuate their tanks. It can easily be overdone and then looks just not right. Btw. the Warsenal terrain by itself is just amazing.
I’d love to see more Infinity terrain looking little bit more Bladerunner 🙂
El string is the quick and easy way for a blade runner look and kids fiber optic torches.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=el+string&tag=mh0a9-21&index=electronics&hvadid=5100713608&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&ref=pd_sl_2qtzvfrnwk_e
If you want to go ott an arduino with a small LCD can make awesome looking billboards also works well if you want to build terrain like in arkham knight
Live for weekends in many ways, and Bow is one of them. Great show. I feel for Lloyd, looks like he’s herding cats…haha! Thanks for doing the hard work so I can just sit back with a proper cup of tea and listen to the world we all love.
Warren your right, look at it its a bloody Sentry Post, it’s supposed to be taken Tatically camoflaged.
As far as the terrain goes,the miniatures are what is supposed to pop not the terrain. Terrain is to be well painted while being the background not the center of attention.
@warzan Ahhhh you’re knocking my painting style. Super sad face going on here. It’s not really zenithal – that’s spraying from a specific angle to create a light based highlight. It’s more just individually shaded panels.
But like it or hate it, it sells models.
I like it … In moderation 🙂
Don’t forget, people like myself, Tom Schadle et al see terrain as much the artwork as the models on the board (I say this while spending 3 hours masking areas on the Zen Biker Bar) It’s really easy to put a colour on the model and just weather it. It takes a lot longer to paint them, certainly to Tom’s standard.
I guess it’s each to the own though
Agreed but the spamming of a technique is not art 🙂
Perhaps, but don’t forget, these are studio models that have to wow on an individual basis. All of the stuff I’ve been doing recently is exactly the same – it’s either a studio model designed to wow a potential customer into buying something, or a personal model for the blog to help wow my potential customers (the manufacturers) to allow me to paint stuff for them.
There are only a handful of terrain painters out there that take things that far, and it’s kinda what we have to do, otherwise anyone could paint the models for them 🙂
In regards to Gencon the Kingdom death booth!!! the game is being shipped Im hoping a demo game would be there or displays of models anything please… also talk to Wyrd about malifaux
Got em on this list, for sure! ☺
Only rule I think that was important that was missed by the guys going over Dreadball Season 5 Mutants & Robots (at least for Robots) is that any upgrade that doesn’t do anything for your model (doesn’t increase skill, stat, or something) is free.. so you can take a 2nd “arm” and if you are already Skill 3+, with a Safe Pair of Hands, and that 2nd arm is Skill 4+ or also “A Safe Pair of Hands” you don’t pay for it… same with bodies.. some of them don’t give you any better stat that the 4+ you already have, so it doesn’t just up your cost if there is no benefit.
@warzan so if you don’t like that painting style on scenery, what about vehicles/tanks/flyers?
I am liking the way you guys are taking care of your balls. Very clean and easily accessible. Seriously though, it is a good format and easy to drop in and not get lost. I like the plogs..
Have someone track down anything about confrontation Phoenix. Have they abandoned it? One of the kickstarters promised backers access to the rules etc. if Shemue 3 is finally being made then I have faith I’ll see this one day.
Good show guys. I’m wondering how the 40k project will evolve. Some good ideas out there however the idea of making up rules for vehicles and models that are outside the current set of rules is a bit confusing to me. When you look at the 40k rule book, forge world and all the codexes you can see that nearly every possible rule that can represent nearly every scenario is represented in there. One would have to be trying very hard to make up a scenario that is not covered there.
My point is, when possible you should follow the sets of rules along with points costs etc when representing something. It provides more clarity for the viewers.
Also I am totally up for proxys when playing the game. Those guards men in the large suits could take on ogryn rules, or whatever ones you deem to be appropriate but not something just made up. The same would apply to tanks or whatever you are playing. Taking off or adding hull points is just too confusing.
I also would have no problem mixing up units from different and possibly opposing codexes to get what you are looking for.
I know and agree that 40k is not well balanced but I don’t think it is a good enough excuse to throw the rule book out the window whenever it suits.
You could also do a vote on how far you go with this. Just my thoughts
I think it depends on what you’re going for. Me, I fully support BoW making up rules for new miniatures.
In a sense, this is where GW have been going. With ‘take anything’ army construction rules, the lack of balance in units and formations and the whole ‘agree with your opponent which kind of game you’re playing’ approach, designing your own rules for new models is a natural progression.
If you were using a tight and balanced rules set and trying to appeal to tournament players (a perfectly valid approach in its own right), then proxying units with existing rules would be the way to go.
But if you’re going for narrative games with new figures, then making up rules is fine. The rules for anything BoW come up with will presumably be available to download for those interested. For those not interested in knowing every last detail, such as myself, we won’t need them. As it is, 40K is already so vast, and the rules spread across so many different codexes, supplements and White Dwarfs, that only the most dedicate can hope to know exactly what everything is and does. For the rest of us, we’ll just be able to enjoy watching entertaining games using cool-looking figures on thematic terrain, and it’ll work just fine.
Another great show.
I continue to be super excited for Journey Wrath of Demons.
GenCon there would have been 2 things but Ive already seen the Infinity stuff 😛
So for me its MALIFAUX please!!
I’m super excited about Malifaux, so consider it done!
Actually, in all seriousness Id love to see a genuine look at GW.
We’ll see what we can do.
My suggestions for what to visit at Gen Con would be the The Dream forge/wargames factory booth if it is there, also raging heroes as well if they are there.therwise you guys do a fantastic job every year and Keep up the good work!!
Thanks so much, we’ll see what we can find for ya!
At GenCon somebody needs to prod Fantasy Flight into a Star Trek version of Imperial Assault. A miniature game of the Trek IP is something nobody has really mastered and the engine they use is ideal.
Happy Weekend! Games Workshop at GenCon… I’d bet dollars to donuts those booth staff are there for nothing more than talking about how awesome AoS is, like any old Redshirt. Common advertising efforts are not outreach.
It all got a little bit weird when Lloyd declared his love (fetish) for robots. 🙂
Yeah he has episodes like that lol
Zenith lighting airbrush stuff is played out….defo..preach warren preach! The same is true with air brushing techniques on miniatures to an extent (glowey zenith armour or swords is not always the best direction) it is impressive but sometimes out of place.
I want a Star Trek themed skirmish game and miniature line that lets me play any era. I think there is so much potential. For example science personnel can have skills and equipment unlike security personnel. And the Federation would play differently (adhering to the Prime Directive and generally doing “good guy” acts) to Klingons or Romulans. And just like the TV shows can you imagine how many mission types and scenarios you can cram in? I can’t!
Dibs on the Redshirt faction!! Wohoo, I’m going to win ever game with this elite fighting force (insert evil laugh, followed by pondering silence)… did I just pick the wrong faction?
I wonder what their points value would be like? 🙂
Heh, yeah. “If a Starfleet model is painted in a red uniform, any enemy model targetting that model gains (x) while the starfleet model gains ‘Look Out Sir!'”
I’m a big fan of Classic Star Trek and would love that 60’s space styling represented on the tabletop.
You need to have a 40k weekend. Set up all your tables in one long path (C-shape or S-shape, whatever works) and do “A Bridge Too Far” style campaign.
Proteus troops drop on an objective at the far end, the Armor comes in at the other end, the Air Cav can leap frog to ahead to secure choke points.
Then have your attendees bring all their Ork, Chaos or whatnot.
Fights on!
Love the Uncanny Valley comment, gg wp! I personally like my terrain fast and efficient when it comes to painting, since i rather put all my effort in painting the miniatures rather than a panel wall. They should use Drybrush, Weathering Techniques and Washes, maybe some quick lighting with airbrush or preshading but they have to be techniques that you can apply fast and loose without bothering about tons of small little details. I know they want to sell but it always feels like a diservice to show us something that we will never want to paint to that level even if we were able to do it and have the time for it.
About where to go to GenCon, there are tons but i’m gonna be very specific : Prodos !!! I really want to see what is going on with that Starcraft Miniatures game the teased us a few months ago… i just can wait to see and break my bank account into it! ( i’m so bad at micro in the videogame, so the tabletop version is my only way to glory in that universe 😛 )
Lastly, that beautiful Dark Age model ( the last one ) remind me of one of my favorites childhood animes… BtX! : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_B5vhhY7g4
Moar live vlogs! Cheers!
I think some of it is pure marketing. They are trying to really showcase their terrain piece. So of course they want to highlight the details so you go “wow … look at that panel” or they take a picture of a battlefield and it almost stand out at you.
But I now personally I prefer my pieces to look worn and weathered. Personally I might be overweathering them currently. I think I have only learned weathering the last couple of years and I am on overkill for it right now.
We can certainly ask Prodos again! Ya never know… 😉
Thanks! FOR THE SWARM!!! 😀
Justin’s face at the end was priceless Lol. love the proxy knights a two handed lightning claw? one may be good as a siege buster?
Please, i would like you name your Forge World Mobile.
This is an unashamed comment.
And utterly pointless too as there is nothing to win 😉
Perhaps watch the show next time 🙂
haha, OWNED!
I still think it’s a wee mistake putting all those tanks and Baneblades into one unit. I know Warren loves to “build the biggest X that I can”, but putting a few aside for the other armies would allow for some fun cross games. I can also imagine the air cav being able to drop Leman Russes into the battlefield.
Does it matter what colour they are? It’s all one army just different detachments 🙂
Oh really? I was hoping they were going to be different armies and we were going to see some really cool Guard vs Guard battles. I really like the idea of how a more mobile air cav might play against for instance a more armoured brigade.
In fact I might be having heretical ideas right now …
One honestly thought you were grooming several Guard armies. Hence feeling that weird unbalanced tingling that you were going to drop pod 2 x 20 guards and charge them at Johns 6 baneblades.
Fix bayonets.
They should make a Star Trek mass combat game. And they should call it “Redshirts”.
Happy Weekender have fun at gencon
Thanks! We plan to! 😀
Never realised how big and bloody cool those Dreamforge Leviathans are. My request for the Gen Con stand to investigate is by far the Fantasy Flight one.
Definitely. We’ll try to get there during press hour when it’s not “as” busy- which is all relative, because it’s ALWAYS busy. lol
My wife and I agree completely with both the Plinth and Over the Top lighting effects on Terrain.
Can you please ask GW when Plastic Sisters of Battle will be released?
Just added it to the list. 🙂
Happy Saturday!
For the Gen Con coverage I would love to see Mantic, Games Workshop, Corvus Belli, and Privateer Press. Mantic most of all.
Just scheduled our chat with Ronnie Renton
Ask him for the condensed version – otherwise you would be there all day (sorry Ronnie – but you know its true big fella)!
Re the terrain, I think the main issue is that each piece is painted up individually. So when there put together they just don’t gel into one battlefront. If your going to use techniques like that for a large number of items that will go together it needs to be applied so it blends consistently across them all. Like any tool / techniques in minis painting they can be overused my personal bug bear was super edge highlighting on everything….
Should be getting the last of my Xtreme pledge within the next week or two, can’t wait 🙂
Great show and like what you are doing with the AoS board, useful table for lots of other rules sets. A pirate raid/ orc plundering party ? I also totally agree with Warren on the painting style used on the Infinity terrain, way too over to over the top. Looks way too fussy, unrealistic and detracts from the miniatures. Toning down will actually add to the visual appeal and leave gamers headache free.
Happy Weekend. Just wondering what minis were going to be used for the Praetorians since they look really cool?
If there at Gen Con, I’d like to see more on a Fistful of Seaman participation game, and is this released anywhere or going to be? They covered it at Adepticon and it looked and sounded fantastic and is a niche not largely covered by mainstream.
Unfortunately it doesn’t look like they will be at Gen Con. I don’t think there’s plans to release it mainstream. I think they’re keeping it as a home brewed game for appearances at conventions.
Great show. I would also like to see something Star Trek related.
As to Gencon Fantasy Flight and Star Wars Armada is my main interest.
Great show as usual.
Great show guys! I’m a day late because of work,= but, still wanted to chime in…
I think the format for the PLOGS is a great idea, it will be much easier to catch up to a project or discover something we might have missed.
For GenCon:
Soda Pop mini: for Marie-Claude’s cosplay & new stuff for relic knights.
And a bit of everything else!
All set for a chat with Ninja/Soda! 🙂
Please go check out Prodos Games and show us AvP. They will be at teh Ninja Division booth I believe.
All set for chats with both!
I’d be interested to see the reaction to the new US Ariadna force and what kind of patriotic stirrings it may cause. Is Carlos going to be there this year? If so you may need to reign him in – if his performance on the BoW US Ariadna week was anything to go by people will get confused and thing they’re attending some sort of mad Survivalist recruiting camp.
Hey guys, quick question regarding your contests. Does the amount of times you comment increase your chances or do you take each username and enter it once?
I love Dreadball, but the minis for me have always been pretty poor. They don’t go together well, and the plastic has been flashy and brittle. I bought the original Locusts and then the original Droids. I complained to the Mantic rep at a show who said ‘Yeah, you were unlucky buying thse two sets as they weren’t good’
Left me wondering why if they knew they weren’t good, why release them in the first place. No ofer of a refund or anything. Looking at Justin’s talied guy, it seems that the minis haven’t got any better.