A New Introduction To Gates Of Antares With Strike On Kar’A Nine
December 4, 2016 by brennon
Warlord Games has now produced another introductory set for you to pick up for Beyond The Gates Of Antares. This new set is called Strike On Kar'A Nine and features the Algoryn battling it out against the Concord.
The story comes together about this conflict which will be told through an introductory booklet. You will also get a mini-rulebook and plenty of other components which you'll need to play the game. Of course, you get some lovely plastic models too.
Here are the full contents of this set...
- 64-page mini rulebook
- 44 page Getting Started Book
- 6 Order dice (3 Maroon & 3 Olive Green)
- 1 pin marker frame
- 1 blue templates frame
- 15x Algoryn troopers
- 10x C3 Concord troopers and spotter drones
- 2x C3D1 Concord Light Support Drones
- Set of polyhedral dice
- Paper battle mat
- 2x Cut out scenery sheets
It does look like a good set and you get a nice mix of models too inside the set which is good to see. I could also see this being a good way to expand upon what you already have for Gates Of Antares too if you were so inclined.
Will you be picking this up?
"Of course, you get some lovely plastic models too..."
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This box set looks very very nice.
£35!!!!! That is ridiculous!! How can they even make a profit!?! Not complaining though.
This game is getting harder and harder to ignore and for that price I don’t think there are any reasons not to give it a go.
I kind of hate that the concord is in two intro sets.
They only have three armies with plastic troops right now, and the Ghar come with too many fiddly rules for an intro set even though fluff-wise they’re a more appropriate enemy for the newly minted Algoryn plastics.
I’ve been waiting for plastic Algoryns. I’ll probably pick up two of these sets just for the rulebooks and Algoryns. The extra Concord troops will likely end up being re-purposed for another game.
Awesome, for that price why the hell wouldnt you give it a go?
Great to see another faction with plastic base troops, and it’s good value too. What is not to like
Are the Algoryn actually in plastic?
Uh yeah, checked on the Warlord site and they are. With the Algoryn included it certainly gets my attention…but for some reason I just struggle to get that excited about BtGoA…
Are the BtGoA plastics very posable?
The plastic Ghar (3 legged robo-suits) have a decent amount of pose options… the C3 plastics don’t have a ton of “multipose” points.. the arms need to be paired up to hold the guns.. the legs are one piece.. so you can mix torsos and legs and put the head swiveling how you want.. but they aren’t super multi-pose… I don’t know about the Algoryn… that said, I was reluctant to get into this game and actually love the models and look forward to the Algoryn too… heard rumors of plastic Freeborn next… maybe in a few months? which would… Read more »
I’d be interested to hear if any improvements have been made over the first plastic sets as Warlord refine what they can do.
It’s the fluff. The minis are nice if you like that early 2000s aesthetic (which I do, it reminds me of when I got into the hobby), but the factions are all kinda boring.
I’m up to my eye balls in Concord but I do want the Algoryn but this set only has 15 plastic Algoryn models in it.
honestly it is a better all around “starter” IMHO…. the Ghar are just so different with so many special rules and pretty sure the points aren’t that even across the regular starter.. while 3 squads of 5 men each + drones is a good start for the C3 vs Algoryn box.
I wonder how much playability this set would have before you’d need to add more elements. Anyone know how many squads or whatever you’d need for a good game?
Both of the included armies are mostly or entirely core-type troops. They’re each a very solid base to which you can add a few models (command squads and weapons teams) for a decent 500-point list.
Andy at Warlord said both sides of this box equate to 350 points, but of course it depends on the options chosen. You’ll definitely use all these models in a future force for that faction. That said, I played my first demo with the forces included in this box and because its a more tactical game than others I don’t think you’d get bored if you just played with these for a while – using objectives and scenarios really changes the experience from game to game.
Thanks, that peaks my interest some more. So is 500pts a good size game then, how long would that last?
In terms of how many points you need for a good game, I guess it depends what you call a ‘good’ game and what your expectations/preferences are. As someone who is used to playing skirmish games 350pts, which is basically 3 units a side (each of 5 infantry or a support drone) is a good game. You can get that done in under an hour if you’re comfortable with the rules or have someone knowledgeable directing you. 500 points is the smallest force size in the main rulebook, so it’s usually what you’d graduate to after an introductory game or… Read more »
Cheers shiny, I prefer smaller games and normally rock out with 1000pts or less in 40k. Even a 500pt game doesn’t sound too big or time consuming to build up to & play. Will have to check up on the QSR.
In both starters the Concord seem to have more points if my math is right.
Nevertheless great box and i will sureley get it, love the Algoryn models.
If you give special Ammo to the Algoryn Armored Infantry and spotter drones to all squads on both sides it’s within 5 points.
Didn’t see this coming, but it’s great that it has. I also think it’s important that it’s not replacing the Xilos Horizon box set. Some will see this new set as being a good introduction, but a bit limited. While the Xilos set exists you’ve got the choice: either the really cheap, really simple intro, or something a bit bigger for those who want to get stuck in a bit sooner. The purpose of companies producing these starter sets is to get people into the game, so if one ends up being more popular than the other it really doesn’t… Read more »
I also have the Xilos starter but I will pick up this one:
– I love the portable A5 rulebook
– New Algoryn in plastic
– I always welcome more dice and templates/blast markers/counters especially now that I start playing 1000/1500 points
It’s an excellent starter for new players but the price point makes it very interesting also for people like me that have already 4 armies 🙂
@shimond – I’ll be getting this too! But if I had to pick (and pay for) one of them, I’d pay more and go for the larger starter set.
But I think this smaller, cheaper one is a very, very good thing for the hobby.
That is one great looking reasonably priced box set. It’s so tempting.
I like. Now I just need to find someone who both wants to play this game and the Algoryn.
If you were in Adelaide, Australia I’d tell you that person was me.
I wonder if 2017 will be a big year for BtGoA what with 8th ed 40k rumoured.
I imagine a lot of 40k players would struggle with less plastic and fewer tanks & whatnot.
Andy Hobday said on the latest Freeborn Shard podcast that at least the first three months of 2017 will fill out the Algoryn, Freeborn and Boromites ranges. No details yet beyond Algoryn Plastic sqauds in January, but plenty is coming.
I think they will struggle more with the rules, it’s more similar to 40K 2nd edition than to any other 40k edition and my understanding (I only played up to the 4th edition) is that the game basic rules are now very simplified and the complexity comes from options and variety of models. Antares for lot of things (roll D10 low to succeed, LOS within squad models, terrain and cover, movement etc…) is counter-intuitive if you, like me, grow up with GW D6 IgoYgo systems, but if you will dedicate some time you can find a gem of rule system.… Read more »
Mini Rulebook + Plastic Algoryn = Must buy.
That said, I think it’ll make for a much more balanced intro set without all the special rules the Ghar battlesuits from the current box bring along with them. It’s also very much like a GW-starter box where all the Terrain, rules, etc are included and you can just get playing.
35£ that is a crazy cheep deal for the game/box.
It looks like Warlord are ready to do a big push with this game, well that’s the vibe I’m getting at least. I’m going to give it a try and so are a few of our group.
Hopefully this will give the game that little boost to really take off. It’s a great game and this looks like a decent jump on point. Plastic Alogoran are very cool and will help fill out armies.
Not one for me I still need to get the Ghar on the painting table.
I think its important to note that the mini rulebook that comes with this set does not include the army lists etc. Its more a tailored 5 scenario campaign set that teaches you the rules (not that the mini rulebook isn’t going to be invaluable at the gaming table). The full rulebook is very drool worthy (if you can remember Rogue Trader, its very like that with lots of fluff and rules for flora and fauna). I’d say its a very more infantry focused game vs games like 40K, where the humble basic infantry do end up as your most… Read more »
If you’re even remotely thinking about giving this game a whirl, get your hands on this box. Beyond the Gates of Antares has renewed my love for tabletop wargames, and brought a few of my friends along for the ride.
@erion is spot on it is a great little game that I should play more of. Enjoyed my mid year stint playing the game even though I, …erm ……*blushes** ……was rolling the action dice to determine what actions could be taken. (In my defence my mate didn’t know any better, I had never played bolt action and …well…. it did make the game interesting)
I’ve heard of at least one guy who rolls the order dice to provide an ‘AI’ mechanic for playing solo games. 🙂
it seriously didn’t harm the game too much (and added an extra reason to curse the dice gods …always fun)
I’m curious how well that would work out.
It was interesting. If there was a unit you wanted to use before another but you really wanted a particular order for, you you activate it first with a not quite as good order or to you match that order with a different unit and hope you roll the desired order next draw from the bag ………….. It added an extra element (nmainly of frustration .. but it was fun)
Army Contents of The Box work out approximately as follows. I’ve chosen options that will make them exactly equal, points-wise. The Concord have better weapons in general but the Algoryn are more flexible for the same cost (not just in this boxed set). C3 Scout Force 378 Points 2x C3 Strike Squads 125 Points Each 3 Strike Troopers with Plasma Carbines 1 Strike Trooper with Plasma Lance 1 Strike Squad Leader with Plasma Carbine 1 Spotter Drone 1 Weapon Drone Squad 128 Points 2 C3D1 Weapon Drones with Plasma Light Support Weapon 1 Spotter Drone Algoryn Armored Infantry Scout Force… Read more »
Type on the Algoryn – Total Points should be 378.
That is quite good, never thought of that, but this way you are not using one of the Concords Weapon Drone’s spotter drones 😉
But as each side has 3 order dice so this is propably the intended build.
Not to mention you’re only allowed a single Support choice at 500 points or less.
It’s worth mentioning every Algoryn sprue will contain 5 Troops, 5 Mag Gun, 2 Micro X-Launcher, 2 Mag Repeater, ! mag pistol and 1 X-Sling.
This means “potentially” with three sprue you can make a 6 troops strong infiltrators (if you accept to have a all-male infiltrator squad) and most important, AI squad with two Mirco X-Launcher 🙂 !!!!