Beginning Dropzone Commander

[yggdrasilMember 281xp 0]

My gaming group have been considering Dropzone Commander recently. I was wondering if there are any players here that might have any advice about starting off with the game. Also, since the game has been taken over by TTcombat (I think) how well supported is it? Well, any advice would be most welcome

[orlandothetechnicolouredParticipant 4380xp 1]

I just got my Carnevale KS reward from TT Combat and there was a free DZC rulebook in there with a note that a second edition is coming in 2019

So there is certainly going to be strong support going on (the original game designer/owner of Hawk wargames is there at TT Combat so the game should be in good hands)

but since the game is going to get a new edition it’s probably worth starting small to see how you like it rather than jumping all and waiting for the 2nd edition to go big if you decide you want to

[yggdrasilMember 281xp 0]

Interesting news about the new edition. As for starting small, is the starter set worth a go?

[theamazingmrgParticipant 2703xp 1]

I also just got my Carnivalé KS reward with the free DzC book, but I already had it!  The starter set is a lof fun and well worth picking up to give you a feel for the game.  It comes with dropships, tanks, and infantry, as well as a few card buildings so there’s everything you need to get started.

 

On the TTCombat support front, I have seen a few complaints thet they haven’t supported it too well since they bought it from Hawk Wargames, but this year has been a big one for them with Rumbleslam and Carnivalé.  And Dropfleet Commander has had their Dreadnoughts released, so I think the future for DzC will be bright once second edition launches.

[mulletsteve 827xp 1]

if you can pick up the starter set its well worth a try, also the starter set has approximatly the same value as the small faction boxes which you can buy if you or your friends want to try a different faction. TT Combat seem to be doing as good a job or better than Hawk did in supporting the game, we have releases for DFC and next year a revamp of DZC… all seems healthy to me

 

[angelicdespot 4689xp 0]

The current starter set is being sold cheaply in various places, so I would highly recommend getting it.   While you don’t quite get the full experience with a huge range of units, you do get sufficient forces to be able to play some fun games and get a feel for it.

The setting will remain the same in the new edition.   The miniatures will all be completely valid.   The card terrain will still work.   And although I haven’t played the beta of the new edition, it is going to be an evolution of the current one.   Basically, you’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a try.   If you like it, then don’t hold back on buying a few other units to expand your starter forces as again, they’ll still be valid.   (Perhaps do come back here and ask for advice before you buy anything else so that we can recommend certain things or against others.)

Dave (the creater of the game) has been working solidly on the game for a big part of this year and TTCombat have a huge backlog of new releases to accompany the new edition.   (From memory when I spoke to them at Tabletop Gaming Live in September, they said something like 24 or 36 different units ready to go.)   They’ve also produced loads of amazing MDF scenery and are still producing more.   So basically, they’re getting ready to offer the new edition full support.

I don’t know how much you know about the ongoing storyline in the game, but since the game was released they’ve produced two supplements, each of which has introduced a few new rules, loads of new units, and has moved the storyline on.   With the new edition they’re going to be releasing the next advancement of the storyline – this time taking the battle to Earth.   It’s going to include combined Dropzone Commander and Dropfleet Commander campaigns.   Basically, it’s going to be a big release.

In short, it’s a fantastic game, with brilliant background and stunning miniatures.   It’s had a long and – let’s be honest – damaging lull.   But that’s not something that should put you off giving it a go, and that lull is clearly about to come to an end.

[limburger 21711xp 1]

When Carnevale did the Rumbleslam kickstarter they were pretty good in supporting backers (IMHO).

So I suspect the only problem for them currently is the amount of new releases they’re doing at the moment (Carnevale is big).

It’s good to know that there’s a DzC rulebook in the Carnevale kickstarter set (I’m still waiting 🙁 … ), that extra bit of exposure should help when they do release the new version.

[ugleb 12789xp 1]

There is a lot going on for Dropzone in preparation for 2nd edition launching next year. Creator Dave is still at the helm and under TTcombat he is sculpting/writing full time instead of trying to run a company as well.

Since taking over TTcombat have been releasing the missing fauna sculpts (wandering creatures for narrative games) and mdf buildings while bringing out destroyers and dreadnoughts for Dropfleet and sorting out Hawk’s kickstarter woes to make good on what everyone was owed.

I think both games are getting into a good place for next year and while stockists are clearing 1st edition Dropzone stuff off cheap you can grab a bargain and download the 2nd edition beta rules for a little play around until then. Or just try 1st edition, it’s still a great game as is!

 

 

[yggdrasilMember 281xp 0]

Thanks very much everyone. You’ve all cleared up any concerns I had and the future does sound good for the game. I think I’ll probably pick up the starter set and see were we go from there. Thanks again everyone.

[theamazingmrgParticipant 2703xp 0]

@limburger: It’s good to know that there’s a DzC rulebook in the Carnevale kickstarter set (I’m still waiting ? … )

It sucks to be waiting but based on the stuff I received it’ll definitely be worth the wait for you!

[limburger 21711xp 1]

I do have to say that after backing Dropfleet Commander I am more than a little curious to see DZC

Not that I need yet another game & armies to collect.|

It does suck that both games have gone quiet after TTCombat took over, but then the re-launch may just be the thing they need to get back out there.

@theamazingmrg : waiting is par for the course with kickstarters so it’s not bad. Besides I’m glad the game is out there and getting people playing. It also gives me a bit of time to clear some space 😉

[angelicdespot 4689xp 0]

@limburger – Hawk basically bit off more than they could chew with the Dropfleet kickstarter.   While they were trying to deliver on that, everything went cold for Dropzone – well before TTCombat were involved.

When TTCombat did take over they too had to finish off dealing with the Dropfleet Kickstarter.

This whole mess also came just as Dropzone was / should have been coming to the end of its first edition.   So TTCombat had to wait for the second edition to be more or less finished because they could really do a big push.

Now though it appears that they’re finally ready.   And they’ve invested a lot in both games, so when they do start up again, I’m hoping for – and expecting – good things!

[limburger 21711xp 0]

They did have a few dfc ships released after Kickstarter though. But I am confident they can relaunch both once Carnevale has delivered

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