Weekly Waffle #306
7th January 2023
I’m trying to start the year on a slightly better note than I ended it by getting my updates done on time. I’ve had a few technical issues getting some updates done and for reasons I can’t yet figure out last week’s update failed but then appeared on the site on Wednesday. But at least it got there in the end. However this weeks update is going to land on time and I hope you will like the content, but I’ll be happy with on time.
For this first update of the year I’ve gone old school and brought it back to the future. I’ve always had a soft spot for Dystopian Wars but I’ve been struggling to get back into it since War Cradle took over the IP from Spartan games I’ve just not been feeling. Partly after loosing out when the Kick Starter failed, which is a reminder that they all carry a risk. Which is nothing to do with War Cradle who just stepped in to keep things going. Now they have made some changes that I’m not sold on yet but exploding six’s are still there and that is enough for me.
Before Spartan went under I had been paint some Republique of France ships and really liking how they were looking. But the process I used for them was a bit to involved to repeat with any speed. So I’ve got some of the new minis, which have been re-badged as the Alliance and I’m got to try and get a similar feel but with an easier process. Or at least that is the plan in my head. I’m also going to take a lot of pictures and do a ’Painting Guide’ for them.
So far things are progressing quite well but there are a lot of extra parts in the box that also need clipping out and cleaning. Most of these are turret and generator options but I decided to do everything in on go because I know if leave them for later they won’t get done.
The two boxes I’m working on are the Oriflamme Battle Fleet which I have built up as one Oriflamme Battlecruiser two Charlemagne Heavy Cruisers and four Ecuyere Frigates. And then the Alliance Frontline Squadrons which I have built up to be two Picardy Cruisers and four Ecuyere Frigates. The Oriflamme Battlecruiser is a three part resin model with plastic turrets and generators. All of the other models are multi part plastic and all of instructions for the different options are on line. So that is thirteen ships to be launched and fitted out ready for battle.
I’ve managed to get some good hobby time and made good progress with these guys. Like always I think that I can paint faster than I really can so I’ve not got them finished but I’ve got a good system going that I will be able to repeat on other models. This batch are taking a little longer than normal because I’m making sure I get pictures of each stage. So everything is at about the same stage.
But I have done one test model that is nearly finished. It just needs a few extra details and a little bit of tidy up and it should be good to go.
The plan for this week is to keep working on these guys and just plodding away to see how far I can get. If I’m being honest I don’t think I’m going to get them finished. Just managing expectations because there are lots of little fiddly bits to paint on each mini along with the turrets and generators. I always think I can paint a lot faster than I actually can so I’m going to try and be more honest with myself about what I can done in a given week. But the key for me here is that I’m doing something that has me enthused which is what I need at the start of the week. If I can couple that with doing a half decent painting guide for them I think that will be a big tick at the start of the year. Add in a bit more time to work on the galleries and navigation and the site will be looking a bit sleeker. I can then clear out some the gubbins that was supporting the old galleries which should make the site a little faster and easier to manage.
There is no game night for us this week so the conclusion of or Gas Lands game will have to wait until the 17th. I’m well out of the running but can still have some fun getting in the way of others so there is still a lot to play for. I’m also hoping to get some more games of Carnivale in this year but I need to get my act together and print out some stats cards for each of my minis. They are available for free on line but I may play around with them to try and get them down to a size that can fit is some sort of plastic sleeve. Or possibly laminate them if I can find my laminator. Although I have a sneaky feeling I may have sent it to the tip because it hasn’t been used for years. If that’s the case let it be a warning to you that you always end up needing something after you have decided you don’t need it.
That’s it for this week. I’m about to start my weekend by meeting up with my dad for a full English breakfast and a brew. Then I’ll be getting some hobby time in. So until next week keep yourselves safe, have some fun in whatever you are doing and I hope to see you all again next Saturday.
