Psi-Paladins and Techno-Barbarians has arrived

Ganesha Games' had another kickstarter earlier this year for their Mutants and Death Ray Guns game (MDRG for short).  This supplement was for Psi-Paladins and Techno-Barbarians (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/9742092/psi-paladins-and-techno-barbarians-28mm-miniatures).

Its a relatively short supplement that introduces psychic mystics (ex: Jedi) and three heroes of the wastelands (ex: Thundarr the Barbarian).  I pledged for the highest tier so that I could get the miniatures, the game mat, and the paperback copies of MDRG and its first supplement Project Simian Ultra X.

First up were the paperback books.  MDRG is about 92 pages while Project Simian Ultra X (PSUX) is about 87 pages.  Fans of Song of Blades and Heroes will understand the rules easily, but the pages crammed with traits specifically for MDRG add a whole new layer to the game.  All the faction choices are unique, makes me wonder where its even possible to get miniatures to represent some of them.

The following 10 miniatures were part of my kickstarter pledge.  I did not add Lord Phalag and his minions, although those miniatures looked very characterful.  But I got the 4 Psi-Paladins, the 3 Techno-Barbarians, and 3 Combots.   They all came with clear bases, but I chose not to use them.

And here is the wasteland game mat, roughly 3' x 3'.  It appears to be an irradiated crater-filled deadzone.  Which is perfect for MDRG or for other sci-fi games.

Thundarr the Barbarian, Princess Ariel, and Ookla the Mok.  Well almost.  Its Dashar with his Photovoltaic Sword, Lady Azura the Blue Sorceress, and Ferragg the Lion of the Wasteland!

Well hopefully I can get them painted up soon and onto the tabletop.  I have yet to play MDRG, but as a veteran of other Ganesha Games I doubt there is much extra to learn other than new traits.  I'm also contemplating converting Warhammer 40k units over to it as well.

Grimdark Future - Dark Vengeance

Its been a long time since I've posted, but I've not been idle.  I got the Warhammer 40,000 starter box called Dark Vengeance and I finished painting and dipping them.  Just in time for Warhammer 40k 8th edition even though the starter box was for 7th edition!  And I haven't played Warhammer 40k since I think 3rd edition!

Anyways, just to see the minis on a board and throw some dice, I decided to use One Page Rules' Grimdark Future (which has gone through its own set of revisions and upgrades, found here: https://onepagerules.com/portfolio/grimdark-future/)

The Units

Battle Brothers (Dark Brothers - all have Dark Resolve):  Front - Captain (Energy Sword, Assault Rifle/Plasma Rifle), Psychic (Pistol, Energy Sword, Psychic (2)).  Back - Dark Destroyers (4 Assault Rifles, 1 Energy Sword, 3 Energy Fists, 1 Minigun)

Brother Bikers (3 Linked Assault Rifles, 1 Plasma Rifle, 1 Pistol/CCW), Battle Brothers [x5] (4 Assault Rifles, 1 Plasma Cannon), Battle Brothers [x5] (3 Assault Rifles, 1 Plasma Rifle, 1 Plasma Pistol/CCW)

Havoc Brothers:  Dark Psychic (Energy Sword, Plasma Pistol, Psychic (3)), Havoc Lord (Energy Sword, Assault Rifle/Fusion Rifle), Brute (Brute Fist, Heavy Fusion Rifle)

Havoc Chosen (2x Energy Claws, 2 Assault Rifles, 3 Pistols, 2 Energy Swords, 1 Energy Fist) with Veterans and Chosen

Cultists [10] (8 Pistol/CCW, 1 2x CCW, 1 Flamethrower), Cultists [10] (8 Assault Rifles, 1 Shotgun, 1 Light Machinegun)

Game One

Havoc right flank, Brute and rifle Cultists.

Havoc Lord and Chosen aim up the middle for easy objective token.

The other Cultists and Dark Psychic have the left flank.

Brother Bikers and Captain have the left flank opposite the Brute.

Both Battle Brother squads cover the middle.

The Psychic has their right flank opposite the Dark Psychic.  The Dark Destroyers are in Reserve.

The Brute heads for the Brother Bikers.

 

These Dark Brothers take aim on some already injured cultists....

...Plasma Cannon and friends wipe them out.

 

The Brother Bikers are wiped out by the Brute and cultists.

The Captain is hiding on the left with an objective as other Battle Brothers move up the middle.

The Dark Destroyers arrive and unleash fury on the Brute, who shrugs them off easily.

 

After a round of shooting and charging, only one Dark Destroyer remains and the cultists escaped.

The Havoc Lord and Psychic battle for the center token.

 

These Battle Brothers capture the token that their Captain died defending as the Brute lumbers his way forward.

The Dark Psychic prays for a miracle as he holds this objective in the final round....

...but a Plasma Cannon to the face wins! 

In the end, the Dark Brothers hold 3 objectives...

...Havoc Brothers have one.

Game Two

This time the Captain and Brother Bikers are across from the Cultists.

The Psychic and Battle Brother squad face the middle.

The other Battle Brother squad with Plasma Cannon hold the right, opposite the Brute, and the Dark Destroyers are in Reserve as usual.

The Brute gets to face off against the Plasma Cannon.

The Havoc Lord has joined the Chosen.

The rifle Cultists have the Dark Psychic assisting.

The other Cultists are hoping for a mad rush to the objective.

Advance and shoot!  But accomplish little! 

The Dark Psychic gives Dark Eye to his shooty Cultists who kill a Brother Biker!

Dark Destroyers pop up behind the other Cultist unit...

...no more Cultists.

Lots of shooting and some Battle  Brothers and Chosen are slain.

The Captain claims the objective in the back as the Dark Psychic tries to do something against those Dark Destroyers.

The Brute charges the Battle Brother squad with the Plasma Cannon.

The Psychic charges the Havoc Lord.

Cultists are about to feel the pain...

 

...and the Dark Psychic does as well.

In the end, the Havoc Lord and Brute contest one objective against the Brother Bikers.  Another objective is held by a Battle Brother squad.

The Dark Destroyers claim an objective as well as the Captain in the background.

Its great finally getting a couple games in.  Especially with some new miniatures.  Grimdark Future is a very light way of playing Warhammer 40k, minimal fuss, just miniatures and dice and fun.

I REALLY need to work on some new terrain.  These cardboard ruins need a little touch up and I just need more.  The green 4'x4' board has worked great for me as a gaming table, but I do believe its time I spiced things up somehow.  Of course it has to be inexpensive or DIY.  I've got LOTS of cardboard and styrofoam waiting to be used and a hot glue gun ready to roll.

And waiting patiently for Warhammer 40k 8th edition.  I think I will dip my toe a bit more into the Games Workshop pool.