Demo Day for Dust Tactics in the UK

If you live in the Gaslow area or can get there, there is a demo day at 12:00pm on May 23rd at Static Games. Its on the calender for address and phone number. If your looking to learn or want meet some follow players check it out.

Unofficial FAQ

I've been working on an FAQ for people to use. Go a head and take a look its under the Rulebook tab at the top.

Announcements - 2 Tournaments Coming Up This Month

So there are 2 tournaments coming up this month for Dust Tactics

On April 22nd there is a tournament at Game Empire in Pasadena, CA starts a 6:30pm
On April 23rd there is a tournament at Groovy Gecko's Comics and Games in Williamsburg, VA starts at noon.

Information is on the blog's calender for more information and addresses.

Also if you know of a tournament or event at your local store for Dust Tactics feel free to send me an email and I'll post it on here. The link to my email is on the sidebar. It doesn't need to be just a US event or a store event.

Homegrown Thursday - Crusader, Grizzly, and the Ho-I

 I decided some odd countries in Dust. Japan England and Canada. (Odd being that the big 3 are US, Germany, and Russia in the Dust Tactics world).

Hobby Wednesday - Add scenic affects to you models

So today I thought I would show a quick easy thing to add to your models to make them stand out. Armorcast makes small bits called scenic effects. These are gun muzzles and rocket smoke to make the model look like it’s in the battle firing right now. Simply buy the bits and glue them on to the models, paint them and you have a nice model that stands out among the rest.

New article up on the FFG Dust Tactics page - Modeling Masterclass 3 its on how to add details to your walkers.

Tuesday Review – Operation Cyclone

So I got Operation Cyclone last week and I thought I would review it. First you get the 2 Heroes Rosie and Manfred. They are pretty cool looking models. My Rosie came miss casted and instead of having 2 firsts like she’s taunting you she just has her middle finger which I laughed so hard when I saw it. I give her an A for the model it looks really cool overall. Manfred is pretty cool also but I think they just took a commander model and slapped a different head on it. I’d give him a overall. Next is the extra stuff in the box you get 3 landing craft tiles and on the opposite side there is a Submarine. This is really neat because one of the scenarios is a dry dock stile map with the industrial of the other tiles. You also get like 6 terrain tiles with one side terrain the other side some walking platforms. These are for the mission with the sub to walk between the sub and the land and the landing craft missions to walk from the landing craft to the land. I was thinking it would be cool to use for the Zombie mission I made in my mission section as the stairs to the terrain tiles. Next is the extra terrain you get 4 tank traps and 4 ammo crates the axis ammo crates look different than the Blue Thunder ones.  Last is the rulebook it has all the rules for the new artillery rules and the new missions all in one book rather than the 2 for Blue Thunder.

So reviewing the 2 Heroes

Rosie

Pros:

- Has a 1/4 Bazooka rather than the 1/3.

- Has Tank Head and once per game can repair a vehicle.

- A hero who can hurt a Vehicle.

- Medium range weapon

Cons:

- Has less wound than her counterpart

- 1 Shot against infantry

- Tank Head is only once per game and even if it doesn’t work then it is used up.

Tactics:  Stick her with a Recon Squad while putting Joe with Gunners or Bot Hunters. That way you give the Recon Squad an anti tank.

Manfred

Pros:

- Has assault and give it to his squad

- Unlimited shots of Panzerfaust.

- Can hurt a Vehicle.

- Has 5 wounds.

Cons:

- Cannot nearly damage a Vehicle as hard as his counterpart.

- Assault is once per game.

- Close range weapons.

Tactics: Stick him with the Battle Grenadiers or the Panzer Killers. That’s an extra dice to use to take out a tank and he can use assault to get the squad close for him to do damage.

Discussion Monday – Transporting your Dust Tactics Box and/or Army

So today I thought I would discuss some different ways of transporting your Dust Tactics models. First is the obvious leave it in the box and carry the box everywhere. The Pros to it is that you already have the box since you bought the game, you can easily categorize it and all your stuff easily fits in it. The cons are there is no way to expand the box, it’s a big and awkward box with no handles, it has no way to organize, and it is made of cardboard easily breakable. I still carry my stuff in this box but I too and suffering from some of these problems as I buy more guys it gets heavily and less room in the box. Another way to carry your men is a tool box or tackle box. You can easily get this at Walmart or Home Improvement Store. The Pros to this is it has handles, it’s made of sturdy plastic, can be made in various sizes to fix all your guys. The Cons to a tool box is that they are they can be expensive because of the size you would need for the models and room to expand, they way a ton by themselves, and not a lot of ability to organize in it. Another is getting a miniature game case. These are made from usually Sobol or Battlefoam. The Pros to these they are light weight, can easily organize, protects models from each other and outside materials, has handles, are in various sizes, allows room to expand, can get them custom made. The cons to this is that they are very expensive including carrying case a cheaper foam set is the pluck foam rather than using the custom foam. Battlefoam themselves make foam designed for Dust Tactics if you are looking to pay the price.

Announcement about the blog

You may have noticed a new link the Army Builder link. It's to the link for the file for Army Builder 3.3b from Wolf Lair. Many of you that play various games like 40k and Warhmachine may have used this before. If you have not there is a link to the site. The program is $39.99 USD but they have a free trial that allows you to produce 3 units at a time. With this you can print out army sheets and not have to have the cards. Also if you see any errors feel free to email me and I'll fix them right away. Now there isn't any Operation Cyclone models in this file yet. I am following the policy the people who make the 40k one and not releasing the files for a current model until 1 month after its release.

Superhero Saturday - Sgt Rock and Sgt Fury

From DC comics Sgt Rock and the Easy Company and from Marvel Sgt Fury and the Howling Commandos

Show Off Friday

BlkDymnd posted these on the FFG Forums they're nicely done and are not the normal color scheme which is also cool. Check them out.

He also got Custom Green Dice with the Allie symbol for the hit marks from, I assume Chessex.



Homegrown Thursday - Heavy Armored Infantry

So today's cards aren't tanks nor superheroes, but I think you'll like them just the same. These are heavy exosuits from 2 different games. The Lucky Seventh is from Incursion and the Ekzoskelet Gvardii are from Doomed 1949. Grindhouse Games makes Incursion and West Wind Productions make Doomed 1949. There would be German ones but there isn't an actual card of the Solidat X so you'll have to wait for me to paint mine.

Announcement - Dust Tactics Army Builder file

Charlie of Groovy Geckos and I are in the process of making a Dust Tactics Army Builder file, but we need your help. If you have any experience in making Army Builder files or even XML programming (its in XML format with some custom variables) send me an email. As of right now I just have the Definition file is mostly done and do not message me when it will be released, I will announce it when we get it done. Currently no set date for release.

Hobby Wednesday - How to make the Rocketeer

So today is a pretty simple one, the Rocketeer. He's simple to make just get some rocket men from Pulp Figures and a Blackhawk Heroclix Figure. The only problem with using the Rocketeer by himself is that it is 28mm, but his proportion are off the up body is actually bigger and ready to use as a 35mm model. Just cut the 2 models in half and glue together the torso of the Rocketman and the legs of the Blackhawk.

Tuesday Review

Will be posting a review when I get my stuff tomorrow after my game night (about 9-11pm GMT-5). I cannot post any OFFICIAL Dust Tactics cards was told by FFG themselves. I can still post my homemade ones being they I designed them not FFG.

Discussion Monday – Tactics for Achievements for Operation First Strike

So I have played a couple of Dust Tactics League Nights at Groovy Geckos and I thought today I would discuss the achievements in the league. First of all keep track of all the achievements you complete per game and tell your TO at the end of every game to sign off that achievement. If you table someone you pretty much got at least 10 achievements.

Sniper is a little hard to get because you need to get him in the open and you need to overkill him. Recommend the Steel Rain and unleash all the missiles at once.

Fresh Blood can be easy just bring someone you know that would like to learn to play.

Overwhelm pretty easy just pump enough fire power into one squad and you get it.

Tactician FFG told my TO this one is only given to the Attacker never the Defender.

Anti Armor Expert is pretty simple kill all the vehicles first usually people will only get to take 2-4.

Completist hardest one but no strategy, get all the achievements.

No Prisoners has happened quite often in my store just table someone.

Tank Killers kill a vehicle pretty simple just pump enough fire power.

Hardened Leader is one of the ones you would think it would be easy but it can be hard if you take an all or nothing attack kind of thing.

Tank Commander is the same as above.

Defender of Freedom  is pretty simple just win using Allies.

Iron Cross Recipient is the same as above.

Civil Rivalry is pretty simple as above just play an opponent of the same faction and win.

Seasoned Veteran is pretty simple too. Show up to all of the event dates and get it.

Sticky Bomb pretty simple kill a vehicle with a tank, flamer, or bot hunter squad in one shot.

Attrition is again table someone.

Call to Arms is pretty hard same as No Prisoners but have 2 squads so you can get these 2 at the same time.

Surgical Strike is pretty hard especially if he is behind cover or in a squad you would have to pull something out your butt to get this or cheat with your opponent.

Heavy Weapons sounds pretty simple but can be super hard at the same time.

Unseen Enemy is basically sit your hero away from the battle and let him survive 8 turns.

Master Artillery Officer hasn’t come yet since command squads have not come out. But just have a bunch of command squads and a bunch of artillery.

Lieutenant General same as tactician haven’t a clue why it is put twice.

Sunday Play by Play Mission: Intrusion

Saturday my friend Alex and I played the next mission on the list, Intrusion. It consists of the attacker trying to prevent the enemy from gaining reinforcements by shutting the hatches on the map.

So this is the set up for the mission. Pretty self explanatory the 3 objective spots.

So in this mission it says I deploy my guys and Alex waits to enter the table on turn 1. I put my MG and Flamer squad in 2 of the hatch areas and left the one on my side unattended. Joe and the Gunners were put on the other side of the wall of the Flamer squad and the Hotdog was placed on the other side of the MG squad.

Turn1 was just Alex and I moving closer toward the center. Most of his units double moved. While my men moved closer to his men but staying in cover.

Turn 2 was another movement turn. Alex’s units begin readying to grab the objectives and mine get ready to shoot him. I moved out of the objective not to allow him to claim it but for me not to be stuck in the objective. It became a standoff at one point to see who would make the move to be shot at first.

Turn 3 was where the shooting started. Alex won the initiative and moved his MG squad to shoot my MG squad, killing 2. I returned fire killing 2. Alex’s Rocket squad moved in and shot at my Flamer squad killing 2 and I returned fire to kill 2. His Luther moved across the open spot to gain cover. My rocket squad moved to fire and kill Alex’s rocket squad and his Ludwig moved to fire at my Rocket squad not landing a single blow. My Pounder moved and fired at his Ludwig destroying it.  Alex deactivated his laser squad and I moved my Hotdog to kill his MG squad.

Turn 4 Alex won the initiative and moved and shot with his Luther putting 2 blows on my Hotdog. I moved a tired closer to him knowing that he will have to go in the objective to take it and I will shoot it with my Pounder. His laser squad moved to the edge of cover. I moved my flamer squad and shot at his laser squad. I had 6 shots but he made an impressive 4 soft cover saves. My MG squad moved to the next tile over being that they cannot hurt the Luther

 

Turn 5 Alex won the initiative and killed my flamer squad with lasers and moved closer to his objective. My MG squad shot at his laser squad killing Sigrid and the remaining members of the squad. Alex then fired at my Hotdog with his Luther not landing a single blow. My Hotdog moved and returned fire doing the same.

Turn 6 I won the initiative shooting the Luther with my Hotdog landing a killing blow to the Luther.

Game ended Victory to me.

Superheroes Saturday - Atom Hawkman Dr. Fate

Today is a continuation from Green Lantern and Flash and adding more members of the JLA back in WWII.

Announcement - Regional Tournaments

Here

So today they announce the regional tournaments. The way it looks is that there are 5 places to go and 3 of them are on the east coast and 2 are in the middle of the country. If you live in the south west section your out of luck for now. I'll be going to groovy geckos, may 7th. The list is up check it out.

Also new things at the Dust Models website, Bases are coming soon, Operation Cyclone premium, the command and sniper boxes premium said to release the end of march and has free shipping.

Remember if you have a tournament or event you want to tell me about send me an email and I'll post it on the calender.

Show off Friday - Custom Game Table

One of the Blog's followers, kenchan13, has sent me these photos of his sweet Dust Tactics game table. I think he may use it for a universal table not just Dust. He told me that he go the table top from Ikea for $6 and it is 4'x6' I would assume it was one of the scratch and dent ones due to the fact that why would you spend like $200 to destroy it. He said he just applied textured spray paint and then hand painted and spray painted the rest on it. He also used Warhammer 40k terrain kits from Games Workshop.

Remember if you have any painted models or terrain like Kenchan here email (link on sidebar) me some pics and you will be on here post new painted stuff every Friday if I don't get around to painting and no one sends me any there won't be one for that Friday.

Don't forget this Saturday

2 things this weekend.
1) Dust Tactics Game Night starts in Rowlett, TX  at Game Master. The information as on my calender just look for it if you are in the area check it out. This will be a 6 week event.
2) Dust Tactics Tournament at Groovy Geckos Comics and Games the link is on the side. Charlie told me he hasn't determined how many points yet but probably 200. Price is $10 it includes food. Directions and address are on the stores website. If you live in the area check it out. If you want to learn how to play and are in the area check it out, Charlie will happily show you how to play and has all the stuff to get you started on making your own army. I will be there playing in the tournament as far as I know 4 people will be playing in the tournament so far.
1 Announcement
Charlie at Groovy Geckos Comics and Games told me he will be hosting a regional match for the state of Virginia. This will have a ton of prizes. He told me it will either be May 7 or May 28. He will post it on the site when . If your looking for a big tournament to go to and living in VA come to it.