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Warlords Of Erehwon: Science Fantasy Orc Warband List (Beta)

Warlords Of Erehwon "Science Fantasy" 

Beta Orc Warband List

Welcome to the first of my Warlords Of Erehwon "Science Fantasy" beta warband lists. These lists, while not official in ANY way, were built after reverse engineering the Warlords Of Erehwon points system. Because of this, and because they were repointed using Rick Priestley's official point system when he released them, these lists should balance with the other "official" warband lists that Rick Priestley has released on his website. This should allow you to play against normal fantasy armies. 

Why "Science Fantasy?" Well, my first miniature wargaming loves involved games that mixed the genres of science fiction, fantasy and modern wargames and when Rick created Warlords Of Erehwon it was to provide players with a miniatures agnostic game system that allowed them to play with the old fantasy models in their cupboard. I still own mountains of models that fall somewhere between sci-fi and fantasy from my earliest days as a wargamer and I want to be able to dust them off and use them when playing WoE as well. 

Below is the first of my beta warband lists that matches the generic orc tropes from the grim dark genre that will hopefully give players enough leeway to create forces using their old models. I have gone out of my way to not change a single rule in the game and all of the following lists are meant to be used in conjunction with the regular Warlords Of Erehwon ruleset. This is why, for example, psychics use magic... they are just mages under a different name. 

Because I did not want to change the rules to make shooting any different but because I wanted guns to be a more viable choice in these lists, I paid the points to increase the accuracy profile of every model in every list. Additionally every ranged weapon in the lists below are based on existing weapons profiles in the normal game. 

Though I have put a lot of work into constructing these lists, they are very much in the play testing phase. If you see any glaring errors or if you have any suggestions about profile changes or additional units, please let me know through the CAST DICE PODCAST Facebook page. 

I would like to thank Rick Priestley for creating such and interesting and fun ruleset and thank you for taking the time to read this. I really hope you enjoy!

1/56 G.I. JOE VAMP Jeep

 Today I am back to talk about another of my favourite G.I. Joe vehicles. The VAMP was the second Joe vehicle that I collected as a kid and over the years it is easily one of the toys that I played with most. Naturally, it was one of the first models that I wanted to add to this army.

I got this model from Shapeways and even though it is made from a low quality material, once painted, I think it came up nicely! The sponge method used to represent the chipped whitewash hid the worst of the materials sins, thankfully.

Like the MOBAT, the VAMP, was featured heavily in the pages of the comic and its driver, Clutch, is one of my top ten Joe's of all time.

Over the years there have been a huge number of VAMP variants, used by both Joe and Cobra forces. The weapon systems on these vehicles also varied dramatically. When painting this one, I left the weapons off the back deck on purpose while I figure out how I am going to use it on the tabletop. In the meantime, I will use it as a jeep or a wheeled artillery tow. 

Though the VAMP has come in a myriad of colours over the years, I thought I would stick to the classic green. I did this despite the roof and doors being features of the VAMP MK2 (which was tan).

I definitely need to source some fuel cans for the rack in the back.

I have three of these models already printed plus a Mk 1 Diecast kit, a few Cobra Stingers and some "What-if" trucks made using the cabs from this iconic vehicle.

You will definitely be seeing more VAMP's soon!

1/56 Scale G.I.JOE MOBAT TANK

Ahhh, The MOBAT. From my earliest days as a G.I.JOE fan I have been in love with this tank! Featured prominently in issue number one of the comic, the MOBAT was an integral part of many of the original comic missions.

This tank has a huge nostalgia factor for me because, while it was not one of my first Joe vehicles (Those were the RAM and the VAMP for those wondering), I did get it for Christmas the first year I collected G.I. Joe toys from one of my favourite uncles (who had the forethought to also give me batteries). I drove this bad boy over piles of books in my Grandma's living room for hours. It was awesome! Yes, I am child of the 80's!

I think that the sponge chipping method worked particularly well on this vehicle given the number of wide blank plates it has as part of its armoured hull.

I started by painting the whole model white before black lining/washing the crevices a dark grey. I then repanelled the white back in to make the white neat before using blister pack sponge to apply the green to represent the green "underneath" the whitewash.

In Bolt Action terms I plan on using this as a Pershing, which is the American reskin of the Tiger tank in the rules. Given the size of the MOBAT's gun and its armour, I think that that suits.

 To the left you can see what it came like. It is a 3D print of a file found of Thingiverse that was printed in resin.

Only taking a few minutes to clean up before priming, this kit was a dream to paint up and prepare for the tabletop.

I absolutely adore this tank and I am now considering painting up another in the Crimson Guard alternative paint scheme that was sold by SEARS in the 80's. I think it would look ace in red and black!

Konflikt '47 Kodiak Walker

One of the best parts about Warlord's Konflikt '47 are the cool vehicles that you get to add to your existing armies to turn your standard WW2 armies... "weird."

One of those weird and wacky contraptions is the Kodiak Walker for the US forces. Looking suspiciously like the old Madcat mech from Battletech, this beastie carries an autocannon and a pair of heavy machine guns in each of its two arms. It Bolt Action/K'47 terms it throws out buckets of dice, all of which have an armoured piecing value, making this the perfect tool to stop transports, light vehicles and scary troops like werewolves, zombies and giant mutant bear men in their tracks.

This model was one of my first experiments as a painter using blister pack sponge as a means of "chipping" whitewashed armour. Though it is not perfect, I am quite pleased with the results.

Just looking at this model gets me excited to place Konflikt '47 again. Might have to set up another game sooner than later!

Warlord Games IS-3

A few years ago I published a review of the Warlord Games's IS-3 tank kit for WWPD. Now this is a very controversial vehicle in Bolt Action for several reasons.

First of all, the IS-3 was probably introduced into the war so late that the Germans had already surrendered. While many were sent to fight Japanese forces in Manchuria, it has never been actually confirmed if this beast ever saw actual combat during WW2.

Second of all, this tank has the highest armour value of any tank in the game. The armour to its front is one higher than super heavy tanks meaning that it can and does often survive direct hits from most AT guns in the game. The last time I used this tank it took repeated shots to its front from a King Tiger and outside of pins and scratches to its paint... it rolled away unscathed. It is TOUGH!

Third and last, it is one of the most expensive tanks in the game. Coming in at 600 points (at regular), this thing is the definition of points inefficient. Especially since it only carries a heavy AT gun. Regardless, if you have a small army and you need to fill out points to get your force onto the table or if you just like armoured rarities, this baby is for you. Plus, the sharp casting and solid detail on this Warlord resin kit is fantastic!

For more info on the IS-3 click here.

The Soviet Motor Pool Grows! (Some Support Vehicles)

Here are a few of the support vehicles that painted up last year to accompany my winter Soviet WW2 army.

This truck is made by Rubicon and comes with two alternative beds. I used the closed canvas top on this truck so that I could use the open bed on another truck that I will post later. Despite my... reluctance to build plastic kits (I prefer the sharp lines and quick assembly of resin models), I really do like the finished look of this model.

I have also included pictures of an early Soviet armoured car and a Komsomolets armoured tractor. In Bolt Action terms the armoured car is a cheap order dice that zips around the board with light machine gun. Likewise, the Komsomolets is there to serve as a cheap armoured transport that also mounts a light machine gun. You can find out more about this vehicle here.