[Kickstarter]Hawk Wargames - Dropfleeet Commander

[Darios]

Und 325k sind durch daher Update 10:

Update #10 - Plastic Modular Space Station Scenery Pack


We’ve hit £325K, and with this stretch goal achieved we can now unlock plastic space station kits! This kit was a long term plan that we were originally hoping to bring to players in 2017. With the success of the campaign so far, we are able to offer this scenery pack as a bolt-on. The pack was always planned to be five things: a fun part of gameplay, affordable for players, highly detailed, easy to build and modular. Injection moulded plastic allows us to achieve all this, thanks to this Kickstarter.

There will be four large sprues in the pack, featuring a wide variety of parts to create 3 large and 4 small space stations in many hundreds of combinations. These parts can be assembled in a huge variety of shapes, allowing players to make any size of space station they like, from a single massive dock to several small outposts. Because of their modular nature, multiple kits can also be combined to the point where players can make huge orbital complexes! Included in the pack are 3 large and 4 small bases. The total cost of a pack to Kickstarter backers will be £30.

The designs of the parts are currently being finalised, with a range of concept art ready to showcase. Because this scenery pack was not originally planned for the Kickstarter, we are still in the development stage. As Dave is currently completing the PHR, it is very unlikely that we will have renders by the end of the campaign. Seeing how well the campaign was going, we accelerated our timings, and Patrice is now working flat out on concepts in conjunction with Dave to narrow down the look and feel of the final result.

Early Concept work for possible Space Station variants

The final models will vary from the concepts shown. So why are we unlocking this as a stretch goal on Kickstarter, when we won’t have renders? We wanted to offer Kickstarter backers the opportunity to access the scenery pack early as due to the support the campaign has had so far we are now able to make space stations in plastic! As timely delivery is very important to us, we'd like to mention that we do not anticipate that adding this exciting new pack will affect the delivery time.

Refined concept work for Space Station Modules

Rules and scenarios for Space Stations will feature in the Rulebook, similar to the scenery packs from Dropzone Commander. These are designed to be fun expansions to the game, but larger stations could also be used in place of clusters in the main game, allowing players to land troops on them and fight for supremacy! We’re really looking forward to using them in-game, and hope to have renders completed in late December/early January at the latest.

More Module concepts for Space Station pack

Tomorrow we will have more PHR renders to share with you, and painted Shaltari miniatures should be on show towards the end of the week.
Many thanks,

The Hawk Team

 

[DeusExMachina]

Nice

 

[Darios]

Und Update 11 mit mehr PHR:

Update #11 - More PHR renders with weapon options

This evening we have more renders of PHR cruisers! Backers have also asked for more information on tactics an abilities, and while we aren't releasing rules or specifics we can give an idea of the flavour of some of the ships, showing their versatility and giving an idea of the type of damage output they can deliver.

As with Dropzone Commander, in Dropfleet Commander the PHR tend towards heavier chassis choices, i.e heavier ship classes with more damage output per ship, but with fewer ships in total in a fleet. The faction has a greater percentage of cruisers in their fleets than others, but has fewer options on frigates.

PHR Icarus Class Vanguard Carrier

The models themselves come with variant front arch and broadside plug-ins, each in two parts, which can be best seen on the Perseus Class Cruiser. The front facing weaponry is also mutable, creating a huge range of possible combinations. In Dropfleet Commander we will not be releasing rules for every possible combination that could be made from the Cruiser sprue (which is a huge number of permutations!), as that is not only impractical but will also have a detrimental effect on game balance. What we will provide rules for in the rulebook are the set variant classes that the PHR commonly use, in the same way as we will have ship listings for the other three factions.
The main broadside armaments of the PHR come in three tiers: light, medium and heavy. While we are not releasing the actual names or rules for these yet (although Admiral level backers will have them when we release the Beta rules to them in the new year), we can tell players more about the style of weapons and tactics usable in game.
Light guns (as seen on the Ajax Class) are anything but light in real terms. They are mass drivers that fire at a punishing rate, quickly crippling light and medium ships. In play terms they will have more shots but less power than their bigger brothers, and should be used on lighter targets to obliterate them or if you’re feeling lucky to chip away damage from larger foes.
Medium guns are your all-rounders. Capable of inflicting critical hits and defying a target’s armour, they are less numerous that the light versions but pack a heavier punch. They give a broader range of viable target options, and are helpful for versatility.

PHR Orion Class Cruiser

Heavy guns are the most in-keeping with the faction, in that the PHR like to hit, and hit hard. They have relatively few shots even compared to the heavier weapons of other races, but when they connect with the target they are devastating. These can blow smaller ships to smithereens, and are very likely to achieve critical hits, punching through enemy armour and immolating huge chunks of deck and superstructure.
The Heavy guns on PHR Cruisers are also posable, similar to their manoeuvring vanes, but on ball and socket connectors. This means modellers can customise the look of their ships as well, creating even more personalisation in fleets.

PHR Perseus Class Cruiser

As with all Hawk Wargames games, we aim for balance at all times. While players can take more of one class than others, the game rewards balanced fleet choice, and commanders will find that their forces work best when taking a combined arms approach to list building. With that in mind, the pictured cruiser (and Vanguard Carrier) class weapons loadouts are subject to change, but are shown to give backers an idea of the possibilities.
Tomorrow we will be talking more about the pledge levels as they stand and discussing the privileges of rank; we’ll be talking about the higher pledge levels and clarifying what backers get when they go for them. We will also be in the studio taking pictures of the painted Shaltari models (if you thought the renders were good, these will blow you away) to have those to show in an update later this week/early next week.

Kind regards,

The Hawk Team

 

[Ferox21]

Hui, die PHR Schiffe gefallen mir außerordentlich gut. Außerdem lassen sie schön nostalgisches Raumflotte Gothic Feeling auskommen. Denn so wie es aussieht haben die Kreuzer auf jeder Seite zwei Slots, in die entsprechende Module mit Breitseitenwaffen, schweren Breitseitenwaffen und Hangars geklebt werden können. Dazu dann noch die Front, die wir jetzt entweder mit "Burn Through-Laser" oder Geschützturm gesehen haben. Also mir gefällt die PHR sehr, sehr gut, auch wenn die Schiffe jetzt optisch nicht so unterschiedlich wirken wie bspw. die UCM oder die Scourge.

Auch finde ich schön, dass sich schon jetzt der verschiedene Fokus der Fraktionen im Raumkampf abzeichnet. Die Scourge setzten deutlich auf Feuerkraft im Frontbereich während die UCM eher gleichmäßig Front und Seiten abdeckt. Und die PHR scheint voll auf Breitseitenbewaffnung zu setzen.

 

[Darios]

Und Update 12:

[h=2]Update #12 - Updated content and more information[/h]Just a quick update today, as we have had a lot of communication so far. With just over 21 days left, we still have a fair way to go, but we still have exciting things to show!
Firstly, we have updated the Unlocks and the Bolt-Ons, so this is all now up to date, as well as adding some concept images in for the Modular Space Station Pack Bolt-On.
On top of this, we have added in the additional PHR Renders that went out in the update yesterday. We are excited to let you know that some of our PHR models have just arrived in the office, so we will be able to show off some painted PHR models before the end of the Kickstarter Campaign!
Over the next 5 days, we will be sending out some information about backer levels, and what you are currently getting as your rewards for your pledge. Also, we will be mentioning a little more about the plans for the post £350k Stretch goals - don't worry... there will be some!
We have plans for:

• Free Upgrades
• More Maps and Scenery
• Gaming Accessories
• Artwork

and a range of other Bolt-On Unlocks and Rewards!
Some of the Team will be at Warfare in Reading (UK) this weekend, with some of the models on show, so if you want to come down and have a look and ask some questions, we look forward to seeing you then!
We thought we would leave you with a few more images of the existing UCM and Scourge that you may not have seen:




More updates to follow soon!
The Hawk Wargames Team

 

[Cheros]

Ich bin gespannt auf die neuen Karten und Accessories. Bin am überlegen, welche ich mir hole. Kommt ja doch schon einiges an Geld zusammen für so bissle Papier. Werd die vlt schneiden lassen und dann auf ne dünne MDF Platte kleben.

 

[Darios]

Und eine neues Update mit noch mehr PHR!

Update #13 - Some more PHR Spaceships


With another busy and active week going by, we are grateful again for all of your support in our Kickstarter! More artwork for the rulebook is being created, final spaceship designs are being tweaked, and refined rules are being internally playtested.
But as the Kickstarter enters its third week, we are happy to be able to show off some more great renders of PHR spaceships:

We will have more to show you over the weekend, and also more information about the next stretch goals too.
Until the next update
The Hawk Wargames Team

 

[Ferox21]

Schick. Die PHR Schiffe gefallenmir ausgesprochen gut. Wie schon bemerkt erinnern sie mich mit ihren zwei Waffenmodulen preo Seite doch noch am ehesten an die guten alten Plastikkreuzer von Raumflotte Gothic. Ich freue mich schon drauf.

 

[Mshrak]

Muss auch sagen das die wirklich gut ankommen.

Mal schauen was noch so kommt.

 

[Ferox21]

So, mittlerweile sind ja auch die 350k Pfund geknackt, wo mit es für jeden High Rank Backer auch noch 1 PHR Kreuzer und 4 PHR Fregatten geben wird. Damit ist man aber auch so ziemlich am Ende der interessanten Unlocks dieses Kickstarters angekommen. Klar, für 500k gibt es nochmal alle 4 Fregatten-Gussrahmen für alle, aber aktuell denke ich nicht, dass es der kickstarter noch bis dahin schaffen wird. Wobei die Laufzeit natürlich noch lang ist. Evtl. geht da ja doch noch was.

 

[Darios]

So, mittlerweile sind ja auch die 350k Pfund geknackt, wo mit es für jeden High Rank Backer auch noch 1 PHR Kreuzer und 4 PHR Fregatten geben wird. Damit ist man aber auch so ziemlich am Ende der interessanten Unlocks dieses Kickstarters angekommen. Klar, für 500k gibt es nochmal alle 4 Fregatten-Gussrahmen für alle, aber aktuell denke ich nicht, dass es der kickstarter noch bis dahin schaffen wird. Wobei die Laufzeit natürlich noch lang ist. Evtl. geht da ja doch noch was.

dazu das heutige Update:

[h=2]Update #14 - Plans for this coming week[/h]Just a short update today, as we travel back from the various shows.
Wow... well we have gone past our £350k stretch goal! Thank you!
Warfare in Reading (UK) was a great show, and Dave has been working hard all weekend to present some great visual feasts this week.
The plan is that over the next few days you will see:

• A full list of planned stretch goals up to £500k
• Photos of the Painted Shaltari Fleet
• More renders of the PHR

You will see the first new images tomorrow.
Thanks again for all of your support.
The next update will be a much more visual one!
The Hawk Wargames Team

 

[Mshrak]

Na mal sehen mit was der uns noch locken kann. 😉

 

[Ferox21]

Na mal sehen mit was der uns noch locken kann. 😉

Wird man sehen. Ich bin immer noch unsicher, ob ich mein Captains-Pledge zum Commodore hochstufen soll. Eigentlich will ich ja primär UCM spielen und da fände ich zwei Starterboxen gar nicht verkehrt, zumal man die 7 Kreuzer und 12 Fregatten der Scourge zusammen mit dem 2. Regelbuch und dem Spielmaterial gut an einen anderen interessierten Spieler verkaufen könnte. Das einzige, worauf man dann verzichtet sind halt die 3 Bonus-Schlachtkreuzer vom Commodore, wobei diese ja auch Bolt-Ons sein sollen - und nur für PHR, Scourge und Shaltari kommen sollen. Einzig der UCM Atlantis-BC soll Stand heute nur einmal pro Backer ausgegeben werden.

Allerdings ist natürlich klar, dass wer eher mit den Shaltari oder der PHR anfangen will mit dem Commodore wesentlich besser fährt. Oder Leute, die einfach alle 4 Starterflotten einmal haben wollen für Promospiele etc..

Ich werde aber auch noch mehr Geld in den KS reinstecken, denn ich will auch ein- oder evtl. zweimal das Launch Asset Pack haben. Und irgendwie liebäugle ich immer noch mit der 2-Up-Peking...

 

[Darios]

Und Hübsche Schiffchen in Farbe und Bunt!

Update #15 - First Shaltari Painted Pictures


Today we have images of the Shaltari fleet, and as promised they are vibrant, sleek and deadly.

Similar to the other factions, weapons on Shaltari are plug-ins. With cruisers and heavy cruisers these are on the forward struts, making bi- or tri-barrelled weapons arrays of varying esoteric and devastating energy weapons. With the frigates the front sections of the ships alter, creating very different silhouettes for each weapon system.

Current loadouts include those shown (though as ever the final rules and combinations may vary), but we thought we’d focus on a few to give you a flavour of the race.

The Turquoise Class cruiser has powerful if unusual orbital bombardment weapons. These work to destabilise a localised area of a planet with horrifying efficiency. A highly advanced combination of gravimetric distortion and weather alteration projectors hammer the target with lightening, ion pulses and localised tectonic disturbances that fed into each other to create vortices of destruction a few miles wide. Yet the high technology of the Shaltari keep the destruction contained enough to not hamper ground operations in other parts of a cluster.

The Obsidian Class Heavy Cruiser is a full frontal damage dealer. It sports three huge Particle Lances, which to the laymen are the equivalent of UCM burnthrough lasers. They are, however, much direct in effect. Simply put, they destroy armour, shields, composites and hardened bulwarks with ease. Such is their power that there is no know way of stopping the damage, and any hit will create a hole in the side of a ship the size of a main battle tank. Thankfully for enemies of the Shaltari, the arc of fire on such weapons is necessarily tight, requiring clever manoeuvring from the Obsidian’s captain to cause maximum damage.

The Emerald Class Mothership is the lynchpin of Shaltari troop deployment for orbital insertion. In concert with a series of Void Gates, they utilise Shaltari teleportation technology to deploy troops to any area of the battlefield. The Emerald Class is the transport for ground troops, with the Void Gates acting as nodes for teleportation. While in close proximity to the Mothership they can be used in atmosphere to swiftly move forces into controlling positions or extract them from dangerous areas. Even if they mothership is destroyed the Void Gates can still manoeuvre troops, however their utility is greatly diminished.

We will be posting more pictures of several more variant ships on the main campaign page soon, as well as posting more information about unlocks this week.

The Hawk Team

 

[Ferox21]

Mit der Bemalung wirken die Shaltari richtig gut - auch wenn es doch deutlichere Parallelen zu deren Bodenfahrzeugen gibt als bei den anderen Rassen. Und die Art des Absetzens der Truppen passt auch gut zu den in Dropzone etablierten Methoden.

Allerdings ist die Rasse in meinem Geschmack bei Dropfleet immer noch nur Platz 4, auf 3 sind die Scourge, Nr. 2 die PHR und aus Platz 1 knapp davor die UCM...

 

[Iceeagle85]

Die Shaltari sehen gut echt aus.

 

[Darios]

und ein weiteres Update mit mehr Stretchgoals:

[h=2]Update #16 - Stretch Goal unlocks up to £575,000[/h]A shorter update today, listing the unlocks that we have planned up to £575k (with those after the Frigate Bonanza to be announced as we hopefully approach £500k). We will have more information about each as we near the unlocks - so while we will answer some questions about them, others we will have to keep quiet about until then! Here they are:

£370k – Activation card pack
£390k – (Free to all Backers) Deluxe rulebook extras for all rulebooks
£400k – UCMF Admiral T-shirt
£415k – (Free to all Backers) Desktop and screen saver assets download pack
£425k – (1 Free to each High Rank Backer) Civilian Cruise liner (ship and base)
£440k – Eden Prime Map pack
£460k – Deluxe cluster upgrade pack (resin)
£475k – Dropfleet Commander Poster range
£500k – Frigate Bonanza
£525k – ???
£550k – ???
£575k – ???
Final Day unlock: (Free to all Backers) Dropfleet Commander KS exclusive T-Shirt
We will be updating the main campaign page with this information soon.
kind regards,

The Hawk Team

 

[Armarnis]

poah, irgendwie juckts mich schon n commodore pledge zu nehmen, find die designs eigentlich echt klasse, aber mit der aussicht auf die rückkehr von BFG bin ich grad echt unentschlossen :S

öhm, bei den bolt ons starter flotten, wieviel schiffe sind da genau drin, beim überfliegen hab ich jetzt spontan nix gefunden. 7 schiffe so wie beim starter pack?

 

[Darios]

poah, irgendwie juckts mich schon n commodore pledge zu nehmen, find die designs eigentlich echt klasse, aber mit der aussicht auf die rückkehr von BFG bin ich grad echt unentschlossen :S

öhm, bei den bolt ons starter flotten, wieviel schiffe sind da genau drin, beim überfliegen hab ich jetzt spontan nix gefunden. 7 schiffe so wie beim starter pack?

korrekt.

 

[Darios]

NAFKA hat noch mehr Bilder der Shaltari mit anderen Blickwinkeln!