Felid Empire

One of the first alien races I Purchased was the Felid, once I got them I faced a deli ma.  I could not find any vehicles that felt right to me & this became a pattern with my other alien forces.  I feel that all Aliens should have a Style of Equipment & Vehicles that is distinctly not Human.  In the Months that followed I saw a few Vehicles that Would work for alien races but nothing really grabbed me as usually it is 1 or 2 vehicles if you are lucky with the same Style.  Finally I found 2 Different Sizes of the AAT from Star Wars at a low Price & easily Available on E-Bay, Next I Picked up 2 Large Skiffs From Return of the Jedi for their Large Transports. 

In addition to the vehicles I decided to paint them in pattern using colors that are not typical for camouflage.  The colors are representing their visual spectrum, which is different than the human norm.  I used a mixtures of Blues with Ink washes & it turned out to be a good scheme.

Gruntz Specific Rules Hive Mind Updated

All units in a Hive Army must take 1 of the Hive Mind Perks this is Mandatory not optional. The Hive Intellect is unconcerned with losses so the entire army is Immune to Mental Checks & Suppression & Units can Never go prone. Any unit that is out of control of the Hive Mind becomes subject to Instinctive Behavior as most of the units are no more intelligent than any other predator. Loss of control by the Hive Intellect can happen in a Number of ways (when this happens the unit becomes subject to Mental Checks & are Bloodthirsty but are still immune to Suppression). First the Units of Drone Warrior are not themselves Directly linked to the Hive Mind but are linked to it by a specialist unit with Hive Mind Node that is attached to a Squad, if this unit dies the Drone Warriors no longer are controlled by the Hive Mind until another Hive Node takes control of the unit. Secondly if the Hive Mind Grand Lord (Army General) is Killed all units must test to see if the link to the hive Mind has been interrupted Mental test (Vehicles Test as a Mental Stat of 11 As Either Hive Clusters Or Hive Nodes) at a -1 for Hive Mind Lords -2 for Hive Mind Clusters & -3 for Hive Mind Nodes if failed they are Bloodthirsty (subject to Frenzy) & Instinctive behavior + In Addition All Drone Units are at a -2 to their Instinctive behavior rolls for the rest of the game with 2 being the lowest result.
I will be adding the Hive Mind Perks & Modz over the next few days. The initial Perk for all Most Squads is bellow with the first Instinctive Behavior chart which corresponds to it.

Hive Intellect Horde Planitary assault Tactics

One Point that I want to make is we all need to all break ourselves of the knee Jerk reaction When we hear about a Type of Army or race. For example my Hive Mind Horde are not a generic form of GW Tyranids.    Other than Having a Singular Driving Intellect My Concept of how to do a Hive Intellect has nothing else in common with the Tyranids from GW.  They are actually a Patient slow moving force that will spend decades absorbing the lifeforms from each system.  
   
Hopefully I will be Posting The Basic Hive Intellect Swarm in the Next day or 2.  

Hive Mind (Intellect) Horde Army Over View Part 1

General Overview of Hive Armies Part 1 

All units in a Hive Army must! Have 1 of the Hive Mind Attributes this is Mandatory not optional. The Hive Intellect is unconcerned with losses so the entire army is Immune to Psychology & Can Never be effected by Suppression Fire & As they have no concern for their Personal Safety they can Never go prone. Any unit that is out of control of the Hive Mind becomes subject to Instinctive Behavior as most of the units are no more intelligent than any other predator Animal on without the driving force of the Hive Mind. Loss of control by the Hive Intellect can happen in a Number of ways. when the Connection to the Hive Mind is Severed the unit becomes subject to Psychology & are Bloodthirsty. Due to the Blood lust the Unit Must Assault any Enemy That is in range they must Charge into Close Combat & while Charging they are immune to Suppression Fire. First the Units of Drone Warrior are not themselves Directly linked to the Hive Mind but are linked to it by a specialized Commander which has evolved the ability to be a Node for the Hive Mind. Hive Mind Node Must be attached to a Unit & no Drone unit can deploy without an attached Hive Mind Node. The Biggest disadvantage to the Hive Nodes & Drone Arrangement is if a unit of drones is without a Node beginning immediately when the Node dies the Drone Warriors no longer are controlled by the Hive Mind until another Hive Node takes control of the unit. Secondly if the Hive Mind Grand Lord (Army General) is Killed all units must test to see if the link to the hive Mind has been interrupted All units have a chance of loosing connection to the Hive Intellect based on their level of connection to the Hive Mind. A Hive Mind Lord & Units in his Direct area of Influence are Least Likely (Only 15 to 20% Chance of Loosing Direct Connection to the Hive Mind) to loose the connection to the Hives Controlling Intellect. Hive Mind Clusters Can Usually (Maintain Connection 60 to 65% of the Time) Maintain Their Link to the Intellect in control of the Hive Mind, but can become disconnected to the Hive Mind & Become Subject to Extreme Instinctive Behavior. For The Hive Mind Nodes the Disconnection Can Actually be Fatal (75% chance of Psychic Over Load) If the Hive Mind Nodes loose Connection (45 to 50% Chance of Loosing Connection) if failed they are Bloodthirsty (subject to Frenzy) & Instinctive behavior + In Addition All Drone Units are Now Subject to Extreme Instinctive behavior.

Pangalactic Legion

Unknown Alien Race (Technological Base Unknown Energy Matter Conversion/ The Physics of which are Beyond Humanities Highest Theoretical Geniuses Comprehension.)

When I saw these models I had to have them so I didn't Hesitate & ordered over 100 models for this force (3 Infantry packs & 6 Command Packs)  This is actually the first alien force that I had a clear picture of their Combined Arms Reinforced Jump Infantry Company Making them Jump Infantry Eliminated the Need for APCs.  As every Legionnaire is equipped with a Jump Pack they can Easily Keep up with the Attached Armor & other Support Units in the Army.  I already had the basic Vehicles for the Pangalatic Legion prior to getting the miniature.  Their primary vehicles are Combat Walkers.  I am using the 1/144 Die-Cast  Gunners 2 x 6 Legged Desert Scorpion Walkers &  3 x 4 Legged Grab Gunner Walkers from the Dougram series for their Tanks.  Fast Attack Mechs represented by Pieter Zentradi Pods as flankers  in addition 2 Scout Walkers  1/200 Hard Rubber Grab Gunners Walkers.  I have a lot more mechs Available for support. Bellow are Pictures of my First Test Squad for them.

Bellow are Pictures of the First the 5 Man Test Squad with their attached Support Weapon Specialists Team.   The 2 Man Weapons Team's figures are mounted separately as I am still debating the Army TO&E as Gruntz 1.1 should be released Really Soon (Most Likely Within a Week or so).  The Weapons & Equipment are Temporarily Blue but will be Bronze replacing almost all the Blue once my Vallejo Paint order Comes in, Also the Royal Purple Will be washed with a Thinned Purple Ink & Highlighted making it a little darker but smother adding the perfect Effect as their Power Armor is  Energy based.  This Uses the Pinnacle of Advancement in Personal Shield Technology Literally Converting the Energy into Matter forming Physical Power Armor with Almost No Weight which can be shut down when Not In Use.  The Energy Supply for each Suit Will Last Between 2 to 6 Hours Even in the Heaviest Combat Situation & Can Be Recharged from any of their Vehicles within a matter of Minutes or From a Conventional Source in about 1 to 2 Hours.  The First 6 Pictures are Small So they could be fit on the Main Page, but all the other Pictures are Large Click on Post to take a look.

Comparison Pictures for Star Craft Part 4 of 4

Comparison 4 will be dealing with the Protoss.  I will upload more detailed pics later just wanted to make sure to get the Protoss forces up as quickly as possible to allow a basic sense of Scale.  This is another Pic Heavy Post.  With the Protoss finished with a couple of comparison pictures for the figures from the Star Craft Board Game & Risk Game. Again I  did Multiple large scale Pictures of them with the same 15mm Figures from before in case some one didn't check the first two posts they are Eurika Miniatures Venusians & SF German Storm Troops; Khurasan Federal Infantry, Red Faction Including Power Armor-Robot vehicle, Neo-Arabs, Control Battalion, Felids & Gorn; Rebel Minies Pan Galactic Legion; Astro Miniatures Sybots: Blue Moon Velium Skirmishers as these are the forces I had easily accessible.

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I will be replacing these pics later. & finishing the size comparisons

Comparison Pictures for Star Craft Part 3 of 4

Comparison 3 will be dealing with the Terran Marines.  I will upload more detailed pics later just wanted to make sure to get the Terran Marine forces up as quickly as possible to allow a basic sense of Scale.  This is another Pic Heavy Post.  With the Terran Marines I finished with a couple of comparison pictures for the figures from the Star Craft Board Game & Risk Game.  But the first thing I did was take Multiple large scale Pictures of them with the same 15mm Figures from before in case some one didn't check the first two posts they are Eurika Miniatures Venusians & SF German Storm Troops; Khurasan Federal Infantry, Red Faction Including Power Armor-Robot vehicle, Neo-Arabs, Control Battalion, Felids & Gorn; Rebel Minies Pan Galactic Legion; Astro Miniatures Sybots: Blue Moon Velium Skirmishers as these are the forces I had easily accessible.

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I will be replacing these pics later.

Comparison Pictures for Star Craft Part 2 of 4

I took these pictures a few minutes ago my camera battery is charged.  I Just finished the Zerg Comparison Pics first thing & will be Putting up Post 3 of 6 almost immediately After this Post.  The rest of the Zerg from Star Craft Board Game & the Risk Game comparisons to the same 15mm Figures from before in case some one didn't check the first post they are Eurika Miniatures Venusians & SF German Storm Troops; Khurasan Federal Infantry, Red Faction Including Power Armor-Robot vehicle, Neo-Arabs, Control Battalion, Felids & Gorn; Rebel Minies Pan Galactic Legion; Astro Miniatures Sybots: Blue Moon Velium Skirmishers as these are the forces I had easily accessible.

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Comparison Pictures for Star Craft Part 1of 4

I took these pictures earlier today before my camera battery Died.  I will upload more once it recharges.  even so this is a Pic Heavy Post.  I started with comparison pictures for the Zerg from the Star Craft Board Game & Risk Game.  Then I took Multiple Pictures of The both types of Zerg with 15mm Figures from Eurika Miniatures Venusians & SF German Storm Troops; Khurasan Federal Infantry, Red Faction Including Power Armor-Robot vehicle, Neo-Arabs, Control Battalion, Felids & Gorn; Rebel Minies Pan Galactic Legion; Astro Miniatures Sybots: Blue Moon Velium Skirmishers as these are the forces I had easily accessible.

To see the Pics go to post

Hive Mind (Zerg) Army

I've got all the models for the Zerg force & have added it to the force that I had Painted previously.  So now I have 108 Zerglings, 36 Hydrolisks & 18 Ultralisks + fliers 18 Mutalisks & 36 Scourges  for the models you have seen previously.  In addition to 12 Lurkers, 12 Infested Terrans, & 18 Defilers + fliers 20 Queens, 18 Guardians & 12 Devourers all from the Board Game then add in 68 Zerglings, 34 Hydrolisks & 2 Leaders Figures from the Star Craft Risk Game which I am still mounting to their  Bases & converting the models for use other than the leaders the Zerg from the Risk Game are not in the same class as the other figures in the army but using them will save me  having to get anymore of the Board Game to complete the army.  Finishig the Army took an additional 2 sets of the Fantasy Flight Star Craft the Board Game + 1 more set of the Brood War expansion for a total of 3 of the FF Game & 2 of the Expansions.  Thank goodness the Risk Game was released as this allows me to build armies for the Protoss & Terran Marines using most of the miniatures from the FF Game To augment the infantry from the Risk Game,  What I am not going to use I will be putting up for auction on e Bay if anyone is interested in getting some of the miniatures from the Board Game without having to shell out big Bucks.  Here is the link to the auction  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290805101168  for the Terran Forces.

Non Humans Have Arrived

I have finally got some Vehicles for my Alien Races.  I have an Idea that the Vehicles of Each Race Should be distinct.  So few Manufacturers have made vehicles that break from the mold of what we think a Tank should be like & I finally picked up 12 AAT tanks from Star Wars episode one the Phantom Menace. 8 of these are actually F-Toy 1/144 scale models but there are larger to be used as a medium tanks & 4 are Die Cast Toys  that are going to be used as heavy tanks for the Felids from Khuasan miniatures.  Additionally I picked up the new Legion models from Rebel Miniatures and already have vehicles for them, they are being equipped with walkers as their primary vehicles.  The walkers are old models from Takara & Bandai that were made in the 1980s & I was lucky enough to win four auctions on eBay getting 2 Takara Dougram 1/144 Dessert Gunner Walkers in addition to 3 Takara Dougram 1/144 Grab Gunner Walkers All in Die Cast.  I got 2 Smaller Grab Gunners which I will use as Scouts these are Plastic /Rubber & 7 Zentradi Battle Pods including a Officers Pod.   I also picked up 2 more copies of the Star Craft Board Game & 1 Copy of Star Craft Risk to complete my Zerg Army & will be putting together a Protos Army as well.   This is in addition to various Droids & War Bots.  The Humans also got most of the Vehicles to complete most of their TO&Es.

I will be Posting Pics of these forces over the next few Weeks Starting with the Zerg Force tomorrow.  Then I will be posting regular progress reports on each of  these forces as well as those I have already posted.

More Goodies From e Bay

More of my loot from e Bay First of a size comparison Will be done with Khurasan Neo-Arabs or Eurika Sci Fi German Storm Troops.

These are 1/144th Models from F-Toys.  But they will work just fine with 15mm figures as Medium or Heavy Vehicles.  The Tank is going to my Khurasan Felids & the Walker I' not Quite sure ho gets it yet..  They only ran me $11.50 For the Tank & 12.50 for the Walker U.S. including shipping.

Hive Mind (Zerg) 1/2 way to play

I just finished up 3 Mutalisk & 6 Scourges for the Zerg.  Finally they have some Fast Moving troops.  Here are some Pictures of the force so Far.

Army So Far

Hive Mind (zerg) Strengthened

The force of the Hive Mind have been Strengthened by a second horde of 10 Zerglings, 5 Hydrolisks, & 2 Ultralisks to add to the 8 Zerglings & 1 Ultralisk already finished.  Still a long way from finished with the starting force I've got. Not even 1/2 way done with starting ground units & haven't even started on the Air units yet.

Hive Mind Color fixed

I was informed that my pictures of the Zerg had a to much yellow in them.  So I took new picture & auto fixed color with Gimp I think i got it right.

Hive Mind Zerg Squad

This is the first Squad of 8 Zerglings.  For my Gruntz Hive Mind Army.

The UnBorn

For thousands of years they have been the serge of the galaxy Leaving death & destruction in their wake. Continuing a war that has long since been lost to all but them who only remember it as a vague impulse in the blackness of their memories. Having never been born consumed by Hate they are the destroyers of worlds. They are the Unborn & I am using the sybot from Astro Miniatures to represent my Basic infantry within the Unborn, they are perfect to represent any form of non-Biological life. The Unborn are a Race of machine with Very advance artificial intelligences who are the enemy of all Biological Life. Their Creators long dead They continue to perform the Tasks they had been created for the Total Dedication of War. They Do not have Any Fear even in death they Return again to Serve Instantly ripped from the useless form & within a Few seconds being down loaded into a new form., Even if light years from One of their Dark Arks. When this happens they bring all their Knowledge & Experience But they have Lost Much of the origin of their Beginnings. They Are Still Evolving as they absorb the Technology of all those they destroy. The basic form is as considered assault Power Armor for game purpose.

Why I chose 15mm Sci-Fi

 I was away from gaming for over 5 years.  Prior to this I played a lot of Genres in a couple of scales.  Then most companies Started to become the flavor of the month gaming & all about Profit It was no longer about the hobby any more.  Firstly I understand most companies are in business to make a profit.  But It was no longer about strategy & tactics it was about making the new releases sell so it became all about who cold afford the Newest best units & a lot of gamers & even miniatures companies Started allowing or playing with unpainted models.  Part of my enjoyment of the hobby is the preparation I put into my Miniatures & seeing what other gamers have done with their miniatures.  Don't get me wrong I enjoy getting together & gaming as much as the next Guy but have never used unpainted Miniature in a game, I have however used Proxy models to represent a force I haven't finish or am considering purchasing.  I admit up until recently wee were using a friend WW2 Infantry & Tanks to simulate Sci-Fi Forces.  This is due to all the other gamers I game with having multiple gaming Interest as I used to.  So when I decided to play gruntz 15mm Sci-Fi & Hammers Slammers the Cruisable in 15mm I Purchased all of the Forces for us to Use & am Assembling & Painting them all With only a Little Advice on Modelling & Painting from every one.  I will admit I went over Board on my spending when I Started back up again & have way to much to build & paint at this Time.  I still Have to get more vehicles as I Have Nearly One Thousand 15mm Figure & Only a handful of vehicles.  I Plan to build My Forces Up as I go On, I Need Vehicle for my aliens Each with 2 Infantry Platoons Currently only 3 Forces. My AI Army 60 Infantry Cybots, 12 Spider bots, 18 Drones & 3 Grav Scouts.   Need to replace My Blower Tanks For My Slammers Still have a Foll Platoon of Combat Cars & 4 Jeeps + 24 Infantry Skimmers to Form part of each of my 2 Platoons of Infantry Will Try to get them in October or November .   Both  Tomorrow's War Forces with 50 or 60 minis each from GZG But have no Vehicles for them yet.  2 Human force From my Hammer Slammers Starter Sets By GZG but I Stole their vehicle for My Largest force Consisting of 2 Platoon Pack of each of Khurasans Red Faction & Neo-Arabs as a single force with only 2 Light Tanks 6 APCs & 9 1/2 tracks &  I need more.  My Venusian need more APCs for their 2 Platoons But are using all My GEV  Consisting of a  British Battle Force From Combat Wombat & the 4 Old Crow Models Hammers Slammers Blower Tanks except those listed above in my slammers.  My Control Battalion have no vehicles yet but 2 platoons of infantry, Space Nazies the Same.   My Khurasan Federal are using the 12 tracked vehicles I go from Combat Wombat.  I do have 20 Light & scout mechs or mech Specialist units as I am classifying them & just got 6 Micro Panzer 2 leg walker & 20 or 30 infantry. In addition I have 3 Grave Scout Cars & 1 Grav Tank from Combat Wombat. My wife was trying to help me out with this problem & ordered me 2 packs of Zod Super Tanks We didn't Know about the Pircy Issue at the time.  So I have 24 Tanks that are so small that I have decide that once I get my Main forces out of the way they will become 1/2 Tracks &/or Double tracked vehicle This will help with my vehicle situation.

I've Noticed a lack of Alien looking vehicles in 15mm Sci-Fi, but the few I have seen are really Nice.   We need more of these. 

Firstly I Love the current miniature being produced in 15mm.  Sci-Fi allows more freedom from restritions in the way of equiptment uniforms Weapons Ect.  I chose gruntz because it is not Directly affiliated with a Single miniatures brand & allows Most options I am interested in & can be easily modified to suite.  Robin is also very active in the comunity I asked a question yesterday & had an anser today on a mod to the rules.  Nothing official but He allowed me not to have to brek down the complat point system to do Something Unusial.  Finally 15mm is the last affordable scale & I can paint th miniatures even if not as well as others,  watch out I am improving quickly guys as time gose on I will constantly be improving with my modlling & painting. 

Thanks for listenning to my rant

Tim Vidlak