War Machines?

[awakeneddragon]

I was reading through the main site introduction (http://www.dark-age.com/gameinfo.php) and I found this under Support Structure: "...with numerous planned expansions (races, settings, war machines, etc..."

Is DA really going to have war machines? I remember seeing a little of this discussion elsewhere, but it's in the works, then?

[Cain]

I could see both the Forsaken and Skarrd deploying WMs I don't think we are talking tanks here, but maybe big bolt thowers or something like big flame throwers... :twisted:

[DA_Grafter]

BTW I would consider Abomination a Warmachine...

[awakeneddragon]

BTW I would consider Abomination a Warmachine...
*whew!* That's a relief! The only other reference that sprang into mind was the horse-drawn ploughs (http://www.dark-age.com/gameinfo.php) (^_ ^) "Beware my crop sowing! I cleave the recalcitrant earth!"

This would make any grafted unit technically a "warmachine," then? Traditionally, I imagine a certain size would actually win the title. Abominable is a big dude...

[punkrabbitt]

War Machines in Dark Age will not be what you expect from other games... the Skarrd Abomination is one example, other things to consider would be, say, Saint Mark's command truck or maybe some Dragyri Slaves cobbling together some mining equipment for siege work.

I can almost guarantee that there are not enough resources to go around for the existing factions to have tanks. Any vehicles will most likely have all the sturdiness of a nice off-road racing truck but about half the mechanical reliability. Although nothing colid has been developed yet, I would personally imagine it to be a bit like Gorkamorka if every gang only was allowed one vehicle. Some would get a ramshckle truck for everyone to pile into, others would try for a small, faster vehicle with a bit of a weapon on it, and maybe a few would even opt to have their leader or 2ic ona zippy bike kind of thing, to better scoot around and maybe rally some of those fleeing cowards.

Historically, in our real world, dedicated transport vehicles (as opposed to infantry fighting vehicles) would generally drop the troops off a ways from the front line and then retire to the rear. The same was often true of motorcycles used dtrictly for transport. Those nice german motorbikes with the sidecar and the machinegun were a different story, but the Italian Alke had a MG on the handlebars was designed to have that MG removed for footpounding action.

[steeldragon]

I just imagined a gigantic-grafted-lizard for Skarrd transport...

:roll:

Andres

[awakeneddragon]

I put my vote in for keeping it hand-to-hand (claw, maw, etc).


Historically, in our real world, dedicated transport vehicles (as opposed to infantry fighting vehicles) would generally drop the troops off a ways from the front line and then retire to the rear. The same was often true of motorcycles used dtrictly for transport. Those nice german motorbikes with the sidecar and the machinegun were a different story, but the Italian Alke had a MG on the handlebars was designed to have that MG removed for footpounding action.
I like the idea of leaving our bikes at the front door so we can go in and kill things like decent savages...

[prclimber]

I like the idea of leaving our bikes at the front door so we can go in and kill things like decent savages...

But of course, how else would you do it?

About the warmachines, me personally, I'd like to see possible some sort of light vehicle or maybe a small cannon of some sort, but really nothing much at all. I like the current feel of the game and world, and, as mentioned, resources would be too scarce to really warrant cobbling together a tank that's only half-way reliable.

~PRC

[Stunke]

Besides, technically the game rules dont quite support such things as armour values for tanks (more than St. Mark anyways).

Seriously the thing would have an AR of 50. What are you supposed to do? Bring a file and a can opener and hope for the thing to break down long enough for you to get through?
unless OFC the brood gets an equivalent of a carnifex... THEN were talking business again!

:twisted:

[Duskland]

This whole conversation reminds me of the old computer game KKnD ( :evil: Krush, Kill & Destroy :twisted: ). I'll take my giant scorpians and missle launching crabs please :D .

Seriously now I don't see much room for more than walkers (abomination, Howler) and maybe a few fast attack units (like bikes or mutant wolf riders for the skarrd). This size of game doesn't really fit with large vehicles as given infantry speed most could drive across the table in one turn and fire many table lengths away.

[Cyinn]

I want my giant six legged slave mount ice elemental plz. like the slaves would have slings and spears and stuff and the elemental could crap out cyrstal mine fields :twisted: .

[DA_Grafter]

Dragyri warbeast is more plausable because it is fantasy based, and you can see a buzzblade killing it, but I just don't see a bunch of Bolas, or even Coils for that matter hacking at a A1 Abrams Tank...

The game of Dark Age will scale, what fun is it to have nothing better to look forward to, but there is a limit to that scale just because of the genre and the mood of the story. I can tell you that more warmachines are in the work and light vehicles will certainly be considered. But, at this point, we have to bring you The Skarrd, Saint Mary, Saint John, Saint Luke, Prevailers, Dragyri Air Caste and The Brood. Once we catch up all the forcebooks to our miniature releases. We will be looking seriously into this issue. But for now, expect to see a new book every 3-4 months with 2 forces featured in it. There will be tons of interesting miniatures down the line. You won't be dissappointed.

[Cyinn]

I think the warmachines will be limited to abomination sized possibly doubly big if we are dealing with heavy calvery but no tanks, tanks would turn the game into a "who ever kills the tank first wins" senario.

[DA_Magpie]

Although I admit I'll get foolishly over exited at the first serious mention of a Dark Age Tank I have to agree with not having them. There's a certain drama to seeing the larger Brood and Dragyri towering over smaller figures, which would be lost if there was an even bigger tank looming over them.

Of course I love the sound a Dragyri Warbeast, and I'm not going to stop hopping from foot to foot until I get my Howler (obligatory hassling) but frankly I'd rather seen new races/ factions within races released than watch as everything scales up into forces worth thousands of points which are capable to taking down the huge warmachines. Plus: as has been noted before, they just don't seem to fit with the themes of the world.

[steeldragon]

I know it has nothing to do with Brom, but Tank Girl is perfect for Samaria...

Andres

[gunslinger]

i love discussion based on speculation.. lol everyones opinion seems steeped too deeplyin their own ideas of what is feasible and not.. lol

i just hope people don't get heated over something that to this point is "going to happen sometime".

grafter has pretty much given us a good idea of what we will see..

[DA_Magpie]

Fair point

[gunslinger]

i will give you that point.. i have just seen too many arguments started from rumormill.. lol

[punkrabbitt]

But rumormill is best... if I can toss out a twisted bit of info, I can find two contestants willing to step into the chalk circle waiting for the call of "Mortal Kombat!"

[Shinobi]

When the resin Howler is eventually released, there could be options for riders, weapons etc...... maybe even roller-skate-mounted-feet, or even a spine-grafted-jet-engine-(V1 style)..... or even..... or even....... gotta love speculation!!!



Cavalry, portable artillery (note the word 'portable'!!!) - this is what I feel is feasible with the fluffs mention of technology level, resource availability etc

[Stunke]

The jet-engine howler is now at the top of my christmas wishlist!

[Shinobi]

Would also be very useful for the Brood to dispose of all unwanted enemy body parts........ just feed them in through the intake, and out comes 100% natural battlefield fertiliser!


Would luv to see the movement potential for the best in one activation, but would rather not see the MAL value!!!! :roll:

[awakeneddragon]

Although I admit I'll get foolishly over exited at the first serious mention of a Dark Age Tank I have to agree with not having them. There's a certain drama to seeing the larger Brood and Dragyri towering over smaller figures, which would be lost if there was an even bigger tank looming over them.

Of course I love the sound a Dragyri Warbeast, and I'm not going to stop hopping from foot to foot until I get my Howler (obligatory hassling) but frankly I'd rather seen new races/ factions within races released than watch as everything scales up into forces worth thousands of points which are capable to taking down the huge warmachines. Plus: as has been noted before, they just don't seem to fit with the themes of the world.
I like feeling like I'm in the fight with the troops, rather than the tanks and the long range missles and the fighter bombers. I like the motion and rhythm of the DA rules as they are and like the development of units within armies, rather than ordnance.

If DA keeps true to the world, then I've no fear that we'll suddenly be awash with fluff like vehicle rules. (^_ ^)

[Shinobi]

If DA keeps true to the world, then I've no fear that we'll suddenly be awash with fluff like vehicle rules. (^_ ^)


To be honest, and IMHO, , I really doubt whether there will be 'vehicle' rules in the traditional sense. Looking at the background of the game, technology is a rare wonder, with a horrible tendency to backfire and malfunction. Have a read of St Mark's background.

To fit in with the background, there would probably never be tanks in DA. There may be very limited numbers of light vehicles, but these would be in the hands of leaders, and only used for extremely important occasions.

The inclusion of cavalry mounted on creatures, trained warbeasts, and mutated monstrosities would probably be the closest we get in the game.

As far as weaponry is concerned, I doubt whether large 'high-level' technology weapons will ever be seen, but there should be larger projectile weapons based on trebuchets, ballista, catapults etc.

My opinion, my views........... whatever comes, I'm lovin' it!!!!!

[Cain]

Seriously the thing would have an AR of 50. What are you supposed to do? Bring a file and a can opener and hope for the thing to break down long enough for you to get through?
unless OFC the brood gets an equivalent of a carnifex... THEN were talking business again!


You make a good point... I could see the Brood producing a "large" beast...maybe something like a giant fleshy blob thing with lots of tentacles/arms...

[Stunke]

You make a good point... I could see the Brood producing a "large" beast...maybe something like a giant fleshy blob thing with lots of tentacles/arms...

Yeah, I've already decided what to call it.

"The Howler"

[Cain]

You really seem to favor this "Howler"...what are the stats? Just so I know why my Forsaken are jumping off the board...

[DA_Magpie]

No Howler stats available for the new rules yet. And yes, its turning into a pet obsession around here...

[Shinobi]

No Howler stats available for the new rules yet. And yes, its turning into a pet obsession around here...

The Brood........... taking care of all your pet needs:

1) The Howler - large, strong, makes an excellent guard....erm...thing!! Also loves children...... but couldn't eat too many.

2) Brood Hounds - a Sawblade's best friend.... loyal, understanding, will happily go for hunts with its master, will even collect the mail (though getting the blood off the letters and parcels is a little problematic).... just don't call him poochy.

3) PUDS!!!!!!!!! - yes, those cute and cuddly balls of flesh and teeth just love to curl up in your lap as you watch the latest episodes of "Mean Jellybean Cooks Human" and "Monday Night Ratchet Ball". Favourite activities include Throw (Pud Throwing Stick not included), Hide and Seek, and who could forget the kid's favourite, Pud Snooker!


Coming soon to a petshop near you: Brood Horse-Puds, Brood Fish-Puds and the highly anticipated Brood Giant-Puds.

[Stunke]

You really seem to favor this "Howler"...what are the stats? Just so I know why my Forsaken are jumping off the board...

Well simply put, the Howler is a bigass tough-as-nails, acidblooded behemoth with LOTS of razor sharp claws and is capable of screaming people to death.

It doesn't get much more rock 'n roll than that!!!!

[punkrabbitt]

http://www.coolminiornot.com/pics/pics5/img3f45158ab9aaa.jpg

[Pr0fane]

Just so it's crystal clear, everybody should know that the image Punkrabbitt is sharing is his conversion, not the official miniature.

A very cool conversion though.

[Hasimir]

I see vehicles in DA following a very Mad Max feeling and style... rugged mechanics, fire-flashing smoke-tossing gasoline tanks with wheels, "skeleton" buggys with just the wheels, the seats and the engine while the plating is absent or incomplete :twisted:

Crazy pilots driving into clouds of reddish desert-dust, highjakers jumping from one vehicle to the other, steam-trucks ramming panicked bystanders ... enraged TrueBorn ramming overconfident steam-trucks :roll:

That's what I would like to see in DA for what concerns vehicles :twisted:

And I think the system will support it fairly well... it's all a matter of perspective and HOW the rules are twisted, added and modded.

I belive in DA 8)

[Cain]

Well simply put, the Howler is a bigass tough-as-nails, acidblooded behemoth with LOTS of razor sharp claws and is capable of screaming people to death.

Yeah just what I wanted to hear.... :x A beast with a sonic blast..very cool,but how in the world are the rest of us sods supposed to kill it?

And why do those Pud throwers have those little tails??? It's like a little nubby or something.. :roll:

[Shinobi]

Yeah just what I wanted to hear.... :x A beast with a sonic blast..very cool,but how in the world are the rest of us sods supposed to kill it?

You ain't supposed to!! Its us Brood playas mentally controlling the DA staff to give us an invincible unit.............. hyuk, hyuk!!

Actually, the Saints, the Abomination, Deaths Device should still be able to handle it...... not quickly though, but eventually.



And why do those Pud throwers have those little tails??? It's like a little nubby or something.. :roll:

Its all a question of Aerodynamics (trust me on this, I'm a professional!). Despite looking like multi-tailed sperm, the appendages at the rear of the Pud are there to allow some vector control during airborne travel........ call them the Cruise Missiles of the Dark Age world. The appendages also allow fairly fast ground movement, acting as rubbery legs and springs for the Pud to thrust itself towards the enemy!!



or.........




I could just be talking a load of bull!! :twisted:

Hey, I have an excuse for today's mental instability..... its Friday, and I'm looking forward to the DA Painting Competition tomorrow!!!