Let’s do a little round-up of the Patreons I’m currently backing that play into. I’d usually include this in my main update post but frankly, it keeps getting longer and longer to the point where it overwhelmed the main update. By putting it in its own post (and delaying it a few days), it means I can hit the update cycle of most of the Patreons I follow.
Spectre’s Patreon continues to provide some very nice models, although at maybe the not best value proposition. The terrain STL includes some updates to previously construction materials, including some truly massive pipe sections. For figures, there was a plan to give us more guys to go with an upcoming release (which I’ll mention in a moment) but due to some delays, we instead got some additional forces for the recently released insurgents, as well as sitting alongside the Insurgent PMC figures. I quite like the slightly ragtag look to them, the mix of fast helmets with a slightly older pattern web gear and weapons with last gen optics. The MP40 on the commander is definitely interesting as a choice but I think it’s in that “Odd but Plausible” category. Finally, someone picked up the Director level to get a new custom figure made and graciously chose to release it for the other Patrons. It was a fun model to paint, but I do also hope that this release wasn’t used to fill a gap in a month that struggled to match the previous one for releases. In all cases, I’ve had no issues printing the models I’ve received, even using the pre-supports. The end product is fantastic and I’m yet to print a model from Spectre that I then look at and struggle to get excited for.
There has also been a new scenario released – the first part of Operation Leatherback, seeing a Russian sleeper cell being attacked in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. It’s… okay? Maybe it’s just because I write my own scenarios (and get a lot of enjoyment out of it) but I’ve always found the Spectre scenarios a little on the weaker side. However, as I’ve said before, the written content on the Spectre Patreon is not why I’m there. The setup is definitely cool though, something different from Elites whacking Militia.
Overall, I’m still unhappy that Spectre doesn’t provide a preview and fixed release date each month, and not just because it screws up all my update posts. As it currently stands, paying for the Spectre Patreon each month is basically rolling the dice – you’re not 100% on what you’ll actually get your hands on. Luckily for the moment, they are not gating releases to only the months you pay for (if you pay in now, you can go back and grab everything released) but I can forsee them switching to that model in the future to further emphasise people sticking around. There is also definitely a lot of mentioning planned releases and then completely missing said release dates – fixing it to a preset date every month would definitely help with this.
The other side of Spectre’s Patreon is getting a sneak peek of what’s coming down the pipe for the physical releases. At the start of the month, we saw some previews for a range Spectre is calling “Local Forces”. Seeing as the preview was for the high-tier patrons only as a perk, I won’t reveal spoilers but safe to say, it’s a really cool-looking range that offers a full squad and supports weapons (including an incredible amount of AT systems). To go with this range, another preview shown was of a few limited edition figures – including an update to a certain lumbering fellow with an MG. These previews are fun but I do occasionally wonder if they are genuinely worth the excess on top of the STL only tier.
Combat Octopus has been preparing a new pack as well. After some close voting, we ended up with a team of hackers/intel operatives. I’m actually pleased he decided to go with an entirely unarmed set of figures with their tools, rather than just a continuation of the Covert/Overt figures. The strength of CO is the modularity and plenty of these parts should be great for kitbashing away. Aside from that, these will be ideal for adding to the civilian population or maybe setting up some cool undercover stealth missions – having recently watched Sneakers, I think there could be some fun gameplay using them.
EDIT: Having seen the finished pack, the new heads should also be pretty handy to add some variation to other packs (such as the KSK if you want more of a hero look to them).
Finally, for Moderns, Black Powder Red Earth has shown off their new rules coming in the Phase Line expansion. I may have had a little peek behind the curtain at what’s coming but Damn, Phase Line is some apocalyptic levels of shit for everyone involved. The background information included in the preview unleashes some pretty dramatic scenes that really fit the feel of the graphic novels. As for the game, it’s bringing in some new weapon load-outs that should change the side composition (such as the pretty deadly CQB weapons like the man above is using) AND multi-level buildings to really add to the game modes. I’m going to be covering more on BPRE 28mm soon (check the main recap post) but it’s exciting to see everyone respond to the new changes.
Okay, so now onto Fantasy. It’s heading into the spooky season and so the main thing on every 3D printing company’s mind is “How many skeletons do people REALLY need in their STL collections?”.
The answer is more.
Last Sword’s spooky models are… A LOT. Mounted undead nights, vampires in a crypt coach, an undead necromantic priest in a certain style and two undead heroes on foot and with two different mounted options. Including an Undead Griffin. I’m not an undead player in any tabletop game but honestly, I keep looking at this pack and wondering if this is the year I print them and start playing Age of Sigmar. Last Sword continues to be such a good set of designers that each set is an absolute steal. These guys will be out in the middle of the month (usually around the 15th) just in time for me to print them before Halloween.
Highland Miniatures are my other main Fantasy fix for large-scale forces, doing a really good job at building big units suitable for ranking up. For skirmish though, they are really handy models that print well and are fun to paint. Aside from the ones shown here, there is also a plague cart full of corpses (and led by a certain man bringing out the dead, if you will) but I am REALLY excited for Ghouls – from experience playing Witcher 3 and Battle Brothers show that Corpse Eaters are always a handy tool in the encounter toolbox. For example, is the disturbance at the graveyard human tomb robbers, the dead returning to life, or something equally nasty sitting in between?
The Dwarven Pikemen is an example of something that I think Highland does really well. Their range is strongly inspired by Warhammer Fantasy Battle army lists (or anyone playing systems like 9th Age) but they still have space inside that to make things their own way in their own style. The previous months of releases bring a Nordic Fantasy style of Dwarf, carving out a niche amongst the other 3d printing patreons.
Vae Victis this month brings us a release in two parts: Goblin Militia and Trick or Treaters. The Militia is a fun take on a traditional idea – putting Goblins in plate armour. They look almost comical, but for anyone running D&D, they would probably be a pretty nasty addition to your list of antagonists. They are available in both pre-built and modular form, both on foot and riding beetles. The hero models are just fun, although really nicely sculpted.
I don’t always find Vae Victis to be ideal for my fantasy gaming in the same way that Highland or Last Sword are (not always giving me the rush of new ideas or scenarios every month), but I do really like the individual heroes they release and have painted up one or two. I need to go back and look at the ahem “Frostgrave–inspired” sets to show how 3d printing the bodies can be used with the pile of leftover parts you get from the main Frostgrave/Ghost Archepeligo kits.
That’s the Patreon update for October 2022! I’ll be back next month with more upcoming releases from these Patreons, as well as maybe some of this month’s stuff printed out!
