First up, it’s my birthday today!
So I’m very glad that as a present every company spent the last few weeks of just HAMMERING out news stories and updates all ready to make sure this is the bumper post to kick off the new year. So let’s get into it!
As always, thanks to the News Fans and other patrons over on the ChargeBlog patreon for buying my time to make this wrap-up each week. If you like these roundups and find them useful, why not chip in on the Patreon?
Gunslinger has just started month 1 of Gunslinger V2. Anton is currently working hard on the first set for Raptor Diagnostics and I’m very excited to see what he’s coming up with as we’ve worked out a pretty strong concept for what they will be. In addition, we’ve nailed down the specifics for what Kojoti’s Killteams are (I’m actually writing up the docs for it once this article releases) as well as planning out teams for the next six months (even if we haven’t technically announced them yet).
Stand by for Raptor releasing on the 15th, over at https://www.patreon.com/flytrapfactory/.
Spectre Miniatures Previews What’s Coming In 2024
First up, Spectre Miniatures dropped some more previews of the upcoming Russian Motor Rifle Element they are currently working on. These figures (armed with modern AKs with UGLs and an RPG) will help to bulk out the main squad and will also be joined by some optional models including the RPG22/30 and the PKP. Interestingly, some transport options are also mentioned.
After looking at some of the discussions on the Spectre Discord, it seems that Spectre may be looking to do some more Big Army figures for both the Russian and American forces. Seeing as the market hasn’t really seen any updates for present-day regular forces, this is definitely a set of releases I can see doing rather well.
On the Spectre Discord, this work-in-progress item also popped up. Using the existing minibus as a base, it seems like Spectre is investigating adding some more stowage options, with the post asking for some feedback. It’s also worth noting that it seems like the kit also includes the most destroyed items on any vehicles, wing mirrors!
Finally, Spectre had an announcement for the start of 2024. First up, a few things about Spectre’s plans for this year. They have announced an aim for at least one release each month, be that a figure release, vehicle or some scenery. These releases are going to be in resin moving forward, with special releases 3D printed – bad news for all the metal figure fans.
Rules-wise, Spectre Operations is aiming to have a PDF rules release every quarter (smaller items such as new army lists, scenarios or additional pieces) with separate larger printed supplements twice a year. Speaking of these releases, Spectre Operations has already received its first Additional Rules for solo gamers (available on the Spectre site) and an Errata/FAQ.
A big thing however is that Spectre is now stocking some Black Site Studios items in the UK. At the moment it’s just the items listed above (the core rulebooks and a Lunar start kit) but over time it’s possible we’ll see more. I know a lot of people are excited about the idea of BSS terrain coming, but it might be a while due to the sheer bulk of storing it all.
Black Site Studios Announce Breacher
Speaking of Black Site Studios, they also have their own set of modern rules coming soon. Breacher is all about taking small groups of elite private military contractors (or Breachers) up against larger forces in close-range engagements. It sounds like a very cinematic game, with the small number of figures making it perfect to get it on the board quickly and play through something cool. They actually ran a test game of it on Twitch, with a link at https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2015584550
There is also a link back to Spectre as Steve is sculpting some of the figures to go with this release (as you can see above). We’ll see more details when the game launches for pre-order on the 12th of January.
Black Powder Red Earth Drops The Conflict Bible For Spearhead
Black Powder Red Earth is continuing its preparation for the release of Spearhead in March by releasing the conflict bible that will take up the opening part of the book. This section helps to bring you up to date with the goings on in Qasra (the neighbour of Awbari), how they are going to impact and give you more information on the two new forces (Qasra’s SPEAR Brigade and Awbari’s 00 Unit Nitto). Finally, this section also includes a blow-by-blow of The Battle of the Jadid Salient, the largest battle so far detailed in BPRE’s storyline and a major escalation in the conflict. As always it’s an excellent read, and ideal to get you hyped for what is coming soon.
There have also been some updates to the core rulebooks (including the copies you buy from Amazon) with a FAQ and Errata now up on the BPRE website. Perhaps a big thing of note for people playing the game is that any of the belt-fed machine guns in the game now gain the ability to gain two ACT tokens if they stay still and instead perform a Direct Fire or Intermediate actions. This is going to help make the LMGs a little more powerful and show the benefit of finding a good lane of fire and holding it behind a belt fed.
Contact Front Updates and Shows Off The Annual
Contact Front has teased the upcoming release of The Annual, a yearly release designed to expand Contact Front with new scenarios, rules and addons. No further details at the moment, but stand by.
Additionally, the team has announced the core rules and Afghan supplement have been updated and are now almost ready to be released for Print on Demand. Current owners of the rules on Wargame Vault will get the updated version and soon you’ll be able to order the hard copy for your shelves.
Bobmack3D Announces All Vehicles For Upcoming Kickstarter
In the last week, Bobmack3d went to YouTube to have a livestream discussion about the upcoming Schwerpunkt Kickstarter that is going live on the 19th of January. As well as going over some previews, we also got the announcement of the final vehicles for the KS – the Jaguar 2 tank destroyer (shown above) and the Luchs recon vehicle. There is a good bit of discussion in the video so it’s worth giving it a watch.
This means for those keeping track at home, the vehicles included in the main release of the Kickstarter (before any stretch goals) are:
- Leopard 2A4
- Marder 1A2
- Unimog
- Jaguar 2
- Luchs
Additionally, some images of the crew figures that Combat Octopus is working on for this release have been shown off. These will be included as both separate figures and integrated into the coupla, making it easier to get them on the vehicle and printed.
Enemy Spotted Studios Adds To Print On Demand Line
Enemy Spotted Studios also released some additional figures over Christmas. These figures went up on the print-on-demand store, after having been previously exclusive to The Pack membership system.
The three sets of six figures match up to the usual ESS model, giving you a little team ready for the tabletop. The Western and Eastern Commandos are both armed with carbines, a light machine gun and a grenade launcher.
The final pack is for the Militia, giving you more figures for your insurgent group. With a pile of AKs and an RPG gunner, this set is a ready-made element.
2024 looks to be an exciting year for InCountry, with more releases and supplements on the way. There are already events in the calendar at several conventions, so it will be worth keeping an eye on what they get up to.
Black Hills Games Releases Modern Pirates
Black Hill Games released their Modern Pirates set announced last month. This set includes five fighters (including a PKM) as well as a DSHK on tripod. This set looks great and would probably work very nicely alongside last month’s release (the African Rebels) to give you a much larger force.
Additionally, this release also includes a motorboat for the tabletop. This would give you all you would need to go out on the high seas or setup the pirate base to be raided.
Combat Octopus Releases Figures For Chechnya
Combat Octopus released the first set of the Russian Army in Chechnya after previewing for the last few weeks. This pack of four figures shows the troops in a non-combat situation, ideal for either on the move or guarding specific positions. I think the set has done t a great job of including all the various bits you may need to set these figures up, as well as nailing the miserable look of troops fighting in the depth of winter.
The next set for this month will be troops in contact, giving you more combat poses (we’ll see more details over the next few weeks). Additionally, a poll on patreon seems to be pointing towards February giving us some more equipment, with a support pack of heavy weapons to add to your force.
Modern Miniatures Releases Smugglers Harbour
Modern Miniatures has released the set for this month, the Smuggler Harbour. Giving everything you’d need for a secret place to offload your secret cargo, the set is available now if you sign up to the Patreon. The pack includes a speedboat, a small harbour crane, an industrial scatter set, a modular wooden pier set and ground tiles, and a big stack of money. This feels like a table in a box (with maybe an MDF building) so I can see this being very popular.
Skullforge Studios Releases Intruder Figures
A little late unfortunately due to how the weeks worked out but Skullforge Studios released a giant set ideal for anyone with a fan of Metal Gear Solid. Intruder includes some familiar-looking characters (both heroes and villains) but also includes four different teams of goons, some of which are literally from the inspiration, others with slight adjustments to give you plenty of teams for your tabletop.
Oh, and it also includes a mech. At 1/56 scale. So keep an eye out for this once it goes up for sale on Skullforge’s gumroad store.
Urban Scatter Gaming Releases Military Cargo Assets And More
Finally, Urban Scatter Gaming finished off last month by releasing a giant chunk of stuff to finish out last month’s Patreon set. The Armourer’s shop expands the armoury released earlier in the month with some industrial tools and a workbench, as well as various guns in vices being worked on. The Military Cargo set includes a collection of various types of cargo, from weapons crates and pelican cases all the way up to cargo setup to be airdropped. The Parachuted Supply Drop Objective is a great centre.
These sets are no longer on the patreon but they will be available soon through Urban Scatter Gaming’s Gumroad page.
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