It’s the end of the month so people are frantically talking about what’s coming next. We’ve got loyalty rewards, Kickstarter previews, project teases and pre-orders for something new! Read on for more details on all the latest in this edition of The News Stand!
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Spectre Miniatures Puts Frontlines Up For Pre-Order
It’s finally here – the pre-orders for the first expansion to Spectre Operations, Frontlines, is now available for pre-order on the Spectre Miniatures website. We’ll cover more details on what the expansion will include because first, we have some have some bundles that if you’re interested in you should probably grab ASAP as they will be going offline later today. If you want the rules, they are available as purely PDF, the base game and expansion as PDFs, PDF and book, a bundle including the two card packs (Vehicles Pack 1 and Weapons Pack 1) and the expansion and the largest set giving you all you need to jump into Spectre Operations and Frontlines. Phew, that’s a lot of options!
Of course, you’ll be needing some forces to play the new rules and Spectre has prepared five covering their most popular ranges – a Ukrainian Assault Force, a Russian Assault Force, a Task Force Strike Force, an Insurgent Force and a Law Enforcement Force. Each of these sets includes a mix of infantry figures and vehicles, with a saving over buying each individually. Most also, if combined with one of the rules bundles, take you over the free shipping threshold giving you a reasonable starting point for a new army straight to the door
Of course, what is a new rules release without a limited edition model? This figure, looking slightly futuristic, is the second taste of the new Task Force Nomad range (following on from the figure released with Spectre’s V3 release). Much like the first figure, this one is also dressed in local clothing, a cloak helping to hide the webbing underneath. With a Sig MCX Lite loaded with AK mags and a large Bergen setup to help fulfil his role, the main tool in his toolbox is his gear – with a controller in his hand and a high-tech set of FPV (first-person view) goggles, he is perfectly setup to control a variety of drones, either for surveillance or something a little more deadly. He is currently only available as a physical figure and will only be around for a limited time.
And speaking of drones, let’s talk about what’s actually going to be in the new expansion. Luckily Spectre rolled out a preview for us, covering all the major points. The big ticket item (seeing as they are getting a load of cards) is the changes to vehicles – armour facings, more weapon profiles, specific embarkation points and vehicle systems massively increase the level of detail for each vehicle in your force. This also includes a brand new set of vehicles – helicopters! These rules sound like they are mostly focused on adding details to helicopters that might actually enter the play space (rather than those orbiting high above and raining down fire). The core mechanics are also getting an expansion with new actions allowing you to play around with your momentum (stealing from next turn to use this turn), affecting how your shooting can affect the target (from blind firing to warning shots). These will be handy with the new mob rules, letting you model encounters where the whole city is against you. One rule I’m excited to see back is Advisors, letting Trained fighters drag their Militia counterparts up to their level (potentially kicking and screaming). Trenches are getting a specific set of rule modifications (inspired by recent events). In a similar vein, drones are getting more details, with the addition of FPVs, drone-dropped munitions and even more stat lines for all things remote-controlled.
Overall this expansion definitely reads like it’s an evolution of the core mechanics, building on top of them or expanding sets which may have been not quite there (rather than a completely new setting or overhaul). It will be interesting to see how this fits into the game’s ecosystem, seeing as the original rules were pretty dense with options to play around with and put on the table. Frontlines is coming Winter 2024, with no specific date announced just yet.
Austin Miniatures Previews Stretch Goals for Current Kickstarter
Austin Miniatures, who are currently running Devil Dogs, Grunts and Frogmen on Kickstarter, has managed to storm through the targets and unlock all the stretch goals. We’ve had a little preview of the three main sets, German Infantry with the G36, British Commandos with the KS1 and Australians with the EF88 bullpup. The weapon models shown here include the KS1, G36 and G28 DMR The Australian figure on the right (with a temp head) shows off just one of the poses, with more on their way. The only set not shown is the North American Militia and their weird variety of weapons that we’ll see at some point.
The Kickstarter is actually going to be finishing in the next 16 hours or so, so if you’re reading this before Tue, October 1 2024 1:07 PM BST and fancy your own modular operators, don’t forget to jump in!
Black Hills Games
Black Hills Games has, just before the end of the month, dropped off a preview of the September release. Expanding the French options from last month, the Specialists pack will add AT4 launchers, grenadiers and more. As with the first set, these figures will be available with both the FAMAS or the HK416, letting you pick which era of French troops you want to portray. This set should be out soon (as we’re reaching the end of the month) so watch your inboxes!
Combat Octopus Brings The Heavy Firepower In The First Loyalty Reward
In between preparing more Eastern European Deniables and building up Mogadishu, Combat Octopus has managed to release the first loyalty reward! Patrons may have seen in the updates that it has been a bit of a trial (I’m sure the Carl Gustaf will be in his nightmares for the next few months) but as you can see the final effect is awesome and well worth the effort. All patrons who have been with Combat Octopus for more than three months (at Corporal level or higher) should have found a redemption link in their inbox so you can get your hands on them.
As for what’s in the pack, we have three torsos for three different weapon systems (RPG 7, Panzerfaust 3 and Carl Gustaf), two sets of legs in G3 combat gear and a pair of new heads. The torsos are all kitted up with the appropriate assault rifle to match the launcher and a selection of pouches while the legs match up to previous belt cut releases (such as the NAWE Octopods). Finally, those heads to me are ideals for expanding your operator force, the mixture of masks and goggles being ideal for those figures whose names would be generated from a big list and change every game (rather than the main characters).
This loyalty reward is a great addition to the last few releases and I’m already planning some for printing. The next loyalty reward is targeted for December, with more details coming soon!
Modern Miniatures Releases New Aircon Set
Fresh off releasing the T-62 this month and preparing a box truck for October, Modern Miniatures found some time to release a few decorative bits for your terrain. This new set of aircon units is ideal for adding the small touches, making your terrain feel a little more lived in. This set is available over on MMF and ready for purchase, while Dexter has also mentioned there are other items coming in October. Stand by for more news!
Turnbase Miniatures Prepares Gakou Tactics Reloaded On MMF
Finally, Turnbase Miniatures has released news of a big project coming soon. Gakou Tactics Reloaded, a new MMF Frontiers project, is coming soon, bringing a set of anime-inspired girls with guns. If you haven’t seen, Gakou Tactics was a set that Turnbase released all the way back in 2021, the set included girls with kit like the HK416, MP7, M870 and an M82. Oh and an attack Shibu Inu. Comparing the two sets, you can see how Turnbase has come on in leaps and bounds and, although I’m not quite sure what I’d use them for (and I can’t do my usual routine of complaining about accuracy), I think this will definitely be a project worth keeping an eye on when it launches. You can sign up for the pre-release over on MMF right now, so you know exactly when these girls are dropping in.
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