Wednesday, September 21, 2016

DEADZONE Version 2 arrived

Got a delivery from Mantic with Deadzone version 2 rules. I have the version 1 box but never got around to playing it or painting any of it. The first page is very encouraging as it states this version is easier to learn, plays faster and has a higher body count while still being tactical. Who doesn't like a high body count?
D8, Special Dice, A4 poster, Hardback rulebook, Tokens and folded up playing surface (8x8 3 inch squares)
Genre
Skirmish 28mm wargame on a grid (cubes).

Period
Sc-Fi future with other planets, star systems etc. You know...Aliens and pew, pew, and so on.

The setting
Human Expansion via Corporations. Corporations are commercial entities that rule vast empires of space. Above them are the Council of Seven. The Council's military authority is the Enforcer Corps. Bad ass super police soldiers. Sound like fascist ass-hats to me...or maybe they are the good guys?
Good thing about this book it doesn't say these here are bad guys and them there are good guys. Depends on your factions point of view perhaps or your opponent is always the bad guy in your own narrative.
Anyway..... turns out some Planets turn to total shit because of new bio hazards or some such mystery. These Planets get quarantined. NO ENTRY!
So Scooby Doo can't get in and solve any mysteries.
Enforcers go in to cleanse these scummy shit holes. Theses planets are called DEADZONES.
Of course some Aliens/Rebels/Dwarf miners (insert faction here) sneak in to exploit them, make money and blow shit up or just try and survive the containment protocol. Yeeeehaw!

Contents page can tell you a lot about a game
Here are some aspects of the game from a quick read of the hard back rule book.

Uses 8 sided Dice. Modifiers add dice rather than modify target number to beat. Rolls of 8 = success + another dice (Exploding 8s).

The symbol Dice are Command Dice. Players roll 3 each at the start of each round and they gain bonus actions. 6 different bonuses so a D6 can be a substitute. No need to buy 'special' dice my fellow gaming friends. Symbols/Numbers, Potato/Pertatoe.

Rounds are players taking turns to move and shoot a model at a time. I go U go each figure until all done = end of turn.

Cubes. The concept of Cubes replaces rulers as these cover weapon range and movement and also maximum capacity of cube (to hold models of varying size). Line of Sight for shooting though still applies so position in a cube behind terrain does matter.

Players small forces are called 'Strike Teams' and while the model count might be small for this game the rules recommends using lots of Terrain. Models have point values and classes (Leader, Troop, Scum etc). 100 points is the basic starter Strike Team maximum that needs 12 Victory Points to win a game.

Seven factions plus Mercs to jazz up your Strike Team.

Victory points are gained by killing, getting items, objective control etc depending on the Mission of which the book has four.

But Brendon, I want good old fashioned XP! Quit your whining fool. If campaigns and going up ranks and, Experience Points is your thing then the rule book has these for you if you really, really need them.

Note to graphics.......I dislike grey behind text in these types of boxes. Just makes it harder to read.
My example 100 point Strike Teams.

The Plague (Zombie Horde)
Leader: 1 x Stage 3A "General" 16 pts + Pistol (Free)
Troops:
3 x Stage 3D "Hellhound" 6 pts each
11 x Stage 3Z "Zombie" 6 pts each

The Plague (Mutants of the Cursed Earth)
Leader: 1 x Stage 3A "General" 16 pts + Pistol (Free)
Troops:
2 x Stage 3D "Hellhound" 6 pts each
3 x Stage 3A (Mutant scum) 10 pts each + Pistols (Free)
Vehicle:
1 x Plague Strider with Assault Flamer 6 pts and Chainsaw 5 pts

Enforcers (Mega City One Judges)
Leader: Enforcer Sergeant 28 pts, AP Ammo 4 Pts
Troops:
3 x Enforcers 16 pts each
Specialist:
1 x Enforcer Medic

RATS IN SPAAAAAACE!
I wouldn't eat that if I were you! I said DON'T EAT IT!
Overall it's a great full color hardbound set of rules that has undergone a lot of improvements from the first version no doubt making it an even better game to play.

Cheers from Brendon

3 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I totally agree Michael. Thanks for the feedback. cheers

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  2. I just started playing Deadzone 2nd Edition with a mate. It is great fun for skirmish game and helps scratch the sci fi itch we have missed since the last time we played 40k (two games under the current edition of 40k when it was first released).

    The Mantic figures have improved a great deal and I am fast becoming a fan of their rules.

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