Showing posts with label 20mm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 20mm. Show all posts
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Dead Shall Consume - 20mm Zombies From Elheim Miniatures
Keeping along the lines of Zombie gaming in 20mm (1/72nd), here are some pics of zombies from Elhiem Miniatures - The Dead Shall Consume range. I highly recommend them; Matt is a talented sculptor, and a good guy to boot.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Zombie Gaming On The Cheap - 1/72nd Plastics
Ok, "on the cheap" is a relative term in the world of miniature war gaming. Any gamer who has bought more than one figure in their lifetime can attest to that. Still, as a frugal gamer, there are ways to put a lot of figs on the table, without putting too much hurt on the pocket book. Most people Zombie game in either 28mm, or 15mm metal. I'm here to tell you there is an inexpensive alternative; 1/72nd Plastics (20mm ostensibly).
With advances in plastics production in recent years, along with the rising interest in 20mm ranges, outside WWII, you can fill the table with not only survivors, but hordes of zombies, as well. Here are my suggestions:
SURVIVORS:
Caesar Miniatures has several boxes that provide amble choices for survivor types, and are the place I would look first. The boxed sets below can be gotten for around $9.00 - $10.00 USD on line, and provide anywhere from 36-41 figures each.
So, for around $30 + shipping you can get upwards of 120 survivor figs. If you are industrious, like I was, you'll paint up the best poses for yourself, and sell the rest, recouping your $$$. Paint the ones you sell, and you can actually making a small profit, which will help pay for the...
ZOMBIES
There is only one company that I know of that makes plastic zombies, compatible with 1/72nd/20mm, and that is "Twilight Creations"; producers of the beer and pretzel game series "Zombies". The zombies come in only 4, maybe 5, different poses, but can be bought in bags of 100 (aptly named "Bag O Zombies") for again, about $9.00 - $10.00 USD on line. The differnt main types of zombies they offer are:
the basic zombies which come in the boxed game, as well in the voluminous "Bag O Zombies"...
Bag O Zombie Babes...
The oh so fun "Bag O Zombie Clowns...
Not pictured are the Zombie dogs, for a little Resident Evil action, and the Glow In The Dark Zombies, which are the basic Zeds which glow in the dark. Maybe there is a Zombie Chernobyl scenario to be had there someplace. The Zombies game also offers a lone Survivor pose that could be used as well; if one was inclined. What I did was buy the basic Zombies game. This gave me a slew of Zombies to use, as well as a game to play with the kids that was a quick and enjoyable diversion.
What Do They Look Like Painted?
That's a great question; I'm glad you asked. See that just goes to prove the superior intellect of those who follow my blog; they ask these timely and pointed questions. Here are some shots of what some of the above mentioned plastics look like:
Zombie babes and basic Zeds:
Mixed Zombies and a 5 man Caesar SAS team (discontinued, but some of the poses made it into the "Modern Special Forces Worldwide box):
Mixed Zombies and a 6 man Caesar US Army team:
What About Terrain and Vehicles In This Scale?
Well, this post was really meant to be about figures that you could use. Since no one wants to game on a flat, featureless surface, I'll touch on it. In 1/72nd / 20mm scale the best way to go is with HO scale model RR buildings. They can be expensive; if you watch E-Bay hard, you can find some really good deals, though. As far as vehicles go, you can choose anything from die cast cars from the Dollar Store to metal 20mm military vehicles to go with your figs. Go back to the "Welcome To Lazarus Battle Report" post to have a see of what you can do in regards to terrain and vehicles.
Final Pontifications
I focused on Caesar for us as survivor types, because they give the best variety, within a manufacturer line. With that said, any 1/72nd scale modern military figs would work. Other manufacturers, Revell and Orion come to mind, do modern sets as well; US Infantry, German KSK and Chechen Rebels. Caesar also does a French Army/Chinese PLA set (weird combo, but it sells, I guess), so you could do a scenarios almost anywhere in the world if you wanted. Don't be constrained by pre-conceived notions of plastics and different scales; there is a lot more to choose from than first meets the eye.
With advances in plastics production in recent years, along with the rising interest in 20mm ranges, outside WWII, you can fill the table with not only survivors, but hordes of zombies, as well. Here are my suggestions:
SURVIVORS:
Caesar Miniatures has several boxes that provide amble choices for survivor types, and are the place I would look first. The boxed sets below can be gotten for around $9.00 - $10.00 USD on line, and provide anywhere from 36-41 figures each.
So, for around $30 + shipping you can get upwards of 120 survivor figs. If you are industrious, like I was, you'll paint up the best poses for yourself, and sell the rest, recouping your $$$. Paint the ones you sell, and you can actually making a small profit, which will help pay for the...
ZOMBIES
There is only one company that I know of that makes plastic zombies, compatible with 1/72nd/20mm, and that is "Twilight Creations"; producers of the beer and pretzel game series "Zombies". The zombies come in only 4, maybe 5, different poses, but can be bought in bags of 100 (aptly named "Bag O Zombies") for again, about $9.00 - $10.00 USD on line. The differnt main types of zombies they offer are:
the basic zombies which come in the boxed game, as well in the voluminous "Bag O Zombies"...
Bag O Zombie Babes...
The oh so fun "Bag O Zombie Clowns...
Not pictured are the Zombie dogs, for a little Resident Evil action, and the Glow In The Dark Zombies, which are the basic Zeds which glow in the dark. Maybe there is a Zombie Chernobyl scenario to be had there someplace. The Zombies game also offers a lone Survivor pose that could be used as well; if one was inclined. What I did was buy the basic Zombies game. This gave me a slew of Zombies to use, as well as a game to play with the kids that was a quick and enjoyable diversion.
What Do They Look Like Painted?
That's a great question; I'm glad you asked. See that just goes to prove the superior intellect of those who follow my blog; they ask these timely and pointed questions. Here are some shots of what some of the above mentioned plastics look like:
Zombie babes and basic Zeds:
Mixed Zombies and a 5 man Caesar SAS team (discontinued, but some of the poses made it into the "Modern Special Forces Worldwide box):
Mixed Zombies and a 6 man Caesar US Army team:
What About Terrain and Vehicles In This Scale?
Well, this post was really meant to be about figures that you could use. Since no one wants to game on a flat, featureless surface, I'll touch on it. In 1/72nd / 20mm scale the best way to go is with HO scale model RR buildings. They can be expensive; if you watch E-Bay hard, you can find some really good deals, though. As far as vehicles go, you can choose anything from die cast cars from the Dollar Store to metal 20mm military vehicles to go with your figs. Go back to the "Welcome To Lazarus Battle Report" post to have a see of what you can do in regards to terrain and vehicles.
Final Pontifications
I focused on Caesar for us as survivor types, because they give the best variety, within a manufacturer line. With that said, any 1/72nd scale modern military figs would work. Other manufacturers, Revell and Orion come to mind, do modern sets as well; US Infantry, German KSK and Chechen Rebels. Caesar also does a French Army/Chinese PLA set (weird combo, but it sells, I guess), so you could do a scenarios almost anywhere in the world if you wanted. Don't be constrained by pre-conceived notions of plastics and different scales; there is a lot more to choose from than first meets the eye.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Welcome To Lazarus - All Things Zombies Battle Report
(Please Note, this game is a one off game that takes place around Day 9 or 10 during the zombie outbreak in Lazarus. It doesn't really have anything to do with my current campaign.)
Things had fallen apart quicker than anyone could have imagined. The authorities did the best they could. When it became obvious that the dead were truly coming back and feasting on the living, all bets were off, though. Human nature took over and the flight portion of the "fight or flight" instinct took over. Survivors streamed out of the city, fending for themselves; trying to reach safety, their families, or whatever drove them to take another step forward. In small groups, the survivors made their way into the suburbs, in hopes of making out of the city.
View of Lazarus
Turn 1 – Four survivors move down the road. Their intent is to make it to the safety of the Police Station in the town of Lazarus. They move Indian file, with SWAT Sgt Thomas (Rep 4, Brawler, BAMP) in the lead. He is followed by Officer Gates (Rep 3, Slow, Shotgun), who is still in his off duty attire. Behind him is SWAT Officer Stanley (Rep 3, Brawler, Pistol). Bringing up the rear is Police Detective Benton (Rep 4, Slow, ARifle) He is armed with a fully auto AK-47, taken from a now undead gang banger.
Zombie Knockdown
Turn 2 – A Zombie rises up out of ditch on the far side of the road. Det. Benton is startled by the zombies appearance, and fires off a three round burst, striking the zombie squarely in the chest and knocking it into the ditch. Knowing that the gunfire will attract more undead, the men break into a run, with Sgt Thomas and Officer Stanley easily out pacing the two slower men.
Turn 3 – The zombie in the ditch pulls itself to its feet, and another appears from around the corner.
Making a run for it
Turns 4/5 – The survivors continue to run towards the safety of the Police Station. The two zombies shamble along after them. Sgt Thomas and Stanley stop at the intersection and wait for the other two to catch up.
Turn 6 – The zombies continue their pursuit, as the 4 men gather themselves on the corner, down the block from the Police station.
Turns 7/8 – The zombies press forward, as the survivors attempt to get their bearings and catch their breath.
A zombie charges Off. Gates
Turn 9 – Our survivors took too long to get moving. The first zombie charges Officer Gates. He holds his fire and brings the butt of his shotgun down on the zombie's head. It's obvious that the zombie is not dead, as it tries to get back up. The four men move down the block to the front door of the police station.
Entering The Police Station
Turn 10 – Sgt Thomas and Officers Gates and Stanley enter the building, while Det. Benton takes up a position behind an abandoned sports car. He covers the front of the building, as the other three clear the building. As the three men enter, it is obvious that there are no survivors on the first floor. They are greeted by two advancing undead. Sgt Thomas dispatches the first zombie with a single shot to the head. Officer Stanley shoots the second one in the leg, causing it to fall to the ground. As it wallows on the floor, he "pops" it in the middle of the forehead.
Clearing the 1st Floor
Zombies Advance
Turn 11 – The gun fire attracts two more zombies. One rises from the shadows in the alley; mere feet from Det. Benton. With deceptive speed, it charges him. The sight of the attacking zombie un-nerves Benton, and he makes a break for the police station. He makes it safely inside and bolts the doors.
Zombies beating on the door
Turn 12 – As Det. Benton huddles under the duty desk in terror, listening to the zombies beating on the front doors, the other three men begin to clear the second floor. They advance carefully up the stairs and down the main hallway. Suddenly, a zombie lurches from a doorway; clawing at Sgt. Thomas. He rips off a burst from his MP-5, knocking the zombie back into the wall. As Officers Stanley and Gates watch this, two more zombies charge into the hall; taking them by surprise. One zombie grabs Officer Gates, who fights for his life; keeping the zombie at bay. The other undead crashes into Officer Stanley, throwing him into the wall. His head hits the floor, with the sound of a melon. He is out of the fight. The zombie moves in for the kill.
Officer Stanley goes down
Turn 13 – The gunfire from inside the building has attracted another zombie, which searches the alley in the back of the station for an entrance. Sgt. Thomas "pops" the zombie on the floor, and turns his weapon on the zombie attacking Officer Stanley. He fires a burst into its back, knocking it down. Officer Gates does a leg sweep, and knocks the zombie attacking him to the floor. He quickly dispatches it with a head shot.
Zombie emerges from Speedy Bail Bonds
Turn 14 – A zombie shuffles out of the Speedy Bail Bonds office, on the side of the station building. The zombie remaining zombie inside the Police Station, claws it way to its feet. As it does so, both Sgt Thomas and Officer Gates move in and start to bludgeon it.
Zombies gather at the door
Turn 15 – On the second floor, the remaining zombie attacks Sgt Thomas, it snaps at him viciously. Sgt Thomas bashes it with the butt of his weapon, to no effect. Officer Gates moves in behind the zombie and kicks its legs out from underneath it. He finishes it off with a well placed shot to the back of the head.
Aftermath – With the building secure, the men set about business. After finding some medical supplies, Sgt Thomas tended to Officer Stanley. Unfortunately, his head wound was too grievous, and he died later that night. The men solemnly put a bullet into his head, so that he wouldn't rise from the dead. They searched the building for useful items. They found 2 pistols, allowing the three remaining survivors each to have a side arm. The also found a Tech-9 (MPistol) and several cases of ammo in the evidence locker. Along with the reloads on them, they had more in their sanctuary, along with the now deceased Officer Stanley's body armor. They couldn't find any keys to the police cruiser parked outside, so they speculated that the keys may be in it. They also found a roll of Duct tape (ATZ Rare Loot table from THW site). This might come in useful, later. After a time, Detective Benton regains his nerves and seems to be his old self again (recovery from the Runaway, result earlier)
Things had fallen apart quicker than anyone could have imagined. The authorities did the best they could. When it became obvious that the dead were truly coming back and feasting on the living, all bets were off, though. Human nature took over and the flight portion of the "fight or flight" instinct took over. Survivors streamed out of the city, fending for themselves; trying to reach safety, their families, or whatever drove them to take another step forward. In small groups, the survivors made their way into the suburbs, in hopes of making out of the city.
View of Lazarus
Turn 1 – Four survivors move down the road. Their intent is to make it to the safety of the Police Station in the town of Lazarus. They move Indian file, with SWAT Sgt Thomas (Rep 4, Brawler, BAMP) in the lead. He is followed by Officer Gates (Rep 3, Slow, Shotgun), who is still in his off duty attire. Behind him is SWAT Officer Stanley (Rep 3, Brawler, Pistol). Bringing up the rear is Police Detective Benton (Rep 4, Slow, ARifle) He is armed with a fully auto AK-47, taken from a now undead gang banger.
Zombie Knockdown
Turn 2 – A Zombie rises up out of ditch on the far side of the road. Det. Benton is startled by the zombies appearance, and fires off a three round burst, striking the zombie squarely in the chest and knocking it into the ditch. Knowing that the gunfire will attract more undead, the men break into a run, with Sgt Thomas and Officer Stanley easily out pacing the two slower men.
Turn 3 – The zombie in the ditch pulls itself to its feet, and another appears from around the corner.
Making a run for it
Turns 4/5 – The survivors continue to run towards the safety of the Police Station. The two zombies shamble along after them. Sgt Thomas and Stanley stop at the intersection and wait for the other two to catch up.
Turn 6 – The zombies continue their pursuit, as the 4 men gather themselves on the corner, down the block from the Police station.
Turns 7/8 – The zombies press forward, as the survivors attempt to get their bearings and catch their breath.
A zombie charges Off. Gates
Turn 9 – Our survivors took too long to get moving. The first zombie charges Officer Gates. He holds his fire and brings the butt of his shotgun down on the zombie's head. It's obvious that the zombie is not dead, as it tries to get back up. The four men move down the block to the front door of the police station.
Entering The Police Station
Turn 10 – Sgt Thomas and Officers Gates and Stanley enter the building, while Det. Benton takes up a position behind an abandoned sports car. He covers the front of the building, as the other three clear the building. As the three men enter, it is obvious that there are no survivors on the first floor. They are greeted by two advancing undead. Sgt Thomas dispatches the first zombie with a single shot to the head. Officer Stanley shoots the second one in the leg, causing it to fall to the ground. As it wallows on the floor, he "pops" it in the middle of the forehead.
Clearing the 1st Floor
Zombies Advance
Turn 11 – The gun fire attracts two more zombies. One rises from the shadows in the alley; mere feet from Det. Benton. With deceptive speed, it charges him. The sight of the attacking zombie un-nerves Benton, and he makes a break for the police station. He makes it safely inside and bolts the doors.
Zombies beating on the door
Turn 12 – As Det. Benton huddles under the duty desk in terror, listening to the zombies beating on the front doors, the other three men begin to clear the second floor. They advance carefully up the stairs and down the main hallway. Suddenly, a zombie lurches from a doorway; clawing at Sgt. Thomas. He rips off a burst from his MP-5, knocking the zombie back into the wall. As Officers Stanley and Gates watch this, two more zombies charge into the hall; taking them by surprise. One zombie grabs Officer Gates, who fights for his life; keeping the zombie at bay. The other undead crashes into Officer Stanley, throwing him into the wall. His head hits the floor, with the sound of a melon. He is out of the fight. The zombie moves in for the kill.
Officer Stanley goes down
Turn 13 – The gunfire from inside the building has attracted another zombie, which searches the alley in the back of the station for an entrance. Sgt. Thomas "pops" the zombie on the floor, and turns his weapon on the zombie attacking Officer Stanley. He fires a burst into its back, knocking it down. Officer Gates does a leg sweep, and knocks the zombie attacking him to the floor. He quickly dispatches it with a head shot.
Zombie emerges from Speedy Bail Bonds
Turn 14 – A zombie shuffles out of the Speedy Bail Bonds office, on the side of the station building. The zombie remaining zombie inside the Police Station, claws it way to its feet. As it does so, both Sgt Thomas and Officer Gates move in and start to bludgeon it.
Zombies gather at the door
Turn 15 – On the second floor, the remaining zombie attacks Sgt Thomas, it snaps at him viciously. Sgt Thomas bashes it with the butt of his weapon, to no effect. Officer Gates moves in behind the zombie and kicks its legs out from underneath it. He finishes it off with a well placed shot to the back of the head.
Aftermath – With the building secure, the men set about business. After finding some medical supplies, Sgt Thomas tended to Officer Stanley. Unfortunately, his head wound was too grievous, and he died later that night. The men solemnly put a bullet into his head, so that he wouldn't rise from the dead. They searched the building for useful items. They found 2 pistols, allowing the three remaining survivors each to have a side arm. The also found a Tech-9 (MPistol) and several cases of ammo in the evidence locker. Along with the reloads on them, they had more in their sanctuary, along with the now deceased Officer Stanley's body armor. They couldn't find any keys to the police cruiser parked outside, so they speculated that the keys may be in it. They also found a roll of Duct tape (ATZ Rare Loot table from THW site). This might come in useful, later. After a time, Detective Benton regains his nerves and seems to be his old self again (recovery from the Runaway, result earlier)
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