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Post by hardlec on Dec 16, 2021 11:36:15 GMT
It is possible for humans to get to Mars with "Steampunk Technology."
Create a tube, about 100 meters in diameter. Along side it is a tube 10 meters in diameter. Both pointed up. They are connected at the bottom. The whole structure is in a earthen mound.
The small tube is empty, at the bottom there is a "capsule" with the appropriate payload.
The larger tube is filled with water.
Explosive bolts are detonated. The water from the large tube is released and pushes the capsule up.
The "flush toilet" has the energy to get a payload into space. A journey to Mars is possible.
In a place like the Space Coast in Florida, there is enough rain to make this system work. The space coast was chosen for rockets because it is close to the equator and Earth's rotation gives space capsules a boost.
Possible. Practical on a scale to invade Mars?
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Post by hardlec on Dec 14, 2020 19:44:57 GMT
Lose the Morelock/lava dudes. The idea of other HG Wells races is good, but the execution was "meh" and there wasn't enough of a new army to work.
Motorcycle troops. More. Enough to have Texicans, Native Americans, Civilians w/o Stetsons, and military types. The rules for Motorcycles need a complete rework. The existing models are great. Remember, in order for the cable attack to work, you must A: Score a hit to entangle; B: Score the hit on the critical hit to score against mobility, C: Win the roll to cause the Tripod to move. Otherwise, the Tripod just sits there until it makes the roll to defeat the cables. Making is more likely to "trip" the Tripod would make things more fun. Plus: They're motorcycles.
I like the steam tanks, but the Mk. III is too boxy for me. The Mk IV needs a total rework. The placement of the guns is terrible. In addition, it is too big/valuable a unit to have one hit point.
I've said this before. And know that Scott and I are not in cahoots in any way:
Hire Scott to make a paper model Land Ironclad. Maybe several variants. The resin kit looks awesome. It is too expensive for most players. It is extremely difficult to move. In resin, it is not a good item. In paper: It is possible to have ruined turrets for each gun. It is possible to make variants. I'd also like to commission him to make Martian terrain. Paper models are much easier to move than resin ones, and much more robust.
Tripods are good. Woogie things a bit to allow players more customization options. We do not use WYSWYG, let each tripod be different for visual appeal and to make life easier for players: Tell them apart.
I'd also ask for this: Bolt Action sells miniatures in stores. Find a way to put out product at a $10 and a $20 price point on store shelves. Encourage players to buy that interesting thing on impulse.
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Post by hardlec on Jul 29, 2020 19:37:08 GMT
best $25 models $100 can buy. Oh wait, I say that about all GW Sh...
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Post by hardlec on Jul 9, 2020 1:12:08 GMT
Flames of war has a line of 15mm that can work. They do have some Korean Conflict stuff. Shapeways has some "George Pal Movie" Martian Machines. If you look close, the floating machines have three ghostly legs.
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Post by hardlec on Jun 15, 2020 21:30:56 GMT
Nice
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Post by hardlec on Jun 8, 2020 12:37:53 GMT
bought mine on kindle. It reads fast.
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Post by hardlec on May 3, 2020 16:40:45 GMT
I may not live to see this, but I'm guessing that by 2040, miniatures will be sold as digital downloads and printed by the individual. Paper models made a big comeback when so many are offered as digital download. Remember, 20 years ago a color printer was not a household item like it is today. Now I can find the Lone Ranger's town, as based on the Radio program, that was once printed on the back of cereal boxes.
I once had a conversation with Robin Wood, an extremely talented artist I met at conventions. I would work in the booth next to hers quite often. She lamented that programs like photoshot would but commercial artists out of business. "I can't draw to save my life. I'd like to, and yes, I buy the software. But I don't have the gift. Music, yes. Graphic arts, no. We will always need people with vision." She thanked me, and has continued to work. Small-time artists have more tools now, but it's their minds and imagination that we "pay for." I patronize the individual artist whenever I can.
AQMF is, most of all, the concept. The game has been beautifully executed. The figures are wonderful. The contributions from the fans as well as the pro's have made a great thing better.
Sell me downloads, I will buy them. Sell me plastic kits. I will buy them Sell me metal kits, I will buy them. Sell me resin kits. I will buy them.
Just sell me something.
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Post by hardlec on Apr 30, 2020 20:09:55 GMT
For anyone who wishes, I have an AQMF based story here: archiveofourown.org/works/23899261I'd really like comments. I'm going for creating a vibe that makes you want to go out and blow up Martians.
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Post by hardlec on Apr 30, 2020 16:09:08 GMT
Concerning injected molded plastic:
What is the greatest expense in models? Making the original? Making the molds? (any type of mold) The material? No to all. The greatest expense involved in a model is the shipping. The lightest, and therefore cheapest, material is plastic.
Make 3 sizes of head and 3 sizes of legs and you have 9 basic tripod sizes. Mold infantry in companies. 12 "stands" or elements per mold.
A battery of artillery in one mold
Vehicles can likewise have many variations with a few molds. The cost can be reduced without a loss in variety.
Mold pieces in the base color. Understand that if you scrub your plastic figure in Dawn Dishwashing Detergent and a toothbrush, you can paint it. Magic marker/ alcohol ink might be a better choice. (Which creates a market for custom sets of markers with custom blended ink.)
I do not like metal. The pieces do not fit well. It is just as hard to prep metal for paint as anything else, the figures are heavy. I like resin even less. It chips without provocation.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and none are wrong. I'll but whatever comes out. I'd prefer plastic.
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Post by hardlec on Apr 27, 2020 14:11:19 GMT
One thing this brings to mind: The Great Lakes would be very significant strategically, as well as the many rivers and other big lakes in the US and Canada.
I would expect to see special warships built that could traverse the locks and canals that link the Great Lakes. I would expect riverine warships. I'm also thinking there would be amphibious tanks or bigger craft (Amphibious Landship doesn't sound right) to fight from various lakes.
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1917
Apr 27, 2020 13:56:45 GMT
Post by hardlec on Apr 27, 2020 13:56:45 GMT
I've met many WWI vets. They were old when I was young. Now, I am old.
None of them would talk about their experiences.
I was a cold warrior. It never happened, I was never there. And yet I remember. I got a tiny taste of what those men experienced for years.
War, real war, is the harshest, cruelest and least humane things that humans, in our elitist arrogance, ever do. And we do it so well.
The Movie evoked emotion. Probably too much emotion for me.
There was something, some undercurrent, that re-awakened all my experiences. They were not good experiences.
Rent the video, it's on redbox. Watch it with care.
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Post by hardlec on Apr 27, 2020 13:42:06 GMT
He was my friend.
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Post by hardlec on Apr 27, 2020 12:58:26 GMT
Bring forth the holy hand grenade of Antioch?
Where is Dennis Moore when you need him.
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Post by hardlec on Mar 12, 2020 17:20:28 GMT
I have found it very important to crack the armor of a tripod, get it down to 9 or 10 just to allow infantry a chance.
I have also played the sneaky game. Wait until many tripods are close together and then pound the bejeezes out of one, trying to blow it up. At armor 5, a couple of MG units can roll 18 dice and get 9 hits, expecting 7 damaging hits. That's one roll +6 on the damage chart, a good chance for a hit that blows the tripod and maybe it's neighbors to bits.
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Post by hardlec on Mar 12, 2020 17:11:06 GMT
Single stand units normally don't usually take morale tests. So I figured taking a command test was a good way to get similar results to a hit chart without yet another chart to consult.
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