New Recruits 327-1104 (4 December 2018)
Received my Christmas special order from GZG. I ordered one each of the Tomorrow's War US Army range, Brazilian Army Range and Dhargaur. Plus some of the new up-armoured wheeled vehicles. Mr Tuffley added in 2 more of the up-armoured vehicles and four packs of accessories (boxes, crates, jerrycans and other containers).
I'm not sure where these will fit into the Traveller universe. I've read the blurb at GZG and the write up in By Dagger or Talon. They are supposedly psionic and dominate other lifeforms. They are devoted to war and seem to be on an endless quest for resources and slave soldiers. Apparently some slave soldiers become particularly attuned to their psionic commands and become more and more distant from their brethren, eventually being taken aboard one of the Darghaur ships and are never seen again. Since the Darghaur are fully encased in their armour and no one has ever seen what's inside the armour, (they recover their wounded and dead), and it doesn't seem likely that they eat the poor slave soldier. I'm more inclined towards the belief that the attuned slave soldier is inducted into the Darghaur ranks and ritually (and permanently) encased within his/her own Darghaur armour; becoming a new Darghaur warrior.
Supporting this argument is the Darghaur modus operandi. When they approach a new world, they send this message, in the dominant language, "Surrender and Die". Essentially inviting the planet to resist, as if testing the resolve of the inhabitants. Should the species surrender they are usually enslaved and forced to work at the task of denuding their own planet of all useful resources. When the resources have been depleted they will either be exterminated or left to die on their ravaged world. Those that fight back will suffer the same fate, unless they fight well, in which case they may be formed into units of slave soldiers led by a Darghaur overseer. It's like they have embarked upon an interstellar pogrom or crusade, in which they test each new species they encounter. Those that are found wanting (meaning they surrendered or fought badly) are enslaved and then destroyed, those that resist and fight well are considered worthy of further testing; They are therefore formed into units of slave soldiers led by a Darghaur overseer and then tested and retested in battle. Ultimately some of these slave soldiers (the attuned) are found acceptable and drawn to a Darghaur ship for induction into the ranks of the Darghaur themselves.
In my mind the Darghaur are either a genetically engineered warrior species that may have got out of hand or a species that has taken upon itself the task of eradicating all other competition within the galaxy.
They might make good candidates for the Empress Wave, imagine the wave front as the frontline of a galaxy wide expansion, every world they encounter is strip mined of resources, every species is destroyed, enslaved or assimilated. The Empress Wave is often described as a psionic effect, did I mention that the Darghaur are psionic?
The wave front would create massive dislocation amongst the stars as populations flee their homeworlds rather than fight or submit to the Darghaur.
I think I'll explore this a bit more in another post.
Excuse the poor lighting on these photos.
The Brazilian Infantry figures have a few interesting things going on.
Their helmets have a single monocular viewing lens making them look a bit like cyclops. For this to be viable the helmet must have some really good sensors built in and the lens must provide a wide angle view to the wearer.
Their rifles are bullpup configuration, so we can call them ACRs in Traveller terms.
Armour doesn't have a powered exoskeleton so it could be Battledress but given the weapons tech it is more likely to be Combat Armour.
The SAW appears to have a brass bag slung under the weapon, maybe an indication of low supply levels or simply a means of leaving less sign of their passage.
Support weapons include an AGL, Sniper Rifle and shoulder fired rocket launcher.
The combination of weapons and armour indicates an average TL10-12. Either mercenaries or planetary defence forces.
TW15-US02 US Army in hardsuits with powered exoskeletal assist - Rifles pack B (8 figs).
Front View
TW15-US02 US Army in hardsuits with powered exoskeletal assist - Rifles pack B (8 figs).
Rear View
TW15-US01 US Army in hardsuits with powered exoskeletal assist - Rifles pack A (8 figs).
Front View
TW15-US01 US Army in hardsuits with powered exoskeletal assist - Rifles pack A (8 figs).
Rear View
TW15-US03 US Army in hardsuits with powered exoskeletal assist - SAW gunners (8 figs)
Front View
TW15-US03 US Army in hardsuits with powered exoskeletal assist - SAW gunners (8 figs)
Rear View
TW15-US04 US army in hardsuits, Grenadiers with auto-GL and Marksmen with Gauss Sniper Rifles - 8 figures in 4 different poses (2 poses - advancing and kneeling - with each weapon type). Front View
TW15-US04 US army in hardsuits, Grenadiers with auto-GL and Marksmen with Gauss Sniper Rifles - 8 figures in 4 different poses (2 poses - advancing and kneeling - with each weapon type). Rear View
TW15-US05 US army in hardsuits, with SLAM (Shoulder-launched Light Assault Missile) "bazooka"; 4 teams (2 moving, 2 firing) each of gunner and loader with extra rounds, total of 8 figures in four different poses.
Front View
TW15-US05 US army in hardsuits, with SLAM (Shoulder-launched Light Assault Missile) "bazooka"; 4 teams (2 moving, 2 firing) each of gunner and loader with extra rounds, total of 8 figures in four different poses.
Rear View
TW15-US06 US army in hardsuits, Command and Comms pack, total of 8 figures in 4 different poses - officer standing, officer standing observing, kneeling observer and kneeling operator with datapad.
Front View
TW15-US06 US army in hardsuits, Command and Comms pack, total of 8 figures in 4 different poses - officer standing, officer standing observing, kneeling observer and kneeling operator with datapad.
Rear View
TW15-US21 US POWER ARMOUR pack of 6 figures, three with autocannons
and three with plasma guns. Pack contains 6 body castings (three each
of two different poses), separate left and right arms for each figure
(weapons are mounted on outside of right forearm of suit) and 6 separate
optional backpacks with jump jets and over-shoulder grenade launchers.
The backs of the figure bodies are fully detailed and can be used
without the backpacks if preferred, the packs fit neatly over the
moulded back detail. Front View
TW15-US21 US POWER ARMOUR pack of 6 figures. Rear View
This picture shows a UNSC Marine in Hardsuit next to the US Army in hardsuit.
I've seen the US Army figures used as Imperial Marines in Traveller, but since I'm using the UNSC Marines in that role, I need to find a different role for them. Their armour shares the same basic shape. The US figure has a large number of ammunition pouches attached to his gear and wears an external powered harness. It's not quite Battledress but it does enhance the wearer and is not oversized. I'm thinking this is a late TL12 solution to the oversized Power Armour of TL 10-12. It's about the same size as Battledress, but obviously lower tech with its exoskeleton, unlike true Battledress which has an endoskeletal framework protected by the armour. The powered exoskeleton is one answer to the bulk of Power Armour and a step towards Battledress. When added to standard Combat Armour it enhances the wearers, load bearing ability and reduces fatigue to the wearer.
They would make good Imperial Army figures but they lack heavy support weapons. I think I'll use them as a TL12 mercenary or planetary defence force.
They would make good Imperial Army figures but they lack heavy support weapons. I think I'll use them as a TL12 mercenary or planetary defence force.
TW15 DG01 DARGHAUR "ten" pack one - 10 figures (plus sprues of separate heads). Front View.
TW15 DG01 DARGHAUR "ten" pack one - 10 figures (plus sprues of separate heads). Rear View
I'm not sure where these will fit into the Traveller universe. I've read the blurb at GZG and the write up in By Dagger or Talon. They are supposedly psionic and dominate other lifeforms. They are devoted to war and seem to be on an endless quest for resources and slave soldiers. Apparently some slave soldiers become particularly attuned to their psionic commands and become more and more distant from their brethren, eventually being taken aboard one of the Darghaur ships and are never seen again. Since the Darghaur are fully encased in their armour and no one has ever seen what's inside the armour, (they recover their wounded and dead), and it doesn't seem likely that they eat the poor slave soldier. I'm more inclined towards the belief that the attuned slave soldier is inducted into the Darghaur ranks and ritually (and permanently) encased within his/her own Darghaur armour; becoming a new Darghaur warrior.
Supporting this argument is the Darghaur modus operandi. When they approach a new world, they send this message, in the dominant language, "Surrender and Die". Essentially inviting the planet to resist, as if testing the resolve of the inhabitants. Should the species surrender they are usually enslaved and forced to work at the task of denuding their own planet of all useful resources. When the resources have been depleted they will either be exterminated or left to die on their ravaged world. Those that fight back will suffer the same fate, unless they fight well, in which case they may be formed into units of slave soldiers led by a Darghaur overseer. It's like they have embarked upon an interstellar pogrom or crusade, in which they test each new species they encounter. Those that are found wanting (meaning they surrendered or fought badly) are enslaved and then destroyed, those that resist and fight well are considered worthy of further testing; They are therefore formed into units of slave soldiers led by a Darghaur overseer and then tested and retested in battle. Ultimately some of these slave soldiers (the attuned) are found acceptable and drawn to a Darghaur ship for induction into the ranks of the Darghaur themselves.
In my mind the Darghaur are either a genetically engineered warrior species that may have got out of hand or a species that has taken upon itself the task of eradicating all other competition within the galaxy.
They might make good candidates for the Empress Wave, imagine the wave front as the frontline of a galaxy wide expansion, every world they encounter is strip mined of resources, every species is destroyed, enslaved or assimilated. The Empress Wave is often described as a psionic effect, did I mention that the Darghaur are psionic?
The wave front would create massive dislocation amongst the stars as populations flee their homeworlds rather than fight or submit to the Darghaur.
I think I'll explore this a bit more in another post.
TW15-BZ01 Brazilian Riflemen, 8 figures with assault rifles. Eight Brazilian troopers in combat hardsuits with "Cyclops" helmets and
standard infantry assault rifle, 2 each of 4 different poses.
Front View
TW15-BZ01 Brazilian Riflemen, 8 figures with assault
rifles. Eight Brazilian troopers in combat hardsuits with "Cyclops"
helmets and
standard infantry assault rifle, 2 each of 4 different poses.
Rear View
TW15-BZ02 Brazilian Support Gunners, 8 figures with SAWs Eight Brazilian troopers in combat hardsuits with "Cyclops" helmets and
Squad Automatic Weapons (SAWs), 2 each in kneeling firing and prone
firing poses, plus 4 in advancing pose. Front View
TW15-BZ02 Brazilian Support Gunners, 8 figures with SAWs Eight Brazilian troopers in combat hardsuits with "Cyclops" helmets and
Squad Automatic Weapons (SAWs), 2 each in kneeling firing and prone
firing poses, plus 4 in advancing pose. Rear View
TW15-BZ03 Brazilian Heavy and Special Weapons, 8 figures Eight Brazilian troopers in combat hardsuits with "Cyclops" helmets, 2
each of 4 different poses: 2 poses with shoulder-fired rocket system
(kneeling firing, and advancing), one pose of Marksman advancing with
sniper rifle, one pose of Grenadier standing firing
auto-grenade-launcher. Front View
TW15-BZ03 Brazilian Heavy and Special Weapons, 8 figures Eight Brazilian troopers in combat hardsuits with "Cyclops" helmets, 2
each of 4 different poses: 2 poses with shoulder-fired rocket system
(kneeling firing, and advancing), one pose of Marksman advancing with
sniper rifle, one pose of Grenadier standing firing
auto-grenade-launcher. Rear View
TW15-BZ04 Brazilian Infantry Command and Comms (8 figures, 2 each of 4 different poses) Front View
TW15-BZ04 Brazilian Infantry Command and Comms (8 figures, 2 each of 4 different poses). Rear View
Excuse the poor lighting on these photos.
The Brazilian Infantry figures have a few interesting things going on.
Their helmets have a single monocular viewing lens making them look a bit like cyclops. For this to be viable the helmet must have some really good sensors built in and the lens must provide a wide angle view to the wearer.
Their rifles are bullpup configuration, so we can call them ACRs in Traveller terms.
Armour doesn't have a powered exoskeleton so it could be Battledress but given the weapons tech it is more likely to be Combat Armour.
The SAW appears to have a brass bag slung under the weapon, maybe an indication of low supply levels or simply a means of leaving less sign of their passage.
Support weapons include an AGL, Sniper Rifle and shoulder fired rocket launcher.
The combination of weapons and armour indicates an average TL10-12. Either mercenaries or planetary defence forces.
A mix of accessories, boxes, crates, jerry cans and other containers.
These are part of the freebies and will help me flesh out my vehicles and terrain.
V15-132A Light
truck (4 wheel) - Light Armoured Hardtop version with strengthened
suspension (larger tyres for extra load); basic version with roof hatch
cover.
V15-131B Extended
jeep (4 wheel) - Light Armoured Hardtop version, as 131A but with roof
weapon mount (4 gun options supplied), armoured shield and generic
helmeted gunner.
V15-132C Light
truck (4 wheel) - Light Armoured Hardtop version, as 132A but with roof
mount Missile System (3 different missile options supplied).
V15-130A Light
jeep (4 wheel) - Light Armoured Hardtop version with strengthened
suspension (larger tyres for extra load); basic version with roof hatch
cover.
V15-128A Light truck (6 wheel) - flatbed version with enclosed cab.
The fit between the superstructure and chassis is very tight on these models, and it requires a bit of filing or a careful application of force to get them to fit together. (description on GZG's site includes the recommended method of putting them together). Don't forget to glue the rear door to the superstructure before you join it to the chassis (again recommended on the site).
I did a somewhat slapdash job of assembly, so there are gaps, and I foolishly assembled the little half turrets before painting them, but I do love these models.
I've assigned them to one of my mercenary forces along with some of the open top vehicles their based on and I must say I am sorely tempted to run a 'Blackhawk Down' style scenario once I've got them painted and table ready.
All told I'm very happy with the haul from GZG and I'll be taking advantage of the discount offer that came in the box with them.
The entire Tomorrow's War line is great.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I do like the US figures and despite the cyclops helmet the Brazilians are nice too. The Darghaur are very cool and make for a pretty good bad guy species. I've been meaning to get them for a while, next on the list are the DPRG and RANG.
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