How about DUST Tactics?

[Euphorion]

Maybe this should go to the "game specific" part - although a discussion regarding the game is not my main concern here.

Like I wrote in my "reintroduction thread" I have no idea what happened in the world of table tops in the past eight years.
(I just learned that Warhammer Fantasy just got some kind of reboot with Sigmarite Space Marines (?) and that 40k is now in it's bazillionst edition with the rule book at the price of a copy of a genuine Gutenberg Bible. Fair enough.

Well, I recently learned about DUST tactics (with capital letters being mandatory...) but I kind of got the impression that it is rather not that popular and that DUST is in it's final days and that it will be gone pretty soon.
Why? Is it bad or whats the matter? I think the walkers look quite rad, although I'm not sure what to think of the infantry... but apparently you can field gorilla granadiers and zombie-nazis. This is quite an USP. But it seems to me that the game kind failed to gain a devoted community, or am I mistaken?

I consider buying a starter set and would like to know what the community thinks about the game and the minis in general.

 

[Dragonsreach]

I've played it.
One shot killed a whole squad in the first round.
Reran the game, same effect.
Swapped sides, ditto. Different players found exactly the same.
No matter how we tried, infantry were just dead meat, so it just becomes vehicles punching holes in each other.

Baseline board game without scenery or cover, while the figures and models are good the rules on deployment and squad coherency make it uncomfortable.

It's not the only game where Uber vehicles destroy any fun, Secrets of the Third Reich has the Soviet Nayk walker which requires 6 out of 8 legs to be destroyed before it's immobilised or even stops firing. While it's a great infantry game, it's things like that which spoil any enjoyment.

 

[Euphorion]

I have been looking at it from a modeller's perspectice so far - so I apprechiate your feedback on the game mechanics.

It seems to me, that it has some good (or twisted) humor mixed with a good deal of dieselpunkishness and distinctive walker designs.

Apparently you can sell me any game as long as it has cool walkers.

I just need to do some further research as there seem to be different versions floating around and I wonder if there is a difference between fantasy flight's dust tactics and "Paolo Parente's Dust".

There is also Dust Tactics and Dust Warfare... With one being the boardgame with the other being tabletop?

I just downloaded the rule book from Fantasy Flight and will give it a read and maybe try the game with proxies. If it sucks, I simply buy a "Königsluther Heavy Panzer Walker" for 35 € and make it count as a Baneblade...

 

[ced1106]

Read the various Dust Tactics threads on the Dakka Dakka forums.

Paolo Parente, the creator of Dust, moved from FFG to Battlefront as manufacturers, and this was basically a KickStarter-related disaster.

However, Parente is working with Ninja Studios now. Might as well wait until retail and reviews when the (har har) Dust settles.

 

[freakinacage]

Never played by the minis are great

 

[Sven Red]

I just uploaded a DUST walker as my firts entry here. http://www.coolminiornot.com/396008
And I love the DUST universe. It's soon called DUST 1947 instead of DUST Tactics. A lot of the confusion and negativity about DUST is coming from to many different rule sets. And the Kickstarter disaster which is solved somehow but left a lot of bad words. DUST is now restarted with a lot of very passionate player, news starter sets and a new ruleset version. Release is within the next few weeks.
If you want to start DUST get one of the new Starter sets you can find at the dustgame website or some shops I don't know if it's allowed to name them here. The current release cycle is bringing out the Luftwafffe with rocket troops. Chinese should come soon as well as the Long Range Desert Group of the British. Japanese are also on the horizont for early next year.

 

[blkdymnd]

I've played it since day one. It's still our main game. The aesthetic is fantastic, the models are great, and the gameplay is quick. Yes, there was a bit of turmoil with the KS, it's pretty much past now, and they are self distributing now (they are not partnered with Ninja Division)

Paolo and FFG split amicably, and he makes quite a few mini's for their lines (X-Wing for instance). He's done some artwork for some CMON projects, and is still really well respected in the industry despite the KS snafu. I'd definitely pick up a starter or two and try it out.

 

[blkdymnd]

I've played it.
One shot killed a whole squad in the first round.
Reran the game, same effect.
Swapped sides, ditto. Different players found exactly the same.
No matter how we tried, infantry were just dead meat, so it just becomes vehicles punching holes in each other.

Baseline board game without scenery or cover, while the figures and models are good the rules on deployment and squad coherency make it uncomfortable.

It's not the only game where Uber vehicles destroy any fun, Secrets of the Third Reich has the Soviet Nayk walker which requires 6 out of 8 legs to be destroyed before it's immobilised or even stops firing. While it's a great infantry game, it's things like that which spoil any enjoyment.

I regularly run infantry heavy lists. Play with some cover, know that if you're out in the open, you will probably die. Vehicles and walkers are very balanced against infantry. The only thing right now that isn't terribly effective is aircraft, but they're supposed to get a small boost in the soon to be released 2.5 rule set

 

[Bobitron]

First post! Discussion of Dust is sure to pull me out of hiding.

I love the game, models, and universe. There's no question that the KS disaster due to arguments with BF caused a lot of harm to the brand, but Dust is taking a careful approach to rebuilding the game and so far so good.

It's a hurdle to overcome all the commentary about how Dust is a dead game. Without a US distributor it's an uphill fight, but DS has decided to go at it on their own and maybe it's the best decision. We'll see. The product line is growing and improving. New ruleset titled Dust 1947 (modified from the one produced under BF) coming soon this spring, free rules as a pdf and a printed hardcover with extra fluff. Aggressive release schedule over the next year to get things flowing. The new starters are very nice. The Facebook community is very active and pretty well split between modelers and gamers (or those of us that do both).

I much prefer the tabletop wargame, non-grid style of gameplay to the boardgame-ish Tactics. Gotta use that cover and block LoS! I tend to run infantry heavy lists as well with good success.

Happy to answer any questions if people are curious.

 

[The Beard]

Hi Dust has gone through a rough patch but it's clear of that now. A few things need to be said to clear things up folk have said.
FFG & Battlefront didn't make the models dust studios did, these guys were just the distribution network, Dust studios are now doing this themselves.
Dust studios are not in a partnership with ninja studios, they shared table space at a convention as dust weren't able to secure their own space.
The game used to be called dust tactics with 2 similar rule sets for gridded or open field play, now it's called PAOLO PARENTE'S DUST 1947, also there's now only one ruleset, but can be played on either grid or open. The new rules and unit cards hit in April. With the rules free to download on their website in pdf form. The game is far from dead, if anything it's grown stronger from the KS mess.

Like some new mentioned it's very easy to wipe units out. This makes the game quick & decisive. I call it battle checkers/draughts. Units have huge firepower leave them vulnerable at your own risk. The game is based in a alternative ww2, it's known actually as weird war 2. You want Zombies - check, you want genetically modified gorillas - check. Alien tech - check. Rethink what you know of ww2. Operation valkyrie was carried out, nazi party is illegal in german the SS are wanted men. Operation sealowe (sealion) went ahead, Britain is overrun by the axis powers.

I'd highly recommend this to anyone to try. If you've played before I'd recommend coming back and trying again. Yes I may be a huge fan boy lol.

 

[reigada8]

I have been playing the game for about a year and love it. My son and I play both Battlefield and Warfare rule sets depending on what style of play we want that day. My local shop has Dust days once a month, and has many active players with more interested in playing. I also help run demos and talk to player about the game. As far as infantry dying in masses I would expect heavy losses from a tank, heavy walker or other infantry if they were not in cover(can also use transports). My son runs zombie hordes with the female that resurrects them and does quite well. The Soviets also have their frog suit which can hold up although abit expensive.

I love the mini's!! I play the SSU and my son the Axis. We also own a large ally force so when people come over and want to play. I like the fact that they incourage using other models to dustify. I also like that they give you options on kits whether its on sprues, put together and primed or painted.

Its like any other game that i played there are things I love and don't. The problem I run into with new players is explaining to them the different rule sets, state of the game and web sites which are helpful. When they try searching for themselves more then not they can never find the right places because of everything the has happen previously. It can get very confusing with all of that.

I feel if you are interested in the game you should give it a try. I know my family and friends love the game.