August Releases: The Black Wolf Mercenaries are here to hire
The rolling seas usher in a new wave of pre-orders this month for Dystopian Wars and Warcradle Scenics.
For Dystopian Wars, The Black Wolf Mercenaries, led by the infamous Black Wolf himself, will soon be available to provide their services to the Commonwealth (as and when it suits them of course) with the Black Wolf Battlefleet Set.
The Imperium also see a new nation come to their aid as Scandinavian support is at hand with the Ragnarok Battlefleet Set. Not to be overshadowed, the Alliance Levant Squadrons are sent forth to help launch an aerial assault following the recent release of the Magenta Battlefleet Set.
The tumbleweed leaves Red Oak this month as once again the town erupts into a shootout. The Red Oak Town Set 1 will be available as individual terrain kits to help further customise your wargaming scenarios.
Due to be released at the end of August.
Dystopian Wars
This month sees the introduction of the Black Wolf Battlefleet Set for the Commonwealth, the Ragnarok Battlefleet Set for the Imperium, and reinforcements for the Latin Alliance with the Levant Squadrons.
Black Wolf Battlefleet Set
Black Wolf is the nickname of the former Russian Commonwealth submariner and Commander of the prototype Death Bringer submarine, Volodymyr Nikonov.
Though he usually operates under contract to the Commonwealth he now runs a large and powerful mercenary outfit. Funded, in part, by the Tsar himself, the Black Wolf Company have a reputation for daring assaults and sudden ambushes that make them a force to be feared the world over.
Nikonov has a lifestyle and status that he believes befits him. He can see a future where he marries the Tsar’s daughter, Anastasia and claims the throne for himself. When not at court or in action Nikonov operates out of a converted gigantic Murmansk class vessel near Novo-Arkhangelsk. From this fortified harbour-ship he not only has safety but has established a planning room to help with the execution of even more daring raids for pleasure and profit.
The Tsar’s favourite story features the Black Wolf in a daring exploit to sink the Union battleship Hornet and Crown carrier Wessex. This attack was all the more thrilling (when Nikonov retells it) as the commanders of the two vessels were allegedly discussing a potential alliance and that the Black Wolf had to infiltrate the heavily-guarded Thames Estuary in London in order to sink them.
In between carrying out missions for his future father-in-law, Nikonov has the latitude given to his growing fleet of submarines and assault craft to allow them to be deployed as mercenaries alongside many rival nations around the globe.
Each battle adds not only to the coffers of the Black Wolf but also his prestige at court, even when to some observers such raids do little to further the Commonwealth.
This box contains:
1x Anastasia (can alternatively be built as a Murmansk Mobile Stronghold or Tobolsk Mobile Stronghold)
1x Death Bringer (can alternatively be built as an Akula Grand Submarine)
1x Akula Grand Submarine
4x Khyzhak Attack Submarines
4x Piranya Hunter Submarines
4x Khatanga Cryo Assault Cruisers (Each Cruiser can alternatively be built as either a Morosko or Pravda Class)
4x Stoletov Ekranoplans
4x SRS Tokens
Ragnarok Battlefleet Set
Many Scandinavian vessels are fabricated by the Norwegian master shipbuilders at Akers Mekaniske Verksted, made possible thanks to significant Prussian investment.
This modern shipyard produces especially large numbers of Hoth Heavy Corvettes for use throughout the Imperium.
The Scandinavian attitude to naval warfare is epitomised by the Ragnarok. With a prow mounted Heavy Sturmbringer, and inbuilt Fury Generator the Ragnarok’s crew closes the distance fast to sow destruction amongst their adversaries, unleashing arcs of lightning that rip apart the target’s superstructure, rendering the stunned crew easy prey for boarding teams.
Accompanying the Ragnarok as they prowl the bitter northern seas, Odin class Reavers are often painted in dark colours by their crews, preferring to strike at dusk or at night. These are the frontline warships in the Scandinavian fleet and every sjöman will have served on one at some point in their career.
Long sharp lines distinguish the silhouette of the Jotunn Heavy Raider. This lethal warship is a prized command by Scandinavian captains, with advanced targeting systems to enable it to maximise its firepower against its target.
Gungnir Class Raiders are built around an exceptional propulsion system, the engineering behind the Gungnir is a closely guarded secret amongst the Scandinavians. Captains have standing orders to scuttle their ship rather than let it fall into enemy hands. The explosive charges throughout the engine room ensure that the advantage will remain with the northern nations.
This box contains:
1x Ragnarok Heavy Reaver
2x Jotunn Assault Reaver (can alternatively be built as an Odin Reaver or a Gungnir Light Reaver)
4x Hoth Heavy Corvettes
Alliance Levant Squadrons
The mainstay of the Levant style of ships is the Chasseur Levant Strike Cruiser. Their ability to soar above their enemies if need be makes them hard to precinct as does their various ways of being outfitted. Gun batteries, heat lances or force multiplying generators; even seeing a Chasseur on the horizon makes no guarantee what you might actually be facing in battle.
No captain wants to see an enemy craft soaring above them but the Furieux Levant Grand Corvette makes ones blood freeze in terror. That could be the last time the crew feels cold as the Furieux releases deadly thermal cluster bombs. Even the bravest crews know to be rightfully scared if they spot a Furieux rising into the air ahead of them.
As fighter pilots rise in the ranks they may be promoted to become flight crew on a Voliere Levant Support Carrier. The launch catapults put greater strain on pilots and landing on a Levant that could be at almost any height takes incredible skill. Despite this, pilots elevated to this level are often competing with each other to gain more confirmed kills so they can be promoted once again to become the Angels of Death aboard a Saint-Michel Assault Carrier.
Part of Napoleon’s modernisation of the French navy, the Sirene is a powerful attack vessel able to close undetected until it surfaces with its deadly heat Lancette in range to do maximum damage to the enemy.
The tactical counterpart to the Sirene class, the Epaulard uses its secretive deployment to surface at a distance and employ its magnetic bombard to deadly effect.
This box contains:
2x Levant Cruiser: (Each Cruiser can alternatively be built as either a Chasseur, Furieux or Voliere Class ship)
2x Submarine: (Each Submarine can alternatively be built as either a Epaulard Artillery or Sirene Class boat)
2x SRS Token
Warcradle Scenics
Red Oak returns to the tabletop this month as your favourite buildings and features from the Red Oak Town Set 1 become available in their own separate terrain kits.
Red Oak Bridge Set
The bridge in the town of Red Oak is the only one for miles both up and downstream and could be considered a strategic point for anyone with military learning. In fact, given how many have been killed trying to cross it, whether entering or leaving town, the bridge might deserve a place in the history books. At least it would if anyone thought to write a history of Red Oak.
Bandits on the run, Lawmen in pursuit, soldiers on both sides of the Ore War; you name them, they’ve had a deadly shootout over this particular river crossing. Red Oak locals are known for patting the steel girder construction as they pass over it to placate any bad mojo that might haunt the place where so much blood has been spilled into the river.
This set contains:
2x Bridges
Compatible with the Red Oak Saloon & Cat House
1x Pair of steps
3x Crates
3x Cranes
Red Oak Cat House
Giulianna Starr, proprietor of the Red Oak Cat House has her work cut out for her. Despite there being little in the way of trouble happening inside, thanks to her line up of ornery, repeat ornery, regulars, there’s often enough trouble just outside that spills into her domain. Whether that be bullets flying through windows and walls or the delay of a vital liqueur delivery thanks to a hold up in town.
Often the way it’s dealt with is by turning up the volume on the Auto piano and getting the dancers out for an encore. If they can’t prevent the danger bringing down the mood in town at least they can prevent it from bringing down Mme. Starr’s patrons.
This set contains:
1x Red Oak Cathouse
Red Oak Crates, Fences and Barrels
Some of the more well-to-do citizens of Red Oak decided to have fences built around their properties and yards, thinking that it might protect them from the more unsavoury elements that pass through. They were mistaken. At least it stops the drunks from urinating in their backdoors.
The businesses of Red Oak have formed a habit of ordering around ten percent more than they need. This has become a kind of insurance against damage. The inevitable outbreaks of gunfire lead to both sides using whatever is close by as cover, often the recently unloaded wares of a delivery. Sometimes, folks have been known to order empty crates and barrels only to leave them out in the street to protect the more valuable goods. Just in case.
This set contains:
2x 5 Inch Gated Fences
5x 5 Inch Fences
3x Barrels
2x Large Lockboxes
2x Medium Crates
2x Small Crates
Red Oak Crematorium
The last place in town anyone wants to visit, and the inevitable last place they do visit, is the Red Oak Crematorium. It's an unusual site but the local Boot Hill was filled to bursting during the Ore War so most of the locals have got used to the foul-smelling smoke on Sunday afternoons.
It’s a good job too. With the town of Red Oak seeming to be a centre of violent outbreaks between Lawmen, Outlaws, the Union and others, the efficiency of the crematorium can’t be over appreciated. If they all had to be dug graves the town might have to hire a gang of constructs from the local Enlightened representative full time.
This set contains:
1x Red Oak "Scuffins & Sons" Crematorium
Fully Detailed Interior, featuring;
Conveyor Belt to external Mulcher
2 Levers
A 'Tool Wall'
Incineration Station
2x Advertising Signs
"Second Hand Coffins, Dead Cheap"
"Ask Inside for Used Boots"
4x Coffins
2x Large Communal Coffins
2x Single Coffins
Red Oak Jail
Despite the town of Red Oak being a place where folks of all kinds pass through, it’s the Jail that has seen more than its fair share of ‘celebrities’. Outlaws that have been the subject of dime novels all across the Union have ended up carving their initials into the walls of these cells. A few have even broken out. Though it’s not just Outlaws who become famous visitors. Wyatt Earp and other well-known Lawmen pass through, sometimes dropping off their latest quarry in the Jail until they can be properly tried and sentenced.
This set contains:
1x Red Oak Jail Building
Red Oak Metal Smith
The Metalsmith in town is usually tasked with fixing some broken piece of equipment or other that most rough-and-tumble types don't have the smarts to look after properly. The townsfolk are untrusting of the local Enlightened representatives, even though they are happy to use their labour saving devices. What they don’t know is that the workshop is actually a subsidiary of the nearest Promethean Complex so all their hard earned dollars go straight to them anyway.
This set contains:
1x Red Oak Metal Smith Building
Optional signage for a Red Oak General Store
Red Oak Prospectors Shack
The one place in Red Oak that isn't busy is the Prospector's Shack just on the outskirts. Some say it's haunted and some say that Old Joshua just likes to keep to himself with the aid of a shotgun. Either way, most folks keep their distance.
The wagon there hasn’t had horses to pull it for years and has been left to slowly rot. If the far fetched stories and loaded shotgun weren’t enough to keep away any unwanted visitors then the stench of the nearby outhouse sure is.
This set contains:
1x Red Oak Prospector's Shack Building
1x Prospector Wagon
1x Outhouse / Extension
Red Oak Saloon
The Red Oak Saloon is considered by many to be the dark heart of the town. The local law officials are spread so thinly over the territory that Outlaws and bandits can usually be found drinking and gambling in this perpetually open establishment. Even on a good night of well natured debauchery, violence can explode faster than an RJ bomb. There’s neither the veteran regulars of the Cat House nor the law abiding citizens of the other businesses to protect the peace of the Saloon.
People have stopped counting the transients who have newly arrived in town, got drunk at the Saloon, only to be killed in a booze-fueled bust up and then be burned in the crematorium with just their boots and guns left to be sold at the general store.
This set contains:
1x Red Oak Saloon Building
Excited for what is coming soon for Dystopian Wars and Warcradle Scenics? Make sure not to miss out when they go live for pre-order on the 29th of July 2022 at your FLGS or Wayland Games Online.
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