Hi!
Over sevral months I have compiled many ideas and conversions for GW's line of
epic miniatures. I have these handwritten over several several notbooks and to
transcibe them on to the computer might be quite lengthy. My question is, is
there a demand for this sort of thing? Is there interest for such conversions?
I would like some opinions before I dedicate the time to make all my notes
into a more mangable form.
On a side note, I have seen that a series of figs for DS II are becoming
available. Does anyone know what else is in the makings? Will we see powered
armor troops and other armored vehicles?
Thank you all for your time.
> Trevor Dow wrote:
> Peter
No need to apologize, I wasn't aware that this sort of thing might cause
frictions..
I'm not new to this list, just haven't been on it for several months (perhaps
longer). Back then there seems to have been some interest for that sort of
thing and I stated back then I would try to organize it. I was just checking
if there were still interested parties.
In reality I'm rabidly anti-GW myself. With the help of many others I
spearheaded the net epic project in an effort to remold the older version in
something the gamers wanted, since GW is not in the market of making rules
that intelligent gamers seem to go for. It seems to have gone well.
Of course, I really love DS II. All aside its the best rules system out there
for 6mm. Epic and its background are fun, but sometimes I prefer a more
realistic system with options and flexibility epic does not have.
As others have mentioned, many people have accumulated many epic figs over the
years and it would be nice to give them some use than dust collectors.
I am aware of efforts of others to do the same and have taken into account
their ideas to make what I have done. Overall I tried to capture the armies
character, but all compromises were made in favor of the DSII system. Please
note I never intended to "discuss" GW background on this list, I'm well aware
that is not the purpose of this list.
Well enough said on this, I'll get to work and when its done I'll announce it
and I'll send a copy to those interested.
> Peter Ramos wrote:
Why do we have to even mention that GW CRAP on this page The whole idea of
playing FT, MT, DS and SG is to get away from all that
heroic, OVER PRICED rubbish dished out by GW. If you want to play GW games
fine but lets not start turning GZG's into another look alike. GZG
games are generic and yes by being generic you can make all sorts of Armies in
fiction fit into its universe. But for @#%&'s sake can't we leave GW put of
the picture, they've got a big enough monopoly already. Don't get me wrong,
I'm all for free speach, but I don't believe GW are. SIGNED @#$%ed off with GW
> Trevor Dow wrote:
... snip...JTL already.
> Don't get me wrong, I'm all for free speach, but I don't believe GW
Somewhat stressed are we? :-)
Bye for now,
> At 02:32 PM 4/22/98 +0000, you wrote:
Considering the vast numbers of GW mini's for Epic I have currently gathering
a very thick layer of dust, I'd certainly find such a cenversion appealing.
(And I rather like the setting).
> Peter Ramos wrote:
> Over sevral months I have compiled many ideas and conversions for GW's
Ah. OK. Your subject line indicated that you had converted *Dirtside* units to
*GW's* rules...
You're not the only one who wanted to use your GW figures for something
sensible <g> (though the latest version of Epic actually plays very nicely...
now if they could cut the price in half, allow people to use other
manufacturer's models and REFRAIN FROM ADDING EXTRA RULES I'd be a
lot happier to play it :-/ )
Have a look at Andy Cowell's DSII page
(http://www.cs.utk.edu/¨cowell/min/ds2/), for example. I think there
are others floating around on the 'net too, but I don't have any addresses
handy anyway. I know I whipped up stats for my Eldar forces the first thing I
did when I got my copy (lots of lasers and gravtanks, basically <g>).
There are at least four different sets of Babylon 5 adaptions for Full Thrust,
so another Epic conversion won't be redundant <g>
Not all of us are as anti-GW as Trevor - in fact, lots of us use their
models (after all, they're available just about everywhere...). Of course, I
don't think anyone on this list likes their price and "pureness" policies
> On a side note, I have seen that a series of figs for DS II are
Depends on what you mean with "figs for DSII" :-/ GZG makes 6mm infantry
based on their 25mm NSL troops, as well as 6mm versions of their 25mm
vehicles. There are pictures of many of those vehicles at Geo-Hex's
homepage (http://www.geohex.com/dsm01.htm); the full listing of what's
available can be found at the GZG on-line catalogue at
http://homepages.enterprise.net/paulowen/gzg/index.html . No power
armour yet, but they'll probably appear in the future.
However, although these models are made by the same company as DSII, the
rules are written so that literally any (non-mecha) 6mm infantry or
vehicle
models can be used. Your choice of words - "a series of figs for DSII
are
becoming available" - sound almost as if these GZG models are the canon
models required to play the game (much like GW wants us to believe their
models are...), and... well, they aren't. (I don't think you intended to make
it sound like that, but... I've seen very similar reactions from
people who simply couldn't grasp the notion of a game _without_ a canon
must-have figure range far too often. Like those who play WHFB with GW
figures, Raven with Harlequin figures, and Chronopia with Heartbreaker
figures... and wouldn't dream of mixing the three :-( )
Any 6mm range can be used in DSII, there are lots of them that have been
available a long time already, and this is just one more. A good-looking
but fairly expensive one, but still just one more.
Later,
> You wrote:
> Why do we have to even mention that GW CRAP on this page
> Armies in fiction fit into its universe. But for @#%&'s sake can't we
<Personal philisophical rant> AFAI am concerned, people can play whatever they
like. If the silly gits wish to use GW background, that's their problem. Don't
stomp on
anyone willing to play real rulesets--remember that this hobby needs
all the help it can get, and we as players have an obligation to encourage
people to get started in it. If it helps someone to have a background which
permits him to tell Epic players "I've got a cool new game, and you can use
your old minis and background with these rules," Good for him. Beats sitting
at home whining you can't find Dirtside
players. Which is my current situation--the only other guy I know who
plays it is only available in evenings, and I work evenings.
</rant>
Besides, does anyone know where, other than Epic, I can find decent
power-armored miniatures for the price?
On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 09:31:47 +1100, Trevor Dow
<adspirit@pipeline.com.au> wrote:
> Why do we have to even mention that GW CRAP on this page
Lots of us have old GW stuff that we bought years ago when we were foolish and
had more disposable income.
> The whole idea of playing FT, MT, DS and SG is to get away from all
GZG
> games are generic and yes by being generic you can make all sorts of
Actually, GW figures are an excellent way of getting new players into the
game. There are plenty of people with GW stuff but who are looking for a
better game system. I look at this more in the way of seducing people over to
the light side of the Force. As such, I'm running an SG2 game at GenCon that
will use GW figures. The rules will be SG2, though, with few GW required
modifications. I've found that once players get into the GZG games they
eventually start collecting the figures as well.
But if they already have several thousand <insert currency of your choice
here> worth of GW figures, they might as well use them. And a lot of people
happen to like the GW background. I don't see this as being a problem.
Now, I WOULD object if we started talking about GW figures and the background
universe in any terms other than how to convert said into the GZG rules.
> Peter Ramos wrote:
Please
> note I never intended to "discuss" GW background on this list, I'm
Best wishes
> John M. Atkinson wrote:
Scotia Micromodels makes some rather nice PA and infantry walkers.
Unfortunately, I haven't a clue which models they are in the line. Brian
Burger has some so he may know the specifics.
> John M. Atkinson
************************************************
> Hi!
Yes, there is interest, but several other people have already posted their
own versions of the same thing to this list and to various web sites -
you might want to check these out before you spend too long typing....
> On a side note, I have seen that a series of figs for DS II are
Yes. The PA will be coming soon, along with more light infantry and vehicles.
> IT IS NOT WRONG FOR YOU TO DISCUSS GW ON THIS LIST. It's all
Quite so. While, as with any group of educated sociable people, topics do tend
to wander over time (Sten guns? I mean really..) I would ask people to
keep in mind the reason the list is here - which is to discuss and
propogate the playing of Mr.Tuffley's excellent games and all their
paraphenalia. To that end, I would say that conversions from GW's (or
anybody else's for that matter) rule system is a perfectly valid topic -
after all, one of the main reasons people stay with games is intertia over all
the pieces or figures they have built up. I think that, in general, a
discussion of the merits of games however isn't a valid topic. I don't want
the list to end up with running fights as to whether SGII is better than
Mutant Chronicles or whatever.
In terms of GW and their stuff, we all *know* how errmm... less than
egalitarian their pricing policies and business pracices are. I don't think we
need to go over them again.
Although (he said) I did find an interview with Steve Livingstone in the
latest SFX very enlightening, both in terms of the story of the start of GW
and the fact that he actually states that GW's policy is that the figures make
the money and therefore everything else is geared towards creating and
improving markets for figures. This is the business policy that leads to a
lot of the faults in GW's games - like over the top hero figures, new
editions, codex books etc..
TTFN
Jon
> Peter Ramos wrote:
> No need to apologize, I wasn't aware that this sort of thing might
No need to apologize, Peter. It only grates on the delicate sensibilities of a
hypersensitive few.
> I'm not new to this list, just haven't been on it for several months
Oh, there's interest. Despite the flaws in the game mechanics in most of their
products and other business practices, the WH 40K universe is a fascinating
one. One worthy of gaming in.
> Of course, I really love DS II. All aside its the best rules system
You might not like this, but I have a lot of Epic minis too... for playing the
current version of Epic 40,000. (DON'T HIT! But I really do like the new Epic
over the old.) However, what Epic lacks is the
dependable C+C and morale system that DSII has.
> I am aware of efforts of others to do the same and have taken into
Please
> note I never intended to "discuss" GW background on this list, I'm
IT IS NOT WRONG FOR YOU TO DISCUSS GW ON THIS LIST. It's all right for you to
discuss other gaming backgrounds and topics. Just bring it into context of the
GZG products. For example: It's perfectly all right for you to compare say...
Heavy Gear with DSII, suggest or post rules to convert Heavy Gear to DSII (Why
I don't know. I think HG is fine the way it is), or just to give an overall
review. However, IT IS NOT OK, for instance, to go posting your new Hunter or
Kodiak variant on this mailing list.
> Well enough said on this, I'll get to work and when its done I'll
Good. I can't wait to see what you've got.
> At 02:30 AM 4/23/98 +0200, you wrote:
A lot of people use non-GW figures with E40K. What's the big deal?
> You're not the only one who wanted to use your GW figures for something
You don't know what you just said. Peter thinks E40K is the work of the
anti-christ.
> John M. Atkinson wrote:
> Besides, does anyone know where, other than Epic, I can find decent
Scotia Micromodels. (now calling themselves Grendel, I think...)
I've got a batch of their Powered Infantry, sold in packs of 25 for 1 pound
25. (UK pounds...). The figs are about 8mm tall, and are very clean crisp
castings. I'm getting more as soon as I can...
If you want Scotia's address, let me know...