On Thursday, May 28, 1998 1:41 PM, Jonathan White
> [SMTP:jw4@bolton.ac.uk] wrote:
> I wouldn't worry about it /too/ much, since the rules for using
I'd hoped the Sa'Vasku would be a bit more enigmatic in look than the SST Bugs
Hopefully some more variants/castes will appear
as I don't know how you'd build/grow a
starship with a single pincer as the main manipulation appendage.
To fit in with the FT ships they need to
look more arachnid/starfish like, than
the Bug arthropods (crayfish on steroids)
FWIW
> On 28 May 98, at 14:01, Tim Jones wrote:
The way I have always thought of it was that the Sa'Vasku don't actually get
their hands
dirty. The ground forces / aerofighters / space fleet are all
modified/engineered
organisms witha very specific purpose. Thus, the 'bugs' you see don't build
the
spaceships and the bugs are built for a very specific job - mincing
human / kravak
ground troops. It's a lot better explanation than anything SST came up with
for the huge variation in bug function. Basically, they use biological
constructs instead of tools, like the Humans or Kra'Vak do. This would explain
the bit in MT where they use an actual human host as, well, a sophisticated
postcard.
> To fit in with the FT ships they need to
Not necessarily, if you follow the model. Human ships aren't built in human
form. An M16
looks nothing like an F16 :). The point is no-one in the FT universe
knows anything about the Sa'Vasku yet, so presuming the big ships are actually
the Sa'Vasku (or look anything like them) is possibly an error.
TTFN
Jon
> You wrote:
> Hopefully some more variants/castes will appear
I don't know about anyone else, but if I pick any up, I will be adding some
sort of weapon pod to the forelimbs or something. I don't think that in a game
with artillery, aviation, and scatterable mines a
close-combat only force would have a significant chance. Fire AND
maneuver. Of course, you also gotta have some kind of bio-engineered
large bug to fill the role of a tank. After all, we know they can bioengineer
spacecraft to spit energy pulses, why not other critters?
But on the battlefield I doubt you'd see any critter not specifically designed
for land warfare unless you've penetrated into a 'secure' area in which case
all bets are off.
On Thursday, May 28, 1998 4:26 PM, John Atkinson
[SMTP:jatkins6@ix.netcom.com]
wrote:
> I don't know about anyone else, but if I pick any up, I will be adding
You're right, in StrShpTrprs they only had rather naff small-arms but in
DSII they aren't going to stand up for long against plasma armed AFV's etc.
There was a long thread (now dead) on bio-weapons which I am *NOT* going
to restart (look at the archives if you're interested), but they need
something. Maybe like the Kryomeks had or based on the Energy Pulse in MT.
We'll just have to wait for the OFFICIAL rules in BDS and its DS2 equivalent,
or use the bio-weapon suggestions already posted (see archives).
Then again, you can always go to a toy store and buy those cheap rubber bugs
(50 cents max). I bought some cheap plastic dinosaurs for 10 cents each and
painted them so that I could use them as either as draft animals (carry 1
element of infantry) and as Godzilla like monsters (this is even before I
heard about the movie...). They look great rampaging through an urban area.
Most of the toy stores around here have a large selection of bugs in various
sizes. Cheaper than buying micromachines and you can step on them without
breaking them. Plastic spiders as line infantry, flies as VTOLs, tarantulas as
infantry walkers...
On the other hand... Apparently, dead beetles are quite durable. You could
just use those. No painting required!
If anyone is interested, I'll scan some pix of repainted cheap plastic
reptiles.
<snip>
> Of course, you also gotta have some kind of bio-engineered
Hmmmm... one of our cats dragged in a dead stag beetle the other day
(in that 'here you go, I've brought a present for you' kind-of-way
that cats have when they deposit dead wild life on the new carpet).
Now, if I could put the dead bug in a mould, cast it in metal - there
you go, instant bug tanks!! On the other hand, would decaying chitin
react with silicon rubber - and do I really want to find out !?
Perhaps it's not such a good idea after all....
<snip>
> Hmmmm ... one of our cats dragged in a dead stag beetle the other day
Your lucky, my cat brings 'em in while they are still alive. No beetles
though, just birds and mice.
Enjoy,
[snip]
> I don't know about anyone else, but if I pick any up, I will be adding
Bugs with guns? You want 'em, we've got 'em..... SGV-05 is a "Gun Bug"
variant with bio-weaponry on the forelimbs.
[snip]
> John M. Atkinson
> Bugs with guns? You want 'em, we've got 'em..... SGV-05 is a "Gun Bug"
Anyone know when pics of the new mini-mecha and bugs will be up on the
GZG website?
> You wrote:
> Bugs with guns? You want 'em, we've got 'em..... SGV-05 is a "Gun Bug"
How considerate to save all that conversion work. Now all I gotta do
is wait to get released over here. :) No rush--I just got around to
putting out the order for the rest of the Powered Armor platoon. I've still
gotta get my mechanized dismounts, the light infantry, a scout platoon (6
squads of four men, counting one led PL and one by PSG. I like dismounts), and
some militia troopers before I start collecting Stargrunt aliens. I might even
buy some OPFOR (Islamic Fed) for my Romanoi. For now, just making do with
assorted mix of Evil
Empire/Demonblade minis.
> Your lucky, my cat brings 'em in while they are still alive. No
We get those too, but I haven't dreamt up a gaming use for them yet -
and I think the smell may put people off after a few months.
> Tom Granvold wrote:
Our first Brittany--God rest his furry soul--would often bring
various forms of wild life from the field that was once next to our house.
They were mostly garter snakes, mice, and plover chicks which he would kill
before bring them to one of us. The one thing he would bring in that he
wouldn't kill were baby rabbits. He carried them about in his mouth alive and
was reluctant to give them up.
> Tom Granvold wrote:
Come now! Does no one else see the danger in creating an army in this fashion?
I can see it now...you put them on the table, and your opponent looks down at
them for a long, silent moment. At last, he looks back up at you, and sneers,
"That is the ugliest damned army that I've ever seen! Your tanks look like
something the cat dragged in!"
Apologetically,
> Tom Granvold wrote:
> > Now, if I could put the dead bug in a mould, cast it in metal -
Or better yet, use LIVE bugs! No more measuring! No more planning! Most will
take advantage of natural cover by themselves! Just wait until they move in to
range and fire! When they are destroyed, just crush them and instant "damaged
tank" miniatures!
Of course, getting them to move the correct direction may be difficult. And
the owner of where you play may not appreciate the extra roaches.
Brian spake thusly upon matters weighty:
> Or better yet, use LIVE bugs! No more measuring! No more planning!
Most
> will take advantage of natural cover by themselves! Just wait until
Or you could cast the live bugs - give you realistic action poses,
I'm thinking.
As for using them live action, great for solo scenarios. They don't fire much,
but assume any mini they touch is close assaulted and resolve accordingly.
They move on *special* initiative that lets them abandon the normal turn
sequence. They have unknown morale and
movement properties - a properly alien enemies for your pewter ground
pounders....
:) Tom.
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Although I hate the cost associated with Games workshop. Their epic scale
Tyranid forces would be ideal for Sa'vasku forces.
Still if its 1/300th bugs you want I once picked up a pack of glow in
the dark plastic ants, got about 300 1cm long ants for about £1.50.
If your feeling really sick though you could always prop up dead bugs and
spray them with varnish that should work. It'll look bloody scary as well
though:(
Well, OK I've avoided the 'bug thread' for a while but HAVE to chime in with
this one. The other day I was spray coating minis in the yard (Urethane Spray
Satin then a coat of Testors dullcoat, BTW) when lo and behold up pops a wasp
from a nearby nest (scouting for satellite papier mache factories no doubt).
Well, to make a long story short, Satin spray coat kills 'em and preserves 'em
but mine fell into the dirt and was ruined. Tho' I wasn't planning on using
the little beggar for a miniature unit, I did have some thought to incorporate
him in a diorama or terrain bit. Gawd but this thread is pretty morbid.
Gene
> ----------
> Brian spake thusly upon matters weighty:
Spooky thing here.... real bugs, spiders, moths etc. seem to LOVE the smell of
resin; leave some open for a short while and you are bound to find several
dead insects floating in it!!