USE ME light wargame rules - now in digital download!

Four or five years ago I worked with Gavin Syme of Alternative Armies/15mm.co.uk on the lightweight USE ME rules for miniature wargaming. These are simple, d6-based rules aimed at 15mm figures but easy to convert to other scales published in small booklets covering a range of milieus and battlefields from the American Civil War through World War 2 to the post-apocalypse and the far future. I am now proud to see them published as digital download as well!

Get them HERE!

Tomorrow's War: Mercenary Cyborg Stosstruppen employed by the Czar

The Czar has deep pockets and he hired the best of the best - an expensive German mercenary outfit with extensive augmentations - to combat his NSF foes on the contested world of Novi Stalingrad. These troops are second to none, and are armed to their cyberteeth, but their numbers are small.

Cyborg Stosstruppen Mercenaries Basic Attributes:
Confidence Level: High Confidence.
Supply Quality Level: High.
Overall Tech Level: 3 (2 for vehicles).
On Grid: Yes.
Body Armour: Carapace (2D) w/Exoskeleton
Troop Quality/Morale: D10/D10
Common Unit Attributes: Despised, Physical Augmentations (Active Trauma Treatment Nanites, Skeletal Augmentation)

Cyborg Stosstruppen Machinegun Squad
1x Sergeant w/StG-301 ACR
1x Private w/StG-301 ACR
1x Private w/StG-301 ACR
1x Private w/StG-301 ACR
1x Private w/MG-299 Gauss SAW (TL3 GWS, Lt. AP:2)
1x Armoured Car (with its own Driver and Gunner who do not dismount)

Cyborg Stosstruppen Flamethrower Squad
1x Sergeant w/StG-301 ACR
1x Private w/StG-301 ACR
1x Private w/StG-301 ACR
1x Private w/StG-301 ACR
1x Private w/Flamethrower
1x Armoured Car (with its own Driver and Gunner who do not dismount)

Cyborg Stosstruppen Tank-Hunters
1x Gunner w/Neo-Panzerfaust (TL3 Hvy. AP:3/AT:3 (M))
1x Assistant Gunner/Spotter w/StG-301 ACR

Cyborg Stosstruppen Platoon HQ
1x Lieutenant w/StG-301 ACR
1x Senior Sergeant w/StG-301 ACR (Forward Observer)
1x Private w/StG-301 ACR
1x Private w/StG-301 ACR
1x Private w/MG-299 Gauss SAW (TL3 GWS, Lt. AP:2)
1x Armoured Car (with its own Driver and Gunner who do not dismount)

Cyborg Stosstruppen Platoon
1x Platoon HQ
2x Machinegun Squads
1x Flamethrower Squad
1x Tank-Hunter Team
2x Lowe Heavy Tanks

Platoon HQ

Flamethrower Squad

Machinegun Squad

Tank Hunters

Armoured Car

Lowe Tank Work-in-Progress

Tomorrow's War New Soviet Federation on the workbench

I'm working on an army for Tomorrow's War, a New Soviet Federation army. For the most part, this is a conventional land army, with regular infantry, BTRs and tanks, but it also has suits (particularly big and clunky power armour). Eventually I'll have two armies to oppose it, one German Stosstrooper Mercenary army (which is almost ready), and one Imperial Russian army (which I am yet to buy - these would be Khurasan neo-Russians and their DOE gunships for a VDV force).

In fact, my NSF force is composed of two armies: the NSF Guard army, which are a proper Tech Level 2 force (these are Tomorrow's War TLs; in Traveller terms, that would be around TL10-11), and the NSF Opolcheniye (People's Militia), a Tech Level 1 (in Traveller terms, TL8) lighter-infantry force with hand-me-down equipment and less armour. The Guard army will have Lenin MBTs (Combat Wombat Type-123's) and BTR-290's (ArmiesArmy BTRs which I've pre-ordered), as well as a Suit Cavalry squadron (Kremlin Miniatures Rising Sun MANITOUs), while the Opolcheniye will have Lev Davidovich scrap tanks (converted Zvezda T-34's). The Guard troops will be ArmiesArmy RUSKS, while the Opolcheniye will use a combination of 15mm.co.uk Post-Apocalyptic Warriors with Rebel Minis Sahadeen support weapons and command.

Lenin MBTs Work-in-Progress

NSF Guard Infantry Platoon TO&E
NSF Guard Army Basic Attributes:
Confidence Level: High Confidence.
Supply Quality Level: Average.
Overall Tech Level: 2.
On Grid:
- Major Operations: Yes.
- Normal Operations: Rarely.
Body Armour: Light (1D)
Troop Quality/Morale: D8/D10 (some units are D10/D10)
Common Unit Attributes: Old School

NSF Motor Rifle Guard Squad
First Fireteam
1x Sergeant w/AK-200 ACR
1x Corporal w/AK-200 ACR
1x Private w/AK-200 ACR
1x Private w/AK-200 ACR & RPG-100 Single-Shot A/T Weapon (TL2 Hvy. AP:3/AT:3(M))

Second Fireteam
1x Corporal w/AK-200 ACR
1x Private w/AK-200 ACR
1x Private w/AK-200 ACR
1x Gunner w/RPK-200 SAW (TL2 ABW, Lt. AP:1)

BTR-290
1x BTR-290 APC/IFV
1x BTR Commander w/AK-200 ACR [rarely dismounts]
1x BTR Driver w/AK-200 ACR [rarely dismounts]
1x BTR Gunner w/AK-200 ACR [rarely dismounts]

NSF Motor Rifle Guard Platoon HQ
1x Lieutenant w/AK-200 ACR
1x Senior Sergeant w/AK-200 ACR (Forward Observer)
1x Commissar w/PM-150 Pistol (Inspiring)
1x Private First Class w/SVG-1 Gauss Sniper Rifle (TL2 Med. GWS AP:2/AT:1 (L)) (Designated Marksman)
1x Medic w/AK-200 ACR (Medic)
1x HMG Team (see below)
1x Command BTR-290

HMG Team
1x Gunner w/DShK-200 HMG (TL2 ABW, Hvy. AP:3/AT:1 (L))
1x Assistant Gunner/Spotter w/AK-200 ACR

NSF Motor Rifle Guard Platoon
1x Platoon HQ
3x Infantry Squads

NSF Guard Suit Cavalry Basic Attributes:
Confidence Level: High Confidence.
Supply Quality Level: Average.
Overall Tech Level: 2.
On Grid:
- Major Operations: Yes.
- Normal Operations: Rarely.
Body Armour: Powered Armour (3D)
Troop Quality/Morale: D10/D10
Common Unit Attributes: Old School, Intimidating

NSF Suit Cavalry - almost ready

NSF Guard Suit Cavalry Squadron
First Fireteam
1x Lieutenant w/RPK-80 Plasma Gun (TL2 Med. EWS AP:2/AT:2(M))
1x Sergeant w/RPK-80 Plasma Gun (TL2 Med. EWS AP:2/AT:2(M))
1x Corporal w/RPK-80 Plasma Gun (TL2 Med. EWS AP:2/AT:2(M))

Second Fireteam
1x Sergeant w/RPK-80 Plasma Gun (TL2 Med. EWS AP:2/AT:2(M))
1x Corporal w/RPK-80 Plasma Gun (TL2 Med. EWS AP:2/AT:2(M))
1x Corporal w/RPK-80 Plasma Gun (TL2 Med. EWS AP:2/AT:2(M))

NSF Narodnoe Opolcheniye
NSF Narodnoe Opolcheniye (People's Militia) Basic Attributes:
Confidence Level: Confident.
Supply Quality Level: Average.
Overall Tech Level: 1.
On Grid: No.
Body Armour: Unarmoured
Troop Quality/Morale: D8/D8

NSF Opolcheniye Storm Squad
First Fireteam
1x Sergeant w/PPR-74 SMG
1x Corporal w/PPR-74 SMG
1x Private w/PPR-74 SMG
1x Private w/PPR-74 SMG
1x Private w/PPR-74 SMG & RPG-70 Single-Shot A/T Weapon (TL1 Hvy. AP:3/AT:3(M))

Second Fireteam
1x Corporal w/PPR-74 SMG
1x Private w/PPR-74 SMG
1x Private w/PPR-74 SMG
1x Private w/RPK-155 SAW (TL1 TST, Lt. AP:1)

NSF Opolcheniye GPMG Team
1x Gunner w/DShK-120 HMG (TL1 TST, Med. AP:2)
1x Assistant Gunner w/PPR-74 SMG
1x Spotter/Commander w/PPR-74 SMG

NSF Opolcheniye Sniper Team
1x Sniper w/Anti-Materiel Rifle (TL1 Med. TST AP:2/AT:1 (L))
1x Spotter w/PPR-74 SMG

NSF Opolcheniye HQ
1x Lieutenant w/PPR-74 SMG
1x Senior Sergeant w/PPR-74 SMG (Forward Observer)
1x Commissar w/PM-150 Pistol (Inspiring)
1x Medic w/PPR-74 SMG (Medic)

NSF Opolcheniye Storm Group
1x Opolcheniye HQ
5x Opolcheniye Storm Squads
2x Opolcheniye GPMG Teams
2x Opolcheniye Sniper Teams
3x 'Lev Davidovich' Light Tanks

Tomorrow's War Flags

I haven't posted wargaming-related stuff in a while; but here are two flags for Tomorrow's War, of the New Soviet Federation (NSF) and Imperial Russia.

The NSF flag is RED, the proletarian colour, with the big star in the centre symbolizing their capital-world of Novaya Moskva, and the three smaller stars symbolizing their colonies of Gorky, Kirov and Novi Stalingrad:

The Imperial Flag is the traditional Russian tricolour, with teh old Imperial Coat of Arms in its centre:

The Space Cockroach's Jewish New Year's Miniature Sale

For sale - a platoon of 15mm Grey Aliens from 15mm.co.uk, all fully painted and based (on "martian" soil, no less!). Please contact me at (golan2072 -at- gmail -dot- com) if you want them.

Price $30 including shipping worldwide in a padded envelope by registered airmail.

REMOVED FROM SALE - a squadron of 15mm Rising Sun MANITOUs from Kremlin Miniatures, all fully painted and based. Please contact me at (golan2072 -at- gmail -dot- com) if you want them.

 ITEM REMOVED FROM SALE

ACKS: Domains at War on Kickstarter!

The guys at Autarch, the ones behind the excellent Adventurer Conqueror King System (ACKS), have launched a new Kickstarter campaign a few days ago. This time it is Domains at War - a complete fantasy wargame fully compatible with ACKS, and highly compatible with most other D20-related and OSR fantasy RPGs. Best of all, it is two games built into one - a strategic-level game where you fight with entire armies on a battle map detailing entire kingdoms (while each engagement is resolved at an abstract level), and a tactical-level miniature wargame where you fight actual battles on the tabletop between two armies. Both allow for major interference by heroes, i.e. Player Characters (PCs). Highly recommended! And you can back by PayPal if you so desire...

Back it HERE!

USE ME Modern Warfare: Advanced - Under Playtest!

While me and Nikita "Fjodin's" Kondratov are hard at work on the USE ME: Twilight of the Empires Basic rules (covering the 1870-1900 period; Advanced will cover the 1900-1924 period as well), he was also working on the side on an Advanced version of USE ME: Modern Warfare, with a truckload of new options, rules and cool ways to spice your game.

Now his new rules are under playtest. He chose the rather unlikely scenario of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea vs. the Soviet Union in 1989, which turned out to be an interesting experiment in 15mm modern wargaming.

Read his full-blown after-action report (AAR) HERE!

Coming Soon: 15mm Gas Mask Heads from Armies Army!

Keith over at Armies Army has just posted a preview of his work-in-progress "greens" for new 15mm-scale miniature heads - this time with S.T.A.L.K.E.R-style gas masks! Perfect for post-apocalyptic conversions!

Head over to his the Armies Army Blog to read the good news!

The Space Cockroach's Three-Month Plan

So much unpainted lead, so little time to paint it. As you might have recalled, I have decided to stop buying new miniatures and terrain until I'll finish painting and basing my current high mountain of unpainted lead. Not only am I in a lean time, financially speaking (between jobs and living from savings and freelance translation contracts), as well as almost out of storage space, but there is little point in spending money on miniatures while I have tens, if not hundreds, of unpainted miniatures still waiting to be painted.

But miniatures are not enough; what I need right now is terrain to game in. I do have a good number of (mostly unassembled) buildings from Proxie Models, enough to assemble a semi-ruined town of good size. I also have an ample supply of Plasticard to use for basing and roofs. With the addition of assorted junk, I could build myself Novi Pripyat in all its blasted-out glory.

Here are some buildings I have already erected, but not yet finished or painted:

Here are three storage tanks to go along with this:

So my plans for the April-June 2013 period are:

1) Finish the Ruined City 15mm-scale terrain set. This could be used for:

• Sicarii (AKA Sikrik), a bombed-out world in my Alkonost Sector where the Laanese (Rebel Minis Sahadeen with Combat Wombat tanks) will be fighting the Incunablis Machines (Khurasan Mekanoids), in solo wargaming.
• Pripyat, the abandoned city in the Chernobyl Zone of Alienation, used for STALKER solo fights.
• Neo-Stalingrad, for my Stalingrad 2072 solo game.

2) Finish up my Mars gaming board for introducing 15mm gaming to the Nexus gaming club in Rishon Lezion (about 20 minutes by bus from where I live in Rehovot). They already have a gaming mat, Easter island heads and some domes; it needs a few more domes, an alien "face" and a pyramid.

Everything else - tanks, miniatures and WH40K - will come later.

What do you think?

A (Belated) New Year's Decision

I have made up my mind. The Lead Pile is too high - WAY too high. Several 15mm platoons, several 15mm vehicles, TWO WH40K Battleforces, a Chimera, and a whole lot of 15mm terrain, all waiting in and around my cupboard to be assembled and painted.

So I have decided to STOP buying new minis, vehicles, terrains, even rulebooks, with the exception of the Malifaux core role-book and starter-set (Miners' and Steamfitters' Union) which I have already committed into buying - until EVERYTHING I already have will be assembled and painted.

So assembly and paint, here I come!

On the Workbench: WH40K Chimera Part #2

More paint done on my first Imperial Guard Chimera for WH40K.

On the Workbench: WH40K Chimera!

This evening I have assembled an Imperial Guard Chimera (by Game Workshops), primed it and pre-shaded it. Still a lot remains to be done to bring this humble APC up to spec.

The Space Cockroach's post-Hanukah Sale #5: Modern Chechens

Well, I have done some winter cleaning in my large 15mm miniature collection. Turns out there are many minis I no longer need, and will be happy to sell to other wargamers who'll make much more use of them.

Here is a platoon of brand-new Eureka Miniatures 15mm Ultra-Modern Chechens, new in the original blister packs! I'm selling it for $20 including shipping by airmail anywhere in the world in a padded envelope. If you want registered airmail, please add another $5.

If you wish to buy, please contact me at golan2072 -at- gmail -dot- com

The Space Cockroach's post-Hanukah Sale #4: Modern US

Well, I have done some winter cleaning in my large 15mm miniature collection. Turns out there are many minis I no longer need, and will be happy to sell to other wargamers who'll make much more use of them.

Here is a 15mm ultra-modern US force (21 troops by Rebel Minis and 3 Hummers and 1 M3 Bradley by Irishserb). I'm selling it for $40 including shipping by airmail anywhere in the world in a padded envelope. If you want registered airmail, please add another $5.

For more details, please contact me at golan2072 -at- gmail -dot- com

The Space Cockroach's post-Hanukah Sale #3: Robots!

Well, I have done some winter cleaning in my large 15mm miniature collection. Turns out there are many minis I no longer need, and will be happy to sell to other wargamers who'll make much more use of them.

Here is a large force of 15mm.co.uk Automatons. Most are primed and pre-shaded, with the exception of their fliers, who are unassembled and unprimed. I'm selling the entire force for $35 including worldwide air-mail shipping in a padded envelope.

If you wish to buy, please contact me at golan2072 -at- gmail -dot- com. 

The Space Cockroach's post-Hanukah Sale #2

Well, I have done some winter cleaning in my large 15mm miniature collection. Turns out there are many minis I no longer need, and will be happy to sell to other wargamers who'll make much more use of them.

All prices include world-wide airmail shipping in a padded envelope.

If you wish to buy, please contact me at golan2072 -at- gmail -dot- com.

Here is a Rebel Minis 15mm Merka-5 Tank, assembled and primed. I'm selling it for $15.

Here are various "anarchists": Rebel Minis Post-Apocalyptic Survivors and Bikers, all assembled and primed. I'm selling the entire force for $20.

Epic (6mm) Space Marine Lot - now for only $30!

-SOLD-

I am selling a large lot of Epic-scale (6mm) Space Marines. Price is now only $30 for the whole lot including standard airmail shipping worldwide in a padded box. Please add $10 if you want shipping by registered airmail. Payment by PayPal. Please contact me at golan2072 -at- gmail -dot- com if interested.

What I have:
71x plastic Rhinos
12x plastic Land Raiders
7x plastic Land Speeders
60x assorted bases of plastic Space Marines Infantry and Command
3x metal Whirlwinds
2x plastic Whirlwinds
3x metal Hunters, unassembled

Large Epic-scale Space Marines Lot for Sale!

-SOLD-

I am selling a large lot of Epic-scale (6mm) Space Marines. Price is $130 for the whole lot including registered airmail shipping worldwide in a padded box. Payment by PayPal. Please contact me at golan2072 -at- gmail.com if interested.

What I have:
71x plastic Rhinos
12x plastic Land Raiders
7x plastic Land Speeders
60x assorted bases of plastic Space Marines Infantry and Command
3x metal Whirlwinds
2x plastic Whirlwinds
3x metal Hunters, unassembled

The Space Cockroach's post-Hanukah Sale: VDV Platoon

-SOLD-

Well, I have done some winter cleaning in my large 15mm miniature collection. Turns out there are many minis I no longer need, and will be happy to sell to other wargamers who'll make much more use of them.

I'll start with a mechanized Soviet Motor Rifle Platoon, circa 1980 (could be used to represent many Eastern European forces even at much later dates):

3x 15mm BTR-70s (made by QRF)
23x 15mm Motor Rifle Infantry (made by QRF)

All are painted and ready for play.

Cost is $40 for everything together including shipping by airmail anywhere in the world in a padded envelope.

For purchase or further details, please contact me - golan2072 -AT- gmail.com

Stalingrad 2072 - Post-Apocalyptic T-34s

I've converted three Zvezda 1:100 plastic T-34 tank models into something more futuristic/post-apocalyptic for my Stalingrad 2072 project, using bits from Ground Zero Games and 15mm.co.uk.

Here is a work-in-progress: