Taking The Black

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS OF THE BLACK WOLF MERCENARIES

"Led by the ruthless "Black Wolf" Captain Vladimir Nikonov, this mercenary fleet strikes fear into the hearts of Admirals the world over. Selling his services to the highest bidder the Black Wolf is a hunter without equal, excelling at coordinating his ships is lightning fast assaults to cripple the enemy before they know what has hit them."

Everything you've heard is true. The Black Wolf Mercenaries are here and they've broken Dystopian Wars. 

AAR - Black Wolf Mercenaries versus Federated States of America

"No less than three weeks after the attack on Holsteinsborg, the Argo was reported to have joined a flotilla escorting a convoy of merchant and troop ships travelling perilously close to the island of Ammassalik; den of the piratical Black Company. 

Prussian fleet commander Karl-Ehrhart Grunner had not been idle since the Argo's first attack. With the promise of raw materials and exclusive hunting rights, he had drawn the Sea Snake into his service. Commander of the Red Viper and lieutenant to the Black Wolf himself, the Sea Snake was a reaver of infamous repute with an entire fleet of Black Company ships at his disposal. Practically salivating at the thought of the riches to be reaped from this convoy, he prepared his ambush..."

 - The Blockade of Greenland

Naval Battles of 1872

The Red Viper

North Sea Puzzle

A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO PAINTING THE PRUSSIAN NAVY - Part One

Since this blog began, I have had quite a few requests for a guide on how to do the camouflage on my Prussian Empire fleet. There is no great secret to painting this particular pattern - no stencils, no masking tape or intricate designs. It is entirely patience and a steady hand... and a few easy tricks.

Saxony-class Corvettes

In this first article, I will discuss the inspiration behind the scheme and how it was developed.

Great Danes

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS OF THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK IN DYSTOPIAN WARS

"Alone of the Scandinavian nations, Denmark has managed to retain its independence in the face of three mighty neighbours; the Prussian Empire, the Kingdom of Britannia and the Russian Coalition. By a combination of careful diplomacy and stout local military power, the Kingdom of Denmark endures these threats and stills stands proud today."

The Danish Fleet

Building The Supercarrier

THE STIGLITZ-CLASS FLOATING FORTRESS

Inspired by the Seydlitz-class Mobile Airfield, the Stiglitz is my answer to the super carriers that have appeared on the Dystopian battlefield. 

Enter The Fist

THE DONNERFAUST-CLASS SUPPORT CRUISER 

Part Three of the Wolf Pack Flotilla breakdown (see Part One and Two here) sees the Donnerfaust-class Support Cruiser take the centre stage, the place it belongs (despite it's classification as a Support Cruiser...). The ship that redefined the Prussian Medium class and brought Tesla weaponry into the forefront of Prussian tactics, the Donnerfaust is an excellent investment for any Prussian Commodore.

White Lightning

THE ZERSTÖRER STRIKE BOMBER 

Part Two of my Wolf Pack Flotilla breakdown that started with the Sturmbringer-class Submarine continues with the first Prussian small flyer that isn't an airship, the Zerstörer Strike Bomber. Carrying impressive Tesla cluster bombs and packing some speed, the Dystopian Stuka is a lovely addition to the Tesla-heavy Prussian fleet.

Herald of the Storm

THE STURMBRINGER-CLASS SUBMARINE

One of my most recent additions to my Prussian fleet was the excellent Wolf Pack Flotilla, a well priced expansion that brings some serious electrical power to the Prussian arsenal. The Sturmbringer-class Submarine is the centrepiece of the box set, looking awesome and finally bringing the perpetrator of the infamous London Raid to the gaming table.

Heavy Risk, But The Prize...

One of my most common opponents in Dystopian Wars is a gentleman known as Winner Dave, an excellent painter, master of the airbrush and a major contributor to the Flames of War blog Breakthrough Assault. His gaming record is... slightly uneven... and over the past year it has been my ongoing mission to bully, bribe and coerce him into playing Dystopian Wars.

Winner runs a Russian fleet, with a varying colour scheme dependant on his current mood and a strong leaning toward big ships and heavy mortars, especially with his recent acquisition of the Russian Support Box. Last year, we played a series of games against one another that I attempted to link with some light narrative. After prizing his Dreadnought twice in two games, I declared if I managed to do it a third time, I would buy one for myself and model it in Prussian colours... and here we are. 

The Russian Dreadnought, converted and painted for the 7th Iron Fleet

AAR - Prussian Empire versus Federated States of America

"The summer of 1872 saw the World War reach new heights of chaos as the Ottoman Empire pledged themselves to the Imperial Bond and the Grand Republique of France launched its forces south across the Mediterranean. All eyes turned to the new front, North Africa... or at least, almost all. 

In the Atlantic, Prussian raiding had caused untold damage to the convoys crossing between Europe and the Americas. Operating out of bases at Greenland, Iceland and the new Bermudan territories, their reach was long and repercussions had been all but non-existent as the Britannian and American fleets struggled to allocate resources away from protecting the convoys, the major operations in the Pacific, and around mainland Europe. 

Nonetheless, early June 1872 saw the Federated States of America appoint the veteran Rear-Admiral Curt J. Spaatz a small expedition of ships to test the defences of one of the major Prussian harbours on Greenland, Holsteinsborg - the northernmost ice-free port in the country. His mission, to break off from convoy duty and engage the Prussian fleet at Holsteinsborg as they sat in anchor, aiming to cripple the core fleet of the infamous reaver Karl-Ehrhart Grunner. 

Grunner, however, was fully aware of Spaatz' approach..."

 - The Blockade of Greenland, 

Naval Battles of 1872 

The Federated States of America

"Best damned country in the world right here, yes sir. An’ the rest of the world’s gonna learn that fast!”
- Senator James G. McCloskey of Mississippi, 1867

One of my oldest opponents in Dystopian Wars and other games, my Good Friend Ben (Founder of the Breakthrough Assault Flames of War blog and lead photographer for this blog) has a number of powerful fleets that have caused me no end of misery over the years. The Federated States of America (FSA) are his largest fleet, and the first fleet I painted for him. In this blog entry, I will prepare for an upcoming Battle Report AAR by showcasing his fleet - know your foe! 

The FSA Starter box set

The Prussian Empire

"The Prussian Navy is expanding rapidly in the face of the threat from Britannia – indeed, it was responsible for the most audacious coup of the conflict so far; the chemical raid upon London itself. Traditionally basing its strength on aggressive cruisers and small craft in the confined waters of the North Sea and Mediterranean, the Navy has recently embarked upon a great expansion of its battleship and dreadnought strength, to challenge the Britannian strength in this area."

In this entry, I will discuss some more of my reasons for investing in the Prussian Navy, and a basic overview of the Prussian gaming style; how they differ from other fleets in the game and what makes them win games. 

Emperor-class Battleship