Full Spectrum Resistance

TIME TO TRY SOMETHING NEW - DROPZONE COMMANDER!

Dropzone Commander is a 10mm scale sci-fi wargame built around the concept of rapid deployment and redeployment of your forces by airborne dropships, exemplifying the pace of combat on the battlefields of the future. This makes for a tactical and fast paced experience, where quick thinking and strokes of genius often bring victory.

I have been following Dropzone Commander very closely for the past few months, looking for something at a small-scale to complement the naval and aerial battles of Dystopian Wars and the larger-scale skirmishes of Infinity and Warhammer 40,000. The quality of the models has always impressed me, with interesting designs and incredible details, and after picking up the rulebook, the background and pictures were engaging enough to hold my attention. 

The local club is starting a dedicated Dropzone Commander night, and I intend to use this as my springboard for getting into the game! Much like Infinity, I will be chronicling my progress on the blog, alongside the usual Infinity and Dystopian Wars posts. 

Designed and produced by Hawk Wargames, a relatively small company that came on the scene three years ago, they nonetheless have a respectable reputation and a huge catalogue of products. The skills shown in design, production, painting and photography is really impressive, and I have high hopes for their second game coming soon - Dropfleet Commander. 

CHOOSING A FACTION

Dropzone Commander is driven by the narrative of Humanity emerging from exile to reclaim their homeworlds, lost decades previously to the onslaught of the alien Scourge. Alongside them, the alien Shaltari operate as allies and enemies, driven by their own agenda, and the Post-Human Republic return from their own exile - but not to assist the Colonies. On the broken Cradle Worlds, small groups of survivors form the Resistance - but this is not a unified force. 

Choosing which Faction to play was a tough decision - I had always loved the look of the bright, alien Shaltari, while some of the new releases for the utilitarian United Colonies of Mankind were really impressive. The Resistance had also caught my eye, their rag-tag appearance and repurposed technologies looking like a lot of fun to paint. The Scourge and the PHR were nice, and some of the models were especially cool, but as a whole their ranges were not so enticing. 

At this point I was not driven by playstyle, but aesthetics - I wanted to collect what looked good, not what played the best. Below are a selection of photos of the different Factions, amid some really, really nice scenery pieces. 

The insidious Shaltari Tribes

The horrific Scourge

The United Colonies of Mankind

The ragged bands of the Resistance

The Post-Human Republic

INSPIRATION

After some weeks trying to decide which Faction to collect, Mad Max: Fury Road was released - suddenly the decision was easy! I wanted a legion of individualised vehicles, rusted but still deadly, covered in hastily-assembled weaponry and spikes. I would tailor the force to be more feral - antagonistic to everyone who had not endured the horror of Scourge occupation. Luckily, despite being released only recently, the Resistance range is already quite large. 

THE RESISTANCE

Below are a selection of the vehicles and flyers available to the Resistance - some great characterful models here that I look forward to painting and using on the battlefield!

Battle Buses

Salakahn, Tyrant of Atlantia

Gun Technicals

Leviathan Hovercraft

M3 Alexander

Fire Wagons

AT-77 Lifthawk

M9 Hannibal

Barrel Bomber

J19 Hellhog

AH-16 Cyclones

M9 Hannibals

Model 109 Breaching Drill

The Resistance Starter Box - my first purchase

Watch this space! 

Thanks for reading, 

George