The Russians are coming !!!

[blkdymnd 182]

Loophole Master said:

 

We got cards for Koshka and Grand'ma (which I'm sorry, but really should have been called Babushka)!

First of all, the red cards look awesome. Second, Koshka is surely the limpest hero yet. Her attacks are pityful, even if her grenade pistol's single die ignores cover.

Babushka (yes, I'm calling it that), on the other hand looks pretty good. The weapons don't deal a hell of a lot of damage, but they all ignore cover (I wonder why this howitzer ignores cover, but the Mickey's doesn't). Assault is a killer ability for a flamer walker to have, but what really surprised me was the 5 Health. The Dust Studios' Otto only had 4, so I wander if all the KV-47 variants will also have 5, or if it's just this hero walker. It would be cool if the ruskies' machines were all a little tougher.

But then what about the synergy between Koshka and Babushka? Well, it's really just the Fighting Spirit ability, and at first sight it seems a bit underwhelming. All it does is act like the Spotter ability for a single time in the game. And it also has the caveat that she must move first before using it (I guess they mean MOVE+ATTACK) so you won't even get to use Sustained Fire with that. It's not bad, but considering how useless Koshka is once she ditches the Babushka, I expected a bit more.

Also, can you field one of them without the other?

 

 

 

Yeah, my question was the points thing.  54 for the combination?

[Loophole Master 2]

The price for the Babushka seems about right. But I think Koshka should have been REAL cheap, like somewhere around 12. On the walker she just gives it a one-time ability that's good, but not great, and then when she's on foot, she's just a nuisance, and a bit of a wasted hero since she can't use her health to aid a squadron.

Of course, this is all really uninformed opinions, since I've never played with a pilot hero.

 

PS: I just realized that, if the Natalya's circular saws are considered C weapons, ALL weapons in ALL SSU walkers ignore cover...

[Loophole Master 2]

And before anybody stars thinking that the Mickey's Howitzer also ignores cover, here's a lightning-fast response by FFG:

The Grand'ma's Howitzer is a VK916 Howitzer, which is a superior form of the standard version carried by the Mickey. As a result, the Mickey's Howitzer does not gain "Grenade Weapon" status.

 

(hummm, and yet my question regarding Scout is still unanswered, I guess that one is causing a bit of a stir...)

 

[Maximum2 0]

 

 Certainly is an interesting walker, the 5 health is a nice plus. I can't imagine I would field it with her piloting it though. (unless I completely misread and we HAVE to for some reason) I like it however Koshka might as well be 14 or 16 pts to make here atleast somewhat relevant to use with a squad on her own, oh well. 

 At this point I'm looking at buying 2 Zverograds and a single Walker box that way I get 2 more building levels, a second Koshka to make a custom mini out of and can just interchange the second Grand'ma with parts from the Walker box. For squads.... lets see some stats! 

[Miah999 0]

This is all great news...

I'm liking that some building parts are included in Zevrograd, it was looking a little over priced.

All the red art really makes me think the official standard SSU minis will be some shade of red, I just hope it's not too vibrant.

[Major Mishap 33]

The KV gun isn't a howitzer anyway, it's a grenade laucher.  Unfortunately FFG can't tell the difference.

[Jowimus 27]

I think if you buy Grandma you get Koshka included. Koshka probably only has a point value so you can bring her without Grandma and attach her to another squad. Unfortunately, her Fighting Spirit seems to be once per game and maybe only limited to Piloting her walker...which would make her a very weak hero. Maybe if it was only once per game while piloting, but always worked while on foot/in a squad, she would be worth 18 points. Still, a very different and cool hero/walker combo and the red cards amazing.

[Loophole Master 2]

Jowimus said:

Fighting Spirit seems to be once per game and maybe only limited to Piloting her walker...

There's no doubt here, it IS once per game and ONLY works for the walker.

And I don't think you get her for free when fielding the Babushka.

[Jowimus 27]

Loophole Master said:

Jowimus said:

Fighting Spirit seems to be once per game and maybe only limited to Piloting her walker...

 

There's no doubt here, it IS once per game and ONLY works for the walker.

And I don't think you get her for free when fielding the Babushka.

 

Yeah, not really sure what I was thinking when I was looking at the cards. You almost certainly have to pay points for both, even though I think she is way under powered if she can't use her ability with a squad she joins.

[SGTManuel 0]

 So the SSU is getting a KV-47 transport helicopter, 4 variant attack helicopter, 3 new KV-47 variants, and a commissarat squad that can fight as a unit or be divided and used to bolster other squads. 

[Loophole Master 2]

Man, SSU has a LOT of things coming. Let's see:

 

SQUADS:

- SSU Command Squad

- SSU Comissar Squad

- Chinese Volunteers

- SSU Close Combat Squad

- SSU Battle Squad

- SSU Observer Team

- SSU Sniper Team

HEROES:

- Koshka

- Nikolai

- Yakov

- Red Yana

WALKERS:

- Babushka (Grand'ma)

- Nadya

- Natasha

- Natalya

- Nastasia

- Nikita

- Nina

CHOPPERS:

- SSU Airborne Transport

- SSU Airborne Walker Transport

- Striker

- Burner

- Airblaster

- Death Rain

 

Good lord! This is really very close to catching up with the other factions.

[SGTManuel 0]

 I agree, I have been a wargamer for almost 20 years and do not recall seeing so many items in one go, they are doing a great job of fielding a faction in one go.  I know a lot of people were under the impression that the SSU was going to be under powered initially, but I think they are going to have a lot of good options and it will hopefully draw in new players.  At this rate I hope FFG finishes this with a SSU army bundle something like, three squads a hero and a walker/copter.  Great job FFG, can't wait to see aircraft rules.

[Dakkon426 0]

 I think That the lack of A3 Infantry is a big concern but other then that SSU will be good to go as soon as they hit the shelf.

[Loophole Master 2]

Oh, and I even forgot one squad:

- SSU Rifle Squad

[SGTManuel 0]

 Yeah not having many Arm3 is going to make it tough, also doesn't seem like they have to much long range anti tank.  But with the three DPM MGs (1 from the commissar),the different ATK Copter options, all the snipers and and a lot of flame weapon options I think they can cover those areas.

[Ursun 0]

I don´t know if someone allready stated it, but the SSU troops seems to get primed red.

As you can see on this picture

http://www.heidelbaer.de/uploads/tx_boardgames/DustTactics_SSURifleSquad_Cover500.jpg

the box red, just like the allied box is green and the axis box is grey, so no light brown or dark green troops...well red seems nice anyway

 

[Major Mishap 33]

They won't be primed red as the uniforms and tanks are not red and so would be pointless in doing so, thats just box art to make them stand out using national colours.

[Ursun 0]

Major Mishap said:

 

They won't be primed red as the uniforms and tanks are not red and so would be pointless in doing so, thats just box art to make them stand out using national colours.

 

 

 

Any other hint than you just suspecting that their primer should match the studio paint job? I mean, you could be right, but then their primer should be..grey and green? sounds familiar to me. or blue? not really. brown? well maybe.

As compared to the Axis/allies box...their national colours are blue/red/white an black/red...but the stripes on their side represent the primer colour green and grey. I´m just saying I see  similarity between the box art and the primer.

also i don´t think another green (even a darker green) army on the table would be a good idea for the people who don´t paint their minis any further, a brown army really doesn´t sound like it would sell well (well maybe in germany haha..well... no)....and to be honest,anything else but red would make no sence for the point of selling "russians that are not red" to the common people out there.

 

E: and their cards would  match the "card colour = primer" thing too

[Loophole Master 2]

I agree, even though it won't be much help when painting, from an unpainted standpoint it makes perfect sense for the figures to be reddish.

[Major Mishap 33]

Ursun said:

 

Major Mishap said:

 

They won't be primed red as the uniforms and tanks are not red and so would be pointless in doing so, thats just box art to make them stand out using national colours.

 Any other hint than you just suspecting that their primer should match the studio paint job? I mean, you could be right, but then their primer should be..grey and green? sounds familiar to me. or blue? not really. brown? well maybe.

 

 

The whole point of a coloured primer is to give a good base coat for the main colour of the paint to be applied.  The main uniform and tank colour of the Russians is a green-ish, so the base coat should also be of a similar colour.  Brown is a good possibility to distinguish them from the Allies for players who do not paint, but not red, this is not 40K

 

Edit: I've also got the Otto and that is green plastic, might have some bearing on the matter as the other Dust Models kits are green and grey for the Allies and Axis'.

[Loophole Master 2]

Major Mishap said:

The whole point of a coloured primer is to give a good base coat for the main colour of the paint to be applied. 

But that's the thing, that is NOT the whole point of a coloured primer. I would think that the majority of people who buy Dust Tactics do not paint their minis, and so it is very important that the primer colour provides these costumers with a nice colour that sets each faction appart.

[Major Mishap 33]

Loophole Master said:

Major Mishap said:

The whole point of a coloured primer is to give a good base coat for the main colour of the paint to be applied. 

 

But that's the thing, that is NOT the whole point of a coloured primer. I would think that the majority of people who buy Dust Tactics do not paint their minis, and so it is very important that the primer colour provides these costumers with a nice colour that sets each faction appart.

Well it is the point of a primer, to give a good foundation for painting.  But as I also said,  brown would be a good compromise to suit the non-painter.

[Loophole Master 2]

The latest Dust Warfare showcase video gave us a first glimpse at yet another KV-47 variation:

My guess is this is the Nastasia, the anti-aircraft variation that comes with the carrier chopper. It doesn't look like the artillery Nikita. It seems the carrier chopper attaches to that bar on top, and maybe it has a normal stick base for when it's not carrying anything.

[blkdymnd 182]

 It's pretty much confirmed to be khaki.  The aircraft rules preview showed hat with the color of the aircraft.  They use the base color in the rulebook examples.

[Maximum2 0]

 

  

Any takers on what weapons the 3rd variation has now that we know 2 of them?