"I just bought a line of Sci Fi/NF infantry. Now what?" Topic

I've had some pretty handsome sculpts of 15mm sci-fi human infantry basically fall into my lap, thanks to one of my sculptors who saw my space demons and thought his models (which he made a while ago) would make nice opponents for, as they are vaguely colonial marine-ish.

It's armoured infantry (five different poses), command for same (officer, NCO, comms), and heavy weapons (a SAW and a missile launcher). Those parts are all ready and in fact are on their way to me now, cast up and ready for sale! I'll get some painted and then will add them to my scifi page. I'd guess we're looking at a month or so.

I'd like to support them with more stuff to make a full standalone force, but sci-fi has lots and lots and lots of support type possibilities. I don't plan on making other infantry types -- want to keep them near futurish rather than make power armour space marines and all that, and ten poses is enough! However I would be willing to explore making a few vehicles or robots -- more especially robots as GZG already has so many lovely vehicles. Only thing is, their vehicles might be a bit small for my guys, who are 16mm to the eye.

Which vehicle/robot types would best suit an army of infantry that look like futuristic US infantry? (They even wear a version of the Fritz!) These are hard sci fi so the vehicle and robot choices would need to be the same look.

Ok dudes I am listening.

Well, the unique items would be 'Big Dog' or 4X$ Segway-type support robots carrying either packs and ammo, or even mortars, sensors or guns for dealing with hardened targets. Nobody else makes those and an NF force could well have them.

I'd shy away from humanoid robots, as so many other ranges have them, but something like an ED-209 with missiles would fit the bill. Hover drones with ATGWs would be useful as well.

Look at the latest developments in robotics already planned by the US army: tracked robots with automatic weapons and cameras that are remotely driven. They are an off-shoot of the bomb disposal 'bots used by the military and civilian police forces. I would suggest just enlarging these to man-size (about 15mm tall to fit your 16mm figs) and equip with a SAW or heavier weapon, a camera-like head..perhaps a manipulator arm and a balistic shield to the front. Another idea would be a class of small vehicles like dune buggies or 4-wheeled ATVs with enclosed cabs (so driver figs are not needed.

Pete

Hey I really Like that Space demon King. I might just have to make an order. I first have to sell some lead though.

Lets say you were to take todays popular armored vehicles- Stryker, M1, BTR-80, T-80 and extrapolate what they'd look like in say… 30-50 years time.
Kinda like evolve them and give them a sci-fi feel.
John Bear Ross did exactly this with the Despot and Spike tank from Reaper's CAV line. Now, a Despot in 15mm would definitely be THE thing to get me into 15mm gaming.

Now, you said you don't want Space Marine powered armor types… but have you considered Landmate Style Power Armors? Or Gasaraki? Maybe even Matix APUs with actually some armor on them, heh.

Hmmm….
Covert Walrus's ED-209 idea does put love in my heart as those robots are one of my faves and I'd love to have a bunch.
To be honest though… practically any mecha has new ground waiting for it in the 15mm realm as you see these in 6mm (Classic Battletech) or 10mm (CAV, Mechwarrior and, to some extent, Heavy Gear (1/144)). Some -can- be used for 15mm, but, many can't as they're just too small.

Best of luck to you! LOVE the Space Demon Kings BTW.
Cheers!

Glad you guys like the demons.

I am thinking of evolving the Stryker forward. Then again, they are NFish, but not that NFish. If I had to call them one of the other, it would be SF. Hope that clarifies.

Personally, I would love to see some marines or similar with skimmers or jet bikes. Maybe something that has fans a lot like you see on some VTOL craft or UAVs. Sort of like these flyers from Exodus wars, but much smalelr and closer to the size and feel of the jet bikes from ROTJ, but with a more conventional and low tech propulsion system (hence the fans) : link

I would want one or two troopers per bike and then dismounted troops and separate bikes to do dismounted troops. These would allow forces to have dragoons or airborne cavalry units that could cover a lot of ground fast and then set up on the ground to carry out their mission or work as scouts and forward observers. The bikes are transport, not really combat machines, but you could do a support version.

The concept of more robot troops to carry gear and or heavy weapons is a good idea, especially if they are no humanoid. The 'Big dog' is an excellent example.

Dreadnought sized mecha that look like they could have a guy in them are definitely needed. I plan to use some Heavy Gear 1/144 scale as big robots and a few of the old 1/87 scale as mecha with a guy inside, but we need more options like this. The mecha could also be non-humanoid since four legged (or more) walkers and similar would have a lot of mobility in many terrain situations.

Any kind of generic heavy weapons platforms or remote gun systems that could be used with force we already own that could use some additional firepower. Including just blisters of heavy weapons for doing conversions . . . .

Just a few ideas,

Jeff

"Personally, I would love to see some marines or similar with skimmers or jet bikes."
Like this: link ?

"The mecha could also be non-humanoid since four legged (or more) walkers and similar would have a lot of mobility in many terrain situations."
Like this: link ?

@ CMikeHardy,

Yes on both accounts with a few notes.

I think fans might be more likely that the jet VTOL engine on the bike for a more NF look, but I can live with the one in your picture without a problem. :)

You could even do tracked bikes! :)
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I think the Heavy Gear mechs are very similar in concept, but I think the main body will need to be a little bigger if a person is to fit inside. Some ideas, but a little too anime for me, I would prefer a little more hard SciFi.
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Jon has shared pics of these minis with me and I have to say that they will tick a lot of wish lists being useful for Near Future, 'Aliens' Colonial Marines and Verhoeven Starship Troopers genres.

As far as support goes I'd like to see:

Something like this but on a tripod with semi-seated gunner:
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AI mini MRLS on 3-4 walker legs.

Definietly this: picture

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Cheers
Mark
dropshiphorizon.blogspot.com

I haven't looked much, but what about 15mm dropships?

I think anything that has a hard SF, near future look will work for you (and me). I think a lot of people have reached the saturation point with science fantasy and are looking for some good hard SF gaming (nothing WRONG with science fantasy, btw, it's just the norm right now and gamers are always looking for DIFFERENT).

Thanks guys. Smokey I think a 15mm dropship would be fairly large. Does GZG make one? If so I would not bother.

Yeah, I think the realistic combat robots angle is a good one.

Non-humanoid, non-Bug aliens would also be nice. Barlowe's Guide to Extraterrestrials would be a good starting point for inspiration.

I was working on a story for NanoWrimo that featured aliens who were vaguely crablike, with an exoskeletal shell. Civilian aliens would decorate their carapaces with ornate inlays and gems, according to their caste, but military aliens would mount their weapons, electronics, and equipment onto their shells using a semi-permanent resin. So the warriors might have a rectangular laser emitter mounted over one shoulder and a sensor/comms package on the other.

Black Autumn Productions have plans for a large range of aliens – link

Rebel Minis have designed a dropship and Old Crow/Peter Pig both have squad sized Dropships.

Cheers
Mark

Since you asked what to make to expand this line of figures, I'll start there.

I'd look at either a wheeled FCS variant for 'near-future' look (read James Cobb's 'CAV' short story for a description), or build something like the Aliens APC. small enough to be carried in a CH47's cargo bay, large enough for 8-12 guys.

Then you'd want heavier ground vehicles. The Aliens Colonial Marine Technical Manual has side-view drawings of a USCM light tank, and a heavy tank, as well as a Self-propelled Howitzer (all tracked).

I'd also suggest some Gasaraki-like one-man walking IFVs (Gasaraki and Heavy Gear have some of the best realistic vehicle designs). They'd be in the vicinity of 45mm tall, and then you could add some Landmate-type 'powered armor' designs, roughly 28-35mm tall. Nothing says SF like walkers if your basic vehicles are still wheeled or tracked. Once you get grav-manipulation, it's a whole different design paradigm.

After that, I'd think about Air support. The PS2 game 'Dropship' has some great-looking 2050s-or-later aircraft, but they're going to be BIG in 15mm.

If you want grav-vehicles, I'm not sure where to start.

I also like the Gasaraki look for mechs, so I agree 100% with Lion in the Stars on something of that type.

Jeff

Non-humanoid, non-Bug aliens would also be nice.

In the works! I am working on a whole line of aliens, most of whom are relatively humanoid but will be ruled over by mysterious overlords who will not be humanoid.

Great suggestions, Mark and Lion. Lion I dig the Aliens APC but will need to avoid making a straight copy. Mark I also love that vehicle pic you posted with the smaller one coming from it. It matches my idea of using some kind of future Stryker, and the little droid would fill another niche.

I think I am all set for infantry HW though. I think a larger weapon that the missile launcher/SAW you have seen in the pictures would be vehicle mounted.

I'd very much like to make one big robot for these guys, a real slugger who would help them take on very strong foes. I'm having a think on that one!

Fan Powered Portable/Squad/Platoon sized Drones/UAV's

Not sure if anyone makes the line, but Legion Of The Dammed series by William Dietz has lots of different SF equipment…humaniod and alien…a lot of the Foreign Legion uses robots controlled by human brain boxes. Troops carried into battle within a robot spider…large Battle robots carrying a human into battle..lots and lots of fighting. I really enjoyed the books, but don't think I've ever seen any miniatures.

Thank you Mel…I mean Mark

Make what you like KM.

Michael

I am always looking for realistic-style walkers. I would suggest something with hardpoints on the torso and with manipulator arms bearing lighter, secondary weaponry.

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Also, the walking tanks from Ghost in The Shell would be cool. They are great vehicle-style robots.

LEGO Version
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Plastic Model
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Comic Version
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-Eli

When can we see photos of the Infantry? This sounds very tempting.

nnascati, the way you roll a product out is very important, as many of your sales come upfront when you release it. I'm going to get the models painted and then release them. Should be quite soon! Within a month I'd say.

"In the works! I am working on a whole line of aliens, most of whom are relatively humanoid but will be ruled over by mysterious overlords who will not be humanoid."

Hearing this really excites me! Also I'd love to see some Apes with energy weapons in 15mm!!!

Some hard-ish looking 15mm Mecha would be a welcome addition to the 15mm world. GZG has some walker tanks and Combat Wombat(?) does a very neat scout walker I plan to pick up, but some more explicitly bipedal humanoid designs would be cool. Give them a couple of weapon options and you'd be all set.

-Will

I should add that the 'Front Mission' video games have some excellent 'real' looking Mecha. I'll see if I can get some pictures.

-Will

"Which vehicle/robot types would best suit an army of infantry that look like futuristic US infantry? (They even wear a version of the Fritz!) These are hard sci fi so the vehicle and robot choices would need to be the same look."

Funny you should ask, I have been working on a similar topic for 28mm at the WF page. Here are some suggestions and some pics:

I know you said no other infantry, but you gotta have these to be a complete stand alone force:

Vehicle crews,
support weapons crews w/weapons ( HMG, Mortar, multiple missile launcher/ air-defense, etc…)
Higher-command staff (company, battalion, etc…)
Snipers,
Armored infantry or vehicle riders,
combat shotgun trooper,
trooper w/ a retro-looking anti-tank rifle (could be laser, particle weapon, hi-speed projectectile weapon, etc…)
multiple-shot grenade launcher,
support robotic weapons (sentry guns, AAA, AT),
support robot pi-pedal mechs (6-10 feet tall, not giant sized),
Armored personelle carriers or Support wheeled vehicles (ie. Striker)
artillery (not lasers), one of the most overlooked weapons systems in NF/ SF minis (could look like WWI howitzers or siege guns, not to get too 40K looking though!).

To make these more viable for the long run rather than billing them as alien-fighting colonial marines type troops I would definitely label them near future US/NATO troops or something similar. Then you could do NF Eastern Europe/ Russian troops and Near Future Islamic troops to follow.

I own "Future Commander" rules and have not decided on miniatures yet. These sound perfect for me. I prefer NF to SF troops (no power armor, hovercreaft, lasers, plasma guns etc…).

Thanks and good luck:

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PS. I will need about 100 of these. Do you know how you are going to package these yet? A platoon box w/ the support weapons included would be great!

Robotic versions of theses = cool:
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Well, I don't actually like the way the Aliens APC looks, so no skin off my nose (and I fully appreciate the need to preserve IP). The design ideas behind it are great, though. Honestly, I really like the Gasaraki Command and Control Vehicle better (too bad I can't find any pics of it online, so I'll have to get … creative to post a picture).

It's an 8x8, small enough to fit in a CH47, has a 25mm Bushmaster and a co-axial 7.62mm MG in a turret, plus a whole pile of information-gathering capabilities, including a pair of recon drones that look like powered sailplanes, carried in parallelogram-shaped boxes on the top of the hull. The CCV proper has a side door, but that's not important to the rest of the details.

The CCV holds a crew of 5: Driver, gunner, and the three members of the Company TOC: Company Commander, and two tech officers (they're both medical and intel types).

That's what I mean for a small vehicle (although you can use as much or as little of that description as you want for *your* vehicle), and to be honest, I'd expect to see an APC variant of that, so a Bradley-like turret instead of the skinny M60A2-style turret that's on the CCV. The recon drones would lose out to some anti-tank missiles and/or some AA missiles mounted on the turret.

I'm assuming you want to keep this project in the near-future realm, with no grav/hover vehicles. The next thing I'd consider is what to make the bigger AFVs look like.

May I suggest using the M8 Ridgway light tank (it's the Armored Gun System contest winner)? Small hull, 105mm gun. It's also tracked, if you want to go that route.

Otherwise, I'd stick with wheeled vehicles, like what James Cobb describes in the short story 'Cav'. Big 8x8s, the size of an RV. The platoon command vehicle has a small turret on a cherry-picker arm, while the other two vehicles are drones with a small-caliber "boostergun" (gas gun with multiple injector nozzles) in a casemate instead of a turret, on the same chassis.

By the way, just got the castings and I am going to send the models off to the painter on Monday; as soon as I get painted pics up they go on my webstore.

Think what I've decided on is an APC and a HAC (Heavy Assault Cyborg). I've discussed with the sculptor and he is mulling it over. Also a gunbot which will be carried in the front of the APC, as one of the images you guys posted shows. My APC will be somewhere between that one and the Stryker.

Next up in 15mm Sci Fi I've got the Garn and also a surprise race who are the basic line troopers of the Pelagic Dominate, an alien empire.

*aaaaaaaaaaaargh!!!*

Why must you tempt me with these things, when my tax return hasn't posted yet?

'Heavy Assault Cyborg'? Like the beast from the Aliens versus Predator books, or more like a Landmate?

Grav bikes! There arent enough grav bikes in 15mm (let alone 6mm) i think "Return of the Jedi" has a lot to answer for here! What could be better than your sci-fi scouts/recce on grav bikes?

For Heavy Gear, the gear's torso is pretty much the cockpit. In 15mm, it could easily pass as a chunky Landmate-style Power Armour.

Can't wait for the garn!

Garn are supposed to be done by Wednesday, so I have my fingers crossed.

Heavy Assault Cyborg will be inspired by something like this:
YouTube link

Sweet! I plan on pairing them with the GZG alien mercs to form the merc group Planet Wreckers, Inc. "We wreck the planet of your choice, or your money back."