"Something's been bugging me... 15mm Sc-fi bug prototype" Topic

I sent a little something extra when I had the Conquistadwarf master mold made. Here's a preview of a new 15mm sci-fi bug race.

picture

This is only the first prototype figure. The original artist is working out unit composition and variants.

picture

Here is another view with a Rebel Minis' earth Force trooper. You can see it's a fair sized bug for 15mm, but it could also be used for 10mm and 25/28mm gaming. I envision swarms pouring out of cargo crates in my next 28mm hanger bay scenario.

I'm not sure if I'll be producing them or if I'll sell them to another manufacturer yet, but they should be ready for general consumption between the middle of July and the middle of August this summer.

Enjoy.

Rod

They look pretty good to me for 15mm! The only bit im not so keen on is the "blunderbus" barreled cannon.

Damn 15mm tempters…

That is very cool…
I wonder if it would work as a BIG bug-thug for 6mm… or maybe a tiny mite-minion for 28mm…

Hymenoptera!

Love it. The Fantasy Trip had a whole selection of giant intelligent Hymenoptera including flying, soldier, giant etc IIRC. Always wondered why they didn't turn up more often in Fantasy/Sci-fi gaming.

Make it easy to replace firearms with swords/spears/shields and I'd buy a fair few. I suppose it's too late to request another pair of legs/arms.

Dear God!

That critter looks absolutely amazing. Unbelievable!!!

"they should be ready for general consumption between the middle of July and the middle of August this summer."

Rod, get 5-6 grunt poses done, and I would buy tons of them.

CC

Rod,
Awesome! I imagine a conversion to fantasy bugs would be pretty easy as well.

A Chig weapon being carried by an insect.

Army ants with guns.

They look quite good.

Agreed, another pair of legs would look nice.

"Agreed, another pair of legs would look nice."

Though, in their evolution towards using the front pair for things other than walking, the middle pair could have become rather vestigial and not normal sized.

See this example:

link

Just a thought.

CC

Thanks for the comments, Guys.

This is only the prototype. I will be adding more poses and weapons. Exactly what they will be is still being decided.

Conversions for fantasy… Hmmmm…

"Conversions for fantasy… Hmmmm…"

Or some of their brethren might simply be more primitive, using weapons that are almost "medieval". :)

Example of two types like that here:

link
link

CC
PS. Either way, I'm getting ready. I already have a little home for them: link

CC, I saw the bug hut the other day and was quite pleased with it. Any chance someone will be producing them for the public?

Rod

Rod,

Thanks. Chances are good. Hope to have news soon.

Dan
PS. If you add another set of legs, don't make them full-sized. Otherwise, they will end up looking a bit awkward: picture

"The Fantasy Trip had a whole selection of giant intelligent Hymenoptera including flying, soldier, giant etc IIRC. Always wondered why they didn't turn up more often in Fantasy/Sci-fi gaming."

Because shortly after their TFT appearance, their creator shut down the game company and vanished. They had originally appeared in Metagaming's "Chitin-1", a classic hex-and-counter game about war between two hives. Great stuff, but not developed much further.

reminds me of the zarbi aliens from the first Dr who's early episode that had ant like creatures and flying bee creatures.

Sci-fi ant bugs! Excellent!
Very nicely done.

How about ant-like antennae on their heads? Perhaps they would be too frail at this size.

Ants herd aphids don't they? Probably stupid suggestion, but instead of guns how about squeezing small aphid-like things that squirt acid out of their abdomens. You could have giant aphid swarm bases too…

I really like these!

Silurian has a good suggestion with his bio-guns, but I'd really rather see some bugs armed with good ol'fashioned metal weapons, especially if those weapons were easily identified as "rifles," "SAWs," and so forth.

These would make GREAT enemies for Mike's Earth Force.

At first I was thinking 'not another bug race!' but I am quite taken with the sculpt. I would be willing to grab a few as allies (or rivals) of my Spug force.

-Will

"At first I was thinking 'not another bug race!' "

That's interesting. That was my thought when my buddy said he had some bug sketches he did many years ago. Then he emailed it to me and it was all downhill from there.

Don't know about aphids or more metalish weapons. It's not really my design to mess with, but one never knows…

Rod

Nice. Simple design that lends to large units. Well done.

MWA HA HA! Is a Ghast from Space Captain Smith! Now if only they had German helmets and trench coats…

Brilliant stuff!

Ants and spiders give me the willies! I just can't game with either. That means your figure is spot on. :-)

Coolness! Would love to see that go forward. It's an interesting concept.

Those are great! Looking forward to seeing them hit the market!

Another vote for adding an additional pair of arms/legs… (preferably legs).
Without weapons these would be a great beginning for a Chitin mini-game.

Fantastic! I have to echo the thoughts on the gun though. Perhaps a needler or such? They remind me of the aliens from "Armor" by John Steakley.

I hesitate to go on about the extra legs as it would mean fair bit of redesign … but what the heck it's just words:-)

I was thinking of dual purpose limbs usable as either arm or leg as the situation called for. The dual purpose arms would be for heavy/rough work with crude fingers. E.g. they would carry the heavy weapons while the primary arms handle reloading, adjusting and firing.

On rough ground or when carrying heavy loads, the center limbs would be used as legs for added stability or load bearing. Ideal for extra heavy support weapons.

This allows a huge variety of poses and weapons etc with just 1 basic body type.

MWA HA HA! Is a Ghast from Space Captain Smith!

My first thought too.

Please tell me you are going to do them in 6mm too!!

Steve P

A thought on the extra legs.

To avoid grief with extra casting, go with a pair tucked up close to the chest in that classic praying mantis position. Sculpt them directly onto the body and avoid extra bits.

Easy enough if desired.

Good luck with your project.

I will buy these. I love the concept. 15mm works well for me.

"Please tell me you are going to do them in 6mm too!!"

Funny you should mention that. A 6mm version went in that same master mold. :)

Thanks again for all of the feedback.

Rod

These are fine for 15mm. I like how you gave the bug armor. The gun could use a bit of work. It looks too retro or like a water cannon.

Water cannon to bludgeon the enemy into unconsciousness so to take as prisoner/food/slaves/Intel source?

Gas/Sonic grenade launcher for the same reasons?

Gracias,

Glenn

The attachment points of the legs show that they're not actual insects, so don't feel constrained about the number of limbs.

I'm voting for sticking with "technology" weapons, not bio-weapons. The "bugs use squigs!" bit has been done to death.

Just for once I'd like to see humans using bio-tech and bug-like aliens using metal-tech. War of the Worlds, anyone?

Sooo, if they're not "Bugs" what would the human/humanoid sodliers/troopers call Them?

"Sooo, if they're not "Bugs" what would the human/humanoid sodliers/troopers call Them?"

Likely "bugs". Humans have a tendency to class things based on what's familiar. Even if they're closer to crabs than bugs, they basically look like bugs, so they'd likely be called bugs.

:)

"Sooo, if they're not "Bugs" what would the human/humanoid sodliers/troopers call Them?"

Symmetrical exo-skeletal bipeds with guns and pincers.

These are great. 15mm just got Kafers.

I agree with 28mm Man about an extra set of small retracted arms/legs.

Regards,
Keith F.

These rock! Here's hoping to seem them produced and available soon! I'm fine with the gun and arms as is (especially if that will help speed up production!)
I see some epic battles between these and some Spugs!

Excellent Rod! Just what I've been looking for!

The head and carapace are superb. I have absolutely no problems with the miniature being bipedal or the design of the weapon. Though I would like to see a classic 'pulp' style laser rifle with 'disks'.

These basic bipedal minis could be drones and you could produce some with extra legs/arms as 'warrior' types – perhaps with more advanced/heavier weaponry.

Cheers
Mark
dropshiphorizon.blogspot.com

Rod,
Any news, updates on these??

@ Lerchey says:

"Sooo, if they're not "Bugs" what would the human/humanoid sodliers/troopers call Them?"

Likely "bugs". Humans have a tendency to class things based on what's familiar. Even if they're closer to crabs than bugs, they basically look like bugs, so they'd likely be called bugs.

Unless we already had "Bugs" and then discovered the "Crabs"

Very nice, great work, they will work very well.

Any recent news on this?

Thanks.

CC

Yeah what CC said. : )

I really like these. Like many have said, xtra legs would be cool too but I'd get some just as they are. The Hymenoptera reference came to mind for me as well as I loved that boardgame. Another image that springs forth is the Pe'Choi from Empire of the Petal Throne. M.A.R. Barker's Fantasy RPG that had an intelligent insectoid race. Can't find an image but they were VERY cool looking.

Google is your friend. :) I have some of the Ral Partha EPT Pe'Choi. Really cool minis.

picture

J

I'm interested in these as well. I say leave them just the way they are.

I recently got the FWC rules. I want to make an army of these ants as my first non-human army.

How soon can I order them? I'm ready right now! :)

CC

Must have BUGS!!!

Rodrick,

So when are these suckers going to be released.