"Brainstorming for Non-Wells Martian War Machines" Topic

When my friends and I decided to get into Wessex's Land Ironclads, I made the foolish decission to go with a Burroughs/S1889 style Martian army without tripods and such.

I liked the style of the more tribal, multi-ethnic, city-state approach that was used in both the John Carter as well as the Space: 1889 style Martians, but this really did leave me lacking when it came to equipment to take on my opponents Earthling steam machines and giantic weapons of war.

Many of the smaller niches could be filled by large beasts with howdays and such, carrying cannons and such, but the real trick is filling the role of the big clases of Land Ironclads. Flyers are one option, but my opponent will also have aeronefs.

One thought I had was to use Martian Chronicles sand ship concepts, but blown up to the "extreme" so I would have full on sand barges, galleons and such. The biggestp roblem is finding miniatures to represent these in the 2mm-ish scale used in Land Ironclads.

does anyone have any other ideas without resorting to insanely huge monsters?

-Eli

My first thought is the canals of Mars would serve as wicked tank traps, even during the dry season, unless they're neglected and slumped in. But if the Martians fight on the other side of a canal, the Earthling big beasts can't come near them. Does the Burroughs influence include the Martian ray guns? That would balance things.

For the sand ships idea, Objects May Appear at Shapeways has something that might work:
link Technically it's called a hover tank, but I use it for Land Ironclads (for the Turks) and just say the wheels/treads are hidden by the skirt. It does look kind of ship-ish too though, and it scales well for 2mm. There are more variations in the store too (look under Ground Vehicles). E.g. link

Check out the league of extraordinary gentlemen volume 2. It's a John Carter style Mars with the classic tripods too.

Thanks Bob,

I'll check it out, but really don't want tripods :)

I like the idea of having something not so frequently seen.

-Eli

I'm thinking of large sail type vehicles with a large wheel centered on the keel of the ship.

I like the idea of having something not so frequently seen

Hover Mecha. The Nth Ray can be used for hovercraft, obviously a cheaper, smaller version than what the skyship uses. Easily kitbashed from other minis and you can 'goth' it up.
How about a 'Beholder' version of a Wellsian martian that's used as cavalry, chariots or draft animal. Floating munchie monsters bust those pesky squares all the time. And when the Maxim jams the crew is lunch.
Large bridging juggernats for canal crossing?
Grav sleds for officers and their aides.
Large beast mounted Lob Guns.
Sandblaster cannon. It's not like you'll ever run out of ammo.
4-armed White Apes with throwing axes and warclubs. And a sack of grenadoes to brighten the day.
Quad Radium Rotary Cannon crewed by a Thark.

Make those bloody Earthers work for it. Mars should'nt be bowled over like India, China or Africa was historically.

Let's see where did I put the blueprints for that deathray…

One thought I had was to use Martian Chronicles sand ship concepts, but blown up to the "extreme" so I would have full on sand barges, galleons and such. The biggestp roblem is finding miniatures to represent these in the 2mm-ish scale used in Land Ironclads.

What about Spartan Games' Thaniras Elves?

Especially the first generation ships.

Sails and catamaran/trimaran hulls look rather unique, just use a different sail rig than the too-small lateen that the early ships use.