"Preview: Two New Starline 2400 Starships in Development" Topic

The Hydran ships are quite impressive, for a reason I can't quite put my finger on (because I'm at work) ….

Probably because they don't have all the nice hull detailing like the cover art has.

Too bad, because they're sharp looking ships.

No spot for batteries, though…

Do the ADB folks really play with such cheesy paintjobs? I gave up on transparent enamel over bare metal in the 70's.

Do the ADB folks really play with such cheesy paintjobs?

Well, quality of paint job is not at the top of some peoples' lists. They like the game, and as long as the model is not bare metal, it's fine for a playing piece (though I'm not suggesting that this is ADB's attitude -- I have no idea).

Others know that they are not going to win any painting awards, but still enjoy slapping the paint on, and are proud that they did so.

To be honest, I prefer those armies to the armies people use that are painted by others. Modeling is, IMO, quite a big part of this hobby, and I'd rather fight a guy who badly painted his own army than someone who paid someone else to do it well.

…..and I'd rather fight a guy who badly painted his own army than……

Really? Why is that? I'm just curious… I'd rather play against anything painted (good, bad, ugly) rather than unpainted stuff…because it makes for a more visually appealing game in my eye. I don't care who painted it though…

Having just been to a convention here, and seen the armies people have, I am in two minds about it: All the players in my line had painted minis on board, the 40K players had some primed vehicles but mostly painted, and the Warmachine/Hordes players were the only ones without painted figures being used.

nobody seemed to mind, although comments were made – Even so, the players enjoyed themselves which does seem to be the main thing. Admittedly, it isn't a good look, however given that I myself am working about 18 hours a day and that is not considered excessive in this country at present, I sympathise with those who have to compromise between playing or painting.

Back on topic . . . The design work on thsoe ships is perefect for the "period" IMHO, after all, it was only the 'Enterprise' that showed much detail in TOS (Digital 'rewrites' notwithstanding) so I would be happy with a 'slick' force for the enemies of the Federation.

The SFB line of miniatures has always had the "smoothskin" look, and I don't mind it at all.

You did notice that they ARE 'updating'/trying to improve the designs though? 'smoothskin' or not, when you look back over their miniatures over the decades since the ORIGINAL 'plastics only' and early 'roms' and 'klingons' with bent 'booms' and 'wings' connecting warp engines…things have gotten better.

For example…some of the ships now have their warp engines molded to the hull/one-piece castings…(old fed light cruiser, some gorn ships, etc) which make for less construction/painting hassels/better storage, etc)…

AND…if you really want to get 'picky', (which I do sometimes)…if you get their 'kitbashing packs' and also have a little epoxy, thin sheet styreen, sprue and stuff…you can 'superdetail' the hulls…even get decals and do some really creative paint jobs…and the game/SSD forms/rules etc…do ALLOW for custom/modified ships…

But you've got SOMETHING to start with…

IF you want really 'suface-detailed' ships…the GZG 'Full Thrust' etc lines and several others offer that and I've custom-built my own 'trek' ships…(there is a disc forum for same on SFB site!!!)…

The point is, (like in a lot of other 'wargames')…you can 'go to town' on your ships/fleets/armies…(like 'Nappies' for example) or you can just do a 'quickie' paint and play.

The 'devil is in the details' and you COULD glom onto old micromachines and kitbash too…to repesent standard SSD's (and ADB is always adding new ones, and cards etc)…

Is it 'perfect'…nope! Very few things in life rarely are…(I am 'peturbed' about differences in 'box art' vs 'sculpts' on some merchant ships myself!)…but I CHOOSE to modify my figs/even kitbash my own…(using some of their parts, some custom)…to make the MINIS I want to use, more 'visually appealing' or to more closely match the artwork, etc. Or you can do the opposite…(the game allows for a lot of options on that)…

It all depends on how much time, effort and detail you want in the game…from superdetailing metal minis to your SSD/ship status sheets and 'artwork'…etc.

JUST as an example…IF you look at their 'freighters'…(mostly based on modified Feddie Tug cargo containers)…I can/have/am building my own from 'spare' cargo pods AND plastruct tubing in the same size range. Add some 'spare' warp engines from their bits bags…(feddie or other) and off you go!

They have an upcoming 'Feddie express' ship that is basically 'cannon fodder'…(as merchant convoys/ships usually are)…and I'm kitbashing something more detailed outta Reaper 'cav' missle carrier with some epoxy and bits…but it will look similar enough to original that the SSD would work!

THAT is 'my choice'…and some of the 'earlier versions' of ships that have been or are being 'revamped'/reworked are 'collectors items' in themselves…or can be 'earlier' or Mk IV etc versions if you like…in campaigns…

Like any game…it's what YOU make of it and it's components that can be/are/will be….the 'fun'…

I don't play 'clixies' as is most of the time, I touch up the paint, kitbash and modify…because for ME, THAT is part of the FUN…and my chance to 'personalize' and add the 'WOW' factor when I do game.

Just my two cents…for what it's worth…*slish…slish*
Sgt DWW-bartentacle and amateur starship yardmaster!

Larry, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

Given that this is standard for Star Trek:

link

I think the paint job is spot on for the look and feel of the show.

Larry, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

And sometimes a Hydran warship is just a vibrator.