Today, we're popping the lid on one of the starter boxes for Heavy Gear: Blitz!, the sci-fi game from Dream Pod 9.
![Northern Army Box Northern Army Box](profiles/pics/2020/561821a.jpg)
The outside is utilitarian: a box with a sticker on top. No scale listed, but they're 1:144 scale.
![Northern Army Box interior Northern Army Box interior](profiles/pics/2020/561821b.jpg)
Inside, there's a bag of black plastic bases, and another bag full of plastic sprues. No paperwork needed in these digital days!
![Northern Army Box contents Northern Army Box contents](profiles/pics/2020/561821c.jpg)
One mech per sprue, 14 models of six different types.
![Northern Army Box contents Northern Army Box contents](profiles/pics/2020/561821d.jpg)
And 14 bases, 25mm and 40mm sizes.
![Northern Army Box bases Northern Army Box bases](profiles/pics/2020/561821e.jpg)
Each sprue provides parts for one mech, including optional parts. This is the Kodiak (one per set):
![Northern Army Box: Kodiak Northern Army Box: Kodiak](profiles/pics/2020/561821h.jpg)
And if you're worried how to assemble the models, the 39-page assembly guide for all the starter sets is a free download on DriveThruRPG. Here's the Cheetah (two in set):
![Northern Army Box: Cheetah Northern Army Box: Cheetah](profiles/pics/2020/561821i.jpg)
The instructions are pretty sparse, but it's a mecha: head, torso, hips, arms, legs, right? This is the Ferret (one in set), which you can build in walking or wheeled mode:
![Northern Army Box: Ferret Northern Army Box: Ferret](profiles/pics/2020/561821j.jpg)
As an example of weapon options, the Grizzly assembly guide identifies the extra parts as MRP (two on sprue), CMD Sat Uplink, MATM (2 on sprue), Vibro Blade, HAC, HBZ, FM/GM, PG and PG folded. And if that seems like alphabet soup, there's a parts identification chart in the guide, too. (MATM, for instance, are anti-tank missiles.) Here's the Grizzly:
![Northern Army Box Grizzly Northern Army Box Grizzly](profiles/pics/2020/561821l.jpg)
Some of the models, such as the Hunter (below, four in set), have optional walking versus running legs:
![Northern Army Box: Hunter Northern Army Box: Hunter](profiles/pics/2020/561821n.jpg)
And lastly, this is the Jaguar (four in set):
![Northern Army Box: Jaguar Northern Army Box: Jaguar](profiles/pics/2020/561821o.jpg)
As the assembly guide explains:
The Northern Army Box makes 2 combat groups, one with a primary unit of 4 Hunters and RC or FS support unit if selected. Plus a second combat group with primary unit of 4 Jaguars and support unit if selected.
Includes 3 round bases for the 2 Grizzly and 1 Kodiak and 11 hex bases for the other Gears.
I'll be adding these to my Northern Army forces soon.