Jordan Peacock Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 I've been fixing up a group of the IMEF troops, as now that there are 6 of them, that sounds to me like a pretty good selection for some pre-generated characters for a convention one-shot in a "low" sci-fi bug-hunt type of scenario. (I figure I'll use Savage Worlds. I haven't decided yet what to use for the "bugs," so to speak, but I'm sure I can manage something.) Anyway, as I haven't fully decided yet just what sort of paint scheme or insignia to go with, I thought I'd check to see if there is any sort of background "fluff" that has been hinted at for the IMEF. For one thing, I assume the "IM" stands for "Intergalactic Marine," but what is the "EF"? Expeditionary Force? I'd also be curious whether there are any other miniatures in the Reaper line that are intended to go with the IMEF in the same "universe." I figured that something in drab grey or maybe bluish-grey would make sense; I wasn't sure if camouflage would make sense. (A thought had occurred to me to go for "hunter camouflage" under the idea that whatever they're fighting can't pick out some distinctive color such red or bright neon orange, for instance.) Figures so far that definitely fall under this category: * 50014: Nick Stone, IMEF Squad Leader (http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/50014/sku-down/50014) * 50022: Reggie Van Zandt, IMEF Heavy Gunner (http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/50022/sku-down/50022) * 50175: "Torch" McHugh, IMEF Flame Thrower (http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/50175/sku-down/50175) * 50254: Jazz Jenkins, IMEF Marine (http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/50254/sku-down/50254) * 50263: Erik Proudfoot, IMEF Marine (http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/50263/sku-down/50263) * 50274: Sarah Blitzer, IMEF Sniper (http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/50274/sku-down/50274) * 65089: Reggie Van Zandt, Intergalactic Marine (P-65 alternate for 50022) (http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/65089/sku-down/65089) * 50025: Futuristic Weapons (one of the rifles looks like IMEF standard) (http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/50025/sku-down/50025) I realize there are some other sci-fi models, but I'm not sure which of them are most appropriate to fit in the same universe. I noticed that the Nova Corp Security forces are also done by Bobby Jackson, and could conceivably fit in the same universe, but they wouldn't make much sense to be on the same team. (However, I could see a scenario with Nova Corp Security as "station security" and the IMEF as the recently-arrived heavy-hitters there to deal with the space-zombie outbreak / alien infestation / robot uprising / biomorph infiltration / etc.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGP Posted June 26, 2012 Share Posted June 26, 2012 I dunno what the fictional context is [..fluff..?] or if there is one, but: here is the real deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint of Sinners Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I'd add Orangutango, the cyber-ape ( http://www.reapermini.com/OnlineStore/orang-utan/sku-down/50214 ) to your list. After all every bubble gum chewing butt kicker squad needs a mascot! And what better then a gun totting cyborg primate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Castlebuilder Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 There are lots of options for bugs, but my favorite has to be the Astral Mauler. 02976: Astral Mauler ($6.49) Kevin Williams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai-Mongar Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 I don't think there's much more to their background than "Not-Gears-of-War-COGs". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan Peacock Posted July 16, 2012 Author Share Posted July 16, 2012 I'd add Orangutango, the cyber-ape ( http://www.reapermin.../sku-down/50214 ) to your list. After all every bubble gum chewing butt kicker squad needs a mascot! And what better then a gun totting cyborg primate. And the scary thing is, Orangutango is carrying the right gun! :D (That is, he's carrying the same style of rifle as the IMEF troopers, plus some other sci-fi-generic weapon. I'm guessing it's just coincidence, though, and not an indication that he's seriously supposed to exist in the same universe as the IMEF.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankthedm Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I don't think there's much more to their background than "Not-Gears-of-War-COGs".So they regenerate like trolls and have a fetish for chest high walls? And the scary thing is, Orangutango is carrying the right gun! :D (That is, he's carrying the same style of rifle as the IMEF troopers, plus some other sci-fi-generic weapon. I'm guessing it's just coincidence, though, and not an indication that he's seriously supposed to exist in the same universe as the IMEF.)Why not include a model they made in their kitchen sink sci-fi universe? Even GW has techno-savant orangutans.IIRC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baphomet69 Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I'm only posting this because Reaper doesn't currently offer an analog, but for bugs, check out Defiance Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankthedm Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 You can post the link. Price is real good and they do look real buggy. Only thing keeping me from ordering these bugs is they look too prone to breakage. (Yes, I know it is possible to magnetize the bases and use a steel case for transport.) Still I could use their limbs for my Tyranids who need scything claws. http://defiancegames...roduct=11889124 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan Peacock Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 I'm only posting this because Reaper doesn't currently offer an analog, but for bugs, check out Defiance Games. Well, Reaper needs some bugs, then, and preferably as Bones, so I can buy them in large quantities. ;) In the meantime, I'm thinking of putting my IMEF troopers against a cyber-pocalypse of sorts, faintly inspired by Ghost in the Shell (an anime series in which it seems that just about everybody is dumb enough to load up their brains up with tons of easily-hackable hardware, such that it seems that only laziness or lack of imagination is stopping someone from unleashing a cybernetic version of a zombie apocalypse). Chronoscope has a number of robot-types I could make use of: ALF-24 and Maria for overtly inorganic robots ("Jeeves" seems a little too retro by comparison), toolbots as intentionally "cute" little helpers, XAIrobots as an assortment of security robots, etc. Cyber-Reavers would be a must, and I could add a few "techno-bits" to some zombies to represent the poor folks whose "cybernetic brain enhancements" were used by some malevolent system to hijack their neural networks and turn them into techno-zombies. And, of course, thanks to the possibility of cyberware that's less obvious, I could use perfectly ordinary human models to represent characters who might or might not be part of the "horde" of enemies. Why, the thought even struck me to pick up the Brigitte the Naughty French Maid mini, file down those "accessories" a little bit, add some "joint" lines on the limbs, and paint her up in chrome-silver or gold and try to pass her off as a servant android. (However, I'm sure I'd get strange looks at the game store. "No, honestly, this is for a sci-fi game!" "Yeeaahhhhh, SURE it is. Uh-huh.") ;) And Orangutangu ... well, somebody's cyber-pet that got loose and is wielding guns, I guess. Anyway, if I need "bugs," I've actually got several boxes of "Starship Troopers" bug-minis a friend of mine picked up on clearance at some convention because "you could probably use this stuff." I've just been trying to focus on Reaper options, since my Friendly Local Game Store has been offering me table space to run RPGs at the store, so long as I am using products they currently keep in stock (such as Reaper miniatures). I could also just as easily field a bunch of Tyranid Genestealers, but ... then I might as well just get out my Termies and run a game of Space Hulk. Really, if Reaper is going the plastic route, it'd be cool if they could somehow buy the molds from other miniatures lines that have gone belly up -- I mean, provided that it would be possible to use the molds with Bones plastic, and the casts were worth it. For instance, if someone were to re-release the AT-43 miniatures that Rackham put out, I'd gladly buy them in Bones plastic (versus the flimsy "model plastic" Rackham used) and paint them up -- especially the cyber-zombies from the "Oni" faction that only got barely touched on before Rackham went kablooie. (I mean, what gets DONE with those molds and masters, anyway?) I've got a bunch of "Therians" that would probably work well to supplement my "cyber-pocalypse" theme, come to think of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baphomet69 Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 You can post the link. Price is real good and they do look real buggy. Only thing keeping me from ordering these bugs is they look too prone to breakage. (Yes, I know it is possible to magnetize the bases and use a steel case for transport.) Still I could use their limbs for my Tyranids who need scything claws. http://defiancegames...roduct=11889124 Actually, the bugs are cast in Ed Forte's new proprietary plastic that is supposed to be almost as revolutionary (albeit different) as Bones. Check out the test videos on TrollForged for vides re: the durability. He even shows throwing around a bug or two standing on two legs. It's more of a resin/plastic hybrid than Bones, but has its own strengths. At a buck a bug, it's almost the bargain that Bones is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankthedm Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 It's more of a resin/plastic hybrid than Bones, but has its own strengths. At a buck a bug, it's almost the bargain that Bones is. I thought some of the raw figs had a resin like look to them. http://defiancegames.com/images/german-assemble01.jpg http://defiancegames.com/images/german-assemble03.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Girot Posted December 17, 2012 Share Posted December 17, 2012 I converted my own bugs using Tyranids and Chapter House Studio heads. I did a generic warrior bug and the dog 'runner' bug from Alien 3. Oh, I also did a generic facehugger. That one was a straight shot from Hasslefree. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan Peacock Posted December 18, 2012 Author Share Posted December 18, 2012 Wow! That head swap makes all the difference for those Tyranids. I mean, I always figured they were Alien knock-offs, but this seals the deal. I wonder if I could accomplish the same thing just by taking some Genestealers and epoxying up the head to give them a smooth eye-less dome-face (but still leaving the fangy jaws, of course). But then, for my purposes, I don't really need to replicate a particular "brand" of alien to give my IMEF troopers something to shoot at. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaper User Reaper Ron Posted December 20, 2012 Reaper User Share Posted December 20, 2012 For one thing, I assume the "IM" stands for "Intergalactic Marine," but what is the "EF"? Expeditionary Force? I'd also be curious whether there are any other miniatures in the Reaper line that are intended to go with the IMEF in the same "universe." I figured that something in drab grey or maybe bluish-grey would make sense; I wasn't sure if camouflage would make sense. (A thought had occurred to me to go for "hunter camouflage" under the idea that whatever they're fighting can't pick out some distinctive color such red or bright neon orange, for instance.) You got it. Intergalactic Marine Expeditionary Force. The gist of the IMEF guys was just to have some fun, Chip Hazard-like heroes with lots of big guns. I was a big fan of Star Blazers back in the day, and the space marines in that series really inspired the IMEF concept too. In my mind, they're olive drab, very worn and dirty. YMMV. There's another upcoming IMEF called the Bulldog, which is a very heavy weapons dude. As far as enemies, I've talked with Kevin Williams (our staff sculptor) about pitting them against the Bathalians that he sculpted. Ultimately, there's no "official" fluff. Make them be whatever you want them to be! RR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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