Speculation: CAV Bones Kickstarter

[Nanite]

Pledge $1 for a random set of beta rules!

[Pegazus]

As someone who has never played CAV, and only picked up a couple of minis because they were in the FLGS's clearance box, I've got two directions on what would get me to back a KS.

 

First path would be as a painter. I got into the hobby as thr rather than gaming (little time, young family). So if there were a large number of varied minis that were "cool" looking enough to paint, I'd pledge. Were it 10 small tanks, 5 apvs, 2 med support "things", and a larger model, this would be a pass. Not enough painting potential. But 5 large mechs would get a maybe. Price point then would be the key. As the KS progressed, adding more would certainly sweeten the deal, but I'm thinking this style of KS would get $250k tops. Doesn't sound like much because of Bones I and II, but for the line I wouldn't think it half bad. The Bombshell Babes would be something I'd point to as an example.

 

Second path is gaming. I've actually started buying games to play with the kids. Started with Supe Dungeon Explorer. Picked up Kinder Bunnies, Killer Bunnies (after more schooling), and Munchkins (all not mini related of course). Got a Star Trek ship game for my birthday and just ordered the Pathfinder starter box. But the point is that all of these are games I can sit down and start playing quickly. So a CAV starter set would certainly interest me. I can't recall what KS I was watching that was a skirmish type game, but there solution to what two factions was to let the backer pick two of the factions out of three (let's say). Then goals would open up that would open up different factions that could be picked for the starter or added as a third faction. I think that they may have had four factions to start with, with pledge levels of 2, 3, and 4 factions now that I think about it. Then further goals opened up support troops and more advanced units. I can see that working for CAV in a similar fashion. A simple starter set with a choice of two factions out of four, with options for 3 and a full 4. That first faction set of two, probably $30 for a slam dunk purchase, while $50 would depend on how much "value" it would be. An extra faction would be a no brainier at $10 each, while at $20 it would again have to be value. And from my lurking here, actual rule sets would be nice.

 

Now I haven't managed to play that Star Trek ship game yet, but they've got a bunch of movement aids that allow younger kids to play. Nothing to measure is good. I'm not saying that there can't be those thick rule tomes, but something that's easy for an 8yo to understand as an entry point would be more value to me. The aides were curves of different lengths and a movement card tells you which one can be used. Just throwing it out there as something that might be attractive to all those lite ones who might be super interested in playing with giant robots.

 

Okay, fingers hurt from entering this on the phone do I'll end it there. I reserve the balance of my my time and the right to revise and add to my remarks.

Edited November 1, 2013 by Pegazus

[Chrome]

First path would be as a painter. I got into the hobby as thr rather than gaming (little time, young family). So if there were a large number of varied minis that were "cool" looking enough to paint, I'd pledge. Were it 10 small tanks, 5 apvs, 2 med support "things", and a larger model, this would be a pass. Not enough painting potential. But 5 large mechs would get a maybe. Price point then would be the key.

 

I don't get how having 5 models to paint is more attractive than having 17 models. I guess you're thinking the vehicles are all tiny? If so, that's not the case.

 

Now I haven't managed to play that Star Trek ship game yet, but they've got a bunch of movement aids that allow younger kids to play. Nothing to measure is good. I'm not saying that there can't be those thick rule tomes, but something that's easy for an 8yo to understand as an entry point would be more value to me. The aides were curves of different lengths and a movement card tells you which one can be used. Just throwing it out there as something that might be attractive to all those lite ones who might be super interested in playing with giant robots.

As someone who's intimately familiar w/the Flight Path system, all I can say is "yuck". It works OK for what it was designed for, but would be horrible for a game like CAV.

[Pegazus]

First, big big caveat: Never played CAV so I'm not familiar with the models or mechanics. Interested of course, but the FLGS isn't that local and doesn't carry CAV anyway. The only ones I've bought are a large Mech of some kind and two APVs which I reasoned could be spacecraft (which I'm a sucker for).

 

What I was trying to express was that for something bound to a display case, five large unique models would be more attractive to me over multiples of less dynamic models. Wondering if I'm making sense here. The only thing I've got on my painting desk that I could use as illustration would be a Dystopian Wars' mobile airfield. One large resin blimp airship with five 1" separate blocks with three tiny planes each. The airship is the painting target; the playable aircraft not so much. So from me with my painting cap on, had the airship been smaller and more aircraft blocks added, that would be less attractive and I wouldn't have bought it.

 

Now if you're referring to all models of about the same size, that's different. But again, if it was five all of Tank A, then five of Tank B, plus a large Mech, I'd still prefer five large Mechs to paint over 10 tanks plus a Mech. My opinion.

 

As for the flight path system, I'd certainly agree that it would suck, but maybe not as much when trying to play with someone with an age in the single digits. I was certainly relieved by it. However, I sort of intended a two-tier set of instructions, age based almost. Training wheels of some sort. Use the simplified rules for a younger set with the more advanced (and less path restrictive) for those better able to grasp the concepts.

[HornedTurtle]

I have also never played CAV, and i'm having a hard time grasping the scale of the figures. How tall is an average mech like unit? Would it be as tall or taller than Sir Forscale?

[joshuaslater]

I have also never played CAV, and i'm having a hard time grasping the scale of the figures. How tall is an average mech like unit? Would it be as tall or taller than Sir Forscale?

CAVs are big and beefy models. Some are twice as tall as Sir Forscale. Now ponder the width and depth. They're big. And beefy.

[Jordan Peacock]

I confess that I've never played CAV, but I was hoping to see at least a couple of CAV models as some sort of add-on or expansion for the Bones II Kickstarter. My primary interest is because a big plastic robot (but not *TOO* big) could be usable with my IMEF troopers and such. It's just that instead of being a ginormous walking tank with a pilot inside its head, I'd treat it like a robot, and paint it up accordingly.

 

THAT SAID, if there were to be a CAV-specific Kickstarter, and I were to entertain the idea of getting some CAV mecha for their intended purpose, here's what I'd hope to see in the KS:

 

1) Big robots, naturally.

 

2) Vehicles. Even just a "generic" representative of the different major vehicle types (tank, APC, VTOL, whatever) would be handy. I imagine they'd be useful for CAV, but for my RPGs, I also occasionally switch to "vehicle scale" for chases, large-scale battles, etc., so a few sci-fi vehicles could be useful there as well.

 

3) Terrain/emplacements. A "stackable" block that could be used to make skyscrapers of varying heights (i.e., modular) would be awesome for urban combat (preferably something that's detailed and attractive enough to justify the purchase; if it's just a plain block with a few windows marked on it, then I could accomplish the same thing more cheaply with some mat board). If I'm going to have a giant robot fight, I want something for the robots to fight around and stomp and knock over; a plain, boring, open field is for tanks, not walking robots.

 

4) Giant mecha-sized aliens. Okay, honestly, I could probably just grab a few of my Bones monsters and try to figure out stats for them as "giant" monsters in CAV, so I guess what we'd really need would just be some stats. :)

 

5) Showcase piece(s). This is Bones plastic, so we can have really BIG stuff, right? How about a "drop ship" that can be used to deploy our CAV units planetside? It'd be nice to have something that (once painted up) can add some "wow" factor to the table.

 

6) Special Kickstarter Sophie as a CAV pilot or whatever. :D All right, so she'd be the wrong scale, but if she were in standard "heroic" 25mm scale (AKA 32mm scale), she might still see some use, and be fun to paint up.

 

7) Decals? If the CAV models get big enough, it'd be nice to have a sheet of model decals/transfers (perhaps with generic stuff like numerals, faction emblems in various sizes) that might provide a nice shortcut for finishing up those CAV models after painting the camo schemes and such.

 

Anyway, my biggest wish is that Reaper would just get settled in enough that they could release a few CAV models in Bones plastic without having to fire up a Kickstarter first, so I can shop at my leisure. ;) But if a KS happens at some point, I'll certainly check in on it.

[Chrome]

6) Special Kickstarter Sophie as a CAV pilot or whatever. :D All right, so she'd be the wrong scale, but if she were in standard "heroic" 25mm scale (AKA 32mm scale), she might still see some use, and be fun to paint up.

 

 

CAV doesn't need silly succubi. It already has Dana.

 

[John Bear Ross]

This thread has my interests.

 

Best,

JBR

[TGP]

3) Terrain/emplacements. A "stackable" block that could be used to make skyscrapers of varying heights (i.e., modular) would be awesome for urban combat (preferably something that's detailed and attractive enough to justify the purchase; if it's just a plain block with a few windows marked on it, then I could accomplish the same thing more cheaply with some mat board). If I'm going to have a giant robot fight, I want something for the robots to fight around and stomp and knock over; a plain, boring, open field is for tanks, not walking robots.

There are all kinds of laser-cut building kits for that portion of the fanbase that wants stackable skyscraper modules.

[Jordan Peacock]

 

3) Terrain/emplacements. A "stackable" block that could be used to make skyscrapers of varying heights (i.e., modular) would be awesome for urban combat (preferably something that's detailed and attractive enough to justify the purchase; if it's just a plain block with a few windows marked on it, then I could accomplish the same thing more cheaply with some mat board). If I'm going to have a giant robot fight, I want something for the robots to fight around and stomp and knock over; a plain, boring, open field is for tanks, not walking robots.

There are all kinds of laser-cut building kits for that portion of the fanbase that wants stackable skyscraper modules.

 

 

There are also bunches of places that sell mecha and sci-fi figures. I'm still interested in it if it looks good and it's offered at Bones prices.

[Sergeant_Crunch]

Proper skyscrapers would be difficult to do at best in bones as stackable modules due to the size involved. Even at 1:160 skyscrapers are big. As seen here...

http://scsminimadness.blogspot.com/2012/07/cavscraper-part-2.html

 

and here (in game photos, need to scroll down a bit)

 

http://scsminimadness.blogspot.com/2012/11/fixing-cav.html

 

Smaller terrain items or accent pieces are certainly doable though. I would love to have a set of parabolic antennas to put on buildings.

 

Regarding model mix, start with enough to create a mercenary force of three units, one each of CAV, tanks, and aircraft. Add a mix of faction models at the stretch goals so that they could still be used in a merc force but as the goals increase it becomes viable to field faction forces.

 

Alternately, make the core set non-specific models and have the factions as bonus sets that are added separately. Like me, I don't really need more Rach or Terran models, but I would buy a multipurpose core set and bonus sets for Ritterlich, Adon, and Malvernis (maybe Templars just to be a completionist).

 

I think it needs to be set out as gaming pieces. There aren't nearly as many people that buy mecha models just to paint or paint and resell like there are with 28mm-32mm figs. The problem then becomes, the game. It's been in development Hell for almost a decade now. If you wish to continue that particular discussion (again) start a new thread so this one stays on topic please. It is possible to sell them as rules neutral, but most mecha games are 6mm, not 1:160.

[TGP]

Proper skyscrapers would be difficult to do at best in bones as stackable modules due to the size involved. Even at 1:160 skyscrapers are big. As seen here...

 

http://scsminimadness.blogspot.com/2012/07/cavscraper-part-2.html

 

and here (in game photos, need to scroll down a bit)

 

http://scsminimadness.blogspot.com/2012/11/fixing-cav.html

 

Smaller terrain items or accent pieces are certainly doable though. I would love to have a set of parabolic antennas to put on buildings.

 

+1 (...short ideas list for accent pieces follows...)

• Defensive bunkers
• Communication masts
• Industrial/electrical equipment
• Cooling towers
• Air handlers
• Radar Arrays
• Missile Launchers

[Girot]

Personally I would go with boardgame style tiles to construct a city. MUCH easier to store and set-up. Otherwise there is the print n play stuff and some expensive laser-cut MDF options.

 

EDIT: Those options aside, good old fashioned styrene insulation valleys and mountains are just fine.

Edited November 2, 2013 by Girot

[smokingwreckage]

Printable skyscrapers for the win!