New! Science Fiction figures!

Around this time last year, I backed a Kickstarter run by Antediluvian Miniatures which was all about a small range of science fiction figures that they described as Bounty Hunters. Now, this coincided with me having another look at some simple sci fi rules that I'd been working on, on and off, for around three or four years and I thought that these figures would be ideal for some of the characters that I'd been thinking about. Anyway, as tends to happen, other things got in the way and the minis sat in a box until couple of weeks ago, when I decided to revisit my draft rules and, at the same time, start working on the minis.

Anyway, rules aside, I've finished the minis off and I am really pleased with how they have turned out. There are eleven in total, but I've photographed them in two groups.

The first lot have a certain formal look about them, being quite military-looking, apart from the rather nice figure on the left, who is either a humanoid female in serious combat armour, or maybe a droid. I think I prefer the former interpretation. The others all seem to be wearing light body or flak armour, and a couple are carrying mauls or clubs as well as their guns. I've given two of them anti-blast visors, which I've given a lick of gloss varnish so that they have a nice reflective appearance.

This second group are of a more disparate (and desperate) appearance, definitely from the other side of the Law. I have decided to keep an orange theme for a few of the figures, representing the kind of utilitarian garments that a crew of a ship might wear. The sharp-eyed will notice that one of the first group is also wearing a similar thing with his flak armour.

The short guy on the left is wearing heavy power armour with two integral guns, and he also has a power claw and is carrying a blade. Well tooled-up! In front, there is a little blue alien, who I really rather like, and next to him a kind of humanoid mutant rat who looks pretty pleased with himself. I really love the big lizard alien with the big gun. I think that it is my favourite of the whole set, but I am also rather fond of the scavenger type guy with the beat up armour held together with chains and rope. Finally, the big blue alien/mutant/whatever/ was fun to paint. No weapons, but big teeth and four arms seem to make up for that.

Now, I need to give my rules a final revision and it will be playtesting time.

Alien Squad Leader - a Human Imperial Strikeforce

I've had the figures for this army for ages, going right back to when I created my original Human Imperial Army. I finally decided that I ought to reduce the lead mountain by a small amount more and got round to creating a Human Imperial Strikeforce - an elite formation of power-armoured troopers with minimal heavy supports, but capable of quick assaults, covert operations and hit-and-run attacks. Like my original army, this force is going to be part of the military capability of the Third Human Condominium (3HC). 

I'd already painted up a couple of stands of power-armoured troops and jet-bikes, so I had the colour scheme all worked out and I felt like it was time to get the rest painted. These figures are 15mm (as usual) UNSC Hardsuit troopers from Ground Zero Games.

First, here are five squads of Shocktroopers.  
   

Next, three Heavy Support teams (I really wish that they were all the big gun at the back, but I only had one so there are mixed teams).

Finally, two Shocktrooper command stands, with command and communications droids,

and then some characters; a Primary Leader (red helmet), a Hero of the Empire, a Medic (white helmet) and two snipers (the kneeling one is equipped with a heavy weapon).

There are a few other options I want for this army that I'll probably fill using existing stuff from other armies. First, Assault Troops, who I'll probably represent with the power-armoured guys from my 2nd Global War Soviets, because their heavy power armour looks right for the job and also some Armoured Transports. These will probably be the ones in my Corporate Mercenary force for the time being, but I quite like the look of these from GZG.

At some point, I might want a Dropship, so I'll be on the lookout for a suitable model in the coming months.

Anyway, I think these have turned out pretty well, so I am going to have to get them into action before long. 

edit: Regarding the Assault Troops, I've changed my mind. What I am going to do is use the two stands of power-armoured troopers from my original Human Imperial army, but with their helmets painted green. This keeps the uniform character of the overall army, with just a distinguishing detail on their armour to designate their special status.