Blasters & Bulkheads 2nd ed. Page Previews!

Joe D. has delivered some page shots of the B&B 2nd ed. layout, and I am very pleased! Our main goal with this version of B&B was a clean and readable layout that will print well in a black and white, and I think Joe's work is spot on here! Check out some of the pages!

At the rate we're going, we may see the book available on Lulu before month's end, and the PDF should be available around the same time. 

Thanks for visiting! 

--Scott

Blasters & Bulkheads 2nd ed. Cover

Ace artist Rich Yanizeski just delivered his amazing cover for Blasters & Bulkheads 2nd ed. and I could not resist showing it off here!  Check it out!

You might recognize Rich's dynamic style from art pieces in the SuperSystem and Chaos books, but I think you'll find his color work to be every bit as amazing. I know I do!

B&B 2nd should be on track for a mid to late March release via PDF and in print through Lulu.  I may do a small print run myself, but this is up in the air right now. We'll see!

Thanks for visiting!

--Scott

Blasters & Bulkheads 2nd Ed.

While I've mentioned this elsewhere, I've not promulgated it here, so here goes!

Joe D. and I have been talking about getting B&B onto Lulu so folks can get proper, POD copies of the rules. Heck, I want one!

Anyway, the way we laid out and designed the old rules 2 years ago does not allow us to just upload it to Lulu as is. We need to make significant changes in the layout files. So we decided that, given what we've learned in the intervening two years, we might as well just do new layout better suited to POD.

Right now I am going back through the manuscript and tidying stuff up, and where  possible, adding refinements to the rules. We're going to add new art (replacing the miniature photography), a few new races, and some refined rules elements. I learned a bit writing Goalsystem Delves, so some of that (especially the maneuvers) will make its way into B&B 2nd ed. The overall tone, while still remaining cinematic, will be somewhat less "Star Wars" and somewhat more generic. This will mainly be reflected in some changes to power names, backgrounds, etc.

I'm also proud to announce that we'll have jazzy new cover art from industry pro Rich Yanizeski, a tragically under-utilized talent, but we aim to change that!

Just a note, I am not changing the damage system over to damage rolls; I prefer the DN system  for B&B and other more "shooty" games.

Anyway, if you have B&B and noticed any significant errata or had a suggestion, let me know here or by PM,  and I will consider it for incorporation. Schedule-wise we plan to have this up on Lulu by mid-March, and anyone who bought the original B&B will be eligible to purchase the PDF of this 2nd ed. at 50% off (so it will cost you around $5).  More on this when I have cool stuff to share!

As always, thanks for visiting!

--Scott

Blasters & Bulkheads Released!

Blasters & Bulkheads arrives! Joe Dragovich did a bang-up job on the layout, and a number of play-testers stepped up and did yeoman work to make the rules really tight. Thanks to those guys, you can get the rules from the usual suspects linked in the Shameless Commerce area of this blog (upper left corner). Retail is $9.95 for 101 color pages, and also includes a printer friendly B&W version.

As it stands, it is only PDF, but one never knows about future print editions.

Thanks for your patience and encouragement over the last few months!

And thanks for visiting!

--Scott

15mm Sci-Fi: Mixing Scales

We took a lot of pics for Blasters & Bulkheads, but I particularly like this one. It shows again how you can take a figure from one scale (a 28mm Mage Knight fig) and place it with a 15mm sci-fi infantryman (Blue Moon Nova Patrol), and get a nice result. This works particularly well with monsters, as shown in my recent post with the 15mm fantasy stuff and the D&D Minis scorpion.

Anyway, here's the pic:



We hope to have the B&B rules out by Sunday, so keep your fingers crossed!

Thanks for visiting!

--Scott

Blasters & Bulkheads Preview Page Shots

Blasters & Bulkhead is almost here! Joe Dragovich has been hard at work on the layout of the rules, and I am now going through the final product proofing and checking for last minute goofs. We're also still waiting on the cover, but that should be showing up any day now.

In the meantime, here are a few preview pages to whet the appetite!











I'm extremely pleased with Joe's font choices and page designs--they really evoke aspects of the Space Opera genre! We'll also be releasing a "stripped down" version that will be easier on printer cartridges. You'll get both versions when you purchase the PDF. Final page count looks like 100 pages, and the price will be $9.95.

Again, this is a PDF only release that will be available through my usual online partners. If all goes well I think we could have it ready by week's end. We shall see!

Thanks for visiting!

--Scott

Blasters & Bulkheads Demo Pics!

Here are some pics of the demo/play-test I ran at Origins last week:









Thanks again to Dan, Mike, and Enrico for helping me out with this! I gathered valuable feedback from the game play, and had a great time running it!

Thanks for visiting!

--Scott

A Converted Shuttle Craft

I've been looking to populate B&B with cool miniatures from various lines, and Blue Moon has some interesting hover tanks that can be easily converted for other uses. The thing I like best about them is that they're large and chunky.

The one I like best bears the rather uninspiring name of Hover Tank A. When I built it I demilitarized it by leaving the metal top piece and tank turret off and replacing them with a canopy made from a hex base flight stand and another tank bit.

A touch of paint, and I have a nice shuttle to tool around the planet in!









As always, thanks for visiting!

--Scott

Lost Oasis: A Sleepy Desert Town

Just wanted to share a few shots of the awesome sci-fi terrain my friend Sky made for me both play-tests and for inclusion in the Blasters & Bulkheads rulebook.

Sky use styrofoam and GZG's excellent 15mm sci-fi fittings to finish them off.







Thanks for checking out the blog!

--Scott

Khurasan Chewks

John from Khurasan offers some of the coolest, best sculpted 15mm sci-fi (and other stuff) around! He has kindly allowed me to include some of his awesome minis in the interior shots of the upcoming Blasters & Bulkheads rules I've been going on about here the past few weeks.

Anyway, here are some his amazing Chewks, who will do nicely as Desert Scavs on the planet of Lost Oasis.









Will these Desert Scavs be Kal Drak's friends, or new found foes?



Thanks for checking out the blog--see you at Origins!

--Scott

Blasters & Bulkheads Origins Play-Test Update!

It looks like I'll be running at least one game of B&B Saturday night around 7:00 PM in the open miniatures area. I'll try to stake out some space as near to the entrance as possible.

I may also run some demos at other times. Folks should let me know when they might be available and I will try to oblige!

--Scott

Galactic Hegemony Hunt Team

I previewed the "good guys" a few days ago, but now it's time for the bad guys!

Galactic Hegemony Hunt Team
Charged with rooting out bands of malcontents, rebels, and criminals, Baroness Ramiela Altari works with only the most skilled, vicious, and relentless operatives drawn from the far corners of the known galaxy. Scion of a family whose blood runs strong with the Dark Essence, the Baroness wields her deadly birthright to devastating effect. Her Yetoid bodyguard Kroosh never strays too far from her side, his savage might a testament to his species’ darker side. The Baroness never conducts any major operation without a unit of hardened Hegemony Shock Soldiers. These well armed and armored troopers possess the training and discipline to hunt some of the most dangerous foes in the universe. The Betallian Star Stalker Gleev acts as the Baroness’ primary huntsman, utilizing his Sensor Drone Orb-9 to augment his ability to track Essence wielders.




And the profile of the Baroness, their leader:

Name: Baroness Ramiela Altari

Species: Human Background: Dark Essence Wielder

Attributes
Agility 3 Strength 2 Mind 3 Resolve 5

Move: 6cm

Fate: 11 Vitality: 6

Combat Skills
Dodge
Ranged Attack

Special Traits
Absorb Energy (EP)
Born Leader
Cloud Minds (EP)
Essence Blast (EP)
Extra Fate
Iron Will
Lend Fate (EP)
Natural Attack (Martial Training)

Equipment
Light Armor
Scanners

Combat Stats
Primary Attack: Essence Blast 7D (DN5)
Secondary Attack: Natural Attack 3D (DN4)
Defense: 3D (5D vs. Ranged) DR: 3D[2]

Points Cost: 21 pts.



Thanks for checking out the blog!

--Scott

Two For The Bad Guys

Completed two more figures for the "bad guy" sample team for Blasters & Bulkheads, Gleev the Betallion Star Stalker, and his Hover-Robo Sidekick Orb-9. Both are Blue Moon minis from the Galactic War I line.

Later this week I will showcase the entire completed team of Galactic Hegemony operatives.





Thanks for checking out the blog!

--Scott

Blasters & Bulkheads Demo At Origins!

If I can swing it, I'd like to run some kind of guerilla demo/play-test game of B&B at Origins next week.

This would likely transpire either Friday or Saturday night, and take place in one of the open gaming areas. This will not be in the program guide, so in the next few days I'll announce here where and when it will be.

If anyone who reads this blog will be there, I'd love for you to join us!

Thanks for checking out the blog!

--Scott

Beastly Sidekick

The Trusted Sidekick is one of the backgrounds players can choose for their characters. I decided to paint up one of the Blue Moon Tawanax as a hairy sidekick for one of the members of the second operative team I am working on.







And a battle shot!



Thanks for checking out the blog!

--Scott

Blasters & Bulkheads--My First Operative Team

I need to start play-testing in earnest, so I've assembled my first Operative Team, the Allurian Explorers, and here they are:



From left to right, they are Vrijak Thal, Erglak Kahn, Kal Drak, Captain Myra Naz (in the back), and Savak-7.

Here's their background:

Allurian Explorers
A group of freelance troubleshooters, the Allurian Explorers secretly work to undermine the rule of the corrupt Galactic Hegemony. Based on the star-hub world of Alluria and guided by Essence wielders Kal Drak and and Vrijak Thal, the ragtag band of heroes will only take jobs from clients they believe to be truly needy. Utilizing the starship of Shivan captain Myra Naz, the group maintains its cover as a roving band of Xeno-Anthropologists. Along with Naz’s able robot assistant Savak-7, the group also enjoys the steady aim (and surly temperament) of Aquan soldier Erglak Kahn.

Here's what Kal Drak's game profile will look like:

Name: Kal Drak Species: Human

Background: Essence Warrior

Attributes
Agility 3 Strength 3 Mind 3 Resolve 4

Notes: Essence Warrior array, +1 option for Strength

Move: 6”

Fate: 9 Vitality: 6

Combat Skills
Dodge
Energy Blade Attack

Special Traits
Great Leap (EP)
Deflection (EP)

Equipment
Blaster Pistol
Energy Blade
Light Armor

Combat Stats
Primary Attack: Energy Blade 6D (DN7, -1 Re-roll)
Secondary Attack: Blaster Pistol 3D (DN5)
Defense: 3D, 5D vs. ranged attacks DR: 4D[1]

Points Cost: 20

===========================================================


As always, thanks for checking out the blog!

--Scott

Blasters & Bulkheads--Goalsystem Space Opera!

Just a note letting folks know I am currently working on and play-testing the
next GS rules release, Blaster & Bulkheads! This will be Space Opera with all
of the familiar trimmings. Weird mysticism and powers. Energy blades. Robots.
Aliens. Blasters. Vehicles.

The game will include a full campaign system, sample scenarios, teams, and creatures. Good
for 15mm or 28mm. Blue Moon will be doing specific 15mm figures to support it,
but it will contain a full build system and be usable with any other line of
figures.

Hope to have it completed by end of summer!


--Scott