Dropfleet Commander Kickstarter is getting very close

An absolutely stunning piece of artwork. Bravo Patrice, bravo

Well hello there fellow fleeters. It seems that Hawk Wargames has completely disregarded the constant stream calling for this game to be called Orbital Bombardment: The Miniatures Game (I say constant stream, I mean Zombie and I dropping it in where we can). Hawk have settled on Dropfleet Commander. I like it, it ties in with the Dropzone universe nicely.

We have been getting a really good flow of information via newsletters, detailing Shaltari, PHR and other ship renders. But what I want to talk about is the Kickstarter itself.


Newsletter #5 has given us a dearth of information. Firstly the very first glimpse of a Shaltari ship

So a cruiser, and very weapon like in it's aesthetics. I like it, but don't love it. It's not as pretty as the Scourge ships

With what we know about the Shaltari in DfC, it will probably be a very large front facing gun, with a very good scan range. I would really like to see a better angle of this render, as it appears to be a very 3 dimensional model, but the image makes it appear too flat. The "spine" going over the top looks to be replicated on both sides with a smaller version underneath - I presume these are the shield generators.

Onto the meat of the Newsletter.......Kickstarter (KS) pledge levels.
There has been a lot of chatter on Facebook and on the Forum. Not all positive either. I'm going to try and stay as objective as I can. Although I am still very excited for DfC, so I may err on the side of optimism.

- Lieutenant
Dropfleet Commander Rulebook and a Starter Fleet

This level includes the full colour rulebook for the game and one plastic starter fleet. You can also add any bolt-ons to your pledge that might be unlocked during the Kickstarter. This level will also receive any ‘All Backer’ free rewards.

I think this is a very good low level pledge. You get a rulebook and a starter of your choice. If the KS does it's job, it should mean a choice of any of the 4 factions. There is also the option of bolt-ons and gaining the all backer free rewards.
There is nothing saying what will be available for 'bolt-on' or what the all backer freebies are, although any freebies are welcome!
I presume this level will be similarly costed to what DzC costs, maybe giving a discount on rrp? who knows.


- Commander
Dropfleet Commander 2 Player Starter Set

This includes the 2 player starter boxed game, including the UCM and Scourge fleets, complete full-sized rulebook, dice, templates, tape measure, launch asset tokens, starter battle mat and cluster tokens. As above, you can also add bolt-ons to your pledge, and receive ‘All Backer’ free rewards. You will also receive all 'Commander Level' stretch goal rewards for free.

Very similar to the Lieutenant level, but you get the 2 player starter set. This is great if you are planning on a UCM or Scourge fleet anyway as you get the additional bonus of Commander level stretch goal rewards as freebies.
With DzC there was a lot in the 2 player starter box, and I actually expect more in the DfC one. I have a feeling there will be more models (as in sprues) as this games starters are actually designed for plastic rather than a resin conversion.

- Captain (Limited)
Double Dropfleet Commander 2 Player Starter Set + Model

This limited pledge level includes two copies of the 2 player starter set (as detailed above). This gives two players the option to have a much larger fleet to start with, with each player getting all of the game accessories found in the 2 Player Starter Set. It is also a great way for single player backers wanting to get two large fleets, as this option is a saving on the planned retail price. As with Commander and  Lieutenant, you can also add bolt-ons to your pledge, and will receive 'All Backer' free rewards. You will also receive all 'Commander Level' and 'Captain level' stretch goal rewards for free.

This pledge includes the limited edition UCMF Atlantis model. This is one of a few Kickstarter exclusives, and is a UCM Battlecruiser that is only available to backers of this pledge level or the Admiral Pledge level and will never be available anywhere but via these two levels.

I see good and not so good here. As the description states, it is ideal for 2 players to club together so they have a large force each, also it says it "is a saving on the planned retail price" so does that mean the other levels are not a saving???

The Atlantis - limited KS exclusive UCM model

Now, if 2 players go in together, you get "+ model" not models (plural). Only 1 extra model. Surely it should be 1 UCM and 1 Scourge model, that would make so much more sense.
Finally it's limited. KS in itself is limited, as it only has a small run time so why limit a limited platform. Having a limited pledge level will cause more upset than anything else, as it will only available for the select few who happen to be awake and at a computer/device connected to t'interweb at the correct time (and who knows when that will be?). Is that fair - no not really.
This limited level also allows access to the "Captain" stretch goals, but we are yet to see what they are. Oh, for what it's worth the Atlantis is a lovely model, I hope enough players have access to it.

- Captain
Double Dropfleet Commander 2 Player Starter Set

This pledge level includes two copies of the 2 player starter set. This gives two players the option to have a much larger fleet to start with, with each player getting all of the game accessories found in the 2 Player Starter Set. It is also a great way for single player backers wanting to get two large fleets, as this option is a saving on the planned retail price. As with Commander and  Lieutenant, you can also add bolt-ons to your pledge, and will receive 'All Backer' free rewards. You will also receive all 'Commander Level' and 'Captain level' stretch goal rewards for free.

 The unlimited Captain level is a good level for 2 players to club together, hopefully the stretch goals will be split-able among the 2 players, or at the very least available as bolt-ons so everyone can get their goodies.

- UK Admiral
The Dropfleet Commander Everything Bundle

This pledge level is limited. UK Admiral gives you everything you can get from this Campaign; one of every unlock, every reward (including the limited edition UCMF Atlantis model), and every bolt-on from the start to the finish (a full list will be updated during the campaign). The Admiral Pledge level also includes something that is only available to these backers: Beta access to the game.

Hawk Wargames will be running Beta Test Days, and the UK Admiral Pledge allows for all backers of this level early access to test the game out. You will also receive a numbered beta copy of the rules signed by the Hawk Wargames Team. The UK Beta Test Day, will be held in South London, near to the Hawk HQ, and all UK Admiral Backers will be invited, along with one extra guest each, to come and play some games and give us feedback on the system before it is released, along with meeting the design Team. This will allow backers to actually be a part of giving feedback to the game before it goes to print, and help us to put the finishing touches to Dropfleet Commander.

I presume this will be very limited, but for good reason (I know, I'm contradicting what I said earler, but limiting a model and this kind of pledge are very different). It will be costly and also time and space constraints on the beta test day. It would be amazing to do something like this, I doubt I can afford it though.

- US Admiral
The Dropfleet Commander Everything Bundle

This pledge level is limited. US Admiral gives you everything you can get from this Campaign; one of every unlock, every reward (including the limited edition UCMF Atlantis model), and every bolt-on from the start to the finish (a full list will be updated during the campaign). The Admiral Pledge level also includes something that is only available to these backers: Beta access to the game.

Hawk Wargames will be running Beta Test Days, and the US Admiral Pledge allows for all backers of this level early access to test the game out. You will also receive a numbered beta copy of the rules signed by the Hawk Wargames Team. The US Beta Test Day, will be held in the USA (location and exact date tbc), and all US Admiral Backers will be invited, along with one extra guest each, to come and play some games and give us feedback on the system before it is released, along with meeting some of the design Team. This will allow backers to actually be a part of giving feedback to the game before it goes to print, and help us to put the finishing touches to Dropfleet Commander.

So the same as the UK version, but for our friends over the pond. The US is a large place, and has a lot of inhabitants, but correct me if I'm wrong, if you are on the east coast, you are closer to us in the UK than you are to the west coast. That means for US backers there could be a massive amount of travel and time wrapped up in this pledge level. Hopefully the location will be available when released on KS.

So that's it, it's happening and it's happening very soon.
I want to get in on the Captain (limited) level, I hope to find someone to go in with - I think Techboy is game. But it all depends on what will be available to the non-UCM player and also if it is still available when I find out about it!

I'll be back on Friday, hopefully with a good report on what is available.

Let me know what your thoughts are on the game so far, the newsletters and the kickstarter