48 replies to this topic

[joshuaslater]

So word on the street is Reaper is going to put out a prepainted minis game called Reich of the Dead with Nazi zombies and so forth.

I'll start with a few questions:
1. Same R.A.G.E. mechanic?
2. Same scale as Warlord models?
3. West Wind Productions has their Secrets of the Third Reich minis game; will this Reaper game be along the same lines?

[Castlebuilder]

I saw the layout they had at ReaperCon and there was a lot of buzz about the plans. (To busy to actually get a game in though.... Phooey!) It is going to be converted to the RAGE mechanics. The storyline I heard was that it's Nazi Zombies running around Berlin eating poor, innocent Russian soldiers (and probably any Whermacht who get in the way?). The zombies they were using at ReaperCon looked like proxies, but I assume it will be on the same scale as Warlord.

Castlebuilder

[MiniWargamer]

My understanding is that they have tabled it for a while but are still interested in it. (This is the big amorphous Reaper "they" in the suits.)

The SotR rules are up on their forum and they look like they will have a nice lineup of figures. I think the scales (both 28mm - Warlord - and unit level) are the same. The scuttlebutt I heard at ReaperCon indicated they were going to build it around the RAGE system.

[EdPugh]

So word on the street is Reaper is going to put out a prepainted minis game called Reich of the Dead with Nazi zombies and so forth.

I'll start with a few questions:
1. Same R.A.G.E. mechanic?
2. Same scale as Warlord models?
3. West Wind Productions has their Secrets of the Third Reich minis game; will this Reaper game be along the same lines?

1) Yes Rage mechanics. CAV ranged combat and Warlord Melee combat.
2) Yes, same scale. 25mm "Heroic Scale". We have been using 1/48 scale Tamaya plastics to build the soldiers
3) No. See below
4) If you are in the area stop by on Thursday night at 6:00pm. We are playing RotD and working on it after hours at that time.
5) Yes, it will release as a pre-painted plastic game.
6) Yes, metal will be available
7) Yes, alternate metal models and special metal models will be available.
8) Release date: next spring is as close as I am getting at this time.
9) Yes, more info is being developed and produced at this time. When will it be up? ...wait for it ... it's coming ... Soon™

From the Reich of the Dead Flyer at ReaperCon:

January 27th 1945
Allied Command HQ
Excerpts from the Wolf Group Briefing
Without cause the Germans winter offensive through the Ardennes Forrest has abruptly come to a halt. Along the entire front, hordes of refugees have flooded into Allied camps all telling the tales of the dead coming back to life. Something has gone horribly wrong and zombie German Army humanoids, known as Kroids, are attacking with organized military efficiency.

- Who is leading the Kroids?
At this time we have no idea who, or what, is controlling or leading these Kroid forces. Reports have led to speculation that the leader of the Kroids is a summoned demon that was resurrected or awakened by the experiments of the SS Project Diabolus team at Castle Wewelsburg in Germany.

- Where do the Kroids come from?
All we know at the moment is that they are the reanimated remains of fallen soldiers or zombies – but not the mindless zombies seen in the Dracula movies we watched in the theaters as kids. Instead, these zombies appear to independently think and communicate. As they attack and kill our troops their ranks grow in numbers. What we do know is that a dead soldier, in any condition, burned, missing limbs or shot all to hell will, if not 'finished,' rise as a Kroid within 24 hours. A 'finished' corpse is one that has had its head removed.

- Why are the Kroids here and what do they want?
Sadly we have no idea. We believe this is the result of same wacky Nazi secret weapon experiment gone horribly wrong and we will just have to deal with it as best as we can. We do know that a Nazi machine called the Cyclomatron was built and activated by a team of SS scientists and engineers working at Castle Wewelsburg in Germany. Somehow this machine is the power behind these Kroids.

- How do we defeat the Kroids?
To date our strategy has been one of attacking the Third Reich's ability to wage war. We have been very successful in dismantling their infrastructure by destroying factories, refineries and transport. We have denied them the ability to manufacture and deploy the tools of war. The Kroids have no supply lines and they pick their tools of war up off the ground. They do not need to eat; they do not need to sleep. Their machines do not run on gas and ball bearings. Simply put, we have to change our entire strategy. As commanders you must think with your head. A casualty in your command is a new recruit for the Kroid army. The orders you have already received detail our current strategy, which is one of containment. Until further notice we are going on the defensive.

Reich of the Dead
Reich of the Dead will be the next Rage System game to be released by Reaper Miniatures. Reich of the Dead's release information will be announced at a later time.

The Reichstag in the Asylum
Those of you lucky enough to be here at Reaper Con have a chance to play in the game that inspired our efforts. David Bennett's "All things Zombie - Reich of the Dead." Set on the bombed out steps of the Reichstag, David's event will have you knee deep in zombies in no time!

[EdPugh]

I forgot to add 10

10) Is it cool? YES, and in ways beyond description, I have not had this much fun in a long time!

[Nathoruuk]

Thanks. Everything sounds like I was hoping for. I am VERY excited to get into this. Heroic 25mm, Tamiya models for scaling, metals as well as plastics.


"Crazy. I mean, so many positive waves, maybe we can't lose. You're on." - Donald Sutherland from...

[Lars Porsenna]

6) Yes, metal will be available
7) Yes, alternate metal models and special metal models will be available.

So based on the above, are you saying metal models of what will be pre-paints will be available? So for those of us that do not like or want pre-paints, our desires are going to be catered to?

I find it interesting you are using Tamiya plastics. Is that going to be the ACTUAL scale, then ("Heroic 25mm" doesn't mean anything, and I can definitely see A LOT of cross-over appeal, especially since I build in 1/48 scale armor). PLus it would mean the figures would mix with the Meier-sculpted Fox minis.

Damon.

[Ironworker]

Just when I was developing an extreme dislike for all things fantasy and an extreme interest in both world wars and the pulp era of the 20s and 30s. I can't wait to see some more info on this. Is there any chance we can get some beta rules any time soon?

[Ironworker]

6) Yes, metal will be available
7) Yes, alternate metal models and special metal models will be available.

So based on the above, are you saying metal models of what will be pre-paints will be available? So for those of us that do not like or want pre-paints, our desires are going to be catered to?

I find it interesting you are using Tamiya plastics. Is that going to be the ACTUAL scale, then ("Heroic 25mm" doesn't mean anything, and I can definitely see A LOT of cross-over appeal, especially since I build in 1/48 scale armor). PLus it would mean the figures would mix with the Meier-sculpted Fox minis.

Damon.

I was just on a page that had the Tamiya 1/48s up against various different WWII manufacturers minis and also with both 1/48th and 150th scale armor. I'll tray to dig it up again. Also for anyone else interested in Weird War II discussion I would like to suggest this page Lead Adventure Forum This page has some great material for Weird War II as well as a lot of historic and quasi historic settings.

[EdPugh]

6) Yes, metal will be available
7) Yes, alternate metal models and special metal models will be available.

So based on the above, are you saying metal models of what will be pre-paints will be available? So for those of us that do not like or want pre-paints, our desires are going to be catered to?

I find it interesting you are using Tamiya plastics. Is that going to be the ACTUAL scale, then ("Heroic 25mm" doesn't mean anything, and I can definitely see A LOT of cross-over appeal, especially since I build in 1/48 scale armor). PLus it would mean the figures would mix with the Meier-sculpted Fox minis.

Damon.

We are using both 1/48 & 1/43 scale vehicles/ You can get Tamiya kits etc but also look at Wal-Mart. We picked up two styles of PZKw IV fpr 5-6 dollars each. Painted and assembled.

Please note: Scale in the plastic model industry is applied equally as insanely as it is in the metal miniature industry. All 1/48's are not the same. We found the tamyia figures in 1/48 were damn close to waht we wanted and would end up with. They fit in well with Warlord DHL models etc. Guns are frail and detail is a little to slight for our tastes but for playtest they are awesome.

The plan at the moment is to release metal in advance of the PP plastic versions. Things can change.

[SaintRigger]

On the topic of scale - thanks for keeping this a 28mm game that can be used along side other 28mm models (ie, Artizan, Brigade etc...) rather than some weird scale that doesn't mix with anything currently in production (Like Battlefield Evolution).

A line that won't mix with established 28's would be really depressing - especially since I have a few pulp characters, GIs and Brits that I really like (and wouldn't mind getting more of) - but conversely, I'd love to grab new figures from Reaper to use in other games as well - especially prepainted mobs to bolster up the 1/2 grade levels in .45 Adventures and the like.


Will it retain any "All Things Zombie" feel to it, there are some neat mechanics that make for a fun game (ie, sounds of gunfire attracting new zombies)

If I had to pick, I'd favor PPs being released ahead of metal - get the gamers hooked early, maybe draw them into painting and draw some painters in the game.
I can see this flying off of vendor tables at the HMGS cons - especially if the quality of the pre-paints are pretty good, and it is affordable. You may even have people wanting squads from other armies (ie, brits, yanks etc..) and I can forsee people just buying packs to use with their WWII games. Hardly anyone makes WWII prepaints (there are the Forces of Valor figures in toy stores).

[King Tiger]

- How do we defeat the Kroids?

Keep the MG42 and HE "88" ammo coming for my Pzkpfw VI and I'll show you how! Muhahaha
This sounds like it could be a blast!

[Ironworker]

I found that link that has the Tamiya figs next to some regular 28mm figs and some 1/48th tanks.

Scale Comparrison

[Chairman Aeon]

Is it too early to ask for Sophie, She-Wollf of the SS.

Iain.

[PurityThruFire]

As far as I'm concerned I've already bought it...and everything to do with it!