"It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses."
Last year I caught sight of a number of tabletop miniature car combat & racing games that seem to be developing. It seems to be slowing growing genre (or at least I recently discovered it). The whole concept seemed really cool to me since it was a nice blend of different interests: fast cars, post apocalyptic, modeling, re-enacting movie scenes and general automotive mayhem.
A couple visits to the local flea market, Toys R Them and an order of goodies online led to the following...
THE CARS:
Van driven by ArmitageStarting off with the big van with mounted gattling gun. This model dominated the first games we played. Gun was modeled using an bit off a PC sound card with drinking straws for the barrels. Plastic from cut up credit cards used to make the front ram plates and side armor. The textured armor is from one of those plastic straps they wrap heavy boxes in. Had a nice texture so I kept it.
Ferrari driven by MagnumModeled with turret mounted gun on top and a smokescreen port on the back. Like many of the cars I used window screen to model the medal cage in the windows. Drill out the mounts on the bottom and glue the screen on the underside of the windows. Then assemble. Side armor is a zip tie. Gun on top is from a 6mm miniature model.
Triton Pickup driven by MontoyaThis is our flame throwing pickup. Front mounted flame thrower is a piece of drip system. Braded hose is a jewelery chain and fuel tanks are small capacitors off from a scrap PC. Back bumper is a zip tie. Painted red with plenty of washed of Dabab Black and Devlan Mud.
Midnight Otto driven by GilgameshTop mounted gun is a 6mm cannon from a sci-fi range (can't think of the name). Rear armor plate is plastic from an old VHS tape (some cool textures on those btw) and the window armor is a vent from a scrapped laptop. Wheels are covered by plastic that I hole punched and glued on.
1932 Ford driven by Black Skull (Green)Pretty easy mod. Just two GW Orc guns mounted on either side.
Track T Rod driven by The Cooler (Pink)
Drip system piece is the central gun ajoined to a PC part again.
Hooligan driven by Zoombie (Orange)
Guns made from different diameter tubing/straws glued together.
Mustang Mach I driven by Acid BurnMy favorite model so far. Has a double cannon turret on top (two sprinkler drip system pieces again) Front drills are off a 6mm vehicle.
Model on the WorkbenchMore cars, a semi truck (to add a huge vehicle), motorcycle gang and individual models for some roadkill action! The motorcycle and models are from Stan Johansen Miniatures. Mounted on plastic card.
AXLES & ALLOYS RULES:
I have since played a number of games ranging from 2 to 6 players using the Axles and Alloys II game rules. It is a completely free game rules system I found online and offers PDF rules and player sheets. Don't expect a deep campaign game system here. It's goal from the start was to be a quick and light game that can be quickly picked up and played. And from those who have played it with me it seemed to succeed very well in that. I have found a few weak points, but overall it's a kick.
PLAYER SHEETS:
I editted the format of the games player record sheets and have uploaded them along with game tokens of the main effects/weapons used. Feel free to download and share. Linking back to www.op4.org if you re-post to the web would be awesome.
Download player sheet & tokens: Click Here
THE WEB SITES:
1. Axles and Alloys II - website
Free rules system adaptation from the Full Thrust game. Fun, light and full of wacky hijinks.
2. Warlands - website
Pay to Play. A developing game system and model company.
3. Stan Johansen Miniatures - website
An awesome resource of 20mm scaled medal car weapon packs, motorcycle gang, and models.
4. Road Wolf - website
Free rules system. Be sure to check out their vehicles page to see skillfully crafted cars. Haven't played it yet.
5. Speed Rally - website
They sell a PDF rules system. Lighter game with movement based on squares along a track you print out and build. They also just made a TRON themed bike game. Haven't played either yet.
4 comments:
Sweet! Love that car game man.
Well done! I look forward to seeing the rest finished.
Nice looking cars you have modded there. I look forward to seeing more of them, maybe some action shots from a game. I really want to see what you do with the 'big rig'!
Holy Mad Max!! This is very cool. I am a long time player (on long term hiatus) of Car Wars. I had always wanted to "upgrade" and play the game in "Hot Wheels" scale, but never got past throwing potential cars in a box. What inspiration! Way to go!! I was not familiar with the games you mentioned, I'll have to check them out.
Post a Comment