Checking Out Idols of Torment

August 9, 2024 at 5:52 pm (Miniature Gaming)
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I recently discovered the indie skirmish game Idols of Torment via (and from/by) Black Magic Craft (“BMC”). I’ve been watching BMC as I’m working on a variety of terrain for wargames, and leaning into using recycled material (i.e., trash). I find it an entertaining and easy to watch show. In any event, while watching, I realized they’re recently made their own skirmish game: Idols of Torment. It’s not the usual fare.

I won’t give all the details on the setting. It’s sort of a Purgatoric place – a smash up of ruined Heaven and Hell. Lots of gray. It’s also got a very Hell Raiser feel to it. Each Player controls a warband of 9 models – 8 Idols on 32mm bases and a single Totem on a 50mm base. Players fight over a ruined landscape trying to reap the souls and energy from The Lost, which are wandering … human souls.

There’s standard play, and then a series of scenarios – many of which require a unique terrain piece. Now, this an indie game from a crafter with crafting community support. So, I really took this as an exciting challenge. BMC isn’t selling any pieces for those scenarios, so whatever you think a “Gate of Heaven” is that meets the scenario requirements, go for it. There’s also a nice section on terrain crafting for the game in the book.

There’s a free PDF of the basic rules to try before you buy (or don’t). I really liked what I was seeing, and have the full PDF, and a hardcopy book en route. I’ve been building up a couple warbands using models on hand. I’ve also built a few terrain pieces, as I was really inspired:

All three of the above pieces were done with some scrap wood, wood 3mm bases (intended for DBA), rocks from my yard, paper towel cardboard tube, Mod Podge, PVA glue, hot glue gun, and paints.

Needless to say, I’m excited to get my hands on the hardcopy book, and get a few games of Idols of Torment in. I’ll post the warbands as I get them completed.

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The Joy of DRD Refinery Rig

September 26, 2023 at 8:28 am (Miniature Gaming)
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I was looking for some interesting terrain – specifically something oil rig-like in 28mm, and ordered myself one of Death Ray Design Refinery kits. It arrived the other day, and I got right into it. TLDR: Amazing kit, quickly assembled (I got through it and painted it yesterday in a few easy hours), and looks great on the table. 

One arrival, it looks like the usual stack of MDF sheets. DRD has clear instructions posted on their website. The pieces were all well laser cut, and came out of the sprue without challenge. Clean fits for assembly as well.

The central column of the hubs and tower took a bit of patience, but fit together nicely, and once glued, felt sturdy. The rest of the kits walls and buttresses were easily added per instructions. I was frankly surprised with how quickly the kit came together, which fed my interest in getting it done.

It settled for a basic battle-worthy paint job. First a good primer layer of black – I used Rusteolium 2x flat black primer, which DRD recommends anyway. From there, I did a sort of zenithal spray of GW Lead Belcher, and called it done.

With drop in walls, bridges and ladders, the set is quite configurable. Just this set nicely dominates a 2×2 or 2×3 space (or even centers a 3×3). I think it’s got great value for the cost, and would make an easy center piece or eye catching display for a board. If you’re looking to promote your game, demo, store or club’s sci-fi minis gaming, this would make an excellent piece to get some attention, especially with the main tower standing about 13″ tall.

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Welcome to the Hotel Kabuki

September 14, 2023 at 8:53 am (Miniature Gaming)
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One of the things that’s really surprised and delighted me about miniatures wargaming over the past several years has been the availability of so many great terrain kits and options. Between 3D prints and MDF kits, it’s never been easier to get a home table looking really nice. I’ve taken the opportunity over the past couple years to get into MDF kits especially. I’m not the best modeler, but I find as long as I choose a difficulty within my range (extra bonus points to TT Combat, who mark their kits with difficulty and time icons). One kit I thoroughly enjoyed assembling was Black Site Studio’s “The Kabuki Hotel”, from their Zaibatsu line. After assembling last night and letting it dry, I just had to share the results of this awesome kit build.

Three levels plus roof (all removable), painted, and with some nifty die cut acrylic for the hotel neon signs, this turned out to make a really cool model. I didn’t prep it with any great results, so you can see some of that in the model … I’m all about good being the enemy of done these days, so good enough for me! The kit went together fairly easily – probably not the first kit someone wants to do, but if you’ve done a few kits, this should be achievable (plus the instructions are on line).

At first, of course, it looks like nothing more than a pile of MDF sheets, but after a couple hours … wow!

The Kabuki Hotel currently retails (direct) $49 US, and I feel I got my money’s worth on it. I’ll look forward to getting a few more in the line. Maybe that nifty Medical Center …

Be well, and good gaming!

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