Blake has been instrumental in starting a Beyond the Gates of Antares group here in town. We have been meeting on regular Sundays at Multiverse Games.
I had already purchased a basic set called "The Xilos Horizon" and a bunch of small box sets. I got them at a nice discount from a local store that was trying to clear them out. At the time, my plans were to paint them and use them as a Rogue Stars list. I attempted to play the game a few times before but those games involved some very basic lists. A couple of Concord Strike Squads (basic infantry teams) vs. the Ghar Assault Squads (basic heavy troops, with thick armor) with no supporting drones or weapon options. So, these games were very generic and didn't inspire me to play again.
But, when Blake started a regular group, I decided to join in and give the game a fair chance. I've played a few game sessions up to this point. With each game session, we've been including new units that required us to employ new tactics. Slowly, We are learning about the various factions by introducing the new units and games are becoming more and more intriguing.
For those unfamiliar with this game, 'Antares' is the sci-fi version of the popular Bolt Action WWII rules from Warlord miniatures and is designed by veteran game designer Rick Priestly. It uses the same 'order dice' for unit activation. In fact you can use your Bolt Action dice with no need to purchase a new set. Very nice for players already familiar with the concept.
The background is what makes this game unique. Most of it is typical sci-fi tropes, but there are some interesting features. Here is a short explanation:
Humans have expanded beyond the Sol system and as the expansion continued over thousands of years, humanity began to differentiate physically and sociologically. Enhanced by social conditioning and neurological implants, the species evolved into Pan-Humans. The Panhuman societies further morphed into the various factions represented in the game. Some factions like Concord, still appear outwardly like original humans. But, the Ghar have been hardened into goblin-like creatures with nano-tech bodies and are permanently connected to a hive-mind.
The star Antares, a red super-giant, has been visited and its true nature has been revealed. The star is not a star at all but an engineered mega-structure built by an unknown pre-human civilization simply described as the "Builders". It is also a massive hub of gateways. Each gateway is a door to a trans-dimensional tunnel that leads to a new planet. Millions of gateways exist on the surface of Antares. PanHumans have explored the network, but there are millions of gates yet to be discovered. Thus, comes the title of the game "Beyond the Gates of Antares".
I really like the background. It reminds me of some of the more brainy science-fiction I've read from authors like Heinlein, Niven, Asimov, Herbert, and O.S.Card.
There is one modern twist thrown into the game. Most of the units include an equipment option to add support drones. Drones are flying machines that travel with the unit and can add certain bonuses depending on the type of drone. Some drones simply help acquire line-of-sight to a target and relay that info to the troopers in the squad. Some drones are large combat models that can carry heavy weapons that infantry wouldn't normally be able to carry. Batter drones can project a defence shield around a squad or vehicle. It's a nice addition that make this game different from other sci-fi battle games.
I have participated in a few sessions with the group and excited to play more. Sorry, for lack of battle reports. As the group learns the rules more, I'll start recording the games. Still don't have an army painted yet, but I plan to have a 750 point Concord list ready as soon as possible.
I had already purchased a basic set called "The Xilos Horizon" and a bunch of small box sets. I got them at a nice discount from a local store that was trying to clear them out. At the time, my plans were to paint them and use them as a Rogue Stars list. I attempted to play the game a few times before but those games involved some very basic lists. A couple of Concord Strike Squads (basic infantry teams) vs. the Ghar Assault Squads (basic heavy troops, with thick armor) with no supporting drones or weapon options. So, these games were very generic and didn't inspire me to play again.
But, when Blake started a regular group, I decided to join in and give the game a fair chance. I've played a few game sessions up to this point. With each game session, we've been including new units that required us to employ new tactics. Slowly, We are learning about the various factions by introducing the new units and games are becoming more and more intriguing.
For those unfamiliar with this game, 'Antares' is the sci-fi version of the popular Bolt Action WWII rules from Warlord miniatures and is designed by veteran game designer Rick Priestly. It uses the same 'order dice' for unit activation. In fact you can use your Bolt Action dice with no need to purchase a new set. Very nice for players already familiar with the concept.
The background is what makes this game unique. Most of it is typical sci-fi tropes, but there are some interesting features. Here is a short explanation:
Humans have expanded beyond the Sol system and as the expansion continued over thousands of years, humanity began to differentiate physically and sociologically. Enhanced by social conditioning and neurological implants, the species evolved into Pan-Humans. The Panhuman societies further morphed into the various factions represented in the game. Some factions like Concord, still appear outwardly like original humans. But, the Ghar have been hardened into goblin-like creatures with nano-tech bodies and are permanently connected to a hive-mind.
The star Antares, a red super-giant, has been visited and its true nature has been revealed. The star is not a star at all but an engineered mega-structure built by an unknown pre-human civilization simply described as the "Builders". It is also a massive hub of gateways. Each gateway is a door to a trans-dimensional tunnel that leads to a new planet. Millions of gateways exist on the surface of Antares. PanHumans have explored the network, but there are millions of gates yet to be discovered. Thus, comes the title of the game "Beyond the Gates of Antares".
I really like the background. It reminds me of some of the more brainy science-fiction I've read from authors like Heinlein, Niven, Asimov, Herbert, and O.S.Card.
There is one modern twist thrown into the game. Most of the units include an equipment option to add support drones. Drones are flying machines that travel with the unit and can add certain bonuses depending on the type of drone. Some drones simply help acquire line-of-sight to a target and relay that info to the troopers in the squad. Some drones are large combat models that can carry heavy weapons that infantry wouldn't normally be able to carry. Batter drones can project a defence shield around a squad or vehicle. It's a nice addition that make this game different from other sci-fi battle games.
I have participated in a few sessions with the group and excited to play more. Sorry, for lack of battle reports. As the group learns the rules more, I'll start recording the games. Still don't have an army painted yet, but I plan to have a 750 point Concord list ready as soon as possible.
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| Brilliantly painted Ghar Battle Suits by Forrest |
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| A super cool Concord Combat Drone in the middle of a Ghar v Concord battle |
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