PRE-VIEW: Mantic, WarPath, Orx Marauder Raptor and Troops Sprues

[BobbieTheDamned]

Very nice pictures Mortis. Think I'll be picking up a Raptor or two for converting, probably some Marauders as they'll be cheap and look nice for converting. I particularly like the faces on the chest plates on the command/heavy weapon sprue which also a decent number of heads. Slightly disappointed with the number of weapons but there are plenty of appropriate parts in my bits box. As you say very Rogue Trader-ish, Orks/Orxs as a kind of mercenary rough and ready species rather than everything looking like it was A-teamed together in the most smashed up scrapyard in the universe.

[General Biakal]

it all depends on price... if it is in the same ball park as GW, id say get GW.

if its way below, get this. its OK... but its not life changing. i will watch this space with interest but in the end, it depends how greedy they are

[MortiS-the-Lost]

General Biakal wrote

it all depends on price... if it is in the same ball park as GW, id say get GW.

if its way below, get this. its OK... but its not life changing. i will watch this space with interest but in the end, it depends how greedy they are

It's Mantic, so the prices will be around a 3rd to a half of GW prices (if not better!)

Once Orx and Forge fathers are out we'll start seeing the humans - and you will like them

[MortiS-the-Lost]

My own personal notes on these:

The Raptor is a great kit and the light plastic-resin makes an ideal material for vehicles - but what I'd really like to see from Mantic is some plastic vehicle kits.
Like many resin vehicles the Raptor is hollow and has little to no detail underneath, but it's nothing a few scraps of plasti-card and some spare bits wouldn't sort out if your concerned about the bottom of the vehicle. The parts fit together nicely, although the exhaust pipes bit is a little tricky get into place (I'll see about getting a picture of the assembled vehicle when I can)
The Raptor is a fairly generic looking vehicle and could be used in most sci-fi and/or post-apocalypse setting, the Orx gunner on the back is easily replaced with another figure if you want to use it for another race/army (eg human scavengers, space-rat-men or what have you)  and likewise the rocket launcher is easily replaced with a heavy weapon of your choice from your bits-box. I have it in mind that it would be great to field as a buggy in GorkaMorkA or an Ash-wastes buggy in Necromunda (in fact I seem to remember a very similar looking vehicle in an ash wastes gang illustration)

There are some great bits on the Orx Command and Troop sprues - the hand-shaped power claw is much more to my liking than GW's current hydraulic bolt-cutter type ones and it seems to have been cunningly designed to work as either a left or right hand like the early RT citadel plastic one, this will not be to everyone's liking but is easily trimmed and converted to a be more distinct left or right hand/claw. A few other nice bits include the retro radio style microphone (I can see this being used on a few conversions), the pistol, grenade, pointing hand and what I think is a bug-eye mask as well as all the pouches and ammo holders ect you'd expect on a good Sci-fi troop kit. The 1 heavy weapon option the sprues give you need not limit you; the shoulder mount can easily be converted to carry a rocket launcher, plasma cannon or heavy machine gun type weapon (it also reminds me a little of the old 40k Ork Shock Attack gun and could be converted along those lines).
It's also worth noting that the Orx sprues are compatible with the the KoW Orc sprues allowing you even more variety in your troops.

[BobbieTheDamned]

MortiS-the-Lost wrote

 I have it in mind that it would be great to field as a buggy in GorkaMorkA or an Ash-wastes buggy in Necromunda (in fact I seem to remember a very similar looking vehicle in an ash wastes gang illustration)

Yeah same here, it definitely looks familiar in a good way.

MortiS-the-Lost wrote

It's also worth noting that the Orx sprues are compatible with the the KoW Orc sprues allowing you even more variety in your troops.

Now that I didn't know. May well have to buy a box of those guys too now!

[MortiS-the-Lost]

Here's some pictures of the Orx Marauder Raptor vehicle assembled





I have no idea if Triple Helix Wargames have plans for this model to end up painted or not, but if you'd like to see it painted by me go pester my superiors at THW on their FaceBook Page and tell them I'm the man for the job  (or better still - buy me one when they come out!)

[Marchomer]

I think I can say that Mantic is on the right way to make some great sci-fi vehicles.
IMO this vehicle is great, highly customizable and playable in lots of games.

I can't understand how a non-finecast miniature could be so nice?

[MortiS-the-Lost]

I've been saying these models are awesome and at great value - but don't just take my word for it... here is a video which explain it all in very simple terms

Marchomer wrote

I think I can say that Mantic is on the right way to make some great sci-fi vehicles.
IMO this vehicle is great, highly customizable and playable in lots of games.

and this is just the beginning - soon we'll be seeing other races and other vehicles