Dust Tactics Revised Core Set

Product Description

FFGDT022 Core Set Revised Dust Tactics by Fantasy Flight Games

Get ready to fight the war anew. The Dust Tactics Revised Core Set is the perfect introduction for new players or a great expansion for veterans. It includes all new, never-before-released miniatures exclusive to this Core Set, an updated and comprehensive rulebook, the Victory Bridge scenario book, six custom dice, two double-sided terrain posters (each the size of six terrain tiles), 10 unit cards, nine double-sided hazard squares, two ammo-crates, and two antitank traps.

The Allies are ready to lay waste to their Axis foes with their new forces. Meanwhile, the Blutkreuz Korps refuse to be bested on any field of battle. Their new Axis troops are equally powerful. With astonishing abilities and firepower, it will be a struggle deciding which side you want to fight for.

The included terrain posters unique to the Revised Core Set introduce Dust Tactics players to new terrain ele ments featured in the Victory Bridge scenario book. These terrain posters are a new warfare experience due to the new environment they offer players - a bridge and building structures, as well as new terrain symbols. The Victory Bridge scenario book offers players six never-before-seen scenarios with which they can carry out a campaign. Englands Cobden Bridge has suddenly become the strategic location for gaining access to Southampton. Can your faction take control of the bridge, and gain the advantage of advancing into southern England.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4238 in Toys & Games
• Color: Multi-Colored
• Brand: Fantasy Flight Games
• Model: DT022
• Released on: 2011-09-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 11.50" h x 4.00" w x 11.50" l,

Features

• A brand new core set for dust tactics
• Features the new point system
• Includes all new, never-before-released miniatures exclusive to this core set
• Features two double-sided terrain posters (each the size of six terrain tiles)
• Includes the ?Victory Bridge? scenario book

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Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful.
Fast Like A Bullet - Review of Dust Tactics
By Ian R Slutz
Miniature games can pull us in with models that pop off the play surface and fat rulebooks that suggest deep strategic depth. Unfortunately, actual play can slow down as rules are debated and measurements argued. But perhaps "Dust Tactics" from Fantasy Flight has a solution?

As a game "Dust Tactics" bridges the gap between miniature and board games. The rules are remarkably slimmed down and yet classic concepts drive the game. Players must manage range, line of sight, and cover while prioritizing which targets need to be attacked first. All this happens on an over-sized grid where each vehicle or squad occupies a single space on the board. New players will probably be able to get the basics after only 20 minutes of instruction and the alternating turn structure means there is little downtime waiting for your turn.

Infantry are more maneuverable in tight confines than vehicles, and they can also receive bonuses from embedded heros. The armored fightin g robots, on the other hand, bring the big guns to bear allowing the player to concentrate a lot of damage potential in a small space. In this game there are no moral rules, but there are command squads that are able to modify the behavior of your units in the middle of the fight. Finally, when it is time to do damage most attacks are settled with one or two rolls of the dice: one for damage, and the other for cover if applicable.

In short, this game is fast.

Like other miniature games there is an army building, or meta game, component as well. Armies are assembled from squads, vehicles, and heroes. Last year's tournament required players to build a larger army that they would then select a subset of for each mission. This allowed a way to customize your force to the scenario, or enemy, at hand.

Of course collecting an army brings us to the keystone of a miniature game: the models. Under close examination, it is clear that the Dust models hav e less detail than what is offered by companies like Games Workshop. This is most clear in the hands and faces of the infantry. However, the concepts, designs, and proportions of the sculptures are very strong. Dust models may be less detailed, but they are not low quality.

An especially notable element is that across the miniature line there is a nod to history and a tendency towards scale (I believe the game claims 1:48). Basic troops have guns and uniforms that are based on WWII designs. It is a refreshing change from space soldiers armed with carbines that you could fire a large potato from. Hero's diverge from the more serious troop designs by being more pulpy and stylized (the latest expansion includes a sniper school girl and a fighting chef armed with propane). But the stars of the show are the robots.

As with the infantry the kit's don't have all the bells and whistles you get from other model lines, but the excellent designs mean you almost do n't notice. Once again the touch of history is evident: Allied medium walkers copy the silhouette of the Sherman turret. Whereas the Axis walkers mimic the angular armor plating that was a hallmark of German designs at the time. History buffs will get a small thrill seeing the infamous 88mm cannon appearing on the Axis Luther. It is a wonderful marriage of history and fantasy.

Ultimately, the lack of detail means these models can't compete head on with GW for the attention of master painters. However, these designs are still very compelling. In fact, from an artistic standpoint, I prefer them over the pieces in Privateer Press's line.

So can "Dust Tactics" invade enough tables to become a relatively common game system? I am not sure. As I said above the models are nice, but they are sold pre-primed and semi assembled. It is an interesting choice, because while I don't miss priming I do miss the pleasure of assembling the kit myself. Another problem is t he lack of army books and fluff. Right now, the rules come in the main game and expansions but the actual units are described in cards packed with the models. In other games, there is a fetish-like pleasure in pouring over army lists while planning your game winning force. However, that is impossible with this setup. Which also makes it a little hard to know what to buy next. The last problem is the simplicity of the game itself. The sheer complexity of the rules for games like "Warhammer 40,000" lend an aura of high brow gaming to the proceedings. I assert that the core decisions of "Dust Tactics" are very close to those in 40K, but many players might look at the rules and stats and come away thinking the game is simplistic.

If these problems prohibit the game from finding a wider audience it will be too bad, because "Dust Tactics" is fast and fun to play. And of course you can't deny it has models that certainly do pop off the play surface.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
Fun to play, quick to learn, great looking pieces
By Mr. M. J. Christian
I picked this game up based mainly on the models that come with it. According to the pictures they have good character, and are part of an well done alternate universe.
And, they didn't disappoint. While they aren't the casting quality of Games Workshop plastics, considering the amount you get for your money they are quite phenomenal.
As for the game, it takes no time at all to learn. It is simple, intuitive, but with enough depth to keep interesting. Games are quick and easy to set up, quick to play (30-40 minutes), and quick and easy to tidy away again.
As you've probably seen, there are a lot of extra sets you can get for this. You don't need any of them. Sure, you'll want some, I already order a couple more boxes, but they are not required.
Basically win win with this game.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
One of the most fun board games I've ever played.
By B Smith
I was kind of on the fence about this one. I know how the costs for miniature games can ramp up, so I was weary at first. I was even more weary because I knew that no one else would be willing to invest in their own armies for this game. So in the end, it was on me to provide both sides of the conflict. I pulled the trigger and bought it anyway.

In the box, you get everything you technically need to get started. While that is true, the balance is a bit off. For starters, the Axis walker "The Hans" is far superior to the Allies walker, "Blackhawk." It out-ranges the Bhawk and can kill it instantly, along with any other unit on the field. It's a beast. Secondly, Axis has 2 heavily armored infantry units, both class 3 armor with the "Damage Resilient" ability. It's really unfair to whoever is stuck playing Allies.

That said, the game plays fast and pretty simply. The expansions aren't too pricey. Overall, I think it's worth a purchase.