Less than 2 weeks to go to our 3/3 Torn Armor kickstarter! Introducing to you today, the Sisk War Priest. There is one war priest in the core set and she is accompanied by 2 javelineers and 2 hoplite miniatures, to make a mixed unit of 5 32mm minis.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/856331_453005668105092_43169928 7_o.jpg
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Jf0lZDp5A
Sisk: War Priest
While not the backbone of the legions, the Sisk War priests are ushered throughout the battle by protecting javelineers and swordsmen, enabling them to heal and boost the morale of friendly units, while demoralizing the enemy.
Benefits
Can cast spells (and therefore has access to the spell card deck), can heal wounded units
Drawbacks
Vulnerable to damage
The Sisk War Priest will feature in the core set of Torn Armor that is being Kickstartered March 3/3 of this year - less than 2 weeks time folks!. It will be one of the base units for the Sisk faction.
~ Alyssa Faden
Other Images (concept artwork/miniatures): https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.419609391444720.96332.13001627373 7368&type=3
Thanks Marc - and you are of course correct. We're huge Pathfinder players ourselves and I am a SUCKER for a good mini, so we're making sure that everything here will be completely cross-compatible. Oh, and did I mention that there will be RPG Pathfinder supplements later this year? Even more reason to ensure that everything in the CSM kickstarter can be used in the Torn Armor game, and everything from that can be used for table-top roleplaying!
~ Alyssa
Stereogm, I hate to point you to Facebook, but we're overhauling our website right now and we're probably a few days out from showing it live.
So - feast your eyes my friend:
https://www.facebook.com/TornWorld/photos_albums
If you like what you see you can either subscribe to me personally on FB or G+, our Facebook page, or our YouTube Channel. All get updated regularly.
Me:
https://www.facebook.com/alyssa.faden
G+
https://plus.google.com/u/0/116874654245350037729/posts
TornWorld Facebook:
ttps://www.facebook.com/TornWorld
YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe2skvUngfiDqO7od3-hHYQ?feature=guide
New mini posted - this one is a Maychian Skirmisher Golem. He will stand slightly shy of 50mm tall on the gaming table (to his 'eyes'):
VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox8s5rv1WxU&feature=youtu.be
Maychian Elemental Skirmisher Golem
When the Sisk discovered their stash of ancient war golems and proceeded to conquer much of the known world with them, their adversaries had to react and counter with war beasts of their own.
Here is pictured a Maychian Elemental Golem. Constructed from the earth itself, these lumbering constructs can reach 18' in height or more. This light elemental golem is 12' tall and hurls boulders as a ranged weapon.
It will feature in the core set of Torn Armor being kickstarter funded in March.
Artist: Sixus 1 Studios
TornWorld Facebook:
ttps://www.facebook.com/TornWorld
This is looking really intriguing, is this as part of the Torn Armour RPG, or board-game? And will they be separate KS's?
The mini's are looking lovely.
DSXMachina - thank you!
So a little explanation here:
LORE:
Torn World is its own entity. There will be Pathfinder RPG supplements, but that will be later this year.
MINIS:
We have a miniature line currently being carried through Center Stage. This is focused on the darker, creepier characters and critters within the world and is being kickstarted right now (through CSM): http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/centerstageminis/torn-world-28mm-miniat ures
It has nothing to do with Torn Armor, but each will come with a Torn Armor unit card. Other than that there is no link between them other than they are set in the Torn World lore.
BOARDGAME:
And then there's Torn Armor. This is a fantasy squad-based skirmish boardgame for 2-4 players. It features the creatures, people, races and lore from Torn.
It kickstarts 3/3.
In the box you will get -
1) 39 highly detailed plastic miniatures from the same producers as DUST (and they are some serious miniatures as I am sure you will agree). They will range from 32mm in height to over 60mm in height, all at the 32mm for a human-sized creature scale.
2) color rulebook, color scenario book
3) dry-erasable unit cards, spell cards, magical item cards
4) 25 dice in 5 different colors
5) 4 double-sided battlefield posters (which you can arrange to create the playing area)
(and - shush about this =D - but there will be two minotaur assault unis also available and ... *drumroll* ... two behemoth units standing 120mm tall ... they are gorgeous!)
An Introduction to Torn Armor: http://www.coolminiornot.com/forums/showthread.php?52770-An-introduction-to -Torn-Armor
Interview with Alyssa Faden / Creator: http://www.brokenbinding.com/2013/02/20/close-encounters-interview-alyssa-f aden-of-torn-world-pt-1/
And while we're on this subject, let's share the latest mini here =D
SISK LIGHT WAR GOLEM
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/860004_454083221330670_95754339 8_o.jpg
The Sisk faction is known for their "Roman-like" expansionist nature, fueled through an army of war golems discovered in the heart of their empire several hundred years ago. Since discovering this ancient weapons stash, they have been nearly unstoppable in their conquests.
Pictured is a Sisk Light Golem. It stands approximately 12' tall on the battlefield (60mm to the eyes as a miniature).
Strengths: Ability to withstand damage, a one-golem walking shield wall, can brace against enemy attacks, hellacious cleaving ability.
Weaknesses: Lack of speed, no ranged ability.
This golem is part of the core set of Torn Armor being kickstarted 3/3 to 4/4.
YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lssu15HEySE&feature=youtu.be
Thank you for all of that, it looks very intriguing.
The factions look unique and could easily fill a niche in a collection. That's quite a cool idea including the posters/ playmats in with the game, for a skirmish game.
Thanks DSXMachina, yes, the unique combination of boardgame, fast setup, play, components, and the sheet volume of really high quality miniatures I'm truly hoping will snag interest in people. Honestly, there are two minis I'm going to unveil next week that would have me backing the Kickstarter just for them!
But without further ado, let's post today's mini!
Sisk: Hero, Consia de Grualva
CONSIA'S IMAGE
For our forthcoming Torn Armor board game kickstarting 3/3. One of the twists with this game is the addition of "hero units." These units are the equivalent of a full squad of men and can fight alone or be attached to and pass on their special abilities to a squad.
This is Consisa de Grualva, one of the early sisk explorers and a pioneer in the discovery of the new continents in the Northern Hemisphere.
Benefits
Leadership, Inspiring. Consia's presence can help resist against fear-effects and intimidating units.
Drawbacks
Not as diverse as some heros in her abilities or weaponry.
Consisa de Grualva will feature in the core set of Torn Armor that is being Kickstartered in March 3/3 of this year. She will be one of the hero units for the Sisk faction.
Will there be an early backer special?
If so could you do it like Kingdom Death did, whereby they had it only for the first day. And when each level got filled up; they added a dollar and made another 100 backer 'early bird'. This meant that if you didn't find out about it straight away you still could back the KS for a deal.
And that model (WiP) looks amazing, a nice heroic figure.
A gameplay video has been posted to YouTube and I'd like to invite you to check it out to see what Torn Armor is all about:
Jack & Alyssa go head to head in a game of Torn Armor. Jack takes on the Maychian faction and their fast moving abilities, while Alyssa adopts the slower, but tougher Sisk faction. Who will win?
DSXMachina - thanks for the compliments, I truly appreciate it. Watch out for 2/26 ... we're going to post something very, very special.
As for the early birds, you know I'm a little up in the air on that. James Mathe says that it's somewhat of a bad idea. That people who were going to back you at the beginning will do so anyway, but they are also then less likely to UP their pledge, because they do not want to lose out on that earlybird. I am inclined to see that point of view, it makes sense.
That said, I like the whole idea behind the early-bird special concept, if I could offer an incentive that follows the backer, regardless of how they adjust their pledge. That means that the early bird special is only done at the higher pledge levels, or that it's not bound by pledge levels at all, but rather me keeping track of backers in the first x-amount of days and offering them something special.
Your thoughts?
Actually, Ed Fortae did something similar to that. Basically, it was the first 200 backers received 5 extra bases or 1 extra little model on his project. Through the Breach did something similar, but they made their early backer incentives TOO good, and thus lost out from people not feeling like they were getting a fair shake just for backing a day or two late, so I'd be careful about how juicy the early backer reward is!
From my understanding, the project creator is able to easily track the date a person backs, and even if they adjust their pledge, their original pledge date stays, as long as they don't CANCEL the pledge, only adjust it.
Well Alien Assimilation Host, offered a free mini for their first 200 backers. This is obviously tougher to work out and adds a level of 'policing' in case someone has 2 accounts (although these cases are rare).
Kingdom Death did the timed offers, so that people tended to back straight away... but it had good word-of-mouth upon the first day.
Early bird offers should however not scale up, as it can generate bad feelings for newer backers. They should be a bonus, and a bonus mini would be more cost effective than $$$ off.
I dig the free mini thing. Let me ask you this. Torn Armor is unit based. There are hero units (but once you have a hero, you have that hero) and there are "squads" ... 5-8 men.
Offering "1" mini is kind of redundant ... it doesn't do anything. So what we'd have to offer is a "unit" ... 5-8 minis of your choice: pick a hoplite unit, a javelineer unit, a mu unit, vanaran etc. It would be doubling up with what you have in the boxed set, BUT you can field both units in the game if that's your choice.
Do you think this would be too much?
Do you think that this should be for the first 200 backers or the first 3 days?
NEWS RELEASE 2/26:
Maychian Kerrosus Behemoth Assault unit
Picture 1
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
Picture 5
Picture 6
Picture 7
Standing 120mm stall on the Torn Armor battlefield: A Maychian Kerrosus Behemoth Assault unit, complete with 5 Mu riders (2 handlers, one slinger, two on manning Hwacha siege weaponry.)
Torn Armor is Kickstarting on Sunday 3/3
This unit will be unlocked when we hit the 100k funding level and will be available as an add-on.
Watch for news on how to snag the kickstarter limited edition only version!
~ Alyssa
Video:
http://youtu.be/GS6ltVuSK08
Google Plus:
https://plus.google.com/104862696748313742837/posts
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TornWorld
From my understanding, the project creator is able to easily track the date a person backs, and even if they adjust their pledge, their original pledge date stays, as long as they don't CANCEL the pledge, only adjust it.
Actually, it tracks each step a backer takes. So if they back, it will show the date, if they adjust, if they cancel, it's all shown chronologically (granted not instantly, but within a little while).
Well, from the perspective of people who would buy your minis as collectors (which, let's face it, a ton of miniature purchasers are mostly painters and collectors) giving an extra 5-8 minis to people for backing earlier might not sit well. Most people valuate their purchases on a price/mini basis (that I've seen, anyway. It's common to see the math posted in KS comments). If you start lowering that metric by a wide margin, you'll face complaints.
There is also the added complication of (if using 3 days as the marker) getting an influx you aren't expecting and then passing out hundreds of freebies to people eating into production costs. Playing it safe is good for everyone.
Personally, two things play into how to determine your early backer freebies.
1. Value for yourself/Cost per unit. If you set a hard number of backers, you're more likely to know precisely what you're giving away for free. If you use a time-based deadline, it's completely up in the air. You could easily lose money if you're not careful. What happens in 600, 700, 800 people join in the first 3 days? Unlikely, but predictability is always a good thing when managing finances.
2. Value for the backer: It has to be enough to actually draw a person in earlier than they would normally pledge. However, too much alienates future backers. A whole unit could be perceived as a significant advantage, despite it being a cheap item. Perception is everything in sales/marketing.
To counter that perception, if you can offer additional units as add-ons and show the true value of this freebie as being quite reasonable, it will be forgiven.
Try not to give away more than 5-10% more than what other backers will get, unless it's a direct cash discount. Most people seem FAR more okay with early bird specials with $5-10 off than they are with other backers getting more product. This is just from my personal experience backing ~30 Kickstarters.
I hope some of this makes sense. None of this is hard-set or even scientific. I'm just offering my own experiences and hoping the conclusions I've drawn are helpful to you.
I would agree, a full unit is awesome, but newcomers will get peeved that they've missed out on such a cool bonus.
Are there optional parts that could be granted to early backers? 1 or 2 nifty freebies that others can buy won't draw a line of contention.
Yeah, an extra weapons sprue, or a some physical objective markers/ crates are nice little extras.
And recruits tons your analysis seems very accurate in my experience.
Thanks guys - this makes sense. recruits_tons, thank you for such a detailed explanation. I had the same concerns/fears, which is why I opted for the cautious "no early bird special," lol. The $5-$10 off could work. It could be applied to add-ons only, and theoretically all of the units in the game will also be available as add-ons, so there are lots of options there and the $5-$10 then means something.
The other possibility would be to offer free shipping within the USA. This would cost more though - I'd be hitting myself for $20 a box, and I could imagine that beginning to hurt =D
I like the $5-$10 off deal.
Thoughts?
NEWS RELEASE 2/28:
Faction: Sisk. Unit: Sunnahara Rayja War Elephant
Specifications: 100mm base, 100mm tall on the gaming boardThree bowmen, two spearmen, and one driver.
Torn Armor is Kickstarting on Sunday 3/3 through to 4/4
This unit will be unlocked when we hit the 100k funding level and will be available as an add-on.
Watch for news on how to snag the kickstarter limited edition only version!
~ Alyssa
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD6w0b4qG20
Website:
TornWorld.com
Google Plus:
https://plus.google.com/104862696748313742837/posts
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TornWorld
The entire core-boxed set line-up of miniatures. It's a sexy collection:
Core Set: 39 miniatures
Don't forget - we have an event page for the 3/3 - 4/4 kickstarter. If you have not "joined it," please do so. We will be making special announcements over there that you might not get to see over here :)
https://www.facebook.com/events/164927753658614/
~ Alyssa Faden
The First Stretch Goal Collection
This will be the first stretch goal for Torn Armor, so we wanted to make it an awesome one. When we get close to it I'll have the miniatures created by the incredible Sixus 1 Studios team.
You'll get:
x5 Sisk elite fighters
x6 Maychian Shalcat fighters
x6 Murodae mercenaries
+12 spell cards
+12 equipment cards
+ the Torn Armor dice cup
Seriously ... I'm loving that we can offer such an incredible deal.
And at the $150 level you'll get that on top of the boxed set (39 miniatures, rule book, scenario book, 4 double-sided battle posters, equipment/spell/dry-erasable unit cards, 25 dice) and both minotaur brothers.
Crazy sauce.
This is going live 9PM PST on 3/2
~ Alyssa
Also: don't forget there is a G+ even for the Kickstarter here:
G+ Event Page
And on Facebook here:
Facebook Event Page
That's 5am for my :(
Darn, unlikely to early backer then. (Just like Zombicide: Season 2 - where they sold out in 5 minutes)
Yay, it's live....and yay, I did stay up ¬_¬
Linky to the project. Go! Pledge!
Thanks this is looking really fun. And the gameplay video is nice, so you can play the game in an hour or so....cool.
Thank you DSXMachina and recruits_tons, seriously I really appreciate your support.
The playest video had a lot of intro and general discussion that you wouldn't have during a game. Typically you can set up and play in 30-60 minutes very easily, and that's the niche we're shooting for here. A few games in an evening, something you can play at a coffee shop ... not something you need a tabletennis table for or a 12hr day, you know? Something that is insanely fun, yet very convenient!
Please help spread the word!
We are indeed live:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1471855235/torn-armor
Miniatures in the core boxed set (plus skirmish rules, scenario book, battleboard posters, unit cards, spell cards, equipment cards, and 25 dice!)
39 miniatures:
x1 Light Golem,
x1 Skirmish Golem,
x1 Battlepriest, x1 Sisk Hero,
x7 Javelin,
x7 Hoplite,
x1 Skirmish Elemental,
x1 Light Elemental,
x8 Vanaran,
x9 Mu,
x1 Serpentfolk Mage, X1 Felis Hero
All of our miniatures are available to view in a 3D rotating format:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe2skvUngfiDqO7od3-hHYQ
That's lovely that the rules are available for anyone to download and try out.
I think the option to add extra sets of dice would be good too. But already having 100 backers, this is looking excellent.
I would have to agree, G. I'm really pleased with the level of updates, the quality of game (as well as the qualities of the game). It seems like a perfect game to start off a board-game evening, with clear replay value.
Without further ado he's my attempt at converting the cute Mu (the mice-men) to Pathfinder.
Humanoid (Mu)
Small
+1 AC, +1 bonus to attack rolls, -1CMD, +4 Stealth
Reach: 5'
Space: 5'x5'
Ability Scores:
+2 Dex, +2 Int, -2 Wis
Linguist:
Common, Mu (Mu with High Intelligences can learn any Language, barring secret ones)
:
Bite :
Benefit: Members of this race gain a natural bite attack, dealing damage equivalent to that of a creature two size categories lower than normal for their size (1d2 for Small races). The bite is a primary attack, or a secondary attack if the creature is wielding manufactured weapons.
Bond to the Land :
Benefit: Members of this race gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC when in a specific terrain type selected from the ranger's list of favored terrains. This choice is made at character creation, and cannot be changed.
Climb :
None; Benefit: Members of this race have a climb speed of 20 feet, and gain the +8 racial bonus on Climb checks that a climb speed normally grants
Craftsman :
Benefit: Member of this race gain a +2 racial bonus on all Craft or Profession checks to create objects from metal or stone.
Fleet-Footed :
Benefit: Members of this race receive Run as a bonus feat and a +2 racial bonus on initiative checks.
Nice conversion! I've been impressed with what I've seen of Torn Armor, as well. I really hope the Kickstarter goes well!
Thanks Randall, I was trying to keep it away from just combat things. And I thought negative Wis might represent their timidity, rather than Cha (because they are cute - even though Cha=/=Comeliness).
I love this conversion DSX, very nice!
And now it's been opened up for 39 mini's for $50!!! Without an International P&P.
That's brilliant, if you just want some amazing mini's. Of course, if you just want great rule set that's only $35 and the Beta is free to down-load.
Big news for the Torn Armor project!
"Reaper Miniatures has given us the greenlight to add their Clockwork Dragon as a Torn Armor unit; complete with unit card. When we hit 60k, we'll even create a new map set and special scenario. Of course, this gives us an excuse to introduce the "flying units" and "breath weapon" rules =D
The best part of this? The first 500 backers to pledge $75 or more (the game or any combination of add-ons and pledge levels) gets the Clockwork Dragon FOR FREE with no extra shipping."
What a collaboration! Get in now before it hits 500 backers!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1471855235/torn-armor?ref=live
There is still about 24 hours to go for the current Battle for An Gearesdan: REFER A FRIEND!
Get a friend to pledge to the Torn Armor kickstarter! Have them post in Update #8 and mention your name and what faction they are fighting for! Your friends can pledge ANY AMOUNT (even $1)... BUT for every friend you bring on-board that pledges $75 or more, we will throw in $10 worth of add-ons for you AND your friend (you choose what you want independently), free of charge! (You can use this $10 towards something that costs a greater amount.)
This battle and offer ends 9:00 PM PST on Thursday March 14th! Don't miss it!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1471855235/torn-armor
GREAT NEWS!
The two HUGE miniature units (the War Elephant and the Behemoth Kerrosus) have been UNLOCKED! That's right, they have unlocked early and are now available as add-ons on the Torn Armor Kickstarter!
MORE GREAT NEWS!
The Torn World is now collaborating with Reaper Miniatures! The first 500 backers of $75 or more will receive the Clockwork Dragon FREE! The Clockwork Dragon will be a mercenary unit for the Torn Armor game, meaning that either side can use it!(The mini will come complete with its own unique unit stat card).
http://www.reapermini.com/graphics/gallery/4/77177_w_1.jpg
That's brilliant. I was awaiting the War-Elephant, that'd be perfect for large scale games or re-doing LotR: Return of the King.
And I don't think I ordered a Clockwork-Dragon, so brilliant. (Now if only I could persuade more friends to join)
That's brilliant. I was awaiting the War-Elephant, that'd be perfect for large scale games or re-doing LotR: Return of the King.
And I don't think I ordered a Clockwork-Dragon, so brilliant. (Now if only I could persuade more friends to join)
DSX: I hear you! The War Elephant is awesome! I am a Kerrosus/Rhino-man guy myself (as I am a Maychian at heart) but the elephants ROCK! We are really happy with how they came out! :)
I hear you on the friends to join front! ;)
So not only is there the collaboration with Reaper miniatures (with the FREE Clockwork Dragon included with all the other rewards at pledges $75 and up) but there is ALSO the Winged Hussar unit that has been unlocked as a "mini stretch goal" (a stretch goal reached before funding!)
Check him out here!
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/536589_304347392970921_972650151 _n.jpg
AND!
The 30k "mini stretch goal" has been revealed as well!
Check out the updates on the Torn Armor Kickstarter page :)
The map making competition looks fun. I'll have to see if I can have a go at it, should be some fun. I think some Mayan ruins would be an interesting arena to fight over.
As well as the leader stretch goal mini's that are excellent.
(As a backer of the Torn World mini's it'd be great if some of them were opened up too like that amazing gnome)
The map making competition looks fun. I'll have to see if I can have a go at it, should be some fun. I think some Mayan ruins would be an interesting arena to fight over.
Yeah, the map making competition was one Natalya was wanting to throw out there from the beginning, but we held back on it until there was a good number of people backing it :) We will see how many submissions we get for it! =D
(and I agree: Mayan ruins would be awesome!)
In case you guys missed it:
Preview of the 40k Stretch Goal!
The Maychian Akongo Felis and the Sisk Syntagma Tribuni Angusticlavii. They will be free to the "all stretch goal" pledge level, but will also be available as add-ons. :)
Both are leaders, both are powerful, and both inspire the troops!
Wow, Free Shipping to anywhere in the world! That's brilliant, so if you just wanted all (39) the games mini's for $50 (£33) you could get them whether you are in Australia, UK or US. That's brilliant.
Nearly at $40,000 and the Generals unlocked as a Stretch Goal. :D
Lots of big updates on the Torn Armor kickstarer!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1471855235/torn-armor
We've reached the mini-stretch goal of 40k, so the Akongo and Tribuni hero units have been added!
They are included in the "All Stretch Goals" pledge level, but will be available as add-ons too.
We have introduced a 3rd Behemoth unit! A gnomish clockwork magic assault platform called "Moriarty's Bell"!
The concept sketches for it can be seen here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1471855235/torn-armor/posts/434295
and... we now have FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING!
Torn Armor update!
We have passed the 45k mark! At that mini-stretch level we have added more maps and more terrain hexes!
Now we are heading toward out funding level of 50k! Not only will we fund the project when we get there, but we will also have a mini-stretch goal!
What will it be? An artillery unit (complete with artillerists) for both the Sisk and Maychian factions!
Only 9 days left!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...235/torn-armor
And of course now they have been funded. With a Stretch of Ballista & Hwacha for the $50k mark, and also special dice at the $55k mark.
And a big thanks to those at Fat Dragon Games (who have started their own Kickstarter), they have donated their magnificent cardboard scenery to all backers of $35 or more.
Now with only 3 days to go, I wonder how far this can go...