Deadzone Featured Products
The Deadzone tabletop skirmish wargame is a cube-based, fast-paced, tactical miniatures game set in the Warpath universe, where players control small squads of elite soldiers or mercenaries in intense, mission-driven combat. It’s designed for players who enjoy strategic, action-packed battles with detailed miniatures and a focus on both tactics and narrative. Here’s what you can expect from the game if you're considering buying it:
Deadzone: Overview
- Game Type: Deadzone is a skirmish wargame, which means it focuses on small-scale, tactical battles rather than large armies. Players command squads of specialized troops, battling in confined spaces like urban environments or alien terrain.
- Setting: The game is set in a dystopian future where different factions—ranging from human corporations to alien species—fight for control of valuable resources. These battles take place in the “Deadzone,” a war-torn area of space with dangerous environments and deadly adversaries.
Deadzone: Gameplay Basics
- Players: Typically played by 2 players, but can be expanded for larger groups.
- Objective: The goal of the game is to complete specific mission objectives, such as eliminating the opposing squad, capturing key points on the battlefield, or completing other strategic goals, all while managing your squad's resources and abilities.
- Turn-Based: Each player takes turns moving their units, taking actions, and engaging in combat. The game is quick and fast-paced, with each turn allowing for both tactical maneuvering and shooting. The actions you take during your turn—like moving, shooting, or using special abilities—are all designed to be strategic and impactful.
Key Features
- Tactical Combat: The core of the game revolves around small, tactical skirmishes between squads. Players take turns moving their miniatures, using their characters' unique abilities, and engaging in combat. The combat system is highly tactical, with cover, line-of-sight, and positioning playing key roles in how battles unfold.
- Command Dice System: The game uses a unique dice mechanic where players roll a set of command dice to supplement what their units can do. These dice are used to perform extra actions like moving, shooting, or faction specific orders. The system is fast and gives a feeling of tension, as players must adapt to the random outcomes of their dice rolls.
- Cube-based: No more tape measures! Deadzone is played on a cube grid, usually 8x8, for both movement and weapon ranges. Cubes can be "stacks" of any size, making truly 3D battlefields. This combined with true line of sight brings the action down to the game board for cinematic, fun gameplay!
- Unit Customization: The game allows for significant customization of your squad. You can choose different types of soldiers, equip them with various weapons and upgrades, and assign special abilities. This customization adds strategic depth and variety to how each player’s army operates.
- Terrain and Environment: The game is designed to be played on modular game boards, meaning the battlefield can be set up in a variety of ways. The game features detailed terrain, like ruined buildings, barricades, and alien landscapes, which affect movement and line-of-sight, creating a dynamic battlefield.
- Factions and Miniatures: There are various factions in Deadzone, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and tactical approaches. Some factions are more tech-focused (like humans or corporations), while others are alien or mutant-based, offering a wide range of miniatures and playstyles. The miniatures are highly detailed, often pre-assembled or requiring minimal assembly.
What’s in the Box?
- Miniatures: The game comes with a variety of miniatures representing different squads, including soldiers, alien creatures, and powerful leaders. These miniatures are highly customizable and can be painted to your liking.
- Rulebook: The core rulebook contains all the information you need to get started, including how to set up the battlefield, how to use the action dice, and detailed rules for combat and squad abilities.
- Action Dice & Tokens: The game includes custom action dice and tokens for tracking health, abilities, objectives, and other key stats.
- Modular Terrain: Deadzone features modular terrain pieces that can be arranged in different configurations to create a dynamic battlefield for each game. This terrain includes things like buildings, crates, barricades, and other obstacles, adding tactical depth to the game.
Why Buy It?
- Tactical Depth: If you enjoy games that require careful planning, positioning, and managing multiple units with different abilities, Deadzone offers a lot of tactical depth. The action dice system adds an element of unpredictability, forcing you to adapt and think on your feet.
- Fast-Paced Gameplay: Deadzone is designed to be quick and action-oriented, making it a great option for players who want a skirmish game that doesn’t take hours to play. Games can often be completed in under 90 minutes, making it a great choice for quick, intense battles.
- Faction Variety: The game features a wide range of factions, each with its own unique playstyle. Whether you prefer the advanced technology of human factions or the brutal power of alien races, there’s a faction that suits your preferred style of play.
- Modular Terrain: The game includes modular terrain, so every game can feel different based on how the battlefield is set up. This adds a lot of variety and replayability, as you can continually try new strategies and tactics.
- Miniatures and Customization: If you enjoy painting miniatures or customizing your squad, Deadzone provides plenty of opportunities for you to personalize your forces and terrain.
Considerations
- Learning Curve: While the rules are generally accessible, there is a learning curve when it comes to mastering the different factions, abilities, and tactical strategies. Players new to wargames might need some time to fully grasp the system, but the rulebook is designed to be relatively easy to follow.
- Skirmish Scale: Unlike large-scale wargames, Deadzone is focused on small-scale, tactical skirmishes. If you’re more interested in massive armies and large battles, Deadzone might feel a bit too focused on small-unit combat.
- Expansions: Deadzone has a number of expansions that add new factions, miniatures, and missions, which can further enhance the experience. If you enjoy the core game, you can easily expand your collection with new units and challenges.
Summary
The Deadzone tabletop skirmish wargame is perfect for players who enjoy fast-paced, tactical gameplay and a rich, futuristic setting. The game features a unique action dice system, allowing for unpredictable and strategic battles between customizable squads of soldiers or mercenaries. With a variety of factions, detailed miniatures, and modular terrain, Deadzone offers high replayability and plenty of room for strategic depth. If you’re looking for a tactical wargame that’s easy to learn but hard to master, Deadzone is a great choice.