The wargaming world of Nozza

Finally got around to building and painting my Mil Mi-45K from Dust Tactics ! This beast has been sitting untouched since I grabbed it at Salute back in 2019.  The Mil Mi-45K is a fictional helicopter created for the alternate-history universe of Dust Tactics and Dust Warfare , which are miniatures-based tabletop wargames set in a World War II-inspired setting with dieselpunk and sci-fi elements. Here’s what’s notable about it: Faction & Theme : It belongs to the SSU (Sino-Soviet Union) faction in the Dust universe, which combines Soviet and Chinese forces. The design reflects a mix of Soviet helicopter aesthetics with exaggerated dieselpunk features.   Design Characteristics : It’s modeled as a heavy-lift helicopter with a rugged, utilitarian look. Typically depicted with large rotors, armored fuselage, and weapon hardpoints for machine guns or rockets. The “K” variant often suggests a specialized role - usually transport or heavy support. Gameplay Role :...

Back in September, I wrote a blog post about my ongoing quest for sci-fi civilian miniatures that offer style without the usual grimdark baggage. In that post, I highlighted Papsikels’ Replicants and Runners range - clearly inspired by the iconic characters of Blade Runner . Think cinematic flair: sweeping coats, layered outfits, and those subtle details that scream noir without saying a word. A few figures pack heat, but most are unarmed, which makes them perfect for populating any futuristic setting without turning every street into a warzone. Well, the painting is finally done! I now have Deckard, Roy Batty, Pris, Gaff, Eldon Tyrell, Leon Kowalski, and Hannibal Chew all finished and ready for the tabletop. Leon Kowalski, Roy Batty & Pris Four versions of Rachael Eldon Tyrell & Hannibal Chew Deckard & Gaff

With Halloween just behind us and Bonfire Night lighting up the skies here in the UK, we decided to take a short break from our ongoing Star Wars campaign to dive into something a little darker. Inspired by one of my all-time favourite horror franchises, we returned to the eerie town of Woodsboro for a Scream-themed game night. For this session, we adapted the Jack the Ripper scenario from Fistful of Lead: Tales of Horror (page 39), swapping out the infamous killer for none other than Ghostface . The objective? Ghostface must stalk the streets and take down five unsuspecting civilians. But it’s not all smooth slashing - there’s a determined team of heroes trying to stop the masked menace before the body count rises! The Protagonists First up: Ghostface. This iconic killer was statted with a chilling combination of traits: Brute : Ghostface has no ranged combat ability, but gains a brutal edge in melee - upgrading their Close Combat die to a d12 . Flurry of Blows : If a Close Co...

Back in August, I shared a post about some 3D printed miniatures I picked up from the talented designer Papsikels , inspired by the Capsule Gang from the cult classic anime film Akira . You can check out that post here . For many of us, Akira was a gateway into the world of anime. Its UK television debut on BBC2, Saturday January 8th, 1994 , marked a turning point - bringing subtitled Japanese animation to mainstream audiences for the first time. That broadcast introduced a generation to the gritty, neon-drenched streets of Neo-Tokyo and the unforgettable style of its characters. One of the things that drew me to these figures - aside from the nostalgic nod to Akira -  is their versatility. They’re unarmed , which makes them perfect for repurposing as generic sci-fi or cyberpunk civilians. Whether you're populating a neon-lit street scene, crafting a dystopian diorama, or adding depth to your tabletop campaign, these miniatures bring style and character without being locked int...

The Wayfinder crew were enjoying that rarest of commodities - downtime. For once, nobody was patching hull plates, recalibrating blasters, or nursing wounds. Spirits were high, and the scars from their brush with the Imperials on Endor had finally faded. Only Winnwakka was still laid up, resting after his recovery. Cap’in stood in the common area, gesturing toward the newest face. “Crew, meet Yirn Nas,” she said, her tone brisk but warm. “He’s sharp-eyed, calm under fire, and apparently doesn’t snore. That last bit puts him ahead of most of you.” Brains smirked, arms crossed. “We’ll see if he can out-think me before he earns that strategist title.” Choppa leaned on his halberd, grinning. “Or out-drink me.” Spike shrugged, checking over his blaster. “Or outlive me. Odds aren’t great.” Before Yirn could answer, the calm of the station shattered. Alarms blared, a piercing klaxon that rattled through the docking bays. Over the speakers came the frantic announcement: “Raid in progress! Al...