Dystopian Wars - New Russian Ships

Well, I got sent a preview sprue of the new Russian cruisers and escorts for the forthcoming re-release of Dystopian Wars!
Dystopian Wars is a Jules Verne-style Steampunk/Sci-fi naval (and air) tabletop wargame originally produced by Spartan Games, the IP was purchased by Warcradle Studios several years ago when Spartan collapsed.
As part of their program in the run-up to the release of the game, Warcradle sent out test sprues to a number of people who were active on various fan groups. I received a sprue on that basis, not on the basis of the channel.
Any tips/tricks improvements for this kind of video are welcome, I have plenty more models and game systems to look over (including every model made for Victory at Sea) if you like this occasional format.

[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@bytesback.]

Out of interest does the Mrs share your hobbies or does she just do her own thing ?

[@madjackchurchill2705]

Do you primarily play Custodes or did we just get a glimpse of the Emperor's holy boys because you are not using them currently? Btw, were there Imperial knights cowering behind infantry as well?

[@jamesbruce1975]

Sweet Jesus... what do you do for a living to afford that much resin :D Super jealous, I've always wondered what happened to Dystopian Wars. I take it you like the system?

[@irongiant6112]

I request that unless there is a rule forbidding it, that there might come videos on more modern naval surface combatants. perhaps a video on how ship classes changed from that of the end of WW2 to the age of 10K ton destroyers and supper carriers.

[@sylvainprigent6234]

Will you show us some gameplay of that tabletop collection

[@peterdiaz3796]

Drach is a big role model for me. I’m in engineering in college and just failed the final in the most important class, but knowing that there’s an engineer who has is an extensive history buff, devotes ridiculous amounts of time to his KZbin hobby, can assemble and paint (very well) all those minis, and is married, maybe I can get close to this point in the future.

[@Ridliman]

Finally, we could see Drachinifel's grey Pile of Shame! ... ... And the Golden Pile of Oiled Abs too.

[@alexandercrumulent271]

Dystopian Wars - "Wouldn't it be cool if all these weird designs actually worked? "

[@bificommander7472]

French Pre-Dreadnought designers: "What do you mean, 'if'?"

[@davidbrennan660]

On my command .......unleash Jackie Fisher!

[@rgm96x49]

My oiled abs quiver in delight at those Custodes.

[@Nemesismaker]

I summon prohibition hammer.

[@danielr3244]

D E L E T E

[@PinkThorn242]

WHAT IN THE NAME OF HOLY TERRA ON ROLLERSKATES WAS THAT

[@thehandoftheking3314]

Begone Fulgrim!!

[@davydovua]

I see you are too a culturally proficient servant of our most fabulous lord Man-Emperor of Mankind.

[@thehandoftheking3314]

New Russian ships: Dystopian Wars: Second Pacific Squadron.

[@c.a.mcdivitt9722]

This needs to be a thing!

[@osarkthegoat7038]

remember the Kamchatka Modifier!

[@thehandoftheking3314]

@@osarkthegoat7038 the binocular Bonus?

[@thehandoftheking3314]

@@c.a.mcdivitt9722 I'd love it if @Drachinfel could write a rules set for that expansion 😂😂😂

[@knusern666]

@@osarkthegoat7038 randomly repairs your ships and/or spawn enemy torpedo boats , explodes and causes general mayhem

[@renardgrise]

Drach, Video Idea: I would be interested in a video on your model painting techniques.

[@renardgrise]

Fun Friday format, of course ;-).

[@epiendless1128]

Could be interesting. I've no interest in gaming, but would like to improve crafting skills.

[@renardgrise]

@@epiendless1128 I hear ya. I would LOVE to game... and I have enough Napoleonic figures to have full games, but I'm just NOT in a place in my life where I have time for that. Every now and then I get some time to paint though ;-).

[@pattistilwell7424]

Hello Zack

[@mikeupton5406]

I cannot tell you what joy it brings me to see plastic with sprues on your channel. Is there a model ship collection like that as well?

[@myaccountgothackedgoogledo7571]

Drachenfell fascinations: well oiled naval machinery, well oiled superhuman abs.

[@DimoB8]

Ayayaya

[@shaunalleyne2003]

I see you too are a person of culture.

[@johnlavery3433]

MOOD KINDRED

[@danielr3244]

Oh little kitten

[@Based_Lord_Humongous]

My abs are quivering with excitement over this new game!

[@admiraltiberius1989]

This is a surprise, but a welcome one to be sure . Drach is indeed full of surprises

[@somberflight]

A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

[@admiraltiberius1989]

@@somberflight i mangled it on purpose. I never can say it correctly in person so why try to do it online.

[@CS-zn6pp]

The biggest surprise is dystopian Wars has risen from the dead.

[@tandemcharge5114]

Alternate title: Drach flexes his collection

[@catfish552]

Flexinifel.

[@barrylucas8679]

Dude I owe you. I showed my wife your tabletop collection and she admitted that I don't have more stuff than anyone in the world. See dear if Drach has stuff I need more stuff. It's quiet on the TT front for now, but please don't jump off any bridges! More please.

[@nmccw3245]

Very cool! If only my “room of shame” were as well organized.

[@kurakensama]

If only I had a room of shame

[@davidnelson1865]

We should start a support group

[@CS-zn6pp]

I have boxes of "shame" stashed around the house with vague project names on the lids. Only projects which were completed were my flames of war Polish 1st armoured div and DAK. Then battle front commited corporate suicide by bringing 4th edition out... They should have known that basically 90% of their customers were ex GW customers and everyone knows that outside the hardcore GW fanboi's probably the biggest grips are the constant new edition they bring out every 2years...

[@twkeane]

So this is where WG is getting it's designs for the Russian BB's from

[@Del_S]

That's a really foamy sea. Looks like they're sailing on a giant carpet...

[@weldonwin]

That's the killer Seaweed, they've wandered into the Lost Continent...

[@Kevin_Kennelly]

That sea is rugged.

[@yalelingoz6346]

I blame the Antarticans

[@TBone-bz9mp]

‘Cupboard of shame’. HA-HA!....glances askance at unfinished model railway and piles of airfix kits.... oh.

[@richmcgee434]

The idea of all one's unpainted stuff fitting in a cupboard is adorable. :)

[@mpetersen6]

My unfinished kits are in a smallish storage bin, a number of CDs and packages of card stock still at the office supply store. Card models take up so much less room. Unbuilt ones anyways.

[@JoshSees]

Drach spends so much time looking at old black and white pictures he sees nothing wrong with filming small grey parts on a grey background 😂

[@jamesfrancis7025]

Very brave, impressed at you confronting the model maker's ultimate foe, the carpet monster (gobbler of parts), head on!

[@richmcgee434]

"Arrgh!" Hops up and down on one foot. "Oh, there's that missing piece!" he said, extracting a fragment of plastic from the latest puncture wound.

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

What's this? Drach has an entire Custodes army? *MY OILED ABS **_QUIVER_** AT THIS REVEAL*

[@HandleMyBallsYouTube]

*I SUMMON PROHIBITION HAMMER*

[@connormclernon26]

@@HandleMyBallsKZbin prohibitiononlyeverexpandsdemands

[@shaunalleyne2003]

*pillar men theme intensifies*

[@raf155]

I prefer the 4 Imperial Knights

[@DaGamesPlaya]

For the love of all stop signs in the Galaxy. CEASE AND F*CKING DESIST

[@snorri0411]

cant just be me that really wants a full Drach Does Wargames channel, right? :-D

[@lordbrain8867]

The battle of Texel video turned me on to the idea

[@philvanderlaan5942]

I sure as heck want that , I've been wanting to see drach wargame out some of the honorable mentions of the ship building contests like the Japanese battleship with delusions of torpedo boat hood and the destroyer with the 10 to 1 length to beam that drach said would keel over if it slowed down or stopped.

[@testaccount4191]

Did i also see some battle fleet Gothic ships in there?

[@sovietdominion]

probably he has stated he has it

[@Drachinifel]

Indeed, and many more in boxes :D

[@davidburton2229]

RIP Battlefleet Gothic

[@testaccount4191]

​@@Drachinifel i loved that game can't believe they discontinued it

[@GaldirEonai]

You could field a decent BFG force with just a handful of models. That obviously wouldn't fly with GW.

[@aikurin3265]

I recognise those GW clippers, can confirm they're surprisingly long lasting.

[@typehere6689]

I have one and they're dull as sin as of now. I have since transitioned to various box cutters for general use, only using the sprue cutters for the biggest of sprues.

[@MravacKid]

Geek cred established, it's OK folks, he's legit. :)

[@skeletonwguitar4383]

"So, why am I showing you this?" To frighten me and to shame me, I don't have these things :(

[@adamdubin1276]

"clears throat quite loudly" *GOD EMPEROR PROTECTS!*

[@dropdead234]

*STOMP STOMP DORN LIVES*

[@christophpoll784]

BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOOOOOD!

[@pbeccas]

One of us, one of us. 😀

[@Ralph-yn3gr]

Or perhaps you became one of him. 🧐🤔

[@JoeBLOWFHB]

GOOBLE GOBBLE...

[@lumpusmaximus8257]

@@JoeBLOWFHB I think you mean Gabba Gabba

[@JoeBLOWFHB]

@@lumpusmaximus8257 I think you don't know what "one of us, one of us" means. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWqcn2NuaKpjf6M

[@lumpusmaximus8257]

Ramones - Gabba, Gabba, we accept, one of us!

[@the13inquisitor59]

Moldline removers make life so much easier. Much safer than buggering around with hobby knives.

[@richmcgee434]

Accurate.

[@spartanalex9006]

40k references: *Exist* TTS Fans: AWAKEN!

[@richmcgee434]

Well, TTS *is* the One True Canon, after all. Screw this psychic awakening nonsense. :)

[@hypedpanther6464]

@@richmcgee434LETS GO GO GO BACK TO THE IMPERIAL PALACE

[@andrewcox4386]

Very brave man builds models on living room carpet 😂😂

[@Hardbass2021]

I like this new Friday series! Hope this continued to other factions of the Dystopian Wars universe.

[@memecat57]

0:19 DRACH HAS A BANNER OF IMPERIAL KNIGHTS.

[@richmcgee434]

Yes, yes he does. And they're not even for AT.

[@Irondrone4]

Me and my buddies were big Dystopian Wars fans! We played primarily with ground vehicles rather than the naval units (it helped that they were more often in-stock than the naval units), and we loved the ridiculous scale of it. I collected Blazing Sun models exclusively, and I wanted to get my hands on some of their naval units (the Kaiju-class battleship still drifts through my dreams, sometimes), but never got the chance. We were so disappointed when Spartan Games went under; glad to see War Cradle hasn't given up on rebooting it!

[@tomblanchett6334]

Looking Great! There is no shame in it! My Prussians haven't had a game in just over a year! Always great to watch your videos helping me get through the current world situation!

[@MoultrieGeek]

As an additional "Fun Friday" video this was most welcome. We (your adoring fans) get to know just a little bit more about you and I'm personally fascinated by miniatures of all types. Well done!

[@johnkelley9877]

This was great and I really enjoyed the review. Your work is excellent and I too have more models than I have time to build. Thanks for sharing this.

[@stevenflebbe]

Thank you...this was a fun video. Can't wait to see more of your collections.

[@kylebroflovski5333]

Yay! Love getting notifications about a new video from you.

[@catfish552]

Very nice! A tip for photographing/filming: Build a simple lightbox! There are great tutorials for this out there, but basically you cut out the sides and top of cardboard box, and cover them over with translucent white fabric or tissue paper. That gives you diffuse lighting and soft shadows. Inside the box, drape a sheet of white (or light grey) paper or cardstock so that it curves from the rear top of the box down towards the open front where the camera is. The curve gives a plain, featureless background with no visible edges or corners. Shine some lights in there, and with just pennies worth of materials, you can take ridiculously professional-looking photos. I'd recommend a decently-sized box (~40cm per side), so you can fit in several models, or even a small turntable to show models from all sides.

[@rm3948]

Gods Battlefleet Gothic was so good.

[@Assassinus2]

I very much enjoy this new series and look forward to future installments!

[@dking6021]

DAMN, doing anything with models on a carpet is really brave... especially a grey one!

[@Gold_Bug]

Glad to see this game rereleased. Always wanted to try it but was big into Epic/BFG at the time. Also cool to see you over on the Soul Forge Studios discord.

[@nathanokun8801]

What got me started in all of my studies was getting involved with a gaming group during college that played all sorts of miniature battles (huge Napoleonic games taking up most of a high school gymnastic auditorium on tables to allow ease of access, many floor miniature naval ship games (WWI, WWII, and sailing ships), and even a HUGE WWII miniature game on a high school outdoor asphalt playing field using 300' tape measures so that you really needed binoculars to see the tiny, grey ships to aim at them -- you suddenly realized how entire fleets could miss each other easily). Really loved this!

[@alexanderjustice3225]

Dude, this is awesome! More please!

[@tomferris3726]

I enjoy this sort of content, thanks.

[@derekr6124]

Thought this was rather cool. Thank you for showing off your collection and thoughts

[@norbertblackrain2379]

Fun Friday is a good thing, especially during this times!

[@CraigLYoung]

That was interesting, thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas!

[@MustContainMinis]

Great video. Your ships look so good even with just a few colours.

[@iankocur8397]

Would love to see a full rundown of the collection, in as many parts as that would take :P

[@gokbay3057]

I second this.

[@ussessexcv-9189]

I 3rd this

[@StacheMan26]

And I fourth it.

[@kylebroflovski5333]

Cool to see you showing some war gaming stuff, I’m a fan of the fun Fridays.

[@dillonrinehart8319]

Yes! Been hoping for more Dystopian wars videos

[@Sauske2101]

Magnificent collection sir!!:D

[@kentbarnes1955]

Awesome! I picked up some of these just about the time the original company sank beneath the waves...nice to see they are rising again. Now maybe I can complete a couple basic fleets and actually learn to play. Thank you sir!

[@gram1124]

never heard of this game before, looks pretty cool though. also: mad props to your other models!! lookin good man. thanks drach!

[@Helcarexe26]

I'm a massive fan of the Dystopian Wars Game, Warcradle Studios also sent me a preview of the Russian Commonwealth ships. I build the Heavy Cruiser version to see how it went together, you would need more subdued lighting and a nice surface to take the pictures. I have a lot of Dystopian Wars content on my channel also

[@donpfoutz625]

I used to play Ironclads I & II, and Wooden Ships and Iron Men, and I ALWAYS have had a soft spot for naval actions and games. (This was MANY long years back, and I am older than dirt...) Now I HAVE yet another new game to try and scrape me pence together for. Thank you so much Drach! (I am not being sarcastic here.) On the video? Awesome work! I look forward to more of this.

[@jack1701e]

I'm so not surprised to find you do Wargaming but damn I didn't think you were this passionate about it! I'd love to see more!

[@GreyG88479]

Looking forward to seeing the Victory at Sea ships. Nice war games collection.

[@DougsterCanada1]

WOW! Quite the collection! Back in the late 70s (I believe) my friends and I played Harpoon (a board game at the time), later it came out as a computer game (DOS). Had several sheets of 4'x8' painted blue with a hex pattern overlay. We bought lots of miniature lead models and created islands and shorelines from plaster of Paris. Used to reference Jane's publications for any data on our ships. That was fun. I actually loved the DOS game as well.

[@gunhojput]

Thanks Drach love your vids on navy matters but now its great to know your a wargamer as well good stuff i will be keeping an eye out for your wargaming vids now much love to all. all best.

[@mch12311969]

As miniaturist and a steampunk enthusiast, I very much enjoy this type pf video.

[@alvaroruizcendon8390]

I love it!!! Really nice!!!

[@NewDealChief]

First time getting a notification after subscribing and clicking the bell button. *Yay.*

[@bigbritgaming930]

You are a brave man cutting off the parts directly onto the carpet like that, still these ships are actually badass thanks for bringing the game to my attention.

[@campbell1871]

There is barely a day goes by I don't mourn the passing of Battlefleet Gothic. Would love to see that return.

[@kniforger]

One trick a photographer told me for cheap photogaphy backgrounds is to pick up an out-of-date wallpaper sample book. A lot of the samples can be matte, color-neutral, and/or nicely patterned, and at least at the time (1990s) such books were usually thrown out by shops after a year or two as fashions and available stock changed. The same photographer also showed how to make a cheap light tent -- just put together a simple framework of PVC pipe, duct tape some opened up white plastic trash bags to the pipes, and light them with cheap drop/clip lights from the hardware store.

[@TheStugbit]

Haven't seen those before. Very nice models. They remind me my own WWII ships, build in a similar fashion of those ships of yours, with less details, without photo-etch and all these kind of stuff. And I'm glad to see I use the same non-professional/supermarket bought glue that Drachinifel uses.

[@CAUSELESSREBEL]

I really enjoyed watching this video. Seemed to build and so forth reminded me years ago. I built miniature warships World War II era. They were made out of metal. The largest was maybe an inch long. And you had to put them together and paint them there was no online gaming in those days. But a few of us would get together as a hobby, for tabletop and we took some of the game ideas from various box games. One of the Box games was called Jutland. We didn't have World War 1 ships. Oh well can't have everything. Again a fun and enjoyable video thank you

[@bigmikeg84]

Very cool stuff, hope you do another one for the starter kit

[@dwanejohnson7359]

Enjoyed the video

[@lukassisu9919]

Good to see Dystopian Wars is still alive, I was afraid it had died completely.

[@sallyannemclachlan4384]

Hi I love your channel it is very very educational and I find it's really quite informative and Syria and I'm into war History and stuff like that too so just keep up the good work and I think that you do really quite an amazing job thank you very much buy

[@zeash482]

These look awesome. I'm thinking of buying some of them later on

[@elliottjohnson4884]

Love it. Nicely done. I think my closet of shame is about the same size.😆

[@desert_jin6281]

I understand about 40% of the modelling process and associated universe. Yet I still enjoy these videos.

[@HoodSenpaiTheApoplectic]

Wholesome Drach content is always welcome. ^)^

[@MrCfredrickson]

Thanks for showing us your hobbies. I recall playing 40K back when i was in college 30 years ago.

[@leakycheese]

The Custards! A glorious choice indeed. Great video thanks and some very interesting looking miniatures. Edit: in answer to your question on filming and photography I’ve a couple of suggestions bssed on my own experiences. For a backdrop try to get a smooth surface like a table or desk top to film against, preferably in a light colour. If you can, film in natural light facing the window. A smartphone mounted on a small tripod allows the camera to be positioned between you and the model which I find works well for my channel. On photography you could buy a 20cm light box of Ebay which would be perfect for the size of models you were showcasing here. They are very cheap, less than a tenner and give excellent results, particularly with a bit of digital adjustment on the exposure. Good luck and thanks for all the great videos - your last on the Hood was brilliant 👍

[@Dirt1061]

Super excited! I love this game and miss Spartan Games.

[@jonathanwerner3664]

I remember playing dystopian wars back in 2012. Was a ton of fun, I remember loving the critical hit tables for the capital ships

[@Mrdrcaptaintroy]

Ooh yes show us victory at sea! I have a fleet I’m halfway through painting. They just released The Admrial Scheer and Graf Spee, my favorite warships aesthetically of all time, so I’m super excited for those to come in,

[@rvincentsogrub9975]

This is an interesting topic, it is amusing and intriguing to see this genre, as both for the ships and the genre in particular.

[@Iamthelolrus]

I love the wargaming content. Please keep it coming. Thank you.

[@SpectreOZ]

Thumbs up for the Star Trek Vulcan Jellyfish cameo 👍

[@charlesentrekin6607]

Definitely continue this series, and please include other games.

[@agesflow6815]

Thank you, Drachinifel

[@christopherworks400]

wow that is one hell of a collection. I have a very small collection, I also have a few of the 25mm figures they made for the skirmish style game, as well.

[@ThisOneNerdGal]

For taking photos: You can make a... cheap/fake "lightbox" by placing the models on white/black paper, and then curving the paper up to be a background wall as well. Shooting outside if the sun isn't too bright/dark works well too if you don't have a fancy lighting setup. Some people like placing their models on those little spinny display trays for filming 360 shots.

[@camrsr5463]

hell yes! I love model building! No more grey carpet as a background! haha! light box

[@ghrey8282]

Draq plays Dystopian Wars? Awesome! Dystopian Wars is coming back? Double Awesome!!!!!

[@nicholas82849]

You know about BFG the tabletop game? You're an even finer gentleman than I thought you were, Drach!

[@Scyloch]

This is good fun. Inspires me to at least look at my pile of shame and think about completing one or two items :D

[@beetooex]

Marvelous!

[@Invalidar]

I honestly like this kind of content. I love miniatures but don't have the patience to paint them honestly.

[@bumpsproductions7064]

Merry Christmas!

[@SomethingBarbaric]

I appreciate you buying all these minis, it satisfies my need so I can save my money to buy real armor and rounds for our incoming real dystopia.

[@fullmetalpoitato5190]

Thank you so much. I now have discovered a new obsession.

[@Lucarionape]

Drach, you’ve mentioned in the past you war-game naval battles before this but would you consider filming them periodically? Or just release reviews of different games for those of us who may be interested in tabletop naval games. I understand it may be outside the remit of the channel though.

[@Drachinifel]

I can try post-COVID, but it does run into issues of other people who may not want to be on camera :)

[@orkstuff5635]

@@Drachinifel Others wouldn't necessarily have to be on camera - you could take a shot of starting position followed by a shot of the position they've moved to with a line drawn onto the map showing where the ships have moved from, then move to a shooting phase using cotton wool to indicate hits or damage whilst talking over the vid to inform people of what's going on.

[@MortRotu]

@@Drachinifel filming the battlefield from immediately above would work so long as the participants didn't look up...

[@Lucarionape]

@@Drachinifel thank you for considering it is all

[@olliefoxx7165]

I've never seen such a game. The variety and design of the ships is interesting. Since I've never seen one much less played such a game would that type of game be for experienced gamers?

[@bearcatracing007]

I didn't even know this was a thing, now I'm interested.

[@maxbeane4944]

Makes me feel like pulling out all my Dystopian wars and finishing them all up. Have Ottomans still in the box.