Leviathans FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
There’s been an explosion of activity and questions over the last few weeks, which is great! I attribute this to more new people finding Leviathans, which is fantastic, as well as my endless flood of blog posts where I share as many aspects of the development of the game and universe as I can…not to mention photos of those brilliant looking miniatures.
However, that very “success” in growing the community means there’s a lot of questions flying around; not to mention the last time I did a major FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) was ages ago, and there’s been a pile of developments since that time. As such, today’s blog post is a FAQ where I try and address all the major questions I’ve been seeing; I’ll be posting this data on a new “FAQ” page in the coming week as well so it’s easy to reference back to, and for future players to find.
With that in mind and in no particular order, let’s jump in:
Q: When will the Core Box Set release?
A: We don’t yet have a month beyond “this year.” We’re still finalizing all the production details. But have no fear, literally the ‘second’ we have a month release I’ll be shouting it from the top of the con-towers.
Q: What is the price of the Core Box Set?
A: We’re finally able to announce the price for this epic game. The Core Box Set will be $79.95.
Q: I didn’t realize this was going to be a “big box” game? What’s all going in the Core Box Set.
A: As you can see in the photos of white samples in these previous blogs (here and here), Leviathans will indeed be a “big box” game. At the current time, the Core Box Set will contain the following:
- 2 rulebooks to transition players from the quick-start
- 8 high-quality, 1200-scale plastic ship miniatures
- 12 Ship Cards
- 12 full-color Recognition Cards
- 1 Leviathans Gazetteer universe primer
- 2 fiction novellas
- 2 18” x 22” board-game quality maps
- 10 custom D12 dice and 2D6
- 2 reference cards
- Leviathans recognition poster
- Sheet of faction/ship crests
- Template game aides (die cut cardboard counters)
rules to the core rules
Q: What exactly are the miniatures made of, what’s the scale and what’s the assortment in the Core Box Set?
A: There is a battleship, light cruiser and two destroyers (same miniature) both for the French and British, providing 8 total miniatures in the Core Box Set.
The ships are roughly 1200-scale, which means the battleships are approximately 5.2 inches long, while the destroyers are clocking in at around 2.5 inches long.
All ships are manufactured using HIPS (high-impact polystyrene); the same high quality material used by the best of the table-top miniatures games currently releasing plastic (for those that have purchased it, the Thor and Loki BattleMechs in the BattleTech 25th Anniversary Introductory Box Set are an example of the quality/detail of this plastic).
Q: Will the miniatures come on the sprue or will they be assembled and painted?
A: All miniatures in the Core Box Set, as well as those scheduled for the Fleet Boxes and Ship Boxes, will be assembled and lightly pre-painted.
Q: What does lightly pre-painted mean? Just a basecoat?
A: It’s a little more than that. If you review the gallery section of the website and see the full-color illustrations of the ships, the pre-paint will mirror those illustrations: basecoat color, copper tubing, black on the smoke stacks (as appropriate), and other minor details.
Pre-paints allow anyone to dive into the game and have a great looking force of ships they can field immediately. However, the “lightness” of the pre-paint (along with the quality of the plastic/paint) will ensure that it’s relatively easy for an experienced hobby painter to accentuate the already existing pre-paint, or to simply paint right over it for a much more in-depth style.
Q: Will “on the sprue” ships be available at all?
A: That is up in the air at this time. However, the comments from the growing community here show that there is a market for that, so we’ll be thoroughly investigating how we might provide those.
Note that the decision has already been made that anything in the Core Box Set, Fleet Boxes, Ship Boxes, and even Faction Boxes, will all be pre-assembled and lightly pre-painted. So if we decide to sell the ships on the sprue, those would be a completely separate item; whether sold through stores or simply direct is completely up in the air at this time as we continue to review how we might proceed.
Q: Is any aspect of Leviathans “collectible,” meaning a blind purchase in that I’m not sure what I’m buying?
A: No. A player will know exactly the ships and materials he’s purchasing in every product.
Q: Will additional ships outside of the Core Box Set be available?
A: Yes. The current plan is for a British Fleet Box and French Fleet Box to publish simultaneously with the Core Box Set. Each will contain the four miniatures for that faction from the Core Box Set, but will contain four new variant Ship Cards.
Q: What is the price of the Fleet Boxes?
A: $39.95
Q: How else can I expand my fleet beyond the ships in the Core Box Set and Fleet Boxes?
A: A regular release schedule of Ship Boxes is planned, providing additional models and variants of those miniatures found in the Core Box Set and Fleet Boxes, as well as brand new ship chassis.
Q: How much will they cost?
A: A final retail price has not been determined at this time, primarily because it may shift in scale based upon the exact ships in a Ship Box.
Q: How many factions are in the Core Box Set?
A: The Core Box Set contains a Gazetteer that covers the entire 1910 alternate history setting of Leviathans, and details the eight major factions of the world: British, French, Germans, Italians, Russians, Japanese, Americans and Austro-Hungarians (as well as a section covering minor powers).
However, the Core Box Set only contains miniatures for the British and French.
Q: How will the other six factions be introduced?
A: The current plan has Faction Box Sets releasing down the line following the game launch, pairing up factions as done in the Core Box Set. For example, the current planned first Faction Box Set would contain the Germans and Italians. The Faction Box Set would be accompanied with the simultaneously release of the German Fleet Box and Italian Fleet Box (as done with the Core Box Set and the French/British) and then a regular line of supporting Ship Boxes would soon follow.
Q: Is there elevation in Leviathans? Or is it just a 2D game with aerial visuals?
A: Yes, Leviathans has rules for elevation in game play. However, in an effort to ensure the Core Box Set is smooth and relatively easy to slide into, elevation rules are not found there (those rules will be found in the Captain’s Box; see below). Each ship will be mounted on a stand, which will convey the visual aesthetic of flying battleships despite the 2D nature of the core rules game, with the ability to change elevations for those rules found in the Captain’s Box (once there are photos of the stands available, they’ll be posted).
Q: Previous blog posts mentioned three rulebooks in the Core Box Set. What happened to the “Captain’s Manual?”
A: Despite our best efforts to cram everything and the kitchen sink into this game, we also felt that regardless of its “big box game” size, we needed to keep the price at the lower end of such games.
As such, a Captain’s Box now exists that’ll publish down the line following the release of the Core Box Set. It will contain the Captain’s Manual and a host of die cut gaming pieces needed for those enhanced scenario rules (clouds, mountains, Fog of War Initiative cards, and the all important elevation tokens/rules). At the current time a “British/French Readiness Report” is also planned for this box, expanding upon the details found in the Core Box Set for those two factions.
Q: At one time it was mentioned that the Ship Cards would be styrene and have ‘punch out’ slots. Is that still the case?
A: No. Despite a lot of time working on that concept it simply proved impossible to manufacturer under the constraints needed for the game. Instead, Ship Cards will be a heavy cardstock with a laminate surface that will allow players to easily use dry erase markers during game play (exactly as show in the free Lieutenant’s Manual quick-start rules).
Q: Will there be a point system in Leviathans?
A: Not in the Core Box Set (though there are rules for creating scenarios and guidelines for force selection). However, we’ve been working on a point system for some time and even released an Open Alpha Test of the point system as it pertains to the Lieutenant’s Manual quick-start rules that have been available for some time.
The current plan is to once again embrace the burgeoning community and the Creative Commons aspect of Leviathans and release a Beta Test of the full point system simultaneously with the release of the Core Box Set, which will allow the community to participate in ironing out the final wrinkles in the system, and in the process help to develop a system they will enjoy using. The point system will then be published down the line in the Engineer’s Box, and anyone who provided feedback online will be appropriately credited as participating.
Q: Will there be construction rules in Leviathans?
A: There are no plans for a full construction system for Leviathans. However, a customization system is currently being worked on to release as part of the Engineer’s Box.
Okay, there ya go! Now this may not answer every question by any stretch, but hopefully it touches on the major ones. If you’ve got a question you feel is a “major” one and I’ve not yet answered it, by all means, ask here, I’ll get it answered and I’ll fold it into the FAQ to keep it updated.
See ya next duty shift!
Randall
I feel that you guys appreciate honesty, so I’ll be honest. I am incredibly disappointed that the advanced rules have been pushed back. What rules will be in the Core Box that aren’t already included in the Lieutenant’s Manual? What’s the time horizon on the Captain’s Box?
What is the recommended age range?
Playing surface area needed?
Will there be “map packs” for larger battle areas?
Earlydawn: Absolutely it’s appreciated…after all I’ve been showing almost the entire behind-the-scenes work on this project for two years now, including the mistakes along the way. And I, like you, was disappointed when the reality of the situation hit home and we had to make a business decision related to what would ultimately stay in the box and what would not to help keep the final retail price down. I believe, however, that this ultimately is the right choice for the game.
While I’ve absolutely loved the experience of sharing with the community in such an open fashion, this is also one of the few downsides, that expectations can be set early on and yet ultimately may not be able to be met.
As for the Commander’s Manual, have no fear that there isn’t enough rules to provide a full playing experience. Beyond the Lieutenant’s Manual, there are the rules for Type 3 and Type 4 ships, turrets, steering gear slots, aerial torpedos, screening, repairs, ramming and more. There is a very full and robust game in the Core Box Set.
Finally, for the Captain’s Box and its enhanced scenario rules and when we’ll release it, we simply don’t yet know. Once we have a firm release date on the Core Box Set that’s going to allow us to have a much better time frame for the release of the Captain’s Box.
RoundTop: I’ve taught kids as young as 8 and they were able to get the basic tactics of the game. Ultimately I’d probably put it more at say 10 to 12, depending upon the child.
The basic two maps together form a 22″ x 36″ playing area. There are plans to provide additional maps, but the exact mechanism for how we’ll convey those to the community has not yet been determine.
how long is Randall’s beard?
Is their a facebook page dedicated to your beard?
By the way, I was able to teach a 7 and 8 year old kids the basics of leviathans and they got the hang of it after 3 turns.
The whole roll and look at the number really solved a problem I think a lot of historical naval games suffer from. Constant chart looking and special damage rolls.
The game engine of leviathans would work well for historical gamin IMO.
PS I am glad you gave gone the route of using dry erase markers, just something I preferred. Also glad to hear their will be few painted details on the ship. Will the wooden decks be painted too?
I wish to get my hands on the game every day. Thanks for the news. I hope that eventually you will make up rules for a campaign.
Are the ship cards a size that can slip into card protectors? I know the surface is designed to be used with dry erase markers, but over time they can leave a residue and stains, and if I get the game I intend to play it a lot. I’m sure I can jury-rig something if they don’t fit; just wondering.
I’m really glad to see that the possibilities for sprues are being explored. One of the things I’ve always liked about Catalyst is their engagement with their community and the fact they actually listen to feedback. Keep up the good work.
I have yet to even play the ‘test game’, but I Totally agree with “Toolian” about too many dice rolls.
I really enjoy SEEKRIEG, but ‘Oh My God’.. you roll for this, then roll for that, then roll for “this because of that”.
I like to have some “reality damage effects”.. but I dont care if I loose the spot light on the 3rd deck next to the Captains Washroom! LOL
Personally my idea of a good combat system (basically) is..
Plot, Attempt Repairs (optional rule), Move, Shoot, Record Damage (End of Turn)
Im eager to play this game, not to mention seeing those mini’s OOB.
Randall “no one” can ever say your not keeping us in the loop as to whats going on, for better or worse.
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Wow, I’m anticipating this even more now. I didn’t mind about the prepaints beforehand, but now to find out that they’ll actually have some details painted? That’s awesome! I love the idea of having them assembled and prepainted in that fashion. I honestly thought prepainted just meant one-colour basecoat.
When can we pre-order? Will there be exhorbitant overseas shipping charges? If so, just make sure Maelstrom Games gets a few boxes… free post is wonderful.
@MEP, looking at some of the pictures, I have a feeling the ship cards are quite large and non-standard in size. I haven’t played the game yet, but I don’t get why the cards have to be so big. Maybe for marker placement?
I love the idea of the ‘reusable’ ship cards, but personally I hope they are somewhat larger than previous games I have seen and tried. i.e. Warmachine and Hordes.
The cards were beautiful, the graphics great, but suffice it to say, “the years” are catching up to me. The print can be somewhat difficult to read, so a little larger print would be appreciated.
I think by and large if its not connected to a video game console most of the younger gamers, except those who’s fathers are gamers, arent interested in “pushing lead and throwing dice” as the owner of our local store once put it.
Just a thought from one of the “older’ big kids..
The postcard-sized cards used for Dust Tactics work quite well and judging from the pictures the Leviathans cards will be the same size.
Over a year ago asked about the size of the cards. At that time
small ship cards would be 3″ x 5″
Big ships 5″ x 7″
also stated if it was more economic to have them all printed on the same size card he would do that.
This was a year ago, lot of things have changed and Randall’s beard grew at least 6″ since then.
Anyone wondering, office stores do sell plastic sleeves for 3 x 5 cards and 5 x 7 cards.
the quality of plastic is about the same of those “penny sleeves” not very thick plastic, can get about 100 of them for 50 cents.
In regard to the ship card size’s, first of all I think “one size fits all”, would be more cost effective for the company in the long run, still trust they are leaning toward the ‘slightly larger’ size.
As for the “penny sleeves”, if any one feels they are bit too thin, you can always ‘carefully’ try double bagging them, as we do at the dept. store bags.
This should be no problem as far as using the markers on them.
I really like the look of the ‘light cruisers’.
I think the photo of the french ship gives a somewhat better representation of what we have to look forward to. Perhaps its the lighting or just having it taken on a hex map that makes the difference. But either way. Nice Work guys!
Perhaps this is in the ‘archives’ of FAQ somewhere, but have you any plans (depending on game success of course) of actually producing ‘Battlecruisers and or the Armored Cruisers’, or will they be covered by the use of Ship Card Varients?
Jack, if everyone here can make our friends and acquaintance interested in purchasing this game, we are going to see a lot more models.
Will the core rulesets be available in any other form other than pdf or found in the boxset?
I’m kinda a ‘build up at a slow pace’ guy and would start with a faction box and the rules first.
Also, still curious to see a production ‘light’ prepaint before making any decisions. Are they in the works? Will Randall paint them himself?
The articles such as these are not easy to find, so when I come across them I feel strongly compelled to write something in appreciation..Thanks!!