Thoughts on the NEXT generation of plastic Jacks. What are we likely to see?

[The Antipope]

Now the 2nd Generation of plastic Heavy Jacks are starting to roll out I wondered where PP can go with it and what we are likely to see from the next lot. Consider that each kit contains 3+ options with 1 option usually being something new. I think not all the ranges have the potential for it but some certainly do.

First, Cygnar. The Hunter and the Grenadier could easily go plastic off of the same Chassis. It is a light Jack though so it's more likely they would be sold separately as is the trend, with maybe no new variant for the Chassis. Actually the fact that there are only two variants means maybe we wouldn't see this. But maybe it could be tweaked so that a plastic Minuteman could somehow come off it as well?

Secondly, Mercs. The Freebooter and Mariner are on the same Chassis and with a tiny bit of renewed emphasis on the Pirates due to the Galleon then I can imagine this could be a plastic kit with a new 3rd Heavy Jack for Pirates.

Thirdly, Khador. I don't know what's happening with the Kodiac. Is that gonna be in the same kit as the upcoming Spriggan/Devastator? Is there potential for the Behemoth and Berserker to go into the same kit? I'm not sure it's something I'd like to see.

Ret. is covered, all of it's Jacks are in plastic so likely they'd just see a third house building Jacks or whatever. The remaining non converted Cryx Jacks are characters or just too weird to go into all one kit (Cankerworm etc.) Menoth also seems to have little that needs porting.

The 2 alternatives are that the 2013 wave of Jacks will be new kits containing hitherto unseen things or that there will be no new Jacks in the foreseeable with PP instead concentrating on expanding it's rather slim line of Battle Engines and Colossals.

[PG_Murka]

Stormclad/Guardian/Kodiak/Seether are all based on a "unique" chassis and thus I doubt they will be converted to plastic, although I'd really like to see that done.

[The Antipope]

In that case then, to take for example the Kodiak, there could be a kit, with 2 new options. Maybe the future will be less about combining old Jacks and instead using plastic to build other things onto the relevant chassis?

[Chip]

I think the Stormclad, Seether, Kodiak and Guardian would be legitimate cases for upgrade kits - they're all based on the Heavy chassis from Prime and it's not like new weapons, heads and a few bits aren't what the upgrade kits are anyway. Might even get something based on the Shyeel chassis and the Mangler from the Nomad, too!

As for other chassis, I wouldn't mind seeing the privateer chassis go plastic, and the Apotheosis 'jacks go resin.

[The Antipope]

I think, though I don't know if it would be sooner or later, if for that matter at all, that the Privateer Chassis is an obvious candidate.

[PG_LEJKaya]

Mercs have the mangler too... Could develop 2 more jacks on that chassis but more likey get a new pirate jack.

[PG_ikildkenny]

mmhh ... noone mentioned Dwarfs yet ...

they allready have 3 Jacks on the same chassis: Driller/Rockram/Avalancher ... and a charjack-upgrade-kit
I too think a 3rd pirate Heavy incl. a plastic kit is more than expectable ... allso incl. a charjack

What bugs me, is that so many lights (namely all cygnar and PoM) are single-model-plastic kit - getting them in a proper plastic kit couldn't be that hard (since they all have the same chassis (faction-wise) only different arms and heads)

And since the mangler is "officially" a pile of jung hammerd to gether to deliver ... well ... hammering (or wrecking to be more accurate ...) I doubt we'll see another jack on that chassis anytime soon

[The Antipope]

That's true actually. We could easily see something nice and Rhulic brought out, both in the case of the Heavies and the Lights. I love those Jacks. I love all the Rhulic stuff actually, it's just a shame there is so little of it. But let's not go down that road again.

[jandrese]

Apparently the reason the light jacks are all separate is a cost thing. Adding the extra bits to a box would have bumped the price of the plastic jacks up too much.

[PG_relasine]

Stormclad/Guardian/Kodiak/Seether are all based on a "unique" chassis and thus I doubt they will be converted to plastic, although I'd really like to see that done.

I could see the Stormclad come out as an upgrade blister to the current Ironclad/Cyclone/Defender kit, kind of like how I did mine. The Guardian is effectively an upgrade to the Crusader chassis, the Kodiak to the Juggernaut, and the Seether to the Slayer. They could all work in similar way.

[jandrese]

The Guardian wouldn't be that hard if you were willing to accept a little less filigree. The upgrade kit would have a spear, two banners, head, and an arc node. You could also swap out the left arm (spikes for flat plate), but I consider that part to be somewhat optional. The spear and banners would be the big thing.

[Jake the Dog]

I would love more Khador Berserker chassi jacks but the fluff doesn't support this.

[FranzGrenstein]

Plastic Ret lights would be welcome.

[Lich_Lord_X]

The Escalation warjacks were supposed to be semi-unique. In MKI they were almost character jacks before character jacks and they were FA:2 (renowned warjacks I believe they were called.)

I think Upgrade kits for the plastic jacks would make more sense than the jacks getting variants.

[DoktorVivi]

I would love more Khador Berserker chassi jacks but the fluff doesn't support this.

Berserker MkII! League model, excellent. If Black Dragons can do it (with some fluff revisions) so can the Berserker!

[cjkeys]

If some of the pics from L&L are to be believed, and I do so believe, then Kador will be getting the Dvastator, Demolisher, Spriggan Jack kit as thier next one.

[Jake the Dog]

Berserker MkII! League model, excellent. If Black Dragons can do it (with some fluff revisions) so can the Berserker!

What did it do?

[Deo85]

which is cheaper any ways? Resin vs Plastic that is. The detail on there plastic kits is good enough that I would not mind them swapping most of there production in that direction any ways.

[cjkeys]

I think the Stormclad, Seether, Kodiak and Guardian would be legitimate cases for upgrade kits - they're all based on the Heavy chassis from Prime and it's not like new weapons, heads and a few bits aren't what the upgrade kits are anyway. Might even get something based on the Shyeel chassis and the Mangler from the Nomad, too!

As for other chassis, I wouldn't mind seeing the privateer chassis go plastic, and the Apotheosis 'jacks go resin.

Well looking at the Kodiak model in the gallery, its basically a Juggernaut with different arms, head, and more knee and foot pads without an axe

[The Antipope]

The Escalation warjacks were supposed to be semi-unique. In MKI they were almost character jacks before character jacks and they were FA:2 (renowned warjacks I believe they were called.)

I think Upgrade kits for the plastic jacks would make more sense than the jacks getting variants.

It might make sense from a fluff perspective but not from a business one. To each player they may sell *one* upgrade kit. May. But if they bring out a new kit that can make three Jacks potentially they can sell multiples of the kit. In theory at least one to any given player of any relevant faction. From there they make upgrade kits for the new kits, thus making them even more profitable.

[TheRupert]

Man I would give my right nut for a plastic stormclad!

[PG_Alviaran]

Meh to all of these! I'd rather see metal upgrades for characters on the second chassis. Or in a few books, a new chassis entirely. Quadruped Khador chassis. Giant Cankerworm-style Cryx chassis. Whatever.

[rivenwyrm]

There's at least one interesting issue with completely new multi-jack/beast kits. Since the multi-jack kits have been consolidations, it's been obvious how they fit together and why. But I doubt PP will release 3 new jacks at the same time. Meaning they'd have to sell a base kit, and addons for it, or alter the kit as they release. Either of which is very awkward. I'm sure they've thought of something, but doing it in that manner raises some problems.

[PG_Alviaran]

That's why I would like to see it in a couple books. Give us the three at once instead of a consolidation but take as long as necessary to do it.

I just don't see them releasing metal warjacks again that aren't characters probably. In Cryx, I hate the crabjacks and don't know what else I can expect of them as addons to the Slayer chassis. Though it would be nice to see a true melee reach heavy in Cryx. In Menoth, where I love my heavies, I reach for the same ol' jacks repeatedly (Reckoner, Templar, Vanquisher). Sanctifier might mix things up (and certain others have places in different lists such as cheap spammed Crusaders in Harby theme) but I just guess that in a few years, I want some new, non-character heavies to mix that up. Colossals are similar, but in a whole 'nother league with regards to this. And I think giving us a plastic kit with three variants is going to be the best way to mitigate this. However, because I'm sure testing and balancing those can be an utter pain with so many at one time, I expect them to be a long development time, let them work them out with the other new stuff coming along.

Basically, maybe give me a new plastic kit in 2-3 years. It was 2 years from the original chassis kits to the second chassis. I'd be alright with that again, but with a bucket of new toys attached.

[Autumn Stone]

And since the mangler is "officially" a pile of jung hammerd to gether to deliver ... well ... hammering (or wrecking to be more accurate ...) I doubt we'll see another jack on that chassis anytime soon

It's not going to happen, but a mangler kit that can be applied to any chassis would be somewhat cool.

Cheers
A.S.

[Jake the Dog]

There's at least one interesting issue with completely new multi-jack/beast kits. Since the multi-jack kits have been consolidations, it's been obvious how they fit together and why. But I doubt PP will release 3 new jacks at the same time. Meaning they'd have to sell a base kit, and addons for it, or alter the kit as they release. Either of which is very awkward. I'm sure they've thought of something, but doing it in that manner raises some problems.

They released 3 new jacks, with an upgrade kit, in Wrath for the Retribution...

[jandrese]

I don't see why there has to be a 2 heavy jack per release limit.

[The Antipope]

They released 3 new jacks, with an upgrade kit, in Wrath for the Retribution...

Ret got 6 new Jacks actually (!).

And at least three for most other factions. Character Jacks are still new Jacks.

Cygnar: 4 (Minuteman, Avenger, Gallant and Triumph)
Menoth: 3 (Sanctifier, Blood of Martyrs and Scourge of Heresy)
Khador: 3 (Torch, Black Ivan and Demolisher)
Cryx: 4 (Scavenger, Desecrator, Erebus and Malice)
Retribution: 6 (Aspis -sounds like *** Piss, Banshee, Daemon, Sphinx, Discordia and Hypnos).
Mercs: 2 (Rover, Rocinante)

So 22 new Jacks in Wrath. It's more than possible to have a new Jack kit with three options in an expansion.

[Indy]

I'm sure its more then possible for PP to make new parts for the existing plastic kits, eithr in metal or plastic, and sell those as stand-alone boxes, or as really cheap add-on kits. They wouldn't even have to be characters!

Also, mercs need more plastics kits (Privateer heavy, dwarf heavy, gunbunny) and Ret could use a second-chassis light jack... maybe more Vyre jacks in miniature?