WarGameGuru
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Interview - Matt Wagner/Eagle Dynamics
    • Interview - Polychop Simulations
    • Review - MonsterTech HOTAS Table Mounts
    • Review - Rebel Galaxy Outlaw
    • Review - EVGA 2080 Super Black Gaming 8GB Video Card
    • Review - ASUS VG49VQ 49 Inch Super Ultra Wide Gaming Monitor
    • In Focus Review - Heatblur's F-14 Tomcat Module for DCS World
    • Classic Review - Jetfighter III
    • Review - Thrustmaster T.Flight Rudder Pedals
    • Review - Thrustmaster HOTAS WARTHOG Joystick
    • First Impressions - DCS World High Fidelity Modules
    • Classic Review - Suncom Strike Fighter Series Throttle
    • Classic Review - F-22 Pro Joystick from Thrustmaster
    • Classic Review - EuroFighter 2000
    • In Focus Review - DCS World Persian Gulf Map Module
    • Classic Review - US NAVY Fighters
    • Review -TrackIR 5 from NaturalPoint
    • Review - Thrustmaster T16000M FCS HOTAS
    • Classic Review - Jane's AH-64D Longbow
    • In Focus Review - DCS World Revisited: Diving off the Flaming Cliffs
    • In Focus Review - State of Flight-Sims and HOTAS Games 2019
    • Review - Flamberge/Jumping Atlas/WASP WSP-1 Models from Iron Wind Metals
    • Review - Star Trek Starships Collection
    • Review - Knight Models Arkham City Bane 35mm Model
    • Review - Knight Models Man of Steel & Frank Miller Batman 35mm Models
    • Review - Mecha Zone 2: The Art of David A White
    • In Focus Review - SuperSystem 3rd Edition
    • In Focus Review - Heavy Gear: Arena Two-Player Starter Set
    • Review - JUNK: Dogface Combots from Grindhouse Games
    • In Focus Review - ShadowSea from AntiMatter Games
    • Review - TRO 3085 Lance Pack
    • Review - Technical Read Out 3085 & Record Sheets 3085
    • In Focus Review - JR Miniatures 25mm Medieval Structures
    • In Focus Review - Dust Tactics
    • In Focus Review - War Rocket
    • In Focus Review/Interview - Plasma Blast Games 6mm Sci-Fi Models
    • Review - PortableWarfare Sergeant Case
    • Review - Steel Warriors
    • Review - Having Good Hex: Hex Bases 101
    • Review - Xmarx & Old Crow 6mm Sci-Fi Models
    • Review - BattleTech Mech Models
    • In Focus Review - BattleTech
    • Review - Song Of Our Ancestors
    • In Focus Review - BattleTech Total Warfare Core Rulebook
    • Review -Rosemary & Co Brushes
    • Review - Q-Workshop Pirate & Sniper Dice
    • Review - HiTech Miniatures SF Commander & 25mm Resin Bases
    • Review - Tengu Models
    • Review - Atomic Super Humans
    • In Focus Review - Warlord 2nd Edition/Savage North
    • Review - The Complete Guide to Miniature Painting
    • Review - JR Miniatures 15mm Scale Terrain
    • Review - HellDorado LOST Starter Set Review
    • Review - Heavy Gear: Black Talon Return to Cat's Eye
    • Review - Mantic Games Dwarfs Iron Belcher Cannon Review
    • Review - Heavy Infantry/Kolony Feral HQ Models
    • Review - HellDorado Westerners Starter Set
    • In Focus Review - Heavy Gear Interpolar War 2-Player Starter Set
    • Review - Micro-Art Studio Hive/Power Plant and Ruins Bases
    • Review - Wargames Factory Shock Troops Models
    • Review - Mantic Games Dwarfs IronClad Regiment
    • Review - Mantic Games Dwarfs Ironwatch Troop
    • Review - MERCS Minis FCC Models
    • In Focus Review - Incursion board game from Grindhouse Games
    • Review - Incursion Models from Grindhouse Games
    • Review - MERCS Minis USCR Models
    • In Focus Review - AE Bounty from Darkson Designs
    • Review - AE Bounty Starter Set Models
    • Review - Micro-Art Studio Great Wolves
    • Review - Kabuki Models Revisited
    • In Focus Review - Eden Post Apocalyptic Skirmish Game
    • Review - Soda Pop Miniatures Models
    • In Focus Review - Warpaints Wargaming Starter Paints Set
    • Review - Freebooter's Fate: Crew Expansion Models
    • In Focus Review - Quantum Gothic Part III
    • Review - Ron & Bones Undead/Skeleton Models
    • Review - Zynvaded Starter Set
    • In Focus Review/Interview - Reaper Miniatures, Inc
    • Review - Armory Primer
    • Review - Pulp City Models
    • In Focus Review - Bob Smith Industries CA Adhesives
    • In Focus Review - Derivan MiNiS Paints
    • In Focus Review - MaxMini Models & Bitz
    • In Focus Review - Studio Miniatures Models
    • Review - Q-Workshop's Forest & Celtic Dice Sets
    • In Focus Review - The Army Painter QuickShade
    • In Focus Review - da Vinci paint brushes
    • In Focus Review - Ramshackle Games Post Apocalyptic Models
    • In Focus Review - Brotherhood of Assassins
    • In Focus Review - Flames of War - Dogs and Devils Campaign Book
    • In Focus Review - Flames of War: Open Fire Starter Set
    • In Focus Review - Wardroids
    • In Focus Review - Coat D' Arms Acrylic Paints
    • In Focus Review - HeroScape Dungeons & Dragons Master Set 3 - Battle for Underdark
    • In Focus Review - Dice of the Dead
    • In Focus Review - Please Stand By
    • In Focus Review - Fear And Faith
    • In Focus Review - Filla-Glu
    • First Look Preview - AE Bounty
    • In Focus Review - The Army Painter Brushes
    • In Focus Review - Crooked Dice Game Design Studio
    • In Focus Review - Quantum Gothic Revisited
    • Preview - Judge Dredd
    • In Focus Review - Tannhauser Revised Edition
    • In Focus Review - Freebooter's Fate
    • Preview - Dust Tactics/City of Thieves
    • In Focus Review - Mutants and Death Ray Guns
    • In Focus Review - Song of Blades and Heroes
    • PC Hardware Review - Saitek X-52 Pro HOTAS
    • In Focus Review - Knight Models: Star Wars 30mm Models
    • PC Review - Wings of Prey
    • In Focus Review - Pig Iron Productions Kolony Feral Squad & Specialists
    • In Focus Review - Q-Workshop Dice
    • PC Review - Torchlight
    • Review - The Adventurers
    • In Focus Review - Mantic Games: Introduction to the Undead
    • In Focus Review - Red Ops 5
    • In Focus Review - All Things Zombie: Better Dead Than Zed
    • In Focus - The Coolest Game You'll Probably Never Play!
    • In Focus Review - Atlas Brush Company, Inc.
    • In Focus Review - Ziterdes Models
    • In Focus Review - Micro-Art Studios
    • In Focus Review - Faction Wars
    • PC Review - Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War II Chaos Rising
    • In Focus Review - Pegasus Models
    • Classic Review: Mage Knight 2.0
    • Review In Focus: Quantum Gothic
    • PC Review: Airstrike Eagles of World War II
    • In Focus Review - Avatars of War & Arena DeathMatch
    • Review In Focus: Windsor & Newton
    • First Look Preview: Kabuki Models
    • Classic Review: How to paint Citadel Miniatures
    • Review: Pig Iron System Troopers/Kolony Militia
    • Classic Review: In Focus ESLO Terrain
    • In Focus Review: MERCS YellowJackets & KemVar
    • Review: Toy Soldiers 101: Little Wars
    • Review: Warmachine Plastic Heavy Warjack kits
    • Editorial: State of the Game Warhammer 40k
    • P3 Model Drilling & Pinning Set
    • Review: Miniature Paints 101
    • Review: Kabuki Models 21st Century Pinups & Dark Messiah
    • Review: Cool Wargame tools
    • Classic Review: Warmachine 2003
    • Retribution of Scyrah Overview
    • Classic Review: Lord of the Rings Return of the King Strategy Battle Game
    • Classic Review: Dogs of War
    • Review: Sabol Monthy Deals
  • Want your product covered?

September 26th, 2010
Review - MERCS Minis FCC Models
Picture
At long last there's a pair of new factions available from MERCS Minis. Actually the USCR and the FCC faction models currently available debuted at Gen Con last month. I covered the USCR faction models earlier this month. Therefore today I'll be taking a look at the FCC models from MERCS Minis. At present there's only three models available for the FCC faction the FCC Liason, FCC Boomer and FCC Housemaster.

FCC Housemaster


This is a 4 piece model if you count the 30mm round lipped display base. The model comes as a main body, weapon with arm bits attached, and an ammo feed belt. Clean up requires dealing with some minor mold lines, but nothing out of the ordinary.


The parts for the most part fit together quite well. However the ammo feed belt was problematic getting it to bend properly, so that it would fit at the right angle to glue one end to the backpack ammo box, and the other end to the weapon. The sculpt itself is quite nice, and the pose is also dramatic the way she's standing and firing her weapon. Of all the FCC models she's definitely the one I appreciate most of the three currently available choices.

FCC Liason

This is also a 4 piece model, if you count the display base. You end up with a main body, the cybernetic arm, and a backpack. It didn't take much to address the minor mold lines, so there's very little clean up to mention. The parts also fit together quite well.


I've seen the concept art they used to create this, and the other models in the FCC faction range, and I must admit, that this guy looks just like the art. He looks a lot like a cyborg too, because his left leg and left arm are mechanical in nature. Although he really doesn't appear like much of a threat to me, with a single rather generic pistol in-hand. The left leg is also standing upon a small pile of shale, or rock, so there's a tiny bit of scenic detail for basing included within the sculpt. That's a nice touch.


FCC Boomer


Counting the base, this is a 3-piece model. This fella is pretty much ready to go, aside from the separate backpack to glue on to his back. Again only minor mold lines are present, so nothing out of the ordinary to report there. The backpack also fits well, so assembly is almost non existent.


Visually he's an interesting piece. He like the Housemaster is wearing what looks like a motor-cross/BMX bike mask covering the nose and mouth. The model is also armed with what appears to be some sort of grenade-launcher-like weapon. Also like his FCC pal the Liason, he too has a mechanical leg of some sort, only his cybernetic leg is on the right from the knee down.

Conclusion

I'm really torn on these FCC models, because I do think sculpt-wise they're as nice as any other MERC Minis, but at the same time I can't say I like them as much as I do the USCR, or Yellow Jackets.

The problem is that the YellowJackets, USCR and Kem Var are tough acts to follow. MERCS Minis set the bar so high with the Yellow Jackets, that it was only a matter of time before they fell short with the later releases.

 I just personally don't think that these FCC models have the same visual impact as any of the other models available in the MERCS Minis range. I'm also yet to see how useful they are in the MERCS Minis Skirmish game, so I may feel differently about these models once I've played them in the game.


Once I can get my hands on at least five of the FCC models total (five are required per side in the game), I may re-explore the FCC as a faction in a future article once the rulebook ships.

In terms of cost, these are all priced at $9.99 USD each, which has pretty much become the standard price-point for all MERCS Minis models, with exception of the larger USCR Behemoth model, but even he's just $13 USD. Considering these are all white metal, and are very nice sculpts, with minimal clean up, and smooth assembly, $9.99 is quite fair, more so considering there's a game to use them in now as well.

Actually the rulebook will be ready to ship in late November if all goes as planned, but at present you can download the basic MERCS Minis Skirmish Game rules for free from their website and play it now with the rules they used to demo the game at Gen Con.


There's also only three FCC models available at present, but a fourth model is at the foundry as I write this. I'm told that it, and a mod-kit for the FCC allowing you to make a variety of different models from the fourth model should be available any day now. All of the MERCS Minis factions have been expanded to six models per faction, to match up with the faction decks that are available to play the MERCS Minis Skirmish game. All of the faction decks are available now, and can be purchased for $7.99 direct from MERCS Minis.


MERCS Minis Website


    Comments or Suggestions?

Submit

Follow WarGameGuru on Twitter

Picture
Be sure to visit our sponsors!


Picture
Be sure to visit our sponsors!

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.