The Judge Dredd Miniatures Game pits various factions against one another in small skirmishes of street warfare. We preview the game.
Whilst the background of many of Dredd’s most famous adventures have truly nuclear consequences (see the Apocalypse War), the Judge Dredd Miniatures game is focussed on the more-typical, day-to-day clashes between gangs looking to expand their territory and the Justice Department clamping down on anything criminal (crime in Mega-City One has a particularly broad definition). It is a true skirmish game, with typically no more than a dozen miniatures per side.
Developing the system
Building on the already sturdy Strontium Dog ruleset masterminded by Andy Chambers and Gav Thorpe, the Judge Dredd Miniatures Game has been developed very much with the Judge Dredd mythos in mind. Rather than the “Western gun-duelling” that characterized Strontium Dog, the rules have been expanded to reflect the nitty, gritty and downright deranged settings of Mega-City One.
As such, expect to find rules for fighting in and around buildings as well as the use of vehicles, in order for characters to better negotiate the sprawling urban labyrinth. There are also rules for ordinary citizens. Not entirely controlled by any player – they can prove quite a hindrance to the more conscientious Judge or act as a “meat shield” for the low morals of a block ganger Juve.
Cards also make a return from Strontium Dog. In addition to the Armoury cards – which have been suitably adapted to represent the quirky ammunition types present in Mega-City One – not least from a Judge’s Lawgiver – players also have the opportunity to spring often zany effects on the game with Big Meg cards. The city truly is an integral part of the game.
The Factions
The rulebook contains game stats for the Justice Department and block gangs that continually stalk the streets of the megalopolis, as well as Citi-Def militia, all manner of ‘crazies’, and many other of the colourful characters of Mega-City One – fully embracing the sometimes-irreverent source material. You’ll, therefore, have the opportunity to recreate some of Judge Dredd’s greatest storylines straight out of the pages of classic 2000AD.
A full hierarchy is provided for the Street Gangs, so you can utilise anything from a Juve to a heavy. Or if your affiliation is to justice take anything from a nervous rookie to a full-blown street judge capable of singlehandedly subduing multiple foes. Specialist judges also make an appearance enabling you to further customise your force.
Of course, you’ll be able to field Joe Dredd himself, and he is extremely capable as you’d expect. Nigh indestructible, and capable of inflicting justice upon lesser foes with ease. To oppose him, you may wish to consider some of the named villains, Orlok the Assassin, Nero Narcos or even the otherworldly Judge Death, amongst many others.
Campaign System
The Judge Dredd campaign is an open system that allows players to get together, have some potentially irregular games, and chart the course of their stories through a connected narrative. The generational system (in which campaigns can depict the passing of years or even decades between games) means that players’ factions develop as and when they play, making a Judge Dredd campaign less rigid than some other games’ league systems.
Campaigns will give the opportunity for players’ chosen factions to gain notoriety and increase in rank, hire additional faction members or upgrade their lairs or Sector House. Depending on game results, faction members can be subject to sentencing and infractions amongst others. It all builds up to a complete narrative for two or more factions; giving the player the impetus to really invest in the characters that make up their faction.
I am the Law!
Available to order now, bring the law to the streets of Mega-City One with the brand new Judge Dredd Miniatures Game. Stamp out the gangs or stick it to the Judges!
As well as a softback copy of the rules, you’ll receive 10 miniatures (in our new Warlord Resin); 8 block gang members and 2 street judges to begin your skirmishes in Mega-City One. In the box, you’ll also find a double-sided full-colour playmat and all the die and tokens you need to get playing.
Tom Mecredy
