SLUDGE New Releases
BLASTER Archive: SLUDGE
SLUDGE War and SLUDGE Nations are now available in a single print on demand book! Check it out HERE!! For those of us who love a physical prints, this is a great option. The core rules for SLUDGE and the first expansion SLUDGE Nations are collected in this print on demand book. This version has been updated with a few minor quality of life improvements, but is largely the same as appeared in the orginial BLASTER articles. The updates are also in the PDFs available at Relicblade.com/shop/sludge
Even though Print-on-demand books aren’t super high quality, the Blaster Archive of SLUDGE is wonderful to hold. It’s such a cool project and a real treat to see standing on its own.
A 3rd SLUDGE book and a collected trilogy.
Sludge was originally developed and published in BLASTER games anthology. The game has had a somewhat complicated production and for several years it was only available in the collected anthology format alongside works from my fellow BLASTER creators. Now, the rules for SLUDGE are available on my website Relicblade.com and in the collected print on demand book through DriveThruRPG.
Ultimately, I would like to self-publish a lovely collected volume instead of the print on demand option. Even though the SLUDGE war and SLUDGE nations together are over 90 pages, I would like to write one more supplement before I publish a stand alone book. Since SLUDGE is the second game I am solo-developming it is regularly pushed to the back burner. But I am still enthusiastic about the game. It’s very good, and I can’t wait to show you more of the world!
Basilisk Ascendant
To celebrate the re-release of the SLUDGE rulebooks, I finally finished and released the first units in the Basilisk army! The Basilisk Empire is one of the most powerful nations in the western branchways, and an important center of power in the doom age.
Inclusive Game Design
I work hard to make my games accessible, but there are countless barriers to the hobby. Not least of which is the harsh limitations of an extremely small (one man) game company! The Official SLUDGE range spans 3 unique options.
Paper Miniatures: Hand drawn armies for SLUDGE are available to download for FREE here: SLUDGE paper Miniatures. Paper minis are a great option for hobbyists. It may not appeal to those of us who are addicted to 3d minis, but the reality is they look fabulous on the table and create a unique yet immersive experience.
Kit Bash: SLUDGE is also designed for players to dive into their own creativity. Kit bashed armies could be anything from tiny troopers made out of beads, to carefully converted plastic kits from the world’s greatest miniature makers.
Official Sean Sutter Minis: Last but not least, I strive to produce miniatures that match my personal vision of SLUDGE. I started with the armies of KETH, but the resin production was costly and complicated. The KETH army is still available as resin kits, but they are also available as printable downloads. As a way to let my creativity flow I have decided to continue producing the official kits mainly as 3d printable files.
I am not a huge fan of fiddly conversions, so the official SLUDGE armies are all one part miniatures that only need to be glued to bases. To make getting started easier, I have created two Starter Bundle and Expansion Bundles for Keth and Basilisk armies at a discount. <3
3D Printable Minis
With the prevalence of affordable resin 3D printers, I have decided to develop the SLUDGE range as 3D printable kits. I strive to make the game as accessible as possible. Folks all have different preferences for minis and this option won’t be to everyone’s preference, but even if you don’t have a printer it is relatively easy to hire people to print figures for your personal collection. A benefit of a digital range is that it’s much easier for people all over the world to build HUGE armies.
Once you own a digital model kit, you can produce multiples of each figure. And since SLUDGE is a game with large units of doomed line infantry. It is fabulous to be able to print the core of your army.
Basilisk Starter Bundle and Expansion Bundle printed up to form a 250 point army.
A DOOMED GAME?
SLUDGE: Fantasy Wargames in a Doom Age of Black Powder, has been a complicated project that I’ve poured countless hours into. Working on a second game was a wild decision, but SLUDGE is super fun and has so much potential. The way it was released in an anthology, and the figures released with the help of my friends at Black Site Studios made it a little convoluted to get into.
I am still struggling to get the whole thing under control. But the plan to produce armies as 3D Printable figures and an outline for the third book has reignited my passion for the project.
Now is as good a time as ever to try this doomed game. I hope to revisit SLUDGE whenever I have a moment. Thanks for checking this stuff out!
Your friend,
Sean