So I recently succumb and bought the Dead Man’s Hand Down Under package deal so now I have 3 more gangs and 2 rogues to look at. The Second up of the gangs is the Law in the form of the State Police.
Remember that all these gangs although they originate in Australia are perfectly usable in the standard Dead Man’s Hands environment and campaigns.
So who where the State Police and what do we Know of them – ok so to be honest very Little – but this school history site has some interesting (and I assume accurate) information.
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/teaching-wiki/australian-bushrangers
and this site includes information written by a descendant of one of the men who hunted the gang
state police a relatives perspective.
Their gang specific cards are included in the Dead Mans Hand Down Under Card set – which comes with the expansion or can be bought separately.
So hopefully my painting doesn’t let these down.
The State Police are introduced in the expansion by the following
With the Captain comes his own brand of justice. His Dedication to upholding the law is instilled in his men who face down any who challenge them.
Dead Man’s Hand Down Under rules – Great escape games
His determination is matched by a willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
Matching persistence with vengeance in equal measure, he and his men cause fear in all those who oppose him
The State Police have 4 model types available
CAPTAIN – a gang must have 1 of these and they are armed with a pistol.
SERGEANT – this is an optional model type but a gang can take upto 1, who is then armed with a pistol.
OFFICERS – the gang must have at least 2 of these, they can be armed with a pistol or rifle, up to 2 may have a shotgun. Remember this gang is like all others in that at least 50% of the gang must be armed with a pistol as their sole ranged weapon.
TROOPERS – the gang can include upto 4 of these and they are armed with a pistol and upto half may have rifles or shotguns.
Like the LAW in the west this gang has the option to take upto 4 shotguns. It alas cant take any repeating rifles but does have the option for quite a lot of Rifles – so thats a good mix of close range destruction and long ranged accuracy.
They have 2 special rules are
- I’VE KEPT COMPANY WITH BAD MEN ALL MY LIFE – any opposition character that has to take a NERVE test or BIG NERVE test and is within 10cm of any of the STATE POLICE get an additional -1 to the roll.
- I WILL CIVILISE THIS LAND – this is a great one – so long as the Captain is alive and on the table then the STATE POLICE never has to take a BIG NERVE test.
So what do the STATE POLICE’s specific Jack, Queen, King and Aces cards offer?
- ACE – “Hunted Man” – this must be played before any figure is activated. When played the STATE POLICE player nominates a single enemy model, the nominated model cannot take any actions this turn..
- KING – “Stay Down” – this card is played when an enemy figure takes an under fire marker and immediately causes it to take another under fire marker.
- QUEEN – “Bogged Down” – this card can be played before an opponent has activate one of their models. For the rest of the turn all enemy models have to use 2 actions to perform their first move. This will definately deter them from moving and slow their moves.
- JACK – “Justice by any means” – another one that needs to be played before either side has activated any models, the STATE POLICE can nominate a single enemy model (just not the leader) for the remainder of the turn all shots made against the nominated target get a +1 bonus to hit.
Remember whilst the CAPTAIN is alive the gang never has to take a BIG NERVE test, also the presence of your models can cause negatives on the opponents NERVE and BIG NERVE tests. So your guys are less likely to flee the field of battle whilst the enemy suffer negatives and are more likely to flee.
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