Getting started.

So you're thinking about starting The Drowned Earth? Me too, what a coincidence. Let's take a look at what you'll need to get started.

Now me, I would always start with lovely shiny new models but let's pretend to be logical and start with the rules?

You have two options for the rulebook either a free pdf (here) which has all the rules. Or you have the very pretty hardback rulebook (here) Which has the rules along with all the fluff and character details Its a bit over £30 but that's a fair price for a shiny book. I don't have the actual book (yet) because I picked it up then put it back down while at Salute and I was kicking myself about it all the way home.

Next you'll need dice, D10s to be precise. There are official ones (here)  which are handy as you need a couple of clearly identifiable different colours. They're a tenner for a pack which something in my head screams but you have so many dice, but you might as well as you'll need them if you ever go to a tournament (that's an assumption but I'd say an educated one)

Tokens and templates are a bit like gamer glitter, as once you've brought some you'll find them everywhere. But also they look shiny and you always need more. There is a template in the back of the rulebook with the basic templates but you can also buy some from art of war (here) They might need to add some scenario specific token to the range but there's more than enough there to get you playing. While you are there I'd also recommend looking for some measuring widgets, though not necessary to play generally lead to cleaner measurements in skirmish games and look a lot nicer than an old bendy tape measure.

Okay now the best bit MODELS! You'll need a faction to send off into the ruins of an ancient woolworths on the hunt for pick and mix (or whatever narrative floats your boat) You have five options so far ARTEFACTERS - Treasure hunters. FIRM - Gangsters. MILITIA - Army. WAYFARERS - Mercenaries (can also be taken with other factions) BONDSMEN - Bounty hunters.
You also have a selection of dinosaurs you can recruit to your team. (any who doesn't want a pet dino?) I can offer you any tactical advice on which faction to choose so I suggest you choose only one which would be most fun to paint like I did. Have a look at them here. Expect to spend about £40 on a starter crew but that gives you enough to play.

Once you have shiny rules and shiny models you'll need some shiny terrain to play on. Stating from the base up there is an official TDE mat (here)  from Deep cut studios. Any 3x3 playing matt or board will work but bare in mind you do need water on around a third of the mat to really get the drowned effect. (I am thinking of "investing" in a unofficial TiDE mat just so I can go a bit crazy with things hidden under the water).
Terrain you'll want a lot, about half the board should be terrain. A mix of multi level buildings, raised ground, some scatter, and plenty of jungle flora. I've been looking at Mantic for the buldings (here) and jungle plants I'm planning or raiding the poundland fish tank plant packs.

So what's left? Well next you need someone to play. Hopefully you'll have a friendly local games club or store and people there will be getting into the game at the same time as you. If you're not that lucky there are a few facebook group you can try to help put you in touch with local players.

The drowned earth uk

The drowned earth fan page

The drowned earth London

And my local Dark Sphere The drowned earth (also in London)

Enjoy playing The Drowned Earth and hopefully I'll get to play some of you at some point.