REVIEW: Ex-illis Starter Box
Ex-illis, manufactured and developed by Bastion is a unique fusion of many popular gaming ideas. Seeking to combine great model manufacturing with a unique game design Bastion has come up with a game unlike anything you have ever tried before.
Looking at the 54 miniatures that come with the starter box you will wonder how such a young company can make such amazingly detailed plastic miniatures on their first try. Other companies in the marketplace who are also venturing into plastics and resin shout take note and even take notes. The Ex-Illis miniatures make use of realistic weapons which for many veterans of fantasy miniatures games will make them look smaller than you are used to; however that makes the modeling and detail on the models even more amazing. It appears that they are using the same methods as other plastic startup companies such as Mantic with their stackable spruces and absolutely minimal amount of flash on the models. Though such exacting standards seem to take a toll on the poseability and uniqueness of each individual model but is more than made up for when you realize that every part fits perfectly every time. The cavalry models that come with the started might at first look odd to most gamers as they are quite a big larger than most players will be used to because of the realistic scale of the models. These horses look they could carry a fully armored knight into battle without breaking a sweat and being a model they have also done an impressive job with the armor by not taking the lazy way out and simply covering the horse in plate mail.
The game also introduces us to several forms of angels and devils that are part of the world and they have tackled an old genre but have been able to make their models look distinct yet classic at the same time, keeping timeless icons such as large feathery winged angels in battle armor while introducing new concepts such as life draining sludge looking monsters. This is one of the key draws of the game to me is their excellent model miniatures that have many uses outside of their game system as well.
The game itself is a wholly unique blend of video games, miniatures game and storytelling all rolled into one. Introducing concepts such as a trackable experience system for your unit’s online, truly random dice rolling and absolutely accurate measuring along with no possibility of rules disputes due to the connection to the Ex-Illis program the game is unlike anything else you have ever played. As your units advance from playing games you can field them as more experienced version of themselves, though it is balanced by their point value and they can always be taken at their basic skill to ensure a fair and fun game against new players.
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