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onlunarseas.bsky.social
onlunarseas
@onlunarseas.bsky.social
330 followers 82 following 770 posts
Developing Morningstar, a LEGO mecha & spaceship tabletop wargame. I also do other tabletop stuff and sometimes art.
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onlunarseas.bsky.social
In Morningstar, attacks get a bonus when in the target's back arc. But with 180° arcs, that hasn't come up yet. So I might change the bases to have 90° front arcs instead, which would also help make overwatch and return fire more balanced. It might be tricky if not using these bases, though. #LEGO
Render of ten LEGO mecha in two rows. Those in the front row share a design with tan and dark grey armor, carrying carbines in varying poses. Those in the back row share a different design with dark red, black, and bright light orange armor. Three carry melee weapons and shields, while three carry rifles, all in varying poses.
November 17, 2025 at 11:34 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
Despite having half as many guns, the Khuraltans focused down Sunset while Breacher and Orion drew fire. The EDSC was pushed back, and Hacksaw fell as the lines met. But melee played little role, and I'm not sure how I feel about the current shield rules. Still, good data—on to the next! (2/2)
Render of a battlefield with eight LEGO mecha and several bits of terrain. In round three, the dark red mecha with shields continue their advance and are now in the open, while those with rifles hang back. The tan mecha remain in much the same place, but one is destroyed and collapses behind a low defensive wall. Render of a battlefield with eight LEGO mecha and several bits of terrain. In round four, the dark red mecha with shields are nearly in melee range of their foes, but those with rifles continue to do all the damage. The tan mecha are now pushed up against the battlefield edge mounting a desperate defense. Render of a battlefield with eight LEGO mecha and several bits of terrain. In round five, a second tan mecha has been wrecked, and the remaining two cower in a corner under heavy threat, though two of the dark red mecha are nearly destroyed themselves.
November 15, 2025 at 10:33 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
Been months since my last playtest of Morningstar: Close Combat, my #LEGO #mecha skirmish game. This one sees the debut of the Khuraltan Alliance along with shields, melee weapons, and some revamped ranges. The EDSC suffered from bad rolls as Kheshigs advanced in pairs. (1/2) #tabletop #wargaming
Render of a battlefield with eight LEGO mecha and several bits of terrain. The mecha on one side are tan and dark grey, while their opponents are dark red, black, and bright light orange. Tokens and labels show bonuses and damage suffered by each, identified by callsigns. In round one, both sides deploy and take cover while trading fire. Render of a battlefield with eight LEGO mecha and several bits of terrain. In round two, the dark red mecha push forward, the lead two using huge shields to protect themselves and their allies. The tan mecha hold their positions, maneuvering only for better shots.
November 15, 2025 at 10:33 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
Played my first solo game of This Quar's War, with rules modified to suit my current low model count. Creevin machine gun fire broke Easky's left flank first, then the center. A desperate Easkovite assault then bogged down. Great fun, can't wait to build up these armies more. #tabletop #wargaming
Photo of 15 mm Quar miniatures engaged in battle on cardboard terrain. Photo of 15 mm Quar miniatures engaged in battle on cardboard terrain. One side has lost a team of three, while both sides have lost a model from their center teams. Photo of 15 mm Quar miniatures engaged in battle on cardboard terrain. One side has lost another team of three, while the other side has lost just three quar in total. Photo of 15 mm Quar miniatures engaged in battle on cardboard terrain. Not much has happened since the last round, but it doesn't look good for the outnumbered side.
November 15, 2025 at 1:41 AM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
Painted up my very first quar. This 15 mm Easky Rhyfler is a test model just to make sure I'm happy with the colors and base. I need to add some ground cover, and I might highlight the helmet a bit. But as it stands I'm thrilled with this little guy and can't wait to do more. #tabletop #wargaming
Photo of a 15 mm Quar miniature, an Easky Rhyfler, painted and on a muddy-looking base, next to a plastic tree. Photo of a 15 mm Quar miniature, an Easky Rhyfler, painted and on a muddy-looking base, next to a plastic tree. Photo of a 15 mm Quar miniature, an Easky Rhyfler, painted and on a muddy-looking base, next to a plastic tree.
November 13, 2025 at 4:52 AM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
Been taking it easy, playing games & working on other hobbies. But I'm also planning out what's next for Morningstar playtests. Thinking of simplifying weapon ranges a bit to keep things more manageable. And might do single-post recaps to speed up the battle reports. Made a quick render, too. #LEGO
Render of four LEGO mecha moving in pairs on either side of a tall dark tan wall. The mecha on the left are dark red with bright light orange; the one in front has a black shield and a long club, while the one behind is aiming a rifle over its ally's shoulder. The mecha on the right are tan and dark grey, both armed with carbines. Both pairs look like they're about to peek around the end of the wall at the same time.
November 10, 2025 at 1:07 AM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
Here's a wrap-up of my #LEGO builds for #Mechatober. I had to catch up, but I'm glad I participated. Even though I kept things relatively simple, I still pushed myself creatively. Thanks to @mechamaria64.bsky.social for the prompts, and to everyone who participated and inspired me. #Mechatober2025
Render of my LEGO builds for Mechatober 2025. Thirty-one days of mecha in a wide range of colors and styles, mostly small and simple but with a few more involved builds including some variants and scenes.
November 1, 2025 at 10:18 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
Google Pixel... 7 Pro (I had to look that up, smart phones are not my forte). We don't see them often, but we've been taking more walks lately to see the salmon migration. Seeing one of these is a special treat.
October 31, 2025 at 11:29 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
Nice! I've gotten to see a couple of great blue herons lately, but I've yet to see a cormorant. Love the wildlife around here.
Photo of a great blue heron standing in the middle of a creek, all hunched over and suspicious like.
October 31, 2025 at 9:48 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
31 Ancient. I wanted something special for this final prompt. I started this design in dark tan to show its age, then made a pristine version. Finally I put it on a base, posed it lying down, and built up a landscape around it. A very fun way to wrap things up. #LEGO #Mechatober2025 #Mechatober
Render of a LEGO mecha in dark tan. It lies broken against a grassy hillside, its shattered shield lying beside it and its sword embedded in the ground just beyond its severed arm. Moss and flowers have begun to reclaim it as part of the landscape. Render of a LEGO mecha in dark tan. It lies broken against a grassy hillside, its shattered shield lying beside it and its sword embedded in the ground just beyond its severed arm. Moss and flowers have begun to reclaim it as part of the landscape. Render of a LEGO mecha in dark tan. It lies broken against a grassy hillside, its shattered shield lying beside it and its sword embedded in the ground just beyond its severed arm. Moss and flowers have begun to reclaim it as part of the landscape. Front and back renders of a LEGO mecha in white and bright light orange. The same design as the wrecked build, but pristine. It has a knightly appearance, with a sword and shield at the ready and a red feather in its helmet.
October 31, 2025 at 7:51 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
Someone on Mastodon said they look like they should be on a beach so I obliged.
Render of two crab-like coral-colored LEGO mecha on a round tan base next to a yellow umbrella, a dark blue bucket with a red handle, and the beginnings of a sandcastle.
October 31, 2025 at 1:02 AM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
30 Mass Produced. I thought about using olive green for Swarm yesterday, but quickly realized it'd be better suited to today's prompt. This is a take on the rather common walking tank idea. A simple design intended to be churned out and flood the battlefield. #LEGO #Mechatober2025 #Mechatober
Render of a whole bunch of LEGO mecha in olive green, standing in neat rows. The mecha share a single design: bipedal with a torso shaped much like a tank turret, a short main gun on the front and a pilot or tank commander manning a machine gun above that. Front and back renders of a LEGO mecha in olive green. It is bipedal and has a torso shaped much like a tank turret, with a short main gun on the front and a pilot or tank commander manning a machine gun above that.
October 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
29 Swarm. Hadn't used coral yet; it's a lovely color, though part availability is a bit limited. But I figured I'd keep this design small and simple, then make lots of variants. A very relaxing process, and an average cost of $1.35 per model makes a swarm feasible. #LEGO #Mechatober2025 #Mechatober
Render of twelve LEGO mecha in coral, all sharing a squat, four-legged chassis but with different equipment. Front row: light walker, recon, troop carrier, battle tank, command. Middle row: artillery, rocket artillery, anti-aircraft artillery, anti-aircraft missiles. Back row: engineering, recovery, heavy utility.
October 29, 2025 at 7:33 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
28 Crystal. Not much rationale behind this one, just wanted to use magenta and transparent dark pink. Maybe the crystals are an energy weapon? It's sort of a Tachikoma design—does the pilot sit up front, or are they a rock-based life form comfortably in the back? #LEGO #Mechatober2025 #Mechatober
Front and back renders of a LEGO mecha in magenta. It has six legs and two little grabby arms, with a low posture. Its back section is made of transparent dark pink slopes and a matching crystal, positioned sort of like the shell of a hermit crab.
October 28, 2025 at 7:28 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
27 Otherworldly. Started out trying to make stubby legs and a tall body, but wound up with the opposite. As is often the case, color also dictated the design; I wanted as much consistency as possible. It really came together when I found those roof corners. #LEGO #Mechatober2025 #Mechatober
Front and back renders of a LEGO mecha in medium lavender. It has long, multi-jointed legs, a rounded shell-like body, and large curved panels on either side of its torso giving it a somewhat floral or jellyfish appearance. Between the two panels are an odd assortment of what are presumably weapons.
October 27, 2025 at 10:42 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
Drove to Kirkland, listening to Slayer, for a Samhain bonfire at the PNW Witches' Market. Bought candles, a crocheted chanterelle, and a crescent moon-shaped opalite. Enjoyed the clouds over Seattle, the rain on Lake Washington, and a Yemeni coffee on the way home.
Photo of people at a bonfire in Kirkland by Lake Washington. Photo of dense rolling clouds over Lake Washington, Seattle visible in the distance. Photo of people standing around a roaring Samhain bonfire. Photo of a large tree at the edge of Lake Washington with ducks flying past on a cloudy, rainy day, just after sunset.
October 27, 2025 at 8:09 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
26 Race. I hadn't used lime green yet—had to remedy that. Originally I just planned on a Heavy Gear-style secondary movement system, but wound up making this a transformer instead! No parts to add or remove, just rotated into place. Could maybe be refined a bit yet. #LEGO #Mechatober2025 #Mechatober
Front and back renders of a LEGO mecha in lime green with black elements. It has wheels on its wrists and ankles and is posed like it is roller skating. Front and back renders of a LEGO mecha in lime green with black elements. It has transformed into vehicle mode, with its torso folded up and all four limbs down so the wheels can make ground contact.
October 26, 2025 at 7:56 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
Got my first order of 15 mm Quar, with ~20 points each of Creevin and Easky forces. Fantastic models, with a great amount of detail for the scale. Got a lot of work ahead to clean, base, and paint these—should be a lot of fun. Can't wait to play some games and order more. #tabletop #wargaming
Photo of some 15 mm Quar miniatures from the nation of Creevin. At the front is a Company HQ ahead of a Rhyfler Section and a Cavalry Section, with a Mogyn tractor at the rear. Photo of some 15 mm Quar miniatures from the nation of Easky. At the front are Granddaughters and a Company HQ, ahead of a Rhyfler Section, a Gun Squad, and a Pygaed tractor and Autoped Patrol at the rear.
October 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
25 Liquid. Another homage to a beloved mid-'90s theme. I didn't get quite as heavily into Aquazone, but the Crystal Explorer Sub was one of my favorite sets. The expensive chrome silver parts here are included for accuracy, but cheaper alternatives are available. #LEGO #Mechatober2025 #Mechatober
Front and back renders of a LEGO mecha in yellow and black, with a transparent dark blue round tile for a head. It has flippers on its feet and is attached to a clear antenna on a tan base, as though floating just above the ocean floor. It has a harpoon launcher on one arm and carries a knife in the other hand.
October 25, 2025 at 10:03 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
24 Freeze. I loved a lot of Space themes growing up—Futuron, Blacktron, Space Police, M:Tron—but my favorite has always been Ice Planet 2002. I largely stuck to the minifig palette for this homage, but opted for cheaper skis that don't collide with the legs. #LEGO #Mechatober2025 #Mechatober
Front and back renders of a LEGO mecha in white, blue, and black. It has skis on its feet and carries a heat gun and chainsaw with the iconic transparent neon orange parts of Ice Planet 2002 sets, with a matching cockpit on the torso.
October 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
23 Dark. Really struggled to come up with an idea for this one. Eventually decided on a lich, wearing a far-too-expensive crown, facing off some earlier fantasy builds in a Photoshop-assisted scene. I'm now finally caught up; let's hope I can stay that way. #LEGO #Mechatober2025 #Mechatober
Render of three dimly lit LEGO mecha, approaching a fourth emerging from the darkness. The trio resemble a paladin in light grey armor, a musketeer in dark blue with white accents, and a witch in dark red, while the solo figure resembles a lich. Through Photoshop adjustments, most of the orange lighting in the scene appears to emanate from a torch carried by the musketeer, with faint purple and pink glows from a gem on the witch's staff and a flame on the lich's staff. Front and back renders of a LEGO mecha in black, with a white face and a spiky silver crown. Its legs and a silver torso grille suggest a skeletal appearance, and it carries a staff with a white top and a baleful flame in transparent dark pink.
October 24, 2025 at 12:18 AM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
22 Hollow. Wasn't sure what to do here, so I went looking through various containers. The classic treasure chest made me think of the Luggage from Discworld and fit in with the fantasy builds I've been making, whether as a mimic or a mobile loot carrier. #LEGO #Mechatober2025 #Mechatober
October 23, 2025 at 9:44 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
Here's the full Zero Point fleet for Morningstar: Fleet Command. They lack capital ships, but my plan is to give them better stats. That should generally leave them slightly outnumbered but roughly equal in power. I'll playtest them someday, but for now I want to get back to the mecha rules. #LEGO
Render of a fleet of LEGO spaceships on flight stands. The ships have angular red armor over black structures. Three are small corvettes, four are frigates, and the largest three are cruisers. Two ships are each accompanied by a pair of round flight stands with tiny abstract mecha.
October 23, 2025 at 7:38 PM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
21 Elegant. I'm starting to catch up now, and with more time these builds are slowly getting bigger. I was going for a Zone of the Enders vibe here, something that'd flit about with ease. The stand was a bit of a pain, though—not all that elegant, after all. #LEGO #Mechatober2025 #Mechatober
Front and back renders of a LEGO mecha in white and dark pink, attached to a flight stand. It has tiny feet but large "wings" over its shoulders and a three engine propulsion system for quick movement.
October 23, 2025 at 12:05 AM
onlunarseas.bsky.social
20 Tread. My friend likes Guntank (from Mobile Suit Gundam) and purple, so I made this one for them. The torso is based on the one I made for Fire. The arms don't have much room for posing, but the missile launchers have some decent articulation. #LEGO #Mechatober2025 #Mechatober
Front and back renders of a LEGO mecha in dark purple with a white rounded part on the front. It has a tracked movement system instead of legs, autocannons in place of hands, and two dual missile pods over its shoulders.
October 22, 2025 at 9:41 PM