I feel like the new DF box was catching up with the release of USARF and OCF over the last couple of years, I don't think it's an indicator of what's to come. Both of those sectorials were waiting a long time for spec-ops and characters, now they're getting them. I wasn't aware of that statement re: Aleph and Tohaa, but . . . at this point I'm not sure it's still controlling. Things change, and HSN3 is more or less a mandatory purchase for new players who are interested in the fluff, so having a box that is tied to it wouldn't be that much of a stretch. And for those that aren't interested in the fluff there's no barrier at all, because all of the relevant rules and profiles are available for free online. I strongly doubt they'll replace Ice Storm after just releasing the Beyond IS box less than a year ago. Also, Ice Storm contains minis that will be useful in both Varuna and Tunguska, so it makes sense to keep it around if those two sectorials are rolling out this year (obviously, the Beyond IS box does as well).
I wouldn't get my hopes up for Varuna. Five factions have 2 or fewer playable sectorials, while 3 factions have 3 playable sectorials. I can't imagine they'd give a faction a 4th sectorial while leaving another faction with 2 or fewer. Especially with all the Military Orders resculpts. My guess would be five NEW sectorials, plus revised MO, MRRF, SEF sectorials. If they said 8 new sectorials people would scream for blood over MO/MRRF/SEF not being "new". Anything could happen, but Varuna happening means another faction doesn't get something while PanO gets more than anyone else. Evening out the original factions, then later putting out Varuna so PanO is only ahead by one sectorial seems much less likely to lead to an international incident.
I don't think PanO's amount of current things is going to effect them getting a new sectorial, they are the most played faction bringing in the most dosh, I don't have any doubts that they'd get a new sectorial within the year.
What Hiereth said. Also, when the new Kamau profiles dropped Bostria was giddy about their fireteam potential, and chattering about other Varuna-related things. Video is available here: http://www.beastsofwar.com/infinity/beyond-icestorm-troop-profile-preview/ Based on that discussion alone I'd expect Varuna to be released this year.
My guess for Varuna is that, assuming I'm understanding what Carlos said right, the gencon release will be that battle box with Varuna, and Tunguska. As for the rest of the year all I can do is expect nothing to avoid disappointment.
That's the Human Rights Logo, O Butterfly of the Night. More likely an 0-12 reference, since the 0-12 sectorial could be the forthcoming non-aligned army Bostria mentioned.
That Blackjack sculpt is NOT ok. No one who uses their weapon for a living would put the muzzle in the dirt like that. That seriously needs to be redesigned.
Go read "Foucault's Pendulum" and then you can talk to me of conspiracy. Really, it is a very good book. I'd recommend it to anyone. You have things reversed. Do you think 0-12 is going to depend upon the kindness of Pan-O and Yu Jing? The Black Hand is nothing more than an organ for 0-12. Every political body wants a secret police force, and 0-12 is no exception. The Black Hand provides 0-12 with this functionality, and perfect plausible deniability too. After all, Russian Space Mafiosos working for the Space UN? Nobody would suspect it, right? I'm not sure how the Templars fit in, yet. But they fit in somehow. They always do. That secret AI project of theirs. Abulafia they call it.
That sounds like a deal with the Devil, very dangerous if discovered. I don't think the politicians of the O-12 would risk so much their position dealing with "Russian Space Mafiosos".
So when I base him with grass or dirt, the muzzle is on the ground. Bottom line, no one does this IRL.
The HMG is resting on a bipod. I think it looks fine. In fact, I like this one over the current model and it's comically massive sniper rifle
