This is part 2 of my recap Renegade Games virtual “convention” (RenegadeCon) and the new information they revealed about the next wave of armies and terrain (due to be released in the first half of 2027). If you’re a real detective, you may have figured out by now that March is G.I. Joe month. (“Go, Joe!”)

Want to read Part One? Use the link!

We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s get going!

MARCH 2027

G.I. Joe Is There: Mini Tank Armadillo

I was pretty positive about the G.I. Joe releases despite not really being exposed to the classic syndicated cartoon… so I’m glad to see more Joe-oriented figures on the way. More importantly, I’m excited to see more vehicles enter the battlefields of Valhalla.

• Mini Tank Armadillo
  • As if having a mini tank wasn’t cool enough, the designers/developers went a step further. Pilots for the tank are swappable – you can use the common hero pilot(s) to have multiple mini tanks in play – or use the unique Cover Girl hero to have a (yes, I thought about this before typing it) tank-ier tank to tank with.
  • The common version is a solid attack 3/defense 5 (3 life points) with a Cluster Cannon special attack. The Battle Ready power not only allows you to move an order marker to your tank – you can use it to “rescue” order markers off of destroyed cards!
  • Courtney “Cover Girl” Krieger still has the Cluster Cannon, but adds another life point plus G.I. Joe bonding and Armored Support (which acts like bonding when another friendly Joe figure uses Battle Ready.)
  • Both versions have Tank Movement which lets them ignore elevation changes of one hex when moving.

This set will be $35 for unpainted and $45 for pre-painted.

G.I. Joe Is There: H.I.S.S. Tank

Of course COBRA has a tank, too… with definite “we’re the baddies” design vibes.

• H.I.S.S. Tank
  • Just like the Mini Tank, pilots for the H.I.S.S. Tank are swappable – you can use the common hero pilot(s) to have multiple mini tanks in play – or use the unique Rip It hero to have a (yes, I’m doing this again) tank-ier tank to tank with.
  • The common COBRA tank has a Double Diablo gun that gets two attacks and can ignore engagement rules. And, yes, like the Mini Tank, it has Battle Ready and Tank Movement.
  • The Rip It unique hero version of the H.I.S.S. tank has a Rip Rush special power that lets him run roughshod over small, medium, and large figures.

This set will be $35 for unpainted and $45 for pre-painted.

G.I. Joe Is There: Mission Specialists

My son commented that the G.I. Joe figures/cards are INCREDIBLY synergistic – he’s not wrong… and this box of extra heroes for both Joe and COBRA keeps that trend going.

• Beachhead 
  • This Joe knows how to swim – so no stopping in water for him as he moves toward (or away from) the enemy. His Rigorous Training power adds an automatic skull to each attack and an automatic shield to each defense roll.
  • That’s important – since he’s got a measly attack of 1 and a defense of 1 – but he does have 4 life points and is incredibly easy to fit into an army at 30 draft points.
• Firefly
  • COBRA now has this heavily armored ninja with his four drone-deployed bombs and his Detonate special attack. He’s not a pushover as a figure even without his weaponry – he can avoid traps with his Defuse power and Phantom Walk across the board (like other ninja characters).
  • His 4 life points compliment his ranged combat (range 5 / attack 3) and movement speed (6).
• Flint
  • This arrogant Joe is worth fielding – but he doesn’t actually start on the battlefield. He glides in at the beginning of a round IF you make the roll (11 on a d20).
  • His range 6 / attack 3 stats are solid – as is his defense of 3 and 5 life points… but it’s his Tactical Acumen power that can help increase the defense of other Joes and Soldiers within 3 clear sight spaces if he has height advantage that makes him an excellent addition to your team.
• Gung Ho
  • This extremely buff Joe (who gives off “I used to be in the Village People but now I save the world from COBRA for a living” vibes) loves to be in a fight – he actually increase his attack & defense values by 1 for each figure he is engaged with. Combat Challenge means he’s going to be the one drawing the attack – making him a great protector of smaller/weaker figures. And his Expedition Leader power helps him and his buddies close by ignore terrain effects – well, except molten lava. (Hot Lava Death!)
  • He’s got a decent amount of life (5) to go with a medium defense (3), so he’s equipped to soak damage and look good doing it.
• Major Bludd
  • Bludd is not a sophisticated COBRA figure – he’s out for profit and the chance to use his Blaster special attack. That attack has no dice but does have two automatic skulls plus it explodes – and he can do that at range 5. The Joes (or other denizens of Valhalla) against him will have to be careful not to group together until they eliminate his threat.
  • Otherwise, his character stats are solid but unassuming – attack 3 and defense 3 with 5 life points.
  • He will be especially effective against squads and choke points in the map.
• Zartan
  • This COBRA secret agent uses his Destructive Force to reduce the defense value of adjacent figures – and when he takes one out, Prime Opportunity allows him to continue attacking.
  • His relatively weak defense stat (2) is mitigated by his Chameleon special power – opponents cannot target him with a normal attack.

This set will be $45 for unpainted and $65 for pre-painted.

The Toxic Wastelands of Valhalla

More terrain? More cool terrain that works really well with G.I. Joe and COBRA scenarios?  More cool terrain that GLOWS IN THE FREAKIN’ DARK?

Sign me up.

Not to mention that we get toxic water AND toxic rock outcroppings. And remember, kids, standing next to toxic outcroppings or on toxic terrain plays havoc with your defense value. (Unless, of course, you’re one of those characters who can choose to ignore terrain effects.)

This set will be $35.

Final Word (for now)

The pre-order promo for March is Storm Shadow – a very cool looking Joe ninja with a bow. I love the paint job and his Double Assault and Sneaky Shot abilities are highly useful.

Once again, thank you to Lee Houff and William Wellman for sharing all this great new information with us!

OK, that gets us through February and March releases. Part 3 with May releases and the Designer Roundtable will take a bit longer, as my wife & I are leaving for vacation in an hour or so. See you soon!