A wild Dave was recently spotted in Cardiff…
For the first time in years, Dave Lewis was let out of the TTCombat basement. For one day only we removed the manacles and unleashed Dave at Firestorm Games’ recent Dropfleet Commander event. Very kindly hosted in their event room, Weapons Free: Classification Unknown was organised by Gareth who has covered the event.
The following is written by Gareth.
Gareth here, reporting on last weekend’s Weapons Free: Classification Unknown at Firestorm Games, Cardiff! We had 46 players all duking it out on the table in a narrative-driven Dropfleet Commander experience.
Weapons Free: Classification Unknown – Event Recap
With three specially crafted missions awaiting them, players of all levels participated, from newcomers with little to no experience, to seasoned veterans of the Weapons Free series. Nearly 40% of the attendees were first-timers or had only a single game under their belts, marking an encouraging growth in our community! Familiar faces were also present, including our friends from ‘Bottom of the Barrel’ Battle Reports, the ‘Redditch Tabletop Gamers’, members of the ‘Firestorm Games’ staff team and we had a special guest appearance from Dave Lewis himself! He spent the day discussing the game’s narrative direction, exchanging opinions with fans, and showcasing his impressive Super Battleships and cute little tugboats!
Left to right, David Fitzgerald, Dave Blackemore, Dave Lewis, Norman Loder, and Gareth Stacey.
The community’s feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 96% of players expressing an exceptional experience and enthusiasm to attend future events, many of whom are already encouraging friends and new players to join the series. We could not be happier with how the day unfolded and are excited to share highlights from each mission, as well as some exciting news for the future of the Weapons Free series!
Mission 1 – Operation Limelight
The day kicked off with an intense first mission that saw players diving headfirst into a custom scenario. Players were challenged to fight over a single, double sized dropsite in the centre of the table. However, the mission demanded that one of the space stations casting an impenetrable shield over the site be knocked out before Ground Forces could be deployed. This mission did split the room a little, but overall received a good response.
Mission 2 – Autonomous Anomalies
The second mission raised the stakes with players competing over dropsites with blind features. Once troops had been deployed, the features on the ground were revealed. Some familiar, such as Orbital Defense Guns or Power Plants. Others, more unfamiliar… corrupt AI defenses and abandoned Bioficer Tech attacking friendly targets made for a tricky twist to this mission.
Mission 3 – Tomb Raider
Into the Breach The final mission brought a thrilling conclusion to the day, with fleets scouring space stations and floating starship wreckages in search of useful information or technology to use against the Bioficers. As players clashed in brutal contests over these dropsites, the moon’s gravity well threatened to betray them. Objectives potentially could become subject to Orbital Decay before they could be scored!
Dave Lewis, Super Battleships, and the Best Painted Award
One of the biggest highlights of the event was the presence of Dave Lewis, the mind behind Dropfleet Commander. Dave spent the day talking with players, discussing the game’s future, and showing off his Super Battleships. The crowd was eager to hear his thoughts on the narrative direction of the game and appreciated his insights on gameplay balance and mechanics. Dave also brought along some unique tugboats, adding a fun twist to the day and a glimpse into creative aspects of fleet building.
Additionally, Dave presented the award for Best Painted Miniature, which went to Ollie Smith for his stunning fleet that captured the spirit of Dropfleet Commander. The level of artistry and dedication in these miniatures made it a tough decision, and we’re excited to see what these talented players bring to future events.
Announcing the Next Chapter: Weapons Free – Reconquest!
Building on the success of Classification Unknown, we’re thrilled to announce the next event in the series!! Weapons Free: Reconquest! This upcoming campaign will be a map-based, galaxy-spanning narrative that allows players to shape the fate of the Cradle Worlds. Using recorded wins and losses from Classification Unknown as a baseline, we’ve crafted an initial occupation map that reflects the current power balance in the galaxy.
Players can participate by picking a faction, choosing a system, planet, or moon to target, and then battling for its control. Each week, participants will submit their results, and the galaxy’s borders will shift in response to their victories and defeats. It is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in an ongoing campaign, build narratives, and make your mark on the galaxy. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, Reconquest welcomes everyone to join in on the action.
The final Battle for Earth will then take place at Weapons Free: Reconquest! Which I can confirm will be held at Firestorm Games, Cardiff on 06/09/2025!! Finalised event packs and ticket links are in progress right now, but that is worthy of a ‘Save the Date’ in your diaries!
Feel free to start contributing to your chosen faction’s galactic dominance by scanning the QR code and submitting your game results! The map will be updated every few weeks to keep you all abreast of the developments. The ] best part about this… it is not limited to Dropfleet either! You can submit results for any Dropverse game system/event!
Conclusion
Weapons Free: Classification Unknown was an unforgettable event, filled with camaraderie, competitive spirit, and a love for Dropfleet Commander. The enthusiasm and positive feedback we received from the community only fuel our excitement for the future of the Weapons Free series. We look forward to seeing everyone at Weapons Free: Reconquest and continuing to grow this incredible community. Thank you to all who participated, and we can’t wait to see you again on the battlefield!
Stay tuned for updates on more Weapons Free events in the coming year, and don’t forget to share your experiences, battle reports, and painted fleets. Until then, command the skies and prepare for the Reconquest!
Admiral Stacey, out.