Columbia Battlefleet Set

For the vessels of the Union fleet, their faithful service during the civil war underscored the necessity for modernization and expansion. These steps were essential for the nation to realize its Manifest Destiny as the paramount Great Power of the Dystopian Age. Emerging designs increasingly assumed frontline roles, with notable classes such as the Constitution, Yorktown, and Farragut taking precedence.

The Columbia class stood as the most formidable vessels shared by both Union and Confederate navies during the Ore War. Each side maintained a dozen of these vessels during the conflict, thanks to their robust design, which often allowed severely damaged ships to return to service. On occasion, Columbia-class ships would find themselves back in battle, this time under the banner of the opposing navy. Following the sinking of the CSS Merrimack by the USS Monitor in the civil war's closing stages, the former was repaired and recommissioned as the Union vessel USS Virginia. Like all Columbia-class ships, it was reclassified as a Heavy Battleship post-war.

Contrary to the predictions of Union analysts, the Confederate navy did not descend into despair or disrepair. Instead, Admiral Buchanan assumed a role on the Latin Alliance council and committed her formidable fleet and seasoned crews to the service of the Socialist Unity of South America (SUSA). Surprisingly, the Confederates discovered common ground with their new compatriots due to their shared refusal to yield to Union aggression. The fleet underwent modernization, incorporating the finest engineering and weaponry available within the Alliance. In the years following the Ore War, the vessels, while outwardly resembling their Union counterparts, underwent distinctive overhauls in their internal systems and armaments to align with their new allegiance.

While SUSA may lack many of the engineering marvels commonplace in the north, the Union's enduring martial posture since the war's end prompted a steady stream of disenchanted or disaffected military personnel and their families to seek refuge in the south. Here, they found former comrades proudly defending the seas of the South-Western Atlantic, infusing the crews with fresh blood and innovative ideas. It is no surprise that within a year of the Providence and Sumter class refits in the Union, similarly upgraded vessels were in active service in SUSA. Even the Mark II Talon autogyros from the Ore War gradually gave way to locally manufactured variants, equal in capability to the Mark VI currently employed by the Union.

Contained within this box are the following components:

• 1x Columbia Heavy Battleship (alternative builds: USS Virginia or Monitor Class)
• 2x Ore War Cruisers (each cruiser can alternatively be built as Gettysburg, Providence, Saratoga, or Sumter Class)
• 4x Springfield Corvette
• 4x Escorts
• 2x Talon Tokens

Please be advised that these miniatures are supplied unpainted and will necessitate some assembly. Unit Cards are not included but can be accessed on the Dystopian Wars website to enhance your gaming experience.