Khepri's Eternal Legion

Battle Report: 3rd Annual Inner Circle High Stakes Jamboree

2012-02-13T12:00:00.002-05:00

A week after my wedding I was given the nod by my new wife (I guess I did a good enough job to warrant a day pass).

The Details!!!
2000 point 3 round tournament, random missions and game length. No painting but WYSIWYG
$25 Gate Fee, includes lunch (surprisingly good in the past!)
Each win gets you $10 in store credit, additional prized for Most VP killed and Least VP given up.

The Prep:

Breaking from my 1850 list I normally field, I chatted with Brandon about ideas about what to do with the extra 150 points. Being very underwhelmed by a Librarian on Bike (too expensive and weak psychic powers) Dropping the Typhoon I gained another 90 points and decided to add 9 scout bikers with a power fist… So pulling from the junkyard of broken toys I stayed up late and repaired and based 9 “scout” bikers…

I promptly forgot them that morning…

Recovering from my post wedding slightly brain-dead state I pulled from my backup lists and trying something I had been considering for a while, SCOUT BOMB!

2000 Pts - Codex: Space Marines Roster - Dameon Green - Amun's Relentless Legion
HQ: Kor'sarro Khan (1#, 205 pts)
1 Kor'sarro Khan, 160 pts
1 Moondrakkan, 45 pts
Troops: Space Marine Bike Squad (9#, 310 pts)
7 Space Marine Bike Squad, 195 pts = 7 * 25 (base cost 25) + Meltagun x2 20
1 Attack Bike, 50 pts = (base cost 40) + Multi-melta 10
1 Sergeant, 65 pts = (base cost 40) + Power Fist 25
Troops: Space Marine Bike Squad (9#, 300 pts)
7 Space Marine Bike Squad, 195 pts = 7 * 25 (base cost 25) + Meltagun x2 20
1 Attack Bike, 50 pts = (base cost 40) + Multi-melta 10
1 Sergeant, 55 pts = (base cost 40) + Power Weapon 15
Troops: Scout Squad (5#, 95 pts)
4 Scout Squad, 65 pts = 4 * 13 (base cost 13) + Sergeant 43
1 Sergeant, 30 pts = (base cost 10 + Melta Bombs 5) + Power Weapon x1 15
Troops: Scout Squad (5#, 95 pts)
4 Scout Squad, 65 pts = 4 * 13 (base cost 13) + Sergeant 43
1 Sergeant, 30 pts = (base cost 10 + Melta Bombs 5) + Power Weapon x1 15
Troops: Scout Squad (5#, 95 pts)
4 Scout Squad, 65 pts = 4 * 13 (base cost 13) + Sergeant 43
1 Sergeant, 30 pts = (base cost 10 + Melta Bombs 5) + Power Weapon x1 15
Troops: Scout Squad (5#, 75 pts)
4 Scout Squad, 65 pts = 4 * 13 (base cost 13) + Sergeant 23
1 Sergeant, 10 pts
Fast Attack: Land Speeder Storm (1#, 50 pts)
1 Land Speeder Storm, 50 pts
1 Land Speeder Storm, 50 pts
1 Land Speeder Storm, 50 pts
Heavy Support: Thunderfire Cannon (2#, 200 pts)
1 Thunderfire Cannon, 100 pts
1 Thunderfire Cannon, 100 pts
1 Thunderfire Cannon, 100 pts
Elite: Dreadnought (1#, 125 pts)
1 Dreadnought, 125 pts = (base cost 105 + Twin-Linked Autocannon 10 + Twin-Linked Autocannon 10)
1 Dreadnought, 125 pts = (base cost 105 + Twin-Linked Autocannon 10 + Twin-Linked Autocannon 10)
1 Dreadnought, 125 pts = (base cost 105 + Twin-Linked Autocannon 10 + Twin-Linked Autocannon 10)

Round 1 vs Eldar (Kevin Kagen)

Deployment – Pitched Battle

Mission – Seize Ground (3 Objectives)

His List:
Farseer on jetbike
x5 Warlocks on Bike (x3 Destructor, x1 Embolden, x1 Enhance) w/ Autarch
x5 Firedragons w/ WaveSerpent
x5 Firedragons w/ WaveSerpent
x6 Guardian jetbike Squadron
x5 Dire Avengers
x5 Dire Avengers
x2 Vypers (Squadron, SL, SC)
x2 Vypers (Squadron, SL, SC)
Falcon (ML, SC, PL)
Falcon (ML, SC, PL)
x3 War Walker (Squadron, SL, SC)

I got first turn and took it, which I find dicey in objective games. I deployed all three storms 18 inches apart along the line of scrimmage, outflanked both bike squads. He deployed both Falcons with DA inside, and reserved everything else. He declined to seize the initiative.

First turn charges on Falcons from the scouts controlled the incoming fire from them and the bikes came in perfectly timed to counter his reserves. My TFC’s helped slow down his Jetbikes. In the end the he conceded on turn 7. Excellent back and forth game.

Round 2 vs Grey Knights (Andrew Gonyo) Read this one!

Deployment – DoW

Mission – Capture and Control

His List:
Coteaz
Grandmaster (Daemon Hammer, Incinerator, Rad & Psychotroke, x3 Servo Skulls)
x5 GK Strike Squad (inside LR)
x2 Henchmen Warbands (x5 DCA, x5 Crusader) (Inside SR)
x10 Purifiers (x2 DH, x2 Incinerator, x2 Psycannons
Rhino, Dozer, Searchlight.
Stormraven (TL MM, TL LC, Searchlight)
Stormraven (TL MM, TL LC, Searchlight)
Landraider Godhammer (Lascannons, Psybolt, MM)
Dreadnought, TL Autocannon, Psybolt
Dreadnought, TL Autocannon, Psybolt

I again got first turn, he failed to seize. I deployed one bikesquad inside center board ruins I fortified giving him a target (BAIT!!) and also giving me good positioning for attempting to take out the LR and other big threats as they come on. I walked my Dreadnoughts and TFC’s and outflanked the rest.

This was a nail biter of a Round way to complicated to go into detail. The short version is he brought his Dreadnoughts on split up and sheltered from mine, but as a result I was able to bring down one with scouts in CC turn two and bring down one stormraven via focused fire(Note about this deeper in). TFC difficult terrain ammo AGAIN paid off, as the Landraider was immobilized turn 3 locking him in his deployment zone, too far from his objective to control / contest.

This Exceptional game that was bogged down by a ruling delay which meant we only got to turn 5. He was 4 Models from being tabled (x2 Knights from the Strike Squad, Grandmaster with one wound left, and a Dreadnought) so had I had one more turn…. Regardless of model count I held my objective and contested his with a Turbo-Boosted Storm with scouts inside….

RULES QUESTION! When a stormraven (or Valkyrie) explodes what is the size of the crater? The 120mm oval of the base, the “hull” of the fast skimmer or the whole template of the model(including wings) and where can the passengers shelter in the resulting crater?

SHOW YOU WORK!

Round 3 vs Grey Knights (Tyler)

Deployment – Spearhead

Mission – KP!

His List:
Coteaz
x5 Inquisitorial Henchmen Warband x6 w/ Razorback TL Assault Cannons w/ Psybolt
x1 Inquisitorial Henchmen Warband x5 Crusader, x6 DCA
x3 Venerable Dreadnoughts (TL Autocannons, Psybolt Ammo)
x3 Dreadnoughts (TL Autocannons, Psybolt Ammo)
Stormraven (TL Assault Cannons, TL Multi-Melta)

First turn to Tyler, which believe it or not I was grateful for. This is a brutal list and the temptation of deploying would be hard to resist if I did win the roll off.

He deployed in the center and moved his units around the first two turns to maximize the positioning. His stomraven was held near table center in his deployment zone…

The Bad: I came on as fragmented as possible, turn 2 I got 1 dread, 1 bike squad, 1 TFC and 1 LS Storm, same turns 3 and 4 (seriously one of each choice per turn)
The Good: I used the terrain to shelter everything as it came on. My Dreadnought could target one Razorback (which I wrecked) and could not take return fire. Khan and his squad broke into combat squads. MM, Meltas and Power weapon taking down another dreadnought and Khan and 5 normal bikers charging a 3rd dreadnought to keep it from shooting.

I baited his stormraven forward to kill Khan and was able to surround it on my following turn. With no good luck in my phase I could only taken both weapons off and stun it however he periled his attempt remove the shaken, stunned himself he ended up locked there. I wrecked his stormraven in his close combat phase and the whole game changed from that point on. From turns 4 onward I was able to destroy everything left on the table suffering minimal losses. Because I was coming from every side I was able to get rear armor shots on all of his vehicles with some creative movements and wreck 3+ vehicles a turn. He was tabled by turn 6.

The Results!

I was 3-0-0 at the end of the day, but was just a couple hundred VP’s from taking the top spot and netting the BIG win. Bikes Squads are expensive, and almost always suffer 50%+ losses in game resulting in points hemorrhaging.

Congrats to Eric (who sold out and brought NECRONS, you bandwaggoner!!!) who won one of the two big cash prizes.

Afterthoughts…..

I am counting this Saturday as a Big "W" because of the 3-0 record and the hard fought Grey Knight games.
That brings up my next point. I have remained lossless to GreyKnights in the tournament scene… I bring this up to encourage those loyal White Scar’s fans out there. The new GK Codex is powerful, with almost endless quality builds but with good tactics, a little bit of luck and a clear head they are very beatable!

I know its poor excuse but it’s true…

2012-01-30T12:57:00.000-05:00

I know its poor excuse but it’s true…

Totally not related to the hobby, and everyone runs behind in projects.

Hell I have seen many a thread about how no one wants to hear the excuses as to why but damn mine’s good..

I’m getting married this week…

4 days till the courthouse and 5 days until the reception…

I have to say, for the record, the amount of crap involved with getting married is insane!

So pardon my sporadic posts, occasional wonderings and unfinished projects! Between this and the 2 other “side” businesses I have cooking I have been busier then I would prefer this year.

Well at least one big time sink should be off the books in the next week.

The Adeptus Mechanicus Project

2012-01-07T23:32:00.000-05:00

The Skitarii Warrior..P

WIP Part 1

Starting with a basic paint scheme I started to play around with the “Prototype” Admech warrior.. I only call him a prototype, considering I have 40+ fully assembled and another 70 staged, because as I mentioned before this is the model I plan to use to test the paint pallet on.

I did end up taking some of the provided advice, trimming off "most" mold lines etc..

Basic black basecoat, using Dupl-Color Black Sandable Primer

Mud Brown Zenithal Highlight (trying)

Shinning Gold, which I washed with a brown Ink.

"Power Plant"

After taking the photos I noticed a couple places to touch up (Macro photos are great for catching mistakes!)

Mid way through the detail work, highlights etc.

Feedback VERY welcome, as always.

Thoughts on color combo's? Image of 150 of them acrossed the table from you..

Base color? Planning to use the Admech Ruins bases I posted a couple weeks ago..

The Adeptus Mechanicus Project

2012-01-03T00:01:00.006-05:00

The Skitarii Warrior..

I have been saving bits, bobs, drawing sketches and planning this out for the whole 3 years I have been in the hobby. The insanity includes collecting over 200 servo-skulls from every line (25mm, battlefleet gothic, forge world and even the inquisitorial scale); 155+ “power plants” and practically thousands of bits to make this happen.

The standard trooper will be a universal non-power armored solider, based on skitarii and inspired by the gorgeous artwork Games Workshop has given us.. The goal is STC repeatable model that stand out from the crowd and fits in with my love of Egyptian themed art. This was the 5 minute proof of concept I used as a basis so don’t judge too harshly.

From this spawned the weapon conversions that I had cast up 180+ times (personal use only)

One hundred and ten models are in the middle of the phase of conversion and construction, and this model will be the paint test model to pick a scheme..

This will be my "Swiss Army Knife” which I have hopes of being one of the ultimate “Counts As” armies in the tournament circuits ….

I am excited to post WIP photos as I work through the bugs and complete the first several…

In the meantime I plan to post detailed photos of my Egyptian based Thousand Sons bikers

Woot!! Voted for top list of 2011 by interwebs celeb..

2011-12-27T10:27:00.001-05:00

Shameless self promotion, but is there any other kind?

Post on Blood of Kittens by TastyTaste, I was nominated one of the top five army lists of 2011, then reposted by my friends at White Scars I finally found out yesterday when my friend Andrew dropped me a PM..

Shameless Self promotion over, back to drinking eggnog.. Happy Holidays everyone

New Round of Bases.... AdMech Factory Ruins

2011-12-23T21:47:00.002-05:00

Adeptus Mechanicus Bases!!

Sorry for the delay in posts, I won’t bore you with all the “fun” things I have keeping me busy at the moment but I am hoping to make a couple big announcements in the next several weeks..

Bases are WIP pre-cast. I did a nice sloppy wash to bring up some of the details due to the white on white plasticard work.

25mm's

40mm's

Bikes's

60mm's

I am really happy with the 60mm and the 40mm bases, “like” the bike’s and am as happy with the 25mm’s as I can be… The small size and making them generic enough to fit any type of standard foot on them is pretty restrictive.

The 120mm Ovals are coming in the next two weeks, I ran out both the base size and time for this production run.

As always feedback welcome!

Painted Egyptian Bases Part 2, 40mm Bases...AND Made it on FTW Main Page!!!!

2011-12-11T21:32:00.003-05:00

Because I am SUPER GEEKED about it will start with FTW!

From The Warp

Now on to the bases!!!

Shockingly we sold out of the first run and I had to ship out the demo bases verus painting them up. This is from the third run, and I finally found the time to paint them up.

And of course the shameless plugging of product..

Bases (Multiple) Listings

-Woot!!- made it up on Mini War Gaming again...

2011-11-29T22:37:00.001-05:00

Little bit more directly this time!

http://www.miniwargaming.com/content/matts-necrons-3000-points-painted

About half way through he does 2 minutes on my baseline..

Painting up the x11 40mm bases now for the website.. Then thinking of raffling or auctioning the painted ones off...

Painted Egyptian Bases...

2011-11-23T21:34:00.000-05:00

A quick post, just finished some samples of the first wave of casts.

First our bases made it on MiniWarGaming on into Matt's Necrons!! Check the video around minute 2:30... Additionally you can see the "peach" colored disks in the background of his table.. Also mine!

60mm Bases

Bikes

120mm Bases

And of course the shameless plugging of product..

Base (Single) Listings

Bases (Multiple) Listings

Mechanicon (part 2 of 2 part recap)

2011-11-16T12:00:00.008-05:00

To start I had a couple great conversations with both the Mechanicon staff and Chris (Mastermolder) about expensive tournaments… Mechanicon is one of the more expensive ($125 ticket price) 40k GT’s on the East Coast which has turned a lot of people off and I have heard there has been drama on the Interweb about the price and where the money goes. One thing people forget is unless it’s in a gamestore a huge chunk of the gatefee goes to paying for the Hotel. Ballrooms are not free, often costing thousands of dollars. Additionally Tony’s crew has some of the best tables around. Professionally built 4’x8’s, high end terrain, which adds up quickly.

With Friday’s excellent practice games, solid performance and win in the can I was feeling very confident… What the old proverb? Don’t count your chickens.. Without oversharing I started the day with what I thought was case of food poisoning, which then developed into the flu…

Round 1 vs Chaos Space Marines (Mike Belczyk)

Deployment – Pitched battle

Mission – Kill All Troops

Secondary – KP

Tertiary- Defend Deployment Zone

Before you pre-judge it was a VERY Close game, Mike is a great opponent who is a master with his CSM’s. Double Bike Last, x3 Oblits (3) and Khorne happiness. First couple rounds were solidly in his favor and his Obliterators were failing ONE in THIRTEEN saves (holy cow!)! In the last two turns I managed to kill the last of his Berserkers, shelter my remaining troops. Major Victory.

Round 2 vs Space Marines (Justin)

Deployment - Spearhead (Turn 1 Night fight)

Mission – Modified VP (Double for units killed totally)

Secondary – Kill HQ

Bonus Points (None)

Foot List with Rivers (They count as difficult at Mechanicon) I sheltered in a corner, outflanked with the bikes. Solid but fairly standard game, with Max points gained.

Round 3 vs Orks (Colin Jones)

Deployment – Pitched Battle

Mission - Double each scoring unit in Enemy deployment.

Secondary - KP

Tertiary – Kill Fast Attack

Colin was a great guy and ran a solid foot Ork list. Table had lots of LOS blocking terrain, rivers on the board again. This should have been a simple win, not to be over confident but 3 Thunder Fire Cannons. Two Big rulings made this complicated….

One- Blast templates had to be CENTERED on models, which made it impossible to hit more than one model if they are atleast 1.25 inches away. This meant I was getting an average of 6 per TFC instead of 12 – 16 (including 2 drifts etc etc).

Two – Non-IC’s could strike IC’s they are not in base contact with while based with a different target. Clarified, a Powerclaw based with Bikesquad A could strike Khan attached to Bikesquad B with in 2” but not based with the Noob with the claw.

I think I was viewed as confrontational by Colin when I requested rulings by the line judge, but both of these are different than what is commonly played with (or in the FAQ). I just like playing by the rules.

I squeaked out a minor victory, which was a moral massacre considering the uphill game, foot Orks with buried Powerclaws are a solid counter for bikes when templates cannot be used for full effect and THEY control movement.

Round 4 vs Sisters of Battle (Blood Angels played by Simon Leen)

Deployment – Pitched battle

Mission – Objectives.

Secondary – VP

Tertiary- Destroy all heavy Support

This was my third game Vs Simon on the tournament circuit, but the first time I have seen him not run his Sisters (ok, he was still playing with them, just count as BA). I was VERY rough Sunday morning . Simon’s list was a exceptional balance of Jump Assault troops and Missile Devastators . I killed more of my own bikes to dangerous terrain test then Simon did with shooting (6 failed tests, 5 bikes lost). Close until turn 5 when we called it with 5 minutes left. Draw, in fact ALL OF THE TOP TABLES DREW… See the end for more details.

Round 5 vs Grey Knights (Lewis S.)

Deployment – Spearhead

Mission - Capture and Control

Secondary – Destroy All Elites.

Tertiary – NA

High pressure game due to standings on the line. Standard Crow list, nothing special. First the opponent was hot and cold. He was friendly and understand when models fell or measurements were in question (until the end), but the whole game he was making snide comments but denied making them when confronted with his conduct (witnessed). Three issues decided the game..

One – A combat squaded attack bike was with in 12” of a razorback, hit penetrated and exploded a razorback. He rechecked the measurement and it was now just out of 12”. The terrain had gotten bumped a couple times. Rather than press the issue I just rerolled. Second time around was a glance, then a 6 (wreck) which he argued was a 4 (weapon destroyed). This was Witnessed by a Third party but I had picked up the dice to start rolling for the next set of melta shots at the second transport so didn’t have a leg to stand on. Lesson learned.
Two – Crowe. .. After the above round of shooting Crowe charged into combat with a bike squad. I knew he was out, was sure due to measurements during shooting. Changed the flow of the bike squads movement, little but made a big impact. Forced me to Hit & Run back away from where I needed to be.

Three – Objective… Per the printout the control range was measured from the CENTER of the objective. A point missed in earlier round and made contesting the objective hard as hell. Had the game ended on Turns 5 or 6 I would have pulled out a victory. I staged combat squad to turbo boost onto his objective to contest and turn 7’s could not close due to reduced control range.

Game was a Draw (again all top tables drew) as I could not kill his last Dreadnought. Had I realized the control range issue earlier I would have played the last 2 turns to try and remove it.

Closing thoughts…

Ok before I go on, I enjoyed the event tremendously. I am seriously considering going back next year. Staff was friendly, location was perfect, onsite food was cheap and amazing. I got 4th overall which surprised the top guys who assumed I clinched the top spot with the appearance scoring. No sour grapes.

But…

The missions..

Were very difficult to work with. When all of the top 6 tables have identical scores in 2 games there is a problem. When almost everyone who did not table their opponent, drew in the above mentioned rounds that proves the flaw in my mind. I witnessed a couple games get “heated” in the friendly tourney because of the lack of clarity and challenges of the missions.

Rules..

Issues came up a couple times, without officially used FAQ’s besides GW’s there were a lot of blanks. Being a “friendly” event I felt like an ass every time I disagreed with an interpretation and could not used the INAT FAQ or different source as a reference point. Even when using the core rulebooks example pictures I was ruled against.

Scoring…

The pub quiz was amusing but problematic for the points it gives. Next time I need to study!

The paint scores was surprising. I got one of the top 3 paint scores so not complaining about how I did, several of us were confused when reviewing the posted score sheet. As an example a few of the “weekend” armies scored close to or as high as fully converted and exceptionally painted ones.

Post Mechanicon Part 1 of 2

2011-11-14T13:00:00.004-05:00

A huge group of the Beltway Gamers decided to take the leap and head up to Mechanicon for the Warmachine events, and jonesing like a junky for a fix I signed up for the 40K GT event.

A few weeks passed and I realized days before the Mechanicon weekend I had not played a single game since The Battle for Blobs park!! With a busy work schedule and a couple personal projects keeping me busy I checked the rooster of scheduled events and found the Friday Night Fights Imperial Armour event, for $15 dollars I could get 3 games in, some great practice, and maybe win a Forge World event with my standard bike list…

Going to keep the Battle Reports short and sweet this time around…

Round 1 vs Space Wolves (Ted Nagel)Deployment - Spearhead

Mission - Table Quarters

Secondary - VP

Bonus Points for all Elites alive (150)

My Space Marine Bike list vs Space Wolves Thunder Puppies + Bikers. Fun but unfair game, Ted was a great opponent but was limited by the mission terribly. I was able to control his movement with the TFC’s and won the day when his TWC unit ran off the board right after coming on from reserves.

Round 2 vs Space Marines / Vulkan (Lost name)Deployment - Pitched Battle

Mission - Kill All HQ& Troops (no points for any alive…)

Secondary - VP

Bonus Points (None)

Hybrid Foot / Droppod list. Got given first turn so castled in a corner using storms for cover and bubble. This surprised my opponent and put him on the defensive. Turn 5 ended with Vulkan alive (1 wound) and one tactical squad member on the table, I had lost 5 models.. Mission ended as a draw… WTF?

Round 3 vs Tau (Paul, lost lastname)Deployment – Pitched Battle (Night fight turn 1)

Mission - Double VP for all units fully wiped, normally otherwise.

Secondary - (None)

Bonus All troops left alive (150)

Modified Crisis Suit Spam list. Took first turn, spread out over the board. Forced him to limited movement or risk dangerous terrain tests with the crisis suits. Alpha strike from Scouts escorted Broadsides off the board, killed his Crisis Suit Commander turn two and the following rounds took down a hammer head before finally being killed. Scouts were MVP’s by far. Solid victory.

Ended with Solid performance from bikes, 3 great practice games. Took Best overall and Best Sportsmen

First wave of Egyptian Bases are in!!!

2011-11-11T12:57:00.001-05:00

Guys and Gals,

The first wave of bases are in! They look amazing (I am slightly biased of course)! I actually pre-sold enough of the 40mm bases that I only had 3 of the 11 styles left for photos (Terrible problem ‘eh?) but another waves of them are already in the mail to me.

My partner Jeff sent out a set of the first run to Matt at MiniWar Gaming and there is a rumor floating about that they are going to be using them for the in-house Necron army and we might get featured on their website!

Painted photos up this weekend for these guys.

And of course links to the auctions!
Base (Single) Listings

Bases (Multiple) Listings

Objective Markers!

2011-10-25T19:49:00.000-04:00

Following complaints about my old objective markers (read 8” tall obelisk), and their weight I figured it was time to make some objective markers.

Trying to add some more color to both the Game Table and my display boards I tried to tie them in as much as possible with the overall artist flow of the rest of my army..

Feedback welcome, a few of the photo’s ended up with some weird color balance..

Thanks for looking!

Bases, new take an old idea part II

2011-10-16T22:54:00.000-04:00

With allot of feedback, a couple sales, bunches of questions and several feelers for the other bases for use with Necrons I rushed to finish the rest of the bases.

Keep in mind these are the WIP pictures, pre-prime and pre-cast. They don’t look like much but I am sending them out tomorrow for production and cannot wait to get them back, paint a few and put up the finished product.!

Bike Bases First of Course (working on 5 more)

40mm Rounds (11 Total)

60mm Bases (4 Styles, I had a ton of fun!)

And Finally 120mm Oval.. Great for Monsters and Flyers

I have several requests for Industrial and Ruins, working on those lines next! Additionally if you like making bases, want to make a couple hundred quickly and want to be immortalized in “resin” drop me a line!

Mention WhiteScars and get 15% off!

Last but not least here are links to the Pre-Order auctions on my eBay store..

Base (Single) Listings

Bases (Multiple) Listings

Bases, new take an old idea crowding and in on already saturated market

2011-10-09T21:14:00.002-04:00

I few months back I mentioned to some of the White Scar's guys I was looking to start a small side business (I have two currently plus my full time job... Not saying I have a a problem but...) and finally allot of the kinks are worked out!

We are using a different material that is cheaper, non-toxic, does not require mold release. It can be drilled and altered. Additionally is it much heavier then resin bases giving the figures a good amount of heft.

We have a first run of Egyptian 25mm rounds done. These were a bit of a rush job as I needed them cast and returned in multiples but I made up 20 different bases for the new Scouts (posts soon) the were featured for the first time at Blobs Park.

40mm, 60mm and bike bases currently WIP.

They were painted using the same basic paint scheme as found here

The bases unpainted..

And with ONE K&J magnetics 1/8"x1/16" inch magnet in the base..

Feedback and suggested lines are VERY welcome..

If interest the first batch are for sale now..

One of the Best Hobby tools you never owned...

2011-10-03T00:42:00.001-04:00

6" Digital Fractions Caliper

6" Digital Caliper with Metric and SAE Fractional Readings

Why?

Well if you can't do conversions in your head quickly you will still know right away what drill bit is needed for pinning the model, making a kustom combi-melta, and better yet confirming all those other measurements around the house...

How?

My favorite cheap tool store, Harbor Freight has a fairly good (for the price) model on sale for 50% off this past week, and if you have the 20% off coupons found in many men's magazines you can stack..$12.99 before the second discount

The Road to Blobs Park…

2011-08-15T21:21:00.000-04:00

As I cannot make the Nova Open this year (In Hawaii for a wedding, terrible I know) I am prepping for the next Major tourney in the Area, The Battle at Blobs Park.

It’s an outdoor tournament in September, well run by some of the local ‘Ard Core gamers in the area, it’s in a German Beer Garden!! Additionally I took first last year and I figured it would be fun to try and retain the title.

I am working on Modifying my current 1850 Bike list to fit with the 2000 point value, without doing any major list overhauls as I am a slow painter.

I figured I would repost my 1850 list and take some suggestions as to what to add.

The temptation is to add a Libby on bike, but...

Total Roster Cost: 1850

1 Kor'sarro Khan, 160 pts (1#, 205 pts)

1 Moondrakkan, 45 pts

7 Space Marine Bike Squad, 195 pts = 7 * 25 (base cost 25) + Meltagun x2 20 (9#, 310 pts)

1 Attack Bike, 50 pts = (base cost 40) + Multi-Melta 10

1 Sergeant, 65 pts = (base cost 40) + Power Fist 25

7 Space Marine Bike Squad, 195 pts = 7 * 25 (base cost 25) + Meltagun x2 20 (9#, 310 pts)

1 Attack Bike, 50 pts = (base cost 40) + Multi-Melta 10

1 Sergeant, 65 pts = (base cost 40) + Power Fist 25

4 Scout Squad, 65 pts = 4 * 13 (base cost 13) + Sergeant 28 (5#, 80 pts)

1 Sergeant, 15 pts = (base cost 10 + Melta Bombs 5)

4 Scout Squad, 65 pts = 4 * 13 (base cost 13) + Sergeant 28 (5#, 80 pts)

1 Sergeant, 15 pts = (base cost 10 + Melta Bombs 5)

1 Dreadnought, 125 pts = (105 + Twin Linked Autocannon 10 + Twin Linked Autocannon 10)

1 Thunderfire Cannon, 100 pts

1 Land Speeder Storm, 50 pts

1 Land Speeder Squadron, 90 pts = (base cost 50) + Typhoon Missile Launcher x1 40

As always feedback welcome!

The Warstore; Why buying online can be the right choice…

2011-08-01T22:50:00.000-04:00

For all the posts complaining about Games Workshop’s price increases, rules we hate, tourneys that go wrong we infrequently take the time to say thank you when something goes right…

This is a long overdue thank you to Joe Latham, and The Warstore.

First let me start with a few important points;

1)Almost every post (including my Finecast rant) focuses on the negative, I figured a positive review would be a nice change of pace.

2) I am no way getting sponsorship from the retailer, The Warstore.

3) Supporting your local FLGS is key, without them we would all be playing in our basements.

Recently I won a good amount of “Warstore Credit” at The Colonial, a GT Qualifier Tournament in NJ. Awesome right? Small problem, I missed the announcement it needed to be used the booth they had in the WHFB / Dealers room while my friend Marc added color commentary to the awards ceremony! Two months later I emailed Joe oblivious to the expiration, asking how to place an order. Rather than tell me I was S**t out of luck, which would not have surprised me, I instead got a nice personalized reply detailing how to still use the credit, and within days I had all of the nice pretty toys I was dreaming of in my hands!

Now if this was the first time I had a good experience with a retailer, regardless of how great, I would be a lot less likely to take the time to say thanks in such a public fashion. This was the THIRD time in less than that many years. The first time with a misspack on a bits order, I got to keep the mistaken shipment and they mailed me out a replacement. The second time last Christmas I ordered some of their Fuzz Box Econo Trays as a gift for a friend. I received the wrong item, and they worked with me going above and beyond to make it perfect and then finally The Colonial gift certificates.

Now again I say it’s important to buy at your local game store, but sometimes they don’t carry everything a large online gaming Mecca like the The Warstore has. Before going to eBay consider looking here.

Winning without being a Douche

2011-07-25T22:59:00.000-04:00

From the Whitescars Blog

Winning a game should be simple; Outplay, out think, out roll and win the game right?

Finishing a game cleanly without making an enemy can be tricky especially when you’re on the top tables in the final couple games. Balancing the need to take all the objectives, kill that last model and not crushing the soul of your opponent can be tricky.

With this in mind some of people at the higher end of the circuit will claim the mood of the other player means little, if not nothing. They directly/indirectly encourages bulling and more and more often tournament games seen to be more about a cult of personality and less about clean games .

Having personally learned the hard way, I have to disagree. Winning at all costs can and does have long term consequences. You have to choose for yourself if it’s worth it.

Some thoughts.

-Club level games are just that, keep in mind you’re playing with people you’re going to see again, play often. Payback sucks.

-Even if it’s a potentially a game deciding dice roll, avoid chanting for a bad outcome, especially if your destroying him…

-A rule that can decide the game, especially if you’re aiming for an obscure interpretation, it best to check with a TO beforehand. Fighting over rules burns bridges.

-If your opponent is clearly crushed, has gone quiet and sullen consider offering to “call the game” here. Few people will ask to end it early, but many will take the Olive Branch if it’s extended.

-Share the wealth..... Buy a beer for the guy you just crushed (lunch works too, but is a lot less fun). Consider using some of the store credit to get something for the kid your destroyed.

Feedback as always welcome!

Loosing the Game, how to make friends (or not..) and influence people.

2011-07-19T19:51:00.000-04:00

Loosing gracefully, Harder than you think..

A great game with allot of excellent back and forth high paced action is always a pleasure, and few will begrudge a loss when faced with excellent opponent who truly challenges them, but the one sided blowout is a bitter pill to swallow.

This has come up personally a couple times, and to be honest is something allot of us struggle with, especially when competing on the tournament circuit.

Now I am not suggesting you concede a game, especially if it’s game 5 on table 1, but there is a difference between finishing with grace and turning it into a grudge match!

A personal example comes to mind recently, practicing for a 1500 point tournament I was facing off Vs a good friend of mine, Dave "B". Starting the match with a flawless record against him I approached the game with a fair amount of confidence I would win, but three turns in, 7 out of 9 failed dangerous terrain tests and having failed to kill a single oncoming transport I was getting salty. I know I had lost the game, and before I lost my cool (I think) I called it then and there. Now in practice this for casual play or competitive, it lets you keep friends, get an extra game in, and sometimes learn something.

When faced with an inevitable loss there are several ways to approach it, but it’s important to keep a clear head. If you need to take a 5 minutes break (as long as it’s not the last 5) do it. If you need a coke get it. Don’t let your opponent rush you, push you, or brow beat you. Once you’re seen to be off balance many “hard” core players will try force either a concession or to play on and hope you start to make mistakes.. Stay strong.

The Good:

-Play it out, Dead pan: Finish the game doing exactly what you would normally do to try and win. Sometimes the Dicegods favor the vigilant. Turn a loss into a draw, and even rarely a win.

-Play it out, Laughing man: Laughter is the best medicine. Especially when your loosing due to RNG and not tactical mistakes. As long as it’s not the bitter laughter of the dyeing your opponent will join in. You might end up with a couple free beers post match.

-Play it out, Suicide rush/Laughing Man: Sometimes reckless abandon pays off. Channel the inner Ork and do it with a smile and a laugh and the guy across from you will join in.

-Concede, Turn 6: You’re not contesting any objectives and 8 KP behind, accept the loss. Playing out when it makes no difference often earns no friends.

-Concede, Turn 1: You’ve lost 3 pods off the board with 1’s rolled on the mishap, you’re on the table assets are routed, and your foe is unscathed consider it. Almost every major tourney I hear about a table where the record is recorded, they reset and play a second game for *gasp* fun. It’s an option.

The Bad:

-Play it out, Slow Hammer: Really?

-Play it out, Bitter man: I have faced winners and losers doing both. SVDM I had an opponent win and still be one of the bitters players I have seen. It’s not worth it. Walk away, take a breath.
-Play it out, Suicide rush/Bitter Man: Is there a chance to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat? Maybe, but unless you’re doing it with a smile on your face you’re wasting your time and his.

-Concede Tantrum: Throwing the dice down and walking away leaves a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.

-Concede Denial: Ending the game and refusing to admit the fact your opponent played a quality game is always a bad idea. Shake hands and admit the loss. Refusing the shake the hand offered is beyond poor sportsmanship.

-Concede Dice: I bitch about my infamously streaky WAY to much, I admit it. Don't make my mistake. If you roll 10 back to back 1's joke about it, don't get pissy.

In tournament play I have both succeeded and failed at this, so Pot/Kettle aside I am trying to be a better opponent. You will earn respect when you pull it off, and burn bridges you didn’t know existed when you fail, trust me.

Comments please, any good or bad finishes are welcome and will be added!

Whitescars T-Shirt Design Contest...

2011-07-03T00:56:00.002-04:00

As seen here! Simple, fun and good rewards

Space Marine Scouts: A Three part Unit review and tactical walk through (Part 4??)

2011-06-27T20:07:00.000-04:00

Part 4: Space Marine Landspeeder Storm

Originally for the WhiteScar's .Part 4: Space Part 4: Space Marine Landspeeder Storm

From CoolMiniOrNot:

Yes this is part four of a three part series… The more I wrote breakdowns for each of these subsets of the scouts the more I realized I would need to devote a separate post to the Storm.

Technically of course the Landspeeder Storm is not a Scout in any way besides the name. However It can be an essential part of a scout heavy strategy.

Strengths & Weakness:Cons:

Not a dedicated transport; Not available in squadrons; AV10; Open topped Vehicle. BS 3

Pros:

Fast Skimmer; Open Topped(Allowing assaults from the transport); Jamming Beacon; Cerberus Launcher; Scout.

Upgrades Breakdown:

Heavy Bolter: Stock, and I personally believe your best choice. With 3 STR 5 shots you have a good amount of shots to help put a couple wounds on the targets of your squads assault without making the storm a high threat target.

Heavy Flamer: 10 points of napalm goodness! With the lower BS this can offset that weakness. You will rarely get a 1st or 2nd turn shot, most especially if you have dropping the scouts. It does increase the chance of it taking early incoming fire.

Multi-Melta: 15 points , and unless you are running a Vulcan list this might be a waste of points.

Assault Cannon: 35 points… It’s not twin linked, it is 4 shots at STR 6 Rending… Unless you have a lot of extra points to spend I think this should be avoided.

Tactical Uses:

Simple right? Deliver the payload of scouts and your done…. Right?

Wrong..

The LS Storm is a swiss army knife of protective and defensive tools…

Objective Holder / Denier:

Regardless of Scout Moving them, Outflanking etc until you get the scouts out of the storm they are protected. Assuming you keep the storm stock your also not giving up a lot of fire power Turbo-Boosting the storm each turn, taking advantage of a constant 4++ cover save..

Screening:

The Scout can serve two critical roles when it comes to defensively screening your army

Deep-Strike Protection: With the Jamming beacon you not only prevent ANY anti-scatter equipment/rules from working. It additional will cause double the scatter distance. Since you cannot pre-measure it will often cause your foe to second guess his placement. Two or more Storms and some good deployment you can create a large defensive bubble.

Scout Move Protection: Between BA and IG etc there are a number of units considerably more dangerous then the Storm itself. Good Scout moves can block lanes of traffic and keep the opponent a turn delayed in exercising his strategy.

Scouting:

The main reason to buy a Storm is to deliver Close Combat Scouts! Please take a look at the previous post!

Advanced Tactics:

Deep Strike Shenanigans:

Vs Deepstrike Heavy armies one tactic I have employed more than once is to deny choice deep-strike targets by parking the Storm in the center of where they want to go instead of sheltering your forces. This works best vs Terminator heavy army but can still be useful when facing Daemons. At the Colonial vs Nick Navanti I shielded the sides of my forces and encouraged him to bunch up the majority of his incoming Daemons giving my TFC’s and Flamers the best possible effect with this tactic. Additionally If you leave the opponent only terrain to DS into you can almost count on racking up a couple wounds to dangerous terrain tests before the first shots are fired.

Objective Denier:

After the Storm is free of passengers, the Scouts have fallen in battle HIDE the storm, keep it moving every turn, keep it alive and a low priority threat until turn 5+ when you can use it contest the enemies objective. Try and plan ahead allowing for the a Turbo-Boost to give both the 4++ and the required 6 to hit in Close Combat.

Alpha Strike:

This can work regardless if you get first turn, but it must be understood sacrifices will be made.

You have first turn: Non-DOW deploy as close as possible to the enemy. Scout Turbo-Boost, move 12 disembark from the transport and assault choice targets…. VS Soft targets always consider a multi-assault vs 2+ targets. Hitting a Firewarriors Squad and a Hammerhead at the same time should end up locking you in combat for an extra phase and give you the bonus of hitting stationary vehicles. You will probably lose all of the scouts but with a little luck you can tie up the targets for several phases before they fall.

You have second turn: Depending on the target and your construction you can force the opponent on the defensive from the beginning. Scout move the Storm(s) towards the weakest point in his line, and watch the enemy move vehicles they would not otherwise (robbing them of firepower) and dump a tremendous amount of firepower trying to bring them down. With a little luck between both of defensive actions taken you might end up shielding the rest of your army from all incoming fire for a turn.

Bait:

In objective games I have drawn off several times the value of the Storm+Scouts into a distant, unimportant corner trying to bring down a “soft” target. Between the Turbo-Boosts and 6 up required to hit it in close combat. Often drawing Mephiston away from the rest of your army can end up paying you back in spades.

Rapid Response Unit:

Identical to the 3rd post, but out of a transport! Deployed on the board or in reserve the Storm can deliver the added CC punch your bikes need to pull themselves out of a endless combat. This has to be done intelligently however, as it can backfire and cause combat resolution against you.

Cerberus Launcher:

It may seem odd to put this stock wargear in the advanced tactics, but using it can be difficult to master. The Cerberus Launcher causes the leadership of unit(s) targeted by the scouts assaulting out of it by 2 for the duration of that assault phase. That included COUNTER CHARGE and Psychic Tests… Stack a pair of storms and scouts on a squad or two of Lonfangs and not only will you force them to make the counter charge on a 4 or less but your also subtracting 4 from their leadership when (if) you win the close combat! Thanks again Eric!

Conclusion:

The Storm is well worth it’s points when paired with Close Combat Scouts…. Two is better then one but as they cannot be purchased as a squadron each robs you of a FA slot that could be used for valuable squads of Attack Bikes or Landspeeders. I think the critical defense they provide are more than worth that sacrifice but each general will have to decide if will include them.

Feedback / Questions welcome..

Yet another Rant about Citadel Finecast... (Part 2)

2011-06-24T16:15:00.000-04:00

Not to beat a "Dead Horse" but it appears there was some reason to be concerned with Games Workshop's Finecast..

http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2011/06/24/47913/

I have yet to purchase a single finecast model, due to obvious flaws visable in all the blisters I saw both at my local store (Dreamwizards) and the bunker... And there is not a chance in hell I am going to buy a box set (read techmarine) unless I get to open and inspect it on the spot...

Space Marine Scouts: A Three part Unit review and tactical walk through

2011-06-13T23:36:00.000-04:00

Part 3: Space Marine Close Combat Scouts

Originally for the WhiteScar's .Part 3: Space Marine Close Combat Scouts.

Mid-Heresy Scouts Courtesy of Magos Explorator (WarSeer)

As I mentioned I broke the Scouts themselves into two separate posts because of how differently they can be used based on the “free” equipment you can swap out to customize their role in your army.

Again an overlooked tool in the Codex: Space Marines, the Close Combat Scout is the better half of the pair in my opinion, much more useful for most players both in holdings objectives, tying up the enemy, screening and even rapid response to assaults on your more valuable units.

Lets break down their weakness and strengths.

Cons:

Basically identical to my last post, they appear expensive when compared to their fully grown brothers at only 15 points cheaper for a 5 man squad and only 3 points cheaper for each additional man; Low weapon skill; Low BS; Limited Anti-Vehicle Options. NO DEDICATED TRANSPORT! The lack of even a Rhino / Drop pod really restricts their usefulness.

Pros:

Versatile; Combat Squads; Infiltration; Scout move; move through cover; They are scoring troops; Good short range spam weapon in the Shotgun; Excellent Close Combat unit, when replacing the bolter the scouts end up with 2 attacks each, 3 on the charge.

Upgrades: (A new addition, requested by many)

CCW to replace the Bolter is a must, period, if you plan to get in combat…
Shotguns are excellent if you plan to use them to screen, “hi-jack” (covered in advanced tactics), but I like CCW’s better.
Missile Launcher can be a worthwhile upgrade for larger squads if you plan to park or you have points to spent. The threat of a infiltrated SR8 can draw WANTED firepower.
Melta Bombs are essential to tank busting and MUCH more points efficient then a power fist, speaking of….
Power Fist a waste of points 99% of the time, 25 points on a 4+ save is not worth it, however…
Power Weapon is a excellent choice if you plan to “hi-jack”(covered in advanced tactics) or buy them a Storm (Covered in Post 4)
Combi-Weapons to role and taste…

Tactical Uses:

One of the often overlooked / misunderstood principles is a unit DOES NOT have to earn their points back to be effective, trying up two to three times their value in points to kill them serves as valuable purpose. Dividing the enemy or even distracting them from the mission is worth as much or more in my personal opinion!

Regardless of how you end up using them; a screening objective holder, counter charge or shock trooper with the right mindset your going to be happy with how they perform.

Objective Holder / Denier:
Again, you can use them to screen, control your enemies deployment, and scout moves by announcing you’re going to Infiltrate. The threat alone will often cause hesitation. Buy the Camo cloak (or add Telion) and start with a 3++ cover, 2++ if you go to ground forcing them to commit to destroying them. Units purchased this way would be more effective if a missile launcher was purchased as it reinforces the image of a threat. If possible deploy on the 2nd or 3rd floor of ruins to draw the foe into a failed charge as you have to be able to go both forward and up within the movement, this could put you in a perfect position to torrent and counter-charge.

Screening:
Same as the Scout Snipers. If you like heavy weapons (Devastators, TFC’s, etc) you can deploy them to effect allowing cover saves. Shotguns or full CCW are equally effective.

Scouting:
With Meltabombs purchase, and the most recent FAQ allowing all possible grenades, in a multi-charge you can use one to attack on initiative and every scout on a vehicle will get STR6 hits on rear armor.

Counter-Charge:
Fielded in front of valuable units vs a deep-striking force to give cover, or behind for “fast” force you control the pace of the assaults. Knowing you have a 5 – 10 man CCW Scout force ready to counter charge into a melee could be enough to encourage you enemy to over commit to a flank to break you, or even ignore it long enough to sway the control of the game.

Advanced Tactics:

Sacrificial Scouting:
Suggest using with two 10 man squads to get full effect.
During deployment the threat of scout assault on the flanks will encourage your opponent to cluster his forces more towards the center of the board, giving your bikes much more room to move and allowing you better control the pace of the game. If he does not and spreads his forces out you have a 66% chance with each squad to get the side you want, and even if you are not in range the first turn you come on the board it should be enough to force an opponent to choose between dealing with bikes this turn or scouts the next.

The best use is ff you end up going second, and he did cluster in the center of his deployment. Infiltrate them about 2 turns of movement from the foe to give your bikes additional turns of lighter incoming fire.

“Alpha” Strike:
Works best with a Missile Launcher. Deploy closer to your Enemy then anyone would consider…. Heck deploy just outside of his first turn assault on one of his flanks after deployment during the Infiltration phase. Even if your scouts are not a great threat to that side of the board you can draw off enough of their forces to give your main force a better chance. If he ignores the scouts your getting Rear/Side armor on vehicles, free shots on squads etc. If he commits to killing them make your enemy pay by keeping in cover several elevations up to reduce the chance of getting assaulted. Go to ground if needed but keep them alive long enough to frustrate your enemy.

Aggressive Screening: (Same as the Sniper Scouts.)
Deploy a Devastator squad, TFC, or Predator in a vulnerable position away from the majority of your forces, wait for the enemy to take the bait and commit part of his army to take advantage of your mistake… Then Deploy the Scouts during the Infiltration phase to screen the vulnerable unit. Properly done the Scouts are in cover by stretching them out. And for the doubters remember Vehicles your Devastators or TFC shoot at will only get a cover save if it’s 50% obscured, deploy well and that won’t be a problem!

Rapid Response Unit:
Holding 1 or 2 squads in RESERVE you strengthen your end game by holding scoring units back to contest or take late game. In addition if your enemy over commits to assaulting your back line / bikes you can respond with an excellent close combat unit and win the day. Combi-Flamer would serve you well in this role, along with the Power Weapon.

Hi-Jacking Transports:
Command Squads Armies (even the bike based squads), a popular choice for White Scars / Bike Armies can by a Rhino or a Razorback as a transport. This gives the scout squads the needed mobility to be a threat in a game. This does have several known drawbacks I will reinforce… Scouts cannot Outflank or Infiltrate if done this way, the cannot start in the vehicle, and they cannot assault out of the vehicle if it moved.

The exception to this is purchasing a Landraider for your army. This small (granted expensive) addition can make a scout squad a SERIOUS threat. Basically turning them into a poor mans Sternguard squad. Add in a second HQ (such as a Librarian giving you a nice psychic hood bubble measured from the Land Raiders hull) and you now have a bullet magnet with a 4+ cover save if screened with bikes. Power Weapon is a must for this.

Landspeeder Storms:
One of the keys to my personal army I am going to cover in detail with my NEXT POST.

It’s a cheap transport I will cover in detail Next time.

Conclusion:

As mentioned before, Close Combat Scouts may not be as strong as their full fledged battle brothers, but they offer an affordable troop option for Bike heavy armies. Additional as covered, they can be used to assist in assaults and defense making them a cheap swiss army knife to fill weakness in your army.

Feedback / Questions welcome..

Space Marine Scouts: A Three part Unit review and tactical walk through

2011-06-06T19:37:00.000-04:00

Originally for the WhiteScar's.Part 2: Space Marine Scout Snipers

Grey Death Legion Scout Sniper

I am breaking the Single Troop choice of scouts into two separate posts due to their almost Bipolar uses.

Everyone knows these commonly unused little brothers to Space Marine Battle Brother… Being newer to the hobby all I hear is how much better Space Marine Scout Snipers used to be in previous codices and versions of the 40k rulebook. As a result, in general most people ignores them… Forgetting the previous incarnations of these mainstays of the Codex: Space Marines let’s take a new look at them.

Cons:

They appear expensive when compared to their fully grown brothers at only 15 points cheaper for a 5 man squad and only 3 points cheaper for each additional man; Low weapon skill; Low BS; Limited Anti-Vehicle Options.

Pros:

Combat Squads; Infiltration; Scout move; move through cover; Rending, Pinning, Great cover save; good range; They are scoring troops; Sergeant/HQ Sniping.

Tactical Uses:

In a White Scars or other highly mobile army most people would think these don’t fit for “fluff” or flow reasons…. I say bullshit! Modern highly mobile armies currently use scouts as forward spotters, targeters, suppressors and finally as SNIPERS. Sniper Scouts can serve an important roll for holding objectives, which really represents the majority of games played in 40k.

Denier:
Infiltration anywhere on the board outside of 18 inches from an enemy unit, but of course the further the better right? Maybe not… Read the advanced tactics. Infiltrate to limit the scout moves from BA, IG, Grey Knights and other Scout heavy armies. Infiltrate onto objectives and force the enemy to burn you out.

Screening:
If you like heavy weapons (Devastators, TFC’s, etc) you can deploy them to effect allowing cover saves.

Suppression:
Sniper Scouts need to only cause ONE unsaved wound to cause a Pinning Check! Going with the more is better tactic, a full 10 man squad will cause 1.39 wounds (Thanks to the Heresy Combat Calculator), 2.074 if you add Telion. Besides the fact your killing marines using them to thin down Heavy Weapon squads and force them to test every turn you’re bound to suppress a unit or two over the course of a game. Cause a couple rending wounds and you might find your foe going to ground by choice.

Advanced Tactics:

Upgrade to Telion:
A ten man squad commonly spends 30 points on Camo-Cloaks, 10 points on a missile launcher, both of which are a waste IMHO. For 50 points you get a Sergeant with a wealth of skills the two best being Acute Senses and most importantly Stealth! According to the most recent Games Workshop FAQ if a Sergeant or IC has a skill like Stealth he passes it on to the whole squad. Both of these are small potatoes to Telion’s true Strength.. Eye of Vengeance allows the controller of Telion to assign wounds caused, and considering he has a 36” STR 4, AP 5, Rending, Pinning Bolter that means you CAN snipe out those Sanguanary Priests, Librarians or better yet Lord Commissars! Paired with a TFC and your looking at 2++ cover saves in Fortified Cover.

Alpha Strike:
Deploy closer to your Enemy then anyone would consider…. Heck deploy just outside of his first turn assault on one of his flanks after deployment during the Infiltration phase. Even if your scouts are not a great threat to that side of the board you can draw off enough of their forces to give your main force a better chance. If he ignores the scouts your getting Rear/Side armor on vehicles, free shots on squads etc. If he commits to killing them make your enemy pay by keeping in cover several elevations up to reduce the chance of getting assaulted. Go to ground if needed but keep them alive long enough to frustrate your enemy.

Aggressive Screening:
Deploy a Devastator squad, TFC, or Predator in a vulnerable position away from the majority of your forces, wait for the enemy to take the bait and commit part of his army to take advantage of your mistake… Then Deploy the Scout Snipers during the Infiltration phase to screen the vulnerable unit. Properly done the Scouts are in cover by stretching them out. And for the doubters remember Vehicles your Devastators or TFC shoot at will only get a cover save if it’s 50% obscured, deploy well and that won’t be a problem!

Conclusion:

Sniper Scouts may not be as strong as their full fledged battle brothers, but they offer an affordable troop option for Bike heavy armies that will not suffer from taking a static position. They have a good deal of flexibility, but it's up to the general to take advantage of them.

Colonial Followup, Plaque!

2011-06-06T17:46:00.000-04:00

I'm shamless I admit it, but it looks cool...

Arrived Via Fedex today..

Recap can be found here

Space Marine Scouts: A Three part Unit review and tactical walk through

2011-05-30T18:05:00.000-04:00

Originally for the WhiteScar's.

Part 1: Space Marine Scout Bikers:

One of what I consider the “lost children” of the SM Codex. IMHO a under appreciated and used fast attack choice for commander.

To start with they appear to be overly expensive Space Marine Scouts, at 70 points base for 3 bikes and 20 points per additional bike (That's 7 more then baseline scouts). The fact they cannot be taken as a troop choice like their slightly more expensive brothers when paired with a Bike Commander I think this is why they are often dismissed for more “cost effective” units. Well that and their limited upgrade options... However if you look past these points to what they can do (when balanced with other units for similar point values) you might find a home for them in your next army.

Cons:

Starting here due to how hated they are. Expensive; Only a 4+ Armor save; They cannot switch out either ranged weapon for a CCW making them a bit limited in Close Combat. Pair that with few effective shooting upgrades it makes them more of a orphan finesse unit. Not a Scoring unit. Hydra's eat them alive, ignoring both Turbo-boost and their 4+ armor save.

Pros:

Combat Squads; Infiltration; Scout move (including turboboosting for a 3++) ; Outflanking threat range of 18 inches; Locator Beacon paired with the Scout move for accurate Deep striking. Risky First turn Assaults. Gimmicky but worthwhile cover denial upgrade. Naked 15 points cheaper, and slightly harder to kill then the Scout/Storm combo.

Tactical Uses:

First, never take just 3, at the minimum I would suggest 5, if you have the points a full unit of 10. A Melta Bomb and Power Weapon are your friends, and for 10 points the Cluster Mines can force the enemy to think twice before entering terrain.

Denier:

Infiltration anywhere on the board outside of 18 inches from an enemy unit, you can also bubble wrap to limit the scout moves from BA, IG, Grey Knights and other Scout heavy armies. Held in reserve you can (Per the INAT FAQ) combat squad when coming on from reserve and contest objectives.

Screening:

Placed on the board 1st turn you can scout move for a 3++, and everything behind them will get a 4+ Cover save, including vehicles if positioned properly. Again can be used as bubble wrap for more expensive units (including your main bike squads) preventing assaults and providing a constant 4+ cover save through out the whole game. Every shooting phase your opponent shoots at them it's a another phase your more strategically valuable units stay intact.

Alpha Strike:

The single best justification for using Scout Bikers. With the proliferation of Razorspam / Chimeraspam parking lot armies you can guaranty to give yourself some breathing room as you tie up valuable units with the bikes forcing them to spend time dealing with them.

Verses Longfangs / Devastator, assuming you failed to wound with shooting, your doing 1.5 saveable wounds and 0.75 power weapon wounds the first turn taking 1.4 wounds back either winning or pushing combat for another phase or two.

Verses Vehicles your causing enough hits to get your opponents attention! 2.23 Shaken/Stunned results, 0.84 Weapon Destroyed, 0.84 Immobilized, and 1.12 Wrecked/Explodes. Spreading those over a multiple assault you have a good chance to keep 3 vehicles from shooting primary weapons (S+S+WD) and another vehicle destroyed. Unless eliminated your getting assaults on your opponents turn as well on all the vehicles immobilized or just unable to move out of combat.

Advanced Tactics:

Cluster Mines:

Objective based games. In Non-DOW MINE your primary objective. If you camp a squad inside the over the turn the opponent comes to contest and or assault you out of it he/she is taking 2d6 STR 4 hits before anything else happens. Wounds would be treated as a shooting attack so it's possible to rout a unit without doing anything! In DOW Missions mine an objective you don't plan to go to until late in the game, again force the opponent to take risks to just keep in the game.

Alpha Strike:

Requires Khan. Scout move Turboboost stretching the squad back with in 14 inches of your furthest deployment point. Sargent MUST be closest to the enemy. Turn 1, after moving the scout bikers, break Khan off and just move him far enough forward to join him with the Scout Bike Squad. During the assault phase you will loose a couple attacks but gain STR, INIT and most importantly LD 10 and Hit&Run. Assuming you win / stay in combat you will pile in 6” more getting Khan closer for brutal follow up attacks.

Cover:

One of the most forgotten / missunderstood rules of bikes. They CAN move into cover & they CAN go to ground. You just cannot Turbo-boost in/out of it. Don't be afraid to contest an objective, going to ground for a 3++

Conclusion:

Scout bikers can serve a roll in many Space Marine armies, but it requires finesse and skill to make them worth the points you have to sink into them.

Yet another Rant about Citadel Finecast...

2011-05-26T13:48:00.000-04:00

I hate to jump on the bandwagon, and post “my” opinion about Citadel Finecast, Games Workshops “new” product line, but I can’t resist.

This is not about money, danger of working with the material, it’s about QUALITY.

More then a couple times recently I have purchased or won resin Forge World products. The purchased product was either legitimately from ForgeWorld or as a bitz order through one of the couple reputable websites out there filling the need for bits. Either way at least fifty percent of the time I have gotten either a sloppy, fuzzy, warped miscast, or something so covered in flash it takes 10+ minutes just to carefully clean up the ridiculously expensive resin I foolishly purchased hoping for a top shelf product.

Now before you ask, I have emailed Forgeworld, more then once, about the issues I have had. I requesting JUST the miscast bits be replaced, and so far in every instance I have been effectively told to go pound sand.

Taking into account the poor customer service of Forgeworld, the numerous complaints online about the quality, I really have to question the wisdom of converting to a material that has such a history of sloppily produced product.

I think I will let my friends take the plunge, and carefully look at how cleanly the casts are, how much warping there is and finally how much flash has to be removed before I drink the Koolaid.

A New Blog... Of sorts... The White Scars...

2011-05-19T02:19:00.000-04:00

Recently asked by the author of "The White Scars" I have actually become a contributor!

Found at http://whitescars-army.blogspot.com/ it looks to soon be the home of all things Khan Themed and Bike based, Check it out when you get a chance!!

Tomb Kings Khemrian Warsphinx/Necrosphinx Part 6 (Completed)

2011-05-18T11:11:00.000-04:00

Once again I am slacking in blog posts.. I actually finished the Necrosphinx over a week ago but life got in the way...

Since it's a blackbox for my local Games Workshop store it was a bit of a rush job but overall I am fairly satisfied with how it turned out.

In it's new home at GW Jenifier Square.

Tomb Kings Khemrian Warsphinx/Necrosphinx Part 5 (Base work)

2011-05-07T00:11:00.000-04:00

I normally save the base for last, as I love to make custom bases, but the pose of the arms might end up effected so I skipped a step and completed the base.

Experimenting with Miliput.

Tomb Kings Khemrian Warsphinx/Necrosphinx Part 4

2011-05-03T19:57:00.000-04:00

Closer to the finish line!

I should have this wonderful model completed on Thursday.

Tomb Kings Khemrian Warsphinx/Necrosphinx Part 3

2011-04-30T14:48:00.001-04:00

A Quick update, behind as always with the projects on deck.

Going with a alternate paint scheme vs what most people have gone with. More organic and simplistic.

Feedback welcome!

A Day late and a dollar short, My Colonial Wrapup

2011-04-19T00:32:00.002-04:00

Let me start by saying that W/L/D, The Colonial was a tremendous amount of fun

Chris Nanry, aka MasterMoulder, and the whole crew up there ran a great GT.

I did win, going 5/0/0, and I might be slightly biased, but still it was a blast.

I arrived Friday night with a few friends, and first thing took a trip down to the second ballroom to find the terrain setup with 25%++ and the event organizers there to answer any last minute questions before Saturdays start.

Saturday found tables ready to go with packets on each including a copy of each players list, with wargear and rule breakdowns, mission and packets, a host of Red Shirts (read judges) wandering around to answer any questions and a smooth event.

Second Major tourney with my Khan based Space Marine list.

Total Roster Cost: 1850

1 Kor'sarro Khan, 160 pts (1#, 205 pts)
1 Moondrakkan, 45 pts
7 Space Marine Bike Squad, 195 pts = 7 * 25 (base cost 25) + Meltagun x2 20 (9#, 310 pts)
1 Attack Bike, 50 pts = (base cost 40) + Multi-Melta 10
1 Sergeant, 65 pts = (base cost 40) + Power Fist 25
7 Space Marine Bike Squad, 195 pts = 7 * 25 (base cost 25) + Meltagun x2 20 (9#, 310 pts)
1 Attack Bike, 50 pts = (base cost 40) + Multi-Melta 10
1 Sergeant, 65 pts = (base cost 40) + Power Fist 25
4 Scout Squad, 65 pts = 4 * 13 (base cost 13) + Sergeant 28 (5#, 80 pts)
1 Sergeant, 15 pts = (base cost 10 + Melta Bombs 5)
4 Scout Squad, 65 pts = 4 * 13 (base cost 13) + Sergeant 28 (5#, 80 pts)
1 Sergeant, 15 pts = (base cost 10 + Melta Bombs 5)
1 Dreadnought, 125 pts = (105 + Twin Linked Autocannon 10 + Twin Linked Autocannon 10)
1 Dreadnought, 125 pts = (105 + Twin Linked Autocannon 10 + Twin Linked Autocannon 10)
1 Dreadnought, 125 pts = (105 + Twin Linked Autocannon 10 + Twin Linked Autocannon 10)
1 Thunderfire Cannon, 100 pts
1 Thunderfire Cannon, 100 pts
1 Thunderfire Cannon, 100 pts
1 Land Speeder Storm, 50 pts
1 Land Speeder Storm, 50 pts
1 Land Speeder Squadron, 90 pts = (base cost 50) + Typhoon Missile Launcher x1 40

Round 1

Deployment: Pitched Battle

Primary : Seize Ground.

Secondary: Table Quarters

Tertiary: KP / VP

Bonus Points (5):Kill highest HQ; Win Primary/Secondary; Scoring unit within 3” of center; Control more terrain pieces; scoring unit in enemy’s deployment.

Doug Waltman - CSM – Nurgle

Daemon Prince, Wings, MoS, LoS 155

Great Summoned Daemon (100)

Plague Marines, x7, PF, Combi Melta, x2 MG, Icon, Rhino Dozerblade (276)

Plague Marines x13, PF, MB, Combi Melta, x2 PG, Icon (389)

CSM,IoCG, Rhino, Dozerblade (140)

Lesser Daemons x7 (91)

Oblits x2 (150)

A Great guy to play!!! Oddly it was a rematch of Game 5 at Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre, small change in his HQ but otherwise a very similar list… He got first turn but I seized on him. Game was not NEARLY as decisive as our first, with me on the defensive the whole game after I failed to kill a single vehicle until turn 4. I managed to really come back into it on turn 5 & 6 pulling off max points. I was honestly shocked to win so solidly.

Round 2:

Deployment: Spearhead

Primary : Table Quarters

Secondary: KP / VP..

Tertiary: Seize Ground..

Bonus Points (5):Kill all troops; Least expensive unit alive; No enemy units in deployment; Win Primary and Tertiary; Kill Highest point cost HQ.

Casey Campbell – Dark Eldar

Haemonculus (55)

Kalalite Trueborn x3, Darklance, x2 Splinter Rifle, Venom Transport (121)

Kalalite Trueborn x3, Splinter Rifle, Shredder x2, Venom Transport (106)

Wyches x8, Hydra, Hekatrix, Raider w/ Darklance (198)

Kalalite Warriors x10, Dark Lance, Raider w/ Darklance (185)

Kalalite Warriors x5, Blaster, Raider w/ Darklance (125)

Kalalite Warriors x5, Raider w/ Darklance (110)

Reavers x3, Heatlance, (78)

Ravager x3 Darklance (115)

Good opponent with a nice looking army! I had first turn, deployed in cover. I was able to lay down a crippling amount of fire power vs his open topped AV 10 & 11 vehicles.. In the end I had the rock to his scissors as even bolt pistols took their toll.

Game ended on turn 4 and I was able to net max points

Round 3:

Deployment: Pitched Battle

Primary : Capture & Control (fixed number, starting turn 4 roll to see which ones are real objectives)

Secondary: KP / VP..

Tertiary: Invasion (control enemy’s home base).

Bonus Points (5): x4 Table Quarters; No enemy units in deployment; Win Secondary and Teriary; Score Unit within 3” of center; Destroy Enemy’s Highest value unit.

Nick Navanti – Daemons – Slaanesh/Tzeentch heavy.

Herald of Tzeentch, Chariot, Bolt of Tz, Daemonic Gaze, rDGT (100)

Fiend of Slaanesh x6 (180)

Bloodletters of Khorne x7 w/ Icon (137)

Bloodletters of Khorne x7 (112)

Bloodletters of Khorne x7 (112)
Screamers x5 (80)

Screamers x5 (80)

Seekers of Slaanesh x20 (340)

Nick was a excellent opponent with a really tight Daemons list. I am a big fan of redundancy in all my armies. He had maxed his two games before me, and I was told he maxed every game after me which did not surprise me at all. I won the diceroll and chose to go second… One of the most precious moments of the game is when he looked me in eye and ask me “Are you sure?”… I am willing to bet atleast a couple people have fallen for that! I castled in the corner, using the storms to shelter my deployment and force him into the couple large open areas on the board.

I surprised him twice. The first with the use of the Land Speeder storms (He asked why I had not used them to deny the few open spaces, forcing him into cover) I wanted to control his placement, keep him in front of me, and clustered as much as possible. The second by actually using my bikes aggressively! I both used them as mobile firebases getting into double tap twin-linked range as often as possible and I often assaulted him, pulling him into multiple combats.

In the end I tabled him by the end of turn 4, scoring max, loosing only a couple units. He honored me by reporting that I was the first to table him…

Round 4:

Deployment: Spearhead

Primary : Capture & Control

Secondary: Critical Position, Center of table..

Tertiary: KP / VP..

Bonus Points (5): Earn more KP; Control more Terrain; Destroy Highest Value unit; Scoring unit in Enemy’s deployment; Least Expensive unit alit.

Brad Nichols – Dark Angels – Deathwing.

Belial, SoS, (130)

Deathwing Terminator Squad, TH/SS x4, Cyclone Missile Launcher, Narthecium, Company Banner, Chainfist (295)

Deathwing Terminator Squad, TH/SS x4, Chain Fist, Cyclone Missile Launcher (240)

Ravenwing Attack Squad, x2 Meltagun, x1 PF, x1 Attack Bike w/ MM (215)

Landspeeder Typhoon w/ Multi-Melta (75)

Grey Knight Hero, Combi Melta, Psychic Hood (96)

Brad was a exceptional foe. Exacting, a perfect grasp of the rules, he even knew my codex better then me, correcting a miss-use of the TFC. No quarter was asked, and none was given. His deepstrike placement was inspired, using the limited terrain for the best advantage. I lost both Landspeeder storms first turn (both rolling a 2 on the cover save) and managed to also loose a scout squad to the assault. The game was as close as it could be until turn 5 when I was able to drop all but 1 of the Deathwing Squads. I made a final move mistake where I should have gotten secondary but moved a unit out of order resulting in me being too far from the center objective to claim it. Solid victory, a lot learned.

Round 5:
Deployment: Modified DoW (18” deployment)

Primary : KP/VP

Secondary: Seize Ground

Tertiary: Advance! (Units fully in enemy’s deployment)

Bonus Points (5): More Table Quarters; No enemy scoring units in Deployment; Destroy all enemy troop choices; More VP; More Terrain features.

Simon Leen – Witchhunters - SoB

Sisters of Battle with Inducted Guard:

Cannoness, Book of St. Lucius, Bolter, boltpistol, ccw, x4 Celestians, x2 Meltas, Sister Superior, Immolator, smoke (207)

Celestians x4, x2 Melta, Sister Superior, Immolator, smoke (153)

Dominions x4, x3 flamers, Sister Superior, Immolator, smoke (150)

Immolator, Smoke (68)

Inducted Guard x5, x2 Melta (70)

IG PCS x4 Flamers, x1 Chimera (105)

IG Squad, lascannon (70)

IG HWS, x3 Autocannons (75)

My Second Mirror Match from Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre!!

I was tired and feeling a bit unwell at the start of the round, but Simon was a great opponent, and both of our enthusiasm for the rematch really helped keep me focused. As soon as I won the roll off he was pretty sure he had lost the game. With more then double the possible KP I could see his point, but the dice were not with me…

Game started nice and clean, but I had two major problems… First my bikes failed 9 out of the first 11 3+ saves (I have it on video) I had to make, completely collapsing one whole side of my advance… Secondly I could not wreck vehicles, my chronic curse returned. My scouts managed FIVE penetrating hits vs a stationary Immolator on the first round of close combat, I stuned it and pulled it turret off.. It took 4 phases with the Sergeant’s Meltabombs to finally crack it… That is how the whole game went until turn 5. I finally got multiple wrecks and explosions, thinning out the “herd” but by that point the damage was done. I won the game, and it was a solid victory, but I did not get secondary, tertiary or most of the bonus points. The MVP was oddly enough the same scout squad that took 4 phases to kill a stationary vehicle, they held out for almost 7 close combat phases vs first one and then finally three sisters of battle squads!

Again all in all a great tourney and I plan to go back next year!

The prize support was exceptional and the staff friendly!

Tomb Kings Khemrian Warsphinx/Necrosphinx Part 2 (Build Photos)

2011-04-08T12:51:00.000-04:00

Not alot of time before the The Colonial this weekend but I had to take a couple hours to build this monster!

The Jennifer Square Games Workshop votes for the Warsphinx build over the "Howda" on the back with the Tomb King or Guard. Kurt turned it over to me to build overnight and bring back to display until next week when I get to paint it!

Even without instructions the Warsphinx is fairly easy to build, cleanly keyed bits. A few quick thoughts.

There are more mold lines on the model which can be a bit difficult to clean off.
The plastic is a different consistency then the DreadKnight (Build out here) or new Grey Knight Terminators. Not as smooth when cleaning lines or cutting.
The Top of the tail and Torso to Body interface is not "clean" and needs a bit of adjustment.
HOLY CRAP does it have alot of nice bits and detail.
The Wings are amazing, conversion ideas abound!

I am shooting for an at rest pose, I am planning on a stone colored paint scheme.

Feedback or suggestions welcome!

Tomb Kings Khemrian Warsphinx/Necrosphinx Black Box Inhand

2011-04-07T23:25:00.001-04:00

A quick update, life, and the usual has got me a bit behind in posts (I know like 5 promised posts about the finished bikes, close up photos etc... Ran into a problem with my lightbox) but preping for The Colonial This weekend in NJ.. Display board photos tomorrow... but I could not resist a quick update.

Blackbox Warsphinx/Necrosphinx in hand, started the buildout and plan to finish tomorrow morning, photos and breakdown to follow and painting this next week!

St. Valentines Day Massacre Wrap up..

2011-03-22T16:19:00.002-04:00

I know St. Valentines Day Massacre was nearly a month ago, I have a bad habit of getting distracted by all the little things and not posting results. A couple of my friends have pestered me into getting them up. I have started recording (Video) all my tournament matches as well, and if I find a good cheap (read free) video compression and editing software I might start posting the Highlights.

What I brought:

BTW Thanks Jawaballs for the photo!

I used a Vanilla SM list, trying to make a nice mixed light – heavy anti armor list that has enough anti infantry templates to make it a successful, without including any of the normal spam / cheese found commonly in the razorspam or Vulkan Drop armies.

Total Roster Cost: 1850

1 Kor'sarro Khan, 160 pts (1#, 205 pts)

1 Moondrakkan, 45 pts

7 Space Marine Bike Squad, 195 pts = 7 * 25 (base cost 25) + Meltagun x2 20 (9#, 310 pts)

1 Attack Bike, 50 pts = (base cost 40) + Multi-Melta 10

1 Sergeant, 65 pts = (base cost 40) + Power Fist 25

7 Space Marine Bike Squad, 195 pts = 7 * 25 (base cost 25) + Meltagun x2 20 (9#, 310 pts)

1 Attack Bike, 50 pts = (base cost 40) + Multi-Melta 10

1 Sergeant, 65 pts = (base cost 40) + Power Fist 25

4 Scout Squad, 65 pts = 4 * 13 (base cost 13) + Sergeant 28 (5#, 80 pts)

1 Sergeant, 15 pts = (base cost 10 + Melta Bombs 5)

4 Scout Squad, 65 pts = 4 * 13 (base cost 13) + Sergeant 28 (5#, 80 pts)

1 Sergeant, 15 pts = (base cost 10 + Melta Bombs 5)

1 Dreadnought, 125 pts = (105 + Twin Linked Autocannon 10 + Twin Linked Autocannon 10)

1 Thunderfire Cannon, 100 pts

1 Land Speeder Storm, 50 pts

1 Land Speeder Squadron, 90 pts = (base cost 50) + Typhoon Missile Launcher x1 40

Round 1:

Deployment: Dawn of War

Primary : Kill Points

Secondary: Troops completely in Opponents Deployment

Tertiary: HQ's in Opponents Deployment

Sisters of Battle with Inducted Guard:

Cannoness, Book of St. Lucius, Bolter, boltpistol, ccw, x4 Celestians, x2 Meltas, Sister Superior, Immolator, smoke (207)

Celestians x4, x2 Melta, Sister Superior, Immolator, smoke (153)

Dominions x4, x3 flamers, Sister Superior, Immolator, smoke (150)

Immolator, Smoke (68)

Inducted Guard x5, x2 Melta (70)

IG PCS x4 Flamers, x1 Chimera (105)

IG Squad, lascannon (70)

IG HWS, x3 Autocannons (75)

Excellent game, I controlled the pace pretty well, and dominated on killpoints, but I was unable to completely kill off enough squads to avoid draws on the secondary and tertiary objectives.

Round 2:

Deployment: Spearhead, x5 objectives

Primary : Objectives

Secondary: VP's

Tertiary: Controll objective in opponents deployment

SM Codex

Libarian, Epistolary (150)

Tactical Squad PG, LC (190)

Razorback Lasplas, Dozerblade (80)

Tactical Squad Melta, Multi, PW, Combi Melta, Melta Bombs (205)

Razorback, Twinlinked Assault Cannon (75)

Tactical Squad Melta, Plasmacannon, PW (195)

Razorback (40)

Tactical Squad, PG, LC, PF (215)

Razorback TLLC (75)

Lanspeeder Squadron x3 LS, MM, x3 Assault Cannosn (28)
Vindicator 115

Vindicator 115

Weird game, and really disappointing game. I really thought I was going to win this one. I got first turn and deployed both Bikesquads outflanking which proved to be a mistake. I managed to get a first turn alpha strike with the scouts but between shooting and CC the 12 Pen's and (if my count was right) 5 glances I did not get a single wreck, infact I did not wreck a single vehicle without “glancing” it out. I destroyed 2 of the Vindicators that way, which for those counting thats FOUR immobilization or weapon destroyed results. The scout 1st turn attacks could / should have resulted in 2 wrecked razorbacks with the squads inside being auto destroyed / 50% losses as well (you would have to see the table to understand). My opponent Tony also managed to only fail one out of every 6 or so 3 up saves on his marines until turn 4... In the end it was a major loss that was totally out of my control. To add insult to injury my opponent seemed annoyed for the majority of the game, and in the end was pissed when I started cleaning up my models after the game before he could do a full count. He indirectly accused me of doing an inaccurate model count, I offered to check the video and ironically enough the grouping was just out of frame... Also I thought I got the secondary objectives, but a recount showed I forgot to add in one lost squad... I always ask the other player to double check the math / count, because we are only human.

Round 3:

Deployment: Pitched Battle

Primary : Objectives (randomly deployed objectives)

Secondary: KP's

Tertiary: VP's

Blood Angels, Jawaballs.

Mephiston (250)

Reclusiarch, (130)

Dev Squad, x4 Missile (130)

Stormraven (200)

Assault Squad, MG, PW, Razorback (145)
Assault Squad, Razorback (120)

Assault Squad, Razorback TLLC (155)

Furioso Dreadnought (140)

Sanquinary Priest x2 (100)
Terminator Assault Squad, x3 LC, x2 TH/SM, Landraider Crusader (480)

Great game, Jawaballs and I did not see eye to eye on every rule but we figured it out and had a great game. Again weird dice, I only wrecked a single vehicle, through glancing it out. I had a immobilized weapon destroyed Stormraven to deal with from turn 1 – 6 and could not finish it off.. In the end I was still able to control the pace enough to get a solid major victory.

Round 4:

Deployment: Spearhead, Special, corner only reserves

Primary : Quarters

Secondary: Center objective.

Tertiary: Controll opponents deployment Quarter

Spacewolves:

Rune Priest in PA (120)

Grey Hunters, x1 Flamer, Razorback Lasplas (150)

Dreadnought x2 TLAC (125)

Longfangs x5 ML (140)

Landspeeder, Typhoon, MM (100)

Good Game, Went second but deployed enough of my bikes behind cover to get saves. My seriously wacky dice continued and the first two turns I could pretty much only shake or stun the Razorbacks. I used the bikes as a distraction, drawing fire from the scout and dreadnoughts long enough to control 2 quarters and contest a 3rd. Turns 4 and 5 I managed to wreck several razorbacks but the shooting overall was disappointing. Shocking as it is my scouts won the game by tying up 3+ squads, his HQ and a good amount of fire for 4 full turns. Solid Victory.

Round 5:

Deployment: Pitched Battle

Primary : Capture and Control.

Secondary: Destroy HQ's

Tertiary: control / contest enemy objective with HQ

CSM – Nurgle

Chaos Sorcerer, MoS, Lash, familiar, Warptime (160)

Great Summoned Daemon (100)

Plague Marines, x7, PF, Combi Melta, x2 MG, Icon, Rhino Dozerblade (276)

Plague Marines x13, PF, Combi Melta, x2 PG, Icon (384)

CSM,IoCG, Rhino, Dozerblade (140)

Lesser Daemons x14 (182)

Oblits x2 (150)

Fun list, ironically all of my dicerolls seemed to come together this game. I exploded the rhino's first turn, and just blasted the Nurgle off the table. I ended up feeding the Greater Daemon a bike squad to make the game more interesting. The MVP was the bikesquad without Khan, they held off x28 lesser Daemons for three close combat phases before going down, allowing me to focus my fire on the rest of his army and remove the other threats quickly. Massacre.

I walked away with 3rd overall and 3rd best painted which defaulted to Jawaballs. Great weekend. Results can be found here.

I think with some better tactics and a few more games behind the wheel of this army I could pull off some solid wins. The Colonial in NJ is next!

Grey Knight Nemesis Dreadknight Part 5 Post Build.

2011-03-14T23:20:00.000-04:00

Dreadknight Post Build Breakdown and FAQ:

To start with, it was allot of fun to build and paint this, and I realize I work better with looming deadlines! Thanks again to Kurt from the Annapolis Games Workshop store.

Constuction Notes:

In general the model goes together smoothly, little to no flash, another excellent, clean new release from Games Workshop. Almost everything "clicks" into place. I built it without instuctions (none were shipped with it) and it took about 3.5 hours, taking alot of time to explore each bit and carefully clean it of flash.

The following points are worth noting however:

Arms – Limited range of motion, infact I had to cut down and replace the “pistons” on both arms to get them in the “at rest” pose I got with my build. You can swing them forward or back about 30 – 45 degrees, up or down a bit less. Overall getting a dynamic pose will require some work. Arms are VERY strong, and will be able to easily magnetized for weapon swaps. If you wanted to go further you could place Ball magnets in the arms and the servo assist arms for a reposable model. The link is for K&J Magnetics, my favorite site to order from.

Ranged Weapons – Good options, only 2 bodies for the 3 different guns, so it will be hard to build all 3 options without making some sacrifices on style, or bitz ordering a 3rd gun body.

Close Combat Weapons – Extra Hands are a plus, the hammer is well designed and it will be easy to convert to a longer haft for all those who want it… However the sword is a flimsy piece of plastic.. It will break quickly and often unless you carefully pin it or pose the Dreadknight like I did where the sword is crossing the body and is supported. The first 11 year old who grabs your model is going to break the sword either way. Very disappointing for such an amazing bit.

Legs – The biggest disappointment of the model is the fact the legs have ZERO possibility for posing striaght out of the box..... NONE! The legs are two piece fixed bits which socket directly into the pelvis into keyed slots. Even though the feet are attached via ball socket there really is no real adjustments you can make unless you changing the facing. Making a Dynamic model “crushing” anything beneath its feet is going to be a several hour conversion process where you have to cut and pin the legs in 2 spots. Additionally the leg to hip socket is fragile. I would suggest pinning it for strength in the construction process. I pin the legs and also “squished” them in together, and using a plastic glue fused the legs to the pelvis for a second stronger point of contact.

All in all I would give it 3.5 out of 5 stars, loosing points for limited range of motion, fragile legs and sword and limited conversion possibilities due to it's LARGE size. I think the people want Knight Titans will be happy however.

DakkaDakka / Blog FAQ:

Painting:

Basecoat:

Boltgun Silver --> Chainmail --> Mithril Silver
Washed with Badab Black in the recesses, and black lined where needed.
Final highlights with watered down Mithril Silver
Highlights:
Gold Highlights were Shinning Gold --> Burnished Gold --> Mithril Silver.

Details:

Decals are from the Witch hunters sheet, an example can be found here

Plasticard was the 1/8th inch tubes from Plastruct

Book bit was from the Dark Angels Ravenwing Vehicle upgrade sprue.

Grey Knight Nemesis Dreadknight Part 4 (Completed)

2011-03-13T13:17:00.002-04:00

The Dreadknight is Finished!

Kurt the Manager from Games Workshop Annapolis was nice enough to “loan me” the model late Thursday night and had it painted and based by 16:00 Saturday!

This makes it the fastest build out I have done. In the end to meet the 36 hour deadline I had to rush the final details. I was a bit disappointed with how the power sword turned out, and I wanted to clean up the shoulder shields heraldry more, but I agreed to deliver it Saturday and I did it!

A few notes:

I am still working on doing better power weapons, I thought it would be easier to do a larger area, but turns out blending on a larger surface is MUCH more difficult.
The book on the right arm is from the Dark Angels upgrade sprue, I wanted to add a bit of a personal touch without massive a massive distracting conversion.
Back to the book again, I tried to freehand the text, but half way through the second page my dog came up and "wacked" me to be let out. I ended up slathering paint all over it, and I had to start again, cleaning it off and repainting the page white. I cheated with a Micron pen to get it done
The kit does not come with any Decals, all the decales I used are from the Witchhunters set.

Again Feedback welcome!

I actually blended 7 different shades of blue, hard to see even on the finished model, it's one of the areas I need the most improvement.

Kirt beind the case were my Dreadknight now sits on display!

The Ice Wasteland table...

"Urban Wasteland" table

Opened my lightbox for the first time to take some higher quality photos, and turns out it's missing it's backdrop! So better photos soon.

Grey Knight Nemesis Dreadknight Part 3 (based!)

2011-03-12T11:37:00.000-05:00

Another quick update, deadline is today so really pushing to get this ready for the store.

Photos are a bit dark, plan to set up my lightbox for the final photos.

Feedback as always welcome and wanted.

Grey Knight Nemesis Dreadknight Part 2

2011-03-11T16:43:00.000-05:00

Quick updated, finished the build out, primed and painting started. I can honestly say this is the fastest and hardest I have worked to get a tabletop++ model done quickly..

Again Feedback welcome

Paint Started

Grey Knight Nemesis Dreadknight Part 1 (actually in my hands!)

2011-03-11T11:00:00.001-05:00

Sorry for the 2 week break in posts, a little post tournament burnout, I have been putting off posting the results and photos. Yesterdays trip to one of my local Games Workshop Stores really refreshed my love for the hobby!

Annapolis GW(Jennifer Square) is a single employee store run by a man with a serious love for the hobby, however being a one man store he is short on time, with a backlog of project to do. I offered to build and paint the “Black Box” Dreadknight for him, and I was shocked when he took me up on it!

Here are some photos of the build out, the primer is drying as I type, and painting begins in 20!

Questions and comments welcome, I am doing some mild conversions and will have a Dreadknight post build FAQ once done.

Here is a link the the store's Facebook page, Kurt does a great job in the store and works hard to build up the local community!

WIP Kor’sarro Khan Part 5, Finished Model

2011-02-24T16:49:00.001-05:00

Amun Khan, leader of "Khepri's Relentless Legion"

Sorry for the delay in posts. I have been using every spare minute (almost literally) to finish this army for the St Valentine’s Massacre this weekend in Media PA. I have not had a chance to set up my photo box to take good pictures of the finished Cavalry. That being said I just (02/24/2011, 16:29 EST) finished assembling the Kor’sarro Khan model I will be using.

A few notes:

I wanted to add gold hieroglyphics to the inside of the cloak, but I was running out of time, and that was going to be a seriously involved process.
I like the head I crafted for my Khan, as a follower of Anubis. It's Sculpted with a Space Wolves head as a base into a jackal like shape. I also like the colors (Thanks Beltway Gamers) I picked for it, but it seems off. It could be I am biased as every model I build I add a Thousand Sons head to it…
I still stink at doing power weapons, but getting closer
I think in the future every multi-wound model is getting "wound counters" like the jackals here.

I am thinking of leaving him as is after the tourney, and just building a second one (additional HQ choice) and using what I have learned to make the next incarnation that much better.

Feedback welcome!

WIP Kor’sarro Khan Part 4

2011-02-15T23:58:00.000-05:00

Another Quick update,

Made the FTW Tuesday Top 10 list, if thats not enough of a reason to post more I don't know what is...

Khan is closer to completion, I bounce around a lot, had to work on bases for my Techmarines, so I did Khan's base at the same time.

I am using "Jackals" as wound counters, with magnets built into the excellent Dragonforge base.

Feedback as always welcome..

Bikes & Attack Bikes next!

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 14

2011-02-09T19:21:00.000-05:00

Just a quick update, working to finish the Bikes, Attack Bikes (photos posted soon), Thunderfire cannons w/ Techmarines, etc... I don't think I will have time to rebuild 3 fresh Dreads before the end of the month, but we shall see!

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 13

2011-02-03T13:18:00.000-05:00

Banners!

Finishing off the backpacks, sitting listening to a conference call for work and figured it would be a great time to post a follow up.

Worked with some wet blending and shading on "cloth" overall I think it looks better in person then the photos, but either way I like it.

Hieroglyphics are surprisingly hard to draw at this scale in metallic paints, I am finding black thinned down is fairly consistent in flow when thinned with either “Flow Aid” and or water, however metallic paints don’t seem to flow with a good amount of stability. The result is the GW Shinning Gold ends up a little more blobby then I would have preferred but it’s still better then I was a year ago.

Break down of the Hieroglyphics, which are a hybrid of correct cartouches and a 21st century modification for space, left to right on the panels:

Khepri’s Eternal Legion
Amun’s Horde
Anubis’ Squadron
2/3/2011 completion date.

The decal is a pre-heresy Thousand Sons icon I found off some older 1996 era Space Marine decal sheets, perfectly sized for the banner top.

As always feedback welcome.

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 12

2011-02-02T13:41:00.000-05:00

Closing on the finish line!

Finishing up the torsos and the backpacks…

Torsos:

Primarily Space Marine Assault torso’s but also mixed in Red Scorpion Vanguard Veteran and Veteran Sergeant Cullan torsos I won last year at the St. Valentines Day Massacre 40k GT at Showcase Comics. I was overall disappointed with the quality of the Forge World casts, with a lot of bubbles, “fuzz” and miscasts.

Backpacks:

I went through about 6 different styles of power packs for the bikers, wanting to do something unique but It was pointed out by a couple good friends that overall is pulled away from the conversion work, was too big.

Once assembly is done it’s on to the Attack Bikes!

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 11

2011-01-25T19:40:00.000-05:00

LEGS!

A little behind in my posts, picking up pace on finishing these as I am trying to get them ready for the ST. Valentines Day Massacre Warhammer 40k Grand Tournament in February.

Feedback is always welcome!

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 10 (basing completed!)

2011-01-10T19:20:00.000-05:00

Long delay in posts, work, life, and the holidays....

Bases completed, all 24 bikers on them (with the exception of the attack bikes to come shortly).. Starting the build out of the legs and bodies of the riders...

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 9 (basing continued)

2010-12-24T23:32:00.001-05:00

Continuing the thread of trying for advanced basing…

Once the layout is done, the green stuff cured and the ”ruins” removed I begin the next stage… for which you need glue and Sand.

The Glue is basic White Glue, or “glue all” (see link), cheap, basic and effective.

The sand is a mixture of playground grade, hobby grade and some mixed leftover crud from the bottom of the terrain box giving a nice variety of sizes and shapes giving a more interesting and realistic look to the base. The Photo is overkill but it gives a good example of the different grits I am working with.

I start by applying a layer of white glue mixed 10 to 1 with water. A lot of people seem to vary on how much water to use but this is what works for me. Quickly, one base at a time I let sand sift through my fingers onto the base, twice letting a nice uneven layer build up, the second time around focusing on the light or bare spots. Once that stage is done I let the bases dry overnight, which believe it or not is key.

Once dry gently dust them off, using a large Dry Brush over the tub of sand, to save as much as possible. Check again for bare spots. If needed repeat the steps above

Then immediately prime with two solid layers (but don’t over do it) of a black primer.

Dupli-color Premium Sandable Primers are what I suggest for the following reasons;

1)It’s cheaper then Games Workshop primers, $5.20 vs $15.00, for about the same volume
2) It’s actually a primer instead of a spray paint.
3) Even though it’s a “gap filling” product as long as you do several light coats you will not loose any detail
4) For it’s price it’s a quality product! 15 minute dry time in perfect conditions.
5) Once dry, if you totally screwed up the project Simple Green will strip it right off
6) Last but not least, in Washington, DC’s variable climate, from humid to dry, frigid to broiling, I have just to have it bubble, crack, spit or cause any of the other headaches a lot of other products cause. I have sprayed in 20 degree weather, left it outside for an hour, finished the drying in another room and it's perfect

A special thanks goes to my good friend, The Brotha, who turned me onto the product, oh and BTW the Hot-Rod black is actually a Matt color, just sound like a gloss product.

I then Drybrush the following colors in order:

Calthan Brown (Citadel Foundation Paint)

Beast Hide (P3 Paint)

Kommando Khaki (GW)

Jack Bone (P3)

Bleached Bone (GW)

And Finally Skull White (GW)

After that I go back and pick out any details I built into the bases (skeletons, broken weapons or armor)

Then Finally I add back on the ruins and other terrain bitz to finish the bases.

The finished product I am proud of, and now I can focus on building the riders.

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 8 (basing continued)

2010-12-20T12:16:00.000-05:00

Because I play in enough GT style tournaments and high quality basing can add those extra couple points to the total score to tip you over the edge I am trying to push the envelope.

I am making the squad’s bases interlocking puzzle pieces that I am hoping will really pop on a display board and should make everything look more dynamic.

I first lay out the pattern I want.

Then Build up the bases with Green Stuff, making anchors for the rocks and ruins.

The ruins have magnets drilled into the matching pieces, strong enough to attract but not enough to cause a problem when picking them up.

It does take alot longer per base set, but I think it's worth it, if your really trying to make your figures pop great basing helps!

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 7 (All your Bases Belong to me!)

2010-12-13T18:52:00.000-05:00

I know I know it’s an over used gag, but I love it!

The “Bikes” themselves are done, working on basing them quickly before I build the Space Marine riders. The reason for that is I want as a dynamic set of poses as possible, and if I have the horses placed I can adjust the position of the arms, weapons, head etc with a greater degree of effect.

The bases themselves are Dragon Forge resin bike bases, the heroic sized 40mm x 75mm. I know this is slightly larger then the average bike base, but since I have seen bikes on the table bare to a 60mm round base I figure this will put me some place in the middle. The Attack Bike will be on the larger 60mm x 100mm base.

For those who claim I am modeling for advantage (as I get accused of almost weekly) I counter with the following.

1) The horses are just too damn big to fit and allow any posing of the figures.

2)Wait and see the massively intricate set of interlocking display bases I put on the table.

If you really believe I am putting this much effort forward to “cheat” through modeling I will never be able to convince you anyway!

I am adding between 2 and 8 magnets on each base, the display board I am planning to use will have a magnetic base, allowing easier and safer transport between games at the next tournament I field them at.

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 6

2010-12-03T14:11:00.000-05:00

3rd Squad of “Bikes” is done!!!!

Well at least the horses are done, before building the riders I am going to base them, breaking them into squads to split up the horse “breeds” and making the squads by basing, shields, and rider legs…

I added a bit of a green glow effect to all the horses, I like it, not sure how it looks in the photos.

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 5

2010-11-28T15:40:00.002-05:00

Work was a bit rough last week, actually HAD to leave my house! Seriously though, between the holidays and the new job not as much time to paint, but managed to get another 8 done and ready for basing once I finish them all...

And to answer a local question, final highlights and shading will be done once based and riders on....

More soon!

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 4

2010-11-16T11:44:00.000-05:00

Back from Austin for a month, I am a bit overdue for a post!

I actually found I didn’t get as much accomplished while I was in Texas, between the new city to explore, the amazing BBQ everywhere and my co-workers there just were too many distractions to spend more then a hour or two a night of quality painting time…

Once I got back however that changed!

The first 8 horses are done; I am waiting to complete the 24 horses and 3 attack bikes before I build the riders. I want to break the squads up not by the color of the horses skin, but by the riders legs and the shields I will equip them with! So horses, then bases after that I will start construction and painting of the riders.

Feedback welcome, another 8 should be done by the end of this week.

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 3

2010-09-29T13:41:00.000-04:00

Last set of 8, before primed and finial detail added.

Some WIP Painting pictures shortly, started this past week and trying to put in at least an hour or two a night while I am in the hotel. I am defiantly considering trying the airbrush for the next 16

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 2

2010-09-24T13:40:00.000-04:00

Taking a couple minutes during my lunch break while in training to post the next 8. Each horse is converted a little differently to addition enough flavor to make every one unique

To answer a quick email question, they goal is full bike squads of 9, the Attack Bike is currently in proto-type stage, and photos up soon of that.

More soon!

WIP Space Marine Bikes Part 1

2010-09-23T13:42:00.000-04:00

Just a quick update while on my lunch break. Issued a new work laptop and cell today, still in training with Wincor-Nixdorf and overall enjoying the positive outlook this company had... But to the 40k!

I started these "bikes" about a year ago, and have slowly been converting them since then, I rushed to finish and prime them to take with me to Texas, as I have had the most downtime yet since getting into the hobby almost 2 and half years ago!

Using Warriors of Chaos Knights as a base, I have removed or disguised all the chaos iconography, added bionics and in general tried to make them fit into the 41st millennium

I will put up a couple posts in the next three days with all 24 of the converted horses before I primed them, and some additional WIP as I start painting them tonight.

The first 8, attack bikes will be something a little different!

WIP Kor’sarro Khan Part 3

2010-09-09T12:54:00.002-04:00

A little behind in both my projects and posts..

The job that has slowly wearing me down for years is as of tomorrow behind me. Of course before quitting I found another one, similar field, just should be less hours, fewer weekend and I am hoping a more normal end of day...

But enough of the boring stuff, working slowly on the Khan conversion, the hardest part so far has been the head. I am trying for a Jackal look, going for an Anubis Lord as my Khan. Using a Space Wolf Wolf Pack Marine wolf head as a base I am making some progress.

I shaved down the snout a bit, added a pin and built up the muzzle with Green Stuff, followed by two thin layers of Grey Stuff. After that I have slowly carved out the "snout" and the muzzle line to try and make a clean jawline The ears were small pieces of sprue shaved down, and then using plastic glue bounded to the head. I again used Grey Stuff to smooth out and try and blend the ears in for a smooth look. The two ears are in slightly different poses for a more asymmetrical look.

Still a WIP, but suggestions welcome!

WIP Kor’sarro Khan Part 2

2010-08-09T23:00:00.001-04:00

Only had about 90 minutes tonight, work is what it is...

Tore down the orginal leg in a fashion I should be able remake it if needed, and started a new one.

Mold lines still need to be cleaned up, I like the flow, and love the Stealth Suit Hoof, great suggestion guys.

Thoughts?

Kick Starting my Space Marines, WIP Kor’sarro Khan

2010-08-07T00:01:00.002-04:00

The theft of the space marine army that I was using as stand in's for the Khan based bike army is kicking my desire to get this semi secret project finished and on the table asap. I have most of the "bikes" converted, just some finishing detail work and the last couple bits orders waiting to arrive.

Overarching theme for the army will be a mid to late Heresy Thousand sons, still doggedly loyal to the empire. (can you see a trend? I am addicted to the art and fluff).

Low model count to try and balance out the fact there would not be a lot of them. And a lot of Bionics replacing the mutations that spring up and keep them “pure”

In the mean time I figured with an unexpected day off I would work on what will be the centerpiece of this army. All of the bikes are converted horses with added bionics and servo assists. To make Khan stand out I needed a strong model as a base. Searching not only the Games Workshop catalog of figures I really only ended up with one or two models that would be a good base. Both from the Warriors of Chaos Fantasy line. I liked the Chaos Lord on Daemonic Mount alot, but I felt the positioning was too static for what I wanted. In the end I went with Archaon, The Everchosen as my Khan base.

To start the process of making Archaon, The Everchosen look Loyalist I first had to go through, carve off all the chaos iconography, gap fill the Chaos star on the flank of the horse, smooth out all the rough edges and then I could start converting and adding Bionics.

Next was the torso, I decide to keep it, as it fits the mono pose legs on the horse perfectly. To clean it up I removed all the skulls, the chaos star and ground it down to the base and began to redefine the breastplate to make it look more mid-heresy. I added a custom "stack" built into the rear of the torso to account for the power armor as I think a backpack would have killed the flow of this figure. I am hoping to sculpt a winged scarab on the center of the torso if my skill is up to it.

To fit in with the Egyptian feel of all of my units I did a fairly basic weapon swap, also giving my Captain a greater reach when attacking and being a good stand in for Khan's weapon of choice.

For the head I am still undecided. In a perfect world I would custom sculpt a Anubis head for this project, a power armored Jackal head much like the Space Wolves Wolf head. The real question is how much my greenstuff/greystuff skills have progressed in the past year.

Anyway, here are some photos of the current WIP. More soon.

ICGT wrap up, and a question of Dice Karma

2010-08-03T01:58:00.001-04:00

Attempting to get my 3rd "Golden Ticket" and this time with free airfare I played in this past weekends ICGT.....

Let me start the wrap up by saying I had 4 great games, and W/L/D I had a really good time breaking out the newly repaired Thousand Sons CSM's for the first time since their victory at "Blobs Park". At the first annual ICGT I ended up with a respectable 3/1/0 record, with the final battle fought on table #1 vs an excellent opponent, and no matter how good my tactics were my dice failed me, ultimately leading to my defeat...

To illustrate how bad they were, we will start with Blast Templates. In 4 games, 3 of the 4 going a full 6 rounds I fired 54 total blast templates, including Twin link shots I hit a total of 5 times, totally whiffing in my first 2 games in fact, serious not a single hit....

(yes I am OCD, I tracked the rolls after I missed 3 blast templates in a row first game)

Another example, in the final game, Two Daemon Princes attacked 2 different Chimeras in the same assault phase.......

Daemon Prince 1, with 5 attacks aiming for a tank that moved 6 hit three times needing 4's and pen'ed once needing 5 or greater on 2D6, in the end immobilizing it, and blowing off the Multi-Laser.

Daemon Prince 2, with 5 attacks again, vs a immobilized Chimera (Auto hits) and again needing 5+ on 2D6 got one glance and one pen, resulting in one stun and a weapon destroyed.... so 4 times I rolled a 4 or less on 2d6.....

Really outside 4 cover saves made back to back (4+ on 1D6) the whole game was like that, dice just rolling super below average...

Now this tourney I used my 5th set of dice, (set number 4 being stolen two weeks beforehand), and really I am looking for some tips or tricks to build some better dice Karma, Luck, or just something to get some average rolls...

So the question is, what do you do all do to get good dice, or assuming you keep the dice you have, what superstitions do follow to get some good dice love?

Weird post I know..... It's 02:01 AM, I am still working, and I started the day at 06:30... so take it with an exhausted grain of salt =-)

A Crisis adverted and proof gamers are great people....

2010-07-16T22:59:00.000-04:00

These are photos of my cars window….

Lastnight, the day before the ‘Ard Boyz finals, someone broke in and stole my 2500 SM army, just my army and nothing else……

Insult to injury about2/3 of the army was borrowed from Gamesmith, so it was not even mine…

What is a Fledgling ‘Ard Boyz finalist going to do when confronted with the task of missing out on the once a year finals?

He is going to call out to the community! With in hours of posting my plight on the Inner Circle Forums a few of the local games stepped up and loaned me almost 95% of everything I need, going as far as doing weapon swaps on they own models to make them fit into my army list!! It took 11 hours of driving, building and basing, but I will be able to game on!

If nothing else this proves gamers are good people…

A quick thank you, Win, Lose, or Draw, to…

Vaden…

Gamesmith, MTD, and Seth…

And finally Showcase comics, where ‘Ard Boyz is being held, they made it clear if I was missing anything they would do their best to make sure I could borrow models to get to the table WYSIWYG

Updates tomorrow or Sunday, W/L/D...