** COMING SOON - the return **

++ Coming soon ++

.... relaunch of the blog with a 40K theme..
Future content may well cover painting tutorials, reviews and also feature other systems like Bolt Action and X-wing..stay tuned

++ WARBRINGER - OUT ++

 

Image: Courteousy of Games Workshop

Trip to Warhammer World

After best part of 3 months I am back to update the blog and also take it (finally) in more of a set direction for content. Over the kast few months, particularly model wise I have been painting and assembling a past "stock" of models and in siome cases selling off and clearing down to make room for fresh plastic "crack".

Reason is two-fold, i) allow honing of painting skills, self improvement and practice means better and more painted ( & finished !) models hitting the table, which leads onto ii) actually playing games!

Over the last 3 months I have been gaming with friends and also via local gaming clubs, mainly WFB and also more recently WH40K again. This has led to WFB now composing of a sizable DARK ELF army and also a DWARF force ( un-played as in assembly and painting station!). I have enjoyed playing the DE so far and have now focused more on a core force I like to use ( 1500-2500pts used to date). It has NO Witch Elves and only recently have I even used Reaper bolt throwers preferring a more manoeuvrable and solid force where possible. More to follow.

As for WH40K I spent the day with friends at Warhammer World on Monday where forces from Iron hands, White Scars, Space Wolves clashed with Eldar, Dark Eldar. Imperial Knights made an appearance, in my first game I took on 3 in one force! By turn 3 they were all dead! The "beast pack" ruled the day as the Dark Eldar/Eldar took on and won through all the games.

Regarding the gallery a lot of models seemed to be out for photographs and no doubt future WD battle reports or codex inclusion. These covered Dark Elves, Cadian troops ( IG or Astra Militarium!) and Daemons. As I am currently working on Dwarfs I took a few images for inspiration. As always the models in "the flesh" are so much better than images can portray on the web or via WD.

If you have not been and ever can go, well worth a visit...

WFB: Warriors of Chaos vs Lizardmen (23.1.14)

Finally, got back to getting a game in with my WOC army last night. It was a pick up game as I was supposed to be playing Empire but my opponent did not show up, so did a quick 1000pt battle on a 4 x4 board against Lizardmen ,as smaller forces only were available from previous Triumph & Treachery game in store...

< Sorry no photos as limited time and all from memory >

The army I used was based upon the models I managed to grab and then manipulated to fit the points value. Minimal in number, no wizards and plenty of big things instead. Marauders were used for the following reasons:

i) at the time I could not find my Chaos Warrior unit..
ii) wanted more "feet on the table" as lower cost than warriors..
iii) felt they needed some level of redemption as not used for a while due to increased points.

*Army list* ( NOT highly competitive - fun only!)

1 exalted hero with standard kit & enchanted shield ( joined Marauders)
14 marauders with light armour & shield + banner
5 Warhounds (with poisoned attacks)
1 Chaos chariot ( steeds)
5 Chaos Knights with ensorcelled weapons
3 Dragon Ogres with 2 handed weapons ( LOVE the models, again, felt element of redemption needed!)
1 Chaos Giant

Now I have NEVER played Lizardmen although since the newer book a couple of armies have appeared so as well as lack of observation I am not sure on the units. Army roughly consisted of 2 units of Skinks, 1with priest , a block of warriors with a saurus warrior and priest , a salamander and 3  handlers and a bastilidon with the "beam weapon".

Chaos went 2nd and we surged forward with the heavy hitters as no ranged combat or magic so needed to get into combat as soon as possible. The giant charged and scared off one unit f skinks with a priest and they kept running in their own following turn, finally rallying just short of the board edge afterwards. The chariot raced up a hill missing the salamander unit but gearing up for a rear charge on the saurus warriors to follow. In the meantime the hounds had marched up with the second unit of skinks taking refuge in a building. The Knights took damage from magic as they moved into the saurus warriors including ice shard &wind blast ( moved them back into the path of the Dragon Ogres who could then not charge!). Most of the game my dispel rolls worked pretty well but due to no wizards lacked the number of dice.

The knights engaged the saurus warriors ( my charge) and did terribly, my Dragon ogres made mincemeat of a salamander unit before succumbing to blow pipes, javelins and magic in the next turn. My giant was pretty impressive making his charge to the flank of the bastilidon and in the two rounds of combat undertaken decided to firstly yell & brawl followed by complete destruction after making full use of his club ( aka - fallen tree) to squish what seemed like some form of beetle to him..

The marauders were shifted around somewhat engaging the saurus warriors after the demise of the Knights, with my hero despatching the priest and the marauders actually not doing too bad in combat, although saving throws when applicable let them down.

The game ended up with a final charge of the marauders getting back with the saurus warriors, following multiple combats and losing the entire unit ( just under 200pts at the time left!) to a single EGG which can be found in the Lizardmen artefacts and costs 30pts. The result on a table rolled was 2D6 S5 hits, effectively no save for the marauders as light armour & shield against -2 modifier.

...and Yes you guessed it, he rolled a double 6 for 12, yes 12 hits, ALL wounding ( majority killing immediately as no save) and my exalted hero rolled 2 x "1"s and a "2"...

Good game to get back into it, after the game I realised my stomps from the dragon ogres were forgotten when in combat ( would not really have mattered) and in my rejoice at the exalted hero killing the priest I forgot to roll on the Eye of the Gods table.. I literally only realised whilst typing this up, so will roll now... here goes... rolled a total of a 4 - UNHOLY RESILIENCE, +1T, not bad..maybe would have helped...who knows!!

Oh , before I forget, whatever happened to the Giant, well, he continued to make use of this club swiping away a rank of warriors before the Saurus hero brought him down with a poisoned weapon. Sadly the giant fell backwards so resulted in a new hill more than a lizardman crater...

                               *****************************************************************
I will continue my assembly work on my new Dark Elves with wave 2 being delivered tomorrow so will see further reinforcements in the form of some Warlocks, witch elves, executioners and some more bleakswords.

**Breaking News** - The end of White Dwarf is nigh.....

The following extract has been taken from Natfka's faeit212 blog and covers the imminent release of news surrounding the "death" of White Dwarf and a change to  a new larger monthly "hobby based" publication and a weekly roundup perhaps remaining as the glossy sales brochure.. read as below:

Link:
http://natfka.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/the-monthly-white-dwarf-magazine-is-dead.html


" White Dwarf Magazine as a monthly release is no more. Gone and replaced by a new weekly magazine called White Dwarf Visions. There is also a new monthly magazine called 'Warhammer' Visions. This will all happen immediately.

Gone is the iconic White Dwarf magazine, and the announcement is right around the corner coming as of this Saturday.

Two independent sources have confirmed this that have been reliable, but even so, this must remain a rumor until the official announcement.

This looks like a strong move towards the future with more hobby and community oriented material for White Dwarf and new possibilities for a new magazine, which right now we know very little. I will update with more information as I can.

via an anonymous source on Faeit 212
There will be an announcement this Saturday. The monthly White Dwarf magazine is history. There will be a small weekly white dwarf magazine and a new monthly magazine, called "warhammer: visions", 230 pages strong(!!!). This will start in February.

Also there is a meeting in February for every European "black shirt" in England. Maybe for the new GW website, including FW. :)

via a must be kept anonymous source on Faeit 212
As a heads up, you're going to be getting emails about "weekly white dwarf mini magazines."
It's called White Dwarf Visions and it's true.
They will focus on talking about the hobby and community more so than being a sales magazine."

Codex: Tyranids - New Releases 2 (GW/WH40K)

Further video from GW covering the new tyranids; will be looking to order this week for release at the weekend for a new WH40K army for 2014. Ideally will also be starting a new WFB army later in the year pending further army book releases / possible 9th edition update ( or not??).

2013 Advent Calendar / GAMES WORKSHOP ( Black Library)

And for those of you that may have slept in over the last 3 -4 days, the link below is where all this new Christmassy goodness is coming from:

http://www.blacklibrary.com/2013-advent

The Humble Space Marine - Discuss...

As of yet I have not come across the "Marmite" chapter who would seemingly fit in well with your either "love it or hate it" element that the Adeptus Astartes bring to the game of WH40K. Seemingly loathed by the Xenos players and similarly touted by rival SM players as one chapter being better than another, cue Dark Angel players and their 6th edition codex...

For GW the Space Marines draw the biggest interest and generate the biggest demand and revenue so it makes sense that these poster boys need to have the investment reflected in them. The recent codex bought us the Centurions, historic maybe in name to the governing Roman Legions of hundreds of years ago whereas the actual models, well..meh..back to marmite..

So as a Space Wolf player/collector I apparently still have  a few months ( 9 more??) prior to seeing a 6th edition update, fairly painful for any impatient and impetuous pup to wait. Meanwhile supplements and expansions are flying out at a matter of knots. Did someone mention flyers, another sore point, still, we live in hope...

With my planned force of White Scars, albeit allies, why not examine what the "standard" marine is now worth and what does the tactical squad now stand for. Well, putting aside the specific Chapter tactics, which certainly add flavour to the various chapters, lets look at the army codex listing.

• Tactical squad: 4 x marines & 1 x Sgt  > points cost : 70

Basic equipment: Power armour, bolter, bolt pistol, Frag & Krak grenades.

No real change here in equipment, all fairly standard for blasting away at range, drilling away at closer range and allowing firing on the move with pistols prior to assault. When you do assault or are assaulted or have the need to destroy something more credible there are grenades and for a 10 man squad options for a SPECIAL and a HEAVY WEAPON.

One difference now being GRAV GUNS...meta ( and fluff) can and should dictate what chapters prefer as support weapons or for the Power gamers the most powerful combinations irrespective. Melta, Plasma, flamer, missiles and now Grav all feature. Take flamer template weapons (Salamanders) and incinerate those foolish enough to charge you, take melta and drop in close enough to heavy armour to reduce it to molten slag, take missile launchers and have an air defence on foot, albeit a small one. Take Grav and watch those (Chaos) terminators implode.. the list goes on.

Versatility is what you have here, not the "Red button" which is a game winner each time but enough options to deal out what must be the most flexible troop choice in the game to determine and equip the squad for the job in hand.

When I first started way back when "Rogue Trader" hit the shelves the basis tact squad had a missile launcher and flamer, standard models in the plastic boxed set, which from memory allowed 30 models to be built for £9.99!! Since then metal models increased and number of plastic models per box dwindled although here we are in 2013 with the new tact box that may "only" represent a squad of upto 10 models but the detail, quality and options to build the unit is huge.

If marine players are by far the most numerous in the game, citing the Space Wolves, Blood Angels, Dark Angels, Ultramarines, Crimson Fists, Mentor Legion, Legion Of the Damned, Howling Griffons, Salamanders, White Scars, etc, then we need the flexibility and characterisation to make them stand out as separate entities. Whilst many of us will play the popular Chapters represented in the various novels and kits, the new book with Chapter tactics allows for making your own and also giving them a history to relate to some form of chapter tactic. Recently FORGE WORLD have also got in on the act and outlined further additions.

So, back to the tact squad, the rules cover "ATSKNF", "Combat Squads" and "Chapter tactics". Ultimately squad size can vary, yet making perhaps more scoring units whilst equipped differently and working to the strengths of the chapter in question.

Unit performance may have changed over the editions and I only have 1st, 2nd and 5th with 6th to go on. For example, the Dreadnought no longer rules like it once did although Iron Warriors may like to differ. Vehicle variants of the core Rhino and Land Raider reign supreme, just take a look at the Forge World 2nd Edition Imperial Armour 2 book to see this.The "standard" terminator may arguably have dropped off slightly as well but the other elites ( Vanguard, Sternguard) as well as the centurions ( Assualt & Devastator) are a welcome addition ( note : maybe not in appearance!) with the Storm Talon and Biker squads feeding into the fast attack.

All this highlights that the humble Space Marine, whether blue, black, red, green or white, is still a fearsome sight on the table and will continue to uphold the Emperors rule and will,  no longer the singe most overpowered army around ( yes - I mean you Tau & Eldar, the Taulder) but its what the games needs for those that want to play it and have fun.

With the introduction this month of the data slates, what will this mean for the SM, apparently not long to wait as any second now the "STORMWING" will be on our radar...

White Scars - Addition of the first unit ( Landspeeder 1 )

Been a while and the land speeder shown below is an example why, has not really been the weather for spraying the primer when I am around currently so spent equally as much time thinking up the order of painting. As the force will initially comprise of an allied contigent, the options are limited , also based upon available models.

Looking at a bike squad with attack bike, have upgrades for WS specific riders , tact squad and also a command squad ( with Razorback) will feature.

Having tested out the speeder in a game allied with Space wolves and up against an Eldar force I can advise that the speeder was routinely despatched in turn 1 by a Falcon tank whilst game 2 saw the speeder deployed less aggressively and miss in each of the shooting phases of turns 1 -3. By turn 4 following the demise of a Wave Serpent due to the sustained fire from a SW Predator, the incumbent Fire Dragons managed to melt the speeder as it strayed too close.

Nothing an instruction manual and an advanced driving/piloting course cannot correct as well as addition of a secondary weapon. NEVER take a speeder with only one weapon..

Pics below

WH40K: White Scars - Allies

For what initially started as a possible faction of White Scar allies, applicable for the Space Wolves and/or Eldar I have decided to possibly expand upon this and actually create a White Scars force in their own right. After reading a few articles, particularly seeing several painting tutorials recently I got the "bug".

The White Scars are designed as a mobile attack force and allow plenty of character with bike squads, speeders and air support with flyers - something lacking with the old edition Space Wolves prior to what would appear an update in 2014 Summer+/-!!

Having sourced some biker squads ( & attack bike support) initially as allies, the idea to obtain further land speeders, tact squad and vehicles alongside the characters is a pretty driven one ( no pun intended). The aversion to Dreadnought, devastator squads and even sponson weapons on Predators deepens the theme and adds to the SW and also the Saim Hann force also undergoing construction.

Currently before committing to specifics I am checking the fluff, which is quote extensive and revealing. Playing the "Norse like" force of the Wolves and the "Genghis Khan" based White Scars is more involved than any number of Vanilla marine armies. As for gameplay, these guys are on you from turn 1 with scout moves and extreme movement all round. It should add up to a fast game and reduce the normal "pew pew" from afar running the game turn down...so all IG players beware...

The recent Codex also adds character with Chapter traits and WS list with Bikes as troops choices with the right mix.

For those who use the CITADEL paints a GW scheme for colours is shown below:

"White is the new Black..." ( or Ulthuan Grey mainly..)


I intend to put up progress , as & when it happens...


** E N D   O F    T R A N S M I S S I O N    **

How to paint Eldar Dire Avengers pt.2

How to paint Eldar Dire Avengers pt.1

Official Eldar Codex Review!

Check out this review from StrikingScorpion82...for those that don't know the channel, it has by far the best batreps (40K), showcases and painting tutorials around.

***INCOMING MESSAGE..."Xenos detected, send help...they came from nowhere..we had no chance.. they... " * D E A D *

Having a slight jig around currently based upon a determination to actually get a fully painted force, in this instance reduce an over staffed HE listing down somewhat to an elite collection of Chracians whilst at the same time considering options for a foe worthy of the Space Wolves, only another 8-10 months to go before the "rumoured" new codex hits..

So flavour of this month is:
OGRE KINGDOMS -* OUT *
WOC - gain a couple of detachments of Chaos Ogres..
HIGH ELVES = partial reduction

Balance transferred into a future variant if the HE, yes,,the Eldar return this month, already conscription has started and tactics are in progress to capture further objectives to follow. Two words only at this stage..Saim Hann... after this weekend I hope to have news of the Craftworlders ...

In the meantime here are some images from Warhammer World versions of the red blurs themselves..

Warhammer World & Citadel Miniatures Showcase

Last week was a busy one as I was attending a conference for work in York which at times was pretty drawn out both in content and delivery. As an aside the City itself which was on my doorstep of the hotel is a great place to visit with many restaurants, bars and history to the place. making use of technology with an app on the phone tied in with a map for the various locations proved of great use.

On the way back on the Friday, having finished earlier than expected I thought I would call into Warhammer World, having never had the chance to do so with Nottingham probably around best part of 3 hours from where I live.

Having first been greeted by a Ultramarine Rhino nestling in the car park itself, followed by an Uruk hai ( spelling??) from Lord Of the Rings I proceeded to the floor where the Miniatures showcase existed. Having passed the 8 foot high Ultramarine on this floor, ( the Smurfs seem to rule this place) I eagerly entered the room..

Now I would like to think I am a keen painter, even if my eyes are often bigger than my brush ( no inneuendo implied!) but the sheer scale and quality of the miniatures on show is amazing. Glass case after glass case follows in a sizable room of WH40K, WFB and Lord Of the Rings, the centre piece being the scene of the tyranids attacking the Space Wolf haven of the Fang, which itself attended one of the UK Gamesdays in recent years.

I had the room to myself and spent a while digesting and snapping images of applicable minaitures both for reference to my own long queue of "works in progress" and complete admiration. In person the skill levels are unbelievable and the room was full of colour and competing armies...

To the Conspiracy theorists amongst you, the missing minaitures all appeared to be from the WH40K range with Dark Eldar pretty well all disappeared as well as signs indicating that Tyranids and Orks were in use , although bulk seemed in place so I would think a batrep will no doubt appear in the enxt 3-4 months specifically with these models in White Dwarf. Not sure if November ( rumoured for Tyranids) and even Q1 2014 ( rumoured for Orks) would be applicable for codex shots in White Dwarf as no doubt these have been long actioned..

A few shots ( sorry about quality...) below..

If you have never been and like the hobby side re:painting/modelling as  much as the gaming ( table galore onsite in the great hall!!) well worth a visit...however be aware of the store as some snotty nosed school YTS employee will be on you in seconds.. ; )

Games Workshop: NEW Space Marine Releases

Officially as per time of typing there is 20 minutes remaining before the "official" release of notification at least covering the new Space Marine release with the brand spanking new codex and an assortment of miniatures.

For what will undoubtedly be GW biggest release for WH40K since the new edition came out last year, I have to wonder what is left that we don't already seem to know about.

For starters we already know the various content re: armies, and no I am not a Black Templars player ( but I am a Space Wolf player..so the wait goes on for almost another year!), the codex is bigger, new rules, new content , new structure??

Models - new character models, new vehicles, newly revamped units and actual new units such as the marine inside the marine known  as "centurions".

WD also "officially" released tomorrow will no doubt whore its many aspects, tempting players new and perhaps inquisitive returnees...

For myself, I will take a casual glance and perhaps get WD this month, the novelty wears off unless the content is attractive so "meh" lets see but if anything it feels like a real anti-climax , oh.. and another thing that relates to the online only offers, in UK sterling at least, £8,500 for a complete Chapter, really...what the F*%k, someone within the walls of GW clearly has laid out a wager on selling one, by all accounts no discount.

Anyways, 15 mins  now remaining before geeks around the world marvel at the repeatedly seen same images that we have all seen over the last few weeks just that little bit more "official"...

Enjoy, personally I await the return of the Dark Elves, rumoured at least for October prior to November seeing yet another 40K release for the Nids..

Laters..

Wave 3 X-Wing ships ** INCOMING **....

Having digested the news that notably the best player of my football team( at least last season) has now been sold off to the Spanish for £93M + player exchange ( goes by the name of Fabio), I thought perhaps take a moment to catch up where we are in the gaming world as of today.

Incidentally, aren't the Spanish supposed to be bankrupt in Europe, along with the Irish, Italians, totally the Greeks  ( now owned by ze Germans!) and possibly good ol'blighty based upon how much loose change I DON'T have in my pocket each month...

So Warhammer,  nothing new past the torrent of the last week as WH40K strides on with the Space Marines launching in September in a much larger codex than others incorporating the Black Templars, much to the general descent of the gaming world, although  I thought that they were one of the least played forces??.Nids due in "Nidvember" ( see what I did there) with good old cnnon fooder in the form of the Imperial Guard and Orks due to follow in early 2014.. on top of that rumours now persist of 9th edition with Orcs n'Gobbos matching up to the Forces of the Empire in the 9th edition battleset due Summer 2014.

Two points on the latter, i) been there done that combo before.. & ii) still waiting for update to the Brets &Wood Elves as well as Dark Elves ( although rumoured as next launch).

Something more akin to timing this week is the launch of wave 3 of the X-wing minatures. This time around the release wave will consist of the rebel B-Wing, HWK something ..., TIE bomber and certainly what caught my attention the Lambda Class Shuttle. The latter is a larger ship with real foldable wings (lets have an "ooooohhh" please) and gamewise has a zero move as a red manoeuvre!! Hmm...emergency brake procedure introduced...

In the UK seemingly the launch date is 23/8 ( that's 8/23 for anyone on the other side of the Pond - who no doubt already have their models from Gen Con anyway by now) although a local independent is telling me they have been delayed ( again!) until October.  Personally I have heard of allocation, which based upon Wave 2, was to be expected but this does not temper the anticipation although I for one will avoid paying the "sharkes" on ebay for 2-3 times plus full rrp. Even now I see the Y-Wing from Wave 1 going for over £30 ( 45-48USD)!!!

Each wave introduces new "things" and seemingly Wave 3 will be no different with ship systems coming into play and what would also be some very dodgy looking movement dials, full of red manoeuvres and missing the obvious. For example the TIE bomber can move 4 straight yet if it wants to loop straight back at yer it has a 5 ( bendy arrow thing).

A couple (or three)  images below...

Refreshingly FFG own site is happy to preview its own products so further information can be ascertained off the site as well as further images. News following GenCon is that 2014 will see the arrival of the larger ships by which I mean the Rebel Transporter, last seen legging it from Hoth with a couple of X-Wings when the Imperials turned up as well as a model of the doomed craft that we are introduced to at the beginning of Star Wars IV... Based upon GenCon photos they are pretty pricey, albeit nice looking models but 60 & 80 USD seems steep , let alone the amount of space needed as clearly a 3x3ft area barely holds these craft...

Lets see what news follows..

Wargaming Releases in 2013..

Currently there would appear to be a lot of activity across the board as various manufacturers and game systems provide updates, expansions, supplements and new additions to numerous ranges.

GW appears to have dramatically changed tact this year offering a very much sped up schedule for updating the Codex for 6th edition as well as the addition of supplements , which based upon rumour would warrant several more in the next few months. Even the poorer cousin of Warhammer ( WFB) is seeing additional army books, perhaps more balanced than ever before in a gaming sense and fluff sense...

Too many times I see comments by gamers apparently moaning and complaining that their army has nerfed or someone elses army is  broken beyond repair but is this really the case for WFB and WH40K? Too many times, it seems, are people looking for that "auto win", the one button or combo that gurantees victory.. the holy grail. The reproach would be that good generals win games and make good  use of the army at their disposal , a good general does not make a bad army good??...

In short, the game is and should be , firstly played for fun, so calm down on being so serious..its  not real and the end of the world will not happen because your Chaos Warriors were flattened by rocks and bolts from the greenskin horde or the Skaven that blew themselves up rather than their enemy. I do not and never have played tournaments and probably never will, especially with the over zealous "comping" sometimes seen in various competitions, worse case the game is no longer Warhammer when it dicates what can and cannot be taken.

The current meta allows for monstrous beasts and cavalry, allowing GW ti produce larger models than previous and take the system to another level. The cynical retort that GW wants to charge more and force people to spend more, on one hand, yes - absolutely , they are a business and need to make profits. On the other hand you don't have to buy it or if you do, buy in a way that works for you. Independent stores and the internet allow for discounts of around 10-25%, perhaps 30% at times, but choose carefully as not all merchants offer the same level of service and delivery. Certainly true in the UK where a couple of names are well known for good discounts but delivery of around 3-4 weeks+ with little or poor communication, whilst on the other hand other traders exist that offer delivery within 24 hours and still offer good discounts and loyalty schemes.

I for one, happily use Element Games and would strongly recommend to anyone else , for items available I have NEVER seen delivery over 24 hours.

So whereas GW appears to be stepping up, also adding to E-codexs, both as e-books and interactive books through iOS, kicking out new army book/codex, supplements and new model kits they are not alone.

Privateer Press are also expanding the world of Warmachine and Hordes with version 2 after 10 years, new models, new supplements with Dropzone commander also releasing a 2 player starter set. Fantasy Flight games also are working hard with new releases of legacy games such as Talisman ( yes, I played that one back in early edition) and one of my favourites "X-wing". Way too many to list as monetary funds ( for all of us!) is limited so I try to avoid temptation and stick to core systems, namely Warhammer and  now X-wing. Both Warhammer games have multiple armies and fortunately for WFB I have my new books and for WH40K await the Space Wolves in 2014, NOT the new SM book ( I hope!)...

So next time you are commenting on forums or threads or just having a discussion, remember to focus on the positives and what drives the hobby which over the years has migrated to computer and console games, the big screen in some cases  or perhaps in the future. If Bilbo Baggins could write his sign of choice , n doubt it would be "No Trolls allowed.."

Until next time..

Painting Update :13th August

Managed to grab a couple of hours today for some brush time and focused on my Chaos Chariot for base coating the gorebeast as well as additional parts of the chariot construction for base and initial wash. Painting the chariot in sections (pinning na d putting onto wire via a cork for holding sections) with the crew further ahead although may well change the second crewman to a helmeted rider over the beak like appearance he currently has. Also setting up the base for wasteland to tie in with theme of the main army.

Also working on my lord on manticore and recently made the wings a deep purple followed by inking ( AV paints) with a view to creating crackling fingers of blue lighting on the wings. Further work needed on the armour and shield of the rider but coming on , with further modification to the base, maybe to add a further accessory ( or victim) to the base.

For the new High Elf force the Loremaster had some metallic added and will assemble further as not put together yet as I wanted to make it easier to paint all sections.

I am now using more thinned down coats of various base coats which provide a smoother finish, takes more time and I will probably focus more on character models but gives a better and cleaner finish so worth it I think.

Image below shows mixed parts, not great picture but will hopefully get nearer to completion on some outstanding projects so I can focus on some "escalation" project for HE to follow.

WFB: High ElvesArmy ( 1600pts & 2000pts)

Acquired plenty of willingly recruits now for the HE push in the old world and painting for the army has begun in earnest as a token shot across the bows now has the "swordmaster" undercoated in white, using the GW spray and seemed a pretty good covering leaving all the detail.

Whilst I admit I like the Army Painter range of primers which allows many colours the GW Black and the White do apply pretty well so far in my experience whilst the Army Painter can be a bit choosy sometimes, particularly the "DRAGON RED" on a couple of occasions...

Looking to now put fixed lists in place so even more focus on what to paint.. no phoenix(s) ..nope, no model(s) yet but have mounts and foot sloggers so good ol' fashioned pre monster list , although I always have the Griffon from IOB set ..not yet assembled..

Any ideas for 1600pt and 2000pts inclusion let me know, I expect two very different lists to follow..

Will also be re-approaching 2000pts Warriors of Chaos listing as more of these models painted, mainly monstrous such as the "obligatory" Dragon Ogres ( great models but poor performers in the game??), Manticore with Lord, Giant ( used in WOC & Ogres!!), Shaggoth or could be used as Daemon Prince and also Chaos Ogres, conveniently fitting in from OK force. Gorebeast chariot now in production, pending the gorebeast itself so two steeds left over which will have some further use for...

X-Wing: Slave 1 Expansion Pack

Slave 1 arrives...

Earlier today Slave 1 finally turns up, plenty of upgrade and new cards as well as 4 pilots with of course Boba fett in prime position for number one selection. New rules now added with "title" of spacecraft now an option ( 0 pts) which in this case adds a further upgrade, from memory I think this enable proton torpedo's...

Played a further game with asteroids and 3 x TIE and 2 x X-wing, on a points basis the rebels had nothing added whilst the Imperials had no upgrades on points but did have two Elite pilots. For those that have him, "Backstabber" is really effective when his ability comes into play, essentially +1 attack dice if opponent cannot see him in own fire arc when attacked with the other named pilot used which was "Dark Curse". Extremely difficult to nail as Focus rolls and also attack re-rolls cannot be used against him. Apply evades with your TIEs and loop an' swoop for repeated attacks, it pays off and these things are highly manoeuvrable.

Comparing the X-wings shows plenty on the manoeuvre template missing so no speed 5 in straight line and plenty of other missing number turns. 3:2 ratio expected and again three sets of guns versus 2 when for points purposes the 2 rebel ships are a rookie pilot and a Red Squadron pilot shows the merits clearly enough.

Having your opponent roll 3 evades on defence dice ( twice!) just after rolling 2 hits and a critical at a timely point in the game meant the X-wings (twice) missed their chance and to make matters worse one X-wing was forced off the table ( just) by a crafty bit of flying and quite honesty, poor judgement by the Rebel player ( me).

Will look at upgrades and abilities for next game when against ppular demand Slave-1 will join the fight, only issue now is the points as 3 TIES + Slave 1 is NOT equal to 2  X-Wings, so Y-wing&A-Wing or Millenium Falcon is needed. As stated before due to popularity planning next craft and exacting ownership are two different things...

More to follow tomorrow when Boba Fett joins in...