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...