I just put two auctions up on Ebay, one is a classic Tallarn squad and the other is the mini-rulebook from the Assault on Black Reach set.
Check 'em out!
Soon I'll be putting up a Mordian squad and possibly the old classic metal Catachan squad, once I get the crappy paint job stripped off them.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Small Game Recap
So last night turns out that the store does have some bigger tables. Furthermore, they are expanding in a couple of months and they'll have even bigger tables there. We played on a 5x3.5 table. Being a 500 point game it was quite open. Here's what I took and what he took:
Space Marines
5x Scouts
10x Marines
1 Chaplain
1 Thunderfire Cannon
Eldar
10 Dire Avengers
3 Jetbikes
1 Farseer + doom
6 Banshees
1 D-Cannon
I took the D cannon because I figured that on a small table the limited range would not be an issue. As it was, I never got to fire a shot because he stayed out of range and destroyed it around the 4th turn with a Thunderfire Cannon shot. It did keep a bit of firepower off my troops though. I think I can use them as area denial since no one wants to come near one.
His Thunderfire cannon did the most damage of everything he had, it killed 3 banshees, an Avenger, and took out the D cannon. I tried taking it out with my bikes, but it's a tough nut to crack with a 3+ cover save thanks to the Techmarine. A little more firepower would help.
My banshees suffered some really bad rolls and didn't kill too much. They were wiped out by the Chaplain. When I charged the combat squad led by the chaplain, only one banshee actually managed to hit, and of course failed to wound.
In all, I won 3 objectives to 1 (my Avengers formed a long line that touched two objectives while the bikes held the third). I think what did it for me was I have learned that giving up a turn of shooting in order to get a better position pays off a lot better in the long run. In a small game every unit counts, and I think I was better able to maximize what my units did.
Next game we play we're upping it to 1,000 points. I will be playing as Tyranids. This should be interesting because the smaller the game, the harder time Tyranids have because Synapse becomes an issue.
Now we're working on strengthening the 40k community in this area. With the Northridge store closing and the stores in Santa Clarita closing, this is the only place to game in the valley. There's a small club at the college that says I can't play with them because I'm not a student (for insurance reasons, blah blah blah) but we can try and steal their players and get a league going. There's more players out here, finding who they are and getting them out will help us to get a strong wargaming community our here.
Space Marines
5x Scouts
10x Marines
1 Chaplain
1 Thunderfire Cannon
Eldar
10 Dire Avengers
3 Jetbikes
1 Farseer + doom
6 Banshees
1 D-Cannon
I took the D cannon because I figured that on a small table the limited range would not be an issue. As it was, I never got to fire a shot because he stayed out of range and destroyed it around the 4th turn with a Thunderfire Cannon shot. It did keep a bit of firepower off my troops though. I think I can use them as area denial since no one wants to come near one.
His Thunderfire cannon did the most damage of everything he had, it killed 3 banshees, an Avenger, and took out the D cannon. I tried taking it out with my bikes, but it's a tough nut to crack with a 3+ cover save thanks to the Techmarine. A little more firepower would help.
My banshees suffered some really bad rolls and didn't kill too much. They were wiped out by the Chaplain. When I charged the combat squad led by the chaplain, only one banshee actually managed to hit, and of course failed to wound.
In all, I won 3 objectives to 1 (my Avengers formed a long line that touched two objectives while the bikes held the third). I think what did it for me was I have learned that giving up a turn of shooting in order to get a better position pays off a lot better in the long run. In a small game every unit counts, and I think I was better able to maximize what my units did.
Next game we play we're upping it to 1,000 points. I will be playing as Tyranids. This should be interesting because the smaller the game, the harder time Tyranids have because Synapse becomes an issue.
Now we're working on strengthening the 40k community in this area. With the Northridge store closing and the stores in Santa Clarita closing, this is the only place to game in the valley. There's a small club at the college that says I can't play with them because I'm not a student (for insurance reasons, blah blah blah) but we can try and steal their players and get a league going. There's more players out here, finding who they are and getting them out will help us to get a strong wargaming community our here.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Playing Smaller Games
Recently, a new store opened up here in Lancaster (CA) called Battle Grounds. They are the only gaming store around. The only other nearest one is about 45 minutes to an hour away in Santa Clarita. This store is small, and just getting started. Tonight, they will host what I think is their first 40k game ever in their eight months of being open. About a month ago, the owner put out a list of people who have contacted him about playing 40k, making me realize that there's other people around here who play. I'm no longer alone!
Unfortunately, their tables are kind of small. They're set up for Magic and other board games, not for Warhammer. But I'm not going to let that stop me! Instead we're going to play some 500 pt games. Generally, we agree that 500 pt games don't need an HQ as part of the FOC, only two troops choices. Planning these lists made me realize the game gets a little trickier at small points.
Here's the three lists I wrote up:
10 Dire Avengers with Exarch, Power Weapon, Shimmershield, Defend and Bladestorm.
1 Doomseer (Farseer+doom)
6 Banshees with exarch & executioner
3 Jetbikes, one with cannon
1 D cannon
This list takes advantage of the small table space. D-Cannons are awesome, but their short range is their only limitation. A small board will help mitigate that weakness. The Doomseer lets the shuriken catapults in the army do the maximum damage. I gave the Exarch the powerweapon and shield instead of dual cats because with a small board, I fear that they would get assaulted easily. Those upgrades would help them survive. I normally mechanize my Avengers, these upgrades are to help them guard an objective.
5 Pathfinders
3 Jetbikes (with cannon)
3 Jetbikes (with cannon)
6 Fire Dragons with Exarch
5 Banshees with Exarch
This list is my specialist list. The Pathfinders can get a 2+ cover save, a tough cookie in a small game. The bikes can run around nabbing objectives and generally harassing the foe.
12 Guardians with Scatter Laser, warlock with conceal
3 Jetbikes with cannon
1 Doomseer
5 Swooping Hawks with Exarch
1 D-Cannon
This is my "I'm not really trying" list. I want to love hawks, they were fun back in 2nd and I want their glory days to return. Their problem is they're not sure what they want to do. Are they anti-vehicle, or anti-horde? They're also very fragile. I think if their guns had one more shot, and if their blast template was either increased in strength or number of blasts per hawk in the unit (why not give them one small blast template per 2 hawks?) they would be more useful. Anyway, more on them later.
While writing these lists, I realized that most of the normal game types would be weird with such a small points game. Any objective based mission probably would end in a draw as most lists only have two things that can possibly score. The death of one means you'd have to really scramble to avoid a draw. The only standard mission that would work is Killpoints.
Well, I'll see how tonight goes and report tomorrow.
Unfortunately, their tables are kind of small. They're set up for Magic and other board games, not for Warhammer. But I'm not going to let that stop me! Instead we're going to play some 500 pt games. Generally, we agree that 500 pt games don't need an HQ as part of the FOC, only two troops choices. Planning these lists made me realize the game gets a little trickier at small points.
Here's the three lists I wrote up:
10 Dire Avengers with Exarch, Power Weapon, Shimmershield, Defend and Bladestorm.
1 Doomseer (Farseer+doom)
6 Banshees with exarch & executioner
3 Jetbikes, one with cannon
1 D cannon
This list takes advantage of the small table space. D-Cannons are awesome, but their short range is their only limitation. A small board will help mitigate that weakness. The Doomseer lets the shuriken catapults in the army do the maximum damage. I gave the Exarch the powerweapon and shield instead of dual cats because with a small board, I fear that they would get assaulted easily. Those upgrades would help them survive. I normally mechanize my Avengers, these upgrades are to help them guard an objective.
5 Pathfinders
3 Jetbikes (with cannon)
3 Jetbikes (with cannon)
6 Fire Dragons with Exarch
5 Banshees with Exarch
This list is my specialist list. The Pathfinders can get a 2+ cover save, a tough cookie in a small game. The bikes can run around nabbing objectives and generally harassing the foe.
12 Guardians with Scatter Laser, warlock with conceal
3 Jetbikes with cannon
1 Doomseer
5 Swooping Hawks with Exarch
1 D-Cannon
This is my "I'm not really trying" list. I want to love hawks, they were fun back in 2nd and I want their glory days to return. Their problem is they're not sure what they want to do. Are they anti-vehicle, or anti-horde? They're also very fragile. I think if their guns had one more shot, and if their blast template was either increased in strength or number of blasts per hawk in the unit (why not give them one small blast template per 2 hawks?) they would be more useful. Anyway, more on them later.
While writing these lists, I realized that most of the normal game types would be weird with such a small points game. Any objective based mission probably would end in a draw as most lists only have two things that can possibly score. The death of one means you'd have to really scramble to avoid a draw. The only standard mission that would work is Killpoints.
Well, I'll see how tonight goes and report tomorrow.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Painting Deathwing, Part 1
Painting Deathwing, Part 2
Painting Deathwing, Part 3
The Completed Deathwing
While painting a friend's Deathwing, I was searching online for the best way to do it. I wasn't satisfied with any of the ways presented and finally struck out on my own. Here's how I paint the Deathwing.
Step 1: Basecoat the model. I use about a 50/50 mix of Bleached Bone and Skull White as I don't think regular Bleached Bone looks as nice. Here you can see how I used the airbrush to get the entire army basecoated in less than an hour.
Step 2: Using Gryphonne Sepia, I airbrushed the wash right onto the model. I had heard about this technique with the Citadel Airbrush came out and I wanted to try it out. This picture is obviously not a terminator, but as I forgot to get a picture of this step it will have to do. Either way, the colors are the same as I'm doing a similar process for my Banshees.
I chose to airbrush the washes as opposed to brushing for speed. Also, I like the way the wash applies when airbrushed.
Step 3: Now, drybrush the bleached bone mixture over the washed figure. I use a large brush for this step and it goes quickly.
Now you're ready for the detail! The next part will discuss where to go from here.
Painting Deathwing, Part 3
The Completed Deathwing
While painting a friend's Deathwing, I was searching online for the best way to do it. I wasn't satisfied with any of the ways presented and finally struck out on my own. Here's how I paint the Deathwing.
Step 1: Basecoat the model. I use about a 50/50 mix of Bleached Bone and Skull White as I don't think regular Bleached Bone looks as nice. Here you can see how I used the airbrush to get the entire army basecoated in less than an hour.
Step 2: Using Gryphonne Sepia, I airbrushed the wash right onto the model. I had heard about this technique with the Citadel Airbrush came out and I wanted to try it out. This picture is obviously not a terminator, but as I forgot to get a picture of this step it will have to do. Either way, the colors are the same as I'm doing a similar process for my Banshees.
I chose to airbrush the washes as opposed to brushing for speed. Also, I like the way the wash applies when airbrushed.
Step 3: Now, drybrush the bleached bone mixture over the washed figure. I use a large brush for this step and it goes quickly.
Now you're ready for the detail! The next part will discuss where to go from here.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Editorial: Thoughts on the Price Increase
le sigh
While I much love Games Workshop's product, one of the downsides of the hobby is frequent price increases. As has been heavily reported, in June the prices are getting raised again. All metal models just had their prices raised in September, and some of those are getting raised even further.
What I don't get about it is some of the random increases. For example, the Biovore got raised up to almost $30. Of all the models, the Biovore? Don't get me wrong, I think the concept behind the Biovore is great. Even if you miss, you still get something. But at that price, I'll be looking towards Ebay when I get around to adding them to my army.
Also, very few Tyranid models were included in the increase. I take this as a hopeful sign that the new Tyranid codex is coming (relatively) soon. Of course, the requisite price increase for Nids will come then. While part of me wants to stock up on them now, I'm also worried that the Codex style will change, making part of my army obsolete. Everything I have is magnetic, so I'm ok if the new weapon du jour changes, but models aren't as forgiving if their performance or style drastically shifts.
Finally, as long as Games Workshop continues to put out a product with engaging fluff, fantastic miniatures and fun rules I will continue to buy from them. My purchasing will simply slow down. Of course, I need to paint my backlog before I start getting more stuff again. So honestly, while price rises suck, they are encouraging me to slow down my purchases so I can actually get my backlog up to speed. I mean, I finally painted my Fire Prism last year which I bought when I was 18. I'm 28 now. My poor Wraithguard still haven't been painted after all these years. But enough bloviating, time to get to painting!
While I much love Games Workshop's product, one of the downsides of the hobby is frequent price increases. As has been heavily reported, in June the prices are getting raised again. All metal models just had their prices raised in September, and some of those are getting raised even further.
What I don't get about it is some of the random increases. For example, the Biovore got raised up to almost $30. Of all the models, the Biovore? Don't get me wrong, I think the concept behind the Biovore is great. Even if you miss, you still get something. But at that price, I'll be looking towards Ebay when I get around to adding them to my army.
Also, very few Tyranid models were included in the increase. I take this as a hopeful sign that the new Tyranid codex is coming (relatively) soon. Of course, the requisite price increase for Nids will come then. While part of me wants to stock up on them now, I'm also worried that the Codex style will change, making part of my army obsolete. Everything I have is magnetic, so I'm ok if the new weapon du jour changes, but models aren't as forgiving if their performance or style drastically shifts.
Finally, as long as Games Workshop continues to put out a product with engaging fluff, fantastic miniatures and fun rules I will continue to buy from them. My purchasing will simply slow down. Of course, I need to paint my backlog before I start getting more stuff again. So honestly, while price rises suck, they are encouraging me to slow down my purchases so I can actually get my backlog up to speed. I mean, I finally painted my Fire Prism last year which I bought when I was 18. I'm 28 now. My poor Wraithguard still haven't been painted after all these years. But enough bloviating, time to get to painting!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Clay Craters
I made some craters out of clay. They took about 5-10 minutes each. The only problem I had was they tend to warp while drying, so I had to sand them down a bit on the bottom. They still wobble a bit so I'm going to patch greenstuff over them to fix that, and to add some asymmetry to them. The double crater developed a crack so I have to patch that up too. After I'm done fixing them, I'm going to paint them to match my table.
I also finished up the bases for my ruined temple heads (like Easter Island heads), but I have to do some battle damage effects before I can glue those on.
(Note that this is not Sculpey or a similar air-dry clay, this is a stoneware clay body, the same stuff used to make pottery.)
Here is how I made them: I took my clay and rolled it out into a slab about 1" thick. I then pressed a curved plaster mold into the clay. With the mold in place I used my thumb to push down the outside into the outward slope. To make them uneven I used my fingers to stretch them out a bit. Finally, I used a loop tool to scrape down the sides to give it texture. After they dried, I sanded the bottoms and fired them. I assume you can make these using air dry clay, they'll just be a little more fragile.
I also finished up the bases for my ruined temple heads (like Easter Island heads), but I have to do some battle damage effects before I can glue those on.
(Note that this is not Sculpey or a similar air-dry clay, this is a stoneware clay body, the same stuff used to make pottery.)
Here is how I made them: I took my clay and rolled it out into a slab about 1" thick. I then pressed a curved plaster mold into the clay. With the mold in place I used my thumb to push down the outside into the outward slope. To make them uneven I used my fingers to stretch them out a bit. Finally, I used a loop tool to scrape down the sides to give it texture. After they dried, I sanded the bottoms and fired them. I assume you can make these using air dry clay, they'll just be a little more fragile.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Editorial: No Comment
40k Rumors: Plastic Thunderhawk Confirmed
Wow the news has been coming in fast on this one! Sources say that it will include over 80 different plastic doors, covering all the chapters that anyone has ever heard of! It will also include parts to make either the transport or gunship variants (including two Rhinos and a Landraider). From what we've heard it will be priced at $97.85 USD and is expected this summer as part of the eighth wave of Space Marines.
It's finally here! We've been waiting so long for this and to see it become reality puts a tear in my eye.
Showing 23 of 23 Comments
Warhamman 5 minutes ago
Still no word on Dark Eldar?
Flayedguy 5 minutes ago
Nothing about Necrons?
Anonymous 4 minutes ago
First post!
Digimonfan 4 minutes ago
HAY GUSY DO U TINK I SHUD GET A FROGWOLRD TUNDERHAK WIV MA BURFDAYS MONYS MY MUM SAIS I CAN USE HER CREDT CARD AN I WATN A FROGWLRORD THANDRHAWNK
Slippy 4 minutes ago
The Vulkan sculpt sucks.
Mr.Exciteable 4 minutes ago
OH YES OH YES OMG OH YES YES OMG YES YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS OMG YES OOOMMMMMGGGG YESSSSSS YES OH YESSS OMMGGGG YES OMG YYYEEESS YSS YEEEEEEEYSSSS OMMMGGMO OGC YESSSSS OOOMMMMMGGGGG YSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Chuckles 4 minutes ago
I find that when I paint the hair, I prefer to do natural highlighting and layering, using a bit of Vidal Sassoon mixed into my paint.
Anon E Mouse 4 minutes ago
Overpriced. I could make one for a fifth of the cost out of stuff I steal from work. Anyone that pays this much is an idiot. If you can't make your own models you have no place in this hobby.
Hairyback 3 minutes ago
Well that does it. Another terrible decision by Games Workshop. A plastic Thunderhawk before a plastic Farseer? I'm switching to Warmachine.
Grumblecakes 3 minutes ago
Wow, amazing! While you're at it, check out my latest Ebay auction! This is not a shameless plug!
joe 3 minutes ago
I quit a long time ago and this is only forcing me to stay quitted for even longerer. More Space Marines? An overpriced Thunderhawk? As a reminder to you all, I have quit the game and have no idea why I bother posting comments for a game that I am have to be quitted from for many long times.
Byl'O Ry'leh 3 minutes ago
Plastic Manta plastic manta plastic manta plz?
Master Chef 2 minutes ago
hey i was wandering i lookd in teh spayce mahreens book an i cant find thunderhawlk? sum1 halp 2 find it? how much pionts?
Observant 2 minutes ago
That picture is of the Forgeworld one. I counted the bombs and they are the same as the Forgeworld one.
Sharpeyes 2 minutes ago
No it isn't. It's the plastic one. I counted the pilots and they are different than the Forgeworld one.
Observant 2 minutes ago
Well, I counted the wings and they are the same, therefore this is the Forgeworld one.
Sharpeyes 2 minutes ago
I just counted the rivets- this is definitely the plastic one.
Erudite 2 minutes ago
You're just now reporting this? Over at my shady website, we've known of this for far longer than you. In fact I'm putting together my kit right now. Anyone know how the wings are supposed to fit in?
Roswell 2 minutes ago
*yawn* Call me when you have some real news. This one is a fake. Games Workshop has never released a plastic model from a Forgeworld kit, and there is no spoon, or moon landing.
Cheech 1 minute ago
I spent one second clicking on this link, skimmed it for twenty seconds all for this? What a waste of my time. The quality of reporting on this website has really gone downhill. I am leaving this blog and never coming back until tomorrow.
Bring Back the Sqauts 1 minute ago
Great, just what we needed. All the tournements that I don't go to but have only read about now will have nothing but T-hawk builds. This website used to be so great, now they're just endorsing pure cheddar. This isn't just cheddar, this is gouda. No wait, this is gorgonzola. Actually, I say this is Casu Marzu.
Jack 1 minute ago
I still don't own a 5th edition rulebook but I think I read something somewhere about something I heard on the intramawebs about not being able to take these in a regular game? Why are they even making this then?
Naval Orange 1 minute ago
First post!
Wow the news has been coming in fast on this one! Sources say that it will include over 80 different plastic doors, covering all the chapters that anyone has ever heard of! It will also include parts to make either the transport or gunship variants (including two Rhinos and a Landraider). From what we've heard it will be priced at $97.85 USD and is expected this summer as part of the eighth wave of Space Marines.
It's finally here! We've been waiting so long for this and to see it become reality puts a tear in my eye.
Showing 23 of 23 Comments
Warhamman 5 minutes ago
Still no word on Dark Eldar?
Flayedguy 5 minutes ago
Nothing about Necrons?
Anonymous 4 minutes ago
First post!
Digimonfan 4 minutes ago
HAY GUSY DO U TINK I SHUD GET A FROGWOLRD TUNDERHAK WIV MA BURFDAYS MONYS MY MUM SAIS I CAN USE HER CREDT CARD AN I WATN A FROGWLRORD THANDRHAWNK
Slippy 4 minutes ago
The Vulkan sculpt sucks.
Mr.Exciteable 4 minutes ago
OH YES OH YES OMG OH YES YES OMG YES YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS OMG YES OOOMMMMMGGGG YESSSSSS YES OH YESSS OMMGGGG YES OMG YYYEEESS YSS YEEEEEEEYSSSS OMMMGGMO OGC YESSSSS OOOMMMMMGGGGG YSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Chuckles 4 minutes ago
I find that when I paint the hair, I prefer to do natural highlighting and layering, using a bit of Vidal Sassoon mixed into my paint.
Anon E Mouse 4 minutes ago
Overpriced. I could make one for a fifth of the cost out of stuff I steal from work. Anyone that pays this much is an idiot. If you can't make your own models you have no place in this hobby.
Hairyback 3 minutes ago
Well that does it. Another terrible decision by Games Workshop. A plastic Thunderhawk before a plastic Farseer? I'm switching to Warmachine.
Grumblecakes 3 minutes ago
Wow, amazing! While you're at it, check out my latest Ebay auction! This is not a shameless plug!
joe 3 minutes ago
I quit a long time ago and this is only forcing me to stay quitted for even longerer. More Space Marines? An overpriced Thunderhawk? As a reminder to you all, I have quit the game and have no idea why I bother posting comments for a game that I am have to be quitted from for many long times.
Byl'O Ry'leh 3 minutes ago
Plastic Manta plastic manta plastic manta plz?
Master Chef 2 minutes ago
hey i was wandering i lookd in teh spayce mahreens book an i cant find thunderhawlk? sum1 halp 2 find it? how much pionts?
Observant 2 minutes ago
That picture is of the Forgeworld one. I counted the bombs and they are the same as the Forgeworld one.
Sharpeyes 2 minutes ago
No it isn't. It's the plastic one. I counted the pilots and they are different than the Forgeworld one.
Observant 2 minutes ago
Well, I counted the wings and they are the same, therefore this is the Forgeworld one.
Sharpeyes 2 minutes ago
I just counted the rivets- this is definitely the plastic one.
Erudite 2 minutes ago
You're just now reporting this? Over at my shady website, we've known of this for far longer than you. In fact I'm putting together my kit right now. Anyone know how the wings are supposed to fit in?
Roswell 2 minutes ago
*yawn* Call me when you have some real news. This one is a fake. Games Workshop has never released a plastic model from a Forgeworld kit, and there is no spoon, or moon landing.
Cheech 1 minute ago
I spent one second clicking on this link, skimmed it for twenty seconds all for this? What a waste of my time. The quality of reporting on this website has really gone downhill. I am leaving this blog and never coming back until tomorrow.
Bring Back the Sqauts 1 minute ago
Great, just what we needed. All the tournements that I don't go to but have only read about now will have nothing but T-hawk builds. This website used to be so great, now they're just endorsing pure cheddar. This isn't just cheddar, this is gouda. No wait, this is gorgonzola. Actually, I say this is Casu Marzu.
Jack 1 minute ago
I still don't own a 5th edition rulebook but I think I read something somewhere about something I heard on the intramawebs about not being able to take these in a regular game? Why are they even making this then?
Naval Orange 1 minute ago
First post!
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