Saint Omerville's 40k Blog

Razorspam; The last gasp?

2012-01-23T11:55:00.000-08:00

The Blood Angels have one last advantage that, in my opinion, still make them a competitive codex.
The ability to get a Fast, Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma gun toting, Razorback...for quite cheap.
The last two articles, saw me write about how I feel that the advantages of the Blood Angels have been nullified by the Grey Knights ( a popular army) and some FAQ's, specifically that IC's
(Priests) can move other models out of the way to get into B2B contact.

I believe that they (the Blood Angels Codex) only has one useful build left, and here it is.

Blood Angels Razorspam: 2000 points

Librarian w/Shield of Sanguinius, Fear of the Darkness
Librarian w/Shield of Sanguinius, Fear of the Darkness
10 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Flamer
Razorback w/Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
10 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Flamer
Razorback w/Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun
Razorback w/Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun
Razorback w/Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun
Razorback w/Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun
Razorback w/Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
Razorback w/Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
Razorback w/Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers

This is close to something that Stelek put up a while back. I didn't really love his version as he had a random sanguinary priest floating around. I will endeavor to playtest this list a bit and post the results.

-Mike

Grey Knights make Blood Angels less competitive?

2012-01-19T06:02:00.000-08:00

Over on his Blog Blackmoor is pondering the superiority of Grey Knights over Space Wolves. The discussion is actually quite informative.
This, and a sentence in my previous article, cause me to hypothesize that Grey Knights may have unseated the Space Wolves for the title of "Best 40k codex".

This, however, is about how (in my opinion) the Grey Knights codex curbstomps the Blood Angels codex by nullifying nearly all of the advantages that the Blood Angels have.

First, let's outline the advantages of the Blood Angels codex.

The ability to get "Feel no Pain" (FNP) on most any infantry/bike unit, through the use of Sanguinary Priests.
The ability to get "Furious Charge" on most any model through the use of the Red Thirst or Sanguinary Priests.
The ability to re-roll reserve rolls and minimize Deep Strike deviations with "Descent of Angels"
Fast Vehicles

The Grey Knight codex has specific rules and unit types that make a mockery of most of the aforementioned abilities. I will outline them below.

FNP is mitigated in close combat by the fact that EVERY Grey Knight (except Crowe) has a power weapon. FNP is mitigated in shooting by the fact that the Grey Knight "Psyfleman" (a dreadnought equipped with two twin-linked autocannons and Psibolt ammo) fires S8 shots, that ignore FNP for every Blood Angel except Mephiston.
Furious Charge is mitigated by the fact that every Grey Knight can take a halberd and suddenly strike before any non-HQ furious charging Blood Angel. What is worse is that even if they strike simultaneously, the Power Weapon and +1 S from hammerhand are likely to keep the odds uneven... If that were not bad enough, Death Cult assassins destroy Marines (of any kind) on the charge.
Deep Striking is not a good mechanic in 40k to begin with. The "Warp Quake" power that comes stock on Strike and Interceptor squads, makes this ability laughably more useless.
Fast Vehicles are still something that the Blood Angels do fairly well, and the Grey Knights have no specific tricks to counter.
I just want to add that Mephiston dies like a little girl to Grey Knights. Sure, he will charge and likely kill a unit. The counter-charge puts him down to I1, where he will likely get beaten to death. (unless you can hood hammerhand/Force Weapon acitivation, in which case you will semi-likely get beaten to death)

So, I think I have made a strong case that Grey Knights specifically counter most of the special rules of Blood Angels, but lets look a bit deeper.

Blood Angels have two Troops Choices, Assault Squads and Tactical Squads. (But wait we have Scouts, Death Company, and Death Company Dreadnoughts!!!! Which all suck.) Grey Knights have either Terminators, Purifiers, Strike Squads, or Henchmen. I will not be covering Henchmen lists, they vary too much for me to analyze them without resorting to sweeping generalities. Here I think is the big issue.

Blood Angel Assault squads cannot out-assault Grey Knights. Blood Angel Tactical Squads cannot out-shoot Grey Knights.

Well. Shit.

So, in conclusion, Grey Knights have inherent abilities/rules/wargear that remove most of the Blood Angels' strengths. Basic Blood Angel Troops cannot stand up to Grey Knight Purifiers, Terminators, or Strike Squads. Therefore, balanced Blood Angels lists are at a severe disadvantage when facing a balanced (or any) Grey Knight list.

-Mike

Charge!?

2012-01-19T05:19:00.000-08:00

There might be some way to insert an interrobang, but I have not yet found it, and would have liked to have it in this title.

I made a close combat list, Blood Angels. Here is what I came up with.

HQ
Mephiston
TR
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Lightning Claw
Rhino w/Dozer Blade
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Lightning Claw
Rhino w/Dozer Blade
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol, Power Weapon
Rhino w/Dozer Blade
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol, Power Weapon
Rhino w/Dozer Blade
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol, Power Weapon
Rhino w/Dozer Blade
10 Tactical Marines w/Meltagun, Lascannon
Razorback w/Twin-Linked Lascannon, Dozer Blade
2 Sanguinary Priests w/2 Lightning Claws, 2 Combi-Meltas
Furioso Librarian w/Wings, Shield
Furioso Librarian w/Wings, Shield
2 Attack Bikes w/2 Multi-Meltas
2 Attack Bikes w/2 Multi-Meltas

So, the idea is to have a fast, mobile, short ranged fire/assault capability.
(Lately I have been playing a LOT of firepower armies and really wanted something different)

So, obvious weaknesses.

No real ranged anti-tank to speak of.
Can this army still deal with similar close combat unit, (Death Cult assassins, Dark Eldar, Daemons) or against dedicated close combat units (TH&SS Termies)? Probably not in a straight, fair fight.
I have mobility, but I can be de-meched on First turn. Hopefully I have enough vehicles to survive that. What I cannot survive is being out maneuvered. I fear Dark Eldar will be able to take an awesome toll on me, so I kind of fear them. I have not really played against a lot of Dark Eldar; Something I should remedy.

For a CC list, I am actually not that strong in Close Combat. I feel Grey Knights, with their myriad of tricks will mess me up before I get to swing. (For those that do not know, the Grey Knights codex is almost a perfect counter for the BA codex as it removes all of their strengths, I should touch upon this.)

-Mike

I'm your Huckleberry.

2012-01-17T06:01:00.000-08:00

Ok. So. A new round of FAQ's hit the net yesterday (Check GW's site if you have not seen them).
I also ran into a friend at the local GW store; I am going to start going there on Mondays to get in some casual practice games, which I sorely need. (My last game was at BFS back in October 11)

Since that time, Necrons have been released and a new round of FAQ's have been issued.

How will, I, as a tournament player, change up my game?

Let's go about hammering out a list. I shall choose Mech Blood Angels.

Now. I want a list that is aggressive; My Guard are pretty passive in play and I want to change it up. I mainly play in NOVA style missions, so I will focus on having a good number of scoring units and not giving up easy kill points, while maintaining mobility.
I also need to be able to take out lots of vehicles in the AV11 - AV13 range.
(Necrons let you "spam" AV13, which is new)
Basically, I need either S9+, 2d6, or AP:1 on any weapons that can be seen as Anti-tank.
To me, Missile Launchers just don't cut it anymore.

Let's start with an HQ: Librarian (powers to be chosen later): 100 points

Next, I really want 6 scoring units.
10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Meltagun, Combi-Melta
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight: 291
Let's grab two of these. They will always be split into combat squads. (Per the FAQ, this is less dangerous.)
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight: 166
We will take three of these! (and a fourth if we have points)

Let's then grab 2 Predator Destructors w/Autocannon, Lascannon Sponsons, and a Dozer Blade: 140

We will add 2 Baal Predators with FlameStorm Cannons and Dozer Blade: 120

Adding this up: 1700 Not bad. Let's keep adding stuff.
Another 5-man Assault Scoring unit and a unit of two Attack Bikes w/Multi-Meltas gets us to 1966. Let's give an Infernus Pistol to two of the Assault Squads: 1996
With the last 4 points, we can put searchlights on the remaining four vehicles.

Our list looks like this

Librarian w/Shield of Sanguinius, The Sanguine Sword
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Meltagun, Combi-Melta
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Meltagun, Combi-Melta
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
Baal Predator w/Flamestorm Cannon, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
Baal Predator w/Flamestorm Cannon, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
2 Attack Bikes w/2 Multi-Meltas
Predator w/Autocannon, Lascannon Sponsons, Dozer Blade, Searchlight
Predator w/Autocannon, Lascannon Sponsons, Dozer Blade, Searchlight

So, to summarize.
12 Lascannons, 12 Melta-Weapons to compete against Vehicles.
8 Scoring Units, 20 Kill Points.
Dozer Blades to maintain reliable Mobility.

I will try this out next Monday and see if it can accomplish what I want it to do.

-Mike

The "Off Season"

2011-12-21T06:45:00.000-08:00

Between basically October and May is what I consider to be the "off season" of 40k.

There are no local, big tournaments (e.g. NOVA, BFS, Blobs)
As a consequence, my 40k has really been limited to digesting new codex releases (Necrons) and mild painting/planning/list building.

I know I have not yet done any kind of report from my time at Battle For Salvation (BFS), I am still up in the air about it. I went 4-1, which has already been reported elsewhere on the Internet.

I definitely have some things I want to blog about, but my time has lately been monopolized with other game-related activities.

I will try to keep posts rolling out in the off season.

-Mike

Pics of the Imperial Guard

2011-09-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

Someone asked about pictures of my army.
Here I present "The Defenders of Miler Voles".

Also, for those of you who commented on it taking me 5 hours to basecoat 5 models, this is why.
(the pic is blurry but you get the point)

-Mike

Went to GW...

2011-09-28T06:20:00.000-07:00

On my way home from work yesterday, I stopped by my local Games Workshop store to pick up some wildly expensive Sisters models.

For anyone who does not know (I didn't), Sisters of Battle are a "Direct Only" army. I was also informed that the Heavy Bolter Retributors are on back order. Cool.

The staff took the opportunity to inform me of an upcoming 40k tournament (pretty cool, I like 40k tournaments).

Whoa, 2750 points? Are the rounds 3.5 hours long? I commented that 2750 seemed like a high number of points, the staff responded, "oh just add a few tanks." Sorry guys, I claim to be good at this game. At 2750, you can clog the field with deathstar Infantry units. Then it was implied that "Comp" would be used as a factor in determining the victor. 2750 with comp? Pass. Well, I pass at "comp" tournaments in general.

Then I learned that they were out of Black Primer. What the fuck?

So, it looks like Sisters will be unavailable to me in the near future (and with the prices, probably until a new dex').

So I went home and started to convert a Marbo model.

-Mike

Battle for Salvation

2011-09-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

Battle for Salvation (BFS) is less than two weeks away. The deadline for list submission is October 4th.

At Blobs Park, I told some folks that I would be bringing the Footdar to BFS. I woke up the following day and got to work painting the Footdar. I base coated 5 Storm Guardians in roughly 8 hours.

Here is what I have left.
5 more Storm Guardians
22 Regular Guardians
One Scatter Laser
6 D-Cannons
8 Harlequins
5 Rangers
Eldrad
Forgeworld Avatar

It takes about 1.5 hours to do a Guardian. The D-Cannons, Avatar, and Eldrad will take longer, naturally. Assuming 1.5 hours per model (a conservative estimate, see above) I am looking at 74 hours of prep time. I do not have that much time.

Andrew, Nick, Mike, Dameon, et al; I am sorry, I can't bring Footdar to BFS.

I am still reluctant to play my Guard, so I turn to GW's newest Codex, Sisters of Battle.

This is what I came up with

Uriah Jacobus
10 Sisters w/2 Flamers, Combi-Plasma
Rhino
10 Sisters w/2 Flamers, Combi-Plasma
Rhino
10 Sisters w/2 Flamers, Combi-Plasma
Rhino
13 Sisters w/Meltagun, Storm Bolter, Power Weapon
Ecclesiarchy Priest w/Eviscerator
5 Celestians w/2 Meltaguns
Immolator w/Twin-Linked Multi-Melta
5 Celestians w/2 Meltaguns
Immolator w/Twin-Linked Multi-Melta
5 Dominions w/2 Meltaguns
Immolator w/Twin-Linked Multi-Melta
5 Dominions w/2 Meltaguns
Immolator w/Twin-Linked Multi-Melta
5 Retributors w/4 Heavy Bolters
Immolator w/Twin-Linked Multi-Melta
5 Retributors w/4 Heavy Bolters
Immolator w/Twin-Linked Multi-Melta
5 Retributors w/4 Heavy Bolters

1999

So, I looked at my collection. I am a couple of models short. GW wants $14 for a Retributor w/Heavy Bolter? $12 for a superior (that I need to do the Combi-Plasma conversaions)?
$10 for a Meltagun? Damn this army is expensive. I will also need to convert all of my Immolators to have twin Multi-Melta instead of the now useless Twin-Heavy Flamer.

I need to obtain, build, and paint 2 retributor squads. I need to obtain, build/convert, and paint 3 superiors with Combi-Plasma (or Melta). I need to paint Uriah, a Priest, a Meltagunner, a sister Superior, and an Immolator. I need to convert 5 more Immolators.

Not out of the realm of possibility. Accomplishing this will hinge on a trip I make to GW today. If they have all of the models I need, I will try my best to get this done.

BUT, what if they are a little short of stock?

My fallback is Guard. I have wanted to change my Guard up since NOVA, but have not had the time since I have been focusing on the Footdar.
I plan to drop the following from my list:
-20 Conscripts
-Special Weapons Team w/3 Meltaguns
-Astropath
-Officer of the Fleet

In return I will add:
-Infantry Squad w/Flamer, Plasma Pistol (or Meltagun, Meltabombs)
-Infantry Squad w/Flamer, Plasma Pistol (or Meltagun, Meltabombs)
-A Meltagun to my Command Squad
-Guardsman Marbo

The Infantry Squads replace the Conscripts and take their role of a Bubblewrap unit when needed, or they can come on from reserves to grab objectives in my backfield.
Marbo causes havoc wherever he treads. The Meltagun addition is because I always seem to need one in the command squad.

We will see how the trip to GW unfolds.

-Mike

Battle at Blobs Park

2011-09-27T05:10:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I attended the "Battle at Blobs Park", a 2000 point Warhammer 40,000 tournament.
Blobs park is a German Biergarden (Beer Garden). The tournament was in a pavilion, and unlike last year, was held in September, not early (HOT) summer.

I took the exact same list that I had taken to NOVA. Imperial Guard.

I played 4 games going 3-1. I am not going to do battle reports from this, nor am I going to post lists (a couple I do not even have).

First game I faced a similar Guard army in "Capture and Control", something neither of s were going to win. My opponent and I seemed to be playing for a Draw since neither of us really moved up on the other. At the end of 6 turns, we drew.
We then found out that Draws are not possible, and VP's was the tiebreaker. I was a little annoyed that this was not in the mission packet, but oh well. I lost on VP's by a pretty comfortable margin.

I then faced Orks in a Spearhead Kill Points mission. My opponent Mike Hoffman was a cool guy, but knew the game was likely over before deployment. We traded firepower and I killed all of his light vehicles and a bunch of orks putting me up on Kill Points.

Round 3, I faced the ringer! I believe his name was Duncan(?), he had a pretty generic Space Wolves list. Long Fangs, Wolf Scouts, Grey Hunters, and two Rune Priests. The mission was a Dawn of War, 5 Objective Seize Ground. Long story short, he won the roll-off and chose to go first. At the top of turn 6, he had three objectives to my two. During my movement phase, I contested his three and the game ended.

In the Final round, I played against a local guy playing Chaos Space Marines in a Pitched Battle, board quarters. (A stupid mission in 5th, IMO) His army was not outfitted for 5th edition or tournament play. He became frustrated with his inability to decimate me with only one real anti-tank unit. He mentioned that he had not really played since 3rd edition; he became more frustrated when he learned of 5th edition rules, specifically the rules for assault. He conceded Turn 5, after I had decimated most of his Army.

Blobs was a great time because of the Food, Beer, and meeting up with local and not-so-local 40k players. The missions were crap in my opinion. The tournament billed itself as a "NOVA Format", but yet it used Battle Points. It was possible to lose a round and yet get more battle points than your opponent. I hate this format.

For the second year in a row, a guy went 4-0 and got nothing. Meanwhile a 3-1 guy won best overall. (Not that either are upset about it, nor am I)

It is funny to note that last year I went first in all of my games, this year I went second in all of my games. The one round where I won the roll-off, my opponent seized the initiative.

-Mike

NOVA Open (Sunday)

2011-09-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

Day 2 of the 40k GT. Since I was 4-0 in day 1, I am seeded in the Top 16 Bracket. All of my opponents will be excellent players.

Round 5: Pitched Battle, Table Quarters, Kill Points, Objectives
Dawson Hindrelet, Space Wolves

Wolf Lord w/Thunderwolf Mount, Runic Armor, Wolf Claw, Stormshield
Wolf Lord w/Thunderwolf Mount, Runic Armor, Frostblade, Stormshield
Wolf Lord w/Thunderwolf Mount, Runic Armor, Thunderhammer, Stormshield
Dreadnought w/Multi-Melta, Heavy Flamer
Drop Pod
Dreadnought w/Multi-Melta, Heavy Flamer
Drop Pod
Dreadnought w/Multi-Melta, Heavy Flamer
Drop Pod
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback
2 Thunderwolf Cavalry w/2 Stormshields, Powerfist
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers

I deployed in my usual off-center formation (refused flank in one corner). Dawson deployed first. I then managed to seize the initiative. He podded in the dreadnoughts who performed awfully and failed to destroy anything with Multi-melta shots. I was able to pound the 5 thunderwolves with Manticore fire before they split up. Since there were no sagas on any of the lords, they were easy decision targets for S10 fire. I "Instant Killed" both Thunderwolf Cavalry (with Manticores) and two of the three wolf lords (Both with Demolisher shots). Lascannon/meltagun/multi-laser fire accounted for the third one. In the interim, I had been opening up into the Long Fangs with Multi-Laser/Heavy Bolter/autocannon fire and whittled them down a bit. I mostly ignored the razorbacks (who chilled in his backfield) until everything else was taken care of.
I won 3 quarters to 1.

Round 6: Dawn of War, Kill Points, Objectives, Table Quarters
Tony Kopach, Space Wolves (When I saw this matchup, I thought "Well, shit")

Njal Stormcaller, Lord of Tempests
6 Wolf Guard w/6 Combi-Meltas, 6 Powerfists (distributed 2 to the scouts, 4 to big Grey Hunter squads)
5 Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun
5 Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun
8 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Wolf Standard
Rhino
8 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Wolf Standard
Rhino
8 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Wolf Standard
Rhino
8 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Wolf Standard
Rhino
5 Grey Hunters w/Flamer
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
5 Grey Hunters w/Flamer
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers

I have played Tony a couple times before. Since we are friends and know each other, this game was fun and talkative. Tony won the roll off and deployed Njal+GH Squad+Rhino in the center of the board. I seized the initiative on Tony. I moved everything on and got LoS to Njal's Rhino, 6 Twin-linked lascannons later...it was stunned. the turning point in this game was turn 2 when one of tony's wolf scout squads arrived and multi-charged a Chimera and my Bubblewrap Conscripts. Somehow, the conscripts passed their break test (on a 4) so I would have to spend a significant effort to remove the Wold Scouts.
Whilst that was happening, I just could not kill Rhinos. My first kill point of the game came in turn 4, when I wiped out the Scout Squad. Next turn Tony completed the tabling by Njal Force-Weaponing my Commander...Ouch. The game ended 22-2. I have some idea what I did wrong, I think I need to start ignoring Wolf Scouts when I play. They were definitely the deciding factor.

Round 7: Pitched Battle, Objectives, Kill Points, Table Quarters
Brad "Hulksmash" Townsend, Space Wolves (Loganwing)

Logan Grimnar, The Great Wolf
Lone Wolf w/Terminator Armor, Chainfist, Storm Shield
Lone Wolf w/Terminator Armor, Chainfist, Storm Shield
5 Wolf Scouts w/2 Powerweapons, Meltagun
10 Wolf Guard, equipped as follows
-1 w/Powerweapon
-1 regular
-2 w/Terminator Armor, Wolf Claw
-4 w/Terminator Armor, Combi-Plasma, Wolf Claw
-2 w/Terminator Armor, Cyclone Missile Launcher, Chainfist
5 Wolf Guard, equipped as follows
-4 w/Power Armor, Storm Bolter
-1 w/Cyclone Missile Launcher, Chain Fist
5 Wolf Guard, equipped as follows
-4 w/Power Armor, Storm Bolter
-1 w/Cyclone Missile Launcher, Chain Fist
5 Wolf Guard, equipped as follows
-4 w/Power Armor, Storm Bolter
-1 w/Cyclone Missile Launcher, Chain Fist
5 Wolf Guard, equipped as follows
-3 w/Power Armor, Storm Bolter
-1 w/Power Armor
-1 w/Cyclone Missile Launcher, Chain Fist
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers

So , lots of missiles, 24 shots, I believe. I didn't even try to kill the 10-man Logan Squad. Brad had no problem killing my vehicles, I had lots of trouble killing terminators, I think I only killed one 5-man squad (leaving others with just a terminator.) The Wolf Scouts and Lone Wolves gave me problems. At the end of Brads turn 6, he had 2 objectives and I had one. I moved a Chimera to contest one and gave my officer the "move, move, move!"order to get in contesting range of the other. I knew if the game went to 7, I would lose. This game came down to a single d6 roll. on a 1-3 Brad would lose, on a 4-6 Brad would win.
When the dice fell, we were both super nervous, Brad rolled a 5. and claimed victory.
Great game, even though he had me for the majority of it.

Round 8: Spearhead, Table Quarters, Objectives, Kill Points
Adam Tricola, Dark Eldar "Kabal of the Awesomesauce"

Baron Sathonyx
Haemonculus
7 Incubi
Raider w/Grisly Trophies, Flickerfield
3 Wracks
Venom w/2 Splinter Cannons, Grisly Trophies
5 Kabalite Warriors w/Blaster
Venom w/2 Splinter Cannons, Grisly Trophies
5 Kabalite Warriors w/Blaster
Venom w/2 Splinter Cannons, Grisly Trophies
5 Kabalite Warriors w/Blaster
Venom w/2 Splinter Cannons, Grisly Trophies
18 Hellions w/Helliarch, Agoniser
6 Reavers w/2 Heat Lances
6 Reavers w/2 Heat Lances
6 Reavers w/2 Heat Lances
Ravager w/3 Dark Lances, Flickerfield
Ravager w/3 Dark Lances, Flickerfield
Ravager w/3 Dark Lances, Flickerfield

So, Adam and I deployed opposite each other and he came at me. We both had trouble destroying the others vehicles. Until about turn 3, when I was able to kill a good bit of them plus all the Reavers that were up in my face. The Baron and the Hellion squad came on my left and harassed my 3 Infantry Squad in Chimeras (as well as the conscripts later). Since we both had a lot to move, we only got through Turn 4. Not that either of us were slow, we just had lots to do. At the end, we were tied on all mission objectives but I was over by Victory Points.
For those of you keeping track, Adam was my first opponent whose army was not a Space Marine variant. Bravo Adam!

So, at the end of the tournament, I finished 6-2. Pretty awesome by my account.

-Mike

NOVA Open (Saturday)

2011-09-06T04:49:00.000-07:00

Day 1 of the 40k GT.

Round 1: Pitched Battle, Objectives, Kill Points, Table Quarters.
Cory Morris, Space Marines

Lysander
Pedro Kantor (using Pedros rules)
6 Assault Terminators w/6 Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield
Land Raider Crusader
7 Sternguard w/Combi-Melta, Power Fist
Rhino
7 Sternguard w/Combi-Melta, Power Fist
Rhino
10 Tactical Marines w/Meltagun, Missile Launcher, Powerfist
Rhino
10 Tactical Marines w/Flamer, Lascannon, Powerfist
Predator w/Heavy Bolter Sponsons
Predator w/Lascannon Sponsons

I opened the game by immobilizing the Land Raider Crusader. My scouting Melta-Valkyrie unit destroyed the lascannon Predator early. In effect, I removed a significant portion of his firepower and his assault ability. Cory kept the terminators inside the crusader for about 3 turns too long. (they should have disembarked and pressured me immediately)

Since I did not have to deal with the terminators right away, I was able to remove 3 of 4 of Corey's scoring units. I then easily took the objectives (even with pedro, lysander, et al in my backfield)

Round 2: Spearhead, Table Quarters, Objectives, Kill Points.
Blaine Toups, Space Wolves (Iron Warriors "counts as")

Rune Priest w/Jaws of the World Wolf, Stormcaller
Rune Priest w/Boltgun, Jaws of the World Wolf, Living Lightning
10 Wolf Guard (broken down as follows)
-2 w/Terminator Armor, Cyclone Missile Launcher, Storm Bolter, Chainfist
-2 w/Terminator Armor, Storm Bolter, Power Fist
-1 w/Terminator Armor, Combi-Flamer, Power Weapon
-1 w/ Terminator Armor, Storm Bolter, Power Weapon
-1 w/Combi-Melta, Powerfist
-2 w/Combi-melta, Bolt Pistol
-1 w/Combi-Plasma, Bolt Pistol
Dreadnought w/2 Twin-Linked Autocannons
Dreadnought w/2 Twin-Linked Autocannons
8 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Power Weapon, Wolf Standard
Rhino
5 Grey Hunters w/Plasma Gun
Razorback w/Lascannon, Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback w/Lascannon, Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback w/Lascannon, Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
Land Speeder w/Multi-melta, Heavy Flamer
Land Speeder w/Multi-melta, Heavy Flamer
6 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers, Lascannon
Predator w/Heavy Bolter Sponsons
Predator w/Heavy Bolter Sponsons

So, on paper, Blaine's army looks pretty terrifying in the firepower department. We set up across from each other looking to start a firepower duel. I went first, and spent two turns blowing him off the table and crippling his firepower (via suppression mostly). The game was pretty close until about turn 4 when I got some key rolls and managed to destroy some very high value units in Blaine's deployment zone. I won by 3 quarters to 1.

Round 3: Dawn of War, Kill Points, Table Quarters, Objectives.
Charles "Chuck" Pierce, Blood Angels, "Razorspam"

Librarian w/Shield of Sanguinius, The Sanguine Sword
2 Sanguinary Priests
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol
Razorback w/Twin-Linked Heavy Flamer
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol
Razorback w/Twin-Linked Heavy Flamer
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol
Razorback w/Twin-Linked Heavy Flamer
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol
Razorback w/Twin-Linked Heavy Flamer
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun
Razorback w/Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun
Razorback w/Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
Land Speeder w/Multi-Melta, Heavy Flamer
Land Speeder w/Multi-Melta, Heavy Flamer
2 Land Speeders w/2 Typhoon Missile Launchers
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
Razorback w/Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
Razorback w/Lascannon & Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers

Well, holy shit firepower. So, I went first. Long story short, Chuck had a ton of kill points and so did I. My Manticores and Vendettas killed off the Lascannon Razors , and since they were close to the Devastators, I could always hit a few with the barrages. BA Devs, without sergeant need a pin test on Ld 7 when they take a Manticore casualty. It was very effective. My Multi-Lasers, Heavy Bolters, and Autocannons obliterated the lithe speeders that came my way.

This game was not close. I got almost 10 KP's off of vehicles alone. Once Chucks Infantry was disembarked in his deployment zone, the game was effectively over. I do not recall what the final tally was, but it was a little lopsided.

Round 4: Spearhead, Objectives, Table Quarters, Kill Points.
Craig Barnes, Space Wolves, "Loganwing"

Logan Grimnar
Njal Stormcaller
Dreadnought w/Multi-Melta
Dreadnought w/Multi-Melta
10 Wolf Guard (All in Terminator Armor, broken down as follows)
-1 w/Powerfist, Powerfist
-1 w/Storm Bolter, Wolf Claw, Cyclone Missile Launcher
-1 w/Storm Bolter, Power Weapon, Cyclone Missile Launcher
-1 w/Wolf Claw, Wolf Claw
-2 w/Power Weapon, Storm Bolter
-2 w/Storm Bolter, Chainfist
-1 w/Storm Bolter, Wolf Claw
-1 w/Storm Shield, Wolf Claw
5 Wolf Guard (All in Terminator Armor, broken down as follows)
-1 w/Storm Bolter, Wolf Claw, Cyclone Missile Launcher
-1 w/Power Weapon, Storm Bolter
-1 w/Storm Bolter, Chainfist
-2 w/Storm Bolter, Wolf Claw
5 Wolf Guard (All in Terminator Armor, broken down as follows)
-1 w/Power Weapon, Storm Bolter, Cyclone Missile Launcer
-1 w/Storm Bolter, Chainfist
-1 w/Power Weapon, Storm Bolter
-1 w/Storm Bolter, Powerfist
-1 w/Storm Bolter, Wolf Claw
6 Long Fangs w/5 Missile Launchers
6 Long Fangs w/5 Missile Launchers

Craig deployed first, 5 man squads near the forward edges of his zone, covered by dreadnoughts, big squad w/Njal and Logan near the rear.
So, I deployed in a spearhead, giving all but my demolisher cover (I was not too worried about front Multi-Melta or Missile Hits) I reserved both meltavet squads, my conscripts, platoon command, and special weapons team.

Craig only had 3 scoring units, so I focused on killing the two 5-man squads. Easier said than done as Craig made a TON of saves. He did make a mistake, detaching Njal from the big terminator squad in a ruin near my board edge (so he could get LoS to the Manticores)
My Meltavets rolled on and smoked him.

At the end of 5 turns, I had one terminator squad down to just the cyclone (on the objective on his side of the table near my deployment zone and the other 5-man squad down to two people on the center objective. Logan and Friends held the objective near by board edge. (I assaulted them off of one as they were spread across both.) I moved my conscripts to claim the objective in my deployment zone, moved a Chimera to contest the one held by logan and friends, moved my company command to contest the one held by the lone terminator and moved an infantry squad to contest the center. Sadly, the game went to turn 6...

Logans squad wiped the Chimera. The lone terminator smoked the command squad.
The two terminators charged my Infantry Squad. The Infantry killed a terminator before it could strike (no grenades) the survivor only did one wound, which I put on the autocannon, Drawn combat!
The 15 minute time was called, meaning I would have my turn, then the game would end.

The lone terminator that had killed the command squad was on top of the ruin and now visible to my immobilized, one weapon left each, vendettas. Two twin-linked lascannons gunned him down. I had been slowly march-stringing my conscripts closer to that objective. a great run roll (5) put me well within 3 inches of the objective. Now it is 2-1 me with a two scoring units fighting on the center.
The terminator swung and killed a guardsman. I retaliate, doing only one wound, and the terminator fails his save. Victory for the Infantry Squad, they claim the third objective giving me a 3-1 win.
This game was an incredible game, mostly because it was so close for so long.

Summary: At the end of day 1, I am 4-0. This qualifies me as one of 16 "Tournament Aces" and puts me in the top bracket (Top 16) of Day 2. The competition tomorrow will be fierce to say the least.

-Mike

NOVA Open (Friday)

2011-09-03T09:51:00.000-07:00

At the NOVA Open on Friday I was a "referee" for the NOVA invitational.
This was a damn long day. 5 rounds in a day is very draining.
I can only imagine how tiring it was for the actual players of the event.
After it was all over, Nick Nanavati ("Yermom") of http://thebrownpaintbrush.blogspot.com/ was victorious, winning the $1000.00 Invitational prize.
After that, I went to my hotel room and passed out.

-Mike

NOVA Open (Thursday)

2011-09-01T14:31:00.001-07:00

Thursday night I played in the Whiskey Challenge match against Andrew E. Sutton.
I had thought about taking Footdar (Foot Eldar) to this match. Then, I thought to myself what I would accomplish bringing Footdar. Answer? Nothing. I would likely lose, as they are not that great of an army; I could blame a loss on "playing footdar". I decided to challenge myself and bring my NOVA Open list. Here it is:

Command Platoon w/3 Plasma Guns, Astropath, Officer of the Fleet
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
10 Veterans w/3 Meltaguns
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
10 Veterans w/3 Meltaguns
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
Platoon Command w/3 Flamers
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera
Special Weapons Squad w/3 Meltaguns
20 Conscripts
Valkyrie w/Multiple Rocket Pods
Vendetta
Vendetta
Leman Russ Demolisher w/Hull Heavy Flamer
Manticore w/Hull Heavy Flamer
Manticore w/Hull Heavy Flamer

Andrew E. Sutton's list:
(Wait, isn't that Stelek from YesTheTruthHurts.com? Well, no. While Andrew is indeed the Stelek from that site, I feel like I played and hung out with an entirely different person. Andrew was fun, talkative, interactive, and pleasant. A big departure from his Internet persona, in my opinion)

Wolf Guard Battle Leader w/Thunderwolf Mount, Powerfist, Storm Shield
8 Wolf Guard w/8 Combi-Meltas, 2 Powerfists (Fists w/Wolf Scouts, others with Grey Hunters)
Razorback
5 Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun
5 Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback
5 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Razorback
1 Thunderwolf Cavalry w/Powerfist, Storm Shield
1 Thunderwolf Cavalry w/Powerfist, Storm Shield
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
Razorback
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
Razorback

Andrew and I played a Dawn of War, Annihilation as Primary
Our game was captured on the 11th Company Podcast (Which was awesome, BTW)
I went first and Deployed nothing, Andrew deployed a Thunderwolf HQ out of line of sight.

I moved all of my stuff on Turn 1. I went up the middle with all of my vehicles and brought the conscripts in behind them to bubblewrap against the inevitable Wolf Scout bum rush. Andrew then moved his Razorback Horde on the board followed by the Long Fangs. In my first turn, I killed about 3 Long Fangs(?) and nothing else, despite trying very hard. In Andrews next turn, both Wolf Scouts arrived, much to the dismay of the Officer of the Fleet. He destroyed all 3 fliers, Pinned the Special Weapons Team, Exploded a Chimera, killing 7 of the Veterans and breaking them, and then wrecked another Chimera. It was kind of downhill from here. Andrew easily defeated me. (I conceded at the Bottom of Turn 4, or top of Turn 5.)

I made a huge mistake in my deployment. Coming on the board into the center allowed Andrew to get side shots with around 6 Heavy Bolter Razorbacks. They accounted for a lot of the Chimera/Infantry destruction. This was my first game with this complete list. (Although I had played several at 1500) and served as a valuable lesson in what not to do. Had I refused a flank, I could have limited the efficacy of the Heavy Bolter Razorbacks. In the next 8 games, I did not make this mistake again. I actually thanked Andrew on Sunday for that lesson.

Andrew, you were an excellent opponent, and it was great to meet you.

-Mike

NOVA quick recap.

2011-08-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

I am going to expand on this in later posts, but I wanted to quickly recap how I did at NOVA.

On Thursday, I was crushed by Andrew Sutton in my Whiskey Challenge.
On Saturday I went 4-0, putting me into the top 16 bracket for Sunday.
I was the only 4-0 Imperial Guard player.
On Sunday I went 2-2.

So I finished as a Tournament Ace (which I got a cool medal for) and ended the tournament at 6-2.
My losses were to Tony Kopach (in Round 6) and Brad Townsend (aka Hulksmash) in Round 7.

-Mike

NOVA OPEN Live Stream

2011-08-25T06:46:00.001-07:00

Check it out!
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-11th-company

-Mike

Mission: Defeat Stelek.

2011-08-13T12:45:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to be paired against the mighty Stelek (http://www.yesthetruthhurts.com/)

The masses have demanded that Stelek fall by Footdar.
If I do indeed desire to bring the Footdar (which I have yet to decide) then this is what will be gracing the table.

Avatar
Eldrad
10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Bladestorm, Dual Shuriken Catapults
10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Defend, Power Weapon & Shimmershield
10 Guardian Defenders w/Scatter Laser
10 Guardian Defenders w/Scatter Laser
10 Storm Guardians w/2 Flamers
5 Rangers
8 Striking Scorpions w/Exarch, Scorpions Claw, Stalker, Shadowstrike
7 Fire Dragons w/Exarch, Firepike, Crack Shot
7 Harlequins w/6 Harlequins Kisses, Shadowseer
3 Support Weapons w/3 D-Cannons
3 Support Weapons w/3 D-Cannons
3 Dark Reapers w/Exarch, Tempest Launcher, Crack Shot

2000 points

On paper, and on the table, this list frightens absolutely no one. I, on the other hand, have shredded a lot of people with this list. It does have its weaknesses and is not on the high end of the power scale. This list is not forgiving of mistakes.

In any case, I will be happy to discuss the list if anyone desires to hear about how it works.

-Mike

Welcome Trolls!

2011-08-11T12:47:00.001-07:00

I am slated to play Stelek in the Whiskey Challenge at NOVA this year.
Please, unleash your trolling here.

-Mike

FrAG Summer League 2011: 1850 Update

2011-07-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

Everyone for the league has submitted their 1850 point lists. I will go through them here and make some comments in Purple. Hopefully this will not hurt anyone's eyes.

First up is my 1850 list (I am still stuck playing Chaos Space Marines)

Chaos Lord w/Terminator Armor, Combi-Melta, Daemon Weapon
10 Chaos Space Marines w/2 Meltaguns
Rhino w/Pintle Combi-Bolter
10 Chaos Space Marines w/2 Plasma Guns
Rhino w/Pintle Combi-Bolter
10 Chaos Space Marines w/Flamer, Meltagun, Aspiring Champion, Powerfist
Rhino w/Pintle Combi-Bolter
10 Chaos Space Marines w/Flamer, Meltagun, Aspiring Champion, Powerfist
Rhino w/Pintle Combi-Bolter
10 Chaos Space Marines w/Plasma Gun, Autocannon, Aspiring Champion
5 Chaos Terminators w/2 Combi-Meltas, Twin Lightning Claws, Heavy Flamer, Powerfist, Chainfist
5 Chaos Terminators w/2 Combi-Meltas, Twin Lightning Claws, Heavy Flamer, Powerfist, Chainfist
5 Chaos Terminators w/2 Combi-Plasmas, 2 Combi-Flamers, Heavy Flamer, Chainfist

I kept with the terminator theme (I think Chaos Terminators are slightly under-rated).
I decided to include tons more Infantry to help with scoring missions and to provide my army with a bit more staying power by eliminating pricey one-hit targets.

Round 1: PJ Brady in a Seize Ground, Dawn of War
(Space Wolves)

Ragnar Blackmane

Grey Hunters (9)
Melta

Rhino

Grey Hunters (9)
Melta
Rhino

Grey Hunters (9)
Melta
Rhino

Grey Hunters (9)
Plasma
Rhino

Wolf Guard (5)
4 Power Fists, 3 Combi Melta
1 Combi Plasma

Wolf Guard (6)
2 Terminators w/ Wolf Claw and Storm Shield
1 Terminator w/ Thunder Hammer Storm shield
1 Terminator w/ Combi Melta, Melta Bombs and Wolf Claw
1 Wolf Guard w/ Combi Melta and Powerfist
1 Arjac Rockfist
Land Raider Redeemer
Multi-Melta, Extra Armor, Hunter Killer Missile, Storm Bolter

Looks kind of like a n00b-hammer list. The strange thing is that the Land Raider may cause me trouble. In reality, there are only 4 Rhinos and a Land Raider with expensive ass stuff inside. I do not really fear this, but 40 Grey Hunters can be a pain for Chaos to get rid of.

Round 2: Chris Sult in a Pitched Battle Annihilation
(Dark Angels)
Belial Master of the Deathwing w/TH&SS
Dreadnought w/Multi-Melta & DCW w/Heavy Flamer [Drop Pod]
Dreadnought w/Multi-Melta & DCW w/Heavy Flamer [Drop Pod]
Deathwing Squad (5) w/TH&SS, Cyclone Missile Launcher, Apothecary
Deathwing Squad (5) w/TH&SS, Cyclone Missile Launcher
Deathwing Squad (5) w/TH&SS, Cyclone Missile Launcher
Deathwing Squad (5) w/TH&SS, Cyclone Missile Launcher
Deathwing Squad (5) w/SB&PF, Cyclone Missile Launcher, Sgt w/Power Sword, 1w/Chain Fist
Ravenwing Support Squadron Land Speeder w/Multi-melta & Typhoon Missile Launcher
Ravenwing Support Squadron Land Speeder w/Multi-melta & Typhoon Missile Launcher

A pretty standard Deathwing list. With more CSM's in my list I think I will have an easier time, but my victory ultimately depends on Chris failing 2+/3++ saves. Looking at the other players lists, I still expect Chris to go 5-0 again.

Round 3: Pete Daze in a Pitched Battle Annihilation
(Imperial Guard)

Command Squad (135) 1 melta, 3 plasmas, Officer of the Fleet
[Chimera (55) Multi-Laser and Heavy Flamer]

Psyker Battle Squad (100) 4 additional psykers
[Chimera (55) Multi-Laser and Heavy Flamer]

Psyker Battle Squad (100) 4 additional psykers
[Chimera (55) Multi-Laser and Heavy Flamer]

Guardsman Marbo (65)

Veterans (100) 3 meltas
[Chimera (55) Multi-Laser and Heavy Flamer]

Veterans (100) 3 meltas
[Chimera (55) Multi-Laser and Heavy Flamer]

Veterans (100) 3 meltas
[Chimera (55) Multi-Laser and Heavy Flamer]

Veterans (100) 3 meltas

Vendetta (130)

Vendetta (130)

Leman Russ Battle Tank (150)

Leman Russ Battle Tank (150)

Manticore (160)

Pretty standard Guard list. Pete added the psyker battle squads and Marbo to his previous list. The Psyker Battle Squads are awesome against Chaos because we have no Psychic Defense and we do not have ATSKNF (And they shall know no fear). Unless I can kill them quickly, I will have any units fleeing the table...

Round 4: v Leigh Brady in a Spearhead Cleanse (The old 3rd edition mission)
(Space Wolves)

Wolf Lord – 210
Thunder-wolf Mount, Wolf Claw, Runic Armor, Stormshield

Thunder-wolf Cavalry - 265
1 w/ wolf claw, stormshield
1 w/ close combat weapon, stormshield
1 w/ meltabombs, close combat weapon, stormshield
Thunder-wolf Cavalry – 185
1 w/ wolf claw, stormshield
1 w/ meltabombs, close combat weapon, stormshield

Grey Hunters – 155 (10)
2 melta guns
Rhino - 35
Grey Hunters – 155 (10)
2 melta guns
Rhino – 35
Grey Hunters – 155 (10)
2 melta guns
Rhino – 35
Grey Hunters – 155 (10)
2 melta guns
Rhino – 35

Long Fangs – 140 (6)
5 missile launchers, pack leader
Razorback – 75
Twin-linked lascannon
Long Fangs – 140 (6)
5 missile launchers, pack leader
Razorback – 75
Twin-linked lascannon

I would consider this list sub-par. There are a few minor things that are not great in my opinion. The Thunderwolf Cavalry have too many Stormshields and ZERO Powerfists/Thunderhammers. They will get spanked by dreadnoughts. The Wolf Lord should really have Saga of the Bear to prevent Instant Death. The Razorbacks seem a little out of place without scoring units inside of them. This list will likely still crush me though. I cannot deal with the Thunderwolf Cavalry.

Round 5: v Aaron Blough in a Capture and Control Spearhead.
(Blood Angels)

Librarian-100
Shield of Sanguinius, Fear of the Darkness

Brother Corbulo-105
2 Sanguinary Priests-150
Lightning Claws, Combi-Meltas

10 Tactical Marines-210
Lascannon, Meltagun
Sergeant- Combi-Melta, Power Weapon, Meltabombs

10 Tactical Marines-210
Lascannon, Meltagun
Sergeant- Combi-Melta, Power Weapon, Meltabombs

10 Tactical Marines-210
Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon
Sergeant- Combi-Plasma, Power Weapon, Meltabombs

10 Tactical Marines-210
Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon
Sergeant- Combi-Plasma, Power Weapon, Meltabombs

10 Devastators-210
4 Missile Launchers

10 Devastators-210
4 Missile Launchers

10 Devastators-210
4 Missile Launchers

This looks like a poor copy of the list that I took to the NOVA open in 2010. It has since become kind of popular in our group. This list...is not good. It looks great and semi-invincible on paper, but the reality is it will fold to a dedicated assault. For example, the Land Raider Wolf list above with Ragnar is going to eat this alive. I will likely struggle until my terminators arrive to take fire. It will all come down to positioning of units in this game.

So these are the next 5 games that I will be playing, I will post updates as they come. (and perhaps battle reports)

-Mike

FrAG Summer League 2011: Update 7/19/11

2011-07-19T11:14:00.000-07:00

I finished the first round of our 3 round summer league.

I played next against Leigh's Drop Pod Space Wolves.
Leigh, in an epic feat of poor rolling, dropped everything down and was able to kill about 3 Chaos Space Marines. (including firing 5 multi-meltas, hitting twice, wounding once, but I 5+ saved) He conceded after the counter-attack.

I then faced the BA list played by Aaron. Due to some odd deep strikes, I was unable to kill Mephiston early with plasma guns. He did die, but not before taking out a Chaos Space Marine squad. The game ended on Turn 5 by a score of 5-6 I think. It was sad because I had terminators in combat with non-power weapon units...

I then finally played against Pete and his Imperial Guard. I deployed first to spread out, Pete did an almost-refused-flank. I deep struck the termies in and went to work on hitting the Chimeras to get easy(er) kill points. I was able to get up in KP's and hide with the majority of my Infantry.

At the end of the first season I end up 3-2-0 but with the most Victory Points Achieved!

Stay tuned for an update of the 1850 round.

-Mike

Throne of Skulls Recap: Part 4

2011-07-18T06:16:00.000-07:00

The Good, the Bad, and the Drunk.

Okay, so there is a small amount of hoopla around Throne of Skulls. Most of this deals with lack of prize support (The army winners received a framed paper and an invite back to next year, overall winners got trophies)

The Good: The place was awesome. They reserved a huge ballroom inside of the recently renovated Tropicana resort on the Las Vegas strip (That likely was NOT cheap).
There was catered food on the two tournament days, which was EXCELLENT. This was great because food in Vegas is by no means cheap.
The atmosphere was incredible. I was lucky enough to have ~8 friends also going to ToS. That coupled with the laid back resort nature of the place made for an excellent time. I can't really describe it effectively to someone who was not there. It was an awesome time.

The Bad: Pairings and scoring. On the first day, it was possible to get paired against someone you already played. This was corrected on the second day, but in reality it should never have happened. The sportsmanship scoring was kind of bullshit. You could get up to 5 points off of sportsmanship. This could effectively net you an extra win and two draws worth of points. This is how some people won their army despite having a worse record than their peers. The lack of prize support has been spoken about to death so I will not cover it here. I will add that GW put in some serious cash to even get that place.

Terrain: A bastion and two ruins on a Realm of Battle Table? You need more fucking terrain. Why do you think I had a field day with guard? Making hills 6+ area doesn't count.

The Drunk: Having a bar with 2 for 1 cocktails (cheap ones too) was an excellent way to bond and energize the gaming floor. There were no disruptions or anything of that kind during the tournament. I thought this was an excellent addition to an already fun tournament.

-Mike

Kill Team

2011-07-18T06:01:00.000-07:00

So, I downloaded this over xbox live (AFAIK the only media where it is available) and was surprised by how low the cost was (only around $10) and how much fun the game is.
I like how you have your choice of marine types, weapon and perk options, and the different chapters that you can choose from.

The game itself is pretty fun, it is a generic scrolling button masher kind of game. The only downside is that there is no option for co-op play over xbox live. (co-op can still be done on a local machine)

I only finished the first level, but all in all, for $10 I feel like I got a great value. I recommend this game

-Mike

Throne of Skulls Recap: Part 3

2011-06-30T05:04:00.001-07:00

Looks like this is going to be a 4 or 5 part review because I just got an e-mail from GW containing the tournament spreadsheet. Now for some data mining.

First thing is that I missed the "Skulltaker" award by 154 Victory Points, which is bittersweet because I "pulled some punches" in my later games. (that is to say, I did not try for a full tabling)
But the guy that won (Matt Cassidy) was a cool dude so I didn't feel bad about the prize going to him. He definitely worked for it and earned it.

I counted the number of players for each army and broke down the W-L-D records.

Black Templars - 1 Player: (0-3-2) Despite having zero wins, this guy wins "Best Templar player"!
Blood Angels - 6 Players: (14-15-1)
Chaos Space Marines - 7 Players: (14-16-5)
Chaos Daemons - 3 Players: (5-9-1)
Dark Angels - 4 Players: (9-7-4)
Dark Eldar - 5 Players: (14-7-4)
Eldar - 10 Players: (23-23-3)
Grey Knights - 4 Players: (12-6-1)
Imperial Guard - 11 Players: (22-21-12)
Necrons - 4 Players: (4-12-4)
Orks - 5 Players: (17-5-3)
Space Marines - 10 Players: (20-22-6)
Space Wolves - 10 Players: (20-22-7)
Tau - 4 Players: (7-9-4)
Tyranids - 4 Players: (7-9-4)
Witch Hunters - 4 Players: (8-9-3)

As you can see, most of the armies tended to average out to an equal win-loss ratio. There are, of course, some notable exceptions. Necrons really got their asses handed to them, which is to be expected of the current "worst codex in 40k". Grey Knights and orks especially showed resounding strength in the ability to kick ass!

I will post the top 10 or so placing players in anther update.

-Mike

Mechanized Eldar

2011-06-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

While I was at the Throne of Skulls tournament, I saw a surprising amount of Eldar players.
I also saw a surprising amount of Eldar lists that looked rather awful.
There was Foot Eldar (FootDar), Mechanized Eldar (MechDar), and hybrids of the two.

It is no secret that the Eldar codex is on the low side of the codex power curve.
While I think they can still compete against any balanced list, they will have trouble against lists with a lot of redundancy. (Hordes, Vehicles spam)

So, anyways, it got me to thinking about how competitive I can make a MechDar list (I have been playing Eldar on and off since 3rd Edition.)

Here is what I came up with (and why) to use at 2000 points.

Autarch w/Fusion Gun, Scorpion Chainsword, Mandiblaster
-The Autarch gives this list 4 things. He allows for more reliable reserve rolls, he provides a much needed anti-tank shot (and can even be a sacrificial unit), he gives a leadership boost to whatever squad he joins (usually the Storm guardians or tarpit Dire Avengers), and finally he can put out 5 S4 attacks at high initiative (useful for getting the last couple kills on a 5 man MEQ squad).
Farseer w/Runes of Warding, Fortune
-The Farseer is the absolute best in force multiplication/psychic defense for his cost. Runes of warding is not just a psychic defense, it can actually be a deterrent to the use of psychic powers. I can use fortune in conjunction with the 10-man Dire Avenger squad to make quite a formidable tarpit.
10 Storm Guardians w/2 Flamers, Warlock, Destructor
-These guys will usually be joined by the Autarch or Farseer for a boost to their Leadership. Their job is to jump out, flame units, and then assault (if the outcome seems favorable).
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Eldar Missile Launcher
-One of the best transports in the game. I recently began using the Eldar Missile Launcher as a cheaper alternative to the Bright Lance. The Missile Launcher also provides some anti-infantry duality if I need it. I will also tank shock the crap out of any vulnerable Infantry units.
10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Power Weapon & Shimmershield, Defend
-These guys provide the bulk of my anti-infantry firepower. When combined with the Farseer and fortune, these guys can make an Epic Tarpit thanks to Defend and the Shimmershield.
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Eldar Missile Launcher
-See previous Entry
5 Dire Avengers
5 Dire Avengers
5 Dire Avengers
-These guys hang out in the Falcons, making them scoring units. They only disembark when absolutely necessary, as 5 T3 models tend not to last long when they can be shot or assaulted.
5 Fire Dragons
-The only reliable anti-tank/anti-Heavy Infantry/anti-Monstrous Creature unit in the codex. You absolutely need to spam these. They get out of their ride and things die. Then, usually so do the Fire Dragons.
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Scatter Lasers
-Primary goal: Deliver Fire Dragons. Secondary goal: provide suppressing fire (to vehicles) or kill infantry (by shooting or tank shock)
5 Fire Dragons
-See above
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Scatter Lasers
-See above
5 Fire Dragons
-See above
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Scatter Lasers
-See above
Falcon w/Eldar Missile Launcher, Holo-Fields
-This guys job is to be a pain in the ass the entire game. He fires 3 S8 shots (albeit at BS3...) and is statistically likely to take a serious pounding before being destroyed. And no, I am not above ramming other vehicles at full speed, in the side armor.
Falcon w/Eldar Missile Launcher, Holo-Fields
-See above
Falcon w/Eldar Missile Launcher, Holo-Fields
-See above

So, when you build a list I find it very helpful (almost mandatory) to discuss its strengths and weaknesses, both as a whole and on an army-by-army basis.

Strengths: Mobility. Unless horribly out-ranged, Mechdar decide where the fight happens. We are FAST. We can descend upon an enemy army quickly.

Weaknesses: Overpriced units put us on the low end of the firepower/efficacy scale. Eldar can easily be overwhelmed by mass of units in an opposing army. Facing 3 6-man Long Fang squads will usually put a hurting on Mechdar. We are fragile. Not as fragile as non-FNP Dark Eldar, but when our transports blow up, we take casualties. Unless we have Fire Dragons, we are not great at blowing up vehicles.

Wow: a lot of weaknesses, which is expected of an older codex. (If you haven't noticed units get cheaper with each codex, so you can include more model$ in your armie$.) We need to make up for this with a good game plan.

Game plan time. There are basically two types of missions in 40k, killing more of your opponents units (through VP's or KP's) or trying to get scoring units somewhere, while keeping your opponents scoring units out of those places. (Objectives, Table Quarters, etc...)

Killing: The first rule of winning games with Eldar is "sometimes, you need to hide like coward". Whether you have exposed infantry hiding out of LoS or you have your entire army hiding in reserve, do not fight fire with fire. If you are out-gunned, stay away from the guns. If a powerhouse unit is barrelling towards you, run. As the Imperial Guard (and Crystals) say (a do) run, run, run. Kill things that are east to kill, rely on your Energy Shields/Holo-Fields and turbo boosting to keep you safe.

Objectives: Decide how many you need to win, take that many. If your opponent is light on troops, take them out, forcing your opponent to play for a draw. If he is heavy on troops, focus on contesting at the end of the game. (even use the "triangle shuffle" if you so desire) (I need to remind myself to make a post about the triangle shuffle) Remember, a short game can be to your advantage, a non-random game length, also to your advantage. I recommend practicing with tank shock, it pays to do it right.

MechDar are clearly a challenging army to play in 5th edition. In every game, you are the underdog. Remember, practice pays off.

-Mike

Throne of Skulls Recap: Part 2

2011-06-28T05:17:00.000-07:00

Throne of Skulls Part 2: The Photo Journey

I did not take as many pictures as I wanted to in Vegas. (In my defense, Vegas can be kind of distracting) Below are all the armies I took pictures of, I will attach names if I know them.
Enjoy!

Al Edel's Imperial Guard
John Hermann's Grey Knights (won Best Grey Knight Player)
Marshall Reeves' Imperial Guard (Best Painted, you can see better shots at GW's website)

Ultramarines!

Praetorians (There were a LOT of guard at ToS)

Eldar! (Is that a Night Spinner?!? And, yes those are all ForgeWorld Wave Serpents)

Moar Guard!

Wood Elves

Dark Elves
The Army List the accompanies the above Dark Elf army. (Very Cool!)

A very well done Lizardmen Army.
A Nurgle Themed Chaos Space Marine Army
Bretonnians (the glare is kind of obscuring the "Lady of the Lake")

More Lizardmen
Ultramarines masquerading as Deathwing.

White Scars
A nicely painted Eldar Army.
Jump Pack Blood Angels.

Stay tuned for Part 3, where I outline the Pros and Cons of this event.

-Mike

Throne of Skulls Recap: Part 1

2011-06-24T04:41:00.000-07:00

I plan on doing a Throne of Skulls update in 3 parts:
Part 1: The Tournament
Part 2: The Photo-journey
part 3: General feelings about the Tournament.

Without further ado, here is a brief recap of the 5 games I played during the Throne of Skulls 2011 tournament, held in the Tropicana in Las Vegas, Nevada.

First, a reprint of my Imperial Guard

Company Command w/3 Plasma Guns
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
10 Veterans w/3 Meltaguns
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
Platoon Command w/3 Flamers
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
Infantry Squad w/Flamer, Autocannon
Chimera
Infantry Squad w/Flamer, Autocannon
Chimera
Special Weapons Squad w/3 Meltaguns
20 Conscripts
Valkyrie w/Multiple Rocket Pods
Vendetta
Vendetta
Manticore
Manticore

Game 1: Annihilation, Pitched Battle
Opponent: Adam Gati (His Blog http://yriel.blogspot.com/)
(I didn't realize this at first, but in this picture you can see my army in the background)

The Twilight Host (1495)

Autarch w/Jetbike, Banshee Mask, Power Weapon, Fusion Gun
Farseer w/Jetbike, Fortune, Eldritch Storm, Spirit Stones, Runes of Warding, Runes of Witnessing
5 Fire Dragons
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Shuriken Cannon, Spirit Stones
6 Jetbikes w/2 Shuriken Cannons
5 Dire Avengers
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Shuriken Cannon, Spirit Stones
5 Dire Avengers
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Shuriken Cannon, Spirit Stones
2 Vypers w/Scatter Laser and Shuriken Cannon
2 Vypers w/Scatter Laser and Shuriken Cannon
Fire Prism
Fire Prism

I won the roll-off to go first and deployed, Adam kept everything in reserves. Sadly, his rolls were all over the place and his army came in piecemeal. His first Fire Prism shot did manage to destroy the Storm Eagle Rocket Launcher (or whatever it is called) off of one of my Manticores.
Adam also used Eldritch Storm to semi-good effect, spinning my vehicles so that he could get rear armor shots on them. Sadly, he was massively outgunned by my Guard, and since his army arrived piecemeal, he could not mount an effective counterattack. A win for the guard.
(I should mention that Adam won Best Eldar player, so after his initial loss to me, he rallied and won most, if not all, of his remaining games. Great job Adam!)

Game 2: Seize Ground (5 Objectives), Spearhead
Opponent: Alex Yuen
Eldar - 1499
Prince Yriel
Farseer w/Doom, Runes of Warding
5 Fire Dragons
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Shuriken Cannons, Shuriken Cannon
8 Howling Banshees w/Exarch, Executioner
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Shuriken Cannons, Shuriken Cannon
10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Bladestorm, Defend, Power Weapon & Shimmershield
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Shuriken Cannons, Shuriken Cannon
10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Dual Catapults, Bladestorm
10 Guardians w/Scatter Laser
5 Rangers
5 Warp Spiders
War Walker w/2 Scatter Lasers

I again won the roll-off, tactically placed objectives and then deployed my units in my board quarter. (For the second game in a row, my conscripts hid inside a Bastion) Alex deployed everything on the board except his Warp Spiders. Everything was behind a Skyshield Landing Pad in his quarter. I scouted my Valkyrie and Vendettas forward and worked on picking off scoring units. My Manticores hammered his Wave Serpents from afar, eventually destroying all but the banshee Serpent (that I kind of ignored, as I am Meched up) With the exception of Yriel, who killed a Chimera, Alex was not able to do much to my Vehicles with S6 weapons. He conceded during turn 4 or 5 when I had wiped out most of his units.

Game 3: Capture and Control (Capture the Draw), Dawn of War
Opponent: Tony Grippando
(Sadly, I did not get a picture of Tony's army)
1500 Orks
Ghazghkull
Big Mek w/Kustom Force Field
8 Lootas
8 Lootas
30 Boys w/Nob, Power Claw, Bosspole
30 Boys w/Nob, Power Claw, Bosspole
30 Boys w/Nob, Power Claw, Bosspole
29 Boys w/Nob, Power Claw, Bosspole
10 Boys w/Nob, Bosspole

Tony was a very orky dude. His models were in bags instead of a case and his army list was a 2x8.5 strip of paper. I put him down as favorite opponent. We basically both realized that this would be a draw and each of us played "not to lose". We got a good number of Victory points from each other, but in the end, the game ended in a 1-1 draw. At this point, thanks to the in-room bar, we were both a little "saucy".

At the end of Day 1, I am 2-0-1. Awesome! I can't possibly have a losing weekend, so needless to say, I am pretty psyched for day two.

Game 4: Annihilation, Spearhead
Opponent: Patrick Kendall

Patrick is a Vegas local and a pastry chef. He is my second ork opponent this tournament.
1500 Orks
Big Mek w/Kustom Force Field, Bosspole, Eavy Armor
30 Shoota Boys w/3 Big Shootas, Nob, Powerclaw, Bosspole, Eavy Armor
30 Shoota Boys w/3 Big Shootas, Nob, Powerclaw, Bosspole, Eavy Armor
20 Slugga Boys w/Nob, Powerclaw, Bosspole, Eavy Armor
10 Grots w/Runt Herder
15 Lootas
15 Lootas
Battlewagon w/Deff Rolla, Armor Plates, Red Paint Job, Big Shoota, Grot Riggers
Battlewagon w/Deff Rolla, Armor Plates, Red Paint Job, Big Shoota, Grot Riggers

I rolled a "2" for my roll to go first, sadly, Patrick rolled a "1"...

I deployed everything in my board quarter (which left Patrick with a rather barren Deployment Zone). Patrick deployed only his lootas, keeping everything else in reserve. In my first turn, I pinned a squad of lootas and the other one ran of the board. In turn 2, I killed the rest of the lootas. It was downhill from there for Patrick. He came on piecemeal, and had no ranged firepower to deal with my shooting. I was also able to "tactically withdraw" (run away) to avoid his foot rush. Another victory for the guard.

Game 5: Seize Ground (5 Objectives), Pitched Battle
Opponent: Russel Jacobson
(Sadly I have no picture)

1500 - Space Wolves
Rune Priest w/Chooser of the Slain, Wolf Tail Talisman, Jaws of the World Wolf, Living Lightning
8 Grey Hunters w/Wolf Standard, Meltagun, Power Weapon
Rhino
9 Grey Hunters w/Mark of the Wulfen, Wolf Standard, Power Weapon, Meltagun
Rhino
9 Grey Hunters w/Mark of the Wulfen, Wolf Standard, Power Weapon, Meltagun
Rhino
9 Grey Hunters w/Mark of the Wulfen, Wolf Standard, Power Weapon, Meltagun
Rhino
Land Speeder w/Typhoon Missile Launcher
Land Speeder w/Typhoon Missile Launcher
6 Long Fangs w/5 Missile Launchers
5 Wolf Guardw/Terminator Armor, Cyclone, 4 Powerfists, 4 Combi-Meltas

So, I rolled a "3", and Russell rolled a "2". Talk about bad luck for the wolves. I deployed everything except the conscripts on my side. Russell deployed everything. The rhinos were in a 4-square, the speeders hiding behind a ruin, and the long fangs were deployed in a crater. The wolf guard, of course, split up to join each squad. I executed a textbook Alpha Strike. (I was later asked what textbook I read, by some smartass. I may now be required to write a textbook on Alpha Striking so that I can use it as a reference) I rolled well and destroyed the speeders, all four Rhinos, one long fang plus the pack leader, and a couple of Grey Hunters. The game really ended here for Russell, I just spent the next 5 turns killing everything except the two Grey Hunters left at the end.

Between Russel and Patrick, I only gave up 130 Victory points, I wish there had been a prize for fewest VP given up, but there wasn't.

So, I end the tournament at 4-0-1. While not good enough for best overall, I did receive:

Next up, Part 2.

-mike

Spoiler Alert

2011-06-20T09:42:00.000-07:00

I will post a more detailed recap in a few days, when I return from vegas.

-Mike

The Defenders of Miler Voles

2011-06-15T05:19:00.000-07:00

I have decided on a name for my imperial guard regiment, "The Defenders of Miler Voles".
Miler Voles is a fictional planet, and to my knowledge not mentioned in GW fluff.

My paint scheme comes from the cover of "Codex: Battlezones, Cityfight" which was the precursor to "Cities of Death". It is this book that made me want to originally play Imperial Guard. The thought of massed Infantry overwhelming opponents really appealed to me as a player. Sadly, an all Infantry Imperial Guard army is not very competitive under the current codex, so I opted for a more mechanized list.

1500 -The Defenders of Miler Voles

Command Squad w/3 Plasma Guns
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
10 Veterans w/3 Meltaguns
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
Platoon Command w/3 Flamers
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera
Special Weapons Squad w/3 Meltaguns
20 Conscripts
Valkyire w/Multiple Rocket Pods
Vendetta
Vendetta
Manticore
Manticore

Tomorrow, these brave soldiers will be going to Las Vegas, Nevada to compete in the "Throne of Skulls" tournament that will take place this weekend. I will try to blog as much as I can during my stay.

-Mike

FrAG Summer League 2011: Update 6/14/11

2011-06-14T04:49:00.000-07:00

So, I have gotten in the first two games of the summer league. I did not do battle reports due to time constraints.

First game I played Chris' Deathwing in a Capture and Control. I thought I played this game well, but my list just is not able to do enough damage to 28 wounds worth of 2+/3++ . To top it off, Chris rolled very well and rolled over me. The game ended at the bottom of turn 5. I had one model who was not falling back and an 8-man squad that was falling back near my objective.

Second game I played PJ's Space Wolves in a three objective Seize ground. I baited him into setting up his entire army on the side of the table with one objective. PJ fell for the trap, committing his entire army (Including both wolf scouts to that side of the table. My terminators arrived between where PJ was and where he needed to be. (one squad, sadly, had a mishap and landed in one corner of the table) Once I killed all 40 of his scoring models, he conceded.

So, 1-1-0 so far in the league (which is better than I'd have hoped)

"For the Emperor!" - Alpha Legion Battle Cry.

-Mike

FrAG Summer League, 2011

2011-06-07T04:59:00.000-07:00

My gaming club, The Frederick Area Gamers (FrAGs) is doing a summer 40k escalation league. There are 6 participants in the league and games will be played at 1500, 1850, and 2250 point levels. Below are the lists and player for the 1500 point leg of the league. I will post the lists and provide comments in red.

Mike Somerville (Me) (Chaos Space Marines)

Chaos Lord w/Terminator Upgrade, Combi-Melta, Daemon Weapon
10 Chaos Space Marines w/2 Meltaguns
Rhino w/Pintle Twin-linked Bolter
10 Chaos Space Marines w/Meltagun, Flamer, Aspiring Champion, Powerfist
Rhino w/Pintle Twin-linked Bolter
10 Chaos Space Marines w/Autocannon, Plasma Gun
5 Chaos Terminators w/Twin Lightning Claws, 2 Combi-Meltas, Heavy Flamer, Powerfist, Chainfist
5 Chaos Terminators w/Twin Lightning Claws, 2 Combi-Meltas, Heavy Flamer, Powerfist, Chainfist
5 Chaos Terminators w/2 Combi-Flamers, 2 Combi-Plasmas, Heavy Flamer, Chainfist
Chaos Predator w/Lascannon Sponsons
(10 KP, 3 Scoring Units)
I know this list is not very good, I built it as kind of a fluff Alpha Legion list. The idea was to "fight like the hydra" and have a combination of deep strikers, mobility, and long range firepower. The league will give me incentive to get all the plastic off of the sprues.

Leigh Brady (Space Wolves)
Logan Grimnar
9 Wolf Guard w/3 Combi-Plasmas, 2 Combi-Meltas, 1 Wolf Claw, 1 Terminator Armor w/Storm Bolter and Powerfist
Drop Pod
9 Wolf Guard w/3 Combi-Plasmas, 2 Combi-Meltas, 1 Wolf Claw, 1 Terminator Armor w/Storm Bolter and Powerfist
Drop Pod
9 Wolf Guard w/2 Combi-Plasmas, 3 Combi-Meltas, 1 Wolf Claw, 1 Terminator Armor w/Storm Bolter and Powerfist
Drop Pod
9 Wolf Guard w/2 Combi-Plasmas, 2 Combi-Meltas, 1 Wolf Claw, 1 Terminator Armor w/Storm Bolter and Powerfist
Drop Pod
6 Long Fangs w/5 Multi-Meltas
Drop Pod
(11 KP, 4 Scoring Units)
Kind of an odd drop list. Special Characters tend to do well in smaller games, as opponents generally have less units to combat them. Leigh will do well in Objective games and against opponents who do not know how to reserve. The Terminator Armor to soak up Krak Missile hits is a nice touch.

Aaron Blough (Blood Angels)
Mephiston
9 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol, Powerfist, Meltabombs
Rhino
9 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol, Powerfist, Meltabombs
Rhino
10 Tactical Marines w/Meltagun, Multi-Melta, Combi-Melta
Rhino
Furioso Librarian Dreadnought w/Wings of Sanguinius, Blood Lance
Furioso Librarian Dreadnought w/Wings of Sanguinius, Blood Lance
2 Saguinary Priests w/2 Combi-Meltas, 2 Lightning Claws
(11-12KP, 3-4 Scoring Units)
A deceptive assault list. This will cause people trouble who did not plan on how to handle Mephiston, 2 Dreadnoughts, and 30 FNP Marines showing up on their doorstep.

Pete Daze (Imperial Guard)
Company Command Squad w/Meltagun, 2 Plasma Guns, Officer of the Fleet
Chimera w/Multi-Laser, Heavy Flamer
10 Veterans w/3 Meltaguns
Chimera w/Multi-Laser, Heavy Flamer
10 Veterans w/3 Meltaguns
Chimera w/Multi-Laser, Heavy Flamer
10 Veterans w/3 Meltaguns
Chimera w/Multi-Laser, Heavy Flamer
10 Veterans w/3 Meltaguns
Vendetta
Vendetta
Leman Russ Main Battle Tank w/Heavy Bolter Sponsons
Leman Russ Main Battle Tank w/Heavy Bolter Sponsons
Manticore
(14KP, 4 Scoring Units)
Guard are very good at lower point levels, this list showcases that. 13 Meltaguns? Booya.

Chris Sult (Dark Angels)
Belial w/Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield
5 Deathwing Terminators w/5 Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, Cyclone Missile Launcher, Apothecary
5 Deathwing Terminators w/5 Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, Cyclone Missile Launcher
5 Deathwing Terminators w/5 Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, Cyclone Missile Launcher
5 Deathwing Terminators w/5 Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield, Cyclone Missile Launcher
5 Deathwing Terminators w/3 Chainfists, Cyclone Missile Launcher
Land Speeder w/Multi-Melta, Typhoon Missile Launcher
Land Speeder w/Multi-Melta, Typhoon Missile Launcher
(8 KP, 5 Scoring Units)
Cheap (relatively) and effective. People are going to have trouble against this. 5 Scoring units using a 4+1 build will be super effective.

PJ Brady (Space Wolves)
Wolf Lord w/Storm Shield, Wolf Claw, Thunderwolf Mount
10 Grey Hunters w/2 Meltaguns, Powerfist
Rhino
10 Grey Hunters w/2 Meltaguns, Powerfist
Rhino
10 Grey Hunters w/2 Meltaguns, Powerfist
Rhino
10 Grey Hunters w/2 Meltaguns, Powerfist
Rhino
5 Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun, Meltabomb
5 Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun, Meltabomb
Vindicator w/Extra Armor
Vindicator w/Extra Armor
(13KP, 4 Scoring Units)
Vindicators? Why not Long Fangs or Predators? You aren't playing BA or BT, throw those away. A Wolf Lord without a saga? At least it has 40 Grey Hunters and the always annoying Wolf Scouts. Not a huge fan of the list, but it is still better than mine.

2 Space Wolves
1 Blood Angel
1 Dark Angel
1 Imperial Guard
1 Chaos Space Marine

Here is the Schedule for the 5 rounds of the 1500 leg.

1) Round 1: Seize Ground, Pitched Battle
a. Pete v. Leigh
b. PJ v. Mike
c. Aaron v. Chris
2) Round 2: Capture and Control, Spearhead
a. Pete v. PJ
b. Leigh v. Aaron
c. Mike v. Chris
3) Round 3: Annihilation, Pitched Battle
a. Pete v. Mike
b. Leigh v. Chris
c. PJ v. Aaron
4) Round 4: Capture and Control, Dawn of War
a. Pete v. Aaron
b. Leigh v. Mike
c. PJ v. Chris
5) Round 5: Annihilation, Dawn of War
a. Pete v. Chris
b. Leigh v. PJ
c. Mike v. Aaron

I will keep you guys updated.

-Mike

Thoughts on the Blood Angels Stormraven

2011-05-24T05:11:00.000-07:00

Fuck yeah!!

Recently I was gifted with two Stormravens as part of a prize package. I plan to incorporate them into my Blood Angels forces. I have a few questions. How do I use them? What options should I give them?

Let us first brainstorm how they can be used. To me, it feels that if I put ANY unit inside of one, the Stormravens become an instant target. The lure of killing a 200+ point model and making a (probable) 200+ point unit walk is too good a choice to pass up for any opponent. I cannot, in good conscience, use them as transport vehicles, especially not for expensive, ass-kicking units.
My other option, and one that appeals to me, is to use them as their full name suggests, as a Stormraven Gunship.

So, what are the best options for a gunship?
Let's start by listing what it is already equipped with.
Twin-Linked Heavy Bolter (36" S5 AP4 Heavy 3)
Twin-Linked Assault Cannon (24" S6 AP4 Heavy 4, Rending)
Four Bloodstrike Missiles (72" S8 AP1 Heavy 1, One-shot)
It has power of the Machine Spirit

And now the options.

Replace Twin-Linked Heavy Bolter with Twin-Linked Multi-Melta (free) or Typhoon Missile Launcher (moderate cost)
Replace Twin-Linked Assault Cannon with Twin-Linked Plasma Cannon (free) or Twin-Linked Lascannon (free)
Take Side sponsons with Hurricane Bolters (moderate cost)

So, it looks like we have two armament options.

Typhoon Missile Launcher, Twin-Linked Lascannon (225 points)
Twin-Linked Assault Cannon, Twin-Linked Multi-Melta, and Hurricane Bolters (230)

The first option is used as a standoff anti-tank platform. It can put out 2 S8 AP3 and 1 TL S9 AP2 shots a turn at different targets when moving 12 or less. If it moves less than 12, it can also add Bloodstrike missiles.

The second option is used as a close range platform that can engage Vehicles, Monstrous Creatures, or Infantry. It can put out 6-12 TL S4 AP5, 4 TL S6 AP4 rending, and a TL S8 AP1 melta shot a turn at two targets when moving 12 or less. If it moves less than 12, it can also add Bloodstrike missiles.

Which of these I decide upon will be based on the lists that I include them in. I will crack the boxes open sometime to see if full magnetization is possible.

-Mike

The Infantry: Painted

2011-05-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

I have finished all of the Infantry for my 1500 point Imperial Guard army.
Pictured: 20 Conscripts, Company Command with 3 Plasma Guns, 10 Veterans with 3 Meltaguns, a Platoon Command with 3 flamers, two Infantry squads with Autocannon and Flamer, and a Special Weapons Squad with 3 Meltaguns.

All I have left are 5 Chimeras, 2 Manticores, and 2 Vendettas. Updates of my progress will follow.

-Mike

The Valkyrie: Painted

2011-05-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

Today, I finished painting the Imperial Guard Valkyrie. I still need to apply transfers to it, but am putting that off until I finish the Vendettas.

I will continue painting most if not all of the weekend. I will hopefully post more pictures of what I accomplish.

-Mike

Getting Tactical: Issues with Assault Marines

2011-05-17T05:24:00.000-07:00

When I am not playing 40k, painting, modeling, etc; I am thinking about 40k.
Always thinking.

I don't think I am going to use Assault Marines anymore in a Mechanized Blood Angels army.
Hear me out. First a nice image by a guy named Scarecrovv.

The Tactical Marine has been a battlefield staple of mine ever since Codex: Angels of Death (Second Edition for you younger folks).
Why am I making this switch? Simple answer, the Tactical Marine gives me Tactical Options.
This is why Grey Hunters, Plague Marines, and Grey Knights are such good Troops choices, they give you flexibility.
All too often have I faced an enemy unit with my Assault Marines and knew I only had one option, to assault. Granted Bolt Pistols are nice, but they are not what I would consider to be a strong shooting attack. What happens if my enemy is better in assault than I am? I either run away or I lose a unit. This led me to an obvious truth.

"Assault Marines are useful IF you can kill your enemies in assault."
"Tactical Marines are useful if you can either kill your enemy with shooting OR in assault."

With Tactical Marines, I always have a choice. I made a 1500 List that focuses on the Tactical Marine. I will try to post it and get some games in with it.

-Mike

Thoughts on Bubblewrapping Imperial Guard

2011-05-12T05:22:00.000-07:00

In my quest to playtest the hell out of my imperial guard list, I find that there are some issues with the list.
I was always worried about armies that Deep Strike MEQ infantry right into me. When I played this list at 2k, it was back before Grey Knights when I still had access to cheap, awesome, Deep Strike defense. I have since lost that particular form of defense (I am talking about Mystics, of course). I has assumed that I could instead reserve everything and come out blazing in firepower. After some practice games, I found out that reserving was not a viable option.

I need to find an in-game alternative. The alternative needs to fulfill the following goals.

Keep enough distance so that meltaguns do not get 2d6 pen versus my tanks.
Be able to cover a good distance
Be able to take an assault and lose gracefully. (i.e. lose consistently)

I though hard about this and decided that I am going to take a stab at a 20-man conscript squad for bubble-wrapping my vulnerable tanks. (Vulnerable to assault and short ranged melta)

This squad (at 80 points) is cheap, they can cover 58 inches of the board and their woeful ld5 means that they will likely break from combat, even if they lose by 1.

I am going to try some different deployment options with these guys and hopefully post what I have accomplished.

-Mike

Battle Report: Imperial Guard v Grey Knights

2011-05-10T04:04:00.000-07:00

The second game I played on Saturday saw me face off against Grey Knights. I am still using Vegas List 6. I may be kind of drunk in this video, sorry in advance.

-Mike

Battle Report: Imperial Guard v Blood Angels

2011-05-10T04:02:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, I met up with a couple guys and played two games. Here is the first. I am using Vegas List 6. (Mech Imperial Guard)

-Mike

Analysis of Razorspam

2011-05-06T04:56:00.000-07:00

As you can undoubtedly tell by Battle Report 3 (BR3), I am kind of a n00b when it comes to playing Razorspam. I have been using Rhinos since they were extremely effective in 3rd edition. I love the Rhino, but the Razorback is a foreign tank to me. I definitely did not use it well in BR3.

The game was a Spearhead Annihilation against psycannon heavy Grey Knights, an army that is excellent in hanging out at midfield and kicking ass. I tried to rely on three things to win this game, 1)The range of my predators and Las/Plas Razors to kill terminators, 2) my assault cannons to open up the Rhinos, and 3) My flamestorm cannons to roast Power Armored Infantry.

This, obvious to me now, did not work out. The reasons are as follows.

The Grey Knights began the game at midfield, where they are the strongest.
Every Infantry squad outmatches me in killing power. Psycannons are better at killing Razors than Assault Cannons are at killing Terminators.
I actually could not out shoot the Grey Knights, nor would I ever be able to out-assault them.

So, the above factors left me in kind of a bind. Many of my Razorbacks spent the game unable to shoot before they were finally killed. The Baal predators became sacrificial units (albeit VERY expensive ones, compared to what they killed).

Tactically, I could have done a few things differently. I could have put my predators in the front to screen my razorbacks, the psycannon is not nearly as effective against the front armor of a predator as it was against the razors. This might have given my Razorbacks more chances to fire. The predators did not perform greatly, perhaps I was too static with them. I do not think it would have been enough though. I think I need a modify my list a bit.

The flamestorm cannons need to go. I need TLAC/HB Baals. I need the ranged anti-Infantry firepower. I decided to drop the Melta squad in TLAC razorback. With the points I save I am able to convert both Baals to TLAC/HB and get another Flamestorm Baal.

I will try to playtest this configuration over the weekend to see how it fares.

-Mike

Battle Report Blood Angels v Grey Knights

2011-05-05T14:16:00.001-07:00

Another Battle Report!! I took the BA Razorspam against Tim and his Grey Knights!

-Mike

Battle Report: Imperial Guard v Blood Angels

2011-05-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this is my second attempt. This was recorded in my basement, so the lighting is a bit poor in some places. I will work to rectify that in the future. I have also received a lot of feedback from the first video which I have NOT had a chance to incorporate.

I also rendered this one in HD. Vegas list 2 versus Vegas list 5.

-Mike

Battle Report: Witch Hunters v Imperial Guard

2011-04-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

This is my first BoLS-style video battle report. I am using Vegas List 10.

-Mike

Vegas List 10, Codex: Witch Hunters

2011-04-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

List 10 - Witch Hunters

Palatine w/Book of St. Lucius, Bolt Pistol
5 Inquisitorial Storm Troopers w/2 Meltaguns
5 Inquisitorial Storm Troopers w/2 Meltaguns
5 Inquisitorial Storm Troopers w/2 Plasma Guns
Platoon Command w/2 Flamers
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon
Chimera
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon
Chimera
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon
Chimera
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon
Chimera
Heavy Weapons Team w/3 Autocannons
Heavy Weapons Team w/3 Autocannons
5 Dominions w/3 Flamers
Immolator w/Smoke, Twin-Linked Multi-Melta
5 Dominions w/3 Flamers
Immolator w/Smoke, Twin-Linked Multi-Melta
Immolator w/Smoke
Immolator w/Smoke
Immolator w/Smoke

This list is an MSU 4+2 mech variant. This list is not made of Space Marines (as I discovered in the battle report a few posts ago). Critical placing and use of Chimeras is invaluable. If you make mistakes, this list can fold pretty quickly. The only thing is has over other similar lists is numbers of vehicles. Fast Heavy Flamers are awesome. Autocannons are awesome. It is kind of a utility list, with something for everything without being battle-forcey. I have actually gotten in a battle report with this list and hope to post it soon.

-Mike

Vegas List 9, Codex: Chaos Space Marines

2011-04-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

List 9 - Alpha Legion

Chaos Lord w/Terminator Armor, Combi-Melta, Daemon Weapon
10 Chaos Space Marines w/2 Meltaguns
Rhino w/Dozer Blade
10 Chaos Space Marines w/Meltagun, Flamer, Aspiring Champion, Powerfist
Rhino w/Dozer Blade
10 Chaos Space Marines w/Autocannon, Plasma Gun
5 Chaos Terminators w/Lightning Claws, 2 Combi-Meltas, Heavy Flamer, Powerfist, Chainfist
5 Chaos Terminators w/Lightning Claws, 2 Combi-Meltas, Heavy Flamer, Powerfist, Chainfist
5 Chaos Terminators w/2 Combi-Flamers, 2 Combi-Plasmas, Heavy Flamer, Chainfist
Chaos Predator w/Lascannon Sponsons

This list is a more fluff list than competitive. I guess, strictly speaking it is a 2+1. The Rhinos advance, the Terminators and Lord Deep Strike, and the Predator and AutoPlas squad provide supressive fire. I have not yet played this list and the models are only partially built. I will however, probably get smoked by loyalist terminators.

-Mike

Vegas Lists 7 and 8, Codex: Eldar

2011-04-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

List 7 - Mechdar

Farseer w/Runes of Warding, Guide
5 Dire Avengers
5 Dire Avengers
5 Dire Avengers
10 Guardians w/Scatter Laser, Warlock, Embolden
5 Fire Dragons
Wave Serpent w/Twin-linked Shuriken Cannon
5 Fire Dragons w/Exarch, Firepike, Crack Shot
Wave Serpent w/Twin-linked Shuriken Cannon
5 Fire Dragons w/Exarch, Firepike, Crack Shot
Wave Serpent w/Twin-linked Shuriken Cannon
Falcon w/Eldar Missile Launcher, Holo-Fields
Falcon w/Eldar Missile Launcher, Holo-Fields
Falcon w/Eldar Missile Launcher, Holo-Fields

This list works around a 3+1 build. Codex: Eldar is old and sub-par. This list doesn't have a ton of firepower, but can work pretty well with what it has. The only advantage is speed, which this army has (except the Guardians). The disadvantages are cost of singular models and fragility. Dice can kind of ruin my day, especially if things don't go well. Objective games are this lists strength.

List 8 - Footdar

Avatar
Eldrad
10 Guardians w/Scatter Laser
10 Guardians w/Scatter Laser
10 Storm Guardians w/2 Flamers
5 Rangers
10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Dual Catapults, Bladestorm
6 Harlequins w/5 Harlequins Kisses, Shadowseer
3 D-Cannons
3 D-Cannons
3 Dark Reapers w/Exarch, Tempest Launcher, Crack Shot

Ok, I know this list looks really weird on paper. I recently played a 2k version of this in a Winter gaming league and went 5-0-1 with it. Its strength is that people do not know what to do against it. It is deceptively strong and resilient, provided it gets to midfield. It has ZERO long range firepower. This list must get to midfield. Also, dawn of war destroys this army, as it takes the D-Cannons 4 turns to get to the center of the board. (Artillery can't run).

-Mike

Vegas Lists 5 and 6, Codex: Imperial Guard

2011-04-28T11:28:00.000-07:00

List 5 - Foot Guard

Command Squad w/3 Sniper Rifles, Vox, Camo Cloaks
Command Squad w/3 Sniper Rifles, Vox, Camo Cloaks
Platoon Command w/2 Grenade Launchers, Vox, Bolt Pistol
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Vox
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon
Heavy Weapons Squad w/3 Autocannons
Heavy Weapons Squad w/3 Autocannons
Heavy Weapons Squad w/3 Autocannons
Heavy Weapons Squad w/3 Mortars
Heavy Weapons Squad w/3 Mortars
Platoon Command w/2 Grenade Launchers, Vox, Bolt Pistol
Infantry Squad w/Meltagun, Vox
Infantry Squad w/Meltagun
Infantry Squad w/Meltagun
Infantry Squad w/Meltagun
Heavy Weapons Squad w/3 Lascannons
Heavy Weapons Squad w/3 Lascannons
Heavy Weapons Squad w/3 Missile Launchers
Heavy Weapons Squad w/3 Missile Launchers

This list is a gross distortion of the MMM. It starts with 19 scoring units and tons of firepower.
Good luck at outshooting this army. The downside is that is is MADLY static, so will lose "recon" missions if they happen to show up. Getting to objectives is an issue if they are far away, but I should not have a problem removing enemy units from objectives. I will, however, autolose to deep strike armies. There is also a slight problem of building and painting all of that Infantry.

List 6 - Mech Guard

Command Squad w/3 Plasma Guns
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
10 Veterans w/3 Meltaguns
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Platoon Command w/3 Flamers
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera
Special Weapons Squad w/3 Meltaguns
20 Consccripts
Valkyrie w/Multiple Rocket Pods
Vendetta
Vendetta
Manticore
Manticore

Standard Mech guard. Conscripts bubblewrap against fast bastards (Thunderwolves) and/or outflankers (Wolf Scouts, Snikrot, etc...). Everything else shoots. I have mixes of mobile and static firepower. This is a well-balanced list, there are no obvious advantages or disadvantages except for the logistics of getting the stuff to Vegas.

-Mike

Vegas Lists 1-4, Codex: Blood Angels

2011-04-28T05:24:00.000-07:00

I build 4 lists from Codex: Blood Angels.

List 1 - Rhino Rush
Librarian w/Shield, Sword
7 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Lightning Claw
Rhino w/Dozer Blade
7 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Lightning Claw
Rhino w/Dozer Blade
7 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Power Weapon, Infernus Pistol
Rhino w/Dozer Blade
5 Assault Marines w/Flamer
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Guns, Dozer Blade
5 Assault Marines w/Flamer
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Guns, Dozer Blade
2 Sanguinary Priests w/2 Lightning Claws, 2 Combi-Meltas
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers

List 2 - Razorspam
Librarian w/Shield, Sword, Hand Flamer
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Lightning Claw
Razorback w/Twin-Linked Assault Cannons, Dozer Blade
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Lightning Claw
Razorback w/Twin-Linked Assault Cannons, Dozer Blade
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun
Razorback w/Twin-Linked Assault Cannons, Dozer Blade
5 Assault Marines w/Flamer
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Guns, Dozer Blade
5 Assault Marines w/Flamer
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Guns, Dozer Blade
Baal Predator w/Flamestorm Cannon, Dozer Blade
Baal Predator w/Flamestorm Cannon, Dozer Blade
Predator w/Autocannon, Lascannon Sponsons, Dozer Blade
Predator w/Autocannon, Lascannon Sponsons, Dozer Blade

So, these two lists are kind of similar. They both utilize a 3+2 build style. Which is a take on the 4+2 popularized by Stelek at YTTH. The rhino list is more assault based, however, the fire support is more vulnerable to anti-infantry fire as it uses devastators. The assault based units are very resilient against torrent and anti-infantry weapons. The Razorspam army is maxed so that anti-infantry weapons are useless until I am disembarked from my transports. The downside to the razorspam is once I am out of my transports, my units are more vulnerable. The razorspam also has more firepower (and more mobile firepower) than the Rhinorush, but at the cost of less assault power.

List 3 - Jumpers
Librarian w/Shield, Sword, Jump Pack
10 Assault Marines w/2 Meltaguns, Power Weapon
10 Assault Marines w/2 Meltaguns, Power Weapon
10 Assault Marines w/2 Flamers
5 Assault Marines w/Flamer
Drop Pod
2 Sanguinary Priests w/2 Jump Packs
Techmarine w/Jump Pack, Combi-melta
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers

This list uses a 3+1 build. Since the arrival of Grey Knights and reserves manipulation, I will usually be starting most of this on the board. The Techmarine bolsters a ruin for the devastators to hide in, then usually Deep Strikes in from reserves to shoot a juicy melta target.
This list is designed to make anti-tank weapons less useful to my opponent and to hopefully pressure him with the threat of assault into making a mistake or staying more mobile than he would like. (Some armies have a tradeoff in mobility vs Firepower) I can use the Drop Pod in odd ways, either by deploying it in my zone on an objective, having it arrive empty to block LoS and/or movement, or to threaten some sort of backfield unit (long fangs, Lootas, broadsides, etc...) I can also mess up hordes in assault, I gain staying power with FNP.

List 4 - Million Marine March (MMM)

Librarian w/Shield, Sword
10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Meltagun
10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Plasma Gun, Combi-Plasma
10 Tactical Marines w/Missile Launcher, Meltagun, Powerfist
2 Sanguinary Priests
Corbulo
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
6 Devastators w/4 Plasma Cannons
6 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
6 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers

A staple army of most of my 4th edition play. If I can combat squad, this will work out to be a 3+2 build, if not it will be a 2+1. I can create FNP bubbles everywhere. The pros of this list are that anti-tank weapons are generally less useful, this army has a lot of bodies, a lot of staying power, and a lot of firepower. The downside is that this army is SLOW. Everyone is on foot. Some missions (like capture and control, Spearhead) will be incredibly difficult to win. I also will suffer against fast CC heavy armies. (Daemons, Nob Bikers, Tyranids as examples) I have no bubblewrap and cannot defeat dedicated close combat units. I think Space Marines can do this kind of list better as they have Combat Tactics, while Blood Angels do not. The upsides is that I have been playing this type of list for years (as I said, I played it in 4th edition)

-Mike

10 lists for Vegas

2011-04-28T05:07:00.000-07:00

I have worked out 10 lists (using 5 different codices) that I want to practice with in order to decide what to take to the Throne of Skulls Tournament being held in Las Vegas, in the month of June.

Here is a quick breakdown of the number of lists I made from each codex.
Codex: Blood Angels - 4
Codex: Imperial Guard - 2
Codex: Eldar - 2
Codex: Chaos Space Marines - 1
Codex: Witch Hunters - 1

I plan over the next couple of weeks to get in at least one practice game with each of these lists to see how they feel on the tabletop. Some of the lists are new to me, some are variations of lists I have played a dozen times. Since I want to effectively test ten armies, I need the practice games to mean something. I am going to review each list and analyze any strengths and weaknesses it may possess. I will be posting here so that my 4-5 readers can help me by pointing out things I miss, or giving feedback from a different perspective.

Anyways, I already played the first of ten games on Tuesday. I did the battle report in the BoLS video fashion, and am now trying to edit it and toss it on Youtube, or something similar.

Remember, honest feedback is always welcome.

-Mike

Dreamwizards Team Tournament 4/23/11

2011-04-26T04:21:00.000-07:00

On Saturday April 23rd I journeyed to Dreamwizards in Rockville, MD for a 3 round Team Tournament. My club, the Frederick Area Gamers, sent 3 teams to the tournament.

-Me and Aaron Blough teamed up and brought Blood Angels and Space Wolves
-Bryan and Pete brought Dark Eldar and Eldar, respectively.
-Leigh and PJ Brady brought Space Wolves and Imperial Guard.

1250 per player, 2500 per team. Missions were Ard boys 2009(?) missions.

Here is what we took. (Our team name was Mephiston-Njal, sound it out)

Blood Angels

Mephiston
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Lightning Claw
Rhino
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Lightning Claw
Rhino
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Power Weapons, Infernus Pistol
Rhino
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Power Weapons, Infernus Pistol
Rhino
Sanguinary Priest w/Combi-Melta, Lightning Claw
Sanguinary Priest w/Combi-Melta, Lightning Claw
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers

Space Wolves
Njal Stormcaller
6 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Rhino
6 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Rhino
6 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun
Rhino
3 Wolf guard w/3 Combi-meltas, 3 Power Weapons
5 Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun
5 Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers

So, lots of Missiles and Rhino Spam. Two semi-beefy HQ's.

I don't do full battle reports in tournaments because I don't want to slow the game down.
I will give you guys a summary of games to the best of my recollection.

Round 1: John and Joe (Team Texas Ladyboys)

Joe - Grey Knights
Xenos Inquisitor w/Conversion Beamer, 3 Servo Skulls
Xenos Inquisitor w/Conversion Beamer, 3 Servo Skulls
10 Purifiers w/4 Psycannons, 5 Halberds, Rhino w/Hunter-Killer Missile
5 Grey Knights Strike Squad w/Psycannon, MC Daemonhammer, Rhino, Hunter-Killer Missile
5 Grey Knights Strike Squad w/Psycannon, Daemonhammer, Rhino, Hunter-Killer Missile
Dreadnought w/Two Twin-Linked Autocannons, Psybolt Ammo
Dreadnought w/Two Twin-Linked Autocannons, Psybolt Ammo
Dreadnought w/Two Twin-Linked Autocannons, Psybolt Ammo

John - Tau
Shas'el w/Missile Pod, Plasma Gun, Multi-Tracker
2 Crisis Suits w/Twin-Linked Missile Pod, Targeting Array
2 Crisis Suits w/Missile Pods, Burst Cannons, Multi-Tracker
6 Fire Warriors w/Devilfish, Targeting Array, Multi-tracker, Disruption Pod
6 Fire Warriors w/Devilfish, Targeting Array, Multi-tracker, Disruption Pod
Hammerhead w/Railgun, Burst Cannons, Disruption Pod, Multi-Tracker, Target lock
Hammerhead w/Railgun, Burst Cannons, Disruption Pod, Multi-Tracker, Target lock
3 Broadsides w/Advanced Stabilization, Bonding Knife, Drone Controller, 2 Shield Drones, Plasma Gun, hard-Wired Multi-Tracker

So, John and Joe won the roll-off and deployed. The Mission was Five objectives, one in the dead-center, two in each of our deployment zones. We set up on our side with pretty decent lanes of fire.
Aaron and I lost 6 out of 7 Rhinos before we got our first turn. Well then. We kept two of those units behind to capture our objectives and moved everything else forward. Our objectives were to supress the Tau firepower and movement with Njal and his wide ability of powers and try to eliminate their scoring units (they only had 4). Our plan worked great. Mephiston was able to draw tons of fire (mostly from Dreadnoughts and Crisis Suits) he would eventually die to a stormbolter in Joe and Johns backfield, but his supression was so great that neither the Tau or Grey Knights advanced until about turn 5, by which it was far too late. We had both of our objectives, they had one being held by a lone Grey Knight and Inquisitor.

Round 2: Dameon Green and Matt Stanley (Team Green Machine)

Dameon - Space Marines
Librarian w/Gate of Infinity, Null Zone
5 Scouts w/Meltabomb
5 Scouts w/Meltabomb
5 Scouts w/Meltabomb
5 Scouts w/4 Sniper Rifles, Missile Launcher
Dreadnought w/Two Twin-linked Autocannons
Dreadnought w/Two Twin-linked Autocannons
Dreadnought w/Two Twin-linked Autocannons
Land Speeder Storm
Land Speeder Storm
Land Speeder Storm
Thunderfire Cannon
Thunderfire Cannon
Thunderfire Cannon

Matt Stanley - Imperial Guard

Company Command w/2 Plasma Guns, Lascannon
Chimera
Platoon Command w/4 Flamers, Chimera
Infantry Squad w/Plasma Gun, Commissar, Autocannon, Power Weapon
Infantry Squad w/Plasma Gun, Autocannon
Infantry Squad w/Plasma Gun, Lascannon
Veteran Squad w/3 Plasma Guns
Veteran Squad w/3 Meltaguns, Chimera, Heavy Flamer
Vendetta
Hydra
Hydra
Manticore

The mission was a Dawn of War kill points. However Kill Points were modified so that HQ's were 5, Elites, Fast, and Heavies were two, all dedicated transports were 1.
So, we were on the same table as the last game. Our battle plan was to get Njal and Mephiston to midfield, run our Rhinos up and engage them in Combat, where we would do pretty good damage.
Well, turns out, I made a huge mistake. I had Mephiston running out of LoS behind Rhinos. I did not ask what was in the Vendetta, turns out it had plasma Veterans. 6 hits, 5 wounds, Mephiston dies. We could not apply pressure without Mephiston, so Njal died too from focused Fire. I sent a 5-man Ba squad to go after the librarian (who was with 5 scouts), they failed to move the 3 inches necessary to reach the librarian for 3 straight turns before being finally gunned down by thunderfires and Riflemen. We lost by about 5 kill Points. (We originally though it was 7) Lesson learned is to pay attention.

Round 3: Bryan and Pete (Team Pointy Ears)

Bryan - Dark Eldar

Haemonculus w/Liquifier Gun, Venom Blade
5 Warriors
Raider w/Disintegrator, Flickerfield, Night Shield
5 Warriors
Raider w/Disintegrator, Flickerfield, Night Shield
9 Warriors w/Blaster, Sybarite, Venom Blade
Raider w/Disintegrator, Flickerfield, Night Shield
8 Warriors w/Blaster, Sybarite, Venom Blade
Raider w/Disintegrator, Flickerfield, Night Shield
8 Warriors w/Blaster, Sybarite, Venom Blade
Raider w/Disintegrator, Flickerfield, Night Shield
Ravager w/3 Dark Lances, Flickerfield, Night Shield
Ravager w/3 Dark Lances, Flickerfield, Night Shield
Ravager w/3 Dark Lances, Flickerfield, Night Shield

Pete - Eldar
Autarch w/Fusion Gun
8 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Extra Catapult, Bladestorm
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Shuriken Cannons, Spirit Stones
8 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Extra Catapult, Bladestorm
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Shuriken Cannons, Spirit Stones
6 Fire Dragons w/Exarch, Firepike, Crack Shot
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Shuriken Cannons, Spirit Stones
6 Fire Dragons w/Exarch, Firepike, Crack Shot
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Shuriken Cannons, Spirit Stones
6 Fire Dragons w/Exarch, Firepike, Crack Shot
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Shuriken Cannons, Spirit Stones

The mission is Capture and control, except that the two objectives are centered in non-deployment zone board quarters.
We went second again, and lost a good number of Rhinos to fire. We advanced Njal and Mephiston (as well as a LOT of squads) towards the center. We used our missiles to kill Eldar mobility and took a lot of casualties. Fortunately, we controlled the objectives for most of the game. When an Eldar or Dark Eldar foot unit got close, we counter assaulted with Marines.
At the end, I had something like 9 models left, but 6 were on an objective.
Aaron had mabye 13 or so, but two were on the other objective.

So at the end we went 2-1, not terrible. I won a raffle (A set of the resin counters)

As of this tournament my record (including the Winter League, which I won, and a few odd off games) is 89W 32L 22D

-Mike

Updated Vegas 1500

2011-04-19T05:43:00.000-07:00

My readers (all 4!) have spoken, this is what (I think) they want to see.

Librarian w/Shield of Sanguinius, The Sanguine Sword
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Lightning Claw
Rhino
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Lightning Claw
Rhino
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol, Power Weapon
Rhino
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Infernus Pistol, Power Weapon
Rhino
5 Assault Marines w/Flamer
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Guns
Sanguinary Priest w/Lightning Claw, Combi-Melta
Sanguinary Priest w/Lightning Claw, Combi-Melta
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Guns

Any more thoughts? Now who wants to playtest?

-Mike

Battle Report: Witch Hunters v Space Wolves

2011-04-19T04:43:00.000-07:00

Battle Report time!!
With the help of a friend, we dreamed up a Witch Hunters list.

Palatine
5 Celestians w/2 Meltaguns
Immolator w/Smoke
5 Inquisitorial Storm Troopers w/2 Meltaguns
5 Inquisitorial Storm Troopers w/2 Meltaguns
5 Inquisitorial Storm Troopers w/2 Meltaguns
5 Inquisitorial Storm Troopers w/2 Plasma Guns
Platoon Command w/4 Flamers, Chimera
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Platoon Command w/4 Flamers, Chimera
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Special Weapons Squad w/3 Meltaguns
5 Celestians w/2 Meltaguns
Immolator w/Smoke
5 Celestians w/2 Meltaguns
Immolator w/Smoke
5 Celestians w/2 Meltaguns
Immolator w/Smoke
Immolator w/Smoke
Exorcist
Exorcist

2000

My opponent, internet 40k celebrirty, Tony Kopach (Winner of NOVA 2010, Adepticon 2011)
He brings Space Wolves
Njal Stormcaller
5 Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun
5 Wolf Scouts w/Meltagun
6 Wolf Guard w/6 Powerfists, 6 Combi-Meltas
8 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Wolf Standard, Rhino
8 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Wolf Standard, Rhino
7 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Wolf Standard, Rhino
7 Grey Hunters w/Meltagun, Wolf Standard, Rhino
6 Grey Hunters w/Flamer, Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
6 Grey Hunters w/Flamer, Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers

We decide to play a NOVA Open mission.
Primary: Seize Ground, 5 Objectives: One in Center, 4 centered in Quarters.
Secondary: Kill points: must win by 3
Tertiary: Table Quarters
Deployment: Pitched Battle

I win the roll-off and decide to go first. I deploy along my deployment zone.
Tony deploys in his zone. We are both pretty spread out.

Two pictures of our deployment.

.
Tony fails to "Seize the Initiative" , we begin.

Turn 1:
Mike: I begin by moving everything except the Exorcists, Platoon Command, and Infantry squads forward. I smoke everything that moved. I immobilize one of my exorcists in dangerous terrain. In the shooting phase, I manage to kill the pack master and a Missile Launcher from the left long fang squad. My other shooting is worthless. The Long Fangs fail their break test, but only run 4.

Tony: Tony moves most of his Rhinos forward. He immobilizes Njals ride, so Njal and friends disembark. A Lascannon Explodes the right Chimera containing a Platoon Command squad, they lose 3 guys in the explosion. Long Fangs wreck the Palatines Immolator. They disembark.
The Platoon Command squad breaks, they are under half and will never rally. (One lascannon shot, 2 units gone!)

Two pictures from the bottom of Turn 1: Note some jerk at the top trying to photobomb us with his face and genitals.

Turn 2:
Mike: The palatine and friends roll a 2 for their difficult terrain movement, so much for contesting the center objective. I move my armor forward in an attempt to destroy Rhinos and pin Tony in his deployment zone. I rush an Immolator containing the Special Weapons Team toward the Long Fangs on the right. The Special Weapons team and Immolator combine to kill the Pack Leader and a Missile Launcher from the right Long Fangs squad. An exorcist kills the rest of the Long Fangs squad on the left. Multi-Lasers kill the Pack Leader and a Missile Launcher from the middle Long Fang squad. I unleash a torrent of Melta and explode a Rhino (killing a nearby sister) the rest of my 8 meltagun shots harmlessly bounce. With some combined fire and the explosion, I manage to kill 5 Grey Hunters. Tony passes all of his tests.

Tony: Njal rolls a "5", everyone in 18 of him at the end of the assault phase must take a morale test. 1 Wolf Scout squad arrives in my backfield to the right of one of my Bubblewrap Infantry squads. The Grey Hunters on my right disembark and move towards the Special Weapons Team. The Grey Hunters flame the Special Weapons squad, killing 3. The Lacannon fires and Explodes another Chimera. (Best. Lascannon. Ever.) Meltaguns Explode a Chimera. Meltaguns Explode a Chimera (no, I did not make a mistake in typing) Meltas remove the Heavy Flamer from a Chimera. The other Lascannon Explodes a Celestian Immolator, 2 die in the explosion, 2 more die to the Grey Hunters. She breaks and runs 11 inches.
In Close Combat, Grey Hunters charge and Explode a Chimera, Explode an Immolator, kill all 4 Celestians. An explosion kills an Inquisitorial Storm Trooper whose squad then breaks, and then breaks again due to Njals power. The Wolf Scouts mop the floor with the Infantry Squad. This turn Tony killed 4 Chimera, 2 Immolators and a slew of Infantry. Ouch.

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 2, the White Rectangles are craters from exploded vehicles.

Turn 3:
Mike: The Inquisitorial Storm Troopers rally. The Celestian and Special Weapons Squad continue to run. I move my few tanks around hoping to capitalize on what Melta and Twin-Linked Heavy Flamers I have left. My Meltaguns fail. I rapid fire two plasma guns at the Rhino in front of the Inquisitorial Storm Trooper Squad. I do no damage to the Rhino, but kill one of my guys. (who later breaks.) My other combined fire kills 2 Grey Hunters from the wounded squad, leaving one member left. I Boltgun the Wolf Scouts, killing 4. The exorcist fires and kills zero. My Twin-Heavy flamer kills a Grey Hunter. No break tests are failed.

Tony: Moves a little bit forward. Meltaguns blow up a Chimera. Lascannon wrecks the Immolator on the right. 2 Missiles fire, both pen, Wreck. 2 Missiles fire, both pen, explodes an Immolator, killing 2 Celestians. The wolf Scouts Explode an Exorcist, killing 2 nearby guardsmen.
In assault I lose the Celestians. I lose the Inquisitorial Storm Troopers that were next to the plasma guys. Njals power immobilizes my last Chimera.

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 3.

At this point I have one Immobilized Chimera, an Exorcist, and a few patches of T3 Infantry. I have killed a Long Fang Squad, a Rhino, and most of a Grey Hunters squad. I decide to concede before I am tabled. Tony kicked the crap out of me. I think I will attempt to analyze why in another post.

-Mike

Thinking of Vegas

2011-04-18T05:54:00.000-07:00

The Throne of Skulls tournament (held in Las Vegas) is about 2 months away.
I have had this in the back of my mind for a while, as the date always appeared to be so far away.

I have been thinking about what codex to use. I own the following armies.

-Blood Angels
-Imperial Guard
-Chaos Space Marines (Alpha Legion)
-Eldar (Iyanden)
-Chaos Daemons
-Sisters of Battle (Order of our Martyred Lady)
-Grey Knights

I imagine that a GW event will only allow full painted armies. This leaves out Chaos Space Marines (who aren't even fully assembled), Daemons, and Grey Knights. I do not want to take Sisters because I do not feel that they are a competitive codex. (I will post a battle report to showcase this soon)
I have two types of Eldar; Mechanized and Foot. I do not think either are a good choice at 1500.

This leaves Blood Angels and Imperial Guard. I made lists for each:

Blood Angels 1500

Mephiston
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Lightning Claw
Rhino
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Lightning Claw
Rhino
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Power Weapon, Infernus Pistol
Rhino
5 Assault Marines w/Meltagun, Power Weapon, Infernus Pistol
Rhino
5 Assault Marines w/Flamer
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
Sanguinary Priest w/Combi-Melta, Lightning Claw
Sanguinary Priest w/Combi-Melta, Lightning Claw
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
Razorback w/Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
5 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers

Imperial Guard

Company Command Squad w/3 Plasma Guns
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
10 Veterans w/3 Meltaguns
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Platoon Command Squad w/3 Flamers
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera w/Heavy Bolter
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera w/Heavy Bolter
Special Weapons Squad w/3 Meltaguns
20 Conscripts
Valkyrie w/Multiple Rocket Pods
Vendetta
Vendetta
Manticore
Manticore

I am leaning more towards the guard because I think it is a more balanced list. I feel I can make the Angels more balanced by removing Mephiston, adding a Librarian w/Shield and Sword and including 3 MM Attack Bikes. Do any of my 3 or 4 readers have any thoughts?

-Mike

Grey Knight Review: Part 7 - Heavy Support

2011-04-08T04:58:00.000-07:00

There are 6 choices for Heavy Support in Codex: Grey Knights.

The Land Raider, Land Raider Redeemer, and Land Raider Crusader - These are the same as Codex: Space Marines although they have a minor price increase for "Fortitude" and can take Grey Knight upgrades.

Purgation Squad - The "Devastators" of Codex: Grey Knights. They are able to take 4 special weapons at minimum size. They have a psychic power called "Astral Aim" where they are able to fire at units out of LoS, but doing so provides their target with a 4+ cover save. They have access to all other Grey Knight options.

Dreadnought - A small bump in cost due to "Fortitude", but retains all the options of a Dreadnought from Codex: Space Marines. Even better, they also have access to Grey Knight wargear, allowing you to make your Twin-Linked Autocannons S8.

Dreadknight - Ah, the Baby-Bjorn of the codex. The only Monstrous Creature in a Space Marine codex (Not counting Mephiston). Pretty akin to a Daemon Prince in stats. It can get a range of crappy weapons; only the Heavy Incinerator might be worth it. Can take a personal Teleporter, which functions just like it does for Intercepter squads. Has "Hammerhand" and "Dark Excommunication" psychic powers.

-Mike

Grey Knight Review: Part 6 - Fast Attack

2011-04-07T05:23:00.000-07:00

Now, I will review BOTH of the Fast Attack units available for Codex: Grey Knights. Yes, there are only two.

Stormraven Gunship - A tad more costly than the Blood Angels equivalent due to "Fortitude". The Bloodstrike missiles are replaced by Mindstrike missiles, which are Frags with the "psi-shock" rule.
So, great for assassinating Mephiston or Tyranid psykers. All the same upgrades as the Blood Angels Stormraven are available. You can also get Psycannon Ammo to make those Hurricane Bolters S5.

Grey Knights Interceptor Squad - Basically a Strike Squad with Personal Teleporters, which count as jump packs for the most part. The same Psychic powers and equipment upgrades are available. The personal Teleporter lets you move as a Jump Pack, and once per game allows you to move 30" (to contest/capture objectives!) but you cannot assault after doing so.

-Mike

Grey Knight Review: Part 5 - Elites

2011-04-07T04:39:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for some Fury? The Grey Knights codex contains nine options for Elites (counting each assassin as one type and the henchmen as one type)

Techmarine - The Techmarine is identical to the Techmarine presented in Codex: Space Marines except his cost is increased, he comes stock with the "Reconstruction" psychic power, and he can take some different wargear options. He cannot have any servitors.

Purifier - The most versatile Grey Knight unit in power armor. The Purifiers have the statline of a Justicar (so, 2 attacks). They are able to take two special weapons per FIVE models. Halberds are relatively cheap for them. They come with the "Cleansing Flame" psychic power. So, they can beat up on vehicles, MC's, hordes, and heavily armored troops. An excellent unit.

Venerable Dreadnought - WS5, BS5. Comes with "fortitude". It is going to be difficult to stop this vehicle from moving and shooting every turn. Still not sure what the best loadout is for this guy.

Paladins - The Nobs of Codex: Grey Knights. They are just like other Terminators, but have WS5, W2, and can take two weapons per 5 guys. They also have the option to get an Apothecary (for a colossal points increase). This may seem like a good idea, but is actually not a wise investment. This is a very expensive unit, that still gets rocked by TH/SS Terminators.

Assassins - The assassins got a pretty big stat boost. They are all WS8 BS8, 2W, I7, A4. Each is a unique choice, so no taking 3 Vindicares. Their equipment has largely remained the same, although the Vindicare (the obvious best of the four) now has unlimited special ammo. The point costs are moderate.

Inquisitorial Henchmen Squads - In all my days, I have never seen a more versatile unit. For each Inquisitor you can take a unit of between 3 and 12 henchmen, in any combination you desire. (Or take 6 if you have Coteaz) There are 10 different types of models you can take, outlined below

Arco-Flagellant - FNP, no Power weapons
Banisher - Can get an Eviscerator, Daemons within 6" re-roll invulnerable saves. (Bye, Fateweaver)
Crusader - Power Weapon, Storm Shield, WS4 guardsman. (Cheaper then a Space Marine)
Daemonhost - Random powers, one wound, only T4 model in the unit.
Death Cult Assassin - WS5, I6, 2 Power Weapons, S4. (Brutal anti-MEQ)
Inquisitorial Servitor - Comes with a powerfist, 3 can upgrade to Heavy Bolter, Multi-Melta, or Plasma Cannon.
Jokaero Weaponsmith - You have obviously heard about this guy from all over the net. He is a mini-obliterator that can upgrade the squads weapons.
Mystic - Acts as a teleport beacon.
Psyker - Has the "Psychic Barrage" power which increases in strength when you buy more psykers.
Warrior Acolyte - An imperial guardsman for 80% of the cost. Has access to a WIDE variety of options.

Each of these models (save the Jokaero) are pretty cheap allowing for an effective unit for little cost. They can be mounted in a Chimera.

-Mike

Grey Knight Review: Part 4 - Troops

2011-04-06T04:59:00.000-07:00

This will be an easy part of the review as there are only two Troop choices in the codex!
To add some content, I will include dedicated transports in this category.

Grey Knight Terminators - They have the same statline as Terminators from Codex: Space Marines, with the same base cost. They have force weapons and storm bolters with the ability to add a special weapon for every 5 models (Psycannon, Psilencer, or Incinerator) Any model can swap out their sword for a Halberd or daemonhammer for free, or for a minor cost, upgrade to Falchions. They have no option for Storm Shields. So, you have a stock 2+/5++ which is ripe for being killed by Dark Eldar. An underwhelming unit choice to say the least.

Grey Knight Strike Squad - They have the same statline as Space Marines. They come equipped the same as Grey Knight Terminators, without the Terminator armor. They have the same upgrade choices as well (although at a higher cost for Close Combat upgrades) However, they have two things that make them stand out. One, they can get a Rhino or Razorback as a Dedicated transport. Two, they have the "Warp Quake" power, which is the ultimate in Deep Strike Defense.

The Rhino and Razorback are identical to their Codex: Space Marines counterparts (but with a small increase in cost) They have all the regular options available, plus some Grey Knight upgrades. They come stock with the "Fortitude" psychic power, which is awesome.

The Chimera is identical to Codex: Imperial Guard; you can add some Grey Knight upgrades to it. It does NOT have "Fortitude", which is sad.

-Mike

Grey Knight Review: Part 3 - HQ

2011-04-05T06:10:00.000-07:00

Do you like HQ units? Then Codex: Grey Knights is the book for you, featuring 14 different HQ units (8 Grey Knight units, 6 Inquisition units)

Grey Knight Grand Masters - The "Chapter Master" of the Grey Knights codex. Has the same statline as his Codex: Space Marine counterpart. His use comes from his special rule "Grand Strategy". This rule lets the Master give d3 units of Infantry, Jump Infantry, Walkers, or Monstrous Creatures (not independent characters or Ghost Knights) one of the following special rules. (all must get the same rule)
-Scout
-Counter Attack
-Re-roll "to wound" rolls of a "1".
-Count as Scoring

Grey Knight Brother-Captain - Has the same statline as a Space Marine Captain. That is really it. He is kind of the poor mans Grand Master.

Librarian - Same statline as a Librarian from Codex: Space Marines. Comes in Terminator Armor. Can use two powers a turn with an upgrade to go to three/turn. Can buy extra psychic powers at a very cheap cost.

Brotherhood Champion - Kind of a cross between a Chaplain and The Emperors Champion. Has a high Weapon Skill, but only 1 wound. He allows re-rolls to hit on the charge, like a chaplain. He has no Attacks characteristic. In assault he must choose a "battle stance". He can either make one attack against every enemy in base to base, make no attacks and re-roll failed saves, or make d3 attacks at I10 against Independent Characters or Monstrous Creatures. He has the psychic power "Heroic Sacrifice", so if you kill him, expect to lose a model along with him.

Lord Kaldor Draigo - Imagine Lysander, except with S5 T5 base. He doesn't have a Thunderhammer, but has a Master-Crafted Force Weapon that becomes S10 if he happens to be targeting a unit with either a daemon or psyker in it. Only Eternal Warrior in the codex. Has a shitty flamer psychic power. His real use though, he unlocks Paladins as Troop choices.

Grand Master Mordrak - Grand Master statline, except +1A, +1W. Comes with a Daemonhammer. Can take a "retinue" of Ghost Warriors. He can spawn new ones if he takes unsaved wounds. If he chooses to Deep Strike, he automatically arrives turn 1, with no scatter.

Brother-Captain Stern - Same statline as a Brother-Captain. He can re-roll one "to hit", "to wound", and an armor save in each phase. If he does this, your opponent gains the same number of re-rolls. Has the Psychic power "Zone of Banishment". Altogether unremarkable.

Castellan Crowe - Basically a 2 wound Brotherhood Champion. But here is where he differs. He does not have a force weapon. He has a close combat weapon that rends on a 4+. He is NOT an independent character. If your opponent charges into him, your opponents units get furious charge and re-roll misses. Sucks ass right? Wrong, he will be popular for his last ability, he makes Purifiers Troop choices. (Dubbed the "Crowe Tax")

Inquisitors - There are three types of Inquisitors (Malleus, Hereticus, and Xenos) they share a statline and rules. The statline of an inquisitor is the same as it ever was. They only differ in the equipment that they each can take. The Malleus seems to be the most popular as they can get Terminator Armor with a Psycannon for cheap, which is awesome.

Inquisitor Coteaz - Inquisitor statline. Has a Master-Crafted Daemonhammer. Allows you to re-roll the dice to "Seize the Initiative" or force your opponent to re-roll theirs. Has the old Mystic ability, if you deep strike within 12, you get shot. Finally, he allows Inquisitorial Henchmen Squads to be troop choices. He is cheap. Holy Shit what an awesome HQ.

Inquisitor Valeria - Inquisitor statline with some added goofy wargear. Has a one-shot S10 pistol. Wounds on a 2+ in close combat. Successful saves against her must be re-rolled. Altogether unremarkable, especially when measured against Inquisitor Coteaz.

Inquisitor Karamazov - Improved Inquisitor statline (S5 T5). Has a Twin-linked Multimelta and Orbital Strike Relay. Is relentless. Is NOT a monstrous creature, he can join units! Friendlies within 12 re-roll failed morale tests. The best rule, however, is that when he places his Orbital Strike Relay, he can put it on a friendly model and the shot will not scatter. Holy. Shit. That is an Imperial Guard Players wet dream.

-Mike

Grey Knight Review: Part 2 - Psychic Powers

2011-04-04T05:54:00.000-07:00

The Grey Knights codex contains within it a staggering 21 Psychic Powers.
Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot?

Hammerhand - Available on most Infantry models, this adds +1 Strength in Assault. (note: it is added before any other modifiers, so Daemon hammers are Strength 10.)

Psychic Communion - Available on many of the HQ units. This lets you modify your reserve rolls by either +1 or -1, you decide after you roll.

Dark Excommunication - Available on some characters and Dreadknights. Daemons within a certain range lose all benefits of daemonic gifts.

Might of Titan - Available on Librarians, +1 Strength in assault (stacks with Hammerhand) and roll an extra d6 for armor penetration.

Quicksilver - Available on Librarians, everyone is I10 for that assault.

Sanctuary - Available on Librarians, anyone wishing to assault the unit counts as being in difficult and dangerous terrain.

The Shrouding - Available on Librarians, all friendlies within 6" gain the Stealth special rule.

Smite - Available to Librarians, As Codex: Space Marines

The Summoning - Available to Librarians, during the movement phase you can summon a unit from anywhere on the board (not in close combat) and deep strike it within 6" of you.

Vortex of Doom - Available to Librarians, As Codex: Space Marines

Warp Rift - Available to Librarians, template weapon, Initiative test or be "removed from play".
Also inflicts a penetrating hit on any vehicle it touches. (due to AP:- , hit is at -1 on the damage table.

Heroic Sacrifice - Available to Brotherhood champs and Crowe. Used when you die, roll to hit against a model in Base-to-base, if you hit, remove it from play.

Warp Quake - Available on Grey Knight Strike Squads and Interceptor Squads. Any wargear that lessens or prevents scatter when deepstriking fail to do so within 12 inches of the unit.
Furthermore, if a units deploys by deepstrike within 12" of said unit, they suffer an automatic Mishap. (Goodbye Codex: Daemons)

Astral Aim - Available on Purgation Squads, the unit may fire without needing LoS, but the target unit gets a 4+ cover save.

Sanctified Flame - Draigo only, Template Weapon, Str 5, no AP, always wounds daemons on a 2+.
Zone of Banishment - Stern Only, used in assault, all models (friend and foe, but not Stern) within d6 make a strength test or are removed as casualties. Daemons re-roll passed tests.

Holocaust - Paladins Only, 12" S5 AP- Assault 1, Large Blast

Cleansing Flame - Purifiers Only, used in assault phase, after moves but before attacks.
all enemy models in assault take a wound on a 4+, normal saves allowed. Counts towards combat resolution.

Reconstruction - Techmarines Only, re-roll repair rolls.

Psychic Barrage - Inquisitorial Henchmen Psykers Only, 36" S3 AP6 Assault 1, Large Blast.
For every Psyker past the first +1 S, -1 AP.

Fortitude - Available on every vehicle except the Chimera. Used in the movement phase. Remove all "Crew Shaken" and "Crew Stunned" results on the Vehicle.

So, as you can see there are TONS of powers available and nearly every model in the codex is a psyker. Lots to watch out for when facing the Grey Knights.

-Mike

Grey Knight Review: Part 1 - Wargear

2011-04-01T04:52:00.000-07:00

It is April 2011. The Grey Knights have finally gotten their own stand-alone (mostly) codex.
Before you protest, Codex: Daemonhunters does not count.

I am going to break this review into 8 parts:

1)Wargear
2)Psychic Powers
3)HQ
4)Troops
5)Elites
6)Fast Attack
7)Heavy Support
8)Preliminary List Ideas

Without further ado, my Grey Knight Codex Review. I am only going to cover wargear new to the Grey Knights codex.

The first thing that sets the Grey Knights apart is that every Grey Knight comes with a Nemesis Force Weapon. (Well, ONE guy doesn't) That's right, everybody has an Instant Death causing power weapon. The thing that differentiates a Force Weapon from a Nemesis Force Weapon (NFW) is that NFWs get special rules attached to them and they come in different flavors with even MORE special rules attached to them.

All NFWs have the "Daemonbane" special rule (are Daemons too strong of a codex? lol.).
So, any Psyker or Daemon that suffers one or more unsaved wounds from a NFW must make a leadership test at the end of the assault phase or be "Removed from Play". Note that this is not "Instant Death" so Eternal Warrior cannot save you... Poor Daemons...

NFWs come in 7 styles. (Why not? Who needs less complex rules?)

Nemesis Force Sword : Adds +1 to Invulnerable saves in close combat, but does grant an invulnerable if you do not already have one.

Nemesis Force Halberd: +2 Initiative.

Nemesis Daemon Hammer: Counts as a Thunderhammer. However, a Dreadknight using this strikes at initiative instead of I1.

Nemesis Warding Stave: Grants a 2+ Invulnerable save to wounds caused in Close Combat.

Nemesis Falchions: Grants +1 Attack

Nemesis Doomfist: Counts as a Dreadnought Close Combat Weapon

Nemesis Greatsword: Re-roll failed to hit, to wound, and armor penetration rolls in close combat.

So, with that nonsense out of the way, lets move along to the other close combat weapons.

Daemonblade: This is a tool of the "Radical Inquisitor" it lets you roll twice on a table before the game for an array of fun and interesting powers.

Scythian Venom Talon: Poisoned 2+ (Obviously purchased from the Dark Eldar, oh sorry, a "race of warrior monks", because when I think Monks, I think Poison...)

Onto the shooting weapons...

Incinerator: Str 6 AP4 Flamer

Heavy Incinerator: as above, but fired like a hellhound

Psilencer: 24" S4 AP- Heavy 4 Always wounds daemons on a 4+, unless it would be less.

Gatling Psilencer: 24" S4 AP- Heavy12 Always wounnds daemons on a 4+, unless it would be less

Psycannon: 24" S7 AP4 Rending, Heavy 4 or Assault 2 (holy shit)

Heavy Psycannon: 24" S7 AP4 Heavy 1, Large Blast, Rending (the "heavy" version is worse?)

Orbital Strike Relay: Choose one of three modes to fire; always scatter full 2d6, even on a "hit"
Barrage Bomb: Unlimited S6 AP4 Ordnance d3, large blast
Lance Strike: Unlimited S10 AP1 Heavy 1, Blast, Lance (S10 to entire blast vs vehicles)
Psyk-out Bomb: Unlimited S6 AP4 Ordnance 1, Large Blast, Psi-shock

Condemner Boltgun 24" S5 AP- Assault 1, Psi-Shock

Psi-shock means that psykers hit by the weapon suffer an automatic perils.

So, the psycannon seems pretty good. The rest of the weapons? Meh.

Onto more wargear!!!

Servo Skull: Placed as a counter before deployment but before zones are chosen.
The enemy cannot infiltrate within 12. Or use a scout move to come within 12 inches of one.
Deep striking friendlies or friendly blasts placed within 12 scatter d6 less. They are removed if an enemy comes within 6 inches.

Psybolt Ammunition: +1 Strength to Autocannons, Assault Cannons, Bolter, Storm Bolters, etc..

Psyk-out grenades: When you charge, Daemons and Psykers are I1 for that CC phase.

Empyrean Brain-mines: Used in assault after moves have been made, choose a model in base-to-base, that model must pass an initiative test or be unable to strike in that round.

Rad Grenades: -1 to target unit when you charge.

Psychotroke Grenades: roll a d6 when the unit assaults or is assault for every unit involved. There is a table of fun things that happen (very 2nd edition-ish)

These are the main wargear pieces you will find in codex Grey Knights. Some goofy stuff, but nothing super over-powered. The psycannon is awesome, but its range mitigates its destructive potential. (It would be terrifying if it had a 36 inch range)

-Mike

Batrep: Space Marines v Imperial Guard

2011-03-25T18:07:00.001-07:00

On Thursday, March 24th, a friend and I got some practice in for the upcoming "Throne of Skulls" tournament that will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada this summer. Because Throne of Skulls is a 1500 point tournament, we played that amount.

The mission we rolled was a pitched battle, annihilation.

First, my 1500 Imperial Guard list.

Command Platoon w/3 Plasma Guns
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
10 Veterans w/2 Meltaguns, Shotguns
Platoon Command w/3 Flamers
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera
Special Weapons Squad w/3 Meltaguns
7Psyker Battle Squad
Chimera
Valkyrie w/Multiple Rocket Pods
Vendetta
Vendetta
Manticore
Manticore

My opponent was Aaron Blough (Dobie Gillis) from http://themanypostsofdobiegillis.blogspot.com/
He brought with him his "Shadow Guard" Space Marines

Pedro Cantor
Librarian w/Gate of Infinity, Null Zone
10 Sternguard w/2 Meltaguns, Powerfist
Drop Pod
5 Assault Terminators w/1 Lightning Claw, 4 Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield
10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Meltagun
10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Meltagun
6 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
6 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers

I won the roll to Deploy and go first. I deployed in a "Castle Style" in the center of my deployment zone using Chimeras and the Valkyrie as a sort of "Bubble Wrap" to keep my Manticores safe from Deep Striking Melta.

Dobie deployed his army mostly in the ruins in his deployment zone.

Two pictures of our deployment.

So, I scouted my Valkyrie and one of my Vendettas forward, I hid the other Vendetta behind the Fortress of Redemption.

Suddenly, Aaron steals the initiative!

Turn 1:
Aaron: His only Drop Pod (filled with Sternguard and Pedro) lands behind my Vendetta (carrying my Command Platoon). Aaron has no other movement.
The meltaguns explode the Vendetta. From the Command Squad, my lasgunner dies, two plasma gunners die, and my company commander takes a wound. Devastators take the multi-laser off of the Valkyrie, the lascannon from a tactical squad stuns it. The other squad of devastators explodes the Psyker battle squads Chimera, killing the overseer and 4 psykers; they fail their pinning test. The command squad fails their morale test and breaks away from the sternguard.

Me: The Command Squad continues to fall back. I advance most of my chimeras. The manticores and remaining Vendetta stay put. My Valkyrie moves flat out in front of the devastators and tactical squad in the left ruins.
The plasma gunner from the command squad kills himself.
The Veterans use their shotguns and melta to kill 3 sternguard.
The first Manticore hits the left devastator squad and kills the sergeant and 4 missile launchers, leaving the bolter guy behind. (Terrible rolling on Aarons' part), but sadly, they are not pinned.
The other Manticore opens up on the other devastator squad, killing the sergeant, bolter, and one missile launcher.
The Chimeras and vendetta combine to reduce the sternguard squad to Pedro, the powerfist, and a meltagun.
My veterans assault and kill the powerfist sternguard and do a wound to Pedro. In return, Pedro kills two veterans. Drawn Combat.

Two Pictures from the bottom of turn 1:

Turn 2:
Aaron: The lone devastator boltgunner moves to hide. The Librarian uses "Gate of Infinity" to move himself and the terminators in front of my lines. They run 3 inches.
The lascannon stuns the left Manticore, sadly this was the best Aaron could do in his shooting phase.
In assault, I lose 3 veterans and cause zero wounds, unluckily for me, the vets hold their ground.

Me: I do exactly no movement.
The Manticore fires and kills 4 boltguns, the lascannon, and the meltagun from the center tactical squad. The Valkyrie kills 5 bolters off of the other tactical squad (off of 6 wounds, 5 saves failed). The rest of my army combines to kill 2 ThunderHammer & Storm Shield terminators. No one fails their break tests.
In assault, I lose a vet to the melta Sternguard, do no wounds, and lose 3 to Pedro. I promptly break, and get run down...

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 2.

Turn 3:
Aaron: Aaron moves the center tactical squad out of the building and behind it (blocking Line-of-Sight). Aaron then moves the lone boltgun devastator onto the ground floor of the left-most ruin.
His other missile devs open up and wreck the Chimera carrying my melta special weapon squad. His lascannon immobilizes my Valkyrie. The terminators, in an ill-advised move assault the melta squad through difficult terrain, but roll a "1" and a "2" for distance and fail the assault. Pedro and the meltagunner assault the rear of the Platoon Command Chimera, and whiff the 4+ to hit roll.

Me: I move my far right Chimera forward. I move my Melta weapons squad toward the Terminators. The flamers and meltas are able to kill the lightning claw terminator and put a wound on the librarian. The vendetta kills the melta sternguard (giving me my first kill point)
Some Lasguns and an Autocannon do the last two wounds to Pedro, killing him.
The first manticore fires and kills the sergeant, a bolter, and the lascannon off of the left tactical squad. The other manticore does 4 wounds to the librarian and terminators, but they make all of their saves. My other firepower kills 2 of 3 missile devastators.
The tactical squad on the left breaks and runs 7 inches. The terminator squad also breaks, and runs 7.

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 3:

Turn 4:
Aaron: The librarian attempts to "Gate of Infinity", but perils on a double 6 and kills himself.
The terminators continue to flee, the lone missile devastator whiffs and everyone else hides.

Me: I kill the last missile devastator with 3 lascannons, 2 multi-lasers, and a heavy bolter.
The Manticore kills a boltgun from the hiding tactical squad and a terminator.
The terminator breaks off of the board.
At this point, I am up in kill points and Aaron has ~7 modes left. He concedes.

Two pictures from the bottom of Turn 4:

-Mike

Winter League Update

2011-03-25T07:05:00.001-07:00

So, for my final game in the Winter League...my opponent had to drop out of the league.
I ended up playing against the league organizer as a "ringer".

I did not do a batrep of the game due to time constraints.
My opponent brought "Nob Bikers"!
He had 2 Warbosses on Bikes, 2 10-man Nob Biker units (all armed individually), a 12-15 man boys squad, and snikrot with some Kommandos.

We were playing "Capture and Control" (aka, "Capture the Draw").
I deployed my objective in the center of my deployment zone and castled and bubble-wrapped against Snikrot. My opponent for whatever reason reserved his entire army. (is he afraid of all of my ranged firepower, lol?)

So, in this game, I was not playing for a win, I played for a draw, which I easily received after his units came in piecemeal and he had to hold an entire 10 man Nob Biker squad in his zone to capture his objective.

So, I end the league at 6-0-2. The finals have been delayed for about 2 months at this point so everyone has an opportunity to get all of their games in. I will keep you guys in the loop about the finals. (after all an 1850 point army is on the line!)

-Mike

Springtime is here.

2011-03-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

So, spring is almost here, which for me heralds the start of the Spring/Summer tournament circuit.

I currently have 3 main events planned.
-Battle for Blobs Park (put on by the Inner Circle Gaming Club)
-Throne of Skulls (Las Vegas, put on by Games Workshop)
-The NOVA Open (Virginia, put on by Mike Brandt)

To prepare, I have a lot of painting, list testing, and practice to do...

I leave you with this picture of my Blood Rodeo force. (Which may or may not be making an appearance)

-Mike

What have I been doing lately?

2011-03-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

Well, I was on travel for work for a little while (and that may continue in the near future), but I wanted to share a bit of what I was doing.

The first is an update on the daemons project. In the photo you can see the beginning of my Herald of Khorne on chariot, some bases for my heralds of tzeentch, the fiends I assembled (don't worry, I do not like the yellow), 10 Horrors of Tzeentch (I am pleased with how the pink came out), and 10 Plaguebearers of Nurgle.

Next we have a recently completed squad for my Alpha Legion project. The squad is armed with Autocannon and Plasma Gun. In the background is my Chaos Terminator Lord.

Now that I look at it, the picture quality kind of sucks ass...sorry.

-Mike

Fantasy Battle Report

2011-01-24T14:49:00.000-08:00

My brother and I got together for a game of Fantasy on January 11th.
We decided to play the first mission in the book, at 2000 points. Sadly, most of my fantasy terrain was at a friends house, so we made due with minimal terrain.
I brought the Dark Elves. (consisting of the only models I own)

Supreme Sorceress w/Extra Level, Talisman of Preservation, Sacrificial Dagger, Ironcurse Icon, Lore of Death

Sorceress w/Extra Level, Dispel Scroll, Lore of Shadow
Sorceress w/Extra Level, Tome of Furion, Seal of Ghrond, Lore of Metal
Master w/Heavy Armor, Shield, Sea Dragon Cloak, Black Dragon Egg, Great Weapon, Battle Standard

10 Dark Elf Repeater Crossbowmen w/Musician
10 Dark Elf Repeater Crossbowmen w/Musician
10 Dark Elf Repeater Crossbowmen w/Musician
30 Dark Elf Warriors w/Shields, Full Command

19 Black Guard w/Full Command, Banner of Eternal Flame, Crimson Death
19 Black Guard w/Full Command, Banner of Murder, Relic Sword

Bryan bought Skaven (all models are from Island of Blood)

Warlord w/Hand Weapon, Warpstone Armor, Talisman of Preservation, Poison Attacks, Tail Weapon

Chieftain w/Halberd, Battle Standard
Warlock Engineer w/Extra Level, Warp Energy Condenser
Warlock Engineer w/Extra Level, Doom Rocket
Warlock Engineer w/Extra Level, Feedback Scroll
Warlock Engineer w/Dispel Magic

20 Clanrats w/Shields, Full Command
Warpfire Thrower
20 Clanrats w/Shields, Full Command
Warpfire Thrower
20 Clanrats w/Shields, Full Command
Warpfire Thrower
20 Clanrats w/Spears, Shields, Full Command
Poisoned Wind Mortar
20 Clanrats w/Spears, Shields, Full Command
Poisoned Wind Mortar
20 Clanrats w/Spears, Shields, Full Command
Poisoned Wind Mortar

2 Rat Ogres, Beastmaster
2 Rat Ogres, Beastmaster

I deployed first and finished first. We basically lined up across from one another.
Two pictures of the deployment.

I win the roll to go first.
Turn 1:
Me: I move everyone basically forward. In my magic phase, I kill 3 rats with the Purple Sun of Xereus. I hit the Battle Standard Bearer (BSB) with Mystifying Miasma.
In my shooting phase I kill 4 rats from the BSB unit and 4 from the generals unit.

Bryan: The Rat Ogres move up on Bryan's right. On his left, the 3 Skaven blocks move forward Warp Lightning kills 4 Black Guard. The mortars kill 2 more Black Guard from each unit. (ouch)

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 1:

Turn 2:
Me: I move up and move a unit of Black Guard into the Tower.
In the Magic Phase, I use the Fate of "Bjunda" and kill off the BSB. I use "Soulblight" on every enemy unit within 24 inches. In the process, I suffer 2 miscasts. Due to this, I wound every sorceress and lose 4 Spearmen. In my shooting phase, I manage to kill a Mortar and a warpfire thrower.

Bryan: The skaven on the right charge a unit of Crossbowmen. In his magic phase, he miscasts a "Scorch", killing 4 Spearmen and a Crossbowmen. He then fails to cast "Death Frenzy".
In the shooting phase, both Warpfire throwers misfire, and then, a mortar misfires (for the "Hat Trick"). The other mortar kills a few models.
In close combat, the Dark Elves lose 3 and kill 2 Skaven, losing by 5. I roll snake eyes. Game on!

Two pics from the bottom of turn 2:

Turn 3:
Me: I charge the Black Guard at a Skaven unit, they flee. I charge another unit with the Spearmen (BSB and Supreme Sorceress) they Hold.
In my magic phase, I miscast something, killing the Shadow Sorceress and 5 Crossbowmen.
My shooting then kills no one. Crap.
In close combat, I kill 3 Skaven, lose 1 Crossbowmen and tie the combat.
In the other combat, I kill 7 Skaven, lose 4 Spearmen and break the Skaven (who are run down)
Their destruction causes 2 nearby spear units to break (poor Skaven Leadership!!)

Bryan: My BSB eats her Black Dragon egg, party time. The rat ogres charge the side of the Spearmen block. One Skaven unit rallies, the other runs 3 inches. Warpfire goes off and kills 6 from one Black Guard squad and 7 from the other. (ouch)
In close combat, the Skaven kill the Crossbowmen. The Rat Ogres and Mortar that I charged both die. I lose a warrior. The lone Beastmaster breaks.

Two pics from the bottom of Turn 3:

Turn 4:
Me: I charge with both units of Blackguard and the Spearmen group. Hold, Stand and shoot, and Hold are the charge reactions. I lose no black guard to the shooting. My Magic phase fails epically. My shooting kills a mortar.
In Close combat the Black guard lose 3 (including champion) but kill 7 (including champion)
The Skaven break and get away. The Spearmen wipe out the Skaven spear block.

Bryan: No charges. The Rat ogre unit marches. The packmaster continues running, the spears run off the board. The General and his friends rally. In his magic phase he attempts "Death Frenzy" but I dispel it.
The warpfire thrower kills 6 Black Guard. The Black Guard beat down the cannon they overran into.

In our haste to refuel our beer, I forgot to get pictures of turn 4.

Turn 5:
Me: I charge the Warpfire cannon and the Generals unit.
In my magic phase, I miscast but am able to put the generals unit at -1 S, -1 T.
I have epic shooting and kill a Rat Ogre and his Packmaster.
The Blackguard destroy the warpfire cannon and the unit with the general, running them down.
At this point, Bryan concedes.

Here are 3 pictures showing the chaos at the end of the battle.

-Mike

"And these spirits shall rise up against the children of men and against the women, because they have proceeded from them."

2011-01-13T11:22:00.000-08:00

Demons, or more correctly, Daemons.

Having played Fantasy Chaos and 40k Chaos I amassed a collection of Daemon models.
I sold my Mortal and Chaos Space Marine armies. I have some daemons left over.
My friend Leigh intended to purchase some of the new plastic Bloodcrushers to convert into Thunderwolf Cavalry.
We decided to combine our efforts and create a Chaos Daemons army for 40k.

Through playtest we worked out a core list that revolves around the following units.
-Skulltaker on Chariot
-Herald of Khorne on Chariot
-Herald of Tzeentch on Chariot w/Bolt
-Herald of Tzeentch on Chariot w/Bolt
-5 Horrors w/Bolt
-5 Horrors w/Bolt
-5 Horrors w/Bolt
-5 Horrors w/Bolt
-5 Plaguebearers
-5 Plaguebearers
-6 Fiends of Slaanesh
-6 Bloodcrushers w/all upgrades
-6 Bloodcrushers w/all upgrades
(This fills all HQ, Troop, and Elite choices on the standard Force Org. chart)

We each seasoned the list to taste by adding Heavy Support and Fast choices.

We divided our core list between us to purchase model and paint.
I was tasked with purchasing, building/converting/painting the following:
-Herald of Khorne on Chariot
-Herald of Tzeentch on Chariot w/Bolt
-Herald of Tzeentch on Chariot w/Bolt
-5 Horrors w/Bolt
-5 Horrors w/Bolt
-5 Horrors w/Bolt
-5 Horrors w/Bolt
-5 Plaguebearers
-5 Plaguebearers
-6 Fiends of Slaanesh

I already acquired 3 Fiends and a box of Horrors from a "Bizarre Bazaar". I owned another box of horrors and plaguebearers. I would need to convert the Heralds and Chariots.

As I work through this, and other projects, I hope to post my progress on here. Stay tuned.

-Mike

HobbyGame: Planetstrike

2011-01-10T05:10:00.000-08:00

My friend Jason challenged me to a game of Planetstrike. Planetstrike is a very fun game when used as such. Planetstrike is not for tournament play, but is perfectly suited for campaigns and narrative games.
We played Saturday, January 8th, 2011.
2000 points each. Jason is the Attacker, I am the Defender.
We decided to play the first mission in the Planetstrike book, Planetfall.
For those of you unaware, each fortification is an objective and the player with the most objectives (by models in Base-to-base) wins.
I decided to bring the Eldar, since they were in my car from playing the day before.

-Eldrad
-Maugan Ra
-Prince Yriel
-10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Power Weapon and Shimmershield, Defend
-10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Power Weapon and Shimmershield, Defend
-10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Diresword and Shuriken Pistol, Defend
-8 Harlequins w/8 Harlequins Kisses
-10 Striking Scorpions w/Exarch, Scorpions Claw
-5 Dark Reapers w/Exarch, Eldar Missile Launcher, Fast Shot
-Wraithlord w/Wraithsword, Eldar Missile Launcher
-Wraithlord w/Wraithsword, Eldar Missile Launcher
-Wraithlord w/Wraithsword, Eldar Missile Launcher

Jason brought his Legion of the Damned.

-Chaplain w/Terminator Armor, Combi-Melta, Meltabombs, Digital Weapons
-Chaplain w/Terminator Armor, Combi-Melta, Meltabombs, Digital Weapons
-7 Legion of the Damned w/Flamer, Heavy Flamer, Powerfist
-7 Legion of the Damned w/Flamer, Heavy Flamer, Powerfist
-7 Legion of the Damned w/Meltagun, Multi-Melta, Powerweapon
-7 Legion of the Damned w/Meltagun, Multi-Melta, Powerweapon
-7 Legion of the Damned w/Meltagun, Multi-Melta, Powerweapon
-7 Legion of the Damned w/Meltagun, Multi-Melta, Powerweapon

I set up terrain using a Fortress of Redemption and 2 Bastions with a big ruin between them. This is shown in the photo below.
For my stratagems, I put a void shield on the tower, and a power generator on the Lascannon portion of the Fortress. I had an escape hatch ready on the gray bunker and a krak attack for when Jason Deep Striked his forces.

Jason chose the long table edge as his "DZ", but it was irrelevant. I set up my forces, I put a Dire Avenger squad in each annex of the Fortress. In the tower, I placed Eldrad, Yriel, Maugan Ra, and the Dark Reapers. I placed the Scorpions in the darker Bastion and the Harlequins in the gray bastion with the Escape Hatch. I deployed my last squad of Dire Avengers in the ruins between the Bunkers manning 2 interceptor auto-cannons.
Two photos of my deployment.

Jason informed me that he was using the Stratagem, "Approaching Absolute Zero" which is a Stratagem from GW's website that reduced the Armor Save of all units by 1. It also lowers the Armor Value of all Vehicle units by 1. Ouch.
Jason then launched his Firestorm, of which he received seven shots.
He manages to put two wounds on the Yellow Wraithlord next to the Fortress.
He then commences the Planetstrike
Turn 1:

Jason: 4 of 6 units arrive from reserves. ( 3 Multi-Melta, Melta(MM/M) and a Heavy Flamer/Flamer (HF/F unit plus Chaplain).
I unleash the Krak Attack and kill 1 from one of the MM/M Squads.
The Interceptor guns manage a monstrous 6 casualties on another MM/M squad.
Jason then unleashes another of his stratagems, "Teleport Attack" on my main tower.
Maugan Ra, Yriel, and the Dark Reaper Exarch all die. (~450 points, ouch.)
Jasons Multi-Meltas then explode the Lascannon Annex, 3 Dire Avengers die in the explosion.
Another MMM squad puts the last wound on the wounded Wraithlord, he dies.
The HF/F squad and Chaplain combine to kill two more Dire Avengers.

Me: I doom 2 squads and Guide the Dark Reapers. I pop the "Escape hatch" and the Harlequins run out towards the 6-man MM/M squad. The Dark Reapers and Dire Avengers combine to kill all of the HF/F squad except for the Flamer and Chaplain, who takes a wound.
The Harlequins charge and wipe out everyone from the wounded MM/M squad except the MM model himself, the Harlequins lose 1 model.

Two pictures from the bottom of Turn 1:

Turn 2:

Jason: The last two squads of Reserves arrive for Jason (MM/M and HF/F + Chaplain)
They get excellent Deep Strike rolls.
The MM's remove the void shield from the tower and stun the tower.
The Heavy Flamer and Chaplain kill 4 Dire Avengers, only the Exarch remains.
The newly arrived unit of HF/F+Chaplain charge the Harlequins.
The Harlequins kill the final MM model out of one of the original MM/M squads, but they lose 3, break, and run off the board.

Me: The Dire Avengers hop out of the Missile Annex. The gray Wraithlord moves up towards a MM/M squad. The Dire Avengers roll awesome and kill all of the HF/F+C squad except for the HF, the Fist Sergeant, and the Chaplain (who has a wound). The wraithlord double flames the MM/M squad and kills two. He then charges in and does nothing 0-0 draw.

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 2.

Turn 3:

Jason: Jason separates his Chaplain off towards the Dire Avenger Exarch, the Fist Sergeant and HF move toward the Wraithlord. The Chaplain bolters the Exarch to death. The Fist and HF charge the Wraithlord, but miss. The Wraithlord also misses. 0-0 Draw.

Me: Eldrad fortunes his squad. He Dooms the Fist/HF unit and the MM/M unit.
The Automated weapons kill the Chaplain. The Dire Avengers kill a bolter and Melta from the MM/M squad, the Autocannons and Reapers finish off the rest.
In the assault, neither of us do anything to each other.

Two pictures from the bottom of Turn 3:

Turn 4:

Jason: The Chaplain uses his Combi-Melta to remove the Interceptor gun from the Tower. He then assaults it and Meltabombs it into a wreck. The assault is still 0-0.

Me: I guide the Dire Avengers. They kill the Chaplain. Eldrad Mind Wars the MM guy to death. The Dire Avengers assault the HF but nether do any wounds.
The second Wraithlord enters the fray. They kill the Fist and HF.

Two pics from the bottom of Turn 4:

Turn 5 and on: All of Jasons models are locked in assault. The Dire Avengers kill the HF on his turn 5. After that it is just the Wraithlords punching the Legion of the Damned, but at the end, Jason did not lose every model.

I end up controlling three objectives to Jason's zero.
Here are 3 pictures from the end of the game:

Footdar versus Million Blood Angel March

2011-01-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

Friday. January 7th. 2011.
My friend Chris asked for an 1850 point game, I responded...with Footdar.

The Footdar, 1850.

Avatar
Eldrad
10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Power Weapon & Shimmershield, Defend
10 Guardians w/Scatter Laser
10 Guardians w/Scatter Laser
10 Storm Guardians w/2 Flamers
5 Rangers
8 Striking Scorpions w/Exarch, Scorpions Claw, Striker, Shadowstrike
7 Fire Dragons w/Exarch, Firepike, Crack Shot
7 Harlequins w/6 Harlequins Kisses, Shadowseer
3 Support Weapons w/3 D-Cannons
3 Support Weapons w/3 D-Cannons
3 Dark Reapers w/Exarch, Tempest Launcher, Crack Shot

The Million Blood Angel March
Mephiston
Librarian w/Shield of Sanguinius, Fear of the Darkness
10 Tactical Blood Angels w/Lascannon, Meltagun, Powerfist
10 Tactical Blood Angels w/Lascannon, Meltagun, Powerweapon
10 Tactical Blood Angels w/Lascannon, Meltagun, Powerweapon
5 Assault Blood Angels w/Meltagun, Hand Flamer
2 Sanguinary Priests w/Meltabombs
10 Devastator Blood Angels w/4 Missile Launchers
10 Devastator Blood Angels w/2 Missile Launchers, 2 Multi-Meltas
10 Devastator Blood Angels w/4 Plasma Cannons

We roll for a Seize Ground (3 Objective) Spearhead

Chris (My Opponent) wins the roll and deploys in a rough semi-circle directly on the edge of his deployment zone. All units Combat Squad. He keeps his assault squad in reserve, it will arrive via Deep Strike I deploy more so to the left of my quarter to keep my D-Cannons behind a hill if I lose my Harlequin screen. I keep my Dire Avengers and Scorpions in reserve, the Scorpions will arrive via outflank.

Two pictures of the deployment.

I fail to seize and Chris begins.

Turn 1:
Chris: Chris begins by moving very little. He opens up on my lines. His Plasma Cannons kill 1 D-Cannon and 3 crew from my right Support Weapon squad. The Multi-Melta half of the devastators kill 2 Fire Dragons.

Me: I Fortune both D-Cannons. I move my Harlequin screen forward. I kill 2 boltguns from a 2xPlasma Cannon squad, they fail their pinning test, but will later fall back, unpinning them. The Fire Dragons move up and kill 4 from a melta tac squad, only the sergeant remains.

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 1:

Turn 2:
Chris: Chris does not get his reserves in. His Lascannons and some Missile Launchers only do one wound to the Avatar, due to some great Invulnerable saves on my part. The Fire Dragons get charged by the sergeant, but we all whiff, a 0-0 Draw.

Me: I also do not get any of my reserves in. I fortune the D-Cannons and move them forward, as they only have a range of 24". The Dark reapers kill 3 from the other 2xPlasma Cannon devastator Combat Squad. The Fire Dragons defeat the lone sergeant in Close Combat.

One pic from the bottom of turn 2:

Turn 3:
Chris: The Assault Squad arrives from reserves and Deep Strikes next to the Dark Reapers. Mephiston leaps out towards the Fire Dragons. The Lascannon and Missile Launcher force does two wounds to the Avatar. The Assault Squad kills one of the Dark Reapers. Mephiston charges and wipes out the Fire Dragons.
Me: My Dire Avengers arrive from reserves. I am only able to fortune one of the D-Cannon squads because Mephiston's psychic hood is in range, and me rolling 3 1's for those tests. Oh well. The Avengers, coupled with some other firepower, kill 3 of the 5 Assault Marines. I kill one of the 2-man 2xPlasma Cannon teams. The Dire Avengers assault the Assault Squad, they kill one and lose zero. The break test is passed. The Harlequins assault Mephiston and do four wounds while only losing one of their own.

Sadly, I forgot to take pictures of the bottom of turn 3.

Turn 4:
Chris: The Lascannon/Missile Launcher deluge finally downs the Avatar. Plasma Cannons and Frag Missiles kill a handful of guardians. One squad breaks while under half. In combat, Mephiston is joined by the Multi-Melta combat squad and Librarian. The Harlequins do no wounds, lose a few and break, with one model left. The Dire Avenger Sergeant combat ends in a 0-0 draw.

Me: I fortune the squad with Eldrad and Guide both D-Cannon squads. My Scorpions arrive from reserves and outflank behind Chris' lines. First, the Rangers do the final wound to Mephiston. The D-Cannons go nuts and kill ~12 Blood Angels from various squads. 3 units become pinned, sadly 2 fall back. The Dire Avengers finally step up and kill the Assault Marine Sergeant. The Scorpions assault a 2xMissile dev squad with 28 attacks and roll the following...
7 hits? Hell yeah. So, I kill two and lose one, but the Angels hold.

Two pics from the bottom of Turn 4:

Turn 5:
Chris: Chris shooting really does nothing due to my Epic Fortune and cover save rolls. Chris brings another Devastator squad, a 5-man Tactical w/Powerweapon, and a Sanguinary priest into the combat with the Scorpions. I kill some, lose some and lose by 1. I pass my morale test.
Me: I start moving my Storm Guardians and Guardian defenders to score the objective in my deployment zone. I move the Dire Avengers towards the midfield objective. I kill one Plasma Cannon and a handful of Blood Angels around the midfield objective. In assault, the Scorpions kill 1, lose 2, break, and are run down.

Two pictures from the bottom of Turn 5:

Turn 6:
Chris: Chris spends his turn moving his scoring units into position to secure his objective and the midfield objective.
Me: I Guide both D-Cannon squads. I move the Dire Avengers towards the midfield objective.
I begin by killing every scoring model on the midfield objective and a bunch of models on the far objective. Everyone holds. The Dire Avengers charge into the MM Devs+Librarian, win combat, and manage to have a model within 3" while there are no Blood Angels contesting.

The game ends. The Footdar have 2 Objectives and the Blood Angels have one.

Here are the final two pictures.

ICGL Footdar Games (Part 2)

2010-12-29T11:23:00.000-08:00

Opponent week 5: Dave
Mission: Annihilation, Pitched Battle
List: Space Wolves (from memory)
-Wolf Lord w/Thunderwulf, Runic Armor, Wolf Amulet and Talisman, Wolf Claw, Storm Shield, Saga of the Warrior Born
-Wolf Lord w/Thunderwulf, Runic Armor, Wolf Amulet and Talisman, Thunderhammer, Storm Shield, Saga of the Bear
-Rune Priest w/Living Lightning, Murderous Hurricane
-9 Grey Hunters w/Melta, Fist, Standard, Rhino
-9 Grey Hunters w/Melta, Fist, Standard, Rhino
-5 Grey Hunters w/Melta, Razorback, Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
-5 Grey Hunters w/Melta, Razorback, Lascannon and Twin-Linked Plasma Gun
-15 Fenrisian Wolves
-6 Long fangs w/5 Missile Launchers
-6 Long fangs w/5 Missile Launchers

Battle: I won the roll to set up first and deployed in a bubble formation, but also covered most of my board edge to try to think out Daves forces across his deployment zone. He didn't bite and deployed mostly on his left side. I used Eldrad to redeploy across from him. Dave seized the Initiative and moved most everything forward. The Long fangs shot my avatar, doing 3 wounds to him and some frag missiles, killing about 4 Dire Avengers.
I responded by pinning one long fangs squad and killing 3 of another, which ran off the board.
I was able to start putting D-Cannon hits on Rhinos and such, damaging them.
The Wolf lords w/wolves hit my lines turn 2. They roll poorly and coupled with defend on the Avengers keep most of my side alive (I only lost by 1). A rhino tank shocked a unit of my guardians off the board...
The game devolved into 2 parts, a main melee featuring 2 wolf lords and the fenrisian wolves and a short ranged shooting contest where my guardians, D-cannons, Rangers, and Reapers killed 2 Rhinos, 2 Grey Hunter Squads, a Razorback and the Rune Priest taking no casualties in return. In the LONG combat, I was able to kill the Thunderhammer wolf lord (under weight of Dice and Doom) and all the fenrisian wolves. In return, the Warrior Born Wolf Lord killed the guardian Storm Squad, Both Dire Avenger squads, Harlequins, and Striking Scorpions. (HOLY SHIT) Thankfully, I had already done enough damage, the game ended turn 5.
Outcome: I win 9-7

Opponent week 8: Tim Horvath (Gramps) (Editors note: "Gramps" is younger than me)
Mission: Seize Ground (5 Objectives), Pitched Battle
List: Space Marines
-Shrike
-Librarian w/Null Zone, Avenger
-10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Flamer, Rhino
-10 Tactical Marines w/Multi-melta, Melta, Combi-Melta, Rhino
-10 Assault Marines w/Powerfist
-10 Assault Terminators w/1 Lightning Claw, 9 Thunderhammer & Storm Shield
-10 Assault Terminators w/1 Lightning Claw, 9 Thunderhammer & Storm Shield
-Predator w/Heavy Bolter Sponsons
-Predator w/Heavy Bolter Sponsons
-Predator w/Heavy Bolter Sponsons
Battle: I deployed first, centrally to about 3 objectives. (they were laid out one each quarter, one in center) Standard blob formation, Dark reapers on right, Storm Guardians on left, Scorpions outflanking. Dire Avengers Bubblewrapping a right board outflank.
In my first turn, I move some things forward and fortune the D-Cannons. The reaper exarch goes to work and kills a combat squad w/Lascannon and a terminator.
In gramps first turn, the dakka preds open up on the Storm guardians who go to ground and only a few die. Everything else rushes forward. The Terminators assault the harlequins. The harlequins kill 3, lose 4 and stay. In turn 2 my scorpions arrive and attempt to assault the left most dakka pred, but are just out. The Fire dragons destroy a rhino. The other rhino is destroyed by D cannon fire. The avatar joins the harlequin assault and wipes the terminators.
The other termies charge and destroy the rangers, Shrike and Friends arrive, outflank and kill all of the dire avengers, who break off the table. Terminators charge the D-Cannons, the dakka preds kill 2 non-exarch dark reapers.
Eldrad dooms the Librarian (who keeps null zoning) and he is killed by the storm guardians.
The Avatar and Eldrad charge + beat down Thunderhammer and Storm shield terminators.
At the End of turn 5, gramps only has an immobilized predator left.

Outcome: Victory for footdar

ICGL Footdar Games (Part 1)

2010-12-29T06:01:00.000-08:00

5 ICGL Footdar Games, without further ado.

Opponent week 2: Lincoln Tidwell
Mission: Annihilation, Spearhead.
List: Reserve Oriented Tyranids
-Hive Tyrant w/Dual Twin-linked Devourers, Wings
-10 Genestealers w/Toxin Sacs, Scything Talons
-10 Genestealers w/Toxin Sacs, Scything Talons
-10 Genestealers w/Toxin Sacs, Scything Talons
-10 Genestealers w/Toxin Sacs, Scything Talons
-10 Genestealers w/Toxin Sacs, Scything Talons
-10 Genestealers w/Toxin Sacs, Scything Talons
-3 Hive Guard
-3 Hive Guard
-3 Hive Guard
-Mawloc

Battle: Lincoln chooses to go second. I deploy the D-cannons, the Avatar, the Dark Reapers, and Eldrad in a ruin about 18 inches from the right table edge, the guardians and avengers flank them. The Fire Dragons are out in front. The harlequins are deployed to bubblewrap the ruin from an outflank on my right. The Striking Scorpions outflank, the storm guardians are in reserve, I infiltrate the rangers into my left table quarter, about 24 from the right table edge. Lincoln reserves everything, outflanking the 60 Genestealers. He then seizes the initiative. His turn ends. I fortune both support weapon teams and shuffle some things to spread out left and forward. Lincoln gets the following reserves in: Hive Tyrant, 3 Genestealer squads, a Hive Guard unit, and the Mawloc. 2 Genestealers come in on my right and assault the Harlequins, slaughtering them. The other outflanks on the left (away from everything). The Hive guard move on from my opponents right corner (my right) the Tyrant flies into midfield behind some cover. The Mawloc deepstrikes on top of the Fire Dragons, not the artillery. 6 of 7 dragons die, the Tyrant finishes off the Exarch. The Hive Guard take come shots at some nearby Dire Avengers, killing about 4. Yikes. On my turn, I doom the Mawloc and a squad of Genestealers, and fortune the avatar. My Scorpions arrive via outflank on my right, behind the genestealers.
My shooting sees me kill the Mawloc, do a wound on a Hive guard, and kill all but 2 Genestealers on my right, which the Avatar promptly assaults and kills.
Lincoln then gets 2 stealer squads and the Last 2 Hive Guard units in. The Genestealers roll poorly and both show up on the left side (away from the action) the Hive Guard roll on behind the other Hive guard unit, which advances through the trees. The Tyrant flies towards the wounded Dire Avenger squad (the one w/Bladestorm) The Tyrant and Hive guard finish off the Dire Avengers. The Hive guard fire at the D-Cannons, but succeed in killing a crew member only. In my turn, I kill the Hive Tyrant and start mauling the Hive Guard (now out of synapse range). Lincolns final Genestealer unit arrives on the left (40 Genestealers are out of the game). Because of synapse being gone, some Hive guard are pinned. In my turn I kill the remaining Hive Guard with D-Cannons, Dark Reapers, Rangers, and Striking Scorpions. I move my units away from the 40 Genestealers hugging the left board edge.
Outcome: I win 7-2

Opponent Week 3: Kaleb Walters
Mission: Seize Ground (3 Objectives), Dawn of War
List: Space Wolves
-Wolf Lord w/runic armor, thunderwulf, claw, shield, Warrior Born
-Njal Stormcaller
-3 Wolf guard w/combi-melta, Storm Shield
-9 Grey hunters w/melta, wulfen, standard in a drop pod
-9 Grey hunters w/melta, wulfen, standard in a drop pod
-7 Grey hunters w/melta, wulfen, standard in a drop pod
-5 Wolf Scouts
-5 Wolf Scouts
-10 Fenrisian Wolves
-6 Long fangs w/3 Lascannons, 2 Missile Launchers, Drop Pod
-6 Long fangs w/3 Lascannons, 2 Missile Launchers, Drop Pod

Battle: Kaleb decides to go first, he deploys nothing. I deploy my Storm Guardians on an Objective and Infiltrate my Rangers onto another, both in my right board quarter.
Kaleb in turn 1, walks his wolf lord and wolves and long fangs onto the board. He drops 2 empty drop pods near the objective by the rangers. He drops in Njal and his Grey Hunters in front of my Storm Guardians , he kills 3 and they break.
On my turn, I walk on everything save the Scorpions, which are outflanking. The Harlequins go first, to bubblewrap (mainly against long fangs, but also against the approaching wolf lord) The Avatar, Fire Dragons, Eldrad and D-cannons are behind them. The Storm guardians become fearless and move back towards their position. The Avengers flank the blob. The guardians spread out on my board edge, covering all but 18 inches on the left. Where the Dark Reapers also walk. Eldrad attempts to mind war Njal but fails. The Dire Avengers kill all but 3 of Njals escort. They hold. The storm guardians assault them, kill a marine, do a wound to Njal, lose 5 of their number to wounds and combat resolution.
Kaleb then gets ALL of his reserves, turn 2. The wolf scouts enter on opposite edges. The two drop pods come in about 15 inches from my blob. The grey hunters fire, killing 5 Dire Avengers plus Bladestorm Exarch and 5 Harlequins. The long fangs put 3 wounds on the Avatar. The wolf scouts on the right assault the guardians and kill them all. The other squad assaults the Dark reapers, who kill 2 scouts and suffer no casualties, the scouts fail, are caught and lose another to combat resolution. Njal and friends smoke the Storm guardians, and lose none of their own squad.
In my turn, I try to Fortune the D-cannons, but get snuffed by Njal, I do manage to get a Guide through on one of them. My scorpions arrive on the right.
My shooting, combined kills all but two grey hunter models and Njal. The harlequins charge Njal and kill him. At this point, kaleb has 2 scoring models left.
Outcome: Kaleb Concedes.

Opponent week 4: Dameon Green
Mission: Seize Ground, Spearhead
List: Chaos-zilla
-Daemon Prince w/Wings, Mark of Tzeentch
-Daemon Prince w/Wings, Mark of Tzeentch
-Greater Daemon
-5 Chaos Space Marines w/Flamer, Icon, Champion, Rhino
-5 Chaos Space Marines w/Flamer, Icon, Champion, Rhino
-18 Thousand Sons w/Gift of Chaos
-Dreadnought w/2 DCCW's
-Dreadnought w/2 DCCW's
-Dreadnought w/2 DCCW's
-Defiler w/Autocannon, Battlecannon, 3 DCCW's
-Defiler w/Autocannon, Battlecannon, 3 DCCW's
-3 Obliterators

Battle: I win the roll off and deploy everything I have on my objective in my Deployment Zone.
Standard Blob Formation, Scorpions in reserve. Dameon deploys the Dreadnoughts, Princes, and Rhinos in a semi circle in his zone. The oblits are to his left. The thousand sons hang back by his objective. There is a objective in roughly the center of the table.
On my turn, I fortune the D-Cannons, I destroy his right-most Rhino and kill 3 dudes with the reaper exarch. I do a wound to a Daemon prince and shake all the dreadnoughts, some more than once.
Dameon basically advances everything forward as fast as possible. There are some prolonged assaults with harlequins tarpitting a dreadnought, the Avatar tears through two of them. I manage to kill all of his Aspiring Champions so the Greater Daemon never arrives.
Dameon relentlessly targets my D-Cannons, even though they are fortuned, they begin to die.
In the end, Dameon has one Thousand son left standing on his objective. I have 2 scoring units on mine and 3 scoring units plus eldrad on the other. Sadly, Dameons bum rush paid off, there was an immobilized dreadnought and an immobilized defiler contesting that I could not kill. Even with Eldrad.
Outcome: Draw

ICGL Mechdar Games

2010-12-29T05:31:00.000-08:00

Two of my opponents are playing Guard (I surmised a likely Mech list). Both of the games feature a "Dawn of War" deployment, which is not suited for Footdar. I bought the Mechdar against these individuals.

Opponent week 1: Spencer Wilkins (you may have seen him in the back of older copies of "White Dwarf" magazine)
Mission: Capture and Control, Dawn of War
List: Mechanized Imperial Guard (from memory)
-CCS, 4 melta, Chimera
-Veterans, 3 melta, Chimera
-Veterans, 3 melta, Chimera
-Veterans, 3 melta, Chimera
-Veterans, 3 melta, Chimera
-5 Ogryns, Chimera
-5 Ogryns, Chimera
-Manticore
-2 Medusae
-3 Hydra Flak Tanks

Battle: Neither of us deployed anything, Spencer gave me 2nd turn.
So, his line of Metal moves on, I rock a refused flank to the left (where his objective his), and ignore mine (midfield-ish) because I can return to it whenever I like.
Fire Prisms in front, real units in the rear.

His ordnance was basically useless to him the entire game (due to Wave Serpents having the awesome energy shield, which made them all very tough to fire missile launchers)
I had no choice but to get semi-close, to try and hit him with the ol beltway jam. (Immobilizing/stunning/wrecking vehicles in front to "jam" the opponent on his edge, named, by me after I-495 in MD/DC/VA)
He wisely moved his Chimeras that weren't in the fight towards my objective, forcing me to divide my forces. His meltas did great work in taking out the Fire Prisms and some of the Wave Serpents. My Fire Dragons and marginal anti-tank did well, destroying Chimeras and such. I was able to get the infantry around his objective out of their tanks, then off of the table. (via tank shock). He did the same to me when I sent units to protect/contest my objective.
The game really came down to, I was able to Destroy his objective contester (a medusa) and he was unable to destroy mine (a Wave Serpent).
Outcome: I won 1-0.

Opponent week 6: Brian Sayman
Mission: Annihilation, Dawn of War
List: Imperial Guard Air Cavalry
-CCS, 4 meltas
-10 Veterans, 3 Meltas
-10 Veterans, 3 Meltas
-10 Veterans, 3 Meltas
-10 Veterans, 3 Meltas
-10 Veterans, 3 Meltas
-10 Veterans, 3 Meltas
-10 Psyker Battle Squad, Chimera
-10 Psyker Battle Squad, Chimera
-3 Vendettas
-2 Valkyries
-2 Valkyries

Battle: Brian decides to go first. He moves everything onto the Table, I do likewise, but slowly, as I am not afraid of his 1 unit of ranged firepower (The Vendettas). Due to Nightfight and the Eldars lack of light, I do nothing.
Brian, in turn 2, fires the vendettas at a Fire Prism, (That is 9 Lascannons) He removes the gun, and Immobilizes it.
In my turn I unload Fire Dragons at the Valkyries on his flanks. I stun one and remove the multi-laser from another, twice, with 10 meltaguns...ugh. I stun/shake 2 of 3 Vendettas.
Brians vendetta whiffs in his turn, he kills 2 Fire Dragons with Multiple Rocket Pods and then attempts a "Weaken Resolve" with the Psyker Battle squad. He perils (due to Runes of Warding) and loses 2 models.
In my turn, I destroy every Valkyrie and 2 of 3 Vendettas, and both Chimeras.
Outcome: Brian concedes defeat after he is left with no ranged firepower and 8 squads walking. While I am ahead in kill points.

The Mechdar go 2-0 against Mech Guard.

-Mike

The Inner Circle Gaming League (ICGL) and Foot Eldar

2010-12-29T05:16:00.000-08:00

One thing I did not mention in my previous post was that I am currently involved in a league with the Inner Circle Gaming Club LINK.
So, each person will play 8 games using rulebook missions. (There are 9 permutations of mission/deployment in the rulebook, the only one we aren't using is Capture and Control Spearhead)
So, there are 14 people, each person plays 8 games. All games are 2000 points. The top 3 people and 1 random (wildcard) make it to the playoffs (think in NFL terms). You can play the games in any order, at any time, in any place. In December, I have played 7 of my eight games, and am on track to play the 8th this afternoon.
When the league began, I decided that I was going to use Foot Eldar (Footdar) for the majority of my games. I own so many models I have never used and really wanted to break some of them out. I brought two lists, one Mechanized Eldar (Mechdar) and one Footdar. Every player knows the mission, deployment, and opposing codex choice before the game starts. I will attempt to re-cap what went down in the 7 games I have played so far.

First, the lists.
Mechdar
Farseer w/Runes of Warding, Doom, Mind War
Autarch w/Fusion Gun
10 Dire Avengers
Wave Serpent w/Twin-linked Bright Lance
10 Dire Avengers
Wave Serpent w/Twin-linked Bright Lance
10 Dire Avengers
Wave Serpent w/Twin-linked Bright Lance
5 Fire Dragons
Wave Serpent w/Twin-linked Scatter Laser
5 Fire Dragons
Wave Serpent w/Twin-linked Scatter Laser
5 Fire Dragons
Wave Serpent w/Twin-linked Scatter Laser
Fire Prism w/Holo-Field
Fire Prism w/Holo-Field
Fire Prism w/Holo-Field

Footdar
Avatar
Eldrad
10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Dual Catapults, Bladestorm
10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Powerweapon & Shimmershield, Defend
10 Storm Guardians w/2 Flamers
10 Guardian Defenders w/Scatter Laser
10 Guardian Defenders w/Scatter Laser
5 Rangers (not pathfinders)
7 Fire Dragons w/Exarch, Firepike, Crack Shot
7 Harlequins w/6 Kisses, Shadowseer
8 Striking Scorpions w/Exarch, Scorpions Claw, Stalker, Shadowstrike
3 Dark Reapers w/Exarch, Tempest Launcher, Crack Shot
3 D-Cannons
3 D-Cannons

I will divide the "Batreps" into 2 sections, Mechdar (2 games) , and Footdar (5 games)

-Mike

Holy Procrastination Batman!

2010-12-29T05:03:00.000-08:00

So, it has been about 3 months without a post from me (rejoice?).
Anyways, I been working on a lot of things.
(40k related)
-Daemons: build 6 Fiends, some infantry, working on Herald conversions ( a club-mate and I are building a joint army)
-Built 6-ish Blood Angels Razorbacks with various weapons (3 asscan, 2 lasplas, twinlas)
-Eldar: Built a nice-looking squad of Storm Guardians using Dark Elf Corsair weapons. Trying to paint Eldrad, assembled some Harlequins, built 6 support weapons (what?).
-Built and mostly painted a ton of Blood Angel Infantry.
(Fantasy)
So, for YEARS I have had a Dark Elf army. I bought the rulebook and army books for the past 3 editions. I did not play a game of seventh edition. So, I grabbed the book for 8th and found that I kind of liked it. So, I played (and have been playing) roughly 11 games of Fantasy. I found that I liked the new ruleset. I will only be playing Fantasy for fun, not competitively, as I do for 40k.

As an aside to Fantasy, the models from avatars of war are very nice looking. I bought some of their Dark Elf models to be used as characters.

Anyways, as the year of 2010 comes to an end, I hope to make more time next year to paint and finish projects. I also have the summer tournament season coming up, which I am quite excited about.

-Mike

The NOVA Open

2010-09-01T05:01:00.000-07:00

I attended both the NOVA Open tournament on Saturday and the Whiskey Challenge on Friday night.

For the Whiskey challenge I faced a fellow 40k blogger Mr. Canady (of Kennedy 40k)

http://kennedy40k.blogspot.com

He brought his Space Cops! (Bike heavy list with 5 Dual Twin-AutoCannon Dreadnoughts!
I brought my 1850 foot angels (That I recently used at the ICGT) but to add 150, I upgraded the Librarian to Mephiston.

The 1850 foot list is designed to destroy Mech marines. The match up in lists did not favor Kennedy, I won, and we both had a great time.
Thanks again to Mr. Canady.

On Saturday I woke up with a bit of a hangover (not something you want to have when you are about to play 12 hours of 40k)

Anyways, here is what I brought.

Librarian w/Shield of Sanguinius, The Sanguine Sword

10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Meltagun
10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Meltagun
10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Flamer, Combi-Plasma
10 Tactical Marines w/Plasma Cannon, Plasma Gun, Combi-Plasma
10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Plasma Gun

3 Sanguinary Priests w/1 Power Sword

Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta
Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta

10 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
10 Devastators w/4 Missile Launchers
10 Devastators w/2 Multi-Meltas, 2 Plasma Cannons

This list is designed to break and man-handle razor spam, rhino spam, and mech anything.
I assume there will be an abundance of these types of lists.
It is not an "all comers" list by any stretch of the imagination.

ROUND 1:
My first opponent was Patrick Vetter, he brought Necrons.

The Deceiver
Lord w/Warscythe, Destroyer Body, Resurrection orb.

10 Necron Warriors
10 Necron Warriors

8 Immortals
8 Immortals

Monolith
Monolith
Monolith

So, trip monoliths, ouch.

We played the first NOVA mission, Dawn Of War, Victory points.

Patrick deep struck his monoliths in front of my base of firepower, thereby making it difficult to torrent his actual necrons. For the first three turns, my objective was to kill warriors and Immortals to cause a phase out. This proved ineffective as Patrick made "we'll be back" rolls very well. (failing 1 out of 28, I believe) After this I had to switch my strategy and go after monoliths and the deceiver. I was able to kill the deceiver, and use The Sanguine sword to beat down a monolith. I got lucky and used a melta to glance one to death.
In the end, I was ahead by about 265 Victory Points, enough to grab the Win.
Definitely a tough game.

ROUND 2:
Nick Nanavati, who brings a version of Chaos Daemons known as FATECRUSHER!

Fateweaver
BloodThirster w/Unholy Might

6 Bloodcrushers w/Icon, Instrument, Fury
6 Bloodcrushers w/Icon, Instrument, Fury
6 Fiends of Slaanesh

5 Horrors w/Bolt of Tzeentch, Changeling
5 Horrors w/Bolt of Tzeentch
5 Horrors w/Bolt of Tzeentch
5 Horrors w/Bolt of Tzeentch
8 Bloodletters

3 Screamers
3 Screamers
3 Screamers

We played the second NOVA mission, Pitched Battle, 5 objectives.

It is rare to be handed a list and lose the game, which is what happened.
Daemons are my worst nightmare for this list.
I thought of doing things one of two ways.
1) Castle up in one zone and play the Counter-Fire game (like I do with my foot guard) which would lose me an objective game.
2) Spread out and try to focus fire on threats while sacrificing units. If I roll well, I can win objective games.

I chose 2. I put the plan in motion, sacrificing units in order to counter-fire.
In the end, I had lost 85-90% of my forces. I had killed the Bloodthirster, a unit of Bloodcrushers, most of the other unit, the Fiends, and 2 squads of Horrors, with one other unit being slightly damaged.

Nick was a great and fun opponent, despite the HEAVY beating I took, we both had a great time.

ROUND 3:
Neil Gilstrap, who brings Space Wolves. (Finally, a Mech army! Just Kidding, they are all on foot.)

Logan Grimnar
10 Wolf Guard w/2 Power Weapons, 2 Terminators, 2 Cyclone Missile Launchers
10 Wolf Guard w/2 Power Weapons, 2 Terminators, 2 Cyclone Missile Launchers
10 Wolf Guard w/1 Power Weapon, 2 Terminators, 2 Cyclone Missile Launchers

3 Thunderwolf Cavalry w/2 Storm Shields, Powerfist
3 Thunderwolf Cavalry w/2 Storm Shields, Powerfist

6 Long Fangs w/5 Missile Launchers
6 Long Fangs w/5 Missile Launchers
5 Long Fangs w/4 Missile Launchers

The mission is spearhead, Table Quarters.

We setup across from each other, both kind of hiding behind a HUGE piece of LoS blocking terrain in the middle. This let his Thunderwolf cav move up unmolested to a turn 1 assault. Bollicks. We traded fire and I was finally able to kill all the Thunderwolf cav while suffering "minor" losses.
I stupidly combat squaded my missile devs, allowing Neil to take saves on his terminators from Krak missiles, d'oh.
In the end, Neil had a full 10 man squad in one corner, 2 partial long fangs in his home quarter, and a lone model hiding in a third quarter (out of LoS, behind the huge terrain).
Logan was in my quarter w/1 wound left. (He would not die)
I still had a good bit of my army left.
This was a very close game, in VP's and quarters. Sadly, I made some mistakes (like combat squadding missile devs) and lost this one.
Again, Neil was an excellent and fun opponent, we also had a great time.

ROUND 4:
Michael Perez, and His orks. (aka, Finally an army I might do well against?)

Big Mek w/Kustom Force Field
Big Mek w/Kustom Force Field

10 Lootas
10 Lootas
10 Lootas

10 Ork Boyz w/Nob, Powerclaw, Bosspole
Trukk w/Reinforced Ram
10 Ork Boyz w/Nob, Powerclaw, Bosspole
Trukk w/Reinforced Ram
10 Ork Boyz w/Nob, Powerclaw, Bosspole
Trukk w/Reinforced Ram
10 Ork Boyz w/Nob, Powerclaw, Bosspole
Trukk w/Reinforced Ram
10 Ork Boyz w/Nob, Powerclaw, Bosspole
Trukk w/Reinforced Ram
10 Ork Boyz w/Nob, Powerclaw, Bosspole
Trukk w/Reinforced Ram

3 Warbuggies w/3 Twin-Linked Rokkits
3 Warbuggies w/3 Twin-Linked Rokkits
3 Warbuggies w/3 Twin-Linked Rokkits

3 Big Gun Kannons w/1 Ammo Runt
3 Big Gun Kannons w/1 Ammo Runt
3 Big Gun Kannons w/1 Ammo Runt

Wow. Lots of stuff.
We replayed mission 2, which is Pitched Battle, 5 Objectives.

We deployed across from each other, hugging cover for our infantry.
I did not combat squad anything except the Plasma/Multi-Melta Devs.
I was able to destroy 2 trukks with missiles and then kill the occupants with boltgun fire.
I took little casualties from the rest of the ork firepower, as I had FNP bubbles on every unit and cover from their already sub-par shooting ability.

His remaining 4 trukks got assaults off. Apart from the Nobs, his charging was not very effective.
FNP FTW. I was able to either 1) Repel charges (10 orks v 10 marines is not a guarantee of wiping me.) or 2) Counter charge and wipe.
By the end of turn 3, I had destroyed all of his scoring units. After that, the game became hide and cleanup. I won 3-0.

Mr. Perez was also a great and fun opponent (who also won a raffle prize).

CONCLUSION:
So, in the tournament I went 2-2, which I am completely fine with. (especially with never facing a bread+butter matchup, I guess all the Mech Spam was winning games, unlike me, lol)

I won the Whiskey Challenge, which was an awesome amount of fun (even if I wasn't playing 40k), but it allowed to keep my streak of "undefeated when drunk".

I made some errors in this tournament definitely. My random ass pairings didn't help.
(There was only 1 Necron player, and 3 Daemon players)
I am kind of glad I got to face some different armies, and very glad I was able to face new people.

On the weekend I was 3-2.
This brings me to 77W 29L 20D, in Fifth Edition.

-Mike

Alright.

2010-08-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hey, I have been sick. I tried drinking wine and beer as a cure, but it didn't work yet.
Here we go.

1) Monty (Mkerr), nice to meet you. You seem alright, and are probably a nice guy. I rescind your "Fuck you". Nick (Tasty) keeps his. (Not that either of you should care)

2) Why was I upset at these two? This can get a bit long, I will try to simplify.
There exist 2 websites, Bell of Lost Souls (BOLS) and Yes The Truth Hurts (YTTH).
BOLS held a wargames convention (WargamesCon or BOLSCon). I didn't go, I was busy.
A different entity held NOVACon 2 weekends ago. A man named Andrew Sutton (Stelek) runs YTTH, he attended NOVACon and gave it great reviews on his blog.

Monty runs a blog called "Chainfist". Nick runs a blog called "Blood of Kittens". Google them, if you like, I read all of the blogs that I mention in this post. Nick and Monty are (currently) banned from YTTH. Stelek is banned from BOLS. (I believe)

I went to NOVACon and had an awesome time (more on that in later posts). It was being billed as a "truly competitive event", which irked Monty and Nick on their respective blogs. Monty and Nick were very critical (Nick more than Monty, hence, his "Double Fuck You").
In fact, Monty, in later days provided constructive criticism.

At the time I made the first post, it seemed like these two were being critical of an event they didn't attend just to be critical and further drive a wedge in between the YTTH-crowd and BOLS-crowd (If such things exist).
I hope everyone is clear now. Stop texting me about it. I was never angry with these two, I don't even know them.

Now, onto other things. Someone mentioned wanting to play me. I cannot reply in comments at work, I can only post and see my blog through google-reader. If you guys want to set up a game, e-mail me msomervi@gmail.com

-Mike

The Inner Circle Grand Tournament (IGCT)

2010-08-19T04:23:00.000-07:00

The ICGT was held on July 31st, 2010. 1850.
I used the same 1850 foot list that I had been practicing with.

4 rounds, without further ado.

Round 1, Opponent Tim Miller, Vulkan Marines
Mission: Dawn of War Annihilation (With VPs)

Tim brought Vulkan Marines with him. (List from memory)
Vulkan
5 TH&SS Terminators
5 Sternguard, w/2 Combi-Meltas
10 tacticals w/MM, ?, Rhino
10 tacticals w/MM, ?, Rhino
10 tacticals w/lascannon, ?
Land Raider Redeemer
Land Raider
Whirlwind

I won the roll off and chose to go first, I set up 2 combat squads, as did Tim.
Starting off, I turboboost my bikes to every 1/3 section of the table edge, expecting the Land Raider rush. Everything else moves on and runs forward. Tim moved all of his stuff on, but did not pop smoke on his land raiders, choosing to fire instead.
My army is designed to destroy ad ransack Mech armies. His land raiders died early, his whirlwinds and Rhinos after that. Once his mobility was done, it was just a matter of cleaning up the board with my superior firepower.

Round 2, Leigh Brady (Space Marines)
Seize ground, 5 objectives, pitched battle.

Leigh's list.
Librarian w/Gate and Null Zone
10 TH&SS Termies
5 Tactical Marines in Twin Las Razorback x4
2 Rifleman Dreads
3 Typhoon Land Speeders
2 Dakka Preds

Leigh is a member of my gaming club, you may recognize him and his list from the MANY practice games we played to get ready for this tournament. I could literally not think of a worse matchup for him to face.
In any case, he castled in one corner, I went first and hit him with the ol' beltway traffic jam. (Immobilizing or wrecking front transports), I killed the speeders , smoked the infantry waves that came. Not a close game, but we realized that when we started.

Round 3, Nathan Milakovich, Take and Hold (Table quarters), Spearhead
Nathan brought Blood Angels

Mephiston
Librarian w/Shield and Sword
6 Assault Marines w/ Meltagun, Razorback w/Twin-Assault Cannons
6 Assault Marines w/ Meltagun, Razorback w/Twin-Assault Cannons
5 Assault Marines w/ Meltagun, Razorback w/Twin-Assault Cannons
7 Death Company w/ powerfist, Rhino
Chaplain
Sanguinary Priest
2 land Speeders w/multi-melta
Baal Predator w/AC, HB Sponsons
Vindicator
Vindicator

I lose this roll-off I believe.
Nate deploys first in a horseshoe of vehicles.
I deploy in waves of firepower.
I took some big casualties from the Vindicators early, (like 9 marines), but they were both dead on my first turn. I was able to cripple his mobility early on, but that came at the cost of letting Mephiston roam free. Mephiston killed a good 20-35 marines before finally being gunned down by high strength AP2, weapons.
In the end, we each had 2 table quarters, the tie-breaker went to Victory Points (which I had by a good margin)

Round 4, Opponent: Vaden Ball (the Hobbybreaker)
Mission: Recon (Get scoring units across the table), Pitched Battle
Vaden brought Space Marines (List from memory)

Pedro
Captain on Bike
Full Bike squad w/2 melta, fist, multi-melta
5 Bike squad
Command Squad 2 Plasma, 2 Melta, Rhino
Sternguard in Rhino
5 TH&SS Termies in a Land Raider
2 Land speeders MM

I win the roll-off and deploy, Vaden reserves everything.

I start my first two turns moving forward and running. On my turn 2 my bikes turboboosted towards his deployment line, anticipating a vehicle/bike rush.
Vaden rolled very well for reserves, getting everything except for 2 units. (commander and bikes and a land speeder) I foolishly moved my bikes too close to his deployment zone and was assaulted by TH& SS Termies. His bikes turboboosted down my left flank.
This mission was a uphill battle for me, because I had no mobility. Vaden was able to intercept units very well. I had a very difficult time in my shooting phase, there was one turn where I did not inflict a single wound or damaging result. (making that 3 turns of the game of ineffective firepower) I conceded in turn 6.

So, the foot angels went 3-1, I made a critical error in my last game, other than that I think I did well.

This tournament brings me to 74W 27L 20D.

-Mike

Final ICGT Practice: The Ginger Giant

2010-08-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

Played a quick pick up game against Nicholas (Scooter) Walters, who has found recent fame as "Drunk Guy" at the NOVAOpen Friday night Whiskey Challenge. (from the 11th company podcast)

He brought his Tau, he also never provides an army list.
(From Memory)
Commander and Retinue with loads of wargear.
Kroot w/Kroot Riders, Hounds.
12 Fire warriors, markerlight Drone.
12 Fire warriors, markerlight Drone.
6 pathfinders, devilfish
6 pathfinders, devilfish
3 Broadsides w/ Shield Drones
3 Broadsides w/ Shield Drones
Hammerhead, railgun

We roll for a Dawn of War annihilation.
(I didn't bring my camera, hence there will be no pictures, sorry)
Scooter wins the roll and deploys nothing, I deploy some squads forward I seize the Initiative.

Turn 1:
Me: I walk everything onto the board, bikes turboboost, I run most everyone.
My plasma Cannon kills a shield drone.

Scooter: Walks everyone on the board. Since he has mobile firepower, he kills 2 attack bikes and kills a marine from the orange squad.

Turn 2:
Me: I move units up on the left. The attack bike kills a shield drone from the HQ unit.
My shooting kills 3 Pathfinders and 6 fire warriors, who both fail their tests and break off the board.
The attack bike charges the HQ, causes 0 wounds and takes none in return.

Scooter: markerlights hit the orange squad. The vehicles(2 devilfish, 1 hammerhead) kill8 from the orange squad. 5 die from the big red squad.

Turn 3:
Me: I kill 2 Pathfinders and 6 fire warriors. HTH: 0-0 Draw.

Scooter: The kroot do a wound to corbulo, Shooting kills the librarians squad.
HTH: 0-0 Draw.

Turn 4: I kill nothing with shooting. The librarian and Corbulo charge into the command squad. 0-0 Draw. (Even with Str 10)

Scooter: kills the last man from the orange squad.
HTH: I cause one wound, take none, the Tau stay.

Turn 5:
Me: I shoot, kill 1 krootox and 5 kroot, they pass.
I kill a devilfish and 3 Fire Warriors.
HTH: I do another wound, take none back, and stay.

Scooter: Kills a 5-man squad.
HTH: I do 2 wounds, they stay.

Turn 6:
Me: Kill a single fire warrior, 3 or so kroot, they run.
HTH: I kill a drone, Tau pass Ld.

Scooter:
HTH: I kill a Suit, finally, the Tau still hold.

Game ends.

I have lost
-Attack Bike
-Attack Bike
-10 Man Tactical
-10 Man Tactical
-5 Man Devastator

Scooter has lost
-Kroot
-Fire Warriors
-Pathfinders
-Devilfish

Scooter wins, 5-4.

These 4 practice games bring me to 71W 26L 20D, in 5th edition.

-Mike

ICGT Practice Day

2010-08-17T05:42:00.000-07:00

Had some friends over back in July to practice for the upcoming ICGT.

I am using the 1850 Foot Blood Angels posted earlier.

My Opponent, Chris is using Space Wolves.
This is his list (from memory)
Rune Priest
Wolf Priest
2 grey hunter in Drop Pods
2 grey hunters in Rhinos
Bloodclaws
Skyclaws
Dreadnought w/Drop Pod
Land Raider Redeemer

We are playing a Seize Ground with 5 Objectives, Pitched Battle Deployment.
Chris wins the roll-off and goes first. He deploys, then I deploy. I fail to Seize the Initiative.
Two pictures of the deployment:

Turn 1:
Chris: Grey Hunters and the Dreadnought Drop Pod down on the right side.
The Raider, Rhinos, and Skyclaws move forward, the Rhinios pop smoke.
The dreadnought fails to wound, The Grey Hunters kill a boltgun and a missile marine from the Devs.
Mike: Missiles blow up a Rhino and kill 2 Grey Hunters. Missiles blow up the other Rhino and kill 0. They both pass their pinning test. A Plasma Cannon kills 2 inside a crater. I assault the Grey Hunters, kill 1, lose 0. They break, are caught, and take no more wounds.

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 1:

Turn 2:
Chris: Uses Stormcaller from inside the Land Raider. It moves up and deploys its squad.
He uses his plasma to little effect, killing two of his own guys. The Land Raider kills 3 from the multi-melta devastators and wounds an attack bike.
HTH: On the right side, I kill 4 Grey Hunters, they break again, are caught and take no more wounds. In the main assault, I lose 6 marines and Corbulo, I kill 3 and do a wound to the Rune Priest. I pass the Ld test.
Me: I kill one marine in the crater, which is all my shooting is able to accomplish, my 5 meltas whiff the Land Raider, the dreadnought makes his cover saves.

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 2:

Turn 3:
Chris: His last Drop Pod (with Grey Hunters arrives) They kill 4 from the Orange Tactical Squad. The Land Raider kills the Multi-Melta Devastators.
HTH: On the right, the dreadnought charges in, I lose 2, cause a wound and break off the table.
HTH: In the middle, I lose 3, kill1 and pass my Ld.
Me: My 3 multi-meltas roll 1,2,1 to hit the Land Raider. 4 krak missiles, a plasma cannon, 6 bolters, and a lascannon kill 3 from the grey hunters squad.
HTH: The dreadnought on the far right splats the sergeant.
HTH: Charge more into the center; I kill a skyclaw, lose 4 marines, break, get caught, lose another.
Two pics from the bottom of turn 3:

Turn 4:
Chris: The Land Raider kills an attack bike. The grey hunters kill the Plasma Cannon (last man) from the tacticals.
HTH: The powerfist and melta charge, cause 0, the fist dies.
HTH: In the combat in the center, our poor rolling continues and a 1-1 draw ensues.
Me: I shake the Land Raider! Do about 15 wounds to Grey Hunters from frag missiles and boltguns, they save all of them.
HTH: The Attack bike assaults the Grey Hunters, causes 0, takes a wound...
On the right, I kill the Melta Grey Hunter, and consolidate 5 inches from the dreadnought.
HTH: In the center combat I kill 2 skyclaws plus their powerfist, I lose my sergeant, The characters stay and the skyclaws run 16.

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 4:

Turn 5:
Chris: The Skyclaws run another 14 inches.
HTH: Big Combat, no wounds anywhere...
HTH: Attack bike kills 1, takes no wounds, they stay.
Me: In shooting I get 22 hits, 4 wounds and no casualties.
I shoot 2 kraks at the skyclaws, one dies, they break off the board.
HTH: Attack bike and grey hunters, 0-0 draw.
HTH: Wolf Priest kills Sanguinary Priest, I lose one marine, cause 0 wounds. I stay.

Sadly, due to alcohol, i forgot to take pictures after round 5.

Turn 6:
Chris: The dreadnought kills an attack bike.
HTH: The priests (wolf and rune) each kill a marine, I do a wound to the rune priest, and pass my Ld.
HTH: Attack bike v grey hunters 0-0 draw.
Me: Missiles kill 2 from each Grey hunter squad, they both pass break tests.
HTH: Wolf Priest kills 1, Rune priest kills 3, I cause no wounds and break.

The game mercifully ends. Chris has 2 objectives, I have none.

4 Pictures from the end of the game:

Game 2:

Me versus Pierre Daze (Sanguinebrother).
Seize Ground, 5 Objectives, Pitched Battle
He brings Mech Eldar.
Pete wins the roll-off and decides I should go first. (My friend Chris took noted for this battle)
I deploy, Pete Reserves Everything.

Turn 1:
Mike: moves entire gunline forward 6" or less (difficult terrain) Bikes move 12 or more (2 turboboost). Mike remembers to roll for the black rage. Mike forgets to run:
Pete: Laughs and taunts Saint.

A picture from the end of turn 1:
Turn 2:
Mike: moves up four squads, turbo boosts bikes, moved missile squads up into building, runs units forward. Leaves several units back in terrain.
Pete: 3 Fire Prisms and 3 Fire Dragon squads come in. The Serpents with Dragons move flat out near mikes right flank. The prisms also come in on the right. Two combine fire (Str 6 AP3) and cause 3 wounds, which are saved by FNP.

A picture from the middle of turn 2. (not including petes moves)
Turn 3:
Mike: moves right squad up towards serpent. moves corbulo+libby squad up in building.
Attack bikes move towards fire prisms.
Shooting:
-Attack bike destroys prism (5+6 holo-field roll)
-Attack bike misses other prism
-krak missiles and plasma cannons have no effect.
-Lascannon Shakes a serpent.
-multi-meltas wreck a serpent.
-tactical squad flames, kills 3 dragons, they run.
Pete: Dire Avengers come in from reserves, tank shocks 2 attack bikes, one passes, one fails and goes 15 inches.
two other fire dragon squads deploy.
-The fleeing fire dragons fire at the attack bike, it goes to ground and passes a save on a 6+.
-Combined fire dragon shots kill 4 from the orange squad and 3 from the blue squad.
-The attack bike takes a wound from a shuriken cannon.

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 3:

Turn 4:
My attack bike continues to fall back, but immobilizes a wave serpent from shooting.
I move squads towards the fire dragons. Combined fire kills a FD squad.
A lascannon kills the avengers serpent.
Pete concedes.

So, good practice games for the ICGT. I leave you with this picture.

-Mike

Battle Report Time!

2010-08-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

In this corner, Mike Somerville (Me!)
I bring my 1850 Foot Angels with 3 added Attack Bikes (putting me to 2k)

My opponent, another, more famous Mike, brings Tyranids.
Parasite of Mortrex
10 Termagaunts
10 Termagaunts
10 Termagaunts
Tervigon w/Catalyst, Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, Scything Talons
Tervigon w/Catalyst, Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, Scything Talons
Tervigon w/Catalyst, Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs, Scything Talons
3 Hive Guard
3 Hive Guard
3 Hive Guard
20 Garoyles w/Toxin Sacs
Trygon Prime
Trygon Prime

We play a Dawn of War Board Quarters mission. I win the roll off, and elect to go first.
I deploy 2 combat squads on the board (Lascannon and Plasma Cannon)
Mike elects not to deploy anything.

Turn 1:
Me: I begin by walking/running everything onto the board.
Mike: Moves everything on, runs some things, FNP's some things, the Hive guard manage to kill 2 marines.
Two pictures from the bottom of turn 1.

Turn 2:
Me: I unleash hell (a la the opening scene in gladiator) I cause 3 wounds to the Tervigon on the right and 2 to the Tervigon on the left.
Mike: All Tervigons birth some gaunts, all of them are done birthing.
Mike attempts to use Catalyst 3 times, but since he cannot roll above a 2, the Librarian shuts him down with the psychic hood. I lose 1 attack bike to shooting. The gaunts cause a wound to another, and a Trygon Prime kills a third.

Two pics from the bottom of turn 2.

Turn 3:
Me: I dispose of a Tervigon, killing a few nearby gaunts. Shooting causes 2 wounds to the trygon. I kill all of the gargoyles that were guarding the parasite. The Parasite kills 2 and makes 2 ripper bases. 4 wounds are caused from fearless.
Mike: Kills another attack bike with shooting.
A trygon kills an attack bike squad, another trygon kills the sanguinary priest plus another marine. I fail my leadership, am caught, and lose another model.

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 3:

Turn 4:
Me: All of my shooting is directed at the Trygon Primes, killing one.
We then move to Assault! I use The Sanguine Sword and charge 2 squads in, killing the other Trygon Prime. The parasite and squad draws 3-3.
Mike: Gets a Catalyst to finally work! His shooting kills 2 marines from the big red tactical squad.
HTH(hand-to-hand): Ripper swarm charge in to tie up heavy weapons. One draws at 0-0, the other squad kills a base. The termagants charge in, kill none, and lose 2. They then lose another two from combat resolution.

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 4:

Turn 5:
Me: My shooting brings down the Tervigon that had 5 wounds on it. More shooting causes 2 wounds to the last Tervigon. HTH: LOTS of gaunts die in this round due to pretty good rolling.
Mike: Hive Guard shooting kills 4 from the plasma devastator squad.
HTH: The Tervigon and Hive guard charge my big unit, Corbulo takes a wound, one marine dies. I cause none in return, I pass my Ld test. In other parts of the board, I kill all the rippers!

Two pictures from the bottom of turn 5:

Turn 6:
Me: The guys in the center building kill the gaunts they were fighting. The parasite finally goes down to a charge from devastators. Poor rolling on both sides causes zero wounds in the big combat.
Mike: Shooting kills one marine. In close combat, nothing happens.

We end the game. I have 3 board quarters to Mikes one. Great game.
Two pictures from the bottom of turn 6:

-Mike

Quick Announcement.

2010-08-16T05:22:00.001-07:00

Hi, Mike Somerville, here again.
I need to...
1: Post 4 Batreps.
2: Provide coverage from the ICGT.
3: Provide coverage from the NOVAOpen.

But first a quick message, to "TastyTaste" and "Mkerr", whose real names I do not know.
I would have sent you an old fashioned letter if i knew either of you. But I have one comment for each of you.

Mkerr, Fuck you.
TastyTaste, Double Fuck you.
You both know why.

Love,
Mike Somervile

-Mike

Houston...we have a problem.

2010-08-12T04:13:00.000-07:00

So, I posted two pictures of my Sisters army that I worked so hard on the past few weeks.
I played them last night against Leigh Brady, a member of my gaming club.
I came to a depressing realization. Either my list sucks or I do not know how to use it properly.

I was outgunned at long range by lascannons, twin-Autocannon dreadnoughts, typhoon missile launchers, and autocannon predators. I can only retaliate with 2 exorcists, 2 multi-meltas, 3 autocannons, and 3 multi-lasers. Not exactly frightening, especially since the multi-meltas have a 24 inch range, and the multi-lasers and autocannons are BS 3.

The dakka preds had a field day with T3 infantry, easily shredding whatever they shot at.

So, I spent a lot of time painting, but certainly do not want to bring a sub-par list to the Nova Open, which starts...tomorrow. Crap.

-Mike

For the NOVA Open

2010-08-10T15:28:00.001-07:00

Here are two pictures of what I am taking to the NovaOpen this weekend.

-Mike

It's time to scheisse or get off ze crapper.

2010-07-27T06:02:00.000-07:00

Quote attributed to Hammacher - Beerfest.

I had been quietly pondering over the past few weeks what army to take to the NOVA Open.
I was torn between Blood Angels, Witch Hunters, Guard, or Eldar.

Today I have decided. I will be taking Witch Hunters.

Canoness w/Book of St. Lucius, Eviscerator, Bolt Pistol

10 Sisters w/Meltagun, Flamer, Veteran, Brazier of Holy Fire
Rhino w/Smoke, Searchlight

10 Sisters w/Heavy Flamer, Flamer, Veteran, Combi-Flamer
Rhino w/Smoke, Searchlight

10 Sisters w/Meltagun, Flamer, Veteran, Combi-Crossbow
Rhino w/Smoke, Searchlight

Allied Imperial Guard Infantry Platoon
Platoon Command w/4 Sniper Rifles
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon
Infantry Squad w/Autocannon

5 Celestians w/2 Meltaguns
Immolator w/Smoke

5 Celestians w/2 Meltaguns
Immolator w/Smoke

5 Celestians w/2 Meltaguns
Immolator w/Smoke

5 Dominions w/3 Flamers
Immolator w/Smoke, Twin-Linked Multi-Melta

5 Dominions w/3 Flamers
Immolator w/Smoke, Twin-Linked Multi-Melta

Exorcist w/Smoke

Exorcist w/Smoke

2000

And as an added bonus, my list for the ICGT, happening this Saturday.

Librarian w/Shield of Sanguinius, Sanguine Sword

10 Tactical Marines w/Plasma Cannon, Plasma Gun, Combi-Plasma

10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Flamer, Combi-Plasma

10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Meltagun

10 Tactical Marines w/Lascannon, Meltagun

Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta

Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta

Attack Bike w/Multi-Melta

10 Devastator Space Marines w/4 Missile Launchers

10 Devastator Space Marines w/4 Missile Launchers

10 Devastator Space Marines w/2 Multi-meltas, 2 Plasma Cannons

1850

I know, foot marines. I do not expect to do great at the IGCT, but it is either that or the Eldar.

-Mike

Some July Battle Reports!

2010-07-18T15:51:00.001-07:00

So, I played some games in July, with a list I hope to take to the ICGT on July 31st.
Below are some links to the Battle Reports (on my clubs website)

Battle 1!

Battles 2-4!

Battle 5!

Battle 6!

Went a total of 5-1.
Brings me to 69W 24L 20D

Look Matt Stanley! A Fully Painted Army!

Enjoy the reports.
-Mike

Thoughts on Mech Guard

2010-06-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

Before I took my list to Blobs park, I got 6 practice games in.
I first played "Capture and Control" (one objective each player) to a draw. My opponent had 1 scoring model left and made a ton of cover saves. Oh well.

The remaining 5 games, I played using Blobs park missions and won. I found that when I went first or seized the Initiative, games could effectively end turn 1.
I want to flash back for a bit and go through my thought process in building this list.

The first thing I knew was that I wanted 2 Vendettas. As an eldar player, I saw a similarity between the vendetta and Wave Serpents/Falcons/Fire Prisms. Point for point, the Vendetta is in a class above the Eldar vehicles. Vehicles are a BIG part of 5th edition, I welcome the awesome anti-tank capability.

My next thought was "two vendettas will not cut it for pure Anti-Tank", I need more. Months ago I had ordered two manticores from Forgeworld and finally assembled them. Bingo. I will take two of these. Lets quickly discuss the manticore. The manticore is a force multiplying machine. It is proportionately effective the more vehicles the enemy has. At blobs park, it was not uncommon for a manticore to fire and be able to hit two vehicles at full strength. There were at least two cases at blobs park where I would fire, hit two vehicles, destroy one and immobilize the other. In a war of attrition, the manticore is an unparalleled equalizer.

By now, I have a good amount of non-infantry anti-vehicle firepower. Time to look for my needs elsewhere. Next up was the role of vehicle mounted, anti-infantry firepower.
For this role I chose two Valkyries (in a squadron) and a Leman Russ Executioner with Plasma Cannon Sponsons and a Hull Mounted Heavy Flamer. This vehicles would later be dubbed "The Sexecutioner" because it is a sexy, sexy beast of a tank.
The squadron of valkyries had an unintended benefit. Usually I have 1 anti-tank unit and one other unit embarked. I can choose which one to take single hits on. (downing the "other' unit if I like)
The Sexecutioner is responsible for more death on the battlefield than any other non-superheavy unit I have ever used. It kills Infantry, period.

With my Heavies and fasts maxed out, I need to focus on other mandatory things.

For psychic and deep-strike defense I took an Inquisitor with Psychic Hood and Mystics. (I know, overplayed. But at least I do not use a Tarot, so it could be worse.)

I took a Company Command squad with 3 plasma guns for killing monstrous creatures and small, remainder Infantry squads.
I took a vet squad with 2 meltas.
I took a Platoon Command squad with 3 Flamers, in a Chimera
Two Infantry squads with flamer, Autocannon, in Chimeras.
A special Weapons Squad with 3 meltaguns.

These round out my 5 scoring units.
3 are in Chimeras.
The Company Command, Inquisitor and Retinue, Special Weapons Squad, and Veterans all hitch rides in either Valkyries or vendettas (depending on opponent/Objective/etc...)

To round out the points? 2 Psyker Battle squads in Chimeras for eliminating non-fearless Deathstar units, with a secondary purpose of being able to ordnance Infantry squads. (i keep mine 7 strong, so no high-strength ordnance blasts)

That rounds out my thoughts on behind building my guard army.

Including playtesting and Blobs, I am now at
64W 23L 20D in 5th edition.

-Mike

The Battle for Blobs park

2010-06-09T04:36:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend (Saturday, June 5th), I attended the Battle for Blobs Park, a 2000 point 40k tournament.

I brought with me my newest army, Mech guard. (which I will post about later, here is my list)

Company Command Squad w/3 plasma
10 veterans w/2 melta, shotgun on sarge
Platoon Command Squad w/3 Flamers
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Infantry squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera w/heavy Flamer
Infantry squad w/Autocannon, Flamer
Chimera w/heavy Flamer
Special weapons squad w/3 Meltaguns
7 Psyker Battle Squad
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
7 Psyker Battle Squad
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Inquisitor w/Psychic Hood, 2 Mystics, 2 Hierophants
2 Valkyries w/Multiple Rocket Pods
Vendetta
Vendetta
Manticore
Manticore
Leman Russ Executioner w/Plasma Sponsons, Hull Heavy Flamer

Four rounds, lets get started.

First Opponent: Will Hamilton, and his nicely painted, some converted, Mech Guard. Will brought...
Lord Commissar
Company Command Squad w/Lascannon, Astropath
10 veterans w/3 meltas, fist, demo charge
Chimera
10 veterans w/3 meltas, harker
Chimera
Platoon Command w/2 meltas
Infantry Squad w/commissar, 2 power weapons
Infantry Squad w/power weapon, plasma gun
Infantry Squad w/plasma gun
Heavy Weapons Team w/ 3 Lascannons
Heavy Weapons Team w/3 Missile Launchers
Heavy Weapons Team w/3 Missile Launchers
Penal Legion
Penal Legion
2 Armored Sentinels w/Lascannons
2 Hydrae Flak Tanks
Leman Russ w/Hull Lascannon
Leman Russ Executioner w/Hull Lascannon

The mission was to take a Center objective. Will won to go first and deployed in a common firepower horseshoe. He reserved both Veteran Squads and his executioner, and outflanked with both penal legion. He mobbed up his Infantry squads, the heavy guns went in cover.

I deployed in a similar formation, but with nothing in reserves.
I seize the Initiative (this would become an all day theme)

I had a great first turn. I fired Multi-lasers and Autocannons at the Heavy Weapons teams, forcing them all to go to ground. (or suffer "Instant Death") Some died anyways.
My manticores did not do great, but managed to cause some damage. (and pin the big infantry block)
My vendettas pasted the Sentinels. My valkyrie squad punished the Infantry block with Multiple rocket pods and Multi-lasers, the executioner took aim on the Company Command squad and killed all but the Officer.

The only thing Will had to retaliate with was the Hydras (which killed a Chimera) and the Leman Russ (which scattered)

My seizing of the Initiative, coupled with Wills horribly poor reserve rolls (even with the Astropath) caused him problems in being able to retaliate effectively to my incredible first turn.
In gentlemanly fashion, Will conceded a few turns later.

Second Opponent: Doug McNaron, Iron Fist League (who gifted me with a die bearing his club symbol) Doug was playing Mech World Eaters, he brought...

Kharne
Summoned Greater Daemon
8 Berzerkers w/Fist
Rhino w/Combi-Melta
8 Berzerkers w/Fist
Rhino w/Combi-Melta
8 Berzerkers w/Fist
Rhino w/Combi-Melta
8 Berzerkers w/Fist
Rhino w/Dozer Blade, Twin-Linked Bolter
8 Berzerkers w/Champ
Rhino w/Twin-Linked Bolter
Dreadnought w/2 DCCWs
Dreadnought w/2 DCCWs
Defiler w/2 Extra DCCWs
Defiler w/2 Extra DCCWs

The mission was straight Objectives (5 on the board, 1 in Center, 4 we set up)
Doug won the roll to go first.
He deployed across the board, Defilers on the ends Dreadnoughts on the left, Rhinos in the middle and on the right.

I deployed toughly the same way. The first thing I noticed was the lack of ranged firepower.
2 Battle Cannons and 3 one shot Combi-Meltas, thats it.

So, for the second game in a row, I seized the initiative. (remember, theme.)

So I unleashed a FURY of firepower. 2 Rhinos Destroyed, 2 Immobilized, 1 Stunned.
I also took the Battle Cannon off of one defiler. In Dougs turn, he ran the Defiler forward instead of firing (which I can see) and he smoked everything. He began running his disembarked Berzerkers towards objectives (in some form of cover).

Doug would later write that the battle ended when I seized the Initiative. I do believe he was correct. The remainder of the game was me trying to hunt and kill all the Berzerkers (not an easy task) At the end of the game 1 berzerker stood victorious on one objective. Kharne and his 2 Zerk escort were just shy of another and two immobile dreadnoughts stood in the middle of the field. I had 4 objectives, so a solid victory, but not a full point massacre.

Opponent 3: Chuck Clynes and his Blood Angels. Chuck brought with him...

Dante
The Sanguinor
Corbulo
Saguinary Guard w/Chapter Standard, Plasma Pistol, Infernus Pistol
5 Assault Marines w/melta, powerfist, Storm Shield
Land Raider Redeemer w/Multi-melta, Extra Armor
5 Assault Marines w/melta, powerfist, Storm Shield
Land Raider Redeemer w/Multi-melta, Extra Armor
5 Assault Marines w/melta, powerfist, Storm Shield
Land Raider w/Hunter-Killer Missile

The mission was Victory Points. I actually win the roll-off. I deploy a Chimera filled with an Infantry squad directly in the middle of the board as it was Dawn of War and I wanted a spotlight close by. Chuck deployed a Redeemer with 5 occupants and the Sanguinor on the board.

On my turn, I move everything on, spotlight the Land Raider and Manticore it to death.
I, sadly, cannot see the Sanguinor. Chuck moves his remaining 2 land raiders on the board. He lascannons a Chimera away. On my next turn I remove a weapon from the other redeemer. I also do a wound to the Sanguinor (he uses his corbulo re-roll to save another)
On his turn, Dante and friends arrive! ...And eat an executioner due to Mystics. I roll VERY poorly and only 3 die. Their melta pistols Immobilize my executioner. (SWEET.)

In the next two turns, everyone on his side dies, save his last redeemer...
That is how the game ends. Not a huge win for me. I am undefeated at this point, but so are 7 others...

Final Opponent of the day: Vaden Ball, aka. The "Hobby Breaker" who brings the list also titled "The Hobby Breaker"

Company Command Squad w/2 melta, standard, officer of the fleet
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Inquisitor Lord w/Emperors Taror, Psychic Hood, 3 Mystics
Vindicare Assassin
5 Inquisitorial Storm Troopers w/2 Plasma
Platoon Command Squad w/4 Flamers
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Infantry Squad
Infantry Squad
Veteran Squad w/3 Flamers, Demolition Charge, Meltabombs
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Veteran Squad w/3 meltas
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Veteran Squad w/3 meltas
Chimera w/Heavy Flamer
Vendetta
Vendetta
Vendetta
Leman Russ Demolisher w/Heavy Flamer
Leman Russ Demolisher w/Heavy Flamer
Colossus

Mission: Recon (Get your scoring units into your opponents deployment Zone)
Vaden (using the Tarot) won the roll to go first.
He set up mostly on one flank with his demolishers guarding his flank.

A few thoughts went through my head. He has just an effective Alpha-strike, like me.
He has an officer of the fleet. If I reserve, I lose.
He only has 3 vendettas, the colossus, and the vindicare that can unleash on me turn 1.

I decide to deploy on the opposite flank. Chimeras guarding manticores, Executioner at the front.
We then Scout move our fliers all over the place...
Then, in an unprecedented amount of luck, I, for the third time this tournament, seize the initiative. (told you there was a theme) Mike Brandt showed up (there is your plug!)

In the first turn, I downed two Vendettas, Immobilized the third, destroyed a Chimera, Immobilized two others and stunned a demolisher. In one turn, I pinned most of his forces in his backfield (figuratively and in some cases, literally) He retaliated by shaking a manticore (with the Vindicare) and lascannoning a Chimera apart.

In the next two turns my infantry squads (in chimeras) moved up on my right flank (where there were no intervening models) Vaden moved his dismounted Infantry forward, since they were not in Chimeras anymore, the Executioner and Valkyries had no trouble killing the Infantry.

Like a true gentleman, Vaden conceded the game. Then we hugged.

So, 4-0 is a good showing.
Sadly, there were three people ahead of me in Battle points. My army was not painted.
Ergo, I was out of the "prize bracket". The day was still successful nonetheless.

Great tournament, tons of fun, cheap beer.

-Mike

What to do?

2010-05-24T06:07:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention previously that my recently failings at winning bring me to...
55W 23L 19D (in 5th edition)

I have two big tournaments coming up (Battle at Blobs park and the NOVA Open)
These events are both Fully-Painted, Fully-Based (FPFB) events.
Battle for Blobs park is in less than 2 weeks.
The NOVA Open is in August.

I have some choices of which army to bring. (Eldar, Guard, Sisters, and Blood Angels are the front runners as my Alpha Legion, Grey Knights, and Daemons are still mostly un-assembled ) Pardon me while I briefly list my thoughts on each.

Eldar - They have been harder and harder to get wins with. As one of the most outdated codices, Eldar have significant problems in terms of cost versus efficacy. (As an example, the Vendetta costs less than my Wave Serpents and performs their role MUCH better.) They are, however, mostly painted.

Sisters - Many of my key units are on loan to a friend for ard boys. This sucks, as they would be my current favorite.

Guard - I am updating my guard to become more mechanized. They are nowhere near painted (In fact, I am still working on assembly and waiting for some parts from ForgeWorld), it is unlikely that it will be ready in time. Unless the stuff from Forgeworld arrives very quickly, this may have to wait until the NOVA Open in August.

Blood Angels - I started playing Blood Angels when Codex: Angels of Death came out. The army didn't have their own stand alone codex until this year. My Blood Angels have always been played as slightly different Space Marines. They are certainly NOT updated for a modern tournament structure. I am also waiting for an order from GW...

So, I need to pick a direction and go with it. Do I build the guard hoping the ForgeWorld order I placed arrives in time? Do I spend time updating the Blood Angels hoping the models will arrive? Do I play my drastically under-performing Eldar?

Deep thoughts for a monday.

-Mike

Forgot I had a Blog?

2010-05-24T05:42:00.000-07:00

So, it has apparently been some time since I updated my blog.
A few personal things first. My wife and I bought a house, so that took up a majority of my time.
I recently found myself with much more free time. In my "downtime" I did find time to play in some tournaments. I will quickly sum them up.

Inner Circle High Stakes Jamboree and Pancake Breakfast.
I took Sisters, went 2-1 (my loss was to Chaos in the Second round, I totally screwed up my deployment)

FrAG tournament. (March)
I took my Eldar, went 2-1 (lost first round to a poor mission matchup for my list)

FrAG tournament (April)
I took my Sisters, went 1-2 (ouch)
Lost first round to the Hobby breaker, third round to Fate-crusher.

Between these, I managed to get in a practice game against Nob Bikers, which I lost.

So, 10 games 5-5. Not a good track record in 2010.

I just discovered today at work, that while I am not able to view my blog, I can apparently post updates. Who knew?

-Mike

12/12/09

2009-12-13T08:39:00.000-08:00

The Inner Circle Holiday Beatdown.
Here is a quick recap.

Round 1: I faced MARC!

He brought with him a Khan themed Bike army.

Khan
7 bikes, attack bikes, meltas
7 bikes, attack bikes, meltas
7 bikes, attack bikes, meltas
Dreadnought w/Multimelta
Dreadnought w/Multimelta
Dreadnought w/Multimelta
Land Speeder w/Multimelta
Land Speeder w/Multimelta
Predator w/Autocannon, Heavy Bolters
Predator w/Autocannon, Heavy Bolters
Predator w/Autocannon, Heavy Bolters

I, of course, kept everything in reserve.
A good amount of my stuff came in turn 2. I was quickly able to start firing and killing things at my leisure. Marc suffered from some unfortunate rolling (having a skimmer Scatter into me whilst deep striking, failing a few ld tests) I was able to stay out of melta-range for a good part of the game, although I lost a few tanks to melta fire. I combined prism fire to great effect in this game, using it to whittle away units of bikes. In the end, I had destroyed all of Marc's scoring units while having all of mine intact. A solid victory for the Eldar.

Game 2: Mark Ferek
Mark brought with him some Tau!

Shas'el: Plasma Gun, Missile Pod, Poitional relay, multitracker, 2 Shield Drones
2 bodyguards: plasma guns, missile pods, multi-trackers, targeting arrays
3 Crisis Suits: twin linked missile pods, flamers
2 Crisis Suits: missile pods, fusion guns, targeting arrays
2 Crisis Suits: twin linked fusion guns, targeting arrays
12 fire warriors: shas'ui, bonded
12 fire warriors: shas'ui, bonded
4 pathfinders Devilfish: smart missile system, multi tracker, targeting array, disruption pod
4 pathfinders Devilfish: smart missile system, multi tracker, targeting array, disruption pod
Hammerhead: railgun, smart missile system, target lock, multi-tracker, disruption pod
2 Broadsides: targeting arays, leader, HW target lock, 2 shield drones
2 Broadsides: targeting arays, leader, HW target lock, 2 shield drones

As usual, I set up i reserves, and came in on turn 2, where I promply killed 1 pathfinder, on a miffed scatter. Mark fared a little better he destroyed the fire dragons ride and de-gunneanother serpent. During my next turn (bottom of 3) I killed the crisis suits that had deep struck behind my fire dragons serpent, seems like the eldar did not feel like hitting with their "advanced" weaponry. During Mark's turn he exploded the rest of my wave serpents, killing about 1/4 of each avenger squad, he destroyed a fire prism, and took all of the guns off another. So, at the top of turn 4, i had one unharmed fire prism, one with no guns and some infantry that was hugging their craters. (did I mention there was only one piece of area terrain on the board?) At this point, the game was effectively over, I could just try to get a many points as possible (I only managed to kill 1 4 man pathdfinder squad the rest of the game)
A crushing defeat for the eldar. I have not been beaten this bad in a very long time. Good thing is, I know exactly what I did wrong.
Good job Mark!

Game 3: PJ Brady and his "Space Angels" (Space Marines w/Dark Angel iconography)

Master of the Forge
5 scouts: sniper rifles
10 marines: lascannon, melta, power weapon, Rhino
10 marines: lascannon, melta, power weapon, Rhino
10 terminators: Chain fist, 2 Assault Cannons
5 Assault Terminators: 2 lightning claws, 3 thunderhammer, stormshield
Ironclad: heavy flamer, Drop Pod
Ironclad: heavy flamer, Drop Pod
Ironclad: heavy flamer, Drop Pod

I did the same routine, all in reserves, everything but the guardians came in turn 2. I popped a Rhino. PJ was a little unlucky with his assault cannons and did nothing. In my next turn I moved some vehicles around to get into position. PJ managed to shake a wave serpent. I disembarked my dragons and doomed the scouts. My fire dragons killed about 6 terminators. Sadly, I was unable to do anything else. PJ hit my dragons with assault cannon fire, killed 7 and they broke. PJ assaulted them and they were instantly wiped out. His dual-iron clad beatdown saw my guardians break and run, at under half strength. In my turn (bottom of 5), I deperately moved as many serpents as I could onto objectives and to try and contest some. I finally managed to kill 2 scouts and get them to break. Sadly, that and 2 marines were all I was able to kill with my fire. Unfortunately, the game ended at the bottom of turn 5!
At the end, I had one objective, PJ had one and we each had 2 kill points. Seemed to be a draw, but there were special mission rules for a draw, tiebreaker came down to...painting!!

Ironically, (or karma) the time I had spent painting the Iyanden payed off in giving me my 50th win in 5th edition. Had this game gone another turn, I think I might have been badly beaten.

This tournament brings me to 50W 18L, 19D.

Some thoughts. In most of my games I was simply unable to reliably kill anything! In the last 2 games, I wiped out 4 units, combined. The Eldar codex just seems to overpriced and underpowered when it comes to busting tanks and reliably killing power armored infantry...
The fire dragons only seem to kill one thing a game befoe they are rendered useless...

The fire prisms had an awful day, they accounted for one unit in the last two games. (it was a unit of 4 pathfinders with a disperssed shot). Hmm. All in all, I was not pleased wth my performance in this tournament. I think I made a lot of bad decisions, while my opponents made pretty sound tactical decisions. The tournament itself however, was great fun.

Until next time.

-Mike

1850 Mech Eldar for 12/12/09

2009-12-11T06:00:00.001-08:00

This is the list I am bringing to the Inner Circle 1850 held in Glen Burnie, MD.
HQ
Autarch w/Fusion Gun, Mandiblasters, Scorpion Chainsword
Farseer w/Doom, Runes of Warding
Troops
10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Power Weapon, Shimmershield, Defend
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Bright Lance, Spirit Stones
10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Power Weapon, Shimmershield, Defend
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Bright Lance, Spirit Stones
10 Dire Avengers w/Exarch, Power Weapon, Shimmershield, Defend
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Scatter Lasers, Spirit Stones
10 Eldar Guardians w/Scatter Laser, Warlock, Embolden
Elites
9 Fire Dragons w/Exarch, Dragons Breath Flamer, Crack Shot
Wave Serpent w/Twin-Linked Scatter Lasers, Spirit Stones
Heavy
Fire Prism
Fire Prism
Fire Prism
1847

Enjoy killing the guardians!

-Mike

The Hydra 1500

2009-12-10T12:23:00.000-08:00

I promised myself I would not get seriously started on my Alpha Legion army until I sold off all of my Black Legion/Thousand Sons.
This past weekend, at the Battle Bunker, I did just that.

So, without further ado, the first 1500 points of Alpha Legion.

HQ
Chaos Lord w/Terminator Armor, Combi-Melta, Daemon Weapon
TR
10 Chaos Space Marines w/2 Meltaguns, Rhino
10 Chaos Space Marines w/Meltagun, Flamer, Aspiring Champion, Powerfist, Rhino
10 Chaos Space Marines w/Plasmagun, Autocannon
EL
5 Chaos Terminators w/Twin Lightning Claws, 2 Combi-Meltas, Heavy Flamer, Powerfist, Chainfist
5 Chaos Terminators w/Twin Lightning Claws, 2 Combi-Meltas, Heavy Flamer, Powerfist, Chainfist
5 Chaos Terminators w/Twin Lightning Claws, 2 Combi-Meltas, Heavy Flamer, Powerfist, Chainfist
HS
Chaos Predator w/Lascannon Sponsons

-1500 on the nose.

I think this list will be fun to play and embodies the mantra of the Alpha Legion to strike many places at once. The Predator and CSM Squads on foot will lay down firepower, the Rhinos will advance and the Terminators will Deep Strike.
Now all I have to do is buy models and get building and painting!

-Mike

Iyanden Update

2009-12-08T05:26:00.000-08:00

I re-primed my Wave Serpents.

Here they are again with the foundations painted on.

-Mike

Wednesday Chimera Building.

2009-11-29T06:33:00.001-08:00

Since I took off work Wednesday, I decided to be productive. I made the decision to assemble some of my vast array of models. Today I will be putting together 4 Chimeras with magnetized hull weapons, in 7 easy steps.

Step 1: Obtain and arrange your supplies.

Step 2: Obtain some rare earth magnets, and a magnetic strip (not a strong magnet)

Step 3: Glue the magnetic strip to the hole where you are putting a weapon.

Step 4: Glue a rare earth magnet to the backs of the weapons that you want to be able to change out.

Step 5: After the glue has dried, place the pieces in close proximity to allow the magnets to attract each other!

Step 6: Assemble the rest of your Chimeras.

Step 7: The aftermath!

-Mike

The Iyanden Project

2009-11-18T11:57:00.001-08:00

It has been a while since I did an Iyanden update. I have most, if not all, of the models I will ever need for my Eldar. I recently took them to two tournaments and did quite well. (Winning one at 3-0, going 3-0-1 at the other)
I did not place highly in the second tournament (bottom 50%) due to my low painting scores. I tried to put more time aside to actually paint my models, I primed them using an airbrush and vallejo(sp?) Lemon Yellow, a VERY bright yellow. I then hit them with Ogryn Flesh, a GW Wash to tone it down a bit. This ended up looking, well, awful.

I have a few more tournaments coming up in the next 2 months. I decided that I needed to re-do the color scheme completely. I started on my Fire Prisms first.

First I hit them with a black primer (To cover up my past failure)

Then I threw on some aptly named Iyanden Darksun.

After that, I patterned on some Fortress Grey. Both of these colors are GW foundation paints and had plenty of pigment in them to cover my bright, yellow, shame. Next I will work on base-coating the Top Turrets. More to come.

-Mike

The Hydra.

2009-11-09T05:45:00.001-08:00

The best 40k novel I have read in a long time is Dan Abnett's Legion.
If you have not read this novel, it is about the Alpha Legion; who, prior to this book, have had very little fluff or story written about them.

If you have read this novel, talk about inspiring!

Long story short, I am creating a fluff based, Alpha Legion army. My objective is not to make another pre-heresy traitor marines army. I want to keep the Alpha Legion closer to the fluff and story outlined in Legion.

SPOILER ALERT.

Alpha Legion that are still 'loyal' to the Emperor but are still seen as 'traitors'. This will have a choice of my unit selection. Ergo, I will be using a modified codex.
My first choice is what Codex do I use to represent a 'loyalist' Alpha Legion in the 41st Millennium?

Space Wolves? - The newest and one of the most popular, but not suited to Alpha Legion.
Dark Angels? - Possibly, but too much emphasis on Termies, Bikes, and Speeders.
Blood Angels? - I already have 12000 points of Angels; So, no.
Space Marines? -Certainly the best choice. A huge array of options. Too easy.
Chaos Space Marines? - Chaos Space Marines Army List? Bingo.

The Alpha Legion are sneaky and subtle. When they attack, they follow the principles of the Hydra; Attacking from multiple directions at once. I want to emulate this on the battlefield as well, but keep with the faux-traitor feel of the fluff. I will augment Codex: Chaos Space Marines as follows.

No marks of Tzeentch, Nurgle, Khorne, or Slaanesh. No Icons of those either. Nothing with a Chaos-y feel.

HQ
Abaddon - NO.
Fabius Bile - Unmarked Chaos Lord? In, but rarely used.
Huron Blackheart - In, but rarely used.
Typhus, Kharn, Ahriman, Lucius - No.
Daemon Prince - By the Emperor, No!
Chaos Lord - In.
Chaos Sorcerer - In, but will never have a Mark, so no Lash, Bolt of Change, etc...

Elites
Chosen - In.
Terminators - In, will play a big part.
Possessed - By the Emperor, No!
Chaos Dreadnought - Crazed War Machine? No.

Troops
Chaos Space Marines - In, I have no other choice!
Berzerkers, Thousand Sons, Plague Marines, Noise Marines - Nope.
Rhino - In.

Fast
Bikes - In.
Raptors - In.
Spawn - Still Undecided.

Heavy
Havocs - In.
Obliterators - No.
Predator, Vindicator, Land Raider - In.
Defiler - Daemon Engine? No Way!

Summoned Lesser Daemons/Greater Daemon - Possibly, but not as 'Daemons'.

There you have it! I will post more about modeling/list building later.

-Mike

500 Point Madness

2009-11-09T05:08:00.001-08:00

One of my Gaming Clubs, the Inner Circle, puts on a 500 point 'tournament' every two weeks.
Catch? 500 points, using the 40k in a Flash Rules and a simplified mission.

I played 2 games last Tuesday and I brought my Eldar.
10 Guardians w/Scatter Laser, Warlock, Embolden
10 Guardians w/Scatter Laser, Warlock, Embolden
5 Striking Scorpions w/Exarch, Biting Blade, Stalker
3 Dark Reapers w/Exarch, Tempest Launcher, Crack Shot
-499

My First Opponent brought
4x 5 Space Marines in Rhinos...

Well, Game 1 went like this, use guardians or Scorps to pop a tank, Tempest Launcher the passengers. So, I did this 3 times. (once my opponent disembarked on his own accord)
At the end my opponent had an Immobilized, De-gunned Rhino, I had 2 Objectives and 7 Kill points.

My Second Opponent had a much better list.

22 Kroot
12 Fire Warriors
Devilfish
3 Stealth Suits
4 Gun Drones

My first turn saw me open up on the Kroot with the Dark Reapers, pinning them.
My Scatter lasers killed 3 Fire Warriors, but they held firm.

My opponent, Martin, Fired his Stealth suits into my scorps and killed 2. The gun drones killed 3! Guardians, who promptly became Pinned and then fled off of the Table. (even with Embolden!!)

Next turn I assaulted the Stealth Suits (who strayed too close) with my scorpions. The suits were killed to a man. I killed a bunch more Kroot, but they passed their pinning test and their break test. I killed the Gun Drones with my other Guardian Squad.

The kroot Rapid fired and killed a Scorpion, they failed their test and began the long run off of the board. (they were under half) The Devilfish rolled up and killed a Dark Reaper, the Exarch held his squad firm.

Next turn the Dark reapers finally were able to kill enough Kroot to send them packing towards the table edge. My guardians destroyed the Devilfish.

The Gun Drones that came off of the Devilfish fired and killed another Dark Reaper.
The guardians Moved to help out. The fire Warriors hoofed it towards a center objective.

The Reaper Exarch Fired, and killed all but one Fire Dragon, who broke off of the Board.

The gun drones finally killed the exarch.

The guardians shoot and kill both of the gun drones.

That was an incredibly close game, I only had one unit left at the end (spread over 2 objectives)

These short, fun games bring me to 48W 17L 19D in 5th edition.

-Mike

Tournaments and friendly play.

2009-10-31T09:06:00.000-07:00

In order to make myself a better player, I faced a friends 29 Terminator Space marine list with my 15 Terminator Blood Angels list. I won the first game, and then we switched armies.
I played a little more aggressively that he did and ended up winning solidly against my own army.

This helped us both as my friend would do the same in a tournament a few weeks later, than I would face him and beat him in the finals, as I knew his playing style with that list...

I played in an 8-man tournament. A summation can be found at the link below.
http://www.yesthetruthhurts.com/2009/10/tournament-report.html
I then played in a larger tournament, a summation can be found at the link below.
http://frederickareagamers.net/forum/index.php?topic=256.0

Up to this point, in all the games I have played I am 46W 17L 19D

-Mike

Planetary Campaign

2009-10-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

I participated in a Planetary Campaign put on by the Inner Circle.
I did not write up specific battle reports for the games I played, but I will go over them.
I played my Blood Angels throughout the campaign.

I faced Dale and his tau first.
He brought with him a skyray! 6 min sized Fire Warriors and 3 max size Drones (to provide cover)
He also had a good amount of Crisis Suits.
The game went well for me as I had a good amount of anti-infantry firepower.
In the end I had three objectives to Dales zero.

I also faced Scooter (and his Witch Hunters) and Brent (and his 80 Space Marines horde)
I solidly beat both of them. My 3-5 man terminator squads helped me out a lot against both opponents.

My last opponent I faced brought some nice Mech orks.
He had 8 Killa kans, 2 battlewagons, and tons of orks.
I was solidly defeated both times by orks with Powerfists. (my 5+ terminator save could not stand up to them.)

All in all the campaign was fun, but it was tough because certain people would refuse games against me. (either flat out refuse or set a date/time and be a no-show).
So, that kind of sucked.
After this campaign I end with 38W 17L 18D

-Mike

Battle Board at Dreamwizards

2009-10-31T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Battle Board at Dream Wizards.

I play another man named "Mike".
He brings an Ork army.
-Warboss on Bike
-Mekboy with Custom Force Field
-Battlewagon with 5 Mega Armored Orks.
-3 Battlewagons
-15 Burna Boys
-10 ard boys in a Trukk
-2 Trukks of Shoota Boys
-A big squad of Grotz

We play a Dawn of War Seize Ground (5 Objectives)
Mike deploys a battlewagon, nobs, and mek. He goes first.

Turn 1:
Mike: Mike moves everything onto the table.
Me: I move the rest of my army onto the table. My lascannons blow up the battlewagon carrying the Nobz. Everyone else moves forward and runs.
Turn 2:
Mike: The Warboss boosts forward, the battlewagons kill 1 sniper, 1 autocannon, and 1 lascannon.
Me: The Demolisher smokes the warboss. I immobilize a trukk and Wreck another. The Leman Russes kill most of the passengers. I assault and kill the Mekboy.
Turn 3:
Mike: The Ard boys assault and wound the command squad. The Nobz kill the Demolisher.
Me: My snipers pin the Nobz, I kill 5 ard'boyz.
Turn 4:
Mike: Kills a few form the Autocannon squad.
Me: A Nob dies to a lascannon shot and the squad breaks.
Turn 5:
Mike: Combined fire kills a few from the autocannon squad and does a wound to Kell.
Me: I don't really cause any wounds.

The game ends in a 1-1 DRAW!
This brings me to 35W 15L 18D
-Mike

Counter Offensive 6(Part Three)

2009-10-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

Final game of CO6. I Face Bobby Griffin. (A member of The Frederick Area Gamers)
He brings his Lamenters.
From what I recall, there are two tactical squads, 10 Sternguard in a Drop Pod, 10 Terminators (shooty) and Pedro!
I bring a crappy Eldar list as I wanted to use my new Forgeworld Avatar.
We play a Pitched Battle Annihilation.
I set up my Eldar.
Bobby Sets up and Seizes the Initiative!!

Turn 1:
Bobby: The Sternguard deploy by Drop Pod, they combat squad into two separate units.
They unleash some hellfire into my wraithlords, doing 2 wounds to one and 4 to the other (wouch.)
Me: My Dire Avengers move forward and kill 2 Terminators! The wraithlord assaults a Sternguard unit (killing 4) they stay. The Seer Council kills 2 Sternguard from the other squad, they also stay.
Turn 2:
Bobby: The Terminators cause 16 wounds to the Dire avengers, I go to ground, despite that 9 (exarch included) still die. In combat, the Wraithlord misses and the Seer Council kill 2, the last one stays.
Me: My Striking Scorpions outflank on the right side. The Dire Avengers kill another Terminator. The Wraithlord and Seer Council finish their respctive combats.
Turn 3:
Bobby: His Dreadnought still does not arrive. The terminators shoot and cause 2 wounds to the Avatar. The Drop Pod storm bolters the last Dire Avenger to death.
Me: My Falcon arrives, and horribly misses. The Dire Avengers kill a tactical marine. The Avatar meltas a terminator, the Seer Council Assaults and kills the Drop Pod.
Turn 4: Bobby: His Dreadnought arrives and smokes my last Wraithlord. The terminators and tactical marines FAIL horribly and cause no wounds.
Me: The Avatar assaults, wounds Pedro, and dies... The Seer Council assaults the Dreadnought and Drop pod and destroy both.
Turn 5:
Bobby: The tactical marines fire and kill 3 Dire Avengers, the terminators join in and bring their number down to 1 plus the Exarch.
Me: The Council assaults and kills 3 terminators, they lose 3 of their number.
(no pic)
Turns 6-7: There is only close combat, The Farseer ends up dying, the Scorpions end up killing the Tactical squad.
The end result is a DRAW!

So at Counter Offensive I go 1-1-1.
This brings my record to 35W 15L 17D

-Mike

Counter Offensive 6(Part Two)

2009-10-31T07:01:00.000-07:00

I then face the mighty Ken Lacy (who, despite having been out of the hobby for a while laid some beatings on a few other folks)
I bring the Pride of Iyanden
Ken brings his Slann-Tau.
He has a lot of Fire Warriors, Crisis Suits, and 2 Pathfinder Squads.

We play a Seize Ground, Pitched Battle (with 5 objectives)
Ken Deploys, I Deploy, I fail to Seize the Initiative.
Turn 1:
Ken: Ken uses his Markerlights to full effect. 4 hits to the Wraithlord, 4 to the Wraithguard.
Using suave firepower he causes 2 wounds to the Wraithlord and 3 Wraithguard die.
Me: I am able to fortune. The Parade moves forward. My "firepower" kills one Pathfinder...
Turn 2:
Ken: Markerlights the wounded Wraithlord, the ensuing firepower kills him. One more Wraithguard dies, despite my fortune.
Me: I FAIL my fortune roll. (crap) One of my Serpents shows up and I manage to kill 2 Pathfinders..
Turn 3:
Ken: Seeing that my fortune expired, ken opens up on the Parade. All in all Yriel is left with 1 wound, the Farseer with 2 and all but one Wraithguard are dead. (Wouch)
Me: My other serpent arrives. The Dire Avengers disembark, fire, and kill 8 Fire Warriors, who break off of the table.
The Parade and Wraithlord combine to destroy 2 more Fire Warrior squads.
Turn 4:
Ken: The devilfish fires and destroys the Wave Serpent. The Dire Avengers suffer 4 casualties and breaks. The farseer dies.
Me: The Wraithlord de-guns the Devilfish. Yriel rolls up and kills another Fire Warrior Squad.
Turn 5:
(At this point Ken has no scoring units left and I have one on my objective and one falling back)
Ken: Kills all of the falling back Dire Avengers. Kills the Wave Serpent sitting on my objective.
Me: I kill the Devilfish, the last unit that has the ability to contest my objective (forcing a draw)

The game ends with me having one objective, Ken has none. I am now 35W 15L 16D.

-Mike

Counter Offensive 6(Part One)

2009-10-31T05:23:00.000-07:00

Every year, a gaming forum that I frequent (http://www.milleniumgate.net/) holds a gaming gathering at Dreamwizards, a gaming store in Rockville, MD.
Over the course of the day I played 3 games.

The first is a Spearhead Annihilation against James and his Black Templars.
I brought my AIIG (All Infantry Imperial Guard).
James brought his (Very well painted) Black Templars
Emperors Champion (re-roll to hit vow)
Marshall
3x 10-12 man squads with a mix of Initiates and Acolytes
Big Sword Brethren Squad
Dreadnought
Land Raider Crusader

I deploy and go First.
Turn 1:
Me: I let loose a ton of firepower, unfortunately due to some bad scatter, I manage to hit units I did not want to. As a consequence, James loses 1 Neophyte from the Red Squad, 4 Neophytes form the green squad, and 3 Neophytes and an Initiate from the blue squad. They all pass their leadership tests and rush forward (6, 4, and 4 inches, respectively)
James: Everyone moves forward toward the Guard Gunline at MAXIMUM speed.
Turn 2:
Me: I move my big 3 Infantry squads forward, hoping to regulate on the Land Raider Crusader. For my first "order"was a "bring it down" on the Land Raider, I rolled a 12. Shit.
On a better note, my master of Ordnance kills 5. I unleash 80 lasgun shots from 2 different squads, killing 5 and 1 respectively. In the entire turn I kill 8 from the Blue Squad.
James: Tank Shocks a big squad, luckily I pass. One of his closest squads assaults my 2 speedbump plasma squad, i lose a whole squad and one from another squad. Unfortunately, I roll double ones on my morale test, to keep me from being killed outright (and from shooting the Templars next Turn)
Turn 3:
Me: My lascannons are able to kill the Dreadnought. I shoot and am able to kill the entirety of the Green and Blue Infantry squads.
James: Tank Shock again! My melta fails to penetrate. Crap.
He deploys his sword brethern, emperors champion, and Marshall.
He triple assaults, 30 guardsmen and a lascannon team die.
I inflict no casualties.
Turn 4:
Me: I manage to kill 2 sword brethren. In close combat, I lose 4 from one squad.
The Emperors champion kills 2 guardsmen, I do zero wounds, I break and am run down (30 more die).
James: The LRC kills the 5-man plasma command squad.
The Marshall (in terminator armor) charges the lascannon team and kills all of them.
The Emperors champion kills the Flamer Command.
The Sword Brethern kill a missile squad and a mortar squad.
Ouch, I concede.
I do not know what I could have done in this fight, I was unable to even damage the Land Raider, my 30 man squads are a joke in combat (even against an emperors champion)
Hm. I think I need to re-think how I run my guard.

-Mike
This loss bring me to 34W 15L 16D

Challenge Board, Game 5.

2009-08-04T07:21:00.001-07:00

I coax a man named Mike into Challenging me.
He brings Death guard, a throwback list from 4th edition.
He has...
A daemon Prince (mark of Nurgle, Wings, Warptime)
A land Raider
3 Plague Marine squads
2 Rhinos
a Havoc squad with Mark of Nurgle
a 4-man Terminator Squad
10 summoned lesser daemons.

We play a Dawn of War Capture and Control (Capture the Draw)

I did not write a formal battle report for this. So it will be kind of loose.
He advanced everything except a squad of Plague marines that he kept around his objective.
I manage to stop a Rhino early and he got his daemons in turn 2, before they were in my lines.
I had trouble stopping the land raider (as I always do).
I managed to kill the Daemon prince, Land Raider (late in the game), the daemons, and both Rhinos got Immobilized, and I killed 2 Plague Marine squads.

The game ended in a draw because of my inability to be able to effectively assault his Objective with my lasgun toting guardsmen. I had a heavy bolter squad nearby, but they were ineffective against Plague Marine armor.

The game lasted 7 full turns. It ended in a 1-1 draw, as "Capture the Draw usually does"
No challenge token for me.

These games bring me to 34W 14L 16D in fifth edition.

-Mike