Those Infernal Thunderfires

So this Thunderfire Cannon has been staring at me for about 8 months, and today it finally made it from little parts on my desk to taking it's glorious place with the other two.

Now to paint them all...

The New Chaos

No in depth analysis from me on the new codex yet. My first thoughts:

- You can't play them as spiky marines, they are different. Play them as Chaos.
- Why does this book cost $50? Seriously GW get a clue.
- Lots of good options in every slot. There is not a clear choice in any slot which you must take regardless of army theme.
- You can get lots of different flavors/themes and have them be decent.
- Chaos seems like any ally kind of book, both as primary and secondary force. Too bad they aren't battle brothers with anyone but daemons.
- Stelek's 2 matching and 1 unique unit in each force org area seems pretty accurate to me. Taking 3 of the same thing for any of your non-troop choices won't do the trick. I like the variety this gives.

My overall impression is ADD. Why? I want to try everything in the book. Each unit I look at I want to build an army around it. I like what I see so far, hopefully as I play with a bunch of different stuff the fun will truly come through.

How Much Is Too Much?

Pre-orders for the new Chaos Space Marine codex are up on Games Workshop's website. For $50 you too can own the newest edition.

At that price I am seriously questioning my willingness to purchase it. It is mind blowing how much GW's prices have risen in the last 10 years. For comparison's sake the first codex I purchase was the Space Wolf one back in 3rd Ed. it was $9.99. Yeah 20% the cost.

Now I haven't thumbed through the new Chaos book yet, but I am almost certain it is not 5x as good. I am pretty sure the rules aren't error free. I can guarantee the fluff won't be worthy of literary awards. I am positive the painting/modeling sections won't be life changing. I don't want to pay more for the hard cover, which I don't want anyway. I am also sure it isn't a required text for a college class, which is about the only other type of books that have similar price range for the percentage of content you will use.

There are only two ways I see GW's current business model ending:

1. Eventually GW prices itself out of the market. At this rate of price inflation in 10 more years a codex will cost $250. Seriously at some point it just becomes impossible for people to buy the product, no matter how much MOAR FANCIER! it gets.

2. Gamers come to their senses before number one actually occurs and boycott forcing GW into bankruptcy, at which point someone not hellbent on alienating their consumers purchases the IP and starts selling the products for a reasonable price.

Now seeing as the collector's edition of the codex which was $83 (Yeah that isn't a typo $83, outrageous!) is already sold out, I have very little hope for #2. So GW will mercilessly continue to crush its consumer base...

So I put out my question, somewhat rhetorically, how much is too much?

Other companies get it:
D&D - Starter Box at WalMart $13.00
Flames of War - If you bought last edition's rulebook you get the new mini rulebook FREE.
Fantasy Flight - Our games are expensive, but our rules are incrediblly well written and we even FAQ those regularly. (Insert any major board game company here.)
Mantic(Kings of War/Warpath) - Wait, I can download your core rules FREE?

I could go on and on, but it really isn't worth it. At what point do I stop going back to GW? At what point am I so fed up with paying scads of cash for poor rules quality and a company who cares very little, if at all, about their consumer that I just quit playing?

That point is rapidly approaching, I think the only reason I haven't reached it yet is that I have too much invested. Maybe that is what GW is counting on. Makes me so glad to be your customer GW, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

DOOM Scythes

Why did none of you warn me to bring lube? That was horrific.

My plan for fliers was to ignore them and deal with the rest of my opponents army and just weather the storm. Worked pretty well until I met DOOM Scythes.

Necrons are pretty good in their newest incarnation, not invincible, just very good. I went 1-1 against them. I got slapped around by their DOOM Scythes.

They are over the top. It would only take a few adjustments to fix them:

- They should only fire weapons to the front arc. Those weapons look fixed to me.

- The death ray should have to start its line on a model in the primary target unit within range and LOS.

- The death ray line should follow the hellhound's rules so the line can't end closer than it started to the firer.

Too easy. (As they currently stand, how are at least 2 not an auto include in every Necron army?)

My thoughts, take them as you will.

NOVA 2012 Weekend in Review

First and foremost, I want to thank Mike Brandt and his incredible staff for an outstanding experience. To undertake a task of this magnitude and have it come off as well as it did was impressive to say the least. I will break the event down further below.

Hotel - The Hyatt was fine as far as accommodations go, it was annoying that every little thing was an extra charge. Who charges for Wi-Fi in the hotel industry? Never seen that before. Their buffet for breakfast was very good, but pricey. My input which I know has less than no effect here: I would rather pay a little more for my room and have Wi-Fi and breakfast included, instead of breaking all the costs out. Grade: B-

Gaming Area - Plenty of space between rows of tables, so two bigger fellas could play back to back and someone could still get past. That is excellent. The space in between the individual boards in the row was a little slim, I don't know logistically if anything more could be done, but it was a little cramped. By the way to any gamer out there reading this, if you bring a giant display board good etiquette dictates the overlap should go onto your board not the board of the game next to you. Then when the gamer next to you asks you to move it so he can deploy his models, if you've made the faux pas of overlapping onto another board, don't shimmy it 1/4" over leaving 6" of deployment zone still covered. The temperature was good most of the time, and until the last day the hall was free of that stale, musty nerd stank. Well done. Grade: B

Terrain - I can't even imagine the chore involved in producing terrain on that scale. It boggles my mind, and I have built several boards. In my mind terrain should be graded on three criteria: functionality for play, durability, and appearance. I should also caveat my comments here by saying, I have been spoiled by playing on some of the best terrain available in all three of those categories. To me, the NOVA terrain seemed fairly durable, it stood up throughout the tournament. Appearance left a lot to be desired, I don't like playing on felt but I understand why that choice was made, the terrain looked like exactly what it was: mass produced. That said it did it's job and looked far better than it could have. The monuments for the narrative were the exception, they were beautiful, well lit, lovingly crafted, etc. Functionality was solid across most of the pieces, my one beef was terrain interfered too much in some situations. I like LOS blocking, but being able to hide several vehicles or monsters, or in my case several squads of bikes behind terrain creates problems in the system. The terrain was okay, this is the area I would like to see improve second most. Grade: C

Staff - They were polite, happy, and volunteers. Unfortunately there weren't enough of them, especially during some of the hobby seminars. There were gaps in rules knowledge for a few judges. There were also misunderstandings about some rulings, and how the tournament had FAQ'd certain questions. I will give the staff the benefit of the doubt on this one since it is a brand new edition, but this is the area I would most like to see improved. Grade: B

Prizes - WOW. I didn't win any, and I was a bit disappointed when several of the big winners were also pulled out in the raffles. My personal feel is if you win a big prize you shouldn't win a "door prize". However, the variety and amount of prize support was impressive. Obviously Mike and his crew did a great job finding sponsors and the sponsors themselves were very generous. They got big pluses in my book and several of whom I had never heard before will get my business going forward. One also lost my business based on how they treated a friend. Grade: A+

Scenarios - Very vanilla, and solid. I don't like moving objectives, but that is GW's fault for creating the relic mission. It also seemed like every mission primary was table quarters. A little more variety would be nice, but the scenarios were serviceable. Grade: B

Opponents - THANK YOU. These guys were fantastic. I couldn't ask for a more intense set of games with a better set of guys. I had a GREAT time. They were kind while crushing me, and gracious in defeat. When rules questions came up, we worked them out together and drove on. A genuine pleasure, if there is a hallmark of NOVA this should be it. The competition is tough, but competitors are genuine, kind and as interested in enjoying the game as winning (and they want to win BAD). Grade: A+

The summary: I think the best way to summarize is to say, I will absolutely attend next year so long as that is in my control.  The weekend as a whole receives an A- from me. Definite room for improvement, but still of great quality.

NOVA 2012

Getting everything packed then a last minute work meeting and I am on my way to play at NOVA. We shall see how things go, haven't gotten much play time with 6th as the Army felt other things were more important.

The Internet, Nerds, and Gaming

I am currently in something of a miniature gaming hiatus, partially by circumstance and partially from lack of draw back to the group.

I have been removed from gaming by work for about 6 months up until my recent visit to the game stores as detailed in my last post. I did get to play one game with an old friend around Hanukkah time as well. Other than those brief forays into the mini gaming world my only association has been anonymously on the internet. Let me just say the internet hasn't made me excited to be a miniature war gamer lately. It seems the rift betwixt fluffy and competitive is as wide as ever, and the vitriol spewed is just as corrosive as I remember.

Let me ask a question that may never be adequately answered: If you don't like a person's opinion or delivery, why do you visit his site, write about him, or go to the trouble of adding disparaging definitions/descriptions of him to websites? Why give the publicity? Why not prove you are the bigger person and just ignore the hate?

Hoping something will spur my interest again soon, or these models may go to waste gathering dust indefinitely.

GW (and other) Stores

     I have recently moved to the Baltimore area, and because of that had my first opportunity to go to an official Games Workshop store. I have been to two so far, and several other local game stores.

     Color me unimpressed with GW. I didn't have a bad experience at either one, just underwhelming.

     The first I went to was the Battle Bunker in Bowie, MD. This is supposed to be the epicenter of Games Workshop events in the greater area, and to be fair there were several events going on. Terrain was plentiful, but not up to the standard to which I am accustomed. It appeared that the only terrain available was the prefab GW table and terrain kits. Nothing scratch built or innovative, and middling paint jobs on what was available. Gamers were plentiful as was their funk as my wife noted upon entry, and the age demographic was inviting (from teens to 50's with a nice mixture). I was mildly interested in a couple of the offered events, but didn't get any information until I approached an employee and began asking questions. I would have expected a new face to at least get a "Hey my name is Bob, can I help you? ... Feel free to look around, and grab me if you have any questions." Not only that, once I had asked the aforementioned employee about the events underway and what other were offered, I had to prompt him to give me a calendar of upcoming events. Maybe the guy is new, I will cut him a break, but my experience there didn't sell me on the GW Corporate gaming environment.

    The second was the GW store in Columbia, MD. I had exactly the opposite experience with the store employee. He was friendly and out going, asked about my level of experience and armies I play, gave me information on events and handed me a calendar and facebook profile for the store. My problem here was the demographic of the store. I was easily 15 years older than anyone but the employee. I don't mind playing against younger opponents or teaching them to play, but a couple 12 year olds with their 2 tactical squads of marines is not my ideal gaming community.

     I won't even mention the names of two of the game stores that ostensibly carry GW and other miniature war gaming products. A couple of boxes from two editions ago tucked behind the massive slot car track doesn't really count.

     The most pleasant experience I had and the store I am most likely to return to was at Games and Stuff in Glen Burnie. The staff was pleasant and informative. I was greeted as soon as I walked in the door, even though there was an event in the registration phase. The staff also made sure they were available to me without being smothering. I didn't stay long enough to see if it was really enforced, but there was a policy clearly posted on the wall in the gaming area to keep language above board, and while I was there it was observed by the patrons. The store was large and well lighted and the gaming area was huge. Not only that having a variety of miniature and board games that I haven't tried was intriguing. From what the staff said they ran a 30 person GW tournament simultaneous to a 20 person FOW mega battle, and from the look of the game room that was no exaggeration.

So GW, a word in your ear, you aren't winning me into your stores on first impressions.

A shout out to my buddies in SLC, thanks for making the last several years of gaming fun. I hope I can find another group as entertaining to game with, and thought provoking to associate with as you.

Yesterday's Gaming

I had one of the most enjoyable days of gaming I have experienced in a long time yesterday. I was trying to analyze exactly what it was that made it so enjoyable, and the only conclusion that I could reach was that my opponents were all pleasant to play, and while we were all trying hard to win, there was no animosity or poor sportsmanship.

I played Dean in a Planet Strike mission which he won by the skin of his teeth because my Space Marines were beaten repeatedly in hand to hand combat by Tau (embarrassing I know), and I could not destroy bastions. It wasn't a problem penetrating the armour, I just could not roll above a 3 once I had done so. Those were some sturdy buildings, I tell you what.

Next was Josh, he is a monster. He is my arch nemesis in gaming. Did I mention he is a monster? Seriously, Josh is like Kryptonite for me. Ridiculous. We played 12" deployment with 4 objectives. It ended in a draw, as neither of us had any troops remaining. I think it is super annoying that if a Wraith Lord goes stupid, you can't just walk away from him, I would love to have the rule added that if locked in combat with a stupid Wraith Lord (ie he rolled a 1 for the turn) a unit gains hit and run. That way they don't just automatically get away, but they aren't mired with a construct that is just standing there. The key point in this game was Josh's Farseer shrugging off 7 instant death wounds in a single round of shooting. What a jerk. Like I said a draw as we both nuked the other person's troops very efficiently.

Finally I played Ory in a Kill Point, Dawn of War game. I used my Night Lord Bike army. They were feeling neglected after the Scions got two games earlier in the day. This game was great fun. Ory is a pleasant fellow, and fun to play any time. Our two armies couldn't have been more different, and I wish I had pictures. Ory had twice as many conscripts as I had total models. That is right at 1750 I had 30 bikers, to Ory's 60 conscripts... plus the rest of his army. I outflanked with Khan's ability, and this thing got messy. I won on KP, but it was awesome seeing 5 of my bikers in the middle of a mass of bodies. The guard were angry too, they rolled a ton of 6's to wound my toughness 5 bikers, but the armorers had done their work, and the ceramite plating of my armour held firm for most of the game.

Thanks guys for a great day of gaming.

Mars Themed Lists

I originally posted this on YTTH, but thought it could go up here now.

I have been thinking about converting up a mars themed list for some time and wanted some feedback on my musings.

1 Emperor’s Champion @ 140
Accept Any Challenge, No Matter The Odds

6 Sword Brethren Terminator Assault Squad @ 526
5 Lightning Claws, 1 TH/SS, Furious Charge
1 Land Raider Crusader
Smoke Launchers

1 Techmarine @ 399
Power Weapon, Servo-Harness, Frag Grenades, Storm Shield, Terminator Honors
1 Land Raider Crusader
Smoke Launchers

6 Sword Brethren Terminator Assault Squad @ 258
5 Lightning Claws, 1 TH/SS, Furious Charge

6 Crusader Squad @ 162
Meltagun
1 Rhino

6 Crusader Squad @ 162
Meltagun
1 Rhino

6 Crusader Squad @ 162
Meltagun
1 Rhino

1 Land Speeder @ 75
MM/HF

1 Land Speeder @ 75
MM/HF

1 Land Speeder @ 75
MM/HF

Total Roster Cost: 2000

I would convert a Techmarine to be the Emperor’s Chump, make the crusader squads skitarii type models and make the terminator size models praetorians. The speeders would be pretty effective, but I think some converted Thunderfire cannons as MM attack bikes would look even cooler.
ALTERNATIVELY, a vanilla space marine army:

1 Master of the Forge @ 115
Servo Harness; Power Sword

1 Master of the Forge @ 115
Servo Harness; Power Sword

1 Techmarine @ 85
Servo Harness; Combi-Flamer

1 Techmarine @ 85
Servo Harness; Combi-Flamer

9 Tactical Squad @ 245
Flamer; Missile Launcher
1 Sergeant
1 Razorback
Lascannon and TL Plasmagun

9 Tactical Squad @ 245
Flamer; Missile Launcher
1 Sergeant
1 Razorback
Lascannon and TL Plasmagun

9 Tactical Squad @ 245
Flamer; Missile Launcher
1 Sergeant
1 Razorback
Lascannon and TL Plasmagun

9 Tactical Squad @ 245
Flamer; Missile Launcher
1 Sergeant
1 Razorback
Lascannon and TL Plasmagun

2 Land Speeder Squadron @ 140
2 MM/2 HF

1 Land Speeder Squadron @ 90
HB/Typhoon

1 Land Speeder Squadron @ 90
HB/Typhoon

1 Thunderfire Cannon @ 100

1 Thunderfire Cannon @ 100

1 Thunderfire Cannon @ 100

Total Roster Cost: 2000

This one Marines would be Skitarii, no Praetorians, but I think a pretty huge amount of firepower in a list that is pretty themed.

Anyway, thoughts on both of the lists’ effectiveness and conversion input would be appreciated beforehand as this will be a pretty big undertaking.
Jimmy

Here was Stelek's take on how to make the TFC work:
http://yesthetruthhurts.com/2009/12/thunderfires-ho/
http://yesthetruthhurts.com/2009/04/build-request-techmarine-themed-army/

Forge World Librarian

Chief Epistolary Antiquitous exhorts his brethren at night's fall.

Though the Scions are formed from fragments of many chapters they quickly assimilate the knowledge of any recovered brethren into the Chapter's Lore, thus strengthening and improving the chapter.

Any information thus obtained is distributed to each member of the chapter by the diligent brethren of the Librarium.

Land Raider Achilles

Thanks for taking these Chris! I promise to get more pics up here, not just text!

Hopefully just the first piece of many in my Mars Detachment.

Competitive vs. Fluffy

I have been an author on Stelek's "Yes the Truth Hurts" for quite some time and the local gaming group that I play 40k with most often is at a local shop called Mind Games, and I find that all too often there is conflict between two groups of people.

First, the competitive gamer who wants a rule set that is well tuned and well supported and desires to play games that are well played tactically with good solid lists on either side.

Second, the fluffy gamer who is all about themed lists and painting and conversions and doing things the fluffy way. These gamers are much more story driven. They often see their game style as "friendly".

Now these descriptions are somewhat simplistic, but really I think this is what the two camps boil down to. For some reason each group sees the other as repulsive and even idiotic. For some reason in most places the two groups refuse to coexist. This to me is totally incomprehensible as I enjoy both ways of playing and feel that they are complimentary rather than conflicting.

To the fluffy gamers: does it hurt the way you like to play for the rules to be well written, frequently and thoroughly FAQed and balanced? Is it unreasonable for someone to enjoy playing the game with a really good well tooled list and be focused on winning rather than creating a cool narrative? Does it cause harm to you in any way for competitive gamers to pursue this course in a reasonable manner?

To the competitive gamers: Does it hurt your play style to have un-tuned armies that are based more on theme than on winning on the table? Does it hurt you to have well painted lovingly converted armies presented to for others to see and comment upon?

So we all agree that the opposing viewpoint is a reasonable pursuit so long as it doesn't impinge on our ability to do things our way right?

My solution to the whole deal is for everyone to simply grow up. You can love the way you do things, that doesn't make it the best, it just makes it yours. In fact I think everyone can appreciate the other way of doing things at least to some extent.

I for one love both competitive and fluffy gaming, I love to throw down with Stelek, and Kyle and others in a no holds barred style where everyone brings the best list they can and shows no mercy. I also love playing ridiculous themed lists that are simply based on what looks cool or seems fun at the moment. (Stupid Thunderfire Cannons)

What seems to me to be the real point of conflict is when one side or the other states as fact that theirs is the BEST (read: only) way to play, or when they give advice on something which they have relatively poor grasp.

So my advice to all including myself:
Take a step back, relax and remember it is a game. Let others enjoy what they enjoy. Don't pretend to be an expert when you aren't. Please admit when you are wrong. Remember there is room for everyone here, just because they don't like to do things your way doesn't mean they don't belong. Finally, you can be friendly and competitive simultaneously. In other words you can be kind, respectful, and have a good time while crushing face on the table top.

Best of Space Marines

So you might recognize this list from Stelek. I have been running my bikes lately, but this list is crazy fun to play, and is something of a fall back army for me.

1 Master of the Forge @ 120 Pts
Artificer Armour; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Converison Beamer

1 Dreadnought @ 105 Pts
Dreadnought CCW; Multi-Melta; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter

1 Dreadnought @ 105 Pts
Dreadnought CCW; Multi-Melta; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter

1 Dreadnought @ 105 Pts
Dreadnought CCW; Multi-Melta; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter

9 Tactical Squad @ 205 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x9); Bolter (x7); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Flamer; Multi-Melta; Rhino
1 Sergeant @ [23] Pts
Bolt Pistol; Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades
1 Rhino @ [35] Pts
Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter

9 Tactical Squad @ 205 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x9); Bolter (x7); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Flamer; Multi-Melta; Rhino
1 Sergeant @ [23] Pts
Bolt Pistol; Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades
1 Rhino @ [35] Pts
Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter

9 Tactical Squad @ 205 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x9); Bolter (x7); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Flamer; Multi-Melta; Rhino
1 Sergeant @ [23] Pts
Bolt Pistol; Bolter; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades
1 Rhino @ [35] Pts
Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter

5 Scout Squad @ 163 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x5); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Scout Armour; Camo Cloaks; Sniper Rifle (x4); Heavy Bolter w/Hellfire Shells; Sergeant Telion
1 Sergeant Telion @ [0] Pts
Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Bolt Pistol; Scout Armour; Stalker Pattern Boltgun

2 Land Speeder Squadron @ 140 Pts
Multi-Melta (x2); Heavy Flamer (x2)

2 Land Speeder Squadron @ 140 Pts
Multi-Melta (x2); Heavy Flamer (x2)

1 Predator @ 85 Pts
Autocannon; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Heavy Bolter

1 Predator @ 85 Pts
Autocannon; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Heavy Bolter

1 Predator @ 85 Pts
Autocannon; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Heavy Bolter

Total Roster Cost: 1748

Computers aaaaaaaaaaaaahh!

So I don't know what happened, could have even been my kids, but a bunch of my old lists have disappeared from my computer, so I am trying to recreate them currently. I will hopefully get more published soon.

Tau Mixed Mech

1 Commander Shas'el @ 92 Pts
Hard-wired Target Lock; Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker

1 Crisis Battlesuit @ 191 Pts
Team Leader; Crisis Battlesuit; Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker
2 Crisis Battlesuit @ [124] Pts
Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker

1 Crisis Battlesuit @ 191 Pts
Team Leader; Crisis Battlesuit; Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker
2 Crisis Battlesuit @ [124] Pts
Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker

1 Crisis Battlesuit @ 191 Pts
Team Leader; Crisis Battlesuit; Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker
2 Crisis Battlesuit @ [124] Pts
Missile Pod; Plasma Rifle; Multi-Tracker

10 Kroot Carnivore Squad @ 112 Pts
Add Kroot Hounds; Kroot Rifle (x10)
7 Kroot Hounds @ [42] Pts

10 Kroot Carnivore Squad @ 112 Pts
Add Kroot Hounds; Kroot Rifle (x10)
7 Kroot Hounds @ [42] Pts

6 Fire Warrior @ 60 Pts
Pulse Rifle (x6)

8 Pathfinder @ 206 Pts
Markerlight (x8); Pulse Carbine (x8)
1 Devilfish @ [110] Pts
Burst Cannon; Smart Missile System; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear; Marker Beacon; Targeting Array

2 Piranha Light Skimmer @ 155 Pts
Fusion Blaster (x2); Gun Drones (x2); Disruption Pod (x2); Target Lock (x1); Targeting Array (x2)
2 Gun Drones @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Pulse Carbines

1 Broadside Battlesuit @ 170 Pts
Team Leader; Twin linked Railgun; Broadside Battlesuit; Smart Missile System; Hard-wired Target Lock; Advanced Stabilisation System
1 Broadside Battlesuit @ [80] Pts
Twin linked Railgun; Smart Missile System; Advanced Stabilisation System

1 Hammerhead Gunship @ 185 Pts
Railgun; Smart Missile System; Blacksun Filter; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear; Multi-Tracker; Target Lock; Targeting Array

1 Hammerhead Gunship @ 185 Pts
Railgun; Smart Missile System; Blacksun Filter; Disruption Pod; Landing Gear; Multi-Tracker; Target Lock; Targeting Array

Total Roster Cost: 1850

This list is a change from my 4th Ed list, which was discussed on Stelek's blog, sniper drones just don't get the job done, and with the prevalence of mech the extra rail guns are a must.

I also added a couple of BSF because I had the extra points and it seems like a decent way to use them with the first turn night fight in DoW setup. It may change in the future.

I also put team leaders into all of my crisis squads from the 4th Ed list in order to take advantage of multi wound shenanigans.

The firewarriors jack the pathfinders ride of course. KEEP THEM INSIDE THE DEVILFISH. Don't get greedy, it will cost you.

I took 17 total in my kroot squads because it pushes the casualty count to 5 in order to make them take a check on LD 7.
Remember: kroot are one of the best and cheapest utility units in the game, great for anti deepstrike, and outflank. Use them to discourage assault on the rest of your really squishy army. They can go to ground for a 2+ in woods. Awesome for holding objectives, and they can counter assault in a pinch.

Piranhas are great for tank busting if you can get them there, they are also really useful for slowing other armies down. Armour 11 on the front keeps bolters and the like from bringing them down and 2 can block a sizable section as a sacrificial unit to keep others back from the meat of the army.

2 Command Bike Squads

1 Kor'sarro Khan @ 610 Pts
Bolt Pistol; Frag Grenades; Iron Halo; Krak Grenades; Moonfang; Power Armour; Moondrakkan; Command Squad
1 Moondrakkan @ [40] Pts
Space Marine Bike; TL Boltgun
4 Command Squad @ [410] Pts
Bolt Pistol (x1); Chainsword (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Melta Bombs (x3); Storm Shield (x3); Unit on Space Marine Bikes; Lightning Claw (x3); Meltagun (x3); Apothecary with Narthecium; Space Marine Bike; Company Champion
1 Apothecary with Narthecium @ [0] Pts
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter
1 Company Champion @ [55] Pts
Combat Shield; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Power Weapon; Unit on Space Marine Bikes; Storm Shield; Thunder Hammer; Meltagun; Space Marine Bike
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter

1 Space Marine Captain @ 590 Pts
...in Power Armour; Command Squad
1 ...in Power Armour @ [180] Pts
Frag Grenades; Iron Halo; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Relic Blade (x1); Storm Shield (x1); Space Marine Bike
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter
4 Command Squad @ [410] Pts
Bolt Pistol (x1); Chainsword (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Melta Bombs (x3); Storm Shield (x3); Unit on Space Marine Bikes; Lightning Claw (x3); Meltagun (x3); Apothecary with Narthecium; Space Marine Bike; Company Champion
1 Apothecary with Narthecium @ [0] Pts
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter
1 Company Champion @ [55] Pts
Combat Shield; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Power Weapon; Unit on Space Marine Bikes; Storm Shield; Thunder Hammer; Meltagun; Space Marine Bike
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter

3 Space Marine Bike Squad @ 200 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Meltagun (x2); Attack Bike
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter
1 Attack Bike @ [50] Pts
Bolt Pistol (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Multi-Melta
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter
1 Sergeant @ [55] Pts
Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Melta Bombs; Combi-Meltagun
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter

3 Space Marine Bike Squad @ 200 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Meltagun (x2); Attack Bike
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter
1 Attack Bike @ [50] Pts
Bolt Pistol (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Multi-Melta
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter
1 Sergeant @ [55] Pts
Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Melta Bombs; Combi-Meltagun
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter

3 Space Marine Bike Squad @ 200 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Meltagun (x2); Attack Bike
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter
1 Attack Bike @ [50] Pts
Bolt Pistol (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Multi-Melta
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter
1 Sergeant @ [55] Pts
Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Melta Bombs; Combi-Meltagun
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter

3 Space Marine Bike Squad @ 200 Pts
Bolt Pistol (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Meltagun (x2); Attack Bike
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter
1 Attack Bike @ [50] Pts
Bolt Pistol (x1); Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Multi-Melta
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter
1 Sergeant @ [55] Pts
Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Melta Bombs; Combi-Meltagun
1 Space Marine Bike @ [0] Pts
Twin Linked Bolter

Total Roster Cost: 2000

I am debating whether or not to run two bike command squads. This is what the list would look like if I were to take both command squads. I took Khan because the last 20 points if I took a regular captain instead just goes to digital weapons on both captains. Hit and Run and Furious Charge for one of the squads seemed better to me.

Mercenary Painting

I paint for hire for some of the guys at my local store, and I tell you that since I started doing it painting my own armies has ground way down. I currently have the last of 1 army to finish up and then 2 other armies in the hopper.

Word to the wise, if you don't really like painting you probably shouldn't paint for hire. Also leave room between jobs to work on your own stuff or it will really discourage you.

Oh by the way, if someone paints your army for you, you really shouldn't take credit. REALLY. That just strikes me as really wrong. Why would you want to, you just look really stupid if someone finds out, and if someone does ask for advice on how you did something, you are doing them a disservice by feeding them some crap on how you did(n't do) it.

Blog #2

I decided after getting Walther Ltd. started that I didn't want to bog that site down with all of my war gaming junk. So I established this blog to contain only my war-gaming nonsense.

On with the nonsense.