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Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2011/12/05 02:14:35


Post by: Anpu-adom


Thanks to those people who've stuck with me and helped inspire me. I feel a rush of creativity and productivity coming so I thought I should update some things here.

Menu:
Metal Lord and first Cryptek Conversions
Objective and First Army Photo
Destroyer Lord Conversion and more Crypteks
Finished Wraith Conversion for entry into a SpikyBitz contest
First FOW modeling: Magnetizing Tiger turrets and camo paint on StuG's and Pak40's
First Night Scythe and Ork Choppa Boys
Anrakyr and Pumas
Bloodbowl Orcs
FOW Grenadiers Completed and First Tourney List
Warboss on a bike
Wolf and first Norse Look
Red Bootaz list that I am building to
Grukk Face-Rippa and 'Amlett, Painboss
Orikan the Diviner
Bloodbowl Wearbear
Sword and Board Lychguard
HWK-290 repaint
Garage Sale Stompa and Warboss WIP
10 more Warriors and Flayed One WIP
Starting Sisters for Kill Team.... WHAT AM I THINKING?!?!
First Sisters WIP

<Old Intro>
Hello folks,
This is my attempt to keep a 40k blog. Rather than focusing on unbeatable tactics or awesome painting skills (pretty sure that I don't have either), I'm going to use this as a focus for reflection and self-improvement.

A bit of history for me. I got into RPG's in high school. Several of my best friends are catholic, and so any flavor of D&D was out. Since we were already watching Star Wars almost every weekend, we picked up the Star Wars RPG by West End Games. Great D6 system; we even played between classes at school! I also started my addiction to Magic The Gathering at about that time, too. Both of these brought me to my FLGS, where I ogled the wall of miniatures in the back. All pewter, these were decidedly 'hardcore' and not something that I was ready to contemplate.
Away at college, I continued Magic, had a fairly continuous D&D campaign, and started playing computer games. Never did pick up any miniatures as we never used them in D&D. Meanwhile, my younger brother started playing miniature games. First, BattleTek, and followed by 40k and Warmachine. It was while he was building his first Tau army that I had my first experience with painting and modelling. Cut myself with a dull modelling knife assembling those stupid trees. I also painted up one of his practice Space Marines. He has ADD, and each of these games came and went, and finally his FLGS closed their doors one night and no one in the community any the wiser for it.
Out of college, I kicked my Magic habit and moved away from my gaming group, but I continued with computer gaming. I eventually got married, had child #1, and then #2. Being addicted to my computer (seriously... it was trouble), I wasn't satisfied with the time that I did get. With my wife's support, I started looking for a new hobby!


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2011/12/05 02:26:02


Post by: purplefood


Good luck... though this may or may not be the best place to do this...
If you were going to supply pictures of your army as you paint it and learn the rules then this could neatly fir into P& blogs and you could get handy advice on how better to paint your... Necrons? Yeah Nerons...


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2011/12/05 03:02:23


Post by: Anpu-adom


Picking an army:
So I decided to do Warhammer 40k. It was a close thing; I nearly ended up with Warmachine. I checked out my FLGS the miniature gaming group there... all 40k, a bit of Fantasy, and a smattering of Flames of War. That decided it. 40k would be it... but what army?

After researching the interwebs, I decided that I wanted an army with the following characteristics:
Elite, not hoard because I wanted to be able to start without having to paint 100 models
Easier to paint, once again, I wanted an army that wouldn't take long to get to the table

Necrons it is! I picked up a box of warriors and Lord with res orb. I was confident that I could handle the plastic, but I was very hesitant about the metal. I assembled and painted the warriors using the standard theme. Prime, base with black. Dry brush with dark silver, and dry brush highlights with lighter silver. Pick up details in red and a metallic green. I flew through those warriors and scarabs.

Now it was time to turn my attention to the Lord. I used the same basic approach, but I did a wash on the cloak. I made my own wash solution by just watering down the black... I was unhappy with the result, but I put things away until I could figure out a different approach.

I did some buying on Ebay, and I got another box of warriors, some scarabs, a few destoyers and a Lord with Warscythe. They were all painted, but badly and not at all in a scheme that I could work with. I stripped them all with Simple Green.

TIP: Don't attempt to strip scarabs... Ever.
The painting dragged on, in part because if felt like I wasn't going to get to a playable list anytime soon. Another part was that it was summer, and I was spending some pretty intense time with my children. I also had to make many repairs on the destroyers (I decided to do magnets).

I got the army to playable standard point. They are still not finished in any way, but they were playable... and then November 5th happened.

My happy little 1k army was rewritten to about 600 points!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
purplefood wrote:Good luck... though this may or may not be the best place to do this...
If you were going to supply pictures of your army as you paint it and learn the rules then this could neatly fir into P& blogs and you could get handy advice on how better to paint your... Necrons? Yeah Nerons...


Thanks for the well wishes...
P&M? I am planning on posting pictures, but that's not the focus of this blog.
Battle Reports? I'm planning on posting those (in my own way) but I don't feel it fits there either.
I thought about using my personal article for this... but that seems logistically difficult and not what I was looking for.

So I'm posting here in the general discussion forum. It seems like the best fit to me, but I understand if a MOD chooses to move it somewhere else. It's times like these that I'm always reminded of the saying, "Some peoples' only role in life is to serve as a warning to others!"

Hopefully, this blog will be a learning tool.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2011/12/05 04:56:38


Post by: Anpu-adom


First game:
So tonight (over 9 months after getting my first models!) I played my first game. I don't have the codex yet, and I'm sure that we made some mistakes in rules. Please, be kind. The goal was just to have a game under my belt, and to have a fun, kid free day.

My opponent, M played a double Tervigon list that also had a Carnofex, Hive Guards, some genestealers, and Termagaunts. I'm not sure of the upgrades.
I played the following list:
Overlord w/Warscythe and a CCBarge
10x warriors with a HoDestruction Cryptek
10x warriors with a HoDestruction Cryptek
10x scarabs
2x Spyders
3x Destroyers
2x Destroyers with Heavy Gauss Cannons

We rolled standard deployment and kill points. I'm really grateful, something relatively simple for my first game. I won first turn.
I deployed my destroyers on my right flank, the Overlord in the middle, and the warriors behind cover on the left. The scarabs and spyders sat in cover right in front of my warriors.
M deployed a Tervigon at mid-field. His second Tervigon was in the right corner, Carnofex was in front of the Tervigon with the Hive Guards. The Termagaunts were in cover between the two Tervigons, and his genestealers were held in reserves to infiltrate. He didn't manage to steal initiative.

Necron 1
I made two new scarabs. I moved my scarabs and Spyders out of cover (got 6's for both), trying to set up a turn 2 charge on the Tervigon. My destroyer units moved so that they could fire on the Carnofex and the Termagaunts. One unit of warriors moved into the cover the scarabs just left, the other unit went the long way around. The Overlord moved along with the spyders and scarabs.
My firing managed to wound the Carnofex with the Heavy destroyers. He lost 2 of the Termagaunts.

Tyranids 2
He moved half of his Termagaunts out of cover. The rest of his army advanced.
The near Tervigon fired a large blast template over my CCB, but it drifted enough that it only caught 2 bases of scarabs. I lost 1 wound (doubled). His Termagaunts fired on my normal destoyers. I lost one, but he got back up (my only RP of the game!) He ran the rest of his army, but didn't do well on his rolls.

Necron 2
I positioned my Overlord near some terrain on the far left flank. I closed in on the Tervigon with Spyders and scarabs (scarabs in the lead), and made 2 more scarabs (wounding one of the Spyders). I moved a bit of my warriors in cover out on the tervigon side (I wanted to soften it up with the Eldrich Lances if I could before charging). I backed up with my destroyers... I wanted to keep the Carnofex in range but stay out of its range.
I hit the Tervigon with one of the two Eldrich Lances from the crypteks, and it lost a wound. My heavy destroyers took two wounds from the Carnofex, but the normal destroyers were just out of range. I rolled 6's for the scarabs running and 4's for the spyders.
The scarabs easily assault the Tervigon, but the spyders are going to have to wait a turn. I wound the Tervigon and I take a wound on my scarabs.

Tyranids 2
Genestealers enter from the left flank. The Tervigon in assault makes something like 13 Termagaunts, gives them furious charge and toxin sacs, and will be able to pinch the scarabs. The other unit of Termagaunts move towards the melee. The hive guards and Carnofex close in on my destroyers.
I don't remember any shooting on this turn, but there was some more poor rolls for running. His genestealers roll a 2 for their running, and are unable to assault my warriors.
The Termagauts charge into the back of my scarabs. Between the Termagaunts and the Tervigon, I manage to lose the combat by 3 or 4. I do wound the Tervigon again and 2 of the Termagaunts.

Necrons 3
I move my warriors near the genestealers a bit, the spyders move towards the melee. Destroyers move to make sure that they'll have options after taking on the Carnofex. BIG MISTAKE... I don't move the Overlord on his Catacomb Command barge. I should have positioned him so that he could make a sweep attack the following turn, but I forgot that he was there!
I shoot the Cryptek from the farther unit at the Genestealers (warriors out of range), but he rolls a 1. The nearer unit of warriors mows down all but 4 genestealers. The two groups of destroyers take out the Carnofex.
The spyders charge the Termagaunts. Between the two, they knock out the Tervigon and Termagaunts, but we lose several scarab swarms.
Score 3-0, Necrons

Tyranids 3
He uses the remaining Tervigon to make 12 Termagaunts and moves them towards the Scarabs and Spyders. He moves the genestelers to be able to assault.
He shoots the two units of Termagaunts at my spyders and scarabs. Nothing against the spyders, but I lose a few more of the scarabs. His hive guard shoot my normal destroyers; one gets damaged and doesn't get back up.
He assaults with his genestealers, and I loose most of that unit of warriors. I'm able to take 1 genestealer down, but I fail my leadership test and get sweeping advanced. In the other assault, I loose one of my spyders and a few more scarabs. Note here... he's keeping spyders and the scarabs in separate assaults. I manage to take down a few of the Termagaunts, but loose the combat. Luckily, I save the extra wounds.
Score 3-1, Necrons

Necrons 4
I move my destroyers to try and take advantage of his attention on the melee, and to get clear shots on his remaining Tervigon. I move the Overlord to try to get a sweeping attack, but I can't manage it without landing in difficult terrain. Can't even move in such a way as to get a good shot with the Gauss Cannon. I make one more scarab swarm.
I rapid fire my warriors into his remaining Genestealers. He goes to ground and I only manage to kill 1 (he has 2 left). I manage to take 2 wounds off the Tervigon with my destroyers.
In the assault, my scarabs finish off his original unit of Termagaunts, and damage 1 from his 'new' unit attacking my spyder. He loses another model there because he lost that combat. In the other assault, there isn't much damage on either side.
Score 4-1, Necrons

Tyranids 4
His remaining Tervigon makes 14 Termagaunts, which he sends after my destroyers.
During his shooting, his hive guard shoot at my scarabs, but they make their cover save from the group of Termagaunts being in the way. His Tervigon shoots her large blast template at my unit of warriors, but it drifts off of them... hitting only 2 units and damaging only 1. He doesn't get back up. The Termagaunts shoot at the two units of destroyers, but I save all the damage. He will be able to assault the destroyers.
During the assault phase, he manages to take down my last spyder. He assaults the destroyers, wiping out the normal destroyers and killing one of the heavy destroyers. I lose my leadership roll, but he manages to break away.
Score 4-3, Necrons

Necrons 5
My destroyer continues to move off the board. I move my Scarabs where I can assault his Hive Guard.
I after much deliberation, I decide to finish off his unit of genestealers. Rapid fire goes well, and they are destroyed even though they went to ground again.
I assault the Hive Guard... I deal 1 wound and take 2 unsaved wounds so I loose another base.
Score 5-3, Necrons

Tyranids 5
He keeps the pressure on my last destroyer.
He fires on the destroyer, but I save all the wounds.
He charges my scarabs with the other unit of Termagaunts. I target the Hive Guard, thinking that it's easier to get 3 more wounds on them than to try and get 9 more on the Termagaunts. I get dropped down to 1 base of scarabs.
Score 5-3, Necrons

Luckily for me, there is no turn 6... I win, but just barely.

Aftermath,
I asked M, what my mistakes were. Other than the business of not using the Overlord on the CCBarge, the only thing he said was that I was too conservative with my troops. Keeping the warriors in the back didn't let them help my other units. He mentioned that I handled my scarabs and spyders very well.

I also got just a bit too close to his Tervigon with my destroyers there at the end. Speaking of my destroyers... why did I split them into two groups? I certainly used them as one unit. They might not have gotten swept off the board if I had them as one group.

Also, since I was at the store today, I ordered a CCBarge... so hopefully, I won't forget to use it!


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2011/12/05 20:04:32


Post by: Anpu-adom


Additional notes: Scarabs were great as far as the number of points that they took down. They are easy to get into charge distance, and I didn't loose many wounds to his blasts on the way in. I need about 3 more scarab bases, as I had to borrow some of his objective markers (on 40mm bases) to use as scarabs. They really did take a beating and kept on eating.

HODestro Crypteks didn't shine because of the lack of vehicles in his list. The range on them is really nice for the necrons.

I was unimpressed by the spyders in CC. Maybe they need more attacks, maybe they need a higher weapon skill. Either way, I'm trying to figure out how to use them better, and still be able to support the scarabs.

I was very happy with my destroyers; they ate into his low-armor Monsters. I need to move them about more, not less.

I didn't have too much difficulty estimating distances during the game, something I was worried about. I know that I also lost some distance on my charges, etc because I wasn't consistent with my measuring.





Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2011/12/27 14:36:16


Post by: Anpu-adom


So, I'm planning on joining a Paint and Play Escalation league at my FLGS. That means, that I'll be repainting my necrons in the next several months. I wanted to document what I have done at this point.

Here are my lords. Each has already been repainted once, but they are the metal models and are easy to strip. My early escalation lists call for Crypteks so these will be low on my repaint list. When I do repaint them, the orb lord is going to have his staff of light moved to the more traditional way... it's been bent too many times already :-(


For the cloaks, I tried a homemade wash/dip. It stuck too well, so after I applied it I had to wipe it off with a clean, wet brush. Still, I like the approach.


Here is one group of my warriors. I found a 'peridot' metallic green paint at the craft store, and I used it on the resorb on the lord above and I liked the results. I used the same color on the guns of the warriors, and it doesn't do as well. It clashes with the green on the rods (grrr...). When I repaint them, I'll paint over the rods. I'm not sure about the color scheme (I haven't picked up my codex from the game store yet). In the group shot, you'll see that I have another dozen warriors without the rods inserted.


I do like how I positioned the warriors. It was probably my favorite part of assembly. I like how the one on the left is looking down the barrel, and the one on the right is using the blade on the flayer to hack at something!


Here are my Destroyers. I have 5 and I've been magnetizing like crazy! One has a magnetized head, and I even tried fashioning a warscythe for him (to turn him into a Destroyer Lord). I have flying bases, but I'm not using them yet. I'm not happy how easily they break.

Front view of the destroyer.

I do have scarabs, but they have been primed already. I'll repeat, never try to strip scarabs... they break with any sort of rubbing.



Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2011/12/29 05:30:03


Post by: Anpu-adom


Second game:
So tonight I played another game, this time at 1250. Picked up the codex, and it's very clear that I still have a lot of work to do learning the games.

My opponent, M (again) played a deepstrike Tyranid list
A unit of Termagaunts
A unit of Genestealers
A unit of Warriors
A hive tyrant
A unit of 4 Lictors
A Mawlac (I think)

My list:
Overlord w/warscythe, Mindshackle Scarabs, and a CCBarge
10 Warriors with a Destrucktek
10 Warriors with a Destrucktek
9 Scarabs
2 Spyders
5 Destroyers, 2w/Heavey Gauss Cannons
6 Wraiths, 4w/Whipcoils

We rolled Standard deployment and Command and Control (we each have an objective, anyway...)
Terrain: A large, multi tiered alter to a chaos god dominated the center of the table. Smaller hills in the upper left, lower center, and lower right parts of the board. Two pieces of impassable terrain effectively block off the the upper right corner. A bombed out rhino sits in the lower left.

I won the roll off and chose to deploy and go second.
His objective is in the upper right table quarter, mine in the lower left. His is behind the impassable terrain, mine is in bombed out rhino.

He deployed the Mawlac on his objective, the rest remained in reserve.
I deployed so as to make deep striking near my objective difficult. One unit of warriors in the terrain on my left flank. The other unit of warriors more central. Scarabs and Spyders are in the middle, in front of the central warriors. The wraiths are behind the terrain in the middle right, and the destroyers are also on the right. Finally, the CCBarge is behind the destroyers on the right side.
I roll to steal initiative, but fail.

Tyrnid turn 1
The Mawlac leaves the table.

Necron Turn 1
I make 2 more scarabs, suffering a wound as a result.
I spread out the scarabs so that they take up more space. The CCBarge and the Wraiths move over the alter in the center of the table and try to spread out. Destroyers move towards the Nid objective.

Tyrnid turn 2
The Termagaunts show up in a Spore Pod, right next to my objective. The Lictors show up within 6" of them (something about them not scattering).
The Mawlac shows up right under my scarabs, causing 6 wounds (doubled to 12) and instant deaths my scarabs.
Termagaunts and Lictors shoot up the warriors on my objective. They manage to take out 4 warriors and my destructek... one of the warriors comes back.

Necron Turn 2
My CCBarge moves flat-out. My middle unit of warriors moves towards my objective. Spyders move to allow the destroyers a clear shot on the Mawlac. Wraiths prepare for an assault on the Mawlac.
I shoot the destroyers at the Mawlac, and it loses a wound. The warriors on the objective rapid fire into the Lictors and kills all but 1 of them. He fails his leadership, and runs. I assault into the Mawlac with the Spyders and the Wraiths, and take the Mawlac down to 1 wound (after the fearless). I lose a Wraith. He hits and runs, and makes it. I consolate the Wraiths into the terrain that hold my objective, and the Spyders back farther away from the Termaguant shooting I expect.


Tyranid Turn 3
The rest of his army arrives... the genestealers come in on his objective side, the hive tyrant comes in near my objective, rallies the lone Lictor, and his Warriors come in that side as well.
He moves his Termagaunts to prepare for an assault on my Wraiths. The Lictor readies and assault on my warriors. The Mawlac disappears again.
His Lictor shoot up the warriors, I loose 3 (2 eventually get back up). The Hive Tyrant uses a psycic power to drop my wraiths to WS 1. His Warriors shoot up my second troops squad, and I lose one (he gets back up at the end of the phase).
The Termagaunts assault the wraiths, I loose 1 base and a wound on another. The Lictor assaults the Warriors and misses. The warriors return the favor and finish off the Lictor.

Necron Turn 3
I move the second unit of warriors closer to my objective. I sweep attack the Termagaunts with the CCBarge and take out 2, and disembark the Overlord. I move the spiders and warriors on the objective into charge range on the Termagaunts.
The destroyers once again move towards his objective.
Shooting, I try to shoot the his warriors with my warriors, but they are out of range.
I MS Scarab one of the Gaunts, but he misses. I loose one more of the wraiths. I destroy and break the rest of the Gaunts. I consolidate the Overlord away from the rest of the combat so that he'll be able to embark back on the CCBarge next turn.

Tyranid Turn 4
The Mawlac appears under my destroyers... I lose three (one will get back up), and then it moves away from the Destroyers.
The Hive Tyrant moves to charge my Lord after weakening him with that psycic power (ws = 1) and taking him down to a single wound remaining.
His warriors stand back and shoot at my objective holding warriors.
On his charge with the Hive Tyrant, I MS Scarab him and he does 2 wounds to himself, but the Overlord fails to wound him.

Necron Turn 4
Spyders and wraiths move to attack the Hive Tyrant. The destroyers move so that they can charge the the Mawlac. The CCBarge (without commander) moves to get a shot at the Tyranid Warriors with its tesla cannon. I move my warriors closer to the objective.
My warriors on the objective shoot at the Tyrnid warriors, and get a couple of wounds. My other set of warriors try to shoot his warriors, but they are still out of range. The destroyers blow the Mawlac a few new holes.
On my assault, I knock the Hive Tyrant down a couple more wounds, but he smacks my Overlord. The Overlord does get back up, but is out of the combat so I bring him back near the CCBarge.

Tyranid Turn 5
His warriors move to assault mine on the objective. His genestealers are still hiding out on his objective.
His warriors soften up the warriors on my objective, and then assaults them. I fail leadership on them and they get run down.
In the assault, his Hive Tyrant looses another wound or two before handing a pile of hurt to the wraiths. I only have 1 wraith base left.

Necron Turn 5
The Lord Embarks, and the CCBarge sweep attacks the Tyranid Warriors on my objective, causing 3 wounds. The Destroyers move so that they can fire at the genestealers.
My remaining warriors try to enter the terrain around my objective, but can't quite get there.
The warriors rapid fire into the tyranid warriors, and mows them down. The destroyers take out 2 genestealers.
In the assault, I finish off the Hive Tyrant.

Game ends: I am 1/4 inch short of claiming my objective, and he is on his. I loose.

Reflection:
I made a lot of mistakes this game.
Firstly, I didn't understand the objectives... I should have placed my objective more centrally in my deployment zone. I basically lost this game at deployment.
I played very defensively, again. (In a Sun Tzu sense, I played not to loose, and ended up loosing anyway. He played to tie at worst, and he ended up winning.)
I over-reacted to threats, and as a result I left myself out of position. At the beginning of my turn 2, I seriously over-reacted to the Mawlac. My second group of warriors would have been able to put serious hurt on it if I hadn't moved the CCBarge in the way. The wraiths were not needed there either.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/01/02 05:49:08


Post by: Anpu-adom


I'm working on my army list for the Paint and Play Escalation league. I've made close to 2 dozen lists! It's so refreshing... Necrons used to not be able to field a legal army at 500 points!

Here is the forum post where I dig into what I can bring. http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/419435.page
One thing that all my lists have in common... a reliance on Harbingers. Specifically, a mixture of Harbingers of Destruction and Harbingers of Transmogrification. I've set about building some (I'm going to need 4-5 of each!) and I don't like the finecast model. Besides... who can afford to spend $120-$150 for SERGEANTS!!! I'm using some of the warriors that I have with broken guns and weak arm joints.

Story behind these warriors... I bought them off of ebay, and the previous owner painted on the sprue. That is fine... but he didn't scrape the paint off the arm joints and used superglue. (He also didn't file any of the mold lines... thanks for reminding me that I need to double check!) Needless to say, when I stripped them about half of the arms fell off! The other half, I can loosen the arms with just a little bit of pressure.

Back to the task at hand... I'm generally following this approach. http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/418308.page I'll show pictures before I prime. Tonight, I removed the hands/arms from the rest of the body. I also prepped the torso for reglueing, and drilled a hole through the right hand for a metal rod. Judicious use of the hobby knife trimmed up the hands to that they looked like they are holding something that isn't a rifle.

The first one was kind of hairy... but the second one flew. It's almost like I figured out what I was doing!


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/01/08 03:47:06


Post by: Anpu-adom


Ran out of materials for the Harbinger Cryptek project so I decided to do something that I knew would be useful in the Paint and Play... My Overlord and scarabs.

The Barge Overlord. I magnetized the arms. They ended up being 'pinched' into the body... I don't know how else to put it. Basically, I drilled the ball joint in the wrong place. Oh well, live and learn




I primed gray, and then sprayed a black on top. I drybrushed my dark silver, and you can hardly see it. The black is very glossy, and I'm not very happy with it. In these pictures, I've painted 2 coats of the blue and the gold on top of the dark silver. I'm planning on going back and getting the skin with another drybrushing of the dark silver, and if I'm still not happy with the color, I'll go back with a lighter silver. I'm planning on using orange as an accent color on the cloak, and the 'glow' of the warscythe. I just haven't found the right orange to base things on.

Scarabs

I now have 18 bases of scarabs... I decided to do two as 'wounded' bases since I have an odd number of scarabs anyway. Most of my little guys are 3 to a base (for their 3 wounds) one is 4 (how did that guy get in there?!?!) and I have a 2 scarab and a 1 scarab base.

Once again, after priming I sprayed them black. Drybrushed dark silver, and then I hit the shell with gold and the blue up front. I'll need to go back, and hit the colors at least 1 more time, and I'll hit the lens of the eye with orange and highlights.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/01/12 23:27:49


Post by: Anpu-adom


Inspired by Gitzspitta, I'm making my list of 2011 accomplishments.

Built and Painted (some even stripped)
24 Necron Warriors
2 Necron Lords (painted twice!)
6 Necron Destroyers- magnetized
Converted 2 to heavy destroyers
13 bases of scarabs

Goals for 2012
Complete my CCBarge and Overlord
Touch-ups on the warriors to bring them inline with my new theme (oh, and maybe add another box)
Touch-ups on the scarabs (up to 18 bases)
Convert my Spare Destroyer into a Destroyer Lord (really, I'll use bits from the Barge Overlord)
Convert up and paint some Crypteks
Build or convert and paint 12 Wraiths
Build and paint 2 Ghost Arks
Build and paint 2 Annihilation Barges
Build and Paint at least 1 40k starter box (AOBR or whatever comes with 6th)




Automatically Appended Next Post:
Highlighting on the Overlord's cloak, and color on his headdress.




Not bad for my first attempt mixing paint!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
ps... the arms are magnetized, not broken.

I also did some edge highlighting on the CCBarge. I wanted to wait until daylight to try to take photos of that.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/01/15 11:32:45


Post by: Anpu-adom


I seem to continue to work in the dark... well, at night.
Got a piece of 1/16th brass rod to serve as staffs for my crypteks. I have the crypteks positioned. Unfortunately, the gun arm from the warriors are positioned in such a way as to make him leaning on the staff. Not an issue, really but I was going to GS a cloak that went around his shoulders. Now there isn't really enough room between his shoulder pad and the staff to fit the sheet of GS. The left arm of the cryptek won't reach the staff either, so I'll have to figure out something for him to hold with that hand.

I've also touched up a box of warriors so that their colors match my overlord's. Really, it went pretty quick. Blue on the shoulder pads. Blue on the chest symbol. The run of the mill guys do not get the gold (except the scarabs... hmm...what IS up with that?) I've been messing with the gun on some of the warriors too. I've finally picked up an orange that I like. I basecoated the rod black, and then I'm applying that red-orange to replace the green. I'll go back, and blend some of the lighter orange I got too. I'm hoping that it'll look nice.

I doubt these guys will make it into my paint and play, but I wanted to update the destroyers while I was at it. I had already painted one shoulder pad of two destroyers gold to symbolize their higher rank... I'm now making those guys my heavy destroyers (the guns are magnetized). Painted their chest symbol and shoulders blue. I also whittled down my #6 destroyer, took off his arm and chest. The arm I used to finish one with a broken arm. The base is going to be used for a Destroyer Lord. When I get another CCbarge/Annibarge I'll use the body of that Lord to finish it. I want to try to bend the plastic of the cloak to make it look like it is whipped back behind him.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/01/18 17:24:17


Post by: Anpu-adom


Played a pick-up Game at my FLGS with one of the staff, MK.

Caveat... both of us are green. He's been learning from someone who's been absent from the game since 2nd edition, and so we spent a lot of time looking up rules. No one else at the store to ask until turn 4. I'm actually hesitant to post this because I know how many rules we got wrong.

Lists
MK was playing BT - his is beautifully painted.
Emperor's Champion, fairly tricked out with wargear... I don't remember anything other than a plasma pistol.
1 squad of Tac Marines (10) with a melta and multi-melta. The Sarge had a sword of some kind, and a rhino
1 unit of assault Marines
Looking back, I don't know if his list is legal. I assumed at the time that the 10 tac marines were actually 2 squads that just jumped into the same rhino. He did take crazy amounts of wargear.

My list is Necrons
Overlord w/scythe and CCbarge
5 warriors w/destrucktek
5 warriors w/destrucktek
8 scarabs

Game set-up
Annihilation with Pitched Battle. We didn't roll, we just chose the simplest deployment and game type. There was a building in every table 6th.

Deployment
He won first turn. He deployed in the upper right corner. Rhino and EC behind the left corner of the building. The assault marines behind the right corner.
I split my groups up more. A group of warriors were in the lower right quarter, on the right side of the building. The scarabs were also in the same building on the left side of it. In the middle of my side was a larger building, and the CCbarge was behind one edge of it. The final group of warriors were on the left, peaking out.

BT 1
Assault guys jump in front of the building. His rhino rolls out into the open, and the EC runs to catch up. He's out of range for shooting. He doesn't run anything... my turn.

Necron 1
I move my CCBarge so that I can get a sweep attack the next turn. No other movement.
I shoot my warriors at his assault guys. He makes his cover saves. The other group of warriors are out of range of the jump guys, but the cryptek shoots his Eldrich Lance.

BT2
He moves his rhino 12" and piles the marines out. The EC runs to catchup. His assault guys... do nothing.
He shoots the multimelta, melta gun, and a plasma pistol at the CCBarge... luckily I make my saves.
He piles in to assault the CCBarge, but all of his weapons that would damage me miss.

Necron 2
I move the CCBarge and Sweep attack the marines to no effect. I move the scarabs out of cover and run them. My warrior groups don't see a need to move.
The warrior groups repeat their shooting of the last turn. I manage to kill one of the assault marines.
The scarabs assault the marines, taking down one of them and losing 1 wound. Push combat.

BT3
His assault marines.... do nothing.
No shooting
In the assault, he takes another loss and I take 2 wounds, but I save my fearless wounds.

Necron 3
I'm basically content with where things stand... the warriors are good where they are. The assault is slowly going my way. I hold the CCbarge back, waiting to see what happens.
Shooting the assault marines, I take out 1 more, dropping them to 3 models.
In the assault, I take 3 wounds, but roll 6's for my armor saves. He loses 2 models that turn.
BT concedes.

Conclusion: I'm still fairly reliant on my opponent knowing detailed rulings, but I'm confident in the basics of movement, shooting, and assaulting. Most of the rules that I needed to look up were to prove that I was doing things right. Only playing 'Nids up until this point, I did need to look up the rules for combat against a vehicle.

With the barge, I underestimated how far he'd be able to move the rhino. He wasn't in range to ram my CCBarge, but I'm fairly sure that his unit couldn't bail out of the rhino if it traveled 12". Place that in the "Should have looked it up" category. I really wanted to wreck his rhino, but without any weapons on it, it just wasn't a threat after he disembarked. The scarabs could have multi-assaulted and wrecked it, but once again... it wasn't a threat the way he played things.

I perhaps should have used the cryptek to shoot the rhino during turn 1... that could have made things turn out very differently.

Overall, it was a bit of a frustrating game, but it think it was a learning experience for both of us. It just reinforced why I am in the league and why I'm blogging this experience.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/01/29 19:55:26


Post by: helium42


Really good read Anpu-adom. Being a newer player myself, and a new necron player, its nice to read about another player coming to terms with this army. I'll be checking in from time to time to see how your army and battles are shaping up.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/01/29 22:41:50


Post by: Anpu-adom


@helium42- I appreciate the feedback.
My league started in earnest last weekend, but the weather didn't let me get my games in. Heading to the store tomorrow night, and I hope I'll get a game or two in.

Are the battle reports clear? I know that they typically benefit from pictures, but I haven't figured out how to take good pictures of the battlefield, yet.



Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/01/31 21:46:17


Post by: Anpu-adom


I got in my first 500 point league game last night. Got pictures of all the stages this time, and I'll post them after the kids go to bed tonight.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/02/01 18:20:45


Post by: Anpu-adom


Played my first league game with one of the store owners, J.

Lists
J was playing a foot slogging IG list. I'm very foggy on the details, but here is the highlights.
Company commander with 4 support guys.
2 lieutenants with 4 support guys each. I know one group has grenade launchers.
2 big 20 blobs of infantry. There are 2 grenade launchers in one group.
2 Autocannon squads.

My list is Necrons
Overlord w/scythe and CCbarge
5 warriors w/destrucktek
5 warriors w/destrucktek
8 scarabs

Pregame
I'm in trouble. I'm outnumbered 65:22. He's got 7 kill points, but I only have 5. My army is largely based on dealing with opposing armor, but he don't have ANY! Like I said, I think I'm in trouble.

Game set-up
Annihilation with Dawn of War.

Deployment

I won the roll and decided to deploy first.
The first squad of warriors hide in the building in the middle of my table edge. The second squad takes up residence behind the building in the lower left. The Lord on his Barge is behind the big building in the center. Scarabs are waiting to run on.

J deployed his autocannon squads first. One in the building on the left, and the other in some trees mid-table. The command squad with grenade launchers are looking to move into the statue park at the first opportunity. One large squad is looking to find shelter inside the large building mid-field. The other squad is on the left side of the building. The Command squad and lieutenant squad are behind.
He attempts to steal initiative, but does not.

Necron 1

I move the left warrior squad into the building, because they can't get any shooting in.
The CCBarge tries to take a pot shot at the large squad... but can't see.
Scarabs come on, and run to the left... and get a 1".
The squad in the building mid-field attempt to take a pot shot at the grenade toting squad behind the statues. But can't see.

IG 1

He lets me see the power of the orders system. He uses 'Move, move, move" on several squads, getting them into the statues and into the large, center building. I also uses, "Bring it Down" with one of the autocannon squads, and manages to stun the CCBarge (living metal takes that away when I remember...) The grenade squad catches my warriors in the open, they can see, and I think I loose 2 warriors. His other squad does a number on the scarabs with shooting and grenade launchers.


Necron 2

Warriors on the left move through the building (1/2 in for cover) so that they can shoot the blob on the left. Scarabs move up as well. CCBarge moves 12 and the Lord disembarks. The warriors in the building midfield move up and try to get into the big building.
CCBarge shoots into the blob on the left, and kills 1. The cryptek on the left shoots into the same blob, and kills 1. The other cryptek shoots at the grenade squad and misses. The scarabs run and get a 2.
Overlord assaults the Commander and his squad, he saves his wounds and the lord takes 1 model out. The scarabs are 1/4 inch out of assault with the large blob on the left.


IG 2
Lieutenent squad moves to assault my Overlord. His other blob moves farther into the building midfield. He left blob moves up to shoot the scarabs.
The grenaders take another warrior down midfield. Scarabs take some damage from the blob. Autocannons (on orders) remove the gauss cannon from the bottom on the CCBarge on a glancing hit.
In the assault, the overlord takes a wound, but takes out 2 IG... they stick around.

Necron 3
My mid-field warriors move into the building with the IG blob. My scarabs move and run to within 1 inch of his other blob. The other warriors move so that they are 1/2 in cover on the left. The CCbarge jinks around but basically stays in the same place.
My warrior squad gets to shoot with the IG in the building... he loses 1. My other warrior squad is able to shoot his left blob... they take a few down. The scarabs assault into the IGblob... I lose combat by 2, but I make the saves and get surrounded. The Overlord loses a wound (down to 1), and damages in the Commander's squad. Both groups stick around.


IG 3
His blob in the center moves farther into the building. Shoots my warriors (I loose 1, so I'm down to 2 and the cryptek) and assaults.
The Lord makes his saves, and returns the favor by taking out a few of the IG. The scarabs are further depleted. He takes some shots at the CCBarge, but they fail to glance or penetrate. I don't manage to kill a guard in the building, but I do manage to make my saves.


Necron 4
I move the warriors on my left closer to the combat, and they will be able to assault this turn. The CCBarge moves around the building, so at least 1 squad of autocannons can't see it. The warriors on my left move out of their cover to help the scarabs in combat. They assault, where I loose two warriors and he looses 2 IG. Here is the aftermath (but before pile-in).

In the Command squad combat, the Overlord sends the Lieutenent's squad running away with 2 models. The commander sticks around for more fun.
The combat in the building is slowly turning against me. I take out 1 IG, but lose a warrior to do it.

IG 4
The Combat with the scarabs and warriors continues to be difficult, and I lose a warrior and two scarab bases. The overlord manages to kill the remaining 2 grunts in the commander's squad, but he sticks around for more pain. The combat in the building continues, but it is clear I can't win. I lose another warrior and fail to make his save.

Necron 5
My Overlord kills the Company commander, but consolidates 3". He's in the open, and in complete view of the autocannon crews. I lose 1 more scarab base in the cc war of attrition. The combat in the building fails utterly... the unit is nearly wiped out and I fail my leadership. I manage to get away, but the cryptek decides to stop running in the open field.


IG 5
He moves is grenade squad from the statues towards my running cryptek. They shoot and kill him. The lord is riddled with autocannon shots and goes down. The Overlord is the only one to get up all game!
I lose my last scarab, and I'm down to a warrior and a cryptek against 5 IG on the left.

Roll to see if the game ends, and it does.
I've lost 2 units, the scarabs and one warrior squad. He's lost his Command squad and Lieutenant squad. It's a tie.

Reflection:
Mistake #1... I should have made him deploy first. I am beginning to thing that Necrons need to win at deployment, and it's hard to do that unless you know where your opponent is. I also deploy my units in cover on turn #1 instead of where they can get to cover by the end of the turn. I'm not sure if I'm scared of having the initiative stolen or what...
Mistake #2... Well... my list. It needs more bodies. My 750 list is going to need to address this problem. There are a lot of armies in this league that will just be able to swarm me... template blast, and tesla weapons need to make an appearance as well. As a side note here, I think that warriors suck with just 5 in a unit. They are better at 10, and I want to play with 20 in a unit sometime soon. There may be a necron horde army on my table top sometime in the future.


Good points, assaulting the Company Commander early neutralized his ability to issue orders. That was a big help. I played aggressively, unlike my previous games.





Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/02/13 03:41:51


Post by: Anpu-adom


I got a couple more league games in, both against necron players! Forgot the camera, so I won't do detailed battle reports.

My first match against T was an interesting challenge. His list was simple... 2x 12 warrior squads and a tricked out Overlord. The mission was kill points, and he only had 3 (compared to my 5). I just couldn't deal with his squads. At one point, I cut one squad in half, only to have them make their leadership and bring most of them back. I ended up loosing.

My second match is better. His list is all msu... 3x5 units of warriors, a 5 man tesla immortal squad (with overlord), and an annihilation barge. The scarabs were the MPV's of this game. They ended up eating 2 units of warriors and the annihilation barge (charging through a wall to get it. My scarabs ate the barge down to AV1 before blowing it up.
Everliving on a cryptek allowed me to deny him 1 kill point, while I claimed 4.

Lessons learned:
MSU Necrons suck unless that MSU is immortals.
Scarabs can eat warriors... they just need to make sure that there aren't any power weapons in the unit that they are attacking.
Adding Phaeron to a large group of warriors is stupid powerful.
Annhiliation barge is also stupid powerful... he just got it too close to the scarabs.
Scarabs are good, but they aren't as scary as people seem to think that they are.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/02/13 08:49:45


Post by: Swordwind


Liking those necrons. Maybe a bit more gold on the warriors would make them pop from the average necron army.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/02/13 12:51:45


Post by: Anpu-adom


Thanks for the comment, Swordwind! My general idea is to use the gold to designate rank (but then again, I threw gold on the scarabs). I'll think on it.

I need to do more modeling/painting. They are going on dessert/sand bases. I've learned one thing though... you have to spread out the PVA (white) glue with a brush. If you don't, you'll get something that looks like it came out of a litterbox!

My test- carbines didn't turn out at all. If they had been primed when I primed the rest of the model, then maybe they would look better. Instead, it's a pretty sad little stick (I'll show some pictures). I'm going to get a green that matches the rod better and use that on the gauss weapons from here on out. The orange will be my tesla/power source color. If the orange and green are used sparingly like that, then they don't clash.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/02/16 04:55:20


Post by: Anpu-adom


Ok, a few looks at what I've done so far.

Here's my CCBarge.




Here are some of my warriors. The green rods are out, because I plan on sealing them. I now have 22 warriors. A few of them still need basing, but the painting is finished!




A look at the Destroyers. These too will get their green rods. I painted the tubing.


I just have some basing left to do on my scarabs. I have 16 bases (and the wound markers). Since my last picture, I've added the glowing 'eye', and started on the bases.




Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/02/26 04:22:39


Post by: Anpu-adom


It's been a couple weeks since I've gotten a game in. :-( I've sealed the warriors and a few of the scarabs. It'll almost be time to get the rods into place! Yippee!

Looking forward to the 750 list, I picked up a box of warriors and a box of immortals. I'm going to attempt to make Deathmarks out of some of the warriors. I'm also going to try and magnetize the Immortals. I'll let you see the progress.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/02/29 03:43:25


Post by: Anpu-adom


Well, the weather has been ugly here in the upper-midwest and I've been stuck inside with a box of warriors and a box of Immortals. I've been a busy boy.
Here are my Crypteks.

I took a basic warrior (who had a broken gun, btw), and cut the gun off. I drilled through his hand and ran the brass rod through. The other hand, I cut the hand off the gun. I was originally going to position him holding the staff with both hands, but that wasn't going to work with the arm positions.

As one of the guys at my FLGS said, "Is he flipping someone the bird?!?" Um... no. I started this conversion quite a while ago, but it wasn't until today that I had the inspiration to finish the staff. I had extra Gauss blasters from my Immortals (see later) and saw what I needed. I dug out the BB's (I use them as agitators in my paint bottles, work great btw!) and super glued them in. Drilled a small hole to help mount the blaster blade. Instant Cryptek!


I knew that I wanted both Immortals and a set of Deathmarks. I started on the Deathmarks first. I took warrior bodies (more upright than I normally do) and attached the Deathmark head. I mounted the gun as well. The torso of the Deathmark/Immortal is wider than the warrior torso. As a result, the shoulder joints don't fit nicely into the warrior's sockets. I did what I could to adjust for this... I glued the gun and arms (attempting to make the gap between the shoulder joints as small as possible while keeping a nice joint at the wrist. I let that set overnight. Finally, I glued the gun to the rest of the body. While it set, I pinched things in as much as I dared... even still there is a noticeable gap. I also experiences with re-positioning the legs with minimal success.

Finally, here are my tesla immortals.

I did magnetize my test model. It is definately possible to magnetize an Immortal so that you can switch between the Tesla and the gauss weapons. By my count, it requires 6 magnets for an ok fit, and 9 if you want to do it right. I just didn't have the patience (or the 1/16th magnets) to do it right this time. (If you are curious, you need magnets for the wrist, shoulder, and hose for the body and each of the guns).

I did buy some Cryptek conversions based on Lychguard from ebay. I really like the staff bit, but I'd rather they be on warrior bodies. If I can't get in to work tomorrow and prime the models I finished tonight, I may well piece out those conversions and make them on warrior bodies.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Wow! Nothing like viewing stuff in High Res to make you remember that you didn't scrap of the mold lines and you need to fill the shoulderpads on those Immortals. Add that to the list for tomorrow if the weather continues to be bad, and remove them from the prime list if I can get into work. Oh, I've converted a fume hood in my lab into a paint hood! It works great, expecially here in the Dakotas when it's either too cold to paint or too windy! Science for the win!


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/03/11 03:11:02


Post by: Anpu-adom


It was a league day, and my first 500 points was graded, and I played 2 games at 750. Deployment of the day is Spearhead with Conquer and Control, and we are playing on a table with a lot of area terrain (forests) spread throughout.

Necron Overlord, w/warscythe, MSS, and CCBarge
2 Destructeks, 1 w/Solar Pulse
1 Despairtek, w/veil of Darkness
5 warriors
5 warriors
5 Deathmarks
6 Scarabs
6 Scarabs

My first opponent was a very nicely painted Blood Angels successor chapter, Flesh Tearer's army.
I'm not sure how his chaplain was kitted out.
Furiosio Dreadnought with Heavy Flamer and PF/Flamer in a Drop Pod
Baal Predator w/heavy Bolter Sponsons and something twin-linked on top
2 units of Assault Marines... I think they were 7 each. They had flamers

He rolled and chose to deploy first; placing his objective in the upper right corner, right near some wonderfully impassible terrain.
My table quarter is relatively sparse on terrain, so I am forced to deploy my objective more forward than I care to. He keeps the Dreadnought and 1 squad of assault marines in reserve. The predator is more central in his deployment zone with the other squad of jump marines taking cover behind it.
I deploy forward in my table quarter both warrior squads and their crypteks are camping my objective. The CCBarge is forward, but behind enough terrain that it has cover. One unit of scarabs are terrain, hoping to be knocking on the predator on turn 2. I'm braver with the other squad, and they are hugging the very limits of my deployment zone, in open terrain.
I roll to steal initiative, but fail.

BA 1
I pop the solar pulse. The Dreadnought drops near my objective... luckily it scatters away and outside of flamer range. The predator rolls forward a bit and takes a shot at the CCBarge but it can't see. During shooting, the Dreadnought takes out the brave unit of scarabs (I really hate flamers!!!)

Necron 1
The CCBarge goes flat-out and sweep-attacks the Dreadnought. It can't shoot next turn. The crypteks shoot at the Dread too, and it looses the Powerfist. Warriors hold tight otherwise. My remaining scarabs scuttle forward into cover.

BA 2
His assault marines arrive right in front of my objective, eep! I deploy the Deathmarks near his objective, and I target his librarian with Hunters from Hyperspace. Unable to shoot, the Dread moves so that it can assault the CCbarge. The Librarian breaks off, and the assault squad closes in on my deathmarks.
In shooting, he takes down 3 of the Deathmarks... they fail their leadership and run (but not far enough). His librarian Blood Lances the CCBarge but misses. His predator main gun fires at the CCBarge, but it fails to do anything. At my objective, I loose 2 warriors in 1 unit and 1 in the other to the flamers and bolt pistols. In assault, his assault squad whiffs on my deathmarks and I whiff in return.

Necron 2
The CCBarge sweep attacks the predator and immobilizes it. My scarabs move and run to assault his chaplain. My warriors hold tight, ready to shoot his incoming assault marines.
In shooting, the two groups of warriors drop 2 of his marines. The scarabs absolutely eat his chaplain in the assault, and the deathmarks loose combat and get sweeping advanced. He consolidates that unit closer to my CCBarge.

BA 3
The Dreadnought moves so that it can bring its flamers to bear on my scarabs (have I mentioned that I hate flamers?). The dread toasts the scarabs... and I lose all of them. The predator turns its turret to fire at the CCBarge and misses. The assault squad near my objective fires on my warriors... I make all of my saves, just in time to be wiped out in assault (the cryptek stands back up). The other squad moves and assaults the CCBarge (and whiffs).

Necron 3
The CCB finishes off the predator and wrecks it. Shooting brings down 1 more assault marine near my objective. The lone Cryptek charges into the assault marines... trying to buy the other squad 1 more turn of shooting... and it fails horribly. It doesn't come back.

BA 4
The assault marines finally assault my last unit of warriors, and wipes them out in a single round. I concede.

Lessons... Reactive deepstriking sucks... really. Deathmarks didn't even have a chance this game. Other than that, I also forgot to consolidate my scarabs after taking out the libby... I might have been able to get out of flamer range.
I'll add the other game sometime when I'm not exhausted.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Game 2

I played against a IG player. We've faced off before (at 500 points).

His list:
Basic IG command squad
2 Lieutenant squads
A combined squad
A squad in each of 2 chimera's
2 lascannon squads
1 heavy bolter squad

We played one the same table as game 1. I replaced the crystals with an area of trees and a small hill.
He deploys first, and places his objective behind the trees in the upper left table quarter. I place mine behind the trees in the lower right quarter. He's deploying to maximize his shooting lanes. The heavy bolter squad goes left of his objective with a lascannon squad nearby is a lieutenant. The command squad is on the objective and behind the trees. His combined squad is in those same trees. On the right side of the trees is a lascannon squad and lieutenant. The chimeras are taking advantage of the open area in the middle of the board.
I deploy my CCBarge behind a hill. I'll be trying to flank with it. I know that he doesn't have any ranged template weapons so I'm pretty brave with my two units of scarabs. The warrior squads, I keep together and place them in the terrain on my objective.
I roll to seize the initiative and I GET IT!

Necron 1
I turboboost the CCBarge behind another hill. The scarabs move forward and run. Each of the crypteks has a shot at one of his Chimeras (the one I'm not sure if my scarabs will be able to assault) and I manage to stun the crew. I run the scarabs and I'm able to get in charge range of both! I completely surround 1, and I am able to get 2 bases on the one that is stunned. They both get wrecked on Entropic Strikes... no explosions (he was hoping for an explosion or two). I've created two nice pieces of sight blocking terrain.

IG1
He attempts to flame each group, but I make my saves. He multiassaults the scarabs with the combined unit and one of the chimera crews. He does some ineffective shooting on my CCBarge. Over the next 2 rounds, he slowly eats away at my scarabs. His heavy bolters on the right fire into my warriors, but I make the saves.

Necron 2
My deathmarks come in. I bullseye them right behind the Command squad. My CCBarge moves up and in range of a lieutenant squad, the Overlord disembarks and the gauss cannon whiffs. Between the rapid-fire and the template, my deathmarks wipe out his Command squad. The overlord MSS one of his guys, who whiffs his attacks and the Overlord takes his head off for his trouble. The rest of the squad whiffs their attacks. His combined squad finishes off one unit of scarabs. The other unit continues to be slowly destroyed.

IG 2
One chimera squad attempts to move back into the trees near his objective, but they only roll a 1. He moves his backline so that they can get a shot at the deathmarks this turn. He shoots at the CCBarge (lord is now off of it) but fails to get through the shields. His back line units destroy the Deathmarks, and the cryptek doesn't get back up. My scarabs get further reduced. The lord takes a wound, kills another guardsman in CC, and forces them to run off the table.

Necron 3
The Lord Embarks on the CCBarge, shooting with the CCBarge also takes out 1 from a lascannon squad. The last group of scarabs loses combat and dies.

IG 3
One chimera squad makes it into the trees. The other squad advances and runs into the open. His combined squad also advances (and runs) across the middle of the board. He has heavy bolters soften up my warriors.

Necron 4
The CCBarge sweepattacks the lascannon squad and kills 3! The Overlord disembarks Shooting from the CCBarge takes out 1 more. The warriors take some shots at the incoming IG and take out 2 or 3 after coversaves. The Overlord charges and kills the remaining member of the lascannon squad.

IG 4
His combined squad and chimera squad advance and shoot, making 1 unit of my warriors run off the table. His shots on my lord fail to wound.

Necron 5
I embark the lord and make sweep attacks against the unit in the woods and shooting, and I make them run. I end up in difficult terrain, but I make my terrain test just fine. More shooting from the warriors and I take out a few more marines.

IG 5
He continues to advance. He has nothing that can damage the CCBarge, so it has come down to him blasting away at my last squad of warriors. He knocks down all but the cryptek, and one warrior gets back up. We roll to see if the game ends, and I end up winning! Yippee!

Lessons:
The CCBarge is surprisingly durable against small arms fire. Scarabs are great at taking out armor (duh) but suck at taking down infantry. Though, they make great tarpits.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/03/17 03:12:53


Post by: Anpu-adom


Here is one of my metal Lords, updated with the color scheme.



Here are some pictures of my first batch of converted crypteks. Once again, they are warrior bodies. I cut off the gauss flayer, drilled the right hand for the brass rod, and built the staff out of some BB's, the brass rod, and bits from the Immortal Tesla gun. They sort of look like halbards, and I like it.




Here are the second set of crypteks I built. They are built mostly the same way as the first, but I use the other barrel of the Immortal gun on the bottom and the left hand of the immortal. I love what's in the left hand... it looks like the hilt of a lightsaber (or I'm just that much of a StarWars geek). Can anyone help me identify the top of the staff?!?! I bought some crypteks off of ebay, and I didn't like them being on the bigger body. I salvaged the top bit, and I wish I knew what it was...



Here is where I need some help. I'm struggling with a paint scheme for the deathmarks. I like using the red for the disruptor, but I'm not getting the 'stealth' feeling right. Any insight would be welcome.


If you are wondering, yet those are Deathmark arms, weapon and head on a warrior body.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/03/17 03:21:56


Post by: Swordwind


The staff point looks very Eldar-ish. Probably from one of those sets.

Liking the crypteks, good conversions so far.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/03/17 03:28:38


Post by: LoneLictor


Agreed, the crypteks are finely built.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/03/17 14:21:57


Post by: Anpu-adom


Thanks for the support guys! This latest batch of pictures I ran through an image editing software. Basically, I cropped and rotated the images.
It's very humbling to see your work magnified something like 50 times!

Here's a view of the front of the Deathmark. Still not sure what I need to do on the colors.



Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/03/23 04:16:14


Post by: Anpu-adom


I've taken a bit of a break from the hobby side of things (mostly because I cleaned up and put away my gear last weekend, and I just got it out again tonight).

I don't have any objectives yet, so I put together a warrior who's had a very bad day. It started a while ago, actually. I keep pieces in little plastic bowls. Well, it seems that the little one things that anything in a bowl is food. Yep... his legs were already mauled by an 18-month old so I figured that he'll just keep on fighting.

As for the Deathmarks... The do decidedly need something, so I'm planning on experimenting with green-stuff cloaks.

I also ordered a Battle Force... that should be here next week. Looking forward to making more Tesla Immortals and Deathmarks from that.

As far as the next 250 points... I'm going to add some Tesla Immortals (for sure) and probably an Orb Lord to go with them. I will also pump up the warrior squads a bit (I have 20 warriors finished... might as well use some!)


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/03/27 07:20:52


Post by: Dr. Temujin


Nice to see you working so diligently on your stuff, Anpu! I admit, I have yet to read the battle-reports and went straight to the hobby side of things (I will get to them later). To answer your question, the bit on the Cryptek staff is from Dark Eldar Scourge guns. I looked it up myself, will probably be using that same bit for some of mine.
I'm not quite sure if your basic color scheme is anywhere similar to mine, as I tried to directly mix metal and black colors into a black metallic-ish color with some graphite shading (pencil). Still, what you have looks pretty good, especially the Overlord.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/03/27 11:24:42


Post by: Anpu-adom


Thanks for dropping in, Dr. Temujin! And thanks for the info on the bit. That's had me scratching my head as how to even start. Swap the blue I have for the red, and our armies would match fairly well! Your's are a bit darker, but I would love to run a doubles tourney with you.

My battleforce isn't here yet, and the greenstuff is on order. It'll probably arrive today. I was at me FLGS, and I'd just walked past it too many times... I bought a Lychguard/Praetorian box. I'm looking at magnetizing the arms. To me, if you magnetized the shoulder joints you'll be able to swap between the warscythe and the sword/board version.

There will be a lot of construction in my near future.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/03/30 12:13:14


Post by: Anpu-adom


Quick update: Battleforce came, and I'm up to my eyebrows with sprues. I figure that this puts me at a 2k army WITHOUT WARGEAR.

The magnetizing of the lychguard is going alright. It's difficult to get the staff arms positioned correctly without gluing the shoulder joint. One in particular never looks right (I've seen this guy in pictures... even the 'Eavy Metal team can't get him to look right).

I'll have a lot of time over Easter to work... but I promise pictures before then (maybe tonight).


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/03/30 12:29:12


Post by: PapaPiggy


Great job. I love all the battle reports you have going. The necrons look a little heavy with sliver. Could just be the pictures. Either way i love the color scheme. Good job and keep it up.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/03/30 13:48:46


Post by: Anpu-adom


PapaPiggy wrote:Great job. I love all the battle reports you have going. The necrons look a little heavy with sliver. Could just be the pictures. Either way i love the color scheme. Good job and keep it up.


Thanks for the feedback! A couple of questions for you, what do you like about how I do battle reports? What do you think I could do better?


WOW! I made it to page 2! I promise pictures of my recent work.

Just realized yesterday that I'd been forgetting to wash the mold release off some of my recent kits. That includes my Deathmarks, tesla immortals and some of the crypteks that I've painted. Oh well... the primer isn't seeming to have a problem with them. Promising myself to do better in that area to. Tonight may just be a washing kinda night.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/04/03 02:52:24


Post by: Anpu-adom


Ok, here's an inventory of what I need to prime in the next few days.
5 Tesla Immortals - normal
5 Deathmark/Warrior conversions
7 Lychguard, 3 w/magnetized arms, 2 sword and board, 2 warscythes
1 objective


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/04/03 12:49:27


Post by: Icycold300


Hey, I suggest getting 2 pots of Badab Black (Citadel Wash) and using it. Heavily. Washes are like liquid talent. Try it and watch your models improve alot! But even without washes, for just starting, you already paint better then me XD


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/04/04 04:03:45


Post by: Anpu-adom


I haven't been doing washes yet, true. That may be the next technique that I tackle.

Here's the objective my daughter helped me with... those are authentic toddler teethmarks on the legs.


Since I don't think that Necrons are the 'rescue the fallen comrade' type of people... I'm thinking about adding something for him to be guarding. Ultimately, I want to have a few more themed objectives. A few that I've thought of so far include a large C'tan shard and a Necron reliquary. If it'll fit on a 40mm base, I'm thinking of turning the Celestial Hurricanum top piece from the new Empire kit into a piece of that celestial observatory from in the Codex.

Here's a shot of what I have ready to prime. I've been a busy guy in the last few days.


I will tell you this... I'm hating the shoulder plates on the new necron models. They never fit without leaving a seam. I have figured out that you can fill it in with liquid green stuff, and then buff them out. Problem is that the liquid greenstuff needs to cure for at least 1 hour.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/04/05 22:06:23


Post by: Anpu-adom


Here we have a test for the Immortal color scheme. I wanted it to be very similar to the warriors scheme, but with a little more.




Not finished yet... I really need to figure out the orange for the Tesla. This already has 2 coats on it. It seems too thick, but it doesn't cover well at all. I've watered it down some... I may end up switching to a different brand of paints for this color.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/04/15 03:34:51


Post by: Anpu-adom


So a few more battle reports @750 points

All games are spearhead deployment for kill points.

Pre-game
I'm concerned about this game against chaos space marines. He has termies and their stinking 2+ armor. He has only 5 kill points to my 7... and to be honest, my small squads struggle against marine type shooting and assaulting (see the game against BA last month!).
He had a chaos lord in terminator armor, and a group of 5 terminators. In addition, he had a large group of chaos space marines and a group of 7 khorn berserkers riding in a rhino.

Deployment:
I won the roll-off, but I gave him first deployment. The center of the board is open except for some hedges. There are a variety of hills and large trees spread about. He deployed forward in his table quarter, the rhino in the middle of the short edge. The terminators with lord in the middle, and the csm on the long edge of his deployment zone. I deployed my scarabs forward, the Overlord w/CCBarge behind some cover on the short side of my deployment zone (Lower middle). The warriors on either side of the hill in the center of my deployment zone. Deathmarks are off the table, of course.
The goal is to get a few kill points early in the game, and then run away.
I roll to steal initiative, and I win it.

Necron 1:
I move the scarabs forward, losing a few inches going around the hedges. The CCBarge turbo-boosts across my deployment zone. I run the scarabs a lousy 2 inches, and firing from my crypteks take down one of the terminators (yippee!) In the assault, my scarabs end up about 1/4th of an inch short on assaulting the rhino. (Yikes!!!)

CSM 1: He disembarks the Berserkers. She starts a sweep maneuver with his CSM, moving them on top of a hill on the lower left of the table... moving towards my lines. He doesn't move his termies. In assault, the Berserkers rip into the scarabs... but the scarabs manage to hold out. I forget to have them take fearless wounds.

Necron 2: Deathmarks don't come in. I move my second unit of scarabs behind cover as a screening unit for the rest of my army. The CCBarge continues to move, ending up with the rhino between it and any of my opponents shooting. The warriors scuffle around to get a little better shooting for the future turns. The Crypteks miss on the termies. My scarabs hold out a little longer (once again, I forget to have them take fearless wounds... the would have fallen much faster had I remembered).

CSM 2: He moves his Termies a little more forward. He continues on with his sweep of the hill with his CSM's. The rhino turns to fire at the CCBarge, but I remind him that it is AV13 and he can't damage it with his bolters. Scarabs hang on.

Necron 3: Marking his CSM, the Deathmarks come in behind his ranks and scatter a very short way. I sweep attack the rhino and.... shake the crew. More ineffective cryptek shooting (actually some of the warriors are able to join in on the bouncing of shots off the termie armor), and his berzerkers eat more scarabs. The deathmarks and VODtek take out all but 5 of his CSMs.

CSM 3: He turns the Termies to shoot at the CCBarge. He moves the CSM off the hill to try and assault the CCBarge as well. He finishes off the scarabs.

Necron 4: The CCbarge sweep attacks the Termies and manages to put wound on his Chaos Lord. I move the deathmarks to make better use of the VODtek's flamer template. More ineffective cryptek shooting. I don't get the CCBarge far enough away from Termies! The VODtek finishes off the CSM's. 1 more termie goes down to shooting from afar.

CSM 4: Realizing the the rhino is his easiest kill point, he moves it away... The berzerkers line up to charge the deathmarks, and the termies move in to assault the CCbarge. I loose 1 deathmark to CSM shooting. He assaults the CCBarge with 2 termies w/powerfists, 1 with normal, and 1 the Lord with Lightning claws. He hits twice, but somehow doesn't do damage (later he claims that he wasn't doubling the strength due to the powerfists... I don't remember). The berzerkers run 2 inches (ah ha! it goes both ways!)

Necron 5: We are now tied on Killpoints and I'm able to save my Deathmarks, I deepstrike them into an open space on the upper right corner of the board. The CCBarge also hightailes it away from the Termies (with an ineffective sweep attack on the way out). I move the scarabs farther away from the termies in case he has the idea of assaulting them. I don't know how long it would take him to take out the scarabs, but I guessed that it would be quick enough to give him a kill point. One cryptek is able to shoot the rhino, and shake the crew. The deathmarks try shooting the rhino, but don't manage to do anything.

CSM 5: He doesn't have anything to shoot at... he doesn't have anything to assault... he runs the termies and berzerkers towards my warriors. Will the game end before he gets here???

THE GAME GOES ON

Necron 6: I see the rhino as my way to victory. I continue to move away from his infantry. Sweep attacks manage to keep the crew stunned. Deathmarks don't add anything, and the Cryptek misses.

CSM 6: He runs the termies and berzerkers...

AND THE GAME GOES ON

Necron 7: I sweep the rhino again... I hit 3 times... and roll 1's and 2's on the vehicle damage chart! Deathmarks don't add anything either. Shooting from the crypteks and the few warriors that can add reach don't add anything either.

CSM 7: He is short of assault range... game ends with a tie.



Reflections:
I forgot to use the Solar Pulse. He had such little shooting and the shooting that we did have was at rapid fire range. I don't know when I would have used it. I could have been more aggressive with the deathmarks at the end. Rather than retreating with them, I could have DS them and taken a number of berzerkers out (marking that unit with the Hunters from Hyperspace rule on the redeploy).
This game basically reinforces my insecurity about the size of my warrior squads. The next 250 really needs to beef up those squads to the point where they become effective.
Not having played in a month definitely caused me to struggle with the basics of the rules. My opponent wasn't much help in that area either and I ended up relying on M (see my first 2 battle reports) for a lot of rules clarification. In addition, things like not moving the CCBarge far enough away from the Termies is a pretty basic mistake.
As far as my opponent... he wasn't aggressive enough. Had he basically trusted the rest of his army to handle my offensive threats and used either the berzerkers or Termies to rundown a chew up my warrior squads there wouldn't have been much I could have done about it.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/04/16 04:44:03


Post by: Anpu-adom


Second battle was against IG

His army was light on upgrades but long on bodies... a double squad blob w/Lord commander w/powerfist, a single squad, a squad of Ogryn and a squad of 3 walkers (Must be armored sentenals).

Once again, I win the roll off and choose to go second.
The board has a large, chaos temple in the middle of the board... rock pillars, hills, and bombed out vehicles make up the rest of the terrain. He deploys the larger squad behind the temple. The ogryn are hugging the edge of his deployment zone (upper middle). The smaller squad is hugging the other edge of his deployment zone. He just faced another Necron player (3 out of 9 armies there today were necron, 2 chaos, 3 IG, and a dark eldar), so he deployed his sentenals far back in his table quarter.

My goal is to sweep the right side... eat the small unit of IG and go on to his walkers. I have 7 kill points, he has 5. I deploy the scarabs and CCBarge lower middle (behind some pillars so his main group can't target them). The deathmarks go into deepstrike reserve, and the warriors are pretty forward near the temple midboard. I failed to seize initiative.

IG 1
He moves his large blob to the top of the temple. The ogryn run forward around the temple. His small group shoots up one group of warriors... I lose my cryptek and 3 warriors. His large squad shoots at the same unit and wipes it out. Cryptek doesn't make his RP.

Necron 1
I run the scarabs and can't quite get a sweep attack off on the small unit. My whole unit of warriors moves to take some rapid fire shots at the Ogryn, and he looses a base.

IG 2
Basically, he doesn't move his units. He runs the Ogryn to try and assault this turn. He shoots one qroup of scarabs and takes out 1 base. His large squad shoots my remaining warriors and knock over 3 of the warriors. One manages to get back up, and the Ogryn are out of assault range by a hair. His sentenal takes a pot shot at the ccbarge but doesn't do anything.

Necron 2
Deathmarks don't come in. I sweep attack the smaller squad on my way to the walkers (I take the head off of his officer on the way). My warriors strategically turn tail and run for some cover behind them. Since I won't be able to get the scarabs to the walkers, I want to make sure that that squad is off the Overlord's back... so I assault them with both units of scarabs. Here I remember my fearless wounds, but I only lose combat by 1 and make the save. Over the rest of the game, the scarabs slowly chew their way through this unit. Combat resolution eventually swings my way, but he never does fail his leadership test.

IG 3
Ogryn shoot and kill of my last warriors. His large squad moves toward my CCBarge. His walkers shoot the CCBarge, and manage to stun the crew (I fail the Living Metal save). His blob squad is out of assault range on the CCBarge.

Necron 3
I use the force of my Will to bring the deathmarks in... but fail utterly. The Overlord disembarks the CCBarge (because it can't move or shoot... grr) and gets into assault with his walkers. In assault, I immobilize one of the walkers... score! It's a squadron vehicle and so that one gets removed from the board. Another one gets stunned.

IG 4
His Ogryn are out of position... he spends the rest of the game running them to try and make use of them. He tries to shoot at my Overlord with the Sentenals... until I remind him that they are locked in combat with my Lord. My Lord explodes 1 of the Sentenals. The Large blob surround and explode the CCBarge due to their Krak grenades. (I think that he is playing this wrong... he gave every model grenades for 10/squad... I need to do more research on that.). He explodes the CCBarge and it takes a large chunk of his squad with it... including the normal commissar and putting a wound on the Lord commissar.

Necron 4
The Deathmarks come in! I mark the large blob, and scatter slightly. He didn't consolidate after exploding the CCBarge, and I only hit 3 with the Abyssal Staff, but knock down a few more... enough to cause a leadership test (he passes easily). In assault, I blow up the last walker!

IG 5
His not-so-large-anymore blob squad guns down the Deathmarks and none of them make their RP roll. I concede the game. I loose 5 kp to 1... yikes!

Lessons:
Once again, I didn't use the Solar Pulse... and I should have on his turn 1. It may not have done much, but it had a chance of saving my first squad.
My army just doesn't have the power to stand up to horde armies... I need a much higher volume of shooting and the best way of getting that is to beef up my troops.
I also didn't think that he would bring his horde over the terrain in the middle of the board.

Looking ahead:
I need to maintain or expand my current units. Just a review of what I have currently:
Overlord
Royal Court
2x Warrior squads
Deathmarks
2x Scarab swarms

I'm looking for advice on which way to take this... I'll cross post in the Army List forums.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/04/20 12:25:42


Post by: Anpu-adom


Quick update on the hobby side of things:
The next time I sit down at my hobby table it will be to seal 10 tesla immortals, 6 warriors, 4 scarab bases and my objective marker.
Pictures forth coming!

Still stymied by the deathmarks. I have 10 in primer, and my flgs hasn't been able to get it in because it's back-ordered at the distributor.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/04/23 14:04:20


Post by: Anpu-adom


Here's a copy of a review I did of my army list two months ago (wow! doesn't seem like that long!)

A Quick update:
I've played 4 games with my 500 point list

Overlord w/warscythe and CCBarge
2 Lanceteks
2 groups of 5 warriors
8 scarab swarms

I'm sitting at 2-1-1
The wins happening against BT and another necron list (with 3 min warrior squads), the tie against a foot guard (barely!), and the loss against another necron list (with 12 man warrior squads).

A quick unit review:
The overlord on CCbarge is a beast. I'm not even afraid of running him up to most troop choices. The only thing to fear is a power weapon of some type in assault. Rounds he spends chasing the CCBarge is rounds not firing at my troops.
The scarabs are great, as long as they don't go up against things that can ID them or units that have more bases then they do.
My lanceteks have been weak so far. They roll way too many 2's to hit and way too many 1's to wound. It's just not fair.
I am unhappy with the minimum squads of warriors. They just suck.
I also need a better way of dealing with a lot of weak enemies at range.


I also listed several options for what to do with the next 250 points, but those don't really matter because they weren't correct point wise. I added the Death and Despair squad (term I picked up at BoW) that included 5 deathmarks and a VODtek, added a few scarab swarms and split them into 2 groups. In several ways, I made a huge mistake in going that way. In other ways, I'm glad that I headed in that direction. It was a mistake, because my warrior units suffered as a result. They simply didn't have enough in the way of bodies to survive what my opponents could bring (particularly the blob IG). I couldn't be aggressive enough with them and that hampered me. Secondly, I added three subsets of rules to things that I needed to keep track of (reserves, deepstrike, and sniper weapons). There were benefits though too! Namely, that I had to learn about reserves, deepstrike, and sniper weapons, and therefor learned better what other armies can do!

Looking towards my 1k list (as I cross posted earlier) I'm going to be beefing up my warriors (and ignoring the shiny things coming at the start of May).
Dropping 1 lancetek for a Orblord is high on my list, as is beefing up the warrior and scarab squads. Alternately, I may go out and get some spyders... I'm hoping that they are less than $20 a pop, but who knows at this point.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/04/30 04:43:53


Post by: Anpu-adom


Objective Done... For now. I really wanted to model the green flowing out of the hose and onto the ground around the warrior. Maybe that's something that I'll experiment with the GW water effects just announced.



I also have the Tesla Immortals finished.



Updated pic of the army. Nicely equipped at 1373 points. It includes:
Overlord on CCBarge
Lord
2 Crypteks
21 Warriors
10 Immortals
19 scarab bases
5 Destroyers 2w/heavy gauss cannon

I've started assembly on a few more warriors (7 more), 1 more base of scarabs, and a Ghost/Doomsday ark. I'll need the warriors for my 1k and 1250 lists, and the 1 base of scarabs is for symmetry's sake. On the Deathmarks front, I've decided to skip the cloaks for right now. I may go back and add them later. It's amazing what a difference picking out a different color on the head makes.

I have just 2 weeks left to work on my 750 point army before judging. That means I have a few touches on some crypteks and the deathmarks to finish up. On that day, we'll start with our 1k lists.

1k List
Overlord w/warscythe, MSS, and CCBarge 195
Overlord w/warscythe and Res orb 75
Pulse Tek 55
VOD tek 60
5 deathmarks 95
16 warriors 208
10 warriors 130
6 scarabs 90
6 scarabs 90
Total 998

It strengthens the core of my army, and gives me enough bodies. It's really what I should have done at 750, rather than the Death and Despair unit. For my 1250, I'm seriously thinking about upgrading the Court Lord to another Overlord, and doubling up on Royal courts... I may wait until after I throw in 6 wraiths too.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/04/30 07:06:28


Post by: JBrehaut


Don't have much to say at this point, but just wanted to let you know I'm definitely keeping an eye on this blog with interest..


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/04/30 13:39:00


Post by: Anpu-adom


JBrehaut wrote:Don't have much to say at this point, but just wanted to let you know I'm definitely keeping an eye on this blog with interest..

Thank you, JBrehaut.

If there is anything anyone would like to see more of, let me know. I'll try to oblige!


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/05/02 14:53:17


Post by: Anpu-adom


I've decided that I'll continue with my homebrew wraiths. I have 2 made already. (pictures soon) I've ordered about $8 worth of bits, and between that and what I already have in my bitz box, I'll be able to make a full squad of 6. I haven't figured out what I'll do for the whipcoils... maybe pick up some DE agonizers or try to greenstuff my own.

Greenstuff should be in either this week or next week.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/05/13 03:04:43


Post by: Anpu-adom


Battle Report... 1k vs. Dark Eldar


Witches suck.
His list includes:
Haemonculus
2 units of Witches in a Raider, a homocluls
1 unit of warriors with a Raider
Ravager
4 Wracks in a Venom

Ok... I need to do a bit more research for/Dark Eldar.

The Mission
We used some army specific missions... ours ended up being a Necron mission.
3 Objectives, 1 in each of the center of the short table 1/3. Objectives can be claimed by any scoring unit at the end of that player's turn as long as they are uncontested.
Deployment is within 2" of the short table edge
All scoring units who are not fearless receive the stubborn USR.

The Board: The supply depot
Buildings occupy the lower left, upper left, and upper middle table 1/6's. The lower middle and upper right 1/6th have supply containers in them. They are impassible terrain. Along the center of the right table 1/3 is the Imperial Starport/Launch pad. One objective ended up on there, #2 ended up in the open at the center of the table, and #3 in the open between the two buildings on the far side.

Deployment:
I lost the roll off, and he had me deploy on the starport end of the table. My large group of warriors w/lord is up on the starport. The smaller group is down below. The scarabs are on either side of the containers in the upper right corner. The CCBarge is in the lower right, looking for some shelter.
The DE deploys along his back edge... troops in the upper left and elites and HS in the lower left. He's staying out of range of my shooting. He rolls a 6 for his combat drugs... that gives him a pain token to start with.

Necron 1:
I move and run the scarabs trying to get into cover of the building on the upper middle. CCbarge moves full out, behind the containers... trying to get more cover.

DE 1: A unit of witches move up and disembark. The warriors and the other witches move up so that they can shoot at the CCBarge. The Ravager and Venom move to the objective on his side of the board and the Wracks (scoring due to his HQ) are able to claim it. Shooting at the CCbarge is ineffective due to the 4+ cover save. My scarabs take 4 wounds do to shooting from the Ravager and Venom.

Turn 1 status: Necrons 1, DE 1

Necron 2
Deathmarks don't come in. The CCbarge makes a break for it, heading towards the Ravager and Venom while trying to say in cover. Since the disembarked witches effectively block my scarabs from getting to the Raiders and I need to tie up the witches before they can claim the middle objective I charge the witches.The Pulsetek tries to shoot at the Raider that still contains his HQ, but rolls a 1. Both units of scarabs get into contact with the witches... I roll a decent amount of wounds, but because they already have feel no pain, they don't take any wounds and I lose combat by 8.

DE 2
The HQ Raider moves to the upper right 1/3, so that he can harass my large unit. The other Raiders preposition to stay in cover or to get a better shot at my CCbarge. In shooting, he manages to blow up the CCbarge, but my Overlord avoids injury. He also takes a few warriors off my smaller unit. The melee between the witches and the scarabs continues as expected.

Turn 2 status: Necrons 1, DE 1

Necron 3
Death and Despair squad comes in. I place them in the upper right 1/3 near the Raider after taking dangerous terrain tests and losing one. (I thought that the raider had his warriors in it... it was only his HQ). I targeted the HQ. The smaller squad of warriors moved toward the center objective, but are just short of claiming it. The disembarked lord moves to within charge range of the ravager. Here I make a mistake. I shoot the Raider with the D&D squad... I should have used the large warriors first. Anyway, no effect from the sniper weapons, but the warriors wreck the raider. There is nothing in range of my small squad of warriors. In assault, the Overlord explodes the ravager. He manages to wipe out the already damaged squad of scarabs, and brings the other one down to 2 bases.

DE 3
He moves the venom back 6" after debating with himself about it. The witches that killed the scarabs move through cover to get towards the front of the building they were near. He sees that to win, he'll need to wipe out my unit that will be on the center objective next turn. His HQ moves into Flamer range of the D&D Squad. He flames the unit, and I lose 3 deathmarks but 1 comes back. His venom takes 1 wound off my Overlord. The warriors in the Raider shoots the Overlord and finishes him off. The vehicle fires at my warriors near the center objective, but are ineffective. The Overlord makes his RP roll. :-)

Turn 3 status: Necrons 2, DE 1

Necron 4
The overlord moves to assault the Venom. The warriors move to claim that center objective and the cryptek manages to do nothing with his missile launcher. I debate moving the large unit down to the ground so that they can help the other warriors, but I decided not to... he still has a Raider full of witches that could claim that objective too easily. The D&D fires, and manages to take 1 wound off his HQ (who has 1 left). The warriors up top fire and manage to kill it. In assault, the Overlord explodes the Venom, and the resulting blast kills the 4 Wracks inside!

DE 4
He is able to move his witches through cover to get them into assault range of my smaller warrior squad. His witch squad in a Raider moves up (but still out of range of my large warrior group. His warriors shoot and kill the Overlord (again), but this time he doesn't make his RP roll. He assaults my warriors and I only lose 2 warriors, but 1 gets back up.

Turn 4 Status: Necrons 2, DE 1

Necron 5
My warriors up on the platform look down at their brethren at the mercy of the witches, and do nothing. A few more warriors die, some get back up. No witches die. I stay due to getting Stubborn from the mission rules.

DE 5
He is able to get 3 of his other squad of witches into the combat... bringing me down to 1 warrior... who makes his moral check. One more warrior gets back up.

Turn 5 Status: Neecrons 2, DE 1
Roll to see if the game continues... and it ends. Narrow Necron Victory!

Lessons:
#1. Witches suck
#2. Put the larger, more resilient unit in harms way... rather than the smaller unit. It doesn't matter if the small unit has the long gun... DE aren't going to really let you use it in the first place.
#3. SW would have been worth the points

Overall, I like the changes that I made to this army. I do think that a unit of wraiths are the next thing needed.
To be continued:


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/05/13 05:18:52


Post by: tobi-nid-guy


I really like the colour of your crons. Its simple, like machines should be but it still has accent colours. Well done!


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/05/13 12:38:04


Post by: Anpu-adom


Thanks for the complements, Tobi... one of the reasons I started necrons was that they were simple to paint. And then they went and changed the models on me!
I'm still learning techniques like basecoating, drybrushing, and highlighting.
I really do need to get some more pictures up, because I have been busy!


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/05/31 13:46:11


Post by: Anpu-adom


So it's been a long time since I posted (2 weeks). I've been busy with end-of-the-school-year things. I have been working on getting models put together for an 1850 RTT at my FLGS in two weeks.
I've assembled 8 warriors, a CCBarge and Overlord, and finished assembly of my wraith conversions. Add that to the ark that is assembled, I have a lot of plastic to prime.

Here's my RTT list
2x Overlord, w/phaeron, scythe, SW, and orb (330 points)

Royal Court #1
Lord w/scyth, SW, MSS, and orb (105 points)
Harbinger of Destruction w/ Pulse (55)
Harbinger of Destruction (35)

Royal Court #2
Harbinger of Despair w/Veil (60)
Harbinger of Destruction w/ Pulse (55)
Harbinger of Destruction (35)

14x Warriors (182)
14x Warriors (182)
8x Immortals (tesla) (136)

5x Wraiths (3 whipcoils) (205)
4 Destroyers (2 HGC) (200)
6 Canoptek scarabs (90)

Annihilation Barge (tesla)
Annihilation Barge (tesla)

Overlords make the warriors relentless, and a pair of destructeks tag along. The lord and Veiltek make the Immortals a scoring deep threat.
Comments are welcome.


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/06/10 02:39:39


Post by: Anpu-adom


Had an RTT at the local game store today, and I had a rough time. Honesly, my brain is fried so I'll just give a bare summary instead of a turn-by-turn.(There were 4 necron players there!!! wow!)

Game #1 I played the eventual winner (CSM)... and lost badly. I played strategically, but we were playing for table quarters (the most victory points wins), and I was just too spread out. I played too defensively with one of my large warrior squads, and the I didn't support the wraiths like I should have. The immortal/lord/veiltek unit nearly took out a 3 man obliterator squad... nearly. But I just couldn't handle the amount of plasma shooting that he was sending my way.

Game #2 was much better. I played very well, It was against a Blood Angels player. We were playing kill points, and I got out to a quick lead; I exploded his dreadnought with scarabs and using my Immortals/Lord/Veiltek nearly destroy a scout squad (down to 1 guy... grr). Then half of his army came in, and I beat a hasty retreat. I nearly blocked a unit inside a wrecked rhino with my scarabs, but I thought better of it. We ended up tying on all the tie-breakers.

Game #3 was irritating. It was played against TFG... TFG is 14, plays foot-guard (with something like 36 lazcannons). He has amazingly loose definintion of true-line of sight, and he doesn't tell you what he is doing (or even what unit is doing it). I've played him before, and I've struggled with him before. Well... I played well... my Wraiths and Annibarges wrecked about half of his lazcannons... we were playing over 4 objectives and I had 2, he had 1, and I'd blown another of his units off of the last 1. Stupid me... I thought that units within 6" contest. Had I moved my destroyer slightly differently, I would have won. Instead... I lost on the tie-breakers.

Overall lessons:
I didn't learn much from my game against the good player... which makes me sad. Game #2 was the most enjoyable
The destroyers were much less useful that I'd hoped... I plan on replacing them with another unit of wraiths when I can get them built.
The wraiths got better as I figured out how to use them... they are great in ambush.
Scarabs make great distractions... I need to fill them out more and have a unit of Spyders to support them.
I made TONS of 4+ Reanimation Protocal saves today... so the Res Orbs were definitely worth it!


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/06/21 02:17:02


Post by: Dr. Temujin


Not quite sure what a Rogue-Trader tournament is, but sounds like bad luck on your part.
I recently played a game against a Blood Angels player. We didn't finish the game, but he was pretty much hammering me with a Storm Raven and assault troops. What was your experience like?


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/06/21 04:28:06


Post by: Anpu-adom


Here's as much as I've figured out... Rouge Trader Tournament (RTT) is a 1 day event... Grand Tournament (GT) is a 2-3 day event.

My round #2 guy didn't have assault squads, per se... he had a small Death Company with Lemartes, and he had a squad of Sanguinary Guard with Sanguinor. In either case, I got to shoot them up pretty good before they got into assault range. The Death Company was down to Lemartes and 2 of the 4, when they got the assault off and ran my warriors down for their kill point.
I got the better of the Sanguinary Guard. I tesla cannoned a bunch of them down with my Immortals before deep striking out of assault range for the next turn. He spent another turn chasing them before getting into assault. I was able to move my Lord into Base-to-base with Sanguinor... and due to Mindshackle Scarabs, he force weaponed the rest of the squad. Impossibly, the lord's and Immortal's attacks got through his 2+ save and I claimed a few more kill points.
He had two more units in rhinos... they didn't play too much of a roll (other than one nearly getting blocked into their destroyed rhino).
His Dreadnought did take out one of my Annihilation Barges :-( but my scarabs got the charge off and destroyed it in 2 rounds of combat.
After playing too aggressively with my Wraiths in round 1, I played too conservatively with them in round #2. They were at full strength, and probably close enough (through terrain) to take out the weakened death company, but I was fixated on getting them into combat with the Sanguinary guard. I think it would have been a different game, had I been able to wipe out the scouts and avoided loosing the warrior squad in that combat. I would have won by the required 3 kill points.

He didn't have a Storm Raven. I don't have any advice on dealing with one. I guess I can say this: we have a lot of guns that can glance AV12 if you can get past the 4+ save for going more than 12", and if he is going more than 12" an immobilized result is very bad for him


Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/06/22 02:36:36


Post by: Anpu-adom


Here (finally) are some WIP pictures of my Wraith Conversions. Why not buy the awesome GW models?!?
  • I'm still hesitant to use Finecast.

  • $47.00 for THREE

  • Conversions are looked upon with favor on the hobby rubrics in my area

  • And finally
  • $47.00 for THREE!!!




  • I've used the Praetorian back on the top, the Deathmark back on the bottom. The arms are the curved Praetorian spines and a cut Voidblade, and the tail is two of the Ghost Ark warriors pieces and the tail from the Praetorians. For the first 5, I spent $8.00 beyond what was in my bitz box. The total for the next 5 will be less than $14 from bitz vendors. I do plan on doing some green stuff whipcoils (and some extra surprises ) I did have to extend the rod after the GW versions came out... well, that just leaves a little space for hinted at surprises.

    Here are my first 5.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/06/22 12:30:34


    Post by: FatBoy


    Hey Anpu!

    I have been reading your progress for awhile now. I have a very similar life with the little one. I am fond of the very detailed battle reports. I havent played a game yet as Im hoping to field all painted. I enjoy the painting aspect a lot. Im a little leary to go into the local store becuase its very small amd cramped and has a high volume of win at all costs kinda guys. Im living vicariously through your games to learn what I can.

    For some painting tips I can only offer limited knowlege. Ive only been painting for about a year so I have ALOT to learn still. One area I think I can help in is the grainy looking texture on your minis. Since your planning on doing alot of necron I would recommend getting the cheap GW spray gun. Its a simplified airbrush. Your can base the models in black quickly. Then using boltgun metal or equivlent blast literally everthing with it. Super smoothe even coat of metal. Then take and unwatered down shade like nulian oil and just hit all the models with it. Very quick and dont worry about being sloppy. At that point you could consider being done bit if you want some quick highlighting do a very light drybrush of your base metal color over the raised areas. Poof...quick, easy, and they look spiffy. I would do the guns in black with either a controled drybrush if Shadow Gray or Codex gray as a highlite.


    Hope that helped. If I get a spare warrior I will do a tutorial for you if you want. Will be my first one :-!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/06/22 17:24:06


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    @FatBoy
    I'm very interested in using Airbrushes, but that's a bit down the road... I want to finish my Necrons first.

    I think that the graininess is a combination of the paint I'm using and the photography setup I have. That's one of the reasons I'm so interested in your Light Box. I'm also planning on upgrading the paint I use for my next army/project.

    I'm very impressed by the quality of your work, considering that we've been painting for about the same amount of time.

    As for a place to play, I do recommend the local shop. If you can encourage them to start a paint and play league (like the one I joined). With the change over to 6th, there will be a lot of people trying to figure out the rules.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/06/22 18:37:21


    Post by: FatBoy


    Thank you for the compliments about my painting.

    The classes I took at my local store when I was interested in becomming a better painter were very basic. Fortunatly for me the voulenteer teaching the lessons thought I had some potential (or so he said) and started teaching me some more advanced techniques. Feathering, wet blending, etc etc.

    The only things I wish he would have taught me before he got stationed somewhere else (was canadian military) was weathing, and OSL. I found a tutorial on OSL and did a little to the eye areas of my necron but am leary about doing it on the other glowie bits. I think I will practice it on some marines I have from the Black Reach box.

    As for the paint and play I'd love to find something like that. My time is so limited though with a 10mo old and being on call most the time. (paramedic)

    I think I will have to finish painting everything before I can focus on escaping the clutches of my wife to go play a game or too. Hopefully soon she will be playing too. Im teaching her how to paint he Orks from the black reach box. Shes showing promise

    Thanks again Anpu and have a good one!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/06/24 06:04:49


    Post by: Dr. Temujin


    Well, actually, the wraiths are in plastic form, but I do understand your frustration at having 3 for $47.00. Anyways, very nice conversions! I bet they costed a lot less than the actual ones. Been reading your blog for a bit without comment (and I apologize). How were the details on your game with the Blood Angel Player? I am curious, as I played against one myself, and got the short end of the stick during the match.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/06/24 20:43:36


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    @Temujin - Yeah, the wraiths are plastic. my bad. As for total cost for 5 of my conversions, here's how I've broken it down:
    $33 for a Lychguard/Praetorian Box
    $2 for a pack of the ghost ark spine bitz
    $2 for extra Praetorian spine bits
    Green Stuff

    That's about $40 for 5 Lychguard and 5 Wraiths... much better for my self-esteem and pocket book. Besides, it also keeps me in the hobby longer as well.

    Here's the basics of my fight against the Blood Angels player. To be honest, I don't remember much more for details anymore.
    My round #2 guy didn't have assault squads, per se... he had a small Death Company with Lemartes, and he had a squad of Sanguinary Guard with Sanguinor. In either case, I got to shoot them up pretty good before they got into assault range. The Death Company was down to Lemartes and 2 of the 4, when they got the assault off and ran my warriors down for their kill point.
    I got the better of the Sanguinary Guard. I tesla cannoned a bunch of them down with my Immortals before deep striking out of assault range for the next turn. He spent another turn chasing them before getting into assault. I was able to move my Lord into Base-to-base with Sanguinor... and due to Mindshackle Scarabs, he force weaponed the rest of the squad. Impossibly, the lord's and Immortal's attacks got through his 2+ save and I claimed a few more kill points.
    He had two more units in rhinos... they didn't play too much of a roll (other than one nearly getting blocked into their destroyed rhino).
    His Dreadnought did take out one of my Annihilation Barges :-( but my scarabs got the charge off and destroyed it in 2 rounds of combat.
    After playing too aggressively with my Wraiths in round 1, I played too conservatively with them in round #2. They were at full strength, and probably close enough (through terrain) to take out the weakened death company, but I was fixated on getting them into combat with the Sanguinary guard. I think it would have been a different game, had I been able to wipe out the scouts and avoided loosing the warrior squad in that combat. I would have won by the required 3 kill points.


    Overall, I like the mission formats. They create close games.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/06/27 03:30:04


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Alright...
    Pre-ordered the new rulebook and another box of Triarch Praetorians/Lychguard for my Wraith Conversions, and used up all my hobby money for July.
    Once I get my Praetorian box, I think I'll hold off on making the actual Praetorians until after I get my next box of Immortals. I want to see if you can combine the parts to make both sets of Immortals.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/06/28 20:08:53


    Post by: Dr. Temujin


    Interesting idea! I think there will be a few parts missing if you go that route, but you could easily get them via eBay or the Bitz Barn.
    Thanks for sharing about your battle with BA, though.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/07/03 04:12:19


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Ok, I've spent a few hours with the new rulebook. Here are my thoughts regarding Necrons:

    MSU is dead... long live HDU (Huge Damn Units)!!!
    MSU is dead as far as poor-assault troops like necrons and guard. You really want a torrent of fire for those Overwatch opportunities. Looking at some Mathhammer I did, 6" is still going to be pretty magical as far as charge ranges. If you are 6" away from your opponent, you'll be able to get the charge off 72% of the time. If you can knock them back by 1", it decreases to about 58%. At a range of 8", you've reduced their chances to successfully charge you to 41.7%. This, of course doesn't take into account re-rolling assault distances from Jump Infantry... only foot. While you'll see a reduced effect on units that can re-roll the charge range, it will still be enough to disrupt their plans IF YOU CAN SEND ENOUGH SHOTS DOWNRANGE!

    NO MORE FEARLESS WOUNDS!!! Scarabs are going to be able to tarpit anything that doesn't have strength 6 or higher. Nice. Oh, and they are not slowed by terrain and ignore dangerous terrain.

    MC's are the bomb. Between being able to "Hammer of Wrath" when they charge, all of their attacks are AP2, and smash attacks they are just going to rip vehicles and units apart. I'm seriously thinking about getting a CC C'tan shard, using Swarm of the Spirit Dust and Gaze of Death. 255 points, but 255 points that are going to be hard for my opponent to deal with. Considering the changes to MC's... I'm surprised that C'tan weren't given the ability to buy wings. Oh, and I'm definitely going to be making some Spyders, too.

    With the changes to rapid fire weapons, the Relentless ability from the Phaeron wargear doesn't really add much to a unit with Gauss weapons. Does it add anything to, say... a unit of Lychguard? Um... see below.

    Wound allocation definitely works in our favor. As long as you can get a model with a 2+ save (Looking at you, Necron Lords and Overlords) preferably with a 3+ invul, and a Harbinger of Eternity (with Chronometron) in a unit, that unit is staying put through most shooting. I'm less sure on the math here, but with just a 2+ save the Lord will bite it 16.7% of the time he takes a wound. With the chronometron in the unit, that chance drops to 2.8% on the first wound he misses the save on.

    2000 point games are going to be silly, when you can take 4 royal courts.

    Nightscythes and Doomscythes are silly good. I can see some flying circus lists coming about that rely on Orikan's Lord of Time ability to bring in most of your reserves on Turn 3.The question is, will there be enough points on the board to survive until the start of your turn 3.

    Characters with traits like Preferred Enemy grant that trait to the units that they join... How do you like Wraiths? How do you like Wraiths rerolling 1's to hit and wound? (Yes, please.)

    So, on to the Necron Deathstar... It will include 7 Lychguard with the Standard Warscythes, Imotekh the Stormlord, Namesor Zahndrekh, Vargard Obyron, and two Chronoteks. With Vargard Obyron, they'll be Veiling all over the board. Vargard Obyron will be taking all of the Challenges, and against single characters you'll be getting 4 rerolls in that combat (2 from the Chronoteks and 2 from the rest of the unit cheering him on). I would put this unit up against any similarly sized Deathstar unit in the game.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/07/03 04:26:43


    Post by: Hammer18


    Why wont my book get here any faster? that post is just teasing me.
    Also well done on your crons so far. Especially the conversions.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/07/03 13:31:47


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    @Hammer, thanks for the good comments. Sorry, but it seems like a lot of people are difficulty with shipping. I pre-ordered mine standard rulebook through my FLGS.
    I hope to do some battle reports soon.

    EDIT:
    Reread the Preferred Enemy rules... it's a straight reroll on misses, and reroll 1's to wound. I WANT!

    Pretty much everything in the rule book is out. IDICBeer is doing a great section by section review http://idicbeer.blogspot.com/


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/07/03 20:32:27


    Post by: Hammer18


    Oh yes. Destroyer Lord and wraiths will be used much more now.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/07/06 16:02:01


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Though I've had it for months... today is the first time that I've mustered up the courage to use Green Stuff.

    My wraiths are multiplying (insert evil, mechanical laugh here), and the 40mm base had some pre-drilled holes that are way too big for the rod I use. I mixed up a little of the greenstuff and filled in the holes. While I was at it, I did some of the work I needed to properly magnetize the Ghost Ark. I'm crossing my fingers that everything works out well.

    I'm dropping my goal of having 18 wraiths... 12 seems a bit more reasonable. (I've ordered the bitz I need to make 2 more after this current batch). That means that I have most of a box of Lychguard/Praetorians that I don't need for bits! Seems like Praetorians have gotten quite a boost (particularly the Staff of Covenant variety) and I'll have all the parts to make 5! Well, that project will wait until after I finish with the Ghost Ark and the Wraiths.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/07/07 19:15:38


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    First 6th Edition games tomorrow. Here's my list:

    Overlord w/warscythe, MSS, and CCBarge (195)
    Overlord w/warscythe, MSS, and CCBarge (195)
    VoDtek (60)
    Pulsetek (55)
    Pulsetek (55)
    15 Warriors (195)
    15 Warriors (195)
    8 Tesla Immortals (136)
    5 Wraiths, 3 Whipcoils (205)
    5 Wraiths, 3 Whipcoils (205)
    Total 1496

    My goal is to get a good handle on the basics of movement, shooting, and assault. In addition, I want to focus on the wraiths and CCBarge. Winning would be nice, but learning is more important.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/07/09 03:08:08


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    First 6th Edition Game

    I played against BC, another Necron Player. M was a frequent visitor to our table, helping with rules clarifications. I used the list above.

    BC’s list:
    Necron Overlord w/warscythe and Res Orb
    Necron Lord w/staff of Light and MSS
    10 Warriors (with Overlord)
    10 Warriors (with Lord)
    A Veiltek
    5 Deathmarks (with Veiltek)
    10 Warriors In Ghost Ark
    3 Tombblades w/Gauss blasters
    2 Destroyers (1 heavy)
    7 Scarabs
    Monolith
    Annihilation Barge (with Gauss Blaster)

    Mission: The Relic and Vanguard Deployment

    We set up the table the way recommended in the BRB. Most sections of the board ended up with 2 pieces of terrain (we counted 2-3 sections of ork barricades and 2-3 shipping containers as 1 piece of terrain). We also had some hills and the galactic equivalent of a 7-11. In general, we had a lot of open terrain on the board.

    Rolling for Warlord powers, he got Acute Senses on his Outflankers (terrifically useful!) He deployed with his Overlord and a group of warriors off the table. The monolith Occupied his right flank next to the Ghost Ark and the Tombblades. Set back from his lines are the Deathmarks, the Destroyers, and the other unit of warriors. On his right flank were the scarabs and the Annihilation Barge.

    I roll for Warlord powers and get 1+ on reserve rolls. I set both units of Wraiths in Deepstrike reserve. I leave the far left of my flank open (nothing across from the Monolith), and set a squad of warrior (alpha) near the center of the board. I’m hoping that they’ll be able to get the objective. My other group of warriors (beta) is on my far right flank taking some shelter behind a series of shipping containers. My immortals are in the back corner of my deployment zone, because my opponent has indicated that he’ll choose to mark them with Hunters From Hyperspace, and I want to make the deepstrike as difficult as possible. I have the CCBarge with my Warlord in shelter near the middle of my deployment zone. The other is more forward… opposing his Annihilation barge. I roll to seize, and fail.

    BC 1
    Movement, he moves up with his forward units, leaving the Destroyers and Warriors in his backfield. He’s looking to blow my alpha warriors to scrap and tie up the beta warriors. He veils the Deathmarks into the corner… and sticks the landing. (OH NO!)
    The deathmarks open up… and after “Lookout Sir” and RP, I only lose my Veiltek and 1 Immortal.
    He focuses a lot of firepower on the alpha warriors midfield… the Particle Whip, 1 Flux Arc, the shooting from the Ghost Ark, and the Tombblades. The unit largely weathers it, but I lose the Destrucktek (seeing a pattern yet?!?) along with 3 warriors (RP is very generous with 5’s and 6’s). His Annihilation Barge shoots my CCBarge, and I loose a hull point.

    AA 1
    I move one CCBarge so that I can help the Immortals with his Deathmarks. The beta warriors move forward so that the Ghost Ark is in range. The other Warlord CCBarge moves forward… I’m attempting to see how well a Warscythe does against armor 14.
    In shooting from the alpha warriors, his Ghost ark has only 1 hull point remaining! Now comes a major choice… finish off the Ghost Ark, or choose to take on the Annihilation barge? I have the beta warriors fire at the barge, but I don’t nearly have the luck and it survives with a hull point.
    The immortals have their revenge against the deathmarks and 2 don’t get up.
    I use the charge (I set up a sweep attack, but forgot to do it) and between the Hammer of Wrath and the charge attacks, I wipe the unit out. His cryptek will get back up at the end of combat, however.

    BC 2
    He moves the Tombblades up closer to my alpha unit. His scarabs interpose themselves between my beta unit and the annihilation barge, prepping for a charge. The monolith moves up a bit and brings in his Warlord's unit of warriors while his ghost ark disgorges a unit of warriors and moves up into terrain between my Warlord's CCBarge and the alpha unit. Those warriors are able to claim the objective at the end of his turn.His destroyers move along his left flank.
    In shooting, between the Warlord's warriors and one bank on the Ghost Ark, he wrecks my Warlord's CCBarge (I forget to take the jink saves), and I disembark him into terrain. His annibarge shoots at my beta warriors to no effect. His despairtek wipes out my immortal unit (I dumbly didn't spread them out at all during my previous movement phase. DOH!!!) The monolith is less than effective against my alpha warriors, but the Ghost Ark, warrior squad, and Tombblades do a number, and the unit is knocked down to only 3 members.
    In assault, the scarabs get into my beta warriors. Overwatch shooting does a fair number of wounds and knocks off a base but the charge is still successful. Until the top of turn 6, the scarabs and warrior slowly grind each other down. My warriors only loose combat during 1 round of combat that whole time.

    AA 2
    One unit of Wraiths comes in... and I mess up with them and end up getting them into assault with his warrior unit. The other unit gets delayed. My lone CCBarge sweep attacks his despairtek and it doesn't get back up. The depleted alpha unit moves as best it can away from the Monolith.
    In shooting, the alpha unit wrecks the ghost ark. I don't do anything with my Overlord... I'm waiting for his charge and challenge. My wraiths (illegally) charge his warriors. News to me is that Wraiths can use their jump packs only once per turn... so they don't get the Hammer of Wrath attacks I was hoping for. They still do a number on that unit, dropping them to 4 members without taking a wound in return.

    BC3
    He separates his Overlord from the warrior squad and moves to challenge my Warlord. The rest of the warriors do nothing this turn. He moves his 3rd set of warriors closer to where my wraiths are. His Tombblades (man... those things are tiny!) Prepare to charge my Wraiths.
    In his shooting phase, his monolith does enough to take down my alpha squad. He can't draw line of sight on my Warlord with any weapons.
    The challenge goes off, I fail to MSS him but I knock him down to 1 wound. He knocks me down to 1 wound as well. The tombblades charge and kill a wraith, but I counter by killing 2/3 of the tombblades and biting another 2 off of the warrior squad.

    AA 3
    I roll for my second squad of wraiths, and they come on. (This should have been automatic because a delayed result puts them into Ongoing reserves). They mishap again and my opponent places them on top of some terrain. AH HA!!!! Wraiths automatically pass dangerous terrain tests! The CCBarge sees the unit of destroyers and makes a bee line for them.
    In shooting, I the CCBarge shoots his destroyers... I get a 6 with the Tesla cannon and he fails 1 of the wounds killing the heavy destroyer (did this one wrong too, as the normal destroyer was closer). I (dumbly) don't run the wraiths... they just sit there.
    In the overlord fight, I forget to try to MSS his warlord again. They end up killing each other. In the wraith combat, I basically wiff, and loose a wound. Due to bad measuring on my part, I fail to charge his remaining destroyer.

    BC 4
    He moves the monolith and pulls a squad of warriors through. He kills his remaining destroyer due to a dangerous terrain test. His other squad charges into assault with my wraiths tied up with the unit holding the objective.
    In shooting, his Annihilation Barge shoots my second unit of wraiths and kills one.
    In the main combat, I have a great round. I lose a wraith, but I finish off the tomblades and cause the warrior to hold the objective to run! He runs less than 6", and since he didn't move before we say that he carried it with him.

    AC 4
    I move my wraiths so I can charge his Annihilation Barge. My CCB moves 12, which might just get it into charge range of something.
    No shooting.
    The CCBarge is just too far away to join the Wraiths in combat. My second wraiths assault his Annihilation Barge and wreck it.

    BC 5
    He doesn't rally the warrior carrying the objective, and since he runs more than 6" he drops the objective. He moves his free unit of warriors (the ones pulled through the monolith earlier) to assault my wraiths.
    No shooting
    In the main assault, my wraiths prove to be resistant to his MSS. I loose another Wraith and he's making good RP rolls. His warriors do amazingly well against my wraiths and take out 2!

    AA 5
    My overlord makes it into combat. Between the Hammer of Wrath and other attacks, he fails combat and the wraiths run him down. My other combat has settled down, the wraiths don't take any casualties but he keeps making his leadership save.

    BC 6
    He moves the Monolith and points the door at my Wraiths and Barge.... and it can't hurt either unit. So he particle whips the Wraiths to submission instead. His warriors finish off my wraiths! My unit of warriors FINALLY finishes off his unit of scarabs. That's 8 turns of combat for 7 scarabs and 15 Warriors and a cryptek. Grrr..

    AA 6
    My warriors move to take cover from his... My Overlord on the Barge... can't do anything so I retreat as well. The game ends.

    He got first blood. We each have units in the other's deployment zone, and we've each killed off the opposing Warlord. Neither has the objective so the score sits 3:2...

    Analysis: This is the first time I've played against a Monolith... I literally overlooked it. I had a hard time distinguishing it from a piece of terrain! Were I to do it again (especially with his Warlord and 3rd troop choice off the board) I would have combined my warriors on the left flank opposite his monolith. Spread out the 2 squads, and slagged the thing during my first turn of shooting.
    Knowing his intention to go after my immortals with his deathmarks, I should have had them in reserve as well. In general, I like the reserve rules better now. Units come in on a 3+ in turn 2 and 3, and automatically on turn 4, it's way easier to remember.
    The pundits are wrong... vehicles didn't get nerfed. It's way harder to suppress a vehicle. I put 2 glances on his Annibarge early... odds are decent that I could have immobilized or destroyed a weapon under the old rules. Now it goes on its merry way... still shooting. Likewise, his Ghost Ark was the champion of his side. Not only did it do most of the job whittling down my warriors, it also took out the CCBarge for my Warlord.
    I have a terrible time with my units too clumped up. I lost the entire Immortal squad due to not spreading them out. Likewise, I could have put more hurt on his Ghost Ark and Monolith early if I had spread out my units so that not so many got hit by the particle whip. I also didn't realize at the time that you can still snapshot if you've gone to ground... that could have saved a good number of my warriors as well (3+ save instead of a 5+ would have made a big difference!)

    As far as my goals, I did do well with the Wraiths. Rules hickups aside, I feel better about using them. Same goes with the CCBarge, but I'm less likely to take 2 of them in the future. I think that a version of MSU with necrons is definitely viable.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/07/19 04:02:43


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I don't know why I'm having such a hard time finishing the Battle report above. Maybe it's because it was such a disappointing loss.

    Well, I've been at work. I ordered 3 of the old style spyders from Blue Table Painting's webstore. I paid less for the three than one of the new ones alone! I'm also getting 10 immortals, but I have no idea what shape they are in. He seriously has a lot of good deals (http://www.freewebstore.org/bluetablepainting/index.aspx?pageid=1459017)

    Before I get the Spyders, I'm trying to finish up the ghost ark. All the lists I've been putting together recently have either a ghost ark or Doomsday ark in them. I'm in the home stretch for basecoating and silvering. I'm almost ready to finish assembly (how exciting is that!?!?)

    While waiting for coats to dry, I've gone ahead and converted one of my barge Overlords into a Destroyer Lord. He's magnetized so that he can switch back and forth. More on him later.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/07/21 02:10:06


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I just got my package from Blue Table Miniatures and I'm ecstatic!

    The Immortals are the 3rd edition metal models and they are in great shape! Just a few touch-ups and they'll fit with the rest of my army! I'm so happy with this purchase!

    I am also excited for the spyders... I have the oh so many plans for these... including magnetization. Right now, I'm looking online for a pinning tutorial for these. I haven't figured out where I need to pin what yet.

    Here's a list I'm looking at playing in the short term:

    Destroyer Lord w/MSS and SW (160)
    5 Deathmarks (95)
    10 Tesla Immortals (170)
    10 Gauss Immortals (170)
    10 Warriors w/Ghost Ark (245)
    3x Scarabs (45)
    3x Scarabs (45)
    5x Wraiths w/3 whipcoils (205)
    2x Annihilation Barges (180)
    3x Spyders w/1 Gloom Prism and 2 Fabricator claws (185)

    1500 Total

    This list is quite a departure for me, as I usually have several Royal Court members. Without them, it feels like I have a lot more on the table. Granted, I giving up a lot when I don't have a character in the unit... but we'll see how it goes.
    Plan is for the Destroyer Lord to sit with whichever group of immortals the preferred enemy will do better with. (MEQ=Gauss, else = tesla) When things turn to cc, he'll join the Wraiths. Annihilation Barged on a flank supporting each other. Deathmarks start in deepstrike reserve, aiming to take out a vital unit before biting it themselves. Scarabs bubble wrap the Spyders and Ghost ark near any midfield objectives.




    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/07/31 17:30:09


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Here's the pictures of my Overlord/Destroyer Lord as promised. To make the Overlord Torso to fit, I was going to need to do some major cutting and shaping.
    I built up the spine with magnets, greenstuff, and a piece leftover from my wraith projects as the 'front'. I used that piece because it gave me the right shape for the front, and I was pretty sure I couldn't sculpt what I wanted. Overall, I'm happy with how things went.

    Here are the normal legs, so I can use this guy as a Foot or Barge Lord as well. I had to extend the spine a bit... and I used another spare piece from my bitz box. It's a little too tall, but I'll work.

    Lord walking. The left arm is magnetized for an Orb or not.

    In Destroyer Lord form. I bent the cloak using hot water. I have to admit that I was a little timid, and could have bent it more. Still, for a first attempt I'm happy with that as well!

    More leftover stuff from my Wraith project is a whole bunch of the Ghost Ark warriors. I wanted to try and make use of them. Here's my first attempt.

    I like the look of Crossed arms, but I'm going to need to find a way to give him some sort of staff, as that's what all of the crypteks are armed with.

    I took this chance to play with some greenstuff too. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the effect. Should I try to do something similar in the future, I'll have a bit more confidence. Rolling the green stuff out between layers of polypropylene bags seemed to work much better than on my cutting mat.

    I also had a bunch of gauss flayers in my bitz box; leftovers from my crypteks. Since I'm going to need more warriors for an upcomming tourneyment, I wondered if I could make good warriors from all of those spare bitz.


    I'm pretty happy with how he turned out. Since I'm messing with the legs anyway, I tried to make the legs more... interesting. I will have to do something about the hole in the lower back. It just doesn't look right.

    I'm really enjoying the conversions more than the painting right now. I am going to have to buckle down soon, though. My FLGS is hosting a series of tournaments in August and September. I want to play a fully painted army. Besides, child #3 should arrive any day (or week) now and I should put the knives away before the sleep deprivation sets in!




    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    Printed up a To-Do list for my army before the Tournament. Wow... what a wake-up call.Trying to have everything done by the 18th... it may be a stretch, but the kids will be at my mom's for a week in there (all except #3, who may make an appearance at any time).

    I cleaned up my workspace and put away anything that wasn't on my army list for the tourney.

    Here's the Army List
    Destroyer Lord w/MSS and SW (160)
    5 Deathmarks (95)
    5 Deathmarks (95)
    8 Tesla Immortals (136)
    8 Gauss Immortals (136)
    10 Warriors w/Ghost Ark (245)
    15 Warriors (195)
    15 Warriors (195)
    5x Wraiths w/3 whipcoils (205)
    5x Wraiths w/3 whipcoils (205)
    2x Annihilation Barges (180)

    1847 Total

    Finished assembly on the second Annibarge and redid the gold on the first (hey! I figured out that I need to basecoat under the gold with a brown color to make things look right).
    My main project is to make the whipcoils for the Wraiths that need them. I've been eyeing tubing and hose makers for use with green stuff, but the one that's state-side is back ordered. The one in Germany is... well... in Germany and shipping doubles the cost of the tool. I'm looking at using piano wire or something similar instead.

    Beyond that, 10 warriors and 5 wraiths need priming. A few more warriors need repair. I have to update the gauss Immortals with my colors and get their bases to match the rest of my army. Beyond that, I'm looking at adding some dead grass flock to the bases. That's pretty low on list.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/08/11 18:59:57


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I added whipcoils to 6 wraiths (2 of which I've basecoated already). Primed them. Primed 10 warriors, a tesla destructor and my cryptek conversion up above. I also picked up another Ghost Ark.

    On a side note, my wife's been having contractions on and off for a couple of days now, and there are other signs that delivery is soon (I won't go into details as to what THOSE are). We've also been 'nesting' and have much of the house cleaned. So my hobby progress is likely to need to take a break again soon.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/08/14 03:23:09


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Another quick update: no baby yet, but I was able to get some painting done. The 10 Warriors are done, except for basing and the green rods (that's now 16 total at that stage). The metal gauss Immortals are looking sharp, and put away. I still have some work on the Ghost Ark guns, but other than that it's in finished form. Destroyer Lord needs some basing as well, and so does the cloaked Cryptek.

    Other than basing, the main thing I have left for Saturday is the Wraiths. I've managed to get the silver on 4/5 and have base coats on some 'extras'. I really do wish the camera was handy...


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/08/24 12:15:16


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Still no baby... this is a stubborn one. I haven't done too much painting in the last weeks or so. Did finish the Wraiths, now I have to base things. Oh, I also figured out how everything is going to fit in my cases.

    Destroyer Lord
    Cryptek Conversion
    16 Warriors (plus rods)
    2 Barges
    1 Ghost Ark

    I have 1 ghost Ark that's still in the box, and I plan on picking up another one. I still have 5 praetorians in the box, those three old-school spyders that need assembly and some Lychguard that have been primed. Seems to me that I'll need a flyer or two. (Maybe I should stop buying things for a while...)


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/08/27 01:34:22


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Well, #3 decided to make her appearance yesterday, and I'll be taking the next few days off of work. There is no sleep-aid like a new baby, so I don't know if I'll be able to get much of anything done on the models.

    Looking at my last post, it's not too clear but that's the list of things I need to base. I'll have the camera available again, so I'll post pictures. They'll either be WIP or finished... depending on it I can get that basing done.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/09/02 00:15:22


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Camera has been missing since the baby came. So has any sort of extra energy! Well, I'll be able to break away, and make it to a tourney at my flgs. I'm still planning to use the following list:

    Destroyer Lord w/MSS and SW (160)
    5 Deathmarks (95)
    5 Deathmarks (95)
    8 Tesla Immortals (136)
    8 Gauss Immortals (136)
    10 Warriors w/Ghost Ark (245)
    15 Warriors (195)
    15 Warriors (195)
    5x Wraiths w/3 whipcoils (205)
    5x Wraiths w/3 whipcoils (205)
    2x Annihilation Barges (180)

    1847 Total

    We'll be playing book missions. My goal is to win one of my three games... Because it is book missions, I made sure to have lots of troop choices (I had to put together more warriors just for this list!). I'm hoping to use the ark to contend objectives late in the game, which means using LOS blocking terrain and jink saves to my advantage. I'm also hoping that the sole ark in this list will help the warriors stay active throughout the game.

    Anyone have any last minute suggestions?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/09/03 01:45:24


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Had a great time at the tourney today. Went 2:1 in 3 close games.
    The first game was against pure IG. We played on a pretty dense ruined city board. Deployment was vanguard strike, and the objective was Relic. His list contained a pair of basilisks that caused some trouble. He had mostly vet squads in a pair of valkeries, and a LR. He also had a techpriest and command squad.
    We were pretty evenly matched, but I wasn't able to deal with his long range threats before his vet squads were able to drop on the relic. He wasn't able to claim the relic before time was called, but the game was in his favor due to first blood. I ended up loosing 0 to 1. I should have gotten his warlord, but I forgot to shoot at him with a squad of deathmarks.

    Second game was an SM army (painted as White Scars) with IG allies. He had a tac. squad in a drop pod and another two in rhinos (one outflanking with his captain and a command squad). The IG part of his arDeployment was Vanguard strike but we were playing over 3 objective, 2 in his deployment and one in mine. The game came down to me shooting his HQ off of the objective he just obliterated my gauss immortals on! It came down to the very last wound on his captain. Once again, we didn't finish, but I had 2 objectives to his 1 and we both had linebreaker and warlord. I forgot my warriors in the Ghost Ark on his backline for 2 rounds... grr. It would have been perfect to kill some of the guardsmen on his objective.

    Final game was against Grey Knights. We deployed from the long table-edges and had 5 objectives. He had a pair of dreadknights and a storm raven, as well as some henchmen and death cult assassins. I deployed 3 of the objectives in my deployment and had control of those all game. He was close to shooting my gauss immortals off of the center objective, but the game really came down to his second dreadknight not coming in until turn 4. Annihilation barges just can't kill the dreadknight, but my Destroyer Lord with Wraiths can! Had the game continued, I would have probably lost because he was so close to assaulting one of my warrior squads.

    Lessons learned:
    I forgot that the Destroyer Lord gives the Wraiths preferred enemy... I forgot to reroll all the ones all day. GRR...
    Annihilation barges don't do well against MC's... or at least MC's that have a 2+ save
    Annhiliation barges can't damage LR's or landraiders... grrr
    My deathmarks ended up assaulting his shooty dread... and lived to tell the tale... sort of.
    Wraiths don't mind deepstriking in dangerous terrain... at all.
    Deathmarks don't mind dropping in dangerous terrain... mostly.
    I had some bad scatters... wraiths and destroyer lord scattering in such a way that it would take 2 turns to get them where I needed them... and that was without mishaps (which happened 2/4 of the time in game 3!)

    Overall I had a good time, and one of the local commission painters offered me a few tips. That was after saying that it was a sight better than his first army!

    Pictures definitely incoming. My in-laws found the camera at their house.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/09/04 06:25:54


    Post by: Reaper Man 2020


    Nice tournament report, I always make silly mistakes at tournaments too. I managed to forget my wraiths for an entire game because I set them up hidden from my side of the table in a building! How is fatherhood working out? My first is due in December.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/09/04 17:43:37


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Thanks and congratulations, Reaper. Fatherhood is great. We're now outnumbered, but luckily #1 likes to help out.

    It was a really fun and rewarding to get out of the house for a few hours, and I've thanked my wife profusely for the time. Overall, I'm pretty happy with how the army performed. There are two things that I feel the army is missing. One is High Strength and low AP shooting. I was seriously unprepared for the MC that is the Dreadknight. I'm pretty sure that I'll be including destructeks in the future. The other is a real way to deal with fliers. The solution there is obvious.

    Here's another headslapping moment... I forgot the twin-linking on the Annhilation barges. They might have done a little more against the Dreadknights.

    So back to modeling when I can. I have the 3 spyders to finish, and I noticed my destroyers are... lacking in the detail department (they were among the first models I did, so not surprising). I also have 2 Ghost Arks to do and a box of praetorians/lychguard to build. Add that to the 5 lychguard I already have built but not painted.

    Here's a question I have for you. Please chime in with your opinions...
    Three of the Lychguard I have build are magnetized to switch between the Warscythe and the sword and board. The other two are glued to be sword and board.
    Do I build the new box as Lychguard or Praetorians? If I build them as Lychguard I'll be doing 3 magnetized and 2 as Warscythes (I'd have one unit of 8 either way, or two units of 5). If I build them as Praetorians I'd be leaving them with the Rod of the Covenant.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/09/11 14:34:33


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    So here are the pictures I've promised. 2 out of the 10 Wraiths I've finished are picking up on some IG.



    Here are the vehicles.









    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/09/30 12:56:22


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I finished a Wraith in order to enter into a Spikybits contest. Here's my finished Wraith.

    I bought two of the GW 'shades', and used them liberally on both the guardsman and the wraith.

    I also got a game in with my brother. He picked up Dark Vengeance, and is painting up the Dark Angels. He's running them as normal space marines though.

    His list:
    Space Marine Libby
    10 man tac... plasma all around
    5 man combat squad
    5 man termie squad
    5-man Assault Squad
    750 points total

    My list
    Destroyer Lord w/ SW
    5-man warriors
    9-man Immorts (gauss)
    5-Wraiths (3 whipcoils)
    2 Annhiliation Barges

    We played Purge the Alien with Vanguard deployment on a 2.5 x 4 foot board (because that's what we had).
    He deployed in his triangle... they were very small triangles. He kept his assault squad in deep strike reserve. He used combat squad on his 10-man unit. I kept the warriors in reserves.
    I also stole the initiative, and proceeded to beat him down. The anni barges weren't terribly effective, even though one did take out a terminator with an arc. The true mvp was the Wraith/Destroyer Lord unit. His 4 termies charged, lost by 2 and ran on his turn #1. I split off the lord to hunt down the termies while the rest of the wraiths slaughtered tac squads. He mishapped his assault squad turn 2, which allowed me to wipe out the rest of his army during the top of turn 3.

    In general, I made more 3+ invuln saved than I should have. I also rolled more rending hits than I should have too! I felt somewhat bad... so I offered to play Magic the Gathering against him. He beat me in 4 turns. Karma restored.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/11/14 11:57:54


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Well, I'm starting a grenadier army for Flames of War, and my wife has expressed interest in the game as well. Ultimately, I may be building a Finnish army for her! Right now I have the German 1/2 of an Open Fire! starter and all of an Auctung! box. I'll be adding painting and modeling for Flames here as well!

    Now on to the battle report!

    Had another game against my brother. Boy, howdy has his army grown. He even has another dred, assault marines, and a razorback that he wasn't using.
    1750 list
    Company Commander
    2x 10 man Shootie Termies
    2x 10 man tac squads
    1x 5 man plasma devastators
    1x 5 man las cannon devastators
    1x Dread... ml and tl- las cannon


    My list
    Destroyer Lord w/ MSS and SW
    2x 13 man warrior squads
    2x 10man immortal squads (1 gauss, 1 tesla)
    4 Destroyers
    10 Scarab swarms
    6 Wraiths (3 w/whipcoils)
    2x Annihilation Barge
    1x Doomsday Ark

    We played at my flgs, and the guys were great. We rolled the Relic (I HATE that), and hammer and anvil deployment.
    As far as warlord abilities, he rolled the ability to have night fight on the first turn automatically. I got feel no pain for my HQ and his unit when within 3" of an objective (useless with my battle plan).
    He rolled and deployed first.
    He deployed most of his units on the forward edge of his deployment zone. In the center was the Dread, right of that was a tac squad, and then termies. Far on his right flank was his plasma devastators. To the left of Dread was his other unit of termies with his chapter master, and behind some terrain was his other tac squad. Finally, he placed his las cannon devastators on a chaos alter that definitely had a commanding view of the battle, but was somewhat behind the forward lines. It appears his plan is pretty straight forward... charge his termies and dread straight up the middle of the board to the objective and prevent me from doing anything.
    I deploy as if I'm going to seize... I'm generally durable enough that it pays to do it this way. Because he has the option to make it night fighting, I place my Doomsday ark on the same board edge as his plasma squad, but just under 36" from it. The annihilation barges are going to be pushing up the middle of the board and then strategically pulling back as he gets closer. The scarabs are taking a forward position... I want them to tie up whichever tac squad I don't manage to kill before they reach the objective. My destroyers start so that they'll be able to get first turn shots at the tac squad on his left. My two squads of immortals are hugging terrain, but largely central on the battle field. They'll push forward as the annihilation barges do, but they won't be backing down. My warrior squads and Wraiths (with destroyer lord) are starting off the table. My battle plan is to destroy his two troop options, and then the rest of his long range shooting. Grab the relic with my immortals, and eventually pull it back to my end of the board.
    I roll to steal initiative. (Yeah!!!)

    Necron turn #1
    I move the wraiths up into shooting range. The Annihilation barges also get closer, but are out of range this turn. Everyone else moves up. In shooting, he makes all but 1 of the cover saves on his plasma dev. The cover saves also save all but 1 of his tac squad (from destroyer shooting). Immortals run toward the objective.

    SM turn #1

    <Edit>
    Wow... it's been a long time since I started this battle report! Since then, I've gotten a few more games in. But, I know everyone is dying to find out what happened in this battle.... so I won't keep you waiting.
    As he came forward with his whole army, I dropped my Destroyer Lord and Wraiths into the backfield and took out one of the devistator squads, That bought me enough time to kill off both tac. squads and grab the Relic, since he turned his terminators to attck the wraiths. I wasn't quite able to move the relic back fast enough... he had enough long range shooting left to destroy the unit that was holding the Relic just as we rolled for the end of the game. :-( So he won with first blood and warlord, and I only had linebreaker.
    Close game, and a good game. I managed to kill him down to only 1 dev. and 13 termies. I still had most of my army, only loosing the scarabs, most of the wraiths, the Destroyer Lord, and an annhiliation barge. Given another turn or two, and I would have been able to wittle down those termies.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/11/14 18:50:41


    Post by: Reaper Man 2020


    The destroyer lord is a great hq choice, MSS are a must, keep the Warscythe, take the sempiternal weave and stick him at the front of the unit of wraiths. If the weapon isn't AP2 then take the shots on him if they are look out sir with the wraiths & their 3+ invulnerable saves. The res orb is nice if you have the points but wasted on the wraiths really. Remember that the destroyer lord gives the whole unit preffered enemy so re-rolling all ones both to hit and to wound. Think about a second hq that could unlock a royal court, some of the cryptek equipment is game winning. You are on to a winner with the annihilation barges take three if you can and yes remember they are twin linked. If you have the money consider a night scythe with say 5 immortals in, I'm running 3 of those units at the moment which are great for racing in and grabbing objectives, if the night scythes get blown up your immortals walk on from reserve.

    Good luck in the next rematch with your brother!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/11/14 22:55:30


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Yes, the next money that I'll be spending on this army will be 3 scythes and a box or two of immortals.
    I have 2 more ghost arks that are primed, and I'll probably get to in the next few weeks. I'm not going to rush these.
    I'd also like 1 or 2 monoliths, and convert something into a necron style bastion.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/12/07 18:19:20


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    It seems scary to me that I haven't updated anything in almost a month!
    Since my last post, I got a game in over Thanksgiving with my brother. We played 750 points, and I severely spanked him. He didn't bring any termies this time, but I played Anrakyr...
    Anrakyr had serious fun with his two dreadnoughts... having one melta the other in the back was priceless. THe unit of immortals that Anrakyr gave his buff to seriously slaughtered the tac. squad he put up against it. My only loss was an Annhiliation barge, and only because I forgot to move it (thus, it didn't get a jink save in the following turn).

    I also played 3 turns of a game down at my FLGS with N. N played vanilla space marines at 1750. The story of the match was my Death and Despair squad. 155 points of my guys killed an entire 10 man tac. squad, appothecary, and his chapter master in a turn of shooting and the following assault. It then proceded to gut a devestator squad and was positioned to do serious damage to his other tac. squad.
    On the down side, my Destroyer Lord and Wraiths recieved a beating from his assault squad. Other than him getting the charge, I'm not sure what happened there. Yet, it gave him his pyric victory, before I had to head home.

    On the Flames of War side, I have assembled 5 StuG's and the rest of the Open Fire! box. I have a few Shermans that I'm assembling for my wife... the first tank needed a fair amount of clamping to keep the tracks pointed in the same direction. Looks like I'll have to do a fair amount of green stuff work to fill in various gaps... thought I'm tempted to ignore it. I doubt that Flames of War will be the major focus of my hobby, though it's been fun researching various units, equipment, and forces. A plus is that WWII stuff isn't blocked at work.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2012/12/13 15:45:23


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    My half of the Open Fire! and all the the Auchtung is assembled. After wrapping the Shermans with rubberbands as the glue dried, it seems that things aren't so bad. After the kids go to bed tonight, we might get a little game in.
    My wife is part Finnish, so she is definately interested in a Finnish army. I may end up assembling a Jalkaväkikomppania platoon or two for her. I like their version of the StuG, though the Finnish infantry is worlds better than their tanks. The other option for tanks are stolen Russian ones... not thrilled there, but we'll see.
    I glued magnets underneath the engine decking of the StuG's... that way, I'll be able to magnetize Tank Riders on them if I want to go for a StuG Batterie. I also have an OLD set of Kettenkrad's that I got off of an ebay auction... seriously fun half-tracked tracked motorcycle. I can use them as scouts, but there are also army lists that use them to move guns etc. That would be a fun build, just because they are so unique!
    I'm not looking at painting my FOW stuff just yet. I am going to use colored primes, and I just don't have the cash for the proper paints just yet. (Long ago, I promised myself that I'd use 'good' paints for the army project after Necrons.)

    I still have some Necrons to assemble and paint. That includes Lychguard, old metal spyders that need pinning(figured out I can attach a drillbit to my dremmel... how didn't I think of that earlier?). On the painting side, I still have two Ghost Arks to paint and do the final assembly on. Christmas break is comming up, so hopefully I'll be able to put at least two of the three kidos to bed in the afternoon and do a little bit.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/01/01 04:43:31


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Well, Gitz inspired me again. Here's how I did on my 2012 goals:

    Goals for 2012
    Complete my CCBarge and Overlord (DONE)
    Touch-ups on the warriors to bring them in line with my new theme (oh, and maybe add another box) (DONE)
    Touch-ups on the scarabs (up to 18 bases) (DONE)
    Convert my Spare Destroyer into a Destroyer Lord (really, I'll use bits from the Barge Overlord) (DONE)
    Convert up and paint some Crypteks (DONE)
    Build or convert and paint 12 Wraiths (10 DONE, have the parts for at least 2 more)
    Build and paint 2 Ghost Arks (1 DONE, 2 more in process)
    Build and paint 2 Annihilation Barges (1 DONE)
    Build and Paint at least 1 40k starter box (AOBR or whatever comes with 6th)(Ummm… sort of)


    Additional accomplishments:
    Built and painted 10 Tesla Immortals
    Converted and painted 10 Deathmarks (Warrior bodies)
    Built and painted a bunch more warriors and scarabs
    Built, magnetized, and primed 5 Lychguard
    Updated 10 metal Immortals to my paint scheme
    Built the German half of an FOW Open Fire box and all of an Auctung! Box. The tanks and AT guns are primed in appropriate colors.

    2012 was a pretty successful year. The escalation league early on was very motivating, and it really helped me learn my army. Then 6th dropped, and I had to learn how my army works again. Likewise, the summer let me get a lot of things finished. Things have been very… difficult since the end of August. I’m not going to blame #3, but Daddy hasn’t been sleeping like he should.

    Moving on to 2013…
    I want to play in a league this year.
    I want to finish the three ghost arks that are in progress. The one I got this Christmas may be converted into a Triarch Stalker… I don’t really think that I need 4 Arks.
    I want to finish the Spyders.
    I want to finish the Lychguard… including the box that I have sitting on the shelf.
    I want to finish what I have for Flames of War… and add a few weapons teams (maybe the box from Plastic Soldier Company that has Panzerschreks, Mortar teams, and HMG teams) Beyond that, Nebelweffers and some AA are also called for, but that’s less important than painting what I have now.
    As a much lower priority, I’d love to add a pair of Scythes to my army.
    As a much much lower priority, I’d love to add a pair of Monoliths and a Necron-style bastion. Maybe if Apoc gets updated and they rerelease the Monolith Phalanx set.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/01/01 16:54:01


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Oh, a report on Christmas:
    I got $25 at Home Depot that I may put towards hobby stuff. I also got a Ghost Ark from my wife (I mention it above... and may turn it into a Triarch Stalker.
    I also received the X-Wing Miniature Game from Fantasy Flight. Boy howdy... I'm excited for that.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/02/07 04:26:19


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Good bye January.
    Hello February.
    I've gotten my space mostly cleaned and set. I have the base coat on all of the Ghost Ark ribs and the cockpit... just the base coats on the guns and I'll be ready to assemble.

    As encouragement to finish the Ghost Arks, I bought my first Finecast model. I've been staying away because of the variety of things that I've heard about them. Well, I bought an Anrakyr the Traveler. The main body sprue seems great! Sadly, the sprue with the Warscythe, head, arms, and loin-cloth-thingie had tons of flashing and poor detail.

    On the X-Wing front, I've bought a Tie Advanced and an additonal X-Wing. Should be able to run an actual... in the trench battle between Darth Vader and his wingmen and Luke Skywalker and Biggs. I also got the Battlefoam insert for the starter box. I like it, but it's a struggle to make everything fit. My plan for now is to fill out the foam (that'll be 2 more Ties, 1 more Tie Advanced, 2 Y-wings, and 1 more X-wing) before seeing if I really play the game all that often.

    A little rant on X-wing... I love the game, but do the really need to include so many Target Lock tokens and ship numbers? Tempted to pitch some of them just to save space!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/02/18 02:35:59


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Saturday I was able to get down to the store for an afternoon... something that I haven't been able to do in a long time!
    I picked up a GW texture paint... I'm exploring a different basing options.
    1 Primed black
    2 Applied GW Blackfire Earth with a popsicle stick. The crystal is held in place with some of the paste.
    3 Used a sculpting tool to drag wind lines into the paste
    4 After drying, wash with GW Seraphim Sepia
    5 Highlight with GW Deathclaw Brown
    6 Flock With GF9 Arid Static Grass



    I also wanted to see what it would look like on the bases I already have. Here, I've basically drybrushed the Deathclaw Brown on the raw sand that I've been using, washing with Seraphim Sepia, drybrushing with the Deathclaw Brown again and then flocking.


    I'm really hoping for some feedback. So as not to taint the sample, I'm keeping my opinions to myself for right now.
    Thanks.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/02/19 01:17:10


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    A lot of creativity in your blog Anpu... congratulations. Keep at it!

    I think the basing works fine. I always take a look at it with a variety of types of figures to see how it effects their look. I know you're going for a desert theme (appropriate), but given that... you still want to make sure that the overall effect of the base improves the look of the figures & doesn't make it get lost in translation. Guess I'd have to see more examples to know for sure. some options are to add rocks of a different color... red or grey to contrast with the sandy brown and pale grass you have. Experiment a little bit, can't hurt!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/02/19 18:27:36


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Thanks, Gits. Your comments really mean a lot to me.

    I was trying for an Arid Mars theme, but the GW Blackfire Earth and Deathclaw Brown came out ... well... too brown. I also feel that I've added too much of the flock. The red glaze might shift everything in the direction I want. If that doesn't work, it'll be back to the drawing board.

    Did the basic camo pattern on the StuG's and Assault Guns (hoping for pictures soon). I really just want my Germans to be table-top quality... not going for awards or anything. I want them on the table so that I can get down and play with them!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/02/20 09:50:59


    Post by: Reaper Man 2020


    I'm quite liking the base but I think a splash of colour may be needed just to lift them a bit. my suggestion would be to use the green crystals in GW's new basing kit, they are very Necron (or Skaven). A word of warning though that kit is very expensive and although I fancy it there is no way I am paying that much!

    Keep motivated!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/02/20 12:40:50


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    My pleasure Anpu.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/02/21 03:34:42


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Spent a little time the other night working of my Flames of War stuff.

    Pretty early on, I bought some Tiger IE's from Point of Contact miniatures. These tanks come pre-painted (primed Dunkelgelb, and then washed in the camo pattern).

    I got a wild hare, and decided to magnetize the turrets. The turrets wiggle out with a bit of force; they're just held in by a single peg. While I could attach a single magnet to the trimmed post and center of the turret, I wanted to try something else.
    I attached a washer to the center of tank body.

    Then, I greenstuffed a pair of magnets inside the turret. I attached a washer to the magnets while the Greenstuff dried to maintain proper spacing.

    Overall, I'm pretty happy with the tanks and the project. I'm seriously considering buying two packs of Point of Contact sdkfz251's.

    Here's the camo on my StuG's and Pak40's


    In general, I'm happy with how they look. There is a lot more that I can do (as far as detailing and weathering), but I just want a force that I can get on the table. It'll be a while before I get to the troops from the Open Fire! set that I have. I also need to get some paints for them (most noticeably Field Grau).

    In the meantime, more work on the Ghost Arks!


    PS, just noticed that I need brown on the left side of the command tank. OOPS! Going to get that finished.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/02/21 03:49:28


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Very neat!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/03/10 05:03:56


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    My flgs started up a paint and play. It's a very laid-back group, so I'm not bringing a killer list... instead models that I want to get finished.


    Battle Report: Necrons Vs. Nids @750

    My list:
    Anrakyr
    10 Gauss Immortals
    10 Warriors
    3 Scarabs
    6 Scarabs
    3 Spyders

    W's List:
    Flying Hive Tyrant
    Tervagaunt
    single Warrior with a big, terrain ignoring gun
    4 warriors, 1 with a big, terrain ignoring gun
    some 'gaunts

    Pre-Game analysis:
    Well, W is one of the top players at the local store. I've played his csm back in the 3.5 days and he beat me soundly on his way to winning the tourney. He's giving 'Nids a try (he has many armies). I'm not expecting to win this... I just don't have enough bodies and enough guns on the board. I really don't have anything to deal with a flying hive tyrant. He has several blast weapons that will eat up my scarabs.

    Mission: Emperor's Will (1 objective each)
    Deployment: Hammer and Anvil

    Well, he gets the warlord trait that give him eternal warrior and I get the one that causes night fighting the first turn... whoop-de-do!

    I steal the initiative and run the immortals forward and into cover. During his first turn of shooting, he kills them to the man... through night fighting. My game progresses similarly. His Tervagaunt makes 3 broods of 12+ gaunts before drying up. In short... with the immortals down, I just don't have enough shooting to make a difference.

    Lessons:
    The Spyders need to have something to do other than hide and make scarabs. I'm planning on giving them Twin-linked particle beamers. Being monstrous creatures, they will be able to shoot that heavy weapon and still move as normal (right???).
    Mistakes I've made... I didn't treat the scarabs as beasts. My first squad got up to 9 scarabs and would have pinned his tervagon in his backfield if I had only remembered that they could move 12. I also separated Anrakyr from the warriors in order to use the TA on his Tervagon... but forgot to actually shoot!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/03/20 00:35:45


    Post by: Reaper Man 2020


    I would not have split your scarabs into two units, one big one is always best. I don't know if you are limited on models but I would use a list something more like either of these;

    750 Pts - Necrons Roster - Necrons 750 b

    HQ: Overlord (1#, 205 pts)
    1 Overlord, 205 pts ((C:NE, pg. 30); Infantry; Warscythe; Mindshackle Scarabs; Sempiternal Weave; Resurrection Orb; Phase Shifter; Ever-Living; Independent Character; Reanimation Protocols)

    Troops: Warriors (8#, 104 pts)
    8 Warriors, 104 pts ((C:NE, pg. 33); Infantry; Gauss Flayer; Reanimation Protocols)

    Troops: Warriors (6#, 165 pts)
    5 Warriors, 165 pts ((C:NE, pg. 33); Infantry; Gauss Flayer; Reanimation Protocols)
    1 Night Scythe ((C:NE, pg. 51); (DFTS, pgs. 61 & 70); Vehicle (Transport); 1 Access Point; 15 model capacity; TL Tesla Destructor; Deep Strike; Invasion Beams; Living Metal; Supersonic)

    Heavy Support: Annihilation Barge (1#, 90 pts)
    1 Annihilation Barge, 90 pts ((C:NE, pg. 49); Tesla Cannon; TL Tesla Destructor; Quantum Shielding; Living Metal; Jink; Vehicle (Open-topped, Skimmer))

    Heavy Support: Annihilation Barge (1#, 90 pts)
    1 Annihilation Barge, 90 pts ((C:NE, pg. 49); Tesla Cannon; TL Tesla Destructor; Quantum Shielding; Living Metal; Jink; Vehicle (Open-topped, Skimmer))

    Heavy Support: Annihilation Barge (1#, 90 pts)
    1 Annihilation Barge, 90 pts ((C:NE, pg. 49); Tesla Cannon; TL Tesla Destructor; Quantum Shielding; Living Metal; Jink; Vehicle (Open-topped, Skimmer))

    Validation Report:
    c-1. File Version: 1.16 For Bug Reports/www.ab40k.org; b-1. Roster Options: Named or Special Characters; a-1. Scenario: Normal Mission; b-2. Levels of Alliance: Battle Brothers
    You must have one Warlord in the army list

    Composition Report:
    HQ: 1 (1 - 2)
    Elite: 0 (0 - 3)
    Troops: 2 (2 - 6)
    Fast: 0 (0 - 3)
    Heavy: 3 (0 - 3)
    Fort: 0 (0 - 1)

    Total Roster Cost: 744

    Created with Army Builder® - Try it for free at http://www.wolflair.com

    or

    750 Pts - Necrons Roster - Crons 750 c

    HQ: Destroyer Lord (1#, 160 pts)
    1 Destroyer Lord, 160 pts ((C:NE, pg. 31); Jump Units; Warscythe; Sempiternal Weave; Mindshackle Scarabs; Ever-Living; Independent Character; Preferred Enemy; Reanimation Protocols; Bulky; Deep Strike)

    HQ: Overlord (1#, 205 pts)
    1 Overlord, 205 pts ((C:NE, pg. 30); Infantry; Warscythe; Mindshackle Scarabs; Sempiternal Weave; Resurrection Orb; Phase Shifter; Ever-Living; Independent Character; Reanimation Protocols)

    : Royal Court (2#, 115 pts)
    1 Royal Court, 115 pts
    1 Harbinger of Despair ((C:NE, pg. 32); Infantry; Harbinger of Despair; Abyssal Staff; Veil of Darkness; Ever-Living; Reanimation Protocols)
    1 Harbinger of Destruction ((C:NE, pg. 32); Infantry; Harbinger of Destruction; Eldritch Lance; Solar Pulse; Ever-Living; Reanimation Protocols)

    Troops: Warriors (5#, 65 pts)
    5 Warriors, 65 pts ((C:NE, pg. 33); Infantry; Gauss Flayer; Reanimation Protocols)

    Troops: Warriors (5#, 65 pts)
    5 Warriors, 65 pts ((C:NE, pg. 33); Infantry; Gauss Flayer; Reanimation Protocols)

    Fast Attack: Canoptek Wraiths (4#, 140 pts)
    4 Canoptek Wraiths, 140 pts ((C:NE, pg. 44); Jump Units; Phase Shifter; Fearless; Phase Attacks; Wraithflight; Bulky; Deep Strike)

    Validation Report:
    c-1. File Version: 1.16 For Bug Reports/www.ab40k.org; b-1. Roster Options: Named or Special Characters; a-1. Scenario: Normal Mission; b-2. Levels of Alliance: Battle Brothers
    You must have one Warlord in the army list

    Composition Report:
    HQ: 2 (1 - 2)
    Elite: 0 (0 - 3)
    Troops: 2 (2 - 6)
    Fast: 1 (0 - 3)
    Heavy: 0 (0 - 3)
    Fort: 0 (0 - 1)

    Total Roster Cost: 750

    Created with Army Builder® - Try it for free at http://www.wolflair.com

    either of those will give most armies a run for their money!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/03/20 17:33:09


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    @Reaper,
    Here's the reason for splitting the scarabs:
    Spiders pump the first group up for a few turns, and then sending them out to cause havoc. Meanwhile, you get to pump up the smaller group to larger numbers, and then send those out (usually with the spyders as hammers). It also helps to make sure that there is a group of scarabs within range for the spyders to add too. (It can be a problem due to the different speeds that the scarabs and spyders move).

    Admittedly, my list is a hodge-podge... it's the units that I want to finish painting. It is pretty heavy in melee anti-tank, and pretty weak in shooting right now. It's meant to be a playable list that helps me finish out my army. By no means, is it intended to be a competative or even an all-comers.

    Reasons for my defeat:
    #1. It's been months since I got a game in. I'm rusty.
    #2. It was against, perhaps the best player at the store.
    #3. It was using units that are new to me. I need to figure out how to use them more effectively.
    #4. The lists were mis-matched. I had a very melee, anti-tank army. He had an horde, shooty Nid list which was able to destroy me at range. Exchange his Nids for equal points of Grey Knights and it would have been a better game.

    All in all, I'm not too disappointed in my performance. I need to keep practicing with these units and get my hand in the game more (league is meeting again this Saturday).


    BTW, I like both of the lists you posted. I'm not going to head in that direction, but I think that both of them would be very effective at low points.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/03/21 00:28:25


    Post by: Reaper Man 2020


    With the scarabs I would still have them in a big unit run the front ones out to cause havoc and have some hang back with the spyders, remember you can spawn the new ones in unit coherency with an original one at the front which gives them a real threat range! Once they tie up a unit in combat you can still add bases to the units and if they have a tough unit then the spyders can wade in to finish them off.

    I understand all the rest I often end up playing with a list of what I have painted rather than what I want to play with.

    Show us some more shots of what you have got finished.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/03/21 01:06:06


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Will do.

    Here are my major projects:
    #1. Spyders... I have three of the old metal ones. They've been pinned, magnetized, and primed. I'm pretty excited to finally have these on the table!
    #2. Ghost Arks... boy, these are a bit tedium.
    #3. I've picked up a plastic orc bloodbowl team. I'm planning on using them as a test for the eventual ork army I'll have. I also got a lot of metal and plastic humans, and I may have to paint just to have a set (and then I'll need a pitch... hmm... it may be an expensive ebay auction in the end...
    #4. Oh, and I want to paint up to an actual FOW army...


    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    So I got a Finecast Anrakyr as a reward for when I finish the Ghost Arks... Here's my 'review'.

    First up is the main body sprue.


    Overall, I really like this sprue. The detail is sharp, and I don't notice anything amiss.
    Cutting the body from the sprue, I do notice some bubbles in the feet. These don't cause any problems because they are in the area that will be glued down to the base.


    Main Body Sprue Grade: A+

    Next comes the second sprue. My first one is so bad that I email GW customer service... <rant> rather than dealing with me, they tell me to phone them. UGGG. It is as if email isn't a valid form of communication. </rant>

    This is the replacement sprue... almost as bad as the first. Look at all the extra flashing. What is really disgusting is the lack of detail on the bottom of the warscythe!

    I'm seriously disappointed.
    The other end of the sprue is better, but not a whole lot.


    There are two noticeable bubbles in the grip.


    Where the finecast really falls down is in comparison to the plastic kits. Here it is compared to the warscythe head from the Lychguard/Praetorian box.

    The best way of describing it is that Anrakyr has the Nerf version of the warscythe. Even after filing it down, it still doesn't compare to the plastic warscythe. This is very frustrating, mostly because this is the REPLACEMENT PARTS!!!


    Accessory Sprue Grade: D+
    Overall Grade: C

    Verdict: I'm just not going to buy anything else Finecast. Anrakyr is a second generation finecast model... meaning that he has never been in metal. It has also been more than a year since the introduction of Finecast (I know that the model came into my FLGS in December at the earliest)... these mistakes shouldn't be being made anymore. Besides... when the replacement parts are as bad as the first ones....


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/03/22 02:32:58


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Good news: I made good progress on my spyders.
    Bad news: the reason I made progress is that the harddrive crapped out on my laptop. I don't have a way of posting pictures, right now. At least I can check in, even if it is a bit slow.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/03/26 03:35:59


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Well, now I did it... I bought the Orks from AoBR from consignment at my flgs. Primed and in all their 471 point glory!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/04/03 23:51:41


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    http://www.thelivingmoon.com/43ancients/02files/Mars_Blue_Bird_Color_01.html
    Inspired by photos from Mars, I've worked on the rebasing some more. Mars, it seams is less red than one might think. Here is the basing and a WIP of the spyders.




    I have 18 warriors, 12 scarab bases, and several large flying bases done. Already on my 2nd container of the texture paint. I'm happy with how they look, and the broken up green sprue adds the needed color.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/04/05 13:33:17


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Hoping to get a game in on Saturday. I'm really tempted to bring the orks along, but not yet.
    It's a 1000 points, and I need to have a minumum of 1 HQ, 2 Troop, 2 FA, and 1 heavy.

    HQ
    Namesor Zahndrekh 185

    Troops
    20x Warriors 260
    5x Warriors + Ghost Ark 180

    Fast Attack
    7x Scarabs 105
    3x Destroyers 120

    Heavy Support
    3x Spyders


    THoughs? Comments? No, I'm not taking Wraiths this time.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/04/07 03:07:22


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Well, I got my first league win today. Played against the old Tau codex.
    His list is something like this:
    Commander w/ 2 drones
    3 Firewarrior squads
    Pathfinders w/devilfish
    2x Piranah

    Deployment was Hammer and Anvil, mission was the Scouring. He glibly talked about having up to 8 scoring units... I have 4. I knew that my mission would be to wreck his scoring units as much as possible. Warlord traits had no effect on the outcome of the game. Namesor Zahndrekh also didn't do too much for me, but then again he didn't have many special rules that I could take away.

    Doing the random terrain, his side ended up very heavy with terrain; my end was very light. Taking turns deploying terrain, I used some large city-fight terrain in my 1/3, and was quickly able to place some difficult terrain in the middle 1/3 of the board before he finished filling out his 1/3. I knew that I'd need cover, and that my spyders and scarabs have move through cover.

    Placing the random objectives, I placed my 3 pretty close and in the open. My goal was to use the larger buildings to hide my warriors while holding objectives that were just outside of the terrain. He placed his objectives in a line about 9 inches in from his edge of the board.

    I deployed first and end up going first. I started my spyders in one building, exactly 6 inches ahead of the scarab swarm.
    In the other building was my 20 man warrior squad with the ghost ark on the back edge of the board. Fatefully, the destroyers, I held in deep strike reserve.
    He used a gunline deployment on top of his objectives.
    I ended up with the 4, a 3, and a 1... he gets the 2's and a 3. 2 of his three objectives are booby trapped, the third reduces assault range.
    Well, I could go turn by turn, but I'll sum it up this way. He takes some pot shots as my warriors but doesn't deal any wounds. I basically don't shoot until the end of the game. My scarabs and spyders basically win me the game by getting in his face on turn 3; the spyders wreck a piranha and chase off his commander while making more scarabs. The scarabs destroy one of his infantry units on turns 3, 4, and 5... all while facing the full face of his shooting. He attempts to swing a piranha around to harass my warriors (I moved them so that they had my 3 point and 4 point objectives covered... I even immobalized the ghost ark in terrain making sure that it would be in position to revive any lost warriors. That piranha takes a beating. and he concedes the game.
    If you add all of the victory points, I would have first blood, slay the warlord, line-breaker, the 4 point objective and a 3 point objective, as well as 2 bonus points for killing 2 of his fast attack choices. He had no victory points.

    Oh, if you were wondering about my destroyers... I forgot to deploy them. I trounced him with 120 points behind my back. Thinking about the end of the game, I'm not sure of where I'd have deep-striked them so that they could have made a difference.

    Overall, I'm happy with how I played. My spyders generally ran faster that the scarabs, so I had 3 turns of adding 3 more bases... lucky there. Still ended the game with the 7 bases that I started the game with.... yippee!
    Terrain won me the game... that and his lack of template weapons. This allowed the scarabs to wreck face. I'm very happy with the combat prowess of the spyders... well, at least against Tau. Having the 3 and 4 objectives helped a lot; I didn't need to run across the board.

    I was just confused by his game plan... granted, I put a lot of pressure on one of his flanks, but he played ultra defensively. He may have been hoping for a last turn objective grab.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/04/10 21:18:41


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Caught in the April blizzard here in the Great Plains, so I've been able to grab 10 and 15 minute chunks here and there. Base coats are finally finished on one Ghost Ark, and I'm starting finish assembly.
    My Royal Court has been rebased, as has another 20 warriors, 10Tesla Immortals, and 5of my Deathmarks. I'm slightly worried about rebasing the metal immortals because I have no idea how they were done in the first place. It seemed like it is RR ballast, but its on there tight; maybe painting over is the better option.
    Repairs have been made here and there, and the major sections of the Night Scythe have been assembled and are ready for primer.
    So there has been little fits of progress...


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/04/16 17:14:55


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    It was very cool, Frankie and Reece from Frontline Gaming reviewed my list on their latest podcast (Ep. 142).

    Here's my 1850 List:
    Zahndrek and Oberyon
    Destroyer Lord w/weave and MSS
    Veiltek

    5 Deathmarks

    10 Tesla Immortals
    5 Warriors in a Night Scythe
    5 Warriors in a Night Scythe

    8 Scarabs
    6 Wraiths w/3 whipcoils

    2x Annihilation Barges
    3x Spyders

    Early game plan is to get early pressure with the wraiths and scarabs, disrupt their backfield with Deathmarks and Night Scythes. Zahndrek holds back objectives with the immortals (until a night scythe is destroyed, then they move up) and Oberyon veils the spyders to where I need them as far as support goes.

    Both Frankie and Reece liked the list, but did point out that I don't have much for troops in an 1850 list. Granted, the warriors in the Night Scythes are protected. Wish they had more criticism, but it feels good to have a TAC list that I can actually build!

    At this point, I only need to convert up Zahndrekh and Oberyon, and paint 2 night scythes. I think that this will be my normal TAC list for a while.
    Basing continues... I've now used up 3 containers of texture paint. On the flyer base, I'm looking for something more than just crystals and flock.... anyone know where I can get some human/animal bones that I can place on the bases?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/04/23 02:38:06


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I've had a productive week. The Night Scythe is playable. There are a few details, like edge highlighting, that I need to do yet, but I'm happy with the paint scheme. It both went together and painted up way faster than the Ghost Arks or even the barges, my only other vehicles.
    I've ordered another Scythe from my FLGS, and it should be here at the end of the week. I'm ready to get that painted up, and then It'll be time to convert the two characters. I have figs that I can use for each of them in the meantime, so I'm planing on doing a lot of greenstuff work and that box of Lychguard/Praetorians that I have sitting around.

    #2 threw up last night, so I stayed home with her today. She's my little painting buddy, so I painted up another 4 orks before the incoming storm forced me to pick up #1 and #3 from daycare. I'm pretty happy with the paint scheme on the orks... they must be blood axes, it's a very camo feeling scheme.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/05/06 00:59:38


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Here are pictures of the Nightscythe, starting with the base.




    The next few are a bit overexposed, but they give you an idea.


    Like I said earlier, it's playable. I still have edge highlighting to do. I'm happy with how the base turned out (on jar 4 of the Blackfire Earth Texture paint), though I feel like it needs bigger crystals. I picked up the horse skeleton from the bitz box at my FLGS, and like the combo of the white and the sepia wash, and then a dry brushing of the white again. Actually, I'm a really big fan of the sepia wash.

    Oh, and I've also finished the 15 Choppa/Slugga boyz. *edit* Ooops, I just found another boy in the box... guess I'm not quite finished.

    I didn't do any details on the face, but they would be easy to do. White teeth and a wash, and then orange for the eyes. The boss and nobs will be getting more detailing. All told, it takes about 20 minutes of painting per boy. Add the drying time between layers and the wash, etc, and it' probably takes about 2 hours all told. It's quite a bit longer than I spend on a necron warrior, but there are also about double the colors.

    I"m painting them up as Blood Axes (minus the blue, because the Necrons have blue). It's nice to be using some of the Valejo paints that I"ve gotten for the Flames of War.

    I've ordered a second Nightscythe through my FLGS two weeks ago, but it hasn't come in yet. The store seems to be having difficulty with their GW shipments.
    Tomorrow, I'll be priming the FOW infantry, now that I have Fieldgrau for their coats.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/05/09 18:18:42


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Well,
    This is my 1,000th post on Dakka. When I realized this, I wanted to take a break and look back.
    I joined Dakka almost exactly 2 years ago. At that time, I had a few second hand warriors and lords that I got off ebay. I didn't own a codex or the rule book.
    Since then, I've painted roughly 3,000 points of necrons. Started Flames of War, and Blood Bowl. I've started collection X-Wing as well. I've done conversions and built up models from bitz, wire, and green stuff.
    I've competed in various leagues and local tourneys. I'm befriended several people here on Dakka and on other forums.
    In short, I've come a long way in 2 years. Those that have posted on my blog, thank you for your support.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/05/20 20:28:53


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    So I'm looking seriously at Ork lists. Once again, I've been in contact with Reece at Frontline Gaming for his input and I am grateful.

    Here is the list that I'm thinking of building toward.

    Warboss on a Bike w/Power Klaw (125)
    11 Shoota boys in a red truck w/big shoota and a Nob w/boss pole and power klaw (127)
    11 Shoota boys in a red truck w/big shoota and a Nob w/boss pole and power klaw (127)
    11 Shoota boys in a red truck w/big shoota and a Nob w/boss pole and power klaw (127)
    4 Nob Bikers w/ 1 Power Klaw, WAAAGH! Banner, Boss Pole and Pain Boy (300)
    14 Commandos and Boss Snickrot (225) (That's right... I've decided to make my choppa/slugga boyz into commandos!)
    3 Deffkoptas w/ Rockets and Big Bomm (150)
    (Total 1211)

    So, obviously there are things that I'll need to add in order to get the army up to casual play levels. I'm thinking 2 battlewagons, 2 dakkajets, and some big guns.

    I think I'll start by getting a battleforce or three. My question... is a Nob Biker mob of only 6 models (13 wounds) big enough?
    Is it worth taking Deffkoptas in a group of 3?
    Where do I get the extra boss poles and power klaws?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/05/24 18:41:18


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Here's my Anrakyr!

    Also, as soon as I finished painting it... the wrist holding the warsythe broke. Of course. So it is now glued both at the wrist and the bottom of the staff is now glued to the model too.

    I picked up a couple of Pumas for Flames of War. I added a sepia wash on these before I put on the camo. It worked well. They are painted to the same, very basic standard as the StuG's that I finished. I need some AA and Artillery. Looking at Nebelweffers and some Mobelwagons. I know that I need to get going on my infantry...



    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/06/12 03:34:06


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    BLOODBOWL!!! WAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHH!!!!!



    I have 4 of these Black Orks done. I'm loving how they turned out.

    Here's a lineman. I have 3/6 of them done.

    Here's a WIP of the Blitzer. I've since done the silver edge highlighting, etc.


    At this point, I can do a full starter team...
    4 Black Orks
    4 Blitzers
    3 Linemen
    3x team rerolls
    For 970000 gold pieces.

    What I have left on the painting table: 3 more linemen and 2 throwers. I'm not planning on getting a Troll just right now.
    Finally, after 2 months of waiting my Nightscythe came in. It seems the GW facility at Memphis is, um... struggling right now.
    On the FOW front, I've picked up a Panzer Kanone box and a Panther. A lot of the lists I've been playing with have 6 stugs, and I only have 5. The Panzer Kanone box has a Panther and a StuG, so it really fills my need there. My FLGS is looking at doing a Kurst Anniversary battle, and I'm going to do a German list (of course!)

    HQ 2 StuG's w/Schurtzen
    CP 4 StuG's w/Schurtzen
    CP 2 Panthers
    WP Full Scout Platoon

    It's not a killer list, but I'm hoping that it'll be fun as my first FOW game at the shop. Besides, other than a single Kubelwagon, I have everything I need for this list.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/06/14 11:40:43


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    My workspace is being inundated and overwhelmed with stuff for our upcoming 10 day trek to Ohio and back. That means that I won't be having much (if any progress) in the next few weeks. That may not be surprising to any of you who follow my thread... I definitely work in fits and starts.

    I do have a favor to ask you. If you are following my thread, please drop me a line somehow. I'd like to know who's stuck with me this far!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/06/17 17:53:44


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Finished painting and numbering the rest of the Ork team... just need to base them and seal them. Overall, I'm pretty happy with them.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/07/21 15:22:10


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    It's been a very messed up summer. My painting stuff has been packed up for a month, and I don't see it coming out until after school starts. Since my last post, we've had a long family vacation (which was good) and a funeral (which wasn't much fun). Found this at SpikyBitz... and I had to share. Enjoy!



    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/08/02 12:07:20


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    My painting table is still out of commission, and will continue to be out as we go through the girls birthdays. Inspired by Geoff at the Independent Characters, I inventoried the projects that I have sitting in various stages of completion.

    Immediate Wants
    2 more Panthers
    X-Wing Playmat
    2x Tie Fighters
    Bloodbowl Norse Team
    Bloodbowl playmat and dice

    [b]Long-term Wants[/b]
    Ork Speed Freaks army
    2x Monoliths


    In box/Needs assembly/or to Trade
    Night Scythe
    SD KFz 11
    NW41 Rocket Launchers
    Metal Bloodbowl humans

    Assembled/Needs priming or conversion
    40k Ork Warboss
    40k Nobs
    40k Deffkoptas

    Primed/ Needs painting
    Grenadiers
    Ghost Ark
    Lychguard

    Needs finishing
    Bloodbowl Orks (basing)
    Kettenkrad (basing)
    Panthers (details and Camo)
    StuG's (details and Camo)
    Ghost Ark (edge highlights and lights)
    Night Scythe (edge highlights)

    Looking at the list, there are a few basing supplies that I need to push some of those projects over the finish line. I'm also not at a point where I can tackle another army (sorry Orks!). I had been saving up towards a couple of ork battleforces, but decided instead to buy some more X-Wing Stuff. It's like crack cocaine... its just so easy!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/08/25 01:45:03


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I see the end of my hobby drought nearing the end. School has been in session for a week, and the kids have adjusted to a new bedtime. The girls' birthday parties are tomorrow, and so I won't be afraid to make a mess (ie, work) on my painting table anymore.

    The main question: What to work on first?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/08/27 12:04:30


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Finally getting back in the 40k saddle with an RTT at an area gaming convention. Here's my list:

    Destroyer Lord w/ MS and Weave
    10 Tesla Immortals
    5 Warriors in a Night Scythe
    10 Warriors in a Barge
    10 Warriors in a Barge
    7 Scarabs
    6 Wraiths, 2w/ Whipcoils
    2 Annibarges with Tesla
    1400 points

    Why at 1400 points? I think the organizer is having a bit of a lark with everyone. These will be my first matches outside of my basement or my local gaming store. I'm excited, but I don't have a huge expectation of winning. I'm not sure that I have the tools to take down a bunch of MC's of the Tau, Eldar, Nid, or Demon persuasion. I'm also not sure that I can handle Eldar waveserpent spam, if I encounter that. We'll see.

    Also at the event is an X-Wing Tourneyment. My buddy will be borrowing my Rebels and I'll pilot the Imps. Once again, I'm not expecting to win, but fun being the focus.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/08/29 04:38:22


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Change of plans... I must have added something up wrong the first time I did the list, so I'll have to update it.

    I'm putting smaller units of warriors and Immortals in their transports. A nightscythe for the immortals, and a 3rd Ghost Ark for the warriors. Other than that, the list stays basically the same.



    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/09/01 03:51:14


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Back form the big area convention, and while there were a few hiccups and disappointments I had a great time. So did Thing #1, who tagged along so that Things #2 and #3 could have a "Girls' Day" with Mommy.

    First up, X-Wing
    Played 3 100 point games of X-Wing late into the night on Friday. I was playing my Imps, and my buddy G borrowed my Rebs.
    Here's the List for the Rebs
    3x Red Squadron Pilots (X-Wing)
    Horton Salam w/ Ion Turret
    He lost all three of his games, but I suspect that he wan't using Horton's ability. Two of the three games were close ones. He really seemed to get a handle of maneuvering his ships in formation. Where I to use this list again, would be to drop 2 of the X-Wings to Rookies and add Biggs and a defensive Droid to the mix.

    My List
    2X Academy Pilots (TIE)
    Maulter Mithel (TIE)
    Tempest Squadron w/Concussion Missile
    Marrek Stele w/concussion Missile and Marksmanship
    I enjoyed one crushing victory and two crushing defeats. I really struggled with maneuvering 5 ships... this is definitely an area I needed to practice. One highlight, though is that I managed to trap an opponents A-Wing and bringing it from full shields to only 1 remaining hullpoint on a single turn. I used similar tactics on another opponent later in the event and did a number too.

    General observations: Of the 8 players, 5 were rebels and only 3 were Imps. I thought that I brought a rather elite Imperial list, but both of the other players had Vader kitted out in their lists. This limited the number of ships that they could bring. Most of the rebel lists were 3 or 4 ship lists. No one brought any of the large ships from wave 2. All of the missions were of the killpoints type... we could definitely use some more variety in lists.

    I want to talk about the 40k event, but it's getting late. Maybe tomorrow.



    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/09/02 04:26:39


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Saturday Morning was time for 40k.
    @Tourneyment organizers... if your event is on the schedule from 8am until 1pm... please don't start round #1 at 10 am. (I have already sent a letter to the event organizers, so I won't go into more details here, but this one minor blemish what was otherwise a great trip).

    Down the long centerline of each table was a 4 inch wide river, dangerous terrain. Across the river at table center is a 6"x4" bridge. We played old 4th/5th style scenarios, and the river/bridge played into each one.

    My first opponent was normal CSM, and the objective was to hold the bridge. He played a Lord, a Sorcerer, two units of Plague marines, and a Forge Fiend. He took an aegis line with the quad gun. He built a little bunker in one corner putting the larger squad of Plague marines behind it with the Sorcerer.
    I was able to pin his Plague Marines in the bunker with my scarabs while whittling away at everything else. His forge fiend went down turn 2 to combined Annihilation Barges and a Ghost Ark and warriors. I put several wounds on his Lord and his Sorcerer suffered from Perils of the Warp before being gunned down my Barge fire. He was on the bridge at the top of turn 5 with 5 Plague marines, but he was facing all three of my ghost arks and Annihilation barges. This was a very firm victory for me.

    My second opponent was running Black Legion with CSM allies. He that had the most scoring units on the other side of the bridge wins. Turn one his warpsmith hits me with an ability called Eye of Night... it destroyed one Ark and immobilized one of the Barges so that it was pointing directly into the hill it was hiding behind. He flies a demon prince on my side of the board, but because he got sub-par psychic powers, I was able to ground and obliterate him in one turns shooting. Turn 2, his heldrake comes on and explodes one more of my Ghost Arks, and toasts one unit of warriors. I manage to crash the heldrake and it lands on top of the immobilized Annihilation Barge. He deep-strikes a single obliterator behind my remaining Ghost Ark, and after playing cat and mouse with my Ghost Ark for a few turns, finishes it and the warriors inside. His unit of chosen cross the river and play with my last Annihilation barge for a while. His unit of CSM in a Landraider make it across the bridge, and my destroyer lord and wraiths finally show up, and slaughter his cultists before the wraiths get taken out by his chaos lord (how exactly does a unit get 12 force weapon attacks in a single combat?). My night scythe drops the Immortals off in cover on his side of the board, but it is too little too late, because I can't kill the unit in the landraider or finish off his chosen.

    At this point, the kids are restless, it's after 3 o'clock, and we still have a 2 hour drive home, so I forfeit my last match. Its and interesting one where the objective is floating 2d6 inches down the river each turn.

    I definitely made a few mistakes in the second game. I had a chance with the Destroyer Lord to take out the landraider, but instead chased down the last of his cultists. That would have forced the confrontation to happen on the bridge, and I may have been able to tie the main objective at least. Holding the Destroyer Lord and Wraiths in reserve probably wasn't' a great idea.

    On the painting side, I got a lot of compliments on my army. They used an old Golden Demon rubric and I scored 23 out of 40. Pretty good, but I didn't get any conversion points for my Wraiths or Destroyer Lord, which makes me sad. I also didn't get any points for highlighting... which just shows that my highlighting is a bit too subtle. But still, ti was a great chance to meet the gamers a bit to my south, and I really enjoyed both tourneys.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/11/28 16:01:58


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Well, I put a brush to paint, and put a base coat on the grenadier officers. I also sprayed the primer on my second night scythe.

    My FLGS is running a 'Ard Boyz style event in Feb. I'm thinking about borrowing my brother's tau as allies. More on that later.

    Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/11/30 02:50:45


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    A few more coats on the grenadier officers... they should be ready for basing. Started on the first platoon. Should be able to pump them out in a few days.
    Man... do I not like painting FOW infantry... my FLGS has started up a painting service and the prices are pretty reasonable. I may task them to paint up some mortars or HMG's.

    UPDATE:
    Wow, a heavy heart and a paint brush can get a lot of work done. The first platoon of grenadiers are finished short of a wash and basing. I plan on doing a huge batch of basing one of these days.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/12/08 04:47:28


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I've been busy on the hobby front. Both platoons of grenadiers are finished and waiting for basing. I've since turned my attention to my remaining Nightscythe, which needs only highlights and a few details on the guns.

    I've ordered a mat from Frontline Gaming/Table War's Kickstarter and I'm excited to have my own table. I've ordered some paper ruins from DagobahDave. I have somewhere in the area of 30 print-and-build ruins to make in order to populate my little corner of a world. That will be a major modeling project in the new year. I also hope to add a Blood Bowl stadium to my collection. Dave has some tiles that would be just the thing.

    On the X-Wing front, I received two B-Wings and an Tie-Intercepter. I'm hoping for the Imperial Aces pack to round out my Imperial forces. That being said, I also don't have a Falcon or Slave I in my collection.

    I still would like to make an ork army. Specifically, I'm hoping that Speed Freaks are a viable build in the next codex. I have already picked up a Biker Box to go with the AoBR orks that I already have. I'm also hoping to find the perfect plastic farm toy to use as a basis for some Battlewagons.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/12/13 18:51:28


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Here are my completed Grenadiers!!!


    These are the plastic Grenadiers from Open Fire... I'm seriously considering getting another set.
    Here is my whole army up to this point.

    In addition to the Grenadiers, I have:
    2 Panthers
    2 Pumas
    6 StuG's
    4 PaK40's w/observer teams
    3 Kettenkrad

    I have closer images of most of the units in my gallery.
    Here is the army list that I'm running at my first FOW tourney.

    As you can see, it is a Late-War 1000, and there is next to no way to get a German force up to 6 platoons. Luckily, all the of battles will be the fair fight missions...


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/12/15 02:42:16


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Quick Tournament report:
    Played a British Infantry that simply out shot me. I got 1-6 after losing both of the StuG Platoons and one of my grenadier platoons to some very lucky shooting on his part and horri-bad saves on mine. Still... I'm learning the rules and what to and what not to do.

    Played American Light Armor. My StuG's struck early and destroyed 3/4 of his Shermans on Turn 1 and 2. My Grenadier platoon just wasn't enough to hold both of the objectives on my side of the board, and his artillery got revenge on the StuG. My second grenadier platoon didn't come on and I lost 1-6.

    Played Russian tanks, he overwhelmed my right flank and I wasn't aggressive enough to get his. My StuG's were held in reserve... they were able to hold of his fast tanks, but when his big guns game in they just couldn't hold up. I lost (you guessed it) 1-6

    I 'won' the best new-comer award and got GE801 (HQ W/3 Panzershrek Teams). I took home FOW Code GE701 (Company HQ w/2 extra Command Teams)... it looks like there are some mortars and machine guns in there.The other blister lost its tag but is supposed to be GE701.

    With all of those figs, I'm mostly looking at making the mortars, machine guns and panzershreks. I think that I'll tackle this before the new year.

    On another front, I'll probably join the Independent Characters Hobby Progress Challenge. Part 1 is a zone mortalis challenge and part 2 is another 1000 points for a total of a 2k army by the end of the year.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/12/18 19:17:33


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Oh No!!!
    GE701 is a Mid-war command team with Panzerknackers and anti-tank rifles (boo-hiss). Well, at least the other kit (GE801) does indeed have models that I am anxious to use.

    I did join the Independent Characters Hobby Progress Challenge.
    I'm looking at converting the Ork Nobs from AoBR into Meganobz, and converting the Warboss so that he has a bike (made from one of the Deffkopters). Add in a few shoota boyz and Nob Bikers, and you have my first 1000 points. Now I just have to divide them into reasonably sized groups to get them done on time (Starting Feb 1 and finishes June 30th).
    After that, it'll be the vehicles. Maybe an airbrush will be in order.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2013/12/23 22:39:24


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Well, it's time for my year end review...

    Here's my hobby goals at the beginning of the year:
    Moving on to 2013…
    I want to play in a league this year.
    I want to finish the three ghost arks that are in progress. The one I got this Christmas may be converted into a Triarch Stalker… I don’t really think that I need 4 Arks.
    I want to finish the Spyders.
    I want to finish the Lychguard… including the box that I have sitting on the shelf.
    I want to finish what I have for Flames of War… and add a few weapons teams (maybe the box from Plastic Soldier Company that has Panzerschreks, Mortar teams, and HMG teams) Beyond that, Nebelweffers and some AA are also called for, but that’s less important than painting what I have now.
    As a much lower priority, I’d love to add a pair of Scythes to my army.
    As a much much lower priority, I’d love to add a pair of Monoliths and a Necron-style bastion. Maybe if Apoc gets updated and they rerelease the Monolith Phalanx set.


    Well... I think that I played 1 league game all year. It's been a very rought year in just about every aspect of my life, so it's not surprising that this fell apart.
    On to the Ghost Arks... they all did get finished. Yeah!!!
    Spyders? All three are finished!!! Yippee!
    Lychguard... um... no work has happened to them.
    On the Flames of War front, not only did I finish the Open Fire box, but I also painted up 2 more PaK40's, 3 Kettenkrad, 2 Pumas, 2 Panthers, and 3 extra StuG's. I feel good on this front, but it probably wouldn't have happened unless I had the FOW tournament a couple of weeks ago. We'll get to what I want to add in a bit.
    I did add the pair of Night Scythes to my army, and they are finished. YIPPEE!!!
    I didn't add any Monoliths or Necron bastions, though I have conceptualized several that I want to add to my collection. This is especially cool now that the fortifications book is out. I'll wait at least until 2015 to make them though.
    So, 4 out of 7 makes for a pretty successful year. In addtion to all the extra FOW stuff, I also painted that Ork Blood Bowl team.

    Now let's look at 2014:
    As I mentioned above, I've joined The Independent Character's Hobby Progress Challege...Here's the link to my project log there. That will have me painting 2000 points of Orks on top of the 90 or so points I already have painted. I want to do a truck/wagon/bike army, but I'll put most of the details on that page. I'm planning on cross posting the finished models here as well.
    Here's my tentative plan for 2k:
    Warboss on Bike
    Big Mek
    Nob Biker Troops
    Meganobz and Battlewagon
    2 squads of shoota boyz in trucks
    3 squads of choppa boyz w/nob and powerklaw in trucks
    2 Dakka Jets

    There are going to be some pretty heavy conversions in there... but that's what orks are about, aren't they? I plan on making the Warboss from the AoBR Warboss, the Meganobs from the AoBR nobs. Other than that, I'm planning on streching and saving as much as I can (making two Dakka Jets out of one Box and a WWII model, etc.)

    Here are my Stretch goals... the Orks above are likely to keep me plenty busy and out of hobby money the whole year. In case they don't:
    Beyond the army, I've been sitting on some printable terrain. I want to make a few of the buildings so that I have terrain when my Frontline Gaming/TableWar mat arrives.
    I'd also like to make a Blood Bowl stadium... I have my eyes on some printable tiles that would work well.
    In the realm of Flames of War, I want to add those key support elements... MG's and mortars. I also want to add Mobelwagons, another 1-3 Panthers, another 2 Pumas, and 6 Nebelwerfers (while I'm dreaming!)


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/02 02:24:45


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    That is a very impressive list of completed projects my friend. Very nicely done! Looking forward to watching you fulfill your 2014 goals!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/03 12:58:11


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Thanks, Gitz! Your kinds words are appreciated.

    Here's a test model for the new Ork color scheme I'm looking at.


    Comments and constructive criticism are wanted!


    Edit: Thanks Gitz for fixing up the colors on the photo. Late at night, it seems that my brain wasn't working.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/03 19:21:59


    Post by: Reaper Man 2020


    I think there is possibly too much red on this one. On the chopper or whatever his sword thingy is called, I think i would do it all metal and not have colour on it. Use a dark metal like boltgun metal and then wash with badab black or another dark wash then higlight the edges with a lighter metal colour (old colours) chainmail or mythreal. I would keep the boots black or dark brown maybe with metal toecaps. With the gun, again I would say metal and if you were going to have some red on it why not make it look like he daubed it on himself with some terrible brush. Leave the shirt and the shoulder pads red and I think it will all work just a bit better! I am actually doing a similar scheme on my orks, evil sunz, I will update soon when real life lets me on my blog, misc one.

    Have a play with him, that is what test figures are for. Hope that is helpful.

    Reaper


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/03 20:26:56


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Thanks for the feedback. Here's my second test model...


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/03 20:31:15


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Better. You need to shade up the skin. Ork skin and muscles are fantastic, but to make the most of them you need to bring up the highlights as well as darken the recesses. If you aren't into blending yet, even a simple dry-brush would help.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/05 20:39:18


    Post by: Reaper Man 2020


    An improvement, I still think dark boots and def give the steel toe caps some bolt gun metal or something. Axe handle might be better scorched brown then highlight with vermin brown or whatever GW are calling them this week!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/05 21:33:47


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Reaper....
    Your suggestions are good, (I will be silvering the toecaps) but there's a couple of facts that I haven't given you that influence my choices.
    #1 The Army name is "Red Boots"... so, I'll be sticking with the red.
    #2 I plan on basing on black asphalt, so the boots need to stand out.

    Gits, I did so a sepia wash on the whole model... I guess that I should both pin wash the recesses and drybrush with a couple of layers of green. I'm not into blending yet... I'm just not confident enough with it. I'm old hat at washing and drybrushing, though!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/05 23:52:58


    Post by: Reaper Man 2020


    Ahh! Better keep them red then! Lol!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/13 03:20:12


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    ICHPC First Commitment done!


    The ork boyz are multiplying!!! I only need 14 for the list... but I just couldn't leave 3 unpainted.



    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/13 20:10:15


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Here's a slightly better picture of two of the boyz. I'm still struggling with lighting and camera set-ups (it doesn't help that there is a big scratch across the lens of my iPhone). Had to run these through the photoshop website to even get them to this point.


    Thank you guys for pushing me to be better. I'm experimenting on these guys, so that my Warboss will be... um... well.... BOSS.

    I've recently picked up an old Wartrkk (should be waiting for me at home) that will be my Warboss's ride. I have a box of Nobs, Warbikes, and picked up a box of boyz that need some assembly. I'm thinking that the Deffkoptas, Wartrakk, and Warboss will be the next on my list. I'm waiting on the bikes until I pick up the battleforce from a guy at my shop. I want to paint them all at the same time.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/13 20:12:42


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    I like them Anpu, but the skin is kind of uniformly dark. Orks look really good with exaggerated skin tones, you should consider highlighting those bulging muscles up a shade or two. The end result will be well worth your time.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/16 21:31:16


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Gita, thanks for pushing me on this one. You were right, the skin got way too dark. Now, I like their skin dark, but I didn't realize just how dark it got. In part, I've been worried that I've spent too much time on the troops. (Perhaps my perception has been squed by the Necrons and 15mm stuff.)

    So I went back and drybrushed the skin with Warboss green... It made a huge difference. I'm playing it conservatively.

    In other news, I've made a lot of progress on the Warboss on bike. It involves painting 3 greenskins and a squig!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/16 22:06:41


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Excellent Anpu, glad I could be of service. It's clear you've got the painting talent, you just have to learn a few techniques and/or find the right places to use them. It's all about picking your battles... spend your time on the things that get you the greatest reward.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/19 11:26:20


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Giving up my workspace the next few weeks so that my wife can complete a sewing project. of. awesome...

    We are hosting a Super Hero birthday Party... and the guests each receive a cape. How awesome is that? The downside is that I'll be pushing on all the housework so that she can complete the capes well before.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/20 17:06:10


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    While waiting for my hobby space to clear up, I got some pictures. Here's my favorite of the ork boyz.



    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/20 17:08:48


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Looking good. I think you need a different base color though. It detracts from the red on the figure.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/20 17:25:19


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    For bases, I'm looking at doing something like this... following the tutorial here as well...http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/516378.page#5429957


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/20 17:55:03


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Very nice!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/24 10:03:41


    Post by: Reaper Man 2020


    Great progress since I last popped by, the skin looks much better with that dry brush layer done. The fancy dress party sounds awesome, I just hope everyone turns up and no cloaks go to waste!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/24 12:41:31


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I just realized something...
    Khaki pants and a red shirt...
    If you are in the US that's the uniform employees at Target Stores *smacks head* Oh well... if I'm the only one who thinks of it.
    The warboss and his ride are doing well... I'm almost at the point of washes. Things are pretty downhill from that. The Warboss has a name... "Big Boss Jagger" I may need to give him bigger lips somehow.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/24 14:15:54


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Maybe you could make an orky version of the Target symbol for their waaagh banner.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/01/24 15:39:19


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I was already thinking of something based on the Detroit Red Wings logo... adding Target in the middle is just too good to pass up.
    I may even need to paint 'targets' on the back of the grots... anyone remember Tiny Toon Adventures? Batduck and Decoy...


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/02/03 03:37:58


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Played a quick 500 point game with my buddy G. It served at his introduction of 40k and he got to field my orks.

    I fielded:
    Destroyer Lord with SW, MSS, and warscythe
    4 Wraiths... no WC
    15 warriors

    His list:
    Warboss on bike decked out, squig, grunt, power klaw, etc
    3 Nob bikers... 2 Big Choppa and 1 1 power klaw
    17 Slugga/Choppa boys w/ Nob w/ pole and power klaw

    We set up on a small table, and it was just a 'run forward and kill" mission... Imagine what a demo game at a GW store would be like... minus a Waaagh! A few pieces of impassible, los blocking terrain were mid field.

    He did what was expected... the warbikes ran up and destroyed my Warriors. The Wraiths moved in with the Destroyer Lord and wrecked the Nob Bikers. MSS did its job, and took the warboss out of the action. The boyz squad charged into the Wraiths and Lord... they stuck around for two turns before the Wraiths and Destroyer Lord finally made them take a leadership test, and they were run down.

    Overall, it was a fun game. Things I learned... 3+1 nob bikers aren't anywhere big enough. I mean... they had the destroyer lord and wraiths by 40 points but they just couldn't stand against them. A painboy would have helped, but it just proves that they need a new codex.

    I had fun, and he had a blast too. He was making vroom-vroom noises moving the bikes around... never a bad sign.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/02/09 23:43:37


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Here's a WIP on my Warboss. I'm pretty happy with him. I need to do a little more weathering... particularly on the Power Klaw.


    Here's my attempt for an army logo... I'm not particularly happy with that, but we'll see.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/02/10 00:42:39


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Is that your biker WB?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/02/11 22:32:13


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    There he is! It all comes out in the wash... I don't have a twin-linked shoota on the warbike, but he is holding one. He still has the pistols on the back, so they count as the slugga.

    After explaining the flaming symbol on the front, my buddy sent me this picture....

    Well... good minds think a like, because the ammo grot has a bulleye painted on his back!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/02/24 02:34:39


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I was lucky enough to get a game in Friday night. Mike and I played 1500 points. My necrons vs. his Grey Knights.
    My list

    Destroyer Lord w/SW and MSS
    Namesor Zahndrek and Varguard Oberyon
    Chronotek

    5 warriors in a Night Scythe
    5 Warriors in a Night Scythe
    5 Warriors in a Ghost Ark
    5 Warriors in a Ghost Ark

    6 Scarabs

    3 Canoptek Spyders w/ 1 Gloom Prism


    His list included :
    Coteaz
    Smaller Strike Squad w/ Psycannon and razorback (could have been henchmen in power armor instead... who can tell?)
    10 man Strike Squad w/ 2 Psycannons
    10 man Strike Squad w/ 2 Psycannons
    Stormraven
    Dreadknight
    Psyfleman Dread

    Overall, it was a close game. I teamed up the Characters with the Spyders to create a majority T6 group with a three 2+ saves. I just realized that I was probably cheating having the chronotek and his reroll with the group (going to check codex in a little bit). I fell into the third most famous blunder (after getting involved in a land war in Asia and going in against a Sicilian when death is on the line) and I shot at the Stormraven with my gauss weapons. I really needed aggressively go against his foot troops with my ghost arks. The Night Scythes struggled against both his Psyfleman Dread and his Stormraven (Damage against armor 12). I also didn't use Zahndrek as well as I should... I could have given the Night Scythe Tank Hunters, for example.

    Overall, I'm happy with the 'Spyder-Star" unit. It took 3 wounds the entire game, and most of those were in close combat. I did use the reroll 3 times, so that's not completely accurate. It can veil around, but can't really charge. It doesn't have shooting of any sense. In big guns, it was scoring because of the Spyders... which was cool. It still can't hold a candle to some of the other deathstars in the game.

    Units that I really missed... Wraiths and Annihilation Barges. That being said... we tied. He got first blood, we both got linebreaker but not Warlord. We each had 1 objective and the others were contested. I tied it up by knocking off the Psyfleman Dread with MSS on the Dreadknight and scoring a point for killing the heavy support.

    While at the store, I picked up a used ork battleforce and pack of Killa Kans, and two of the new technical paints, (Nihilakh Oxide, and Typhus Corrosion... I've already picked up the rust). I plan on using these liberally to finish off the Warboss, Bikes and Deffkoptas.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/03/22 13:10:23


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Playing in a 2,500 point tourney today.
    Running with
    Zahndrek and Oberyon
    Destroyer Lord w/ weave and mss
    2 min warriors in night scythes
    2 10 warriors in a ghost arc
    scarabs
    Spyders
    2 Annhilation barge

    Borrowed my brothers Tau... they add:
    Batman commander
    Riptide w/ion
    broadsides
    squad of firewarriors




    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/03/23 11:30:05


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Drew M and his ground pounding Nids. If you look back, M is the guy who guided me through my first 2 games oh so long ago now. He and I always have tight games.
    We ended up playing Big Guns with hammer and Anvil. Even through I killed the Tervagon in my first round of shooting, I just couldn't kill enough of his little bugs to get to the big bugs before they killed me. Also, I misshandled a group of infiltrating genestealers... and lost my scarabs and annihilation barges early. I also mishandled one of his Mawloks, which ended up killing the Commander and broadsides. I ended up not being able to push him off of objectives. The game was much closer than the score would indicate, and I had an edge if the game had gone into turn 6. Oh well.

    Game 2 was against J... a guy who's been playing about as long as I have. He has a Lamenter's Army.
    We got Hammer and Anvil again, but the Scouring. Neither of us have fast attack that can score (all of his assault squads are troops, and my scarabs can't score). He marches forward... the battle takes place mostly in my deployment zone. He dropspods in his plasma and multi-melta vets to try and take out the RipTide... but fails and the squads eventually get wiped out. He does a great job of clogging up my shooting lanes with his droppods, but I'm able to glance his landraider and dreadnought to death fairly early.
    His all-star had to be his vindicator... I didn't prioritize it... and it made me pay by taking out my destroyer lord and Zahndrek. I hadn't made and RP rolls up until this point... and forgot to take them for my Leaders!!!
    The game came down to us fighting over the two 3 point objectives in his deployment zone. I was able to wipe out all of his troops (down to the last roll of the dice) since the game went to turn 7.

    Overall, I had a lot of fun. I don't care for Tau too much... I'll have to work really hard to get my Orks ready for the next go around.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/03/23 18:38:16


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Glad you had a good time Anpu. Just take the fun where you can get it.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/03/23 22:42:44


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Thanks, Gits!

    Do you mind if I pick your brain a bit? Here's a list of what I think I can get done on my orks in the next four weeks. What do you think?

    Warboss on Bike w/ 'Eavy Armour, Ammor Runt, Attack Squig, Bosspole, Cybork Body, Power Klaw, Slugga, and Stikk Bombs
    5 Nob Bikers (as troops) w/Cybork Bodies Waagh! Banner, 2 Power Klaws and 3 Big Choppas, and a Painboy (Cybork, Warbike, and Grot Orderly)
    16 Shoota Boyz
    Battlewagon w/ red paint, 2 big shootas, and a deff rolla
    Total is 773 points

    Do I really need the Cybork bodies on the Nob Bikers?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/03/24 00:05:55


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Well, I think you need to have Snickrot to get cybork nobs.

    Here's how I've been running mine lately...

    Warboss: bike, eavy armor, bosspole, cybork body, PK - 145
    Nob bikes (troops):
    1x painboy w/ grot orderly
    1x biker w/ PK, eavy armor, nob pole & banner
    2x biker w/ BCh, eavy armor
    1x biker w/ eavy armor
    Total: 210

    Given what it is, it gives you a fairly cheap death-star that is still small enough to hide and be maneuverable, but large enough to pack a punch. Two ablative wounds (stock biker), 2 PKs (nob and warboss) and the banner & FNP which help everyone out. Not overpowering, but not half the points in your list either.

    Support it with troops in transports (BWs if you can afford them)... let the bikes slink around the back while the AV-14 absorbs the punishment, then dive in to take out critical targets or mop up.

    Don't put anything on a battle-wagon that would encourage you to slow down and shoot. Ork transports are RENTED and will explode on turn 1 or 2. Drive them forward 18" and then pile out. If they're still alive after that, use them to block line-of-sight to your troops, deffroll things or just cause mayhem.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/03/24 16:27:59


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    So I'm hearing you say to keep the bikers cheap, and roll the Battlewagon into the enemies' teeth and make them deal with it and the boyz.

    I'm glad... cheaper here frees up some room in the main necron list.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/03/24 18:38:08


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Yep, and in smaller battles, I leave off one of the big choppa guys, bringing the unit (with warboss) down to 5 guys. Still very viable and a bit trimmer.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/03/24 20:24:07


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Great... once I get past my block on these deffkoptas I'll charge straight into the bikers! Then it will be more boyz.

    Do you think that 19 shoota boyz and a nob is the right call for inside the battlewagon? As much as I want to, I'm not in a position to replace them with an equal number of points of Lootas.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/03/24 20:56:38


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Yep, should be fine.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/04/30 02:41:13


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    So, I've got a 2.5k tourney again this Saturday. Bonus points are being awarded for an army background... Since I wrote it, I thought that I would share.

    Army Background – Sanakhte Dynasty
    681.M39
    The remnant of the Sanakhte Dynasty awoke from the Great Sleep to find that disaster has struck. Not only had their Tombworld suffered cataclysmic damage because the nearby star was in its death throes, but their esteemed pharon , Atempu-nodjmet had fallen to the Destroyer Curse. All of the Lords, save one were defeated in an attempt to overthrow the Mad Atempu-nodjmet, and their bodies were repurposed. The high cryptek, Baruti manages the day to day affairs of the dynasty while bearing the mad Overlord's mania. Millions of sentient lifeforms have breathed their last, agonized breaths while slowly being torn apart by Atempu.
    Tasked with conquering a new homeworlds for the Sanakhte is Adio-mohen, the sole remaining Lord and chief strategist. Seeing the futility of attempting a direct assault on Atempu-modjmet, Adio did not join in the doomed coup. Instead, Adio and Baruti manipulate the Mad Destroyer Lord while consolidating their own power. Legendary Sanakhte figher, Chatuluk serves as Adio's bodyguard and is the balancing factor in the partnership of Adio and Baruti. Chatuluk's loyalty lies solely with Atempu-nodjemet, and should either the Lord or the Cryptek stray from their appointed roles as regents they will find swift oblivion on the end of Chatuluk's Warscythe.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/04/30 03:10:17


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Very nice... though... if it was so easy to deal with either with his war scythe (last sentence), why didn't he just join the coup and and it once and for all?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/04/30 04:13:15


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Chaltuluk's loyalty is with the Mad Destroyer Lord... *shrug* I like the twist to the Necron fluff. It allows for so many variations of motivation. I think that Chatuluk knows that Atempu isn't fit to rule, but also knows that if a civil war between Adio and Baruti would also destroy the Dynasty. Adio is likely the more dangerous threat, and so Chatuluk keeps him close. Could Chatuluk rule the dynasty? Probably, but he knows that it has a better chance at success if he plays Adio and Baruti of against each other. *shrug* I guess I've been reading a bit too much Roman history!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/04/30 04:25:11


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Nope... don't get me wrong... I really like your fluff! Think I misunderstood the last sentence now that I re-read it.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/04/30 04:38:19


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Yeah... I like it too. For a while I had Chaltuluk as just a body guard... it wasn't working. With him being the third leg of the stool things clicked.

    Besides... I've been thinking about secret mission objectives for missions. One that I've been imagining... you get bonus points if a specific character model in your army is killed by your enemy. Sort of, "I get my enemy to kill off the upstart rival," bonus. Of course, if you are too obvious, then your opponent might guess what you are doing and stop you. Granted, that won't work for all armies but it would work for an IG/ Inquisition, Dark Eldar, Ork, CSM, or Necron army.
    PS, thanks for the responses, Gits. I just need to find the motivation to get past the Deffkoptas and start working on the rest of my orks.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/04/30 04:41:59


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Been there buddy... no problem.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/05/01 18:19:48


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Here's my list for Saturday.

    +++ 2500pt Necrons:

    * Destroyer Lord (160pts)
    Mindshackle Scarabs (*), Sempiternal Weave (*), Warscythe

    * Nemesor Zahndrekh (505pts)
    * Royal Court
    * Harbinger of Despair
    Abyssal Staff (Shroud of Despair), Veil of Darkness (*)
    * 4x Harbinger of the Storm

    * Vargard Obyron (160pts)



    + Elites + (152pts)

    * Deathmarks
    * 8x Deathmark



    + Troops + (768pts)

    * Necron Warriors (165pts)
    * 5x Necron Warrior ) In a Night Scythe

    * Necron Warriors (165pts)
    * 5x Necron Warrior in a Night Scythe

    * Necron Warriors (219pts)
    * 8x Necron Warrior in a Ghost Ark

    * Necron Warriors (219pts)
    * 8x Necron Warrior in a Ghost Ark

    + Fast Attack + (495pts)

    * Canoptek Scarabs (105pts)
    7x Canoptek Scarab Base


    * Canoptek Wraiths (195pts)
    5 Canoptek Wraiths and 2 Whipcoils

    * Canoptek Wraiths (195pts)
    5 Canoptek Wraiths and 2 Whipcoils


    + Heavy Support + (345pts)

    * Annihilation Barge (90pts)
    W/Tesla

    * Annihilation Barge (90pts)
    W/Tesla

    * Canoptek Spyders (165pts)
    3 Canoptek Spyder w/ Gloom Prism


    Fortifications (Fortification) Selections:

    * Skyshield Landing Pad (75pts)


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/05/04 03:30:28


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    3 rounds at 2500 points is way too much for a blow by blow... instead... I'll hit the highlights.

    Round #1 Vs. S
    S is one of the best players in the area. He's very analytical and his army is a gorgeously painted green with purple touches. That being said, this was the least fun game I've ever had at a 40k table.
    He was playing double-FOC Eldar.
    4 Farseers
    2 Wraith Knights
    2 Wave Serpents
    3 Units of Bikers
    3 Falcons...
    The game is kill points... and hammer and anvil deployment. Sitting back would not accomplish win this game...I was aggressive and called the game at the bottom of turn 3...

    Round #2 Vs. zacharybinks
    Follow one of the least enjoyable games with one of the best! Thanks, Zach!
    Zach brought a double Landraider, Clan Raukann list. It was a lot of fun playing Marines who are as durable as my Necrons! He has a great paint scheme of steel and turquoise.
    It was standard deployment with Roll Dice and Tie.
    This was a close match throughout... I managed to immobalize an Annibarge on the first move of the game... and it spent the rest of the game trading fire with one of Zach's Rhinos (which eventually gets immobilized as well!) EPIC. I surprise Zach by pushing for the win on Turn 4... and time gets called. He almost gets my warlord, and I almost get the objective. Oh well... 10 more minutes would have seen an epic conclusion.
    Thanks for a great game, and "I'll get you next time!!!!"

    Round #3 vs M
    It was good to see M again. He and I played a game with his Grey Knights a while ago, and he shortly moved away. His wife came back to the area to visit family, and he tagged along to play some 40k. He had and Eldar/Dark Eldar list. Duel FOC again, he admitted to me that he was pretty green with it. Baron and Farseer with a Bike Squad, two waveserpents with guardians, two venoms, two Wraith Lords, a Wraith Knight, a ravager, a raider, a fire prism, and a pair of Crimson Hunters.
    We had Vanguard deployment and the Scouring. The high point objectives ended up on my end of the table, but I made a few movement phase mistakes near the end of the game that cost me the win. It was close throughout, and my Destroyer lord got into the Fire Prisim and the venoms, wrecking them and killing all those inside in 3 consecutive turns. Enter the movement errors, and I fail to score or contest a 4 point and 3 point objectives... not enough to win outright. Tight and a fun game.

    Overall results:
    S with Eldar
    M with Eldar/Dark Eldar
    Me with Necrons
    Space Marines/Grey Knights tied with Clan Raukann

    Lessons learned:
    2500 is just too damn big. It doesn't fit on my display board, the games take too long, and no one is forced to make the hard choices in army creation. The standard book missions suck...


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/05/04 05:17:23


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    I had to chuckle at your last comment...


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/05/04 12:23:22


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Well, they do. No one should lose the game at mission selection.
    I may get a chance to play outside the store soon... and I hope to use some of the http://missioncatalog.com/ missions.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/06/10 13:07:14


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Ok, long time since my last update.
    I basically didn't pick up a brush the months of April and May. Here in June I became the commissioner for a Blood Bowl League (I'm starting it up). Here's some WIP on my Team.

    I'm using these Reaper mini's as my werewolves. I used actual photos of wolf subspecies to get the coloration on these guys. I'm really happy with how they are turning out.


    I used a Chaos Warriors Maurader box as the basis for the rest of my army. They went together well, and I even greenstuffed a ball for my Thrower and handswapped for a couple of Catchers. This is basically my test model. Reds, browns, and bronze metals are the way that I'm going with this 'Team'.
    I'm also backing the Impact Miniature's kickstarter, and I'm going to be getting at least 1 team... probably 2 depending on what stretch goals.
    The team I'm getting for sure...

    I'll also get some addons so that I can play it as a regular pro-elf team... not that I'm likely to do that , but it's good to have an army like that to lend people. I'm also thinking about some Crocs.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/07/02 02:57:58


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    My little brother got me a FOW Panther A (I only had 2, and the minimum unit size is 3) for my birthday. I quickly painted it up to tabletop standard.
    Picked up the materials to finish my Blood Bowl Norse. Since there isn't really any place to paint the Jersey number on the model itself, I'm going to paint it on some rocks that go on the bases. Kinda a two-fer. I'm trying my hand at snow bases... wish me luck.
    Orks are working their way back to the table. I'm not sure the best way to build my new army... that Mob rule can be vicious if their truck explodes.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/09/02 02:21:58


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Still alive.
    This summer has been a hobby killer. I haven't been able to set up my hobby space in over two months. My dear wife seems to think that the kids and I can share the space... perhaps not.
    We inherited a 6x9 playhouse from her Grandmother... moved it to our property and I've been working on repairs. Everything below the bottom plate had rotted away. Those repairs have taken some time, but I've got it on the run.
    Blood Bowl league has taken off, unfortunately the league website is still grounded. At this time, I'm still tracking people down to put their teams into the software... We'll get it figured out.
    School has started, and it has been crazy. My classroom and lab have been remodeled. It feels like Larry, Moe, and Curly were the general contractors. The lab is currently missing a few important things that any science lab needs... like sinks and gas connections. There are golfball sized holes in the wall behind my desk that are apparently not getting fixed until next summer. One classroom has 120 linear feet of counters and cabinets... the other classroom has 0 because it has all tall cabinets. It's a mess. Half of my time the first week of school has been spent dealing with construction issues.
    Well, that is the my life right now. In a few weeks, we'll have the open house for the playhouse... then life will get back to normal.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/09/29 04:46:13


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Hey! I actually played a game of 40k tonight!
    It's been a crazy fall... my daughter was in the hospital... my lab is STILL not finished at work... and the combined stress has my immune system shot to pieces.
    But... I'm back, and I got a game in.

    Did malestrom mission #5 at 1500 versus another Necron player... wow, was that a lot of Reanimation rolls.

    His List:
    Varguard Oberyon
    Overlord w/court including a Veiltek and Orblord
    2x large warrior squads
    He also ran a formation from a White Dwarf a while ago (I have the WD)
    3 warrior squads w/ Ghost Arks
    3 Tomblade squads
    This formation gives the Ghost Arks +1 to the quantum shielding for each other Ghost Ark within 2 inches, and the Tomblades can Look Out Sir for the Ghost Arks (anything that isn't a blast). The whole formation can Veil once per game.

    My list:
    2 Barge Lords w/ the 2+/3++ and warscythes
    5 man Warror squad in Night Scythe
    10 man Gauss Immortals in Night Scythe
    3 scarabs
    9 scarabs
    Doomsday Ark
    3 Spyders w/ Twin-linked Particle Beamer


    This was a game for fun... and I had a good time. Sure, there were a lot of mistakes made on both sides, but it was a pretty fair game. He started off with a big lead (veiling all around the board can do that), but I fought my way back as I punished more and more of his army. His resorbs definitely made a difference... between that and the repairs from the Ghost Arks, he brought back well over 200 points of warriors. By the end, he was down to 1 blob of warriors and 5 from a Ghost Ark. I had only lost my larger group of scarabs (to a mistake in CC where Oberyon shouldn't have gotten his extra attacks). Spyders with twin-linked particle beamer certainly made him pay every time he deepstruck in my home table half, and the Doomsday Ark definitely punched through his AV15 Ghost Arks.

    My opinion of Malestrom... you have to play where you can ditch a card that you can't possibly score... preferably right when you draw it. Second... not a fan of the d3 and d3+X objectives. Other than that, It made for a tactical... not a strategic game.

    His formation? Interesting, and I had been wanting to play it but I don't have any tombblades. I don't think that it is very good... at least not in the way he was using it.

    For hobby progress, I've been clipping and cleaning ork boy parts like mad. I've even gotten the bug to piece together a few Mek-boyz. Picked up some mek backpack bitz a while ago... combined with boy parts etc, I now have 2 meks with slugga and choppa, and one with rokkit launcher. I'll probably put together another with rokkit launcher, but I'm really looking at making a couple of Painboyz. It may cause me to rethink the Warboss on a Bike. I have a lot of Nobs around here now (20 or so) so one of them may make a good Painboy conversion.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/09/29 19:48:49


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Sounds like a fun game Anpu. Sometimes like-on-like games are the most challenging.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/09/29 21:26:45


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    It was a fun game... I wish that being on objectives at the end of the game also awarded points (maybe I've been hearing too much NOVA talk).

    Well, a while ago my brother sent me a the 5 static marines from a painting kit. The idea is that at some point I'd start a marine army and use them as test models... well, that day is coming. My son (now 6) has expressed interest in painting!!! Marines are what he liked (Nids may have been a close second... he seemed to like monstrous creatures... and who wouldn't?) Any suggestions?


    Damn you, ebay...
    Some guy on ebay was selling 5 boyz with rokkits... and I couldn't resist getting them and a few more slugga boyz. At this point, I have no idea how many boyz I have. It might be worth counting just to see where I am.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/09/30 01:45:15


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Been there, done that. Think I have enough burnaboyz for a squad and a half because I kept forgetting how many I had...


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/09/30 20:33:57


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    How many boyz (plain, run of the mill slugga boyz) do you need for a normal Ork Army?

    Eventually, I'm planning on running trukks most of the time.

    It would be fun to run the Greentide formation (10x squads of boyz)... you'd need 90 plain boyz for that (after adding special weapons) It can be a mix of slugga and shoota. How does 60 slugga and 30 shoota sound?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/09/30 23:59:07


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    I've never had much luck with green tides myself... just too much to keep track of for me to think very clearly. That being said... 90 boyz would be a good start. Throw in some meganobz for some punch. I haven't played the new orks yet so I'm not sure on the current wisdom. In 6th it was still shoota-boys that you wanted. Don't know if 7th and the new dex has shifted the balance.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/10/01 14:02:46


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    The extra point that the shootas cost isn't seen as worth it, since sluggas and shootas are equally effective over a move/shoot/move/shoot/assault cycle. But then again... this isn't my tourney winning army (lol, me win a tourney... that's a joke!)

    I think I'm right around 60 boyz, 15 or so painted, and the rest in assembly. I do have to say, I love assembling orks. They are just so much more robust than my necrons, and the conversions, bit swaps, etc are so much more possible.

    Converted a Nob into a painboy... I definitely need need to figure out how to convert a weirdboy. I'm just not going to pay almost the came cost as 10 boyz for one ork chararacter. It made more sense with my necrons, because you couldn't get those parts otherways. Not so for the orks.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/10/01 14:11:38


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Oh yeah... building the orks is definitely where the fun lies. Not that painting them isn't fun... but the build stage is just the best!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/10/15 03:15:34


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I think I've figured out the list that I'm working towards.

    HQ:
    Mad Dok Grotsnik (homemade conversion... almost finished building)
    Grukk Face-Rippa from the Stormclaw box
    2 Meks w/Kombi-skorchas

    Elites:
    5 Meganobs w/TL Shootas
    Battlewagon w/boarding Plank and Ram
    5 Tankbustas w/3 Bomb Squigs with a Trukk w/ram and a Boss Nob w/Klaw, Pole and Rokkit Launcha
    5 Tankbustas w/3 Bomb Squigs with a Trukk w/ram and a Boss Nob w/Klaw, Pole and Rokkit Launcha

    Troops:
    10 Trukk boyz w/ Rokkit Launcher and Klaw/Pole Nob
    10 Trukk boyz w/ Rokkit Launcher and Klaw/Pole Nob
    10 Trukk boyz w/ Rokkit Launcher and Klaw/Pole Nob
    10 Trukk boyz w/ Rokkit Launcher and Klaw/Pole Nob
    10 Trukk boyz w/ Rokkit Launcher and Klaw/Pole Nob

    Heavy Support:
    2 Traktor Kannon and 2 Ammo Runts
    2 Lobba and 2 Ammo Runts

    Whole business comes to 1850. There is a lot of stuff in there that I don't have yet.
    50 Boyz... Should be good there.
    5 Boyz w/ Rokkits... set
    Klaw/Pole nobs... likewise, I should be set there. I may need a few more klaws, but Kromlech is my friend.
    Have Grukk
    Almost done converting up my own Mad Dok Grotsnik
    5 Meganobz... once again, I'd like to convert but my first effort looked like crap. Need to figure this out or I will either end up buying GW or Kromlech
    Need battlewagon... going to convert it up myself.
    Need 7 trukks... pretty sure I know how to get the core of them for less than half price... stay tuned
    10 Tankbustas... will convert from Boyz... stay tuned!
    6 Bomb squigs... not sure here... maybe convert from fantasy, or kromlech
    Meks I can make.
    Klaw/Pole/Rokkit Nobs I can make with what I already have

    Mekgunz Trakktor Kannon... I plan on buying from GW... and I'll get enough grotz to run both squads.
    Lobbas... I plan on buying from Kromlech
    Ammo Runts... should be good from my Boyz sprues


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/10/15 11:46:09


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    I love the Kromlech bomb squigs & operator. Have the set myself.

    Looks like a good list Anpu... should be a lot of fun to build and paint in any case.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/10/15 12:01:43


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Thanks, Gitz.
    The Red Bootaz Ride Again!

    I'll still have a lot of stuff that doesn't fit in this army list:
    A squad of Grotz
    6 killa kans (probably will end up as part of my trukks or MANZ...)
    3 deffkoptas that are still partially painted and might get used as is.
    6 Bikes... half assembled and might get finished off just so that I can play some decent sized games while I work on the vehicles.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/10/15 16:29:08


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Bikes are still useful, especially with maelstrom missions where you need to be fluid and mobile.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/10/23 03:26:03


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Here is my Mad Dok conversion... with a bit of an ode to Hamlet!


    Not sure if he is lamenting the death of the ork... or planing to use the skull some way. Either way, I thought it was fun to fit the skull into Power klaw. He also has a bionic leg (hard to see) converted from a kromlech drill arm. I can't wait to get him painted up!

    Here is one of the mek's that I've built.


    I also picked up another 12 boyz (2 are shoota) an old-school bike and gorkamorka trukk. Seeing just how damn small that trukk is, I can see why people complain about it in comparison to the new kit. I'll be using it for parts for my conversions.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/11/10 02:46:51


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    New WIP for my Mad Dok:

    Very rough first base coats.. not even a wash on him yet, but I was so excited to share him.

    Painted up a space marine with my son. He did the base coat of the red and I added the details. Overall, not bad.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/11/10 03:28:46


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Good to see you passing the hobby on to the next generation!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/11/24 15:16:56


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Won a little RTT in my local area. Now, before anyone assumes that I now know what I'm talking about for the Tourneyment aspects of 40k... you need to know a few things:
    #1. My list was designed to Troll.
    #2. All the lists were designed to Troll.
    #3. Only 3 people played in the Tourney.

    My List is Unbound:
    Warlord on Command Barge with all the upgrades the key upgrades (2+/3++, warscythe, resorb, cupholder).
    2 Doomscythes
    Transcendent C'Tan, Slide, Wave of Withering, and Seismic Assault (6D6 missile shots).

    My first opponent was playing CSM and their Dreadnought/Hellbrute formations. He conceded at the bottom of turn 3. While I couldn't take and hold any objectives, I had obliterated his troop choices and would have most likely tabled him by the end of turn 5.

    My second opponent was a CSM Battleforged army. We played the relic. This is the guy at the store who has converted up the Dinobots! They are as awesome as you can imagine. Heldrake as Swoop, Grimlock as a Forgefiend, Sludge as a Maulerfiend, Snarl and Slag as Hellbrutes. He also took a unit of Noise Marines, Cultist, Lucius the Eternal, and another squad of marines.

    He seized the initiative, and managed to put one wound on the C'Tan before the C'Tan killed both Grimlock and the Noise Marines. The Overlord let Sludge get too close, and Sludge crushed it. Luckily, the Overlord made his Resurrection, and then proceeded to sweep-attack Sludge to death. Between the Doomscythes and The C'Tan, I pretty much wiped his army out by the end of my turn 4. Swoop... being the smart one, left the board before I could get a total wipe.

    I did play another game with that list... against a guy who likes his necron cheese. He plays Apoc formations in regular 40k, etc. He built a list to try and take on the C'tan by using 2 Veilteks and Oberyon to move large squads of warriors around the table. Unfortunately for him, we rolled up Killpoints.
    He did take a lead on turn 1 when he veiled and blew up my Command Barge (not to return). His veiling tactic would have worked if I didn't have the 6D6 missile shots. With the slide, that combo gives me a threat range of 66 inches. Even with Res Orbs, he just wasn't able to keep up with the storm of missiles and the Doomscythes were able to pick off the survivors.
    The long and the short of it... the Trancendend C'Tan (as configured) lead to unfun games for me. I know that my first opponent was very disheartened as well. Really have to thank my second opponent for helping me enjoy our game even though my list was unfun. I don't deliberately try to make games unfun, but I did want to use the list to prove a bit of a point... one that I think was missed by my third opponent. In general, I think that I'll save the

    As winner of the tourney, I got about a battleforce/battalion box worth of store credit. I used it to get a battlewagon and a trukk for my orks. Slowly, piece by piece I'm filling out my orky needs.

    In hobby news, I've clipped and scrapped about 60 ork boyz. I've also corked about 30 bases. My hobby space is being taking over by Christmas decorations next week so I'm looking at ways that I can keep little projects that I can pull out and work on in the living room. Assembling 60 boyz, battlewagon, and a trukk seem to fit the bill.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/12/16 16:18:27


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Snow day yesterday... bad internet at the house too, so I used the time to assemble.
    I now have 55 boyz assembled and ready to prime. I also have the trukk and battlewagon assembled into groups for priming. The battlewagon and trukk (plus the trukk I got earlier) have all been primed and are still kinda tacky. They'll need another week or so to fully dry.

    Back at Thanksgiving, I played a game of Flames of War with my brother. He picked up the Open-Fire and is playing the British. Since I have 3 Shermans sitting around collecting dust, I traded him. He gave me the whole german half of the box. So now I have 3 more StuG's and 2 whole more grenadier platoons to paint... the pile gets deeper.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2014/12/25 15:18:49


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Little update on christmas...
    The love of my life bought me a magnifying, day-light lamp for my hobby space! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
    Second, I preordered the Imperial Raider... I have 3 Tie Advances just crying out for the upgrades! Hopefully it'll arrive in time for my birthday in June.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/01/01 13:58:26


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    First post of 2015... time to look at the previous year.
    Now let's look at 2014:
    As I mentioned above, I've joined The Independent Character's Hobby Progress Challege...Here's the link to my project log there. That will have me painting 2000 points of Orks on top of the 90 or so points I already have painted. I want to do a truck/wagon/bike army, but I'll put most of the details on that page. I'm planning on cross posting the finished models here as well.
    Here's my tentative plan for 2k:
    Warboss on Bike
    Big Mek
    Nob Biker Troops
    Meganobz and Battlewagon
    2 squads of shoota boyz in trucks
    3 squads of choppa boyz w/nob and powerklaw in trucks
    2 Dakka Jets

    There are going to be some pretty heavy conversions in there... but that's what orks are about, aren't they? I plan on making the Warboss from the AoBR Warboss, the Meganobs from the AoBR nobs. Other than that, I'm planning on streching and saving as much as I can (making two Dakka Jets out of one Box and a WWII model, etc.)

    Here are my Stretch goals... the Orks above are likely to keep me plenty busy and out of hobby money the whole year. In case they don't:
    Beyond the army, I've been sitting on some printable terrain. I want to make a few of the buildings so that I have terrain when my Frontline Gaming/TableWar mat arrives.
    I'd also like to make a Blood Bowl stadium... I have my eyes on some printable tiles that would work well.
    In the realm of Flames of War, I want to add those key support elements... MG's and mortars. I also want to add Mobelwagons, another 1-3 Panthers, another 2 Pumas, and 6 Nebelwerfers (while I'm dreaming!)


    Well... I didn't finish a lot of projects. Looking back, I'm suffering from a pretty bad case of hobby ADHD.
    I have 17 ork boyz painted and based this year. FINISHED
    I did get a passable Blood Bowl Pitch finished. FINiSHED
    Ork Warboss, Mek Boyz, Mad Doc, and Deffkoptas still needs finishing touches.
    Blood Bowl Orks and Norse need some detail painting and basing.
    I've made dozens of broken asphalt bases for the orks.
    Dr. Ctan, Grukk Face-Rippa, two trukks and a battlewagon are primed and partially assembled.
    After that, I have a variety of other projects that I have some of the materials for (or just a twisted dream in my head).
    My Blood Bowl kickstarter teams and players haven't arrived. Health and logistic problems have caused shipping delays for the owner.


    I've done a lot of hobby work done but not much moved into the 'finished' column.

    Goals for 2015: I'm keeping them as general as I can... hopefully that will motivate me to get things into that finished column.
    Keep plugging away at the orks. I want an assembled, playable 1850 list by the end of the year.
    In order to get there, I want to finish at least 10 'units'
    I want to help Thing 1 (yes, Gits... I'm stealing it) have a squad of marines and a rhino painted by the end of the year.

    I'm not going to include any stretch goals... I seem to complete them faster than may main goals so I'm not including them!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/01/16 23:31:26


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Seems like a fun 1850 list... I may have to try it out.
    Mephrit Dynasty Cohort

    Necron Overlord w/ Edge of Etermity
    Solar Thermasite
    MSS
    Phase Shifter
    Resurrection Orb
    Sempiternal Weave
    Cupholder

    Royal Court
    2 Harbinger of the Storm
    1 With Lightning Field and The God Shackle

    Troops
    10 Gauss Immortals
    5 Warriors in Nightscythe
    5 Warriors in Nightscythe

    Fast Attack
    10 Scarabs
    5 Wraiths w/2 whipcoils
    5 Wriaths w/2 whipcoils

    Conclave of the Burning One Formation
    C'Tan Shard w/ Gaze of Death and Swarm of Spirit Dust
    Harbinger of Despair w/Veil of Darkness
    Harbinger of Eternity w/Chronometron and Timespliter Cloak



    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/01/23 15:14:10


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Well, I didn't get to the game store last weekend and this weekend also looks doubtful.

    Watching the rumors of the Necron codex especially close now that we know it is only a week out.

    Looking at the releases, I may need to buy a few Tombblades and another barge.

    I'm going to try to do the Independent Characters Hobby Progress challenge... should be fun, and easier since it isn't tied to a specific army list. Terrain is a go for this as well.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/01/26 13:08:32


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Finally got the C-hristmas stuff cleaned up, and I was able to put paint to brush last night!!! Yeah!
    Did some touchups to my warboss on a bike, and some of the Meks and 'Amlet the Mad Dok. (by buddy the theater major came over and reminded me that at the start of the play, Hamlet returns from studying medicine in abroad. Funny.

    My first unit for the IC's HPC this year is going to be 20 more boyz. It seems that my orks sacked a plus sized men's clothing warehouse. Each group of 20 have slacks of a different color of men's dress pants! Still the red shirts and boots.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/02/01 04:36:51


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    My lovely wife was in town and picked up my copy of the Necron codex and data cards. The owner hired a new business manager, and things are definitely on the way up at the store.

    As far as the codex goes, I really like the decurion detachment... 4+ Reanimation Protocols army wide is pretty hard to say no to. That, and all the vehicles ignore the effects of both shaken and stunned. It makes good use of the Spiders, Scarabs, and Wraiths that I have. The down side is that I don't have any tombblades, and I can't seem to make a list without needing 4 boxes of them.

    Necron Decursion Army List
    Reclamation Legion
    Overlord, The Solar Staff, 95 points (Warlord)
    10x Immortals, Gauss 170
    10x Warriors, Ghost Ark 235
    10x Warriors, Ghost Ark 235
    6x Tomb Blades, Gauss, Shieldvanes, Nebuloscope 132
    6x Tomb Blades, Gauss, Shieldvanes, Nebuloscope 132
    Total: 999
    Canoptek Harvest #1
    Spyder, 50
    5x Wraiths, Whipcoils, 215
    8x Scarabs, 160pts
    total: 425
    Canoptek Harvest #1
    Spyder, 50
    5x Wraiths, Whipcoils, 215
    8x Scarabs, 160pts
    total: 425
    Grand Total 1849


    I also like the Mephrit Dynasty... Until I am able to flesh out the necrons a bit, I'll probably use their detachment. It has better warlord traits than the codex. Who knows? But I'll try building lists there, but it doesn't flow as well as the Decurion did.

    I'm sad the Sweep Attacks on the CCB disappeared. I'm also upset that the minimum Warrior squad increased back to ten and the capacity of the Ghost Ark didn't increase. Now there is no way to have a character starting with the warriors inside a ghost ark. Pretty pleased that our elite choices seemed to get a boost.... may actually motivate me to finish my Lychguard set.

    On the orks, I've started painting Grukk and a couple of other guys for the ICHPC. I've caught them up with 'Amlet and another group of mini's that I started earlier this week. Will be washing them as soon as I have the base coats cleaned up a bit. Oh... and Grukk's wearing black slacks.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/02/17 04:50:58


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    'Amlett is finished! Mostly, I'll use him as a stand in for Grotsnik. Very happy with how he has turned out.



    Here is my first finished picture of Grukk. Damn... I like this model.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/02/17 12:39:18


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Amlett looks like a Pain Boss, yes?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/02/17 12:41:25


    Post by: Anpu-adom


     Gitsplitta wrote:
    Amlett looks like a Pain Boss, yes?

    That's the idea... stand in for Grotsnik mostly. The whole ode to Hamlet sort of just happened.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/03/17 15:45:26


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Playing around with dropbox... and my it doesn't seem to like forums.

    March 7th I got to go to ReCon... a local games day. It was a fun filled day. I was one of the first to arrive (10 am) and one of the last to leave (11:30 pm)... on the spring ahead day. I was one hurting unit the next day, I'll tell you.
    So I played:
    Imperial Assault
    Small World: Underground
    Demoed X-Wing
    More Imperial Assault
    X-Wing Tournament... 2nd Place overall
    The X-Wing EPIC Team game ... picture link below.

    https://www.dropbox.com/sc/egpod4oj612kugl/AACGckt4uBtSfMpjZmO8CCrfa

    I'm loving the X-Wing community... "Fly Casually" is the motto of competitive X-Wing... you can still be very competative but you don't need to be TFG at the same time. Example:
    The Prize pool for our 4 player X-Wing Tournament was Imperial Aces (MSRP $30), a B-Wing (MSRP $15), a TIE-Bomber (MSRP $15), and 4 promo cards... which go online for somewhere between $10 and $20. Even though he was last, the newest player ended up taking the Imperial Aces box home. For me, I didn't need 2 more Tie Intercepters... I took the Bomber. The winner of the tourney wanted another B-Wing. In the end, we all had fun and even got to play with a lot of our new toys... EPIC.

    Team Epic is where each person brings 200 points of ships and upgrades. So, with 2x2.. that meant that there was 800 points of X-Wing on the board (Apoc equivalent of 14,000 points). I also finally got to use my FAT mat to its full extent.
    You can fit a heck of a lot in 200 points... the rules even limit you to 10 of the small base ships and 5 of the large base. I can't wait to get my Imperial Raider... the Imperial Epic ship


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/03/17 16:00:31


    Post by: Cleatus


    Love the 'Amlett/Grotsnik conversion. Grukk is such a fun model, I wish I had one.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/03/17 19:33:23


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Thanks, Cleatus.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/04/07 03:36:20


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Finished another 19 strong squad of ork boyz as my March ICHPC commitment. Just basing to do on them and they'll be finished.
    For April, I found a Orikan the Diviner sitting on the shelf at my FLGS behind all kinds of other models. He's been sold out on the GW site since the new codex dropped (he's a really cheap beat-stick that does a lot for a unit of warriors or such). Got him assembled (after a mishap where my 2 year old decided that his staff needed to be in 3 pieces). Did I tell you how I like Finecast?
    It's amazing how fast necrons paint up after doing some orks for about a year. He's almost done... just some dry brushing and static grass on his base.

    Next, I'm finishing a squad of Lychguard that I started when the old codex first came out.
    Sword and Board versions, of course.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/04/08 20:42:19


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Here's a rough picture of Orikan the Diviner.


    Thing 3 and Thing 2 broke the staff, so I had to adjust things and make it significantly shorter. This image really doesn't capture him... I'll have to reshoot.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/04/08 21:03:52


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    I like!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/04/09 00:03:16


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Thanks, Gits.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/04/12 04:11:08


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Slight update:
    Back when the codex was fresh, I ordered some converted Crypteks from someone or another on Ebay... when I got them, they just weren't what I wanted. They were made out of Lychguard bodies with Praetorian heads, making them way to bulky for the 4+ armor look that warriors and the finecast cryptek shares.
    I grabbed them, along with the set of three that I magnetized a long time ago. Somewhere along the line, I also picked up another box (I think that I used some of the bits for the Wraith conversions I do)... and I had a Lychguard building party. Sadly, those three nearly crypteks need heads and I ran out of primer. Got those on order, so we'll see where we go with that.
    Here's the rundown.
    3 Magnetized
    7 Sword and Shield
    3 Warscythe

    That'll mean that I can run a full squad of 10 with Sword and Shield or a squad of 6 with Warscythes.
    While ordering head bits, I also ordered the driver from the ghost ark... I'm going to convert him up to be my own Namesor Zahndrek...

    In the meantime, I've started putting together my two boxes of Meganobz. I'm thinking about magnetizing the arms and options. 5 Meganobz and 1 that hopefully will be magnetized to be either a Big Mek or Warboss. I'm loving these kits. Still hoping to develop enough skill with plastic card to build some of my own.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/04/12 13:31:17


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Sounds like a good plan going forward Anpu,


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/04/13 02:03:28


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    AKKK!
    Tonight has been a bit of a frustrating hobby night.
    6 Meganobs with 2 arms each (actually, magnetizing at the wrist since that is where it makes the most sense).
    Each arm has 2 options.
    That is 3 magnets per arm for 36 magnets total. GRRR I don't have that many in my box right now.
    Now, I could only put a magnet at the end of each arm and a piece of metal inside each of the options, but what metal?

    So, Meganobz are at a standstill until I puzzle that out.
    I would start basing, but with 40mm of real estate, I need to find something to make them special. Just standing on asphalt isn't enough.
    Got the primer for the Lychguard, but the bitz won't be in until the end of the week.
    Went to start basing a my Blood Bowl Orks (printed off my kanban, so I can find some 'quick kill' projects.) The homemade mud technical paint I wanted to use is dried up.

    All around, just one of those nights...




    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    Alright... a success. The technical paint re-hydrated alright, so I got the Blood Bowl team based. While they are out, I'll probably hit them with some more highlights as well as some static grass. Then, they will be done-done and off my board (except for their Troll, but he's a separate line on the kanban).


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/04/15 02:33:19


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Got the troll primed and the rest of the Ork Team with basing hightlights and some more skin dry-brushing. Makes me pretty happy to put that back on the shelf... completely finished.

    My norse team may see some TLC before the heads for my Lychguard arrive.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/04/20 02:24:01


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Yesterday I had a X-Wing Escalation Tourney at the local store... took an Imperial list based around a ramming Decimator. I also took dead last. So... I'm going to say that I don't recommend building your Escalation list around a ramming Decimator. Would have had a lot more luck with the BBBYY build I had thought of (even though it would have required be buying $100 worth of models to run it... oh well).

    My lychguard heads came in and I attached them. Primed the unit as well. I also got my Wearbear/Troll primed for my Norse Blood Bowl team. He's going to be a redish/brown Kodiak bear... for variety.

    Priming party is finished for now. I'll get started with the Lychguard after I take a picture of them for the challenge.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/04/26 17:32:14


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Got sidetracked from the Lychguard... so I got to work on Clyde.
    Wearbear/ Norse Troll finished. Very happy with how he turned out. Just need to figure out numbers, based, etc for the team.
    Like the wolves, this one is based on the coloration of a real animal... This case a Kodak bear. I'm naming him Clyde in honor of the one at the Dakota zoo when I was a kid. 



    Now that Clyde is done, I can focused on the Lychguard and then build up the MegaNobz (magnets came in).
    On the gaming front, sad news. My local store closed, and is seemingly going to be closed forever. The owner caught his wife cheating on him, and since she is the breadwinner... well, prayers to him and his family. I still have gaming options... one store in town caters to the card player crowd while a second serves the boardgamers, RPG'ers and X-Wing. I have another store that is pay-to-play half an hour in the other direction, but I'll miss all the guys the just hung out at the store on the weekends. There is a guy who has room for a table half-an-hour in yet a third direction, but being that we both have young children it could either end up going well or very very poorly.

    So in the near future, it looks like I'll continue to be more of a collector/painter than a player of 40k.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/05/06 03:32:20


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    With the store closing, it's been hard to find the motivation to do much painting. The ICHPC has been a bit help there, and the Lychguard are all blocked and ready for a wash.
    What to do after the Lychguard? I kinda want to have 5 commitments from of each of the armies... that way I'd get the most 'points' (gotta game the system... right?) So far, I've got 2 ork commitments done and will soon have 2 Necron ones. Two months of MegaNobz, and another month of boyz will complete that part of the challenge. I suppose two months of Tomb Blades now that they are back in stock and some more warriors wouldn't be too far amiss. But I don't really want to by any Necron models while I have so much Ork stuff to paint. I may end up being non-optimized.

    I'm in on RiTide's Kickstarter... I've doubled my initial pledge already. October can't come soon enough on that front.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/05/10 03:12:25


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    *insert chicken poop joke here*
    My workspace has been invaded by some feathered foul, due to a cold snap. Between them being in my space, and getting our outbuilding ready, I haven't had time to work anyway.
    Lychguard are just waiting... probably next weekend we'll get a chance to move them. It shouldn't be too hard to get them done by the end of the month... I'm hoping for a few spare days to work on finishing constructing the Meganobz.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/05/20 21:26:10


    Post by: Anpu-adom




    Finished 10 Lychguard (one is hiding behind the paper). Went a bit overboard on the highlighting... should I fix it? Let me know what you think?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/06/21 13:26:48


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Ok, I'm sharing an orky project that has been on my table for a while now. I'm stuck on a few thinks and I'm hoping that some Dakkaites may be able to give me some tips to help me finish.

    I've started with this:


    I'm converting it into a Battlewagon. This is what I have so far:

    Sorry for the blurry shot.

    Here is how it compares to a GW battlewagon:


    I want to add a Reinforced Ram and three big shootas. Is it ok if I model three big shootas as one enplacement... I don't want to paint and model three separate gunners for this (and the other 4 batttlewagons).
    Second, the height of the my conversion is about an inch shorter than the official battlewagon. That's not a big deal, is it?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/08/02 20:50:09


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Most of my playtime recently has been focused on X-Wing. A league has been started at the closest game store, and I've gotten 14 games in the last month!
    Today was a games day at the store, and we had a 5 man X-Wing Tourney. To put things in perspective, there were 10 there to play in a Warmachine/Hordes tourney.
    Here's the List::
    STRESS KATH AND WHISPER
    99 points
    PILOTS
    Kath Scarlet (57)
    Firespray-31 (38), “Mangler” Cannon (4), Seismic Charges (2), Lone Wolf (2), Gunner (5), Andrasta (0), Engine Upgrade (4), Seismic Charges (2)
    “Whisper” (42)
    TIE Phantom (32), Rebel Captive (3), Fire-Control System (2), Veteran Instincts (1), Advanced Cloaking Device (4)
    View: http://xwing-builder.co.uk/view/282942/stress-kath-and-whisper
    Tweak: http://xwing-builder.co.uk/build/282942

    Game 1 was against a 3 ship Rebel Aced build (XXB). I managed to take out both Luke and the B-Wing while leaving Biggs alive at the end of the game. He's a relatively new player and made some positioning mistakes. I did loose Whipser by landing him on a rock while in range 1-2 of all three rebel ships.
    Game 2 was also against another new player, and I seriously misplayed Whisper again prior to flying Kath off the board. Serious fail on my part. Highlight of the game was dropping a proximity mine in such a way that it hit all three of his ships.
    Final game, I played with the player who was 2-0-0... the league organizer and probably one of the best X-Wng players I know. He had a Doom Shuttle, Whisper and Fel. A really killer list. Our opening salvo dropped single shields from each of the large ships. The next two rounds saw Fel shot down and both of my ships down to hull. From there, a well placed bomb and a single positioning error on my opponents part saw me unexpectedly winning. We were both 2-1-0 and the victory came down to MOV. I beat him by just 13 points of MOV.
    Overall, I'm happy with the list. My Stress Kath is about as durable as a similarly equipped Decimator and more manouverable. It also seems to do a better job at hunting arc doggers... which really hate taking stress. I need more experience running Whisper... I haven't run a Phantom since before the FAQ decloaking change. More experience is needed there.
    In the future, I don't see this list doing great... new ships in the meta will really tone down both the super arc dodgers and tanky builds like Kath.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/09 13:57:20


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Officially traded off my Germans to my younger brother. He's been getting back into Flames of War in his community and has picked up a fair amount of German armor, so my Grenadiers and StuG's have plenty of company.
    In exchange for that I've picked up the X-WIng minis that he got in trade for his Warmachine stuff... (my brother seems to be a dealer).
    I'm adding 2 Slave 1, a HWk-290 and Falcon. On top of that, a 3 X-Wings, 8 Ties, 4 Interceptors, 1 A-wing and 1 B-WIng and the Rebel Transport.
    I'm pretty sure that I got the better end of that deal.
    The Summer League ended, and I'm 3rd overall. Not bad.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/13 03:43:08


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I played 40k today...
    I know... I'm shocked too.
    Played a game with my brother. Neither of us have played a game with our armies since their new books came out (Dark Angels for him... Necrons for me).
    We played the secret maelstrom mission at 1500 points. I played a Necron Decurion with a Lychguard Deathstar and deathmarks.
    By brother ran a Battlecompany with the Ravenwing Support. He was just so able to take objectives all day long... I destroyed 3 rhinos in a single shooting phase (and received the maelstrom bonus for it.)
    We made it 2 rounds before we needed to quit the game, but I was on my backfoot the whole time. Battlecompany is STRONG.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/13 05:43:20


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Hope you had a good time Anpu. Don't underestimate your crons. Decurion with canoptic harvest is also very strong.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/13 12:58:16


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Thanks for checking in, Gits.
    Yeah, my wraiths didn't make it into the case this time around.
    I have to say that I'm really impressed with the tomb blades. Not only was I able to jump on an objective quickly to score points, but three were able to go toe to toe with 10 assault marines. I didn't loose a wound compared to their 30 attacks. Granted, the tomb blades weren't exactly tearing them up either.
    I don't really know how to actually run the Deathstar. I'm used to the Wraith-star from 6th edition... with 12 inch movement. Anyway, I really deep striked the Lychstar too early. Lessons learned. I do really wish that we had time for a full game. One assault was particularly time consuming, between him overwatching with extra units at full ballistic skill and me rerolling saves and RP it took almost 15 minutes to resolve.
    I did fun. I bought a box of Tombblades (before the game) so I can run the decurion without proxies. There will actually be painting (gasp!) in the near future.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/13 14:25:55


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    I like the tomb blades myself. Nice figures and a decent unit to boot.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/16 13:04:03


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I've finished adding my brother's X-Wing stuff to mine...
    I have 14 TIE's...
    My name is Anpu... and I have an addiction to X-Wing Miniatures.

    The current rules for Epic X-WIng play limit you to 12 of any small base ship... that means that I have more TIE's than a person could possibly need. Also, since I plan on picking up 2 of the Imperial Assault Carrier (which comes with 2 TIE's each)... I'll probably try to offload a few.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/16 23:12:07


    Post by: Knightley


    I'm a big fan of Tomb Blades with nebulscopes, sheild vanes and particle beamers, Ignore cover AP4 Str 6 blast is very nice.

    I've had quite a bit of fun with a 20 Warrior squad, Destroyer lord with resorb for rerolls of 1's for shooting, Cryptek with chronometron for a 5++ and hunker a Triarch Stalker 6" away from one warrior and you have 20 shots, hitting on 2's rerolling 1's with a 4+ save 5++ invun, 4+ FNP(because that's what it is) that goes to 40 shots when at half range. Sure they are weak in CC, but still so much fun for shooting.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/17 11:40:51


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Adding a Triarch Stalker is turning Necron shooting up to 11... between that and the Prefered enemy from the Lord you just won't miss... and my warriors always miss. I like that unit, Kightley. Too bad I don't have a Stalker.

    I'm thinking of running my tomb blades with nebulscopes, shield vanes and the gauss. I may have to recheck the math, but a squad of 5 should have enough shooting to take out an Eldar Waveserpent in a single round of shooting. Similarly, they'll be able to take out most bike squads just as quickly.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/25 13:57:22


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    There is a local convention at the beginning of November... I've signed up to run an Escalation Tourney for X-Wing.
    I'll attempt to get the Tomb Blades painted. The same con usually has Warhammer so I'll do what I can there.
    I've been collecting and planning on a terrain project for a while now. That might just get worked on.
    However, the exciting news:
    Two of the X-Wing guys that I really enjoy playing with approached me to play a cooperative campaign "Heroes of the Aturi Cluster" www.dockingbay416.com/campaign/
    You take on the role of a pilot and you and your squadmates are the sole protectors of the cluster and are forced to make hit and fade attacks against the empire. I'm painting some of my ships to use... very cool.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/25 17:37:59


    Post by: Warboss_Waaazag


    Interesting battlewagon conversion. Nice that the halftrack practically started in the perfect scale.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/25 19:59:02


    Post by: Anpu-adom


     Warboss_Waaazag wrote:
    Interesting battlewagon conversion. Nice that the halftrack practically started in the perfect scale.


    Thanks, Waaazag. I'm liking those kits, but with 40k almost dead in my area I'm finding it hard to get the motivation to finish. I have 3 of those and 1 normal battlewagon kit, plus a rhino chassis that might be part of a battlewagon or maybe a looted wagon (Maybe Stompa?). Not sure yet.

    I'm starting to feel the hobby urge however... we'll see.
    I'm getting some Marine stuff for my son in a trade. We'll see how things go.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/27 13:29:35


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Here's my repainting plan or the Falcon Squadron:
    Y-Wing
    X-Wing
    A-Wing
    and a HWK

    The A-wing and the X-Wing have already been painted by their previous owner... badly. A-Wing is being stripped right now. I'm hoping Simple Green is enough to get down to the old basecoat.
    I'm going to use two different blues to do the squad markings, similar to Marine Air Control Squadron #1.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/09/28 15:37:08


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I was naughty...
    Bought the new X-Wing Starter set... and a pair of K-Wings. I was surprised to find that each had 2 of the hot, new Twin Laser Turrets. Now I only need 2 of the K-Fighter and one Hound's Tooth to finish my wave VII purchases. I don't have any of the Syck... but I understand that I'm not missing anything. Other than that, a Tantive IV is the only ship I'm missing in the numbers that I want. Once Wave VII hits... that'll be a different story.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/10/19 03:45:51


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Update on X-Wing... I bought two of the scum K-fighter (can't spell or say what it really is). I'm liking them as missile caddies/jousters. Nicely tooled up at 32 points, meaning that I'll be able to build an Escalation list around a pair of them. My escalation list will be tooled to make for quick games one way or the other.
    Falcon Squadron played the into game. It was a lot of fun, and I have 2 of the 11 kills. My BTL-A$ Y-Wing with R2 and TLT did work. I kept seriously misjudging the AI... the AI doesn't make the same decisions most players would. When the last group of TIE's came on board, I was the closest so they went after me (Not surprising) A good player would have tried to pin my Y-wing against the edge of the board instead of just flying right at me. That left me in arc of all three of them... it left me with just a single hull at the end of the game.
    Thing 1 played and had a good time. Also was N, C, and C's Thing 1. The 2 Things had a good time playing... and they made the whole experience more fun for us Dads.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/11/06 14:56:30


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Finished assembly of something 40k related last night! I assembled the Tomb Blades that I bought back in September. I did end up constructing them as Gauss with both Shield Vanes and Nebuloscope. I'm hoping to find another box here at the gaming convention this weekend. I'll see about priming them tonight, but I have a lot of housework before absenting myself from my family on Saturday.
    Speaking of Saturday, I'm pretty much all set. I have my list of what to pack (it's about a 40 minute drive to the Convention from my house... just long enough to be really inconvenient if I forget something). Once again, I'm running an X-Wing Escalation Tourney... the prize for first place is a set of RiTides excellent Mod Cubes that he sent out for me (Thanks again RiTides). Some of the old gang have reappeared and there is talk of getting some 40 to the table. I'll be ready for that as well.
    A week from tomorrow I have more stuff in my Extra-Life commitment. I'm running a race for X-Wing, I have the LOTR Fellowship Event (may sneak that in on Friday Night), and I have more of the Aturi Cluster with N, C1, and C2. No Thing-1's along this time. My wife and kids are going to visit family that Saturday.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/11/06 15:24:03


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Sounds like a busy weekend! And fun too!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/11/07 19:32:25


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    4 hours of X-Wing


    Automatically Appended Next Post:
    5.5 Hours of 40k... that's one game.
    2 on 2 with 1850 point lists...
    I was paired with a Guard player vs Tau and CSM. Played Malestrom #3, where you start with 1 card and you get another card at the start of your turn (up to 6 total) for each objective you control at the beginning of the turn.
    Mod Cubes were on the table... and Loved. In particular, I loved the mysterious objective set. It made remembering what was going on way easier (even though all of the a full half of the objectives came up sabotaged)
    Worst play of the game? A sabotaged objective destroyed the CSM's Warpsmith with 6 hits.
    Close game the whole way through... our opponents scored a card worth d3 points and rolled the 3 during their first turn, we ended up tied overall.
    I liked out hard it was for them to damage my Lychstar (6 Shield Lychguard, Orikan, Destroyer Lord and Overlord). Wraiths in my canoptek harvest did well. Took out several broadsides before running up to a Maulerfiend. Scarabs got too far away from the Spyder, and died to a pair of Heldrakes. Warriors, Tombblades and Immortals all did their jobs. Even the Ghost Arks took more shots than were expected.
    The game came down to us trying to get Warlord off of a Tau Commander with a full bodyguard squad. Got him down to 2 HP before my immortals charged in for a slap fight.

    Again, it was a close came throughout... it just overstayed its welcome. All the players were fun to play with, and I had a good time.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/11/14 06:38:40


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Continuing my Extra Life Commitment this weekend:
    I got games of Roll through the Galaxy and Castles of Mad King Ludwig.
    Roll Through the Galaxy... not an easy game for someone new to get into. Probably not on my list of games to get. B-
    Castles of Mad King Kudwig... dang. Now, that's a game with a lot of meat and one that isn't hard to teach. Hard to master though! A+
    That's another 2.5 hours for a total of 12 hours... I'm half-way through.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/11/15 04:59:28


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    There was a garage sale at the former owner of my old FLGS's today. I picked up something like 30 grotz, 17 deffkoptas, around 20 tankbusta conversions, a whole mess of boyz and at least one AoBR Warboss (all painted). There is a few more other models in a junk box that I got... we'll see what's all in there. On the necron side of things, a box of warriors on the sprue. I also got the Blood Angels cards for Thing #1. Pretty good for $100.
    He's saying that everything that doesn't sell this weekend or next weekend are getting trashed. I'm hoping to still be able to pick up a Stompa (he had 7), and a couple of battlewagons (I stopped counting at 9). If nothing else, giving things to me is better than throwing them away. The paint on most of the models is pretty good and I don't necessarily feel the need to repaint (he painted professionally while running the store, but there are a few in there that he must have gotten second or third hand). Everything will need to be rebased though.
    Continued the Extra Life commitment:
    3.5 hours of Lord of the Rings LCG (4 player) Ouch... just an ouchy loss.
    1 hour of Castles of Mad King Ludwig again. Won by a single point! I'm seriously hoping for this for Christmas.
    45 minutes of Smuggler's Derby. Wow, very lethal! We didn't make it a full lap. Then again, everyone choose a small based ship. All 4 players had a lot of fun, even though I flew a TIE Destroyer with Ion Cannon onto the board when a K-wing got too big of a lead. (The K-Wing loaded up on Proximity Bombs... seriously nasty for the A-Wing that flew right into them on turn 1).
    N, C, and I got one mission in on the Heroes of the Aturi Cluster campaign. We managed to save the rebel operatives in their damaged HWK-290. I've moved up to PS 3... I think my next thing is to upgrade my shields... I keep ending up nose to nose with a squad of TIEs at least once per game. :-(


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/12/02 14:21:44


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Ok... from the garage sale, I've picked up 1 Stompa (Thanks Gits!!!) 5 Battlewagons, 40 some grots, 15+ Deffkoptas, 15+ Big Choppa Nobs, 15+ Boyz with Rokkits (SCORE!), a metal Killa Kan an AoBR Warboss, and various other Boyz.
    Internet has been out of order at my house since Thanksgiving! Snowed in with the kids and my wife has been snowed out (at her parent's house) for two days. (Sanity has been hanging by a thread)
    I spent a lot of that time pinning various pieces on the Stompa. I literally had it come apart in my hands after I got it home. I also managed to rebase the AoBR Warboss. It's a really nice paintjob, I'm glad that I got it. Pictures of that and the Stompa are on my to-do list.
    So... I'm hoping for a new Ork book


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/12/03 02:54:06


    Post by: Cleatus


    That sounds like a lot of Orks!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/12/03 14:55:52


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Here's the Stompa. WIP


    Here's the Warboss. It is some of his best work. The base is mine.



    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/12/03 15:43:02


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Love that stompa! Been wringing my hands over getting mine done. I can now take inspiration from yours! Nice work on the warboss too!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/12/03 15:51:36


    Post by: Cleatus


    Stompa!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/12/03 16:25:16


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Just to be clear... at this point, they aren't my work. These are how they came to be from the garage sale, but I like them a lot.

    The stompa needs some of the red that the rest of my vehicles are going to be using. They also need the silver etc. But yeah... I'm happy with where it is as a starting point. He used a salt weathering technique, and since all of my other vehicles are either bare plastic or primer I plan on continuing there.
    I've spent about 2 hours regluing and pinning various pieces here. It did just fall apart in my hands when I got it home. I'm not putting any effort in disguising the pins... I figure Meks are just going to weld and weld and weld until the pieces stay together.
    The warboss is also his work. I rebased it because... yeah... it also just fell off. I am really glad that the warboss was in the junk box I grabbed. Credit where it is due, the warboss represents the previous owner's best painting.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2015/12/27 21:36:17


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Visited the gaming stores around my mother's house while I was up there . One was clearance out their Games Workshop stuff (a growing trend). I picked up a box of Death Company for my son's army and a box of Immortals for my Necrons.
    I also picked up one each of the TIE/FO and the T-70 expansions, and some flock so that I can finish by Blood Bowl Orks and Norse.
    On the Christmas front, my wife bought me Qwirkle and the Battlestar Galactica board game. Looking at getting my year in review done soon.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/02/03 03:11:21


    Post by: Anpu-adom




    Finally, Here is my HWK that I painted last fall. I really like how this model turned out.

    I feel ready to spring into a flurry of activity. I have 5 boxes of Necrons sitting on my shelf... I probably push through them pretty quickly, but I don't really have any place to store them.
    I have 6 battlewagons either primed or in bare plastic. Problem there is I'm feeling a lot of self doubt about painting big vehicles like that. I'm not really happy with how my Ghost Arks turned out. My Stompa is salt weathered, and I'd like to match. That job was done with an airbrush... something I don't have.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/02/17 16:28:44


    Post by: Cleatus


    Nice looking HWK!

    For the Stompa, since you don't have an airbrush, what about either spray paint with the salt weathering technique? Or maybe blue tack/poster putty/painters tape and drybrushing?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/02/17 19:15:39


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Thanks for the comments, Cleatus! I think I'm going to need to use the rattle can... A bit worried that the pressures are going to be enough to shoot the salt off. I'll try it on one of the trukks I have. I'll wait until the weather is better. That'll be my goal this summer... the 6 battle wagons and 2 trukks I have.

    In the mean time, I'll be focusing on some necrons I have. I've already primed and basecoated three Tombblades. After that, I have 36 warriors and 3 immortals... I'll be doing that for the ICHPC2016.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/02/25 13:48:49


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Three finished Tombblades


    I'm debating leaving the stands clear, or doing them like my spyders'. Admittedly, they are low table top. I may revisit them later (don't we always plan on revisiting things later?)

    Next up, some warriors.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/02/29 13:55:08


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I've been neck deep in X-Wing the last couple of weeks...
    I'm the TO for our local Store's Championship... we expect between 30 and 40 players... it'll be the largest X-wing event in the state!

    End of the month will see another Epic game day. Several have mentioned that they are excited to have it again. Me too!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/03/11 05:02:01


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Been crafting Flayed Ones... warrior bodies and arms cut off the gauss flayer. Blades cut off gauss flayers, warscythes, and gauss blasters. Completed three and then I run out of plastic glue. I guess it's been 5 years since I bought glue... I can afford another one I guess. I need to replace the paint I use for Necron base color too.
    Plan is to make some green stuff flesh to drape on them.
    Boy, is this fun!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/03/11 07:02:32


    Post by: evildrcheese


    Awesome HWK.

    EDC


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/03/22 14:04:54


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Thanks for the comments on the HWK. I like it a lot.

    PROGRESS!!!
    10 more Warriors


    Here is what I'm working on right now...


    I've built 6 flayed ones, and plan to build 25 more in the next few months. The flesh is a technique that I totally stole from Camkierhi ... he used wet cardboard to make leather straps. I used wet paper to make the flesh. The next batch will have more holes in the paper.
    Suggestions and comments wanted! Thanks.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/03/22 20:11:57


    Post by: Camkierhi




    And I am having difficulty with the pics?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/03/22 20:20:10


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Here are the Warriors...


    Here is the WIP for the Flayed One

    Sorry about the flash on that one... I need to get a real photo setup.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/03/22 20:57:07


    Post by: Camkierhi


    Looks pretty fantastic to me. Got a nicely leathery look going on whilst remaining thin and skinny!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/03/24 00:26:29


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Tada... first lot finished.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/03/24 01:14:08


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Very creative man, really like them!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/03/24 01:30:02


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I was really hoping that you'd pop in, Gits.
    6 down... 25 to go.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/03/24 02:06:17


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    I love it when people use their own imaginations and ingenuity to create something. Of course I had to pop in!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/03/29 14:30:05


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I'm running out of necron blades. The ones off the gauss flayers just don't look good... they aren't big enough. Now that my little brother is doing necrons, I may be able to snitch some from his bitz bin. He's going with Praetorians, so there are plenty of blades for me to grab.
    I'm looking at doing maybe some Freddy Krueger claws with flayer blades... they do make decent off hand blades, just not primary ones.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/04/14 17:19:52


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    So I primed up a metal Ghazghull that I picked up on ebay this week (now that the weather has turned warmer). Less then 12 hours later, I found it in pieces on my work room floor. I have my suspicions, but I have 2 of my children who are currently having difficulty telling the truth. So, my hobby so far has been rebuilding him.
    Much like the car restorer who finished painting a 1964 corvette only to have the wind blow in dust as he finished the clearcoat, all the work I did before is just preparation for the final coat. The superglue had gone fragile so scraping that off allowed me to get rid of a lot of the gapfill. It wasn't pinned, so I pinned the arms. Overall, it now feels more like it is mine... which is good.
    I have picked up some of the legs for the giant spyders on the Obylesk. Those legs go great for my Flayed Ones. Freddy Krueger arms are in full swing, so I have another 9 Flayed Ones built and primed for the Independent Characters Hobby Progress challenge. Half-done with the Flayed Ones, and I'm one month ahead.
    Sadly, we've had to repair the clothes dryer and our Chimera (a 2013 Town and Country) has problems with the sliding door. There goes some of my fun money this month.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/04/14 19:18:26


    Post by: Gitsplitta


    Ahhh, the joys of parenting.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/04/15 02:16:17


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Good news! After paying for the dryer troubleshooting, I'm able to save over $150 by fixing it myself. Not bad for turning about half a dozen screws. Also, our van was still under the extended service plan. No cost to us. Score.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/04/15 05:55:47


    Post by: evildrcheese


    You're telling us that Ghazghull's 2+ didn't help him?

    EDC


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/04/15 16:37:48


    Post by: Anpu-adom


     evildrcheese wrote:
    You're telling us that Ghazghull's 2+ didn't help him?

    EDC


    LOL... Pretty sure it wasn't him who was shouting WAAAAAAAGH!!! when he hit the floor.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/05/01 12:10:50


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    4 Hours of Epic X-wing going on yesterday. #1 Was along and had some fun too. 6 players in a nice scenario.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/05/28 16:01:18


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    #4 arrived last night
    I have some necrons to finish for the ICHPC... good thing about necrons is that you can paint them when you are half asleep and they will still turn out ok.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/05 00:46:47


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Ok, hopefully I haven't bitten off more than I can chew.
    40k is seeing a huge boom at my local gamestore. We are doing a slow grow league to get the new guys up to speed... and I'm going to paint a Dread Mob. The Forgeworld Dread Mob.
    Need help though. Here's what I'm planning for a 1250 point list (largest in the slow grow).

    HQ : Kustom Meka-Dread, 2x Kill saw, Kustom Force Field

    Troops
    3x Deff Dreads, 3x Power Klaw and Scorha, 3x Power Klaw and Skorcha, 3x Power Klaw and Rokkit
    Gretchin Scavenger Mob
    Spanna Boyz Mob, 12 shootas w/ Mek and a Choppa


    Fast Attack
    5x Killa Kans with Grotzookas
    3x Killa Kans with Rokkits
    3x Killa Kans with Rokkits

    I don't want to go crazy over what I could actually use without the Forgeworld Dread Mob list. (I'm not going to add more Deff Dreads or Killa Kans, for instance). A Morkanaugt/gorkanaut might work. What am I missing? I'm not trying to be super competative, but I don't want glaring weaknesses either (AP 2 only in assault, I understand).
    A renegade knight might be fun to take this list to 11. Or The Big Mek Stompa.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/05 04:42:40


    Post by: Camkierhi


    Sorry hang on....#4 arrived...CONGRATULATIONS!

    How is everyone, good I hope.

    Sorry cant help with the army list, bit useless on that one, though some transport to assist the troops sounds like a good idea. Or something shooty at the back, could you get some lootas in there?


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/05 09:24:03


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    #4 Arrived! Yes indeed. Doing well except for the business where he only sleeps while being held. Mom is great except for the above complaint (and not getting enough sleep). I'm good, except that I haven't been able to model much because my arms are full. (Typing this from my phone at 4am local... Any guesses as to what is in my arms?)
    Yeah, I'm thinking of Lottas is a looted wagon with killkannon... Been wanting to put that together. I don't get mek gunz or a gorkanaut in the pdf list. Deffdreads are my forward objective grabbers... Boys and grots stay back. Walkers go to the fore.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/07 02:50:35


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Kustom Meka-Dread WIP

    To Do:
    Add more engines
    Hide Mek-Boss's legs
    Mount KFF
    Mount Fixin' Klaw
    Mount Grot Riggers
    Figure out how to make KillSaws

    Any suggestions on Kill-Saws would be great.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/07 06:04:36


    Post by: evildrcheese


    Heh. I like the direction the meka dread is going.

    EDC


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/07 07:44:20


    Post by: NidLifeCrisis


    Woah! I've got a feeling this is going to be sick!

    I do wonder though if that head is a little too big for the body? Or is the body going to be hidden in the end?

    Looking forward to following this one


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/07 08:35:53


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I like to think that the Mek-boss never gets out of the Dread, and so the only part of him that gets any use is his head...
    I'll probably involve his head in the name and hide much of his body.
    Thanks for the comments. Definitely looking for more.

    He has a Name! Mekboss Gorkgus

    Gorgus was an engineer who traveled with Alexander the Great through Persia and into India.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/09 04:02:38


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    30 people have signed up for the Build and Play league... only a handful have played before. 16+ Showed up to the store tonight to build, paint and gab. What a great feeling!
    We have a wide variety of armies, and had a lot of fun.
    People earn achievements for things that a good community should do... helping each other, playing (not winning) and painting. There is even an achievement for buying the organizer (me) a snack (not an achievement I put into the mix... but oh well!).
    This was great, and I can't wait to do it again.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/09 05:32:43


    Post by: Camkierhi


    That's great news bud, sounds like fun, as it is meant to be.

    So you will be looking for some larger clothing soon?

    Meka-Dredd looks pretty awesome, and I really like the ideas you have thrown around, looking forward to seeing how this goes.



    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/09 05:47:00


    Post by: evildrcheese


    Awesome. Sounds like you've built up quite the community! Be sure to share what people are producing too!

    EDC



    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/09 17:18:38


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    @Cam... I'm on a diet... brought home most of it for my kids. The community is so jazzed right now. It is amazing; there are almost no one from the old store
    @EDC, By my count there were three ork players, 2 AM (one doing Steel Legion), 3 CSM, 3 Necrons and so many more that i am forgetting. The store owner is doing Nids, the store was so busy that he didn't even get to open the box!
    @EDC The community is still fresh, and i plan on feeding it over the next few months.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/09 17:50:50


    Post by: JustaerinAtTheWall


    Just saw some of your work here, looks like i'm in for a wild ride! GLHF my friend!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/10 20:31:21


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    More work done!


    Left to do:
    Hide Legs/ Ork Maw
    Mount Riggers
    Fixin' Klaw

    I've definitely been digging deep into my bitz bin for this one. Excited to keep working!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/16 03:07:17


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    18 Showed up to play tonight! We filled the tables and then some... I didn't get a game in. Oh well.
    33 Have signed up for the league... it keeps growing!
    I gave an impassioned speech to kick things off, well received.
    Meka-Dred assembly is about 95% Finished
    Lots of big basses (I'm all about that bass) made and primed.
    A pair of Killa Kans assembled, dozen Boyz and a dozen Gretchen assembled, cleaned and Primed.
    It's been a damn productive week.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/16 04:13:58


    Post by: Camkierhi


    Fantastic bud, well done.

    And the Meka-Dred is looking brilliant.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/06/16 05:42:07


    Post by: evildrcheese


    Sounds amazing. Sound like you've done a great job rallying the troops. Looking forward to seeing the finished meka dreads.

    EDC


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/08/29 14:20:44


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Still around. I've been busy building Ork Machines.
    Here's what I have in my 1500 list.
    Ork Dread Mob CAD
    HQ: Kustom Meka-Dread
    Elite: 8 Burna Boyz (In Looted Wagon below)
    Troop: Deff Dread, 2 Klaw, Big Shoota and Flamer, Heavy Armor and Grot Riggers
    Troop: Deff Dread, 2 Klaw, Big Shoota and Flamer, Heavy Armor and Grot Riggers
    Troop: Grotz
    Troops: Shoota Boyz w/Mek
    Fast Attack: 5 Killa Kans w/Grotzookas
    Fast Attack: 5 Killa Kans w/Rokkits
    Heavy Support: 8 Lootas
    Heavy Support: The above mentioned Looted Wagon Deffroller, w/Kill kannon, Heavy Armor and Grot Riggers
    Perhaps not optimal as far a build goes, but it's fun and Orky.
    The Looted Wagon is made from the body of a Rhino, but the top of a Leman Russ. I'll see if I can upload a pic of it.

    Almost none of this is painted... almost all in primer. I'm thinking that I'll have to do Bad Sunz with all this mek stuff. Looking for a better option though.

    The Lootas get to hang out with a Munitorium Cargo Container that I bought. I love the ability to reroll ones with the Lootas. 40 points is a steal for what you get (Just hide the barrels in the back).




    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/09/22 14:03:05


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Stupid GW for publishing Kill Team and making me want a Sisters of Battle Army. Stupid Ebay for having a squad, special and heavy weapons available. But in the end, stupid me for ordering them.
    Looking at doing Sisters for a Kill Team league at the Store next month.
    Orks weren't thrilling me (what I have won't work well). Neither were Necrons (wouldn't need to buy/build anything). So Sisters it is.

    4 Bolter Sisters
    1 Sister Superior w/Pistol and Powersword
    3 Flamers
    2 Stormbolters
    1 Meltagun
    2 Multimeltas

    I'll need to pick up another Sister Superior and 2 Bolter Sisters soon, I think.

    Any thoughts on this list?
    Celestians 5 with multi-melta, flamer, and a bolt pistol/power weapon and meltabombs on the Celestian Superior
    Sisters Squad kitted basically the same way. 5 with multi-melta, flamer, and a bolt pistol/power weapon and meltabombs on the Sister Superior.
    Celestian Superior is the Leader.
    Sister Superior will be the close combat specialist.
    Haven't looked at the other specialists, but Sharpshooter on a Multi-melta would be fun... wouldn't it?



    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/09/22 20:27:32


    Post by: Camkierhi


    Sacrilege

     Anpu-adom wrote:

    Orks weren't thrilling me (what I have won't work well).


    How dare you........

    But ok, Sister are cool too I guess, lets see what you got then, words are but squiggles on a blog to me.....


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/09/22 20:52:38


    Post by: Captain Brown


    Try a post on the Sister's Tactica, that should get you lots of ideas and perhaps say you buying more models until you are certain.

    Cheers,

    CB


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/09/25 16:19:40


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    I was able to sneak a Kill-team in at the store yesterday. I brought my orks. 7 burnas a big shoota, nob w/ big choppa and the rest of the points in shoota boys. Only specialist I took was +1 ballistic skill on the big shoota.
    He was running a deathwatch kill team. I forget the details, but it was only 5-man and he played down 20 points or so.
    The mission was the high ground one.
    He was able to take out my leader rather quickly. I was making a lot of coversaves, and combats usually ended on his turn. That left his models exposed to the shootas and burnas. We called it at the top of turn 5. He was down to his bolted/flamer guy who would have needed to kill 6 of my guys to force break checks.
    Overall, I enjoyed the heck out of that game.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/09/27 02:21:08


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Huge mail day (which is a bit different than Huge Male Day... but I digress).
    Got my sisters of Battle. Many of them were shiny... like new. Pretty sure they'd never seen paint or even soap. Very happy so far. The Sister Superior has a bolter and Chainsword... very happy with that load out for my kill team games. I've ordered a razorback kit for them and redid the Kill Team list 2 or 12 times since I opened the package 4 hours ago. Still planning on a white armor and purple cloth color scheme. #2 (oldest daughter) wanted pink hair and orange weapons. I think that she'll get one of those two choices (since I'm 'building' the army for her... )
    I also got a package from RiTides... who is one awesome fellow. Awesomer than anyone has a right to be.

    So, here's to the revamped list:
    Dominion Squad (Ignore Cover Act of Faith)
    Immolator (Razorback) with TL Heavy Bolters, Dozer Blade and Laud Hailer (to reroll failed Leadership when doing Acts of Faith within 12)
    Veteran Dominion Superior with Chainsword and Boltgun
    3 Dominion Sisters with bolt pistol and Boltgun
    2 Dominion Sisters with Flamers
    1 Dominion Sister with Meltagun

    Whole business has scout and a 6+ Invulnerable Save. No, the whole squad won't fit into the Immolator... no, it doesn't have to. I can keep as much of the squad (or as little) as I want since they are all separate units. I can keep the Meltagun inside if I want. Or my Leader (at least until I'm close to loosing that 4th sister and need the leadership aura).


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/09/27 05:52:08


    Post by: evildrcheese


    Looks like a decent list. Ignores cover is no joke, especially on Melta! What colour scheme you gonna do on the Battle Sisters?

    EDC


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/09/27 11:31:59


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    White armor and purple cloth. If I can figure out how to do pink hair, I'll make it so (at least on one).


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/09/27 11:36:01


    Post by: Gen.Steiner


    Multi-melta on the Sisters is a bad idea unless you're running a Retributor squad. Make it a counts-as melta instead. That way you maintain your mobility and can move and fire with everything.

    Ah, now I see you're doing a Dominion squad. Carry on!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/09/27 11:51:37


    Post by: Anpu-adom


     Gen.Steiner wrote:
    Multi-melta on the Sisters is a bad idea unless you're running a Retributor squad. Make it a counts-as melta instead. That way you maintain your mobility and can move and fire with everything.

    Ah, now I see you're doing a Dominion squad. Carry on!

    *doing my best Phil Hartman* I have 2 sisters with Multi-meltas. I'm frightened and confused by this strange world or Imperial weaponry. Can you please explain to me and the jury why you only want Multi-meltas in a Retributor squad? Particularly in Kill-team, where each sister acts like an individual unit?

    Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer aside... why? I know that Meltas and heavy flamers are the Sisters models that everyone wants right now, but I don't understand the reasons.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/09/27 17:19:15


    Post by: RiTides


    See now this has me super interested, as there's no way I'm getting another 40k army together, but a kill team is much more likely...

    How does one construct a kill team, just low points? Does it work with admech? I can tell I'm going to end up buying the Kill Team rulebook now

    The ork kill team game sounds like it was awesome, looking forward to seeing more on them or the SoB team!


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/09/27 17:53:38


    Post by: Anpu-adom


    Kill teams are basically 0-2 Troops, 0-1 Elite, and 0-1 Fast Attack at 200 or 250 points. No HQ, No Heavy Support. On top of that, no models with a 2+ save, more than 3 wounds. No Flyers, and no vehicles with an armor total more than 33 (Front, Side, and rear). You need at least 4 infantry models. Your highest leadership model becomes the leader and rolls on a Warlord-style chart. Up to 3 models can be specialists, and you get to choose from categories of special rules for them. It was fast and fun.
    Yeah, I'm excited to see my sisters develop. They may end up being an allied detachment for my son's Blood Angels or a Deathwatch squad.


    Learning Wargaming: Terrain and Tourney Update @ 2016/09/28 02:15:59


    Post by: RiTides


    Thanks, it seems quite cool . And using your project here as allies is a great idea!