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This will probably be my last one of these, as my WD subscription has now expired and after a so-so year, I don't think I'm going to renew it. Will still pick up the odd copy if it looks good.

So what do we have. Well for starters, there's no big release this month which is generally a good thing as it means one army doesn't dominate the issue. Nothing of great interest in the news section (is there ever?), although Forgeworld are releasing a Kill Krusha which is a fantastic trak based Ork Tank. It's what the Ork Battlewagon should have looked like and would serves as an excellent 'counts as' in this respect.

This is followed by the biggest waste of four pages in the history of WD - a review of 2009 WD issues. Utterly, utterly pointless.

Old War Stories makes a welcome return. I kind of like these guys, as they appear to be genuine hobbyists just doing their own thing. Some of their kit bashing is inspired.

For those who thought Planetstrike had died a death, WD has the defibrillator out this month with NEW PLANETSTRIKE STRATEGEMS! My favourite is the Dark Eldar one, which I think is an excellent idea for the Codex if they ever get round to writing it. Based on the idea that Dark Eldar would generally attack at night, the entire game is played using night fighting rules. Think this would make for a very characterful army special rule. What do you reckon? Anyway, all 12 races are covered. Yes, even the Inquisition!

Tale of Four Gamers pops back for a planet strike themed encore. Actually, that should be tale of three games because the Eldar guy's army has been lent to the games developers for... RUMOUR ALERT...play testing?!?

Big Battle Report is WoTR. It might be good, but I've long since lost interest in this game and can't be arsed to read it, sorry However, H.B.M.C. will be flabbergasted to know that the Realm of Battles game board is NOT used.

Standard Bearer is written this month by John Blanche who harps on about his own style of miniature modelling and painting. It's a step up from JJ, but then so would an article written by Tom Cruise about his religious beliefs...

Right, on to the good stuff. We have a modelling workshop on the Fortress of Redemption which is clearly presented and nicely comprehensive. However, even better in my opinion is a kit bashing article for an Empire Coaching Inn. At first glance, it looks like a modelling workshop for the Empire Manor House box set, but they've taken this kit, added a few bits from other sets like the Warhammer Wood and really played around with it creating a dynamic scenery piece that anybody could have a go at. I'm in two minds about this, because I remember 20 years ago they did an article on a scratchbuilt coaching inn which was equally fantastic. Still, I guess those days are long behind us & at least they're using the plastic kits to make something a bit different.

Finally we have a painting masterclass for the Vermin Lord. Again I was a bit cynical as this seemed an odd model to choose bearing in mind the awesome Deathmaster Snikch miniature that was released last month, but again they play around with it a bit (give it a longer tail and a scenic base) and the painting tips which are are up to their usual high standard include some pointers on directional lighting, which I definitely want to have a go at.

All in all, a very good issue to end the year on. Nice work Dwarfers, I'm pleasantly surprised

Thanks for saving me £4.50 mate

Aslong as its full of gak then im not interested lol.

I do admit though, the release of the skaven in WD was nice, as they put some effort into it.
Also, they have done the same on the web, like thier furnace guide

That actually sounds pretty good. I look forward to picking it up. How was Blanche's article? I love his work.

John Blanche's article (Blanchitsu) is ok. As I said it outlines his approach to modelling and painting i.e. trying to explore the different avenues of the warhammer and 40K universes.

This being John Blanche, he really explores these avenues, adopting the Mark Twain philosophy of "just because it didn't happen, doesn't mean that it couldn't happen".

So we have the new clanrats being used to make mutated Imperial Guardsmen (ratmen in space, somebody should do that as an army ) and a warp lightning cannon borne aloft by a crawling rat ogre (actually this was made by Colin Grayson).

Flashman wrote:This is followed by the biggest waste of four pages in the history of WD - a review of 2009 WD issues. Utterly, utterly pointless.

Redundant statement is redundant.

You could have saved time and effort by just saying a review of 2009 WD issues. That alone would have explained how pointless it was.

Flashman wrote:For those who thought Planetstrike had died a death, WD has the defibrillator out this month with NEW PLANETSTRIKE STRATEGEMS! My favourite is the Dark Eldar one, which I think is an excellent idea for the Codex if they ever get round to writing it. Based on the idea that Dark Eldar would generally attack at night, the entire game is played using night fighting rules. Think this would make for a very characterful army special rule. What do you reckon? Anyway, all 12 races are covered. Yes, even the Inquisition!

Did the article start with something like:

"Hi guys! We got so caught up rolling around in the money pit and sending out Cease & Desists to our loyal community that we completely forgot about the major expansion we released this year. But here's a small bone to tide you over. *throw*"

And the Sisters one is insane.

Flashman wrote:However, H.B.M.C. will be flabbergasted to know that the Realm of Battles game board is NOT used.

Brief lapse in judgement. Those responsible for the battle report have been sacked and replaced with more sycophants.

Flashman wrote:Standard Bearer is written this month by John Blanche who harps on about his own style of miniature modelling and painting.

His style of painting hey? You mean the style where he takes about 6 or 7 hits of LSD, jams his hand into one of those mechanical things that mix up paint, puts a pen in that hand and just switches the machine on, letting his imagination take it where wants?

The article shouldn't've been called 'Blanchitsu'. It should've been called 'Scribblenauts'.

Flashman wrote:It's a step up from JJ, but then so would an article written by Tom Cruise about his religious beliefs...

Blank pages would be a step up from JJ's self-aggrandising drek.

Flashman wrote: We have a modelling workshop on the Fortress of Redemption which is clearly presented and nicely comprehensive.

Any shots of it from the back? Any word on it being at all modular?

... this seemed an odd model to choose bearing in mind the awesome Deathmaster Snikch miniature that was released last month

Brief lapse in judgement. Those responsible for not pushing their brand new Special Character models have been sacked and replaced with more sycophants.

I'll go now...

I also think that it was a very good issue, the painting masterclass was very good, and I am now trying to find a model to try the Directional lighting technique on.

The Battle Report was very good for once, it had a clear map of what happened and was quite detailed.

One point you missed was the Planetstrike tactica after the Stratagems, which was also very useful.

Easily the Best issue this year.

Flashman wrote:

For those who thought Planetstrike had died a death, WD has the defibrillator out this month with NEW PLANETSTRIKE STRATEGEMS! My favourite is the Dark Eldar one, which I think is an excellent idea for the Codex if they ever get round to writing it. Based on the idea that Dark Eldar would generally attack at night, the entire game is played using night fighting rules. Think this would make for a very characterful army special rule. What do you reckon? Anyway, all 12 races are covered. Yes, even the Inquisition!

Crap!!! Now I have a reason to buy the issue...

CT GAMER wrote:

Flashman wrote:

For those who thought Planetstrike had died a death, WD has the defibrillator out this month with NEW PLANETSTRIKE STRATEGEMS! My favourite is the Dark Eldar one, which I think is an excellent idea for the Codex if they ever get round to writing it. Based on the idea that Dark Eldar would generally attack at night, the entire game is played using night fighting rules. Think this would make for a very characterful army special rule. What do you reckon? Anyway, all 12 races are covered. Yes, even the Inquisition!

Crap!!! Now I have a reason to buy the issue...

That's what i was thinking, too...

No you don't.

Yes, if anybody's that interested, I can type them all out for you. Or would that contravene the posting rules er... rule?

Flash, me thinks GW has your C&D stamped and ready to post mate

Cool! Ok here goes....

Space Marines
Counter Attack
Defender (SP 3)
You can choose the board edge your reserves arrive from

Imperial Guard
Promised Land
Defender (SP 3)
All units are stubborn. Any no. of units can have furious charge, but will also be affected by rage

Chaos Space Marines
Tainted Ground
Defender (SP 1)
Attacking units must past morale check when in a captured stronghold or withdraw. Morale check also needed by unit if it wishes to enter base contact with same stronghold

Chaos Daemons
House of the Daemon
Defender (SP 1)
Attacking models must be fearless to enter defender strongholds

Tau
For the Greater Good
Defender (SP 1)
If any Tau/Kroot of a greater rank than basic trooper dies, all units become fearless for D3 turns

Eldar
The Storm Breaks
Attacker (SP 3)
Pre game, attacker unleashes D6+1 Eldritch Storms. Psychic Test required for each one and each POW result = -1 to all attacker reserve rolls during game

Necrons
The Harvest Begins
Attacker (SP 2)
Once per game, all defending units deployed must take a morale check

Dark Eldar
Night Without End
Attacker (SP 2)
Each game turn, attacker can roll D6. 1 = Nothing happens. 2-6 = Night Fighting rules in effect

Tyranids
The Ariadne Effect
Defender (SP3)
All defenders receive 2+ cover save against orbital bombardments

Orks
It's raining Orks
Attacker (SP 1)
D6+2 Orks (armed with Slugga & Choppa) deep strike anywhere onto battlefield. Each Ork forms a separate unit and is not destroyed if makes contact with enemy unit. If contact made, is treated as having charged and has I10 for this turn only.

Witch Hunters
Seraphic Choir
Attacker (SP 2)
For 1 game turn, all attackers have +1 Ld and Furious Charge. Defenders have -1 Ld and Slow and Purposeful. If Seraphim deep striked at beginning of that turn, Attackers have +2 Ld and defenders have -2 Ld

Daemon Hunters
Octagrammatic Wards
Defender (SP 2)
All defending units within 8" of stronghold has a 6+ Invulnerable Save. Daemons deep striking within 8" may not assault that turn.

Apologies if this breaks a rule, but IMO it's only a WD article that anybody could read/memorise in a shop.

Brother SRM wrote:That actually sounds pretty good. I look forward to picking it up. How was Blanche's article? I love his work.

"I take a bit of brown watercolor, a bit of red watercolor, dip my brush, and start smudging the paper like an elementary schooler. GW pays me handsomely for this."