No Sleep Till Blog Wars

So with Blog Wars coming up I thought I'd throw up a post about the list I'll be taking. If you don't know Blog Wars has a few special rules and one is that you must have a special character in your list. I was tempted to take Baron again as he is probably the best HQ in the dex IMO. But I just played him a couple weeks ago at a tournament and want to give another character a try. Duke "Motherfucking" Sliscus. Heres the list

Duke-150
4x Trueborn w/Splinter Cannon x2, Shardcarbine x2-78
Venom w/SCannon-65
5x Wyches w/HWG, Hek, Agon in Venom w/SCannon-155
5x Wyches w/HWG, Hek, Agon in Venom w/SCannon-155
5x Wyches w/HWG, Hek, Agon in Venom w/SCannon-155
5x Wyches w/HWG, Hek, Agon in Venom w/SCannon-155
9x Reavers w/HLx3, CCx3-294
6x Reavers w/HLx2, CCx2-196
Ravager w/DLx3, FF, -115
Ravager w/DLx3, FF, -115
Ravager w/DLx3, FF, -115

Heres the catch. My army isn't finished. And nowhere close. So tonight, I will not get sleep. But you. Will get updates. I am currently short 2 Venoms, 2 Ravagers, a trueborn unit and none of my reavers are painted. Trying to move into a new place and deal with work/holiday/club and an unhealthy fixation on Battlefield 3 (mostly) has left me way behind. I'm aiming to have everything assembled and primed tonight(if I can find my glue). Here is the current state of my desk.



So as tonight and tomorrow goes I will come back to this post and edit/update it to show my progress. And if there is no sleep till Blog Wars, so be it. Didn't sleep the night before Brighton and I did alright! Lets do this!

UPDATE: Got all my models cut off sprues and both Venoms and Reavers shaved. Buddy brought me a Red Bull so now I'm in Rambo MODE!


And Table V2!



Cut Cut CUT!

Sooo any thoughts on the list?

Final Blog Wars list - 1750 Elysians

Someone sent me this the other day, and it amused me so much that every reference to deep striking in today's post will be replaced with the term 'derp strike'.

I am using the Imperial Armour (Forge World) Elysian Airborne Regiments army list in the up-coming Blog Wars II event.  It is, in my opinion, the first time Forge World have ever produced a fairly costed and viable list, so I thought it would be fun to try it.  Today I'll give you some information on the army list, and explain my choices.  Hopefully most people attending will read this and have some idea of what they are facing on the day. 

Elysians don't have access to any tanks or armoured vehicles other than valkyries, vendettas, vultures, and Tauros scout cars and Sentinels.  Even the least astute amongst you will note that all these are pretty soft targets.  While they all hit hard, they cannot take the hurt at all.  Secondly, most Elysian infantry units are severely limited in their use of heavy weapons.  They can only take mortars, heavy bolters and missile launchers.  This discounts the usual autocannon spam, and since normal platoon squads cannot take a heavy weapon at all it makes for a quite different gaming experience.

Most of you are probably thinking, "well, if they cant take chimeras or autocannons, why the hell would I play them?"

Blog Wars 2 - Time to defend the crown!

Hey all,
Quick community shout out to From the Fang, who is once again running the excellent Blog Wars 1750 40K Tournament.

You may remember that yours truly won the last one (whoot! with a PINK Dark Eldar army no lesss!)

This is the second Blog Wars tournament this year, again being held at the excellent Maelstrom Games in Mansfield. It is a fantastic facility if you've not played there before, great tables and terrain, bar, food etc...

There are 40 tickets to start with, Alex has said he will increase if it sells out compelely...HELP IT SELL OUT! The more the merrier lol!

The event is held on the 3rd December and is a ONE DAY EVENT... no hang overs to blame for crap Day 2 performance..

So, with my title to defend and feeling in a 'weakened competitive state' - entirely of my own making as I have not been playing any 40k for a while.. hmm..since end of July in fact....just what will I be taking?

Well, you MUST have a special character in your army...

Options are:
- Dark Eldar to defend their crown
- Coteaz cheese?
- Crowe cheese?
- Eldar???? for a real lol-gasm? see if I can win the tourney with them?
- SW, maybe try out Bran Redmaw?
- BA: Mephiston? Dante-wing? Mech with Corbulo thrown in? Maybe the ImmoBAlizer with Corbs chucked in?
-BT with just an Emperor's Chimp, army full of S9 missiles?
-Deathwing? Maybe in Bully's memory? (Bull left the blog a short while back... :( )

Blog Wars Two!

So after the success of Blog Wars a couple of months back, From the Fang has been "hard" at work arranging the second one for early December.

The event was great fun last time, and I think the majority had a blast playing - I got a really good weekend of gaming in - both for Maelstrom and Warhammer World.

The special character rule is staying, which I think is very cool, and we might see some new structure for the scoring. Its still going to be a 1 day event on the 3rd of December, I'd love to have seen a two day'er, but alas.

With it so far away hopefully we can get even more people down for the day.

I've gotta have a bit of a think about what I'll take - since its December it might be the Deathwing again as they'll probably have been in retirement for a good while by then, maybe rocking out Ezekiel as well. Having just played a game with Grey Knights tonight I have a couple of thoughts after Atreides and I were messing around after the game which could be fun, or I'd love to think there will be something fun to play with Sisters.

It would give me a nice painting project for the next 6 months - something to work slowly on perfecting - as I'd like to improve on my Best Painted Special Character with Best Painted army! Any way - some linkage:

Blog Wars Two - Organised by From the Fang

Blog Wars Game 1 - Atreides vs BroLo

Ladies and Gentlemen, prepare yourselves for a series of battle reports of epic proportions.  I played three fantastic games at Blog Wars but as usual I had a bit of burnout afterwards so I am only now getting round to writing the reports.  I had my SLR and tripod with me on the day so I wanted to try something new.  I set up the shot at the start and took a photo at the end of each player turn from the exact same location.  This means it is possible to follow the course of the entire battle from turn to turn (in theory). 

In the first game I faced off against Brother Loring (Brolo) of 3++ fame.  He took an interesting Black Templar's foot list.  I was pretty scared, if I'm honest, as I know he knows his shit, and I had rarely played against Templar's before.  However, I needn't have worried, as he turned out to be amongst the most gracious opponents I have ever faced.  At the start, he explained all the special rules to me in detail, and continued to remind me throughout the game if I was about to do something really stupid.


His list was as follows:

Blog Wars Game 3: Dark Eldar Vs Blood Angels

The Kabal of the Pink Fuckers

Mission: Seize ground Deployment: Pitched Battle

Having come off the back of a beastly war with Bully in Game 2 (here) and drawn, I find myself ready to play…Bully. Normally, I’d be happy to play him again, but it was only a 3 game tournament so we asked to switch around. A Grey Knight Paladin army, run by Marc from Grey Knights of Titan and Jamie’s Blood Angels from Index Astartes were more than happy to switch around with us as they were on the next table. Marc fancied taking on Bully and Jamie was happy to play me. We of course cleared all this with the tournament organiser and it had no bearing on the outcome of the day, the other 2 lads were on 2 wins, so if they beat us they would still win.

Lets take a second here. I needed a lot of things to go my way to win this tourney. I needed Bully to beat or draw with Marc…no offense to Mark, but I was confident he could do this, on the otherhand this was put into doubt when I overhead Adam from the SpaceWolvesGrey blog talking about Marc being very familiar with Deathwing and had worked out ways to beat them etc etc.. still I had faith in my brother Son… I also needed Atreides to draw with Firewasp on table one. Not win of course, because then he’d win…lol Firewasp had smashed in his previous opponents and Atreides was on decent form so I was not sure how that’d go.

I had no choice in this one but to go for the throat and tear it out. Anything less and I would not stand a chance. If I did this I could win through merit of VP margin, with only 3 games played there would be quite a few dudes on 2W-1D…But there were potential 4 dudes playing for 3 straight wins…they had to be stopped, no matter the cost.

So, sorry Jamie.

Blog Wars Game 2: Deathwing vs DE Part2

So guys, we've all read Venerable Game 2 Battle Report vs Deathwing, which is the account of our match up in table one war. We had a chat and felt we felt he could recount the game much better. There is still some "haze" in the later part of the game where a bit of action went on but we can't remember sequences, but the effect and intent of the report is there.

The game was a cracker, but I don't feel I can add much to his report, other than pictures, and me doing my own account will only generate the same content. However, as I say; I do have more pictures than Andy, so today I'll share some of those with a sort of "too long didn't read" report to go with it.

At the end as well I want to examine some of the mistakes and key points in the game as a learning tool. There is some stuff I could have done during the game to win, certainly. But I can only offer Ven the same hindsight chance as well - so it renders the "if I did ..." moot in my opinion. I offer them only as a learning tool, and allows me to see mistakes, that in the future I will hopefully not repeat.

The game was a blinder, and as we know came out 8-8 draw, which was a good result for both of us, between my lack of experience vs a good Dark Eldar army, and the tough match up for him. But any way lets  get to it - my "tag on" to Ven's report:

Blog Wars Game 2: Dark Eldar Vs Deathwing

Mission: Annihilation Deploment: Dawn of War

Top table after an almost perfect round 1, met Bully from umm… the Sons’ obviously, on top table.
Bully’s Round 1 is here.
My round 1 Vs Nids is here.

I go first after the Baron helped me force Bully to reroll his ‘6’…muwhahaha.
Drugs roll is +1 Attack. Very useful to force a lot of saves vs Deathwing from my Wyches and Hellions.

Deployment:
DoW so its quick. The Haemonculi and Hellions set up on a Hill and behind a central ruin to get good position Turn 2. The Haemo can also detach comfortably into LOS-blocking terrain and hang out waiting to lash out with the Shattershard.
Everything else rolls on Turn 1. Wracks are in reserve on foot.

Deathwing hold everything off table to roll on turn 1, except the 2 squads of melta Ravenwing, who have opted to outflank.

Blog Wars Game 1 Dark Eldar Vs Tyranids

Mission: Capture and Control Deployment: Spearhead

Nid Army – The 6th Degree from Weemen:
Prime- Boneswords, Deathspitter (attached to Venomthropes)
Doom of Malantai –Pod
3 x Hive Guard
2 x Venomthropes
8 Genestealers
21 Termagants
Tervigon – Catalyst, Adrenal Glands, Toxin Sacs
22 Hormagants
2 x Carnifex Brood with 2 TL Brainleech Devourers
Trygon Prime

That’s from memory, I’m sure Degree can put me right if I’ve ballsed up.

Dark Eldar can be found here.

He wins roll off to go first, despite the Baron’s +1. Drugs Roll is +1 Pain Token.

Blog Wars Game 1: Bully vs Blood Angels

Righto chaps, my first report up from Blog Wars. For those that don't know - it was the event held by From the Fang inviting over pretty much most of the UK's bloggers for a rumble in Mansfield with their pretty Special Characters!

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, and I say weekend as I got to meet Andy from Iron Wolves on the Saturday by happen-stance on the table beside us! I had an awesome doubles game with him vs Atreides and then some dinner and a trip around the Warhammer Hall of Fame. There's been a good bit of banter since the weekend, largely positive, while it is a little disappointing to see a couple of the comments, it can all be taken in good nature. But I think on the whole most people are really geared up for the second one, and really have a good idea of what they want to do (Ezekiel will be trying to Mind Worm Draigo in our rematch on Table 1 next time Marc!!).

Anyway, onto my report. I plan to do a mini-user profile of the guys I faced up against and spread the love a bit, all 3 rank up there with some of the nicer guys I've had the pleasure to play against.

GAME ONE: Capture and Control - Spear Head

I faced up against Andy (Fudal) from Claws and Fists and the first thing that struck me was how much more organised they were than us. With Ven failing to get us our T-Shirts, the C&F guys turned up with both the tee's and dice! 

The Sons are victorious at Blog Wars!!

Please note, I said the Sons, plural...that's all of us man.

We chuffin' rule.

Blog Wars was this past Sunday and a 1750, 3 game tournament drawing together 26 UK Bloggers and very close associates (BroLo even dragged his poor girl down to watch him...and carry his bags, what a douche! lol) to game it out at the Maelstrom in Mansfield.

Single stipulation was a 'unique' special character must lead the force. A cool twist that could have gone wrong, but certainly speaking from the Sons' points-of-view, it forced us to create competitive lists with a difference.

.. anyhoooo...

Dark Eldar for Blog Wars...no one else was going to!!?

 Hi guys, here is the Blog Wars list for the mighty Venerable Brother... no BroLo, the Blood Hunters are not coming to play, nor are Space Wolves.

There are far too many SW players attending anyway and the Blood Hunters, well...they are ready to roll but with 2 weeks to go, Alex from From the Fang announced that there are no Dark Eldar players going.. even the Sons' very own Kabalite was not going due to being umm..in Korea. Military hey, no respect.

I have played around with the Dark Kin somewhat and I thought I could step up to the plate and run them. After all, someone has to!!

And we're off to Blog Wars

So Atreides and I are off to Blog Wars tomorrow morning (yup a day early ... thats how dedicated we are). Actually we're making the trip to WHW for a few games (will be nice to not get shuffled off our table at the normal GW store) then rock on to Maelstrom on the Sunday morning ... looking forward to it.

So I've been some what lethargically painting out the rest of the Deathwing - given my lack of enthusiasm this time round (I really do have one eye on the Grey Knights) I am actually some what pleased with the results. Though due to my lackidastical attitude - I've not got every thing I wanted done and had to short cut some stuff as well. For example I planned on cutting off all the normal storm shields and replacing them to my winged one.

Any way I thought I'd post up the individual models and some of the bits I've done this week, and as a bonus some of the test models from my armoury to show you some of the schemes I've been playing around with for my mech as I move into Grey Knights territory.

Army Showcase - Straken Hybrid for Blog Wars

Hi Everyone,

Last week I promised you all some pictures, and todays post will hopefully not disappoint on that score.  Below are photos of all the units in the army i will be taking to Blog Wars this coming weekend. 

My final list is as follows:

Company Command Squad - Colonel Straken, Medic, Bodyguard, Flappy Banner, Chimera

Veteran Squad - 3 Meltaguns, Chimera

Veteran Squad - 3 Meltaguns, Chimera

Platoon Command Squad - 4 Meltas, Chimera

Infantry Squad - Commissar (power sword), Sergeant (power sword)

Infantry Squad - Sergeant (power sword), Meltagun, Autocannon

Infantry Squad - Sergeant (power sword), Meltagun, Autocannon

Platoon Command Squad - Autocannon

Infantry Squad - Commissar (power sword), Sergeant (power sword)

Infantry Squad - Sergeant (power sword), Meltagun, Autocannon

Infantry Squad - Sergeant (power sword), Meltagun, Autocannon

Vendetta Gunship

Vendetta Gunship

Hydra Flak Tank

Hydra Flak Tank

Hydra Flak Tank

--------------

1750 points

As expected, very similar to the previous list, but the Platoon Command Squads have been streamlined.  Both now have a distinct purpose, and the army is about as well rounded as I think it can be.  It also suits my play style in that it is very adaptable and can take on most other types of list.

Blog Wars - Tweaking Straken

The deadline for Blog Wars list submission is fast approaching.  Sadly, I have been unable to get in many practice games, but I do have a general feel for how my army performs.  That said, a few tweaks need to be made before I come to a final decision.  Certain elements of the list are underperforming, or just not performing at all.   I guess you could say that this army is a borderline gimmick.  If I had 2000 points, I could redress some of the weaknesses with ease, but let’s see what we can alter with 1750.  

I will start with what I have been running so far, and then go over the good and bad points, as I see them.  

Boring and One Dimensional? Moi?

More Blog Wars ideas.. special characters really aren't that bad!! They do make you think of different approaches to the game and that helps..

2 such approaches to this wonderful game revolve around the domination of a couple of phases..we can attempt to, but realistically cannot dominate all phases of the game... as much as we like to think we can sometimes..

Tonight, I would like to share army ideas that focus almost entirely on one phase...

Last hurrah for Deathwing at Blog Wars?

So - a couple of topics I want to discuss, first off, as the title suggests is the impending Blog Wars, which I have to say is creeping up rather fast on us, and second is my next/new project which I am about to get under way. Not really going to cover any hobby side of things today - I'll hopefully get a post up this weekend with some sponge/marbling technique guides (if not it might have to wait until after Blog Wars).

So onto blog wars - we've got this in little over two weeks - and I am still in a bit of a "no-mans land" over this. I decided quite some time ago I'd defiantly be taking my Deathwing to the event (if you hadn't guessed that from above already), it fits with the spirit of the day, and definitely not a case of WAAC painted plastic grey toys of doom. It really comes down to what list to take. With time fast running out, and really not being able to get nearly as many games in recently as I'd have hoped (since BWL I think I've played 5 or 6 times, only 1 of which wasn't with Deathwing).

In terms of it being the last hurrah - I've enjoyed the Deathwing - really have, and am really glad I have this army now fully painted (well for 1500, soon to be 1750) in the case ready to rock. But it was always a stop gap. The last Brighton Warlords coincided with the Grey Knights release - which was going to be the army I did next (and had been for a long time)  - which meant I had to make a choice for BWL - play the Mech BA that I had become a bit disheartened with, or do a pet project that I had fancied for a long time. I opt;d with the Deathwing pet project, shelving the Blood Angels, but when the GK codex came out it was a bit of a non-starter for me initially. But more on that later, onto the Deathwing for Blog Wars!

So lets have a quick refresher of the list's. 

Drraaiiigo!!!! (And some Dreadnaughts)

Terminators with 2 wounds. We all thought this was amazing. Then we looked at the codex and saw they cost 55 points each base and had no access to decent invulnerable saves.
FNP? We thought this could be incredible! Then we saw it was 75 points. 75. wow.

Like a lot of players I have glazed over Paladin units in my Grey Knights force. I felt that scoring GKTs were better and cheaper. Better in a sense that a scoring terminator unit was far superior to one that didn’t.

I didn’t want to take Draigo because despite being very decent in combat, he offered very little else.
Except of course making Paladins a Troop choice.

Bjorn wakes to tell his Saga...

Got 3 test games in with Bjorn.

Despite his superior tactical insight borne of literally millenia of strategic vision and warfare...I went second 2 out of 3... in missions and setups where going first would have been a massive help!

I used the first list from here in all 3 games as it is the list that I am least convinced by, but want to be...

Army of the Fell Handed for Blog Wars?

Space Wolves.
The book offers so many good builds..
I think I may have even found one for Bjorn the Fell Handed...
An awesome character that is unfortunately very,very expensive..

But after playing with some GK Ven Dread builds, thanks Hulksmash for those btw - picked some tips up from reading his stuff over at his homeplace... I really think he can be useful..

What does he bring to the table and who should we bring alongside our Venerable Brother (see what I did there! lol)?