Of Thunderwolves and Knights

It’s been awhile since I last posted.

I’ve been active, socially, but not competitively with both 40k and X – Wing.

I find that playing both games allows me to maintain my enthusiasm for both systems. Over the last year I’ve been so busy with developing my career and with developing my home that I’ve struggled to get up the will to post or to attend tournaments; I’ve been knackered.

I’m now finding that as certain responsibilities at work, certain plans, come to fruition that I am once again thinking more and more about competitive game play – whether it be 40k or X-Wing.

So let’s look at 40k – Caledonian  2014 was my last tournament – I placed OK,  16^th/17^th from 116, and won Best Sportsman/Most Sporting. A pretty good result and left me feeling pretty good with my 40k. But then I knew I had a break coming… and a break I have had.

I've been reinspired by 2 things - 1 the multiple boxes of Thunderwolves I got at Christmas and Cally 2015 - which I, of course, totally regret not getting a ticket for. To be honest, I've been too busy...but still.. it has a great buzz about it and it's the first time I've missed it in years.

War of the Roses Batreps - Intro and Games 1 and 2 - Yes that means I finally went to a Tournament again :) - The Voice

So, yea, I fell out with 40k for a bit and fell in love with X Wing.

But with 6th on the way out and 7th incoming I thought id give the old bird one more spin on the dance floor. I have a bit more time now anyway and fancied seeing all the guys. (Love you guys :P)

This was made easier due to the "Highlander" side competition (where every troop is slightly different and you cant duplicate anything else, and no allies. Plus all the non beardy lists could only play each other.) "Perfect" I thought and signed up; figuring id get all the fun of going without the pressure or bs of playing O'vesa's or Pasks or Deathstars ETC,....

......so, yea they cancelled the highlander......

The Voice - Building a better Marine list

Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. Ive just been really busy job hunting and looking after the little one.

So, Marines; its all about the bikes right?

Wrong

I won't lie i looked at the book and thought the same initially. With grav as it is and scoring cheap bikes the way they are, then surely that's your starting point with marine lists?  We'll this is what i thought and played some games...and its good, but its not great. If you don't go first it can be a problem. It was almost 2 army's, the one where you went first and the one where you went second and the tactics changed a lot depending on that. With Coteaz as an allie then i think it is a strong contender, but other wise its good but not tourney winning good (Hello Mr Sacket :P)

So what do i think marines should be doing. Well that depends, on one thing. The chapter tactics you use. This rule more than any other really does define how you should build your list, and, in my humble opinion, tactical marines tend to use them to the fullest.

I was a bit disillusioned with the tacs at first, they didn't get much of a buff and they were not cheaper (not really, when you consider their old free/cheap weapons upgrades). But add in the chapter tactics and the fact that a lot of the upgrades are optional and available for squads under 10 strong now and hoo nelly!. Suddenly tacs en mass can be scary.

Yes i said it, Scary

So what I'm going to do is go through each of the chapter tactics and show you a list , talk about it a bit and throw some ideas your way. I won't include allies out of codex as frankly thats an exercise that would take forever. Plus i think allies are kinda cheating :P

First off. White Scars:

Introduction: Alex Rae and my Flesh Tearers

So I am writing an article for the first time on the blog, Gary 'The Voice' Percival told me I should do an introduction and here I am….

As someone who currently runs my power armoured models in the livery of the Flesh Tearers, Sons of Sanguinius seems a good fit!

I just read Andy's article where he brags (Editor: Strong word...was for a point! Introducing the 'Obnoxious' series)  about his teaching job. I feel inclined to mention I DJ for a living, work 2-3 days a week and also get flown round the world all expenses paid… PLUS I don't have to deal with teenage kids. Is that Top Trumps on his teaching job? haha
 

I like 40k. I have done since 1993. I started by buying White Dwarf issue 164 with my birthday money with that awesome looking Nurgle warrior on the cover for Man O' War.
Been hooked since then.
I love me some Power Armour. It's such an awesome looking design. So iconic! You can do so many cool things with it. I also happen to love armies that play up close and personal. World Eaters, Space Wolves, Flesh Tearers. They all hold a place in my heart. However I didn't really play the game from 4th Edition all the way through to 6th. I just followed passively, buying White Dwarves, picking up models that looked nice, going to Games Days and reading Black Library novels. I absolutely love the background of 40k.