Fritz 40K

Conflict GT: Warhammer Fantasy (Part I)

2012-02-01T01:30:00.000-08:00

What has amazed me over the years of attending Conflict is the vast numbers of Fantasy players that show up- this year 75% of the room was Fantasy. Where are all these guys coming from? Seems to be an underground type of thing.

Now 40K is my main thing, and while I play fantasy at some very small and casual point levels, I’m hardly the man for it. Jawaballs and I keep thinking about tossing ourselves into the competitive Fantasy scene, but I think the water is just too deep.

We know the rules, but hardly any of the beardy exploits. Plus there is the huge $$$ buy in, and something else I’ve noticed is that all the armies are 100% no joke- not from the WAAC level, but from the paint and hobby level- everything is well done, themed, and top notch. There is no plague of three colors and primed models only that is part of the regular 40K scene. Are Fantasy players just more dedicated? Jawaballs regularly takes best painted at 40K events, but I don’t think he could do it on the Fantasy side. Even the “best” of my goblin and dwarves just doesn’t stack up.

Conflict GT: Reporting In

2012-01-31T01:30:00.000-08:00

Ok, now that the dust has settled and I’ve had some time to sit down and capture my thoughts it’s time to report in on the Conflict GT tournament…

Held at the Palisades Mall in Rockland the Conflict GT is a three day RTT event featuring 40K, Fantasy, and for this year Flames of War, and Warmachines.

Let’s talk about the event itself, then some observations from my games, followed by some pictures and other assorted eye candy- all over the next few days…

First up the logistics of the event.

Space and setup was top notch. Holding the venue in the Palisades Mall was fantastic, and given the location and the size of the room it couldn’t have been cheap. It really goes a long way to keeping the attendees relaxed when you can head down to the food court in-between games to get a snack or grab lunch/dinner and everybody can eat what they want and hang out.

Terrain and tables were decent, space was good in that you didn’t feel that crowded, and the extra tables for bags, display boards, etc. was adequate.

Missions were a mix of the standard 40K missions, some elements from 4th edition (remember the recon mission?) and some homebrew stuff. There were a few random elements like objectives moving each turn, etc. which might piss some people off, but really at this point if you have even a semi-proper 5th edition army, you have enough troops and mobility to take care of it. Personally I thought the missions were well done, and were a welcome relief from the NOVA format. (No hate on that by the way, the more variety the better, and NOVA does favor certain army builds.)

The TO Aaron did a good job at keeping things moving, and while things did slow down a bit here and there, for the most part everything kept on track and moved along. That said, the Conflict GT has grown a lot just in the years I have been attending, from the shop over in Toy Wiz, now to pushing the bounds of the room at the mall. Aaron, I think your success is making this more than a one man show! For next year I think you need a few more underlings and servitors to help out and make it less hectic for you.

Criticisms?

Only one really-

The only issue I could really find with the event was that the doubles games on Friday and Saturday night started way to late- we finished and got out of there by 12:30 AM since it started at 6:30 on Friday. I would have preferred the doubles to be Friday night only, and end maybe around 10:00 or so, so we could go out and hand out with the guys, or get to bed at a decent time for the kickoff on Saturday. I will say that I don’t know if the doubles timing had to do with room availability or if since it was a Friday night allowing players time to get there after leaving work at 5:00. If somebody knows, let me know to set things straight.

Onto the games…

Interesting to say the least, and the battlefield info I took home is going to be invaluable- and shared over the next few posts once we get past the event coverage. I build my Necrons to face Space Marine MSU and 5th edition spam…and wound up facing all xeno armies, some of odd build which really left me deficient with the tools needed- such is the way with matchups. That said, for the one game I faced Space Marines, it was over by turn two- their list broken by my build, with only cleanup left as scarabs flooded the table, and warriors advanced as planned.

My record for the event- a lousy three losses, two draws, and an epic win. Not good.

First game was against Dark Eldar and I did pretty well out of the gate pushing objectives, mid game my opponent really hit my with the guys on the surfboards whose real name I’m now spacing on, and I just couldn’t pin them down due to hit and run. I’d pile on scarabs, and they’d pull out. Getting hit in the assault again and again left my forces to thin, and I couldn’t cover the objectives.

Second game was against Eldar, and my mistake in setting up cost me the game in a draw- was completely my fault since well I’m not sure what I was thinking. Mission was “recon” from 4th edition- get more scoring units into your opponent’s deployment zone then your opponent has in yours. In recon you always want to go second if you don’t have a redeploy so you can place your scoring units opposite your opponents.

I want first, maybe to get in my lightning strike from Imotek which has been the standard for me- hit stuff right out of the gate. I deployed, my opponent matched, and we had to walk head to head right into each other. He had a huge wraithgaurd squad with Eldrad so fortune was up, and combined with T6 I just couldn’t stop. Killed his other scoring units, and I had to veil a squad of warriors to his side to tie it up. My own failing.

Third game was against Tau, with no mid field terrain, none, so I was forced to bunker down, go to ground, and hope my lighting strikes would kill a unit or two for the kill points. I hit two suit units and they ran, but not far enough and regrouped. Immobilized a devilfish, and other then that lost 2-3 kill points thanks to my single tomb spyders. At least it was a quick game.

Fourth game was finally against marines, and my lists did what it was born to do- chew them up. Scarabs swarming land raiders, death company dreads, tactical squads- I set the Blood Angels back a few hundred years with their loss of gene-seed and battle brothers.

Fifth game was vs. Necron wraith wing and it was a close game on objectives- the usual if it ended on turn five I would have had it, but it want to seven and I just didn’t have enough to hold out with the other Necrons taking two objectives.

Final game was vs. Necrons again- three objectives, that just got bogged down with scarabs fighting scarabs for a draw.

So how did the games change my lists? First major tournament with Necrons really gave me a heads up with the evolution of my list for how I want it to play.

Warriors are out and done. Hate to say it, but their small anti-marine list MSU where worthless. Sure they are cheap, but for the points and only a 4+ save just sucks. Compared to my immortals and the 3+ save it was night and day.

There were also some key opportunities where I wish I had some Deathmarks so they are going back in.

C’Tan was both a waste or points, and the big MVP. His worldscape really caught the attention of guys, who then went to great length to kill him- shooting an entire army into him each turn. Of course he died, which would have been ok if I could have capitalized on the opportunity it opened up, but I couldn’t- need to work on that. Guys really seemed worried about the model loss from the terrain.

Scarabs really need furious charge- going to work that into my list.

We’ll talk more soon on this…

Before we get into the other items of the event, two quick questions and your guys opinion of them:

One- Grey Knights charge a group of scouts- can the Grey Knights choose to attack with their storm bolters in the assault phase over their power/force weapons in the assault? The idea is to NOT casue power weapon wounds and try to stay tied up in the assault. I say NO since a storm bolter is not a close combat weapon, and you have to use the close combat weapon you are armed with- EX power weapons. Now if you had two like a power fist and power weapon, or combat knife you could pick.

Two- Librarian force weapon on scarab swarms- three hits, and three wounds- does it kill one base and then deliver two power weapon wounds, or does it auto-kill three bases?

Next Post…

Warhammer Fantasy…

Meet the Orc-astra…

http://theconflictgt.com/

Army Transport?

2012-01-30T01:30:00.000-08:00

Hi Fritz,

Long time reader, short time emailer/commenter.

I was wondering, since you have a much larger model collection than I do, what army transportation system you use?

I've looked at BattleFoam, and the GW cases. Anything you use? Recommend? Hate? Love?

I currently run with my Marine army right now, but I also have a Null Deployment Nid army, and possibly building an IG army.

Thanks a bunch!

~Kyle

Kyle, thanks for emailing. I basically have three case systems to transport my army. The first is just a standard GW carry case for my infantry based armies like my Death Guard, Eldar Halrequins, and old Necrons. Everything but dice and tape fits into them and I can take two armies to play with me no problem. I also use the GW hard cases to carry my mixed armies of infantry and a few vehicles like y Hawk Lords- infantry, bikes, and four tanks fit in one case with some foam cutting.

Next is my Saim-Hann which fit in an sabol army transport case due to the large footprint of my vypers, jetbikes, and tanks. A bit big, but it is nice and carries everything in one case- dice, tape, codex, etc. My Black Templars which are razor-spam also fit in an army transport case.

Tyranids are where things get interesting as I have three armies…

The first is a big bug list- the big guys- tervigons, trygons, go in an army transport, and the smaller guys like gaunts, stealers, and hive guard go in a standard GW case.

Second army is my Null Army list and goes in a rather big fishing tackle box I lined with foam- with pull out plastic trays. The big guys and spore pods go in the top, and the small guys go in the bottom trays.

Final Tyranid army is one from early 3rd edition and fits in one standard GW case.

So, what to use?

I’d take a look at two things- where are you playing, and what is the size of your army? If you are playing locally then case size isn’t that important, as opposed to if you are planning to attend tournaments far away that require you to fly and travel. When I attend regional events I’d love to bring my Tyranid army but it won’t fit on a plane and I’m not checking it.

Second question is how much are you planning to expand your army?

Look into a system that always gives you a little more room as you will want to expand and include an extra unit or two in the future.

-Fritz

Guys, what cases/systems are you using to transport your figs to battle?

Necron Tactics: Canoptek Spyders

2012-01-29T01:30:00.000-08:00

Good day to all! Fritz here with an updated analysis of Necron canoptek spyders and how I have been using them on the tabletop.

Are Necrons overpowered? A debate for another time, but it is very hard to argue that scarabs and wraiths are not excellent units. Each codex edition has its auto-include units, and for this incarnation of Necrons these two are it among a few others…crypteks anybody…

So where does that leave the humble and very busy canoptek spyder?

Depends on your list of course.

Scarabs- to be or not to be.

First question is how many scarabs do you have in your list and based on the other units you have what is the focus of them?

Have you taken a single unit as a distraction or are you planning on a swarm?

Certainly if you are planning to go on the offensive with your scarab swarms you want that spyder farm- two or three dedicated spyders per swarm, pumping out 2-3 bases per turn as fast as you can roll those dice. Hopefully you have taken that into consideration and adjusted your list for the use of the heavy support slots taken up by your spyders.

The internet seems to be in love with this right now, but what about a scaled back defensive use for them?

If you are using your scarabs in a more passive manner- to block off sections of table- threat bubbles to direct the movement of your opponent to allow the rest of your army to accomplish the mission goals then do you really need all those spyders?

In cover and with less direct losses one spyder might be all you need and could prevent and interesting choice- on par with results if you had the farm of 6-9 of them.

I promise this isn’t turning into a scarab article, but the two are linked!

Scarabs remind me of harlequins- they do what they do great if you can pull it off, but one mistake and they disappear in a puff of figurative smoke. Spyders are there not so much to grow the swarm, but to keep pace with your losses from mistakes and your opponent’s interaction so you have the amount of scarabs needed to do what they are intended for.

Going out and actively munching on things means you are a bit more exposed- hence the need for more spyders to keep the scarab level up.

A bit more passive and careful means less spyders.

Second tier roles…

Sometimes if you have to many spyders they are a major threat that needs to be eliminated, but could be hard to kill due to expending to many resources in the shooting phase. Don’t waste time shooting nine spyders- just kill all the scarabs and then there is no base pool to spawn. Your opponent might not have any other choice. But, being a bit more passive with one or two, why bother shooting at the scarabs as they won’t be spawning at a critical rate.

When your spyders are alone…

Spyders also have a role as mid field blockers or a speed bump on the way in to your objectives and other units. Not the best in the assault, but hardly the worst vs. non-dedicated assault units, when those scarabs are gone, the spyders get reprogrammed to suicide run into other units, tanks, and anything else they can get their hands on.

Watch your points…

You want to experiment for yourself with shooting spyders- the thinking that more shots are better and they might as well be doing something other than building mechanical bugs. 25 points per spyder is a bit hefty for one shot even if you are running only a few, but when bulking up a farm of them (6-9) the cost is unrealistic.

Anti-psykers…

The final talking point, but highly situation and dependant on the opponents you regularly or plan to face- extremely hit or miss. If all your other buddies play Eldar and Grey Knights then by all means, but a regular diet of Tyranids, rival Necron dynasties and Space Marines will have less utility.

Grey Knight Terminator List Tweaks?

2012-01-28T01:30:00.000-08:00

Hi fritz

I have been toying around with full terminator list at 1750

This is what I have for now

Grand master 215

3x servo skulls, rad grenades, psybolt and masterwork weapon

Elite

Callidus assassin 145

Troop

10 terminator 470

2x psycannon, psybolts

10 terminator 470

2x psycannon, psybolts

10 terminator 455

2x incinerator, psybolts, brotherhood banner

With grand master ability to give arleast one unite the scout rule and modifying the reserve roll will have out flanking terminators with incinerators and with the help of the servo skulls the 2nd unite will deep strike accurately if anything goes for the skulls that will give my main unite will eat them.

Servo skulls will be placed on the center line one dead center and two each 12 inch from each end of the table

I tried to use madrak but couldn't set him in with his ghost because of the lack psycannons

What do you think?

Thanks,

Fajhan

Reply Out:

Fajhan, I think yours setup is spot on with the two psycannons and ten man terminator squads. Incinerators are a personal preference and I think they give some flexibility to the list even though most will tell you just to stack up on more psycannons.

With your list right now, as it is, I’d consider getting halberds on your terminators (which they might already have and are just not noted) and maybe drop the psybolt ammo. It is nice and adds some extra punch and the chance to stun AV 11 vehicles, but the freed-up points can help in other places.

Interesting that you mention Mordrak- I would consider using him for a few reasons- maybe proxy him in a few games to try this idea out?

I’ve really fallen in love with him as an HQ choice and what he brings to the rest of my army- valuable time for them to accomplish their mission goals.

My setup is Mordrak, a few ghost knights, and a librarian with warp-rift. Mordrak always drops first turn right into the heart of my opponent to lay down the warp-rift template for fun. Sometimes I nail a few things, other times I don’t- but it always gets my opponent’s attention.

The key, is to drop the ghost nights and M in cover and chance that dangerous terrain- you get an invul save and it is worth the risk. This turns the unit into a 2+ armor save and a 3+ cover save- if you go to ground it is a 2+/2+ save which is very hard to dislodge, and for the first wound or so on Mordrak you generate more ghost knights.

Yes it is A LOT of points- but they are Grey Knights, yes? I get this unit stuck in and my opponent has to deal with it for a few turns. If I face a ton of shots then I do go to ground- keep them pouring more shots in, doing everything they can to try and kill it. In a recent game I took an entire 2000 point IG army shooting into it for two and a half turns before they went down- hundreds of shots!

Meanwhile the rest of my army- land raiders, dreads are moving and shooting without any resistance.

In your list you would drop Mordrak first (he is still a Grand Master so you get the other benefits also, etc.) and then bring up your terminators as a second wave- your opponent may want to deal with the termies, but force them to deal with Mordrak through good placement of M. on the table- blocking units with other units, etc.

A further variant of my list which could also work with yours perfectly has my librarian with a teleport homer- Mordrak and the libby drop first, get stuck in, and then I drop a power armored Grey Knight squad with halberds and two incinerators off the homer point blank- you could use a homer to bring in your two incinerator squads for a sure strike.

If you give it a try you will have to play around with the points- losing the assassin (which I think also has value), psybolts, and some extras on the Grand Master- choices but doable if you want to try.

-Fritz

Black Templars in Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition

2012-01-27T01:30:00.000-08:00

Aboard their strike cruiser the xeno purge my Black Templars await, locked away in prayers to the emperor for forgiveness and litanies of hate they are biding their time for a new codex and the renewed crusade that 6th edition is going to bring…

Updates on the leak first, and then a recap of the two BT “rumors” that interest me the most.

Looking through the leak leaves little clue as to what direct codex changes Black Templars will get, but there is one interesting update which has BT written all over them under the weapons/pistol section- Zeal Bolt Pistol, S5, AP 5, Combat 1, Rending.

A S5 Rending Bolt Pistol? Special upgrade, or standard wargear for each initiate? One can only wish, but the wish might be more than a wish since they are space marines…

Rumors.

Rage land raiders- interesting. Land raider gets destroyed, but the holy rage of the machine spirit continues to drive it for another turn. If this works out, and it just might given GW’s marine history, it makes launching land raider assault terminators very viable- one of the finer enjoyments of playing Black Templars.

Assault Rino/Razor- My transport moves up, I get out, and assault from it. No way this can be true, now way we can be going back to the stupidity of a rhino rush. If the BT transports DID have this upgrade, what would their points be if any? Heck BA gets fast for free, so why not BT?

Eldar In Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition

2012-01-26T01:30:00.000-08:00

For the sake of this post forget for a moment if the “leak” is real- let’s assume it is at best, and at worst an early set of working rules which have seen a few more updates and tweaks along the way to the final print soon to be released…

Of course we have all been reading the rules, and perhaps even playing some test games, but what about some of the hard changes and updates to our favorite armies- in this case, for me, Eldar and Black Templars. (Black Templars will get their own post tomorrow since they would never tolerate Eldar xeno filth, and being associated with it.)

I mentioned how I believe some of the general rules will make my Saim-Hann even more annoying to kill, and taken a step further there are some interesting changes to some of the basic wargear listed which gives some insights into the upcoming Eldar codex…

I’m a fan of star cannons and will continue to be in a gaming club full of space marines, but under some of the weapons listed we see that the star cannon takes a +1 bump in strength essentially bringing it in line with the rest of the 40K plasma weapons, which will help against certain MC and higher toughness targets. Still only two shots, alas we are never going back to the good old days when Eldar were on par with marines.

Witchblades are the next interesting little tidbit- they took a big hit down to strength seven, have no AP making smacking vehicles and dreads even harder, BUT they can be charged with the warlocks’ power allowing him an invulnerable save reroll. So, essentially fortune, without needing a farseer. In guardian fodder squads this makes taking a wound on the warlock less of a gamble, and in a seer council that means more powers for the farseer to cast, not burning one on fortune if they also have a witchblade.

Mindwar now has no armor, rigid, or cover saves which again makes it an interesting gamble- the 5th edition update of allowing cover saves off this power essentially killed it- I reach out to crush your mind, but there is a rock in-between us so it fails- stupid! Of course it is still a roll off…

On the harlequin side ranger long rifles wound on a 2+ and veil of tears is still in with the veiled rule level 2. Thanks the Eldar gods, as that is key for how I play them, and I’m more psyched than ever to get the clowns on the table for 6th delivering their happy birthday surprise. Even more interesting is veiled level 3! How can I get THAT? Solitaire?

500 Point Necron Lists

2012-01-25T01:30:00.000-08:00

Long time Necron players will have a good laugh at trying to build a small army list at 500 points “back in the day” when all you could get was a stripped down lord and two squads of warriors @ 500 points. Small tournament events, skirmish games, or an escalation league were unplayable for Necrons…

…but now that has changed. So for the vets out there let’s take a look at what we can do at 500 points, and for new players to the codex and game, let’s ease you into the army with 500 points. Something within reach of everybody.

Let’s start with our HQ choice and work our way through the force org chart…

First up is a generic overlord since the named characters are a bit out of reach in games less than 1000 points. That’s not to say you can’t play them in a 500 point list, but the goal here is to give you a both a balance of a good list along with some toys and things to play with -variety- as you build up your Necron force.

In terms up upgrades we then allow 20 points which means you can experiment with using a labyrinth, mind scarabs, phylactery, etc. for fun and to learn about the different wargear, etc. In terms of a model, you can buy a regular lord/overlord or just go with one of the named characters and proxy them as a generic overlord so when you later expand (if) you can just then us it as-is.

Troops are up next and here we take two groups of five immortals since they really shine in lower point games, and will be the backbone of your force if you later expand. Their reanimation along with a 3+ save and S5 shots really add a nice punch for the size of the unit. With immortals you can also play around with tesla weapons adding another layer of depth to the army.

Final layer is fast attack- 5 scarabs since they are stock in any necron list and are one of the “must have” units in the codex. Since that fills only one slot, we then take two wraiths- one in each slot along with some extra points 15/15 that you can use to play around with upgrades or take some more scarabs.

So what are we looking at here?

A 500 point army with the points built in for you to have some fun playing around with wargear and options. The immortals and overlord as your core, the scarabs as a distraction or unit to push forward, and the two wraiths working as assassination units- a single model is perfect to hide, and their ability to move around really adds to this.

With this list you can get in lots of fun 500 point games, and leave it at that, or as you build up to 1K and beyond, you will be using all of the 500 point units purchased in your army hands down, so no wasted money or models.

Battle Missions Kill Team Analysis: Part II

2012-01-24T01:30:00.000-08:00

Skirmish style 40K can be fun also, a nice break from the larger more time involved game- also a lot less $$$ to start a new army, and you are still playing “40K”. I’d love to see GW take 40K in a smaller skirmish direction with some mission support, but sadly it will probably never happen due to the Mordheim/Necromunda syndrome- there is no money to be made in selling game systems where you only need a dozen or so models vs. the current state of mainstream 40K where you potentially need hundreds to play. Fortunately for us there are many ways to play and enjoy the game.

So I’ve been “Kill Teaming” with all my armies and out of all of them Grey Knights are the most potent due to their superior troop choice- the humble power armored Grey Knights.

Armor saves are important in Kill Team and for the most part if your table has the proper terrain it is easy to get a 4+ cover save. This makes single shot high powered weapons like las cannons not as effective over above average strength multi-shot weapons like heavy bolters and psycannons which really shine. That said, a 3+ armor save is a big deal- more so when every loss counts- ‘Knights have this.

Next up is the storm bolter that they come with stock- two shots 24” range and hitting on a 3+- deadly in the game of shooting which is Kill Team. Finally add a halberd and you are rocking in the assault going first and taking away any armor save.

Not that Grey Knights are an auto-win in Kill Team but you are going to have to really work to beat them.

Vanilla Space Marines are kind if in the middle- they have that 3+ armor save, can get some good bodies down on the table- a full tactical squad on average along with a special and heavy weapon.

So much in Kill Team is building pressure, moving your models up into position for a decisive firefight.

Missions…

After playing a few games where you just kill each other you start to really look for something else and I’ve found a mix of cityfight and 4th edition missions to be fun to play with a few small tweaks- I’ll be posting them soon for you guys to try out.

Which Chapter Are You, and Who Do You Serve?

2012-01-23T01:30:00.000-08:00

Time for the question of the day…

The only thing better than playing 40K games is talking and arguing (in a friendly manner) about them. Who would win, what-if scenarios, and all that is the stuff of great gaming friends.

Let’s have some what-if fun!

If you had to serve a Space Marine Chapter, which one would you be recruited into, and what would be your rank- be honest- and why?

Personally I’d find myself with the Relictors, probably a librarian assuming I could survive the warp trials. Why? I like history and the arcane, would be willing to use anything to get the job done, even if it is chaos weaponry, and I am an obsessive personality.

Second question- a bigger “what-if”…

Would you have followed Horus or stayed loyal to the Emperor?

First reaction is the Emperor of course, but let’s be honest…I’d have to say I would have sided with Horus.

Not out of a desire of power or the lures of chaos, but on loyalty alone. In the cast of the Horus Heresy I’d probably be a tactical marine since librarians were not mainstream yet, World Eaters in my mind for those that know me, and serving and surviving in the great crusade would have left me with one option- continue the mission and service. I can see the point of view how the Emperor “abandoned” the crusade to those who weren’t soldiers or Space Marines, a betrayal of sorts.

Now, as a Space Marine, continuing to uphold my oath to Angron and Horus, what would have happened at some point if I found out the truth of the heresy, that moment when I found out what it really was, and that I was a “traitor”.

At that point things are too late, no chance to repent or turn back, only loyalty till the end- loyalty- the only thing a marine has left. It sure would suck to find that out in the end, but what other options are there?

Ok, your turn…

Null Deployment Tau

2012-01-22T01:30:00.000-08:00

Fritz,

Thanks for making the blogsphere an interesting place! I've been watching your old videos, and have been very interested in your null deployment theories, and the ambush/surprise discussion recently on your blog. I've been playing Tau for the last year-and-a-half (got into the hobby roughly a week before my first Tau purchase, which i spent agonizing between Tau and everything else. Thanks to Dawn of War's 'creative liberties' i went with Tau). I would rate myself as a 'pretty good' tau player. I consistently get rolled by Fatecrusher lists and Nurgle/twin-DPrince armies at 1500 pts, but stand a decent chance against the other codexes. While I do love crisis suits, broadsides and hammerheads, my other favorite units (stealth suits and fire warriors) rarely get any love due to their extreme handicaps. So, on to my question.

With Tau, how would you go about employing null deployment, or would you avoid it as an option due to the lack of reserve modifiers in the codex? Also, have you ever built an army that effectively used multiple squads of fire warriors, or stealth suits instead of crisis spam? Or would you recommend the monobuild, and hope for better with the new 'dex, whenever it drops?

Thanks for the time and brainspace!

Shas'el Mike

shootfirstthenjump.blogspot.com

Mike, first things first- added your blog to my blog roll and hope to send you some traffic as a member of the 40K community.

Now onto Tau and Null Deployment…

Although it has been designed from a Tyranids point of view, I know we can export the idea out to other armies and lists, so let’s give Tau a whirl. Two things that we have to adapt for is the lack of a reserve modifier like Hive Commander, and the lack of “decent” close combat troops like ‘stealers and the like which are the bulk of a ND list.

First is building a nice big fire base in the center to put pressure on the opponent and pin them in place for the side and rear elements of the Null Deployment to come in. Tau can do this very well- better then Tyranids! Fire warriors, sniper teams, hammer head tanks with rail guns, disruption pods for cover saves, and all that. A nice compact core to spit out those long range shots and put center pressure.

In front of them I would add a nice blob of kroot to infiltrate and then get into cover for at least a cover save- maybe even woods if you are lucky. These guys want to march up the center of the board or at least make it look like that to encourage your opponent to sit and shoot. In the Tyranid list this is done with gaunts, which are certainly expandable like kroot, and some would argue just as ineffective.

Now we need the outflanking elements, which we are going to turn to infiltrators a bit since Tau don’t have the +1 modifier. My first choice would be stealth suits since they have the night fight to protect them and pack some mean weapons.

Finally I’d add some outflankers and deep strikers into the mix since you need them, even thought we don’t have the modifier. More kroot and some hounds? Deepstrikers are of course suits, and more suits.

The order for the list and how it moves will be a bit different…

You deploy your shooty core in the center (or as close as it can be)and infiltrate your first kroot blob. Stealth suits get infiltrated to one flank that is weaker- using terrain to hide/get cover saves, etc. Suits deepstrike and drop on the other side, and the outflanking kroot meet in the middle and cause as much commotion as possible.

Keep in mind that any scoring or mission critical elements need to be held in your center core- everything else is expendable and has the job of killing off your opponent’s troops and mission critical resources.

So, Null Deployment for Tau- that is the formula I would start to experiment with!

-Fritz

Space Marine Company Perks?

2012-01-21T01:30:00.000-08:00

Ok, so first and foremost I stole this pic from Brent over at http://strictlyaverage.blogspot.com/ since the pic got me thinking about a new direction for Space Marines as we move into 40K 6th edition. What about the pic? It represents a company organization of Space Marines, you know, 1st being terminators, 10th being scouts/initiates, etc.

Maybe this would be a cool way to go for vanilla space marines, also known as Codex:Ultramarines?

I’m not talking about going back to the misused and abused chapter trait system either…

So, according to the GW rumors they are not going to do another Space Marine updated before Eldar, Chaos, and Tau, and then maybe ‘Templars- which means soon, and with the radical shift 6th is going to bring Space Wolves and Blood Angels might actually be under powered? Accordingly, where does that leave generic space marines, since even at this point they have nothing special that the other books don’t have for better and cheaper- HA! Imagine “marines” suffering from codex creep!

Well, since the other books have all broken from the codex astartes, why not update the codex astartes book/chapters with a company type reward?

Yea, you can take a mixed force drawing from all the units- like a task force as intended, or as a chapter master you can dispatch a company to the battle- drawn only models from the scout company outline and all those models get some cool army wide rules, same with terminators, assault marines, etc. depending on the organization.

Would breathe some much needed soon to be life into the codex.

Thoughts?

Outside of Apocalypse you really can’t field a company in organization.

A New Lord Of The Rings Game?

2012-01-20T01:30:00.000-08:00

First some disclosure- hobbits annoy me. I don’t care about Frodo’s friends, if I was putting together the fellowship of the ring, I’d stuff him in a sack and take me some hard as nails dwarves and some real warriors. Yes, I understand it is about friends starting out on an adventure, ignorant of what it is and how they will all be changed by death and hardship. Still…

So with that, and my favorite hobby of war gaming, I’m looking ahead with a curious eye regarding the new Hobbit movie- There And Back Again. Movie looks really good, what LOTR should have been IMHO, two parts is kind of lame, making us wait, but that is how Hollywood is these days…

Anyway, the question is- what kind of game will GW put out for this, and yes I would buy it.

A few years back, or at least it feels like it Jawaballs and myself flirted with Lords of the Ring as a supplement to 40K. Something different to play, but still GW, smaller model count, and a different system. Problem was that nobody played it anywhere, and there were no tournaments for it anywhere. It dies faster than Mordheim.

A bit after I had a chance to pick up the Mines of Moria box set for a few dollars off, built it, played it, and liked it “as-is” just as it is. A nice little GW fix in a box, playing out the Mines of Moria from start to finish in 40 minutes or so once you get the game down.

As a into wargame and box set it really shines- it isn’t overwhelming to build and paint for the newbie, plays quick and is a diversion for the GW vets, and when you are done you can get back to 40K refreshed.

I hope GW does something like this with The Hobbit- take a cool scene from the movie, and play it out in a box set. Added bonus that the good side will have dwarves and only one annoying hobbit! I could see this as a fun diversion to play from time to time.

Thoughts?

GW needs that cash so something is going to happen…

Eldar In Warhammer 40K 6th Edition

2012-01-19T01:30:00.000-08:00

So what can we expect from Eldar in 6th edition and how can we start adapting our armies right now in preparation for the official release date?

Mixed bag of questions really.

We know we are getting a new codex in 6th- I still maintain that GW will release a marine codex first with the new edition since space marine sell and they need the money grab- that’s OK since I’ve got a few marine armies to play and Eldar got shafted for ALL of 5th edition so what is a little wait longer?

I’m sure we will get some new units, a flyer, and some HQ choices. I don’t really expect the point cost or army abilities to come down in points or not take a slight nerf since with the exception of PK nobody understands Eldar and how they play- Ward writing Eldar? We’ll just get the botch job that was Necrons. Not that I thought Necrons was bad, and I’m getting off topic here, but Necrons were a complete rewrite since Ward didn’t understand what Necrons even are. Need to get back on topic…

You can bet runes of warding will take a huge hit- no way they are going to be the full board without range, impossible. Maybe they will bring back some old favorites like crystal targeting matrix, etc. with a new twist- kind of like all the funky grenades for Grey Knights. I’m hoping holo-fields are still in AS-IS, and not just an ignore shaken/stunned result like Necrons.

Problem right now is that I’m in a wait and see holding pattern with Eldar in terms of unit testing. My Saim-Hann suffer the least since jetbikes are going to remain jetbikes, and skimmers are skimmers, but for my harlequins? Depends on what they, and the army build get in a new codex.

Preparing for 6th with my Saim-Hann.

Learning the rules is key to getting a head start out of the gate. Knowing how they balance, examples being just how hard a unit is to kill, and what you can get away with on the table is the second half. In the playtesting I have done, it kind of works like this- take your entire army and put it down on the table (applies to marines also, and my Grey Knights have been getting the same).

Forget about missions for the moment or even point costs- just move stuff around with your opponent, assault, shoot, etc. See how all your units perform, even the ones you have and don’t play, so you can get a jump on unit assessment and value in 6th.

Experiment and know.

Experiences with Saim-Hann so far?

From a basic perspective that jetbikes and skimmers won’t change in the rules the army is even more insane to kill than ever. Guys that hated that before will kill you on sight now. On the opposite side all that movement and less then optimal shooting/numbers per unit has me killing even less then in 5th edition.

This is a bad thing given codex creep and the lowering of points per unit for Space Marines- now if Eldar also get a tweak in points, then I have to re-examine, but I can’t assume that yet.

I may not be able to contest on turn five any more, but there are some equally annoying things that already seem to be stacking up, and Eldar d-bag trickery is going to be back better than before. As an Eldar fanboy this gets me very excited.

As for the stratagem cards, I’ve been playing with them, but there is no way they are complete or not current edited versions- it’s almost worth just leaving them out for now and waiting to see the real deal.

Out of all my armies I see my Saim-Hann returning to top status in what I play, and surprisingly (or not) Null Deployment Tyranids which get really wacky with some of the stratagems. My oldest army might just get pulled back out of storage...

Exciting times ahead!

So how are you starting to prep your armies for 6th edition?

Assault On Black Reach OR Island Of Blood Review- Which One To Get?

2012-01-18T01:30:00.000-08:00

So you want to get into the Warhammer hobby as a new player, or maybe a returning vet and are kind of 50/50 with both the fantasy and 40K set, so the question is which one to get.

Both give you a lot of models, a getting started book, and a full rulebook for the systems with some dice, measuring sticks, and templates. So far they look the same, but there are a few points to really consider…

First and foremost is the models and the setting of the game- after all this is miniature wargaming. If a fantasy setting stirs your imagination then go for it, if you like grimdark, guns, and walking robot tanks then go for 40K.

No preference either way? Let’s break down the sets.

From the modeling perspective both are fantastic in their sculpts, and the Island of Blood gets you “more” plastic for the price, but Assault on Black Reach is a bit easier to work with for the new player just because the models are fewer to build and paint then the fantasy counterpart. Depending on the age and temperament this could be an issue.

Next let’s look at terrain- an important component of the game. Both boxes don’t come with any, which isn’t a criticism since a big part of the hobby is building your own terrain. Getting started ASAP, the Island of Blood set is a bit easier- some model railroad trees, a foam hill or two, and you are set. Warhammer 40,000 tends to require a bit more terrain then it’s fantasy counterpart, and while you can play with trees, hills, etc. more sci-fi based terrain looks better- ruined buildings, craters, and all that war battle field stuff.

Gameplay is next.

Having experience in both Warhammer 40,000 and Warhammer Fantasy I can’t say one is harder than the other- although the magic phase in Warhammer Fantasy can be complex at times.

The next question is overall game play and expandability if you never intend to go beyond the box set- which one offers a better value and more complicity- Island of Blood, and here is why.

In the Assault On Black Reach Set you only have both the Orks and Space Marines locked in “as-is”- there is no changing units, equipment, or options. You also only have three missions to play in the book, and the White Dwarf magazine expansion is you can find it. (Note: I’m only looking at “official” extra missions, etc. for this review, and not fan based stuff, which certainly does exist.)

Island of Blood has some additional layers which can really switch up the variety in the game.

The first way to do it is without the Elven and Skaven wizard- leave magic out of the game and just go at it with the armies. When you are ready add in the wizards. Play that a few times and you can then pump up the power level and select different spells from the rulebook for a different feel. Play that a bit and then give them each 100 “points” to buy magic items in the back of the book. With the main heroes do the same- give them some extra points to buy magic items really allowing you to customize your bad guy or good guy. Add to this more missions in the main rulebook, and the three “official” missions on Games Workshop’s website and the IOB box set has a ton more customization out there, and everything being equal I would have to recommend going with that.

Black Templar Missile Spam: Eldar?

2012-01-17T01:30:00.000-08:00

Email In:

Dear Fritz

I realize that you are quite busy going through the new Necron-codex, but write asking you for help anyway.

I have a friend who plays a varity of marine armies; Wolves, black templars, blood angels… normally my Mech-eldar beat them if I focus and don’t make too many mistakes. But just recently he has hit upon a build that I find almost impossible to deal with, not just with my elder, but marine armies, guard and orcs have just been swept off the table by:

Cyclone-missile-launcher-spam

His build looks something like this.

Emperors champion

2x 5 marines

2x 5 terminators with 2 cyclonemissile in each group

2x reclusiac with 3 terminator retinue (1 or 2 more cyclone in each group)

1500 pts

This army pumps something like 16 krak missiles out every turn at a range of 48’

If you try to close with it he simply bolters you and uses his powerfists or the champions preferred enemy to clean up in close combat. So he will just castle up and try to cover two objectives and then try to wipe out his opponent.

Any ideas for how to deal with this?

Bo from Denmark

Reply Out:

Bo, thanks for emailing, one of the hidden secrets of the Black Templar codex is their ability to pump out missile spam like this- let’s throw out some ideas to deal with the list- we are going to use a layered approach, but it is going to be a tough up-hill battle for Eldar due to the age of the codex.

First thing is a switch to as much AP 2 weapons that we can. Normal infantry is dealt with by volume of fire so some 3+ armor save will be failed, but 2+ is hard to crack. I’m assuming the terminators will have cover, so with your AP shots they will be down to a 4+ save- still pretty good, but a 50/50 chance to die.

We are then going to follow up with a suicide wave of say two wave serpents with fire dragons and a far seer like Eldard- expensive in 1500 points but needed. The rest of your forces can be the usual Eldar stuff, etc.

With that many missiles you are forced to go first or reserve your units- hanging out on the table first turn is not good odds. Take first turn if you can and hold your breath that you don’t get seized is the best option.

From here if you go second, put out your suicide units, and reserve the rest, or if really gutsy, put everything out and try to seize.

First turn Eldrad casts fortune on both wave serpents and guide on one of your other back units. The wave serpents move out 24” and then kick in star engines- they will now be in range on turn two to unload on your opponent.

The rest of your army moves up and shoots- starting with the units just behind the first rank of terminators near your wave serpents.

Bottom of turn one you are going to eat a ton of missiles into those wave serpents, but the odds are pretty good of them surviving considering all the firepower coming your way- also firepower not coming at the rest of your army. The Templars have to hit, armor pen, bypass a re-roll able cover save, and then score a crippling hit. On top of that if the wave serpents do go down the guys inside are close enough for next turn. Sure they can get pinned, etc., but it is a gamble.

Next turn your fire dragons get out and start blasting with the melta shots- Eldrad dooms two units and guides another since you need every hit/wound to count. At best this should put down two terminator units.

If the wave serpents are up start tank shocking with them- you can hit a ton of units if your opponent is castled up. Sure he can death or glory, but at this point it really doesn’t matter since they delivered their cargo.

The rest of your army now continues to work on the second rank of guys blasting away, and from there you see what happens.

That is how I would approach dealing with the army- focused fire suicide units levered by psychic powers- which are still good by 40K game standards, and a second wave coming up to join the first.

How I would normally play Eldar- all sneaky, turn five contesting, etc. just doesn’t work against a list like this- one has to be super aggressive with a little luck on their side to win the day. Do the opposite of what I usually say- don’t focus on the mission, focus 100% on killing your opponent, and then worry about the mission.

Hope that helps a bit.

-Fritz

Apocalypse Anonymous

2012-01-16T01:30:00.000-08:00

I’m hoping 6th edition really doesn’t kill Apocalypse, or at least have GW update the book for the game- doubtful of course…

Overall at the club level I’ve played in some pretty big games, including a recreation of the assault on the imperial palace with all the traitor and loyalist legions being represented- yours truly commanding his Death Guard of course, but what about smaller apoc games?

Just as 40K had grown beyond the balance of 1500 points, what if we scaled apoc down to 2000 points?

I can get a super heavy or two in, some infantry models in support, and finish the game in the same or a bit less time than a regular 40K game.

The two battles I’ve had so far have been interesting in balancing out some of the older books like Eldar- with no force org chart and the help of a super heavy one can have a fairly equal army to command.

The stratagem cards are also a nice little surprise, I’d just do them different since a few get old real quick, are better than others, and can be abused like anything else. I’d print them all and we both draw two or three for the game- you make do with what you have, find a way to creatively apply it with what you have.

Or if you prefer less randomness, then draw the stratagems to balance out your army or lack of codex power- something 6th is rumored to do, and I personally believe is so much needed!

Tech Marine Conversion

2012-01-15T01:30:00.000-08:00

The second coming is upon us!!!! He returns with fury and vengeful ambitions in his eyes! For a few short weeks, there will be an age undreamed of! An age where the Darkness brings only short, shallow hobby articles with no tutorials, and updates on armies that will never get finished.

CUE AC/DC’S BACK IN BLACK

That's right, lady and gentlemen! Your messiah of the Interwebs, the unknowable, he who should remain unnamed, Jawaball’s bane, your beloved ruler, Brent hater, the merciful one, usurper, the WAACIEST playa out there, all around asshole, and blogger extraordinaire, Black Matt has returned!!!!!!!!! My nickname list goes on and on but at the risk of sounding like Jawaballs, I must stop for humility's sake! Just because I can not go on, doesn't mean that you cannot label me up in the comment section below! Go ahead, I dare you!

I have decided to allow you, my subjects, the opportunity to look upon the greatest models ever modeled since the last time I modeled a model. BEHOLD!!

This is going to be a counts as model for my deathwing army that I have been working on pretty extensively! I have really pushed the counts as idea as you will see in the near future. It will make a lot more sense when I showcase the squad that it goes with. Im only showing this little bit as the effects of my greatness can only be compared to those of the primarchs from the far future. A little at a time and the overwhelming effects should not make you quite so sick to your stomach ;)

Anyway, in all seriousness, my friend Fritz has given me a lot over the years and I wanted to give back a little by showcasing some of my figs on his blog to help get it out of the gutter with some hobby content. LOL J/K again. Over the next few weeks, look for me to be making regular hobby posts about my deathwing army that I have put some quality work into. Its nice, not the best, but it'll do for the girls I go out with!

Warhammer Fantasy Island Of Blood Tactics: Skaven

2012-01-14T01:30:00.000-08:00

Let’s take a look at the game plan for Skaven in the Warhammer Island of Blood box set and my experience in winning and losing with them.

From a starter/new to wargames perspective the Skaven are a tough army to play since they rely on a higher element of randomness to win.

Sure wargames are random in their nature- that provides the fun and tension of the game, allowing those moments of triumph and defeat, and in this both armies have a layer of it in terms of hits, wounds, and potential saves with the dice.

But the Skaven have a second layer in their war machines- which give them the punch to really take on the elves- Skaven need to get in one or two good shots per game and not have a misfire- which can happen most of the time, but of course if the dice screw over your war machines (like in the last game I posted) all you can really do is take ride the game out, and give it another go next time.

Vs. the elves you have to deal with two rock hard units- the great swords and the prince on the griffon. Your rat-ogres look tough, and there is a temptation to let them lose, but the elves have can weaken them with some well placed arrows, not killing them, but weakening them when they assault so their intended hard hitting power is really lessened.

Let’s start with the Skaven mortar and target priority. Forget firing on the griffon for now even if that is the first panic reaction and thing to do. Target #1 is the Elven swordsman- a well placed shot or two can take them out no problem, and that is what needs to happen.

Next war machine- the warpfire thrower is going to go next to your two Skaven clan rat groups and push up the center with the rat-ogres behind. This block is your counter to the griffon who has a huge charge range. You want to push to the center so you can get the charge off on it with both your clan rat group- drowning it in numbers is the only way. Next, you follow up with the rat-ogres if combat doesn’t go well or you need to follow up with more attacks to put it down.

If you can’t get that push to mid field, then bait with the war-fire thrower, although I imagine most opponent’s wouldn’t fall for this, so maybe the rat-ogres instead.

In the usual just line up and battle it out game that is what I’ve been doing and having good success with the Skaven- when my temperamental warmachines co-operate.

Of course special scenarios or themed missions require a different approach…

Long time Skaven players or those with IOB experience what do you say?

Tyranid Ambush Lists?

2012-01-13T01:30:00.000-08:00

A comment on setting up ambushes for Tyranids a few days back that I mean to reply against, got a bit sidetracked, so decided to post it up here so we can talk a bit more about it.

First the link to the old post:

http://saimhann.blogspot.com/2011/12/warhammer-40k-tactics-traps-and.html

Then the question- what kind of ambushes can Tyranids set up?

Great article Fritz. What are some ambushes you can use for Nidz ?

First thing that comes to mind is a lictor- to use them we need three actually for any hope of effect. Pop in, and since you can place them anywhere on the board, they are great long fang hunters and other infantry back units that might be camping somewhere. Of course you get them in terrain for the cover save, and you could try to fail-glance tanks if desperate, but all this is kind of obvious.

Did I ever mention my thoughts on a genestealer commando unit? I’ve had good results with this concept- which we will then use with an ambush.

Most of the time I run big broods of ‘stealers- covering the table, naked with no upgrades or broodlord. In some of my gaunt spawn lists where I’m not hurting for troops I’ll take a unit of five ‘steales and upgrade one to a broodlord- which I call my commando unit.

These guys are small enough to infiltrate and hide, are a semi-threat due to the broodlord, and since they are not shooting, the move, run, assault gives them a decent threat range. Essentially the regular stealers are wounds for the broodlord, and the mission is to cause as much trouble as I can before they die.

So let’s set up an ambush scenario with these guys…

First in practice, and then in theory for you to try out…

I’ll often run DOM in a pod with a commando ‘stealer group as bait to get guys out of those transports so DOM can fry them- in theory. Infiltrate the commando group in range of your intended target- last one was a rune priest with grey hunters in a razorback that I needed to get out and kill since I can’t have ‘jaws running around on my big bugs.

Move the commando unit up turn one, in terrain, or with cover- encourage the squad to get out and shoot the commando unit- when they do, go to ground if needed to offset wounds, and then when (if) DOM comes in next round he vapes the exposed unit.

Of course this works on a few “what-if” scenarios, and assumes your opponent takes that bait, but if you throw out enough shiny things something will bite. I’ve done this, sometimes it works, others not, and if not, then DOM just goes after the long fang squads sitting in the back.

Theory time? Could do the same thing with biovores in smaller point games. Sucker marines to get out of their transports with the commando unit and then drop spore mines on them.

Not counting outflanking ambushes these are some ideas for Tyranid type ambushes and traps.

Thoughts?

What else can we come up with?

What else is working?

Incoming Tau Rumors

2012-01-12T01:30:00.000-08:00

So today we were treated to a new batch of Tau rumors. The list of updates seem fair, and I’m glad to see Tau get an update now with 6th on the horizon rather than mid 5th where they could potentially be left hanging like Tyranids. I really hope GW hits gold with this codex- it would be great to see Tau restored and reborn to the table- more xenos to break up all the marine vs. marine action at tournaments.

Rumors that interest me personally?

Demiurg are added to the book, functioning "like Dwarves in Fantasy," with ponderous, low-AP guns and strong melee attacks. Hrud are present as well.

Man, the chance to play squats again would really bring me back to my GW roots. Could these guys be a mini-codex like Kroot so to speak- you could play them as their own army be it very limited in scope- maybe a troops choice and a heavy support only? Or with Demiurg just be a heavy support option?

Hrud could be very interesting also either solo or count-as with Tau. Done right the Tau codex could open up so much more then Tau, while bringing lots of players to start a new army. Either way, Tau are long overdue.

That said, the Black Templar in me is becoming very agitated. Tau are filthy xenos, worse for the fact that they consort with mutant-humans, bug-aliens, and shadow creatures. The only thing worse than aliens is aliens hanging out with aliens! If ‘Templars are up soon I might just have to launch a new crusade!

Warhammer 40K 6th Edition Rules

2012-01-11T09:21:00.000-08:00

So 40K 6th edition is right around the corner and the question is this- what is 40K going to look like and will it make you quit the game or reenergize you 40K gameplay? From what I have seen here are some things to consider and possible look forward to seeing in the new rules...

GW sure has some ambitious changes in the works- BIG changes, truly one rulebook that will rule them all so to speak. From what I have seen with my own eyes it is really a different game. For those of you who play and know Dungeons & Dragons I offer this comparison- going from 3.5 D&D to 4.0 D&D.

In some ways 6th edition is 40K in name only…

Models are now going to have an evasion characteristic which dictates how hard it is to “hit” the model- ranging from infantry and tanks.

Rigid saves are now added over armor, cover, and invulnerable saves- but you will still only get to make one save, taking the best.

Certain weapons and profiles now shoot with a “critical hit” which means no rolling to hit- just roll for wounds or armor pen.

Preferred Enemy now means you hit on a 3+ or a 2+ if your shooting normally hits on a 3+- and you can’t use any combat actions to prevent it. (Necron destroyers now make sense! )

Three levels eternal warrior so different psychic force levels can kill different ET values.

New rules for fearless, cold blooded, and three levels of morale failing- shaken, broken, and tactical withdrawn.

Turn phase: Move, Assault, Shoot, Consolidate. Assault armies are kind of back- if you can assault, and then survive a round of shooting, you can then consolidate into another nearby unit.

In the assault units in certain positions can make an “alpha-strike” and attack first at I 10.

Shooting is more complex and more powerful than ever- modifiers are added to your models evasion skill making them harder or easier to hit.

You also determine the type of fire you are using- covering fire, dividing fire, draw back, defensive fire.

Flyers are in, super heavies are in, anti-aircraft are in all for standard 40K games.

Vehicles are not fixed and just as stupid to kill. (FAIL)

Vehicles with AV 14 front are behemoths and can multi-target.

Missions?

Annihilation & Seize Ground are in- objectives and kill points based on point size of the game EX 1000 point = 3 objectives, 3000 points = 7 objectives.

Stratagems are IN- urban warfare, frontal assault, gravity traps, propaganda, night raid, rich supplies, battlefield analysis…

My thoughts?

WOW!

Just what we need to shake up the WAAC players out there, and I can see much in the rules balancing out armies and bringing tactics into the fold over just spamming things out. Games set at different ”official” point levels are also great.

I’m not sure how all this will work on the tournament scene or in really big games- maybe 1K will be the new “tournament” point level. So much you can do, change, and negate with each phase of the game, it might bog down trying to play 2000-2500 points in 2-3 hours.

Who know, we will just have to wait and see what happens when 6th comes out.

Warhammer Fantasy Battle Report: High Elves Vs. Skaven

2012-01-11T01:30:00.000-08:00

Pushing further into the Island of Blood in a mad quest for the Phoenix Stone the vile rat men lay a trap for the high elf garrison…

Another round of Elves vs. Skaven as I command the Elves and Teddy the Skaven this week at the club, High Elves always feel like I’m playing Eldar.

I deploy my spear/bow infantry in the center to go pew-pew with the bows, cavalry on the flanks, backed by the great sword, and the griffin in-between.

Skaven deploy center and side heavy and take first turn pushing the rat-ogres right up the side to my cavalry as the clanrats start marching up the center.

I dodge two round of Skaven weapon team fire, including a misfire on the poisoned globe thrower, which is really really bad for the Skaven…

Arrows from the infantry and cavalry soften up the rat-ogres, who charge the cavalry and wipe them out, followed by a counter charge of the great swords who wipe them out.

Griffon rides around and attacks the clan rats lead by the Skaven warboss who is defeated in a personal challenge, followed by routing the clan rats.

On the opposite side of the table the clan rats break my spearmen, as the griffon swings around and finishes them off for the win.

The more straight up Skaven vs. Elves games we get in with this fun set, the more I am at least seeing is the fact that the sides are only “balanced” if you can unlock how they are supposed to be used. Could a beginner to Wargames and the usual shenanigans of Games Workshop figure this out?

Next post is going to examine how to use the Skaven with a unified plan against the elves- especially since the griffon and greatswords seem so over powered…

Battle For Salvation Guys @ Conflict GT

2012-01-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, one last post before the event, a brief wrap up of the BFS guys attending the Conflict GT, their hopes and dream- in no particular order…

Jawaballs is up first, the man, the legend, it’s hard being a Blood Angel player living under his shadow. I’m sure that JB is setting his focus on going for best painted/best army appearance and even with his skills we know this is going to be tough to pull off. I suspect the paint competition is going to be even fiercer then the actual battles. His list will have land raiders, terminators, and of course the man in red himself- Mepheston. I’m counting on JB’s skillful use of the M man to punch forward in our doubles game.

Ultrabob is next with his newly reborn Necron- which is the red dynasty again? Last time these guys competed in a tournament was the Games Workshop Baltimore GT back in 2007. Of course they are a completely different army now. I’m amazed at all the bots crammed into Bob’s list- you really can get a lot in when you don’t have a C’Tan sucking up points. I’m interested to see how his AV 13 wall does.

Ed’s next of course, and I don’t mean to take anything away from the rest of the guys in the group, but I think he has the best list and preparation out of all of us- ice Grey Knights, primed and ready to go. Ed’s been practicing with them for a while and has his stuff down. Razorbacks, dreads, and henchmen/’knights.

Brother Captain James also snuck in at the last moment, and his going with Tyranids which are back under his command. I was hoping he was going to run my five tervigon list since he now has them and close to a hundred gaunts, but he is going with a mix of tervigons, gaunts, stealers, and trygons- backed by three groups of venomthropes to give everybody cover saves no matter where they are on the table. An interesting approach, and there is something to having even your ‘stealers get a 5+ save on the way in.

Death Guard and Necrons for me as mentioned- I finished up my Necron display board last night so I’m all set to go- actually finishing all my last minute stuff early- more time for Space Marine on Xbox!

http://theconflictgt.com/

Conflict GT: Count The Seven!

2012-01-10T01:30:00.000-08:00

So here is what I’m running with Jawaballs for the Conflict GT doubles event on Friday night. Tactically it is our tried and true “doubles” formula which has worked really well in the past. JB is of course Blood Angels, and I’m usually Eldar, but with the changes to Blood Angels and JB’s current build + GK spam I think I can do a bit better running a compliment of Space Marines. Imagine that, Fritz running Space Marines in a tournament!?!

Our doubles formula is pretty straight forward- the Blood Angels are completely expendable- their goal is to build a list that is killy only and to self destruct on the opposition. Jawa will be totally focused on getting to grips with the other side and run amok in their ranks with Mepheston, assault marines, and the like. My job is to support his advance while holding objectives and completing the “mission”. My forces are tailored for support and survivability. One of the reasons this works well is because we both know our roles ahead of time and there are no hard feelings- usually at the end of the game Jawa only has a model or two left, nothing to get upset about, stick to the plan.

So who will be joining the Blood Angels in this great crusade? Death Guard of course, not that we could have Chaos siding with the Blood Angels, although apparently they are now best buds with Necrons of all strange things, but Chaos- never! So for this event my pre-heresy Death Guard are dropping in full force, using the generic marine codex- For Terra and Mortarion!"

“Sicarius” is leading them giving me a chance to re-roll that seize- very important to our plans, two full tactical squads ready to just camp as needed, maybe combat down, maybe not, a long range dev squad for support, and a group of terminators as backup to stop anything incoming to my tactical, or to drop with the Blood Angels if Jawa needs some reinforcements.

It’s been a while since I rolled with ‘marines- I’m not used to actually hitting on a 3+ and an armor save- imagine that!

1750 Conflict GT Necron Army

2012-01-09T01:30:00.000-08:00

Ladies and gents- here is my army for the upcoming Conflict GT tournament in New York. Necrons of course, pre-heresy Death Guard are taking the field with Jawaballs’ Blood Angels in the doubles tournament and well get to them soon enough…

Right now these guys are for the most part the oldest models in my 40K collection, some real Necron history in them from being a White Dwarf army of three or so units, the old codex, and now the new codex. It's nice to get them back on the table, making so many new memories. Lolz, this army is older then some of the kids that play at the comic shop!

With the new codex I wanted to make a few adjustments and give them a new paint job- something for the next twenty years.

My first through was to paint them in a ceramic type color, but the few test subjects didn’t work out that great- painting ceramics is like painting yellow and white- you need some skill and experience with it before attempting an army wide project. Second thought was bone white to make them look like space skeletons, but with the old OOP models it just didn’t look right to me. So a variant of silver or metallic? In contrast to my other warrior/destroyer army which is the standard Necron silver I decided to go with an aged tin and patina look- a hint of rust and corrosion as they awaken from the tomb world. Fluff be damned, some of us still follow the Star Gods!

Stripped them all down which was actually pretty easy given everything in the army is metal and mostly one piece. From there I primed black and then dry brushed chainmail silver as a foundation. From there I built up layers of tin bitz followed by building up some highlighting on the edges with a mixture of tin bitz and metallic gold. Eyes, gauss, and hoses were goblin green, since well, I have a ton of it left from when I painted up my Fantasy Goblins. Basing is a mixture of crushed slate, sand, and bitz like skulls, cities of death, marine stuff, hoses, etc. Finally hit everything up with a wash and they are ready for the table.

So let’s get to the list…

First up is the Stormlord of course, we’ve talked about how I think he is one of the goto HQ choices in the book in and out of a command barge. Traveler was tempting, but without a command barge you are not getting his full points worth with the machine possession thingy.

Next is three groups of ten scarabs each backed by a spyder. Pretty standard there and nothing ground breaking. I do believe a unit of tomb blades is more fun and works better for how I play, but I don’t want to run afoul of any modeling requirements at the conflict since my tomb blades are proxied OOP destroyers- which just happen to look just like them, but “counts as” and proxies could be an issue, or maybe not, so I’m just skirting it all together anyway for now.

Behind the scarabs are five small warrior groups and a large immortal group pushing forward and then backing off with some of the warriors for objectives, etc.

Thrown in are two crypteks- one with veil, and the other with a chrnometron OR harp depending on the ruling I get ahead of time RE: Stormlord’s lighting attacks and the chronometron.

Five flayed ones are my throw away unit- for 65 points can you go wrong. Most of the time they seem to work out as an annoyance , and once they did win me a game by hiding out in a building all game and then contesting an objective.

And finally the Deceiver…I mean C’Tan Shard- come on, you know I’d be playing him regardless of the point cost. Worldscape has also been a mixed bag, but it does keep things interesting, and hordes that need terrain hate it.

Packed and ready to go- see you guys at the tournament!

Grey Knights Vs. Tyranids: Special Mission

2012-01-08T01:30:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you want to just throw down some models to see “what-if”, and for bragging rights- so this week we have my Grey Knights vs. James’ Tyranids in a small skirmish mission.

Backstory? Missions like this need one…

A recently tainted chaos infused artifact has been discovered on a lost planet, prompting the Grey Knights to go in and recover it to take back to the vaults of titan, as a vanguard group of Tyranids, drawn to the warp beacon of it, land and assault the Grey Knights.

If the Tyranids over-run the ‘knights and ingest the artifact, who knows how that will alter the hive fleet? Chaos is chaos, and chaos Tyranids can’t be tolerated!

Mission Rules?

The Grey Knight set up in the center of the table with a battle line, and must hold for six turns- if at the end of the game a single Grey Knight model is alive, the ‘Knights have beaten off the bugs, if they are wiped out, then the swarm claims the artifact. Just to make it even more interesting, the Tyranids have the sustained assault rule allowing them to recycle in every time a unit is destroyed.

Tactically I take a dreadnought, two small knight groups and a grand master thinking James would build his army like I would- Tervigons spawning lots of gaunts. Sacrifice my ‘knights and get the dread locked in with some gaunts and just ride the game out.

I forgot James likes stealers and broodlords…

I would have just dropped the GM, taken some incinerators, and upgraded to a venerable dread, following the same plan.

Stealers enter the fray, and I start off with a battle line of storm bolter, psycannon, and assault cannon fire inflicting some good looses despite cover.

Tyranids get a fantastic fleet roll, and they are stuck in the assault on both my Knights but fall just short of the dread who blasts away and then charges cutting down a group. On the right my Knight group battles it out, holding their own despite some rending looses, but on the left I get swarmed as James rolls some awesome rends- leaving only my grand master who then gets enveloped and torn apart.

With just the dread left, it is down to some furious dice rolling- can I inflict a loss or two and force LD, or can James rend through my armor? When the Knight squad finishes the stealers on the right they pile in on the dreads combat to force the stealers to split some attacks- desperately trying to buy time with their very lives….

…but eventually James starts rolling those sixes like crazy and my dread explodes…stealers overrunning the battle line…

Made it to the bottom of turn four.

So with a handful of Grey Knights vs. without number Tyranids how would you hold the line?

What list would you take?

Drive by Rhinos with incinerators?

Loving My Tomb Blades!

2012-01-07T01:30:00.000-08:00

Guys, I just have to say that tomb blades are da bomb!

Sure we have all been caught up in the scarab madness, scarab farms, scarab swarms, and all that- no denying they are good. It has taken me a bit to get over just going right to fielding 3 X 10 of them + spyders- taking a step back to realize I can have best of both worlds. Two with spawners is enough- leaves me that slot for tomb blades- and I’m not looking back.

OK, we can’t deny that I’m a closet jetbike fan, and these guys do fill that fetish, but let’s look at what they bring to the game, and how they fit over all in my list.

I often deploy them in the center (or as close to the center) along with my scarabs and spyders. Stormlord goes for first turn either naturally or with the 4+ so the ‘blades can move out- they boost 24” to either the right or left flank to open up as a distraction. The boost gives them a 2+ save since they have the shadow thingy and that with T5 and two wounds is pretty resilient. They can soak up a lot on that turn, and often do with only a loss or if that.

Next turn, they are ready to start blasting away- not that the blasting is that great- but as a distraction tool suddenly in your face they pay off hands down!

This allows my scarabs to move up mid field and just hunker down for board control.

Depending on what my opponent then does and what it is like on the weaker flank, I may VOD a group in with my cryptek for some added support.

Giving Necrons or keeping Necrons with a jetbike option (a real one, not pseudo like the destroyers) was an awesome move for variety.

Only question is what to use for a tomb blade since of course GW doesn’t make one…

Spikey Bitz has an awesome conversion…

Or, like me (for now) you can use some of the old OOP Necron raiders.

Necrons: Djinn Of Despair List

2012-01-06T01:30:00.000-08:00

I do have to say that GW did a great job with the inclusion of crypteks in the Necron codex. These mix and match units really bring out some of the flavor and fluff in the codex to the tabletop game- masters of arcane science and technology.

I can see so many fun themed lists to build around these techomancers and have begun to experiment with a few ideas as of late- the Djinn of Despair build catching my fancy as of late…

We can scale this to a lot of different point levels but the main thing is to unlock an entire conclave of crypteks so that means two overlords as a start. Stormlord, although pricey is the first- we need his lighting busting potential in a moment. Second overlord could be generic if you are playing smaller points or perhaps the Traveler for mind in the machine and a single shot tachyon arrow fun. MiM will also help our crypteks and the arrow is 50/50 since it is a single shot and we won’t be chronometroning it. I’d probably also go with command barges for these guys, but again balance the points.

Next up is 5-10 harbingers of despair crypteks with abyssal staffs. Two overlords means two courts and two of them could be veil of darkness cryptkes- I’d like to add nightmare shroud for some more fun, but the points are stacking up!

Now we need some wound counters for the crypteks- so each group gets five warriors to start, maybe six to eight for the one or two carrying the veil of darkness. The rest of the crypteks go in ghost arks.

We finish the list out with some doomsday arks…

This list has one goal- drop S8 AP 1 templates on guys. Marines hate it since they don’t get an armor save. Big horde armies just go poof if you hit them with multiple templates and wounds- Eldar players think of a multi-destructor seer council. You bring DOOM to your opponent with the abyssal staffs!

Stormlord lightning and doomsday arks open up vehicles to get guys on foot. ‘Arks drive up and drop templates, veil crypteks port around dropping templates- taking a risk on the scatter.

Lots of templates, lots of fun- more to the Necron ‘dex then just spyders and scarabs!

Scarab Madness

2012-01-05T01:30:00.000-08:00

So there is no debating anymore that scarabs are one of three “must have” units in the Necrons codex, along with being the first layer of anti-tank in your army. On paper and in the codex I imagine a swarm of robotic bugs sweeping out and drowning my opponents in a tide of living metal. On the table, well, let’s just say I feel like I’m playing my harlequins with them.

When scarabs work, they work well, but one little failure on my part, or incorrect approach and a unit of ten vanish just like that!

I’ve been wondering if IG would switch over to hull mounted chimera spam heavy flamers and hell hounds, but there really isn’t any need to do that, and thankfully that has not been happening in my area.

Guard and Grey Knight have plenty of high strength shots to kill a base from range- which is how you want to deal with scarabs- stop them mid field, flamer range mean you have the potential to be over run.

Generic marines and Space Wolves can deal with them with expendable assault layers acting as a screen, so really everybody has a way to deal with them- but this post isn’t about that!

Just keep in mind that scarabs are a distraction, smoke, a thrust away from the main part of the army- at least how I play them.

So I have thirty in my list as stock filling out my fast attack slot, and after deployment I ask myself- do I have enough at hand to take out my opponent’s vehicles? The goal is of course to de-mech for my second wave of immortals to tesla stuff.

A factor in this is night fight via Stormlord + chronometon, terrain, and my opponent’s forces and personal aggression level on the table. If I think I can do it, then full out all attack- release the bugs!

If not, then I use the scarabs for area denial.

If I can’t kill all the tanks, then maybe I can at least keep them clustered up, or force them to move into position where I can entropic them to death. I’ll try to move to terrain clusters and just go to ground for a turn or two- maybe with the swarm in front going to ground and the second getting cover behind not going to ground so it can act as a counter attack unit- night fight keeping it up since it is just a bit away. At that point keeping the scarabs up, while not as good as getting stuck in there and munching on armor is better than rushing forward and getting gunned down.

Keep in mind, much like harlequins, “critical mass” is the key for scarabs- it’s not enough to get a few bases in on a tank- you need a lot to make sure it gets destroyed that turn, since each turn your scarabs are exposed they will slowly be torrented down.

Maybe your spyder farm can keep the critical mass up, maybe it can’t- look at the spyder farm from the POV as bonus scarabs, not as a cushion for your mistakes.

Conflict GT: Last Call!

2012-01-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

Ok guys, one last final call for The Conflict GT tournament on January 13, 14, and 15! Registration is open and there are a few spots left for both the 40K main event and the doubles game on Friday night.

http://theconflictgt.com/

Off Topic: My Vintage Computer Computer

2012-01-04T01:30:00.000-08:00

Off topic post for today based on a few emails sent my way regarding the computers and “calculators” in the background of some of my paint pics…

My man cave is a strange place…

Brandy and a blackjack table on one side, 40K and assorted gaming stuff/Xbox in the center, and my computer collection on the other.

People collect all sorts of weird stuff so why not computers?

How does one even get started in collecting vintage computers, same way you really collect any kind of odd or off the wall stuff.

Back in grammar school I talked my parents into allowing me to buy a computer- a Commodore 128, which I promptly used to play Dungeons & Dragons games with my friend D. when we weren’t playing tabletop Dungeons & Dragons games. Long forgotten titles like Bards Tale, Wizard’s Crown, and the entire Phantasie series was played with reckless abandon like you might play Space Marine today. I knew it could do other “stuff”, but it wasn’t till I got into junior high school and some crazy math homework that talents were needed elsewhere…

I was one of those kids who hated to do homework because it was a waste of time- school was for learning, and if the teacher did their job right, why did I need to learn at home? Time wasted when I could have been playing computer games or building model rockets. We can understand the “logic” of a 13 year old kid.

Anyway, I wasn’t allowed to play any video games per parental orders till my homework is done, and even now as a grown man-child I’ve never admitted this to my parents- I programmed my computer to do my math homework, entering the problem ,and having it spit out the answer and the solve/proof which I just then copied down. Do the homework in ten minutes, hang out in my room for an hour or so and then come out and play…

Later on in college when I decided not to pursue entering the Society of Jesus, and had to suddenly find a major and figure out a “career” (a ridiculous expectation of a college kid at the time) I figured I'd study computer science since I had a lot of fun using and programming my old computer.

Of course I had a new computer at the time, and I even added my own CD-ROM and sound card to play this crazy new game called DOOM, but in the back of my room was my old computer.

Lots of fun memories, what if something on it broke, or the power supply burned out? This lead me to scouring thrift stores for parts, and eventually finding and buying other computers from the late 1970’s to early 1980’s. Over time my collection grew, and I even managed to acquire an old Sperry mainframe complete with a reel to reel tape drive which is currently in storage- I’m not sure if the floors of my house could hold it all up, and even Mrs. Fritz has her limits on what she tolerates.

Over the years this stuff has been harder and harder to find, surprisingly not because it has any real monetary value, but rather because it really doesn’t have any value other then nostalgia or a tech priest like curiosity. What used to be saved or boxed in a garage or attic has mostly been thrown out, shame that it is.

So, long and short, that’s about 1/3rd of my collection in the background, mostly the smaller stuff I can fit on a shelf- can any of you old timers identify some of them off the bat?

Getting Smashed By And Smashing Friends

2012-01-03T01:30:00.000-08:00

Many of the emails I get from time to time involve the question- my friend and his army X beat me all the time, help me win- or something like that. My first adventures into 40K were with two friends and that was the entire gaming group- hanging out and playing in the basement or even backyard. If you play in a small group it can be frustrating to lose to the same guy again, and again, and again.

So let’s look at how to put a stop to this, reboot the system so to speak, and give you a fair shot at winning.

First up is the psychological edge- facing loss after loss each week, you have to get pumped and psyched- you can beat your buddy! Let go of the past losses, and approach the game from a fresh perspective. Easier said than done, but this is THE critical first step.

Next is to take a step back and analyze the psychology of the army and how your friend plays it. For the sake of this post and illustration I’ll be talking about my good friend Brother Captain James since many of you know his exploits on the blog, he is a good friend who I routinely face, and in facing both win and lose against.

Chances are that if you are playing in a small gaming group or club your friends army has grown to match their personality, as opposed to a tournament army. They probably started out with what models they could cheaply get new or used to dive into the game, and over time, built a list and collected models to suit their style of gameplay. In essence their army reflects their personality in real life. True, true. Look at my Saim-Hann Eldar and Harlequin Eldar armies, they say a lot about me- heck even when I roll with powered armor, my assault heavy marine armies are quite telling.

Anyway…

Look at what makes the army tick, and what your friend has invested in their army. Roll the tape for Brother Captain James…and James baby, fill me in if I am wrong.

The core of James army is Shrike attached to a huge group of terminators which he infiltrates as close as he can get to your deployment. Sometimes Shrike breaks off for a first turn assault, other times he doesn’t. While James is ramming these terminators down your throat his multiple land speeders are firing off missiles backed by razorbacks. By the time the smoke clears and his terminators are dead, and most of your army, his tactical squads come in and take objectives.

Now when seeing those terminators right across from you, your first instinct is to stop them, but can you? Is your army able to stop them (read kill) and still have something left. I can sometimes do it with my harlequins but not with my other armies- recently my Grey Knights just got swamped and over run.

This entire unit is built so you can’t stop it without equal or greater force, which most armies just don’t have unless you go out of your way to build it. So then maybe you run away? The huge units size- ten termies + Shrike + another IC depending on the points + infiltrate makes this very hard.

If you can’t kill it, then neutralize it’s effect. Examine said unit and ask yourself what else can you do besides killing it/

Can you tarpit it? Meaning, can you bog it down in the assault, tie it up for a few turns so it is stuck and frozen place on the table? Do you have something like this in your army?

If you are playing Tyranids, specifically a few tervigons, then yes- spawn those poisoned furious charge gaunt and swamp them- keeping them in synapse so you are fearless. You need a good supply of cheap and fearless units to do this.

On the other hand, if you don’t have the supply of expendable troops, say like playing Eldar, then a delaying action is more appropriate. Send up that skimmer with holo-fields and block off their movement- needing sixes to hit. Of course you are firing a few shots to take out a few termies, etc.

That unit your friend is using to clobber you with, find another way to make it ineffective in the game.

Look at the other parts in your opponent’s list and how they work- and from there ask yourself the systematic questions of how you are going to dismantle them.

In terms of the land speeders in our example, can I get them clustered up in terrain by taking the “worst” side of the board with less terrain, so when they are clumped up to get cover saves I can drop an ordinance shot on them? Do I have outflankers that can enter from the sides and attack the backs where they hang out. Can I keep night fight up for a few turns so they have to close to mid field to bypass night fight, but then expose themselves to my volume of S5/6 shots?

That is how you are going to beat your friend, by going against what you do each week, and methodically taking apart their army unit chunk by unit chunk.

Let's Paint AOBR

2012-01-02T01:30:00.000-08:00

Building and painting the starter sets for some club events and low key non competitive fun, and AOBR is next up! Must stay focused and not jump around!

I’ve painted a lot of miniatures over the years, and I don’t consider myself a “painter” at all- I don’t buy models to just paint and collect (nothing wrong with this at all), but only to push around and play with. That said, I’ve never painted Ultramarines before or orks for that matter. Goblins in fantasy, but that doesn’t count.

The plan? Same as IOB- get them done and out the door to a tabletop quality that I can expand on in the future, but at the same time not cry over as they chip and break for some really heavy plan and abuse.

Orks first!

Boots and pants, silver “armor”, guns, choppas, and then green skin, followed by a heavy wash of mud and some black highlights. First batch or ten boyz was kind of fun, nobz were ok, last batch of ten was torture for some reason. You crazy ork players out there, how do you do it? Everytime I painted a batch of them all I could hear was the English hooligan ork voices from Space Marine- “Spahz Mahrinez!”

Marines were, well, marines, which if you have any time in the hobby, even as a xeno player you have painted marines at some point, I cut through these guys like nothing!

Usual just black bases so I don’t have to worry about flock falling off, etc.

Time from start to finish after priming- a little over six hours.

I'm on fire!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T01:30:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Guys & Gals! Here is to another great year of war gaming, rolling those dice, and painting those miniatures! This certainly is going to be an action packed year- 40K 6th edition, Eldar (FINALLY), new kits, another big mystery box, Games Day, tournaments, and all that! I've been working on a new project to start rolling out here in 2012 and it is pretty much ready to go- here are some teaser pics- color, equipment, and armor MK's are VERY important. Does the breastplate emblem on the sarge give it away?

I Want My C’Tan!

2011-12-30T01:30:00.000-08:00

Must….resist….C’Tan…

I’ve always been a fan of the C’Tan, who could resist playing a living god on the table. Even now with them bound and subjugated via fluff-nerf the call is strong…

Speaking of themed lists can we build a list using three C’Tan with a theory to make them work on the table?

Lots of problems with this list, and multiple C’Tan in general, but let’s give it a go- besides I’ve got three C’Tan hanging around anyway so it has to happen at some point anyway.

For ‘Crons of almost any list two things are mandatory- scarabs and the Stormlord- especially with the C’Tan. C’Tan are big targets that can’t get hidden so I’m going to need night fight to protect them from psybolt spam dreads and long fang spam in the back for as long as I can. With that I also want a chrono cryptek for stormlord.

I also need my opponent to be on foot so when my C’Tan assault they have something to actually assault- being sort of slow means I can’t waste their time demeching. Stormlord helps a bit with this randomly with the lightning strike, but as always it’s up to scarabs. Since I’m not spawning or farming them I need the full complement of 30 to start with, and even that has me holding my breath a bit.

So this is the buy in before we even get to the C’Tan themselves! Oh, and I should also say it gets even worse since I’m working at 1750 points and not 2000. Can you guess why? Events mid January…

C’Tan are both passive and active, and two can work well- one who is an assault beast- like the old Nightbringer, and one who is a trickster like the Deceiver- with worldscape and redeploy.

But what about the third? Since I can’t double up on powers the final C’Tan is really lackluster- and if you are plinking down 185 points base I want to at least get something out of him. What this means is that the gimped C’Tan is going to be bait for the other- throw him out first and forward to soak up shots for the other two.

And finally my troops…ugh, only points for small warrior groups who won’t be doing much other then objectives.

Tactical overview?

Keep night fight up as long as possible, send the scarabs first wave, gimped C’Tan next, then my two C’Tan backed by warriors who then scatter for objectives.

This is a list you play just because you can, not for any other reason.

Time for your thoughts- forget WAAC, “competitive”, etc…

You HAVE to take three C’Tan- what do you do, why, and how…

GO!

Battle For Skull Pass Painted

2011-12-29T01:30:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I'm a few years and one edition late- but better late then never! BFSK is tabletop, done and ready for the club. Movement trays for them and IOB are from some scrap balsa wood. Of course the model sculpts are better in IOB, which is expected, but overall I think BFSK is a better "set" since you get some minimal terrain in the game- offering it is a complete demo set or club game. Not much of course, but at least you have the goblin camp, grudge pony with the dwarf gold, and the wall. I'm hoping the 6th edition 40K boxed set really combines the best of these two, and ironically the best of the 40K 4th and 5th editon sets- give us some cool models, exclusives to the box, and some starter terrain- truly make it a scenario in a box.

Warhammer 40K Tactics: Traps And Ambushes

2011-12-28T01:30:00.000-08:00

Nothing beats setting up a good old fashioned ambush point and blasting your opponent on the tabletop- so let’s take a look today at the setup on the gaming table. Keep in mind this is just a starting point, and geared towards those of you new to the game…

First place to start of all places is the point level of the game- 1500 points or less is the optimal level for setting up an ambush on the table. Higher point games just throw down to much stuff, and at 2K+ the sea of models makes anything other than just lining up and gunning it possible.

The first ambush is a forced ambush- something your opponent has to walk into at some point. An example of this is putting an objective out in the open knowing that later in the game your opponent will go for it, and when they do, you wipe out that unit.

Let’s work on a basic setup with the forced ambush…

You put that objective outside of area terrain and out in the open- no cover saves to go around. You then park something like a vindicator 20” or so inches away and then, when your opponent goes for the objective, you smash him with the template out in the open.

Simple right? I don’t intend to point out the obvious, but we are building up to something here, so stick with me.

In out example, of course your opponent is going to see the obvious, so you look to harden your vindicator- get it in cover, maybe use a tech marine to fortify the ruins for a 3+ cover save, maybe add the Chronus dude, etc.

Ambushes that the opponent can “see”, only work when you force them to wade into the trap.

The next step is to set an obvious trap to bait out other units- any unit really, that you can gobble up and destroy for free.

Back to our vindicator example…

Objective out in the open, fortified vindicator, and nothing else directly in support. Your opponent sees this, and knows it is a direct trap firing on the objective, but they figure if they can take out the vindicator, then the objective is free for the taking.

Somewhere else on the table is another unit of yours with mobility and range just waiting. Waiting for your opponent to move out with something to take out the vindicator, and when they do, this mobile unit (usually a land speeder if you are playing Space Marines) then moves out and strikes- in this case the vindicator is bait.

This is an indirect ambush- something your opponent doesn’t see coming, and is what we want to work our way up to setting on the table.

So how can we do this?

Most player only see the table in clusters, usually a bubble around their units, figuring out what they can do and how they can react. As you move units closer to your opponent’s, they tend to focus on that unit since it is close- the longer the range, often the less focus.

From the Space Marine perspective, this is why devastators are so good and have a place in 1500 point less games where their firepower can really make a difference. Long range devs- missiles and las cannons can literally travel the length of the table to take out your opponent. In the right circumstances this could be deadly.

Put the devs in a good location depending on terrain, somewhere where they have multiple fire lanes, and send out your bait unit- a tactical squad or scout squad and see what comes into view for you to fire on.

Ready for another layer?

Mobility.

Of course there is a chance your opponent will see those devs up on the hill and try their best to avoid their lane of fire, or fire back on them with their own heavy support.

So what if you had something with mobility and long range fire?

Many players stop their tactical analysis in the shooting phase. As they move, they look at what will be shooting at them from what is currently on the table, often overlooking the fact that models can often move and shoot.

Hide a land speeder behind some terrain, with a good lane of fire, and often out of sight out of mind, send up the bait unit, and if taken, move out with the land speeder and open up. Eldar players- a fire prism can work in a similar role.

The other issue with setting up an ambush is opportunity.

You set the trap, and then wait for your opponent to walk into it- sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t. If your entire army is in ambush mode, then you aren’t moving out to accomplish the mission objective. Switching back and forth with a unit from ambush duty to mission objectives also isn’t efficient since their role are divided with what could present itself.

What I like to do, and recommend at 1500 point games is to assign one unit to ambush duty and one to bait duty. Usually a land speeder or dev unit, and a tactical or scout unit. Their job in the game is to just go fishing and see what they can catch- dedicated over 5-7 turns they will get something, and when the trap is sprung, the rest of the army can push forward with the gained momentum.

Unit Themed List

2011-12-27T01:30:00.000-08:00

I think if we really look at why we all play the game it comes down to the models. Take a hard look at this- it can’t be for the rules- 40K rules are really quite buggy, and don’t lend themselves to anything other than beer and pretzel games no matter how hard we try and fit them into a tournament blueprint.

Something about the army you played captured your attention- be it heroic space marines, arrogant Eldar, or relentless Tyranids. Sometimes you like a mix of units, and other times just one unit inspires you to play the game or build an army.

Of course looks and tabletop appeal are all good, but we want to win a few games here and there at the same time- and that’s what we are going to take a look at in this post. You want the most of X unit on the table first, and then a plan to make it work.

Unit themed list usually reflect on the elite or heavy slots of an army since these units are usually really distinct and have some interesting rules, so the first step it to max out those units so you can enjoy them the most on the table. With your remaining points you fill out troops for scoring, and then units to make your themed units work.

Examples?

Let’s say you like lictors since we have been talking about Tyranids lately on the blog. You like the theory of sneaky assassin bugs- first step is to max out three groups of three. On a side note if you have been thinking about this kind of list pic up three boxes of warriors and use them as the basis for your lictors- saves lots of $$$.

Next question is what does the theme do?

Lictors pop in and place, shoot a bit, benefit from cover saves, and are so-so in the assault. With a themed unit, anything they do out of the ordinary is where you want to start thinking about your tactics.

When the lictors arrive I get to place them where I want, which can be used two way right off the top of my head. Place them behind or to the side of tanks to open them up, or as an invisible wall. Either way you are creating an divider to catch your opponent in the middle. When the lictors arrive on turn two (some will) you want something already crashing into your opponent so they just don’t turn and gun the lictors. Fast moving units like gargoyles work as a wave crashing.

So now we have out lictors in reserve, a huge screen of gargoyles and maybe even a Tyrant behind them rushing forward- add some stealers as a follow up wave, and then maybe a lone tervigon as a troop choice.

Gargs rush and get stuck in, lictors pop in and create more havoc, stealers follow up and finish off the stragglers, while the tervigon just burbs out gaunts to sit on objectives as it also does as a monsterous MC.

Yes, I’m simplifying things here, and we would have to refine our tactics down to deal with all the “what-if” an opponent could bring or try and do, but can you see the thought process on how to make nine lictors work in the game?

I’ve done this with my Harlequin list- how could one not play a wargame were clowns are a legal army unit to play? If 40K 6th edition has it’s way and I can shift the FOC chart that means even MORE clowns, especially with a 40% price reduction in Eldar units- send in the clowns, muaahahaha! Getting off topic…

Examine the abilities of the themed units and magnify what that unit does through other models in your list.

Painted Dreadfleet Pics

2011-12-26T01:30:00.000-08:00

A few more pics of my painted Dreadfleet for the club. I do have to say, rules aside, that there is such a huge difference in a painted vs. unpainted Dreadfleet, which I think has to do with the seascape map. Even a minimally painted/tabletop job like this pops and really looks great on the map, almost 3D like.

My Roman DBA Army

2011-12-25T01:30:00.000-08:00

Having been awarded my laurels and appointed full command of the II Traiana legion, I Fritz Magnvs do swear eternal loyalty to the emperor, and to the majesty that is Rome…

My List Of Tyranid Lists

2011-12-24T01:30:00.000-08:00

So let’s do a quick roundup of the various Tyranid lists that I have run with the current codex, and then you guys add your own lists and thoughts…

Null Deployment

The most common list that I run- a solid core black of units coming right at you to keep you in place, as my other elements outflank and enter via deepstrike pods or placement. The only list where Swarmlord really makes an appearance- he can last quite a bit with guard and a unit of rippers in front for cover saves. The ability to re-roll outflanks is a huge help since the list relies on the randomness of your arrival.

Spore Pods

The most fun to play of all my lists, but the least competitive since a lot of cost is going into pods which bleed kill points, and with everything in reserve who knows what will come in even with the bonus from hive commander. Everything deepstikes or outflanks! Tyrant has wings but no guard so he usually goes down pretty quick, two carnifexes in a pod with dakka and bio-plasma, lictors, stealers, and a pod or two of 20 gaunts just as fodder.

Super Rippers

Needed a use for the Parasite. Take him and three units of jacked sky slashers, 3-4 stealer units, and then regular rippers if you have the points. Was kind of fun to play, but to do it seriously I needed a ton of rippers, which just wasn’t going to happen. What I took away from the list in terms of gameplay was that the Parasite and a large jacked ripper group make a nice stealth deathstar unit- furious charge, poison, and shooty, topped off by the Parasite.

Bigzilla

Up till this point all my Tyranid lists had lots of bugs, and in the tournaments that I played in, my back and arms were paralyzed the next day from leaning over and pushing around so many space buggies. I wanted something with minimal models, yet still fun, and maybe stood a chance of winning.

The first bigzilla list was three tyrannofexes and two hive tyrants with two guard, and then the rest fill out with small stealer groups who only go for objectives and go to ground in terrain. Your five MCs march forward and shoot, shoot, shoot, and then maybe assault and die along the way so stealers can accomplish objectives. Needed to keep in mind that the stealers in this list run as small commando groups and not as shock troops as they are normally run.

Fritzilla

Bigzilla lead to my Fritzilla list- if three tervigons are good, five must be better along with some trygons mixed into the formula. Actually very effective and I did very well with the list, but the ultimate hurdle of it was A- having 150 gaunt models to potentially spawn, B- placing dozens of models down only to pull them off, and replace, etc. gets real tiring after a while. The gaunts were my “ammo” that I launched at my opponent each turn- when all five were spawning turn after turn it was quite the sight to behold on the table, with lots of evil mad scientist laughter around!

H-Gaunt Horde

A twist on the null deployment list we discussed a few days back- three groups of y-stealers backed by lots of jacked h-gaunts…

Ok, time for your lists…

Eldar Seer Council #'s

2011-12-23T01:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Fritz,

I would like to thank you for the information on your blog and youtube. I started playing a year ago at the Dragons Den. I know Big Ed and little Ed Miller. I have purchased your Eldar pdf and love all the information you have in it. I am presently waiting for my Eldar army to be finished. I would like to ask you a question. Why is the size of your seer council 5 warlocks. Many lists have 8 to 10 warlocks. I have a friend who plays a autarch, and 8 warlocks with the farseer on jetbikes.Do you feel that these two lists cost to many points, etc. ?

Thanks,

Edward Coviello

Ed, thanks for emailing, and I’m glad my vids and stuff have helped.

How I arrived at the five warlocks in my seer council was really just a product of the times. Playing Saim-Hann, with an eye for fluff means vypers and jetbikes, which even when the Eldar codex came out were over priced compared to some of the other core units.

Games back then were also 1750 points max, no 2K+ which is the new normal, so I had to find that balance in my list- how many of each unit to both be effective as I take losses, yet not be overly saturated that it isn’t an efficient use of points.

While I’d like to say I have some sort of formula to use, it was more trial and error. Five warlocks plus the farseer was enough to spam destructor with doom, and still take 2-3 losses and be able to do something.

So if you are whipping up a seer council for your Eldar- which I would say is still very powerful in the game all these years later, what is the points you are playing at for most games, and what other units are in your list. If you aren’t jetbike heavy, and have some points to spare, bump it up to 8- although I still think ten is a bit overkill, but is very scary!

Autarch is another good combo for the reserve bonus so you can effectively reserve your list, provides some extra wargear options and more wounds to not put on the warlocks. Personally I’d lean towards another farseer- Eldrad at this point is what I usually go with.

I break my army into two groups- the seer council and jetbikes moving ahead- farseer casting fortune, doom, etc. As Eldrad hangs back and throws double guide on my vyper groups. Eldar can still throw out lots of shots, but more than every they really need to hit, so guide is a huge help- especially on vyper gunboats, etc.

Hope that helps with some insights into my though process.

-Fritz

Painted Models & A New Space Marine List

2011-12-22T01:30:00.000-08:00

Battle for Skull Pass…Done. Painting night goblins was easy since 90% of them are already done if you prime them black. Dwarves took a bit longer and kind of pissed me off. I did the clothing a darker shade of leather, which when combined with the leather gloves just didn’t look right. I didn’t mean it this way, but it looked like I was taking a shortcut on them- so I had to go back over and do them with blue clothing like on the box, better, but that was an extra hour. Scenery bitz in the box were a nice touch also, I hope GW puts in some scenery in the upcoming 40K 6th edition set.

Dreadfleet was next, and after laying it all out, I was kind of hesitant- I’ve never painted any ships before, so no frame of reference. The models have already seen very heavy play at the club unpainted and I’m already down one of the flags on the mast, so these guys are going to be flash tabletop quality also…

Overall, they were quick and fun to paint, did them in one night, although the terrain was just drybrushed fortress grey and highlighted with some white. Done and done. Of course I ran out of wash and my black ink was low, so the BFSP and DF models are waiting till I can pick up some more tonight on my way home, then they will get inked, washed, and in the cast of the ships sealed and then off to the club.

Onto Space Marines…

So since I’ve been on a painting spree I’ve got some Space Marines I should do something with. Nothing cohesive, some Dark Angels, AOBR marines, some Hawk Lords that were Emperor’s Children, a Space Wolf or two, probably enough for 1500 points or so. What to do with them?

This could be a chance to do something fun as I don’t need another full Space Marine force. Something I can use for smaller games, kill teams, demos, and a travel army for events. Let’s cap it at 1000 points so it can play with everybody, work as a doubles tournament army, and break apart for smaller games. Let’s take a walk though my thought process and what/why I selected what I did.

First question is which codex to use? Let’s go with the generic codex since it’s points are pretty even and all of my models are just generic marines- no blood priests, wolf guard, etc.

At 1000 points or less this means lots of room to maneuver on the table and tactics, hiding, outflanking, etc.- actual tactics other than just lining up and rolling dice. Need to keep this in mind in building the list.

Two full tactical squads is the first place to start- giving me two solid scoring units or four if I combat squad down. Seargent has a power fist, yes pricey, but with a small model count every engagement HAS to be decisive- get attacked by a dread I don’t want to be tied up, go hand to hand, I need an almost guaranteed kill, etc.

Assault weapon choice? Flamers are way short ranged, so it is either melta or plasma. At 1K I’m going with the plasma for two reasons. What are two short ranged melta guns going to do against a land raider or AV 14 vehicle? Going to have to get way close and even if it goes BOOM the guys inside will be mixing it up with me. I don’t have the points for a suicide melta squad. Plasma on the other hand, taking the chance for the overheat allows me to engage multiple targets- light to medium vehicles, power armored targets, monstrous creatures, etc. PLUS, I need to keep 6th edition in mind for the army and the huge boost rapid fire weapons are going to be getting.

Ok, onto the heavy support weapon…

As tactical marines these guys are going to be on the move, using a layered approach on the table- which well get to a bit later, and I’m going to get my heavy support for the heavy slot. Let’s go with two heavy bolters since they are cheap, and will support the anti-infantry role of the tactical squads, giving them with the plasma and bolters a nice rate of anti-infantry fire.

Next question is what about transports? Are they needed? The mobility would be nice, but in smaller point games I tend to shy away from things that can be taken out in a single lucky shot, and then we also know vehicles will be taking a minor adjustment, possible a +1 to the damage chart if they get hit with a “heavy” weapon, so for this list they are out. I also have another vision for the army- the theme, which has to do with a club event starting up next month.

But we do need a way to engage vehicles at range, so let’s put in a squad of devastators. 100% true they are overpriced in the generic marine codex, but the range they offer and +1 to hit is nice. Plus they can shoot every turn, and can’t be taken out in a single shot.

We want these guys to be really long range to lessen the chance of getting shot, or I should say shot by anything other than other long range shots so that means either missile launchers or las cannons- multi-meltas are out and heavy bolters is not dedicated anti-tank. Let’s take three las cannons and a missile launcher since I have to watch the points. This gives a template if needed with three in theory auto-kills, and the +1 BS reduces the scatter even more. Range means they can hang back.

Points are starting to climb…

No we need a reactive unit and it has to be hard hitting, something to ram down the opponent’s throat and assault terminators are at the top of the list, maybe a venerable dread as a second, but I think the termies will buy me a bit more. Storm bolter/power fist would give me versatility and some more dakka shots, but a 5+ invul save, and the coming change to cover (nerf), means I really want that 3+ storm shield save, so it is TH/SS assault marines.

These guys have a lot of uses in 1K or less- march them up with the tactical so they take the fire. Deepstrike them in as a form of harassment, hang back as a speed bump/guard for the devs- plus as Space Marines how can you not play terminators.

So now with two full tactical units, a terminator group, and a heavy support we need to top this cake off with an HQ choice…

In smaller point games HQ’s can have a huge impact, and they should, as opposed to 2K+ games where the HQ is really just filler, the least amount of points so you can get more spam on the table. My first choice is a chapter master for the orbital bombardment, since a chance to really kill a unit, when my opponent will only have 4-5 of them is worth the odds of scattering, but is he the best choice?

Libby was second up, but in the generic marine codex the powers are so/so…

What about something a bit better, with a hidden bonus?

Drum roll….the winner is Cato Sicarius, yes the dude that nobody ever plays and 90% of the community has no idea who he is- but read up on what he can bring, and at higher point games it is meh, but lower point it has some real merits.

Tactical squads are going to be the bread and butter of the list- the workhorse so being able to hand out a USR on one, infiltrate one, etc. is good. Being able to seize the first turn twice another nice bonus. Then there is the model itself- instant death relic like weapon, plasma pistol, 2+ armor save with FNP means he can extend the reach and staying power of that tactical squad- taking the first bolter round, adding a punch to close combat, etc.

And with the devastators in tow, you make sure they have less of a chance of them breaking and running at losses since you can use Sicarius’ LD value.

That brings me to 1000 points on the dot.

Building smaller lists is a challenge since you don’t have enough points to spam, and really have to make actual choices in the FOC, plus with less models on the table tactical are important.

Final question is how to paint them…

Well, one of the events I’m running at the start of January is a pre-heresy campaign over four weeks. Each participant will be playing a bunch of missions with their pre-heresy Space Marine army 500-1000 points + Kill Teams as they compete for the honor of their primarchs and Horus subjugating xeno filth in the great crusade- the legion with the most “honor” at the end of the campaign get’s a crown of laurel from Horus himself.

Imagine that honor.

I’m painting my dudes pre-heresy Death Guard since I have a post heresy Death Guard army- and if I build the 1K out to 2K, when the new Chaos book comes out the pre-heresy option is also available- again thinking ahead to 6th edition.

So that is a little taste of what is coming on the blog, along with some more Space Marine hobby stuff- and of course anybody is welcome to play in the campaign.

Gaming @ Da Club

2011-12-21T01:30:00.000-08:00

This week at the club the tables were full of Tyranids and Necrons, battling Space Marines on all fronts- for the first time in a long time xenos outnumbered Imperium and not a single guard army in sight.

Back in command of the purple space bugs Brother Captain James has been adding to the army with another tervigon built and one more in the works. Preparation for the force org switch in 6th edition? Imagine 6 or 7 tervigons on the table…

James’ custom built tervigon (yes he is lowered a bit for increased cover saves), and his chapter house studio kit- which I have to say is really nice and well put together- worth the hassle of not scratch building one.

On the table James faced a heavy gunline Space Marine build, with rifleman dreads and missile devs taking a fearsome toll on his genestealers- wiping them out before they could really hit, but he did manage to deliver his trygons into the mix- which is pretty much how Tyranids win- you win by losing guys to make contact with your opponent.

Honestly guys, I don’t know who set up the table with this perfect perch spot for the devs…

‘Lil Will has been working on his Necron army with some converted warriors using them as carbine immortals. Interesting to see a non-metallic paint theme on them, I chickened out on my new Necrons, going with metal- but at least it is “tin” and not silver!

Bishop & Bobby battled it out with Necrons and Ultramarines…

Warhammer Fantasy Battle Report: Arcane Shrine

2011-12-20T07:41:00.000-08:00

Pressed up against the broken and ruined walls the filthy rat man known as Skaven hungrily eyed the prize just ahead of them- an arcane shine of awesome power dedicated to gods long past…

Fueled by warpstone magics the shrine could be used to create more twisted creatures for the clan, rat-ogres, filth-vermin, or even a screaming bell!

The only little problem for the Skaven was the fact that the shrine was currently guarded by a regiment of high elves…

This week’s battle report has myself and Naps taking up the banner of Skaven and High Elves to claim the arcane power of a mystical shrine. The scenario will be played over six turns, with the winner having an unbroken unit occupying the shrine at the end of the game. With the stage set, let’s talk tactics…

Fritz: Skaven- I’ve got the horde, backed by some wacky warpstone powered war machines, and a pack of rat ogres. I’ve also got the numbers, but my horde is cheap and easily broken. Tactically I plan to advance mid field with my regiments and wait as long as I can before pushing to take the shrine. My war machines will be busy trying to weaken the elven infantry and hopefully the rat-ogres can be unleashed on the griffon.

Naps: High Elves- Outnumbered by Skaven, the plan is to charge in with my prince on a griffon and scatter the horde followed up by my infantry regiments, while the cavalry attack from the sides! Scatter the Skaven first, then take the objective!

Advance my rat-man, advance! Fire that poison wind glob throw- a direct smashing hit on the cavalry! Huzzah!

Elven arrows let loose, the prince on the griffon swoops in crashing into my middle ranks, heroes battle it out, but I lose combat, fail LD and my unit with my commander gets cut down. Snickrat, my number 2 is now in command…

Time to put some distance between me and the griffon as the clanrats move to engage the greatsword elves, knowing that I don’t really have the numbers to take them on, as I divert my warp fire throw to harass the griffon- hopefully having Naps chose between him, the flamer rats or the clanrats- he can’t be everywhere! One last parting shot with the globe thrower impacts the elvens sword group wiping them out to the last elf, with both of us shaking our heads and asking- really? Well, wow!

Skaven weapon teams put of a fight and a few wounds, and then just die, as the remaining clan rats charge in as the ogres swing around- a tense round of combat but the clanrats loose, break, and run- eating hails of arrows from the elven archer/spearmen behind the wall who have been annoying me all game.

Final battle between the griffon and the rat-ogres, flesh rending flesh, but the creations of Clan Moulder fail, with the Skaven fully routing as the elves secure the mystical shrine from the machinations of the rat men!

After battle report:

For the Skaven the war machines were the highlight of the game- two direct hits with the globe thrower, no misfires, nothing- wiping out one unit, which would have charged and killed me, and taking the other out of function. Rat-ogres could have taken the griffon, but the dice are the dice…

My mistake?

I think my loss came down to my misuse of the war-fire thrower. I intended to advance it along with my second clanrat group, and you can see that in deployment- getting it up front, crisping some elves so when the rats charge my lack of quality troops could overcome the quantity of the elves.

Using it to hand back and distract the griffon didn’t make a difference, other than throwing on two wounds before dying. If I had broken those elves behind the wall with it, then in theory I could have thrown the rat-ogres and the clanrats on the griffon definitely taking it out.

What do you guys think?

How would you have played it out?

Magnetic Bases: Part II

2011-12-20T01:30:00.000-08:00

Sometime you come up with a good idea and pat yourself on the back…

Other time somebody comes up with the same idea, only better, and you are left wondering- heck, why didn’t I think of that?

With my Saim-Hann Eldar I’ve magnetized all my flight stands, which then carried over to my Necron Destroyers with a construction toy called Magz. Basically it is a magnetic stick, which you build into a puzzle held together by a bunch of magnetic balls. Here is the pic below of the toy so you can get the an idea if it doesn’t make any sense…

I took one of the sticks, painted it black, glued it to the base of the flight stand, and then tapped a flat headed screw into the jetbike/vyper, and I’m good to go. Pics of that below- look where the stick joins the model.

Lots of guys have done this since at the club for their speeders, and Dark Eldar, and then I saw this on some image search to a defunct blog so sorry no credit…

WOW! You know what- what if I cut out a bit of a hole in the bottom of my model and mounted the metal ball as a pivot join to turn the model on like in this pic. I could then have my jetbikes positioned to make it look like they are banking into a turn, or climbing to gain speed- visually even better on the table.

Another idea to file away, I’m not going back and retrofitting anything, but I’m sure with a new Eldar codex there will be some flight based models where this will work very well.

40K Tentacle Maker?

2011-12-19T13:32:00.000-08:00

One of the great things about the blog-o-sphere is the spotlight and showcase of real creativity- especially on the hobby and modeling front. Every now and then even I am surprised, you see something that is so simple, yet so amazing…like…a tentacle maker for 40K.

Chaos Legions is right around the corner, so that means lots of spikes, horns, and well tentacles- every try to make some? My skills with greens tuff are real weak…

And for those of you with a mechanicus fetish out there think hoses and pipes, scenery, bases…

http://www.greenstuffindustries.blogspot.com/

Necron Flayed Ones Tactics

2011-12-19T01:30:00.000-08:00

Did we already talk about flayed ones? I can’t remember, but even if we did let’s throw it out there again…

So what is the deal with flayed ones?

Of course GW nerfs all the current models to sell new models, every codex but marines does this to xeno players, just something you have to expect, so I expected flayed ones to kind of stay the same, but to get worse? Huh?!?

Just like you I was excited about the rumors of power weapons, rending, and all that, and what did we get. Something that is supposed to be an assault unit, but has no power weapons, shooting (even if it is pistols) and strikes last- on top of a 4+ armor save. Uh, what happened to terrifying visage?

Now if I could take some overlord that is the blind king or something and make them troops, then at least we could do a themed army of all flayed ones- but no.

So you are left with an elites choice that is outclassed by every other unit entry in the codex, added to the curious fact that GW even went thought the motions of designing new models, yet making a unit entry that won’t sell?

First glance is auto-suck, but let’s delve a bit deeper for a moment focusing on cost, FO slot, and their one ability.

“Competitive” ‘Crons means your troops and fast are maxed out so you can’t draw on them. Heavy is probable some tomb spyders or flyers, and elites is C’Tan and soon to be deathmarks once 6th rolls around. Flayed ones take up an elite, which usually doesn’t compete so they have that going for them.

Second is the cost for five and what it brings to the table- five guys that are a joke and can outflank- this is where they have a use, and I’ve got a group of five in my list for just that reason. Outflank as a distraction, to contest objectives, and generally be a minor annoyance. Come on, in a 2000+ point game you can’t find 65 points? They are kind of the “scout squad” of Necrons.

Sure they can be wiped out in a round of shooting by just about anything, but who is going to really bother shooting at them- and in this case it isn’t even a point of the usual if you are shooting at them, then you are not shooting at the rest of my army. Flayed ones aren’t worth the time to take them off the board- so how can you use them to that advantage?

Maybe in 6th when we get a reactive deepstrike, who knows beyond that…

So, convince me RE flayed ones- good, bad, no use, or even half a use for the 65 points?

Let’s Paint And Play Island Of Blood

2011-12-18T01:30:00.000-08:00

I’m willing to bet many of you reading this article have purchased the Island of Blood or Assault on Black Reach depending on your preferred addiction.

Why did you buy it?

Probably for something other than an intended introduction to the game. You either wanted the models to jump start a an army or the rulebook to take with you to tournaments, etc. That was my initial purchase.

But what about the game itself?

Did you ever consider playing it as intended, or with the knowledge of wargaming that you have?

While these sets are marketed as an intro to the game for complete rookie players, in the hands of a creative vet they really shine.

So, dig out that copy from the back of your closet and let’s get it on the table!

Both IOB and AOBR sets offer a nice range of models to play, incorporating most of the standard and “cool” units of the game- vehicles, artillery, basic troops, etc. so the forces are a bit more dynamic then a standard small point army using a force org chart of core rules.

Being a small starting set the added bonus is you can play five or six fast paced games in a single 2000+ plus game. Think of them as an introduction to an opposite gaming system, or a welcomed fast and fun break from your regular competitive diet.

Let’s talk about painting for a moment before turning to balance and mission…

My goal here is to create a gaming experience that is going to get some heavy use. We are going to play a ton of games with both vets and newbies so I expect lots of miniature friction and drops, so I’m going for a functional tabletop quality with room to grow later if I have the time.

Is there ever an excuse to play with unpainted model?

Even less of an excuse with such a small force- which really stands out more than every if it us unpainted since there is less to focus on. On the other hand a small force, with a nice gaming mat, and painted terrain actually looks really nice to play with.

For the project, and those to follow my goal is to speed paint the units as fast and efficient as possible. I started at the club on Monday night for three hours (with Brother Captain James helping with a few elven cavalry) and finished up Tuesday afternoon for a total of nine hours from primed to painted.

The painting method I use is the pass method- line up all the guys and your colors and do one at a time down the line- by the time you get to the end the first model is dry and you start over with the next color, rinse and repeat.

Painting this way looks overwhelming at first since you are staring at such a huge batch of models, and after the first pass when only one thing is done you are ready to quit, but continue on, and after a few passes things will really shape up.

Skaven first…

For the Skaven I wanted them to be a dirty horde or rats, just like, well, just like they are. Prime black, and then go through and pick out the red cloaks, wood poles and shields, arms and armor, and then the fur- which I decided to go with grey on most of the models, followed by a few brown, and even black models to break up the ranks.

Final step is to literally wash these guys with a wash of Devlan Mud which in this case is your best friend! Literally everything looks better with a wash!

The wash blends and tatters down the red cloaks, rusts the armor and weapons, ages the wood, and overall blends all the colors nicely.

Tabletop done, ready to play, and time permitting in the future I can dry brush some of the fur, pick out the eyes and teeth, etc.

Elves next…

Just the opposite for these guys- light ethereal, and lots of shiny bling! White primer instead of black since most of it will be a blue wash, followed by silver and a gold wash. Elves don’t like to be dirty!

Same thing down the line, done and done.

Bases for the entire set I’m leaving just black since the minis won’t be in a case and I expect lots of handling- no sand or grass to replace or wear off, but again, options for later If I want to go back.

So what other paint and play projects are left now that I have some time waiting for Chaos & Eldar to drop?

Assault on Black Reach is next…

Then Battle for Skull Pass…

Dreadfleet + Space Hulk…

Lord of the Rings...

And then my DBA armies!

Improving Tournament Play

2011-12-17T01:30:00.000-08:00

Email in:

Hey Fritz,

I just have a general tournament question for you. I am trying to move

from the Beer & Pretzels scene into the 40k tournament scene within

the next few months and I have been doing a lot of research. Now let

me further preface this with the fact that I used to do tournaments

and such, but this was late 2nd edition and early 3rd edition, when

the tournament scene was really small compared to today. So, in other

words... this animal has changed, or should I say evolved.

Now, we both know there is a great disparity with the "validity" of

certain builds and even some codexs on the tournament level (or at

least from the data online, since I have yet to attend a major

tourney). Here is my question to you, as a veteran tournament gamer,

why don't the tournament organizers set more stringent guidelines and

limits on lists? For further clarification let's refer to Magic: The

Gathering.

In M:TG there are certain formats, which will restrict the amount of

certain cards, or even the availability to these cards at all. Now,

these limits serve a few purposes, primary a financial one, as type 2

is almost always the most current sets, but also... more

importantly... they level the playing field. I think you are an

experienced enough gamer to take this example further. Do you think

this same system could be used to level 40k? Bringing up the poor

codexs, and limiting the number of the Ron Popeil Army lists (set it,

and forget it).

Another example... I notice that a lot of the Warhammer Fantasy

tournaments have strict guidelines on which units can be brought, in

which amounts, or which combination of magic items used, etc...

well... why not 40k?

It just seems like the game is so primed and ready for serious

tournament play, but because of the codex creep and really a system

not built to be completely tournament ready, 40k just lacks. Perhaps

6th will change all of this. Perhaps not.

I guess if we, as 40k wargamers, are so into Tournaments, why are they

organized so differently than games which have been in heavy

tournament play for many many years?

Thanks for reading the e-mail and I look forward to your input.

Joseph

Reply Out:

Joseph, thanks for emailing.

Tournament play is a VERY hot topic depending on what angle you approach it as a gamer.

Let’s look at competitive tournament play which is what I think your email is addressing and asking about.

Competitive tournament play is all about pitting the skill of one player against another, while removing as many randomized chances as possible. If we are talking pure skill vs. pure skill then random is a real handicap- I can be kicking your butt with my skillz, but then the dice go cold, or some wonky rule tips the scale of balance, etc.

As a result you see these vents capping in at 2000+ points so your list can handle all the threats that your opponent can throw at you- you won’t get caught flat footed against a gimmick list- so at 2K points you get to have all your bubble wrap/expendable units, assault units, max troop choices, shooty units, vehicles, blah, blah, blah. You have all the tools you need to deal with all the threats you need so it is skill vs. skill.

These events also seek to limit randomness by making both sides of the table the same for terrain, set round and time limits (in theory), and a large number of games over the event to get a true player pool.

This type of event also assumes no codex or army bias on the part of Games Workshop- which is another hot button depending on who you ask IMHOP. Let’s dismiss the Space Marine conspiracy for a moment and just look at edition vs. codex.

We are currently in 5th edition and the codexes written during this game cycle work best with the rules- cheap scoring units and cheap vehicles since the first is needed to win games, and the second is good due to the awesomeness of the vehicle damage chart.

Books written pre-5th like CSM, Eldar, Tau, etc. are at a disadvantage right away since they essentially use a different set of rules.

All this imbalance, and the fact that there are so many ways to build a list (competitive spam vs. random or favorite units, etc.) means an unbalanced tournament system if everybody just shows up with what they want to play.

First glance might be for the tournament organizer to limit certain units, builds, etc., essentially comp, but this is doomed to fail for the simple reason the game (40K) is just way flawed to do this effectively, so essentially it comes down to the opinion of the TO- which will just piss dudes off with nerd rage when they can’t play X unit or take some HQ choice.

Another hurdle is that since there is no standardization beyond what GW puts out in a slow and poor manner (from the tournament perspective, and not the hobby perspective) players would be really reluctant to go with any house rules, etc.

Let’s talk Necrons- right now they are “OK”- certainly not Ward approved GK OP, but much better than before…

A few months back if you played them in a tournament all your opponent had to do was go for phase out for every mission and win. Let’s say a big tournament or group of tournaments decides to just house rule and declare no phase out for their tournaments- well as a Necron player a few months back this would have a huge impact on my list as I don’t have to worry about putting down useless warriors to get around phase out…so I build my army, paint, convert, and I’m set for that tourney, and maybe I do well, but then if I play in any other tourneys that use the regular rules, essentially my army is going to be really handicapped.

Essentially we are stuck with the stuff that GW writes as “official” and that is that.

Part of the problem is also the gaming community at this point and time, and I’m a bit guilty of it also, but fortunately things are about the change…

Everything about 40K 5th edition has been “unlocked”- we know which books are best, what army lists are best, what tactics will and won’t work in the competitive 2K+ tournament scene…so essentially it comes down to Grey Knights vs. Grey Knights on the top tables playing the same mono-builds- there is nothing “new” under the sun.

But once 6th edition rolls around, the tournament spam, WAAC units, etc. will all be reset- everybody will be racing to figure out how the rules will be exploited, what army build templates are top tier, etc. We will all be back on equal footing…for a time anyway.

The biggest problem I see is the fact that all tournaments are lumped into one heading: Tournaments.

I think as a community we need to host three types of events for everybody in the gaming community- WAAC competitive tournament events where it is skill vs. skill, hobby tournaments with an element of randomness for normal player looking for a tournament experience, and hobby tournaments for the casual games looking for a way to branch out in their gaming experiences. Some groups and events do this, other don’t- but as long as tournaments are advertised for what they are there shouldn’t be a problem knowing what you signed up for.

-Fritz

White Dwarf Armchair General

2011-12-15T01:30:00.001-08:00

Guys, you know Fritz has always been honest with you right? So, do I actually have to admit I like reading White Dwarf? Essentially it is wargamer porn- stuff you want to get your grubby little hands on…but probably never will…

Anyway…

Besides the eye candy I enjoy the battle reports for both 40K and Fantasy as I think they can give us some mental insights into some “what-if” scenarios in the game beyond the standard missions.

Great stuff for random tournament play or oddball missions at the club.

So let’s look at the Fantasy scenario from last month, which was also a hit for me since it had a Dreadfleet scenario pack in, and now that my ships are painted- anyway.

So we have the Dwarves holding a castle against the Skaven. Mission is essentially capture and control with four points on the wall, and some special rules for attacking and defending various sections.

The dwarves are the defenders begin dug in at key points- a position they won’t want to leave, while the Skaven have the task of digging them out, and then taking the points.

When you read a WD battle report you kind of have to take a step back and ask yourself what do we really know about the dudes that are playing the featured armies? Do they even have a command of the game, are they competitive players or fluff players. Have they been told to really duke it out, or has some suit told them to make the battle “fun” to sell models.

Sometimes you just don’t really know what they were thinking when you read one of these- like when Tyranids came out for 5th edition 40K- all redone with new units, unheard of powers (at the time) like DOM and the Tervigon, and then they get totally crushed in the WD battle report by the very dude who wrote the codex! A herald for the Tyranids of what was to come?

Reading the battle report what would you have done?

So we are the Skaven attacking the castle…

I’d want to line up across the front of the castle and advance as a group much like in the battle report- encourage the defenders to stay put, hold and shoot- put that overwhelming visual pressure on the table so they don’t start adjusting positions in the castle or moving to reinforce key points as needed.

Now of course we are going to attack one point in the castle, break through and take three of the four objectives- usual seize ground stuff, but not all at once. We’d want to create a break point in the castle to cut off the opponent from shifting any models down.

Take a look at point “D” in the picture- a bunch of Rat-Ogres are attacking some Dwarven Slayers- and? Of course the RO’s get trounced. What if the RO’s advanced to the Slayers to look like they were going to meet the battle head on, and then switched over to join the plague rats in the tower hitting the center of the castle. Both units could overwhelm that point, it would take the ‘Slayers a bit to get to the center, and then the plague rats and RO’s could just delay as the rest of the Skaven attack on the left, as they are going, and then push to take the three objectives…

Sure, lot’s of “what if’s” and we aren’t even talking about rolling the dice and other wacky stuff, but visuals like this can be a great starting point for ideas.

What about the Dwarves, what could they do?

Do you want the enemy at your gates, or is it better to meet them head on mid field in a sacrificing action? I’d rather have the “extra time” since Warhammer games only go a set number of turns. Attack the Skaven right out of the gate with an expendable unit or two- suicide them, buy you an extra turn or two before they hit the gates.

Play with luck and chance targeting and taking out a key attacking unit, or just go for the visual carnage and target some lesser units? If the Dwarves had a flyer, maybe zip over the advancing Skaven an attack the back ranks?

Ideas that are interesting to think about, and hey you never know…even in the far future where there is only war in the grim darkness…my Saim-Hann have been tasked with defending a castle from Chaos on more than one occasion…

Conflcit GT- You In?

2011-12-14T01:30:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year again, and the Conflict GT is almost here- time to make those plans with the gaming club or the Ms. to clear the weekend and attend. Once again held in the Palisades Mall (an excellent place), the Conflict GT is expanding with an offering of Friday night doubles events, in addition to the main 40K and fantasy events on Saturday. This is one of the yearly “must play in” events in the NE USA.

For me, the past two years have been an Eldar dominated event with my Saim-Hann taking 4th place in 2010, and my Harlequins finishing 34th in 2011…no that isn’t a typo- 34- I really dropped the ball big time and screwed up, not as bad as one particular tournament where I brought my old Necrons, but definitely up there in some major crushing Fritz defeat moments…but you know what- I still had a blast at the event even with the losses- that is how well it was run and the awesomeness of the guys playing in it.

This year it is going to be Necrons….HELL YEA! I’m locked and ready to go, a few more minor tweaks (with posts coming up over the next few weeks) and this will be the first full event that I’m throwing my ‘crons down at. I should also say, this is an entirely “new” Necron army- not just my old codex army updated or a few units thrown in- it is built from the ground up with the stuff I like and the tricks I want to pull off…at least in theory, we’ll see how it goes.

And then there is the Friday night doubles event, and something that has been a long time coming, a reunion of sorts, Fritz & Jawaballs back on the table, fighting side by side, or should I say the Blood Angels dying in droves so the fickle Eldar can swoop in an take the mission objectives. What does it matter how many mon-kei die so as to not spill a drop of Eldar blood?

The question here is this- do we go with our tried and true BA/SH list that has won us numerous events, or do we roll the dice and branch out? I’ve got a wicked Necron list that could compliment JB’s intended BA list VERY well, blending the best of both of them for as much OP as we can fit in.

Either way, are YOU going to be at the Conflict GT? Plenty of time to hang out even if we don’t face off on the tables, and if this would be your first tournament and you are worried that you don’t know anybody, relax- you know JB and myself so make it happen!

Make your decision now…

http://theconflictgt.com/

Necron Tactics: Canoptek Tomb Spyder

2011-12-13T07:46:00.000-08:00

Let’s take a look at tomb spyders and the role that they can fill in your Necron army…

Can they be used for something other than scarab factories?

Of course at first glance this is their primary use, and they kind of go hand in hand with scarabs. Take three groups of ten scarabs, and then 2-3 tomb spyders X 3 to back the scarabs up.

Spawn, spawn, spawn to the envy of even Tyranid players…

But what about in smaller point games, or army builds where scarab spam is not the primary focus- can these lists benefit from a spyder or two.

Yes.

I’ve stated that at a minimum you are taking 3 X 10 scarabs almost regardless of your list so that fills out you fast attack slot. Troops are warriors or immortals, and elites are either ho-hum like flayed ones or expensive like C’Tan shards.

That leaves the heavy support slot and at 50 points a pop spyders can bring a lot to the table.

Single spyders make great blocking unit, meaning you advance them into key positions and just kind of wait, assaulting anything that is coming your way into your warriors or immortals. While it doesn’t pack the punch of a dedicated assault unit, being a monstrous creature with multi-wounds means it can tie up most things and even try to punch a vehicle. I’ve been using lone spyders as part of a layering strategy.

Three scarabs with a spyder behind each- they do spawn that whopping one base a turn just because they can- and this does sometimes take shots off my other units with my opponent shooting the spyder since it is spawning, but this is a good thing…

I run the spyders up with the scarabs, and the very nature of the scarabs often means the spyders are ignored, allowing me to get them into position to then block, speedbump, etc. The key is to not get frustrated when they go down.

150 points for three mini-monstrous creatures is a good deal, especially since they don’t compete with your much needed fast and elite slots.

Onto shooting.

25 points for a small blast template that isn’t gauss just isn’t worth the points in the games I’ve played. Sure, we know shooting is king in the game right now, and generally any gun that you can bolt on, slap together, or carry is good, but for 15 points? Not worth it, maybe if it was 5 or 10. In taking three spyders, spend that 75 points elsewhere on “shooting”

Gloombugs.

Ok, then things get a bit interesting- a way to nullify psychic powers, especially if your spyers are used as a support position, but here again, this could and often is a huge waste of points depending on where you play.

Do you play against heavy psychic lists?

In those lists are the psychic powers offensive and targeting in nature, or are they buffing powers, and this unstoppable?

YMMV in this case, perhaps when we see a new Eldar and Chaos codex psychic powers will make enough of a comeback to be a threat- at least in my gaming circles…

A Tale Of Three Lists

2011-12-12T01:30:00.000-08:00

All lists are not created equal. Sure player skill is important, and perhaps THE defining factor of a win or a loss, but the “list” goes a long way in masking or making player skill.

So over in this corner we have what I will call a tournament list.

In building that list we want two things- redundancy and reduction of random factors. True, 40K is a dice game, and subject to good and bad rolls, but anytime one can take the dice out of play, you are usually better off.

With a focus on competition the first step is to know the rules! Look at the framework of 40K and what is best protected under those rules. Ex- vehicles are cheap in point cost, protect scoring units (unless you are Tyranids) and are very survivable. Shooting is king, assaults are underpowered, and monstrous creatures are over costed and tend to go down like a wet sack of potatoes in most games- hardly monstrous at all!

These “realities” of the game influence unit decision despite what the fluff and game background would tell you. You must and will not be blinded or bound by fluff traditions. Psycannons are the rarest form of imperial tech in the galaxy- maybe a few dozen at most still left in the Grey Knights, and your army is currently carrying more than half of the entries chapter arsenal? Doesn’t matter!

Competitive play is about winning so what units perform best in the rules is your god. Layer over this the strongest and often newest marine codex and your selection is clear.

With that in hand you move onto redundancy, which makes sense in competitive play if we are trying to banish randomness. You need to have all your bases solidly covered- anti-tank, anti-infantry, blocking units, assault units, psychic support, etc. The old saying one is none, two is one, and three is two. Three plus of each unit across the entire army, which is also why competitive play only works at higher point levels- where you can get all your toys in and not have to make any real decisions or sacrifices. You can have your land raiders and speeders, and terminators, and HQ choices, and six plus troop choices, etc., etc.

This “spam” is important since it cuts down on the dice. One predator tank might miss or fail to pen/explode it target, but three have a much better chance. Three backed by missile or melta speeders are even better- overlap is key.

Finally the last vestige of randomness is banished by not taking wargear that relies on a die roll to happen- such are Tyranid regeneration rolls, etc.

Follow this formula and you have your competitive list that has all the tactical points covered with minimal exposure to the dice.

In terms of my own collection, I really don’t have a competitive army, actually, scratch that, as per my definition I don’t have one at all- which leads to the semi-competitive army build till we can cook up a better term.

As a core the two share the same idea up to about 80% of the point value- units are selected based on exploiting the rules mechanics and codex, reducing randomness, and having redundancy across the board. But then that remaining 20% is used to actually inject some randomness into the game- since that offers the flexibility to go both ways, and if you are a gambling man (or woman) and will chance it with the dice, you might just get lucky…

A fully competitive army build piloted by a competitive player seeks to control every aspect of the game on the table. They know how their army is going to perform 90% of the time and they follow the formula through to victory. Since they have removed randomness they are not equipped to handle it- so that is what we want to inject into their list!

From the semi-competitive build perspective let’s examine my updated Necron army. On the surface it is actually pretty boring- maxed out scarabs, and maxed out immortals- yawn and yawn for the 80%. But then I inject some C’Tan shards and the Stormlord for the random factor, and let’s see what happens. I’m paying points for non optimized units- and in this case a lot of points for something that may or may not work- lighting and worldscape as examples. But with my 80% core I can cushion this. Inject some controlled chaos theory if you will.

From a player perspective I find this type of army build the most fun to play- I can hold my own for the most part, but both my opponent and I really never know what is going to happen till it happens and the dice get rolled- and there is no way to stop it! Of course when, from time to time, the randomness bites me in the ass also, I have no man-excuse about it since I invited it.

On a side note, I do have to say that the fincecast C’Tan…excuse me C’Tan Shards are really awesome and mad props. I normally hate finecast with a passion for what it is- a marketing sham, but in this case, my Nightbringer…sorry again…C’Tan shard want together with two zaps of glue, and had no holes, bubbles, flash or seams to fill like the god awful metal model- and I’m a big fan of metal. Only metal model worse than the C’Tan were the old metal nurgle daemon prince and the Tyranid hive guard…shudder….

Finally on the other end, way over actually is the fluff or gamers army- with my Saim-Hann being the example in my collection. One plays a codex or faction because they identify with it, and based on a background you build on that. Saim-Hann fly around on jetbikes and vypers, all ground troops ride in skimmers- look and feel comes first over actual gameplay.

Of course that is not to say you can’t win game with a fluff or historical build, but they require a much different approach and analysis- leverage if you will to win.

So how do you break down and define the lists you see at events or even play yourself. Does the event or environment itself dictate what kind of list you bring?

Necrons: Crypteks?

2011-12-11T01:30:00.000-08:00

I’ve been reading a lot of the same lists that you guys have, some good, and others wishful thinking…

Where am I right now with my ‘crons? The last team up battle report I just posted shows the first 3rd of it- 30 scarabs as my fast attack. I’m not running a scarab farm with the spyders, but no doubt there is no arguing that scarabs are really good. Hardly broken like other units in many of the marine books, but not terribad either.

Why not a group of wraiths or something?

Scarabs are a real glass hammer, to get what I need out of them not running a farm means 3 X 10.

Why not run the far?

Well, first I’ve played spawning armies before like my five tervigon list for Tyranids, and if I wanted that I’d play that, second I don’t have 9 spyders, and third, that is a lot of points that I might not really need.

Which brings me to the topic of this post- crypteks.

Forget about a good Necron army vs. a bad Necron army build for a moment, and ask yourself are you going to cryptek or not?

Some say they are 100% mandatory, playing without them would be like playing Eldar with a farseer, or even Eldrad at this point, and I could see that point of view. However, I could also see the point of view in not needing Crypteks if you have the right type of build.

Over all, personally I’d say you want them, maybe not the S8 staff spam, but at least a solar pulse and chronometon. MAYBE a veil if you are into tricks like that.

What have I unlocked with Necrons so far?

Are we talking about a tournament list or hobby/fun at the club list?

For fun I’ve finally gotten to do my wraithwing list, and then there is my Necron air force list even if the models don’t exist yet,..but for tournament play my games seem to hint a flavor of Tyranids.

Not in the nerf sense, but in a unit complement sense.

Really quick my Tyranid 3 x 3 list was three trygons that run up and cause as much damage as they can before they die to las/missile/melta. While that is happening my three tervigons spawn and then swarm my opponent.

Necrons have been playing a lot like that also…

3 scarab swarms run up…three elite units second wave, warriors/immortals on objectives, crypteks to support stormlord.

40K Doubles Battle Report

2011-12-09T01:30:00.000-08:00

Nothing like a good doubles game for twice the 40K fun and once again I’ve teamed up with Brother Captain James…if we win it is due to my tactical genius, if we lose I blame James, a win, win, and a win!

I of course brought Necrons, and James got his Tyranids back, taking a much needed break from his Shrike infiltrating fleeting terminators list.

Our opponents Bobby and Bruce were playing Dark Eldar and Imperial Guard, and that was all we knew, so time to write the lists…

What do you bring at 1K for Necrons?

Right off the bat I was bringing 30 scarabs…yes I know, broken and lame, but in my defense they are a Ward approved unit, and I need to learn how to pilot these guys in my sleep so anytime I can play them, for now, I am.

Stormlord is next of course, I could perhaps say with confidence that he is also mandatory, but in a 1K point game that is debatable. BUT, playing DE and IG, we needed all the possible free “hits” we could, and night fight to get the buggies up there into assault range.

From there the goto was immortals with tesla since I am still on the fence with tesla vs. gauss.

Sadly no C’Tan, or two, and then two spiders to spit out scarabs.

On the space bug side James went with two mawlocs, a venomthrope blanket, and gaunts + tervigons- standard nids really. I would have like a small group of stealers to outflank, but 1K is 1K.

On the opposite side we had a few raisers, two colossus tanks, a hell hound, and chimeras with vets inside. DE and IG had us on mobility, guns, and numbers, so what was the plan?

Take first turn, deploy as far forward as we can. Rush the scarabs and first wave of expendable gaunts boosted by FNP. Bog things down…

Turn two pop in the mawlocs and sacrifice them, advance the gaunts and tervigons as a second punch, while the immortals provide some covering fire, and take objectives.

How would it play out?

We got passed first turn, which worried me a bit since they could go all reserve and dodge a turn of lightning, but they deployed and we went first.

I had big hopes for the lightning attack, I know, it’s random…

Took out a DE gunboat skimmer and immobilized a chimera. I was really hoping to knock out the hell hound and colossus tanks, but hey two vehicles down for “free” before the game even starts? I’ll take that with a minor amount of complaining.

First turn the hell hound moves up fried a scarab swarm making them go poof! Yes, just like that. We eat a few shots but nightfight protects.

Turn two has me fail the night fight stormlord roll with a “2” so no more free shots for us. Scarabs swarm the hell hound destroying it as we drop another raider and spill out a big group of wyches who eat through a scarabs swarm, and gaunt packs before the game ends- with them still alive. We just couldn’t bypass their 4+ invul and FNP rolls!

So there we are chugging forward, taking gaunts off, putting them back on- the life of a Tyranid player, and our first tervigon constipates out.

Mawlocs land dead on, clipping four vehicles, and only immobilizing one. One goes down next turn to melta gun vets, and the second gets locked in combat and can’t hit and run away.

Immortals keep shooting ,taking down raiders, and my one immortal group over to the right keeps eating colossus fire, going down, and then making my reanimation protocols for all of them each time!

Great fun screaming “Immortals” every time you roll and making it!

Mid game, mid table, our losses are mounting, and James, despite some good gaunt spawn rolls is coming up short just as his second tervigon constipates out.

I’m not so confident at this point that we can pull it off, and my first through to consolidate back onto the objectives we hold, go into cover, and hold as best we can…but on the other hand we have the initiative and are pushing into their deployment zone.

What the hack, continue the attack! Everybody forward!

Then Marbolo the one man Rambo pops in, and bomb an immortal group with Stormlord inflicting losses.

I send the immortals forward in support, while the Stormlord breaks off to punish Marlboro downing him in the assault delivering a “humiliating defeat”, GW and their crazy rules!

At that point our push just manages to break though and confine the DE and IG as our immortals and troop tervigon take objectives for the win.

One of the closest games that I have played in a long time, hard fought and worth the time playing. Amazing rolls on both sides when needed kept it close right up to the end.

Observations?

Stormlords lightning is a really good ability with good odds, just have a plan in place for then you don’t get that first and second turn of lightning on average.

Single tomb spyders as we know are just a waste of points- they can’t replace the loss mass of scarabs once you really start taking losses.

Scarabs going to ground out in the open for a 5+ cover save are surprisingly resilient, keeping them a threat for another turn or two, which can be used to great effect.

Venomspam is rough on Tyranids and Necrons!

Confirmed Eldar Rumors?

2011-12-08T08:39:00.000-08:00

So another round of Eldar rumors are making their way through the internet and the two questions I always think are this- how will the updates affect my Saim-Hann army, and will new rules and inclusions expand the strategy of my Harlequins and how that army plays.

Of course bolted on over this is the changes 6th edition will bring to the game.

First rumor which we can be is “true” is a vampire flyer, probably based on the forge world model. This will be very interesting especially with the change to the flyer rules and the different tiers of height for the game-my ground troops battling it out on the bottom and flyers dueling overhead.

Harlequins making their way through the webway have no need for such a thing, but my Saim-Hann- YES, YES, YES! Imagine two or three of these guys flying through the air with some jetbikes and vypers in support. Second big question will GW actually release a model? Probably not, just like Tyranids, and Necrons, but at least I could in theory hit up forge world or some Dark Eldar stuff.

Next is the Solitare, which is right there with the Harlequins- probably an HQ choice of sorts, maybe based on the old Solitare stuff. Will have to wait and see.

Dragon Riders, and exodites- not my cup of tea, but the option would be nice for those with that interest, or if you want Eldar flying around on dragons and stuff. Fantasy high elf models as a base crossover?

Aspect Warriors?

Of course it goes without saying to make them cheaper and better to keep up with marines, but that won’t happen. Two more types- I’m betting the jetpack dudes, and maybe a heavy support aspect along the lines of ordinance.

What I’m really hoping for is an expansion on the psyhicic powers for HQ choices and expanded Warlock stuff- give me the Eldar version of Crypteks and I will worship at thy throne! I’m also liking the idea of a “farseer” wraithlord which would be even cooler!

...and even better- if I can swap out a force org chart for another as suggested in 6th, along with a cheaper in points codex, and guys playing 2500 point games as the standard that mean my clown count goes up from the current 30 to like 40-50! Imagine an entire troupe on the table.

What other "serious" wargame lets you play with clowns as a unit choice?

Eldar!

Kill Team Battle Mission: Dreadnought Brofists

2011-12-06T01:30:00.000-08:00

More Kill Team games- how far can we go?

Should vehicles be allowed?

Next game was dread vs. dread and a speeder. Since Grey Knight dreads are heavy, all I could take is a venerable with psybolt, and assault cannon, which is even better and more OP.

James gave his speeder stealth so first turn when it turbo boosted it had a 2+ cover save- which I shot and then assaulted and did nothing of course. This drew me out, exposing me to his dreads multi-melta which I gambled on being venerable.

Speeder zips behind me, shoots, and stuns, I turn around and blow off the missiles, and then assault the dread duking it out destroying it before getting immobilized from rear armor heavy bolter fire from the speeder.

And then what?

I can’t move or shoot James’ speeder, and all he can really do is glace/pen me barely and then I’m venerable, etc. We rolled some dice for a few rounds, and then called it for the win for James- maybe in ten minutes or so he would have blown me up.

Mid range vehicles really tend to make the game one sided- if James put down a dread and I was limited to infantry all I really have is a psycannon to destroy it, and when that model goes down I’m dead. Maybe rear armor with storm bolter psybolts?

Mission are almost done…

Kill Team Battle Mission: ‘Knights Vs. Ultra’s

2011-12-03T01:30:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you need to balance things out a bit- one the one side we have WAAC competitive tournament play, on the other side campaign based fluff bunny play, and somewhere in the middle the meeting of tactics and fun beer and pretzels play.

While I’m working on my “Necrons” I’ve been filling in the time playing lots of Kill Team and narrative 40K stuff. Got in about five games this past Sunday at Comic Book Heaven with Brother Captain James…

Previously I had been using my Eldar for 40K skirmish games, so now it was time to bring out the Grey Knights, which can throw down some good base models since they both shoot and assault so well, combined with T4, a 3+ save, and psychic powers. In terms of kill teams they are the most powerful right now, and you are going to have to really be on your game to win if you are facing ‘knights.

James brought along his entire Ultramarine collection, so essentially he could draw on any unit, and out first game had him using sternguard which are also a really good choice- special ammo, weapons, and T4, 3+ save.

I had a psycannon with relentless in a building with two knights, and the rest off to the side, bring James out with the psycannon as bait, and then just torrent him with the storm bolters, which worked really well.

For the most part shooting is key in small skirmish games like this, and two shots at 24” is really powerful, with the psycannon as icing on the cake. Special weapon dudes like power fists and the like can easily get picked off, and do as soon as they show themselves.

One of the things that I have noticed is that there is a moment in the game, where your opponent has to commit or die- if you are playing the straight up kill mission.

You get him or her to bring their models out first, and then you counter by escalating. Examples?

I hide that psycannon dude, and when he comes out and shoots with the full shots thanks to relentless, my opponent has to kill him, regardless of the models lost from shooting.

So how many models do you bring out to do that? One is risky, two is so so, three is about right. So you expose three models, and then kill the psycannon dude, well then I bring out six to deal with your three, etc.

Terrain them comes into play to block off LOS and other shots- allowing you to gang up five or six models on two or three- this is the skill in the game, supreme positioning- chess with dice.

That said, it does get kind of boring just “killing” each other, so some missions are much needed. I’m currently adapting the GW Mordheim missions for Kill Team and they fit perfectly since they were designed for GW rules like skirmish games. When I’m done I’ll post it up as a .PDF for you guys to play and throw some feedback my way- eventually I plan to run a Kill Team tournament with it.

Relentless Horde Tyranid List (Null Deployment)

2011-11-30T10:33:00.000-08:00

More and more Tyranids are actually a really fun army to play, especially with the release of the new Necron Codex.

Why?

They are currently the only army which does not have any vehicle options. Sure you can choose to play a foot/infantry based list with other armies, but that is a choice over a necessity.

On the other hand, accepting this with Tyranids can lead to some fun and interesting lists out of the box.

Let’s combine some Null Deployment Tyranids with some horde tactics- actually a list I have been experimenting and having some real fun with.

First things first, horde lists unfortunately rely on two things to work- terrain and a lack of templates in the other persons army. At least where I game this currently isn’t a problem, but could potentially change in a few adapting to the meta.

Template weapons are a big problem, especially if they are mounted on mobile vehicles which can close the distance, control it, and wash you. I don’t see a lot of them at all, actually none, but that could chance with all the Necron scarab spam just around the corner.

Terrain is also huge- you need it, and more than anything this is what will make or break the army. Forget about hiding your models- impossible, terrain is there to grant cover saves on your way in, and then to protect remnant units with cover saves on objectives on the way out since you don’t have any transports.

At the club and tournament scene so far, terrain is plentiful, could be a bit better, but good enough for the task at hand. What are the tables and tournament terrain like in your area? Something you can count on, or a gamble?

Ok, the list…

First option is the HQ choice- a prime or two, or Tyrant with bodyguard. The HQ choice depends on your points available and the type of armies you face or intent to face. The choice only has one goal- to provide a solid unbreakable synapse anchor.

If you are playing at a smaller point level and face maximum firepower you go with a prime or two- since a Tyrant even with guard can be picked out and blown off the table- and will. Larger points and certain armies you go with the Tyrant with a preferred enemy build. That said most of the time I go with the primes.

Next up is the Null Deployment component- three groups of Y-Stealers 8-10 strong. Yes, that is like putting down three land raiders in points…

Ten if I can, if the points are an issue, then eight- three units (max elites) are also key.

And the finally the horde components- H-Gaunts with furious charge and poison in big units of twenty 3-6 strong.

So in an average game this gives me 80-100 stabby gaunts, 30 sneaky stealers, and a prime…an impressive horde even by ork standards!

Deployment is easy, the horde component goes as far forward as they can with the prime. Normally we want to try and hide our approach with terrain, etc. if possible, but in this case for the list to work, we want to set up an approach that encourages our opponent to just sit there and shoot, shoot, and shoot, like most 5th edition lists do now. Do the usual intermix of squads, etc. to get cover for your approach, etc.

Stage two has the y-stealers going dormant in center terrain if possible, or over away a bit from your opponent’s deployment. With three groups of ten each, don’t risk hiding in point blank terrain.

With deployment done, the strategy is easy…

Run the h-gaunts right towards your opponent turn one- they will actually move surprisingly fast since there is no shooting so you move and run, and on a side note the list plays fast for a horde since there is nothing to do in the shooting phase.

On turn 2-3 when your y-stealers arrive, they bust out and move to attack vehicles- using the extra attack to throw out those dice. Their job is to open up vehicles, spill guys on foot. Weird using expensive shock troops to destroy 35 point tanks, but that is their function in the list.

The y-stealers work well in center terrain since the opponent wants to hang back and shoot, and being center terrain they can come in and assault.

Next turn(s) the stabby gaunts continue to advance, and once they arrive start stabbing guys- scything talons (semi-preferred enemy), furious charge and poison really do make quick work of anything that even things of getting out of that plastic box or is on the table. Turn two or three you will be on your opponent depending on deployment.

Of course there are obvious shortcomings in the list, but also many strengths leading to some fun and interesting gameplay. One land raider you just ignore, so what, Blood Angels 5 LR lists and well, you have lost, but nobody plays land raiders anymore right?

With Tyranids, combinations of simple units can lead to an interesting synergy of sorts...

The 40K Points Matrix

2011-11-29T01:30:00.000-08:00

Like a resurrected god I sent my C’Tan shard across the table as reality warped around it, casting a gaze of death on all it beheld. Can you imagine or even resist the temptation to be a living god on the table? Laughing I felt like the choice Q gave Riker, and unlike that fool I would have ascended to become one with the Q continuum…

Maybe it was due to pre-beard Riker?

Spying a group of purifiers, the best the Imperium of Man could offer I drifted over ignoring terrain and all the rules of the game..only to eat forty or so psybolt shots, die, and explode in half a turn of shooting.

But I thought I was a living god?

Not at 2K+ points.

Let’s talk about special characters and their place in the game in today’s post- an important point for new players to the game, since it is often the biggest point of disappointment if not properly understood.

In each codex regardless of its awesomeness or nerf-ness there are cool expensive characters that have jaw dropping powers and game breaking rules. C’Tan shards are a good example, Swarmlord is another.

Who wouldn’t want to field a god of war in a table top game?

Understand the relationship of the model and the points being played. With these models you are paying for their over the top powers and game altering abilities- they are no good if you can’t use them- especially if they take up a third or more of your army point resources.

Generally if one is concerned with “winning” in smaller point games you want to take a special character backed by units that will support him/it- Swarmlord buffing toxin sac ‘stealers is one example, and generally said unit/character will rip through anything in the game as your opponent has nothing to really stop it with- unless they bring their own “hero” to the game.

Moving up the point scale, reaching about 1200-1500 points these special characters/units start to fade and become more of a point sink since your opponent has definite units they can draw on to counter it, while still covering the rest of their tactical bases.

Finally ending around 2K+ points where you would never take a special character- the firepower on the table at this point will level it in a single turn, or even more humiliating to its stature, your opponent has so much “stuff” on the table, you just can’t kill enough with the special character/unit to make a difference in the game.

The higher the point level for the game- the cheaper the life of the model- cheap troops, no upgrades, and nothing over 50 points for a base model MAX.

Thoughts?