We had a great day at our local Tanksgiving. We discovered that the hunter-killer and seeker missiles really did have unlimited range.
On round three the forces of order launched every hunter-killer missile they had. From the south of Texas the missiles roared until they found a target in Gig Harbor, WA. Once on target, they inflicted severe damage to a Warhound Titan.
If you are the player from Washington whose titan was damaged by a missile salvo from Texas, please let me know. We want to hear from you.
Did anyone else make a longer distance shot during their Tanksgiving?
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Gamer Stigma
We had an early Thanksgiving dinner with some family today. At some point my wife was telling some members of the family about an event that occurred earlier this week...
We had purchased the new Star Trek on DVD. The edition we bought was the one that has the model of the Enterprise that doubles as the DVD holder. Once home, but before we began the movie, I had to slip outside and give the model a quick zoom-zoom around the driveway while I smoked a cigarette.
As my wife related this story I felt a twinge of...shame? embarrassment? What kind of man still plays with toys into his mid-30s? Was I a man or some type of man-child eternally caught in an immature phase?
I have throughout my life had this feeling of disconnect between what is manly behaviour (especially in Texas) and the hobbies/interests that I cultivate.
I am middle-aged man with a family, mortgage, normal pets (no snakes or spiders), car payments, and all of the attendant responsibilities that comes with that life situation. I am a combat veteran with 15 years of service under my belt.
So, why is it that I should feel this twinge? I mean, I am a free citizen on my own property pursuing my own type of happiness. Am I too sensitive to mainstream culture? Am I too aware of a society that favors certain manly behaviours over others as a definition of what it means to be a "man"?
Have you ever had the feeling that playing with fictional toy soldiers is somehow diminishing your manliness, in the eyes of others?
We had purchased the new Star Trek on DVD. The edition we bought was the one that has the model of the Enterprise that doubles as the DVD holder. Once home, but before we began the movie, I had to slip outside and give the model a quick zoom-zoom around the driveway while I smoked a cigarette.
As my wife related this story I felt a twinge of...shame? embarrassment? What kind of man still plays with toys into his mid-30s? Was I a man or some type of man-child eternally caught in an immature phase?
I have throughout my life had this feeling of disconnect between what is manly behaviour (especially in Texas) and the hobbies/interests that I cultivate.
I am middle-aged man with a family, mortgage, normal pets (no snakes or spiders), car payments, and all of the attendant responsibilities that comes with that life situation. I am a combat veteran with 15 years of service under my belt.
So, why is it that I should feel this twinge? I mean, I am a free citizen on my own property pursuing my own type of happiness. Am I too sensitive to mainstream culture? Am I too aware of a society that favors certain manly behaviours over others as a definition of what it means to be a "man"?
Have you ever had the feeling that playing with fictional toy soldiers is somehow diminishing your manliness, in the eyes of others?
Saturday, November 14, 2009
I know defeat....
Well. The "Vegas Odds" tournament happened today. I placed solidly in the middle of the pack. 1st place too $40 worth of product home. 2nd and 3rd took $25 and $15 respectively.
I did not play the list I had previously posted. I conferred with older and wiser warriors than myself on the Dice Like Thunder forums and the general consensus was that I lacked any mobility. This is the list I ran...
Cato Sicarius
3 Tac squads at full strength
2 Dreadnoughts w/ CCW, MM, SB
1 Rhino
6 Terminators w/ x1 power sword, x5 powers fist, x6 SB
This is fairly solid list. Mobility is somewhat solved by using Sicarius to give one tac squad infiltrate. DS the terminators, and put one squad in the Rhino.
I wish I had only been competing against my opponents. The "Vegas Odds" were against us all but I seemed to have fallen into a puddle of bad luck on my way to the game and I felt it the rest of the day.
Every time you gave a shooting order to a unit you rolled a d6. On a 1, you targeted the nearest friendly unit and fired everything at it. On a 2, you used the night fighting rules. 3-5 shooting occurs as normal. On a 6, you are are out of ammo, no shooting that turn.
Every time you gave an assault order to a unit you also rolled a d6. On a 1 or 2, your unit is spooked and falls back d6 inches away from the unit they were going to assault. 3 thru 5, assault as normal. On a 6, your unit assaults itself. My squad of Terminators actually took themselves out twice thanks to that.
We were also playing four people to a table. You were facing your opponent across the table but only half of the long side you were on belonged to you. You could also shoot and be shot at by the other two players on the table. I don't think that happened more than once or twice all day. We mostly concentrated on our respective opponents.
All missions were Dawn of War deployment and Annihilation. Scoring was different. If you managed to kill the enemy commander you received 5 points (and you had to kill him, if he ran off the table, you did not kill him). If you destroyed your enemy's most expensive unit your received 3 points. If you destroyed at least one vehicle you got 2 points. You received one point each for every scoring unit you had left alive at the end of the battle. Finally, your opponent rolled 2d6 and you received the result as points. You then rolled 2d6 for him.
Now, the games were fun. The "Vegas Odds" definitely changed the entire feeling of the game. You could have had a perfect deployment and flawless tactics and it could have completely fallen apart around you on the "Vegas Odds" roll.
I would say my major gripe is that prizes were being awarded. I mean, I wanted a chance to win based off of my tactics, my deployment, my list, my generally good luck. I found that those random 2d6 rolls completely skewed the outcome. For instance I managed to keep my commander alive and my highest point unit stayed alive. That means I denied my opponent 8 points. And then we rolled the random points. I rolled a 12 for him, he rolled a 3 for me. My roll literally put him ahead by a point due to no game play on his part.
I don't mean to sound sour, it really was a lot of fun. But, I really wanted to win some free product. As I am sure everyone else did. The "Vegas Odds" are good for a lark, for bragging rights, and amazement at the outrageous results, but not for prizes.
Ah well, until the next tournament. I will keep my blade sharp and my gun oiled. You do the same...
I did not play the list I had previously posted. I conferred with older and wiser warriors than myself on the Dice Like Thunder forums and the general consensus was that I lacked any mobility. This is the list I ran...
Cato Sicarius
3 Tac squads at full strength
2 Dreadnoughts w/ CCW, MM, SB
1 Rhino
6 Terminators w/ x1 power sword, x5 powers fist, x6 SB
This is fairly solid list. Mobility is somewhat solved by using Sicarius to give one tac squad infiltrate. DS the terminators, and put one squad in the Rhino.
I wish I had only been competing against my opponents. The "Vegas Odds" were against us all but I seemed to have fallen into a puddle of bad luck on my way to the game and I felt it the rest of the day.
Every time you gave a shooting order to a unit you rolled a d6. On a 1, you targeted the nearest friendly unit and fired everything at it. On a 2, you used the night fighting rules. 3-5 shooting occurs as normal. On a 6, you are are out of ammo, no shooting that turn.
Every time you gave an assault order to a unit you also rolled a d6. On a 1 or 2, your unit is spooked and falls back d6 inches away from the unit they were going to assault. 3 thru 5, assault as normal. On a 6, your unit assaults itself. My squad of Terminators actually took themselves out twice thanks to that.
We were also playing four people to a table. You were facing your opponent across the table but only half of the long side you were on belonged to you. You could also shoot and be shot at by the other two players on the table. I don't think that happened more than once or twice all day. We mostly concentrated on our respective opponents.
All missions were Dawn of War deployment and Annihilation. Scoring was different. If you managed to kill the enemy commander you received 5 points (and you had to kill him, if he ran off the table, you did not kill him). If you destroyed your enemy's most expensive unit your received 3 points. If you destroyed at least one vehicle you got 2 points. You received one point each for every scoring unit you had left alive at the end of the battle. Finally, your opponent rolled 2d6 and you received the result as points. You then rolled 2d6 for him.
Now, the games were fun. The "Vegas Odds" definitely changed the entire feeling of the game. You could have had a perfect deployment and flawless tactics and it could have completely fallen apart around you on the "Vegas Odds" roll.
I would say my major gripe is that prizes were being awarded. I mean, I wanted a chance to win based off of my tactics, my deployment, my list, my generally good luck. I found that those random 2d6 rolls completely skewed the outcome. For instance I managed to keep my commander alive and my highest point unit stayed alive. That means I denied my opponent 8 points. And then we rolled the random points. I rolled a 12 for him, he rolled a 3 for me. My roll literally put him ahead by a point due to no game play on his part.
I don't mean to sound sour, it really was a lot of fun. But, I really wanted to win some free product. As I am sure everyone else did. The "Vegas Odds" are good for a lark, for bragging rights, and amazement at the outrageous results, but not for prizes.
Ah well, until the next tournament. I will keep my blade sharp and my gun oiled. You do the same...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Odds are....
This is the Space Marine list I am going to use this Saturday at the local GW "Vegas Odds" tournament.
Supposedly, random events will be occurring each turn. I guess that's why it is called "Vegas Odds".
I went with a basic flexible build. Enough meltas, meltabombs, and powerfists to deal with armor and enough regular shooting and flamers to deal with large unit armies like IG, Orks, or Tyranids.
The tactical squads will probably be combat squaded into a heavy element and an assaulting element. The Captain and Terminators will be my close assault hammers. The dreads will provide longer ranged anti-armor and be my bait units.
Supposedly, random events will be occurring each turn. I guess that's why it is called "Vegas Odds".
I went with a basic flexible build. Enough meltas, meltabombs, and powerfists to deal with armor and enough regular shooting and flamers to deal with large unit armies like IG, Orks, or Tyranids.
The tactical squads will probably be combat squaded into a heavy element and an assaulting element. The Captain and Terminators will be my close assault hammers. The dreads will provide longer ranged anti-armor and be my bait units.
1250 Pts - Space Marines Roster - Void Legion
1 Battle Captain @ 160 pts (...in Power Armour)
1 ...in Power Armour (Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Iron Halo; Auxiliary Grenade Launcher; Digital Weapons; Melta Bombs; Artificer Armour; Bolter x1; Power Sword x1)
9 Tac Squad - Tempus @ 175 pts (Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Bolt Pistol x9; Bolter x7; Flamer; Missile Launcher)
1 Sergeant (Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Melta Bombs; Bolt Pistol; Chainsword)
9 Tac Squad - Vulgus @ 175 pts (Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Bolt Pistol x9; Bolter x7; Flamer; Missile Launcher)
1 Sergeant (Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Melta Bombs; Chainsword; Chainsword)
9 Tac Squad - Deo @ 180 pts (Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Bolt Pistol x9; Bolter x7; Meltagun; Missile Launcher)
1 Sergeant (Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Melta Bombs; Bolt Pistol; Chainsword)
1 Dreadnought "Dutch" @ 120 pts (Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Extra Armor; Dreadnought CCW; Multi-Melta; Storm Bolter)
1 Dreadnought "Blaine" @ 120 pts (Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Extra Armor; Dreadnought CCW; Multi-Melta; Storm Bolter)
7 Terminator Squad @ 320 pts (Power Fist x7; Storm Bolter x7)
1 Sergeant (Power Sword; Storm Bolter)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Unintended Consequences
I posted a rant on here about a week ago concerning the size of the GW store that is local to me. I also posted it on the Dice Like Thunder forums.
Boy was I surprised when I was listening to the new podcast and heard my rant being read aloud.
Wow, I didn't think it was good enough to attract that level of attention.
Anywho, most of the size issues have been worked out as the manager is thinking about setting up the remaining tables in the back area for overflow gaming purposes.
All's well that ends well.
Oh yeah, If you do not listen to Dice Like Thunder you should give them a listen. They are at www.dicelikethunder.com . Richard, Dan, Ian, Skrivus, and Mack are great buch of guys.
Boy was I surprised when I was listening to the new podcast and heard my rant being read aloud.
Wow, I didn't think it was good enough to attract that level of attention.
Anywho, most of the size issues have been worked out as the manager is thinking about setting up the remaining tables in the back area for overflow gaming purposes.
All's well that ends well.
Oh yeah, If you do not listen to Dice Like Thunder you should give them a listen. They are at www.dicelikethunder.com . Richard, Dan, Ian, Skrivus, and Mack are great buch of guys.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Floorspace Shenanigans
Ah....
My friendly local Games Workshop has moved. Today was their opening day at their new location and I am a bit disappointed.
Granted the move to a new location did save them some rent money. Which, is a good thing.
What disappoints me is the size of the new store. It's too small.
Now, the old store was about 1500 square feet in size and supported seven gaming tables, a painting bar, and the demonstration table. It never felt crowded.
The move to a new store with a commensurate lower rent would lead to the conclusion that there would be less floor space.
That conclusion would be incorrect.
The floor space of the new store is roughly 2000-2200 square feet.
So, why does the new store feel too small you ask? Because the corporate headquarters has mandated that all stores (not Battle Bunkers) will be about 1100 square feet in size. This has cut the store down to three gaming tables, a paint bar, and the demonstration table, and about two feet between each table.
So, what do you do when you are renting a store that is twice the size mandated by the corporate HQs?
Why you build a wall in the middle of the store. I am not kidding, that is what happened.
"Buy our product and please leave.", is the message I get when I look upon a store that is forced to only use half of it's available floorspace. The Baltimore management team even stuck around to take pictures proving that the floorspace standard had been met.
So disappointing.
My friendly local Games Workshop has moved. Today was their opening day at their new location and I am a bit disappointed.
Granted the move to a new location did save them some rent money. Which, is a good thing.
What disappoints me is the size of the new store. It's too small.
Now, the old store was about 1500 square feet in size and supported seven gaming tables, a painting bar, and the demonstration table. It never felt crowded.
The move to a new store with a commensurate lower rent would lead to the conclusion that there would be less floor space.
That conclusion would be incorrect.
The floor space of the new store is roughly 2000-2200 square feet.
So, why does the new store feel too small you ask? Because the corporate headquarters has mandated that all stores (not Battle Bunkers) will be about 1100 square feet in size. This has cut the store down to three gaming tables, a paint bar, and the demonstration table, and about two feet between each table.
So, what do you do when you are renting a store that is twice the size mandated by the corporate HQs?
Why you build a wall in the middle of the store. I am not kidding, that is what happened.
"Buy our product and please leave.", is the message I get when I look upon a store that is forced to only use half of it's available floorspace. The Baltimore management team even stuck around to take pictures proving that the floorspace standard had been met.
So disappointing.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Rites of Maintenance...Paintbrush Prayers
I had a couple of paintbrushes that I was going to throw out. After months of grueling service they had old dried paint in the ferrule and the heel of the brush. They could not maintain a point, etc.
However, I was loath to, because they are my favorite paintbrushes.
Because I occasionally strip and repaint the same model two or three times, I have a stash of Simple Green on hand...
On a whim, I put some in a cup and used my third hand to hold my old paintbrushes with the brush part suspended in the Simple Green.
I waited a couple of days (forgot about them is closer to the truth) before removing them. After a good rinse and a few fluffs I was surprised to see the body was forming back up, the points were as sharp as ever, and the old paint in the heel/ferrule area was completely gone.
New brushes run about $5 apiece from the local GW store. Now, that money can go to buying new models.
The Simple Green does evaporate after couple of weeks, just add some water every now and again to keep it hydrated.
What are your waiting for Marine? See to your Wargear!
However, I was loath to, because they are my favorite paintbrushes.
Because I occasionally strip and repaint the same model two or three times, I have a stash of Simple Green on hand...
On a whim, I put some in a cup and used my third hand to hold my old paintbrushes with the brush part suspended in the Simple Green.
I waited a couple of days (forgot about them is closer to the truth) before removing them. After a good rinse and a few fluffs I was surprised to see the body was forming back up, the points were as sharp as ever, and the old paint in the heel/ferrule area was completely gone.
New brushes run about $5 apiece from the local GW store. Now, that money can go to buying new models.
The Simple Green does evaporate after couple of weeks, just add some water every now and again to keep it hydrated.
What are your waiting for Marine? See to your Wargear!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Nice Chaos Rhino
I began following 40K Noob's blog a few days ago.
He recently began the 40K journey and he has done some pretty nice work in the last couple of weeks. He doesn't seem to be set up for comment posting on his blog, but I think he is off to a great start.
This is his first Rhino and I think it looks ready to get into the fight.
He recently began the 40K journey and he has done some pretty nice work in the last couple of weeks. He doesn't seem to be set up for comment posting on his blog, but I think he is off to a great start.
This is his first Rhino and I think it looks ready to get into the fight.
Making Tau unkillable...almost
This is a comment I made over on Zorcon's Word.
He has trouble keeping his suits alive long enough to tear things up.
This is my suggestion...
He has trouble keeping his suits alive long enough to tear things up.
This is my suggestion...
"I would consider scrapping the two elite teams.
Take one Shas'o HQ suits with a bodyguard.
For 301 points you have a 3 suit team with 14 wounds and 4+ invulnerable save.
Loadout is as follows;
Shas'o; with TL plasma rifles, HW Drone controller, Target Lock, Shield Drone, Gun Drone.
Bodyguard suit; TL Fusion Blasters, HW Drone controller, Targeting Array, 2x Gun Drones
Bodyguard suit; TL Missile Pods, HW Drone controller, Targeting Array, 2x Gun Drones
The gun drones are great for attempting pinning tests, but they mostly exist for ablative wounds. Each bodyguard suit has 2 wounds and the Shas'o has 4 wounds. That means you can absorb 10 wounds (x5 gun drones, x1 wound from each bodyguard suit, 3 wounds from the Shas'o suit) before you lose your 4+ invulnerable save by sacrificing the shield drone on the 11th wound.
After that you will lose one suit for each wound taken, for the remaining three wounds.
The twin-linking allows you to almost never miss and the weapons loadout gives you a mix of long to short ranged firepower.
Granted, you are giving up numbers in exchange for survivability. As it stands your two elite suit teams only have a total of 12 wounds between both of them. In this instance you free up two force organization slots, gain two more wounds overall (14 vs. 12) while only giving up four suits overall (7 vs. 3). Looking at your list and removing your two elite and one HQ selection (416 points); replacing it with the HQ as outlined above (301 points); saves you 115 points that can be sunk into another unit.
Try it. I think you will be surprised by the amount of energy your opponent will have to devote to destroying those three suits while your Broadsides and HQ rip him apart."
Sunday, November 1, 2009
MAG-Con considerations
Well, I was thinking I could host a 40K tournament at the upcoming MAG-Con in Houston.
However, with the following issues I doubt I will be doing so. They are not running any 4' x 6' tables, only 4' x 4' tables. I figured in a pinch we could just push two tables together to form a 4' x 8' table. Than I heard the worst news. No terrain. They have no terrain. You can bring your own of course.
So, with me being a very much first timer to organizing a tournament, the incorrect sized tables, and no terrain; it looksl ike I am going to back-burner my tournament organizing aspirations.
Besides it will leave me more time to paint and play my army rather than trying to make a tournament out of nothing.
However, with the following issues I doubt I will be doing so. They are not running any 4' x 6' tables, only 4' x 4' tables. I figured in a pinch we could just push two tables together to form a 4' x 8' table. Than I heard the worst news. No terrain. They have no terrain. You can bring your own of course.
So, with me being a very much first timer to organizing a tournament, the incorrect sized tables, and no terrain; it looksl ike I am going to back-burner my tournament organizing aspirations.
Besides it will leave me more time to paint and play my army rather than trying to make a tournament out of nothing.
MAG-Con
The 1st Annual MAG-Con gaming convention is happening on DEC 11-13.
More info here. http://www.mag-con.com/
I am thinking about hosting a 40k tournament there.
Is there any interest?
More info here. http://www.mag-con.com/
I am thinking about hosting a 40k tournament there.
Is there any interest?
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