Monday, January 29, 2024

Nine Long Years

 It has been nine years since I played warhammer fantasy battle, or as kids are learning about it today, The Old World. Nine years of not playing my favorite game and watching the community splinter in different directions and my models collect dust. I never got into Age of Sigmar. It didn't grab me out of the gate and though there are some really cool models from it, it never drew me into playing. 

So now I sit here waiting for my Warhammer: The Old World (WtOW) pronounced wah-tow! lol.... stuff to arrive, I find myself in a very odd state. I'm anxious, almost giddy. I've started digging through my collections, trying to verify what I have and what I don't have. Was I dumb enough to sell or trade stuff off? What did I purchase in the last nine years to fill those collections even though the models would never get used? 

I've started hearing from people I haven't seen in nearly a decade as they too are excited about returning to fantasy battle. I is almost as if the clock has turned back. How odd that a game has come back due to the company, and only now am I considering playing it, while all along the older editions were always there. Not sure how to explain that.

The point is, Warhammer Fantasy is back, and it has me thinking about it all the time. I've gotten the books and so far I really like what I see in the rules. Cleaned up some things, flatted out others. I see a game where what you do is more important than perhaps what you bring. And that is a good thing. Well, that will last until people figure out the meta or how to break it.

I've also look at the various armies, but official and legacy. It did hurt quite a bit for my favorite Vampire Counts to be tossed in the Legacy pile. Such a great army and now what is left of it will wallow in a single, unsupported pdf. But if I can wait 9 years for GW to reverse course on Fantasy, then perhaps later down the line they will reinstate Legacy armies as well.

Right now, I would like to decide on an army to move forward with initially. Work on one army, get it to table ready status, and just enjoy playing again. The hard part will be figuring out which one to go with as I have several. This is not a new problem for me, and yet the answer is always hard to find. 

Until that time, I can do a few things. I've started to print unit converters so that I won't have to rebase all of my models. I'm also going to inventory my current collection to see what I have and what I don't need. Could be a good time to trim down some of my collection so its easier to use.

I might even make more posts once I pick an army and start working on it. Stranger things have happened. Honestly, this is the first time in a long time where I'm excited about my hobby again. 

Until next time, hopefully before 2025. 

Update: my first printed tray




Saturday, July 1, 2023

In the wake of Leviathan

 Hello Gentle Readers,

Today we are diving into Leviathan, GW's latest box set and the herald for 10th edition warhammer 40,000. If you are somehow finding this post, that means you have pretty much scoured the rest of the web for various reviews and such on the box set. That means you already know about the distribution practices of Games Workshop and how crappy they treat their partners, ie third party retailers. Not much more to say on that. GW seems to have its head firmly up its ass with these policies and I wish that the stores could all boycott their product and teach them a lesson. But too many rely on GW sales to keep them afloat. Ugh.

Anyways, lets talk about the set itself. Okay, not about the box, but the box set, ie its contents. You have to be careful because some people (ie me) are very literal. (I feel like I used "ie" too close together there...)

The models are good. The detail is pretty amazing and they "push to fit" has been superb. Now, I will say, one of my terminators came broken. The stem in the back was broken so I had to glue it to the front plate. Not major, but GW should be careful about those things in the future. Other than that, and the fact that you will have to paint some of these guys as you are putting them together, one of the best sets of models I've seen out of GW. 

I got the 9th ed box set from them and those models were good, but these are better. I did have a couple of issues with damaged pieces where a stem was loose and broke off. Thankfully a little bit of glue saved the day, and it was on a model I wouldn't need to paint in pieces. All in all, a great job by GW.

The book is massive. I wish I had other words to really describe it, but I think it would be unflattering. There is no reason to have a rulebook that big. I'm sorry. Split the rules and the background into two books. I'd much rather have a smaller hardback book with just the rules for the various types of play, and then another book for all the fluff. Not sure why they are keeping it all with one. It is a lovely tome and will most likely find a place on my shelf and stay there. 

It also comes with cards for the Leviathan campaign. These are quite nice and come with a card holder. Perfect. Seriously, these are fantastic. How do you make great minis, fantastic cards...but then completely crap out the book? No idea. I'm sure these will be highly sought after. I've just flipped through mine, but can't see any reason not to use them for all my games ahead for the time being.

A little bit of an oddity here, but there are no dice in the box. Really? A two player box set to get people into warhammer 40,000 and you don't include any dice? You had room for them. They can't be that much. Does it ruin anything? No...but does come off a little cheap. Downgrade that tome to something useable and give me some dice. I'd rather that combo.

If you are planning on sticking with 40K, and you like the new models, then this set is for you. There is no denying that this is a pretty good bargain for the amount of minis that you get. I mean hell, most other box sets they came out with around this price point had about half of the figures in them. Sure, they are push to fit and mono-pose, but when they look this good, it doesn't matter.

I know I didn't post up any pics, because you should have already seen the contents about a hundred times already. I am looking forward to getting in some games and then will snap some pics of grey figures running around grey terrain. :) Until next time...

Thursday, June 15, 2023

More Like A Long Hiatus

  Word play, gotta love it. So yeah, its been a while. Sorry about that. Not that anyone has been missing this, but you know, I have. I didn't quite make it a year between posts, but it has been a long while. Glad to see I am sticking with the same pattern of first talking about my absence before talking about gaming. Its like riding a bike apparently.

I could go into a litany of excuses and reasons for it, but it all falls into the "life" category. Lets leave it at that and move on. No...really.

Well so the big news that everyone in gaming is talking about is the imminent release of Leviathan for 40K. I'm actually pretty irritated at this to be honest. I had made the very brave and mature decision that 9th was going to be my very last edition of 40K. I'm sure I'd play 10th, but no more investing in the books and such. Unfortunately, 9th was a bit of a disaster, but it took me a while to figure that out. It was so complicated just to play one army. I have many....and when you have a hard time just deciding on what to play....then throw in having to figure out how to play each one...well my models did not hit the table very often. 

Now we have the new "simplified but not simpler" 10th edition. And it looks appealing. I won't lie. And the fact that they are releasing datacards and points (apparently) for all existing units...well that is unprecedented by GW....last time they did something like that it was for Warhammer Fantasy Battle and it was the Ravening Hordes booklet. (yes, I had to google it because my old brain couldn't remember)

I've got some mixed feelings though. I'm not sure about how I like the direction they went with certain armies, and I definitely don't like how uber powerful the special characters are. When one guy can wipe out a whole squad of marine in a turn....who isn't going to field that? But I digress. I'm not a competitive player anymore (never really was actually) and when I do play, I'm sure my opponent and I will keep it casual and fun. So if 10th's new ease of play can help make that happen more often, then good on it. I'll take any reason actually to take my models off the shelf once in a while.

I did preorder Leviathan. The models looked great and there were loads of them. Will I get anything beyond the starter? No idea. No plan to at this point. I've got rules for all my models already (or soon will have) and the rules to play. Not sure how GW is planning on squeezing its player base for 10th just yet, but I have the feeling its going to continue on with its "season" strategy. But that only really matters for the tournament types. 

For me, I'll be happy if this edition is simple enough for me to convince my wife to play. If I can understand it, then she'll have no issue at all. :)

Okay, that's enough rambling for now. Normally I dive into the variety of games that I've been poking and prodding for the last few months, but I'll save that for another post. If we are really lucky, maybe I'll even have some pics of 3D prints that I'm attempting.

So until the next time I feel guilty enough to make a post....


Sunday, October 2, 2022

Knight's Folly

 Hello all,

I have content and time to post it. Go figure. So lets jump right into it.

First off, I got my first game in the Ordo Fanaticus 40K Crusade. I went with my knights and fielded three Armiger Warglaives, each with melta guns. I did upgrade one with the Armor of Sainted Ion, and the Ion Bulwark warlord trait. I ended up facing off against a Primaris Salamander force. It had assault intercessors, bladeguard, the meltagun guys, and a captain with big honking shield. The game was really quick. I think it lasted all of three rounds. I was able to get the first turn and shot/charged the melta-marines and wiped them out.

He counter charged into the lead knight with everything else, which allowed my warlord to Heroic into the melee. His bladeguard cut down the knight, but left his warlord and other squad stranded. I think killed a bladeguard with the warlord. Those guys are tough. My third knight which was holding the back objective ran forward to help my warlord out. 

In the shooting phase, I took out the rest of the intercessors, and took down another bladeguard. The knight then charged in to help with the bladeguard.  I took down another bladeguard, leaving one, but taking some wounds on my warlord. 

His turn, he charged in with his captain and put some wounds on the fresh knight. I choose to then select my warlord to finish off the last bladeguard. With that gone, my final knight was able to kill his captain.

Getting the first turn, and getting off the charge vs the meltagun guys really paid off. It eliminated the shooting threat from his army. That being said, his stratagem use killed off a knight with his vicious bladeguard. I'll have to prioritize them next time too.

Next week is another 500pt game. Luckily my destroyed knight did not gain a scar and my warlord was actually able to gain a rank. I have to say, there is so much to keep track of in 40k now...it really is bloated. I had to keep track of primary objectives, secondary objectives, agendas, honor & oaths, and quests, which included keeping track of kills and where those kills occurred. It really is quite silly. 

Looking ahead at 750pts, that one is going to be an odd one for me. We get to add 250pts to our rosters for free (will not cost RP). We'll see how that goes.

I have been working on adding a Helverin to my force. Now the three warglaives are magnetized already, but as I have two unassembled ones, I decided to build it.


I took my ques from the warglaive so that the weapons were magnetized in the same way, so I could swap weapons around with any of them. I primed with leadbelcher and then eventually went over it with a valejo black dip wash. It really grimed up the model and brought out a ton of detail. Next up is drybrush with gunmetal over the parts I want a bit cleaner, and then paint the armor panels and such. Then it will be down to a little detailing. I've been thinking of doing the new ones in averland yellow instead of the blue the painted ones are in.


 If all goes well, I should be mostly done before Thursday. I have to say, I'm really happy right now. I played a game, and then built a model and intelligently designed and primed it for once.

Well that is it for now. See you guys next time.

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

An actual Crusade!

Two posts in a year?? What sorcery is this? There goes that low bar. So yes, another post, not that I think anyone will actually see this. But it seemed appropriate to make one anyways. Things have been happening and going on, and well, why not share it?

First off, the title. Yes, I'm taking part in a 9th ed 40k crusade league. In all honesty, 9th edition has been sort of a let down for me. GW really cranked up the rules bloat across the board and I found the game extremely intimidating and confusing, which is why I haven't played it. Well that changed last week as my local game club started up a Crusade league and I got tired of sitting on my horde of models. So I mostly dusted off my necrons and went in to see how things were. I got completely stomped, for a large variety of reasons which we won't get in to, but overall, decided that it could be fun with the right army. That and pretty much everyone there told me that the only way to learn 9th edition was to play it, as trying to read the rules and absorb everything that way was just too hard. And they seemed to be right. So I'm taking the plunge with an Imperial Knight army. I probably won't win much, but I think I'm getting a handle on the rules for IK and I think I can have fun with them.

Next up, I played some Bolt Action recently. My buddy Robert (and yes, I do have a few more friends than just Robert...but yeah, same Robert as in the other posts..) came over and we threw down with a small game of BA. I played my dashing Italian Bersagilieri vs his less dashing British. 



Yeah baby! Pictures even to prove it. All things considered, I think the table didn't look too bad. I even own just a couple more pieces of desert terrain that I could toss in. I really need to buy/make a well though for an oasis. Any ways...the game was actually pretty intense, but the Italians won the day. The hero of the match was the Italian Sniper. He accounting for the British heavy MG, the mortar, and the LT. Meanwhile his counterpart was only able to kill as single infantryman. The Brits pushed along the two flanks while the Italians held the center. I was very lucky that Robert is not more aggressive as he could have totally swung around the two building side and crushed me, but he was focused on keeping the objective and didn't see that tactic. His Brits made a heroic push on the other flank, but the Italians were able to pour their fire into the squads and keep them pinned and taking casualties. His final charge was thwarted by heavy fire that cut them down to the man.

It was really nice to play a game, and it really showcased to me how awesome Bolt Action is. I gotta play that game some more.

Also, I finally got a 3D printer! Now its still literally in its box. I have however, purchased the horde of other products needed to get started. I have resin, rubbing alcohol, spill mat, UV lights, and screen protectors. So I'm basically all set to try. Now I just gotta find a place for it and take the time to prep. Who knows, maybe this weekend will work. Kind of exciting. I've been collecting a ton of STL files from various patreon artists. So who knows, with a little luck, I could be showing off some prints...you know, the next time I post...which should be about nine months from now. :D

Not only that, but I think....I do really think...that I'm done with buying models. My collection is quite large and at this point, buying more seems wasteful and unnecessary. Not that I intend to go crazy making models either. But for my current needs and mostly my "I wish I had..."s, I am done. I never actually thought I could get here...but there we are. 

So what is next then? Well I should have a Crusade update later this week. And then, I might be able to prep the 3D printer. However, I do have other non-hobby stuff going on which could impact that. So no promises. Well, until next time....just don't hold your breath.

Monday, January 17, 2022

One post a year, a new bar has been lowered!

 So sue me. Not like anyone is actually even reading this. This is just a place where I can come and procrastinate from doing real work. You know it, I know it, might as well say it.

Lets face it, the last couple of years have been crappy for most. For me, not so much, but that is because I'm introverted and not socializing isn't a big loss for me. Not only that, but I've been very lucky in that most of my friends and family have been playing it smart and staying healthy.

So why am I posting now, after a whole year has gone by with nothing? Well again, I'm procrastinating and I actually have something I wanted to share. So there :P

I could talk about how I've gotten into Kill Team by GW. I didn't jump in to the first edition game, but the 2nd ed box set was just too good to pass up. Turns out the game is pretty good too. But that isn't actually why I'm here today. The real reason is because of Battlefront's Team Yankee.

Team Yankee...or actually now it is called, World War III: Team Yankee, is Battlefront's take on what would have happened if WWIII had started in 1985. Now this game has been out for a few years. Originally, I completely passed on it even though I'm a pretty big fan of Flames of War, their WWII game. Something about the modern tanks and such just didn't appeal to me.

Well, here we are, years later, on a newer edition (2nd I believe), and I've finally taken the plunge. Okay, not so much a plunge, more like a toe dip at this point. But the plunge is coming, oh yeah...its coming.

My friend Robert, who by now must seem like my only friend...not true...but not far from false either, has been interested in TY for some time. Not sure what it was about it...but he kept a steady eye on it over the years. My flat refusal to even entertain getting the game though probably held him back from taking his own plunge...at least for a while. Some time last year he did manage to collect some US forces. He started talking about it...saying how great a deal the starter was...and yada yada. I listened, as any good friend would, but again...no interest in getting it.

And then the bane of my existence stepped in. Mindtaker.org. A more wretched hive of scum and villainy you will not find.... no actually, they are fine people and Mindtaker.org is one of my most favorite place to shop...in fact, I've probably spent more money there in the last few years than anywhere else. Well recently they received some TY collections and posted them up for sale. Nothing draws me in faster than a chance to save money on stuff I really don't need. The nail in the coffin was a very nice batch of West German forces, new in box. I nearly went in on the whole collection...but thankfully, surprisingly, my common sense won out and I held off. But it did basically make me research the game, the army, and everything Team Yankee for about two days. 

"and that is how you set the hook..." said the cruel universe. 

So, now I'm hooked and to complete the bonding, a purchase has been made. Now originally, there was no intention of a purchase. I went to Geeks and Games with the sole purpose of buying the new Genestealer Cult codex, and talking to my friend Adam, the store owner. He has one of the few stores around that even carry Team Yankee, if not the only one. Plus, he's a good guy and a player of Battlefront's games. Well he wasn't there...boooo....but the starter set was, and it was at a very good price. Also, I know Robert is going to take the US forces from the box off my hands as I'm going Warsaw Pact all the way.


So here we have the BMP-3, a recon vehicle that can also be used by mechanized infantry. Let me tell you, this kit is nice. First off, check out that detail. Second, that turret is also magnetized, so it turns freely, yet securely. Honestly, one of the nicest models I've put together recently. 


Emboldened by my success, I then went on to the T-64s. Also a very nice kit. the side skirts were a bit of a pain, but no cursing...so pretty good. I ended the night with a T-80 (sorry, no pic) and I have three more to assemble. But wow, I was just having fun building models. My wife laughed at me as I was driving them around my little table making vroom noises and going pew pew. Because who wouldn't?

I am super impressed. These models rocked. Great looking, and actually fun to put together. As I'm a bit obsessive compulsive when it comes to collecting, I have sort of planned what I intend to do next. At this stage, unless an unusual opportunity pops up, I'm done until the new Warsaw Pact book is released later this year. Also, they have previewed two new army sets and one of them is actually a Mech Infantry one. I love infantry in FoW, so will probably wait on that box set before doing any more. Not only that, but I don't want to get too distracted by TY while I'm finally actually playing Kill Team.

Anyways, it was worth sharing and I had taken pictures. I mean if that isn't a reason to make a blog post, well...then fine, everyone is allowed their own opinion I guess.

And if this thing actually gets some views, maybe I'll take pics of my Kill Team stuff and start posting that up as well.

Monday, January 11, 2021

To Printer or not to Printer, that is the question

 Hello sports fans,

So today instead of models or games, we are going to talk printers...3D printers that is. The gamer in me totally wants to jump into 3d Printing. I've been watching it with interest ever since it first came out. Who wouldn't be interested in the ability to make my own models at a fraction* of the cost I'm paying now right?

I've been a casual observer for the last few years...keeping an eye on things and looking at the items that a few friends have made. Recently though, probably due to the pandemic and the isolation it causes, I've really taken a notice at some of the great models being made and the advances in the medium. Costs have been coming down and it does seem quite reasonable to get a printer finally. Also, the investment of time and learning seems to have shrunk as well. All great things. 

That being said, now that I started to really consider getting one, the actual use of the printer has to be examined. And I mean seriously examined. I own a lot of models. I mean a lot. I have fifteen 40K armies. I have battletech, Age of Sigmar armies, Warhammer FB armies, Flames of War armies, Bolt Action, Dystopian Wars.... a lot of models.

Do I need to make more? I look at what is being done by Excellent Miniatures for their 10mm line. It almost makes me drool. Those models look fantastic. They purchased licenses from various model makers and are printing and selling those models. I just saw them start to sell models that I actually kick started. So I could buy from them...or I could get my own printer and make them myself. But do I really need to. With the hill of models I currently possess....do I need to start cranking out more?

The above model is by WizKids. I paid $15 for it. It is very nice and priced extremely well. Could I go out and find an STL model that would do for this and print it out myself? Probably. But would that cost be anywhere close to the $15 I spent on a perfect version, pre-primed and ready to go? Probably not.

But making my own would be really really cool!**

So what would I really want to use my printer for. Well, I'd want to print out cool minis as I found/bought them. I'd want to do terrain and possibly create custom movement trays for certain games (like Kings of War). I don't really see myself printing armies though, at least not 28mm scale. But 28mm terrain...yes please. Hence the "need" for a larger printer. Ugh, this is why I keep going around in circles. I can see a good use and need for it, and I can see it gathering dust as well.

Thoughts?

* as long as the cost of doing the printer pays out in the long run.

** my inner child is a pain in my ass.