I Went Out to the Garage and What Did I Find?

Those pre-loved Dark Reapers I bought a while back? Well, they've been stewing in the Simple Green dip in the garage ever since and I finally broke them out and cleaned them off. They're so pretty.

Meanwhile, back at the work bench, I've made good progress with the guardians finishing the weapons base colour. Next is the black and grey areas.
 

Last night while I was waiting for someone to pick up some stuff I was selling, I had the pleasure of playing two quick Combat Patrols against Fazzdien and his Ultramarines at the Bunker. He won both games, the first one handily and the second by a close margin. The lesson I learned most of all: Reaper Exarch with shuriken cannon is next to useless for more points than a normal Reaper. Hence why I need to paint up some more!

P.S. Fazzdien, I totally forgot your name! I'm horrible with names, what is yours again?

Temptation

Corey found a picture of the new plastic wraithlord for us and I'm in love. Its hard to think straight at the moment because visions of building an army around two or three of these is very very tempting.

Reality Check: Probably not going to work for me, but I'll definitely get one as a support choice.

Final Battle of the Black Storm on Forge Primus

Communication Intercept Point: Locara Kappa 5
Astroduct: Adept Killiontin
Date: M41 983.223
Clearance: Omega Black 4
Type: Synopsis
_______________________________________

*static*

"... fifty-three fatalities, and three unrecovered vehciles. Overall, below expected levels."

"As for recovered archeotech, as you suspected there was very little. It appears the xenos Eldar may have removed a handful of items from Vulcanis Hive before we arrived to drive them out. Our most significant recoveries occurred in Vesuvius Hive where we did not encounter any Eldar forces, but did engage Imperials several times, the last being as we moved en masse to Vulcanis."

"Our largest engagement with the Eldar occurred as we withdrew from Vulcanis Hive and made towards the extraction point at Helios Spaceport. They attempted a raid on our convoy where the recovered items were being transported. Two transports carrying parts recovered from both Vesuvius and Vulcanis were destroyed beyond salvage but they other 4 were able to escape to a safer route to the north of our position. We held the Eldar off as they attempted a second attack and lost approximately 250 Volistadians, a minor price to pay in my opinion."

"After those engagements we reached Helios unmolested, boarded our craft and made orbit at the agreed time. We made our rendezvous with the  Darknight's Pride and are preparing to enter the warp upon the successful transmission of this message."

"We should be back in Harsaded within 6 weeks."

"May Qunitara protect."

"Captain Kirith of the 2nd Company"

Lessons from the Big Leagues

I got to be pretty good with my Undivided Chaos army over the past few years. Since January 1, 2004 I have amassed 23 victories, 16 losses, and 12 ties which is the mark of a good player who at the same time is not a power-player.

I built those victories off pretty much the same core units:
1 x 10 Marine Assault Squad including meltagun and plasma pistol with power fisted champion in rhino
2 x 20 Marine Tactical Squads with lascannon, plasma gun, champion with power sword, sometimes in rhinos
1 x 10 Marine Tactical Squad with Missile Launcher, plasma gun, Infiltrate, champion with power fist

Everything else was built around that core of about 1000 pts. The reasons for why this core was so important can be contained in one word: flexibility. Except for the assault squad, these units could be assigned any duty with relative comfort. Shooting infantry? Bolters and plasma gun would take on anything. Anti-tank? Heavy weapon and plasma gun were good combination. Close quarters? The champion gave the squad the power it needed to stand up to many threats. Holding objectives? High re-rollable leadership and large squad size made them difficult to shift. Even the assault squad was capable of going after vehicles or infantry with ease. And combined they proved durable for the army; if I lost one squad early on, I still had three to fall back on.

This playing style suits me to a tee. It allows me to move with some confidence since every unit is built to deal with the same situations. The rest of the army is in support of this core and many games of practice have given me sure footing with it. Which is, of course, the reason I'm changing it all around.

Playing Epic for the past year has reinforced the concept of dedicated roles to me. Having a unit that needs to sit still to shoot for some models and move and assault for others is a sure way to neuter the entire unit. In 40K, chaos units have the option of taking 1 heavy and 1 special weapon, OR 2 special weapons. I've begun playing around with the second option in my tactical squads in an effort to make them more mobile so that I can advance with a bit more conviction and still get heavy weapon support from havoc squads.

The experimenting is ongoing, but so far in a couple games I have been moderately pleased. We'll see if it lasts.

Weekend Report

I successfully finished the Blazing Orange highlighting on the guardians this weekend. Here's what they looked like last Wednesday, and here they are now (first pic is two done, two waiting):
 

I also determined that while my Chaos army needs to wait for its repainting until after Eldar is done, I'm in desperate need for some autocannons and another meltagun. So look who joins the painting queue:

I even had enough time to clean off my work bench. I'm going to try working off the painting workstation to see if I can paint upstairs sometimes to increase my productivity. Right now my work bench downstairs is too high and makes it hard on my back to work there.
 

Sigh

Due to lawn mowing, Jiu Jitsu class, and general laziness, I only got the blazing orange on one model. Still, not bad for 15 minutes of effort. Hope to get the other three done this weekend and then move on to weapons.

Black Storm crush the lapdogs of the False Emperor

Pictures found here.

"My Lord, we have company."

Kirith felt a pang of worry. Jossat was reporting from near the end of the convoy. "The Eldar?" he asked.

"Negative. It appears the Ultramarines would like to prevent us from entering the Hive proper. They are coming fast on the highway with Land Raiders, Predators, and some Whirlwinds."

"Fools," Kirith scoffed. "Do they not realize the firepower we have here? Take what you need from the convoy and crush their pathetic advance. No mercy."

"Aye my lord, no mercy."

* * * * *

The blue Land Raiders were making good speed on the highway though the abandon city one hundred and twenty kilometers from Vulcanis Hive when the Black Storm struck. Out of several side streets renegade bikes flew out at incredible speeds and turned towards the massive tanks, charging them head on. The weapons of the tanks opened fire but had difficulty picking targets fast enough. The bikes swooshed between the tanks, serving back and forth and slapping on melta bombs or reaching out with power fists as they passed. Tracks and sponsons exploded off and several of the tank skidded to stops, sitting ducks for the fast moving and surprisingly well armed enemy.

Daemons then began to materialize and several squads of tactical marines opened fire from high above the street in the upper floors of abandoned apartment blocks. One by one the guns of the tanks were silenced.

* * * * *

"Lord Kirith?"

"Yes Lord Jossat?"

"It is done."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Derek and I played a 4000 point game of Epic last night. I was still sore from the last time we met when my poorly led armoured attack met a swift death at his drop podding army's hands, so I took a far more balanced list with lots of infantry and some Death Wheels and a Ravager Titan. Derek apparently forgot about the lessons of last game and took a completely armoured list. Sixteen(?) Land Raiders, 8 predators, 8 whirlwinds, some vindicators, and a Thunderhawk.

The game was one of a refused flank. In other words, instead of attacking up the middle I performed a perfect flanking sweep around on the blitz, breaking his back in turn two when my bikes and a tactical platoon combined to destroy two land raider formations in one assault. With the centre of the board on the right flank secured, I was able to push him back and take his blitz objective and I destroyed his Break Their Spirit formation for the win in turn 4.

Fundamentally the problem with all armoured lists is that there is significantly fewer models in each formation and the army as a whole, and its easy to get outnumbered and fail a few saves to turn a bad roll into a disaster. This game exemplified that perfectly. Derek did fight a good fight though, forcing it into 4 turns when I thought it was over in turn 2. In the end I just had too many formations still kicking and secured the win.

Thanks Derek!

Real Progress

Last night I had some time to actually sit down and make some real progress. I finished the blood red on the guardians and next comes the blazing orange highlights.

At the same time, I'm working on this inquisitor model so that some day I might join a game of Inquisitor. Presenting Inquisitor Kelarran of the Ordo Hereticus:
 

Every Bit Counts

Well, I did get some painting done, getting some blood red on the third guardian. Tonight should be quiet enough to finish blood red and move to the orange highlighting.

Very Busy

Sadly, due to work and then leaving this weekend, I haven't had time for painting nor will I until Sunday night. So my guardians are forced to wait. Stupid work disasters.

Lessons of the Eldar

As the Shadow Weavers lobbed their deadly payloads high into the air, the guardian activated the link to the Farseer. "We have found them."

"Excellent, pull back."

* * * * * *

The pale armoured Warwalkers swivelled its weapons to and fro looking for a target. Suddenly a red and black vyper flew out from behind some trees and ruins and took aim with its shuriken cannon at the wraithbone construct. The warwalker's scatterlasers zeroed in but the high velocity shuriken disks shredded its power plant and right knee. As the walker fell backwards the scatterlasers fired harmlessly into the air.

The vyper continued its attack run as a squad of right armoured Guardians burst from the treeline behind it. More shuriken fire strafed the position held by Dark Reapers and Guardians sporting the pale ivory and blue colours of Craftworld Baast. The lead Guardian from Craftworld Canathius linked to his commander and sent one simple message.

"We have their attention."

* * * * *

The Wave Serpents of Baast had been driven into the ground under the relentless assault of firepower from Craftworld Canathius' skimmers. But the two Wraithlords of Baast were proving more difficult to deal with. Their flamers forced the Guardians and Striking Scoprions back from the high ground where the assault on the approaching chaos legion was to be launched from. The Seers of Baast wanted this hill to ambush the oncoming monkeigh, and for mysterious reasons the Seers of Canathius wanted to prevent it.

Farseer Ianthius El'Canath knew the time had come to take matters into his own hands. With a psychic pulse he directed his three Warlock attendents to attack the first of the towering contructs while he rushed as quickly as his old bones could move him to the second Wraithlord, swatting at and killing Aspect warriors. The Striking Scorpions yelled and attacked harmlessly at its legs but the experienced warrior of the spirit stone powering it recognized the distraction for what it was and turned to face the charging Farseer. One massive mechanical hand swatted with amazing elegance and speed but Ianthus stepped into the blow and swung his ancient witchblade in a downward arc, slicing through the wrist of the arm and dropping the deadly power fist to the ground.

The wraithlord reared up and howled in rage and surprise, but before it could react further the Eldar swung his sword with two hands in an upwards stroke striking the Ghost Warrior in the groin and slicing up and through the head as if it were cutting through smoke. The howl abruptly ended and the wraithbone contruct dropped to its knees and then flopped onto its side.

"Sorry old warrior," the Farseer whispered to his unhearing foe, "but I do what must be done."

* * * * *

"Lord Kirith, we found signs of a battle. There are smoking wrecks of Eldar vehicles all around this hill, but strangely no bodies."

The chaos lord considered this news radioed to him by the scouting Raptor formation. "Expand the scouting radius further, and I'll send some air support to search as well. We are near Vulcanis and the hive is filthy with the weak xenos. We'll meet them in battle soon enough."

"As you command, my lord."

Game Tonight!

Playing some Eldar on Eldar action against Corey again. Wish me luck!

Here's the army I'm taking.

Painting is Back On

Last week with all the shipping of the ebay auctions, I didn't get any painting done besides the base coats of red gore on the four guardians. And getting that done had to wait until late last night. Sigh. Fortunately, my first Ebay run is complete except one package awaiting payment and I've got my workdesk back. Yay me.

While waiting for the paint to dry, the brand new falcon box was calling my name and I broke down and assembled it into its major components. What can I say, I'm weak and I love the smell of glue.

Here is a picture of my old Falcon, and my new King Falcon. The painted one has just the basics: scatterlaser, twin shircats. The King Falcon has the starcannon and shuriken cannon, as well as a modeled spirit stone and crystal targeter. The idea is that the normal Falcon is for generic troop carrying duty while the King Falcon is a full blown Main Battle Tank.

Here we have the new wave serpent and the old custom made wave serpent, as well as the old Fire Prisim turret. I'm not sure what to do with the wave serpent once the new one is painted up. Consign it to the museum of keep using it? We'll see. The Fire Prisim turret is destined to either be repainted or simply touched up. I'll try touching up first and see if it works out, otherwise, to the dip!

Love/Hate Relationship with Eldar Grav Tanks

If there is one fundamental rule in 40K, it has to be thus: mobility rules. The ability to get your men to where they need to be faster than your opponent wins games more often than not. If your opponent has faster units than you do, you better find a way to slow them down or a way to speed your guys up, or you will find your army folding like a cheap metal chair.

Which brings me to Eldar grav tanks. I love their look, I love their speed, I love their weapons, I simply love fielding them. But god, do I hate trying to destroy one. Facing more than two is a nightmare for me. Despite the best efforts of metalguns, lascannons, krak missiles, they do not go down for me it seems. Or, when they do go down, all of them go down together. Drives me batty. Don't even get me started on Falcons and their "holofield". Arrrrrgggg!!!

Marines in particular suffer when Eldar grav tanks are doing their invincible bit because Rhinos are the opposite of Wave Serpents and falcons. Slower with less weaponry and armour. Add to the mix the sheer number of Str 6 or greater weapons at the disposal of Eldar and Rhinos are an endangered species on the battlefields of the 40th millennium. So for a marine player, when facing multiple grav tanks he has to move as fast as possible to take them down and if he fails typically he loses the game.

Ebay Rules!

I finished my auctions on Ebay for a lot of bits and pieces I had lying around for a long time gathering dust, as well as my LatD army. Pulled in a cool $320 which was nice. A good portion of that will be going towards the new Eldar codex and models in the fall. (Can't happen soon enough).

I didn't get any painting done last night as I spent my free time packaging models for shipping. Oh well.

Finished Reapers, Grand Cruiser, and Guardians

I finished the Dark Reapers on the weekend, and as well based the four guardians I had completed weeks ago.
  

With these guys finished I can field a 1000 pts Biel Tann army. Not a balanced or effective one I'm sure, but nonetheless its a good start.

If I use some more models that are unlikely to be painted anytime this decade, like Vypers, wave serpent, jetbikes, warp spiders, I can create a slighly more effective force. But not much more. Obviously, I need more!

Oh I also finished that Grand Cruiser I was painting, the Vae Victus:
 

Next on the painting queue is Inquisitor Kelarran for fun (should be familiar to all of you since you've been reading my fluff... right? RIGHT?!), then back to Eldar with four more new guardians and a brand new wave serpent!

 

Ass Kickings All Around In Vulcanis

Awesome night of gaming against Corey (finally!) resulted in this battle report for the campaign.

No Pictures, But You'll Live

Between tennis and doing the books, I didn't have much time but I did get the long grass pieces glued to the bases of the guardians and reapers. Depending on when I get home from my games with Corey tonight, I'll either do the final static grass gluing tonight or tomorrow evening. Expect finished model pictures on Monday!