Hey guys, sorry I've been down and out for a while. I started up school again and I'm just drained.
I'm going to try my best to get some games in this weekend, and I am signed up for both a 1750 NOVA style RTT and a Flames of War tournament in the next month or so.
In the meanwhile, I strongly encourage you to check out the U.S. theatrical release of Solomon Kane, a film which was actually completed in 2009 but which is only now being released on this side of the Atlantic.
Solmon Kane, for those who don't know, is the origins of our "Witchhunter" archetype (which is one of my favorite archetypes). Puritan hat, cutlass, pistols, etc. He was written by Robert E. Howard, who also created the Conan character. If you've never had a chance to read Conan or Solomon Kane, I can't recommend them enough. They are the origins of so much of what inhabits our modern fantasy worlds, but there is something very primal and raw about Howard's writings, that I really dig.
While I was in Iraq, we received a BOX full of old Robert E. Howard books. An old World War II veteran, a former Marine, had passed away with his epic collection of Howard paperbacks. His widow, bless her heart, figured they could find a home with some Marines in Iraq. Well, I was the first to get my hands on them, and read every. single. one. I'm sure others have read them since then.
Here's a link to a list of US venues where Kane is playing. I've heard REALLY good things about this movie, it supposedly stays very true to the book. If you can check it out, you should, because we need to support good, serious fantasy and sci-fi film when it's made.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Possible 1750 Nids List for October Tourney
This is mostly built and painted, but I discovered today that I don't have NEARLY enough gants to support three Tervigons... which is kind of a good/bad thing. Oh, and one of my Hive Tyrant wings has mysteriously gone missing...
Hive Tyrant, Wings, Devourers x 2, Hive Commander
Hive Tyrant, Wings, Devourers x 2
Hive Guard x 3
Hive Guard x 3
Zoanthrope x 2
Tervigon, Catalyst, Onslaught, Adrenals, Toxins
Tervigon, Catalyst, Onslaught, Adrenals, Toxins
Tervigon, Catalyst, Onslaught, Adrenals, Toxins
Termagants x 10
Termagants x 10
Termagants x 10
Tried this out today and it did well. Everything seems to work better at 1750 for Tyranids.
Hive Tyrant, Wings, Devourers x 2, Hive Commander
Hive Tyrant, Wings, Devourers x 2
Hive Guard x 3
Hive Guard x 3
Zoanthrope x 2
Tervigon, Catalyst, Onslaught, Adrenals, Toxins
Tervigon, Catalyst, Onslaught, Adrenals, Toxins
Tervigon, Catalyst, Onslaught, Adrenals, Toxins
Termagants x 10
Termagants x 10
Termagants x 10
Tried this out today and it did well. Everything seems to work better at 1750 for Tyranids.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
I Remember
Somehow this sneaks up on me every year, then hits like a ton of bricks.
I woke up on that morning, with a sense of confusion. It was late. Normally we would have been woken up at 6 am, Pacific, but we groggily rolled out of our racks at around 6:15, exhausted from the previous day's training.
I was seventeen years old, a Marine Recruit at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Our drill instructors were nowhere to be found. We didn't know what to do, so we got dressed in our cammies and sat at the feet of our beds. There was an odd feeling in the air, a kind of silence that we couldn't put our fingers on.
After maybe 15 minutes, a drill instructor we didn't know came running through the barracks. He was obviously going through every squad bay. He quickly told us that our drill instructors had reported for security duty, that we were under attack, and that we were to remain where we were. He was wearing a flack jacket and a helmet over his neatly pressed button-up uniform shirt. He was carrying a loaded M-16.
After perhaps an hour, our Senior Drill Instructor returned. He too was wearing body armor and carrying a rifle over his immaculate uniform. He explained that the country was under attack. At first, most of us didn't believe him. The Marine Corps has been known to perform fake simulated attacks, to get recruits to think they were "going to war."
Without us saying anything about it, he acknowledged that this probably seemed like a joke, or a drill. He said it wasn't a joke. He asked us, "when is the last time you heard a plane taking off or landing at San Diego International (right next door to the Depot)?" It was then that we identified the strange silence - the airport was dead silent.
"Gents, we can't shut down San Diego International just to fuck with you. This is for real."
The rest of the day is a bit of a blur. I remember seeing our drill instructors putting up crash barriers at the gates of the depot. I remember how confused everyone was, as rumors flew around about a missile launch, about Afghanistan, about war. Yes, even on that first day I remember we were talking about Afghanistan.
Later that night, our Senior brought in a tiny, 12" television set, and a VCR. He put in a tape, the news from that morning, recorded by his wife. 116 of us, mostly kids really, sat around, in cross legged silence, and watched our world change. It felt like the beginning of something, and we knew most of us in that room would be getting involved long before it was over.
I remember.
I woke up on that morning, with a sense of confusion. It was late. Normally we would have been woken up at 6 am, Pacific, but we groggily rolled out of our racks at around 6:15, exhausted from the previous day's training.
I was seventeen years old, a Marine Recruit at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
Our drill instructors were nowhere to be found. We didn't know what to do, so we got dressed in our cammies and sat at the feet of our beds. There was an odd feeling in the air, a kind of silence that we couldn't put our fingers on.
After maybe 15 minutes, a drill instructor we didn't know came running through the barracks. He was obviously going through every squad bay. He quickly told us that our drill instructors had reported for security duty, that we were under attack, and that we were to remain where we were. He was wearing a flack jacket and a helmet over his neatly pressed button-up uniform shirt. He was carrying a loaded M-16.
After perhaps an hour, our Senior Drill Instructor returned. He too was wearing body armor and carrying a rifle over his immaculate uniform. He explained that the country was under attack. At first, most of us didn't believe him. The Marine Corps has been known to perform fake simulated attacks, to get recruits to think they were "going to war."
Without us saying anything about it, he acknowledged that this probably seemed like a joke, or a drill. He said it wasn't a joke. He asked us, "when is the last time you heard a plane taking off or landing at San Diego International (right next door to the Depot)?" It was then that we identified the strange silence - the airport was dead silent.
"Gents, we can't shut down San Diego International just to fuck with you. This is for real."
The rest of the day is a bit of a blur. I remember seeing our drill instructors putting up crash barriers at the gates of the depot. I remember how confused everyone was, as rumors flew around about a missile launch, about Afghanistan, about war. Yes, even on that first day I remember we were talking about Afghanistan.
Later that night, our Senior brought in a tiny, 12" television set, and a VCR. He put in a tape, the news from that morning, recorded by his wife. 116 of us, mostly kids really, sat around, in cross legged silence, and watched our world change. It felt like the beginning of something, and we knew most of us in that room would be getting involved long before it was over.
I remember.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Tony Kopac wins the NOVA... AGAIN!
Man this guy just can't be stopped.
In the final round, Tony was able to clear out the middle objective which was being contested by Nick Nanavati's Plaguebearers. Each player controlled two quarters (primary) and with Tony claiming the middle objective he won on secondaries.
So let's talk about all of the awesomeness flowing out of the NOVA:
-Flyerwing is defeated by an infantry army.
-An all infantry army versus and all infantry army at the top table in the final round.
-Chaos Daemons (!?!) at the top table in the final round.
-Xenos everywhere, as primaries or as allies.
-Still lots of mechanized lists, and they don't seem to be falling down failing either.
Wow, talk about some changes that 6th has brought to us.
So the goal of any good tournament design is to bring two incredibly skilled teams/players together in the final round, and face them off in a format that provides no advantages to either side, and produce the best possible fight possible, with the most skilled player taking the win.
Well Mike: Mission Accomplished.
What an incredible game.
Rough recaps of Tony and Nick's lists (VERY rough):
Tony (via Imperius Dominatus):
Njal
5x Grey Hunter squads, 3x10 w/ 2x Plasma, 1x10 w/ 2x Melta. All wolf standard and each lead by a PF
Wolf Guard Terminator, and 1x5 with just flamer
2x Lone Wolves w/ Chainfist & storm shield
Primaris Psyker
5 man PCS w/ no upgrades
50 man Blob Squad w/ 5x Power Axes & meltabombs
2x5 Long Fangs with 4 missiles each
Nick's Daemons (confirmed by his opponent Nathan):
Fateweaver
6 Flamers w/ pyrocaster
6 Flamers w/ pyrocaster
6 Flamers w/ pyrocaster
5 Plaguebearers w/ Icon
5 Plaguebearers w/ Icon
5 Plaguebearers
5 Plaguebearers
5 Screamers
5 Screamers
5 Screamers
Daemon Prince
w/ Wings, Iron Hide, Unholy Might, Breath of Chaos, Slaanesh, Aura of Acquiesece, Soporific Musk.
Daemon Prince
w/ Wings, Iron Hide, Unholy Might, Breath of Chaos, Slaanesh, Aura of Acquiesece, Soporific Musk.
Again... this is REALLY rough, could be off by a lot but gives you a general outline of the armies. I didn't get to watch the seventh round this morning, and I missed the first few rounds of the 8th so that would have let me get a better idea for exactly what was in each army.
In the final game, Tony rolled on Divination and was able to apply 4++ invuls to his blob squad, and his Primaris also rolled endurance. This allowed his 5 point trooper ablative wounds to withstand the full fury of a double Screamer and Daemon Prince assault and actually wear down the Screamers over time. The blob eventually died, but you talk about the epitome of a tarpit. 5 point models with a 4++/5+... ridiculous.
Anyways, what a great game to watch. Hope you guys get a chance to as well. The 11th company has done an incredible job of covering the entire event.
In the final round, Tony was able to clear out the middle objective which was being contested by Nick Nanavati's Plaguebearers. Each player controlled two quarters (primary) and with Tony claiming the middle objective he won on secondaries.
So let's talk about all of the awesomeness flowing out of the NOVA:
-Flyerwing is defeated by an infantry army.
-An all infantry army versus and all infantry army at the top table in the final round.
-Chaos Daemons (!?!) at the top table in the final round.
-Xenos everywhere, as primaries or as allies.
-Still lots of mechanized lists, and they don't seem to be falling down failing either.
Wow, talk about some changes that 6th has brought to us.
So the goal of any good tournament design is to bring two incredibly skilled teams/players together in the final round, and face them off in a format that provides no advantages to either side, and produce the best possible fight possible, with the most skilled player taking the win.
Well Mike: Mission Accomplished.
What an incredible game.
Rough recaps of Tony and Nick's lists (VERY rough):
Tony (via Imperius Dominatus):
Njal
5x Grey Hunter squads, 3x10 w/ 2x Plasma, 1x10 w/ 2x Melta. All wolf standard and each lead by a PF
Wolf Guard Terminator, and 1x5 with just flamer
2x Lone Wolves w/ Chainfist & storm shield
Primaris Psyker
5 man PCS w/ no upgrades
50 man Blob Squad w/ 5x Power Axes & meltabombs
2x5 Long Fangs with 4 missiles each
Nick's Daemons (confirmed by his opponent Nathan):
Fateweaver
6 Flamers w/ pyrocaster
6 Flamers w/ pyrocaster
6 Flamers w/ pyrocaster
5 Plaguebearers w/ Icon
5 Plaguebearers w/ Icon
5 Plaguebearers
5 Plaguebearers
5 Screamers
5 Screamers
5 Screamers
Daemon Prince
w/ Wings, Iron Hide, Unholy Might, Breath of Chaos, Slaanesh, Aura of Acquiesece, Soporific Musk.
Daemon Prince
w/ Wings, Iron Hide, Unholy Might, Breath of Chaos, Slaanesh, Aura of Acquiesece, Soporific Musk.
Again... this is REALLY rough, could be off by a lot but gives you a general outline of the armies. I didn't get to watch the seventh round this morning, and I missed the first few rounds of the 8th so that would have let me get a better idea for exactly what was in each army.
In the final game, Tony rolled on Divination and was able to apply 4++ invuls to his blob squad, and his Primaris also rolled endurance. This allowed his 5 point trooper ablative wounds to withstand the full fury of a double Screamer and Daemon Prince assault and actually wear down the Screamers over time. The blob eventually died, but you talk about the epitome of a tarpit. 5 point models with a 4++/5+... ridiculous.
Anyways, what a great game to watch. Hope you guys get a chance to as well. The 11th company has done an incredible job of covering the entire event.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Watching the NOVA, and thinking
Watching Tony hammer Neil Gilstrap today on the 11th Company Livecast just made me giggle. For the first few turns Neil's flyerwing was just HAMMERING Tony's army, with very little done in return, as Tony slowly moved across the board with his horde of infantry including... Njal.
Seeing it from above, it was really, really clear that if Njal rolled well on his Stormcaller powers it was going to wreak havoc with the Flyers. I had to step away for a few turns but when I came back, 3/4 of the Scythes were gone. Wow.
Anyways, Njal is and always has been a boss. I hammered several Dark Eldar Raiders out of the sky in a turn with him as well. He's a handy dude, albeit an expensive one.
Anyways, been thinking about army lists as always, and bought a bunch of terrain building supplies as well. Would like to have two full tables of terrain built and stored so that I can both play at home with some variety and contribute for tournaments. I think the next terrain set will be something desert/Egyptian themed, as I saw at the NOVA and it just caught my fancy.
I had been screwing around with several combinations of Wolves and Knights, including my Mech list that I took to a RTT recently. I have also gotten a few games in with my Loganwolves in a foot configuration with Strike Squads allied in for extra anti-infantry and scoring.
Here's where I have landed so far with Logan and friends:
Logan Grimnar
Rune Priest, Meltabombs
Wolf Guard x 5, Terminator w/Cyclone, 4 w/Bolters, Bolt Pistols
Wolf Guard x 5, Terminator w/Cyclone, 4 w/Bolters, Bolt Pistols
Wolf Guard x 5, Terminator w/Cyclone, 4 w/Bolters, Bolt Pistols
Wolf Guard x 5, Terminator w/Cyclone, 4 w/Bolters, Bolt Pistols
Wolf Guard x 5, Terminator w/Cyclone, 4 w/Bolters, Bolt Pistols
Wolf Guard x 5, Terminator w/Cyclone, 4 w/Bolters, Bolt Pistols
Longfangs x 4, Multimelta x 4, Pack Leader
Longfangs x 4, Missile Launcher x 4, Pack Leader
Longfangs x 4, Missile Launcher x 4, Pack Leader
Inquisitor
Strike Squad, Extra Strike Marines x 5, Psycannon x 2
Strike Squad, Extra Strike Marines x 5, Psycannon x 2
So that's 68 models, and a fair bit of firepower. Not convinced that this is the way to go, but it certainly doesn't look terrible either.
Seeing it from above, it was really, really clear that if Njal rolled well on his Stormcaller powers it was going to wreak havoc with the Flyers. I had to step away for a few turns but when I came back, 3/4 of the Scythes were gone. Wow.
Anyways, Njal is and always has been a boss. I hammered several Dark Eldar Raiders out of the sky in a turn with him as well. He's a handy dude, albeit an expensive one.
Anyways, been thinking about army lists as always, and bought a bunch of terrain building supplies as well. Would like to have two full tables of terrain built and stored so that I can both play at home with some variety and contribute for tournaments. I think the next terrain set will be something desert/Egyptian themed, as I saw at the NOVA and it just caught my fancy.
I had been screwing around with several combinations of Wolves and Knights, including my Mech list that I took to a RTT recently. I have also gotten a few games in with my Loganwolves in a foot configuration with Strike Squads allied in for extra anti-infantry and scoring.
Here's where I have landed so far with Logan and friends:
Logan Grimnar
Rune Priest, Meltabombs
Wolf Guard x 5, Terminator w/Cyclone, 4 w/Bolters, Bolt Pistols
Wolf Guard x 5, Terminator w/Cyclone, 4 w/Bolters, Bolt Pistols
Wolf Guard x 5, Terminator w/Cyclone, 4 w/Bolters, Bolt Pistols
Wolf Guard x 5, Terminator w/Cyclone, 4 w/Bolters, Bolt Pistols
Wolf Guard x 5, Terminator w/Cyclone, 4 w/Bolters, Bolt Pistols
Wolf Guard x 5, Terminator w/Cyclone, 4 w/Bolters, Bolt Pistols
Longfangs x 4, Multimelta x 4, Pack Leader
Longfangs x 4, Missile Launcher x 4, Pack Leader
Longfangs x 4, Missile Launcher x 4, Pack Leader
Inquisitor
Strike Squad, Extra Strike Marines x 5, Psycannon x 2
Strike Squad, Extra Strike Marines x 5, Psycannon x 2
So that's 68 models, and a fair bit of firepower. Not convinced that this is the way to go, but it certainly doesn't look terrible either.
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