I Stand with Axanar

Today I want to talk about another sci fi universe that is very close to me, and that is Star Trek.  If you are fan I am sure you have heard of and seen the crowdfunded fan made film, Star Trek Axanar covering the four years war between the Federation and the Klingons in the pre-kirk era.  Paramount and CBS up to this point has not opposed the project and even consulted with the film makers, well that just changed.

The Force Awakens *Spoilers*

I have seen the new movie and I am happy to say it is a great start to a new trilogy.  The following will contain Spoilers.  I say again Spoilers Spoilers Spoilers!!!  Turn back now, you have been warned!

Star Wars Armada

To switch things up and with the release of the new movie, I want to talk about star wars armada.  I recently got it, the boxed set was on sale for 50% so I couldn't pass that up.  A table top fleet combat game (sci fi) has been something I have been itching for a long time.  While GW may someday bring battlefleet gothic back, it may be too late for me.

Mont'Ka - Fluff Review

So I wanted to do a quick review on my thoughts on the fluff aspect of the new campaign.  The books themselves are good quality, artwork is nice.  I am a fan of the newer style of art that GW has been doing, so this continues with this trend, though there is plenty of old art as well.  I do like that from a fluff perspective the book does not assume that you have read Kauyon.  It gives a good road to war, with enough background to explain the new campaign.  And there are some interesting things to come out of it, including the death of a special character, though they give an out still.

Cadian Detachment Warlord Traits & Heirlooms

Next up from the Mont'ka campaign book is the actual Cadian Detachment and its associated warlord traits and heirlooms.  In order to have a Cadian Detachment, you cannot have any Non-Cadian special characters, so only Creed, Kell and Pask are allowed.  There you have a Cadian detachment, and your bonuses are that you can use the Cadian Warlord traits and heirlooms.  And of course the Cadian Battle Group.  I would note that non of the Mont'ka formations are Cadian specific, so you can take a formation as part of your normal CAD army without having to be cadian, its just the Battle Group that is Cadian.

Cadian Battle Group - Mont'ka Detachment

So next up from the Mont'ka campaign book is the Cadian Battle Group detachment, it is also a Cadian Detachment, which I will go over in another post.  Short of it is that you cannot take any non cadian special characters, so that leaves you with Pask, Creed, and Kell.  You can't take yarrick anyways though due to how the battle group is laid out, and the other special characters aren't much of a loss.  There is a cadain warlord table and heirlooms, which both are good, but again I will go over that later.

Mont'ka - Imperial Guard Formations

 

So I got the book set (it comes in two-Fluff/Rules) and got a chance to look over the rules for the imperial guard formations and detachments.  There is a lot of good stuff in here and first I will go over the formations separately,  then next post I will go over the detachment and Cadian special rules.  The actual detachment is ok, its hampered by a few things that I will go over in that post but there is a lot of good in there too.

Been A While - New Guard Info

So first off, I know it has been a while.  As I said last time, my life is busy and 40k is simply too time consuming for me to add to my plate.  I am transitioning out of the service and will be starting a business with a close friend once I get out, so essentially I have two jobs right now, when I am not doing one, I do the other.  So fun time for me is stuff that I can do quickly, which is unfortunately not 40K.  But I have still been keeping tabs on the game.  And fear not, the blog is not dead, it will be a while till I get back to posting as often as I used too, but it is not dead as long as I have my IG.

Busy

So I have been away for a long time.  Sorry everyone, I have just been swamped with life.  Work is busier than ever.  My wife got a new job that requires more travel time, so I am taking up the slack with chores and work at home.  And I am going to be changing careers, with that I am spending a lot of my free time on what I will be doing after the army.  I am still here though and I will still be playing when I get a chance.

Since I haven't been playing at all recently I am not up to date on the new armies and the tactics against them.  I am hoping to start having some more hobby time soon and getting posting again.

Hope you all are well.

GG

Batrep: Testing the Mech

So got a test game in with my new army idea, going mech.  My buddy torquer came over and played his marines against me.  Initial thoughts is that I like the army, but not 100% on all the pieces, think there is some room to improve.  My goal right now though is to keep it IG, though flip flopping on whether the scions will stay in the IG book or as ally MT.  Will see as time goes on, each has its merits.  But I want to essentially keep allies out, so that means solving problems with this book.

New direction

After doing some discussion, and a little reorganizing of the hobby space, I think I know what I am going to drive forward with in regards to IG.  Really there are two armies right now I want to play around with.  First is mech, and second is mass infantry.  I have played infantry heavy lists before, and always loved how they played.  Bullgryns have proven themselves alot and will work wonderfully in a cheap infantry list.  And armor is just plain fun.

Just around the Corner

Sorry I have been gone for a while.  Life has been busy, weather is great so I have been getting outside and doing other things with my free time.  The full Ad mech is about to be out with cult mechanicus and I am pretty darn excited.  Ad Mech is def going to be my next army, but its going to be a long haul before I build it, once the codex is out, I'll decide how I want to slice it up between cult and skitarii.

Tournament Report: Astra Militarum & Space Wolves

So yesterday I went to a local tournament and got some games in, the first in probably 4+ months, its been a while.  I took a Space Wolf/Imperial guard army to try out a few fun ideas, and suffice it to say, I did ok.  There were a lot of strong armies there, so it was a tough fight.  First game was flyrant spam, with 3 flyrants and carnifexs in tyranocytes, plus mucolids, raveners, and a few other griblies.  Second game was against white scar bikers and last against destroyer cult decurion detachment.  No one was holding back thats for sure.

All These Exciting New Things

So a lot has been going on lately.  The eldar are out and kicking stuff around, but there has been quite a bit of things leaked and released that really makes me happy.  First new assassins!  I so wanted to have assassins but really didn't like the old models, now there are new ones, which I will wait to get as the special mini game doesn't really entice me.  Then there is new Knights and also Cult Mechanicus.  This has really been an exciting year so far, in a lot of great ways, and I can't wait to see what keeps coming.

Skitarii Tactics: I Hear You Like Radiation

Skitarii are the new boys, with new rules that have yet to be seen how they will synergize into the game. Vanguard have their special rule which causes units locked in combat with them to suffer -1 to their toughness due to how irradiated they are.  With that, I felt like persuing this theme to it's logical conclusion, so lets start pumping out radiation.

Do You Suffer From ED?

Well the big boys have gotten bigger, and we are all about to suffer from ED, the Eldar Destroyer.  Rumors are pretty much 100% confirmed at this point, if you haven't heard, well go check them out.  The sad thing is, everything else but two things look great for eldar players.  If it hadn't been for two changes, this could have been an amazing release that would have rebalanced the codex and game, but alas, tis not to be and we shall suffer from ED.

The Trap With Skitarii

The skitarii are a good army with lots of good options, but within those options there is a trap.  Often times we are our own undoing, in that we can't help but take options when we really shouldn't and often don't need too. This will be an issue for skitarii players I suspect when it comes to the squad leaders of the skitarii infantry.

Skitarii Tactics: Detachment & Formations

I've gone through all the units, now its time to go through the detachment and formation rules.  They do have some interesting rules and the detachment really helps this army out and makes it able to compete decently well without transports.  Some of the formations are very situational, but I like most of them and only one is kind of bad, more from the pts cost.  Alright time to get into it.

Skitarii Elites: Review and Tactics

Time for the odd ones, the Skitarii elites.  These are the Sicarian Ruststalkers and Infiltrators respectively.  They are both CC units, and both are different enough to warrant their use.  The rustalkers are little more damage output focused, while the infiltrators a bit more sneaky.  The ruststalkers will be harder to use, but I do see them as useful in the skitarii army.

Skitarii Onager Dunecrawlers: Review and Tactics

The Dunecrawler, the heavy weapon of the Skitarii.  Its a rock solid unit and really is the cornerstone of this army.  Its by no means overpowered, but its pretty cheap and pack a heavy punch and is decently survivable, and there really isn't a bad build.  Its got all the big guns and is going to be the bane of a lot of units in 40k, expect to see these become very common.

Skitarii Transports and The Fluff

 

 

Skitarii have no transport, old news I know.  GW is quite self aware of this missing piece and goes to give an explanation of it in the fluff.  Its an ok fluff explanation, but is also totally retardly silly.  Why don't they have a transport you might ask.  Well its because they got tireless legs, duh!

Codex Skitarii: Inititial Thoughts

So I picked up the codex today and have had a looksy.  My initial thoughts are this, its a well balanced codex that has the ability to deal with most threats on the 40k table.  Nothing is particularly indestructible, but reasonably tough and priced.  It can take care of air, armor, and infantry, and has reliable cover reducing options, though lacking ignores cover outright.  The CC units are not bad, though will def require playtesting to get their use right.  Overall, its a very solid army that has a lot of tools at its disposal.

Tempestus Scions Tactics: Base 1000pt list

Switching gears back to scions.  Trust me though, this is related to skitarii.  For me, I am going to be combining skitarii and scions to form my army.  One thing is that this keeps it cheap, as I don't need a full on skitarii army, just enough to work with the scions.  This is also though a good starting point for a scion army base for you build off of.  Limiting to 1000pts as this still leaves enough room to use this as a second detachment, or allies.

Skitarii: No Transport, No Problem

At this point we have pretty much most of the info on what skitarii have as far as an army.  The dunecrawler is looking to be the last model for the army, with no HQ choice, nor transport.  To be honest, neither is really a big deal.  The Alphas have two wounds and you can kit them out to be as good if not better than an AM company commander, so really, nothing that bothers me.  The transport option though seems like a bigger deal on first glance.

New Skitarii

So the next models are leaked, another dual kit and these guys are CC specialists.  Don't have full rules yet, but initial thought is that they should be ok.  The rust stalkers and sicarian infiltrators are the two units, both though are CC focused.

Initial thoughts on Skitarii

Well having mulled over the first released units, Skitarii are looking to be quite good.  For me, I see them as my ad mech jelly to my scion peanut butter, so that is where I am coming from tactics wise.  However, even on there own they look to be decently balanced already with solid anti tank, anti infantry, and ok anti air.  Since I want to run them with my scions, they need to make up for their weaknesses, mainly long range shooting - especially anti-tank- and cheap anti air.  And they actually have that.

Skitarii Models and Rules!

 

So finally we have the first wave and its irrefutable, skitarii are here!  Model wise, love them, they look imperial, but more off the wall and with gubbins that is expected of the Mechanicus.  Some of the basic rules have leaked, still missing army wide rules and the other bits, but overall each unit looks to be good, some looking really good.  There are supposed to be more models on the way, with the dunewalker one of them.

All Hail Mars

Well what have we here.  Looks like the first pic confirmation of Ad mech.  The binary translates to All Hail Mars, so pretty much a confirmation even though no models have been sighted yet.  I did not really expect this to pan out, nor be so soon in the year, but I am really happy to be wrong.  I cannot wait to add admech to my force.

Astra Militarum Tactics: Screening and Blocking Units

In 40k board control is a large factor in winning games, being able to control where you want to go, and stopping your opponent from moving where he wants to.  There are a couple of ways to do this and units that will help you out in this regard.  You want to use units that have some mobility or toughness and enough of a kick to be effective.  Generally these are not going to be your key units, often they are more of the sacrificial type.  Using units to screen or block will help you to control the board and the tempo of the game.

Guest Hobby: Astra Militarum and Scions

Have two more guest submissions.  Jakub sent me pics of his sizable IG army, and Robert sent some of his nicely converted scions.  The above is from Jakub showing a large portion of his infantry.  Below is more of his collection!

Astra Militarum Tactics: Layered Fires

With Astra Militarum, we have some of the best firepower around, if not the best.  However it is important to use it correctly and both build your army to properly take advantage of it, and to deploy it so it can make use of it.  With some of the longest ranged weapons in the game, and some of the weakest units in melee, it is important to layer your fires so that you can weaken your opponent, or attrit in military terms, before they reach your lines.

Astra Militarum Tactics: Fighting Necrons

This is going to be an initial overview of how to deal with necrons.  Not going to be in depth as I haven't played against the new army yet nor poured over the codex for a long while.  But there are definite things you are going to face and need to deal with as IG

Harlequins Are Looking Good

The new harlequin release is looking great so far.  The codex will be out soon and should get a good final verdict but from what I have seen they are going to be a good force, though not going to be top of the meta either.  Thinking along the lines of MT but a little bit better.  AT is a bit of an issue but I think they can handle them.  They have a lot of good tools though, and the shadow seer is definitely going to be a big presence, and I think the death jester is going to have an impact as well.

Just too Early: Astra Militarum & Scions

With 7th edition being out for quite a while now, and with a lot of codex's coming since then, I have to say I look at my scion and astra militarum codex's and feel a little sad.  To me, the books were great for 6th edition, and the scion codex (format wise) was a sign of things to come.  But I see all the new codexes with their special detachments and formations and I feel a little left out.

Guest Hobby: Converted Imperial Guard and Scions

Second set of army pics sent in to me while I was away.  Luke did some great conversion work on all of his stuff and I must say I am jealous of how you paint eyes so well, something I still struggle with.  Above is one of his scion commanders, looking very nice.  More below

Guest Hobby: 2000pts of Scions

A few weeks ago I got sent pics of what 2000pts of scions.  James sent the pics of his army that he has and its awesome to see plenty of scions.  For anyone else that would like their IG or Scion army to be showcased, or anything that is just plain awesome, please feel free to shoot the info and pics over to me in an email.

Back From the Land of no Internets

Well I am back, finally.  Been a long three weeks.  I have just been able to keep up with some of the current 40k events and have to say, the harlies look amazing.  Looking forward to seeing the full codex come out, as of now looks like they will be good, but prob not great on their own, like Militarum Tempestus.  Anyways, more to follow, have quite a few things I want to post, I'll be on later so expect to see more posting and back to my regular schedule.

GG

Away For Work

Just FYI, I am away on military training, with limited internet access.  I won't be back for two weeks so don't expect a whole lot of posting till then.  Please send emails if you have any thing to share.  I'll be posting 2K pts of Scions that were sent in to me when I can.  I have been keeping my ear to the ground, with what little internet I have, and the Harlies look amazing, can't wait to see more when I get back.  Good luck to all, see you on the flip side.

GG

Random Thought: Why Don't Space Marines Know How to Infiltrate Anymore

Have a random thought bouncing around my head.  It revolves around how Scouts, being initiates into the chapter and not quite yet a battle brother, run around all sneaky, infiltrating and scouting all over the place, then upon elevating to battle brother status forgets all that crap.  There can be reasons for this, but really it seems even in the fluff that battle brothers have almost forgotten how to do all that infiltrating.

Harlies and Hobby

Well the harlequins are all but confirmed now, and I am surprisingly excited about it.  I love the fluff that they have, and are probably one of the few "factions" I'll get jut for the models.  As long as the models are great, but hey GW is pretty solid there so not a stretch of the imagination. 

Hobby Progress: Painted Krom Dragongaze

Alright so finally got another post.  I have been working on Krom Dragongaze, the space wolf special character from the sanctus reach campaign.  I love the model which is why I got it, plus he makes a great wolf lord/battle leader.  Kept with my armies theme and did a bit more final work, which I think shows in the face and in other areas.  There is def some more work to do but I really like his look so far.

Hobby post: Complete Space Wolf Rhino

Another project completed, the rhino is done and ready for battle.  I did not glue the ramp nor the top hatches so I could paint the inside, the inside could use some touchups but it won't be seen often enough to be on my priority list.  Only have a few space wolf units left to complete, just krom dragonaze and some scouts, will get to those soon.

Hobby Progress: Custom Wolf Priest WIP

Was able to get to work on my custom wolf priest, as I really don't like the existing models that much.  I used space wolf body parts and got the special edition dark angel chaplain so that I would have plastic crozius, and I ended up using the helmet as I couldn't get a custom wolf helmet that looked good (attempts to make one failed).  He looks wolfy enough to work, I may end up buying a finecast ulrik the slayer in the end though.

Battle Fleet Gothic Game: OOOHHHH!!

I got this from my brother, and not sure how much news this is but a battle fleet gothic strategy game is in the works.  I so want this, and hope this turns out to be a good game.  The setting of the game is to be the Gothic war against Abbaddon, which is no surprise.  No word on when it is to be released.

Bullgryn WIP part 3: Done

So now I have the bullgryns done.  At least table ready done, there is plenty more that could be done, but for me they are now acceptable for games.  Here's hoping that they do well this weekend and are happy with their paint job.

Bullgryn WIP part 2

So part two of my continuing progress on the Bullgryns.  Quick post tonight as I got home late and want to spend time painting more tonight rather than blogging.  I painted last night while watching my ole colleges championship foot ball game (american) who continued with their usual choking in the champ game, so I may have drunk a little bit.  A little bit of touch up to do, but not finished anyways so no biggie, I usually make messes as I paint and clean it as it gets finished.  But not bad for some wine infused painting.

New Hobby Progress: Painted Space Wolves and Bullgryns

So I finally got motivated and got some hobby time this weekend.  I have a playdate next sunday, so have a new list to try and as such I have new and old models to paint.  Basically I am taking a force of Space Wolves and AM together.  I have six bullgryns who will have a wolf priest running with them for FnP (6+) and preferred enemy and fearless, and two demo squads in drop pods just for fun and to try it out.  Rest of the army is grey hunter squad, blood claws, rune priest, two infantry squads with ACs, a PCS with melta in a taurox, tank commander in exterminator, vendetta, wyvern.  Should be about it and covers most bases.

Skitarii Posibilities

The new rumors going the rounds is Admech, with skitarii being the main event in the rumors.  I really don't know, I want to believe it, but its hardly the first Admech rumor to come about.  For me the hard part is that there are no pics, of anything, and the rumor mill has been on lock down for quite a while.  Being that unless pics are leaked, most rumors have not panned out.  But who knows, maybe a pic will be leaked soon or this could be one of the few cases where the rumor slipped the cracks.

New Year, New Projects

Ah a new year.  Now I am not one for resolutions, think they are silly, but I do have plans for the upcoming year.  My professional life is in flux so may determine how much of this happens, especially if I have to move to an area with less gaming, but we will see.