Invaded by VAMPIRES!!!!

You might ask why there are thousands of points of unassembled Undead on my gaming table. Remember how I said I was a little bit of a "magpie" gamer...

No! They're not mine I swear. I am officially a "Hired Gun", well more of a Hired Assembler/Baser of sorts. About a month ago I discovered that a coworker of mine had a Vampire Counts army that had been sitting in a closet for ages. We started talking Warhammer 8th and he came over to watch a game.

Today he approached me and asked if I would be interested in assembling his models for a fee. He had seen the work I had done with my Empire and Bretonnian armies and confessed that he wasn't really into the whole hobby side of Warhammer, but really wanted to play the game.

Getting paid to hobby? Of course! Honestly I am humbled that he would place his army in my hands to assemble and paint.

I'll see if I can't post pics as the project moves along. He doesn't have a deadline, but I would like to get models on the table soon. Let's see how quickly I can assemble and base almost 3000 points of Vampire Counts. Once I sort through his models I'm going to post the list here.

Admittedly this will take away from my own hobbying, but extra cash equals extra models which equals extra hobbying. Right? Right?!

Don't look at me like that!

Warhammer Fantasy 8th Edition: My Observations (Part 1)

Backtrack several months ago, before the announcement of 8th...

I was growing disenchanted with 7th Edition WHFB, and my friends and I had always looked at 40K from afar, but our collective disenchantment with WHFB drove us closer and closer to Orks in Space. Before I knew it I had 1500 points of Imperial Guard!

...and before my hobby spending could recover 8th Edition was announced!

My friends and I kicked of the launch of Warhammer 8th edition with a hell of a Warhammer Weekend! We had nearly twelve straight hours of gaming the first day, and another eight the second. We plodded through the rule book, trying to forget what we had just learned in 7th (being relatively new hobbyists). Between the three of us we knocked out five games using all of the randomization rules. Since then, I have personally played four more games, brining my total 8th Edition games to 6, only one of which was a 2500 point list.

How can I best sum up my 8th Edition experiences?

1. Fast - Once the new rules are learned of course
2. Wacky - Especially if Random Terrain/Random Battles are rolled for!
3. Replayability is High! - Random Terrain/Random Battles are great!
4. Plays well from 1000 to 2500 - 40K is fun at a range of points levels, so is WHFB!
5. Inspiring - The BRB is full of inspiring content from terrain to campaign ideas!
6. Full Color Rule Book - Nice touch!
7. Thoughtful Rule Writing - Arguments have been slashed by 90%!!!
8. Pre-measuring - Why hasn't this always been a part of the game?!?!
9. and most importantly Cinema!

What do I mean by Cinema?

A unit of four Dark Elf Crossbowmen found themselves lacking courage after being charged by armor clad Knights of the Empire. In flight they found themselves in front of a curious "Sinister Statue". Having somehow escaped the Knight's speedy mounts the Crossbowmen rallied.

One of the Elves caught the faintest glow out of the corner of his eye as he turned towards the statue. To the elves' horror the "Sinister Statue" stirred as white hot beams lanced out at them! D6 STR 4 hits yielded 4 wounds. The Knights in the distance saw the abrupt flash as a smell of seared flesh wafted passed them.

What a moment! All because of a simple piece of terrain! Honestly my favorite addition to 8th is the superb cinema of the game. My games have seen huge swings of momentum leading to nail biting finishes!

Our first attempt at the Watchtower Scenario saw 30 Chaos Warrior entrench themselves in the tower on turn 3. A beleaguered Empire force, weary from fighting off units of Chaos Knights and insane Marauders, found themselves dominating the field but not the objective!

If any army of the Old World can pound a garrisoned structure into submission it's the black powder armed soldiers of the Empire. The Greatcannon's crew charged powder and rammed ball as a unit of 5 Outriders closed in. The air filled with the the smell of sulfur and saltpeter. FIRE! Reload! FIRE! Reload! Turn 3, Turn 4. The hearty soldiers of the Empire were running out of time! In the Watchtower scenario the game ends on a dice roll, in short you add the turn number to a roll of a D6 beginning with turn 4. If the total is less than 10 the battle continues another turn, if the total is more the battle ends immediately!

At the end of turn 4 the die was cast, a 5! Praise Sigmar! The guns reloaded. FIRE! Chaos Warriors were blasted through the windows of the tower.

At the end of turn 5 the die was cast again, a 4! Turn 6! For Nuln! FIRE! The guns roared. Chaos Armor can hardly stop blessed cannon fire!

At the end of turn 6 the die was cast again, a 2! Turn 7! For Karl Franz! FIRE! The garrison of Chaos Warriors was dwindling! They couldn't take much more!

At the end of turn 7 the die was cast again, a 1! Turn 8! FIRE! After suffering severe casualties through a storm of cannon-fire and handgun shot the Warriors of Chaos felt their courage waining. The Warriors broke for the cover of the forest behind the tower! The nearby State troops readily claimed the Watchtower objective.

At the end of turn 8 the die was cast, a 4! The battle was over. The smoke of the Empire's guns cleared. The men of the Empire had driven back the forces of Chaos one more time.

My friends and I have talked about this battle several times like it was the hit movie of the summer! What excitement!

A hearty goodbye to "The Boar's Head Inn," welcome to Round Square!

Haven't posted in awhile, and truth be told I haven't had the desire to. My waining desire to post wasn't because of a decline in hobby. On the contrary, my hobby has developed beyond "The Boar's Head Inn", and I am happy to say I am expanding!

The honest truth is that I don't just have a Bretonnian Army, and I am little bit of a "Magpie Gamer" (credit to the guys over at the D6G for that term). I own board games, video games, and a significant amount of models for 4 different armies across two miniature gaming systems. In fact, it's all a little overwhelming sometimes and definitely less efficient than more focused hobbyists.

I've gone through my first year of miniature wargaming, and I'm looking forward to the second! Instead of my previous whimsical posting habits I thought I might get back into the habit of writing articles. Here's a laundry list of topics that have been on my mind for awhile:

1. Warhammer Fantasy 8th Edition: My Observations.
2. 40k and Fantasy - Say no to shapecism!
3. The Bretonnian Army in 8th Edition WHFB.
4. Book Review: "The Saint" by Dan Abnett.
5. Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle: No I haven't played...but I might.
6. Battle Chronicler: Can I actually make a full battle report?
7. Painting Chronicles: Steam Tank.
8. Painting Chronicles: Greatswords.
9. Thank You Podcasters!
10.The Importance of the Alpha-Gamer.

Let's see how far I deviate from this list in the coming months!

New Job? Trip to Seattle? A Battle Bunker?

Those topics and more in the next post! Working 6PM to 3AM is no way to live, I think the schedule might have adverse effects on my subconscious. Maybe I won't have to deal with that soon. Here is hoping.

Maybe I'll even rejoin the gaming world... I love a good mystery.

As for Seattle, I went to a real Games Workshop Battlebunker. Where is Austin's Battlebunker? Ok sure it would/might squash the local game stores and yes that would be sad but wow did I appreciate a fresh smelling store complete with a friendly corporate smile. Oh and Holy bajeezus toledo! What terrain! Full sized 1/28th scale Helm's Deep? Awesome! Fortress of Redemption? Sweet! A 6'x4' map of Middle Earth made from the Might Empires/Planetary Empires set? Awesome! Too many tables and a pseudo-medieval decor?! Ok, I'm getting ahead of myself. The rest will have to wait until tomorrow.

Photos - New Lord: Jean d'Artois!

Since I started collecting Bretonnians I've wanted my army to be led by a lord based on Joan of Arc character. GW has a model named Repanse de Lyonesse that I was looking at for awhile, but to be brutally honest I don't care for the model.

As luck would have it, last Saturday I found myself browsing through one of my local gamestore's collection of miniatures on 50% off clearance and what do I find? Lady Jehanne, a Crusader Warlord from the Reaper Minis Warlord range.

After a couple of easy conversions....

And then a little bit of paint

I have my newest lord, Jean D'Artois! I still have some freehand to do on the shield and some details to add, but I am very happy with the model, the conversions and the color scheme.

I'll be writing up a little fluff for her shortly. For now he's her wargear:

Jean d'Artois

-Grail Vow

-Gilded Cuirass (Heavy Armor, grants Regeneration)

-Lance of Artois (Killing Blow on the Charge)

-Mantle of Elena (Immune to Poison/Killing Blow)

-Virtue of Confidence (Reroll all Hits/Wounds in challenges)

-Bretonnian Warhorse

-Shield

Lose, Win, Draw! - 2010 Cap City Carnage Funraiser Event

Current Record

W: 1 L: 1 D: 1

My results from the 2010 Capital City Carnage Fundraiser racked up one win, one loss and one draw. Overall I'm happy with my performance in the tournament. I played the following armies:

Loss against the Warriors of Chaos

My opponent's list revolved around a solid block of Chosen Chaos Warriors, a couple of units of fast cav, a unit of marauders, a giant and a unit of Chaos Knights. Some highlights and lessons learned:

First, always get the charge not getting the charge with my superior Bretonnian Warhorses is unacceptable. My lance of Grail Knights was shy just over 1/4" which cost the charge on the Chaos Knights sending a unit of Knights Errant in by themselves

Second never charge Chosen Warriors... ever (probably) but especially not those with a 3+ Ward Save, just take your time, don't get march blocked, and work the rest of the units.

Third Mark of Slanesh Giants get to attack first even if charged and remember that they can jump up and down up to 12 times. Even if you save seven you're still taking five wounds.

Fourth Remember your tournament special rules!!! Use those rules and keep the points needed to be kept!

Win against Ogre Kingdoms

I had the benefit of playing my opponent's list earlier, though really my win here came from two things Bretonnians do best, pass saves (both ward and armor) and capitalizing on a unit that flees from combat by running it down. Some highlights and lessons:

First: Brets should never be charged by Ogres, ever. 9/10 games against Ogres will end with Bretonnian victory against Ogres as long as the Brets get the charge!

Second: Try to force the Ogre Heroes and Lords into a more favorable challenge, too many Grail Knights were lost in 1v1 Combat.

Third: Don't be fooled by low strength no armor save magic, Humans are only toughness 3, strength 2 still wounds on fours. 2d6 wounding on fives is nasty with no armor saves is nasty against a lance of six knights.

Draw against Orcs and Goblins

How do you avoid the Bait and Flee tactic? Don't charge... just don't do it, show some restraint. Discretion is the better part of valor!

First: Bet against Bolt Throwers... especially those crewed by Goblins... always.

Second: Ignore fast cav with bows, they're nowhere near as nasty as Dark Riders. Let them shoot at you all day long, and wait for the right opportunity.

Third: Watch your overrun/pursuit lanes! A Giant charged the flank of the Grail Knights, it's a big flank! Don't leave it exposed.

Fourth: A good move against Fast Cav (for Brets, and maybe not Darkriders) is to move into their face on the first turn, then charge the second. Simple deployment calculation makes this a great tactic! From the 12" line cav moves 16" leaving 20" of space on the board. If the Fast Cav move behind you, move up the lines and around cover if possible (beware the rear charge), if they run from you then move up and keep them and another target in LOS. That way if they rally you might have a chance to charge them while continuing to be a threat to another new target.

Fifth: Play for a draw. Brets have the charge range to dictate combat. The only time I failed my charge was when I risked it a win in turn 2 is the same as a win in turn 6.

2010 - Capital City Carnage Fundraising Event

I should call this post my first tourney evar! So I've finally decided to join the tournament scene here in Austin, and will be playing this Sunday at BFG at the 2010 Capital City Carnage Fundraising Event. The list composition point cap is 2010 as opposed to the usual standard 2250. Participants will receive a free blister if they meet the 2010 limit exactly!

Here's my list, I'll be shooting it around to a couple 'experts' to see what they think, so expect a couple of changes:

LORDS: (294)
Bretonnian Lord – Grail Vow, Royal Pegasus, Holy Icon, The Grail Shield, Antlers of the Great Hunt, Lance (294)

HEROES: (464)
Paladin – BSB, Grail Vow, Virtue of Duty, Blade of Might, Banner of Chalons (148)
Paladin –Grail Vow, Royal Pegasus, Virtue of Heroism, Great Weapon (182)
Damsel - Dispell Scrollx2, Barded Warhorse (134)

CORE: (636)
Knights of the Realm x 5 - Musician (128)
Knights Errant x 6 – Champion, Musician (127)
Knights Errant x 6 – Champion, Musician (127)

Knights Errant x 6 – Champion, Musician (127)

Knights Errant x 6 – Champion, Musician (127)

SPECIAL: (230)
Pegasus Knights x 4 - Champion, Musician (230)

RARE: (386)
Grail Knights x 7 - Standard, Musician (296)

Trebuchet (90)

Total Points: 2,010 (of 2,010)

Not to expose my overall strategy, but I'm a big fan of Lords and Paladins on the Royal Pegasus mount. After being burned a couple of times by the spell Beast Cowers in the Lore of Beasts I decided to beef of the MR for the Lord with the Holy Icon. With the lord being Immune to Psychology, along with a 2+ Armor and 4+ Ward Save (against all attacks) this durable Bretonnian Lord is really only vulnerable to magic. The Holy Icon bestows a whopping MR3 to the character.

The Paladin BSB will join the Grail Knights to cut through whatever stands in their way as they ride to glory and take the field! His Virtue of Duty adds a further +1 to CR along with the BSB's +1CR and the Unit Standard's +1 CR. With a decent +3 to CR before combat begins the unit piles on 14 WS5 S6 attacks from the Grail Knights along with the 3 S5 attacks from the BSB Paladin (thanks to the Sword of Might). This unit serves as a great Hammer and an Anvil in a pinch (with 2+Armor saves for the knights and 3+Armor Save on the BSB, along with Blessing of the Lady Ward Saves all round). Last but not least the BSB carries the Banner of Chálons guaranteeing that no Knight will fall to any of the dishonorable Standing and Shooting practiced by less chivalrous armies!

The Paladin on a Royal Pegasus with a Grail Vow and Virtue of Heroism might be my favorite unit in the entire army. This Paladin's unique virtue allows him to use the Killing Blow rule against large targets! Steam Tanks, Hydras, Giants, Dragons beware! With his Grail Vow this knight knows no fear! Nothing like swooping in and popping Giant on the charge!

My last hero is the meek Damsel. She adds one dispell dice to my pool, with a high possibility of a second as she drinks from the Chalice of Mafleur. She also carries with her a dispel scroll. Unfortunately I don't have any damsel models... hopefully this won't be a problem for the tourney.

With a core retinue of impetuous Knights Errant and obligatory Knights of the Realm deployed MSU this army contains various long charging threats.

One question I have concerns the value of the Knights of the Realm over the Knights Errant and vice versa. The KOTR have LD8 versus the LD7 of the KE, and a WS of 4 over the KE's 3. However the strength of the KE is their special rule Impetuous which gives the Knight's Errant Immunity to Psychology when charging (and for the duration of the turn in which they charged). Does an ITP unit still test on double ones when facing a fear causing enemy that outnumbers them?!? Long story short I always run with Knights Errant, they are 4 points cheaper/model and are guaranteed to launch themselves into combat. If anyone has any thoughts I would love to hear them.

Finally I have one unit of 4 Pegasus Knights. To be quite honest, if I had the models I would have two units of 3 Peg Knights as oppose to one unit of 4. The wallet is a bit tight these days though...

Oh and I can't forget the Trebuchet. It's 90 points, I'm not too terribly sad if I lose it and it mostly misfires, but sometimes it takes out a unit worth 300+ points... Dishonorable and undependable but what can you expect from something that was designed by and is operated by lowly peasants.

The Ultimate Tool.

Yes, that's right it is a combination laser level and tape measure. The ultimate Warhammer Fantasy tool! Sure maybe this more for the dedicated 40k player, but nothing clears up a LOS argument like an ever accurate beam of light. To be clear this doesn't just point a laser dot at your target, it draws a laser line on the table! Sure this could be achieved by a regular laser leveler, but this one has a tape measure attached!! The above model can be found at http://www.opticsplanet.net/sonin-laser-level-tape-measure.html but great news. A knock off version can be found at your local target for a mere $5! Check in their redbox holiday item section! I bought one for my brother and ColdOne, and not for myself. A real shame now that I have these two cannons to gauge LOS with.

For Sigmar!!

Christmas brought me many gifts! One of those was an Empire Brigade box! On top of that my good friend Coldone picked me up a pack of Grail Knights which I have already primed and assembled! I'm now the proud owner of the following models:

The Empire

1x Empire General

2x Empire Captains

1x Warrior Priest

2x Great Cannons

1x Mortar

40x Swordsmen

15x Crossbowmen

5x Handgunners

8x Knights

5x Pistoliers

Bretonnia

1x Bretonnian Lord

1x Bretonnian BSB

1x Green Knight

5x Grail Knights

6x Knights of the Realm

24x Knights Errant

1x Field Trebuchet

30x Men at Arms

24x Peasant Bowmen

5x Pegasus Knights

So much work to do! So much to assemble, prime and paint. For Sigmar! For the Lady! etc. etc.