2k tourney list for tomorrow

Doing my first "official" GW tournament since doing Rouge Trader Tournaments back in 6th edition. (Oh how I miss my Dogs of War army) 

Slaughtermaster, General, 2xHw, lvl4, Talisman of Preservation, Scroll, Lore of The Great Maw - 357 Pts.

Bruiser, Ironfist, HA, BSB - 138 Pts.
Firebelly, 2xHw, Potion of Speed, Talisman of Endurance, Lore of Fire - 157 Pts.

6 Ogres, Handweapon & Ironfist, Lookout Gnoblar, M, S, C - 227 Pts.
7 Ironguts, M, S, C, Lookout Gnoblar - 336 Pts.

4 Maneaters, HA, 4 x Brace of Ogre Pistols, Scouts, Sniper, M, S, C, Banner of Eternal Flame - 304 Pts.
6 Leadbelchers, M - 268 Pts.
1 Sabretusks - 21 Pts.
1 Sabretusks - 21 Pts.

Ironblaster - 170 Pts.

Total: 1999


I'm feeling a little naked without my Hellheart, but I've convinced myself that at 2k points, I should be able to deal with my opponents magic without it.  Plus I hate taking anything that random to a tournament.  With it's range being D6x5 inches.. I know I'll be rolling a 1 when I use it.

I've never fielded a leadbelcher unit this big before so I'll be interested in seeing how well it does.  After watching a 10 man unit of HE Dragon Princes disappear in a single volley, I wanted to try my luck with them.

Mathhammer time

6 Leadbelchers get 6d6 shots (average of  21)
Hitting on 5's(7 shots)
STR 4 vs tough 3 (3-4 wounds)
Then -2 for their armour save. 

That doesn't seem like alot, but if you select your targets right, that's downright evil. 

Will try to get some pictures tomorrow if I remember to charge the camera.

Resin Bases

  I think I have my base choices down to 2 options.  After doing some thinking, I've decided that I might as well go ahead and get some resin bases.  It's gonna add a little cost to the army, but it will give it a very finished look to it, as well as, if/when I start doing 40k tournament, having resin bases is just free points in the paint score department.

  After doing some research into more resin bases that I'd like to admit, I've narrowed it down to 2 choices... I think... 

  I want to make sure that whatever I buy, I'll be able to buy a full set of them.  I saw some really amazing bike bases, but since they didn't make that style in Dreadnaught size and in standard round size, they aren't really going to be useful for me going forward.

  The first option is from Dragon Forge.  I really like the cobblestone rubble bases.  

Standard Bases

Terminator Bases

Dreadnaught Base

Bike Base

Attack Bike Base

   Dragonforge also has a "Flight stand".  They will drill the hole in the base for you, so I won't have to worry about doing it myself and possibly screwing up my fancy resin base.  I can't stand the GW flying bases.  Seeing that clear plastic bubble always seems to cheapen the look of an army.

  

The second option that I like is from ForgeCraft Games.

Standard Bases

Terminator Bases

Dreadnaught Base

Bike Bases

Attack Bike Base

I really like that both sets have an Attack Bike base, even GW doesn't have a base of that size. 

Pro's and Cons of Each

Dragon Forge

Pros:

1.  They also make a large oval base like the ones used on a Storm Raven or Imperial Valkyrie.  I don't currently have the need for it, but it is nice to know its there.

2.  Flying bases.

3.  Very simple to paint.  Just prime it black, then drybrush the red bricks. Then just paint the smaller details.

Cons:  

1.  Less variety in the different bases.  

2.  When it comes time to do a display board for the army, making something that will go with the red bricks will be difficult.  

ForgeCraft Games

Pros:

1.  Greater Variety of bases.  

2.  Cheaper than the Dragon Forge bases.

3.  With the exposed dirt and grass, there is an opportunity to put some static grass down, and really make each base it's own individual thing.

4.  Very easy display board.  I can just go to Home Depot and buy a couple squares of Diamond Plate and glue that to my favorite Ikea tray.

Cons:

1.  More difficult to paint.  

2.  I fear it might come off as a little bit too shiny with the white armor of my Space Marines.

Since I'm still waiting on the heads (darn you Poczta Polska),  I don't think I need to make the decision anytime soon.   

Tau Piranha and Devilfish, 2k WFB Tournament, and Flames of War????

I did a little painting today but these are by no means completed models.  Since I'm still waiting for the Space Marine stuff to show up, I did some work on some of the Tau I have sitting around.

Tau Piranha

I wasn't planning on starting the Devilfish, but a great big glob of paint

 shot out onto my palette and I didn't want to waste it.

Next point of business,  Looks like January 16th the Battle Bunker in Bowie is going to have a 2000 point WFB Tournament.  I'm going to write up 2 lists, 1 with Mournfang Cavalry, and 1 without them, then we'll see if I get the Mournfangs done in time.  12 days might be cutting it a little close, even for my style of wait till the last minute and start slopping paint.  I don't even know how feasible it would be to field them in just a 2000 point army list.  (Expect a 2nd post with army lists sometime soon)

I've always wanted to break into some kind of historical game, but since there are only 10 million different ones to choose from, I never pulled the trigger on it.  However, I think I may have the one that suits me in Flames of War.  I've got some friends that play and it seems like something I can get behind.  It seems to play more like a tabletop game rather than a accurate historical representation. People seem much more relaxed about having accurate camo patterns to match squad numbers.

Originally what I wanted to do was a Early Polish Kawalerii army from the Blitzkrieg Book (shhhh you can read it on Scribd pg 38.)  However, its an Early War army and because people love TANKS TANKS AND MORE TANKS, early war doesn't get it's fair shake.  Even on the Flames of War site, there is only a single Early War tournament listed for this year.

Then Guybrarian pointed me to the Poles in Italy briefing on the Flames of War site.   It would give me a late war army that is apparently decently competitive, would get my foot in the door so to speak on a Polish army, and it has rules for "Wojtek the Soldier Bear."  That's not a nickname folks... It's a real bear.  A short history of Wojtek can be found in the briefing for those of you who are unfamiliar.

So I guess I'll add playing Flames of War to my list of projects after I

1.Finish Ogre Army (Although in my defense, I'm pretty damn close.)
2.Space Marine 40k army
3.Finish my Tau(once the new book comes out)
4.Trollbloods for WarmacHordes
5.Get my Empire army back in shape so that its playable.
6. Infinity????(Not totally sold on this game... still need to make it out to play the demo at my FLGS)

One day they will release a statement that says over exposure to acrylic paint, super glue, and resin/plastic/pewter causes cancer, and I'll just immediately fall over and die.

Initial Order of Space Marines and a 1000 point list.

  First off Merry Christmas everyone and if you don't celebrate Christmas, Happy Sunday!  So I think I've figured out my initial order of Space Marines.  This will get me to 1000 points, probably not the most competitive list, but its a good starting off point.

From Miniature Market (I don't know if I've sung the praises of these people enough, but 25% off GW prices plus free shipping on orders over 99.)
2 Dark Angel Ravenwing Battleforce-  157.50
1 Space Marine Scouts with Sniper Rifles - 18.75
1 Space Marine Land Speeder Storm - 22.50
Total: 198.75 w/ Free Shipping

From GW
1 Empire Engineer on Mechanical Steed - 20.00
Total: 20.00 w/ Free Shipping (Technically you only get free shipping on orders over 30.00 but I'll get something to bump it up to 30, because I'm not paying them 7 dollars for shipping.)

From Puppetswar

3xNative American head  29.61 

Total:29.61 plus 2.12 shipping

Grand Total:  250.48

  At least for the time being, I've talked myself out of doing the Eagle Warriors shoulderpads.  I can always get them later, but for the time being I want to either try to do something myself, or find else online that isn't already the symbol of a Space Marine Chapter.

  I still need to make a decision on the tomahawks, but there is going to be soooo much more assembling and converting to do, I don't want that to be holding up the process.

Now, for the 1000 point list.


HQ (205pts)
    * Kor'Sarro Khan (205pts)
           Moondrakken

Troops (545pts)
    * Scout Squad (130pts)
        * 4x Scout
            4x Camo Cloaks, Missile Launcher, 3x Sniper Rifle
        * Scout Sergeant
            Camo Cloak, Melta Bombs, Power Fist, Sniper Rifle

    * Space Marine Bike Squad (Troops) (200pts)
        2x Plasma Gun, 4x Space Marine Biker
        * Biker Sergeant
            Melta Bombs, Power Fist

    * Space Marine Bike Squad (Troops) (215pts)
        2x Meltagun, 5x Space Marine Biker
        * Biker Sergeant
            Melta Bombs, Power Fist

 Fast Attack (250pts)

    * Land Speeder Squadron (100pts)
        * Land Speeder
            Multi-Melta, Typhoon Missile Launcher

    * Land Speeder Squadron (100pts)
        * Land Speeder
            Multi-Melta, Typhoon Missile Launcher

    * Land Speeder Storm (50pts)
        Heavy Bolter

  That's every model that I'll have bought in the initial order.  You'll notice that one of the bike squads is 1 man fewer than the other one.  That is because I'll have to steal 1 marine for converting into my Kor'Sarro Khan (tentatively name Sitting Bull...take that Custer) so I'll end up with a spare bike, which is fine because it will eventually be used, I just need to find a bitz site that will sell me a pair space marine biker legs.

  Everything will move quickly, the 5 scouts will be able to load up into the Land Speeder Storm and help me capture any objectives that are in buildings that my bikers can't get to, and with the powerfist and missile launcher and sniper rifles, cause a little havoc along the way.

Christmas Project + Project: Cherokee Update

  So tonight, my painting project isn't wargaming related, but its Christmas related.  This lamp is a Christmas gift for a friend of mine.  It's an old lamp, and there are many chips coming off it so I'm just sort of retouching up those spots as well as cleaning up and replacing the hardware.

Firefighter Lamp

  So I've been searching the internet high and low trying to find some tomahawks.  I've got a couple that I think might work with a little modification, so as I've been narrowing down the choices I emailed a few of the miniature companies about exact sizes of the axes, and when I emailed about this one from The Assault Group.  The guy said he is going to send me a free sample.  

  Hopefully I'll be able to take a higher res photo when I get the sample one.

  I don't know if it's standard practice with smaller miniature companies, but I do know that I find it freakin awesome.  I really hope that it works out for my needs, because not only do they have that, but they also have entire range of Aztec weapons.  Including these shields which I think would make for some pretty neat Storm Shields.  Also some of the banners might look cool riding on the back of the unit leader's bikes or the attack bikes.  

"Storm Shield" Idea

Banner

  

God forgive me for this...

Normally I wouldn't post something like this, because I hate people whose blogs are littered with "This is what I ate" posts, however if you will indulge me I am going to do this now.

Mostly because it was amazing, but also to let the few people who regularly read this (It's scary think that are in fact some who do) that I an in fact still alive.  Not a lot of painting going on these days as I am between army projects but I can promise you that'll change soon.

Anyways, this was lunch today.

Pork tripe, pork blood sausage and other porky bits cooked with bean sprouts and spicy peppers. Maybe one of the best Chinese food meals I've ever had.

Well back to you're regularly scheduled war gaming already in progress.

Next Project: Codename Cherokee

  Once I do a unit of 4 Mournfang Cavalry, I think my Ogre army will be pretty much complete.  I'm not such a huge fan of the large monsters in our army so I don't really feel compelled to paint one.  So I've been thinking about what to do next. I would love to finish my Tau army, but quiet frankly I hate losing.  Until they get a new book (which the rumors say will be next year), I'm putting them on hold.  

  When I started playing 40k, I was torn between 3 options.  Tau, Sisters of Battle, or doing a White Scars army.  I ultimately chose the Tau because its just too difficult to do a Sisters of Battle army without spending an arm and an asshole, and because I didn't want to be "just another space marine army."

Well the SoB are still too rich for my blood, so I've decided that I'm going to go with the Space Marines. I was doing a bit of reading of the fluff of the White Scars and while I really do like them, some of the stuff just didn't set well with me. For example "Also, the majority of heavy weapons normally used by Space Marine forces such as the Heavy Bolter, Missile Launcher, Plasma Gun or Heavy Flamer are frowned upon by the Chapter, and any tank that cannot keep up with the rest of the army is avoided in the order of battle. For instance, the White Scars have no Devastator Squads, and their few Predator tanks may not carry sponson weapons. The White Scars also do not field any Dreadnoughts, not only because of the slowness of those cyborgs, but also because every White Scars Astartes does not want to be crippled to the point that they must be entombed in a Dreadnought's cybernetic sarcophagus. Far better to die and allow their spirits to pass into the afterlife where they may roam free." I know that there is no steadfast rules saying I have to play them this way, but I don't want some pimply faced fluff nerd telling me that army isn't "correct"

So the only logical next step, would be to make up my own space marine chapter. It will still be that highly mobile bike and land speeder heavy army just my own. A long time ago I saw these and saved the link cause I though they were awesome.

  So this has become my new idea, I'm going to do a native american based space marine army.  It would fit with the highly mobile idea, plus it's a nod to my own heritage.  I'll do a headswap for most of the marines in my army with these heads from puppetswar.com.(Helmets are for sissy man!)  At about a dollar a head(9.87 for 10), I don't feel that I'll be breaking the bank for my theme. (Plus pointwise, biker marines get expensive, so fewer models, fewer heads!)

 Games-Workshop makes the Dark Angels Ravenwing Battleforce that I'll be using pretty heavily as a cheap source of biker marines.  (105.00 dollars from GW, but through Miniature Market its only 78.75.)  In the box you get 6 regular marine bikers, 1 attack bike, 1 land speeder, and a bunch of sprues of Ravenwing stuff to make them ravening.  So I'll just throw out the ravenwing spures and TADA!  Its just regular ole marine stuff.  

  I have some other ideas of how to make the army feel more native americany.  I have been looking all over the internet trying to find some 28mm scale tomahawk to give them as their close combat weapons, but no luck so far.  I might end up buying a model that has one, making a mold of it and using one of those make your miniatures kits to mass produce them.  This is certainly not the prefered method but I'll make it work if I have to.

  On GW's website, if you do some searching for the metal alternative shoulder pads, the "Eagle Warriors Shoulder pads" come up.  Sadly I can't use Miniature Market for these so I'll have to pay the standard GW price of 8.25 for 10.  Less than a buck a piece, which is not too bad given that I'll only put 1 per marine.  

  The math works out well for this as there are 10 marines (6 on bikes, 2 in the attack bike, 2 in the land speeder) per every battleforce.  78.75 + 9.87 + 8.25 = 96.87 for roughly 360 points.  

  Every army need their commander so my idea for HQ is to do my own version of Kor'Sarro Khan the white scars commander.  Since there is no model for Kor'Sarro Khan on Moondrakken (his fancy named bike), I'll do like most White Scars players do and convert something up.  Trying to make him fit the theme and stand out, I've decided that you know, maybe my Moondrakken isn't a bike, and instead is a mechanical horse.  With not too much work, I think I can make the horse from this empire engineer into a pretty neat HQ for my army.

  

  As for paint scheme, I really like the way some of my all white models turned out for my Tau army.  So I'm thinking of doing mostly white and have some red and blue details. I considered doing a turquoisy color with the white, but turqouise doesn't really play well with my colorblindness... also I don't wanna be turqouise army guy.  In a lot of the imagery of old "cowboys and indians" days, you see the horses with hands and other symbols painted on them, and so long as I can pull if off I'd like to do something like this to the bikes.

  I'm back and forth with myself on how I want them based.  Part of me says to do them in the Lava look that I did for my Tau, this way I can use the same display board for both armies.  I'm keep talking myself out of the idea since A. I want them to look different, and B. Why would you deploy an army of bikers on a place full of lava?  I don't know what kind of tires they use in the grim future of 40k, but I don't think they're lava proof.

  I think a highway/asphault/tarmac look would be more appropiate, but I think it might look kind of boring and plain.  The bike bases give you some room to really get creative with it and I can't think of much to do other than putting up street signs, and doing things like painting cross walks  and whatnot on them.  I'd love to be able to pull it off, but so far I haven't found any articles online about how to easily do it and have it still look good.

  Option 3 is to try using the Autumn Basing Kit from BaseCrafts.  I've seen reviews for it on Beasts of War, as well as their Winter Basing Kit and I am really impressed with it.  It would be something a bit different, and there would be that contrast of earthy colors with bright white of the marines.

  That's the short(well shorter than it could be) kind of rundown of the ideas I have bouncing around in my head for my next project. I've got some more ideas as to what my army will be comprised of, but I'll not bore anyone still reading this with the details.  If anyone's got any suggestions or comments I'd love to hear them.