6th edition and the future..

It's been a busy busy month for me on the blog, on  youtube and the hobby in general.  I've painted no less then 61 models in the calendar month.  Sure 20 of them are missing the last few layers but it still beats my previous record in June '11 when I did 53 models.

I put up my first Talking about Orks in a long time.  Check it out, going over Snikrot + Ghazzy combo. Love this little trick, and I really hope it survives the transition.

With just a month to go before 6th, the rumors so far are not looking good for the Orks. With CCW getting an AP, with wounds having to go to the closest models first, among others.  

With the light at the end of the tunnel of my painting marathon of Orcs and Goblins starting to get brighter, I have a lot to plan out.

I plan on making a couple more tactica videos about my current army as a 5th swan song. 

As soon as 6th hits, I'll be combing through the rules and will relaunch Talking About Orks for the new edition.

Thanks for tuning in, reading my ramblings and not insulting my paint jobs..

Terminator Captain WiP - ready for paint

Finished the build and primed the captain ready to start painting on the first.  I also base coated the last 15 Orcs and tonight started in on the next 5.

The wire to the lightning claw didn't come out as good as I wanted it, but it's good enough. still loving the re-pose though.

Playing my game Monday night I found a few Assault marines that need rebasing. Sigh. I'll put it on my to-do list.

Digging around my shelves I also remembered I still have an unbuilt mega-dread...lol.

Icy Orks update - cranking out da boys!

I'm currently so far ahead of schedule it's not even funny. It's been a bit over a week and I have 20 out of 35 boys done to the first stage. I don't think there will be any problem having time to go back over them with additional layers and highlights, but I'm sticking with my plan to get all of them to a minimum before moving on.

Since I wasn't even planning on starting these guys until the end of May.. ya I'm happy.

I think I'll take a break for a day and finish building the Terminator Captain and get in an extra game or two on Memorial day.

The new Ork fllyers are here..and they suck.

..and they are WAY overpriced!

Now that the rules for the new flyers are out in the wild, I've gone over all the details trying to gleam some gold nuggets from around the crap.  The bottom line is, I'm not impressed.  Sure it is a completely bad-ass model, and with 3 variants you're going to have a ton of cool bits left over, but as a unit in the game they aren't what I've been waiting fore.

To be sure, they may have been designed with 6th in mind, and there may be something in the new rules that make them more survivable.  Like generic versions of Ariel Assault and Supersonic replacing the codex rules in DE/Necrons. This will give these guys what they need without making the current line of fast skimmers unkillable (Such as Eldar grav-tanks and vendettas). 

The best part is they are all fast attack! Considering how much complete suck there is in the fast attack in the codex, it makes these seem almost playable.

Easily the coolest thing here though is the Waggh!Plane rule.  Giving vehicles a benefit of your Waggh! is a great idea I had not even thought of myself!

By far the best choice is the Dakkajet. At a 110pts (more then 3 rokkit buggies) you get 6 TL STR6 shots at 30"  It also benefits from +1 BS against certain targets. Upgrades include 3 more shots and making it BS3!  yes, being able to shoot 9 STR6 shots TL at BS4 against rhinos and chimeras?  That is some seriously impressive firepower, for sure.  Not to mention mowing down infantry and denying FNP against DE.  For 135pts completely kitted out it's a big investment but, again, taking up fast attack means they won't be competing with anything important.  It needs to be about 30pts cheaper in 5th edition.

I can see 1 or 2 of these complementing a mech ork list, say with 9 killa kans and a battlewagon or two.  This way there is much more pressing targets then the planes allowing them a turn or two of being able to shoot.

Will one make it into my dual-denial shooty list? Maybe.  I'm not sure what I would cut at 1750pts, but at 2k I might take one.  It would almost always start in reserve (except in Dawn of war) and hope it comes on at the same time as Ghazzy so I can "blow my wad" all at once..

The other two versions are more expensive and just..horrible!  The burna-bomber has a few shots that ignore cover..but they are all AP4...sigh..really?  With the bane of Orks being Purifiers they couldn't just give us some decent AP3?  Or any AP3 for that matter? I would EASILY sacrifice 150pts to wipe out a unit of purifiers with a large blast AP3 that ignores cover.

The blasta-bomber is worse. It has a chance to kamikaze itself for a S9 Ap2 hit on something. That scatters. whoopie!  They should have just gone ahead and made it a sacrifice. You come on, move 36", blow yourself up on a target point with a S9 AP2 large blast (twin-linked because it has a pilot) for 80pts and call it a day.


Reading between the lines.

What really intrigues me though is looking at the rules for these and trying to evaluate what might make the next Ork Codex.  The most glaring thing that stands out to me is the willingness to break the "BS2" Ork USR.   This gives me hope that units will get re-evaluated for higher BS in the future. Even though most people support moving Lootas to heavy support, I never have as Heavy are already a hotly-contested slots.  But say, if the moved to heavy AND were made BS3 then that makes for a much more interesting set of choices. 

I could even see them making shooty units WS3 BS3 (like shootaboys) while keeping combat units WS4 BS2.  Makes for more variety, and along with it hard choices.  Right now, shootas are a no-brainer over sluggas.  Something like this change would really heat up the debate between the two.

Next thing is the waagh!Plane rule which as I said, having waggh! effect vehicles is a great idea. I can see this being expanded to other vehicles in the next codex.  Something like during the waggh! all vehicles get an extra d6 movement for free but always count as moving through dangerous terrain.  or something else interesting and useful, yet orky.

The bottom line.

I'm really disappointed.  There are so many really cool things that they could have done. Like make one bomber version carry stormboys like in apoc.  Or, as said before, give us some AP3.  Will I buy one? heck ya!  Especially since I get 20% off at my FLGS, so it will only be $36.

STOP making such awesome models!  TAKE MY MONEY GW! 

Boys command group (OOP)

Didn't slow down much after the Night Goblins were done. Hopped right into the boys.

The command bits are some OOP metal ones I got from an Ebay Auction. Really helps make this unit different then the other one I have with the new plastic bits.

Base color is Vallejo extra opaque heavy brown.  Fuck, I hate this paint! I used it on the interior of the Stormraven as well and it's a bitch to work with. It starts to separate the instant you're done mixing.  But the color is great, just like the old Khemri brown.

Shields will be done at the end, all in one huge batch.

I'm skipping many steps on these guys for now, if I get them all done in time I'll go back over and add layers/highlights.

Terminator captain repose WiP

Working on a new model for my blood angels, basically wanting something to paint for the frebootaz challenge.  I didn't want to paint tonight so I opted to work on this guy.  I bent the legs down so he's more crouched then normal, and posed the hands based on a drawing of Wolverine I found online. turns out terminator armor isn't very flexible :)

Enjoy. I need to fill gaps with greenstuff and make a cable for the left LC.

I need to finish and prime before the end of the month.

40 Night Goblins in 9 days!

Not quite done yet, they still need varnish and flock, but the painting is done. More pics and video when totally complete.

Here is what I did to each one:

Cloak:
Base Liche purple, badab black wash, layers of liche purple, hormagaunt purple and a glaze of purple wash

Skin:
Base Ice Blue, blue wash, layers of ice blue, space wolves blue and white

Shields/speartips:
Base boltgun, bad moon in iyunden darksun, devlan mud wash, chainmail highlight, splash of Model Air rust

Other bits include just a base/wash/highlight on the spear shaft, belt and shoes.

very happy with how fast these guys were to paint, I wasn't planning on finishing them until the end of the month so I am way ahead of schedule now.

Time to crank out some boys!

Final OFCC Fantasy 2800pt list

I had to turn in my list for OFCC fantasy today, and after a few tweaks this is it.

I dropped 10 HW/Shield boys for a troll and a 3rd fanatic. Also means 10 fewer models to paint so that will save me several days.  I was going to run that unit as a horde, but now I'll go 5x7 tarpit.

The army idea is the same as before, using manglers, magic, warmachines and the spider to thin down things before the boys come in to clean up. sometimes it works, sometimes it does not..:)

Lords (413) 14.48%
1 Orc Warboss: Shield, Armor of Fortune, Gold Sigil Sword (168)
1 Night Goblin Great Shaman: Level 4, Talisman of Preservation, dispel scroll (245)

Hero (275) 9.64%
1 Black Orc Big Boss: BSB, Gambler's Armor, Sword of Battle, Ironcurse Icon (160)
1 Orc Shaman: level 2, talisman of Protection (115)

Core (1000) 35.05%
29 Orc Boys: extra hand weapon, big'uns, full command, Banner of Eternal Flame (360)
35 boys: shields, Musician, standard (265)
50 Night goblins: spears, musician, standard, 2x Fanatic, netters (265)
25 night goblins: bows, musician, fanatic (110)

Special (500) 17.53%
20 Black Orcs, full command, shields (295)
1 Orc Chariot (85)
1 Orc Chariot (85)
1 Troll (35)

Rare (665) 23.31%
1 Mangler Squig (65)
1 Mangler Squig (65)
1 Doom Diver (80)
1 Doom Diver (80)
1 Goblin Rock Lobber (85)
1 Arachnarok Spider (290)

 

Almost done with the night goblins..

Night Goblin command group

Working on the Night Goblins, finished the command group.  Only 10 more to go.

I really like the finish on the gong, the patina is just about perfect.

And the banner. Went a different direction then what I found online.

Icy Arachnarok spider pics!

Lots of pics of my spider for your viewing pleasure while I continue to pound out Night Goblins.

Hey, I gots a photostream:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/da40korks/

Getting down to the nitty gritty

Whatever the heck that means..

I'm now starting to crank out the rank an file, the last 2 units consisting of 89 total infantry models.  All of which must be done by June 24th.  I finished the spider on time and even got a jump on the night goblins.  Turns out the goblins are so easy that finishing them won't be an issue. My new goal for them is April 20th, my next game night.  Of the 40 to paint, 10 are already done!

I've base coated and washed the whole unit. So it's now just picking out details. I was going to skimp on these last 2 units but at least for the night goblins, I won't have too.  The Orcs though, are another story. Oh, and I still need an Orc shaman..

Blood Angels Chaplain complete

If you watched my wet blending video, you would have seen this guy already. But I officially finished him tonight, with varnish and gloss on the blood drops.  Looks pretty good sitting on my desk,but these close ups don't help much :) (in other words, don't zoom in on the pics lol)

I saw this idea for the helmet online, to give a normal marine helm a much more skull-ish/chaplain look to it, and I think it turned out great.

Some Night Goblins done - Icy Orcs of the North

Finished the unit fillers and netters for my NG spearmen unit.

Spider done, pics and video soonish..

Raindog's Rampage (1500pt WHFB tournament) Part 4

As the day winds down, I am again on the Table of Shame, this time against Sean's Lizardmen

Game 4 mission: Road Warriors.  There is a road down the middle of the table. You can a bonus point for each unit on the road at the end of the game.  You can an additional bonus point for each unit in the opponent's deployment zone (so a unit in the opponent's zone and on the road is worth 2).

Lord: Slann Mage Priest (lore of light); Focus of Mystery, Focused Rumination, Cupped hands of cheat.

Core: Saurus Warriors x20; full command, spears
Core: Saurus Warriors x20; full command, spears

Special: Temple Guard x20; full command, Sun Standard of Chutee
Special: Chamelion Skinks x5
Special: Chamelion Skinks x5

Rare: Salamander Hunting Pack

 This was the only game everything more or less worked out.  The mangler took out the Salamander and a few temple guard.  The skinks tried to shoot down my spiders and chariots running to the opposite side of the table but failed, both units got shot down by warmachines and spider riders.  The big'uns did their job against the saurus warriors, not only going first but all the attacks and S5 just chew through the heavy armor.  At the end of the game I get off a small bad moon, and just happen to roll initiative and the template hit 15 out of 16 remaining warriors, wiping out all of them.  He called it in turn 5 with only a handful of guard and the mage left.  Counted up 6 bonus points and a solid 16-3 victory.

Took me out of last place! lol ended up just 4pts above last place (in battle points) and 10/13 overall. However I did win best large model (warmachine/chariot/whatever) so I was quite happy about that.

It was a great day and I really hope I took all my lumps in stride.  After all, if I was really worried about winning I wouldn't play Orcs and Goblins!

Raindog's Rampage (1500pt WHFB tournament) Part 3

So after getting completely obliterated first game, I was in sent to the "Table of Shame".

Game 2: Master Mage. In this scenario one mage is given loremaster for their chosen lore, and in addition get a casting bonus from ranks in the unit he is in, up to 3.  There is a lot of magic here.  You get 5 bonus points for killing the opponent master mage and 5 points for having yours still alive.

I got to play Karl's Ogres.

Hero: Butcher; Level 2, bloodgruel
Hero: Brusier; BSB, Sword of Striking, Armor of Fortune

Core: Ogres x8; Full command
Core: Irgonguts x8; Full command, great weapons, Standard of Discipline

Special: Leadbelchers x4
Special: Sabertusk x1
Special: Mournfang Calvary x2, Ironfist

Rare: Ironblaster

In the few games I've had, I can actually stand up pretty well vs Ogres, with the exception of the Mournfang.  The leadbelchers hold up in a building, but I charged them bottom of turn 1 with my spiderriders, and killed all but 1 chasing them down!  I spent a few turns slowing whittling them down, to the point in turn 4 where the ogres were dead, the ironguts down to 4 models and the mournfang had a couple wounds.  He took the last 2 units with the Butcher and charged the big'uns.  I thought I had it won at that point. But he cast trollguts on an irresistible force. This killed one mournfang, and an irongut.  But it also killed 7 of my guys!!!  Even at that I still had my full attacks, but he ended up failing only 1 save the entire combat phase! I lost that combat and was chased down.  At the same time the single sabertusk charged my 8 remaining spider riders.  He killed one of them, and I completely whiffed swinging back (even the hero) and the lone cat chased down and destroyed the whole unit!

Basically my entire army wiped out in one combat phase.  After that all I had left was the doom diver, the mage and 8 goblins. I tried to finish off his last few guys but no luck and I was tabled.  His mage lived, so it was a complete loss 3-20.

----

Game 3: King of the Hill

A hill is set up in the middle along one side. Any unit or banner on the hill at the end of the game is worth 1 bonus point, up to the max of 10.

I was still sitting on the Table of Shame, up against Shawn's Orcs and Goblins

Lord: Orc Warboss, Gold Sigil Sword, Armor of Destiny, Shield

Hero: Orc Shaman, level 2, Dragonbane
Hero: Night Goblin Shaman, level 2

Core: Boys x24, Additional hand weapon, standard, musician, Big'Uns
Core: Night Goblins x29, Shields, Musician, Standard, 3 fanatics

Special: Black Orcs x17, Shields, Standard, Musician
Special: Orc Chariot
Special: Orc Chariot
Special: Orc Boar Boys x5; Spears, shields, standard, musician

Rare: Mangler
Rare: Mangler

This game didn't last long. I messed up deployment so there wasn't room for my mangler, so it sat on the edge, useless. First turn my NG squabbled, so I didn't cast. Then both my warmachines wrecked themselves on misfires.  It went downhill from there.  I called it at end of turn 4 as I was about to get charged by his whole army.

We measured units to see how many could get on the hill, awarded him 6 bonus points.

Another crushing defeat, 3-16.

Last part will be my last game.

First of the month, diving into the freebootaz challenge..

Last night, the last day of the month, I finished painting then assembled the Arachnarok.  I actually did it, I finished the dang thing on time.  Well, I still need to varnish and flock, but other then that it's finished.  I am not quite 100% happy with it. I'm trying to decide if I want to re-wash the fleshy parts to make those areas darker.  I don't think I will, but I'm holding off the varnish for now.

I also finished the 2 unit fillers and started the netters for my NG spearmen over the weekend (again, sans varnish and flock). Not bad progress.  These guys are so incredibly simple that I should be able to crank out the unit in no time at all, leaving me extra time for the Orcs.

Also started the Chaplain.  It won't take any time at all either.

I want to thank GW for the new Nob Biker kit...

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat440160a&prodId=prod1570011a

If I had the money I'd so buy 2 boxes of these and go to town!

Raindog's Rampage (1500pt WHFB tournament) Part 2

Part 2 of my report on the tournament I played in. 

Basic rules of the tournament:
10pts for win
7pts for tie (<300 victory pt margin)
5pts for minor loss (300-700 victory pt margin)
3pts for major loss (>700 victory pt margin)

Each mission  has bonus points, with 10 being maximum each round.

Bonus points for fully painted, favorite painting awards, for food donation and some others.
 

Game 1 vs Moses' Dwarfs

Hero: Runesmith, shield, rune of stone, speed, furnace, dispell x2
Hero: Thane, BSB, MR of Gromril, Rune of Preservation, MR of challenge, rune of furnace, rune of fire

Core: Warriors x25; Great weapons, std, musician
Core: Longbeards x24; Shields, Standard, Musician, MR of Grungni

Special: Hammerers x20; Standard, Musician, Rune of determination
Special: Grudge Thrower; Engineer, Rune of Penetrating, Rune of reloading
Special: Cannon; Engineer, Rune of forging, Rune of burning.

Mission: Five Coins
Place 5 coins evenly spaced in the long middle of the table. A unit must charge a coin to take it. Each coin is worth 2 bonus battle points

The dice did not like me much this game.  The Dwarfs went first.  The cannon took out the mangler first turn.  I advanced, with the chariots trained on the warmachines.  He failed to kill either chariot, one made it into the cannon shutting it down, but it took me 3 full turns to kill the crew! even with impact hits!  The other chariot got the charge on the stone thrower, but wrecked itself on terrain on the way.  My warmachines either failed to do anything or misfired.  I was actually in a decent position but the rune of challenge came up and I decided to charge in. He had both units on either side ready to flank in.  I completely, utterly whiffed. I didn't run away but I did get double-flanked and completely wiped After that there wasn't much left.  Major loss.  I got 1 coin, opponent got 2 so I lost 18-5 battle points.

So what happened? Well my dice were well below average. I really wish I had rolled bad moon for this game.  The stupid thing Dwarfs have that give a 6" bubble of a 5+ ward against shooting was really annoying, especially with how many 5+ rolls he made the few times my shooting actually did damage.  The chariot being locked in combat forever, the other blowing up in terrain, my warmachines of complete fail. Insanely frustrating game, but Moses got my vote for favorite opponent that day. He played a good game, had a solid game plan and was nice while stomping my face in the mud :)