Sorry, trying to get my mojo back.

Not much has been going on for me in the hobby front lately.  Real life is dragging me down and I spend my time on youtube.

I just stare at my nearly completed Kanz and sigh with a complete lack of interest.

Plus I've been trying to get back into MTG so when I am on youtube it's either mtg or car videos.

I do have an upload schedule set so that's been a help.  So has getting back to a scale model car club meeting. 

Monday: Monday madness (hobby, rants, whatever)
Wednesday: New talking about orks
Friday: New battle reports

so far so good, especially since I can record for future uploads.

anyway I hope to get a kan showcase up soon.

Be well!

New year, new projects on the horizon.

But I just don't know what yet!

Right now I'm gearing up to my big shopping season once I get my tax refund, which will give me the plastic to build and paint all year long.

Right now I'm not sure what exactly I will be spending my money on.

There are currently 6 choices I am debating.

1. Expand my current Iron Angels into a full Gladius
Pros: probably more competitive then the Medusa, not a lot of models to buy
Cons: I don't want to paint any more Blood Angles

2. Build a whole new army, a Lion's Blade (Dark Angels)
Pros: Very competitive, easy to paint
Cons: Lots of models to buy (but the new armored assault boxes really helps)

Right now this is probably the last option. I will do some DA going forward, including getting a Dark Vengeance box for myself. But I think going for a less-competitive Marine force using DA is the better option.

3. Expand my Space Wolves
Pros: not a lot of models
Cons: unsure on competitiveness

Basically when I decided to go with the Medusa I had another option of getting more Space Wolves instead.  This includes more Wulfen, drop pods and Thunderwolves.  But like other options, I'm not sure if the list will be that good.

4. Finish the Tau/Necron army
Pros: what I want to try, I have a good portion of the models already
Cons: experimental - not sure if it will be good at all much less competitive, the models left to get are expensive

Most intriguing options, and I will probably work on some of it anyway (I really want a Stormsurge).  But it's simply the most unknown of the tournament options.

5.  Expand my CSM into a full Deathguard army
Pros: lots of of fun modeling options, should be decently competitive
Cons: Need a good number of models, CSM is annoying to paint

6. Buy Renegade Knights for my Orks
Pros: Cool modeling options, could be a good bump to the Orks
Cons: Still won't make Orks good

The biggest problem with this option is deciding if I would model the Knight(s) as regular Chaos or as looted Orks.  On one side having them Chaos means I can more easily use in both armies, the other side is looting them will be awesome AF and I can scratch-build weapon options much easier.

So that's the list. Any input would be appreciated.  I have at least a month to think about it.

Oh, a conundrum...

I few months ago I painted a 2nd tactical squad for my Blood Angels.

After playing a few games with them though I've come to realize just how badly they match up to the rest of the army. I painted them with Mephiston Red before I found out how much of a match Evil Sunz Scarlet is to the old Blood Red. 

Every time I get them out they really annoy me.

So I've got 3 options:

1. strip and repaint
2. Sell and buy/build/paint all new
3. Live with it.

I'm leaning towards #2 right now, and the funny part is that it won't be the first time. I already sold of a unit a long time ago and I didn't care. But now in this new crappy BA book where the RAS are not troops I have to have something. 

I'm pretty sure I have enough bits to put together a whole unit of marines, especially if I pick up another BA upgrade sprue..but then the whole BA tactical box really isn't that much more.

Anyway I have enough stuff to paint and no where enough money right now so it's all just conjecture for now.

Not many posts, but much painting going on..

Just a quick update, I'm still here pushing hard on my Power Armor stuff.

I've just about finished up my Space Wolves drop pod, which I used a couple techniques I had not used before.

Also in the home stretch of my Sternguard, and I also have done some work on my other BA drop pod.

Picked up another commission of an Imperial Fists drop pod as well.  So many drop pods!!

I've posted many updates on my Twitter, so check that out if you want more frequent news from me!

https://twitter.com/sorienor

thanks for tuning in, more to come!

To refurbish or not refurbish?

Tonight I put the finishing touches on refurbishing my very first Warhammer 40k model - A metal Ork warboss with big choppa. Which is also my first conversion - adding 'eavy armor and making a grenade launcher for stikkbomz.

Didn't do much, cleaned up the chipped paint, washed, highlights and then a varnish to seal it up.

I've heard some people say you shouldn't redo your old models, but keep them as examples of how you've improved over the years.


Before

After

I'd rather have playable models then relics, but that's me. What is your opinion?

Op Ed: Good move GW, NOW the excitement builds!

So just about 36 hours ago I posted that I was really 'Meh' about the Ork releases so far and not very excited for the new codex.

Oh, how much changed in a few hours.

So today was leaked the next White Dwarf with the stats of the new Big Guns - renamed Mek Guns - and oh boy is the news good. I really hope these stats carry over to the codex unchanged. They are AMAZING.

So they are still artillery, with the T7 and still come with 2 grots each - still no grot blastas though.  However the base price drops to 18 pts each for kannon.  That's only a drop of 2 pts each. But they can upgrade to lobbas - for free! That's a 7pt per model reduction!! Zzap guns are only a 5pt upgrade.

Did I mention they can now go up to a unit of 5. FIVE. FIVE LOBBAS.

You know how much I love lobbas. They've always been a hell of a good buy and very useful. My cousin learned the hard way one game when I killed 15 guardsmen in a single volley.  heh.

But now I can have 5 in a unit? For less?  Ammo runts are limited to one per model, but that means up to 5 ammo runs.

A unit of 5 lobbas, with 5 runts is just 105 pts. Only 21 more then the unit I field now.  For 2 extra shots and 2 extra ammo runts.

oh. my. Gork.  I have to get this new WD.

There are also 4 new guns options, at 12pts per model upgrade. 1 is ..not that great. the other three though are each VERY good. 

That means a full unit of 5 with 5 runts will run a *mere* 165 pts.

All 4 have 36" range with BS3.

First is the Bubblechucka. It's a large blast and both strength and ap are D6. However it's one roll for both...so S1 Ap1, S3 Ap3, etc.  Not that useful. However if the die rolls were separate  - potentially S6 AP1 - then it would be good.  Still, not too many large blasts in the Ork army for just 30pts..

Now for the good stuff.

Smasha gun: S4+D6, AP1.  AP FREAKING 1!! with an average S of 7-8 - and potentially 10, that is a huge addition to the Ork army.  A unit of these can do a lot of damage to Wraithknights...

Kustom Mega-kannon.  S8 AP2 blast, gets hot!  Plasma cannons on steroids!  Just more of exactly what we needed..reliable, high S low AP shooting.

and the creme de la creme.

Traktor kannon: S8 AP3, skyfire with the special ability traktor:  when shooting a zooming flyer they score an additional immobilized result on any glance or pen. 

Read that again. I had to, to believe it.  Don't forget, in 7th ed flyers have a 1/3 chance to crash and burn on an immobilized results.  That means these guns, on a single glance, can kill any flyer.  Say that again.  Slowly, and let it sink in.

Did I mention that isn't all? anytime a FMC is wounded by one, they take a grounding check at -3.  That means only on a 6 does it keep flying. 

Lootas have been for a long time one of the best anti-air units in the game. Now, they are nothing compared to traktor cannons.

The new kit is pretty cool too, I might pick up one for bits and grots.  They are a lot bigger then the previous metal Big Guns so I can't in good conscience use my current models.

I need 10, with all the weapon options. Maybe 15.  I can see running 5 lobbas, 5 traktor kannons and 5 mega-kannons. That is a LOT of fire power for 435pts.

Time to get working. I have a LOT of scratch-building to do.

Op Ed: Flash Gitz and what is GW doing?

After 6 1/2 years you would think I couldn't contain my excitement for a new Ork Codex.    I love my Orks. I loved Orks back in the 90's when I started playing them, and I love them every time I play.  I love playing a horde, I love playing battle wagon rush, I love throwing so many dice at a target I can't hold them in my hands.

I don't know if it's the excruciatingly slow ramp up to the codex, or the "meh" Flash Gitz, or the lack of funds to buy a Gorkanaugt that has me down.  Sure, I've got some (in perspective, minor) issues going in IRL but not enough that I can't easily handle. 

I just don't seem overly excited yet.  I know what the competitive field is like and what it's going to take for Orks to join the competitive ranks.  I just want the army to be GOOD. Not necessarily TauDar or 44 psychic dice eye-rolling good. Just solid. and Orky.  Yes, Orky is a real word. I even added it my Firefox dictionary!!

Maybe the next 2 weeks things will change. I'm not sure.

The Flash Gitz models are ...fantastic. Pure and simple.  The guns are awesome.  I'm not into the freeboota thing much, especially with my preference for Blood Axes, but even with that they look like a great model to work on.  I might even work on converting some up..finally. 

The rules...are meh. Just meh. Sure, they are a TON better then in the last codex, but they were just so bad before that any improvement at all would be significant.  The biggest thing of course is being able to have a dedicated transport.  The 3 shots at S5 isn't bad, especially when 50% of the time you're penetrating Space Marine armor.  The are still spendy and now even more fragile.  But with 'ere we go, S5 on the charge at 4 attacks each they could actually be a very effective unit especially coupled with a Warboss. 

Just some quick calculations, 5 of these staying still and getting AP3 or less should kill 5 marines.  Then charge in and kill 2 more. That's not bad.  Not great, but not bad.

Other rumors are trickling out. Just rumors, but so far, as I expected, there won't be many big changes.  Like with the Tau codex, not much was actually changed. But the changes that were made, added up to a lot. That's what I'm really hoping for in the new codex, a lot of little changes that add up to a significant boost.

oh, and don't worry, there will be many videos on the new codex.

7th edition op ed: scoring units.

So what's the big deal? Well, unlike every other edition of the game I've played, vehicles can be scoring in 7th.  There is no longer said restriction.  In fact, the only restrictions on scoring is a zooming flyer/FMC, a unit falling back, a rule that specifically says otherwise (aka Death Company) or an unoccupied building. That's it. Also notice the swarm rule isn't a restriction anymore either.

Such a complete swing from 5th/6th editions.  A complete 180 from what we've been doing for what..6 years now?

On the flip side I do really like the Objective Secured rule as a great, tactical complement to the opening up of scoring units. It still gives the troop slot a special place on the battlefield.

That being said, you will still see an almost instant reduction in the troop slot in 7th, leaving more points for more deadly units.  Unless, you're an Ork player where the troop slot is your best slot!

Armies like Seer Council were already very light on troops, but now they will be even more so, and without any real penalty for doing so. I mean it's not hard to contest an objective controlled by 3 jetbikes.

White Scars though is almost entirely troops as it is, so they will only gain in power from that. 

I'm really limiting myself to those two builds as pretty much all the other scary 6th ed builds are nerfed..anything TauDar, anything Space Marine/Tau which is what I played, etc.

Now for the fun part..Orks!

The first thing that came to mind was the Ork Dreadnaught.  Sure, vehicles are still fragile but just a little less so with the change to the damage table (plus we still have the KFF).  But what makes the Dreadnaught fun again is that they can be taken as troops!  So now not only can the Dread score objectives, but with a big mek will gain Objective Secured at the same time! That's just freaking awesome as far as I'm concerned.

I'd also like to see Kommandos again, especially Snikrot.  Sure they can't assault but they can still carry 2 burnas and now they can score objectives.  Say playing tactical objective missions, you place as many as you can close to the board edge.  Then Snikrot comes on, taking whatever objective you need for the card you have.  It can be spendy for just one point, but any pressure taken off boys or lootas is worth every lost kommando.

Same goes for Defkoptas. Not as flexible as Snikrot but can turbo-boost to almost any objective on the board.  And if they jink, so what? Just like all Orks making snapshots, you're really not losing much.

Orks don't really have a lot of options for deployment tricks and reserves.  In fact, those two above are it.  However both of them are great options and have their own positives and negatives. 

I might just have break out Snikrot again..before the new book hits.

7th edition op ed: why isn't anyone talking about jink?

As I was reading through the rulebook last night and tonight, the one thing that stuck out more then anything was the change to the jink rule.

In 6th, skimmers, bikes and jetbikes just got a cover save for moving.  Flyers could choose to evade for a cover save.

Now, in 7th all of them must choose to jink or not. This is done *before* to-hit rolls are even made.   If you choose to jink (for an improved 4+ cover save instead of 6th's 5+), then you can only snapshot the next turn.

This is a big difference and really challenges the effectiveness of Wave Serpents, Hammerheads, and bikes of all kinds.  I know I loved giving my Hammerhead and Skyray a 4+ cover save (disruption pods) just for moving a nudge.

No more.

I don't think this will curb the enthusiasm for White Scars bike armies much at all, but any decent amount of AP3+ shooting will mean making a hard choice.

It will also take a smidgen of survivability away from Seer Council.  Not much, but that means any decent amount of AP2 shooting is a lot more dangerous then it once was.

Waveserpents though will pay the heaviest price IMO.  They will really need to make hard choices between saves and shooting, especially at the 36" range of scatterlasers.  Hanging back may fix that but it means losing the twin-link on the serpent shield. 

For Orks, it means the Dakkajet may actually gain a bit of survivability, but Defkoptas loose some.  I'm still a fan of them, and despite the change to jink I think they have a nice role to play in 7th.

More on that to come.

I finished an actual model kit: Revell EC145 Demonstrator

With 7th edition nigh and unable to work on the Kill Krusha I've worked on other stuff. First was to actually finish my helicopter model.  This was a lot of detail work.   The Badger Minitaire gloss varnish worked better this time but a few spots are still light and not shiny.  It did work very well over the windows though..that made me happy.

Very happy to have this finally complete after so long.

Last few days with not much else to do I've been working on Blood Angels. Yes, actual Blood Angels. With magnets.  I built a tactical squad and 10 more Death company.  I'll probably wait for their new book before painting though, just in case.

I've got another Imperial Fist Storm Talon on it's way soon, plus combing through 7th of course.

More to come!

Painter's block.. but never stop working!

So with still having painter's block over the Kill Krusha, and not wanting to start on the Riptide quite yet I've been working on my heliocoptor.  I did not realize it had been over 2 years since I touched it last!  But it's getting closer and closer to finish now, with the last 2 nights working on decals. There are A LOT Of decals, and without micro sol it would be downright impossible.

But one whole side is now done.  It's coming out pretty darn cool, despite all the issues I've had with working on it. Small, fragile parts are not my forte.  Many pieces have broken off, and like the tail rotor has broken off and been fixed so many times it's all fuckered up.  But hey,  that's why I'm doing this is to learn.

Just the sheer amount of decal work plus some touch ups means I'm still a few days of work away from finishing it, but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel.



On another note, I took this pic right after finishing the last Imperial Fists commission, showing how much mess it makes getting through a project.  I have since cleaned this up, putting everything where it belongs but when you're busy working you need to keep everything you need handy.

So that's it for now. 

I need to make a post! Ok, not really but tracking painting progress.

I took on another small Imperial fist commission of 3 bikes, a Storm Talon and 11 loose arms/weapons, and with nothing else to do I've been tracking my daily progress.  I should have been taking pictures, but oh well.

Day 1: Pick up mini's after work, Cleaned up a few mold lines, wash and let dry
Day 2 (day off): Prime all mini's, let cure overnight
Day 3 (day off): Base coat all minis with Ushabti Bone
Day 4: block out black areas on bikes, combi-gravs, most of the Storm Talon
Day 5: Wash recesses of bone areas
Day 6/7: Layer up over wash
Day 8: Highlight bone areas, finish glaze
Day 9 (day off): Base the bikes.  After getting back from The Lego Movie, finish base coating bikes, riders and combi-gravs

Progress is going great on the bikes, they will be done in no time.

Then it's time to dive in on the Storm Talon, which really shouldn't be too bad.

Also, in and around this project I built my first Riptide.  Expect to see it in a game soon.

Also, 2500 sub contest announcement tomorrow! Woot!

Games Workshop has changed, for the better, and we should all celebrate.

How much change has GW gone through in such a short time?  For someone who borders on a GW fanboy even I had to admit that last year at this time it didn't look good for GW in the long haul.

Codex creep GK was domination the tournament scene.  Finecast continued with quality issues with GW apparently indifferent to the consumer about it.  No support for events/tournaments.  It's like they were rolling along on past success with complete apathy. Units in books without models.  Oh, and the international sales embargo.

Oh what 12 months can bring.

What sparked this post? Today's announcement of a brand-new White Dwarf.  The final bad apple has been plucked and a whole new life has been brought to the Games Workshop hobby.

Check it out here: http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/wnt/blog.jsp?pid=4200016

A whole new team. A whole new approach including featuring models painted by the community from email and Flickr. How cool is that?  Only time will tell if WD will return to past glory, but I'm hopeful.

So what else has happened to completely turn around my attitude towards GW?  A lot. Necrons brought non-power armor into the forefront of the competitive environment.  Timely and useful faq updates. More and more attendance by GW at events such as Adepticon and GenCon.

Then came 6th edition.  A whole new approach to 40k that to me is a wonderful game. With the latest round of faq and errata eliminating the deathstars and bringing the last little bit of balance to the game.  I always thought 5th edition was wonderful. It was, but 6th eclipses it by far.  Other then the challenge rules, I have no complaints about 6th. It is fast, fluid, cinematic and a whole lot of fun.  I think the challenge can be fixed really easy too, make it just like fantasy where unit champions can decline without penalty.

Still only rumors but the leaked release list includes some very interesting tidbits.  Mainly the idea that they will release small army lists in WD that can't play on their own but can be used as allies.  I consider that the ultimate win-win.  The company gets to sell more models, while the players and hobbyists get to try out new things, new models, new lists without the expense of a full sized army.  Specifically the older gamers with multiple armies that may not be buying as fast or as often as they once did, will be enticed into new purchases.  The final cherry on top is you'll never know for sure what you will come up against.   I honestly think 6th edition eliminates the "meta" entirely.

Oh ya, can't forget to mention the awesomeness that is Dark Vengeance.  For once, GW has put out a REAL starter set.  I've seen Macragge, Black Reach, Island of Blood, and none of them really qualified.  I looked through the book that came with Black Reach and I can't imagine a new player trying to figure out the game (basically it just had arrows pointing and referring to page numbers) and of course the fact that Island of Blood came with no stats at all..they had to release a pdf.

DV changed all that. There are missions that walk you through the rules adding more in each time. Heck there is even a *single player* scenario!!  Nicely made stat cards gives you all the information you need to get stared in 40k.  All this for the same price as Black Reach.  Don't forget the completely amazing models included in the set.  GW is still the king of models, especially plastics.

Did I mention every unit in the Necron codex has a model?  That is something new, and if the rumors hold then from now on every codex will have available every unit in it within a month or two. This may mean that some books are delayed, but that is a compromise I can live with.

There is no way to know what motivated this change.  Ultimately I have have to vote for the idea that sales were slumping, or at least flattening, and they realized the competition was coming on strong and they couldn't sit on their laurels any longer.  It really does come down to making money after all, and I will never berate them for that.

Edit: Totally forgot to mention the digital products!  If only they had them available for general computer use not just iSuck products.  maybe in time..

Not everything is perfect of course. The draconian clamp down on rumors.  Finecast still hasn't reached the quality it needs.  Price increases.   But overall I have to commend Games Workshop for the almost revolutionary way it has responded to complaints by it's customers and fixed a whole big chunk of it's issues, and in such a short amount of time.

I'm really looking forward to years of enjoyment with the current state of Warhammer 40k.  What's even better is the local people and community I play is huge, growing and simply amazing.  The Pacific Northwest is a huge gaming area.  There are about 12 active game stores around the Portland area alone, which means there has to be a lot of gamers out there spending money.

If you want to see what we do here, check out our club Ordo Fanaticus and it's forums.

Well that's enough for now.  I am still planning on hitting up the Bay Area Open next year, so subscribe to get updates on my plans for that over the next 6 months.

Hobby update

Hobby stuff is kinda slow right now. After so much effort to get ready for OFCC fantasy it's nice just to leisurely decide what to work on.

I had 19 Orcs and Goblins models left to paint, and I've been kinda working on them. The 5 Night Goblins archers are done (need varnish and flock) and I'm working on the goblin shaman. It's from the Arachnarok kit. After these I have 10 more Boys with HW/Shield, a warboss on boar, a spider rider musician and Grimgor.  I wouldn't mind busting out these guys just to get them done, but no hurry what so ever!

In the next couple days I need to get started on the final highlights on my Stormraven for OFCC 40k which is first weekend in August.

I also assembled the Venom I'm donating for Toys for Tots this year. I wanted to do more but money is so tight right now.  Did I mention I accept commissions? :)  This will probably be my August challenge model.  Should be fun, doing something I've not done before.

I have so much to do, but I've been busy the last week doing almost nothing hobby-wise. And enjoying it. I finally got around to working on my computer, putting in a new CPU (well, new to me) and installing Vista so I can fully utilize my DX10 card (I told you, I'm poor!).  It's great being able to play games again, with no DX9 resource crashes.  Man, I love Vista. My favorite o/s ever.

If you play Need for Speed World look me up,  Sorien in-game.