2013 in review

Its about that time again, isnt it?

2013 was an "interesting" year in my house. Up through August, I was expecting '13 to go down as one of my worst years yet (still wont win any awards), with car issues and the financial difficulties that often come with those.

And then, September happened. Wife and I said "No more back-lot deals!" and got something "new-ish". With a warranty. We have a car payment, but its still cheaper than the amount we were socking away to pay for repairs. And then, the VA FINALLY settled the wife's disability (only been fighting for 5 years), and we suddenly had disposable income... which means I suddenly had a proper hobby fund again.

So, enough of that, what happened with the hobby over the year? Well, I finished off all my Red Scorpions. Ive since picked up a few models to expand the Honor Guard, but they are sorta gathering dust at this point.

I started a Nurgle Chaos Marine "Black Crusade", but kinda lost interest, and they are boxed away.

Ive got a decent start on a Dark Angels force, that might be used as allies for other 40k armies.

I finished painting my Cryx, and sold them off. Decided I needed to clear them out and remove the distraction.

I have barely done any work on my Circle Orboros collection, though I did pick up a WoldWrath.

I started a Convergence of Cyriss force, currently I need to paint "blue glow" on half the models to finish them, and then paint Aurora.

I started a Skaven force, started with the IoB models, but added a Battalion box and some Stormvermin. The IoB models are done. The Stormvermin are about 30%, and the battalion is still unassembled...

I finally joined in on the Horus Heresy craze, and have a few squads of Night Lords in the works. These are going a lot slower than Id like, as they are a bit more expensive, and few of the locals seem overly interested in 30k gaming.

With winding down on the Red Scorpions, I decided to work on another Space Marine chapter. I put together a squad and Captain from the Minotaurs, but decided they were not quite what I was looking for. So, I dusted off an old favorite of mine, and redesigned the Storm Fists.

2012 in review, 2013 in the headlights

Been a quiet year on the ol' blog, huh? Posted some pictures, talked about my armies, and even posted a bit of (crappy) fanfic. The table was a bit more active though. Ill go through by system, hopefully I wont miss anything...

Oh, and before we get started, you do know my TwitPic folder has a LOT more pics then what I post here on the blog, right?

40k: This year was primarily the year of the Tyranid, I managed to collect and paint a 1500 point army. I also continued work on my Red Scorpions, they are down to a single Assault Squad, and a few Rhino/backs until the company is complete. Ive been working on those Dark Vengeance Dark Angels and Chaos Marines as well, but they are not nearly close to being prepared for anything.

Ive also bounced some half-assed projects around: some Dark Eldar, Space Wolves, and maybe that Dark Angels and Chaos Horde project from a while back, havnt really decided on that yet. There were also a TON of projects that never had models purchased for them.

WHFB: Fantasy didnt get nearly as much love. I did some work on my Ogres, but not as much as I could/should have. I also dusted off my Warriors of Chaos box, and did a bit more with them, but nothing too exciting.

This year, I did not start any new WHFB armies. Im starting to think Im moving on from this game, or maybe there was nothing that really grabbed my attention...

WM/H: More work was done here, this year. My Circle Orboros project was started and continues unabated. The collection is about half painted at this point, and I only need to buy a few more things to finish. On the Warmachine side, my Cryx are nearly all painted, only Rengrave and a Warwitch Siren remain. Im not entirely sure what my goal with this faction is. I might try to go "all the theme forces" like the Circle.

As far as other games... I didnt start any. I looked at Malifaux, but none of the factions jumped out at me, saying I had to start them. Same for Infinity. Dust Tactics and Dystopian Legions are interesting, but break my "No Alt History Games" rule.

Think that is about it for this year... Going to try to hammer out ideas for 2013, for my next post.

Weekly Hobby Update Thing #10

Woo, ten of these so far, yay!

This week was more active then last week, but then Id have to be in a coma to do less then last week.

I assembled all my models from the 2-Player Battle Box, and managed to get the Protectorate models primed. The Khador models are still sitting in their bare plastic. Both sets are now on the book shelf, awaiting my finishing up with Cryx.

As far as the desk, and the shelf overlooking it? Cleaned. The Red Scorpions are in their carry case. The Grey Knights and all other models are boxed and in the storage room. Trying to limit myself to a single army on the table for now.

My Cryx have received a new carry case (Sabol, for those interested), and all the completed models are packed away. The unfinished, however, are in line for a paint job. I also picked out a few that I need to fix up somehow... and knocked the Bile Thralls out already. Since all they needed was a bit of gloss varnish on the slime from their guns, it was an easy job. That just leaves 16 models to go. Most just need to be finished, but there are a few that are sitting in their primer (Rengrave!).

So, what about my plan for next week, and my Red Scorpions? Dunno, we will see how long til I get bored again! ;)

Weekly Hobby Update Thing #9

This week was a joke, as far as painting goes...

I assembled the Warwitch Siren I picked up last Tuesday, no painting done on Cryx models.

I think Ive decided on an alternate color scheme I will be using on my Protectorate models. They will kinda look like the Black Templars, which I think fits. No brush was dipped in paint to help these models, however...

I cased up my Red Scorpions, to make room on the shelf for WarmaHordes models. I am half thinking they are going to be retired for a while, and Ill work on a different Chapter. Maybe.

Lastly, I come to the Chaos Warriors... "Surely you painted something for these guys?" Nope. Far from, in fact. I decided I like the idea of Nurgle Chaos Warriors, but I have no desire to actually work on them for now. They are getting stuck in storage until I decide I want to work on them or sell them. Of course, this leaves me with no Warhammer Fantasy army once again.

Doesnt it just figure?

Today my Warmachine 2-Player Battle Box arrived. I got all excited looking through all the models, since those in the box plus what Ive already got for the Protectorate and Khador means both forces need a solo each to be playable 35 point forces. (Note I didnt say good, or even effective ones). I was just settling into deciding which to work on first (probably those Cinerators), when I noticed an email that had come in...

It turns out that my local gaming shop is having a Wrath event on the 23rd. 35 points, as many games as you can squeeze in. Different lists are encouraged for each game, since there is a bonus for playing with 5 different Warcasters. I can not do that with Khador or the Protectorate. Back to Cryx!

Looking at the bonus points, there was only one list dependent one I couldnt pull off with my existing Cryx collection: Five Warcasters. Ive got 4 currently. Since another of the bonus points comes from playing a game with a single battle group (as in, all 'jacks), I figure this would be the best time for me to pick up Mortenebra.

Right now, I am writing up 5 lists, so I can make sure all the needed models are painted properly.

Weekly Hobby Update Thing #8

Its kinda odd. I spent almost two dozen months promoting other peoples projects each week, now I am not doing that (still havnt decided if I am going to bring it back), but I am talking about my own (less then inspiring) projects.

Slow week on the painting table. Scaverous got his browns and bones painted, he just needs the green glow done and basing. Hopefully Ill get pics done in time for next week's post. I also did a small amount of work on Erebus.

I decided to slap a few ink washes on my Legion of Everblight models, next up I will be highlighting the flesh, then moving onto the armored parts.

As much as Id wanted to work on my Nurgle Chaos Warriors last week, all I did was touch up the green stuff work. Maybe next week.

Tuesday Gaming

I made it out to Games and Stuff for Tuesday WarmaHordes. Fun was had, I played two games, and learned a bit!

I used the same list for both games:

Scaverous
Erebus
Slayer
Defiler
Skarlock Thrall
6 McThralls
Withershadow Combine
Warwitch Siren
Wraith Engine
2 Necrotechs (free thanks to theme)

Tier four, 35 points. No Wraith solos to take advantage of the third benefit, but the rest worked fine for me.

First game was against Cryx, pSkarre. Lessons!
Pay attention to where you deploy!
Spend less time debuffing when you could just charge in and shove a chain-scythe where the sun doesnt shine.
No matter how much of a "sure thing" it is that you will kill their caster, DO NOT park your caster in front of Deathjack.
If you are going to take Scaverous, bring a few more models with magic abilities.

In the end, Skarre was down to 1-2 points, and Deathjack came over to give hugs (painful hugs!). Id TK'ed her to get back shots, and Icy Grip'ed her to lower her DEF, when the focus would have been better spent on a second Excarnate. Ah well.

Second game was against pDoomshaper. This one was a lesson in humility.

Number One Lesson Learned: Ask what a feat does when your opponent announces it. I didnt ask, and got too close and cast Feast of Worms on some dig-mies. 4d6 damage later, Scaverous was sitting at 2 health, and framed between Erebus and the Slayer. The dig-mies shot the last two points off.

I am thinking I will be running this list again a few more times before making changes, just to give it a fair shake, but I do know Ill be swapping something out for another Warwitch Siren and maybe some Cephelyx Overlords, eventually.

Weekly Hobby Update #5

Another week, another couple models worked on.

Cryx got a bit of love. All of the "fleshy dead" models got a few layers of rotting flesh, and then washed with green ink. Ill be adding other color ink washes to them sooner or later. The Withershadow Combine got a bit more work, got the brown and grey started.

I primed the 15 Red Scorpions that had been sitting on the shelf in their bare plastic. Then I gave them the basic grey brushdown. Next up for them is a wash of chaos black.

Lastly, I did the metal work for my Grey Knights. My entire force except the Librarian, Captain, and Stormraven is sitting at this stage. Those three have gotten their first coat of Boltgun Metal, and are awaiting the black wash, like the Red Scorpions.

Next up, Ill probably do a quick drybrush of chainmail, then move on to details.

Thursday morning I finally assembled my Khador box set, and during the evening I got most of the Skorne set put together. Planning on getting them finished this morning, leaving just the Circle box to finish, and I hope to get them done this weekend. Finally.

On a side note, I am loving my new camera. ;)

Weekly Hobby Update #4

Hobby work was a bit slow this week, I converted one of those new plastic Necromancers into a Nurgle Sorcerer.

I also did a bit of work on my Cryx, all of my unfinished models are sitting at the "greasy metal" stage. I did manage to finish my Wraith Engine, and would you look at that, I actually have some pics!

And since we were talking about it on Twitter this morning, I have a picture of how I store about half of my paint bottles... The other half are off to the side, out of sight. After I took the picture, I went through checking the bottles. About 20% of the bottles were dried out, and got tossed.

 

Weekly Hobby Wrap Up #2

Lets see, this week I got my Wraith Engine tail, assembled, primed, and got the metals done. I also did the very basic coats of brown for the Wraith Engine.

I also managed to get nearly the entirety of my Grey Knights force primed, all except the Storm Raven, Captain Stern, and my Librarian.

I also primed that Sternguard Veteran squad thats been haunting my desk for a long while now. Planning on testing out the new and improved Storm Fists paint scheme on them (pics next week, maybe).

I took those unassembled WarmaHordes models to the Frozen North with me, but didnt have enough time to actually work on them. Ill get them done eventually....

Weekly Hobby Wrap Up

So, attempting to motivate myself a bit more here, going to post a weekly wrap up each week. We will see if I make it past this first one! The plan is to write it up as soon as I finish the Top Ten.

So, this week I worked on Cryx. I got Lich Lord Asphyxious and the Withershadow Combine, and they are primed and metalled up. Gaspy's base is also painted green now.

I also (finally) got my Wraith Engine assembled, aside from the end of its tail, which is still in transit from PP's bit replacement service.

Lastly, I made an order from the Warstore: Scaverous, Erebus (upgrade kit + plastic helljack), and a pair of Necrotechs. The order arrived Wednesday afternoon, and I have assembled Erebus and the Necrotechs. I really enjoyed working with the plastic Helljack kit, and am thinking I will need a few more of them. I started work on Scaverous, but only got as far as fixing his base. Really going to need to pin him.

I am driving back up to the Frozen North this weekend, and will be bringing the battleforce boxes that Ive not assembled yet (Skorne, Circle, Khador) and assembling them if I have time.

Cryxian Photodump

Time for another Friday Photodump! This time its a good chunk of my Cryx Warmachine force. I didnt bother taking pics of the full units, only half of them, but be assured that each unit is max sized and fully painted.

First, a peek at the force, sitting all cozy on the shelf. (I bet they are planning something.)

Revenant Pirate Crew, because if you dont have zombie pirates, what do you have?
Bile Thralls, nothin says lovin like spewing your mutton...

Mechanithralls. The numberless dead of the Iron Kingdoms.
Bane Thralls, led by Lord Tartarus (or Tartarsauce).
Closer look at Tartarus.
My Warcasters, Deneghra and Asphyxious.
Solos, Machine Wraith, Pistol Wraith, Warwitch Siren, and Skarlock Thrall.
A couple of my Bonejacks, a Deathripper, Stalker, Defiler, and the Cankerworm.
Another look at Cankerworm.
A few of my Soulhunters. Love the models, love the unit, hated painting them.
My Helljack collection, the Reaper, Seether, and Slayer.
Deathjack in all his evil glory. Yes, I hate how I painted the runes on his carapace, Im planning on redoing them eventually. However, I do like how the Skulls of Hate (on his shoulders) ended up.
And while we are looking at Warmachine, here is my Cygnar battleforce, all four of them. :)

Everything you can do, Cryx does just as well!

Time for a bit of weekend fun. I was reading my Cryx book the other night, and realized that they stole something, or can do something as well or better then all the other factions in Warmachine/Hordes! This is all tongue-in-cheek... or would be, if Asphyxious had cheeks... or a tongue. I think a jawbone would help too.

Legion of Everblight: You remember what they say about the copy not being as great as the original? Yeah...

Trollbloods: Trollkin? Yep, we got them. Nasty buggers just wont die, no matter how many times we fumigate. Worse then roaches.

Circle Oroboros: We stole one of your Warlocks, and are not giving him back!

Skorne: I had to think about this one. Skorne torture bodies to make slaves? Our Cephelyx

make slaves through BRAIN SURGERY!

Cygnar: You built the arc node. We perfected its use (on damn near every bonejack!).

Khador: Hey look, cheap, expendable infantry! We got that too, and we can build even more (likely out of yours!).

Protectorate of Menoth: You love Menoth, then you die. We love Turok, then we die, then we love Turok even more.

Retribution of Scyrah: Yep, stole one of your Warcasters too! We might want to give this one back, though.

I might have to do another one of these later, Ive got a few more lined up. :)

Gaming done!

Yesterday I drove up to play a few games with Deo and his group of friends. Its about an hour out from where I live, so its obviously something I dont do very often (last time being when WH8th Ed came out!).

So, I played three games... Ok, two and a half. First game was against Deo, Red Scorpions against Dark Eldar, 1,000 points. I took:

Chaplain w/ Jump Pack, Meltabombs, digital weapons

130

Tac Squad (5)

VSgt w/ Power Weapon

Razorback w/ Twin Lascannon, stormbolter, HK Missile

200

Tac Squad (5)

VSgt w/ Power Weapon

Razorback w/ Twin heavy bolter, stormbolter, HK Missile

165

Tac Squad (5)

VSgt w/Power Fist, stormbolter

Razorback w/Twin Heavy Bolters, HK Missile, Stormbolter

220

Assault Squad (8) w/Plasma Pistol

VSgt w/ Power Fist, Plasma Pistol, Meltabombs

173

Dreadnought w/ Multimelta

105

Total: 999

As people who have been reading my blog for a long time know, I suck at battle reports, so Ill just share my lessons learned:

Deep Striking Assault Squads is still idiotic.

A Las/twinPlas Razorback should not be sitting in the back, on an objective, when trying to gun down DE skimmers.

Keep your eye on the mission, no matter what.

Basically what happened was the Las-2Plas Razorback and crew stayed on the objective in my zone, and the other two razorbacks went running to his objective. The Assault squad tried to be heroes and jumped into the middle of the field, just to get munched. In the end, I had a pair of empty razorbacks contesting the objectives, everything else of mine was dead. DRAW!

Game 2 was cut short by Deo having to go to work. My Cryx against borrowed Circle Oroboros. Quick and easy, only had enough time to get a few things into combat, but I could tell that I wasnt going to do well, I only had bonejacks.

Game 3 was against a gentleman named Chris. 35 points of Cryx against Skorne. I dont remember what he took, but my list was:

pGaspy

2 Deathrippers

1 Defiler

Cankerworm

1 Seether

Deathjack

Skarlock Thrall

Lessons:

Dont spread out so much, even if you are trying to contest objectives, especially with a low model count force.

Infantry works, use it.

Use your debuff spells, dummy.

Infantry can and will beat down your bonejacks, eventually.

Hellfire is a fun spell.

There were some fun things in this game. Deathjack getting into a beating match with this spiky thing, only for Gaspy to walk over and stick it full of holes (Sustained Attack FTW!) In the end, I was getting tired, and I got a bit reckless with Gaspy, and he got killed. Still, a fun game.

Aside from this, there was some wheeling and dealing going on, and I got rid of a significant number of armies. Ill save that for a later post, probably Wednesday. ;)

Update...

"So, Ryan, what have you been up to?" Uhh... Ive finished Sevrin Loth, Carab Culn, and a Seether Helljack. Right now I am experimenting with washes on Cankerworm's base, and working myself up to finishing this Command Squad.

"Got any pics?" Nope, I am a slacker, as usual. But I might have some this weekend. Maybe.

"Get any games in?" *hangs head in shame* Nope.

"What has been taking your time up?" Oddly enough, chatting with fine folks on Twitter. Working more then is healthy for me. Very little WoW time really.

"Any ideas for what is next?" I was looking at Night Goblins earlier, but I still think Tomb Kings are my next army, if I can keep the Skaven hordes out of my sock drawer.

Does it suck? Helldiver

So, Ive decided to try something new and exciting. No, not kilts.

I see PLENTY of blog posts saying that Unit X is awesome, Character Y sucks, and Army List Z is an ill-conceived abortion. Such posts rarely seem useful to me, but then, maybe that is just me. So, I decided I am going to try something slightly different.

I am trying to build a decent Cryxian force, and Ive been tripping over a few things that make me ask "Why?"... Such as this beauty. So, what I plan to do is to dedicate a post to different things, and ask how they fit into the Cryx force as a whole, and into my specific army.


Pic "borrowed" from Privateer Press.

What is it: Cryx Helldiver.

What do I see good? This little sucker has slightly higher armor and a few more armor boxes then the TurkeyJacks, and is the cheapest bonejack in the list. Its Burrow ability makes it very survivable, just pop it off the table at the end of your turn, and your opponent will rarely have a means of doing anything to it (aside from swamping its marker with bodies).

What do I see bad? No Arc Node. Isnt that the whole point of bonejacks? Burrow is also something of a double edged sword. If your opponent cant attack this 'jack, what will he attack? Id much rather have something beating on this little turkey then on my Warcaster. Its Jaws attack is on par with a Deathripper's Mandible, just without the sustained attack, or any other cool ability.

How would I use it in a game? Im not entirely sure on this one. I like the turkeys because they fill double duty. They have a chance to kill things, and I can channel spells through them. This guy can... hide. Maybe as a sacrificial blocker.

Do I think it fits into my army? Seeing as I am planning on running Asphyxious as much as I can, not really. Its the Arc Node problem. I want as many as I can get. Id say maybe if I had three points to throw away, but the likelihood of that is pretty small.

So, this is the fun part, now I want people to either tell me I hit the nail on the head or (more likely) that I am missing something essential. Which is it?

Exhuming the dead

First, no TRotS this week, I slacked on making the Top Ten and there isnt many leftover posts to do a proper list. Blame the Dresden Files books.

As soon as I say I am ignoring the Cryx, I decide to pull them out and set them up. Figures...

Current list of goodness is:
Bile Thralls
Bane Thralls
Mechanithralls
Revenant Crew
Soul Hunters
Machine Wraith
Pistol Wraith
Skarlock Thrall
Deathjack
1 Slayer
1 Reaper
1 Defiler
4 Deathrippers
Asphyxious (Prime)
Deneghra (Prime)

All the units are max sized, but no UAs yet. I do intend to add them, just havnt gotten around to it yet. Right now, the only things not painted are two Soul Hunters and four Revenants. Hopefully I can get motivated to bust them out this weekend.

The 'jacks are the old metal versions, I havnt decided yet if I am replacing them, or adding to them. Adding to them makes the most sense. Pretty heavy on infantry currently, I could use more machines in my Warmachine army, huh? One thing I think PP should work more on is more "non-standard" Helljack forms. The Leviathan and Harrower are good starts, but the basic shape of the others are just like the 'jacks from every other force. Of course, I think they have it right on the bonejacks, only one could be remotely called bipedal.

As far as an ultimate goal for this force, I dunno. I think aiming at having full FA for each entry (for a single caster) is a realistic longterm goal (at least more realistic then say, a full Space Marine Chapter! ;D).

As always, I think I am building this force towards the goal of having more options then I (or any regular opponent) knows what to do with. Yes, I am bringing Cryx, but is is 'jack heavy lead by Gaspy, or a Bane list with Goreshade? Waves of McThralls? I wont be mastering a single list, but eventually I will have working experience with pretty much anything Cryx can throw at the enemy. At least that is what I tell myself...

Building an army

"Its a story as old as time"... Ok, no it isnt.

Im sitting here, reallocating shelf space to my Cryxian horde, and somehow I get to thinking about just how much of that force would be allowed under various theme lists (not very much). Somehow I get to thinking about army building.

No, not shelling out a chunk of your wages and taking home models to build (though that is involved). I mean more along the lines of whether you make an army list, then buy models and only build what you need to run that list, or whether you buy a lot of what looks cool, and sort out an army list after its all assembled (or maybe even before!). I guess there is a happy medium as well, in that you get some stuff, build it, then decide what to add to make a viable army.

Myself? Definite buy lots and then sort out a list. Occasionally Ill add something further along for the tactical advantage, but I really do "suffer" from Oh SHINY!!

So, looking at that, I have an insane variety of models for the Dragonfather (and most of my other armies). Not as many as Id like, but I am getting there. Of course, having variety means building an army list is a bit easier (I likely have a tool for any job), and a bit harder (one tool? try three!). So, I really like the idea of the theme lists, as it limits what I can look at... I just have to settle on a Warcaster in the first place... *sigh*

So, how does everyone else do it, buying one unit at a time, with an overall plan in mind, or do you not have any idea what you are adding until after it is assembled?

Cryx vs Cryx game

So, there I was, knee deep in tuna fish, and not a screwdriver for miles... Wait, wrong story.

I went out to Games and Stuff this evening, for their Tuesday Warmachine. Actually played a game too, first game in about eight months, and first WM MkII ever. Had a blast, too.

My Opponent was Eric, and he was playing Cryx, like I was.

My list was:

Iron Lich Asphyxious
Slayer
Defiler
Deathripper
Pistol Wraith
6 Mechanithralls

He had:

Iron Lich Asphyxious
Reaper
Necrosurgeon +Stitch Tralls
Mechanithralls + Brute Thrall
Bile Thralls
Machine Wraith
Skarlock Thrall

We know I suck at doing up battle reports, so Ill just give a run down of what killed what, then lessons.

My Slayer was yanked by his Reaper and beaten to a pulp, then finished off by Gaspy. The Defiler was ganged up on by the mechanithralls, until it was finished off by something else (cant remember what did it right now). The Deathripper got on the wrong side of a Purging Bile Thrall... His Gaspy got sick of running from my Pistol Wraith and shoved some Hellfire where the Sun didnt shine, and my Mechithralls ran face first into another purging Bile Thrall.

His NecroSurgeon survived the fight, and rebuilt an insane number of mechanithralls. I probably wiped out that unit twice over before he ran them out of range of the surgeon and into the loving embrace of my Gaspy's spear. I wiped out the entire unit in one round of frenzied spear poking. After that, I realized that I had been playing too defensively, and threw him into melee with the Reaper, and ripped it a new one as well. The Mechine Wraith was just another dead model when I tried to use Breath of Corruption to kill off some of those stitch thralls.

In the end, it came down to just my warcaster against his (though he had the Necrosurgeon patching his up). Finally ended with a blast of Hellfire, and I lost.

Lessons!
Asphyxious is tougher then I expected, and I shouldnt have played so gently for the first half. Might have raised the property damage during the first half of the game if I had.

Pistol Wraiths scare people, yet I have no idea if it is justified.

Mechanithralls had a hard time even hitting my bonejacks, let alone causing serious damage.

I need to pay more attention to facing and deployment for my 'jacks, especially the big scary ones that are better off in melee. Focus allocation too. A 'Jack with Focus on it at the end of the turn is a waste.

Necrosurgeons seem very handy to keep the thralls flowing.

Bile Thralls wandering off and Purging are a great way to ruin someones day.