Pass and Review

I have always been afflicted by what I call "Hobby ADD". Anyone who has read this blog for more than a few months will likely be completely unsurprised. Tonight, I am playing around with a list of  armies I am currently working on, and some possibilities for the future... Figure I may as well go by system, that should keep things simpler to sort. Maybe.

30k
Death Guard - My primary 30k force, currently around 1700 points fully painted, and another 1300 or so waiting for my attention to swing back their way. Theme plan for them is that they are members of the 1st Great Company, and thus (mostly) loyal to Typhon, Mortarion, and Horus.

Night Lords - Still sitting at under 700 points, they started out as my 30k force, but were quickly knocked from that dark throne. I want to add a bit more, maybe move them to a full 1000 points, and use them as an allied force. Don't really have a theme for them currently, but as I write, Im getting an amusing idea to use them as Loyalists instead. I may toy with this idea...

Knight House Hodagi - Currently consists of a single Knight Errant, to be used as a Lord of War or an ally. Long term plans are to add a few more so I can play them as a Questoris Knight Crusade, or as Imperial Knights in 40k. Currently there are a few knights that don't cross over (Styrix, and the three new plastic variants), but I like them all, so Ill probably get what I like and pick the appropriate list to use what I want. Theme for this force is tied in with my ideas for Forge World Gersi, as their subject world.

Skitarii/AdMech/Mechanicum* -  My Skitarii are currently sitting at about 1000 points, with just the Onager painted (though I did work on the Vanguard earlier today!). Plan is to continue work on the Battle Maniple formation, an easy list to work with. In the longer term, I want to add models from the assorted 30k Mechanicum lists, to represent all the resources that my home-grown Forge World has available. Theme for them is that Mortarion stumbled upon and saved their world early on, and they have been supporting his interests during his part of the Great Crusade, and followed him into heresy.

*technically the Skitarii and other Adeptus Mechanicus book(s) are 40k, not 30k, however local opinion is to count them as Mechanicum until we hear otherwise.
 
Chaos Daemons (Nurgle) - Actually a bit of a placeholder, as the only model I currently have is a single Daemon Herald, with a box of Plaguebearers in the mail. Plan is use them as summoning filler for the Occult Binder (Librarian) I am converting for the Death Guard, though if things work out, I might expand into a full army. Theme here is that Mortarion is teaching some few former Librarians in the arts of binding, banishing, and controlling "witchery". Of course, who do they gravitate towards binding? You got it.

40k
Storm Fists - Im sorta losing interest in these guys at the moment. Roughly 2000 points, all painted except a unit of bikers. I have a few other boxes of Space Marines as well, but they are on hold, in case I decide to do a Chapter hop.

Dark Angels and other assorted Space Marines - In addition to the above, Ive got a few units and/or characters from the Dark Angels, Space Wolves, Minotaurs, Black Templars, and Blood Angels. Keeping them handy to use as allies, but only the first is reasonably fleshed out to play solo. Possible I will pick one of these as my next 40k army, but then maybe not. 

Red Scorpions - These guys got boxed up, and on the Forgotten Shelf, but they are still around. A full battle company, minus four rhinos. Biggest thing keeping me from doing anything with them? The yellow/brown I used for their trim is out of production, and the closest variant is still too bright. Havnt been able to mix it properly.

Chaos Marines - Ive got a bit of a collection together right now, almost all in grey plastic. I was inspired by the Crimson Slaughter, but then I got distracted and moved on. As usual. As of right now, they are somewhere between getting hauled out to the shed, and being saved for whenever Nurgle Daemonkin get done.

Necrons - Another bit of a placeholder. Currently I have two boxes of Tomb Blades, as a start to a Reclamation Legion. Might migrate from Space Marines for a while. Or maybe not.

WHFB
Warhammer is in limbo right now, really. We dont really know what is going on, what will change, what is still viable. So, no plans to work on until I hear otherwise from the horse's mouth.
Skaven - Currently I have a fully painted Island of Blood set of Skaven, and a few other units I need to finish painting, or just need to build.

Ogre  Kingdoms - Ogres are sitting at 2000 points, mostly half painted. I can (and have recently) play them, but they are mainly a filler army for when I don't or cant play something else.

Undead Legion - About 2/3s of my legion is built, about 4-5000 points all told. Nothing is painted. Nothing is even primed. Bleh.

Chaos Warriors (Nurgle) - A leftover from the Great Purge, maybe a thousand points of half painted, or unassembled Warriors. I like the idea of a Nurgle force, I just get really bored with these guys. Since Glottkin was released, Ive pulled these guys out a dozen times. Ill look at the models, or make a list, or whatever... then box them up and put them back up. Eventually Ill admit defeat.

Warmachine/Hordes
Circle Orboros - In theory my prime faction. Ive managed to collect all the models I need to make a 35 point tier 4 theme force list for every Warlock in the faction, minus Bradigus. And for that, I just need the dude himself. Problem is I bit off more that I could chew. Half the models are unopened, and maybe three of the lists are fully painted. Someday Ill knock them out. Hopefully.

Farrow - Another example of biting off more than I could chew. I ordered tier 4 for all the Warlocks, thinking "Hey, there are only a few of them, and they all share everything anyways!". Now, I still think this one is doable, if I get my ass in gear. Just a few units and beasts and Id be done. It is just a matter of looking at that box, and seeing it all.

Cygnar -This is where I have started to learn my lesson. I ordered a single theme force. Commander Stryker and his goons. I did pick up a few other models, but they are not on the radar yet. As far as I am currently concerned, Stryker1, Ol' Rowdy, 2 Lancers, and 2 units of Long Gunners are all I need to work on. Once they are dealt with, then Ill allow myself to realize I have that 35 point "All-in-One" to work on still.

Other Games
Deadzone - From what I hear, this still gets played locally from time to time, I just happen to miss out on it. My force is assembled, and one day might get painted.

Malifaux - Bit of a dead duck for me. I know some locals play it, but the locals I play with do not. I have the Seamus crew (mostly) assembled, but no feel for them.

Table - Not a game, but needed for them all. Ive got the Realm of Battle set-up, that I need to paint one of these days. Going to be a quick deal, mostly brown spray and drybrush, with some grey and bone for rocks and skulls. Also got terrain I need to sort out.

Looking forward to 2014

Im not a fan of resolutions. Never have been. If something is worth changing for, then why wait for a set date? Change what you need to change, and be done with it!

Having said that, I have some goals to meet in 2014. The Wife and I are doing a Wargaming tour of Scotland and England in September, and I need a 1500 point list prepared. Im planning on my Storm Fists, for now...

Lets do this all number style, shall we?

Primary Goals
1. Finish painting my Storm Fists.
2. Dust off and play with my Tyranids, once the new book is out.
3. Finish assembling my Skaven, and get back into WHFB.
4. Play at least one game a month.
5. Decide what I am doing with WarmaHordes. Continue with the Circle and Convergence, or what?
6. Get back into my "model a day" painting routine.

Secondary Goals
1. Post a model for Miniature Monday every week in 2014.
2. Continue the Top Ten.
3. Post something beside the Top Ten each week on the blog.
4. Pick up a Malifaux force, and maybe learn to play.
5. Try out Deadzone, and see if it is something I want to play.

Special Goal
Those on Twitter saw a pic I posted recently, of a rather large box... My goal for that is to have it all assembled before the end of February, and possibly have it all painted before the end of the year. It is currently a SECRET PROJECT, but will be revealed in time... And yes, DT, you should be afraid...

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.

Saturday Gaming

Vacation is over, back to work!

Mikie and I threw down again this weekend, a pair of 2000 point Fantasy games. Still Tomb Kings against Skaven. I stuck with my list for the most part, just swapping out the Cloak of the Dunes on my heirophant for a sword on the Tomb King. He was still looking for the feel of the Skaven, and tried a few different lists. I won the first game, but Im not too sure what to call the second one. I realistically only had a single unit left, but there was next to nothing he could really do about that unit.

I also finally added a bit more terrain, in the form of a pair of styrofoam hills. Ill need to paint them up soon...

Lessons!

Tomb Guard led by the Tomb King, and equipped with the Banner of the Undying Legion are HARD. These guys took a flank charge from a rat swarm and a frontal charge from Stormvermin, then another frontal charge (after the stormies fled), and were still kicking ass at the end of the game.

S4/T4 is a lot more special in fantasy then it is in 40k. A lot more useful too.

Cloak of the Dunes was wasted previously, but would have been moderately useful in this weekends first game... and would have saved my Heirophant in the second game.

Archers and hills make for great friends.

The Bone Giant was a lot more useful this time around, and Relentless Assault is a lot of fun!

I now have a special hatred for Gutter Runner Tunneling Teams. I might have to get a tomb scorpion to return the favor.

Im trying to decide if I should ditch the king for a prince, and upgrade the heirophant for a high priest. I never have enough spells to do all that I need to do...

Saturday Gaming

Finally got a few games in this weekend against Mikie (one of these days Ill play Keith!)... First game was Red Scorpions against Space Wolves, 500pts.

Ouch.

I took the captain, two units of 5 tac troops with nifty sergeants, and a unit of 5 assault troops. He took a large unit of Blood Claws (10-12 I think), a WG Battle Leader with 4 wolves, and a pack of 5 grey hunters. I got stupid and fed my units piecemeal to the blood claws and battle leader, and lost that one hard.

The second game was much more interesting. 2000 points of Tomb Kings vs Skaven. This was something like his 6th game of fantasy, but his first at this high of points.

I took:
Tomb King w/Shield, light armor, Crown of Kings
Liche Priest w/Cloak of the Dunes, dispel scroll
Liche Priest w/ Skeletal Steed, dispel scroll
14 Skeletal Archers w/command
14 Skeletal Archers w/command
25 Skeletal Warriors w/ Spear, shield, command
25 Skeletal Warriors w/ Spear, shield, command
23 Tomb Guard w/command, Banner of the Undying Legion
Bone Giant
8 Light Horsemen

He had (from memory)
Grey Seer
2 Warlock Engineers w/most of their kit, 1 had Storm daemon, one or both had dispel scrolls.
2 large units of Skavenslaves
2 30+ units of Clanrats w/ ratling guns
a large unit of Plaguemonks
a unit of stormvermin w/ ratling gun
2 Rat Ogres
3 jezzails

As people know, I suck at battle reports, so Ill just toss things we learned out there.

Despite having M6, a Bone Giant is fairly slow if not near the general. I almost managed to get a single charge off with him the entire game. Didnt, because the unit to be charged failed its Terror check. The unit fled and was gone-gone, and worth about 200 points, so he did make his points value, sorta.

Plaguemonks will chew through a unit of spear armed skeletons fairly quickly.

Stormvermin do not like being flanked charged by Tonb Guard led by the Tomb King.

Light Horsemen were fairly useful at range, and made a decent shield for the horse mounted Liche Priest.

Im not convinced that the Cloak of the Dunes was entirely useful. The Heirophant wisped around a lot, but overall didnt really need to.

I love having a set casting order, and I love having it down on paper in the army book. Id forget my own head if it wasnt glued on.

Skaven are AWESOME to watch from the other side of the table. Seeing Jezzails and Ratling guns explode was very amusing. Only thing better is playing them (and building your army around the "wonderweapons").

I was reminded how little of the Tomb Kings army I have left to paint: a unit of 14 archers need to be finished; 2 chariots (not used this game) need work; and all my characters are in various states of having just been started. Not too much at all.

I think Rat Ogres need to be taken in units of 4+. The two hardly did anything before they broke and ran.