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.

Happy New Year and all that

Think I was supposed to do my yearly wrap-up a few weeks ago (at least going by my habits so far)... Ahh well.

Overall, I had a decent year in 2014. Dont remember off the top of my head if I had any specific goals, and dont really care anymore if I did.

I didnt game as much as I could have, and I didnt paint anywhere near as much as I wanted. My number of armies has shrunk though, so Ill call that a win.

This coming year, I think Im going to stick with two goals.

1: Build Less.
2: Paint More.

See, from mid-September to the end of December, I didnt paint at all. Nothing. I was too busy trying to build an extra 3k points of undead for a mega-battle that I ended up missing because I got sick. Well, now Ive got a decent chunk of models for the games I play built. Not all built, obviously, but I can have a decent game without stressing that I dont have enough models.

So, Im going to *TRY* to avoid starting the new shiny. Obviously I will fail, but Ill be satisfied if I can keep the financial damage to a minimum.

As of the new year, this is where I am sitting:
40k Storm Fist Space Marines
30k Death Guard Legion
WHFB Undead Legions
WM/H Circle Orboros

I do have extras tacked on to half of these, or will soon. Ive got my 30k Night Lords to use as allies, if I feel like it, and plan to add some Dark Mechanicus and a Knight household for my Death Guard, maybe even some Imperial Army too. For my Circle, Ive got all sorts of Farrow to build and paint.

I still have my Skaven force as well, and we will see if I can resist the call of the Horned Rat when the next End Times book hits....

Lore of Undeath Summoning Cheat Sheet

Something Ive been meaning to write out for myself, and finally got around to it. There might be other versions out there, but Ive not see them yet. So, decided to share! If you spot an error, let me know.

I skipped the non-summoning spells, as this is all about the summoning. I decided to make the list based around the minimums. "If I cast this at base cost, and added no tokens, what could I get?" For units that need more than the minimum, I added a note. However, rather than make the list (particularly the Character section) unwieldy, I put a cap of 5 tokens on top of the minimum.

Some entries have an upgrade listed, this is either because it is free, or there are enough points left over that it is silly to not take the upgrade. These are usually (but not always!) the single model choices, where there is nothing else to add. In cases where I list units at higher than their minimum size, you should feel free to drop models to add any upgrades you feel are appropriate. In all cases here, I rounded down to whole numbers.

One final note, Nagash and Arkhan have special rules regarding this lore, and you could/should double or triple the unit sizes listed as appropriate.
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Ryze - The Grave Call
Infantry unit up to 50pts or up to 100pts (50pt casting listed)
Vampire Counts units
-16 Zombies
-10 Skeleton Warriors with hand weapons or spears
-10 Crypt Ghouls
-4 Grave Guard (need higher cost spell and 1 token for minimum unit)
-1 Cairn Wraith (need higher cost spell and 5 tokens for minimum unit)
Tomb Kings units
-12 Skeleton Warriors
-8 Skeleton Archers (need 1 token for minimum unit)
-4 Tomb Guard (need higher cost spell and 1 token for minimum unit)

Monstrous Infantry unit up to 150pts
Vampire Counts units
-3 Crypt Horrors
-3 Vargheists
Tomb Kings units
-3 Ushabti with great weapons, extra hand weapons, or great bows
Undead Legion units
-1 Morghast Harbinger (need 1 token for minimum unit)
-1 Morghast Archai (need 3 tokens for minimum unit)

Razkhar - The Abyssal Swarm
War Beasts unit or Swarm up to 75pts
Vampire Counts units
-9 Dire Wolves
-4 Fell Bats
-2 Bat Swarm
-1 Spirit Host
Tomb Kings units
-1 Tomb Swarm (need 1 token for minimum unit)
-3 Carrion

Monstrous Beasts unit up to 150pts
Tomb Kings units
-1 Tomb Scorpion
-2 Sepulchral Stalkers (need 2 tokens for minimum unit)

Kandorak - The Harbinger
Single Character up to 65pts
Vampire Counts units
-Necromancer (Level 1)
-Vampire (need 4 tokens for minimum)
-Wight King (need 2 tokens for minimum)
-Cairn Wraith
-Tomb Banshee (need 3 tokens for minimum)
Tomb Kings units
-Tomb Prince (need 4 tokens for minimum)
-Tomb Herald
-Liche Priest (Level 1) (need 1 token for minimum)
-Necrotect

Single Monster, Chariot, or War Machine up to 200pts
Vampire Counts units
-Corpse Cart with any upgrade
-Varghulf
-Black Coach
-Terrorgheist (need 3 tokens for minimum)
-Mortis Engine (need 2 tokens for minimum)
Tomb Kings units
-Necrolith Colossus with any upgrade
-Hierotitan
-Necrosphinx (need 3 tokens for minimum)
-Screaming Skull Catapult with Skulls of the Foe
-Casket of Souls

Akar'aran - The Dark Riders
Cavalry, Monstrous Cavalry, or Chariot unit up to 150pts
Vampire Counts units
-7 Black Knights
-5 Hexwraiths
-3 Blood Knights (need 5 tokens for minimum unit)
Tomb Kings units
-12 Skeleton Horsemen
-10 Skeleton Horse Archers
-2 Skeleton Chariots (need 2 tokens for minimum unit)
-2 Necropolis Knights (need 3 tokens for minimum unit)

Wandering Eye

Funny thing with my attention, I can reasonably expect my attention to wander off about a week or so into drooling over an army that I am not physically working on. As I mentioned before, I got some undead to start my End Times force. Well, Ive managed to keep them on the sprue, telling myself to work on them when I get back from the trip. Not on table, out of mind, right?
Not quite. Ive been carting around those books like a 3-year old and his favorite teddy bear. I have been rereading the rules and the fluff, and while I am still a tactical noob, Ive gotten a better understanding of the new lore and rules than Ive ever had about any army before. I have gotten Evil Ideas on how to play these boneheads, and am chomping at the bit, ready to glue stuff together. And buy more. As always.

The great thing, and the problem, with how my plans will shape together is that Im going to need a significant number of "spare" units. Unlike the Lore of the Vampires, which for the most part only refreshes damaged units, the Lore of Undeath actually creates new ones, and you have choice there. Take a look at Ryze - The Grave Call. Off that one spell, you have 12 potential units to choose from. Granted, you will only be able to summon some of them with a few (or more than a few) tokens saved up. Deciding which unit to summon and where to actually put them (as long as in range of the caster) is going to be a bit of a mini-game in itself.

Right now I am torn between Arkhan the Black, and Mannfred as my Mortarch of choice. Arkhan can summon bigger point value units (33 zombies on a 9+), but Mannfred has the wider area in which to place them, which has more potential to mess with your opponent's plans. Assuming their plan isnt just "run in and fight!".

So, for right now my plan is go on vacation, come back all recharged, and build dead things. Probably add some Tomb King models once these first few units are done, then look into who will lead my force.

Looking for a story

On Friday, I was on a mission. On the hunt. Tracing the hidden trail towards prey they did not wish to be discovered. And I found it.

As the entire internet knows, Games Workshop dropped their newest book this past weekend, a book that has drawn widespread praise for a company that is (often deservedly) wargaming's favorite punching bag. Nagash is back, and the Warhammer world will never be the same.

At least, that is what all the promotions say. They call it The End Times. From what I have read of the book so far, I am not disagreeing. Many characters dead. Both non-combatant and Special Characters. Even ones recently updated with new models. Nations are falling, and those long thought banished walk freely under the Chaos-torn skies.

So, this hunt I was on? Was not for the book. I had no difficulty tracking a copy of that down. No, my hunt was for a set of spell cards. I am fortunate that there are several local gaming shops nearby, because these are harder to find than a fart in a hurricane. I did get my set, but that was not all...

As soon as Id seen the Nagash model, I knew I was lost. Id be back into WHFB in a hard way soon enough, likely starting a new Vampire Counts force. Maybe use the new Undead Legion rules to pick up some Tomb Kings to round things out. However, I made myself swear that this army would wait, wait until I got back from vacation. I could do that, right?

Yeah, wrong. I walked out of the game shop with a lighter wallet, and a sack bulging with the rotting remnants of the Empire's finest. Whoops. Well, now I am telling myself to wait until I get back from vacation before I start building. Give myself time to digest the new setting.

So, that story I am looking for in the title? That is me looking for an idea of how I am going to theme these lost souls. For the longest time, I was planning on starting Vampire Counts, and theme it off of the von Carstein's march through history. Vlad & Isabella, Konrad, and Mannfred, and a few converted other vampires. That idea can still work, maybe even better now that... well, now that things have changed.

However, Im am not setting this idea in stone quite yet. I am also considering having my way with greenstuff and some plastic zombies, to make Necrarch vampires. Or haunting eBay to find old metal Blood Dragons. Or just using the new Neferata and Coven Throne for Lahmians.

The point is, I want a story within the story. A theme to anchor my colors to, and a reason to be proud of my dark works. If you have any ideas to share, let me know. I know Ill be sharing my ideas soon enough...