NOVA Open 2012 Tickets Are Released!

Tickets sales have begun today, get them while you can:

NOVA Open website

Event Flyer

If you have ever thought about traveling to go to a tournament, this is the one to go to. The most competitive tournament being run with more prizes and support on their 'hobby track' than you will find in any 'fluffy' event.

Turns out we can all just get along and play Warhams...

Night Fight, Scarab Swarm

Alright, I have been thinking a lot about how Necrons could work non-mech, and I think I have come to a conclusion, basically you need one important element: nearly endless night fight. To ensure maximum doucheyness, be sure to max out on slots of Spyders and Scarabs. Oh, and cheat at 'going foot' by bringing along Command Barges.

I typed 'arachnaphobia', this seemed good enough

Imotekh w/ Command Barge 295
2x Destruction Crypteks (one Solar Pulse) 90
Overlord w/ Warsythe, Tachyon Arrow, Command Barge 210
2x Destruction Crypteks (one Solar Pulse) 90

5x Warriors 65
5x Warriors 65
5x Warriors 65
5x Warriors 65
10x Immortals w/ Tesla Carbines 170
10x Immortals w/ Tesla Carbines 170

6x Scarabs 90
6x Scarabs 90
5x Scarabs 75

3x Spyders 150
3x Spyders 150
3x Spyders 150

Total: 1990

Scarabs Are Stupid? Actually, Just the Editors Are...

There is an issue with Canoptek Spyders in the new Necrons book, specifically how poorly edited some rules make it out of the gates. As an avid Warmachine player, I tend to notice these things pretty quickly, but I am sure others might have had inklings about this also. Check out my scenario which allows first turn charges with a significant amount of scarabs. Combine that with Imotekh's seize on 4+ rules and this is something that can be done more often than not.

It all comes down to the Scarab Hive rule in their entry:

Nominate a Canoptek Scarab unit within 6" and roll a D6. On a roll of 2-6, add one base to the Canoptek Scarab unit - the base can move an act normally this turn.

There is however no limit, currently, for where to place that new base, observe:

Start of turn, you have your Scarab swarm and three units of Spyders.

Place your first three bases.

My First Crack at a Necrons List

So, as many people also have, I picked up a copy of the Necrons codex this weekend and am looking through what kind of lists are available. So far, I have kind of settled on a specific build, but I am sure things will change in the coming weeks as the reality of a lot of these choices comes to the surface.

I will say this right off the bat: Necrons are frustrating to build lists with because it is just impossible to get everything you want into an army, with good choices appearing throughout the book. I happen think that is a good thing!

Be sure to ground yourself prior to assembly...

Imotekh and his Flying Douchebags
HQ: 650
Imotekh the Stormlord 225
Royal Court: 4x Cryptek of Destruction 140
Necron Overlord w/ Warscythe, Command Barge 180
Royal Court: 3x Cryptek of Destruction 105

Elites: 450
Triarch Stalker 150
Triarch Stalker 150
Triarch Stalker 150

Troops: 720
5x Warriors w/ Ghost Ark 180
5x Warriors w/ Ghost Ark 180
5x Warriors w/ Ghost Ark 180
5x Warriors w/ Ghost Ark 180

Heavy: 180
Annihilation Barge 90
Annihilation Barge 90

Total: 2000

So a little explanation, I suppose:

Onslaught 2011 List (Take 2!)

So, while the painting is coming along great, I may have been off more than I can chew. I could still complete the original list, but would be painting right up to the tournament and I want to be done well in advance. Here is what I am looking at running instead:

Semi-Mech Imperial Guard
CCS w/ 2x Meltagun, Regimental Standard, Chimera 140
CCS w/ 2x Meltagun, Regimental Standard, Chimera 140

Platoon (625)
PCS w/ 3x Meltagun, Chimera 115
Infantry Squad w/ Autocannon, Chimera 115
Infantry Squad w/ Autocannon, Chimera 115
SWS w/ 3x Meltagun 65
SWS w/ 3x Meltagun 65
HWS w/ 3x Autocannon 75
HWS w/ 3x Autocannon 75

Platoon (625)
PCS w/ 3x Meltagun, Chimera 115
Infantry Squad w/ Autocannon, Chimera 115
Infantry Squad w/ Autocannon, Chimera 115
SWS w/ 3x Meltagun 65
SWS w/ 3x Meltagun 65
HWS w/ 3x Autocannon 75
HWS w/ 3x Autocannon 75

Leman Russ Executioner w/ Plasma Sponsons 230
Leman Russ Executioner w/ Plasma Sponsons 230
Total: 1990 (The last ten points are kind of trivial, probably just Frag Grenades for the CCS)

Sample Deployment:

One of many deployment options

Imperial Guard vs Imperial Guard (Vassal Battle Report)

Well, the Vassal40k league is carrying on with my list testing continuing. My next opponent is playing Imperial Guard.We roll up three objectives with a Dawn of War deployment, and he gets to pick sides. Here's what he brought:

HQ:
Company Command Squad, Regimental Standard, 2 Meltaguns, 1 Flamer, Chimera, (Hull Heavy Bolter)-145

Troops:
Platoon Command Squad, 2 Meltaguns, 2 Flamers, Chimera, (Hull Heavy Bolter)-115
-Infantry Squad, Sergeants Powersword, Commisar, Commisars Powersword-105
-Infantry Squad, Sergeants Powersword-60
-Infantry Squad, Sergeants Powersword-60
-Infantry Squad, Sergeants Powersword-60
-Heavy Weapons Squad, 3 Autocannon Teams-75
-Heavy Weapons Squad, 3 Autocannon Teams-75

10 Veterans, (6 Shotguns)2 Meltaguns, 1 Flamer, Chimera, (Hull Heavy Flamer)Dozer Blade-160
10 Veterans, (6 Shotguns)2 Meltaguns, 1 Flamer, Chimera, (Hull Heavy Flamer)Dozer Blade-160
10 Veterans, (6 Shotguns)2 Meltaguns, 1 Flamer, Chimera, (Hull Heavy Flamer)Dozer Blade-160

Fast Attack:
Devil Dog, (Hull Heavy Flamer)Extra Armor, Dozer Blade, Smoke Launchers-150
Devil Dog, (Hull Heavy Flamer)Extra Armor, Dozer Blade, Smoke Launchers-150

Heavy Support:
2 Hydra Flak Tanks, (Hull Heavy Bolters)-150
2 Hydra Flak Tanks, (Hull Heavy Bolters)-150
3 Griffon Heavy Mortars, (Hull Heavy Flamers)-225
Total: 2000 pts

Initial Thoughts:
This army is really scattered and hasn't decided what it is trying to accomplish. I notice the Squads have no Meltas, so they can literally be ignored for the whole game unless he starts aggressively moving them in (in which case they will have to deal with Heavy Flamers). The Griffons are of little concern to my vehicles, leaving very few sources of damage that will legitimately scare me. So few Heavy Weapons Teams mean it will be a simple task to remove this threat through Multi-Laser fire (which instant kills). His Veterans all opted to lose a Meltagun for a Flamer, which does allow them to be more of a dual threat, but I tend to think that the vehicle Heavy Flamers are plenty, lending the embarked unit better anti-tank reliability. Well, time to play on and see what I can learn from this.

Deployment

For this game, we elected to play the central building as Impassable Terrain that completely blocked LOS. I was immediately shocked that he chose the bottom side of the table, considering the placement of the objectives. This would make a game really hard to take away from an opponent deciding to bunker up. He deployed his combined squad of Infantry, a Heavy Weapons Squad and his HQ Chimera (with the unit inside, which is technically not allowed but I didn't notice until later). For simplicity's sake, I kept my army off the table to come on turn one, along with the Stormtroopers using their Deep Strike mission.

Imperial Guard vs Grey Knights (Vassal Battle Report)

Continuing on with my online Vassal40k league to practice with my army, my next opponent was a Grey Knights player. We rolled up a map from the map pool, and ended up with Five Objectives with Spearhead deployment. I elected to go second here to reduce surprise objective grabs (and maybe make some of my own). His list:

-HQ-
Librarian - Warding Staff (215)
-Might of Titan, Shrouding, Sanctuary, Quicksilver, The Summoning, Warp Rift

-Elites-
5x Paladins - Brotherhood Banner, 1x MC Hammer, 1x MC Halberd (390)
-1x Master Crafted Warding Stave + Master Crafted Psycannon, 1x Master Crafted Sword + Master Crafted Psycannon

-Troops-
5x Strikers - 1x Halberd (Justicar), 1x Psycannon (165)
-Razorback - Twin- Linked Heavy Bolter - Pysbolt Ammunition

5x Strikers - 1x Halberd (Justicar), 1x Psycannon (165)
-Razorback - Twin- Linked Heavy Bolter - Pysbolt Ammunition

5x Strikers - 1x Halberd (Justicar), 1x Psycannon (165)
-Razorback - Twin- Linked Heavy Bolter - Pysbolt Ammunition

5x Strikers - 1x Halberd (Justicar), 1x Psycannon (165)
-Razorback - Twin- Linked Heavy Bolter - Pysbolt Ammunition

-Fast Attack-
Storm Raven - Twin- Linked Multi-Melta, Twin- Linked Plasma Cannon (205)

-Heavy Support-
6x Purgators - 4x Psycannons (260)
-Razorback - Twin-Linked Heavy Bolter - Psybolt Ammunition, Hunter-killer Missile

Dreadnought - 2x Twin-linked Auto-cannons, Psybolt Ammo (135)
Dreadnought - 2x Twin-linked Auto-cannons, Psybolt Ammo (135)
Total: 2000 pts

Initial Impressions:
Well, there are three things that stick out at me when I see this list:
1) He has a Stormraven and tooled out Paladins squad, I need a solution for stopping them.
2) He only has 20 total scoring models in his list, all of which die to the same things that kill marines.
3) He spent way too many points on his HQ, Elites and Fast Attack combo.

Deployment

The objectives are pretty much symmetrical. He basically deploys on the line and places all his Paladins, his Librarian and one Dreadnought on the Stormraven. I take my two Infantry Squads and deploy them in front to hold up the Paladins for a turn. Their empty transports will  be taken by the Special Weapons Squads. I elect to Outflank my Stormtroopers due to Warpquake probably ruining my day.

Speedpainting Storm Troopers

Here we go, a quick step-by-step of how I painted my Stormtroopers. I decided to knock these guys off early in my painting because they have more details than any other models in the list. First off, the finished product:

Ready to melta

 Now then, on to the guide:

Imperial Guard vs Space Wolves (Vassal Battle Report)

 I joined an online Vassal40k league to get the chance to practice with my army while I am working on the massive painting project. My first match is against a Space Wolves player. We rolled up a map from the map pool, and ended up with Annihilation with Spearhead deployment. I won the roll and deployed first. His list:

HQ: 110
Rune Priest, Chooser of the Slain, Living Lightning, Jaws of the World Wolf (110)

ELITE: 285
Wolf Guards x5, Combi-meltagun x5, Power fist x3 (175)
Wolf Scouts x5, Meltagun, Melta bombs (110)

TROOPS: 900
Grey Hunters x8, Meltagun, Wolf Standard, Mark of the Wulfen, Rhino (185)
Grey Hunters x8, Meltagun, Wolf Standard, Mark of the Wulfen, Rhino (185)
Grey Hunters x5, Meltagun, Rhino (115)
Grey Hunters x5, Meltagun, Rhino (115)
Grey Hunters x5, Flamer, Razorback, Lascannon and twin-linked plasma gun (150)
Grey Hunters x5, Flamer, Razorback, Lascannon and twin-linked plasma gun (150)

FAST: 360
Thunderwolf Cavalry x3, Power Fist x1, Meltabombs x1 (180)
Thunderwolf Cavalry x3, Power Fist x1, Meltabombs x1 (180)

HEAVY: 345
Long Fangs x5, Squad Leader, Missile Launcher x4 (115)
Long Fangs x5, Squad Leader, Missile Launcher x4 (115)
Long Fangs x5, Squad Leader, Missile Launcher x4 (115)

TOTAL: 2000

Deployment

 So... due to terrain I don't really have a whole lot special to do. Hydras on the flanks, and Infantry Chimeras go forward. Some token troops were out to represent the Special Weapon Squads taking the Stormtrooper Chimeras to save time; if he blows them up before I embark, I will place the rest. He has his longfangs out and in cover. I do not actually mind since all my weapons that will be shooting at them generally still allow him his 3+ saves anyway. Oh, and he seizes the initiative. Magical.

Forgeworld Are Assholes (How to Build the Hydra)

I picked up two of the Forgeworld Hydra kits to make nicer versions of them than what I previously had (Aegis Gunline converted to get the job done), and after assembling the Chimera parts... I was not exactly elated about what I received:

Ezmode Building

WTF Garbage

Now... what the image above does not tell you is the hour I spent with two bowls of water (one hot, one cold) dipping pieces of resin in to make them soft, bending them into shape, then quickly dunking them in the cold water to set them. Oh, and within about 30 seconds, the freshly boiled water is no longer hot enough to soften it again. Someone mentioned trying a blowdryer, but there is a risk of bubbling the resin, so not happening. I would also suggest keeping away from your deep fryer.

Imperial Guard Test Models

Well, it is time to get working on a pretty ambitious painting project: 16 vehicles and 103 infantry in about six weeks. I have been working on a new scheme based a lot on the lessons I have learned from a great painting blog, so I should be able to speed paint the crap out of this stuff.

First off was preparing some test models to see how it will look and to work out my painting steps. Here's what I got so far:

 

My test models

Two Sentinels

Onslaught 2011 Army List

So, we have an upcoming local tournament, Onslaught, and I am completely re-tooling (and painting) my Imperial Guard to participate. I will be getting into what I learned from the Nova Open in some later posts, but suffice it to say that I did not have the tools I required to get the job done. Thus, I am proposing a new list:

Imperial Guard: Shitstorm

CCS w/ 2x Melta, Astropath, Chimera 155
CCS w/ 2x Melta, Chimera 125

5x Stormtroopers w/ 2x Melta, Chimera 160
5x Stormtroopers w/ 2x Melta, Chimera 160

Infantry Platoon 410
PCS w/ 3x Melta, Chimera
Infantry Squad w/ Melta, Chimera
Infantry Squad w/ Melta, Chimera
SWS w/ 3x Melta

Infantry Platoon 410
PCS w/ 3x Melta, Chimera
Infantry Squad w/ Melta, Chimera
Infantry Squad w/ Melta, Chimera
SWS w/ 3x Melta

Veterans w/ 3x Melta, Shotguns, Chimera 155
Veterans w/ 3x Melta, Shotguns, Chimera 155

Armoured Sentinel w/ Autocannon 60
Armoured Sentinel w/ Autocannon 60

Hydra Flak Cannon w/ Heavy Bolter 75
Hydra Flak Cannon w/ Heavy Bolter 75

Total: 2000