Merry Xmas fellow Gamers

Xmas in the Warhammer World: The year of Nurgle

Xmas 2014. So it was, an uneasy truce had settled over the Warhammer world. Or at least in our house.

The whole Warhammer world as we knew it has changed. Nagash is back, Settra is who-knows-where, as is a long list of other characters. Nurgle is rampant. Where is Morathi ? What will 2015 hold ? Archaon and the End of Times ?

Kislev is no more, Karl Franz and his turkey have fused to become KFC.

Dark Elf now embraces High Elf. (Yeah Right), and Malekith becomes the Phoenix King.

What the? Hey ! So we're mates now? All is forgiven?

 

or is it? 

Glottkin and his corpulent buddies are unleashed on the world, characters swap sides before you can blink. Or blink out of existence before you can think.

Old factions have reunited and new unholy (and wholly unexpected) alliances formed during the End Times.

Nurgle had ruled supreme this year at work; with malice and pestilence interfering with time for gaming in a big way. Terminally short of staff in 2014 , what started as a great foray to Europe and the US, ended up as being snowed under with work.

As for the Ogres, all migrating from the mountains, 

will Santa be visiting you this year? 

He's wearing a shiny new gutplate, anyhow...

Coming back with a massive haul of models, flexing my modeling and gaming muscle for a great year of wargaming turned into a year of furious graft to keep our business afloat.(From a man power point of view)

Nurgle imparted copious rancid visitation on one of my business partners: blessing him not with one, but two fractured legs. Six months apart. Read 3 to 4 months out of action with each fracture. Add to this a partner that migrated to the UK, one on Sabattical, and a  brand new rest home with a dementia wing and a hospital level care facility. Then one of our associates upped and left. Found myself working a day and a half a week just to keep the rest home covered...

Came Thursdays I struggled to drag myself to the club meetings. If I was not on call.

So 2015 is looking brighter: 3 new staff appointed, annual leave soon, and hopefully some time to indulge in actually reading the End Times books. May even get a few games in, and some time to build those models still sitting on the shelf.

Having said that, I have found the time to systematically repaint my Undead Army, who now eagerly awaits the coming of Nagash. We are hoping that he may show up in the Xmas stocking.

I've retouched my dwarfs, and given them a dull brown wash, making them look a little less garden gnomish, built and painted an alternative set of hammerers and Ironbreakers (Mantic); expanded my Slayer Army, and aquired another Gyrocopter.

My Nurgle army has also received some love, with Gutrot Spume, a Nurglish Cygor, Blight Kings and soon-to-be-painted Knights, Marauder Cavalry and Daemon Prince lining up for the Paint-pot. If Nagash can't make it into the Xmas stocking, I'm hoping that the Glottkin can.

So, not an altogether lost year of Warhammer gaming. Seems I actually got a fair whack of painting and building in. But not a lot of gaming. And the modeling was in fits and starts, the painting probably sanity preserving.

So all that remains is to wish you all the happiest of Christmases wherever you are, and a prosperous 2015, filled with health, love, laughter and lots of time to model, paint and game!

War. Man's second favourite pastime.

Kapiti Wargames Club Swap Meet Tomorrow

Reminder: KWC's Annual Swap meet is on again tomorrow 

(11 October 2014)

Hugely successful in previous years, the KWC brings you the 3rd Annual Swap meet:

Saturday 11 October 2014 

at the Paraparaumu Community Centre (Click for map)

 Ngahina Street, Paraparaumu

From 10 am onwards. Bring, swap or sell: any gaming related items: Mini's, rule books, paint, any scale, any system, any condition. Your trash is someone's treasure. Bits and sprues are usually particularly sought after.Bring what you've got. Chances are the will be a buyer or swapper!

Games workshop, WHFB, 40K, Flames of War, Warmachine, WW2 20mm, 15mm wargaming, Ancients and Moderns, Magic The Gathering, Kits and models, paints and brushes...

I am bringing to swap or sell: Tau Kroot and Fire Warriors (Metal and plastic, based and counter-weighed w 10c coins.) Painted to reasonable table-top standard (And one box untouched and unbuilt); 15mm Medieval Army (metal); Skaven, High Elves, High Elves Current Rule Book. Surplus O and G Wyvern, a whole box of (mostly GW) stuff...

Wood Elves: Denizens of Athel Loren Incoming

At Last: Wood Elves on the Horizon

Athel Loren are finally heading our way. Rex Foote must be rapped! He's been waiting so long!

They have now access to all the 8 colleges of magic, and Elven Dark and High. Call me cynical, but is this a push to make the WEs more popular ?

The latest White Dwarf ends with: "If you go out to the woods today... ...you'll be in for a big surprise."

From across the net:
Arriving in May Only a two week release - Armybook, magic cards and three plastic kits. Not a total overhaul and their fine cast kits - even the cavalry plastic-finecast-kits - stay valid. The only exception is the eternal guard. These have been dropped completely.

As expected, the new kits are multi-purpose, so it can be used for several different units.
Builds: Three hawk riders, which are one hawk and two surfers or three giant owl-like stonefeathers and six waywatchers. On top of that you can build a hero on hawk or on foot.

The second kit is a war dancer combination kit. The second unit wears varying animal masks and shields made of pelt on wooden frames. They have animal claws as weapons.

The last kit is tree ancient and meadow hag. The former is a giant-sized tree man with a huge beard made of bark. The latter has a crown of leaves and she has a skirt of roots instead of legs. Her hands grow into a web of thorns. The rest of the range stays as it is

The wood elves have very dynamic poses because almost all their units are skirmishers again and the sculptors didn't have to worry about spacing. Skirmishers work seamlessly with other regiments in 9th edition, so there will be no problem with this play style.

Durthu Rules

Durthu [WS7 BS7 S6 T6 W6 I2 A6 LD 10]  Lvl 1 Wiz, 2D6 shooting attack at S2 2D6 hits  or he can nominate a enemy single enemy model and force a I test if failed; D6 Wounds no AS.

A combo kit for Eternal Guard or whatever their name would be) -they look similar to all the new elf Shadowarrior/Sisters kits with their legs and armor -they have hoods on and halberds/scythes instead.

Araloth, another SC that has the Stubborn Special Rule and 5 attacks as well as when he's a alone he is Unbreakable. He has some magic items that are niche but some are clinical as well. For Example his "shooting attack": at the start of your turn nominate a single enemy model within 18in', they take a S4 hit. If the wound is unsaved and the to wound roll was a 6 they lose -5 WS and I for the rest of the game.

Additionally Forest Spirit gives: +6 Ward Save, ITP, Magical shooting and close combat attacks.

Araloth and rules

The Pics of Wood Elves

http://imgur.com/a/NrfK2/noscript#0
http://imgur.com/a/Vvpga/noscript
http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?44128-Wood-Elf-teaser-vid/page2

via Wolfen on his site (translated)
http://latabernadelaurana.blogspot.com/

*  Warhammer - Wood Elves : Army Book full color, hardcover, with background and rules distributed throughout its 92 pages, cost 39 euros .
*  Battle Magic - Elves : 16 magic cards, its cost is 6 euros .
*  Araloth the Sorcerer : New Characters in plastic, is the wizard that includes his falcon. Be sold in blister by  17'50 euros .
* Ancient Treeman : Reissue Old Man Tree, is a triple box, where we can mount three plastic figures a Tree Running Man, a Man ​​Elder Tree or himself Durthu a new character Treeman Ancient. The price of the box is 50 euros .

Army Wide Rules
via Ángel Larraz Rada on his blog (translated)
http://eltallerdeyila.blogspot.com.es/2014/04/reglas-de-ejercito-elfos-silvanos.html

Army wide rules:

• ASF, hatred beastmen, forest strider, no penalty to move and shoot with bows, and all bows both magical and norma' l re roll 1 to hit and add +1 strength at half range.
• Wizards have +1 to cast lore of Athel Loren
• Wardancers and waywatchers are unchanged bar waywatcher at half eange are both S4 and have killing blow
• Warhawks have the old hit and run rule.
• Eternal guard are unchanged bare the weapons. The searath is a spear that gives +1 strength
• Mantle of the Asrai gives a 6 plus ward and mantle of kurunos gives a 6 plus armour save.
• Wild riders gain frenzy
• Forest spirit rule gives units immune to psycology and a 6 plus ward save

NZTC 2014 - My Dark Elf Experience (or lack of)

NZTC 2014 - My experience this year

Playing in my second to last game of the tournament: 

This photo nicely  summarises my experience in NZTC 2014. 

Up against the strong beasties, hard players, part of a team that valiantly fought, but lacked the overall punch ito list strength when taking on the big boys with tournament honed lists. 

All of us lacking tournament experience.

I ran my Dark Witch Elf B*tch bus, (much against my better judgement, but encouraged by Nick (no-one wants to face the witches) Jebson. Took 'em for fun anyway, but probably should have gone w the more competitive Cold One Bus. 

So I arrived with Morathi and a Death Hag on the Cauldron, 2 Hydras, 4 Repeater Bolt Throwers, a Lvl 2 on a cold one, 2 units of 11 Xbowmen (Darkshards, as they are now known), 2x 5 shades and Doodfire Warlocks x5. Dark Magic on Lvl 2, and Morthi choosing from the three lores as she is want to do. I retrospect I should have taken breath weapons on the Hydras, but Luc and I  had huge pressure on us to get our lists out, as we only returned from overseas a week or 2 out from the tournament. Also didn't have much time to play test the list either.

So lessons learned:

1. Take a tough, survivable list, grind it out rather than rely on magic and shooting.

2. Don't take a glass cannon (Morathi)

3. Draw your list up in time, play test it, play test it, play test it.

4. Don't listen to Nick.

5. If you take Hydras, take breath weapons on them.

6. The cauldron does not have leadership without the hag, without her it auto fails any leadership tests.

Game 1

Legion of Doom vs Team HAM

Druchii Civil War: Lachie Mulcahy

Almost didn't make it to this one, raced in from Kapiti to find opponent allocated, at table ready to roll.

Took some time to settle down, first game nerves, being late, no photos taken :(

Great game, friendly opponent that clearly knew all the strengths and weaknesses of the Druchii. His cold-ones outclassed my witches, which were expertly diverted. Both Morathis taken out, magic pretty even, poor rolls on winds of magic throughout game for both sides, no spectacular spells got off. Lachie's cold one knights eventually got the upper hand. Looked like it may be a close loss for a while, but then got caught by his master taking out the hag on the cauldron, with a auto leadership fail after that. (Sux, methinks, that statline! ) 

Witches and cauldron caught and destroyed My Druchii crumbles White-washed 20-0.

Game 2: Team Krak

Neil Williamson's Dwarfs.

One of the most fun games I have ever had against a Dwarf Army with a DE Army. Instead of a gunline with hammers Neil fielded Miners, Longbeards and Warriors, only 4 pieces of artillery, buffed up with the Anvil. Helga came as hero with one unit of Miners, arriving on turn 3. Shooting phases did not go well for him, other than taking out one Hydra. Warlocks and Morathi doing some damage, getting Okrams off twice on his unit of miners, whittling them down until only Helga remained. Valiant Bolt-thrower crews becomg an unlikely tarpit ! The witches charged through into the soft underbelly, and were surprised to see a cannon being dragged into their path as a diversion ! Thinks that's one for the books!

The last hydra gets through to the Anvil, but fails to take out the runelord, resulting in a stalemate

A most entertaining game, which eventually goes to Neil by 13-7 if I recall correctly

Thanks for a fun game, Neil!

Game 3: Team HAM

Thrown to Nick's Daemons!

Drew Nick's Daemons. 2 Skull cannons, bus of Beasts of Nurgle, 2 Units of Horrors and Lvl 4 Tzeench Wizard. This was always going to be painful for me.

Nick deploying his Daemons

The Eye opens, Daemons pouring forth

Bolt Throwers just out of charging distance of those Fiends, got a few shots in before they were annihilated

Thanks to good Ld they did not flee

Managed to kill the unit of Beasts with the Witches, but little else. Took 3 wounds of the Lvl  4 Tzeench /Keeper of Secrets w Xbowmen.  He then chose to go and hide on the furthest corner away. Skull-cannons took out Morathi and the Hydras on turn 2 and 3, and after that it really was game over for the Dark Elves. Can't even remember if I got any points out of this one. Great opponent and a fun game. How I hate those skull cannons. 

Good thing Pete's now nerfed them down to 1 per army in FOB-Lite;  if you ask me.

So endeth the First Day. 1/250th the Legion of Doom not doing too well, but enjoying the tournament.

Day 2

Game 1

First up Team Buckethead: Drew Reagan Ridge's Empire.

What a great game and opponent. Had a well-matched battle with the Druchii coming out on top in the end. 

 

Pensive looks as the Witch Elves carve their way through the Empire Knights

Before the massacre

Bolt-throwers picking off the Monstrous Cavalry, as did Doombolt, 

a very useful spell from the Warlocks, before they hit the flank of the W.E's

(Here seen doing the Conga on their way to smacking the oversized Chickens. 

Are those knights I see showing their heels? 

Shrunken Empire heads for Khaine...

A small but sweet victory, one of the most enjoyable games of the tournament: 

 game, opponent and enjoyment wise.

Day 2 Game 2

James Millington: WoC

Another hammering coming up for the DE's? 

Throgg bus, with serious Lvl 4 Demon prince, Khornish nasties, Hero on Daemonic Mount and dog units, Warshrine to buff up and 3 Skullcrushers to enforce WoC rule

Shooting and magic went well, James avoided the B*tchbus for most. Killed my Hydras early in the piece. WE got into Throgg and Trollbus, nerfed them with burning banner and Morathi added Melkoths, BT poured bolts into them before they got into battle, and then fed them to the witches.

 Nasty. I like. Think its the first time I've killed a Trollbus with Throgg driving.

Got into the spirit of the fight when I shouldn't have, and charged the Daemon Prince with Morathi. 

Well, that's always me- taking the fight to the enemy. Should have hidden her away, and it may have been a draw. Landed a few blows, but not enough to take him out. Exit Morathi...

A possible draw went to a loss.

A great and most enjoyable game against a humorous and skilled opponent. A really fun game, 

and in the end actually quite balanced, thanks to good magic rounds.

Day 3 Game 3

Wolfpack

Jeff Kent's Empire

Up against the team tipped by Pete to finish in the top 5. Can see why, some big guns from the tournament scene here. Professional outfit, friendly but focused and efficient in their gaming. 

No quarter given or taken. In my game anyhow. (The way I approach surgery.) 

Think the experience was the same for all our team members.

Morathi leading the conga with Lvl 2 in tow.

Mostly to try and stay out of reach of the Hellblaster cannon end Empire Great cannons.

This unfortunately also kept her out of range of the majority of her spells. Hydras negated by murderous cannon fire. Only good moment was my skewering of a rank of Monstrous chickens with my BTs, one of which seemed to have a charmed life. Clever use of terrain, bad luck w fleeing Shades obstructing my WE's movement  and a counter-charge by a very small detachment unit of Xbowmen prevented my WEs and couldron from getting into the action. Out-maneuvred and out-shot.  the game went to Jeff. A lesson in technical playing and knowledge of the rules, delivered with surgical precision.

A good game, but DE's were no match for consistently accurate cannon fire and honed rule skills. Well played game, Jeff. 

 Some great looking armies from the tournament:

Not sure who this belonged to, but some great lizardmen

Phil Wu's HEs

My (faceless) son modeling the team T-shirt

LoD taking of the Bucketheads

All 1/250th of the Legion of Doom.

2014 NZTC More Photos: Winners and Angry Birds Photo-bombing

2014 NZTC a Big Success

The Dice are cast and the days are done

The battles fought, and won...

Day one: And everyone is in the spirit. Team shirts abound, as does team headgear. 

Shirts Off kept their shirts on, much to everyone's relief

Much playing and deliberation

Calculating and checking. Speaking about headgear...

The spoils of war:

Best Presented Army

The Bronze Medal: 

Silver:

And the Winner is...

Sam Whitt!

Tournament Winners

In Third Place:

Team DILF (Still wondering about that abbreviation...)

Photo-bombed by an Angry Bird!

 

Second Place: Shirts Off !

And in First Place, with a score of 315:

The Team with the Guy:

 The Most Sporting Team:

Grumpy Old Men. Obviously not that grumpy or old either!

And the Wooden Hammer (Spoon) goes to:

The Legion of Doom

Feel free to copy and use my photos, but please credit me

(and a link to my blog would be nice- H.)