Were still here! AwoooO

2 Days!
6 Games! (plus a cheeky one before breakfast on day 2)
3 Armies!
1 speed bastion assembly!
12 bacon and egg butties!
47 cups of tea!
3 1/2 takeaways!
2 lost dice!
3 deepstrike mishaps!
4 broken models!
1 deepstriking land raider!!!

          We had it all! What a weekend it was, fun was had by all, even our resident spectator (I hope). We learned alot about planet strike, agies defence lines are good, rivers of lava are bad! So what we thought would be a great defensive setup on the first game rapidly evolved, it soon became clear there was no ideal setup all combinations had their merits and pitfalls, the economics of battle changed drastically too, having a unit kill more then it's worth for example, this had no real bearing, as the game could be won of the slightest of margins, in fact several games came down to a single dice roll (Damn that Demon Troll...err Prince!) it was hard and brutal and totally in keeping with my vision of the 40k universe, were the opposite sides don't have the decency to line up on the field before the battle. It's added a whole new level to the game, one that probably would have existed without the aid of supplement several years ago, but I don't want to get into that right now.

          Winning and losing make no odds to me, I enjoy the mental challenges the game offers and pitting my wits against my opponent, it's getting caught in the moment that makes this hobby so special. Tho I'm bit worried Scott and Si found my so-called 'blood lust' a little overbearing (tho in character!), I make no apologies, as it has come to represent to me one of the few times I can really let go and not worry about other peoples perceptions and have some damn good fun, which would only be achievable around such good friends :)

Only downside to the whole weekend other then it ending was the winner has to make the tea.. /shrug >:(

- Ollie

Planetstrike Weekend - The Chaos Perspective

Well, Planetstrike Weekend has been and gone in a haze of tea, dice, curry, and blast templates! For me, the hobby is as much a comforting link to a more carefree past as it is enjoyable for its own reasons. First there is the build-up, chatting to each other about what you're aiming to get painted, what scenarios you want to play, and what lists you're going to try out. The day arrives, people rock up, the kettle goes on, armies are unpacked, and newly painted minis are passed around and looked at closely with a geeky eye. Once battle commences it's a blur of dice rolls interspersed with moments of insane bravery, valour, success and failure! It gets dark outside. Take-away is delivered and consumed.

I crashed out on the couch at 3am in a sleeping bag. In the morning, the sound of me making tea got Ollie up and about and we were playing again in no time. The second day passed as enjoyably as the first.

Ollie and his Space Wolves were ultimately victorious, winning each of the four Planetstrike games he played. My Chaos Marines lost three games and won a single victory against Simon's Blood Angels, who in turn lost three games and took a single victory against myself. Ollie is a very capable player, very capable indeed. You need to be well practised and have your wits about you to even draw against him. I would say playing Simon is more relaxed, as Ollie gets a kind of battle lust going after a win or two which can make it almost stressful to be around - but trying to beat Ollie is challenging and fun in its own right! Write this down - I will have my revenge! I myself am the kind of player who always turns up out of practice and makes stupid mistakes for the entire weekend. I just don't play often enough to work up any level of skill or familiarity.

We all achieved our painting pledges, but sadly our finished armies were put to shame with unpainted bastions and amateur scenery. I'm embarking on a terrain project now which will see all the Planetstrike scenery I need finished and painted, followed by some refurbishment on the modular board I built last year, and then a variety of other terrain pieces.

Here's a couple of shots from the only game I managed to win, the Forlorn Hope mission from Planetstrike:

In the top shot you can see my Chaos Terminators crashing against the Blood Angels' Aegis Defence lines, and Trunk'hi, my Chaos Sorcerer, finishing off the last member of a short-lived assault squad! Rattaur, his familiar, and true general of the Chaos invasion force, watches sinisterly from his vantage point on the Deathguard Rhino!

In the second shot you can just see a small (but very brave) team of marines trying to get to the (badly wounded) Daemon Prince and finish him off before he can plant the Banner of Nurgle on the Imperial Bastion. Alas, it was not to be, and Chaos won the day. This is actually the first game we used the Aegis Defence lines, clipping them off the sprue to make use of them. They changed the game entirely. Planetstrike is not the same without them. What a shame I didn't get to use them when trying to defend my bastions from the Space Wolves beforehand! Apologies for the unpainted scenery in these shots. We are already planning 'Planetstrike Weekend MkII', the focus of which will be painted scenery and revised army lists in light of what we learnt about Planetstrike by playing through the entire book!

So, having learnt how NOT to play Planetstrike, I've been revising my army lists, both for the Attacking and Defending roles. Rattaur, displeased with Trunk'hi's showing over the course of the campaign (despite impressive results in previous games), has relieved him of further Planetstrike duties. I started a conversion for his replacement in the loft last night, stay tuned for that! Rattaur stands in the shadows and whispers instructions to me as I work..

The next time you hear from me, I will be showing a painted Planetstrike setup. I'll go over my army list changes and show you the new additions and conversions after our next campaign weekend - wouldn't want the enemy snooping beforehand would I?

-scott

Dusk of War.

All is calm in the failing light, Captain Kreeg shivers in his command dugout a hand full of his staff beside him, gaze at the setting sun, the young Captain ponders his orders..
"How can we know what to expect sir!? They have told us so little.." Demands Lieutenant Slovak, his third in command.
The Captain turns to face his subordinate, a man even younger then himself, fresh out of the academy no doubt, he had returned from his first campaign by his age, a mere boy, how was he expected to use these men, he had only met them this morning, and now they sat upon the biggest threat to the sector in a millinia.
"Tell me sir! What should we do to prepare!
Kreeg turns to face the setting sun once more, putting his back to the young officer.
"SIR! ...your orders!" Slovak demands onces more.
"Nothing" he eventually replies under his breath .
"Sir there must be something we can do! How can we just sit here idle?"
"Those are my oders lieutenant"
"But sir!"
Turning with a such speed the lieutnant is nearly knocked off his feet in suprise, Kreeg bears down upon the with the vigour of a man possesed "Do you know what horrors lurk above this planet as we speak Lieutenant!?
Still reeling from the sudden animation of the Captain "No sir, thats why I want to know.."
The Captain turns once more to the view from out of the dugout.
"Sir please tell me what I can do to fight them, atleast tell me something about them.."
Then the relative warmth of the dugout is sucked out of the makeshift door as a man dressed in a black overcoat enters, no word is spoken to the man as he stands brushing the snow off his coat, the small glimpse of a red uniform underneath.
First to speak is the Captain, still with his back to the room, "Commissar"
The man still concerned with his appearance after a short pause replies "Captain"
"Permission to speak?" pipes up the Lieutenant as he strolls upto the man in black and presents himself bolt upright.
"Granted.." The Commissar offers.
"Sir, I believe Captain Kreeg has lost his nerve, he refuses to give us any information on what we face! Sir!"
The Commissar glances up at the Lieutenant "Is that so.."
"He also refuses to act, and issues no orders, Sir"
The Commissar nods at the young officer and turns to the Captain Kreeg.
"Sir, I believe the Captain has lost his nerve, or far worse.."
There sound of metal against damp leather as the commissar takes out his bolt pistol and cocks it.
"Sir, I believe the Captain.. "
The deafening howl of a bolt round leaving the barrel rips through the dugout.
The Commissar calmly holsters the ancient weapon back at his side. "No man shall question the will of the Emporer! Or any who serve him loyally!" The Commissar recites.
The young Lieutenants slumps to the ground with a look of shock, blood slowly trickles down his forhead.
The Commissar Kneels to pick up the shell of his bolt pistol and addresses the young officer for the last time, "No man loyal to the Emporer would want to know the horrors that Orbit this planet Lieutenant".



- Lieutenant Uskar Slovak, Helious 205th, Planetary Defence Force, First Casualty of Planetstrike weekend.


- Ollie

Chaos Space Marines - Army Complete

For the first time in twelve years, I have a painted army of over 2000 points. I painted the first plague marines for this army around three years ago. Crazy. Still, it's only really this year that I've been playing some actual games with old friends and seriously trying to finish things off. I've also been getting married and working too much, so, it's taken a while, but now it's done!

Here they are, awaiting planetfall in T-minus 5 days:

My painting desk is now clear. The slate is clean. This is a tantalising thing for me, I am in a happy state now, just wandering around in my mind picking things up off the shelves of my memory, looking them over, brushing the dust off...wondering what's next.

I know one thing for sure; next weekend is 'Planetstrike Weekend'.

What's the point in raising an army if you don't take it to war?

See you on the other side.

-scott

T minus seven, update.

As we draw near to what is being hailed as the biggest thing ever to happen in my front room since the great Ork crusade of 2005, the Wolves are keeping up their oaths (was there ever any doubt?).

Pledges:-
6x Grey Hunters (Pack Vanaheimr) - fulfilled!
5x Missile Launcher Long Fangs (Council of the Wise) - fulfilled!
1x Long Fang pack leader (Sergeant Haakon) - fulfilled!
Rhino (Pack Vanaheimr). - fulfilled!
Razorback (Council of the Wise). - fulfilled!

1x Thunderwolf Cavalry
1x Rune Priest (Yurgen Thunderhowl).
2x Fenrisian Wolves.

Thats 4 models to go!

- Ollie

Must...try...harder...to KILL MAIM BURN DESTROY !

Up in the loft, where the hobby happens, I am finishing my Chaos Vindicator. This is the final painting pledge for the impending 'Planetstrike weekend'. It's not going well, but I am happy about that. After all, the artist who never experiences technical difficulties must be content to stand still.

If I am getting things wrong and finding them difficult, I'm learning something and improving. Case in point, the Chaos Vindicator. I've only recently started experimenting with weathering powders, and I used far too many in the wash on the dozer blade. It looks awful, but I am learning less is more with these things and that they CAN look great. I am improving. Also, I am painting a yellow gold eight pointed star on the top of the vehicle, stretching arrow-heads down each side of the tank, Black Legion style. It is hard going, taking a long time, and I would absolutely do it in a very different order and a very different way next time around. Still, I've always wanted to do this, I am having fun, and I am learning.

My friend Ollie recently accused me of being complacent with my game. He said I "used sportsmanship as an excuse for sucking". I've been thinking about this. I am not a very good general, I lose more games than I win. Part of this is that I get to play about ten games in total PER YEAR so I am often rusty with the rules, the stats, and my tactics.

This is a factor of both my available free time, and the fact I have other things to do. I think at some point I did decide to compensate for being a bad general by trying my hardest to be as sportsmanlike as possible. I don't think this is a bad thing, nobody's about to complain about it, but what if Ollie's right? I'm now looking at it this way, if I spent some more time working on my army list in advance of a game, read the rulebook more often in my down time, and made a real effort to commit my more important stat lines to memory, maybe even researched 'the enemy' a little so they didn't confuse me so much.. maybe I would win a bonus game or two. At the same time, I'm sure I could hang on to my sportsmanship. So, ahead of 'Planetstrike weekend', I am making a real effort with my Attack and Defence lists, I am reading the rules, and I am memorising stats. We'll see if it does any good in, oh, ten days!?!

In real world news, I am almost finished with my contract in London, and glad of it. I will be having several weeks off over the Christmas period and starting new work closer to home in the new year, once I find it! I'm not complaining about being in work during a recession, but I am Tired. What's wrong with working hard for a wage and being Tired? Nothing, if it stops there, but I think there are more wonderful things in life to be enjoyed than a fifteen hour day and no time or space either end of it to live your life and be with your family. There's working to live, and living to work. The wedding is paid for, so I am done with that and looking forward to a 9 to 6 again (I've never had a 9 to 5, can anybody confirm they even exist?).

I miss passion in my work. People with jobs they hate will laugh at that, something like "Nobody likes their job, moron, get used to it". Sorry to disappoint but some people do like their jobs, some even love them. I did. When I joined the games industry ten years ago, it was all I wanted to do for quite some time. That's long gone. I don't even play video games anymore. Time to get out for good. I'd rather be a good engineer on something I have never cared about, and simply take pride in my work, than bust a gut doing something I don't love anymore - but used to.

This winter, I am a miniature painter for a living. I don't expect to make any money, but nobody said jobs you love had to pay a wage. ;)

-Scott

p.s. I think it would do me good to paint something VERY different to my usual comfort zone of Chaos Marines and Greenskins. Any suggestions? In fact, commissions would be even better.. ;)

Pledge Complete - Chaos Terminators

My squad of Chaos Terminators are finished. These are the first models I have magnetised. The weight of the 'old school' lead metal does roate the heavier arms downward but I intend to fix that with small pins that lock into place beside the magnets, should I find it annoying during play. Once they rotate down and rest on the knee armour they don't tend to move anyway, but I haven't used them in a game yet, so we'll see.

With my painting time being limited of late I have had to 'rush' through some of these miniatures faster than I usually would, but the experience has been a good one. I've learnt that going faster and leaving out certain details entirely does not actually lead to a relative degradation in the final result.

Things look better when viewed together as a whole squad. I've learnt I can paint much quicker than I thought I could and still get pleasing results. None of the Terminators stand up to individual inspection, but they look really good together.

If you usually take a long time to paint things, because of attention to detail or because you also like to paint for display and those habits get pulled over to your tabletop painting, try pushing yourself to hit a deadline and do things more simply. You'll be surprised how well things turn out despite your 'cutting corners'.

Remember, any individual square inch of the Sistine Chapel is pretty unimpressive - but the effect of the whole thing is awesome.

-Scott

Nobody likes Scatter Dice

They're rarely used for anything unimportant and are impossible to interpret in a way that makes both players happy. They were invented to scatter a given position (blast origin etc.) within a circle of a certain radius. Take a moment to think of all the times you've looked at the arrow on a scatter dice, then at the line of a tape measure your opponent is holding out, wondered how they couldn't be more different, and then heard your fellow gamer say something like, "Just about there I think, right?"

You nod, because of all the times you've tried to argue it and spent the next twenty minutes struggling to get above a 6'x4' board for an aerial view, which is the only way to make scatter dice work.

Before starting a game we discuss the terrain with our friends. We do this because differences of opinion during a game can slow things down and sour the mood. It's not that your friend is trying to fleece you, it's simply not possible to hold that tape measure along the line of a tiny dice's printed arrow with enough accuracy to look right from wherever you stand, and whichever side you happen to be commanding!

We want to scatter things, but we want to avoid any opportunities for bad feeling. Here are two alternatives to think about.

'Friendly Scatter'

Our goal is to take a chosen position on the table and scatter it within a circle of a given radius.

• Looking at the origin of the scatter from your own table edge, roll a D2 to determine if it goes left or right (e.g. odds on a D6 go left and evens go right).
• Place the destination marker left or right of the scatter's origin, parallel to the table edges, by as many inches as a dice roll up to and including what the the game rules say the position should scatter (e.g. if you are scattering 4", roll a d4, if you're scattering 5", roll a D6 and ignore 6s, it's easy).
• Roll a D2 for 'away' or 'nearer', make another dice roll, and move parallel to the board sides this time.
• The result is where the scatter lands. No arrow dice.

You still use a tape measure to move the scatter horizontally, and veritcally, but movement is always made parallel to board edges. Modular boards are more common these days, so you often have a line to follow within 12" of where you are scattering. If it comes to it, you can lay the tape measure out long and check both ends are the same distance from the board edge you're moving parallel to. If they are, it's straight, otherwise it's not. There is no such easy option when trying to align to a printed arrow on a dice laying behind some woods on the other side of the table.

The position scatters to any point on an inch-grid within a square of the distance chosen. This area is slightly larger than that of a circle of the same radius, making the scatter slightly wider in terms of board space, and for example, blast weapons very slightly less effective. I prefer this to bad feeling between players.

'Fast Blast'

For scattering blast templates quickly and easily, choose another valid target within 'D6+firer's BS' inches of the scatter origin. Hit that target instead. If there is no valid target within range, the blast has no effect. Higher BS shots do not 'scatter further', rather you have more choice and opportunity to hit something because your circle of choice is slightly larger (a BS of 4 outweighs the average D6 roll of 3).

Whatever you hit, it's second choice to what you were firing at so technically you've still 'missed', but again, no arrow dice, no arguments, the game keeps moving, and this time the shot scattered in a circle. This makes blast weapons very slightly more effective, which again, I prefer to bad feeling between players.

-Scott

T minus twenty till Planetfall. Commencing smack talk!

Grey Hunter 1: "Lord Hrothgar looks worried.."

Grey Hunter 2: "Worried about the huge score of planetary guard that have gone missing in the past few days since those Blood Angels got 'ere I bet.."

Grey Hunter 1: "Or he must have heard about the traitor invasion fleet heading this way, I hear it's twice the size he thought.."

Grey Hunter 3: "I 'eard it was ten times the size, we are going to be outnumbered atleast a hundred to one!"

Grey Hunter 4: "He's worried we fight for a lost cause!"

Skald Yurgan Thunderhowl: You're right Brothers, Lord Hrothgar is worried.... hes worried they'll be late!

"We may be few and our enemies many. Yet so long as there remains one of us still fighting, one who still rages in the name of justice and truth, then by the Allfather, the galaxy shall yet know hope" - Ragnar Blackmane

- Ollie

Two weekends to go...

Technically, there are four weeks to go until 'Planetstrike Weekend'. However, I have a 30th birthday to attend next weekend, ten pints to drink, a kebab to wish I hadn't eaten, and a hangover to enjoy. Also, the fourth weekend of the remaining time is the event weekend itself. Finally, I don't really get to paint in the week anymore (for the next few weeks) because everybody is doing overtime at work as we hurtle towards our final deadline. I work in the video games industry, and our game is getting ready to ship for the Christmas period. So, I have two weekends (i.e. four days) remaining before Planetstrike weekend. Am I on schedule? Naturally!

More pledges complete! My two Deathguard Kill-Teams with Plasma and Rhino transport are finally complete. I would have liked to spend more time on some of these cool old-school minis, but I have to stay on schedule. Here they are:

I also got hold of a third old-school Obliterator, and rebased the three of them on 40mm bases:

With four days' dedicated painting remaining, I am obviously eager not to waste any time. I have three Terminators to paint in order to complete the squad, and the Black Legion Vindicator, which I have made some early steps on tonight. Here's a work-in-progress (WIP) snap. Everybody likes painting table WIPs:

I'll get the Vindicator finished on the weekend of November 6th-7th, and the three Terminators done the following weekend.

Seems crazy to say it, but time is running out. I cannot wait to see our painted armies fighting it out over a painted gaming board and scenery. It's the most stunning sight a gamer can enjoy. Add tea, and you're getting into religious experience territory.

See you on the other side!

-Scott

'You, who have the spark'

In a letter from the novelist Emile Zola, to the artist Cezanne:

'There are two men inside the artist, the poet and the worker.
One is born a poet, one becomes a worker. And you, who have
the spark, who possess what cannot be acquired, you complain
when all you have to do to succeed is exercise your fingers,
become a worker.'

(Letter of 16 April 1860, in Zola, 1978, p. 146)

My painting pledge - one that will push the bounds of my saniity to levels only previously explored by those in padded cells...

I have sworn to paint a 1500pt force of Blood Angels to game with the two fine gentlemen below. The list is a fast moving, hard hitting army that gets in the enemy's face quickly and bloodys their nose. It contains the following:

HQ

Reclusiarch - no upgrades

Elites

Two sanguinary priests. One with a jump pack and power sword, the other with terminator armour

Terminator Assault Squad Garion - Five men, two armed with thunderhammer and storm shields and three armed with twin lightning claws. They ride to battle in the Land Raider "Hammer of Baal"

Troops

Tactical Squad Vittorius - 10 men armed with a missile launcher and melta gun. Sgt Vittorius is armed with a combi melta and a power fist. They ride to battle in a Rhino.

Assault Squad Nero - 10 men armed with two melta guns. Sgt Nero is armed with a bolt pistol, power sword and melta bombs.

Assault Squad Cestus - 10 men armed with two melta guns. Sgt Cestus is armed with a bolt pistol, power sword and melta bombs.

OK, its not exactly an amazing army. The tournament players who have optomised their lists for all eventuallities will likely pore scorn over it.....i dont care. It plays ok and suits my style of gaming. I like a decent fight in the centre and as long as i kill a few models, win, loose or draw i feel like i've had a good time.

Most importantly, it represents an army that is almost fully painted. At the time of writing this, i have only six more models to complete. Two terminators, a reclusiarch, two sanguinary priests and a land raider. The priest in terminator armour is proving somewhat complex but i have a model almost complete. My saviour has come in the form of the Space Hulk terminators. These wonderful models fit perfectly into any Blood Angels force and the skillful modeller can even turn them into other chapters. I have scene Dak Angel, Space Wolf and Ultramarine coversions. Games Workshop frankly should award large, gaudy medals to all the model sculptors.....But i would say that as a Blood Angels player. In a fit of inspiration (plus some sage advice from Ollie) i carved apart a terminator i had the foresite to purchase from Ebay and set to work. The chalice was taken from Space Hulk aswell and the arm built from three different terminator arms (again thanks to Ollie for some space Wolf terminator arms!). The Narcacium was culled from a sanguinary priest i had built a while back and pinned in place having had the hand removed. He still sits on top of my model cabinet waiting to be finished. I will complete him when i get my order of green stuff. Until then i can amuse myself with painting the others. A feat that is starting to drive me a little mad! Having painted just about 40 space marines in a few heated painting sessions spread out over the year i have had enough.....though my trials and tribulations will be another post. Next up i need to lay down my ideas for the back stories of the main characters in my force. This is something Scott, Ollie and myslef have in common. Your guys need names. They need stories to inspire you and your opponent/avid game watchers. Otherwise its just chess with dice. So, i have my date to work to. I have the models ready to paint, do i have the stamina. I hope so or Scott will be wrapping an iron bar around my head! (probably not but i'll never hear the end of it!).

Photo's to come when i can grab a camera!

Simon

Honourbound, the Dreadwolf makes his pledge in the name of the Allfather (..and not being outdone)!

The Saga so far..

Task Force Yggdrasil: 1500 points.

Wolf Lord - Jarl Hrothgar Dreadwolf. - Completed
- Riding Jötunn a Blackmaned wolf.

Rune Priest - Skald Yurgen Thunderhowl. - WIP

The Oathsworn - 3x Wolfguard pack leaders. - Completed

Pack Ásgarðr - 8x Grey Hunters. - Completed
+ Rhino Transport - Completed
Pack Niflheimr - 8x Grey Hunters. - Completed
+ Rhino Transport - Completed
Pack Vanaheimr - 8x Grey Hunters. - Completed
+ Rhino Transport - Completed

Pack Jordmungdr - 3x Thunderwolf Cavalry. - WIP

Council of the Wise - 6x Long Fangs (lead by Sergeant Haakon). - Completed
+ Razorback - Completed

Council of the Wise's Razorback.

Pledges:-
6x Grey Hunters (Pack Vanaheimr) - fulfilled!
5x Missile Launcher Long Fangs -fulfilled!
1x Long Fang pack leader (Sergeant Haakon) - fulfilled!
1x Thunderwolf Cavalry
1x Rune Priest (Yurgen Thunderhowl).
2x Fenrisian Wolves.
Rhino (Pack Vanaheimr). - fulfilled!
Razorback (Council of the Wise). - fulfilled!


(A clandestine tea swilling ceremony made these legally binding)
I'll keep you updated!

- Ollie

Planetstrike Weekend - My Painting Pledges

We recently tried out the Planetstrike rules with a few practice games and really enjoyed ourselves. We found the lists we'd choose as attacker/defender were vastly different to what we'd take for the standard missions, and the different tactics and narrative opportunities provided by the setting breathed fresh life into our games. 

We have also recently begun to discuss our 'next projects' in hushed tones. We decided an entire weekend playing a sequence of Planetstrike narrative games, with finished, painted armies, would provide us with the motivation we needed to finish painting those last few undercoated minis - and be a solid weekend of fun and games at the same time!

So, together we made our pledges, sealed them with tea, bourbon biscuits, quiche (Simon is PRO at baking quiche), beer, and a chinese take-away. We pledged to finish painting what we would need for 'Planetstrike Weekend',  to play November 19th-21st (or thereabouts as real-life allowed).

This was a fortnight or more ago. Although work is cursing my very existence of late, I am on schedule. I have completed my '3 Terminators', and 'Second Plague Rhino' pledges. Here's a snap:

These are 'done enough' to game with, and are painted from the outset to be tabletop quality. They need some finishing touches, but if things go badly, they are fine as they are for gaming with. They are 'in the bank', so to speak.

As I also enjoy display painting, I seem to spend a lot of time being torn between painting for display, and painting for gaming. Truth be told, I prefer painting for display (which is just as well, because I'm a terrible General!). Happily, I am currently free of this mental warfare, as from now until 'Planetstrike Weekend', my painting pledges take priority. I've got to be ready. My friends have made their pledges, and I know they won't break their vows. Neither will I. No matter what other temptations lurk on my painting table. =)

Here are my remaining pledges:

- Plague Champion with Power Fist and 2x Plague Marines with Plasma Guns (completing my second 'kill-team')

- 3x Terminators (completing a squad of six)

- Vindicator

- Rebase and tidy up 3x Obliterators

I am really looking forward to 'Planetstrike Weekend'. Not only is it great to catch up with friends and do some gaming, but the shared pledges and late-night conversations about how on earth we're going to get it all done create a sense of comaradery around the preparations. My own pledges don't look like much, but I get around three hours per week at the moment, grabbed here and there in short sessions, so it's as hard for me to stay on track as the other guys who have a little more time, but more to paint!

We will make it. We're going to come up with some narrative for the games to make them more interesting and memorable. We're going to field finished painted armies, drink beer, eat take-away, and maybe even talk 'next projects'.

I already know what my next project is, but I wont talk about it. If my unpainted miniatures hear me, they may seek revenge at the painting table, the gaming table, or both!

-Scott

Get those brushes out!

So your pet woke you up at 4am, you get back to sleep at 4:30, you’re up at 6:30 to get in the shower, you get the train to work, you rush around all day, people give you grief, you go home and get in at 20:30, you eat something, talk to your wife, help with the washing up, it’s 22:00, you’re dead on your feet. What do you do next?

If you ever want to get that army painted, you head up to the loft and do some painting! Raising an army isn’t easy, not even when you have more free time than I currently do, and I'll be honest, some have less than that.

Last night I got myself to the painting desk for just thirty minutes, and I got a little done on some Terminators I’ve been working on. I didn’t feel like it, I felt like crashing, but this is the reality of achieving your goals. I want to paint these miniatures, so I make the effort. I find the time. I do it even if I'm tired. I will not falter. I will not fall. This is my army, and I'm going to paint it.

This short blog update is for anybody passing by in the future who might be in need of a little motivation. So listen to me: you can get that army painted; you can do it, just stick at it! It’s not wishing and hoping that gets an army painted, it’s sticking to your goals long enough to see the results!

You’re never too tired! Strength and determination are of the mind, not the body! Get the kettle on! Get those brushes out!

-Scott

What does a hobby cost?

Ever met one of those vocal few who think the GW hobby is a rip-off? Overpriced? Not “worth the money”? Yeah, me too, they’re everywhere. Well here’s what I think to some of the most oft-heard complaints.

“GW only brings out new versions of the rules, supplements and miniatures so everybody has to buy them all over again.”

Let’s be clear, you go to GW to buy their products, they do not come knocking at your door armed with pitchforks and card readers. GW can not make anybody buy anything they don’t want to. They must legally stop at taking your wallet out your pocket for you.

If you like Warhammer 40,000 5^th Edition and are happy to play it for the rest of your days, nobody is going to confiscate your rulebook and make you buy 6^th. If your friends move on, one might assume it’s because they wanted to.

Similarly for miniatures, there is no rule that states you must have the latest version of a model, only that it be representative of the game entity. You can use your old favourites for as long as you like. If your friends refuse to play you unless you use the newest miniatures available, don’t blame GW, find some new friends.

“GW is too expensive,” “the price increases are too steep,” “I can’t afford it.”

The first rule of business tells me none of these complaints are valid. Any product is only worth what a sufficient number of people are willing to pay for it. What it means is, if I were selling pies, I could either sell ten pies for £10 each to make £100, or I could sell a hundred pies for £1 each to make the same amount. In the first case, I’d never sell a pie for £10 as there’s too much competition out there with other types of pie costing much less. In the second case, I’d go out of business because I’m making far too many pies for the money I’m getting back. I really only have one choice, to sell the pies for what people are willing to pay.

In any case, I will know what people are willing to pay by monitoring sales. If you buy a new release you are saying, “I think this is worth what you’re asking for, here’s my money.” GW are watching the tills, just like I would be in my pie shops, and they see you and everybody else saying the same thing, by taking out your wallet, and that informs their future pricing decisions. Price increases reflect what people are willing to pay. They reflect what you’re doing or not doing at the till. If you find yourself buying things against your will, you have a lack of self discipline. Grow up.

“GW stuff costs so much more today than it used to.”

Yes, it does, and so does a loaf of bread. When I was fifteen, in 1995, I put together a 3000pt. Orc and Goblin army over two or three years. I did this with the meager funds afforded by my Sunday morning paper round, for which I was paid £5 once a week. If I’d put £5 in my bank account back then and left it untouched until now, I would today find I had around £10. Interest rates are applied to make sure that alongside inflation the money you save continues to be worth what it was when it was put in, relative to everything else in the economy. This means, if GW merchandise cost the same today as it did in 1995, relatively speaking, then what I used to buy back then for £5 should cost around £10 today.

So, in 1995, as a skint and spotty paperboy, I put together my army by purchasing the little £5 plastic boxed sets. Ten Orcs cost me £5 (that’s 50p each in 1995, equivalent to £1 each in 2010), and they all looked the same, and half of them were archers which I didn’t need or want. I followed Nigel Stillman’s advice, buying one box per week and painting them as I did so, not buying more if the previous batch was not finished. Today in 2010, I can buy 19 plastic Orcs in a variety of poses for £18, have spare parts left over, and not be stuck with a regiment of archers that couldn’t hit the broadside of a balsa wood barn. At 94p each in 2010, this is exactly what they should cost. Actually, it’s better, because I have bits left over and actually get to make use of all the Orcs in the box thanks to the new multi-part kits, I can equip them how I like.

Shame on the younger generation if they cannot raise an army without complaint, and shame on the older generation if their memory is so short they’ve forgotten the horror of identically posed plastic boxed sets.

“I can’t afford it.”

No matter the circumstances, when somebody says they can’t afford something, it means they have other priorities. Those priorities can be genuinely more important, or simply a matter of choice. Maybe it’s a new addition to the family; a baby to look after, the cost of going to university or maybe even looking after a sick family member. Nobody would prioritise their hobby over any of the above, let alone complain about it.

There are other reasons somebody may give for not being able to afford the hobby. Break down what the complaining individual spends their money on and, pending any genuinely higher priorities such as those listed above, I wager you will find some of the following on their list; magazines, music, take-away coffee, cable television, cinema tickets, video games, clothes, gadgets, gym membership, and for the older moaners (who we have already established should be over the moon with their plastic gargoyles), quite likely beer, or cigarettes, or both. I know. How do they afford it?

We all have a limited amount of spare cash, it’s called disposable income. It’s what’s left after your bills and other priorities. Whether you are a paperboy earning £12 a week and with no responsibilities to speak of, or an adult working full-time with or without a family to support, we all have some amount of money spare. We may all have a different amount of money spare, but we all get to choose how we spend it (no pitchforks here!). Similarly, how much you spend on video games, cinema tickets, and lunches and coffee, is also your own decision. That’s right, what you decide to spend your money on first, is your decision. If you are buying video games, cinema tickets and a caramel latte every other morning of the month and then finding that you can’t afford your hobby, it’s because you’ve chosen to spend your disposable income on other things.

We’ve already established that GW costs the average hobbyist the same as or less than it did fifteen years ago, relatively speaking, and that nobody can force you to buy anything you don’t want to, and pending any obviously higher priorities that you would never dream of shirking or complaining about, we are left with it being entirely your own decision what you can and can not afford. Stinks when it’s so simple, doesn’t it?

I enjoy painting wonderfully sculpted models in a variety of clever and creative ways. I take great pride in seeing my painting and modeling skills slowly improve over time. I enjoy playing exciting, memorable tabletop games with my friends. We enjoy the occasional supplement that comes along and breathes fresh life into our games from time to time, and we welcome the constant progress GW is making with their kits, miniatures, tools and paints. They are forever finding new and exciting ways to give us the things we enjoy so much for an ever affordable price, and long may they do so.

In summary, what does this hobby cost? The answer is, what you can afford, and what you decide to spend on it. It's as simple as that. To a fifteen year old paperboy, maybe it has to cost £20 per month. Me, I spend around £50 per month. Others I am sure spend a lot more.

-Scott

Can't start a fire without a spark

          This is probably the most iconic 40k image going and the one that started it all off for me back in '90, even now I'm captivated by it and the minds that lead to inspire it, such a rich and full background of an entire Universe, one that now exists in the minds of so many 40k fans. It's a living work of art that is sustained and expanded by our passion for the hobby. Haunting to think that so many people have a hand in the creation, of galaxy so massive that not one person has a whole picture every event taken place within it, perhaps our desires to seek out the unknown is the real fuel behind this wonder, the 40k universe doesn't rely on technology to explore it, or a new more powerful telescope to find other planets that may sustain life, nothing is holding us back. It assumes so much, but places no restraints on us as it's explorers we are free to delve into it's mysteries, it's expanse, it's wonders, limited only by our imagination and should our imaginations fall short others are there to continue the journey, as we do not travel alone.

My first White Dwarf (the first and only time my sister ever lent me money, well I was only 10!) and the incredible story by William King that caught my imagination all those years ago.

- Ollie

Games Day/Golden Demon 2010, Birmingham, UK

So, Simon and I recently went to our first Games Day/Golden Demon event here in the UK. Ollie could not be with us to share the occasion, but he was with us in spirit I’m sure (many times during the day I’m sure I heard a kettle boil!). Why exactly we decided to visit the event for the first time in twenty years of being in the hobby; I hope to talk about in later posts.

It was inspiring, and encouraging, to see so many people coming together to enjoy the social and creative sides of the hobby. How many of those I brushed shoulders with spend their time back home sat in darkened rooms ranting on web forums about the wording of the latest rulebook, I don’t know, but I like to think that crowd stayed at home. Actually, maybe they should come along, they might learn something.

Many other sites, blogs, and White Dwarf itself, will review the event as a whole much better than I am capable of or inclined to, so I’ll just leave you with my two most memorable moments.

Firstly, speaking to the Perry twins about sculpting will be my fondest memory of the day. They were so friendly and approachable, it was no problem to remember all the things I’ve wondered about and struggled with while trying my hand at sculpting figures of my own. All attempts so far have ended in disaster for me, but I learned a lot in the brief ten minutes I managed to hold off the crowd to talk to them. Simon even got their autographs!

Secondly, the GD cabinets blew my mind. The quality and diversity of entries was stunning. I don’t know about you, but when I look at quality painting in photograph form, the lighting and stark white background can blow the miniature out of all reality, making it seem unreal and untouchable. Seeing these miniatures upfront in no way diminishes their impact, but I do find when they’re there in front of you it’s easier to believe if you try hard enough, and love painting enough, then maybe one day you could paint something to match it. Arwen took my breath away (Silver – LOTRSM). She will haunt me.

-scott

So why 'Brithammer'?

     Is this some reference to a neo Nazi league devoted to every ones favorite non powered tool, well no. It's more a reference to what Warhammer/40k have evolved into over it's existence, with the introduction of tournaments which leads to competitive play, lets face it, were not the most competitive nation in the world, we fleet between any events a Brit might win faster then it takes to boil a kettle, and in our infinite wisdom we came up with the term hobby, something we can enjoy that doesn't require us to win. Now don't get me wrong being competitive isn't a bad thing, I'm sure we've all had a blast at a magic tournament, or attempted to grind our way to high warlord, but in these cases the formats have very definite rules, they are structured in such a way that you are supposed to to get as much as you can out of them through theory crafting, meta gaming etc. But Warhammer/40k is a more gentle beast, it relies on social interaction, lets face it most of the people you will be facing in a game will be your friends. Game I think is the key word here, it is a game of course in all it's forms, but more then this it's a hobby, crushing the heads of your opponents is only a small part of the whole experience,
painting/converting/themes/background stories/memorable moments and so on, all these things make up to the hobby but they don't come in boxes, you can't find them cheap on eBay they come from interacting with other people, sharing war stories over a tea and a bourbon, how often do you have a chat after with someone you have lolfacerolled in warsong gulch, or killed with a raging goblin/hatred combo on turn two? Sure you win the game but was it a challenge? Did you enjoy it? Did your opponent enjoy it for that matter?

          If we crush all those who oppose us, were soon going to run out of people to play, nobody likes to lose all the time, I'm not saying you should throw a game or two just to keep your opponents interests alive, but perhaps destroying them with the uber list from hell every game isn't the best way either, variety is key in a game like warhammer/40k you have a whole universe of ideas to play with, plus anything you can think up on top of that, as someone said recently and I quote 'It's not chess, it's Warhammer'.

- Ollie

Just when I think I'm out..

          So the guys are off to Games Day (Without me!) Our plan was to go along and see what new things lay in store for our favorite hobby, but the build up to actually going has raised some questions for us about this hobby of ours and to really think about what keeps bringing us back to it even after a good 20 years.

          And so before I know it I'm 30 years old living in a man cave, with a greek girlfriend who'd rather live in Denmark, a swedish cat that never writes, a job that offers alot of time to think and a geek beacon burning brighter then ever. I'd be lying if I said the transition from a normal functioning member of sociaty to a stuble cultivating, stat reciting nerd was a long process, best part of an afternoon infact (tho some turn faster). But here I am again, older, wiser, hairer and loving the hobby that has been part of my life on and off over the last 20 years and just as excited as that day I ventured into a game shop and brought my first blister pack.

          Now we haven't been playing/painting solidly for the last 20 years, as real life seems to get in the way once in a while, interests fade but never seem to die out completely, first it was lack of money as a child, then going out with ya mates, then not wanting to admit to your girlfriend your a geek, or it's a new job/travelling/moving/warcraft but every once in a while fires reignite you have an army book in your hand and one less zero on your bank statement.

          So what keeps bringing us back, is it because more women play and we think we have a chance of getting laid....err, perhaps it's the 'new' edition and have finally honed the definitive set of rules....hmmm, Is it the sheer value for money.....weeell, then it must be that staff member who see you has a human being and wants you to walk out of his store with what you really need...k. Of course all these things are annoying, nobody like paying more for stuff and lets face it, it is going to seem like more money, HELLO you haven't played in 5 years, things change, name one thing that didn't go up in price over the last 5 years (yep even chomps went up) it's not news that people in shops are going to try and sell you stuff you don't need and things get reinvented, reworked, revamped, caked in advertisement jargon and thrown back in to circulation in an effort snare a new punter, this is the way of things and is not unique to our hobby alone, but hey I'm preaching to the converted, as we all know these things are glossed over, promises to the misses forgotten, mates blown out, food supplies dwindle, sick days rocket as soon as we pick up that shiny new codex and remember the future.

         
Welcome to Brithammer.

- Ollie