POLL RELATED POST
Sorry I haven't posted in nearly 3 weeks. Been busy. I have alot of great hobby work to show you, but don't have the pictures yet.
ANYWHO Champions of the Game is series to find the best character in the game. This week is Eldar. Have at it. Poll over there -->.
Eldrad Ulthuan- Farseer of Ulthwe: Okay, this guy is the bamf psyker of the Eldar and one of the best in the game. Plus, he costs less than comparable farseer builds. First off, he has all the Farseer Powers (Doom, Mind War, Eldritch Storm, Fortune and Guide). Some of these don't require LOS so he can perform them from inside a transport. He also has a special power used at the start of the game: Divination. Divination lets you move D3+1 units in his army before turn one. His wargear is nice, a witchblade and the Staff of Ulthwe. The Staff lets you use 3 powers a turn if you are not in combat (if you are he still gets two) and is a power weapon that wounds on a 2+ in combat, which with WS 5 I 5 isn’t too bad. One attack base sucks though, although he has a shiruken pistol, so he at least fights with 2 attacks. T4 3+ inv saves is nice. Ghost Helm, Spirit Stones, and Runes of Witnessing and Warding to top it all off. 210 points and a must have for any Eldar Army IMOHO.
Prince Yriel- Autarch of Iyaden: Master strategist means you add +1 to all reserves rolls, so this can cancel out the Guard’s new Fleet Officer. He has a 4+ inv. save and plasma grenades, and Fleet of Foot. The spear of twilight is a power weapon singing spear. His eye of wrath can be used instead of his normal attacks once per game. Place a large blast over him and does S6 AP3 hits to all models (other than yriel). 4 WS6 I7 Singing Spear attacks. 3+/4+ saves. T3 though, but with 3 wounds. Have to test last turn to see if he loses a wound, but is rather low risk, and to lose the KP he needs to be down to one wound already. 155 pts.
Pheonix Lords
All have Eternal Warrior, Fleet, Fearless, and makes their aspect Fearless (Disciples). Each can only join aspect warriors if they are in the same aspect.
Asurmen, Hand of Asuryan (Dire Avengers): He has a counts as assault 4 avenger shuriken catapult (18”). He has a master crafted diresword. He has Defend and Bladestorm Exarch power. 4 base attacks at WS7 S4 I7. 2+/4+ save with 3 wounds at T4. 230 pts.
Jain Zar, the Storm of Silence (Howling Banshees): Banshee Mask, Executioner Sword, and a Triskele with S5, which makes it one of the best assault weapons in the game at 3 shots with AP2 12”. Bring on the Terminators. Acrobatic and War Shout Exarch Powers. Furious Charge. 4 base attacks at WS7 S4(6) I7. 2+ save with 3 wounds at T4. 190 pts makes her the cheapest Pheonix Lord.
Baharroth, the Cry of the Wind (Swooping Hawks): The only Jump Infantry Pheonix Lord (Swooping Hawk Wings). Swooping Hawk grenade pack, plasma and haywire grenades. Power weapon and Hawk’s Talon. Both the Intercept and Skyleap Exarch Powers. He has Hit and Run and gives it to his hawks. So you can disengage at the end of your opponents Assualt Phase if you want and then Skyleap . This can be a brutal combination, especially in Planetstrike. 4 base attacks at WS7 S4 I7. 2+ saves with 3 wounds at T4. 200 points.
Karandras, the Shadow Hunter (Striking Scorpions): Personally, the worst looking Pheonis Lord model wise. Has a Scorpion’s Bite, Scorpion Chainsword, Scorpion Claw, and plasma grenades. His Scorpion’s Bite is a mandiblaster that gives +2 A instead of +1. The claw makes him the strongest phoenix lord. He has Shadowstrike and Stalker Exarch powers. He and the scorpions he joins get the Stealth USR. 6 Base attacks at WS7 S8 I1 or S5 I7. 2+ save with 3 wounds at T4. 215 points.
Fuegan, the Burning Lance (Fire Dragons): Firepike, Fireaxe, and melta bombs. Fire axe is +1S and makes Fuegan attack as a Monstrous Creature, making him a power weapon and 2d6+5(6) armour pen against vehicles. He has the Tank Hunter (where the (6) came from) and Crack Shot (ignore cover) Exarch Powers. He is the only lord with feel no pain. Basically, this guy is made to take on tanks. If playing IG who takes tons of Russ, I’d take him. 4 base attacks at WS7 S5 I7. 2+ saves with 3 wounds at T4. 205 points.
Maugan Ra, the Harvester of Souls (Dark Reapers): THE MAUGETAR. Come on, with a weapon named that, who wouldn’t like him. This gives him +2S and is a S6 AP5 Pinning Rending Gun with Assault 4. He then can use Crack Shot and Fast Shot Exarch powers in the same turn (unlike Dark Reaper exarchs). This makes his Weapon Assault 5. Then Crack Shot makes him able to reroll wounds and hits when shooting, and ignores cover. So his shooting is monstrous. Finally he has acute senses USR. 195 points.
Poll Results
Which Eldar Character do you think is best?
Eldrad Ulthuan 11 (50%)
Prince Yriel 5 (22%)
Asurmen 0 (0%)
Jain Zar 1 (4%)
Baharroth 0 (0%)
Karandras 0 (0%)
Fuegan 1 (4%)
Maugan Ra 4 (18%)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Book Review: Heroes of the Space Marines
So I finished Heroes of the Space Marines today. Thought I'd give a review on it.
All in all a decent read. Some stories were more entertaining than others.
I will say it should have been named the Heroes and Villans of the Space Marines, as there were just as many Chaos/Renegade stories as Imperial ones.
My favourite was the first. If you have read Iron Warriors and Dead Sky, Black Sun, then you at least need to go to your local book store and sit around for a half hour to read this story. The Skull Harvest follows Honsou as he prepares to take his vengence upon Ventris and the Ultra Marines. It also provides a little quirky insight into Huron Blackheart. All in all a good tale.
The rest go from good to meh.
Gauntlet Run isn't very inspiring or intriguing, but is rather entertaining. Imp Fist scout biker action. Made me want to buy some SM bikers for in game.
Renegades is lackluster and not very high on action. Avenging Sons Space Marines. They don't even look that exciting do they?
Honour Amongst Fiends is a good one, especially for the Horus Heresy fans in the crowd. It is a very interesting concept on Mr. Owen's part and I am not going to spoil it here. Imp Fists versus Black Legion.
Fires of War isn't bad, but Nick Kyme is a better editor than writer. There is nothing particularly bad about his writing, it just the story goes on a bit too long and isn't the most exciting. I hope the Salamanders book is better than their debut short story.
The Labyrinth is weird and didn't really fit into the compilation in my opinion. Not a bad story, but not a memorable one. SPOILER ALERT (THAT LINK HAS A SUMMARY OF THE STORY ON IN) Sons of Malice CSM. I guess Malice is some Daemon or Lesser Chaos God
Headhunted is probably the best Imperial story in the book. It is about a Death Watch kill team and their raid on an Ork Kroozer. Has an Exorcist and Death Spectre SM in it, which is cool.
And They Shall Know No Fear is of the standard 40k short story quality. Good but not Abnett. Black Templar action with a glimpse of Hellbrecht as an Initiate. And for once, it paints Sisters of Battle in a half decent light.
Nightfall is another outlier in the story. It was slightly confusing and a little awkward. As well, all the weird things aren't really explained. They just are. If you really want to read about the Night Lords, read Lord of Night. This was essentially an foil of that, in that some Nightlords are going down the Uberchaotic road while some old school guys are hard core long war disciplined marines.
One Hate is another standard 40k short story. Crimson Fist Chaplain action. Although it is a little lighter on action than most the stories, the plot makes up for it.
All in all I give the Compilation 3.5 out of 5 Aquillas.
All in all a decent read. Some stories were more entertaining than others.I will say it should have been named the Heroes and Villans of the Space Marines, as there were just as many Chaos/Renegade stories as Imperial ones.
My favourite was the first. If you have read Iron Warriors and Dead Sky, Black Sun, then you at least need to go to your local book store and sit around for a half hour to read this story. The Skull Harvest follows Honsou as he prepares to take his vengence upon Ventris and the Ultra Marines. It also provides a little quirky insight into Huron Blackheart. All in all a good tale.
The rest go from good to meh.
Gauntlet Run isn't very inspiring or intriguing, but is rather entertaining. Imp Fist scout biker action. Made me want to buy some SM bikers for in game.
Renegades is lackluster and not very high on action. Avenging Sons Space Marines. They don't even look that exciting do they?
Honour Amongst Fiends is a good one, especially for the Horus Heresy fans in the crowd. It is a very interesting concept on Mr. Owen's part and I am not going to spoil it here. Imp Fists versus Black Legion.
Fires of War isn't bad, but Nick Kyme is a better editor than writer. There is nothing particularly bad about his writing, it just the story goes on a bit too long and isn't the most exciting. I hope the Salamanders book is better than their debut short story.
The Labyrinth is weird and didn't really fit into the compilation in my opinion. Not a bad story, but not a memorable one. SPOILER ALERT (THAT LINK HAS A SUMMARY OF THE STORY ON IN) Sons of Malice CSM. I guess Malice is some Daemon or Lesser Chaos God
Headhunted is probably the best Imperial story in the book. It is about a Death Watch kill team and their raid on an Ork Kroozer. Has an Exorcist and Death Spectre SM in it, which is cool.
And They Shall Know No Fear is of the standard 40k short story quality. Good but not Abnett. Black Templar action with a glimpse of Hellbrecht as an Initiate. And for once, it paints Sisters of Battle in a half decent light.
Nightfall is another outlier in the story. It was slightly confusing and a little awkward. As well, all the weird things aren't really explained. They just are. If you really want to read about the Night Lords, read Lord of Night. This was essentially an foil of that, in that some Nightlords are going down the Uberchaotic road while some old school guys are hard core long war disciplined marines.
One Hate is another standard 40k short story. Crimson Fist Chaplain action. Although it is a little lighter on action than most the stories, the plot makes up for it.
All in all I give the Compilation 3.5 out of 5 Aquillas.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Hard Boyz List Series: Blood Angels
So with the though of 'ard Boyz in the air, I thought I'd post a series containing lists of what I personally would field of each army. I'll start with Blood Angels today.
One thing of note is that 'ard Boyz Kill Points have changed. They will be using standard rule book KPs except for mission 2. (Here is the mission pack)
HQ: Dante- 200
HQ: Chaplain Lemartes- 125
HQ: Honour Guard (5)- 300- Company Champion; Tech Adept; Sanguinary Priest, Power Weapon; Standard Bearer, Blood Angels Banner, Power Fist; Melta Gun
Elites: Terminator Squad (5)- 450- 2 x Lightning Claws, 3 x TH & SS; Land Raider
Elites: Death Company (6)- 30- Jump Packs
Troops: Tactical Squad (10)- 310- Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon, Plasma Rifle, Missile Launcher; Rhino, Extra Armour
Troops: Tactical Squad (10)- 310- Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon, Melta Gun, Plasma Cannon; Rhino, Extra Armour
Troops: Assault Squad (5)- 175- Power Weapon, Melta Bomb; Plasma Pistol
Troops: Assault Squad (10)- 305- Power Fist, 2 x Plasma Pistol
Fast Attack: Assault Bike Squad- 150- 3 x Multi-Meltas
Heavy Support: Vindicator- 145- Extra Armour, Dozer Blades
Pts: 2500 Scoring Units: 4-7 KPs: 11, 25 for Mission 2
OR You swap out the Honour Guard for the following
Elites: Veteran Assault Squad (8)- 300- 2 x Power Weapon; Power Fist, Combat Shield; 1 x Melta Gun, 1 x Flamer
Which that makes the KPs for ‘ard Boyz mission 2 as follows: 27.
Tactics: So I think Blood Angels would have a rough time with mission 2. A lot of armies have alternatives to command squads, and while I provided one here in the form of the Veteran Assault Squad, ultimately it isn’t as good as the Honour Guard IMOHO as you loose the all critical Blood Angels which gives +1 Attack to the honour guard (including Dante) and lets squads within 6” re-roll failed morale and pinning tests.
Okay, so generally this follows the typical BA Ball of Death Strategy. Dante and HG and Lemartes with the DC are potent assault squads. These guys can hit hard and bring the hurt. Eliminate scoring units and high KP targets. The DC can go after those nasty Daemon Princes even with Furious Assault, Litanies of Hate, and Rending. That means that on the charge they should stand a chance of dealing several wounds, as each guy pumps out 4 attacks. Feel No Pain should generally keep them alive to reach those critical combats.
While the Terminators aren’t as good as normal SM terminators, they should not be written off. Because BA do not get the 3+ inv. save SS then it is still worth it to take lightning claws. These guys should get in some wounds before you start taking wounds. When you take wounds, allocate to them first so that your TH can still attack. The Land Raider is a dedicated transport here to save some KP’s (0 in standards and 1 in mission 2, saving you 1 either way).
The Tactical Squads are to be versatile, but mostly fire support. You can combat squad them up as well if you want to engage multiple targets. BA rhinos with extra armour are the best rhinos there are for making that push to contest/control that final objective. 13-18” move.
One Assault Squad is just for standard use. The melta-bomb is incase they find a vehicle that needs popping. Put the Plasma Pistol on a Marine other than the Sergeant so that if you fail a get hot, you still have the power weapon.
The second Assault Squad is a little larger and for good reason. Against armies with high T models, such as monstrous creatures, you want more of a buffer on your power fist. If your opponent doesn’t have such things, combat squad the squad with a plasma pistol in each squad. Once again, don’t give one to the Sergeant.
The Assault Bike Squad should be able to kill a vehicle or two before dying. T5 with 6 wounds in the squad is nice, and they have to get allocated round robin before you lose a bike. Take out transports first, as your assault troops can’t hit the scoring units inside as long as they are mounted up.
The Vindicator is a nice piece of artillery. Nurgle units beware. I don’t think I have to go into it’s uses really. Though I did spend my last 5 points on a dozer blade so it could get through difficult terrain easier to makes its shots, since it does have limited range.
The Land Raider is for the Terminators, but it is also a part of your anti-mech/MC forces. Use it as such.
While I like to deploy on table, this army has plenty of Deep Striking Options. 2 Assault Squads, Lemartes and DC, Dante and HG, Terminator Squad. Against Chaos Daemons with Flamer heavy lists, I’d choose to Deep Strike the assault squads. Anything not in transports is highly vulnerable to the Flamers when they land. I lost my whole HG, DC and one Assault squad to 3 units of Deep Striking Flamers this last weekend 1st turn when none of his deep strikes scattered and he landed 2 inches away from each squad (I still won the battle though but it was quite ugly). So hold them in reserves so that you don’t have to worry as much.
There you go. My Blood Angels ‘ard Boyz list. Look out for more. Your Army may be next.
One thing of note is that 'ard Boyz Kill Points have changed. They will be using standard rule book KPs except for mission 2. (Here is the mission pack)
HQ: Dante- 200
HQ: Chaplain Lemartes- 125
HQ: Honour Guard (5)- 300- Company Champion; Tech Adept; Sanguinary Priest, Power Weapon; Standard Bearer, Blood Angels Banner, Power Fist; Melta Gun
Elites: Terminator Squad (5)- 450- 2 x Lightning Claws, 3 x TH & SS; Land Raider
Elites: Death Company (6)- 30- Jump Packs
Troops: Tactical Squad (10)- 310- Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon, Plasma Rifle, Missile Launcher; Rhino, Extra Armour
Troops: Tactical Squad (10)- 310- Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon, Melta Gun, Plasma Cannon; Rhino, Extra Armour
Troops: Assault Squad (5)- 175- Power Weapon, Melta Bomb; Plasma Pistol
Troops: Assault Squad (10)- 305- Power Fist, 2 x Plasma Pistol
Fast Attack: Assault Bike Squad- 150- 3 x Multi-Meltas
Heavy Support: Vindicator- 145- Extra Armour, Dozer Blades
Pts: 2500 Scoring Units: 4-7 KPs: 11, 25 for Mission 2
OR You swap out the Honour Guard for the following
Elites: Veteran Assault Squad (8)- 300- 2 x Power Weapon; Power Fist, Combat Shield; 1 x Melta Gun, 1 x Flamer
Which that makes the KPs for ‘ard Boyz mission 2 as follows: 27.
Tactics: So I think Blood Angels would have a rough time with mission 2. A lot of armies have alternatives to command squads, and while I provided one here in the form of the Veteran Assault Squad, ultimately it isn’t as good as the Honour Guard IMOHO as you loose the all critical Blood Angels which gives +1 Attack to the honour guard (including Dante) and lets squads within 6” re-roll failed morale and pinning tests.
Okay, so generally this follows the typical BA Ball of Death Strategy. Dante and HG and Lemartes with the DC are potent assault squads. These guys can hit hard and bring the hurt. Eliminate scoring units and high KP targets. The DC can go after those nasty Daemon Princes even with Furious Assault, Litanies of Hate, and Rending. That means that on the charge they should stand a chance of dealing several wounds, as each guy pumps out 4 attacks. Feel No Pain should generally keep them alive to reach those critical combats.
While the Terminators aren’t as good as normal SM terminators, they should not be written off. Because BA do not get the 3+ inv. save SS then it is still worth it to take lightning claws. These guys should get in some wounds before you start taking wounds. When you take wounds, allocate to them first so that your TH can still attack. The Land Raider is a dedicated transport here to save some KP’s (0 in standards and 1 in mission 2, saving you 1 either way).
The Tactical Squads are to be versatile, but mostly fire support. You can combat squad them up as well if you want to engage multiple targets. BA rhinos with extra armour are the best rhinos there are for making that push to contest/control that final objective. 13-18” move.
One Assault Squad is just for standard use. The melta-bomb is incase they find a vehicle that needs popping. Put the Plasma Pistol on a Marine other than the Sergeant so that if you fail a get hot, you still have the power weapon.
The second Assault Squad is a little larger and for good reason. Against armies with high T models, such as monstrous creatures, you want more of a buffer on your power fist. If your opponent doesn’t have such things, combat squad the squad with a plasma pistol in each squad. Once again, don’t give one to the Sergeant.
The Assault Bike Squad should be able to kill a vehicle or two before dying. T5 with 6 wounds in the squad is nice, and they have to get allocated round robin before you lose a bike. Take out transports first, as your assault troops can’t hit the scoring units inside as long as they are mounted up.
The Vindicator is a nice piece of artillery. Nurgle units beware. I don’t think I have to go into it’s uses really. Though I did spend my last 5 points on a dozer blade so it could get through difficult terrain easier to makes its shots, since it does have limited range.
The Land Raider is for the Terminators, but it is also a part of your anti-mech/MC forces. Use it as such.
While I like to deploy on table, this army has plenty of Deep Striking Options. 2 Assault Squads, Lemartes and DC, Dante and HG, Terminator Squad. Against Chaos Daemons with Flamer heavy lists, I’d choose to Deep Strike the assault squads. Anything not in transports is highly vulnerable to the Flamers when they land. I lost my whole HG, DC and one Assault squad to 3 units of Deep Striking Flamers this last weekend 1st turn when none of his deep strikes scattered and he landed 2 inches away from each squad (I still won the battle though but it was quite ugly). So hold them in reserves so that you don’t have to worry as much.
There you go. My Blood Angels ‘ard Boyz list. Look out for more. Your Army may be next.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Scibor Miniatures: Models for 40k
So looking around today, I found some cool minis for 40k at Scibor's Monstrous.
Check these out.
Thousand Sons Terminator Lord
Inquisition Retinue 1
Inquisition Retinue 2
Inquisition Retinue 3
Inquisition Retinue 4
Inquisition Retinue 5
Inquisition Retinue 6
Inquisition Retinue 7
Great Unclean One
Check out his gallery here. Alot of those are commissions. He has some great work.
Check these out.
Thousand Sons Terminator Lord
Inquisition Retinue 1
Inquisition Retinue 2
Inquisition Retinue 3
Inquisition Retinue 4
Inquisition Retinue 5
Inquisition Retinue 6
Inquisition Retinue 7
Great Unclean One
Check out his gallery here. Alot of those are commissions. He has some great work.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
100th Post: 6 Months of Awesome
Poll related post.
So this is my 100th Post. YIPEE! Six great months of fun blogging.
I want to first thank all the people who read my site regularly, especially my Chapter Serfs (followers). Without you there would be no point to this venture.
Next I'd like to thank Ron at From the Warp for providing the From the Warp Network for bloggers like me. As well I would like to give a shout out to the boys at BoLS for making the Alliance. Traffic is good (over 2000 in less than a month since I added google analytics).
I also want to thank all the other blogs who have me on their blogroll. If I am on yours and you are not on mine, let me know and you will be added.
Last but not least, I'd like to thank the Wargamers @ Georgia Tech for giving me ideas and an outlet which to enjoy my hobby. That links to Facebook, so it you don't have one, sorry. Just contact me if you are interested. Or check this out.
I'd like to remind everyone that you can contact me in several ways
Twitter: GothmogBalrog
Aim: GothmogBlog
Skype: gothmog.lord.of.balrogs
Gmail chat/email: sepulchreofheroes@gmail.com
So to not just have a worthless post here is a short story for download that I have written. It is about the remaining Celestial Lions and an Ordo Malleus Inquisitor.
The Price to Pay
I had posted a small segment of a linked story some time ago. I suggest reading Price first though.
I appreciate any feedback. Comments especially. There is a poll over there -> though for the Anons.
Once again, thanks to all you make this possible!
So this is my 100th Post. YIPEE! Six great months of fun blogging.
I want to first thank all the people who read my site regularly, especially my Chapter Serfs (followers). Without you there would be no point to this venture.
Next I'd like to thank Ron at From the Warp for providing the From the Warp Network for bloggers like me. As well I would like to give a shout out to the boys at BoLS for making the Alliance. Traffic is good (over 2000 in less than a month since I added google analytics).
I also want to thank all the other blogs who have me on their blogroll. If I am on yours and you are not on mine, let me know and you will be added.
Last but not least, I'd like to thank the Wargamers @ Georgia Tech for giving me ideas and an outlet which to enjoy my hobby. That links to Facebook, so it you don't have one, sorry. Just contact me if you are interested. Or check this out.
I'd like to remind everyone that you can contact me in several ways
Twitter: GothmogBalrog
Aim: GothmogBlog
Skype: gothmog.lord.of.balrogs
Gmail chat/email: sepulchreofheroes@gmail.com
So to not just have a worthless post here is a short story for download that I have written. It is about the remaining Celestial Lions and an Ordo Malleus Inquisitor.
The Price to Pay
I had posted a small segment of a linked story some time ago. I suggest reading Price first though.
I appreciate any feedback. Comments especially. There is a poll over there -> though for the Anons.
Once again, thanks to all you make this possible!
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