Forgeworld Space Marine Chapter Tactics

In case you missed it like I almost did. Forgeworld posted a pdf for download covering the chapter tactics for the following Space Marine chapters. Downloads Section. Direct pdf download.

• Red Scorpions
• Carcharodons
• Howling Griffons
• Lamenters
• Fire Angels
• Marines Errant
• Raptors
• Exorcists
• Mantis Warriors
• Executioners
• Angels Revenant
• Red Hunters
• Star Phantoms
• Minotaurs
• Sons of Medusa
• Novamarines
• Fire Hawks
• Astral Claws

DUST Tactics/Warfare: The Short Answers

It's 1947 and the discovery of a super ore called VK has allowed the construction of walker tanks. The Germans got rid of the Nazis, but still want to rule the world. The Russians have allied with the Chinese, and the Allies are still the Allies.

Miniatures are pre-assembled and primed. Vehicle models come with parts for multiple variants that are hot swappable.

Dust Tactics uses maps with squares.

Dust Warfare uses an open table.

They both use the same miniatures.

Scale for after market parts and conversions is 1/48 for vehicles and 1/32 for people.

Battlefront Miniatures is taking over production from Fantasy Flight Games. News Link Here

Official Pages
http://www.theworldofdust.net/home.aspx
http://www.dustgame.com/index.php

Free PDF Magazine
http://www.dust-chronicles.com/

Downloads
http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=123&esem=4
http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=173&esem=4
http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=131&esem=4

Comments, suggestions, etc welcome and appreciated.

Kickstarter: Reaper Miniatures Bones II The Return Of Mr Bones

Reaper is running another kickstarter. If you are interested in how they spent the money from their previous kickstarter... THEY TELL YOU! Click Here.

What comes next...

That's the phrase that keeps going through my head. I've been thinking about where I am with my hobbies and my projects and I keep thinking, "what comes next". I've been playing Warhammer 40k since the early 90's, the days the old timers irritate the younger players with by saying, "I remember back in Rogue Trader...". I'm sure it drives some f'ing nuts and I try not to do it. I've easily read over 60 of the novels and have I have enough in my hobby room to keep me busy building/painting for over a year. What I'm trying to get at is I'm in deep with 40k... really deep. So I ask myself what comes next? If something happens and GW does something to the game that I find unforgivable and I quit... what comes next? 

Comments appreciated.

Mekton Zero Kickstarter

Warhammer 40.000: Eternal Crusade

"3rd Person Persistent Online Action in the First MMORPG of the 41st Millenium"

"WAR IS COMING END OF 2015"

Good article.

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/954/feature/7493/There-Is-Only-WAR.html

Official Site.

http://bhvr.com/eternalcrusade/#

Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/40kcrusade

WIP: Forgeworld Warhound Titan Progress Shots

 I haven't had to pin anything or make a fancy base thanks to these products. I also advise using a razor saw with the resin.

Used Bin Joy: Ghazghkull Thraka

As seen here for 18$ U.S. painted on a scenic base. GW retail cost is 40$ U.S. new. New? I don't need new.

Robotech® RPG Tactics on Kickstarter

Need Comments/Help: Tyranid Idea

I have a problem that has been bugging me. I have what I think is a decent idea for a Tyranid army but for some reason I can't come up with a good paint scheme. If you have ideas please comment and help me out. I'd love to be able to paint my army. Primer black is getting very old.

The idea: A Tyranid strain that has specialized in living in areas like sewers and deep underhive.

Please comment with paint scheme ideas.

40k interactive paint scheme tools

Because sometime you just need to tinker. If you know of any other online tools please feel free to make a comment so we can share with everyone.

Chaos Space Marine
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/csmp.php

Space Marine
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/smp.php

Fire Warrior
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/fwp.php

Space Marine Terminator
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/tsmp.php

Ork
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/orkp.php

Eldar Guardian and Tau Firewarrior
http://www.freewebs.com/grimdarkness/painterprogram.htm

Sisters of Battle
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sisterpbeta.php

Space Marine Scout
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sctp.php

Space Marine with Wargear options
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/smpbeta.php

"Ooops" : Necrons and Chaos Space Marine Wallpaper

http://wallbase.cc/wallpaper/2686297

Review: Codex Tau Empire Bullet Format

• Same format as Chaos Space Marines and Dark Angels Space Marines
• No Demiurg - the squats or any version of them are not back
• New race mentioned "Nagi" described as mind controlling worms who are now advisors to the Ethereal caste
• That sound suspicious to anyone else?
• Second new flyer kit pending "Razorshark Strike Fighters"
• Burst cannon, quad ion turret, 2 seeker missiles, no drones
• The new "Riptide" suit is an elite choice (not a heavy) and it's a monstrous creature wearing a jet pack

How to Set Up Your Own Private Cloud Storage

Lifehacker has a great article up about how to set up your own private cloud storage with free software called ownCloud if you have your own domain. The article says it's takes 5 minutes. It took me a bit longer than that but it was still simple and works well. The only issue I have so far is syncing with my desktop is slower than I would like. It has desktop clients available for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and mobile apps for both the iPhone and Android available for download here. ownCloud also have a site for community built apps to expand it's functionality based on your needs here. If you are looking for an easy way to use your web-domain for storing and possibly sharing your files this a great option that worth testing out.

Space Hulk - GDC Gameplay Demo

Fall 2013 Release

Blog/News Reading Tool Review: Netvibes

Except for email and a couple of websites I decided to go internet dark for a couple of weeks to test out RSS readers. Recently I've found myself spending hours a day reading news sites and blogs, and when I didn't one day I felt as if I had missed an intangible "something" that I would never be able to find.

I went through long lists of every kind of testing many out as I went along. Most while simple in appearance were not intuitive to configure. Finally I found and starting testing out a web-based reader called Netvibes. Bear with me I know the name sounds dumb but how many services on the internet do we have that don't? Being able to bring it up any browser is a huge bonus to me as I have a long history of hardware failing unexpectedly at bad times. Also there is no worry of compatibility or having to worry about devices synchronizing. By default it has a homepage like appearance with blocks you can move around. These blocks can contain either RSS feeds or widgets that are easily added by clicked on an "add content" button that is always at the top of your browser window. If you don't like the homepage style view there is toggle button (again always visible) at the top labeled "reader". This instantly changes your page into a tradition RSS reader view with all your feeds along the left side of the screen.

For my test I added all of my favorite tech news sites and over a dozen blogs I follow. I'm not a fast reader by any stretch but I have been able to go from a couple of hours a day of reading to a couple of hours once or twice a week and I know I haven't missed anything. The only drawback I've been able to find is if you go to certain blogs like I do to see their blog rolls you can't add the rolls all at once. With that said adding any site only takes a copy/paste and a click or two, literally seconds.

If you haven't tried this tool or one like it I highly encourage it. If you have a reader you use and like please feel free to drop a link in a comment below.

Custom Master of Deathwing

In the spirit of the Dark Angels codex coming out next month I thought I'd toss this up. One of the armies I play is field-as deathwing and this is my Master of Deathwing I made a while back to lead them. The body is a metal space marine force commander, arms are plastic thunder hammer and storm shield, face plate is a shoulder pad from Warhammer Fantasy that I trimmed up, and one of the shoulder pads is from the Dark Angels Vehicle accessory sprues. We'll just have to wait and see for the next codex to find out if he get's retired.

Battle Report: 1k Necrons vs Grey Knights

Necrons vs Grey Knights: 1000 pts

Preliminary: Battlefield setup: The Scouring, 6 objectives, Vanguard Strike table setup

Warlord Traits: Necrons: Princeps of Deceit, Grey Knights: Conqueror of Cities

Turn order: Grey Knights won the roll off, and Necrons failed to seize the initiative.

Deployment:

The Grey Knights arrived with two Rhinos and their Commander. One Rhino was in the back field, while one was on the line, ready to surge forward. The Commander stood next to an objective within some trees.

My Necrons arrived with one warrior squad , Scarab Swarms, my Destroyer Lord with two Destroyers and two Heavy Destroyers, and one Spyder near the edge.

Turn 1:

The center Grey Knight Rhino moved to the center of the table, deploying a 5-man Grey Knight squad, and shooting at the Necron Warrior squad, killing one.

The downed Necron Warrior isn't down for long as it revives. The Necron Warrior squad, Destroyers, and Heavy Destroyers fire upon and kill entire Grey Knight squad.

Turn 2:

Two Grey Knight squads deep strike onto the battlefield, one behind the square tower, and one missing their mark deploying out in the open nearby the green tower. A Callidus Assassin deep strikes behind the Necron Warrior squad. The Grey Knight squad within the back field Rhino emerges to take control of an objective. Unleashing hell, the open Grey Knights fire at and kill one Destroyer and one Heavy Destroyer. The Rhino and other Grey Knight squad near the square tower fire upon the encroaching Scarab Swarms, causing three wounds. The Callidus Assassin kills 3 Warriors upon her arrival.

One Warrior and the Heavy Destroyer rise back up to fight another day! My Monolith then deep strikes into the back field, into the center of Grey Knight territory. Two warrior squads deploy, one from the Monolith, one walk in from the side behind the Callidus Assassin. Firing all its majesty, the Monolith kills three Grey Knights. The Monolith-deployed Warriors wreck the nearby Rhino. In the center of the battlefield, the Scarab Swarms wreck the other Rhino. The two Warrior squads fire and kill the now sandwiched Callidus Assassin. Emerging from cover, the Spyder fires on the nearby Grey Knight squad, and along with the Destroyer and Heavy Destroyers, take down the entire squad.

Turn 3:

The Grey Knights still holding an objective, fire upon and annihilates the entire Necron squad. They can't rise back up if there's no one left! Outraged, the Commander unleashes his Psycannon at the Monolith, but fails to damage the armor.

My Spyder, Destroyer, Heavy Destroyers, and Destroyer Lord all advance up the center of the battlefield. One of my Warrior squads redeploys out of the Monolith. The newly emerged Warriors fire upon and finish off the Grey Knight squad, clearing them off the objective. The Heavy Destroyers manage to cause one wound on the Commander. The Monolith unleashes upon the remaining Grey Knight squad, hunkering down in the corner woods, killing 4 of them.

Turn 4:

The Grey Knight Commander fires at the Monolith, still without causing damage. The remaining Grey Knight misses his Necron Warrior targets.

My Destoyers and Spyder continue moving up the center of the table. The Monolith positioned itself to suck the Commander into its portal, but failed to do so. Firing its cannons, the remaining Grey Knight is killed, leaving all attention on the Commander. The hail of gunfire from the Monolith, Destroyer Lords, and Destroyer bring him down to finish off the Grey Knights' force.

Necron Victory.

Victory Points:

Necrons: 13 (10 from objectives, 1 from Line Breaker, 2, from Slay the Warlord)

Grey Knights: 1 from First Blood

Lessons: This is my first major success on my own with 40k, and I feel this could not have gone much better for me. I feel my tactical decisions and unit placement worked very effectively. And while I was concerned with getting into close combat with the Grey Knights, I managed to keep them at bay.

Free Stuff

DriveThruRPG has a large free section. Free is good. This isn't an endorsement of the site. It's an endorsement of free.

Want some free miniature rules because you want to try something new?
Heavy Gear Blitz Rulebook

Looking for a way to test out a new miniature but don't want to pay for a bunch of new minis?
15mm Paper Miniatures

Terrain?
Paper Buildings

Remember BESM? Here are the core rules if you want a quick easy to learn flexible RPG.
Tri-Stat Core Rules

In the late 80's and early 90's there was a Star Wars RPG by West End Games. Here are the core rules now available for free. Don't miss the links at the bottom for even more free D6 files.
D6 Core Set Bundle

Stop Motion Animation + 40k = a different kind of AWESOME

I think it speaks for itself. These guys did a ton of work, and there is about an hour of videos in the series. I think it's a great idea, and if Red Beard and I have time this summer we're talking about giving some similar a try. After you're done with your cartoons you know you need something to watch. You know you do.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqNWT3NBrio&feature=player_embedded&list=PL8E8477394AF4BC7B

Model Review: Master Grade 1/100 scale RX-78 GP02A Gundam "Physalis"

If you like to build models and want to try something different I recommend trying a Gundam. Why? 1. If you like mecha at all they look cool on the shelf. 2. NO Glue. 3. No Glue. 4. No Glue. They are basically snap together with some parts for the joints that feel like rubber. This Gundam doesn't look like most because it's purpose revolves around the idea of it's bazooka with a nuclear warhead and it's shield to help it deal with the shock wave. (insert suspension of disbelief here) The model took me a full Saturday to build with only a pair of clippers and a hobby knife to trim flash. It's highly poseable as are most Gundams in either the 1/100 or 1/144 scales. I didn't use any glue in the assembly. There are only a couple of stress points I might need to add glue to at some point but they are very minor. It does come with both stickers and traditional water decals but I've only felt the need to add a couple. As you can see below in the pictures of the parts many are already made from colored plastic to help reduce or eliminate the need to paint these types of models. Anime fan or not these are fantastic kits if you are looking for something different or if you read the previous post about Mobile Frame Zero you could use these instead of building mechs with Legos.

Images after the break.

Free Stuff: Mobile Frame Zero

I'm not a big one on doing re-posts, but in this case I don't think I could do a better a job of doing a review of Mobile Frame Zero than the link below. Click the link and take a moment to give it a read.

i heart print and play: iheart Presents Mobile Frame Zero
Blog No Longer Exists Updated 27 April 2020

Are you a tactical tabletop gamer (or want to be)? Do you love building and playing with LEGOs? Then you need to take a look at Mobile Frame Zero

Short Version: Games Workshop vs Spots the Space Marine

Bottom Line Up Front: It's back up for sale. Click Here.

Author's original blog post 13 December 2012 Click Here.
GW claims trademark ownership over the term "space marine", and so Amazon takes book down from sale.

Tons of comments, blogs, and news ensue.

Twitter feed about the ridiculousness. Click here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_marine

The author has a list of the 37 news articles and counting here.
To include but not be limited to BBC, Huffington Post, The Guardian, and The Register.
If GW's goal was to make the news and get some publicity well they did it.

Electronic Frontier Foundation helps defend the author. See her blog post here.

Battle Report: 1K Tau vs Tyranids

Battle Report

Tau versus Tyranids

1000 pts

Preliminary: The scenario, table organization, and deployment order were selected via dice rolls, giving us a basic "take objectives" game, the table split down the middle lengthwise, and Tau deploying and going first.

Turn 1:

With the entirety of my forces already on the table, there wasn't much to do other than adjust as needed. The only thing within range was a squad of termagants, so with a railgun submunition from my Hammerhead, 5 termagants met their doom.

The Tyranids then attempt to spawn more termagants with the Tervigon, but a roll of doubles ended that before it started. The Hive Tyrant positioned itself and fired upon my Hammerhead, but no damage was done.

Turn 2:

I positioned the Hammerhead and fired at the Hive Tyrant with the railgun and smart missile system (SMS), missing with both. Thankfully my Devilfish had better luck, moving forward and killing a Zoanthrope with its SMS.

Genestealers then arrived on a long table edge, flanking and moving into a wooded area. The Hive Tyrant then fired at my Devilfish, taking a hull point and stunning the crew.

Turn 3:

With the squad of genestealers threatening to take control of the center objective, I launch a massive attack with pitiful results: the left Piranha kills 2 genestealers, my Crisis suit Commander kills 2 genestealers, my Hammerhead only kills 1 genestealer, then my center Crisis Suit, Krootgun, and Devilfish all miss their shots. So many twos rolled...

The remaining zoanthrope fires upon my flanking Piranha, causing 1 hull point in damage. The Hive Tyrant then fires at and destroys the center Crisis Suit. The genestealers move and assault my left Piranha, only to do no damage and take 2 casualties from a flechette discharger.

Turn 4:

My commander unleashes hell with his Cyclic Ion Blaster and kills the remainder of the genestealer unit. With the genestealers gone, I decided to focus on taking down the Hive Tyrant. Realizing the gamble, I disembarked my Firewarriors from the Devilfish to increase my chances of causing enough wounds to kill it. 19 Firewarrior shots, my krootgun, the Hammerhead railgun and SMS, and the Devilfish burst cannon and SMS only cause a total of 3 wounds. I had 32 chances to wound, and only 3 made it. I've never seen so many twos on my dice ever. And on a related note my right flanking Piranha misses the remaining Zoanthrope.

The Hive Tyrant regenerated 1 wound, then commences fire at my Firewarriors, thankfully also having a bad dice-rolling day, as only 1 Firewarrior was killed, and only 1 more Firewarrior was killed in the ensuing assault. Another unit of genestealers flank and arrived to replace the previous unit's place.

Turn 5:

With the Hive Tyrant tied up in assault, I focused on the newly arrived genestealers. My Piranha missed on all counts, but my Crisis Suit Commander killed 3, the Hammerhead killed 3, and my Krootgun killed one. My right flanking Piranha and my Devilfish focused on the remaining Zoanthrope, killing it. The assault between the Firewarriors and the Hive Tyrant was resolved with predictable results: the entire unit was killed after the sweeping advance.

After consolidation movement, the Hive Tyrant moved straight to my Kroot, assaulting them, and sadly also annihilating the entire squad after sweeping advance.

With a dice roll of a 1 the game ends right here, solidifying my loss. My Tau had First Blood and Linebreaker for 2 points, but the Tyranids had one controlled Objective for 3 points.

Lessons: Never forget Overwatch, as I forgot to do this with my Firewarriors and the Kroot before they were assaulted by the Hive Tyrant. That could have been a game changer. Tactically though, I have no regrets, as I felt the odds were in my favor, but the dice rolls weren't. Again, I've never seen so many twos rolled in my life.

Predictions if the game continued: It wouldn't have taken much to kill the Hive Tyrant (1 wound left) and the two genestealers left from the unit. That would have cleared 2/3 of the table. My forces could then encircle and lay down fire upon the remaining two squads of termagants and the Tervigon.

New Dark Angels Codex Review - Bullet Format

No long winded paragraphs. Here are my thoughts on what I think you might care about in easy to read one liners.

• Well constructed full color book in a similar design to the new Chaos Space Marine codex
• No Cypher here either
• Interesting updated fluff.
• Internal page number references all over the place so information is easy to find
• 10 man Deathwing terminator squads are now possible
• Deathwing and Ravenwing can exist in the same army list
• The Mind Worm Psyker power is still there but is completely different and is for Ezekiel only.
• 1 New flyer in 2 variants, no Stormtalon, no Stormraven
• All rules and wargear updated appropriately in line with the new generation of the main rules, but not over the top.
• Fold out reference pages in very back
• New faq is already available here
• It's $ .05 (U.S.) less than the new Chaos Space Marine Codex... wtf.

Free Paper Terrain Files

Why because free is good. I found these when surfing the internet in a place I didn't expect. While intended for fantasy games you could use them for just about any kind that involves miniatures.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/fpm/archive