Last night Jack and I inputted and updated the results of Equinox into the Fantasy Rankings to check that the model worked and was easily updateable. It was!
So now it is just making things look pretty.
The impact of Equinox was smaller than I expected in terms of the Top 12. Ross Hillier-Jones replaced Rory Finnemore in the Masters places and there was some shift upwards by the attendees. John Willenbruch jumped above Tom Dunn to #2.
In Icon news, the Chaos Dwarf Icon shifted from Sam Whitt to Richard Barby. Sam still holds the "Marco Colombo" for most tournaments with 7.
Look out for the website going live on March 31 - there should be no problems from here as we have contracted Talent2 to run it. What could go wrong?
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Runefang VI Update
With just over five weeks out from Runefang VI, there are 26 gamers registered for the tournament. This will be the first NZ event to have both the new Warriors of Chaos and Daemons of Chaos army books in use.
There will be no race specific restrictions for either book as the local scene looks to determine their impact on the meta. Despite some grumblings on its release, the consensus is that the power level of the WoC has increased with the new book. IMO, Daemons look more "random" than they previously were however the jury is definitely still out on where the strongest build will coalesce. Runefang gives the local players a chance to judge for themselves.
There is still an opportunity for another 10-12 people to sign up for the event. You can download the Players Pack here
Wellington May Need More Than A Runefang To Withstand The Chaos Incursion
There will be no race specific restrictions for either book as the local scene looks to determine their impact on the meta. Despite some grumblings on its release, the consensus is that the power level of the WoC has increased with the new book. IMO, Daemons look more "random" than they previously were however the jury is definitely still out on where the strongest build will coalesce. Runefang gives the local players a chance to judge for themselves.
There is still an opportunity for another 10-12 people to sign up for the event. You can download the Players Pack here
Natcon Warhammer Fantasy Lists
Mike King is umpiring Fantasy at NatCon over Easter Weekend and has kindly forwarded me the lists that the players are using. You can access them here
Natcon is three days, eight games and this year is at 2500 points with no comp and big monsters allowed.
Two big monsters have been taken - Dread Saurian and Nightmare Colossus.
Good luck to all those attending.
Natcon is three days, eight games and this year is at 2500 points with no comp and big monsters allowed.
Two big monsters have been taken - Dread Saurian and Nightmare Colossus.
Good luck to all those attending.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Manifestation of Nurgle
One of the dangers of playing at Chez Dunn is that there is always the chance for Nurgle to manifest. Most local gamers know and respect my cat Nurgle and when we are gaming he wants to be involved.
Generally he'll sit on a chair and watch but he is just as likely to appear on the table. Unfortunately this weekend he disgraced himself by taking a dislike to Joel's Gorger that Wil was using - sorry Joel.
He also manifested in the material realm while Mike and I were playing Watchtower. Evidently this exercise was energy-sapping as he immediately flopped and went to sleep snuggled up next to a Tuskgor chariot.
Generally he'll sit on a chair and watch but he is just as likely to appear on the table. Unfortunately this weekend he disgraced himself by taking a dislike to Joel's Gorger that Wil was using - sorry Joel.
He also manifested in the material realm while Mike and I were playing Watchtower. Evidently this exercise was energy-sapping as he immediately flopped and went to sleep snuggled up next to a Tuskgor chariot.
Tiring Stuff Being a God.
The Empire Strikes Back
Over the weekend news emerged that Games Workshop has started to move against the bits resellers in the USA. These are the companies that buy kits and then break them up into their component parts.
In an age of shelf companies it is hard to see how GW will be successful. The reseller will set up an affiliate that buys the product off them and puts distance between the direct transaction with GW. As the product has passed to a new set of hands, GW would have little leverage.
However what is more likely to happen is that GW will just pursue the strategy they did with Maelstrom Games (prior to ROW embargo). Here they limit the supply to the reseller and lengthen the delivery time. This worked with Maelstrom effectively moving them from 5-10 day delivery to a 20-30 day delivery (or in the case of the Dark Eldar Wracks 11 months).
What is does show is that GW is concerned about the developing market in broken down boxes and is looking to apply pressure to limit it off. The US is a different animal to the UK and I expect they will face a tougher fight against businesses and gamers who see their rights being infringed.
Some have said that the move foreshadows a move by GW into the bits business. I call bullshit on this. The time and effort is just not worth it for a company their size. Where their benefit comes from is shutting down web based suppliers so that gamers are forced (if they want specific bits or sprues) to buy the full kit.
In an age of shelf companies it is hard to see how GW will be successful. The reseller will set up an affiliate that buys the product off them and puts distance between the direct transaction with GW. As the product has passed to a new set of hands, GW would have little leverage.
However what is more likely to happen is that GW will just pursue the strategy they did with Maelstrom Games (prior to ROW embargo). Here they limit the supply to the reseller and lengthen the delivery time. This worked with Maelstrom effectively moving them from 5-10 day delivery to a 20-30 day delivery (or in the case of the Dark Eldar Wracks 11 months).
What is does show is that GW is concerned about the developing market in broken down boxes and is looking to apply pressure to limit it off. The US is a different animal to the UK and I expect they will face a tougher fight against businesses and gamers who see their rights being infringed.
Some have said that the move foreshadows a move by GW into the bits business. I call bullshit on this. The time and effort is just not worth it for a company their size. Where their benefit comes from is shutting down web based suppliers so that gamers are forced (if they want specific bits or sprues) to buy the full kit.
Tau Next Month
Over the weekend White Dwarf pictures emerged of the new Tau to be released in April.
Incoming is a new Codex, a new dual flyer - Sunshark/Razorshark, new Crisis and Barrlesuits and finally Pathfinders.
Incoming is a new Codex, a new dual flyer - Sunshark/Razorshark, new Crisis and Barrlesuits and finally Pathfinders.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
NiCon Fantasy Players Pack
I received the NiCon Players Pack by email this morning. The event is on 1st/2nd June in Napier and is being umpired by Jeff Kent.
Depending on real life I'm thinking I may head up to this - particularly if a few of the Wellington/Kapiti/Waiarapa locals are also starters.
You can download the players pack here
Glad to see no stupid King of the Hill scenario.
Depending on real life I'm thinking I may head up to this - particularly if a few of the Wellington/Kapiti/Waiarapa locals are also starters.
You can download the players pack here
Glad to see no stupid King of the Hill scenario.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Hobby Time incl. Tale of X Gamers - Heresy Edition
Just finishing the last of 56 Plaguebearers before I jump on to paint Epidemius and Kairos Fateweaver. Hoping to gave pics up by the weekend of the Nurgle stuff.
Waiting for some time with Charlie to go over oil washes after a second disaster with the Deathshroud Terminators.
Remember you Tale of X Gamers - Heresy Edition, you have until Easter to finish your second unit.
Waiting for some time with Charlie to go over oil washes after a second disaster with the Deathshroud Terminators.
Remember you Tale of X Gamers - Heresy Edition, you have until Easter to finish your second unit.
Dark Elf Comp
Some discussions on Twitter recently got me thinking about Dark Elf comp. Dark Elves have become a less dominant force in the past couple of years for a number of reasons.
Firstly, a lot of people who were playing them regularly have drifted to new armies - understandable given the book is coming up to 5 years old. I was shocked when five turned up for NZTC.
Secondly, the rules of 8th coupled with the release of new books - with increasing Monstrous Cavalry for instance - have rebalanced the meta significantly and Dark Elves seem to have suffered more than most.
Thirdly, and leading on from the second point, Dark Elves have suffered from "legacy comp" related to the halycon days of 7th. The restrictions that were put in place to soften them in the last edition have never really been relaxed.
Lastly, and again related to previous points, their main strike unit Black Guard has a model cap of 20 in a game where 20 T3 models can evaporate in the blink of an eye.
Looking at the Dark Elf comp for the upcoming Runefang VI we have the following restrictions on Dark Elves:
The other one I would consider relaxing is the restriction on maximum of 6 magic dice for a spell. This is very much a legacy restriction reaching back to the first days of 8th. We have now had seven 8th Ed Army Books released and I struggle to see many situations where it would be gamebreaking.
Of the others, the unit limit of 450 points, a cap on shots, a race specific limit on flyers and the restriction on Crown/Pendant all have a place in restricting the more annoying (non-fun) builds.
Thoughts?
Firstly, a lot of people who were playing them regularly have drifted to new armies - understandable given the book is coming up to 5 years old. I was shocked when five turned up for NZTC.
Secondly, the rules of 8th coupled with the release of new books - with increasing Monstrous Cavalry for instance - have rebalanced the meta significantly and Dark Elves seem to have suffered more than most.
Thirdly, and leading on from the second point, Dark Elves have suffered from "legacy comp" related to the halycon days of 7th. The restrictions that were put in place to soften them in the last edition have never really been relaxed.
Lastly, and again related to previous points, their main strike unit Black Guard has a model cap of 20 in a game where 20 T3 models can evaporate in the blink of an eye.
Looking at the Dark Elf comp for the upcoming Runefang VI we have the following restrictions on Dark Elves:
- Dark Elves may only
use a max of 6 dice to cast a spell the same as everyone else. This overrides
the rule in their book
- Non warmachine shooting is limited to 90 shots per army - count the number of shots, not models. So for example Dark Elf Warriors with repeater crossbows count as 2 shots.
- No single non character unit in the army may be over 450 points
- The Pendant of Kaleth and the Crown of Command may not be taken on the same model.
- Hydras are 0 – 1 per army
- Max 3 units with the ‘fly’ special rule
The other one I would consider relaxing is the restriction on maximum of 6 magic dice for a spell. This is very much a legacy restriction reaching back to the first days of 8th. We have now had seven 8th Ed Army Books released and I struggle to see many situations where it would be gamebreaking.
Of the others, the unit limit of 450 points, a cap on shots, a race specific limit on flyers and the restriction on Crown/Pendant all have a place in restricting the more annoying (non-fun) builds.
Thoughts?
Monday, March 11, 2013
Vampire Counts List
Here is the Vampire Counts list I've been using over the last couple of months:
Lords:
Vampire Lord - Level 3 (Vamps), Barded Nightmare, Heavy Armour, Shield, Ogre Blade, Talisman of Preservation, Other Trickster's Shard, Quickblood, Red Fury - 503
Heroes:
Vampire - Level 1 (Vamps), Barded Nightmare, Heavy Armour, Sword of Anti-Heroes, Enchanted Shield, Opal Amulet, Quickblood - 205
Wight King - BSB, Barded Steed, Lance, Heavy Armour, Obsidian Amulet, Dragonhelm - 179
Necromancer - Level 1 (Vamps), Scroll - 90
Core:
35 Ghouls - Ghast - 360
40 Zombies - 120
3x 5 Dire Wolves - 120
Special:
10 Black Knights - Full Command, Barding, Lances -290
2x 3 Vargheists - 276
2 Fellbats - 40
Rare:
Terrorgheist - 225
The army seems to synergise well, the characters in particular supporting each other. I've found that typically 10 Black Knights is enough - against all but the strongest Magic Defence - and that they act as a suitable delivery system for the two Vampires.
The two units of Vargheists I treat as expendable, using them to clean out chaff from around the bus. The key is not to get too greedy with them and chase points that don't necessarily impact your overall plan. I've yet to really get the most out of the Fellbats and generally they are surplus to immediate requirements which means I chuck them in and get them killed early. I believe patience here would be a virtue and I should employ them as a mobile reserve.
The Ghouls have been the hardest unit to learn to use. I've taken to using them in Horde and I think that is the way forward. Again they need to be committed to wear down the enemy to allow Vargheist to act as flat track bullies later in the game.
Mr. Terrorgheist is fun to use. He is very vulnerable to Light magic but in those situations he needs to be drawn out to the flanks or committed to pick up points as fast as possible before his inevitable death. Determining which strategy is part of the fun. Looking forward to getting him into some high value targets.
Appreciate any comment on list. In particular if you can identify any weaknesses either in build and kitout. What matches do you think are particularly tough and could points be better spent elsewhere.
Lords:
Vampire Lord - Level 3 (Vamps), Barded Nightmare, Heavy Armour, Shield, Ogre Blade, Talisman of Preservation, Other Trickster's Shard, Quickblood, Red Fury - 503
Heroes:
Vampire - Level 1 (Vamps), Barded Nightmare, Heavy Armour, Sword of Anti-Heroes, Enchanted Shield, Opal Amulet, Quickblood - 205
Wight King - BSB, Barded Steed, Lance, Heavy Armour, Obsidian Amulet, Dragonhelm - 179
Necromancer - Level 1 (Vamps), Scroll - 90
Core:
35 Ghouls - Ghast - 360
40 Zombies - 120
3x 5 Dire Wolves - 120
Special:
10 Black Knights - Full Command, Barding, Lances -290
2x 3 Vargheists - 276
2 Fellbats - 40
Rare:
Terrorgheist - 225
An Extremely Angry Vampire (Red Fury?) Who Appears To Have Missed His Bus
The army seems to synergise well, the characters in particular supporting each other. I've found that typically 10 Black Knights is enough - against all but the strongest Magic Defence - and that they act as a suitable delivery system for the two Vampires.
The two units of Vargheists I treat as expendable, using them to clean out chaff from around the bus. The key is not to get too greedy with them and chase points that don't necessarily impact your overall plan. I've yet to really get the most out of the Fellbats and generally they are surplus to immediate requirements which means I chuck them in and get them killed early. I believe patience here would be a virtue and I should employ them as a mobile reserve.
The Ghouls have been the hardest unit to learn to use. I've taken to using them in Horde and I think that is the way forward. Again they need to be committed to wear down the enemy to allow Vargheist to act as flat track bullies later in the game.
Mr. Terrorgheist is fun to use. He is very vulnerable to Light magic but in those situations he needs to be drawn out to the flanks or committed to pick up points as fast as possible before his inevitable death. Determining which strategy is part of the fun. Looking forward to getting him into some high value targets.
Appreciate any comment on list. In particular if you can identify any weaknesses either in build and kitout. What matches do you think are particularly tough and could points be better spent elsewhere.
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