GuardCon 2013 Warhammer Fantasy Pack released

The tournament pack has been released by the WHFB TO: Nick Lironi-Irvine.

GuardCon 2013 Pack.

There is cap for the Warhammer numbers at the tournament. So get your seats folks for a rip roaring tournament. I've got my Special character already on the painting table.

WH40k Players pack will be out soon.

GuardCon 2013 - Confirmed

GuardCon 2013 is confirmed for the weekend of the 21st & 22nd of September.

Watch out for more details to come from the club's forum Here.

GuardCon 2013

when: Weekend of September 21st & 22nd.

Systems offered: Warhammer Fantasy, Warhammer 40k, FoW, LOTR and Historicals.

Contact: guardcon2013@hotmail.com

Blood Bowl Team - WIP 2

More work done on the team. Originally I was looking to just have red & black but the palette was a tad dark so went for a bit of codex grey. Team is playable and numbered now so will just add more layers as the season rocks on. Game 3 of the 2513 season this coming week and up against the Khorne team and it's got a Blood Thirster!! Game on!

Picked up my first ever Avatars of War mini from local boys Slave to Painting. Excellent service and the order was delivered within a day of payment. So far it looks very good with minimal mould lines and no flash. I'll have a review once I get a chance soon.

Tin Soldier: Day 2 Batreps and Photo's

Day 2 looked like a challenging day with a mash of hard armies sharking it around the leader board. I drew Ryan who is a great friend and rival through the years. We met at the 2nd Tin soldier way back in the hay day about 5 years ago and have had healthy competitive games ever since. Ryan had Warriors and certainly the advantage in army lists going into the battle. He also had the weight of expectation of the Internets as well, with the Daemon Prince summing up to greater than anything put before it. It is unbreakable I'll grant it (but not if it's dead!).

Game 4: Ryan Simister :Warriors of Chaos.

We lined up armies and Ryan had massed his forces in deployment to make a concerted push so nothing for me to exploit. I wanted to try and spread his forces by a initial spread of my own but he wasn't falling for it so no easy pickings here. I instead offered him the Dragon to charge 1st turn with his Daemon Prince, Cavalry and Monster support at a long 10. He went for it and that freed up the rest of my army to handle the massed armour that was the rest of his army as long as the Dragon held. The 1st round battle between our generals decided the battle and 'Betsy' the Dragon was triumphant. The Warriors was already committed by this stage and my cavalry hit exposed flanks for a surprise big win. Great game and a great opponent.

20-0 Win.

Battle Royal, Ogres up against the Elves.

Game 5: James Brown : Ogre Filth :p

Great player from the local club and defending champion for the final game so always a tester. James had brought along the Ogre Runemaw Deathstar and usual internet filth to the tournament and good on him it was a solid list. We both knew that I had a big lead on the field and he needed to push it hard and win big to topple me from the podium. I won table sides and from that moment it was going to be a hard ask for him to get big points as a large impassable area in his deployment meant I could deploy in opposite corners from his Army. The Ogres got first turn and maneuvered around my fast cav hoping to force my army together. I had rolled Purple Sun ominously for this game and felt that Death stars deserved every 6 dice spell they had coming their way, no disrespect intended. So IF on Purple Sun and a 30" range meant his Slaughter master fell down a hole and so did his Ironblaster. It was all up to James to play hard from this point and he showed how good a player he was by coming back from the pts lost (8-12 due to large points brackets in the tournament) and getting a draw.

We did have one talking point during the game and it was to do with the charge arc of one remaining Bull into my fleeing Phoenix (good amount of points). I was at the time a bit surprised that a regular tournament player only had the rubber arrow arc meter from the GW set to check visible arc. They are notorious for having wiggle room and not being very accurate so after agreeing twice that it was out of charge arc James asked a third time if it was in. I did think this was a little on the nose as the single model had already been knocked about enough and we both had a gentlemans agreement to move on with the game. I thought it was fitting that in the last round that I threw the Phoenix into his Mournfang so at least the points were on the offering if he could slay it and he did.

10- 10 Draw.

Betsy chomps her way through a mass of monsters to grab Tinsoldier 6! Thank you to the 5 top fellas for a very enjoyable tournament. I don't get out much these days and every tournament I get in is a pleasure. Thank you for all those that helped in the running and the organising of the tournament and of course to Derick for running the show, excellent!

Top Table, Final round and Photo bombastic!

CSS likes the Skink cloud. Beaut tables and terrain Mr TO!

Dads army rocking the Dogs of War.

Snakes on a Plane!

Leftside!

Don't use this it's kinda shit! Arc meters are much better imho.

Board Game review: Libertalia

Pirate themed card come board game. Superb dynamic and even after two games there was still lots to discover about this little gem. Fits 2-6 players and after two games I thought that it would be a much better 5-6 player variant. Really easy to learn and would be a excellent family game. Very pirate and nautical theme which would add to its appeal. would play again.

Rating: 3 outta 5 stars.

Blood Bowl Team Progress

I picked up Blood Bowl recently. After a crash course in the game I dove straight into the league and my first real game was game 1 of the season. Many thanks to Greg for lending me his team (High Elves) and showing me the ropes. Enough to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and went about collecting parts and pieces to make my own team.

The two Blitzers and the Quarterback. WIP but getting there fast and should be ready for round 3.

Full team with additional two Catchers and 6 Linemen. 

Thanks goes out to Glen, Christian, James C, and Isaac for helping out with parts for the conversions. The link for the Blood Bowl League up here in Auckland is Here.

Board Game of the Week: T'zolkin the Mayan Calendar

Worker placement game with a twist and based on Mayan culture. Very clever and impressive design of game and the board. Workers are placed on mechanical wheels that is advance each turn to gain ever increasing better benefits. Points based winning system and you can gain those by rising in the popularity of deities and building beneficial structures/monuments. The only thing I think that can be improved about the game is for it to be more than it's current 4 player limit. I'm sure there will be a expansion soon. the game sold out of it's first printing fast but good to know that it's available to buy again at the shops so get a copy if you're a board game fan like me.

Rating: 5/5 perfect score. It has crystal skulls in the game!

Tin Soldier: Day One Batreps and Photo's

First outing at a tournament for the 8th edition High Elf book. Overall I like the changes the new book ushered in and the direction it takes is genius from GW. They've created a myriad of possible builds from the new  and existing possible lord choices. The dampening down of the ASF rule for Elven great weapons should see some very different subtle changes in Elven army lists and it did with my design. The new book definitely made me do a rethink, along with the different meta offered at Tin Soldier at 3000pts and a chance to fight a gathering of monsters I came up with the list below.

Lord - Moon Dragon - Ogre Blade, Golden Crown of Atrazar, Shield, Lion Cloak, Long Bow

                                    Armour of Destiny

BSB- Barded Elven Steed - Sw Might, Dawn Stone, Dragon Armour, Enchanted Shield

Noble- Great Eagle, Swift sense - Starlance, Gt Weapon, Charmed Shield, Heavy Armour, Lion Cloak,                                           Long Bow

Mage- Lvl 2, Dispell Scroll, ring Of Fury

18 Archers

24 Archers

5 Silverhelms

5 Reavers

5 Reavers

9 Dragon Princes-Banner World Dragon 

18 Phoenix Guard- Banner of Eternal Flame

Frost Heart Phoenix

10 Sisters of Averlorn

RBT

RBT

Quick run through of the list sees that points limitations means its a Moon Dragon instead of the much more resilient T7 Star Dragon (Dragon envy). It's also the first outing of the Banner of the World Dragon with my much preferred placement in a large unit of Dragon Princes (I didn't think many O&G would make it to Mcon and I was right). Backed up with the Frostheart this should be the second hammer in the army. The Noble was always going to be a Mage and Warmachine hunter to offset the danger these would be to a list with large points invested in singular units. Phoenix Guard was chosen not becuase of damage output but their durable ward save and this would count as the army is top heavy with limited bodies.

“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.” 
― Sun Tzu, Sun-Tzu: The Art of Warfare

So after a rush it and paint it night the tournament was on. Very excited to get back into the tournament scene after a bit of a hiatus. Here's the batreps.

1st round: Dean Webb: Warriors of Chaos

Dean had gone out of his way to fit as many Monsters in his list (5) and the chalice of grow a Daemon Prince to run over my army as fast as he could. With meeting engagement he pushed everything up. Leaving his lord just in the charge arc of the Dragon Princes meant that I could charge to relieve pressure off my left flank and that was the turning point of the game as he lost his Lord. The 10 Sisters put into my list to deal with regen monsters meant he was also down a Chimera 1st turn. Great list from a veteran player and atrocious luck on rolling armour saves meant it was going to be a big win to me.

20-0 win

2nd Round: Rob Sadler: Beastmen

The number of T4 wounds in this army and the multiple threats with two Giants, Rock hard chariots and a Cygor was going to be a hard ask for a small force like mine to deal with. I lost first turn and Rob who has been playing many more years pushed everything up and waited for a mistake. I had kept both the Dragon and the Phoenix central and risked a charge with the Dragon Princes into his Giant to win big or lose big. I was glad that I was getting average dice and luck meant I didn't miss a charge in this game. It still was a hard job inflicting the damage to a T4 army with multiple mages and a Lvl4. Top opponent with an army with lotsa teeth.

16-4

3rd Round: Paul Davison: High Elves

Here was the Army that I didn't want to face as it was boasting a Star Dragon and against my Moon Dragon it was good night nurse. Talk about Dragon Envy aye Paul. I did the maths and needed to match off my units to exactly the right units in his to get a chance at taking this one out. Pauls reluctance in throwing his Dragon up against mine probably cost him the advantage and a good solid win. My Eagle hero was MVP flying around the flank to pick up both his mages and both of his warmachines. Without the magic and heavy shooting his army was a bit lack lustre and chasing points meant he charged my Mage bunker. After he had killed the Champion it was inevitable that even a misfired Purple Sun meant the Dragon fell down a hole. Very close game and with his depleted spearmen running right through my ranked troops to regain valuable points its was much closer than it looked. Elven 5+ armour is worth including in a list, who would have thunk. Top game and full of little subtlties learnt and Paul and I will definitely be taking more on High Elf tactics and army design.

12-8

End of Day one and leading with 48/60pts. Very happy with how the army was handling and what it could bring to table.

Beer Dragon!

Star Dragon! That's what I want when I grow up?!

The Original Tin soldier.

That's actually a in game shot.

Tin Soldier 2013 - Results

Another Tinsoldier tournament has gone by and there was a humungous smash of monsters over the weekend. If you haven't experienced it the sheer weight of multiple monsters in attendance made it a spectacular event.

Fantasy results

Placing	Name	Monster Kills	Battle Points	Overall Points
1	Phil Wu	14	78	127
2	Ross Hillier Jones	7	68	118
3	James Brown	5	64	114
4	Ryan Simister	3	61	110
5=	Nick Irvine	4	59	109
5=	Jeff Kent	7	59	109
7	Paul Davison	7	58	108
8=	Antony Kitson	5	57	107
8=	James Cardno	6	57	107
8=	Richard Barby	5	57	107
11	John Willenbruch	8	54	104
12	Stephen Hastings	7	52	101
13	Glenn Tibbles	3	50	100
14=	Nick Munn	8	46	96
14=	Paul Dalton	7	46	96
16	Rob Sadler	4	43	93
17	Ray O'Connor	6	42	91
18	Kyran Henry	1	40	90
19=	Chris Ellis	1	39	89
19=	Reid Pittams	2	39	89
21	Michael King	7	38	88
22	Russell Simister	8	37	87
23	Phil Petry	2	35	85
24	Dean Webb	4	23	61

Best Painted: Glen Tibbles
Best Sport: Ryan Simister
Monster Killer: Phil Wu

I managed to come away with some spoils from the weekend after 5 outta 5 smashfest hard games, and it was grand. Thank you to the TO and not only to my opponents but all who came to enjoy a fantastic wargaming event.

The two trophies for 1st Overall and Monster Hunter are stowed away nice and safe in the trophy case. They look mighty fine amongst the other wargaming loot and is a good change from the medals collected over the years. 

Brave Elves riding out to meet the fatty horde first turn. Fast cavlrying it isn't for the feint hearted.

Last round and the hall is all concentration, just the right time to down a pint I reckon.

Smash it and sandwich em!

 Ouch it's a feeding frenzy!!!

Officially on the 'Bandwagon'!

Stuff is getting real Beeches!

New toys purchased must mean...

Monster Mash!! Tournament This weekend

Can anyone say last minute painting before a tournament. How hard is painting a Phoenix anyways, erp. Wish that coat of paint would dry faster so I can put on the next. Cold weather in auckland isn't helping a bit.

First time that I've tried painting over a white undercoat and using washes. I am really liking the technique and the results. There might be hope for this hic painter or maybe not yet, you judge.

Air Force Elf! Nothing like it to get you back into the hobby with a hiss and a roar. The new High Elf book is a great fun book. Tin Soldier in the weekend is a superb tournament designed to go against meta and encourage Monsters in all their glory. Tournaments of Tin Soldier in the past have encouraged peoples menagerie to come out for a bit of monster mash. Of course there is a small number of waac gamers this year taking filth but they haven't really interpruopted the nature of this event. Good that the majority of contestants have brought out their beasts and oh how awesome they will look on the gaming table.

I haven't played many games with this army due to little hobby time recently. I expect it to do middlingly well as all it's points are tied up in monsters which means you belly flop with little T3 core to soak up damage. Never the less its gonna be a howler of a weekend.

I see that the Chaos wastes have provided a whole smorgasboard to feed 'Betsy' the Dragon. No need to go to the super market to feed the beasts this wkend.

Photo's and Batreps to follow as it comes in.

Appropriate that there is a Monster of a movie on this weekend as well.

Whilst the Girls away I getta Hobby!

Nothing like a can of Rock Star over a corpse of a sacrificed roast chicken to get some hobby on. My Blood Bowl team is taking shape. Lotsa bits and greenstuff and over the next two weeks I should have it all ship shape for the next round of the Winter league.

Started of with the mutilation of some static old skool Bret archers.

Did some test models with Eldar legs and it seemed a fit.

2 Blitzers, 2 Catchers and a thrower and all I need is to fill out the roster with 6 Linemen.

Thanks James C for coming to the rescue with some more Static archers to the cause.

 .

Thanks also goes out to Christian for spotting us up with some spare Eldar legs.

I only want you for your torso Bretonnain Bob!!!

A quick chop and stick here and we have 6 Linemen already for armour greestuffing.

I'm looking for High Elf heads from the Chariot Sprue if anyone has them in their bits box. Will trade and pay top dollar. Cheers for reading gents.