I really like the character in this warcaster model - and he's the reason I decided to play Mercenaries! I love his HUGE hammer, which would be great to hit things with... if his Buster Cannon wasn't such a devastating ranged weapon!
Sync out.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Mercenaries - Madhammer
I really like the character in this warcaster model - and he's the reason I decided to play Mercenaries! I love his HUGE hammer, which would be great to hit things with... if his Buster Cannon wasn't such a devastating ranged weapon!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Miniature Photography - eBay Style
I mentioned in a previous post that for my birthday I ordered one of these sets from eBay (AU$35 including postage). It arrived during the week, and I finally got the chance to open it up over the weekend.
I've taken photos of my Mercs, and I'm already happy with the small investment I made. The amount of time I spent looking for the right lamp, the right lightbulbs for the lamp, as well setting it up the right distance from the model etc etc made this a great purchase, which I can highly recommend for miniature photography.
I think I'll dedicate an entire weekend to retaking photos of all my models, and reposting them on this blog over the span of a few weeks. I'll be posting the photos of my WM Mercenaries up over the next week - stay tuned!
Sync out.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Broken Dreams
I was really excited to find a package waiting for me when I got home from work today - and it was from Back 2 Base-ix! My Paint rack was finally here!
Alas, my elation turned to disappointment when I opened up my package to find that there were massive cracks and breaks the pieces. Below are the worst of the cracks, but the other pieces included also had splits through them as well.
Looks like I'll have to get back to Back 2 Base-ix for a replacement. I've heard very good things about their customer service, and have ordered other products from them in the past with no issues before.
UPDATE: Within 12 minutes of contacting Back 2 Base-ix, my issue is resolved and replacement parts are on the way. Customer service does not get any better than that.
Alas, my elation turned to disappointment when I opened up my package to find that there were massive cracks and breaks the pieces. Below are the worst of the cracks, but the other pieces included also had splits through them as well.
Looks like I'll have to get back to Back 2 Base-ix for a replacement. I've heard very good things about their customer service, and have ordered other products from them in the past with no issues before.
UPDATE: Within 12 minutes of contacting Back 2 Base-ix, my issue is resolved and replacement parts are on the way. Customer service does not get any better than that.
Hopefully I won't have to wait another 12 days to receive my birthday day present :(
UPDATE: Looks like I won't have to wait that long!
UPDATE: Looks like I won't have to wait that long!
Sync out.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
WM/H League - Week 2
Onto Week 2 of the WM/H League at the LGS, Good Games CBD. After my dismal performance last week I studied my models and their cards, as well as reading through some tactica and the few battle reports I could find online - I was locked and loaded and ready to better myself on the battlefield!
This week the league bumped up to 20 points, no Siege Engines (until 30 points) and no Colossals (until 40 points):
Battle Report 4 - Menoth
There were a lot less teething issues and nooby mistakes in this game, and I was quite happy to lose considering my opponent is a wargamer of the highest calibre (and also a super nice guy). On the top of turn 2 he even said something along the lines of "Don't cast that. I'm going to feat next turn and wail on your warcaster, so if you don't need to cast it, you're best to camp the focus." He could have killed me that turn, but because I camped the focus, I lived for another 2 turns! Opponents like this really make learning to play so much nicer!
There wasn't really much to report on this game, and I managed to get a few good licks in before he won by caster kill.
The only thing I really managed to do right was using Durgen's Buster ability Carpet Bomb, combined with Artillerist from Dougal MacNaile, and even using Double Powder Rations on one turn for some extra kick. Oh, and Reinholdt's Reload too!
That was pretty much it... I mismanaged my warjacks (more on that in seperate sections below) and because my Steelhead Halberdiers weren't able to be Primed they weren't of much use (although I think I played them well as tarpit units).
A few notes I'd like to make on Menoth though:
Lessons Learned
Arcing Fire - Durgen's Buster
Arcing Fire - Lets the attacker ignore intervening models (except those within 1" of the target) when drawing LOS. Doesn't mean he can ignore clouds, forest or buildings.
Below is an example of how Arcing Fire on Durgen's Buster is able to target seemingly protected models. The picture on the left shows the table as it is - and under normal circumstances, Kreoss would be safe from ranged attacks.
The picture on the right shows the table after applying the Arcing Fire ability to Durgen's Buster, which gives Durgen has a clear shot on Kreoss. The Basher and the two front-most Flameguard are ignored, but the Dervisher and back-most Flameguard are not as they are within 1" of the target - nonetheless Durgen is able to target Kreoss though the middle of the two models.
Deployment - Getting off to a Good Start
This week the league bumped up to 20 points, no Siege Engines (until 30 points) and no Colossals (until 40 points):
- Durgen Madhammer
- Basher
- Steelhead Halberdiers (min)
- Steelhead Halberdiers (min)
- Dougal MacNaile
- Reinholdt
- Thor Steinhammer
- Gunner
- Gunner
Battle Report 4 - Menoth
- Kreoss
- Reckoner
- Redeemer
- Temple Flameguard (min) + UA
- Wracks
- Choir
- Vassal
There were a lot less teething issues and nooby mistakes in this game, and I was quite happy to lose considering my opponent is a wargamer of the highest calibre (and also a super nice guy). On the top of turn 2 he even said something along the lines of "Don't cast that. I'm going to feat next turn and wail on your warcaster, so if you don't need to cast it, you're best to camp the focus." He could have killed me that turn, but because I camped the focus, I lived for another 2 turns! Opponents like this really make learning to play so much nicer!
There wasn't really much to report on this game, and I managed to get a few good licks in before he won by caster kill.
The only thing I really managed to do right was using Durgen's Buster ability Carpet Bomb, combined with Artillerist from Dougal MacNaile, and even using Double Powder Rations on one turn for some extra kick. Oh, and Reinholdt's Reload too!
That was pretty much it... I mismanaged my warjacks (more on that in seperate sections below) and because my Steelhead Halberdiers weren't able to be Primed they weren't of much use (although I think I played them well as tarpit units).
A few notes I'd like to make on Menoth though:
- Menoth's Defender's Ward makes killing infantry with AOE unlikely
- Kreoss' feat is awesome for killing things - clearing a LOS to otherwise protected warcasters, or stomping on infantry and warjacks while they're down.
- Kreoss' Purification nullified Redline and Primed, which are two awesome abilities that would have really liked to use. Denied!
Lessons Learned
Arcing Fire - Durgen's Buster
Arcing Fire - Lets the attacker ignore intervening models (except those within 1" of the target) when drawing LOS. Doesn't mean he can ignore clouds, forest or buildings.
Below is an example of how Arcing Fire on Durgen's Buster is able to target seemingly protected models. The picture on the left shows the table as it is - and under normal circumstances, Kreoss would be safe from ranged attacks.
The picture on the right shows the table after applying the Arcing Fire ability to Durgen's Buster, which gives Durgen has a clear shot on Kreoss. The Basher and the two front-most Flameguard are ignored, but the Dervisher and back-most Flameguard are not as they are within 1" of the target - nonetheless Durgen is able to target Kreoss though the middle of the two models.
Deployment - Getting off to a Good Start
I seem to be really having trouble with my deployments - in my last two games I've managed to deny my own flanks. Both times my opponents deployed first, I saw where they were, yet I still managed to deny my own flanks.
In both instances a large piece of LOS blocking terrain was in the center of the board which threw me off somewhat, so I'll have to make more of an effort to think through my deployment in a way that ensures that all my models are able to fulfil their purpose and function cohesively as an army.
A few general basics to deployment I should learn:
Battlegroup Organisation
This was my first game with a Jack Marshall, so I knew that I could expect a few bumps here and there.
The first and silliest mistake I made was activating my Gunners before activating Thor! Which meant they couldn't benefit from Thor's abilities and Jack Marshall! Silly silly...
I didn't think that Thor Steinhammer made a good Jack Marshall for my Gunners anyway though - with their range of 12" and Thor's 6" Spray, it meant that Thor needed to advance ahead of them to be pose any offensive threat.
I also found that the Basher with Madhammer didn't play out too well either. Madhammer is a ranged warcaster, and the Basher is very in-your-face melee kind of warjack. With the Basher speeding ahead to engage, and Madhammer staying back to lob his Carpet Bombs, Madhammer was left highly exposed and vulnerable.
So it looks like next week I'll be switching them around - I'll have Thor with the Basher (using his Drive: Pronto ability, as well as Tune Up), and I'll try sitting the Gunners back with Madhammer so they can be a little turret of death.
A few general basics to deployment I should learn:
- Do not deploy slow units on the flanks, deploy them centrally to ensure that flank is not denied.
- Deploy long ranged units or faster units on the flanks
- Keep heavy hitting units central, so they threaten more of the table and respond if required
- Keep the warcaster in the middle, to centralise Control Area and Feat
- Attempt to keep ranged units in forests
Battlegroup Organisation
This was my first game with a Jack Marshall, so I knew that I could expect a few bumps here and there.
The first and silliest mistake I made was activating my Gunners before activating Thor! Which meant they couldn't benefit from Thor's abilities and Jack Marshall! Silly silly...
I didn't think that Thor Steinhammer made a good Jack Marshall for my Gunners anyway though - with their range of 12" and Thor's 6" Spray, it meant that Thor needed to advance ahead of them to be pose any offensive threat.
I also found that the Basher with Madhammer didn't play out too well either. Madhammer is a ranged warcaster, and the Basher is very in-your-face melee kind of warjack. With the Basher speeding ahead to engage, and Madhammer staying back to lob his Carpet Bombs, Madhammer was left highly exposed and vulnerable.
So it looks like next week I'll be switching them around - I'll have Thor with the Basher (using his Drive: Pronto ability, as well as Tune Up), and I'll try sitting the Gunners back with Madhammer so they can be a little turret of death.
Sync out.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Birthday Update!
I have been painting like a madman since my last post, and I’ve
almost finished off what will be my [WM] Mercs 20 point list for this week’s WM/H
League at Good Games CBD, continuing tomorrow night (I'll post on that after the fact).
This weekend was my birthday, and while I did spend a few
minutes contemplating my passing youth, I was actually more excited about
PRESENTS! Most wargamers know that we are quite difficult to shop for – I know that at any given time I could be focused on any army/faction from any game/system.
This makes it hard for friends and relatives to buy me what I really want, and
almost as hard to try and slip that subtlety into conversation.
So the system we have for these situations is that everyone
just gives me money, and I go off and buy what I want. This seems to work out
for everyone, and this year my relatives have actually taken to adding
stipulations to what I can do with my birthday money – which is great because
it feels like they are adding a little bit more thought to their gifts!
My brothers said: “With this birthday money, buy something
that you want, but would never buy for yourself because you’d think it was too
expensive.”
So something fancy, but unnecessary... I had the perfect
thing in mind! I ordered this last week, so it should be arriving any day now.
 |
| AU$52 including post from the Back-to-Base-ix website |
All my paints currently live my desk drawer, and being
Formula P3 paints, are a nightmare to sift through to find the right colour. As
all the lids of the paints are white, I usually have to lift up each pot one by
one to inspect the colour, before finding the one I am looking for. For army
painting, I pull out the paints I use frequently, and scatter them across my
desk so I don’t have to delve into the drawer to find them again. This gift fits
my brothers' criteria nicely, and looks pretty freakin sweet.
Mini Photography Studio
My Dad said: “Buy something that would make your hobby
easier.”
Yeah, he's a practical kinda Dad. The paint rack above would has suited Dad’s criteria as
well, but one thing that's harder for me to work around is taking photos of my models - this causes me a world more pain than sifting
through paints, so this product I found on eBay should do the trick. I know I
could make my own lightbox, but I thought Dad (who likes his cameras and
gadgets) would like to see me using something like this.
|
| AU$35 including post from eBay |
My wife said: “Spend this cash to start a brand new army of your
little toys with. You’re not allowed to buy models for an army you already own.”
My wife knows that I like bouncing around game systems and
armies/factions within game systems, and that I get a real kick out of painting
models for a brand new army for the first time. Given that I’m currently
immersed in painting through my [WM] Mercs army for the ongoing League, I’ll
hold onto this birthday cash for a time until another army tickles my fancy!
I’m pretty happy with my birthday this year, and although
none of this stuff was particularly expensive, the little bit of extra thought
my family put into their gifts made their gifts more meaningful. I
haven’t actually received anything yet, but I’ll post some quick reviews when I
do. Oh, and when the mini-photography studio set comes in, I’ll get around to taking
photos of my [WM] Mercs!
Sync out.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
WM/H League - Week 1
Last night was the first night of the LGS's WM/H League - and it was an absolute blast. Still being relatively new to WM/H, I lost both my matches and made a lot of mistakes, all of which I hope to learn from and improve.
I do have two existing Cryx and Khador armies, but those armies have barely seen the table-top, and even then that was over a year ago. So I didn't go in expecting to win many games, given that I barely knew the rules and had no experience with my army, but I did want to learn and make some new wargaming buddies.
So last night was 15 point Highlander format (1 warcaster, 1 warjack, 1 unit, 1 solo). This format was a little difficult for some players (myself included), so an exception was made - any remaining points could be spent on warjacks. Here's the list I took, mainly because of the models I had available:
Battle Report 1 - Menoth
I made all the mistakes in this battle, and lost because of it. The first and most spectacular mistake I made was marching my Primed Steelhead Halberdiers up to Cinerators (with Defenders Ward, bringing their armour up to 19), within 1" of each other. That lead to a lot of explosions, which had no chance of killing his Cinerators, but decimated my Halberdiers. Won't make that mistake again...
I also forgot about Durgen's Blast Armour, which negates all blast damage Durgen suffers. This single mistake cost me the game! At the end of turn 3, his Cinerators had surrounded Durgen exposing Kreoss, but their blows were not enough to take him down - Durgen had 2 hit boxes left. In a final desperate move, my opponent used one of Kreoss' spells to explode his own Cinerators, which dealt the final blast damage that killed him.
If I had remembered Blast Armour, Durgen would have survived, and in my turn, my Basher and Gunner would have made short work of the exposed Kreoss!
Battle Report 2 - Cygnar
My opponent was still new to WM/H, but not new to gunline armies! His strong shooting wore me down, and not one of my models was able to engage this army.
The above image isn't to scale, but still gives a good idea of the situation. My opponent placed a giant rock structure (impassable terrain) right in the center of the board, immediately creating two firing lanes, then deployed himself on a hill in his corner.
I deployed my Primed Halberdiers on the right (this time, not within an 1.5" of each other!) and my Battlegroup on the left with the intention of coming around and creating threats from both sides.
After setting my models down, I remembered that I wanted to keep Primed on my Halberdiers - which I thought meant keeping Durgen within 6" of them. This had me make a last minute change to my strategy - I decided I would lead down the right with the Halberdiers, hopefully have them get a few licks in, with my warjacks and Durgen following in behind them. Wow, that was a mistake.
I'm not sure which of his units did it, but they were able to create rough terrain in the middle of the right lane, which stopped my already slow army in their tracks. He shot me down from across the field - I didn't even make it onto his half of the board!
If I could redo that battle, I would have moved all my models up behind the rock, and the simultaneously sent them in two groups as I originally intended. I don't know if it would have worked, but I probably would have had a better chance.
Lessons Learned
Durgen Madhammer is great warcaster, and his Buster is awesome. I didn't try out his Carpet Bomb which looked promising, because I thought that Special Attacks cost 1 focus to cast... I don't even know why I thought that. Definitely need to get him and his Buster within range of the enemy faster.
His feat isn't a neccessarily a game changer, and should be used as a feat of opportunity, instead of trying to turn the tide.
Basher is great too, especially with Redline! A bit focus hungry, as you'll definitely want to buy more boosted attacks with him.
Gunners are cute. They're also good at shooting stuff, and focus efficient.
Steelhead Halberdiers are good, considering that they are pretty cheap and achieve their objective as a tarpit unit - and when Primed can pose significant threat.
Dougal MacNaile I should have left at home for these games. For low point games, I definitely should have taken a solo that could put down some hurt, instead of fulfilling a support role. Though I definitely see his value as Durgen's support.
While I'm confident with the basic rules, there were a few that I wasn't too sure on, and few that I learned last night:
I still had a great time, and am really keen on improving and learning. More Warmachine and Hordes action to come! Oh, and I'll get photos of my Mercs army up soon.
I do have two existing Cryx and Khador armies, but those armies have barely seen the table-top, and even then that was over a year ago. So I didn't go in expecting to win many games, given that I barely knew the rules and had no experience with my army, but I did want to learn and make some new wargaming buddies.
So last night was 15 point Highlander format (1 warcaster, 1 warjack, 1 unit, 1 solo). This format was a little difficult for some players (myself included), so an exception was made - any remaining points could be spent on warjacks. Here's the list I took, mainly because of the models I had available:
- Durgen Madhammer
- Basher
- Gunner
- Gunner
- Steelhead Halberdiers (full)
- Dougal MacNaile
Battle Report 1 - Menoth
- Kreoss
- Vanquisher
- Cinerators (full)
- Vassal
I made all the mistakes in this battle, and lost because of it. The first and most spectacular mistake I made was marching my Primed Steelhead Halberdiers up to Cinerators (with Defenders Ward, bringing their armour up to 19), within 1" of each other. That lead to a lot of explosions, which had no chance of killing his Cinerators, but decimated my Halberdiers. Won't make that mistake again...
 |
| Cinerators thought the Primed Explosions looked pretty. Halberdiers left a lot of widows at home. |
I also forgot about Durgen's Blast Armour, which negates all blast damage Durgen suffers. This single mistake cost me the game! At the end of turn 3, his Cinerators had surrounded Durgen exposing Kreoss, but their blows were not enough to take him down - Durgen had 2 hit boxes left. In a final desperate move, my opponent used one of Kreoss' spells to explode his own Cinerators, which dealt the final blast damage that killed him.
If I had remembered Blast Armour, Durgen would have survived, and in my turn, my Basher and Gunner would have made short work of the exposed Kreoss!
 |
| Shoulda, woulda, coulda... |
Battle Report 2 - Cygnar
- Siege
- Charger
- Defender
- Black 13th Gun Mage Strike Team
- Journeyman Warcaster
 |
| Deployment - an uphill battle |
The above image isn't to scale, but still gives a good idea of the situation. My opponent placed a giant rock structure (impassable terrain) right in the center of the board, immediately creating two firing lanes, then deployed himself on a hill in his corner.
I deployed my Primed Halberdiers on the right (this time, not within an 1.5" of each other!) and my Battlegroup on the left with the intention of coming around and creating threats from both sides.
After setting my models down, I remembered that I wanted to keep Primed on my Halberdiers - which I thought meant keeping Durgen within 6" of them. This had me make a last minute change to my strategy - I decided I would lead down the right with the Halberdiers, hopefully have them get a few licks in, with my warjacks and Durgen following in behind them. Wow, that was a mistake.
I'm not sure which of his units did it, but they were able to create rough terrain in the middle of the right lane, which stopped my already slow army in their tracks. He shot me down from across the field - I didn't even make it onto his half of the board!
If I could redo that battle, I would have moved all my models up behind the rock, and the simultaneously sent them in two groups as I originally intended. I don't know if it would have worked, but I probably would have had a better chance.
Lessons Learned
Durgen Madhammer is great warcaster, and his Buster is awesome. I didn't try out his Carpet Bomb which looked promising, because I thought that Special Attacks cost 1 focus to cast... I don't even know why I thought that. Definitely need to get him and his Buster within range of the enemy faster.
His feat isn't a neccessarily a game changer, and should be used as a feat of opportunity, instead of trying to turn the tide.
Basher is great too, especially with Redline! A bit focus hungry, as you'll definitely want to buy more boosted attacks with him.
Gunners are cute. They're also good at shooting stuff, and focus efficient.
Steelhead Halberdiers are good, considering that they are pretty cheap and achieve their objective as a tarpit unit - and when Primed can pose significant threat.
Dougal MacNaile I should have left at home for these games. For low point games, I definitely should have taken a solo that could put down some hurt, instead of fulfilling a support role. Though I definitely see his value as Durgen's support.
While I'm confident with the basic rules, there were a few that I wasn't too sure on, and few that I learned last night:
- Models can use any number of their abilities in a turn, but only one of their Special Attacks
- Special Attacks do not cost 1 focus to cast for Warcasters
- Elevation applies to target models that are 1" higher than the shooter, and confers 2+ DEF
- Warcasters do NOT need to be in range or have LOS to maintain an upkeep spell
I still had a great time, and am really keen on improving and learning. More Warmachine and Hordes action to come! Oh, and I'll get photos of my Mercs army up soon.
Sync out.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Change of Plan
After a short overseas holiday, I returned home to find an unfortunate change in my schedule - due to family commitments, I won't be able to be part of the LGS's Malifaux League! The league runs on Tuesday nights, which I will no longer be available for. And after painting all those Malifaux models! Cest la vie...
Well, the good news is that the LGS is also running a WM/H League on Wednesday nights - which I am available for! I could use my existing Cryx and Khador, but this is great a opportunity to take advantage of the league motivation, and get my unpainted Mercs army table-top ready! So I dusted them off and have spent the last week assembling and painting that like a madman! I'll get some photos up soon.
So I'll be hitting the LGS tonight for some WM/H action - first night of the league will be 15 point Highlander format, and I'll post an update (and hopefully some photos) tomorrow.
Well, the good news is that the LGS is also running a WM/H League on Wednesday nights - which I am available for! I could use my existing Cryx and Khador, but this is great a opportunity to take advantage of the league motivation, and get my unpainted Mercs army table-top ready! So I dusted them off and have spent the last week assembling and painting that like a madman! I'll get some photos up soon.
So I'll be hitting the LGS tonight for some WM/H action - first night of the league will be 15 point Highlander format, and I'll post an update (and hopefully some photos) tomorrow.
Sync out.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Malifaux - Guild Austringer
Oh, and here's the Austringer I finished last night too! He seems to be a useful minion, and works with well with most Guild Masters - according to PullMyFinger anyways! Can't wait to get these guys on the table!
Sync out.
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