Forgeworld in 40K

I saw this article and thought I would pass it on. I do this because there has been some talk on the internet about Forgeworld in 40K and this article caught my attention. I myself am against the whole Forgeworld thing simply because it introduces elements outside of the codex' and BRB into a game system that already has problems with balance and codex creep, but thats just me. The author of this article while not against Forgeworld in 40k, he is not really for it either and brings to light somethings that you might not think about. It's an interesting read so check it out and let us here at ML know what you think?


by: Hulksmash @ They Shall Know Fear

This was a question asked in my “What would you like to see” thread so I thought
I’d throw out my views on this.


I love Forgeworld. The books are amazing and so are many of the models. I love the way it looks on the table top and I love the idea adding of new units into my various armies. Why do I say the idea? Well simply because I currently don’t invest in too many FW models that can’t be used in some capacity as a unit existing in a codex. For instance I’ve been considering picking up two Contemptor Dreads to use as Dreadknights due to how awesome they look.


I’m also in love with the Achilles and Vulture models.


So what keeps me from making these purchases? The fact that I’ll rarely, if ever, get to use the models in a game. My current life engagements mean that I very, very rarely get to play outside of tournaments. I generally play 3-6 times a month and once in a while that game will be against someone at a local store (normally set up well in advance).


That means I should be all for allowing FW models into Tournaments right? Well, like most things, my view isn’t black and white on the subject.


For RTT’s and local game shop tournaments:


I’m actually very against the idea of allowing FW. Why? Local RTT’s are about building the community and in my opinion easing new players into the tournament scene. For the same reason I rarely take the same army twice to a RTT (sometimes the same codex but almost never the same list) I would be against Forgeworld. While variety is good a lot of local tourney players in the areas I have been just aren’t that into the hobby or don’t have the resources when they are starting out to invest in FW. Some might not even be aware it exists. The books aren’t on shelves generally and you rarely see the models on the table. What this translates to is a feelingof getting “swindled” when someone puts down models you’re not familiar with that aren’t in an easily accessible book and proceeds to pound your face in.


Please be aware that I’m not saying it’s the FW model that did the pounding. But it’s a perception thing. I’m also against them on the smaller RTT/local store level simply because store owners don’t profit on these items. They can order them but not at any kind of discount and so the store doesn’t make any money on these items outside of peripheral costs of things like paint, glue, and primer. There is no incentive for a local store owner to allow them into play as any Contemptor dreadnought purchased from FW is $18 out of the owners pocket (approximate profit margin). It’s not huge amounts but it does affect them.


Grand Tournament and Regional Style Events:


In this format I’m cool with it. Would I want to see every event allow them in? Nope. But would it be nice once in a while for events to allow me to field them? Hell yes. At an event this large the attendees in general are a different type of gamer. A lot of them are paying to travel to the event and to stay from out of town and are a little more serious about this aspect of the hobby. This means you can reasonably expect them to either have FW themselves or at least have the means of getting the knowledge. Also there is less feeling of being swindled at this level in my opinion.


The only problem I see on this level is that the TO would have to have solid knowledge of units and would probably have to have a page for their events for what is allowed and what isn’t.


For instance I like a lot of the army lists available from Forgeworld. I think they are fun and different. I’m also a huge fan of the SM Characters from the Badab War books that alter codex SM’s in certain ways. I feel they make the game more fun and would be interesting additions. But at times there are units that are verging on or actually are broken. The Deathwind Drop Pods, the original Lucius Pattern Drop Pod, the Hades Breaching Drill, and others over the years.


This would place the onus on the TO to determine allowances or at least note excluded units. That’s asking a lot from a guy who is already putting on a large event that is generally at cost to the person hosting.


Conclusion:


I’m open to the idea. For me execution would be the determining factor which I think is true for much of the community. I’m torn on whether I would be ok seeing conversions representing FW units instead of the actual models. I feel like to for me the rule of cool would be the standard but that is a pretty hard rule to enforce as a TO. The other major issues I see are general availability and the additional financial
requirement which is why I would only even consider supporting it at the larger event level.


Those are my thoughts. I realize it’s not a solid yes or no but more of an “I’m open to it”. Sorry, I can’t be annoyingly opinionated on everything.


How do you guys feel about it?

KrystalKeep Combat Patrol, and a fond farewell....

So,
this weekend marked the final yearly 'Combat Patrol' tournament at the KrystalKeep.
As usual, Jim Williams ran a fast, furious and funtastic event full of much cursing, screaming, gnashing of tzeentch (and smiles).
Many a brave soldier(xenos, infidel, traitor)died yesterday, only to rise again shortly thereafter to wage the war eternal in the 40k 'oonivers'.
Final standings showed how strong, balanced and fair players and scenarios were, with a 4 way split for 1st!
Edge T[ML]-Tau
John W-Orks
Stephen (?)-Orks
Nick S-Orks

I had a blast, as is usual for Jim's events (and events that have been run for years up at the Keep).
But alas, this marks an end.

December 30th, the store will be closing for the last time.

Rick, Raj and the others who have contributed to the store, with their heart and souls, have finally had enough.
The economy, coupled with other major, and minor, factors beyond their control have taken their toll.
KrystalKeep has kept its doors open throughout the most trying of economic times, worse than any I have seen personally.

I moved to Ohio 3 years ago. I greatly feared the loss of my hobby and friends due to a new environment.
I should never have feared.
I discovered the Keep, and moved in...and quickly realized I had found a new 'home' in more ways than one.
The staff became friends, the players became friends, and within 6 months I not only felt as though I had regained the 'old' guard, but had gained an even better crowd!
I fell in love with the community all over again.
I wanted to share that particular anecdote, not to make the changes coming about me...but to emphasize the impact the Keep has had on a great deal of people.

A club, a forum, an arena AND a place where 'everybody knows your name'.
EVERYONE I know, who frequented the place (and there were many in my 3 years of attendance) saw KrystalKeep as a 'home away from home'. A place to leave behind the trials and tribulations of life, sit down with a mental 'pint', and just be.
I have known few places with this sense of family attached to such a business, and doubt I will know many more.

I know I'm going to miss all the weekends, all the events and all the 'BS' sessions over our little 'toy soldiers'.
All these things that were made so much more satisfying due to the environment within which they were set.

I want to wish the guys who ran our little home all the best luck in their future endeavors, thank them from the bottom of my heart for providing all the joy they did.
I wish to thank all the players who accepted me from the git-go, and all the heart they put into their play, and their friendships.
And I wish to thank all those who sacrificed their personal time, effort and heart to run the events that kept us all in the loop!

a hearty salute to the end of an era, and now....


"Dice Down, gentlemen...Dice Down"

A Farewell to 2011

As we draw 2011 to a close let's reflect a bit on some of the things that happened this year. There has been quite a lot actually. Some of the things that stick in my mind are...The introduction of Finecast or Failcast depending on your point of view...The death of DaemonHunters and the rebirth of Grey Knights...The re-emergence of Dark Eldar on to the table top...The information quarantine (which Yakface destroyed single handed)...and Necrons, my beloved Necrons got a new codex!

So what can we expect next year? Well it sounds like 6th edition will be the big ticket next year but besides that there is rumors of Tau, Chaos Space Marines/Renegades, Eldar possibly make an appearance and I'm sure there will be a marine codex in there also-go figure. As it is it sounds like there will be plenty to keep everyone busy! Also if you haven't heard already but GW will be making an appearance in our area with a store in the Cincinnati area!

Martial Law has two final events that members are attending for 2011, both are this Saturday with Epic Loot wrapping up their Iron Builder competition with the 2000 point Christmas Carnage tournament and at the Krystal Keeps combat patrol as a last hurrah to one of our favorite stores. They will be missed.

Other than that we here at Martial Law hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday this year because we want to see you battling with us next year! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

Necrons; First Game After Thoughts

Well I've played my first game with the new Necron Codex and I must say I'm pleased so far. Of course it's one game but this is going to be my first impressions and we'll just have to see if they change as I play more games. I played Necrons back in 4th it was my first 40k army so all the new choices and combinations really excited me. Problem was I couldn't decide where to start. So I went back to what worked for me before and started there. I realize that lists in one codex edition don't always work with new editions and that was not my intent.
My first game was against HoD's Imperial Fist army. He used a lot of long range weaponry to out distance me in shooting while running Lysander/terminate deathstar down my throat. You can read the full report in the battle reports section of the forum.

This was my 2000 pt. List:

Nemesor & Vangard
Trazyn
5 Crypteks w/ 5 eldritch lances, solar pulse
1 Cryptek w/ abyssal staff, veil
9 Immortals w/ gauss blasters
10 Warriors
9 Warriors
6 Wraiths w/ 3 whip coils, 2 particle casters
5 Wraiths w/ 3 whip coils, 1 particle caster
5 Scarab Swarms
1 Monolith
2 Canoptek Spiders
1 Annihilation Barge

Nemesor-He did pretty good absorbing enemy fire and the orb definitely came into play. Unfortunately I forgot about his tactics abilities but I could have used them on many occasions. I like him and will use him some more.

Vargard-Can't say much about him he didn't really do much. His attacks were saved by the Terminators storm shields and he always attack first so no bonus' there. His Ghostwalk Mantel came in very handy.

Crypteks-I like them and the options they bring. They certainly bring a different element to the Necrons. The eldritch lances were very
effective. Can't wait to use some of the other options.

Immortals-Probably the best troop choice but I miss T5. They still absorbed a lot of fire power but I don't think I used them has effectively as I could have.

Warriors-still a staple in most lists. I don't think their effectiveness has changed that much even with the nerfing of their armor save and WBB. Where they were a higher priority before due to phase out I think now their priority is lower which makes survivability better. Of courses if you run big 20 man squads the priority level will go up.

Wraiths-Loved them before, Love them now. Even without RP they are still a hand full to deal with.

Scarabs-Impressive especially when combined with the Spiders. Didn't use them much before but probably be a staple now. For a small cost you can build them up with some spiders and they make a nice tar pit unit and will really mess up some vehicles.

Canoptek Spiders-Much better than last edition. Cheaper, more wounds, squadrons, new scarab creating rules. Combined with scarabs very nice. Oh and they have options now!

Monolith- Well first off I wouldn't recommend deep striking it unless you have a lot of open ground. I did but got real lucky on scatter. Another 1/4 inch and it would have been misshap city. With it not coming in till the third turn that could have ended any real threat it might pose. It's so big it can be problematic. 6th edition may change this. I like the change to the Gauss Flux Ark .

Annihilation Barge-The survivability was good even when I forgot to move it and it got assaulted by Lysander and his Terminators. They messed it up but didn't destroy it. It handled everything that shot at it. It's offensive abilities left me a little wanting. I got plenty of extra shots out of it but the marines made 90% of their saves. It did manage to destroy a rhino and I like that it is a skimmer.

Those are my first thoughts/impressions. Many more games need to be played. More things to try.

Warmonger out

Necrons at a HoD Glance

HoD here with my first impression of the new Necron codex. I've always liked the 'crons for the simple fact they reminded me of Terminator Arnold after his flesh melted off. Even the signiture "I'll be Back" statement.... they just changed pronouns. I'd also have to say that I've really anticipated this for sometime now, but Monger has been for even longer. It was his first army when he made the jump from Fantasy to 40k. Hell, if it weren't for him making that jump with the Crons and coercing me (and I say that loosely) to delve into it myself, I'd either still be shooting crossbows and blunderbuss or not playing at all. 

Thanks dude.

Anyway back to the codex...

Now first off, I'm not one of those master analysts or strategists, I'm usually a "fly by the seat of my pants" and "roll with the punches" type of player. Don't get me wrong, I usually have a basic plan on how to run my list, but I usually let the game dictate my play.

The threads in the internet promoted the fact that this will be an premiere shooting army, but it seems to me there has been a major push in the CC area. Wraiths and Flayed Ones, that was about it. In the hands of the right player though, these were deadly. Monger runs his "Wraithstorm" list with great effectiveness. Been many a game I had to contend with it... unfortunately it was usually on the losing end of the spectrum. Either they would collapse a flank or make me use valuable resourses so they couldn't....Bastards! You really couldn't even deck out a Lord for CC. Yeah, the Ctan Phase sword was nice and all, but with his crappy WS and I, he was little more than a Marine with a cool weapon.

But now there's the Royal Court, an array of Special Characters, additional wargear and weaponry at your disposal. Even the Warscythe got a "facelift" with it's +2 strength and 2D6 for armor penetration. The trade-off for no possible armor save is cool with me. The Scarabs are cooler with their Entrophic Strike. Reducing armor on vehicles is awesome. Imagne bringing all faces on a Land Raider to a more respectable level to deal with. What about rending for the Wraiths.... yeah, they lost turbo boosting, but a small price to pay.

The question I leave you is...

Is there a "Deathstar" in this codex to be reckoned with or is this just the same shooty army of old with some upgrades?