Out now!!! Raptor (a new audio drama from Black Library)

If you haven't listened to any of the audio dramas that Black Library has done recently, you are really missing out. These hour to hour and a half modern takes on the classic radio show are excellent. They lift these stories off the pages and breathe life into the Warhammer universe. Everything, from the music to the voice acting, feels intense and exciting. We may not be getting a 30k/40k feature film anytime soon, but at least we have these. Here is a teaser for the latest audio drama, Raptor by Gav Thorpe:

After the decimation of his Legion on the killing fields of Isstvan V, the primarch Corax sanctioned an accelerated implantation process to create new Raven Guard - a process subverted in secret by his enemies. But in spite of their horrendous mutations, the warriors of the Raptors still stand ready to do their prim arch's bidding. When a watch-pack of Space Wolves legionaries arrives unannounced, it falls to Lieutenant Navar Hef to greet their warlike kinsmen and decide whether or not they might be hiding flaws of their own... 

Raven Guard and Space Wolves! I just downloaded it, and I look forward to hearing more about Navar Hef and his mutated brothers. I'll make sure to write up a review when I'm done. Download it and give it a listen while you're finishing up those hobby progress challenge models. Thor wills it!

Until next time!

New Blood! How Do I Get My Buddies to Play 40k?

My fellow LoC member Joel is on a new general gaming podcast called The Dice Decide! 

Check them out here!

One of us! One of us! One of us!

I still feel like it was some type of divine providence that I got into this crazy hobby. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, my junior in high school self stubbled upon the old GW message board. I quickly fell down the rabbit hole and asked my dad to take me to Gamer's Realm, my LGS in New Jersey. I walked into that musty store and immediately saw my object of desire. Eldar guardians.

My first 40k purchase.

It was all downhill from there. Fourteen years later, here I am writing about this beloved game of mine. I'm one of the lucky ones. But how can bring this joy to others? How do you get your non-wargaming buddies to play 40k? Well, this weekend I tried just that. My buddy Brad came over and played his first game against my good buddy Joel. We all had a great time, and Brad is already looking to buy the Space Wolves codex. Here are some steps that I took, and I think they would work well in your conversion teaching games.

1. KISS (Keep it Sweet and Simple)

40k is a rules heavy game with a rather heavy learning curve. When you start out, you really just want to focus on the main tenants of the game. Try to avoid most of the special rules and really hone in on these four aspects of the game:

1. Stats [WS-BS-S-T-I-LD-S+]
2. Movement
3. Shooting
4. Assault

These rules are essentially the game. All of the other USRs and special abilities add the flavor and variety to 40k, but those can't be enjoyed without a strong understanding of the aforementioned rules. Make sure to explain these each before the game begins, but focus mostly on reinforcing them as the game moves along.

2.  Start Small

A quaint battlefield (only 24"x18")

40k is best played at high point levels, but avoid starting out there. For our scenario, we had two 200 pt lists on a 2ft x 1.5ft table (damn Magic took up all the tables at both Games of Berkeley and Endgame). Brad, the neophyte, controlled ten generic Space Marines against Joel's Dire Avengers. The mission was Purge the Alien, and Brad set his Astartes up in the trees while the Eldar controlled the base and supply tanks at the bottom of the board. 

The game went on for a coupe turns, and ended up with the Space Marines smashing face in close combat. Having the books open to the reference charts helped a lot. By the end of the game, Brad was able to reference these basic rules without much thought.This was a learning game, but both Brad and Joel still had fun. When thinking about the missions and theme for your teaching games, make sure to start small. Still focus on your favorite aspects of the game (fun combos, great weapons, or cool psychic powers), but don't try to introduce too much too quickly.

3. Get them Started

Who doesn't love dreadnoughts?

Starting a Warhammer army is a huge investment of time and money. So, if you can, help out your buddy with some old minis or kits from your bits box. In my opinion, a squad or two and an HQ is a great place to start the game. Help the newbie create a list around 500-750pts, and let them find out what they enjoy most about the hobby. Do they love playing, but hate building models? Offer to put everything together so they can get in some games. Do they hate painting? Setup a hobby day and show them some of your tips and tricks. That, or just buy them a pot of Agrax Earthshade. 

In the end, everyone plays this game differently. Let your friend find out how they want to play, and be there as a positive ambassador for Warhammer. Introduce them to your gaming group, and make them feel like a part of the community. Blogs (::wink::), podcasts, forums, and YouTube tutorials are all great resources available to the modern gamer. Share them with your buddy! Then watch as they spiral into a nest of grey plastic sprues and Black Library books. One of us, one of us, one of us!!!

Until next time!

The Rains of Tirnan (My Black Library Short Story Submission)

A couple months ago, Black Library asked the public for short story submissions based on the Deathwatch, Chamber Militant of the Ordo Xenos. I have always dreamed of being a published writer, especially for the Black Library. Putting my mark on the Warhammer universe would be a dream come true. So, I worked for about a month or so writing my own 500 word short story, The Rains of Tirnan. The story focuses on Brother Jael of the  Blood Angels and his fight against a tyranid lictor and his chapter's curse, the red thirst.

Now, I am no Dan Abbnett. But, I did really enjoy writing this and figured I would share it. It was a really fun exercise, and good practice for the next time the opportunity comes around. Anyway, let me know what you think. I see this hobby as having four main creative outlets: modeling, painting, playing, and writing. While some of us may only partake in one or two of these outlets, I think it is important to flex your creative muscles whenever you can. We all have a story to tell, so tell it!

Until next time!

The Rains of Tirnan

The blood was everywhere. Running and mixing with the thick clay mud at the roots of the redwoods, forming a sickening ichor under Jael’s ceramite boots. These two men were on their way to the mines when it caught them. Was it two? Yes, Jael only saw two heads. They were torn limb from limb, large holes dug into their empty skulls. Their bodies split and cut into what seemed like a dozen pieces. The wounds were fresh, made within the last few minutes. Suddenly, Jael felt weak. A great thirst had overtaken him. The Red Thirst. No water could quench this. He needed blood.

This sensation was unmistakable. Twenty seven years prior, on the deathworld of Carthag VI. The planetary defense force was decimated in the fighting against the swinehordes of a now dead warboss. One of the men lay fallen, dying at his feet. Jael felt a sudden urge to drink the poor man’s blood. The guardsman’s eyes were wild with fear as Jael eyed him. But, in that moment, he was brought back from madness. Eremiel, the sanguinary priest, quietly sung the litanies of the primarch into Jael’s ear. “Do not fear the blessing of Sanguinius”. The priest understood the desire, but the terrified comrades of the dying soldier would not. 

Now, the Blood Angel was trembling. Jael felt helpless. Overcome by his desire. Eremiel was not with him now. No one was. He was alone in the rain, save for the remains of the two dead Tirnans. The clouds above him swirled a hellish red. Crimson rain swelled into huge droplets. They felt soft as they hit his tongue. He tilted his head back, mouth open wide. He drank in the blood falling from the sky. 

His scream echoed through the forest, "Control yourself, brother!”. Jael was shaking, black helmet thrown into the blood-red mud at his feet. A black bird flew below the soft gray clouds above. The rain felt warm running through his hair. He heard it as it fell through the leaves of the trees above him. Fumbling as he fell to his knees, his hands sunk into the ground. The world around him pulsed to the heavy beating of his hearts. Senses heightened to every movement, every sound. 

Jael heard clicking, movement, and a low sloppy growl. He turned in time to avoid the talons as they fell into the mud. Jael tumbled and rolled under the rending claws and took to his feet. The lictor was hard to see, its carapace mimicking the trees and undergrowth behind it. Two large talons reared above its body. Claws dug into the mud of the forest floor. Raising his bolter, Jael fired kraken rounds into the tentacled maw of the beast. The tyranid made an awful screech, cocked its hind legs and shot into the trees above. It left a trail of acid blood burning into the ground. Jael blinked, readied his combat knife, and began searching the forest canopy. The hunt was on.

Killer Robots of Death!!! (My First Foray into 30k v. 40k Gaming)

This past Sunday, I went over to Games of Berkeley for a couple pick up games. As a veteran of the long war, aka Gamer Dad, I only ever find myself playing at home or on specific campaign days at Endgame. Lucky for me, GoB's Facebook group is really great. I put something up that morning and got everything set an hour or so later. The store has an awesome variety of minis, and the playing space was really fun. Beautiful tables, great terrain, and a fun atmosphere made for an A+ gaming experience. Wargame Days are Thursday nights and Sunday afternoons. If you are ever in Downtown Berkeley, make sure to check it out.

Games of Berkeley - Check it out!

I played against Sage and his new Necrons. Man, those guys are nasty! How many armies have troop choices that can kill a Land Raider in one turn of shooting? But, the unit that really makes these robots sing are the wraiths. Ho-lee-crap are they good! Just imagine these death robots snaking through the air, flickering in and out of reality above the desert sands. Then, at the perfect moment, whipping their tails and jamming razor-sharp claws into their prey. Great fluff, great rules, and great models. These guys are the trifecta.

We played maelstrom on a 4x4 board at 750 points. The Raven Guard infiltrated into a forward position (big mistake) as the Necron's moved on en mass from the corner. The wraiths got into combat right way, and we stayed locked in until about turn four or so. Sage won the game thanks to the wraiths, but in the end it came down to my praetor getting shot to death by twenty some warriors. Using infiltrating forces can be a challenge, but it's games like this that help you learn. Overall, it was a really fun game against a great opponent.

Fluff-wise, 30k and 40k mesh really well. It does take some mental gymnastics, but as a narrative gamer I find myself doing that in standard games just as often (Why do I always end up assaulting Tau Riptide factories!). I see a lot of really cool opportunities to get in some fights against other xenos forces, and I'm thinking about reaching out to some local players to start a small Great Crusades campaign. If you're in the Bay Area and play Orks, Eldar, 'Nids, or Necrons let me know!

As for rules balance, it's not bad but I wouldn't say it was perfect. The standard Space Marine stat line helps, but losing And They Shall Know No Fear does make things more tenuous. That being said, I will continue to play 40k armies for now because our 30k scene is still growing. As for competitive events, I don't really see myself bringing a Horus Heresy list a large ITC event, but I do see a lot of 30k v. 40k games in the future! ::womp womp womp woooommmmppp::

Until next time!

Lords of Chaos Painting League (February Winner)

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Two months down, and the title race is heating up! Joe (me) took home the February challenge with my 30k/40k Raven Guard dreadnought with two out of four votes. This model was really a joy to paint. I highly suggest picking up some Forge World for your force. While the models can be pricey,  they add such character to your forces. And, if you have some money to spend, get into 30k! I just played my first game as a part of Endgame's new campaign, and I loved it. More about the Horus Heresy here if you're interested.

Scott and Joel tied for second this month with a Necron flyer and a Deldar talos. Both models are beautiful, especially the gems on the talos and the carapace on the flyer. Mark is still working on his Nurgle/Slaneeshi bikes, so we are stuck waiting on the edge of our seats for these monsters to roll us next month. That leaves us with Joe and Scott tied for first place with seven points, Joel in third with five points, and Mark plotting his revenge in 4th with two points. Now, onto March! Look out for some more painted beauties next month.

Joe 

Tied for 1st, (7pts)

Scott

Tied for 1st, (7pts)

Joel

3rd, (5pts)

Mark

4th, (2pts)

If you are interested in joining us, check out the West Coast Warlords Painting League! We currently have twelve painters, but are always looking for more. Read about it here, and sign up on the Facebook page here.

Until next time!

Introducing the West Coast Warlords Painting League!!!

After writing about the Lords of Chaos Painting League (February update coming soon), I have gotten some requests from various people and groups about joining. I have found the league to be a good way to keep dedicated to the hobby, and enjoy some friendly competition. We are all gamers, and we all enjoy winning. So, after careful consideration, our group has decided to start the West Coast Warlords Painting League. If you are interested, feel free to join the group here!

Don't be this guy

The format for this is very simple. Post a picture of the model/s you'll be working on in the March Challenge post by Monday, 3/23 at 11:59pm PST. The model/s may be primed, but must otherwise be unpainted (unbuilt model/s are ok). Using either a piece of paper or mobile device include the following in your picture:

• Name
• Date and Time
• Model/s to be Completed

At the end of the month, all completed models will go up for a vote (democracy, yay!). The top models, as voted on by the members of the group, will receive points based on their finishing place for the month. In the result of a tie, the points are shared. Remember, this is a friendly competitive event, so no need to flip any tables. The number of points earned is determined by the number of painters for the month. So, if there were seven painters, it would look something like this:

• 1st 7 points
• 2nd 6 points
• 3rd 5 points
• 4th 4 points
• 5th 3 points
• 6th 2 points
• 7th 1 points

At the end of the month, each winner or winners will be featured on the blog. At the end of the year, the painter with the most points will win the Golden Brush (more on that later). 

Anyone and everyone is free to join! The whole point of this is to give painters some additional motivation in the war against grey plastic. Immature or bullying behavior will mean immediate disqualification. Everything in life is what you make of it. Let's make the WCW fun! If you are still interested in signing up, you can join here.

Until next time!