Monday, March 25, 2019

Blue for the Invitational

I'm going to an invitational, narrative, team event in two weeks. It is always pretty cool to go to this kind of event, and if maxed out, each team will have 9 players. its also a BBQ, and beers are table side.

Because of the pre-event narrative, I've decided to go with a list in line with the event's fictional themes and scenarios. It also has be building an Ultramarines List (breaking out the blue guys!  Third Company supported by the First and 10th!) for the first time in way over two years...here are the high points grouped by detachment, wargear may vary to match the collection and such.  Some of these models have not been used in a while, and some never saw battle!

1750 Points

Tellion (named character)
Librarian in Terminator Armor
5 Scouts (sniper rifles and cloaks)
6 Tactical Marines
6 Tactical Marines

Chaplain in Terminator Armor
6 Assault Terminators (3 with TH/SS, 3 w/ LClaws)
5 Sternguard
5 Sternguard

Captain
1 Landspeeder (HB/Typhoon)
1 Landspeeder (HB/Typhoon)
2 Landspeeders (HF/MM)
Stormtalon Gunship (AC/Typhoon)
Stormtalon Gunship (AC/Typhoon)

I'll probably also rearrange the components, but it is a good first cut.  Because its all from one source I get extra CPs per the event rules. 

Of course the Chaplain, Librarian, and Terminators are a turn-2 arriving reserve. 

Tellion deploys with the scouts, in cover, hopefully elevated, with the job of slaying characters. 

The Captain and Sternguard provide some sturdy boots to rapid fire enemies out of my own deployment zone, screened by the tactical squads, who also have a role of keeping nearby objectives.

The speeders and flyers will really do some work, hopefully, being fast and agile, to work around the terrain to mop up enemy units.  Two of the speeders are a bit short ranged, but are to pop out from behind terrain to put the hurt on things, kill zombies, whatever is needed. 

Interestingly the event includes selecting one un-named character before the day starts, and buffing him with traits out of the 2018 Chapter Approved, and also applying some campaign upgrades to some units as well.  Every time you lose a game, your character gets more buffs.

Team Captains are there to assign / match opponents to table missions.  Each table has different terrain, mission parameters, and objectives. The list above is designed to do better in some missions than others, which adds to the fun. Some tables have faction-specific mission cards tagged to a specific player. 

Based on the new rapid fire beta rules, I'm torn between the assault terminators, vs taking shooty ones instead.  I'll have to noodle that out. 

The Librarian and Chaplain are key here, as they both have the ability to buff up the terminators and help them the into the assault.

Right now the Captain is kept cheap.  He might end up as the warlord. He might get the best free relic too.  His best benefit at the moment is to buff the units around him.  If he's assaulted, it probably means everything else has gone badly.   

I'm uncertain as to who will be best as the character I get to buff. The Librarian is likely, as some buffs just plain make him more survivable.

I'm hoping to at least scrimmage this list vs a similar sized Blood Angels list in the next week.  Plus I'm going to pre-select meaningful stratagems, and make some reminder cards for buffs and auras.  Should be fun! 

I'll try to add more comments on this list as it evolves over the next 10 days...

Thoughts? Crazy? Scrap it? 

MING

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Trending Blue and Black and Red Again

I've got my pre-order in for Shadowspear! Just waiting to pick it up.

In case you have not seen it - go watch what Tabletop Tactics has revealed in an infomercial for Shadowspear.  OMG.  Much fun on the horizon. I also had no idea these models are of the snap-fit variety! Easy quick construction, blue or black primer, and you are nearly there!

It is going to be epic. 

I also have my pre-order in for Vigilus Book 2. 

Ummmm....

Rumors has it that Vigilus Book 2 will include the new rules for Abaddon, some black legion stuff

And apparently.....KHORNE Daemons!

AND more specialist detachments!

It seems that as Abaddon wants to take over the planet - already infested with Genestealers and Orks, the war has attracted Khorne and he's sending his finest daemons to collect skulls by the pile!

Ummmm....

Skulltaker?

It overlaps with Khorne daemons being released in Age of Sigmar, with new models! The same daemons can be used in both games!

All I can say is...

Ummmm....

I thought I'd be fighting off Orks and Genestealers in droves for the rest of 2019. 

Apparently not. 

Games Workshop released short story #11 yesterday on the Vigilus campaign...about voices inside your head.

The voices are apparently saying...buy red...its going to be piles of fun, no bones about it.

They also whisper...watch what comes in the next book after Book II...

MING