List Building: pSkarre Ships in the Night

With the last two weeks consisting of theater technical directing and this week final exams for the term, I've been so busy that I couldn't find time to write articles the last two days and I apologize.  To make up for it, I will share the unabridged version of an article which will later appear on 3++ is the new black.  Today I wish to discuss an interesting warcaster who is often known for her Great Rack (it's the name of one of her weapons!).  That's right, today I wish to discuss Pirate Queen Skarre.  I know, I know, Cryx is dirty and they're no-good jerks.  In the Master's tournament at Templecon 5 of the 16 players brought Cryx armies to the tables.  Have no fear, however, as those dirty Cryx players didn't win this time, so I have no qualms introducing one of my favorite Cryxian theme lists today from the pages of No Quarter 37: Ships in the Night.

Geomancy vs. Gallows Groves

With the release of the Circle Gallows Groves, a question has come up in my mind about whether or not the Gallows Groves are all that spectacular.  Don't get me wrong - I think the models are great and I'm pleased to see a cheap 1-point filler option in Circle, but I look at the Geomancy ability and wonder whether being able to channel through the Gallows Groves is really all that spectacular.  Today, let's look at these two options in-depth and try to consider not which one is better overall, but discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.  Lastly, I will look at the collection of Circle warlocks and make recommendations on which I think is the better choice (if at all) for each.

Building a Game Table on the cheap

Yesterday I was really excited at the thought of using a sandbox as a table for playing a game of Warmachine/Hordes, the impetus behind said thought was that I figured that I would write an article about making a table as cheaply as possible as a general guide for those who might want to make a table for home use, or if you wanted to make one for a game store or club.  Today I will present you with some common tips that I have discovered to make the best table possible for really cheap, with some money saving tips along the way.

Disclaimer: while I have not built any tables the ways that I am describing, I have built tables more complex than this, and these are rather my general suggestions based on my experiences with more complex tables.

Random: Playing in a Sandbox

Originally I was going to start by writing an article on making some gaming tables for cheap (still, look for that article coming soon!) but I stumbled upon the site www.allsandboxes.com in my quest for good quality sand for basing.  Once I started browsing I had a crazy idea, "What if they make sandboxes that are 4 feet by 4 feet?" - that is, the standard table size for a game of Warmachine/Hordes.  Sure enough, they do!  Granted, it's about $100, but it does come with an optional cover.

"OH. MY. GOD.  I WANT TO PLAY WARMACHINE IN A SANDBOX!!!!!"

Steamroller Theory - Reinforcements Part 2

Steamroller 2012 brings a lot of new elements to the table in tournament games, and the most different of these is the idea of reinforcements.  Yesterday we took a general look at the rules for reinforcements and analyzed the kinds of considerations one needs when choosing what models to take for said reinforcements.  The biggest factors, in my opinion are: low time usage, ability to dislodge an opponent from a scoring zone, and defensive capabilities or staying power.  I already looked at the choices that a Circle player might have to fill the 7-point reinforcement slot in a 35 point game, and that seems to be the trickiest to fill, compared to the 10 points that a 50 point game would have to fill.  Consequently, today we will look at some solid choices (in my opinion) for each faction that attempt to fit all three of the criteria established yesterday.

Steamroller Theory - Reinforcements Part 1

One of the biggest additions to the Steamroller tournaments in 2012 has been the Reinforcement scenarios, often referred to as "flanking" scenarios.  What these entail is a squished deployment zone with the expectation that additional models will enter on the other side of your deployment zone in future turns.  This has been a little controversial with Warmachine/Hordes players because this is a very different mechanic introduced en masse into the game.  While yes, there were units that could utilize an ability called Ambush, they typically are more expensive for their abilities than other comparable units (Bog Trogs, Kossite Woodsmen).  Today I want to focus on the rules for Reinforcements, discuss considerations for and differences between the 35 and 50 point levels of games, and highlight a couple of reinforcement options that may be overlooked or underestimated.  Let's first take a look at the scenario rules first.

Trollblood Musings

My job as a teacher is typically able to keep me busy enough as is, but with two tech weeks for two performances?  I'm totally fried.  My brain is mush and I apologize that today is going to be a little less put-together than usual.

I have been tossing around some ideas for Troll lists because while I already know that I want to build a pDoomy theme list, I know that I will want to expand it beyond that point.  So who should I look at next?  There are lots of options available but I want to avoid some of the "typical" Troll builds.  It's not that I don't think that they're competitive or that I think that I'm better than anyone else, it's just that they don't appeal to me and I want to try a "meta-breaking" strategy with my particular Trolls.  So that basically eliminates the use of some warlocks - Madrak (either), Borka, Grissel (although I might be able to manage an alternative eGrissel list), and eDoomshaper (easy to meta-game).  So who does that leave me with, and how should I build an expansion from there?

Project Pressganger: Madrak Painted

I'm in the middle of tech week so not much of an update for today, but I do have Madrak painted from my Trollbloods warpack that I picked up at Templecon.  I've decided that I'm going for a volcanic look with my trolls and that means obsidian and orange-yellow glowing runes.  I really like how Madrak turned out and I'm satisfied with my paint scheme so that means I'm clear for continuing it with the rest of the models.  I'll probably stick with a darker skin in the future (which is okay for Madrak to be a lighter-skinned).

Holiday Homebrew: Cupyg

It's been almost 2 months since I've presented homebrew rules for Warmachine/Hordes, and it seems that Valentine's Day is as good of a holiday as any to make one!  While Valentine's Day can make it difficult to fit into the Iron Kingdoms, I realized that I could turn a pun into a really simple and fun character.  Indeed, I decided that the traditional image of Cupid wouldn't fit into many factions, but the image of a naked little pyg with wings and a bow and arrow made me snicker a little bit, and thus, Cupyg was born!

Project Press Ganger: The Requirements

I've been tossing around this idea for some time now: I want to be a Press Ganger.  As much as I still enjoy playing and learning other game systems, Warmachine/Hordes has really stuck with me.  It's a system that I've come to appreciate in Mk II way more than I did in Mk I, and I think my maturity as a wargamer has helped with that.  I love this game and so I've decided that I want to be a Press Ganger - especially since a couple of my close wargaming friends are also Press Gangers.  It's not as easy as just knowing someone and getting in, however.  I plan on chronicling my efforts to become a full-fledged Press Ganger, and now that I've found a store nearby, I'll have a place to call "home" finally.  There are a few requirements for applying to be a Press Ganger, so I need to make sure I can meet those requirements first.

Two Caster Tournament - Lulz

So the Whiz store is holding a tournament that is one-list required, but you're allowed to bring two-casters and it's battlegroup only.  It sounds like a lot of fun but all kinds of shenanigans are almost assured to ensue.  I have come up with a hilarious list that I intend to try but there are, of course, lots of different combinations of warcasters/warlocks that will bring about similar hilarious pairs.  Today I will share my combination that I came up with (should I even attend this fiasco - I say that in a loving way!), some others that have been shared with me, and maybe a couple others as food for thought.  This is a great exercise in thinking about power multipliers and synergy in the most simple of ways, since there will be no units or solos on the board.

Scenario Table, Templecon video, and Trolls!

I'm still recovering a bit from Templecon so I haven't had enough material to cobble together a coherent article yet (even the one yesterday took me some time to put together), so today I will share a mish-mash of information for you all.  I'm still riding the wave of fun from the weekend and have been more highly motivated than usual to both get some teaching work done as well as continuing to get some hobby stuff done.  That said, today I will share with you what's been up lately and what to expect in the future!

Road to Templecon 2012: Masters Review

So Templecon 2012 is over and was the best one yet.  While some might not have respected Templecon as a "major event" in the past, this year should have blown all of those perceptions out of the water with (my estimate) over 300 people playing casual games alone - let alone the multiple tournaments throughout the weekend.  Even the 40k and Fantasy crowds grew and the old ballroom, where the event was held last year, wouldn't even hold half of the tables that were present this year.  So where does that leave us?

Templecon 2012 Privateer Press spoilers

[Update]

Videos and information are now up on Privateer Press:

Colossals:

War Room App:

Infernal Contraption 2nd edition 

Heap

War room app coming to not only build lists but track damage, status, and look up relevant rules.  Initial app is free with starter box cards info free.  Need to purchase faction card deck for $6.99 includes future releases for faction and updates.  App includes seasonal cards!
Iron kingdoms rpg looking good, good info.  Taking a realistic approach and not really required to play a warcaster.  The other characters will be able to "do some really cool shit".

Infernal contraption coming back!

New bodgers game called Heap sounds fun

Colossals are coming!  Two damage grids (only one cortex), Colossals confirmed for all main warmachine factions (including mercs!  Not contract specific).  All models released before colossals (slight domination overlap).  18-20 points per colossal.  Fa: 2.  Troll spoiler for colossal equivalent.  Minions a "surprise".  New power attacks: psuedo-thresher, slam without moving.  Throws and slams move models extra 2".  No price determined yet.  "Not insane price".  Benefit from battlegroup effects.  Conquest (Khador), Hyperion (Retribution), Stormwall (Cygnar), Judicator (Menoth), Kraken (Cryx), Galleon (Mercs).  First Colossals available as pre-release at lock-n-load this year.  Only legendary warcasters and Colossals (for new stuff, will probably still have other stuff too).

Kreoss going double epic in a horse!

Minions and merc battle engines a possibility?  "Hell yes".  New rhulic warcaster mossimo (sp?).

Road to Templecon 2012: 72 Hour Painting Log [final update]

"Holy crap, I have to paint how many models?  By Friday?!  Hoo boy."

We've all been there.  There's some event in the future where you need (or want) fully-painted models, and everything seems to happen all at once and you don't have the time you thought you'd have to get those models painted.  This is the situation I'm in right now.  In all of my preparation for Templecon 2012 I forgot that I wanted to have my team tournament list fully painted.  I had an initial list planned and prepared but when I changed my mind a couple of week ago, I forgot that it meant that I would have to paint more models than I had initially anticipated.  The worst part is that the models that I need to have painted are some of the more detailed models in the range for Circle Orboros, so how do I plan on approaching it?  A 72-hour countdown of binge painting.  Instead of my planned articles on boring tournament preparation, I will instead update this article with my progress in my painting binge as an example of why no one should do this ever.  I can at least hope that my pain[t] and suffering will bring you some enjoyment.