If I was GW CEO: Part 1, SWOT

Well, a while back I promised to do a series on GW business practices titled "If I were GW CEO,"  Now I am doing it.  Essentially I want to look at this as if I was just asked to take over at the company. I want to take this from the business perspective, not just a player perspective.  We all know that it is hard to take out the consumer, but Ill try.  Anyhow, onward and upward.

Feast of Blades goes coast to coast!

Many of you will know that I am the TO for Feast of Blades, an annual GT/ Con that happens each year in the fall at Denver, CO.  Well, I am proud to announce that it has officially grown from a one state event, to a truly national event.

Custodes Dread Knight

Hey everyone, Today I am bringing something to you that I haven't done in a while... wait for it... a painting log!  I know, I know, I gave you the best christmas/Kwanzaa present ever but don't tell your wife "Awww, this  watch is nice honey but Duke wrote a painting log article and this Rolex just doesn't stack up." Trust me your groin won't feel pretty for about 4-170 days.  Anyhow, enough with the delusions of grandeur (and groin kicking). Lets get on with the show.

List of the week: Orks 2000pts

Well, It is Monday and that can only mean one thing: You're back to work and wish you weren't.  Well, I can't help with the overbearing boss or the secretary who keeps making fun of your shirts, but I can help with the Monday Boredom (Maybe)... It's list of the week time!

Aquila News: Tom Kirby Steps down as GW Chairman

AQUILA NEWS!

Today the Gaming world was shaken to its squishy core when Mr. Tom Kirby, GW Chairman of the Board and ex-CEO stepped down from his position at the miniatures manufacturer.

Place your bets!!! (Necron FAQ: we answer)

" A new player with the Necron codex is allot like a mule with a spinning wheel!"

That's right folks its time to step up and throw down, cuz were gonna go "all in" with predictions about the new dex FAQ.



Now that its standard practice for GW to make rules so ambiguous that they will no doubt have to release a FAQ we can wager our Internet standings against what we think the outcome might be. So throw caution to the wind with me today, lets put our put our bets down and see what comes of it in a week to six months when we get some answers.

First up Scarabs!

1. Can they go over starting/max squad size?

I say yes, because if not whats the point.


2. Can they conga line dance?

No, I cant see this one.


3. Entropic Strike, does it work as stated and "immediately" take armor down, then allow for the strength attacks?

Yes, yes and yes please.



While were on it lets just talk about the force weapon thing.

4. Will force weapons take entire bases out even when they are put on the unit before the roll to activate has been made?

Sorry for this one but no. Wait before your head explodes, I'm not saying its right or wrong, I'm taking the Carnifex defence on this one. Lets say a unit of like carnifex's gets into a fight with one GK Libby, the Libby hits and wounds 3 times(on the charge) before the Fex can attack. What happens, in game terms nothing is different to the Libby if its 3 like bases of Scarabs or MC's. So if GW makes the call against Scarabs they will make it for everything, even my Nob Bikers. So 4 wounds on a unit of non-complex models, 4 guys dead! I just don't think the GK need the extra boost to their ability's. (Duke disagrees on this one)


But these are units that can be complex you say, well Obliterators for CMS are rumored to have a squad size of 4 in the next book. So the same would apply to them with no chance of being complex, 4 hits/wounds and one test now your entire unit is gone. I hope it doesn't come to this.

Next-Writhing Worldscape.

5. Does it work with Orikan's Temporal Snares?

I vote yes, because like I said before if not whats the point.

6. Does it work with the Tremor Stave?

Yes. (see previous answer)

OK, os that's just a few of the things that need FAQ help, do you dare make a stand and gamble with you Net-utation? (That's Internet reputation)

Its easy for me because I believe popularity is a social disease.
How about you?

From square bases to round bases: Iron Wolves army build project

In the Company of Iron Wolves - Part 1

What army to play?

My first foray into the gaming world of round bases has been a long and time-consuming process.  First, I had to determine which force I wanted to model, paint and play.  For me this is a decision that has a lot of factors associated with it.

List of the week: Imperial Guard 2000 pts.

So by now, you know the rules behind "List of the week," so here we go.  This week we bring you a list I saw at Feast of Blades.  As with all lists of the week, provide some feedback about what you like and what you don't like, also what are bad match ups and who will they just roll over?

Interview: Kenny Boucher, daemons (second place 2011 Feast of Blades)

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Hey everyone, today we have a very cool interview with an outstanding player/painter and good buddy of mine: Kenny Boucher.  Kenny is a long standing member of the Wrecking Crew and has many laurels in his hat including: Second at the Feast of Blades Invitational 2011, 2 consecutive years of qualifying for the Invitational, 1st place at ATC team Championships, 1st place at the Adepticon Team Tournament.  Without further ado, here is the interview, I hope you enjoy it!

Tactica: How to play against Grey Knights: Sacrifice

Continuing my series of articles on how to play against Grey Knights we come to "Sacrifice."  This is a very important tool in your belt if you want to play against GK deathstars.  Put simply not much can go toe-toe with the 10 man Paladin Deathstar with 4 mc psycannons, so you will have to learn how to slow them and sacrifice.  Most of the examples are given from games I played where the opponent did well or messed up completely and I noted it.  Well, lets just jump right in.

GW Business discussion: Good Army Boxes, huh???

If you have read this blog for any amount of time then you know that I will often include GW business discussions in my article line up.  Usually I try to stay as neutral as possible and take of my gamer hat, sometimes I fail miserably.  

Well, today Im bringing to you a bit of (old) news about box sets that GW recently put together to sell.  You would think they just hired a genius for a day or two to work for them.

Necron "Quicksand",List of the week.

Hello all, Swags here with the next list of the week.


This time I'm dreaming of Necrons and how their little tricks might add to big tricks on the table. So lets get to it, I give you Necron list "Quicksand!".





First things first we need to know that the Necrons are not as "point and click" as other forces so I will explain how it comes together after the list. Also I want to point out this is a bit of a theme list as I picked units and wargear that push the idea of slowing down the enemy, hence the name.

Necron Quicksand 2000 Points.

HQ1 -Orikan the Diviner
HQ2-Overlord/Warscyth/Tachyon Arrow (joins HQ1)

Court

Cryptek/Eldritch Lance/Solar Pulse (joins HQ1)

Cryptek/Tremorstave/Seismic Crucible (joins HQ1)

Cryptek/Tremorstave (joins Troop1)

Cryptek/Tremorstave (joins Troop2)

Cryptek/Tremorstave (joins Troop3)

E1-C'Tan/Writhing Worldscape/Grand Illusion

E2-Triarch Stalker/T-link Gauss Cannon

E3-Triarch Stalker/T-link Gause Cannon

T1-Warriors x 10

T2-Warriors x 10

T3-Warriors x 10

F1-Heavy Destroyers x 3

F2-Heavy Destroyers x 3

F3-Heavy Destroyers x 3

And no heavy support so don't even bring up Scarabs and Spyders and farming.

How it works.
This list is meant to keep the enemy at bay using wargear to slow them and long range high power shooting to put the hurt on. Also using the grand illusion to increase distance from my opponent and line up early shooting.

HQ-This unit is the two HQs and two Crypteks in a 4 man unit that will move behind cover of other units and terrain to line up critical lance and tremor shooting as well as being able to split the HQs off to counter charge in a last ditch effort. I can also step away with the lord and bust a Tach Arrow to split fire if he has a chance of being save for the following round. Such as the night cover provided by the Pulse.

Troops- Each one gets a Cryptek, they form the body of the force with the stave's pushed forward to get maximum range if needed. On the move they can drop the Tremor blast with a 40" range while wrapping behind the walkers for cover.

Elites-The C'Tan and his ability are key to working this list. He will remain in the back acting as a counter unit and using his powers making it extremely hard for skimmers, jump infantry and bikes. In addition to the devastating Dawn of War problem vehicles have when he is on the table combined with the Temporal Snares.

Fast-Basic spam of T5 jump infantry carrying assault lascanons is all! (possibly twin-linked)

That's about it. I like the range in this list,36" or more in each unit, and the chance for twin-linking priority targets is a good boost to the limited number of shots. Manipulating things like movement, terrain checks, assaults(don't forget one of the Crypteks has Seismic Crucible) and night fighting can be overwhelming for some lists or even players not ready for such a game.