Well, the packing is almost done. Prezcon is finally here and I am looking forward to getting to the con. I think I have everything. Let me see....
Got my games. Check.
Got my clothes. Check.
Computer. Check.
Deodorant. Check. (It seems gamers have an aversion to deodorant.)
Kilt. Check. ;) Just in case I meet a sexy gamer!
Seriously, the games I will be bringing are:
Dust Tactics, Triumph of Chaos, Earth Reborn, Command and Colors Ancients, Asia Engulfed, Warhammer Invasion, Imperium (old version), Space Hulk, Twilight Struggle, Space Alert, Battles of Westeros, Manoeuvre, Fortress America, Incursion, Tanhauser, and The Republic of Rome. Whew, it is quite a list. Steve is bringing the other half of the games with just as many titles. We will have our work cut out for us. We won't get to play everything, but we will make a dent in what we bring. The goal is, as my buddy so eloquently put it, is "To play these babies!" So I will keep the blog updated as to our progress and the count. I've been told I will lose a lot of games. That is not how I see it! Here's to the week!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
New Title Chosen
The new title of my blog will be.... From the Front Line!
I was just sitting here and moping about everything and the blog name came to me in a half dream. I wasn't even thinking about it. It just popped in my head in a moment of perspiration, or inspiration, take your pick. I am pretty excited about this change because it is a title that can incorporate all my various musings on games I like to play. This week will kick off with my daily posting from Prezcon. I will endeavor to keep up to date with the different games I play and how things are going. I can upload pictures and stuff using my new ipad. We will see how it goes. So.... Here it is...
From The Front Line
I was just sitting here and moping about everything and the blog name came to me in a half dream. I wasn't even thinking about it. It just popped in my head in a moment of perspiration, or inspiration, take your pick. I am pretty excited about this change because it is a title that can incorporate all my various musings on games I like to play. This week will kick off with my daily posting from Prezcon. I will endeavor to keep up to date with the different games I play and how things are going. I can upload pictures and stuff using my new ipad. We will see how it goes. So.... Here it is...
From The Front Line
Friday, January 14, 2011
Renaming the Blog
Well, I have been giving some thought as to what name I should choose for the blog. I have a couple ideas that I will put below. Tell me what you think. Maybe some of you have some ideas, feel free to comment.
Thanks,
Rob
Wooden Steel
Pointless Subdivision
Discarded Dice
Cheerful Winter
Obscure Magiks
Metal Toys of Joy
I might try out some others later. I am interested in what you all think.
Rob
Thanks,
Rob
Wooden Steel
Pointless Subdivision
Discarded Dice
Cheerful Winter
Obscure Magiks
Metal Toys of Joy
I might try out some others later. I am interested in what you all think.
Rob
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Red Star
I am so stoked- even if just a little. For Christmas, I got an ipad from my folks. I love that thing. :) But I just discovered some apps that feature the first three episodes of one of my favorite comics ever. It was a little known series called The Red Star.
The series takes place in an alternate universe, very similar to ours. There were only 21 total issues set in this universe, I believe. The series is set in a post WW2 mythical Soviet Russia. The country is known as The United Republics of the Red Star. As the series opens, they are at war with the country of Al'lstaan - a country similar to Afghanistan. What makes the series unique and worth looking up is the incredible artwork and storytelling. This comic exudes atmosphere and mood. You don't so much read each issue as savor it for the experience.
The first story follows Maya, a warkaster, who is part of the red fleet. The fleet is made up of giant skyfurnaces which are huge skyships that unleash holy terror. Maya is an instrument of that terror. The first three issues are a remembrance of the the battle where her husband was lost. The subsequent issues and volumes follow other citizens of the URR and we see a glimpse into the revolution and the downfall of the URR's greatest hero.
In addition to the comics, there was an almost aborted PS2 game, finally released- to pretty good reviews- and a D20 role playing game based on the D20 Modern rules set. If you like Warmachine or Hordes- you might like this comic series. Check it out!
The Red Star Home Page
1st Graphic novel (issues 1 - 4) on Amazon
Some of the Great Artwork!!!!
The series takes place in an alternate universe, very similar to ours. There were only 21 total issues set in this universe, I believe. The series is set in a post WW2 mythical Soviet Russia. The country is known as The United Republics of the Red Star. As the series opens, they are at war with the country of Al'lstaan - a country similar to Afghanistan. What makes the series unique and worth looking up is the incredible artwork and storytelling. This comic exudes atmosphere and mood. You don't so much read each issue as savor it for the experience.
The first story follows Maya, a warkaster, who is part of the red fleet. The fleet is made up of giant skyfurnaces which are huge skyships that unleash holy terror. Maya is an instrument of that terror. The first three issues are a remembrance of the the battle where her husband was lost. The subsequent issues and volumes follow other citizens of the URR and we see a glimpse into the revolution and the downfall of the URR's greatest hero.
In addition to the comics, there was an almost aborted PS2 game, finally released- to pretty good reviews- and a D20 role playing game based on the D20 Modern rules set. If you like Warmachine or Hordes- you might like this comic series. Check it out!
The Red Star Home Page
1st Graphic novel (issues 1 - 4) on Amazon
Some of the Great Artwork!!!!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
A Quick New Year's Update
Hi All,
I am sitting here helping out a buddy, and I have decided, once again, to try to make something out of this blog. It's not like I don't have a lot to say, as my friends will all attest, it's just that I don't know that what I have to contribute is all that interesting or accurate. That being as it may, I will just press on and let my shit be my shit and not fret too much about what all 12 of you think about what I might have to say. (12 being the sum total of my readership as of January 8) As my friend Steve has told me over and over, if I want people to read this then I need to post more often.
The funny thing about this blog is that it started over a year ago as kind of a competition between Steve and I. We were working out at the gym and just joking around about it and then it just kind of happened. What I thought was just a gag kind of thing, really turned in to something I wanted to care about. I got real excited, but my limited knowledge of what I was playing and my total lack of experience with this medium made for a rocky start. I pride myself on trying to be youthful. That's why I teach. I love having a child's outlook on life. Miniature games and wargames bring me back to that time in my life when everything was possible and toys could bring such joy. It is my happy place, you could say. I guess what I am saying is that the joke of me always losing, while true, really constricted my ability to write and enjoy this blog. What I really want to do is convey the excitement and just plain old joy of playing with toys. To that end, I think I will be changing my blog title. I will think on it a bit, and post some ideas. If any of you have any ideas about the title, please let me know. I don't have any New Year's resolutions, but I do have a new resolve. I just want to get out there and play!!!
To the multitude of you out there reading this...., er to the hundreds of you tuning in...., er to handful of you who clicked on Steve's link to my page by mistake- I hope you will like what is coming. To my friends who read this blog and play games with me - You all are the best friends a guy could ask for! Here is to a great new year!
I am sitting here helping out a buddy, and I have decided, once again, to try to make something out of this blog. It's not like I don't have a lot to say, as my friends will all attest, it's just that I don't know that what I have to contribute is all that interesting or accurate. That being as it may, I will just press on and let my shit be my shit and not fret too much about what all 12 of you think about what I might have to say. (12 being the sum total of my readership as of January 8) As my friend Steve has told me over and over, if I want people to read this then I need to post more often.
The funny thing about this blog is that it started over a year ago as kind of a competition between Steve and I. We were working out at the gym and just joking around about it and then it just kind of happened. What I thought was just a gag kind of thing, really turned in to something I wanted to care about. I got real excited, but my limited knowledge of what I was playing and my total lack of experience with this medium made for a rocky start. I pride myself on trying to be youthful. That's why I teach. I love having a child's outlook on life. Miniature games and wargames bring me back to that time in my life when everything was possible and toys could bring such joy. It is my happy place, you could say. I guess what I am saying is that the joke of me always losing, while true, really constricted my ability to write and enjoy this blog. What I really want to do is convey the excitement and just plain old joy of playing with toys. To that end, I think I will be changing my blog title. I will think on it a bit, and post some ideas. If any of you have any ideas about the title, please let me know. I don't have any New Year's resolutions, but I do have a new resolve. I just want to get out there and play!!!
To the multitude of you out there reading this...., er to the hundreds of you tuning in...., er to handful of you who clicked on Steve's link to my page by mistake- I hope you will like what is coming. To my friends who read this blog and play games with me - You all are the best friends a guy could ask for! Here is to a great new year!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Karchev The Terrible
Hello all,
I am excited to begin a series of posts about the main casters that Khador has. I have used about half and I like them all for different reasons. I have to say, that Karchev is my current favorite because he is a balls to the wall type of caster. I used him in a recent 3-player battle and really liked his simplicity and depth. I am looking forward to using him again. Here is my current understanding of how Karchev works and what he offers the Khador player.
Gather around, children, and I will tell you the story of one of the Motherland's greatest defenders... Karchev The Terrible. Gaze at his visage. Burn his face into your memory. Keep this icon under your pillow. His image will protect you on those nights when fear grips at your hearts.
He began his service as a warcaster and revered military leader. He had an uncanny affinity with those great lumbering hulks called warjacks. It was during a brutal confrontation with the Cygnaran army that he lost all the forces under his command. Rather than surrender to sweet death, he pushed himself beyond all limits and slew the hated enemy. His anger and rage engulfed him and he refused to die. His body broken and destroyed beyond all repair, Karchev demanded that a warjack body be constructed to allow him to continue his service. That was well over 100 years ago, children, and still the terrible Karchev protects us. He is a treasure to our nation.
Feat, Spells, and Weapons
Karchev has a pretty standard Khador type feat which is Total War. All models in his control area get pathfinder and can charge or make power attacks without spending focus. Also, at the beginning of their activation, they can change facing which is great for setting up those charge lanes. This may not seem like much, but given the dearth of focus that he gets, it is crucial. Paired with his spells it can allow a jack to unleash a beating on an unsuspecting subject. His spells are geared to giving jacks mobility and firepower.
His own skills are Arcantrik Turbine and Man in the Machine. Arcantrik Turbine allows him to gain an extra focus or gain +2" movement. Man in the Machine is a lot of text that boils down to this: his body can be healed by focus, his machine only by models with the repair skill. He is a living model, but not a warrior nor a warjack. He is affected by deep water, just like a warjack.
Tow
The most useful spell is Tow. This spell allows Karchev to place jacks B2B within his back arc as long as he moved within 2" of the jacks during his movement. This can really help move those jacks forward quite quickly. The catch? Only 3 can be towed.
Unearthly Rage
Unearthly Rage is Karchev's main way of gaining focus efficiency. Rage allows all of his battlegroup warjacks, in his control area, to gain boosted melee attack and damage. In addition they gain the magical weapon trait. So, for a cost of three, you could boost 3-4-5-? jacks on all attack and damage rolls. That is incredible! What's more, you could give two focus to a jack and have them just demolish their opponent with multiple boosted attacks and damage.
Sidearms
This spell is a defensive spell. Basically it allows models in B2B contact in the control area to gain +1 to defense for each other model in the control group with which they are B2B. They also avoid knockdown. This is a great spell for making a brick move with some safety, but the lower defense of most Khador models hardly makes this worth it. The focus is better spent elsewhere.
Eruption and Ground Zero
These are two AOE spells. Eruption is a ranged spell that deals a POW14 damage with fire. In addition there is a cloud effect that damages models entering or ending their move in it. Ground Zero is a 5"AOE spell that deals a POW 13 damage and pushes the model away from the caster. Both of these spells are highly situational and cost a lot. I don't foresee using them too often.
Weapons
Karchev has an open fist and the sword Sunder. He also has the ranged weapon Fissure. Sunder is a basic melee weapon at p+s 19. This will deal a lot of hurt when it hits and coupled with his spells and feat, could well cry the death of anything in his way. Fissure, on the other hand, is a marvelous weapon. It has decent p+s (12) but if it hits it knocks down the model. It is a spray so we are usually talking multiple models. This could set up a painful series of events for your opponent.
Synergies
Karchev is first and foremost a warjack caster. No units have particular synergies with him. So any units taken will just be support for the situation. That being said, Mechaniks would be useful because they will keep his jacks up and running. What makes him shine are the jacks that will be unleashed in a hell of fury.
Beast-09
OMG! With Reach, Thresher, Imprint: Murderous, and Heavy Boiler this beast will roll! Give it a few focus and unleash your feat and spells and watch it demolish all in its path.
Berserker
This jack will be totally unencumbered with Karchev. No focus is needed to give it boosted attack and damage, and with Tow you can get them into battle quickly. Why settle for one B? Take two or three. Did I mention chain attack? Ouch!
Behemoth
OK. This is amazing. Two open fists, armor piercing, p+s 12 attacks. Boosted by Unearthly Rage and can be allocated extra focus for ranged attacks. Did I mention those same ranged attacks can be made in melee combat? Did I add that it can make ranged and melee attacks in the same activation. It may not be very accurate, but who cares. It is killer! Can you say, "Time to Die?"
These seem to me to be the big 3 jacks that gain the most from running with Karchev. I am looking forward to using him in a 1:1 battle. That way I can see what he can do when he is totally focused on one enemy. As always, comments or suggestions about my analysis are welcome!
I am excited to begin a series of posts about the main casters that Khador has. I have used about half and I like them all for different reasons. I have to say, that Karchev is my current favorite because he is a balls to the wall type of caster. I used him in a recent 3-player battle and really liked his simplicity and depth. I am looking forward to using him again. Here is my current understanding of how Karchev works and what he offers the Khador player.
Gather around, children, and I will tell you the story of one of the Motherland's greatest defenders... Karchev The Terrible. Gaze at his visage. Burn his face into your memory. Keep this icon under your pillow. His image will protect you on those nights when fear grips at your hearts.
Feat, Spells, and Weapons
Karchev has a pretty standard Khador type feat which is Total War. All models in his control area get pathfinder and can charge or make power attacks without spending focus. Also, at the beginning of their activation, they can change facing which is great for setting up those charge lanes. This may not seem like much, but given the dearth of focus that he gets, it is crucial. Paired with his spells it can allow a jack to unleash a beating on an unsuspecting subject. His spells are geared to giving jacks mobility and firepower.
His own skills are Arcantrik Turbine and Man in the Machine. Arcantrik Turbine allows him to gain an extra focus or gain +2" movement. Man in the Machine is a lot of text that boils down to this: his body can be healed by focus, his machine only by models with the repair skill. He is a living model, but not a warrior nor a warjack. He is affected by deep water, just like a warjack.
Tow
The most useful spell is Tow. This spell allows Karchev to place jacks B2B within his back arc as long as he moved within 2" of the jacks during his movement. This can really help move those jacks forward quite quickly. The catch? Only 3 can be towed.
Unearthly Rage
Unearthly Rage is Karchev's main way of gaining focus efficiency. Rage allows all of his battlegroup warjacks, in his control area, to gain boosted melee attack and damage. In addition they gain the magical weapon trait. So, for a cost of three, you could boost 3-4-5-? jacks on all attack and damage rolls. That is incredible! What's more, you could give two focus to a jack and have them just demolish their opponent with multiple boosted attacks and damage.
Sidearms
This spell is a defensive spell. Basically it allows models in B2B contact in the control area to gain +1 to defense for each other model in the control group with which they are B2B. They also avoid knockdown. This is a great spell for making a brick move with some safety, but the lower defense of most Khador models hardly makes this worth it. The focus is better spent elsewhere.
Eruption and Ground Zero
These are two AOE spells. Eruption is a ranged spell that deals a POW14 damage with fire. In addition there is a cloud effect that damages models entering or ending their move in it. Ground Zero is a 5"AOE spell that deals a POW 13 damage and pushes the model away from the caster. Both of these spells are highly situational and cost a lot. I don't foresee using them too often.
Weapons
Karchev has an open fist and the sword Sunder. He also has the ranged weapon Fissure. Sunder is a basic melee weapon at p+s 19. This will deal a lot of hurt when it hits and coupled with his spells and feat, could well cry the death of anything in his way. Fissure, on the other hand, is a marvelous weapon. It has decent p+s (12) but if it hits it knocks down the model. It is a spray so we are usually talking multiple models. This could set up a painful series of events for your opponent.
Synergies
Karchev is first and foremost a warjack caster. No units have particular synergies with him. So any units taken will just be support for the situation. That being said, Mechaniks would be useful because they will keep his jacks up and running. What makes him shine are the jacks that will be unleashed in a hell of fury.
Beast-09
OMG! With Reach, Thresher, Imprint: Murderous, and Heavy Boiler this beast will roll! Give it a few focus and unleash your feat and spells and watch it demolish all in its path.
Berserker
This jack will be totally unencumbered with Karchev. No focus is needed to give it boosted attack and damage, and with Tow you can get them into battle quickly. Why settle for one B? Take two or three. Did I mention chain attack? Ouch!
Behemoth
OK. This is amazing. Two open fists, armor piercing, p+s 12 attacks. Boosted by Unearthly Rage and can be allocated extra focus for ranged attacks. Did I mention those same ranged attacks can be made in melee combat? Did I add that it can make ranged and melee attacks in the same activation. It may not be very accurate, but who cares. It is killer! Can you say, "Time to Die?"
These seem to me to be the big 3 jacks that gain the most from running with Karchev. I am looking forward to using him in a 1:1 battle. That way I can see what he can do when he is totally focused on one enemy. As always, comments or suggestions about my analysis are welcome!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wow--- Long Hiatus
OK! So I have been way out of touch for far too long. It is not that there haven't been lots of things for me to blog about... I just had little time and I lost my drive to post. Too much losing made me not so restrained in my discouragement.. but that was then and this is now.
To kick off my first post in nearly three months, I wanted to talk about my closest game yet in Warmachine. Steve and I played a game a couple of weeks ago, and it was very close- the way he tells it. I wasn't so sure, but it did feel great to finally have some impact in the game. His list was led by the Witch Coven and my list was led by Irusk.
CRYX List
The Witch Coven of Garlghast
- Deathripper
- Deathripper
- Defiler
- Reaper
Bane Thralls (Leader and 5 Grunts)
Bile Thralls (Leader and 5 Grunts)
Bane Lord Tartarus
Pistol Wraith
Pistol Wraith
KHADOR List
Kommandant Irusk
- Devastator
- War dog
Doom Reavers (Leader and 5 Grunts)
- Greylord Escort
Doom Reavers (Leader and 5 Grunts)
Great Bears of Gallowswood
Man-o-war Shocktroopers (Leader and 4 Grunts)
Man-o-war Kovnik
It started off with me putting down lots of forest terrain. I don't know what I was even thinking because I had no way of gaining pathfinder through that mess. My brain was somewhere else. I definitely need to think about the setup better. That being said, I did like the fact that we had lots of terrain. It made for some great tactical decisions.
I really liked the way I chose my forces. I thought about what I needed, the leader that would help me the most, and what I wanted to accomplish. My main goal was to learn how to use my units effectively. I totally got that. I saw how to maximize them, keep them protected, and unleash them for some pain. I did need to have some more protection for them, and I needed to pop my feat earlier, but all in all I learned what I set out to learn.
It came down to the final few combatants. I didn't know how to seal the deal, but I did do more than I have ever done before in a game versus Steve, so that for me is saying a lot. Maybe next time, I will carve out a victory. Maybe next week there will be a new type of post. One where I have vanquished the evil!
Until then, I will remain restrained. :)
To kick off my first post in nearly three months, I wanted to talk about my closest game yet in Warmachine. Steve and I played a game a couple of weeks ago, and it was very close- the way he tells it. I wasn't so sure, but it did feel great to finally have some impact in the game. His list was led by the Witch Coven and my list was led by Irusk.
CRYX List
The Witch Coven of Garlghast
- Deathripper
- Deathripper
- Defiler
- Reaper
Bane Thralls (Leader and 5 Grunts)
Bile Thralls (Leader and 5 Grunts)
Bane Lord Tartarus
Pistol Wraith
Pistol Wraith
KHADOR List
Kommandant Irusk
- Devastator
- War dog
Doom Reavers (Leader and 5 Grunts)
- Greylord Escort
Doom Reavers (Leader and 5 Grunts)
Great Bears of Gallowswood
Man-o-war Shocktroopers (Leader and 4 Grunts)
Man-o-war Kovnik
It started off with me putting down lots of forest terrain. I don't know what I was even thinking because I had no way of gaining pathfinder through that mess. My brain was somewhere else. I definitely need to think about the setup better. That being said, I did like the fact that we had lots of terrain. It made for some great tactical decisions.
I really liked the way I chose my forces. I thought about what I needed, the leader that would help me the most, and what I wanted to accomplish. My main goal was to learn how to use my units effectively. I totally got that. I saw how to maximize them, keep them protected, and unleash them for some pain. I did need to have some more protection for them, and I needed to pop my feat earlier, but all in all I learned what I set out to learn.
It came down to the final few combatants. I didn't know how to seal the deal, but I did do more than I have ever done before in a game versus Steve, so that for me is saying a lot. Maybe next time, I will carve out a victory. Maybe next week there will be a new type of post. One where I have vanquished the evil!
Until then, I will remain restrained. :)
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