Tales of an Unlucky Wargamer

Back to the game!

2011-02-15T06:45:00.000-08:00

Wow! Life gets in the way. So, none of the aforementioned projects have seen much light in the last month or so. I am however excited to get back to playing...even if I do not have much time to build or paint new armies. Dusting of the Black Widows... possibly with the addition of Marneus Calgar and a speeder or so...

1500 point Black Widows

Bob (Marneus' cousin) Calgar

Tac Squad w/flamer, missile, PW (sgt)
Rhino

Tac Squad w/flamer, missile, PW (sgt)
Rhino

Tac Squad w/flamer, missile, PFist & MB (sgt)

Land Speeder w/multi-melta

Land Raider Redeemer w/multi-melta

Devastator Squad w/4 heavy bolters

Devastator Squad w/4 missile launchers

Simple, maybe mildly repetitive, but I like it. Tac squad 3 in the Land Raider Redeemer with Bob Calgar. Outflank with the speeder and use the rhinos for whatever seems most prudent.

Comments? Questions? Criticisms?

Delta (greek symbol delta intented) IG

2011-01-12T00:58:00.000-08:00

Big changes with my IG army. After putting together just a few of the Forge World renegade militia, I have no interest in building the large army of them that I hope to own where IG is concerned. My IG army will just be Cadians as they are 1/2 the work to assemble. In addition, I have decided to just put together a 1500 point force so that I can get a few games in before April.

Most of these changes come on the wings of GW's official announcement about the Grey Knight's release. I have dabbled in owning a Demonhunters force for 12 years or so, and I think the release of plastic troop models that is forthcoming is the perfect opportunity to go ahead and invest more heavily in them. In fact, I believe that if the models are half as excellent as the kits GW put out for Dark Eldar and Blood Angels, this will turn out to be the only project on my table for the rest of 2011.

All of that being said, I will continue to post progress on my IG here. The list I will be building initially will be:

Lord Commissar w/power sword

5 x Vet Squad w/demolitions, 3 meltagun

5 x Vendetta w/heavy bolter sponsons

Ratling Snipers (7)

It is a simple and repetitive list, but is the Air Cav army that I intended when I bought 9 Valkyrie models. Photos of progress to come

Chaos Renegades All Comers?

2010-12-31T07:29:00.001-08:00

Ok so as I discuss the Air Cav list with other players, the most common opinion is that it is lacking in the things that make IG a good army. I agree, in general, but still need to have something to work toward in order to sustain my motivation...so here is what I think makes for a good "all comers" IG list:

Company Command Squad w/4 meltas
Company Commander w/PW

Infantry Platoon
Platoon Command w/4 meltas
5 x Infantry Squad w/sniper rifle
3 x Heavy Weapons Squad w/3 autocannons
2 x Special Weapons Squad w/3 meltas

Veteran Squad w/demolitions, 3 meltas

Vendetta w/heavy bolters (vets)

Vendetta w/heavy bolters (special weapons)

Vendetta w/heavy bolters (special weapons)

Hydra

Hydra

Total: 1500 points

No vehicle squadrons, plenty of AT and plenty of anti-personnel. Most likely combine a couple of the infantry squads in objective based games and combine them all in kill point games.

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of a sniper rifle in standard infantry squads. The second greatest thing that could happen to 10 guardsmen would be to put a unit "to ground" during the shooting phase...first being to wipe that unit out with no need to put them to ground. I know...w/a single BS3 shot...the likelihood is not there...but within the Imperial Guard, one must rely on the will of the Emperor to guide when it is necessary...besides, if one reads the IG Uplifting Primer...even our most feared enemies are not that tough...and none are likely to present much opposition. :)

As always, input is requested, comment is welcome and criticism will be taken under advisement.

Renegades mod 2!!

2010-12-29T22:05:00.000-08:00

A second round of very minor tweaks. Thank you sonsoftaurus for your recommendations. I appreciate the help. I will have to pick up a few more models, but the list will look more like:

Company Command Squad w/meltagun
Company Commander w/power weapon, plasma pistol

Infantry platoon
Platoon Command w/meltagun
2 x Infantry Squad w/meltagun

Infantry platoon
Platoon Command w/meltagun
2 x Infantry Squad w/meltagun

Infantry platoon
Platoon Command
2 x Infantry Squad

Vendetta

3 x Vendetta w/heavy bolter door gunners

3 x Vendetta w/heavy bolter door gunners

Only need to close the doors on one Vendetta to fit a 3rd platoon of infantry in place of the conscripts. Should be a very positive change to the list. Agree or disagree...input is always welcome.

BTW, got a couple of squads built and the first Vendetta hull constructed. Pictures soon.

First modification of Chaos Renegades?!

2010-12-28T10:32:00.000-08:00

Ok. I am thinking that the all Vendetta list is very single minded. So I am going to work on getting to 1500 points first and go from there.

Company Command Squad w/meltagun
Company Commander w/power weapon, plasma pistol
Infantry platoon
Platoon Command w/meltagun

2 x Infantry Squad w/meltagun

30 Conscripts

Infantry platoon
Platoon Command w/meltagun

2 x Infantry Squad w/meltagun

Vendetta w/heavy bolter door gunners

3 x Vendetta w/heavy bolter door gunners

3 x Vendetta w/heavy bolter door gunners

From here, I would like to add a heavy choices..,perhaps a Hydra, a Manticore and some Russ variant?

Chaos Renegade Air Cav!!!

2010-12-27T19:24:00.000-08:00

This is my next project. I do not like my current Imperial Guard army. I have been sitting on these guys for a year or so. I think during my winter break from Kent State U. I will get to work on this army. I would like to get the troops built and perhaps get the hulls built for the Vendettas (I have conversion kits for all 9 Valkyries) so that I can get the interiors painted. If I build it just as is, it is definitely just a veteran air cav list. I would like to make it more rounded in the long run.

In any case, the current list is ~2500 pts

Company Command Squad w/plasmagun (chaos renegade militia command)

2 X 5 man Stormtrooper Squad w/2 meltaguns each (chaos militia enforcers)

6 X Veteran Squad w/demolitions and 3 meltaguns each (renegade militia)

9 Vendettas w/various upgrades

It can also be played with Valkyries (magnetized)

I am very aware that this is not the most varied or imaginative list...I plan to add a variety of options for regular play. I am torn on whether to give heavy bolter door gunners to all of them.

The baneblade kit on top is going to get painted to match this army and makes my 8th Baneblade/Shadowsword kit. I also own a vulcan megabolter Macharius (the Streetsweeper), which I like to pair with my Stormlord, and a Valdor (the Yamato).

Suggestions for additions to the army are more than welcome as well as commentary/criticism both of the list and the modeling/painting as I work on it.

Weapons of Ultramarines the Movie!

2010-12-16T02:04:00.000-08:00

In the Ultramarines movie, the squad, and even the captain, are equipped with basic and iconic weaponry from the space marine armory: bolters, a flamer, a heavy bolter...a bolter and chainsword even for the captain. I love these weapon choices for the Ultramarine movie for several reasons.

1. The bulk of the squad is recently promoted from scouts. Scouts are generally experienced with bolters and bolt pistols as well as either a missile launcher or heavy bolter. The heavy bolter is an obvious choice for this new squad.

2. The mission is to investigate an ancient and holy shrine. Expecting that something may be wrong within the shrine, there is no reason to take the biggest and most "explody" weapons in the arsenal. After all, the desired outcome of the mission at first glance would be to clear any problems and leave the shrine intact.

3. Fluff about the space marines is very clear about standard issue equipment. The flamer and the heavy bolter (or missile launcher) are the standards. Just because the game mechanics of the current edition cause players to spam rarer and more revered weapons in order to get an upper hand on the tabletop does not mean that these weapons (meltagun/plasmagun) are not the rare and holy relics that the fluff states them to be. The thunder hammer in the film is treated with the honor and respect I would hope that the rarer firearms might be.

I would love to see more films about the 40k universe by Relic. Their attention to the details and near flawless development of the background for this film make them the obvious choice for any future feature film endeavors. If you have not done so yet, go out and get yourself a copy of Ultramarines.

Ultramarines Movie review

2010-12-12T00:35:00.000-08:00

This will be a very short, spoiler free review.

What a fantastic film. Very high entertainment value, excellent graphics...are they perfect? No, but more than adequate to convey the intended message...as has been said elsewhere, the voice acting could not be better... intense and convincing... I think that the story was perfect, and the setting for the whole thing was great.

I personally hope that in the next film by Codex they include some Imperial Guard to contrast against the space marines in order to showcase the space marines' size, strength and overall battle prowess.

I would recommend this film to anyone who plays 40k and to anyone who is considering playing. I will watch the film over and over again. In fact, the only problem I have with this movie is that it has me again wanting to build an Ultramarines army rather than the previously mentioned Sons of Medusa. Have to consider it.

Space Marine Chapter chosen!

2010-12-03T09:18:00.000-08:00

So, I think I have centered in on a chapter to build/collect/paint. I am going to go with the Sons of Medusa. I have done a test mini for the Desert World Support Squad. I have broken out the Land Raider that I am going to start with. I have an unpainted devastator squad with 4 heavy bolters. I am considering modeling two devastators with sniper rifles to capture the spirit of the Desert World squad.

In any case, I have a couple of 1500 pt. builds that I am considering. Kind of "all comers" lists. Critiques are welcome.

List 1:

Captain w/bolter, power sword, melta bombs, artificer armor, hellfire rounds

Assault Terminators (x5) w/ THSS, Landraider w/extra armor, mulitmelta

Tactical Squad (x10) w/flamer, missile launcher, Sgt w/power weapon, meltabomb, Rhino w/extra armor

Tactical Squad (x10) w/flamer, missile launcher, Sgt w/power weapon, meltabomb, Rhino w/extra armor

Thunderfire Cannon

Devastator Squad w/4 missile launchers

Devastator Squad (Desert World Support Squad) w/4 heavy bolters

List 2

Captain w/bolter, power weapon

Dreadnought

Terminator Assault Squad w/THSS, Land raider w/multimelta

Tactical Squad (10) w/flamer, missile launcher, rhino

Tactical Squad (10) w/flamer, missile launcher, rhino

Thunderfire Cannon

Devastator Squad w/4 missile launchers

Devastator Squad (Desert World Support Squad) w/4 heavy bolters

Comments, criticism and any other input welcome. Also, does anyone have extra information about the Sons of Medusa? I have bounced around on the web a good bit and found about 4 paragraphs.

Which Space Marines?

2010-11-27T07:50:00.001-08:00

I have a dilemma. I own nearly 6000 points worth of space marines. 2k (plus a Fellblade) painted in Legion of the Damned colors, 2k+ painted in Black Widows colors (not so happy with them any more) and 2k painted in random colors and/or unpainted. I would like to pick out a SM chapter to paint and stick with. I just cannot make up my mind!

For a long time (since 1995 or so) I have considered doing an Ultramarines army. I love the fluff. I like the colors. I just cannot get past the fact that there are so very many Ultramarine armies out there.

I love the Salamanders. Again, I really like the fluff. The colors are perfect. Unfortunately, with the new codex, there are an awful lot of Vulcan TH/flamer armies around now. Not sure if how "common" an army is should be a deterrent to me or not.

I have taken several shots over the years at designing my own chapter...Moondrakes (bone w/Dark Angel green shoulders), Black Widows (black w/red trim) and "unnamed chapter" (bright orange w/electric blue trim). In the end, I was not happy with any of these. I had 3 full companies in black widows colors at one point.

I am beginning to think that it is not the colors that marines are painted that is bothering me. Perhaps I just don't like the models? Nah, I love the models...just need help deciding what chapter to paint.

Thank you for your input.

The Widow's Kiss

2010-11-27T05:10:00.000-08:00

I built this after a long conversation about the lack of a space marine superheavy transport. It started its life as 2 Vindicator kits and 2 Razorback kits. I will publish a project article as soon as I track down the WIP pics. I still have not come up with a suitable name for the design but have decided to nickname this particular one "Widow's Kiss" as a pair of demolisher cannons is quite a powerful kiss to be blown at one's opponent and my "home-brewed" chapter of space marines is the Black Widows.

The Widow's Kiss has a troop capacity of 13, carries 2 demolisher cannons, 2 twin-linked lascannons, and 2 sponson mounted heavy bolters. It also mounts a pintle mounted stormbolter for good measure. I have been playing it as armor 13 13 10 and with standard BS of 4. As for point cost, I have been pricing it equal to a standard Baneblade to minimize argument (500 pts.) It is not worth that many points, but I have yet to have an opponent say that it is under-priced.

When I publish the WIP article, I will include a proposed datafax for it for review by visitors as well.

2010-11-26T21:25:00.000-08:00

Been a very long while. Went through a painful divorce and relocation to Ohio since the previous post. Just about finished with my degree at Kent State University. Planning to begin blogging regularly now. Will be doing a lot of painting. Some contract and some for myself. I am hoping to begin a Heresy era Ultramarines army shortly. Have one test figure painted so far. I like it and will get some pics of it up this week.

I am also teaching my new lady to paint (and her son) so I will be throwing up some pics of their stuff along the way.

I appreciate comments and expect criticism, so as we move forward, please let me hear it.

Many thanks for reading my blog.

Ivarr/RedWidow

Here we go!

2009-04-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

Hi all. I am new to this blogging thing, but have plenty to say. Most of what I post will be Games Workshop related as I currently play 40k, Warhammer Fantasy Battles, and War of the Ring. (I also play Blood Bowl, Battlefleet Gothic, Mordheim, Necromunda, Space Hulk and Epic...though all on occasion.)

The title of my blog is likely to be the most discussed topic as for whatever reason I am "an unlucky wargamer." It is very common for people to say that "one makes his own luck" or "there is no such thing as unlucky players." I disagree whole-heartedly. Over time I will discuss why.

Luck or no luck, I love the games I play. I have played 40k since 1995 and Fantasy since about '99. I own or have owned every army for 40k and for Fantasy I have owned Lizardmen, Empire, Brettonians, Ogres and now own Dwarves. I started playing the Lord of the Rings game the day it was released, and am loving War of the Ring even more.

My biggest GW hope is that rumors of the return of Space Hulk are truth. Space Hulk is by far my favorite Games Workshop game.