Well its 2023........

Well yeah 2023 is here.....by 10 days ago...Travelling through the Warp is hard as it is.

So long time no update. House has been a construction zone since September due to another water leak from Refrigerator line (again) no time line on completion due to lack of materials, work backed up etc. While working on the 5 Paladins I had an incident that pretty much ended me working on them.  I was painting in master bedroom with poor lighting, because my hobby area is a storage area for all the furniture in my house and one day during house keeping I was not paying attention and pushed the paint pots into the 5 paladins and even though they were magnetized, 3 of them popped of the metal tray and fell off the shelf and tray. Fortunately I was able to recover all the pieces and put them on the tray. Needless to say I was  mad at myself and shelved the project.

So I dropped off posting on Blog, on B&C, Work took over life and by Thanksgiving week I had to take a break from it all before I lost it.

I did accomplish a few things during break. I was able to finally get most of my old room at Parents cleaned up. Also found lots of EC, IF, and MK IV marines for HH. Which I promptly sold or traded to the guys in Metal Head Armory. 

I was able to play my First game of HH Age of Darkness Raven Guard vs Entropomancer's Iron Warriors. Love my Seekers......but overall lost game to bad leadership rolls....and I do mean bad. While on that topic my Raven Guard are at the I need to clear coat stage of paint so hopefully I'll get some pics.

Well the next "Season" for Warhammer was announced "Arks of Omen" and Chapter Approved with massive points changes, rule changes, and new force org charts.

Book 1 of 4 is in store Saturday 

The most important thing that is coming out of this to me is this

Freaking Boarding actions!

I was cleaning and looked at the Paladins and finally decided to fix them.....Boarding actions and Arks of Omen may have have something to do with this.  I then ordered 2 more boxes of GK Terminators with a 3rd being picked up as part of the trade for MK4 marines plus other stuff I received.  The plan is to build the 2 boxes as Squad 5 and Squad 6 of terminators (halberds and Incinerator, Swords and Incinerator).  3rd box is to build the non special Weapon model for Squad Armand De Pergord, Squad 5, and Squad 6.

So with Arks of Omen and Boarding actions coming out this weekend Ill be trying to get those models ready for so Space hulk style shenanigans against my friends.  
 
As a side note I finished painting 69 models in 2022, 31 of those were Grey Knight Terminator armor (out of the 52 I needed to paint- 59% completion). Not bad for me. 

Post Game day hangover

 

So yesterday was game day for the Metal Head Armory Group at Gamers Guild AZ.....I was able to get 2 1000 pt games in and went 1-1-0. 

First game as against GrimWeiss and his Army of the Reknown Vangaurd list vs my Raptors.....and well after losing my Captain in the First turn to mass amount of mortal wounds...the only model on both sides with an invulnerable save too and Invictor getting blasted the game went sideways quickly for me. My Phobos Librarian was the star of my army mainly cause he was able to gack so many models with smite then charge up his Spectral Blade. Reivers are no joke in the Vanguard list. I lost this game at the end, I had my Librarian with 2 wds remaining.....He hurt himself with a smite. I see the major problem of the Vanguard List is when we bump points up how will it deal with the Gladiator Lancer and everything else  others will add for the next 500 pts.

Second Game was against Unkle Sterben and his Bad Moon Orks.....toughness 5 ugh. I barely squeaked out a victory agaisnt him. Brotherhood Librarian Warlord deepstrikes in cast Vortex of Doom, on squad removing 4 models, wound warboss, and flyer. Next turn he is a puddle of goo from max damage Custom Mega blasters....12 freaking wounds off of 2 hits. I was able to Smite the Flyer off the Table from the terminators eventually. The Work Horse of the Game was Purgation Squad with 4 Psilencers 24 shots at 30" (Tide of Convergence) nasty really nasty if the unit does not move and gets astral aim off, which in 5 turns they moved twice and get the power off twice...

So 2 games in the book and well I had a lot of fun Playing my Grey Knights. More than I have had play Raptors or Adepta Sororitas. It maybe because it was a fully painted army.  But a tweak or 2 and I have my Crusade list. 

I need to get me some more of those......LIKE NOW

 So Khymara round one Tourney is almost done....we need a playoff between the Nids and the Guard players to see who swings the momentum in which sides favor.  Both Players went 3-0. 3rd went to our Death Guard player only loss was against the Nid player in a close game. 2 players (Thousand Sons and Tau) went 1-1-1 due to school, I went 1-2, and 2 players went 0-3 (Ravenguard and Genestealer Cult). All in all fun times. Beast of the Games was Vulture III my Predator Destructor. 8 wounds on the Thousand Sons Heldrake first turn and only turn of that game. It put the fear in the Deathguard Player in another close fought game for him.  Pounded the Guard for 5 straight turns while shrugging off hits. Owl I (Rifleman Pattern Dreadnought) was a close second. I am adding Owl II (same load out as Owl I) and Vulture II to the next list.....after I build them and some new toys to go with them the rest of the army.


I think I'll drop the Chaplain (he did ok, just not great), Melee Scouts, and Shotgun Scouts for a LT, more bolter scouts, and more sniper scouts. With the extra points (After Vulture II and OWL II), Ill add a Sternguard squad for more shooty death.

So the list would look like this:

Captain- Primarch's Wraith, Power Sword
LT- Master Crafted Bolter, Power Axe

Sternguard Squad- Vet Sgt Power Sword.
Rifleman Dread
Rifleman Dread

Scout Squad I- Bolters, Heavy Bolter Camo Cloaks
Scout Squad IV- Bolters Missile Launcher Camo Cloaks
Scout Squad V- Bolters Missile Launcher Camo Cloaks
Scout Squad VII- Sniper Rifles Heavy Bolter Camo Cloaks
Scout Squad IX- Sniper Rifles Heavy Bolter Camo Cloaks
Scout Squad X- Bolters Missile Launcher Camo cloaks

Scout bike Squad- 2 Grenade launchers and Veteran Sgt with Power maul

Predator Destructor- Heavy Bolters and stormbolter
Predator Destructor- Heavy Bolters and stormbolter.

First game of 8th edition in the books

So I am running an Escalation Campaign in my gaming group. The Planet was decided pre 8th ed to be named Khymara near the Maelstrom. Now with the Warp Rift reach across the Galaxy, I decided to leave the name and continue on with the campaign with the missions being selected through the Open War deck for deployment and objective. Twist and Ruse are pulled before each game to add unique flair to each game. The card we currently are not using is the Sudden Death cards.  Each of the 12 players in the group is building an army of their choice starting at 500 pts for the first few missions then will bump up to the next increase. The players each were allowed to choose a faction (Imperium, Xenos or Chaos) and can jump between the different armies in their Faction. Here are a list of the armies the Players are fielding so far

Imperium:

Iron Hands/ Astra Militarum
Dark Angels/ Astra Militarium
Dark Angels/ Raven Wing
Crimson Fists/ Imperial Fists
Raven Wing

Chaos:

Deathguard
Traitor Dark Angels (using Dark Angel list but against the Imperium)
Khorne Daemons

Xenos:

Eldar (All types)
Necrons
Tyranids

I finally was able to play the first mission and played against the Traitor Dark Angel player.

Lt. Huron Grimm of the Crimson Fists 2nd Company looked at his small task force assembled before him. Each squad was picked by him to perform a routine patrol of the area while the rest of the Imperium Forces set up a base of operations. 

Lt. Grimm served with each of these squad leaders when he was a Veteran Sgt of  the 2nd Company defending New Rynn City during the Ork invasion of Rynn's World. Shortly after the cleansing of the Orks was done, Chapter Master Pedro Kantor would promote Veteran Sgt Grimm to Lt of the 2nd Company to lead the remaining members of the company while the Chapter was being was rebuilt. The 2nd Company would be replenished eventually but then the Tear of the Warp occurred and  The Crimson Fists would be once again decimated. The arrival of the Indomintus Crusade replenished the Chapter with the new Primaris Class of Adeptus Astartes. Former 5th Company Captain Rork was the most Senior Captain at the time was moved to take charge of the 2nd. Lt Grimm was glad to have another Captain that reminded him of Captain Drigo Alvez. 

Lt. Grimm walked over Sgt Mendes' Tactical squad and asked 'Dez, referring to the Sgt by his nickname, Your squad ready?"

"Yes Lt." Responded Dez. Dez had taken over as squad leader during the battle of New Rynn City when the previous squad leader was killed and was the most obvious pick as Grimm's replacement of 1st Squad.

"Good," Replied Grimm as he walked toward Veteran Sgt Torga and his Assault squad. "Tor, you and your men ready to be our eyes in the sky?"

"Yes Sir" responded Tor. Veteran Sgt Torga, was not a member of the 2nd Company during the Ork invasion of Rynn's World, but instead was a Vanguard Veteran Sgt serving at the Silver Citadel before the attack came. Tor and Grim created a bond in the battle s they fought during the siege. When asked if he wanted to join the 2nd Company he agreed. 

"Good" replied Grimm once again, and continued walk towards Veteran Sgt Macnamra and his devastator squad. "and your men, Mac?"

"I wouldn't be here if they weren't ready, Huron" Mac said with a crooked smile. Mac was one of the few that would and could break formalities with Lt. Grimm. They have served together since they were recruits, have saved each others lives more then they could count or felt they need the other to rescue them. Grimm requested Mac to be promoted to Lt. and Mac declined the promotion stating 'my job is to make sure my men are ready, I would not be here if they weren't ready. Plus I like shooting big guns and yelling at the new squad members'. Grimm knew it was because during the Battle of New Rynn's City Grimm saved Mac from dying after an Ork Warboss had burned some of his face and removed his left arm at the bicep and was beating him with his own arm. Grimm went to see his friend in the apothecarion while he recovered and Mac told told him, "that was the first time I felt helpless and thought I was dead. I owe you and will not left you forget it." the Promotion would not allow him to fulfill his promise. 

"Excellent, Men, We will be cond....." Grimm was saying when he was interrupted.

"Lt. Huron Grimm, we have a change of orders from Chapter Master Kantor and the Imperial High Command in charge of this operation," said Sternguard Veteran Sgt Leotim. Sternguard Veteran Sgt Leotim was considered the right hand of Kantor. Leotim's Squad often accompanied Kantor in the field and formed his bodyguard.

"Your mission is to recon the area, established contact with Astra Militarium unit in Zone 6.32.9 and give them this," continued Leotim.

"Dez, have one of your men carry this. Anything else, Veteran Sgt Leotime?" responded Grimm.

"Yes one more thing Lt., Kantor want us to assist you on this mission," replied Leotim

"We leave in 5 minutes, join me in Storm Raven 6" 

His List 

Librarian with a Force Axe
Company Champion
5 man Tactical Squad with Plasma gun
5 man Tactical Squad with Heavy bolter
3 Raven Wing Knights
* I can't remember what other wargear he took

My Crimson Fist List

Lt Master Crafted bolter, bolt pistol and Fist of Vengeance
5 Man Sternguard Sgt had Power Axe
10 man tactical squad Meltagun, Heavy bolter, Sgt had a power sword
5 man Assault Squad Sgt had a power sword
5 man Devastator squad with 2 heavy bolters

Deployment

Objective 

Both armies choose Tactical marines with bolters.

Twist

I pulled the Twist card as he had less Power Points than me and was getting a Ruse Card. 

Twist was Everyone gained +1 attack. 

Ruse

Originally he pulled Dug in where he could benefit from cover in the open if he did not move. I suggested he re pull as I would negate it with My Chapter Tactics and he even stated he would be moving so he re drew. 

Warlord traits 

I took the +1 attack on my Lt. and he took the +1 Leadership on his Librarian

Storm Ravens 6 and 7 descended, quickly touched down, dropped their passengers off and took off all in a matter seconds.

"Mac your squad cover our right flank, Dez, your team rear, Squad leader Mora Your team on the the left flank. Leotim's squad and me are taking point. Tor keep an eye on us from Raven 9." Grimm issued to his teams. and they began moving to meet the Astra Militarium team. 

Grimm and the squads approached a rocky out crop and some ruins. Mac and his squad  climbed into a rocky hill to scan the area. Grimm and Leotim's squad approached the base of a large hill. Squad leader Mora took cover in ruins to the left of the large hill. Dez and his demi squad took cover in the ruins covering the rear. Brother Sandigo checked to make sure the package for the Astra Militarium was still on his belt and gave a quick thumbs up to Dez. 

"Movement north of your position, Lt.," announced Tor over the comms from Storm Raven 9. 

"Astates pattern armored Infantry and bikes, no heavy armor, IFF is not picking them up as friendlies of foes. Imperial Command is reporting no other troops in the vicinity, Storm Raven 6 has visual confirmation on Astra Militarum troops 2 klicks west of your current position," continued Tor.

"Prepare for combat, Crimson Fists'" replied Grimm.

Deployement

He won the dice roll and decide to deploy first. He deployed his courier and his unit to to my right near the table age in a rocky out crop. I countered by deploying Sgt Dez and his demi squad in the rear in ruins. he then deployed his next troop squad on his side of the large hill in the center of the table. This was countered by deploying Veteran Sgt Leotim and his squad in a position to wrap around to gun them down. He then deployed his Company Champion with the same squad. I deployed Sgt Mac and the devastators in a small rocky hill to engage both of his tactical squads. He deployed his librarian near the courier squad. I deployed Sqaud leader Mora with his demi squad on the left to cover the Leotim's advance. He then deployed his Ravenwing knights as his last option in a position to engage me in a fire fight turn 1. I them deployed Grimm near Leotim's squad and placed tor's squad in reserve. 

Game

Turn 1

I failed stealing the initiative and the game was on. He moved his troops 6 inches forward and moved his bikes 12 inches curving around the center hill. He opened fire on Leotim's squad killing 2 guys. Rest of his fire was ineffective and the Sternguard held strong. 

My turn saw some effective and ineffective fire. I was able to remove 3 wounds off the bikes killing only 1 and killing some marines in the squad with the champion. Tor and his assault squad landed 9 inches away from the tactical squad containing the Librarian. After a failed charge from Tor's assault marines and losing one to overwatch, Leotim's squad followed suite and failed their charge against the knights and suffered no overwatch wounds. Grimm attempted to charge took 2 wounds and and made it into contact with the knights. The knights died from Grimm's Fist of Vengeance before they got to swing. 

As the Crimson Fists moved into postions bolter rounds bounced off their armor or flew wide of the mark. the Leotims squad turned the corner to only to have two of their number taken out of the fight. "Well this is great...."stated Grimm. Leotim looked over at Grimm. "Tor drop on the right flank and engage that unit over there, Mac cover them. Dez protect Sandigo, Mora cover us we are going in."

Turn 2

His squad with the courier fell back to increase the distance between them and Tor's assault squad. His other squad advanced closer to the large hill in the center of the table. He then played his ruse card for tactical  reserves and the knights returned. His shooting was had a little effect and his Librarian successfully cast Aversion on Mac and his squad. 

My turn saw Grimm run around the rocks to engage the squad with the champion while Leotim and his squad cut through the center hill to assist him. Tor and his assault squad moved forward to engage the librarian and his tactical squad. Squad Leader Mora and Sgt Dez's squad both moved forward. I inflicted wounds on the knights, and killing models from the both tactical squads. Most damage inflicted by the heavy bolters fom Mac's team. During the assault phase, Grimm took his 3rd wound from overwatch, but make contact with tactical squad to be counter charged by the Champion. Tor and his squad took no casualties from overwatch and made their charge to only be counter charged by the librarian. Grimm inflicted 1 wound on the champion before being taken out of the fight. Tor and his squad fell to damage the tactical squad and lost 2 more marines. 

The fighting was thick and intense as bolter rounds flew through the air. Tor and his squad chased down and engaged the squad on the right flank. Leotim and his squad were fighting in the center of the table.  "Grimm's down," yelled Leotim as the Champion bested him in combat. 

Turn 3

His knights decided to go around the mountain like the previous ones did in turn one. His Tactical squad with the Champion advanced towards the Leotim's squad. The knights open fired killing 3 members of Mora's demi squad and his librarian failed to cast his psychic power. The Leotim were charged by the Champion as the overwatch killed the tactical squad. The champion killed 2 of 3 members of the squad. In the other melee the librarian killed the last marine only leaving Tor alive. 

My turn saw forces depleting quickly. Sgt Tor jumped away from melee and Dez and his squad moved up to brace for storm coming. Mora's demi squad heavy bolter wounded Raven Wing  knight. Mac's squad opened up on the 2 remaining tactical marines near the librarian, inflicting 2 wounds, dice roll for saves, 1 & 3. both marines dead. Victory Crimson Fists. 

The forces of the Crimson Fist were being taken out of combat faster then they were taking out the enemy. Mora and Tino were the only members left of Mora's demi squad, Stern guard Jonez was fighting a losing battle against the Champion, Tor was the last man in his squad. 

"Tor clear melee, everyone else engage, Ravens request pick up on my frequency," called out Mac. 

Mac's squad heavy bolter engaged the tactical squad Tor had just left dropping the 2 marines. The enemy Librarian sensing all was lost issued a retreat. 

Storm Ravens 6, 7, and 9 touched down and the wounded were loaded up first. No serious casualties inflected thought Mac. 

"Mac, the mission'' asked Dez pointing at the package Sandigo was holding. 

"Tor, Mora, Tino, finish up here and get them back to base. Raven 7 make contact with Astra Militarium forces and plot a course. Squad Dez and Mac, once Raven 9 and 6 depart we complete the mission."