Hobby Updates

Well I meant to type a bit more about Crucible but found myself busy with work and getting to get some actual games in.  So all in all, I can't say I am sorry I didn't get to post as it meant I got games in...but I guess I do want to write about some of what happened.

Crucible 6.5 - Warhammer 40K Narrative

So though I was unable to provide an update about the 40K Narrative event at Crucible 6.5, I guess I can quickly do so now.  In general, I found myself matched up against some of the tougher opponents or matched up with a less tactical team mate (which itself was cool given it was a narrative event and the purpose was to have fun).  I was a member of team chaos as I alluded to in the fluff for my army in previous posts.  Unlike the last Crucible event, I had the ability to play all 5 of my games and the teams stayed pretty evenly distributed throughout the weekend.

By the end of the two day event, I found I had gone undefeated.  lol, while not 5-0, I had gone 2-0-3 which was not bad at all.  Two of those ties were losses where I pulled out a tie in the last turn.  One of those ties was a guaranteed victory where I let the game slip away in the last turn.  Our team managed to capture the overall victory for the event for the Chaos gods.  I myself managed to get an award for the best fluff for the weekend too!  I was stoked that Tim, the event organizer, had chosen my story for the award.  Though it seemed that nobody cared (not sure if it was that I was a stranger to most of them or if they simply cared not wanting to hear the results for the 40K Grand Tournament)...I still was very pleased to win!

Kings of War

Since Crucible, I have really focused heavily on Kings of War.  On improving my movement and just getting games in.  I went to Armada Games over in Tampa with some of the friends I met during the Crucible team event.  In both tournaments I opted to field my Herd as they were the army I knew best (and had mostly painted).

The first tournament was simply a 1000 point tournament where I went 1-2-1.  In each game I learned a little bit more about my army and different movement tactics for armies ranging from Forces of Nature to Goblins.

The second tournament was an escalation tournament where we started at 1000 points and went up to 1500 and finally 2000 points in the end.  This time I managed to go 0-2-1.

I was definitely touched that in both tournaments I received the sportsmanship award for the day.  Both times I picked up more of the MDF bases Armada makes as well as some Dwarfs for my potentially next KoW army.

General Hobby

Since then, I have managed to paint up the entire force I seek to take to Jekyll Con up in Jekyll Island.  I've also managed to paint up quite a few other units that will help me field more versatile forces for some of my more friendly games and matchups.

There will be 4 games on Saturday and a single game on Sunday.  At the moment we have 16 participants, easily the largest KoW tournament I've ever attended.  I fully expect to go something like 1-3-1 or 0-4-1...but who knows, maybe I will manage to finally pull out some victories!

At the moment I have put my 40K participation on hold.  In part because I have been focusing on Kings of War.  In part because between the holidays and work (over time) limits what I can actually play.  But more than anything because I'm waiting for Chapter Approved to hit and for me to finalize what army I will play competitively moving forward.  I'm 90% sure I will opt to field Tyranids, but Deathguard and Eldar are still a possibility.  Kinda funny given that I was hell bent on playing an Imperial army for the longest time for 8th edition.

Endless Fantasy Tactics

When I was at Strangeway Games this past weekend, I did notice this game advertised while I was there.  It evidently had a successful Kickstarter back in 2012 with a follow up in 2014 (2015?) for an expansion.

The game seems to have a JRPG/Final Fantasy Tactics feel to it.  I liked how simple things looked.  The game takes place on 1" grids so you have the option to build using their laser cut MDF products or just use a dry erase map like those used in D&D.

I admit that everything about this game intrigues me...however I know I'm already balls deep into quite a few other games/gaming systems.  But the models seem like they'd be relatively easy to paint.  From what little I've seen on YouTube the game also plays well.

At the moment the only thing holding me back is that I'd want to buy a starter set (currently $54.95) and a Rulebook (pictured above, $49.99 MSRP).  Evidently the starter set does come with a "reader's digest" version of the rules but doesn't come with stats for other creatures/soldiers.  You need the main rulebook for that.  The starter set also comes with 4 figurines (only 2 of which kinda interest me, the knight and the dark adept).  The main thing that attracts me about the starter set though is that it also comes with some of the laser cut MDF that you use for building up the "board" (a $29.95 value).

So considering that most of the miniatures cost $9.95, that means I'm getting 1.5 "free" miniatures and the rules when I buy the starter set.  Hrmmm, I guess it also seems like I get an item deck set.

For now, I will attempt to resist temptation.  This gives me a good reason to go into Strangeway Games and try it out myself!

Anybody have any experience with the game?

Evolving the List

Hey everybody!  So as I alluded to in my other posts, my mind is always churning with potential tweaks and changes to my list.  I still think Iron Hands are the way to go.  For reference, here is my current list:

Fist of Medusa Strike Force
Core - Battle Demi-Company
HQ - Captain (Lightning Claw, Power Fist, Artificer Armor, Bike, The Gorgon's Chain) - 215 points
Elite - Command Squad (Bikes, Apothecary w/ SS, 2x SS, 2x Power Fists, Meltabomb) - 225 points
Troop - Tactical Squad x5 (Lascannon) - 90 points
Troop - Tactical Squad x5 (Lascannon) - 90 points
Troop - Tactical Squad x5 (Flamer) - 75 points
Fast Attack - Bike Squad x3 (Grav Gun, Combi-Grav Gun) - 103 points
Heavy Support - Devastator Squad x5 (3x Missile Launchers) - 115 points

Command - Librarius Conclave
HQ - Librarian (ML2, Bike, Force Axe) - 110 points
HQ - Librarian (ML2, Bike, Force Sword) - 110 points
HQ - Librarian (ML2, Bike, Force Sword) - 110 points

Auxiliary - 10th Company Task Force
Troop - Scout Squad x5 (5x Sniper, Camo Cloaks) - 70 points
Troop - Scout Squad x5 (5x Sniper, Camo Cloaks) - 70 points
Troop - Scout Squad x5 (4x Bolters, Heavy Bolter) - 63 points

Allies - Assassinorum
Elite - Culexus Assassin - 140 points

Allies - Inquisition
HQ -Inquisitor (ML1 Psyker, Force Sword, 3x Servo Skulls) - 64 points

The main tweak I've begun to consider after playing my games is perhaps removing the Inquisitor and the 10th Company Task Force in favor of the Anti-Air Defence Force (1x Hunter Tank and 2x Stalker Tanks).  It would give me a much needed AA-infusion and would also let me potentially free up points so that I take a Tech Marine that I can place in my backfield.  He would be able to make repair rolls semi-readily on my tanks and would still provide my Devastator Squad with some defensive help (+1 FNP).

However more than that, I've noticed that the list in general suffers from other weaknesses.  My Command Squad does well in CC but I almost feel it needs another threat to be truly powerful.  LaMonte (one of my buddies) very astutely pointed out that the three bikes are relatively easy to neutralize once my opponent realizes it is my only other effective method of consistent damage.  I also feel I'm dumping too many points on contingencies rather than trying to create a truly offensive plan.  The Lascannons and Missile Launchers are great...but normally take pot shots in most situations.  I can see the benefit to perhaps using them against Battle Company lists...but the success there is far from assured.  So I took a step back and re-evaluated the list.  I've changed it up (yet again).  This is the direction I'm thinking of taking it:

Fist of Medusa Strike Force
Core - Battle Demi-Company
HQ - Captain (Lightning Claw, Power Fist, Artificer Armor, Bike, The Gorgon's Chain) - 215 points
Elite - Command Squad (Bikes, Apothecary w/ SS, 2x SS, 2x Power Fists) - 220 points
Troop - Tactical Squad x5 (Chainsword/Pistol on Sergeant) - 70 points
Troop - Tactical Squad x5 (Chainsword/Pistol on Sergeant) - 70 points
Troop - Tactical Squad x5 (Chainsword/Pistol on Sergeant) - 70 points
Fast Attack - Attack Bike (Heavy Bolter) - 40 points
Heavy Support - Centurion Devastator Squad x3 (3x Grav Cannons w/ Amps) - 240 points

Command - Librarius Conclave
HQ - Librarian (ML2, Bike, Force Axe) - 110 points
HQ - Librarian (ML2, Force Axe) - 90 points
HQ - Librarian (ML2, Terminator Armor, Force Axe, Storm Shield) - 125 points

Auxiliary - Honored Ancients
Elite - Dreadnought (Dreadnought Powerfist, Storm Bolter, Multi-Melta) - 100 points

Allies - Blood Angels
HQ - Sanguinary Priest (Bolt Pistol, Chainsword, Auspex) - 66 points
Troop - Scout Squad x5 (CCW/Bolt Pistol) - 55 points

Allies - Inquisition
HQ - Inquisitor Coteaz (ML2, Daemon Hammer, Psyber-Eagle, Artificer Armor) - 100 points
HQ - Inquisitor (ML1 Psyker, Force Sword, 3x Servo Skulls, Psychotroke Grenades) - 79 points

Overall I go to 9 Warp Charges.  So the general idea of the list is simple.  My Command Squad stays mostly intact...but only retains a single Librarian on a Bike.  I create another squad capable of bringing the pain in the Centurion Devastators.  I would join two Librarians to the squad along with both the Inquisitors and the Sanguinary Priest (giving me 3+ FNP for the Iron Hands).  I'd still be able to cast buffs with my Inquisitors after going after something large with my Conclave.  However I am not sold on having only 2 Librarians in one squad.

Originally I had two Librarians on Bikes for the Command Squad and two Librarians on foot to join the Centurion Devastator Squad.  The Centurions need an Invulnerable save in the worst kind of way but they aren't completely hosed.  Having a 3+ FNP goes a long way but there are ways to negate it.  I found that introducing Coteaz gives me a form of Deep Strike protection...though the better players will simply Deep Strike at a distance and still get within range of grav weaponry.

I clearly lose out on the Culexus Assassin...but honestly at this point I'm thinking that will be for the best.  All my Tactical Squads become glorified Objective grabbers, running from place to place while attempting to hide.  The Honored Ancients part of the detachment lets me save some points and simply take a Dreadnought (that I expect to get wrecked but could help bully something in the late game).  Plus the Blood Angels Scout Squad, while less effective than other Astartes Scouts, still lets me infiltrate and even get a late game charge off with enough attacks to make a mess of something.

I don't really have an answer to flyers but this lets me further try to utilize the Psychic Phase.  Anybody have thoughts?

Birth of a Blog

Hi there.  My name is Heri Gonzalez and I am a miniature wargamer.  I live on the space coast of Florida and thought I'd give this a go.  I am really not sure if I will get many people to follow or read this thing, but this is my second foray into the world of blogging.  I created another blog once upon a time that did have some wargaming, college football, and other random posts.  This time around I am trying to focus a bit more...kinda...



I moved to Florida from Texas roughly a little over a year ago for work and found myself in a new area with little to no friends.  I've tried throughout the past year to join groups but between work and home life I haven't had much of a chance to get nearly as much gaming as I'd like.  But for the moment I have some goals and this will be a way of helping me keep track of progress and keep some few friends abreast of what is happening on that end.

Dice

...the title of this blog is meant to kinda explain the main topics of this blog.  "Dice" because I will focus on mostly dice games.  I may even dabble a bit into some of Fantasy Flight's Warhammer 40K RPG's (Only War really interests me).

Kings

The "Kings" portion is in reference to Kings of War.  Warhammer Fantasy was one of the first games that finally grabbed my interest enough to take the plunge into miniature wargaming.  I played some 7th and 8th edition but ultimately never had much luck.  Recently my local FLGS (Dogs of War) invited some guys over from Tampa to help demo Kings of War.  The game itself seems pretty simple and yet still gives fantasy wargamers a chance to retain the rank and file aspect of the hobby.

The ability to multi-base is also huge.  I have several fantasy armies but opted to go with The Herd mostly because I had a small amount of Minotaurs and Beastmen to serve as my base.  Already I have picked up a Ghorgon model, some more Beastmen, and some Warhounds to grow my fledgling army.  I already had about 10 Minotaurs, about 30 or so Beastmen, and some Chariots to help get me on my way.  So I will definitely attempt to catalogue all I'm doing along the way.

Emperors

hah, I'm more than aware that many people loathe the idea of Space Marines, 40k, and just about anything GW.  But despite my dabbling with other systems I always find I have the most fun whenever something occurs in this universe.  I've definitely invested quite a bit but that aside, I just have fun playing the game no matter what the edition.  I jumped in on the tail end of 4th but enough interaction with the old guard and reading online has given me a better understanding of how the game has changed throughout the last 30+ years.

It is a bit frustrating at times though.  We are currently living in a great era where Kickstarter and other platforms have allowed a plethora of miniature wargames to exist.  Despite that it doesn't matter where I go (both online and in the real world), there are more than enough people there ready to shit on you and talk crap about 40K, GW, or you based solely on the fact that you're playing the game.  Just yesterday I have to admit that I let it get to me when some beardy jerk kept talking crap about the game and to an extent the people who play it.

Eh.  The game isn't perfect.  There are definitely far more balanced games.  But it is still the game that I love to play and it offers a lot of different formats for people to play.

Far and away, Salamanders are my favorite army.  I love the fluff.  I love the look.  I love *HOW* they play on the board.  They aren't the most competitive (and yesterday was a good reminder of that fact), but have the tools to do just about anything.

So...

I currently do have goals.  For role-playing, I'd like to learn the rules for Only War and potentially run games for local people.  Just gotta see if there is anybody interested in the game system.

For Kings of War my goal is a lot simpler.  I'd like to have a functioning and (hopefully) competitive list to play at 2000 points by the end of August.  I would like to have it fully painted and based too.  I am a pretty mediocre painter but generally think I paint well enough for the table top.

For Warhammer 40K, my immediate goal is to finally settle on an army and honestly get more games in.  Before yesterday I think it was roughly 7 months since my last game.  But more long term I am preparing for BeakyCon over in Tampa.  I have already paid my registration and am looking to get a hotel room soon.  It is an interesting format as there will be no Gargantuan Monstrous Creatures, no Super Heavy Vehicles, and will happen at 1650 points.  I look forward to the challenge and ideally I hope to have a decent showing.  I could very well go 0-5 but hope to at least go 2-3.  There's a lot of rust to knock off.

In the long term, I would like to go to some major convention/tournament.  I was originally eyeing Texas WarGamesCon or the LVO would be great too.  I wouldn't mind trying to go to one for Kings of War...but I'm in even worse shape for that than I am for 40K.

I guess I should end this now.  I'll try to post at least twice a week and post some pictures and updates.  If you're still here, thanks for reading!  Happy wargaming to all...and am looking forward to more posts in the future.