Thursday 28 February 2013

Can(on) of Khorne

Can(on) of Khorne

Much has been said at our  club about the Daemons' need for artillery (or not) and speculation on the stats on the Skull Canon of Khorne, now called the Can of Khorne for short. 

The model does have some aspects that make it less appealing to some, as Sam has nicely pointed out in his blog: Napalm elf and rebel scum

Very entertaining visual there. I'm not clear if Sam likes the motorcycle bits or not. I do not. Obviously there for the benefit of the 40K faction. I particularly dislike the parrot beak, that seems to be making its appearance everywhere. Does someone at GW have a Parrot Fetish?

The parrot-like Demigryphs and Griffons in the Empire army was bad enough. I was forced to buy 6 of these dislikeable animals just to remain competitive with my Empire Army, as everyone is now getting monstrous cavalry....Wondering what will the Dwarfs and Dark Elves will get??

 I was lucky enough to get 2 Forgeworld demigryphs for Xmas, but size is an issue. The Fantasy players at the club know how long I have been procrastinating on these disagreeable monstrosities. One box is half-way built, and the other still on the sprue.



Now the parrot pops up in the Daemon Army too. I have reconsidered on my knee jerk reaction about purchasing this apparently powerful weapon for my DoC army, and started rummaging in my bitz box.

I came up with this item that I originally intended to build a Chaos Cannon out of, but found too small. I also thought that it may attracts some derisory comments due to its phallic looks.


I recon I could construct a very nice Khornish Nasty out of this, using two bloodletters as crew, and modifying the carriage. Will lose the little tracked bit, skulls by the score and a handful of greenstuff...Khorne's your Uncle!
A passable Can o' Khorne!

I think it is most appropriate for a weapon that looks like it may flaming attacks and a 48 inch 
reach, D6W’.  It looks like it can move and shoot like an Ironblaster and is only 135 points.
If it hits you you are probably F*%$#d.
So the phallic look may be very appropriate.
To be continued...

Saturday 23 February 2013

Daemons of Chaos Army Book: More of my plagiarism


Daemons of Chaos Army Book: More of my Internet plagiarism

Can't wait for the book, dusting off my Daemons. Dark Elves for the Shelves...
Watch out Sam!


Rumours and predictions:


Schedule

Dual 40K/WFB Chaos Daemons army book-codexes

They should be in the March White Dwarf, and hit the street end of February

New Models (cut this list into two equal sized waves - one with the codex, one following up a quarter later)
.
- All four Greater Daemon plastic kits with named options
- Plastic Furies, dual-option kit with "Flesh Terrors"
- Plastic Khorne Chariot, herald, dual kit with a cannon, pulled by Bloodcrushers
- Plastic Tzeentch Chariot, herald, dual kit with "flame-beast" pulled by screamers, ( 40k: a Skimmer)
- Plastic Nurgle Palanquin, (chariot), carried by Nurglings, (combines with Nurgle GD kit for named character model - Ku'rgath)
- Nurgle Plague-flies jetbikes/monsterous flying cavalry (40K-Elites, WFB-Rares)
- New Khorne Cannon-Daemon-engine, bipedal with atypical porportions, uses ectoplasmic weaponry of CSMs, has numerous options for CC or Ranged loadout. (40K- Heavy, WFB-Special)
- New Daemon flying MC. (40K-Fast Attack-flyer, WFB-Rare)

Rules
- Daemon Princes with Wings will move slots in 40K.
- Look for across the board points increases in the codex/army book.


Bloodletters of Khorne are now strength 4, with special rules MR1, Scaly skin 6+, Daemonic and Daemon of Khorne. They have the daemonic gift Hellblade.... 14 points

No reference to killing blow but that doesnt mean they loose it as the sword may grant it.

Pink Horrors stats stay the same, special rules are Daemonic, Daemon of Tzeentch, Blue horrors of Tzeentch, are back...and a unit still counts as a level 1 caster.... 13 points

Yay Blue horrors of Tzeentch again  Not clear how it works but yay anyway!

Plaugebearers are strength 4 Toughness 4, have the Daemonic gift plaguesword, and are Daemons of Nurgle, and Daemonic.... 13 points

Daemonettes get 2 attacks, and become Daemons of Slannesh + Daemonic for 11 points

Bloodcrushers are now special, 3+ a unit, the jugger mounts get toughness 4 and 3 wounds like the WOC ones, and are 65 points. With the scaly skin rules Daemons now have a 3+ 5++ save monstrous cav option!

Flamers appear to have the same stats as the WD rules, and are 40 points. Special rules flames of Tzeentch, Daemons of Tzeentch, Warpflame, Daemonic and skirmishers.

There appears to be an option to upgrade a unit of Plaguebearers to have regenerate, and another option that if you score any roll of 6 to hit with a  poison attack, an additional strength 4 hit is made. Another option is upgrading poison to 5+

Sources Bell of Souls and Fields of Blood

Daemons of Chaos Army Book 2013 Pre-order and Limited Ed Armybook

Daemons of Chaos Army Release (2013)
 Pre-order and Limited Ed. Army Book

OK, so the Pre-Orders are up on the GW Website:


The Army Book will look like this, retails for $98.00 NZ 

FOUR Limited Edition Fancy cover Army Books, featuring, by the looks of things, Blanchitsu's artwork.
Each with one of the Chaos Lores on the front page, and themed accordingly:

Price: $180 NZ








Blood Throne of Khorne
$64 

Surely this will end up being called the Cannon of Khorne
Think I'll call mine the "Can of Khorne" for short - will probably be getting this model



Herald of Tzeentch on Burning Chariot

$64
May well consider getting this one too




Plague Drones of Nurgle
$110


May get these for my Nurgle Army too.

Other Heralds? Meh! 

$46 each, with the Nurgle one at $30?

More than just a little disappointed in the Khorne, Nurgle and Slaneeshi models. 
I think they lack originality, and are overpriced. 

Will stick with my own conversions or more elaborate bases. 
Or better looking competitor models at a lower price - many out there now..

And...Why, Oh Why would you make the Nurgle Herald 
$16 cheaper than the Khorne and Slaneesh Heralds?



Battle Magic Cards $22


I won't go on to berate the pricing structure of GW.

We all know that NZ is getting the short end of the stick...
I see players in the US and Europe complaining on the forums that they have to pay $20 for a Herald!

My browser must have opened on the US site, and for a minute I was delighted to see the Army Book at $49.50.
But then reality struck home and I realised that for some reason I was not on the NZ website...






Wednesday 20 February 2013

Daemons of Chaos Release: Leaks and White Dwarf pictures

Daemons of Chaos Release:  Leaks and White Dwarf Pics

Eagerly anticipated.

This is what is coming:




I think this one is a bit ho-hum. Will probably just continue with my own conversions



Interesting sculpt, would like to see what stats are


Likewise this one. 
Daemons did need a little bit of artillery other than the Flamers to remain competitive (Yea right...)



These I like. Most likely purchase for me. Real N-u-r-g-l-y!



Also a bit underwhelming IMHO



Nice sculpt. Could purchase this one. (Stats pending)



This I like.




Totally underwhelmed.

I was so looking forward to models that made the heralds stand out a bit, but alas, alack...

Source Farheit 212: Daemons of Chaos
96 page full colour, hardback Warhammer Armies book

Plague Drones of Nurgle


Burning Chariot of Tzeentch/Herald of Tzeentch on Burning Chariot of Tzeentch


 Blood Throne of Khorne/Skull Cannon of Khorne


Herald of Nurgle

Herald of Khorne
Herald of Slaanesh
A clampacks that contains one highly detailed Citadel Finecast resin miniature

Warhammer Battle Magic: Daemons of Chaos


A deck of 21 cards that contains the 6 spells for the Lores of Tzeentch, Nurgle and Slaanesh as well as their signature spells

Monday 18 February 2013

First War Trophy: A Lizardman Head on the Wall

First head on my Trophy Rack: 

Lizardmen fall to the Druchii

15.02.2013
NZTC

In the Warhammer World warriors often keep trophy racks.
Some festoon their bodies with the remains of their worthy enemies. 
The Druchii sometimes  display theirs on their walls:






Kapiti Krushers at the NZ Team Championships Tournament (Warhammer Fantasy Battles)


Kapiti Krushers at the NZTC (New Zealand Team Championships) Tournament
Warhammer Fantasy Battles

The Kapiti Wargames Club fielded a team called the Kapiti Krushers on Saturday and Sunday's at the New Zealand Warhammer Fantasy Battles Team Championships, held and Ngaio Town Hall, in Wellington  


Arrival and selection of opponents: Round 1
The boys unpacking and deliberating.


Round 1, Game 1, Turn 1: 
Dark Elves vs Dwarfs: 

My War Hydra being goaded into action,
while the Corsairs rattle their sabres in anticipation of the slaughter to come


Tane's Dwarven throng bursting forth from their hold at the sight of the approaching Dark Elves


Tane: " So this is where the shot will land. 
Let's see how far it bounces!":
Ouch!


Death Hag: "We'll put a 5+ ward save on the corsairs."
To no avail ! Dwarven steel was too much.

Flame Cannon taking out the Hydra
 (No Armour saves or regen, down to Str 1 with his breath attack by the time he got into the Hammerers)
Druchii slaughtered mercilessly by the dwarf throng. 
Dreadlord and dragon escaping by the skin of their teeth.


Start of Round 2
Up against Team Omen...
 

Druchii Civil War!

Sam's Cold One Knights thunder into my waiting line of crossbowmen
Banner, armour saves and ward saves make them all but invincible


Level 4 Sorceresses and Shades take cover behind the building from my hail of crossbow bolts
Dark riders dart out to destroy my bolt throwers


While his Cauldron of blood buffs up his units. 
Isn't that just a lovely conversion?


Corsairs bit off more than they could chew. 
The dragon could have made short shrift of the harpies, but they delayed him from getting into the  action.


Receicing the charge with lances...
Standing and shooting did not help much:
Shortly before the Sea Serpent Banner fell...

Then came round 3:
Dark Elves vs Lizardmen


Sizing up the Lizardmen: Corsairs and Crossbowmen flanking the hydra. 


Terranodon riders dropping stones on the bolt-thrower, but failing to cause a single wound. 
The tenacious crew would cause him to commit two units of riders and two skink units over four turns before they finally fell, drawing most of his chaff and opening up the soft throat of his saurus unit, which was slowly being picked to bits by the crossbow units. 

Add the withering and Okkram's Mindrazor...
and the Slann and his bunker crumble before the pent up fury of the corsairs: 
My first ever tournament win!

The Aussies are up next:
Capital Crusaders


Deliberations and decisions...I end up playing against Brettonians.
Have never had a game against them before.
It was either them or the Tomb Kings, that I have not played against either.


Turn three: The Brettonian BSB dies in a hail of bolts! 
Swiftly followed by the level 4 Mage 
 Pegasus Knights swoop in for the kill on the bolt-thrower, but...


The Dreadlord on Black Dragon intervenes,
 receiving a unit of Peggasi in his flank and knights in his rear for his trouble. 
Hydra charges in, breath  attack, usual attacks, thunderstomp, killed for his efforts.

Takes 2 rounds of combat to dislodge the Lord from the melee, but he emerges victorious.
So close to winning this one...

Then in the last turn's shooting phase...
 two direct hits from the trebouchets on my Cauldron of Blood, killing the Hag and her attendants. 
DRAT!
A draw, and a very enjoyable game. 
Great opponent, a fun game.One of the highlights of my tournament!

Round 5 (Next morning) 
First up against the Cut the Mustard Team. 
Druchii vs Daemons of Chaos

Got absolutely trounced by Leon's Daemons of Chaos, with only my Cauldron and one unit of crossbowmen still standing by the end of play. Another 19-1 loss.
Horde of Daemonettes with Herald, repeatedly getting Pha's Protection, and Melkoths Miasma cast on my unit. Cut to shreds...My Dreadlord dies for the first time in the tournament. Not absolutely whitewashed, but a 19-1 victory to the Daemons. Only relief is that Sam's Daemons inflicted a similar fate on his opponent.

Then came the Von Trapp Family (Dunn Family)

Favourites to win the tournament...
Tough nuts to crack. I draw Jack Dunn's Dark Elves. Better match than Ogres, Daemons or WoC for me.
Civil War again. As if the word civil and Druchii can be used in the same sentence...

Dark Elf vs Dark Elf


Opposing fractions lining up. two level 4 wizards, Dreadlord on Dark Pegasus with Black Guard.
My shades deploy first. He rolls to start. Tete-a-tete with harpies and shades, both losing units in the process, one of my bolt-throwers gone...

Black Guard moves into ruin, taking shelter from hail of bolts. Hard cover, 2+ AS, and stubborn.

I keep my distance, shooting all the time but high armour saves and wardsaves make his bunker all but impenetrable. 
Dreadlord and Hydra engage the Tower Guard, I get Melkoths and Withering off on them, dreadlord and hydra take the Lord on pegasus out, taking many wounds as they go. 

Pendant of Kaleth working against my lord, and he fails several saves, and is slain. Hydra bites the dust too. Dragon passes leadership test, and finishes the tower guard off in his fury

Really now at a stand-off. He's not coming any closer, neither am I. Wizards exchanging spells, shooting phases now really doing much, really just maneuvering to maximise victory points.
Result a draw at turn 6. 
Quite pleased with that outcome: I expected worse


My Dreadlord on a Black Dragon surveying the battlefield.



So there are the spoils: The cup and the medals. 
Didn't think for one minute we'd feature.


Victors: The Von Trapp Family. 
Well deserved, and clear winners


Followed by the Nerdy Boys


and NZ Hammered.

Well done to all the teams.

Kudos: All my opponents were all decent and friendly, sporting, played to the rules, threw no tantrums, and accepted that I was a newbie to tournaments.

I think all and all the Von Trapp Family (Dunn family) was the strongest team, and were the clear winners in the end. Peter Dunn was quite accurate in his predictions with the standings (except that his own team would be on top), of course: check his blog Fields of Blood; and we did almost end in the top 7 as predicted.

Thanks to Peter for arranging a well run and fun tournament.

 I am generally quite satisfied with our performance (being the newbie)

I suppose we could claim that KWC's Kapiti Krushers are now Ranked no 8 team in NZ until next year.

Not bad for a start, I think.

And…we beat the Aussies (yay!)
Trans-Tasman rivalry rules.




Thursday 14 February 2013

Furious preparation and Anticip....ation


Furious preparation and Anticip....ation



How you do, I...
see you've met my...
faithful ...
handyman...

This faithful handyman has been furiously painting and basing, magnetising his Dark Elf Army for this weekend's NZ Team Champs Tournament. Static grass everywhere...
I think the stuff used to be sold in small quantities as prank  itching powder in years gone by.



I see we've been rated right at the bottom of the pile by the Van Trapp Family Team
(?) High on a hill stands the lonely goat herd.... Visions of play-clothes made out of curtains...Ugh!

Or is this bottom of the list the worst in terms of nastiness of armies? The Swedish analysis ranks mine as the worst on our side. The other lists all look pretty brutal too.

I supposed if it's based on my tournament experience I belong right at the bottom.
I see Sam's been having dreams of real life Doom Divers...

http://napalmelfrebelscum.blogspot.co.nz/

I was diving for crayfish in my dreams all of last night with my WH NZTC team mates...
I was the only one not wearing a wet-suit.

Thinks it probably reflects my trepidation at being a tournament newbie...

Monday 11 February 2013

Dark Elves and WoC

Dark Elves and WoC


Played my dark Elves against Hamish's WoC  with our Team Tournament Lists for NZ Team Championships this weekend. fully expected to get traunced by his units of skullcrushers once they got in.

Generic photos off the web. If they belong to you I'll be happy to credit you.
No infringement intended. Didn't have my camera, and game was too intense and fun to use phone camre.
Will upload some of my snaps soon







The lists:
Hamish  – Warriors of Chaos

LORDS Characters
Number of models in the unit Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.) Total Points
1 Sorcerer Level 4, Mark Of Tzeentch, Disc of Tzeentch, Talisman of Preservation, Enchanted Shield, Infernal Puppet, Biting blade 410

HEROES Characters
Number of models in the unit Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.) Total Points
1 Chaos Sorcerer, Level 2, dispel scroll, Dragonbane Gem, Tormentor Sword, 3rd eye of Tzeentch, Lore of Fire 180
1 Exalted Hero, Mark of Tzeentch, Battle Standard Bearer, Halberd, Talisman of Endurance, Charmed Shield, Ironcurse Icon, Barded Chaos Steed 205

CORE
Number of models in the unit Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.) Total Points
25 Chaos Warriors, Shield, Full Command, Mark of Tzeentch 450
5 Marauder Horsemen, Mark of Slaanesh 75
5 Marauder Horsemen, Mark of Slaanesh 75

SPECIAL
Number of models in the unit Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.) Total Points
9 Chaos Knights, Musician, Standard Bearer, Mark of Tzeentch, Banner of Rage 445

RARE
Number of models in the unit Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.) Total Points
5 Skullcrushers, Musician 310
4 Skullcrushers, Musician 250


TOTAL OVERALL POINTS 2400

Points %
Lords 410 17%
Heroes 385 16%
Core 600 25%
Special 445 19%
Rare 560 23%




Herman  – Dark Elves

LORDS Characters
Number of models in the unit Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.) Total Points
1 Dreadlord, Hand Weapon, Heavy armour, Sea dragon Cloak, Crimson Death, Dragonhelm, Pendant of Kaeleth, on Black Dragon 542

HEROES Characters
Number of models in the unit Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.) Total Points
1 Death Hag, BSB, Cauldron of Blood, Manbane, Rune of Khaine 275
1 Sorceress, Level 2, Tome of Furion, Seal of Ghrond, Lore of Shadow 180
1 Sorceress, Dispel Scroll, Lore of Death 125

CORE
Number of models in the unit Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.) Total Points
31 Corsairs, Full Command, Extra Hand Weapon, Sea Serpent Standard 360
16 Repeater Crossbowmen, Musician, Repeater Crossbow, Light armour and shield 181
15 Repeater Crossbowmen, Musician, Repeater Crossbow, Light armour and shield 170

SPECIAL  
Number of models in the unit Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.) Total Points
6 Shades, Repeater Crossbow 96
6 Shades, Repeater Crossbow 96

RARE
Number of models in the unit Type (include magic items, upgrades, bloodlines etc.) Total Points
1 Reaper Bolt Thrower 100
1 Reaper Bolt Thrower 100
1 War Hydra 175

TOTAL OVERALL POINTS 2400

Points %
Lords 542 23%
Heroes 580 24%
Core 711 30%
Special 192 8%
Rare 375 16%


Batle Report from (Elves side)


Hamish won roll-off, moved first, made Vanguard moves with his Marauder Calvary, but not enough to get out of range of my 2 units of Shades, who deployed behind enemy lines, and immediately started to harass his Warriors and Skullcrushers. Magic did not do a great deal, but had to dispell successful devastating spell from his Chaos Wizard. No shooting on his side.
My turn: Shades followed units moving away from them, firing as they went, whittling away at numbers. Hydra moved in, but not close enough to engage yet, Flanks being harassed by Marauder cavalry as expected, Shades taking a few of them off. Death Hag and cauldron imbued blessings to buff units:5+ Ward on 1st round. Repeater shorts from Bolt throwers reducing numbers of phalanx a bit, as do Shades. Reaper bolt throwers reducing numbers of Marauder horsemen and WoC on foot further.


Next round Hamish got his Skullcrushers into contact, sowing mayhem in the soft ranks of elven flesh. Xbow warriors reduced to last man standing, who then flees the table. Hydra takes a skull crusher out, but is annihilated in next round. Wizard on disc zooms around to harass flank of the Corsairs and The death Hag with her Cauldron. WoC fail to make contact on charge, only to be counter-charged by the frenzied corsairs, buffed up with an extra attack granted by cauldron. Multiple casualties from the rain of frenzied blows with hatred, they loose combat and flee, but caught by the sift-footed elves, and destroyed. The Elves overrun into the flank of the Skullcrushers. Winds of magic unkind all through the game, with really just small nuisance spells and buffs getting off. Finally get Purple sun of Xerxes off on darn double sixes! Does no damage, as purple sun redirects. Calamitous detonation, wizard gone and 6 corsairs around her.Bah humbug.


Bolt throwers take care of remaining Marauders, Dreadlord on Dragon kills remaining Skullcrushers, but sees Dragon slewn from under the Dreadlord, who then takes shelter behind the Cauldron in the last round. Stalemate: Game ends in a draw. I did surprisingly well given the tank units fielded and the lack of toughness on a Darl Elf