Good Bye 2009 - wrap up, 2010 Predictions and Goals

2009

So ends my first full year of man dollies. At the start of the year I was a scrub getting the encouragement award at the local club with about 4000 points of random marines.

So far this year I Have started Space wolves and Imperial Guard, Both need heaps of work, Renamed my marines as the Red Skulls Chapter, Created the 634th Imperial Guard Company and start Logan Grimnars great Company.

In terms of my progress from noob

1. at the end of 2009 I am Ranked 99 in Australia and New Zealand

2. Played in 4 Local Leagues

3. Played in 5 Tournaments - Gosford Shield, Battle in the Vines, Aspirants - Lords of Terra, Mother of all Battles and Coastal Assault.

4. First Place in the Good Games Gosford Spring League

5. 2nd at Coastal Assault

6. Have had my painting described as now being "doesn't hurt my eyes as much anymore"

(BEN)

7. Gained entry to the High Lords of Terra Invitational

Current Rankings

Overall - 99

Battle - 94

Sports - 147

Composition - 72

Painting - 97

2010 Goals and Predictions

Armies

- Finish Space Marines (well try to, there are a crap load) and then Sell If get them done (I want to start them again from scratch)

- Start Blood Angels (Depends on Codex but would be nice)

- Finish and Probably Sell Space Wolves

- Finish and Maybe Sell Imperial Guard

- Start Orks

- Start WHFB Empire Army (Depending on all of the above, the new army book and edition of rules)

Placings

- be in the top 100 at the end of the year

- Qualify for High Lords 2011

- Make top 10 in one ranking

Wednessday Top 10 - Codex: Space Marine Units

1. Dreadnoughts - I love dreadnoughts, I own 8. I generally prefer them in a tank sniper (Las/missile) or Dakka (2 x twin autocannons) but in the next tourney I will be running them in cheap assault configurations with claws and multi meltas. What ever your need there is a dreadnought for it from Anti armour, MC, infantry its all there at a really low price.

2. Predators - another cheap source of heavy fire power. 95 points for 10 shots at BS4 with average ST 5.

3. Thunder Fire Cannon - I know People disagree with me on this one. I love them. Due to the different Ammo and long range it is never a useless unit. Air burst is the bane of gaunts and Orks, Standard rips marines to shreds, tremor is great for bikers, vehicle squads and jump infantry, Remember it only needs to hit.

4. Stern Guard - I am currently running a drop pod assault group of these (10 man, Power Fist, Melta gun, 2 x combi Melta, Heavy Flamer) that works well for me. I am hoping to get a second fluffier squad together with Power Fist, 2 x heavy bolters, 3 x combi plasma as a defensive unit.

5. Master of the Forge - Great idea. Tech Marine HQ. 6 dreads, conversion beamer, awesome

6. Scouts - Cheap, nasty, sneaky, 100 point infiltrating power fist, 85 point hell fire shell.

7. Libarian - Cheap HQ, powerful, my HQ of choice. Give terminator armor and a storm shield for bigger games.

8. Vindicator - A Demolisher. 50 points cheaper than guard get it. Str10 AP 2 Large Blast. Simply amazing if left to run free

9. Devestators - I love devestators. 5 man squads in games of 1250 or under, 10 man squads in 1750 or higher. 4 heavy weapons, a signum(DON"T FORGET THE SIGNUM), 6 bullet catchers

10. Tactical Marines - I cannon express the awesomeness of well used tactical marines in writing. It is something that needs to be experienced. 40-60 marines working together can take down just about any army.

2010 Tournament Schedual

Here is a quick rundown of Tournaments coming up in NSW in 2010 that I'm hoping to attend.

Gosford Shield - Gosford - 1250 Points, 1 Day

January

Army - Marines, List posted

Battle in The Vines - Hunter Valley - 2000 Points, 2 Days

April

Army - Marines

For this I will be taking my new fun army. 101 Marines. Final List soon

High Lords of Tera - Sydney - 1750 Points, 2 Days

July

Army - Still Deciding, Waiting for the BA dex to come out.

Mother of All Battles - Sutherland - 1250 Points, 3 Days

Late 2010

No idea. To far away

Gosford Shield Army List - 1250 Points

The 2010 Gosford Shield is fast approaching. Origonally I wanted to take Guard, But they need a lot of work and I can't bring my self to take an unpainted army to a tournament, Same with Space Wolves. I would take Blood Angels but I just can't bring my self to use that Codex over the marine one and the models aren't painted. So Marines it is, Unless I get a crap ton of painting done over Christmas.

Red Skulls Chapter - Light Infantry Force

HQ

Librarian - Gate of Infinity, Avenger

TROOPS

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Heavy Bolter

Rhino

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Heavy Bolter

Rhino

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Missile Launcher

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Missile Launcher

ELITES

Dreadnought - Multimelta, DCCW, Storm Bolter

Dreadnought - Multimelta, DCCW, Heavy Flamer

HEAVY SUPPORT

Predator - Auto Cannon, Heavy Bolter Sponsons, Storm Bolter

Whirl Wind

Wednessday Top 10 - Top Tips

After the weekend I thought I'd share a couple of tricks I've picked up over the last year. Little bits of wisdom imparted on me by players with much more experience.

1. Know your list - Know every unit. know why you have them in the army even if its just to fill up space. Know what they do, What equipement do they have? Krak grenades? Pistols? Signum? what do they do. What special rules do your units have? scout? Combat Tactics? What do those mean. Find out. Mark the pages with post it notes.

2. Go to Ground - 6+ invul is better than insta gib. I very rarely see people use this rule. Look it up, use it. It is a game winner.

3. Take the Time to Understand your Opponents List - Work out what will hurt you (cover being ignored, AP 3 weapons, Close Combat) check you opponents list for these things, ask your opponent about them, most will be more than happy to explain what units do or at least tell you the stats. Get your opponent to identify the models that will cause you grief. If you feel particularly sneaky you can use this to pull a bluff and ask about a bunch of stuff that you don't care about to shift your opponents focus away from what you are trying to take out.

4. Never Go First - There is very little benefit in going first. In some cases (Dawn of War, deep strike armies, Daemons and Drop Pods to be specific, it is actually harmful to go first) The number of games I have seen won or lost by a turn 5-7 rush to contest objectives is staggering. This also allows you to react to your opponents deployment and put them at a disadvantage early on.

5. Take Your Time - Something I struggle with. I often get caught up in the moment and forget things, its easy to do. 1 tip I have heard is write down the number of units you have on your list and then count them before you pass to the next phase. Make sure you know where everything is and that it has some purpose.

6. TANK SHOCK!!!!! - Tank shock is brilliant. Especially tank shocking multiple units or with multiple units. At Battle in the Vines this year I forced an entire jet bike squad with attached HQ off the board with a tank shock from a rhino. At High Lords of Tera this year someone lost Lysander and 10 terminators the same way.

7. Make Sure You Understand the Mission - Take time to read the mission and ask any questions before you start. Discuss it with your opponent, if the missions are available early then take them to your local club and discuss with other players. Know what you are trying to do

8. Set a Goal and stick to it - This will depend on your mission and opponent. A full win is nice but often setting a more realistic goal is better. There are 5 objectives on the board, is it enough to hold 3 and contest the other 2? if so this is much easier than taking all 5.

9. Know the board - If possible talk to your opponent a move the terrain in a way that makes you both happy. Agree on cover values, terrain types, How many inches to move up levels etc, before you start. If you can't agree roll a die to decide it. 4+ thats impassable, other wise its just dangerous etc.

10. Do ONE Thing and do it Well - Focus your army. Pick one thing, Assault, Massed Bolter fire, Templates, CC Attack count, it doesn't matter. Pick something and then maximize it to the point were you do it better than the other guy. This is the best advice I have ever received. Although some may not agree, it has served me very well.

Very Ealy Thoughts on Lords of Terra (JULY)

After the weekends result I started to think what should I take now that I made the invitational. This will change, repeatedly, for the next 7 months but if I was playing it next week this is what I'd take

1750 Points - Red Skulls - Armored Spear Head

HQ

Librarian - Terminator Armour, Storm Shield, Avenger, Null Zone

TROOPS

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Missile Launcher

Rhino

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Missile Launcher

Rhino

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Missile Launcher

Rhino

Elites

5 Assault Terminators - Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields

Land Raider

Dreadnought - Multi Melta, CCW, Storm Bolter

Dreadnought - Plasma Cannon, CCW, Storm Bolter

Heavy Support

Vindicator

Vindicator

Predator - Auto Cannon, 2 x Heavy Bolters, Storm Bolter

Let me know what you think.

Coastal Assault Result - 2nd Place

Coastal Assault has been played.

The Army

The Results

Comp 6/10

Paint 5/15

Battle

Round 1 - Vs Daemons - 3+ Win

Round 2 - Vs Dark Eldar - 3+ Win

Round 3 - Vs Guard - 2 point Win

Round 4 - Vs Orks - 2 Point Loss

RESULT

2nd Place

Space Wolf Army Box

Entry to the High Lords of Tera Invitational in Sydney, Australia

Me with prize

More pics at http://s764.photobucket.com/albums/xx284/chad-mack/Coastal%20Assault/

Wednessday Top 10 -- Ten units that give me grief

Top ten is a little late this week. but here it is the ten units that have caused me the most problems over the last year

1. Terminators - Thunder Hammer, Storm Shield

Amazing, Unstoppable and deadly.

2. Nob Bikers

With a painboy, warboss, and 9 other guys that are all different

4+ Armour, 4+ invul, FNP, 2 Wounds. seriously guys, come on..

3. Hive Tyrant w/Tyrant Guard

Another unstoppable CC monster.

4. Wave Serpent

This may seem a little odd at first. Until your opponent maxes out on them and starts to tank shock you.

5. Plague Marines

Nasty unit. Multiple plasma weapons and FNP on troops that can be run in large numbers.

6. Colossus Siege Mortar

Str 6, AP3, Ignores cover. No troop choice is safe. Will be making one asap.

7. Black Templar Terminators

It may sound simple but 2 assault cannons in 5 man squads x 3 is a really nasty choice.

8. Monolith

When it works, it is amazing.

9. Tau Broad Side

Rail guns are the bane of my armour

10. Drop Pods

I love them and hate them.

Quick Gaurd Update - no pics yet.

After spending a day of putting guards men together and changing a few things around to optomize the models I have I now have

HQ

Command Squad - Plasma Pistol, Medic, Plasma Gunner, Banner, Vox

Commisar Lord - Power Fist, Plasma Pistol

Elites

5 x Ratlings

10 x Storm Troopers - 2 x Plasma Guns, Power weapon

Troops

Infantry Platoon

- Command - Power Weapon, 2 x Flamers, 2 Grenade Launchers

- 3 x Infantry Squad w/ Grenade Launcher, Heavy Bolter

- 2 x Infantry Squad w/ Grenade Launcher, Auto Cannon

- Heavy Weapons Team - 2 Las Cannons, 1 Missile Launcher

- Heavy Weapons Team - 3 x Missile Launchers

- Heavy Weapons Team - 3 x Mortars

Veteran Squad - 3 x Snipers, 1 Auto Cannon

Veteran Squad - Sgt w/Power Fist and Shotgun, 2 x Melta Guns, Heavy Flamer, Demolition Charge, 5 shot gun Veterans

Chimera - Heavy Flamer, Multi Laser

Fast Attack

Armored Sentinel Squad - 2 x Plasma Cannons, 1 x Multi Laser

Heavy Support

Leman Rus Battle Tank

Leman Rus Demolisher

Colossus Siege Mortar

__________________

Hoping to top this off with another Chimera and a Bane wolf, And then 3 scout sentinels.

After spending some quality time really getting to know the Imperial Guard Codex I noticed a few stand out items Stay tuned for my IG Wednesday top 10 this week.

Wednessday Top 10 - First Edition - 10 things I want out of the Blood Angels Release

1. Cheaper Units

When I first started 40K just over a year ago I was intrigued by the Sons of Sanguinius and proceeded to paint all my freshly bought marines blood red, quickly ordering death company and Chaplain Lemartes. Then the 5th ed Space Marine dex was released. I fell in love, forgot all about my BA's and embraced the new dex in full force.

250 points for 10 assault marines is just to much make them better or drop the cost. Same goes for tactical squads. compared to the Marine dex they are just too expensive and this is my major problem with the BA dex, you spend so many points on troops its hard to cram in support. This would be fine if the troops were superior but the advantage of taking assault marines as troops does not make up for this.

2. Plastic, Plastic, Plastic

Although people will disagree with me I always prefer plastic models. They are easier to customize, reuse parts, repair, I could make an entire article out of this.

Specifically I want to see the Furioso and Baal Predator. Make them plastic, drop the cost.

3. Beefed up Assault Squads

Blood Angels are the masters of assault. their Assault Marines are troops, but they cost more that 20% more than marine ones, ok fair enough they're troops, But how are they better? What reason apart from fluff do you have to take them over Tactical Marines? in Codex Space Marines Tactical Marines are never a useless unit, Bolters, Krak Grenades, free heavy and special weapons they have an answer for everything. Assault Marines however lack the same versatility.

Give them special weapons, give them more options. Even the option to take bolt guns or something. Show the players what makes the blood Angels assault marines so much better.

4. More Fluff

The 4th ed codex that you can download is almost a fluff black hole. Who are these characters, why should I care about them? Do I have take the book over to the computer and look them up on lexicanum? Who are the Blood Angels? How are they organised? How do they fight? What makes them stand out more than other codexless chapters like the Salamanders, Imperial Fists, Raven Guard and Iron Hands?

5. Heroic Intervention

There is not a single rule in any dex that screams BA's more. Give this to veterans and while your at it have a long hard think about giving it to the death company and their jump pack chaplains.

6. Better Psychic Powers.

BA's have 3 psychic powers which range from situational to damn near pointless.

I have been hearing whispers of good things in this department

7. Upgrade Sprues

The DA's have them, the BT's have them, and they are fricken awesome. I even see people who don't play those chapters buying them.

8. Bonuses For Playing Like a BA Commander

When I think assault the first thing that comes to mind is Orks, the next Nids, then Daemons, then Korne Berzerkers and so on. BA's don't really have the same weight in assault as other assault armies do. When I play BA's I want to be able to play aggressively, take the fight to the enemy with out getting wiped out.

9. Make the Units Match the Fluff

BA's are a Codex Chapter that are good in assault. Great. But the units are the same as ultra marines, just you get assault marines instead of scouts as troops. Scouts infiltrate, out flank, they cause disruption amongst the enemy, assault marines charge straight in and get slaughtered.

I really think that BA tactical marines need Boltgun, Bolt Pistol AND close combat weapon. I also think that assault marines need a bolt gun option. Or even better, Range 12", assault 2, bolt guns for tactical marines. Or another idea, Give jump pack troops an assault move let them jump in harass the enemy and jump out.

10. A Compelling Reason to Take BA's over Other Space Marines

Give me a reason to play aggressively. Take the ideas of the space wolves and build on them. At the moment either Space Wolves or Black Templars can play aggresive games better than Blood Angels. Even basic marines can take Bike squads as troops.

It may sound simple but Blood Angels need to be able to do something better than the rest.

Looking towards guard w/ 1250 list idea

Here is something rough I threw together today in my lunch break. C&C always welcome

HQ

Company Command Squad - 3 x Flamers

Elites

5 x Ratlings

Troops

Infantry Platoon

- Command Squad - 2 x Flamers, Power Weapon

- Chimera - Multi Laser, Heavy Flamer

- Infantry Squad - Grenade Launcher, Heavy Bolter

- Infantry Squad - Grenade Launcher, Heavy Bolter

- Heavy Weapons Team - 3 x Heavy Bolters

- Heavy Weapons Team - 3 x Mortars

Veteran Squad - 3 x Snipers, Auto Cannon, Forward Sentries

Veteran Squad - 2 x Melta Guns, Heavy Flamer, Demolitions

Chimera - Multi Laser, Heavy Flamer

Fast Attack

Bane Wolf - Heavy Flamer

Heavy Support

Leman Russ Battle Tank

Leman Russ Demolisher

Current Coast Assault Army in Detail

HQ

Captain - I feel space marines are rather limited in HQ choice. For my play style most of the time named characters are not worth their points. Each basic style of HQ is 100 points. Captains are a little over priced as most of the time there is a character for the same cost that preforms better.

If you want a captain with a power weapon or power fist, then run a Chaplain, If you have a gun line then a Master of the Forge is better. Drop pods? Then run a Librarian. The only reasons to run a captain are 1) their ability to take bikes as troops, 2) Relic Blades. This captain will be placed with a counter charge unit.

- Relic blade - Str 6 at normal init is amazing. This is by far my favorite CCW in the marine arsenal.

- Storm Shield - Origonally slated as a storm bolter I decided to swap the shooting for more survivability. When paired with a relic blade this captain becomes a great CC asset.

TROOPS

Tactical Squad 1 - I love Tactical Squads. They have an answer to any problem and are flexible enough to always be useful on the battle field. not just their heavy and special weapons but also with waves of bolter fire. Even assaults and krak grenades can turn the tide of battle. The best unit is one that is never useless and Tac Marines are the epitome of this.

Power Fist - A little over rated. Str 8 is nice but its to slow against most infantry. As for vehicles you have krak grenades any way. However it is still the best CC boost available to Tactical Marine Sgts.

Melta Gun - These are great str 8, Assault and melta. Bang for buck they can't be beat. However they do lack range and the second shot from plasma guns is never a bad thing.

Multi Melta - Arguably the best free heavy weapon that Tactical Squads can take. Their range can be limiting but you can't argue with their defensive capabilities

Rhino - People are always talking rubbish about the humble rhino, saying you should take a razor back instead. Most of the time they are right however the ability to fire out the top hatch is sometimes to good to pass up and occasionally you do need to move 10 guys around.

-2nd Storm Bolter - The ability to move 6" fire 2 storm bolters and 2 bolt guns from the hatch is priceless. 6-8 bolt shots or even just 2 storm bolters to back up disembarking marines. It turns the rhino from a rolling coffin into something that can actually kill something occasionally.

Tactical Squad 2

- Melta Gun

- Multi Melta

Rhino

- 2nd Storm Bolter

Tactical Squad 3

- Plasma Gun - I love plasma. With an expected 12-15 MEQ armies including at least one Grey Knight Army and 1 Plague Marine Army these will be invaluable. Plasma guns are never useless. They can take out marines, terminators, even light vehicles, hell I've shot down everything from hive tyrants to Valkyrie to Scouts with them.

- Plasma Cannon - I wish I could fit more but I just can't justify them. The plasma cannon is in response to the Plague marine list I know is coming in adition to the many MEQ and several terminator based armies that will be there.

Razor Back - Not my usual choice but I decided to try one out. It seems to suit y gun line approach.

- Storm Bolter - following the theme of squeeze in as many shots as possible.

Tactical Squad 4

- Plasma Gun

- Las Cannon - I see las cannons as more suitable on dreads and devestator squads however I needed a troop choice and some long range anti tank.

ELITES

Dreadnought - Dreadnoughts are my favorite marine unit. I don't feel a marine list is complete with out at least one. either having a mobile gun platform or as a fearsome assault unit once again this never a useless option.

- 2 x twin-linked auto-cannon - I put this in to help against Monstrous Creatures. 4 str 7 hits can't be a bad thing. Originally I was going to try a dreadnought with an assault canon but decided the 48" range and twin linked would be better.

Dreadnought

- Twin Linked Las Cannon - This is a great weapon. However a little weak on its own

- Missile Launcher -This compliments the las cannon exceptionally well. It just gives that little extra punch that makes sure that round of shooting is wasted.

HEAVY SUPPORT

Thunder Fire Cannon - This is fast becoming a unit I never leave home without. With a good field of fire this is can turn the tide of battle. This is generally for horde control but does surprisingly well against almost anything.

Predator - I am using configuration as more MC and anti horde power. Although a whirlwind or vindicator do generally have more power they still only generate 1 shot and don't really suit were I'm going with this list.

- Heavy Bolters Sponsons

- Storm Bolter

Tourny Army WIP, + Random photos

Coastal Assault Army Group Shot.

New black reach dread conversion, 2 x Twin linked Auto Cannons

Captain and Predator, You can clearly see the Lego I used to fix my sponsons.

Marines so far, I keep telling my self I wont buy more but yeah....

Space Wolves So Far

Bjorn the Fell Handed WIP

The 634th Cadians So Far

Armored Sentinel - Originally Painted Iyander darksun and Gyphone sepia I though it looked to much like a honey soy chicken walker. So bleached bone and delvan mud washes were added

Leman Russ - Iyander Dark Sun, Bleached Bone Wash, Delvan mud wash

IG Test minni. Iyander darksun w/Bleached bone fabric, skull white and fortress grey highlights and dwarf flesh

The Display Bench. Left to right

Guard and Titan, Space Wolves, Red Skulls. And yes it is a door on top of a couple of boxes

My Painting Area. You can see bits boxes in the back, a good lamp, and a box o' paint

Also note the newspaper. I'm a messy painter I find the paper helps preserve the bencha little

My Work Bench, Exactly What it looks like an old door on top of boxes from when I moved in.

Coastal Assault Army - Some Subtle Changes

After seeing the players pack last week I have been thinking I could make a few changes to my army. I originally put a vindicator and plasma cannon dread into the army as a knee jerk reaction to a plague marine list. But have decided to go for more troops and less armour

HQ

Captain - Relic Blade, Storm Shield

Troops

Tactical Squad - Power Fist, Melta Gun, Multi Melta

Rhino - 2 x Storm Bolters

Tactical Squad - Melta Gun, Multi Melta

Rhino - 2 x Storm Bolters

Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon

Razor Back - Twin-linked Heavy Bolter, Storm Bolter

Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Las Cannon

Elites

Dreadnought - 2 x Twin Linked Auto Cannons

Dreadnought - Twin Linked Las Cannon, Missile Launcher

Heavy Support

Thunder Fire Cannon

Predator - Auto Cannon, 2 x Heavy Bolters, Storm Bolter

SW, IG and possible Ork Fluff

After my recently renamed red skulls, and while I'm trying to get get around to taking some photos I thought I could run through my secondary and possible armies

Imperial Guard - 634th Cadian

Specialty - Desert Warfare

Strength

Company Command Squad

Lord Commissar

5 attached Ratling Snipers

10 Special Forces Operators (Storm Troopers)

1st Infantry Platoon

- Platoon Command Squad

- 2 Infantry Squads

- 1 Heavy Weapons Team

2nd Infantry Platoon

- Platoon Command Squad

- 2 Infantry Squads

- 1 Heavy Weapons Team

1st Veteran Squad - Snipers

2nd Veteran Squad - Grenadiers

3rd Veteran Squad - Demolitions

Chimera

4th Veteran Squad - Grenadiers

2 Armoured Sentinels

1 Scout Sentinel

1 Leman Rus Demolisher

1 Leman Rus Battle Tank

All Subject to change and an Army box I have on order. This is an army I'm still tweaking, finding out what I like. I want some colossus siege mortars and scouts sentinels. I am enjoying working with the yellows, greys, browns and off whites of the desert theme. pics soon

____________________

Space Wolves

Great Company of Logan Grimnar

Logan Grimnar

2 Rune Priests

Bjorn the Fell Handed

18 Wolf Guard in Terminator Armour

Dreadnought

7 Wolf Scouts

14 Long Fangs

30 Grey Hunters

30 Blood Claws

1 Drop Pod

1 Predator

Reserve Commanders

- Cannis Wolfborn

- Ragnar Blackmane

I generally run this as a more assault capable marine gun line. Needs a lot of work in assembly. 30 Blood claws, 12 terminators and 7 long fangs still need construction. Like my guard I haven't finished paining a single model yet. The ice world theme is fun. focusing on blues and greys.

_________

And Finally Orks

The Blazing Skull Clan

Good Stuffs - Komandos, Burnas

the idea is sneaky pyro maniac orks. A unit of nob bikers with plenty of combi burna's and sneaky Komandos led by Boss Snikrot.

Hoping to get into this some time next year with a jungle theme.

Expect lots of green(Obviously) with earthy browns highlighted in bright primary colors.

Coastal Assault Army - 1500 points - Indepth and new Fluff

Coastal assault is only 4 weeks away. I managed to get my list table-able on the weekend. I'd like to do more work on the tanks then varnish them and call them finished but the army is at a point where I can field it and get a reasonable score. I've also decided to rename my exorcists with a DIY chapter.

THE RED SKULLS

Originator - Ultra Marines

Home World - Golgotha

Chapter Master - Augustus Grant

Specialties - Trench Warfare, Librarians, Salvaging Tech

The red skulls were almost destroyed shortly after their creation. Since then they have survived by salvaging weapons from battle fields and repairing them. Most of their remaining space marines fill the second company and vital command positions. They are cautious, chosing to ware down an enemy while minimizing casualties, some see this as cowardice, they see it as survival.

Strength - Weakened. Rebuilding after disastrous campaign against a Hive Fleet

High Command - Chapter Master, 5 Honour Guard, Chief Librarian, Master of the Forge, Various Officers and Advisors (master of the Fleet, Master of the Arsenal, etc)

1st Company - Captain, Chaplain, 2 Librarians 10 Assault Terminators, 20 Terminators, 20 Stern Guard, 2 Dreadnoughts, 1 Drop pod, 1 Land Raider, 1 Land Raider Redeemer

2nd Company - Captain, Librarian, Chaplain, Command Squad, 2 Rhinos, 2 Dreadnoughts, 60 Tactical Marines, 20 Assault marines, 20 Devastators

10th Company - Captain, 28 Scouts

Armoury - 1 Predator, 2 Dreadnoughts, 2 Vindicators, Whirl Wind, Thunder Fire Cannon

______________________

My thinking for this list revolved around the question: "What do marines do best?". The answer Attrition. Dealing damage with out taking casualties. So I decided on a mostly static force with plenty of shots and armor

______________________

Coastal assault Army list 1250 Points

Red Skulls Siege Force

HQ

Chapter Master - Relic Blade, Storm Bolter - Not my usual choice in HQ. The storm bolter was obvious the orbital bombardment is a little hit and miss but I'm hoping that it can give me a little extra bang when I need it.

Troops

Tactical Squad - Melta Gun, Multi Melta - Pretty standard short range, high impact anti tank unit.

Rhino - 2 x Storm Bolter - Move 6 fire 2 storm bolters and 2 boltguns. 6-8 shots is not bad for a rhino.

Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon - Marine hunters. MEQ ussually makes the bulk of any tourney. I see them playing a big role. I also know there will be at least one plague marine list and 1 terminator heavy BT list, this unit should help slow them down.

Razor Back - Twin Linked Heavy Bolter, Storm Bolter - Again the extra bolt rounds. in practice games when paired with the rhino this has been great for shifting troops of objectives.

Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Lascannon - Classic anti tank and anti FNP/MEQ/Terminator. This can take on any unit and do damage at range.

Elites

Dreadnought - Twin Linked Lascannon, Missile Launcher - I call this the Tank Sniper config. It is one of the best anti armor combos out there. It has 2 decent anti armor weapons and it can move 6 and fire both. I usually run them in pairs but decided to try something different this time out

Dreadnought - 2 x Twin Linked Auto Cannons - I have been looking for an excuse to finish and use this model. I converted it from a "Black Reach" dread. In testing it consistently landed 4 wounds on nearly any target. Plus 4 shots(Twin Linked) at Str 7 makes it great for hunting armour 10 and 11 targets and ok for Armour 12.

Dreadnought - Plasma Cannon, CCW, Storm Bolter - Yes a 3rd Dread. This is another back reach conversion using a devastator plasma cannon. This is for plague marines and MEQ. Its a lethal combo of fire power and close combat strength.

Heavy Support

Predator - Auto Cannon, 2 x Heavy Bolters, Storm Bolter - The ultimate dakka pred. generally a 5 shot fire base or a 10 shot pill box. This is a little horde/MC protection.

Vindicator - Originally I was going to run a whirlwind but the WW just seemed to situational. The vindicator is awesome. it costs 50 points less than a guard demolisher for little difference. This is the most under costed item in the marine dex.

Thunder Fire Cannon - I was a little undecided about this at first but the more I use it the more it becomes a necessity in nearly every list I build. And even if it gets destroyed I have a tech marine repairing my gun line.

_______

This is very much a stationary gun line. Its a "come get me" list. It is about trying to fire as many shots per turn as possible and then rolling over the objectives. This list is designed with the end game in mind, its about getting to turn 5 and then grabbing the objectives. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Where the 634th Cadian is headed

After an impulse buy at MOAB I now have about 3000 points of space wolves in varying stages of construction/painting and so my winter theme guard are now desert them guard.

Basic Paint Scheme infantry

1. Chaos black spry

2. Iyander Darksun base coat

3. Bleached bone on the fabric, dwarf flesh for the flesh

4. Grave yard earth, skull white and fortress grey highlights

Basic for Armour

1. Chaos black spray

2. Yander Darksun base

3. Bleached bone wash

4. Delvin mud wash

5. Grave yard earth, skull white and fortress grey highlights

6. weathering effect yet to be determined

I did a little research on desert warfare. and 2 things stood out

1. Snipers

2. Armour

So this is forming the base of my army.

So far my 1250 list idea for Gosford Shield is as follows

Company Command Squad

Infantry Platoon

- Command

- Infantry Squad

- Infantry Squad

- Heavy Weapons Team

- Heavy Weapons Team

- Chimera

Veteran sniper squad

Ratlings

3 x Sentinels

Leman Rus Battle Tank

Leman Rus Demolisher

Pics hopefully this weekend.

League Wrap up and Whats Next for the Noob

Another league has come to an end. This being my 4th at my local store, and at this point I'm finishing with a win. At present I have the most points, there are several people who could catch me if they play there games by Thursday. It turns out I played consistently average 4 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses. The only thing giving my the win were my comp scores.

Next is the Coastal Assault tournament at Gosford Good Games on the 12th of December followed by the Gosford Shield on the 16th of January and Battle in the Vines at Cessnock on April 10.

I'm hoping to get my guard ready for the Gosford Shield, (List coming soon). At present I am happy with about 5 of my 40 models for Coastal assault. and my battle company for BiV is coming along slowly.

Anyway here is my coastal assault list

Chapter Master - Storm Bolter, Relic Blade

Tactical Squad - Plasma gun, Plasma Cannon

Razor Back - Twin Linked Heavy Bolter, Storm Bolter

Tactical Squad - Plasma gun, Las Cannon

Tactical Squad - Melta Gun, Multi Melta

Rhino - 2 x Storm Bolter

Dreadnought - Plasma Cannon, CCW, Storm Bolter

Dreadnought - 2 x Twin Linked Auto Cannons

Dreadnought - Twin Linked Las Cannon, Missile Launcher

Thunder Fire Cannon

Vindicator

Predator - Auto Cannon, 2 x Heavy Bolters, Storm Bolter

Final Round of League

after a big win last night I am now coming second with 1 game to play on sunday. I need 24 points to claim the top spot.

Here's the list,

HQ

Librarian - Force Weapon, Bolt Pistol, Avenger, Gate of Infinity - 100 Points

Librarian - Terminator Armor, Force Weapon, Storm Shield, Might of the Ancients, Null Zone - 140 Points

TROOPS

10 x Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Multi Melta, Rhino - 215 Points

10 x Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Multi Melta, Rhino - 215 Points

10 x Scouts - sgt w/ bolt pisol and ccw, 8 x bolt guns, Heavy bolter - 150 Points

ELITES

10 x Stern Guard - 2 x combi Meltas, melta gun, Heavy Flamer, Drop Pod - 310 Points

5 x Assault Terminators- Thunder Hammers and Storm Shields - Land Raider - 450 Points

Dreadnought - Multi Melta, CCW, Storm Bolter - 105

HEAVY SUPPORT

Vindicator - 115 Points

Vindicator - 115 Points

Predator - Auto cannon, 2 x Heavy Bolters - 85 Points

2000 Total.

I will be at Good Games in Gosford, NSW from about 11am on Sunday the 8th if anyone wants to come in for a game.

Cheese List for Catch up game

League is ending, I need a win. So here is the hardest 1750 army I could come up with.

HQ

Librarian - Avenger, Might of the Ancients

Troops

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Multi Melta, Razor Back

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Multi Melta, Razor Back

Tactical Squad - Plasma gun, las Cannon

Elites

Dreadnought - Multi Melta

Dreadnought - Plasma Cannon

5 x Assault Terminators - Thunder hammers, Storm Shields, Land Raider

Heavy Support

Vindicator

Vindicator

Thunder Fire Cannon

Space Wolves at 2000 Points for League

1 game to go, and 1 catch up to play, the league is coming to a head.

This week its Space Wolves.

HQ

Logan Grimnar

Bjorn the Fell Handed

Troops

10 x Grey Hunters - 2 x Plasma Guns

10 x Grey Hunters - 2 x Plasma Guns

10 x Grey Hunters - 2 x Melta Guns, Plasma Pistol, Power Fist, Drop Pod

6 x Wolf Guard (all terminators)

- Arjac

- Storm Bolter, Power Weapon, Cyclone Missile Launcher

- Frost Blade, Storm Bolter

- Power Fist, Storm Bolter

- Chain Fist, Storm Bolter

- 2 x Wolf Claws

Elites

Dreadnough - Assault Cannon, Heavy Flamer

Heavy Support

Predator - Twin linked Las Cannon, 2 x Las Cannons

6 x Long Fangs - 2 x Las cannons, Plasma Cannon, Heavy Bolter, Missile Launcher

League Result, 2 extra games , Ranking after MOAB,

Yesterday was a big day. I took a day off work to deal with a few things then dropped by the local games shop. And stayed for over 8 hours.

In that time I played 2 games of 1500 with

Captain - Relic Blade, Storm Bolter

Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon

Razor Back -Twin Linked Heavy Bolter, Storm Bolter

Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon

Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Heavy Bolter

Rhino - 2 x Storm Bolter

Dreadnought- Twin Linked Lascannon, Missile

Dreadnought- Twin Linked Lascannon, Missile

Dreadnought - 2 x Twin linked auto cannons

Whirl Wind

Thunder Fire Cannon

Predator - Auto Cannon, 2 x Heavy Bolters, Storm Bolter

Game 1 VS Daemons

- Lost, Didn't focus enough fire, Almost killed lots of things, didn't finish off much

Game 2 VS Drop Pod Marines w/ Legion of the Damned

- Won 1 objective to 0. My opponent had 1 marine left, But I failed to make much head way

And finally I tried my battle company VS 2000 points of Guard w/ 2 Colossus Siege Mortars, 2 Bane Wolves, 2 Leman Russes.

- Won 4 Objectives to 1. Game called on turn 4 due to my opponents ride leaving.

With spear head deployment I filled my quarter and then managed to double envelop. My opponent was pushed back into his deployment zone with my troops ready to swamp his infanty.

He managed to kill about 50 marines, but another 20 provided cover fire for the 30 assaulting him.

____________

Rankings after MOAB from http://www.gosfordgamers.net/ATR/index.htm

Ranknings for 40k in Australia and New Zealand

Over All - 123

Battle - 100

Composition - 84

Sports - 222

Painting - 91

From 1091 players

This is a little bit of a shift. Still need to stop laughing at inappropriate moments.

1750 For League Catch up. 3rd Company and MOF

Exorcists Chapter Armory Guard.

Johan Sharpton - Captain of the 3rd Company, Master of the Arsenal. - Relic Blade, Storm Shield - 145 Points

Frederick Mason - Master of the Forge - Power Weapon - 115 Points

3rd Company 1st Tactical Squad - Plasma Pistol, Power Weapon, Flamer, Heavy Bolter, Razor Back

3rd Company 4th Tactical Squad - Power Fist, Melta, Multi Melta, Rhino

3rd Company 5th Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Heavy Bolter

11th Company Scout Sniper Detachment - 5 Scouts w/Sniper Rifles

Elites

Brother Garan - Dreadnought - Assault Cannon, Heavy Flamer

Brother Parson - Dreadnought - Plasma Cannon

Brother Arman - Dreadnought - Multi Melta

Heavy Support

Brother Titus - Dreadnought - Twin Linked Las Cannon, Missile Launcher

Brother Pulo - Dreadnought - Twin Linked Las Cannon, Missile Launcher

Brother Yakob - Dreadnought - 2 x Twin Linked Auto Cannons.

2000 Point list for League and BIV - Battle Company

Here it is the Battle company list. The one I'm taking to League next week and BIV. On a side note last nights BIV Game was postponed due to lack of players, Trying for a catch up on Sunday.

HQ

Captain - Lightning Claw, Boltgun

Troops

Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Plasma Cannon

Tactical Squad - Melta, Multi Melta

Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Heavy Bolter

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Plasma Cannon

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Missile Launcher

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Heavy Bolter

Fast Attack

10 Assault Marines

10 Assault Marines

Heavy Support

10 Devestators - 2 x Missile Launcher, 2 x Heavy Bolter

10 Devestators - 2 x Missile Launcher, 2 x Multi Melta

Little crazy but should be fun.

Project Status Report

As some of the regulars may have noticed I tend to run multiple projects at once. with differing levels of success and tend to change my mind. Mainly for my benefit, here are my current goals

1. 2000 Points of space wolves assembled by 6th of November

- Bjorn - Painted in pieces, needs assembly and final paint

- Logan Grimar and wolf gaurd are assembled and paint started

- 6 Long Fangs, Assembly Started

- 30 Grey hunters still on sprue, waiting on melta guns

- Predator nearly done

- Drop pod paint started

- Dreadnought paint started

- Owned not used - 10 more grey hunters, 30 blood claws, 6 more long fangs, Canis Wolf born, 7 Wolf Scouts

- Wish list for Space Wolves- Land Raider, 2 x Rhinos

2. Coastal Assault Army ready for tournament by 12th December

- Need to strip and re-paint my auto cannon dread, probably redo the arms, maybe from scratch

- Paint my new chapter master

- Squad mark my infantry

- Finish my Vindicator

- Repair Thunder Fire

3. BIV Army - 2000 Points -Easter 2010

- Just need to finish painting

4. SPACE MARINES

- 2nd Company - Will be done by BIV

- 1st Company - Cut down to 20 Terminator, 10 assault Terminators, 20 Stern Guard Various states

- Honour Guard, Comand Squad, Bikers, 25 Scouts, Various HQ's all need work

- Land Raider, Redeemer, Drop Pod, Land Speeder all need major Work

- I think I've bought enough for this army

5. Blood Angels - Waiting for Codex

6. Guard - Need 3-5 Russes, 4 Sentinels, Mess of infantry waiting for cash before I follow through

6. Others I'd like to try

- Dark Angels - Wait for New Codex

- Daemon Hunters/Witch Hunters/Death Watch - All 3 in one codex would be awesome

- Orks - Waiting Cash, Lowest Priority

- Chaos Marines - Maybe, need a few units, might try to build something up over time.

- Tau - Waiting for a new codex

Costal Assault Tournament Final List, Until I change my mind again

I have tried a lot of different types of marine armies and tactics in the year I have been playing.

Mech Marines - Rhinos, Land Raiders, Droppods

Assaulty Marines - Like thursday nights BA army.

Combined Marines - My MOAB army

Horde Marines - 80 Marines at BIV this year, Planning a 101 marine list for BIV next year

Spec Ops Marines - Predro, Stern Guard, Scouts,

But as a wise player said to me once "Do one thing and do it well"

What marines do better than anyone else is attrition warfare. Attrition warfare is when you ware an opponent down to the point of collapse through the constant infliction of casualties.

Marines do this well because:

1. They have access to some long range fire power - Dreadnoughts, Predators, Land Raiders, Thunder fire Cannon, Whirlwind, Devastators, Snipers,Terminators, Stern Guard, Land Speeder Typhoons and even the humble Tactical Squad.

2. They have a 3+ armor save for the majority of their forces.

3. Cheap transports for the final push.

With this is mind I constructed a list for the December, Coastal Assault tournament in Gosford, NSW, Australia. The idea of the list is to layout enough big guns to take out key targets before a forward push is used to overcome the remaining forces.

HQ

Chapter Master - Relic Blade, Storm Bolter - 158 Points - Chosen over my trade mark Librarian firstly for his orbital Bombardment and secondly for his close combat ability.

TROOPS

Tactical Squad - Sgt w/Bolt Gun and Power Fist, Melta Gun, Multi Melta - 200 Points - No one can deny the anti tank power of melta weapons in 5th ed. This is a tank hunter squad that can combat squad and leave its multi melta in a defensive position

Rhino - 35 Points

Tactical Squad - Sgt w/Chainsword and Bolt Pistol, Flamer, Missile Launcher - 170 Points - Cheap, flexible, reliable

Razor Back - Twin Linked Heavy Bolter - 40 Points - a little extra fire power.

Tacitcal Squad - Sgt w/Chainsword and Bolt Pistol, Plasma Gun, Heavy Bolter - 180 Points - Infantry killer.

ELITES

Dreadnought - Twin Linked Las Cannon, Missile Launcher - 145 Points

Dreadnought - Twin Linked Las Cannon, Missile Launcher - 145 Points

Dreadnought -2 x Twin Linked Auto Cannons - 125 Points

These 3 dreads form a mobile gun battery. If I keep them together they should be able to deal with most Vehicle and Monstrous Creature threats

Heavy Support

Thunderfire Cannon - 100 Points - Not leaving home with out it.

Vindicator - 115 Points - One of the most under valued items in the marine Dex. Little short on range but deadly

Whirl Wind - 85 Points - The Thunder Fires Indirect fire assistant. Both can ignore cover and hit hiding enemies. It'll be interesting to pair them up for a tournament setting.

___

Let me know what you think.

Quick Round 7 update, This weeks list

For the first time in a while my work has slowed back to normal, So hopefully more updates.

First things first

____________

Round 7 Battle

This was another game against my friend James from the local club. We both tend to show up late and end up playing each other when there is no one else left. After the wupping I got from him last week when I tried Guard I was ready for revenge.

The mission for 3 objectives, Dawn of War.

It was a brutal match. In the end I was left with 5 space marines, an immobilized weaponless whirl wind and a drop pod in similar condition.

My opponent had 1 rus and about 12 guardsmen. Unfortunately my 2 harmless vehicles were contesting objectives.

Close Win - 1 Vs 0

__________________

This weeks List

Blood Angels Assault Force

HQ
Chaplain Lemartes

Chaptain - Terminator Armour

Troops

10 Assault Marines - Power Fist

10 Assault Marines - Power Weapon

10 Tactical Marines - Power Fist Melta Gun, Multi Melta, Rhino

Elites

10 Death Company - Jump Packs

5 Terminators - 5 x Lightning Claws

Heavy Support

Land Raider Crusader

This is a bit of a silly list should be some fun though.

League and Coastal Assault List in Detail

Today is just a run down of the list I'm trying out this week ready for the Coastal Assault tournament at my local store in December. This combines elements from MOAB, LoT and my league games.

HQ

Captain - Relic Blade, Storm Shield, Bike - This is a nice tough CC HQ. I have been running a captain with relic blade and storm shield in the local league but sometimes had trouble getting him into combat. Hopefully the bike solves this issue.

Librarian - Force Weapon, Bolt Pistol, Avenger, Gate of Infinity - the king of drop podding HQ's. An AP 3 STR 5 flamer in my oponents back line have won me more games and caused more havoc than I can mention. Gate is handy but rarely used.

TROOPS

Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Las Cannon - Lately I have been minimizing costs of units to allow for fewer more powerful choices, however I find that has been leading to dead weight units, Ones that need to be carried through the game and play no big part in the overall battle. Las Plas is rarely wasted.

Tactical Squad - Power Fist, Melta Gun, Multi Melta, Rhino - Mobile tank hunting assaulty squad. Mobile close range fire power.

Bike Squad - 5 Bikes - Sgt w/ Power Fist, Melta gun, Plasma Gun - This unit acts as a flanking unit, Interceptor and personal guard for my captain. First time I've tried bike so should be fun.

Scouts - Sgt w/ Sniper Rifle, 3 x Snipers, 1 x Heavy Bolter - I've always like sniper scouts. I'm hoping the heavy bolter will add some fire power along with the Hell fire shell which I'm keen to try out

ELITES

Stern Guard - 10 men - sgt w/ Power fist and bolt gun, 2 x combi Melta, Melta gun, Heavy Flamer, Drop Pod - This is my distraction unit. If you drop a unit that kills a tank and an infantry squad in 1 turn your opponents army will implode to try and kill the unit. Which gives the rest of your army time to move into position. Plus they're already painted.

Heavy Support

Thunder Fire Cannon - At MOAB this unit evaporated entire units of gaunts, Landed 15+ wounds on marine, fire warrior and legion of the damned squad in a single turn.

Whirl Wind -Hoping to boost the effectiveness of my thunder fire and stern guard with some nice artillery fire. I used one to great effect at this years Battle in the Vines.

Pros

- Plenty of Ignores cover shots

- Fast flexible troops

- Great horde control

- Decent close combat and ranged ability

- decent number of STR 6 and wounds on 2+ weapons

Cons

- Lacking in long range anti tank

- Lacking low AP templates, Terminator Control

My Top 5 From the Space Wolves Dex

I recently picked up the SW Dex as an impulse buy and then fell in love with a few of the units. These are the units that made me want to start an army

5. Wolf Guard - Awesome customizable infantry you can then break off and attach to units. After see the Terminator w/Cyclone Missiles attached to a long fangs squad I knew I had to try it.

4. Grey Hunters -Marines w/2 special weapons, and 2 attacks a piece. Chaos marines with out having to go chaosy

3. Wolf Scouts - 110 points for 5 w/melta bombs and a melta gun and BS 4

2. Long Fangs - 5 heavy weapons shooting at 2 targets that can take a commander in terminator armor w/ a cyclone missile launcher. I will hopefully soon be running 2 of these.

1. Bjorn the Fell Handed - As a noob I was new to the whole Dreadnought HQ idea. I hand to buy another dread bringing my total to 8 Dreadnoughts (What's the walker equivilent of a tread head? Dread Head?)

I will be trying the new dex out at 2000 points, and I'm still having trouble squeezing everything I want in. but at the moment the list is looking like

HQ

Bjorn the Fell Handed

ELITES

Dreadnought - Assault Cannon, Heavy Flamer

Wolf Guard

- Terminator, Cyclone Missile Launcher

- Terminator, 2 x Wolf Claws

- Terminator, 1 x Wolf Claw, Storm Boter

- Terminator, Power Weapon, Storm Bolter

- Terminator, Power Fist, Storm Bolter

TROOPS

10 Grey Hunters - Plasma Pistol, 2 x Plasma Guns, Power Fist

Drop Pod

10 x Grey Hunters - 2 x Plasma Guns

10 x Grey Hunters - 2 x Plasma Guns

15 x Blood Claws - Power Fist

15 x Blood Claws - Power Fist

HEAVY SUPPORT

Predator - Twin Linked Lascannon, Sponson Las Cannons

6 x Long Fangs - 2 x Plasma Cannons, Heavy Bolter, 2 x Missile Launcher

Also kicking around I also have.

5 x Sky Claws

7 x Wolf Scouts

6 more Long Fangs

15 more Terminators

About 40 older plastic models I can turn into Something

Leauge Results- Note to Self, Gaurd are not Marines - Project Update

LEAGUE RESULT

It was a white wash. I made the mistake early on of playing Guard like I would marines.

Unfortunately guard don't have the defense. I was wiped out to the man. Unfortunately due to work I haven't had a chance to write a battle report.

Project Update

My coastal assault army is together, All under coated and base coated

I am liking the space wolves dex and I'm redistributing some under used models to them. so far I have got together

Canis Wolfborn - Love the figure, just has to buy it.

Bjorn the Fell Handed - Coverting a dreadnought

Rune Priest

Ragnar Blackmane

30 grey hunters

30 Blood Claws

15 Terminators

7 Wolf Scouts

1 Dreadnought - Assault cannon, Heavy Flamer

5 Sky Claws

12 Long Fangs

Predator

1 drop pod

After some colour testing I decided to go with Chaos Black Spay, Astromica Grey under coat, Space wolves grey base coat. I experimented with shadow grey and fortress grey but found the space wolves grey worked well with Iyander Darksun and mechrite red.

I have promised my self I wont rush this army I'll try to have fun with some white-grey-blue-green colors and snow basing. Plenty of dry bush effects.

Also my 634th Cadians have been reassigned to a wasteland planet to await reinforcements. I'll be changing this up a little, Lots of grey, brown, yellow earthy colors.

Hopefully soon I can get an assistant at work and have more time for photo's.

I'll be going for BoLS membership soon, once I feel things are up to scratch, Less writing about what I want to do and more doing it and taking pictures.

Gaurd Virgins list for first game + Project updates

Yes, After running Marines exclusively for just over a year I am branching out a little hoping to try out 3 other codex's before the end of my local League. This week is guard, then in 2 weeks Blood Angels and finally hoping to try out space wolves before the end of the league.

Any way here is the list

634th Cadian Veterans

HQ

Command Squad - Officer w/Plasma Pistol, Chain sword, Plasma Gunner, Medic, Vox, Standard

Master of the Ordnance

Commisar Lord - Power Fist, Plasma Pistol

TROOPS

Veteran Squad - 3 x Grenade Launchers, Las Cannon

Veteran Squad - 3 x Grenade Launchers, Las Cannon

Veteran Squad - sgt w/Shotgun, Power Fist, 3 x Grenade Launchers, Missile Launcher, Grenadiers

Veteran Squad - 1 x Grenade Launcher, 2 x Sniper Rifles, Auto Cannon

Veteran Squad - sgt w/Shotgun, Power Fist, 2 x Flamers, Heavy Flamer, Mortar

Chimera - Heavy Flamer, Multi Laser, Demolitions

Veteran Squad - Gunnery Sgt Harker, 2 x Melta Guns, Heavy Flamer, Heavy Bolter, Demolitions

ELITES

Guardsman Marbo

FAST ATTACK

Armored Sentinel - Plasma Cannon

Armored Sentinel - Plasma Cannon

HEAVY SUPPORT

Leman Rus Demolisher - Hull mounted Heavy Bolter, Heavy Stubber

I will be playing against gaurd vetern James Murch from my local club.

_____________________________

Coastal Assault Tournament Army

After my MOAB experience and picking up a few models I've decided to try this list

HQ

Captain - Relic Blade, Storm Shield, Bike

Libarain - Gate of Infinity, Avenger

TROOPS

Tactical Squad - Power Fist, Melta, Multi Melta

Rhino

Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Las Cannon

Scouts - 4 x snipers, Heavy bolter

Bike Squad - Power Fist, Melta Gun, Plasma Gun

ELITES

Stern Guard - Power Fist, 2 x combi-melta, Melta Gun, Heavy Flamer

Drop Pod

HEAVY SUPPORT

Thunder Fire Cannon

Whirl Wind

Lacking a little in long range anti tank. I'll see how it runs.

____________

Since Buying Space wolves the cadians are now going to be wastland themed, Lots of grey, brown, yellow earthy tones.

Wolves will be Winter themed. Hoping to have 2000 points assembled in 5 weeks.

Back From MOAB

Yes, I'm back after 3 days of gaming down in Sutherland with plenty of swag and a little fatigue

I'll try and recap what I can bellow, Unfortunately I lost my players pack where I made notes so this may be a little vague

I headed down on Friday after having to find some last minute accommodation with a couple of players from club in Orange including the guy I was playing a grudge match against on Saturday.

DAY 1

Game 1 - Nid's - Grudge Match

This was a fun game against my roomy for the weekend Shakey Lajtar. I remember taking down one of his hive tyrants turn 1 with my drop podding tactical squad and evaporating entire units of gaunts with my thunder fire.

Result - WIN

Game 2 - Also Nids

The mission was most scoring units in enemy deployment zone, pitched Battle. I went first and deployed in the center of the board with my vindicator, thunder fire and dreads bisecting the board through a gap in terrain. My oponent deployed on one side of the centre divide, He charged up one board edge, I charged up the other. Very little died but I managed a max points win due to having 7 scoring units.

Result - WIN

Game 3 - Deamon Hunters w/ space marine allies.

Unfortunately for my oponent a lucky avenger, thunder fire and vindicator in the first 2 turns reduced my opponents army to a hand full of figures, When my dreadnough assaulted and destroyed his land raider it was all over, At the end on the game he had 1 scout left.

Result - WIN

Game 4 - Nids

At the start of this game, I was placed 3rd. I new I was in for a challenge and was right, the game was against my friend and local store TO Damien. And yes like usual he put me in my place. winning 6 kill points to 3. The only reason I got a 3rd kill point was a lucky roll on my sniper scouts when they scored 3 rending hits on a Zonethrope.

DAY 2

This day I fought 4 marine armies, with a hang over. It all sort of blended into one.

Game 5 - Space Marines - Mechanicum Theme

This game was hard fought with big losses on both sides. I the end I was defeated in turn 7 by a squad of terminators.

Result - LOSS

Game 6 - Space Marines - Salamanders

I could not roll a 3+ for anything, To hit or for my armor save.

Result - LOSS

Game 7 - Space Marines - Drop Pod legion of the damned.

This was against another team mate - Brendan. My thunder fire dominated. I was also able to play defensively and mass bolter fire which served me well

Result - WIN

Game 8 - Mech Space Marines

This was a close match. Fortunately I had a few lucky breaks and claimed a close win.

Result - WIN

DAY 3

Game 9 - Tau

This was a close match. I had him at the end of my turn 5 however my opponent was able to bring the game back his way.

Result - Draw

Game 10 - Imperial Guard

This game I won through luck. The mission was 2 Primary and 5 minor objectives. These were all placed on one flank.

My scouts managed to assault and destroy my opponents only tank in turn 1. My opponent was using Al'rahem to out flank a platoon unfortunately, even with a re-roll my opponent ended up on the opposite side of the board where I managed to intercept his foot sloggers with a dreadnought.

Result - WIN

Game 11 - Tau

In this game my Assault cannon, Flamer dread, thunder fire cannon and Librarian wiped out my opponents fire warriors.

Result - WIN

TOTAL

Games 11

Wins - 7

Losses - 3

Draws - 1

Place - 13th from 50 Players.

A few unusual things

The only Ork player dropped out after day 1

1 chaos player

4 Daemon Players

SWAG

After picking up the space wolves dex looks like I will be making an army, 2000 points or so.

I worked out a deal with a vendor

4 x Space marine bikes (3 pack + 1 on spue out of box)

Predator

Dreadnought

Space wolves box

Scouts

Canis Wolf Born

Plus 40 free paint brushes for $240 AU

Round 5 VS Grey Knights

Pitched Battle, Kill Points, 1250 points

Due to some the time I got there last night I ended up playing the grey knights destroyed in Round 3 for the second time. This time things did not go to plan.

I was of course testing out my MOAB army again. My oponent ran 2 x Grey Knight Terminators, A land raider crusader, a dreadnought a squad of grey knights, a captain, and a squad of inquisitorial storm troopers.

Turn 1

I won the roll and let my oponent go first. He formed in the center of his deployment zone with good cover.

I deployed directly opposite, Infiltrated my scouts on his flank.

1 squad of terminators charged my scouts. The grey knights climbed were deployed in the land raider. They other terminators moved into cover, the storm troopers moved to get out of my thunder fire cannons line of site. Over to me.

My drop pod came down, The tactical squad and librarian take out the storm troopers. First blood to me. My scouts kept peppering the terminators charging them down.

TURN 2

My opponents full fury turned on my Drop Pod squad. They shot and then assaulted the remainders killing the librarian and most of the squad.

The terminators continued thier march.

I did little A few maneuvers, a took some pot shots. My opponent managed to completely deny my thunder fire line of site. In assault my tactical squad failed and was killed.

TURN 3.

My opponent charged forward with his dread and land raider. His terminators met my scouts and butchered them. His other terminator squad took out my drop pod

My vindicator managed to take out my opponents land raider while my Assault cannon dread immobilized his dreadnought. His grey knights then passed no less than 15 armour saves not losing a single 1

Turn 4.

My opponent moved his grey knights into cover and out of the firing lines. My Assault cannon dread assaults his dreadnought and ends up getting destroyed.

Turn 5.

My opponent Hides. I try and maneuver but am not fast enough. The game end.

LOSS 4 VS 2.

Oh well. 2 games with the MOAB list both resulting in losses. It will be interesting to see how it performs at a tournament.

Early Thoughts on Starting ORKS and other armies

If you've been keeping up I currently have

- 10,000+ points of Marines

- 1,500 Points of Guard

I can also field an armie of Blood Angels with 10 Death Company w/ jump packs led by Lemartes.

I'm currently looking to buy some Space Wolves and Orks from my soon to be brother in law next week.

From here I will also most likely expand my marines into Chaos, Dark Angels, Deamon Hunters, Witch Hunters and Black Templars once I can gain a few of their unique units. Leading to having 10 fieldable armies. That should break the monotony.

I have not yet had a chance to look through the spaces wolves Dex but hope to pick is up ASAP.

For Orks I am currently planning out a clan I'll call the Blazing Skulls, also as a nod to my love of comic books.

I like the Blood Axe themes but also like the idea of a clan of sneaky pyromaniac Orks running around.

Boss Snikrot will make an appearance, as will Old Zogwort (Lysander --> Sqig,) 1 War boss on a bike, 5 nob bikers, Maybe some burner boyz. I figure the flamers would compensate for the BS 2

Space Wolves I need the dex and to look though said almost relations old toys. Should be fun, Can't wait to start kit bashing!!!!!!!!

Apart from all this Tau and the Warhammer: Empire armies catch my eye from time to time. oh well I can dream.

Let me know what you think of Blazing Skulls

MOAB List Thoughts, Moving to Costal Assault

So far I'm a little disappointed in my army. Though against the army and the player I faced last week I think i did OK.

I've been kicking around a few ideas. The 2 units I missed were my Stern Guard that I took to lords of Tera (Power fist, 2 x Combi Melta's, Melta gun, Heavy Flamer, Drop Pod) and my Captain with a Relic Blade and Storm shield.

So far I have not been thrilled with my scouts, Thunder Fire or Dreadnought with assault cannon and heavy flamer. Its hard sometimes when a unit performs unusually well or unusually badly over a game or games to judge its true effectiveness.

The dread doesn't have the range I need and I would have probably been better off taking one with a pair of twin linked auto cannons. The scouts are a liability in kill point missions and don't have the accuracy to compensate for their small numbers. The thunder fire is hit and miss. A good Marine or Eldar player can avoid it, It should do great things against guard and Orks, it just seems situational and lacking a little in flexibility.

At the Moment, Base on one game, but most likely to change I'll be running

1500 Points

Captain - Relic Blade, Storm Shield

Librarian - Gate Of Infinity, Avenger, Epistolary

Tactical Squad - Power Fist, Melta, Multi Melta

Tactical Squad - Plasma Gun, Heavy Bolter

Rhino

Tactical Squad - Power Fist, Flamer, Missile Launcher

Dreadnought - Twin Linked Las Cannon

Stern Guard - Power Fist, Heavy Flamer, 2 x Combi Melta, Melta Gun

Drop Pod - Locator Beacon

Vindicator

The idea is to drop the Stern Guard with the Captain, Gate a Tactical Squad to the drop pod with the librarian. Foot slog the other 2 Tac Squad, Las cannon dred for supporting fire.

League Results

Well my fears were realized. at the start of the league the TO decreed

"He who is winning the comp, plays the TO, unless they already have"

This week it was me. I would be playing Damien Carter. Ranked 5th in Australia and New Zealand out of 1200 players for battle points. A player of Nids, Eldar, Choas and able to play and win with just about any army.

Knowing I have a Nid battle first up at MOAB I requested Nids.

We rolled off. Spear head, Kill Points. Oh dear. This was probably the worst outcome for me.

His list

2 Hive Tyrants w/ 2 guards each.

2 Carnifex's

3 Zoanthropes

2 large squads of gaunts

1 squad of gene steelers

I have little close combat apart from my dreads, Oh dear.

My plan was simple, Focus fire on the Tyrants, get rid of synaps, tank shock, shoot, go for moral fails.

My oponnent went first, Nid Rush. I formed up in the back corner hoping to unload enough fire power to slow them down. That was not the case.

Although I did take down both tyrants, it was to little to late.

The rest of the gave revolved around a growing number of combats with marines over run by turn 3.

Result.

Loss: 3 kill points to 10

Composition: 7/10

Battle: 0

I was starting to miss my stern guard and Captain w. relic blade and storm shield. I might need to include them in the coastal assault army. Depending on how next weekend goes.

Next week - MOAB list vs Drop Pod, Legion of the Damned Marines

Week After - Guard on Guard Action.

League List 1250 - Moab Test

Another week, another league game. At MOAB a friend of mine for the Orange War Gaming club Grudged me for MOAB. This means I will be facing Nid Zilla in the first round.

At first I wanted to change my list to give my self a better chance knowing the player and the list would be hard to beat. Ideally I would play something like

Captain - Relic Blade, Storm Shiled

Scouts - 10 man, 9 snipers, heavy bolter

Scouts - 10 man, 9 snipers, heavy bolter

Dreadnought - 2x twin linked Auto Cannons

Sterngaurd - 10 man, Heavy flamer

Thunder Fire Cannon

Predator - Auto Cannon, Heavy Bolters

But the list I have prepared is

HQ

Librarian - Bolt Pistol, Force Weapon, Gate of Infinity, Avenger - This is still the biggest bang for buck. The power to incinerate an entire squad and then get the hell out of there. It can force you oponent to divert from the main attack to deal with a small potent force.

Troops

Tactical Squad - Sgt w/ Combi Plasma, Plasma Gun, Multi Melta, Drop Pod - This is my distraction, Combo'd with the librarian they should reap some chaos in the enemy lines, The plasma can take out a tank or damage a key squad, If it gets a second turn the multi melta in their ranks should do well

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Multi Melta, Rhino - This is an objective grabber, pure and simple.

Tactical Squad - Flamer, Missile Launcher - Can't argue with a classic. Its a flexible unit mainly for defence.

Scouts - 5 x snipers - This unit has always been hit and miss but overall they make their points back. Either infiltrate and pepper the enemy or out flank and go for a late objective grab or Krak grenade attack on some armor.

ELITES

Dreadnought - Assault Cannon, Heavy Flamer - I call this the Ork Slayer. Time to earn its name, This is the first dread I ever built. Is a plasma cannon better than an assault cannon? Definitely. However I'm hoping it helps against the nids.

Dreadnought - Twin Linked Las Cannon - I took the missiles off to save points. Hope it still works.

Heavy Support

Thunder Fire Cannon - I love this model. I ran it a while back when I first got it and wasn't impressed. I brought it back out for a friendly between leagues and was blown away. The first turn it took out 7 marines. It ripped the enemy infantry to shreds. Turn 3 it landed 15 str 6 hits on a legion of the damned squad killing 4. It will be interesting to see how it does in a tournment.

Vindicator - The best value for money in the codex. It takes out tanks, Bikers and anything else.

Battle report Tommorow

Project Update

1. My MOAB Army is painted, posted and waiting a test game on Thursday night.

2. Costal Assault Army

Option 1 - MOAB + Captain w/relic blade and storm shield and a Dread.

Option 2 - Librarian, Captain as above, 60 Tac Marines, 2 Drop pods, 2 Rhinos.

The second is more fun, a little crazy but more fun.

3. 634th Cadians - Base coat done.

- Comand Squad

- Commisar lord - kit bashed

- 6 Veteran Squads induding kit bashed gunnery sgt harker

- 2 sentinels

- Chimera

- Demolisher

4. Blood Angels - When painting my assault marines I decided to get out some models I had set aside for Vanguard and paint them up as death company. Then I had a terminator chaplain, Great fig that I never got around to painting, the rest just fell into place. List and pics next month

5. 2. BIV Army - Due Easter 2010

Captain - Assembled, Undercoats done, starting on details. Blood Red, Gold Helmet, Black Back pack gold highlights

60 Tactical Marines - 30 done, 30 kind of done, need some patching and detail, maybe better basing

20 Assault Marines - Under Coated, Blood Red body, Black Jump Pack, Lyander Darksun helmets

20 Devestators - Most done, need some repairs and a few helmets to paint. Regal Blue helmets