Bretonnian Trebuchet's - finished #steakbet

I have finished the two Bretonnian Trebuchet's for my 2400/2800 point Bretonnian army for the Black Sheep Brawl on January 19th and WFB OFCC in June of 2013.  The actual war machines took longer than the crew for some reason, I'm hazarding a guess because the war machines had pain in the ass hard to reach areas that probably should have been painted prior to assembly.  Oh well.

Anyway - I've already started base coating my men-at-arms so those should be up in a few days followed by the Prophetess then 2 units of archers.  Oh boy...

Enjoy the fruits of the #steakbet.

Be afraid Bryan, be very afraid.

Vainglorious pics to follow.  I would have been more creative with the staging but its 5:17 am and I can't be forced to actually care that much.

The Steak Bet - #steakbet

The Steak Bet -  #steakbet

As you may well know, my wife and I are expecting twins on December 18^th and I have been very adamant about having my Bretonnian army completed by the end of the year.  Last night while hanging out at our favorite gaming haunt Ancient Wonders there was a challenge issued…

My buddy and cohost of the Deployment Zone podcast, Bryan stated that there was no way I would have 2400 points of Bretonnians painted by the Black Sheep Brawl on January 19^th – 20^th. 

Being a narcissist that I am, there was no way my ego was going to allow that statement to stand without some sort of bravado or bluster. 

I said “Oh it’ll be done, it will be no problem.  I’ve got this.”

Bryan, always pursuing an angle especially when it’s food motivated, grinned evilly and issued the following decree.

“I bet you … I bet you a steak dinner.  Yes a steak dinner that you won’t have that army completed by the Black Sheep Brawl in January.”

Now the gauntlet had been cast down and I saw the gleam of avarice in Bryan’s eye.  I looked around the room at Darron and Eric both also grinning like cats watching a cornered mouse.  I did a quick inventory of what I have left to paint which was 2 trebuchets, 8 crewmen, 3 pegasus knights, 9 questing knights, 9 grail knights, a prophetess, lord on a hippogryph, 32 peasant bowmen and 25 men-at-arms.  I then mapped out the number of Alabama football games left, baby classes, family events, and gaming engagements not to mention how much time the twins were going to take up once they were born.  Finally, once I had performed all the rational exercises and performed an impromptu project map in my head, I came to the realization that that just wasn’t going to happen.  So, like any other rational human being I said the following:

“Not only will I have the army painted, it will be at the same level as the units that are already done.”

Bryan then grinned and said “I’ll even give you a three color minimum”.

I responded with “Nope!  The same level and they will even be based!”

And so the challenge was issued and answered.

Darron and Eric witnessed the handshake and confirmation of the bet, a Steak bet!

So on November 14, 2012 at 8:29 pm a bet was made between two gamers.  The hero, John Kersey, will have 2400 points of his Bretonnian army completed by the day of the Black Sheep Brawl on January 19, 2012.  Should our hero be successful then our challenger Bryan shall owe unto him a dinner of delicious steak at the Outback Steakhouse.  However should the fates rally against our hero and darkness falls across the land and our champion fails to paint his army by the date, then Bryan shall enjoy the steak dinner at the expense of our hero.  It must not happen!

There shall be blog posts giving status updates and twitter feeds using the #steakbet hashtag so that we may track the progress of the steak bet.  A challenge has been issued!  Will our hero be able to overcome the challenges being set before him or shall he owe someone a steak.  My twitter handle is @Sylvos_FoH and my antagonist Bryan's is @evil_bryan.  Enjoy!

Black Sheep Brawl 2013 - Registration Open

The Order of the Black Sheep have opened registration for their 2nd Annual Black Sheep Brawl for Warhammer Fantasy.  Last year was the first year for the event where yours truly walked away with Best Overall with the Wood Elves.  I fully recommend everyone taking part in this event but act fast because there are only 42 slots available for this event.

The Order of the Black Sheep will also make an appearance on Episode 27 of The Deployment Zone podcast to promote their event and talk about the success of last year's tournament. 

The plan is to partake in the event this year with the Bretonnians or Beastmen at 2400 points but we'll see how things work out after my twin daughters are born on Dec. 18th. 

Therefore if I am able to compete in the event this year, I will welcome a challenge for the title.  After all, people don't want to crown my Grand Champion two years in a row, I would be insufferable!

So ask your wives and set aside time off to make it to the Red Lion in Salem, Oregon on January 19-20 of 2013!

The Crimson Sigil

So the other day I posted my plans for an Ulthwe` Strike Force – The Company of the Damned.  Soon after I posted that army list, BoLS and a few other sites posted the new rumors for Eldar releases in 2013.  Chief amongst those rumors were talk concerning new plastic jetbikes and storm guardians.  I did a quick analysis and realized that I’d probably end up replacing half the units I just built within 7 months.  While I have no objection on blowing money on my hobby, I do have an objection to taking the time to paint a model only to replace it with a shiny new version of it within a year.

So with all that said, I decided to switch gears and look at an army that I have already purchased most of it already – The Dark Eldar.  I was a little bummed that I couldn’t fit Harlequins into my Eldar list so I was pleased when the idea of using them as allies surfaced while making this list.  I wanted to have a Succubus lead this army so I made the list as balanced as I could while still sticking to the theme I wanted.  The only regret is that I couldn’t fit a unit of Scourges into the list.  I really, really enjoy those models.

I will start construction on this list hopefully soon and playing some 6^th edition games shortly after.  I still have to obtain a box of Kabalite Warriors and 2 more Raiders to have everything I need it appears.  Anyway, here is my 2000 point Dark Eldar w/ Eldar allies list. 

[W40K] The Crimson Sigil - Dark Eldar 2000

Lady Ilshadriel Nethsema ( 80 pts)

1 Succubus, 80 pts ((C:DE, pg. 85); Infantry; Fleet; Night Vision; Power from Pain; Independent Character; Dodge (4+); Wychsuit; Splinter Pistol; Combat Drugs; Plasma Grenades; Power Sword; Warlord)

Elite: 9 Hekatrix Bloodbrides (255 pts)

8 Hekatrix Bloodbrides, 255 pts ((C:DE, pg. 88); Infantry; Fleet; Night Vision; Power from Pain; Dodge (4+); Splinter Pistol & CCW; Combat Drugs; Plasma Grenades; Wychsuit; Shardnet & Impaler x3; Haywire Grenades)

1 Syren ((Character); Splinter Pistol; Haywire Grenades; Plasma Grenades; Agoniser)

1 Raider ((C:DE, pg. 91); Vehicle (Fast, Open-topped, Skimmer); 10 model capacity; Night Vision; Dark Lance x1; Jink)

Elite: 5 Incubi (175 pts)

5 Incubi, 175 pts ((C:DE, pg. 86); Infantry; Fleet; Night Vision; Power from Pain; Incubus Warsuit; Klaive)

1 Venom ((C:DE, pg. 91); Vehicle (Fast, Open-topped, Skimmer); 5 model capacity; Night Vision; Splinter Cannons (x2); Flickerfield; Jink)

Fast Attack: 3 Reavers (81 pts)

3 Reavers, 81 pts ((C:DE, pg. 91); Jetbike; Night Vision; Power from Pain; Skilled Rider; Wychsuit; Close Combat Weapon; Splinter Pistol; Combat Drugs; Reaver Jetbike; Bladevanes x3; Splinter Rifle x2; Blaster x1; Hammer of Wrath; Jink; Relentless)

Heavy Support: Ravager (115 pts)

1 Ravager, 115 pts ((C:DE, pg. 92); Vehicle (Fast, Open-topped, Skimmer); Night Vision; Aerial Assault; Dark Lance x3; Night Shields; Jink)

Heavy Support: Ravager (115 pts)

1 Ravager, 115 pts ((C:DE, pg. 92); Vehicle (Fast, Open-topped, Skimmer); Night Vision; Aerial Assault; Dark Lance x3; Night Shields; Jink)

Heavy Support: Razorwing Jetfighter (155 pts)

1 Razorwing Jetfighter, 155 pts ((C:DE, pg. 93); Vehicle (Flyer); Night Vision; Aerial Assault; Dark Lance x2; Monoscythe Missile x4; Splinter Cannon x1; Skyfire; Supersonic)

Troops: 5 Kabalite Warriors (125 pts)

5 Kabalite Warriors, 125 pts ((C:DE, pg. 89); Infantry; Fleet; Night Vision; Power from Pain; Splinter Rifle x4; Kabalite Armour; Blaster x1)

1 Venom ((C:DE, pg. 91); Vehicle (Fast, Open-topped, Skimmer); 5 model capacity; Night Vision; Splinter Cannons (x2); Flickerfield; Jink)

 

Troops: 5 Kabalite Warriors (125 pts)

5 Kabalite Warriors, 125 pts ((C:DE, pg. 89); Infantry; Fleet; Night Vision; Power from Pain; Splinter Rifle x4; Kabalite Armour; Blaster x1)

1 Venom ((C:DE, pg. 91); Vehicle (Fast, Open-topped, Skimmer); 5 model capacity; Night Vision; Splinter Cannons (x2); Flickerfield; Jink)

Troops: 10 Kabalite Warriors (170 pts)

10 Kabalite Warriors, 170 pts ((C:DE, pg. 89); Infantry; Fleet; Night Vision; Power from Pain; Splinter Rifle x9; Kabalite Armour; Splinter Cannon x1)

1 Raider ((C:DE, pg. 91); Vehicle (Fast, Open-topped, Skimmer); 10 model capacity; Night Vision; Dark Lance x1; Splinter Racks; Jink)

Troops: 10 Kabalite Warriors (170 pts)

10 Kabalite Warriors, 170 pts ((C:DE, pg. 89); Infantry; Fleet; Night Vision; Power from Pain; Splinter Rifle x9; Kabalite Armour; Splinter Cannon x1)

1 Raider ((C:DE, pg. 91); Vehicle (Fast, Open-topped, Skimmer); 10 model capacity; Night Vision; Dark Lance x1; Splinter Racks; Jink)

 

Allies

HQ: Farseer (145 pts)

1 Farseer (HQ) [EL], 145 pts ((pp.26, 28 & 60 Eldar); Psyker (2);  Doom ;  Fortune ; Fleet; Ghosthelm; Rune Armour; Runes of Warding; Spirit Stones; Shuriken Pistol; Witchblade; Independent Character)

Troops: 5 Pathfinders (Rangers) (120 pts)

5 Pathfinders (Rangers) (Troops) [EL], 120 pts ((pp.38 & 64 Eldar); Fleet; Infiltrate; Move Through Cover; Stealth; Ignore Difficult Terrain; Pathfinder Stealth; Scouts; Shuriken Pistol x5; Ranger Long Rifle)

Elite: 6 Harlequin Troupe (166 pts)

4 Harlequin Troupe (Elite) [EL], 166 pts ((pp.48-49 & 63 Eldar); Fleet; Flip Belts; Furious Charge; Hit & Run; Holo-Suit; Close Combat Weapon x2; Harlequins Kiss x2; Shuriken Pistol x4; Hallucinogen Grenades)

1 Shadowseer [EL] (Character; Psyker;  Veil Of Tears ; Fleet; Flip Belts; Furious Charge; Hit & Run; Holo-Suit; Close Combat Weapon; Shuriken Pistol; Hallucinogen Grenades)

1 Troupe Master [EL] (Character; Power Sword; Fleet; Flip Belts; Furious Charge; Hit & Run; Holo-Suit; Shuriken Pistol; Hallucinogen Grenades)

 

If I were to ditch the Farseer and Pathfinders, I'd more than likely include a 5 man unit of Scourges and a unit of Wyches on foot.  That said however, I like the use of allies in this list.

Ok I'm out!  Feel free to leave comments concerning this list.  I wouldn't mind reading some recommendations or thoughts concerning the Dark Eldar in 6th edition.

Ulthwe` Eldar and 6th Edition.

As I complete more and more of my Bretonnian army in preparation for next year's Fantasy OFCC, I find myself needing to also sate that desperate need to play my Eldar once again.  Since Warhammer 40k 6th edition has come out, I have only had the opportunity to really play 2 games and so my experience with the new meta has been limited. 

Now that is not to say that I have not been observing and discussing the changes with friends of mine who have been playing.  I just haven't been able to play test the themes and ideas that have been bouncing around in my head.  In 5th edition 40k, the game was rather rote.  Cast Fortune then Turbo-boost flat out with 3-4 skimmers full of warlocks, storm guardians and farseers while the rest of my army drops templates on you.  Next turn - cast fortune, cast doom, assault X unit with 3-4 units and move on to the next until game was over.  Now that 6th edition has come and the game has drastically changed from what many were used to, I find myself in that unfortunate position of having three very distinct issues that are very difficult to overcome. 

1.  I have an older and outdated codex that is having a bit of difficultly maintaining viability.

2.  I have to really change the army composition I spent years honing to perfection and develop a new army list to play in casual/tournament games.

3.  I have to learn to play with the new meta and how the new rules affect the way I am used to having my armies operate. 

Now this isn't a new situation, when 8th edition Warhammer Fantasy came out I was able to easily shift how I played my Wood Elves and was rather successful at it.  For some reason and I don't know why, I am unable to find a list that I like in 6th edition that has all the elements I enjoyed in the previous edition.  I think some of this resistance stems from the fact that I have progressed in my skill as a hobbyist and painter and when I pull out my Eldar, I can readily see the hobby sins I committed long ago.  This makes me want to go out and purchase new models and repaint the army to the new standard of what I find acceptable to field that I have painted.  Also, with all the Eldar rumors that were circulating about new units and a codex, it makes me hesitant to invest any money in the army when in a few short months it could all drastically change.

So I have vowed to try to make a 2000 point list that encompasses the fluff and theme of the Ulthwe` Eldar but still is able to handle most of the armies that I would face at our local gaming club.  My main desire is to get a highly effective list down by the 40k OFCC next year and take part in that event as well.  So with that said here is my first attempt at a 6th edition list:

2000 Pts - Company of the Damned - Ulthwe` Eldar Roster

HQ

Farseer w/ Runes of Warding, Spirit Stones, Fortune, and Doom on a Jetbike

5 Warlocks w/ Enhance, Embolden, and Destructor on Jetbikes

Troops

5 Pathfinders

10 Storm Guardians w/ 2 Fusion Guns and a Warlock with Enhance mounted in a Wave Serpent with Twin-linked Shuriken Cannons

15 Guardians and a Warlock with Enhance and a Shuriken Cannon

15 Guardians and a Warlock with Enhance and a Shuriken Cannon

3 Guardian Jetbikes and a Warlock with Enhance and a Shuriken Cannon

3 Guardian Jetbikes and a Warlock with Enhance and a Shuriken Cannon

Fast Attack

3 Wasp Assault Walkers w/ Scatter Lasers and Shuriken Cannons

Heavy Support

Warp Hunter Grav Tank

Warp Hunter Grav Tank

Firestorm Grav Tank

Total: 2000 pts.

We'll see how this army does moving forward.  I should hopefully do well since it has a solid HQ, powerful Heavy options and six Troop selections to hold objectives.  My fondest and dearest hope is that in the future codex that the prices on some of the units and vehicles come down and/or there are better Skyfire support options.  It is painful to read the newer codices and see how far behind the power curve Eldar have fallen with their outdated rules.  Now I'm sure if I'm able to playtest this list at least a dozen times I'll either love it or find the spots where I am definitely weak.  I do know that I wish I could include more Star Cannons into the list but that would require shrinking my 2 Guardian squads by 5 models each.

The other option is to bide my time and continue to collect/build the Dark Eldar but I haven't nailed down exactly what I want to do with The Crimson Sigil as of yet. 

Anyway, I'll hopefully have some more hobby WIP's next post or perhaps the first 50 pt Warmachine list I've been working on for the Retribution of Scyrah.

We'll see!