It's a mad world!

http://youtu.be/YHjdTZ-myCU

This is the them for a project for July with a friend of mine to develop a new gaming table. We felt should go with a chaos theme as it is hot as hell here in Florida.

The base center is the GW "Temple of Skulls" as it has the nice undivided star and the skull shapes that helps keep a theme.

For the moment we have ideas for two items for each "sector" dedicated to one of the chaos gods.

Khorne:

• Trio of skull shaped rocks mounted on a base.
• Blood Pond with bone bridge to cross it

Nurgle:

• Battlescape set (this has a rusty rhino, dead trees and craters that will be filled with toxic wastes.
• Toxic Pond or Rock outcrops (trying to think of something fitting for barren, wasteland, diseased)

Tzeench:

• Floating Islands (think Avatar)
• Eye Stalk Trees (think of tube like trees of sort with eyeballs at the end watching you)

Slaanesh:

• Brightly colored Forrest (thinking colors like yellow, orange and other bright colors made from tree scenery kits)
• The second is still up in the air some thoughts I had (crystals of different colors, odd shaped buildings, a hand holding something, perhaps a platform or stargate/portal. Perhaps just a portal. Then I was thinking of keeping to the theme of flora and adding more weird bizarre plants to the mix using plastic floral arrangements.

I plan to post some pictures later....

A' La Carte (Cart Review and Pics)

I have been slow to post this up as one of my dogs ended up with an eye infection this week that caused some headaches this week. Where to start?
http://www.webstaurantstore.com

Shipping: Prompt shipping via Fed Ex, made it here in about 3 days total from their place to my doorstep. The box was battered up a bit but everything was fine inside.

Assembly:  You will need a rubber mallet to put it together. For the most part it goes together fairly easy, once together you won't be taking it apart very easy.

The cart: plastic is solid, the legs between shelves is a light but tough. The large casters allows it to roll just about anywhere and light enough to carry without much effort.

Shot of the cart with various items on it. One side has a lip to make it easy to slide your models off the table if you have movement trays or just want a simpler easy to remove them from the cart.

Top level could hold very easy at least 8 squads and other assorted units of roughly 12 models here. Excellent for small armies or large horde armies.

I favor the second shelf for vehicles if there is not enough space on the top. Here I lined up 5 Tanks easy. The depth allows you to put another two rows behind that and is tall enough to accommodate fliers. Note the bottom shelf is large enough for me to put me dice box, storage case and set my codex to the side for easy access.

Ard Boyz appears to be my maiden outing with the new cart, which is funny as this is a 2500pt event and one of the largest armies you will see.

If anyone has questions or wants any advise on cart buying let me know, I will be happy to help.

A new ride for my models!

After many years of loyal service from my $20 Target Cart, it is time to retire it. For 5 years it has served me well. I have replaced the wheels, super glued it back together to the point that I could have put the bumper sticker on "honk if parts fall off" and it would be fitting.

This is my new replacement, only cost me about $62 bucks with shipping after some careful searching. It appears that Ard Boyz in the fall will be the first outing for this new baby, followed by a team tournament in September.

I can't stress how important it is to own something that allows you to move your models around. For me, the cart has become a "must have" for me as it allows me to keep units together, I can quickly put models on the table, store my books and dice box on the bottom shelf and larger stuff like transports and vehicles on the 2nd shelf. The cart makes it easy to move around and never fuss about space.

A look at other methods of dealing with your models in a gaming environment:

Display Topper/Cardboard Top/Plastic Topper: Here you have something nice when it comes to the display board while the other two listed are just practical to move your stuff around. The issue is having a spot to put it down. You need an empty table, set it on the floor or on a shelf under the table (if the store has such options). Plus you have to carry it in a way to avoid tipping it over and spilling your models. I have seen this happen more than once. Plus sometimes models slide and it is a bitch to figure out squads if your army is not marked well.

Packed in a storage case: This covers GW cases, Army Transports, to $2 plastic containers you get from the craft section. While it will keep you from breaking your models, you pay a price. Your slow as crap pulling your stuff out, even when organized as your taking your time pulling a few models at a time to avoid breaking them and making sure you have the right unit. You have to shift through foam trays to find the right one which eats up time. The nice thing is your stuff is safe and less likely to get broken. Unless a little girl walks by and kicks your army case across the store. Serious, I saw this with my own eyes. Never before have I seen a grown man go from fighting the urge to murder the offspring of someone else to almost crying as his models was in nice little parts all over the ground. Always put your case under the table or secure on an empty table. We warned him, he didn't listen.

To me, the method to the madness is, sure I have to drag a little more crap with me, but when I am setup, i can enjoy things better while others have to fuss over various methods to lug their crap to another table at a hobby event/tournament. I just glide my cart over and worry about other things instead. My advise to anyone, a worthwhile investment.

Shop Smart, Shop S-MART.

Inquisition Update #2

Meet two that I finished this weekend!

Another Gladiator (Crusader)

Female Crusader

Crusaders

Side shot of Gladiator

Updated Photobucket! New pictures

Uploaded some new photos in the following spots:

• Space Wolves
• Orks
• Inquisition
• 40k Objective Markers

Just click over on the links to the right to get to my Photobucket album and see pictures of my armies!

I am the LAW! A new (old) book series to read.

I picked up books 2 and 3 for a buck about a year ago and was looking to find Crossifre, the first book to the series. Since then, Black Library has released the entire Omnibus book now. Still, I only paid retail price for the first book and $2 for the other two and they are separate books. Makes it easier to handle than a larger Omni.

Just went a few pages into the book so far but the style of the book and how things are written is amazing. The shifts between action, politics and religion are well done and has been entertaining. I have noticed this is one of those books you don't read in a casual style, rather you need to focus on it as to me it is a bit like a sci-fi detective/gum shoe who-done-it style book if you will. Intrigue is the big feature to this book and I look forward to posting more once I finish my book.

In other book news I have ordered two more from Amazon:

Battle of The Fang is one of the newest of the "Warhammer Battles" for the 40k series that takes place in their historical timeline. In this case, where the 1000 Sons invade the Space Wolves home world intent on destroying their world after theirs was destroyed by them during the Horus Hersey. From another post, the book sounds solid and I am excited to read about it. The review I read did comment that they felt the character development was not enough with all the personalities they introduced.

Crimson Cardinal is one of the last Kal Jerico books that I have not had a chance to read and the only final Necromunda  book that I have not read. Found this book used for $5 on Amazon, so can't complain. Adding this to my Necromunda collection will make it complete! I wish Black Library would do more but they are starting to pull away from the Fanatic line and their big focus is on 40k, Fantasy and Lord of the Rings sadly. This was a great skirmish game and was only matched by Gorkamorka!

Going to be busy now between the DVD sets of Farscape (complete series) and Thundaar the Barbarian (DVD set), 5 books, tons of models to paint, pics to upload (hope to upload some tonight of my Orks and Space Wolves) along with trying to finish some submissions for the Black Library that I hope to post up in the next few weeks and spending time with my lovely wife and basset hounds.

Ard Boyz: Salamanders 2500 Pts - Vulcan's Foot Up Your Arse

Had a little fun making this list as a possible Ard Boyz list.

2500 Pts - Space Marines Roster - Ardboyz: Vulcan's Foot up your ass!

HQ: Space Marine Librarian (1#, 125 Pts)
   1 Space Marine Librarian @ 125 Pts
      Unit Type: Infantry; ...in Terminator Armour; And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Tactics; Independent Character; Psyker; The Avenger; Vortex of Doom
      1 ...in Terminator Armour @ [125] Pts
         Psychic Hood; Force Weapon

HQ: Forgefather Vulkan He'stan (1#, 190 Pts)
   1 Forgefather Vulkan He'stan @ 190 Pts
      Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Artificer Armour; Digital Weapons; Kesare's Mantle; Bolt Pistol; Gauntlet of the Forge; Spear of Vulkan; And They Shall Know No Fear; Chapter Tactics; Combat Tactics; Independent Character
      1 Kesare's Mantle @ [0] Pts

Elite: Techmarine (1#, 90 Pts)
   1 Techmarine @ 90 Pts
      Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Artificer Armour; Servo Harness; Bolt Pistol; Power Weapon; And They Shall Know No Fear; Blessing of the Omnissiah; Bolster Defenses; Combat Tactics; Independent Character
      1 Servo Harness @ [0] Pts

Elite: Terminator Assault Squad (5#, 200 Pts)
   4 Terminator Assault Squad @ 200 Pts
      Unit Type: Infantry; Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield (x4); And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Combat Tactics
      1 Sergeant @ [40] Pts
         Unit Type: Infantry; Thunder Hammer & Storm Shield (x1); And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Combat Tactics

Elite: Sternguard Veteran Squad (11#, 375 Pts)
   9 Sternguard Veteran Squad @ 375 Pts
      Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Special Issue Ammunition; Bolt Pistol (x9); Combi-Flamer (x4); Combi-Meltagun (x4); Heavy Flamer (x1); And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Combat Tactics; Drop Pod
      1 Sergeant @ [55] Pts
         Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Special Issue Ammunition; Combi-Meltagun (x1); Power Fist (x1); And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Combat Tactics
      1 Drop Pod @ [45] Pts
         Unit Type: Vehicle (Open-topped); Transport Capacity: 12 models; Locator Beacon; Storm Bolter; Drop Pod Assault; Immobile; Inertial Guidance System

Troops: Tactical Squad (11#, 255 Pts)
   9 Tactical Squad @ 255 Pts
      Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Bolt Pistol (x9); Bolter (x7); Flamer; Multi-Melta; And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Combat Tactics; Rhino
      1 Sergeant @ [73] Pts
         Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Teleport Homer; Combi-Meltagun (x1); Power Fist (x1); And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Combat Tactics
      1 Rhino @ [35] Pts
         Unit Type: Vehicle (Tank); Transport Capacity: 10 models; Access Points: 3; Fire Points: 1; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter; Repair

Troops: Tactical Squad (11#, 240 Pts)
   9 Tactical Squad @ 240 Pts
      Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Bolt Pistol (x9); Bolter (x7); Flamer; Multi-Melta; And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Combat Tactics; Rhino
      1 Sergeant @ [58] Pts
         Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Combi-Meltagun (x1); Power Fist (x1); And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Combat Tactics
      1 Rhino @ [35] Pts
         Unit Type: Vehicle (Tank); Transport Capacity: 10 models; Access Points: 3; Fire Points: 1; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter; Repair

Troops: Tactical Squad (11#, 240 Pts)
   9 Tactical Squad @ 240 Pts
      Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Bolt Pistol (x9); Bolter (x7); Flamer; Multi-Melta; And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Combat Tactics; Rhino
      1 Sergeant @ [58] Pts
         Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Combi-Flamer (x1); Power Fist (x1); And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Combat Tactics
      1 Rhino @ [35] Pts
         Unit Type: Vehicle (Tank); Transport Capacity: 10 models; Access Points: 3; Fire Points: 1; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter; Repair

Troops: Tactical Squad (11#, 240 Pts)
   9 Tactical Squad @ 240 Pts
      Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Bolt Pistol (x9); Bolter (x7); Flamer; Multi-Melta; And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Combat Tactics; Rhino
      1 Sergeant @ [58] Pts
         Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Combi-Flamer (x1); Power Fist (x1); And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Squads; Combat Tactics
      1 Rhino @ [35] Pts
         Unit Type: Vehicle (Tank); Transport Capacity: 10 models; Access Points: 3; Fire Points: 1; Searchlight; Smoke Launchers; Storm Bolter; Repair

Fast Attack: Attack Bike Squad (2#, 100 Pts)
   2 Attack Bike Squad @ 100 Pts
      Unit Type: Bikes; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Space Marine Bike; Bolt Pistol (x2); Multi-Melta (x2); And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Tactics

Fast Attack: Attack Bike Squad (1#, 50 Pts)
   1 Attack Bike Squad @ 50 Pts
      Unit Type: Bikes; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Space Marine Bike; Bolt Pistol (x1); Multi-Melta (x1); And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Tactics

Fast Attack: Attack Bike Squad (1#, 50 Pts)
   1 Attack Bike Squad @ 50 Pts
      Unit Type: Bikes; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Power Armour; Space Marine Bike; Bolt Pistol (x1); Multi-Melta (x1); And They Shall Know No Fear; Combat Tactics

Heavy Support: Thunderfire Cannon (2#, 145 Pts)
   1 Thunderfire Cannon @ 145 Pts
      Unit Type: Artillery; Thunderfire Cannon; Drop Pod
      1 Techmarine Gunner @ [0] Pts
         Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Artificer Armour; Servo Harness; Bolt Pistol; Thunderfire Cannon; And They Shall Know No Fear; Blessing of the Omnissiah; Bolster Defenses; Combat Tactics; Independent Character
         1 Servo Harness @ [0] Pts
      1 Drop Pod @ [45] Pts
         Unit Type: Vehicle (Open-topped); Transport Capacity: 12 models; Locator Beacon; Storm Bolter; Drop Pod Assault; Immobile; Inertial Guidance System

Heavy Support: Thunderfire Cannon (1#, 100 Pts)
   1 Thunderfire Cannon @ 100 Pts
      Unit Type: Artillery; Thunderfire Cannon
      1 Techmarine Gunner @ [0] Pts
         Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Artificer Armour; Servo Harness; Bolt Pistol; Thunderfire Cannon; And They Shall Know No Fear; Blessing of the Omnissiah; Bolster Defenses; Combat Tactics; Independent Character
         1 Servo Harness @ [0] Pts

Heavy Support: Thunderfire Cannon (1#, 100 Pts)
   1 Thunderfire Cannon @ 100 Pts
      Unit Type: Artillery; Thunderfire Cannon
      1 Techmarine Gunner @ [0] Pts
         Unit Type: Infantry; Frag Grenades; Krak Grenades; Artificer Armour; Servo Harness; Bolt Pistol; Thunderfire Cannon; And They Shall Know No Fear; Blessing of the Omnissiah; Bolster Defenses; Combat Tactics; Independent Character
         1 Servo Harness @ [0] Pts

Total Roster Cost: 2500

This list takes a capital gain using Vulcan as the keystone of the army making all flamers and melta weapons twin linked. All Thunder hammers also get the master crafted option which makes the Terminator Squad even more deadly.

The Libby is there to help out the Terminators with either the STR 10, AP 1 blast or STR 5, AP 3 template and also gets a psychic hood within 24" as psychic powers are going to see some serious action this Ard Boyz.

Two locator beacons are in both Drop Pods. One being empty in case you end up going first or your opponent holds all units in reserve. You can drop an empty pod down, perhaps contest an objective and use it to guide down the Terminators and second drop pod on turn 2 or afterwards. I have 15 extra points to blow and gave another Teleport Homer to one of the tactical squads (I am thinking that the Techmarine should get a Thunder hammer for 30 selling back the power weapon for 15).

The Tactical squads can spit into combat squads if need be for extra scoring. The Multi Meltas are used for inner defense, short of one turn you should be in range with a multi melta with good deployment. I mixed in flamers/meltas and combis to match to go in the other combat squad if needed. This would be the one to also take the Rhinos to shoot out of.

The Terminator Assault squad all has master crafted on each hammer (make sure to roll each model separate to ensure proper rerolls) and is your hammer to the anvil to crush targets in close combat.

The Sternguard was built to land, break into combat squads with Vulcan and the Elite Tech Marine in tow with them. Filling the pod to 12 men. One broken into two squads (one flamer and one melta). Vulcan joins the flamer and the techmarine joins the melta squad. Target one vehicle or transport (pop it and BBQ the squad inside) or go after another target with the flamers. After the combis have done their one hit wonder start using the special ammo as needed.

The three attack bike squads are designed simple, pop as many armored targets or MCs as possible. A few kills pays for the squad very easy.

Last, Thunderfire cannons. Someone locally here has given me a new respect for these. These three units can drop 12 blast templates of three types. Including one to make vehicles making terrain tests or foot units move slower, to no cover for ligher armored troops that may use cover or STR 6 standard blasts that could even work over a vehicle. Not only that each will become an IC if their gun is ever destroyed allowing them to join squads at will and assist with repairs also.

All 4 Techmarines have a full servo harness giving them 2 servo arm attacks, 1 twin linked plasma pistol and 1 twin linked flamer. They can also upgrade 4 ruins in your deployment zone making them 3+ cover save. This option allows for a stron defensive zone to hold objectives against high AP firepower.

Comment away if you like...