Dark Elves First Impressions

With GW putting up the Pre-orders for the first wave of the new Dark Elves, I thought I would dive into the rulebook and old army book so I might be able to appreciate the changes in the new Army Book when I pick it up this weekend. It became abundantly clear how little concept I have of fantasy in its current incarnation. I plan on reading up more on the rules and forum tactics, but until I play a few games, it will be hard to get a strong appreciation for how the game works and what works best.

For those looking for an Army Book/Codex review, that can be found here. This post focuses on the new kits.

That said, while I might struggle to comment on the rules when I get them, I can comment on my impressions of the new models.

List Building: 1,000 Point O'Vesa Star

Hearing talk about the O'Vesa Star lists that more or less dominated NOVA (won the open, runner-up in the Invitational), and considering my local store's monthly tournament is 1k, I asked the crazy question: could that fit under 1k? 

An accurate depiction of just how cheesy this is.

For those who don't know, the O'vesa star is using the Farsight Enclaves allied with Tau. Farsight is your general, who unlocks O'Vesa, the IC Riptide. The two of them, and an allied buffing commander all attach to a regular Riptide to make a cheeseball deathstar. The rest of the list is just a little extra cheese sprinkled on top (I'm not judging using this list at a tournament by calling it cheesy - the objective of a tournament at the top tables is to win, and this works). 

List Building: 1,000 Point Imperial Fists Army

Last, but certainly not least in my run through all the Chapter Tactics List Building exercises is the Imperial Fists. I think they have one of the stronger Chapter Tactics, with all bolter weapons getting pseudo preferred enemy. That said, probably the main reason I've left them until last is because I'm just not a fan of their look on the table (or in a magazine - no offense intended if you like or have Imperial Fists, just not to my taste). 

Don't get me wrong, this is awesome, but on a model I'm not usually a fan.

Legion (Horus Heresy Book 7) Review

Continuing with the Horus Heresy Series, and after struggling to finish Descent of Angels, I was hesitant to dive in to another book. That said, I knew Dan Abnett was capable of writing a good book, so it was more a feeling of being burnt out than anything. That said, once I picked it up, I didn't really put it down.

List Building: 1,000 Point Iron Hands Army

I had initially intended on leaving this Chapter to +Chandler D since he uses Iron Hands as his allied Space Marines to unlock flyers for his Wolves. That said, they have really nice character that is reflected by their chapter tactics and which gave me a very good idea of the list I would build.

List Building: 1,000 Point Black Templar Army

Jumping back to the Space Marine List builds with the new Codex, I wanted to give Black Templars a try. They hold a special place for me because of their inclusion in the Armageddon book. I never actually collected them, but they were the first time Space Marines really tempted me. I also picked up the Emperor's Champion model (though not the Limited Edition one holding the sword in both hands) because it was awesome.

Descent of Angels (Horus Heresy Book 6) Review

Continuing in my Horus Heresy Reviews series, I recently finished Descent of Angels, which I had been looking forward to a bit during Fulgrim because Dark Angels have always been so shrouded in mystery (and they wear cool robes). As I mentioned in my Fulgrim review, I was looking forward to getting away from the Istvaan incident and the legions involved there, and so, I had high hopes for this novel.

List Building: 1,000 Point Tyranid Army

Continuing with my series of list building exercises, as mentioned yesterday, I figured I would take a break from the new Space Marine lists and build a list that I might actually bring to my local store's monthly 1k tourney. As mentioned yesterday with my Eldar list building, while I would like to bring a new army and take a break from my nids after NOVA, I also have resolved to myself that I will only field painted armies going forward; the only army I see as being viably complete, at least for October's tournament, is my Tyranids.

List Building: 1,000 Point Eldar Army

I thought I would take a break from the Space Marine lists (at least for a couple days) and think up a list I might actually bring to my store's next tournament in about 3 weeks. I say might because after the last tournament, I told myself I would only show up with painted armies, and I'm not sure I could get 1k of Eldar painted in time. That said, this will give me a good idea of what to work on leading up to this or the following local tournament.

List Building: 1,000 Point Ultramarine Army

In my continued series exploring making small forces that feature and theme the Chapter Tactics, I would be remiss if I didn't take a run at the poster child: Ultramarines.

Fulgrim (Horus Heresy Book 5) Review

Unlike the previous books, when I finished Flight of the Eisenstein I wasn't in a big hurry to pick this book up. I knew it would go back and retread some of the same plot points I'd been over at least twice for one, and I also didn't want to leave the story of Nathaniel Garro. I wanted his story arc to continue. But I was drawn on if only to get other perspectives on the story we'd encountered so far.

List Building: 1,000 Point White Scars Army

Continuing my series of small, themed Space Marine armies, this time I'll go with the White Scars, who arguably have the best of all the chapter tactics.

List Building: 1,000 Point Salamanders Army

As I mentioned in my previous List Building Post with Raven Guard, my next favorite Chapter when reading through the fluff is the Salamanders. As I may have mentioned, if I make a Space Marine army, I want to customize each model, giving them character and unique aspects to their armor, weapons, and equipment. This customization would work well for Salamanders, portraying their own artistry and artifice when it comes to their equipment.

List Building: 1,000 Point Raven Guard Army

Now, I will couch this post by admitting that I have never actually played a space marine force. I've wanted to in the past, but something about power armor just keeps me from ever collecting too many. Anyway, with all the excitement over the new Space Marine Codex, I thought I would try my hand at throwing together a completely theoretical 1k list.

Why Won't You Use Me? Units: Space Wolves

Every army has units that for one reason or another will never see the light of day (or night fighting) on the Battlefield.  Recently I purchased off of Ebay a Rhino and Whirlwind/Rhino/Razorback in the same pack.  I had planned on just using the Whirlwind as either a Rhino or Razorback for a handy troop carrier or Mobile Gun platform.  With our epic Three Player Game approaching I started thinking about the Whirlwind more; it has an Ordnance Weapon, 48" range, Barrage, and the ability to fire two sets of missiles: why the hell should I not use him against either the Tau or Eldar?  Since that game I have found my Whirlwind being extremely effective with getting first blood/first kill and causing hell on opponents lines.

That's when I decided to go back through the Space Wolves Codex and think about units, characters, HQ choices, and vehicles and ask the question:  why not use them?

Space Marine Codex Review

A fairly unsurprising release, from a first read through, it seems like there aren't any big surprises in the book. That said, I think the minor changes are what make this book successful in both balancing the previous weaknesses and strengths and bringing it alive. Some of the changes were the ones obviously needed to update the book to 6th edition, like adding Warlord traits and including the flyers, as well as new AA options. The other change that really helps expand the feel of the book beyond Ultramarines, and that is the Chapter Tactics section.

Flight of the Eisenstein (Horus Heresy Book 4) Review

As has been my habit with these, after finishing Book 3, I quickly moved on to Book 4. While Galaxy in Flames tied up the Loken trilogy, it also hinted at the importance of the divergent story arc surrounding Nathaniel Garro. Just in case you want to read back, previous reviews for Book 1 and Book 2 are linked. As before, I will try to largely avoid spoilers, but we all know generally how things will go.

NOVA Wrap Up - Day 3 and Final Thoughts

As detailed in previous posts, Day 1 saw me go 1-2, progressively getting better after being tabled in Game 1 while on Day 2 I went undefeated, setting me up to play the semi-finals of my bracket on Sunday morning.

NOVA Wrap Up - Day 2

Day 2 of NOVA began with me driving to the hotel and then checking out the Vendors' tables while I waited for Todd and Sean to return from breakfast so I could grab my stuff. There was one more game before seeding, though we would have to wait on the pairings to be posted. (Post on day 1 is here)

Nova Wrap Up - Day 1

I have returned home from NOVA. I essentially slept all day on Monday, blessedly having Labor Day off, and I still feel a bit tired. It was absolutely exhausting. I can't wait to go next year.

My army and display board set up before game 1.

 I felt I had to end that first paragraph on a positive because while it was an exhausting experience, I had a great time, and fully intend on going next year, armed with my lessons learned, first of which is to get a room in the hotel. I didn't this year because I have family less than 30 minutes away and it seemed like a waste of money, but it would have made things so much easier.