The Cult Rises: Update 6: My first Genestealer Cult list and a build week

Greetings Reader,

Here we are, on the last day of February and #thecultrises has been going on for the better part of two months now. I haven't quite hit my total painted models goal but I have been extremely pleased at consistent progress on this army as well as a pretty good quality of painting for my current skill level.

The Cult Rises: Update 5: The Kelermorph: The ballad of Blaster Scruggs

Greetings Reader,

Man have I been waiting for this moment, The Gunslinger has arrived. I'm not sure there has been a model I was more excited to paint. The Kelermorph is an amazing model and it was a blast to paint him.

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 73: The NOVA Recap Show

What is up Everyone? In this episode, Evan and Chandler come together to talk about Evan's last minute preparations for the NOVA Invitational as well the GT.  The guys start off talking about the Daunting Challenge that is Nick Nanavati.  Evan talks about his thoughts on his list and the challenges it will face against Nick's list.  They then break down the scouring system that NOVA has gone with this year, the round by round missions, and the challenges that his list will face in each mission.  They also break down the scoring for the Primary, the Secondary, and the Tertiary and their thoughts on which ones work well for his list.  We also break down Evan's lists and talk about the strengths of both lists in each of the tournaments.  Evan goes round by round and talks about the challenges and success of each round.  He had a great showing and talks about what he liked most about his GT list.

Two in a WEEK? Must be a NOVA thing!

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 70: ATC Breakdown of Team FTGG

What is up Everyone? Tonight on the podcast, Evan, Bryan, and Chandler man the podcast as we break down how Team Facing the General Geek (FTGG if you need to shorten it) did at the event.  Captain Evan breaks down how the team did, how the games broke out each round, and some of the challenges he felt and had in his games.  Evan also gives some helpful advice for those of you that are thinking of attending.  Evan also talks briefly about the events that happened there at ATC, and also how the team approached their lists.  Bryan then springs the Beerhammer List to beat all Beerhammer lists.  Not going to spoil the lists, but if you go up against Bryan, be ready for a fun time.

Grab a drink, pull a chair up, and enjoy!

Where Two Worlds Collide - 40k and Sports

What is up everyone?  It has been a very long time since I have done a post that hasn't been for a podcast episode.  As most of us have found in Warhammer (or any hobby) is that life will get in the way, but I have been keeping in touch with 40k by listening to other podcasts and catching up on old episodes.  While listening to The Best General Episode 26  where Adam was interviewing Ruben, an Olympic rower for the Dutch national team, I started wrestling with how 40k and sports merge, and how I can look at it for my benefit on the table.  I've come up with a few topics where the two realms meet, and for today I want to look to sports for parallels with how we as a community should approach 40k when it comes to rules.  

Now the sport that most closely relates to 40k is not American Football, Football/Soccer, or even Boxing/MMA.  These sports can teach us some pretty cool ideas that we could use on the table top, but they don't encompass the game the same way that Golf does. 

Golf has the model for 40k

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 67: The FAQ is Here and we build Tyranids

What is up Everyone? May the Fourth be with you, and this week Evan and Bryan get together to talk about a little thing that dropped:  THE FAQ!  IT IS FINALLY HERE and after some shock, awe, and getting into the nitty gritty of the FAQ and what it means for our lists.  The guys talk about some of the big changes to how the lists are built.  The guys talk about the debates on what Nid lists have the punch to do the work to win.  The guys break down the big changes that the bugs have faced, how their lists are changing, and how what was old, just might be new and refreshed.  The guys talk also talk about some changes that may come out of the FAQ that may be an unintended consequence.  Back and better than ever, and with a FAQ to help us get in the flow.

Remember, Hit like a truck; Die like a Mazda.

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 66: The Renegade Tournament Recap and Update

What is up Everyone? This week Chandler and Bryan are joined by Dave and Puck from The Renegade Tournament to go through Renegade Open 2017 and to update us with a couple of new tournaments.  The boys talk about everything that went into The Renegade Open 2017, their thoughts, reactions, and some of the behind the scenes of things they noticed from the results.  The guys then break down two upcoming tournaments:  The Spring CONflagration and The Renegade Team Tournament.  They break down the full rules, the times and dates, and even get into some of the cool aspects of the list building.  The guys also talk about their rules packets and the rules for building a list or a team.  These guys bring a lot of knowledge, a lot of great events, and some fantastic information for all of you that are looking to participate in their events.  Also, There is a huge announcement about Warzone:  Atlanta coming from Dave and Puck, but I won't spoil it here.

As a wise sage once said:  "Renegades are people, with their own philosophy," and it clearly shows in how their events have grown over the years.

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 65: FAQ Preview and Thoughts on Tau and Necrons

What is up Everyone? This week Chandler, Evan, and Bryan are talking about their thoughts on the possible FAQ, their thoughts on the the new mini knights, and the release of Tau.  The boys start to talk about what they think of the Tau codex in terms of GW's possible greater move, some of their thoughts on lists leading into Adepticon, and how the mini Knights fit into all of this idea.  The boys also talk briefly about their thoughts on some of the other issues that might exist between the true state of the game and where GW sees the game.  The second half of the game, they talk about the Tau codex and their initial thoughts.  With a very limited time of looking at the Tau Codex, the boys give their initial thoughts on the codex, and they see a very high infantry count army in the future.  They finish off with a little Necron talk since the release of some preliminary rules have hit the web.

The boys are back after a mini break, and the future looks to be on the ground.

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 63: The Best Generals Invade

What is up Everyone? This week Chandler, Evan, and Bryan are joined by The Best General himself Adam Abramowicz and his personal Yoda/Coach Andrew Whittaker.  The guys jump on to talk about Adam's journey on The Best General, how to approach and what to do when you make a bad table top decision, and a lot of shenanigans.  Adam and Andrew are two awesome top flight players who bring a lot of knowledge and fun to everything they do (40k, Drinking, Wing eating, and Podcasting).  It was truly an honor to have them on the show, and please check out Adam's awesome journey to Warzone:  Atlanta 2018.

Just a bunch of guys, sitting around, talking about 40k, and "multitasking".

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 62: Hobby Talk for 2018

What is up Everyone? This week Chandler and Bryan sit down to talk quickly about their goals with the hobby for the next year.  Bryan talks about his new color scheme, and Chandler talks about some of the realizations he had about the hobby. Both discuss how they plan to approach painting in the new year, how they are going to keep themselves accountable, and some of the challenges that they face in 2018.  It is a two man show to rival that of Ron and Evan's from 2017.

Two guys talking about their new year and they both spend time on the couch discussing this hobby.

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 55: Kill Team Event and NOVA Prep

What is up Everyone? Evan, Bryan, Ron, and Chandler come together for that special time of the year:  Tournament Season.  One of our listeners asked us to give him some list ideas for a Kill Team Event going on this weekend.  The Boys put their collective brains together to give a few list ideas, some thoughts on Kill Team Events, and what are some armies that could do especially well.  We then get right into NOVA.  Evan and Ron are representing the Grey Tide this year and talk about their lists (SURPRISE - They're taking NIDS!).  They also talk about the tournament, some of the neat events this year, and of course we round out our podcast with some wishful Nid thinking.

Kill Team: CHECK.  NOVA: DOUBLE CHECK.  Hands Across America: CHECK!

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 54: Codex Space Marine Review

What is up Everyone? Bryan, Evan, Ron, and Chandler sit down for this week's podcast to review the first 8th edition codex:  Codex Space Marines!  It has been a long time since the boys were all together and an even longer time since a proper codex review was done.  Everything is discussed from the incredible background that was done into all of the armies histories, to updates to some key units, and of course they talk about the latest Primaris models and some of the big changes that happened in the unit entries and point costs.  It makes sense that with the launch of the newest edition of Warhammer 40k that GW should release the Flag Ship army Space Marines to give us a unique insight into what could be coming down the pipeline for other armies.  Sit back and enjoy an old school codex Review from the Grey Tide.

A Codex Review the only way we know how to do it!

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 52: Tyranid List Building and Questions

What is up Everyone? Bryan, Evan, and Chandler sit down this week to go over some listener questions. As many of you know, with the newest edition of Warhammer 40k dropping, there is bound to be some questions on scenarios, the meta, and opinions on tournaments announcing what their plans will be.  The guys put the combined knowledge together to answer a few before getting into one of the podcast's favorite past times:  List Building with Tyranids.  Evan and Bryan talk about some of their lists they have started to put together, some initial thoughts on a few units, and start to try to figure out who the all-stars will be.  Once again, the Podcast is ready to go answer the tough questions: Will The Sporelord Rise?

Enjoy the Show.

Old School List Building Podcast, Don't Mind if we DO!

Don't Break 8th! An Appeal to the Community

So, the New Warhammer 40,000 has only been officially out for a few days, and already there is a lot of discussion on what needs to be "fixed." It shouldn't be surprising, I suppose, but it leads me to writing this, and I hope you'll hear me out:

Leave the rules alone and play it as it lies for now.

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 47: FTGT Back From Warzone

What is up Everyone? Chandler, Evan, and Bryan sit down to talk about the Warzone Atlanta Tournament that was held back in November.  Evan and Chandler break down their games, talk about the fun shenanigans that happened at the tournament, the awesome opponents we went up against, and some of the beautiful armies that made their way to the tournament.  This is one of the premier tournaments in the nation and we love going to hang out and play in it whenever possible.

Recapping a hell of a Tournament with the boys.

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 46: The Lost Episode

What is up Everyone? Over a month ago, Chandler, Evan, and Bryan sat down to talk about Genestealer Cult, Tourney Prep, some games that we got in, and the amount of painting and hobbying we had accomplished.  Unfortunately, That episode was lost in the warp, UNTIL NOW.  The guys sit down almost a month out and after not having done a podcast in a long time, it turned into one of our old fashioned podcasts.  Lots of rambling, lots of talking, and of course, lots of Nids.

Even the Lost Episodes are eventually found.

NOVA Recap Part 2 - 40k GT Stats

For this part of my NOVA recap, I wanted to dive back into my stat analysis role from Torrent of Fire and break down the results. Field of Fire took a crack at the stats from the event, and I'll probably be retracing some of that ground but looking to dig a little deeper. Part of this is massaging the data a bit to get slightly more accurate results. For example, Chaos Space Marines as listed did very well, but we need to differentiate between any Chaos Space Marine primary lists and those that were actually Renegades primary.

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 42: NOVA with Phil

What is up Everyone? This week on the Podcast, the boys welcome in Phil R. who is the co leader of the Warhammer 40K GT and Warhammer Invitational Tournament at the NOVA Open.  He stops by to give us some knowledge on the Tournament, some of the rules and mission setup, as well as break down some of the cool hobby, tournament, and little tid-bits of information that could help you have a great weekend at a spectacular event.  The NOVA Open runs Labor Day Weekend September 1st - 4th, and if you need any additional updates see the show notes below.

Phil joins us with plenty of knowledge towards the two big events.

Facing The Grey Tide Podcast - Episode 41: Tournament Prep with the Boys

What is up Everyone? This week on the Podcast, the Crew is BACK!  Bryan makes his grand return to the podcast and just in time to run down his ideas for the upcoming tournaments that we are all playing in.  With Evan and Ron heading to NOVA, Evan and Chandler heading to the Warzone, and Bryan stomping into Renegade, we have a lot of list ideas, a lot of stuff to finish, and a lot of BS to sort through.  We also dive into some of the differences when getting ready for tournaments and some of the differences from tournament to tournament.

It is a Competitive Grey Tide washing ashore.

FTGT Ron - NOVA Update 8+ Weeks Out

Hey Everyone,

This post is a status update on my Tyranid painting progress for NOVA.  If you missed my first post on my army and work remaining, you can find it here : http://ftgtgaming.blogspot.com/2016/06/ftgt-ron-back-in-2-part-epoxy-putty-mix.html.