tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50865537310090721302024-03-13T14:40:20.841+11:00Collegia TitanicaTitans, Marines and everything else I've got lying around.Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-68169676684116937932013-09-15T18:49:00.000+10:002013-09-15T21:13:06.694+10:00Devourer of Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The <i>Devourer of Hope</i> is finished - we'll he's been finished for a while, but now is photographed as well!<br />
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I've re-ordered my piles of skulls as the warp seems to have eaten them all too, so the <i>Soul of Atrocity</i> is still waiting to be constructed. However I also acquired some black spray at last, so will get to some defilery things soon.Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-34928233839669215122013-07-25T05:30:00.002+10:002013-07-25T06:41:36.890+10:00There's No Imagery Like Satanic Imagery, Like No Imagery I Know!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Still need to touch up the metal edging and gloss coat the panelling, but now about 80% done. </div>
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Bonus close up of his face:<br />
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Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-13523167518625585752013-07-22T03:28:00.001+10:002013-07-22T03:41:57.717+10:00I Have Made a Huge MistakeWhat mistake is that? Well, I've decided that painting all the armour plates on my Brass Scorpion like this...<br />
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...is a really great idea. Yeah, not my best moment.<br />
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To start with I draw the core pattern up in white:<br />
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I then drybrush with orange around the lines, then retrace the lines in yellow and white:<br />
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After that I give the area a light wash with orange ink, then retrace the lines again in orange as well as adding a few lines in orange only. This plate is the smallest and took a little over an hour, but how bad can it be?<br />
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<i>Oh.</i><br />
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<br />Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-56284826072861350552013-07-17T04:51:00.000+10:002013-09-15T18:49:58.070+10:00Apocalypse 2nd Ed - First thoughtsOverall, I think the new edition is fantastic. Clears up a lot of the ambiguity and streamlines much of it (I like that they suggest scrapping all vehicle damage aside from blown up for instance) and it's written much tighter, so there's not as many holes in the rules.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Apocalypse, in macro form)</span></i></div>
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They also toned down the horribly broken combos, and while there are a few solid choices to be made there aren't any no-brainers.
StrD is not so bad as some make it out to be IMO. Highly effective at killing vehicles as always, but there's a 1 in 6 chance it will do nothing to infantry.<br />
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One thing I don't like is the new "after the break" system for some things as it's a bit too meta for my tastes (and I usually love meta stuff). I understand it as a concept and I do like that they've included more of a guide for organising, but tying rules to when you have lunch is a bit... odd.<br />
Not a huge fan of keeping most vehicles off the board either by restricting their entry, but I see why they did it.
Still no big deal and I'd rate this version 50% better than the old one.<br />
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As for my thoughts on specific dealies... <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Assets</span></b>:<br />
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Flank March - now only brings on one formation. Did you know you can have 200 Necron warriors in a formation?<br />
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Trophy Kill can be good as it's easy to vapourise people with StrD now and earn an easy 3 VPs to recycle Titans over and over with.<br />
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Tunnel Rats could be used to hilarious effect with Precise Coordinates to deploy gigantic swathes of IG to the board up close and personal.<br />
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Most of the Space Marine ones are kinda terrible, mostly due to small scale or not particularly epic effect.
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Daemon Shell got improved as you don't have to nominate who has it until you shoot it.<br />
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Ere We Go can't hurt in the world of random charges.<br />
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Idol of Gork (or possibly Mork) - give you Rage! Must be in your deployment zone... uh, no.<br />
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Mek Workshop - restores vehicles to full hull points. Combine with Stompa Mobz and have everyone hate you.<br />
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Strands of Fate. Good for bragging rights or just being an insufferably smug Eldar player. Unless you roll a one in which case play it off as a joke.
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Webway Assault - crazy good, especially when combined with the Kabalite Web Strike to give you four vehicle accessible portals anywhere on the board.<br />
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World Digestion - still as annoying as ever.<br />
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Entropic Plague - everyone will hate you. <b>Forever</b>. But you're playing Necrons so that should only make you more powerful.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Formations</span></b><br />
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The big change is that Formations are now free - so if you have the models just whack them into one because there's only benefits (aside from needing to squadron up).<br />
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Some interesting things about the changes to Superheavy vehicles are that, aside from being unstoppable killing machines, they're generally faster, can be targeted by psychic powers (Baneblade with 4+ invulnerable!) but can also be locked in HtH combat, which is a <i>huge</i> change with how assaulting Titans will play out. Before with having to disengage each turn it left attackers vulnerable to countercharges and being shot to death. Now they can tie up a Titan much longer. I think StrD melee weapons will be a little more common now out of it, as most Titans don't have a high attack score to just bludgeon their way out of combat (even with Stomp attacks).<br />
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High Commands are also basically amazing as they give you one free Strategic Asset during the game.<br />
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Anyways, arm up, and let's look at what's cookin':<br />
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Lord Castellan's Command is a great choice for an IG army, with lots of benefits at a relatively low points cost. Trick is to keep Creed alive of course.<br />
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The Space Marine Companies are both good, especially if you're planning on taking them anyway. The only downside is you have to deploy them all together. 1st Company is a bit better as it gives everyone Deep Strike and Fear as well as lots of other benefits.<br />
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Wings of Sanguinius can deep Strike in the enemy's turn, meaning next turn (if they survive) they can run around and assault and so on.<br />
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The GK Extermination Force is probably the only formation I would come close to calling broken. While it fits the background if you bring it against Daemons in particular don't expect many invites again. It does have the weakness that the Dreadknight is the key so it's not <i>that </i>dangerous.<br />
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The Lord of Skulls is perhaps a little overpriced (I must meditate on this some more), but not hugely.<br />
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The Tetragon of Darkness isn't anywhere near as annoying with the change to StrD weapons.<br />
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Dread Mobs are a great investment for any Waaaaagh.<br />
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The Stompa went up in points..? I'm not seeing why.<br />
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Phantom Titans are good now, really good (assuming you can keep them out of assault). The D-Cannon did lose the ability to ignore shields, which kinds blows, but the new Superheavy damage rules really benefit the Eldar the most.<br />
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Sunstorm Squadrons got even crazier and will utterly annihilate huge chunks of the battlefield easily. One of the deadliest formations in the book IMO.<br />
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Fielding a Wraithknight Dreamwalker Squad is nifty and could really catch people off guard when they start running around 11" a turn.<br />
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All the Dark Eldar formations are good, but Dark Olympiad (even better with the Duke)and Kabalite Web Strike are the stand outs. Everything in the book for the DE works so well together they can easily be a top Apoc army without any Superheavies.<br />
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Endless Swarm is kinda insane as after turn 4 you can only Snap Shot at it, and it is theoretically infinitely large...<br />
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The Heirophant has been fixed up so it now actually has workable rules, and I don't think is either borked or over priced depending how you look at it.<br />
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The Necrons are a real mixed bag. A few don't seem very good due to either just not being very good (Obelisk - very situational) or impractical (Baleful Necropolis - stay within 3"? Why, yes, I do want lots of StrD pie plates!). Infinite Phalanx is funny as it's a single 50+ warrior unit. The downside is that it's all one unit so can be bogged down in HtH by a few guys for a long time.<br />
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The Tesseract Vault and Transcendent C'Tan can be dead killy (the C'Tan especially), but can also be very, very pricey. You can easily make the C'Tan cost over 800pts, and it will wreck face without doubt, but it also explodes horribly when it dies so...<br />
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The Macro Cannon Aquila is a fairly cost effective way of getting StrD and an AV15 bunker into the deal. The Vortex version isn't as good simply due to the Vortex rule changes.<br />
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So that's my thoughts on the first pass of the book. Not necessarily accurate, not necessarily final, but certainly there. Or here. Or whatever.Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-41011878735967448072013-07-15T05:49:00.000+10:002013-07-16T03:42:27.393+10:00Scorpio Colossi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since my harvest of skulls is still yet to arrive I decided to get started on my Greater Brass Scorpion. Now obviously since I'm using its cannon for the <i>Soul of Atrocity</i> it would need something to fill its spot:<br />
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I never really liked the "gun face" look, and the pair of cluster caltrop pods from the Reaver Jetbike box fit perfectly. They're mounted on the front of a Sentinel and there's an armour plate from a Defiler claw above it.<br />
If anybody complains about lack of demolisher canon they shoot death rays, <i>obviously</i>, I mean sheeze...<br />
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Less obviously all the armour plates and the fore claws are not glued on yet so they can be painted separately.<br />
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Also I'm not sure what to name this one. I was thinking <i>Desecration of Hope</i>, but it's not murderous enough. Something with Annihilation, Obliteration or the like in it maybe. Fast, brutal but with a sense of grandeur and giganticness to it. Suggestions welcome!<br />
<br />Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-41343893348317841132013-07-04T02:42:00.002+10:002013-09-15T18:49:58.068+10:00The Tower Rises!Construction has continued in Khorne's bloody name, despite the best efforts of Nurgle to lay me low:<br />
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Cowardly Tzeentch is also up to his tricky ways, fouling the immaterium and delaying delivery of my necessary haul of skulls to continue construction much further.<br />
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The main gun is from the Greater Brass Scorpion, and the upper tower guns are from the Forgefiend kit. they are mounted in the window on Icarus Lascannon mounts:<br />
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These windows will be filled with skulls, whilst the middle row and front will be filled with imagery depicting total destruction as befits such a mighty engine of war.Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-33221161593986629272013-06-26T01:08:00.001+10:002013-06-26T04:06:49.346+10:00Bone-apart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Defiler <i>Rage Furnace</i> complete. It will have a crewwoman hanging out the side hatch at some later point.<br />
Soul of Atrocity construction continues, mostly cleaning up 20-odd building pieces so nothing interesting to show yet.<br />
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<br />Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-56485090439963557092013-06-25T04:22:00.001+10:002013-06-25T04:34:23.351+10:00The Khornepocalypse Begins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The planets have aligned and it time to unleash the unending horror of the Blood God's mighty warmachine!<br />
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Construction has begun on the Tower of Skulls <i>Soul of Atrocity</i> - the cuts in the hull are to accommodate the building pieces I'll be using to create the tower. I sliced out the pieces using my Dremel, and fitted some bits of sprue as strutting to keep it a bit more stable.<br />
Much like the Tower featured in <i>Reload </i>I'll be using the Basilica Administratum pieces for most of the tower, but rather than hexagonal I'll be going square, using the window section of the Aquila Shrine for the front facing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaH7CO0HUBA-cBoWWcKf0Zxl1FuZcu2-hEdOdpsQMasfRnzhwiJw1MspE0BnEcGwUyzawg-nYg7L-CP78fEIXoXk9W_5hIESpl1JVOLpmOf1S2AWjoVUzNmAi9UBAAdFFARK_oIX4VXE/s1600/ToS03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaH7CO0HUBA-cBoWWcKf0Zxl1FuZcu2-hEdOdpsQMasfRnzhwiJw1MspE0BnEcGwUyzawg-nYg7L-CP78fEIXoXk9W_5hIESpl1JVOLpmOf1S2AWjoVUzNmAi9UBAAdFFARK_oIX4VXE/s320/ToS03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The side sponsons are fitted with Defiler autocannons, but required cutting out sections of the hull to fit the back of the guns. I started by drilling a series of holes in the hull before using clippers to cut out the remaining section.<br />
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It left a fairly ugly hole, but it is totally concealed when the sponson is in place:<br />
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Also added some gnarly extra exhaust pipes, spiked rams and some icons. And, yes, that is a <a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/image/71038/man-o-war">Black Ark of Naggaroth</a> skull in the foreground and I'm happy to have finally found something worthy of mounting it on.<br />
I'm undecided if I'll be mounting it on the front glacias plate or over the main gun - it'll just depend on how well it fits when the cannon arrives.<br />
But what cannon I'll be using shall be a surprise.<br />
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And speaking of guns, I had a leftover Baneblade turret, so made this thing:<br />
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That is a great summation of what the Khornepocalypse is all about - mad, mad war machines covered in skulls and spikes, but I shall do a longer examination of the concept behind this army in the near future.Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-5199045602883912062013-06-05T05:14:00.004+10:002013-06-05T05:14:49.669+10:00Khornate Name Generator of DOOM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In honour of the leaked Deathdealer / Lord of Battles machine of insanity, I've put together a little list so you can name your very own Khorne engine of destruction. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4PmXTCa1tQkSyUZ1a5B3xnNs2vZeF3bdf0PtgQGwPa0KNRYTnvw4epXKhYlfw3Wl4B-hycNbt0IBRQKffK5umNw7hOTrT3bwEx2PpYkHRH0PSAWo2lTzGaHrqrvfrkxAFePGEhzBIrQ/s1600/Khorne_Generator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4PmXTCa1tQkSyUZ1a5B3xnNs2vZeF3bdf0PtgQGwPa0KNRYTnvw4epXKhYlfw3Wl4B-hycNbt0IBRQKffK5umNw7hOTrT3bwEx2PpYkHRH0PSAWo2lTzGaHrqrvfrkxAFePGEhzBIrQ/s640/Khorne_Generator.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(click to unleash the full horror!)</span></i></div>
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See, I've always thought Khorne, with his over the top He-Manesque mega-vehicles was the best of the Chaos gods, and was so delightfully over the top that I am now more tempted than ever to build that all war-engine army I've always wanted.<br />
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At least I won't run out of names any time soon :DGotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-66260245959487250852013-05-27T02:17:00.001+10:002013-05-27T02:57:10.017+10:00My Girlfriend Was Crushed By A Space Marine<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pz7jOry30f4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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To quote Big Red: "It helps with the English subtitles on... a little..."Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-24305716602008423032013-05-14T01:09:00.000+10:002013-05-27T02:57:38.121+10:00Music from Space<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KaOC9danxNo" width="560"></iframe>
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A revised version of David Bowie's Space Oddity, recorded by Commander Chris Hadfield on board the International Space Station.Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-54022039838056848712013-05-07T23:48:00.000+10:002013-05-07T23:48:01.218+10:00Games Workshop Was Right to Dump Specialist GamesYep, they did the right thing if the rumours are true and ye old Specialist Games are going the way of the Man O War / Space Hulk / Dark Future / Chainsaw Warrior and so on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIByCpk1hrQP5gGy7fgbJQPUURYkVnNtRrGuit-1q2zMejsgRw5JCAAQiB37Ger1ce6i5oFruTfbETq0xz9_6MOAOscgDs8U_PNlWZSbGTVe1b6c4j5-r4Ua7jkQCPCvWcZUpkezc5bgw/s1600/Colin-Firth-010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIByCpk1hrQP5gGy7fgbJQPUURYkVnNtRrGuit-1q2zMejsgRw5JCAAQiB37Ger1ce6i5oFruTfbETq0xz9_6MOAOscgDs8U_PNlWZSbGTVe1b6c4j5-r4Ua7jkQCPCvWcZUpkezc5bgw/s320/Colin-Firth-010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Let me tell you about my opinions.</span></i></div>
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Why do I say this?<br />
<br />
Well GW is a miniatures company first and foremost - they've said as much and they take (mostly) deserved pride in the quality of their new releases. But Specialist Games were, for the most part, a bit of a blot on that record.<br />
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For example, saw you saw one of Forge World's beautiful Warhounds:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWv96rYNzSXwUwuB2kzHW5Dey6sNmUBeVSKjWNVN-cABT5rQPoWtVE5tSpXrqXxZLUl6nmgGJUPrJ405zm3rzQSi6B4mmxk4nYeZlYkBahA8NgJZcfuhC0l2dq_npwGoJM9ZRYV-a_5Q/s1600/mawarhound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWv96rYNzSXwUwuB2kzHW5Dey6sNmUBeVSKjWNVN-cABT5rQPoWtVE5tSpXrqXxZLUl6nmgGJUPrJ405zm3rzQSi6B4mmxk4nYeZlYkBahA8NgJZcfuhC0l2dq_npwGoJM9ZRYV-a_5Q/s320/mawarhound.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But thought "hey, 250 quid is a bit much, but I love Titans so maybe I'll give this Epic game a look..."<br />
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Not so much interest now, I'd wager. One of the best looking minis available (not so much anymore) for Epic is the Phantom Titan, who turns 25 this year. Yes, Games Workshop, the leading light of miniatures technology, is selling miniatures it first released over two decades ago. Whether that's a testament to Jes Goodwin's skill and vision, or a sign they've never really known how to move Specialist Games forward, or both, I'll leave up to you.<br />
Similarly there have been more "fantasy football" teams put out by non-GW companies than by GW themselves in the last decade, and the old models do not compare in most cases:<br />
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The way I look at it this: Specialist Games figures are the Christmas jumpers of miniature lines. They're too ugly to actually use, but you know your granny will get really upset if you throw it out.<br />
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<i>Gee thanks, Grandpa Jervis, it's just what I wanted!</i></div>
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So instead they hang around the joint and you hope when you're showing off your wardrobe to a new squeeze they don't see them and laugh their ass off at you (to clarify this metaphor: you're GW and the girl is a new customer).<br />
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Just be honest and chuck 'em out - you never wear it and it's taking up space. The argument is made that the Specialist Games range was still profitable, but barely. That's... not a good argument for a business, especially one that seems to be doing loads of cost cutting in the way GW is (and the whole global economic turbulence thing). Say that one out of every ten casting jobs was for a Specialist Games range - and I'm probably being generous here. If you get rid of that you would, in theory, get a greater than 10% increase in another area as you would have the casting time plus the time needed to change moulds and so on shifted over. That would mean increase in production of the lines that sell well, so you can get them stocked up for their new release and out the door, concentrating then on the next lot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNfm4obBehDdoKHFRCtBbrusVdHhE26q07jJ2DCy6RtufUiMgCeDUNZ4PO1wLVqgpMG9TthJe4dgu2jYIWvT9jmgBez7RpRPz3bfGMaDViceUrn_TzK7B4n1wmAKKJC4FldN81I9PEZA/s1600/ugly-christmas-sweaters-12052011-23.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNfm4obBehDdoKHFRCtBbrusVdHhE26q07jJ2DCy6RtufUiMgCeDUNZ4PO1wLVqgpMG9TthJe4dgu2jYIWvT9jmgBez7RpRPz3bfGMaDViceUrn_TzK7B4n1wmAKKJC4FldN81I9PEZA/s320/ugly-christmas-sweaters-12052011-23.jpg.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Some, like Lord Frontline, pictured to the right, have indicated that GW were simply <a href="http://thefrontlinegamer.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/monday-musing-specialist-games.html">sitting on their stock</a> since the Finecast introduction, and this is merely the last dregs of stock disappearing. But regardless, time taken from the logistics workforce to deal with Specialist Games, as well as just physical space, can now go to stuff that sells.<br />
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"But, mighty Gotthammer," I hear you cry as you grovel before my dread throne, "Blood Bowl / Epic / Necromunda still has players! What will become of that once great community now that our support is gone?"<br />
<br />
Erm, what support? I guess it was nice of GW to put up the PDF rulebooks, but I've seen in discussion threads about this very topic enquiries about rules directed to go to fan site to get the latest fan-updated editions. As <a href="http://theporkster.blogspot.com.au/">Porky the Wise</a>, that intrepid traveller of the expanse, would say "the game is now totally in our hands. But, of course, it always has been. Also, there is no game, there is only ourselves."<br />
Nothing, short of a DMCA notice *cough*, can stop people playing Blood Bowl or Necromunda. Hell, the Blood Bowl PC game comes with the rules as a PDF.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>BUT</b><br />
<br />
What should GW do now? I think they have three main options, and I'll address them in what I consider order of least to most likely to happen:<br />
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1) <b>Re-release</b>. They'll totally redo all the ranges and re-launch the Specialist Games line with much fanfare and it will be 1995 all over again. I find this unlikely because of the sheer amount of capital required to resculpt / move to finecast and build up stock for what is a gamble that gamers will, in fact, put their money where their mouth is and buy Specialist Games in any volume.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCTjsbAevqQopLcZB44_Hpw2QaQhyphenhyphen-JNSXNSqvN1Y3C9WO8I62VUBLbNCo2JJ_rjHtVxhf5GxTVzeJYiH_mokCKD4ot4wJW5JxsxtQ9x93L-8gusJVQDNAFNb1Rxc5CqnSeRRehxeaY8/s1600/mens-winter-wonderland-christmas-jumpers-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCTjsbAevqQopLcZB44_Hpw2QaQhyphenhyphen-JNSXNSqvN1Y3C9WO8I62VUBLbNCo2JJ_rjHtVxhf5GxTVzeJYiH_mokCKD4ot4wJW5JxsxtQ9x93L-8gusJVQDNAFNb1Rxc5CqnSeRRehxeaY8/s320/mens-winter-wonderland-christmas-jumpers-1.jpg" width="220" /></a>It is more likely that one or two games may be moved, Blood Bowl has been rumoured for some time and has a bit more exposure with the PC game, and Necromunda's miniature line still holds up well (much thanks to Jes again, no doubt).<br />
The success of Space Hulk has shown there is demand, but I understand GW's trepidation to invest so much capital on a risk at a time of economic uncertainty (double given what some of their more... unusual corporate moves of late may indicate).<br />
Also, they may have missed the boat for other titles. In the skirmish stakes Mordheim is effectively superseded my Malifaux, Freebooter's Fate and more; Necromunda by Infinity and Relic Knights to a certain degree. While Epic has been nobbled by Drop Zone Commander and the currently Kickstarting Robotech Battles for small-scale sci-fantasy. And there is, of course, Firestorm Armada taking over BFG's slot.<br />
Had they done this even five years ago when the indies were still in their infancy GW could have potentially cleaned up. Or, like many big corporations reacting to upstarts, it could have lost a boatload of money (see TSR vs Magic the Gathering).<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Also costs around four times as much.</span></i></div>
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2) <b>Licencing</b>. Most likely to Fantasy Flight, but perhaps to a new player. GW has shown they can make a lot of money with their IP through the RPG books and various games. They've also shown savvy by getting paid to let others take the risk for stuff they don't want to do (movies). However none of those have been <i>real </i>miniature games. The closest are Fantasy Flight's board games, and I'm not sure GW would be willing to outsource it's core area, or it would likely be so restrictive / costly for the licensor they may find the going tough.<br />
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3) <b>Nothing</b>. Yep, I think GW's likely course of action in the near future will be nothing. They'll let the dust settle long enough for this to all be forgotten or just remembered with a roll of the eyes or a joke like the Squats, and then, when the time is right, maybe bring one or two titles back. Perhaps they're waiting out the expiry of the LotR agreement, and we'll see Specialst Games, or maybe just a singular game, back with a vengeance in three or four years.<br />
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So I do think the loss of Specialist Games is sad, and certainly and end of an era, but it is also a positive in that it will no longer be confined to a hellish semi-death for decades on end with no reprieve, and that any activity within GW will now solely be on new products, be they re-imaginings of the forgotten games or simply faster updates of the current generation.Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-36287861768726219012013-05-04T05:32:00.002+10:002013-06-25T04:34:23.336+10:00Review: Imperial Armour 12: The Fall of Orpheus<a href="http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/New_Stuff/IMPERIAL_ARMOUR_VOLUME_TWELVE_THE_FALL_OF_ORPHEUS.html">Imperial Armour Volume 12: The Fall of Orpheus</a> is Forge World’s latest offering in the series, covering said fall at the hands of the dastardly Necrons. It’s the first to feature our cyborganised chums, but the Death Korps of Krieg and the Minotaurs Chapter are here for some familiarity.<br />
What I’m interested to see is if they’ve overcome the all too familiar editing errors that hamstrung the <a href="http://collegiatitanica.blogspot.com.au/2011/12/review-imperial-armour-11-doom-of.html">last IA outing</a>…<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Story and Background</span></b><br />
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In a departure from the last few IA books volume twelve, despite the title, isn’t the full story. The background is, in fact, merely the prelude to the campaign setting. See, the background charts the Orpheus sector all the way from its discovery pre-Heresy through to the Necron incursion, and then stops after the Necrons have flattened the Imperial forces. The campaign is designed to represent the war to reclaim the sector / save what’s left, so there is no fixed winner or loser as in books such as Vraks or Badab.<br />
That said Alan Bligh’s introduction (itself a good read) indicates that there may be more to come from the sector, so who knows what end will be made canon.<br />
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Now, my biggest gripe of IA:11 (aside from the editing, or lack thereof) was that there wasn’t enough Eldar. This book does and doesn’t address that issue, but I was left overall happy with how it was balanced. It’s told as a history analysis, a textbook account interspersed with snippets of Inquisitorial insights to guide future generations so they may avoid the same fate. Because of that the Necrons themselves don’t appear in the flesh, as it were, until almost the end. The best comparison I can draw is the movie Predator – you don’t really see the Predator until very late, but its influence guides and shapes the story and actions of those it’s toying with.<br />
We, as outside observers with the benefit of our meta knowledge, can see what all these portents and mysterious actions are shaping into, but the Imperial forces’ lack of action seems almost reasonable in the circumstances. The Necrons are always there, doing their Necron-y thing, but like all good horror monsters they have the good sense to do it off camera.<br />
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The Necrons themselves aren’t left as shadowy bogeymen, and there are a great number of insights into how the different courts interact with one another, the different methodologies behind their long sleeps, and even some tidbits about the origins of the Flayer Virus.<br />
I’ve seen a few people comment that they’ve been looking forward to the rumoured return of the Red Harvest, and it is certainly back here with a bloody vengeance. The particular Necron dynasty in the book, the Maynarkh, are all touched by the Flayer if not all totally crazy, so whilst the Flayed Ones are of course doing their whole “it puts the lotion on the skin” thing the rest of them are given reason to participate, and it brings a degree of pathos to their actions in my eyes.<br />
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The Imperials get some loving, as would be expected ,with the Death Korps having the usual background blurb and some new bits thrown in to do with their names and organisation. The Minotaurs have their turbulent and shrouded history revealed a little more after the Badab books, but no conclusions are drawn (though there are plenty more implications).<br />
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There are no particularly amazing moments that I feel the need to gush about, but more importantly there are no brain-dead moments of editorial idiocy to cringe at. In fact I didn’t notice a single error in the entire book! There may well be some, but given the hack job they did to 11 and 8’s numerous missing rules, it’s a million percent improvement.<br />
I found it an enthralling read, well planned and dripping with atmosphere. Like Badab I, Orpheus is also a great resource for background junkies. There are small details about the procedures for colonising planets (including edicts that can just up and move a population if the Imperium sees fit, or give them all over to the Mechanicus), politicking and inter departmento relations. Despite the growing doom it gives a view into how a sector runs day-to-day, with the disruption and tension pirate raids cause interspliced with the economic balancing required of the different worlds.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mmmmmurder donut</i></span></div>
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There is not a lot of action when compared to other IA books, but the Death Korps get a few battles and are allowed to show off a bit, while the Minotaurs wreck some serious face. It’s never one-sided in the combat, or, if it is, it goes to the Necrons who annihilate the ever-loving-bejeezus out of a lot of stuff with contemptuous ease due to surprise or overwhelming numbers.<br />
The story does contain a few links to the Badab books by virtue of the Minotaur’s presence, and has a few cameos, such as a brief appearance by the Grey Knights and a retro appearance of the 8th Necromunda “Spiders” regiment, which was pretty neat.<br />
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I would also be remiss if I failed to give special mention to the art. This is hands down the best looking Imperial Armour to date, and I personally think the best looking GW book since Rogue Trader days. The illustrations are beautiful, and rendering the character plates over a black background with deep, shadowed colours was the obvious, but totally correct choice. To put it simply this book sis just so evocative, there’s little besides total praise I can say.<br />
Literally the only negative I can think with the art is that they a) didn’t make the Asterion Moloc art as a poster – it is phenominal, and b) they don’t show enough of the Necron minis in the book. Mind you that does mean the diorama shots of the Death Korps fighting through tunnels takes on a very Aliens feel with the shadowy half-seen or unseen foe. See – even the negative is a good point!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Rules, Armylists and Units</span></b><br />
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There are two complete army lists presented – the Necron Dark Harvest and Death Korps of Krieg Assault Brigade – while the Minotaurs are essentially a list of add-ons for the current line of Space Marine Codexes.<br />
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The <b>Necron Dark Harvest</b> list is, aside from the few unique Forge World units, close to identical to the Codex list. There are some minor force-org changes , and many units gains some minor wargear choices, but the biggest change is to the HQ units who, to tie in with the Dynasty’s flayer taint, all have special rules that can make them go crazy during the game. Additionally the list can be built to be very construct heavy, mainly due to the additional Forge World units present.<br />
The list is geared as a high number aggressive attack force that can take a lot of casualties. No doubt many of the usual Necron uber-builds will work just as well, but then there is no need to use the list.<br />
There are a couple of special characters to use as well. First is Dynasty’s most implacable and deadly warlord, Joan Collins:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>With shoulder pads like that I'm surprised </i><i>GW hasn't tried to sue her...</i></span></div>
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I mean <b>Kutlakh the World Killer</b>. He’s not overly remarkable, but <i>unusual </i>(for the Necrons) in that to befit the army he is built as a close combat monster.<br />
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The other is <b>Toholk the Blinded</b>, a Chronomancer and Arch-Cryptek. He is a buff-giver, doling out bonuses to his war machines and re-rolls to units he joins. Of the two Toholk seems to be more useful to me from that point of view, but he’s nowhere near as tough to kill.<br />
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New units are the Tomb Stalker, Tomb Sentinel, Acanthrites, mini pylons, Tesseract Ark and the Night Shroud Bomber.<br />
The <b>Sentry Pylons</b> are heavy support units, also purchasable for the standard Codex, and come in batteries of 1-3. They are unique in that they don’t need crew and can deploy in a slightly dispersed formation.<br />
They have three weapon choices, though only one can Skyfire/Intercept, but it’s got 120” range, so all good.<br />
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<b>Tomb Stalkers</b> haven’t changed much from the previous rules, but have a couple of options to bring them in line with the new Codex.<br />
The variant model, the <b>Tomb Sentinel</b> is basically a Stalker with a short ranged no-save make a Str test or die blast weapon.<br />
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Tha <b>Acanthrites </b>are jump infantry with short range melta weapons and aren’t too shabby in close combat either.<br />
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The <b>Tesseract Ark</b> is essentially a gunboat. Heavy with moderate defences, but well armed. It hits very hard and, while it can take a punch, it's not as tough as a Monolith.<br />
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The <b>Night Shroud</b>’s rules look ok to me, and it is definitely a bomber, armed with twin-linked tesla destructors and five Death Spheres – str10, AP1, large blast, blinding, pinning bombs – and nothing else. It is tough with 4hp but only moderate armour.<br />
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The rules for the Gauss Pylon are also updated (the only Super Heavy in the book, actually), and the Tomb citadel has its rules introduced. The <b>Tomb Citadel</b> improves the shooting of a unit docked to the main building, gives a save to any unit on the citadel and can take a pair of gun turrets. It seems underpriced for what it does, as Necron forces castled up there would get a 3+ invulnerable and re-rolls to 1s on resurrection rolls.<br />
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The <b>Minotaurs </b>characters are Lord Asterion Moloch, Chaplain Ivanus Enkomi, Dreadnought Hecaton Aiakos and Vigilator-Sergeant Hamath Kraatos.<br />
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<b>Asterion Moloch</b>, like most Marine characters, is an unholy death-machine in combat, and is geared solely towards close combat. His profile and abilities are reminiscent of Lysander, though beefed up as befits a Chapter Master.<br />
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<b>Enkomi</b>, in addition to having one of the most metal mini in GW’s history:<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Slaaaaaayeeerrrrr!!!!!</span></i></div>
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is, amazingly, <i>even more</i> geared towards close combat than his glorious leader, buffing his squad into Rage filled Zealots.<br />
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<b>Aiakos </b>is a Contemptor dread with a special close combat attack.<br />
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<b>Kraatos </b>is, despite the name, not a(nother) hand to hand specialist, but the 2iC of the 9th company. He’s a devastator squad upgrade and carries a heavy bolter. Sorry, a <i>sniper </i>heavy bolter.<br />
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Most of the other units are updating some of the older units (Damoclese Rhino, Deathstorm Drop Pod, Sentry Gun) and including newer ones such as the Deimos Predators and Storm Eagles.<br />
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The<b> Death Korps Assault Brigade</b> list is, essentially, the Codex: Imperial Guard list with Forge World units subbed in.<br />
They have the special character <b>Marshal Karis Venner</b>, who in keeping with the book’s theme, is a badass in melee. Yes, in IA12 even the Guard are hand to hand murder machines!<br />
Otherwise the Death Korps, like the marines, are seeing a tidying up of older units (making the Hades less broken [it has to deep strike, as do units coming after so if the enemy blocks them they mishap]) and the inclusion of newer ones (Rapiers, Avenger).<br />
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As best I can tell every special rule is either cross-referenced or listed in the book, and I didn’t spot any particularly glaring oddities present in some of the more recent products. It seems the attention from the Horus Heresy series has made them pick up their game.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Campaign and other Rules</span></b><br />
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The Campaign is a pretty standard campaign set-up – multiple theatres, different battle types etc, with some limitations about assigning units to certain theatres making them unavailable in others, but nothing radically different from the last few books.<br />
As mentioned above the campaign is less a reconstruction of the events in the book but a continuation of the war described. This is something I think Forge World would be better served by in some instances, so as to alleviate the debate of “the Imperium never wins” vs “they make the xenos suck and die too much” if nothing else.<br />
The Zone Mortalis rules are also included here.<br />
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One notable thing I mentioned above is that there is only one Super Heavy in the book (the Gauss Pylon) and no Apocalypse formations – another sign Apoc is being updated soon?<br />
One odd thing were the six pages of adverts in the back of the book for other IA tomes. Full colour ads for some of the newer releases. Given GW isn’t stocking FW in stores anymore it seems like a wasted effort to me as if you have this book you’re unlikely to be any more spurred to pick up a copy of IA Masterclass than you were ordering it from Forge World’s website.<br />
Not a big deal, just… odd.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Summary and Scores</span></b><br />
<br />
Overall a fantastic book. The army lists may not be divergent enough for everyone’s tastes, but then again they could be seen as not too divergent to be more widely acceptable. Even though the Necrons aren’t as visible as other xeno races in their books it felt they had a greater impact on the story, like the Tyranids in IA4.<br />
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<b>Story and Background – 8/10</b>. While you may think I’d give it higher I am aware that things like the methodology of a planet becoming an Imperial World isn’t something everyone is interested in, so the somewhat dryer text may be a bit dull for some folks. That said the story is skilfully crafted and the many asides and callouts are very characterful and enhance the book even more.<br />
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<b>Art and Layout – 10/10</b>. This is a gorgeous book that drips with atmosphere. Not much more to say than that.<br />
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<b>Army Lists and Rules – 6/10</b>. Again, a seemingly low score, but while well executed there is much of the same-old here. If you want new rules, or just to use one unit, this book will not hold a great deal of value for you. If you want rules that work, there will be no issues. On a positive units that have languished without a 6th ed update or have been long reviled are cleaned up and there is quite a host of special characters to choose from.<br />
<br />
<b>Extras – 7/10</b>. The campaign fits the story, and is presented with a slight twist to the previous iterations. Zone Mortalis is a sensible addition and a great set of rules by themselves and a welcome inclusion.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Overall</span></b> (not an average) – <b><span style="font-size: large;">9/10</span></b><br />
<br />
Yep, I think it’s that good. Do keep in mind that I am basing this on a weighting towards the story and art over the rules as explained above. However if you’re a fan of 40k lore, this book is a great read.<br />
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Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-68467990807977939622013-04-15T20:57:00.002+10:002013-04-15T20:57:55.078+10:00Games Day Australia Cancelled?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHRB1T-7N1f4_7i0NNN2EcslFpIswFLpFsyeiuF7FB1nVQx9hjbh2rlzAFcMcufmPYfrjHRypo6Evl5ZiZ8BhoHui0HC8nu-mBbWFmNXJidcfwWhetR-zZbCe07Jnm6EhmDySXRyriV8/s1600/Australian_Games_Day_2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHRB1T-7N1f4_7i0NNN2EcslFpIswFLpFsyeiuF7FB1nVQx9hjbh2rlzAFcMcufmPYfrjHRypo6Evl5ZiZ8BhoHui0HC8nu-mBbWFmNXJidcfwWhetR-zZbCe07Jnm6EhmDySXRyriV8/s320/Australian_Games_Day_2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Word on the street is that Games Day Australia has been canned due to lack of staffing. Stores being shut down or downsized to one-man operations has resulted in a lack of available bodies to both keep stores open and run the event. This comes from a games club that has previously run display tables being told<a href="http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?30944-GD-2013-cancelled-Australia"> they needn't worry this year</a>.<br />
Also rumour is that the venue was asking for a fair price hike that GW weren't prepared to pay up.<br />
<br />
Will be a great shame if true, and another blow to GW's relationship with Australian customers, as the last <a href="http://collegiatitanica.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Games%20Day">were great events</a> and the only chance most fans would ever get to speak with the designers and authors.Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-18819763032700858172013-02-09T03:14:00.000+11:002013-02-09T05:24:22.048+11:00Has GW caved over the "Space Marine" fiasco?Either they have or Amazon decided to ignore GW's request - as <a href="http://mcahogarth.org/">M.C.A. Hogarth's</a> book <i>Spots the Space Marine</i> is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spots-Space-Marine-Defense-ebook/dp/B006MGJYOE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1360332071&sr=8-2&keywords=spots+the+space+marine">back up for sale on Amazon.com</a>.<br />
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<br />
Having a fairly negative <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21380003">report from the BB</a>C, as well as whole host of authors pillorying your position (Cory Doctorow, Charles Stross, John Scalzi and Neil Gaiman) may have made someone rethink the decision -and rightfully so.<br />
Given GW's fairly liberal borrowing of concepts and terms (Eldar is straight up Tolkein, Lasguns are in Dune etc) it saddens me to see them take this move. Given the strength of the 40k Space Marine image, would GW really lose that much if the trademark lapsed? I'm not convinced they would.<br />
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If you don't want to go through Amazon or don't have a Kindle, <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/26359">Smashwords also has the book available</a> (and has sample pages).<br />
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<br />
EDIT: Games Workshop have issued a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=595792240435610">quasi-official response via Facebook</a>.Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-4103212024276100542012-09-13T02:39:00.002+10:002012-09-13T02:39:48.429+10:00Wreck-Age StakerHere's my first painted <a href="http://www.wreck-age.net/">Wreck-Age</a> miniature, one of the <a href="http://agentlemansones.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/wreck-age-stakers.html">Stakers</a>:<br />
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I decided to keep her fairly earthy colours as I figured she be wearing more home-made clothing than any of teh other factions. To avoid her being completely brown (this isn't the 70's) I added the ex-army type pistol belt and yellow hat.<br />
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Fun mini to paint, and she can be yours through the <a href="http://www.wreck-age.net/index.php/online-store#ecwid:category=2385625&mode=category&offset=0&sort=normal">Wreck-Age store</a> or by <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyacinthgames/a-tabletop-rpg-and-board-games-project-from-chicag">backing their Kickstarter</a> - only three days to go!Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-70012350837356323772012-09-09T23:09:00.001+10:002013-04-15T20:47:16.704+10:00Games Day Australia 2012So here is my report from today’s Games Day Australia 2012 in Sydney.<br />
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First up were some changes to the venue – they’d improved the layout and positioning of the various events and stalls, as well as keeping the Forge World pre-orders separate, so thumbs up for that. The gaming area was shrunk to free up more space for the studio crew and hobby area, so overall the whole central area felt much less congested.<br />
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Don't know if attendance was down on last year, but it felt a little quieter. Mind you I spent almost the whole day in seminars so...<br />
Parking was much easier as we weren’t competing with Young Talent Time auditions.<br />
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I missed the Black Library seminar (again), so went and said hello to Jes Goodwin, who signed my Compilation, which was pretty rad.<br />
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He had his original design sketches which were amazing and drool-worthy (the Sslyth was phenomenal! Makes me want to buy one, lol). When I asked he said he preferred no photos of them as he’s been burnt before by his designs being copied by “those companies that spring up making little bits”. Understandable, but I’m sorry I couldn’t share them with you.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> The original is so much better...</i></span></div>
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I stood in line for a bit waiting to look at the Golden Daemon, got bored, left the queue ran into a friend who had apparently not been home since seeing Apocalyptica last night, and was still pretty plastered. He’d apparently accosted Alan Merrett earlier about there being too many queues and it being confusing, ha ha.<br />
And speaking of Alan, he didn’t speak at any of the seminars like last year, but was floating around and rather oddly directing the lines at the shop…<br />
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<br />
So then it was time for the first seminar of the day – and boy was it a big one: Forge World with Mark Bedford.<br />
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<b>General</b><br />
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- The way he sees it, GW is like cake, and Forge World is like putting cream and cherries on top… well maybe not cherries but cocaine (yes, that was his analogy).<br />
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- Flooded with Marines? Well, they sell. Surprisingly everyone was very, very open about this fact and didn’t try to hide it in any way shape or form.<br />
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- Warlord Titan? Big kits are a balance of cost in time vs how much they’ll sell realistically. For instance the Manta took one and a half years for Will Hayes to produce, during which time he wasn’t getting much else done. Could he have made fifteen other kits that would have sold more in that time? That’s the numbers they run and why big kits are rarer. They do want to make a Warlord though.<br />
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- All they FW guys collect and play, and that’s often a trigger for nostalgia (“remember the X?”) and re-creating older units.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> The other side was all Baneblades</span></i></div>
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- Their design process is very flexible and reactive. They can go from nothing to production in the space of a month, but that is rare.<br />
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- The designers often do things of their own volition at home. The Tomb Stalker came about when Will Hayes brought it into the office and said “look what I made, reckon we can sell it?”. They decided to give it a go and have since sold “bucketloads”.<br />
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- Mark used to work in greenstuff, but now uses Super Sculpy as it doesn’t dry until he wants it to.<br />
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- Forge World was the brainchild of Tony Cottrell, who had been making some custom turrets that people were eating up. They hired on some freelance crew and started producing the first vehicle kits and the statues/busts. While the statue market slowed, the vehicle kits exploded.<br />
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- Apocalypse was the best thing to ever happen to Forge World, and nearly killed their production staff (in a good way).<br />
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- They would like to do what they did with Dark Eldar and release companion kits soon after a Codex launch more often.<br />
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- The terrain and Epic kits were discontinued due to sales not justifying them. They do have a permanent terrain guy now though, as with the Realm of Battle tiles and fortification rules they can tie the terrain pieces into the IA books more.<br />
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- General disparaging of people who don’t allow Forge World units in games :p<br />
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- Running joke: Bionic Hedgehogs.<br />
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<br />
<b>Imperial Armour</b><br />
<br />
- That Bran Redmaw mini seen but not released? Gone. Mark wasn’t happy with the quality so asked for it not to be released. Another sculptor has taken over the character.<br />
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- They monitor the GW studio release schedule to avoid putting something out just before a new codex (ie why Necrons are due now, not last year).<br />
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- Some units are designed for a specific book, some are designed just for the hell of it.<br />
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- They deliberately put extra characters in books, Badab being a prime example, so that if they have a spare moment they have a backlog to draw on for ideas.<br />
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- Next book is Necrons, Minotaurs and Death Corps of Krieg.<br />
<br />
- “So we’ll be doing a big Necron vehicle.”<br />
“It’s not just going to be a bigger pyramid, is it?”<br />
“No… it’s an upside down sandcastle.”<br />
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- A Dark Eldar superheavy would fit their raider aesthetic, but still be big, “like and ocean liner”.<br />
<br />
- I asked later about the low content of xenos in some books (particularly corsairs in IA12). Mark’s reply indicated there will be more in the Dark Eldar book, and that sometimes they hit time constraints or ideas just don’t work and they don’t have time to redo them.<br />
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<br />
<b>Warhammer Forge</b><br />
<br />
- The books are harder to write, as “you can’t kill off the Empire… ok, you’re all Nurgle now”, while in 40k you can blow up planets, systems or sectors with no worry. It’s also harder to explain why Khemri would be fighting Lizardmen in the Forge World format.<br />
<br />
- Working on a Blackfire Pass book<br />
<br />
– Orcs, gobbos, dwarves and empire (? Sorry, didn’t hear the last one and aren’t too familiar with Warhammer lore).<br />
<br />
- They want to do variant army lists like in 40k – a Slaanesh knight list was the example given.<br />
<br />
- What units they use can be tricky, due to Forge World’s more pricy nature. Hobgoblins, for example, would be impractical as they would require too many guys for their cost in real money.<br />
<br />
- They do, however, want to explore Cathay and such, but in the future.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<b> Horus Heresy </b><br />
<br />
- “Will you be making the Primarchs?”<br />
“If you’ve read the Black Library books you’ll understand when I tell you ‘I can’t say’.”<br />
<br />
- They want to make all the weapon options/units available they can to “stop little companies springing up in Poland”.<br />
<br />
- The Marine armour variants were testing the waters for a HH series, which they have been working on for a year or so.<br />
<br />
- They are working closely with Black Library to include bits of each other’s work (the Caestus appears in Fear to Tread for example). This also means they don’t mess anything up, and might even lead to BL characters appearing in mini form.<br />
<br />
- Mechanicus? Almost certainly, but not for a while - it’s something Mark really really wants to do.<br />
<br />
- They know it can’t be all marines all the time, and there will be xenos and non-marine forces dealt with in time.<br />
<br />
- First book will begin at the start of the Heresy, but the lists will be designed to show off pre-Heresy forces and their fighting styles, as no divergence into chaos had happened yet.<br />
<br />
- The Horus Heresy series is going to be ongoing, much like the Imperial Armour books, and each line will have a separate team working on it.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
- The HH series is designed in such a way that people can use their existing armies as much as possible.<br />
<br />
- Running quotes: “It’ll be like Christmas… it’ll blow your minds.”<br />
<br />
This seminar was literally just under an hour, and it was straight into the design team one with Jes, Kevin Chin and Jeremy Vetock.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Design Seminar </b><br />
<br />
- Jes loves plastic. LOVES it. If he could he’d do everything in it as for a sculptor it’s far better with almost no distortion or deformation.
He foresees a future with only special characters being finecast, and generic characters all being single frame plastics like the recent Warhammer releases and the limited Dark Vengeance Chaplain.<br />
<br />
- They want to continue putting every unit option on a frame where possible. And lots of head options.<br />
<br />
- They’re aiming to expand the digital aspect of the company. Jeremy got very excited about the prospect, but no specifics.<br />
<br />
- Don't call the background "fluff" around Jes. One guy did and he corrected him, pointing out that it was Jeremy's job to create that, and calling it fluff devalued it. The questioner corrected himself by saying "the expanded universe background setting", which pleased Jes no end. <br />
<br />
- A young lad asked the following “How come Tau and Space Marines are ‘battle brothers’?” and got a huge cheer and round of applause from the audience. The reply was that yes, Tau and Marines often murdered each other on sight, but there were enough times when they didn’t to justify it. The allies matrix is there as a guide, not a proscription.<br />
<br />
- "Why did they swap Marine chapter symbols from right to left shoulder?" <br />
"I don't remember."<br />
One of the attendees ventured that it was so (in universe), that when
advancing the enemy would see the chapter symbol on a PA guy and know
who's killing them, while terminators shoot one handed, so keep it on
their right.<br />
Jes thought that was a superb explaination, so he was going to accept
that. He then went on a ramble about contradictory history and so on for
a bit.
<br />
<br />
- If they can they would like to introduce 40k Dogs of War type units to use as allies to bring in lesser races. One of the reasons they brought allies back.<br />
<br />
- There is a mathematical formula for points cost, based off a man (Warhammer) or a Marine (40k). This is then adjusted by feel for how the unit works within a given army or theme of the army.<br />
<br />
- No release date/info for Sisters, but they definitely aren’t canned and will be re-done properly.<br />
<br />
- A lot of the discussion was about the creative process and such, so not easy to describe. They were all very funny and there was a lot of laughter, so much of the discussion fall into the “you had to be there” category.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<b>Dark Vengeance </b><br />
<br />
- All attempts to draw out any release data on Dark Angels or Chaos were skilfully avoided.<br />
<br />
- Dark Angels were chose because it allowed them to include Deathwing and Ravenwing rather than generic units. Chaos were in because they’ve done ‘nids and Orks. “Now we’re out of bad guys so I’ve got no idea what we’re going to do next”.<br />
<br />
- Cultists were in, despite not being in the codex as they needed to create new things when they get the opportunity or the game will stagnate.<br />
<br />
- For designing Chaos Jes said there are too extremes: the renegades, recent converts and represented by regular marines with spikes on; and the warped, those totally mutated ones. Both are equally valid and he’s hoping to have more warped ones like in Dark Vengeance coming out. For vehicles it will mean more daemon engines on the table.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Jes had a solo seminar, where I accosted him about his constant use of topknots on minis (he likes the feral yet combat ready look, it allows Eldar to have hair but not be too slicked down, it helps with multi part minis to have long hair as if it isn’t tied up you can’t pose the head, and he thinks they’re cool).<br />
The fallout of this is that I have to send Jes a photo of my hair in a topknot when it is long enough. <br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
I also talked to him about sculpting female minis, and he said that he dislikes the all to frequent chainmail bikini look and has copped some heat of the muscular Wyches. Regarding Lelith his concept was all about emphasising her athleticism rather than sexualising her with “huge tits… but Juan is a butt man anyway…”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
And that’s what I’ve got!
Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-1571430812161631022012-09-08T03:51:00.002+10:002012-09-08T03:51:54.811+10:00D20 Mass Effect RPG<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I was recently contacted by <span class="gD" name="João Santos">João Santos, supreme overlord of the <a href="http://masseffectd20.freeforums.org/index.php">Mass Effect D20 project & forums</a>. He asked that I give his project a broadcast boost, so here it is.</span><br />
<span class="gD" name="João Santos"><br /></span>
<span class="gD" name="João Santos">For those unfamiliar with the term, the D20 system is the open source core rules for Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition, so the MEd20 system builds off an established rules system and conventions and is broadly compatible with a wide number of third party expansions.</span><br />
<span class="gD" name="João Santos"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuRXKXTwW4o8Hl234clBF5wTM-t9zBu2zr62gZ56I7JlL0-g5rCDPSlHYO4qtiw1qo5GhTX9U9LOlVAnMo_OtRwHkaDWyD7-Oe_p7QDT_vv9PA6aDtNaTtqdTNDzWAKbbBWFqFifFugc/s1600/tumblr_m2zm4h099W1r6q3o7o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuRXKXTwW4o8Hl234clBF5wTM-t9zBu2zr62gZ56I7JlL0-g5rCDPSlHYO4qtiw1qo5GhTX9U9LOlVAnMo_OtRwHkaDWyD7-Oe_p7QDT_vv9PA6aDtNaTtqdTNDzWAKbbBWFqFifFugc/s320/tumblr_m2zm4h099W1r6q3o7o1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="gD" name="João Santos"></span><br />
<span class="gD" name="João Santos"><br /></span>
<span class="gD" name="João Santos">Having read the beta document, all 260 pages of it, the design team and forum playtesters have been very thorough and quite clearly have a great love of the universe. Additionally <span class="gD" name="João Santos">João tells me that they have a professional designer doing an improved layout on the document for future release.</span></span><br />
<span class="gD" name="João Santos"><span class="gD" name="João Santos"><br /></span></span>
<span class="gD" name="João Santos"><span class="gD" name="João Santos">So if you're either an RPG or Mass Effect fan (or both!) head on over to the<a href="http://masseffectd20.freeforums.org/index.php"> Mass Effect D20 forums</a> and have a look!</span></span><br />
<span class="gD" name="João Santos"><span class="gD" name="João Santos"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="gD" name="João Santos"><span class="gD" name="João Santos"><br /></span></span>
Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-21222548594362262252012-08-26T05:50:00.002+10:002012-08-26T05:55:52.670+10:00Kickstarters: Good or Bad for the Hobby?So, with Reaper’s <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1513061270/reaper-miniatures-bones-an-evolution-of-gaming-min"><i>Bones</i> Kickstarter</a> winding down with just over three million dollars pledged, there is certainly a great buzz about crowdsourcing for wargames. We’ve had a spate of companies large and small hopping on to produce new lines and there have been some fantastic (and not so fantastic) offerings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
But is it good for the hobby?<br />
<br />
<br />
The reason I’m asking this question is a comment from EldarGal on the BoLS lounge in regards to <i>Dreadball </i>by Mantic:<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
“17 miniatures for 80 is frankly <i>absurd </i>right when Reaper are offering 200+ for one hundred and Dark Vengeance will be coming out with 60 odd for a similar price. 33 or so for 150 isn't any better. The sculpts aren't that nice either. Even taking into account that this is a board game, Sedition Wars provided 51 lovely miniatures for 100.” </div>
<br />
<br />
My reply was:<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
“I think you're being a little harsh here. Those other Kickstarters only reached that number of minis after they'd started and gotten a crapton of cash to enable the mass production - they initial mini to dollar ration was much lower. GW also already has the capital and business model to mass produce and potentially loss-lead on Dark Vengeance.” </div>
<br />
<br />
Lady EG responded that <i>Sedition Wars</i> came with more miniatures initially (50) and many others have also. I work in retail, so this reminded me of a common thing I call Gotthammer’s retail 101:<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
<b><i>People are greedy cheapskates who won’t want to pay a cent more than they have to and expect perfection in response. </i></b></div>
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you’ve ever worked in retail you’ll no doubt agree.
</span></i>The reason I ask if crowdsourcing in the Kickstarter vein is a bad thing is that people might get used to getting high quality miniatures for 40 cents a piece. There are of course other factors in why some Kickstarters are better value than others:<br />
<br />
<br />
- Pre-existing logistics<br />
<br />
Reaper are already an international company, and their offerings are recasts using and already existing medium. They’re simply making moulds and producing these guys. With a locked in number of pre-orders it will be simply a matter of cutting moulds, ordering more plastic (bulk discount!) and shipping.
It will be a lot of work, but the framework is already there.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
- New frontiers / business<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyacinthgames/a-tabletop-rpg-and-board-games-project-from-chicag"><i>Wreck-Age</i></a> is a new startup. They don’t have the connections an existing company like Mantic or even Studio McVey have to get stuff made. Even comparing <i>Sedition Wars</i> to <i>Dreadball</i>, perhaps the McVeys know people in the games industry who can get them a good deal on the board pieces to save costs (this is pure speculation, but it’s Aly and Mike McVey – I’d do them a solid).<br />
<br />
In one of the <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/599092525/the-order-of-the-stick-reprint-drive"><i>Order of the Stick</i> Kickstarter</a> ($1.125 million raised) posts creator Rich Burlew commented that pledge bonus items were delayed due to the initially contacted printer taking too long, and needing to find a new one. Long term business customers can often get better deals or, like Games Workshop, save even more money by doing everything in house.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
- Stars in their eyes<br />
<br />
Aka thinking that Kickstarter is an unlimited trough of money to draw from. Reaper got three mill, surely people will have money to spare for me, right?
In what I consider a disturbing, or perhaps just ill thought out, move a group has recently put up a bid for money to make an admittedly awesome sounding series of dioramas.<br />
<br />
Now the highest levels do net you either a piece of the diorama itself ($650, limited to 15), or a painted mini/vehicle ($70/$160) so you’re either getting overcharged for their commission service or this is essentially a fancy advert for their painting service. The lower levels get a making of video and tutorials.
Again, this gives me an uneasy feeling as many companies may be eying these funding options as a quick way to make cash. Or, as a commenter of HoP put it:<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
"So, they're making dioramas and asking money for it? Hmm. Are the
dioramas being auctioned for charity or anything? It seems to be just
one massive hobby project they want money for. That's fine but it feels
like crowd funding has gotten a little out of control."</div>
<br />
<br />
“Well, mighty Gotthammer,” I hear you ask, “that’s what they’re for aren’t they?”<br />
Yes, yes they are loyal minion but I ask you this: what if Games Workshop decided it was going to release the next army book / codex through a Kickstarter campaign? Raise five million or Tau won’t get re-done. You no doubt scoffed at that – GW is a global company with a huge line, its own production facilities, distribution and so on.<br />
<br />
Well… so’s Reaper. What's to stop GW from doing it that way?<br />
<br />
Food for thought, certainly. I don’t much like the idea of a pre-existing, well established company relying on crowdsourcing for its basic operations (I consider <i>Bones </i>an expansion out of Reaper’s normal territory), but there may well be some thinking that that’s the way to go.
There is only so much hobby money floating around and, going back to the original quote, people are looking for value for money. It's an awful big risk to put your company's future and your customer's goodwill when there are other more traditional, albeit less flashy, routes to go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX-KAjX8VOG_raizOfS7m_RkLMH-6E8pj6nr-cgCBQ0HzGwoQm3TFUwtRVMJJCXCRfwXGrxGYf-RD0BIRGFV-vokxRnFCwzIK7sLhAj72M5FMPdEhtCcWGd_Oi0mprUc_b8F2mPO9EZg/s1600/photo-full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX-KAjX8VOG_raizOfS7m_RkLMH-6E8pj6nr-cgCBQ0HzGwoQm3TFUwtRVMJJCXCRfwXGrxGYf-RD0BIRGFV-vokxRnFCwzIK7sLhAj72M5FMPdEhtCcWGd_Oi0mprUc_b8F2mPO9EZg/s400/photo-full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The company I work for is engaged in a seemingly never ending price war with its nearest competitor, driving prices of many items ‘down down’ (for you Australian readers). Problem comes when the prices go back up to normal, or are forced up by uncontrollable events.<br />
As an example we recently had flooding and various other weather phenomena that have played havoc with local produce. For a brief while some items were ridiculously cheap – both through oversupply and artificial reasons. When this becomes untenable the price goes up, often tripling or more.
To say some people are not happy is an understatement.<br />
<br />
See, people like good things for cheap – I know I do. And they get used to getting things for cheap. Think the stereotypical ‘back in my day X only cost Y’ old guy rant and you’ll be on the right track.
So sales of that item slow as it isn’t ‘good value’ anymore or is ‘too expensive’.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, imagine if you will all those minis you just got from your $100 pledge to Reaper (I don’t mean to keep using them, but they’re really good for illustrative purposes). Now imagine paying full price – even at the bones price they average around $1.80 or so – and you’ll be paying around $400 or so. Would you buy spend that much for those minis normally? I imagine Reaper is really hoping so as they’re going to be investing a lot of money in this line.<br />
<br />
If it becomes ‘normal’ to get such good value for money with minis it does paint a rather dark future for small indie producers. Perhaps I’m being a bit melodramatic there, but in the world where minis cost $5 each (and some are as large as a Relic Knight) will people decide that a company like Hasslefree (or even Reaper themselves) isn’t ‘good value’ anymore?<br />
<br />
I think the key is to always compare to 'normal' miniatures when looking at value for money, not other Kickstarters. Seeing the great discounts Reaper can offer with all that cash will make anyone look like rubbish next to them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUAFTPQ-zjHTaRfpG4PK07yv7F0K4pN_JWisWy84Jer7u4CfIbsYr1h_zDn3lJ54Us03wY75mTjIV7Hx9Jqd_uZ47lFCK6QnXh0ZnYqdWan8sGuydzukZBzwD_kkSAuZUIdPK5uQiXwo/s1600/c45b9ef44c361583a7be3add0ad45986_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUAFTPQ-zjHTaRfpG4PK07yv7F0K4pN_JWisWy84Jer7u4CfIbsYr1h_zDn3lJ54Us03wY75mTjIV7Hx9Jqd_uZ47lFCK6QnXh0ZnYqdWan8sGuydzukZBzwD_kkSAuZUIdPK5uQiXwo/s320/c45b9ef44c361583a7be3add0ad45986_large.jpg" width="195" /></a></div>
<br />
I do think Kickstarters and other crowdsourcing do have great potential – obviously given my shilling of some here over the days – but I do think people looking at diving in should weight up their options and not just assume they’ll have an instant winner. They’re all going strongly at the moment, but they’re also new and shiny and exciting. I’ve already seen talk of ‘pledge fatigue’ setting in, and then when this recent spate starts rolling in people are going to have mountains of minis to paint so might be put off even great deals when they come along.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hyacinthgames/a-tabletop-rpg-and-board-games-project-from-chicag">check out Wreck-Age</a>.
Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-585533276622601612012-07-18T05:20:00.000+10:002012-07-20T05:25:19.835+10:00Review: Priests of Mars<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9MNGEnUycWj16INyqNDvrUiE5ieqtM2RRTPuKLpfCMdrPKeYxYSSQQoPHrL5TvZonO9vwrgwgCTFZxWSTx8G0c_w2jUuKCFwFG5Cfm0Z5-lS-1SSM2hZc5X0RSWQib6-btq8QhdniYo/s1600/priests-of-mars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9MNGEnUycWj16INyqNDvrUiE5ieqtM2RRTPuKLpfCMdrPKeYxYSSQQoPHrL5TvZonO9vwrgwgCTFZxWSTx8G0c_w2jUuKCFwFG5Cfm0Z5-lS-1SSM2hZc5X0RSWQib6-btq8QhdniYo/s320/priests-of-mars.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
Having just finished (New York Times bestselling author) <a href="http://www.graham-mcneill.com/gmblog/default.aspx">Graham McNiell's</a> latest Black Library offering <i><a href="http://www.blacklibrary.com/warhammer-40000/priests-of-mars.html">Priests of Mars</a></i>, I felt I should offer up my thoughts on the book.<br />
<br />
It tells the tale of a nominally Adeptus Mechanicus expedition into uncharted space to find a long lost explorator fleet. I say nominally because not only is there the AdMech, but a Rogue Trader, some Imperial Guard, Space Marines (Black Templars) and some freshly pressed ships crew getting their slice of the pie.<br />
<br />
So a rather motley crew.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Our main characters are the aforementioned Rogue Trader, who far from being a dashing rogue presents a more thoughtful, if rebellious at times, take on that archetype. His motivations are not entirely clear and may even put him at odds with his shipmates<br />
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He has a card playing, womanising, smart ass Han Solo-esque sidekick of course<br />
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<br />
They are bringing along a talented stelar cartographer whose work is vital to the missions success<br />
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Butt heads with serious company types</div>
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<br />
Meet a variety of crazy characters<br />
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<br />
And they all have the best summer ever<br />
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<br />
<i>Not quite...</i><br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
This is 40k after all (and the Eldar get a look in too).<br />
<br />
<br />
Without getting into too much of the plot, this is the sort of book I hope to see more of from the Black Library. It is a book about the characters, rather than a book about things happening to characters. They drive almost the entire plot, from the inception of the expedition to the petty (and not so petty) power plays that form the bulk of the interaction.<br />
<br />
My beef with some BL novels has been that they've shoehorned in combat almost as if they feel it's expected to have some explosions as, hey, it's 40k right? <i>A Thousand Sons</i> had that weird bit with the Psychneuein and Cain often will ahve random mooks to fight, but <i>Priest of Mars</i> has a few pages of fisticuffs in a duel, and a bit of combat towards the end, but the novel wouldn't be drastically thinner without it.<br />
<br />
I like that the BL is progressing beyond the need to have combat be all we see in the 40k universe, as there are many other aspects worth exploring besides war, and what better way than a good novel? I think that <i>A Thousand Sons</i>, <i>Mechanicum </i>and <i>Outcast Dead</i> have been some of the best recieved novels (from what I've seen and heard) shows that the fanbase is prepared to accept these novels as well.<br />
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<br />
<br />
But I digress.<br />
<br />
<br />
The expedition generally goes pretty smoothly, but they may really have someone unseen pulling their strings<br />
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<br />
<br />
The book itself maintains a great sense of tension throughout - getting towards the end there was a very real expectation that it was all just going to go horribly pear shaped and end up with everyone dying horribly, especially when they start the actual exploratoring<br />
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<br />
<br />
Of course I won't say what happens exactly, but the one fault of the book is that it feels like the ending is pretty strong sequel bait (or a setup for a new series even). While I wouldn't be opposed to this, and would very happily buy any continuation, I am somewhat wary.<br />
As with <i>Prometheus</i>, <i>Priests of Mars</i> ends with just as many questions as answers. I'm not entirely opposed to this as everything, while not finalised, is settled. It is a matter of personal taste but I've been feeling very much over the tide of sequels and remakes in almost everything lately (movies are my other great love aside from books). It irritates me no end to pick up a book, look at the back and like the synopsis only to see it's book three of the whatever dodecadology, first of the whocares cycle.<br />
I blame Isobelle Carmody for taking forever to write the rest of the <i>Obernewtyn </i>books, personally.<br />
<br />
Where'd I leave that tangent picture..?<br />
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<br />
Eh, doctor looking skeptical will have to do.<br />
<br />
<br />
So anyways, Priests of Mars is a great book, and has terrific insights into not only Mechanicus society and mindset (there's a wonderful discussion of it between the Rogue Trader and the cartographer on the subject), but a few other nuggets, most notable of which is comfirmation that Sororitas (at least Hospitallers) can get married and a link to the Horus Heresy (rather spoilery, highlight between the pics to read:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPY-JQnVmyiHfAQUxbucuVCPft65U-hZYedCHVTqkoI_eAJlCWLlhRC3dQHgfketbwBk1FNklfaCHFftGH0CPX5apcubF0N-WUGg7PRIW-N4dYpaU102AjMKI3c0rVj8LnaJ0KpBDJb30/s1600/prometheus-charlize-theron-image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPY-JQnVmyiHfAQUxbucuVCPft65U-hZYedCHVTqkoI_eAJlCWLlhRC3dQHgfketbwBk1FNklfaCHFftGH0CPX5apcubF0N-WUGg7PRIW-N4dYpaU102AjMKI3c0rVj8LnaJ0KpBDJb30/s320/prometheus-charlize-theron-image1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">- <span style="color: white;">the Kaban machine is still kicking around in some capacity</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvcHz5i8SSptF4Kvgw4Kg-KQS165J86GUj9ENybzrWXRCHXf_mPNJHEa27Y5HLcGnQFr5WD8998_ChpJ4eIdY8ke58O5RLCotLtgkA-jyi_bAkKQPOkIXsAriKP3oictHQRnKzhvMpr4/s1600/prometheus-noomi-rapace-image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUvcHz5i8SSptF4Kvgw4Kg-KQS165J86GUj9ENybzrWXRCHXf_mPNJHEa27Y5HLcGnQFr5WD8998_ChpJ4eIdY8ke58O5RLCotLtgkA-jyi_bAkKQPOkIXsAriKP3oictHQRnKzhvMpr4/s320/prometheus-noomi-rapace-image1.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTi_suf9eMJE5J89P-CcK6er0aRO7i-kwCoftXPOsBfnMNx9zvHa8OJ3_xZqf9sgU4aS8RwxvNHLuf50q0BGRkJ80UM0Y7Qo5M-l7L9zbtDofMP_GuchjbS9lzBFGLlTJiGAIQB-ENC1U/s1600/prometheus-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So get this book if you liked any of McNiell's recent offerings or have a hankering for the non-dakka side of the Imperium. Even if you don't get it, as it will likely change your opinion.<br />
<br />
Final score:<span style="font-size: large;"><b> 9.5/10 </b><span style="font-size: x-small;">lost 1/2 a point for the sequel bait - sorry Graham, I still love you!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsnH_H5D6sFB1Jb3Q7GLuHaMiQS8VdYRAdrBfjvLg41FbQcjH2Z0SIyD57xq9YF-kAwwytQBtXUNHRf8Utd4feOUgjzTwjssSC7GP8SMEAeuleRtHxSHgiPU0-EKYTeQfvvLdMEM-A8s/s1600/Tangent_to_a_curve.svg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-29461033801366696342012-07-14T05:59:00.000+10:002012-07-14T05:59:04.699+10:00Kaidan Alenko & Shepard (extended cut)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPKK_GSUoAtSgy937qMKQ1h-UywjUsPleylByCQ2yYBqYZOF3uOmYp5m4GusgdNXUE9B8sot46p4P71bot784J50VVjlyU-szl0tcUTeGDQby33ROmvgXc9OvAXcZKy54ySc9sROlY5o/s1600/Shepard09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPKK_GSUoAtSgy937qMKQ1h-UywjUsPleylByCQ2yYBqYZOF3uOmYp5m4GusgdNXUE9B8sot46p4P71bot784J50VVjlyU-szl0tcUTeGDQby33ROmvgXc9OvAXcZKy54ySc9sROlY5o/s320/Shepard09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So I finally finished Kaidan and decided how to do the bases for my minis. Every character will have a logo / icon on their base relating to that character.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7GRt2NUJwutlZRTYtOlzlMZWRwHEwMo6K_vIQ1aW6qOUm1_kfz5CH4LHKHuBCbED1KTpjOYK3WPRwLKGfFE3NCSPiB-SVmUisFWrFTaqCXtkG3pvKZX40iM1GIcspBcrRpPmJVM-ZEI/s1600/Shepard10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7GRt2NUJwutlZRTYtOlzlMZWRwHEwMo6K_vIQ1aW6qOUm1_kfz5CH4LHKHuBCbED1KTpjOYK3WPRwLKGfFE3NCSPiB-SVmUisFWrFTaqCXtkG3pvKZX40iM1GIcspBcrRpPmJVM-ZEI/s320/Shepard10.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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So Kaidan get the Paragon icon, being the voice of reason and goodness - for instance if you shoot him on the presidium his reasoning for not moving is that he couldn't let you at someone who couldn't defend themselves. Pretty paragon IMO.<br />
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Shepard gets the N7 logo, or part thereof. I've also jazzed Shep's armour up a little, making it more game-accurate in colour scheme with some lighter grey parts and the N7 on the collar. I also repainted her gun to closer match the Mattock's colour scheme.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMEio-n7KCUfSjSYH5_CU-lCv7dF8YSgjxlI2wk6m2_Q_DOC8SFGwtwqYeFrKWJPxm8dlfGuJIwIFT26fpWEmI_6W-CLvJorRxFtUhtwxT5r8ApFpdqPDg9kL2YwFzCUkS004kXuFxLI/s1600/Shepard12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMEio-n7KCUfSjSYH5_CU-lCv7dF8YSgjxlI2wk6m2_Q_DOC8SFGwtwqYeFrKWJPxm8dlfGuJIwIFT26fpWEmI_6W-CLvJorRxFtUhtwxT5r8ApFpdqPDg9kL2YwFzCUkS004kXuFxLI/s320/Shepard12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Better view of the bases.</span></i></div>
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The plan for the others are:<br />
<br />
Ash - Alliance Navy logo<br />
Garrus - Citadel icon<br />
Tali - logo derived from the shape of the Quarian ships<br />
Liara - data streams as befits the Shadow Broker<br />
Miranda - Cerberus logo<br />
Jacob - somehow making fun of the Priiiize<br />
Kasumi - something relating to money<br />
Javik - he has no need for such primitive identification. To use symbols in the Empire was punishable by death. He should throw his base out the airlock (Renegade icon).<br />
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<br />
Still got to figure something out for the Normandy:<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oSlII4YhUow" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<br />Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-43577515469505295112012-07-02T00:28:00.001+10:002012-07-07T03:10:15.349+10:00Mass Effect 3 Extended Cut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So the Extended Cut of ME3 finally came out the other week, and I have played it through a couple of times now. Personally, I enjoyed it very much and thought the team did a great job (though it is the job they should have done in the first place...). It adressed the biggest issues (for me at least) with the ending - namely lack of closure both with your crew and lack of information about what you achieved. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"Hey, Vega?"</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"What's up, Kaidan?"</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"You know our guns?"</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"Yeah?" </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"We probably shouldn't have left them all on the truck, should we?"</i></span></div>
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It's by no means perfect - many people unhappy with the catalyst are annoyed it's still there, though the dialogue is significantly expanded with it, and a fourth 'refuse' option is added. I also like that if you take your LI along for the final charge you get a final goodbye:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>It's a little unclear but the choices are: "I'll always love you" or "You'll only slow me down".</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Oh, Shep, you so bipolar.</i></span></div>
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The final existing cutscenes are expanded, explainging Joker and the Normandy's 'running away', as well as how people got back on the ship. The voice acting is as great as always, and never feels 'tacked on' -
the final narrations are spot on, though I thought EDI's was a big
overdone on the isn't this all amazing and wonderful front. Hackett's
speach was a truely great one.<br />
Taking different squadies gets you different dialogues. Liara's is rather heartbreaking... <br />
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But while his lines are delivered perfectly, the animations lose some of the effect for Vega:<br />
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Ah well, still all good. On a more relavent note I did some painting of my ME minis - but it was actually to do some work on Shep than finishing anything new, then I got really sick, so whoops there. Should get to do some this week though.<br />
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And I'm sure this will come as a complete surprise to you all, but I made a Mass Effect vid - this time with Nightwish:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Kk6V7u3clXw" width="560"></iframe>Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-1629897766158401862012-06-21T04:06:00.000+10:002012-06-23T23:42:19.345+10:00Synir og dughters í snjóI finished <a href="http://red-box-games.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=70">Astrid of the Stones</a> from Red Box games:<br />
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and added some basing to her and her compatriots:<br />
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<br />
The snow is just a baking powder / white glue mix. I tried using GW's stuff and it works great for texturising bases, but as snow - not so much.
And in the theme of barbarian madness:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H1mYqkx72j4" width="560"></iframe>
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view it in fullscreen HD! :DGotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-49742773895159696212012-06-11T02:11:00.004+10:002012-06-23T23:42:11.345+10:00What is Best in Life? Hasslefree and Red Box minisSo, yes, I finally got back into doing some painting. No, it's not my Mass Effect figures - in all honestly I probably won't get back to them until the Extended Cut comes out and I get my ME mojo back.<br />
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First up is <a href="http://www.hfminis.co.uk/shop?product=sana-%28resin%29%7Ehfh062&category=miniatures%7E*new-toys*">Sana from Hasslefree Minis</a>:<br />
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A beautiful mini (she's resin) and great to paint. Got some weird reflections in the pics making it look like there are a few white spots, but they aren't really there.<br />
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Next up is Ferrus, <a href="http://www.hfminis.co.uk/shop?product=ferrus-%28resin%29%7Ehfh058-b&category=miniatures%7E*new-toys*">also from Hasslefree</a>: <br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxbOkpn5lt0">The blade he swings is black as night.</a></span></i></div>
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Like Sana he's resin, and while not as flawless as, say, a Studio McVey LE mini, there was almsot zero cleanup required - only issue was a bit of greenstuffing required on the joins around their wrists. No flash, and barely any mould lines at all. Crisp details and soft enough to cut easily without being too soft that I'm worried about them sagging in heat etc.<br />
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Lastly is <a href="http://red-box-games.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13&products_id=57">Hakar the Horrible from Red Box</a>:<br />
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When taking the photos I noticed I got some grey on his right arm and the handle of his axe.<br />
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Bummer - that skin's going to be tough to fix.<br />
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The plan is to base them with a grass/snow mixture - going to play around with GW's new snow texture stuff and see what happens.<br />
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Group shot with a couple of other Red Box barbarians: <br />
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I'm painting these guys up to (hopefully) get a game of <a href="http://andyhoare.blogspot.com.au/p/get-girl-kill-baddies-downloads.html">Get the Girl, Kill the Baddies</a> in with them and my other generic fantasy figs. Should have some more to show soon.<br />
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If that isn't enough to sate your barbarian rage, check out<br />
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<a href="http://badassdungeoncrushers.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">BadassDungeonCrushers.com</span></a></div>
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and take the membership test:</div>
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<br /></div>Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086553731009072130.post-5968881732887773022012-06-05T03:35:00.000+10:002012-06-05T03:36:31.010+10:00Koronus Gazetter #4: Destiny? Also 200th post apparentlyNew issue of everyone's favourite 40k newspaper!<br />
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As you can see they've been a busy bunch, making big names for themselves, which brings up an interesting thought - what sort of destinies are they cooking up?<br />
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This is something <a href="http://collegiatitanica.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/all-pcs-are-created-equal.html">I've touched on previously</a>, but it's an interesting challenge for a GM in both running and world-building. With an open 'sandbox' world players can go and do whatever they want, but need a suitably 'free' background. For game with an overarching plot players are tied to the rails to a certain degree (not always a bad thing BTW).<br />
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Blending the two can be a tricky proposition when trying to mesh a destiny with player's desire to be free and take control.<br />
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Rogue Trader provides a perfect avenue to have the two exist simultaneously in blocking off star systems but giving players a bunch of 'free' hooks to explore on them own. Of course in a more terrestrial game this is much more of an issue, but does not avoid the issue of keeping the plot straight.<br />
In my game I'm using the <a href="http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_minisite_sec.asp?eidm=78&esem=2">Warpstorm Trilogy</a> as the basis for overarching plotline of the game, so the plan is to tie one of the character's backstory to the main plot. Should that player go and do something stupid like get themselves killed I do have a contingency plan in place - there is the chance that a player could otherwise 'wreck' the plot.<br />
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Obvioulsy it's not that a player should ever be said to wreck a game (at least not unintentionally) so it is of course entirely possible that they somehow finangle a way to make the plot come to an early grave.<br />
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If this due to an epic TPK, then oh well... I can recycle the plots later ;)<br />
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Should they cut a big section out of the plot then also oh well... dealing with those sort of things is the fun of GMing and good on them for clever thinking.<br />
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Having a destiny for a character, or characters, needs always to be in mind for a GM - I'm no fan of PCs knowing they're destined or the chosen ones (past examples may have soured me, see earlier link), so though the player knows they have some secret in their past that will be revealed - it was their idea in the first place - but I've only given vague hints thus far.<br />
When players start making their own destinies it can be most entertaining, because they aren't always good. The Drakes have made a number of powerful friends, but have racked up quite a number of enemies. Enemies who are prepared to wait...<br />
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In some cases I'll speak out of game to the players in both vague and direct terms about the consequences of their choices, but mostly I prefer to leave things nice a vague. The PCs actions in the world will affect how NPCs act and their plans (and so they should), and they will sometimes change their plans to thwart or aid the PCs.<br />
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It does mean a fair amount of record keeping, but I find that having the main plot driver seperate from both what the PC and NPC's actions means that should they throw a spanner in the works through some side quest things are more recoverable by not being tied too tightly.<br />
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Listening to player speculation on the plot is also important for gauging how interested they are in plot points. For instance my players were very interested and somewhat unnerved by recovering information about the <i>Gaunt Triumph</i>, so hopefully they'll be enticed by what's in store.<br />
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If they're not, I'm sure I'll think of something.<br />
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Edit: Apparently this is my 200th post. Go me, and thanks to all my loyal minions!Gotthammerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09192437339888042580noreply@blogger.com0