Journal # 120 - the games before the storm...

Nov. 21, 2009

Attendance: JR, Wiley, Ian, George, Ryan, Joshua, JB, Martie, Matthew, Roy, Lester, Rodski, with special appearances from Jay and Patrick

Game 1
JR (Blood Angels) vs Joshua (SM- Ultramarines)
Points: 1000
Mission: Seize Ground
Deployment: Pitched Battle
JR wins!

Game 2
Lester (SM) vs Roy (SM)
Points: 680
Mission: Annihilation
Deployment: Pitched Battle
Roy Wins! (3-2)

Game 3
JB (IG) vs Joshua (SM-Ultramarines)
Points: 600

Mission: Annihilation

Deployment: Pitched Battle

JB wins via tapout!

Game 4

Ian (Tyranids) vs George (Orks)

Points: 1500

Mission: Annihilation

Deployment: Pitched Battle

Ian wins via tap-out! (Bottom of 2^nd )

Game 5

Matthew (Eldar) vs Dennis (SM)

Points: 1850

Mission: Annihilation

Deployment: Spearhead

Matthew Wins! (8-5)

Game 6

Wiley (SM-Ultramarines) vs Martie (Orks)

Points: 1850

Mission: Annihilation

Deployment: Pitched Battle

Wiley wins via tap-out! (Top of 4^th)

Game 7

Ryan (SM-Salamanders) vs Matthew (Eldar)

Points: 1850

Mission: Seize Ground

Deployment: Spearhead

Matthew wins! (1 claimed, 2 contested)

Game 8

Roy (SM) vs Rodski (SM)

Points: 600

Mission: Annihilation

Deployment: Dawn of War

Rodski wins via tap-out!

Session ends 6:45 pm

When Math isn’t Math anymore

Old Skool-New Skool Series (Article 1)
Insights on 4th edition strategies in a 5th edition world
*sorry about the images - I forgot to take my cam off of ISO3200 after I did some night work*


Some of you may know this about me. I may not look it, but I number-crunch a lot. Number-crunching actually takes up a third of the major elements in my strategy. I number-crunch when I’m making army lists (mostly to evaluate weird lists and their efficiency). I number-crunch while playing. I number-crunch when doing post-mortem. Heck, I number-crunch when I’m reading my codices while taking a crap (beware all you who would dare borrow my codices). It is unsurprising, when viewed from this perspective, that I would tend to attempt to go back to my old ways now that I have returned to 40K gaming.

It was during my first battle under the 5th edition rules (and the beating I got from Matthew’s Eldar) that I noticed how my math simply does not work anymore… at least not the way I expected it to.

My brand of number-crunching is all about 1)reducing random results when possible, and 2) anticipating randomness through a crude probability computation. In my golden years, I could very effectively predict the outcome of assaults with a 2 model/wound margin of error. This allowed me to anticipate the chances my units will win in a particular combat and, more importantly, how long the combat would hold before my units or the opposing units get wiped-out. Gone are those days and here are the major reasons why:

1. Assault – The wound allocation rules are putting me off. A lot of my computations relied on the powerfist guaranteedly surviving the round of assault. Current wound allocation rules dictates that you have to distribute wounds prior to taking saves. 2. Shooting at units – Cover saves are awesome! I knew this way back when I was playing Nightlords. In fact, I would spend the extra 5 points per marine for Stealth Adept except on my assaulty units. Now everyone gets the 4+ invulnerable save I used to have to pay for. This rule adds 50% randomization to my results as compared to the 33% that I had to contend with using old rules. True-line-of-sight is also putting me off. Do I have to anticipate the 4+ cover save for that unit or don’t I? 3. Shooting at Vehicles– Vehicles taking a cover save? A new set of Glancing Hits results? I hope I get used to this. There was a time when cover meant “Glancing Hits Only”. I abused this rule through my Manongguard patented T-Rhino Assault Formation which basically guaranteed a maximum of only 2 glanceable transports as my opponent’s legal targets per turn. No randomness. I cannot seem to get the hang of computing for results based on the chances of getting an immobilized or destroyed result when you compound the new table with the cover rules. I end up shooting land raiders with 8 bright-lances a turn and coming up with nothing. Rhino’s in-turn, are ultra-easy to pop (it’s just sad that I use so many rhinos). Pop-smoke and you only get a 50% chance to become unpoppable. Sigh. 4. Assaulting Vehicles – What?! Units always get to assault the rear? They simply made the Land Raider a bigger monster and made everything else afraid of getting assaulted (Why do they love the Land Raider so much – I have 2 CSM armies and an SM army and not one Land Raider).

I’m at my most vulnerable right now and it’s a wonder that I haven’t lost any of my games so far. I don’t know if I will ever get back to number-crunching on the table or if it’s simply time to let the dice gods have their way with me.

Just some thoughts from an old dog trying to… you know the rest.

Iyanden Ghosts - St. Luke's Chapter

The result of three days (and change) cooped up in St Luke's while "Stoney" was being treated. I went through a Urethroscopy + Lithosomethingoranother. It's basically the joy of inserting a camera equipped with a jackhammer through your genitals.

Silver lining was that I got some painting done. I finished 4 Wraithguards, 1 Wraithlord, and 10 Storm Guardians (Conversions - Still have to paint the gems and base of 5 of em). Mostly, this builds my painting speed confidence. I might be able to finish the entire army before the year ends... maybe even before the GT.

Tell me what you think.


Photos were taken using my D300 with the PLASTIC MASTER. Light-tent shots were taken in my house.

Visit my multiply site for more photos.

Journal # 119 - GT around the corner gaming

November 14, 2009

Attendance - Henri, Ryan, Wiley, Lester, Romy, Joel, Matthew, Martie, JB, , Chino, and Raz with special appearances from JR, Patrick, JB Baylon, and Anton.

Game 1
Ryan (SM-Salamanders) vs Henri (Space Wolves)
Points: 1850
Mission: Annihilation
Deployment: Pitched Battle
Ryan wins! (7-5)

Game 2
Raz (SM) vs Lester (SM-Ultramarines)
Points:500
Mission: Annihilation
Deployment: Dawn of War
Lester wins via wipeout!

Game 3
Matthew (Eldar) vs Wiley (SM-Ultramarines)
Points: 1850
Mission: Annihilation
Deployment: Pitched Battle
Wiley wins! (8-5)

Game 4
Ryan (SM-Salamanders) vs Martie (Orks)
Points: 1850
Mission: Seize Ground
Deployment: Dawn of War
Martie Wins! (1-0)

Game 5
Joel (CSM- Deathguard) vs Henri (Space Wolves)
Points: 1500
Mission: Capture and Control
Deployment:Pitched Battle
Joel Wins! (2-0)

Game 6
Romy (Dark Eldar) vs Wiley (SM-Ultramarines)
Points: 1850
Mission: Annihilation
Deployment: Spearhead
Wiley wins! (14-2)

Game 7
Chino (Blood Angels) and Joshua (SM-Ultramarines) vs JB (IG)
Points: 2000
Mission: To Be Determined
Deployment: To Be Determined
Result: To Be Determined

Duck Season!

At long last the local 40k players have reason to rejoice once again. The 40k Grand Tournament is just around the corner! After an extended hiatus, Neutral Grounds will be holding the event that many players dream of in their sleep(admit it. especially you power-gamerERs! yes I mean you! :P). Sadly I will be sitting this one out as I focus on other things for now... and yes it has something to do with women... and robots... giant ones... ah but I digress. So what's this post all about? I wanted to leave you guys with some last reminders in case you lose your way while gunning for that most coveted "Overall Champ" award.

Be a sport!
Remind your opponent if he forgot something. Be gracious to your opponent. Don't get hung up on rules arguments. Don't roll your dice with the specific intent of downing your opponent's cheesiest models as though they were bowling pins! If someone does that tell them you'll ram your ork battle wagon up their behind... but say it politely! :D In other words... BE NICE, PLAY NICELY! I remember what I used to do with the sportsmanship scoring(back when it was done by giving the opponent a score of 1-10, 10 being the highest). We start the game I assume my opponent gets a full 10. For every offense I deducted one point. lol But just so you know none of my opponents ever got below 8. Maybe it was the dagger looks I kept throwing at them to make them behave. >:D

Be mindful of the time!
Tournament matches run on a tight schedule. Be conscious of the time you're consuming each turn. Try to finish your game within the time constraints. Nothing feels worse than losing because your opponent took too long on his game turns that you had to end your game before you even got to pull your earth-shattering-skirt-blowing-mind warping-butt kicking... where was I? Oh that's right. Strategy. I meant to say strategy!

For Santa's Sake Paint your freaking Toy Soldiers!Paint your figs. I'll avoid expounding on this as that's an entire chapter filled with horror stories and bitter gripes. Paint your figs and do it to the best of your abilities. If you've ever been to a room full of well painted figs... the experience itself can be rewarding. I gather you'll feel much like Gulliver in Lilliput. Just don't get carried away and start stomping on the little guys. I mean hey! Some of those can really hurt your foot!

Accept the Bitter Aftermath
So you won. So you annihilated your opponents. So you grinded them beneath your heel. If you're not satisfied with that try not to complain. The most important thing about playing Warhammer... and this is so overused it's cheesy... is about the experience of gaming with your buddies. The chance for you and your opponents to enjoy some good old fashioned butt kicking on the table top. If you had fun and they had fun don't be disappointed if you didn't win. There's always next year! Don'g get angry. Get even! ;)

So with that said on the night of November 27 pack all your things. Don't forget your codex, dice, white dwarf articles, GW FAQs, tape measures and most of all don't forget your armies! On November 28 and 29 show up well groomed(that also means you have to cut your nails and clean your ears!) and have the time of your life. We're only this young once. (Coz in Never Never land we never grow! :P)

This pre tournament reminder is paid for by the friends of Salubri3i

Journal #118 - 40K and Fantasy Gaming

Game 1
Points: 1850
Mission: ?
Deployment: ?
Emcee SW vs JB IG
JB Wins!!! 2 - 1 -1

Game 2
Points: 1850
Mission: ?
Deployment: ?
Martie(Orks) vs. Pat (SW)
Martie wins1-0

Game 3
Points: 2000
Mission: ?
Deployment: ?
Jesse(luna wolves) vs Ryan(salamanders)
3-1 Jesse Wins!!!

Game 4
Points: 2000
Mission: ?
Deployment: ?
Joel(CSM - Deathguard ) vs Jay (CSM - Thousand Sons)
2-1 in favor of the 1Ksons.

Warhammer Fantasy:
Points: 2000
Mission: ?
Deployment: ?
Jojo (CHAOS ) vs henri (empire)
Jojo Wins via annihilation!!!

My 40K Photographs so far...

Some links to my photoblog that you might find interesting. The first three are Iyanden progress photos, the fourth link is just me fooling around with extension tubes and my Salamanders, while the last one is about my DIY Light Tent (Thousand Sons used to test). You might find this useful if you are into mini photography.

Eldar Craftworld Iyanden
First Iyanden Guardians Squad
Manong's (wraith)Guard

The Making of the Salamanders

Return of the Thousand Sons

Let's do a professional BattleRep soon with two fully painted armies and wicked terrain. I'm very willing to photograph. Salubri or Emcee, maybe you should volunteer your armies.

Journal #117 - After Storm Gaming

October 31, 2009 - Report by Battlefield Correspondent Wiley

Attendance - Emcee, Joel, Nicky, Jesse, Wiley, George, Joshua, Martie, Matthew, Jay, Chino, Sir Freddie, and Carlos with special apperances from Patrick, Anton, and Bogsy

Game 1
Emcee (Space Wolves) vs Joel (Death Guard
Points: 1850
Mission: Capture and Control
Deployment: Dawn of War
Joel Wins! 1 Claimed,1 Contested

Game 2
Nicky (Orks) vs Jesse (SM)
Points:1500
Mission: Seize Ground
Deployment: Pitched BattleJesse wins via tapout!

Game 3
Wiley (Ultramarines) vs Joshua (Ultramarines)->SADPEYSSS
Points: 650
Mission: Annihilation
Deployment: Dawn of War
Wiley wins! (3-1)

Game 4
George (Orks) vs Martie (Orks)
Points: 1850
Mission: Capture and Control
Deployment: Pitched Battle
Martie wins via Wipeout!

Game 5
Matthew (Eldar) vs Jay (CSM-Thousand Sons)
Points: 2000
Mission: Capture and Control
Deployment: Spearhead
Draw! (1-1)

Game 6
Wiley (Ultramarines) vs Jesse (SM)
Points: 2000
Mission: Annihilation
Deployment: Dawn of War
Jesse wins! (7-6)

Game 7
Martie (Orks) vs Chino (Blood Angels)
Points: 1200
Mission: Capture and Control
Deployment: Pitched Battle
Martie wins! (1 claimed)

Arcane Legions

Game 8
Freddie Tan vs Carlos Sandico
Freddie wins!

Game 9
Freddie Tan vs Carlos Sandico
Freddie wins!