Cygnar vs Cryx - The first encounter

New Year, new desire to play more games. I have been a beautiful combination of busy and lazy, leading to very little in the way of dice throwing, however, I have been actively painting over the past couple months. Here is why  - I picked up, on a whim due to the cover, the new Privateer Press Prime Issue #1 back in November.

Another Gaming Year Winding Down

It's been a busy 2016, with the release of a few new games such as Team Yankee, the re-vamp of Warmachine and a shift to plastic miniatures by Battlefront for Flames of War. It signifies it's a great time to be a nerd and enjoy all things dice related moving into a new year.

Make sure you have enough money and time going into 2017! You're going to need plenty of both to get your armies to where you will be comfortable getting them onto a table.

Tuesday Night at The Box

Another Tuesday night and another night of some Warmachine games for the journeyman league that Tristan is running for the next few weeks. It's a nice break from getting ready for the Flames of War Nationals that are happening here in Ottawa in a few weeks time. A few weeks.....just enough time for painting touch-ups and maybe a few more test games. I know I have some German artillery to paint and also put together a few other things for my list.

War of The Machines!

Warmachine is sweeping through the Dice Devils crew like wild fire! Most of us are either buying a complete Battlebox army, or using existing models that we have. Warmachine is essentially a skirmish based miniatures game that is both easy to learn and fun to play. Adding in the fact that the games do not take a long time to complete, you can play multiple games in an evening. We've also found several new places to buy and play this game with new players getting into it!

Where's the Ca$h?

Been a while......

Where have I been? Well, recently I have been enjoying the summer with my family. Travel, camping, and not gaming in any real capacity. Frankly, its been just too nice outside to justify sitting inside and painting. Over a longer period though, I have not been playing FoW at all really. The odd game here or there, but it just isn't peaking my interests of late. I can't point to a single thing that has moved my interests, but I have been looking for escape in my gaming, and I have been drawn back to Sci-Fi and Fantasy settings. We have played X-Wing, board games, but what has actually gotten me back to the buying models, painting and the gaming table is Warmaching/Hordes.

Worth a read....Flames of War- Seven Things That Went Wrong With Version 3 - My thoughts.

Interesting read - posted today on House of Paincakes :

Flames of War- Seven Things That Went Wrong With Version 3

http://www.houseofpaincakes.com/2013/11/flames-of-war-seven-things-that-went.html

I recommend any FoW player should read it through.

This article got me thinking. This may be why I only want to run scenarios or historical based games these days.......we were talking about getting something specific going over the winter at our Friday night games. I am enjoying Warmachine immensely right now, and I don't want to stop play FoW, but tournaments hold 0 appeal to me know. I kind of feel like its a "been there, done that" kind of thing. Not all tournaments in general, just FoW to be honest.

I have always been more interested in campaign/league play. I think some of the appeal to Warmachine for me now is the way Privateer Press runs leagues every quarter, along with regular "Journeyman Leagues" for new players, or people wanting to start a new faction. This is something Battlefront and Flames of War, arguably, is better suited to. Their infantry/tank aces ideas were awesome, if not fully fleshed out. But alas....

Our group, while still mainly a FoW group, has always seemed driven by the next event - a tournament. This is not a "bad" thing. We all know the motivation that comes with having to get models built and painted in time for an event. This coupled with wanting to "test" lists leads to many games getting arranged and played - these are all great things. The rut that this can lead to (speaking about myself here) is always pushing for the next event means one of two options: 1) Take the same lists/army - one that I know works, and I can expect to place well with or 2) Take the new "hotness" that is stronger than option 1, and may make option 1 obsolete. Talk about a choice....
I am not some power creep mad competitive type (at least I don't think I am) but I like to put a good fight, not get rolled over. Flames of War, since version 3, has some clear issues with power creep, specifically in Late War (the most popular time frame, where most events take place). Late War also has most of the gear and models people want to paint and play. Hence the issues mentioned in the article posted above. 

Do I have the answers? No, I have but a few ideas, and they all stem from the mindset of league/campaign player. I think Flames of War really shines when everyone is playing out of the same area - the same setting, locale, lists, and "Front". The game just works better. But it isn't that easy - there is no guarantee that everyone wants to play armies from the books for a specific theater of war.....so it makes it tricky to build a campaign all will want to play in. We were actually discussing this very thing this past Friday, so Dice Devils may be kicking off something soon....

I am also playing more Warmachine, and other games, on a regular basis. I see this as a positive, as it expands my gaming and I am meeting other gamers that are in the area. Infinity is also a solid game that deserves more of my time. All this to say, expect this site to start showing coverage of different games going forward.

Cheers,

Ca$h

MOAR Warmachine!

Man I miss this game....

So I am doing something about it. I just ordered in and received :

Alexia Ciannor and the Risen - Mercenary unit

A sweet addition to my fledgling Mercenary army. She can raise fallen warriors to join the ranks, and it adds some cool, creepy flavour to my Mercs. From BattleCollege: "Alexia is essentially a mini warcaster with the risen as her "focus". She can sacrifice a risen to pawn off damage as well as boost attacks and spells. She can also bring living models back as part of her army of undead. She is fearless and the risen are undead so there is no fear of abominations or terrors." How cool is that?!?!!

I am also looking to start Menoth. Having bought, painted, and played the Khador, Cygnar, Legion and now Merc sets, I have a hunch the "BURN THEM ALL!" mentality and synergistic play style of Menoth is something I will enjoy. I also really want to run "jack heavy" and Menoth is the faction to do that with. So I am taking the plunge on yet another faction!

I plan to to keep going with the Mercs as my second Warmachine army, and stick to Legion for when I want to play with Fury. I hope to track my progress on these pages.

Last night I hosted a "let's get back to play this game some more" night and a few of the lads showed up. Joyous Oblivion with his Cygnar, and "TheRoyalFalcon" with his Khador. Pripyat also swung by to check out the action (he has yet to get into the game) and I snapped a couple pics :

It was a close fought game, with both sides loosing all their infantry and leaving just Irusk and his Demolisher chasing Captain Kara Sloan around with only an immobile Hunter for support. Great game guys!

So if Warmachine is something you have even a passing interest in, stay tuned for the upcoming coverage! And trust me, despite all the starter sets and small forces I have, I am still a n00b, and we will be learning all the hard lessons together.

Cheers,

Ca$h

BattleBox Tourney 2013 @ Kobold's Corner

So yesterday (Saturday April 20, 2013) the  Ottawa Gatineau Warmachine Club hosted a "starter set" tournament at a newly opened store here in Kanata - Kobold's Corner. The local PressGanger George "Semiautomagic" had set up custom 2'x2' boards perfect for these small fast games - Take a look:

The tables were awesome- small, compact and perfect for the games. they really "encouraged" turn 1 action.

Click after the break to see more coverage!

Ca$h Hobby Update #4

Just recorded this to show where I am at - I have caught the Warmachine but in a BIG way.......





Stay tuned for more updates, painted model reviews and some coverage of the now SOLD OUT :

Ca$h Hobby Update #3

With the Machinations League going well, I picked up a Stormclad today! Here is a picture of it assembled - I just finished changing the banner it comes with to custom Storm Accumulator:

I wasn't crazy on how the banner looked, so seeing as how the banner itself doesn't have any rules or play a direct role with the model, I just didn't fit it. Instead I made a brass Storm Accumulator out of the small one that was on top of the banner, and a brass screw(cut to fit).  I prefer the look of it, and it will be easier to transport also. I plan to use the flag as an objective marker, so it won't go to waste.

I plan to get it painted up this week so expect some more pictures soon!

Cheers,

Cash Hobby Update #2

This week's update - Cygnar!

I completed 6 Arcane Tempest Gun Mages, the ATGM Officer, and Arlan Strangewayes(solo). Here are a couple quick pics:

So eight models this week, and now I have painted all the Cygnar I own (25pts). What to buy next? I am not  certain, but I want to try running eNemo, so I should look at getting at least one more heavy jack to run with him, beef up my melee some also. I will be out at the league night tonight, so I plan to take a couple pics and post them here. Keep in mind I have yet to win a game with this force, but I am enjoying learning while losing!

Thanks for checking in,

Cheers,

Ca$h Hobby video update #1

Hey all,

I haven't managed to post any updates lately due to mad hours at work and life in general, and I apologize. What I plan to do now is start hobby video updates, to track and share my progress on the many 2013 games I plan to get into playing more!

Here is Video #1 - Enjoy!

Stay tuned for more updates. Thanks for watching!

Cheers,

Beats to the Rhyme...

"Beats To The Rhyme"

------

DJ's and MC's, coming up next is the one and only
incredible, Jam Master
Yo, back up off the ropes, punk

Beats to the rhyme, the rhyme I just made
Party at the jammie til lights the night fade
Trooping for the feature we all get paid
So let's go

Yo! D that's me, the King, the MC
Rhyme get mine on the t-o-p
Can another MC ever rock this beat? (Hell yeah)
------


Seriously does this guy not look like a DJ of sorts, the kind to break out into some old school Run DMC with a mic in one hand and the other spinning a record?

I have been acquiring and building stuff this past week, and with me moving in a few weeks, packing has sapped my painting time.

I am in the middle of assembling this guy...



Hopefully he will see primer soon and then some paint, I have some interesting ideas on what to do with lightning effects!!!

Pics on my Sentinel to come by the end of the long weekend as well as a summary of my recent game against a Retribution of Scryah player!

Combo Strike Rule Clarification (Warmachine)

Ok so I checked and checked and we have a ruling on Combo Strike.

Starting on the Warmachine Forums I find this:

First, Let me introduce your Rules team for this forum. We call them the Infernals.MacallanLunatic CalmNot DicePoeticruseHaightMaudlinMootazThese fine soldiers of the shadow are here to answer your question and help you resolve any issues you have with the rules. Their words are official.

Next we go to a thread on combo strike and find the two posts that essentially end the discussion.

http://privateerpressforums.com/showthread.php?t=2796&highlight=combo+strike

Read the last three or four posts.

The answer by Lazlo...

While no one I know that's played the game for a while has been confused by Combo Strike, I do know new players that have been. And it boils down to this...Combo Strike says, "Instead of making a normal damage roll, the POW of the damage roll is equal to this model's STR plus twice the POW of this weapon."On page 50 of Mk II Prime, under the MELEE WEAPONS section it says, "Melee Damage Roll = 2d6 + POW + STR"The problem is the overloading of the term POW. Going strictly by the rules, we get the following:POW of Combo Strike = POW of weapon x2 + STRSo the damage roll would be 2d6 + (POW of weapon x2 + STR) + STRCombo Strike should say something like the "P+S of the attack", rather than "POW of the damage roll". Or that the POW of the damage roll is equal to twice the POW of the weapon, and leave the STR part out (since it is already defined as being part of the melee damage roll).

Then the response by Lord Hedrahil...

Thanks Lazlo!!you understand my question...So...Instead of POW it, would sai P+S, is that correct?

Then Lazlo responds...

There might be a clearer wording, but essentially yes.All that's changing in the Combo Strike is that instead of getting multiple initial attacks you only get one, and you add the POW of the weapon twice instead of just once to the damage roll.So a STR 8 model with two POW 4 weapons and the Combo Strike special attack (* Attack) would have the options of:a) Two P+S 12 attacks, orb) One P+S 16 attack

And after all that, the MOD MACALLAN whose word is considered OFFICIAL says this...

I think that you are all on the same page.


To Sum up:

So it is Strength of model + POW x2 (each weapon) +2d6. That's all she wrote!


Hope that helps us for our next games!

Marauder WIP

Here is where my Marauder is at, after about 3 hours work. As can be seen, some fine details are still required, and the basing needs to be done. Should have it all finished up by tomorrow.









I am going for a "mid-campaign" look. Dirty, worn, and too busy fighting to keep things pristine. I like to think I have captured that. I hope the weathering comes out in the photos. I would really appreciate any/all feedback you readers have - Thanks!

CA$H out.

Sentinel Warjack WIP

Ok work has begun on my first Warjack. It is a light Warjack armed with a chaingun and shield.

No clue what it does, but the model looks neat :)

This is WIP obviously, but gives a good idea of what it will look like.




Comments welcomed!

Brisbane is Complete!!!

My first ever warcaster is done! I know he isn't the traditional colours, but I like him.


C&C welcome!

The Cygnar Horde Starts!

Ok so I spent a couple hours on my first Cygnar model last night. He isn't finished but I'm getting a feel for the colours.

Be warned...he isn't anything like the Cygnar colour schemes I have seen...


Let me know what you all think...

1st Warmachine model painted

So, Khador is my chosen faction, and here is my 1st painted mini for my force, the "Butcher of Khardov" :








Looking for some feedback, as I lowered the amount of red I plan to use - and went more grey/green a la WWII Russian with the scheme. Thoughts?


-CA$H

Warmachine Mk2 has taken me!

Holy crap!

This is how you write a rules set! I just picked up the new (Jan. 2010) Warmachine rule book and I am so impressed. First of all, it was only $30, and is ~240 pages of FULL COLOR. Second, it is so well written. Ambiguity is minimal - compared to GW rule books, it's a technical manual. The art is outstanding, and the models....where do I start.

They have really made some great models for this game. Now to be fair, I have always been partial to steam-punk, so there is that automatic attraction, but the sculps are awesome! I have decided to go with the models I like the most first, so Khador it is for me (Cryx is a close 2nd). I have a Battlegroup, Widowmaker box set, and "Butcher" on the way...so expect some pics soon as I start to build and paint them up.

The few test games I have played so far with proxies has me hooked in a big way....so more to come!