336 hours in...

It’s week two of my 90 day challenge and I can’t believe of the changes and challenges that have happened in just a 14 day period.  So far I’m really enjoying the majority of them but others not so much. I intend to follow the course and see where this ship leads….

Army Lists ala Bean: Ariadna Defense Force

Armies ala Bean

The model does not choose you, you choose the model

Over the course of writing this blog, I and Richard, have written a goodly few lists and army concepts for others to use. Themed army lists, conceptual lists, Tournament worthy gaming lists, and sometimes even silly explanations for why we're painting up certain units. One thing we have not done is written down our favoured lists that we actually use against each other and other players when we DO play games (Yes this happens). That changes now:
In this first installment I'm going to start with my preferred game of choice: Infinity

Warning:
 Some MOST of the lists I write are written based on either a theme or what I have available to me, model wise. I, almost always, use units that many deem "useless" or "shit" because I like the model, not because of some need to prove a units worth. I buy stuff I like the look of, and will always use them. I am a casually competitive player and have very little interest in tournament play these days, and only play for fun and profit (Profit being the looser buys the drinks after).
Therefor any list I write should NOT be thought of as a tournament list or even particularly GOOD, though I will write explanations for why I've included certain models or units.
You have been warned.

Armies Ala Bean: Chaos

Armies Ala Bean

Hi All, and welcome back to Armies ala Bean. This week I want to give you a taste of things to come, AKA the army I'm currently building for 40k 6th edition. This time out I'm working on a Death Guard list ably supported by the awesomeness that is Cypher and his Fallen Angels. Those guys really like to get around!
Anyways, on to the list!

Codex Chaos Space Marines Part 3: Building Character

Codex Reviews and Impressions

I'm a lumberjack and I'm ok...

Welcome back all, to the final part of Roll of the Dice's Codex review for Codex Chaos Marines. In the this last article I want to cover the Special Characters From the book and how they'll effect the armies we see on the tabletop. Now enough jawing, let's get to it!

Codex Chaos Space Marines part 2: Pro-Choice

Codex Reviews and Impressions

Welcome back all, to the Roll of the Dice Codex review for Codex Chaos Marines part 2. In the last article I went over many of the non-unit specific entries in the codex, such as Wargear, Army Special Rules, Warlord Traits and the like. This time around I want to discuss the actual units in the codex, the winners and losers of the new book, and what I think we're going to be seeing a lot of in the coming future. So lets get started!

Codex Chaos Space Marines Part 1: Options options options

Codex Reviews and Impressions

Well it seems I have managed to get my grubby pig hands on a copy of the 6th Edition Chaos Codex, and I must say, I'm rather impressed! It is definitely leaps and bounds better than that last edition codex/abortion and fixes many (not all) of the problems inherent with that codex
*cough cough* Icons = marks and therefor losing Icons meant units losing marks... STUPID! *cough cough*.

This picture should be in the dictionary under BADASS. or Sir.

Let's get on to the initial thoughts shall we?

On the Workbench: so much to paint...

On the Workbench

13 rogue-trader era marines, 2 rogue-trader era techmarines, an RT era Marine Deadnought, A Dwarf model I won on ebay, A reaper Knight model and some Old Chaos Terminators prepped for bagging to send off to an eBay buyer. You'll notice many have been primed with the Krylon Camouflage tan Primer I review a little while back.
The Febreeze has nothing to do with modeling.

 Oh... And 2 Cadres of Southern gears for Heavy Gear Blitz (7 Jager gears incl. 1 Command Jager, a Black Mamba and 2 Striking Cobras). SO MUCH TO PAINT!.

Oh and for those who care...

Themed Allies in 40k

Thursday Theories

Food for thought...

As I'm sure many of you out there have noticed Allies in 6th edition are changing the game in new and mostly wonderful ways. Naturally some people out there are using these rules to power-game the system, using them to shore up the perceived in-built weaknesses of their army codeci and create the ubermenchen of army lists, but others out there (such as yours truly)see nothing but awesome conversion and themed army potential.
Now it's easy to take Blood Angels and Necrons and create a Space marine and Adeptus Mechanicus list... But what about the potential involved in that new sweet spot of the game at 2000 points? That most excellent area that allows not only an additional Force Org Chart.. but also that (seemingly lost to the void of the internet, amongst all the angst and hate) awesome SECOND ALLIES DETACHMENT?
Oh yeah.... that exists.. and it's pure friggin gold.

Behold! 1000 points of Allies for a 2000 Points + Space Marine List!

Richard's Warhammer 40,000 List Building: Elysian Ride of the Valkyries

Hello! It's been a long week so I just managed to find the time to post, but it's worth it! As I mentioned last week, I would put up an Elysian list and of course, with Imperial Guard allies! First and foremost, I feel this is very much appropriate before I continue.

Now then, while you listen to that and reminisce over Kilgore lecturing Lance in Apocalypse Now, I thought I'd provide a brief summary of the list. The Elysian drop troop list done by Forgeworld in Imperial Armour Volume 8: Raid on Kastorel-Novem was unique in that it utilized Valkyries as its premier dedicated transport to ferry platoons/veterans into combat and then provide deadly air support. With the advent of sixth edition, I realized that cutting down on a few Valkyries and Vultures and injecting some much needed ground support and mobility was required. So here we go son!

Richard's Warhammer 40,000 List Building: IG/SW Mobile Gunline

Salutations and welcome to another instalment of my list-building articles. This particular army list actually details a force I'm most likely going to build, partially because I love the fluff behind Space Marines reinforcing beleaguered Imperial Guardsmen and mainly because I already own 3/4s of the vehicles necessary to field it. When constructed this army will most likely represent an Imperial Guard army of my own devising using a combination of parts from Victoria Miniatures and other well known conversion parts produces like MaxMini and Puppetswar. The Space Wolf allies will be represented by Death Watch, using GW Death Watch shoulder pads as well as numerous shoulder pads from other chapters manufactured by Forgeworld/GW.

Forge World Official?

Thursday Theories

So I've been noticing that people around the gaming circles seem to think that Forge World publications are not "official". This is fallacy (AKA: YOU'RE WRONG!). Allow me to explain.

1. Forge World is owned by Games Workshop. Why on earth would they only do test rules and unofficial works when their units are clearly designed for use in the newest system (6th ed 40k, 8th ed. Fantasy)? They wouldn't. That would be stupid.
2. Apocalypse, an "Official" expansion to the Warhammer 40,000 universe utilizes 99% of everything Forge World makes and contains "Official" rules for these units. That alone makes them no different than units created for Planetstrike, Cities of Death, and any of the various Codecii currently available.
3. and lastly there is this little affidavit in ALL current Forge World books:
   
   3. Warhammer 40,000 Unit: This unit is intended to be used in 'standard' games of Warhammer 40,000, within the usual limitations of Codex selection and force organisation charts. As with all our models these should be considered 'official', but owing to the fact they may be unknown to your opponent, it's best to make sure they are happy to play a game using Forge World models before you start.

Seems to me that last little blurb, transcribed word for word (typos and all) from page 4 of the Imperial Armour 11:Doom of Mymeara book, kind of puts paid to that whole concept of Forge World rules not being official. So let's call that whole argument done with shall we?
I have to get back to reading the 6th ed rulebook... and my many plans within plans...
The Baron would be proud.
Bean out~

Richard's Warhammer 40,000 List Building: Eldar Corsairs

I've been extremely busy the last few days so now that I managed to find some time to sit down and actually post, here's what I've been working on. While Forgeworld was technically legal in 40K a few years ago (as Bean made abundantly clear to me a couple of weeks ago), it's only with sixth edition that such a fact is beginning to reach tournament organizers and the player base as a whole. And while most Forgeworld units are actually over-costed for their profile, I thought I would visit a more fluffy list that combines some of my favourite models, armies and units. I present an Eldar Corsair list!

Richard's Warhammer 40,000 List Building: Blood Axe Blitzkrieg

Hello comrades, I think it's time we Waaagh in here! To start off, we all know the indomitable story behind the Leman Russ Battle Tank. Named after the Space Wolves Primarch, it's characterized as a robust, if not simple tank that gets the job done. In other words, it kills aliens dead. It's also heavily armoured with an AV 14/13/11 or 10. What matters is that front facing. Now in 5th edition, mechanized/armour spam was highly competitive because it reduced the effectiveness of your opponent's ability to destroy enough of your transports/tank before you overwhelmed him with fire power and/or tank shock.

In sixth edition, mechanized spam is still very important, although with hull points, tanks can be focus fired down and removed as almost a sure bet provided you have the fire power to do it. Of course, AV 14 creates issues for some codices out there, and all armies simply need to put in more shots to take out a Leman Russ, Battle Wagon or especially a Land Raider or Monolith. And thus, I present to you the Blood Axe Blitzkrieg.

Richard's Warhammer 40,000 List Building: Blood Angels Dread Bash

List Building

Hello! My name is Richard and I've decided to help contribute to Roll of the Dice by starting off with a bi-weekly list-building blog for Warhammer 40K. My aim is to help promote competitive, non-competitive, fluffy and outrageous lists that are not only fun, but will ensure you drive your enemies before you and hear the lamentations of their women...or hive minds, spirit stones, ect..

A brief introduction is order though! I've been playing Warhammer 40K since the age of sixteen, and having recently turned twenty eight, I can safely and grudgingly call myself a veteran. Thankfully I leave most of the crusty bitterness at the door and approach the hobby with optimism and enthusiasm. I have known Sean for several years and have had the privilege of gaming with him in as many formats as you can imagine. We participate in weekly table top role-playing sessions, sit down with card games once in a blue moon, and of course obsess over several different war games at any given time.

With the release of Warhammer 40K: 6th Edition, excitement has reached a feverish pitch across the net and I have decided to add in my voice to the net-building that helps form the meta. Not all of my posts will focus exclusively on specific 2000 pt lists, but rather provide tactics, strategy and advice about the new rule set and how to understand the game on a conceptual and tabletop level. Anyway, on to my very first list for Roll of the Dice!

Keeping Track

Thursday Theories

List Building

Many people I know in the wargaming community make hundreds upon hundreds of army lists. We build them in our spare time creating the "perfect" list to kick ass, chew bubblegum, eat our cake and smite our foes. Hours upon hours are spent honing the list to a razors edge, sharpening our list building skills using mathhammer, past experiences and straight-up assumption of our foes. We plan secret attacks, build up battle plans in our minds and create devious combos to lay our enemies low...
and then toss the list in the trash after our first game with them.

What a waste.
Today I propose a change in tactics.

Over the past few years I have been keeping ALL of my army lists that I have tried out on the battlefield. I keep an exercise book filled with each and every list, along with annotations and remarks I've made post battle with the list, with concepts and ideas on how to improve said lists. THIS HAS, WITHOUT A DOUBT, IMPROVED MY WARGAMING SKILL BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS.

Why? (Oh Mr. Strawman, how I love you're perfectly timed questions...)

Effective Army Building Part III: Son of Army builder

Tutorial Tuesday

Support.

Welcome back!
This week I want to talk about the most vital part of an army, one that is, curiously, often ignored.

Effective Army Building Part 2: Follow the Leader

Tutorial Tuesday

Welcome back!
Today is part 2 of my attempt  to explain how to build an effective Army for wargaming. BEGIN IS NOW!

In last weeks Tutorial Tuesday I espoused the importance of solid leadership and a couple different types of leader type I am rather fond of. Now we're moving onto the "Meat and Potatoes" of an effective army:


Effective Army Building: Strong core elements of troop type infantry (light, medium, and heavy)

Well, one can't really have an army without soldiers, and that's what I want to talk about today. Of course there are many types of infantry in any game we play. Sappers, Assault Troops, Heavily armored Ape-men in mobile tank suits... But when all is said and done, they all boil down into 3 different types:

• Light Infantry
• Medium Infantry/Line Troops
• Heavy Infantry
• Specialist Troops

Effective Army Building Part THE FIRST!

Tutorial Tuesday

Welcome to the first installment of  Tutorial Tuesday!

Today I want to talk a little about a topic near and dear to the Wargamers heart (or possibly groin...): Army Building.  Simply put, Army building is the idea of taking the various bits and pieces of your collection together to create a cohesive, functional, whole.
Now obviously you (and everyone else) is going to want the best units in their army always. The best armor, the best equipment, the best moral, the best everything at all times, because, of course, if everything is the best in your army, you will always win. Alas, this is not the truth at all.
Think about it. No matter the game you are restricted by 3 things. Money, availability, and cost. Not everyone has the MONEY to buy only the best units. Companies purposely make the most powerful units the most costly, cash wise, because they know people will buy them. It's just good business (unless you're Games Workshop, in which case it's witchcraft and pure, unadultered, hatred for humanity that drives your prices up... or so the internet would have us all believe)... On that same note, not everyone can take only the best units in their army, even if they do have the cash to buy them (lucky bastards... you should donate money to me instead!), because many of the best units in the game are subject to low unit caps, restricting their AVAILABILITY in peoples armies.
Naturally I'd love to take only Veteran Kazaks and Chasseurs in my Ariadna force for infinity, or only Ghost knights in my grey knights army (shut up, I like them... come on, they are led by GHOST ARAGORN FOR FRIKSAKES!!), but I have a limit on those units availability in my army list.
Lastly, the best units in the game are always rather high in COST in regards to points spent on the models, or slots occupied, or whatever. To get the best units, you need to give up on other, necessary evils like medics or support weaponry or other units that can make you're operate as a cohesive whole.
So, as you can see, you can't only take the best units. You need to support them, and this is the subject of my article (took me a while, but I got there eventually).

To build an effective army you need a few essential elements:

• Effective leadership
• Strong core elements of troop type infantry (light, medium, and heavy)
• Proper support for your engaged elements (artillery, counter assault/stop-gap, ancillary support units such as medics, engineers, etc.)