Second Sphere

Will be interesting to hear some critism of these lists. They're ones I've used for my previous two Vassal games, with a third that I shall use next time.

List One
Made a few months ago, long before the idea for the Campaign was started.

Based on the save file title, I know it was meant for an Allied Detachment, rather than a main army, hence why it had only one Troops choice.


Admittantly, I am now in the awkward position of having used a list that was over the limit set, and still lost the game As I said, awkward XD

List Two
After my defeat, I figured I should try a more Standard FOC list, and so swapped out the Crusader carrying Crusaders for another squad of Crusaders and two Razorbacks.

In the game, my opponent had fielded three Vendetta Gunships. Quite scary at such a low points game.
I had forgoten to actually use my Land Speeder, so I'm not sure how useful it would have been.
Go Here for the Battle Report.


List Three
This list is currently untested. However, I hope it will work better then my previous two.


Reasons why I think this list will work better than its predessors:
1- Tougher Transport, with better loadout of weaponry.
This means my Troops and accompanying Castelan Will be well protected as they cross the battlefield to the enemy positions. It also gives me some Anti-air capability with the dual Twin-linked Lascannons for tougher targets like IG Vendettas, and the Heavy Bolters can surely cause havok on lighter crafts, lie all the Xenos Flyers.

2- Versatile & Mobile Weapons Platform
By this I mean the Land Speeder. Its a Fast Skimmer, and only two weapon systems. Thanks to Errata, the Typhoon is Heavy 2, rather than Heavy 1, twinlinked. And it has to optional firing modes. It has plenty of fire-power to take out elite units, and Light infantry without too much hassle.

3- "Suffer not the unclean to Live"
Out of all the vows, this seems best, as the reduced Initiative will only become apparent when you face Combat focused races like Dark Eldar and Tyranids. The boast in Strength makes all the other Power Weapon types semi-useless. The Emperors' Champion himself is a powerful force to deal with. I kinda want to see how he fears against some Tyranid MC at some point.

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After all that, it will be great to hear some critism on this lists, and possibly ideas for improvement.

Thanks for reading

Narric

  Great, I'm a several days late. Voting end date will be adjusted accordingly.

Unfortunate we had so few entries, but that is my fault for making the rules so unclear and, I'm sure, confusing.

Non-the-less, here are the three glorious Entries.

A - Nurgle Terminators


B - Deathwing Terminators


C - Nurgle Plague Marines


D - Eldar Wraithguard


- Voting shall close on June 9^th
- You get one vote each

So, I figured that even if it doesn't go anywhere, that maybe I should keep a record/blog/plogg going of the models I'm making from scratch. I could use it as blog material, but I don't think I have anything of real substance yet.

So far I've started four models:
- Salamander
- Fire Goblin
- Arachnid Knight
- Human

Here are the initial "Armatures" for the models (left-right; Salamander, human, Fire Goblin, AK):


I've managed to put some time into them, giving them some more bulk. (left-right; Salamander, Fire Goblin, Kinght, Human)


I'm mostly using these as practice for model making in general. Its slow, to tell the truth

Critism and Suggestions would be most appreciated ^_^

Great Power has revealed itself in a distant planetary system, far off in the Centaurus Arm of the Galaxy. The local and technologically regressed populace of the world are fearful of the power, and those that would seek to possess it. This new power calls out to every race in the galaxy, hooking onto the wishes of each mind it entices. The Tyranids see an unlimited foodscource, the Orks a powerful and worthy foe. In the Imperium, wild rumours spread of the return of the God emperor, pointing to the strange visions of light. Every human afflicted points to the same poit in the cosmos, and this disturbs the High Lords of Terra. In the Tau Empire, Aun’va awakens from a troubled meditation, to declare a crusade to capture the power to hide it from those that would use it unwisely. The Eldar of the Craftworld Alaitoc are shaken in their minds, and the wraithbone of their city-ship vessels calls out.

Every race is called, and every race is compelled to answer. No world shall go unsearched, and no enemy allowed to continue searching, until the mysterious power is controlled by a single force.

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Felt like trying to start a Vassal Campaign I curse my brain for having ideas like this XD

My idea is for a Six Round Pts based Campaign. After the six rounds, the Player with the highest points total wins the Campaign (with an obvious 7th round if we have a tie).

Using Vassal, this allows players to try out unusual army lists, without the need to purchase models, and means we can have a truly international Campaign running.

Rules
- Every game MUST have an observer. Their job is to keep track of vital notes (such as Chaos Boons, and Mutations), as well as acting as the one responsible for ensuring normal game rules are followed. This'll more-than-likely be me, but obviously I work now, so I'm more than welcoming to any volunteers to step in ^_^
- For the First round, armies are limited to: 1 HQ, 0-1 Elites, 0-1 Fast Attack, 0-1 Heavy Support, and 1-3 Troops.
- The First Round is a 750pt game.
- From the Second round, normal FOC applies.
- From the Second round, Players gain 500pts to add to their respective armies. (so 1st=750pts, 2nd=1250pts, 3rd=1750pts, etc)
- You gain points from games according to the table below.

Points Table

Condition	Reward Points
- Winning a Game	3pts
- Completing the Primary Mission Objective	2pts
- Completing any Secondary Mission Objectives	1pt
- Drawing a game	1pt
- Outnumber the Opponent by Model Count	1pt
- Outnumbering the Opponent by remaining Model Costs	1pt
Finish a game without losing any "Character" Models	1pt

Oh, and I'll be keeping the Missions for each round a secret until the Campaigns starts up
Don't want you guys tailoring your lists for the first round

Anybody in need of Vassal, or the Version 6 Module, send me a PM.

Look forward to seeing who will be interested in this ^_^

Oh, and if someone wants to or can write a better "Backstory" to this campaign, feel free to do so, and send it to me

For the most part, the Light Infantry are often the standard Troops. However, some are just more specialized at doing their job with less armour.

Dates:
- Entries can be submitted via a PM to Narric (Me) from May 1^st until June 22^nd.
- Voting will take place from June 23^rd until June 29^th.
- Winners shall be announced on June 30^th.

Prizes:
1st Place = Dice & £25 e-voucher to spend on products from Secret Weapon Miniatures
2nd Place = Dice

Along with Physical prizes, Award Seals will also be granted to the Top 3 Entrants.

And here is a picture of the Custom Second Sphere Dice up for grabs;


Rules:
- A unit of Light Infantry may not be or include a Named Character
- It is preferred that the unit be Game-legal. This includes any Transports that the unit would normally be assigned.
- Up to Three Picture may be submit. You are limited to 800 x 600 pixels for picture dimensions.
- Depending on numbers, Voting may be split in Master and Novice tiers. This is decided by a panel of Judges, not a single person.
- All Models must be fully Painted.

For the purposes of this Contest, Light Infantry are classed as:
- Any Warhammer 40 Troops Choice, with a base Armour Save no higher (better) than a 3+
- Any Warhammer 40 Fast Attack Choice, with the Unit Type "Infantry" only.
- Any Warhammer Fantasy Core Choice, with a base Armour Save no higher (better) than a 5+
- Models from other games systems will be decided upon Me (Narric) receiving them via PM _{(you do have the right to challenge the decision)}.

Good luck to everyone who is planning on entering.

Before I start, I should inform you that this is meant as backstory to explain why the "Space Marines" I may continue to use have a very different armour type and appearence.

The Midnight Corsairs are the equivalent of Space Marines, thought they are not the 40k variety.

There will be a few things that won't seem accurate with respect to the 40k fluff, but that is intentional, to emphasis that the MCs are not from the 40k timeline/universe.

I may do more short stories. Possibly from the point of view of Sergeants, and other Dramatis Personae.

Hope you enjoy ^_^

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The metal corridor rang like thunder as Exo-lord Commander Jekart ran. He was heading straight for the Command Deck, with alarms screaming throughout the ship. Slaming his bionic hand on the Bulkhead release button, still smeared with abrasive oil from its interrupted cleaning, he continued further down the crowded corridor. Flight Crew and Cultik Technicians fluidly stepped aside from his path. Stepping through the final bulkhead into the half-circle and two-tiered Command Deck, he could already see that a structural beam had splintered from above, clearly landing in the lap of the Prime Pilot. Jakert jumped up to the Pulpit level, were the Cruiser’s Captain was barking orders at his flight crew.
“Status report!” Jakert boomed, standing to the right of the Captain of the Nicossiar. To the Captains left, the Navitorum Priest had a face of ash white, a thin layer of sweat covering a expression of great loss.
“It was gone, bet then four took its place” The Navitorum Priest responded, his voice nearly drowned to a quiet whisper amongst the noise of the lower Control Pews.
“A Warp-Hole opened “beneath us” and the ship was pulled in. We barely had time to activate the shields.” Breaking to bark more orders to the crew, the Captain took a quick moment to recollect himself. “We’re currently hurtling through warp space, and as you can see, our Navitorum Priest is not making any sense.”
Jakert listened, praying to the Emperor for the safety of the ship. He looked forward to the Prime Pilot seat, just in front of the Pulpit. The Pilot had been pinned to his chair at the shoulder, and a novice technician was working feverishly to follow the confusing orders given to them to control the ship.
Seemingly with the force to tear the ship in two, harsh turbulence struck the Cruiser. Jakert was nearly thrown from his feet, quickly activating partial magnetism in his bionic feat. He had been fast enough to catch the Captain, but the Navitorum Priest had been launched backwards, their neck cracking upon the frame of the bulkhead behind him.
The Captain cursed sharply. “Damage Report?!” he shouted at the top of his lunges. Within seconds a crewman answered.
“Aft decks seven and eight have been breached, with no chance for survivors. Port Gun Battery has also been breached, however all active personnel are accounted for. Forward Shielding has been severely reduced.” Both the Captain and Commander Jakert realised at the same moment what that status report meant. The entirety of the fifth and seventh company of the Midnight Corsairs had just been dropped into the harsh unreality of the Warp. Commander Jakert was first to regain himself, activating the ship-wide comms.
“All-hands, prepared for re-entry into real-space.” With this, the Cultik technician was nearly pushed to their limit. The Pilot barking orders that had to be followed precisely.
As the Nicossiar broke back into real-space, Commander Jakert braced himself for the transition. For two seconds his vision became black, all sound left his ears, and the small of abrasive oil ceased. For two long seconds, Jakert knew of nothing around him. Then a face began to fill his vision. The sounds of harsh laughter deafened his hearing, and the smell of congealed blood flooded his nostrils. The face was human. It snarled at him, practically distorting into the visage of a grey coated wolf. The human face was bald, with only the start of a top-knot visible. When the feeling reached an apex, everything of the real-world returned to Jakert. The face, the noise, the smell. All were gone.
He looked to the front, and examined the stars. Before he had a chance to give them his full attention, a crewman shouted. “Captain, we can’t locate our current position. All visible points of light do not match any of our star charts!”
“How is that possible?” Questioned the Captain, though he didn’t wait for answer. “Send for the Navitorum Priest in isolation. We need her to figure out where we are!”
Two cultic technicians stepped forward, and headed for the doorway. One carried on, whilst the other picked up the limp corpse of the previous Navitorum. Jakert had made his way to the front of the Command Deck, looking far out into the empty space before him. He examined any speck of light he saw at random.
“There!” He exclaimed. “A small planetoid ten degrees starboard, and fifteen down.” He pointed to the distance speck of the planet. Behind him, the Pilot was already being freed of his seat. His body was placed onto a stretcher, and he was taken to the sick bay. The technician that had helped was not sure what to do with their self.
“You there!” spoke Jakert. There technician jumped at the direct interaction from the Exo-lord Commander. “You’ve no doubt learnt something from all that. Until the Pilot has returned, you’re to fill his seat. Remove those robes, and use them to clean the blood before you sit down though.” With that said, Jakert walked back up to the pulpit. He stood next to the Captain.
“I’m sorry for your lose, old friend.” The Captain spoke softly, is voice hoarse from all the shouting previously.
“Nothing anybody could have done Karick. We were unprepared for the Warp-hole itself, let alone what was within.” Karick stood more at ease after that. “I’ll go down, and inform my men of what has happened.”
Commander Jakert stepped down from the Pulpit, and exited the command deck. Captain Karick began issuing orders.

So this is something I oftent think about when beardyness, and overpower Codexi are discussed.


Without the Codex infront of me, I have a over-simplified mindset on how it could be done. I've only ever had a single glance through the book ,and put it down as soon as I got to Draigo.

My first thought was to treat every Nemesis Force Weapon, as a Power Weapon. from a modelling point of view, I don't much like the look of any of the weapon upgrades, with the possible exception to the Hammer. In this Edition, Power Weapons have taken a bit of a Nerf, going from essentially AP2, toAP 3. Those Terminators seem a little more daunting to Eldar players I'm sure.

Next idea was to not utilise ridiculous Psychic powers. I can't decide how OP Hammerhand is, though combining Str5 Marines with AP3 attacks, it des still seem too much.

As a personal preference, I never use Codex Given Special Characters. They're just too "set in stone" for me to really get any fuzzy feelings for them. For GK, I'm sure banning yourself from using ANY named character is going to reduce how OTT the army is (Especially Draigo).

I'd personally never use certain pieces of wargear, such as the Plasma Syphone. Jakearo (or however they're spelt) seem strange to see in the Codex. I know we've been messing with their toys since 1st ed, but is there really any need to represent oneON THE BATTLEFIELD? I know SMs take their Techmarines to battle, but at least they have freakin' armour and aren't possessed of the need to tinker with every little piece of gear that sparkles int heir eye.

I'm not sure how to appraoch the Dreadknight tbh. Should I consider it a Dreadnought pretending to be a Monstrous Creature, or an MC pretending to be a Dreadknought?

These are just some random thoughts I've had on the subject, and it will be interestig to hear how others think the army could be used less power-gamey, and more for fun.

I'm off to bed now, so no flame wars whilst I'm asleep!!

So guys, I've decided I'm going to quit playing Warhammer 40k and Fantasy. Being kinda cut off from any kind of gaming group, I have long since lost the drive to have a fun game, and not having people around me to other critique and encouragement, I find most of the creative side of the hobby empty.
Then we have the prices that GW insists on putting on its products. I'm sure we can all agree most new products aren't worth the plastic they're made from, and an  increasing number of units/products are clearly only coming out to help top-up GWs collective pockets. I understand a company needs to cater to its share-holders and its pockets, but I can't help but think GW have handled it incredibly poorly.

So this is going to mean I'm about to have a large amount of useless miniatures and books. I'll list off what I have. I'd rather get something back for all this, but at the same time, I'd rather not throw anymore stuff in the bin. I've already thrown at least £300 worth of GW product into a black sack, and frankly I feel like I've been kidding myself to think I can go on with this hobby.

What I have is roughly as follows (I'll be doing a more thorough inventory within the next few days). I shall lay it out by army. Any bits related to the army will coe with it.

Tau Empire
- Codex, near-mint.
- ~16 Fire Warriors
- 12 Kroot
- 4 Kroot Hounds
- 6 Stealth Suits
- 5/6 Crisis Suits
- Devilfish
- Piranha (missing second pilot)
- 3 Vespid Stingwings models, metal. two have conversion work relating to the wings.

Chaos Space Marines
- Codex, Brand new
- Psychic Power Cards, Brand new
small collection of miniatures (Sorceror, CSMs, 1x CSM with Multi-melta, 1x CSM with Powerfist)

Space Marines
- Black Templar Codex, great condition
small Space Marine army:
5-man Sternguard Squad; Sergeant with Thunder Hammer, Autocannon/Heavy bolter Counts As marine
1x Sergeant with Bionic clawhand & Plasma Pistol
1x Marine in running pose with Heavy bolter conversion.
1x Old Baal Predator model, partially painted red. Metal front plate was not included in kit.

Imperial guard
Codex, Great Condition
Inquisitorial Crusader, converted to hold Bolt Pistol in place of Shield
10man Veteran unit with triple flamers, and mutliple conversions, predominantly Bionics and characterisation. Sergeant carries a large Power Axe

Dark Eldar
not 100% sure what I have
- Haemonculi (scratch-built)
- Wracks (scratch-built)
- Mandrakes (scratch-built)
- Reaver Jetbikes
- Wyches

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I'm sure i have more, but its gone midnight, and I am tired.

If you're interested, please reply, or send me a PM.