KANTOR BASE

I picked up the new Empire Warhammer book today. They came out with some pretty cool looking models, but I'll reserve my opinion until I'm done with the book.

I picked up the new Vampire Counts Army Book yesterday with what remained of my Christmas gift cards. Aside from the $41.00 price tag, it's a cool book. Considering the hardcover and full-color layout, I can live with the price increase. I'm not looking to start a Vampire Counts army, but I usually make it a point to collect all of the army books and codices.

That said, there are some pretty cool new character models that I may collect, just to paint up and place in my cabinet. The new Krell model and along with the new Wight King would make great Death Knights for a Pathfinder RPG campaign I have in the works.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I got together with our gaming group and played a 2-on-2 game of WFB. Aaron and myself, playing Empire and High Elves respectively squared off against Mike and Paul, both fielding Skaven. From the get go, I could see this was going to be a tough game. Here are the highlights.

I neglected to get the army lists recorded, but keep in mind this was more or less a practice game for me as I learn my army and the game.

Skaven won roll off and opted to move first. This was a straight battle with no special rules.

Turn 1
The Skaven aggressively began moving their lines forward in order to close the distance. The Skaven magic phase dealt a crippling blow to my Archers, who I was depending on to whittle down the numbers. A Plague spell brought down 7 of my 10 Archers. Our magic phase, resulted in a successfull Flames of the Phoenix spell, killing 7 clanrats and wounding the Plague Priest. I began moving my Reavers around the Skaven left flank and was able to take out the Warpfire Thrower (one of two war machines).

Turn 2
The skaven continued to advance and I foolishly held my Spearmen and Sword Masters back, while the Empire contingent charged the Rat Ogres on our right and killed one in the ensuing combat. Magic was ineffective AND I forgot to move my Reavers around to the rear to intercept the last Skaven war machine. Bad move.

Turn 3
Another skaven Plague spell hits my forces and destroys half of my Sword Masters before they can get into combat. Not having any place to move without risking running off the table, clanrats charged my Reavers. Spearmen are charged, lose combat, flee but rally at the beginning of the next turn. Our magic phase goes well and Flames of the Phoenix accounts for 15 more dead rats. The last Rat Ogre falls and the skaven slaves are destroyed. Things appear to be looking up.

Turn 4
Skaven charge spearmen and send them running. Clanrats foolishly pursue...off the table with the Flames of Phoenix spell still in play, which ultimately finishes that unit. The Greatswords move forward and meet the clanrats charge and Empire Swordsmen along with their detachment of halberdiers also charge. Off to our right, my Reavers are finished off, doing only minimal damage to the enemy.

Turn 5
Remaining Archers are killed off as are the Empire Knights and Mortar crew. While the Greatswords cause substantial damage they and the Swordsmen are finally killed. With only the War Priest and the Mage left, we concede the battle to the Skaven.

Post Game
I think this loss was solely on the High Elves. Three major factors contributed to the result. First, losing my Archers so early in the game. That was from the result of a die roll, so I couldn't control that. Second, Forgetting to move my Reavers around to the rear in order to take out the second remaining ranged threat, and finally, I should have charged with my units when I had the chance, but did not. I allowed them to remain unengaged for an additional enemy magic phase, which decimated my forces. My partner Aaron a more cunning strategist, fared better and hung in the fight a bit longer. All in all, a fun game with a good group of people.

I did something today, that I haven't done in some time. I actually finished painting a unit of models. A regiment of 10 Sword Masters of Hoeth from the Island of Blood set. I still have to base them, but that's beside the point. I'm glad to have them done.

This unit is part of my 1,000 point introductory list, as I continue to learn the army and how it works. The plan is to eventually build this out to 25 models and to magnetize a movement tray. Next up will my High Elf Mage, which also comes from the Island of Blood set. I'm hoping to finish that one tonight and get started on the Spearmen tomorrow!

My Island of Blood High Elf Mage is finished. I had decided to paint this model before assembling in order to make it easier on myself...and am I glad that I did. It took long enough to do it with easy access to every detail. I couldn't have imagined doing it after it was built. Anyway, here's a shot of the painted mini still on the sprue. Painting was nothing special. Once again, extensive use of washes rather than highlighting. I want the army to have a darker feel to it. After all, the Storm of Magic is nothing to dress up about!

I picked up my Storm of Magic book today as well as the new Magic Cards. At first glance, just thumbing through it, I think its a nice complement to the 8th Ed. rulebook and I'm psyched about being able to incorporate monsters from other armies into my High Elves. Unfortunately, they were already sold out of the terrain when I got there, so I'll have to wait. I won't choose any monsters until I read the book - I've spent to much cash on kits that never get used.

I was disappointed with the cards, due to the fact that the website led me to believe that there was room for the other magic cards, but what they don't tell you is that you have to actually remove the Storm of Magic cards first. Thanks, GW!

The plan for tonight is to kick back in the recliner and start reading the new book, but so far - I recommend it.

I seem to be playing Fantasy more than anything else lately, so I'm going to dive into my Island of Blood set and get those models painted, starting with the Mage. This one looks like it's going to be a pain in the butt to paint (judging by the first one that I foolishly assembled without considering how difficult it might be), so I decided to paint this one BEFORE assembling it. This model comes in three easy snap-together components. What I did was leave them on the sprue to maximize the exposure to the details. I cleaned off all of the flash, only leaving each piece attached in the areas that would provide the most support, so I can handle the model.

NEXT STEP: Priming

I'm partnering up with another High Elf player tonight for a 1500 point game. Which is to say that I'm responsible for 750 points. Now, keep in mind, I haven't spoken to my partner, so I have no idea what he's bringing, but we are battling it out with the Skaven this evening. For my half, I'm fielding:

1 Mage (level 2)
15 Spearmen w/ cmd
10 Archers w/ cmd
10 Sword Masters of Hoeth w/ cmd
5 Ellyrian Reavers w/ Harbinger

On a side note, until yesterday, I only had a single model painted; the Mage. Well, I'm pleased to announce that 7 of my 10 Sword Masters are now painted. For me, that's a lot of painting in one day. Anyway, wish me luck. I hope to post pics tomorrow.

This new Storm of Magic expansion has grabbing my interest. Finally, some ass-kickin' monster models - in plastic. The Chaos Lord on Manticore looks bad ass! So does the Dark Elf Lord on Dragon. Hmmmm. I'm feeling the tug of WFB getting stronger and stronger....

As I had mentioned in my post yesterday. I almost literally got ran off the table during my game of Warhammer Fantasy. Now, before I go any further, I am not one of those players who placing winning above the fun aspect of the game. But I would like to at least master the game and get more enjoyment out of a gaming session. Keep in mind, this has nothing to do with any opponent that I've ever played. Classy players one and all. So the work has to start with me.

After some considerable thought, I think my inability to play well as less to do with lousy dice rolling that it does with the fact that I don't know my army. I need to spend more time with my army and learn what it can and cannot do. So...I'm going back to basics. I cut it down to a 1,000 point list that is an 'ideal starting army' for a new player. Which is basically what I am. The term, 'ideal starting army' comes form the High Elf army book.

Basically, I've started with GW's recommendation for a starter army on page 73 of the book. I decided to go with Dragon Princes instead of Silver Helms, because let's face it, those are stupid looking models. The new plastic Dragon Princes are great looking kits. Here is the list that I'm going to begin with:

1 Prince on Elven steed w/ Ogre Blade
10 Archers w/ full command
15 Spearmen w/ full command
10 Sword Masters of Hoeth w/ full command
5 Dragon Princes w/ full command
1 Repeater Bolt Thrower

The list does not have any magic, but I figured one step at a time. Plus, both my mages were absolutely useless yesterday. So in future posts, I'll add updates to this project and hopefully include a little fictional background as well. In the meantime, I'm re-reading the army book and payings specific attention to the unit entries that are in this starting force.

I got that game in with my buddy Jon today. He brought Chaos Warriors against my High Elves. The game started out will, I gunned down his Marauder Horseman in pretty short order, but that was the extent of my success. I won't get into the details, but by the end of the third turn, I was down to just my level 2 Mage. Nothing went right. So it's back to the drawing board, 'cause my list sucked.

I still haven't given up on the High Elves. I am convinced that there is a way to a winning army. I'm thinking of dropping my Ellyrian Reavers (2 units of 5) and going with a nice block of 10 Dragon Princes and maybe give up some finesse and sink some points into a Dragon Mage as well. Lothern Sea Guard totally crapped the bed for me, so I'm dropping those in favor of some cheaper Spearmen. Those are just some initial thoughts. My losing list today was:

Noble - no magic itmes
Level 2 Mage
Level 1 Mage
10 Archers w/ champion
20 Swordmasters w/ command and banner of sorcery
20 LSG w/ command
5 Ellyrian Reavers
5 Ellyrian Reavers
1 Bolt Thrower

I just finished reading Victories of the Space Marines, the latest edition in the series of short story anthologies from Black Library. I really enjoyed this third volume. Some of the tales featured a great piece about the Grey Knights and sacrifices made to battle daemons. Excellent story. Loved it. It was also good to see the Blood Angels audio drama, Heart of Rage in print. That one's my favorite Blood Angels story. Some of the chapters features were the Crimson Consuls, Warbringers, Imperial Fists and a Deathwatch Kill Team. I finished this book just in time to pick up the latest Space Marines Battle novel, Battle of the Fang. Of course, this will probably launch me back into Space Wolves (yes, I've prepared a 750-point list). With the rumors about the next Imperial Armour volume featuring the sons of Russ, I couldn't resist.

On the hobby front, I got three of my Grey Knight Strike Squad painted today. I mean completely painted. That includes basing and a couple of coats of sealer. I can't remember the last time I painted three models in a single day.

Tomorrow, I'm playing a game of Warhammer Fantasy against my buddy Jon. 1500 points of High Elves against Warriors of Chaos. I'm guessing I'll get stomped, but it'll be a fun time in any case.

Looks like GW has confirmed the move to Resin-ish models. Amen. Personally, I hate metals. Below is a list of the initial product list, couresy of BOLS. I can't wait to get my hands on some of these items. The new stuff is reportedly hitting the shelves at the end of the month. But instead of a price decrease as rumored by one of the GW staffers, there seems to be a price hike, but I expected nothing less. The items in red are definitely going to be my first choices. I wonder if the sculpts will be new?

41-60 COMMANDER DANTE £10.50 53-60 LOGAN GRIMNAR £14.50
55-61 THE EMPERORS CHAMPION £9.50
48-63 SPACE MARINE CHAPLAIN WITH JUMP PACK £10.50
44-60 DARK ANGELS COMPANY MASTER £10.50
48-61 SM LIBRARIAN IN TERMINATOR ARMOUR £14.50 53-61 NJAL STORMCALLER £14.50 41-61 ASTORATH THE GRIM £12.50
43-60 ABADDON THE DESPOILER £14.50
43-61 HURON BLACKHEART £10.50
50-61 ORK WARBOSS WITH ATTACK SQUIG £14.50
50-63 ORK BIG MEK £14.50
50-65 ORK PAINBOY WITH GROT ORDERLY £10.50
46-61 ELDAR AUTARCH WITH POWER WEAPON £10.50
46-62 THE AVATAR OF KHAINE £22.50
46-63 HARLEQUIN DEATH JESTER £10.50
46-64 HARLEQUIN SHADOWSEER £10.50
47-61 COMMISSAR YARRICK £10.50
47-63 IMPERIAL GUARD LORD COMMISSAR £9.50
51-61 TYRANID ZOANTHROPE £15.50
51-63 TYRANID TYRANT GUARD £15.50
51-64 TYRANID HIVE GUARD £15.50
51-65 TYRANID BROODLORD £15.50
57-61 BROTHER CAPTAIN STERN £14.50
57-60 LORD KALDOR DRAIGO £14.50 57-62 CASTELLAN CROWE £10.50 57-63 INQUISITOR COTEAZ £10.50
45-60 DARK ELDAR ARCHON £9.50
45-64 LELITH HESPERAX £10.50
45-63 URIEN RAKARTH £10.50
45-61 DARK ELDAR SUCCUBUS £9.50
56-60 TAU ETHEREAL WITH HONOUR BLADE £9.50
83-62 CHAOS EXALTED HERO £9.50
83-63 CHAOS KHORNE EXALTED HERO £10.50
86-60 EMPIRE CAPTAIN WITH HAMMER & PISTOL £9.50
92-60 WOOD ELF HIGHBORN WITH GREAT WEAPON £9.50
84-60 DWARF LORD WITH HAMMER & SHIELD £9.50
84-61 DWARF RUNELORD WITH GREAT WEAPON £9.50
90-60 SKAVEN WARLORD £9.50
90-61 QUEEK HEADTAKER £10.50
90-62 DEATHMASTER SNIKCH £10.50
91-61 VAMPIRE LORD £9.50
89-60 GRIMGOR IRONHIDE £10.50
89-62 BLACK ORC BIG BOSS £10.50
87-60 CARADRYAN £10.50
85-61 DARK ELF ASSASSIN WITH TWO HAND WEAPONS £9.50
81-60 MALAGOR THE DARK OMEN £12.50
10-61 URUK-HAI WITH CROSSBOWS £14.00
10-62 URUK-HAI BERSERKERS £14.00
08-61 GOTHMOG (PELENNOR) £20.50
05-60 ELROND AND GIL-GALAD £15.00
10-60 SARUMAN AND GRIMA £15.00
02-60 GANDALF THE WHITE £20.50
04-60 ARAGORN (THE BLACK GATE) £20.50
04-62 THEODEN (HELM’S DEEP) £20.50
04-61 BOROMIR (ITHILIEN) £20.50
09-60 SULADAN THE SERPENT LORD £20.50
08-62 THE DARK MARSHAL (RINGWRAITH) £20.50
05-61 DAIN AND BALIN £15.00
97-60 SKULLTAKER £14.50
48-40 MARNEUS CALGAR AND HONOUR GUARD £36.00
48-41 SPACE MARINE TECHMARINE WITH SERVITORS £25.50 55-40 BLACK TEMPLARS SWORD BRETHREN SQUAD £25.50 48-42 SPACE MARINE STERNGUARD VETERAN SQUAD £25.50 48-43 SPACE MARINE VANGUARD VETERAN SQUAD £25.50 53-40 CANIS WOLFBORN £30.00
43-40 NURGLE DAEMON PRINCE £21.50
43-41 CHAOS SPACE MARINE RAPTORS £25.50
43-42 DEATH GUARD PLAGUE MARINES £25.50
50-43 BOSS ZAGSTRUK £14.50
50-40 GHAZGHKULL THRAKA £22.50
50-41 ORK TANKBUSTAS £25.50
50-42 ORK BIG MEK WITH SHOKK ATTACK GUN £23.00
46-41 ELDAR RANGERS £20.50
46-42 ELDAR DARK REAPERS £23.00
46-44 ELDAR STRIKING SCORPIONS £23.00
46-40 ELDAR FARSEER AND WARLOCKS £20.50
51-42 TYRANID LICTOR £15.50
51-40 TYRANID HIVE TYRANT £36.00
51-41 TYRANID PYROVORE £21.50
45-40 DARK ELDAR INCUBI £23.00
45-41 DARK ELDAR MANDRAKES £20.50
56-40 TAU SNIPER DRONE TEAM £23.00
83-42 ARCHAON THE EVERCHOSEN £30.00
83-43 CHAOS LORD ON DAEMONIC MOUNT £22.50
83-41 CHAOS DRAGON OGRE SHAGGOTH £36.00
86-41 LUDWIG SCHWARZHELM £22.50
86-40 KURT HELBORG £22.50
82-41 THE GREEN KNIGHT £22.50
82-40 KING LOUEN LEONCOEUR £30.00
92-42 WOOD ELVES TREE KIN £30.00
92-40 ORION KING IN THE WOODS £22.50
92-41 WOOD ELVES TREEMAN £36.00
84-40 THOREK IRONBROW £36.00
84-41 DWARF GYROCOPTER £23.00
84-42 DWARF BOLT THROWER £23.00
90-40 SKAVEN WARPLOCK JEZZAILS £30.00
91-40 VAMPIRE COUNTS VARGHULF £21.50
91-42 COUNT MANNFRED £22.50
91-41 VAMPIRE COUNTS BLOOD KNIGHTS £61.50
88-41 KROQ GAR £40.00
89-44 GOBLIN SPEAR CHUKKA £18.50
89-43 SAVAGE ORC GREAT SHAMAN ON WAR BOAR £15.50
89-41 ORC WARBOSS ON WYVERN £40.00
89-42 GOBLIN ROCK LOBBER £23.00
89-45 GORBAD IRONCLAW £30.00
89-40 AZHAG THE SLAUGHTERER £55.00
85-41 DARK ELVES REAPER BOLT THROWER £18.50
08-40 THE DARK LORD SAURON £25.50
08-42 GULAHVAR THE TERROR OF ARNOR £30.00
08-43 MORDOR TROLL CHIEFTAIN £25.50
02-40 THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING £37.00
97-42 FLAMERS OF TZEENTCH £15.50

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I made my foray back into Warhammer Fantasy. I made a kick around list, just to get my feet wet. That list included a High Elf Noble. Well, I have finished painting that model and gave him a name.

Galdiril of Nagarythe was once numbered among the deadliest warriors in the ranks of the Shadow Warriors. He recently saved the life of a High Elf Prince against an Orc warband and was granted a title and given command of a small detachment.

I used standard GW paints for this model. I couldn't really decide on the colors of the base until I saw the Island of Blood demo models painted up at one of the Games Workshops nearby and decided to go with that. I want to keep this army a bit darker than the traditional 'shining silver' of the High Elves.

...in three years. And it was fun. So I finally got my first game of Fantasy in over three years. We were unable to complete the game to time constraints. By that I mean GW has some real sissy hours of operation and kicked us out at 9pm. Which is BS, because many of us work for a living and can't get there until 7pm anyway. But I digress.

Anyway, I played a 1500 pt game against a new friend of mine. He ran an Orcs &Goblins list and I went with my High Elves. We were both pretty much newbies and so we didn't have much painted and we muddled our way through the rules, so there were no photos. This time.

My army consisted of a Noble, 2 Mages, 2 units of LSG, 2 units of Reavers, 5 Shadow Warriors, a Bolt Thrower and 15 Swordmasters. If memory serves, he brought along 4 characters, 10 Spider Riders, a Giant, a ton of Goblin Archers and Goblin Spearmen, a Doom Diver and block of Boyz. The game was pretty even of the two and a half turns until right before we got tossed out. My friend got ahead of me when I charged his Boyz with my Swordmasters and forgot that I get to re-roll misses because of my high initiative AND Speed of Asuryan. But that's what happens when you don't know how to play your army. Although, I did take out the Doom Diver and I shot up his Spider Riders pretty bad before losing my Shadow Warriors.

Anyway, it was fun getting out and playing and I look forward to the next battle. Nick was a great opponent.

This Wednesday I will at long last have the time to pull up a stool, sit down and play some Warhammer. It's Warhammer Fantasy, but hey, I'm not complaining. It's been a long time since I've been able to play a game, but at long last the planets are aligned and the moon will be full (I think). By that I mean that the kids don't have any activity and my wife is off.

So...I'm playing a 1500 pt game of Fantasy; my High Elves against Orcs & Goblins. I never played against that army before, so it should be fun. If anyone has any tips - let me know. Anyway, I have a ton of stuff to do. I've got a 1000 point list that I need to upgrade, which will in ally likelihood involve, at the very least, building some more models.

I've got two days to get a ton of stuff done: Brush up on rules, update my list, assemble a couple of custom bases, build a unit or two, and if there's time - paint some stuff.

I got a heads up from my old gaming buddies and I just saw the newest kit from Warhammer Forge. Tamurkhan on Toad Dragon. Man, this kit is bad ass! Part of the Chaos army, this is by far one of the cool Fantasy models to come from Forge World yet. Maybe it's because I'm in Daemon slaying mode or something, but wouldn't it be cool to put this piece on a round base and have the Grey Knights beat the crap out of it?!

I recently got back in touch with my old gaming group, who at the time was heavy into 40k and Blood Bowl. Well now it seems that they have made their foray into Warhammer Fantasy. They've invited me to get in a few games, which I'm excited about. I haven't played in a couple of years. My plan was to jump back in with my High Elves. But the group is small and they already have a high elf player. Damn.

I've got a bunch of Lizardmen that I have not built, so I will probably start working on that project in order to get back into fantasy. I guess it won't hurt to have two Fantasy armies anyway. Better pull out the Lizardman book.

I was trying to figure out ways to bolster my Swordmasters and Lothern Sea Guard and it never even occured to me to check eBay. Well, to make a long story short, I found a unit on ebay for a very reasonable price. While this saves me about $90, by not having to purchase another Island of Blood box, I am a teeny, tiny regretful that I didn't get a set of skaven for myself.

Anyway, they came today, so now I can boost that unit. Enemies of Ulthuan beware. I just need another set of LSG.