Use of Monstrous Creatures in 8th Edition WHF (Guest Article)

8^th edition has made the big beasties incredibly stronger but are they really that strong and cost effective?

On their own they are but if you put them in a bigger perspective they are not. A block (3-6) of minotaurs or trolls is great to kill a war machine or some cavalry but against a unit of 30 infantry their chances decrease enormously. They still can shred them but steadfast and at least 10 attacks (probably more) will make a bigger comb.res. and since big beasties don’t have the best LD (4 for trolls) they will run away easily and then you have 200+ points in a position where you don’t want it.

Therefore you want to pair your units of monstrous infantry or cavalry with a nice and sturdy block of infantry. As example I will take the Khorne Deamons army of the studio. In the last battle report against the High Elves the Bloodcrushers didn’t get back their points value at all, that’s because Shawn rushed them forwards (which is almost never a smart move), you should keep you battleline a line as much as possible and then in the same turn storm forward. In the Deamons army you should charge with the Bloodletters in front and hit with some monstrous cav. in the sides (not to break ranks just to have more comb.res.). This will mean that you got 2 charges, 1 flank, some ranks and 1 or 2 banners. That means a static combat res. of 5+ and a lot of attacks (and stomp attacks) left to increase it and break your opponent, once that is done the monstrous inf. or cav. probably has a higher movement and is likely to catch your opponent. Meaning you got your victory points.

This is of course not fail proof, you could miss your charge or lose the combat, if that happens your opponent still has to make a choice, does he charge the monsters or the infantry, either way he is getting the one or the latter in the flank next turn. And that is what it’s all about, being sure of your own actions and letting your opponent make a choice with the dilemmas you put forward.

Martijn

Menoth (Guest Article)

Get Started with Warmachine!

Looking for an inexpensive and fun tabletop miniatures game? Warmachine MKII, by Privateer Press, might be exactly what you are looking for!


Warmachine is set in the fantasy realm of the Iron Kingdoms. The game mechanics feature a magical spell caster, called a warcaster, and his retinue of gigantic steam-powered golems, called warjacks.


To start skirmishing, all you need is the rule book, a warcaster model, and a handful of warjacks. Conveniently, Privateer Press offers reasonably priced battlegroup-sized miniatures kits. Each battlegroup comes with a warcaster and his or her personal retinue of warjacks. Plus, you also get quick start rules.


You may choose a battlegroup from any one of the four major factions in the game: the prosperous and technologically advanced Cygnar, the northern Khador, the dark and undead Cryx, or the crusading Protectorate of Menoth.


Protectorate of Menoth was my choice. I enjoy their religiously devout, crusading background fluff. Although Menoth units are sometimes weaker than those fielded by their enemies, their units may be combined in synergistic ways on the tabletop— making playing Menoth rewarding, challenging, and exciting all at the same time!


Over time, you may add models to your battlegroup. You may collect additional warcasters and warjacks, or even add troop selections and independent models of amazing variety. Your battlegroup may grow into a formidable army!


Blue Table Painting is more than happy to help you get started with Warmachine troop selection ideas and painting services.


Right now, I am eyeing the new “Scourge of Heresy” Heavy warjack kit as a possible expansion to my Menoth battlegroup. Watch out, Cygnar players!


Campbell Venn

BTP Correspondent


[If you like this article, email Shawn at bluetablepainting@gmail.com]

Rain Forest Elves

Wood Elves are an old love of mine. And now that they are considered a bottom-tier army (possible the bottom-most with Competition from Brettonians), no one can complain if I manage to take them to the cleaners.

As usual, I can't just do the regular thing.

I thought about doing desert-themed wood elves, but that seemed like it might be a tad plain. I have settled on Rain Forest theme. That will be dark and bright greens to contrast with splashes of color: true red and dusky orange.

Warhawk Riders = Giant Dragonfly Riders
Giant Eagle = Hunter Dragonfly
Forest Dragon = War Toucan (or maybe a War Frog since flying creatures actually hop more than fly)

Shrunken heads
Lizardmen-type aztec accountrements and totems

I'm using Privateer Press Megaliths for Treemen, and Woldwatchers as Treekin. And I'm thinking of the new Wold Guardian as a Treeman Ancient.

Wood Elf Tactics

Check here.

"Do not try to duplicate powerhouse characters from other armies. You are simply not going to get a character that can win a fair fight with a properly kitted Dwarf Lord or something. This is normal. Wood Elves can’t ever win fair fights, the entire trick of playing Wood Elves is to make sure all the fights are unfair."

Also found this great article on "Sethayla" tactics.

Forge World Now In

I have about five projects waiting for FW stuff. Those are now out of the gate.

• Khorne Daemon Prince
• Chaos Spiked Beast
• Space Marine MK3 armor and accessories (still waiting on shoulderpads from other company)
• Vulture Gunship
• R'alai
• Broadside

I need a client who would be willing to order Forge World stuff for us, sending it directly to the studio, and willing to accept a credit in exchange for this. This would be at a higher rate of +20%. For example: you order $500 worth of Forge World stuff* that we need and we give you a credit of $600 for painting and assembly. If interested drop me an email.

We order about $500-1500 worth of FW each month.

*ie $500 is the actual amount you are charged. We will cover and expand at 20% all related charges.

Dangerous Social Net

Here's how it works. Every month, as a business owner, I have to write a check for many thousands of dollars to the IRS. This is called with-holding. I am effectively a tax collector per force. If I do not collect it or do not pay it, it doesn't take long for the notice to come-- a threat against my life (time/effort) and property (money). The money then goes to the Federal Government where those who are more virtuous than I decide how it is to be used best.

This is income tax. It is a tax levied on the labor of the common man. Not a tariff on a foreign entity, nor a tax on a for-profit corporation. There is a difference.

My objection to social programs is the "who should administrate". I believe that the individual or even a business owner is better suited to do it. I believe there should be a social safety net, but the Feds are not competent or worthy to hold it. The neighborhood is competent and worthy to hold it.

A worker of mine chipped a filling but didn't have $150 on hand to have it fixed. I would have preferred to have that with-holding money to just write her a check. A worker of mine had a sinus infection. I would have rather just pulled money out of the coffers to take care of this.

Instead, as a group, we have to pay twice. We pay tribute to the Feds and we have to take care of ourselves.

The same regulation and heavy-handedness that is meant to moderate the wealth-gathering of huge corporations also hurts very small businesses like my own in a very real way. I call this "dolphins in the nets".

Again, I believe in the common man. I believe in the goodness of the Average American. If left to our own devices I believe we would do good on the whole out of our own free will and choice.

This interview with Ayn Rand brought to the fore of my mind a few things that have been percolating in my brain. I'm not saying it's right. But there it is. What do you think?

Be sure to listen to it twice or three times. It take a few takes to digest.





Hey Shawn,

Just a quick opinion on they video you posted a couple of days ago: I believe history have proven her wrong, at least in some points. Mainly, welfare and industrial regulation are not "bringing the world (or single countries for that matter) to disaster". My assertion is backed by the fact that the country I live in (Denmark) has one of the worlds most comprehensive welfare programmes - and yet has maintained the position as one of the most prosperous and rich societies. (Of course, with the recent and pending economic crisis/collapse no "fiat economies" are safe, but that is another matter.) I'm not saying the same extensive welfare system would provide the same benefits when implemented in other (larger) countries/systems. Personally I think the further the citizen is from his/her democracy, the more corruption and waste of Resources(tax) occurs. I resent the current movement in Europe towards centralized sovereignty in the EU and I whole-heartedly support your wish for a minimal federal government. In my mental Utopia the only legislation comes from a county/city-state level of power, and individual cities are absolutely free to implement whatever regulation they wish (You could have complete communism, extreme corporatism, fiat currency or not, etc.). On the other hands I believe it should be easier for every citizen to revoke the personal "contract" that we all essentially have to our government, and then move to a city that fits better, politically, culturally, and so on.

To return to the subject - I just wanted to point out that personal freedom is not necessarily in opposition to welfare politics.

Please keep the political inputs coming on your blog :-)

Regards,
LC

Power Core Ogres

Shawn,

I just wanted to let you know that even though my army isn't your average rank and file. I still am going to try something that you might find rather nasty. My plan is to have a Ogre Army core unit (Ogre Bulls) that is 18 models in size. Each rank is 6 across so that the Ogres get the benefits of being a horde. I did a test with dice on this unit last night against some Dwarves with double handed weapons, and they did very well. The Dwarf unit was a core unit, and was 50 units in ranks of ten, and the unit of 18 Ogres made them route after the second round of close combat.

Here is what happens when all 18 of these successfully charge a unit. The bull charge does six strength 6 impact hits. Then every bull in the unit does all of their attacks. Without a champion that is 54 attacks at weapon skill 3 strength 4. Then they get their six stomp attacks when the combat is over. That is 66 attacks on the charge using 18 guys. Not bad if I do say so. I have eighteen Ogre Bulls and am going to use this unit on Sunday against Dwarves. I will let you know how it fares.

David

Student Loan Thing

Just realized the graphic I posted a few days back didn't expand properly when clicked.

Here's a much better version.

Ya-hikes!

What is going on over in the UK that this seems to be the concept of the female form? Or is this a dude? Please tell me it's a dude.

All of GW's female sculpts (possible exception last metal Daemonettes, but even they had some serious yikes factor with those feet) are pretty intimidating. All burly muscles and spiked corsets.

Now, the French seem to have it right:

Some of the Reasons I think College is a Giant Waste of Human Life

...unless your parents are paying for everything, then by all means go. You're only wasting your time then.

I graduated from college in 1999 with a degree in Spanish. I will be eighty years old when my student loans are paid off.

As follows (you got to click on it):

Wood Elf Shooting Strategy

[This from a viewer]

Hello Shawn,

I'm not sure if you already do this but here's a tactic I've found very useful with small unit shooting armies in 8th edition:

Normally you only get 2-3 rounds of shooting, but failed charges don't move very far at all. The strategy is to move a couple of units forward from your main line to bait charges and then flee. You have to be very careful about the ranges as being caught is especially bad. But if you start near their maximum charge range there's very little to worry about. Another complication is that they can redirect and force several of your units to have to flee. Placement of your units, in this case, is key. I'm not sure how well this tactic works with wood elves as I'm not as familiar with their leadership value. With dwarves it's outstanding. They don't move that far and even if they move through an ally, none of the other units are likely to run. And they're almost certainly going to rally next round.

You can really slow down your enemy if you can manage to force them into trying to make long charges and failing. And if they go for short charges, your units are small enough to get blown through in a round. They either overrun into wide open shooting territory, or reform to face another of your units. In either case you get another round of shooting on them.
So, as you can see, while march blocking and redirecting are much more difficult in 8th edition, you can still slow down approaching armies. Having cavalry move 3-4 inches forward every turn because your target keeps fleeing is frustrating. Also, as I'm sure you can see, there are a lot of complications that come up with the strategy so you need to be very careful about placement and distance. It's not easy, but when successful it can be
devastating.

Also, on a completely unrelated note (though I guess partially related to "weak" armies in 8th edition warhammer), I *highly* recommend watching OnceBitten360's Brettonian battle reports on YouTube if you haven't already seen them. I happened upon them looking for how people play the army successfully in this edition and was not disappointed.
Jason Patton

Beastly

General Conference is also a great time to make army lists! Here's what I came up with for Beastmen along the lines of the Power Core concept.

Twenty (20) units of six Ungor Skirmishers. Ten deploy, ten in Ambush. That's a total of 120 figures.
1x Taurox
1x Gorebull BSB
1x Gorebull Hero
4x Minotaurs with two hand weapons
2x Ghorgons

Easy, put the Ungors out one at a time in the middle roughly until your opponent is completely deployed, then drop the big boys all on one side and proceed to roll up the flank. I need to try this at least one time before I die.

We can create this army for $1900 everything included. Limited quantity = 1.

General Conference

I'm watching General Conference right now. What a great day to stay at home and be with family!

Night Sky

Last night I had a dream that I was staying the night in a cabin* in the hills east of Ashland (not my normal location for Ashland dreams). I was playing cards with Cameron and some other people that were staying there. I looked outside and noticed that the stars were much brighter and more numerous than normal. I called the others out to the grassy hill and then to the west as I made the turn around the building I saw the galactic core hovering in the sky. Then a woman noticed to the north a star even brighter than the others, I almost had to turn away. She thought it was Venus.

After we went back inside it started to rain, harder than I have ever seen rain. I went outside again. It felt like I was in the shower with my clothes on.

*it was more like a four-room hospital or recovery center with windows nearly taking up the entire wall in places, and lots of plants.

Power Core

Recently I've been thinking of the various army books and how 8th edition may have changed everything. It's obvious that the rank and file warriors are now the heart of the game, but I don't think that has really sunk in.

The main change is that the second rank now gets a piece of the action. For archers this means something important: reduced frontage.

When making an army, most people look at the core and think "how can I fill the minimum requirement of 25% and then move on to the good stuff?" What if that were reversed? What if you made a 2500 point army where 2300 is spent on Core units?

Armies like Skaven and Empire perhaps we think of having 100 or maybe even 200 figures. But what about an army like High Elves? What about 150 Sea Guard? I'm thinking of trying a Wood Elf army with 140 Glade Guard. They can move and shoot without penalty and have Glade Guard Longbows (S4 at close range). That still leaves room for a pair of Treemen to dish out a beat down.

And Beastmen with 200 Ungor Raiders (only using 1250 pts). Granted their low leadership means a possible domino effect for fleeing, but maybe not since half can come in as Ambushers and move around the sides.

I'd like to at least try it with proxies. I have 160 goblins done up. And the rest can be whatever.

Silver Certificates

I dream of paying my workers in commodity-backed currency.

It is technically legal to pay workers in cash. But it's not really *wink* legal according to the IRS. I get that sometimes from my accountants; "Shawn, you can do that, it's legal but the IRS doesn't like it." What happened to rule of law?

But I've found that what the IRS likes or doesn't like really does matter because they have inquisitorial power. For example: when an examiner (read: auditor) rules against you in a review, you can appeal. Who decides the appeal? The exact same examiner. It's a joke.

This system makes sure that payroll goes through the banks-- that they have that money available to inflate into debt and saddle the commoners with it.

The IRS should be abolished, the 16th amendment repealed, and the income tax replaced with nothing. This could happen if the Federal Government were half (or a third, depending on who you ask) the current size. The government should rely on tariffs and be strictly limited to its enumerated powers.



And now a few words related to the rebirth of the Republican Party. Rachel asks the right question here "will this ultimately strengthen or weaken the R. Party?"

Khorne is Displeased

I decided that my Khorne Daemons army needed some magic in it so I whipped up a Khorne-themed Sorceror (to represent a Herald of Tzeentch on Disc).

See pics here

My first game he got killed on the first turn and I got completely tabled.

Anyhoo, as you all know I'm selling this army. I've decided to peel off the Flesh-hounds and reduce the price back down to the original cost of $1150. The hounds will be a separate lot. And the Sorceror a separate lot as well.

Confetti

We are currently in the process of putting up many dozens of figures (probably more than a hundred) as individual lots.

Check here for pics and pricing.

As usual, ship is just $9 in the US and $25 overseas for any number of models.

Shawn

Abomination

Got a Khorne-themed herald of Tzeentch on disc being worked on. A Khorne Wizard. Yes. This is happening.

Ron Paul, Champion of Liberty talks a lick of sense

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQts21QiKTQ&feature=grec_index

Undead Army Ready to March

I've got an Undead army in the studio, ready to paint.

Here's what's in it:
2x Vampire Lords (current edition, one is Vlad model the other a vampire assassin from the Mordheim range)
2x Corpse Cart
80x Zombies
28x Skeletons
18x Grave Guard
17x Ghouls
8x Dire Wolves
13x Fell Bats
2x Varghulfs

Obviously you may want to add or drop models. The special here is that basic infantry are $5 each for painting L3 ($4 each for painting L2) and $1.50 each for assembly. Cost of models at 30% off. Probably in the $1300-1700 range to get it all done even then. Note that it's a LOT of infantry.

Unless you add something (I can't get locally) we can get started right away.

Dark Eldar Army Book Scuttlebutt

http://www.mi40k.com/?p=952

Khorne Daemons Revised

Got this Khorne Daemon army up for sale. Check here for details:
http://www.bluetablepainting.com/view_gallery.php?galleryID=3770

Contact Shawn at bluetablepainting@gmail.com if you have questions or want to buy it.

This army works surprisingly well and is a ton of fun to play.

Here is the army list that I used in the game against High Elves. I played another game later that night which was not recorded. If I changed the list I would drop a unit of Bloodcrushers and add a Sorceror of Tzeentch on Disc (Master of Sorcery, Lore of Life). This gave a HUGE boost to the army in the form of some ranged support and substantive boosts to the Bloodletter units. When the Bloodletters have Toughness FIVE that's a force to be reckoned with.

2500 Pts - Daemons of Chaos Roster

Bloodthirster (1#, 525 pts)
1 Bloodthirster of Khorne @ 525 pts (General; Hand Weapon; Causes Fear; Causes Terror; Daemonic; Flyer; Immune to Psychology; Large Target; Magic Resistance (2))
1 Obsidain Armour
1 Immortal Fury

Herald of Khorne (1#, 150 pts)
1 Herald of Khorne @ 150 pts (Hand Weapon; Locus of Khorne; Causes Fear; Daemonic; Hatred; Immune to Psychology; Killing Blow; Magic Resistance (1))
1 Obsidain Armour

Herald of Khorne (1#, 225 pts)
1 Herald of Khorne (Battle Standard Bearer) @ 225 pts (Hand Weapon; Locus of Khorne; Battle Standard Bearer; Causes Fear; Daemonic; Hatred; Immune to Psychology; Killing Blow; Magic Resistance (1))
1 Great Standard of Sundering
1 Obsidain Armour

Skulltaker (1#, 150 pts)
1 Skulltaker @ 150 pts (Flaming Attacks; Hand Weapon; Causes Fear; Daemonic; Hatred; Immune to Psychology; Killing Blow)
1 Cloak of Skulls

Bloodletters of Khorne (24#, 343 pts)
23 Bloodletters of Khorne @ 343 pts (Hand Weapon; Musician Mus; Standard Bearer Std; Daemonic Icons; Causes Fear; Daemonic; Immune to Psychology; Killing Blow; Magic Resistance (1))
1 Bloodreaper (Hand Weapon)
1 Icon of Endless War

Bloodletters of Khorne (24#, 343 pts)
23 Bloodletters of Khorne @ 343 pts (Hand Weapon; Musician Mus; Standard Bearer Std; Daemonic Icons; Causes Fear; Daemonic; Immune to Psychology; Killing Blow; Magic Resistance (1))
1 Bloodreaper (Hand Weapon)
1 Icon of Endless War

Bloodcrushers of Khorne (3#, 260 pts)
2 Bloodcrushers of Khorne @ 260 pts (Hand Weapon; Musician Mus; Standard Bearer Std; Causes Fear; Daemonic; Immune to Psychology; Killing Blow; Magic Resistance (1))
1 Bloodreaper (Hand Weapon)
1 Juggernaut of Khorne (Brass Behemoth; Causes Fear; Daemonic; Immune to Psychology; Killing Blow; Magic Resistance (1))

Bloodcrushers of Khorne (3#, 260 pts)
2 Bloodcrushers of Khorne @ 260 pts (Hand Weapon; Musician Mus; Standard Bearer Std; Causes Fear; Daemonic; Immune to Psychology; Killing Blow; Magic Resistance (1))
1 Bloodreaper (Hand Weapon)
1 Juggernaut of Khorne (Brass Behemoth; Causes Fear; Daemonic; Immune to Psychology; Killing Blow; Magic Resistance (1))

Flesh Hounds of Khorne (6#, 250 pts)
5 Flesh Hounds of Khorne @ 250 pts (Hand Weapon; Causes Fear; Daemonic; Immune to Psychology; Magic Resistance (3))
1 Karanak, Hound of Vengeance (Hand Weapon; Causes Fear; Daemonic; Hatred; Immune to Psychology)

Validation Report:
Army Subtype: Daemons of Chaos; Edition: 8th Edition; Game Type: Normal Game
Total points exceed maximum allowed roster size (max 2500).

Total Roster Cost: 2506

Created with Army Builder® - Try it for free at http://www.wolflair.com

Mad Dash

I must apologize publicly: if you are waiting on a response from me via email, I will get back to you soon. I plan on hitting the ground running tomorrow.

Reason? I played two games of Warhammer Fantasy today. I was jones-ing for like four days with no opponent. The game with Josh is partially up right now. It was a nailbiter with a surprise ending, so stay tuned for that.

I played another game with Skymarshall Anonymo tonight and that was pretty awesome. On turn three Wulfrik showed up with a horde of fifty marauders. Same turn my Bloodthirster killed a Shaggoth nearby and Wulfrik and his boys headed back to the ships with a failed panic check. It was sad. Just one of those moments.

Tomorrow is game night at the studio and I think it's time to bust out the Industrial Orcs.

Milk

I look forward to Mondays. Yesterday I started work right at the crack of dawn, catching up with emails. I wolfed down some Life cereal and headed down to the studio.

I've started watching The Office season one. I've stopped. That show is pure genius but it just makes me cringe. That Schrute guy quite literally gives me nightmares.

Having caught up on Saturday I really didn't have that much to do today, just keep up. I hung out downstairs for a while. We are planning a Magic draft on Friday. I am firmly against playing Magic at the studio. It's a real time-waster. But a draft should be OK.

I got Josh to bust out his High Elves and I took to the battlefield with the Khorne Daemons army. That batrep has yet to be processed but it is coming.

On the personal front all is well. Willow and I watch Ponyo as a ritual every morning and every night. I just love spending time with her. She is coming up on two years old now. She loves milk and drinks a ton.

I've had chronic headaches for a few weeks now, which is of great concern to me. I don't know what's going on. I'm trying different things because there is a limited number of possibilities. I suspect that they are tension headaches from looking at a bright computer screen too long. My wife figured out how to reduce the Brightness which seems to be helping.

I have two Eldar Super-heavy tanks on the block; a Scorpion II and a Cobra II (both the newest edition). $120 each unpainted and $280 each painted to spec.

Unless you've been under a rock you've seen the Dark Eldar. I am beside myself with excitement and we're definitely doing a studio DE army.

Flames of War Terrain

See more pics.

Tactica: Mopping Up

[Got this in from a viewer. Anyone else want to make a comment?]

Hello Shawn,

I love watching your battle reports (and they're actually one of the reasons that I now play the game). Your last one was excellent and I wanted to say two things. First, your batreps are great for learning how to play the game as well as how to have fun while losing (or winning graciously). While a lot of people claim you make more mistakes than most games, my experience is that the only difference between your mistakes and the ones that occur in a
regular game is that yours are on video. It's a complicated game and even in tournaments people forget or misremember rules.

My second note had to do with some comments at the end of the game. You mentioned the new rules regarding not getting victory points for half dead or fleeing units. I've heard a lot of complaints about these rules online and from local players. But I'm a big fan. I'd suggest bringing a small fast unit or two with the goal of getting them into your opponent's backfield and running down fleeing units. I tend to use mine in the early game to hunt down my opponent's skirmishers and warmachines and then in the late game I'll try to get them behind units that I think I may break. Be careful about how close you put them because being fled through generally means you won't be able to charge them and force them off the table. Facing and distance matters, but if you can manage to get a unit back there doing clean-up duty you can score a lot of extra points.

Thanks again for all the videos and keep up the good work!

Always a blast,
JP

Bretonnians

Got some Bretonnians on the block. Some are already in the For Sale gallery. The following from a chat:

me: All unpainted, but assembled and ready to paint.
17x Knights

1x Knight heroes

1x Green Knight

3x Pegasus Knights

1x mounted Damsel

1x Trebuchet

5x Questing Knights

12x Men at Arms

14x Bowmen

me: 14x Bowmen (painted-- separate item)

10x Men at Arms (painted-- separate item)

For the unpainted items: $180

$105 for painted bowmen x14

$75 for painted Men at Arms x10

me: The items are already assembled so you wouldn't pay for that either.

The Forgotten

What happens when a company of Red Scorpions is stranded on a patchwork inhabited alien planet for eighty years after the war is over? Over time they scavenge equipment, build up a fortress city called Khadesh and a thriving city packed with natives and other holdovers from mercenary actions grows up around it.

This army is for sale now: $850

Oriental Army For Sale

Got an army on the block. It is a themed Oriental army using the Empire rules. All bases and armament are appropriate and should be good with approval for most tournaments. It all makes sense.

See more pics.

Army includes
1x Hero on foot
2x Battle Wizard on foot
1x General of the Empire on Imperial Dragon (uses Karl Franz entry)
10x Warrior Scribes (can be crew for war machines, stand in as warriors priests or formed together as a small unit of flagellants)
40x Swordsmen (two command sections included)
20x Halberdiers/Spearmen (no command, used as detachments)
40x Archers
2x Hellstorm Rocket Battery

Cost is $890 (shipped in US, overseas is extra +$15-35). Want to buy it? Contact Shawn at bluetablepainting@gmail.com for availability. I will accept splitting it into two payments. (Normal price would be around $1800)

Depending on how you run it the army weighs in at 1750-2000 pts.

Options:
1) add anything you want = contact Shawn at bluetablepainting@gmail.com
2) add magnetized movement trays for whole army = +$132
3) add an oriental-themed war machine (any kind with crew) = +$85
4) add 6x oriental-themed war machine crew = +$40
5) add oriental-themed Master Engineer = +$21

What the army really needs to just round it out is 2-4 War Machines.

The FAQ for Hellstorm Rocket Battery makes it an absolute killing machine. Note that it is S5 hit to everything touched by the 5" template. When this thing hits it can wipe out whole squads.

Page 49 – Helstorm Rocket Battery
Ignore all of the text that follows the profile for the Helstorm
Rocket Battery and crew, and replace it with:
“The Helstorm Rocket Battery is a stone thrower, except that it
uses the large round template and has the following profile:
Name Range Strength Special Rules

Helstorm 12-48" 5(5) Inaccurate (see below)

Inaccurate: Place the template normally, and then roll the
artillery dice. If it shows a misfire, roll on the Rocket Misfire
chart. If it shows a number, move the template directly away
from the Rocket Battery along the line of fire a number of
inches equal to the number shown on the dice. Then roll for
scatter, re-rolling any misfire results.”

Hellish Cannon

Today I came up with a concept for a very unusual hellcannon for the Alchemists of Chaos. Looking over the Hellcannon entry and the new 8th edition rules I realize what a great option it is. It's a very complicated item. I still don't understand how it works entirely. Can it move and shoot?

It was busy today as usual, for a Monday. After work I headed to the Spaghetti factory for dinner with the family. My kids are an absolute delight.

I am very tired, so no more for now. I'm about to pass out from exhaustion.

Middle Class

I just read a very interesting article:

http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2003/10.30/19-bankruptcy.html

As you know, I believe that the invisible force causing the disruptions in our society is the banking system, specifically fractional reserve banking. Simply put, banks take more than they give. Not hard since they give hardly anything.

For those just joining the program, fractional reserve banking is where a bank maintains reserves (assets like deposits by you) and is able to loan out 10x or more than amount. Effectively they are like legal counterfeiters. They create almost the exact downsides of counterfeiters except they are worse because A) they work with the sanction of the government so they cannot be put out of business or jailed as they should be, and B) they inflate the currency many times more than counterfeiters who work underground.

I watched a documentary called "Capitalism: a Love Story" by Michael Moore. As you know, I like to read/watch things that I don't like, so don't think just because I say I watched/read something that I agree with it. The basic conclusion, like the Shock Doctrine, is that only strong central government with iron-clad unions can save the poor lower and middle class. Or in other words, if only a "good" person will don the One Ring then all will be well. I don't agree with that. I believe the One Ring should be destroyed. What does this look like? It looks like a Federal Government with a budget of about one-fifth the current size and doing ONLY its constitutionally enumerated functions. For that you have to go back about a hundred years.

However, he rightly classes the Banks as criminals in cahoots with the Federal Government.

It's a variation on a theme: if only our guys were in power then things would be better. My politics are simple-- no one should be in power. The absolute maximum control should be with the individual. Local government to keep criminals off the streets, and the feds to keep enemy tanks out of the country.

Mental exercises:
1) at what percent of GDP would federal spending need to be for you to actively protest it? At 100% no citizen would have any personal resources and everything would be controlled by the politburo.
2) at what percent would federal spending need to be reduced to the point where it could no longer perform its correct functions? Or in other words, is there a point where it would be so low that you would protest it?

Do you notice in this following chart that we are approaching federal spending near the height of World War 2? Doesn't that seem a bit much?



My answers:
1) 10%
2) 10%

If you have a difference between your two answers it means that you would permit the federal government to do some things that are not in it's "correct function".

Is there anything, can you name one thing, that if the federal government got involved in it you would be affronted as a free man? What if you got a letter from the Department of Agriculture giving a list of approved foods that you were allowed to eat? What about a minimum number of children (say three, it is now law to have a minimum of three offspring)? I am purposely putting a few strong examples out there just to get a baseline.

Where would you draw the line?

And what would you base that on? There are many who argue that the US Constitution very much limits the federal government with "enumerated powers"; things that is can do and everything else is forbidden.

More to come.

Skaven Clanrat Horde Deal

Isle of Blood Skaven Clanrats x120 (three sets):

All costs include the costs of models, assembly and painting.
Painted L2: $668
Painted L3: $822
Painted L4: $932

Options:
1) Give them all magnetized movement trays (12 trays, 10x per tray) = +$144
2) Paint up 6x weapon teams (3x plague mortar and 3x warpfire thrower) = +$85
3) Custom unit banner = + $12 each
4) Packmaster and two Rat Ogres L3 (3 models) = +$55
5) Warlord L5 = +$35

For this special we only take very general painting Instructions. We need some wiggle room on how it is effected.

I recommend L3.

Bear in mind that this is a LOT of clanrats, enough to form the core of even a large Skaven army, one of the most impressive feats in all Warhammer-dom. With this out of the way, it's just the fun stuff left.

Want to pull the trigger? I just need a half-down deposit (and your general painting/basing instructions). I got the models on hand and ready to go!

Disc of Death

Sometimes an army presents an element in an unorthodox way. For example: Dwarfs don't have any cavalry. But what is cavalry? A unit that gets behind enemy lines quickly to attack from the side or rear. Well, that's Miners.

In Eighth Edition some things are turned on their ear. It's like those good-news/bad-news jokes. The bad news is the Cavalry can't stand against Infantry in a head-on battle. The good news is that it's a LOT harder to march block. That means that units can get around behind enemy lines a lot easier. Old things need to be looked at in new ways.

Units need to be looked at not in terms of size but in terms of point cost. With a limited area in the deployment zone, main block units need to weigh in at least 250-350 points. Even consider units that costs 500+ pts. What about a block of 12x Chaos Knights? What about a unit of 50x Phoenix Guard?

This doesn't mean there isn't a role for throwaway units.

I came across this little gem the other day for Warriors of Chaos: Exalted Hero with mark of Tzeentch on Disc. With proper protection he weighs in around 190 points. His role is to take care of gun lines and war machines. This is the WoC answer to no shooting units. Give him a Talisman for a ward save. If you take the 5+ ward save item for 30 pts you can also take the Enchanted Shield (a fave of mine) boosting his armor save to 1+. This guy is a threat to ranged units and he gets in their face really fast.

Let's take a unit of twenty Lothern Sea Guard with bows. Fifteen shots = 10 hits = 3.3 wounds = 0.55 failed saves = 0.266 failed ward saves. In other words it would take about a HUNDRED Sea Guard firing at close range to reliably cause one wound. Even cannon shots can bounce off that ward save.

Remember: Mark of Tzeentch improves the ward save by +1.

The other defensive option is to drop the shield and give the 4+ ward save talisman, which gives him a 3+ net ward save. You can still give him a regular shield. On the net this is probably a better option. It depends on what you're up against.

He delivers four S5 attacks at WS7. That doesn't include the weapon bonus. He can stand his own against Chariots as well, and moreso if attacking from the side. For a sledgehammer army like WoC he's a good disruptor unit. He's a monkey in the works.

Arming with Halberd, Flail or Great Weapon is a subject for another debate. For punching power and if you don't think your combats will go into a third round I recommend the Flail.

And besides, this model looks cool and zips around the board. Fun Factor is high.

Army-wise

What's on my mind?

First off, just a recap of the armies available for sale right now.

• There is still enough White Wolves left to make a cohesive army. I broke it up into three 1500 point forces and about fifteen single-unit lots. There is a whole army section and about ten single-lots left.
• Still have the Cadians.
• Khorne Daemons. A few modifications are coming to this army. We're going to replace the head on the Bloodthirster with the head that comes with the FW model (goodbye custom head, fun while it lasted) and add one or two Forge World heralds on foot. One will be a rockin' BSB. Also 5x Flesh Hounds and Karanak are coming.
• Alchemists of Chaos. No changes.

But as always I'm looking at the next thing. Isle of Blood has me really hot for High Elves. I'm thinking Teal and Green with gold. Oh yeah.

I've got two High Elf armies that are going to clear out four boxes of IOB HE, and leaving all the Skaven. Time to have a special on Skaven infantry! That's forthcoming. Time to paint those up, paint them like the wind!

Also might be time to get another Eldar army going. No, that's not going to happen. However, you should know that I have a HUGE box of Eldar in the trade stock. I thought I was holding it for a client, but I contacted him today and he told me that he traded it all in to me. That stuff is mine. Among other things available: new Fire Prisms and a FW Scorpion and FW Cobra (both latest editions). Any takers?

What I'm really excited about is the Dread Mob list. I think that has to happen. What an exciting army list and amazingly cool models. Oh man. And lots of Forge World stuff. That's going to cost a fortune. Has to happen.

Student Loans

Found this really nifty link. I'm not a fan of college in general.

http://tirania.org/blog/archive/2010/Sep-13.html

Ork Dread Mob

I just got in Imperial Armor 8 today and I must say that it contains my favorite 40K army list ever: Ork Dread Mob. You can take Deff Dreads as TROOPS (!) and Killa Kans as Fast Attack. Absolutely tremendous. Pretty much all mech. You just need a 60 pt required unit of Spanna Boyz and the rest is vehicles. Oh, man the conversion possibilities are tremendous.

After scanning the list, this is the list I would make:
2x Kustom Meka Dread (HQ) w/Kustom Force Field and various weapons = 600 pts
10x Spanna boyz (Troop) = 70 pts
5x Deff Dreads (Troops) = 500 pts
9x Killa Kans (Fast Attack) = 480 pts
2x Mega Dread (Heavy Support) = 400
= 2050 pts

This has six Troops choices.
Not sure how much it would cost dollar-wise, probably in the $1500-2000 range after all the Forge World models (four Mega Dreads to be precise). This could be kitted out to absolutely insane levels with multiple arm swaps and tons of eye-popping Forge World stuff.

More to come on this one.

Setting Sail

I want to thank everyone who has been so good to Blue Table Painting, and by extension, my family. That so many people would take an interest and be uplifted by our tale has been one of the high points of my life.

So here's to going onwards and upwards!

Testimonials

Shawn,

Let me start off by saying my project FAR exceeded my expectations. Once again BTP has delivered with top notch customer service in a fraction of my expected time (I didnt think I would see anything for 2 weeks and the models are in my hands today). The attention to detail is nothing short of 100% professional. I want to extend my thanks to both you and the artist on this project.

Bravo.

--BF

_________________________

Shawn and BTP staff:

I shouted out WOW!!! when I opened the photos of my project. It was exciting to see how my vision translated into real life. Everything looks phenomenal. I see a long future with Blue Table painting. I'm already dreaming of armies and terrain projects to come. I'll be looking at the project photos every day until the models arrive.

I'd like to know the painter. I love the attention to the details that I can see. You got the Great Company emblem perfect.

Thank you for all your hard work.

--MG

Harry the Hammer Needed

Looking for 1x Harry the Hammer (don't need the base, just the figure). Will buy or trade. Contact Shawn at bluetablepainting@gmail.com

Summer Late

Let's see, it's Sunday so time to talk about non-work, non-game related items. Sometimes I forget that literally thousands of people read this blog. Or maybe they don't. I tried getting a counter up but it didn't work. Anyway, not much going on. It was Stake Conference today, maybe 800 or so in attendance. I went by myself. As usual I was uplifted and enlightened. Here are a few items that stuck out to me:

• Controlling ones own thoughts, to leave out of consciousness unwholesome things until it becomes habit/nature, is the great challenge of life.
• One should nurture physical and spiritual strength to cultivate reservoirs of faith for when times are hard.
• Enjoy nature; quiet mornings and evenings.
• Build a testimony (of things that are true) that is simple and deep.
• Go before the Lord and confess that you want to do it His way.
• Are you so touchy you can't be corrected? When correcting be uncritical and kind.

Those are my notes. Just a rough sketch. A few blurbs that stuck out to me.

For those just joining the program, I'm a Mormon. I converted at age 15. My family and some friends weren't keen on the idea but my (single) mother allowed it. It was one of her finer moments. Looking back, it seems a little odd. I was growing up in a liberal town in the 1980s; drugs and fornication for all. I was basically on my own and unsupervised. I had near-complete freedom to come and go as I pleased since age 12 yet somehow I joined one of the strictest religions out there.

I haven't felt strictured, though. In fact Mormon society and events are remarkably clean and wholesome. My life has been vastly better on account of that one decision. But that's a story for another day.

I've been watching "Better Off Ted" season 2 on Netflix. It's a cute show. I also watched Pink Panther 2 with my wife. She hated it. I thought it was light fare and really hit the spot. I laughed out loud at least ten times.

My wife is out for the afternoon and I'm home with the kids. I really like being around them. I feel like I am in Heaven already.

Faith Moves Mountains... of Inventory

Row Your Boat

This has been a crazy week, it's been quite like holding on to a bucking bull. But I've got it all under control. All projects are underway and indeed we are more ready than ever to take on new projects.

Personally, all is well. Family life is a dream as always. The two older kids are more mature and take care of themselves quite well, getting their own lunches ready in the morning when needed. Griffin is now five and going to school with them. They all love school and are well-adjusted to friends and teachers. I have to say it's a real delight. As you know I'm not a fan of traditional education, I think it's at least 50% useless tripe. I despise all the busy work and homework. Conversely, I think that kids self-educate quite well if given the proper direction and inspiration.

There I go ranting and griping about something again.

I have a new assistant at the studio. I don't like the title "assistant" because it sounds like a subordinate. She's working out very well. She lives locally and is a super-professional; reliable and thoughtful. And she laughs at the studio corniness, that's important.

This morning I'm headed out to get materials for a new terrain set: Alien Jungle. Speaking of which the terrain table is completely idle, we're ready for anything new anything at all.

I would like to have a part-time sculptor on staff to make stuff for us, but it's probably not in the budget, so I've been thinking about trying to form a symbiosis with a business that does that. We provide an outlet and recognition, and in turn get to tap into that talent. If you're interested drop me a line.

• Bitz order is coming in today.
• I've got six copies of Isle of Blood ready to get painted up or incorporated into whole armies.
• Still have multiple armies on the block: Alchemists of Chaos, Khorne Daemons, Cadians, Warriors of Chaos, and White Wolves.

Here's a vid I stumbled across this morning. Does this have merit?

Heartwarming Tale

Shawn,

I am changing painting services. This May I placed two orders with an overseas company to purchase, assemble, paint and ship what together represented a decent sized Space Marine Army. With both orders finally arriving last week in literally crushed boxes (sigh... 4 months later... oh did I mention no insurance is possible from that country?), I must say that, that relationship is now at an unhappy end. Advertises as a professional service. Prices were very cheap (now I know why)... literally no quality controls on the ordering, modeling, painting etc. I could go on and on about the literally dozens of mistakes... like all the bases are green grass when I ordered burnt wasteland... some of the models are the wrong models, pieces missing from models, holes in vehicles, parts not painted, no consistancy, etc... but why waste any more of your time. In fact, why am I telling you this? Because, of two reasons. I simply can not afford to throw that much money away and not have anything to show for it and I need to feel like your company will be different. I have heard really good things about your service.... I am looking for a service that I can work with that gets the job done, right the first time and handles it more like a contract. Reading your website, watching your intro videos, etc - that seems to be the way you operate. I didn't START with your company because I saw the prices and thought - wow, nice results but I will have to get get a lot less stuff.... so I convinced myself that an overseas company, with cheap prices could provide a similar service, right? Major waste of money and time. Well, here I am, willing to pay now. Looking forward to becoming a new customer.

--D

Sorceresses

Oh frabjous day! Got the two Sorceresses on Disc and the Battle Standard Bearer done for the Alchemists of Chaos bringing that army up past 3000 pts.

Check out the pictures here.

This army is for sale.

I'm also looking for just a few more models to add, but that's a separate deal.

Khorne Daemons for sale

See more pics.

This is a dual-use army. It works for 40K or Fantasy. The models are on round bases but come with magnetized movement trays. 47x Bloodletters 1x Battle Standard Bearer 1x Greater Daemon of Khorne with custom head 1x Skulltaker 6x Bloodcrushers

This is for sale: $1150

Buy it today and get free Express shipping (in US). Be playing this bad girl by the weekend.

Options:
1) Army is only use-able for 40K = $100 less (we drop move trays, battle standard herald becomes just a herald)
2) Army is only use-able for Warhammer Fantasy = $20 less (we mount all larger creatures on squares, bloodletters still on rounds-- that is what they are)
3) Add Bloodcrushers for $40 per model (cost includes model/assembly/painting)
4) Add Bloodletters at $11 per model
5) Add Hounds of Khorne at $25 per model
6) Add anything you want (contact Shawn at bluetablepainting@gmail.com for price list)
7) Change Daemon Prince to Bel-Akor model = $40 less
8) Increase Painting Level to L4 (L6 for greater daemon) = $350 more
9) Decrease Painting Level to L2 (L3 for greater daemon) = $200 less
10) Add flying Bloodletters as Furies at $17 per model (using Tyranid gargoyle wings, awesome conversion)

Open on Labor Day!

We are open on Labor Day.

I'm actually working on responding to emails as of 5:30am. Will be at the studio early.

Also, got in six copies of Isle of Blood. We will split off just one army or the other for you if you want.

$59 for the box
$769 painting
$204 assembly

The High Elves comprise 42% of the cost ($323 painting/$86 assembly). You can get just one or the other of the armies done if you want. We can expand either into a full army if you want. There are 900 pts of High Elves in the box, and 700 pts of Skaven.

Save 30% going L2
Save 10% with Artistic License
Save 35% with both L2 and AL

We don't just sell the box (unpainted/unassembled). You need to go to a retailer for that.

Download a spreadsheet for Isle of Blood.

Pandora is Dying

I am discontinuing the Pandora's army special as of September 13. Last chance to set one up.

Alternative Army Books

Check out these unofficial army books.

These aren't endorsed by Games Workshop but look like a ton of fun for the local shop or friendly group.

White Lines on Your Mind

At this moment I'm upstairs at the studio by my lonesomes. I keep the doors locked because I'm a paranoid delusional. Of course, I'm high-functioning paranoid delusional so most people don't notice.*

OCDARPDMDAOADHD

A veritable bundle of neurosis. That's the price of being a creative genius. More like an idiot savant I suppose.

Anyway, this week was absolute drek. Sales in the toilet, bills piling up. We found black mold and mushrooms (????) downstairs so one of those rooms had to be ripped up. And guess what? A crack in the foundation where water is seeping into the house. Too bad it's bank property. The bank is like a landlord except they charge massive interest (doubling the price of the house) and don't do any repairs. Ooooh, let's make sure those institutions don't fail!!!

On the plus side, my family life is an absolute dream. My four kids are angels on this earth, and my wife is a pillar of light and goodness. We have always got along so famously. And I am in perfect health. That's really something and not a day goes by that I don't appreciate it. I've lived with a mostly uninterrupted strength in mind and body.

This morning we got up early and headed out to the Farmer's Market. I found out that the county Health Inspectors are out there every week probing and testing every stand and making the locals pay for the privilege. My question: "Was there a problem before?" and the answer is no, no one was sick. Good heavens! A local farmer can't even cut a strawberry into quarters and put it on a toothpick without government interference. At least it's the County. If the Feds were down on my street corner harassing a local wife for selling jam I think I would bleed out the face.

Griping about banks: check!
Griping about the government: check!

My cantankerousness level is just right.

Other than that, it was a delight to spend time with my lovely wife, going about the valley getting fresh produce, eggs and milk from local sources. Then we went home and started in on family chores. I slept through the whole thing for two hours. My valkyrie of a wife just let me sleep. I was after all working at the studio until 10pm last night, and up again at 5:30am this morning.

But the nets are mostly empty.

Right now I'm getting all the project ready for the coming week. I will be caught up by tonight! I'm listening to Regina Spektor.

I've got numerous armies on the block:
White Wolves (split into three and misc)
Alchemists of Chaos
Khorne Daemons (yup I just went and did it, almost done)
Cadians

Check here for pics and prices

Also check out this amazing Tyranid color scheme. Wow, I really like this.

Please pardon my whinging.


*in case you're dense, I'm kidding about stuff like this.

Achemists of Chaos

This is a studio army, a pet project, a secret project. It's available for sale if you want it.

See pics.

Three models are still missing: two sorcerors on disc and one battle standard.

Army list total is 3000+ pts

Ron Paul Fix