Warmachine / Hordes - SUMMER RAMPAGE!

Gamers Sanctuary will be hosting the Summer Rampage 2012 on August 18th, 2012 at Gamers Sanctuary in Flint, MI. 

On the care and feeding of brushes

Our fearless leader Muggins has been bugging me to write this article since, well, this blog got started. Better late than never, I say. After the jump I talk about my favorite brushes and how I keep them in great shape.

Musings on a losing streak.

I have never considered myself a power gamer, but I don't think I am an easy win either.

Steampunk Saturday: More Legion Models, Battle Shots, and CONQUEST

The last few weeks have been nice for me to marathon paint some Legion of Everblight models as the baby has been sticking to the upstairs when I get home from work. I brought my paints up and I've been knocking out models pretty quickly.

The Crowded Skies of 6th Edition

Air power may either end war or end civilization.

— Winston Churchill

There seems to be a lot of discussion on the blogs and forums about fliers in sixth edition.  Having played with and against fliers (and/or Flying MCs) in about every game so far, I can see why people think the sky is falling (hehe).  I used Stormravens in my Blood Angels lists many times in 5th edition, and they have gotten (mostly) better in 6th.  They are more limited as an assault transport with the new reserve rules, but they work great as a fire support gunship.  I am finding that most of the Internet ire seems to be at a usual suspect...

Hordes: Definitely a Different Game - A Noob's Take

After being a perma-noob in Warmachinef or about 2+ years, transitioning to a Hordes army has been a really enlightening experience for me. Not to say that Hordes is better, it is just much different. This noob will attempt to showcase some of the differences for people who have started in Warmachine and are looking to expand their knowledgebase to Hordes like I did. This is definitely not pro-level tactica, just some noob's thoughts on the game.

The Best Assault Unit in 6th Edition?

Some of the early feedback on 6th edition is that is has become more of a "shooting game".  However, I believe there is still room for dedicated assault units.  For my first 6th edition hobby project, I have been busy painting up my Death Company models. I bought some back when the kit just came out and added some used models later.

I had also modeled up a Death Company dreadnought since it is awesome.  For me, DC didn't see too much table time in 5th edition due to the Rage USR. Hence, they sat unpainted in my case for quite some time.  However, since Rage is much better in 6th edition I have been trying them out again. I have been taking them with a Land Raider Crusader and the requisite Reclusiarch/Chaplain attached.  So far, they absolutely destroyed anything they managed to successfully charge.  However, taking nine of them has seemed like overkill.

Deployment Painting Oath Part 2

Greetings from Afghanistan Fresh Coast Readers

 As I mentioned in the last post I have been working on my Blood Angels while on Deployment. Here is some pictures of my Razor Back assault Squads. I still have to finish the basing, but lack the materials so it will have to wait until I get home.

Steampunk Saturday: Legion-riffic

By Fstitz on Deviantart

I've been hard at work painting some of my Legion models to get going fielding a fully painted 35 points. I have been using pVayl quite a bit and really like her as a warlock, but I think I've found my favorite warlock now: Absylonia.

Steampunk Saturday - Trollicious

It's mostly been about painting commission stuff the past couple of months, but I've managed to find time to paint some Trollbloods. Pictures after the jump!

Video Battle Report 7 - Sixth Edition - Chaos Daemons vs Eldar.

Dustin and I got together for the first game of the "New Territories" campaign at Gamers Sanctuary.

Battlescribe: An Alternative and Mobile Army List Generator

These programs need "Order of Battle" Output Mode

So I've been a faithful user of Army Builder for years and years... I love the product, it does what I want, and it is easy to use. However... sometimes it takes the team forever to update. The Stormtalon is STILL not in AB. I can't build my Space Marine lists without it!

The Hive Tyrant in 6th Edition

Alien Cunning

It is really nice to say that monstrous creatures and Tyranids in general have changed a ton in 6th Edition. The most important monstrous creature, the Hive Tyrant, has changed quite a bit. Relegated to a non-choice or sometimes a reserve bonus creature, the Hive Tyrant in 5th edition was severely lacking. There are quite a few reasons why they're better in 6th Edition.

Something Awful Oath Update

Particularly dedicated readers may recall that I introduced the Something Awful forums painting oath thread a few months ago. The first quarter of the challenge is now complete, so I felt it was time for an update! Tons of sweet pics after the jump.

Future Nerds pt. 2: LEGO Heroica Gaming for Parents

(The second in an irregular series of reviews based on the Lego build-and-play games.)

My daughter Avery is all of 7 years old. She loves to paint 40k Orks and help dad base his Marines and Daemons. She’ll even humor me by trying her best to play games I enjoy, like chess.

In turn, I often humor her by playing Candyland and various other insufferable kids games. But, she’s finally to an age where I can influence her gaming habits to more amicable territory: dungeon crawls.

Enter LEGO HEROICA.

Thank You Muggins!

Greetings Freshcoasters!

I would like to send a big hearty thank you to Micheal from Afghanistan! Muggins sent me a very nerdy care package which I so very appreciate!

6th Edition Release Party in Pictures

This image accurately portrays how awesome 6th Edition is

On Saturday we hosted the 6th Edition Release Party and Swap Meet at Gamers Sanctuary. It was a great time with GS providing food and many games for the silent auction. The swap meet was pretty successful with each person selling some of the things they brought.

Decision 2012

It's that time of year again!

Steampunk Sunday - Fully Painted Army!

Fully Painted Retribution Army

This past week I finished painting the last models for my Retribution of Scyrah Warmachine army.  I have the recent escalation league at Gamer's Sanctuary to thank for the motivation.  I have been collecting RoS models for over a year and have 146 points total (65 models).  I set out to try and match the Privateer Press paint scheme for my faction.  I decided to challenge myself with painting white and I am happy with the table top quality that I achieved.  By no means do I have the complete collection, but for now I am done (until my colossal arrives).  Warmachine has definitely been an enjoyable addition to my war gaming addiction.

Steampunk Saturday: Pre-order Colossals at Gamers Sanctuary!

With the addition of the Hyperion, the colossal for Retribution, all the new PP items up through October have been listed on the GS website and are available for pre-order at about 35-40% off the sticker price!

There are a few October releases that have not been added yet but, as soon as PP posts the images they'll get them added. They are the Circle gargantuan, the WoldWraith and the Warpborn Skinwalker repackage.


Pre-order them at The Gamers Sanctuary! 

Ohiohammer Second Founding Interview and The Last Cheese Standing - 'Ard Boyz Replacement Tourney!

The whole idea of 'Ard Boyz makes me think of Essex Boys, a movie that stars Sean Bean, my favorite actor. Here is Sean Bean in a different movie.

Ohiohammer: Second Founding, a newer 40k podcast, thought I was important enough to interview in their episode eight. Check it out here. Thanks to those guys for the interview and I hope to meet them soon. Hopefully we won't have to meet in Toledo, although I would like to see what we almost went to war over.

Fantasy Friday - Lord Kyuss Figure for D&D Campaign Finale

As if my nerd credentials were ever in doubt, I also am a card carrying Dungeons and Dragons player. I have been playing in a D&D campaign for about 5+ years that has taken our group from 1st to now 20th level (we play once a month). Even though 4th edition D&D came out, our group still loves the 3.5 version rules.

Forge World Hierophant Bio-titan of Splinter Fleet Muggis

Anyone who has followed our blog for a while knows that I have quite a few Tyranids. I've made it a point to really be able to filed my own Splinter Fleet; not just a small patrol or node.

At this point I consider myself a collector of Tyranids, not just a player. I've purchased pretty much the entire Citadel range and moved on to Forge World. I have almost all of the Forge World models. The elusive one was the Hierophant Bio-titan. I had heard it was the worst model ever to put together. It sat on Tyranid players' desks for years un-assembled. Once you got it assembled, it was a pain to pin and support.

I didn't feel like the model really evoked that much of a 'Tyranid' look, either. It was much different from any of the models out. Then they came out with the new Tervigon and Tyrannofex kit... and those models showed a clear lineage to the Hierophant. I had to pick one up.

Deployment Painting Oath Completed! Part One

Greetings Everyone.

As most readers know, I don't get to participate in all these wonderful freshcoast40k painting challenges, games or events; and for good reason too. Because, I am deployed to Afghanistan (AKA shittiest place on Earth) it severely limits my nerd activities. However, I do manage to paint models while I am here. Painting has been and continues to be one of my favorite parts of miniature war-gaming. 

Has 6th Edition Killed Off the Thunderhawk?

Once upon a time, the mere mention of this gunship’s name struck fear into the heart of 40k players near and far, but with the arrival of 6^th edition I can’t help but wonder whether the crown jewel of my collection has become obsolete.  Having run this massive chunk of resin in several Apocalypse games, I have come to realize just how difficult it is to maneuver on the gaming table, but worth all the frustration after its main cannon tore apart the armies beneath it.

It was incredibly fast and extremely hard to hit, only a few other flyers in the game had weapons with built in anti-aircraft systems capable of hitting it at full ballistic skill, and even fewer ground based units, most deadly to flyers being the Necron Pylon and the Imperial Guard Hydra tank. With Games Workshop’s decision to expand flyers into standard games the Thunderhawk is now an overpriced gunboat incapable of keeping up with this newer generation of flyers.

Product Highlight - Artificer-General Sebastian Nemo

As part of our new sponsorship by Gamers Sanctuary, you'll occasionally see us feature sweet new products available for purchase there. Today's post is about Warmachine, but have no fear as we will definitely be featuring 40k and other products as well!

In this inaugural product highlight post, I feature the awesome new Warmachine caster, Artificer-General Sebastian Nemo (aka Nemo3 or Threemo).

Codex Specific Templates

After playing with the new templates produced by GW for my Necron army, I quickly tired of the baby-blue power lines in the middle and the bland silver exterior finish.

After the game I placed the templates carefully in the Necron Stasis Chambers (carrying case) along with my Necron army.  A few days later I opened the bag to find that the Necrons had been busy converting the templates to Gauss weaponry.

Mantis Warrior Forge World Tartaros Terminators

Our little Space Marine has kept us very busy but I've been able to devote a little time each night to finishing these Tartaros Pattern Terminators from Forge World. I bought 10 so I could have 10 tactical terminators, 10 lightning claw terminators, and 10 storm shield / thunder hammer terminators.

Steampunk Saturday: General Gerlak Slaughterborn

I sat down with a pile of P3 paints and the P3 Wet Palette over the week and put together my favorite PacMan of the Cryx Codex:  General Gerlak Slaughterborn. 
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Gamers Sanctuary Now in the Commission Painting Business

We just learned that Gamers Sanctuary will be doing some painting commissions. I'll be sending a Legion caster or two over there to get painted!

COMMISSION PAINTING NOW AT GAMERS SANCTUARY!
I (Chad) am going to be doing some commission painting work. Many of you have seen my work in the case at Gamers Sanctuary or as featured in Privateer Press' No Quarter Magazine. If you're interested in having something painted, you can see some of my sample work at GS. The rates for commission painting are as follows:

Basic Tabletop Quality - 100% Model MSRP
Priming, Basecoat, Drybrush, Wash & Basing

High-Tabletop Quality - 125% Model MSRP
Above plus, advanced highlights & detailing

Character (HQ / Warcaster) Quality - 150% Model MSRP
Above plus, wet-blending & laying of highlights and details

We have more details available in store or feel free to contact me through Facebook or email (all store email addresses come to me). All inquires are welcome.

The 6th Edition Somewhat-Speed Painting Competition

Evening all! Just a quick note to let everyone know that we'll be sponsoring a 'speed painting' competition at the July 14th 6th Edition party at Gamers Sanctuary. FC40k has always been about the hobby so we want to see as many painted miniatures on the board as possible!

Batrep #5 is up!

Let the era of 6th edition begin!  

Cry Havoc! and Let Slip the Beasts of War!

So since about 1:30pm on Friday I have been alternating between reading through the newest edition to Warhammer 40k and checking in over at Beasts of War. Their silence and lack of 6th edition material to this point was confusing to say the least.  Beasts of War is an excellent source for all things mini gaming, I had expected them to come right out of the gate running, but they are as giddy and as we are, an like us still sifting through all of the changes in this edition. I thoroughly enjoyed their in depth video reviews of both Codex:  Necrons and Codex: Grey Knights.  

Baby Steps

Charles really likes the changes to Tyranids in 6th edition.

I was working on my Tartaros terminators right as my wife started going into labor. My hierophant was also drying from some green stuff and dip. I've managed to finish one Tartaros terminator since Friday. I've only read about 30 pages in the rulebook =/ Bros weren't lyin' about time being dead when babies come.

My first 6th ed. army list... now with allies!

With the advent of 6^th edition and after my first & only game under the new rules (watch for the video batrep from that fiasco later this week), I’m thinking I might follow a path that I’ve always found intriguing…

I'm a Primarch

No content, really, just Muggins here to say that I'll be a bit busy for a while. 6th Edition hit on Friday. I was at the game store picking up my stuff and then at 756 PM my son Charles was born. Definitely the happiest moment in my life. My little space marine :)