More thoughts on Game Funk

I think we can all identify the symptoms: Apathy, army hopping, game system hopping, feeling like you'd rather talk about/read about the game than actually playing the game.  These are all classic signs of Game Funk.  I'm a recent and frequent sufferer.  I funny thing happened during one of those mindless hours working as a drone in sector G.  I realized I don't have classic game funk, I have 40k Game Funk.

I've always maintained I prefer skirmish games, but I've always continued to play 40k.  Mostly because that's what the majority of the game store played where I previously lived.  Except for Confrontation (best game ever...) no other small scale game garnered the critical mass necessary to make a real go of it in a limited numbers gamer environment.  So between extremely enjoyable bouts of Confrontation and Warmachine there was always 40k, always would be 40k.  So I did the 40k thing.  Built an army, stomped people's nuts, built another army, rinse and repeat.  But I don't think I can continue doing that.

This has been an odd year for me, I've moved to Austin (Dragon's Lair, stop in for a game Wednesday and Thursday nights), and found new people to game with.  I've considerably downsized my collection of unpainted metal and even started painting my little toys some too.  I don't think I will make my new years resolutions for the year but I've accomplished alot of my long-term hobby control goals.

For the remainder of this year, and probably next year I am going to focus more on the games I like and less on 40k.  I've found when you play games you really like the gamer funk tends to go away.

I will be keeping 1-2 armies (right now that Dark Eldar and Chaos Space Marines) and letting the rest go. 

I will be focusing on playing Warmahordes, Malifaux, trying Helldorado, Dystopian Wars, and maybe even Anime Tactics.  If Confrontation makes a real comeback I will play the hell out of it.

I want to see how good a WarmaHordes player I can become, right now the answer is I know most of the rules but I don't think that counts.  I would like to get good enough to win games consistently against quality opposition.  I want to get an army painted.

Stupid Hobby Advice

I used to use medical forceps to hold models while I painted and it worked ok.  I moved to GW paint pots this year and like it much better,  Unfortunately I don't have 10 empty paint pots to use as holders, and while I could use pots with paint in them I might needs those colors.

After a trip to Hobby Lobby I came home with a bag of these:

These things work really well as illustrated here:

That model is mounted on a 1" square base, just so you have a frame of reference. 

These Birch Candle Cups are taller than the GW paint pots allowing me a better, less cramped hand hold a greater ability to manipulate angles (though that last might just be in my head).  The large holding surface is a much more comfortable to hold than the GW pots or forceps I used to use.

They also have some Birch Spools that I think will work even better as they have a more stable bottom base that these do.

Dirt cheap too, I think they were $2.50 for a pack of 6, I need to get one more pack so I can do full units at once.  Hopefully you find this helpful.

WIP: Lodge of Hod

Been working on my Lodge of Hod here are some WiP shots.  As usual the pictures are only ok, cropped and hit with Picassa's are you feeling lucky.  The browns are close to done, I may try and darken the shadows a bit more.  Some of the armor has been worked on for a few models and the faces have all been based, washed and had first highlights applied.

So thanks for taking a look and feel free to leave feedback.  I figured I'd better post something to let a few people know I'm still alive.

Thoughts on Gaming Funk

Quick little post, something of a place holder I guess.  I've been doing a lot of thinking lately on what I like about gaming and what kinds of games I want to play.  I like 40k well enough, but don't really love it.  I have always preferred smaller games, more skirmish style ( I think it comes from playing D&D as a tactical skirmish game rather than an RPG).  I currently have Deathguard, DE, and Sisters for 40k, and I think one must go.  I don't know how much 40k I'll be playing going forward but at this point I think I should keep something for the game.

I want to concentrate on skirmish games, no bigger than 50pt WarmaHordes, and even that is pushing the scale I want to play at but I really like that game.  Malifaux has been on my mind a lot recently as has Confrontation (I got a game in yesterday...It's still the best game ever) and WarmaHordes.  Helldorado is coming out and Anima Tactics looks interesting and Dystopian Wars is kind of pushing buttons as well, I love that aesthetic and I don't really play anything like it currently.  Of course if Confrontation actually makes a full comeback all bets are off.

What does this mean? Generally it means I want to play smaller games and I think I am going to concentrate on that for a while. I guess the local FLGS (Dragon's Lair in Austin, stop by if your in town) is going to do a Malifaux league starting next month and I think maybe I'll try that or start showing for the regular WarmaHordes night. I'm not quitting 40k, just taking a sabbatical (maybe a long one).

A funny thing happened on the way to Bran-o-Kor

I love Confrontation.  It's my favorite game.  period.  Full stop.  I actually don't know how many armies I've bought and sold for that game but I know I've owned at least 2 different factions three seperate times.  I've assembled Cynwall twice.  Those of you who know Confrontation will appreciate that.  I love this game.

Monday WiP: Sisters of Battle Test Scheme

I completed my Bartertown trade this past week and received the other half of my starting Sisters of Battle Army.  Why Sisters? I've wanted a SoB army for a very long time but they are cost prohibitive.  So far mine has been built completely from trades.  Sometime this week I'll put a model list up and maybe a potential list.

Anyhow right now we have a very sloppy and incomplete color test for a potential color scheme.  I really, really want white and red sisters but I don't think I can paint white (and definitely not that much white) so we're starting with Red and Grey.

Very Sloppy!

Again very sloppy, the armor cabling will be boltgun-badab-boltgun.
The boltgun itself will probably have a red or white casing and then the weapon potion the same as the cabling.
More angles after the jump

Finished Model Friday

So you get WIP on Monday and finished models on Friday.  What a deal.  Given my complete lack of interest in painting most of the time, this too may be a short lived series of articles.  But today you get the results of my painting binge from April/May; a Magister and a Mage Hinter Assassin.  Ask Brent about the brown stain in his shorts the MHA creates.  Its good fun.

I can't paint eyes.  That's the way it is.  The faced got washed in the pics too.

Monday WIP: Garryth

 As part painting motivation and part something to stick up here, I am going to be trying to have a Monday: WIP post.  This post will contain pictures of what I am currently working on.  Hopefully it changes over time.  Of course there is always a good chance this series last 1-3 weeks and then ends.  Such are the vagaries of painting motivation.

Today's Monday WIP model is Garryth from the WarmaHordes Retribution of Scyrah.  I went on something of a painting binge in April/May (for me) and got exaclty 2 models completed (pictures tomorrow) and this model is still WIP so I thought I would show it today.

Legion of the Damned- What Codex?

I was wondering what codex what be appropriate for a Legion of the Damned themed army. Some options and thoughts below:

Space Marines-Generic marines, there is a Legion of the Damned unit in the book. Heavy use of Stern Guard I think.
Blood Angels- Sanguinary priests let you play the army as incredibly tough. The Red Thirst rule can kind of simulate the degenerative mental condition.
Space Wolves- Can't really see this one.
Grey Knights- Gets you the suddenly appearing rules (deep strike), but the equipment options are way off, psychic powers can represent other warp born abilities, and I think you can do a real all infantry army from this book, as far as I know the Legion of the Damned should be fairly vehicle light.
Chaos- Play as deathguard, with obliterators. The codex is severely limited. Chosen would have to be used I think.

As far as modeling goes I'm thinking of using plasticard to add flames to marine plastics, and skeleton pieces, as well as mixing in the Legion metals.

Thoughts?

Getting control of the Hobby

Part of my goal this year was to get real control over my miniature hobby.  This involved cutting armies and projects, finishing other things and so on.  For 40k I'm trying to set a limit on the number of armies I am willing to own/paint/buy play my working number right now is 3.  One Imperial, One Xenos and one more.  I've got Dark Eldar and have been loving them so that fills the Xenos roll.

My problem is the Imperial army.  In most cases this mean Marines, but I love me some Guard, and truly love the Sisters of Battle.  Then If I were going to do MEQ you have the whole chaos vs. imperial marines and I have chaos.  I think I am going to a single themed marine army that can be used for any and every marine book.  Yeah I know me and everyone else.  That will leave my third, open slot for Sisters or Guard.

So for a single theme marine army, capable of running any codex, I've narrowed my theme down to 2 choices.

Thousand Sons in either a pre-heresy or Bolter and Chainsword Dornian Heresy style motif or a Legion of the Damned themed army that can encompass all marine builds.  The goal of either is to be capable of playing marines in a BA, GK, SM, or CSM format.  I don't care for the SW book so I don't have to worry about it.  I may put a poll up.

My Deathguard List (With Pictures)

My chaos army is predicated on objective taking and attrition through toughness.  I play sacred number Deathguard.  Again, like most of what I play it's not internet approved but this list really worked for me several years ago.  I don't fancy its chances anymore, but 3 years ago when it was built it worked fairly well and it still hold up to many of the 5th ed. tropes.

DE and GK, spammy SW should eat its lunch but I like my chances against alot of the BA stuff I see.  I'm not even convinced I couldn't draw a GK list.  Spammy SW though would be very, very difficult.

This list was tuned to play at 1850 and I've never bothered taking it to 2000.  I suppose I would add terminators or maybe Chosen.

So here it is.  Some pictures below.

A Comment about Music

I used to be a CD guy.  I would listen to an album cover to cover.  That's how I feel an artist intends, I like long periods of the same kind of thing.  It worked for me.  My wife is just the opposite.  100 disk changer and she hits random.  Used to drive me nuts.


6-8 months ago I started using Pandora (and Slacker when I run out of my monthly free time-it happens every month); and I seriously don't know how I used to do it.  I love my Pandora, and it has truly changed the way I listen to music.  I have artists I never knew existed, broadened my horizons and have been loving every minute of it.

Beware the Odd Ball Army

I had my first game in Austin last night.  Played Mike (I think-names elude me sometimes) and his Sisters of Battle.  First, beautiful army done in Blue and White, really crisp colors and really stood out on the table.  Kudos.

On to the real point of this quick article.  I played my DE, list found below.  Mike played a list that looked something like this:
Cannoness, Mantle, some kind of power weapon, THE BOOK
4x 10 SoB squad, vet sister, power weapon, hvy flamer, flamer, THE BOOK, rhino, storm bolter, Simalcrum
2x 10 Seraphim, Vet sister, THE BOOK,
2x Exorcist
I personally feel he needed another exorcist and a few changes but thats not really the point.

Here's the issue. Acts of Faith can really botch your plans when the other guy knows what he's doing with them.  I have a small Sisters force, the Master Manipulator has a full Sisters army I've played before, so I was somewhat familiar.  I was really surprised at how effective the seraphim and sisters squads were holding my Succubs and Wyches in check.  3+ Invuln saves and testing unmodified leadership were huge.

The real point I'm trying to make is that when you don't see an army very often on the table, and someone brings it, assume they know what they are doing.  Prepare for the worst because often times they know something you don't and will make you pay.  Sometimes it pays to be a little more cautious and not get caught up in what usually works for you.

My Dark Eldar Thoughts

I've been building and playing (and now painting) a Dark Eldar army since about February or March I guess.  I called the MM(esno) and said, "Break out the army builder", and away we went.  I can not overestimate the value of having a sounding board, someone who tells you your ideas are crap before you spend a ton of money.  Fortunately I didn't have to deal with the "Are you an idiot" comments this time.

This list that came together from that conversation formed the foundation for my Dark Eldar.  It has evolved a little but the core remains the same, Raiders, Reavers, and Ravagers.  Without further ado, my current DE list, though with the release of the Venom kit I'm going to try a few changes.

A Grateful Thanks

I would like to say thanks you to fine crew at Galaxy Comics in Wichita Falls, Texas.  The FLGS is truly that.  The guys up there took me in about 7 years ago, taught me to play, taught me the hobby, taught me how to be competitive without being a complete ass (I'm still working on that).  If you're ever in North Texas stop by.  The crew is there pretty much every Friday night until midnight and on many Saturdays as well.  You won't find a better run local event.  I promise.

In addition I would like to thank The Master Manipulator for finally owning me, Brent for not handling change, Mikey for being Mikey, Timmy for figuring out what the true troop capacity of a Monolith is, Tye and his Guys  adding new blood (and we needed another Mikey follower anyway) the Professor for wanting to play boardgames instead of real games, and all the other guys.  you know who you are.

I've recently relocated from Wichita Falls to wonderful, humid Austin am and not looking forward to starting over again down here.  I made the trip to the LGS this past Thursday and met a bunch of the locals they seem a nice bunch but there is no place like 'home' and there are so many of them.  No way I remember everyone's real or screen names right away.  You all know that gamers are cliquish though so it will be a challenge finding my place so to speak.

Inaugural Post

Welcome one and all to my internet presence.  There wasn't enough room for me in the real world so I had to expand here as well.  This is my blog (obviously) I have low expectations so you should too.

I have, in the past, posted at a couple of other blogs, namely Brent's blog Stricty Average, and the Master Manipulator's Every Store Needs One.  You should check them out.  Both are awesome guys and I have been privileged to know and learn from both.

A little about me.  First I consider myself a competitive gamer.  Let me provide a definition.  A competitive games is a gamer who plays the game to win.  Always.  They play the game within the scope of the rules as written.  They play within the commonly accepted social contract we all abide by.  They encourage others to improve their own game.  Events do not define competitive gamers, results do not define competitive gamers.  Attitude does.  If you play the game to win, and seek to make others around you better thereby making the games you play against them better, you are a competitive gamer.

Second, I am something of a hobbyist.  I like to put models together, I like to kitbash models, I love GW plastics, am fine with good metal models, and am on the fence about the whole Finecast resin.  If they melt in the sun that's an issue.  I live in Texas.  We have sun.  I'm not much of a painter.  I can paint but do not particularly enjoy it but since I can't afford to have someone do it for me, I get to do it myself.  If your interested in an assembly for paint swap partner let me know.  If your looking to farm out assembly work, let me know.  I'm currently unemployed, I enjoy doing it, and I do a decent job.  I like building terrain but don't have the space and the urge comes and goes.

Third, games I play.  I play 40K, Warmahordes, Confrontation (BEST GAME EVER!), and have dabbled in Malifaux, Infinity, and several others.  I like Malifaux.  I really do prefer skirmish to large.  I don't like fantasy though have played well enough to win local tournament events.  Armies I've played in 40K: Deathwing, Space Marines, Blood Angels, Imperial Guard, Deathguard, Thousand Sons, Dark Eldar and I feel like I'm missing something.  I play Retribution in Warmachine, and have Circle and Skorne as well.  I play Ressurrectionists for Malifaux.