2012 in review

So... 2012 draws to an end, and I suppose it falls to me to write something passably witty to mark the passing of yet another year.

No doubt, the hobby highlight of the year was our trip to Nottingham almost three weeks ago now. I won't wax too lyrically about it, but it was really fun to finally get around to visiting the 'Hobby Mecca'.

Ørnulv hosted another 'Hunker in the Bunker' in November, as well as the annual Team gathering in Kjerringvik in August. An extraordinarily Good Time was had, on both occasions. Can't wait until we're all together again!

In-between those two events half the team went to Kristiansand for the Invasion tournament. Ørn took a well deserved second place with his fluffy Dark Eldar army, as well as the Best Painted award.

All in all, it seems this was very much Ørn's year. I guess the rest of us will have to step it up a bit next year... Speaking of stepping up, though: How did everyone do with last year's resolutions?

I resolved...

...to actually finish my Basilica de Veteris project. (I know I haven't posted anything about that here, so I guess I also resolve to do something about that too.)
...to finally decide on how I want to model my Traitor Guard guardsmen, stop procrastinating and finish at least 2000 points. This army will be the main focus of my monthly projects for next year.
...to play at least 40 games of Warhammer 40.000, not counting tournament games.

Ørnulv resolved...

...Finishing my Dark Eldar army (at least 3000p)
...Building two more city terrain peaces (for variety)
...Hosting at least 3 TSB battle bunker events + Kjerringvik weekend event in august
...Trying to play at least one 40k game every 14. Day
...Attending the Invasion tourney in September
...Evaluating if the “new TAU” could be my next army project, or if not….
...Finally deciding if I should start on a Imperial Guard army (Ultramar planetary defence force)

Trond resolved...

...completing 6000 pts Eldar Craftworld army
...builiding at least 3 different Eldar terrain features
...attending at least 2 tournaments in 2012
...play as much as possible - the goal is as Jørn, 40 games not counting tournaments

Those were all the resolutions from last year. Time to 'fess up and report on how we all did - as well as post next year's resolutions. Those of you who didn't get around to post anything last year are, of course, invited to come and play this year.

In the mean time: Happy new year, and may sixes be upon you!

40K Terrain board – update # 3 finished

Thought that I would not be able to assign more hours on my new gaming board before 2013, but I did.

And this is how it turned out.

Cheers,

Ørnulv

40K Terrain board- update # 2

With the Christmas holiday upon us, I thought I should post an update on my progress on my new “desert themed” gaming table.

After having covered the table in a mix of “concrete/plaster/sand/watered down PVA glue”, I covered all the flat areas with sand.

Unfortunately the sand I used was a bit “wet”, so I had a hard time "leveling the surface" and at the same time maintaining the appearance of “hard and soft areas”.

Next up was applying the base coat. 2 coats. I used almost 3 litres of paint with one litre of PVA glue thinned in water mixed into it!

When dry, the next step will be to apply the different colours. Hopefully I should get the board done before I go back to work in January. But with all the party’s and events, I doubt it.

 

Anyway, as this will be my last post this year, I wish all the readers of this blogg - Marry Christmas and a happy new year!

Signing off, cheers

Ørnulv

40k Terrain board - And so it begins…

Thought I should post an update.

Slow progress! After a busy week it was time to smoothen out areas and to incorporate rocks. Being a “desert themed board”, I tried not to go over the top with rocs. However, I had to “split” the river in order to reduce the difficulty of trying to pore hot resin.

And of course, I just had to add some “skulls”, 4 patches of them in total.

Next up was applying a layer of thinned down PVA glue to the “rock face”. This was tideus work, and I used almost one litre of thinned down glue to get the job done. My goal was to harden the rock face as I wanted to use the texture “as it was”, without applying sand etc.  Then it was time to cover the flat areas and the river using my standard “goup mix”.

Once this has dried, the next step will be to cover all the “flat areas” with sand. I expect it will take several days before everything has dried completely, dreading the next step since it will be a “messy job”.

Cheers!

 XXXXXXX

As mentioned in a previous post, I have started working on a new gaming board. Did I say one? I meant three!

I ordered the components from a local outlet. In -10° Celsius and windy snowdrift, Jørn arrived at my flat at 07:00, helping me carry up the delivery. Next, he spent to evenings after work (and after meeting his family obligations) helping me measuring and pre-cutting the pieces. By now I recon you got it, and if not - Thank you Jørn for always being there and helping out!

I am building three gaming boards. This time – themed boards. For gaming purposes solely, I guess "flat tables" with modular terrain pieces are best. However, I have had that for several years now, feeling I miss the challenge and possibilities of detailing of a thematic (fixed) gaming board. In order to "blend" my current terrain with the new boards, the foundation scenery of the new boards will be "fixed" but are designed so that my buildings etc can fit. I am very uncertain if this will work, but I decided this summer to give it a try.

First out is a "desert table" with a river. The idea behind this gaming table is to be able to use it in both 40K and Fantasy war gaming. I plan to finish it in colours that will blend with my Dark Eldar and forthcoming Chaos Army. The design will, hopefully, give me the option to build a Chaos Temple and Dark Eldar scenery. This is the plan anywa. If it is going to work – I have no idea.

Here are some pictures of the first gaming board under construction (the other two underneath).

Cheers guys,

Ørnulv

Warhammer World – TSB Visit

Here are some of the photos taken during our two-day visit to Warhammer World (or visit to Narnia as one of my friends called it).

First out, the members visiting:

Trond and Jørn

Ørnulv

Inspiration pictures for gaming tables:

 

Some gaming photos:

Game on!!!

Just a quick post to share a few shots from Warhammer World. We planned on having a three-way battle first, and see if we could find a few local players later on. The game has taken too long for that now though...

The first batch of Chaos Cultists (Architecture of Aggression XXXI)

Seems I haven't posted any army updates since before Invasion, back in august... This can't stand!

With the release of Dark Vengeance, I found myself with quite a few brand new models in hand. When the new Chaos codex came out as well, I figured I had to get a few painted up for Ørn's gaming event a week ago.

Not at all happy with the lack of diversity among the cultists, I swapped about half their arms and heads around before priming them. I also dug out ten Ungors I'd converted back in the days of the Eye of Terror campaign but never painted.

They didn't turn out too bad, but it is rather noticeable how much more detailed plastic miniatures have gotten since the Beastmen was released...

The last game!

The last game sounds a bit dramatic doesn’t it? But as I will start working on my new gaming tables next week, this is probably the last time I will use my current set of gaming tables. They have worked great, and I learned a lot during construction and gained experience I will try to implement into my new gaming boards. Enough said about that, lets get on with it!

Necrons (Tom Erik) vs Dark Eldar (Ørnulv)

2000p

Purge the Alien – Hammer and Anvil

The Necrons deployed first. Several units taking cover in centre (Warriors with Crypteck), Lychguards and Triarch Praetorians), while two units of Wraiths and a large unit of Tomb Blades massed to the northeast flank. In centre, an Annihilation barge and a Lord with Command Barge. In reserve, Immortals in Night Scythe and a Doom Scythe.

Out of range! The Dark Eldar Arcon said his prayers, and darkness fell upon the battlefield. Deploying out of range (of sight) the entire Dark Eldar army deployed ready to face the ancient constructs. 3 Ravagers, 2 Raiders with Warriors, 2 Raiders with Wyches, 2 Venoms with Warriors, 3 Venoms with Trueborn and 3 units of Scourges. The units massed slightly towards southeast.

The Necrons mobile forces advanced on the northeast flank, taking cover. The Barges moved up centre behind the large Rafenereum structure, flanked to the north vest by Lychguards. The Dark Eldar moved up, massing against the 2 units of Wraiths and the Tomb Blades, managing to destroy all three units.

Both Necron flyers entered the battlefield turn 2. To the east, the Doom Scythe took position against the massed Dark Eldar skimmers, charging its Death ray. On the vest flank the Night Scythe deployed the Immortals in cover, the Flyer positioning towards a centre Ravager. The Barges moved against centre. One Venom where destroyed, one Immobilised, and the Ravager lost a dark Lance. The Immortals almost destroyed a unit of Scourges, who in turn, failed their Ld test, fleeing. What to do?  The Arcon ordered the remaining Venoms to close in on the Immortals, backed by two units of Scourges, leaving the Trueborn behind. A unit of Wyches reading for the assault on a Barge. The Ravagers and Raiders with Dark lances taking fire positions on the Barge in centre and Flyers. The Dark Eldar opened fire, destroying the centre Barge and shooting down the Doom Scythe. The Immortals where reduced to a handful of models.

The Immortals adjusted their position, as did the Night Scythe who managed to get one more run at the dark Eldar before it would have to tactically redraw, however temporarily. The Praetorians moved up centre, supporting the remaining Barge, and the Crypteck deep striked he’s Warriors behind the Dark Eldar battle line. The Immortals killed off a unit of Wyches, and the Night Scythe destroyed a Raider. The Deep-striking Warriors blew up a Raider, several of its crewmembers killed as it crashed. The 3 units of Trueborn repositioned, facing the Night Scythe and last Barge. The Venoms split up, one facing the remaining Immortals and one the Deep striking Warriors. To the east a unit of Scourges and a unit of Warriors advanced taking cover. To the vest a unit of Scourges closed in o the Warriors. The Venom, Warriors and Scourges to the vest did not manage to bring down the Deep striking Warriors squad. The reanimation protocols worked like never before… However the Barge and Night Scythe were brought down.

The Deep striking Warrior Squad opened fire on the Scourges, cutting them down. The Praetorians moved around the large Rafenereum structure in centre, advancing on the Dark Eldar Warrior squad hiding behind it, but not managing to assault them. The Lycheguards advanced on the vest flank. Recognizing the threat on the east flank, a unit of Trueborn with the Arcon, a unit of Warriors, Venom and the remaining squad of Scourges opened fire on the Praetorians, wiping them out! Again the Deep striking Necron Warrior Squad held their ground.

 

After turn 5, the battle came to an end, and it was time to settle the accounts.

Dark Eldar 13 – Necrons 9.

Looking forward to the next game Tom Erik!