When Is Introducing Someone To 40K Like A Medical Emergency?

Hey there Chaos followers and heretics. Old Man Chaos is back with a bit of a kind of humorous post. But first, I just did a quick read through of the Imperial Guard codex (I am fine with Astra Millitarum, but I'm always going to call it IG). I really like the codex- the orders system is really solid, there is potential for lots of Psykers and such, and of course, the tanks are as dangerous as ever (the Hydra will be a must in this age of flyers). I think the book is really solid- I shall have to work on my Traitor Guardsmen, that's for sure!

The Ultramarine's line

The Scions of Gorechild prepare to charge

At any rate, last Friday was round 3 for me and my friend Brian, whom I have been introducing Warhammer 40K to. To begin with, Brian already knows about Warhammer from the computer fantasy games (which, I'm frankly not sure), but he knew little about 40K. He always saw my models and all that, so finally he had asked what it was about, so I loaned him the big rule book so he could see for himself. At any rate, he decided that he wanted to try, so I let him use my Ultramarines and away we went. In our first match (at like 800 points), his Ultramarines shot my Khorne Bezerkers all to hell, and he won. Wow. Beginner's luck or a hustler? Ha. The first game was a basic set up, with some Marines, a dreadnought each, etc. Simple enough to learn the rules. Brain was successful in fire discipline, carefully whittling down each unit in turn- impressive enough for a newbie. In our second match at 1200 or so, the Scions of Gorechild got revenge, defeating the Ultramarines handily (Brian learned to hate the Maulerfiend, which quickly tore through his back ranks, and the Defiler, which blew huge holes in his lines). We introduced jump packs as well as deep strike and Terminators. Brian appreciated the learning curve thus far.

The Stalker was ready to shoot down enemy aircraft

So, this past Friday Brian said he wanted to play again. So we increased it to about 1800 points, and included flyers (Heldrake versus Storm Talon, as well as a Stalker tank, which I wanted to see in action). This game would allow Brian to play a larger match, as well as learning about Flyers.

The Defiler blew up chunks of the Ultramarine line

The mission was Relic, for which we used a simple set of barrels amid a crashed ship (who knows what was in those drums? A hiding Inquisitor perhaps? Nyuk Nyuk). Brain won the roll off but decided to let me go first- that'll learn him not to do that again. I decided to hold nothing in reserve and charged everything at him, as a Khorne lord should. My Defiler cut a whole into his army, taking out some of his jump squad and some regular men, thanks to a drifting blast template.

Two Maulerfiends can be quite a headache

Brian again was very disciplined in firing, even taking out a couple of my Chaos bikes as well as some of my Warp Talons. He naturally targeted both Maulerfiends, (eventually taking out one with a hale of fire from his Dreadnought). His Land Speeders shot my cultists all to hell (as I was sure he would).His Librarian suffered a perils of the warp with double 6s, which made me laugh (and Brian scowl).

Smite the enemies of the Imperium of Mankind!!

I failed to give the bikes the mark of Khorne- an accident that became a big mistake

Close combat was amusing at times. My first Maulerfiend wrecked a squad before it was destroyed. My second Maulerfiend killed the Stalker (thus I still didn't see it in action). My bikes shot at and charged the Scouts- but I didn't give them the Mark of Khorne and thus couldn't cut through them fast enough. My last remaining Talons got into it with the Assault Terminators, but those thunder hammer / storm shield combos hurt. The funny part was my champion challenged his sarge, and... both of us came up with lousy rolls, not even scoring hits (I didn't take VoLW, as I want him to learn more rules before I turn it up a notch). My damn Heldrake was nowhere to be seen. Damn it.

A fight that went nowhere for two turns.

Keep moving... blood for the blood god!

Then,  his Storm Talon roared in, Lascannon blazing at my Defiler, destroying it. Combats were not going anywhere, as the bikes just couldn't finish off enough of the Scouts still, and the Warp Talons finally getting knocked out. But, by top of turn 3, my Lord and his Terminator retinue had just taken the relic. Yes, Brian was about to pitch a lot of his force toward me, but I had a Maulerfiend and an inbound Heldrake that could ruin his day, as well as two squads of mostly untouched Bezerkers at either side of the Lord's squad.

The Stormtalon's arrival heralded the end of the Defiler

Keep your eyes on the prize!

Then, as it was about to start Brian's turn 3, he said he needed to go to the bathroom. Sure- happens to all of us, even in the midst of battle. But then, when he emerged from the bathroom... he was as pale as could be!! He said that he needed to go to the doctor ASAP. What?! Holy Cow!! I have met people who couldn't handle losing before, but geez. To fake going to the hospital to get out of losing... ;-)

Actually, Brian did suffer a medical problem, and thankfully the ER was able to help him. I've never heard of a game of 40K making someone sick before (Ha ha. These jokes just write themselves). Apparently he was ill from rolling too many ones (see what I mean). Just when I think I have seen it all as a 40K player... I've never sent an opponent to the ER before. This will be a game I will long remember, for its crazy ending!

For his part, Brian was as gracious as usual, conceding the game to me, since I had the relic. He says he wants a rematch though, as soon as he is 100%. He obviously likes the game...

Can you top that gaming war story? Until next time...

A couple of Rhinos and Epidemus

Hey there Chaos fanatics. Old Man Chaos here with another edition of Chaos Corner. I've been working on a ton of stuff- indeed, I have been suffering from painter's ADHD, working on a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I've got some good stuff coming down the pike, if I can just focus on one thing... geez.

I have been interested to see the Imperial Guard stuff coming from GW (excuse me, Astra Millitarum). I dislike the tracks of the Taurox, but the rest of the vehicle is just fine. I don't know how I'd fix those wheels though... The Tempestus (storm troopers) are really fine models though, with plenty of detail and accessories. I'm diggin the Hydra/Wyvern, I have to say. I will be buying the Guard codex this weekend, so I'll let you know what I think after I read through it all. As for the Tempestus "supplement"- I won't get it, but I like the idea of an all storm trooper force and the fluff behind it. But I do like the Guard, and I can't wait to get my grubby hands on that book.

Good shot of my 4th Rhino

On another front, I have played 2 games with my friend Brian, who is new to the game. He won the first go, but I won the second go. Now, he wants revenge this week. I'll be sure to take pictures and make a formal battle report. I wonder if he will buy an army? I certainly don't mind him borrowing mine if he decides not to. Time will tell. I also plan on going to my local store next week, getting back into the gaming scene there after this rather nasty (and busy) winter.

Does that really look over the top? Ha ha.

At any rate, I have some pics here of a Plague Marine Rhino and the daemon Epidemus. I have shown the Rhino before, but these pics are better due to the new studio that I'm using (have I mentioned that I love the set up?).

I like the Nurgling playing in the guts.

Now, the Rhino is a fine vehicle, but I'm always trying to make them look different for the Plague Marines. I worked on this puppy last summer before my big Apocalypse game. I used lots of putty for this one. I decided to go completely over the to with guts. I've got guts on the top, and in the rear. I know it was a bit much, but if you can't go over the top with Chaos, who can you go over the top with?

Forge World doors on my 4th Rhino

This is my favorite Rhino. 2 of my oldest Rhinos that I did I did WAAAAAAYY back when I was first building my Plague Marine army look  quite primitive compared to what I would eventually do with my army. The third Rhino I did is more in line with the rest of my army.

3rd Rhino Pic 1 (inspired by an old conversion in 3rd edition's codex)

3rd Rhino Pic 2 (the forerunner of my 4th Rhino)

3rd Rhino Pic 3- fungal growths and slime

My new 4th Rhino is slightly different, but it is so over the top that I just love it. It certainly gets a lot of looks when I take it gaming. When players tell me "Ewww. That's gross", I just smile. Papa Nurgle would be proud.

Awwww. He's drooling. Isn't that cute?

The other guy I want to show I probably haven't shown specifically, though you may have seen him in some battle report pics. The Tallyman himself, Epidemus.

I have an old model (which my friend bought for me from a Battlewagon, believe it or not), which was a Plague Lord on a Palanquin. I love that model, and still use it sometimes. I really loved the model. The only thing I disliked was the nurglings holding him up- not them, but the way I painted them. I tried to do them different colors, and they ended up a bit too technicolor for my tastes.

But, when Epidemus was released, my Nurgle painting style was perfected, and he ended up looking like the metal Plaguebarers that I did at that time. I sickly pale color, with just some green in there. I was always happy with how I did the maggots/vomit on his stomach. The yellow ink really sets that off on the model.

Better was the nurglings carrying him, which I did various shades of green. Thus, I avoided the random colors, but made them just different enough so that they are distinct. I really like how the nurglings are all over the place on this model, struggling to keep the throne upright under Epidemus' bulk. 

"Tally Your Blessings"

I have had mixed results with Epidemus on the field, and he always got killed before his Tallyman effect could really get going. That and I lost track of how many my Nurgle units killed (my fault). I will use him again at some point, and I will absolutely try to do better with him in the future. I have never done an all Nurgle daemon army though- perhaps it is time for me to do just that... hmmm. We shall see.

At any rate, that's it for me. Oh, before I go- I saw Captain American 2. It was awesome, and I should try to write up a review on it soon. I really want to see it again before I do, as it has a lot going on (all of it cool).

Until next time...