KRIEGSSPIEL

Obvious stupid is stupid obvious

2011-02-21T21:46:00.004-05:00

It seems like every couple of weeks now, some buffoon on Bell of Lost Souls makes a comment referring to "Codexes".

Today it actually started with the following gem:

Rakoth
in reply to Gareson
Would you rather quickly done, not planned out codi *cough*Tyranids*cough*, or well written and interesting codi?

"Codi"? Really? To be fair, at least the poster knew that something was wrong with his first instinct.

This being the internet, it wasn't long before someone supplied the correction. Yes, children, the plural of "codex" is..."codices".

Because:

"Codex" is a Latin word for an old book. Basically. And the plural ending for words ending in "-dex" is "-dices". I don't make these rules. Blame the Romans.

Other words you might know like this include index, uh...subindex, and...uh...caudex. Words ending "-ix" are the same. Appendix. Radix. Also words ending "-tex". Vortex. Vertex. Cortex. And words ending "-pex". Auspex. But not apex. Oh well.

Spandex is actually pluralized spandexes. This word is an anagram for expands. It was invented by Americans.

Now, back to BoLS, and here enters RealGenius. Spoiler alert: He's not a real genius.

RealGenius
Since it is a big 'c' word, you can use Codexes as well. No one speaks Latin here

...

RealGenius
It is the "Space Marine Codex", not the "Space Marine book-format-that-replaced-the-scroll-and-stone-tablet". English, we take words and make them ours.

...

RealGenius
I read Codexes, not codexes or codices.

Now, part way through looking like a complete fool, RealGenius makes this interesting move:

PANZERbunny
in reply to RealGenius
I think your username looks ridiculous when taken in context of what you're saying.

RealGenius
in reply to RealGenius
Finally the irony (OMG, a joke?!) isn't lost on PANZERbunny.

...

RealGenius
in reply to Psyberwolfe
Happy to be an American with the right to argue any damn point I want. Seriously, how often does this come up? (At least twice a year.) Why to people keep trying to correct grammar in the comments section of a poorly edited blog? I'd link you to several other articles where I explain codex/codicies, but I'm lazy and the irony/humor would be lost on you.

Psyberwolfe
in reply to RealGenius
Oh please do I'm all ears. The irony here is linked to my previous statement, "...can't be bothered to read a dictionary..." vs. yours, "...I'm lazy..."

PenelopeTheWonderPony
in reply to RealGenius
You spelt "codices" wrong. Just sayin' :P

But I will give RealGenius this: he goes out with a little class.

Weafwolf
in reply to RealGenius
Twice a year? I think it came up four weeks ago. The appropriate plural is "codices," but GW has printed "codexes," so do what you want. I'm sticking with "codices" because I like to feel superior to you.

RealGenius
in reply to Weafwolf
Best reason ever!

This will come up again, I'm sure. And every time it does, we can look back on this moment and see a high point of low points in the 40k meta.

Marine Commander: Leman Russ

2011-02-14T21:39:00.000-05:00

Marine Commander

Imperial Record AA/SW 05/015. f19.P6. Profile: Leman Russ Born: 2612016. M32. Guranta D Gurantan system. Commissioned Adeptus Terra as special agent 0134041. M32. First rose to Imperial notice during Lucan Crusade. Appointed Imperial Commander Lucan 0333042. M32. Instrumental in founding Adepts Astartes unit 4 'Spacewolves'. Suffered severe alviola damage during acid storms on Susa. Transplanted with model cybron-osmotic grill.

Good job, Games Workshop

2011-02-03T15:21:00.003-05:00

I love to rag on GW at the corporate level. As a consumer, I think some big mistakes have been made there over the past few years.

I also love to tease the red shirts for their dogmatic sales technique, but I've also had a lot of good experiences with the staff at my local GWs (shout out to Vince, Matt, and now Ben at Montreal Eaton's Centre).

Today, though, I had my second great experience dealing with GW customer service on the phone.

See, I collect the White Dwarf. I've been back collecting it for years, and I need something like 38 of the 260+ issues that have peen printed, and almost all of those are in the first 50.

So this is a big deal to me.

Now, one might think that I would get a subscription to the White Dwarf, but I've never had one. When I worked for GW I got it free every month for the couple of years I worked there, and otherwise I made a regular trek to the store to buy it. In December, however, at the prompting of my local W manager, I coughed up for a subscription (and the Space White Dwarf).

I was anxiously awaiting my first ever issue in the mail.

It arrived. Unbagged. With the label stuck on it. Dog eared and folded.

This was not good.

I called GW, ready to cancel my sub, but the fellow who answered assured me that this wasn't how it was supposed to come, that he'd look into it, and in the meantime he'd ship me a brand new one.

This was good.

The replacement issue arrived in a huge box, well protected and padded, and all was well. Until this week, when my second ever issue arrived.

Unbagged. With the label stuck on it. Dog eared and folded. With a little tear.

This was not good.

My second call to GW was effortless. Madison was understanding, helpful, and very pleasant on the phone. He took my issue seriously, and has arranged for me to pick up a replacement issue at my local GW. He assured me that he would pass this up the line and that things would get sorted out. And, if it happened again, he asked me to call back, and he'd look after me.

Thank you, Madison. Thank you, Games Workshop.

I appreciate it.

Titans and their varieties

2010-11-22T17:58:00.000-05:00

Titan configurations present a wide variety of often confusing nomenclature. This is a product of two main circumstance:

First, the models have evolved quite significantly since their introduction originally in Adeptus Titanicus; that game introduced only one broad type of Titan, but we now have about twenty.

Second, Games Workshop has been...ambiguous in sorting things out and, on at least one occasion, made obvious errors. Now the ambiguity helps to reinforce the mysterious elements of 40k, but simple errors could have been avoided.

I. TYPE

Broadly speaking, the first and most important distinction between Titans is their Type. Since most of the 40k universe is presented through the eyes of the Imperium, they get to label the Types. They are:

Emperor - the largest and rarest type, Emperor Titans are mammoth.

Battle - the most common type, Battle Titans perform a variety of battlefield roles and do the majority of the fighting.

Scout - the lightest type, Scout Titans perform in a reconaissance and support role.

II. CLASS

Within each type, there are subdivisions. Essentially, this is a matter of the basic "chassis".

The Imperium fields 4 (or possibly 5) different Classes of Titan. They are:

Imperator (Emperor type)
Warlord (Battle type)
Reaver (Battle type)
Warhound (Scout type)

The possible fifth class is the Warmonger. This monster is an Emperor type Titan; however, it is not clear if it is a variant of the Imperator, or a unique chassis. There are important similarities and differences between the two.

III. PATTERN

Various classes of Titans are produced throughout the Imperium. As a consequence of STC technology, the same essential Titan could be built by a variety of forge worlds. However, because of the fallen state of the Imperium, a number of cosmetic and even systemic differences can exist between the same class of Titan.

The most obvious Pattern disticntion is that between Mars and Lucius pattern Titans. Mars-produced Titans tend to have rounded carapaces and armour plates, whereas Lucius-produced Titans tend to be more angular and slab-sided.

HOWEVER, this analysis is complicated by the fact that Epic: Armageddon and Jervis Johnson indicate that "pattern" refers to weapons loadout, rather than cosmetic appearance or place of origin. This position should be discarded as grossly inconsistent with Forge World's various conversion kits (Ryza pattern turrets) and essentially the entirety of the rest of what we know about Titan classification.

IV. MARK

Because GW's modelling technology has advanced over time, and they have withdrawn and reintroduced models, "Mark" has emerged as a way of distinguishing earlier/later versions of the same model. The Armorcast Warhound, with it's rounded carapace, is clearly a Mars-pattern; Forge World's most recent smooth armoured Warhound is also Mars-pattern, hence Mark 1 and Mark 2.

V. VARIANT

Variant refers to weapon and equipment loadout. In Adeptus Titanicus, this was a very important classification, but it has diminished in importance over time as more Titans' were introduced to the game. Since in Adeptus Titanicus there was only one class of Titan in the box, these could be configured differently to create light, medium, and heavy versions. As the Reaver and Warhound were introduced, these roles were filled by dedicated Titan classes, and so variants become much less of an issue. Nonetheless, some weapon variations are so common that they have been standardized as named variants.

Imperial Titans appear in the following variants:

Warlord Nightgaunt - Assault weapons [Laser Burners, CCWs]
Warlord Nemesis - Support weapons
Warlord Eclipse - Relics
Warlord Deathbringer - Tactical weapons

Reaver Vandal - Relics [Devotional Bells, etc]
Reaver Hun - Tactical weapons [Gatling Blasters, Turbolasers]
Reaver Goth - Support weapons [Vortex Missiles, Deathstrike Cannons]

Warhound Wolf - Anti-Tank weapons [Plasma Blastgun & Turbolaser]
Warhound Jackal - Anti-Infantry weapons [Inferno Gun & Vulcan Megabolter]

It could be argued that the Warmonger is in fact a variant of the Imperator, given that much of the structure is identical, but for the weapons load.

Warhammer Quest - Card List

2010-10-15T19:01:00.000-04:00

As a reference, here is the complete list of cards produced for the Warhammer Quest Game, including its various expansions.

Warhammer Quest Boxed Set
Treasure Card Packs 1
Treasure Card Packs 2
Treasure Card Packs 3
Lair of the Orc Lord Expansion
Catacombs of Terror Expansion
All the cards from White Dwarf WHQ articles
Some of the treasure cards in the treasure packs can be inspirational for designing your own quests. Design a Quest in which the Warriors must collect all the Amulets, or Runestones, or chase after the magic items of Le Marquis. If they fail, huge vortexes of evil magic will descend upon the Empire, etc. etc.

Warhammer Quest Card List:

Boxed Set Event Cards:
Cave-In (E)
Encounter (E)
Dead Body (E)
Old Bones (E)
Portcullis (E)
Scorpions (E)
Trap (E)
2D6 Giant Bats (M)
2D6 Giant Rats (M)
2D6 Giant Spiders (M)
6 Goblin Archers (M)
6 Goblin Spearmen (M)
1D6 Goblin Spearmen & 1D6 Goblin Archers (M)
1 Minotaur (M)
1D3 Minotaurs (M)
6 Orcs (M)
1D6 Orcs & 1D6 Orc Archers (M)
2D6 Skaven (M)
2D6 Snotlings (M)
13x Blank Monster event cards
4x Blank Event event cards
"How-to fill out Blank Event cards" Card

Boxed Set Treasure Cards:
Amulet of Power
Arrows of Death
Boots of Swiftness
Chalice of Fate
Darting Steel Daggers
Deathstone
Dragon Shield
Enchanted Shield
Ensorcelled Blade
Finger of Doom
Firebomb
Flash Powder
Fur Cloak
Gold (3 gp)
Gold (100 gp)
Healing Potion
Healing Salve
Hell Mace
Incense of Healing
Invisibility Ring
Lightning Fire Ring
Lucky Talisman
Magic Potion
Orb of Might
Potion of Healing
Quake Scroll
Shield of Deliverance
Spear
Talon of Death
Time Freeze Ring

Boxed Set Dungeon Cards:
Corridor Cards:
1x Corner
1x Stairway
3x T-Junction
7x Passageway
Dungeon Room Cards:
Circle of Power
Dungeon Cell
Guard Room
Monster's Lair
Torture Chamber
Well of Doom
Objective Room Cards:
Fighting Pit
Firechasm
Fountain of Light
Idol Chamber
Tomb Chamber

Boxed Set Spell Cards:
Attack Spell Cards:
Fireball
Freeze
Lightning Bolt
Ogre Strength
Pit of Despair
Defense Spell Cards:
Confuse
Iron Skin
Levitate
Rebound
Shield
Healing Spell Cards:
Healing Hands
Heal Wounds
Lifebringer
Life Force
Resurrection

Boxed Set Equipment Cards:
The Lantern
The Rope
Hand of Death Spell Scroll
Healing Potion (full wounds)

Boxed Set Warrior + Advance Cards:
Barbarian
Dwarf
Elf
Wizard

Card Packs

Treasure Card Pack #1:
Cover card
Objective Room Treasure Cards:
Armour of Dargan
Arrows of Loren
Battle Stone of Le Marquis
Blood Sword
Boots of Flight
Bane Sword
Elf Helm
Hammer of Spite
Hellfire Sword
Horn of Vengeance
Power Stone of Le Marquis
Shield Spell Scroll
Sword of Vengeance
Warningstone of Asuryan
The Hammer of Sigmar
Dungeon Room Treasure Cards:
Ancient Vase of Lustria
Armour of Fortune
Arrow of Slaying
Axe of Slaughter
Band of Magic
Bane Scroll of the Undead
Blade of Sea Gold
Blade of Slicing
Bladed Boots
Boots of Tzchak
Bow of Tor Alessi
Cloak of Loren
Cloak of Deception
Cloak of Stealth
Coughing Spell Jewel
Dispel Magic Scroll
Dome of Power
Fanged Death Helm
Firebombs (1D6)
Glory! Spell Scroll
Glowstone
Gold (1D6x50)
Hidden Alcove
Holy Artefact
Lifebringer Spell Scroll
Lifestealer Talisman
Pearl Necklace
Pit of Despair Scroll
Potion of Alchemy
Potion of Flight
Potion of Instability
Potion of Weapon Mastery
Relic Blade
Ring of Sure Seeing
Runestone of Slaying
Spell Ring
Tankard
Undead Bane
Wall of Steel

Treasure Card Pack #2:
Cover Card
Objective Room Treasure Cards:
Armour of Meteoric Iron
Axe of Slaying
Blade of Leaping Gold
Crown of Thoughts
Dragon Stone of Le Marquis
Elf Shield
Firestorm Icon
Gauntlets of Soul Rending
Horn of Defiance
Lifestone of Ashraaz
Life Stone of Le Marquis
Ring of Regeneration
Ring of the Warp
Surefire Bow
Sword of Hoeth
Dungeon Room Treasure Cards:
Arrows of Piercing
Arrows of Sure Flight
Backpack
Bauble of Anurandel
Boots of Battle
Boots of Leaping
Bugman's XXXXXX
Chaos Bane
Confuse Spell Scroll
Crown of Madness
Cure Small Wounds Spell
Exotic Foods of Tilea
Fine Clothes
Fine Elf Wine
Fleet of Foot Scroll
Goblet of Vitality
Halo of Vengeance Scroll
Healing Hands Jewel
Horn of Shielding
Icon of Combat
Icon of Determination
Invisibility Spell Scroll
Iron Skin Spell Scroll
Light of Courage
Obsidian Blade
Ogre Slayer
Ogre Strength Scroll
Orb of Power
Potion of Battle
Potion of Healing (1D6 wounds)
Potion of Pain
Potion of Strength
Quarg Horn
Ring of Power
Spices from Araby
Stone of Bravery
Stone of Transmutation
Strength Spell Scroll
Swords of Doom Scroll

Treasure Card Pack #3:
Cover Card
Objective Room Treasure Cards:
Axe of Blood
Bracelet of Saphery
Chalice of Battle
Dragon Sword
Bow of Loren
Helm of Possession
Pistol & Shot
Ring of Seeking
Speed Stone of Le Marquis
Sword of Heroes
Talisman of Jet
Wand of Diabolum
Wand of Jade
Warp Jump Spell Jewel
Dungeon Room Treasure Cards:
Abandoned Backpack
Amulet of Fury
Amulet of Vindication
Bag of Gold (1d6x25)
Blessed Sword
Blood Pulse Spell Scroll
Bone Blade
Bow of Tiranoc
Destroy Magic Scroll
Destroy Magic Scroll
Dwarf Pick
Eltharion's Bow
Flesh Worm Scroll
Glittering Robe Scroll
Holy Water
Horn of Resilience
Icon of Agility
Javelin
Luckstone of Anurandel
Map
Potion of Endurance
Potion of Flying
Potion of Keensight
Potion of Lightning Blades
Potion of Toughness
Potion of Water Walking
Precious Icon
Protection Ring
Rapid Fire Bracelets
Ring of Invisibility
Rune of Destruction
Runestone of Death
Runestone of Magic
Salve of Strength
Stonebread
Sword of Might
Window of the Void Scroll
Wines of Bretonnia
Wings of Power Scroll
Wizard's Staff

Blank Event Card Blister Pack:
17x Blank Monster event cards
4x Blank Event event cards

Catacombs of Terror

Catacombs of Terror Event Cards:
Curse of the Dread King (E)
Death Curse (E)
Dwarf Ghost (E)
Horror in the Darkness (E)
Spectral Attack (E)
Vampire Bats (E)
Van Damneg - The Dread King (M)
Gunther Laranscheld - Evil Necromancer (M)
Luthor, Laranshceld's Hunchback Servant (M)
1 Carrion (M)
2D6 Ghouls (M)
1D6+3 Skeletons (Archers) (M)
1D6+3 Skeletons (M)
1D6 Skeleton Spearmen (M)
1D6 Skeleton Spearmen and 1D6 Skeleton Archers (M)
1 Tomb Guardian (M)
1D3 Tomb Guardians (M)
1D6+3 Zombies (M)

Catacombs of Terror Treasure Cards:
Objective Room Treasure Card:
Sceptre of Zandri
Dungeon Room Treasure Cards:
Amulet of Charadris
Axe of Khemri
Chalice of Vigour
Helm of Alcadizzar
Silver Stone
Stone Icon of Ghamaluk
Orb of Sigmar
Talisman of Alcadizzar
The Blessed Gem
The Kingshield of Tilea

Catacombs of Terror Dungeon Cards:
Corridor Card:
Chasm of Despair
Flames of Khazla
Dungeon Room Cards:
Hall of Death
Objective Room Card:
Dread King's Throne Room

Catacombs of Terror Special Cards:
Grimoire Necris
Necromantic Magic
Undead Minions

Lair of the Orc Lord

Lair of the Orc Lord Event Cards:
Bogoff The Snotling (E)
Challenge! (E)
Falling Block (E)
Get The Little Git (E)
Gubbinz The Jester (E)
Map (E)
Spikes! (E)
Spore Fungus (E)
Trip Up (E)
Wounded Knight (E)
1D6 Black Orcs (M)
3 Goblin Fanatics (M)
1D3+1 Goblin Wolf Riders (M)
Gorgut And Minions (M)
3 Gorgut's Big'Uns (M)
1D6 Orcs And 1D6 Night Goblin Archers (M)
1D6 Night Goblin Archers And 1 Fanatic (M)
4 Night Goblin Netters And 4 Clubbers (M)
Skabnoze The Shaman With Minions (M)
2 Squig Hunters With Cave Squig (M)
1D6 Wild Cave Squigs (M)

Lair of the Orc Lord Treasure Cards:
Bograt's Krown
Fungus Brew
Magic Arrers
Plergit's Stabba
Pritty Stonez
Ring Of Life
Scroll Of The Chimera
The Hammer Of Hargon

Lair of the Orc Lord Dungeon Cards:
Corridor Card:
Collapsed Passage
Dungeon Room Card:
Shaman's Den
Objective Room Card:
Gorgut's Lair

Lair of the Orc Lord Special Cards:
Shaman's Den
Skabnoze's Spells
Squig Hound
Sword Of Malediction

White Dwarf Magazine

White Dwarf 185:
Gaol Key Equipment Card
Gaol Board Section
Gaol Dungeon Card

White Dwarf 186:
Flames of Khazla Board Section
Flames of Khazla Dungeon Card

White Dwarf 187:
4x Treasure Cards:
Freezing Death Spell Jewel
Gemstone
Moradrel's Boots
Reaper Sword

White Dwarf 189:
Treasure Map Equipment Card
2x Treasure Cards:
Gem of Passage
Globe of Destruction

White Dwarf 190:
8x Dark Secret Cards:
Discovery
Escort
Personal Supplies
Phobia
Pursuit
Rescue
Secret Map
Vengeance

White Dwarf 191:
2x Treasure Cards:
Soulstone
Blessed Water

White Dwarf 192:
3x Board Sections:
Dead End
Collapsed Passage
Into The Dark
3x Dungeon Cards:
Dead End
Collapsed Passage
Into The Dark

White Dwarf 193:
4x Event Cards:
Orc Ambush (M)
Rat Ogre (M)
Spider's Lair (E)
Treasure Trove (E)

White Dwarf 195:
Rat Golem Event Card (M)
Skreek Deathstrike Event Card (M)
Quirrik Event Card (M)
Quirrik's Laboratory Dungeon Card
Quirrik's Lab board section
6x Warpstone counters

White Dwarf 197:
4x Event Cards:
Alarm (E)
Shifting Sands (E)
Sliding Wall (E)
Snake Pit (E)

White Dwarf 201:
Affliction of Nurgle Event Card (E)
Chaos Dwarf Anvil board section (no Dungeon card)

White Dwarf 204:
Sewer Board Section
Sewer Dungeon Card
Fascination of Slaanesh Event Card (E)

(above archived from http://home.earthlink.net/~djrobert/Sanctum/whqcardlist.htm)

Specialist Game - "Inquisitor" - Book List

2010-10-03T18:48:00.002-04:00

Have:

Inquisitor Rulebook
Thorian Faction Sourcebook (pdf)

Inquisitor Conspiracies: The Ciran Legacy
Inquisitor Conspiracies: Death of an Angel

Inquisitor Annual 2002

Inquisitor Annual 2004

Exterminatus #5
Exterminatus #6
Exterminatus #7
Exterminatus #9
Exterminatus #10

Need:

Inquisitor Conspiracies: Heavenfall

Exterminatus #1
Exterminatus #2
Exterminatus #3
Exterminatus #4
Exterminatus #8
Exterminatus #11+

The Shark Mouth

2010-03-18T11:34:00.007-04:00

Made famous by the American Volunteer Group, aka the Flying Tigers, in China, the "Shark Toothed Mouth" design is a variety of nose art that first appeared in the First World War. A variety of countries have employed it, and the effect can be both comical and menacing.

The Americans are almost certainly the dominant users of the design at present:

A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog"

The appeal of the design lies, probably, in the image of the shark as a sleek predator, always staying in motion to survive. Plus, big teeth are awesome!

Dassault Ouragon flown by the Israeli Air Force

Apache AH-64D Longbow, flown by the United States Army

The use of the shark mouth for helicopters is very popular with American forces, turning up in Viet Nam on Hueys and continuing as above and below.

AH-1 Cobra Gunship

Because f the popularity on helicopters, it is only natural that it should appear on the sides of the new plastic Valkyrie gunships, which are sort of a mix of Huey air cav and attack gunship.

Valkyrie

Though the design is most often utilized in aircraft, I thought it was worth mentioning that ~~Canada~~ Russia* has a slightly different take on the issue. And, in my opinion, size does matter.

~~Canadian~~ Russian Ice Breaker

* Thanks to an unidentified commenter for correcting my national attribution.

Reivers: First Batch

2010-01-29T18:44:00.001-05:00

So, cobbling together a variety of GW kits, I have been able to buuild up a few figs.

Here is the first one (Champion):

I'm not 100% satisfied with the horse, as it really is too large for a hobbler, but it is the best compromise. This model is built with head, legs, and torso from the Empire Militia Sprue, and his pistol comes from that sprue as well. The cape is from the Empire Pistoliers. I forget where the sword came from--Bretonnian maybe? In the absence of a proper morion helmet, this reiver is wearing a steel cap.

As you can see, he's quite well armed; pistol and sword make a good combination, and he has a dirk tucked in at his belt as well. The riders will all share a fairly similar armament, placing them firmly in an assault role, rather than a flanking one.

The shield is an old generic round shield, with the rim filed down and the edges beveled slightly to soften it and suggest that it has a leather face stretched over it. There is no other baggage on the horse, as I didn't want to crowd it up.

The reiver can be removed; a foot version of him will be built so he can dismount etc. He has a pin placed rather uncomfortably in his ass.

Border Library

2010-01-25T19:12:00.000-05:00

Here are the books currently featured in my Border library:

The Steel Bonnets
by George MacDonald Fraser

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Strongholds of the Border Reivers (Osprey)

The Border Reivers (Osprey)

Border Fury

Candlemass Road

The Reavers

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Border Reiver Supplies

2010-01-21T16:06:00.005-05:00

This list will be updated as I find new stuff. Feel free to note links in the comments.

Dixon Miniatures link (UK)

The "Flodden" line also includes some Mounted Border Reivers. These are my least favourite sculpts; i don't think they really have a great sense of proportion, and the equipment is more military than raid oriented. Also, at 2.50 GBP (per rider and horse), they are not materially cheaper than the other lines. The Foot are all from the Flodden line.

Grand Manner link (UK)

Features a wide variety of resin buildings. Their Bastle House is well worth a look, as is the Stone barn and Stable. At 40 GBP+, these are price, but it's better than trying to carve all that stone yourself.... The also have Stone Walls for your barnekin, but these are pricey too. Also, the poorly bevelled bases are a turn off for me.

Graven Images (by Monolith Designs) link (UK)

Stocks a similarly sized range as Vendel. An interesting feature is that you can buy a Foot Reiver band as one pack, and what appears to be the Mounted version as a second pack. Each pack is "character" based: Auld Wat, Red Rowan, etc. No separate animal packs, but there is a Bishop! Also features some appropriate buildings. Probably. There's no photos of the buildings.

Gripping Beast link (UK)

No idea if they are appropriate for the Borders, but they have some...interesting Sheep. Also, some miscellaneous pack animals.

Megaminiatures link (USA)

Sold only through an eBay store (or so it seems), this line is not great. But it's cheap. And how much do you want to spend on Sheep, anyway? Some decent Pack Horses and Mules in there as well, though their Cattle are no good for the Borders. Plus, there's this fig, and everyone needs one of those!

Outpost Wargames Services link (UK)

Mounted and Foot Reivers, some Civilians, Artillery, Sheep, Hounds, and Cattle. I don't love the looks of their Reivers (and the paint jobs don't help), but the Slew Hounds and animals look pretty good, and are comparatively cheap.

Vendel Miniatures link (UK)

Sells Reiver "families" ranging from 10 to 30 Mounted and Foot figs, as well as an additional line of Elizabethan soldiery. Also carries Hounds and Cattle. The dogs are large Mastiffs, and the cattle, contrary to their "Longhorn" name, are probably quite appropriate for the border lands. You can also get Spear packs, in rounded point and planished varieties. I ordered some figs, which haven't arrived yet. It does look to me like there are way too many calivermen in each bundle though.

UPDATE: The Vendel lines have been purchased by Sgt Major Miniatures link (US).

Wargames Foundry link (UK)

Some of the figs in the Seadogs and Swashbucklers collection may suit for Foot, and there are Sheep and Oxen in the Livestock collection.

Territory and Income Chart

2010-01-18T13:38:00.005-05:00

I have attempted to transpose the Necromunda Income Chart into something appropriate for the Borders. Some of the elements are no doubt a little fanciful, but hopefully they keep the spirit of the Border Reivers.

D66

ROLL TERRITORY INCOME

11 Volatile Bog - 2D6

An extensive and highly dangerous bog lies nearby. The bog is a site of varying acidity, a chemical soup producing sulphurous deposits and various kinds of poisonous and corrosive substances, all in demand by your nearby town’s more esoteric practitioners. If you want to collect from the bog you gain 2D6 crowns. The work is extremely hazardous. If you roll a double or a 6 when working out your income, then the ganger falls into the corrosive bog or is caught in a sudden flame up but manages to haul himself free or extinguish the flames (or both, depending on circumstance). He struggles back home horrifically scarred, his skin covered with blisters. His appearance is so foul that from now on he causes fear. No income is collected, and the fighter must miss the next game while he recovers from his injuries.

12-16 Old Ruins - 10

Though bastle houses and peel tower are frequently rebuilt as soon as they go down, there are still many ruins dotting the landscape of the Borders, from abbeys and cloisters to Border dwellings, and even the old mile forts at Hadrian’s Wall. There is one such ruin not far from your settlement. If a hero searches through the ruins he may find scrap bits of old metal, coins, or interesting old curios – enough to sell for 10 crowns.

21-25 Herds - 15

A major clan routinely grazes their sheep and cattle just on the other side of the line. Your warband has discovered a concealed route that enables them to slip in and run off a few head – enough to sell for 15 crowns.

26 Soft Targets - D6x10

Not far from your warband's settlement are a number of poorly defended homesteads or hamlets. Careful not to take too much, the Reivers maintain a careful balance with the civilians, who put up only a token resistance. You will earn D6x10 crowns by banging on doors and making threats.

31-35 Blackmayle - 30

A fairly major settlement would rather pay the warband protection money than suffer their depredations. The relationship is smooth and businesslike; the small holders know that they have to pay someone, one way or another. If a hero visits the settlement, he'll find that the local headman has collected the usual amount and has it all ready to go. In addition, whether the territory is used or not, there is a chance of a young villager, caught up in a romanticized vision of Reiver life, attaching himself to the hero as a sort of page. Roll a D6 after each game. On the roll of a 6 you may recruit a Youngblood for free. His equipment will have to be paid for.

36 Quarry - D6x10

In a mutually beneficial arrangement, your warband has a part ownership in a stone quarry. By sending a few of the boys around to help with the labour, you can earn some ready cash. Collect D6x10 crowns as your share of the profits to date.

If you capture an enemy fighter then you can put him to work in your mine instead of turning him over to the Warden for a bounty. Each captive worker adds +1 to your D6 dice roll for income from the quarry.

41-44 Secret Paths - 10

Your warband has found a series of concealed passes and paths by which they can travel in secret; such routes are ideal for laying ambushes. When the warband fights a battle, it can use routes ducts to position up to three warriors anywhere on the battlefield. Models are set up at the end of the player’s first turn and cannot be placed within 8" of enemy models. This represents the fighters working their way behind the enemy using their secret paths.

45-46 Homestead - D6x10

One of the heroes has a fairly profitable farming interest. Taking the livestock or produce to market will net the warband some income (D6x10 crowns).

51-52 Whisky Still - D6x10

The gang has set-up and maintains a still at an isolated location out in the wastes. The still is worked by the family or friends of one of the heroes. Selling the booze in town nets the warband a share of the proceeds amounting to D6x10 crowns.

53-54 Drinking Hole - D6x10

Your leader has inherited an old drinking hole in payment of an outstanding gambling debt. Small but well-known, the pub earns a small sum and also provides the warband with a convenient base in the local settlement for planning raids. You can visit the drinking hole to collect your share of D6x10 crowns.

55-56 Merchant Contact - D6x10

A local merchant has offered you favorable rates in return for your business. As a result you are able to increase your income substantially. If you wish to deal with your Merchant Guilder contact, you gain an extra D6x10 crowns.

If you recover any loot during a fight you can trade it in to your contact for an extra +5 crowns income for each item.

61 Friendly Chirurgeon - D6x10

One of the local medical practitioners has offered to patch up your wounded fighters at favorable rates in return for protection and other considerations. If a hero wants to part with a little blood or assist the "doctor" during an operation, you gain D6x10 crowns. The Doc will also give you D6x5 crowns for the body of any of your warriors who dies in combat, providing him with an opportunity to increase his anatomical knowledge....

62 Workshop - D6x10

The family or friends of one of your warriors runs a workshop in the local settlement. You can trade insight, broken weapons, or other odds and ends in return for cheap repair work or cash. If you want to visit the workshop you earn D6x10 crowns.

63 Gambling Den - 2D6x10

Your warband runs a fairly major gambling den in one of the less reputable quarters of Liddesdale or a similar settlement, with cards, dice, cock fights, and other games o' chance. Although the income from running a game is good, it is a risky business because Borderers are notorious cheats and bad losers too. If you decide to run a gambling session you receive 2D6x10 crowns. However, if you roll a double, you lose that number of crowns from that turn’s income instead – eg, double 4 you lose 80 crowns.

Note that losses are deducted from your income before making reductions for basic running costs. If a warband is unable to pay gambling debts out of its income then the difference must be made up from its stash. If this still isn’t enough to cover the warband’s debts then weapons or equipment must be sold off.

64 Faerie Ring - 2D6x10

Your warband has discovered a hidden clearing centered around a faerie ring. Many kinds of rare fungi, herbs, and flowers grow there, which are quite valuable for trade in town. A hero can harvest the plants and sell it to local apothecary for 2D6x10 crowns. If you roll double 1 when harvesting, then the hero has inadvertently touched or ingested something toxic. Such illness is not lethal and recovery is automatic, but the ganger will not be able to take part in future battles until he recovers by rolling a 4, 5 or 6 at the start of a game. Once recovered, he may fight as normal.

65 Hoard - 2D6x10

Your warband has discovered a hidden entrance into a store room in the ruins of an abbey or barrow. A hero can collect the remnants of a hoard of supplies and valuables that can be sold for 2D6x10 crowns. So long as your warband is careful not to sell too many items at once, no one will suspect that your loot is not obtained by your regular rides. No risk is incurred by collecting 2D6x10 crowns. However, if you want to work the hoard more intensely you can do so. A hero can collect 3D6x10, 4D6x10, 5D6x10 or even 6D6x10 from the hoard, but if he rolls any doubles at all, then he has been spotted entering the ruins. You still collect the income rolled but the hoard is secret no longer and it is immediately stripped bare by treasure hunters. The territory then becomes an area of Old Ruins instead.

66 Settlers - Choose

You befriend a group of settlers who have migrated from more peaceful locales to start a new life. Possibly your warband has chanced upon the settlers lost or under attack by broken men. Maybe they are relatives or friends of one of your warriors who have deliberately sought him out. Thanks to your contacts and influence, you are able to give the settlers a good start, and naturally they are grateful for your assistance and only too pleased to help in the future. You may choose any type of territory from the chart. The territory represents the vocation of the settlers or a discovery they have chanced across in their journey to the Borderlands. The territory yields the appropriate income for its type.

With Fyre and Sword

2010-01-15T17:00:00.004-05:00

So I have managed to press-gang a non-miniatures gaming friend of mine to try out some 25/28mm skirmish. I've long thought that the Mordheim rules might provide a good template for gaming Reivers, and I'm in the process of kitbashing the rules together, in addition to the figs to play with.

One of the appeals of this game format is a cheap buy-in; using a box of Empire Militia and a box of Pistoliers, both by Games Workshop, I expect to be able to outfit the better part of two Reiver warbands. Overall, the gear and sculpts suit the period, some bitz excepted, and neither of is is a stickler. We can always buy some legit Border Reiver miniatures from Vendel if we keep on going.

One of the most significant components of the Mordheim rules that I want to change is the income generation. I plan to parachute a composite from the Necromunda rules in, representing the Reivers' various connections and business interests; blackmail, small-time farm raids, and even honest farming will be represented much better by the Necro territories than by the Mordheim wyrdstone or Empire in Flames treasure system. I anticipate that some playtesting will be necessary to establish an even baseline, but I really think it should be a good fit.

Below is my first section of rules edit, the armoury:

Weaponry:

Melee Weapons

Requiring honest, face-to-face contact, a man's life depends on his melee weapons.

Fist

The truly desperate, disarmed Reivers or peasants who don’t even own a knife, have to fight with their bare hands. Needless to say, their chances of survival are low!

Note: The following rule only apply to warriors who have lost their weapons or unarmed civilians. Animals, etc, ignore these rules. Warriors using their fists can only ever make 1 attack.

Range: Close Combat; Strength: As user -1; Special Rule: +1 Enemy armour save

SPECIAL RULE

+1 Enemy armour save: An enemy wounded by a fist gains a +1 bonus to his armour save, and a 6+ armour save if he normally has none.

Dagger

Daggers and knives are extremely common, and men are allowed to carry them in enclaves where weapons are otherwise forbidden. Every Reiver worth his salt carries a dirk or dagger for close in work.

Range: Close Combat; Strength: As user; Special Rule: +1 Enemy armour save

SPECIAL RULE

+1 Enemy armour save: Daggers are not the best weapons to use for penetrating an enemy model’s armour. An enemy wounded by a dagger gains a +1 bonus to his armour save, and a 6+ armour save if he has none normally.

Staff, Club, or Improvised Weapon

It takes little imagination to turn a piece of lumber, a broom handle, or a chair leg into a ready weapon. Though lacking the flair of more military weaponry, woe betide the Reiver who turns his back on a broom wielding farmwife!

Range: Close Combat; Strength: As user; Special Rule: None

Hammer, Mace

Perhaps the simplest type of weapon, these brutal, bludgeoning instruments range from farm tools to cavalry hammers made from the finest steel. A blow from a mace can easily crush a skull or knock a man unconscious.

Range: Close Combat; Strength: As user; Special Rule: Concussion

SPECIAL RULE

Concussion: Hammers and other bludgeoning weapons are excellent to use for striking your enemy senseless. When using a hammer, club or mace, a roll of 2-4 is treated as stunned when rolling to see the extent of a model’s injuries.

Axe

The axe is the traditional weapon of woodsmen, and is also used as a weapon in poorer rural areas. Axes have a heavy blade and, if swung by a strong man, can cause a lot of damage. The blade of an axe can easily cut through armour, though it requires considerable strength from the wielder.

Range: Close Combat; Strength: As user; Special Rule: Cutting edge

SPECIAL RULE

Cutting edge: An axe has an extra save modifier of -1, so a model with Strength 4 using an axe has a -2 save modifier when he hits an opponent in hand-to-hand combat.

Sword

The sword is often referred to as the ‘king of weapons’. Swords come in a wide variety of type, from plain hilted longswords to Irish basket hilted broadswords. Most provide the wielder with four full feet of gleaming steel, double-edged and razor-sharp.

Swords are much more effective weapons than crude clubs and axes, though learning to use a sword is a long and difficult process.

Range: Close Combat; Strength: As user; Special Rule: Parry

SPECIAL RULE

Parry: Swords offer an excellent balance of defence and offence. A model armed with a sword may parry blows. When his opponent rolls to hit, the model armed with a sword may roll a D6. If the score is greater than the highest to hit score of his opponent, the model has parried the blow, and that attack is discarded. A model may not parry attacks made with double or more its own Strength – they are simply too powerful to be stopped.

Halberd, Bill

The halberd’s heavy blade is mounted upon a sturdy shaft of oak or steel and has a point like a spear and a cutting edge like an axe. Since it can be used to chop as well as thrust, it is an adaptable weapon, but is difficult to use inside buildings. Some varieties also feature a hook to help dismount riders.

Range: Close Combat; Strength: As user +1; Special Rule: Two-handed

SPECIAL RULE

Two-handed: A model armed with a halberd may not use a shield, buckler or additional weapon in close combat. If the model has a shield he still gets a +1 bonus to his armour save against shooting.

Spear

Spears range from sharpened sticks to the fine “lang spear”, used from horseback or on foot.

Range: Close Combat; Strength: As user; Special Rules: Strike first, Unwieldy, Cavalry bonus

SPECIAL RULES

Strike first: A warrior with a spear strikes first in the first turn of hand-to-hand combat.

Unwieldy: A warrior with a spear may only use a shield or a buckler in his other hand. He may not use a second weapon.

Cavalry bonus: If using the rules for mounted models, a mounted warrior armed with a spear receives a +1 Strength bonus when he charges. This bonus only applies for that turn.

Double-handed sword, hammer, axe, etc

A blow from a double-handed axe or sword can cut a foe in half and break armour apart. It takes a long time to learn how to use these weapons and even then only extremely strong men are able to wield them effectively. Not common on the Borders, the occasional claymore does turn up, hearkening back to William Wallace and his frenzied Highlanders.

Range: Close Combat; Strength: As user +2; Special Rules: Two-handed, Strike last

SPECIAL RULES

Two-handed: A model armed with a double-handed weapon may not use a shield, buckler or additional weapon in close combat. If the model is equipped with a shield he will still get a +1 bonus to his armour save against shooting.

Strike last: Double-handed weapons are so heavy that the model using them always strikes last, even when charging.

Keen forging

The product of expert smiths, this weapon has an extra -1 save modifier, and costs four times the price of a normal weapon of its kind. You may choose which type of hand-to-hand weapon is offered to you as explained in the Trading section.

Finesse forging

Following a delicate process, the top swordsmiths produce weapons of excellent balance and grace. Finesse forging produces a weapon that gives its user +1 Initiative in hand-to-hand combat, and costs three times the price of a normal weapon of its kind. You may choose which hand-to-hand weapon is offered to you as explained in the Trading section.

Missile Weapons

Often, it is preferred to attack the enemy from a distance, preferably from the top of a crenelated wall. Missile weapons, with some exceptions, are difficult to fire from horseback. All shots suffer a -1 to hit.

Short bow

Short bows are small, short-ranged bows that are cheap and require little strength to use. Some cavalry carry a shortened bow which is easier to shoot from horseback than a larger bow.

Maximum Range: 16"; Strength: 3; Special Rules: Cavalry Weapon

SPECIAL RULE

Cavalry Weapon: May be used on horseback without penalty.

Bow

The bow is carried by most races and used extensively in warfare. It is a compact yet powerful weapon, that is cheap to make and easy to maintain.

Maximum Range: 24"; Strength: 3; Special Rules: None

Long bow

A long bow is made of alternating layers of either yew or elm. A skilled archer can hit a chosen leaf on a tree from three hundred paces with this weapon.

The long bow is favoured by experienced archers due to its great reach and accuracy.

Maximum Range: 30"; Strength: 3; Special Rules: Infantry Weapon

SPECIAL RULE

Infantry Weapon: The Longbow may not be used from horseback.

Heritage Longbow

These bows are the finest missile weapons of their kind, often handed down through generations of Englishmen. Constructed from carefully chosen yew, and strings woven according to a secret method passed down through generations of bowyers, Heritage Longbows are far superior to any missile weapons made by other races. In the hands of an English Yeoman, the Heritage longbow is a truly potent weapon, its long range and penetrating power making it far superior to any other bow.

Maximum Range: 36"; Strength: 3; Special Rules: -1 Save modifier, Infantry Weapon

SPECIAL RULE

Save modifier: A heritage longbow has a -1 save modifier on armour saves against it.

Infantry Weapon: The Longbow may not be used from horseback.

Crossbow

A crossbow consists of a short, strong bowstave mounted on a wooden or steel stock. The crossbows of the Warden’s men are made of steel and often include a winding mechanism to draw back the string. It takes a long time to prepare a crossbow, but a bolt fired from one has a tremendous range and can penetrate armour easily.

Crossbows take much longer than other bows to make, so they are expensive and relatively rare weapons. Still, they are the preferred weapon of many in because of their power and long range.

Maximum Range: 30"; Strength: 4; Special Rule: Move or fire

SPECIAL RULE

Move or fire: You may not move and fire a crossbow on the same turn, other than to pivot on the spot to face your target or to stand up.

Latch (Light Crossbow)

A smaller, lighter crossbow, the latch is favoured by Reivers because of its ease of use from horseback. Though lacking the stopping power of the larger crossbow, its bolts can still prove deadly.

Maximum Range: 20"; Strength: 3; Special Rule: Move or fire, Cavalry Weapon

SPECIAL RULE

Move or fire: You may not move and fire a crossbow on the same turn, other than to pivot on the spot to face your target or to stand up.

Cavalry Weapon: May be used on horseback without penalty.

Gonnes

Dag (Pistol)

A pistol is a small, simple blackpowder weapon fired by a wheellock mechanism. Most pistols are expensive, unreliable, and poorly constructed.

Maximum Range: 6"; Strength: 4; Special Rules: Prepare shot, Save modifier, Hand-to-hand, Cavalry Weapon

SPECIAL RULES

Prepare shot: A pistol takes a whole turn to reload, so you may only fire every other turn. If you have a brace of pistols (ie, two) you may fire every turn, but you must sacrifice your movement. You may elect not to reload, and move freely.

Save modifier: Pistols are even better at penetrating armour than their Strength value of 4 suggests. A model wounded by a pistol must take its armour save with a -2 modifier.

Hand-to-hand: Pistols can be used in hand-to-hand combat as well as for shooting. A model armed with a pistol and another close combat weapon gains +1 Attack, which is resolved at Strength 4 with a -2 save modifier. This bonus attack can be used only once per combat. If you are firing a brace of pistols, your model can fight with 2 Attacks in the first turn of close combat. These attacks are resolved with a model’s Weapon Skill like any normal close combat attack and likewise may be parried. Successful hits are resolved at Strength 4 and with a -2 save modifier, regardless of the firer’s Strength.

Cavalry Weapon: May be used on horseback without penalty.

Duelling pistol

A duelling pistol is a work of art, and a gunsmith labours long and hard to produce a single example. They are often carried by nobles to solve disputes over love and honour, and many a noble has died at dawn in a duel over some grievance.

Duelling pistols are prohibitively expensive weapons and common warriors rarely have them. Even if they do manage to steal or buy one, the ammunition is prohibitively expensive.

Some of the wealthiest Reivers carry duelling pistols as status symbols, commanding great respect, admiration and envy.

Maximum Range: 10"; Strength: 4; Special Rules: Accuracy, Prepare shot, Save modifier, Hand-to-hand, Cavalry Weapon

SPECIAL RULES

Accuracy: A duelling pistol is built for accuracy as a skilled duellist is able to hit a coin from twenty paces. All shots and close combat attacks from a duelling pistol have a +1 bonus to hit.

Prepare shot: A duelling pistol takes a complete turn to reload, so your model may only fire every other turn. If he has a brace of dueling pistols he may fire every turn, but you must sacrifice your movement. You may elect not to reload, and move freely.

Save modifier: Duelling pistols are even better at penetrating armour than their Strength 4 suggests. A warrior wounded by a duelling pistol must make his armour save with a -2 modifier.

Hand-to-hand: Duelling pistols can be used in hand-to-hand combat as well as for shooting. A model armed with a dueling pistol and another close combat weapon gains +1 Attack, which is resolved at Strength 4 with a -2 save modifier. This bonus attack can be used only once per combat. If you are firing a brace of duelling pistols, your model can fight with 2 Attacks in the first turn of close combat. These attacks are resolved with a model’s Weapon Skill like any normal close combat attack and likewise may be parried. Successful hits are resolved at Strength 4 and with a -2 save modifier, regardless of the firer’s Strength.

Cavalry Weapon: May be used on horseback without penalty.

Hackbut/Arqubus/Caliver (Handgun)

A handgun is a simple firearm. The quality of construction varies ranging from the crude military Hackbuts to the Calivers commissioned by the wealthy. They often have levers and springs which hold the burning match, and triggers which release the firing mechanism and fire the gun.

Handguns are not terribly reliable weapons: the gun barrel occasionally tends to explode violently or the powder fails to ignite. But the weapon has a great range and tremendous penetrating power, making a mockery of even the thickest armour at close range.

In the Borders, handguns are rare and expensive, but a warband which can boast such a weapon will command respect from all its rivals.

Maximum Range: 24"; Strength: 4; Special Rules: Prepare shot, Move or fire, Save modifier

SPECIAL RULES

Prepare shot: A handgun takes a complete turn to reload, so you may only fire it every other turn.

Move or fire: You may not move and fire a handgun in the same turn, other than to pivot on the spot to face your target or stand up.

Save Modifier. Handguns are even better at penetrating armour than their Strength 4 suggests. A warrior wounded by a handgun must take its armour save with a -2 modifier. This bonus only applies at close range.

Armour

When fighting in close combat, a good suit of armour may mean the difference between life and death. The finest armour in the world is made in German forges, where the secrets of steel and fire are well understood. Hardened leather jackets are often worn by hunters while nobles and Headmen will sport steel breastplates. The jack of plates is the ubiquitous reiver armour.

Light armour

Light armour encompasses a wide variety of materials from hardened leather tunics to the jack of plates. It does not offer complete protection against arrows or swords, but it is a good compromise between weight and protection.

ARMOUR SAVING THROW

A warrior who is wearing light armour has a basic D6 saving throw of 6.

Heavy armour

Typical heavy armour is the back and breast plate. Though this armour provides excellent protection, it can be quite expensive. More elaborate suits may include protection for the thighs.

ARMOUR SAVING THROW

A warrior that is wearing heavy armour has a basic D6 saving throw of 5+.

Movement: A warrior that is armed with both heavy armour and a shield suffers a -1 Movement penalty.

Shield

There is one main type of shield on the borders: a round target shield, usually made of wood covered in leather.

ARMOUR SAVING THROW

A model with a shield has a basic save of 6 on a D6.

Buckler

Bucklers are small, round shields designed for parrying or deflecting blows. They are usually made of steel for they need to be tremendously durable to survive the brutal blows of hand-to-hand combat. Using a buckler requires great skill, but a nimble warrior can protect himself from blows which would otherwise cripple him. Though not common, these small shields do turn up occasionally.

SPECIAL RULE

Parry: A model equipped with a buckler may parry the first blow in each round of hand-to-hand combat. When his opponent scores a hit, a model with a buckler may roll 1D6. If the score is greater than the highest to hit score of his opponent, the model has parried the blow, and that attack is discarded. A model may not parry attacks made with double or more its own Strength – they are simply too powerful to be stopped.

Helmet

The main helmets of choice are the burgonet and the morion, though the occasional plain skull cap or Cabasset does appear. Most sensible Reivers try to protect the most vulnerable part of their body – their head. Helmets come in varying shapes and sizes, but their basic function remains the same.

SPECIAL RULE

Avoid stun: A model that is equipped with a helmet has a special 4+ save on a D6 against being stunned. If the save is made, treat the stunned result as knocked down instead. This save is not modified by the opponent’s Strength.

Masterwork armour

Occasionally, an armoursmith will hit on a perfect combination of alloy and design, creating an armour of superior protection and weight distribution. Prized by their owners, such suits often become an important inheritance.

ARMOUR SAVING THROW

Masterwork armour gives the wearer a 5+ basic save, and does not slow him down if he is also armed with a shield.

German Reiter Armour

The German Ritteren boast some of the finest armour in the world. Well crafted and distributed, the armour combines excellent protection with excellent mobility. Often encountered as bothe adversaries and allies in the continental wars, Borderers could occasionally trade or loot such a fine suit of armour.

ARMOUR SAVING THROW

German Cavalry armour gives the wearer a 4+ basic save, and does not slow him down if he is also armed with a shield.

Distractions!

2009-12-15T13:28:00.000-05:00

How do I avoid them?

It seems like just when I get settled into a project, something else comes along.

Part of the problem is that I am more of a collector than I am a builder, and more of a builder than I am a painter.

That said--I can't stand to let other people build or paint my stuff. It needs to be 100% me.

The result, of course, is a vast swathe of boxed, unbuilt, unpainted figs.

Another part of the problem is the lack of a regular gaming group. I have a few guys to game with; we mostly do some RPG stuff. The problem is that they are not really serious miniatures players, so it's an effort to get them to build and paint, let alone have them inspire me. In the glory days of my gaming, I would play at least a couple of times per month, and, as some of you will know, this creates its own impetus to build (and paint).

Lastly, there is the limits of time. This is a bit of a cop-out; I'm just not good at making the time. Other guys work away here and there, but I like to be set up and in the groove.

I need to do better--the figs inspire me (all those RT marines are piling up), but I need the human element too....

For Sale - Tarrie Cat 1 by Clive Barker

2009-06-23T13:40:00.003-04:00

This is a limited edition giclee by Luna 7.

The run was limited to 95. Of these, no more than 94 survive. I purchased two of these as gifts, the second to replace the first, which was destroyed by stupidity on the part of my now ex-girlfriend.

The giclee is framed rather nicely and has been stored, boxed, in a climate controlled environment.

This item is FOR SALE. Serious offers only.

Contact me at:
game thug gery AT gmail.com (remove bot fighting spaces)

Dwarven Fleet Work

2009-06-23T01:06:00.010-04:00

Uncharted Seas

2009-05-28T15:29:00.005-04:00

Spartan Games has released a fantasy naval combat game set in their Uncharted Lands world, called, naturally, Uncharted Seas. In the game, a variety of fantasy archetype factions battle for supremacy in the "New World", a vast region of islands, subcontinents, and archipelagos.

The scale is set at 1/600, and the miniatures, while not the best ever, are certainly evocative. I have selected the "Iron Dwarves" for my fleet:

As you can see, they have a very distinctive ironclad feel to them, and I am super enthusiastic to pick some up and lay paint down. I expect them to paint up quick.

As always, when contemplating a new game, cost is a huge factor. In this case, I have NO concerns. The rule book ran me $30CAN, and the starter fleet of 10 resin ships will be about the same.

The other factions are a little pricier, around $50CAN, largely because of pewter masts, rigging, and sails. And the ships are big. The battleship classes run in around 5" long.

I really can't wait to try this out....

Fallscirmjagers...Marsch!

2009-05-28T15:27:00.001-04:00

When I was at the annual Stratford miniatures convention, Hot Lead, I picked up a ton of random figs, including about 50 or so painted 20mm pewter FJs from someone's estate sale.

I need to rebase/touch up, but they have already been turned out for a fierce skirmish against the yanks.

Pics to follow (hopefully!).

Panzer Grenadiers! Marsch!

2009-04-01T02:29:00.003-04:00

The first squad basically done...not sure about my photography, but that comes next....

Imperial Firebase

2009-03-04T17:20:00.003-05:00

This is the last of the GW card-and-plastic-bulkhead terrain pieces that I am missing. I was able to purchase the others last year, but this one has eluded my grasp since.

Achtung! Grenadiers!

2009-02-16T13:41:00.002-05:00

At long last, I was able to get together with my friend, HeavyJosh, for a little WW2 Skirmish action, using 1/72 scale figs and the rules from The Face Of Battle. it has been at least 3 years since I played this game back with my old historicals gang, and I've missed it.

I was never responsible for the rules before (Wayne always GMed our battles), and I have a new respect for being on top of all the mods and details.

That said, a fun time was had by me. The MG34/42 is a real chainsaw--I aced 3 of Josh's guys in the first turn with a well placed burst. He later reciprocated, laying out both my LMG teams with his .30 cal from the second story of an abandoned (presumably recently!) country house.

This game was really just an opportunity to refamiliarize myself with the game, and point out the holes in my terrain collection. I'll get to work filling them this week....

Ouch.

2009-01-29T16:31:00.001-05:00

So....

Months later, I return. Many ambitions have been outlined, few achieved.

Current projects:

1. Paint Reaver Titan and refurbish recently acquired Warhound Titan.
2. Fulfill Tale of Four Gamers committment. 500 points - failed
3. Void Junkers proxy Imperial Guard army
4. Face of Battle 20mm WWII German squad
5. Doombringers Space Marines

Hm. Need a plan to accomplish all this....

Damned Space Marines

2008-06-20T12:21:00.003-04:00

As Vth edition gets even closer, I've put my order in for two Gamer's Editions, primarily because I want those ammo boxes. More money down the drain, but like a drug addict, I keep going back to get my fix....

A recent trip home resulted in my returning to Montreal with a batch of 2nd ed Space Marine tanks, distributed evenly across Predators, Whirlwinds, Razorbacks, and Rhinos. This has provoked me to build them up for my siegemarine army, which I built three Vindicators into last year.

I have not, of course, actually started to do any work on them; but my imagination proceeds forward at flank speed.

A Guardsman by any other name....

2008-04-16T15:51:00.003-04:00

As a direct result of antipathy towards GW and their price model, and an eBay habit that won't quit, I've begun to build an Imperial Guard army based around proxied miniatures from Warzone. Actually, there are nominally two armies in the works, since I have 160 plastic miniatures coming, evenly divided between Imperial Regulars and Bauhaus Ducal Militia.

I've had a ton of Bauhaus stuff kicking around over the years (Venusian Rangers really defined the feel of the game for me), and, as a Germanophile, I've always wanted to build a first world war themed army out of them. Given the associated cost of an actual Death Korps army from Forgeworld, this seemed like a reasonable compromise.

Ask...and thou shalt receive?

2008-04-11T09:38:00.003-04:00

I recently dropped a line to Jervis Johnson, purely out of frustration at not currently being able to get Steel Legion Plasma Gunners for my army.

Not able to entirely check my rancor, here is what I sent:

"Hi Jervis,

I'm a long time GW hobbyist, and I'm hoping you might help me out. I've recently taken out my Guard army and recognized the need dor a special weapon other than a grenade launcher. However, the SL Plasma Gunner is not available in GW's current Bitz Catalog.

While I have read and am prepared to accept the rationale behind the drastic reduction to the Bitz service, I am curious to know what happened with this model, and if it will soon be available.

Thank you,
Me"

As you can see, I did not vent my spleen on the subject of there only being two special weapons for the SL in the first place. I commend my own restraint.

I was astounded to find, in my inbox today, this reply:

Hi,

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll pass this onto the team responsible for the collectors & bitz range so they can deal with it.

Thanks again for writing in.

Jervis Johnson

Now, if this actually translates into action, my hat will certainly be off to Jervis Johnson. One of GW's 10 Commandments for Management is "Faith, Not Heresy", and I will be faithful in this circumstance that Jervis will follow through.

20,000 Leagues

2008-04-10T11:05:00.002-04:00

I'm embarrassed to admit I'd never heard of this before today, but it seems terribly significant:

Bloop

For the Empire! Venerate the Immortal Emperor!

2008-04-08T16:59:00.003-04:00

My job is fairly repetitive, and the upshot of this is that I listen to a lot of podcasts, and get paid an absurd amount of money to do so.

For sparing me a significant amount of boredom, I want to extend my thanks to Jeff Carroll at Podhammer. If you play Warhammer fantasy, you owe it to yourself to listen to Jeff and his gaming gang discuss the ins and outs of the game. The Australians really have a top-notch tournament scene and these guys know what they are talking about. So, listen to Jeff!

On the 40k side of things is 40k Radio. This is, I would argue, the best of the 40k 'casts. The cohosts, Spencer Harding and Phil Johnson have great chemistry and an in-depth knowledge of the hobby. On the downside, they are 40k players, and consequently their idea of what makes a great game is sadly awry. Face it guys--Fantasy is the better game. 40k has all the strategy of a simian dung fight. Maybe that'll change with 5th ed.

Two strong podcasts for your listening pleasure.

Chris Pine is a moron

2008-03-20T12:30:00.002-04:00

Though I give the casting director credit for selecting Chris Pine, appearance-wise, as the youthful version of Captain Kirk in the upcoming Star Trek film, I must condemn his lack of loyalty to the franchise.

Most fantasy/sci-fi gamers are fans of either Star Trek or Star Wars, and often both, for varying reasons. Died-in-the-wool Star Trek fans know the pain of facing off against the pop-culture success of Star Wars, and can react only with outrage at a recent interview with Pine. Staing for USA Today that he is "“not trying to copy” the one, true Kirk, Pine instead says he is modelling his portrayal on HARRISON FORD:

"What Harrison Ford is so great at doing is bringing that quality to his characters that if they could be anywhere else in the world they would be there, but he is not, he just is in the middle of s*** and he has to figure out a way of dealing with it so that he can go back to doing whatever the hell he was doing before the film started…
I’ve always loved that quality about him in Star Wars, this sense of absolute grumpy manner; the accidental hero. Not to say that I modeled my version of James T Kirk on anything in particular but I think I definitely have wanted to bring that kind of Harrison Ford humour to Kirk."

Hey jackass: Kirk LOVED what he did. He would never have traded being a starship captain for anything else in the world, not love, not a family, not growing old. Being in the "middle of s***" is a starship captain's job. There is no getting back to doing something else.

Now to be fair to Pine, I don't really think he is a fan of either franchise. I think he goes to movies, or went to movies before he was an "actor", for fun. And Indy and Han are good "action" roles, fun and energetic. I also don't think he has an idea of what he was stepping in, vis-à-vis Trek fans and the problems we have faced in the shadow of Star Wars.

All good Trek/Wars fans know there is only one Captain Kirk, and there is only one Han Solo, and never shall the twain meet.

Seas of Blood

2008-03-19T11:14:00.002-04:00

I just recieved my very first Man O'War miniatures. For some absurd reason, I've been eBay-ing this stuff like mad. I have three box rules sets (Man O'War, Plague Fleet, Sea of Blood) on their way and have ordered ships for a variety of fleets. 'Cause you know, having one fleet isn't enough; you need to be able to provide a fleet for a friend, and hey, two fleets aren't enough either. Variety, after all, is the spice of life.

So a bubble-wrap filled envelope was slid through my mail slot yesterday and with was the beginning of my Dwarf fleet. Despite their natural adversity to water, the Dwarves make fearsome sea-farers in their steam powered gunships. I lovingly unwrapped my first ever ship, a Dwarf Ironclad.... It was beautiful. The miniatures are well sculpted and nicely detailed. I can't wait to paint them.

Seeing Red

2008-03-03T11:30:00.005-05:00

Everything I've seen about the forthcoming Vampire Counts army for Warhammer Fantasy is awesome (a word I do not employ lightly). Fantastic models and a rework of some of the army list's mechanics that instills a strong sense of theme and really makes the VC stand out as an army.

Much hand-wringing has been provoked by the vampiric Blood Knight cavalry, who promise to be far more dangerous than even the current heavyweight contenders, Chosen Chaos Knights. They look stellar, perfectly capturing what a badass vampire knight should be.

However, someone over at GW Canada is apparently suffering from anal-cranial inversion, as the price tag for a five man box has been set at a staggering $110.00 (plus tax). In the US, you can fetch them for $75.00, and, in the UK, the asking price is £40.00. This is higher than the Chaos knights, at $65.00 CDN, $50.00US, and £30.00, which is not, in and of itself, unreasonable, as it appears that the mounts are metal. By God, they better be metal.

Still, all of the usual objections about currency comparison and endorsements of the WarStore aside, who in their right mind would think that people should pay more for five admittedly fearsome vampire thralls on mighty horses than a BANEBLADE? At $95.00CDN, give me a super-heavy war engine of doom, please.

Two vigourous thumbs up for fantastic models and a cool looking army. Two thumbs down (in the gladitorial sense, if possible) for absurd pricing.

Attention Games Workshop Canada: Your customers are not as stupid as you think they are.

There are no heresies in a dead religion

2008-01-30T21:47:00.002-05:00

The much-anticipated Warhammer 40,000 roleplaying game, Dark Heresy, was released on 25 January, 2008, and sold out that very day, preorders exhausting those copies not sent forth to distributors.

Hard on the heels of what virtually any observer must describe as a tremendously successful release, the book's publishers, Black Industries, issued a release three days later, on 28 January, announcing the termination of the entire line following the eventual release in September 2008 of the third supplemental release. To restate, the Dark Heresy game will have a production lifetime of 10 months, and include only the core book and the three supplements, Purge the Unclean, The Inquisitor's Handbook, and Disciples of the Dark Gods. Those suckers -- I mean, devoted fans and worthy customers who purchased the core book may take comfort in the knowledge that:

"For the time being Black Industries will continue to post articles in support of the products on their official website, which is a fantastic resource for scenarios and gaming tools for GM’s and players alike."

It appears that this is not the fault of the sad bastards who actually wrote the game, since Black Industries as a whole is being folded back into its parent, Black Library Publishing, which is, of course, a subsidiary of Games Workshop. Kevin Rountree General Manager of BL Publishing has this to say:

"As a result of the continued and impressive success of our core novels business, which we have built around 40K and Warhammer, we have decided to focus all of our efforts on growing this part of our business. Black Industries has seen fantastic success, most recently with Talisman and Dark Heresy. This change does not take away from that achievement rather it allows BL Publishing to focus on producing the best novels we can. This is a purely commercial decision and will enable us to carry on the huge growth that we have recently been experiencing with our novels."

So, according to our man Kevin, Black Industries is fantastically successful, and, by logical extension, must therefore be closed down so as to improve the production of BL's novel business. Seen in that light, this "purely commercial decision" makes perfect sense.

Naturally, fans are in an uproar. The forum on the subject of the announcement has 26 pages, 500 posts, and almost 42,000 views as of today. Shouts of "Betrayal!" resound, mitigated in part by support for Dave Allen, Mike Mason, and the other staff in light of their perhaps uncertain employment future. The dominant cry, however, is "Why?"

Speculation regarding GW's pacts with the Forces of Darkness aside, the most likely answer is to be found in the hard numbers of Games Workshop's year end financial statement. An operating loss in 2007 of £2.1 million (a significant drop from 2006's £4.2 million profit) suggests that Chairman and CEO Tom Kirby may not have done everything possible to earn his £371,000 of salary and benefits. This is the latest in a series of declining profits over the past years:

	2007 £000	2006 £000	2005 £000	2004 £000	2003 £000
Revenue	111,483	115,150	136,647	151,775	129,109
Pre-exceptional operating profit	1,953	4,217	14,301	19,855	17,461
Operating (loss)/profit	(2,075)	4,217	14,301	19,855	17,461
(Loss)/profit before taxation	(2,859)	3,658	13,909	19,573	17,452
(Loss)/profit after taxation	(3,481)	1,998	9,020	12,328	10,982
Basic (loss)/earnings per ordinary share	(11.2)p	6.5p	29.4p	40.8p	37.0p

(Coincidentally, the third Lord of the Rings movie, Return of the King, was released December, 2003)

So, in fact, this announcement may not be just another kick in the teeth. Instead, it may be, as Kevin Rountree says, "a purely commercial decision", intended to tie a tourniquet around the limb of a company that is bleeding capital in an especially messy fashion.

UPDATE

Games workshop has negotiated a deal with Fantasy Flight Games to distribute all of GW's board games, collectible card games, and role playing games. This move, virtually unprecedented for GW, is incredible news for everyone who has loyally supported these lines, and should mean the continued support of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Dark Heresy, and Talisman. More info here. This is an interesting move for GW, especially since they are in direct competition with Fantasy Flight in the miniature wargame market; FFG is the North American distributor for Rackham's Confrontation and AT-43 lines, both now pre-painted. The long term implications for this new arrangement should prove interesting to observe.

Go Green or Go Home

2008-01-22T00:48:00.000-05:00

It's about time. Almost 10 years after their last Codex release, the Orks have emerged in a shiny new 4th edition format. Chaos is on it's third book, Tau their second, Eldar their second and a half, well, you get the point, and the Greenskins finally get their just desserts.

And it looks pretty good. A Shokk Attack Gun(!), a sexy new truck, bikes that suit the new Ork aesthetic, Weirdboyz(!) -- there's a lot here to love. Bomb Squigz even! I love all of these releases. (BTW kids, buy them in the States, because GW Canada thinks that you are STUPID and cannot use the Internet: Canadian Ork Trukk $45 vs. US Ork Trukk $30. Today, the Canadian Dollar is worth 0.9686 US Dollars, so the Trukk should cost either $30.97 CDN if the American price is the right one, or $43.59 US if the Canadian price is correct. An even smarter consumer will save 20% on the American price at the Warstore.)

I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, but any Ork fan knows this is so far overdue as to verge on insulting. Orks are a fundamental part of games wORKshop's Warhammer 40,000 universe; they were the original antagonists featured in the first 40k book, Rogue Trader, and rated THREE entire hardcover books detailing their rules and background, Waagh The Orks, 'Ere We Go, and Freebooterz. This was, I admit, perhaps a tad much, bordering on overkill even. Chaos only had two books, Slaves to Darkness and The Lost and the Damned, and these coved both Fantasy and 40k. Still, even the shortest of the three Ork books, Freebooterz, was 144pp. and thus one 48pp paperback Codex for 3rd ed. 40k and the first half of 4th, without so much as a Weapons Summary to tell you what a Big Shoota does, is a slap in the face. The new book is a step in the right direction, but I do fear it may be a little late in the day, and disingenuous in the extreme, to now promote Orks the way they ought to have been five or more years ago.