Warhammer Invasion - first impressions.

So, to plead for mercy - given the inordinate amount of time it took to paint the Rune Priest - here's something I did earlier this week. I played through a couple of games of this LCG (Living Card Game) by Fantasy Flight Games.




...the box...

 


What it looks like on the table.

 

... And in fact, the games went really well. The rules are accessible and easy to use. The cards/tokens/counters are well made, as I have come to expect from FFG, and the art work on the cards was also pretty good overall (if not quite as 'artistic' as many Magic : The Gathering cards).

Essentially you play as a race with a set of 50 cards against an enemy (or up to 3 in the core box). Cards are split into Units/Support/Tactics types and you play them according to the number of resource tokens you have. The idea is to use your Units to destroy your opponents 'Kingdom' by dealing hit points and eventually setting two out of three zones on fire. You can in turn, defend with your units and use tactics/spells etc. as you go along... you get the idea...

You can mix allied races(e.g. Empire and Dwarfs), but reduce the likelihood of being able to use some abilities - like Magic TG. Each race has its own way of working, and you can build on these, or build other races up by buying other expansion packs (at around £8 or so - at Amazon etc.). The 'Orcz' are suitably thuggish and Chaos use corruption type abilities. The various expansions add new abilities to your forces and some introduce other races, like Lizardmen.

There were, of course, some quibbles over card interpretations but these were not game stopping, with a little give and take. There are also forums (as on the FFG website) where you can check out errata and rules clarification.

In the end each game took about an hour and there was a real sense of battle, and an ebb and flow to the game as it progressed. I was well beaten, but enjoyed the experience all the same. A very successful  foray into LCGs. The card abilities and gameplay ends up being a little less 'sophisticated' (and complex) than MTG, however the strategic thinking and careful combining of cards is all here.There is a lot of replayability too, with 4 sets of cards in the intro set. At around £25 to £30, a little expensive perhaps, but look around, I would absolutely recommend it. I am going to look out for the FFG Lord of The Rings LCG set which is due out soon and can be played solo.

Watch this space for more...  oh, and a set of the board game Catan has arrived...

Read more »

Posted in: LCG,Warhammer Invasion

Rune Priest ... are we nearly there yet?

Hrrumph.
After what seems like an eternity. No, it was an eternity. I think I'm finished. Started in January last year, got to this point at Christmas...

Then just got to this point now...



This was taken in daylight, which is quite a flattering way of taking a picture. I added some flock, for deepish snow. Gave the face a thin GW Ogryn flesh wash to reduce some of the elf flesh pale qualities. Put the back pack on (see later pic). Added rune to knee and wolf head transfer to shoulder. Runes on other shoulder pad painted in same colours as power weapon.

So you can compare pics here are a couple more, with base painted.



Added a skull to back pack for effect.

 


Done?

 
Well. Longer than I could ever have thought, and even now I suppose I shall touch up a few bits before finally saying 'toodles'....meh.

Read more »

Posted in: 40k,Rune Priest,Space Wolves

New horizons and .... Tannhauser!!!!!!!!

And so, I know it's a long time since my last blog. And yes, I know that I've been a very naughty boy (and therefore not the messiah). And so, here goes... Here's what I've been up to.

Painting, er well, I did a bit on the Rune Priest. He's nearly finished. Snow to add and backpack, then done. The never ending project I calls it.

Graphic Novels - The Walking Dead is great! I've read volumes 1 - 4 and caught some of the TV programmes too. I like the thoughtful storytelling, the atmospheric art and the sense of tension that runs throughout. A good job done by all. It's a very 'now' concept...the end of the world as we know it. And it deals powerfully with all of the moral ambiguity that would entail. I've also read a couple more Preacher and enjoyed the stridently and unashamedly explicit and enthusiastically realised 'The Boys' - another fabulously over the top, yet intriguing offering from Mr G Ennis (and co.) All heartily recommended.

TV stuff - The Pacific, in the style of Band of Brothers is also something I have been 'dipping in' to. I must say that it hasn't caught my imagination in the same way. The characters are less defined and the camera spends a lot of time focusing on a specific character in each episode, meaning we never really get a coherent sense of a group dynamic. This was a real strength of BoB. Nevertheless, the conditions of Pacific warfare do come across strongly and the battlefield moments are as graphically conveyed as anything else out there.

Finally GAMES stuff  - Have now done a couple of YouTube posts introducing the game of Tannhauser which I got over Christmas. I'm still a real newbie but as the posts progress things'll improve. I also bought a few MTG cards and bits and bobs which I play now and again. Still rubbish at it, but it's a larf - and that's what I do it for. Don't you? I did buy the Cygnar Warmachine book, but I mostly bought that for reading at the moment.

Another time 'black hole' has been Fallout : New Vegas (surprisingly few glitches) and recently Mass Effect 2. I'm really impressed with both of them. Admittedly, New Vegas is Fallout 3, but it takes the game forward in a number of respects and still allows for engaging and engrossing RPG play. Which I heart. Mass Effect 2 is also well crafted with interesting nuances and bits to find and explore. My son plays this too (15yrs) but just likes to shoot things (He's a Black Ops Vet), in spite of this he's getting a lot out of the game too.

I think that about covers it  ... please view the You Tube posts below and - cheers!

Read more »

Posted in: board games,graphic novels,Tannhauser,Warmachine

Rune Priest update

Here we go, some work on bags, teeth, skulls and pistol. Still needs some tidying up and bits and bobs - sloowly does it....

Read more »

Posted in: 40k,Rune Priest,Space Wolves

A little more done, but watch out for the cat...

Just so you know, I have done a little more on this Rune Priest figure. I played with the shading and highlights along with the colouring on the shoulder pads and pistol. Touched up the hair too. The changes are subtle but I did do some - honest. I did swear at the cat though because it knocked the figure over and the arm came off. Oh yes, I did swear.

Also 'on the table' are my fist ever completed unit (I'm ashamed to say). Theses were relatively quick and easy to do, although I kept missing bits and had to go back a number of times. For instance I only just noticed I hadn't painted the bags on the back of these little Goblin fellas. Anyways here you go - done and done.

And look a tray too!

This lot next...

Last thing to add, I made an impulse purchase last week - look an Iron Kingdoms figure! Bought for trying out painting techniques - also to see what Privateer Press models were like. This was only £3.18 or something silly. Must say though, that the quality is excellent - I am impressed !

Valeria Alvaro, Ordic Pistoleer. Cool enough.

Read more »

Posted in: 40k,Rune Priest,Space Wolves,Warhammer Fantasy,Warmachine

From the archives.

Thought I'd post a few of my previous painting efforts - given that graphic novels have caused a bit of a 'go-slow' on the Rune Priest front. These represent me painting slowly too! I have obviously taken the pictures too close. All blemishes are writ large. However, at a distance these look OK. I know not all advanced painting techniques are represented - I'm not an advanced painter - but you get to a point where you have to stop painting and move on  - so here we are. the Inquisitor Lorr and (original ) Cpt. Sicarius are special edition models I think, though Sicarius has been revamped since. I still think Lorr is a cool model. See what you think.

Cpt. Sicarius

Inquisitor Lorr

Ultramarine Jump Chaplain

Ultramarine Sergeant

Read more »

Posted in: 40k,Early projects,Ultramarines

More what I've done...

You'll be pleased to know that this week I have been mostly reading comics. Managed to get through BPRD volumes 9 to 13- which was was quite an effort, and then Hellboy volume 10. All of which were splendid. I like the way BPRD is staying away from too much Hellboy crossover. I am enjoying the march of the 'frogs', although if I am being completely honest, I found the the idea of Daimio's story a little odd. Nevertheless a great read and the art creates pace and atmosphere effectively.Have a look at the art in Volume 13 Ba and Moon's work is pretty cool I think. I could write something more intellectual - but all you need to know I guess is that they were well worth the money from Amazon.

Next up Hellboy volume10  - this drifted away from the Excalibur storyline (I'll try to avoid too many spoilers...) and into strange dreams! I thought the Fegrodo art was inspired. It seems distant from Mignola initially but you soon warm to the way a real sense of manic darkness is created.
I'm now embarking on readin' Mouseguard Autumn 1152 - I'll let you know...

Lastly , a bit of goblin progress ...

I've also done some work on my Space Wolves Rune Priest, but I think I ought to do some more work before I brag about any 'progress' there!

Read more »

Posted in: graphic novels,Warhammer Fantasy