40K...UK...The Tournament Podcast! day2 game 1

DAY 2

So we start the day in the worst possible way. The clocks have gone back but we are all up and about pretty early because of the unholy arse stink that 3 men make after 2 days of poor diet and beer. The most worrying thing I have ever heard was my bed-mate Ben saying 'o for god's sake I CANT GRIP ANYTHING! ' to which I dived out of bed, narrowed my eyes and asked 'What the hell are you gripping?' Turns out he was trying to open his diet coke to wash down pain killers. Made me giggle. We left the hotel waaaay to early - it is a shit hole and I really don't want to go back there (guess where I am staying for the Home nations event next month... Even the drug addled wouldn't risk cooking up in the stairwell of that place. (yuk) We get double brekkie and triple coffee and watch hung over gamers trickle thru the door.  Before the game started I managed to win a blood angels starter kit! I kept rolling my 40kuk dice and eventually become the winner! happy with the best spot prize. would have beaten the tervigon or drago models I saw later...

Game 4
Mike Marlow - DE

Mike was a great guy to play. He was a little bit ruined from the night before where he was downing pints and wind milling his genitals for the amusement of drunken men. Takes all sorts! The first thing he did was to give me a big hug! This was the first time I had played/met Mike, our paths just hadn't crossed before at an event. The big hug helped! He explained his hang over was 'epic' and that he wasn't ready for wolves this early in a KP game.
I was really happy to play DE in this game! it turned out to be spearhead and kill points which in theory should be an easy game to win. I won the the roll off and deployed giving him virtually no spot on the board he could avoid my fire. I had some close Los blockers and he had a few rocks and trees. The board had enough terrain to give him plenty of cover.

He decided to reserve. This gave me enough time to get where I wanted (which was really annoying!) He could further pick his best places when he came in.  I hugged the middle of the board with the los blockers and settled into the shooting gallery. He came on with about 2/3 of his army in the first turn (basically the same as Nath but with less blasters and wracks and some wytches instead) he killed 2 long fangs packs to 1 man each. not a good start. I need those! My next turn sore both these lone guys kill venom's! YAY! 1 scout comes on and kills assaults some blaster guys and I take a massive 6 - 0 lead in the game. I think everything just worked for that turn. He couldn't make any saves and I kept killing stuff. Was very nice and I must have sat back and cruised a little from such a fantastic first 'real' turn. He finished off a few more Fangs and such (his hellions were not on and didn't arrive to turn 5) and slowly started to crawl back while I managed to not really kill much else like the last turns. His flicker field saves were out of this world! It was just funny at the time as I thought Id got an unassailable lead. Turns out I was wrong.

I decided to go after some wytches who were moving up to my lines (after the GH had popped a few more more vehicles - well I say popped. Immobbed and weapons mainly. still winning by 5 tho at this point) I thought If I can get the charge on them then I would be pretty much unassailable so I push for them but don't kill them! This is where his Helions come in and kill a squad to some poison (including a priest) and become pretty nails in the result. after the hellions had charged 2 of my packs of GH I still hadn't managed to kill the last wythches so I didn't even trade off. I just got chopped down and the 2 single wytches lived while I lost quite a few KP.

The game went on to turn 7 where I was in full reversal! I knew what he could kill with his helions (2 immobs rhinos) and that would make it a draw. All I had to do was kill 1 more thing in my turn 7 before he did that to luckily escape a draw and keep the win. unfortunately my last 2 fangs didn't kill anything. Nor did my doomed razorback. Nor did my storm bolters kill either of the last remaining wythches. and NEITHER did my bloody double melta squad standing 2 inches away from a venom! I knew I was in trouble then but was sure I had enough kp in the bag. he basically only had bit of stuff lying around that just refused to die. the big pack of hellions were pretty much untouched tho (above half strength) he combi charged my rhino's/RB and got his 2 kp. We totted up to make sure we made no mistakes and lo and behold he had pulled it out the bag and got himself a draw. 11 each. I was left with my bottom lip shivering. 'what...? how...? surely? but? I had just taken my eye off the ball and chased a game that didn't need chasing. I think I was having too much fun with Mike to realise he was clawing his way back into it and I didn't help but chasing easy KP. Sometimes that just dice for you and I could not have asked for a nicer guy to play with! Mike was a blast. The VPS were about 100 points in my favour so it ended as a dead draw. I could have cried as the true horror set in. Id just thrown it away with a mixture of my own silly idea of putting the game to bed and his bloody flicker field saves.

10 - 10

40K...UK...The Tournament Podcast!

Well, the 40KUK GT is over for another year and what an event it was!

After driving the 4 hours to get to Mansfield (damn traffic was awful), Bert, Ben and I checked into our hotel. Travelodge is the worst chain of hotels. I have never failed to be underwhelmed. I haven't seen a TV that was deeper than it was wide in such a long time. It was like something your grandmother uses. What is more it only had 4 channels. Good job we didn't expect to have a quiet night in! We diced off for sleeping arrangements ( I had to share a double bed with Ben and proved that your only gay if you push back and he swears that it wasn't about the sex, it was about the power) We headed off to Maelstrom for a few games and to see a few people we haven't seen in too long! (Hey Matt, Lee and Coop's!)

I had a quick game with Matt Robertson (him using a BA fast hull dready/meph assault list) I won the game pretty comfortably as I managed to kill Meph. Something which I normally struggle with. I actually Shut his powers down and nailed him. Matt conceded the game turn 4 after he lost some crucial combats to the trusty GH. Was a good lesson for both of us and it was the first time we have played each other (Matt is my Vice captain for this years ETC - he is a future captain I'm sure)

The other 'highlight was the Flame on Vs Dudley challenge! (ETC style team game) Flame on showed their quality by winning. Highlights were Gaz Donnelly's Attire (photo attached) and Paul Burke beating DE with daemons! What a shocker! We had a few drinks and a chat with some of the guys and retired back to the hotel for a night of slightly worried sleep.

The orGAZmatron himself in his team challenge attire

Day 1
Game 1
Karl Bickley - Eldar
Karl was a great guy to play! the list was 2 holo falcons, some fire dragons, Eldrad, war walkers and an avatar in essence. Was a total anti GK list and I thought that he might struggle vs wolves (I just shut his important decisions down with my priests) the game was 5 objectives/spearhead. the objective spread was pretty fair and Karl put me in the corner with no area terrain. Not that it mattered for me as ive never been that impressed with the pathfinders (he had 6 i think).

After a terrible shooting first turn (where I hit with, not shitting you, 1 rocket from all my ranged shooting at the fortuned/turboed falcons) it obviously bounced.
I did manage to take 2 wounds off the avatar tho which I know is the key to this kind of list (he hadn't fortuned him as he thought id go for the assault threat harlies in the falcons). I moved up after his second turn and did the leap of faith (12 inch move, turn, out nearly 3 with the guys that matter and and melta the falcons who had shot me so no turbo save!) I shut down the psy powers and end up killing the Avatar, killing a falcon, immobing the other one and assaulting some harlies with the banner popped (he lost a few to the explosion) I also fragged some path finders and managed to force enough saves to kill 3 lol! I like ones!
His scoring units (bikes) came on but got 'scouted' in the end and the war walkers got assaulted by said scouts after killing one of my 5 man squads. Eldrad was eventually assaulted and killed by a fist after the runic weapons stopped his fortune. It ended when the pathfinders died to murderous hurricane. Karl was a great guy to play and he knew his stuff. He eventually got some of his Grey Knight prey and ended up with the top Eldar player and 12th over all!

20 - 0

Game 2
Nathan Roberts - Dark Eldar
The fat angry geek from the podcast! O goody! but its not Kill points but it its home and away with a middle objective worth 2 points. Its a hard game this one. I go first. I deploy with my Tempest wrath priest pretty much bang in the middle. He deploys in the corner and tries to overwhelm one of my flanks by staying far enough away with venom's to pick on one pack at a time. He did this really well and managed to avoid quite a bit of fire. It amazing what can give DE vehicles cover! (nath was a classic venom spam with heeeeelions and Baron but had a razorwing and 2 ravagers in an effort to give him a shot at the new Necrons I guess - which he reserved in the hope of putting that big template on some GH who get blown out of the rhinos.

The game was a classic bore draw with me trying to deal with the helions and him avoiding tempests wrath damage like a machine! I think I got 2 immobed venoms from it all game. I paid for the helions with GH (best way for me to deal is to pop the banner and re roll ones and multi assault before they become fearless) Nath managed to auto kill one of my GH packs as they failed a LD check and had to double back = destroyed. The baron ended up passing a morale check and hit and running away in my turn 5. he moves into the middle with a re roll on the distance, a jump and a run to contest the middle in turn 5. Thats all we had time for. If I had the chance to kill him with my other guys I should have won as all else was either too far away or unable to get close enough to contest around my tanks + deckchair.  would have depended on his saves but the game had to end due to time. Happy with a draw in this mission vs DE as they are a real pain when played with decent/varied terrain and played by a very good player who gets lots of practice with other really good guys. Im just not quite shooty enough to deal with DE without trading blows and hoping my dice don't go cold (which they didn't thankfully).

10 - 10

Game 3
Martin Massey - Eldar
Another Eldar! this time its a classic Greg sparks style Foot guard list! Avatar, eldrad, wraithlords, Dire avengers, wraithguard and fire dragons, missile war walkers and guardians. Mission was home and away again but without the middle objective. He got first turn and deployed. I deployed opposite his objective behind a large blocker. He redeployed using Eldrads 'thing' and castled in that corner. Luckily I knew this was gonna happen. 3 big packs and 2 scouts + rockets can hurt a hell of a lot vs Eldar. I could just disregard my objective and just go for him. He would have to redirect everything to keep the wolves at bay.

I push forward from the off and pop lots of smoke/give myself cover. I stop the avatar's fortune and nail him with everything to which he dies (that's the key btw! Greg told me while I plied him drink at the ETC) Next turn the scouts come in and combi charge some dire avengers after some frags from the fangs and some dire avengers to help gang up on my lead squad+rhino (which nearly worked) The other GH pack with the priest in moves six and I risk a cheeky Jaws and catch a wraith guard, Eldrad and the wraithlord under the line after rolling 10 on 3 dice! 1 Wraithguard dies... SO DOES ELDRAD! YAY! If he wasn't it trouble he is now! wraithlord lives. Squad charges the WG and kill a few after some softening up with rockets and melta. and manipulate the potential charge with good unit choice of fire and force them out of cover for 80% of the shots directed at them for about a total of 4 dead dead guys. GH charge and clean up in 3 combat rounds. Wraithlord charges in on 2 wounds and I eventually kill him too. Scouts and the other GH squads get to charge the other units and eventually kill them all. game ends on turn 5 as he loses his last model

20 - 0

THE EVENING!

We have a lovely Barbeque (great weather and it was awesome) get some drink in with my chums and accidentally win the Quiz! (Free drinks for the win!) no one can compete with team 'Coop's is a speccy git'. Me and the Team Wales boys have a little meeting where we discuss the home nations and sort out travel and accommodation for the upcoming events. Thanks to Tim King for getting us worried about the details as apparently planes and hotels are filling up fast! We get some stuff sorted and carry on drinking til the early hours.

We get back to the hotel to engage in my hobby of sleeping with big sweaty men. The promised 'tequila girls' didn't show up at the GT so we had to improvise but its not the same licking salt off a hairy chest and the lemon tasted like it was shoved up someones ar...wait a second! you Horrible man Smith! Luckily I managed to avoid finding out that 'eventually the blood would act like lube' and that I would be fine in the morning. If it wasn't for the snoring it would have been a great night! (next time wake up when another man threatens to make you air tight Mr. Smith - you have been warned)

That's about it for the first day! Hopefully I can get some more in tomorrow for your viewing pleasure.

Space Wolves and general update!

Hey guys! Long time no see - So before I get another little jibe regarding 'pimping my dead blog' from a certain Dutchman (as I have been giving him some stick on the 11th Co. Forums lately and I can feel some heat coming my way) I better give you a little bit to keep the brave and the few from never visiting again.

SW GT LIST 1750

HQ: Rune Priest in Power Armour (1#, 100 pts)
1 Rune Priest in Power Armour jaws and Murderous hurricane, 100 pts

HQ: Rune Priest in Power Armour (1#, 105 pts)
1 Rune Priest in Power Armour jaws and tempest wrath, 105 pts = (base cost 100 + Melta Bombs 5)

Elite: Wolf Guard Pack (5#, 215 pts)
1 Wolf Guard Pack, 0 pts
5 Wolf Guard in Power Armour, 215 pts = 5 * 43 (base cost 18 + Combi-Meltagun x1 5 + Power Fist x1 20)

Elite: Wolf Scouts Pack (5#, 85 pts)
5 Wolf Scouts Pack, 85 pts = 5 * 15 (base cost 15) + Meltagun 10

Elite: Wolf Scouts Pack (5#, 85 pts)
5 Wolf Scouts Pack, 85 pts = 5 * 15 (base cost 15) + Meltagun 10

Troops: Grey Hunters Pack (5#, 75 pts)
5 Grey Hunters Pack, flamer 75 pts = 5 * 15

Troops: Grey Hunters Pack (5#, 75 pts)
5 Grey Hunters Pack, flamer 75 pts = 5 * 15

Troops: Grey Hunters Pack (8#, 160 pts)
7 Grey Hunters Pack, 120 pts = 7 * 15 (base cost 15) + Wolf Standard 10 + Meltagun 5
1 Rhino, 40 pts = (base cost 35 + Dozer Blade 5)

Troops: Grey Hunters Pack (8#, 160 pts)
7 Grey Hunters Pack, 120 pts = 7 * 15 (base cost 15) + Wolf Standard 10 + Meltagun 5
1 Rhino, 40 pts = (base cost 35 + Dozer Blade 5)

Troops: Grey Hunters Pack (8#, 155 pts)
7 Grey Hunters Pack, 120 pts = 7 * 15 (base cost 15) + Wolf Standard 10 + Meltagun 5
1 Rhino, 35 pts

Heavy Support: Long Fangs Pack (6#, 190 pts)
4 Long Fangs Pack, 100 pts = 4 * 15 (base cost 15) + Missile Launcher x4 40
1 Squad Leader, 15 pts
1 Razorback, 75 pts = (base cost 40) + Lascannon and TL Plasmagun 35

Heavy Support: Long Fangs Pack (6#, 190 pts)
4 Long Fangs Pack, 100 pts = 4 * 15 (base cost 15) + Missile Launcher x4 40
1 Squad Leader, 15 pts
1 Razorback, 75 pts = (base cost 40) + Lascannon and TL Plasmagun 35

Heavy Support: Long Fangs Pack (6#, 155 pts)
4 Long Fangs Pack, 100 pts = 4 * 15 (base cost 15) + Missile Launcher x4 40
1 Squad Leader, 15 pts
1 Razorback, 40 pts

1750 

So 1750 is a bit of a weird one to come back to. After Jolly toys outing (where I came 6th and best wolf general) and ETC 1850 list ideas coming out of my arse - coming back to my old staple without the TWC is a bit of a culture shock. I basically got rid of the speeders. Which is a shame as I really love speeders (the MM/Flamer kind). But what you gonna spend points on? troops or chuff. Troops won this time.

I also like Tempest wrath atm! It can be used in a rhino (as its not targeting anything - its much like a psychic hood ) it gives me a little spanner for DE/Stormraven/ Necron and other types of fast skimmer type stuff to try to wrestle control of the board from. LL is all well and good but it was only ever an auto cannon for me. bloody 2's! Will keep you posted on that progress.

Team Wales are doing really well in the tournament season thus far. lots of podium finishes and lots of people practicing lists in events so we should be onto a winner this year (dare I say surpass the last 1?!!) I nearly told you all what we are taking then but I will hold that one back. you never know who could be watching. safe to say I'm a SW player. I'm not gonna go to the home nations event (end of April) with an untried army again. 

Also, in ETC goodness it turns out that I came second highest SW general at the ETC (behind the child prodigy Tony K) Happy with this seeing as most of my games where played from defense. Actually - very happy! (if only I could turn it on for single play rather than saving it up for European games!)

So going back to the last tournament. The Jolly toys for me. Safe to say I was cursed in the last game again. 13 half range melta shots = 1 immobed raider. 8 the next turn and nothing. Both scouts on the wrong side. 'sigh'. It was a list I should have eaten for breakfast. The dice were just comical. I still nearly won but couldnt move far enough in the last turn so it was a draw in the primary and he won secondary (I had killed 1 KP all game lol) would have been an epic way to win it but sadly I couldn't do enough. Time to try to shake the dice blues off me now. Its not working tho! I lost at my local club with my above(ish) list to pallies! But im gonna blame the dice as I had some nice set plays that just didnt come off. (18 pallies under jaws lines in 1 turn) 8 passed then the other guy perilsed. FUCK SAKE! 

but fair play - it was only a side tactic. I will keep my normal pally coping mechanism for now :D (ignore them!) 

Thats it for me!I will give you another  blog update soo