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On the hobby table tonight. Big guys and little guys. #astramilitarum #imperialguard #warmongers #warhammer40k #40k #wh40k #gamesworkshop #warhammer40000 #warhammer (at Darley Abbey)

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Deathstrike Tactics

In this Tactica article, I’ll be covering one of the coolest and most visually intimidating artillery units in the Guard, the Deathstrike. Rarely seen, this unit comes in to annihilate the foes of the Emperor when everything but an Exterminatus is needed. Enjoy this Deathstrike Tactics article! (more…)

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Astra Militarum Infantry List - 18 Command Points

Astra Militarum Infantry List – 18 Command Points

I’ve another guest post today! This comes from Guard Daddy after he posted a link in a comment on my Warhammer 40K Blog to a rather interesting Astra Militarum Infantry List, also known as a Walking List. Guard Daddy’s comment was in response to my Buffing Astra Militarum Infantry article. Also thanks to Guard Daddy for letting me use his photos! (more…)

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GameFor Review and Interview - Find Local Tabletop Players and Events

GameFor Review and Interview – Find Local Tabletop Players and Events

I’ve something a little different for you today. A little interview about the GameFor app and GameFor Review. Not heard of it? Well, stay tuned to learn all about it. GameFor connects you to local tabletop players and events. It is free, so go check it out now! www.iamgamefor.com (more…)

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Eldar vs Astra Militarum - 1,500 Points

Eldar vs Astra Militarum – 1,500 Points

Another game and another little write up of the battle. Eldar vs Astra Militarum on the Chapter Approved Resupply Drop Mission. (more…)

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The backup has arrived! #astramilitarum #imperialguard #warmongers #warhammer40k #40k #wh40k #gamesworkshop #warhammer40000 (at Derby)

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Today we document a very close loss for my Astra Militarum. Played on February 15th, 2018 this game will go down as one of their better performances. But still a loss again The Genestealer Cult and Tyranids vs Astra Militarum. We played at Boards & Swords in Derby, U.K.You can find the 1,750 Anti-Genestealer Cult list on my blog already. Included below the list Genestealer and Tyranid list I faced off against.

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1,750 point Tyranid and Genestealer Cult List

This is a great list from Chris for our GSC & Tyranids vs Astra Militarum game. I did not know he was bringing Tyranids, but that made the game much better! It was a curveball for me after I created an anti Toughness 3 list! I now had to deal with T3, T4 and T8 enemies!

Battalion Detachment

Great Old One – Patriarch (HQ)

Magus Raz-Ute – Magus (HQ)

Acolyte Hybrids; 7x Acolyte Hybrid, Heavy Rock Drill, Acolyte Leader (Troop)

Neophyte Hybrids; 8x Neophyte Hybrid, Mining Laser, Grenade Launcher, Flamer, Neophyte Leader (Troop)

Neophyte Hybrids; 8x Neophyte Hybrid, Mining Laser, Grenade Launcher, Heavy Stubber, Neophyte Leader (Troop)

Aberrants; 2x Power Pick, 2x Power Hammer (Elite)

8x Purestrain Genestealers (Elite)

Battle Cannon Cult Leman Russ (Heavy Support)

Goliath Rockgrinder (Heavy Support)

Hive Tyrant; 2x Monstrous Scything Talons, Adrenal Glands, Power: Catalyst, Toxin Sacs (HQ)

Tyranid Warriors (Troop)

Haruspex (Elite)

Carnifex; 2x Screamer-Killers (Heavy Support)

The Mission – GSC & Tyranids vs Astra Militarum

We played the new Resupply Drop Eternal War Mission from Chapter Approved. This is a normal mission, to begin with in terms of deployment and placing six objective markers.

But at the start of the third turn, the player whose turn it is, so it’ll be whoever went first, selects three objective markers. These are the Alpha Objectives. The remaining three are the Beta Objectives. The player then numbers the Alphas, 1, 2 and 3 and rolls a D3. The corresponding objective of the roll is kept and the other two Alphas are removed.

The other player does the same at the start of their turn for the Beta Objectives. This then leaves just two Objectives remaining worth three VP each.

Plus Slay the Warlord, Linebreaker and First Blood.

So you do not know until turn three which Objectives will be worth the VPs.

Chris’ Objectives looked superb! GSC & Tyranids vs Astra Militarum

Deployment – GSC & Tyranids vs Astra Militarum

The Genestealer Cult side finished deploying first and went first. I did not seize. Anything that the Genestealer Cult could put into Reserve went in Reserve! This left a lot of big monsters facing my Guard lines along with a Goliath and a Leman Russ set way back.

That made for a petty epic scene, my Astra Militarum tank line facing several Tyranid creatures across a picturesque river with two bridges.

Guard tanks face off against Tyranid creatures – GSC & Tyranids vs Astra Militarum

My three Leman Russ including Pask set up in the centre with the Chimeras and Veterans close by. Along with all my Characters. I was packed in tight in the top right corner in the above photo. Bottom right out of the image, are my two Basilisks. I actually forgot my Basilisks! But Chris lent me two Chimeras to use instead. So if you see two grey GSC looking Chimeras in the images – they are really Cadian Basilisks. The Wyverns set up on top of an objective.

The Wyverns deploy a top an objective in my deployment zone – the only objective in my DZ.

Turns 1 & 2

I’m giving no prizes for how the first turn went for the enemy forces. Move forward as much as possible and then bring in all the reserves as close as possible. The From The Shadows rolls that Chris made was unlucky, no sixes! Thank the Emperor!I lost my Veterans so some charging Genestealers that arrived 9″ away.

GSC securing an objective – the objective’s base can be just seen on the right

That put some Genestealers and the Patriarch very close to me from the first turn. The other charges failed and I picked off a model or two in overwatch. The Guard first turn went as expected too. Shoot and shoot some more. The prime target was the Hive Tyrant that was running right at my tank lines. It took wounds but it remained.

A messy corner! Hive Tyrant can be seen off in the distance in the centre, top

I was in trouble on that far right corner but managed to clear out the Genestealers by turn 2. But not before they consolidated into a Chimera and just were a general annoyance. The Patriarch also arrived into that corner too which just added to my problems. See photo below. The camera is basically above the corner of the table. The Patriarch is just off the photo, to the right and my board edge is off to the left.

I managed to move a Chimera out and into the path of the Tyrant, another Chimera went pop and the other was stuck – pictured above before it was surrounded by Genestealers.

Pask ploughed wounds into the Hive Tyrant on the first turn and finished off the Warriors in the second turn. He is amazing at just chewing our wounds.

Objective Selection (Turn 3)

At the start of turn three, we determined the Alpha Objectives. Chris chose two in his Deployment Zone and one on his left flank in the middle of the table. He got one in his Deployment Zone which was surrounded by an infantry squad of his. Perfect for him! When it came to mine this one in my Deployment Zone, one in the very centre of the table and the one left over in his Deployment Zone that wasn’t near anything of his. I rolled bad and got the one in his Deployment Zone on the other side of the table about 30″ away from my nearest unit. Oh dear.

Turn 3

After Chris got his objective in his own half all became clear. The Tyranid and Genestealer Cult Forces needed to hunker down and survive. With First Blood in the bag along with Linebreaker and Slay the Warlord being close. All he needed to do was keep hold of one objective and survive.

I’d need to get to my objective and remove the Infantry from his objective. The Patriarch is still alive and has less than 10 wounds so cannot be easily targeted. Linebreaker I can get IF I can also get to my objective. First Blood was, of course, a VP lost.

Genestealer Cult members holding their objective – their dead pile is in the background

As expected the Tyranids tighten the screw on my Chimeras and Infantry reducing them even further in numbers. My right flank was being devoured by the Patriarch, some big tongue monster (Haruspex) and Aberrants. The centre was being assaulted by the GSC Infantry, a Hive Tyrant and two Screaming Carnifexes. The Basilisks were relatively untouched over on my far left flank. They had now nearly dealt with the Magos and Infantry that arrived to destroy them.

The enemy’s turn three basically saw them just try and kill me as well as try and lock all my vehicles up in combat and also stop them from falling back by pinning them against my board edge and buildings. Smart! My objective was so far away it seemed impossible for me to start contesting for points.

Pask’s new nemesis

Pask and his Leman Russ buddies were constantly being hounded by assaults from the Goliath Rockgrinder. One was destroyed by it and the others only managed to survive because it only hits on a 5+. When the GSC Codex comes out I am sure there will be some sort of buff for that thing in the form of a Stratagem. Emperor help us when that happens!

A single, lonely, Chimera sped out across the table to claim the objective. The Chimera was empty, but it had full wounds and was able to Advance. It was only the third turn. Which gave the Chimera another two turns at least to get into position. All was set.

But then the enemy set upon that Chimera like it was the last Imperium unit left in the universe. A double shot from the GSC Leman Russ, a Mining Laser and other various shots of biological matter finished it off. I needed a new plan for getting the objective.

Turn 4

Now onto turn 4. The tongue monster and Patriarch managed to kill the last of my Guardsmen in turn four which left them free to then regret back towards their Deployment Zone to stop me from claiming the objective. I’d killed the Aberrants!

I’m still many inches from the objective I should be going for after the lone Chimera went pop. All seems lost. Until Pask ordered Full Throttle on himself and the last remaining Leman Russ Battle Tank. Both were on full wounds. This gave both tanks a move of 20″ + 2D6″. I arrived at my objective in turn four!

This lead to a loss of shooting from both of my remaining Leman Russ. I had two Basilisks left too which now pounded the Infantry holding the GSC Objective. It was a poor use of the artillery that causes D3 Damage – but needs must. They killed a handful of models but several still remained.

The photo below shows a large grass area in the foreground where all my stuff was. You can see the two Leman Russ off in the distance – racing to get to the object on the bridge which is hidden by the leading Leman Russ.

Racing Leman Russ

The Patriarch finally caught up with Vindicare and ate him. He did well, turn one he followed one to hit followed by another one after a CP re-roll. But he gradually peeled wounds from the Hive Tyrant. I’m never really sure if he’s worth it though. One shot failing on a one is just too risky?

Turn 5  – Final turn of GSC & Tyranids vs Astra Militarum

This would be our last turn as the club was closing up. The tongue monster tried to retreat back in to engage Pask and his buddy. The last remaining Carnifex with four wounds made for my Basilisks. And the GSC Leman Russ also attacked my Leman Russ. The Patriarch was too far away to now affect the game.

The Carnifex right failed its charge against my Basilisks or it was killed in overwatch. I forget. But either way, my Basilisks survived.

It all came down to:

Can two Basilisks kill 7 Toughness 3 models that are in cover?

No, they could not.

And that was game and a win for the xenos. If those models had been killed the enemy would not have had their three VP Objective and I’d have won by one VP!

Mr Tongue charges down my two remaining Russ

The final scores for GSC & Tyranids vs Astra Militarum:

Xenos; 3VP from an objective, 1VP Slay the Warlord, 1VP First Blood and 1VP Linebreaker.

Imperium; 3VP from an objective and 1VP Linebreaker.

Most Valuable Player – Astra Militarum

Despite the Basilisks not killing the models I needed them to at the end of the game they were very effective. Being able to shoot anything on the table with them is very useful. Especially when you need Objectives to be cleared. Or you need to place wounds on a monster on the other side of the table because everything else failed to find it off.

Most Valuable Player – Tyranids & GSC

I forget what Chris’ MVP was but for me, it was the Patriarch. It just moved from unit to unit and killed stuff. Being a character also made it hard for me to target and kill unless I really thought about where I was placing my models. Something I need to improve on. It ate up Guardsmen aplenty, a Chimera and the Vindicare.

GSC & Tyranids vs Astra Militarum – Summary

A really great game despite the loss. It was so close and had we played another turn or two I might have sneaked a victory.

Overall I was really happy with the list. The big creatures I was not prepared for but I managed to take them on and kill a few.

A rematch is needed …

Gallery – GSC & Tyranids vs Astra Militarum

All images from the GSC & Tyranids vs Astra Militarum battle are below.

Enjoy!

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Genestealer Cult & Tyranids vs Astra Militarum Battle Report – 1,750 Points Today we document a very close loss for my Astra Militarum. Played on February 15th, 2018 this game will go down as one of their better performances.

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Manticore Tactics - Warhammer 40K Blog

Manticore Tactics – Warhammer 40K Blog

Today we welcome back Cadian Sergeant Steel for another guest post. Over to him… In this Tactica article, I’ll be covering one of the best pieces of Astra Militarum Artillery. This is not an exaggeration. If all other Guard artillery is the hammer, then this is the anvil falling from the sky onto your opponents. Let us take a look at how the Manticore works and some Manticore Tactics Tactics.…

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1,750 point Anti-Genestealer Cult List

1,750 point Anti-Genestealer Cult List

Last night I played a 1,750 points game against The Genestealer Cult. This is my 1,750 point anti-Genestealer Cult List, head to my Instagram, Facebook Page or Twitter Profile for pics of the game. It’s just a quick article to show my list and have somewhere easy to link to with my list. A will try and do a battle report too next week. (more…)

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1,750 point Astra Militarum List

1,750 point Astra Militarum List

Now we’ve written about the theory of buffing Astra Militarum Infantry and Astra Militarum Artillery, let’s look at the practical side – writing a list. I’ve gone for a 1,750 point Astra Militarum list but I’ve not maxed it out. (more…)

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Wyvern, Hydra and Thudd Gun Tactics

Today we welcome back Cadian Sergeant Steel for another guest post. Over to him…. In this Tactica article, once again the focus will be primarily on artillery units for the Astra Militarum that are still available from Games Workshop and Forge World. The goal is to cover what is still available because of personal familiarity for the tactica but also so that you the readers aren’t let down by the…

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Buffing Astra Militarum Infantry - The Complete Guide

Buffing Astra Militarum Infantry – The Complete Guide

I’ve just written the title of this article and now I’ve immediately regretted it. But it’s there now so let’s stick with it. Onto Buffing Astra Militarum Infantry. If you have an addition or an idea please do let me know! Either in the comments, on Twitter or Facebook. If I’ve made a mistake please do let me know also! (more…)

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Astra Militarum Artillery - Earthshaker Cannons

Astra Militarum Artillery – Earthshaker Cannons

I have a guest post today from Cadian Sergeant Steel on Instagram! Firstly big thank to him for doing this, it’s not easy or quick to write an article like this. It is also nerve wracking – putting yourself out there like this. I’ll hand over to Cadian Sergeant Steel – onwards with Astra Militarum Artillery. You should REALLY go and follow his account, fantastic Astra Militarum painting! (more…)

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Priests of Mars - Cadian Shock Library, Book 7

Priests of Mars – Cadian Shock Library, Book 7

Another book is ready for someone out there! I finished Priests of Mars late last year and I am only just getting around to typing this up. (more…)

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Welcome back me! To get started I have a review of the fantastic Sector B-12 Gaming Mat from Warzone Studio. So lets get started on 2018’s hobby with this Warzone Studio Review.

It’s been a while since my last post, months in fact. Mainly due to the birth of my second daughter in October! Anyway, onto the important stuff 🙂

Purchase Options

This mat is available is a variety of sizes in either vinyl or laminated vinyl.

72 х 48″ (6 x 4ft)

72 x 36″ (6 x 3ft)

48 x 48″ (4 x 4ft)

36 x 36″ (3 x 3ft)

30 x 30″ (2½ x 2½ft)

Prices vary, but a 6 x 4ft vinyl mat is around £40 + £15 postage to the U.K. from Russia. Too much? Split it between you and your friends. The cost becomes a lot better once it split it between two or three of you.

These sizes give you a good selection and mean this mat is great for not only Warhammer 40K, Necromunda and Shadow War: Armageddon but many other model war games played at the ~28mm scale.

Mat Overview

Delivery

As well as the Sector B-12 Gaming Mat I also got two MDF buildings (not yet built – review coming later). The buildings (flat packed) and the mat’s tube came tightly taped together and wrapped in brown paper. An odd shape but it worked and all items arrived intact from Russia to the U.K.

The tube that the mat was inside had taken a little bit of a battering in transit. But that has had no negative effect on the contents or my ability to use the tube to store the mat in for the future. A sturdy tube!

Tube & Lid – Warzone Studio Review

Storage

The tube is made of thick card, has a metal lid which fits snuggly into the top and a carry string too – which is handy. I can hook the string around one finger while carrying my board or a few cases of miniatures. You know when you’re trying to make it from the car to the gaming table in one trip, in the rain, in January.

The Warzone Studio logo appears on the tube – which is a minor but nice touch – it makes the mat easier to locate when you have a few. Or when you’re rummaging in a dark loft or garage.

Warzone Logo – Warzone Studio Review

Deployment & Use

Setting up the mat is easy, as you would expect. It unrolls easily but does not seem to maintain its rolled curl as much as some other mats I have used. This is a good feature of the vinyl. The edges only slightly peel upwards so pinning them down with tape or BluTak is easy and takes seconds. In fact, with some decent/specific placement of terrain it won’t need securing at all at the short edges or corners. The long edges naturally stay down on the table top.

Edit: During my first game with the mat the edges were stuck with BluTak, some of the edges came away from the BluTak, as expected – BluTak is not great. But where this happened the edges did remain relatively down and against the table. It seems that the vinyl gradually moves itself to being flat anyway over the course of a game.

The material is a thin vinyl which is smooth on the top side and slightly rough on the underside. Its light too, lighter than PVC versions and much much lighter than the mouse pad material used by some mats. Despite its lightness it doesn’t shift easily once placed down.

Mat Edges – Warzone Studio Review

I thought it would be fairly hard to describe how the mat moves, rolls and reacts to touch. So I made a simple and short video of it being manipulated on my 6 x 4ft board. I think it shows how the material moves and reacts when manipulated with a human handy much better than words can describe.

  Visuals

Design wise the mat is superb. Battle mats I generally think of coming in two different types. Structured or Loose. This mat is what I would called structured or designed. Its pleading with you to place buildings and terrain in specific areas because of the way it is laid out.

The other type is a generic or loose mat. Their surfaces tend to be all the same and represent a generic type of battlefield such as a desert or swamp – terrain fits anywhere on these types of mats. Both types are equally good and useful.

The Sector B-12 Mat has dusty/desert/arid areas which are neatly split up with a number of scorched roads that have varying widths and markings on them. An off centre fortification in the shape of a triangle/star makes for a nice central piece or perhaps some narrative play. Aegis Defence Line anyone? The cracked effect on the arid areas breaks everything up really nicely so that even the largest areas of dust are interesting and not flat or plain.

The “Narrative Star” – Warzone Studio Review

The dusty terrain, roads and markings make the Sector B-12 Mat a perfect battlefield setting for a military base, airport or sea port. A few buildings, cargo containers, industrial debris and you’ll be good to go!

“Port” – Warzone Studio Review

While the mat is designed and structured in such a way that you’re almost forced to place terrain into certain areas and not others. The disjointed nature of the design means that no game would be the same.

Its not a grid like city with clear lanes of fire. But a perfect canvas for you to create a battle scene fit for your own purposes.

A battle scene fit for Cadia – Warzone Studio Review

I write this on the eve of my first game using the Sector B-12 Mat and I cannot wait to paint it with Eldar blood! Not literally of course. Eldar blood is a xenos material and must be turned over to the nearest Inquisitor, always. A Guardsman MUST NEVER paint with xenos blood.

Summary

In short the mat is great. Its various roads and asymmetric design means that there is a lot you can do with the mat and your terrain. The vinyl is a thing and lightweight material which easily lays flat on your table top. Its easy to store and put away in 30 seconds of rolling.

Warzone Studio Review – Gallery

Tube lid

Inside tube

Warzone Studio Logo

Carry string

Tube overview

My blank board

Overview

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Detail

Slight edge curl after unrolling

Slight curl

  Links

Main Web Site: Warzone Studio.

Etsy: Warzone Studio Etsy Store.

My Board: Making a 6 x 4ft Game Board

Warzone Studio Review – 6 x 4ft – Sector B-12 – Warhammer 40K Blog Welcome back me! To get started I have a review of the fantastic Sector B-12 Gaming Mat…

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I'm on the Chapter Approved Podcast, Part 2 - 40K Blog

I’m on the Chapter Approved Podcast, Part 2 – 40K Blog

Well I am back again on the Chapter Approved 40K Podcast. This time its part 2, the final part. It has been a while since the last one because Jeff has had a baby! Yeah! Speaking of which my second daughter is due on October 8th! (more…)

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Ynnari V Imperial Guard & Tau - Warhammer 40K Blog

Ynnari V Imperial Guard & Tau – Warhammer 40K Blog

Today I have a write up of a game from Greg, our resident Aeldari (Eldar) player- and now Ynnari player. I did not write this up, for reasons that will become apparent later. The terrain used is from gamemat.eu – its awesome. Review coming soon on it! (more…)