carlageddon

[carlageddon]

Painting The Tusked Marauders of Gauntwood

So my pile of shame is ever growing, for those outside the hobby, a pile of shame is usually a stack of built or un-built miniatures that sit there, as grey as the day they were manufactured, waiting for their turn to get painted... More often than not, people's pile of shames only ever grow...

I got back into the hobby last year by getting HeroQuest (the original), followed by a 3D Printer, followed by having the 12 year old boy inside me being crushed by the bitter disappointment that no-one in our local Games Workshop or "Friendly Local Gaming Stores" are at all interested...

So I've been doing some printing and doing some painting.

So here's the start of The Tusked Marauders of Gauntwood from Daybreak Miniatures.

So I am still a beginner, I want to be as good as the likes of Sergio Calvo or be able to paint to the unrealistic standard you see on the box art on any Warhammer figure. It maybe an impossible goal, but it is a goal, the only way I can get there is practice. I don't like the idea of sharing my painted miniatures online, but I know we all got to start some where.

So with so much grey on my glass shelves, I've started with The Tusked Marauders of Gauntwood.

I generally start by doing the bases to everything in that faction, this then standardizes what they all look like. I like doing bases, it's either Green grass on Rocks, or Rocks with other Rocks. Bit of a base coat, followed by a wash or two, followed by a base coat & layer, and a clean black rim to make them tidy.

After the bases, I worked on Dongli Smite on Head Runner, (*coughs* Squig), working on the Head-Runner first, then on Dongli Smite. I sort of made my first mistake, I was trying out different reds on the Head-Runner, got it to how I liked it, then by the time I came to do the second model, Krimli Smite on Head Runner, I'd forgotten which paints I'd used. (I guess it makes the models unique, but I would prefer them to look the same).

Problem with these the goblins are tiny, so it's hard to get every detail (or in my case, any detail). It's not a fault, and in hindsight I should of printed them bigger, (although the Head Hunters would of been too big?) just my current painting level isn't quite there yet to get all the details. Luckily, base coat green on the skin, silver on the armour, wash the skin with a green, was the armour with Nuln Oil, and it makes it look a lot better than my skill is actually at. (it also took me a while to notice they are wearing little leather helmets).

Then onto the Spiders, I was really looking forward to trying out a few new things here.

Learning from my mistake of not painting simular miniatures together in stages, I painted both spiders together. Painted them black, then dry-brushed them up to a dark blue.

Using a bone colour for it's claws, shaded, re-added base colour of the top, followed by a lighter bone colour, then a very faint brighter cream to highlight the tops.

My favorite part of the spiders were the markings on their torso - painted this area as white as white would go then using Vallejo Blood Red with some Red Ink did a few layers with this to make the red stand out. Then I had the bright idea of doing a thin black line around the outside to try and make the markings stand out even more, this was OK, but not the effect I wanted, then almost ruined the lot by putting a pink line on the edge of the markings... lesson learn't quit whilst you are ahead.

Painted the tiny goblins in the same way. Base coat, wash, drop mini, snap leg, search for leg under the desk, glue leg, get angry as glued leg to hand, repaint broken parts, highlight with original base coat, then highlight again with a lighter green.

I used the Butchers Knife on Havor Split on Black Weaver to practice my wet-blending.

Then to get them on the bases with out gluing myself to the wall.

Out comes the fake-Dremel I got for Christmas that I get moaned I don't use. Drill a long thin hole in the bottom..

Feed a cut up paper-clip in one end and glue, then drill a hole in the base, feed the paper clip in and glue. Sits in there nice and securly.

I also need to spend some more time working out how to take better videos and pictures of the miniatures. Open to any suggestions any one might have.

So there we have it. First and the largest of The Tusked Marauders of Gauntwood done.

Now to move on to the rest of those pointy little goblins.

[carlageddon]

So to add to this. The great Nick Bayton has been nice enough to responded to me on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1681302898435846154

They are 2 successful attacks. HOWEVER you only ever do one lot of 2 Damage.

If you have x2 Successful attacks and one Successful defend that's still 2 Damage.

If you have x2 Successful attacks and no successful defense that's still only 2 Damage.

So there we go.

......Now, about the Support Rules?

How many attacks do Attack Dice do?

I'm not sure who to ask on this... (Hell, I'm not sure anyone reads this?) but there's a simple question that we always seem to argue about no matter who I play Warhammer Underworlds with and everyone has one of two opinions.

How many attacks do the attack dice do?

You would think it's a simple question.

Drakan Celestus attacks with 2 dice.

He needs a WARHAMMER symbol for a success.

Here's the question that no one can agree on.

If you get 2 WARHAMMERS, is it classed as two attacks, (for a total of two lots of 2), so 4 damage.

Meaning if Sire Haqfel rolls one defense dice and gets the required Avoid then it only 'counters' one out of the two attacks, and the other attack still goes through, and he would take 2 damage?

or

Regardless of rolling 2 successes, it only treats this as 1 'actual' Success....

Meaning if Sire Haqfel rolls one defensive dice and gets the required AVOID then it cancels out the attack?

Similar question would apply to rolling a CRITICAL and a WARHAMMER.

...again, is the CRITICAL and WARHAMMER classed as two separate attacks of 2+2=4? So the AVOID would counter the WARHAMMER leaving the CRITICAL to go through...

or

Do we ignore the WARHAMMER and only focus on the CRITICAL (Sire Haqfel has to role a CRITICAL defense dice or take 2 damage).

Would the same question then not apply if Sire Haqfel rolls a CRITICAL defense dice against a CRITICAL and WARHAMMER would this allow the WARHAMMER go through or does the CRITICAL counter the CRITICAL and no damage is taken.

[carlageddon]

How many attacks do Attack Dice do?

I'm not sure who to ask on this... (Hell, I'm not sure anyone reads this?) but there's a simple question that we always seem to argue about no matter who I play Warhammer Underworlds with and everyone has one of two opinions.

How many attacks do the attack dice do?

You would think it's a simple question.

Drakan Celestus attacks with 2 dice.

He needs a WARHAMMER symbol for a success.

Here's the question that no one can agree on.

If you get 2 WARHAMMERS, is it classed as two attacks, (for a total of two lots of 2), so 4 damage.

Meaning if Sire Haqfel rolls one defense dice and gets the required Avoid then it only 'counters' one out of the two attacks, and the other attack still goes through, and he would take 2 damage?

or

Regardless of rolling 2 successes, it only treats this as 1 'actual' Success....

Meaning if Sire Haqfel rolls one defensive dice and gets the required AVOID then it cancels out the attack?

Similar question would apply to rolling a CRITICAL and a WARHAMMER.

...again, is the CRITICAL and WARHAMMER classed as two separate attacks of 2+2=4? So the AVOID would counter the WARHAMMER leaving the CRITICAL to go through...

or

Do we ignore the WARHAMMER and only focus on the CRITICAL (Sire Haqfel has to role a CRITICAL defense dice or take 2 damage).

Would the same question then not apply if Sire Haqfel rolls a CRITICAL defense dice against a CRITICAL and WARHAMMER would this allow the WARHAMMER go through or does the CRITICAL counter the CRITICAL and no damage is taken.

[carlageddon]

What makes the better background colour?

Just setting up my own Photo 'box' since the one I brought is a bit crap (you really do get what you pay for).

Which of the four colours do you think looks better for the back ground.

Standard Black.

Standard White.

Standard Red.

Standard Green.

I reckon the Red seems to work better, espicially looking at the half-painted mini. Maybe I should try finding a Blue and Yellow backing to try?

I'm thinking about putting something on the base of the photo box. Not sure what, maybe black felt since I have loads or I could get some of that green 'fake grass' felt they use for model rail-ways or I could paint it a different colour or I could just leave it as it is so not to take attention from the models.

[carlageddon]

Change of scenery, giving Shadespire a go.

So between playing the Ape and my Brother-in-law, we've been sticking to the two player starter set. We stick to the same Warbands. Both Ape and my Brother are the Nighthaunts, whilst I stick to the Stormcasts. The Nighthaunts are defiantly at the advantage.

My collection has grown a little over the past couple of months.

I imagine, as I don't get to play as much as I really want (mainly as I have no one to play with) I'll be surprised if a lot of these boxes ever get opened. Still it's Games Workshop stuffs, give it 10 years and they'll be worth a fortune, I could sell them and retire to the sunny coasts of elsewhere.

As the rules are ever changing between seasons, we've decided to stick to the original season, to keep it a lot more simple.

The figures are built, the boards laid out. We've rolled to choose which Warband each of us are going to use, I've come out on top so I decide to stick with the Stormcasts and have Steelhart's Champions.

Whilst Ape goes with Garreck's Reavers.

The board is setup. The pieces are down.

It's taking us a bit longer than usual (which is saying something, even after all our games, it still takes us an hour and half to play the starter set) to read through all these new character cards, objective, gambit and upgrades.

We think we got everything we need, and will learn as we go.

Round one, and we are basically playing the same tactics as before, I hold ground in the hopes of gaining objectives he charges forward and aims to take out my heroes. It's his 5 against my 3. In theory, he stands a good chance at succeeding.

(Looking back, maybe the Reaver's weren't running to attack me, they were just running to get away from Ape's stinky foot?)

The Reaver's maybe many, however, all it takes are a couple of good dice rolls and they are down, low hit points.

Both of us are trying to rely on the 'Support' bonus for combat (We are still not 100% clear on the Support rules).

Not to be put off by the fact I've taken down a couple of his Barbarians, the fight continues through round 2. He's not giving up and lady luck is no longer on my side for dice rolls.

Ape's Reaver's have taken down two, out of my three Stormcast heroes. It's the last attack. If he hits this, I'll be out and unable to gain the victory points I need to win.

He gets 2 successful hits, Lady luck, comes back on my side, I've a critical defend and a shield. Block and a Block.

What do we say to the God of Death? Not Today.

I use the Ploy/Gambit card in order to swap which token my leader is stood on, getting me out of danger, onto Objective marker 1, for which by the end phase, I've got a Ploy/Gambit card that I can claim the point for being on objective 1 !!

It's over.

Ape scored 9 points (which is high for us), turns out there were quite a few objective points available for his Warband dying.

Garreck's Reavers seems to be a good Warband if you focus more on the combat. If you win, you'll take out fighters and gain objectives points for doing so, if you die and have the right cards, you also claim objective points for loosing fighters in the end rounds. It's a risky gambit but it works..

Well, almost worked...

Thanks to jumping to that token and staying alive, I managed to get the two extra points I needed in order to claim a 10-9, very close victory.

I'm getting the hang of this, I'm now even 3-3 on wins & losses overall.

Yeah, I'm getting good. I think now is a great time to rest on my laurels...

Hey Brother, fancy a game?

[carlageddon]

Now to put what I’ve learnt to good use.

So I’ve been playing Warhammer Underworlds for a couple of months.

I was 0-3. Out of the three games I played, I’d lost them all. There is a lot to take when you start playing the game. How to battle, dice rolls, remembering to check each of the fighters cards, the power phase, objectives. However despite loosing, I’ve really been enjoying it.

I have been watching Agents of Sigmar play some games you youtube and learn’t, it’s often more about the objective and Gambit/Ploy cards than it is about the battles. 

So I changed my tactics and played the Ape.. I won.. I beat him..

So now I need to play my Brother in Law. Same tactics. Work on staying alive and playing the objectives.

So my Brother has a neat little setup, he’s been trying out a camera on an arm mount and some software, (that if it works, he’ll get the licences for). 

Ideally once our games run a bit more smoothly we’d like to record them, edit them, and put them up on YouTube.

We are sticking with our usual warbands. By now I know the inspire conditions and cans & cannot’s of the “Storm of Celestus” Warband, just as my Brother knows the tactics for the Drepur's Wraithcreepers.

It’s a great game so far. I’ve already taken the lead by round 2. I was lucky with the objective markers, as my tactic is to hold ground (and Objective Tokens) my Brother knows he has to come to me...

I’m defending in a bunch, this means when I attack or defend, a roll of a ‘support’ will help a lot. He does always seem to be more lucky with his dice rolls than me.

Whilst we are on the subject of Support & Rules. I do not think the rules in the books or online were written very well. The way the rules are written for Supporting, are horrible. We have basically come up with our own understanding of the support rules:

If you are defending. If another hero is next to both the enemy attacker and the friendly being attacked, that’s a single support (or double support if there are two heroes that meet this criteria).

If you are attacking. If a friendly hero is next to both the enemy attacker and the friendly making the attack, that’s a single support (or a double support if there are two heroes that meet this criteria).

I think there is another rule where if you have a friendly hero next to the enemy being attacked (say behind him) that might also count as an attack support but not a defense support.

By round 3, the support hasn’t really paid off in my favor any way. Drepur's Wraithcreepers have picked off two of my Stormcast Eternals. It’s just Sir Lone’some a’lot left. 

However, come the final end phase of round 3, I’ve managed to get some objectives. My leader may be the only one still standing, but he’s inspired, so it still counts. 

..between rounds 2 and 3, my Brother has knocked off two of my fighters, scoring an additional 2 objectives for each round. Suddenly out of no where, he’s got 6. 

Let’s see if on the scoring round, I can claim any objective cards.

Despite needing to hold on to that marker till the end phase to score another objective card, on the last power phase, my Brother draws a Gambit/Ploy card “push an enemy fighter 1 space” he takes me off the marker.

However...

by one point, I have finally beaten my Brother in Law ! So this is what it feels like to be king.

...until next time.

[carlageddon]

I finally beat the Ape...

…at my own game !! 

So it’s safe to say, after spending a small fortune on Warhammer Underworlds, I’m getting a bit downhearted of not being very good at it :

My Collection is coming along quite nicely. (I’ve started patching up the holes in the wall, I’ve found buying more Underworlds stuff means it covers up the fact I need to sand and paint the wall).

I’ve been playing a few proper games of the Starter Set with my Brother-in-law from a land far away and my Ape like flatmate, Ape. I’ve been loosing. All of them. I’m 0 to 3 I think?

I did try playing the game with my other half. She has zero interest in the game, or Warhammer or the hobby in general. She hated it. She had zero interest. So even though we limped through a game, it was basically a hollow, meaningless victory on my part.

I watched Agents of Sigmar play a couple of rounds of the Starter set, to see if I could learn anything more. Turns out. Wasn’t just me. The two teams aren’t balanced. *insert other excuses here*.

Any way. Even though I loose. I’m still enjoying the game. I’m still picking up tactics each time, so I decide to play the Ape again.

 We tried setting up Gnarlwood. Got the board out and setup. Some pieces down. We started reading through the cards. None of it makes any sense. So we go back to the Starter Set.

The board is setup. I’ve drawn my Cards. These are good cards. 

I’ve got a tactic in mind, there are a couple of objectives which give you points for holding on to Objective-Tokens, by round 1, I am moving or using Power Cards to ‘Push’ my characters on to the Objective-Tokens. I’m picking up quite a few Objective points by the end of Round 1, there’s just one problem….

…Ape also has a Tactic. He’s learnt that his Night-haunts need to get onto my side of the board. It’s only lucky dice throws that are saving my characters.

By the End of Round 1, I’ve got a few Objective tokens, all my pieces are on the board, and he’s got no points… I’m winning… but don’t count your chickens yet, we’ve been here before.

 We are still getting to grips with the “support” rules, back and forth to the rule book.

By the start of Round 3, he has taken two of my fighters out, I’ve taken only one of his out. He is using the support dice to his advantage. I’ve checked my objective and power cards. I’ve cashed in every advantage I can

By the end of Round 3, it’s over.

Ape has 7 Tokens all in round 2 and 3…

Wait, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8… 9… 10…. 10? 10! I WON !! Soooo many Objective Tokens !! I feel like Scrooge McDuck !! My Tactics and Dice Rolls (mostly) paid off. 

Now the next time I play my Brother in Law. I know what I’ve got to do…

[carlageddon]

I finally beat the Ape...

...at my own game !! 

So it’s safe to say, after spending a small fortune on Warhammer Underworlds, I’m getting a bit downhearted of not being very good at it :

My Collection is coming along quite nicely. (I’ve started patching up the holes in the wall, I’ve found buying more Underworlds stuff means it covers up the fact I need to sand and paint the wall).

I’ve been playing a few proper games of the Starter Set with my Brother-in-law from a land far away and my Ape like flatmate, Ape. I’ve been loosing. All of them. I’m 0 to 3 I think?

I did try playing the game with my other half. She has zero interest in the game, or Warhammer or the hobby in general. She hated it. She had zero interest. So even though we limped through a game, it was basically a hollow, meaningless victory on my part.

I watched Agents of Sigmar play a couple of rounds of the Starter set, to see if I could learn anything more. Turns out. Wasn’t just me. The two teams aren’t balanced. *insert other excuses here*.

Any way. Even though I loose. I’m still enjoying the game. I’m still picking up tactics each time, so I decide to play the Ape again.

 We tried setting up Gnarlwood. Got the board out and setup. Some pieces down. We started reading through the cards. None of it makes any sense. So we go back to the Starter Set.

The board is setup. I’ve drawn my Cards. These are good cards. 

I’ve got a tactic in mind, there are a couple of objectives which give you points for holding on to Objective-Tokens, by round 1, I am moving or using Power Cards to ‘Push’ my characters on to the Objective-Tokens. I’m picking up quite a few Objective points by the end of Round 1, there’s just one problem....

...Ape also has a Tactic. He’s learnt that his Night-haunts need to get onto my side of the board. It’s only lucky dice throws that are saving my characters.

By the End of Round 1, I’ve got a few Objective tokens, all my pieces are on the board, and he’s got no points... I’m winning... but don’t count your chickens yet, we’ve been here before.

 We are still getting to grips with the “support” rules, back and forth to the rule book.

By the start of Round 3, he has taken two of my fighters out, I’ve taken only one of his out. He is using the support dice to his advantage. I’ve checked my objective and power cards. I’ve cashed in every advantage I can

By the end of Round 3, it’s over.

Ape has 7 Tokens all in round 2 and 3...

Wait, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8... 9... 10.... 10? 10! I WON !! Soooo many Objective Tokens !! I feel like Scrooge McDuck !! My Tactics and Dice Rolls (mostly) paid off. 

Now the next time I play my Brother in Law. I know what I’ve got to do...

[carlageddon]

Maybe it’s not me?

So I’ve been struggling winning a game of Warhammer Underworlds. I’ve played 3 ‘proper’ games of the starter set. Each time I’ve been the war-bad Storm of Celestus, up against the Drepur's Wraithcreepers Nighthaunts, both of which come in the starter set.

I’ve come across a couple of guys on Youtube. Agents of Sigmar (go check them out and if you can, add to their Patreon). They’ve been playing through different box sets of Warhamme Underworlds and reviewing different war-bands.

They’ve played Storm of Celestus against Drepurs Wraitcreepers. Basically, the two-player started set that I’ve been having difficulties winning with. Each time I’ve been the Storm of Celestus. 

Then something interesting is mentioned towards the end of the video. Where they mention there is a massive disparity between the two War-bands. Basically. Storm of Celestus are a bit pants and rely on you winning all your combat compared to Drepurs Wraitcreepers. 

So next thing I might try, is swap over war-bands, see if I can finally break the curse, at least, until my Brother-in-Law can buy Gnarlwood (in English)... 

.....Hey Ape! Fancy another game?

[carlageddon]

Playing Underworlds against an Ape.

So. I’ve battled my brother-in-law twice. Twice his Drepur's Wraithcreepers, Nighthaunts have taken victory over my Storm of Celestus war-band.

We’re both learning more and more, remembering to read the cards (properly) and more often, each time we play.

Still I can’t win. I’m Down. 2 games to 0. But I’m not out.... I need more practice. I need a new opponent. Someone who, more often than not, doesn’t know his own name or where he is and what he’s doing. Someone more Ape than Man. 

...enter my flat-mate.

Sit down Monkey-Boy. Roll these Dice.

Now He’s no stranger to the game. When I came back from my visit to Games Workshop, I brought with me the Gnarlwood box set. So I’ve shown him the basics. However, I’m at an advantage. I’ve played two full games, I know a few tactics. I know what the cards do.

We set up. Take it in turns. I’m helping him out as much as I can. Explaining the rules of different cards that he wasn’t sure on. I don’t agree with cheating, if he enjoys the game regardless of when I win, at least he’ll be open to playing more games in the future.

We start, nice and simple. He wins the roll off and lets me go first. I know not to keep the upgrade cards on round one and get some do-able Objective cards.

The first round seems ok. He’s getting some lucky dice rolls, I take a little damage, he takes a little damage. He’s reading the cards more than I thought he would. He’s Inspired one of his characters already. Where as all I need to do is hit him with my ranged attack and I’m inspired.

Rounds 1 and 2 are over quite quickly. He’s picked up some points, but as have I. We are literally drawing, wining, drawing, loosing.

Round 3.

Yet again. I’m down to my leader, Sir Lonesome’alot, where as the Ape has got two Nighthaunts left on the board.

I’ve got one “Hail-Mary move” left to make. An objective which gives me an point if I hit from 3+ moves away, if it hits and he can’t defend, it’ll kill him, giving me another objective point. This would of put us at 7-7.

My hail-Mary shot misses. It’s over. We are out of moves. He wins. Beaten by an Ape. 5-7....

...what am I doing wrong?

[carlageddon]

Our second game of Underworlds.

So last week we played our first game of Warhammer Underworlds, over video chat with my Brother. He won by one point. It was a good game.

Now, we meet again. This time though. Victory will be mine.

We have setup the board, been checking a few rules.

I’m learning to check the objectives and plan ahead. I’ve got a hand full of upgrade cards, if I can take out one of his characters and his leader, that’s two objectives, two more objective tokens, I can upgrade my characters, that’s another objective token. I got this.

Some time later... I’m not doing so well. The green guy at the top of the board has to be the luckiest Nighthaunt there ever was. I’ve attacked it 5 times, both success hits followed by Criticals. He has blocked EVERY time.

Round three. The final round. I am surprised my leader is still standing. 

It’s Over.

Well.. I loose. 6-1. 

I’m sure it’s great having a tactic to begin with... kill them, get points. How did I know they would fight back and defend themselves. 

Also it’s no point having upgrade cards at the start of the game, if you can’t use them as you don’t have the objective tokens to buy them... make sure you have as many Gambit/Ploy cards.

You’ve won another battle my Brother, but there is still fight left in me.

[carlageddon]

Getting Deeper in Warhammer Underworlds.

OK so I’ve had a couple of intro sessions in Underworlds. A couple of ‘combat’ games at a Games Workshop. The idea of getting into this is so I can play over video-chat with my Brother-in-Law, who lives in a land far far away.

So we are ready for our first game. Lights. Camera. Action !!

We roll off. I’m going to be the Storm of Celestus, whilst my brother plays the  Drepur's Wraithcreepers, a group of Nighthaunt tormenting Shadespire.

This will be the first “Proper” game we’ve played. So we roll off, we take it in turns to lay 3 & 2 Objective tokens upside down, flip and take it in turns to lay out our war bands.

The box says “30 Minutes a game”, however, first ‘proper’ game we going to need to keep the rules on hand...

We take turns, Action Step, followed by power step, followed by Action Step, followed, by poor dice rolls in combat, followed by removing my first dead character on go two.... 

...I can see where this is heading.

By Round 3, I’ve managed to keep one guy alive, he’s got an upgrade... full health.. but there are two Nighthaunts closing in fast.

Third and final round has finished....

My brother wins... just. 6-5.

We learn’t loads and it was fun. The video chat works well.

..enjoy your victory brother, I will beat you next time.

[carlageddon]

The building of the Blood Plow...

..it’s time for The Starkharts to go to war.... well once they all painted, and by war I mean, go back in the cabinet. 

One of my many favorites from Darybreak Minatures.

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This was a great little (not so little) project with plenty of learning curves.

Had a few problems with some of the prints not coming out straight, so they didn’t join very well.

I’m not sure what I am doing wrong, is the printer, the resin or more likely the settings in Chitibox? There ended up being a large gap in between a couple of the corner pieces, nothing a bit of modelling clay wouldn’t hide.

When doing this sort of video, I’ve now learn’t, it is best to have an idea of the space required when the end project is complete. It’s why the video jumps from being in a light-box to no box. Also what would of been nice is a back drop of some kind.

What would of been nicer as well is to of undercoated, maybe given it a Zenithal highlight (although my opinion, Zenithal Highlighting is just a waste of paint, or I’m doing it wrong) but if the model was cleaned up more and undercoated the ‘construction’ section would of been a lot nicer. Still live and learn.

The painting of the model was done in stages, I glued the center blocks together, painted that, then painted the individual parts separately then stuck them on to the main part. I am quite happy with the result (although may of gone too much and too light with the dry-brushing), it was great once I started gluing the parts on and to see the finished project.

[carlageddon]

Having a go with Warhammer Underworlds

So as a previous post mentioned, I have brought Warhammer Underworlds. I’ve been reading through the rule book and there is a lot to take in as beginner. 

I’ve tried watching several Youtube videos - they all seem, to either fly through the game with little to no explanation, give a general ‘sales blurb’ as if they just read from the back of the box, or they go into way to much detail on the tiniest thing, it gets boring very quickly then skip over the important parts.

I was invited to Games Workshop (well I booked it myself after talking to a member of staff) to be taught how to play Warhammer Underworlds. I’ve brought the starter set, I’ve brought a few Warbands. The Games Workshop store has nominated this young girl to go through a couple of games and see if she can get it sink in.

The board is set up and ready to play. We are playing the new Gnarlwood board.

Beginner steps to start off with. Here’s your Cards. Here are your miniatures. These are the basic rules. Roll some Dice.

 We start off putting our miniatures on the board, taking it in turns. We know how to Move or Charge or Attack or Defend. Our first game, is just the deployment (putting miniatures on the board) and combat. We Move, Charge, Attack of Defend. It’s basically HeroQuest at this point. 

I seem to suck at getting good rolls of the dice....

 Then with the basics covered, it’s time to add in the objective tokens (shuffled, upside down, 3 from the first player, 2 from the second player, then turn them the right way up) and then the “cards”. 3 Objective Cards and 5 Power / Upgrade cards.

 This is the point I failed, and it sort of all went to shit.... I’m pretty sure that there are more to the turns than we were going through (whether we were just still in the learning phase) a lot didn’t really make sense with this, and it’s this point that I’m a bit ‘fuzzy’ with. 

I think I just need to read through and find out what the cards do - also there are more ‘stages’ to each turn... this is the bit I need to now learn.

So in Typical Games Workshop fashion, or maybe it’s my desperation for people to like me? But I ended up buying two of the core sets... 

Gnarlwood and Nethermaze. I don’t know why I felt the need to buy both, and spent £130, maybe it was the hopes that I’d get invited out to their lunch party... I didn’t get invited.... 

(great I’ve become *that* guy who turns up to shops and people start to dread...)

A good thing, if you catch my flat mate in a good mood, he wants to play this sort of things. So we crack open Gnarlwood and whilst the basic rules are in my head we have a couple of games.

As the I still needed to put together the figures, I make do with ones dotted about the living room that I already had done.

Thanks Daybreak Minatures I’ll just use the latest Kings of Karmaaz set for my Warband, and my flat mate can use different Undead ones I’ve either printed or nabbed from HeroQuest.

 We go through the basic Rules. Just Moving and Combat for now. Taking our 4 turns for 3 rounds and...

...either I’m good teacher....

or I’m crap..

I died. He Won...

 Now I still need to go through the rules for the cards and objective tokens etc which hopefully will change the game some what, but even though I lost, I still enjoyed myself, and thanks to my flat mate we actually learn’t some rules that I may of missed on my demo-session at the shop.

I did go into my local store (the one with the Jekyl and Hyde manager) during the week, to ask a couple of questions. Luckily he was a in a good mood. He answered some questions (I think he was just glad for some week-day company) and then, some how, I brought more warbands and cards.

I can’t stop buying them !! Essential Cards, Nethermaze: Gorechosen of Dromm and Nethermaze: Hexbane’s Hunter’s. Then I picked up a Beastgrave: Champions of Dreadfane box off eBay... I have no idea why?

I still haven’t understood or played a full game yet, but I *need* them!

[carlageddon]

Now where was I?

So, after a small stint in Arkham... I mean.. Hospital, I’m now back.

The day before I went in to Hospital, I had family over which meant my Brother-in-law and I could go into Games Workshop to have a look - he too hasn’t been in one since the 90s.

The miserable bastard that I had a run in with, that I mentioned on a previous post, was working. I’m not sure if he had caught wind of my rantings to a sister-store about his attitude, or maybe he just got laid recently, but it was like talking to a different person. Maybe he just hated me and liked my Brother-in-law? 

Any way. We talked about the same sort of things. I wanted to get into playing the games, but don’t really have any friends. The ones I do have, don’t want to buy anything themselves and don’t want to play games that take 12 hours and you have to use tape measures, templates, make sacrifices to the old gods, or anything other than, roll a dice and move... it’s why we stick to a simplified rule-set of HeroQuest. 

He was instantly showing us how Warhammer: Age of Sigmar had dramatically been “streamlined” since the days of Warhammer: Fantasy. He took us over to the table where he’d set up some starter sets, and briefly talked us through the combat, which did seem a lot easier (I appreciate there is still a tonne more to it than that, but with the refreshed attitude it made the world of difference). 

We looked through the different started box sets as well choosing which ones we should go for (I seriously think, if the guy at the store was like this on my original visit I think I’d of walked out with a few starter sets). 

Sadly my Brother-in-law lives on a different planet in a different country we can’t get together to play anything which is a shame. However, due to the marvels of technology, we are trying to come up with a game we can play, using something like FaceTime to video call with each other over a game, both buy the same game and extras and play that way. 

If anyone has any experience playing any of these sort of games virtually (doesn’t even have to be a Games Workshop branded game) let me know.

We looked through pretty much all the box sets that were in the store. We figured Warhammer 40K, Warhammer: Age of Sigmar and Lord of the Rings would be too ‘large’ to try and do this. Kill Team would be too long & Complicated for two people to try and copy what each other were doing. Blood Bowl was a possibility, but again, both of us would of had to manage each others players on each of our own boards... then he suggested Warhammer Underworlds.

It’s played over tiles, so no tape measures or templates. There are only a few figures each side (known as Warbands) so easy for two international players to maintain two “mirrored” games. The box set gives you standard figures. 

I told the fella in the shop that I was about to go into surgery, so there was no point in me buying anything yet. I don’t think he believed me. 

However once I got out of hospital, my girlfriend, feeling sorry for me, said that if I got a game, she would learn to play it with me (this is a big thing, she hates the hobby and I don’t think she quite understands it’s always going to be a little more complicated than snakes and ladders). So I brought a copy of the Warhammer: Underworlds Starter Box.

So the first step is done. I have brought the starter game. (I see there was a Warband of Crooked Moon Goblins.. I do like me a goblin or two... more on this Warband add-on later). Now to convince my Brother-in-Law to get the same starter set... he’s trying, but will have to come over to the UK later this month to pick up an English version.

So far so good. Let’s take it out the box. See what we got. Boards, Dice, Cards, Miniatures on Sprues.. rule book.. OK let’s spend the first half of the day, making the miniatures up.. (had to wait another day to Amazon some clippers and a knife).

OK the 8 miniatures have been assembled. They all clip together so no need for Superglue just yet. Really like the modern figures. I am going to avoid painting these until I am a little better.

Now on to learning how to play. Let’s have a look at the Rule book... I mean.. it can’t be that complicated can it? 

   “History of the Underworld... something, something, tree, something, something, undead ghosts, something, something, Gold Army, something, something, what’s in the box, something... to start a game of Warhammer Worlds first roll the dice, if it is a Thursday and the Sun shines brightly and there are birds in the sky and if you had egg for breakfast you can put a figure down but not before you clap your hands and do the dance of the midnight monkeys.....” 

  I’m starting to get a bit lost. Maybe i’m stupid, maybe it’s the pain medication, maybe I need to go to Wizard School for a couple of years?

I know I will go to my local Games Workshop and ask for advice. Surely anyone that works there will have to know the rules of the games they are selling?

Bearing in mind, this is the first time “out” for two weeks. I’m still not great on my feet. I meet up with my flat-mate for lunch first. We nip into Games Workshop and there is a little Canadian Dwarven girl, on her own struggling to stack the top shelves. She doesn’t seem to chatty.

...you know.. maybe it is me that’s the problem...?

 I ask if she knows how to play Underworlds. She didn’t. That ended that conversation. 

(I’d of thought due to the nature of the business, all staff should know the basics of all their games, so it makes it easier for them to sell them, when I asked which games she plays, she replied. None. She just likes to paint. Well Gimli, on that basis I could do your job). So I decided to show my flat-mate the game, which led me to buy the previously mentioned Grinkrak’s LoonCourt Warband addon. Who doesn’t love a good group of Squigs & Goblins.

A week later and we venture out further and I visit the Gloucester store, I like visiting this store. The staff in there are super friendly, knowledgeable and always make the time to chat. The younger lad there knows Underwolds quite well and invites me to come in on Sunday afternoon so he and another member of staff, will gladly go through the game and teach me the rules. 

Then because of how nice the guys are there, I ended up buying another couple of Warbands - to be honest, it wasn’t a hard sell... “Gryselle’s Arenai has only just come out today..” Yeah OK then..

The Exiled Dead and Gryselle’s Arenai. Wonder if there is a list of all the Warbands out there?

I’m looking forward to Sunday and I know I’m going to end up buying more... 

I’m hoping that I enjoy the game and I can pick up the rules so I can teach my girlfriend and my Brother-in-law how to play.

Stay tuned folks and I’ll let you know how this journey goes.

[carlageddon]

Hey man… you gotta hook me up….

I’ve been in hospital all week having major surgery.

I’ve not printed or painted a miniature in over a week..

oh god you got to hook me up…

Just a dwarf or a goblin… to get me buy, I’ll swap a pack of Space Marines for some bed pans and Hospital gowns?

[carlageddon]

A Box’o Space Marine Bits..

I love having a 3D Printer... 

I am currently building a 2nd Generation Space Wolves ‘Army’ that 1994 me would of only dreamed of. Thanks to eBay and when that doesn’t work people online who 3D Scan old Rogue Trader stuffs, I can now just print what I need.

Also means I can get a decent bits box on the go.

Where as 94′ me would have a few broken pieces or arms and weapons lying about that had been painting a ka’zillion times, now I when I get a body of an old Space Marine I can just give him a fresh new pair of arms and a shiny new Bolt pistol and Chainsword...