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Cleaning out the Wargaming Closet

2012-01-28T02:32:00.000-08:00

You know how it is: you get excited for that one new model that is coming out for your army, you pre-order it from your FLGS, you buy it the day it comes out, and then you stuff it a drawer and not do anything with it for like a year-and-a-half. Well, I got more models like that then I'd like to admit. So lately I've been putting them together. Mostly Warmachine and Hordes models as well as a box of Malifaux figures. As models get painted and assembled I'll try to remember to post updates here.

It Was Like Losing My Best Friend

2011-12-16T00:42:00.000-08:00

A couple months back I found myself afflicted with a personal tragedy. My pair of yellow-handled GW hobby clippers broke while I was modding a Hot Wheel car for use in the game Warlands:

These clipper where with me from the very beginning. When I clipped Necron Warriors, Scarab Swarms, and Destroyers from their original plastic molding and glued them together I used these clippers. When I made several failed attempts and modding and converting models for use in a Warhammer 40K army - these clippers where there. When I got into Warmachine and began to build what would become my massive collection of Cygnar models - these clippers were there.

As I got more into the hobby I began to improve my game when it came to assembling models, modding, and converting. When ones collection of mostly metal models get large enough pinning becomes something you eventually learn to do. There were several nicks in those clipper from cutting paper clips, but they still remained reliable for several years.

But, time takes it's toll and over the years I found myself having to squeeze them harder and harder to clip my way through brass rods. And, the cuts through pewter and plastic weren't as neat and clean as they were six years ago. So, when a part of a Hot Wheel that looked plastic actually turned out to be DieCast metal that was coated in plastic - I shouldn't have been surprised when they broke and that smaller piece went flying across the room.

I was really broke at the time so I payed five bucks for some clippers I found at Radio Shack, and I got to say that I would not recommend their "Nippy Cutters" to anybody. They do not cut cleanly through plastic or metal, and when it came to clipping brass rods they were a lot of work for cutting a really soft metal. So, the first chance I got I purchased some P3 Hobby Clippers and they work great. They're sharp, and they cut cleanly through pewter, plastic, and brass rods like a hot knife through butter. They work great, but I kind of feel like a widower who got remarried, but still can't stop thinking about his dead wife.

Back in the Saddle: Epic Magnus

2011-12-15T22:41:00.001-08:00

So, recently I decided to expand on my collection of Mercenaries. However, the image pictured below is not a part of my collection. As a favor to an old friend and new Warmachine player I assembled this figure and mounted him on a resin base:

It always feels good to get a model cleaned up, assembled and ready for a fresh coat of primer. And this was just what the doctor ordered for me after a great deal of work related stress from the two part time jobs I'm currently working. As for the expansion of my own Mercenary force I've decided to build a Four Star Syndicate and Highborn Covenant collection on top of the Talion Charter force I already own. For one thing, while the shenanigans that go with a Talion Charter army are always fun - I figured it was time to delve into new territory as I built up my Mercs.

VLOG: FOODMACHINE!!

2011-11-30T21:27:00.001-08:00

BATTLE REPORT: Blaize vs. Karchev 15pts in REAL TIME

2011-11-12T23:21:00.001-08:00

In this game I'm taking Constance Blaize the new Cygnar/Mercenary Warcaster from Warmachine: Wrath out for a spin. We're playing 15pts of Mangled Metal with the option of one solo. The game turns are recorded in real time, and this is made possible by the fact that I'm playing at a friend's house and therefore I'm not having to deal with the Chaos of an LGS.

THRALL HARVEST: BAKERSFIELD

2011-11-11T21:16:00.001-08:00

As a part of a series of food drive tournaments for various games we’ll be doing a FOODMACHINE tournament at Paladin’s Game Castle in Bakersfield, Ca. on December 3rd, 2011 for the games of WARMACHINE AND HORDES. The tournament itself is 35 points and will be based on Steamroller 2011. Each player gets to bring up to two lists, and scenarios will be announced at the beginning of each round. The twist here is that donations ca...n be used to “cheat” during the games.

WHEN: December 3rd, 2011 – 10am
WHERE: Paladin’s Game Castle in Bakersfield, Ca.
ENTRY: 5 cans (8oz or Larger).
PRIZES: Most Cans Used during a Single Game, and Most Cans Donated Overall. Also, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place.

“CHEATING”

ONE CAN MAY BE USED TO: add +1 to your initiative, re-roll a D6*, force an opponent to re-roll a D6*, shift damage by one column*, and add one minute to your current turn*.
THREE CANS MAY BE USED TO: Shake Off being Knocked Down or Stationary (OPT), Add one extra focus or fury point to a Warcaster or Warlock in excess of their focus stat (OPT)*, generate 1 free non-charge power attack*, measure the distance between two models (OPT).
TEN CANS MAY BE USED TO: Force one of an opponents ADVANCED DEPLOYED to deploy normally (OPG), give one non-character Warjack/Warbeast HUNGRY (+1 MAT, RAT, DEF, and ARM to the stat line for the duration of the game), give one warrior model/unit the TERROR advantage, and make one Mercenary/Minion model/unit count as Friendly Faction (OPG).
ONE HUNDRED CANS MAY BE USED TO: Take an out of faction Warjack or Warbeast for your Warcaster or Warlock (Respectively). This warbeast counts as a Friendly Faction model. There is a limit of ONE per list.

FOR THE PURPOSE OF “CHEATING”
8oz or Less = 1/2 Can
8-16ozs = 1 Can
16oz or MORE = 2 Cans
Meat = Double Cans (So, a 5oz Can of Vienna Sausages will count as 1 Can for cheating)

---
“*” = Cost Doubles Per Use During Each Game. (EXAMPLE: 2D6 re-roll will cost three cans)
OPT = Once Per Turn.
OPG = Once Per Game.

BATTLE REPORT: Ashlynn vs. Fiona 25pts

2011-10-29T18:40:00.000-07:00

Here we have a Mercenaries vs. Mercenaries battle report. While from the same faction the two forces fielded couldn't be more different. Enjoy the battle in which the Llaelese Resistance gets raided by Thamarite pirates.

OUT OF THE BOX: Storm Strider, Cygnar Battle Engine

2011-10-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

In this video we take a look at the content of the Storm Strider kit from Privateer Press. These huge models are both literally and figuratively the "next BIG thing" for Warmachine.

Gallant, Cygnar Ally Character Warjack.

2011-10-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

And, here we have Gallant:

I recently recorded two Battle Report games that feature him prominently. And, one of those games was recorded in real time (in a similar style to the How to Play Video that was shot back in May). So far I've played with Gallant in three different games, and all I can say is that I love him. I will almost exclusively play him with Constance Blaize, because purgation is just too good to pass up.

Warlands Gameplay Mechanics

2011-09-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

At the 2011 SoCal Smackdown I caught up with Tony Kenealy of Aberrant Games, and we talked more about the game Warlands. A post-apocalyptic miniature wargame inspired by movies such as Mad Max, Warriors of the Wasteland and countless others.

BATTLE REPORT: Shae vs. Garryth 15pts - DREADZONE

2011-09-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

In this game we're taking on the Retribution, and in one of the random arena's of the Dreadzone. Let's see how this goes!

For the Dreadzone Rules [click here ]
For the Heart Arena Rules [click here]

SoCal Smackdown 2011: Video Scrapbook

2011-09-11T21:41:00.000-07:00

A group of us traveled down to SoCal Smackdown to play some Warmachine and take in the con. This year Miniature Games, Board Games, RPG's and CCG's were well represented. Here's a collection of some of the random footage I grabbed.

Paint Pledge

2011-09-08T19:56:00.000-07:00

So, back in July I made a paint pledge for the month of August. And, by August I meant in time for SoCal Smackdown. And I'm happy to say that I met that pledge:

Constance Blaize
Gallant
Harlen Versh
MAX UNIT: Precursor Knights
Precursor Knight UA
MAX UNIT: Trencher Commandos

Everything I said I'd paint - plus I finally got around to finishing Katherine Laddermore's dismount. And, now that my Cygnar has gotten all that love I'll be focusing mainly on my Circle Orboros for a while.

BASE, BODY, AND BEYOND: Lt. Allister Caine, Cygnar Warcaster

2011-08-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

Following in the footsteps of other DICERAGE.COM contributors such as The Table Top Gamers, and Marth - this is a video series that takes an in-depth look at one model/unit in the games of Warmachine and Hordes. And, in this installment we are looking at Lt. Allister Caine of Cygnar - The first model in what would become my extensive collection of Warmachine and Hordes figures

Old School Wargaming Hills

2011-08-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

These are the hills I was talking about in a previous update, and they were very easy to make. From making these I now know that I could whip up loads of them for an upcoming tournament or convention if I had to. They are both roughly 8x4 inches in size and are booth 1/2 inches in height. Now, a proper hill for Warmachine and Hordes should be at least an inch, but the shorter hills are better for those moments when a mini can't make it all the way on and needs to be propped up with dice.

All-in-all, I'm hoping these will look great on my friends gaming table.

Paint Pledge WIP

2011-08-13T01:49:00.000-07:00

So far I've managed to get some work done on my Precursor Knights, and after they have been sitting in a project drawer for over three years. On Monday I met up with Fred at Paladin's Game Castle and we both got a lot of work done. I also started the beginning steps on Gallant as well.

WIP Ruin

2011-08-13T01:44:00.000-07:00

Today I found myself looking at some of the scraps left over from my recent Demo/Display board project and decided to make a few things from it. One of those things being a 8x4 inch ruin, that I plan on keeping for my own collection. It's something I'll place models on for photographs. I also got started on a couple of hills that I intend of giving to a friend at some point in the not so distant future. They'll be painted to match his personal game table.

Demo/Display Board

2011-08-06T23:43:00.000-07:00

This is a 2x2 Demo/Display board that I made as a figure study for a proper 4x4 game table in the future. For each step of the video I grabbed the camera and dis some documentation.

Paint Like You Got A Pair 6: Mystery Challenge

2011-08-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

These are the miniatures painted for Iron Painter 6 - VOTE for your favorite by leaving a comment.

Paint Pledge for the Month of August 2011

2011-07-29T22:24:00.000-07:00

And here is my paint Pledge for the next month:

Constance Blaize
Gallant
Harlen Versh
MAX UNIT: Precursor Knights
Precursor Knight UA
MAX UNIT: Trencher Commandos

This will hinder my output of new videos, because whenever I paint a model I'm not editing my latest project. But, that's just how it goes.

Epic Eiryss

2011-07-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

During Iron Painter 5 I managed to paint my Epic Eiryss which had been sitting in a drawer for nearly three years. And, good things come to those who wait, because if I painted her back then she would not have came out as well. She was painted with the same "water color" technique that I used on the majority of my Pirate models.

We're going to be doing another Iron Painter this Saturday, but this time it's going to be done more like Iron Chef. I've dubbed this "Iron Painter 6: Mystery Challenge," and the mystery is in the fact that participants don't know what they are going to paint, and they'll be a mystery color that has to be used on the figure.

Should be fun...

Advanced Deployment's Gaming Accessories

2011-07-25T23:06:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I placed an order with Advanced Deployment, and today my bag of goodies have arrived. I got three objective flags that are perfect for Steamroller Tournametns, a set of wreck markers (two heavies and three lights), and some "base hugger" templates that are perfect for marking the front and rear arc onto Warmachine and Hordes models.

As you can see in the photo above the templates look great on the tabletop, and the objective markers are not only stable, but the flags fit perfectly into their 40mm bases. The Wreck Markers are great for players who want for something more than cut-outs and construction paper.

Next we have the Front Arc Markers, which are being modeled by some of my Circle Orboros figures. In the past I've traced circles onto parchment paper, and then folded them in half to make my Front Arc Markers. But, now I can simply bust these out whenever I need to mark the arcs on my Warmachine and Hordes' figures. Another thing I can do with these is bust them out whenever there is the inevitable argument about Free Strikes and Line of Sight. Because, we all know THAT GUY who doesn't mark his figures and then instigates drama about getting to have his free strike.

OVERALL: I'd say these are good products that are available for a reasonable price, and I do plan on going back for more of their goodies. Such as their AOE rings, and a few "Hill Proxies." So, be sure to follow the link below and check them out:

ADVANCED DEPLOYMENT

A Friend's Dungeons and Dragon's Character

2011-07-25T22:01:00.000-07:00

I have become very reluctant to take commissions after a bad experience with painting models for other people about three years ago. But if someone catches me in the right mood I might paint a model or two for them. And in this case a friend's DnD character has been sitting on my paint table for the past couple of weeks. I can't remember exactly when I got started on her, but I finished the model on Saturday night and sprayed some matte varnish on the figure this morning:

The figure is Elise Anya from Reaper's Dark Legends range, and my friend plans on using this figure to represent herself and the characters she'll play in currant and future DnD games.

I enjoyed painting this model so much that I may place an order and get one for my collection.

Selling Some of My Stuff

2011-07-20T23:11:00.000-07:00

Remember those Firestorm Armada figures I cleaned up and painted a few months ago? Well, I'm getting rid of them because I'm no longer happy with the Directorate fleet. At some point I'll simply pick up a different fleet and get back into it. Possibly Aquan Prime or Relthoza.

As you can see the figures also come with my collection of tokens that are customized. They were laminated and felt-backed for long term durability:

This stuff has been put on consignment through Paladin's Game Castle and can be purchased through their online store. If you, or someone you know, is interested then just click on the following link: *Click Here*

UPDATE: This collection has SOLD, and a big hearty thank you to the anonymous individual who purchased them!

BATTLE REPORT: Kraye vs. Rahn 35pts

2011-07-20T22:22:00.000-07:00

HEEEYYY RAHN!!! *sip*

In this Battle Report it's Cygnar vs. Retribution, and I'm putting a tier 2 Jeremiah Kraye list on the table. My opponent puts down a Rahn list designed to set up and take down enemy models. Let's see what happens!