After a draw in Game #1 and a win in Game #2 , Jay and I were in the top 33% and we needed a strong win in round #3. The bad news is we paired off against brothers with some really nasty shooting armies. The good news is we got some good terrain (no way, good terrain at a tournament?). Actually, the terrain was nearly non-existent except 3 BLoS silos dead center that will play a huge part in our strategy.
Our opponent's approx lists:
Blood Angels
Librarian + lance, shield
Scouts + snipers rifles
Assault Squad + razorback, assault cannons
Assault Squad + razorback, assault cannons
Baal Predator + triple flamers
Vindicator
Vindicator
Dark Eldar
Baron Sathonix
Trueborn + splinter cannons, venom with 2 splinter cannons
Trueborn + splinter connons, venom with 2 splinter cannons
Warriors + splinter cannon, raider
Warriors + splinter cannon, raider
Warriors + splinter cannon, raider
Ravager + 3 lances
So we face off against dual shooty lists. The DE alone has about 11 splinter cannons and 6 lances. The mission was modified annihilation with bonus points for the most expensive HQ, killing all Elites, Heavies, Fasts, and Troops. You basically have to table your opponents to score max battlepoints here. Deployment was Pitched Battle and we won the roll (3 for 3 during the doubles event going first)!
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Thursday, June 30, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
'Ardboyz Practice Nids vs Grey Knights
I've been daydreaming my 'Ardboyz lists for this year and I had a chance for my first practice game this week. Paul drove up from Geneseo to test out his GK list. Here's my list, thoughts follow:
Swarmlord
Tyrant Guard x3 + lash whips
Parasite of Mortrex
Ymgarls x9
Ymgarls x9
Zoanthropes x3 + mycetic spore
Genestealers x15
Genestealers x5 + scytals, toxin sacs, broodlord
Termagants x29
Tervigon + toxin sacs, adrenal glands, catalyst
Harpy + tl hvy venom cannon
Gargoyles x20 + toxin sacs, adrenal glands
Trygon + adrenal glands
I know most of you won't like my list, but here's my thoughts anyways. Alpha-strike is so prevalent these days, I want a list that will allow me to reserve everything if I want. After getting slapped around by Mephiston at the ATC, I decided I would use the Swarmlord instead of my typical tyrant. I wanted to also limit the potential damage from JoTWW so I only have 1 low init MC and only 4 MC's out of 100 models in the army. To maximize FnP and the Swarmlord's blessings, I wanted some really big units so I did the best I can with the models I own. That's why the genestealer units are funky sizes. I wanted two respectable units of ymgarls to strike about when the zoans drop. One big unit of naked stealers for outflanking and one commando squad of 5 with a broodlord and several upgrades. Some would say it's a hodge-podge and not optimized. I say it's flexible and the reserve elements should cause enough disruption to throw my opponent's game off.
Swarmlord
Tyrant Guard x3 + lash whips
Parasite of Mortrex
Ymgarls x9
Ymgarls x9
Zoanthropes x3 + mycetic spore
Genestealers x15
Genestealers x5 + scytals, toxin sacs, broodlord
Termagants x29
Tervigon + toxin sacs, adrenal glands, catalyst
Harpy + tl hvy venom cannon
Gargoyles x20 + toxin sacs, adrenal glands
Trygon + adrenal glands
I know most of you won't like my list, but here's my thoughts anyways. Alpha-strike is so prevalent these days, I want a list that will allow me to reserve everything if I want. After getting slapped around by Mephiston at the ATC, I decided I would use the Swarmlord instead of my typical tyrant. I wanted to also limit the potential damage from JoTWW so I only have 1 low init MC and only 4 MC's out of 100 models in the army. To maximize FnP and the Swarmlord's blessings, I wanted some really big units so I did the best I can with the models I own. That's why the genestealer units are funky sizes. I wanted two respectable units of ymgarls to strike about when the zoans drop. One big unit of naked stealers for outflanking and one commando squad of 5 with a broodlord and several upgrades. Some would say it's a hodge-podge and not optimized. I say it's flexible and the reserve elements should cause enough disruption to throw my opponent's game off.
Friday, June 24, 2011
ATC Doubles Game #2
After a draw in round #1 and in a 3 game format with battlepoints, Jay and I knew we had some serious butt-kicking to do to stay ahead of the pack. I don't remember the names of the fine chaps we played in round #2, but it was an ugly match for us with them setting up guard and wolves across the table.
Their lists (approx):
Rune Priest + JoTWW and other toys
3 Grey hunter units in rhinos with wolf guard attached and the typical mark, melta, combi, fist, standard
Long Fangs with missiles
CCS + chimera
PBS + chimera
Platoon
Vendetta
Vendetta
Manticore
Hydras x2
Our lists can be found here .
The deployment was spearhead. The mission was c&c as the primary and table quarters as secondary. Luckily, we won the roll to go first. So, we're facing a jaws priest with several mech hunter units all with wolf standards teamed up with a mini leafblower. Pretty much a tyranid's worst nightmare hehe.
Their lists (approx):
Rune Priest + JoTWW and other toys
3 Grey hunter units in rhinos with wolf guard attached and the typical mark, melta, combi, fist, standard
Long Fangs with missiles
CCS + chimera
PBS + chimera
Platoon
Vendetta
Vendetta
Manticore
Hydras x2
Our lists can be found here .
The deployment was spearhead. The mission was c&c as the primary and table quarters as secondary. Luckily, we won the roll to go first. So, we're facing a jaws priest with several mech hunter units all with wolf standards teamed up with a mini leafblower. Pretty much a tyranid's worst nightmare hehe.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Email Extravaganza!
I had a few extra minutes today to dedicate to the blog, so here comes some emails old and new.
From Colin "Prot" on The Tyranid Hive:
"Hey,
I don't have an account so I can't comment directly on your blog, but I wanted to drop you a line.
Basically I've joined your kind of 'cause', and I come from a long background in the game.... largely power armoured, and even moderated over at the Bolter and Chainsword.
I just wanted to let you know that I think the blog you've got going is probably the best of its kind, and a very positive influence on Nid players and hobbiests in genral. I for one appreciate the time you're taking to share your experiences with us wether it be in your well written articles, or great batreps.
I definitely feel your good and bad moments with the army because I'm in a similar boat. I've left power armour (Wolves specifically) to persue 'competitve' Nids. I know it's an uphill battle and I have local buddies who gave up on Nids, and warned me against them. Nevertheless I dove into my Hive Fleet Behemoth (Some pics here if you're curious: http://thetyranidhive.
So I am trying really hard to compete against the likes of tier one lists like Wolves, Blood Angels... a lot of Ork variants, (Kan Wall, Nob Bikes etc), Daemons and probably vanilla marines most often..... It is an uphill battle to be sure. But your blog makes it a little easier.... Thanks for putting in the effort. It's appreciated!
"Prot"
From Colin "Prot" on The Tyranid Hive:
"Hey,
I don't have an account so I can't comment directly on your blog, but I wanted to drop you a line.
Basically I've joined your kind of 'cause', and I come from a long background in the game.... largely power armoured, and even moderated over at the Bolter and Chainsword.
I just wanted to let you know that I think the blog you've got going is probably the best of its kind, and a very positive influence on Nid players and hobbiests in genral. I for one appreciate the time you're taking to share your experiences with us wether it be in your well written articles, or great batreps.
I definitely feel your good and bad moments with the army because I'm in a similar boat. I've left power armour (Wolves specifically) to persue 'competitve' Nids. I know it's an uphill battle and I have local buddies who gave up on Nids, and warned me against them. Nevertheless I dove into my Hive Fleet Behemoth (Some pics here if you're curious: http://thetyranidhive.
So I am trying really hard to compete against the likes of tier one lists like Wolves, Blood Angels... a lot of Ork variants, (Kan Wall, Nob Bikes etc), Daemons and probably vanilla marines most often..... It is an uphill battle to be sure. But your blog makes it a little easier.... Thanks for putting in the effort. It's appreciated!
"Prot"
Monday, June 20, 2011
ATC Doubles Game #1
I need to start this one off with an apology. It's been a week since my last report so I apologize for the wait. We had two local tournaments this week and I've been busy with assembly, painting, and list building. Incidentally, I took 1st overall out of 13 last week and 3rd out of 26 this week. Unfortunately, it wasn't with tyranids! I apologize for that too. I've been playing nothing but tyranids for the last year in 1-2 tournaments a month and 1-2 casual games a week. A breath of fresh air with a new army is good for the brain muscle, especially after playing an army with no vehicles. I'm going to start blogging the other army's progression soon to help promote DaBoyz GT 2011, our city's annual GT that drew 90 players for 40k alone last year. Anyways, all of that combined with a baby on the way and Father's Day has put me behind on batreps and email responses. I'm going to get my butt in gear this week and hope to get back to 3 posts a week. I still have a bunch of reports to write and I'm still planning on tyranids for 'Ard Boyz this year as well.
On to the report!
Dicehead Seige held a doubles event on the Friday before the ATC main event. Jay was on my ATC team, so we decided to play nids/nids in the doubles event. The event followed the Adepticon format with 1,000pts per player.
Jay's List:
Tervigon + ag, ts, cat
Zoanthropes x3
Genestealers x20
Genestealers x14
Genestealers x10
My List:
Tervigon + ag, ts, cat
Hive Guard x3
Hive Guard x3
Genestealers x19
Termagants x10
Tervigon + ts, cat
Combined, we have 6+ scoring units, max elite anti-tank shooting, and 63 genestealers to mop up. Pretty straight forward.
On to the report!
Dicehead Seige held a doubles event on the Friday before the ATC main event. Jay was on my ATC team, so we decided to play nids/nids in the doubles event. The event followed the Adepticon format with 1,000pts per player.
Jay's List:
Tervigon + ag, ts, cat
Zoanthropes x3
Genestealers x20
Genestealers x14
Genestealers x10
My List:
Tervigon + ag, ts, cat
Hive Guard x3
Hive Guard x3
Genestealers x19
Termagants x10
Tervigon + ts, cat
Combined, we have 6+ scoring units, max elite anti-tank shooting, and 63 genestealers to mop up. Pretty straight forward.
Monday, June 13, 2011
ATC Game #6 and Results
After some brutal losses last round, we hope for some good pairings in the final game. I apologize that I cannot remember the club we played in the final round, nor my opponent's name. They had a dual lash list with 3 dreads, 3 defilers, and 4 rhinos, a kan wall list with 45 lootas, wolves, deathwing, and grey knights. Wolves were a bad match for me (as usual as every single team had a wolf list with jaws) and several of my team didn't want to play the lash list or kan wall.
We won the roll, they put up the kan wall, so I volunteered to have a go at it. His list was:
Big mek + kff
Big mek + kff
Lootas x15
Lootas x15
Lootas x15
Deff Dread
Deff Dread
Shoota boyz x20 + big shootas
Shoota boyz x20 + big shootas
Shoota boyz x20 + big shootas
Kanz x3 + rokkits
Kanz x3 + rokkits
Kanz x3 + grotzookas
We won the roll, they put up the kan wall, so I volunteered to have a go at it. His list was:
Big mek + kff
Big mek + kff
Lootas x15
Lootas x15
Lootas x15
Deff Dread
Deff Dread
Shoota boyz x20 + big shootas
Shoota boyz x20 + big shootas
Shoota boyz x20 + big shootas
Kanz x3 + rokkits
Kanz x3 + rokkits
Kanz x3 + grotzookas
Balance, Flexibility, and Meta
I don't usually reference or address other blogs in mine, but some things in the blogosphere have been bothering me lately. It was articles on BoLS that got under my skin recently on competitive list trends. I was further inflamed by articles and comments on other blogs I follow through the day.
There are a lot of people out there that believe in codex "tiers", codex creep, and a changing balance in 40k. People talk about "the big 3" being wolves, angels, and guard. I've read numerous articles on how these are hard to beat and how GK and future releases will break the game or prove to be impossible to beat with tyranids.
In my opinion, this is all poppycock and it's one of the primary reasons I started this blog. Now, I've been playing the game for just over a year and I'm still learning daily. To illustrate my points, I will instead use an ATC teammate.
There are a lot of people out there that believe in codex "tiers", codex creep, and a changing balance in 40k. People talk about "the big 3" being wolves, angels, and guard. I've read numerous articles on how these are hard to beat and how GK and future releases will break the game or prove to be impossible to beat with tyranids.
In my opinion, this is all poppycock and it's one of the primary reasons I started this blog. Now, I've been playing the game for just over a year and I'm still learning daily. To illustrate my points, I will instead use an ATC teammate.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
ATC Game #5
Sunday morning we walked into the hall in 2nd overall of 14 teams. We had talked over pairing strategies until 1am the night before ad we knew we had some tough games ahead of us. We hadn't played "The Wrecking BoLS" team yet or Mark Parker's <Wrecking Crew> team. First game saw us paired against "The Wrecking BoLS" with Paul "TPM" playing blood angels, Thomas "Goatboy" and his space goats, Rob "Spikey Bitz/Man Boy Genius" and his looted guard, Nick "Darkwynn" with black templars, and Kenny "Next Level Painting" with his Grey Knights.
This was good and bad for me. I had some possibly good matches and some very bad. We knew this was a DoW game. I think my list fares well against guard in DoW as per the INAT, I could deploy the tyrant+guard and infiltrate two units of genestealers. I also think I could have done well against Nick's drop pod/assaulty templars with no psychic defense. Hell, I even put gk as my third choice for a match as it was a very small draigo wing with 3 dreadknights and I think I could have outplayed that with swarms of stealers and supergaunts. I had no illusions of having a chance against Goatboy's dual priest wolves or TPM with mephiston and a chaplian-lead assault termie unit in a stormraven.
Both teams talked some smack over both days and personal challenges were flying back and forth. We lost the roll and put up Joe's salamander, they countered with Kenny's gk. They put up Nick (go me!) and Shaun put himself up because Nick called him out. I ended up against Goatboy's sw on the same table as Game #2 , FML! I could go much further into the cause of this match-up and the effect it had on the team's performance, but let's just say I was unhappy.
Goatboy's Space Goats:
Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf + EW, all the talismans and trinkets, fist, shield, 2 pets
2 Runepriests
TWC + shield, fist
Wolf guard - enough fists and combi-meltas to put one in every unit
3 big units of grey hunters with all the toys in rhinos
1 small unit of grey hunters in a razorback
2 units of wolf scouts with melta guns
2 units of long fangs with 5 missiles
This was good and bad for me. I had some possibly good matches and some very bad. We knew this was a DoW game. I think my list fares well against guard in DoW as per the INAT, I could deploy the tyrant+guard and infiltrate two units of genestealers. I also think I could have done well against Nick's drop pod/assaulty templars with no psychic defense. Hell, I even put gk as my third choice for a match as it was a very small draigo wing with 3 dreadknights and I think I could have outplayed that with swarms of stealers and supergaunts. I had no illusions of having a chance against Goatboy's dual priest wolves or TPM with mephiston and a chaplian-lead assault termie unit in a stormraven.
Both teams talked some smack over both days and personal challenges were flying back and forth. We lost the roll and put up Joe's salamander, they countered with Kenny's gk. They put up Nick (go me!) and Shaun put himself up because Nick called him out. I ended up against Goatboy's sw on the same table as Game #2 , FML! I could go much further into the cause of this match-up and the effect it had on the team's performance, but let's just say I was unhappy.
Goatboy's Space Goats:
Wolf Lord on Thunderwolf + EW, all the talismans and trinkets, fist, shield, 2 pets
2 Runepriests
TWC + shield, fist
Wolf guard - enough fists and combi-meltas to put one in every unit
3 big units of grey hunters with all the toys in rhinos
1 small unit of grey hunters in a razorback
2 units of wolf scouts with melta guns
2 units of long fangs with 5 missiles
Busy Month...
Well, I've been chipping away at my batreps but I've been falling behind on emails and other content. I apologize to those who have unanswered messages in my inbox.
I've been pushing very hard to get some new models assembled for some events this month. This Saturday, June 11th, Millennium Games is hosting their monthly 40k tournament. It's a new format for them and resembles the GW Throne of Skulls event. Games will only be 1250pts, but we'll be playing 4 games instead of 3. Prizes will be awarded for the top Imperial player, top Xenos, and most VP's collected so I'm trying some new stuff out.
Also, next Saturday June 18th, Millennium is also hosting their quarterly 40k lock-in event. The format is 1,000pts per player with similar restrictions as most doubles events. However, initial team pairings will be random, then followed by loser's choice and other differing pairing processes over 4 games.
Both of these events look like a lot of fun and a big (and welcome) change from the super competitive games I've been playing lately. I highly recommend both events and hope my readers in NY and PA can make it.
I also have a big project in the works for DaBoyz GT 2011 so I assure you I've not been sitting on my thumbs. I have 10 boxes of models in various state of assembly and some freshly painted figures (some of my best ever!), but for now this project is *classified* to be revealed at a later date.
Finally, the last little tidbit that's been keeping me away from the computer is another exciting piece of news. My wife and I are proud to say we're expecting our first child! We've known since before the ATC, but due to timing and our family, it took a while to meet and tell everyone in person. As you can imagine, it's added another whole level of insanity to my life which I'm still (and will be fore the rest of my life...) adjusting to.
I just wanted to thank all my readers for sticking with me and your patience during this crazy time in my life! I should get another batrep up tonight and I still have 14 more on file and coming soon. After that, I'll transition into documenting my progress towards DaBoyz GT 2011 and the army I plan on bringing.
I've been pushing very hard to get some new models assembled for some events this month. This Saturday, June 11th, Millennium Games is hosting their monthly 40k tournament. It's a new format for them and resembles the GW Throne of Skulls event. Games will only be 1250pts, but we'll be playing 4 games instead of 3. Prizes will be awarded for the top Imperial player, top Xenos, and most VP's collected so I'm trying some new stuff out.
Also, next Saturday June 18th, Millennium is also hosting their quarterly 40k lock-in event. The format is 1,000pts per player with similar restrictions as most doubles events. However, initial team pairings will be random, then followed by loser's choice and other differing pairing processes over 4 games.
Both of these events look like a lot of fun and a big (and welcome) change from the super competitive games I've been playing lately. I highly recommend both events and hope my readers in NY and PA can make it.
I also have a big project in the works for DaBoyz GT 2011 so I assure you I've not been sitting on my thumbs. I have 10 boxes of models in various state of assembly and some freshly painted figures (some of my best ever!), but for now this project is *classified* to be revealed at a later date.
Finally, the last little tidbit that's been keeping me away from the computer is another exciting piece of news. My wife and I are proud to say we're expecting our first child! We've known since before the ATC, but due to timing and our family, it took a while to meet and tell everyone in person. As you can imagine, it's added another whole level of insanity to my life which I'm still (and will be fore the rest of my life...) adjusting to.
I just wanted to thank all my readers for sticking with me and your patience during this crazy time in my life! I should get another batrep up tonight and I still have 14 more on file and coming soon. After that, I'll transition into documenting my progress towards DaBoyz GT 2011 and the army I plan on bringing.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
ATC Game #4
This was my 4th game of the day, and 8th game of the weekend. After driving 14 hours straight, eating only junk food, 90+ temperatures for 2 days, and only 5 hours of horizontal sleep under my belt, I was nearing the end of my 40k endurance. The team was slightly above the middle of the pack and we paired off against the Blade and Bolter "B" team, which incidentally was doing better then the "A" team at this point.
After being manhandled by eldar and mephiston during the last two games, I told Shaun "just give me a match with no psychic defense". Shannon ended up being my 4th opponent with his Tau army. He was also my favorite opponent and I'm sure his whole team was our favorite match of the weekend. These guys were super chill, fun to play, and a breath of fresh air after some of the hyper-competitive games earlier in the day.
Shannon's list:
Shas'el + toys and 1 bodyguard, some drones
Shas'el + toys and 1 bodyguard, some drones
Crisis suits x2 + toys, drones
Crisis suits x2 + toys, drones
Kroot + hounds (13 or so total)
Kroot + hounds (13 or so total)
Fire warriors + devilfish
Fire warriors + devilfish
Piranha
Piranha
Piranha
Broadsides x2 + drones
Broadsides x2 + drones
Hammerhead
I probably butchered this list, but I think Shannon lurks here sometime, maybe he will correct me. Either way, you get the idea. Lots of battlesuits that shoot guns that hurt.
After being manhandled by eldar and mephiston during the last two games, I told Shaun "just give me a match with no psychic defense". Shannon ended up being my 4th opponent with his Tau army. He was also my favorite opponent and I'm sure his whole team was our favorite match of the weekend. These guys were super chill, fun to play, and a breath of fresh air after some of the hyper-competitive games earlier in the day.
Shannon's list:
Shas'el + toys and 1 bodyguard, some drones
Shas'el + toys and 1 bodyguard, some drones
Crisis suits x2 + toys, drones
Crisis suits x2 + toys, drones
Kroot + hounds (13 or so total)
Kroot + hounds (13 or so total)
Fire warriors + devilfish
Fire warriors + devilfish
Piranha
Piranha
Piranha
Broadsides x2 + drones
Broadsides x2 + drones
Hammerhead
I probably butchered this list, but I think Shannon lurks here sometime, maybe he will correct me. Either way, you get the idea. Lots of battlesuits that shoot guns that hurt.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
ATC Game #3
After a stellar first round and poor second, we were about in the middle of the pack so we had no clue about our next pairing. We faced off against "The Chicago Kimikazes" who Jay and Shaun faced at Adepticon. I don't remember all of their lists, but I believe they had horde orks, mechdar with eldrad, ba with meph, space wolves, and one more. At this point, I really didn't want to face eldar again or jaws, so I ended up against blood angels.
My opponent was Aaron (also my name) and I kinda wanted this match anyways. His army was one of the best present with every single model customized or converted to look like Lamenters fully meched up in skimmer rhinos. And so game #3 was pitched battle, Aaron vs Aaron showdown!
My opponent was Aaron (also my name) and I kinda wanted this match anyways. His army was one of the best present with every single model customized or converted to look like Lamenters fully meched up in skimmer rhinos. And so game #3 was pitched battle, Aaron vs Aaron showdown!