Things here have been quiet because I've been doing some soul searching. The new edition has breathed life into my tyranids and stole some thunder from my DE and GK. Flyers, allies, and fortifications are all things that tickle my fancy both on the table and with hobby projects so I've been searching for inspiration as to which projects to tackle first.
Here's a list of projects I want to tackle over the next 6 months in no particular order:
Tyranids - repaint and base the whole collection with the new scheme, build an aegis and possibly bastion and skyshield
GK - allies, retool the Mordrak Shock list, aegis. Really going to go nuts with allies for these guys as it gives me an excuse to try units and models I've been watching. Necrons, marines w/ stormtalon, new dark angels, guard, thunderwolves, all fun mini-armies to collect and add to the GK.
DE - retool the foot list and eldar allies. This will probably be my project for DaBoyz GT 2012 depending on their final stance for the format.
Chaos - the first army I ever collected, I still have my 2nd ed models and would love to rebuild them with some big cultist blobs.
The game change refers to the format of the blog. I used to write up current projects and talk about upcoming tournaments. Last week, a topic in the local forum got really ugly and a small, vocal group came out villainizing me as as "WAAC powergamer douchebag" for buying and painting models for specific tournaments. I learned a lot of interesting things about the local group and perception. I realize bloggers in general will have skeptics and haters, but it really rocked my world. Someone who doesn't blog but shows up to a tournament with new models is a dedicated hobbyist. If you do the same and blog about it, you're a list tailoring WAAC powergamer. Anyways, I won't go into the ugly details as I've tried to keep this blog as a positive influence with hobby, theory, and execution. However, I will be changing the format to reduce drama in my own life. As such, articles will be written on past projects and events instead of current projects and upcoming events.
Thanks for sticking with the blog and understanding. I hope to get some hobby and tactics articles up over the next few weeks.
There will always be haters out there... they are just jealous of all your AMAZING awesomeness bro... dont let it get you down !!
ReplyDelete:D
G
WAAC, obviously, that's why you use the indcredibly overpowered Tyranids who crush and devour all those before them. Personally I see a hobbyist foremost and a gamer second hence all the cool various armies you possess and the quality you put into their painting. However they may have a point, you did get sick of not winning the best painted army prize with your nids so are repainting them to try and win that prize - how dare you! You must leave them as is and accept failure every time.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile check out Mr Pink's Tyranid defence lines on warpshadow.
As bbf said, people are going to hate no matter what. Do what you enjoy and don't worry about the rest. As for projects, we are going to have to sit down soon and discuss terrain ideas for da boyz. I got some ideas perculating in my head, just would be nice if we knew how terrain was going to be handled at the event.
ReplyDeleteLet's plan on getting in a game or so in the next couple of weeks.
Kevin
All sounds good Kevin.
DeleteMaybe we could do an eldar/DE table that doubles as a combined display for our two armies? Lots of potential either way with some of the new artwork and translation into terrain.
I don't want you to change your format because of a few local assholes. Your blog is an inspiration, it's what got me seriously interested in painting to the extent that I bought an air brush and am learning how to fool around with it. One day I want to create things like your DE army (your Grotesques are amazing, I've always wanted to emulate them - perhaps my allied Farseer will get himself a beefy bodyguard...)
ReplyDeleteWell, that is unfortunate. Some really narrow minded and self centered people out there.
ReplyDeleteYeah dont change the format of your blog - it is very exciting and honestly I consider it to be one of the best overall.
ReplyDeleteG
I followed some of that discussion - but overall there are a few people who lament how the game 'used to be' and talk about the death of the hobby. I have been hearing about that for games for a decade or more but none of them seem to have died.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog, and sharing ideas as much as I can with mine. Next week I will take some pressure off you if I can borrow some Grots and make a Epidemus plague bomb list - I am sure that will be a great lightning rod.
Also, others should respect the way you choose to play the game in the same way you respect them. Coming to a tournament with a beautiful army and themed list that stinks can be neat - practically giving away a massacre to an opponent with it undermines the tournament in some ways - but we all recognize how cool it is.
Coming to a tournament with a strong list can lead to a lot of fun interesting games - but somehow that is criticized - you are even 'upholding the integrity of competition' in bringing it!
Thanks to all for the kind words and support. I'll never be able to properly communicate my appreciation to my readers.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, when this shit hit the fan and my anti-fans were blaming me for everything including the downfall of our local commnity, tournament participation, and open night play, nobody was defending me but myself. I realize most don't want to get involved with the drama.
However, it also means nobody thought I was worth defending. All the painting demos and articles, terrain building articles and demos, private games and events I held in my own home. When the cards were revealed and my critics challenged my contributions to the hobby, not a word of support.
Now, I can keep telling myself that I contribute in a positive way but at the end of the day the most vocal are saying I don't and nobody is refuting that.
I can keep writing for my loyal and appreciative readers, but the locals are the ones I have to see and play regularly. This is where the soul searching has brought me. I appreciate the support and understanding of my situation.
That sounds awful, you do what you gotta do :) i wish people could just accept that some play to win... I don't win, but that is because of my poor generalship, and not because of others being cheezy.
DeleteSome ppl have the same flaw as me, they just don't freakin realize it :S
Being one of the (kinda) local players that didn't chime in, I have to say that you and your ideas are totally worth defending in a fair and reasonable forum. The thing is, much of the counterpoint wasn't fair or reasonable. You can't have a meaningful discussion with crazy and irrational. When it gets to that point, I tune out.
DeleteI also think your eveness is what makes your blog one of the best 40K blogs out there. On top of the best battle reports out there, you keep a level head and don't dive into the interweb drama. Your excitement and passion for the hobby comes through.
I'll try to post more later. gotta go.
Thanks Chris. That makes a lot of sense.
DeleteI do try to avoid the drama here on the blog to keep it focused and valuable. I had to re-write this post 4 times before it was acceptable to me. I felt like people deserved an explanation for lack of content after such a productive period when 6th came out.
I tried pointing out to said person that the manner in which he attacks your thread when he disagreed was rediculous, of course he made it a point to call me out on my lack of painting in the last 6 months(first 6 months of my sons life) but its ok ill be painting more often we will see if he shows up more often.
DeleteAlso i could have gone on with him all day but i feel as though since im not exactly a local that i have less say
Yeah, I saw that. I had originally decided to stay out of the argument, but when other people started taking personal attacks I couldn't keep my mouth shut. Attacking your unpainted army in a tournament terrain discussion was a really cheap shot.
DeleteI think your blog is very nice. I check it often enough and i find a lot of neat stuff for nids that i have been playing around with.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be more of a player than a painter, allthough you have nice minis as well ;)
play with what you want, and when you come to the table, play to win. (Not that i win much, but that's my goal, and that's what you should have as well) tournaments are supposed to be competitive, that's why they are called tournaments ;)
I don't believe that it's a case that no one wanted to defend you, it's more the fact that getting into a shouting match on the internet is like pissing into the headwinds of a category 5 hurricane. No matter what kind of response that you, me, or anyone else types in, it is going to just get miscontrued, dissected, and copy/pasted into parts that other parties want to use as ammo to throw back on the boards to promote a response.
ReplyDeleteThe freedom that boards and blogs like yours present to the general user is both a blessing and a curse. Myself and many others, by the responses so far, enjoy your board because of what you bring to the community. Your board is not out there to promote only one facet or force your style of play onto the rest of us but instead you offer painting tutorials, terrain building, game theory, battle reports and every now and then you throw in personal tidbits about your family and life outside of gaming. In my opinion, this proves you are anything remotely like a waac player. One only has to read a blog like YTTH to see what a real waac player is. Others may disagree with my assessment but nothing you, me, or anyone else will ever change that.
In closing, with age, experience, and kids i've learned that I have far too few hours each day to involve myself in internet spats. I'd rather spend those fleeting moments drinking beers, painting minis, building terrain, and chucking dice with like minded people. If you feel offended by a lack of response/support from me or other local players in the community then I can only offer my apologies but I refuse to ever get involved in a pissing match on the web. You are a good person and have a lot to offer to our obscure little hobby. :)
Thanks Kevin. Everything you said makes sense.
DeleteI guess my passion is my weakness. It's hard to be passionate about work right now as my boss/mother shuts down nearly every idea or change I propose. 40k has become my outlet for creativity and passion and sometimes I take it a bit too seriously.
I would prefer if you didn't change a thing with this blog. Your blog has the best Tyranid content of all I've seen, and the battle reports are second to none. Thanks for all your efforts and great coffee break reading material so far.
ReplyDeleteThanks man. Just keep in mind I do play 3 armies and will be giving them all attention. Tyranids got attention first as they're my signature army and had the most to gain (nothing to lose) with the new rules.
DeleteGK and DE are on the workbench as we speak. They're not nids but I'm a believer than understanding multiple armies helps you play your favorite one best.
I really enjoy your blog and hope you won't change the format. The creativity, tactics, and battle reports are inspiring (especially the tyranids). Don't let the haters in the hobby get you down.
ReplyDeleteSynaps3,
ReplyDeleteIf you change your format I will come to your house and break your hands with a hammer.
Or, if it'll keep you from changing your format, I will go to the antagonists' homes and break their hands with a hammer.
Either way, the hammer is waiting.
Shit's depressing. It's the same thing all over from the same personality types. I can't even conceive of the idea of accusing someone of being waac because they bring a new army to specific events. How about dedicated hobbyist? Ridiculous. I love your blog, don't change a thing. And, though it's been said before...
ReplyDeleteHaters Gonna Hate.
*shrug*
I know you're kidding, but thank you.
ReplyDelete@ traceoftaoxin =)
DeleteForum spats like that are why I started blogging; I am a member of several local forums but not very active for the same reason. As has been repeatedly stated above, you have a superlative blog, hands down some of the best batreps out there (and I read a lot), and bring the hobby aspect in spades, from table terrain to miniatures. You inspire many of us with your example, from Goatboy's art to my own Planet Petco. Stay true, keep the course.
ReplyDeleteGood point. Back in the day, I actually started the blog when a local store owner suggested it. It began as a way to vent off the normal forums but quickly evolved when I discovered how hungry people were for tyranid content.
DeleteDon't let them get to you but do what you have to do!
ReplyDeleteWe all appreciate what you're doing and you cannot please everyone! Just make sure you do something which you're happy with first and foremost.
Dont change the format as we have come to love and appreciated all of the time and effort you put into your blog.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is one of the few blogs that I actually follow on a regular basis. I check the blog almost daily to see if there has been new content added.
I think this shows how interesting your current content is to your readers.
If anything people should stop their hating as you are actually giving your opponents an edge by posting your ideas/army lists on this blog for everybody to see.
You know that thought actually occurred to me more than once. I decided a while back that I enjoyed the journey of list discussion, practice, and tournament execution. It was more important to me than keeping my secrets and hoping for easier wins.
DeleteAll the guys that beat me regularly are better players than me. They can see the weaknesses in my lists and playstyle based on experience, not reading my playbook.
Wow man if it wasn't for good buds and inspirations like yourself I would definitely not want anything to do with a hobby that has so many small minded and frequently racist/ideological ftards lurking in the bushes.
ReplyDeleteI wish you to go your own way, Aaron.
ReplyDeleteAt our local place, in Belarus, the community is divided into 3 groups. It’s fun and ugly to see how these groups interfere with each other. The first group is a “for fun hobbists” who are eager to play with a little of efforts on painting and the like.
The second group is the power-players, oriented on an international championships like European Team Championship and the like.
The third group is the deep hobbists, who spend a lot of time on terrain building and painting. Most venerable and “surprise-surprise” – most hated part of our community.
And the first group is the most forum-active one:) Second is almost invisible, like a closed power-gamers club, third is a group who produces most interesting content like battle reports, painting tutorials and the like.
So, I suppose, It’s just the “other side of warhammer”.
As for me, you produce unique content. I haven’t ever seen any “stolen” ideas in your lists. You try different approaches and, mainly, you paint what you like and play the army you like. So, as I said in the beginning, you have our own point of view and your own way. Of course, you cannot exist outside of your local community, but… it’s not the best idea to behave somebody else, not you.
As far as I see, the best content is generated when you have a passion and wish to write something immediately. So, all the WIP models on Projects are the contents of this type. I don’t think that it worth blogging in some uncomfortable way.
A lot of words which is hard to read with my poor English, so, at last: Show me your opponents and I’ll eat ‘em out with all their shit right away :)
P.S: Sorry for grammar mistakes :)
LOL, thanks Erle. You've nailed my personality down well and have a lot of wisdom and insight.
DeleteIts a shame to hear you were blasted that way, your blog is the only one that I check with any regularity, I get excited when I see an update on my rss, all my other 40k blogs have dozens of unread posts, yours is always at zero.
ReplyDeleteI'm shocked that people are upset that you prepare for tournaments. Isn't that kind of the point of a tournament?
Keep up the excellent work, especially the battle reports!
I don't have much to say that haven't been said already.
ReplyDeleteI just what to make sure that you know that you have my support and appreciation. Even if the local fellows let you down there is some support in sweden... :)
The worst thing about the story you've told is the lack of support from friends and fellow hobbyists locally, but the fact that you in this regal manner express your feelings about the matter will surely have an impact and I hope that you will have some more support from the "silent" ones in the future. It's sad when all you can hear are the haters.
So, i'm sitting here with my 9 month old son on my lap, reading your blog and I have to say: there's more important things in life than what small-minded people think about you. Obvious, perhaps, but worth repeating.
ReplyDeleteEchoing what others have already said, your blog is one of the better ones on the internet - maybe these "haters" are just jealous? You have amazingly painted armies that are good on the table-top, you know how to play the game, you've got some of the best terrain i've seen, a popular blog AND you have a beautiful family.
I don't envy your boss and mother being the same person, but hey - nobody's perfect!
Sending support from across the pond.