Gaming Table!

Behold the new table:
It may not look like much at first, but this is a Geek Chic gaming table.

As you can see, the leaves are removable, revealing a sunken playing surface (that is 6'x4'). I decided not to get the shelves so that I could instead get the deeper playing surface. What I did get instead is several rail accessories that attach to the sides of the table:

Like a dice rolling bin with craps rubbers on the sides (I got two of them, actually), two attachable tables to hold rulebooks/codices, and 6 cup holders (not pictured) for lulz.

The wife and I decided to break it in over the weekend with a small skirmish. After our last battle, she agreed to a simpler setup so that she can better familarize herself with the rules. We both played the exact same list from the same codex (SM) to help minimize any advantage I would have due to list building experience. It was fun, with the highlight being our SM Captains in melee, both taking each other out first turn with powerfists. Game ended (annihilation) with her in the lead, 2 kill points to 1. Dead captains on both sides, but she popped my Rhino (not a euphemism!) to boot.

The arrival of the table was just too exciting not to share. :) I ordered this thing back in November of last year, so it's been almost a full year in the works.

Can She Do It?

The other day as I painted some Tau Firewarriors quietly at the dinner table, my wife informed me that she's set her sights on a new goal: Beating me at my own game.

Clearly the gauntlet had been thrown, and I could not back down from such a challenge. Prepare yourselves! It is time to choose a side! Are you Team Darksol, or Team Wifey?


750 points
The Mission: Capture and Control
Deployment: Dawn of War

Katie chose my beloved Dark Angels, playing them as normal Space Marines. Everything you see is WYSIWYG with the exception of the Termie Assault Cannon. She couldn't afford one, so it counts as a normal Storm Bolter- Power Fist combo. She'd also read my recent SM Librarian post and wanted to put that learning to the test. Her powers? Null Zone and The Avenger.

My army of choice would be Chaos Space Marines. She's new to the game, so I thought I'd keep things MEQ on both sides for simplicity's sake. Chaos Lord has standard Twin-Linked Bolter and Power Weapon. Thousand Sons Sorcerer has Doombolt. The Rhino does not have a Havoc launcher (couldn't afford it). The 5-man in the back is a unit of Chosen with 4 of them having Power Weapons and the other having a Meltagun.

I win the roll-off, and cede first turn to her. She chooses the above corner, and sets up her Tactical Squad around her objective with an attached Captain.

Her Scout Squad is deployed just to the left of that (after I had deployed my side).

I am going for a very aggressive tactic from the beginning, and so have deployed my objective relatively close to hers. My Chaos Marines with Glory Icon set up around it. Thousand Sons in the Rhino, and Lord in the back.

We're ready to go.

Aspiring Sorcerer Tekmet's transmission to Champion of Khorne: Memnar,
Dated 1.065.322:

Lord Brahm's presence is insufferable, and my talent wilts under his command. Today we engaged some more of the Emperor's dogs. It is strange that I did not see you among our ranks this day; they are your favored prey. No doubt because your god believes their skulls worth more, or some such nonsense? I had at least been afforded the use of our Rhino. Out the window I could see the lay of the land. The world was sickeningly colorful; a healthy kind of sick. My retinue had been sluggish of late. Must remember to look into cause later... forgive me, I ramble.

Katie's Librarian and Assault Squad enter the field near her Scouts and move forward. Some rolls for night-fighting from her Scout squad fail, and it is my turn.


Rhino forward, CSM forward. The Lord hangs back for the Chosen to arrive, then attaches to their unit. My initial idea here is to throw out the Rhino for her to focus on. The Thousand Sons will pop out rapid-firing while the CSM move unmolested forward to hopefully take the objective. The Lord and Chosen with Meltagun are going to attempt to counter her Terminator Squad.

So far, she appears to be taking the bait. her Assault Squad moves forward alone, and a few shots are fired at the Rhino to no avail. Bolters can't touch AV11.

On my turn, the Thousand Sons come out (perhaps a bit prematurely) and utterly destroy the Assault Squad with rapid firing Sorcerous Bolts. My Sorcerer's Doombolt is nullified by the Librarian's Psychic Hood. CSM and Chosen advance. The Rhino moves forward in order to get directly between her Terminators/Tactical Squad and my Thousand Sons. The Thousand Sons are my best anti-Space Marine I have.

Our time upon us, we exited our transport in order to neutralize their close-combat specialists. It was no challenge, though I felt an odd and familiar tugging through the Warp. Another presence denied me access to the twisting energies. This would be remedied in short order. How else can I be expected to do my work? Feh. Are you still incapacitated? I was told your system shut down in order to purge a strange toxin.

Katie's Terminators rush the empty Rhino. 1 Glancing Hit and 5 Penetrating Hits. Crazy enough, the Glancing Hit causes an Immobilized, and all 5 Penetrating Hits roll 1's and 2's! Bad dice!

Lots of stuff going on here. It's the bottom of the Third Turn. My CSM advance and rapid fire into the Librarian. He cannot stand up to the massed Bolter fire. My Sorcerer, now free from meddling Psychic Hoods, fails his Psychic Test! Thankfully, only rolling an 11 and not getting a Perils of the Warp. The Thousand Sons fire into the Tactical Squad, causing minimal casualties due to Cover Saves. My Chosen and Lord successfully assault her Terminators after missing (!) the Meltagun shot. Tragedy strikes as I roll like an all-time loser and only cause one wound. She claims 4. The dice have spoken.

In Turn 4, her Scouts claim a Thousand Son and her Tactical Squad takes aim also at the Thousand Sons, to no effect. Bad rolling is on both sides, at least. My Lord claims 2 more Terminators, but takes a wound himself (from the Sergeant) and loses his last Chosen.

My CSM press forward and annihilate the Scout Squad. The Thousand Sons reduce the Tactical Squad to nothing and cause a wound on the Captain thanks to some bad armour save rolls. The Lord fails spectacularly to cause a single wound, then recieves a Power Fist to the noggin. Instant Death!

They fell like flies, Memnar! I laughed aloud that you might hear what you were missing, but alas! That one hideous thing you craved more than the skulls of our former brethren came to pass while we fought that day. The great Lord Brahm is no more; struck down by a loyalist's powered fist. Oh the crimson and pink spray! His revolting and continually mocking face was obliterated in exactly the fashion that you used to tell us it would... only not by your hands. You have been denied, my friend. I wonder if Lord Brahm's last thoughts were regarding your strange absence. Anyway, despite this setback, the original plan still moved forward without him. Is it possible something you ate disagreed with you? I do hope your condition wasn't inflicted.

Turn 5, Katie's Captain amazingly stands and shoots! He is defiant to the last. The Storm Bolter does nothing. Her Terminators turn their attention back to the Rhino. She really hates that Rhino, but again fails to kill it.

My thousand Sons put the Captain to bed, and I move the CSM to take the objective. At this point, my plan is to intercept the Terminators in close combat with the Thousand Sons to prevent them from contesting the objective ... but I decide to lay into them with the CSM Bolters anyways (assuming I won't do much) and annihilate them both!

The last of the foe vanquished, we set to our work. This world was now defenseless and it's burning destruction would serve as a death toll to the Hive Worlds that depend on its constant supply of food.

With Lord Brahm dead, the great Warmaster's Council set to assigning a replacement. There was much talk of you, Memnar. I imagine if you had strode into the meeting with fresh Marine helms hanging from your loin-chain you would have garnered much praise and support. So fortuitous for me that only your absence was noted. The Council's selection was for someone much more reliable. I hope you will attend next week's raid. We assault Cirinth Prime. Do wake soon, won't you?

Sincerely,

Lord-Sorcerer Tekmet

Victory: Mine! I gloated heavily while she made me some tea (my prize).

----------------------

Well? How did she do? Give my wife some advice for next time: tips, tricks, what-have-you. I've already told her what I would have done differently in her position, but the more advice the better. I only ask that you be nice to her because she's only played a few games. Ever. Her actually playing 40K with me bodes well for my future happiness, and I don't want her discouraged ;)

Holiday Season was Rough

Lots of stuff has been going on over the last few months. New job is keeping me much busier, and a lot of friends and family obligations. All of which led to my not posting as much as I would like.

I'll be spreading out a few things that happened over the holiday season over the next few posts to keep you all up.

---

Had a game a little while back. Aernout brought his Tyranids, and Joe brought his Black Templars to tear it up on the lush turf of the Eldar Maiden World we built together.



Table Quarters, Kill Points. Joe had utmost confidence in the HtH capabilities of his Black Templars, despite our best efforts to point out the mass of pointy things aimed his way in Aernout's swarm...



Here's a bit of a close-up on Aernout's Winged Hive Tyrant. The paint-job isn't finished, but damn it looks good (The wings are from the LOTR Balrog model. You can order them solo off of GW's site).



Given they were both deploying for the assault, this inevitably happened in Turn 2. Aernout's genestealers charged Joe's 20-man squad of marines and neophytes. They took out a bunch of marines but were wiped out completely. Especially once that Chaplain joined in. Despite the loss of the genestealers, they held Joe's marines until Aernout's 32-strong swarm of Hormagaunts with Toxin Sacs and Adrenal Glands could join in. Joe's squads were destroyed. Hive Tyrant took out the Dreadnought, Warriors joined the Hormagaunt fray to eventually take out the Chaplain.

Sweeping Victory for Aernout's Tyranids.

Sorry the details are a bit vague, it was a bit ago and I didn't write down all that happened.

Battle Report 002

Mission: Take and Hold (1,000 pts.)
Dark Angels vs. Eldar







So far I only have the one set of terrain, so there's going to be a lot of battling over Eldar Maiden worlds until I get around to making another terrain set.
The target planet was beautiful. It was like nothing he had ever seen before. Everything was pristine. The grass was a shade of green only seen in holo-projections. Holy Terra certainly did not look like this.
"Master Ammael." The words pulled the ponderous marine from his reverie. The voice came from the designated combat audio channel in his suit. "Your orders," rasped the tinny voice. It was not a question. It was not uncertainty. It was routine. Ritual.
"Brothers! You recall our briefing! The target lies on yonder hill." A large and monstrous structure of xeno design rose from a hilltop. "This tower is a sort of gate through the Warp. We are to deny the foul xenos of its privilege." There was a clatter of noise behind the imposing marine, as the squadrons he brought with him slammed armoured fists to their chests.
"Expect resistance." He smiled an eager smile.


My opponent deployed the Autarch attached to the Dire Avengers, starting in cover along her border. Farseer and retinue along her right side, also in cover. Curiously out in the open, her Wraithlord and Falcon. The Scorpions infiltrated on top of the objective.



Her Rangers deployed behind a small hill also along her right flank, about halfway up the board.



I had no infiltrators with me, so for the most part, my placement was in response specifically to the Wraithlord and the Falcon. Above, you can see most of my foot sloggers are on the opposite side of the objective's hill from both of her Heavy Support units, including my Venerable Dreadnought. My plan was to sweep the hill, focusing on the Scorpions then the Dire Avengers, taking apart her army one piece at a time while staying clear of the warlocks and Heavy Support.



The only exception to this was my Predator. I placed him behind this small hill outcropping, out of line of sight from both of her Heavy Support units.



First turn was mine.

Master Ammael spotted movement on the hill. "It is time, brothers. Move out!"
Two of his tactical squadrons moved ahead of him towards the objective, half of one stayed behind in a smaller combat squadron positioned on a hill with a Plasma Cannon. Ammael's Command Squadron moved with him.

One full Tactical squad. One split into two combat squads. The Plasma Cannon hung back on a hill. My Commander rolls with a full command squad, and an Interrogator-Chaplain.
First turn, I moved the Venerable Dreadnought mostly sideways. By next turn, he should be able to see around the center hill and start shooting at the Wraithlord.


The Predator moves up slightly and takes aim at the Eldar Falcon. Twin-Linked Lascannons score a Penetrating hit, resulting in an Armament Destroyed. No more Pulse Laser for you!



A loud crack echoes through the hills. The Predator has drawn first blood. The Dark Angels surged forward.


"Caution, my brothers! Haste and Recklessness are the ways of Chaos. These xenos will die by our carefully aimed Bolter fire!"
Ammael heard a grunt from his left. "Why restrain them, Keeper of the Watch? Let the Emperor's fury course through them until the foul xenos taste of their own blood!" Brother Mordeus made a chopping motion with his crackling Arcanum.
Interrogator-Chaplain Mordeus had an irritating habit of referring to the commander by his honorific. His pride probably won't allow him to use the word 'Master' when addressing someone else, Ammael thought.

"See, Keeper Ammael! The enemy hesitates!"
Caution, Ammael. The Eldar are a devious foe, not to be taken lightly.
My opponent's Wraitlord returned fire on the Predator, immobilizing it. The remainder of her forces move forward, with the exception of the waiting Scorpions.

Turn 2 Dark Angels
A loud, crackling discharge erupted from behind. The Dreadnought had opened fire on the Wraithlord. Another discharge heralded the squad-carrying Plasma Cannon opening fire on the Dire Avengers. Keep focus. Resolve. Control. The Scorpions stirred from their hiding place behind the Gate. "CLEANSE, Brothers!" Ammael bellowed. The marines let loose a hail of Bolter-fire. The Scorpions fall.
"Purge the vile xenos, Brothers! Destroy them to the last!" shouted Mordeus. The forward squadron engaged the Eldar in melee, chopping down the last of the Scorpions with combat knives and a Chainsword.

Dreadnought fired on the Wraithlord to no effect. My Plasma-Cannon toting marine dropped 3 Dire Avengers from his vantage point on the hill.


The 5 man Combat Squad and Command Squad fired on the Scorpions, downing 4 of them. Combat Squad assaulted and finished off the last Scorpion and Exarch in a Massacre!


The immobilized Predator scored another Penetrating hit on the Falcon, destroying it.


Turn 2 Eldar
Dire Avengers and Autarch fire upon the Combat Squad (Bladestorm) but only brought down two marines.
Rangers fire upon the Command Squad, scoring only one casualty (thanks to the Apothecary) but no pinning.
Wraithlord hits the Predator, causing an Armament Destroyed. The now immobilized and Lascannon-less Predator sits useless for the rest of the game behind a hill.
Farseer Dooms the Combat Squad, vowing revenge.

Turn 3 Dark Angels


Now it has begun, the battle is thickening. A sickening thud resounded nearby; one of Ammael's veterans had been taken out by sniper-fire. Ammael tapped his comm. "Taking sniper fire. Damocles, redirect fire to neutralize."
"Affirmed, Master Ammael" came the deep, raspy voice of the entombed soldier piloting Damocles, the Venerable Dreadnought. Ammael turned his attention back to the xenos in front of him. He and his Battle Brethren loosed burst after burst of timed, practiced Bolter rounds into the enemy. The objective is mine. I will hold it.

Dreadnought's Plasma Cannon scored 3 wounds on the Rangers, who promptly failed their morale test and started falling back. They never regrouped.


The full strength Tactical Squad circling around the hill as well as the Command Squad focused fire on the Dire Avengers, killing 5 of them.
For the Eldar Turn, my opponent held her ground and shot at the marines on the hill with all she had. The Wraithlord shot the Venerable Dreadnought, causing a Glancing Hit. Crew Shaken.

Turn 4 Dark Angels

With the enemy whittled down before their eyes, Brother Mordeus sounded the charge. The Command Squad barrelled downhill into the remaining Dire Avengers. The enemy was quick, but the marines were spurred on by their Chaplain's rage. The fight quickly became a draw. Despite Master Ammael and Brother Mordeus both being involved, the Autarch danced around their weapons, making fools of both of them.


The 10-man tactical moves up onto the hill proper. Next round, they should be able to tear into the Farseer's retinue.


With the Dreadnought Shaken, my Plasma Cannon toting tactical marine takes a shot at the Wraithlord, to no effect. I find myself cursing its Toughness 8 many times this fight.



The assault of the Dire Avengers and Autarch come out pretty even, with 3 wounds scored on either side. Now, it's just the Autarch vs. Ammael, Mordeus and the Champion.


Turn 4 Eldar
Wraithlord shoots the Dreadnought again, another Glancing Hit. This time is 'Stunned.' He hangs back, staying within 6" of the warlocks, though.
the warlocks unleash on the Combat Squad, taking down another marine.
Assault is inconclusive.
Turn 5 Dark Angels

Both Tactical Squads rapid fire at the Farseer and his retinue, killing all the warlocks and causing the Farseer to take a wound.

The annoying xenos was too slippery, despite being set upon by three marines! Brother Mordeus roared with hatred, and landed a mighty blow with his Crozius Arcanum. The xenos faltered, then warped out, retreating to the trees. He took a wound, and rolled an 11 for a morale check, and so fell back to the tree-line.
"Coward!" roared Mordeus. Ammael smirked at the image of Mordeus spitting at the Eldar, only to have it hit the inside of his own face-plate.
Turn 5 Eldar
The Autarch regroups easily, fires off a shot from the Fusion Gun, but misses.
The Farseer, now that the Command Squad is unengaged, uses Mindwar on the Chaplain, causing 2 wounds.
Wraithlord shoots at Dreadnought and misses.

Turn 6 Dark Angels


Now that the Dreadnought is no longer 'Shaken' he moves forward, shooting off his Plasma Cannon and wounding the Wraithlord.
The Tactical Squads bring to bear their firepower on the Farseer, who falls to the shower of exploding bolts.
Brother Mordeus faltered with pain, then suddenly steadied himself. "Vile aliens!" he screamed, lurching forward. Ammael caught his arm. "Your pistol, Brother! Don't let him outsmart you!" Ammael and what was left of his Command Squad held their ground at the objective border, firing on the Autarch from a short distance. His mocking image danced among the trees, warping to and fro; their guns hit nothing.
On the other side of the hill, Dreadnought Damocles lumbered towards the Wraithlord. Having taken multiple hits, the machine lurched forwards at an incredible rate easily closing the distance. A shot from the Plasma Cannon was a direct hit! The pilot grinned. Today was going to be a good day.

Damocles slammed into the Wraithlord, knocking it slightly off-balance. His crushing claw reached forward, talons connecting with ... nothing. The Wraithlord nimbly moved aside. The pilot watched as the monstrosity's large glowing sword swung around in an arc and he quickly moved to deflect the blow. Claw collided with Wraithsword with a deafening clang. A glint of metal shot by the pilot's view. His sensors indicated he had lost a talon. Again he reached for the creature to no avail. The thing was simply too quick. It stepped around him again, and he heard the sound of slicing metal. His sensors blared. The Powerplant had been critically damaged. He had a second to live.
Time seemed to slow down. The second stretching into a long, long pause. Damocles was no more. It was only the old war veteran inside. His life culminated to this moment, Death stood before him with a gleaming soulstone on his forehead. He grimaced. A sick grin spread across his face, and he piloted Damocles to it's last action: hold onto the Wraithlord.
The explosion was deafening. Ammael looked to the west to see a plume of fire and shrapnel. Damocles was no more, but it appeared he went out taking the Wraithlord with him.
Wait. No. The construct of bone lumbered out of the smoke, damaged, but still operational. Cursed xenos luck.

So yeah, the Dreadnought didn't cause any damage in the actual assault, but was killed instead! Vehicle Exploded! was the result, and my only satisfaction was that the Wraithlord itself took a wound from the resulting explosion. Damn that thing's hard to kill!

Turn 6 Eldar
My opponent by this time has pretty much realized that the game is mine, but she made a few last ditch attempts at some more victory points. The Wraithlord tried to finish off the sitting duck Predator, but misses.
The Autarch charges into close combat.

In what seemed like a last act of arrogance, the Autarch leapt forward towards the Command Squad. A low, grotesque laugh started to emenate from Mordeus. His wish was coming true. Ammael, on the other hand, had been studying this one since the first assault. He's slippery and cunning.
A flurry of blows from the Autarch came to no avail, as well as returning attacks. Ammael bided his time and awaited the inevitable cheap shot coming his way. It came. Arrogant. A quick side-step and BANG!
The xenos commander fell lifeless to the floor. Ammael's Bolt-Pistol held to the alien's head, ready to shoot again should he move. "Orbital Base, this is Master Ammael of the Third Company, Keeper of the Watch. Objective is secured. Begin Phase 3."
"Affirmative, Keeper." The tinny voice came over the comm.

It was a very enjoyable game. Dark Angels won with a Crushing Victory.
Wraithlords are tough as nails. Damn!