Monday, June 6, 2016

Epic 30k - Smackdown at Prairiecon 2016

Glaive super heavy tank from the XVI Legion supporting an attack in Epic 30k action...

Another June in Manitoba, another Prairiecon in Brandon, Manitoba! The 2016 edition of the event took place this past weekend and the Fawcett Avenue Conscripts turned out in force once again.  Conscript Dallas is the cornerstone of our overall annual raid on Western Manitoba's premier gaming event - volunteering, running the auction and staging two separate games of this own!  For my part I took the opportunity to stage a demonstration game of Epic 30k.

Sons of Horus on the bottom left, Imperial Fists on the top right

The target: Mechnicum facility, home to dark knowledge which is vital to both sides in the Horus Heresy

The scenario was a big one, a huge, armour-heavy clash between the Sons of Horus and the Imperial Fists.  The prize was an important Mechanicum facility, home to dark knowledge from lost ages past.  The forces on hand were enormous - I really wanted to get a little bit of everything I have painted so far on to the table to see how it would perform.  To give you an idea, each side had two Fellblades, a Glaive and a Falchion - AND a Reaver Titan...and THEN you got to the main forces...

The result was many, many burning vehicles, but a pretty slow game.  Epic: Armageddon is a great set of rules, and the games tend to move at a pretty good clip, but I was greedy and put like 3,800 points of stuff per side out on the table...oh well...sorry about that guys!

VII Legion attack waves at the ready...

Mixed dreadnought Talon supporting a Sicaran tank squadron

Dallas took command of the Sons of Horus, while Byron and Winnipeg gamer Christian played the Imperial Fist side.

Imperial Fists move out...

Sons of Horus Land Raiders race ahead - the Warmaster has a schedule to keep!

VII Legion Fellblades engage at long range - twin accelerator cannons make short work of just about everything...

It starts to go badly for the Sons of Horus...
For a slow game, the carnage was satisfying. The Space Marine Legion super heavy tanks were suitably devastating. Both sides paid dearly in their attempt to seize the Mechanicum facility...an Imperial Fist detachment, backed by Spartans, a Typhon and a Whirlwind Scorpius battery made the first entry, occupied the facility and felt pretty secure.  Dallas then rolled up with a column of infantry, backed by a deadly Glaive super heavy tank which cleared out the entire facility in one amazingly lethal blast of its Volkite Carronade...suddenly the XVIth Legion was ascendant...until a talon of Imperial Fist dreadnoughts threw THEM back...it was carnage! Very "30k", in my opinion.

Falchion super heavy tank takes out some loyalist fools at long range...
The Land Raider is such a tough vehicle in most 40k games, but in the 30k setting there are many terrible weapons around which zap them in a single shot (and I'm not talking about the Eldar)...this was from the Falchion - an Armoured Proteus is replaced by a crater...

Elsewhere on the table Land Raiders on both sides exchanged fire, backed by the guns of heavy tanks and Reaver Titans. Overall I would say Dallas' dice were not kind, and his armoured forces took some large losses.  The Imperial Fists were also able to coordinate a precise take-down of the Reaver Titan supporting the Sons of Horus, knocking out the void shields and then delivering a coup-de-grace from a Falchion heavy tank,all in one round of firing. Ouch!

Predators sense an opportunity and move in for support (aka kill stealing)

A Reaver Titan tries to support the Sons of Horus attack - but note the blue tokens - each one represents a void shield lost...
One killer shot from a distant Falchion (seen dimly near the top centre of the photo) and the Reaver Titan is no more...needless to say, the Spartan APCs were a little reluctant to advance down THAT particular avenue...

We finished three turns before calling the game.  While losses were high on both sides, I would say the the Sons of Horus were suffering a little more, even though they still had a strong second wave left of troops for a final push.  If you go with the whole "posession is nine-tenths of the law" approach, the Imperial Fists were technically occupying the Mechanicum facility at the time the game ended, although a substantial portion of that occupying force was comprised of ashen remnants of a tactical infantry detachment which had been hit by a Volkite Carronade.  Since the Imperial Fists had enjoyed a bit of a bonus with the facility being a little close to their side, we'll call it a high-price draw...

As I said, the scenario was too big, as I had overloaded both forces, so we couldn't get the game to a decisive conclusion.  I promise to be more focused when planning for my next Epic 30k game!

Final dispositions - lots of smoke and carnage, an advantage to the Imperial Fists, but still enough Sons of Horus to be very dangerous...

A BIG "thank you" to Dallas, Byron and Christian for playing and helping to show off the game.  It's always nice to wave the Epic flag, and was great to participate at another Prairiecon.  Looking forward to Prairiecon 2017!

Friday, June 3, 2016

Epic 30k - Imperial Armour for Imperial Fists

The treads of Dorn...armour of the VII Legion for Epic 30k
The parade of reinforcements for Prairiecon 2016 continues! In this entry we have an assortment of vehicles for the VII Legion, Rogal Dorn's Imperial Fists.  A few of these have been finished for a while, but I completed the balance last week in Sault Ste Marie.

For light, basic troop duties there are a pair of Rhino APCs.  There is a lone Land Raider Proteus.  There are two Spartan heavy troop carriers and a Typhon (for those up-close-and-personal missions).  And to really slay those who refuse the light of the Emperor, there is a Glaive super heavy tank.

A Glaive super heavy tank - a reckoning beckons for the followers of Horus...

Land Raider Proteus - will join three others already painted to round out a detachment into four vehicles
The lunacy of the Legion super heavy tanks is quite wonderful.  The Falchions are bonkers kind of super-everything-destroyers, but the Glaive is a more nuanced (LOL) wrecker of things, with a horrifying Volkite something-or-other turret and the ubiquitous quad-lascannon sponsons to mow down the enemies who somehow survive - what is it called? Oh, yes - "deflagration"...ah, 30k!

Spartan troop carrier - I just love these things, they look so...legion-y...

Tons of firepower and troop carrying capacity - let the good times roll (literally)
The Spartans are marvellous too - this weekend will have some Legion infantry detachments mounted aboard these things, with the Typhon for close range support. Backed by super heavies like the Glaive, the crash should be satisfying to all concerned!

Point blank heavy support for the chaps riding in the Spartans...truly the tyranny of the so-called "Emperor" will be difficult to overcome...
This round of reinforcements brings a rough collection parity between my Sons of Horus and the Imperial Fists for Epic 30k.  There are few odds and ends here and there to truly round them out (like a Rapier battery for the Sons of Horus and a command infantry stand and a heavy support detachment for the Imperial Fists) but we are set for a rather shattering game of Epic 30k on Sunday morning at Prairiecon! I hope to post some photos and a battle report once the the game is over.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Epic 30k Falchion Super Heavy Tanks

Falchion super heavy tanks - one for the XVI Legion and one for the VII - this should be a fun gun fight...

The build up for Prairiecon 2016 continues. I have always felt mayhem with super heavy tanks is an important ingredient in any game of Epic, so I want to be sure the game we are running this weekend in Brandon features the heavy tanks of the Space Marine Legions slugging it out on the table.  With this in mind I have finished a pair of Falchion super heavy tanks, one for each side that will be participating in the game on Sunday.

Heavy firepower for the Imperial Fists

There are many bonkers and beautiful super heavy tanks in the Horus Heresy, and the Falchion is right up there with the best of them.  Heavily armoured and equipped with some manner of doomsday-class laser weapon system as a main armament, it also has a pair of quad lascannon sponsons to deal with...deal with what? What is still alive after a good dose from that twin-whatever cannon? Who knows? I do so enjoy the excess of the Space Marine Legions and their equipment.

Elaborate Mechanicum gadgetry powering the deadly primary weapons...

Ready to defend the Emperor

Billed as a "tank destroyer" (certainly up for that job), these things will also be useful for putting really large holes in everything from fortifications to enemy Titans.  A nice tool for the kit of any discerning Legion Praetor.

Can you feel the hope?

Support Horus...or else...
As newly painted figures, what could possibly go wrong...? I look forward to their dominance of the table on Sunday morning.

Waiting to face the dupes of the so-called "Emperor"

I still have a few nights of last-minute-cramming-style painting to go, hopefully there will be more reinforcements before the weekend...

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Epic 30k - Reinforcements for Horus

XVI Legion reinforcements for Epic 30k

More 30k painting, but switching back to Epic.  Here are some more reinforcements the XVI Legion, the Sons of Horus. These fellows have been under the brush here and there for a couple of weeks but were largely finished up last week while I visited the cabin in beautiful Sault Ste Marie, Ontario.

Tactical marines and Dreadnoughts

This bundle of reinforcements for the Sons of Horus includes three Land Raiders, two Rhinos, a twenty-man detachment of tactical marines, a pair of very shooty Dreadnoughts, and two of larger Land Raider variants - a Cerberus for zapping stubborn things at longer distances, and a Typhon for those nasty things in the universe best dealt with via 300mm, depleted-unobtanium-coated rounds fired at point blank range.  I expect the XVI Legion would use this in more urban situations, from busting into fortifications to dealing with pro-democracy protests...

Typhon - for short range attention that only a Space Marine Legion can provide

Cerberus tank destroyer - useful for longer range abuse

There was no particular rhyme or reason to these painting selections.  I will often start out thinking that I am going to "round out" a given force (more tactical marines, more Rhinos) and then while I am at it I'll also "add this small element to it" (Cerberus and Typhon), which will then need "rounding out" later...it's either a vicious circle, or a beautiful cycle of hobby life, depending on your perspective.

The infantry bases are the same size as the small bases from "Flames of War"


These fellows will be making the trip to Brandon, Manitoba this weekend for Prairiecon 2016.  Once again this year several Conscripts will be making the trip down the highway to Brandon to host games and participate.  I look forward to it every year.  This year we will be running several games, including a game of Epic 30k pitting the enlightened and devoted followers of Horus' bold agenda for hope and change against the sad dupes of the so-called Emperor, who will appear in the form of the VII Legion, the "Imperial Fists".

Horus Heresy classics - the Space Marine Land Raider!
I think I put the wrong roman numeral on that Rhino, now that I look at it...Horus would not be pleased (although Mortarian would probably chuckle - I mean, if a guy like that ever chuckled...)

As always, I leave some painting to the last minute in a rush to try and get more stuff ready for the table, so I'm hoping to have at least one more post with further reinforcements for both sides before the weekend...if you are in the area, come on down to Prairiecon!

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Necromunda League - Game 2, and catching up

Over the last few weeks the Necromunda campaign has proceeded apace. Levon had not been able to attend the first session, so I arranged a couple of game nights with him to catch him up.


Scenario 1: Levon (Orlocks, the "Oldboys") vs. Dave (Spyrers, the "Knights of Genetic Purity"):

Draw (Levon +1 bonus: Game Hunter: One of your model's made one successful shooting attack at long range this scenario.)

The Spyrers were randomly set up fairly spread out. All the Spyrers happened to be placed before all of Levon's models, so I was able to place a couple of his models in far corners where it would take awhile for them to get into contact.

Camera Roll-1055

Foolishly, I sent my Yeld swooping down into close combat with an Oerlock Juve, who put the noble Out of Action.

Camera Roll-1056

A Malcadon nailed an Orlock ganger, but was in turn put Out of Action by the same Juve as before!

Camera Roll-1058

My Orrus on the roof finally shot down the pesky Juve.

Meanwhile, the "monster" had appeared near my Jakara, who led her on a merry chase until falling into the sights of some Orlocks, whereupon the Jakara turned around and charged the monster!

Camera Roll-1059

Camera Roll-1060

She successfully stayed alive for a couple of turns, using her shield to soak up hits. However, losing two gang members so early forced the Spyrers into making continual bottle checks, which they eventually failed.

Camera Roll-1061

The Orlocks, also reduced in number, then failed THEIR bottle test the very next phase, so the monster remained holding the field in triumph.

Camera Roll-1062

***

SCENARIO 2

This scenario was more like a traditional Necromunda fight. To win, you had to force the other player's forces to bottle out, Each side got an extra model, a Lamplighter, to try and turn back on the lights after the monster wandered away from the district. You got extra points for the following:

  • Watch It!: At least one of your models used a Blast or Template weapon to target an area or model within 6” of the Mine Office or Lamplighter model.
  • Razorhawk-Eyed: At least one of your models hit an enemy model from Overwatch.
  • Prometheus: Your Lamplighter “lit” at least 3 structures or Lampposts this scenario.

The gang with the lowest gang rating chooses one table edge and deploys his models within 12” of that table edge. This gang is the defender and must nominate one building within 12” of their table edge as the Mine Office. The Mine Office needs to be defended at all costs and may be destroyed (it has a Toughness of 7).

Because of the poor lighting, vision range is reduced to 36”, models may run and hide in the same turn, and models may not use the Marksmen or Fast Shot abilities. The above rule does NOT apply within 6” of the Mine Office or any other structure/terrain that has been “lit” (see below).

Each gang receives one Lamplighter model. This model is considered a friendly model and may benefit from the Gang Leader’s special rule. He has the following profile:

M 4, WS 4, BS 3, S 3,T 3, W 2, I 4, A 1, Ld 7

Weapons: Lamplighters carry a Laspistol, Club, and Krak Grenades. He is so well-equipped that he does not have to take Ammo Rolls. He may be given no other weapons or equipment..

Armor: Lamplighters have a 5+ armor save.

Special: Lamplighters will only shoot as targets within 12”, defend itself in HtH combat, and may only charge an enemy if there is a friendly model within 6”.

Lamp lighting: When any Lamplighter ends its movement in base-to-base contact with a Lamppost or structure (NOT scatter terrain), the Lamplighter may use its remaining turn to “light” that Lamppost or structure. To do so, the lamplighter rolls an Initiative test. If successful, the structure is “lit” (see Special Condition above). We places a lit (battery-operated) tea light within or next to the structure to indicate the Lamplighter succeeded.

***

Scenario 2: Dallas (Delaques, the "Slicks") vs. Mike (Spyrers): 

Winner=Dallas (plus 1 bonus, for Watch It)


The Slicks set up by the Quonset huts, and the Spyrers set up deep near the train.

Camera Roll-1049

Dallas` Lamplighter lit some buildings.

Camera Roll-1050

Camera Roll-1051

Camera Roll-1052

The Spyrers moved forward and set up near the centre of the table. on Overwatch.

Camera Roll-1053

The Spyrers couldn`t hit the side of a barn, and a couple were soon gunned down by the Slicks, including a hapless Malcadon toasted by a flamethrower! Mike`s dice failed him, as his forces bottled off the table.

Camera Roll-1054

Scenario 2: Barry (Cawdor) vs. Dave (The Knights of Genetic Purity): 

The "winner" were my Spyrers, who also managed to light 3 lamps.

The Spyrers set up in and around the sushi restaurant and some containers. The Cawdor forces set up neat the garage and behind Taco Bell.

Camera Roll-1065

Camera Roll-1066

Camera Roll-1067

The faster moving Spyrers moved across to support the Orrus and Jakara moving down the street, while the Spyrer`s Lamplighter (the Friar-looking fellow below) started lighting buildings.

Camera Roll-1068

Camera Roll-1069

Camera Roll-1069

Some Cawdors were in the wine store, but the Yeld moved out from behind cover to get a bead on a Cawdor ganger beside a cold drink machine. A lucky laser shot took the Cawdor Out of Action.

Camera Roll-1070

The Jakara and a Malcadon then close assaulted the Juves in the wine store, putting them both Out of Action.

Camera Roll-1071

Barry`s Cawdors eventually failed their Bottle Test, granting the win to the Noblist hunting party.

Camera Roll-1072


Scenario 2: Levon (Orlocks)  vs. Dave (duffer Spyrers, "The Ranks of the Fit"):

"Winner"=Dave; both sides lit three lamps, and Levon gained plus 1 bonus for Prometheus.

Playing a few games, my Knights of Genetic Purity gained some cool skills and power ups. I didn`t want them to get too far ahead, so instead of taking my usual gang, I rolled up a beginning group of Sypre Hunters, named "The Ranks of the Fit." Older gamers will recognize these as mutant group names from the hilarious RPG, Paranoia.

The Spyrers set up on top of the Versace store and to either side; the Lamplighter was set up at the Quonset huts.

Camera Roll-1142

The Orlocks were set up in a skirmish to the east of them.

Camera Roll-1143

Buildings were lit as both sides advanced. First blood went to the Spyrers, whose Orrus shot down an Orlock in the middle of the street.

Camera Roll-1144

Camera Roll-1145

Orlocks move into the sushi bar.

Camera Roll-1146

A Malcadon with WS5(!) managed to corner a couple of Orlocks by the garage, putting both Out of Action! He was subsequently shot down by a rival ganger.

Camera Roll-1147

The Orlock leader set up a strong point in the sushi bar, with several gangers on Overwatch with all around fields of fire. The Spyrers were reluctant to charge them.

Camera Roll-1148

With three men Down early, the Orlocks were forced to take Bottle Test after Bottle Test,..

Camera Roll-1149

...which they eventually lost, and so fled the field.

Camera Roll-1150


***

Current  League Standings:
Dallas (Delaques): (2 games) 17 pts.
Levon (Orlocks): (2 games) 7 pts.
Mike (Spyre Hunters): (2 games) 6 pts.
Barry (Cawdor): (2 games) 6 pts.

***

GANG SHOWCASE:

Dallas' Delaques, "The Slicks"; these are all conversions of figs from east Riding Miniatures, with the flamer guy getting most surgery.: 

Camera Roll-1047


Mike's Spyre Hunters; Mike went with the same hunting rig types as I did:

Camera Roll-1048


Barry's Cawdors; Looks like Barry has converted some other ganger types, such as Goliaths for his Heavy:

Camera Roll-1063


Levon's Orlocks; Another gang put together from parts from various figures:

Camera Roll-1064


My Spyrers, "The Knights of Genetic Purity":

Camera Roll-991

***

Byron has an Escher gang on the go, and Mike has started a Scavvy gang. The modelling portion of the campaign is a success so far. I am glad to see such varied units, and I look forward to seeing Byron's and Mike's finished gangs.