7th Edition is here...and I'm still unsure!

So 7th edition dropped. My household of course had a copy as soon as it was released. I gave it a quick glance, and initially I loved the build quality. I also loved that they split the books up so you don't have to lug 600  hard cover bound pages around to games. The artwork is lovely. The painting showcase is lovely, and you can see one of my favourite instagram contributors in there too.

Now, seeing as how I can't pry the rulebook away from the husband's hands quite yet, I haven't been able to sit down and write a comprehensive review on it. That will be coming next week. But I can tell you this: I'm still unsure about whether or not I want to play in the tournament with the new edition rule set. I have watched a few batreps and just as I thought, the current rule set will be exploited by power gamers too. WAAC players are like life in Jurassic Park, they will always find a way. I like the new rules for friendly games, which is the majority of my experiences. Anything that seems too powerful will be rewritten as a house rule. I don't have this option for a tournament. Maybe I will just go and play some pick up games instead.

Next week I will have a full review of the new rules. How are you guys liking 7th edition? Let me know in the comments.

Check out Teri Litorco!

Hey guys and gals!

Just a little reminder. Don't forget to check out Teri's vlogs. She posts about 40k as well as other wargames like Attack Wing, Zombiecide, and more. She has some great painting and terrain life hacks too. Also, she featured my cultists in her latest video, so of course I want you to check that out too!

Check out her personal vlog channel here.

Check her out on Geek and Sundry Vlogs too.

I'm thinking of starting "Feature Friday", so if you guys want some exposure or want to see new blogs, vlogs, painting studios, etc. let me know in the comments. Also, would you guys be interested in seeing my work in progress fluff that you helped me develop?

Have a great weekend everyone!

I Need Some Advice on Fluff

I know this is a tactics blog, but I really could use some advice on fluff. 

The fluff is the first thing people ask about when they hear what army you play. Who is your primarch, what is your deal? I have tried three times to create fluff and when I try to explain it to people I either get "well, the Word Bearers cover that, you should just be Word Bearers," or "Well, in this one novel, one time this one character said this one thing that totally means that your army is counter to the 40k Universe." Seriously, multiple people have said these things, multiple times. It kinda pops my excitement balloon, if you know what I mean. 

I really play the game for the tactics and strategy, but I do feel like I am missing out on a big part of the flavour of this hobby. 

So what do you guys think? What is the best way to create fluff that is compelling for you while still satisfying the fluff know-it-alls? 

Musings on 7th edition

I know I have been gone for a while. I have been painting my helldrake. What a labour intensive model! It's finally done now so back to blogging.

With all the rumours circling around about 7th, I wanted to wait until I had the book in hand before blogging about it. The problem is that it is dominating the community and I'm having a hard time thinking of much else. So here we go with my feelings upon the speculations and rumours.

**disclaimer - opinions are like arseholes, I know. If you don't agree with mine that's great! Please share yours in the comments below and we can have a little civilized banter about it.**

I have heard for a while that this edition will allow us to assault out of rhinos and consolidate into combat. I really hope that this true. It will allow us assault junkies to have better odds of doing some actual damage before getting shot to death. Thumbs up!

The designated psychic phase does nothing for me personally since psykers aren't an integral part of my lists. That being said however, I think it's a great idea. It would allow the game to be streamlined and provide a possibility of rival psykers cancelling out your attack. Narrative games would benefit from a psyker duelling phase. Two massively powerful characters wielding the destructive capabilities of the warp. AWESOME!

Now we get to the meat and potatoes of it all: unbound armies. The idea of being a huge jerk and taking all daemon princes and heldrakes just does not appeal to me. That being said, another fast attack slot for a second unit of five spawns would be so fun. But I'm not gonna lie; this development is making me hold back on my tournament plans until I see how the event organizers deal with the changes. I just can't see myself having any fun against an army of baneblades. GW has been pushing us to balance the game ourselves since the beginning of 6th edition, and now I feel like I will play with house rules almost exclusively in my friendly games.

And let's be honest, the "advantages" of playing a force organized army, as the rumours have suggested, just don't seem worth it. Sure if my objectives cannot be contested that might save me the game, but I worry that my opponent's super heavy army won't leave me with many models to hold objectives in the first place. Re-rolling my warlord trait? I don't know how you guys feel about warlord traits but I can take 'em or leave 'em. There aren't many that I feel excited about. Now if I could choose my trait, then we would be talking.

I have this confusing feeling of excitement and dread as the number of days to 7th edition release date grow less and less.