The Psychic Phase in 7th edition.

This post should maybe be called: I wanna like psykers but don't.

Everyone knows that I play chaos space marines. A lot of my brothers and sisters in chaos like to take gift of mutation on champions. Not this gal! Not only am I am cheap with points (minimal upgrades) but I do not like spending points on something that is not a sure thing. Sure your champion might become a daemon prince, but he also might get absolute garbage.

So how does this relate to psykers? Well I see psykers the same way. I'm paying for mastery levels that MIGHT be useful? Nope. I'm going to use those 75 points from 3 mastery levels to get myself a vindicator instead. I will always choose more dakka.

There is just too much left to chance for me to get behind psykers. If it was just the dice rolling to get your powers off I could understand, but then the chance of just completely losing my 260 point daemon prince through perils? I would flip the game table in a hissy fit of volcanic proportion.

So take a cheaper psyker you say. Yeah okay, but every point matters to me and my cheapo tendencies don't want an HQ model that is so specialized for one phase. Maybe I'm being closed minded, but hey at least you know that if you ever play me I don't have many dice to deny the witch.

Rants and Raves: Online Conduct

I have been busy painting this week and haven't payed any games so this post is a bit of a rant about how we conduct ourselves in public forums.

Now this article comes with a disclaimer: most people are courteous and respectful in forums. If this is you, thank you! You are promoting a feeling of welcome within out hobby. I for one really appreciate it.

The first conduct issue is complaining. I get it. We all get those moments where we are frustrated and just want to get it out. The thing about doing this in a public forum is that it doesn't contribute anything to the hobby or community. In general I don't think it inspires people to interact with your post either, which is the reason forums exist. So instead of saying "GW doesn't care about the average consumer" "this new codex sucks" "this new unit is overpriced", turn that statement into a discussion and get the community engaged. "I think this. What do you guys think?" is a great way to turn it into a discussion and maybe it can help you to see a different way of looking at things.

The second conduct issue is bashing. This ties in directly to the first conduct issue. I see this all the time. A great thread with wonderful discussion suddenly turns sour when someone who disagrees with an opinion starts bashing someone else's character. Words like "idiot" "stupid" and "moron" inevitably turn up once the thread has gone the way of bashing. It's okay for us all to have differing opinions. We don't need to change anyone's opinion and we certainly don't need to take it as a personal attack if someone doesn't share our same way of thinking. So how do we deal with our emotions if we feel this need to defend our opinions? You can try saying things like "I see where you are coming from, I just have a different opinion," or state your opinion and walk away from the keyboard. How do you deal with someone who is bashing you? Well, this one is a bit tougher. You certainly don't want to bash them back, but sometimes you want to make sure he/she knows that his/her conduct is not acceptable. I would say if this is the case and saying nothing isn't your style then just be direct and honest while being respectful. "That kind of language/attack on my character isn't necessary", it's really just that simple. I have seen entire threads salvaged from the point of almost being completely lost just by saying that kind of thing. In most cases it is enough to snap a usually reasonable but now emotional person back to reality. This doesn't work in all cases, but if doesn't then you know you are dealing with a troll and perhaps a moderator is needed.

The last conduct issue is close to my heart: inclusive language and content. "This fan created picture of a busty female commisar in a g string is AWESOME!" Right click and save that bad boy and share it with your friends who will appreciate it. It honestly does not belong in a public forum where an already alienated female population is struggling to be taken seriously. If you do post something like that and people call you out for being insensitive it is NEVER okay to call them derogatory terms associated with their sexual orientation, gender, or moral ethics. The question I hear most often is "why don't women play 40k?" and this to me is one of two major reasons why. If you want a more diverse gaming community you have to conduct yourself in an inclusive manner that is sensitive to all members of society.

If we follow these suggestions we will make online forums friendlier and make more people feel safe while interacting with the community. More people contributing to the discussion means more content and a stronger hobby scene.

Army List Option 1 - Chaos Marines in Rhinos

So here it is: the 1750 point list to see how my marines fare in Rhinos.

HQ-Warpsmith
      -Burning Brand of Skalathrax
      -Aura of Dark Glory

HQ-Daemon Prince of Nurgle
     -Wings
     -Power Armour
     -Black Mace

TROOPS-3 units of 5 Chaos Marines each
              -Close Combat Weapons
              -in Rhinos
              -with Dirge Casters

TROOPS-2 units of 10 Chaos Cultists each

HEAVY-5 Havocs
           -3 Auto cannons
           -1 Lascannon
           -Combi-bolter(asp. Champ)

HEAVY-Defiler

FAST-2 Heldrakes
        -Baleflamers

FAST-3 Chaos Spawn
        -mark of Nurgle

FORTIFICATION-Aegis Defence Line
                           -Icarus Lascannon

Now let me explain a bit here, this list plays "MSU" style (multiple small units). I have purposely kept my troops in small numbers. The theory is this, in the current Meta where shooting is so heavy, that by splitting them into multiple targets you get a few more rounds out of the suckers. By placing them in rhinos I'm hoping to get them at least into round two. If I get them into round two I will be happy. If they get to round three I will be laughing maniacally.

The Warpsmith will be in a rhino, and able to fire dual flamey overwatch if the rhino doesn't make it.

The Havocs will be in the Aegis Defence Line, the Icarus Lascannon being manned by the champion.

So out of the people I have showed this list to, 50% think its great and the other 50% don't. I have played a similar list before to good results, but what do you guys think? Feel free to comment below.

Public Service Announcement: Nerd Rage

I wanted to take a moment to talk about, what we in the hobby affectionately call, "Nerd Rage" and what it is doing to the community.

We have all been there, GW is raising prices, our favourite codex was rewritten horribly (hello, Adeptus Sorotitas), "OMG THE SCREAMER-STAR!", etc. We get upset. We are all humans, it is bound to happen. But nerd rage is a completely different beast. That is where we go online to the forums, or to our game group and we decide to vent. This venting soon turns to name calling and down right overwhelming negativity. Heaven forbid someone disagrees with our opinion while in rage mode. That's when the inner troll comes out.

Now this is something that has to stop. It's poisoning our community. It ruins the atmosphere of our online forums and it makes people really step back from you and the point you are trying to make. Now I love a good discussion about controversial things, but it has to be a discussion and not a flame war. You need to encourage people to join in the dialogue. That's how the hobby grows and gets better.

And here is the biggest thing for me: what are you actively doing to deal with the things that enrage you? Models are too expensive?  Do you still buy them? If you do, you are proving to GW that their prices are reasonable. Is a broken codex grinding your gears? Maybe house rules are the way to go or return to fifth edition(which also saves you money since you don't have to buy new items). You don't like broken combinations? I would suggest talking to your opponent. Maybe both parties can agree to not use certain units.

It is up to us to create a warm and friendly gaming atmosphere for everyone. We need to encourage civilized discussion. If you are looking for a safe online community in order to discuss and share your love of warhammer 40k I suggest:

www.thewarmaster.com

I am an active member and we would love to have you join us.