Well finally sat down to finish this.

After many months away, I finally returned to finish the Horus Heresy book: A Thousand Sons.

Now this might not be official G.W. cannon for the chapter of the Thousand Sons, as who knows if Black Library and the G.W. background writers mesh on such elements. Myself, I look at the Heresy books as much needed background for the 40K game.

MERRY X-MAS!

"Dalek the halls with boughs of holly"

Have a happy Christmas everyone! I'm off to open gifts, eat bad food, watch Bruce Willis save Nakatomi Plaza and Christmas in my favorite X-mas movie, nap, eat more bad food and then catch the Dr. Who Christmas special. A busy day for sure!

Make your merry today!

Well if this is it planet Earth..then thanks!

12-21-12 the Devourer must feed! 

As we sit up the eve of the end of the world, according to those wacky Mayans, I ponder how it will happen. Here are the possibilities and then my hopes  for how it will happen.

Meteor collision? Nah we would have seen this coming already.

The only "true" member of the Royal Court

There were some Necron bits in my bits bags from Gen Con. I was able to cobble together a Cryptek with them.

I figure he can be a Harbinger of..... well any school, but I like the Voltic Staff or Eldricth Lance options best. The orb hand is for looks or if I an ever crazy enough t waste points on Cryptek wargear.

The Hobbit , an Unexpected movie?

Well the first Hobbit movie is here and I went to see it first thing Friday morning. There was a father who had his child out of school to see the early show Friday. I say a fond kudos to that dad for being pretty damn awesome!

Anyway...........

The Hobbit part 1, or An Unexpected Journey

As mentioned in a previous post, the Hobbit is a big deal and influence for me, so how did it stack up?

I'll simply run a bit of pro/con here. I will make a sweeping guess that anyone reading this has read the novel. This way I can skip the plot rundown and just cover the important stuff. If you have not read the novel, then shame on you! Go read it!

HOBBIT WEEK!!!!!!!

I read the Hobbit as a young lad. It is the single biggest influence in me becoming the nerd I am today. It was first real foray into fantasy and I have not really looked back. I have read the novel seven times as I was growing up. Each time I walked away with something new to ponder. 

I also read the Lord o' the Rings trilogy, but struggled to make it through that once. I also tried The Silmarillion and the Unfinished Tales, but dumped them quickly. These two were just bad. The unreadable kind of bad.

Actually, everything post Hobbit can be tedious to read. Yes, there is awesome in the Lord o' the Rings, you just have to struggle to get there.

A Thanksgiving 40K game...a bit late

This comes a bit late as this happened Saturday of Thanksgiving week. My son was here and asked if we could play some 40K. Hells yes we can! I grabbed some terrain and let him choose from the armies I have. While I set the board he made his list. This would be his first 6^th game and my second, so I kept it simple. We ditch the Warlord Traits, book missions and just play a simple monkey in the middle, one objective or Alamo game. I figured under a 1,000 points would work well for us.

SIMPLE MISSION: CONTROL THE RUIN WITH THE STATUE.

The boy’s army……

SPACE MARINES

HQ

Captain- plasma pistol, lightning claw

TROOP

Marine Squad x10 flamer, heavy bolter, rhino transport

TROOP

Marine Squad x10 melta, missile launcher

TROOP

Marine Squad x10 plasma gun, missile launcher, plasma pistol

TROOP

Scout Squad x10 shotguns, combi-flamer

860 points

Why did he take this list? Well he looked at the models I had and picked what he liked. He chose the weapon load outs per squad and his HQ. He also wanted to have a transport, but only one. Why? I’m not sure. It was his army to build. Maybe (like me) he likes more models and fewer toys. Whatever the reason this is what my son settled on for a list. I would try and give him something to fight against and that wouldn’t overwhelm him.

NECRONS

HQ

Overlord- warscythe

TROOP

Warrior Squad x12

TROOP

Warrior Squad x12

TROOP
Immortals x5 gauss blasters

TROOP

Immortals x5 tesla carbines

FAST

Scarab Swarm x5

FAST

Scarab Swarm x5

ELITE

Flayed Ones x7

823 points

Yeah I’m a bit short on points versus the Marine list, but I don’t care. I mostly want to see what Necrons might be able to do now. I grabbed a warscythe only to keep my HQ cheap. Sure he might fall if the Marine Captain gets in his face, but if he doesn’t fall…then the Marine Captain should. Two blocks of Warriors because I have them, and like them. Two small Immortal squads, one with blasters and one with tesla, will fill my typical four troop slots. Then add some Scarabs! I loved these guys before, but they have changed so I am curious to see how much. A final squad of Flayed Ones to try and outflank will finish out my force.

“But Ian, Flayed Ones just suck so badly. You know this.” booms the voice of the interweb.

"Yes interweb I know this, but this is for shits and grins. I also built these guys back in the day where they could do a little bit more. I have the models might as well try them." I tell the interweb.

I could have thrown out an Annihilation Barge, Tomb Blades and some Crypteks; but I wanted to have fun and make sure the kid had fun. I know it sounds lame to say it, but it is the truth. There is nothing to be learned from wiping the floor with someone for their 3^rd game (1^st of 6^th edition) of 40K ever.

Well this is good and bad

Another Riddick movie is on the way. This is very precarious event for me. This means that I will have to see it. Why? I have no idea. I watch the Riddick whenever it is on the t.v. and I stumble upon it. Are they good movies? Not really. So why do I watch them? I still don't know. I just do. It is my cross to bear I guess.

Ever had a weekend like this?

What my day felt like yesterday morning....

....and how it ended.

All in all...it was a good day!

Chaos army rules, a review

Well it wouldn’t be a new codex without some special army rules now would it? Those small extra tid-bits that bend or shirk the main edition rules by just a tiny bit. The few Chaos special rules and such are nothing that really impresses me, and in one case really irritates me.

Champion of Chaos

1. This is a rule that applies to all character models in the codex. There are two parts to this little rule A Chaos character must issue and/or accept any challenge from an opposing player in close combat.If there are more than one character in a squad, you choose who challenges or accepts.
2. When an enemy character loses their last wound during a close combat with a model that has this rule, the Chaos character draws the attention of the dark gods. They must then roll on the Chaos Boon table at the end of the combat.

WOLVERINES!!!!!!!!!!!

The things I do for my son. If this is the worst thing I have to do for a few years then so be it.

We went to see the Red Dawn remake....and....well it was a film based on a beloved memory of my bygone youth.

Thor and the kid from Zathura vs. evil North Koreans?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy the holiday today.
Spend time with family and friends.
Share those caring memories and create new ones.
Take time to give thanks for the things that are important to you.
Gather around the table for a joyous meal.

Then get out before the stroke of midnight to throttle, trample, push, pull and destroy all who get in your path at the Black Friday sales!

Damn right! Take that granny!

Whatever you do, enjoy this wonderful holiday of excess. Whether it be it food,drink,family,shopping, or in my case pie and football!

James Bond #23...the best yet!?!?

Let me preface this first……I grew up on James Bond. My father almost religiously had me watch all the Connery, Moore and even Lazenby Bond films. Then as I was able, I went to the theaters to see the late Roger Moore and then the reboot Timothy Dalton Bond films. Then there was a disconnect and I walked away from these movies and missed most of the Pierce Brosnan films, until they hit they rental market. Then Bond changed to Daniel Craig and I have now seen all his films as Mr. Bond. Where am I going with this? Well…until now I had my favorite Bond films and villains. After seeing Skyfall, the paradigm has shifted.

Skyfall is my new go to Bond film!

Why?

Finally delving into the Chaos Codex

I guess I'll begin to break apart the 1st codex of this new edition Surprisingly enough it is a power armored army, as they usually are the top sellers. G.W. went with traitors out of the starting gate instead of loyalists for this new edition. However, it still stands that a new 40K edition means a new power armor codex first.

Did Chaos really need to be the first army book out? I don't think so. There are other armies with books that are 2 to 3 editions old now, but hey I'm just some rube what do I know? Now we have the new version of the Chaos Space Marines and is it everything I want in an army that I own? I'm still not sure.

The real outcome from the U.S.presidential election

(via The Oatmeal for those outside the know)

Flatcon 2012 pics and musings, a bit late

It is a bit late...but here are some musings from the "local" gaming thingy this year.

I popped over to see the 40K double team tourney.........

The allies rulebook graph,chart, matrix or what have you was kind of in effect here. It really only bothered one team though.Allies that fall under "Come the Apocalypse" were treated as "Desperate Allies" instead. 

Why anyone would take anything other than battle brothers or nothing to a tournament is beyond me. If half your team cannot score and has to stay away from the other half, or is de-buffed by wargear then I see little use. I could go on about the ally thing, but that is for a later date.

Halloween 2012 pumpkins & 400th post!

Another Halloween gone and unfortunately  I still have candy left over. oh well treats for me. I was disappointed with the minuscule amount of kiddos out grabbin' treats, but it was somewhat cold, for normal humans.

HOLY CRAP!! This is my 400th post too! Wow another milestone, I guess?
Anyway...........


I finished my pumpkins in time and the first one is my standard 40K gourd. The XVII Legion, the Word Bearers symbol in all it's lit up glory! The bearers of the word need their props, for without them, there might not have been a rebellion vs. the Emperor, lousy corpse that he is!

"Speak the words of Lorgar and you shall live forever in the glory of Chaos. Speak them not and every one of you shall die today."

In a bit of creepy news....last year's 40K pumpkin was a Black Legion symbol. 

Halloween 2011 pumpkins

I jokingly mentioned the coming of the Despoiler and holy crap...a new Chaos codex has been released. How awesome is that foreshadowing?!

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

If you know where I live swing by, I'll be handing out full size candy bars. None of that fun-size crap here.That is...if you can make it past the electric fence and laser sentries!

Another good weekend!

Saturday

Checked out the gaming convention in Bloomington. Saw and talked with some old gaming acquaintances. Watched some interesting games and saw some crazy tactics in the 40K doubles tournament. I'll get pic up soon.

Suck it Oakies!

Saw Notre Dame drop 30 on Oklahoma in their win. Nothing better than a 12 point underdog lowing up their competition. There was great play calling, clock management and defense in this game. GO IRISH!

Caught up on American Horror Story: Asylum. There is some great stuff in this show.

Finally had some Halloween fun, onion rings, waffle fries and adult beverages!

Are you sensing a feeling of dread in your basement or attic?

I have to say it has been a long time since I have seen a descent ghost or haunting movie. There was a rash of them for a while, then they died off and now are back yearly in multiple sequel form.

I do love a good ghost story, the problem is that a good one is rare. There are multiple from my youth I hold near and dear. In the more modern era there are a few standouts, but not many. Why the problem? Well a good ghost/haunt movie should be a one shot deal. It has some creep, revenge, weirdness, cheap scares and maybe a cool Cracker Jack-esque surprise. I haven't watched any ghost movie that is current, but the kids these days love the Para-abnormal Doings films, but I have strayed away, since the trailers and commercials for these movies do nothing for me.

What ghost films do I enjoy then?

The Fog

Oh John Carpenter your early movies were fun! The Fog is overlooked by many, but it holds a special place for me. I saw it way too young and living in the middle of nowhere didn't help when it was a dark and foggy night. Sure the movie is based on an island and is about a boat of lepers that is purposefully sunk to save said island from the disease. However, the anniversary of this island, and the horrible event, approaches and so does a mysterious fog bank that holds the spirits the lost ship. They are angry and of course want revenge, like all good ghosts. This has all the hallmarks of a good ghost story: revenge, odd happenings, spirits, a fog bank that acts as a mode of transport and as a character too.

There were many foggy nights as a child that I was afraid something was lurking in that mist, just waiting to get me.

Horror monster fails...yet they have sequels?

Before I go any father, let me say I love good/bad horror movies. They can be and usually are a great mix of blood and fun. However, this is an exception and not a rule.

There is a list of horror movie rejects that should not be as long as it is. These guys just keep showing up in films or even worse keep (or kept depending on the time frame) getting sequels. Why? They are not scary, there is little fun to be had, and I'm not sure why they are likable. Whatever the reason these boners receive chance after chance after chance. Thankfully some of their franchises have ended. However, others have endured too long or are in some stage of reboot. By the gods why!?!?!

Critters

These guys showed up from space, terrorized, ate, grew larger and even swore. However, they were nowhere near scary. Their movie was entertaining years ago, but did they deserve three sequels? Hell no they didn't! They shouldn't have received the one they did. Now I loved this film in my youth. The Crites seemed like a neat new alien, but scary or worthy of multiple viewings they were not. These should have been a single serve campy sci-fi/horror B movie monster.

If it bleeds we can kill it? (more Halloween month stuff)

As I travel through my horror (and some associated sci-fi) collection I have a number of films that have the same type of villain: a revenant or unstoppable juggernaut. These can be, and usually are living and then become dead. Then they rise again for more bloody shenanigans. However, some of them remain alive (some how) to continue their killing spree from movie to movie. There are very few of these guys I really enjoy and cheer on as they do their gruesome work.

Halloween 1978 (and a bit of Halloween 2)

Michael Myers was a distraught child who killed his family, but didn't quite get them all. He gets locked away in the nut house for his crime and escapes. He returns home, years later, to finish the job. He does this all in silence with sharp implements or his bare hands and all the while in silence and wearing a great mask. Did I mention he is a brute too? A giant figure in a coveralls and a bleached Shatner mask should frighten most normal people.

He also takes a good beating by the end of the film having been stabbed and shot several times. However, he is not some undead thing, he is alive. That makes it all the creepier. He takes physical harm just as he doles it out, in complete silence. How awesome is that?

By the second film Michael is still stalking. He is a bit beat-up but it doesn't slow his killing potential. He takes a lot more punishment in the sequel.

Michael Myers, in the first two and only real watchable Halloween films, is a great example of what I mean by, "if it bleeds we can kill it?". This guy is more than a normal human, can take some punishment and can be harmed. He just needs a massive amount of trauma to stop him.

Plus the end of the first Halloween is still phenomenal after all these years!

A real life 40K tournament around here!

This really isn't news to me, but it might be  to others. Every year there is an event called Flatcon. It is (an attempt) at a gaming convention in the wasteland that is central-ish Illinois.

Flatcon website/info page

There is a doubles tournament, which I did in the halcyon days of 4th edition and has a paltry $20 entry fee.
Here are the rules and it is pretty fair and even allows for teams to form up with armies that are now in 6th taboo (looking at you gribblies). I like that since it might actually let people play what they want instead of just forcing everyone to play Guard/Marines, Grey Knights/Necrons or (insert army here)/some kind of Eldar.

Here be the rules below...................

Real life interlude

Rob Zombie returned to my neck of the woods again this year. Last year Alice Cooper was there and this time Marilyn Mason tagged along.

 There was also somebody doing DJ type things that went on first. He was fraking horrible and spun some terrible racket that he thought was pleasant. I'm all for a DJ remixing and such, but whomever this was was drunk, high or dying if they thought it was good. Rumors in the bathroom line was it was some guy from Slipknot, which if true, would explain the suckage.

So close..yet still so far away.

Just saw the clip form A very Venture Halloween.

Any fan has waited too long for new episodes of  the best cartoon ever! However it is still two weeks away. What is even worse is the wait for a new season. Is it worth all this time?

Suffer the E.W. site to watch the Venture 44 second clip!

Even after just 44 seconds....I think yes!

10-11-12

October 11th 2012

It means nothing but today's date is pretty sweet. Not since 01-02-2003 or 04-05-2006 or even 07-08-2009 have I cared about a date.

It is cool to see another sequence date in my life time and possibly the last, unless that whole robot-mind transfer works out, or I finish my time machine.

Have at it today numerology folks and come up with some cool significance for today's date.

Halloween month again!

The last couple years I have delved into movies and monsters during this month. This years is really no different. I have covered 40K, monsters and movies. This year I'll hit my favorite used, rarely used and unknown baddies from the small and big screen.

I'll hit my favorites from the group I call...."What the frak is that!?!"
These are baddies that we never really get to know much about, just that they don't like you and will somehow render you dead.

The Thing 1982
First watch this movie, it rocks!

The anagonist here is an alien. We all get that, but we never know why it does what it does or what it really is. I'm totally fine with that, since it looks so awesome when it manifests. That is one of the best parts. You are never really sure where it is or what it is. All you know is when it shows up it is really strange, drippy, bitey and mad. All traits of a good "What the frak is that!?!?" type monster.

The week ahead!

A very exciting week is starting, well for me.

First is the 6th edition Chaos codex. Granted my 40K days are sorely lacking now, but I am still a huge fan of the game and universe where it is set. Now I have ...(cough)...(cough) ...obtained a....mummble...copy... ...hrmmmm...mummble.... and will start the reading and reviewing soon, much like everyone else.

No Stallone + No spandex = Pretty damn fun!

Decided to hit the theater the other nite to see Dredd before it was gone. I went in with an idea it would blow and came out a bit surprised. Now this is mot a great movie, there are some flaws. it is however, a fun movie. It ranks up there with Starship Troopers, anything Riddick related and most Jason Statham movies. It  will be a guilty pleasure for me in the times ahead.

If you have no idea who Judge Dredd is, well don't be ashamed, most don't. It is easiest to think of him as a future and grimmer Dirty Harry. He is a mobile courtroom,as are all the Judges, and dispenses verdicts with a scowl and gun.

One of the better Sportscenter interviews

Atlanta Falcons safety pulls a bit from Supertroopers during a recent ESPN interview.

Thomas DeCoud pulls off the Meow Game

He was supposedly aiming for 12.
I'm no Falcons fan, but this is good stuff,especially with a clueless broadcaster.

For the four people who are clueless about what he is doing here is the gag. Also shame on you if you don't know or haven't seen this film!
The Meow Game, original clip

About damn time for something new!

The Venture Bros. Halloween special, which seems to be called "A Very Venture Halloween", will air at 11:30pm on Sunday, October 28th, so mark your calendars!

This still best expresses how I reacted to this news

If this is true then awesome! If it is anything like the Venture Christmas episode, then double awesome!

G.W.'s lost "City of the Damned" might have been found.

While doing some late summer or very early fall cleaning I discovered my Mordheim rulebook. Damn that was a game that went away too soon. Just another of G.W.’s products that wasn’t widely approved by gamers and so it was forgotten.

I only ever got to play three games and didn’t push it with my gaming circle, but maybe I should have. I actually bought he set back in the day for the terrain and models. We were heavy D&D gaming then and the Mordheim set came with just so much stuff and wasn’t overly expensive.

A good geek week

The last seven days have made for a pretty stellar geek week.

Last Tuesday was the DVD release of Cabin in the Woods, a new favorite of mine!

This week is the DVD release of Avengers, and we all should know how awesome that movie is!

After a break more 4th ed D&D

Tom: “What is 7+ 4?”

Mike: “Tom’s an engineer.”

The best line from out 4^th ed D&D game Saturday night.  

 

 

We had taken a month plus unscheduled hiatus from gaming, and it seems it was missed.

I there out some stuff to challenege and thankfully, the damage output was not too awful, because the guys just couldn’t hit these things. I discovered that armor class 30 is a bit of a stretch for the group, not unhittable, but nowhere near an easy target either.

 

 

So we have all seen the new Chaos pics and......

.....color me meh!

"AAAAAAAAAAA!"

Ok, the Dark Apostle is sound in theory, but the model is way too busy for me. We have parchment billowing, a giant halo thing, fancy books on the base, and crazy armor details. Just pick one or two and run with it, don't try to incorporate all this stuff. Then there is the opera signer pose and face. Save time and money,make/convert your own. 

Hooray Chaos gets a Techmarine and this doesn't impress. Maybe it is a bad pic? I was always wanting a cool Iron Warriors legion and a Techie leading them, might happen, but not with this guy. Well at least not so far. There is some hope, or I have some hope, for him, if there is a better photo.

Non-Necron Necrons

I've never bought or seen any of the Puppets War stuff up close, but  maybe I will.

They have released some interesting models that I would easily use to fill my Necron ranks.

The most wonderful time of the year!

There are two games that are the sweetest, winning the championship and wining the first game of the season. Hell, I think winning the first game might be more important. It sets a small tone and kills all that build up that has been going on since the end of last season. That is what Denver did last night and it was a relief for me. Plus they put Ben "I touch girls in public bathrooms" Roethlisberger in his place again.

New kicks that give me sight beyond sight!

In a world where the gods know I need another pair of Chucks, I got me these sweet bastards!

Yes these are Thunder Cat Chucks and that is the official Cats Lair in the background. These sweet bastards can be found at Journeys for a limited time. Cats Lair on the other hand, is quasi-vintage and not available anywhere.
One side is the standard Eye of Thundara and the the other side is.................

Gen Con 2012 part 2

Some random floor pics that we took Saturday. It was mostly a Dr. Who dress up year as one could thorw a stick on the convention floor and hit some version of Matt Smith (with fez, cowboy hat or without). There was also a ton of female versions of Dr. Who. It seems the "youth" have really picked up on the 11th Doctor.

Anyhoo, on to the photos!

Balloon Dragon's breath weapon is.....just a bunch of hot air! That was frakin' horrible

Gen Con wrap up, part 1

Home saturday nite and just kind of de-rezzed from the day in Indy. It was a pretty successful event for me. I didn't spend too much money and got a couple of really good deals too.

I was surprised to see Forge World stuff along with the Black Library stuff this year. While it wasn't a Game Day type showing, it was surprising to see them there. Sadly I still have trouble justifying any purchase from them. They have pretty models, but they are too expensive for my taste.

5th thing I look forward to @ Gen Con

The toys!!!!!!!!

I love the booths for Wyrd and Privateer. They both have great selections of painted models and displays. I like some pretty painted models! 

Last year Studio McVey showed up with a sample of their Sedition Wars stuff. It was great and hopefully they will make an appearance again.

Finally these guys...........

.....have made a good showing the last few years as well. I'm not a fan of them online, but if I can get it at gen Con at a minor discount and sans shipping, then I will.

I can guarantee I'll be hitting all of these vendors to look at stuff and maybe even purchase stuff to paint.

4th thing I look for @ GenCon 2012

People in costume! I dig some costumed folks and/or cosplay people. Take the above neck bearded gentleman. This is great stuff in a sea of anime and Star Wars fan fiction costumes. Speaking of Star Wars costumes.............

3rd want from Gen Con 2012

Not to be missed by us is the chance for some nerd apparel. These two vendors have a selection of shirts that range from awesome to lowest common denominator lame.

I never miss the chance to peruse their wares and usually grab myself some new geek regalia. If it involves general nerd/geekery of any sort these two vendors will have it on a shirt. However sizes and supplies are limited so if you see and want it, get it then! It will not be there later.