Derpatronic

Today, I was wandering around the 'net, and saw an article on another blog http://bloodofkittens.com/dickmove/2010/11/18/a-call-to-arms-will-it-pick-up-or-just-hit-ignore/#more-320 that I had to read twice. In the article Dethtron refers to a new breed of "fluff bunnies" ( I hate the term, as it is extremely derogatory, and is properly used to refer to heathens that are soft and complacent, but that is another topic) that use "Fluff" to decry the use of redundant units.

I agree that this is retarded, and not just window licking or pants on head retarded, but pants on head, window licking, mouth-breathing, your parents are siblings, going door-to-door with bibles,going for an interview at Sachs with enoughfacial piercings to look like you tried to make out with a porcupine, beliving that Stephen colbert is serious and Glenn beck is not, crapping your pants retarded. As Dethtron put it: What commander in their right mind would use only one unit capable of getting the job done?

Fluff is supposed to compliment the rules, be it in a wargame, or role-playing game. It is what helps to inform decisions regarding bahavior, be it what equipment you use, or hoe you interact with others. it is not rules, and never will be.

Where I disagree is the assertion that fluff can justify any list, it can't, to use an analogy from role playing, if the background of your character's religion states that their god uses a stone headed club, and dislikes technology, and your character is particularly devout, your character, regardless of rules allowing otherwise, will not use metal weapons or armor. The same thing applies to wargaming, if your army has access to multiple factions within the overall army, fluff makes it clear that forces from rival factions need a good reason to work together, usually a charismatic(or particularly brutal) leader. Otherwise, you get a list that, while competitive, goes against the grain and is less enjoyable.

If you disagree, say why, and be prepared to defend you ideas.

Doing things differently

When my gaming group and I started on our current warhammer fantasy role-play campaign, we wanted to do things differently. we decided to play an all dwarf group. then I , since the running joke was that any time I play a dwarf, our GM does things so that I take the slayer path ( he really enjoyed my past slayers) I decided to get things over with, and started as one. I then decided to drop my character's intelligence to the minimum necessary for him to not be mentally handicapped. to rationalize his "specialness," we, in true Stephen Lynch style, decided that he had taken one too many blows to the head, and had a metal plate bolted to his head.
In game, my character has: pestered town guards for rock candy/chocolate/other sweets, single-handedly killed a troll, announced our presence to a warband of orcs and gobbos because he was singing pirate songs while rowing the boat, and otherwise behaved like a nurderous five-year-old.


By doing things differently, our game has been more enjoyable, far more than if i had played my character as if he was normal. Since he is so bent, lighthearted moments can be interjected into tense moments without interrupting the game.

How has doing things differently improved your gaming experiences?

Why I only have two armies/Insurance is required

So I was thinking of showing internet land why I say I've played so many armies yet only have two currently and here is a big reason why.

It's Called a house fire!

 

This first picture is my miniature shelf, marines on top, IG infantry on the second, Ork Infantry on the third, Ork and IG vehicles on the fourth and fifith

Close up of the IG shelf

Ork Infantry and IG vehicles

                      

Close up of IG armor

And the poor poor, ork armor

My work table

My poor marines

 As you can see, the fire did alot of damage, the orks were ruined, (ork with arms up originally, had them at his sides!) my marines, despite how they look, survived with only one model lost. (ironically it was the apothecary)

But there is a silver lining in all this, my renters insurance covered my little plastic men! so some where replaced, and the let me keep the models I could salvage. but smoke damage of this level is bad, my forgeworld tanks are bubbling paint, every time I base coat them, I get bubbles that form and ruin the paint!

Questions? Comments? Death threats? Get in line.

Sigh...

Ok Peoples, the idea of certain "experts" telling you what you can and cannot  take in your list makes me feel sad for the hobby. Don't get me wrong, for tourney play, building a competitive list needs practice and some advice, but when someone is building a list for the hobby's sake, it's not just unit A and unit B.  The main idea of the game is to have fun, take whatever little toy soldiers you like, and play the goddamn game. A sign of a good general is to use what you have been given to win. Warfare doesn't give you the option to bring what you need to win.  I brought up the idea of having a random point allocation for a game. For example 1750+ 2d6x10pts, to create a gap of  1770-1870 pts. Questions? Comments? Death Threats? Get in line.

Here's a little something I did a few yearsback, and Now I have added a little digital magick. This has been the sort of thing that has driven my design philosophy when I convert a model. I have many influences, but John Blanche is the strongest. Keen eyed observers will notice the homage, which has translated through to my death guard models, seven of which carry a rotting chalice as their squad marking.

In the next few weeks and months, I will, If everyone wants, posrt ant further pieces I do, with various 40k subjects, game related whims, or whatever subjects are suggested.

Guard, Dark Eldar and now....

And soon this will be acted out on the table top soon.....

So Entropomancer added me as a Contributor to the blog. About me, I am a loyal servant of the God Emperor fielding Crimson Fists since the end of 3rd or early 4th Edition of 40k and Sisters of Battle since 2nd edition. I have played many chapters of marines (Dark Angels ,BT, Space Wolves, Alpha Legion, Emperor's Children, Black Legion) but enjoy the Crimson Fists the most of marine chapters. Currently I have around half the Crusade Co. (1st company) which in Crimson Fists is 128 men strong, full 5th Company and I am short about 20 models for the full 10th Company. Granted most of this is unpainted....As is my Sisters of battle i have had since 1997....

Alright Peoples (both of you), New pics to post!

 The Wyches! almost done

 Warriors, need to be based

 Reavers! a whole lot of work to be done

And that fucking horrible raider! for you who are planning to build dark eldar.... Paint this one in sub assemblies! for the love of all that is unholy, save yourself some grey hairs!

Competitive vs. Casual?

Seriously? Really? This argument is redundant. I find the Internet peoples are just flame warring over something to just feel important. It's a fucking game, grow up. "Competitive!" " Casual!" "Competitive!" " Casual!" "Competitive!" " Casual!" "Competitive!" " Casual!" "Tastes Great!" "Less Filling!" you get the idea...