Today, Warhammer have been busy on their social media accounts showing the visit from Henry Cavill to Warhammer World.
He really would be a great Eisenhorn……
Monthly Archives: February 2022
Writing a Sci-fi Tabletop Wargame – Part 13
It is 400 years since man first set foot on the moon, and 300 since man found out the Galaxy is a dangerous place….
As with everything I would like this to be community driven, so if you see any typo’s or think paragraphs need rephrasing or moving then please let me know in the form at the end of this article.
Last Weeks Poll Results for Orders
Here are the results from last weeks polls.
Based on these results, the following wording will be added to our living rules:
INFANTRY & VEHICLES
AIRCRAFT
All aircraft move at a BASE MOVEMENT RATE (BMR) of 10” when in an AIR COMBAT environment, when involved in a LAND COMBAT scenario, aircraft will have no physical model on the play area. Instead, these units operate as support during LAND COMBAT scenarios by conducting aerial bombing on ground targets.
Depending on the faction or the type of aircraft this can vary. As with Infantry & Vehicles, the Aircrafts movement will be shown under the unit’s movement statistic on their FACTON SHEET.
SPACECRAFT
Spacecraft will move at varying rates when taking part in SPACE COMBAT, these rates are determined by the type of ship as well as any additional faction rules. As with Land units and Air units, Spacecraft will have their movement statistics listed on their FACTION SHEET.
THIS WEEKS POLLS
I’ve been a little remiss and have missed a couple a key point during the drafting of what types of unit would be available to factions. There’s one type of unit we’ve not voted on whether to include…. TITANS ! (Think Battletech or Titans from 40k). Should our Sci-Fi game include these?
Also, I’ve been thinking a little about how faction traits should be added to player created factions….
–Peter
Name Suggestions?
Do you have a name suggestion for the game or do you have any rules suggestions, or a topic you would like us to focus on next. Or perhaps you would like us to reword something in the main document. Anything you want, let us know below.
Top Three AOS Lists – Bloodshed in the Shires 2022
UK, 19th & 20th February
The sounds of battle are over, and the Shires can go back to their normal levels of peace and quiet… but what an event it was!
I couldn’t make this one, as tickets were sold almost 2 years ago, but it’s almost local so its great to see it go ahead. Hopefully I’ll get there next year. For coverage of the event you can look back on Twitter and follow the Bucks Wargames Collective.
With 78 players it was a full event, and ended up with 2 players on 5-0.
1st Place – Mike Stewart – Seraphon (5-0)
Mike has been tearing up the tournament scene with Seraphon for… well almost forever – and he knows the army like the back of his hand. Always up on the top tables you’re doing well if you can get a win off Mike.
He benefits from consistent play with the same army, and pivoting with the meta using the breath of options available within the book.
Allegiance: Seraphon
– Constellation: Thunder Lizard
– Mortal Realm: Ghur
– Grand Strategy: Beast Master
– Triumphs: Indomitable
Leaders
Engine of the Gods (265)*
– Artefact: Fusil of Conflaguration
– Mount Trait: Beastmaster
– Universal Prayer Scripture: Curse
Slann Starmaster (265)*
– General
– Command Trait: Arcane Might
– Spell: Celestial Apotheosis
Skink Priest (80)*
– Universal Prayer Scripture: Heal
Skink Priest (80)**
– Universal Prayer Scripture: Heal
Battleline
10 x Skinks (75)**
– Boltspitters Celestite Daggers & Star Bucklers
10 x Skinks (75)**
– Boltspitters Celestite Daggers & Star Bucklers
10 x Skinks (75)*
– Boltspitters & Moonstone Clubs
Units
2 x Salamander Hunting Pack (280)*
– Reinforced x 1
2 x Salamander Hunting Pack (280)*
– Reinforced x 1
Behemoths
Bastiladon with Solar Engine (250)*
Bastiladon with Solar Engine (250)**
Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment
Total: 1975 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 101
Drops: 2
Despite the recent points increases Mike has still taken Salamangers and Bastiladon’s and Engine of the Gods. With 2 drops he’s likely to have the option of who goes first as well (about 75% of the time), and the shooting and range mean that the Seraphon don’t need to win in combat – that’s not to say they can’t as anyone who has been charged by Salamanders will attest to!
2nd Max Barton – Stormcast Eternals – 5-0
Stormcast Eternals have been doing well since before the short Christmas break and – like the Seraphon – have lots of options available which allows for different play styles and players to have success with the army.
Allegiance: Stormcast Eternals
– Stormhost: Hammers of Sigmar
– Grand Strategy: Beast Master
– Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders
Knight-Draconis (300)*
– General
– Command Trait: Master of Magic
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Mount Trait: Celestial Instincts
– Universal Spell Lore: Flaming Weapon
Battleline
2 x Stormdrake Guard (340)*
– Drakerider’s Warblade
2 x Stormdrake Guard (340)*
– Drakerider’s Warblade
2 x Stormdrake Guard (340)*
– Drakerider’s Warblade
Units
1 x Stormdrake Guard – Single (170)*
6 x Vanguard-Raptors with Longstrike Crossbows (480)*
– Reinforced x 1
Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
Additional Enhancements
Holy Command: Thunderbolt Volley
Total: 1970 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 1 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 86
Drops: 1
Max has gone 1 drop and taken two of the best warscrolls in the book. Longstrikes (Vanguard-Raptors) have 30″ range and the Thunderbolt Volley allows them to fire in the Hero phase once as well. With mortal wounds at that range they can push out some heavy damage… all safely out of distance. And it you do charge, expect to get Unleash Hell – from all 6!
He’s also taken the Stormdrake Guard (Dragons) who add speed, more mortal wound damage, and a reasonable save. I think this army is better than the full Dragon army having faced the Vanguard-Raptors before, as it’s got loads of versatility and can kill some Dragons early in the mirror match – of course if you’re playing against another 1 drop the best advice it to win the roll-off for first deployment!!
3rd Dan Bradshaw – Cities of Sigmar (4-1)
Dan grabbed the 3rd place trophy as top 4-1 player by virtue of strength of schedule (essentially how the players you played against did). It’s great to see a third different army in the top 3, but… they are all Order which is getting to the top of a lot of tournaments at the moment… Also – check out the list!
Allegiance: Cities of Sigmar
– City: Living City
– Mortal Realm: Ghyran
– Grand Strategy: Beast Master
– Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders
Anointed on Frostheart Phoenix (315)*
– General
– Command Trait: Ironoak Artisan
– Artefact: Arcane Tome (Universal Artefact)
– Lore of Leaves: Lifesurge
Doralia ven Denst (115)*
Freeguild General (100)*
Battleline
10 x Freeguild Crossbowmen (105)*
10 x Freeguild Crossbowmen (105)*
10 x Freeguild Crossbowmen (105)*
Units
4 x Dracothian Guard Fulminators (460)*
– Reinforced x 1
4 x Stormdrake Guard (680)*
– Drakerider’s Warblade
– Reinforced x 1
Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
Total: 1985 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 112
Drops: 1
Yes, it’s a one drop with two of the best warscrolls from Stormcast included… in fact it’s mostly a stormcast army by points value! The Freeguild Crossbowmen add models to take rear objectives and allow for some shooting to back up Sigmar’s finest. Once again shooting it the name of this list, with the Fulminators charging in and finishing you off. It’s a great army, and all three players should be proud of their placings!
Wild Card…
20th Tom Lees Ogor Mawtribes
Okay… it’s another Destruction list, but this is one of the first tournaments in the UK with the new Kragnos and he’s starting to get some play within the UK Destruction players! Hopefully he’ll be Smashing and Bashing (no keywords though) his way through enemies. He’s just got to avoid mortal wound shooting; so there’s a good thing there isn’t much of that about – … oh wait!
Allegiance: Ogor Mawtribes
– Mawtribe: Boulderhead
– Grand Strategy: Beast Master
– Triumphs: Indomitable
Leaders
Kragnos, The End of Empires (720)
Huskard on Stonehorn (340)*
– General
– Blood Vulture
– Command Trait: Lord of Beasts
– Artefact: Brand of the Svard
– Mount Trait: Metalcruncher
Battleline
Stonehorn Beastriders (320)*
– Weapon: Blood Vulture
Stonehorn Beastriders (320)*
– Weapon: Blood Vulture
Thundertusk Beastriders (285)*
– Weapon: Blood Vulture
Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
Total: 1985 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 0 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 66
Drops: 2
This list uses Kragnos’ ability to give 3D6″ charges on the monsters to give them mortal wounds on the charge (1 dice per 1″ of charge rolled, mortal on 4+); and so you don’t want to get charged by these brutes.
With only 66 wounds, this must be one of the lowest wound count armies in Age of Sigmar at the moment, but I imagine it’s great fun to play – just remember to deploy your screens correctly!
— Declan
What is Battletech?
BOARD GAME GEEK SUMMARY
| Rating | 7.6 (900+ Reviews) |
| Players | 2-6 |
| Playing Time | 120mins |
| Age | 14+ |
| Complexity | 3.53/5.00 |
Since its beginnings as the BattleTech boardgame, the BattleTech/MechWarrior universe has captivated millions of fans worldwide. For almost three decades, the collision of interstellar politics and war has rewarded fans with amazingly detailed fiction, captivating characters and fantastic adventure. These dynamics have spawned a host games, novels, toys and more.
Choose your pill and spiral down through the links above to endless action!
Snalespune on Youtube has a great introductory video to Battletech, which explains the basics of the game.
If you’re interested in getting into Battletech, then I recommend you look at Battletech for more information. They have all the models and rules you need.
Thanks for reading! – Peter
So You Want to be a Winner?
Yesterday the AoS Coach interviewed Las Vegas Open Winner Gavin Grigar on his path to victory.
A great video for anyone who wants some tips on improving their tournament performances.
Swampboss Skumdrekk
Finally for this boy finished and it brings me to 755/2000 painted for Burning Skies.
I’m currently also just basing my first three Man-skewers so they should be done over the weekend as well. Then I’ve got my my Beast-Skewer and nother 10 Hobgrots on the painting table.
What is Black Seas?
BOARD GAME GEEK SUMMARY
| Rating | 8.1 (50+ Reviews) |
| Players | 2-12 |
| Playing Time | 30-500mins |
| Age | 10+ |
| Complexity | 3.43/5.00 |
Black Seas is naval wargame set in the age of sail fought using a range of specially designed 1/700 miniature ships from Warlord Games.
Using Black Seas you can fight battles from the american war of independence through the Napoleonic wars and beyond.
One of my favourite YouTube channels OnTableTop (Formerly Beasts of War) has a fantastic guide to playing Back Seas.
If you’re interested in getting into Black Seas, then I recommend you look at Warlord Games for more information. They have all the models and rules you need.
Miniatures & Rules
Thanks for reading! – Peter
Warlord Games Releases Combined Arms
Combined arms is Warlord Games’ first board game but more importantly for the Bolt Action, Blood Red Skies and Cruel Seas players amongst you, it’s their first campaign supplement as well.
What does that mean? Well you’re able to play Combined Arms as a stand alone game using the pieces in the box to conquer Europe etc. Or you can link games of Blood Red Skies, Bolt action or Cruel Seas together for one large campaign.
The boxed set is priced at a very reasonable £50 and includes maps, cards and all the tokens you need to wage a complete campaign.
Bolt Action – Combined Arms is a strategic board game that commands the players to face off, seize the initiative and outwit their foe amidst the fog of war. Each game will see you fighting for control of air, land, and sea in order to claim objectives and hold them against the enemy.
Choose your theatre of war, from the western and eastern fronts to North Africa and the Pacific. Each theatre has its own challenges and opportunities, some rewarding control over the sea, some rewarding control over the skies. How many of your precious resources will you sink into each, and how much will be left to control the land? Will you rely on stealth as you move units secretly, springing up where you are least suspected, or will you attempt to overwhelm your enemy with brutal overkill?
Combined Arms can be played as a stand-alone game or players can incorporate Bolt Action, Blood Red Skies, Cruel Seas, or Victory at Sea for an epic continent-spanning campaign. Unique cards link your campaign with your chosen wargames, meaning your choices in the campaign could mean victory or defeat on the tabletop.
Combined Arms is available for Pre-order and will be shipped to customers in May.
Top Three AoS Lists from Sunday Slaughter (UK) – 6th February
Sunday Sluaghter was a one day event that took place in on the 5th Feb in the UK. It involved 30 players duking it our over three glorious rounds of AoS.
Most Selected Faction/Subfaction
Win Rate
The Top Three Lists
These were the top three lists from Sunday Slaughter.
Adam Riley – Stormcast Eternals
Adam won all three games beating Disciples of Tzeentch/Hosts Arcanum in Round 1, Seraphon/Thunder Lizard in Round 2 Cities of Sigmar/Living City in the last round.
Allegiance: Stormcast Eternals
– Stormhost: Celestial Vindicators
– Mortal Realm: Ghur
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs: Inspired
Leaders
Lord-Relictor (145)*
– General
– Command Trait: High Priest
– Artefact: Mirrorshield
– Prayer: Translocation
Yndrasta, The Celestial Spear (320)*
Lord-Arcanum on Gryph-Charger (195)*
– Spell: Celestial Blades
Battleline
10 x Judicators with Boltstorm Crossbows (380)*
– Reinforced x 1
5 x Vindictors (130)*
5 x Vindictors (130)*
Units
10 x Protectors (450)*
– 4x Starsoul Maces
– Reinforced x 1
5 x Retributors (235)*
Core Battalions
*Battle Regiment
Total: 1985 / 2000
Reinforced Units: 2 / 4
Allies: 0 / 400
Wounds: 107
Drops: 1
Aaron Walters – Maggotkin of Nurgle
Aaron also won all of his three games. He beat Lumineth Realm-Lords/Zaitrec in Round 1, Stormcast Eternals/Hammers of Sigmar in Round 2 and Daughters of Khaine/Hagg Nar in Round 3.
– Faction: Maggotkin of Nurgle
– Subfaction: Befouling Host
– Grand Strategy: Hold the Line
– Triumphs:
LEADERS
———-
Spoilpox Scrivener, Herald of Nurgle (120)*
– General
– Command Trait: Master of Magic
– Artefact: Arcane Tome
– Spell: Fleshy Abundance
Bloab Rotspawned (300)*
– Spells: Blades of Putrefaction
Festus the Leechlord (150)**
– Spells: Gift of Disease
Orghotts Daemonspew (300)**
BATTLELINE
———-
20 x Plaguebearers (300)*
– Reinforced: Once
Beast of Nurgle (110)*
Beast of Nurgle (110)*
Beast of Nurgle (110)*
UNITS
———-
5x Putrid Blightkings (250)**
5x Putrid Blightkings (250)**
CORE BATTALIONS
*Battle Regiment
**Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000
REINFORCED UNITS: 1/4
ALLIES: 0/400
WOUNDS: 142
DROPS: 2
Matt Ansell – Stormcast Eternals
Matt also won all three games, he beat Hosts of Slaanesh/Lurid Haze Invaders Host in round 1, Sylvaneth in Round 2 and Stormcast Eternals/Hammers of Sigmar Tribe in Round 3.
– Army Faction: Stormcast Eternals
– Subfaction: Hammers of Sigmar
– Grand Strategy: Beast Master
– Triumph:
LEADERS
———-
Knight-Draconis (300)*
– General
– Command Trait: Battle-lust
– Artefact: Arcane Tome
– Mount Trait: Celestial Instincts
– Spell: Flaming Weapon
BATTLELINE
———-
4 x Stromdrake Guard (680)*
– Reinforced: Once
4 x Stromdrake Guard (680)*
– Reinforced: Once
2 x Stromdrake Guard (340)*
CORE BATTALIONS
———-
*Battle Regiment
TOTAL POINTS: 2000/2000
REINFORCED UNITS: 2/4
ALLIES: 0/400
WOUNDS: 101
DROPS: 1
Final Tournament Placings
Book Review – Ghostmaker
Gaunt’s Ghosts – 2 – By Dan Abnett
Welcome to Woehammer – have you noticed the lovely feeling of no adverts (ads), no pop-ups and no auto-playing videos? Well, that’s the norm here at Woehammer.
But this is only possible because of our wonderful Patreons. So, some articles over 1 year old will now display our Patreon request at the top of the article… like this one! Don’t worry, we are not adding ads – but if you can afford to donate to the site, we would definitely appreciate it. Membership is available from just £1/month (plus taxes!!)
I read Gaunt’s Ghosts on their first release, but lost track of the books after a while. When Black Library offered the first trilogy on ebook at a discount I picked them up and have started to re-read them. You can read my review of the first book First and Only here!
Having finished the second book, let’s have a look at it:
On Monthax, Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt and his Tanith First-and-Only await the order to advance into the sweltering jungle and drive the alien eldar from the world. As battle approaches, Gaunt walks the lines, raising his men’s spirits and remembering their most heroic deeds – and the tragedies that have dogged Gaunt’s Ghosts from the day of their founding on lost Tanith. The day that Gaunt became known as the Ghostmaker.
Dan Abnett’s classic series of Sharpe in the Warhammer 40k universe continues with Ibram Gaunt and the Tanith First and Only regiment.
Gaunt returns with the Tanith First and Only in their second book and this one – similar to the first – is essentially a series of short stories. Each story covers one of the main Tanith characters, their relationship with Gaunt and within the Tanith Ghosts and as a solider.
As this is my second time reading the series, it was great to read the background and history of the main characters who we grow to know so much about later and this is a fun way to introduce… but it is a collection of short stories, and if that isn’t your thing this will likely be a disappointing book, that you may want to skip and return to later when you have more emotional investment in the characters.
We always encourage people to shop at local bricks and mortar stores, but if your friendly local book store doesn’t have this available, we have a UK Amazon affiliate link & a USA Amazon affiliate link for which Woehammer receives a small commission.
— Declan & Eeyore