Tag Archives: Warhammer 40k

Writing a Sci-Fi Tabletop Wargame – Part 5

Our past posts:

So the results of last weeks votes are as follows:

So this gives us some extra direction when it comes to writing the rules, as we know that each element will represent a Battalion strength unit and that the game will be played on a four foot square area. Excellent! If we factor in that we also want the game to last no more than two hours and that all the measurements will be carried out in inches, we only have perhaps two more votes to go before we get into the nitty gritty of the rules themselves.

Base Shape

This may not seem important to some people, but the base shape can define a lot of things in regards to measuring distances as well as movement. For example a rectangular base would mean that you have to take into account that the base is wider than it is deep and so wheeling and turning become a factor in movement. A round base negates that factor as everything can be measured from the base edge without too much concern, though if you want flanking inside the game having round bases makes this difficult. Alternatively, there’s the option to have a square base, which makes turning and wheeling less of an issue, and can include flanks for the various edges IF we want that as a factor in our game.

Base Size

Our playing area is going to be 4 foot square and so this will have a slight impact on base sizing. We can’t have large bases because of fitting enough of them inside the game. But we can’t have too small either as we want enough models on the base to make it look the part.

There we have it! Next week we will start looking at factions and whether we should include the ability to construct our own or write rules for pre-made factions (or both).

Rogue Trader Collection – 24/12/21

Just a quick update this week, as I’ve not had a huge amount of time to get things done.

But I’ve fixed up the wall with green stuff ready for painting. I’m still in two minds about the bear rug though…..

So with all the pieces complete it’s just going to be a matter of making some posters and banners to go on the wall and then sticking the whole thing together. It’s only taken two months….

Top Three 40k Lists from the Sunken City GT (West Branch – Michigan, US) 18/19th December 2021

I’ve done a number of top 3’s now for Age of Sigmar, so today I thought I would branch out and cover a top three for 40k. This time we’re back in Europe and looking at the West Coast GT held in Bohus, Sweden.

Tom Ogden – Black Templars

Tom won the event with 5 wins from 5 and 491 battle points.

HQ
———-
Chaplain Grimaldus (140 pts)+
– Litanies: Litany of Divine Protection, Fires of Devotion & Litanies of Hate
High Marshal Helbrecht (160 pts)+
Primaris Chaplain (85 pts)++
– Litanies: Litany of Hate
– Canticle of Hate
– The Crusader’s Helm


Troops
———-
14x Primaris Crusader Squad (247 pts)+
– 5x Primaris Initiate w/chainsword & Heavy Bolt Pistol
– 8x Primaris Neophytes w/chainsword & Bolt Pistol
– 1x Primaris Sword Brother w/Power Axe & Heavy Bolt Pistol

14x Primaris Crusader Squad (247 pts)++
– 5x Primaris Initiate w/chainsword & Heavy Bolt Pistol
– 8x Primaris Neophytes w/chainsword & Bolt Pistol
– 1x Primaris Sword Brother w/Power Axe & Heavy Bolt Pistol


Elites
———-
Primaris Apothecary (Warlord)(115 pts)+
– Chapter Command: Chief Apothecary
– Selfless Healer
– The Aurillian Shroud

Redemptor Dreadnought (180 pts)+
2x Fragstorm Grenade Launchers
– Macro Plasma Incinerator
– Onslaught Gatling Cannon


Fast Attack
———-
5x Inceptor Squad (375 pts)+
x2 Plasma Exterminator
– The Crux Obsidian
– Inceptor Sergeant: Champion of the Feast

3x Attack Bike Squad (180 pts)++
– 3x Multi-Melta


Heavy Support
———-
6x Eradictor Squad (270 pts)++
– 5x Eradicator: 5x Bolt Pistol
– Eradicator Srgt


Detachments
———-
+Patrol: Black Templars
++Patrol: Black Templars

Total Points: 1999 pts

John DeFrank – Orks

John managed 4 wins from 5 and 473 battle points.

No Force Org Slot
———-
Nob on Smasha Squig (65 pts)+
– Proper Killy
– Stratagem: Big Boss

Nob on Smasha Squig (65 pts)+
– Headwoppa’s Killchoppa
– Stratagem: Extra Gubbinz


HQ
———-
Beastboss on Squigosaur (Warlord) (145 pts)+
– Big Killa Boss
– Beasthide Mantle

Warboss (105 pts)++
– Brutal but Kunnin
– Attack Squig
– Da Killa Klaw
– Kombi-Scorcha, Power Klaw
– Stratagem: Big Boss
– Stratagem: Extra Gibbinz


Troops
———-
10x Beast Snagga Boyz (110 pts)+
– Weapons: 9x Choppa, 9x Slugga
– Beast Snagga Nob

10x Beast Snagga Boyz (110 pts)+
– Weapons: 9x Choppa, 9x Slugga
– Beast Snagga Nob

10x Gretchin (50 pts)+
– Weapons: 10x Grot Blaster

10x Boyz (100 pts)++
– Weapons: 9x Choppa, 9x Slugga
– Boss Nob: Choppa, Power Klaw

10x Boyz (95 pts)++
– Weapons: 9x Choppa, 9x Slugga
– Boss Nob: Big Choppa, Choppa


Elites
———-
10x Burna Boyz (140 pts)+
– Weapons: 8x Burna, 8x Stikkbombs
– 2x Spanner: Kustom Mega-Blasta

5x Meganobz (175 pts)+
– Boss Meganob: Kustom Shoota, Power Klaw
– 4x Meganob: Kustom Shoota, Power Klaw

5x Kommmandos (55 pts)++
– Boss Nob: Power Klaw
– 4x Kommando: Slugga & Choppa


Fast Attack
———-
4x Squighog Boyz (105 pts)+
– 4x Squighog Boy: 4x Saddlegit Weapons, 4x Stikka
– Bomb Squig

4x Squighog Boyz (105 pts)+
– 4x Squighog Boy: 4x Saddlegit Weapons, 4x Stikka
– Bomb Squig

5x Stormboyz (55 pts)++
– 4x Stormboy: Choppa & Slugga
– Boss Nob: Choppa


Heavy Support
———-
Kill Rig (190 pts)+
– Frazzle
– Spirit of Gork

Kill Rig (190 pts)+
– Squiggly Curse
– Spirit of Gork


Dedicated Transport
———-
Trukk (70 pts)+
Trukk (70 pts)+

Detachments
———-
+Patrol: Orks – Goffs
++Patrol: Orks – Goffs

Total Points: 2000 pts

Brenton Weiss – Adeptus Mechanicus

Brenton managed four wins from five and 440 battle points.

HQ
———-
Skitarii Marshal (Warlord) (55 pts)+
Relic: Cantic Thrallnet
– Warlord Trait: Battle-Sphere Uplink


Tech-Priest Dominus (105 pts)+
Macrostubber
– Magi
– Relic: The Omniscient Mask
– Volkite Blaster


Tech-Priest Manipulus (120 pts)+
Logi
– Magnarail Lance
– Relic: Raiment of the Technomartyr


Troops
———-
20x Skitarii Rangers (230 pts)+
Ranger Alpha: Galvanic Rifle
– 19x Galvanic Rifle

10x Skitarii Rangers (110 pts)+
Ranger Alpha: Galvanic Rifle
– 9x Galvanic Rifle

10x Skitarii Rangers (110 pts)+
Ranger Alpha: Galvanic Rifle
– 9x Galvanic Rifle


Elites
———-
5x Sicarian Infiltrators (95 pts)+
– Infiltrator Princeps: Flechette/Taser
– 4x Infiltrators: Flechette Blaster, Taser Goad

5x Sicarian Infiltrators (95 pts)+
– Infiltrator Princeps: Flechette/Taser
– 4x Infiltrators: Flechette Blaster, Taser Goad

5x Sicarian Infiltrators (95 pts)+
– Infiltrator Princeps: Flechette/Taser
– 4x Infiltrators: Flechette Blaster, Taser Goad


Fast Attack
———-
3x Ironstrider Ballistarii (255 pts)+
– 3x Twin Cognis Lascannon
Ironstrider Ballistarii (255 pts)+
– 3x Twin Cognis Lascannon
9x Pteraxii Sterylizors (171 pts)+
Steylizor Alpha
– 8x Phosphor Torch, Talons


Flyer
———-
Archeopter Fusilave (150 pts)+
– Command Uplink
Archeopter Fusilave (150 pts)+
– Command Uplink

Detachments
———-
+Patrol: Adeptus Mechanicus – Mars

Total Points: 1996 pts

Product Review – Thermic Plasma Regulators

I love scenery, especially for games I don’t play enough of – Kill Team and Necromunda, so I was very happy to pick up a box of Thermic Plasma Regulators from Games Workshop recently.

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!!)

At £20 for 2 they are a little expensive, but may appear in a future Imperium Magazine so keep an eye out there

These are suitably silly terrain features but they do block line of sight to at least one model and have different levels on them. Perfect for a game of Kill Team. Plus you get to do cool source lighting (or if you are me, a bit naff source lighting). Terrain / Scenery is always fun for me because it is easy to paint, you can do as much or as little work on it as you like and – importantly – it can make the boards we play across look great.

So what did I do with my set:

Who doesn’t like Red & Blue!

Mine is a simple paint scheme with Leadbelcher and Ironbreaker for the silver, Mephiston Red for the red and Talassar Blue over a Corax White undercoat for the coil. There is also a little bit of highlighting following a tutorial from Duncan Roades when he was still working for GW.

They are great, and I hope to get them on the table top soon for my Genestealers to invade or my Guardsmen to hide behind!

— Declan

Rogue Trader Collection – VII

So again, not too much done this week. But I did manage to strip some of the RTB01’s using a fantastic product called Paint Blitzer.

Before
After
Fully paint stripped pieces

The models still need a little work with a soft brush and a cloth to get them back to their original state, but that won’t take long.

I also had a delivery of small bricks and set to work constructing Marneus’ wall as seen in the image below.

However, my father who was a builder by trade and taught Bricklaying at Northampton College would be ashamed of my work…..

Still, I think with some green stuff this will soon tidy up.

My Introduction to Kriegsspiel as a Player

After my many years as a wargamer (25+ years) I’ve played quite a number of different games during that time, but one that I’ve never played (despite hearing about) is Kreigsspiel the original wargame written in the 1800’s by George Leopold von Reisswitz.

Kreigsspiel is a game of warfare that attempts to realistically replicate what would happen on a battlefield during the 1800’s. It requires a map, some blocks to represent the different units involved and three players.

The Battle of Waterloo played in Kreigsspiel

Why three players?

When I say three players, what it actually involves is two players and an umpire. But it’s best to think of the umpire as a Games/Dungeon Master.

Each player is only aware of what their own units are doing on the table top and exactly where they’re positioned, and the enemy movements and units only become apparent once they move into visual range of your own. This is where the umpire comes in.

Each player communicates with the umpire how they wish to deploy their units and what movements and actions they would like those units to take. This gives the players a true fog of war setting.

It sounds complex right?

Yes it does! But actually it’s really not. Why? Because the only person who needs to know the rules is the umpire. The players just have to communicate with the umpire what orders they would like their units to follow. This can be communicated either in an RPG format or a simple “I would like these units to entrench themselves on top of the hill overlooking the town

The umpire then moves both players units according to their wishes and communicates back to the players if any contact has been made with the enemy.

When contact has been made the players then decide how they want their units to act, i.e. “The units will form line and wait for the enemy to attack before firing.”

The umpire then rolls the dice and decides the outcomes for that turn (which replicate a few minutes of real world battle at a time).

That Sounds like it takes Ages!

Actually no, a small game of Kriegsspiel can played out in a few hours. Or you can even play it on a play by post basis with a number of friends negating the need for vast spaces to be used like a conventional table top wargame.

Why have I not played this before?

When I read about the rules and the requirement for three players I immediately thought it would be too difficult to get a game together. Bot was I wrong!

The International Kreigsspiel Society which I have recently had the honour of discovering, have a Discord channel where you can join introduce yourself and just jump straight in with your first game!

I’ve recently started two play by post games, one being a small battle during the Haitian Revolution and another being the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863. In the first I’m in command of a small Brigade of infantry (7 battalions) with the game having 5 players a side, while in the second I have an entire Division under my command and roughly 17 players per side.

A simple game of Kreigsspiel

Is it just for Wars in the 1800’s?

Absolutely not, the Society is currently developing additional rules for World War 2 and Ancients to name but two.

Interested?

If this sounds like your cup of tea, then why not slide into the Discord server and take a look around, perhaps try a small game with the friendly guys who run the many games each week that takes place.

INTERNATIONAL KREIGSSPIEL SOCIETY DISCORD SERVER

Woehammer Painting Competition

Announcement in regards to the painting competition.

We are extremely sad to announce that due to cheating the competition has been closed and no prize will be issued.

My apologies to those of you who have competed. All your entries were amazing and unfortunately this has been spoilt by one individual who shall remain nameless.

We will however hold another competition soon where a judges panel will be selected in placed of voting.

I’ll be reopening to entries in the next day or so with a closing date of 31st Jan. This time I’ll have the Woehammer guys as judges rather than voting. I’ll automatically include those who entered into the competition.

My sincere apologies!

I know I originally said that I would run this on twitter AND the website, but I’ve decided for greater control the voting ill be done through the website only (this way I can delete multiple votes from the same IP).

We’ve had ten fantastic entries to our first ever painting competition sponsored by the lovely people over at SCN Hobby World. Go and subscribe on their website to get 25% off GW products!

But it’s time to close for entries and get the voting under way! Voting will start today and run until 31st December to give everyone plenty of time to vote. The winner will be announced on the 1st January, at which point I will contact them and ask which start collecting or combat patrol box they would like as their prize.

So in the order of submission here are your competition entries! Get voting!

Nick Munro

Steve Milford

Christine Coram

Titusz Skoflek

Nicky Rod

Joseph Isham

Justin Jackson

Jack McQuiggin

Wayne Cooper

Li Bryan

Warhammer 40k Battleforce Boxes – How much and whats in them?

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!!)

Declan (2023) – if you came here looking for 2023 boxes, their article is here!

So the Battleforce boxes are back after their success in 2020. These are a fantastic way to get into a new army or even add to an existing one, but whats inside them and how many points of miniatures do you get?

(EDIT (Nov-22) If you’re looking for the 40k summary for 2022 it’s here)

The rumoured price of these is going to be:

Space Marines: Shieldbreaker Strike Force£130
Necrons: Worldscour Legion£130
Orks: Killdakka Warband£125
Adeptus Sororitas: Purgatos Mission£130
Adeptus Mechanicus: Omnissiah’s Talon£125
Death Guard: Plaguefester Warband£125

But I can tell you a way of saving even more money by purchasing these at 25% off the recommended retail price! Just visit SCN Hobby World and sign up to their mailing list for 25% off all GW products and 20% Warlord Games products.

So what do you get inside and how much would it cost you normally? All of the points and PL have been given for the basic unit options and include no upgrades.

Space Marines – Shieldbreaker Strike Force

The Shieldbreaker Battleforce Box
UnitPLPointsCost
Primaris Captain590£22.50
Bladeguard Veterans5105£31.50
Intercessors10200£35.00
Assault Intercessors10190£36.50
Heavy Intercessors7140£39.50
Storm Speeder8-9135-160£42.00
Total45-46860-885£207.00
Predicted RRP£130.00
Saving£77.00
SCN Hobby World Price (25% Off)£97.50

Adepta Sororitas – Purgatos Mission

UnitPLPointsCost
Sister Dogmata465£21.00
Celestian Sacresants370£34.50
Battle Sisters6110£35.00
Immolator7130£45.00
Exorcist9180£50.00
Total29555£185.00
Predicted RRP£130.00
Saving£55.00
SCN Hobby World Price (25% Off)£97.50

Adeptus Mechanicus – Omnissiah’s Talon

UnitPLPointsCost
Pteraxii485£35.00
Ruststalkers495£30.00
Serberys260£35.00
Ironstrider Ballistarii475£32.50
Skitarii Rangers490£27.50
Tech-Priest Manipulus480£22.50
Total22485£182.50
Predicted RRP£130.00
Saving£60.00
SCN Hobby World Price (25% Off)£97.50

Death Guard – PlagueFester Warband

UnitPLPointsCost
Plague Marine Champion21£17.50
Plague Marine Icon Bearer31£17.50
Plague Marines12147£30.00
Deathshroud Bodyguard7150£35.00
Myphitic Blight-Haulers21420£45.00
Plagueburst Crawler9175£40.00
Total49944£185.00
Predicted RRP£125.00
Saving£60.00
SCN Hobby World Price (25% Off)£93.75

Necron – Worldscour Legion

UnitPLPointsCost
Psychomancer Cryptek470£21.00
Necron Warriors with Scarabs8175£29.00
Lokhust Heavy Destroyer460£21.00
Ophydian Destroyers5105£34.50
Flayed Ones3165£31.50
2x Canoptek Doomstalkers14280£53.00
Total38755£190.00
Predicted RRP£130.00
Saving£60.00
SCN Hobby World Price (25% Off)£97.50

Orks – KillDakka Warband

UnitPLPointsCost
Nobz685£20.00
20 Boyz* 8160£63.00
Gretchin250£12.50
Deffkilla Wartrike7125£30.00
Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun7120£22.50
Dakkajet8150£45.00
Total38690£193.00
Predicted RRP£125.00
Saving£68.00
SCN Hobby World Price (25% Off)£93.75
*Based on price of Kruleboyz Gutrippas Sprue

So what do you think good value or not? Will you be picking up a set?

Woehammer Staff Painting Competition

So as well as the public painting competition (where you can win a Start Collecting or Combat Patrol box of your choice, courtesy of SCN Hobby World), we’re also running a mini painting competition for those here at Woehammer.

But I need your help! Below are all the entries to our competition (without names to remove any possible bias), I’m going to post a poll on Twitter on which model you think deserves to walk away with prize. But you can also vote on your favourites below which will be added to the scores. Vote for that which brings you joy!

Here are the entries:

Cartoon Pin-Up

This model has had the cartoon or cell-shaded method used on it where the artists has lined in black and then painted the areas between. Pulled off to perfection.

Jakkob Bugman XI

This particular artist has been painting for nearly two years now, but has the skills of someone who has been painting for ten times that long. Take a moment to enjoy the bear in the window on the rear of the back pack.

Imperial Fist Captain

An experienced artist who has put every detail into the model with water effects, zenithal highlighting and weathering. There are so many details to see with this model from the chipping on the black trims around the shoulder pads, to the details on the cloak to the water effects on the boots!

Howling Griffons Captain

Another artist who has been painting for only a couple of years and has gone town with an excellent water effects base and glowing power sword. I love the idea of this Captain leading his troops on some kind of water planet scourging the xenos ahead of them.

Calas Typhus

Another experienced artist who took particular care on the base and weathering and lots of wet blending.

Ork Beastsnagga Warboss

A model with rage and violence in abundance, look at all that blood flowing from the sword! With warpaint, a headless primaris and as I mntioned… lots of blood whats not to love about this mini?

Rogue Trader Collection – V

Following on from last week’s post, I’ve not been able to get too much done painting wise. However a couple of pieces have arrived to enable me to do a quick dry fit mock up.

Is this a good layout?

As you can see I’ve had a bear rug delivered from a seller on Etsy (apologies I can’t recall the seller). And I’ve had a name plaque delivered from Versatile Terrain.

I’m more than happy with the name plaque which will get painted up and placed on the side of the plinth once that arrives from Green Stuff World. The bear however….. I’m not as keen on. It feels a little too large for the scene. Especially if I’m going to try and include a wall in the background. Also the print quality isn’t great.

I’m tempted at this stage to remove the rug from the equation.

While I’m here I wanted to give a massive shout out to fellow club member Steve Milford who sold me some metal rogue trader models you see below. But who also threw in some of the lovely plastic original space marines from the RTB1 set. Very generous!

Rogue Trader Imperial Bike – I think this is part of RT106 “Vincent Blackshadow”
Rogue Trader era terminator (I recognise this, but can’t pin point the exact code, it may be slightly later than RT).
I believe this was a Squat from the RT03 set named “Owen Garano” (1987)
RTB1 Marines

So what to do with these? The marines will be stripped and then painted up as Crimson Fists (may need to source a couple of arms and a boltgun). The terminator I’m going to to try and track down what set it belongs to before committing it to a paint scheme, however it may also end up as a Crimson Fist.

The Squat will get painted up and placed on a 25mm scenic base of some sort to wait for the rest of his brothers from that set who’ll then also be displayed on a plinth at some point.

I’m hoping that I’ll have the Imperial Commander sorted by next week (as long as the remaining parts arrive) at which point I can start thinking about which of the models to do next (yeah, it’ll be the land speeder).