Ghost and X-Wing Batrep

 So its been a quiet due to many reasons, but here we are with an X-Wing Battle Report. 100 pts, Rebels versus Rebels! Gav hadn't played for a while and wanted to give a K-Wing a go, and having painted up a B-Wing I just had to use it in a batrep. Heres my list!

Keyan Farlander, no upgrades.

2x Blue Squadron B-Wings with Fire Control Systems

Gemma Sojan with Chaardon Refit, and Lone Wold (I'd also taken the card that allows me to take an elite pilot talent)

Gav had taken Wedge in his X-Wing, Dutch Vander in a Y-Wing, and Esege Tuketu in the K-Wing. I forget the upgrades he chose, but there was a blaster turret and recon on the K, wedge had decoy, and I think the Ywing had a droid that gave him a free target lock when he did red moves and some photon torpedoes.

First turn we were both pretty cautious, but soon we were locked in action. 

Wedge got into range one of Keyan, and took four shields off with a torrent of fire. The K-Wing took another shield off and gave me a crit, a direct hit. Gav however rolled two blanks with Dutch and thankfully Keyan lived on for a round... but not for long. I stripped the shields of the K-Wing but no other damage. 

The next turn was just about getting out of the way ready to make another pass, although Wedge did a K-turn and finished Farlander off. Boo!

 

After a couple more K-turns and my B-Wings taking some damage the A-wing and a B-Wing took out the K-wing, then the B's swept in and took out Wedge. Needless to say with the Y-Wing out of position and three ships looking to gun him down, Gav conceded. 

So what did I think of the list? Keyan didn't get much use and its the first time I used him, my preferred B-Wing elite pilot is Ten Numb, Mangler cannon and a couple other upgrades so it maximises his ability to get those crits through. I do love Blue Squadron B-Wings though, even at pilot skill 2 they survive fire and then dish it back out, and Gemma with Lone Wolf also works well. Being in range one rerolling one blank with an extra evade dice is useful and helps her attack get some reliability too. I'm not sure what to make of the K-Wing and I'm unsure as to whether I'd get one, but they do get raved abotu so perhaps one day. 

Also, Gav being the darling that he is, picked this up for me from Firestorm Games who are based in Cardiff. I'm hoping to do an unboxing post soon, possibly in video! The cards look great though and I can't wait to use this, not only is it massive but with a native 4 firepower its gonna do some damage!

Gaming Aplenty

So thought I'd update you all the games we've been enjoying over the last couple of weeks at the Gwent Reavers Tabletop Gaming Club. I'll hopefully get a post up soon about our first D&D session but for now, heres what we've been playing!

A few weeks ago Gav picked up a few games, one of them being Dixit Odyssey. I'd played the original version and this is much of the same, and just as enjoyable as the first version. More beautifully illustrated cards to try and describe in a vague way yet that people may guess right to earn you some points. Its a difficult one to master but such an easy premise, really works well for new and old players!

Gav also picked up Francis Drake, a resource gathering blind voting point grabbing extravaganza. The first turn of the game we played was hilarious as we had no idea what we were doing, but as we got through the rounds seeing people realise what they needed was fantastic. 

Its also a gorgeous looking game with some awesome components, little chests to keep gems in, the lovely map to roam around yet containing so much strategy I can't wait for another game. I was winning for most of it but kept saying I was gonna be last, everyone didn't believe me but when we added up the bonus points I did end up in last place! Four of us finished with just 10 or so points between 5th and 2nd place, while Gav actually managed to win on his first attempt at his own game, leading by around 20 points. Highly recomend this one! 

With Louis puffing on his vape we couldn't resist adding some mist to the high seas!

Speaking of Louis, he also brought up two of these polystyrene structures. Now what to build with them! Im thinking some sort of cathederal structure perhaps, but we'll see. Something large and epic is certainly to happen however.

Another new game for the club, this time purchased by Morg, is Spartacus, by Gale Force Nine, who also made a club favourite, Sons of Anarchy. This is very much in a similar vein as SOA, but with a lot more depth!

Theres plenty of scheming to be done with the intrigue card system, plus each player gets their own special rules with their player card. Trading and deals can be made before being stabbed in the back, much like in SOA, but where this game takes it to another level is in its advanced combat arena. 

Here warriors are thrust into the fighting pit, where combat comes down to a 'trump off' system. I don't mean in the bum windy way, but in having to beat values of the dice. Each fighter gets different stats and rules, all of which make a difference.  Its still quite simple but adds a nice element that Sons of Anarchy could do with.

 

Alliances have been made and broken already in just a few games that we have played, and its been a joy to watch every single time. Another game we highly recommend!

Finally myself and James had a game of Xwing, 100pts rebels derby match! I fancied taking an easy to use list where I didn't need to remember rules, so everything I took was PS 2 or lower. 2 B Wings, 2 Headhunters (which I still don't like) and 2 Awings (which I adore!). James took an Xwing with Biggs, a PS 3 Ewing and Han solo. 

I lost ships slowly as I slowly battered Han, eventually knock his shields off while losing two ships. It really felt like we were dealing clubbing blow after clubbing blow to each other, and it eventually came down to two ships. 

One B wing vs one X wing, James managing to dodge my shots and delivering the last of my hull points to the god of dead ships. He only had one hull point himself making this an incredibly close game and very enjoyable to play! Taking 6 ships was nice, although if I was take a similar list I'd drop the Headhunters, take another Awing and a couple of upgrades, fire control systems perhaps for the Bwings. 

So thats the last couple of weeks of gaming from us, we've got a few more games to get to play including an expansion for Dominion and Splendour to try, plus I think Spartacus wants to be played again. And if I get to try and gain revenge in Francis Drake I will be ready! 

So what have you guys been playing and would recommend? Leave your thoughts below!

Love Your Gaming

So last weekend was that time of the year everyone gets a little soppy and loved up, and for me it was no different. One of our fellow Welsh clubs, the Crow Valley Crusaders, once again had another Longest Night event. open for 30 hours people could come in and out as they like to game, or be mental and stay the entire time.

As a wee tribute to Valentines day however I made a nice wee heart, despite the terrible luck I have with them I still love rolling dice!

Obviously a couple games of Xwing was on the cards, and once again myself and Gav did battle. 150pts say 4 large ships, including 3 YT-2400s and a Falcon do battle. Fair play the game looks so much better played on a proper mat! I managed to edge Gav in this game, and so he sought revenge.

In the rematch I wondered what else I could fit into 150 points. Xwings... oh five rookies come in at 105 points... that leaves enough room for... an Ewing! I gave it a few upgrades and we got into the battle. The first turn we could fire one of my Xwings was destroyed but in retaliation all my other ships fired at Keyan Farlander in his Bwing and blew him up. Gave struggled a little from there on although he did kill Corran Horn and a couple more Xwings before I wiped him out. I really had fun with this list and can see myself trying it out again!

Some of the guys at CVC were busy building their purchases from the Heresy Weekender, Chris painting up this lovely Iron Warriors Deredeo Dreadnought. I'm still unsure if I like the model, but it is growing on me. Chris also got the event model which I'll get some pics of soon and some of the other stuff I saw being built/painted was awesome.

 

To finish our visit off myself, Gav and CVC Chairman Byron sat down for a game of Catan. This was about my 5th or 6th game and I'd yet to do well, so didn't expect much but a good old laugh. Yet, I actually won! I'm not entirely sure how but I pulled it off, and happily agreed to another game. At which point Byron absolutely brutalised me and Gav! I don't think I came fourth and there was only three of us playing! All in all though a great visit to the Crow Valley Crusaders, if you're about the Cwmbran area they're well worth a visit, especially when the pizza order goes in!

Back to Monday and it saw myself and Bam playing a 150 game with as many ships we could fit in. Dirty bastard got a shuttle in there! My dice rolling was terrible in this one and a rare smile on Bams face made an appearence as I gave up after losing 4 ships and only killing one of his. Eugh!

I also played against Louis who was using Scum and Villiany (from what we knew of the rules anyway) and I edged him for a win. I think when the proper cards are available (which is hopefully out by this time next week) Lou will pick it up more and be a lot more deadly. 

After that game of Xwing me and Louis had a go at a game I'd have for about a year or so and not really tried except for once, Evil Baby Orphanage. Its recommended for 3+ players but as there was just me and Louis available (Bam and Gav were having a really good game of Xwing, ended up just two hull points in it!) but we thought we'd have a go just to get a grasp for when we would play it with more players.

I absolutely adore the art style of this game, the babies being well illustrated and every time new babies would come into the time stream me and Lou would laugh at the new additions. Gmae mechanics it seems ok, it didn't take long to pick up and seems to play quickly which is a benefit. Hopefully we'll get a proper game in soon and will write about it then in much more detail. 

So this next week will hopefully see Scum and Villiany appear, and I know a of the Gwent Reavers are looking to pick some ships up, so should be interesting to see a new faction join the Rebels and Imperials. Thats it for now anyways, hopefully I'll be able to post again soon!

New Era and Batrep 4k 40k!

New Era? 4k 40k? What? Well first of all, the newly renamed Gwent Reavers have had their first two gamign sessions at its new venue in Abertillery. We've seen the numbers stay steady, but with more time to play and do hobby things people sem a lot happier. Not having to rely on buses or lift has certainly lifted my spirits! We've had some interest from potential new members too, which is most excellent. 

Secondly, Alun aka Elfboy is going back to university, so a big game of 40k was needed before he departs to sunny Lampeter. 4k? Well it was supposed to be, but someone made an army list on the day and went 500pts over. 'Have to cut things out mate'... No Alun, everything I have is here, I'll simply add 500 points! 

I won't go into lists, but notable additions include...

For Alun:

5 Leman Russ

an HQ with far too much goodness, Stracken, Yarrick, Nork

3 Assassins, one each of Callidus, Vindicare and Eversor

Approx 70-80 Storm Troopers.

For myself:

Squat Cyber Slayer with honour guard (Squat is a captain with power axe, thats it!)

Stormwing detachment

2 Assassins, one Callidus and one Vindicare

4 Full Tactical Squads

Ten man Bike Squad with Khan in a White Scars detachment.

After a trip to the near neighbouring Wetherspoons where no beef burgers were available, we deployed our large armies and got to some dice rolling. With 5 assassins on the table, infiltrate was a tacticall important part which I won and got to deploy these first although Alun deployed first and would get first turn. Wityh 6 objectives, 2 in each deployment and 2 in the main field I'd need to be aggressive to get those cards from holding objectives. The first turn went well as I stole initiative and set about missions...

The first I had was three or more units in my deployment and no enemy... awesome for a first turn, except an enemy Callidus assassin was right in the corner sitting underneath a Thunderfire Cannon, Vindicare, and Master of the Forge. Sternguard duty changed from popping tanks to killing this 'orrid little lass! And they did it well. Poison ammo is amazing!

Aluns Vindicare was slapped with 4 krak missiles, one killing him outright killing Aluns second assassin. The Eversor was hidden by the landing pad, so my White Scars detachment aggressivelysurged forward and unleashed bolter fire at him. This did the job as out of the 8 saves Alun failed three. Good work lads! My own Callidus shredded some Storm Troopers making them fail their save with the lone survior running, but rallying next turn on a double one. Good start though, now to face the incoming barrage...

Which never really came.

Aluns battlecannons didn't roll a hit all game, despite firing three shots a turn. He cause some damage but nowhere near as much as I'd expected, the White Scars increased jink save doing wondrous things over the course of the game! Both having Callidus assassins meant reserves would be hard work to gain, as they grant a minus 3 to the opposing force, and we'd both taken one! Aluns Chimeras surged forward, doing minimal amounts of damage here and there but nothing too damaging. He did stop my two vindicators from firing which was a nuisance but they do absorb a lot of attention!

As the game progressed it was becoming noticeable that my luck was proving me well while Aluns had abandoned him. He did whittle down a lot of my forces but you know the opponent has had a bad game when a few of your squads remain untouched at the end of the game. The Legion of the Damned arrived on the landing pad, but their firepower wasn't needed. Leman Russes were destroyed in combat, either by a flanking Tactical Squad in a Rhino or by the bikers, who ran rampant throughout. My right flank was more messy, my flyers coming on and the Stormraven being crippled but not before dropping off its payload of Chapter Master and Termies who also blew up a Leman Russ and then fought with the uber command squad the Guard had brought. 

In the end I'd grabbed a lot of objectives, getting cards that were either easy to grab or I'd already held certain objectives. Aluns luck had totally deserted him however and he struggled to get acheivable missiosn. I didn't complain though, its always nice to kick your mates ass!

So 16 points to 3 was pretty one sided, and another turn may have seen Alun wiped off the board... that'll teach him for going over the points limit! 

We'll be looking to get some board games out and look for some X-wing battel reports too as my nephew and Bam look to try and kick my arse, which is easy to do to be fair. We may have a couple of other members who want to join in with X-wing too so some more players will spice things up. I also need to mention Dragondaze is happening on Saturday in Newport South Wales, which I'll be running a demo game of Gorkamorka at with Louis. I've kept it simple so we'll see how it goes, as setting up the business and moving the club has just taken all my time. Should be a good laugh and I've saved a few pennies to go down with so may ad something to my hobby collection. Thats all for now anyways, more soon!

Warhammer World and Battle Brothers

So today, I got the chance to go to Warhammer World with some of the Crow Valley Crusader lads, namely Byron, Shaun, Chris... And Mike. Bah Mike! He's never seen the Animated Transformers film, what a dork! Anyways, enough with why I want to beat him into a pulp, about today!

We got to Warhammer World unable to book a table due to an event. We took some minis up anyways just in case but to be honest, even without playing we had a pretty good time. The following images follow the day roughly, from the always must see trip upstairs in the miniature hall to bugmans bar for food and then I got the chance to chat and take some pictures of the Battle Brothers event. More on this later!

Its apparant that I'm either a Space Marine or an short Ogryn. I'm about the same height as this fellow and just as dangerous... although I need sleep a hell of a lot more!

Quality Jib Capture no.1

I was never a fan of these outrider bikes until I saw this amazing army today. They look so much better in person and I wouldn't mind getting one for a chapter master conversion... thing is you can only get three and its £45! Ouch. I love those attack bike conversions too. The chap who had this army was a great guy to chat too, he was telling me how the Battle Brothers events are always a good time and that he and his team mate had just lost against an Eldar/Dark Eldar coalition. 

And I think he meant these. I'm pretty sure just before I'd gone back into the gaming hall I chatted to this team, as they said they'd just won a close-ish game with Eldar and Dark Eldar. Stunning armies too, look really effective and I like the ying yang effect and backwards role. The Dark Eldar are the lighter colour and the Craftworld are much darker. Stunning armies! 

 

These Tau were really nice too, unmusual colour scheme and this picture doesn't do them justice!

Game of Thrones references are always good by me, especially when Hodor is mentioned. HODOR!

This was incredibly. A Necron monolith made to look like a sand castle. I don't know what to think! In one way its just too bezerk... but in another way its genius!

Quality Jib capture no. 2

I'm not even sure... 

These were also stunning, some amazing freehand work on these!

When a Titan needs its big bro....

Quality Jib Capture no.3

So today was a great day, I got some bits ordered for Bam and Alun from Forge World and the lads bought plenty themselves. I'm keeping my money back as I'm looking to start an Imperial Guard/Astra Militarum army. I've got a Banewolf almost finished and five more Cadians to do, and I've also sorted out a trade with a nice bloke swapping my Tau for some Guard bits, including the new Dex' and some other goodies. Looking forward to adding more to it! We're hoping that the next time we go to Warhammer World it'll be a joint trip with the Tredegar Reavers and the Crow Valley Crusaders, and have some nice chunky games. I also really want to organise a huge tank battle, will have to see how viable that is! 

One of the things for me though was seeing just how nice everyone was in the Battle Brothers event, and its made me really wanna have a go! Also playing against fully painted armies would be amazing, there were some stunning forces up there and to see them on the other side of the table would be a treat. Perhaps next year!

If you're in any of the images above or your models are, just leave a comment and a link if you wanna pinch it!