10 years and an Update.

As you may or may not have noticed, regular posts on Death By Die have become a rare thing. Its not because I've lost interest, motivation, or my passion for tabletop has waned. Its been life, that ohg so hectic thing! I've recently opened up a photography studio in the valleys of South Wales, and its taken over my time. However, times are a changing. With the studio up and running, and a PC at hand to 'work' on, it means that blogging can once again come to the fore. Not only that, but with the studio being fairly spacious and the club being a bit smaller in terms of members, the Tredegar Reavers have moved to Abertillery and we'll be having our first club night here on Monday. Not only that, but the club has been renamed, more on this later! 

Before we get to whats happening and what may lie in the future, what6 has actually been happening? Well, a few weeks ago we had our Tenth Birthday celebrations. Yes, the Tredegar Reavers got to 10 years old this year and many games were played to celebrate. One of the new darlings of the group, is Munchkin!

I didn't get to try it this day, but soon after I did and have fallen in love with it, Its nice and quick, deviously tactical and games where you can equally help and backstab other players are always going to be good! I've even got my own copy now, so heartily recommend to anyone else out there!

With some visitors from the Mid Wales Wargaming Society, one of their number was keen for some 40k action, so myself and Alun took on his Necrons! It was Matts first go at using the new tactical objectives, so we did have an edge... but he did have a C'tan! 

Our first turn gave us 3 cards, one of which was where you have to get all objectives and claim a nice bonus. Looking at the battlefield this could be acheived... I had two drop pods to bring down first turn, this landed on objectives, and Alun zoomed a Raider across the board to capture the 6th objective. We'd both spoken before about whether it was possible, and thought maybe at the end of a game where the battle is probably already won, never thought we'd manage on the first turn!

Matt suffered some bad luck throughout, his monolith simply not wanting to deepstrike and being delayed until turn 4 after rolling for mishaps.  The C'tan made a meal of killing my dreadnought, which held up the star god shard admirably.

From what I remember the Dark Eldar managed to get into combat and did reasonably well against the Necrons, although they did lose some numbers.

Alun looking Dark Eldar-like. With a bit of 'gimp' thrown in. 

As the game went on we could see we had the edge and pressed home the advantage. Matts luck was still lacking, and we won the game by a large number of points. The Monolith did finally land, on the landing pad of all places and did some damage, but it was too late in the game. We all enjoyed the game though and it looked pretty good! It was nice to play against Necrons and actually win too, I've not had much luck against the metallic blighters! 

We also got some X-wing on the go too, I battle and triumphed against another of the MWWS members, this time Lee, who you may remember just got a win against me in the tourney we recently played for Help For Heroes, I really enjoyed playing Lee then and the same was true for this. We both learnt a little from playing each other, and luckily this time I managed to get the win. My nephew Josh also played Lee, and lost after they were both down to just one ship each, but Lee was able to win. 

Here they are looking at the range of a firefight. Note Graham sat down, the other member from MWWS who came down to visit and general allround nice bloke. He even got an extra cake! 

Heres Mike having an intro game against Bam. I don't remember who won but Mike did say he enjoyed the game, more people to fight against hopefully! 

Myself and Bam played, and it was he who took the win. Always fun playing Bam, we've known each other a while so winning is always nice, and the trash talk is always good!

Owain turned up eventually and Dredd was played! 

He and Mike battled it out for control of Megablock, and they seemed to enjoy themselves immensly. Looks like the Adeptus Arbits have close ties to the Judges... Hmmm..

And there we have the tenth birthday of the Tredegar Reavers. 

As I mentioned in the introduction, we'd decided to move the club. Convenience and money being the main issues, as most of the members were now from other areas Tredegar was becoming a difficult place for many of us to get too, and with only 3 and a half hours it was difficult at times to fit games in that were more involving. We were also paying a lot for what was, in all honesty, a really good venue but it was simply too expensive for us. 

Now however even though its a smaller space, we can still fit four 6x5 tables in here easily, have a slightly larger store room and its only half the price. Perks of having your own studio! We also now have internet access, which means blog posts can be done while at club, which is a huge bonus for me. The main benefit, is that we now have 8 hours of gmaing time! from 2-10pm every monday, we  shall be rolling dice, flipping over cards, or painting our latest models. With the move, came a name change. Abertillery Reavers did not seem right in my mind, and I wanted it to be more all encompassing. So reborn.... 

The Gwent Reavers. This covers the more general area and better shows where its members are from. Lets hope we continue to grow and evolve to become an even better gaming club! 

As for the future of this blog, expect more posts, whether about news, reviews of games, and I'd love to get into making videos too. 2 HD cameras will make that tempting! Cheers for sticking by the blog anyways, there be more to come!

Batrep: SM vs DE and 'Da Plan'

Ah those accursed Dark Eldar. Aluns getting cocky now that hes won a a couple of games in a row, and we can't be having that! After an enlightening trip to Morroco and gazing at the Ultramar system from the Sahara, he sent me a vox to issue a challange. I accepted! 2k points, using the new tactical objectives. 

Deployment above, and yes, thats a landing pad! Purchased off the blogging worlds very own Combat Doctrine. I've gone for a very rusty effect as it'll be used more as terrain than anything, but I did try it out in this game.

Alun leapt out to a lead in the early goings, objectives going his way and jumping out to a 3-0 start straight away. I respond by being aggressive with some drop pods landing in his deployment, but failing in attracting more attetnion away from his main attack. Dammit!

My vindicare did nothing all day, and so he deserves not to be in this post. Bloody jink saves! The game was never really that close, whenever I thought able to just sneak closer Alun got some useful objectives and claimed them, and I think it finished about 12-6. I'm still very much getting to grips with using Imperial Guard as allies or as a force, and I think when we play next it'll be just marines! He needs a good kicking to bring him back down, he's already muttering about going to Terra to get some slaves...

Bam below demonstrating his kusomising skills making some orky vehicles. We've decided to do a demo game of Gorkamorka at a convention in Newport this year called Dragondaze, so we're both gonna be making some vehicles and buildings to use for it. 

Thats all for now, although a weekend down Cwmbran at the Crow Valley Crusaders is approaching and I'm sure I'll have a lot to speak about, and I'll also be posting about X-wing very soon!

Enter: Da Grot Webellyun!

Many moons ago on a wintery club night, greenskins clashed with orangeskins, shouting and bad grammar was expelled from mouths and strange vehicles arrayed on the table. And threats. Lots of threats. 'I'm having that trukk' being a common one. Bam, Louis and Owain played a few games of Gorkamorka, and its always been a game thats intrigued me. Growing up, I played Blood Bowl, Necromunda, Warhammer Quest, then had a gap and gradually got into 40k. Now however has been a great time to try Gorkamorka. For £40.50, you can get yourself a box of boys and a trukk to ravage to make into a mob. Only, I fancied something different. 

The Diggas looked appealing. Where orks love to copy the Imperium with its vehicles and camo designs, the Diggas copied the orks in Gorkamorka. Nice twist... but not me. Muties... Another interesting group, but converting models for it seemed difficult, and I want crude vehicles to build. Then I felt something gnawing my ankle. I looked down, and there were the grots. 

 I looked over the rules, and could see that although weak, they could gang up and outnumber their bigger cousins and their vehicles, while haphazard, could potentially be incredibly fast. Instantly though I knew I had to do grots. Winning games would be hard, but in my mind I want those hilarious moments and bringing down the occasional ork. Objectives in mind, how to build my mob!

With the latest Ork releases I knew that getting one of the mek guns would offer me countless bits to play with, an ork trukk would provide the basic chassis for a lugga and two boxes of grots would give me plenty of bodies. First thing to build, the cutta.

Heres how she looks, and I'm happy with the result. The frame was from two bits of sprue, as was the mast which was carved down to make it look like beaten metal or wood, either of which I'll paint it as. The crows nest was made from a base with a circular piece of flooring from a citadel basing kit, and then built up using pieces of plasticard and other such gubbinz as I could find!

I found the easiest way to attach the mast was to use part of an axle and a wheel, it was a natural fitting and looked salvaged enough to fit in with the feel.

Using a base for the crows nest means fitting a grot on top isn't a problem, and I have a grot with binoculars from the mek gun kit that suits it well. 

I've yet to make a sail or decide on what I want to paint on it, although crude GRC graffiti is tempting! 

Three WIP grots, the longer gun grots I'm using as snots as I've armed them with blunderbusses. Very happy with how they're coming along!

This is the lugga. Its not finished yet, but the basic shape is there and I'm sort of happy with it. Still needs more work, and I need to add some bits to make it a little more sturdy. The front cab is based around the hull of a sentinel, and I've used a leg to attach it to the back body of the lugga. 

Most of the other grots have been based green so I'll slowly work on this over the coming weeks when I'm able too, and I may undercoat the cutta soon as its finished and ready. 

I've even managed to fit a game in too, a four way between three mobs of orks and my grots. I've gained myself seven teef, and +1 bs for one grot although a couple were killed and Bam stole a few too! Swine, although I did gang up on his Nob and take him down! Looking forward to the next game, the fourway was a little chaotic so I think some 1v1 games are in order next. I'll post more updates when I can along with some other planned posts I have! 

Before I end this post, I'm looking for mob name suggestions! Send a comment and I'll see if any take my attention. Cheers for now though!

Help For Heroes Charity 40k Tournament

 This past Saturday, a gathering was held to compete in a charity tournament to help raise money for Help for Heroes. Organised by Andrew Wells and the Mid Wales Wargaming Society, 16 participants too part in a Warhammer 40,000 tournament with some interesting limitations. 

600 points per player, 1 troops mandatory, 2 HQ, 4 Troop, 2 Elite, 2 Fast Attack and just one Heavy Spupport slots were available. No 2+ armour or invulnerable saves, no more than 2 wounds on a model either.

Set in St Marys church hall in Builth Wells, our battlegrounds were laid out ready. 

Before the tournament started, some videos were shown and a brief chat about the charity were held. A great cause and only fuelled us to enjoy the day more. 

My first game was against a great guy called Chris and his all Jetbike army. A hugely enjoyable game and incredibly close up until the final moments, when I just couldn't get any good dice rolls! Great guy to play against, had a heck of a laugh and really enjoyed playing against his list even though it was the one I was concerned about the most.

Good to see the players being incredibly thoughtful about their tactics!

Byron's Preatorians decline advancing in favour of standing and shooting. 

This is Tris. I have no idea what was going on here! Tris did well on the day, his Tau doing pretty good but I'll keep the final positions til later.

So Alun, the elfling, took Eldar. Surprise surprise!

Adam, the Gale. One of the events sponsers and general nice bloke. Apart from when he starts crackings out. Then its 'TAKE HIM AWAY!!!'

With 16 competitors and some onlookers there was a great atmosphere at the venue. People were competitive, yet incredibly friendly too and it suited the day.

My second game against Malcom's Eldar went horribly. I'm trying to forget this one! 

Alun took on Byron and his feared Wyverns, and was able to get the better of them.

At the tournement, a best army vote was held at lunchtime, and here are the armies. 

Those pesky Crow Vally boys and their welcoming thumbs up!

My third game, against another lovely bloke called Lee, who I shall forever remember as 'Teaboy'. Had a crackingly close game game against his Grey Knights losing 1-0, more bad dice rolls but again, so bloody close! 

Andrew inspecting players are behaving, his naughty corner was the most feared aspect of the tourney.

Not Adams Apple, a MANS APPLE!

Chris being told his army is about to be wiped out.

Tris looks awfully smug here, another opponent about to be pulverised by pulse rifles no doubt!

Please feel free to add your own captions! 

Alun winning a tshirt, by being the right size. His pose is so professional, admire the elf doing what he does best.

Byron also winning a tshirt by being the correct size, and then winning a dice-off against two others to take it home. I think he needs some tips from Alun when it comes to posing!

'I HAD A FRIEND CALLED LEE, AND HE MAAADE, ALL THE TEA!' Most annoying voice award!

Shaun looking please after passing wind, and winning best army award!

Best potential army award went to this Timelord called Sam.

Narrowingly beating me for the Wooden Spoon award is Chris, going for the Statue of Liberty look I think. 

And behold the top three! Alun finished 3rd, Tris to the right finished second, and Chris finished first with his Jetbike army! All worthy winners, and I'm a tad proud of Alun for representing the club!  Shown below is the final table.

In all a great day, even though I finished winless three of those games were incredibly close and could have gone either way, with all my opponents being great fun to play against and hopefully we'll have some rematches in the future. For me this was a fitting end to 6th edition, as 7th is right around the corner. So how much was raised? 

Andrew Wells, the organiser, wrote this yesterday "Drum roll please, we have managed to raise an impressive £143.07 in aid of Help for Heroes, I would also like to thank everybody that turned up today and made today such a success and would hope to see you all for next years."

So a great amount of money raised, and just from rolling dice and having a good time! Thanks must go to the tea and coffee ladies that kept many of the players fuelled over the day, Adam Gale and Paul Simpson who sponsered the event, the Mid Wales Wargaming Society and in particular, Andrew Wells for making it all happen. Lets see what next year brings as Andrew has said this will become and annual event!