Archive for December, 2013

Base coat + first wash

Posted: 30 December 2013 in Eden
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I added some more base coat plus a wash. The citadel inks always look brighter (or more defined?) when wet. The skin colour is quite human looking and I think I need to make it a bit more alien (whatever that is but maybe just another yellow wash).  The shot does not show the true yellow , it looks brighter but you get the idea. So next is highlighting and detailing which I have started on the smallest one. I think they look the part and would be fun to have a game.


And a reference shot to show the different sizes

Eden – Nephilims starter box – base coat

Posted: 29 December 2013 in Eden, Painting Projects
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I undercoated the starter box models with Citadel foundation Dheneb Stone and Rhinox hide on the base. I undercoat using a large brush. This gives me a chance to have a good look at the model and plan the colours etc. The models are highly detailed and the armour is nicely done.

Next I used MSP sun yellow and Midnight Blue with some rainy grey. I did a test wash using Citdel casandra yellow. It looked quite orange but when applied it produces a nice yellow/orange wash that should highlight .

The was is still quite wet here and has dried to a nice finish with the base coat showing differently to the undercoat.


This shot is a better representation I think

Eden – Nephilims starter box – Assembly

Posted: 27 December 2013 in Eden, Painting Projects
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My xmas present arrived today from Taban, the Nephilims starter box. So if you didn’t know I am a huge fan of Taban and the Eden range of models. IMHO they are the best range of mini models since Rackham Confrontation. The Nephilims have created quite a bit of controversy as they are “Alien” and seem a strange addition to the post -apocalyptic world of Eden. I like them. The are quite strange and have some sort of breathing apparatus and look like they would be better living underwater.  The Range consists of

  • Yu’Silaa  a 20 point disc throwing , fast footed alien
  • Bo’Dagun who has a net with good combat stats of 5/4
  • Master Yg’Faris with a nergal tech weapon and high PSI of 5/4
  • Ar.Gamon a 35 Point beast with combat of 7/5 and VIG of 5/3

So the starter set is 20 + 25 + 20 + 35 for a total of 100 points, perfect for a quick game. 4 tactic cards and 3 mission cards round out the starter set plus a contaminated token and limited profile cards with graphics instead of model photos. Models based on the Taban resin bases 



Plus I picked some dice and the “Askari Alghul” a 35 point beast plus you can see the contaminated token.

Nice.

M2E – First game with new rules

Posted: 24 December 2013 in Malifaux, Malifaux
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I had a game of M2E today and found that the new rules speed up play and were relatively easy to follow. Compared to the first game of Malifaux back in 2009 , the new rules are much improved. I still have my original rule book with all the corrections in red ink (and there were a lot of them). Note: I used to be a Wyrd Henchman.

The Changes

I like the change to pre measure. No arguments about creeping during movement as you can see what is being measured and know whats happening. The streamlined duels are good and moving the soul stones bit to the start speeds things up as you know exactly what you need to reach TN or win. Removing the CA as a stat to the attack actions and also the weapons section to the attack actions simplifies the game processes. The charge action has changed from getting 1 attack with a + damage flip to getting 2 AP 1 attacks.

Tactical actions do not require an opposed duel and Attack action do. Focus and defence are more usable now as you can choose to do a defensive stance 1 and stack it twice. Damage is the same, you can still cheat damage if its not – . I like the rewording to “Accuracy Modifier” as its make more sense that combat total modifier. Horror duels have been rewritten quite a few times and I think the current 2E is the most understandable yet. There is no concept of falling back, you just get Paralysed instead. So instead of running you just do nothing.

The use of soul stones has been refined and it doesn’t add a card to a duel total anymore, but allows a + flip or a suit to final duel total. Or the one I like is that a soul stone can add + your defence flip and – to any damage flip. The bit that was always confusing was the coloured suits in the stat line, for triggers. This has been removed and the suit added into the attack stat line. Makes it easy to see what trigger to use.

In summary , its definitely different to Version 1. Is it better? I like the “cut down” stats and abilities and it makes it easier to prepare for a game. Not as much card reading during the game speeds up play and the soulstone changes are subtle but aid the forward thinker.The upgrade cards are a great idea to add flexibility and change the way you play a model with and without the upgrade.

The bits I don’t like so much

Having to get some more models or remodel some of my old ones. Specially Joss (has only 1 ax and a pneumatic fist), Maybe I can use the guild model Ryle and convert but he is on a 40mm base.

Having to wait until all the models get new stats , I know it takes time but I am impatient 🙂

Not being able to use the Voodoo doll with LOS. I know it was good but the new range is 10 inches and you have to pay 3 to get a Voodoo doll. I guess you get to deploy the voodoo at the start of the game hence the cost.

Silurids costing 7, they are not that good. They use to cost 5 and have a leap of 9 inches 😦

Not having the new model Cojo ( The big gorilla ) as he looks like a must have for a Marcus lead crew.

The bits I really like

Having to learn the rules and what the models do, it is like a fresh start

Streamlined play, its heaps faster

The new factions , especially the Ten Thunders

The awesome art work in the rule book e.g.

WWX in transit

Posted: 22 December 2013 in WildWestExodus
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My KS WWX is in transit . I am looking forward to making up an army of WWX for the Outlaws. I ordered the iron horses and a black jack, I will also get some interceptors as soon as they are released. From what everyone is saying the models are fantastic for a startup mini company. The plastic is proper GW or Malifaux plastic and not the sub standard resplastic (restex) that some companies use.

and the Interceptors (look a lot like the bike from the movie “Priest” )

And I didn’t get Gustav because I was unsure that they (Outlaw) could make the model work but they have. I will be getting one of these asap.

Navajo Wars

Posted: 16 December 2013 in Board Games
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I got a few new games and one of the was GMT’s Navajo Wars , A history of the American Southwest , 1598 to 1864.

Navajo Wars is a solitaire game that places the player in control of the Navajo tribe. For nearly 300 years, the Navajo fought to retain their independence. Theirs was one of the longest wars fought on the North American continent. Navajo Wars is divided into three historical periods: The Spanish Period (1598-1821), the Mexican Period (1821-1847), and the American Period (1847-1864).

Components

I had not purchased a GMT game before and I was pleasantly surprised with the very high quality components.  Also the support provided on the web site is great with a tutorial video and the usual rules books etc in digital form , that I have already dropped onto my iPad.

The board is very, very nice with crisp clean graphics and space for the play cards etc.

There are 5 types of cards: Operations cards; Ceremony cards; Cultural Development cards, Historical Event cards; and Transitional Event cards. The cards made out of a high quality card and are used to control the enemy AI , provide culture for your families and other game functions. Here are some culture cards showing weaving , horsemanship and religion.

and the operation cards, that drive each turn.

The enemy AI is depicted here showing the Mexican chits. For example the Comanche Action!: Represents the Comanche riding to the New Mexican’s aid in such subjugation. The Comanche as well as the Ute did engage in such mercenary work from time to time. But if New Mexico is subjugated, this represents the Comanche tribe being coaxed into making war on the Navajo—which they routinely did through the late 1750s. 

Rating on components  is 9/10 only being let down by the cardboard chits not completly aligned properly prior to stamping.

WWX – is almost here

Posted: 9 December 2013 in WildWestExodus
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I backed the WWX KS project and they have been packaging and shipping for a few weeks  but not to NZ yet. I have got lots of models coming and I am looking forward to doing some modelling and painting again. I also ordered some of the new releases shown here during the Cyber Monday sale.

Bill Brocius because I liked the hat and the braced gun.

Marcus Cunningham because of the big mallet

Kyle the Black because of the tools and his tool belt

Sasha Tanner because of the awesome hand blade weapons

and the Wraith because the cool revolving shotgun that fires the following ammo Fire Bullets,Thermite Bullets, Acid Bullets and Ion Bullets

Bring it on 🙂

 

Taban – New Faction

Posted: 8 December 2013 in Eden
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I have not blogged any news re Taban Eden game for ages. I have not really been playing much of anything lately but I could not resist putting in an order for the new box set , the Nephilims. The fluff is

The ” Nephilim ” as they are called by the survivors or Athrahasis as they name themselves, are alien whose ship crashed in the region of Dobrogea .
Interpreted as the fall of a shooting star, the fall of their spacecraft initially caused quite a bloodbath between the various warring factions of Eden, then deep ideological turmoil among the few survivors who have crossed the Aliens. Their presence is still unknown as very little information has been confirmed about them. They are dangerous, but the Nephilim are nothing compared to the threat they bode : a mass invasion of the wasteland .

The Atrahasis , thrived on Atra , a planet in the same galaxy as the Earth. These egg-laying creatures are all one species despite the remarkable morphological differences in their different castes : their physical and mental attributes are conditioned from the embryonic stage by the needs of their community. The circumstances of procreation, temperature, atmospheric conditions then , after birth, the food given play a fundamental role in the genetic development of young Atrahasis . Thus the caste of an individual is chosen at the design : some become ” Kala ” fighters, ” Asim ” intellectuals, or even ” Zimri ” ​​explorers .

A selection of this genetic caste overlaps the rules of a pyramidal society divided into large clans . each Atrahasis  clan has a name , emblem , leads a region on the planet Atra and is distinguished by a range of skills preferred : hunting , trade , diplomacy , industry, medicine, etc. .

The final determinant , that places the individual in the social scale is determined by a combination of other factors such as , in order of importance , the personal prestige in its clan’s skills pro efficiency , its age or number offspring .
At the top of each clan is a leader, and the community of these leaders select every ten years ( Earth time scale ) the ” Shulgi “; the supreme ruler of Atra .

and

The nergal weapons

The parasite that provoked the destruction of Razhasis was in fact on board of the Nephilim’s ark. Its unique host, called Nergal, sacrificed himself after the jump towards Eden to save those he thought were the last remnants of his species.

The parasite did not disappear : some Asim and Kala used it to develop the nergals, weapons that turn their victims into slavish zombies. Only the Asim dare to use such a despicable weapon for now, but they all agree on saying that all the means are admissible to ensure the survival of the species.

The box set has these four plus one more which I especially like which is some sort of  game token. I have not seen stat but looking at Ar Gamon card just below , he has combat 7/5 which is very good and 6 hits for his arms. For only 35 points that looks very good. I think the most interesting one will be the little guy with the pistol?