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Finding the Fun Again

By

On 29th August 2025

In Blog

As Warhammer: Age of Sigmar turns ten, I’ve been reflecting on how much the game has changed. and, more importantly, how much my relationship with it has changed. Somewhere along the way, the joy I used to feel slipped out of reach. I still love the models, I still love the worlds, but playing? That’s another story. And honestly, I don’t want it to stay that way. I want to find the fun again.

I was there on day one. I tried the new rules, I liked the look of the Stormcast Eternals (even if they did get called “Sigmarines” by everyone on the internet), and I stuck with it. The early days were rough, no points, no balance, just arguments about how to make a fair game. It really was the Wild West, and plenty of people hated it. They hated the death of the Old World, they hated the move to high fantasy, they said it looked like a game for kids.

But I kept going. And when the General’s Handbook finally landed, it clicked. Suddenly the game worked. By Second Edition, I was all in. Endless Spells were amazing fun, the Sacrosanct Chamber gave me my favourite models, and the Nighthaunt were some of the best villains we’d seen in Warhammer. Add in writers like Josh Reynolds, and the Mortal Realms felt alive and fresh. That was peak Age of Sigmar for me.

Then came Third Edition. The new Thunderstrike Stormcast were… fine, but they didn’t excite me like the chunky Liberators and Sequitors had. More than that, the whole tone of the game seemed to shift. Competitive play had always been there, but now it felt like the focus. And by Fourth Edition, things just broke for me. My beloved Sacrosanct models — not even six years old — were squatted. Yes, the Stormcast range was bloated, but wiping away entire playstyles in one go? That stung.

I’ll admit it: I was bitter. Very bitter. I didn’t buy the new starter box, shoved my Stormcast into storage, and picked up Greenskins instead. I joined an escalation league, but even then, the magic wasn’t there. The narrative side of the game had all but vanished, terrain felt like a box-ticking exercise, and every match seemed to orbit around the latest “meta” list. I wasn’t showing up to play anymore, I was showing up to hang out with friends, with the games themselves feeling like chores I had to get through before the actual fun started.

The return of Chaos Dwarves should have set my heart racing, after all, they were my very first army in any system, my first love in the hobby. The models themselves are incredible, beautifully sculpted, and exactly the kind of army that should make me excited to get painting and building. And yet… the thought of playing them in the current version of Age of Sigmar just turns me off. It’s not the models; it’s the game around them. The overly competitive focus, the meta-driven play, the lack of narrative feel, all of it saps the excitement I should feel for something so personal. It reminded me that no matter how much I love an army, if the game around it isn’t fun, the joy doesn’t follow and that’s something I need to fix for myself.

And part of that’s on me. Since my brain injury, I can’t hold rules in my head the way I used to. I was sharp once, but now I forget things, I get muddled, and honestly? I lose a lot. I’m used to that. But when the whole culture around the game feels like it’s built for hyper-competitive play, it leaves me feeling like there’s no space for someone like me who just wants to throw dice and tell a story.

But here’s the thing: I don’t actually want to give up. I still love the models. I still get excited when I see a new sculpt, even if I can’t muster the will to buy it. And deep down, I still want to enjoy the game. I just need to change how I approach it.

So here’s my new plan: stop chasing the meta. Stop pretending I care about tournaments. Stop playing like winning matters. Instead, I’m going to lean into the stuff that actually makes me smile. If that means turning up with a weird, suboptimal list, great! If it catches my opponent off guard, even better. And who knows? Sometimes those “bad” lists surprise people, and suddenly you’ve not only given your opponent a more memorable game, but you might even scrape an unexpected win.

That’s the kind of joy I want back. Games where my Orks run around being loud, messy, and hilarious. Games where my Knights crash into things just because it looks cool on the table. Boards that look like real places with varied terrain, even if it’s not ITC compliant. I’ve got 17 boxes of terrain that the competitive crowd says are useless, but they’re going on my tables anyway. I want battlefields that tell stories, not perfectly symmetrical chessboards where people measure gaps for half an hour before rolling a single dice.

I need to play more Heresy, it’s the game I love most. I’ve seen how stepping back from the competitive grind can change the experience. Take Graham, for example. He was once the most cutthroat, WAAC-focused player I knew locally. But since he started playing Heresy more for fun, he’s mellowed out. He still likes to win, of course, but he’s way more relaxed and chill these days. Watching him enjoy the game without stressing about the meta has reminded me that maybe I can do the same, that the joy of gaming doesn’t have to come from trophies or “perfect” play, but from simply loving the game itself.

And maybe I’ll spread my wings a bit more. Try Trench Crusade. Dip into The Old World if I can decide on an army. Play some historical with Bolt Action and maybe even some Napolionics. Explore games that don’t have the same competitive baggage, where the focus is back on narrative, creativity, and having a laugh.

At the end of the day, I don’t care about trophies or titles. I don’t care if I’m not “keeping up.” What I care about is fun. I want opponents who smile when they see my army, not because they think it’ll be an easy win, but because they know it’s going to be a fun game. That’s the whole point of this hobby.

Because let’s be honest: most of us got into this for joy. For the excitement of a new box of plastic, for the thrill of rolling that clutch dice, for the stories we tell after the game’s over. Somewhere along the line, I lost sight of that. But I’m ready to start looking for it again.

And that’s why I’ve started drafting my own little manifesto for fun gaming: a set of rules to keep myself honest and make sure the hobby stays joyful, for me and for anyone I play with.

My Manifesto for Fun Gaming

  1. Play what I love: If I like the model, the lore, or the look, it belongs in my army, meta can go to hell.
  2. Every list needs a curveball: At least one “weird” choice that isn’t optimal but makes me smile, and might just surprise my opponent.
  3. Paint at my pace: If a model sits on my desk for two months, that’s fine. This isn’t a race, it’s a hobby.
  4. Terrain should tell stories: Symmetry is for chessboards. I want tables that look like real places worth fighting over.
  5. Winning is optional, fun is mandatory: A memorable story beats a victory every single time.
  6. Celebrate the silly moments: A goblin felling a gargant with a lucky stab should be cheered louder than a finely-tuned combo working as intended.
  7. Make the game fun for my opponent: If they walk away smiling, it was a success, win or lose.
  8. Keep exploring: Try new games, new armies, or new scenarios if they spark excitement. Stagnation kills joy.
  9. No guilt, no grind: If I’m not enjoying it, I step back, take a breather, and come back when the spark’s there.
  10. Remember why I started: Dice, stories, friends, and toy soldiers. Everything else is optional.

What I Am Modelling

I started out the week by painting this Knight-Draconis, with the scheme of a Blue-Eyes white Dragon which my sister in law, Jane will get a kick out of

After that I finished up this Griffin from the BattleTech Beginners Box for the Federated Suns

For the Red Brigade I painted a Yeoman

A Trench Cleric

And a Trench Dog

I also cracked on with these Armiger Helverins for my House Taranis force

So what’s up next?

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  2. Stormdrake Guard x 4
  3. Blood Angels Intercessors x 5
  4. Ultramarines Tactical Squad x 10
  5. Myari’s Purifiers
  6. Tempestus Aquilons x 11
  7. Red Brigade Warband
  8. Ork Warboss in Mega Armour
  9. Death Korps of Krieg Engineers x 6
  10. Dark Angels Firestrike Servo Turrets x 2

What I Am Reading

I finished The Silent King by Guy Haley, that was a lot of fun and wove together a lot of the novels published since 8th Edition, bringing together the Pariah Nexus and Dark Imperium stuff along with a few other bits I have yet to read

Its a shame the Dawn of Fire series has ended, if they had all been as good as that book, it would have been amazing!

I am now listening to Singularity by James Swallow, only about a quarter of the way through but so far, so good!

Also made some great progress with Era of Ruin as well, and should finish that in the next day or two, on the last story now!

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

Myself and Megan played Unlock! Game Adventures and went through the Mysterium pack, and that was fine, a little confusing at times however.

I also played a game of Heresy with Graham, and weirdly I won!

But later on we realised that Graham remembered his Comptroller rule, he would have won by 1 point instead of me winning by 3!

What I Am Spending

I bought myself a paint top up, so glad Gamers-At-Hart are now selling Fanatic paints

I also picked up Liber Astartes, and a third Dracosan for the Solar Auxilia

In terms of video games, I did buy The Expanse: A Telltale Series, Silver Box Classics and Gimmick! Special Edition

Whoop A 9070XT

By

On 20th August 2025

In Blog

My RTX 3070 has bee. Great apart form one issue, VRAM, 8GB didn’t cut it and in too many games it proved to be an issue

I had planned on upgrading when the 60 series came out but struggles in games like Darktide and Cyberpunk 2077 convinced to upgrade early.

And for the first time in a very long time, I went for a Radeon card, specifically the 9070XT, the Acer Predator Bifrost 9070XT OC!!!

The card is beautiful and looks amazing in my PC and performs like a dream, especially in games where the devs have added FSR 3 and above.

My performances in Cyberpunk 2077 has gone up a hell of a lot, yeah some is via frame gen, but honestly, the AMD implementation of that feel fine.

I am sadly like far too many PC gamers and will upgrade my rig regardless if it needing it sometimes!

And in all honesty if the RTX 3070 wasn’t struggling with its VRAM in certain games I probably would have kept it as its performance is good, it’s just been hamstrung slightly which is annoying.

Also AV1 encoding is fantastic, and has been really good for my YouTube videos.

But that card is still going to live on in the house as Megan has had their rig upgraded from the GTX 1660Ti to the RTX 3070, which will give her some great gaming performance in the games they play, like Disney Dreamlight Valley and The Sims 4.

Meanwhile her GTX 1660Ti and the Ryzen 5 3600 that used to live in that rig, which I upgraded to a 5600X when I changed my CPU to a 5700X3D, well we have an idea for that!

What I am Modelling

I started off by painting this Command Squad for my Ultramarines in MKIII Armour, 5 guys all armed with Power Swords and Combat Shields

I already have a MKIII Banner Bearer from the old kit, so he will be hoping these where needed

I also painted up these two Heralds in MKVI Armour

After that I decided to get the Imperial Fists I have finished so that they can go into storage for a bit, and started out with an Overseer

Then a squad of Breachers

After that I turned my attention to The Red Brigade of New Antioch and painted a few figures for them starting with a Lieutenant

Then Lieutenant MacDonald

Followed by a Stormtrooper

And a Yeoman

Then I finished off this Draconis Combine Vindicator for BattleTech

So what does that leave me with to paint next

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  2. Knight Draconis & Stormdrake Guard x 4
  3. Armiger Helverin x 2
  4. Blood Angels Intercessors x 5
  5. Ultramarines Tactical Squad x 10
  6. Myari’s Purifiers
  7. Tempestus Aquilions x 11
  8. Red Brigade Warband
  9. Ork Warboss in Mega Armour
  10. Death Korps of Krieg Engineers x 6

What I Am Reading

I listened to the next couple of books in the Doctor Who monthly range staring with Live 34 by James Parson which was pretty good, this was followed by Scaredy Cat by Will Shindler which was actually pretty dire.

I then started to listen to The Silent asking by Guy Haley, which is quite good, seems to be weaving together a few more recent threads from the novels of 8th and 9th editions.

I also read To Speak As One, also by Guy Haley, which was a nice little story covering some of Cawls entourage

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

On Tuesday I played a game of 1500pts against Graham with my Solar Auxilia, using this list against his Mechanicum

Crusade Primary Detachment

High Command

Legatine Command Squad
 Bayonets x 4
 Blast Charger x 4
 Needle Pistol
 Power Fist
 Cohorts Vexiliia
 Augury Scanner
 Command Vox

Command

Armoured Command Section
 Dozer Blade
 Flare Shield
 Searchlight
 Lascannon
 Multi-Laser
 Prime Advantage:- Logistical Benefit

Transport

Aurox

War Engine

Aetheon Heavy Sentinel Squadron x 3
 Incinerator

Infantry Tercio

Troopa

Lasrifle Section x 20
 Bayonets x 20
 Vexilla
 Vox Interlock

Lasrifle Section x 20
 Bayonets x 20
 Vexilla
 Vox Interlock

Heavy Transport

Dracosan 
 Dozer Blade
 Searchlight 

Dracosan 
 Dozer Blade
 Searchlight

Armour Tercio

Armour

Leman Russ Vanquisher
 Dozer Blade

Leman Russ Vanquisher
 Dozer Blade

We are still learning the new Editon but we are now getting to grips with it a bit better

But Grahams Tech-Thralls were a tad more resilient and less likely to panic than my Lasriflemen

Then on Friday at Gamers@Hart, me and Russell played 1500 points, I took the this list

# ++ Crusade Primary Detachment ++ [723 Point(s)]

## High Command [135 Point(s)]

Praetor [135 Point(s)]: Bolt pistol (default), Paragon Blade, High Command Detachment Choice (One Apex Detachment)

## Command [215 Point(s)]

Centurion [100 Point(s)]: Melta bombs, Bolt pistol (default), Power fist, Frag grenades, Krak grenades

Master of Signals [115 Point(s)]: Bolt pistol, Frag grenades, Krak grenades, Command vox relay

## Retinue [210 Point(s)]

Praetorian Command Squad [210 Point(s)]:
• 1x Chosen Champion [12 Point(s)]: Power sword, Combat shield
• 1x Chosen [52 Point(s)]: Legion standard, Power sword, Combat shield
• 3x Chosen [32 Point(s)]: Power sword, Combat shield

## Troops [163 Point(s)]

Tactical Squad [163 Point(s)]: Frag grenades, Krak grenades
• 1x Sergeant [15 Point(s)]: Lightning claw, Volkite serpenta
• 1x Legionary [22 Point(s)]: Bolt pistol, Bolter, Augury scanner, Chain bayonet
• 1x Legionary [22 Point(s)]: Bolt pistol, Bolter, Nuncio-vox, Chain bayonet
• 1x Legionary [22 Point(s)]: Bolt pistol, Bolter, Vexilla, Chain bayonet
• 6x Legionary [12 Point(s)]: Bolt pistol, Bolter, Chain bayonet
  Prime Unit (Logistical Benefit (LB - Retinue))

# ++ Auxiliary - Armoured Fist ++ [530 Point(s), 1 Auxilary Detachment(s)]

## Heavy Transport [530 Point(s)]
Land Raider Carrier [265 Point(s)]: Twin heavy bolter, Two Sponson Mounted Twin lascannon

Land Raider Carrier [265 Point(s)]: Twin heavy bolter, Two Sponson Mounted Twin lascannon

# ++ Auxiliary - Tactical Support ++ [90 Point(s), 1 Auxilary Detachment(s)]

## Support [90 Point(s)]

Tactical Support Squad [90 Point(s)]: Rotor cannon, Bolt pistol, Frag grenades, Krak grenades
• 1x Sergeant
• 4x Legionary [8 Point(s)]

# ++ Auxiliary - Heavy Support ++ [155 Point(s), 1 Auxilary Detachment(s)]

## War-engine [155 Point(s)]

Contemptor Dreadnought [155 Point(s)]: Gravis bolt cannon, Gravis chain fist and combi-bolter (Gravis chainfist, Combi-bolter)

It was a great game, but I lost, and that was down to secondaries, Russell got ahead early on, but I was able to catch up, what cost me the game was not having a balanced list to be honest, not enough Line and no Vanguard

What I Am Creating

The next videos in the Heresy series went up, those being Ultramarines and Death Guard, two legions I have been collecting for a long time as well as the Thousand Sons

I also published the next episode of Edge of Empire

What I Am Spending

I bought a few games, a couple of Humble Bundles starting with this months Humble Choice that got me

And the WB Play the Legends Bundle that netted me

The rest of the games went into a second Steam account I am maintaining for whichever nibbling starts wanting to play PC games first!

And the Table Top Tag Team Bundle which got me

I also got seperatly

  • Mood:- Feeling a bit more positive
  • Caffeinated Beverages Consumed:- 1
  • In My Ears:- The Flood – Take That
  • Tabletop Game Last Played:- The Horus Heresy
  • Video Game Last Played:- Diablo IV
  • Book Last Read:- Era of Ruin – Various Authors
  • Audiobook Last In My Ears:- The Silent King – Guy Haley
  • Movie Last Viewed:- Star Trek: Section 31
  • TV Show Last Viewed:- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
  • Podcast Last In My Ears:- The WAN Show
  • Current State of Projects:- Knight Draconis about 75% done

A New 3D Printing Journey

By

On 2nd August 2025

In Blog

For a few months now we have had a list of things we want to do to improve our home infrastructure

So that’s been things like the new car, replacing the vacuum cleaner and a new home server

High on that list has been a filament 3D printer to do the things my resin one cannot, and this week, we finally got it!

We went for the ever popular and ever reliable Bambu Labs A1! Paul has the A1 Mini and raves about it, so we figured to go for the same as him.

But he has an AMS, we currently do not (long term it’s on the list)

It’s living in my studio, because the cats don’t go up there, nor will visiting children

Assembly was fine, the video helped a lot and it probably took about an hour to get from unboxing to having Benchy starting to print

We borrowed some already dried blue filament from Paul, the first thing printed, other than a benchy and a poop bin, was some replacement pegs for our Socktopus, using an STL that Lindsay found on the Bambu Handy app

We have printed a fair few things, Megan has been especially happy with the initiative tokens for DnD and this over the screen dice tower!

We also got round to printing the storage solution we have been wanting to sort out for Takenoko

We have built up a bit of a supply of different coloured filaments to use for some toys for the nibblings

It’s a really great printer, and we are really happy with it and looking forward to way it can do!

What I Am Modelling

I started off with a second Heavy Mechanised Infantry for the Trench Crusade Red Brigade

I painted the Dark Disciples from the Dark Apostle that I had painted up for the Word Bearers

After that it was some scenery for my oldie world set

Then an Overseer for my Word Bearers

Followed by an Overseer for the Ultramarines

Then a Centurion for the Ultramarines

So what’s next on the list?

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  2. Stormdrake Guard x 4 & Knight Draconis
  3. Imperial Fists Breachers x 10
  4. Armiger Helverin x 2
  5. Blood Angels Intercessors x 5
  6. Ultramarines Tactical Squad x 10
  7. Myari’s Purifiers
  8. Tempestus Aquilions x 11
  9. Red Brigade Warband
  10. Ork Warboss in Mega Armour

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

I played Graham in a last hurrah for 2.0 Heresy, of course I lost as he dismantled my Fists, but it was a really fine game

Last Sunday, we hosted CJ and played a game of Unspeakable Words and Fluxx, I won Unspeakable Words and Lindsay won Fluxx

On Tuesday I had a first game of 3.0 with Graham, we got to only 3.0, and I can tell you this, it’s a hell of a lot of fun!!!

What I Am Reading

I finished CL Werner’s Lady of Sorrows as an audio book, fairly good read, one of the twists seemed really obvious, the other, not so much.

Good story and makes me want more Nighthaunt books!

What Video Games I Am Playing

Not much this past fortnight, but I have played a little Cyberpunk 2077

Myself, Chris and Graham have started a playthrough of Diablo IV, which is pretty fun.

What I Am Creating

I published the paining videos for the Night Lords, Blood Angels, Iron Hands and World Eaters this past fortnight

And a further Edge of Empire episode!

What I Am Spending

Ok, these next two I didn’t spend money on but rather was gifted, starting out with a Sicaran Venator that someone gave to Gamers-At-Hart to distribute to the community, and this one ended ok with me

And Graham was kind enough to give me this Stugg III, for my Bolt Action Germans

I did treat myself to a MKIII Command Squad for Heresy, which will join the Ultramarines

Will be making the guys inside as all Power Sword and Combat Shield guys as I have a MKIII banner guy to join them already, but will probably print off a couple of MKVI bodies to make two more Heralds/Banner Bearers

Of course I was saving up for Saturnine, and I picked it up from Gamers@Hart last Saturday

I only bought the Liber Auxilia hoping the other two books would be coming out as ePubs, but no dice on that thus far

I have bought a couple of games

A Bit of a Break & Heresy Camp

By

On 4th July 2025

In Blog

I haven’t been posting for a while, alas a lot of it comes down to going through my usual summer slump and a bit of depression I have been battling, but I am trying to turn myself around.

Giving myself some projects to do, and things to try and keep me occupied, I really think I am missing Company of Legends, it gave me something to focus on, something to look forward to and these last couple of years without it, well I have been doing a bit badly.

But let’s crack on and update you on my last few months, so let’s get into it!

Heresy Camp

This other weekend, I attended Heresy Camp, run by some amazing friends of mine, and how did a not “Company of Legends” weekender go?

On Friday I met up with James at Gamers-at-Hart and we played a warm up game with our armies, my Solar Auxilia and his Sisters of Silence

To remind you, this is the list I have taken.

LI - Solar Auxilia - Solar For Camp - [3000 Pts]

## HQ [437 Pts]

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Command Tank [270 Pts]: Leman Russ Command Tank (Armoured Fist Pattern Cohorts (Check Limitations manually), Battle Cannon, Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Warlord, Lascannon, Multi-Laser, Cognis-Signum, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield)

Tactical Command Tercio [167 Pts]:
• 1x Tactical Command Section [167 Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Meltabombs, Refractor Field, Augury Scanner, Command Vox, Cohorts Vexilla
  • 1x Auxilia Captain [2 Pts]: Void Armour, Auxilia Captain, Pistol and Combat weapon (Sub-menu) (Close Combat Weapon, Needle Pistol)
  • 4x Auxilia Companion [12 Pts]: Void Armour, Lasrifle
    Aurox Transport (Smoke Launchers)

## Elites [45 Pts]

Medicae Section [45 Pts]:
• 3x Auxilia Medicae [15 Pts]: Auto-medicus, Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol

## Troops [1118 Pts]

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160 Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160 Pts]:
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [140 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter, Dozer Blade
    Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160 Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160 Pts]:
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [140 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter, Dozer Blade
    Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160 Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [160 Pts]:
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [140 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter, Dozer Blade
    Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)

Infantry Tercio [319 Pts]:
• 1x Rifle Sections [319 Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
  • 1x Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
  • 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle and Bayonet [6 Pts]: Bayonet, Lasrifle
    Dracosan Armoured Transport (Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Gravis Lascannon, Dozer Blade)

Infantry Tercio [319 Pts]:
• 1x Rifle Sections [319 Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
  • 1x Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
  • 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle and Bayonet [6 Pts]: Bayonet, Lasrifle
    Dracosan Armoured Transport (Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Gravis Lascannon, Dozer Blade)

## Fast Attack [200 Pts]

Carnodon Strike Squadron [200 Pts]:
• 3x Solar Auxilia Carnodon [65 Pts]: Smoke Launchers
  Two Sponson Mounted Volkite Caliver (Two Sponson Mounted Volkite Caliver), Turret Mounted Volkite Culverin (Volkite Culverin)

## Heavy Support [900 Pts]

Aethon Heavy Sentinel Squadron [200 Pts]:
• 3x Aethon Heavy Sentinel [65 Pts]: Aethon Missile Battery, Multi-Laser

Malcador Heavy Tank Squadron [350 Pts]:
• 1x Malcador Heavy Tank [350 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Vanquisher Battle Cannon, Demolisher Cannon, Hull (Left) & Hull (Right) Mounted Lascannon, Pintle Mounted Multi-Laser, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield

Malcador Heavy Tank Squadron [350 Pts]:
• 1x Malcador Heavy Tank [350 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Vanquisher Battle Cannon, Demolisher Cannon, Hull (Left) & Hull (Right) Mounted Lascannon, Pintle Mounted Multi-Laser, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield

## Lords of War [300 Pts]

Macharius Heavy Tank Squadron [300 Pts]: Macharius Vanquisher Cannon
• 1x Macharius Heavy Tank [280 Pts]: Two Sponson Mounted heavy stubbers, Hull (Front) Mounted twin-linked heavy stubber, Smoke Launchers

The game was fine, I was punished for not being more aggressive with taking objectives and thus lost the game, but damn the Sisters move very fast!

After the game myself and James made our way to Moorhouse Adventure Centre where we hung out for a bit, I was going to play Zone Mortalis, but decided to come home that night cause I wanted us to pick up Graham the next morning, but there were some great games being played

On Saturday after returning with Graham, I played on Table 5 against Nick Hall and his Emperors Children including a Deamon Prince Fulgrim

The missions and environment rules were fairly punishing with vehicles and dreadnoughts moving within 3” of terrain having to fire on the nearest United friend or foe, which saw me destroy one of own Carnadons and Nick wipe out a Recon Squad of his

Deamon Fulgrim is a beast and basically ate two squads of Lasmen and my Command squad, in the end I lost by a lot!

Game 2 was on table 3 vs Johns Death Guard, which was a mostly infantry list, but damn Death Guard are tough

Combination of Mortaion, who kept healing the wounds I put on him, and a trio of Dreadnoughts just ripped apart my tanks and I was tabled again

Game 3 was against Chris’s World Eaters on Table 4 and I wasn’t tabled, which was a bonus, but his fast troops, and awesome advanced reaction made short work of my tanks.

After the game I had my tea, a lovely Chinese takeaway of chips and fried rice in curry sauce and salt and pepper chicken, after which we had a Heresy Quiz, which I did respectably in.

The next day I played Matthew and his traitor White Scars, which was tough game, the rules were a bit complicated and I was forced to keep my men out of their transports to carry the objective.

But Matthew had a pair of Whirlwind Scorpius, which just deleted all of my infantry as they tried to take the objective to the target area.

The last game, I was grudged by Mark Frost, and he is a very good player with his Daemons of the Ruinstorm, and he doesn’t use lube!

So yeah that was a horrible loss, but a very very fun game and I loved it.

Overall the traitors won the weekend, which was a shame for my side, but it was a really great weekend

I was given a little something for Edge of Empire having pioneered these events, I got some dice, Death Guard Heads and a Harlequin Shadowseer!

The award winners were all very deserving, especially Keith’s Space Wolves which won best hobby.

The guys did an amazing job, and I am looking forward to returning should they run it again!

My Own Event

I ran my own little Heresy event at Durham Raiders, and I think it went well.

We had two games of 3500pts, with some very simple missions, the whole idea of the day was for it to be chilled out and easy going.

It was a nice way to say goodbye to 2.0 and I think I would love to run some similar events for 3.0.

What I Am Modelling

I did prior to the even paint up some tokens for me and Graham to use at the event, to show us what the various status of our stuff was

There are simply primed in black, dry brushed with Leadbelcher and then washed with Nazdreg Yellow

The first models I painted afterwards were some Deathshroud for the Death Guard to complete the new Combat Patrol.

I then painted some Thousand Sons Scarab Occult Terminators for their Combat Patrol.

Alongside an Infernal Master.

Then I painted up a test piece for a new terrain project, this one is going to be for a no man’s land board for Trench Crusade, but is also going to be generic enough that it won’t look out of place in Bolt Action or Warhammer Fantasy Battle

Kind of an old worldie European looking set

I then painted up a Helbrute for the World Eaters, armed with a fist and and hammer

And then some Dark Angels Incursors

Then I painted up this Dark Apostle, who will be seeing use as a Chaplin or perhaps even a Praetor in my Word Bearers

And another Helbrute for the World Eaters followed, this time armed with a fist and Power Scourge

I then added a Knight Magaera to the forces of House Taranis

This year I want to finally play some Legions Imperialis, so I painted up the bases to make my Aeronautica models usable, went for a sandstone type scheme

And then to make my way to a fully painted Blood Angels Combat Patrol, I finished up this Impulsor for them

After that I painted a Praetor for my Ultramarines

I then painted a Gondola for Carnivale, a game I really want to play at some point soon!

And after that I finished up this Leman Russ Demolisher for the Solar Auxilia and Astra Militarium

So what’s next on the agenda?

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  2. Stormdrake Guard x 4 and Knight Draconis
  3. Imperial Fists Breachers x 10
  4. Armiger Helverin x 2
  5. Blood Angels Intercessors x 5
  6. Ultramarines Tactical Squad x 10
  7. Myari’s Purifiers
  8. Tempestus Aquilons x 10
  9. The Red Brigade
  10. Ork Warboss in Mega Armour

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

Myself, Lindsay and Graham played some Firefly at Durham Raiders, Grahams first time playing and he won!

My Knights had a game against the Necrons

I basically wiped out his army, but alas he won on points

My Solar Auxilia had a run out against Graham and Andrew, anothe loss for me!

I played Dale and his Disciples of Tzeentch in AoS, and he throughly demolished my army!

I played Craig’s Space Wolves with my Knights again

And weirdly, I actually won a game!

I also finished off the AoS League with a game against Andrews Skaven

Of course I lost!

And finally, myself and Graham had an intro game of Bolt Action in which I played the Germans (because I already have a German army) and Graham the British, I think he won, but really we were just figuring the game out

Neil who took us though it was champion

What Video Games I Am Playing

I finished Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster, still got a couple of achievements to pick up however

I also started playing Cyberpunk 2077, at long last.

I originally bought it on GOG a few days after release, despite my system at the time only having a 1660 Ti, which wouldn’t have run it well, but I got it for under a tenner due to the very poor reviews of the state it was in at launch.

But my experience with GOG Galaxy and its cloud saves ended up having me buy it on Steam in a sale earlier this year, alongside Phantom Liberty.

I even bought Phantom Liberty on GOG, but losing all my saves in Control when GOG Galaxy crashed, has put me off GOG for anything I really want to invest time in.

So the reason I am only now just playing it now is cause with these kinds of games, I tend to wait until all the expansion are out, and then have a massive big playthough then, and well it took a bit for Phantom Liberty to come out and I was busy with other stuff.

I have still been playing some Hell Let Loose most Mondays at least and often a game on Wednesday nights as well, and the other week we had this score which was incredible!

What I Am Creating

I have started a new YouTube painting series Just About Tabletop Standard, in which I am going to paint a Marine from each of the 18 Legions from Horus Heresy.

We started out with an episode on the Dark Angels, followed by an episode on the Emperor’s Children

What I Am Spending

The grown up purchase the past few months was a new vacuum cleaner, we ended up getting a GTech AirRam Mk2 K9, and Lindsay is very happy with it, she always gets excited for new vacuum cleaners!

Our new car was also delivered, we got a Renault Mégane E-Tech which is a really nice car, quite a bit more range than our last and a few extra niceties as well, like a pair of USB-C sockets in the back and dual zone air-con

I bought some dice for my Blood Angels & Tyranids

And my Warhammer + model of Inquisitor Ostromandeus arrived

And I picked up a cheap desk mat from Temu to replace the one that Cassius has shredded up

Plus a poster for the studio

I also picked up a business card holder, specifically for use with the Firefly Board Game.

I managed to get all of the issues of Combat Oatrol I wanted, issues 37, 38, 39 and 40, to get me a Helbrute, some Chaos Terminators and some Wraithguard

To add to my pile of Combat Pattols I need to paint, I bought the Black Templars box

Which means other than Deathwatch I have all of the 9th Edition ones that can be in 10th

I upgraded the server with a couple of SSDs, one to host my websites, including this blog, and one to back up the VM images and the websites

Whilst at UK Games Expo, I did pick up the Battletech Beginner Box, I really want to play some of this game again, played it as a teenager, and want to relive my youth!

I bought Zodgrod Wortsnagga off my friend James, and I am really looking forward to getting this hairy git in the table

I also stocked up on resin

And finally a Leman Russ Assault Tank to add to the Solar Auxilia/Astra Militarium

We had three lots of Humble Choice , so I got out of that

And I also bought the Xbox Games Studio Bundle to net me

I also bought over the past couple of months

The New Server

By

On 9th May 2025

In Blog

I have finally gotten around to sorting out a new server for the house.

Gone for a Fujitsu TX1310-M1 with a Xenon E3-1226V3 with 32GB Ram and even comes with a 512gb SSD and a pair of 3TB HDDs.

Got it for £130 which I don’t think is a terrible price, but when they went to ship it to me, they found they had lost the side panel and they contacted me to offer a discount of £26, which is accepted, I can always pop a Perspex cover on it.

It came on the Thursday and was delivered by DHL, coming at lunchtime.

So the planning started as soon as I hit buy on as to how best implement this and get it up and running and that started with the decision to run Proxmox on bare metal.

So that was installed and I created a ZFS pool with the two 3TB drives.

The first container I set up was for Casa OS, which would be hosting most of the media stuff, starting with the basics of PLEX and AudioBookShelf.

Once that was setup, I started setting stuff up, but I soon realised that I had a fatal issue, my hard drives with the media on were formatted in NTFS which docker doesn’t play nice with 😭

So I had to transfer data to drives that were being formatted in EXT4 or the ZFS pool, starting with the movies library, and then the slow process of the TV shows which would take some time annoyingly.

In the meantime I set up a second VM running Foundry VTT that me and Chris are going to play around with to see if it will prove a decent replacement for Roll20.

The data transfer took a good long while, there was a lot to transfer.

But alas, in my attempts to be clever I managed to delete the audiobooks and movies meaning I have to restore them from the offsite backups, and that could take at least a month to do that and sort out the metadata properly

But now it’s in place in what’s its permanent home, it takes up a lot less space and is significantly more powerful that what it replaced, I am quite happy with it and in the next few weeks we are going to set up Mealie

What I Am Painting

I spent the weekend at my sister in law’s and painted up the terrain that came in the £75 pack from Combat Patrol

I got the Stockades finished first

Then the Vox Antenna

And then the Landing Pad

Followed by the Auspex Shrine

Then finally a pair of Hab-Bunkers

After that I painted a squad of Ogryn Charonites for the Solar Auxilia

Followe by a squad of Phallax Warders for my Imperial Fists

And finally a trio of Rapiers for the Solar Auxilia

So what’s coming up next?

  1. Blood Angels Landspeeders
  2. Scarab Occult Terminators & Infernal Master
  3. Dark Angels Incursors x 5
  4. Blood Angels Impulsor
  5. Imperial Knight Magara
  6. Carnivale Gondola
  7. Stormdrake Guard x 4 & Knight Draconis
  8. Imperial Fists Breacher Squad x 10
  9. Armiger Helverin x 2
  10. Deathshroud x 3

What I Am Reading

I listened to Leontus: Lord Solar by Rob Young whilst painting the terrain and that was really good

Right now I am listenting to Terror Firma by Joseph Lidster and Fulgrim: The Perfect Son by Jude Reid.

I also read We Were Brothers by Richard Fox which was pretty decent

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

I played a game of Heresy with Graham at Durham Raiders, where I tried out Artillery with the Solar Auxilia, it did not go well, my positioning was terrible and his summoned Daemons ripped me apart

But it was fun and that’s what counts

I then played Dave at Hartlepool Gamers, where I lost, badly, but I could have won in turn 2 when all his reserves failed to arrive, but I am lot a dick so didn’t do that

When his reserves did arrive, the Gal Vorbak tore my ranks apart panel by panel

And again at Durham Raiders, I played a simple doubles game with Andrew where we took on Paul’s Iron Warriors and thanks to Andrew’s nasty plasma guns we won!

And finally I played 40K with Chris and took my Imperial Knights, we didn’t do too badly but it was still a loss

But I really felt like I held my own!

And when CJ came over one Saturday we played DnD with Megan DMing

What I Am Spending

I bought a controller holder for my peg board from eBay

IKEA discontinued these, annoyingly and I needed one more to hold my Duchess

I also grabbed some Deathshroud to complete the Death Guard Combat Patrol

And some Tempestus Aquilons for my Astra Militarum

Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag went on sale on Steam, so I picked that up, and it also included Freedom Cry, and I managed to grab Assassins Creed Unity as well.

And I finally bought Grand Theft Auto V!

I also picked up in various bundles and sales

Changing Broadband

By

On 19th April 2025

In Blog

It’s now been 3 years since we moved to Hartlepool and since then we have had Virgin Media, which has been extremely reliable and much better than what we used to have in Pelton.

But with our current deal coming to an end, we were being offered a price of £78, which is much higher than the £36 we have been paying for the same deal, which got up 1Gbps.

We thought we had sorted out a new deal with them, but Virgin never bothered sending us any confirmation of the deal, so we handed in our notice, and decided to move to Grain, an altnet, who had installed their infrastructure on our street last year.

We are paying £34, which is getting us 900mbps both up and down, which is perfect for the server, which is running PLEX and AudioBookShelf.

The router is wall mounted, and it’s quite interesting, does WiFi 6

And we have a Wi-Fi booster as well which we hope will solve kitchen connectivity issues

And we also have a static IP address which is very handy and will hopefully let me sort out a proper web address for my AudioBookShelf server

So far, really happy with the service and it’s been amazing being able to upload videos to YouTube so quickly!

What I Am Modelling

I started off by doing some weathering to my 3D printed artillery carriages using some Contrast paints, and I am rather happy with how that turned out.

Afterwards I turned my attention to a pair of Wraithlords

Followed by Neophyte Hybrids

And a Kellermorph for the Genestealer Cults

Then a trio of Charonite Ogryns

So what’s up next for me?

  1. Blood Angels Land Speeders
  2. Phallax Warders x 10
  3. Scarab Occult Terminators x 5 & Infernal Master
  4. Dark Angels Incursors
  5. Ogryn Charonite Squad x 3
  6. Blood Angels Impulsor
  7. Imperial Knight Magaera
  8. Carnivale Gondola
  9. Stormdrake Guard x 4 & Knight Draconis
  10. Imperial Fists Breachers x 10

What I Am Reading

I listened to Unregenerate! by David A McIntee which was an interesting concept, but not executed the best.

I then listened to For the Emperor by Sandy Mitchell, been a long time since I read the book, and it was good to go back to the Cain stories.

After that I listened to Council of Nicaea by Caroline Symcox, which was a really good listen.

I read Perfection and Pride by Jude Reid which was a very cool little Emperors Children story, which some nice Dark Eldar side characters

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

I played Joshua in the AoS League with his Ossiarch Bonereapers, and whilst I lost, I did alright

I did a lot of damage to his army, but failure to secure some objectives and Battle Tactics early on, cost me the game!

What Video Games I Am Playing

I have started playing the Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster, I am a couple of hours in and it’s quite different to the previous two with managing my magic being quite difficult so far

What I Am Creating

I published the latest episode of Edge of Empire

What I Am Spending

I bought Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones and Prince of Persia on Steam

Not Exactly Impressed

By

On 14th April 2025

In Blog

So the Switch 2 Direct happened, and I am gonna be frank, not entirely impressed.

First off, whilst it was expected that it was going to use older technology, it’s quite a bit older than I would like, but I mean it’s still PS4/Xbox One level.

I mean it’s decent tech, but it’s gonna have to rely on DLSS a lot to hit that 4k, but then again, it might actually be capable of running Breath of the Wild without dropping to like 15fps in busy scenes.

Then there is the battery life, it’s worse than the original Switch, which isn’t exactly the best in the first place.

I get why they haven’t gone with an OLED screen given the already increased price, more on that in a bit, but it’s still a disappointment to not have there there.

As well as the lack of Hall Effect sticks, because the stick drift issues with the original JoyCons are huge and I am massively disappointed that they haven’t been bothered to give us JoyCons which would have avoided these issues.

And then that takes us to the cost.

The actual cost of the console, I get it, the bill of materials isn’t going to be cheap, TSMC have been raising wafer prices like crazy since 2020.

But the tutorial being paid, the paid upgrades for OG Switch games being quite high and the cost of new games is just crazy.

Nintendo have always charged as much as they can for games and it’s very irritating that Switch launch titles are now just as expensive as they were when they first came out.

Look if you work it out, pound for pound gaming, even on the Switch is going to be not that bad value if you play for a couple hours a week and have the console for say six years.

But man it’s rough, I get it, devs need to be paid, and being a poor person, I usually wait for a game to go on sale a few years later, I rarely buy the latest games because I just cannot afford it.

But I feel like this time, the lack of first party titles, which has always been Nintendos strength, most of the third party titles being older titles that run better on my other gaming devices, it’s just not doing it for me.

Oh and out of principle, I will never subscribe to Nintendo Online, I am sorry but putting the backup of saves behind a paywall if frankly ridiculous, especially on handheld device which is more likely to be lost, broken or even stolen, I mean it has an Micro SD card slot, why can I not backup my own saves.

Look maybe in a couple of years, when decent first party titles start filtering through, I will feel different, but right now I can’t see myself getting one.

What I Am Modelling

I started off the week with Swampboss Skumdrekk for the Kruleboyz

And that actually finishes off all my Kruleboyz for now

Then a Dankhold Trogboss for the Gloomspite Gitz

Which also completes all my current models for the Gitz

Followed an Imperial Fists Command Squad, this one is seven man, cause I 3D printed up some extra bodies to take advantage of the bits on the Command Squad sprue

Plus another Herald made with a 3D printed body and spare part from the Command Squad sprue

And I also painted up The Ancestors’ Wrath Einhyr Champion for the Leagues of Votann

As well as Kâhl Yôht Grendok

And a unit of Aeldari Guardians

And for Lindsay’s birthday I made some Otter Earrings

So what’s next in the queue

  1. Blood Angels Landspeeders
  2. Kellermorph & Neophyte Hybrids x 10
  3. Ogryn Charonite Squad x 3
  4. Phallax Warders x 10
  5. Thousand Sons Terminators & Infernal Master
  6. Dark Angels Incursors x 5
  7. Ogryn Charonite Squad x 3
  8. Blood Angels Impulsor
  9. Imperial Knight Magaaera
  10. Carnivale Gondola

What I Am Reading

I finished Straight Silver by Dan Abnett in The Saint, and yeah that was a good one, it felt like it was going quite slow, and woah, it sped up and didn’t stop.

I listened to Assassinorum: Kingmaker by Robert Rath, which not only was the best Officio Assassinorum novel thus far, it’s also the best Imperial Knights novel so far.

I also listened to Three’s A Crowd by Colin Brake which was rather fun and as someone with a bit of agoraphobia, I really understood how the characters felt.

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

Had a game with Graham at Durham Raiders on Tuesday, in which we both tested out our Heresy Camp lists.

My Solar Auxilia did ok, but BS3 combined with my dice rolling was pretty frustrating when in turn 3 I just couldn’t hit anything for toffee.

As expected for me it was defeat, but I think I learned some lessons and long term now know the army needs more scoring units

And perhaps leave the Macharius and Malcadors behind and take more Leman Russ Vanquishers instead!

On Thursday I played another escalation league game of Age of Sigmar this time against Adam, and his Seraphon

That game went the typical way and I lost badly, but I did have a lor of fun removing my Orruks from the table!

On Sunday I played a game of Flamecraft with Lindsay & Megan

What Video Games I Am Playing

I started out with Horizon Forbidden West on PS5, which I am playing on Stream

What I Am Spending

We bought ourselves Avatar: The Last Airbender – Aang’s Destiny to replace Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle.

We enjoyed the mechanics of Hogwarts Battle, but sadly the IP is tainted beyond redemption by the bigot that created it.

Avatar is far nicer and far more wholesome.

And it only cost me 70p and its worth it for the LOLs, but I got The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, which I am sure may be hilarious to play given its many many issues!

War of the Worlds

By

On 7th April 2025

In Blog

This Saturday I went to see the stage adaptation of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, the ticket was a birthday present from Paul.

We had tea at the Metrocentre And made our way over the river to the arena where we joined a very big queue, which did thankfully move pretty quickly.

We had a bit of a wait so I read my book for a bit, it was a full 90 minutes till the show started

And it was a hell of a great show, been wanting to see this for a long time and I am so glad I was able to.

They had Charlie Simpson from Busted singing the narrators parts, and he was really good.

The guy performing as the Artilleryman was particle good, that was Rou Reynolds from Enter Shikari, a band I have now gotten a few albums for!

We also learned that Lindsay has never listened to the album, and she only knew The Eve of the War, not even Forever Autumn, so we have been introducing her to it, and in the car this morning, we ended just before Thunder Child.

What I Am Modelling

I started off with the Tyranids getting a second Psychopage to add to their forces

I then painted some Tempestus Scions to complete their Combat Patrol, starting with two Tempestors with Power Fists and Bolt Pistols, four Scions with Grenade Launchers and three Command Squad Scions with Hotshot Lasguns

And just as an added bonus a Tempestor Prime with Bolt Pistol

I then painted up a Brutalis Dreadnought for the Blood Ravens

Followed by another Brutalis for the Ultramarines

I also painted a squad of Retributors for my Sisters of Battle

Finished painting a squad of Retributors for the Argent Shroud, armed with 2 Multi-Meltas and 2 Heavy Flamers#Warmongers #WarhammerCommunity #PaintSlam25 #Warhammer40k #Warhammer40000 #AdeptaSororitas #Retributors #ArgentShroud #PaintingWarhammer #PaintingWarhammer2025

— Michael Botterill (@biggeordiegeek.uk) 2025-04-05T17:03:57.839Z

And a Ministorum Priest to accompany them

I am currently working on Swampboss Skumdrekk and a Dankhold Trogboss

So whata next on the painting table?

  1. Blood Angels Landspeeders
  2. Swampboss Skumdrekk
  3. Imperial Fists Command Squad
  4. The Ancestors Wrath Einhyr Champion & Kâhl Yôht Grendok
  5. Kellermorph & Neophyte Hybrids x 10
  6. Ogryn Charinite Squad x 3
  7. Dankhold Trogboss
  8. Phallax Warders x 10
  9. Scarab Occult Terminators x 5 & Infernal Master
  10. Dark Angels Incursors x 5

What I Am Reading

I listened to Catch-1782 by Alison Lawson which was a great little Six and Mel story that took a look at the Grandfather Paradox in an interesting way.

I have now started on Assassinorum: Kingmaker by Robert Rath which is pretty enjoyable thus far

Still making my way slowly through The Saint by Dan Abnett and I am almost finished with Straight Silver.

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

I played a game of 40K against Craig at Hartlepool Gamers in Friday with the Dark Angels making their debut

I used this list

Dangles (1970 Points)

Space Marines
Dark Angels
Gladius Task Force
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Ancient in Terminator Armour (75 Points)
  • 1x Power fist
  • 1x Storm bolter

Captain in Terminator Armour (95 Points)
  • Warlord
  • 1x Relic weapon
  • 1x Storm bolter

Chaplain (60 Points)
  • 1x Absolvor bolt pistol
  • 1x Crozius arcanum

Librarian (65 Points)
  • 1x Bolt pistol
  • 1x Force weapon
  • 1x Smite

Librarian in Terminator Armour (75 Points)
  • 1x Force weapon
  • 1x Smite
  • 1x Storm bolter

BATTLELINE

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 Points)
  • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
     ◦ 1x Plasma pistol
  • 4x Assault Intercessor
     ◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
     ◦ 4x Heavy bolt pistol

Assault Intercessor Squad (75 Points)
  • 1x Assault Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
     ◦ 1x Heavy bolt pistol
  • 4x Assault Intercessor
     ◦ 4x Astartes chainsword
     ◦ 4x Heavy bolt pistol

Heavy Intercessor Squad (110 Points)
  • 1x Heavy Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Heavy bolt rifle
  • 4x Heavy Intercessor
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 3x Heavy bolt rifle
     ◦ 1x Heavy bolter

Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Bolt rifle
     ◦ 1x Power weapon
  • 4x Intercessor
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Bolt rifle
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon

Intercessor Squad (80 Points)
  • 1x Intercessor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Astartes chainsword
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Bolt rifle
  • 4x Intercessor
     ◦ 1x Astartes grenade launcher
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Bolt rifle
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Impulsor (80 Points)
  • 1x Armoured hull
  • 1x Bellicatus missile array
  • 2x Storm bolter

OTHER DATASHEETS

Ballistus Dreadnought (140 Points)
  • 1x Armoured feet
  • 1x Ballistus lascannon
  • 1x Ballistus missile launcher
  • 1x Twin storm bolter

Deathwing Terminator Squad (180 Points)
  • 1x Deathwing Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Power weapon
     ◦ 1x Storm bolter
  • 4x Deathwing Terminator
     ◦ 1x Chainfist
     ◦ 1x Plasma cannon
     ◦ 3x Power fist
     ◦ 3x Storm bolter

Deathwing Terminator Squad (180 Points)
  • 1x Deathwing Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Power weapon
     ◦ 1x Storm bolter
  • 4x Deathwing Terminator
     ◦ 1x Cyclone missile launcher
     ◦ 4x Power fist
     ◦ 4x Storm bolter

Deathwing Terminator Squad (180 Points)
  • 1x Deathwing Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Power weapon
     ◦ 1x Storm bolter
  • 4x Deathwing Terminator
     ◦ 1x Assault cannon
     ◦ 4x Power fist
     ◦ 3x Storm bolter

Inceptor Squad (120 Points)
  • 1x Inceptor Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Assault bolters
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
  • 2x Inceptor
     ◦ 2x Assault bolters
     ◦ 2x Close combat weapon

Infernus Squad (90 Points)
  • 1x Infernus Sergeant
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Pyreblaster
  • 4x Infernus Marine
     ◦ 4x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 4x Pyreblaster

Redemptor Dreadnought (210 Points)
  • 1x Heavy flamer
  • 1x Icarus rocket pod
  • 1x Macro plasma incinerator
  • 1x Redemptor fist
  • 1x Twin fragstorm grenade launcher

On Sunday I played in the monthly 40K tournament at Gamers-At-Hart with this list for the Astra Militarium

Tempestus army (1980 Points)

Astra Militarum
Bridgehead Strike
Strike Force (2000 Points)

CHARACTERS

Commissar (30 Points)
  • 1x Plasma pistol
  • 1x Power weapon

Leman Russ Commander (235 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Lascannon
  • 1x Leman Russ battle cannon

Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 Points)
  • 4x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 3x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 1x Plasma gun
  • 1x Tempestor Prime
     ◦ 1x Command Rod
     ◦ 1x Tempestus dagger

Militarum Tempestus Command Squad (85 Points)
  • 4x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 2x Hot-shot laspistol
     ◦ 1x Master Vox
     ◦ 1x Medi-pack
     ◦ 1x Plasma gun
     ◦ 1x Regimental Standard
  • 1x Tempestor Prime
     • Warlord
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Tempestus dagger

BATTLELINE

Tempestus Scions (140 Points)
  • 1x Tempestor
     ◦ 1x Chainsword
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
  • 9x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 9x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 2x Grenade launcher
     ◦ 4x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
     ◦ 2x Plasma gun
     ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Tempestus Scions (140 Points)
  • 1x Tempestor
     ◦ 1x Chainsword
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
  • 9x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 9x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 4x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
     ◦ 2x Meltagun
     ◦ 2x Plasma gun
     ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Tempestus Scions (140 Points)
  • 1x Tempestor
     ◦ 1x Chainsword
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
  • 9x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 9x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 4x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot laspistol
     ◦ 2x Meltagun
     ◦ 2x Plasma gun
     ◦ 1x Vox-caster

Tempestus Scions (70 Points)
  • 1x Tempestor
     ◦ 1x Plasma pistol
     ◦ 1x Power fist
  • 4x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Grenade launcher
     ◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot volley gun

Tempestus Scions (70 Points)
  • 1x Tempestor
     ◦ 1x Bolt pistol
     ◦ 1x Power fist
  • 4x Tempestus Scion
     ◦ 4x Close combat weapon
     ◦ 1x Grenade launcher
     ◦ 2x Hot-shot lasgun
     ◦ 1x Hot-shot volley gun

DEDICATED TRANSPORTS

Taurox Prime (90 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Storm bolter
  • 1x Taurox battle cannon
  • 1x Twin Taurox hot-shot volley gun

Taurox Prime (90 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Storm bolter
  • 1x Taurox gatling cannon
  • 1x Twin Taurox hot-shot volley gun

Taurox Prime (90 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Storm bolter
  • 1x Taurox gatling cannon
  • 1x Twin Taurox hot-shot volley gun

Taurox Prime (90 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Storm bolter
  • 1x Taurox missile launcher
  • 1x Twin autocannon

OTHER DATASHEETS

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Lascannon
  • 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Lascannon
  • 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Leman Russ Vanquisher (145 Points)
  • 1x Armoured tracks
  • 1x Lascannon
  • 1x Vanquisher battle cannon

Valkyrie (190 Points)
  • 1x Armoured hull
  • 2x Heavy bolter
  • 1x Lascannon
  • 2x Multiple rocket pod

Scions are a favourite army of mine, but I haven’t played them since 7th Edition when they had their own codex.

Struggled to figure out how I would run them in 10th, but my addition of some Leman Russ tanks plus a few more Scions has given me a lot more options to try.

My first game was against Eds Aeldari, and his Aspect Warriors tore apart my army bit by bit and in turn 3 basically removed all but the squad inside the Valkyrie

Ed is a really good player, so I didn’t stand much of a chance against him to be honest, but he is a lively guy to play with so it’s not too bad

My second game was against my pal Leon and his T’au, which featured a lot of Kroot, and the first couple of turns were pretty good, I managed to focus fire on a Commander and a squad of Battlesuits and eliminated them.

The second turn saw me destroy a second Commander and Battlesuit Team, but turn 3 saw the tough Kroot Rampagers tore apart tanks, Taurox Primes and left my Scions to be slaughtered

My last game of the day was against Ian’s Emperors Children, who are very much WIP

His force was very effective and in turn 2 eliminated the vast majority of my army, and my dice really failed me, whilst his were really very good.

So once again I got the wooden spoon, but that’s fine cause I had a lot of fun and played with some cool people

What I Am Spending

A bulb in the kitchen blew, so we decided to grab some smart bulbs for it.

It’s not just a case of laziness but often I can’t carry things and turn on the lights, my disabilities can often be rather limiting.

I also finally got Unbroken after paying for an annual subscription to Warhammer+

Can’t wait to get this model painted up

And to add to my Combat Patrols, the Grey Knights Combat Patrol box from Gamers-At-Hart

I got the first tier of the Humble Heroines 2025 bundle and that got me:-

And Humble Choice netted me:-

And I also bought myself

Do I Eat My Hat Now?

By

On 28th March 2025

In Blog

So a few years ago when the Saudi takeover was first rumoured I said if it happened I would eat my hat!

Well it happened and Graham and Chris who both said they would hold me to it, let me off, and well I am wondering if I should now.

Under the dark ages of Mike Ashley’s reign, I always said that the only expectations I desired from Newcastle United, were that we have a decent cup run, and we challenge for a place in Europe.

That’s it, I never wanted anything more than that, because in these days of billionaires bankrolling teams, the UKs other clubs don’t get a look in.

And realistically I think that’s all any football fan should want, winning the league should never be guaranteed, I want a competitive league, something that we haven’t had for a long time.

Anyway, let’s be honest, the past three seasons, we have had that, last season was a little bit less, but we were hampered by injuries, which happens.

But yeah, in three years , we have consistently challenged for a place in Europe, and had decent cup runs, it’s not been doom and gloom and I am happy with that.

Winning the League Cup might seem like noting to some people, but for us, it was a first domestic honour in nearly 70 years, and for a club the size of Newcastle that’s a big deal. In my lifetime we have ever been the bridesmaid and never the bride.

I am not expecting this to begin constant cup wins, I don’t ever want to be a jaded fan like this of Man City and Liverpool, for whom another trophy is not a big deal.

But I hope that this win is the beginning of Newcastle returning to a point where it’s not a question of if we can win something again, but when we win something again.

So should I eat my hat?

What I Am Modelling

I started out with some more bits for my Iron Sultanate warband for Trench Crusade

I painted up the Yüzbaşı Captain to lead the warband

A Jabirean Alchemists was added as well

I also added a Sultanate Assassin

And finally a Lion of Jabir

I also painted up a trio of Aethon Heavy Sentinels for my Solar Auxilia completing the army for Heresy Camp

The Chaos Knights recently got a Combat Patrol and so I printed up a couple of War Dogs to make that, and painted them up to belong to House Herpetrax.

First up was a Stalker

And then a Brigand

Outside of Combat Patrol these will be used as Allies for my Chaos Space Marines

And finally I painted a Primaris Company Champion for my Dark Angels

I then completed the Imperial Knights Combat Patrol, having printed a couple of Armigers for this, starting with a Warglaive

And then my first Helverin

And this was followed by Jokkob Bugmasson XI, a model I have no idea how it will be used, but it’s cool

And finally a unit of 10 Ardboyz for the Orruks

So what’s coming up next?

  1. Blood Angels Landspeeders
  2. Sisters Retributors
  3. Swampboss Skumdrekk
  4. Ultramarines Brutalis Dreadnought
  5. Imperial Fists Command Squad
  6. The Ancestors’ Wrath Einhyr Champion & Kâhl Yôht Grendok
  7. Kellermorph & Neophyte Hybrids x 10
  8. Ogryn Charonite Squad x 3
  9. Dankhold Trogboss
  10. Phallax Warders x 10

What I Am Reading

Been a while since I updated this, but I have been slowly making my way through Straight Silver in The Saint by Dan Abnett

I also listened to Verminslayer by David Guymer, which was very cool, I liked the new companion for Gotrex, but I hope we get a short about his falling out with the last one.

And I listened to Hell’s Last by Justin Hill which was really good, but then I did Stan Minka Lesk!

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

Played another game of Warhammer Age of Sigmar the other week, this time against Alex with the Idoenth Deepkin and we increased the points to 1000

I took this list

Big Waaagh! (990 points) - General's Handbook 2024-25

Ironjawz - Big Waaagh!
Auxiliaries: 2
Drops: 3

Regiment 1
Megaboss on Maw-krusha (360)
Ardboyz (180)
• 1x Champion
• 1x Standard Bearer
Brutes (200)
• 1x Champion
• 1x Gore-choppa

Auxiliary 
Hobgrot Slittaz (90)
• 1x Champion
• 1x Musician
• 1x Standard Bearer
Beast-skewer Killbow (160)

Created with New Recruit
Data Version: v1

I had wanted to take some Man-Skewer Boltboyz, but they were 10 points too much, so I took some Hobgrot Slittaz for some cheap bodies instead

Regardless, Alex absolutely hammered me, his Deepkin just wore me down over the game,.

This week I played George and his Blades of Khorne

I did ok, and scored some points, but again, the Orruks just don’t have the ability to hit that they really need, 4+ to hit is really harsh man!

What Video Games I Am Playing

I finished up with Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China which was a lot of fun

What I Am Spending

I managed to grab the only copy of Combat Patrol Issue 26, I felt terrible as there was another fella behind me who wanted a copy, but I was there first and patiently waited for it

I hope he manages to get sorted out elsewhere

I also grabbed myself another box of Tempestus Scions, to build myself the rest of the Combat Patrol, these guys are going to be a Tempestor, three Command Squad guys with Hotshot Lasguns and a Tempestor Prime with a Bolt Pistol

I am also a big Minka Lesk Stan, so of course I had to grab Hells Last to get her command squad, ok as they are, they are only for use in Legends, but I am sure I can do something with them

This means I now have three Minka Lesk models, one as a Sgt, one as a Lieutenant and now a Captain too

I got a few bits and bobs in for other hobby stuff, starting with these NFT tags, they get used to link to Google Docs of whats in my army boxes to allow for easier figuring out of what I have

I also topped up on resin, with another 3KG of Sunlu ABS like grey, and plenty of super glue, I find these little 1g packs the best value for money.

I had bought a 12TB HDD, but alas it was dead on arrival, so it was sent back, really irritating cause we really needed it.

But with the changes to PLEX we kinda needed to get a PLEX Pass, so we used the refund to grab that before it more than doubles in price.

I did need a new external caddy, so I got a dependable Ugreen one, that I have used before without any issue, which was handy as I had a 1TB drive I could pop in to expand our TV library to 9TB.

It was time for Humble Choice, and that got me:-

Plus for EA

I grabbed the Indie Allies 2025 Bundle and got

I also picked up a mystery bundle and got

And separately I bought

As part of the long term move from console to PC, there are certain games I want to still have in my collection, and as the Assassin’s Creed series is my favourite, I intend to add the whole series to Steam over the next year or so.

It’s Ayyám-i-Há, But Not A Good One

By

On 6th March 2025

In Blog

This week has been well, crap, with family stuff happening that has prevented us from celebrating Ayyám-i-Há or Megans Birthday which really sucks.

Megan and Lindsay did get me an Elegoo Mercury Plus V3.0 to help with the 3D Printing, so gonna order 5L of IPA on Monday!

Plan is to keep my pickling jars for dirty washes and use the Mercury for the clean wash.

The first prints washed and cured are markedly better than with the old system, that’s not the say what I had was pants, but this, is so so much better!

I printed some Ogryns for my Solar Auxilia, and yeah, they are a lot smoother and easier to get clean with the new system.

Website Updates

This week the My Armies page was updated with army listings for the Necrons, Adeptus Mechanicus for 40K and Mechanicum for 30K and Knights for both.

What I Am Modelling

I started out by finishing up my Malcador Heavy Tank for the Solar Auxilia

Followed by a trio of Rockgut Troggoths for the Gloomspite Gitz

After that I moved on to the Tyranids from Combat Patrol, starting with the second lot of Termagants

Alongside a Ripper Swarm

And a Parasite of Mortrex

Then I turned my attention to some Trench Crusade and painted some Azebs for the Iron Sultanate

Alongside a Sapper

What Tabletop Games I Am Playing

On Friday I played Russel and his Alpha Legion with this list of Solar Auxilia and some allied Imperial Fists

Solar Auxilia

## HQ [375 Pts]
Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Command Tank [200 Pts]: Leman Russ Command Tank (Armoured Fist Pattern Cohorts (Check Limitations manually), Battle Cannon, Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Warlord, Heavy Bolter)

Tactical Command Tercio [175 Pts]:
• 1x Tactical Command Section [175 Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Meltabombs, Refractor Field, Aurox Transport (Smoke Launchers), Augury Scanner, Command Vox, Cohorts Vexilla
  • 1x Auxilia Captain [10 Pts]: Void Armour, Pistol and Combat weapon (Sub-menu) (Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol), Auxilia Marshall
  • 4x Auxilia Companion [12 Pts]: Void Armour, Lasrifle

## Elites [45 Pts]

Medicae Section [45 Pts]:
• 3x Auxilia Medicae [15 Pts]: Auto-medicus, Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Close Combat Weapon, Laspistol

## Troops [1103 Pts]

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [155 Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [155 Pts]: Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [135 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [155 Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [155 Pts]: Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [135 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter

Armoured Fist - Leman Russ Strike Squadron [155 Pts]:
• 1x Leman Russ Strike Squadron [155 Pts]: Turret Mounted Vanquisher Battle Cannon and Co-axial Mounted Autocannon (Co-axial Mounted Autocannon, Vanquisher Battle Cannon)
  • 1x Leman Russ Battle Tank [135 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Heavy Bolter

Infantry Tercio [319 Pts]:
• 1x Rifle Sections [319 Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Dracosan Armoured Transport (Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Gravis Lascannon), Augury Scanner, Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
  • 1x Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
  • 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle and Bayonet [6 Pts]: Bayonet, Lasrifle

Infantry Tercio [319 Pts]:
• 1x Rifle Sections [319 Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Void Armour, Dracosan Armoured Transport (Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Gravis Lascannon), Augury Scanner, Auxilia Vexilla, Vox Interlock
  • 1x Auxilia Sergeant: Lasrifle
  • 19x Auxilia w/ Lasrifle and Bayonet [6 Pts]: Bayonet, Lasrifle

## Fast Attack [200 Pts]

Carnodon Strike Squadron [200 Pts]: Two Sponson Mounted Volkite Caliver (Two Sponson Mounted Volkite Caliver), Turret Mounted Volkite Culverin (Volkite Culverin)
• 3x Solar Auxilia Carnodon [65 Pts]: Smoke Launchers

## Heavy Support [700 Pts]

Malcador Heavy Tank Squadron [350 Pts]:
• 1x Malcador Heavy Tank [350 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Vanquisher Battle Cannon, Demolisher Cannon, Hull (Left) & Hull (Right) Mounted Lascannon, Pintle Mounted Multi-Laser, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield

Malcador Heavy Tank Squadron [350 Pts]:
• 1x Malcador Heavy Tank [350 Pts]: Searchlights, Smoke Launchers, Vanquisher Battle Cannon, Demolisher Cannon, Hull (Left) & Hull (Right) Mounted Lascannon, Pintle Mounted Multi-Laser, Dozer Blade, Flare Shield

## Lords of War [300 Pts]

Macharius Heavy Tank Squadron [300 Pts]: Macharius Vanquisher Cannon
• 1x Macharius Heavy Tank [280 Pts]: Two Sponson Mounted heavy stubbers, Hull (Front) Mounted twin-linked heavy stubber, Smoke Launchers

Imperial Fists - ++ Allied Detachment +

## Rite of War
Rite of War: The Stone Gauntlet (IF)

## HQ [175 Pts]

Fafnir Rann [175 Pts]: Artificer Armour, Boarding Shield, Bolt Pistol, Frag Grenades, Iron Halo, Krak Grenades, Master of the Legion, 2x The Headsman and The Hunter

## Elites [45 Pts]

Apothecarion Detachment [45 Pts]: Legiones Astartes (X)
• 1x Apothecary [45 Pts]: Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Narthecium, Bolt Pistol, Chainsword (Chainsword), Power Armour

## Troops [540 Pts]

Phalanx Warder Squad [540 Pts]: Boarding Shield, Breacher Charge, Frag Grenades, Krak Grenades, Power Armour, Legion Vexilla, Meltabombs, Land Raider Proteus Carrier (2x Sponson Mounted Gravis Lascannon, Legiones Astartes (X), Smoke Launchers, Twin-linked Heavy Bolter)
• 1x Warder Sergeant: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Axe
• 7x Phalanx Warder [20 Pts]: Bolt Pistol, Bolter, Power Axe
• 2x Phalanx Warder w/Special Weapon (1 in 5) [35 Pts]: Bolt Pistol, Power Axe, Thunder Hammer

We played a Blood Feud mission and I was utterly decimated, I only managed to take out the Kytan

It was my first time paying an all tank army and it’s a bit of a learning curve and I made a fair few tactical mistakes

Let’s be perfectly honest, the Malcadors and Macharius are such a worse choice compared to the Leman Russ Vanquisher, but I hate the idea of just taking the most efficient unit

The biggest mistake I made was moving forward, what I should have done was stay back and fire from distance, and concentrate on the Contemprors with Multi-Meltas.

I also played a game of Age of Sigmar with Keith at Hartlepool Friday Night games and yeah I was tabled by end of turn 2.

His Ogor Mawtribes were very very effective and just wiped out everything I had on the table with ease!

What Video Games I Am Playing

I completed Assassin’s Creed: Unity and Dead Kings.

There are things like some Co-Op Missions etc that I still have to do, so I will probably have a few more sessions on Twitch with it.

And started on Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China

What I Am Buying

I bought the House Flipper and Friends Humble Bundle, which netted me

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