The final game was a big 3500 point list and for that I took my 2k list replacing the Champion with Fafnir Rann, and adding a Warhound Scout Titan and a few other bits!
I played Damian’s World Eaters in game one, and my lack of weapons that could intercept was a flaw that allowed a Leviathan to drop down and kill my Kratos.
The Contemptors were a bugger to deal with, but I managed to take them out, but at the end of the game I just had 5 Templar Brethren and a Champion plus Apothecary left!
I played against Jacobs Sons of Horus, and the addition of a pair of Sicarans, and a Warhound Titan really changed things up for me!
The Sicaran is, if I am honest, a bit more effective than the Kratos, but the Kratos actually did get to shine a bit here, until it was taken out by a Terminator!
Sadly however, my bane was a pair of Leviathan Siege Dreadnoughts which over 4 or 5 rounds of combat took out my Warhound, but it was only able to do 6 wounds in response, I just couldn’t hurt them.
In the end I won, destroying everything in the table apart from the Leviathans and a couple of straggling Veterans.
My Thoughts On The Event
Pretty good event, the tables terrain was nice, especially the last games.
A few teething issues, particularly around general admin at the end, but show me an event that doesn’t deal with that, and as an EO myself I thought they did really well.
If they run anymore Heresy events, I will be returning for them, really really fun day!
Imperium Expansion
We have known for quite a while now that Warhammer 40,000 Imperium was being extended by 10 issues, and I thought, why not mention what I think about the contents!
Issues 81 – 83
The Sisters get a hell of an expansion with the Paragon Warsuits, spread over three issues, costing £8.99, that means you get them for £26.97, saving nearly £20 off the RRP!
These are great looking models and I have ordered an additional two of each issue!
Issue 84
A Skitarii Marshall, seems a bit of a let down when compared to the stuff the other factions are getting, yeah it’s a lovely model, but still, would have preferred something else, but to be fair, the Mechanicus range isn’t easy to grab something from for this.
Issue 85
The Hexmark Destroyer is one of the best looking models in the Necron range, ok, a bit pants in game, who cares when it looks like that!
I already have one, but I don’t mind having another!
Issue 86 – 88
The Space Marines get the full multipart Redemptor Dreadnought, which is a great kit and pretty cool to have in here.
Personally I would have preferred the Invictor Tactical Warsuit, but that’s down to my personal collection!
Issue 89
Inquisitor Draxus is a cool looking model, but we subscribers already got an Inquisitor in the form of Katarina Greyfax, so this whilst cool, wasn’t the greatest choice, personally I would have replaced this and the Skitarii Marshall with a two part AdMech kit.
Still great model and I can’t wait to paint her to join the rest of my Inquisitorial forces!
Issue 90
Not only does Illuminator Szeras represent great value, but also, is a wonderful and beautiful model for your collection!
Really over the moon we are getting this amazing character
In Conclusion
We are getting some really nice models, for my personal collection, a couple don’t make sense, but hey, it’s not all about me.
The only thing that I am currently wondering, is where to put the Redemptor Dreadnought.
Not sure any of my Space Marine armies need another one, but it’s likely going with the Ultramarines.
What I Am Modelling
Started off urgently beavering away to finish the bits for the Imperial Fists for the event by painting first up a pair of Sicaran Battle Tanks.
I then rebased an old Reiver Squad for my Space Wolves, originally built for Kill Team in the last edition, but on a different basing scheme, when I convinced myself that my Wolves wouldn’t have any Primarise stuff!
Anyway, they now join the Infiltrators, Redemptor Dreadnought, Ragnar, Aggressors and Repulsor that currently comprise the Wolves Primaris forces, and I have more on the way at some point!
Then, the last Tomb Blade was finished for the Necrons!
Been trying to play The Witcher 3, but the latest update has caused an issue with random crashes, so I may have to abandon the game for a bit until that’s fixed.
This past weekend, I got to work at Airecon, a wonderful little board game convention in Harrrogate.
I spent the weekend showing people how to play Star Wars Legion, using a capture the flag scenario that gave people a very very basic taste of the game, to tempt them to join the Dark Side and crush the rebels!
Got to stay at the Crown Plaza, which was nice, until they nicked my pizza, but that’s another story!
Really nice breakfast though and I got to have Eggs Benedict on Sunday, weirdly served with bacon, and I ate probably very badly, existing on pizza, burgers and Coke Zero!
And I needed to hook up the Xbox Series S, PlayStation 5 and printer to the network physically, so I bought 3 Amazon Basics Cat 6 ethernet cables to do this.
I grabbed Fallout 2, Fallout 3: Game of the Year Edition and Fallout Tactics for Steam, kinda decided I am going to buy a Steam Deck at some point in the next 12 months, so grabbing a bunch of games I really enjoy that are cheap specifically for Steam.
I mist admit I was tempted to get 100 cans of Pepsi Max, cause I don’t drink, but Lindsay wanted some alcohol free gin and cider, so I ordered that for her, and then made up the remainder with soft drinks, total cost to us was £1.75!!!
I won another game in the form of Row of Numbers for the PlayStation.
Ok well 2023 is here and I am really hoping it it’s not gonna be the massive bag of dicks that 2020, 2021 and 2022 were, I really want this to be a better year.
I have planned out some resolutions and ideas I want to carry out, which you can see here.
For New Years Eve I spent a couple of hours at Paul’s, but the damn cold/flu has still kicked my arse and I am struggling with spending time out of the house for far too long.
So I returned home and played some The Witcher 3.
New Years Day we went to Megan’s parents and had a roast dinner, but the ill left me barely conscious for most of it.
A Less Ideal Bit
Sadly our street saw a murder this week, and a fella was purposefully run over, we ended up stuck in the house for two days unable to leave as the whole street was a crime scene.
It’s left us all a bit shaken, I mean it’s the last thing you expect, but it is what it is.
What I Am Modelling
I started off by painting the Lord Veritant for the Stormcast Eternals, need to sort out a list for the AoS Weekender for them.
I also picked up some Command Strips to help me mount a few things on the wall, specifically an extension lead for Megan’s dressing table so she can easily use her hair straightens and hair dryer.
Plus it means at long last we can mount her Hue Light Strip, all 3 meters of it.
On Friday, from a yet to be announced sponsor, a new webcam, the Elgato Facecam, which really has elevated my setup above and beyond what the Logitech C920 did!
Well Christmas happened, and I spent most of it ill, which wasn’t fun.
This cold/flu is kicking my arse and I just can’t shake it, it’s got my sleep cycle all to pot and taking away any pep I have.
Anyway I did enjoy Christmas, me and Lindsay went to Paul’s for Christmas dinner which was lovely.
Present wise, Megan got me a Lord Veritant for my Stormcast Eternals and Lindsay got me some Death Maidens and Wyld Runners for my Escher gang. I also got some tools off Paul which will come in lots of help, alongside a £15 Xbox voucher.
But alas most of it was spent dying in bed 🙁
What I Am Modelling
First up I painted up a Scout Squad for my Imperial Fists.
After than It Bleeds by David Guymer was an interesting little story, very interesting World Eaters story that shows how hate can consume you and turn you into that which you loath.
The final (probably) Edge of Empire episode of our 6th year was published and we delved into the Liber Imperium.
What I Am Winning
I won a copy of Warhammer 40,000 Darktide for Steam which was cool, alas I already owned it, so I gifted it to a member of the Edge of Empire Listeners Community in a contest of my own!
I also won a copy of Night of the Scissors on Steam too, which was really cool.
I also won a code for Cubic Parking for PS4, but the code was for Japan (sad face, make sure to read T&Cs) but I have a friend in Japan so the code was passed to her.
To continue the prize winning, I won a Steam code for Euro Truck Simulator 2.
So yeah, I live controllers, especially retro ones, because there is something just right about using ones that are as close to the originals as possible.
So following on from my Mini Consoles post a couple of weeks ago, let’s look at my controller collection!
C64 Joystick
This is the oldest style controller I have, an old school joystick that came with The C64 mini, it’s not the best build quality, but it’s ok.
I heard the individual release is a bit better so I might pick that up.
NES Joypad
The joypad for the NES came from the NES Classic, and it’s a great little controller, the dimensions are just right and the buttons are pretty much identical to the original.
Whilst the NES doesn’t hold anything special for me, cause being British, they were a real rarity growing up, it’s still cool.
When emulating Master System games. It’s my go to controller as it’s as close to that as I have in my collection.
The criticisms I have are that the lead is way too short, and also, the use of a propriety connector means having to use an adaptor,
PC Engine
The PC Engine had a similar controller to the NES and Master System with just two buttons, but the TurboPad had Turbo Switches which gave you additional speed settings.
I got the first controller with the PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini, and a second one from eBay.
Mega Drive
This is the controller that defined my childhood, the good old big 3 button Mega Drive Control Pad.
The Mega Drive was the first console that I owned myself (along with my brother Paul), and this always being back such fuzzy wonderful memories for me.
This came with the Mega Drive Mini, and I have a pair of them, which are just perfect for emulation.
There is also the six button controller, which was a bit smaller, but still great, and ideal for fighting games like Street Fighter II and Eternal Champions.
This one from Retro-Bit is a very faithful replica, and officially licensed, it’s not quite the same as it adds left and right shoulder buttons, but that’s cool, just opens up more options.
SNES Controller
The SNES is another console, that I never had any great nostalgia for, simply because pretty much everyone I knew growing up, had a Mega Drive, and one mad lad with a PC Engine and another whose dad had a Neo Geo.
It’s kind of iconic as it introduced the diamond four face button configuration which most consoles to this day still use, as well as shoulder buttons.
I don’t use this pad as often as I think it deserves, but it’s cool. Came with the SNES Classic and needs an adaptor to use it.
CD32
Ah the Amiga CD32, Commodores last release before they went bankrupt, I knew a lad with one of these, and to be honest, it wasn’t any more advanced that the A1200, but it did have some cool games.
The pad was a bit awkward to use, but this has a slight redesign, which makes it a little more comfortable to hold.
It’s a pretty cool little pad, that came with the A500 Mini, but I haven’t had much of a chance to use it yet.
Playstation
I never really got on with the PlayStation controller, the shape was always very uncomfortable.
My brother Daniel had one, not long before I left home, I instead preferred to play on the N64 and Mega Drive still, and was just starting to get into PC.
This controller does feel right for certain games, such as Wipeout, but it’s never really appealed to me in a big way, but you can’t deny the iconic nature of it.
Tribute 64
The Nintendo 64 was my console of choice during the 5th generation, and it’s controller was something different, it’s like they were absolutely digging deep into the cocaine, to be honest, that’s kind of Nintendo’s approach to all controllers since then!
I never had an issue with the Nintendo 64 Controller, I always found it actually rather comfortable to use.
For emulating N64 games, I chose the Tribute 64 from RetroBit simply because the US B clones from most companies are kinda rubbish and break very easily.
This is a solidly built and comfortable controller and I have to reluctantly admit, just that bit nicer to use than the original.
Saturn
I never had a Saturn, much to my disappointment, but I was a poor child from a poor family, and it was just way too expensive.
But when I did get to play it, oh how I enjoyed it. Virtua Fighter, Daytona USA, Sega Rally, all amazing games, but what the Saturn really excelled at, was 2D games and the fighters was a genre it absolutely slated the competition in.
And it’s controller was absolutely one of the best for fighters ever made, in fact to this day when I fire up Street Fighter V, it’s the Saturn pad I reach for.
This one by RetroBit is frankly amazing, it feels exactly as the original did and it feels great in your hands.
NeoGeo CD
Ah the Neo Geo a wonderful console, one that cost an arm and a leg and the games themselves where sometimes as expensive as one of the other consoles.
But oh the games, games like Metal Slug and King of Fighters were utterly amazing.
The Neo Geo CD came with this pad, it was a cheaper version of the console and more accessible, but wasn’t as good as the original console, but still amazing.
This controller is great, other than it’s lack of microswitches in the joystick, but it’s still a lovely controller.
Xbox Duke
This is my all time favourite controller, it fits my hands oh so well.
This one made by Hyperkin is supercool as it’s as close to the original as you can get, and the centre button is a mini screen that runs through the original Xbox boot animation!
It’s an absolutely cracking modern update of the original and gets more use than anything else, other than my Elite!
GameCube
Nintendo love their cocaine, and they came up with this for the GameCube!
Super uncomfortable and not the easiest to use. For use on my PC I need to use the same adaptor as used for the NES and SNES controllers.
However the WaveBird is actually a lot more comfortable to use, and whenever I play GameCube games, this is the controller I reach for, but I have to mention, it actually belongs to Lindsay!
This particular controller is in desperate need of some TLC as it was attacked by our recently departed rabbit Gandalf, and he loved to eat thumb sticks.
I need to replace the thumb sticks or get some nice covers for them, clean it up, and grab a USB wireless adaptor to use it for the PC.
Playstation DualShock 3
The DualShock 3 is the second PS3 controller, succeeding the SIXAXIS.
In form it’s pretty much similar to the other DualShocks before it, but the position of the analogue sticks and general shape always made it feel uncomfortable.
The batteries in this one are still pretty good, but long term they will need replacing eventually, that was always a major issue for these controllers.
Xbox MadCatz Arcade Joystick
This is a mad joystick, adapting the modern controller configuration into what many people thought was an ugly and uncomfortable mess.
Truth be told, it’s suits old school arcade games very very well, Pac-Man is amazing with this thing, but I would be very reluctant to use it with more modern games.
Xbox Series S/X
I do own an Xbox One controller, but it’s now used solely for use with my iPhone and Xbox Cloud gaming.
But the Series S/X controller is mostly identical apart from a few little changes, like the microtexture on the back, share button and new D-Pad.
This is a brilliant controller and one that I absolutely love using, cannot fault it at all!
I actually own four of the buggers, a black and white that sit downstairs with the Series X, a white one that Megan uses for her PC, and a black on for my Series S.
I also own a third party one, a PowerA Spectra, that I got free with a magazine subscription, this is okay, and has a few rear button, but it’s not the same as the branded controller, just feels a touch cheaper.
Ah Google Stadia, great technology, but a dreadful implementation that alongside Google’s tendency to shut down a service at the drop of a hat means the service was doomed from inception.
The actually controller is pretty good and when hooked up with a USB-C cable to a PC is excellent.
But with Stadia closing for good in January, the current way it works, only by connecting over Wi-Fi directly to the Stadia servers, I honestly fear that a lot of these will end up as e-waste, unless Google issues new firmware that activates the Bluetooth module.
It’s still a great controller when wired, but most people want wireless, despite the latency.
I am gonna try and add the dark blue version of this to my collection, just cause it looks cool and it’s a half decent controller.
PlayStation DualSense
Ok, so I was reluctant to get a PS5 because I didn’t get on very well with the DualShock controllers, they just never fit my hands very well.
But the DualSense, well that works very well, the analogue sticks are a good distance apart, so the ache in my hands is also eliminated when using it, and the bells and whistles added to this bad boy are great.
I have a white and a black one, and Megan has a white one she uses with her PC.
Xbox Elite Series 2
The most expensive controller I own, although paid for with Microsoft Rewards, this is an incredible piece of tech, that just oozes indulgence.
I am glad I have it, and it’s my daily driver for using with my PC.
The package is great, it comes with a charging dock, rear paddles (which I don’t really use), and various options to customise the D-Pad and thumb sticks.
Then throw in the software customisation, and you have one amazing package. My pal Graham scoffs at the idea of paying so much for a controller, but I really do think it’s well worth it.
Switch Pro
The Switch Pro controller, is, well it’s a Xbox style controller made by Nintendo for the Switch. I am not sure how else to put it.
It’s comfortable, especially when compared to the JoyCons in the handgrip, but to be honest, I expected way more for the money I paid.
It’s perfectly serviceable, but that’s about it, I expected more, but it’s Nintendo so I should have prepared myself for disappointment.
SN30 Pro
The 8BitDo SN30 Pro is my controller of choice for a lot of retro games, and if I have to travel and want to play games on the laptop, this is the controller I take.
It’s a weird mashup of a SNES controller and a DualShock, but doesn’t perform too badly.
It’s pretty good, and I cannot complain about it, as I said the compact nature makes it great for travel.
What Do I want to Add
There are three controllers I want to add, but I am want good prices, I am not gonna shell out a fortune for them, if I can help it.
I want an Nvidia Shield Controller, a Steam Controller and an Amazon Luna Controller, but the only source for these are on the secondary market, and the prices can go quite high, so it’s waiting for the right time and a good price before jumping in and buying them.
Retro Bit have a Big Six Mega Drive controller on the horizon, which might also be tempting, and they have spoken in the past of doing a modern USB version of the Dreamcast controller.
Hyperkin are also working on a modern Xbox 360 controller, so I think that’s on the agenda as well, to replace the existing original one.
What I Am Modelling
I painted this Tactical Squad for the Imperial Fists
I did finish off Sanguinus: The Greatr Angel by Chris Wraight, which was a wonderful book, first time I have read a Primarch book rather than listening to it.
Played a little bit of Darktide, that’s a really fun game to play. And my wonderful friend who already had the game for themselves, gifted me the copy they got with their 3070, to play with my 3070.
I was having some issues with the screen cutting out when playing games, but after some experimentation, turns out the issue was the Displayport Cable, so I have ordered a replacement!
What I Am Winning
I had won a pair of tickets to see Black Panther: Wakonda Forever on Wednesday from TFM, but Lindsay was rather unwell so we never got to see it.
I also won tickets to see The Amazing Maurice from Sky, and myself, the girls and Megan’s mum Jane were supposed to see it Sunday morning, but we were all down with colds and sniffles.
What I am Spending
Grabbed this Elgato Wall Mount to put the webcam on for my painting area, cause it was a pain in the bum the way it was previously attached on to the Multi Mount that has the overdesk camera.
We have been here for a few months, and I must admit, it’s not actually that bad.
People said the neighbourhood was rough, but in all honesty, other than bonfire night, it’s been alright, but hey, I am from the west end of Newcastle so, rough is a relative term.
The sea air, as weird as it sounds, has helped, I need my inhaler a lot less and my lungs feel a lot less heavy, and there is something about waking up to a sea fret, that’s almost magical.
There are some issues here, our kitchen is so so small it’s difficult to cook in, and the wi-fi on the router is so bad we are going to invest in a mesh system.
Whilst I miss aspects of the old house, what I do like is having my own space, but I am struggling to keep it tidy.
I think in the long run the move is positive, but I do need to make sure the doctors are issuing my repeat prescriptions when needed as this far they are doing awful at that.
What I Am Modelling
I started with a trio of Kataphron Breachers for my Adeptus Mechanicus
After that I concentrated on the officers for the Imperial Fists and painted up a couple of Praetors first, the Legion Specific in Artificer Armour, and the Praetor Tribune.
It’s taken a few weeks but it’s finally arrived and I am super happy with it!
What I Am Spending
I need to get back to streaming properly again, and I decided to spend my sponsorship money on a new toy, an Elgato Stream Deck Pedal, which is gonna sit on my floor and be useful for things like muting the microphone, which I think the fellas on Edge of Empire will appreciate!
There has been a lot of talk about the Xbox Series S being an underpowered potato that is holding back game development, and I guess I fancy weighing in on it.
When the Series S was unveiled, I admit, I was unimpressed, it’s seemed lacking in comparison to the Series X.
But it has one compelling feature, it’s price, it’s in reach of a lot of people, because the £450 the Series X costs is a lot of money.
But my heart was set on a Series X, but well 2020 happened and the chip shortage hit.
The Series X and both PS5 models were only available in limited quantities, but the Series S, well here is the genius in that little thing, it’s APU, is smaller.
It uses fewer chiplets than the Series X and PS5s and therefore has higher yields per wafer, meaning it can be produced in significantly higher numbers.
As a result the Series S has remained almost constantly in stock and not suffered any significant shortages, whereas even today, you will struggle to get a PS5, and Series X stock levels now seem to have finally stabilised.
So couple in availability, and cost, especially when you factor in GamePass, and I honestly think, the Series S might emerge as the winner of this generation.
Now the excuses used by some developers, well I think that’s all they are, excuses. The 30fps cap in Gotham Knights is frankly more likely down to poor optimisation and an old game engine.
Other games have managed fine, and cone on, these games are also built for PCs with wildly varied specs, and the modern consoles aren’t architecturally that different to PCs, heck the Steam Deck, which a lot of these games run fine on, uses a very very similar chip to both consoles.
But then looking at Gotham Knights PC specs, yeah I suspect very very poor optimisation.
To summarise, the Series S, might not be the powerhouse, but it’s actually making gaming something most people can do, it’s cost means no parent has to buy last Gen hardware, that those on lower incomes can still game, and that this hobby is not restricted to the better off.
Gaming at the best graphics available is great, but just gaming is great as well, even with modest graphics.
I love my Series S, yeah I also have a Series X and a PS5, but most of my gaming, is still on a Series S.
What Am I Modelling
I finished up a squad of Catapractii Terminators for the Imperial Fists, this time armed with Power Fists and Storm Shields.
This week I have been doing a lot of research about Battle Reports, I am trying to branch out a bit from Imperium ones.
I am hoping to do a Blood Bowl Sevens or Heresy one tomorrow, but it’s dependent on what’s happening overall in the day.
Me and Lindsay are thinking of joining Skillshare so I can try and figure out some ways to take photos better and get an easier way to produce the reports.
But let’s see what we can do!
What I Am Modelling
I started off by painting Morg ‘n’ Thorg, which means I have no more Blood Bowl left to paint 🙁
I am currently working on some Assault Intercessors for the Blood Angels army I share with Megan.
So what’s coming up next week?
Blood Angels Assault Intercessors x 8, Primaris Lieutenant & Librarian in Phobos Armour
Orruk Weirdnob Shaman
Death Korps of Krieg Medusa x 2
T’au Breacher Squad x 10
Ork Terrain
Khorne Blood Warriors x 10
Ork Burna Boyz
Sicaran Infiltrators x 5
T’au Fire Warriors x 10
Ork Nobz x 5
What I Am Reading
Not made much progress on my book, but I have listened to a couple of audiobooks, first was the Bookkeeper’s Skull by Justin Hill which was very good, and just a little bit creepy.
