Progress Report 1/28/12 - Rolling away...

I haven't put paint to mini in about two weeks! Been busy working on a position change at my job, reading a ton of books, and playtesting an upcoming boardgame called Impact City Roller Derby. It's a game meant to capture the speed and action of actual flat track derby.

This shot is from a game earlier this week. No miniatures for me yet, though Impact! does make some. Today I am off to see my local league play a match or two in the hopes of gleaning some new insights into what would make a good derby boardgame. Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on what you would like to see in a Roller Derby boardgame?

Beer Review - Thirsty Dog Old Leghumper.

Thirsty Dog Brewing Company - Old Leghumper

Beer Type: American Porter

Appearance: 12 oz. brown bottle with a dog and some legs on the bottle which seems appropriate given the name. This is a nice dark beer with just a hint of red in it when viewed through the light. Medium off-white head after the pour sits in the glass about an inch thick.

Smell: Classic "dark" aromas with chocolate malt, coffee, and some dried fruit lingering in the background.

First Drink: Not as much coffee or chocolate as the nose would have you believe. Reminds me more of a stout than a porter.

Mouthfeel: Pretty smooth, not a lot of carbonation here. Left my mouth feeling a bit sticky and dry.

Last Drink: More of the bitter coffee and alcohol coming through as the beer warms up. Nice and warming.

Drinkability: Already had a few and I could easily see myself drinking a few more.

Notes: First beer I have had from this brewery and I look forward to trying some more!

Verdict: 4 out of 5. A solid porter made not too far from where I live. Nice.

Links: Beer Advocate and Thirsty Dog Brewing Company.

The vampires are here, the vampires are here!

More accurately the Skeletons (or skeledudes as some might say) are here. The only new models I cared to buy out of the new range (as I still have plenty of skeletons, grave guard, and converted black knights to paint) - the new Black Knight/Hexwraith box, the new plastic Wight King, and the new Finecast Krell. Also grabbed the new book and a set of magic cards. 

The "haul" in all of it's "glory"...

I've only flipped through the new book but from what I can see it's another solid 8th edition army book release. Nothing too overpowered, lots of cool art and illustrations, and some interesting "fluff" to tie it all up. Best of all it seems my 7th edition army ideas have panned out for this new book and I will be able to build a functional and fun list based on the models I like instead of the models that are "good". Exciting! 

I am looking forward to building the new Black Knights to mix in with my current conversions, and I have some ideas on converting the Wight King into a BSB, but I am a little nervous about my first piece of Finecast. The Krell model looks great though... totally the bad ass skeleton warrior look I dig for my Wight King. But before I can allow myself to dig into any of these new toys I need to complete the painting work on my table - the Lizardmen Blood Bowl team I started earlier this month! 

The shiny new things... are calling me.... from the grave...

Played some Warhammer this past Sunday.

Yup. Been awhile. Like... a year or so? Figured it was time to give it a go again. Broke out the Beer Gut tribe and took them to war against Chaos. First list with the new Ogre Kingdoms book looked like this:

LORDS: 385

Slaughtermaster - Level 4, Greedy Fist, Fencer's Blades, Ruby Ring of Ruin (385)

Wanted to try out the big caster and the Greedy Fist and see what the hubbub is all about. The ring was there to ensure I had enough ranged magic for maximum fist potential. It was a scroll but I swapped it...

HEROES: 322

Bruiser - BSB, Lookout Gnoblar, Heavy Armor, Enchanted Shield, Crown of Command, Luckstone (189)

Butcher - Level 2, Ironfist (138)

Butcher was my Maw caster and lived in the Ogres (err Bulls) while the BSB Bruiser hung out in the Ironguts with the Slaughtermaster. Goal was to hit the right unit at the right time... hard. Was not looking to get into any drawn out combats with Chaos Warriors.

CORE: 558

Ogres x 6 - Standard, Bellower, Ironfists (212)

Ironguts x 7 - Standard, Standard of Discipline, Bellower, Champion (346)

Solid core of Ogre backup and Irongut character bus at Ld 9 with a BSB reroll. Pretty standard stuff?

SPECIAL: 203

Leadbelchers x 4 - Bellower (182)

Sabertusk Pack x 1 (21)

Wanted to see how Leadies do in the new book. Mission accomplished.

RARE: 130

Gnoblar Scraplauncher (130)

I love my Scrappy! It used to be a dreaded sight among the WoC players of my past. Wanted to see how the new rules hold up in the current book.

Total Points: 1,598 of 1,600

Keeping in mind I don't own any of the new models (yet) I had to make do with what I have from my first purchases. The Beer Gut tribe is looking a little dark, dingy, and dusty. I am a much better painter overall now and it hurts to look at my first attempts at miniature painting. Oh well... everyone has to start somewhere I guess? Still, they looked pretty bad ass all lined up in the Sunday morning sun. 

 

My opponent's list was a pretty basic WoC list. Block of MoT Chosen with a BSB, Level 4 MoT Sorcerer Lord, two small blocks of MoK Warriors and a unit of MoK Chaos Knights. It was his first game of 8th and the first game he has played with the "new" Warriors of Chaos army book. Fun and learning all around!

I won the roll off and took the first turn. Moved up some Leadies on the flank across from his Knights, swung my lone Sabertusk around the opposite flank to threaten his Sorcerer Lord (just behind the Chosen unit in the center of the board), and moved my Scraplauncher into a firing position. First turn of the magic phase I cast Caress from Lore of Death on his Lord with my Slaughtermaster. He attempts to dispel and fails. I then roll a ridiculous number of hits and POOF the Lord is no longer a problem (knocked down to level 0). After that comes shooting where my Leadies blow all but one of his Chaos Knights of the board in one volley.

The rest of the game goes by fast as I wait for the right time before combo-charging a unit of Warriors, killing all but two of them with impact hits. I take two wounds on my Slaughtermaster before cutting down the remaining enemies and running past the encroaching Chosen threat. Leadies finish off the lone Chaos Knight and shoot another unit of Warriors in the butt while my Sabertusk march blocks the Chosen and keeps them away from the battle. My opponent concedes on turn 4. 

Fun (re)learning game and I learned a few things:

1. Leadbelchers can be pretty good now. 

2. The Greedy Fist + spell hits combo is dirty and makes me feel bad in my pants.

3. Warhammer 8th Edition can still be pretty fun and I should play it more often. 

Before I get back into my Ogres too heavily I have a date with some skeletons... and their new found bony friends. Coming soon!

Beer Review - Magic Hat #9

Super behind on the beer reviews. How can I call my blog Drinkin' and Modelin' when there isn't any booze?! Here is one from way back in Austin (though I can get this beer here in Kalamazoo as well).

 

Magic Hat Brewing Company - #9

Beer Type: Fruit/Vegetable beer

Appearance: 12 oz. brown bottle with a big orange and pink/red number 9 on the label. Beer poured a light golden color (maybe a little orange?) with a nice thick head.

Smell: Apricots first, followed by a little malt and hops.

First Drink: Sweet apricot and fruit flavors followed by a mild honey aftertaste. Interesting...

Mouthfeel: Pretty light overall and nicely carbonated.

Last Drink: A bit more hops and bitterness coming through now.

Drinkability: Hard to quantify this beer as "drinkable" or not. It is strange and I like it ... I think.

Notes: Magic Hat makes some odd beers but I don't fault them for it. Here's hoping they manage to keep it up!

Verdict: 3 out of 5. Not quite enough going on to keep me really interested in this beer.

Links: Beer Advocate and Magic Hat Brewing Company.