Two brutal Sundays.

It may not be "blog appropriate" but the events of the past week will certainly have an impact on my life and hobbies.

My father passed away last Monday night. I never had a chance to show him my completed models but I like to think he would have liked them. He had an enormous influence on my life and most (if not all) of my artistic talents can be credited to him. My love of monsters, fantasy, science fiction, nature, food, games, comics, reading, laughing, sarcasm ... the list goes on an on.

I gave up my place in the next round of this year's 'Ard Boyz tournament to the fourth place contestant. Although I might make it back home in time to compete I don't think I would be able to focus on something so trivial while being crushed by the combined weight of other events in my life. I'm not saying painting, constructing, and "doing battle" with tiny models isn't great (of course it is), just that life can be short (sometimes tragically so) and you never know what the universe will throw your way. Make the most of the chaos and hug the ones you love - you might not get another chance.

Beer Gut Tribe smashed in some 'eads at 'Ard Boyz!

What?! How the hell ...

I got second place in round one of 'Ard Boyz today - beating out a nasty VC list, casty double Slann LM list, and Dragon/double Hydra DE list. Final tally was 1 Draw and 2 Massacres.

First place was a Kairos DoC list with tons of Flamers and a giant unit of Horrors. Third place was a Thorek Dwarf list.

I'll try and get some details up tomorrow - right now I am still in shock! Going to be playing in round 2 for the regional competition! I am very happy and very proud of my Ogres. To those that said it couldn't be done - you were wrong!

Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to 'Ard Boyz we go!

'Ard Boyz! What madness lies within the twisted walls of your average tabletop gamer's mind? Soon I will find out as I venture deep into the territory of "cheesed out" lists in "waac-ville".

Even Thor is getting in on the "beardy" action!

Things I expect will happen in my three games today:

1. My Ogres will be completely outmatched in the magic phase (even with Skrag and two Butchers)

2. I will be tabled very early in a game (or two, or three), most likely by heavy shooting or magic.

3. The scenarios will be "good" to me and I will score a few points but lose all my games.

Things I would like to see happen in my three games today:

1. My Tyrant completely and utterly destroys a Lord or two.

2. The Scraplauncher or Slavegiant will do something spectacularly terrible that works out to my advantage.

3. I win at least one (or two, or three) of my games, hopefully against players who bring very hard lists.

Wish the Beer Gut Tribe (and me!) a bit of luck - they will likely need it! Best of luck to all the brave OK generals taking Ogres to 'Ard Boyz today. Maw the force be with you.

'Ard Boyz: Scenarios are out - Beer Gut Tribe army list in the works.

The preliminary 'Ard Boyz scenarios are now available via the Games Workshop website. They are pretty basic, no real shockers there for me personally. I don't know that I care for the second scenario which gives the advantage to Immune to Pyschology troops (as if Daemons of Chaos or Vampire Counts needed any help). As an Ogre player I like the focus of the other two scenarios; free Stubborn on my BSB's unit, and a focus on killing my opponent's Army General? Awesome.

I haven't written it in blood (or stone) yet, but here is my current list for 'Ard Boyz:

LORDS: (721)
Skrag the Slaughterer (400)
Tyrant – Heavy Armor, CLS, Luck Gnoblar, Sword Gnoblar x 2, Beastkiller, Wyrdstone Necklace, Greedy Fist, Greyback Pelt (321)

Skrag rides near some Leadies/Bulls for screening and charge redirection. Tyrant lives in a unit with the BSB, Siege/Skull Butcher and the Maneaters. He is my Large Target killing machine, and magic weapon eating buddy.

HEROES: (589)
Bruiser – BSB, Lookout Gnoblar, Heavy Armor, Sword Gnoblar x 2, Luck Gnoblar, Tenderiser (229)
Butcher – Siegebreaker, Skullmantle (180)
Butcher – Bangstick, Dispel Scroll (180)

BSB and Siege/Skull go in the Maneaters, Bangstick Butcher probably in with the Ironguts. 1 Scroll and 6 DD should get me through the worst (I hope) until I can get into CC.

CORE: (610)
Bulls x 3 – Bellower, AHW, Champion (147)
Bulls x 3 – Bellower, AHW, Champion (147)
Ironguts x 3 – Bellower, Champion (174)
Gnoblar Trappers x 10 (60)
Gnoblar Fighters x 20 – Groinbiter (42)
Gnoblar Fighters x 20 (40)

Fighters will sit on table quarters or take objectives as needed, Bulls are bait/flankers, and the Ironguts will go 40mm/Knight hunting as needed.

SPECIAL: (725)
Gorger (75)
Gorger (75)
Gorger (75)
Gorger (75)
Scraplauncher (165)
Leadbelchers x 2 – Bellower. Champion (130)
Leadbelchers x 2 – Bellower. Champion (130)

Can't have a Skrag list w/o some Gorger love! Leadies are there for flyers/fast cav and flank support/bait. The Scraplauncher is just another hassle for my opponents to have to deal with and can be used in CC to break ranks if needed.

RARE: (355)
Maneaters x 2 – CLS, HA (180)
Slavegiant (175)

I wanted two units of ME but couldn't fit them any the Tyrant in. Slavegiant is flank support/shoot me sillyness.

Total Points: 3,000 (of 3,000)

Are you planning on attending this year's Fantasy 'Ard Boyz? What are you taking and why?