New Slayerbrotherhood - The Doom Seeker Issue #2 out now.

The second issue of The Doom Seeker has just been released. You can download it here or read it here.

While I am still a fan of the idea behind this webzine, and I applaud the New Slayer Brotherhood community for their continued efforts, the overall presentation of this new issue is still rather poor. A cluttered layout, mix-and-match font styles, and abundant use of clipart fail to impress visually while the content is a mixed bag with few standout pieces. My favorite thing featured in this latest issue is the awesome cover art. Very "Dwarf Slayer".

As a whole this issue seems to focus more on the entirety of Warhammer with very little Slayer-centric content (only 6 pages of 32 in total), and the presentation is lacking a unified vision. I hope future issues can maintain a more focused approach to the Slayer army while including some of the additional content featured in issue #2. Perhaps a longer duration between issues would help increase the quality of the articles used - I am sure there is not a ton of content readily available for any Storm of Chaos army (even the mighty Slayers).

What would a post about Slayers be if it did not feature at least one mention of beer!? Here is a brew I reviewed after my trip to Fort Collins, CO last winter.

Odell Brewing Company - 5 Barrel Pale Ale

Beer Type: English Pale Ale

Appearance: 12 oz. brown bottle featuring a red and beige Odell style label. Beer poured a clear amber-gold color with a thick off white head.

Smell: Some toasty malts, spicy hops, and caramel sweetness.

First Drink: Lots of earthy flavors and a little bit of the hops. Plenty of sweet malt, almost too much to make out the hop flavor.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and well carbonated. No complaints here!

Last Drink: More of the hops flavor now, with a bit more mellow biscuit sweetness.

Drinkability: One of my favorite Odell brews so far. A nice little departure from the normal pale ale, but not too far out there.

Notes: This is my last beer from my trip to Fort Collins, Colorado last January. I need to go back and get more of Odell's excellent beers!

Verdict: 4 out of 5.

Links: Beer Advocate and Odell Brewing Company

New Slayerbrotherhood - The Doom Seeker Issue #1 out now.

Hot on the heels of Gold and Glory we have the first issue of The Doom Seeker - a new Storm of Chaos/Slayer-centric WHFB webzine from some of the same team.

Overall this issue follows many of the thematic lines set out by the new issue of Gold and Glory, including the least attractive elements like liberal use of clip art and a variety of fonts. I don't consider myself to be a master of design but someone needs to step up as "Art Director" to help guide the layout and style of these webzines. While there is likely some great information in this work I find it hard to make myself read something that is presented in such a bland and uninspired style.

The issue's contents include various pictures (of varying quality), fluff/history articles, a woefully under thought out Slayer army list (did anyone play test this!?), some tutorials that don't teach much, and a random assortment of seemingly unrelated how-to and showcase pieces.

I really want to like this webzine, and I applaud the (small) community for their efforts, but the presentation really must improve if they want anyone to take a Slayer army seriously. As a Slayer fan myself it hurts to see the low quality of something like this as I feel it portrays the army and it's fans in a less than stellar light. Perhaps I should "put my money where my mouth is" and step in to help out somehow, or at least offer more specific critique and ways for the staff to improve.

Here's hoping the next issue blows the orange dye out of my hair and the piercings from my face.

It has been awhile since I posted a beer review (it always seems to be that way!) and I am getting behind on that end of the hobby (about 6-10 reviews waiting to be added to the site right now, not including my own homebrew). To rectify that situation, and to celebrate the might Slayer lifestyle, here is a review of one of the brews I had back in January from Fort Collins, CO.

Odell Brewing Company - Odell Isolation Ale

Beer Type: Winter Warmer

Appearance: 12 oz. brown bottle featuring a very wintery Odell style label. Beer poured a burnt orange-amber color with a thick off white head that faded quickly but left a nice lacing.

Smell: Lots of sweet caramel malt with a hint of hops.

First Drink: Big caramel malt flavor up front (like the smell) that is followed up by a mellow bitter hops and some more earthy flavors.

Mouthfeel: Great done mix of carbonation and full mouthfeel. You can feel it warming up your insides as it goes down.

Last Drink: A bit of smokey aftertaste, with maybe a little piny hops in the finish.

Drinkability: Well crafted and executed, I didn't like this beer much when I first tried it but I am appreciating it in a new way for this review.

Notes: Odell's brewery is in Fort Collins, Colorado and I brought this back with me on my trip. A really cool brewery and I hope I get the chance to go back at some point to try more of their excellent beer.

Verdict: 4.25 out of 5. Even though it is about 85 degrees outside right now, I really enjoyed this wintery brew!

Links: Beer Advocate and Odell Brewing Company.

1,500 point Dwarf "Slayer" list.

Shortly after I started collecting my Ogre Kingdoms army I went a little bit insane (I am not ashamed to admit that). I decided it would be an awesome idea to collect a Slayer army of Karak Kadrin from the Storm of Chaos. In 2008. When nobody still played with the list.

Seeing as I am the proud (and crazed) owner of about 1,500 points in pewter Dwarf Slayer models, and inspired by the discovery of the New Slayerbrotherhood, I thought now might be a good time to craft a "Slayer" army based on the Dwarf Army book. With a little imagination, and some help from my friend Thane Demolira, I have done just that! Here I present to you 1,500 points of Dwarf "Slayers".

SLAAAYYAAAAAAAS!

HEROES: (316)
Thane - Great Weapon, Shield, Rune of Stone (76)
Thane - BSB, Strollaz's Rune, RoCourage, RoSanctuary (190)
Dragon Slayer (50)

The first Thane is my "Slayer" army general. He has a "Slayer" save, its not armor... honest! The BSB is my close approximation and making the unit of Longbeards (and the surrounding units) act a bit more like Slayers. Strollaz's Rune of "Look Snorri, Trolls!", MR1, and immunity to Fear and Terror. The actual Dragon Slayer is there just so I can take the second unit of Slayers. Maybe he will live near the Warriors behind the Longbeards.

CORE: (380)
Warriors x 11 - Shields, Musician (104)
Longbeards x 18 - Shields, Musician, Standard, MroGrugni (276)

"Warriors" are there to allow for the "Longbeards". All of these will be represented by Slayer models. The Longbeards are filling in for the Brotherhood of Grimnir and I have tried to approximate their special rules with the Banners of the BSB and the unit.

SPECIAL: (585)
Troll Slayers x 20 - Giant Slayer (235)
Troll Slayers x 20 - Giant Slayer (235)
Miners x 10 - Musician (115)

Slayers! The real ones (plus a unit of Slayer "Miners" who will drunkenly stumble on the board at some point). These will flank the unit of Longbeards to benefit from Strollaz and Grugni.

RARE: (219)
Long Drong's Slayer Pirates x 12 (219)

I would rather take the Goblin Hewer but that requires an additional Hero slot. Perhaps at 2,000 points (or as a counts as "Organ Gun"). Slayer Pirates are fun though, especially when you deploy them in a straight line of 12!

Total Points: 1,500 (of 1,500)

So there you have it - my first attempt at making a "real" Dwarf list that utilizes my collection of Slayer models. As a Dwarf list it is certainly lacking in some areas but I think it may still do well given the right situation and opponents.

Dogs of War - Gold and Glory Issue #2 out now.

Gold and Glory Issue #2 has just been released by the salty seadogs over at Dogs of War Online.

You can download it here.

The first thing I notice in this issue was an ad for The New Slayer Brotherhood. Neat. I really need to work on my Slayer army. I have been thinking about crafting a Dwarf Army Book list that I can use my Slayer models for and the New Slayer Brotherhood forum gave me a few ideas in that regard. I'm sure you can expect to see more on that later...

As for the rest of the issue's contents - well it certainly isn't as polished as the Chaos Dwarfs Online webzine Word of Hashut. The article that I took the most interest in was the Ogre Tactica, but I can't say I was overly impressed with the content of this article. Honestly it did not seem like the author really knew all that much about the Ogre Kingdoms. It was basically a run down of the army book with very little "meat" and some of the content was factually incorrect. I am disappointed.

Overall the issue has a "novice" look and feel, which is appropriate given that it is the first issue for this new editorial staff (the first issue was done by Willmark from CDO/WoH). Some good information, a few pictures and armies, a tactica or two, and one really long battle report. The rest is filler (mostly ads). Hopefully the look and quality of this zine can increase in the months to come, but I worry - are there enough DoW players and fans out there to keep something like this interesting for long? Only time will tell I suppose.

My addiction.

I have become what I feared most, and that is a Warhammer junkie. At times I feel my life revolves completely around the hobby. I read Black Library books, I assemble and paint Warhammer models, I play (not as much as I would like to) Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, and I read/contribute to/listen to various Warhammer related fan websites.

Yet still my thirst for Warhammer is not sated. I dream of starting collections of 40k miniatures, specialized armies, completely modified and converted forces, and now I am even looking into playing Mordheim (I had already considered running a Warhammer Fantasy RPG campaign but my regular group of gamers aren't really the sort to want that).

Yet still I hunger for new models, new army lists, more games, and all to what end? My obsession runs so deep I asked my best friend (and loving girlfriend) to spare me two months of indecision as to what Warhammer project I should undertake next by purchasing me a new army Battalion box for Christmas. So for two months I have been spared the "what army should I begin collecting next" game I tend to play with myself, but in that time I have simply read every existing army book and planned all of the various armies I might potentially build (depending on which army she would choose for me).

And so on, and so on, and so on it goes. A short list of my current (and possibly future) projects so that I may read this at a later date and weep silently at my own insanity.

- 3000 points of Ogre Kingdoms based on the fluff I am crafting for my Tyrant Karnov (of which you have read on this blog). I am at about 1750 or maybe 2000 if I stretch my models. Still want to get Maneaters, need to fix and assemble some Butchers, find or create a Bruiser, eventually get some Rhinox Riders (although I may wait until they become official), and possible include more DoW units (which are currently being phased out by Games Workshop).
- A Dogs of War (DoW) army based on Pirates (which would include many Ogres).
- A Kislev army (or DoW army based on Kislev). Bear cav!!
- Another DoW army based on Araby (possibly being dual use for a "living" Tomb Kings force).
- My Slayer army (which sits at 1000 points currently but I wouldn't mind fleshing it out to hit 1500 or 2000 with more Dwarfs and possibly some DoW).
- A Middenheim/Ulrich Empire (or maybe DoW) themed army (no gunpowder, lots of relegious nutters and men in furry boots).
- My Troll/Monster Warriors of Chaos list (which I have proxied and it is quite fun).

And those are just the ones I have given more thought to. There are plenty more partially fleshed out ideas laying like burning wreckage on the side of some hideous Warhammer Road Warrior highway.

I have become everything I have feared and I am loving it. Lord save my (miniature) soul.

Speaking of addiction, here is a new beer review! Huzzah!

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Oskar Blues Brewery - Old Chub Scottish Style Ale

Beer Type: Scottish Ale

Appearance: 12 oz. can with plenty of green and red plaid and a big "OLD CHUB" on the front. Poured a dark brown-red color, almost black if you don't have any light on it. No head at all, but maybe this is an off batch or a mispour?

Smell: Sweet roasted malt with a bit of coffee and chocolate.

First Drink: Sweet! This reminds me of Raison D'etre by Dogfish Head brewery. All of the aromas are there in the flavor with a bit of smoke in the aftertaste. This is 8% ABV but I don't taste that at all ... dangerous!

Mouthfeel: Thick and coating with zero carbonation.

Last Drink: Still sweet but I can make out more of the sweet flavors distinctly. Caramel or toffee? Seems very simple at first but it is actually fairly complex on the tongue.

Drinkability: Never expected to have a beer that tasted like this out of a can! It threw me for a loop, and I have had another brew from this brewery called Dale's Pale Ale. I think this beer is actually better!

Notes: This is a well crafted beer and it comes in a can. Costly though as it runs about $8.99 for a sixer around these parts. I would be interested in having this on tap.

Verdict: 4 out of 5. May be higher/lower but I am still getting used to this style of beer so I will stick with personal taste.

Links: Beer Advocate and Oskar Blues Brewery.

Progress Report - 10/4/08.

The sickness is spreading! The sickness is spreading!

Picked up the Empire army book last night at my local gaming store. I was there to get the remainder of the Slayers I need for my Slayer Army. I am still in the process of getting all of the little buggers cleaned up and assembled, but I hope to have some WIP pictures up here soon (maybe tomorrow!?).

I bought the Empire book for a couple of reasons.

1. After I complete the Slayer Army I want to model a force of Ulric/Middenheim Warrior Priest driven smash-a-tude. I will get into more of that at a later date, but it is something I have been kicking around in my head for awhile now.

2. The THURMANATOR seems ready to make the dive into WHFB (finally!) and has chosen the Empire as his starting point. Being friendly and what not I wanted to help ease the financial burden of starting the hobby by having the Army Book ready for him to use.

Still kicking around the ideas for a "Paint and Play" campaign type setting for my small Warhammer group. With the upcoming Warriors of Chaos release we should have 6 players to get this going. Maybe then you will finally start seeing some painted Beer Gut models!

I leave you now with a beer review! Expect more reviews of beers from this brewery in the near future as they are more readily available in my area now!

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Stone Brewing Company - Stone Smoked Porter

Beer Type: American Porter

Appearance: 1 Pt. 6 Fl. Oz. brown Stone bottle with the good ole Demon/Gargoyle logo. Not the fanciest bottle, which is a bit off for this brewery, but there is still plenty of ink printed on the glass. Beer poured a dark redish black with a thick tan head that started to patch up a bit as it settled.

Smell: The aroma isn't terribly strong which was a bit surprising to me (most Stone brews have a solid smell), but I can make out some dark smells. Coffee, roasted malt, some smoke of course, but it is not overpowering.

First Drink: A little sweet for a porter, but there is a lot of dark flavors at work here. Again, coffee on the front with the roasted malt and smokey flavors coming out in the finish.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, perfectly carbonated, no complaints here. Maybe a little thin for a porter?

Last Drink: A lot more smokey, woody, flavors now. Tastes like a delicious beer flavored campfire!

Drinkability: I can't say this is my favorite Stone beer, but it is a solid porter in the American brewing style.

Notes: There are suddenly new variations of Stone brews here in Austin! Very exciting! I have a couple other which I will be reviewing shortly. One of these days I would love to make it out to this brewery for a tour and to get some schwag.

Verdict: 4.25 out of 5. Tastes good, and feels good with the cooler fall air coming in.

Links: Beer Advocate and Stone Brewing Company.

Return of the Beer Gut Tribe!

We have returned! The Beer Gut Tribe is back on the warpath and looking for new blood to spill. There is pillaging and drinking to be done, and we be the ones to do it!

I have changed up the overall look of the blog, hopefully for the better?

In my absence from this gnoblog I have been quite busy, but not for reasons that are particularly interesting or fun. I have not played a real match with the Beergut forces since last month (when I lost quite badly to Greenskins), but during that time I did bear witness to two separate Generals trying their hand with the fat bastards. Neither of these battles went well, and both parties swore off the Beer Guts claiming, "I will never play the Ogres again!".

This did not go a long way in easing my fears that the Ogre Kingdom army just isn't quite what I had hoped it would be. It did go a long way at easing my own self esteem issues related to the game, and now I know there isn't a whole lot I could be doing differently. Picking the right unit for the job, and getting good dice rolls is 90% of the game. With more practice I think I will eventually get the "BIG WIN" I have been wanting so very badly.

During my time away I also moved from a small 2 bedroom apartment into a much larger 3 bedroom house. This new house should prove quite useful for tabletop gaming as I have my own room dedicated to my many hobbies (PC gaming, music recording and creation, and Warhammer), and I intend to build a modular "gaming table" so I can have more frequent games .. hopefully in the comfort of my own home. Work will soon begin on finishing the construction phase of my Ogres, with Yhetees, Gorgers, Butchers, and a Scraplauncher all on the docket.

I am toying with the idea of running a unit of Long Drong's Slayer Pirates in the Beer Gut Tribe as a Dogs of War entry to the army. There is just something so cool about these guys, and I think they fit in quite nicely with the overall Beer Gut Tribe "fluff", being a bunch of drunken mercenaries and what not. My only fear is that getting this one unit of Slayers may lead me to create an entire Slayer army, something I wouldn't mine owning but don't necessarily feel like purchasing. Ah well ... such is life.

Not a terribly exciting entry, I apologize for that, but look forward to more progress pictures and new battle reports in the coming weeks. My small Warhammer group is growing and it looks like we might be kicking off a "paint and play" style escalation campaign in the very new future (hopefully with some new, as of yet unseen, armies to play against!). Stay tuned ...