DEFCON: COREY, Enter Saint, Starter to Apocalypse

What is DEFCON: COREY?

DEFCON: COREY is a threat status raised by our local gaming group. All is well though. I find it hilarious and plan to run with it as far and as long as I can to spread the word of truth.

Enter Saint

Saint had approached me through my blog and I took the liberty of inviting him to join the local game group. Saint was able to get some time off last Saturday and he drove to join our group to play some 40K.

Upon parking his vehicle at the shop last Saturday, Saint heard the following passage through his radio.

Turn off you engine and surrender your models.
We are the local gaming group.
We will add your biological and technical distinctiveness to our own.
Resistance to 40K is futile.

Starter

It was the intent to play a 1 versus 1 starter game with Saint so he could get a hang of the rules, but it turned out to be much more. He had thoughts of what kind of units to field, but I told him to not worry and bring a good 1500 point list. He did just that and brought a good 1500 point list full of all kinds of Ork goodness.

I consider Ork goodness in the form of what models he had. He had some, Gretchin, Boyz, a truck, Lootas, a flyer, a loba, Tank Bustas. I think he had a good mind set, bring em, roll the dice, go for broke, and hope for 5's.

(Spoilers Start)

He played mostly against Screech with some of his unit near my units. Screech is slightly better with rules so I think it was a bonus and he held his side quite well having his boyz hold an objective and launch assaults against the Chaos units. I think he got a good feel how some Ork units can work and not work as their was a variable cornucopia of enemy units.

(Spoilers End)

I brought some of my own terrain and also noticed there was some nice ruined buildings to use as well. We grabbed a table and started making a table full of good terrain. This is when it all happened.

Apocalypse

Rogue Trader asked what we were up to and somehow he got added into the game. Now we had a 2 versus 1 game. I think Rogue Trader wanted to get a game started as Kushial was quietly moving about aimlessly, Masta Cheef was waiting unproductively for Screech who was all blah, blah, blah and stuff. I think 2 versus 1 would leave someone without an opponent so Kushial being the master of dropping an entire company of marines on the fly joined the game. The 2 versus 1 game was now 3 versus 1 and the 6 by 4 table mutated to a 12 by 4 table. Masta Cheef with an army ready to deploy and ready for a game was still waiting for Screech, lol. Masta Cheef joined the fray making the game 4 versus 1 along with Screech who finally realized Saturday was for gaming and took Kushial's side making the game 4 versus 2. The little 1 versus 1 starter game had mutated into a minor apocalypse game.

Breakdown of armies and points.

Saint - Orks - 1500 Points
Masta Cheef - Storm Wardens (Marines) - 1500 Points
Hive Angel - Blood Angels - 2000 Points
Rogue Trader - Dark Eldar - 2000 Points

Screech - Thousand Sons of Bitches - 1500 Points
Kushial - Bucket of Marines Green Army Men style * - 5500 Points

* Not really in a bucket and not really green army men. However if they were in said bucket, the models would empty from their bucket transport hitting the table and snap to attention.

Here is a few shots of the deployment

Top: Ork and Bottom: Thousand Sons

Top: Dark Eldar and Marines and Bottom: Kushial's Marines

Damn! Look at those sweet trenches!

Top: Blood Angels and others and Bottom: More of Kushial's Marines

The game was too large for a battle report. However I cannot forgo the telling of the highlights of some hilarious climatic,  pure nonsense, blasphemous details.

Here goes ...

February Ninth Two Thousand Thirteen, a day which shall live in "Ah Shit".

Kushial

"First Turn, Drop Pod Assault!"

* Hive Angel and his coalition believe they deployed well and set to invade Kushial's right flank from behind. Kushial had first turn which he turned around for a moment and announces "Drop Pod Assault" with luxurios "Got you" grin. Bye bye Land Raider, the Sterguard inside were not hurt.

* Masta Cheef was most displeased with the placement of his Predator behind his Razorback in the far corner which became immobilized on the first turn.

* Kushial manages to immobilize many Dark Eldar vehicles on multiple accounts littering the field with Dark Eldar gun platforms.

* Masta Cheef succeeded in creating a Land Raider versus Land Raider parking lot duel.

* Blood Angel Sterguard marines were witnessed providing cover fire for a gretchin mob moving to seize an objective.

* Saint releases the only flyer from the Orks edge to run amok.

* Kushial's lightning claw terminator squad gets assaulted by an Ork dreadnought. The Terminators go slice slice while the Ork dreadnought goes snippy snippy. Terminators do die.

* The middle section terrain between the trenches had an objective and by turn three it was swelling with marines and Dark Eldar. Plus an Ork dreadnaught. :)

* Kushial teleports in eleven Terminators with thunder hammer and shields which survive a stupid amount of firepower. The coalition sicks the Death Company accompanied by Lemartes upon them who have a feeding frenzy.

* Saint's Killer Kans prevail in their assault against Chaos and manage to remove a hull point from their Land Rainder. Chaos in return recognizes their bravery and spares the ork's life by removing the close combat weapon. Screech the Chaos god placed a weapon destroyed chip upon the Killer Kan thereby granting the Ork the Choas gift of cookie.

* Sounds effects were made, but probably only Masta Cheef knows the whispers of Chaos.

* There was way more details than I can remember and some I missed out on.

Best of all ...

*Neverness stopped by and sad to say missed the chance to take part in this glorious game. Without worry or shame, he donned his Ork cap and summoned a pizza and all was well.

The game ended at the end of turn 3 with some reserve units not yet deployed. Thanks a lot Kushial and your Warlord -1 to opponents reserves, lol. Saint had to leave, but I believe he left having a good game with a bunch of lunatics. I rolled for my Warlord trait in turn 2 as I forgot and received a trait to redeploy, FAIL. To say the most, this was fun. To say more, we can do this again easy and we should. Keep the game fair and fun and everyone will have a blast. Just don't blow someone's Land Raider to smithereens on the first turn when he is out getting a soda, lol. 

Till next time.

Land Raider WIP Part 5

Land Raider WIP Part 5

Finally I can post pictures of paint on my Land Raider Crusader. To be honest I am a slow painter right now, but I am enjoying the painting aspect of this vehicle a lot and am looking forward to its completion. I should have maybe one more WIP post of painting and then a final post. I would like to finish this vehicle perhaps this coming weekend if I can.

I have applied black paint to all of the areas I am sure will need it. Speaking of black paint I am using a bottle of Valejo Game Color. I do waste some, but I like the dropper compared to the GW pot just so I can get amounts of various quantities for one color. Plus black is really universal. The same goes for white which I would like to acquire another a new bottle of.

I am probably going to paint the front hull Aquila gold instead of white like I first thought. The skulls and all of the skulls on the model are all at the same stage of a delvan mud wash. I tried something new by painting certain antenna and vents spots all black instead of picking out individual pieces. I believe this idea is proving well. The rear vent area I was pondering an idea of painting the entire vent area, but just went with the individual vents instead. Some of the bolt gun metal portions have a badab black wash.

The frag launchers look good. They will look even better once the skulls are done. I thought of using a carefully applied badab black wash down the sides. This should help define the frag launchers more and bring them out, but not away from the red of the vehicle. There is always the option to just paint the frag launchers metal as well, but I was not sold on the idea.

I am very pleased on how the skull and wings on the side door are turning out. The white was built up from a few layers of lighter grey and a badab black wash. The white has been painstakingly applied brush by brush on each wing to not disturb the previous wash. From a lower angle it appears slightly messy, but from the view of where it will naturally rest on the vehicle it looks superior. The other side door is progressing nice as well, however I am wondering about the handle hold at the bottom.

I am most proud of myself for the work so far on the side sponsor shields. The gold trim idea worked out great and the wings using the same method as the side door look great. I am finding I am able to fix minor mistakes very easily. I have a bottle of Army Painter Pure Read which is a match to the spray paint. With this and a thin layer of ink mix I should be able to correct mistakes and apply touch up work.

The weapon parts are being slowly worked on at this point. I believe I have a good idea on what to paint on the assault cannons and maybe even brightening the barrels with silver perhaps. One of the assault cannons lower and upper barrels are a horrible example of a bad mold. The gun barrels are flat and thinner than the other barrels. I first thought they were part of the housing.

The hurrican bolters I am not sure yet on what parts to paint. I have drilled the barrels quite nicely to help bring out the metal painting on them. I will keep the housing assembly black, but what to paint on the weapons themselves, the ammo feeds, and the ammo hoppers is still a mystery.

I am still waiting on the Multi-Melta cupola which needs to be primed. Due to dull and mismatch in overall color I had to strip the assault cannon shield and the upper sponsor assemblies. All of these parts should paint up easily and fast. Once all are primed, they will be inked and pushed to painting after a days drying. The tracks are in the same boat waiting prime time as well. Tracks are easy though.

I will hold off attaching the side sponsors until I no longer need to continuously lift the model for painting purposes. The tracks is undecided, but perhaps yes for the upper portions so i can attach the frag launchers. The assault cannons can be assembled easily once they are ready.

I'll work on better pictures for next time. I am using a daylight bulb against a shiny surface which does not help all too well.

Please let me know what you think so far. I leave here for now and work to get another update before the weekend.

Land Raider WIP Part 4

Land Raider WIP Part 4

About a week ago I sent a picture to Masta Cheef to give him some insight on to what I was up to. This confirmed I had finally moved past the priming stage and to the inking stage of the Land Raider. Be honest, I have not down much else past inking the Land Raider, but this week I would like to actually work on it.

More ink for the ink god!

I had finally settled on an ink mixture and to my suspicions was just a 1/1/1 mixture of the three ingredients. The pool of liquid in the lower right of the mixing tray is what the final product looks like. I used 1 part (10 drops) distilled water, 1 part (10 drops) of Liquitex Naphthol Crimsom (Red) ink, and 1 part (10 drops) of Liquitex Transparent Burnt Sienna (brown) ink. When mixed together it looks like blood and when smeared across the paint palette which is actually a piece of tile it looks like blood.

Here are some shot showing how it came out and how it looks compared to my older Land Raider which still needs to be finished. The pictures are crude as I have not replaced my picture light.

The side sponsor tops mounts are not glued on neither are the top cupolas or the side doors. The Assault Cannon mount has tape placed on the underside to prevent red spray from getting inside. The cupola with the Multi-Melta did not get primed as I ran out of spray paint I think. Plus the tracks are sprayed black separately and then applied later on after the hull is good to go.

The pictures already ...

My only complaint would be the overall color is brighter than the other Land Raider which is darker. I am not sure what I did using the older GW inks besides taking large amounts and mixing it on a palette and then applying the ink to the model. The ink mixture of the past was by sight and I may have mixed a bit of black in it. I have pondered doing another ink layer, but I am unsure how an ink layer will sit on a previous ink layer. There is an option to increase the brown ink by about five drops. Another option is to use a brown ink wash. Either way I have to use the initial 1/1/1 base ink layer on all future models to maintain consistency.

When this Land Raider is finished it won't be the only model with a possible slight difference in color. The Baal Predator will follow along with a squad of assault marines and eventually a tactical squad and a Stormraven one day. One thing I noticed is one of my Tactical Squads closely matches the brightness of the new Land Raider. Plus I wouldn't mind redoing my Rhinos to match as their ink job doesn't match the rest of the army anyway.

I have asked my wife countless times what she thinks and she says it looks good and to start painting it. I think Masta Cheef will say the same and throw the initial Ork wrench in my direction to knock it off with the procrastinating already. Perhaps I am waiting for said wrench.

Painting is easy, it is a lot of black paint and metallic paints.

Blood Angels vs Necrons Battle Report 1500 Points

Blood Angels Battle Report

Blood Angels versus Necrons 1500 Points

I decided to get out and play some 40K last Saturday since the prior week was a double dose of the flu and a sinus infection and still the cough remains. When I got there I saw I was the sixth player and I was getting the feeling I would be paired with the not so loved Necron player and for the most part his Necron Air Force or whatever army list. Plus I have not played against him so this adds to the pool. Someone mentioned to me his list was a tough list. Either way I did not turn him down nor did I create anew or alter my standard army list I have been using lately. I even turned down an AA gun emplacement and vehicles. I think I had the mindset of seeing how this so called list works. This was my first game against Necrons, but I don't think it really shows what Necrons are.

Leonidas: "Necrons. We'll put their name to the test."

Battletech Battle Report

Here I bring you the latest Battletech Battle Report. I wanted to play a game of battletech during the week with Matser Cheef and he thought to play the game on a Saturday for more time and bigger units. The game was set, it was long, and it was pure fun. Plus I got the chance to test drive some unused mechs and to try out some new mechs. Masta Cheef certainly delivered one heck of a game as always. Enjoy.

Battle Setup

Tech level

3060

Mapsheets

Two similar open field mapsheets on opposite sides of a large military base mapsheet.

Mission

Military Base Capture

Whether actual engagement or mock training exercise neither the Draconis Combine or the Taurian authorities have released any information. It is left to information originating from a local populace as to when this occurrence happened. Contact with this local populace has not been established.

Battletech Forces

Attackers

Draconis Combine

Fire Lance

Archer ARC-5S   4/4
Awesome AWS-9Q   4/4
Mauler MAL-1R   4/4
Akuma AKU-1X   4/4

C3 Command Lance

Catapult CPLT-K5   4/4
Orion ONI-3M   4/4
Hatamoto-Chi HTM-28T   4/4
Atlas AS7-CM   4/4

Defenders

Tuarians

Medium Lance

Hunchback HBK-6S   4/5
Cicada CDA-3G   4/5
Dervish DV-8D   4/5
Hoplite HOP-4B    4/5

Assault Lance

Victor VTR-9K   4/4
Awesome AWS-9M   4/4
Stalker STK-6M   4/4
Dragon DRG-7N   4/4

Conventional Armor Lance

Maxim AFV (Fire Support)  4/5
Scorpion Light Tank (SRM)  4/5
Scorpion Light Tank (LRM)  4/5
AC-2 Carrier     4/5

Conventional Infantry Company

Foot Platoon (LRM) - BBQ Squad!
Foot Platoon (LRM)
Foot Platoon (LRM)

Battle Report

Turn 1

Nothing major happened besides both attacking and defending forces moving at full speed towards the military base. The Draconis Combine units moved in there respective lances while the Taurian forces moved in three separate packages.

Turn 2

All units on both sides were still moving at full speed towards the military base. The Taurian Maxim arrived in the base first and deployed its famous infantry platoon affectionately known as BBQ Platoon.

BBQ Platoon deploys and promptly set up grilling operations.

Turn 3

A lance worth of Taurian battlmechs had entered through the gate or jumped the outer ways into the military base while the Draconis Combine units only had two assault mechs make it to the gate.

Turn 4

Left front

All the Draconis units scaled or jumped the walls to enter the military base except the Atlas which walked right in through the gate. The Taurians began pushing units through the previously announced choke point gate.  The Hunchback bypassed the recently spotted Draconis Mechs and speed off to support the rest of the Taurians approaching the other gate.

The Dragon's pilot had rushed towards the Draconis units scaling the walls hoping for some early damage dealing and got a GR shot off at the Archer shredding half its armor off its right arm. The dragon was also left alone to whatever the enemy could throw at him and throw at him they did. The dragon was the assaulted by waves of LRM missile fire, blazing by ER LL shots, searing by PPCs, and AC/2 shots chinking his armor. The Dragon was spared to the effects from the Akuma who had sights for destruction.

The Taurian units behind the Dragon returned what fire they could resulting in negligible damage, but the Hoplite's small LRMs managed to strike the Draconis Awesome's head armor.

Right front

The Taurian battlemechs used speed to breakup any line of sight from the nearby Draconis units. The Draconis Hatamoto-Chi pilot caught the Dervish with a single ER PPC shot to a leg. The Atlas also caught the Maxim damaging its center torso.

Turn 5

Left front

All the Draconis mechs stayed up on the birm to keep long range superiority.  Having scared off the Dragon, the Akuma went further into the base to bring its deadly arsenal to bear against the approaching Stalker.

The Akuma missed everything to the Stalker except an LBX10 cluster while the being traded some LRMs. The Dragon sneakingly shot the Akuma with its AC/5 and and its GR. The Mauler shot the Stalker from above with a barrage of LRM, ER LL, and AC/2 firepower. The Draconis Awesome fired PPCs at the Stalker with one registering a head shot removing all the outer armor and leaving barely anything left to protect the pilot. The Taurian Awesome fired its ER PPCs at the Archer damaging its head as well in the same fashion. The Archer failed to add anything to the pool against the Stalker.

Right front

The Draconis unis skillfully moved towards the Taurian units having the Catapult act as a spotter for their C3 network. The Taurian units lead by the victor examined the situation and moved for the Catapult.

The Dervish opened up on the Catapult with some LRMs. The Catapult wanting to smash the Victor with raw MRM firepower missed to do so along with the Victor missing the chance to add to the Catapult pool. The Hunchback missed with its impressive LBX20 and only managed to strike the Catapult with an ER ML. The Orion with perfect C2 feedback made up for some of the Catapults loss by sending 21 MRMs and an LBX10 cluster shot to the Victor. The Victor was given a another beating from the Atlas's GR and LRMs ripping into the internal right arm armor and reducing the overall protection its right torso to a slim amount.

Infantry deploy from the Cell phone class dropship.

Turn 6

Left front

The Stalker and the Awesome moved upon the Akuma while other units continued to move past the gate.

The Dragon now believed to be at a safe range fire its GR and MRM 10 at the Akuma removing the rest of the right arm armor and hitting the head. The Stalker in better range to the Akuma gave a powerful light show of ER laser firepower helping to reduce the Akuma tough outer armor. The Taurian Awesome fired its full ER PPC compliment at the Akuma which melted into the left leg internal armor. The Dracons Awesome fired at the Taurian Awesome to try and push it back from the Akuma's current dueling partner. The Cicada having abandoned the fighting on the right front got an ER LL shot into the Akuma's center torso. The SRM Scorpion scored a head hit on the Akuma, destroyed its ML, and damaged the right arm shoulder as well. The Hoplite missed the Akuma. The AC/2 Carrier damaged the Akuma's right arm upper arm actuator.
BBQ squad also destroyed a chemical vat in hopes to clear some of the terrain projecting into line of sight.

The Akuma Rages

The Akuma battlemech took a beating, but the mechwarrior kept his mech up he unloaded 10 SSRMs into the Stalker which is shrugged it off, but a follow up  LBX10 cluster shot for good measure struck the Stalker's head twice destroying all the remaining internal head armour. 

The Stalker was down Battlemech Destroyed!

Right front

All forces closed in upon each other.

The Dervish switched to using ER MLs against the Catapult. The Catapult switching targets to the Hunchback missed with its MRMs again while succeeding with two MPLs. The Hunchback fired its LBX20 with a loaded cluster shot and shredded all the remaining outer armor off the Catapult's left arm and right torso. The Orion changed targeting to the Hunchback as well releasing 30 MRMs and a LBX10 cluster shot. The resulting explosions and slug rounds tore into the left arm and right arm internal armor damaging the L arm actuator and damaging the R arm ER ML laser. The Victor split targeting between the Catapult and the Hatamoto. The Catapult suffered a ML which seared through the L arm armor damaging the MRM launcher thereby silencing half of the Catapult's MRM barrage power. The Hamato received a well placed GR shot to the center torso. The Hamato returned fire to the Victor with 12 SSRMs and some ERPPC and ER ML fire which destroyed the right arm, struck the engine, and damaged the battlemech's head armor twice. The Maxim sought to help against the Hamato by bombarding it with a hefty 15 LRMs. The Atlas took the opportunity to shoot the Maxim as its only target with another round of GR and LRM fire which remove all the remaining outer armor off the turret and damaging the air skirts and driving mechanisms.

Turn 7

Left front

Kill Steal

The Archer fired ER LL and LRM fire towards the Hopelite to discourage it from entering the frey.
The Cicada having previously entered the frey unannounced fire at the Archer for a quick kill. The Cicada's laser fire destroyed its right arm and seared away the last remaining amount head armor taking the Archer out of action. Battlemech Destroyed!

The Dragon now knowing the Akuma took out the Stalker and was going for the Awesome and probably the Dragon next. The Dragon fired everything it had available at the Akuma. The attack damaged the Akuma's left arm shoulder along with the left arm actuator and also scored a head hit.
The Mauler seeing the Dragon now in full view did as it did with the Akuma and released a torrent of weapons fire towards the Dragon. The Dragon took 24 LRMs and an ER LL resulting in two engine hits, but the following AC/2 firepower ripped into the right torso detonating the ammo causing an expplosion. The Dragon's pilot ejected. Battlemech Destroyed!

The Taurian Awesome unleashed combined ER PPC and SSRM fire upon the Akuma in an attempt to break the Akuma's advance. The damage damaged the right arm hand, along with the left leg upper leg actuator and lower leg actuator.

The SRM tank also joined the support and damaged the Akuma's head armor.
The Akuma once again having taken a beating had its sights upon the Awesome. The MRM30 missed while an LB10X A/C solid shot failed to show any power. The Awesome stood, but not against the Akuma's two SSRM launchers unleashing 10 SSRM missiles striking the Awesome's head twice destroying the remaining armor and taking the mech out of action. Battlemech Destroyed!

The Raging Akuma!

Right front

The Hunchback's increased movement was rewarded with a generous helping of damage to the Catapult by its LBX20 cluster shot followed by SRM and ER ML fire. The attack removed all of the remaining armor on the Catapult's right torso. The Catapult in reponse sent 18 MRMs from its remaining launcher along with two MPLs back at the Hunchback. The damage destroyed the Hunchback's right torso.
The Hatamoto-Chi missed in helping out the Catapult, but managed another eg shot to the far away Dervish.
The Maxim aimed its LRMs to the occupied Hatamoto-Chi and damaged its gyro.
The Dervish followed suit to the Catapult missing with its LRMs, but a lone ML scored a hit which damaged the gyro.

It is unsure who had the kill, but at some point the Hunchback went down due to the overwhelming amount of short and medium range firepower. Battlemech Destroyed!

The Victor attacked the Orion from below only managing two lousy SRM hits. The Orion in response fired an astounding 40 MRMs with an LBX10 A/C cluster shot back to the Victor. The Victor's right arm was destroyed along with the engine being hit.

Turn 8

Left front

Both forces made minor position adjustments. The Cicada jumped far from the Akuma, while the SRM Scorpion moved towards the heavily wounded Akuma.

The Akuma turned its attention towards the SRM Scorpion and watched as it survived the same SSRM LBX10 cluster combo. The Scorpion did not come out fully unscathed as its drive and mechanic systems were damaged. The Scorpion returned fire and watched as its SRMs tore into the Akuma's ceter torso interior and damaged the gyro. The Scorpion's machine guns were also in range and they were hitting unprotected internal components and the Akuma's gyro was struck again. The Akuma dropped to the ground rumbling the ground before the Scorpion crew. The SRM Scorpion crew had ended the costly Akuma's rage. Battlemech Destroyed.

Throwing stones at a giant.

The Scorpion's crew cheered in a moment of success, but not long after they heard ding against the armor. The SRM Scorpion being the Mauler only target endured more torment from its AC/2 cannons dinging its hull to pieces causing the already damaged drive to be struck again.

The Awesome and the Hoplite briefly engaged weapons fire to little effect.

The Draconis Awesome gazes upon the Taurian Hoptlie.

Right front

The Taurian mechs dispersed after the loss of the Hunchback and remained out of sight from the Draconis mechs while the lone Maxim provided fire support.

The Atlas and Hatamoto-Chi had a chance to end the exposed Maxim, but it was not so.

Turn 9

Left front

The Draconis mechs still held the high ground and stood fast. The Taurians kept their mechs fast or far while pushing their vehicles further into the base past and under the fallen giants.

The Hoplite fired upon the Awesome with no effect. The Awesome had switched its attention to the Cicada which was too fast and the newly emerged LRM carrier which took some drive damage.
The Cicada shot the Awesome in the back armor with laser fire, but was unable to do any major harm.
The slow AC/2 Carrier scored a trio of AC/2 hits to the Awesome's center torso causing internal damage resulting in an engine hit

The Mauler open fired again on the SRM Scorpion and after a hail of LRM, Laser, and AC/2 firepower the SRM Scorpion's entire right side was gone leaving the vehicle a smoking hulk. Vehicle Destroyed!

The Mapsheet had not yet deleted the fallen mech.

Right front

The Taurain repeated their previous movement plan and stayed out of the sight on the Draconis Combine mechs. The Draconis mechs lead by the Atlas prepared to exit the now collapsed enemy right front and move towards the enemy left front. The Catapult and the Hatamoto-Chi both adjusted position to carefully move off the roof top. The Orion gave chase to the Dervish although combat with it was futile at the moment.

The Maxim fled the right front towards the buildings nearby for cover.

No combat was reported except the Atlas firing at the SRM Tank briefly.

Turn 10

Left front

The Mauler stayed on the high ground while the Awesome moved to the low ground. The Cicada abandoned the Awesome and moved behind the Mauler. The remaining Taurians adjusted position.

The Maxim fired some LRMs at the Awesome which was now on the ground and moving towards the Maxim's general direction. The Awesome returned fire which failed to hit the Maxim. The Cicada and LRM Scorpion both engaged the Mauler. The LRM Scorprion fired some LRMS and the Cicada fire some lasers. The Mauler standing and shrugging off everything thrown at it. The Mauler sent a mirror LRM package back to the LRM Scorpion damaging its motor and sent a mirror ER LL to the Cicada. The Hoplite fired at the Awesome and missed.  The AC/2 Carrier's shot were good enough to strike the Awesome head armor.

Right front

The Catapult began dumping all of its remaining MRM ammunition.

The Atlas moved towards the left front while the Catapult and the Hatamoto-Chi moved off the rooftop safely. The Orion gave up chasing the Dervish on orders from the Atlas to join the others. The Dervish jumped the wall back into the right front.

The Dervish tried a surprise attack on the Hatamoto-Chi and missed. The Atlas attempted to return fire to the Dervish and missed as well. The Hatamto-Chi delivered a punishing ER PPC blast melting its center torso armor and hitting the engine.

Turn 11

Final Assault

Left front

Though exposed to the Atlas, the Maxim fired LRMs at the Awesome in an attempt to overwhelm the mech and bring it down. The Maxim's LRMs did not prove to be enough. The Hoplite fired LRMs at the Awesome with better effect. The LRMs causing explosions which tore apart the right arm lower arm actuator and damaged a double heat sink inside the arm. The Awesome returned three PPCs shots to the Hoplite and removed its right arm. The Hoplite began to sway and fell to the ground. The Hoplite's pilot was good enough to keep himself unharmed during the fall. BBQ Platoon having finished grilling operations made a precise LRM attack against the Awesome with multiple explosions damaging the same double heat sink along with strikes against  the center torso causing internal gyro damage. The Mauler struck the AC/2 Carrier with AC/2 fire and damaged its drive systems. The Cicada as before shot the Mauler with ER laser fire and failed to do anything significant.

Right front

The Atlas moved further to the left to somewhat join up and support the Awesome closely followed by the Orion and slowly by the Catapult and Hatamoto-Chi.The Victor made a move for the vulnerable Catapult.

The Atlas, having moved well to the left to make a presence and threat joined the left front fight. The Atlas fired a GR at the AC/2 Carrier which had armor to survive the shot. The Atlas also fired its LRM and ER LL at the Maxim destroying the turret and destroyed the Maxim's armor altogether leaving it a smoking hulk. The Atlas had finally caught the Maxim.Vehicle Destroyed!

The Catapult was fast enough to get two MPLs which melted away the rest of the Victor's right torso. The Victor only managed a small amount of SRMs with enough luck to strike internal armor and not enough luck to cause serious harm. The Dervish fired laser at the rear armor of the Hatamoto-Chi and despite the melting the armor held.

The Hatamoto-Chi  wanted the Victor down as a prize kill and unleased 12 SSRMs, twin ER MLs, and an ER PPC upon the Victor causing server damage to the center torso beyond what the armor could handle melting away to the internal structure and into the engine in two locations. The Victor shut down in place before the Draconis mech in the midst of a desperate final assault. Battlemech Destroyed!

End Game

Once the Hoplite fell, the pilot gather his thoughts and signaled any remaining Taurian forces for a status report. The Victor was down, all remaining vehicles heavily damaged or crippled and the remaining mechs were no match for the opposing mechs. The mechwarrior ordered a general retreat having lost the base.

Draconis Combine

Not sure what is up with the Orion's sexy pose. Plus the Orion is missing the attached missile launcher I have been working on. I thought the Mauler would have been able to magically grow its arms as with the Hatamoto-Chi's cannons, but it was not so.

Taurian

Foot platoons 1 and 2 never joined the reindeer games.

Carnage Report

Attackers

Draconis Combine


Fire Lance

Archer ARC-5S
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Pilot damaged - Head hit
R Arm destroyed
Battlemech Destroyed!
Awesome AWS-9Q
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Engine hit
R Arm lower arm actuator
Double heat sink
Gyro hit
Battlemech Critically Damaged
Mauler MAL-1R
Akuma AKU-1X
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Gyro hit
Gyro hit
ML destroyed
R. Arm shoulder damaged
R. Arm upper arm actuator damaged
R. Arm lower arm actuator damaged
R Arm hand actuator damaged
L Leg hip damaged
L Leg upper leg actuator damaged
L leg lower leg actuator damaged
Battlemech Destroyed!

C3 Command Lance

Catapult CPLT-K5
MRM 30 damaged
Gyro hit
Remaining MRM30 ammo dumped
Battlemech Critically Damaged
Orion ONI-3M
Hatamoto-Chi HTM-28T
Gyro hit
Battlemech Critically Damaged
Atlas AS7-CM   4/4

Casualties

25%   Battlemechs destroyed
0%     Mechwarriors killed


Defenders

Tuarians


Medium Lance

Hunchback HBK-6S
L Arm actuator damaged
ER ML destroyed
R Torso destroyed
Battlemech Destroyed!
Cicada CDA-3G
Dervish DV-8D
Engine hit
Hoplite HOP-4B
R Arm destroyed

Assault Lance

Victor VTR-9K
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Pilot damaged - Head hit
R Arm destroyed
Engine hit
R Torso destroyed
Engine hit
Engine hit
Battlemech Destroyed!
Awesome AWS-9M
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Battlemech Destroyed!
Stalker STK-6M
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Pilot damaged - Head hit
Battlemech Destroyed!
Dragon DRG-7N
Engine hit
Engine hit
Ammo explosion
Battlemech Destroyed!

Conventional Armor Lance

Maxim AFV (Fire Support)
Air skirt damaged
Drive system damaged
Turret destroyed
Armor destroyed
Vehicle Destroyed!
Scorpion Light Tank (SRM)
Drive system damaged
Drive system damaged
Motor damaged
Armor destroyed
Vehicle Destroyed!
Scorpion Light Tank (LRM)
Drive system damaged
Motor damaged
AC-2 Carrier
Drive system damaged

Conventional Infantry Company

Foot Platoon (LRM) - BBQ Platoon!
Foot Platoon (LRM)
Foot Platoon (LRM)

Casualties

63%   Battlemechs destroyed
0%     Mechwarriors killed
50%   Vehicles destroyed
0%     Crew killed
0%     Infantry destroyed

Collateral Damage

1        Chemical Storage Tank destroyed

Thoughts

Picture help to tell the tale better and everyone likes pictures.

I went with the initial idea of bringing two lances with different roles in mind and keeping them together and it worked well. My ranged units were kept back which kept them safe and gave them the most advantage.

The Mauler was an awesome mech to use and I agree keeping it back is the best position for its survival.

The C3 lance was amazing and gave the MRM launchers a chance to shine, sort of. I think my unit selection for it was good for the game, but it might not be the best.

The Akuma had to close the distance and was a heck of a mech to play. Despite fearing an ammo explosion it died from two gyro hits. The Akuma missed with a lot of MRMs. I later found out I could have used the 2X which remedies the ammo explosion issue and switches the MRM and SSRM loudout slightly. I like the Akuma very much and this game it was on a rage till it was brought down my MG fire, lol.

There were entirely way too many head kills and some awful "2" rolls critical hits. Having some insight into the floating critical, I would like to try the optional rule in the future to avoid these oddities. This would also limit lucky shots from smaller entities and prolong expectancy. I am not sure if there is hope for the head armor issue.

Masta Cheef is developing strategy. This game was entertaining as it went through various phases from movement to fire fights to blood bath to retreat to regroup and final assault. Both of his units were working together, except the Cicada which was acting as a lone wolf. The head hits caused his left front to collapse early in my opinion. The rest of the mechs were brought down from shear damage down to internal armor and not "2" critical rolls.

Considering the mapsheet military base, Cheef initially identified the main gates as choke points. Funny thing is the gate on his map edge became his own choke point sort of.

Using LRM indirect fire rules might improve choke point issues, but I don't think either of us want to have a sit and fire away boring game. We tend to like to bash each other apart.

The Hunchback as always had to be deprived of all its armor before going down for good. I think his few shot with the LBX20 might have been better served with a solid round, but he has more experience with the weapon. Honorable mention goes to the Victor and Maxim as they took some heavy hits as well. One day I will feel the damage. When he runs an AC variant I worry or fret to some degree.

I believe dumping the Catapult's MRM ammo saved it from the Victor final assault. The Victor was getting some rasher crap roles when the rolls were not to hard to achieve.

Considering my MRM usage, I either missed altogether or fire very few missiles, something Masta Cheef rolled with all game and did not fear one bit.

Bonus

Scavenger hunt

Find the following items for 10 points each find.

1. Battletech 3rd Edition Box
2. Droid
3. Warhammer Fantasy miniatures box
4. File
5. GW Red range ruler
6. Cell Phone
7. Tissue box
8. Mountain dew
9. Hex Pack Lakes and Rivers
10. Glue
11. Calculator
12. Mechanical pencil eraser

Questions

1. What was for dinner?
2. Had the sun set past turn 7?
3. Which Taurian has a metal base?



Stay tuned for another exciting Battletech Battle Report coming soon.

Land Raider WIP Part 3

No new painting has been done as of yet, but I am well into the post internal painting assembly stage. Most weekends lately I have been busy, not wanting, or weather stopping. The weekdays only allow a small window and I still get wind.

Either way I want to show I am still working, not giving up temporarily, or stopping completely.

Here is how the model looks so far.

One key detail is the side sponsor pieces which hold the hurricane bolters are glued in place to the outer hold. The side panels will be held in place with something to allow them to be spray painted and protect the interior painted portions. The cupolas above are all unglued as well so they can be swapped and so forth for specific vehicle loadouts.

The two opening flaps which make the load/unload ramp I stripped of paint and spray them red as it will look much better once the outer hull is red. The red paint will get an inking like the outer hull to match.

Why so Serious?

Here is a final shot of the computer panel as well. Bad picture which makes me sad since it is glued in now. I ended up using a two tone panel scheme along with light green lines and dots, and a final white dot in the upper corner. A final gloss varnish was applied to the screens.

I did some work with the screen on the right interior hull as well. I tried to make a grid pattern with red and green squares and movement markers. I think it came out fine, but hard to work with, but good for a first try.

Here are two great tools which helped me with the computer screens.

The first is a ZIG calligraphy pigment ink marker with 0.5 and 1.2 tips. This works great for making any dark marks. I wanted to use it on the purity seals on the engine, but decided not to. I did use it on the screen with great success. However applying a wash can make it run so care and patience is advised.

It was in a pack of four different colors and I got them back in the 90's and have never really used them till now.

The second was gamble being a Treehouse paint marker. The glowing green colored match scorpion green quite well and the tip was small enough to work with.

I purchased this marker at Hobby Lobby for around $4 and I forgot the % off coupon, nice.

Hope you enjoy and find something useful.

Landraider Crusader WIP Part 2.5 and Chemistry Class

Where is Land Raider?

What? Expecting a lame random picture of Waldo? LOL

The Interior Front

The good news is my the part I ordered from the UK arrived last week Being stuck on whether I could work on it at the in laws place I decided to leave it for when I returned. Speaking of coming from the UK, I used Bitzbox and they came through having the package delivered within the guesstimated time so I will gladly use them again. I ordered a few other parts, but I will discuss those later on. My only con would be the lack of shipping information, but its not a big deal as they had a refund policy if your parts go AWOL after a certain point.

Sunday I cleaned up the part I needed (Sensor) and attached it to the new part I had to order (Front Hull) to get the missing part. I added a bit of gap filling material on the back on sensor on the interior side. Hopefully this will help cut down on the small amount of dust spray which gets in when spraying the actual exterior hull. Red dust from the red spray setting on the bone interior somewhats ruins all the hard work placed within. I then sprayed the interior side with a white prime and a bone base.

Exterior

Interior

I need to make a few minor interior paint adjustments and then it is assembly time. Wait, what you had all this time, lol. Halo4 came out remember. Might I add my wife won't play 40K, but she plays multiplayer with me and she is good enough to rumble with the rest of the uncoordinated team members so I am 1 uped for coolness.

The Exterior Front

Last week I did spray the interior portions of the side hulls where the side doors will be placed. My last Land Raider I did the same so I could remove the doors. However, one will not come off and the other fall off on its own. This spraying left a bunch of over spray on the sides. I know I can simply leave it, but the light color under the red spray later might through off the color slightly. I needed to find a way to remove the excess spray paint without having to redo the spraying.

Upon conducting some research for alternate ways of removing paint beyond what I already use I decided to take a trip to my local Walgreens for some Distilled water and some Non Acetone Nail Polish Remover. When I was there I was wondering if people would wonder what I would be doing

Remove paint better with studio beauty!

Plus, not a random picture.

Be warned, this stuff smells to high hell and its pink tone and mental effects will temp you to Slaanesh.

Sort of, not really. Masta Cheef is the disciple of that territory as he is the Master of the plasma spam fun fest. It reminds me of the movie Killer Klowns From Outer Space. The Clowns shot popcorn from their guns. In turn, I think the plasma chaos marines shoot confetti from there guns. However, some die on both sides so it probably is plasma.

The nail polish remover had to be tested first to avoid damage, despite using the non acetone remover. I grabbed three test pieces and placed nail polish remover on the side of two pieces with paint and on the side of one piece with bare plastic. Research mentioned this product removes paint in minutes so I return to the pieces after about five minutes.

No effect.

No, not actually though.

I remembered one of the painted pieces came off slightly as I swiped the product on with a q-tip. Plus the bare plastic was still bare plastic unchanged. I then took some and rubbed it on the Land Raider hull and it started stripping the paint right off the plastic. Not only did it strip the paint, it stripped through two layers of spray paint. Often I find it difficult to remove the lower layer of spray paint. This improves the overall power to strip paint in a matter of seconds compared to minutes.

With the Walking Dead on I commenced to strip paint off both exterior hull pieces and was highly successful. Only a small trace amount of color form the spray remained from each spot. The trace amounts I can leave without worry.

Here is the end result showing three important ideals and proof using Non Acetone Nail Polish Remover works to safely remove paint from plastic.

1: The actual color of the interior spray
2: The trace amounts of color left over
3: The undamaged bare plastic

Exterior

Undamaged

Interior between hull

Undamaged

Overall I would recommend using Non Acetone Nail Polish Remover as a targeted paint removing medium and continue to use other full paint removal mediums as normal. If any would like additional test subject evidence feel free to ask and I can see what else the Dok can work on.

Prior to gaming over the weekend I heard the silent lash crack of where is Landraider Crusader WIP Part 3. With this in mind assembly of the Land Raider should take place sometime this week.

The Masta Cheef and I just might get some Battletech in before Sunday. So look for another battle report.