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[WH40k] Commissars and Dinosaurs
Dayspring
the PhoenicianRegistered User regular
the PhoenicianRegistered User regular
Prepared by Order of the Lord General Militant of our Emperor’s glorious Imperial Guard, in conjunction with the Departmento Munitorum, and Departmento Administratum.
LMX Edition
DCDCVI Impression
945.M41
Foreward
Paraphrased from Lord General Militant Huxlow
From the Imperial Infantryman’s Uplifting Primer.
You are a soldier of the Imperial Guard. You stand with billions of others in the greatest army that has ever existed, bathed by the brilliant light of the Golden Throne with a chance of immortality that is the gift of a glorious death. It is the highest honor to fight in these same illustrious ranks which have produced some of the most exulted heroes the Imperium has ever known. Your Responsibility, and that of your comrades, is to help ensure that our magnificent Imperium is defended from its enemies. You will smite out foes wherever you find them, with the fervent passion and fury of those heroes of the past.
This thread has been produced to instruct you in your difficult transition from your previous life to one serving in the Military. Put your trust in the Immortal Emperor and he will watch over you. You will find in this thread guidance when you are in health, comfort when you are in sickness and strength when you are in adversity.
Go forth and ensure our prosperity. Fight with pride and fervor, for it is better to die for a purpose than live without reason.
The Immortal Emperor watches over you. He will judge you with unflinching eyes.
ForwardThis thread has been produced to instruct you in your difficult transition from your previous life to one serving in the Military. Put your trust in the Immortal Emperor and he will watch over you. You will find in this thread guidance when you are in health, comfort when you are in sickness and strength when you are in adversity.
Go forth and ensure our prosperity. Fight with pride and fervor, for it is better to die for a purpose than live without reason.
The Immortal Emperor watches over you. He will judge you with unflinching eyes.
Chapter 1: Know Your Foe
Chapter 2: Quartermaster Locations
Chapter 3: Tactica Imperialis
Chapter 4: Warp Transport
Chapter 5: Section 1: Issued arms and Attire
Chapter 5: Section 2: Apparatus and Equipment
Appendix
Inspirational Text
Warhammer 40k is a futuristic tabletop strategy game created by GamesWorkshop that pits multiple races and factions against each other for control of the galaxy. The wiki article can be found here.
wikipedia wrote:The Warhammer 40,000 game world is most readily characterized as a gothic science-fantasy setting. The central and most popular elements of the Warhammer 40,000 universe are the Space Marines, anachronistic combinations of sci-fi super-soldiers and fantasy knights and the finest warriors of the Imperium of Mankind, a dystopian and degenerate galaxy-spanning empire.
The physical setting of this story is the Materium, with all action here in the Milky Way Galaxy. Much of this is controlled by The Imperium of Man, though it is not the only galactic power. Other races include the Orks, a greenskinned trollike race, and the Eldar, the former rulers of a great empire. A dynamic, galaxy-spanning story line is possible because of a separate plane of existence, the Immaterium or "Warp." The Warp is described as a realm of thought, where desires and emotions can take physical form, and with currents and eddies that make traveling vast interstellar distances difficult, yet possible. As this is a realm of thought, a coalescence yields an often sinister warp entity. The strongest of these entities are the Chaos Gods, Khorne (a god of rage, bloodshed, and war), Nurgle (a god of despair, decay and pestilitic disease), Tzeentch (a god of change, deception, scheming, Sorcery, and, oddly enough, hope) and Slaanesh (a god of pleasure, pain, depravity, pride and decadence).
The Gods of Chaos are the result of the strongest impulses in the living souls of the universe's inhabitants. Their cults have a dynamic and antagonistic relationship. Khorne opposes Slaanesh, while Nurgle opposes Tzeentch. Nurgle is the personification of powerlessness, Tzeentch personifies power, Khorne personifies duty and rage, and Slaanesh personifies the epicurean or the sensual. These four powers are not the only entities in the Warp, but they are the greatest and most powerful. It is said, in the background to Warhammer 40,000, that the nature of the Warp is beyond human comprehension and is truly unknowable.
Games Workshop wrote:Welcome to Warhammer 40,000
The 41st Millennium is a savage age where Mankind battles for survival in a galaxy riven by bloodshed and destruction. Humanity teeters on the brink of extinction, assailed on all sides by aliens, traitors and daemons, and only the superhuman strength of the Space Marines and the uncountable numbers of the Imperial Guard keep the slavering alien hordes from bringing total annihilation.
Warhammer 40,000, the tabletop battlegame of the far future, allows you to wage war with armies of Citadel miniatures across miniature battlefields in the ultimate contest of strategy and skill. Each player is a commander who must choose his finest warriors, decide upon cunning battle plans and strategies, and lead his army to victory or death. Games can vary in size from small skirmishes of just a few dozen models per side, to massive clashes with hundreds of miniatures.
So, what exactly is Warhammer 40,000?
Each player collects an army of Citadel miniatures then, using the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook as a guideline, they fight epic battles against their fellow generals. Dice (like you'd find in almost any board game) are used to determine success and failure: to decide whether a bolter shell hits its target, or whether a lascannon blasts through the armour of a tank. Each game is played, not on a regular 'board' but on a special gaming area where models are not confined to 'squares' but are free to move as their controller wishes. Because Warhammer 40,000 is not played on a set game board, tape measures or rulers are used to see how far a miniature can move - an agile Eldar jetbike can travel faster than a foot-slogging Imperial Guardsman after all.
That all might sound a little complicated, but a short game or two is all that is needed to grasp the basics. Seasoned commanders find that the rules become second nature, and they seldom need to refer to the rulebook at all.
The Warhammer 40,000 Hobby
There's more to Warhammer than just playing games. In fact Warhammer 40,000 is an exciting hobby in its own right. Many players enjoy painting their Citadel miniatures to amazing standards, lavishing extra detail and attention on their models to make their army extra special and unique. Likewise, while your chosen battlefield can be as simple as a bare table with few obstacles, many wargamers like to build modular tabletops as detailed and exciting as the ones you can see on the Games Workshop website.
Most hobbyists begin playing Warhammer 40,000 with a friend or two, honing their skills, and developing their army in regular battles, but the fun doesn't have to stop there. There are thousands of wargaming clubs around the world where players challenge each other to games of Warhammer 40,000 every week. Also, every Games Workshop store has its own gaming tables and boards. Most offer gaming nights for you to come and meet new Warhammer 40,000 generals, discuss painting, modelling and gaming tactics - and of course, do battle. For the really adventurous there are regular Warhammer 40,000 gaming events all over the world, run both by Games Workshop and by enthusiastic gaming clubs and societies. From competitive tournaments where hundreds of players battle to determine a champion, to campaign weekends where each battle forms part of an exciting storyline, there are Warhammer gaming events to suit every taste - all you need is an army of your own and the courage to do battle.
Getting Started
All miniatures wargames need a few basic things before you can get started. First and foremost is a collection of miniatures. Second a place to play. Thirdly, and just as importantly, are the rules for the game. Warhammer 40,000 has grown and developed over more than 20 years and the current rules are the best ever.
There are two ways that you can get to grips with the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook. It's available separately as a hardback volume - more than three hundred pages of glorious artwork, background and photography, as well as the rules themselves. This rulebook is the indispensable guide for hobbyists everywhere, it details the rich and colourful galaxy of Warhammer 40,000 and contains all the rules and instructions that you need to get started with your own games.
The second way to get your claws on the Warhammer 40,000 rules is with the Assault on Black Reach boxed game. This awesome game in a box contains two fledgling armies, the superhuman Space Marines and the brutal Orks - as well as scenery, dice, measuring sticks, a getting-started guide and a pocket sized rulebook. This book contains exactly the same rules as the larger, hardback rulebook - but misses out on some of the extra information contained in it (there's only so much you can cram into a box!)
The important thing to remember with both the hardback rulebook and the pocket sized rulebook is that the game is exactly the same - the rules are identical, it's just that the rulebook contains extra background on the Warhammer 40,000 universe and guidance on collecting and painting your armies.
Which rules set is for me?
In the end, the only person who can answer that question is you. People who are completely new to wargaming, and Warhammer 40,000 in particular, often appreciate the getting-started guide contained in the Assault on Black Reach boxed game, as well as the awesome collection of Citadel miniatures it contains! The boxed game contains everything you need to start playing. It's hard to argue with getting the complete package all at once.
Veterans of the wargaming hobby, and players who already have experienced Warhammer 40,000 before, often choose to go for just the hardback rulebook - they understand the basics of wargaming and sometimes already have their own collections of Citadel miniatures, so they don't need introducing in quite the same way.
In the end, the most important factor is: which appeals to you. Most new Warhammer 40,000 players start with the Assault on Black Reach set to get their collection off the ground, and get themselves a copy of the hardback rulebook later - covering both bases.
So, tell me about the rules.
Games of Warhammer 40,000 are traditionally fought for five - seven 'game turns'. In each 'game turn' each player gets a go. They can move, unleash devastating ranged attacks and fight with all of their models. The rulebook explains how to do each of these things, and once you've read over it once, it becomes remarkably simple to do. In no time you'll be blasting your enemy's warriors with battle cannons and bolter shells, and hacking them down with whirring chainswords!
Chapter 1: Know Your Foe
- The Dark Forces -
Daemons A Black Peril stalks our realms. Its nature is virtually unknown, but it manifests itself in many ways, ways which cause great bloodshed and tormented wailing of those left in its deadly wake. This dark, malign influence saturates the land wherever it falls and many weak minded fools respond.
Fear not these creatures of the night! They are no match for the Gloriousness of the true Emperor. These abominations will fall to nothing but the spoken words of the Imperial Creed. Your faith is the only weapon you will need!
Note: In dealing with this foe, keep an eye on your comrades. If you notice any strange behavior, inform your commissar immediately.
- The Betrayer -
Traitor Astartes Cowards and traitors all! Once proud members of the Astartes, these so called men turned their backs on everything you now protect. They sought power and wealth, but betrayed everything they swore to defend. They deserve nothing better than the purifying blaze of your flamethrowers.
Fear not their armor or weapons. Once these were as strong as the mighty Astartes, but millennia of disrespect to the machine spirits has caused their equipment to disintegrate. Even a simple thrust from your bayonet will easily penetrate their weakened armor. Stand firm, so great is the shame of their heresy that they will run from even the sight of your loyal uniforms.
- The Hammer -
Daemonhunters This entry has been censured by order of the Ordo Malleus By the Holy Light of the Emperor, the Inquisition stands firm!
- The Dying -
Eldar Of all the major alien races in the galaxy, the enigmatic elder are the most like to humans in physical terms. But do not let this seeming connection with us confound your judgment; the elder are despicable aliens, untrustworthy and decadent.
In combat the elder are undoubtedly more sophisticated than orks, and more autonomous than tyranids. However, their physical frailty and reliance on overly complex technology ensures that with discipline and courage, they will prove no match for the peerless Imperial Guard.
- The Lost-
Dark Eldar A subset of the Eldar race which shows that this once proud and power ancient race is dividing at the might of the Imperium. They are identical to the Eldar except for an obsession with spikes and blades. Deal with them as you would their cousins.
- The Dutiful -
Imperial Guard You. If you do not understand your place within the great Imperium of Man, then please see your Commissar immediately for retraining/conversion to servitor menial.
- The Ancient -
Necrons This Entry Classified by the Inquisition. Sightings of the race known as Necrons are to be reported to the Ordo Xenos immediately. Guard Regiments are then to await orders. Trust in the glory of the Imperium.
- The Beast -
Orks Of all the pestilent alien races that infest our galaxy, the Orks are the more numerous. They mass together in great war bands and by sheer weight of numbers they overwhelm those who stand before them. Cowards! But a man, armed with a lasgun and knowledge of their physiology, has nothing to fear from these abominations.
It is enough to know that an ork is slow-witted and will cause no problems for a properly trained Imperial infantryman. It is far more appropriate to compare the brain capacity of an Ork to a plant than it is to any sentient life form. It is capable of little cohesive thought, and is easily confused by loud noises or sudden movement.
- The Loyal -
Space Marines Space Marines The Emperor’s most glorious and loyal Astartes. Sons to the Emperor Himself! To even see a member of an Astartes Chapter is a honor beyond comprehension. To fight beside these magnificent men is to fight beside immortality and legend itself!
- The Young -
Tau Empire Not much is known about this newly encountered race. Like the Eldar they rely heavily on sophisticated but extremely weak technology. Their Pulse Rifles have no where near the range of a MKVI Lasgun, and nowhere near the power. Tau are second only to the Ork in sheer horrible marksmanship. A guardsman can stand downrange of a Tau Firewarrior and be safe in the knowledge that he has all the time in the world to line up a head shot as the Firewarrior will never be able to hit him.
To not be alarmed at the Tau vehicles hovering in the air. This power only serves to make their vehicles slow and their weapons weak. A frag grenade is more than enough to bring this floating nonsense to the ground.
- The Hungry -
Tyranids The Tyranids have begun appearing more and more often throughout the Imperium. Do not fear, these creatures are brainless and incompetent. Their sharp looking claws could not cut the top off a ration packet, let alone get through the standard issue flak armor. These aliens try to make up for their weakness by having a large variety of shapes.
It is a general rule to always shoot the big one first. Their deaths will scare the little ones into flight. A single lasbolt to the head is more than sufficient. Remember: Wasting the Emperor’s ammunition is punishable by death.
- The Faithful -
Witchhunters The military arm of the Ordo Hereticus. These women are loyal servents of the Imperium. They seek out weak willed souls and send them to the judgment of the Emperor. They may require your assistance from time to time. It will be your honor and glory to serve them as well as your commanders. You do the Emperor’s work and in that work you shall find immortality at his side.
Chapter 2: QuarterMasters
Where can I obtain supplies for my Regiment?
Contact your local Departmento Munitorum or fill out the requisition forms found in the locations below.
http://www.games-workshop.com/ - The main site. Not the cheapest place to get minis, but if you can't find it anywhere else...
http://www.forgeworld.co.uk - Beautiful resin models to add spiff to any army. High detail, even higher cost, the place to go if you love your hobby, but hate your wallet.
http://www.maelstromgames.co.uk - Consistent discounts, extra discounts on 5+ 'army bundles', free international shipping, great selection. (NB there have been reports that this company isn't very fast and/or having trouble, use caution)
http://www.giftsforgeeks.org.uk/ - A UK based LGS that sells at somewhere around 20% off or so. Mainly for UK based customers. Probably a good idea to call them to order.
http://www.chaosorc.com - Good discounts (particularly on large items), cheap shipping. patchy selection but carries lots of older products and non-GW stuff. Some items aren't clearly labeled differently from older versions, but they're a good alternative on specific items.
http://thewarstore.com/ - Excellent selection, good discounts, good service. 20% off normal prices, and an excellent selection of bits when you're just looking for a single piece in particular.
http://www.apocabitznow.com/ - Carries an excellent selection of bits, including metal and resin pieces, as well as selling GW kits at 20% off. Free shipping for orders over $75.
Dark Sphere - A good one for the UK folks. They offer a straight 15% off most anything GW sells and are pretty lax about "street dates" too (they tend to start shipping stuff as soon as it turns up in their warehouse).
www.d6hobbies.com - A Texas store run by our own alqadim. Come for the resin, stay for the 20% off MSRP.
Great Canadian Minis For the discerning Canadian wargame shopper. Offers 30% off standard MSRP. (NB there have been reports that this company isn't very fast and/or having trouble, use caution)
http://www.forgeworld.co.uk - Beautiful resin models to add spiff to any army. High detail, even higher cost, the place to go if you love your hobby, but hate your wallet.
http://www.maelstromgames.co.uk - Consistent discounts, extra discounts on 5+ 'army bundles', free international shipping, great selection. (NB there have been reports that this company isn't very fast and/or having trouble, use caution)
http://www.giftsforgeeks.org.uk/ - A UK based LGS that sells at somewhere around 20% off or so. Mainly for UK based customers. Probably a good idea to call them to order.
http://www.chaosorc.com - Good discounts (particularly on large items), cheap shipping. patchy selection but carries lots of older products and non-GW stuff. Some items aren't clearly labeled differently from older versions, but they're a good alternative on specific items.
http://thewarstore.com/ - Excellent selection, good discounts, good service. 20% off normal prices, and an excellent selection of bits when you're just looking for a single piece in particular.
http://www.apocabitznow.com/ - Carries an excellent selection of bits, including metal and resin pieces, as well as selling GW kits at 20% off. Free shipping for orders over $75.
Dark Sphere - A good one for the UK folks. They offer a straight 15% off most anything GW sells and are pretty lax about "street dates" too (they tend to start shipping stuff as soon as it turns up in their warehouse).
www.d6hobbies.com - A Texas store run by our own alqadim. Come for the resin, stay for the 20% off MSRP.
Great Canadian Minis For the discerning Canadian wargame shopper. Offers 30% off standard MSRP. (NB there have been reports that this company isn't very fast and/or having trouble, use caution)
Chapter 3: Tactica Imperialis
Locations of Sage advice and strategy for even the most experience commander.
http://www.shiftedmatrix.com - Website owned and run by this threads own Sharp101. It has expanded to include other contributors who are regulars in this thread. Blog posting that cover all things related to 40k and wargaming
http://belloflostsouls.org - A great 40k (and sometimes fantasy) rumor site. They also post articles on campaigning, modeling and home made rules.
http://www.chessex.com/ - Online custom dice store, great customer service and speed. (see Gallery of Cool Custom Dice below)
http://www.warseer.com - Currently about the biggest GW-related forum on the net. Unfortunately, it has a horrible signal/noise ratio, but the rumors forums are frequently the first place to hear accurate news of upcoming products.
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/ - Space Marines, and high fashion (not really)
http://www.the-waaagh.com - Orks orks orks orks! Jobs a gud'un boss.
http://forums.tauonline.org/index.php - All things Tau in one handy place. Sign up for the greater good!
http://www.dakkadakka.com/ - They used to be cool. Kinda fallen on hard times but you do tend to get much more signal and much less noise over there.
http://www.the-warforge.com - Ein's modelling and converting site. Totally slipped this into the OP because I could.
http://www.bartertown.com/ - The place to go when looking for like-minded people with models for trade and sale. (I got a Forgeworld Warhound Titan for half-off from someone who needed to raise cash for a ring.)
http://belloflostsouls.org - A great 40k (and sometimes fantasy) rumor site. They also post articles on campaigning, modeling and home made rules.
http://www.chessex.com/ - Online custom dice store, great customer service and speed. (see Gallery of Cool Custom Dice below)
http://www.warseer.com - Currently about the biggest GW-related forum on the net. Unfortunately, it has a horrible signal/noise ratio, but the rumors forums are frequently the first place to hear accurate news of upcoming products.
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/ - Space Marines, and high fashion (not really)
http://www.the-waaagh.com - Orks orks orks orks! Jobs a gud'un boss.
http://forums.tauonline.org/index.php - All things Tau in one handy place. Sign up for the greater good!
http://www.dakkadakka.com/ - They used to be cool. Kinda fallen on hard times but you do tend to get much more signal and much less noise over there.
http://www.the-warforge.com - Ein's modelling and converting site. Totally slipped this into the OP because I could.
http://www.bartertown.com/ - The place to go when looking for like-minded people with models for trade and sale. (I got a Forgeworld Warhound Titan for half-off from someone who needed to raise cash for a ring.)
Chapter 4: Warp Transport
The Imperial Guard Relies on the Imperial navy for transport. From time to time you will travel through the warp, being guided by the radiance of the Emperor. To facilitate your safe and easy transit, all guardsmen should make themselves aware of equipment designed to help them store their gear.
Because you need a way to cart all your wonderful new toys around, here are a couple recommendations beyond what you can get from GW itself:
Sabol Army Transports A little expensive, but I use them exclusively, because of the quite reasonable international shipping price, and mostly for the fact that you can custom cut the foam trays to fit your models. Also available from the War Store.
Figures in Comfort A wide range of precut foam trays, and carrying cases for whatever your needs.
Battle Foam Sturdy solid cases and custom cut foam tray. Pricey, but guaranteed to keep your little dudes safe and secure in transit.
Sabol Army Transports A little expensive, but I use them exclusively, because of the quite reasonable international shipping price, and mostly for the fact that you can custom cut the foam trays to fit your models. Also available from the War Store.
Figures in Comfort A wide range of precut foam trays, and carrying cases for whatever your needs.
Battle Foam Sturdy solid cases and custom cut foam tray. Pricey, but guaranteed to keep your little dudes safe and secure in transit.
Chapter 5: Section 1: Issued arms and Attire
Uniform Cleaners: it is the responsibility of all Guardsmen to maintain the utmost cleanliness of their uniforms. Failure to do so will result in death.
The hobby's dirty little secret, for people who have entire armies in venerable shades of pewter and gray, and want something else, but lack the time, ability, or faith in their own prowess to do it themselves (but still have money).
Blue Table Painting: Based in Utah, USA, these guys do good work for a reasonable price. They have quite a few videos up on youtube if you want to check out their work.
Painted Figs: Based in Sri Lanka. Just about the best $/painting quality ratio out there. They do excellent work at a very reasonable price. Shipping is pretty expensive from the USA, but for anyone closer to that side of the world (like Japan) even with the cost of getting your models there and back, the price can't be beat.
Game Fusion Studio: Based in California. They make and sell a large variety of terrain as well as offering mini painting services. Pricey, but they do some nice looking work.
The Warstore: Branching out into offering painted minis, as well as kits and bits.
Our own Paintvagrant. PM him to discuss commission details and prices. More of his work can be seen in his photobucket account.
Blue Table Painting: Based in Utah, USA, these guys do good work for a reasonable price. They have quite a few videos up on youtube if you want to check out their work.
Painted Figs: Based in Sri Lanka. Just about the best $/painting quality ratio out there. They do excellent work at a very reasonable price. Shipping is pretty expensive from the USA, but for anyone closer to that side of the world (like Japan) even with the cost of getting your models there and back, the price can't be beat.
Game Fusion Studio: Based in California. They make and sell a large variety of terrain as well as offering mini painting services. Pricey, but they do some nice looking work.
The Warstore: Branching out into offering painted minis, as well as kits and bits.
Our own Paintvagrant. PM him to discuss commission details and prices. More of his work can be seen in his photobucket account.
Chapter 5: Section 2: Apparatus and Equipment
Guardsmen must know their gear intimately. Failure to do so can not only cause your own death, but the death of your comrades, your families, and all those you cared for and loved. The Commissariat promises.
Paints, tools, and hobby supplies:
Tower Hobbies: The best place for finding Tamiya paints and sprays in the U.S. outside of a well stocked local store.
Model Painters: Test out paint scheme templates without actually putting pigment to plastic.
Bolter & Chainsword's awesome multi-model painter.
Rare earth magnets: Tiny, strong, a modeler's best friend for making swappable pieces.
In the U.S.:
K&J Magnetics
In the UK:
Power Magnet Store
E-Magnets UK
Tower Hobbies: The best place for finding Tamiya paints and sprays in the U.S. outside of a well stocked local store.
Model Painters: Test out paint scheme templates without actually putting pigment to plastic.
Bolter & Chainsword's awesome multi-model painter.
Rare earth magnets: Tiny, strong, a modeler's best friend for making swappable pieces.
In the U.S.:
K&J Magnetics
In the UK:
Power Magnet Store
E-Magnets UK
Appendix
Gallery of Cool Custom Dice
Nifty pictures to follow:
This Chaplain's rendition of the Litanies of Hate is a sight to behold.
This Chaplain's rendition of the Litanies of Hate is a sight to behold.
A Gentleman's guide to the modern codex
The game is currently in it's 5th edition. Here's a list of which books are up to date, and which are not.
3rd Edition.
Necrons
Witch Hunters
4th edition
Black Templars (Updated FAQ to bring them in line with up to date Marines)
Tau Empire
4th edition, with 5th in mind
Chaos Space Marines
Dark Angels (Updated FAQ to bring them in line with up to date Marines)
Eldar
5th edition (These books are the most up to date, and are safe to delve right into with no fear of having anything become obsolete.)
Blood Angels. Wooooooo!
Daemons
Dark Eldar
Imperial Guard
Orks
Space Marines
Space Wolves
Tyranids
The Grey Knight codex is out in April, which is the new version of the old Daemonhunters army.
Inspirational Texts
From time to time a Guardsmen will need his or her moral increased when a Commissar is not available.* In these cases additional texts may be read to improve the well being of the solider. Below is a list of recommended titles.
*Note: Even if a Commissar is not present, he is ALWAYS watching.
Okay, here's the deal. I'm sick of people asking about good 40k books. So check these out.
Commissar Cain Series by Sandy Mitchell: That's the first Omnibus. There's a ton more. These are Flashman like and more comedic but still awesome.
Gaunt's Ghosts by Dan Abnett: Way more serious 40k Guardsmen fighting. Large series of these as well. Regarded as pretty much the best series in 40k.
Anything else by Dan Abnett. Seriously. The guy is super prolific. There's one all about Titans and another about Imperial Navy Fighter Pilots just to name a few.
The Horus Heresy Series: The link is to the first in the series by Abnett. They are all by different authors so some are awesome and some are mediocre. Almost entirely about Space Marines
Cadian Blood by Aaron Dembski-Bowden: My favorite Imperial Guard Book. It's got badass Sentinels. What more do you want?
Helsreach also by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
: More condensed awesome, but this time about Black Templars during the Third War for Armageddon.
Rynn's World by Steve Parker: Like Helsreach, but about Crimson Fists defending their homeworld from Orks. Equally Badass.
Fucking Eisenhorn and Ravenor: More from Abnett, both of these omnibuses are about Inquisitors, but people like them I guess?
There's a shit ton more, but this is my OP, and those are all the ones I've read and thus the only ones I can recommend.
Commissar Cain Series by Sandy Mitchell: That's the first Omnibus. There's a ton more. These are Flashman like and more comedic but still awesome.
Gaunt's Ghosts by Dan Abnett: Way more serious 40k Guardsmen fighting. Large series of these as well. Regarded as pretty much the best series in 40k.
Anything else by Dan Abnett. Seriously. The guy is super prolific. There's one all about Titans and another about Imperial Navy Fighter Pilots just to name a few.
The Horus Heresy Series: The link is to the first in the series by Abnett. They are all by different authors so some are awesome and some are mediocre. Almost entirely about Space Marines
Cadian Blood by Aaron Dembski-Bowden: My favorite Imperial Guard Book. It's got badass Sentinels. What more do you want?
Helsreach also by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
: More condensed awesome, but this time about Black Templars during the Third War for Armageddon.
Rynn's World by Steve Parker: Like Helsreach, but about Crimson Fists defending their homeworld from Orks. Equally Badass.
Fucking Eisenhorn and Ravenor: More from Abnett, both of these omnibuses are about Inquisitors, but people like them I guess?
There's a shit ton more, but this is my OP, and those are all the ones I've read and thus the only ones I can recommend.
The Emperor Protects.
(Will edit and/or update the op tomorrow, if anyone can think of anything that needs changing)
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OK, so my incoming list via Tax Monkey Fun;
3 Storm Ravens
2 Furioso Dreads
1 Sanguinor - I know right? Why I don't have him is a long story.
1 DC Box - for parts
1 Baneblade - Super Fellblade conversion kit coming along also, see - BOOM
1 Shadowsword/Stormlord
400 Magnets - LoL
1 Pack of InstaMold - You guys need to hit CMON and check this stuff out
Then I picked up a couple Battletech books and Pre Ordered a bunch of DUST Tactics stuff.
There would be more 40K stuff, but I finalized my trade for:
15 scouts - looks like around 10 are SW Scouts
10 Devastators that aren't Missile Launchers
20+ Sternguard/Vets
1 OOP Dark Angel Vet
1 OOP Chaplain
1 Wolf Priest Ulrik
A bunch look like SW Marines, probably 20-30, hard to tell from pics
72 Terminators including:
5 OOP Metal Terms
1 Lysander
1 Chaplain
1 Librarian
1 Njal Stormcaller
A bunch look like SW Terms, probably 15-20, hard to tell from pics
25+ Assault Marines
2 LRC
2 Predators - 1 Baal, 1 LasCan
2 Dreads
2 Landspeeders
3 Rhinos
1 Vindicator
It's like Christmas in March.
Now, if it would all just get here!
Or at least significantly kicked its ass. That is a hell of a summary, right there.
With the exception of badly photoshop'd hats, I just copied the OP from the last thread. ;-)
sssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... They don't have to know that. Take the glory for yourself, man! What else do commissars do?
Chicago Megagame group
Watch me struggle to learn streaming! Point and laugh!
Yyyessssssss
Why is it that I only have a busy social life when a game I want to play comes out, its not fair I tells ya.
3ds friend code: 2981-6032-4118
*edit*
Enlighten me, oh wise ones! Killa Kanz vs Deff Dreads! What are the pro and cons of each?
Dis no point messin' wif perfekshun, Kaptin! I jus' gotz da auhnishativ ta be puttin' dem upz!
Am I the only one who thought that was a real link?
The Google Search although, brought me back here.
I Spent 90% of my Money on Women and Warhammer. The Rest I Wasted.
Going off the top of my head, the relative pros of each are:
Deff Dreads
Killa Kanz
Grotzookas get listed twice because they are that awesome. Heavy 2 S6 Small Blast can do an amazing amount of damage. 3 Kanz can easily put out 6 S6 small blasts without sacrificing their ability to do damage in CC. Being a unit they are also more easily able to provide cover to units behind them, so can serve as an effective wall.
Really.... needs moar Grotzookas.
Killa Kans:
Pro's
- Better Ballistic Skill (BS3)
- Only Unit with access to Grotzooka
- Half the Price of a Dread
- Squadron (no need for Armor Plates or Grot Riggers)
Con's
- Low Weapon Skill (WS2)
- Weaker Front Armor (AV11)
- Base 2 Attacks
- Larger footprint (3x 60mm base)
- KFF rules are funky (if you cover 1 Kan, no save. If you cover 2 kans, they all get a 4+)
Deff Dreads:
Pro's
- Better Weapon Skill (WS4)
- Base 3 Attacks
- Only walker able to purchase extra DCCW
- Better Armor (AV12)
- Can take 1 as troop per big mek HQ
Con's
- Double cost of a Kan
- Has to purchase Armor Plates and Grot riggers to get similar utility as a Kan squadron
- Poor Ballistic Skill (BS2)
If given the choice, I will always run two Kans instead of one Dread. If I equip them with the same weapons (Rokkits, for example), then I get the same number of shots at better BS. In close combat, I will get 4 attacks at WS2 (6 on the charge) versus the dread getting 3 attacks at WS4 (4 on the charge). If a kan gets penetrated and explodes, I still have a Kan left. If the dread gets penetrated and explodes, that's the end of that.
The only armies I would consider using a dread over a kan in a heavy slot are against armies that can put out lots of Str5 hits. Demon Fiends and Bloodcrushers come to mind, as do BA if they're silly enough not to take PF's.
Orks do, however, struggle with vehicles, and Rokkits rule.
Also with the KFF I'm pretty sure if only 1 of 3 kanz is in range the unit will get a 5+ cover. KFF says vehicles in range get obscured while units get a 5+. Squadrons use the rules for vehicles to determine if each member qualifies, and then the rules for units to determine if the whole unit gets one. As one model from the unit is in range, the unit qualifies for the KFFs 5+ cover save even though only one vehicle is obscured.
I Spent 90% of my Money on Women and Warhammer. The Rest I Wasted.
It's actually a 4+ save for vehicles.
I prefer Kans to Dreads since I can use them with Rokkits and they can advance with my shoota boyz while having a decent chance of poping a transport, which is nice since you could then assault the contents with some of your other stuff like trukk boyz.
edit: the default loadout of TL splinter rifle + splinter cannon makes me think it'll be very Vyper-like, with a front-facing TL splinter rifle, and a SC turret.
http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/ Some neat stuff in his store in terms of 40k terrain and modeling.
http://armorcast.com/store/index.php/ Lots of Terrain and some tanks, their models and Steampunk stuff is okay
http://www.avatars-of-war.com/ So. Amazingly. Beautiful. If you play Fantasy, you owe it to yourself to take a look at these models for your lords or heroes; they have at least one model for virtually every faction and they are all gorgeous..
http://www.back2base-ix.com/index.php/ They have a decent range of resin bases, although nothing that blew me away, but they are at least alternatives to some of the others out there. They also sell a variety of other craft supplies, including plasticard, movement trays, basing supplies, and even GW/FW product.
http://blackcatbases.com/ Despite the name they sell more than just bases, although they certainly have a good selection of those; they also do heads, conversion bitz, and especially accessories for figures, like weapons, tools, backpacks, etc.
http://www.blackscorpionminiatures.com/index.php Random minis, ton of pirates.
http://chapterhousestudios.com/webshop/ Custom Sculpts and Bits for 40K and Fantasy.
http://www.comfychairgames.com/catalog.php Mostly a Horror-based Necromunda, but the W.i.l.d.fire robot spider is kewl
http://www.copplestonecastings.co.uk/range.php?range=FW From Gang Warfare to Terrain and historicals. You have to click each link to see the miniantures, though.
http://www.darkswordminiatures.com/ Miniatures from George R. R. Martin's Song of Fire and Ice, There's plenty of interesting stuff in here, although most of it doesn't quite fit the Warhammer "Heroic Scale" aesthetic.
http://dragonforge.com More useful for the micro chain and ready to use power cables than anything else.
http://www.ebobminiatures.com/products/tools.htm Tools, armatures, sculpting media
http://www.ema-models.co.uk/Architectural and Hobby model parts and supplies, including DC motors and gearboxes
http://www.em4miniatures.com/acatalog/index.html Not a huge line of stuff and only tiny, tiny pictures available, but their range of metals seems to have some interesting options.
http://www.empressminiatures.com Some historical and modern figures, very realistic.
http://www.eurekamin.com.au/ They make all kinds of miniatures, including Nazi's riding dinosaurs.
http://www.evergreenscalemodels.com/ Do you need plasticard in odd shapes or sizes, or want something patterned, or otherwise odd? This may be the place for you.
http://www.evilmushroomgames.com/new_page_2.htm Not a huge selection, but some pretty okay bases and a number of interesting terrain pieces.
http://www.ex-illis.com/ Angels and Demons take sides in historical medieval Europe.
http://www.figurines-studio38.com/default.html Tyranid Spore Pod and their own ranges of figures.
http://www.forgecraftgames.com/catalog/index.php Perhaps a little smaller than some of the other base manufacturers, but they have a good selection and all of the casts are excellent, both for wargaming and for tabletop minis.
http://www.gamezoneminiatures.de/ A wide range of our 1/5 inch (28 mm) fantasy miniatures.
http://www.grindhousegames.com/ On the one side, we have a weird-WW2 thing with gas-masked allies fighting German monstrosities. On the other side of the site, we have weird robots.
http://www.groundzerogames.net/ I have some of their models, but their online store is hampered by an extreme lack of photos
http://hasslefreeminiatures.co.uk/index.php Great detailed Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Modern miniatures.
http://www.heavy-support.com/ Heavy Support - Not much here, just an alternate Leman Russ/Chimera
http://www.helldorado.fr/figurines/index.php A French game, but available through some US (and potentially other?) retailers. They have an absolutely gonzo line of models, with everything from Chinese hell-demons to abominations of the pit to Arabic summoners to Victorian mercenaries. No idea how they're scaled, but some very pretty stuff.
http://www.heresyminiatures.com/ For when you need a unique looking miniature for your Inquisitor Reitnu.. Hey, is that David Tennant?
http://www.hlj.com/index.html A lot of mecha and tank parts that are of use to a creative IG or Ork player, so maybe search around a bit.
http://www.infinitythegame.com/infinity_ENG/ A standalone futuristic game akin to Necromunda, the models are pretty nice looking but not much cheaper than their 40K equivalents, which has kept me out of the game so far.
http://www.irondogstudios.com/store.html Some Orky bits and resin bases from the guy who built the Tater Titan
http://www.ironhalo.net/store/catalog/ Another resin base retailer, they do some interesting lines and actually have a quite large selection of stuff. They have a lot of more unusual base sizes including those for Fantasy, War Machine, cavalry, etc.
http://www.kabukimodels.com/ Resin and metal alternate Marine character models and bits, some larger scale models too.
http://www.kerrandking.co.uk/ A nice-looking site in a lot of ways, but awkward to browse through. Still, it's not completely awful and the bases all look rather nice, including a few more unusual types.
http://www.lostclan.net/Lostclan/Home.html Home of the infamous Female Cadians, and also a bionics upgrade sprue.
http://www.manticgames.com/ An excellent manufacturer who is not only creeping in on GW's territory but also putting out a game of their own, heavily modeled on WFB. Their undead, elf, and dwarf kits are all very strong and have a decent variety of pieces, poses, etc, not to mention worlds cheaper than GW's kits.
http://shop.masq-mini.de/ Masquerade Miniatures, notable for horror gaming figures and a 'Giant Riding Wolfpack' not-Thunderwolf Cavalry.
http://www.maxmini.eu/store/ A nice little company with a quickly expanding line of conversion bitz as well as a few useful figures; their Thunderwolf is not completely awful, but there's probably better options. They do have a nice IG-scaled bike, though. Their conversion parts are the real treasure, though- they have an extensive line of awesome Ork parts (heads, bodies, bionics, etc) as well as a variety of other weapons, shields, and various upgrade parts.
http://www.shop.microartstudio.com/index.php Mostly known for their "mechanicus" guard and some cool heads.
http://www.miniaturescenery.com/ They make hardboard "punch out" scenery. Nax got me onto them recently.
http://www.mrdandy.com/wargamma/ Thunderwolves, bases, etc.
http://mythicast.com/More Thunderwolves and even Cyberwolves for your Iron Priest
http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/ Manufacturer of near-future/sci-fi models, with a strong emphasis on vehicles, spacecraft, and field works (turrets, walls, scenery, etc).
http://www.paulsongames.com/resin.html Another small manufacturer, but does a nice little line of conversion bits.
http://www.perry-miniatures.com/index2.html A nice historical wargaming company that produces large boxes of figures for fairly cheap; they're mostly useful to Guard players as stand-ins, but be aware of the usual differences in scale between 28mm and heroic.
http://www.pig-iron-productions.com/ Ah, Pig Iron, beloved of Guard players everywhere. Not only do they have their own line of figures, the heads (and much of the other gear) are perfectly fitted for IG models.
http://www.plastruct.com/Pages/USDealers.html A very nice plasticard company that apparently supplies a rather large percentage of the US, as well as one of the companies I've dealt with personally. They have a PDF catalog with approximately one million different types of plastic in it; if you're willing to dig, chances are you can find what you want. Of note is their fluorescent acrylic rods, which are perfect for Necrons should you, for some reason, decide to hate yourself.
http://pulp-city.com/index.html Pulp superheroes miniatures. Either you'll be super-excited that these exist and you can buy them or you won't care because they aren't what you need.
http://www.pulpfigures.com/ Just what it says. Nefarious Chinamen! Doofish henchmen! Dashing adventurers! Probably not appropriate for 40K or Fantasy! But still cool!
http://privateerpress.com/ Obviously also their own game, but several of the Cryx (Warmachine) miniatures could make good stand-ins for Dark Eldar units and Legion of Everblight (Hordes) provides some interesting possibilities for Tyranid players.
http://www.quantumgothic.co.uk/ A lot of neat scifi terrain.
http://www.rackham-e.com/en Makers of several miniatures games including AT-43, a prepainted future game with military gorillas. Let me repeat that: armed gorillas in space are a real thing in this game. If that isn't enough reason for you to be curious, I hate you. Some of their mecha have been converted with reasonable success into Killa Kanz by a number of folks.
http://www.ramshacklegames.co.uk/nuclear/index.html Fulfilling that Post-Nuclear/Necromunda/Orky Bitz. Look at their 'Tridlins' for vehicle bitz
http://www.reapermini.com/ If you have ever wanted a figure for your D&D character or fancy monster the PCs are facing, this is the site for you. They have an absolutely enormous range of tagged, searchable models of all manner of heroes and horrors. Their modern and sci-fi lines are much more limited, but there are still possibilities in here. (The Darkspawn in particular could easily be some kind of alien or Tyranid beasties.)
http://www.resinfx.com/ Very detailed resin bases of various kinds, many of them fairly unique. Lots of "scenery" bases that aren't just some bumps on a standard 25mm/40mm circle, so if you're looking for something damn fancy, this may be the place. A little more pricey than most as a consequence, though.
Robogear Model kits - Want some cheap plastic toys to chop up for your conversions? Here's the place.
http://www.iconusa4.com/online/Robog...dels_index.htm
http://www.sciborminiatures.com/ Can't say for sure, but the pics of the sculpts look amazing. Various minis and parts, very obviously 40K/Fantasy-themed ("celtic space warrior," hrmmmm?) including lots of alternate heads, shields, and breastplates. Also squats.
http://www.secretweaponminiatures.com/ Mostly just bases, but a few conversion bitz mixed in (backpacks, helmets, Extra Armor). None of them are ground-breaking surprises, but if you have a specific look in mind for your army you'll probably appreciate another option.
http://www.shadowforge.com.au/ Have I done any Australian companies yet? Here's one with anime-styled figures.
http://www.smog1888.com/ You know how some games have crazy character models? Smog has a flying doctor with robo-arms and a smoke-belching stove-top hat, oh year. I know absolutely nothing of the game, but the models are perhaps the best thing in the whole world.
http://www.studiomcvey.com/ A small selection of extremely well-sculpted minis, although they're generally just a bit too large to use in 40K. Pretty, though.
http://www.taban-miniatures.com/ Another of the shops I haven't really browsed in extensive depth, they produce a stand-alone game with a vague gladiatorial combat theme.
https://www.thunderboltmountain.com Mostly fantasy, but I bought some wolves from them.
http://www.tobsen77.de/index.php?lan=en Vehicles that would look good in an Ork army, or a wooden Steam Tank
http://trollforged.com/index.html Another company I can personally vouch for being pretty excellent. Resin casts of several useful styles of models- Daemons, beasts, definitely-not-Tyranids, and best of all, Guardsmen with greatcoats!
http://www.ultraforgeminiatures.com/ If you aren't going to Avatars of War for your Fantasy needs, you damn well better be going here. Ultraforge specializes in huge, detailed models of monsters like dragons, greater daemons, and the like, and their work is second to none. They also enjoy cult popularity as the makers of an excellent set of wings that can be added to models that are in need of flight, not the least of the Hive Tyrants and Harpies.
http://www.urbanmammoth.co.uk/ I have some of their older models for my Necromunda gangs
http://www.victoryforce.com/ They have a 'Gamer Rules Lawyer' figure, and WWII re-enactors
http://shop.warlordgames.co.uk/ Not sure if these are the same guys as Wargames Factory, but if you want to 40K-ify some historical plastics.
http://www.wargamesfactory.com/webstore Makers of a variety of plastic kits, all of them competitively-priced compared to the alternatives. Foremost on the list would probably be their zombie and shock trooper kits, but they also have a variety of historical minis that could be integrated into a thematic force of some kind.
http://www.wargamesfoundry.com/asp/nocookie.asp Lots of miniatures, but not to scale with 40K. Diverse selection, though.
http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk/ These guys have alternate-future WWII scifi stuff. Some cool mech thingies and neat troops.
http://wyrd-games.net/shop/home.php Makers of Malifaux, a very cool-looking game that I unfortunately can't really afford to get into right now. But, like Hell Dorado, they have an awesome line of minis with a style all their own, slightly steampunk with a fantastic twist and some of the dark sensibilities that infuse GW's games.
http://www.zuzzy.com/ Scenery pieces and tabletops almost exclusively- and pretty nice ones, at that. If green felt isn't your thing, give this a look and see if you can't go for something more exotic; I'm told they are rather durable and quite worth the price.
Troops: Sanguinary guard with chapter banner and two infenus pistols
2 units of basic Sanguinary guard
Elites: 3 Sanguinary priests with jump packs
Heavy support:
Two storm-ravens (Undecided on weaponry)
The above list is 1500pts exactly, if I add in 2 furioso's it's 1750 exactly
@Steel-Lion: I don't have any experience with that kind of army, but what is the role of the stormravens?
It's a 4+ for the vehicle in range. But because we are talking about a squadron of three with only one in range they aren't going to get that 4+ because cover saves are everyone or no one. But because the KFF specifies a 5+ for "units" in range, and the kanz are a unit, they will get a 5+.
Hmmm, I was going to add this in to the OP but it takes it over the character limit. I'll try and trim some stuff later
I really love the voice acting so far. I just comment because there were some earlier comments that kinda panned it, but so far the orks are about as orky as you can get. Even the chaos guy sounds cool.
I want to get soundbytes of all the orks though, they are hilarious!
"Oh what a day, what a LOVELY DAY!"
Why not simply post a reply after the OP ?
I Spent 90% of my Money on Women and Warhammer. The Rest I Wasted.
Good thing I've just bought it from Steam I suppose!
Well the idea would be that one is armed with typical Assault cannon/heavy bolter lay out to weaken infantry so the Sanguinary guard don't get their butts handed to them. Whilst the other would go vehicle hunting.
They'd also carry the 2 basic Sanguinary guard units and their attached priests, whilst Dante and his crew (along with priest) DS in and take out something that really needs to die, something like a Leman russ Executioner for example.
I mean that both ways, yes.
I'll pretty much be on this all day. If someone feels like teaming up, drop me a Steam line. Same name as here.
Chicago Megagame group
Watch me struggle to learn streaming! Point and laugh!
"Oh what a day, what a LOVELY DAY!"