Why 40K?

I know I'm the new blog on the block, and I'm probably not in a position to be pontificating here, but I have been thinking about the question posed in this post's title for some time.

I'm brand new to 40K, so it's not so much what I get out of it, but what I expect to get out of it. I'm certainly not in the normal 40K demographic (being on the other side of 40), and though I was (and still am) a fan of Battletech, I never got into that for anything but the fluff. With 40K, though, I really have a desire to play the game for the sake of the game. I think that's my expectation: I know I'm not going to win much in the beginning, but I'll learn new things, meet a few new people, and collect a nice army.

Am I in the minority? How many of you play the game for the game's sake? How many of you play to win, and only win? Or are there other reasons you play?

Please, by all means, comment away on your reasons. I'll be interested to see if I'm in the minority or not.

More painting, and a couple of 400 pt. ideas

Did some more painting last night, and I can honestly say I seem to be getting better with each model as I get more used to handling the models. Everything will be below average tabletop quality, but I'll get better. I'll post the pics of my first and most recent space marine and see if there's much difference to people other than myself.

As to the 400 pt army for the escalation tourney, thanks to those who have given me army ideas. I put together 2 armies last night that meet the rules for Combat Patrol. see what you think:

Army 1

10 Man Tactical Squad (2 - 5 man teams) - 170 pts
5 Man Scout Squad - 75 pts.
1 Rhino Transport (gotta' move those marines) - 35 pts
3 Attack Bike Squad (no multi-melta) - 120 pts.

That's 400 on the nose.

Army 2


10 Man Tactical Squad (2 - 5 man teams) - 170 pts
5 Man Scout Squad - 75 pts.
1 Rhino - 35 pts.
5 Man Devastator squad - 90 pts.
2 extra scouts w/Sniper Rifles - 26 pts

396 Points on that one.

If I could I'd love to somehow work my Chaplain on his bike in but for the life of me I can't figure it out.

All feedback is welcome as the countdown to the first game is less that 6 days away....

Painting Frenzy (Sort Of)

Well, the escalation tournament starts next week, so I'm painting like a banshee trying to get my army at least all in the same color armour.

The first part of the tourney is 2 games played under Combat Patrol rules. No more than 400 points, no more than 2 wounds, must take a troop choice, HQ choice is optional, etc (you can look it up on Google if you need more info).

I still haven't come up with my army list yet, but a 10 man tactical squad is a must, and a scout team, or course.

Anybody else have any 400 point ideas???

Thanks, FTW

Some of you may have noticed the FTW Bloggers Group logo up there on the right. I can't thank them enough for taking a craptacular blog like mine and including it with such a great collection of 40K Blogs.

If you need an answer to just about ANYTHING, click on the FTW Blogger icon and peruse the blogg rolls. You'll be glad you did (at least until you come back around to this one)

New Thought

I CAN'T PAINT WORTH A CRAP!!! I will being bringing an army to this tourney with blue faces, and one of my tactical marines has actually had his chest put on upside down.

I need painting services, stat.


On top of that I'm bidding on a Black Templar Army.


I think I may have a problem.......

Army Lists, Boy I need 'em

As I mentioned in the last post, I have signed up for a multi-week tourney starting in March. It's an escalation tourney, starting with a 400pt skirmish rules game, then following that with a 750, 1000, 1250, 1500, 1850 (??), and a 2000 point final.

Me, being a noob who barely understands what the hell is going on when I paint something, need help.

So, oh Ultramarines vets, please look at that imposing list of models available to this babe in the woods and shoot me some suggestions in the comments.

Either that or mock me for getting in over my head.

And now, for some entirely insane purchases...

As a noob to this whole 40K deal, I may have gone a bit nuts in buying minis for the Space Marine Army I am putting together (and, yes, I'm stupid enough to have signed up for a multi-week tourney starting in March).

Here's what I have so far:

2 sets of the AoBR marines (and one set of orks, should anyone need them)

The following came from a buy on Craigslist and is half painted:
1 Tactical Squad
1 Devastator Squad
1 Terminator Squad
1 Scout Squad
1 Marnius Calgar with 4 Honor Guard
1 Chaplain Cassius
1 Liberian Tigurius
1 Biker Chaplain
2 Scout Squads one squad is regular and heavy weapons and the other is a sniper squad
3 Land Speeders
1 Dreadnought
1 Venerable Dreadnought
1 Techmarine with full servo harness and 4 servitors
1 Predator tank
1 Rhino Tank

Now, for all those wonderful Ebay purchases. I know, I've gone overboard, but damn I enjoyed it. Here's what I have:

7 scouts (3snipers, 1 heavy bolter, 3 boltpistol/ccw), 21 marines( 1 sarge with powerfist/plasmapistol, 1 sarge with powerweapon/boltpistol, 1 sarge with boltpistol/ccw, 1 with missle launcher), 5 assault marines 2 with plasma pistols.

5 Man Assault Squad

3 Rhinos

2 Whirlwinds

2 Predators

Legion of the Damned 5 man squad (with Sgt)

Devastator Squad

3 MORE Bikes

4 Attack Bikes (2 w/ Multi Meltas, 1 w/ Heavy Bolter, 1 NIB)

1 Apothecary

10 Terminators

Total outlay : More than I'm willing to admit to my wife.


Now, the question: I'm playing in an escalation tourney. 1st wk: 400 pts skirmish rules, then 750, 1000, 1250, 1500, and 2000 over the next 5 weeks.

Any suggestions on setting up armies, especially the 400 pt and 750 pt as those will be my very first games and I'd like to be competitive while learning.

I defer to anyone else with a more educated opinion.....