Save vs. Summer: Warhammer 40K ITC Tournament 2015

This July 5th 2015, A-Z Gaming Club will host the second Wargamers in Japan event linked with Frontline Gaming's Independent Tournament Circuit (ITC). More info on ITC .

 

The Event will be held at the Camp Zama Community Club at 1000 am. Registration to begin at 0900am.

 

There are a total of 32 open slots available for this Tournament
There is a $25 entry fee per participant

Those that live locally can make it to Camp Zama by walking from Odakyu lines Sobudaimae station to the back gate the morning of the event. Map.
You can plan your train schedule here to make your travel plans.

Attendees that are in the military traveling from out of area can make reservations at the Zama Army Lodge
Attendees not in the military can make a reservation at a local hotel. Machida is the largest local area for reservations or Yokohama is also within a 20-30 minute travel. Hotels.

Anyone coming in from out of country should know that not all places in Japan accept American Credit and ATM cards. If you wish to withdrawal money the best place is to do it at the Japanese Post Office or Seven-Eleven (called 7 and I holdings).

All NON-Military are required to bring your Passport or Gaijin Card to gain access to the base. Passport is the best option.



 

There are a total of 32 open slots available for this Tournament
There is a $25 entry fee for participants

Army List Guidelines for the ITC 2015 40K Season

1,850pts
• Battle Forged armies, only. No Unbound lists.
• An army may be built using up to two Detachments.
• An army may not have a duplicate of any Detachment.
  • Note: This includes “Decurion Style” Detachments which are comprised of multiple data slates and Formations. They may not take duplicate Formations within the Detachment, although they make take duplicate Data Slate units within the Detachment if permitted to do so.
• An allied Detachment may be the same faction as the Primary Detachment.
• A Detachment may not be included in an army if it is Come the Apocalypse allies with another Detachment in the army.
• All current source material is allowed, including GW Codexes, Data Slates, Formations, and current Forge World units and army lists which are listed below. Please note, Experimental and Horus Heresy/30K Forge World units are not allowed.
  • Army lists in Imperial Armor 14: The Siege of Vraks: The Death Korps of Krieg and Renegades of Vraks
  • Army lists in Imperial Armor 13: War Machines of the Lost and the Damned: Renegades and Heretics
• Reference our Imperial Armor Unit Index for the most recent rules for Forge World units.
• Regardless of Detachments, no more than 1 Fortification and/or 1 Super Heavy/Gargantuan Lord of War may be taken,  and limited to 25% of the army list (so 462 points).
• If one player has a Super Heavy/Gargantuan LoW and the other does not, the player without can roll on the Escalation Warlord Table and also earns an extra Maelstrom point for every 3 Hull Points/Wounds dealt to the Super Heavy/Gargantuan Creature LoW.
• Codex Iyanden: There has been email traffic from GW saying that codex was designed for the 6th edition codex, and not meant for the new 7th edition codex. In my opinion an Iyanden style force could be made with creative detachment/formation utilization from the new 7th edition codex. Any player still wishing to use this codex may do so, but is still bound by all restrictions above, and within the codex itself.  

Tournament Format

• Reference the ITC FAQ for rules questions.
• ITC events use a W/L/D format with Swiss pairings.
• Each mission has 2 Win Conditions worth 4 points each, and 3 Bonus Points as defined in the mission packet. The player that achieves the most points during the course of the game is the winner. Both players note their mission points.
  • In the case of both players having the same amount of mission points, the game is scored as a tie.
• The winner adds 1,000 to their mission points to determine their total battle score. The loser adds nothing to their mission points. In the case of a tie, both players add 500 points to their mission points to determine their total battle score.
  • Example 1: Player A defeats Player B, 7 mission points to 4. Player A’s total battle score would be 1,007 and player B’s would be 4.
  • Example 2: Player C ties Player D, 5 mission points to 5. Both of their battle scores would be 505.
  • The purpose of adding the points is to stratify the field based on their W/L/D records to allow for easy Swiss pairings. Simply pair players with the highest scores, working your way down. By adding 1,000 and 500, accumulated mission points will never trump a player’s win/loss/draw record.
• The player with the highest battle score score at the end of the tournament is the tournament champion.

Modeling and Painting

• In order to be eligible for any prize support, all models in your army must be painted to a 3 color minimum. Primer counts as a color.
• All models are expected to be WYSIWYG to a reasonable standard. Exceptions will be made for themed units or armies.
  • Using a proxy for a model violates our policy.
  • Using a reasonable substitute to “Counts As” another model, does not violate our policy.
  • If in doubt, send a picture in of a model to ask if it is acceptable.
• Paint judging is done by TO’s and staff on a 0-11 scale, with 11 being masterclass, 1 being only 3 colors, and a 0 for an army that is not painted to a 3 color minimum. The player with the highest score is the winner. In the case of a tied score, judges present will cast votes to break the tie.

Sportsmanship

• Sportsmanship is handled with a Thumb’s Up, Thumbs Down format. We default games to a Thumbs Up from both players.
• If your opponent was acting in an unsportsmanlike manner, which we define as being verbally abusive, physically aggressive, was more than 15 minutes late for a round, or knowingly cheated on a rule, you are free to give him or her a Thumbs Down on sports. It is not there to express displeasure in a game because you didn’t like your opponent, your opponent’s army, or you had rules debates, etc.
• A player that receives two or more Thumbs Down on Sportsmanship will be met with administrative action up to and including ejection from the event with no refund of the ticket cost.

Rules Alterations

• ITC events modify the following rules:
  • With any saving throw of a 2+ that can be rerolled, if the first roll is failed, the reroll is failed on the second roll of a 1,2 or 3.
  • The Invisibility psychic power is altered to read: units shooting at the Invisible unit do so at BS1, and hit it in melee on a 5+.

Missions

Mission 1
Mission 2
Mission 3
Mission 4
Mission 5
Mission 6

• Terrain: Terrain should be defined between players and adjusted before the game begins. There should be a roughly symmetrical distribution of terrain on the table, with 2 line of sight blocking terrain pieces outside of either deployment zone, offset from the center of the table.
• Fortifications: are all placed using the same guidelines. Fortifications may not be placed within 3″ of a board edge or another piece of terrain. If a Fortification cannot be placed under those guidelines, move a piece of terrain. If it is still not possible to place a Fortification, remove a piece of terrain to make room for it.
  • Exception: Aegis Lines may be placed anywhere on the table disregarding the 3″ rule.
  • Exception: The Skyshield landing pad can be placed closer than 3″ to a table edge, but not another piece of terrain.
• Bonus Points: Each is worth 1 mission point. PLEASE NOTE: THESE POINTS ARE STILL IN TESTING AND MAY CHANGE.
  • First Blood: Per the book.
  • Linebreaker: Per the book.
  • Slay the Warlord: Per the book.
  • Big Game Hunter: At the end of the game, of all destroyed units, the player that destroyed the unit worth the most points wins this point.
    • Note: Independent Characters count as their own unit, regardless of whether they are in another unit or not.
    • Note: Combat Squads of Marines count as a two units, each worth half the total cost of the unit.
  • First Strike: A player earns this point if they destroy an enemy unit in the first game turn.
    • Note: Bother players can earn this point.
  • Table Quarters: The player with the most Kill Points of units that are more than 50% in a table quarter controls that quarter. The player that controls the most table quarters wins this point.
    • Note: Independent Characters only count as a point for this objective if they are not in a unit.
    • Note: Units in a transport do not count towards this objective unless they are outside of their transport.
  • King of the Hill: The player with the most points worth of units at least partially within 6″ of the center point of the table wins this point.
    • Note: a unit under half of it’s starting value, a monstrous creature below half it’s starting wounds, a vehicle below half its starting Hull Points value, all count for half points, rounding up.
    • Note: this is the old Victory Points system, you count the points you paid for a unit, not Kill Points.
  • Ground Control: Control or contest two or more objectives at the end of the game to achieve this point.

Things you must bring:

• Your Army
• Tape Measure, Dice, Game Aids, etc.
• 3 Objective Markers on 25mm bases, 2 Objective Markers on 40mm bases.
• 5 Typed Copies of your army list. Be sure to notate who your Warlord is on your army list. (1 for the TO, and up to four for your opponent).
• All pertinent rules for your army. Codices, White Dwarf Articles, Foregworld Rules, etc.
• If you are using a counts as army, YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PLAYER HANDOUT FOR YOUR OPPONENT IDENTIFYING WHAT EACH UNIT IN YOUR ARMY IS.

Prizes!

OF COURSE there will be prizes!!!!!

Plight of Kandavar

War, blood, and mayhem was everywhere. In centuries of combat in the Emperor's name this was the worst Inazuma had ever witnessed. Enemies were on all fronts surronding the city, and the taint of chaos which had went unseen unitl now crept out of the undercity to plague the defenders at the most inopportune time. After days of combat death was more abundant than ammunition. What could still be seen of the sky above the planet shattered apart as malefic forces were born into reality, and blood fell from the heavens.

Inazuma gathered his honor guard around him as he charged head on into the next group of daemons materializing in front of the Temple of the Emperors Ascended. He swore that no beast would desecrate the Temple while he still lived. For hours he fought, never slowing, but the daemons still came on. Whatever the traitorous pigs on this planet did to bring the warp beasts to Kandavar most of planned for years to bring so much power with them. Then to his right he saw the beast leading them. A giant beast clad in bronze armor, three times the size of a dreadnought dropped down in front of the Warhound Titan holding the line, and bellowed a challenge to any that dared. The titan accepted gladly and leveled its laser destuctor at it, evaporating it completely in a two shot blast.

Inazuma had rekindled hope for a moment as the beast was banished back to whatever hell forged place it came from, but it appeared again just moments later with its focus on destroying the titan that just angered it. He could almost feel the morale dropping around him as the beast charged forward to smite the titan down. The defenses were starting to buckle now. On the other side of the city Captain Jonus was reporting that the Tyranids had broken into the city there which meant the southern defense lines had been breached, and more and more renegade forces were spilling forth from the undercity trapping them between the Tyranids. Also, sightings of the Eldar making their way into the heart of the city, and he knew that some nefarious plan was about to be hatched.

On the outskirts of the north side of the city Capatain Carvex was hard pressed by the Tau forces landing there. Every effort to break the Tau fire line was crushed, and Carvex was requesting reinforcements that could not be given.

Admiral Kalkim was fighting a tactical withdrawl trying to inflict as much damage on the Tyranid fleet as possible while remaining out of the bioships engagement range. The damage caused to the hivefleet was horrendous, but their numbers could not be stopped. With his own numbers falling, his only chance of eliminating the Tyranids was to bring them into the firing lines af the Tau battlefleet.

Commander Vistrowski noticed the swarm of Tyranids attacking head on at the defence lines was slacking. Only small pockets of fighting was still happening on the killing fields and a great cheer rose up from the defenders as they thought the battle had been won. However, that was not the case. The bioships now chasing Kalkim's fleet were now disgorging tyrannocytes deep into the city and Vitrowski decided he needed to send his armor into the city to assist the other beleaguered forces.

Admiral Kalkim knew he had made the right decision as he noticed the Tau ships firing at the Tyranids bioships instead of his own ravaged ships. Still this was just a gambit to draw the Tyranids away from the planet and cause as much damage as possible. As the vessels were being brought down b the Tyranids one by one he commanded the Captains of those ships to overload their plasma drives to erase entire swaths of the attackers.

All around as the various forces fought against each other, Illithrys, Urkas, and Ullsandir worked their way forward to the designated ritual site. The Eldar force was small and not willing to risk open combat unless necessary. Every step forward towards the site was slow going as the combat was such chaos. If it wasn't for the raging warp storms swirling around this planet then they could of easily just used a warp portal to get there. Ullsandir knew they were close and would be able to begin unlocking the bomb.

So far Inazuma had kept his promise to keep the chaos filth out of the Cathedral, but for every daemon that he killed it seemed a dozen more took its place and he was forced to retreat again, but his options were becoming limited and had to fall back to the cathedral itself. Suddenly above him a daemon prince crashed through the stained glass image of the Emperor and descended to  do combat with him.

Only small pockets of Imperial resistance remained and the battle began to shift to Tau and Tyranids fighting on land now as well as the space battle above. Commander Shasshi knew exactly how to deal with this menace and the Tau pushed forward to claim what was left of their prize.

Before the daemon dropped upon him it threw a device that opened a whole in the floor where Inazuma stood. Below he could see the rows of cryocells filled with geneseed. This is what the traitors had came for he thought to himself. The Daemon and Angel threw themselves at each other knowing that the victor would decide the outcome of multiple chapters worth of more post human warriors. Inazuma fought as he had never before fueled by the hatred granted to him by the Emperor. However, the daemon was too fast and began to wear him down.  A left hook slipped past his guard and he staggered, then the right hand came up and lifted him from the ground and an evil cracked upon the daemons face as he knew victory was at hand.

With Inazuma now held aloft by the daemon prince the other daemons were coming in from all angles to get to the geneseed vaults. In the second that all seemed lost a spark of light burst forth and black clad warriors ringed in blue flame stepped forward to eradicate the advancing daemons. The daemon prince was hit multiple times and dropped Inazuma to the ground. Inazuma picked up his blessed blade Junjoo and with one cut removed his foul head.

At that same moment the lifeeater bomb exploded and rapidly spread out from the epicenter consuming all life in its path. The power unleashed by the Eldar to destroy the advancing Tyranids was long ago foreseen by Tzeentch  and the planned death of Jazrikz the daemon prince was set into motion by him to serve as a catalyst. The entire sector of Kandavar was sucked into the warp ordained to replay the battles for eternity more to the laughter of the dark gods.

Downright Apocalyptic!!!

Chapter Master Inazuma of the Emperors Shadows presided over the war council. All were gathered. Captains of the Emperors Shadows 1st and 3rd through 7th, Captains Kiln and Honas of the Sons of Medusa, and Carvex of the Charcadons along with Admiral Kalkim and Commander Vistrowski.

Things looked grim for the defenders. The Moons of Tannacus held by the heathen Tau with augur reports showing them staging for further attack. Another Hive Fleet inboud after holding them off at Yuion, and new reports of the treacherous Eldar attacking Dependence and a Life Eater warhead removed from its stasis cell.

Inazuma addressed them. "With the Tyranids being the most imminent threat a Vanguard Fleet will have to go furth and harass the approaching bioships. Eliminate as many as you can with as few loses manageable. Make them pay for every inch of space!" " We must also be ready for the Tau, and more treachery from those that attacked Dependence.

Important defense plans were formalized and everywhere new fortifications were raised to thwart the invaders. Damaged vehicles were repaired and refitted and made their way to new firing positions. All over Kandavar was ready for war.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 Ullsandir walked with Illithrys to the bridge of Duke Urkas's Void Cruiser Dannan Kilithikadya. Little was said between the two as they made way, but they both were thinking the same thing.

When the two finally meet with Duke Urkas again he seemed younger and stronger than before and surely cockier as a large smile cracked his flawless face. "Back so soon, my cousins"?

" You have taken the one weapon we need to destroy the devourer, what have you done with it"? Illithrys screamed at him.

"I am just turning your desires to my advantage". " I wish for you to ignite it on the planet of Kandavar and rid myself of these pesky Monkeigh that plague my domain".

Illithrys looked at Ullsandir and bowed his head. The agreement had been struck.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Fresh reinforcements continued to flood in around the remains of Tannacus for advancement further into Imperial space. Commander O’Shasshi would not be surprised again by their gene enhanced warriors and  spent the time waiting for the rest of the fleet training and making preparations for war based on the tactics learned at Tannacus.

The Greater Good would triumph at all costs.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Brotherhood of Pathosis gathered in the dark tunnels below the city of Kandavar. The time had come to show their true faith. Kandavar was breaking apart with war and the call of the Dark Master was strong.

The Host must be brought to the Temple of the Emperor Ascended and the sacrifice made.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Inazuma watched the sky from the central observation platform at the governors palace. To the southern side of planet as clouds coalesced and formed a wall that pushed in towards the city. Lighning split the sky illuminating the hive ships through the cloud cover, and the sky began to rain flesh and bone. The fleet had did everything it could to prevent as much of the Hive fleet making planet fall and he knew that they were still up there fighting off as much as possible.

Reports were coming in that the Tau had made contact with the outer defenses orbiting the northern side of the planet and knew they would be soon making planet fall as well. He wondered how in their ignorance to expand  their territory and remove the Imperium that they missed seeing the threat of the Tyranids looming so close.

 Sightings of the Eldar forming in the Hab-blocks to the east of the capital were also coming through. Whether or not they came with plans of using the Life Eater warhead taken from Dependence was still unclear, but he planned to find out.

Other reports of zealots coming before the Temple of the Emperors Ascended in the west preaching
about the Time of Ending were springing up everywhere and riots were starting in the streets.

Inazuma took it all in as any commander of the Emperors Elite would with a small smile on his face. This is what he was breed for and marched off to battle. There can be only war!

Dark Harvest

At this early hour many were sleeping but Defense Complex Tetra II was still up and running at full alert. Those on shift were ever diligent in their duties. Augur sweeps were constant and guards were manning defense positions. With the prior attack on Tannacus, and now a war on Yuion the forces here were not taking any chances in their duties to the Imperium. Mechanicum  and PDF forces on Dependence were mustering to support those fights and tensions were high with the thought of another looming war.     

The Eldar knew that to get into a prolonged war here was suicide against the heavy defences at the complex and took every measure to ensure a quick victory for a timely withdrawl. They attacked just before dawn using the early hour and remaining darkness to allow for deadly alpha strike against the massive war engines and standing indomitable over the complex. This is why their darker cousins were required; shadow rays blasted worth nullifying void shields so lance weaponary could be used to fell the massive walkers.

Dark crystals appeared floating in the air behind defense bunkers and fortified positions that rent wholes in reality and sinister warriors emerged slaughtering the defenders inside. Wave serpents and raiders swooped over the high walls and disgourged warriors into the midst of the complex. The initial assault was total carnage as the defenders found themselves pressed from all sides before a solid defense could be fortified.

A few solid defenses did form around the center of the complex as a few inspiring leaders rallied against the slaughter. However, this didnt last long as the few crippled war engines went critical from their wounds disintegrating areas of defense for the enemy, and with the Imperial Titans gone, the Eldar Titans took to the field intent on cracking open the last remaining bunker to get their prize.

The attack didnt last more than an hour all of the defenders of Tetra II were dead or too wounded to fight anymore. Farseer Ullsandir walked with Illithrys down into the complex to take the weapon that they came here for. Automated defenses awoke to eliminate the intruders, but they were no match for the Farseer as lighting arced from his fingers and struck the machines causing them to overload.

Finally they stood before the entance to the vault. Illithrys used a fusion gun to burn access into the inner room. There in the center of the room stood the stasis cell that held the weapon they needed, but it was empty.

In the corner of the room a dark form melded into the shadows.

Diviners of Fates

Farseer Ullsandir sat cross legged in the center of Hall of Seers, he was ringed by nine stones of scrying, each one carved with a single rune of foresight. The stones in turn were ringed by nine of his brothers and sisters of the path. Each of the outer nine combed through the threads of fate, looking at the possible futures of  Craftworld Alaitoc. They then sent there visions to filter through Ullsandir in the center, combining all of their separate visions as one and eliminating those seen not be to be true.

Autarch Illithrys stood alone outside the Hall of Seers, impatient, but unmoving. He waited as he had everyday for the last twenty days. The path of the seer remained an enigma to him as he had not walked its path before, but he understood its need to the Craftworld. It was not uncommon for the council to commune for days at a time when the threads of fate were difficult to discern, but this is the first time he has ever waited this long.

When Ullsandir stepped out of the Hall of Seers, Illithrys knew that he would be taking the Craftworld to war, The seers posture said it all before he spoke.

"The Devourer approaches, and the Young King must be chosen".

"We must not become Iyanden, what have the fates shown you"?

"The Monkeigh have a destruction device that we must capture and use against them while they are engaged against the Devourer".

"So distasteful, that we must use their primative technology to destroy our enemies".

"That is not the worst of it".

"What could be worse than lowering ourselves to using Monkeigh weapons"?

"You must go and speak to our dark brethren, we will need them in the coming assualt".

Just before dawn the defenders of Defense Complex Tetra II on Dependence were awakened to sound of alarms. The complex was coming under attack.

Bash in the New Year: Warhammer 40k Tournament

This January 17th 2015, A-Z Gaming Club will host the first Wargamers in Japan event linked with Frontline Gaming's Independent Tournament Circuit (ITC). More info on ITC .

The Event will be held at the Camp Zama Community Club at 1000 am. Registration to begin at 0900am.

 

There are a total of 32 open slots available for this Tournament
There is a $25 entry fee per participant

Those that live locally can make it to Camp Zama by walking from Odakyu lines Sobudaimae station to the back gate the morning of the event. Map.
You can plan your train schedule here to make your travel plans.

Attendees that are in the military traveling from out of area can make reservations at the Zama Army Lodge
Attendees not in the military can make a reservation at a local hotel. Machida is the largest local area for reservations or Yokohama is also within a 20-30 minute travel. Hotels.

Anyone coming in from out of country should know that not all places in Japan accept American Credit and ATM cards. If you wish to withdrawal money the best place is to do it at the Japanese Post Office or Seven-Eleven (called 7 and I holdings).

All NON-Military are required to bring your Passport or Gaijin Card to gain access to the base. Passport is the best option.





Warhammer 40,000 Tournament

Format

There are a total of 32 open slots available for this Tournament
There is a $25 entry fee for participants



1500 point limit.

2 Detachments Total. You may take any 2 detachments you wish, but may not repeat any detachments.

• Detachments may be produced from a maximum of one Codex / Codex Supplement
• Example – You may not selectively include units within one Combined Arms Detachment from both Codex: Eldar and Codex Supplement: Iyanden, despite them being within the same Faction per the Detachment creation rules in the 40k Rulebook.
• Exception – Units that are added to various Factions by means other than the primary or supplemental Codex are exceptions (i.e., Dataslate Characters, Forgeworld 40K approved units where they are permitted, etc.).
• Codex Supplements will be considered their own Faction, ie. Farsight Enclave, Black Legion, Crimson Slaughter, Militarum Tempestus and Legion of the Damned, etc.
• In the case of a Forge World unit having a profile in a Forge World book and Codex or Codex Supplement, the rules in the Codex or Codex Supplement are always used.
• Forgeworld is in as long as it meets the requirements below (just in case you didn't notice that already).
• Codex: Imperial Knight count towards your LOW allowance as well as any other detachment requirements.

• 0-1 Codex Specific Detachment (CSD) or Combined Arms Detachment (CAD

• 0-1 Allied Detachment
• Your Allied Detachment may be the same faction as your  CSD or CAD.

• 0-1 Formation
• See the Black Library for examples of Formations.
• No Fortification or Apocalypse Formations will be allowed.
• All formations must abide by the allies rules in the BRB.

• 0-1 Fortification 
• All of the rules may be found in the Stronghold Assault supplement.
• The following fortifications are allowed:
• Aegis Defence Line
• Imperial Bastion
• Skyshield Landing Pad
• Wall of Martyrs : Firestorm Redoubt, Imperial Bunker, Defence Emplacement, Defence Line, or Vengeance Weapons Battery
• The following upgrades can be purchased: ammo store, booby trap, escape hatch, magos machine spirit, searchlights, ammunition dump, comms relay, gun emplacement with either Icarus lascannon or quad-gun 

• 0-1 Lord of War
• Limited to 25% of the army (375pts)
•  special character LOW's provided in codices may be used.

We will be using the scoring system from Frontline Gaming to score and rank the tournament.

Every scenario has a total of 10 possible points.

Whoever has the most points at the end of the game, wins. Equal points is a tie.

The tournament is W/L/D format, with accumulated points used to determine standings within a given final bracket. For example, if you end the event with a 4-2 record, you will be ranked within that bracket according to how many battle points you accumulated throughout the event. The official scoring is 1,000pts for a win, 500pts for a tie and then accumulated points within the game. So, a player with a 3-0 record who accumulated 6 points in each of his 3 games would end with a final score of (3,018points). We score it this way so that the W/L/D record trumps accumulated points, but points earned throughout the tournament matter in determining your precise ranking in the event.

Pairings are Swiss style, based on strength of schedule.

The top 4 players after 3 rounds will play in the final that day to determine

We will be using Missions 1 through 4 of the LVO/BAO missions. You can find the information for those missions on Frontline Gaming's Website

Rules Judgments

Rules issues will be dealt with swiftly by a roaming judge. Rules questions will be handled in this order.

1. Main Rule Book
2. FAQs and Erratas
3. ITC FAQ
   1. Please note, the change to the 2+ reroll save is still in effect. Ie., any save of any type of a 2+ that can be rerolled are failed on the second roll of a 1,2 or 3.
4. All rule judgments are final! Do not argue with the judge!

Painting

All models must be painted to a 3 color minimum. We count primer as a color. If you have any models that are not painted to a 3 color minimum, you will be ineligible for prize support at the end of the event. Your paint score is determined by the paint judge.

Sports

Sportsmanship will be handled as a simple thumbs-up, thumbs-down check box on the results sheet.

The temptation to ding someone on sports after a tough loss is often too much for many players to resist. We therefore are providing a very narrowly defined set of terms under which a player may mark their opponent with a thumbs down mark on sportsmanship. This system is intended to punish those who are being abusive, but to not allow chimpmunking. After a great deal of real world use, we have found this system to work very well.

Legitimate reasons to give an opponent a thumbs down on sports:

1. Your opponent was 15 or more minutes late to the round.
2. Your opponent was verbally abusive. This does not mean you argued with your opponent or that your personalities clashed, but that they were verbally abusive and insulting.
3. Your opponent intentionally cheated. Be prepared to support your case to a judge.
4. Your opponent slow played. We define slow playing as not completing 3 game turns of play.
   1. In the case of 20 or less minutes left to play, divide the time remaining between players to complete one full GAME turn. Time each other during this period to ensure that each player has an equal amount of time to complete a full game turn. If one player does not finish within their limit, the other player can force them to stop and then begin their turn. This mechanic is in place to ensure no one is slow played out of a turn of play.

What does NOT constitute a thumbs down on sports?

1. You argued over rules with your opponent.
2. Your opponent beat you.
3. You didn’t like your opponent’s army.

A negative mark on sportsmanship will be met with administrative action as follows:

1. First thumbs down: A verbal warning from a judge, up to reversing a win to a loss.
2. Second thumbs down: Reversing a win to a loss, up to disqualification from any prize support.
3. Third thumbs down: disqualification from any prize support, up to expulsion from the event with no refund of the ticket price.
4. Fourth thumbs down: Expulsion from the event with no refund of the ticket price.

WYSIWYG 

All models are expected to be WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) as much as is reasonable. Proxies are not permitted. "Counts As" armies with counts as allies will only be permitted if they represent a clearly concerted effort to build a unique army around an obvious theme. For example, an Adeptus Mechanicus army using extensive kit bashing and conversions will be fine.

If you go this route, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A HANDOUT TO TO GIVE TO YOUR OPPONENT THAT SHOWS WHAT EACH UNIT IN YOUR ARMY IS ALONG WITH ITS STATS AND PERTINENT RULES! You must also present this to them prior to the game so that they have time to understand what they are playing against. There will be no exceptions to this.

If your army uses only a single Codex but if for example you have Crimson Fists models using the Blood Angels Codex, or Chaos models using the Space Wolves Codex, that is acceptable. Allies for this type of army however, MUST be represented by their actual models. This is to avoid confusion. No exceptions.

If you are using converted or scratch built models with Forge World rules, this is acceptable so long as your model is as close to the represented model as possible in terms of equipment, size and shape. We will not be lenient with this.

If you have any questions about your army, ask us prior to the event so that we can let you know if what you have will be acceptable or not.

Summoned models must be accurately represented! Again, counts as in a clearly themed list are allowed, but proxies are not.

Modeling for Advantage

There is a fine line between creative freedom and modeling for advantage. We do not wish to stifle anyone’s creativity, but in the end, this is a game that relies heavily upon the physical characteristics of the models being used.

Modeling for advantage will be handled on a case by case basis. To resolve a possible abusive situation, follow these steps:

1. Ask the player to play the model as if it were a GW standard, modern version.
2. Call a judge to ask for a judgement.
3. Possibly substitute the model with an appropriate replacement.

Examples of what we consider modeling for advantage:

1. Using out of date and inappropriately sized models such as the rogue trader era Eldar Avatar (which currently is a large, monstrous creature model but back then, was the size of a Space Marine, which would now grant huge advantages due to being so much smaller) or Gorka Morka Trukks (which are less than half the size of modern versions). If an army is made predominantly of Rogue Trader era minis (or any era) and is clearly going for a theme, then exceptions will be made. If it appears to a judge that the player is in fact modeling for advantage, then action will be taken.
2. Increasing or decreasing the size of models to gain an advantage in gaining or granting cover. Custom Battle Wagons often fall into this category.
3. Altering a model to increase the range of a model or to benefit your LOS.

Terrain

Hills: All rolling hills are open terrain, granting 5+ cover via LOS blocking/interference as normal but do not count as difficult terrain.

All other terrain functions as outlined in the book BRB pg. 108-113.

Terrain Data Slates from the BRB will not be used.

What you must bring

• Your Army
• Tape Measure, Dice, Game Aids, etc.
• 3 Objective Markers on 25mm bases, 2 Objective Markers on 40mm bases.
• 5 Typed Copies of your army list. Be sure to notate who your Warlord is on your army list. (1 for the TO, and up to four for your opponent).
• All pertinent rules for your army. Codices, White Dwarf Articles, Foregworld Rules, etc.
• If you are using a counts as army, YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PLAYER HANDOUT FOR YOUR OPPONENT IDENTIFYING WHAT EACH UNIT IN YOUR ARMY IS.

Prizes!

OF COURSE there will be prizes!!!!!

The Hive Mind Denied

Lolan Quay, Yuion's major processing center and transportaion hub was usually the epitomy of efficiency, but now looked like a sick nightmare of mechanical consumption. Cargo loaders full of people and precious food stuffs were being feed into the mouths of large interplanetary cargo haulers being shipped off to Kandavar. Those given into fear tried to push their way past PDF forces and make way to the haulers without waiting in line causing further congestion and delay. Panic was ripe and fights broke out in the streets, casualties started to rise even before the Tyranids made planetfall as Adeptus Arbites units worked to beat the population back into normalcy.

There was very few static defences on Yuion and none of them were used for space defence. The bioships made planetfall onto Yuion with out a single shot being fired. Mycetic spores dropped in their billions disgorging the swarm at the remaining population. The mouths of bioships snaked down from the heavens to assimilate the vast biomass of the planets oceans. The Devourer was here and little stood in its way.

On the verdant fields outside of Lolan Quay Commader Isaac Vistrowski of the Cadian 794th Tank Brigade stood in the command hatch of his beloved Vanguisher and watched as the sun was eclipsed by the decending Tyranid spores.  As stoic as any Cadian he prepared his brigade to form a cordon around the city. His force would hold the line allowing as much food and civilians to make their way off until reinforcements arrived...

A wall of dust heralded the proximity of the swarm. Commander Vistrowski, gave the order to fire as soon as that wall was almost with range , knowing there was no need to aim at this point. The tanks roar at the bugs charge was deafening as hundreds of them opened fire at the same time. Thousands of the creatures died in that instant, but it might as well just been a cold wind blowing against them as the swarm paid those deaths no mind and charged forward all the more. With those shots being heard throughout the city real chaos broke out. The population no longer cared about being bludgeoned or shot at and the strongpoints were overran by the hysterical crowds.

Shot after shot of the main cannons were fired at the swarm, but nothing could slow its advance.  Soon the crews were forced to open fire with their secondary weapons and more care was devoted to felling the larger, controlling creatures. As those monsters went down, the defenders started to see their first reprieve. Their second came on trails of fire. Space Marines of the Emperors Shadows arrived from Tanacus and began their assualt. They arrived with earth shattering results, blowing chunks of land, trees, and bugs meters in the sky as 30 pods landed simultaneously on the western flank. Bolters, autocannons and flamers scythed down the lesser organisms in their hundreds in that initial landing, but as ammunition became scarce even the Emperor's finest were hard pressed to hold back the onslaught.

In the center and eastern flank things faired worse for the defenders as Trygons burst forth from the rumbling ground knocking over tanks, or sending them tumbling down the dark holes from which they emerged. The defenders were forced to fall back towards the city as their lines started to become overrun.

Up above The Sons of Medusa and Charcadons were fighting  a void battle to break the siege on the planet. The two chapters couldnt be anymore different. The Sons of Medusa choose to allow their long range to pick apart the bioships from range as they were occupied feeding on the planet, and the Charcadons charged their more heavily armoured ships headlong into the mass, dislodging boarding torpedos so their marines could tear apart the foe blade to blade. The combined assualt was devastating and many of the bioships burst apart under the barrage or ceast movement as they were blown apart from the inside.

With the majority of the bioships dying above the swarm began to faulter. With the Hivemind unable to send more synapse creatures into the fray the Tyranid assualt fell apart. The Sons of Medusa now sent in thunderhawks to deploy reinforcements  and Commander Vistrowski wasted no time in pressing this new advantage against the broken enemy.

Orbital lances fell from the sky breaking apart the last pockets of resistance and the combined might of the Imperium punished them for ever coming to this planet. The Tyranids were held back at Yuion at great cost to the planet and lives of the defenders.

Commander Vistrowski meet with Captain Jonus Kiln of the The Sons of Medusa 3rd company as protocal demanded. The meeting was short. Captain Kiln told Vistrowski to pack up his men and send them to Kandavar. A larger Hive Fleet is inbound for the capital.

The Devourer Strikes

Since the destruction of most of Hive Fleet Kraken years before, Kandavar has played an integral part in providing forces to defend against another emergence of the dreaded Tyranid foe. PDF forces have been drafted from nearby worlds, deep scanner probes sent out into the cold void, massive fortifications and newly forged space stations now stand defiant on the eastern fringes.

However, space is vast and scanners, soldiers, and even walls can be overcome with the right application of power and cunning. The Hivemind adapts and overcomes or starves and dies out. The Hivemind has gourged on enough human biomass to have gained a better understanding of its prey. With this knowledge infiltrating lictors and genestealers now understand that eliminating certain targets can allow for the bioships to come to lesser harm when attacking a planet.

PDF commanders, watch standers, astropaths and even power generator operators are all targets once they can be identified .

The fall of Signa IV came from one of these infiltrations as a genestealer stowed away on a Rogue Trader ship made way onto the moon and infested deeply into the the defense force and the servitors operating the scanners were all eliminated by las shots to the back of the head.

When the bioships arrived there was little warning for defenses to be raised on Signa IV and the moon was quickly stripped of all life. Barely satisfied the Hivemind moved on to bigger and better meals and Yuion is next in line to be attacked.

Yuion is almost 95% covered in water, with the major export being varying types of seaweed that can be used as dry rations. On the small amount of land a very small fruit is grown called the "Yui" fruit. This small fruit is only grown on Yuion and is used in medicinal practices and highly sought after. Combined with the fact the Yuion is the largest agri-world within three subsectors, its survival is detrimental to the existence of the people of Kandavar and their neighbors.

The Hivemind has shown itself again now and forces are being assembled to thwart this new threat. Fresh off of the loss of Tanacus the Emperor's Shadows make haste to Yuion. Also, arriving late to the attack at Tanacus the 8th company of Charcadons make warp transit into the Sector at the head of 3rd, and 6th company of Sons of Medusa. Bolsetered with more of the Emperor's elite Yuion most hold.

This planet is the perfect recipe for the Tyranids and if consumed would not only greatly expand the the Tyranids biomass reserves, but would make the sector fall apart to hunger. Will the defenders hold onto their precious resources, or will they be the appetiser.

The Fires on Tanacus

As the Tau approached, what remaining Imperial Naval Forces prepared for battle. The twin orbital platforms were ready to fire soon after the xenos ships came into scanner range and fire calculations were entered and the order given to fire once they entered maximum range. What they were not ready for was range in which the Tau could fire upon them. Three new Custodian Class Battleships stopped just short of the range of the Imperial defenses and unleashed a torrent of heavy rail cannon fire into critical points in the rings structure, causing it to collapse and plummet down into Tanacus atmosphere reaping catastrophic destruction  on the delicately assembled structure that is now keeps the planet together.
 

With the destruction of the defense rings on the attacking side, the Tau Battle Fleet moved into drop ship position on Tanacus. As the fleet prepared to discharge its cargo, the remaining Kandavar Battle Fleet struck the flanks on the Tau attempting to destroy as many ships as possible before being completely destroyed.

 Even with the battle in orbit happening hundreds of Manta and Orca crafts descended upon Tanacus thousands of battlesuits jumped from their delivery craft to lay rapid assaults to vital Imperial structures and quickly destroy as many Legio Titans as possible before they could be awakened for war. Over a dozen of the new Riptide battlesuits that were so successful at Mu'Gulath Bay cleared the way for more tau reinforcement to arrive.

The opening moments of the battle saw the Imperials sorely pressed back, and only a few points  of resistance still remained. With such a killing stoke aimed at Tanacus the planet was sure to be crushed. All hope of survival was fading from the defenders and Tau watercaste began to blair their propaganda overhead from the dropships as more Tau forces were marshaled forward.

Then from out of nowhere they struck. Space Marines of the Emperors Shadow Chapter deepstriked in behind Tau gun lines, or right between an attack force ready to crush the defenders of Tanacus. Quickly what seemed like a rout of the Imperial Forces turned into a great thrust back into the heart of the enemy. Battle Barges and Strike Cruisers came on the rear side of the Tau fleet still dueling with the Imperial Navy, destroying dozens of spacecraft in their initial assault. tau reinforcements began to slow, and the battle on the surface began to turn.

Critical to the defense of the planet was the holding of the relic Macro Cannon. With the Emperors Shadow's  pressing the assault, the Cadian  876th formed a cordon around "Old Betty" as they liked to call her. Unable to fire the cannon into space for fear of damaging the allied ships there, the cannon was realigned to fire at the Tau landing zone and killing thousands in its first call to war.

When all seemed to be turning in favour of the Imperium, the worst thing happened. In the opening moments of the battle when orbital platform sections fell into the planet and broke apart one of the major grav generators holding the metal surface of Tanacus together. At first one section fell and then more begin to break apart of crumble down in to the fiery core of the planet.

The Tau were defeated and denied the planet Tanacus, but it also no longer belongs to the Imperium. Space Marine forces teleported back to their battle fleets, but billions of citizens died as they could not make it to a bulk carrier in time to escape.

With the loss of Tanacus Imperial Forces prepared to return to Kandavar when a signal was received. A Tyranid threat has re-emerged and struck Signa IV the outermost moon of Yuion. With the Tau pushing in on the Sector the timing on the Tyranid threat could not have been worse. However, this is the Time of Ending and things can always get worse.

 



Destiny of The Greater Good

Destiny of The Greater Good

Lying directly to galactic northeast of the Tau Empire the soldiers of Kandavar have had their run ins with the upstart race. The military might arrayed in the Kandavar would be more than enough to hold back the problematic Tau if it wasn’t for the recent threat of Hive Fleet Kraken and the effort to hunt down isolated dormant sleeping cells that still hide within planets previously devoured by the Hive Mind . Luckily for the people of Kandavar the Tau do not yet posses warp travel technology and the distance from Dal’yth across the Perdus Rift in northern Tau territory is far for the near light speed space craft they possess.

 

However, that will not keep the expansionist Tau at bay forever. Aun’Va has deemed it time for the Third Sphere Expansion and Kandavar will see war soon.

A new commander has been awoken from cryostasis to lead the attack. Years before on Sha’Draig a young Shas’Ui made the killing shot against a Hive Tyrant that ended the threat from Hive Fleet Gorgon, now newly appointed by the ethereal caste Commander O’Shasshi has prepared for the opportunity to strike.

 

 

While Commander Shadowsun has already started the expansion phase across the Damocles Gulf, Tau forces have been preparing for war on Kandavar. As forces have been mounting in preparation, probes were sent out into Kandavar space to spy on the Imperial Forces. Finally after one year of patience the time has come. Always so slow to react, Imperial Forces in Kandavar have finally received the plea for aid from Mu’gulath Bay and a retribution fleet has been sent out.

The closest planet across the Perdus Rift is Tanacus and this is where the Tau must establish a beach head for further advancement into Kandavar. Even with a massive portion of Kandavar’s fleet out of the picture, Tanacus is not defenseless. More steel than planet anymore, Tanacus has been all but consumed by the Mechanicus. Ringed by twin orbital defense platforms, along with the entire Cadian 876th defense force, Tanacus is almost as well defended as Kandavar herself.

The timing is right, and the hunter as made the decision to pounce, but nothing is more dangerous than a cornered animal.

 

Marshall your forces and deliver the Mont’ka to those that stand in the way of the greater good, or stand firm and expunge the vile xenos from the domains of mankind. Which will you choose?

 

Kandavar Campaign

Crushing at Kandavar

Campaign

 

On the outskirts of the Eastern Fringe the Kandavar System was originally discovered by Rogue Trader Suleman Kandavar in 756.M32.

With the exception of a feral Orc tribe little stood in the way of a quick assimilation of the Kandavar System. Mechanicum cartographer survey teams assigned the Kandavar System as a level Beta resource system due to the abundance of precious adamantium on the planet x75638.35 now called Dependance and small extractor teams began the oh so glorious process of removing it.

The neighboring planet to Dependance was within tolerances for human settlement and was named Kandavar after its founder. A small PDF garrison was established and Kandavar was left to provide it tithe. 

In 384.M37 the Imperium saw it necessary to increase the number of Space Marine chapters patrolling the Eastern Fringes. Kandavar played a pivitol role in this for two reasons. First being the convient fact that Kandavar currently has a stable warp route, and second is that for the first reason The Lords of Terran deemed it that a new progenoid processing lab would be established to facilitate the rapid expansion of Space Marines in the area.

Kandavar saw a rapid expansion in growth for the next thousand years as defenses were raised and construction of all forms came flooding into the system to the will of The Lords of Terra. Yuion was the next planet in the system selected for utilization to provide the food stuffs for the ever increasing population as Kandavar was quickly covered from its north to south poles with hive cities, and defense works and was no longer capable of production of that manner. 

Kandavar quickly became a prominent system on the fringes of the Imperium and soon eclipsed all other systems in the area except for beautiful Macragge.

For thousands of years now Kandavar has stood as a bulkwark for humanity spreading the Emperors Will into the lightless edges of mankinds domain, but now is the Time of Ending and no where is safe in the galaxy that knows only war and Kandavar is no exception. 

  

Warhammer 40K: Escalation

So the new Escalation book is out and everyone is already in an uproar about how bad it is, and that it has changed 40k forever, and the game is broken, and they are not going to play anymore because the game is play to win, and just fuck GW!!!

Isn't this just a little extreme? Anyone that has played even one game of Apocalypse with super heavies can tell you that super heavies are not all that! Super heavies can actually be quite a liability, and in games of escalation they are even more so.

So to start why the overreaction?

#1 is that D-weapons are too strong for regular 40k. I can see this sentiment. No one wants to see their SS/TH termies wiped out in one round of shooting, but this can be done without D weapons. I think the biggest actual problem with the D weapon is that models get no inv save. Well luckly there is not that many D weapons allowed with the current Lords of War units (currently).  Besides with example above a S10 AP1 shoot can be just as bad as this D weapon. D weapons are tough, but there are ways around this which I will explain later.

#2 I can take a Reaver Titan in a 2000 point army.  I actually read this is someones rant, and was surprised. There is no Reaver Titan in the book (actually the only titan is Revenant, unless you count Stompa's). The main point this guy brought up was is there is no limitation to amount of points you can spend on a LoW unit in a game. This makes the best gripe about this book is why did GW not use the same 25% limitation that FW did in the Horus Heresy books? Probably because 1 of 2 things. Either they are dumb or they felt it wasnt really necessary. I'm going with the later of the two.

#3 These rules make the game pay to win more than ever. This comment has been flying around a lot lately mostly due to the rapid releases we have no, and that everyone that has the newest and coolest toys are the only ones winning. Now I play Blood Angels and still take home a fair number of wins with them (maybe because it was written by Ward) and dont fill this is ever the case. For the price of a Baneblade I can by four Leman Russ, and I know most IG players already have four of them. I think that anyone that really wants to buy one of these super heavies will find a way to buy it. Save lunch money, not buy something else that they want or to start slinging crack on the side. What ever the case, I think you will buy it, if you really want it or think that you need it. Now, I will explain that you don't need to have one to still win at 40k.

As I was saying about these big boys being a liability.

#1 Heavy point investment. The points cost are so high for these Behemoth that can equally put out something superior to it with normal units for the same cost. For example I could take two units of 5 ea Sternguard equipped with a melta and 4 combi meltas in a drop pod for the same points as a Banehammer and blow the crap out of the thing before it fires at me, and probably do it with just one of the units. Now that super heavy is gone and I could of done it without the same points investment.

#2 Victory points. In Apocalypse the destruction of these bad boys give away a VP, but in Escalation they give a VP for every 3 hull points/wounds done do the vehicle/creature. This is a big factor to consider when deciding to deploy a LoW and should not be taken lightly. Between all the melta/tank hunter/ordanance/auto glance on a 6/poison  it is not hard to hurt these guys.

#3 Large blast markers suck. Having those mega super ginormour apocalyptic pizza pie blast markers of destruction can be a hindrance to yourself. The reason for this is that you will be playing on a 4X6 ft table instead of a an apocalypse sized table and since you cannot place the blast marker to be even partially touching any friendly models base or hull a smart player can move right up into your face and keep you from using the biggest advantage of having a super vehicle. Speed is the key and with all the scout / turbo boost moving allowed out there they can be in your face quick and SM drop pods are the best at this. Plus if they dont also have a LoW they will get a +1 to seize the initiative so there can be a good chance you will not get to even shoot that awesome warmachine.

I think this book provides something that a lot of players actually want, and that is to be able to use their big toys without having to do a huge apocalypse game. Lets face it, 40k takes a while to play and Apocalypse can make you want to take a nap and come back later to finish up.

Even with the points I made about super heavies not not being all that, some of you guys might still not want to play with this rules set because if issues 1 and 2. I would recommend trying it out first, because of the liabilities first, and then if it doesnt feel right to you, try making some house rules like inv. saves can still be made against D weapons or implementing the 25% of points cost rule. I think you will not need it though.

Clan Raukaan: Iron Hands v2.0

When the new Space Marine Codex came out I wrote about what I thought of the new chapter tactics for the cold old Iron Hands. You can read what I had to say here. There are a lot of similarities between then and now, but more reinforced with this new supplement.

Upon reading the story that most of us know already about the role the Iron Hands played in the Horus Heresy, this book kicks off with explaining what the IH's were doing during the Scouring and a interesting meeting called the Tempering.

There are some new wars that bring the IH into confrontation with Slannesh worshippers or The Emperors Children. This only makes sense to keep them as enemies since EC did bitch slap the IH really good during the Horus Heresy.

Next up is a cool battle that pits the IH against the Alaitoc Eldar. This gives a good insight to how remorseless the IH really are, and I think this story would make a cool Space Marine Battle Novel.

Ofcourse no good story is complete without fighting Orks. This battle reminds me of Armageddon (Probably the case with most Ork novels), and an interesting confrontation happens between the IH and the Raven Guard that are also fighting in this battle. More of this leads back to the HH, and issues from Istvaan V.

The big battle for them is against the EC again in the Gaudinia System. This battle is about deamonic weapons in a sense and how abhorant they are to the IH, but end up overcoming them. Awesome battle with a cool surprise.

The coolest thing about this supplement is that some life was breathed into the IH. For so long GW has left them on the sideline compared to other First Founding Chapters. The latest HH: Massacre book gave some great Pre-Heresy info, and now this brings us up to the present under the new leadership of Iron Father Stronos that was mentioned in the new SM codex.

This supplements offers some awesome insight into some of the squads of Clan Raukaan by naming them and telling of their demeanor. There is also a break down of some vehicles as well. These are always welcome for those that want to name their units in accordance with the fluff.


The great new rules that can be used are sweet.

March of the Ancients allows for all types of dreadnaughts to be taken as Heavy as well as Elites choices. Now you do not have to take a Master of the Forge to gain this rule. Give me six Iron Clads please.

Scions of the Forge allow you to take TWO techmarines for each HQ choice just like in the codex. However, if you take a Master of the Forge you can take THREE techmarines. That is some serious HP recovery going on.


Gifts of the Gorgon are the new relics. Ofcourse you must forgo the SM codex ones to use these instead.

The Mindforge Stave: Librarian only. Is a force weapon X2 strength AP2 Melee, Concussive, Force, Unwieldy. This relic is awesome for the points cost. cheaper than actually getting a power fist.

The Axe of Medusa: +2S AP2 Melee, Mastercrafted, Severing Strike (gives +4S if a six is rolled to hit), Unwieldy

The Ironstone: Tanks and walkers within 6" of the bearer automatically pass It Will not Die rolls on the roll of a 4+. If a six is rolled the Ironstone also repairs immobilised or weapon destroyed results.

Betrayers Bane: Basically a combi melta that can use the melta always and is mastercrafted.

The Gorgons Chain: This item grants varying invulnerable saves and USR's (better the less wounds taken) depending on how many wounds the model has suffered. The changes happen immediately upon changing the number of wounds so need to roll each save seperately. Very powerful but expensive.

The Tempered Helm: 24" bubble to use beares leadership for morale checks. Also, a single unit within 12" can re-roll 1's to hit in the shooting phase.


Warlord Traits

Adept of the Omissiah: Your Warlord has the Blessing of the Omnissiah USR, if he already has it you can re-roll that roll.

Will of Iron: Gain Fearless.

Flesh is Weak: adds +1 to any feel no pain roll made.

Student of History: Warlord and his unit can automatically fail a morale check.

Merciless Resolve: Warlord has a 12" bubble that grants Crusader USR.

Target Protocols: Warlord and his unit can re-roll 1's in the shooting phase.

There is also
1 new Apocalypse data sheet
7 cities of death strategems
7 planetstrike stratagems
3 Altar of War missions
and 5 Echoes of War missions

All in all this supplement is a win for Iron Hand players. The new fluff is great for those that always wanted some.

I think the real power of this coddex is obviously with the Master of the Forge and Techmarines. I think this supplemet shows off the benefits of switching to the hull point system and what can be done with it versus the old system.

Sentinels of Terra: Hail the 3rd Company

So I have read the new Imperial Fists supplement and I have to say that this one is great! This has the most new information in the background section compared to any of the other supplements so far...

The story starts off with Lysander and his rise to being Captain of the 1st company, and letting us know how much of a bad ass this guy really is. This section is not entirely new, but the gaps are filled in now and is demenour is really fleshed out.

Lysander was basically the greatest hero of the IF and was kicking the crap out of the Iron Warriors and Lysander was going to be granted the position of Chapter Master as the current one was going to step down for him to take his place, but Lysanders obsession at trying to eradicate the Iron Warriors made him reckless in a battle on Taladorn that sees Lysander censured and demoted to captain of the 3rd company.

After Lysander takes over 3rd company he is set off on the "The Crusade of Thunder" to purge the ork menace in the Magor Rift. This section is really were the story starts to hand off to prime sergeant Tor Garadon, and the lessons that he learns from Lysander and his rise. The coolest part about this section is the complete listing of names for the entire company, so if you wanted to name all of your models correctly after the 3rd company than you have that now.

From there the 3rd is called back to help fend off a tyranid attack close to Terra on the planet Drashin. Here the IF purge a Space Hulk that was infested with a Norn Queen, and the aftermath of the battle sees Lysander return to head of the 1st company and Garadon take captaincy of the 3rd.

The new Chapter Master has the IF return to Malodrax were Lysander was tortured earlier to kill the Iron Warrior Warsmith Shon'tu that ends in epic battle.

So what everyone really wants to know is how does this change my force in the game.

1. You now use the Close Bolter Drill instead of Bolter Drill chapter tactic. this allows you to re-roll all failed to hit rolls made with bolt pistols, boltguns, stormbolters, heavybolters, or combiweapons firing the boltgun at a target up to half the maximum range away, but you cannot use this for the special ammo in your sternguard units.  :(

2. Centurian Devastators are now elite and heavy support, and Centurian Assault Squads are now fast attack and elite. The only thing that sucks is that you cannot double up on both at the same time because they both can use elites slots.... I want Centurian troops :)

3. Sergeant Gardon can be taken as an upgrade for a sergeant in Tactical Squad. He cost 75 pts, get the profile of a SM Captain and is armed with power armour, power fist, and Spartean (see relics below) and the unit is now an HQ choice. This is cool and cheaper than actually getting a Captain , but no iron halo.

4.  Relics

Eye of Hypnoth: used as a shooting attack 18" rng. target unit has its cover save reduced by one until end of phase. A building targeted has it AV reduced on all sides by one (to a minmum of 1).

The Angel of Sacrifice: basically a crozius Arcanum but has the only in death rule, which allows the model to not be removed as a casualty until after all combat attacks are resolved (so if he dies, he still makes his attacks and then is removed from play).

The Bones of Osrak: Only used by Librarians. Bearer gets an additional warp charge, and can re-roll failed psychic tests.  This is my favourite.

The Banner of Staganda: Taken as a company standard. The bearer has the crusader and counter attack USR. In addition all units withing 12" re-roll failed morale and pinning tests.

Spartean:  this is a bolt pistol that ignores cover and is master crafted.

5. Warlord Traits

Seige Lord: +1 to damage result against buildings

Tenacious Opponent: Has it will not die USR

Wise Commander: Can choose to add or subtract one from reserve rolls

Indomitable: If the warlord and his unit do not move in the movement phase, they have the fearless and counter attack USR until start of next turn

Architect of War: If warlord is in a building that building suffers -1 of the damage chart (to a minimum of 1)

Fleet Commander: Once per game can call down an orbital strike, this does not prevent the warlord from charging the unit targeted in the assault phase

6. You get the Apocalypse formation to use the 3rd company.

7. There are 7 city of death and 10 planetstrike strategems

8. 3 new altar of war and 6 new echoes of war missions.

Overall this is the best supplement to come out so far. If you play IF you should buy this book.

Golden Demon Japan 2013: A making of my Diorama

So I set off on the crazy path of building this diorama back in February when I got my hands on the Angron model. I had an idea from the Horus Heresy: Galaxy in Flames book of this scene where Saul Tarvitz is trying to find more loyalist to set up defenses and meets a World Eaters Captain at the time when Angron is charging up and slaughtering anyone he sees, and Saul knows fear for the first time and runs away.

 

 

So I had a few things I wanted to capture in the scene.

 

1. Lots of slaughtering.

 

2. Lots of destruction of the terrain as the scene takes place after the bombings.

 

3. The loyalist to maintain a "good guy" appearance.

 

4. Angron had to be visible from all directions

 

 

I started on base construction. This was my first time ever doing something to this scope. I had a big vision, but was uncertain throughout exactly how to do it. Probably should of planned more first.

 

Angron originally started more central on the base, but I ended moving him back.

 

 

I imagined the main area have being hit with lots of bombardment so wanted a transition from blown out area and still stable concrete/man-made look. I think I ended up making it to straight, and it wasn't very natural looking. 

 





 

 Angron moves back and secure his scenic base to the diorama.

Start construction of the walls. I made this door blown off like this for two reasons.

1. I needed to see Angron from the back side

2. There is the double headed eagle on the doors and that symbol was not in wide use during the time, so it had to go and I destroyed... This ended up being a hit from the judge as he said I didn't explain why that was in the diorama... I was thinking maybe the bombardment did most of it ???

 

Getting the scene built up and deciding on placement of the other models on the scene.

 

 

 

Getting the base primed up. Found lots of areas that needed more sand afterwards. Also go the areas marked for marble.

Started work on Angron. Lots of Sycorax Bronze used for the armor. Another first for me was using white primer before painting. I really should of painted to my strengths, but I had this idea and couldn't let it go.

 

Getting the base ready for marble effect.

 

 Basic shape set in.

Working on walls

This red was meant to be primer not rust... There is a lot of industrial grade primer that is red and thought it would look good, which it ended doing, but was confused as being rust by many.

 

 Using some Ghost Tints to change it up some.

A little hairspray and water does the diorama good.

Should of kept the shoulder pads off for painting, but of course inexperience killed lots of time.

Getting more of Angron done.

Just blocking in colors

Got a trim around the marble for the flooring.

 

Lots of missing pictures between working here, but all the shading is done along with rust and verdigris. The first model is attached.

 

 I built up a small pile of rubble for the heavy bolter gunner to be high enough to shoot out the window.

 

 Getting a feel for the scene.

 

 The last two models for the back are in progress.

Angron gets fixed to the base.

Final look at how all the models will be painted like before applying the blood.

All pieces are attached with the blood effects and weathering applied. I finished four days prior to the Golden Demon. I really had more time to add more to the scene.

 

This project was a big learning experience and there are things I could of done better now knowing better techniques. I'm glad I won the bronze demon on this!

 

I hope you all enjoy the diorama. Maybe someday soon I will learn to take better pictures.