Daemon list as a thought on the way back from ETC

BloodThrister 250 Unholy might 20 points (270)
Hearld of Slannesh Chariot Pavene 85 pts

Fiendsx5 150
Fiendsx5 150
Fiendsx5 150

Plague Bearers x5 75 pts
Plague Bearers x5 75 pts
Plague Bearers x5 75 pts
Plague Bearers x5 75 pts

Seekers x 15 255pts
Seekers x 15 255pts

Soul Grinder

247 rending attacks...


Just something I am thinking about playing for the rest of the year. Scales pretty good as you just add soul grinders, princes or a hearld of Tzeentch.

That being said I am going to put a write a detail post on BOLS about the ETC. Great trip and a lot of fun. Made new friends and learned a lot. I am sure people are going to go crazy when I write the next article for bols.

Team America World Police!

European Championship Team America
“The American Roster”


The European Championship is coming up right around the corner and America is sending a team to represent our great country. We will do battle with 50 other countries to battle out to the top. That being said these are the people that are going to represent America (http://teamamerica40k.com/page2.html).


Name:
Ben Mohlie


Past 40k Accomplishments::
3rd place Adepticon Gladiator 09, Best Hybrid Army Adepticon '09. 3rd place team Adepticon '10, and Best Team Sportsman. And most notably, managing the challenges of getting Team America halfway around the world and back.

Where you live and your profession
I am a scientist at a research and development company in Cambridge, MA.

What army you are going to play
Space Marines

Why you wanted to be on Team America
I learned about the existence of the ETC almost exactly a year ago. I immediately knew America needed to participate in this event and prove that the best 40 players in the world live in the USA. There has never been an American team, or any team from outside of Europe.

I began by contacting players I knew were amongst the best in the country, and eventually found six that were willing to make the time and financial commitment to go. I also knew it was important to award some of the spots competitively, so the last two positions on the team were awarded at Adepticon based on the results of the individual tournaments there. It has been a long and difficult process, but I have no doubt every member of Team America is one of the best players in the Nation. Interest in the team, and the event itself have exploded since then, and I am confident there will be an American team at the ETC from now on.

By attending this year, we will turn the European Team Championship, into the World Team Championship. Twenty five countries are currently signed up, and this will be the first year any country from outside of Europe has attended. The organizers of this event have created something wonderful and important for the game of 40k. The format of the tournament is very well thought out and sophisticated, and whatever country wins can truly claim to be the best in the world. Team America is excited to participate and represent the USA!


Name
Greg Sparks

Where do I live?
Perrysburg, OH (Toledo) - which is way too close to Detroit. Someone needs to pave over that city.

What is my profession?
Senior Process Engineer (aka: Jack of all Trades Master of None) - Okay well maybe a master of a few things.
As of now - I'm having to do a lot of work to cater to hippies. Technical speak - reviewing and setting up our facilities to be in compliance with the various environmental regulations that are being released over the next few years. Plus a periodic, major plant expansion here and there.

What will I be playing?
As far as what army I'll be playing, I'm sticking with a favorite of mine - Eldar. It's just some random uncompetitive build. Nothing to see here.

Why do I want to be on Team America?
This is an unique experience where I can 1) represent this great country of ours, 2) have a fun trip with a great group of players/friends, and 3) meet & beat some Euros.

What are my past 40K Accomplishments?
Oh - where do I begin. I would say my top three 40K accomplishments include 1) The fact that I'm still playing this game after almost 20 years, 2) Finishing 900+ hours of sculpting, converting and painting my Chaos force over approximately 3 1/2 years (btw - I never want to do that again), and 3) Getting +16 combat resolution against Dakka Detachment One's blood crushers.


Name
Mike Mutscheller

Where do I live?
Victory Town USA

What is my profession?
Contractor/Project Manager - just to keep it simple, I run multi-million projects for a large construction company.

What will I be playing?
Chaos Space Marines

Why do I want to be on Team America?
Because Greg is making me.

What are my past 40K Accomplishments?
2007 US GW Tournament Circuit Winner. Almost fulfilling my indentured servitude to Greg. Does anyone want to take my place in Greg's AdeptiCon Team? If you are reading this, I'm locked in a basement. Send aid to 555.............






We had a special Interview for the one and only John Willingham… the following was captured below in his own words.

The following was interviewed in front of a live audience, many of which later described the interview as breath taking.

Interviewer: Your Name?
JW: Jon "The Man" Willingham
I: Who gave you the title... the man?
JW: First of all its pronounced "The Man" and second of all its Dr. "The Man" to you. Titles are not given, they are taken.

I: Were are you from.
JW: I was forged in the shadows of Detroit... the very bowels of Ohio, most know it as Toledo.

I: What is it you do when not playing 40k?
JW: Can I say being God-Like?
I: No..
JW: Then being God-Like. I also work for a Fall Protection company, but thats only part time to my first profession.

I: What army will you being using in the European Team Championships?
JW: Well it won't be called that once I'm done with it...
I: The army or the tournament?
JW: Both...
I: But which army?
JW: GERMAN SPY!!!!
I: ...
JW: Mostly Space Wolves.

I: What distinguishes you as a player worthy to represent America?
JW: One time, I tabled a newb by turn 4.
I: That doesn't really count as...
JW: Blindfolded.
I: Oh!
JW: Additionally I'm awesome. To add to that resume: I placed first in the 2008 and 2058 (yeah I know) Adepticon Championships. I got 3rd in the same tournament this year. Won the Adepticon Team Tournament in 2009 single handedly... but also along with my team. I once tied the Mike Mutscheller. I have night vision. Scatter dice always point to me, which counts as a hit. I one time won a game of Battle Fleet Gothic, with a fantasy army. Deamon players ask me which half I prefer. A sisters army need only roll less than me to activate an act of faith. I prefer all enemies. I've never needed to re-roll to hit or wound. I can preemptively steal my own initiative. My army lists have won Pulitzers. On a final note, I'm awesome.



Name
Wyatt "Paintraina" Traina



Where do I live?
Cambridge, MA

What is my profession?
Dental Student. Workin on collectin teef ta but a new shoota.

What will I be playing?
Footie Orks

Why do I want to be on Team America?
Because Ben convinced me that I wanted to go. Plus I want to be part of the first group of Americans to win this.

What are my past 40K Accomplishments?
Best Hybrid Army Adepticon '09. 8th place Gladiator Adepticon '10. 3rd place team Adepticon '10, and Best Team Sportsman. Best Overall Boston Brawl '10. Best Sportsman Da Boyz GT '09. Gold sci-fi single mini Boston Brawl '10.




What is your name - Shaun Kemp

What army will you be playing - Tyranids, because that was what was left.

And your Club Affiliation - DaBoyz

What do you do for a living - Allstate Insurance Sales. Also a part owner in my local hobby shop - Boldo's Armory in upstate New York.

Your reason for attending - I was lucky enough to be one of the few players that Ben actually knew when he was putting this together.

What are some of your past Warhammer accomplishments - I know I won 3 overall GT's (Baltimore, Chicago and Canada back when they had them) along with some best General, Best Army and Sportsman awards. How I won that last category, I'll never know. I also have an army domination coin somewhere - Woot!!! I was also able to participate on a winning team at a small local tournament called Adepticon. Sorry I don't have all the exact details. I can't refer to my trophy's which are set up as a shrine to worship like Muetschler nor have I taken the time to list my victories in a detailed spreadsheet format like Sparks.

What do you think will be some of the hardest challenges you'll face -

1) With different national languages and accents, communication might be a little difficult. Although I believe the handshake is known universally (as well as the middle finger).
2) Keep myself from staring at Ben's wife's "Assets" as she brings me my warm beer.
3) Putting up with Paul Miglino for over 16 hours of straight travel time - each way no less.

What do you hope will be some of your greatest accomplishments -

1) Bringing home the Gold.
2) Taking Jon Willingham over to Amsterdam and finally have him turned into a man.
3) Putting up with Paul Miglino for over 16 hours of straight travel time - each way no less.

Do you know that you have picked on almost every member of your team with this interview?

Why, who have I missed?

Wyatt Traina and Nick Rose.

Well Wyatt is easy. He's just Wyatt - nothing more needs to be said. Nick on the other hand, I don't really know too well. For all I know, he could be the only other valuable player on the team. Besides, from what little I've heard about him, I don't want to go and offend his "delicate sensibilities". This is being posted on BOLS after all.

On a serious note: I consider it a priviledge to be on the team and truly think very highly of my fellow teammates.




Name
Paul Miglino

Where do I live?
Deptford, NJ (Originally from Philadelphia, PA)

What is my profession?
I manage an equity trading desk for an Investment Advisory Firm.

What will I be playing?
Blood Angels

What is your Club Affiliation?
Wrecking Crew

Why do I want to be on Team America?
It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to play with and against the very best. Not to mention the rare chance to play overseas, in a hobby you love and sacrificed so much for, and all the while pushing around tin soldiers.

What are my past 40K Accomplishments?
Adepticon Gladiator 2010 (3rd Place)
Baltimore Games Day in 2009 (Best General)
Las Vegas 2008 40K GT (6th Place)
Currently ranked 4th Overall in the country according to the HQ Ranking system.
Won numerous local rogue trader events and have finished consecutive years in the top standings on the 40K Circuit.



Nick “Darkwynn” Rose



Where do I live? Austin, Texas


What is my profession?
I manage a 10 million dollar Storage Business in Upstate New York and Connecticut for Dell Inc.

What will I be playing? Imperial Guard

Why do I want to be on Team America?
After qualifying at Adepticon for Team America I thought it would be a once in a life time event and you only live once right? Hoping to bring back some glory for America in the Singles Championship and the European team Championship and of course extend the reach of Bell of Lost Souls to Europe.

What are my past 40K Accomplishments? Adepticon Gladiator 2010 1st, Ard boyz 2009 1stplace, Adepticon Singles, BolsCon Head Judge, Adepticon 4th 2008, Gladiator 2009 5th place.

The Movement phase? Why does'nt anyone ever talk about it

During 4th of July week I ran into John Willingham a teammate of mine for the European Team championship. We started to discuss the warhammer 40k list that the Europeans are using and just had a great laugh. I feel confident that we are going to do very well over there but I started to think lets not get too far ahead of ourselves. I can't judge a list by its cover entirely.

I don't want to go into list strengths, building redundancy, focusing on shooting or assault phase but why doesn't anyone ever talk about the movement phase? Personally its one of the most important phases in the game and once you have a better grasp around it it can make a huge difference in a game.

For example understanding your space between say a Leman Russ Demolisher and the range of the Demolisher cannon being 24 inches to 30 inches. If I know I can maneuver my unit around that distance I can effectively take that unit out of the picture and worry about other threats. The same goes for melta guns or the distance that transports can deliver those units. The thing I am saying is you can mitigate the damage in the movement phase and understand when you are taking risk you can focus and break down your opponents list much better then just going crazy with no plan. javascript:void(0)

Everyone loves the Psyker hoods on the Librarians and I find it amusing now. I have put players into this position multiple times even with Psyker Battle squads understanding the range on their weaken resolve or even their soulstorm blast is 36 inches. Every time I target a unit or fire soul storm I always make sure that the librarian is 24 inches away and he doesn't even have a chance of stopping the power.

So I guess I wonder do people ever consider the smaller intricacies of the movement phase or do they really understand how much actually happens during that time?

Leaf blower

How I Learned to Love the Game and Hate the Leafblower
by Darkwynn

Right before Adepticon I was excited about getting a chance to see all my old friends such as Hod and Steve from the Wrecking Crew, Allen Hernandez, Chester, Alex (Redbeard), Sparks and many others. I had no idea what I was walking into...

Black Templar oh how I love thee

I have loved the Black Templar since the start of time.

Since I started Warhammer 40,000 I’ve played many armies. Starting from Eldar in the Rogue Trader days to the my latest Imperial Guard. The one army that I've always had a soft spot for are my Black Templars. I remember when they first came out and the Emperors Champion could challenge annoying powerfist sergeants and protecting himself from the other squad's members as the pair dueled to the death. They also had Sisters of Battle supporting the army that handled the range firepower. The editions have changed and so have my play styles and list over the years. Here is one of the latest versions I use for 1850 on the previous GT circuit.

1850 Pt. Army list

Emperor Champion
-Accept any challenge no matter the odds

Marshal
-Storm shield, thunder hammer, terminator honors

Terminator Assault Squad
x3 Lighting claws and 2x thunder hammers (I do switch this around at times to a 4:1 ratio)

Land Raider Crusader (transport for the Terminators)

Terminator Assault Squad
x3 Lighting claws and 2x thunder hammers (I do switch this around at times to a 4:1 ratio)

Land Raider Crusader (transport for the Terminators)

Crusader Squad
5 initiates 3 neophytes Melta gun power fist w/drop pod

Crusader Squad
5 initiates 3 neophytes Melta gun power fist w/drop pod

Crusader Squad
5 initiates 2 neophytes Melta gun power fist w/drop pod

Land Speeder with Multi Melta

Land Speeder with Multi Melta

Army Tactics
Deployment
This army has always been simple to play. It is unforgiving in a lot of ways and gives you a good all-comers list if you can understand it's weakness and know its strengths. I have two methods of deployment with the list. Usually it depends if I am going first or second. If I am going first I will deploy both my Land Raiders in the middle or on one side of the table to divide my opponent’s army. I run the Land Speeders behind the Land Raiders to provide protection till it’s time to hit key targets. The army has a problem as its sweet spot is in the range of 12 and 24 inches. Any army that has mobility can be pain in the butt for you to face and if they can stay 24 inches away there is a good chance they can win. You use the Land Raiders to cut off angles and the drop pods to box them in allowing your Terminators to come out and multiple assault bad guy units and just eat everything up with the reroll miss and reroll to wound lighting claws.

If I am going to go second I will usually reserve my whole army. Having the old edition of Drop pods combined with the reserving Land Raiders can limit the amount of damage my units can take and put them into key areas for counter assaults.

Unit Notes
The main hammer of the army is obvious the Terminators in the LRC which will have the Emperor's Champion in it sometimes or the Marshall depending what armies I am playing. The problem I have with these is you have roughly 1000 points invested into these 4 units (Terminators and LRC) and if one of these units breaks down or gets destroyed you take out a big piece of the hammer and a big portion of the army's hitting power. You have to be careful yet aggressive with these units which can be tough at times.

Emperor's Champion is a great troop killer instead of a character killer. He has no longer become a Slayer of Champions so use him to the best you can and get him in the meat grinder.

Marshall is great for the LD:10 to the whole army as I always have units break and he limits that a lot. With a Thunder Hammer he can assault bigger units such as Monstrous Creatures and tanks and has a chance of breaking them with STR:9 on the charge.

Crusader squads are cheap units to land in key areas to hit tanks, slow units down, put pressure or lead groups into the hammer.

Land Speeders are just there for some cheap mobility anti-tank which Black Templars have always lacked. Since they have lacked anti tank, I have never bothered going through the old 4th edition of las plas squads which they can do. Because if you are going to use the las plas setup in a game, why not play normal space marines?

~Here has what has worked for me over the 9 years of playing Black Templar. Tell me what has worked for you guys over that time and how the Black Templar’s are performing for you (or against you foul Xenos) in 5th edition.

Is there too much Melta out there?

Darkwynn here,

So, everyone has been talking about these net lists which makes your game ten times better if you take them. They are the hyper focused lists whose sole purpose is to spam a specific unit or weapon type with the more common ones being melta-spam and troop transports of late. But what happens when you go against a player who exploits those weaknesses because you have too much of that one good thing? What do you do when you don't have the right tools for the job?

I have seen the meta game slowly moving this way a lot over the last 2 years but now it’s just gone to the extreme due to meltaguns costing 5 points. New net lists now commonly spam a good number of 20+ Melta guns. But why? So you can get up close and blow that transport away or rush up with 5 squads to kill that one Land Raider in your opponent's list only to get assaulted afterward?

Quick Melta recap:
-Range of 12 inches or 24 inches if you are using Multi-Melta
-Str 8 AP1, half range 2d6 armor pen.
Pros
- Great for killing T4 characters without Eternal Warrior
- Destroying vehicles- esp. against AV13-14
Cons
- Short range of 12 inches
- Limited situations in which it benefits
- Have to be extremely close for the double pen bonus

Now you can't deny that Melta and vehicles are great in 5th edition, but you need to notice that you have other tools in your box besides the hammer. Everyone complained and said it was silly to take plasmaguns on Command squads for instance. Plasma has double the shots and if you are going to commit that unit to kill infantry or go after certain heavy armor units, it will be much more efficient than a unit of meltaguns.

Some of the most effective units that plasma is great for killing are monstrous creatures, Eternal Warrior characters, Feel-no-pain units, Eldar Avatars, models over toughness 5 and those multi-wound models over toughness 5. To put this into perspective: if you are going to get in position to try and take down any of those types of units with melta and it doesn't go well, chances are that your melta unit is going to die next turn. Now some people will say: “Well, that is why you have so many. You can commit two units to do the job, but why do that when I can do it with one?”

A good player will notice and take in consideration your limited range and your inherent weakness that you develop in an ultra focused list. There are great ways to deal with melta, especially when a lot of people are not taking extra armor on tanks because it’s too expensive right now or they have foot slogger units.

One of the best things I enjoy in a game is to stun or shake a transport then move around it so that it can't leave or the guys are unable to get out to shoot anyone else. Then the next turn, I can shake it again and focus on killing other items while delaying that unit from getting into the game. Another is when I notice you only have one or two long range hitting weapons and I am running 5 rhinos. I would rush my rhinos up as much as I can and then pop smoke when I am 12 to 15 inches away. That way if you do come out and try to blow up my rhinos, you’re not going to be effective and when you do, I am out on the next turn to kill you. What do you do if you are playing kill points in a tournament and the player has long range fire power and mobility but the only thing your marines have is Melta guns to the max? A smart player will just blow up your transports and focus on small units while running away and winning by just killing a few units, but you couldn't do anything because you could never get weapons close enough to do their jobs.

The big thing I am saying is that people need to realize when one piece of equipment or "super unit" is overused you can end up min-maxing yourself into a very tight corner and end up with a one-trick-pony army that can't handle multiple situations. So the next time you are making a list and you already know you have 9 Melta guns, ask yourself if you really need more than that. Also, remember every person plays differently and you really need to tune that list to your play style.

~So table top generals, tell me what your thoughts and feelings are on these new net lists. Also, do people think a balanced approach is something you always need to consider or is the ultra focused list the only way to go? Finally, the million dollar question: melta, plasma, or flamers?

Thoughts on Ard boyz

Darkwynn’s Corner


Ard Boy’z Finals


So Ard boyz is coming back around and I am going to head up to Chicago after winning first at the semi-finals in Texas. I look forward going back up there to see a lot of my friends and people from across the country. Which brings me into getting prepared for the finals, I have started to do testing as I foresee the finals being about 40% guard and 30% blood Angels with 10% space wolves and other armies sprinkled among the masses. The biggest threat will be guard for sure with their low cost units and high amount of vehicles that can get close to 18-20 vehicles on the board. This is a list I thought up that I think could hold its own against an Imperial Guard player and with a little luck make quick work out of him.

Blood Angels 2500 points
HQ
Librarian
Shield of Sanguinius
Sanguine Sword
Elite
Furioso Liberian
Shield of Sanguinius
Wings of Sanguinius

Honor Guard
Flamer x3 Blood Champion
Razorback with Heavy Flamer

Troops
Assault Squad x10
Melta Gun x2
Powerfist
Rhino
Assault Squad x10
Melta Gun x2
Powerfist
Rhino
Assault Squad x10
Melta Gun x2
Powerfist
Rhino
Assault Squad x10
Melta Gun x2
Powerfist
Rhino
Assault Squad x10
Melta Gun x2
Powerfist
Rhino

Fast Attack
Baal Predator
Baal Predator
Baal Predator
Heavy
Vindicator
Predator
Autocannon with Las cannon sponsons
Predator
Autocannon with Las cannon sponsons


The idea is if I go first against Guard is to push forward pop smoke and use the Predators and Vindicators to either shake or stun key targets. After that I should be in range to either assault or start breaking down the enemy. On top of that I will have Dreadnoughts in the area who will be able to cast Shield of Sanguinius to help give nearby vehicles a 5+ cover save. Hoping with a little bit of luck I can tear through Mech Ig with multiple assaults and then just keep pushing.

Now, this is what I am worried about… Marines. How do you handle super death star units such as Thunder Calvery Wolf lords with lots of dire wolves? How do you handle Loganwing? What about some Super HQ units you see out there such as Abanadon? If I see any of these types of armies I have to secure a multiple assault and overwhelm the unit by three or four times the amount that is needed. This is my concern with a list like this as there is no hard heavy hitting unit expect for hitting like a flood of water onto a unit.

So here are my thoughts for Ard boyz, want to know what other people are thinking and what are their concerns for the big event coming up right around the corner?