Review: New Avengers - Issue #30

(Warning: This review includes spoilers from New Avengers issue #30)

If you have been following the Time Runs Out storyline, you know that things are looking bad for the Marvel 616 (original Marvel universe).  Since the story began in New Avengers #1, the story has been building on the premise that the Marvel heroes are finally facing their Kobayashi Maru scenario.  Issue #30 does a fantastic job of ramping up this idea by providing some much need details about what is happening.

(Warning: Spoilers are about to be dropped in this article.)

Over the last eight months, Hank Pym has been travelling the multiverse with the purpose of finding out who is responsible for the incursions that have been wiping out realities.  It turns out that in part, the Beyonders are responsible for what is happening.  It also turns out that they are in control of the Mapmakers and are using them as a way of trapping the abstracts and other powerful beings of each universe. 

What makes this issue so fantastic is the tone it sets for the remainder of the story.  The heroes have run out of options and even the Deus Ex Machinas (infinity stones, celestials, etc…) have all been taken off the table by the end of this issue.  Of particular note, the death of Living Tribunal was finally explained after being shown over a year ago. 

The reveals of this issue made for a great read, but did leave me with a bit of a lingering sadness over the state of the 616.  With hope all but lost and future solicitations pointing to things becoming even worse, I was left not wanting to continue the story.  DC comics are known for the occasional reboot, but to see it unfold in the Marvel universe is a different experience.  Reed Richards holding his son after a failed attempt to save everything is a powerful image for a father like me.  More so, hearing characters who I have always known to be hopeful to finally admit defeat is simply a tough story to read. 

If you have been following the storyline, issue #30 is a must read.  If you haven’t been following it to this point, I would suggest starting back at issue #1 and working your way to becoming current.  Time Runs Out is likely to become one of those rare events that sticks with the community for generations.  It will all come down to how Marvel wraps things up in the next two months.   

Captain America: Civil War Speculation

Since the announcement of Captain America: Civil War, I have been pondering how they will translate the comic story to the big screen.  One of the things Marvel has done an excellent job of doing is taking those stories and putting a new spin on them in the movies.   Marvel has also shown that they are willing to take risks when it comes to their characters.  Given these things, I would like to propose the following ideas about how CA: Civil War may play out.

What if the roles of Steve Rogers and Tony Stark are swapped between the comics and movie?  One of the things about the original comic was that it seemed plausible that either character could have been for or against the registration act.  What if at the end of Age of Ultron, Captain America is distraught over the damage done and decides that there needs to be rules in place on how super heroes operate?  What if he forms a new team that is sanctioned by the government, but doesn’t take marching orders from it.  What if their primary purpose is to police other super heroes?

At the same time, Tony discovers his father was killed by the Winter Soldier and seeks “revenge”.  He is not willing to turn him over to the government and thus forms a team of like-minded heroes.  This elevates the conflict between the characters while making Tony the antagonist, but not a traditional villain. 

As for Spiderman, what if he begins on Captain America’s team, but switches sides at the end?  After all, Cap is a world renowned hero and likely someone that Peter admires.  Being asked to join his team would probably be a hard offer for him to turn down.  As the story develops, Peter learns that Tony’s father was killed by a bad guy, one that Cap is trying to save.  This resonates with Peter on an emotional level and causes him to help Tony towards the end of the story.  Peter and Tony form a bond at the end and Stark gives Pete a new costume (maybe the iron spider suit).

It is an interesting idea that fits into the general theme of the original story while offering a very different take for the movie.  I am not sure if there are plot points I am missing from the prior films that would invalidate this version from happening, but on the surface, it seems like a possibility.  Regardless if my idea is right or wrong, Captain America: Civil War is certain to be amazing.  (Or will it be spectacular?)

End Times Special Characters

This weekend we will be recording episode 43 of the show. The main topic will be us breaking down the big nasty characters from the End Times. As of right now, we are looking to discuss the following special characters: 

Nagash (End Times: Nagash)
Karl Franz (End Times: Glottkin)
Glottkin  (End Times: Glottkin)
Malekith the Eternity King (End Times: Khaine)
Thanquol (End Times: Thanquol)
Archaon  (End Times: Archaon)

If anyone would like to request another special character from the End Times, let us know in the comments section or send us an email to unstabledice@gmail.com.

The Roaming Gamer: The Wandering Dragon (Plainfield, IL)

Every month, I find myself wandering the country in search of new games stores to experience and write about. Sometimes I find myself dragging into a store just to find a new place to write about each month. However, with this month’s article, I have found a true gem that I could not wait to write about.

The first thing that stands out about the Wandering Dragon is the overall look and feel of the place. This is a gamer’s delight set-up within a classy atmosphere that I have not experienced in other stores. I have also been to stores before that have individual game rooms, but never one that had such well-maintained and nice looking ones as the Wandering Dragon. While this may not be the biggest game store, for example Rockhead’s in Kenosha is much larger, the Wandering Dragon has done an excellent job of maximizing the use of their space while allowing each gaming group a bit of privacy.

When it comes to their selection of games, the store is stocked with a huge variety of board, card, and miniature games. The only standout exception is that they do not carry Games Workshop products, but they can order them for anyone looking for anything from the standard lines. The store also stocks a nice assortment of snacks and drinks (including hot beverages), so there is never a need to take an extended break to run elsewhere during a game.

As for the staff, my personal experience with them has been fantastic. I get the impression that this is a family run business by the way they interact with their customers. If you are looking for a knowledgeable staff that will help you with finding what you need without pushing the latest product down your throat, you can’t beat the Wandering Dragon.

In some ways, this review reads like a commercial, but truthfully I believe that is because there is nothing negative that can be said about the store. If I had to find fault, the only criticism I can make is that they do not carry Games Workshop products in the store. The Wandering Dragon is located in a great part of Plainfield, but folks visiting it may never know that because there is no reason to ever step out of the place once you get there.

 Roaming Gamer Score: 4.5 (5 - Outstanding, 1 - Crapfest)

The Roaming Gamer: Battleground Gaming and Hobbies

One of the pleasures of my job is that I get to travel all over the United States. During my travels, I get to visit various game stores and get a chance to see how folks approach the hobby in different parts of the world. I also get to find those gems that are worth checking out just to pick-up something new or have a fun chat. This month I review Battleground Gaming and Hobbies.

During a recent trip to Boston, I had a chance to visit the Attleboro store During a recent trip to Boston, I had a chance to visit the Battlegrounds store located in Attleboro, MA. The store was a bit difficult to locate, must being from the midwest, most of the Boston area can be a pain at time. When I arrived at the store, there were a few guys playing card games and a single clerk helping a customer at the desk. The clerk was courteous and greeted me upon arrival, but didn't really get a chance to interact with me as he was working with another customer.
Strolling through the store, I found it to be well stocked with GW products. Everything was neatly organized and priced at the standard MSRP. The store also stocked many different non-GW products, including Privateer Press and Magic. There was also a board gaming and role-playing section.

The majority of the space in the store was dedicated to gaming. There were a handful of miniature gaming tables, each covered in very nice looking terrain. There was also tables dedicated to the playing of card and role-playing games. Overall, the gaming space was decent, but I could see it becoming easily packed on days when a decent crowd shows up.

Overall, I thought Battleground was a nice gaming store, but not a memorable one. As a non-local, I need something to motivate me to visit a store while in town, and I did not find it with this place. The gaming tables were nice, but may feel crowded during peek hours. Also with GW products at MSRP, there are many other options available to me when I am looking to add something new to my collection.

Roaming Gamer Score: 3 (5 - Outstanding, 1 - Crapfest)

Equinox's 2012 Year in Review

Since I feel like being a follower this week, I am writing a little retrospective on my 2012 and where things are headed in 2013. As the New Year began, I looked at my wife and told her 2012 would be forever known as the Year of Dreams since most of mine were fulfilled over the last twelve months. It began in March with me visiting Japan.



Since I have been a small child, I have always dreamed of going to Tokyo, the home of Godzilla, anime and video games. I truly thought I would never get there, or at least not until much later in life. It just happened that I had to visit the Philippines for work, another first, and was able to schedule a few days in Tokyo before heading to Manila. I spent the next few days playing games, visiting stores, and experiencing the city of my dreams. My only regret was not having my family with me for the trip, but I know that in a few years we will all go back together.



The next dream that was fulfilled was the movie Avengers. Anyone that knows me knows that the movie was more of an event for me than anything. The chance to watch the Marvel universe fully realized on the screen is beyond my ability to write. Since it was released, I have seen it seven times in the theater and more times than I can count on DVD. The fact that my son has taken a liking to Thor and Hulk and wants to always watch them with me just makes the whole experience that much more memorable.

Another dream of mine was to take my family to Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida. I know many people do this, but for my daughter, it was her chance to experience something magical while still being at an age where the cynicism of life has not polluted her ability to fully imagine the world as different from what it is in reality. There were a million great moments from our two week trip, but one of the biggest for me was when we first arrived at the park. As we watched the Halloween themed show under Cinderella’s castle, the evil witch appeared and a series of fireworks went off. My daughter’s response was one of excitement and fear as she grabbed onto me tight and yelled into my ear, ‘It’s real magic’. In that moment, I knew she was having a special moment that she would not experience again until she has kids of her own.



I could share more, but I know folks reading this blog are interested in stuff related to Warhammer and not the ramblings of an old man. With that said, 2012 was really a light year when it came to the hobby. I only attended five events as a player. Of those five events, I won an award at 4 of them, so I would say that I had a pretty successful year in that regard. The total number of games I played was also down from 2011, which I believe was a direct result of my focus on non-gaming activities. I also didn’t accomplish much when it came to actually painting new models. I finished a few things, but not anywhere near what I accomplished in 2011.



When it came to major hobby accomplishments, I really only had two of them. The first was Invasion Kenosha IV. Everything went well and it was the first year that I didn’t really need to kill myself to get everything ready. The portable table toppers I made worked and there didn’t seem to be any major complaints. The other accomplishment was getting a monthly podcast started. I admit that it is not as well polished as many of the other ones out there, but I always intended it to be more of laid-back type of experience.



Looking ahead to 2013, my first major hobby goal is to complete my ogres for Adepticon. I am only playing in one fantasy event at this year’s convention, so I want to give it my all. My next goal is to prepare for A Gathering of Might in August, which is really an extension of my Adepticon goal since I will be bringing ogres to that event as well. Next, I am jumping back into 40K and returning to Eldar. I have a lot more to say about this goal, but I will save it for another article. Finally, I am feeling very aggressive with the new year, so I am going to make this year about taking a more competitive approach to the hobby.

The Citadel Finecast Experience

The few Citadel Finecast models I had before this week were ones I purchased off of EBay and were already assembled and cleaned upon arrival. My assumption was that at this point, GW had worked out any quality issues the process and anything new or recently cast would be of a higher standard. Was I wrong.

This week I worked on Orikan the Diviner and the model crumbled as I removed it from the packaging. The head on the staff was so fragile that it broke in numerous places just from me touching it. The mold lines were obvious and deep, such that I wonder if it was miscast. The air bubble holes are in places that are obvious if I were to paint it, but in positions that are going to be difficult to fill.

I know to most this is old news, but again I am shocked that GW has not made improvements to the process since the original launch of Failcast. Most companies would have pulled the line or at least attempted to make changes based on the negative reviews and PR. More to the point, I have not experienced these issues with the FW kits (minor problems sure, but not crumbling and horrible miscasts and mold lines).

In the end, a year later and I cannot still believe that GW has continued with the Finecast experiment. While GW is making an effort to move everything to plastic, some of these amazing sculpts will never be possible in that format, so GW needs to find an alternative.

The Roaming Gamer's Review: Texas Toy Soldier (Addison, Texas)

One of the pleasures of my job is that I get to travel all over the United States. During my travels, I get to visit various game stores and get a chance to see how folks approach the hobby in different parts of the world. I also get to find those gems that are worth checking out just to pick-up something new or have a fun chat. This month I review Texas Toy Soldiers, a great store in the Dallas, Texas area.

The first thing I noticed about the store was that is was clean and very well organized. The GW product was straight ahead as I walked in the door and the selection of product was excellent. The store also carried many other lines of products, including stuff from Spartan Games and Vallejo Paints.

Another great thing about the store is that all GW products are 25% off the MSRP. On the day I visited the store, I was debating on whether to purchase an Ironblaster or a Stonehorn. With such a great discount, I went ahead and bought both of them.

Finally, the fellow working the counter (I believe his name was Allen), was a real pleasure to talk with and made the visit a memorable experience. I liked that he was helpful when I called for directions and was kind enough to put what I wanted aside before I arrived at the store. We talked about the GW hobby and his interest in historical games.

I am already planning another visit to the Texas Toy Soldiers when I return to Dallas in January. The combination of a great discount and staff is hard to avoid and makes for an enjoyable purchasing experience. While I didn't get to check out any gaming while I was there, I do look forward to swinging by on a Thursday night to play the next time I am in town.

We Can Only Blame Ourselves

Recently BoLS started a conversation on their site about why folks felt WFB was in decline. The common response was that the entry point for the game was too high (entry being prices and model count). Personally, I tend to agree with these observations, but I do think that maybe this situation is a result of how the community responded to the release of 8th edition.

Generally speaking, most players decided to jump up the average game size from 2000 to ~2400 points. This alone would not be a major factor if it were not for the fact that every army book released since 8th edition was released has typically dropped the point cost of most core choices. Take for example Ogres. A basic ogre costs 30 points now, compared to ~35 points in the prior book. Now factor in that a player needs 600 points of core for a 2400 point game. This means that a player must now field 20 ogre models, where in comparison they would only need to field ~14 models at 35 points a model and ~17 models at 30 points per ogre. Basically by raising the game size, players have caused the entry level of the game to increase dramatically (in my example, a player now needs to buy another box of ogres just to meet the minimum requirements).

The easy response to this is that GW is still to blame since they are the ones that lowered the points in an attempt to generate more sales. While I agree that does make sense, I would counter such a response with the observation that GW never specifically states what they consider to be the standard game size. The community generally sets the norm and it is appears in this case that we raised it too quickly.

So what is the solution to the problem? Does the community embrace the idea of going back down to 2000 points as the standard? Doubtful. Should GW lower the price per model (which can be done in a couple of different fashions)? They could, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. This leaves us with only one viable solution and that is for current players of the hobby to lift themselves up and celebrate their love of the hobby. Another way to put it would be to say that we need to make the cost of entry appear to be worth more. This seems to be the only viable solution, though I hope maybe others can suggest something else that would work.

Equinox's Necron Codex Review

Between the new Necron codex and Tamurkhan: The Throne of Chaos, I have had plenty to read on flights this month. While I am still digesting both books, I thought I would share some of my thoughts about the new Necron codex. I have been a long time fan of the necrons, still owning a full size army from back when they were released in second edition. The concept of machine men who could repair on the battlefield and had mysterious motives was just one that grabbed at my imagination. When the full codex was released in 3rd edition, I quickly developed a new color scheme and built a force that fit my approach to the game. I enjoyed playing them for years, but eventually my interest in 40K waned and the necrons went into storage. Now, two editions later and a new book in my hands, I am again exploring whether or not to crank up the Pink Flyod and sing along to “Welcome to the Machine”.

One of the first things noticeable about the new book is that GW was determined to expand every aspect of the necrons. From the fluff, to the models, to the play styles, the necrons have more options than ever before. While in general this was a good idea, the execution could have been better on all accounts. When it came to the fluff (die kitty, die), there are some interesting changes, but the handling of the C’tan was such a swing in the opposite direction from the last book that I found it disappointing. While the changes to the C’tan were disappointing, the changes to how the necrons travel about the galaxy and the idea of the Dolmen Gates was such a huge departure from prior fluff that I found myself angry the first couple times I read it. Outside of those points, I general like the new fluff and think the addition of tomb worlds and different dynasties was a smart one and can only help broaden the appeal of the army.

Moving past the fluff into the actual army list, I felt a sense of subdued excitement as I read each unit. I was happy to see new things, but most of the new stuff felt old already and with the exception of the new flyers and lychguard, nothing that grabbed at me or sung for my attention.

(Side Note: Since I have noticed a recent spike in new followers, I just want to mention that I tend to focus more on what interests me from a modeling or hobby standpoint than an actual tactical one. I do look at and explore tactics, but my first impressions are based more on what makes me want to sit down and paint and write stories than what will win me battles.)

I think the problem for me when it came to most of the new units was that GW didn’t take any real risks with them. What I think I was hoping for were units that were scary, but balanced in some fashion to the old phase out rules. You didn’t have to beat the whole army, just enough to scare them off. I know a lot of people didn’t like phase out, but I always thought it was a very cool army rule and forced me to play differently from other armies. The new units just seem more like an exercise in designing stuff to meet a checklist. Necrons need a couple of transports, check. Necrons need another troop choice, check.

Moving past my initial disappointment, I do admit that I like the new tesla rules. I am toying with ideas on how I can build an army themed around the new weapon type. I also think that the new flyers are very cool, but since they were not part of the first wave of releases, I will hold off on including them until a proper kit is available. Finally, I think the crypteks and lycheguards make for some fun additions and give the army a couple of cool ways to play. I especially like the dispersion shields and cannot wait to use them on the battlefield.

In the end, the necrons are still my favorite army in 40K. The new book gives me more options, even if many of those options are not that exciting for me. I think from a tournament standpoint, the new book is competitive, but more on the scale of the new Dark Eldar book and not the Grey Knights. As a person who likes to design different themed armies, I can see potential with the new book and look forward to developing them as more models are released.

Did the Midwest Rampage Prove a Point

The long standing attitude towards named units (i.e. special characters) has been that they should not be allowed in any kind of competitive event. While some events have eased up on this restriction since 8th edition arrived, most large scale events have continued this outdated practice of not allowing them. That changed this year when the Midwest Rampage decided to open the field to them.

Looking at the various threads and blogs from folks that attended this year's Midwest Rampage, the general opinion seems to be that special characters did not impact the tournament in any significant fashion. To quote some of the folks that attended this year:

I ran into Archaon and Mazamundi. I broke Archaon's unit through hex and augment spells and ran him down. I killed Mazamundi with an augument spell (mindrazor). They were enough of a threat that I had to deal with them. I didn't think their special rules and items were worth the points because they were fixed (you can't customize them). Necarch from IWFB.org

no, actually I think when they got hit with dwellers sometimes people cringed. I don't think anyone with special characters got any top places, and I didn't hear of any complaints. Brawndo from The Waaagh Cast! Forums

I saw Shadowblade & Chakax. Shadowblade got peppered by chameleons. The only influence chakax had was convincing me to tie up the TG unit with throw-away. Domus from IWFB.org

One of the things that I have not seen is whether or not anyone used Teclis or Kairos, as these two models are the ones most often cited as a reason why special characters need to be banned from play. While the results of any single tournament should not be taken as conclusive evidence for either side of the argument, I do find it interesting that when given the option, people elected to use what they want and yet still maintain a great atmosphere. Good Job Midwest Rampage!

R.I.P. Randy "Macho Man" Savage.

I awoke this morning to the sad news that Randy "Macho Man" Savage had passed away from a car accident. As a child, the Macho Man was one of my favorite wrestlers. Even as an adult, he still held a special place in my heart as I always loved his outrageous personality and style. He was bigger than life and yet always reminded me of a better time when things seemed more innocent. His flying elbow, while simple when compared to what is done in the ring today, was a sight to behold and one of my favorite finishers. He was a true great in his profession and will be missed.

Give God a big "Oh Yeah" when you get to the gates Macho Man.

Pirate Viking Painting - A Plea for Positivity

Pirate Viking Painting posted an outstanding article today about keeping things positive. I have re-posted it here, but check out his site and give your support to his idea for more positivity.

I really do not do this very often but I am going to post about something that has nothing to do with painting miniatures. It does, however, have an enormous amount to do with this great hobby of ours.

The Internet is a funny old place, people hide behind their anonymity in order to make snide comments. Complex issues are summed up in 140 character bursts which are frequently massively over simplified. People actively “troll” to trigger long strings of furious comments that somehow enhance their self worth. More than anything else, people bitch and moan.

It is getting to the point where I find myself actively avoiding seeing any comments sections of websites at all because they just depress me. This is a real shame as the Internet can be an enormously potent tool for discussion and debate. Now I am not naive, I know that the idiots who “troll” comments forms will never go away as long as there are sad people whose self worth is boosted by the rage and upset of others. What I would like to see is a greater responsibility on the part of we, the bloggers, to make sure that we present news and opinions in a positive and non inflammatory light. There are sites – you know who you are – who seem to post deliberately inflammatory editorials to spark what they call discussion. I suspect that the problem is that advertising revenue on the Internet is tied to page views and rows bring page views. Oops, there I went, see how much deliberate thought this takes? That last comment violated rule 7 below.

So here is my thing. I hereby pledge to do the following on my blog:

1) I will keep all criticism constructive.
This is an important one, if you don’t like something about a model then specify what it is and more importantly what you are doing to correct it.

2) I will make no sweeping generalisations.
This leads on from above, do not say “that model is rubbish”, say “not convinced by the sword” and then – following rule 1 – “so I’ll replace it with...”

3) I will not signal my dislike for a range/model that I have no intention of buying.
This really annoys me. People who do not like a model, who have no intention of buying it, throwing around cynical snipes which ruin the enjoyment of all those who do like the range. If you don’t like it you won’t buy it. That is fine, there is no need to express your less than humble opinion to the world. (example: I genuinely felt like the only human on Earth who thought the Stormraven was kinda cool)

4) I will not base my opinions on photography alone.
Miniatures often do not photograph well. I will have a model in my hot little hands before I make any judgements upon it.

5) I will treat others with respect.
Other people’s opinions are valid, they are entitled to them, yes, even if you think they are stupid.

6) I will not summarise highly complex issues of business.
I know nothing about running a multi-national company, I know nothing about running a miniatures company, neither do you if you are honest. Maybe a handful of people in every ten thousand know anything about these things. I will not make sweeping comments about things I know precious little about.

7) Suspicion is not proof.
I will not make accusations without proof of indiscretion. Snide cynicism is an unhealthy humour.

8) People are people, even on the Internet.
What a lot of people seem to forget is that every miniature ever made was created by the blood, sweat and tears of at least 1 person. Maybe lots of people. All of those people worked hard, are proud of their endeavour and will see any flaws in their creation far more keenly than you. All that ignoring the above 7 rules will achieve is to hurt someone’s feelings.

There, now I would love to turn those 8 rules into some sort of active pledge that we would all endeavour to uphold. Unfortunately I am just a very little fish in this great big pond and don’t have the sort of clout that would be needed to get this universally adopted. Any volunteers?

Oh and to settle my mind I would like to throw my hat into the hurricane of fury associated with pricing. NO-ONE is forcing you to buy models. No-one is forcing you to choose one miniatures company over another (anyone who raises the tournament compatibility thing only has a right to if they ACTUALLY ATTEND THEM and the vast majority of us do not). If the models are expensive, save up for them. If the models are more than you think they are worth, do not buy them. Everyone can afford this hobby at some level. So you can’t afford a 4000 point vostroyan guard army? Of course you can’t. You probably don’t own a Ferrari either. I want a huge number of things that I cannot afford. I don’t buy them. I don’t feel that I should vent my spleen to millions of people about it. Try not to grumble automatically just because someone is successful. This was brought home to me when I realised I used to make anti-Microsoft jokes while using a Windows PC. Ridiculous.

That is all, I just wanted to get that off my chest as it has been driving me nuts lately. If you have read this far I salute you. Stay positive people.

Buyers Beware: Dragonfire Laser Crafts

Typically I don't like to post these types of threads, but I have reached a point with a company that I feel I need to take my complaints to blog-o-sphere in an effort to warn others. The company in question is Dragonfire Laser Crafts out of Indiana. They do a wide range of laser engraved products including laser engraved tokens.

On Feb 19th, I placed an order with them for 60 engraved wooden tokens for Invasion Kenosha III. Along with the purchase, I asked if I they could use the image from the website. On Feb 22, I heard back from James Murphy stating that they could not use the image online and if I could provide another image that was in a line form. The same day, I responded with an B&W image and asked if this image was still to complex. Having not received a response, I created a simple image and emailed it to Mr. Murphy on Feb 25th.

On March 23rd, I had not heard anything, so I wrote James asking for a status update. After 6 days, I still had not heard anything, so I attempted to use the other email listed on their site. At the same time, I began look for phone numbers to call. The ones I found listed were all disconnected. At this point, I opened a complaint with Paypal.

On March 31st, I heard back from James. He stated in his email that they did not like the quality of the images and what I wanted to do. Upon review, the images were fine in my opinion and I asked for them to be used. On 4/5, I heard back from James that it wouldn't be a problem. That was the last time I have heard from Dragonfire Laser Crafts. Since that time, numerous emails by me have been ignored and I have failed to find a working phone number for the company. As of last week, I have filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in an effort to resolve this problem and to receive a refund. Note: I failed to renew the complaint with Paypal in time, so I burned myself in that regard.




I don't have an issue with stuff getting delayed, I placed the order almost six months from Invasion. My problem is that Dragonfire Laser Crafts has continually failed to keep me updated on the status of my order and has only responded when I have escalated my concerns to a 3rd party. Why they would think this is an acceptable business practice is beyond me, but it has forced me to look elsewhere to find a replacement keep sake for Invasion.

If anyone has any suggestions on another company that does affordable custom tokens or similar and is very dependable, please let me know.

Update: It would appear that I am not the only person having problems recently with Dragonfire Laser Crafts. Check out a couple of recent complaints filed on Amazon.

Uber-Spells Rampaging Across the Midwest

After listening to a recent interview with the TO for the Midwest Rampage, I thought I would post my rebuttal to his comments about magic and lower point games. In the interview (which can be heard here), the TO implied that magic ruins the game at 1500/1600 points. Since my preferred game size is in the range mentioned by the TO, I feel I have enough experience to counter his argument and point out why I think 3000 point games are just as flawed when it comes to magic (but in different ways).

The main point of contention was that the uber-spells have too much of an impact at the ~1600 point size. While I agree that the spells have the ability to swing the game, one key factor is that typically an army is not going to invest in more than one wizard (most armies can only field one level 4). Along these lines, if someone invests in two wizards, what are they sacrificing from their army? If that player is blowing ~300 points on a single model, what could have been included that would have played a better role. Also, a player that likes to gamble on the big spells with lots of dice will typically find that they lose that caster to a miscast or because they are afraid to place it in a unit because of potential miscasts. In a sense, since the percentage of investment in the character is a lot more at 1600 points, most players will not gamble unless they do not have another choice.

Another reason people may be getting a false impression about how the uber-spells are impacting the game is that most players try to build the exact same kind of army that they would for games at 2400 or 3000 points. A person who brings an army with 3 or 4 units can expect to suffer badly from one well placed uber-spell, the same can also be said about a well placed rock thrower or pair of cannon balls. At 1600 points, a unit of 20 medium costs (~8-12 pts per model) units is a large unit. When you field a unit of 40 such models, a player shouldn’t be surprised when it gets hits by a Final Transmutation. The trick is to find a nice balance between the number of units in an army and the model count in each unit. I personally think the formula is different at different game sizes.

In comparison, at 3000 points, a player that wishes to spam wizards can do such with little issue and still include everything else that is considered “nasty”. Killing one level 4 has less of an impact when the player still has another plus a level 2 or pair of level 1’s. Even scarier, because the cap is raised on lord and hero choices, a player can invest in the more costly magic items that will help increase their potential for harm. Suddenly you have multiple spellcasters who have the ability to pump extra dice into their pool.

When it comes to the threat of a wizard, I always include something in my army that serves as a mage hunting unit. At 1600 points, that “counter unit” has a reasonable chance to succeed at its goal of killing its target while still being cost effective to be included in the player’s army. At 3000 points, you need to replicate the solution and also provide a different solution to account for the counter to your original counter. (Try saying that 5 times fast.)

Ultimately, the game is flawed at any level and there will always be players who abuse the system at any point size. When it comes to the issue of the uber-spells, I am of the opinion that the fundamental reason that comments like the one made by the TO exist because folks have a false sense of equality. It is not a matter of the actual mechanic, it is a matter of people feeling it is unfair that one model can remove 20 models, but that 20 can only remove one. Simply put, building a big unit takes a lot more time than a single model. When put in this context, I understand why the comments are made, but I don’t feel it validates them. The game is designed to represent a magical setting where high magic exists. Along those lines, the cost of such a wielder of magic is a lot more than a single model that is in a unit, which makes sense in terms of the mechanics. Whether or not the mechanic is the best for keeping the spirit of the game (i.e. fun) is a matter of opinion and not fact.

Good Luck to everyone attending this year’s Midwest Rampage. I have been following the blogs about it and it sounds like a great event if you like two day tournaments. If you would like more details about it, check out this link. If you would like to read a great blog that chronicles the journey of one person as they prepare for the Midwest Rampage, I highly recommend Random Digression Wargamer.

Is Fair the New Good?

One of the major changes to the WFB environment since the advent of 8th edition is the inclusion of units with a huge number of models. This may be driven by the horde rules and how they have influenced the meta-game. The thing I ponder regarding this change is whether or not it has impacted the quality of the armies being fielded. Another way to put it, “Is average the new good?”

I don’t claim to be anything but an average painter, but I do put my heart into my work. When someone gives me a complement, I take it seriously and am very thankful for it. On the same token, when someone criticizes my work, I tend to listen with filters. The thing is either way, I normally get a fair judgment once I account for all of the feedback. I think the same is true when reviewing the feedback given to others regarding their work.

When it comes to feedback that others receive, this is where I am noticing a trend in opinions. It seems to me that folks are being more generous with the complements than they were a couple of years ago. Pieces that are table-top in quality, and labeled as such by the artist, are garnering a lot of positive feedback. While I have nothing against positive feedback, as painting a single model can be a labor of love, I do wonder if this pattern is the result of a larger underlying current.

If we look at the last couple years, the market has enjoyed an explosion of new painting products that have allowed the typical painter to achieve table-top standards in a shorter time and with less effort. Wonderful products like GW washes and Army Painter’s line of dips and spray paints can make the choir of painting that much more bearable. The results from these products can be nice, but rarely would I consider them outstanding or breathtaking. Based on this thought, I am lead to wonder if it is something else that is causing this uptick in positivity.

Maybe the "average is good" trend is the result of the community realizing on some level that the size of the game has gotten to the point that we need to embrace shortcuts if we are to meet the typical painting demands of the hobby while satisfying our own collective ADD. Spending a lot of time on a single model doesn’t seem so bad when you only need 16 of them to play a game. Spending the same amount when you know that you need 100+ more of them can be a chilling reality that freezes the life from a hobbyist’s motivation.

In conclusion, we should embrace the trends in positive feedback that are happening. They help to inspire all of us as we strive to meet our personal goals within the hobby. While we may not all be equals with a brush, we all are companions on the journeys that we take with them. So continue to celebrate this journey and share your feedback with whoever inspires you to continue on the path. For no matter whether it is the destination in the form of a finished model, or the journey itself in the way of various painting techniques, we all like to know what we are doing right at the end of the day.

Invasion Kenosha III - Garagehammer Interview

The guys at Garagehammer were kind enough to interview me about Invasion Kenosha III. The interview starts at 1:56 mark and runs for about seven minutes.

Episode 22 – Adepticon Recap

Sponsored by Unique Gifts & Games, Unseen Lerker, The Game Preserve, and Ursa’s Den

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Local Tournament Info segment brought to you by Circle City Circuit.

So here’s Episode 22. Sorry we are a few days late with it. This episode, we talk a bit about the Tomb Kings preorder, and then it’s on to our discussion of almost 2 dozen games we played at Adepticon and in our Mighty Empires Campaign! We also talk about the many things we saw and did other than gaming there.

Finally, we would like to thank everyone we met and talked to and played with/against at Adepticon. It was one of the best times we ever had gaming and we can’t wait for next year.

Thanks for listening and see you in just a few weeks for Episode 23!

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What is the Deal with Drinking at Tournaments?

I recently had a discussion with another TO and one of the points he made was regarding how he was having alcoholic beverages at his tournament. In fact, his tone regarding the presence of alcohol seemed to imply to me that somehow this made his event better than those that did not serve such beverages. I am no prude when it comes to drinking. I enjoy having a honey weiss when I go to Buffalo Wild Wings or a good bottle of wine when eating at Fogo de Chao. I just don’t need it to be part of my gaming experience, nor does it factor in when it comes to my opinion of an event.

As I read various forum threads, especially ones related to Fantasy events, this seems to be a common opinion. Again, everyone is entitled to what they think and enjoy, I just don’t understand it. I have been to large events and have experienced the problems that can come from having a bar available during the tournament. I ‘fondly’ remember playing in one such tournament and my opponent showing up and playing with beer rage. It just seems like more trouble than it is worth.

When it comes to deciding upon what events to attend, I first evaluate potential candidates based upon how closely the event/tournament aligns with my own personal hobby goals. Do I feel like I am getting some sort of value for what is being asked of me (be it entry fees or time) is what I also ask myself. When comparing a tournament against these two requirements, access to alcohol just doesn’t come into the process.

In conclusion, I don’t have an issue with an event offering alcohol; I just view it as a non-factor when it comes to making a decision on whether or not I will attend. Why the community embraces the presence of it during the tournament seems odd to me as I personally prefer to share a drink after the day is done. In the end, we all enjoy different things, I am just hopeful my readers can help me to understand the other side of the discussion.