Grey Knights Codex

Well...I'll start by saying that I'm highly disappointed that it wasn't Codex: Daemonhunters.  Or, even better, Codex: Inquisition.  I mean, one codex, inducted stormtroopers as troops, with a commander upgrade that would let you take Sisters or Grey Knights as troops.  It could work easily.  But that's not the point here.

Rules-wise, I don't see anything -too- obscene.  There's some scary stuff here, don't get me wrong.  An army of two wound, Feel No Pain terminators?  Yeah, that's intimidating, regardless of the cost.  Marines that teleport across the field of battle?  Definitely fun times.  But nothing truly game-obliterating.

My problem is that it's just so -silly-.  Yes, Jokero have been around forever.  But did we want super-technologically powered monkeys?  That fire las-cannons, plasma cannons, or mulimeltas?  And where do these weapons come from?  Please don't answer that.  Dreadknight?  Something to go toe-to-toe with a greater daemon!  Except that it's obvious that Grey Knights -can- do that with relative ease.  I mean, there's a special character who seems to smack daemon-primarchs down, and toys with the Chaos Gods themselves just because he can.

Don't even get me started on the massacre of the Sisters of Battle.

Hate me if you want.  I make fun of the grimdark, but I like it.  And space-monkeys that chill with guys who kill battle-nuns for no real reason, especially paired with warmachines that look like they came from The Matrix, just don't do it for me.

The Deathwing.

First, I admit I'm not too fond of Dark Angels.  They just don't really do it for me.  Some of their models are cool, but the fluff and dresses...just leave me dry.  But what I've always wanted to field?  A Deathwing army.  Now this may be because I like the idea of 20 guys going against an army and having a chance at winning, or because having a 20 strong army is the only way I'll have a fully painted one.  Either way, the Deathwing is an awesome idea.

Now, however, I have a quandary.  I love the rules for Logan Grimnar, and have no issues with fielding a Wolfwing.  Grey Knights can also run all terminators if they want.  Either way I'd be using a DIY chapter, but these would play very differently. 

I think what I'll do is hack up a list for each one, and then put the models together to do both, sharing the ones I can.  I -think- that would work.

Medieval Faire, FTW!

Yes, yes, we're more all purpose than just a bunch of gamers.  Medieval Faires are another thing we do here at Dice and Dragons, and we do them the only right way!  Kilts, pirates, and Vikings!

This weekend is the Medieval Faire in Norman, OK.  Right near the OU campus.  It's a great deal of fun, with multiple groups doing live combat demonstrations, staged fighting, fencing, jousting, and even showing some top notch hawk training.  I'm fairly sure that the bird was eyeing my fiancée's Chihuahua for lunch.  I don't blame it, I think the dog would be delicious.  But it was amazingly well behaved, despite being barked at by a number of dogs.

Unlike the Faire in Las Vegas, there's actually places that sell combat ready blades, though they are fairly expensive.  Good looking armour is hard to find, but there's lots of places selling cool clothes.

My current outfit is a kilt, Blackwatch tartan, a light green tunic, and my old combat boots from the military.  The only part I don't like is the boots.  Or rather, I like them, but they don't fit with the rest.  Nowhere near period.

I also have a slight issue with my lady's outfit.  Mine is heavy on the green, her's is heavy on the red.  Together, we look like Christmas ornaments.  But I love her.  So it's okay.

What do Orks really need?

I read about what people say about Orks, and I've heard everything from "Orks are fine the way they are," to "We should have a Monstrous Creature!"  Not sure why on that second one.  It does kinda fit with they way they grow, but I really don't see it as a "MUST BE MINE!" sort of thing.

The way I see it, the biggest problem is Flash Gitz.  These are Nobz that like shooting more than close combat.  But regular Nobz are better at close combat than their lesser brethren, the Boyz.  Flash Gitz are no better at shooting than your average Boy.  In fact, despite their increased focus on shooting, it seems their close combat statistics have improved.  Even if it were an upgrade for a few points per model, I could see a BS of 3 going a long way to making the Flash Gitz usable.

Also, my biggest problem as of late has been Land Raider spam.  Most anything else I've been able to find something to counter with relative ease.  But it's hard for us Orks to pop AV 14.  Very hard to reliably pop it.  And I've never been able to pop it at a range.  Up close, the wonderful squad inside gets a nice round of shooting before they assault into the Nobz, Bikerz, what have you.  Not a nice setup.

Oddly, I can see Flash Gitz solving this problem too.  The Blasta upgrade could easily give the unit Melta and Gets Hot!  As it is, I don't bother buying the Blasta upgrade.  Even at BS 2, I think I'd give it a couple moments thought instead of simply passing it by.

Then again, I don't design the game.  So I could be totally off.

Commissar Reginald Lamont

So I did some thinking as to what sort of character I would be in 40K.  Who doesn't, at least once in a while?  So I thought.

Xenos?  Nah...they leave me pretty dry.

Space Marines?  Maybe.  Might do a Space Marine version of myself eventually.

Chaos?  Now -this- is an interesting option, but that's more likely what I'd be in WHFB.

Inquisition?  I could see that.

But no.  I choose Imperial Guard.  Commissar.  So here's his basic information.

Commissar Reginald Lamont

Physical Characteristics-----

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 240 lbs.

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Hazel

Notable Features: Tall, broad shoulders, and well built. He tends to stand head and shoulders above common troopers.

History-----

Homeworld: Reginald Lamont was raised in the Schola Progenium of Orvana Primus after the disappearance of his parents during nearby Imperial Guard actions.

Early Life: Reginald was less than attentive during classes, often failing to turn projects in on time. But he scored high enough on tests to keep his marks acceptable. Considered antisocial, he had a score of fights with other classmates, often due to his odd sense of humor being taken wrongly. It wasn't until beginning training in combat and tactics that the young man began to shine. With an uncanny ability to pick up and quickly learn any weapon, he began to out-pace the rest of his age group. Coupled with a hatred for weakness, in himself as well as others, he was picked out as a candidate for Commissar training.

Current Status: Still young, Commissar Reginald has lost none of his 'antisocial tendencies' since his days in the Schola. But he has learned to control his anger, and rarely makes jokes when not around those he is most comfortable around. He leads from the front, and has proven to inspire Guardsmen to acts of bravery in the face of all manner of horrors. But his success is due to more than just fiery rhetoric and intimidation, having pulled wounded guardsmen from the jaws of death. Very few that he accompanies to battle don't come back, even if they don't return alive.