DIYFTW: Cost-effective carrying cases

Have you ever looked around at the hobby around you and thought, "I could definitely do more with less?"  Are you the kind of hobbyist that marches to the beat of your own drum, a drum that you in fact created?  Are the models and terrain on the board much more than game pieces to you, but rather some artistic endeavor you take pride in?  Well, this is a blog post for you!

DIYFTW (do it yourself for the win) is the part of the blog where I and other TW members display our canny crafting when it comes to conversions, terrain, or in today's post, carrying cases.  Team member Popculture Archeologist isn't really big on pop culture, but he's a damn fine archeologist.  He also has a penchant for putting MacGyver to shame in building random stuff.  It probably stems from embracing his inner Ork.  One of his most recent endeavors involves creating a carrying case well under $20.  I got the chance to check it out over the last wargaming weekend, and to say the least I'm impressed.  Check out what he did after the jump!

Weekend Warmachine: Results and Reflections

Well, I had a great weekend in Indy, and got a lot of games in.  It was a great time with some truly great friends.  Between my Convergence (4 games) and Legion (1 game), I went 2-3 for the weekend.  Below is a quick recap of each game, as well as some takeaway notes.  As for pictures, well, I forgot to bring my camera.  I know it's poor form, but don't hold it against me!

Because, how hard is it to write a goddamn battle report?

Hordes on the Horizon: Legion of Everblight

The Convergence isn't the only faction I'm playing at the upcoming TWG wargaming weekend.  In addition to the Great Machine, my Legion of Everblight forces are getting some action for the first time.  To herald this event, here's a list with none other than the Herald of Everblight, pLylyth.  Here's what we're working with.

Legion of Everblight

Hunting party (25 points)

Lylyth (+6)

Shredder x4 (8)

Carnivean (11)

Ravagore (10)

Shepherd (1)

Spell Martyr (1)

The list is basically the Battlegroup box with another heavy dragonspawn and a couple of solos.  The central tactic of focus fire is still at play here, but with the inclusion of the Ravagore and Shepherd there's a bit more flexibility.  

Pros

• Speed and threat range:  In my last post the Convergence models in Syntherion's battlegroup were relatively slow at SPD 4-5.  Here, everything is a minimum SPD 6.  Along with Eyeless Sight and Pathfinder this means that the effective threat range of the warbeats is pretty substantial.  The enemy has nowhere to hide or run!  I'm expecting this list to do pretty good against Circle forces and other, slower armies such as Khador.

Cons

• Fragile: Legion is the faction of glass cannons, and this list is no different.  With heavies that have fewer than 30 wounds, the warbeasts simply don't have staying power in prolonged melee combat.  This can be mitigated by the heavies with their two open fist weapons.  Opponents to watch out for are going to be those that run range heavy lists, namely Cygnar.  There's two Cygnar players in the group, and at least one runs a nasty eCaine list.

Potential changes

Battlegroup boxes are a great introduction to a faction, but need a few more purchases to complete a list.  One of the big gaps in the Legion box is that there's no light warbeast to compliment the force.  This means we have models that are very expensive (Carnivean & Ravagore) or very cheap (Shredder and Shepherd), which makes building a list difficult.  A light warbeast will go a long way in filling this gap, and I decided to go with a Nephilim Protector.  It's a great defensive unit that can secure vulnerable charge lanes with its animus and it can take a shot for Lylyth if need be.  The Protector can easily be put in the list replacing three shredders, leaving a point open for a second Shepherd or Spell Martyr.  

Or I can switch out Lylyth for another warlock.  Find out who next time!

Weekend Warmacine: Ready the Great Machine!

Every so often TW converges onto Indianapolis from the four corners of our domain for a weekend of catching up, drinking, and wargaming.  I call it "getting Warhammered."  In about two weeks, we will meet again, and to say I'm excited is a huge understatement.  As shameful as it is for me to admit I tend to play the least among all member of TW because I live in Middle of Nowhere, OH when everyone else has stayed faithful to the Hoosier state.  So with this upcoming weekend I'm going to set that right.  I just have to get through finals first.

You know what sucks about finals?  The exams... that I don't have to take because I completed my course of study last year.

And you know what else sucks about finals? Grading undergraduate exams... which I don't have to do because I scored a head prep job this semester.

In reality, this is by far my easiest "finals" week I've had yet in grad school!  For five straight days, it's just me, myself, and my research.  It's a thing of beauty, really.

Of course, the important thing is that I also have a bit of free time where I can finish assembling the models I need for wargaming!  So, what am I bringing to this grand melee?  Here is my first list!

Convergence of Cyriss

Forgemaster Syntherion tier list (35 points)

Syntherion (+6)

Corollary (3)

Cipher (9)

Monitor (8)

Galvanizer (3)

Galvanizer (*)

Mitigator (4)

Diffuser x2 (6)

Optifex Directive x2 (4)

Algorithm Dispersion Optifex x2 (2)

Attunement Servitor (2)

Pros

• Great Tier bonuses: Syntherion, a battlegroup warcaster, gives us just what we want with his tier list bonuses.  From Advanced Deployment ADOs to a free Galvanizer, this list makes sure we start the game strong.  My favorite tiers are probably 2 and 3.  Nothing allows us to hit the ground running better than cheaper fist turn spells and a Corollary starting with two focus.
• Resilient: This is a list that can take a lick and keep ticking.  Syntherion's Field Marshal ability allow himself and his vectors to heal d3 wounds each round.  On top of that, the Galvanizers and Optifex Directives have a repair skill that can heal d6 wounds.  That means the opponent is going to have to put a lot of effort into destroying a vector the first time around, otherwise it can heal back a lot of health.  Attrition is the name of the game!

Cons

• It's slow: With most of the models in the battlegroup having a SPD of 4-5, this list isn't winning any races.  More often than not Syntherion will not be the first on an objective, which means that I'm going to be behind in points most of the game.

Potential Changes

As happy as I am with the list, I can't help but to think that it'd be made stronger with another heavy vector wedged in there.  I was leaning towards another Monitor or maybe even an Inverter, but an Assimilator would serve Syntherion well too.  If I face a lot of infantry heavy lists, the Modulator would be a solid choice as well.

Convergence Battlegroup Painted (+ some extras)

Joe here with an update on my Convergence of Cyriss battlegroup plus a few other additions.  Be sure to check out the Convergence page to get a full view of my CoC collection!

A group shot of the Great Machine 

There's not a lot of time before the next TWG gaming weekend so it's down to the wire in order to complete my Great Machine theme list, let alone get it assembled.  I'm also trying to get my Legion assembled and on the table for a test drive, which makes the time crunch tighter.  It should be a great showing from almost all the factions of the Iron Kingdoms so stay tuned!

Welcome to the team: An introduciton to TWG

Welcome to my corner of the hobby blogosphere!  I'm Joe (aka Valus) from Team Waynedale, and I'll be using this blog to publish my misadventures in Warhammer 40k, Warmahordes and beyond.  This blog will have all the usual trappings of a hobby site (from AARs to WIPs) and even the occasional surprise.  So sit back and make yourself at home, because we're just getting started!

But first, what's the name about?

What is Team Waynedale?

Team Wanyedale (TW) is a group of friends who have spent the last decade jumping from one hobby to the next, whether it is D&D, collectible card games, or our current focus on wargaming.  We became a "team" when we started going to competitive events, and that's about all there is to it.  We have no sponsors, but if we bend our fingers awkwardly we can make this cool "TW" symbol with our hands.  We're legit like that.

As for the members of TW, I'll let them speak for themselves.  The group grows slowly but steadily, with each addition bringing something new to the mix.  As the blog grows, look for guest posts from other members of TW!