Blood Bowl Team Finished!!

Over the weekend, I managed to finish painting all 14 players of my blood bowl team ready for the Hillbilly tournament in just 3 weeks time.

I'm really getting psyched out for it. Thought I had taken pictures of more of them, but only got a couple. I'll try and take more.

Here is my Thrower Romo and star of the Cow Rats:


Click on the picture to enlarge it.

And here is a pic of Romo with his 4 star Gutter Runners. These guys steal the show in every game. And as long as I have a couple on the field, there is no where I cannot score from.



I did meet up with Eric and Matt on Sunday for a relaxing day of Blood Bowl. Eric with his Dwarfs and Matt playing Humans.

I'll try and give you some breakdowns on those games later and a couple pics I took during the classic Skaven vs Dwarf matchup.

Until next time...

Blood Bowl game

I did get in a game of blood bowl on line. It was good because it was an Orc team and I expect to see a lot of orc teams at the tournament in July.

We both had new teams.
Mine was my standard 4 gutter runners, a thrower, 2 storm vermin and 5 linemen.
On line I add 2 re-rolls and a FF of 6. But in the tourny, I'm going 3 re-rolls.

His team was fairly basic troll, 1 goblin, 2 throwers, two blitzers and six linemen(orcs).

He won the toss and elected to let me go first. So turn one, I sprint some guys out, I move around, block a couple guys. He goes and blocks some, nothing big.
Turn 2, I run up, hand off, run up, pass, run in for a TD. 1-0.

So I kick off out of bounds and he gives it to a blitzer, he makes some blocks, and runs his ball carrier down completely unprotected. (???)

So I knock him down, with a blitz. Run a GR down the sideline, pick up the ball run over and make a short pass, run down and hand it off to the GR downfield.

All he can do is blitz with his troll onto my guarding GR and stand next to my ball carrier. He hurts a linerat, and thats about it. So I use my Storm Vermin to knock his blitzer out of bounds and then my ball carrier scampers in for an easy score. 2-0.

turn 4, I kick off and he manages to knock out a couple linerats. So I have 9 players left on the field to his 11. He grabs the ball with his goblin in the backfield. I didn't think I could get a 2 dice blitz on him, but it turns out I could have. So screw up on my part.
I do get 2 GR's on him though.

He dodges out with his goblin and hands off to one of his throwers. He sets up a nice wall to make it tough for me to get at him.
On my turn 6 I blitz one blocker out of the way and get a Storm vermin and 2 runners on his ball carrier.
On his turn he knocks on GR off and knocks one out of bounds, so I'm down to 8 players. But trying to block his thrower who is on the sidelines, he puts his goblin right in front of him. This was a mistake.

So on my turn 7 I knock the goblin into the only free space next to the carrier, then blitz and put his carrier into the stands. The ball lands in my backfield and I'm able to run some players back to pick it up and put 2 runners spread out on his side of the field.

He surrounds one, but on the other he blitzes his Troll and even with 3 dice only gets a pushback, leaving the runner standing.
So turn 8, risking the agility 1 troll interception, I run up and throw over the troll to my runner. I catch it with ease and dodge out and down field for an easy score. 3-0

2nd Half.
I kick off and get a great bounce on the kick as it lands 2 squares from mid field on one flank. I get blitz, block one guy out and surround where the ball will land. It bounces right into a gutter runners hands and my opponent about explodes.

He does manage to knock him down on his turn 1 but it bounces right into another players hands. A couple blocks later he get the double skull and his turn ends. I block out the couple players around me, run up and hand off to a closer runner. With a good GFI roll I make the TD for a turn 1 TD and a 4-0 lead.

On turn 2 I kick off and it is on one flank middle of is half of the field. He runs a couple players over to the ball and then starts blocking. He fails a block before he can pick up the ball.
His Troll was hanging out, so I surround and knock the troll out. Put some players right on the ball but screwed up when I could have picked it up.

On his turn 3, he picks up the ball and makes some blocks. But doesn't follow up on one in his field. Which was a huge mistake.
On my turn 3, I run over and blitz the ball carrier, knock him down, and the ball bounces over 3 players before landing in my throwers hands only 6 squares from the TD and only the goblin touching him. And I haven't moved him yet.
So I push the goblin back and my Thrower Romo runs into the endzone for a turn 3 5-0 lead!!

the rest of the game involved him picking up the ball and surrounding the carrier with 8 orcs. I tried to break the cage but it was going no where fast. So I surrounded the Troll who had come back and fouled him, knocking him out of the game again.

Great game for my rats, as I had the orcs running in circles. It really gave me a chance to spread my formations and try a bunch of things. The final score was 5-0.

This sunday I'm playing 2 live games against some other players. An Orc, Human and Dwarf team will be there to test my Skaven. Should be fun.

Until next time...

And then there were four...

Last Friday one of the 2 kittens didn't come home. It was Speed Racer, who we just called Speedy.

She was the better behaved of the 2 and was my wifes favorite. As you can imagine she has taken it pretty hard and refuses to accept that something got her.

She was a great mouser and was always bringing stuff up from the woods for her mom and sister to then play with. She brought up everything from mice half her size to big lizards and snakes.

I spent part of Friday evening searching the back woods, and there was no sign of her. It is possible she is still out there running around hunting and eating what she catches, but with the number of coyotes, bobcats and feral cats in that area of the woods, my guess is, she was the hunted and not the hunter Friday.

Tiger, her sister, and Suzy, her mom, seemed to just mope around all weekend. Suzy went out Friday night for a long time, and all I could think was that she was looking for her baby, and also her favorite of the 2 kittens. But came back after a couple hours, looking sad.

So this is my way of putting her behind me and moving on. I feel sorry for Tiger now, as she loved playing with her sister, but was never as adventurous as her, especially after one evening where something chased her up a very tall tree and she was up there for several hours, until we found her and helped her down.

I hope and pray Speedy is still out there catching her mice, or some little girl found her after she got lost and couldn't find her way home. Someone who will love her and take care of her.

She was a gray striped with a couple of soft yellow spots and no tail. And as soft a fur as any I have ever petted.

Sorry for a depressing post on Monday.

Until next time...

Painting Progress

With the Hillbilly now only 4 weeks away and a scheduled practice game set up for 9 days from now, I am trying to get my Blood Bowl team painted up.

The team is 14 models, (even though I'm only using 12 in my games) I figured I'd paint all 14 or would never get around to painting the final 2.

I have the following completed.

1 Thrower: Painting Done, needs flock, coating and static grass
2 Storm Vermin: Painting Done, needs flock, coating and static grass
4 Gutter Runners: Painting Done, needs flock, coating and static grass
7 Linemen: Working on painting now.

So over half way finished with them. My goal was to have them done by next Sunday, but don't think that is going to happen. But I'm not planning on putting in near the detail I put in on the 7 star players. So it might get it done.

Until next time...

Game time

Things on my end have been slow as far as gaming goes.

I've been playing some Never Winter Nights. With my new computer it is really great. Graphics are top notch and the speed between loads is just super sweet.

I've played a bit of blood bowl on line, but about 1-2 games a weekend. Still having fun with it.

I'm also still having fun with the Goal Line Blitz. I created a Defensive End speed pass rusher. Was guaranteed a starting job, only to be bumped after game one for a guy 10 levels higher than me. Oh well, still having a good time, and my wide out is still tearing up the field as one of the leagues top receivers and got his first TD of the season last game. A 30 yarder!!

On the paint table is still my blood bowl team. I have the 4 gutter runners finished, and am about 95% finished with my thrower and 2 storm vermin. That only leaves my 5 linemen to paint up. I wanted to be finished by the 28th for their trial run on the 29th. So I need to get hot on them. I'm about 4-5 days behind my original schedule to get them done.

I'm starting to get excited about the Hillbilly. I'll be bringing my Chaos Beast List with Ratspawn for his final farewell tour. With the new Daemons and VC power ramp up books, I'm not sure I stand much of a chance, but we shall see.
I'll also be bringing the Skaven Blood Bowl team. Should be a fun weekend.


Until next time...

Global Warming Scam

Update II: Corrected the original link. The bottom one is a shorter version, with no references or charts. The one in the update, has references and charts.

UPDATE:
Looks like they moved the article. Found his full posts, here.

A bit long winded, but well worth the read.

Check out this article.


Until next time.

W. a great President?

I have always liked George W. But people blast him for a lot of things:

Being stupid?? The man has an IQ of 125, a degree from Yale and was a fighter pilot, geez, how many of you can boast that resume.

Lying about WMD's in Iraq. Personally who cares, we got rid of that Psycho there and took the fight to the Middle East outside the Mountains of Pakistan where it is tough to track these radicals.

Torturing people. I don't think water boarding is torture actually. Nor is sleep deprivation or lack of privacy. Torture is something the other guys do when they take a drill to your hand, or a rip your eye out, or cut off your head, or burn you while you are still alive. Last time I looked, we haven't decapitated anyone. Do you think the terrorists make sure our captives get food, water, a Bible and movies. Geez, Gitmo is like a resort to these idiots after living in a cave.

Taking away our Rights. OK??? Personally I haven't had any rights taken away. If they want to eavesdrop on my conversation overseas to a known terrorist. Personally I'm ok with that.

Killing over 4000 soldiers. Well, that is a tough one. I served in the military, my son is in the military, my dad served in the military. Occasionally we are asked to serve and give the ultimate sacrifice. But let us take this a bit in perspective. We have been in this war for over 6 years now. I believe we invaded Afghanistan in 2002. And only 4000 deaths. That may seem like a lot, but in past wars, we would lose that many good men in 1 day. This has been one of the least bloodied wars of all time, and its being fought in 2 countries. And I thank god that one of them is not the US of A.

So that only leaves the economy. Sadly, this is where W has failed, since he thinks more like a liberal than a conservative on these issues. Massive spending, bigger government, etc, etc... But actually the economy was doing fine until the Democrats took over both the house and senate. Hmmmm???

Anyway, it seems I am not the only to think this way. Ann Coulter happens to agree with me. Or maybe I agree with her. Either way, she says it much more elegantly than I do. Go check it out.

Until next time...

A Long Time Ago...

In a Galaxy Far, Far Away...

Those immortal words, will live forever in the 6 Star Wars movies. The wife and I and son, finished #6 The Return of the Jedi last night.

While there are parts of all 6 that people can complain about, or parts they don't like, it is still the best series of 6 movies ever to be put together.

Lord of the Rings was greatness, but Jackson had some fantastic books to work off of. Star Wars, was just the genius in one man's mind. Genius, just sheer genius.

First time I have ever sat down and watched episode I through episode VI. Found a few inconsistencies. But like I said, who cares.

Loved all 6 and will probably try and make it an annual event. Need to get them all on DVD now.

Fav moment of episode VI? There were many, the banter between Luke and the Emperor is good. Real good. Han Solo in the briefing room, and the apology accepted by Vader after the Captain loses the Falcon.

What are your favorite Star Wars moments?

Until next time...

A guy like that should just shut his face

One of my favorite actor/directors of all time, Clint Eastwood did an interview recently and that is what he had to say about Spike Lee.

The guy is almost 80 and I bet he could whip Spike's butt. Man I love Clint.

Anyway, you can find the full interview here.

Enjoy an old Icon, he is worth it.

So you have to ask yourself: Do I feel lucky? Well do you punk?

Until next time...

Taking a break from Warhammer

With the Ard Boyz finally out of the way, I am taking a break from my favorite miniatures game for a while. I still have the Hillbilly lined up in July and then nothing until Feb '09. I'll be taking my Ratspawn Doombull Beast army to the Hillbilly so I won't need to do anything to get it ready.

So what am I going to do with myself until then you ask?

First, I've started painting again. I'm trying to spend at least 30 mins to an hour painting every night when I get home. Right now on the painting desk is my Skaven blood bowl team I'm taking to the Hillbilly.

As soon as that is done, I'm going to put in a real effort to try and finish up the Centaurs to be used as a wood elf list for the LoneWolf GT next February. Some alterations to the marauders with hand axes will need to be made switching them to bows. The spears on the old centigors will be fine as glade riders have both spears and bows. So I'll just mix them up.

Need to convert 2 of the marauders to be shamans. Make them stand out. Need to think about that those.

I've also been playing some Never Winter Nights again. If you still play, I play on a server called Hlontar, with a character Nejah. In addition, I play some blood bowl on line at a site called Fumbbl, where you can play for free under coach name Bully_Ben.

I also have been waiting patiently for WAR (Warhammer online) to come out. I asked for the CE version for fathers day, but things aren't looking good for that to happen.

For viewing lately, Tim has really gotten into Star Wars. So we pulled out all 6 and started at Episode I and watched I, II and III this week. We finished up with III Revenge of the Sith last night and I loved it. Of the newer episodes it is my favorite. Watching Anakin turn evil is great and the scene where his cloak covers half his face, and his one eye is yellow, is just evil incarnate.
When it was over, we spent 30 mins yelling "NOOOO!!!" every once in a while. (What Darth Vader says when he finds out he killed Padme. )

Anyway, so we have episodes 4,5 and 6 lined up to watch next week. Should be good fun.

Until next time...

Ard Boyz DAWGS Sweep

Super congrats to the 3 winners of the Ard boyz Saturday.

1st Eric Smelley with Dwarfs
2nd David Caldwell with Empire
3rd Greg Harris with Dwarfs

I ended up a lowly 4th place.

Game 1: My Skaven faced a rather soft Dwarf army with a ton of hand
gunners and crossbowmen, but they really never stood a chance. He
didn't have the anvil. So it was me shooting his big units to crap
while my blocks of slaves and clanrats raced across and wiped out his
shooters.

He did hit my bell with a cannon shot, on turn 5 (last turn) and
destroyed it. But then I hit his general and broke him and ran him down.

When we added it up, I was up by right at 2000. Needed 2100 for a
massacre. So major victory. that 100 points would haunt me later.

20-4

game 2 vs Eric and Thorek. God how I hate that guy.
Eric's army wasn't designed for hand to hand. It is a shooting army.
So we lined up and shot at each other. Felt a lot like 40K.
His miners came on, then used the anvil to charge some jezzails who
fled off the table. This left the miners flank open for a clanrat
charge, bad for the miners.

the Bell gets the 9-10 twice and all 7-8 warmachines are destroyed.
But not before he took out one of my warp cannons. Another cannon
blew itself up.

One tunnel team popped up to tie up some of the gun crews and the 2nd
team never showed, misfire. The one to tie up thorek. Ugghhh!! I
was well ahead, but decided to go for more points and push some units,
but I didn't send enough and then Thorek gets hot in the last 2 turns
with master wrath and rune, hitting 3 units each turn, doing no less
than 9 wounds. Panicked several units or took some below half and
dropped me by 700-800 points in the last two turns.

this brought it back to a draw barely. Ughhh!!

Draw 12-11.

so the standings are:
Me: 32
Eric: 30
Greg: 29

Since I couldn't play Eric again, I fight Greg.

Another Dwarf army with thorek. :( 3 games, 3 dwarfs, man that gets old.

Gregs army was a non-shooting army. With only a unit of hand gunners
and 2 warmachines, I knew I had my work cut out for me.

Things went well early on as I took out the cannon turn 1. Turn 2
though my tunnel teams neither show up to get to thorek. His miners
show up, but instead of going for my general's unit, he goes for a
unit of globadiers and jezzails. wipes both of them out, but is just
short of a cannon on the overrun.

finally the tunnel team shows up, charges the anvil and kills the guy
that allows him to re-roll misfires. This hurts him, but in the end,
did very little. My runners broke after losing 2 guys and he never
missed a ring. My 2nd team deviated off the table, barely.

Greg played a great game and forced my hand into a bad charge. But I
felt the other option was just as bad. Then not sure if it was the
heat or just tired from the long day and no supper. We got a bit
snippy with each other. Our passion for the game sure comes through.
I'm glad neither of us holds a grudge. In the future Greg, I promise
to be more careful with my movements, and tape measure.

I was up early on, but a flank charge into my bell unit spelled
instant doom as the bell was destroyed, and the general and grey seer
and BSB all fled. I screwed up here badly. I had just a few guys go
off the board after jumping over the slaves, but I forgot to roll for
casualties. when the bell was destroyed I suffer d6 str4 hits with no
saves on the unit. 3-4 die there and I may have saved the unit and
900-1000 vp that jumped off the table right there. UGGHHH!! Oh well.

I was sure Greg had the minor victory at least. But in the end, I was
actually up by 200 vp. But still a draw. And the bonus points were
all tied to the objective which was kill the enemy general. Since he
killed me (or rather I ran off the board), he got all 4 bonus points
and I got none.

so draw 10-14

So a major victory and 2 winning draws, gives me 42 points.
Greg ends up with 43. But Eric and David both pull off massacres in
the final games and leapfrog both of us giving them 1st and 2nd.

Congrats to all of you, Good luck and kick butt in Chicago.

As for me, I probably wasn't going to Chicago for the Finals anyway, and that now clinches it. I'm glad, this hero hammer was more than I could take. 6 games, 5 vs dwarfs 4 with Thorek. The non-Dwarf game had the OK special character as well.

Next for me is the Hillbilly in July. Need to get my Skaven Blood Bowl team painted and ready to go. I'll be taking my Ratspawn Beast list as the Daemons will be allowed, and I'll take my Furies for the final time.

Until next time...