The 2017/18 Hobby Season starts soon, join me!

The 2017/18 hobby season will be starting soon so for those alumni who joined in last year it might be cool to look back at your lists at what you've achieved , what might have slipped and those lovely unexpected successes that happened despite life getting in the way and loss of mojo - I speak from experience.

The original plan when I started with 'big stamps of approval' was that I wouldn't do multi-coloured stamps, just alternate between red and green but who was I kidding? So I give you the official 40kaddict 2017/18 Great Big Gamboge Stamp of Approval! I'm sure the choice of colour seems a bit leftfield but yellow and orange are my two favourite colours and this sits somewhere between the two. Sharp eyed may also spot the blogspot URL, not the www.40kaddict.uk version from last year. This is in part because that was on the hard drive that became corrupt. It may have been salvaged in my recovery but I haven't had chance to find a working version as yet and not had time to fix this beyond the colour swap, so we make do. As such the Great Build stamps aren't available but I'll see if I can find time to do them.

Or you can record your achievements with an 'unbranded' version.

And should you feel inclined todifferentiaite your efforts yet further here 's the major goal stamps

And minor goals.

Just a reminder of what it's about, in 2011 I made my first To Do List, amusingly it now looks like this:

• AoBR Tactical Squad
• AoBR Dreadnought
• AoBR Terminators
• Scout Squad
• Ravenwing bike squad
• Dark Angel Drop Pod
• Purity Seal all of my son's Tyranids
• Gloss Varnish all of my son's Tyranids
• Tyranid Prime
• Mycetic Spore
• Paint Vent Tower
• Paint defence platforms x4
• Complete pot pourri vegetation
• Complete future containers
• Complete 40k Cathedral tower
• STC Single story ruin
• STC Hex Defence platforms
• STC Targus Assault Blockade
• STC Vent tower
• STC Athena plateau
• STC Mercury plateau
• STC 40k Cathedral tower
• 60mm Dreadnought crater

So 4 things still haven't been done. The purpose was to try to focus my efforts to outline a list of things I'd love to do over a twelve month period and if I acheived any of them great, all of them, so much better. But more importantly I needed a structure to cling to when my efforts became aimless. That's not to say deviations from the list were forbidden it was more for when I went 'well what's next?'

It became an annual blog post to review what I'd done and set new tasks and throughout the year I would reveal my 'To Dones!' as completed items both on and off the list. Showcase posts are nothing new to hobby blogs but again it was a structure to help build the identity of this blog. Then in 2014 I invited readers and passers-by of the blog to join in. Well, when you have a good idea why not share it around. I got about 10 people joining in and it looked like we were quite a supportive little bunch. I think over time steam ran out a little bit but last year folk joined in again and hopefully the same will ring true for 2017/18.

To help things out a bit I've created a Hobby Season Facebook group, it's here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/278747245819138/

So, if you're joining in just ask and I'll add you in, that way you can share your blog posts or any efforts to those also joining in. I hope this platform will allow more interaction for those taking part and keep us all motivated.

I guess the last question is why 28th August as the start/end date, why not January 1st?
I think back in 2011 it was at that time I thought a structure needed to be in place and it was as good a time as any to post a To Do List, afterall the footy season starts around this time too, no one complains about that, do they?

Anyway, 28th August join me for the new Hobby Season :)

2000pts battle report - Tyranids v Blood Angels - Game 2 - North West Open

The North West Open Tournament @ Wargames is an ITC format competition using the following rules pack: ITC 8th ed Combined Arms Missions. Each mission was rolled for randomly before the game and we were then all told which one to play.

Game 2 low down:

• Scenario 5 - Big Guns Never Tire [check the rules pack linked above for all the details]
• Front Line assault deployment
• 2 Eternal war and Maelstrom objectives

Despite the loss I remained on table 22, which was actually rather convenient and I was up against Max's mate Steve Tiencken [the only Welshman in the tournament according to him ;) ]. Max had some Assault Cannon Razorbacks, Baal Predators, a Sicaran Battle Tank, a Fire Raptor :(, Storm Raven, various Tactical Marines and three Assault Cannon Tarantulas holding his centre [in cover] buffed by a Primaris Captain and Lieutenant [re-rolls of some kind for hits and wounds]. I won first turn and surged forward.

Tyrgon also turned up to draw some fire from the Flyrant. My target priority were the Tarantulas for First Blood and because I thought they would be relatively simple to kill while their survival would put out disproportionately high shooting thanks to the buffs around them. I succeeded but then found out First Blood/Strike was not a bonus mission in this scenario! Meanwhile I had to hold onto my two objectives in my deployment until turn 2.

The Genestealers and Trygon did their job too well in Steve's turn suffring 19 Stealer casualties and 7 wounds off the Trygon.

Then the Trygon took even more fire and was killed while the Flyrant was reduced to 8 wounds.

It took a further four wounds and then I think the Tactical squad got some shots on it and my failed saves, Catalyst and Tenacious Survivor failed to stop the remaining damage.

The Flyrant was dead for Slay the Warlord.

The lone Genestealer was then set upon by the Tactical Squad that disembarked from the Razorback.

Teh Marines attacking first on the charge meant he could not survive the five to one odds.

Not sure what I did this turn, clearly the Carnifex barreled forward and charged the Tactical Squad - killing them outrigh. I secured my Maelstrom objectives thankfully and with hold objective 1 and kill a unit I was halfway to scoring another 2 point sin my next turn.

Steve responded by strafing my lines, killing the lead Carnifex.

It also looks like the tervigon was popped.

While the Termagants were whittled in numbers as I aimed to hold objective 1 while still advancing up the board.

I gain my 2 VPs and draw Objective 1 and Kill a Unit again. I move the Devgaunts and Carnifex up and rain fire down on the Tactical squad in the trench - killing them for my next turn VP.

The Storm Raven moves off to the left but targets the Carnifex.

Shooting from the Fire Raptor combines to destroy the Carnifex and subsequently the Termagants.

I gain my 2VPs but draw hold my objective 1 and Steve's objective 1. I bring the Rippers up in the trneches, hoping to sneak that enemy objective 1. All my Bastion, Quad Gun and Hive Guard shooting manages to bring the Storm Raven down [probably using a Command re-roll to do it].

All Steve's shooting went into my Bastion, bringing it down along with one of the Hive Guard in the twisted wreckage.

Steve then killed the remaining Hive Guard and most of the Warriors with the Fire Raptor.

I may be mistaken but I think he subsequently killed everything left on the board - the Rippers, Malanthrope and remaining Warrior leaving me tabled. Not entirely sure but it rings a bell that it went down that way. Ultimately I scored 7 Maelstrom VPs but Steve had been more consistent and took the 8 points for Maelstrom, the 8 Points for Eternal War and potentially the clean sweep of Bonus Points to make it 19:0! Once again defeat and a score line that overlooks what hard won success I did achieve but perhaps reflects more what remained of my army.

Again, no complaints from me. The Flyers were a challenge to contend with [I only managed to deal with one] and those Primaris HQ units were pretty tough but a perfectly decent list and Steve was a great sport and good fun. On to game 3.

2000pts battle report - Tyranids v Harlequins & Ynnari - Game 1 - North West Open

The North West Open Tournament @ Wargames is an ITC format competition using the following rules pack: ITC 8th ed Combined Arms Missions. Each mission was rolled for randomly before the game and we were then all told which one to play.

Game 1 low down:

• Scenario 3 - No Mercy [kill points based on Power Level]
• Vanguard Strike deployment
• Kill points [power levels] and Maelstrom

First game and it was opposite Max Koch and his lovely Harlequins, now I hadn't intended to do a thorough battle report so forgive the fact I didn't get much of Max's first turn but it's clear those Venoms made some ground into the centre of the board and in the trees on the left.

To which I totally got sucked into dealing with. I'm not sure if that was Max's intention but having put 9 wounds on the Tervigon I had to use it to deal with the nearest Venom but in so doing left the Termagants outside of it's range to reinforce and add rerolls to 1s on their shooting! My whole reason for it's inclusion dismissed in the first turn!

I did manage to get First Strike this turn  - the combined shooting of the Bastion, Hive Guard and Flyrant on the Venom in the top, middle of the board. But with secure Objective 1 [in the centre of the board] and have three Tyranid units and none of my opponents within 12" of my board edge I couldn't quite secure any Maelstrom missions.

Max disembarked some Harlequins who flipped over my Termagants so they could target the Carnifex with their Fusion Pistols - wiping it out.

My Trygon Prime and Genestealers had come on in a hope of removing the Dark Reapers in the ruined bunker. They'd failed their charge, or I didn't even bother with the woods adding 2" to their charge. They then paid the price with the Tygon being shot to pieces, I think from a Soulburst action at some point.

I suddenly remembered I had Command Points so re-rolled a save and he went back in place with just 3 wounds left - foolish?

The Venom on my left got destroyed and it's occupants took revenge on the Tervigon - the one saving grace it was too far from my gaunts to cause any synaptic backlash.

More Harlequins somersaulted through my lines, killing the second Carnifex

And then the Malanthrope.

The other Troupe used their Fusion Pistols to surgically take apart the Bastion, killing a Hive Guard in the process. This left the Aeldari exposed allowing my Warriors to whittle their numbers down a bit.

Teragants suffered some more casualties and with no Synapse battle shock took a further toll.

Genestealers and Trygon assaulted the Dark Reapers

And made them pay the price for their visious long range attacks. Unfortunately their consolidate left them far away from the remaining action and my Rippers were hoping to secure an objective.

However they were shot off the board and thr game came to a close.

Max had secured the most kill points so scored 8VPs for that. He also beat me for Maelstrom Mission points and gained another 8VPs. He secured 2 bonus VPs for King of the Hill [most units in the centre of the board] and Slay the Warlord. He failed to get First Strike [kill a unit in your first turn] but I got it in mine. Final score 18:1

Max was a great player, subsequently I found out he'd previously won the WarhammerFest GT and in his next NWO match tabled Richard Hope from Geeks Wargaming. The fact I still had some units on the board made me feel a little better about the loss, but it was a really relaxed game and any moment where things had gone wrong, he brushed the errors aside with no issue. For instance Max was unaware my Trygon Prime had synapse so hadn't ensured he killed it outright [no doubt thanks to my re-rolled save], when he realised it was anchoring the Genestealers a casual "mistakes were made" and we moved on. To have someone so successful in tournaments and yet play so casually without forcing an issue and so keep the game flowing was a real pleasure, not to mention his army was really nice too. Onto game 2.

North West Open result

As you saw in the last post I was off to Wargames for the North West Open and the picture below clearly indicates I had some success. Typically it also reveals 'I'm a lover [of the hobby], not a fighter' as I came 49th out of 54 or something. I was actually on the bottom table for the final game!

That's not to say I was disappointed with my tournament result - far from it. Every match was fun for one reason or another and each person I gamed with was the very definition of what is great about the hobby. I was really hoping for the wooden spoon but actually managed to be successful and win my final game while all my other losses belie the insanely good dice rolling in most of my games - fortune was on my side, success was not ;)

YouTube legend and all round good guy Aceface hisself, John Hickton ably managed the crowd, with Martin from Wargames and Dave [the real brawn keeping the socring and pairings on track. Ace, was well aware by the time you got to the second floor, and those lower down the tables the chill factor, and fun factor, was so much more evident. This reaffirms my view that the bottom tables may not be where the cool kids are at but we're definitely having the most fun :)

And lets not forget all the chickens that were sacrificed for us gamers!

Anyone for a baguette? If you recall one of the main reasons for picking up the spare ticket was to try and get to grips with 8th and as much as I loved all my games and all the players were amazing sports I'm not convinced of how 8th plays. To me it's become geared to a cuthroat all or nothing first turn and that's just not something I'm comfortable with - either by skill, unit choice or basic lack of a killer instinct. Equally it might be the nature of matched play, although the narrative game I played the other week felt similar. In fairness the ITC format, although a little weird did help mitigate those unfortunate rolls on the Maelstrom table in normal games.

But I think it also becomes apparent that the way I'm learning to play bears no resemblance to how someone trains in other activtities. When you look at most sports, or my kendo past, the activity is proken down and you work on techniques and skills - creating scenarios so that when you take part in a competition or any kind of one-on-one you will have muscle memory and visual cues that when the moment arises you can act without thinking and confident in your ability. And yet my 40k experience is always just the one-on-one now and I'm not sure that's the best way to develop but I'm not entirely sure of how you can engineer 'real world' training exercises in 40 to develop greater understanding and tactical nouse...

My 8th Edition Wound Marker Transport Case

 Anyway, I took these pictures of some Forgeworld Rippers as I want to try and get some of my plastic ones and recreate these, regardless of how ineffective my Rippers were all weekend.

They scored me a Linebreaker though so I shouldn't be too hard on them.

But overall the NWO was great, Wargames were fab, my partners were all awesome, my army was rewarded for being pretty [if not effective] but there's still a ways to go before I love 8th. Luckily though the gaming crew will be off on tour to Warhammer World in February for the third heat of the 40k GT, so if you're going we'll see you there! Now, on to my battle reports...

North West Open

Earlier in the year tickets went on sale for the North West Open - the largest ITC format tournament in the North West [or wider UK, not sure]. This tournament is the brainchild of YouTube legend and all round good guy Aceface hisself, John Hickton.

As such it generates a lot of interest and demand for the 50+ spaces is unsurprisingly high, particularly from those who are after ITC points and other YouTubers/bloggers. You can imagine I was therefore unsuccessful in securing a ticket, but thankfully a couple of cancellations came along last week and for various other reasons I had funds and family support to throw my hat in the proverbial ring.

It's a two day tournament, 2,000pts but with 3 hours per game to take into account all the 8th rules gazing we're likely to do. Granted there are some who are going with a competitive mindset but I thought 5 games under such conditions will either make or break my approach to 8th. Luckily it seems there are a few casual gamers also attending and I think some of the recent FAQs have cleared up some of the [absolute] filthy lists that have begun to crop up.

I'll be taking the 'nids and given the way I've begun to observe 8th, my Fortification of choice will be... the Bastion! Points wise it's ridiculous, the Aegis would have been a better option, but it's really not much to look at. The Skyshield would also be cheaper and is undeniable as a centre piece but without confering cover saves [as well as it's reduced invul save] to those sheltering behind/underneath it I'm much more inclined to take my own LoS blocking terrain piece that is harder to destroy [T9] and has a Quad Gun to attempt to deal with Flyers [although 8 shots at 5s to hit isn't as good as when you could fire it with a single Zoanthrope with twin-linked :( ].

Anyway, the rest of my army is standard fare, just some Warriors, Malanthrope and Rippers added and made sure my Trygon was a Prime for the Synapse. It did mean I threw away my competitive advantage by swapping out the Swarmlord for a Flyrant though, it's almost as if I'm rejecting GWs attempt to help out nid players! I'll just have to see how it all plays out, but then that's the point. I'm a bit apprehensive about such a long weekend, it finishes at 8pm on Saturday and then 5pm on Sunday, but hopefully I'll survive it.

Meanwhile I've been adding some extra touches to my Genestealer Cutlists but nothing worth noting and this has somewhat impacted the blog. I'm hoping the NWO may kickstart my 8th interest, although I don't imagine in-depth battle reports afterwards, whatever we'll play it all by ear.

'nids part 217 - Genestealer Hybrids - environment suit highlights

I mentioned something about counting chickens... I know it's been over a week since my last post, don't worry I'm not going to apologise, I'm just going to blame Lewis Hamilton. I know it's not hobby related but I had the opportunity to go to the British Grand Prix the other weekend [it was a Christmas/Birthday gift] and in some respect the lead up, night away and nights after put serious brakes on my hobby momentum. To be fair though it was an unbelievable experience, I'm still recovering from the assault on the senses.

That's not to say I haven't been painting, I've done all the Stonewall Grey highlights and then all the white highlights. At this stage there were just five Neophytes left to highlight and the process had proved less than satisfactory.

In my last post I'd identified picking out the ridges was less precise than I'd hoped but the white highlights might mitigate where I'd failed. Sadly that didn't quite bear fruit, most of the white highlights are just not fine enough. I really don't know what the problem is here. I think the Army Painter white I use is sufficiently thin, any watering down just results in the paint bleeding into the grooves.

But even unthinned you can see it's far from defined. I was also beginning to struggle with my eyesight, trying to pick out the ridges and I think perhaps I've reached the the limits of my skills, which is a little disheartening, although I can live with it.

At a distance they'll look fine but given the time I spent trying to be neat I really hoped for better results. Adding in general fatigue and another forthcoming trip away even completing these before the end of the Hobby Season just became a challenge. I'm still going to work on both the Acolytes and Neophytes where possible but I'm pretty sure as the deadline looms I'll switch focus to the Acolytes - there's less of them and the Tyranid elements are familiar and so should be straighforward.

That said I'm far from giving up, I certainly don't envisage the self-sabotage to the 2015/15 Season that I did with the Ravenwing Land Speeders. I still think there's plenty of time to finish both Acolytes and Neophytes but eventually committing to one will most likely guarantee a success with a chance of completing both, rather than jeopardise the whole enterprise to complete both...

Anyway, I've got all my orange highlights done too, next it's red...