Battle record - Warhammer 40k - 01/01/226

Afternoon #Warhammer Community I've been playing Warhammer 40k! Shock horror. Anyway, 13 years agon my eldest son was still invested in the hobby. For 2 years he'd been buying figures, helping build and paint, playing a game and even went to Warhammer World for a Tournament! Of course that enthusiasm waned somewhat as my own grew. And for all this time he has shown little interest. However, he moved to Sheffield last year to take up a teaching job and the school has enrichment clubs for all students after school. He was supporting a cookery class initially but having jokingly mentioned the Warhammer Alliance programme he genuinely started to consider it. So much so he went into the Warhammer store, Element Games and there are a few more gaming shops there too. He got himself some Thousand Son's, paints, brushes and other hobby supplies. Even if he doesn't do the club he's actually having fun. So, he asked me for a quick game to get a handle on the rules. Annoyingly I'd left my 10th edition rulebook in the shed, but I made do with a 9th edition one. I wanted to use the Tyranids, as I have the Codex and it would be easy for him to read the rules. Death Guard for me, using the combat patrol stats. The plan was: 

• 3 Ranged Warriors
• 10 Termagants
• 1 Ripper Squad
• 5 Plague Marines
• 10 Poxwalkers

But I couldn't find the Poxwalkers, so chose another squad of 5 Plague Marines. I had no idea... It turns out Toughness 6 and Lethal Hits made it completely unbalanced in my favour.

I'd wiped half the Termagants out before he'd even got a go. It was only when he started to use the terrain for cover saves that he could weather the storm. The Rippers did not survive either.

Then the Tyranid Warriors managed to make some damage on the left side, but I could see that things were not going to end well. I hadn't spent any CPs, I didn't need to. So to help change the narrative I thought it might be fun for the Tyranids to bring on reinforcements.

With just the Warrior left a Psychophage appeared. Just 2 Marines remained in this squad, but the other squad had finished the Termagants and would be coming to reinforce what was left.

The Warrior has Fall Back, Shoot and Assault, which came in handy. The Psychophage was going to instakill any Marine it wounded. Plus it has Devastating Wounds.

But as Play On Tabletop like to say "dice tell stories". Although my 'old Yeller' dice had had some insane rolls - four 6's on ten dice, this triple 1's was jaw-dropping. It was one of those moments where we laughed and when I said "dice tell stories" he liked it so much he'll consider using it when he sets up the school club.

It didn't change things much. The Plague Marines had met their match, and although they'd been too tough for the weaker bioforms now they could not crack the Psyhophage's touch chitin armour. It had a couple of scratches but ultimately it squished the Death Guard.

This was SO much fun. I hope my enthusiasm was contained. He seemed to enjoy it and was inspired enough to get a Thousand Son's Codex with his Christmas money. I got to share some of my ideas about how a gaming/hobby club can go beyond the Alliance support. But apparently it's a structured programme that will give him plenty to teach them when he sets up the club and will cover multiple terms. I hope it does expand to include role-playing and terrain building.

I can't convey how happy and proud this made me. He's an amazing person who I love spending time with, watching TV shows usually. But this is a much more shared experience. As he lives elsewhere and he has his own interests; the fact I got to spend a few hours helping him build some figures, giving him tips and then playing a game with him was an absolute joy.

#ArmiesOnParade2025 - Warhammer Liverpool in-store parade

Afternoon #Warhammer Community as I didn't share my #ArmiesOnParade2024 pictures until March this year I thought I better crack on with my in-store photographs from Warhammer Liverpool. First up we have what I think is a Blood Ravens army.

Nice little battleforce.

With some terrain.

This Kill Team Gallowdar board was by Umaya, who has been doing AoP since 2022 at least. It was nice to see him again. 

Last year he brought 4 individual Kill Teams on custom boards. I think some of them have helped evolve this board alongside quite a lot of additional models and scatter terrain alongside the board sections.

There's detail everywhere and I love how his AoP journey has brought him here. To go back to previous years and see this grow, exactly as I believe AoP should champion.

Helping people start out small and celebrating the growth of their hobby. 

I think all the walkway and board sections have been scratchbuilt, with card for the floor plates. Another side to the hobby on show. 👏

Such a great escalation in his parades.

A nice Seraphon board.

With individual holes for all the figures' bases. 

Cool ziggurat in the background.

And these flesh/muscle trees were downright disgusting!

A Nurgle/Death Guard/Chaos Knight parade.

Chaos Knight.

Mortarion and banner.

The Death Guard alongside the mark of Nurgle glowing from the ground.

With previous in-store 'musters' where folk brought in their army to secure a participation plaque I'd already seen this Chaos Titan/Knight/Dark Mechanicum army.

But I wasn't quite prepared for the quality on display.

The painting standard was top notch,

Just look at that accursed verdigris 🗽!

You have to admit, Legio Fureans have got style.

The Armigers also had LEDs built into the heads and windows on the carapace hatch.

So glad I got to see these in person.

The board was really detailed too.

With so many cool models, even hidden way in the back. This went on to secure second place in the public vote. 🥈

Last year a father and son duo created a quartered board with two different Tau armies, Space Wolves and Tyranids. 

The Dad was back this year with mostly Space Wolve and a few Tau for them to savage.

I particularly liked the ruins. Obviously I love a good red building!

It was nice to catch up and chat about AoP.

Maybe the Tau will come back fighting next year?

There was another Tyranid board, featuring Leviathan.

Plus the Tyranid Kill Team terrain I had wanted. At least someone got to parade it.

Plus some valiant Imperial defenders.

I think this is Darryn back with his Orks and a new board.

I mean the whole thig was just awesome.

The scrapmek workshop, like something out of Mad Max Fury Road. The clever use of cheap battery operated push button lights, painted red to add glows underneath the walkways.

This was the worthy winner. In a change to previous years entrants were not allowed to vote. With the amazing terrain this would have probably got my vote if I'd been able so gold was well deserved. 🥇

And my own entry. Now you would be right in thinking this is a bit 'stripped back'. It's my original board from year's ago, few pieces of terrain and no backdrop. 

Well, I decided not to have the backdrop as it was just too big, under the circumstances and I didn't want to overshadow any entry either side.

I did include Mr Pink's gift of one of his terrain pieces. Which was convenient as he's featured in this month's White Dwarf, which I was able to share with anyone who was willing to listen!

So I finally paraded my Tyranids in Liverpool Warhammer. All of them were new, or repainted, except for the base and Matt Black: Former Hero of the Imperium.

You're probably tired of me saying the competitive element of AoP is something I could do without. That being said, I have always wanted a bronze medal. Whether it's my brassy/bronze proclivities they look the best to me and I was fortunate enough to finally secure one. 🥉 I think the Void Shield Generator might have made the difference as apparently the votes were very close between all entries.

That being said I was pleased to hear them say everyone was able to get a participation plaque. At least I think that was the case. No participation pin badges, but if this is the replacement I consider it a massive investment in GW in rewarding the hobby, rather than just the 'winners'. This is exactly how it should be.

I've no idea what AoP2026 will be. I have my Goblin Town and my Adeptus Titanicus, but there's no a huge amount I will need to add to either, but we'll just have to see.