September 11, 2001....Never Forget

Eleven years ago today, our country suffered a brutal attack by an evil and cowardly enemy.  Three thousand innocent people were killed in the devastating attacks.  My parents say they can remember where they were and what they were doing when JFK was shot in November of 1963.  Like them, I can remember where I was, what I was doing, and how I felt the day the towers fell. Those images are forever etched in my mind and my prayers will forever be with the victims and their families as well as the heroes that responded instantly and valiantly. 

God Bless everyone affected by that day and God Bless America.

...[Dark] Vengeance is Mine!!!!

I intended to get this post up sooner, but got busy with the weekend.  But, I made it out to the Chicago Battle Bunker at midnight on Friday and picked up my Limited Edition Dark Vengeance set.  It turns out that there was no need to order online, because they had them in sufficient numbers in the store, but...what the hell, right?  I'm glad I did it, because I ran into an old gaming buddy that I haven't seen in years.  So we stuck around late and caught up on life.  Turns out he's married with a family now, so he's in the same boat as I am, so we decided to keep in touch and  plan some games.  He's a Chaos player, so that works out too.

Okay, on to the set.  I won't go into any detail as many of my fellow hobbyists have already done so, but I would like to briefly say Kudos to Games Workshop!  This one is by far better than any previous starter sets to date.  It was done very similar to the WFB set that came out not too long ago and the models are insanely cool.  I may even start a Chaos force later down the line.  I'm not about to give these models up.  The mini rulebook is in full color and the quick start rules are awesome.  I think they break down really well to get new gamers comfortable with the turn phases and mechanics.

I haven't been able to start building the models yet, but the Mrs. is heading to work this afternoon, so I'll be able to dive in without interruption.  Unless of course the kids get out of hand, but they are pretty self-sufficient nowadays and don't even want dad buggin' them anyway.  So..I think all around the set is the best way for newcomers to get into 40k and it's well worth the price. 

I'm looking forward to the Dark Angels and Chaos Space Marines codices release.

...One More Day!!!!!!!

After a rather frustrating incident in my personal life last night, I found myself in a foul mood this morning.  For solace, I turned to 40k.  I realized that by midnight tomorrow night, I will have my copy of Dark Vengeance.  The Battle Bunker in Downers Grove is celebrating with a midnight release and my starter set will be there waiting for me!!!!  I can't wait! I am like a kid at Christmas!  I feel much better.

Test Model A - The First Dark Angel

I tried painting a test model last night, the goal being to find the right combination of colors.  One of the staff members at Games Workshop recommended Caliban Green, Warpstone Glow, Moot Moot Green and Biel-Tan Green Shade, so I went with that. It worked well, although it's tough to see in this shot.  This was literally a 5 minute paint job, just to test the colors.  The next test will take a bit longer as I even out the highlights along the armor and take my time.

In the past, I was a bit of a perfectionist and if I couldn't get the model to turn out perfect, I'd scrap the project.  But I think this time around I have to be satisfied with my painting skills and as long as I like the way they look on the table or in the glass case, then I'm okay with that. I need to keep in mind that I'm not a professional painter and I'm not trying to be, but I do like the look of a decently painted miniature.

Quick Update - Chompin' At the Bit!

I sat down and created my first unit for my upcoming Dark Angels army. I 'acquired' a box of Dark Angels Veterans and a SM Command Squad box and I am setting about building my first squad.

Tactical Squad
1 vet sgt & 4 marines - 90
power weapon (sgt) - 15

105 points

Not knowing exactly with the upcoming codex will allow for options, I figured that I would play it safe and just add on when the new codex is released.

Getting Ready!

While I impatiently wait for my new army to arrive, I grabbed a couple of Dark Angels miniatures that came with the new 40k starter paint set and decided to paint a test model or two.  If they turn out, I'll just add them to my collection.

I assembled all five miniatures and primed them with Chaos Black spray paint from Games Workshop.  A very expensive item, but it's what I had on hand.  I'll explore less expensive options later.  My next step will be to research a few color combinations.

New Beginnings...

The 6th Edition of Warhammer 40,000 came out a month or so ago and I bought the rulebook.  I've been looking through it for weeks, but it seems so overwhelming that I haven't really taken the time to sit and learn the rules properly.  Well now I have an incentive.  A chance for a new beginning.  The new Starter Set comes out next weekend, featuring two new armies: Chaos and Dark Angels.  I'm a space marines fan at heart, so guess which one I'm choosing. After seeing the miniatures, I'm hooked. They are awesome! I mean Space Hulk-Blood Angels-Awesome! I can't wait to get my hands on this set!

This new blog will be in part, to commemorate the new set, but also, as the title of this post suggests, a new beginning.  I've never really made playing 40k a hobby, but now I fully intend to do so.  So...I'm going to order the new set this week and immerse myself in the game of Warhammer 40,000!