DISQUS

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

I've been playing Orks since 1999. A friend of mine, who has played Space Wolves for as long as I've known him, ended up with a few Ork models that he didn't want- so he gave them to me. Once I had them in hand, I went on an obsessive information gathering quest to learn all I could about them. Marines and Chaos were cool, and Tyranids looked sick, but I just couldn't hold myself back from gathering a small warband of stupid, green, violent, muscle-bound Orks. At this point, I have 160 regular boys, 39 stormboys, 22 burnas, etc, etc, etc....

Should be no surprise that with the new codex and new models out, I've been collecting even more Orks. My goal is to get to 300 boys. With the orders I've placed, I'm definitely on my way!

And, while I've enjoyed collecting and building up my army, I've also enjoyed getting others involved with this hobby (read: obsession). I've gotten 3 of my closest friends into 40k and I'll get more into it soon. Those new players will pour over the material I have lying about my house and start researching on the internet. They will find, much like I did, an army that just seems to speak to them. And just like that *snap* they'll be hooked!

- An observation... After playing for a few years, my buddies and I wondered how we chose the armies we chose. It occured to us at the time that we had all picked armies that were pretty much the opposite of how we viewed ourselves: The hardcore atheist (almost religion hating) in our group picked the devote Black Templars. The self admitted lazy, slow and least motivated of us chose the quick and aggressive Dark Eldar. The more scholastic (nerd) and communicative, me, picked the brutish and somewhat moronic Orks. And the nature-loving, pot smoking, "let's just be cool- alright" house hippy went sideways for Chaos.

I bring this up because I'm curious- did your playing group make choices like us? Or are your friend's armies actually reflective of their personalities? Let me know- I'm pretty interested to find out.

-Six

LEGION3000 · 1 year ago

That is actually a pretty fascinating topic that could use its own blog thread (hint hint).

I play armies that have subtle evil overtones to them. Deceiver necrons, Chaos musicians, Eldar Rebels. And that is actually quite reflective of my anti-establishment outlook.
My friend who was a foot grunt in the military plays an Airborn IG army or a foot horde. Very much like his training.
Another friend who is very nice and meek plays a crazy mutant chaos army which would be against his demeanor.
And a third friend who is pretty non confrontational plays in your face black templars.

This is an interesting topic, the psychology of army selection.

Anon · 1 year ago

Good question! Me and my mate, who's my only regular opponent :( , tend to collect armies that reflect our personalities, with some exceptions. I'm the imaginative, rebellious, undisciplined type, and a bit of a goth. So initially I went for Chaos and renegade Blood Angels lol. Once while i was collecting Chaos I went into a GW store and the assistant instantly guessed I was a Chaos player. My mate is hard working and responsible and his first army was Ultramarines :). I often wear red and he often wears blue.
Lately we're going in different directions. I've been to Uni and have turned into a bit of a hippy intellectual, so of course I'm playing Eldar. Conversely my mate has started collecting Tyranids, even tho he hates bugs. i think it's a 'confront your fear' kinda thing.
Now I'm typing all this I'm aware it sounds quite weird lolol

UltramarineFan · 1 year ago

I'm not sure if my force is reflective of my personality (though it probably is) but I also like Chaos and Orks so its pretty mixed.
My friend collects Chaos and he likes them like I like my Ultramarines-when he first started( I introduced him) he often said stuff like ' Chaos are so much better!' and 'Why don't you collect Chaos?' but he got over it(kind of)

Madjob · 1 year ago

Definitely an interesting thing to discuss: I'm with you! I consider myself rather literate and not at all violent, but there's just something appealing to throwing that all out the window and playing the idiot for a while. I tend to do it in all aspects of my hobby, I typically go for gruff beaten up types in my PnP characters, I play Orks as well.

My one more constant fellow player however, definitely plays to his personality. He is very tactically minded and a bit of a war buff, it's no surprise that he plays Imperial Guard (with Tau on the side). Another former player I was friends with played to his personality in a way, he is very indecisive and a bit of a trend follower, to my knowledge he had tried just about half the armies in 40k, never finishing any armies and always moving on to the next faction whenever they had a codex/model update, would get VERY enthusiastic about each one before burning out and moving on.

RealGenius · 1 year ago

"I said I'd never do it, stuck to my guns, but in the end.."

In the end, you were a weak-minded fool.

Fantasy: just say no.

;)

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

Amen, brother.

Bigred · 1 year ago

Owww,

Just for that I'm dispatching a Black Ark to your neighborhood!

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

Sorry Biggie-

We on the 40k side trusted you. And you have betrayed that trust....

Now we will have to endure loathsome Fantasy articles, look at fantasy models, and have news dedicated to Fantasy.

I want to die...

;)

RealGenius · 1 year ago

C'mon, you're sending a boat? I'll have my Revenant keep an eye out for it. I'm sure my flying laser tanks will be no match for your goth elves on fleshy lizards.

Bigred · 1 year ago

LOL!!! You guys are great, now I'll never be able to get that image out of my head everytime I think of a Black Ark

"Drop anchor and prepare to muster the Corsairs"
"Sir they appear to have some type of 50 ft High-elf knight wielding twin lances yet without its mount"
"The fools!"

BANG, BANG

Glug, glug, glug... sink

RealGenius · 1 year ago

One day I am SO going to build that diorama. Maybe Epic scale, and use it as a paperweight.

UltramarineFan · 1 year ago

'Thunderhawks lock and load'
'Fire at will'
Shwiisshh
BOOM!
'Operation complete'

UltramarineFan · 1 year ago

Fear the might of the Fly Lord

Parcival · 1 year ago

I got into playing Warhammer Fantasy 14 years ago. Me and my friends who started on the hobby all shared a history of role playing games already, so we all picked our armies based on the RPG characters we generally preferred the most. As I was always the Wood Elf player, doing Warhammer Fantasy Wood Elves was the obvious choice. In other words, I am a complete fluff player. I don't care about maximized lists either, I just throw together the models I like and what makes sense for an army in "real life".

Michael · 1 year ago

I have been a space marine collector for the last six months and what got me in was the librarians, the three i have (two metal and one plastic i put together myself from the frames i got first) they were the first things i painted and are always part of my army when i play against my brother (Chaos)

Rook · 1 year ago

Playing Dawn of War brought me into 40k, and the Imperial Guard got me into Dawn of War. I didn't even know the faction existed in the 40k universe until Winter Assault was released. I remember thinking; Finally, a faction that looks like a normal army, and not a bunch of hellspawn or walking tanks with boltguns. When I decided to start playing on the tabletop, I never even considered any other faction then the Guard.

That's part of the reason I'm not going to get into Fantasy. Aside from some of the Bretoninans, most of the human models just look silly (as did most armies during the 1500s), and none of the Non-human factions appeal to me.

BittenByDesign · 1 year ago

Personally it was the look of the beaky RTB01 marines that got me started all those years ago, then came the terminators!

Of course I still have a spot for stealers and orks. Both of which I picked up because I liked the minis and now have huge armies of them.

Same thing with necromunda gangs.

But I have been holding off getting another army because the new ones don't thrill me as much as the beaky marines did (and still do)

Perhaps the new dark eldar will be sinister enough to catch my eye... ;-)

tzeentch · 1 year ago

Of course, the fact that the Dark Elves just got a new codex full of power-goodies had nothing to do with your decision, either. :D

I started out with Chaos because that's what my very first gaming group hadn't yet chosen, and because I liked the idea of using some units in both game systems. Finally, I can now do that after all these years!

I started my Eldar because of the new models I saw coming out, and because of the sleek lines and paint schemes. I'd been kicking around the idea of doing something different after playing CSM for 8 years, and I wanted something that didn't have power armor!

I started Chaos Daemons because I had the models (see above re: CSM for 8 years).

I'm planning on starting Tau because again, I like the sleek lines, and look forward to using a firepower-heavy force. I also want to try out some urban camo schemes. It helps that I won the battleforce for ArdBoyz!

Savark · 1 year ago

Wow thats exactly why started to collect marines...
THEY LOOK AWSOME...
but no snarling lizards...
WAIT! Salamanders!!!
hmmmmm...
(Yes i am currently hypo...)

Yama · 1 year ago

I decided to play necrons long before I knew the rules (only to find out that most players consider them to be "lame and easy"...of course those are the ones who never actually played them), and the choice was based only on the look and feel of the models. And I dont regret it, even now that things got a bit harder...
And I chose to start warmachine for the exact same reason: The models. So I think I can agree with you totally: Play for the love...:)

chance · 1 year ago

The story and history got me into playing. I played space hulk on the 3d0 system, and just fell in love with it. I have played and owned every army for both 40k and fantasy, it was my crack for awhile. The minis and different armies keep me into it after 20 years. I only do dwarves for fantasy now, marines and nids ( and dark eldar when they come out) for 40k. The space marines are by far my army of choice, loyal or chaos, for what they stand for mostly, and their histories. Even now I love the game and wish I could play more! By the way , BoLS is a great site, thanks out to all of the staff , you do a wonderful job. Please keep up the good work!

slovak · 1 year ago

Rock on 3DO.

Matthew_Rider · 1 year ago

ok this is strange.....

i just started collecting fantasy to- by druchi do you mean dark elves? thats what i started a week or so back and i remember the word being in the army book....

(yes i know hardly anything about fantasy XD)

nurglespuss · 1 year ago

Space marines drew me in via Inquisitor series (specifically my love affair with the Imperial Fists). Empire keeps calling me back to Warhammer, as I love the combination of a both developing and crumbling power (knights vs guns essentially).

Andrew · 1 year ago

For 40k I've always been drawn to the Marines and Guard. The notion of service and duty, the fluff, the joke about going to war in a singlet with a flashlight, these all complement the visual appeal of these superhuman warriors in powered armour, and the rugged army dudes who catch bullets so skillfully...

For fantasy I can't go past the Ogres. As a recently ex-amateur footballer (I played Center) How can I not love an army of big strong fat guys who love to hit people and eat? That's an army of linemen right there!

Eddie · 1 year ago

Ahhh, the memories......
I started a space marine army at the end of 2nd edition (1998 ish) because they came in the starter box and i liked the colors. When the plastic marines came out, I switched to a pre hersey Ultramarine force. When IG came out I fell in love with the plastic troopers and converted. now I have 13 leman russ, 4 bassies, 2 salamanders (jeeps made from the SM landspeeder) 3 hellhounds, 7 chimeras, 2 baneblades, 6 platoons of 35 soldiers.

I like to design and build stuff that I think looks cool, and gaming is just icing on the cake. In the past couple of years Ive been trying to build fringe armies, and using whatever codex best fits my force. I have an adeptus custodes force that uses SM or IG allies, and a titan legion with 2 knight titans (land raiders) again with allies. these two forces use the demonhunters list.

My latest army has been the elysians. Instead of using the IA rules, they "count as" eldar. I have always loved the design of the elysains on valks, since they are an army not usually seen on the tabletop.

Miami · 1 year ago

I've always been a geek at heart, and it was a third edition boxed set at a local gaming store that originally caught my (and my friends') eye. The store was going out of business and the box was half off. Two of my friends decided to buy it, splitting the Dark Eldar and Space Marines. Not being interested in the starter armies, I was drawn to the cover of the Chaos Codex. The quintessential bad guys, Chaos was a good mixture of the solid, well armored Space Marines and that bit of design flair I was interested in.

I 've spent tons of time and money, part of the drive being "Oh these models look awesome!" and the other part "I need this model to win." Then I got to the point where I was getting bored with Chaos. My group of friends had mostly grown out of the game save for a handful of us diehards. Thus, our army selection was limited. With the knowledge that an Ork Codex would be out in a year or so, I decided to begin anew with a WAAAGH! of my own. Yet it was a short return to Chaos that taught me a new love of the game: storyline.

I happened to purchase a plastic Chaos Terminator Lord (because it looked awesome, of course!) and his first battle was accompanied by a small story of his turn to Chaos. Then, he jumped into the Apocalypse Campaign that was run in White Dwarf (I forget the name, but it invovled the Chaos Lord Ptar or something like that). I happened to notice that through all of these games, he managed to stay alive and win. I don't use him every battle, but he has yet to die or lose. I maintain a solid storyline for every battle he fights, and that practice has now become very commonplace for my groups games. We all now have characters that are following certain stories, taking certain actions. I've found it has reinvigorated my love of the game, not to mention left my wallet constantly thin!

Miami · 1 year ago

By the way, as soon as I saw the word fantasy in connection with that photo, I was really hoping for some kick arse Slaan! You had me fooled!

Kettu · 1 year ago

When I was but a wee lad I received a High-elf repeater bolt-thrower as a present and so, for a short time I had a High Elf army, then I saw the model for Orion and Ariel and haven’t gone back to the Stick-up-the-arse Elves since.

Recently I have started a Skaven army (Millions of rats ^_^) and Vampire/Tomb Kings army (Using similar bits so I really just have to replace the Zombies and Corpse Carts for Archers and Chariots and I'll be set.) and have plans for a Soldier-less empire army (All the families defending their homes from invaders), an all female Brettonian army (A lady whom took up the blade on the death of her beloved, founded a small empire and now fights free from Brettonian influence) and I recently started on the first of my centaur conversions for an all centaur army.

Wood Elves are at 2700 pts or so, probably closer to 3000 by now.
All others I don't plan to raise above 2000 at the most, (more likely 1500 if anywhere close)

As for 40K... Well, I would say Sisters but considering the fluff present in 5th edition rule book and the lack of mention in the getting started book in Assault on Black Reach, well, I don't think I collect an official army anymore.

Ds86 · 1 year ago

Space Hulk got me into it :)

Playing the marines, i was terrified of the genestealers that were coming for my lovely marines. Years went by and a friend started collecting and being impressionable i followed suit.

Saw how the ultras were painted,(dnt remember many nice models at the time) followed by the fluff of nids being their main opposition and decided it was the best way for me to get out my anger at loosing space hulk so many times :P

The models and the level of detail now.... if was to start over again, id go for ultras without a doubt, love the new models and the way they are painted :)

Sir Volkar · 1 year ago

Talisman and WFRP got me into the hobby, but as a kid I never really had the finance to back it up, so lost interest during teens.

The re-awakening of the old passion came in two waves.

The first was as a zeitgeist in my gaming group as we all got back into 40k together. This was definitely fanned by playing a friendly league/campaign. It was fun, but eventually lapsed as the group moved onto other things.

The second, and more successful, return to the game occurred during my first teaching placement. I needed to get involved in clubs, and fortunately for me, the school had an existing Warhammer Club. I think it was the pupils passion that rubbed off on me. It led to me start my own school club during my second placement. Since then, joining in at the local Vets night has been a great laugh and resulted in me also looking to play Fantasy for the first time since childhood. Gone for the Wood Elves, purely on lushness of models :)

As for army choices, I tend to go for models first, fluff a close second. The only time rules ever became involved were with the Necrons. I had seen a friend play them and lose consistently. It got me thinking about their army tactics, which got me thinking about collecting an army of them.

Grimmjaw Da Silent Krumpa' · 1 year ago

I remember borrowing my friend's 40k Orks codex six years ago when 3rd ed was out. After reading the codex without knowing what any of the funny numbers were, i decided that i loved the look and mentality of Orks in general and was the happiest kid i knew on Christmas morning when i got the 3rd ed rulebook. I didnt do much else besides read that for two days straight, and immediately afterwards began collecting. I eventually convinced all of my friends on the street (7 total, including me) to start playing, and ive never looked back.

Ever since then i have played orks as my main army, only branching out to collect a smallish (1500 pt) imp guard force and have loved every minute of it. I love the idea of scratch building whatever warmachine you want to out of common household items/things usually reserved for the trash, and allowed to use them in games. My army adds up to roughly 5,000 pts including a scratch-built mek stompa/gargant and a battlefortress/oversized battlewagon. Currently working on the dred apoc formation, and dont see any reason to stop playing anytime soon.

Plus being able to scream WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!!!!!!!!! at the top of your lungs is immensely satisfying :D

BEWARE THE TIDE OF GREEN

Azzy · 1 year ago

Pretty much the same here, I read through the 3rd ed Ork codex, and fell in love with all the goofy stuff like "red wunz go fasta," grots going "splulch," etc.

Other than my orks (which will always remain my main army, the armies that I have are a non-tank Guard army (which I chose to spite a local tank-obsessed Guard player), and the beakies that I'll be getting with the Black Reach box (because I want something easy to paint for a change).

Wraithwing · 1 year ago

Ah, so with those cold ones I wasn't far off when I mention Lizardmen last time :D

Looking vey nice so far :)

DustDevil · 1 year ago

I first found 40K through the Sci-fi RPG's I played 20 years ago (Shadowrun & Cyberpunk mainly). A friend introduced me to 40K (or Rogue Trader as it was). I would borrow my mate's marines until the Realm of Chaos books came out, at which point I bought a Chaos marine army. However money and a lack of interest in painting meant we always played with unpainted figures and rarely had the correct models. About 15 years ago my friends and I lost interest in playing 40K, although I always kept buying the latest rules books and codices just to read the fluff.

Fast forwards to 3 or so years ago, when the new rules for Epic Armageddon came out. This grabbed my attention again. Finally a chance to collect a full army reasonably cheaply, and because the models were so small I could paint up a full army in no time. I finally persuaded one of my friends to buy an Epic army and we both started playing again (I was Marines and Orks, he was Guard and Eldar). The sight of finally being able to field a complete, painted army like we'd always wanted as kids rekindled both our interests, so we drifted back into 40K.

I now have a large Eldar force (8000pt), which I started about 6 months before the latest Codex came out I went with them because I always loved their fluff, plus I wanted to choose an army with as few models as possible to paint (my wife and job ensure I don't have much free time). I also loved the detail and crisp clean lines of the Eldar models. My mate bought Tyranids and we have had a number of games, but we were both getting a bit bored playing against the same armies, so he recently started collecting Chaos, and I have just started the 'Dust Devils' Chapter of Space Marines. Again this is motivated out of both a love of the models, and the small number of troops I need to paint. I love to lavish great attention on each model, so a horde army would take far too long to paint. Over the years I managed to accrue an entire army of Orks aswell, but I don't have either the time or patience to paint them up.

Stephen · 1 year ago

I started playing necrons when they where just a white dwarf entry I love the fluff of the raiding robots and have played them ever since, ever army I pick has been fluff based something has drawn me in with there fluff, like my new deamon army is Slannesh based because of the books that I really like there fluff (Draco), and all the eldar fluff about there fall and birth of a chaos god....its always the fluff that draws me in

StaysCrunchyInMilk · 1 year ago

Well, I'got my first GW mini's in 1988, for my 8th birthday - A Red Dragon. It took me 50 mins to work out how to open the thick plastic box. (Shakes head). In 19 years that'll be 20 years. I had a 6 year break when i went to uni and was warped by CCG's, however i'm back on the straight and narrow.
I had in the day a fantasy Night Goblin army with fanatics and ... more night goblins and fanatics, and a IG army (The tanks, i just loved them. And the old metal IG mini's). Then i moved onto Tyranids for the sheer beaty of inkwashing the metal lictors (Always fell apart though.)
I came back about 2.5 years ago, and went straight to plastic IG, revelling in the painting and converting. Then i realised i wanted a change, and in 8 devastators and three rhinos the 6500 point full company with all support will be complete.
Next project? maybe a titan. I'll only use it once a year maybe, and it's so expensive. But, i figured i may do fantasy again - I have it narrowed down to Orks for the sense of humor that's starting to ebb away in my current gaming clubs - 40k - (it's like a escalation in competitiveness and i realise it's rubbing off on me too without my even thinking about it.) or Empire as i always wanted a cannon, the detatchments feel sounds like it could be nice, and I also wanted the different Knightly orders when younger like nothing i've ever wanted before. (Exept to be in a star wars film and be a master swordsman.) maybe. I could kitbash spares with the IG next time i expand them.
Orks or Empire... Or get away from what i know entirely (Orks prev done a decade ago, Gunline = my IG army) and do something else.
My painting time is now limited though, so no skaven. hmm.. maybe chaos, maybe wood elves (although i'm warned they're hard to play, especially to start).

How do i expand?
If i'm bored of my current, i'll put them aside and pick up something that catches my eye. although, when i get close to completion i'll get total tunnel vision just to finish it. I also scrap, salvage, swap and save over time for mini projects : there's four on the shelf above my modelling table (1st = 8 man bike rough rider squad conversion - needs artillery wheels only now.
2nd = Project Last Chancers expansion. currently two sentinals require some heavy converting, and i need to buy some more cold pour acrylic to make power weapons from moulds.
3rd = Undead guardsmen. F/W renegades are too expensive, but i wanted some. They're traitor guard stormtroopers now. Cadian Torsos, helmets & lasguns with Zombie sprues, and old style skeletons = undead guardsmen. Sweet. Swapping hatches with my normal tanks = about 1000 points (only 35 infantry though.) Could do a expansion on that soon, I've got 20 more torsos and saw a exellent how to make small plasma guns a couple of days ago. I could get F/W plague marine kits, and convert into traitor GK allies for the undead Guardsmen.
4 = Uniform uniform SM army. With all the spares of a DA company i can do (after some scrounging) about 35 marines, with the same skull helmet, torso, backpack, boltgun and powerweapons and powerfists with skulls on. Paint all dark (purple is tempting for some variety) and pick out the skulls in white - it could look good, and i want a standard marine army looking at the new dex. Need boltguns, but finish DA first.

Commisar_Xi · 1 year ago

First model was a Space Marine with Heavy Bolter. It was all down hill from there. Now I've got about 10k of Imperial Guard with some Daemonhunters thrown in. I had another 5k of Space Marines and 5k of guard for a while, but I decided that the Marines just weren't my style.

Mooseman · 1 year ago

I don't know if you can pin down what grabs your interest in an army to just one thing, but there is always a deciding factor, and for me that will always be the models. Take the new Warriors of Chaos. They were my first proper attempt at collecting "an army" as opposed to "a bunch of cool-looking stuff" last time around. I read some of the rumours on the internet and my interest was piqued. I was all but set to make them my next army.
Then I saw the pictures of the new minis, and my dreams were shattered. I just couldn't like them, and so I just couldn't collect them, no matter how cool their rules.

Then of course I went to GDUK, saw that they looked at least five times better in the flesh than in the pictures (is that a new trend in GW or what?) and now guess who's come out of the cupboard fo a spruce-up?

logan · 1 year ago

Thought you were collecting High Elves, how bright the Cold One Knight is.

ChosenMan · 1 year ago

Good for you bigred, that is always the best reason for playing an army, this is after all a hobby not a competion league. I got into the hobby way back in the day when I was still in school durring the late 80s. A friend of mine had gotten into it and was painting up an eldar and marine force. I remember seeing his swooping hawks and beaky marines. At the time I was a big battletech fan so 40K was very much on fringe for me. As I went into college I began meeting others who were into 40K, and playing all night battles in basements. The armies that stood out for me were Nids and IG. Nids for the whole "Aliens" feel to them, which at the time was #1 all time fave movie, and IG(Imperial Army then) because again it goes back to the whole "aliens" thing. When the new metal IG lines came out I finally broke down and bought my first 40K models....IG Mordian infantry squad. The rest is as they say is History! ;)

As odd as it sounds I have never had any tendency to start a Space Marine army until recently, when I began working on an Alpha Legion CSM force.

denzark · 1 year ago

1990 - School trip to France. Everyone had finished all the reading material, comics etc on the ferry. A friend had been getting a new magazine - White Dwarf. I read this WD, 126, cover to cover, and was highly amused by the original Rogue Trader rules for Mad Boyz - 10 whole pages on different manias including things like 'we hatez red' and pins dropping out of grenades.

Was hooked and never looked back.

Araith · 1 year ago

Difficult choice, between fluff and models. I don't quite know which to choose.

To start with, I'm really into the fluff side of things. I love the background of warhammer 40k, and the fantasy world has some good stuff too. I love stories and history, and that's certainly something you get here.
However, it isn't all story that really gets me into the game. It it were only story I could as well be reading the novels instead of playing the game. It's the altogether feel of the army. That includes stories, but also image - both in artwork and in models. So you could say that the models can be seen as part of the fluff too. Models are certainly a consideration, and I love good models.

Perhaps the only thing that's keeping me from starting a Sororitas army is the very limited range of metal models (which lend of much less variation than multi-part plastics). That doesn't keep me from playing at all, since there are enough other armies that I find very interesting too.

So it's both fluff (which includes models), and models specifically. Fortunately I enjoy thinking about armies that I could have too. heh

Forhekset · 1 year ago

Rules shouldnt even really be on the map t obegin with. Though it is cool to see how the ideas conveyed in theme and design transfer over to the game system, a great example being Tau markerlights and drones, which is two really exciting features to play with after reading all about it. And railguns ;)

I was always interested in Space Marines, cause theyre cool... but I knew I should choose something different (before even realising how popular they actuallyh were), I had a good look at everything there was and settled on Tau being right for me, though I love the Imperium, I figured if the lines were really drawn, Id defect to the Tau Empire as soon as possible, so I took them on as my own :)

Granted I still have Blood Angels (my very first model that wasnt the starter set my mum bought me for xmas - Baal Predator. Kind of chose for me which helped alot), and Chaos marines. They guys at my local store said I was mad, and I guess I am, but Ive never played the game really so im not so worried about army compositions. Im more worried about getting the correct squad and company markings onto my Blood Angels, and making sure the colours and themes of my Nurgle/Khorne army are as fluffy as possible (Liber Chaotica is a fantastic book), and modifying Imperial vehicles for my gue`vesa recon force

Either way, I love this game.

TheInnerGeek · 1 year ago

I find it interesting that Bigred is thinking about jumping on the Fantasy Express right now. I believe these things go in cycles, either by season or some sinister design of GW. I've sworn off Fantasy several times in my life, and I've stuck to it well the last couple years. But, even now I think, "an all goblin army might be nice..." or, "a couple hundred skeletons marching across the field would be awesome".

Personally, I have a fundamental problem with Fantasy, which is why I swore it off. In 40k there are armies I just don't like because of fluff, and will never be tempted to collect no matter what the minis look like. In Fantasy... whatever book I have in my hand is my favorite, and the fluff is enough to make me want to collect any army... except for Ogres... just can't go there. So, when I open the door to Fantasy, it's almost impossible to stay on task and collect any one army.

My first Citadel minis were old style Grey Knight Terminators, followed closely by the box set of Space Marine Terminators. I then picked up the RTB01 and was stuck on Space Marines for many years, though I'd paint about anything that caught my eye... including Fantasy stuff from just about any army. Now I have Marines, IG, some Eldar, boxes full of minis still waiting to be assembled and painted (all the way back to an old style Land Speeder and Predator), I don't have time for a Fantasy army... do I?

Ben · 1 year ago

To me, it was originally about the rules as much as the models, and my first army (tyranids) I liked the models a lot, but I played it as much for the horde and lack of vehicles as for the models.

My first Fantasy army, Orcs & Gobbos, I chose because of the humor and how unpredictable they are to play. I can't rely on anything to win me games, so it just isn't important if I win or lose, since generally there's not a whole lot I can do either way except push the blocks in the right direction and hope.

LEGION3000 · 1 year ago

That is the exact reason I _can't_ bear to play orcs in fantasy. I have to be able to at least feel like I am directly influencing the game in some meaningful way.

And on the other hand, I have a freind who always plays the "bad guys" because if he wins then cool but if he looses, well, the good guys are supposed to win right? He basically just likes to push around his minis and that is ok too.

Anon · 1 year ago

I'm currently collecting Eldar, including some Fantasy bits to represent Exodites. I was drawn to them by their fluff mostly, and then by their models. Rules were also an influencethough, because I wanted somehing that wasn't MEQ.
I'm a sucker for the underdogs, the armies treated so badly they're no longer playable, so I started with a Harlequin force, then Exodites. I never thought I'd get to add Craftworld Eldar when I found out Aspect Warriors would soon go up by about 20%, but a miracle happened and I found an army for sale on Ebay that included all the minis I wanted for a fraction of their price. I think I have roughly 5000 points of Eldar altogether and I'm amazed I pulled it off.
I've also collected Blood Angels, Chaos Marines, and Necrons. They're all Apocalypse size but only because I've been collecting for so long. The only thing that makes me tempted to play fantasy is so I'll have another army to collect. My best mate and regular opponent collects Space Marines, Tyranids and Iron Warriors and is planning to start Orks. Since we share our armies it'd be kinda pointless to copy any of his forces. Which is a shame cos I really want those Black Reach Dethkoptas!!
Don't know why Fantasy doesnt appeal to me though. I like fantasy fiction, I've looked at the rulebooks and they're quite cool. The minis are ok too, theres lots of armies... can't figure out what's putting me off. but something definitely is.

LidlessPraetor · 1 year ago

OH yeah, welcome to the dark side lol! Glad to see another one has come around to the right side of the elves. But yeah seriously WFB is all about minis and not lists. ANY list can win any game with proper tactics. I like the Dark elves because they are arguably the most blood thirsty army in WFB, except maybe the VC (duh). I actually field both, ones more magic and the other, more combat oriented.

Warmaster · 1 year ago

First 40k army was Black Legion, back then their fluff was amazing and the chaos renegades models with the tentacles and flamer bodies and wierd heads were just too cool.

First fantasy army was Dark Elves. Drow elves riding giant lizards, i mean come on ;). Plus back then you had mercenaries so I had hobgoblins and fimir and some other wierd models in the army looked very cool on the table top.

I find that I have more 40k armies than fantasy armies. I think thats because in fantasy there are more model ranges that I dislike. Empire, high elves, lizardmen, ehh lame ;). Or maybe it's just that I like bad guys.

For building new armies I'm down to the niche or full conversion lists. I have one of every type of army for 40k so now I'm down to doing things like full ravenwing companies or my current 40k Cult of Pleasure which is a chaos space marine army built entirely from eldar models.

I've got more expansion room on the fantasy side. I haven't been playing much of it lately I was really excited about the daemon fantasy book since I've had daemon armies since the old black book but there are too many people jumping on that band wagon. I can't play my chaos mortals cause man does that white dwarf article suck there is no feel to the army anymore. Beastmen took a huge beat stick with the changes and I really miss being able to mix daemons in with them. So lately I've also been looking to go back to my original fantasy army. The new models are terrific and I think they've got a solid list.

LEGION3000 · 1 year ago

Wow druchii, I didn't see that coming. When you put the frog up I thought it was going to be lizardmen or a red/black flesh tearers army. I totally picked up Lizardmen back when I played fantasy because I loved the neon blue poison dart frog and painted all my skinks up as such.

When I pick an army to do I always start with a story first. I find that getting a cool reason for why this army exists is my best motivation rather than just another random marine/eldar/xeno. Then while I am modelling and painting (my favorite part) each model has a story that determines the pose. They are simple stories like, this guys is listening to the leader, this guy likes knives, and this guy is taking careful aim.
The rules to me are the last stop to picking the army. Yes it has to be a cohesive workable army but that is pretty easy to achieve. I find that good tactics and a little luck serve you much better in the game department than agonizing over your list. And sometimes playing a "weak" list and coming out on top is even more sweet in the end.

Anon · 1 year ago

"When I pick an army to do I always start with a story first. I find that getting a cool reason for why this army exists is my best motivation"
Yes! Couldn't agree more. I missed out the biggest reason I started collecting Eldar. It was all inspired by a narrative campaign me and some mates played. We played out an ongoing conflict between the Nightbringer and the Deciever, which led to the Deciever fleeing to an exodite world to eat it's world spirit. I was casually looking over Eldar fluff, already being slowly seduced by them, and i found out about how the Harlequins want to unite the Eldar races and how they worship a being that may or may not be the Deciever (I think he is, if you don't agree I don't care lol). Since I was looking for an army that could be Apocalypse scale, and I liked all the different Eldar but didn't like enough units from any one faction to make it work, I thought this was too good an opportunity to pass up. I was also listening to the Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2 soundtrack and the line 'Kain refused the sacrifice' (From Ariel's Lament funnily enough) kept playing on my mind. i knew there was inspiration for an Eldar story there
So, I ended up with a story where the Exodites are at war with some Space Marines and request help off some Harlequins, who have an insanely ambitious plan to use this as a way to unite the races. They go to an old and dying Craftworld and trick them. The Deciever/Laughing God sabotages one of their war ceremonies and makes it look like the Avatar of Khaine has refused the sacrifice of the Young King and abandoned them, leaving the Craftworld to turn to the Laughing God in his place.
With this story brewing in my mind there was no way way I could resist collecting Eldar. I've been well and truly lost on the path ever since.

LEGION3000 · 1 year ago

Hey that is awesome. I too think the Deceiver is Cegorrach (harlequin god). In fact I play a necron army devoted to the Deceiver that all came about from the narrative campaign I am GMing. The Deceiver in his guise as Cegorrach tricks a Dark Eldar force and an eldar craftworld into invading an imperial world to steal an artifact that will awaken a major part of his own personal army.

My Chaos army came about from a Dark Heresy plot thread. A slaanesh cult was distributing chaos inspired music that the PCs had to hund down and stop. So I thought, what would chaos music sound like? and who would create the music. Thus was born the Thunderhorse deathmetal chaos legion. A big chunk of noise marines with a Sorcerer in terminator armor that can turn enemies into chaos spawn...with his voice.

My Eldar army (in my head still) are called the Seekers of Ynnead. They are group of eldar pirates tired of the whole "waiting for the race to die" thing and have decided to kill everything they can find to bring about the eldar God of Death.

Anon · 1 year ago

Wow, those are some very cool ideas :) Especially those Seekers of Ynnead.

smurfhater · 1 year ago

emo eldar???

Madjob · 1 year ago

I bounced around between Tyranids, Tau, and Chaos around 8 years ago, never managing to collect a full army. After that I stopped collecting or playing, but kept following the fluff.

I recently started up an Orks army, I had always liked their fun and humorous flavor and had been storming up ideas about my own little clan, and then I noticed that they had gotten a new codex and a fresh bunch of really great looking models, and was sold. So I suppose models were a deciding factor, but had I not been so fanatical about the idea and fluff for my clan I don't think I would have even thought to start looking at the new models.

DustDevil · 1 year ago

Whilst I agree with everyone who says that fluff and models should come before rules, the rules do play an important part in the overall enjoyment you get out of your army. If you are inspired to collect an army because of the fluff, or because the models look particularly deadly, it can be a real disappointment to field them for the first time and realise that they don't perform how you always thought they would. Take marines for example. If you come to the hobby fresh, and have all your precenceptions of marines based around the books or background material, you would be forgiven for thinking that each model is a one-man army, able to take on hundreds of lesser infantry. This is why I think it very important for the rules to accurately reflect both the fluff and the look of the model, and vice versa. It can be really demoralising if your lovingly painted (and expensive army) fails to live up to your expectations.

LEGION3000 · 1 year ago

I agree that the fluff can be a bit misleading at times. Especially the books that describe a single marine fighting off about a hundred tyranids or whatever.

I think what most people are referring to in the fluff are the general backstory or history.

Anon · 1 year ago

Ah yes, see, this hits on one of my major gripes with GW, that sometimes the rules don't seem to reflect what they're representing, especially these days with so much being standardised, USR, MEQ, fewer options, Counts As, generic daemons, fewer variant lists etcetera. Honestly don't care too much about effectiveness, most things seem to be getting more effective rather than less, I just wish all units and armies had unique rules that truly reflected what they do with as little abstraction or generalisation as possible.
Anyhoo, off topic. Rant over *ahem*

Azathoth · 1 year ago

I play only two armies (Eldar and CSM), but I choose both primary for their models. Especially with the Chaos Marines, I thought long about how to paint them, which units I liked and which conversions I would do before I bought the first models. On the other hand, the rules and how the army plays was definitely my second motivation. Fluff was not so important.

Mick A · 1 year ago

The local club runs an annual league and I have yet to see one game played without an arguement over one rule or another... Having said that I am now working on a Vampire Counts army for next years league just to try and get some fun into it (gotta love a table covered in zombies that just keep appearing...!). I have always played for the fun of it , not to win, thats just a bonus!
Mick

faultie · 1 year ago

For me it's a pretty 50/50 mix of models and fluff. Some of my armies, it was the fluff and the models, some it was models and fluff. In any case, rules are very distant 3rd.
This is especially true of my favorite armies, which are all fringe. Kislev (fantasy), Kroot Mercs., Adeptus Arbites. In all cases, the models are quite stunning (even the 10+ year old Kislev and Arbites!), full of character, and their fluff is interesting and pulls me in.
Not that I don't like my Tau or Empire (fantasy) armies. But they definately take a back seat to the armies that, to me, have better fluff and models.

Ian Cross · 1 year ago

I have to say that those new Dark Elf models really almost got me to start an Army of them...

Admiral Drax · 1 year ago

I have a massive, sprawling, inf-heavy IG army that's nearly one quarter painted. Maybe.

I dislike painting infantry models.

Why then did I choose Empire as my Fantasy army of choice?

- Drax (a glutton for punishement)

MarcusZ · 1 year ago

I can't remember exactly how I started with the hobby but as far as I remember some friends in my class (who had been pen&paper RPG players for some time) somehow stumbled upon warhammer(40K), that's how I came in touch with this "strange" hobby.
I think I got my 40K 2nd Ed. Box as a Christmas present (I was somewhere between 12 and 14 I think) and started painting the Marines as Blood Angels because they where the army of the box-fluff, back then I considered the Marines to be all the same, except for the colors :p
Then one of our group had to sell his stuff (think his parents didn't like the idea of such an expensive hobby) and that was how I got my hands on the Ultramarine Codex and I was entirely hooked by their background and especially the story of Roboute Guilliman.

Well, I've been a loyal Ultramarine since then but recently I started Tyranids as well because a) I was tired of painting blue marines, b) I wanted to try something completely different than MEQ and c) Nids are just the perfect opposition to the "smurfs".

Regarding the poll: for me it is models first, then I check if I like the background, but sometimes this could be the other way round as well.

Hatchett · 1 year ago

Feel free to correct me if I err in this, but doesn't the top of this page say: Warhammer 40,000 News Miniatures Tactics and Opinion?
Maybe you'd get a less uproarious response if you started a new blog thread for the Fantasy half of the game, and call it: Bell of Nose Bleed?
Just thinking of the roots of the game...

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

How about calling it the "Bell of Lost Sack"? Which, by the way, has tolled thrice since Biggie decided to play for the other team.

Seriously guys, if there is any demand whatsoever for discussions about Fantasy (which, by the way, is a name for a gay bar 'round these parts) I think an entirely new and completely separate blogspot is worth creating. That would be fabulous,...

Madjob · 1 year ago

Or just stop calling it "Warhammer 40,000 News Miniatures Tactics and Opinion" and call it something broader to cover both games? We already get plenty of coverage on Fantasy mini releases since they're all shown at the same events as the 40k minis, why not just take the plunge and open it up completely?

It just means more things to discuss, I've noticed some commenters have been complaining about how some of the articles of late have seemed to have just been for the sake of updating. If the blog was opened up to discussing Fantasy as well, suddenly there's even more cool stuff to talk about! If people feel like this is detracting from getting their daily dose of 40k news, all they need to do is remember that it just means when there's a 40k article it's guaranteed to be a good one instead of a watered down one!

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

I can appreciate what you are getting at Madjob, and under any other circumstance I would most likely agree with you. However, since the posting of that shit article that touted the benefits of playing fantasy and mocked the "limitations" of 40k, I am not particularly interested in being tolerant of Fantasy encroaching on my favorite blog.

In fact, if you were to go back to "Whither Fantasy" and read through some of the responses, you'd see that a good portion of Fantasy sycophants really had nothing better to do with their time than trash 40k and claim that Fantasy is somehow a better game. The obvious humor to be found in the "ur game iz weak" postings aside, there is no value in these claims of Fantasy superiority. And, given the subheading of this website, this really isn't the place for people to bash 40k.

As to your idea about opening this blog up to include fantasy, if you'd once again reference the gems that were written in the comments section of the offending article, you'd see exactly why including those dumbasses really isn't a reasonable option. Let them flame each other and 40k on another website. Let them talk about their dragons and their elves and their little spears that they point at one another.

And if they want to talk 5 tons of shit about a hobby that so many of us have dedicated so very much time and energy into, they can do so in an environment that will have no connection to a website that I and the rest of the faithful hang out on...

Madjob · 1 year ago

That was a rather ill-conceived article and the results were predictable. You're pointing out the argumentative comments found in an already argumentative article as evidence that incorporating Fantasty news posts into this blog would just be a bunch of trollbait?

With actual news posts and articles pertaining to Warhammer Fantasy, trolling and flaming rates would be much lower than in your unfortunate example. What is there to argue about in a straightforward WHFB battlereport, mini preview, etc., other than what's usually found in here? What's stopped these terrible terrible WHFB players from coming into this blog just to troll 40k players that would be gone if it started posting Fantasy articles? You could say "because now they have an excuse to be here!", but that's shallow reasoning. There's no excuse for trolling, PERIOD, and a little banner at the top saying "40k only" isn't a deterrent for anyone raring for a fight.

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

Yes, I am pointing out argumentative comments posted by fantasy players as support for my argument to keep this site 40k specific. How is that unreasonable?

Furthermore, I submit to you, sir, that those flamers would not have had a forum for their views had that article not been posted. As such, your stance, which appears to be that if we had regular Fantasy postings the insulting Fantasy comments would be reduced or stop altogether, is somewhat invalidated. And while you are correct that nothing will prevent those "terrible, terrible" Fantasy players from coming here and causing a stir if they so choose, it won't hurt to not instigate their comments by hosting Fantasy articles. How is it shallow reasoning that they not be given an excuse to lurk on this site?

Furthermore, my initial claim is that a blogspot be created for the Fantasy players, so they wouldn't have to be here. But you are advocating that we change the format on this site to include Fantasy. Either way, effort and time will have to be invested in such an endeavor. To that end, why not leave this site as is? I would argue that if an equal amount of effort be required, why not have them seperate? You've not offered many points to justify the inclusion of Fantasy on this site. The points you have offered aren't really quantifiable- what proof do you have that flaming would be reduced by the inclusion of Fantasy players?

A better question might even be: what would this site gain from having articles about Fantasy? We have already seen that we would gain a few haters... but other than that...? If there isn't anything to gain, then there is no benefit to changing the the little banner, the format or anything else. Let the Fantasy fans find their own blog. This blog has worked fine without them thus far, and I believe it will continue to be fine without them in the future.

Madjob · 1 year ago

I was mostly pointing out the fact that people are jumping on Bigred for "betraying" them, and that it's not such a terrible prospect if we started seeing Fantasy news and posts more frequently. "What would this site gain from having articles about Fantasy?" Varied discussion, obviously!

There's no problem with Fantasy players having another blog, and I'm not trying to push for anything here, I was just saying that since there already seems to be a moderate amount of Fantasy news that finds its way onto this blog, why not just give up the distinction of this being a strictly 40k gaming blog? It's just a title at this point!

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

First, you haven't, until this last post, brought up that people were jumping on Bigred for betraying them. To suggest that you were is not only shifting the argument, its disingenuous.

Second, *sigh*, we have already seen the benefits of including fantasy articles. The varied discussion you are alluding to has shown itself to be nothing more than attacks on 40k.

I agree that some amount of fantasy stuff appears on this site- since the same company makes both gaming systems, it is difficult to completely seperate them. However, I disagree that this is a 40k site in title only. Look at the history of articles- go ahead, I'll wait.......

How many are focused on Fantasy? How many tactical articles are devoted to Fantasy?Now, how many are focused on 40k? How many decals sheets are there for Fantasy? How many mini-dex's have been written for Fantasy?

This is a 40k site. Not just a title, not just a theme, but a real 40k website.

Fantasy discussion can be found at any number of other websites. I invite you, politely, to check a few of them out.

Madjob · 1 year ago

Shifting the argument? Disingenuous? Let's look back up to the very first comment of yours I've been replying to, and tell me why you think I replied to your reply and not Hatchett's directly. I'll admit I never directly stated I was arguing in Bigred's favor and I apologize if it seems like I'm trying to pull the rug out or anything like that, but it's part of what I've been saying with these posts. He's found a new hobby! We can all understand the joy of that, why jump on him for it? Yes, if he came in here arguing why we should be playing Hordes or Flames of War too, I think that would be more questionable, but 40k and Fantasy have always been linked, and not only by their shared creator GW, so I personally don't find Fantasy content on a 40k blog to be all that offensive or off-topic.

For the record, though I suppose I should have pointed this out off the bat, I don't play Fantasy. Yet.

Either way it seems like I might be in over my head here, I confess I've only been following this blog since earlier this summer and only started commenting even more recently, I just never understood the whole 40k/Fantasy bickery and seeing it come out here pushed my buttons.

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

I think that I should apologize. Now that you've pointed out to me when you came into this discussion, I can see that you don't deserve to be accused of shifting the argument or being disingenuous. I'm sorry for that.

Since we've both beaten this horse to death, I see no reason to go over previous points. We will simply have to agree to disagree on the purpose of this forum, or how it could be made better.

I would also point out that I don't think you are in over your head. You stated your points intelligently- something that is all too uncommon on the interweb. Keep posting. Often. I will surely find something to disagree with you about in the future, but I'm positive that I'll find the majority of what you write to be a valuable addition to any discussion.

WalksInTheDarkness · 1 year ago

One post that comes to mind is a reader stating that they're not interested in some of the "weaker" posts (news and rumour updates for example). I think with the addition of Fantasy would mean that there would be regular "stronger" (I put these in quotation marks because I've never read a dull article on this blog as they always manage to start an interesting discussion...)

Finally, I always find it amusing that minority hobbies always have the most militant fans who will shout and moan when someone does something a little bit different. I love both games, it so happens that Bigred does too, so apparently we're both traitors to the "cause". Play what you want to play and enjoy it and if you can share that enjoyment with people, fantastic.

I like both games as they're a way of me expressing my creative side, through writing, painting or even playing (after all you can re-enact plenty of "historical" battles!) My suggestion would be that if you're not interested in reading fantasy based articles, don't read them when you see the word Fantasy at the top... For example, I normally skip past the articles in White Dwarf that have anything to do with the LOTR game as it doesn't do anything for me...

As for those of you who are interested in flaming, please can I point you towards Sherdog.com as they're always spoiling for a fight...

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

I agree with UltramarineFan. The cause isn't completely anti Fantasy. Frankly, I really don't have a problem with the game. The caveat being that I will tease you relentlessly for playing it if you shove it in my face, but I don't hate that it exists.

The problem, as I've stated in the past, is that once we had an article posted about fantasy, there were suddenly fantasy players that decided to rip on 40k. Minus67 wrote a crap article that was lovingly hoisted by a group of fanboys who were spoiliing for an opportunity to trash our hobby. As such, I decisively mocked the hell of those players, the asinine article and the placement of said article on this forum. If Minus67 has such a beef with our hobby, and wants to hold to the lie that Fantasy is superior (read his goddamn article if you doubt what I'm saying- its all in black and white), he should do it elsewhere.

This is a 40k forum. Period.

UltramarineFan · 1 year ago

The 'cause' isn't completely anti-fanatasy though for some it is. The 'cause' is to have a 40k site with just 40k, if you want to play fantasy that's fine with me.

UltramarineFan · 1 year ago

You see the problem is that this site already has too many 40k players who like trashing randomly we can't let in the fantasy ones alswell they need their own space. I have to agree with sixsystems and hatchett in so far as fantasy would need a seperate section entirely.

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

Outside of the trashing, I think a good many of us 40k players wouldn't want the time and energy of the Flylords to be wasted on Fantasy. I come here because this is a dedicated blogspot to my favorite game. If the concentrated focus suddenly diffuses because if the inclusion of fantasy it will lessen the value this site has for many players. Madjob said, "If the blog was opened up to discussing Fantasy as well, suddenly there's even more cool stuff to talk about!" But he is only stating an opinion- Fantasy, to me, is not a cool thing to talk about. In fact, putting a very fine point on it, I think it fucking sucks.

This is a 40k site. Period.

Thanks for seeing my point, Ultra. I have a feeling that this issue isn't going to go away anytime soon...

CT · 1 year ago

I agree with keeping them seperate too. I have no intent to waste more money or brain power on another hobby and would prefer to not have fantasy waved in my face on a regular basis. I already feel like White Dwarf doesn't have enough 40k to hold my attention.

Joyous_Oblivion · 1 year ago

It's close-minded people like you that really hurt the hobby, 40k AND Fantasy. When trying grow a gaming community you don't slam a new idea, especially when it WILL benefit you to some extent, either now or in the future.

Think about painting articles, modelling articles and all the other great things Fantasy does, just like 40k, only a lot better in some areas, as its an older and more developed game. Many contributors won't write articles for 40k, as they don't play it, but will write for Fantasy crowds.

I hate to break it to you, but being a 40k player...(you can still use that gleaned knowledge, even though you don't play Fantasy)

I welcome the additional content with open arms, and truly hope our resident crew of 'internet idiots' shuts up or goes away, Warseer could always use a few more clones...

Hatchett · 1 year ago

Warseer sent me a birthday card. You didn't send me a card.
Meanie.

Bigred · 1 year ago

Is that all this was about! If I send you a BoLS birthday card will you promise to defend our honor on the forums henceforth Brave Sir Hatchett?

Hatchett · 1 year ago

Nay, sir! Forsooth, I asked not for the card, from Warseer, nor aught else. Prithee, take heed: I spake not in disfavor of thine honorable efforts, NAY! I bespoke the efforts of the villain Joyous Oblivion, whom hath sullied mine image with graven lines.
Cards help not, dearest Sir Big Red. But rest assured, thine honor, with me, is ever intact, thine efforts heeded, and exalted.
;)

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

oh snap!

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

He hath bitchslaped thee!

Bigred · 1 year ago

I think you need the card to feel better anyway (refresh the blog) :)

Now remember Sir Hatchett, a Fly Knight must first purify himself before unleashing the cleansing flame upon said brigands... :)

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

Whoa, whoa, whoa...

Is this a new rank you are casually tossing into the fray, Biggie? Play nice and you'll have the chance to be a Fly Knight???

I think you have just produced the coin that will buy Hatchett's change of behavior....

I, on the other hand, will continue my descent into booze, pills and manic, reactive typing. Perhaps if you offered "Fly Bishop", "Fly Earl" or "Fly Duke" my mind would change...

Bigred · 1 year ago

Your situation is being examined Six, and I have no doubt with a bit of time, the ranks of the Fly Knights could easily be swelled to include such notables as yourself...

Our comment threads are a dangerous wasteland and the Flylords are always looking for a few good men to keep things under control.

We all shall see... :)

ps, Anyone else see such customer service from Warseer? I don't think so!

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

LOL!

I will be the very first to admit that I might not deserve the title of Fly Knight. I've shown myself to be far too reactionary. However, if one were to examine the history of my postings, one might interpret my reactions as justifiable (marginally, to be sure, in some cases).

At the very least, I'm sure that my notable blogging sparks interest. Granted a fuming, nearly apoplectic interest, but an interest nonetheless. I can only hope that it serves the cause of getting people to this site as much as possible.

RealGenius · 1 year ago

I sense a whole ranking system coming on. I'd like to be the first FlySerf.

UltramarineFan · 1 year ago

My honour requires I cannot ask for positions but I wouldn't say no.

UltramarineFan · 1 year ago

When is your birthday?

Hatchett · 1 year ago

Sept 17th, the day BOLS revealed that Jervis is bent on creating a Traitor Legions codex. *AHEM* Yes, the day that I finally shut up about the new Chaos codex.
All Virgos are mad...

UltramarineFan · 1 year ago

20th!

Brother_Marius · 1 year ago

WOw... didnt you just do what you're accusing others of, namedly say one system is better than the other? This blog was started as a 40k blog, else I and many others wouldn't read it. I see fantasy articles and I simply browse elsewhere. And how the heck is anyone going to translate moving blocks of units around a field whilst dodging bouncing cannonballs into an armored column assault supported by drop pods and flanking fast attack again? Only in the barest of concepts, but not in practical strategy guides. Painting always translates, no matter the game system.
Fantasy is NOT in any way superior to 40k... understand it, know it, and finally grasp it. I played fantasy for four years and I found far more cheesy players, abusive rules manipulation and downright cheating amongst the players. I have a huge dwarf army, but it's riding a shelf until my gaming group picks fantasy back up, or we can find players from the area that don't play in the aforementioned manner.

Personally, I hope this is just a bout of gas, and the Fantasy nonsense goes away.

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

Well said, Brother! JO (jerk off?) is spouting the same sort of nonsense that caused me to hate on the article that caused all this discussion in the first place.

Fantasy is not better. Barring being better placed on a forum that is not this one.

Hatchett · 1 year ago

Now, now, play nice, remember?
Try saying things like "quicker-rubber-outer" or "Chief Plays With Self". That way, you may raise grins and not ire, giggles, not fire.
Or if you prefer: FLAME ON!

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

I don't flame, Hatch, I punish. Stupidity, inaccuracy, or whatever irks me at the moment. Right now, Fantasy irks me....

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

Actually, that's not entirely true. I also discuss.

I think that Madjob is an excellent example of someone I can disagree with and still respect. Mad is sensible, well-written and polite. AND, unlike manhy of the posts I've responded to, Madjob's comments always make me think before writing.

Maybe this appears to be a bit much ass-kissing, but the sentiment is legit.

Madjob · 1 year ago

Oh, well thank you! I agree, the beginning of JO's post made me frown because he made the same mistake a lot of the Fantasy players I see here make when trying to convince someone: attacking (however quietly) the target audience. It's just silly!

UltramarineFan · 1 year ago

I atke you don'y reason then? : )

Azzy · 1 year ago

Bury it, Hatchett....

I'm a 40K player with no interest in WHFB, but I can't see what exactly is wrong with BoLS expanding their content to include WHFB. Oh noes! :P

Hatchett · 1 year ago

It's not wrong. It's silly, sort of like being assailed by guys called "truth" or "azzy". Read the posts above... see my name more than once? Go to sherdog, as it states above.
And no, if we wanted Fantasy, you'd have heard a great hue and cry for it. Fact is, it's all about sales, baby.

UltramarineFan · 1 year ago

You're getting quite a reputation Hatchett I don't think many people get -9

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

Its like Grand theft Auto: You can play the game to win, or you can destroy everything you get your hands on. Hatchett is playing the fun way!

Hatchett · 1 year ago

We can RATE each other??!!
Ohgodogodogod... how? WHERE?!
Oh, if I'd only known this... EVERYONE who has TALKED to me would get 10's! Just for giving me -9's! What esteem I have for all of them.
Please.

RealGenius · 1 year ago

I had to create an account, just so I could rate. I resisted, but you sucked me in BoLS!

BrassScorpion · 1 year ago

As long as the topic has been raised, there are certain things that are generally not welcome by most forums, their moderators or their readers. In the case of the Disqus system, these behaviors can also result in a low reputation score.

These negative behaviors have been going on in abundance here. Here's a short list of why a few people may find their score slipping:
1) Personal attacks or "flaming". There are several of these in this one thread alone. Among other destructive things, they are also off topic.
2) Repeated, gratuitous use of profanity. There's a time and place for everything. There's certainly no need for extreme vulgarity on hobby sites devoted to toy soldiers, especially since they are often frequented by younger readers.

Imagine what such behavior does to the reputation of our hobby. If you want to promote 40K and bring other people into the hobby rather than scaring them off, try being civil. It works wonders. We all see comments that displease us. Try thinking before you react. Believe me, if I responded to every post that annoyed me with what I was really thinking, I never would have been invited to be a Fly Lord.

If a response will get you nowhere, rather than drag the whole discussion down with pointless bickering and rudeness, perhaps it would be better to not respond. Self restraint can be a wonderful thing.

UltramarineFan · 1 year ago

I try to tread the middle ground, a thin, precarious, dangerous ground but ground none the less.

Hatchett · 1 year ago

And a fine job you make of it! Wish I had the talent...
As far as personal attacks go, Sir Scorpion, note the first line of the post below, from Joyous Oblivion, and tell me if that was warranted from what I initially wrote above.
I simply stated that this was a 40k blog. WAS. That's why I frequent it, but the folks like "truth" and JO make it hard to not respond when their first line of communication is insults and thinly veiled threats.
It's stupid, and to such petty behavior, difficult not to respond.

Veahirin · 1 year ago

I must say that I have always played armies that have attracted me fluff wise. For example, right now Im almost finished with my Luna Wolves/ Emperors Children army.

The Fluff essentially says (and some people might disagree...lawyers!) that they were a part of Saul Tarvitz and Lokens army that had been betrayed. In the books it says that the Dread Rylanor went to protect something but the traitors weren't sure what it was. So, I thought 'what if it was an Eldar webway gate, or something like that which they used to escape off the planet with.' As such I run the army with 8 man squads (cause they've taken heavy casualties). and no Vehicles. The fluff is that they got off the planet and have been hunting down their traitorous brethern for that last few millenia. The trick is though, that they can't let the imperium know that they are around because they would be killed, as such they have to raid to stay up to date and well equipped. Also, they are trying to bring down the Inquisition because they are going around saying the emperor is a god (which they know he isn't, cause they were there when he said so!) Anyhow, this army is m new love and with the new SM codex it makes me even happier (Can we say Sternguard?!)

On the other side I have 13000 pts of Eldar casue I think their beautiful minis and look great painted!

All in all I know that when I have a good story I can lose the game horribly and have a good time.

-V

Madjob · 1 year ago

Interesting stuff, that's got me curious as to how they reacted to the news of Horus and his role in the Heresy.

Veahirin · 1 year ago

Well, as I said they are loyal to the Emperor. So they knew Horus was traitor when he tried to kill them. But in response to the actions that were done in the names of their once noble legions they painted their hands red to resemble the blood of Sanguinius (And others) on their hands; and painted their helms black to represent the shame that had been placed on their shoulders. The fact that they exist solely to hunt down their traitorous brethern shows that they were a little pissed about the whole Heresy thing.

Veahirin · 1 year ago

also, when the new dex comes out Im going to make 3 full squads of Sternguard to represent the fact that these guys are veterans of thousands of years and also that they have to be prepared for a fight against anything cause they don't have anyone else to call on to help them (like other Imperials, or other companies) So they have to handle everything from bugs to other marines with their bolters! NO PROB BOB!

Slawson · 1 year ago

I wanted to do an Imp Guard army with Valhallan models and I bought a bunch off ebay when I could find them. In my rush to get a force large enough to be playable I picked up a bunch of cadians in plastic. A couple months ago I decided to fill out my army with Valhallans to replace the cadians so I can dump them off.

I love the look of the Valhallans, and cadians have always looked like generic imperial soldiers to me.

My Valhallans are white with very light blue for the shadows and are on snow bases that look like drifting snow. They are based on the Winter War where Finland defended itself from soviet aggression in 1939-1940. You can't do that with cadian models.

faultie · 1 year ago

I had a similar situation when I went in on about 1k worth of Vostroyans. I used Cadians to fill out the lists as I slowly built up the Vostroyan elements. Even made a pair of the Ragnarok tanks they've got on the GW site. The Vostroyans (I actually use a few Valhallans, too) look superb. Well painted in the (some say overused) crimson and bronze are stunning, I think. I didn't learn their fluff until later, but the models are what stuck me on them.

papasmurf · 1 year ago

ok, so this is my first post on this site, nut i look at it all the time and have been playing 40k for about 2 years now. i was first attracted to the game when i was in 5th grade because some kid in my class had a white dwarf and i thought the models looked cool (now that i think about it they were lizardmen) but then i didn't get back to it until i was 16, when dawn of war brought my attention back to 40k and the fluff reeled me in.

i started out with a marine and a tyranid army because of the maccrage box set, but i decided to expand on both of them. i have mostly tyranids because they remind me of my favorite movies, alien and aliens, and i always liked being a bad guy in games when i had the choice. plus, an all stealer list is fun to play (especially now with the outflank rule!)
For my marines, The Emperor's Shadows Chapter, i painted them dark blue and purple and for their background they were Night Lords who had remained loyal during the horus heresy, and they had a similar story to the DA, trying to hunt down those who fell to chaos etc, etc. and this showed in their traits since they could infiltrate (until 5th came along...) but i only had like 1500 points worth of them. with the new codex coming out i am definitely going to expand on them more (can you say sternguard and vanguard veterans with night lord heads?)
i haven't played in a while though (college, no games workshop near there) but i want to start a CSM army. they are just like marines, only more badass (see like being a bad guy), and i think having 5 squads, one being neutral and the others being devoted to each god, definitely brings out the flavor of Chaos.
As for Fantasy i guess i would be lizardmen since they were my window to warhammer, but maybe i will talk about that in a fantasy site, which this is not :).

well enough of my long 40k life story Bigred your site is great!

papasmurf · 1 year ago

oh yeah nice cold one by the way, i was half expecting lizardmen but not really because a frog and lizardmen would be too obvious.

Kresh · 1 year ago

Dark Elves are six kinds of nasty. The exact types of nasty are entirely dependent on whether the person quantifying the said nasty is your ally or your enemy.

Plus, the new Cold Ones are sick! Mmmm. Bad puns are fun!

Firaya · 1 year ago

Hehe I had simple motivations for which army to play.

1. I want Space Marines, regardless of whatever rules I had to deal with.
2. I like the colours blue and white, and I chose the blue space marines.

Such simple decision making rules, has kept me building space marines towards and beyond the 4000 point mark.

Bomster · 1 year ago

With me, it was a gradual thing. Started playing a friend's Space Hulk (1st. ed. around 1990) and obviously wanted to use my own Termies. Then WD published rules for regular SMs in Space Hulk, so I wanted my own squad.
Two or three years later, 40k 2nd edition was published and I made the jump into the hobby. The army was my DIY SM chapter - I particularly liked the possibilities SMs offer for developing your own chapter backstory, heraldry and whatnot. The Space Hulk roots still showed, though; my second army was - of course - Tyranids.

Recently I started painting some Chaos stuff for fun (got a bunch of old metal chaos termies cheap off eBay) - again, first for using it in my recently resurrected Space Hulk hobby. But oh so slowly I find myself looking at other Chaos minis - those beautiful renegade IG models from Forgeworld, to be specific. And I haven't even played full-on 40k for about five years...

Christian · 1 year ago

I started with the Game called "Star Quest" ( engl. Spacecrusade) and over the first White Dwarf (the german one!!!) with the 2nd Edition of WH40K (the first 40K Edition here in Germany).
Now I am working on a Blood Drinker Kompanie (Rogue Trader and 2nd Edition Minis). The good old times....

Alph · 1 year ago

A cracking post that's drawn me out from simply viewing to finally commenting.

I like and respect what you said about picking an army about looks, fluff etc but there's one other thing that I always take into consideration at the vital first decisions stage. Playing style, I only consider armies that I've seen/heard play in a style I'd like to or contain the units that make my preffered style of play possible.

I'm currently looking at getting into a bit of fantasy battles and I know how I'd like to play and will be picking an army that compliments that style/makes it possible. i.e. I love to look of the dwarf models and really like the fluff but I know I want to play fairly fast with lots of movement so this further restricts my choice.

berzerkermike84 · 1 year ago

fantasy sucks cause u have 40 mini rule in one turn! the reason why so many people play 40k is that the rules are more simple, you dont have to worry about puttin ur mini on a square base that cant over lap onto the mini next to it. and to be honest if fantasy was so great of a game then people at the grand tours wont be playin on all the 40k tables.

Kidjal · 1 year ago

I've honestly never seen a more naive statement than this.

chance · 1 year ago

I would like to offer congratulations to Sir Hatchett, and also say Happy Birthday. The Fly Lords have made a wise choice. I found your postings on this topic polite yet firm. A man who believes in what he is saying. Thank you , Sir Hatchett , for defending our hobby and our site with honor. I give you +10. Thanks to you also Fly Lords, for hosting a wonderful site. Long may you reign!

Hatchett · 1 year ago

I thank you, Sir!
I've actually been rather vicious at times on this site, but only to those who have perked my ire. However, the good Fly Lords deemed it either funny or fitting to grant me the chance to be a decent fellow, so that I shall endeavor to do.
There have been a couple of debacle threads...
At any rate, I get by with a lot of slapping around by folks like UltramarineFan, Sixsystems and Madjob, even Big Red and BrassScorpion. These gentlemen never fail to correct me if I err, congratulate me if I amuse, or be there to share in the love/hate/love of this hobby.
So thank you, chance! I hope that if we don't always agree to disagree, then we can at least make each other giggle!!

chance · 1 year ago

Hey, I was wondering if anyone out there had the rules for the Relictors, and if so , would they be kind enough to post them or email them to me? I have been trying to find them but no luck so far. Many thanks in advance! My email is chancetre7@hotmail.com.

Bigred · 1 year ago

Guys I am keenly aware of the feelings on some of these changes, but as you have seen, the 40k content isn't going anywhere. Like it or not, GW shifts every other month to support fantasy then 40k and back again. BoLS is working to bring even more daily content coming soon so there will be enough articles for everyone to go round.

As has been mentioned, Fantasy will not be taking over the site, and never will, but a large amount of readers enjoy the alternative content as well. Many Fantasy items can be used not only by Fantasy but 40k players as well (especially on the hobby conversion side of things) and I feel that it offers a net plus to the community to cover it in moderation.

Now back to your balanced and reasoned conversation gentlemen :)

UltramarineFan · 1 year ago

Trying to stop the actions of the Fly lords is like stopping the tide.

Sixsystems · 1 year ago

Why don't we chuck on some BFG, Necromunda and Inquisitor if there is to be some occasional additional content? I enjoy those games, and they are more closly tied to the 40k universe than some of the other options (Fantasy).

Batjutsu · 1 year ago

Whilst on the subject of fantasy, are there any great blogs with fantasy like BOLS or fromthewarp covers 40K?
I personally am looking forward to seeing the results of BOLS getting involved in fantasy :-)