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Big Shoota Blog @CMON

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Update 08-27-08
Yay, an update! Finished the battlewagon and you can see the new pics in the Workbench area. I have a few things to add but it's functional for what I'm equiping it with for the next RTT at the end of Aug.

We also got in a game of Apocalypse and..... well, it was kind of a disaster. Not through any fault of GW though, more of a communication issue on the two teams sides. Our side had way too many small units which prolonged the deployments and we didn't have enough BIG, Apocalypse size units to balance the other side. The other side took too many big things and didn't read the rules which left some confusion as to how things worked and all issues left many people milling about waiting for things to resolve/happen.

I think we'll need to sit down together before and iron a few things out before trying again. Hopefully lesson learned and we can move on and play again.

Now that the battlewagon is done I'm looking towards new projects. I'm thinking of doing two projects at a time. One large one (big, single unit for Apoc) and one smaller unit for regular 40K. I'm unarchiving an old Robotech model kit that's been in my basement for years to turn into a Stompa and the smaller unit will be my lootas mob. Again, the Workbench area will have the updates. I should be adding the new units to the Army Gallery page as well, as soon as I take some nice beauty shots.

Update 07-22-08
Slow summer here in the northland as we spend more time outdoors and less on the modeling bench. That doesn't mean I've been stagnant, just slow on the update. I'm still trudging along on the Battlewagon (painting now), the bikes are stalled, I've put together another trukk and a dozen lootas and started prep work on some new, large terrain in preperation for.....

APOCALYPSE! We're finally going to do an Apoc Day in Aug. We're shuffling around the points to see where everyone is at so we can can cobble together balanced sides - around 10,000 points each. There'll be many proxies for the big stuff so when the photos are posted, don't laugh too hard! We'll be playing over 4-5 tables in my garage - hopefully it won't be a scorcher day.

5th Edition has hit as well and man, it is a different beast. I think we're going to stay with 4th for the Apoc game as it'll only confuse us with the unplayed system as it is, although we'll most likely switch in the fall. Orks are going to be pretty tough with the new codex and new rules. Of course, as I get a chance to play it I'll post a "review" of sorts with rants and raves about how it effects my army.

Update 05-14-08
Updated the Army Gallery with some new shots and a slicker interface, now with less pop-up windows! Check it out here...

Update 05-12-08
Time - Time! Got the time tickin' in me head. Time! Got the time tick, tick, tick, tick, tickin' in my head! Time! (sung to the tune by Anthrax).

I keep wading through the time, working on the Battlewagon, waiting for 5th Edition to come out. I don't think it'll change my army list/playing style much, but we'll see after the Rumor Dust has settled on release day. I've pre-ordered the rulebook and after hearing about the supposed starter box, I'll be ordering two of 'em, if rumors about the price ring true. I'm alright with the fantasy and LOTR players picking up that slack.

In the meantime, I've cracked open two boxes of bikers. I'll make this first set of six "Red Squad", main color will be red (duh). This will go with my red trukk making a very pretty display. One bike will be a Warboss like figure and one will be a generic Nob, both with powerklaws. the rest are generic biker dudes with choppas.

I've got another trukk and six more bikes after that'll become "Black Squad" in similar fashion to "Red Squad." I'll be doing the bikes first though, to replace the god-awefull 2nd Ed bikers I'm currently running. Can't wait to sell them on ebay and turn'em into more bikers!

Cruise on over to the Workbench to see the progress on the battlewagon.

Update 04-22-08
Summer is here (finally) and the slow down in my workflow begins. Let's see... I've got the battlewagon around 60% built and I get frustrated sometimes when I want to start painting, but two things get in my way. Finishing the build before painting (duh) and I'm not sure how to proceed with said painting. Primer everything black - then hand paint the red areas or spray it red and hand paint all the black/metallic areas? Either way it's gonna be a long, tedious process, well worth it though I'm sure. I wouldn't do it if I didn't garner some kind of enjoyment out of it, right? So check the workbench out for progress on the battlewagon.

A recent thread over on Warseer (What Does Your Entire Army Look Like?) had me reflecting on the images on the site here and thought I'm about due for an update. I've finished quite a few models since the last revision and the new Codex: Orks has modified the Force Organization Charts so some units are in the wrong places. Sometime in the next month I'll see about reshooting how my force sits - maybe the Battlewagon will be done!

I've picked up a dozen Loota Boyz arms off ebay to use on my stash of regular boys (very cost effective) so they get added to my Working Cue, albiet after the bikers. I can't wait to start them.

Oh yeah, my tattoo's done also. I'll post it here sometime.

Update 03-18-08
Orks Rule. At least in this neck of the woodz dey doo! I took first place in the local RTT this last weekend with Red Jack's Waagh! It was close and the competition was pretty fierce. I did find my list fairly competent against MEQ forces. The only one that gave me any pause was an Eldar Elites based quick assault force.

Now that the pressure of getting thing done for competition is over I can concentrate on some more wacky and creative stuff. With "looting" a thing of the past, I'm finally going to start tearing down some of my IG equipment and properly build a Battewagon or two and some Gun Trukks and Looted Wagon Transports for my boyz.

A Landraider is the base for a new Battlewagon to start with and I'll try to update the Workbench as often as I can. I'm posting this as well in the WIP forums at Cool Mini Or Not. I'm going to try and be pretty agressive with photographing the steps as there's going to be alot of custom work and scratchbuilding.

Update 03-06-08
Started working on my Shokk Attack Big Mek this last weekend and he's huge! The new Codex has forced me to hustle to get the new untis done in time for the local RTT in March. After figuring out all the new point values I also fell 5 shootas short so they'll be advanced in my cue - put on the fast track.

We're also getting toether this weekend to play a large, 5,000 pt per side, mixed army battle as a "rematch" of sorts. We always try to do a big one but due to lose tounges, we always start too late. This time, it's our first match of the day so there's plenty of time to finish!

I'm starting to look towards a summer Apocalypse match in my garage with the gang. After seeing some of the stuff others are putting out, I'm energized to start slinging aroung flower pots and Tupperware bowls. I've seen the Tater Stompas, and while funny and original, they're not my style. I'm trying to come up with something that looks orky but not orky wearing a dress as so many of them do.

I do have two toy jets as bases for Fighta Bombas and an idea to scratchbuild a looted Thunderhawk out of foamcore for starters. The problem will be finding chainfists on other kids toys for the Stompas/Gargants. I'm also on the lookout for a tanks toy that can be easily turned into the Skullhamma' or close variant. Gonna be fun!

Update 02-28-08
Finished up the Ork Trukk last night - whoah! I have mixed feelings about it. I love the model, just wish I would have had the time to do this one up right. I felt a lot of pressure since I have the Ork Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun to get done too and I want to spend more time on him than the trukk. Besides, I've got another trukk waiting - I'll fill you in on the detilas and have a model review on the Workbench page.

Update 01-14-08
I had a photoshoot this weekend for all the models I've completed do date. This includes better photos of the Stormboyz mob with the new PK Nob, my Big Meks new Grot Orderly and additions to my Kommanods mob. I might have enough soon to actually field that unit and feel good about it. See the new, pretty shots in the Army Gallery.

The bigger news though is the acquisition of the new Codex: Orks and the new vehicle models that go with it - bikers and a trukk. I'll have a more in-depth review of the models in the Workbench area.

Initial thoughts on Codex: Orks: Overall, I think it's a good thing. I think I'm most impressed about the negatives, by that I mean the random things that can happen are more hinderances than cripplers. Best plus so far - BS3 Kans/Big Guns and Assault 2 Shootas. The worst things (subjective) Burnas can't take a trukk and the 10 per 1 weapon upgrades for the mobs. I'll go through in more depth later. Oh yeah, I have to go back to paper and pen until the new unit files come out for Army Builder (Waaah!)

I'll have my first chance to test out the new list on the 26th, should be interesting. Don't forget to check my CMON blog here for updates on the new models and how Red Jack's Waaagh! is progressing.

Update 01-09-08
Yeah, I suck at updating this, eh? The last December RTT at Paddy's taught me a few things (like patience and how much one squad can make a difference) as I placed fourth. Not so bad, considering I was one point away from a 3 way tie for 2nd place, which I would have won since my last game was perfect.

Many things have happened, 40K wise, since my last posting. I've picked up Apocalypse and looking to incorporate this into our regular matches. Cool rules, stupid large format and overpriced for what you get. Could have been 50 pages and released with an Idea Compendium with it.

I'm awaiting the arrival of the new codex (rather impatiently) and bikes/trukks and a Big Mek with Shokk Attack Gun. Let me say that again, Shokk Attack Gun. Yeah, it's that cool.

Modeling wise, I filled out the rest of my 1850 tournament army. With the anitcipated arrival of the new codex I know I'll extra points to fill so I've started work on a big Gunz squad of Kannons. The grot crewman are finished, now I'm painting up the gunz. See the Workbench for details.

Update 11-26-07
November was a good month for getting minis done before the tournament. I finished the Stormboy Nob and he looks pretty good. I also did the Kommando Big Shootas to completion - Ready to join the fray! I started work on the Killer Kan squadron as well getting one fully painted, the 'Eavy Metal Kan. Look in the Workbench area for a pic. I'll add pics of the Stormboy Nob and Kommando's soon.

Gaming wise, my mind is reeling - switching between getting ready for the RTT on Dec. 15th and the upcoming Codex: Orks release and what that will mean for my army and how that will change my tactics - not from what I am losing but what I'm gaining. We're getting a lot of love this next year!

Update 10-20-07
We got together this last weekend and played all day Saturday. Good times were had by all. Battles Gallery has been updated as a consequence. Oh yeah, I've grown bored/uninspired with the Kans so I'm moving on to the Stormboy Nob for now.

Update 9-20-07
Ok, I've finished re-formatting the Battle Gallery. It's now a fully functional Battle Gallery.

Bench Update: I've cleaned and assembled the Killer Kans. I went magnetics with the shooting weapon (I had 3 extra TL Rokkits laying around) so I can change the loadout. Man, working with magnets is tricky, but well worth it. Now I can swap between troop sweeper or can opener in a matter of seconds! I'm really liking that idea if they change the BS on the Kans (Grots inside) to a 3.

Update 9-11-07
I've finished my Stormboyz and moved on to the Killa Kans Squadron (x3). I've also added a Forum section to the site aimed at my gaming group (<--- link at left). Not for general consumption - be forwarned.

With the imminent release of the new 'dex and new models, as comfirmed by a leaked release/price list, the rumors are starting to fly. Someone seems to have also gotten an early copy of the codex and released a huge amount of info. If the leaked codex is for real, there's going to be a lot of fun going on in 2008. Although my army won't be hurt by the changes (I won't loose anything - as some specialized lists will), I will have to paint up a *%#& load more boys. I would'nt be suprised to see 140+ models in an 1850/2000 point tournament army. More thoughts on this later.

Update August 07
Site redesign. I've looked at this site with a critical eye for sometime and I'm always trying to improve it - both design and usability. I try to think like someone who's coming here looking for something. What would I look for and how would I find it? As that's my real job as well (designing websites, amongst other things) it only makes sense to apply the same thought process here.

I've simplified things at Big Shoota.com so you can find what your looking for, quicker. I'm assuming people who come here fall into one of three catagories.

1.) You want to see pictures of Orks as miniatures.

2.) You want to see pictures of Orks as a Warhammer 4K army.

3.) You want to see pictures of me.

If you fall into the 3rd catagory, there's something wrong with you. Not that I would take it away from you...

So here's to the next generation, Big Shoota.com v4.0.

Update 7-13-07 Geek Takes 2nd Place in Local Rogue Trader Tournament
This last weekend, our Freindly Local gaming Store, Paddy's Game Shoppe, hosted it's first ever RTT tournament. I beleive it was central Minnesota's first RTT. Thanks to Gino for hosting, Chuck Lange for organizing and the Rules and Painting judges for their hard work and for providing a great atmosphere to play in.

Oh yeah, I took second place with Red Jack's Waaagh! The tournament was a 1000 point list and many armies were in attendance. Out often participants, I was surprised that three of them were running Ork armies. My first match was agains another ork army, one based on the "500 grots will do it" style. I won pretty handily on that game easily wiping out most of the other units that weren't grots - winning due to the Annihilation Rules. I didn't loose many units.

The second match was an all out brawl against the Black Templars - Dang! They're Tough! I made a tactical mistake placing my PK Nob in round 3 that pretty much cost me the game. Oh well, lesson learned.

The third game was an intense dispute between me and my best friends Imperial Guard force. We traded blows, knocking each out each others squads on after another. It came down to, of all things, a lucky shot from a rokkit boy. He was a leftover from a shoota boy squad, along with a big shoota, that snuck around the backside of his Demolisher. The only time it hit the entire day and it turned out to be the deciding factor in the game allowing me to be on the objective alone.