Signalling the fleet

I took the Kingdom fleet out for a Jolly Boy's outing against Ben's Prussian Empire this week with mixed success. On the one hand I lost, but on the other I am starting to get a handle on the game now!

Typically I forgot to take my list with me so had to cobble one together when I arrived, so I’ll give you a rundown of the force, but I’m more likely to be accurate with Ben's list!

From memory I had a Dreadnought with two shields, a battleship with one shield and 3 escorts, three cruisers with experienced engineers, 3 destroyers, 4 frigates and 2 scout rotors.

Whilst I took a pounding, at least this time I’d managed to chip through Ben's force a bit more and I think experience will help me coordinate my attacks to a better combination. One of the elements of the game that we are still struggling with is the tiny fliers, and whilst there is still a way to go with them, I think that we are finally getting a bit nearer to understanding how they should be used.

I think that the destroyers, when used correctly shall be a fantastic addition to my fleet but I think I need more than the initial 3! Their pack hunters rule together with their high torpedo attacks will mean that groups of 4 will be more beneficial as I could either use a 4 strong squadron in groups of two against two smaller targets or a single 4 strong combined attack to make the most of breaking through the concussion charges of the larger ships.

I'm still struggling with the larger flyers. I used the Scout rotors last night and whilst they were nippy, there was only one occasion where there spotter rules came in to effect, so unless I learn to get the most out of the mines that they lay, it may be prudent to go back to the heavy bombers and perhaps use both together to try and get a quicker impression of their abilities.

The dreadnought did ok. It didn’t set my world alight (nor Ben’s ships too much!) but I think like the rest of the force I’m still needing to find how best to use him.

I’m struggling the most with the cruisers – they haven’t seemed to do much other than make up points and numbers. Other ships just seem to do their job better. If anyone reading this can give me some pointers especially on these, but really with any aspect, please let me know!

I didn’t use the subs during the battle though I think that I may switch these back in next time as I’ve been having a few thought on how best to use them and so am eager to find out if I am right.

I’ve attached a few photos which Ben kindly sent and shall try and describe what is happening in each.



KoB first turn just moments after the start (hence why the scout rotors are so far on the board!)



Prussian deployment



The end of turn 1 and I think at this point i'd taken out a Prussian cruiser and in return a scout rotor had suffered some damage.


 


Turn 2 and there was only one destroyer remaining for the KoB




Turn 3 and the damage starts to mount up for both sides, though the Prussians are seeming to lead the day!

 
 

You sunk my Battleship!

 
 
 
 

The end of the battle at the end of turn 4. It seemed like days later, but was infact 4 hours after the start!

Undeniably the Prussians had the edge but it hadn't gone all their own way as i'd managed to cause a fair amount of damage (or rather I'd caused more than I thoguht that I would do!) Next time Kaiser Ben! Next time!

Training for the Hull vs York event.

I had a test game with Nick last night with the 35 point list that I intend to take to the Hull vs York event this Saturday and I have to admit, Kenny sure has written me a strong list! The best thing about the game however was that Nick taught me a great deal and was a very patient teacher!

Apocalypse How?

I took part in the Apoc game on Saturday down at the club. Turnout was a little disappointing, but we made the most of those that did turn up.

I took the Deathwing and was forced into joining the bad guys! I think that Successionist streak is taking hold! Nothing unusual in the list: three Deathwing squads two of which went in the Land raiders, a ravenwing combat squad with the attack bike, and the old faithful, The Ancient's Assault Force! Damn i love these guys!

i opted to keep everything off board to begin bringing them on in turn two, which took for ever, but was worth the wait. We had to finish at the end of turn 3 but i once again managed to destroy a baneblade! i took another down to 1 structure point! the only other thing of note i acheived was to take out the weapon arms of a Warhound!

I failed to get my stupid camera (!) to take any pictures, so curteousy of Chris (Angryhatter) i present to you some of my lists awesomeness!

Two Trolls with some paint on.

well, as promised, I have pictures of some Trolls that I painted!

These were painted as a result of losing to Luke in a challenge, but to be honest, I'm glad - I actually enjoyed painting them!

 
 
 
 

Now, I don't consider them finished, but for now I'm not going to add any more detail to the Bouncer, mainly because I don't want to spoil them. Essentially I'm at the current limit of my ability, so the plan is to practice more and progress my skill before going back and making improvements.

I think that the next one will have to be one of the Dire Trolls!

oh, and on a final note, Shane, you best watch out. I seem to have a flair for painting cooked ham:

Er, shouldn't you be painting?

...well, yes...but...



If I have the choice between painting and assembling a model i'll choose the latter every day! especially since I've been waiting to put together my Dire Troll Bomber for a month!

A quick update to prove that I am painting

Morning guys, just thought I'd post up proof that I'm not just putting off the painting.


Early stages still, just the basecoats on him. glad I waited for the correct colours to be honest.

I think this is my first post where i'm actually posting something I painted.

This is what you get for declaring your pair!

No, its nothing rude! Shame on you!

As a result of losing to Luke at the club, I now have two weeks to paint these two warbeasts. It was originally just one warbeast in two weeks, but we did a deal to give me time to get the correct P3 paints (which he kindly got for me, thank you Luke), so I volunteered to make it two warbeasts as a compromise.

So, for the next two weeks, I need to paint an Impaler and a Bouncer. Wish me luck, this is new territory people!

Don't worry, I'll give you fair warning of paint on models so you can avoid the obvious shock!