Chapter Approved Tactical Deployment Mission Pack

 

Hello everyone,

So its another review, we've managed to get our hands on the Chapter Approved Tactical Deployment supplement and its an interesting addition to 40k.

It is very much a gaming book for matched play even down to how the book is designed physically and  laid out. 

The binder format certainly helps with laying the book out flat during your games and keeping your page position.  

I think GW are looking to capitalise on the new edition with the book but I personally can't see the new terrain rules being a popular gaming aid as its not really for narrative gamers nor is it something I can see tournament organisers or gamers using. However, I'm sure the extra secondary objectives and missions will be a welcome edition.

Lets see what's in the book...

My initial thoughts are that from a more competitive point of view tournaments are looking to create an even playing field both with terrain set up and type. They're also going to want to keep game times down to a minimum and this will only complicate things further and extend deployment times or rules queries. 

However, on the flip side I can see this as a way of giving some tournament organisers more guidance and it also solves the problem of them having to source a tonne of terrain because players would now bring their own. 

Another potential issue is players using the terrain to create very favourable defensive positions for their units, which is kind of the idea but it could lead to very defensive gun line style games that aren't the most exciting. 

This could therefore also create an imbalance for offensive armies as they need to attack and it would then favour an army who can defend and then push out of their deployment in later turns. Orks could be an army to suffer in that sense.

Above you can see the general set up for these games with, terrain limits and points limits. You will also get a roster sheet to record what you're taking for your opponent.

Here you can see the more detailed instructions of how terrain can be set up.

Below is also an example of the terrain datasheets that will be included in future terrain boxes.

The writing is very small but it says, half of a unit rounding down can throw grenades instead of  just one model and the unit can also then re roll ones to hit when shooting! 

Certainly a big advantage with this terrain if you're defending along with the +1 to hit you get on overwatch with defensible terrain.

One thing to bear in mind too, is that the actual rules for the terrain are not in this book other than the Storage Fane. This is not a great move from GW as its unfair on the people who have already bought a lot of terrain already, this may change of course so we should give them some time to see what they come up with. As it may have something to do with the new 40k app.

There are also some new secondary objectives which could well see some play, however, we will see secondaries specific to factions in their codex which I think will be more popular.

Finally there are also new missions which you would expect to see some use. Obviously we can't show them all but Protect The Nerve Centre wasn't one that was shown on the community site.

Also the deployment...

In conclusion, this is a great little gaming aid in general with easy access to terrain rules and condensed version of the ninth edition rules set. With the way its designed it will stay open and it will be easy to flick through for the different rule sets. 

It could also be a great gaming aid to add for variety to casual matched play gamers who can mix up their games accordingly and won't have to worry about time limits. For narrative or matched play gamers it could also provide a structure to create some house rules for games without using the entire terrain rule set. 

The Secondary objectives and the new missions will certainly be what gets some play from the this book, but I doubt we'll be seeing the new terrain ruleset being played in the mainstream 40k games we see played on YouTube for example.  

It is however, a shame it does not have all of the terrain rules for the different terrain sets in here though, as I think that is unfair on people who have already bought the new terrain sets before this rule set was released. 

Thanks again for reading,

Aveinus Kaane  

  

Aveinus Kaane Painting Update 9: LOTR Dwarf Warriors

Hello everyone, 

I’m back with painting update 9! There’s no second Ork Trukk just yet as I’ve decided to change something last minute. 

Instead there’s the start of my Lord of the Rings Dwarves army!

I’ll be playing them as either Moria with Balin and Gimli or as Khazadum depending what rules I fancy using. 

The big pull of Moria is being able to use Gimli! 

I went with the blue scheme as I know it from my AoS Dispossessed and it’s just quicker for me to do. 

Although I have taken a number of steps out on the blue so it only goes as bright as Teclis Blue. 

Unfortunately I’ve managed to lose one of the bowmen so the unit will have to do with just eleven of them. 

I am planning on adding Dwarf Rangers and then some of the HQ models as well as Gimli and Balin of course!  

Thanks for reading and I should have another update up tomorrow!

Aveinus Kaane 

Bad Moon Orks: Trukk

Hello everyone,

Just a quick post today while I’m on my break at work, just to get my already completed Bad Moon Ork Trukk up on the blog!

I’ll also give you sneak peak at what else I’ve started to work on making this my 8th painting update! 

I’ve been meaning to do this for a while but I’m just about to finish my second Trukk so i’ll have that up in a painting update tomorrow hopefully! 

The idea is to have the Tankbustas riding in this one and a squad of 10 Ork boyz in the second Trukk to give them some protection! 

I’ll probably never use the wrecking ball but it gives it some variety at least! 

I really like the idea of using them to charge enemy units first and therefore soaking up their overwatch before the boyz charge in after! 

As for the painting competition I think I am unlikely to  win but I have still been making good progress with my Bad Moons and I have a couple of models almost ready to show on the blog. 

However, here’s a work in progress shot of my Weirdboy! 

There’s plenty more to do yet but I’m really happy with how he’s coming out so far. 

I’ve tried to challenge myself with some blending on the horns and staff so I’m quite pleased with how it’s turned out! 

Thanks again for reading and I should have another post up tomorrow! 

Also if you’re looking to buy anything online head to Battleground Gamings website and use the code AOWSAVE for a further 2% off! 

Aveinus Kaane 

Iron Hands review: Part 2

Hello everyone,

I’m back the rules part of the Iron Hands review!

Definitely a very interesting time to be an Iron Hands player as I’m sure the chapter has gained plenty of new players after the supplements release! 

So, let’s start with the overall chapter tactics...

Chapter Tactics 

Something we’re familiar with from the previous codex however, there are some changes! 

The 6+ invulnerable save now applies to the whole force, including vehicles so it effectively the grants the whole army extra wounds. Pretty good. 

The second ability now gives them the chance to hit when overwatching on 5s or 6s! Again pretty huge and it gives them the same ability that the tau can use to such a devastating effect. Particularly against my poor orks.

The third allows Iron Hands vehicles to double their remaining wound count when it comes to choosing which damage profile to use! 

This means those dreadnoughts and tanks stay at their most potent until they are pretty much destroyed. 

Doctrine - Calculated Fury 

This again really benefits those vehicles and models with heavy weapons. While the doctrine is in play you do not take penalties for moving with a heavy weapon and you also get to re roll 1s to hit! 

Great for being able to move out of cover and fire without taking any kind of penalties. 

There’s also the added advantage of not needing a  unit to be kept close to a captain to receive those re rolling 1s anymore, meaning lieutenants will be more useful for re rolling 1s to wound! 

Iron Father Feirros 

Now this chap has a beautiful model and I’m sure every Iron Hands player will be including him in their lists.

He’s a powerful more reliable tech marine that also buffs a unit to BS 2+ and also provides a 5+ invulnerable save to units within 6 inches. What a great guy.

I’d like him to be advancing with a couple of dreadnoughts, repairing a flat 3 wounds and providing even more fire support with his master crafted heavy bolter. 

Most importantly for all that goodness he’s only 110 points! 

Iron Hands Units

So we’ll take a look at what I think will be the best units in the range for the Iron Hands... pretty much just dreadnoughts for days. 

Leviathan Dreadnought 

An incredibly tough unit to begin with, a toughness of 8, a 2+ save and a 4+ invulnerable save is great but adding those Iron Hamds abilities on and you’ve got an almost indestructible beast. 

Redemptor Dreadnought 

Another pick that probably isn’t the best dreadnought but it’s something I think I’ll be including as I want to try to stick to the newer models I like so I don’t get stung by GW like with the removal of the Dispossessed Quarrellers and Warriors. It’s still too soon. 

The Redemptor however, again benefits massively from the devastator doctrine and having the iron father close by will make those 13 wounds difficult to chew through! 

Stormtalon Gunship

Another unit I’d like to include in my army, with a point drop and the iron hands devastator doctrine in play, it can now stay at super sonic mode and still hit at its regular ballistic skill for firing heavy weapons. 

Repulsor Executioner 

This is probably my favourite of the newer tank designs that for me have been a bit hit and miss. 

It’s a the turret really, it just reminds me of the British crusader tank in World War 2, not a great tank in practice but it looked cool. The repulsor weaponry is probably just a tad more powerful than the two pounder on the crusader! 

With the iron father knocking around this tank becomes another beast. The 5+ invulnerable save he provides and the chapter tactics mentioned above make it pretty powerful. Survivable and powerful, it’s got to be in my army.

Warlord Traits 

One of the coolest things here combined with a stratagem is the ability to make a dreadnought into a character! So some of these warlord traits could be pretty cool on a dreadnought. Also great from a narrative point of view as well. 

Will of Iron 

With this one you have the ability to deny 1 physic power per turn.

Really good when the iron hands don’t have a huge defence against mortal wounds from psychic powers.  

All Flesh is Weak 

Here’s your dreadnought characters warlord trait... a 5+ invulnerable save and no need to be near Feirros. 

Student of History

When a warlord uses this trait it may consolidate 6 inches in any direction. 

Another interesting trait to use on a dreadnought as it means you have good chance of keeping them out of combat and not losing a turn of shooting. 

Relics of Medusa 

So a bit of crazy good relic here with the Iron Stone

Reducing all damage to a minimum of one is pretty crazy, putting this on dreadnought or a repulsor will make them incredibly durable especially if Feirros is healing too. 

The tempered helm isn’t bad at all but it’s got to be Iron Stone for anyone playing this faction. 

Stratagems

Here’s my favourite...

Very thematic and yes vengeance for Isstvan is always needed. 

Machine Empathy

Another very good one, this allows an ironhands techmarine to heal again and repair a model that has already been repaired that turn. Repairing six wounds with Feirros is pretty great. 

Technomancy

A great addition to this book in my opinion. I will definitely be including a librarian in my army.

Probably the best two psychic powers in the discipline for me.

Getting a plus one to hit on a vehicle is great with a low a casting value of 5 is pretty reliable. The only downside is that you have to be within 12 inches. So those advancing dreadnoughts might not be in range. 

Also adding +1 to your save is pretty great and another way to keep those dreadnoughts fighting until the game end because let’s face it they’re just not going to die! 

Conclusion 

I am very excited about this book both narratively and competitively. I really didn’t expect to get this much love from GW so it is very welcome.

Vehicles in this army will now be the cornerstone or I mean Ironstone of any list. They’ll just keep firing all game and I’m sure it’ll be devastating...

If you’re an existing Iron Hands player the book is pretty amazing. No real advancements lore wise but you don’t normally see that in a codex and for £20 it’s a great book if you want to play the army, with a tonne of rules and options to use for a long time. 

Let’s just hope we see some primaris combat units soon, hopefully intercessors and terminators as I feel they’re really missing from the newer range.

Thanks for reading,

Aveinus Kaane

Iron Hands Codex Review: Part 1

Hello everyone, 

We’ve been lucky enough to receive the Iron Hands Codex for review! 

Now I will warn you I will probably be completely positive in this review as I have always been an Iron Hands player and that’s not because they’re now the new filth! 

All of my Heresy Era Iron Hands are still on the Battle Bunnies blog but I’ll show you some of those units and my plans for my Iron Hands in Part 3.

For now part 1 will be focusing on what’s in the book lore wise. 

As you can expect there’s not much change in the overall lore for the Iron Hands and a lot of this using what was in the old Clan Raukaan Codex from a few years ago. 

For someone who is interested in the Iron Hands there is plenty of information like the Sthenelus System where the Iron Hands homeworld of Medusa lies. 

Something I am really interested in is the organisation of the chapter as a whole and it’s differences from Codex Astartes structure. 

Although I’d really like to do the First company, the Avernii are all veterans and I don’t really think the model range represents that company well as I’d want to see new primaris terminators and close combat squads of intercessors before starting the company. 

However, it doesn’t look like they will be out for a while at least and I’ve decided to not buy much of the older style marines as it looks like they’ll be on their way out of production eventually. 

 

I would really like to follow the organisation for the companies, however I’ll have a decision to make as Sorrgol was my Heresy era Iron Hands Clan. So I’ll have to decide whether to stick to Sorrgol or go for another company. 

Sorrgol isn’t one of the four main battle companies from 2 through 5 but it does say they persecute their own campaigns. 

It would be cool to follow the structure but I doubt I’ll ever do sixty intercessors! 

There’s also a description for each company which is also brilliant. As you can see the Avernii below. 

There is also a history section for players new to Iron Hands but I’d still say the best lore is still in the Horus Heresy black books by forge world. Alan Bligh did a great job expanding the legions background. 

The Iron Hands in present day 40k seem to be undertaking a new Iron Crusade so it seems. As the Iron Hands are reluctant to give up territory so easy to the new chaos threats. 

The Iron council coming to the aid of the Mordians is pretty cool. I am certainly hoping they’ll update the imperial guard range adding some modelling options in for making Mordian iron guard! They were always on me of my favourites in the imperial guard books over the years. 

You can see the overview here with the Stygian Crusade and the overall time line for the Iron Hands in Imperium Nihilus. 

It never is easy to talk about the background in these reviews as there never really is much new information regarding the narrative in a codex. 

The chapter organisation and the individual descriptions of the companies is a very cool part of the book though and I’ll be trying to stick to that when I start my 40k Iron Hands. 

I should have Part 2 up tomorrow hopefully and that should be better content wise as I look at the new rules and combinations for the Iron Hands as it now seems they are pretty brutal on the battlefield! 

Thanks again for reading, 

Aveinus Kaane 

Bad Moon Orks: Kills Kans

Hello everyone, 

Another quick throwback post to get all of my finished Bad Moons models onto the blog! 

Next up it’s the Killa Kans...

I do love these models and they’re potentially my favourite in the ork model range alongside the Battlewagon.

They’re a pain to paint though as I spray them corax white first and then apply yriel yellow before filling in the other base colours which takes an age to get it neat before the washes!

Its a shame they’re pretty awful in the game and quite expensive! 

I armed them both with rocket launchers but they’re just too expensive to be worth taking. 

I am however planning on completing six when I get around to doing them. I’ll probably just field them all with big shootas to minimise the points cost of the unit. 

They’ll look great though.

I am also planning on doing an Ork Big Mek themed list so these will be a big part of that. A Gorkanaut and Megadreads will also be a big chunk of the list. 

As the competition heads into its final month I am now on 670 points. 

I’ve definitely got my work cut out for me so stay tuned to find out what I manage to finish! 

Thanks for reading and have a good weekend! 

Aveinus Kaane 

Bad Moon Orks: Battlewagon

Hello everyone, 

I’m back to show you parts of my Bad Moon Ork army that are already completed. 

Next up it’s the Battlewagon! 

I completed this a while ago now but it’s not been posted on the blog yet.

It’s definitely one of my favourite Ork models in the range. 

It did take me a long time paint but it’s probably one of the best models I’ve painted. 

It’s used to transport my Warboss Gorzod or Great Zod to his underlings and his body guard of Meganobz.

I’ve already completed 4 Meganobz but I’ve just finished a 5th today that I will be showing off next week. 

I also tend to field it with a Big Mek armed with a kustom force field inside because it’s a bullet magnet!

 

I’ve just started work on the Dakkajet today so hopefully I’ll get that painted as quickly as possible. 

Don’t forget to check out Battleground gaming if you’re looking to buy any new models at a discounted rate! 

Thanks again for reading, 

Aveinus Kaane  

Aveinus Kaane Painting Competition Update 1

Hello everyone, 

I’m here to show you a quick update on what I’ve been working on for the start of our painting competition! 

I’ve got plenty of completed units and progress I have made prior to the competition start date to show you too but they won’t be labelled as updates. 

So I started the competition off with building and painting some Tankbustas for my Bad Moon Ork army! 

The orks do take me quite a while to paint but they are still a lot faster than my Duardin. 

I’m currently on a bit of a drive with orks at the moment so expect more completed models for them. 

I’ll also post up my existing units for this army as they aren’t on this blog yet. 

Basing will be done when the units complete. But I’m really happy with the finish on them especially as I’ve tried to be faster than usual. 

I can’t claim the points for these two because they were done just before the start date. 

Group shot! I do need to improve my photo taking set up, so hopefully I can make some progress on that too!

So with those three done, I’ve also been painting up ten ork boyz so I’ll put an update up for them at some point this week! 

I think this puts me on 90 points plus 20 for this post but I’ll verify this in my next post! 

The painting continues! 

Thanks for reading,

Aveinus Kaane 

Dispossessed Quarrellers

Hello everyone, 

I’m back to show you my Quarreller unit for my Disspossessed army! 

There’s likely to be 30 of them eventually but I’ll only be aiming for 20 in the near future 

They’ve been at a point of being almost finished for a while now but over the last few days I’ve been completing bases and a few details for a small game I have planned this week. 

I’d like to complete some free hand writing on the banner for the quarrellers list of grudges but I have yet to summon the courage to give it a go!

I think some testing and practice will be needed before I go for it. 

I’ve really enjoyed painting these guys as I think I’ve perfected my recipe for the blue but it is a long process of blending layers together. 

For the blue I start with Caledor Blue into Teclis Blue Hoeth Blue and a final edge highlight of Lothern Blue. I do mix the paints at each stage to help the graduation from dark to lighter parts of the cloth or armour. 

Gaming wise I think you have to take these guys in block of 20 or more so they can shoot twice. Hitting on 4’s isn’t great even with rerolling ones if you have your grudge in play. Plus if you just lose one of your twenty quarrellers you’ll lose the option to fire twice, therefore a unit of 30 is ideal. However at 360 points they’re a bit too pricey. 

I also did a couple of very small conversions on these two models by just replacing their left hands with other options from the box. Not a big change obviously but I think it just makes the models look a bit more interesting than the standard poses for the champion and standard bearer. 

Next time I’ll be showing you the cannon I’ve completed and based as well as the nearly completed Longbeards that are almost finished. 

Thanks for reading, 

Aveinus Kaane