Updated Blog and Moving Forward on Broken Contract

My original blog was called Redemptors of Golinar, referencing my unique Imperial Guard army I had created. Going full circle in a way, these very same infantry models have been drafted into service as proxies to play test Broken Contract.

I've been a really busy guy the last several days. After the last play testing session for Broken Contract I sifted through the entire document again to do more editing and tweaks to various rules and refined how grenades work, which wasn't really fleshed out in the rules. I uploaded all of the updated files today for my Alpha Play Testers and then immediately sat down and updated the list of available skills from 5 to about a dozen or so. Its a large enough list that all 16 Characters have a Skill. I also roughed out rules for people to create their own Characters, which will eventually become "downloadable content" for the game and the basic Stat line for Dogs, and what their Actions and Interruptions will be. I figure when I get to developing Broken Contract - Enforcers or Broken Contract - Steaders this will be a cool thing to add in. My brain is always thinking ahead and I maintain a file of ideas for the future.

I also watched a bunch of videos about iron mining and read a couple glossaries of mining terms so I can improve my terminology and refine my vision of the mines the would-be Breakers work in; and will need to escape to make their Break. I actually really enjoy doing this sort of research, its fascinating to find out how things are done that we take for granted.

On Friday Scott Kroll, the gentleman who originally started 2ndCityWarzone, gave me admin capabilities. I know it might be surprising to find  out considering there hasn't been any activity from my fellow authors, but there are actually 8 authors and admins for 2ndCityWarzone. Scott doesn't do much wargaming these days, and has put his time into drawing comics and the other guys all moved on to their own blogs, gaming companies, and clubs that they've immersed themselves in and left 2ndCityWarzone behind. With my admin status I decided to add a couple of things I've wanted to for a while: a small blog roll, expanded ways to follow the blog, and added a direct link to my old blog Redemptors of Golinar. I left that blog behind when I focused on  2ndCityWarzone, but it still has some cool pictures to look at and a Step By Step of how to paint an Angels of Absolution Space Marine among other things.

Also, I reserved BrokenContract.blogspot.com because a time is going to come when Broken Contract is going to need its own home as it evolves into more than just an idea and people who are interested in it might not be so engaged in watching me expand my Ork army or whatever. More on that as time goes on. I need a cool logo and a "vision" for that blog before I start filling it with content. Plus, as of  right now anyone who's following Broken Contract is looking here, but the time is nearing that it'll need its own space.

I think next we will look at the Stat line so people can get a better idea of how the game works. More on that in a few days.

-Nick

Spring Cleaning and Moving Forward Part 1

At least once a year I drag everything out of the display cases so that I can dust the inside of the cases, dust the models where needed and take an assessment of where I am and what things I'd like to do with my armies. In my last post I mentioned that my only goal for this year is to get my Angels of Absolution to 2000 points and that if I just painted 4 more "Deathwing" Terminators I would meet that goal. 

Yesterday the models were dragged out and assessed and the dusting began. It was dreary outside yesterday due to rain and clouds so I elected to wait until today to take some quick shots. The one thing I did do yesterday was select some models for sale and create a checklist, or should I say wishlist, of things I'd like to do this year. Think of these like secondary goals or multiple roads to facilitate completing the goal of getting the Angels of Absolution to 2000 points.

1. Complete 3 models for Tactical Squad #1 of the 5th Company. This squad was a complete squad for most of the last 15 years but last year I decided a lot of the models required demotion to the 6th Company and replacement with updated models. I have to complete 3 models to accomplish this. Unfortunately it wouldn't benefit my approximate points total.

2. Complete 5 models for Tactical Squad #2 of the 5th Company. Since this squad is a legal combat squad as it stands there is no hurry to do this and I consider it a low priority.

3. Complete 1 model for Tactical Squad #5 of the 5th Company. Like the 1st company, I believe this model was removed for reassignment and needs to be replaced still.

4. Complete 3 models for Assault Squad #8 of the 5th Company. I have 1 almost completely done and its some of my best work I think. I have 2 other models started but considering the squad performs so horribly I've been planning to replace them with 2 marines with plasma pistols. Regardless, completing this unit would definitely get me closer to the goal of 2000 points. Unfortunately they sort of suck.

5. Complete 4 models for Devastator Squad #9 of the 5th Company. I'd love to bulk this unit out to 10 just because. I had 2 Heavy Bolter guys assembled and in various stages of painting but pulled them apart a couple of years ago and that's how they've stayed. This would also bolster the points for my army but getting through the Heavy Bolter models will be a bear. Their guns and packs will take me as long as the rest of the model in all likelihood. 

6. Complete 1 Razorback as a transport for Devastator Squad #9. As you can see the turret and hatches are already completed. I have a Rhino hull packed away somewhere in some state of completion and an assortment of additional pieces. This is actually a fairly easy source of points.   

Fully painted Razorback parts.

7. Complete 4 "Deathwing" Terminators. I see this as my best route to 2000 points and the highest priority of my army. Far from invincible, I play a "Dark Angels" army that has none of the special characterful units. Last year I completed one lone Terminator and I have 2 others converted and started. Even if I don't complete all 4 I'd still be stoked if I just completed the 2 I have on deck.

This guy has no friends. The models on the shelf behind him are all from the 6th Reserve Company or the 10th Scout Company. As a Terminator of the 1st Company he stands alone.

8. Complete 4 Scouts of the 10th Company. I'm pretty sure I finished my first modern scout in 2010. I have various brave young scouts in various stages of completion in the case waiting for my attention. After reading The Purging of Kadillus it gave me a greater sense of how the 2nd and 10th companies coordinate their roles and this made me want to complete this unit even more. Plus, having a lower point unit to eat up points is really handy to have. You can see an old school Rogue Trader era scout to the left of the Terminator in the picture. I think they're cool but I can't bring myself to use them in my actual Scout unit.

9. Complete 3 "Ravenwing" bikes of the 2nd Company. This is a complete pipe dream. I would love to get them done. I have several bikes started from multiple attempts to get this unit on the table top. As much as I'd love to have them on the table this year, 2013 or 2014 seem way more realistic.

10. Complete 1 Dreadnought. I've had a converted, mostly completed dread in my figure case for the last decade. I finished a new dreadnought before I completed this one. I also have a Black Reach Dread started. I honestly don't care which one I complete. I see either as reasonable easy army points.

11. Complete 1 Librarian. This is really a low priority because they are terrible in the game but considering the relationship between Chaplains and Librarians in the Dark Angels' fluff I feel that I really need to finish this model - possibly as a Crystal Brush entry for next year if I decide to get really crazy.

12. Complete 1 Caestus Assault Ram. There are rumors of Space Marines getting another flyer this year but who knows if they will and if Dark Angels will have access to it. I own and have begun painting a Caestus Assault Ram bought at Adepticon 2011 and I really want to complete this as a centerpiece for this army. My other major hobby goal for this year was to complete something "big". This is one of the likely candidates.

This shelf is entirely composed of models from the 5th Company of the Angels of Absolution. They need their centerpiece!

Now with the top two shelves of the case out of the way, what about the 3rd? The third shelf held my completed Redemptors of Golinar Imperial Guard army and some miscellaneous crap. I pulled some of the crap off of the shelf for sale purposes.

The mighty vehicles of the Redemptors of Golinar with a Priest and a Culexus Assassin. Randomly there is also my Votex Grenade Template and Rogue Daemon painting award that I should consider selling. I'm sure a Chaos player could use it more than me even if it strokes my ego a little.

Here are some of the models that I'm planning to sell. First are a few Orlock Gangers from Necromunda. I need to look to see if I have any others to complete a gang. If not they'll go up as is.

These are some of my oldest models. I re-based them a couple of years ago but these were painted the year Necromunda came out. I have one more not pictured that's been waiting on my table for static grass for a year or so now.

The one Chaos Legion I love are the Iron Warriors. Their story is one of my favorites and I love that they didn't  turn to daemon worship so much as they were just so slighted that it broke their will and they went rogue. Like all my models I didn't use any decals. 

 Alas, I have 10 more of these models in various stages of completion so it makes the most sense to crank them out and get them up on Ebay as a group. We'll see how long that takes me.

My painting table.

I just pulled some marines out yesterday to try and fill some of the holes mentioned about. The Orlock Ganger just needs some static grass. The cuddly rampaging dog is another model from Wreck-Age by Hyacinth Games, and there are some Tomb Kings in the background which will feature heavily in Part 2 of this article. 

-Nick

UPDATED: A New Year and New Scenery

Before I talk about my own projects I want to take a moment to pat my compatriot Scott on the back. After looking at his year in review entry I went through every entry of 2009 that I did between my old blog, Redemptors of Golinar, and here at 2nd City Warzone. What I discovered was really disappointing. In the first weeks of 2009 I had completed enough scenery to complete an entire table. You can see that here. Then, over the course of 2009 I pulled all my models out of the figure cases, did minor upgrades to a few, and then put them back in the case. I'm pretty sure I only finished 4 Angels of Absolution and added shields and 5 Skeletons to a unit of Skeletons with Hand Weapons.

So not exactly the most prolific hobby year. In fact, I bought the Imperial Guard Codex, played 1 game with it. I bought Planetstrike and haven't played a single game with it. And I bought a Stompa that remains untouched. I really want to turn things around in 2010 and walk away with something to show for it like Scott did last year. Especially with having a new born midway through the year and having all sorts of other things on his plate, he powered through and really accomplished a lot.

That being said, what are reasonable goals for me to have for 2010? These are the things I'd like to accomplish:

• I'd like to get the Angels of Absolution to 2000 playable points. I have over 1500 right now and adding just another 4 or 5 models will make certain squads playable pushing me to this goal.
• I'd like to get my Tomb Kings of Khemri to 2000 playable points. Once again, painting a handful of models and updating a few units will get this army to this goal.
• Complete the Ork Trukk I've been working on for the last 2 years. This is my only Ork goal. I just need to paint the crew and do some weathering. It's so close to completion it really shouldn't sit like this anymore.
• Complete my Humboldt Park/Chicago themed city board. Last year I started the project of making buildings loosely based on buildings in my neighborhood and putting them on giant sidewalk edged movement trays to create an authentic yet playable city. A week of work and I can turn the work I've put in into a 4' x 6' or possibly larger board. I really think the end result will be very dramatic and I'm looking forward to it.
• Update: Run a narrative campaign that links a mere 5 games with the Nerd Night crew.

All that being said, exactly like how I started last year, when the holidays come around I feel compelled that I should be playing with toys, so that's what I did. Here are 4 new pieces of scenery I made to go along with the scenery I started 2009 off with.

A quick note on these pieces of scenery. The "concrete tube" piece was a piece of busted PVC pipe I found on the ground while walking the dogs. Similarly, the railroad track section was one of several railroad track bits I found busted in the alley while walking my dogs. The desert "giant thicket" trees are based around broom bristles from a beat up broom I found in the trash somewhere, and the pile of metal pipes - the tubes are from the center of a roll of dog poop bags. Recycling at its finest. Here's to a productive and fun 2010!