Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Keeping an open mind
Last night was another booming gaming night for us at Sector
420, with a handful of games being played all evening and a good time being had
by all.
As is the case during many a battle, the beer begins flowing
and the conversation comes along with it. Soon we were talking about the
prospective changes of the soon to be release 6th edition rulebook.
As we continued griping over what could be, or perhaps should be… it dawned on
me why I love 5th edition so much... because I accepted it
whole-heartedly.
You see our group began playing 40k again about a year or so
ago, or at least that’s when we switched from Blood Bowl to 40k officially. Now
many of us have been playing wargames for years, and those who were veteran 40k
players are back from the 2nd edition and early 3rd
edition rules. So, we had about ten years and two rules iterations to skip. We
were able to clearly look at the 5th edition rules (which admittedly
have flaws) with completely open minds and open eyes. We loved it even before
we knew much about it.
My point here is this. As avid gamers, like most of us are,
we tend to form our own opinions and rational as to why a rule needs to exist
and exactly how it should function. Whether right or wrong we all believe we
have it figured out, but when our group first approached 5th edition
we went into it with a mindset of “let’s play 40k” – not “let’s see how bad
these rules suck, and misrepresent everything about this game I love” – which is
how I feel the internet audience is viewing the upcoming release.
With all the impending changes or at least “confirmed”
rumors… we have a lot to deal with in the next few weeks. Unlearning old rules
and relearning our favorite game. As we do this, let’s all take a minute and
think about how much we care about our hobby. The thousands of dollars we sink
into it, the hundreds of hours spent pouring over the codexs and rulebooks to
ensure our combos and builds are the tightest and finest they can be, and of
course there are the extreme players who are the people who derive some type of
income or financial gain from our hobby (kudos to you!). We all love this game
to some effect… so let’s choose to continue loving it.
Could 6th edition bring doom to 40k? Could it end
the game as we know it and ruin GW for the future… sure. Is that likely… NO
WAY! Now psychic cards and random charge ranges and all that stuff cannot
prevent me from the joy I feel when my little space elves are zooming around
the table or when my scarab swarms rip apart a vehicle. This game is awesome.
It will continue to be awesome, it just may be different from what we know
right now. Different isn’t always bad. We need to look at these rules with new
eyes and open minds. Enbracing changes and differences between 6th and
previous editions. Do not compare directly to 5th or any other
edition. Similaritys are just that, similar… this is a new game. Let’s learn it
like one.
In any event, I hope this new edition of 40K continues to
feed this budding blossom of fans and community we have built over the last few
years. Let’s hope it bring a new balance to the game and shakes up the game
enough to feel new, but yet still feel like that old friend we have known since
we were flying Space Hulks or becoming Rogue Traders.
Game On!
- The Overlord
- The Overlord
Monday, May 7, 2012
The Winds of Chaos
The Winds of Chaos have once again struck the world of wargaming, or at least here in the world of Sector 420. Since my last post we have expanded our player base to a whopping 10 players, all whom are active or soon to be active players of Warhammer 40,000. This is terrific!!
The coming few weeks should prove to be exciting ones as a good amount of our group finishes up their classes for this semester and we begin the summer of gaming!
There are a few other big releases that we know are churning in the midst:
Summer of Fliers? is this for real? Marines? Orks? Necrons?
6th Edition release ? July? a real 8th edition fantasy /2nd edition 40k mix says the rumor-mill!
Chaos Legions?? Before 6? after 6th? who knows? but it's coming!
Dark Angels?? White Dwarf Binding? Next Codex!? WHO KNOWS!
The point is with this reinvigorated spirit of gaming buzzing around Sector 420 and the robust gaming community, this could pan out to be one of the greatest gaming summers in history! lol Seriously though, this should pan out to be great fun.
Let's not forget we have some exciting news on the Warhammer Fantasy front, as we now have several players, and we're hoping to continue to expand that player base as well. Some exciting buzz happening around our gaming tables these past few weeks and these upcoming months! Including additional playing tables and an ever expanding terrain collection!
Until next time...
-The Overlord
The coming few weeks should prove to be exciting ones as a good amount of our group finishes up their classes for this semester and we begin the summer of gaming!
There are a few other big releases that we know are churning in the midst:
Summer of Fliers? is this for real? Marines? Orks? Necrons?
6th Edition release ? July? a real 8th edition fantasy /2nd edition 40k mix says the rumor-mill!
Chaos Legions?? Before 6? after 6th? who knows? but it's coming!
Dark Angels?? White Dwarf Binding? Next Codex!? WHO KNOWS!
The point is with this reinvigorated spirit of gaming buzzing around Sector 420 and the robust gaming community, this could pan out to be one of the greatest gaming summers in history! lol Seriously though, this should pan out to be great fun.
Let's not forget we have some exciting news on the Warhammer Fantasy front, as we now have several players, and we're hoping to continue to expand that player base as well. Some exciting buzz happening around our gaming tables these past few weeks and these upcoming months! Including additional playing tables and an ever expanding terrain collection!
Until next time...
-The Overlord
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
40k: Beer & Pretzels or WAAC - is this the same game?
After tearing through the forums for the last 6 months I have come to this conclusion. There seems to be two crowds forming in the Warhammer 40,000 playing community.
The first crowd, let's call them the Beer & Pretzel players, or "BP". Now BPs are the type who tend to play the game for pure entertainment. They couldn't care less about winning or losing, but instead want to get together with some friends, throw together an army list, and roll some dice. This is usually how all of us begin our career as players of this fine game.
There is a second crowd, who need to Win At All Costs, so we'll call them "WAAC". These are the kind of people who would never throw a list together, but instead carefully design lists and most often only take the most optimized choices from each codex. These players must win, they are not concerned with having a good time or making friends. Their good time hinges on victory and victory alone.
I, personally, am somewhere in between, walking the line. I love to play Warhammer 40,000. Period. I love everything about the hobby, the fluff, the collecting, the painting (though I don't do enough of it), the bitching, and most importantly playing of the game itself. Now, I also have an analytical mind, I enjoy pouring over the codexs, discovering new tidbits and combinations. I also deeply enjoy competition of any sort. I hate losing, but I am a good sport (or I try to be) and give credit where credit is due, when I lose. I always try to find the reason I lost and devise a good way to counter it for the next battle.
Having said this I have discovered that this disparity can be evident even in the smallest of gaming groups. Sector 420 is host to several players, all of which fall into one of these two categories. This isn't a problem, the problem as I see it, is when two people from the opposite spectrum of enjoyment come together to play a game.
You see, when you agree to play against someone, you agree to have a competition, a match between yourselves and the forces which you've created, to see who can take the day. 40K, much like any other dice based game, has a tremendous amount of chance involved, so it is really an "any given sunday" kind of mentality. You can only prepare so much. You can only pour over lists so much. You can only submit your lists to the online community (read: WAAC - for the most part) for review for so long, and then you actually have to play the game... and this is where things fall apart.
Now, without going crazy with detail, I think we all know how this plays out, one guy is way more serious and then suddenly there is a rules debate and our friendly gaming night turns into defusing arguments and preventing debates from escalating into a verbal conflict.
My point is this... We are all wargamers, 40k Players to be more specific, but wargamers is a much better tag for us. We know how these games go, we know that the dice gods are truly in control of any fight, but somewhere we lose this. Maybe it is the hundreds of dollars we spend collecting and assembling and painting, before we even field these dudes, who knows, but we need to band together again. We need to ensure that when you are lining up your next bout that you and your opponent understand what is expected. Making sure that each player is having fun.
In the end who wants to spend hours and hours of their time and piles and piles of their money to play a game, or involve themselves in a hobby which brings nothing but anger and frustration? No one. So do like we try to do here at Sector 420 and keep the lines of communication open. If I am testing a hardcore tournament list and I plan on taking out some of the aggression from my week on my friends army, well as long as he knows he'll be removing a lot of dudes due to your firepower, then it's all good! lol
Game On!!!
-The Overlord
The first crowd, let's call them the Beer & Pretzel players, or "BP". Now BPs are the type who tend to play the game for pure entertainment. They couldn't care less about winning or losing, but instead want to get together with some friends, throw together an army list, and roll some dice. This is usually how all of us begin our career as players of this fine game.
There is a second crowd, who need to Win At All Costs, so we'll call them "WAAC". These are the kind of people who would never throw a list together, but instead carefully design lists and most often only take the most optimized choices from each codex. These players must win, they are not concerned with having a good time or making friends. Their good time hinges on victory and victory alone.
I, personally, am somewhere in between, walking the line. I love to play Warhammer 40,000. Period. I love everything about the hobby, the fluff, the collecting, the painting (though I don't do enough of it), the bitching, and most importantly playing of the game itself. Now, I also have an analytical mind, I enjoy pouring over the codexs, discovering new tidbits and combinations. I also deeply enjoy competition of any sort. I hate losing, but I am a good sport (or I try to be) and give credit where credit is due, when I lose. I always try to find the reason I lost and devise a good way to counter it for the next battle.
Having said this I have discovered that this disparity can be evident even in the smallest of gaming groups. Sector 420 is host to several players, all of which fall into one of these two categories. This isn't a problem, the problem as I see it, is when two people from the opposite spectrum of enjoyment come together to play a game.
You see, when you agree to play against someone, you agree to have a competition, a match between yourselves and the forces which you've created, to see who can take the day. 40K, much like any other dice based game, has a tremendous amount of chance involved, so it is really an "any given sunday" kind of mentality. You can only prepare so much. You can only pour over lists so much. You can only submit your lists to the online community (read: WAAC - for the most part) for review for so long, and then you actually have to play the game... and this is where things fall apart.
Now, without going crazy with detail, I think we all know how this plays out, one guy is way more serious and then suddenly there is a rules debate and our friendly gaming night turns into defusing arguments and preventing debates from escalating into a verbal conflict.
My point is this... We are all wargamers, 40k Players to be more specific, but wargamers is a much better tag for us. We know how these games go, we know that the dice gods are truly in control of any fight, but somewhere we lose this. Maybe it is the hundreds of dollars we spend collecting and assembling and painting, before we even field these dudes, who knows, but we need to band together again. We need to ensure that when you are lining up your next bout that you and your opponent understand what is expected. Making sure that each player is having fun.
In the end who wants to spend hours and hours of their time and piles and piles of their money to play a game, or involve themselves in a hobby which brings nothing but anger and frustration? No one. So do like we try to do here at Sector 420 and keep the lines of communication open. If I am testing a hardcore tournament list and I plan on taking out some of the aggression from my week on my friends army, well as long as he knows he'll be removing a lot of dudes due to your firepower, then it's all good! lol
Game On!!!
-The Overlord
Monday, November 7, 2011
Greetings from The Overlord
Within the last year or so I have had a personal resurgence and re-initiation back into miniature wargaming. It all started last fall when a small group of us decided to play Bloodbowl. Our Tuesday Night Bloodbowl League grew to about 8 or 9 different players during the height of the 2010-2011 Season. While no overall champion was declared, the season had a far greater impact than any of us could have imagine.
Through hard work and diligent fostering, I have been able to convert half of our community to a far superior game called Warhammer 40,000. Now, I have been a huge fan of Warhammer 40,000 since first being introduced to it, sometime in 1994. The game had recently been updated to 2nd edition and was really hitting it's stride. I remember being so excited to get the Dark Millennium boxed set which added further equipment and depth to the game. Now here I am many years later in the 5th iteration of the rule set.
Sector 420 is based out of Western Massachusetts, which, fortunately for us, has a relatively active gaming community including 3 or 4 gaming stores within driving distance of our headquarters. We are all still getting our sea legs in the 5th edition ruleset, so we tend to do most of our gaming at Sector 420 Headquarters. Soon, however, I believe we will be better equipped to take on some more unfamiliar foes.
Most of Sector 420 gaming is made up of veteran 40k players from days past who have once again decided to don their power armour and entire back into the fray. There is also a breathe of fresh air as some veteran gamers are learning 40k for the first time. Allow me a moment to introduce the Sector 420 gaming group.
The Overlord - Eldar, Necrons, Dark Eldar, CSM
Warboss Mo Dakka - Orks
Dryadgangrape - Imperial Guard
Hive Mind Wang - Tyranids
Brother Captain Marshall - Ultramarines
The Blood Priest - Blood Angels
We are an open gaming group, ready to play all oncomers, as well as, ready to educate and assist those who are just learning the game. So, if you'd like to come down and join us, simply let us know. We are always willing to learn and pass on valuable information to others involved in the hobby. This includes tactics, painting tips, battle reports, reviews, etc...
The Sector 420 blog will serve as our soapbox for all things miniature gaming. As our gaming group continues to grow and flourish it is important for us to establish an online presence and a place to share our collective thoughts and ideas. So, here we are.
There is something I need you to do for me....
subscribe to this blog.... "like" our facebook page... and of course play 40k!
Please comment below or feel free to email me with ideas for future articles or just merely comments on what has been said. The best part of being in such a large and connected community is the fact that we can spread and disseminate information quickly and accurately, so let ensure we are putting the best information out there.
Until Next Time.... Game on!
-The Overlord
Sector 420 is based out of Western Massachusetts, which, fortunately for us, has a relatively active gaming community including 3 or 4 gaming stores within driving distance of our headquarters. We are all still getting our sea legs in the 5th edition ruleset, so we tend to do most of our gaming at Sector 420 Headquarters. Soon, however, I believe we will be better equipped to take on some more unfamiliar foes.
Most of Sector 420 gaming is made up of veteran 40k players from days past who have once again decided to don their power armour and entire back into the fray. There is also a breathe of fresh air as some veteran gamers are learning 40k for the first time. Allow me a moment to introduce the Sector 420 gaming group.
The Overlord - Eldar, Necrons, Dark Eldar, CSM
Warboss Mo Dakka - Orks
Dryadgangrape - Imperial Guard
Hive Mind Wang - Tyranids
Brother Captain Marshall - Ultramarines
The Blood Priest - Blood Angels
We are an open gaming group, ready to play all oncomers, as well as, ready to educate and assist those who are just learning the game. So, if you'd like to come down and join us, simply let us know. We are always willing to learn and pass on valuable information to others involved in the hobby. This includes tactics, painting tips, battle reports, reviews, etc...
The Sector 420 blog will serve as our soapbox for all things miniature gaming. As our gaming group continues to grow and flourish it is important for us to establish an online presence and a place to share our collective thoughts and ideas. So, here we are.
There is something I need you to do for me....
subscribe to this blog.... "like" our facebook page... and of course play 40k!
Please comment below or feel free to email me with ideas for future articles or just merely comments on what has been said. The best part of being in such a large and connected community is the fact that we can spread and disseminate information quickly and accurately, so let ensure we are putting the best information out there.
Until Next Time.... Game on!
-The Overlord
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