2020 Year in Review

As I always say each year, the two blog posts I enjoy writing the most are "What's in store for" (next year), and the second one is my "Year in Review". 

2020 started with a "What's in store for 2020!" so we will use that post as basis for our year in review.

Arena Rex 2020 

Painting Goal: 1 model, I purchased 1 model at GenCon 2019 and would like to get it completed.

Gaming Goal: Lowering my expectations quite a bit this year, even though 0 games were played last year on a goal of 20, we are going to shoot for 5 games. 

Arena Rex was a sort of a hit and a miss for 2020. My Painting Goal was to finish a model I purchased from GenCon 2019, that did not happen, but I did complete 1 other model for Arena Rex. The Gaming was a miss, I lowered my expectations for this game, but it was lower than I had planned. I was shooting for 5 games to be played, but it ended up just being 2 games played.

Batman Miniature Game 2020 

Painting Goal: This is a tough one for me, I have a huge backlog of BMG models waiting to be assembled/painted. It is on a hold pattern at the moment till we can see how the game is, interest may pick up if we like the game. 

Gaming Goal: I am going to try 3rd Edition, so it really depends how much we like the game. If we like it, it will probably be played quite a few times (since I built a lot of buildings in 2019).

Batman Miniature Game was a "no go" for 2020. We never did purchase 3rd Edition to try the game out, with the use of all the "cards" for the game really changed the game play and I was no longer interested in playing. With that feeling, no models were painted for the game either. I really do not think this will see the list for 2021.

DCU Miniature Game 2020 

Painting Goal: A lot of the DCU models are the same models as BMG, so we have a pretty good collection. I do have some models that are DCU specific so those may be completed this year.

Gaming Goal: First we need a test game, so I can say 1 for sure, if I like the speed/ease of play it may hit table more frequently and in place of Arena Rex. My plan is to get a game in early this month so we can evaluate how we like it. 

DCUMG was so so for the year. I did paint 4 models for the game and we actually played 2 games. This one will be staying on for 2021 but in a limited capacity.

Guild Ball 2020 

Painting Goal: I still have quite a few recently released Captains that need to get completed, so I do not see myself painting any complete Guilds for 2020, but at least a handful of models.

Gaming Goal: As mentioned above, I really like the game....I am going to have a new high priority game for 2020 (see below) so it is tough which game will be my second. I have a feeling it will be Guild Ball so I will set a reasonable expectation of 20 games played. Currently I do not have any events lined up for Guild Ball, but there may be a weekend here or there where I may be able to attend one.

Guild Ball was probably the biggest MISS of the year. With my renewed interest in Warhammer 40,000 all my painting time went to that and away from Guild Ball. Then came the announcement from Steamforged Games that they were ending Guild Ball and that just put the nail in the coffin. So there was no models painted and no games played of Guild Ball in 2020 and I already found a replacement with Blood Bowl.

Middle-earth SBG 2020

Painting Goal: Once again no expectations, if anything gets done, it would be an accomplishment.

Gaming Goal: Keeping my expectations low again like last year, I think at least 1 game in the next few months before AdeptiCon so my son can refresh on the rules, and then we'll see what happens. 

2020 was not so hot for MeSBG, but the fire is still burning. I did recently paint 2 models, 'Durin' and the 'Witch King' for MeSBG and 3 games were played. Looking forward to 2021 to see what happens.

Warhammer 40,000 2020 

Painting Goal: My #1 goal is to finish what I need for my 1000 points and 1500 point lists for AdeptiCon which is for my Imperial Fists army, long term goal is to get them completed to 2000 points. My plan with the Imperial Fists is for them to be my "main" Space Marine army with which to add new models too, so the army will be growing. The collector in me likes to see other armies too, so my plan is to add another Warhammer 40K army in 2020 and for now that will be Tyranids. The reason for Tyranids is, I like the look of the models and it it something different to paint than just Power Armor. I believe with the Tyranids I am going to look into the new GW Contrast Paints for them. Going to start small with them (1000 points) and we'll see.

Gaming Goal: As stated above, Warhammer 40K will be my highest priority in 2020 but I will be realistic. I'll be getting in around 8 games just at AdeptiCon, so let's set a goal of 30 games for 2020 (I still have to squeeze in all the other games in too). 

Warhammer 40,000 was huge for me in 2020. I was able to get everything painted that I needed to for AdeptiCon and then as we all know, COVID-19 hit. I was slowly painting more models for the game throughout the year and I am happy with my progress. I did start on some Tyanid models, but the Contrast Paints were not working with for me and had to go back to regular paints. I did not get too many Tyranids completed unfortunately as I was concentrating on my Imperial Fists. In regards to gaming, I did hit my goal even without attending any conventions, 38 games of Warhammer 40,000 were played in 2020.

X-Wing 2020 

Painting Goal: Not Applicable (pre-painted miniatures)

Gaming Goal: Last year I set a goal of 20 games, and I just managed to squeeze that in. I think with trying to add in DCU and possibly MeSBG, 20 may be a bit tough. I do like that the game only takes 75 minutes to play, I think realistically 6 games would be a good goal (1 every other month). 

I was right on par with my prediction for X-Wing, 6 games was a good expectations and 10 games were actually played in 2020. More than likely my expectations for 2021 will be kept the same.

Events 2020

Well 2020 will not be a good year for events for me. I am attending AdeptiCon at the end of March, but that is basically it for the year. My vacation days are very limited in 2020, 3.5 weeks will be spent in Europe over the Summer, and then another week in the Fall with my wife on a cruise. Any events I attend after AdeptiCon will mainly be just single day events on Saturday/Sundays and those will even be tough this year. There is a very loooooong shot that we may be able to attend NOVA Open again since its falls on a Holiday weekend, I will need to look at the schedule of events and see if it is worth it. 

So I predicted 2020 was not going to be a good year for events, but it was because of a planned vacation to Europe and not because of COVID-19 shutting down the World. Every event that we had planned was cancelled for the year and as of now it is not looking to good for the early part of 2021.

New Games Played 

Blitz Bowl 

Blitz Bowl is a faster board game style game of Blood Bowl. We picked this up late in the year just to have something to play in an hours time. I am liking it a lot since it uses the same models as Blood Bowl. We managed to get in 7 games with this late pickup. 

Blood Bowl 

Just like Blitz Bowl above, Blood Bowl was a late game pickup for us this year. At the end of November, Games Workshop released the newest edition of the game with an all new starter box, and since we just started Blitz Bowl, I thought it would be fun to grab Blood Bowl. We only played through 1 full game to learn the rules and 1 game of 7's (less models/smaller Pitch). 

Painting Points 

Painting Points were not as good as the previous 3 years, but I still managed 200+ Points. Even though COVID-19 had hit and a lot of people were stuck at home painting, I was really busy, so at the end of the day I did not feel like sitting down to paint. Another reason was all the events being cancelled. Usually I sit down to paint models I want to play in an upcoming event as a motiviation, well obviously that motivation was not to be had. So it was not a great year, but it was not bad either.

All in all 2020 was not too bad considering dealing with COVID-19. Honestly most people would think that I would have gotten in more games played, but THANK GOD my real job was keeping me busy all year long. Tomorrow we shall see what will make the list/expectations for 2021.

Weekly Chronicle 2020 #52

We are now in the final week of 2020.... thankfully it is almost over!

As I have previously mentioned, my gaming has come to a stand still for a few more weeks, but I was able to get another model completed this past week before 2021 arrives.

I honestly know I will not squeeze out another model before 2021, but the time I have this week I have been touching up some older Morannon Orcs for MeSBG.  My oldest son shipped them back with my middle son and I took a look at them and was that pleased.  Hopefully they will look a little better when completed.

Stay tuned on Thursday when we cover "2020 Year in Review".

Models Completed: 1

Games Played: 0

MeSBG: 'Witch-King of Angmar on Fell Beast'

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I really did not think I would get another model completed before the end of 2020, but with yesterday being Christmas Eve and I took the day off from work, I sat down in the morning and started painting the 'Witch King on Fell Beast' for the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game.

This model has been sitting in it' box since we first picked it up a little over 2 years ago when it was released at the NOVA Open and I thought it was finally time to get him done.  Instead of always playing Good vs Good, I do not occasionally mind throwing down with Evil, so this would be a fun addition.

Too make it a little easier for storage, I did magnetize the flight stand to the miniature and the base itself.

Witch-King of Angmar on Fell Beast

Witch-King of Angmar on Fell Beast

Witch-King of Angmar on Fell Beast

Painting Points: 5

Weekly Chronicle 2020 #51

Not really much to report this week, with my oldest son now spending a few weeks in AZ, the gaming is at a halt.

No painting was neither done last week, but I am taking the available time I have to build some of my models.  I ended up building my Elven Union team for Blood Bowl, and some models for MeSBG (mainly Survivors of Laketown and some Elves from Thranduil's Hall).

Models Completed: 0

Games Played: 0

W40K: Imperial Fists 'Primaris Techmarine I'

Good news for me, I was able to get another model completed before the end of 2020, not sure if another model will be squeezed in, so this may be the last (I will probably spend most of the rest of the year getting models assembled for 2021, if some of my orders arrive).

I picked up this 'Primaris Techmarine' a few weeks back and quickly assembled it for my weekend gaming trip to Wisconsin back in November.  Now it was time for the model to hit the painting table.  With the points of the 'Leviathan Dreadnought', I think it will be making my lists quite often, so this 'Primaris Techmarine' is a perfect addition to help keep him alive and an added benefit of +1 to hit.

Primaris Techmarine I

Primaris Techmarine I

Primaris Techmarine I

Painting Points: 2

Weekly Chronicle 2020 #50 (X-Wing, Blood Bowl, MeSBG)

I am going to have to say that this past week was not that bad.  I did not get a lot painted, but I did at least sit down and paint and complete a model, 'Durin' for MeSBG.

Then for gaming, we played three games over the weekend.  We started Saturday off with a game of X-Wing, recently there was another points update for X-Wing along with which ships are Hyperspace legal, and most of my Scum ships were removed, so we elected to play an Extended game.  It was nice to finally bring out some of the older Scum ships as I sure missed them.  Scum took the win over the Rebels wiping them out and only 1/2 damage to a Kihraxz Fighter.

When we finished with X-Wing, we laid out our new Blood Bowl Pitch for our first game of Blood Bowl 7's.  We are planning on starting a small League (in-house) after the New Year playing 7's, so this was more of an exhibition game to see how it plays.  With the smaller Pitch and less models, the game does the play faster and the greater chances of scoring.  My Skaven defeated the Humans 4-1 in this game, although I dd forever lose one of my Skaven rats forever to Death.

On Sunday it was time to break out the models for a game of MeSBG.  It has been a long time since I last played this year (9 months) so I was a bit rusty again with the rules.  Since I recently finished 'Durin', I broke out my Dwarfs of Khazad-Dum vs some Men of Gondor for a 700 point game (and we were both Hero heavy in this game).

We played Scenario 4 from the Tournament Pack which was basically kill as many models as you can and hope to survive.  You keep tally of the number of Wounds and awarded Victory Points at the end of the game.  Once a force becomes Broken, you roll a D6 and on a 1-2 the game ends, or it may continue for another Turn.

The dice were not in favor for the Men of Gondor and much better for the Dwarfs (the 6's just kept on coming).  The Dwarfs had Broken Gondor and were up 22 Wounds to 12 and then the game ended on another roll of 1 from Gondor.  I did not tally more than double the Wounds, so I scored 3 Victory Points for that, 1 Victory Point for causing a Wound on 'Aragorn' and an additional 3 Victory Points for not being Broken myself.  Khazad-Dum were able to keep the stronghold and their gold secure.

Just like with Blood Bowl, after the New Year, the plan is to try and play MeSBG at least once a month.  I have some new models on order with Games Workshop (taking a long time to ship) so I hope to change up the armies a bit through out the year.

Well this past weekend was probably the end of gaming for me in 2020.  My son is off to AZ tomorrow till after the New Year and more than likely I will not be going to our LGS for any gaming, but I do plan on assembling some models while he is gone and hopefully get some painting completed.

Models Completed: 1

Games Played: 3

MeSBG: 'Durin'

Yes you are reading this correctly, it has been just over 2 years (26 months) since I last painted anything for Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game and it has been just as long as this model was sitting on the shelf.

I picked up 'Durin, King of Khazad-Dum' 2 years ago to add to the existing Khazad-Dum Dwarves I already add (just a little bit more strength for the army).

Now that the itch to play MeSBG has somewhat come back and looks to make the list for 2021, I thought it was time to finally paint this model up.  I thought I would just get started on him yesterday, but ended up painting start to finish.

Durin, King of Khazad-Dum

Durin, King of Khazad-Dum

Painting Points: 1

Weekly Chronicle 2020 #49

It was another so so week for me.  No painting was completed this past week and it looks like it may be a little bit before anything gets done (my office is being used in the evenings for my sons online Drivers Ed) but I may attempt to start on a model this coming Sunday.

For gaming, we did get in a game of Warhammer 40,000 on Saturday playing with 1000 points and w were supposed to play a game of Blood Bowl 7's on Sunday....but someone did not wake up till the afternoon.  I'd like to squeeze that in this weekend too if possible, but we are currently looking at three different games to played this weekend, X-Wing, MeSBG and Blood Bowl.  After this weekend, my son will be down in AZ for the Holidays and not returning until after the New Year.

I mentioned a few days ago that I received terrain for MeSBG (actually it's AOS, but we will use it for MeSBG) and that I was hoping to start building it this past weekend, well the mornings of both Saturday and Sunday, I was able to complete all of them.

I am not sure when they will get painted, maybe some time in 2021 if I am feeling up to it.

Models Completed: 0

Games Played: 1

AdeptiCon 2021 Officially Cancelled!

We hope that everyone is well in these unprecedented and uncertain times. It has been a challenging year for all of us. It is with a heavy heart that we must announce officially what many of you have already come to realize, that it will be impossible to hold AdeptiCon in March of 2021. The continued ongoing effects of the pandemic and the restrictions imposed by the State of Illinois mean we are unable to effectively plan and organize the logistical efforts involved with running the convention. As you may be aware, by late November AdeptiCon has already typically opened hotel blocks and launched registration and staff and attendees alike have started making plans to see old friends and begin new hobby projects. 

 Like Americans across the country, we are optimistic that brighter days are coming, but the fluidity of the situation does not allow for the firm commitments required to see AdeptiCon realized in the way we’ve all come to expect. We do not make this decision lightly and there is no group more disappointed than the AdeptiCon staff, but current restrictions along with our continued first priority, the health and well-being of our attendees and staff, makes cancellation the only option. We believe it is the responsible one. 

 To that end, we have notified and consulted with our venue and myriad partners to negotiate the necessary arrangements to cancel AdeptiCon 2021, while simultaneously securing the future of the convention for years to come. 

 We understand that this was not the announcement anyone wanted to hear and certainly not one we are happy about making. However, this decision allows us to focus fully on the future of AdeptiCon. Instead of being confined and limited by the uncertainty of current circumstances, we can focus on planning the best possible AdeptiCon 2022. It also allows us to continue the development of the Ancient Order of AdeptiCon perks and the launch of an AdeptiCon webstore that would make AdeptiCon merchandise available year round. 

 Once again, we appreciate your understanding, patience, and the unprecedented loyalty of our attendees. If you had chosen, previously, to roll your registration forward, rest assured that it will move to 2022/2023 without any issues. This has been a challenging time for the nation and while AdeptiCon thanks everyone involved in making the convention the best event in the world, from attendees to volunteers to exhibitors, we would especially like to acknowledge those of you serving your communities in the medical and first-responder fields. Your tireless work allows us to see the light at the end of the tunnel and gives us confidence that not only will AdeptiCon be back, stronger than ever, but that our country will too.

MeSBG: New Ruined Terrain Has Arrived

I mentioned yesterday that I had ordered some new terrain for Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game, and all 3 orders have finally now come in from Amazon.

It is not MeSBG specific, but actually Warhammer Age of Sigmar terrain, but it is part of their Azyrite series of terrain.  All these pieces are ruins and I thought they would look great to represent the ruined cities of Dale and/or Osgiliath.

Azyrite Ruins

Azyrite Shattered Plaza

Azyrite Townscape

Azyrite Ruined Chapel

I am not exactly sure when I will take the time to assemble them all (in no rush at the moment), but who knows, maybe this Sunday while watching some football.