What's in store for 2024!

Happy New Year 2024!

Well, here it is, the day I write out all my goals for the year only to find out on December 31st that I did not meet my expectations..

2024 I believe is going to be simplistic, very simplistic.

Bolt Action

I am going to keep Bolt Action on the list for another year.  I know last year I had thought I'd get in a few more games than what I actually did, but you never know.

Painting Goal: None

Gaming Goal:  None

Marvel Crisis Protocol

MCP was my main game in 2023, and it looks to also be in 2024.  I honestly do not currently see a game system that will be taking over in 2024.  I am excited for some of the new releases coming out early this year and it will allow me to play a new Affiliation.

That is one thing that I like about MCP.  If you get tired of playing one Affiliation, just change it up to another (and you can still "splash" in your favorite characters).

Painting Goal: 2024 will be much like 2023 in regards to painting, when I am in the mood or when a “new, cool” model gets released it will take priority.  I still have to get to some of the models in the newest Core Set that was released a few months back.  Right now models are getting done to fill in spots/roles in our current rosters.

Gaming Goal: With 80+ games played in 2023 (which once again was a record for me with a single game system), 2024 “should” be a good year too. Just like last year, I am going to set my goal of just shy of 1 game a week with a total of 50 games played for 2024.  I need to keep it reasonable just in case "life" gets in the way.

Star Wars Legion

Star Wars Legion (SWL) is one I am unsure about just like Bolt Action above.  Usually when I have time to get a game in, we play Marvel Crisis Protocol.  I think I will leave this one up as a "just in case".

Painting Goal: None

Gaming Goal: None

New Games for 2024?

I can HONESTLY say that I am not looking into any new games for 2024.  Star Wars Shatterpoint was a possibility last year (and we did not jump on that) and I really do not see anything else this year.  Atomic Mass Games is doing a nice job on releases for Marvel Crisis Protocol, and it is keeping me excited.

Events

2023 was actually a pretty good year in events for me and as much as I would like to keep that up, I think realistic 2024 may be a few less, and a few changes.  AdeptiCon is our yearly staple event and especially with living in the Midwest, so as long as we can get registered for the events we want, that one is a must attend. 

 
New for this year will be Cherokee Open 2024, the Tournament Organizer for Marvel Crisis Protocol in 2023 is not able to run it in 2024 and Frontline Gaming had asked for a volunteer.  I decided to step up and offer my services.  I do like attending Frontline Gaming events and had never been to the Cherokee Open yet, so I thought this would be a fun event.  This is where a lot my time at the end of 2023 went into painting terrain for this event.

Unfortunately with adding a new event, some previous events will fall of the list.  One of these is Frontline Gaming's Atlantic City Open.  I really enjoy attending Atlantic City Open, and we made it out there the last two years, but my vacation days are limited this year and I cannot justify that long of a drive.  Another event with distance in Nove Open.  I really thougt we had a chance in attending in 2024, but my company changed some of their days for their floating Holidays and removed a day from Labor Day weekend and added it to Christmas.  So with a shortage of vacation days, NOVA Open in 2024 will be tough to attend, but we still may do it.

A new event we attended in 2023 was Warfaire Weekend in St. Louis.  St. Louis is not a far drive (about 5 hours), but I was not too impressed with the event.  It may have to do that the location was under construction and some of the restaurants that were opened in years past have been closed/torn down.  It "may" be one to add again in the future, but I do not think it will be one to use up vacation for this year.
In the fall we also have a couple more local events, Michigan GT and Second Wind.  2023 saw us attending both of these events for Marvel Crisis Protocol, and I think these are two we will be shooting for once again in 2024.  Both events are less than a 2 hours drive, the issue with Second Wind will be if we can get in.  This event sells out quickly.

One of the big events of the year, Las Vegas Open is going to have to be a pass again in 2024.  2025 is doable (as I still have airfare credit), but it will depend on how much money is spent on our Fall 2024 events.

I am also still thinking about adding another Canadian event weekend, it is just a matter of finding the right one and what dates will work.

Here is my tentative list of events for 2024.

January 18th - 21st: Las Vegas Open (Not Attending)
February 23rd - 25th: Cherokee Open (Tournament Organizer)
March 20th - 24th: AdeptiCon
June 14th -16th: Atlantic City Open (Not Attending)
August 29th - September 1st: NOVA Open (?)
October xx - xx: Michigan
October xx - xx: Second Wind 6
October 31st - November 3rd: Warfaire Weekend (Doubtful)

As you can see above I still included events that I know we are not attending for sure, just so that I still have a record of the dates.  Michigan GT and Second Wind 6, the dates are unknown as of this writiing.

Now we’ll see if the above holds true for 2024. 

Read More

What's in store for 2023!

Happy New Year 2023!

Well, today is the day I write out all my goals for the year only to find out on December 31st that I fell short once again.

So I think for 2023 like I did for 2022, I am going to keep it short and realistic.

This list will be again much shorter than last years, and if by chance I do play something not on the list, well then that will be a bonus. It is a little sad that some of the old staples will not be on this year.

Bolt Action

Bolt Action has not been on this list for some time, but not long ago when the AdeptiCon preview cart was made available, there was an event called "Combat Patrol" that sounded like it could fun, 450 points with quick games to be played on Thursday night.  This itch made my son and I did out all our Bolt Action models and see what we have and start working on lists.

There is a semi-local 1000 point event on January 21st that we are going to attend to help us shale the cobwebs off.

Painting Goal: None currently, we have enough models painted for the 1000 point event and plenty for the 450 points for AdeptiCon.

Gaming Goal:  We will probably be playing 3 games at the event, and I can see at least another 2 for the year.  For now I am going to keep it real low at 5 games and we shall see what happens.

Marvel Crisis Protocol

Well since around February of 2022, Marvel Crisis Protocol (MCP) has basically taken over all of my hobby/gaming time. I love this game for a plethora of reasons, some are, it’s Marvel!, it plays quick (90 minutes and we can play 2 games in the time it takes 1 in other systems).

MCP will be my staple game for 2023, a new Crisis card set was just released three weeks ago so we have new missions for the year, and there are plenty of models scheduled to be released.

Painting Goal: I am not making any promises on this one. For 2022 I painted around 100 models for the game and we now have painted what really need. I still have 30+ models in the back log for the game and I am currently painting them when I am in the mood. I am sure when a “new, cool” model gets released it will take priority.

Gaming Goal: With 60+ games played in 2022 (which was a record for me with a single game system), 2023 “should” be a good year too. I am going to set my goal of just shy of 1 game a week with a total of 50 games played for 2023.

Middle-earth SBG

MeSBG making the list once again this year because there is still a small chance I may be playing in the Battle Companies event at AdeptiCon or Doubles event at NOVA Open.

Painting Goal: This one is hard to say, nothing is currently planned, but there is a chance that a model here or there may need to be completed.

Gaming Goal: Also as above, a few games of practice will be needed, in either case, I think maybe I can get in 1-2 games in for the year.

Warhammer 40,000

I was way off with Warhammer 40,000 for 2022, but I am going to leave it on the list for 2023 “just in case”. You never know what may happen with this game or MCP.

Painting Goal: Currently no plans.

Gaming Goal: Currently no plans.

Star Wars Legion

Star Wars Legion (SWL) was a new game we added in 2022. The goal for us was to play this game with the Skirmish rule set and we did get a few games in. We picked up this game as filler between MCP games and I think this will still be the case for 2023. I have painted 800 points of Empire, so playing Skirmish games at 500 points is easily doable. There is a chance this game may get shelved for us (see below).

Painting Goal: No plans, but a few models may get painted in between painting MCP.

Gaming Goal: Tough to say with what we may see coming out this summer (see below).

New Games for 2023?

As I had mentioned twice above “see below”, Atomic Mass Games (makers of MCP, and current owner of SWL) are releasing a new Star Wars game this Summer called “Star War Shatterpoint”. AMG currently has only teased the game with planned demos at AdeptiCon 2023, but as of now looks to be played very similar to MCP. If that is the case, this game will be competing for time with Star Wars Legion.

Events

I originally had planned quite a few events for 2023, but a change of jobs recently is going to damper those plans. I am still working on what events we want to attend, I have thoughts in mind compared to what reality might be. Realistically it will probably be a Spring event and a Fall event.

March 22nd - 26th: AdeptiCon

August 30th - September 3rd: NOVA Open ?

October 6th - 8th: Michigan GT ?

October xx- xx: Second Wind ?

November 3rd - 5th: Warfaire Weekend?

As you can see above, the Fall event is still undecided. I really wanted to go back to the Atlantic City Open in June, but I do not think that will be possible.

Now we’ll see if the above holds true for 2023. 

Read More

SWL: Imperial Stormtroopers RT-97C x2

I decided to get some more of my Heavy Weapons completed for my Galactic Empire army for Star Wars Legion. These two models were needed in my original LVO 2023 Narrative List, but now that I added a second Unit of 'Death Troopers' these guys will be on the bench for now.

By completing them though, it does give me more options in the future.

Here are some Imperial Stormtroopers with a RT-97C.

Imperial Stormtroopers RT-97C 

Painting Points: 2

Read More

Weekly Chronicle 2022 #32

This year has been pretty consistent so far (which usually in the Summer months my hobbying usually dies down), but I am still finding time to get models completed.

We have just over two months till our next event "Second Wind 4" on October 15th-16th which is a 64 person Marvel Crisis Protocol event, and lately our games played have been in practice for this event.  I have my roster finalized, and it is just a matter of getting more games played at different threat levels.  We managed to get in two more games this past Saturday, and the first game I decided to change it up a bit and have my son face Midnight Sons (instead of my Avengers roster).

For modeling, I was able to complete my 800 point Star Wars Legion "LVO 2023 Narrative" roster this past week so any new models/units that get completed are an added bonus.  We have an event in November that I will be using more for practice with this roster than actually trying to win.  We sill need to find some time here at home to try out the full 800 points, every game we played has been at the 500 point Skirmish level.  t may have to wait till the weekend of 8/27/22.

Regarding Marvel Crisis Protocol, I have a few models that will be hitting the blog this week, MCP has been my favorite game as of late and I really enjoy painting the models.  I have a 'Hulk' model coming in today that I will be building tonight and hopefully get to painting this week,  My son already has a 'Hulk' and I am using it in my Avengers roster, but there are times where we both may want to play this model.  I have an idea already on how I want to paint him, so hopefully he will not take too long to finish.

Well that is all for today.

Read More

SWL: Imperial Death Troopers II

My second Unit of Imperial Death Troopers now completes my 800 point list for the Las Vegas Open 2023 Narrative Event.

Will this list be competitive? maybe, probably in someone who really knew how to play the game, but I am playing just to have fun in this event.

I will be trying out this list (more for just to get some games under my belt) at the Mid Mitten Gaming Convention in November.  Hopefully by the end of January when LVO takes place, I'll be better familiarized with the game.

Imperial Death Troopers II

Painting Points: 6

Read More

SWL: Imperial Death Troopers I

When I saw how good the Imperial Death Troopers are, especially when be commanded by Director Orson Krennic, I knew I had to have a Unit of these guys, maybe two.

The Imperial Death Troopers are a Special Forces Unit and since I am leaning towards running two of them, I then elected to change up my Narrative list for Las Vegas Open.  Instead of building my list from the "Overwhelming Firepower" requirement which requires a Heavy Unit, I decided to change it and run the "Lead From The Front" where it requires 3-5 Commander/Operative Units.

Who knows, maybe by Las Vegas Open actually rolls around, I may have even more.

Imperial Death Troopers I

Painting Points: 6

Read More

SWL: Imperial Stormtroopers Specialist x2

I have a couple more personnel models fro my Imperial Stormtroopers Units.

These are the Specialist models which are included in the Imperial Stormtroopers Upgrade Expansion.

Imperial Stormtroopers Specialist 

Painting Points: 2

Read More

SWL: Imperial Stormtroopers T21 x2

WOW! it is already August 1st, time is flying.

Now that the core of my Corps Units are completed, my Imperial Stormtroopers, I need to complete some of the Heavy Weapons and Personal for those Units.

Up first are a couple T21 Imperial Stormtroopers.

Imperial Stormtroopers T21

Painting Points: 2

Read More

SWL: Imperial Stormtroopers IV

The last of my four Imperial Stormtroopers Corps Units are now completed.

Next will be to work on some Heavy Weapons and Specialists for the Units and then move onto some Special Forces.

Imperial Stormtroopers IV

Painting Points: 5

Read More

SWL: Imperial Stormtroopers III

I am halfway through my four Corps of Imperial Stormtroopers and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

My goal was to possibly have my 800 point Narrative army ready/painted for Las Vegas 2023, it looks like I am on track to actually have them completed much quicker and ready for the Mid Mitten Gaming Convention in November (which I am using this event as a test for the list).

Imperial Stormtroopers III

Painting Points: 5

Read More

SWL: Imperial Stormtroopers II

The next few posts wont be anything exciting, just more Stormtroopers, but they are the Corps of a Star Wars Legion army and are needed.

I have been working on four Units of Stormtroopers, and then I will circle back and get to the Heavy Weapons for the Units.

Here are 'Imperial Stormtroopers II'.

Imperial Stormtroopers II

Painting Points: 5

Read More

SWL: Imperial Stormtroopers I

It was only a matter of time before I had to get to any of the Corps Units (since they are the core of every army) and the dreadful painting of white.

I am no showcase painter, I like to just have my models look decent on the tabletop and painting white is my least favorite.

I wanted to find a quick and easy method (which I did), but the first Unit came out a bit more dirtier than I had hoped for (which I started correcting now on new units).  From three feet across the battlefield, they look fine.

Here is my first Corps Unit for the Galactic Empire 'Imperial Stormtroopers'.

Imperial Stormtroopers I

Painting Points: 5

Read More

SWL: Director Orson Krennic (Architect of Terror)

I prefer painting individual characters over units (that s probably why I enjoy painting Marvel Crisis Protocol so much) and I have one more character for my Star Wars Legion Galactic Empire Army before I get to some assembly line painting of troopers.

Here is 'Director Orson Krennic the Architect of Terror'

Director Orson Krennic (Architect of Terror)

Director Orson Krennic (Architect of Terror)

Painting Points: 1

Read More

SWL: Emperor Palpatine (Ruler of the Galactic Empire)

The collector in me wanted this next model, besides how can you collect Galactic Empire army without the Emperor himself.

As of now I have no immediate plans on playing this character, but as my collection grows and I learn the game better, I'll be changing up my lists and he will see the playing the table.

Here is 'Emperor Palpatine'

Emperor Palpatine (Ruler of the Galactic Empire)

Emperor Palpatine (Ruler of the Galactic Empire)

Painting Points: 1

Read More

SWL: Imperial Officer (Ruthless Commander)

When running 'Darth Vader' (Operatve), I still need a Commander to lead my Galactic Empire.

With the high points cost of 'Darth Vader' already, no better way than with an 'Imperial Officer'.

Imperial Officer (Ruthless Commander)

Imperial Officer (Ruthless Commander)

Painting Points: 1

Read More

Weekly Chronicle 2022 #29 (Marvel Crisis Protocol /Star Wars Legion Updates)

It has been a while since the last Weekly Chronicle (6 weeks, just before ACO) and thought it was time for a little catch up and what we have in the pipeline.

Marvel Crisis Protocol has been going strong all year, ever since we got back from the Las Vegas Open, it has been the main game for me, and I really enjoy playing it.  I also went full stem on painting models for MCP and we are at 79 painted models so far.

Events are also lined up for MCP, we attended the Atlantic City Open in June, and now we have Second Wind 4 in October and Mid Mitten Gaming Con in November all lined up, those will probably be it until 2023.

Star Wars Legion has really caught me by surprise, I did not think we would be adding in this game this year.  What caught my eye was an event upcoming at LVO 2023 called "Unconventional Warfare" which is a bit of a narrative event that does not require fully painted model (although I am trying to be fully painted).  This event will complement our MCP events at LVO 2023.

These two games are going to be keeping me busy for the rest of 2022 and probably all of 2023.

Read More

SWL: Darth Vader (The Emperor's Apprentice)

We are going to finish out the week with another Star Wars Legion model, and this time it will be the second version of this model for SWL, 'Darth Vader (The Emperor's Apprentice)'.

This 'Darth Vader is an Operative in the game, he is not a strong as his Commander version, but he costs less in Point and his Movement is faster and get up into battle much faster (where you want him),

Darth Vader (The Emperor's Apprentice)

Darth Vader (The Emperor's Apprentice)

Painting Points: 1

Read More

SWL: Darth Vader (Dark Lord of the Sith)

We have a turn of events from what you have been reading/seeing for most of this year.

Marvel Crisis Protocol just moved to a side burner (not that back) and Star Wars Legion is receiving the painting brush for a little bit of time.

I m waiting on some of the new Citadel paints that are releasing this weekend before I work on any of the 'Stormtroopers', so I thought I would start on some of the Commander and Operative models first, since those paints I did have.

There are two different 'Darth Vaders' currently in the game, and up first in the Commander model 'Darth Vader (Dark Lord of the Sith)'.

Darth Vader (Dark Lord of the Sith)

Darth Vader (Dark Lord of the Sith)

Painting Points: 1

These models are a smaller scale than MCP, and are only worth the standard 1 point each compared to 2 points with MCP.

Read More

Daily Chronicle: "In A Galaxy Far Far Away"

"In A Galaxy Far Far Away" something is brewing, and that is another new game for me called Star Wars: Legion by Fantasy Flight Games / Atomic Mass Games.

Star Wars: Legion came out roughly about four years ago, and of course the interest was there because hey, it's Star Wars, but at the time of launch it was just Empire and Rebels for models and we already had a lot of models for Warhammer 40,000.

We fast forward four years and Star Wars Legion has really increased the amount of models in the game and expanded it's Factions.  Then not long ago Atomic Mass Games revealed a sneak peek of "Baby Yoda"...  I want it.....

Back in my first post of the year, "What's in store for 2022!", I had said "NONE" for new games this year, and boy was I way wrong.  I had listed to sticking to three games in 2022, Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game, Warhammer 40,000 and X-Wing, but with the main concentration on Warhammer 40,000.  Since coming back from the Las Vegas Open in January, it has mainly been Marvel Crisis Protocol and now Star Wars Legion.

So I am getting into Star Wars Legion....the plan is to still concentrate on Marvel Crisis Protocol, I love how the games are played in 90 minutes, I like the low model count, and when I paint each model, I feel a sense of accomplishment when I finish, since each model is unique and not an assembly line Unit.

The goal (my goal) with Star Wars Legion is to mainly play at the 'Skirmish' level which is 500 points and games should be played in around 90 minutes (just like Marvel Crisis Protocol), with the occasional 'Regular' game of 800 points.

With me being me, I jumped right into the game with both feet and purchased me a Skirmish level Galactic Empire army.  I decided on Galactic Empire because I like the character 'Boba Fett' and the future 'Mandalorian' will also be part of the Galactic Empire.  I actually purchased enough models to be able to play 800 points in the Las Vegas Open 2023 Narrative Event (Unconditional Warfare).

Here is what I got to get going with Star Wars Legion.

The new Essentials Kit

Core Set (for the cards and additional models)

Operative Darth Vader

Imperial Officer

Stormtroopers x2

Stormtroopers Upgrade x2

Scout Troopers

Shoretroopers (for a Specialist Team)

AT-ST for a Heavy role

The plan will be to have 500 points Skirmish level assembled for next weekend (July 9th) and spend the day walking through the learn to play rules and see how the game is played.

Stay Tuned.

Read More