2021 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". 

2021 started with a "What's in store for 2021!" so we will use that post as basis for our year in review.

Arena Rex 2021

Painting Goal: None, I am not setting any expectations for painting.

Gaming Goal: I missed my planned goal of 5 games last year with only 2 played, so we are going to shoot for 3 games played in 2021.

Arena Rex was a big MISS in 2021 with no models painted and 0 games played.

DCU Miniature Game 2021

Painting Goal: If Knight Models would ever ship me my models, there may actually be a goal in place.  I placed an order in November and still have not heard anything from them, honestly I do not think I ever will.  If my models arrive, then I may put a few on the painting table through out the year.

Gaming Goal: Just like with Arena Rex above, this game be played every now and then when we want to change it up.  I think 3 games played may be a good expectation.

DCU was pretty much a MISS, but I did get a few models completed in January 2021, but 0 games were played in the year.  I did offer to play a game with my son, but then we ended up playing Warhammer 40,000 instead.

Blitz Bowl / Blood Bowl 2021

Painting Goal: 1 full Blood Bowl team box of 12 players will be my goal for 2021, I really think this is attainable and may surprise myself with another.  I just need to decide which team will be first.

Gaming Goal: I have high expectations for Blood Bowl this year (at least with Blood Bowl 7's).  We are planning on playing an in house League with 4 Teams to start the new year off and then add a few Teams in future Seasons.  Blood Bowl does still take a few hours to play, so combing Blitz Bowl/Blood Bowl.... I am going to shoot for 30 games played in 2021.

I had really high hoped for Blitz Bowl / Blood Bowl in 2021, with purchasing a lot of new armies for the game.  But with like most games lately, it was a big MISS.  We did end up playing 2 games of Blitz Bowl, so far that is better than the above two games.  I also did not get a Team painted for the game either.

Middle-earth SBG 2021

Painting Goal: I did buy a lot of models at the end of 2020 for quite a few different armies so I may concentrate on getting some of them done.  I am not really setting any goals or armies completed, where I can see myself painting a few models / warbands here and there through out the year.  There is a big convention in the Fall (that actually may happen) where it would probably kick my painting into high gear if I elect to play MeSBG there.

Gaming Goal:  My plan is to try and play 1 game a month, so in theory that would be 12 games for the year, but we all know other plans do happen.  So I am setting a goal of 10 games for 2021.

Well I did paint a few models for Middle-earth SBG, like with DCU above, they all got completed in January 2021, and nothing since.  NOVA Open 2021 was cancelled, so that Fall event did not kick start me into a higher gear.  Unfortunaltly 0 games were also played this year.

Warhammer 40,000 2021

Painting Goal: With AdeptiCon 2021 already cancelled, it is tough to set any painting goals.  I think it will be more like MeSBG above and when I am in the mood to paint a model for Warhammer 40,000, I'll just paint it.  I have fully painted Imperial Fists army for 1000/1500/2000 point games, and plenty of more models to add to that army.

Gaming Goal: Last year I had a goal of 30 games and I hit it with 38 games played.  If we are not attending any events this year for Warhammer 40,000, I have it scheduled for twice a month which would be 24 games.  That is less than last year, but we are adding MeSBG and Blood Bowl into the mix.  I think I will stick to what is scheduled and set my goal of 24 games played in 2021.

Warhammer 40,000 was our mainstay game of the year and we stuck with it.  This is where most of my painting time was spent with expanding my Imperial Fists army, and in October starting a whole new army with the Necrons and completing over 2000 Points of them.  I had a low amount of games set for the year with 24, and we barely just hit that with 29 games played, at least I did hit my goal for the year.

X-Wing 2021

Painting Goal: Not Applicable (pre-painted miniatures)

Gaming Goal: Last year I lowered my expectations with a goal of 6 games played, and I hit it with 10 games played.  For 2021 I will keep the same goal of 6 games played.  If more games are played again in 2021, that will be a bonus.

X-Wing was another HUGE MISS for the year, I honestly thought we would get more than 1 game played in the year.

Events 2021

As I had thought, the early part of 2021 were not good for events with most of them being cancelled due to COVID.  The first event we attended was Motor City Mayhem in April which was a nice event and close to home.  Then in October was the Michigan GT that we attended and once again was close to home.  At least we were able to get away to two events for the year.

New Games Played 2021

Warhammer Age of Sigmar

Painting Goals: None

Gaming Goals: None

Warhammer Age of Sigmar was a new game I picked up for 2021.  We started off the year pretty hot about it with building a whole Kharadron Overlords army and playing 4 games, and then it kind of simmered.  Age of Sigmar v3 was released in the Summer and thought we may get a few more games in, but it has still been sitting.

Painting Points 2021

January 2021 started the year hot for Painting Points with 66 points for the month, then it cooled way down until the Fall when I decided to start a new Necron army for Warhammer 40,000 and the points really picked up and saved the year for me finishing with 293 points.

By reading the above post, you'd probably think that 2021 was not that good of year, but in all honesty, I did pick up Bass Fishing as another hobby and some of my weekend time in the Spring thru Fall were spent Fishing instead of playing games and painting.  To me, I had a satisfying 2021.

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Weekly Chronicle 2021 #8

In all honesty, it does not look like anything will be completed for the month of April.  I am slowing working on a 'Repulsor Executioner' for Warhammer 40,000 Imperial Fists army, I finished the assembly, primed the model, and started working on some base coats, but I do not think it will be completed by this weekend which would mark end of February, March will see the completion of this model for sure.

On Saturday we got in another game of Warhammer Age of Sigmar, 1000 points once again and I decided to fly/try a "Barak-Ziflyn" list this time (so both of my Guhaulers can carry a 5 dwarf Rifle Unit).  This was another uphill battle for my Kharadron Overlords going down early in Victory Points but managed to claw my way back for a 20-16 victory.  I have enough models assembled to try a 1500 point game, but my son is still lacking in assembled models for his Stormcast Eternals, and then we both still have quite a bit to assemble to get us to 2000 points.

Sunday was a nice relaxing day for me where I started on some of my base colors for the "Repulsor Executioner" and then in the early afternoon my son and I decided to go through our 1000 point Warhammer 40,000 lists for the upcoming Motor City Mayhem Team Tournament in April, the Team Packet was finally released in the morning so we could look over the army building rules.  I think we both decided on 1000 points that we like each, and can take advantage of each others strengths, I am just hoping that one of our ideas that we want to run (his Unit in my Transport) will be allowed, I do not see anything in any rule that would not allow this.

So what is in the works for this week? it is all up in the air....any free time I will try and continue painting (or assembling KO) and I am not sure what we will be playing this weekend to wrap up the month of February.

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Weekly Chronicle 2021 #5 (Warhammer Age of Sigmar / Warhammer 40,000 Battle Report)

It is already February 1st, and all I can say is WOW! what a January I had for painting.  I completed 66 Painting Points (grant it most of the points were in Vehicles) but models I had on my backlog were getting completed.

Last week saw me completed three 'Primaris Invader ATVs' for my Imperial Fists army which all I can say is that I am thrilled I finally got to them.  As of now there is not much more left on backlog for the Imperial Fists, yes I still have models I want to complete for them, but currently there is no "need" to get any of them done.

Gaming over the weekend was an "Open" weekend on our Schedule (meaning is was the 5th weekend of the month), usually this is left for games that do not see the table for most of the year, or for games that we are in the mood to play.  It turns out that our momentum currently lies with Warhammer Age of Sigmar and Warhammer 40,000 so we played a 1000 point game of each, AoS on Saturday and W40K on Sunday.

Warhammer AoS was a re-match of last weekends loss to the Stormcast Eternals with a slight change in my list for my Kharadron Overlords (increasing the size of one Unit while decreasing another).  The Battleplan that was next in line for us from the General's Handbook 2020 (skipping over the one that is played left to right) was "Starstrike".

My son did not lie this Battleplan at all, not knowing where the Objective markers will be, so it made for a very interesting First Round.

I finished deploying first, so that meant I got to choose who will go first/second for the First Round, I elected to go second to see what the Stormcast Eternals were going to do (especially with no Objectives).  They Ran some Units up to prepare for Round 2 and had no shooting that was in range.

I decided to change up my game plan after being decimated last week and I wanted to concentrate on eliminating one Unit t a time.  I basically flew my entire army to my left flank (and hope an Objective would come up there) and took care of the Stormcast that were on that flank.

Round 2 saw the first Objective get deployed and I was in luck as it came up on the flank I was on.  I stuck to my plan and slowly was picking off Units 1 by 1 and scoring Objective points.  By the end of Round 5 there were not many Stormcast Eternals left on the table and my Kharadron Overlords finally got a win 26-12.

Sunday was a 1000 point game of Warhammer 40,000.  Originally we were not going to play W40K this weekend (with my sons new Dark Angels Codex coming out next weekend) but I wanted to start testing some lists that I had made up for 1000 points (more on that tomorrow).  I told my son he should play his Salamanders since it has been awhile since they last saw the table, and now with 'Tactical Marines' being 2 Wounds each, they are not that bad.

We try to always play Missions from the "Grand Tournament 2020" book, so I rolled up the Mission "Forward Rush".  Playing left to right at 1000 points is not as big as of deal as for larger games, since the smaller mat fits nicely on my second 48"x48" table that sits in the middle of the room, so the mat can fit in any direction.

I did not have many Units in my list as you can see in the photo (there is one 5 man Squad of Intercessors in the top left building) but I sure did have some firepower.

I ended up winning the roll for First Turn, which I usually am happy to have and started shooting away and whittling down the Salamanders.  I played the game very smart, scoring my Objectives and eliminating chances for the Salamanders to score.  I lost my Unit of 'Intercessors' and one 'Centurion' model, while the Salamanders were wiped clean off the board earning a 73-26 victory for my Imperial Fists.  Both armies were fully painted which scored us 10 points each.

So what is in store for Week #5 and the start of February, unfortunately not very much.  I did not spend any time over the weekend prepping any models for painting, but instead kept on building models for my Kharadron Overlords.  I now have all the models I need for my first 2000 point list and still need to assemble 6 'Endrinriggers' and one 'Arknaut Ironclad' and they will then all be assembled.

Gaming this weekend is scheduled for Warhammer 40,000 on Saturday and Blood Bowl on Sunday, with the release of the Dark Angels Codex on Saturday, we are reversing the days, Blood Bowl actually has been a "miss" this year, but it may be played Saturday before heading down to our LGS to pick up the new Codex.

Come back tomorrow for some information on an upcoming event.

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Weekly Chronicle 2021 #4

Week #3 was a pretty good week as we continue to roll into week #4 of 2021.

I am happy with what I finished for painting last week, I completed both of my 'Primaris Impulsors' I and II, and I also started on the next models for my Imperial Fists army, three 'Primaris Invader ATVs'.  I am not sure if the 'Primaris Invader ATVs' will get done this week (depends on how the evenings go for me), if not, then they will be posted next week to kick off February.

Gaming was also a pretty decent weekend with three games played.  On Saturday we kicked off the day with our first game of X-Wing for the year.  While in AZ for the holiday's, my son picked me up a "Jango Fett's Slave I Expansion" for the Separatist Alliance and I wanted to give it a fly.  I flew him with 2 Drones and a Sith Infiltrator vs Han/Luke and another T-65.

Once I was able to shut down Luke Skywalker and the T-65, my Separatist Alliance managed to hold off for the win with only losing my Sith Infiltrator.  Jango Fett was kitted with the recommendation out of the box since I did not have much time to really look into the model, and I am unsure if I would use that setup again, I need to research other Hyperspace options for him.

Following our game of X-Wing, we threw down for our second game of Blitz Bowl for the year.  Just for ease of getting everything ready, we played with the models in the box, my son running the Humans and I played the Dwarves.  The Dwarves from the box have been undefeated up until this point.....the dice were not with me for this game and the game ended once the Humans outscored me by 10.

On Sunday we played our first 1000 points of Warhammer Age of Sigmar.  We played a Pitched Battle game which according to the Generals Handbook 2020, 1000/2000 point games of Pitched Battles are played on a 48"x72" board, but then there is a section on playing Meeting Engagement games of 1000 points on the new smaller size boards that Warhammer 40,000 uses, which for this would be 30"x44".  Since we were officially playing a Pitched Battle, we elected to play on the full 48"x72".

Last weekend when we first tried out a 500 point game (just to get familiar with the motions of the game) we played the first Battleplan from GHB20, so for this game we continued with the book and played the second Battleplan called "Total Conquest".

I was playing my new Kharadron Overlords vs my sons Stormcast Eternals and being a Battleplan that scored extra for the Objectives, I just did not have as many models that could hold them.  I think I killed just a bit more than he did, but the killing of models was not scoring the points.  I believe the final score was my Kharadron Overlords losing 24-10 to Stormcast Eternals.  The game was fun and different and I definitely need to rethink my battle plan.

Not sure what gaming will be happening this coming weekend.  This weekend is the 5th weekend of the month and it is an "open" weekend for us to play whatever we want, Usually the games we do not get to the rest of the year....so we will see.

Models Completed: 2

Games Played: 3

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Weekly Chronicle 2021 #3

This past week was pretty busy assembling models for my new Warhammer Age of Sigmar "Kharadron Overlords", I wanted to have at least 500 points ready for the weekend (and then some).

I did manage to get 2 models completed and posted to the site, but that was for DC Universe Miniature Game with 'Krypto' and 'Steel', but at least some painting was completed.

For gaming, on Saturday we got to test out our new 500 points for AoS with a Pitched Battle mission from General's Handbook 2020.  With 500 points, honestly it is not enough models to really play the game, like in Warhammer 40,000, the missions are pretty heavily based on holding Objectives, there are just not enough Units in 500 points, luckily the first mission in the book only had 2 Objectives.  At the end of Round 5, we each had 1 Objective, and like in W40K with Secondary Objectives, there are Auxiliary Objectives in AOS (2 per player), the game came down to who completed the most Auxiliary Objectives, and my flying Dwarves only managed 1 while Stormcast Eternals managed both, my Dwarves suffered a Minor Loss.

Sunday was suppose to be a game of Blood Bowl 7's, but I was busy in the morning and early afternoon assembling more Kharadron Overlords to get me up to 1000 points, that instead we played a game of Blitz Bowl in the late afternoon, my Skaven vs Wood Elves.  This was a close game game, but I managed to "squeak" out a victory winning 18-16.

For this coming week I should have some Warhammer 40,000 models being posted (for now W40K is still a high priority to paint) and I "may" start prepping some "Mirkwood Rangers" for the painting table (now that I have paints for them).  I have like 36 Warrior models I need to paint for my MeSBG list, and I know I still have some time with them, but I'd rather not wait till the last minute.  While they are on the painting table, I may have to "proxy" them in some test games.  Plus once I can get these completed, then I can start adding my Kharadron Overlords to the painting table.

Gaming this coming weekend will probably see some X-Wing action on Saturday and possibly 1000 points of AoS or Blood Bowl on Sunday.

Models Completed: 2

Games Played: 2

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AoS: Diving Into Age of Sigmar

I told myself many many years ago I would not be getting in Age of Sigmar (AoS), but I also said the same thing about returning to Warhammer 40,000, and here I am.

Even before Games Workshop killed off the Old World in place of Age of Sigmar, the rank and file game of Warhammer Fantasy started to die off for me, there were plenty of other games out there that were getting my attraction.

As I mentioned on the first of the year in my "What's in store for 2021" post, I had thoughts about getting into Age of Sigmar, been thinking about for a few weeks.  I really do like the game play of Warhammer 40,000 (since the removal of tables/charts) and Age of Sigmar plays just like that, plus it seems like there are less models in an Age of Sigmar army than there was in a Warhammer Fantasy army (and most of your models are actually being used, just not sitting in ranks).

Sign Me Up!

I always enjoyed playing Dwarves in Warhammer Fantasy, I just really like the look of their models, stunty fellows in armour, so if I was getting into Age of Sigmar, I'd want to play Dwarves.

In Age of Sigmar, that leaves with me really with two options "Dispossessed" from the "Cities of Sigmar" Battletome and "Kharadron Overlords" a new faction in Age of Sigmar.  "Dispossessed" are more like the dwarves of old and "Kharadron Overlords" are dwarves in flying machines....oh!

If I was going to be playing in a new game, I thought I better go with a faction that was created for ge of Sigmar instead of a carry over from Warhammer Fantasy, so I chose the "Kharadron Overlords".

Now it was time to start purchasing some models.  I built lists for 500/1000/2000 points all based from the Start Collecting box and then expanded on that box, with another Start Collecting Box, 2 Warcry boxes (better deal for the models I needed) and an Endrinmaster with Dirigible Suit.  I still need some more models (especially an Ironclad) to get to 2000 points, but I have plenty now for my 500/1000 point lists.

My plan is to get one of the Start Collecting boxes assembled by this weekend (which is 500 points) and hopefully get in our first game of Age of Sigmar, then I'll continue building to my 1000 point list.

Painting is another story, right now I am in no rush to get them completed, playing the game unpainted at home I am fine with.  In September at the NOVA Open, they may be running the Age of Sigmar Doubles event (1000 points per player) and the thought of playing in this event has come to mind.  First we really need to see if we like Age of Sigmar, then comes the painting, and painting these guys will take some time.

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What's in store for 2021!

Happy New Year 2021!

Today is the day where I get to use my psychic powers and predict my gaming trends for 2021.

Yesterday I posted my "2020 Year in Review" and today we shall see what stays on the list and what is going away and if there are any new additions.

Arena Rex

Arena Rex is going to stay on the list for 2021, we do have some models painted along with terrain, so it is a nice quick game to occasionally throw down.

Painting Goal: None, I am not setting any expectations for painting.

Gaming Goal: I missed my planned goal of 5 games last year with only 2 played, so we are going to shoot for 3 games played in 2021.

DCU Miniature Game

DCU MG for now is staying on my list for 2021, but it slid way down to another occasional game.

Painting Goal: If Knight Models would ever ship me my models, there may actually be a goal in place.  I placed an order in November and still have not heard anything from them, honestly I do not think I ever will.  If my models arrive, then I may put a few on the painting table through out the year.

Gaming Goal: Just like with Arena Rex above, this game be played every now and then when we want to change it up.  I think 3 games played may be a good expectation.

Blitz Bowl / Blood Bowl

I am going to combine these 2 games in 1, Blitz Bowl being the quick board game style of play and Blood Bowl being more in depth.

Painting Goal: 1 full Blood Bowl team box of 12 players will be my goal for 2021, I really think this is attainable and may surprise myself with another.  I just need to decide which team will be first.

Gaming Goal: I have high expectations for Blood Bowl this year (at least with Blood Bowl 7's).  We are planning on playing an in house League with 4 Teams to start the new year off and then add a few Teams in future Seasons.  Blood Bowl does still take a few hours to play, so combing Blitz Bowl/Blood Bowl.... I am going to shoot for 30 games played in 2021.

Middle-earth SBG

In all honestly the re-watching of the Hobbit, Lord of the Rings movies toward the end of 2020 and it re-sparked my interest in the game.  We do own quite a few models for the game and I have recently added some more in the past few weeks.  Will the fire keep burning through all of 2021, that may be a tough one.  I may just have to re-watch a movie to light the spark again.

Painting Goal: I did buy a lot of models at the end of 2020 for quite a few different armies so I may concentrate on getting some of them done.  I am not really setting any goals or armies completed, where I can see myself painting a few models / warbands here and there through out the year.  There is a big convention in the Fall (that actually may happen) where it would probably kick my painting into high gear if I elect to play MeSBG there.

Gaming Goal:  My plan is to try and play 1 game a month, so in theory that would be 12 games for the year, but we all know other plans do happen.  So I am setting a goal of 10 games for 2021.

Warhammer 40,000

Just like in 2020, Warhammer 40,000 will more than likely be our primary game in 2021.  We have a lot of models and different armies to play/paint throughout the year.  With the ease of just going into any gaming store and picking out a new model when we want, it is the easiest to get a hold of all the games I have listed so far.

Painting Goal: With AdeptiCon 2021 already cancelled, it is tough to set any painting goals.  I think it will be more like MeSBG above and when I am in the mood to paint a model for Warhammer 40,000, I'll just paint it.  I have fully painted Imperial Fists army for 1000/1500/2000 point games, and plenty of more models to add to that army.

Gaming Goal: Last year I had a goal of 30 games and I hit it with 38 games played.  If we are not attending any events this year for Warhammer 40,000, I have it scheduled for twice a month which would be 24 games.  That is less than last year, but we are adding MeSBG and Blood Bowl into the mix.  I think I will stick to what is scheduled and set my goal of 24 games played in 2021.

X-Wing

X-Wing is a great game that can be played in 75 minutes, so it always seems to make the list for the New Year....plus we do have a lot of ships for the game.

Painting Goal: Not Applicable (pre-painted miniatures)

Gaming Goal: Last year I lowered my expectations with a goal of 6 games played, and I hit it with 10 games played.  For 2021 I will keep the same goal of 6 games played.  If more games are played again in 2021, that will be a bonus.

New Games for 2021?

This is a little tough one to decide.  Towards the end of 2020 we picked up Blood Bowl and I seem to have resurrected MeSBG, so it will be tough to get another game into 2021.  

Is there a chance to also resurrect Warmachine/Hordes? I think that would be very slim.  I have been out of WM/H for awhile now and have not kept up with any of the changes.

What about bringing back Bolt Action? Possible, but slim also.

Then there is another game that is very easy to pick up at the gaming store, Warhammer Age of Sigmar.  All of my Warhammer Fantasy models are gone, and with Age of Sigmar they really changed the game, but AoS is played a lot like Warhammer 40,000 now and there are a few models that I really like, but you do need quite a few of them to play the game.  I can "maybe" see this game happening if MeSBG is not quite doing it for me (I enjoy the world of MeSBG and the models, it is the game play of almost always needing 6's on the dice that gets to me).  I think squeezing in AoS will be really tough unless something else gives.

Another possible interest may be Star Wars Legion, again there is quite a few models to this game and it is sci-fi like Warhammer 40,000.  When Legion was first released, there was not a lot of choices for models, but it has been out for a couple of years now and the line has grown.  It is hard to get into Legion when we have so many models already for Warhammer 40,000.

Events

Well the early part of 2021 is not looking good for events.  The Las Vegas Open in January and AdeptiCon in March have already been cancelled.  The next two larger events that interest us, NOVA Open and Renegade Open do not happen till the Fall, September/November.  Those two events are a possibility if the vaccine for COVID-19 works and gatherings are allowed again.  The problem with the Fall trips is that I still have a month long Europe trip scheduled for the Summer and getting more vacation time and dollars may be an issue.  If Europe gets cancelled once again for 2021, then there may be a chance.

The above is not set in stone, I like to look back at this post through out the year and see how I am doing and if anything changes.  There are only so many weekends in the year, and other interests sometimes do take some of that time.

We shall see what happens in 2021.

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