Death From The Skies Arrives! A quick Review

Well it has arrived, my copy of Death from the Skies arrived this morning, after the postie forced it through the door (note to postie - if the package is bigger then the letter box its not meant to go through it) and already I've read it.

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First up a quick disclaimer as i havent had a 6th ed game yet or used fliers I wont comment on rules but will be happy to answer any questions or specifics you might ask

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Initial thoughts are - WTF did I pay for? this book is roughly the size of a new White Dwarf if not slightly smaller, the only thing that actually stops it being identical is the cover seems slightly thicker! personally I feel the most ripped off i have ever being by GW, the product seems small, pathetic and certainly not worth the money. OK i appreciate this is just a stop gap measure but til the codex comes out for the appropriate army this is a true money spinner from GW - if FW hadn't saved the day earlier with some amazing customer service this moan would have being much worse

Ok so on to the actual pages, they are well laid out as we have come to expect from GW with some very nice artwork too. Most of the models we see aren't new and are just from the studio armies but then again looking at fliers is fun even if you have seen them before.

Rules wise nothing new really from reading my current codex and rulebook, there some amendments of course but if you have any specific questions please ask, will be quicker and more fulfilling to answer them for you below :) I think from what i can see the aces are a nice idea and one i will be looking in to in great detail, again apologies but not knowing much about 6th ed and fliers i would rather answer your questions.

The campaign idea, like with crusade of fire, is mediocre, however it does give some good ideas (and a few tactics) and makes a change to see some white space marines as opposed to blue. Some thought has gone in to the two new missions you get and comparing them to previous games they look entertaining, i was just hoping for a few more i guess.

One thing i do like though is the burning skies "stand alone" game idea. that and the special manouvres really are the stand out rules for me in the book and something i will be looking at getting some 6th ed games under my belt for.

There are some nice showcase models and as mentioned while they are the studio models they are good. The one thing i personally think is missing from a modelling side is the conversions or scratchbuilds you see in some of the other codex model sections.

In summary, this is an OK stop gap measure, however it is definitely over priced and is far from codex standard. For the information it brings though it is very useful - good to have all the updated rules in to one place - just wish there was more to the book. Would I recommend it? to a single solo purchaser no, if however there are 3-4+ of you that game together regularly then yes, all chip in and buy one copy that way you will all have the rules and it wont cost the earth that way.
For me the book, mainly due to its small size and high cost only rates a 2 and 1/2 stars.

So once again as i havent played 6th ed if there are any specific questions or queries about the book please ask and i will do my best to answer them for you.

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An update from Forgeworld via their forgeworld facebook page, they have advised we consider this an official FAQ:

The rules don't overlap onto Imperial Armour Aeronautica. Any of our flyers that list Deep Strike among their special rules can still Deep Strike.
Stormravens cannot carry Contemptors.
Storm Eagles aren't available to Blood Angels. There's a price for refusing to reveal STC data.

an interesting update and a shame about stormravens but even more so about the storm eagles, i know a number of people fancying these but it certainly does cut the number of buyers down :(

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The back cover is just a load of pictures of the flyers for sale.

Page 5 - 20: "The Battle of Cadrim" - This looks like a slightly extended version of the section in White Dwarf when the storm talon came out. It includes the same pictures of the White Scars armies etc.

Page 23 - 29: Air War Missions.

Mission 1: Deadly Bridgehead: Space Marines with Necron[i] allies, against Orks.
Mission 2: Scramble; Space Marines V Orks
Mission 3: Aerial Assault: Necrons V orks with Space Marine allies
Mission 4: Death from the Skies: Necrons V Marines

Page 32 - 40: Burning Skies - Looks like a reprint of the Crusade of Fire rules

Page 40 - 55: Gallery pictures

Now we're coming to the important bit

Page 56: StormRaven Beastiary: It includes the FAQ updates. EG, a Dreadnaught taking s10 hits if the flyer explodes and is zooming. The important note is [i]Blood Angels and Grey Knights armies use the rules printed here though their storm ravens have additional wargear options and rules - see the army list for details. Also, new piece of artwork. An ultrasmurf storm raven.

Page 57: Storm Talon: Still 2 HP. It now has the Strafing Run rules. Type (Flyer, Hover). Escort craft rules looks to be clarified to avoid anything BS-ey. Can't escort anything using Outflank / Deepstriking. Plus other stuff. NO supersonic rules

Page 58: Valkyrie/Vendetta: Exactly the same as the IG codex, but with HP's added in - Same as rulebook. Also the Grav Chute Insertion rules have been updated with the FAQ rules

Page 59: VoidRaven/Razorwing: I'm assuming these are the same? Razorwing Armour 10, VoidRaven Armour 11. Night Vision/Supersonic rules

Page 60: DoomScythe: Looks the same as before
Page 61: NightScythe: Broadly the same as before. They clarify the embarked unit doesn't take damage when destroyed. Also they enter through normal reserves? No mention of rembarking on a night scythe... However. "If a night scythe has moved more than 24", the disembarking unit may only fire snap shots."

Page 62: Dakkajet: No Hover. However, Strafing run, supersonic. Fighta Ace upgrade has been renamed to 'flyboss' - it basically gives him Strafing Run against things you don't get strafing run against.... Aside from that, same as before.

Page 63: Burna Bomber, Blitza Bomber: Seems the same as before, with obvious changes. No hover. Supersonic, waaagh plane! Edit: Yep, points costs and upgrades are identical to White Dwarf.

Page 64: Wargear. A burna bomb is a bomb... Death Ray looks like it has rules changes... It hurts friendly models too. It can't hurt zooming flyers or flying monstrous creatures.

Page 65: Wargear. Everything looks the same.

Page 66: StormStrike Missiles: I dunno what to say, they actually seem to kick rear end... S8, AP2, concussive...

Page 68: Army List:
Storm Raven: Heavy Support: Yup, marines and templars get storm raven. Nothing for space puppies. Grey Knights and Blood Angels don't get stormstrike missiles. The rest looks broadly similar
Storm Talon: Marines/Black Templars only (typical). Fast Attack. A lot cheaper in points. The most expensive version is 10 points cheaper than before.

Page 69: Army List:
Valkyrie And Vendetta: Identical to earlier rules

Page 70:
Razorwing, Voidraven, Doom Scythe, Night Scythe:
I think these are identical to their normal rules

Page 71: The Ork Flyers: In all honesty, they seem the same as the white dwarf. I think someone with more of an ork brain will need to pick out the diffferences.

Page 72: Summary Page.

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an update and response to peoples queries are in the comments below, if you have any more queries or specifics you would like to know let me know and i will hopefully get them answered for you asap.

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UPDATE:
Once again Darog at Darog's Company has published these great photos of Death From the Skies.

SPACE MARINES

DARK ELDAR

NECRONS

ORKS

IMPERIAL GUARD

REFERENCE

PILOT SKILLS

These are like Warlord Traits and you pay for them.

Imperial Guard Sabre Defence Platforms - Are they worth it?

I was recently on the Forge World site, looking at the Cadian Hostile Environment Conversion Sets and found myself completely drawn in by the Imperial Guard Sabre Defence Platforms. You have to admit they look pretty sweet:

I don’t know how feasible these would be in a game, but if you’re playing something scenario based I think they would be a real visual treat protecting an emplacement. The question I have is who has used them, are they useful and worth taking and which of the variants are the most sucessful on the table?
Any information or suggestions on their performance would be great.
Cheers

Forge World Newsflash - Space Marine Sneak Peek & DKOK Rules Update

Evening folks, just received an Forge world Newsflash email in my inbox (well 5 hours ago but I've been busy) detailing some new rules updates for the DKOK and another pre-heresy/ancient Space Marine Armour pattern. Here are some details:

Death Korps of Krieg Update Available Now

Imperial Armour author Warwick Kinrade has recently put the finishing touches to an updated version of the Death Korps army list printed in Imperial Armour Volume 5: The Siege of Vraks Part 1 as a free download that you can find here. The document addresses many of the most common questions that we have received from gamers across the world – thanks for all your feedback!


The Death Korps rules in all three parts of the Siege of Vraks Trilogy are fully updated, and we have added several options to army list entries including the Death Rider Command Squad, allowing our show only Commissar to be used. The document also includes the Leman Russ variants available in Codex: Imperial Guard. Note that the Armoured Company list published in Imperial Armour Volume 7 is largely unaffected, but any Infantry squad entries should be replaced by those found in the update.
 
DKOK RULES UPDATE HERE
 
Forge World Events News

Forge World will be attending Games Day Baltimore on August 21st. The Reservation period has now closed for this exciting event but if you have any specific requests or queries please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be pleased to offer any assistance we can.
Forge World will also be attending Games Day UK on September 26th – keep an eye on forthcoming newsletters for more information about our stands at this event as we have plenty up our sleeves!

Exclusive Sneak Peek
Last week’s MkV ‘Heresy’ pattern power armour helmet has clearly piqued many peoples’ interest. We have been inundated with e-mails and telephone calls, all seeking more details about this Top Secret project – it’s still under lock and key, but our agents have managed to obtain another exclusive work-in-progress glimpse of some of the many forthcoming Space Marine releases that our talented Studio team are working on. Many boffins died to bring us this information, but despite their sacrifice all we can say for now is that it is well and truly set in the 41st Millenium…

So folks more exciting bits and pieces from Forge world, just in time for my Marine forces and just in time to start taking my money off me :( There will be many people out there annoyed its taken this long but looking at the two sneak peaks we have had so far I'm pretty certain it will be worth it.

Any thoughts or comments?

Questions, Questions, Questions & Some News!!

well folks after sorting out my models, paints, supplies and workspace over the last month I've now come to the stage where I need to sort out rules and project requests and more purchases. So tonight's post is a post of at least two parts, so lets begin!

The first part is nice and simple, as I'm building two forces I need to pick up the codex for each force! Now as I'm planning Guard and Marines it could be expensive but now that the allies I was planning, witch hunters and daemon hunters, now have their codexes available as PDF this makes things a lot cheaper. So come payday this month I will pick up the first codex of the two and a unit from that codex, and then next month I will pick up the other. So the question to you, and one you can vote on on the right hand side, is:

Which Codex should I get on payday?

Nice and simple choice, so please help me out and cast your vote. Then later in the month once the votes are in I will reveal the results and then ask for suggestions on a unit to pick up at the same time!

Second thing is not so simple but is quick to ask, does anyone know any UK or USA based casters that would be able to cast full figures in resin or metal? I'm only looking for 20 or so but no one I have contacted so far as been prepared to work on such a "small" project. Failing that does anyone know any good cheap UK based sellers of rubber mould materials and resin?

Finally keep your eyes out over the next few days for some new regular features such as Blog News, Hobby News, Mondays Mirthful Meanderings, Fridays Five Finds and also the addition of Keywords to posts to allow for quick and easy searching within the blog.

All the best and enjoy your weekends!

IMPERIAL ARMOUR EIGHT: RAID ON KASTOREL-NOVEM - A PRODUCT REVIEW

IMPERIAL ARMOUR EIGHT: RAID ON KASTOREL-NOVEM - FORGEWORLD

Waaagh! Garaghak is gathering pace across the Forsarr sector. Several of the Imperium¹s worlds have already fallen to the rising green tide of Orks, and now the sector¹s primary hive world has been invaded. Garaghak¹s hordes seem unstoppable, except that the Raven Guard¹s Scouts have discovered a secret behind the Goff Warlord¹s unending warbands ­ - an Ork technical genius called Mek Boss Buzzgob who has created his own factories on the former Imperial refinery world in the Kastorel system.

This book contains a detailed history of the Raid on Kastorel-Novem and the rise of Warlord Garaghak. There is a complete Elysian Drop Troop Imperial Guard army list, including the Vulture gunship, Valkyrie Sky Talon and the Tauros and Tauros Venator rapid assault vehicles. There is also background information on the Raven Guard Space Marine Chapter, along with a new special character, Shadow Captain Korvydae. Rules, background and technical details are included for all of the recent Forge World Ork releases.

This book is heavily illustrated with over 50 colour pictures, 60 full colour vehicle profiles, over 30 technical drawings, plus colour profiles for the Elysian Drop Troops, Raven Guard and the Orks of the Goff, Evil Sunz and Death Skullz clans, all to add new depth and detail to the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

Also included in this book is a folded copy of an A1 Ork poster featuring artwork by Paul Bonner, Sam Lamont and Kenton Mills.

As I'm sure you can already tell I am some what of a Forge world fan so I really had to pick the lastest Forgeworld book up to complete my set, initial thoughts were along the lines of another expensive although impressive book, but was I right?

On arrival i found I was lucky enough once again to have managed to get in early and get one of the 500 signed books that forgeworld do for each new release which cheered me up no end after spending a lot on this book.

Initial impressions were good, a well made book and a really awesome looking poster (that's never going to be wall mounted), the quality of both were great as one would expect given the price of most FW books.

The fluff inside was good but in my mind when compared to the previous offerings from Forgeworld I don't think was of the same level of depth and quality. I appreciate the raid was meant to be a rapid deployment and was meant to show case the orks equipment but within the fluff i don't think that happened to the degree it has previously.

There was some fluff on the Raven Guard but nothing new or overly exciting and the only new info on the Elysians was the new Tauros vehicles (if only they would release a version with cadian crew!) and even then not much about its history etc.

The main protagonists had a lot of new kit that in most cases was briefly mentioned in the fluff section of the book but thankfully did get more background in the rules section of the book.

Overall I guess i was happy with the book as with all FW books the artwork was superb and the modelling and painting ideas are amazing, i was slightly disappointed in the quality of the fluff and the actual size of the book too! Personally with these factors in mind i think the book for once was slightly over priced (what FW stuff isn't but usually with good reason) and really in my eyes should have been £10 cheaper then it actually was.

Either way overall a good (but not amazing) book and one that needs adding to anyone's FW collection.
 
Available from:

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk
RAID ON KASTOREL-NOVEM - Forgeworld

The Heresy with a bitter twist, and possibly some ice!

The Dornian Heresy Volume I - A Bolter & Chainsword Legio Imprint publication

This week in between putting some work in to some ongoing Kasrkin and Space Marine conversions (with some Grey Knight models on the side for good measure) I have had the joy of downloading and reading the best bit of fan fiction for the 40k universe i think i have ever read! As the title says that Fiction was The Dornian Heresy produced as a fan resource by the guys over at the Bolter and Chainsword. Quite rightfully they are very proud of their work and here is their launch statement:

The Bolter and Chainsword are proud to announce the release of the first issue of their downloadable electronic magazine, the Legio Imprint. The Legio Imprint aims to showcase the best of the articles and features to be found on the Bolter and Chainsword, as well as including original content created especially for the publication.


This premier issue has been devoted to chronicling something a little different; a twisted alternate timeline in which Warmaster Horus was able to cast off the daemonic influences that sought to possess him, and where the Ruinous Powers were instead forced to corrupt Rogal Dorn to overthrow the Emperor. The Dornian Heresy is the tale of an alternate universe where choices, sometimes large, sometimes small, have led to the familiar primarchs and legions meeting very different fates. For instance, how different might things have turned out if Sanguinius had instead been found and raised by the mutant tribes of Baal, or if Angron’s first meeting with the Emperor had been as an honourable ally against the slavers at Fedan Mhor? All this and more is in the first issue of the Legio Imprint.


Featuring original artwork from a host of talents and a front cover by Aerion the Faithful, the Legio Imprint presents the stories of nine of the legions, including previously unseen Index Astartes articles for the Khornate Space Wolves, the soul-bound psychic warriors of the Thousand Sons and the plague-infected Blood Angels.

The first issue of the Legio Imprint is available to download free from the Bolter and Chainsword now.
Bolter & Chainsword Resource - Dornian Heresy

 The PDF file is the first in a series of what are effectively Index Astartes articles aimed at the Pre-Heresy legions, but only if the heresy had gone a different way. The writing of the book/PDF for me is amazing, each change that sets up this alternative heresy is simple and small but has a significant change. What amazes me is the level of thought and detail that has gone in to each scenario and in some cases how far back the writers went in the history to effect the change.
 
There are numerous little nods to the current 40k background and established characters or ideas and these really add something special to the book/PDF and those linked with some amazing pieces of artwork finish this off to a level that GW would be pleased to put on their shelves.
 
I really want to go on about this for ages but the things I want to discuss would be spoilers of the most massive kind, however if you want to talk about it in the comments please do as it means I can join in! All I can say is its not the Legions you think falling to chaos, and even if they are given the legions we know fell in the Horus version of the Heresy the legions in the alternative Dornian Heresy most certainly don't fall in the way you expect or how you expect.
 
The book/PDF open some interesting ideas for alternate forces for use on the field - who hasn't fancied a loyalist "fallen legion" like the Thousand Sons in the past? - and if GW ever fancied a twisted history this book/PDF pretty much completes the first half of the job for them!
 
If you aren't a member of the B&C I suggest you head on over as this book/PDF is reason alone to join but the discussions and modelling articles this is bound to throw up over the next few months are unimaginable and if I ever get the chance I would love to model some post Horus Heresy and post Dornian Heresy models for display as the imagery is just superb.
 
For me this production over all gets a 5 out of 5 rating - thoroughly enjoyable

 
 
 
 
Available from the Bolter & Chainsword
http://www.bolterandchainsword.com
All images used with out permission and belong to the B&C