My first Epic 2nd edition game in 26 years

I was going to play current Adepticus Titanicus with the game club. On the morning of the game, I awoke excited! I was going to play a game with some buddies - old and new. Turned out instead of just playing... I was asked to GM it! OK, I cant run Titancius, could I run Legions Imperialis? I highly doubt it. Modern rules sets set my brain on fire. I read and read but cannot comprehend. Any rules with keywords, or more than a dozen special rules and my eyes will gloss over like a dead Kuo-Toa. So I pulled out my stash of 2E! I didnt even get to read it before I was picked up to start setting up a game. And Epic 2E did not disappoint. I think everyone enjoyed it. I did. A few mistakes were made, but now Im pretty confident I can run it with ease in the future.

Played with Arch Zenopus, Rich McKee, John Sears, and Jared Smith. Hope I got your names and nom de guerres correct. But some fine folks called Zach, Jared, Rich, and John played this oldschool GW game with me. I got a last minute call that I would GM a game in less than 4 hours. Even though I havent played this game in 20 years. Id say it went pretty smooth. Which is a testament to its simplicity. So while both sides had lots of tanks and infantry of all sorts, my painted figures were lopsided in terms of quantity and type. So only the loyalists (John and RIch) had fast attack bikes and speeders. And only the traitors (Zach and Jared and I) had a Baneblade (OGRE tank) and a Thunderhawk (aerial transport and gunship). We didnt play with points and just played with all the toys on the table. Obviously the loyalists were outnumbered. And I chose to GM the game and run 1 titan on the traitor side which I was determined to roleplay and act as the double crossing traitors' traitor. Horus would be proud. While it seemed all was lost for the loyalists, I turned turncoat and backstabbed Jareds flank and stop his advance. Which gives Rich the opportunity to secure 2 objectives and hold them. John holds out against all odds vs Zach and his Ogre tank and a Warlord Titan. In the end, the loyalists win the game 25 to 16 points. The Alamo, Thermopolae, Little Bighorn was won this day. We finished all 4 turns and the game came to a satisfying conclusion.

Edit: added pics from Jared Smith and Arch Zenopus below

X-Men Marvel United and Proselytizing the Hobby

 Early 80s. Elementary school. I grew up able to afford 3 comics titles per month. One was Alien Legion (I thought it was the greatest thing ever. Im afraid to look it up today and ruin that illusion), Groo (I have looked it up and it is STILL the greatest thing ever! Rufferto ftw!) and... X-MEN (I think the 1st issue I bought was a confusing story but I was still hooked. Apparently, because of Claremont. My fond memories are of the storylines where Art Adams was artist. Something about Mojo and Longshot. Also the X-Men and New Mutants lose their memories and end up in Asgard. It was like D&D with mutants. So with my new outlook on life and hobby, I delve into Marvel United for the minis. I might play the game as is, I hear it is a fine game. But I will use the minis for my own hodge podge minis rules.

Here are the first batch of X-men figures. 

 

X-Men Assemble!  (No, no. wrong team. Different slogan.)
To me, my X-Men (Its really a terrible slogan.)
Protect the world that hates and fears us! (its kinda whiny and too much of a mouthful.)

Jean Grey and Cyclops
No time for romance Dr Jones...

Beast and Iceman
Beast: Im listening, Seattle...

Wolvie and Colossus
Wolverine: Fastball special, bub!

Storm, Prof X, Psylocke
Prof X: Careful my students. Danger is near. Perhaps in the next Room. A Danger Room...

Colossus versus the Juggernaut!

Wolverine versus Sabertooth!

Oh dear! Mystique has been pretending to be Jean Grey all this time? Those 40k Callidus Assassins and their Polymorphine...

~~~

Bonus story:
I am slowly evangelizing the medical community to the joys of painting miniatures. My primary doctor has asked me if I could show her how to paint minis after I gave her a princess on a horsey. Yeah, it was my Nimrodel Goldberry figure from http://mars-miniatures.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-tale-of-goldberry-and-fate-of.html

And now I have spent a day with my dialysis nurse, Wei! Showing her the basics of painting a house. Here she is happily brushing paint unto her tower. 

I think it is a good idea to make happy the people who keep my alive. For one, I get better medical service from them. Im almost embarrassed when they go above and beyond while others are in the waiting room or dialysis place. Well tough luck all you unwashed masses! Maybe you all should learn a hobby and offer painting classes in your home. Doctors and nurses need some peace in their lives too. Not everything can be about saving your life!

Cheers,

Mar

Imperatrix Incantatio - Warmaster Battle Titan

 Behold mortals, the coming of the Imperatrix Incantatio. She is a Warmaster class heavy battle titan. Pictured alongside her are some of her smaller entourage.

 

Warmaster Titans are equipped with Suzerain-class Plasma Destructors.

Face the wrath of a traitor God-Engine!

The Eye of Horus adorns its shoulder plates.

 

Infantry worshipping at the feet of a Titan.

I think Knights are Battletech size mechs?

And I thought the Warlord model was big...

Left to Right: Warmaster, Warlord, Reaver, Warhound, Knight

 

Kaijus And Labubus

 Kaijus And Labubus

Look upon these terrors and despair! By terrors, I mean cuties. And by despair, I mean give them hugs!

Is this fella a land shark?

This guy is electric!

Look at the lil fuzzy moth!

Float like a Lepidoptera, sting like a Hymenoptera!

WTF? These are alien lifeforms of some sort.

Here come the Labubus. This is the Labubu from the black lagoon.

This Labubu wears a house as a hat!

Kaiju sized Clash of the Titans Bobo!

Where the wild things are wants their shirt and ears back!

Magic Labubu and a Koopa Troopa Labubu!

~~~

Played a scenario with the buddies. Cant wait to get the kids to play it when they come!

More Monsters and Gundams are inbound in the next coming posts!

Cheers,

Mar

Baby Gundams on City Hexes!

 OK, obviously I was having a good day. But making dungeons and then making city blocks... Its so much fun! Last post for a bit.

Yup, his time its the green hex mat with buildings and trees!

Oh and I have ordered print copies of Giant Monster Rampage and also Mighty Monsters for rules. I do have Battletech quickstart, but I think I will go with the 2 above.

Planning ahead with Girl Pops

 So Ive purchased FOUR pop doll series for the girls. 

I know that its still too early for Thanksgiving, Xmas, New Years and Chinese New Year...

BUT

I like to plan ahead. These Pop things get sold out and OOP. Id hate to miss out on a limited edition Kuromi set! 

These Doll Pops are not my demographic and yet I did get an itch to open one up. Its the power of the blind box format! I will do it for the girls! Just to make sure they arent trapped or poisonous! 

Then I remembered I opened all the boys' pops and decided to keep them for myself! NO. Just leave it be.  No I think I will just get some mango sorbet instead. Crisis averted!

And what about replacing the Pops that I "stole" back from the boys? Spoil the girls and have nothing for the boys? The next post will have what I got in replacement for the boys... I have seen the future and have paid a heavy price for replacing those Baby Gundam Pops!

 

Edit: This used to be a much respected wargaming blog. :p   Not sure what happened...

Baby Gundams on Astroturf Arena!

 OK, if you think that things are just getting ridiculously out of control with my hobby budget.

Its not! I didnt just buy another game mat!

Ive had this green hex mat for a long time. Just remembered I had it in the game closet.   :P

Baby Gundams in the Dungeon?

 Gods above, save me from these chibi gundams! Why are they in dungeons? Are they using Space Hulk rules? What is this report that Chibi Kaiju are in the mail and looking for a fight with these baby Gundams? Ah, dont fight it. This is the way.

I bought a case of these mini pop Gundams for the grandsons of my landlord. 8 boxes in the case and only 3 boy kids. Even if I gave the kids 2 boxes each, I could keep 2 for myself. 

So I opened "my" 2 boxes. Bad mistake. I fell in love. With baby Gundams! Yeah, I opened all the boxes... Now I need to buy another case or something else for the kids.

Oh no, I just ordered 20 boxes of "Kaiju" for the Gundams to fight. 

Oh no (again), I just ordered another 10 baby gundams of various types (gundams with wings, Zaku's cyclops gundams, zodiac gundams mouse and ox are too cute, justice strike freedom gundams, unicorn series gundams,). What is this black hole of chibi-ness that Ive fallen into?

I dont think Im going to come out of this nose-dive... Just go with it.

 

 

Back To The Dungeon!

New post! New adventures into the depths of Moria!

Somewhere up on the Redhorn Pass near Zirakzigil, Slann and Banshee meet for an unlikely alliance. One is a Bullywug King and the other is an undead Elven princess of Ost-In-Edhil.

Bullywug King: Moria is overrun with foul Mythos creatures. If the free peoples of Middle Earth are to survive, some brave souls must enter it and close the Dimensional Gates deep below.

Banshee Princess: I have set events in motion. Our hope should be arriving....

A newly forged team of Heroes have arrived! Fresh faced and full of hope, like so many before them.

Group Leader: Lets go, team! Bigger than life!

The Marshal

This is going to be a walk in the park. This is feeding squirrels. 

He is chalant and gruntled. What? I wouldnt say he is nonchalant or disgruntled.

The Paladin

You know what guys? Im right where im supposed to be. But, I say that no matter where I am.

The Barbarian

There comes a time, thief, when the jewels cease to sparkle, when the gold loses its luster, when the throne room becomes a prison.

The Ranger

Fuck fish. Im never stepping into the ocean again.

The Astromancer

Pain? I hurt for the universe.

Even more Heroes arrive!

The Hunter

People die every day, mopping floors, washing dishes. You know what their last thought was? I never got my shot.

The Duellist

I have to return some videotapes.

The Pyromancer

Shake the hand that shook the world.

The Priest

Papa left us home alone. Ive been told to go to hell. Trust me, dont.

The Gladiator

Put the coffee down. Coffee is for closers.

Go forth, heroes and enter Moria! Banish the evils that lurk there!

Flash... Thunder! 

First wave has landed on the beach!

The Fell Beast has landed, I repeat... The Fell Beast has landed.

Flash... (no response!)

And evil wastes no time.

The Ranger: Enemies approach from the western archway!

Now my worst fears have come true!

Tomb Kings!

Undead from an ancient forgotten empire.

And battle is joined.

Violence has been chosen! Still a better love story than twilight.

Cursed blade meets castle forged steel.

Why wont they love us with open arms? What is it about these scumbags?

With spell and arrow, the heroes hold their ground.

Bullseye! Good shot! 

Anywhere I put that kid, the ball will find him.

But its only a small victory.

In a very long journey!

~~~

Hiya buddies.

Been awhile since Ive posted. Just adjusting to a new life with dialysis. Its not as bad as I thought it would be. But I do feel tired all the time, dialysis day or not. So anything I say, add a month to it.

But next week, I will try to have a small dungeon skirmish.

Cheers,

Mar