6th Edition Warhammer 40k Rulebook - Collector's edition or regular?

The details haven't leaked yet, though we know from all of the pricing info out there we know a collector's edition of the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook will be released next week. Even though it's not what I am most looking forward to this summer, it is hard not to look forward to picking up a copy of the new rules.  I'm usually a sucker for these types of things as I really like books and have a bit of a collecting bug.  These are not traits you want to have in a war gamer.  My model collection gets thinned out fairly regularly, but I still have 2nd edition codexs on my book shelves.

I went back and forth trying to decide and I went ahead and pre-ordered a collector's edition  from Frontline Gaming yesterday.  I decided that as much as I put into this hobby spending an extra $50 on a nicer version of the rulebook made sense for me.  The question is, should you pick up a copy?  If any of the below applies to you, you may want to consider it.

• It's a pretty limited edition.  Frontline told me since I was fourth in line, I may not even get a copy as Games Workshop is telling their resellers quantities are very limited.  This could be a line of horse manure to drum up sales, we'll see. 
• The value.  While expensive I would guess that it would hold it's value pretty well.  This factor is always a thought in the back of my mind with hobby investments. I consider that if a purchase ends of being a mistake, how much will it cost me between what it would sell for and what I paid.
• The cool factor.   This thing should be a pretty nice lookin' book on your shelf.  This is the sixth edition of their flagship product and coincides with it's 25th anniversary so I would hope Games Workshop would do it it justice.

I don't know if it's worth it to everyone.  If you had to pick between models for your army that you needed to win games or spending money on a a prettier version of  the rulebook, which most likely will sit on a shelf once the mini books are available, I would most likely go for the models.   If you are like me and you have the collecting bug as well as enjoy having this kind of stuff sitting on the shelf you may want to pull the trigger.

An Inexpensive Display Case for Minatures - The Ikea DETOLF

I know a lot of gamers know of these cases, though some may not.  These are very inexpensive display cases that are a great fit for displaying your models.  I have two myself and other then being a real pain in the butt to assemble (like all Ikea furniture) they are a great solution.  I picked mine up at my local Ikea for around $65.

If you haven't seen these before, check them out here.

KR Multicase is doing Dropzone Commander Cases

Looks like KR Multicase is throwing its hat in the ring with some Dropzone Commander custom cases.  The exact cases won't be announced until closer to the release of the game though if the picture they've released is any indication they look like an elegant solution to storing these 10mm beauties.

I knew they were doing these for the Premium versions of the starter and other army deals on the Hawkwargames website so it's nice to see these are going to be sold a la carte.

This summer's most exciting release isn't what you expect

While most of the gamers I know are pretty revved up for the release of the 6th edition Warhammer 40,000 or the game changing Colossals of Warhmachine I am excited about door number three.  A brand new 10mm game from the other side of the pond (England) is about to drop, and yes, the pun was intended. 

Dropzone Commander (DC)  is a new game by a new company, Hawk Wargames (HWG).  I first saw some of the models as they were posted up on Dakka a few months ago and have been following this game ever since.   Hawk Wargames has done an excellent job of keeping interest up by posting pictures of the units every day for the last few months.  Certain other companies could learn a lesson from Hawk Wargames. 

So why should you pick up this game?  I'll tell you why.

#1  It's the first small scale Sci Fi game to hit the scene in a long time. 

Yes, I know Heavy Gear is out there (and I have heard they've done wonders with the ruleset in it's last incarnation) as well as Battletech.  What separates this game from those two is those games is the scale of the game, as in the number of models and size of the battles.   10mm large battles have traditionally been almost exclusively a historical endeavor.  Games Workshop flirted with the scale for a while with Epic 40,000 and "maintains" the game as part of it's specialist range.  This means not much in the way of actual attention gets thrown Epic's way.

#2 The models.  If you haven't seen all of them, check them out now.  Stop reading and go look.  Seriously.

http://www.hawkwargames.com/collections/post-human-republic-phr

The above link is for the faction I am going to try out.  The Post Human Republic.   

#3 The story.  What has always been so compelling about Warhammer 40,000 has been the stories of evil space marines and epic aliens.  I might have that backwards, though in any case the story has keep me hooked since I was in High  School and first rolled dice in a friend's garage while he tried to explain 2nd edition to me.  The bits of story Hawk Wargames has released show Dropzone Commander to be just as engaging.  My favorite tidbit is the part about humanity getting its collective ass kicked on Earth and having to fall back to the stars. 

#4 The game.  This should be number one on this list though as a Games Workshop fan for many years I have learned that even a sub par game can be fun.   That wasn't meant as a slander on Games Workshop, it's just the reality of what playing their games for so long has done to me. The rules haven't been fully released yet though we do know a few things.  The game is an alternative activation which  leads to a more engaged gaming experience.  Most of the games we play now have a lot of down time when it's not your turn.  Games Workshop itself recognized this as a problem when it created Warhammer back in the eighties.  It's the reason why we have armor saves, it gives the opponent something to do on your turn.

But...

Even though I am really excited about the game there are a few negatives.  It's a first edition of a gaming system and those typically have a lot of bumps you have to deal with.  I've heard that even though we are six weeks out from the release date the points aren't finalized for the factions, this could be an indicator of balance issues. 

Hawk Wargames has come out and said they are planning on regular rules updates so while I am concerned about the above it should actually create a more living game then other systems out there.  Time will only tell. 

I do know I can't wait to get these models in my hands. 

Surprise visitor - Khador Conquest Colossal in person

A few folks at the game store I play Warmachine at,  Black Diamond Games, brought back a few Colossals from Lock and Load. I got a chance to take a look at the Khador one in person, though the Cygnar one wasn't put together yet.

In person it's even better then the pictures online.  While most of the pictures I have seen make it look much bigger then even a behemoth, given the price I thought they were a bit small.

Getting to see the model first hand I've changed my mind completely.    These are the perfect size and look like beasts on the tabletop.   The only unfortunate thing about this specimen was the gloss spray on  it..  To me gloss sheen is a huge detractor, really taking away from the looks of the model. 

Using the same  advanced tank weathering techniques I used on my Baneblade is going to make this model look amazing.  Basing it could be a concern as I'd like to come up with a dramatic basing job for the model.  I did a wreck marker for my Behemoth base and I would like to top that.  Maybe standing on a whole jack?  Crushing a battle engine could be cool though that might be a bit much.  

The end of July is coming up quick. Can't wait...

Probability and how it works in Warmachine/Hordes

It's time for a shameless repost.  As I've said before, most of my reposts are done simply so I can find them in the future.

Check out this great article in how probability works in a 2d6 game like Warmachine/hordes, from Steamforged.com

Article is here.

Help a FLGS with a minute of click time

One of the local games stores I frequent, Black Diamond Games, is trying to get a small business grant.  The winners are getting picked by votes (dumb, but that's what Chase is doing).  Take a few seconds and click on the below link to vote, could make a huge difference for a game store.

You need some info to fill it out.

https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com

Business is "Black Diamond Games" in Concord, CA.

Thanks everyone.