Pipe Works vs Imperial Knights

The great thing about all of the different types of terrain available for our hobby is that we can create a different environment every time we play. But this can sometimes cause confusion with some players who may be used to the typical flocked tree and cereal box buildings. Nothing against the basic terrain items but the same rules of thumb applies to all types of terrain.

First make sure you and your opponent understand the terrain and rules that can apply to the pieces before playing.

If your playing a scenario or tournament game make sure to check the rules and/or cross reference any concerns with the TO before you begin.

Unfortunately if you can't resolve a problem with a piece of terrain with your opponent role a die and call odd or even to resolve an issue. Keep the game going.
Remember this is a game with a cool pieces of terrain on a table. Don't let the semantics of a piece ruin you hobby time.

I've had some question about how to play super-heavy walkers around the Pipe Works terrain. Fortunately Dr. Todd has a Imperial Knight army that he likes to run through the pipe works terrain like a jungle gym.

We've been having Super Heavy walkers simply ignore the ground level pipe works and not benefiting from any cover as well. Monstrous creatures can ignore any movement restrictions put can gain a cover save depending on the model size.

Level 2 pipe works definitely slow the super heavy walkers down. We've been having knight roll for difficult terrain to cross the taller pipe section. The models can also get a 5+ cover save for within 1" of the pipes. The same applies for monstrous creatures unless the model can comfortably fit under the level 2 pipes.

Remember these are just guidelines for you to use if needed. Use and play the terrain to your systems rules or groups style of play..

Salt River Rumble Update

Hi everyone,

Dr. Todd wanting to give you an update about the Salt River Rumble (Sat Nov 7 at Game Depot). I’d like to thank all of you who have signed up so far, and to those who haven’t and were thinking about I want to let you know we’re down to just 4 spots available with a little less than two weeks to ago. Remember all models must be painted and based, with a prizes for the best painted army, and top three placing armies. Judging will occur between Rounds 1 and 2, during the 30 minute lunch break. So if you’re thinking about signing up, remember that sooner is better than later. I look forward to seeing you all there.

As for Mechanical Warhorse it's a busy two weeks of painting terrain before the event. I recently finished up some ice lakes for the Ice Base Zero terrain. All of the completed components for Ice Base Zero will be set up for everyone at the rumble to give it a good test run.

Salt River Rumble - Out of reach sign-up

If your not within range of our sign-up location contact Mechanical Warhorse and we'll send you a pay pal invoice to reserve your spot at the rumble. This fee is non-refundable and you can also send your list to the same e-mail address.

info@mechanicalwarhorse.com


Thanks

Salt River Rumble!

Welcome everyone, Dr. T. here with some great news. I am pleased to announce that I will be holding an Independent Tournament Circuit (ITC) Event on Saturday November 7 at the Game Depot in Tempe, Az. The guys at Mechanical Warhorse have been gracious enough to sponsor the event, henceforth known as “The Salt River Rumble”, and the Game Depot has allotted us their gaming area. Signup now for $10.00 by simply visiting the Game Depot to register. The tournament will consist of three missions randomly selected from the ITC list and army composition (1850 points) will follow the rules outline on the ITC website which can be accessed by visiting www.frontlinegaming.org with the only restrictions that allied detachments must be published in the codex or White Dwarf, sorry no Web Exclusive Detachments. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Keep an eye out on this blog page for tournament updates.

Ice Base Zero: Concrete Walls

This month I've been working on a new set of concrete walls to go around Ice Base Zero. This is a MDF kit that makes a 6" wide, 3" tall wall section. Each wall section can stand alone or a rampart can be added on top for your models to defend the base.

Recently, we play tested the wall sections and they work great to break up line of sight but also give larger models some cover and the ability to spot targets.

The Pipe Works section ended up working well. It allows you to connect your pipe sections and extend the ramparts in order that larger base models can be deployed.

Now I need to spend some time to finish off the tower section, which is becoming the trickiest part of this new project. It's looks good, but has some access and line of site issues I need to work out. Hopefully, I can work in another playtest round to see how models can move around and over wall sections.

Ice Base Zero: Testing the playing field

Recently, I had a chance to set up the terrain pieces I had selected for Ice Base Zero. A couple of the pieces were not completed, so I added some proxies in order to get a feel for the final project. While it looked pretty good and there was plenty of cover for infantry, it was too wide open for vehicles and monsters... and it was just a little too stark. I know its an Ice Base, but it still just seemed a little flat. So, I added some additional terrain to create more maneuvering and cover for larger models.

Then, inspiration hit me. I will turn the base into a secret lab on some frozen ice planet. The new plan means more cover, bigger buildings with some type of compound and maybe a giant cannon. Don't worry, I'm keeping the burrowing beasts, he will still be creeping around the table.

Ice Base Zero: Burrowing Beast

War Gamma has a great resin kit called the "Burrowing Beast with Tentacles". The kit comes with the Burrowing Beast and four sets of tentacles all positioned as if they're "burrowing" out of the ground. One Burrowing Beast and one Games Workshop crater is all you need for this project.

I wanted to add a little more height and focus to the beast so I decided to glue it on a GW crater. I test fit the beast in the crater and clipped some of the crater edges to make sure it fit in the center of the crater. Once I decided on its position, I used cyanoacrylate to glue the beast in place.

As the position of the beast left some voids in and around the crater, I used muliput to fill and sculpt more crater effect around the beast. Once this dried, I used my mix of cat litter and play sand to add further debris to the crater. Finally, I primed and painted the model.

Originally, I made the beast to go with our group's Warhammer Fantasy terrain since there was a lot of Ogres and Chaos armies in the group. But now that this is going to be used with the Alpine F.A.T. Mat, I will need to figure out a coordinating paint scheme for the terrain and apply it to the beast. Check the terrain tally below for my progress.