NOVA FAQs/Mission Packets Updated!

By Jorsch-d4jydu9 from DeviantArt

Per Mike on Dakka: Here's GT Final Packet (missions won't change, polish/typos have been caught/changed): http://www.novaopen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/NOVA-2012-Warhammer-40000-DRAFT-Final-GT-Packet.pdf Here's Invitational Final Packet: http://www.novaopen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/NOVA-2012-Warhammer-40000-Final-Invitational-Packet.pdf Here's Trios Final Packet: http://www.novaopen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/NOVA-2012-Warhammer-40000-Final-Trios-Packet.pdf Relinking Narrative Final Packet: http://www.novaopen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/NOVA-2012-Warhammer-40000-Final-Narrative-Packet-11.pdf FAQ Final Packet (changed Anrakyr back, among a few others): http://www.novaopen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/NOVA-FAQ-v6th.21.pdf

There are quite a few big things in there:

Mysterious Objectives are IN
You have the option to choose your Warlord Trait
Archeotech Artefacts are on some tables
Fame/Infamy are primarily Warlord-based
Stormravens now can Shadow Skies in a reasonable manner
Grand Strategy affects allied detachments

I am trying to digest the ramifications for my army list very quickly.  I am fine with the Mysterious Objectives and Archeotech Artefacts, as I have a good amount of scoring bodies to take advantage of them.  However, I am concerned about the Warlord issues.  I really want to go for Fame/Infamy, and I am a little worried about how well my poor Libby will be able to handle those.  Also, it would be super nice to be able to choose an Warlord trait for a beefy character.  However, I really want to keep Dread Calgar in my list, so that prevents me from just going with my Vanilla Marines list or replacing the Libby with TDA Calgar in my current list.  I am thinking that I will just stay the course with my current list because it is pretty characterful, and felt pretty strong in my limited playtesting.  Also, the Libby IS being escorted by 5 TH/SS Terminators.  I would hope that would be enough to keep him alive if he has to get out of his ride to do some good. 

Choosing Warlord traits is a big deal, as it can open up a lot of options and maybe mitigate some of my weaknesses.  I am debating giving the Libby the Strategic Genius (reroll reserves) trait because it would allow me to make the Stormtalon more reliable and give me some options with Deep-striking Strike Squads and/or bringing in Attack Bikes from reserve.  I am also debating on giving him the Tenacity (FNP within 3" of an objective).  That will help keep him and the Termies alive and maybe prevent them from getting torrented as badly.

NOVA List and Theme Items for Narrative

T-shirt back design

My wife and I spent the last couple of nights working on my "Theme Gear" for the NOVA.  We used one of our friends' Cricket cutters to make the T-shirt.  The details of the Narrative are still a little sketchy, so I went with a fairly straight-forward design based on the old "Uncle Sam Wants You" posters.  The PAX is basically the new planetwide police/defense force, so I thought it would be a good reference.  The front pocket has a small design of the Air Force Memorial.

Down to two lists for NOVA!

Picture is unrelated... but still super cool!

After doing some debating and flipping some coins, I have narrowed down my options for the NOVA Narrative event to two main options.  I will either take my Honor Guard Grey Knights or Vanilla Marines with a non-Pally GK contingent.  Overall, I am expecting the Narrative to be a little more low-key than the GT, so my list decisions are being decided largely by theme and what I have painted well.  For example, I decided that Dread Calgar is a requirement in whichever list I take. I just love the model too much not to use it.  That pretty much ruled out the Vanilla Marine list unless I take allies.

Help me pick my NOVA list!

So I am currently scrambling to finalize my list for the NOVA Narrative Event.  When I registered, I completely missed the part about submitting my list ahead of time.  The draft primer can be found here, but the main highlights are:

2000 points (NOT 1999+1) with full use of Double FOC and Allies
Forgeworld is allowed, but no Superheavies/Gaurgantuan Creatures (could be interesting)
8 Points for completing two Missions each round
8 Points for KPs each round
10 Theme points for modeling/converting to match the narrative
"Infamy" points for completing random objectives (probably my main goal)
Painting Score (not much I can do about that in three weeks with the upcoming move)

New Loot!

My wife and I drove into town last night to do some shopping, and we both came away with some nice stuff.  She ended up with a new Galaxy III, but I think I still came out ahead...

Necron Deathstar... the missing piece! (Or not...)

Destroyer Lord... now a team player

I started working on my Necrons in late 5th Edition and never settled on a list that I really like.  A big part of that is I always felt they were missing something, specifically in the anti-tank category.  However, the new vehicle rules makes both Gauss and Tesla much more useful at killing tanks,  which means Surf Lords, Scarabs, and Lanceteks are no longer "required" to kill tanks.  Now almost any unit in the codex can do a decent job of killing tanks, which really increases the number of viable builds.

EDIT:  I incorrectly thought Destroyer Lords were Fearless... which completely breaks my analysis.

More Playtest Thoughts

Hail to our new 2+ Save Overlords!

It's been a crazy week, so I have not had a lot of time to blog.  However, I played my 2K Space Marines against a Dark Angels list on Thursday, and it was a very interesting game.  I am still learning a lot of the nuances of 6th and it really looks like details matter even more now than in 5th.  My opponent took the following list:

Belial with LCs
Librarian (Had the Divination Primaris Power and the Overwatch Power)
Deathwing with Banner, Apothecary, TH/SSs and CMLs
Deathwing with TH/SSs and CMLs
Deathwing with LCs and CML
Tactical Squad with PP, Flamer, and ML
Ravenwing Squad with PF, MGx2, and MM AB
Land Raider Crusader
Veteran Squad with lots of PWs and SS