White dwarf review

Greetz one and all,

With the new look of white dwarf I couldn't leave a review out. Let me start by saying "I didn't know a new look was coming" so I almost discarded mine 'cus I thought it to be some other crap. No seriously I was rather surprised. I didn't go for an actual page count as I did before, but did count the actual commercial pages. Including the shop listing and product advertising, I got to a total of 24 pages giving us a 84% content compared to 70% in previous issues.

Not bad, but if you look at it more critically most articles are not much more then covert advertising (not that's such big news :-). I would like to get some more useful articles. Things you can reach back to. Things like the necromunda ammo crates or the battle field challenges. But on a positive end note this is imo the best wd in the last few months if not years.  Nice lay-out, cool pictures, it all looks a lot more classy.  In the past I made the comparison with Playboy, well now not only did the picture quality improve, but in also includes a centerfold; al be it in the first few pages ;o)

I liked the replacement for standard bearer, Blanchitsu, Citadel Hall of fame, Paradeground, Battleground and paint spatter.  All in all a rather large short list :o)

White Dwarf 390

Greetings one and all,

I’m reading my White Dwarf on the Spanish coast this month, and that is also the reason why the review is a bit later then usual.  But better late then never.  I must say the interior look of the White Dwarf has changed a bit.  I couldn’t find any trace of a Battle report and at first glance I think there is a lot more commercial space (but we’ve been saying that for years while the stats prove otherwise)

Ultra Marine Storm Tallon (4P; 40k; Hobby)

Step by step painting guide for the Storm Tallon in Ultra Marine colours

I like these painting guides; they are simple and effective.  I’m thinking about collecting them or atleast make an overview of what can be found where; but more on that later (I hope)

Battle for Cardrim (16p 40k; info)

A short story about orks, white scars and Necrons

Scramble (2p: 40k; Tactic)

A new scenario with (the new) flyers as main feature

I like scenario play; although I rarely come to actual gaming; when I do, I enjoy a good story based battle with a nice scenario, rather then the pitched battle.

Army Project White Scars vs Orks (6p; 40k; Hobby)

2 army’s using “The Assault on Black Reach” as a base; and including the new flyers off coarse.  It includes a painting tutorial for white scars armour and metal, and a Evil Sun Dakka jet

Standard Bearer (2p; General; Hobby)

Jervis talks about the diversity of our hobby.  Or how you can be a tactical genius, painting master or a convertion lunatic ;o)

New Rules for the flyers (12p; 40k; Tactics)

Some updates for the Space Marine and ork Codex

Armies on parade (2p; 40k; Hobby)

Paul Norton’s Blood Angels

Nice looking models shame I got to see the dreadnoughts after my War of Iron projects

Da Stone Toof Tribe (6p; Fantasy; Hobby)

Duncan Rhodes gives some painting tips for the new orks and Goblins, as an update for his Stone Toof Tribe from a few issues back.

I like the new models; but then I love the new plastics.  I never got why Fine cast made it over individual plastic.

Gamesday Golden Demon Empire Gallery (2p; Fantasy; Hobby)

Some Gamesday winners from the last few years.

Scenery Show case Reiksguard Chapter House (4p; Fantasy; Hobby)

A scenery project by Chris Peach using the garden of Morr and Witchfate Tor kits as a base.

Great looking scenery although a bit expensive bits

Gamesday Golden Demon 2012 (2p; General; Info)

Some info on the Black Library stand on games day UK 2012

Cheerz

Griffit.

White Dwarf 389

Greetz one and all,

As I said a few weeks ago (with my last WD review) I’m looking for a new way to give you my insights in GW’s monthly magazine.  Resulting in a no post last month and a I still don’t know this month.  But lets just keep things rolling for now; and when the right way hits me I’ll let you know :o)

The Nihilakh Dynasty;  [40k; hobby; 6p]

Chris Peach shows his necrons and gives some tips and pointers.

Tomb worlds unleashed [40k; product;6p]

Simon Grant and Mat Ward talk about the new Necron releases.

How to paint [General; Hobby; 6p]

A how to paint on: Cadian flack armour; Tau armour; kabalite armour; red power armour; blue aspect armour; green cloth, … (see my new paint page soon)

Colours of the empire [Fantasy; Hobby; 9p]

Painting guide for all the different Empire provinces.

Demmigryph Knights [Fantasy; Hobby; 4p]

An update for Empire “Uniforms and Heraldry”

Tome of Battle; Night of a thousand arcane duels [Fantasy; Tactic; 12p]

First installment of Storm of magic updates; this one focusing on Empire.  Including new scenarios, spells, prayers and relics.

Standard Bearer [General; Hobby 2p]

Jervis Jhonson on the art of compromising in Wargames and the hobby in general.

The Battle for Tanrak [40k; Tactic; 15p]

Mat Ward introduces a map-based campaign; including some campaigns rules, some short battle reports, several scenario’s (including 1 for apocalypse) and some datasheets.

Tale of 4 gamers [Lotr; Hobby; 6p]

The final instalment of the lotr tale of 4 gamers.

All in all a not so bad White Dwarf.  I like the changes that where introduces in the last few issues.  The new way of displaying painting guides is nice (unfortunately the Empire article didn’t get the same treatment) and the way some articles are battle reports; tactic advice; new rules … all with the same narrative.  Lets hope it brings the narrative more to the gaming table; and who knows I might be a full fledged player one day ;o)

Oh and I almost forgot; the absolute best page in this issue is the first one …

Cheerz

griffit

New White Dwarf and new family addition

Greetings one and all,

It’s been a busy time over here at home.  Last Wednesday my wife gave birth to Bas a beautiful baby boy.  And with 4 kids at home and a recovering wife there is not much room for hobby stuff this month.  But boy you should see the smile :o)

My white dwarf report is a bit proforma this month but it gives you some idea of the content.

Devourer of worlds (12 P; 40k/Prod)

painting insights and examples from various Hive fleet

Herald of the great devourer (8 P; 40k/Prod)

Robbin Cruddance gives some more info on the swarmlord

Painting Workshop (6 P; 40k/Hobby)

Tervigon paint tutorial by Steve Bowerman

A company of Wolves( 8 P; 40k/Hobby)

A look at the wolf lords and there great companies

Painting Workshop (6 P; 40k/Hobby)

Thunderwolf cavalry by Steve Bowerman

Standard bearer (2 P; General/Info)

Jervis Johnson's top 10 Q&A from Games Day

Ambush at amon Sûl (5 P; Lotr/tactic)

Scenario at weathertop

Civil War (6 P; Fantasy/tactic)

Part 3 (one left)

Citadel Hall of fame (2 P; General/Hobby)

Joe tomaszewski's choise of the month

Gamesday Golden Demon 2011 (8 P; General/Hobby)

Slayer Sword Gallery

A tale of four gamers (9 P; Lotr/Hobby)

Dom Murray, Nixk Bayton, Simon Grant and Dan Harden start collecting Lotr

Armies on parade 2 P (Fantasy/Hobby)

Christian Byrne's ogre army

That’s this months WD, a lot about the new Space Wolfs and Nids.  And a big bunch of Hobby stuff; always cool :o)

Cheerz

Griffit.

White Dwarf 386

Greetz one and all,

A few day’s ago I got my hands on the new White Dwarf.  I was looking forward to some cool 40k stuff.  After seeing this years Golden Demon model I got rather excited.  Unfortunatly the cover said it all for me.  Lots and Lots of Lotr, I’m sorry Ben, but I still can’t get myself to even reading it ;o) On the other hand this issue also covers a cool fantasy terrain piece and painting tips (always useful no matter what game system) And some showcase pictures of 40k trough out the years.

But on to the rundown…

race to the ruins (Lotr; tactical; 8p)

Watcher in the water scenario and battle report

The armies of middle-earth (Lotr; tactical ;11p)

sample army lists for Lotr

the storming of Harlond (Lotr; battle ;8p)

Battle report

standard bearer (general; info; 2p)

Jervis talks about gaming supply's; or at least that what I got from cross reading ;o)

Civil War (Fantasy; tactical; 4p)

Unfortunately still no Empire :o( on to part three then.

standing watch (fantasy; tactical; 2p)

rules for the dethknell watch (new scenry piece)  Not the best piece yet, but I did have a similar idea I never got to finish; maybe this will help me get the job done.

Battlefield challenge Deathknell Watch (fantasy; tactical; 2p)

Man o man, I like these challenges; it gets you thinking about alternatives to the pitched battle.  Although up until now I only actually did one Battlefield challenge, I hope to do some more this year, or at least use them as inspiration in other games.

Army workshop; Necrons by Chris Peach; (40k; hobby; 4p)

Some nice tips to painting your necrons of the niilakh dynasty (the guy’s in turquoise)

Armies of the night; Matt Hutson's vampire counts (fantasy; hobby; 4p)

Armies on parade; Captain Ventris and the 4th on pavonis (Ultramarines) (40k; hobby; 2p)

Army workshop; The Eastern kingdoms (Lotr; hobby; 5p)

Painting tips and tricks for Bordeaux and yellow.

Futures past (40k; hobby; 7p)

A look at the 40k range trough out the years

Battlefields;some amasing battlefields in the 41st millennium (40k; hobby; 12p)

Assault on new rynn city (40k; battle; 18p)

40k scenario and battle report

White Dwarf 385

Greetz one and all,

This month’s white Dwarf report is a bit late due to the holiday festivities; but never the less it’s here.  The new White Dwarf includes some small changes.  You can easily look past them; but I found it interesting to look at.  Most notable is the battle report which if you looked at my stat line seems to be gone, but in fact is incorporated in a grander article.  The real BR fans will be disappointed but I welcome this change it gives us a broader perspective of the battle and what the game (according to myself) should be about.  In short it gives a better narrative and cooler gaming options.  But on to the revieuw.

The lords of undeath,showing the new models (fan,prod,18p)

This actually 3 articles in one; giving you some back ground and looking at some of the new rules and models.

eavy metal,Vampire counts models (fan,hobby,4p)

a look at the VC models past and present.

War in the border princes (fan,tac,15p)

Not just a battle report, this month’s alternative also comes with some fluff and a new scenario to play with.

standard bearer (gen,info,2p)

Jervis talks about why he loses so many games ;o)

Tactica,necrons (40k,tac,8p)

Mat Ward gives some pointers and tips on the Necrons

Painting Workshop; Ghorgon (fan,hobby,6p)

Painting tips for the Ghorgon by Chad Mierzwa.

Civil War (fan,tac,8p)

part one of a Warhammer Expansion

Signed in blood (fan,tac,4p)

Storm of magic pacts with vampire counts

Gamesday Golden Demon 2012 (gen,info,2p)

some info on the event's in Europe

Armies on parade (Lotr,hobby,2p)

Dan Hardens Haradrim

Painting Workshop,Mortis Engine (fan,hobby,8p)

Tips and tricks by Steve Bowerman

Warhammer World (Gen,info,4p)

a look at what this venue has to offer

Citadel Hall of fame (gen,hobby,1p)

Kevin Chin’s nomination

Cheerz

Griffit

White Dwarf 384

Greetz one and all,

This weekend didn’t just announce my Birthday, it also came with a brand new White Dwarf …  And here I was thinking it would take at least another week.  I didn’t expect anything from this month’s issue, so it can only bring good news :o)

Denizens of the forest depths (Fan,PRODUCT,6p)

A few words on beastmen with a special eye for the new Ghargon kit.  Looks nice by the way.  Has a lot of different options and spare parts.  I think we’ll be seeing this model in a lot of convertions soon.

Bloodied in the badlands (fan,PRODUCT,8p)

Andy Hall talks about the new Warhammer Campaign book, looks nice. I hope it’s a bit like the old Generals Compedium.  It includes some new Siege rules and is based on the new Mighty Empires kit in short I’m really looking forward to reading it at some point in the future.

Unleash the Beast (Fan,TACTIC,4p)

Some info and rules for the Jabberslythe, cygor and ghorgon.  I think it’s way cool that WD includes some rules these day’s it means you don’t have to buy the army book to use a monster you really like.

Warmongers (fan,BATTLE,20p)

4000pts storm of magic scenario orcs and ogres vs daemons and warriors

Blanchitsu (GEN,HOBBY,4p)

Jhon gives the word to Steve Buddle and Julian Baylisu to talk about there painting style

I like the pictures of both, but find the words of Steve a bit more comprehensible then those of Julian, but in all honesty I think it is difficult to explain a complete style on just 1 page.

Liber Appocalyptica (40k,TACTIC,8p)

Data sheets for Grey Knights, sisters and dark Eldar

Again nice to see new rules in the WD, although I’m not planning on using any Apocalypse rules for now.  I love the look of the game, but I’m not really up to it.

slaugher on shrödinger VII,Mat (40k,TACTIC,6p)

Ward talks about a 40k mini campaign Black Templars vs Necrons

eavy Metal (GEN,HOBBY,4p)

Joe Tomaszeweski talks about the 'eavy Metal team

Some very cool pictures, but didn’t find the time to read the actual article.

Modelling Workshop Skullvane Manse (Fan,HOBBY,6p)

I painting tutorial for last month’s scenery kit.  I love this kit, but it’s clear by now I really need to win the lottery :o)

Modeling Workshop Big Monsters (Fan,HOBBY,8p)

Some painting tips on monsters based on the ogre kingdoms Tundertusk

Dragon Hunt (LOTR,BATTLE,6p)

700 pts Dain's oathswond Erebor vs The Dragon's horde of Moria

Painting masters (GEN,HOBBY,6p)

Neil Green shows his models, I love his Tau, generally not a great fan of the race, but this paint scheme looks nice.

Club profile South Woodford Library (GEN,HOBBY,2p)

I like this kind of little article at the back, being form the mainland it doesn’t really give me helpful info, but I dream of reading about our own Golden Goblins one day ;o)

All in all, I liked this WD.  A lot of hobby stuff with a twist of tips and tricks it’s a recipe I always find attractive :o)

Cheerz

Griffit

White Dwarf 383

Greetings one and all,

Under normal circumstances I don’t talk about the new releases part of the White Dwarf.  But this month they’ve got a ‘Eavy Metal Materclass book in there.  Something that looks rather nice if you ask me.  It’s just a compilation of White Dwarf articles and some new stuff here and there, but I’d like to add this one to my collection :o)

The great awakening (40k,HOBBY,4p)

Some talk about the fluff of the Necrons; I’m not there greatest fan.  Necrons, Tao and even tyranids are a bit off in the world of 40k for me, kind of like a next generation, new kids on the block feel (although I think nids were already there in the RT days)  This all to say I don’t know much about there fluff, but it seems to be altered here and there.

Building the machines (40k,PRODUCT,6p)

A talk with the creators of the necrons (Dave Thomas, dale stinger and Tom Walton.  And I must say they did a great job with the mini’s if you ask me.  I still won’t be playing them, but they look a lot more styled in to 40k then they used to.

Eavy metal (40k,HOBBY,4p)

Necrons showcase,

The Rulers of War (40k,PRODUCT,4p)

Andy Hall and Ward discuss the new Necrons on the table top,

Attack on Traitors Gate,Battle report (40k,BATTLE,20p)

Mat Ward and Robin Curddace (4000 pts Necrons) vs Andrew Kenrick and Simon Grant (4000pts Ultramarines and Eldar),

Standard Bearer(gen,INFO,2p)

Jervis talks about not getting your way on the field

A good thing Standard Bearer is back, just a small article of 2p but I’m always looking forward to read it.

Skulvane Manse (fan,PRODUCT,6p)

A look at the new Fantasy Empire scenery kit.  I’d like to see some bit pic’s but those where not included.  Other wise a great kit if you ask me.  I still have to get me the graveyard but this is definitely on my Christmas wish list as well :o)

lord of the rings tactica (LOTR,TACTIC,6p)

Infantry training

Citadel Hall of Fame (gen,HOBBY,2p)

Colin Grayson nomination;  I’d like to know how many in the hall of fame are from the hand of Jes Goodwin ;o)

Warhammer Tactica (fan,TACTIC,6p)

Some tactics on Ogre kingdoms; dhu huu

armies on parade (40k,HOBBY,2p)

some nice looking orks by Mark Bedford.

Army workshop,Sisters of Battle (40k,HOBBY,8p)

Tips and triks for painting your sister

 All in all this was an OK issue, way to much Necrons but some interesting stuff aswell.

 Cheerz

Griffit

White Dwarf 382

Greetings one and all,

This weekend brought me the new white dwarf.  The release rules seem to have changed, and me being a subscriber I get the feeling of being cheated.  When I first got in to my subscription you got the issue early, saved from the coverprice and got a lot of usefull exclusives.  Now a days it seems the exclusives have lost there use to me, and I’m getting my issue a few day’s after my FLGS.  But on to the content of issue 182

Death on the ocean waves (FAN,PRODUCT,18p)

Full review of the new game, with pictures for every boat a talk to designers etc

Corpse reef (fan,BATTLE,6p)

Battle report by Phill Kelly and Jervis Jhonson

Tactica Dreadfleet (fan,TACTIC,4p)

Some tactical tips by Phill Kelly

Warpstone hunt (fan,BATTLE,10p)

Second Dreadfleet Battle report by Jervis and Phill

Standard Bearer  (gen,INFO,2p)

Jervis talks about joined efforts in Hobby land

hobby essentials (gen,HOBBY,6p)

A look at the new hobby tools by building a wyvern.

Army Workshop Ogre Kingdoms (fan,HOBBY,6p)

Chris peach’s Ogre’s with a lot of painting tips.

scrolls of binding (fan,TACTIC,4p)

using the huge creatures such as Tundertusk in your Storm of Magic games as bound monsters.

Battle Missions: sisters of Battle (40k,TACTIC,10p)

Some 40k scenario’s fit for Sisters of Battle specific games.

Painting workshop (FAN,HOBBY,18p)

Some painting tips on Dreadfleet models but these are still useful for other models

That’s this months WD, a lot of Dread fleet, bit to much for my taste, but some good content as well, and if you are curious what Dread fleet will bring to your table top, this is a must read.

Cheerz

Griffit.