27 October 2012

The Scrum Cast E.14

Sid and Goris Recap Duelcon and we announce our new painting competition.  

Trollbloodscrum, quietly honoring one eared listeners everywhere.

http://scrumcast.trollbloodscrum.com/2012/10/the-scrum-cast-e14.html

24 October 2012

The Scrum's Painting Challenge II

Hey you! You think you can paint? Think you have what it takes to show your stuff off to the world and compete against some of the best there is? Now the real trick.  Can you do it...Fast? Well, we are here to find out.  And this isn't your grandmother's painting contest, this one is for stuff, like Battlefoam and things.  But, seriously, there are prizes on the line.  Here's the skinny!

The Challenge
- 6 Weeks
- 6 Models
- Painted and Based to your best possible quality

The Catch
All models Submitted must fit a theme within the game.  Meaning, these models must all be within a unit, or have some connection in the story or game play. Examples are: Min Champs, Champ Heroes and Skaldi.  You can see a clear theme. Be creative here though. I don't want to see just a list of Battlegroups in a theme list. I want something kick ass that has an interesting scheme.

Here' the other part of the catch.  I need a list of all models you intend to paint, why you want to paint them and what theme you will be choosing for your submissions. Extra points given for anything and everything that sets your models apart, not just in paint, but in theme.

The Terms
- Entry to the contest is $5 donated with forum name at www.trollbloodscrum.com
- Photos must be clear...very clear.  The better the picture the better the model looks.
- All models must be submitted by the deadline each week in their completed form.
- All models being submitted MUST be pictured in bare metal or primed form with time stamp.
- All model groups must be submitted with explanation of theme and paint theme.

Contest begins Nov. 12th 2012. Models must be submitted by end of the week Sunday by 12AM based on your time zone.  Please included the time zone when submitting your initial information. Send all Submissions to Goris@Trollbloodscrum.com

The Loot
Best Painted: $50 off a purchase of $100 or more at www.Battlefoam.com
Runner Up: Trollblood Foam Topper
Best Theme: A Set of Trollbloodscrum.com Tough Dice
Random Prizes!
Patches
More Dice
eGrissel?

Depending on the number of entries our prize pool only gets more grandiose! So come one come all and even if you paid 5 bucks you might get something out of it. So even if you just want to be seen for your painting and modeling prowess you can still walk away with something sweet!

So, bring your best, bring it fast and show the world how good you are.

This event is sponsored by Battlefoam(TM) and Located at www.Battlefoam.com




08 October 2012

Duelcon Recap

Duelcon has come to a close and Sid and myself are home from an awesome weekend. I am equal parts exhausted and exhilarated. Below Sid and I will give you a recap of what went on, how we did in tournaments, tournament results and all the other goings on. Sit back and enjoy the ride.



Let me start this post out by saying thank you.  Thank you to everyone who contributed to Sid and I getting to Duelcon.  This blog would be nothing without it's readers.  Those of you who contributed to the blog, and you know who you are, thank you guys and there will be a lot of furious painting and podcasting happening over the next few months with all the folks who helped out.

Day 1 -

Sid and I fly in the day before so we were relatively well rested.  We got our free breakfast and checked into the con.  In the swag bag there were a few things of note: $25 off a Battlefoam purchase of $50 or more, a sprew with some miniatures on it that looked shockingly similar to GW models but under a different brand, lastly a set of rare earth magnets.  We hung around until the first set of events started and then we watched some games played a pick up game or 2 and had a pretty chill day before I entered in the 20pt MM/TC.

Round 1 -
My List:
Grim
Earthborn
Rok
Impaler

eSkarre.  This was a complete slug fest and I had the privilege of meeting my opponent earlier in the day so it was a fun game all the way through, but it came down to my Impaler getting a charge off on a KD Skarre.

Round 2 -
vs Legion
Saeryn is lame.  Like, really lame. Grim however is more lame counter feating on his army and then killing every last beast. I though I lost on scenario until I found out if I kill his beasts that I simply win.

Round  3 -
vs Cricle
Played against eKruger piloted by the masters winner Craig. Was a fun game that came down ultimately to him missing a crucial TK which caused the loss.

Round 4 -
vs Khador
You know who else is lame? Karchev. Holy shit is he beast in this format. I knew what he could do with the power sliding jacks and I just let it happen because I am nub and that's how it goes.

Round 5 -
vs Khador
God dammit. Karchev, again. F***! So yeah, this time I learned from my mistake earlier and feated early to prevents the huge run power slide BS.  I subsequently got the charge off with Rok and failed to seal the deal because well, dice are dice... 3-2 and failed to score a spot in the WMW qualifier so far.

It's now late and I want to go to bed, so I do...

Day 2

Masters was a 50pt 2 list format, non divide and conquer so I could use whatever lists I wanted. At the last minute I swapped my eDoomy list for a pDoomy list looking at the players and the armies from the last evening I felt it was the best option.

Round 1 -
vs Circle
Well, I faced off against Craig again and his eBaulder list.  I chose pDoomy with his beast brick and I felt pretty solid with my choice.  I was sort of out of position during my feat turn and it ended up being lack luster.  The rest of the details are trivial at this point.  Picture a de-clawed kitten swatting at Warpwolves for like 3 rounds. Craig is a great player obviously and I don't want to take anything away from his win but man... He felt bad for me and bought me a beer afterwards, that's how bad it was.... Dice games... 0-1

Round 2 -
vs Menoth
This round was against Harbinger which, is one of our worst match ups and once again I chose Doomy.  It was pretty attritiony until I got the itch and decided I might be able to assassinate Harby. Well a good amount of missed attack rolls later I hang my Earthborn out to dry and the game starts to go down hill for me.  I should have taken the opportunity to remove my opponents jacks and really win the attrition war rather then try for the kill.  One of my personal failings sadly. 0-2

Round 3
vs Khador
This round a faced a pretty standard pButcher list and my opponent was pretty nice and fun about the game which lifted my spirits a bit because the last two games were rough.  I finally pulled my eMadrak out of the bag and went to town. The effects were 3 dead heavies in one round and not a good outcome for Butcher. 1-2

Round 4 -
vs Skorne
I faced off against eMakeda with my eMadrak list and in the beginning my opponent was not enthusiastic about playing me to I started telling jokes and in good humor just said I'll let Madrak face tank for my army, not knowing that is exactly what would happen. Over the coarse of 2 turns Madrak weathered 2 Bronzebacks to the face with a combination of Grim Salvation and transfers. The end result was a Long Riders to Makeda's face. 2-2

Round 5 -
vs Legion
Have I mentioned how much I HATE radial deployment?  Really not a fan.  Also it's on of those scenarios that can really force an army to split up and Trolls don't like that much. Fury 5 warlocks can't spread their love much in those situations.  Anyway, against pLylith and once again eMadrak comes in to save the day.  By turn 2 I mired his beasts with Burrowers and Fenns and start the slow grind to victory. I have effectively neutralized his heavies at this point and Madrak is in no risk so I move in for the kill on Lylith. 3-2

I rounded out the day alright, but failed to make it into the WMW masters qualifier. Who knows how I would have done, but overall was a fun tournament.  Last that evening I entered into a story event where i ran a fun Borka list and has some fun games and drinks with people.

Day 3

I relaxed on Sunday had a good casual game with Javaman from the forums and watched the masters play itself out.  There were a lot of interesting lists being played and lots of good play happening.  By this time, Sid and I were exhausted sow e just took it easy.  In the end though I walked away with $25 from Battlefoam.  I met a lot of really chill guys from all over and had a great time.  I wish I could remember names because so many people were really awesome to me and they deserve some credit.

Things I took away from this tournament...

Playing lists you are comfortable with can really help you against bad matchups and second guessing yourself on which lists to choose is always bad. I can't say taking my eDoomy list would have won me games where my pDoomy list did not, but I know that list in an out with it's threat ranges and strengths and I feel like I would have had a better shake at it with that list.

Think outside of the box.  I saw a tone of different and new lists.  From tiers to oddball stuff.  We really need to shake up our lists building sometimes to challenge the meta and stay ahead of the curve. I've already started building some lists with Warlocks I haven't played in a while that have some real power and started adding in pieces that I think have some interesting synergy.

Do no let bad dice or bad match ups get you down.  A players confidence and mindset are perhaps their greatest asset.  Being calm, collected and moving on through adversity is the mark of a truly good player and can really make or break a close or hard game.

All in all I really want and need to play more scenario play.  It makes games so much more interesting for me and I just don't get enough of it in my local meta.  Also as my areas Warmachine and Hordes scene grows I see really potential for something like this as a Northwest regional con of some sort in the next few years.  Bringing people together to play this game and have a good time is perhaps the best thing about it and I really hope I can continue to attend such awesome events.


04 October 2012

The Scrum at Duelcon Photo Dump

  Hey guys, I just wanted to post the pictures I took at Duelcon, and would like to thank you for all of your support for getting us there. This couldn't have happened without the community, and all props go to you guys. <claps emphatically>

  Here are the photos from the events ranging from the MM/TC event to the WMW Qualifier. Thanks again guys: