This Week in 40K Podcasting – 9/07/2012 – 9/13/2012

Welcome to another “This Week in 40K Podcasting,”

Here is this week’s top 5!

The 11th Company – Episodes – 132 & 133

Highlights:  This week’s show the guys released two shows with over 8+ hours of 40K goodness!  So I will split their review into two brief reviews: 

In episode 132, the guys are mostly focusing on their recap from the Nova Open.  Neil and Pat were driving back from the event and the first segment opened up with how they felt the event was run, including a big test for Neil’s tournament software and briew reviews of each of their games including Neil vs Tony Kopach on table one.  Next, in Pat’s Corner, Pat has an interview with Adam Gati and they discuss Eldar foot lists and their effectiveness in 6^thEdition.  Next, in Tactical Terrain, Eric and Neil cover Fortifications in 6^th Edition. They close out the show with a brand new segment called ‘Segmentum Obscurus’ with Kevin from the ‘Baals 2 the Waals’ blog and they discuss the truly WAAC (win at all costs) players and effect on local events.

In episode 133, the guys are all back and joined by Ryan who Neil played at the Nova.  Pat then has some interviews with Jeremy Veyesseire on Sisters at the Nova and placed 3^rdand Rob Madeley from the English ETC team and they talked about Necrons.  Eric is celebrating 1 year of Tactical Terrain, and he covers Bastions and Defense lines for all Xenos players with some great ideas!  Dave is back from 40K UK and he and Franco discussed how 6^thEd has affected the UK tournament scene.  Next, the guys talked to Ryan about his devastating Dark Eldar list that did well at the Nova this year.  Next in ‘Segmentum Obscurus’ Kevin and Pat talk about how to deal with Flyers and Flying MCs with a lack of Skyfire overall.  Pat then talked to Grex Airbrush, Krypton Gaming Group, and White Widow Gaming in the community segment.  They guys closed out the show with a very brief review of the latest FAQs releases and discuss which changes have had the most impact. 

Opinion:  I have to admit I was a bit lost without an 11^th Company podcast for the last two weeks, however the guys totally make up for it with a big double release this week.  I loved pretty much all of it to be honest, hearing about the Nova was easily my favorite, I know I was watching those games as much as I could.  And when those FAQs dropped my first thoughts were ‘what will the guys see here that I’m missing’.  Great interviews and I really like the new segment as well.  Overall, two great shows!

The Independent Characters – Episode 61

Highlights:  This week the guys are joined by Scott, Josh and Jordan for coverage of their The Mestre Incursion campaign event.  They skipped the ‘Work Bench’ this week and went straight to an introduction to the G2 Santa Cruz team where each of them discussed how they got into 40K, the story behind the campaign itself, the players they were looking to attract with this purely narrative event, and much more.  Next, the guys discuss the event itself, starting off with where it was played and the tables and terrain it was played on.  This included some detailed discussion about how they custom made wall and floor panels for the tables.  In the next segment, the guys talked about the game itself, spread out over three tables.  They discussed the special rules used in this event, the special ‘ship’ table and restrictions, and a lot of the details of great moments within the game.  This included some really cool cinematic things that happened at the event that day.  They close out with how they felt the event went, talking about how they were able to accomplish it, and a lot of thanks to those who helped. 

Opinion:  This was another show that was just fun to listen to.  Not too much with the latest news, or anything like that, just coverage of what sounded like an awesome event to attend.  It gave me an insight of what it really takes to throw a big event like this and gave me some great ideas.  I’m jealous I could not have attended an event like this.  Great show guys!

Worlds End Radio – Episode 68

Highlights:  Luke and Mike are back after almost two months off, and this week’s show cover’s Mike’s experience and the ETC and Vehicles and Flyers in 6^th Edition.  The guys open up the show with some announcements before moving on to their hobby updates and the latest news.  This included GWs massive Finecast release, a very brief overview Mike’s ETC games, Dark Vengeance, the Forgeworld Horus Hersey books, the Australian Team Championships much more!  In their next segment, the guys talked to Joey Williams who was the videographer for this year’s ETC SEEN HERE.  She was kind enough to share some of the details of her involvement in the ETC.  They talked about a lot of the shenanigans that happened at the event, highlights which included the rules themselves, including the terrain, Alex Fennel’s pink Necrons, some of the language barriers, cheating at the ETC, and much more.  They close out the interview with a conversation about her video blog and all that she is doing over there.  Next, the guys move on to their 6^thEdition review of vehicles and Flyers.  This started off with a look back at how vehicles used to work in previous editions and how they have changed now in 6^th.  This moved on to a discussion about the change in the meta due to the new Hull Point and assaulting vehicles rules and other changes to the vehicle rules.  Then the guys give a very detailed review of Flyers in 6^th Edition 40K, starting with their origins and moving on to their new rules.  They also cover the new Chariots vehicle type and their rules, and the other vehicle types like skimmers, fast vehicles, how flat out works, and much more.  They also talked about embarked troops in a vehicle, scoring and contesting rules, and the assault rules out of a vehicle.  They close out the show with the ‘Deepstrike’ segment where they answer a question about convention exclusive miniatures. 

Opinion:  I’m so glad the guys are back and their layover was not as long as the previous one.  It’s too good of a show to not be out on a regular basis.  This week’s show gave me another look at this year’s ETC, which I have found most fascinating.  My personal favorite part was the interview with Joey who did an outstanding job with her documentary coverage of the event.  Check it out if you haven’t seen it, it really is quite good.  And they closed out the show with a great look at vehicles and flyers.  Good work guys, keep it up!

Highlights:  This week it is part 2 of the guy’s review of Codex Space Marines.  They open up the show with some announcements before moving on to their review of the Elite section of Codex Space Marines.  They cover each unit and some of the tactics to using them: this included Terminators and how useful they are now in 6^th and Assault Terminators versus Shooty Terminators and the DDM in 6^th.  They move on to the Fast Attack spot, going over Assault Marines, Land Speeders, Bikes & Attack Bikes, and much more!  They also cover the new Storm Talon and how it plays on the table top.  They move on to the Heavy Support, talking about the differences between Devastator Squads and Long Fangs, Thunderfire Canons and the new T 7 rule, the Predator, the Vindicator, and the Land Raider!  The boys close out the show by discussing some of the standard tactics and strategies used when playing Codex Marines and their ‘Good, Bad, and Ugly’ of this Codex. 

Opinion:  This was another great podcast from the Heroic 28s, with a good look at a Codex that has found some new life in 6^th Edition.  While I might not have agreed with all of their options, each unit was well reviewed and I found plenty of new ideas for running Marines.  The best part of the show was at the end as they summarized the Codex as a whole.  And on a personal note, best of Luck to you Kenny!  I can’t wait to hear how you do at Feast of Blades!

Imperial Vox Cast – Episode 82

Highlights:  This week Bill and Mike open up the show with what they have been doing lately in gaming and the hobby.  This included some modifications to the current rulebook missions and one of their own designs, their thoughts on dealing with Flyers, and a battle report from a game they recently played.  Next up, the guys focus on Psychic Powers in 40K, especially with their resurgence in 6^thEdition.  They look back at how the rules have changed over time and move that into 6^th edition, they also discuss which armies can and cannot use psychic powers.  They move on to discuss the Psyker rules, including Psyker level, warp charges, the rules for casting and perils of the warp, and ‘Deny the Witch’.  They then move on to discuss the different types of psychic powers and their rules and some tactics to using them.  They move on to talk about the number of powers a character can have and how to generate their powers.  They move on to discuss each of the psychic disciplines and all the powers that fall into those categories.   They also discuss some tactics to using some of those powers.  They next move on to talk about which armies can take which disciplines of psychic powers and some of the fun that can be had when you ally in an army to fill in those psychic holes.  To close out the show the guys talked about psychic defense and how to deal with all of these new psychic powers.  They talk about the ‘Deny the Witch’ rule and how it can be modified. They also discuss how good the Eldar and Space Wolves are at shutting down psychic powers.   

Opinion:  I really enjoyed this week’s podcast; it had a great topic which has really changed the landscape of 40K: Psychic Powers.  As most of us are still trying to feel out this edition, a good review of how the powers work and what they do is invaluable.  I found the review to be informative and loaded with some great tips to using them.  Good work guys!

Honorable Mentions – All great podcasts that just missed this cut this week, but you should still check them out, in no particular order:

Signals from the Frontline ***Explicit*** Chaos, Dark Angels, Horus Hersey Rumors and much more!

Jaded Gamercast – Episode 93 ***Explicit***  – Gemma Noon and Graham McNeill interview!

Preferred Enemies – Episode 36 ***Explicit***  Dark Vengeance box set review!

The Eternal Warriors – Episode 44 ***Explicit***  Kickstarter favorites, Dark Vengeance box set and mission review, odd Allies, and much more.

Tyrant’s Due – Episode 31 ***Explicit***  New Daemons, GW FAQs, Infinity review, and traits of a good game store

Hitting on 3s – Episode 6 ***Explicit***  Dark Vengeance & GW FAQs, Tournament results, Craig’s List, Blood Angels Omnibus review, strengths and weaknesses of their armies, and much more!