This Week in 40K Podcasting – 05/31/2013 – 06/06/2013

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

Here is this week’s top 5!

Highlights:  This week the boys opened up their show with what they have been doing in gaming and the hobby.  This included Alan’s quest for no Forgeworld in competitive events and how big it can swing the balance of the game, the ‘Christina Campbell’ hoax and the release of the new Eldar and their first impressions.  They look at each slot and give their first thoughts on them and what jumps out at them.  Next, Eric was back with another installment of ‘Tactical Terrain’ and this week he discussed shopping for terrain supplies like paint, lumber, foam and more!   Then Dave is back with a 40K UK segment and this week he and Franco discussed the tournament circuit’s reaction to the Tau codex and the Throne of Skulls 1500 point tournament.  They closed out the show, the boys continued on with their discussing about the tournament meta.  This time, they opened up focusing on what a typical Tau army looks like, how they will affect the meta, and how to pick the army apart before they blow you off the board.  Next, they looked into multiple deployment options and their effect on tournament missions.  They also discussed their list building tactics and what they add to an army to make sure they perform well, and how to win missions at a tournament.

Opinion:  This week’s show was just outstanding, I really have to say.  They was just so much to love about this week, the early Eldar discussion was good, the 40K UK segment on Tau in a tournament, even better, and the tournament meta segment has just been invaluable.  I highly recommend this (and the last) episode to anyone who is even debating a tournament.  Great work guys, some of your best work overall! 

The Heroic 28s – Episode 67

Highlights:  This week the guys continued on with their review of Codex Imperial Guard.  They opened up the show with a discussion about the DNAC that GW issued to Faeit212 and Apocalypse 40K for their violations.  Is GW being a bully and is their release schedule the reason sites like this so popular?  They move on the their review of Codex Imperial Guard, starting with the lack luster Elite section like Ratlings, Ogryn, and the only bright spot in the slot, Sly Marbo!  They moved on to the Fast Attack slots which included the Scout Sentinels, Rough Riders, the Devil Dog, and the awesome Vendetta Gunship!  This deviated into a great conversation on Forgeworld at competitive events.  After a break the boys came back to cover the Heavy Support slot and all of its glory!  They open up with the Leman Russ tanks and all of the variants, Medusa, Hydra Flak and much, much more!  They closed out the show with some summarization of the army and the common tactics used with this army.  This included blob infantry and Vendettas!  They also talked about the best allies for IG, which included Space Wolves, Blood Angels and Grey Knights. 

Opinion:  The boys put in quite a great effort of their review of Codex Imperial Guard.  Despite its age, this Codex has stood the test of time and is still a major threat out there.  So anyone looking to learn about this awesome army

Highlights:  This week the guys check in with a massive 4+ hour show, mostly about the new Eldar codex!  They open up the show with Nathan, Dave, Franco, and Bob sit down for a Tournament Report where they discussed Mayhem 2013!  They started off by discussing the event itself and how it was run and the terrain used there.  Each of the guys discussed their lists (Bob took Farsight Tau, Franco also took Tau, Nathan took CSM/Necrons), the mission, the deployment, and their opponent’s list from round one.  They moved on to discuss the rest of their day one games, which included some Tau on Tau action, discussions about the time it take to play a game of 40K, and Nathan in the lead at the end of day one.  Next, Dave had an interview with Gram Patrick who designed the podcast’s new logo.  They also discussed his Eldar army just a bit and the impending release of the new book.  Next, in ‘Operation Codex’ the guys sit down and look at the freshly released Eldar Codex, just hours after the boys got their grubby hands on them.  They opened up with their early first impressions of the book, which included the new Bladestorm rule, some of the changes to the book they feel will be the biggest to Eldar players, and much more.  They moved on to discuss the impressive Wraithknight and all of his upgrades!  They then had an open discussion about all of the disgusting combos that had revealed themselves as they went down through the unit choices.  They spend some time discussing the brand new models with the release, including the Wraith Fighter flyer, the new Wraithguard, and more.  They also discussed some Warlord traits and some of the units and whatever else popped out to them. 

Opinion:  This was really a great show this week, first I am a huge fan of the two part tournament review.  Otherwise this is a 6+ hour show and that is a big pill to swallow.  Aside from that, the Operation Codex first look at the new Eldar was just outstanding.  A bit early, but it is very useful to hear what the top players are thinking about this new Codex.

Jaded Gamercast – 129 ***Explicit***

Highlights:  This week the boys took a two hour look at the brand new Eldar Codex.  They opened up with some first impressions.  They moved on to look at the book itself, including the artwork and layout of the new book.  They move on to the Special Rules of the army, which included army wide Fleet, Ancient Doom, and how awesome Battle Focus is!  They moved on to briefly discuss the Warlord Traits and some of the Psychic Powers, or Runes, available to the army before moving on to discuss the Special Characters and generic HQ options.  They moved on to Troops, starting with Dire Avengers and moving on to Guardians, Jetbike Guardians, Rangers, and the Wave Serpent.  They moved on to the Elite slots where they discussed Howling Banshees, Striking Scorpions, Fire Dragons, the new Wraith Blades, and much more.  They moved on to the Fast Attack choices which included the awesome Warp Spiders, the Flyers, and much more!  They move on to discuss the Heavy Support and all of the changes made there from the old Codex and how great Fire Prisms are!  The boys closed out the show with a discussion about the two leaked photos of the impending Apocalypse release.

Opinion:  That’s right, Jaded Gamercast made it to the top 5!  And well deserved as well, as this was really a great first look at the new Eldar Codex.  Now granted, I am not sure I completely agree with all of the boy’s opinions on certain units or rules, it was easily the most complete first look at this new book.  I found it quite informative, incredibly useful and very entertaining.  And I was able to tip a glass as I listened this week!  Even better!  Nice job guys!

Highlights:  This week the boys are joined by Adam and the return of Sam!  They opened up the show with the release of the new Eldar Codex, including the new rules and new model range!  They also discussed the leaked Apocalypse photos and the iOS GW games.  Up next, Sam leads a discussion on basic airbrushing.  They cover first why someone would use an airbrush over a brush?  They discuss the difference between single and dual action air brushes, some basic techniques, and more.  Then, Jason had an interview with Dillon, a member of their gaming club and they discussed ‘Sculpting’.  They discuss how he got into sculpting in the first place, some of his early work, and some basic tips and trick to doing it, and the tools involved.  They also discussed techniques for how to cast your sculpted models.  Next, the conversation rolled on to the concept of ‘Kit Bashing!’  They guys discussed what kit bashing is, why one would save all of those bits and what you can do with them, and much more!  They also discussed getting       

Opinion:  A nice hobby centered podcast this week, a great palette cleansing podcast to close out the top five.  This week the guys hit us with a ton of valuable hobby tips and tutorials.  I am a huge fan of shows like this.  And if the project for the Throne of Bits is to become a reality, I will contribute if I get to sit on it!  Great show 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*** New releases, Las Vegas Open, new Eldar, List review, and Mack Martin on M2E!

Skaredcast – Episode 49 New Eldar and their effect on Dark Eldar