This Week in 40K Podcasting – 05/16/2014 – 05/22/2014

Welcome to another installment of “This Week in 40K Podcasting,”  Here is this week’s top 5!

The Independent Characters – Episode 101 

Highlights:  This week the guys are reviewing the Horus Hersey Book Three: Extermination!  This is the first in their two part series, and they kicked off the show with ‘the Work Bench’ where they discussed what they have been doing lately in gaming and the hobby.  Next it was on to the main topic of the show, their in-depth review of the Horus Hersey Book Three: Extermination.  They started off by discussing the different ways this book, with the full blown book or the option for the legion rules all by themselves.  They moved on to talk about the outstanding quality of this book, including the color artwork, the preview peaks at new models, and more.  Next, it was on to the story, Picking up right after the battle at the end of book two.  They recap who was lost, including a primarch dead and a couple more missing.  The Traitors enjoyed the spoils of war and Horus has rallied his troops to continue on with the war.  They moved on to talk about the stories of several of the Legions involved in the post battle clean ups, including the Alpha Legion, the Raven Guard, the Iron Warriors, and the Imperial Fists.  They discussed their vast history and what brought them to this point in the story of the Horus Hersey and what they are doing post Massacre.  They also had an interesting discussion about how reading up on these armies had altered their perceptions of them and if they would ever want to play them.  They closed out the show with an interview with Justin from Arcane Factories and they discussed the miniatures he is working on and their Kickstarter.  The guys also did a short follow up on their thoughts on the Legions covered in this book and their feelings on them. 

Opinion:  I know I have stated this several times, but it bears repeating, I absolutely love the ICs reviews of Forgeworld books!  This one loved up to all of the previous show with some very detailed backs story of the event after the Dropsite Massacre.  The amount of rich detail they go into I cannot do justice to in anyway, so I highly recommend you just check this one out for yourself.  Absolutely outstanding show guys!

Turn 8 – Episode 46

Highlights:  This week the guys are back with a standard show, which includes a full Battle Report!  They kicked off the show with what they have been up to lately in gaming and the hobby.  Next, it was on to ‘the News’ where they discussed the latest from Forgeworld and the Black Library.  Then, the guys reviewed the Horus Hersey book ‘Visions of Hersey’ by Alan Merrett.  This book is mostly comprised of all of the awesome artworks through the series and can serve as in encyclopedia on the events leading up to and including the Horus Hersey.  Up next it was back to the show’s signature ‘Battle Report’!  They discussed the two armies involved in the battle, CSM with Daemon allies vs. Dark Angels with Imperial Guard allies.  They moved on to discuss the particulars of the battle, including size, missions, the terrain layout, and the lists being played in this battle.  Next, it was on to the dramatization of this epic battle.  They followed it up with a short overview of the game and a tactical analysis of the outcome.  Next, it was on to all of the 7^thEdition talk for the show and the boys discussed everything they had, from facts from leaks, rumors, and their hopes and dreams for this edition.  This included discussion about Battle Forged and Unbound armies and what Troops from a Battle Forged army can do, the new Missions and how they work, and the new Psychic phase to the game!  They moved on to discuss some of the rumors swirling around this new edition, including consolidating into combat, and more.  They closed out the show with their hopes for this new edition, things that they feel need to be added to this game. 

Opinion:  I am so extraordinarily happy to have heard another battle report from the guys!  Let’s face it, this is what made their show stand out from the rest, and while I understand the work that goes into them, I appreciate that they are back in some fashion.  I also like the review of ‘Visions of Hersey’, this one skipped my radar for some reason and now I want to pick it up thanks to the guys.  And of course I love all of the 7^thEdition rumor mongering.  By the time you read this article the new edition will be out an all of the rumors will be laid to rest, but its fun to talk about now.  Good show guys, thanks!

The Overlords – Episode 151 ***Explicit***

Highlights:  This week Jon returns to the show after a short absence, and they kicked off the show with News and Rumors, which of course was the impending 7^th Edition release.  They discussed a lot of the facts that have been leaked and some of the rumors that are out there now.  Topics like Unbound Armies, the new missions, the Psychic Phase, the new Allies Matrix and much more!  They moved on to discuss their local news and what they have been up to lately in the hobby and gaming.  Next, it was on to the main topic of the show, a ‘Smells Like Tactics’ segment about how to have a solid performance on the tabletop!  This included tips for formulating a game plan and executing that plan, some list building ideas, what units to look out for and how to set target priority, and much more.  They closed out the show with some brief discussion about the new Guard and their new toys and how they are feeling about them. 

Opinion:  I have to say I am happy that the guys kept the 7^th Edition talk to minimum.  We all know we’ll have the rulebooks in hand very shortly, so to touch on it and move on was great.  I especially liked their ‘Smells Like Tactics’ segment which had some very universal 40K tactical advice in there.  Good for any edition of the game, I might add.  Good show guys, happy Jon is back and always happy to hear from the Steve!

The 11th Company – Episode 199.5

Highlights:  Ok, so this is not the epic episode 200 we have been waiting for, but the guys are sort of in a holding pattern with Neil moving and 7^th Edition about to shake up the entire 40K world.  They also have decided to hold off on Episode 200 until the dust settle from the moves and the new edition and decided they needed to release something to us fans in the meantime.  They kicked off the show with what they have been doing lately in gaming, which has really been waiting to see what 7^th Edition will bring and riding the rumor roller coaster.  They then moved on to talk about all of the rumors they have heard and how much they believe from what they hear.  This included the new Psychic Phase, how Troops work for Battleforged armies, the Vehicle Damage Chart, Vector Strikes, Flying Monstrous Creatures, the Allies Matrix, the new Missions, and much, much more! 

Opinion:  Ok, I’ll admit I felt a little cheated that this wasn’t episode 200, and how dare they try to have an episode 200 amidst all of this 7^th Edition stuff!  But to be honest, I am happy the guys did decide to release something, with all of the changes to the staff and the show it was good to hear from them.  Again, we will all know by the time this article posts what is fact and what is fiction.  From what I’ve heard, we’re paying for some FAQs, but I could be wrong.  Good show guys, looking forward to the dust settling there. 

Forge the Narrative – Episode 52

Highlights:  This week the guys continue to dive head long into the rumors and facts about the impending 7^thEdition!  They kicked off the show by talking about their genuine excitement for this new edition.  They talked about how some psychic characters will bring some more interesting tactical decisions to a game.  They moved on to talk about some of the list building ideas they have had and how they are hoping to succeed in the new edition.  They moved on to talk about a drop pod Space Wolves list and how it might translate over to a 7^thEdition list.  They moved on to talk about how the missions in 7^th Edition could help increase the power of an all Drop Pod army.  They closed out the show with some discussion about the new Mortarion model from Forgeworld and all of the fun stuff they have planned for SpikyCon! 

Opinion:  Another show which had been keeping the pulse of the rumors and leaks of 7^th Edition.  The guys have done an outstanding job of keeping the fact straight and I loved the conjecture on drop pod lists in 7^th.  It appears that the Drop Pods and MSU very well might be kings of 7^th edition.  Looking forward to the Saturday webcast 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*** General Gaming News, Rumors, List Reviews, Tactics, and Rants!

Wolfkin Podcast – Episode 10 The Latest 7^th Edition Rumors, Forgeworld weekender, and more!

The 2nd Wave – Episode 13 Dark Angels Codex Review Part I, 7^thNews and Rumors, and more

Life After the Cover Save – Episode 107 ***Explicit*** Battle Force Breakdown: Hammer of Cadia/Cadian Defense Force, and the great Carl Tuttle! 

X-Wing Podcasts – And if you’re looking for a few good X-Wing Podcasts, please check these guys out!

The Kessel Run Brought you by the Heroic 28s!

Scum and Villainy The Team Covenant X-Wing Podcast

The X-Wing Podcast ***Explicit*** Ben Curry & Ben Johnson’s UK Show