This Week in 40K Podcasting – 09/26/2014 – 10/02/2014
40K Global – Episode 127 ***Explicit***
Highlights: After several years of an amazing podcast, this will be the final episode of 40K Global! And of course, as one last hurrah, they hit us with a nearly 5 hour episode to say goodbye with! They lead off the show with a full review of the Space Wolf Codex, where Gary “The Voice” Percival was joined by Alex and they started off by discussing his 40K gaming background. They then moved on to their review of the Space Wolves Codex, starting with Special Rules for the army and the moved on to the Warlord Traits, the loss of the ‘Leader of the Pack’ rule, and the formations. They then moved on to the War Gear and the things that were removed from the old book and what changed from the previous book for what remained, and of course the Relics. They then move on to discuss the new Psychic Discipline and how the powers have really changed. They then moved on to the unit-by-unit review, starting with the HQ choices of the Wolf Lord, Ragnar, Harald Deathwolf, Rune Priests, Wolf Priests and more. They then moved on to the Troop selections like the Blood Claws and Grey Hunters, and then it was on to the Elites like the Iron Priest, Scouts, the Lone Wolf, Murderfang, Wolf Guard, and more. Next it was on to the Fast Attack choices like the Swiftclaws, the Dedicated Transports, the new Strom Wolf, Thunderwolf Cavalry and more. Then, they touched on the Heavy Support like the new Stormfang, Long Fangs, and the standard Space Marine tanks. They also covered Logan and the Space Sled in the Lord of War slot. Franco was then joined by BJ and Dave to discuss what it was like to do the show over the years, what it has meant to them, and to share some war stories from their time on the show. They discussed why they are stepping away from the game of 40K and the podcast itself, including how the game has changed and the amount of work it take for the show. They also reflect back on what they have accomplished with the show and the community.
Opinion: This news was quite shocking to me, as the 40K Global podcast has been one of the pillars of the competitive 40K community for nearly three years now. So to see this show come to such an abrupt end is really quite sad. I have always been a big fan and they will be missed. The review of the Space Wolf codex was amazing as one would expect from the guys, but the latter part of the show where they covered some of their favorite memories was the best part of this show. Very sorry to see you go guys, there were not many like you.
Masters of the Forge – Episode 13
Highlights: This week the guys featured units that have been lost to codices over the years! They opened up the show by discussing some of the issues they have had trying to record this episode. They then moved on to what they have been up to lately in the hobby and gaming. Then it was on to the main topic, ‘The Lost Units of 40K’! So they take a trip to the past where they talk about the back-story of some of the units and characters that have left the 40K universe over the years, and offered up some new ideas and new rules for these old units and how to bring them up to 7th Edition. On this episode the focus on Vorth Mordrak, a special character removed from the Grey Knight Codex. The cover all of his old rules and how to translate them to 7th, plus add in a few to get him up to snuff with the 7th Edition rules. They then focused on Darnath Lysander and how the character has evolved over the years, from his first appearance in the 3rd edition codex, to his amazing back –story, to where he is now in the current codex. They closed out their review with the Necron Pariahs, where they come from in the old history of the Necrons, what their old rules were, and how to update them. Finally, they looked at some of the old missions from editions and codices past and try to update them to 7th Edition standards.
Opinion: As GW continues to remove models from their codices, I have often wondered what am I to do with models that no longer have rules any more. This series is really interesting in that you not only get the great background fluff of the unit, but some new rules to try them out with. And since we are ‘Forging a Narrative’ now in 40K, these rules are perfect to breath some new life into old models. Great idea guys!
The Independent Characters – Episode 110
Highlights: This week, Carl, Adan, and Justin discussed mission design for 40K! They started off by discussing some feedback from their previous episode, spiders, and blank spaces in episode. They then moved on to the “Work Bench’ where they discussed what they have been up to lately in the hobby and gaming. Next, it was on to the main topic for the show, “Mission Design’ for 40K. They first covered some of the questions on why you would want to design your own missions, including a Narrative Event, unique Con Missions, and so on. They then moved on to discuss the specific traits that are unique to the mission types, like what makes a Narrative mission so different to a standard mission and how they can be geared to tell a specific story. They moved on to look at the competitive level and big cons and the missions they design for that level of play. They then discussed some great places to find missions, everything from tournament mission packs, old White Dwarfs, and much more. Next, Carl talked to Reese from Frontline Gaming and Mike Brandt from the NOVA Open and they discussed both of their major events and all the joy that they brought, what they have been doing in way of missions for their huge GT Level events, testing them, and how they try to keep them balanced for all. Next, Carl had an interview with Black Library author Aaron Dembski-Bowden and they discussed his joining the Horus Hersey team, writing for the Black Library, the Nightlords, and so much more!
Opinion: So this show had two really amazing topics this week. First, the mission design discussion and ideas were just amazing. As 40K continues to move toward a ‘narrative’ game, there is no reason whatsoever why you could not design your own missions for the game. I am a huge fan of the ‘historic’ battle of 40K lore and seeing missions to match those really interest me. Oh, and the interview with ADB!!! He is without a doubt my favorite Black Library author. Outstanding guys!
Highlights: This week, it is the ‘End Times’ for 40K, or what it might be like anyway! The guys kicked off the show with some news where they discussed new Dark Eldar releases, some musings on what they would like to see for Vect and more! Then, the guys moved on to discuss the ‘End Times from the Warhammer Fantasy world to lead into their main topic, what it would be like if this happened to 40K! SO they go with the theory is based similar to the End Times arc in Fantasy, and start with 4 big books to draw this story together. This started with the first book, ‘Abaddon’ and what the possible story and models be like for this part of the story. This included Adaddon ascending to a Daemon Prince, bringing the forces of Chaos as one, including Traitor Guard and the rumors of some old, dead characters. Book Two would focus on the threat of the Tyranid Swarm! They offer up some cool ideas on what a huge push of Tyrnaids could do to the 40K universe, including a unified Eldar list and more. The third book would feature the Necrons and the awaking of the Silent King and his battle against the Tyranids. The final book would focus on the death and rebirth of the Emperor, and as a Warp entity he returns to lead the Imperium along with the long forgotten five remaining Primarchs in a battle to destroy Chaos. They discuss the possible benefits of a campaign like this and what advancing the storyline will do for the game. Next, they had an interview with Puck and David from the Renegade Open GT and they talked about their upcoming event. They talked about the details of the event, what is being run there, and much more. They closed out the show by discussing their hobby progress.
Opinion: This was a really cool idea for a show. Now, while I do not believe we will ever see GW advance the 40K storyline, it was a lot of fun to theorize on what could possibly be right around the corner for the Imperium of Man. Now I did not agree with some of what they concluded, the premise was just too cool not to enjoy!
The Screaming Heretic – Episode 71 ***Explicit***
Highlights: This week the gang kicked off the show with some hobby and gaming updates. This included some discussion about the Las Vegas Open 2015 and Adepticon! They moved on to the news where they discussed the new CEO of GW job opening, some of the latest from Forgeworld, and much more. Then, in the main segment of the show, the cast delved into the Movement Phase of 40K and how it could be improved. They first defined all of the different forms of movement in the game for each unit type. They then offered up suggestions to improve on this theme, like returning to different movement rates by race and unit. They also suggested things like stabilizing the run and charge moves instead of having it random. They also discussed how Flyers sort of hailed back to those days where movement was more ‘realistic’, and how a static charge amount could help close combat armies.
Opinion: This topped off an interesting week of non-competitive 40K podcasts for me, with some musings about the current Movement rules and where they could be improved. I am all for it, to be honest. I really feel like 6th and 7thpulled away hard from the assault based armies and seeing some changes to the movement rules could help armies like Orc and Tyranids forge a more Assault –base Narrative. All of their ideas had merit and I enjoyed the theories that came from it. Thanks for the 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:
SkardedCast – Episode 90 Dark Eldar – Hobby and more!
Life After the Cover Save – Episode 119 ***Explicit*** Kayla from Roadhouse Games, and some games played.
The Wolfkin Podcast – Episode 26 ***Explicit*** Team Tournaments and more
The 2nd Wave – Episode 24ANU-Con and Iyanden Codex Supplement review
The Imperial Truth – Episode 7 Working with Resin models
The Kessel Run Brought you by the Heroic 28s!
NOVA Squadron Radio Your home for tactical X-Wing discussion!
Scum and Villainy The Team Covenant X-Wing Podcast
The X-Wing Podcast Ben Curry & Ben Johnson’s UK Show
