This Week in 40K Podcasting – 05/24/2013 – 05/30/2013

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

Here is this week’s top 5!

Highlights:  This week the guys opened up the show with their usual ‘This Week in Gaming’ segment, where they discussed their latest games played.  This included their first impressions of the new Eldar models and XCon event that they ran/played in.  Next, in ‘Pat’s corner’ Pat had an interview with Cranberry Muffinman, from 40K Nation and they discussed their 40K Nation Battle board and how it differs from Rankings HQ.  They also discussed 40K Nation itself and what it is all about.  Pat also talked to Ben who is in charge of the TShift GT circuit and he discussed his two open events and how they work. Next, Pat talked to Sean from ‘L33t Like Us’ (http://www.l33tlike.us/) and they discussed his blog and his ‘Road to Nova’ series of articles.  Next, in the ‘List’ segment, Neil did part one of a two part series on the tournament meta.  He opened up with a discussion on how quickly the meta has been shifting here in 6^th Edition with the speed at which they are releasing codices.  They discussed the basic meta with Necrons, blob infantry, and Heldrakes!  They discussed the basics of Flyer lists, the fast assault list, the affect the Tau has on the assault based army, blob Guard lists, drop pods and much more.  They closed out the show with another Q&A segment where they answered questions from their Facebook fans. 

Opinion:  This week brought some of the standard high quality content that I have come to expect from the 11^th Company, however, head and shoulders about all of the other segments this week, I complexly enjoyed the ‘Tournament Meta’ segment.  Getting ready to attend a big event myself, I found this segment extremely useful, and I have forwarded on to the rest of the guys coming with me.  It is a great look and feel for the current meta, and I’m looking forward to part 2.  Nice work guys!

The Heroic 28s – Episode 66

Highlights:  This week, the boys dive into the Imperial Guard Codex!  They opened up the show with introducing their friend Alex and his gaming history.  They then moved on to what they have been up too lately in gaming and the hobby.  This included Kenny playing in the Alamo GT tournament and Kenny’s legendary bad dice rolls.  Next, y moved on to their review of Codex Imperial Guard.  They started off by detailing the Orders system and each order, which basically function as a new phase of the game.  They then move on to discuss the HQ choices, including the Company Command Squad, Lord Commissars, Primaris Psykers, and more.  They then moved on to discuss the named characters Commissar Yarrick.  In their next segment they discussed the many options available in the Troops selection, like the Platoon Command Squad, Infantry Squads, Heavy and Special Weapons, Chenkov, Al’Rahem, Chimera Transports, and much more. 

Opinion:  This week the boys tackled an army that has always hurt my head to think about, The Imperial Guard.  With SO many options in just the Troops choices for this book, it can be quite confusing for the player who doesn’t play them that often.  The boys did an outstanding job clearing up all of it for me, and I am looking very forward to part 2.  Great show guys! 

The Independent Characters – Episode 78 ***Explicit***

Highlights:  This week the guys are joined by Scott and Adon to discuss what it take to run a 40K event!  They open up the show with ‘the Work Bench’ where they discussed what they have been doing lately in gaming and the hobby.  This included the staff’s first reactions to the Eldar release and a game with Blake from Life After the Cover Save.  They then move on to discuss their main topic, running 40K events.  They start off with the very small events, garage or basement event with groups of friends.  They discuss what you need to make this thing go off without much of a problem, which included finding players, a location, tables and terrain, food and clean up and more.  Next, the guys go up a level to the store level tournament.  This included tips on how to hit the right target audience for your event, rules complications, 6^thedition in competitive events, how to get and provide prize support, and much much more. 

Opinion:  This was a really fascinating topic, one that is near to me as a TO, and that was running event and how to do it!  I have to say though, when it came down to how to run a store event I didn’t feel like the guys went into a lot of the details that I would have.  Things like ways to help scoring, like bring a laptop and not a notepad, what to have like FAQs printed out, mission, and what not.  So I was a bit disappointed there.  But overall, it was a good show and I cannot wait to hear what they have to say about a national event. 

40K Global – Episode 76 ***Explicit***

Highlights:  This week’s show had some Tau Tactica and a good tournament report.  First up was an ‘Evaluation’ segment where Dave himself reviewed the Tau from a non-Tau player’s perspective.  This included a deeper look at things like ‘Have Tau shifted the meta?’, Tau’s ability to ignore cover, ‘Are Tau broken?’, and some tips for fighting Tau.  Next, Dave is joined by BJ and they discussed a recent 1500 point tournament he attended where he took his Space Wolves/IG army.  He gave some details of each of his games and how he did at the event overall.  BJ also had an interview with Aaron his second round opponent and some car trouble on the way home.  They closed out the show with an interview with BJ’s third round opponent who defeated him and took first place. 

Opinion:  This week had an interesting segment where Dave broke down the Tau Codex and offered up some counters to this great army.  I really liked this and it provided a lot of great ideas on how to combat them, until I get them that is!  The battle report was also useful; however I was really hoping BJ had taken Tau to this event.  Maybe if he had, he would have won it.  Good show guys!

Preferred Enemies – Episode 53 ***Explicit***

Highlights:  This week the guys are looking ahead to the new Eldar Codex!  They opened up the show by acknowledge Christina Campbell’s passing and its effect on the community.  Then they moved on to discuss the latest event they played in and this included a lot of field reports on the Tau and how well they did.  Next, the guys look at some of the leaked Eldar information, which included prices and model releases.  They discussed the Iyanden supplement, the new Farseer, the super expensive and super big Wraithknight, the new flyers, and much more!  They also discuss the new psychic powers that have been rumored and how they are thought to work and run down the rumor mill of what does what in this new book.  They closed out the show with a review of what they have been up to lately in their hobby progress. 

Opinion:  This was an interesting show this week.  This basically was a rundown of all of the latest (at the time of recording) internet rumors on the Eldar release.  They also did a good job looking at the new models that have leaked out.  It was a pretty comprehensive look and what is to come with the new Eldar.  Check it out. 

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*** Interview with Mack Martin on Malifaux 2^nd Edition, new releases, new, rumors, and more!

Skaredcast – Episode 47 Gaming Groups and how to start one

Jaded Gamercast – 128 ***Explicit*** First look at the new Eldar release, Videos games, Dr. Who, and much more!

Forge the Narrative – Episode 13 ***Explicit*** Look at the new Eldar release and the size of the Wraithknight!

Second Founding – Episode 31 Updates, Competition painting with Chris Borer and Brian Sobb, the Crystal Brush, Ronnie from Mantic Games and much more

Imperial Vox Cast – Episode 94 ***Explicit*** Blake from LAtCS co-hosts with Bill and they interview Reese from Frontline Gaming and discuss Blood Angels vs. CSM! 

Boltgun Battle Brothers – Episode 9 ***Explicit*** Tau, High Elves, X-Wing, Chaos, Tyranids, and much more!

Death or Glory – Episode 14 ***Explicit*** Tournament Talk