40K and me, pt.2

I played 40K for the first time in about 20 years last night. And I had a good time, in large part because my opponent Adan is a great guy and was all about actually teaching me how to play and what to do (as opposed to simply thrashing the noob, which I’m quite sure he could have done without much trouble).

We played 5 turns and I came out on top somehow. There were some cool fights going on, like the duel between his commander and my dreadnought, which saw both of them taking pieces out of each other and went on for two turns and was still undecided at the end of the game. I tried to just go for it, hurling my units into the fray and not worrying too much if they got wasted. Playing for laffs is the way to go for me.

I won’t be giving up Stargrunt (at least not until Tomorrow’s War comes out), and I saw some kinda eyerolling things in the game last night, but I can live with them.

Overall, it turned out to be a more positive experience than I thought it would be, and I would play the game (with friends) again.

40K and Me

I have pretty much always liked GW’s 40K miniatures, which I can’t say for the game itself. I played the original WH40K: Rogue Trader quite a lot back in the day, and had lots of fun with it – all I had at the time were the plastic Space Marines (30 for $20!!) and metal Space Ork Raiders, lots of conversions, scratchbuilt stuff and other odds and ends (zoats, funky Ork rockers, etc).

After that I was very heavy into Epic scale Space Marine (later Epic Armageddon). But by that time my interest in the 28mm game had waned. Still I always liked the minis, even if I didn’t buy or paint them.

Since last year, I have drifted slowly back toward 40K, buying some Marines (since I have always liked Space Marines) and painting them up. Now I actually have a game of 5th ed 40K on my calendar for next week – my first game of 40K in 20 years. I have no illusions that I will win. I’m 100% sure I will have my ass handed to me.

I’m doing this because I simply want to give the game a try. I’ve read the rules and have found many things that I don’t like about them, some things that I think are just outright stupid, but I want to play it and see for myself – the proof is in the pudding.

I have a feeling it won’t float my boat. As heavily geared as it is for tournament play, I can’t see myself liking it that much. I have no interest in tournament play whatsoever. But I’ll at least be able to base my judgment on experience.

I still really like the minis and I’ll keep buying and painting them. To actually game with them, I can’t say how much I’m looking forward to the release of Tomorrow’s War from Ambush Alley Games in September. I’m sure 40K players who see me using GW minis to play Tomorrow’s War will either stare in confusion or try to burn me for a heretic, but I don’t care.