... getting into Airsoft

My journey into Airsoft has a long and windy path but has led me to the hobby which has sucked me in and I will be sharing my journey into this hobby here.

It all started over a year ago with a company day where I got my first taste of clay pigeon shooting, after really enjoying the challenge of shooting the clays I set out to find a local club. After attended several secession I came to the conclusion that the biggest draw back to taking up the shooting was the requirement to own your own gun. This made me uncomfortable as I did not want to keep a gun in the house with kids. 

Before I came to that decision not to take up the sport I had started to watch You Tube videos on shotgun shooting technics which in turn led me to watching 3 gun videos.  3 Gun matches are target shoot matches which require a shooter to use a rifle, Shotgun and a pistol in a timed target shooting matches. This was an extremely interesting way of target shooting which combined the both movement of the shooter and transitioning between weapons. This was again another sport which required an owning and keeping guns, so not the sport for me. 

On the train to London, while traveling to Salute 2017, I was discussing the issue with a miniature gaming buddy who said you should try Airsoft. He then spent the next hour explaining what airsoft is and the gear that he had, I was hooked by the idea of using and owning replica guns without out the danger and risk of owning lethal weapons. 

One evening we visited Killhouse in Leeds, and I was totally hooked. It was like playing call of duty. Airsoft is basically paintball without the paint and you use realistic looking weapons which shoot small plastic balls. Amazing! It can also be played inside CQB so this was also a sport which can be enjoyed with the British climate.

I think everyone should try this sport out its great fun!!!

.... backing another Kickstarter

Kickstarter are a large part of my last years spending of my tabletop gaming budget. This year so far I have backed the following Kickstarters.

1.Wyrd -The Other Side

2.Luxumbra Infinity Collection

3.Subterra - Card Game

That makes it just over one a month so far. Why so many? It's simply the Minis and exclusive freebies. So far I have picked one new mini-game, One new card (always trying to find one that the misses will play), and last of a painting Kickstarter.

But there has been a new board game which got me hooked in. It is called GKR Eavey Hitters by Weta Workshops.

There are several reasons I wanted to back this games. The first is that it's a board game which you control giant robots. SOLD The second is the company, I have enjoyed the work of weta workshops and can not help but back any they try and do in the tabletop world. This venture is what I think Kickstarter was made for and not just a pre-order system.

... working on Mammoth

Look what i have starter working on

I will be using my airbrush to block out all the base colours, grey for the skin and blue armour.

....Playing Dropfleet Commander

After receiving my Dropfleet Commander pledge from Hawk Wargames and playing a few starter size games I can happily say this is one of the best space combat games I have played. Below are some pictures of the two games.

The Basic Facts:

This game based around capturing and holding ground assets
It is played on a 4 x 4 table
Average game size is 1500pts - A starter is around 500pts
Average game length is 2-3 hours (6 game turns)
Available faction: 4
Availability of starters: Yes prices around £35
Availability of 2 player Starter: Yes UCM Vs Sourge
Activation: Alternating

The Game System:

The main game system which is new, is the use of the energy signature as a range limiting factor of the weapons. This make the game feel like hide and seek as you move shoot and manipulate the energy usage through orders. It is important to note the the use of the sectors force players to face each other and creates very deadly combat. This mean that all games are full of action as you can not just stand back and snipe.

The Miniatures:

This was the main reason I backed this the miniatures are amazing. My favorite faction is the Shaltari (Space Hedge hogs) I am currently painting mine and pictures will follow once they are complete.

KickStarter:

A few notes on KickStarter. There has been a lot comments on the repeated delays on the delivery of the KickStarter, I felt disappointed with the way Hawk Wargames for not communicate the on going delays to the funder's of the project. It is very important that we do not see KickStarters as per-orders but as community source crowd funding.

Overall the the important thing is that the plastic fleets starter are great and the game is fun to play.

... Reading False Gods, then Listening to it

This is the second book of the Horus Hersey story arc, from Black library. The story continues the journey of the the Warmaster and his fall to chaos. In brief Horus returns to a previously purified world where he is mortally wounded and saved by the powers of Chaos.

After listening to the first abridged audio book i could not wait for the next audio book False Gods so i decided to grab a copy of the book. The book was great i could not put it down, it was full of depth and was not solely focused on the Astartes (Space marines) as the audio books books was. The civilians like the remembers and the iterators play a key role in the story. This was just as interesting as the battle and the bonds between the Astartes as there elements of the story concerted on the under tones of Religions, cults and tiered society that is humanity in during the crusades.This is where the i noticed the huge plot gaps that have been created  by creating the audio book.

The audio book is good, but think of it as summary of the books content. The only thing that the audio book pick up is the main arc of the book, which is that Horus is betrayed and lead to the moon of Davin where one of his warrior which was given control of the colonies is corrupted by Chaos, and in the a Battle with Horus manages to wound him with the Anathane (stolen in the first book).

Missing section where Empires (lecto da vinitous) follower uses the power form the Emporer to defeat a warp demond.

Eberus key role in the hole plot line.

Basically the book is a lot better and as such i have started read the the Galaxy in flames.

....Watching Arrival

 Arrival - 5 Stars

Simply put the best movie of 2016 this was the perfect Science fiction movie which builds to great ending a most see movie.

And a plus the Trailer does not give any thing away check it out here

.... painting Skrone WIP

I have just started working on my Skorne Hordes Models this is the first layer of flesh done.

....playing on play mat from inked

I just got these two playing mat for playing Netrunner. These mats are amazing.

....Watching Movies

I have been lucky enough to has spent a few nights watch Movies at both the Cinema and at Home. I though I would give you a quick break down of what I have seen so far and my ratings out of 5

Crimson Peak - 5 stars 

First was Crimson Peak, This was one of the best horror/Thriller films I had seen for a while. The story was greatly told by the by a great Director - Guillermo del Toro. Trailer

Birdman - 5 Stars

Simply a great movie that everyone should watch it. Not like the normal film Critics awarded film. Funny with some fantastic single take scenes and transitions. Trailer

Spectre - 2 Star

I would have liked this movie if it had not been a Bond movie. Bond is taking itself to seriously, Where are all the gadget? The film also contained the worse car chase scene I have ever seen. super car been held up by a Fiat 500.

Martain - 4 Star

Great movie another must see, but I felt that more could have gone wrong. I would also suggest Moon another great Film.


Star Wars is the next movie for me and i have tickets booked for a midnight showing.

...playing all these games..... I wish

As time is something that I have less of every year for my hobby I have started to restrict which game I play and buy addons for. So below is a list of the games that I am currently playing with the faction that I am focusing on.

1. Warmachine/Hordes - Skorne
2. Netrunner
3. X-Wing
4. Star Wars Armada - imperials
5. Guild ball - butchers
6. Drop zone - Shaltari
7. Infinity - Combines

The order is also my guesses frequency of play with guild ball looking like the moving up and I guess no games of drop zone or infinity.

I have also decided not to back any more kickstater campaigns which I am sure you all know which will be hard as we all like the new shiny.