Necrotect WIP

Awesome Cauldron of Blood

For those of you haven't checked out the Painting Clinic, here is your chance. This recent video features a scratch built Cauldron that is fantastic!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&hl=en&client=mv-rim&v=albmqWUMF7w

Thunder Lizard Chariot WIP

Warhammer Fantasy Podcast Review Part 3

Welcome to the next installment of the Warhammer Fantasy Podcast review.  Next up I would like to focus on a few more of the great podcasts based in the United States.

  

WaaaghCast

This is another must have in any respectable fantasy focused podcast play list.  While it has two hosts the similarity to other podcasts ends there.  They are physically located in different places which gives them two separate local gaming stores from which to report.  They are also not separated by the normal power gamer and hobbyist line of demarcation.  In fact, never having met Joe, I'm not entirely sure how I would go about dividing them up.  Suffice it to say I love the unintentional comic relief provided by Joe giving Chuck a hard time on just about everything.  The cast is based out of Illinois, which is one of the strongest hotbeds of Warhammer Fantasy in the US, which gives them access to a plethora of talented guests for the show.  I really enjoy that they make a strong effort to make the show format consistent and the information as timely as possible.  Also, there is a concentrated effort to keep the episodes shorter in length which is nice change of pace as not everyone has time for a 4 hour podcast. 

 

Brohammer

One of the newer kids on the block this is definitely Warhammer Fantasy for the dirty south (it's a US thing for you UK readers).  You should note that you will find the cast doubly enjoyable if you are into home brewing (or just beer in general).  One thing that sticks out is that this cast really has great production value and the main host, Erik Lindley, certainly has a voice made for radio.  In addition to his broth Kevin, Erik is regularly joined by the legend, Tom McClure, and from the great white north, Andrew Webber.  These additions really gives Brohammer an excellent spread of gaming perspectives from which to draw, from the gentleman gamer to the hardcore tournament player.  The "Real Men" parodies that have become a main stay of the show are really well thought and at times comedic genius.  The one real knock on the show is that they are not put out consistently enough to fill my appetite.  I have a fever and the only prescription is more Brohammer.

Warhammer Fantasy Podcasts Part 2

Picking up where I left off last time I figured it was high time to review the English podcasts in my play list.  One thing that is terrific about the English fantasy podcasts is that they are members of a gaming community that includes some of the best Fantasy players in the world.  As such this gives the podcasts a large pool of talent from which to draw (Russ Veal, Mark Wildman, Michale Biggs) which enhances the casts exponentially.  I also really enjoy hearing the reviews of the same event across multiple casts.  It's like one of those books from back in the day in which each chapter tells the same story that you thought you knew from the perspective of a different character.  Finally, these podcasts have added some great catch phrases to my everyday vernacular!

Bad Dice

Another top tier Fantasy specific podcast which I picked up last year during their fantastic coverage of the 8th edition rumors.

Fair warning - it may take a few episodes to understand what the heck these blokes are saying.  While it is often dubbed a UK tournament specific cast, there really is a lot more to the cast than that.  Of particular interest was their discussion of some of the more controversial topics like the decline of painting standards in tournaments.  This cast is unusual when compared to the rest in that both hosts are highly competitive, power gamers.  I suppose you could dub Mr. Johnson the hobbyist of the lot given his better painting ability.  That and it appears that his lot in life is to play second fiddle to Mr. Curry in the rankings (BC is currently ranked the #1 player in England).  I will wrap this up by saying that if your are interested in upping the filth in your game, then this cast is for you.  Done and dusted.

HeelanHammer

Like many, I heard Dan Heelan for the first time on an episode of Podhammer and so it was no surprise when he setup his own show.  Another awesome Fantasy specific podcast, though with the same formulaic setup for hosting.  One host, Heelan, is the consummate power gamer while the other, Wayne Kemp is the shows stereotypical hobbyist.  The cast covers the gambit from event coverage to battle reports and everything in between.  I particularly like their army review discussions as they are articulate and substantive enough that I don't come away with many questions unanswered.  Of particular note is the Dwarf review with Andy Spiers, which is an invaluable reference to any budding 8th edition Dwarf general.  However, my favorite content has to be their coverage of Whoops.  I could almost see the tears of frustration forming as Dan struggled to deal with the extra volume of randomness that is the "Hobby Weekend".  Finally, I will wrap this up be saying that HeelanHammer has to be in the podcast rotation for any serious Warhammer Fantasy player.

Two Gamer Radio

First I must admit that I've not been a long time listener.  Also, a bit of fair warning that this show does cover some 40K, does not not have the greatest production value (though I like the gimmicky left and right stereo effect) and has an inordinate amount of technical difficulties.  Even considering all of that I really like this show because this is the ying to the other English podcasts yang.  Bad Dice and HeelanHammer are looking at the English Warhammer Fantasy scene from the top of the rankings, from the perspective of the competitive power gamer.  Two Gamer Radio delivers their content from the bowels of mediocrity, from the perspective of the average gamer.  Delusions of grandeur not withstanding, most listeners will readily identify with the plight of these common gamers and their struggle to ascend from the bottom tables.  Also I found the eloquence in which they deliver some of their viewpoints in the context of a larger rant, usually about the evil empire, very refreshing.  This is a podcast that is definitely worth a try.  

I realize that there are a few other English Podcasts out there (Black Sun and Failhammer).  I will hopefully add more reviews after I've gotten a few more episodes under my belt.  

Carnosaour Conversion

Trying to figure how this will work into the army.

Warhammer Fantasy Podcasts

As I listen to more than my fair share of gaming podcasts I figured I would share my current playlist and a review of my favorite casts.  Other bloggers, like Rhellion, have provided leads to other interesting casts that I would have otherwise overlooked.  I primarily listen to the podcasts each morning when walking the dogs, in the car and during my painting sessions.  I find Point Hammered somehow perfectly apropos as I'm bending down to pick up dog s%$t.  I try to listen to all of the Warhammer Fantasy centric casts, but with their increased proliferation it is starting to be more difficult.   To kick things off I'm going to start with two of my favorite Warhammer Podcasts.

 

Garagehammer

This is one of my favorite casts as it really hits on all of the notes that, for me, make a great Warhammer podcast.  The circus is piloted by 2 hosts that really play well off of each other using a heavy dose of tongue in cheek, pun-laden banter.  One plays the role of the A typical gamer while the other the role of the self described fluff bunny.  Their quixotic attempt to stay on topic is especially funny when the break the 4th wall and acknowledge their inability to reign in their latest digression.  I appreciate their ability to articulate their viewpoints without needlessly being confrontational, even when their views are diametrically opposed.  They do an excellent job of expanding the casts' perspective and knowledge base by bringing in other members of their gaming community.  Finally, I actually enjoy the long format as they use the time to cover more topics rather than just beating the proverbial dead horse to death.  

 

Point Hammered

Let me first say that I had to warm up to this cast.  The first few times I listened I couldn't get past its' rude, crass and in your face nature.  After a few episodes I realized that this wasn't a superficial element added to the cast to gain shock value.  It turns out that these guys actually this strange in real life.  Even more surprising is the fact they do actually know what the heck they are talking about.  Another interesting aspect of the cast is that each host kind of fulfills one of the three roles in the wargaming trinity; gaming, painting and sportsmanship.  Finally, I really enjoy the sometimes unique topics which are a refreshing change of pace to tactics and painting.    

 

 

Here is my current playlist in no particular order.

• Garagehammer
• Point Hammered
• Bad Dice
• HeelanHammer
• Brohammer
• Waaagh Cast
• CanHammer
• Ohiohammer
• Podhammer
• Two Gamer Radio
• SeanHammer
• D6 Generation
• Gamers Lounge
• Tabletop Hooligans
• Worlds End Radio