Thursday, January 24, 2013

Community Grow-Up ... Bit of a Rant ... and a DA List and Batrep

So the community at large has its share of folks who find it easy to cut on others. These types can be found from random gamers all the way up to big name players and other event organizers. Every year I get to hear from others about the things they say ... whether it's about the NOVA or other events ... and I always feel frustrated. I ALWAYS want to overreact and go right at it ... I'm working hard at being more professional, and more patient. It's hard work growing up!

I don't understand what it is that causes people to cut down their peers within the hobby at a whim ... why they don't understand the outlay people put down to put these events on for the public. I don't understand why folks so readily act like kindergartners to cut down others among their buddies. I will say, I'm tired of it. At least as far as the NOVA is concerned, we've spent every year putting down thousands of our personal hours, and thousands of our personal dollars, to see hobbyists have a grand time. We're taking it a step further now by driving our efforts toward both fun at the convention, and raising real money for the greater good of the world at large.

It's not much of a rallying cry ... it's just another blog in a blogosphere and community full of them ... but color me hoping everyone and anyone out there will join me in trying to make our hobby a better place. I stand on my own past faults in asking this - I've been just as small as others from time to time. Let's try to show the people we meet and interact with that our hobby is full of GOOD people ... who won't quietly watch and sit as losers tarnish our hobby by cutting down on the hard efforts of others.

The ones I hope will adjust the most ... and look, I heard this myself from other TOs when I got started, and was way too outspoken in the wrong ways ... are fellow event organizers. You guys and gals understand BEST what other people go through. Stick up for each other ... keep in mind how much crap you go through, and how much it hurts when people level false accusations at you, or talk about your event without ever checking to see if what they're saying is true. When you do that about someone else's event, what does that make you if not incapable of learning from your own biggest pet peeves?

In more relaxed subject matter news, tackled the following Daemons list using the following DA list ... keynote was using the FNP warlord trait and guard blob to charge and pin down 2 squads of screamers ... was a giant pain to the poor blob (which took a ton of casualties the turn the daemons arrived, and so charged in banged up), but enabled the combat squadded remainder to deal with the un-engaged screamers and 3 flamer squads + troops in detail quite easily. The mission was objectives, but it turned into a focused effort to simply table the daemons; this succeeded, so there's not much need for a batrep.

Daemons won the turn roll and elected to go second. Sent preferred wave of all-but-troops in to try and mop up the blob ... which they killed about 50% of on arrival (4++ and FNP was pretty effective at enduring a hell of a lot). Libby rolled and got re-roll-saves power, so kept that instead of picking up Prescience.

DA List:

Azrael - 215
Librarian w/ Force Stave (I like the S6 better than APX), Auspex - 70
Primaris Psyker - 70

Guardsman Marbo - 65 (he did well, blew up 4 flamers with his nuke on arrival, due to them shooting my blob instead of running to spread ... 9 wounds, failed 8 saves rather abysmally)

6 Ravenwing Bikers w/ 2 Meltaguns, Attack Bike w/ HB - 226
6 Ravenwing Bikers w/ 2 Meltaguns, Attack Bike w/ HB - 226
6 Ravenwing Bikers w/ 2 Plasmaguns, Attack Bike w/ HB - 236
6 Ravenwing Bikers w/ 2 Flamers, Attack Bike w/ HB - 216
Platoon Command w/ 4 Grenade Launchers - 50
Guard Blob w/ 5 Squads of Power Axe equipped Sarges, 2 total sniper rifles - 310
Platoon Command w/ 4 Grenade Launchers - 50
Guard Squad w/ sniper rifle - 55
Guard Squad w/ sniper rifle - 55

Daemons List

Herald of Tzeentch w/ Chariot - 65

9 x Flamers - 207
9 x Flamers - 207
9 x Flamers - 207

5 x Horrors w/ Changeling - 90
5 x Horrors - 85
5 x Horrors - 85
5 x Horrors - 85
5 x Plaguebearers - 70
5 x Plaguebearers - 70

9 x Screamers - 225
9 x Screamers - 225
9 x Screamers - 225

29 comments:

  1. I think much can be learned of a person's character by how they treat others on the internet!

    Thanks for being a grown-up with character!

    PS Love the Sniper Rifles...

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  2. Had a huge post, decided it was boring. Being that this was the internet, decided to go with something much more snarky and short, but only after a public service announcement...


    It's always easier to tear things down than to build them up. It's always easier to complain about things than to actually DO something about it. Ultimately, history never remembers the people that complain about what's being done and rather remembers the people who actually bothered to DO something to begin with.

    And finally, so full of crap! Demons are unbeatable! Didn't you get the memo?

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    Replies
    1. And also, if now I could only apply the theory of "doing" to important stuff like investing for retirement, losing weight, and doing my taxes, instead of just applying it to 40K nonsense.....

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    2. Quite well said Neil.

      Everyone complains, but few actually get up off of their asses and do something about it. We need to stop expecting the tooth fairy to fly in, wave a magic wand, and make everything better for us. Because that's not going to happen, ever.

      Delete
  3. lol possible 17 troop units even if blob stays together... gross.

    I second neils post shhhh demons are unbeatable... please people keep bringing these demon lists.

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  4. I thought the DA Warlord trait that gave FnP applied to DA units. Am I wrong about this?

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    Replies
    1. You are correct; this was pointed out to me. The summary component of the book incorrectly short-hands it, leading to the appearance if you don't read the original that it's all good for all.

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    2. I did the same thing Mike. Damn Gonyo pointed it out to me all smug and such.

      As for those that tear down other people and our community f-em. They drive me nuts but posting in their special places just isn't worth the stress or anger. Besides, they don't generally respond reasonably.

      Delete
  5. What spurred this post? What are you reacting to?

    I only ask because it's hard to judge whether these complaints really are childish or if they might be worth heeding.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A certain blue-paged blogger took some digs at NOVA while he was throwing poo at pretty much everything else in competitive 40K land.

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    2. Yeah, the same blogger who up to this year's event considered Nova as pretty much the only acceptable barometer of ones 40k prowess...wonder what made him change his mind?

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    3. This is not about him at all. I'm not going to trash or call out people ... That's quite my problem after all; would be hypocritical. Suffice to say when i hear of it, it frustrates me. Promoting better behavior, conceding past fault of my own, and venting a little was my attempt at reasonably getting it off my chest. A couple have asked, and again, not privately pointing fingers either. Kinda would defeat the point :p

      Delete
    4. Then whatever, just ignore it. I went to YTTH and found the thread...MIKE, DONT FEED THE TROLLS. Just don't. Why are you still even visiting that blog?

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    5. This post isn't at all about YTTH. It's about other event organizers out there who feel it is responsible to shittalk behind doors they think are closed, about their peers. And I don't just mean people talking about the NOVA.

      Stelek isn't an event organizer ... and while he says frustrating things sometimes, this isn't aimed at him, at all.

      :p

      Delete
    6. Being an extrovert has its downsides. You have a strong personality and it's at the center of NOVA and unfortunately extroverts are often the target of shit talking - justified or no.

      There are some strange things about NOVA that you guys need to clean up. Tony K is still listed on your website as event staff and so am I, though I've never even once actually been event staff and neither has Tony and that just looks bad given that he's a 3-time winner. I'd like to be staff but circumstance dictates otherwise.

      Delete
  6. Don't let the haters get you down man. It always amazes me how many people spend time and energy tearing others down on the various blogs and forums, rather than building the community up.

    I've not yet had the pleasure of attending the NOVA, but I do appreciate what you've done for the community and tournament environment. I can't say the same about those who have attacked you or the event online. On the same note TO's that take jabs at your or your event disgust me. Chances are they're just jealous of your success, but competitiveness can bring out the worst in people, be it between players or TO's. Coming from a city that hosts a "successful" GT with a 9 year history (DaBoyz), I can appreciate the effort needed to take an event to over 200 players in 3 years.

    On a personal note, I wouldn't have found this awesome foam cutter that you guys used and featured on the blog if it weren't for you. Now, I have 7 sets of terrain in my personal collection and have donated one to the local shop that hosts our monthly tournaments.

    You've made big, positive ripples in the community. Sometimes, the detractors stand up on their soapbox and shout the loudest though and a handful of their fanbois will back their rant from the safety of dark basements. I've greatly reduced my blood pressure recently by cutting out all blogs and forums that don't inspire me in any facet of the hobby. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you take the time spent arguing online and apply it to painting, modeling, and building terrain.

    Keep up the good work man. There are plenty out there who appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You rock man. I wish you guys where closer! Hopefully I will be there again. See you at adepticon.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Man the truth of this posts really hurts...

    ;)

    Love the sniper rifles Mike. That's a 6th edition development that the community at large seems to be lagging behind. Those precision shots can quite effectively neuter entire units.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL, it's not about him. Sniper rifles are cool ... Sadly i must admit they are in there for cheese; they extend the kill boxes of the lasguns by 12" to 36. :)

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    2. So who is the tournament organizer who's rubbishing the NOVA? We all know #72 doesn't organize, so who's the dude? There's nothing wrong with pointing fingers if you've acknowledged the log in your own eye first.

      Delete
  9. So, just to be clear, the sniper rifles are to make sure the blob is ok with range bands, even if you have to break it into 2 blobs?

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    Replies
    1. I bought 2 b/c I can split them to opposite sides of the blob, and prevent someone dropping a mortar team on my range band. I find this superior to the autocannon if all you're going to do is put 10 points into upping the range banding.

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    2. Also . . . on your librarian you mention prefering the Stave to the Force Ace/Sword - do you do the same for the Primaris's Force Weapon?

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    3. Yeah, especially for the Primaris. I find that the AP is good, but there's plenty of that in those squads already, and they lack much ability to do things like punch monsters. Having the Primaris be S5, Libby S6, helps against most things pretty well ... and heck, still mows through guard saves.

      Delete
  10. This is pretty much the same thing that jumped out of the DA codex to me. Azrael blob with Raven Wing Support. It would be nice to see some black nights in there as well, but probably not super necessary at 1850. Think you will have trouble with an Air Force or is the plan just to spread out and weather the storm? Thanks for everything you do Mike. I've never been to NOVA, but you're positive voice is widespread in the community.

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  11. It seems we're working on similar things, the difference being basically 2x Ravenwing squads more for you, with me taking 4x Plasma Chimeras. Thanks for the trick with the Sniper Rifles:

    Azrael (Warlord: For the Lion!) 215
    Librarian w/ Auspex, Meltabombs, Force Axe (Divination) 75
    Primaris w/ Force Stave (Biomancy) 70

    PCS w/ 3x Plasmagun, Chimera 130
    Squad w/ Power Axe, Meltabombs, Sniper Rifle, Chimera 125 (These guys increase the kill range of the unit if it shoots)
    Squad w/ Power Axe, Meltabombs, Sniper Rifle, Chimera 125
    Squad w/ Power Axe, Meltabombs 65
    Squad w/ Power Axe, Meltabombs 65
    Squad w/ Power Axe, Meltabombs 65
    SWS w/ 3x Plasmagun 80 (These go in the Chimeras from the blob)
    SWS w/ 3x Plasmagun 80

    PCS w/ 3x Plasmagun, Chimera 130
    Squad w/ Autocannon 60 (These guys sit in the back, usually separately)
    Squad w/ Autocannon 60

    6x Ravenwing w/ 2x Meltagun, Power Sword 196
    -Attack Bike w/ MM 55
    6x Ravenwing w/ 2x Meltagun, Power Sword 196
    -Attack Bike w/ MM 55

    Total: 1847

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  12. From my point of view people either help lift each other up or tear each other down. It's easy not to see the uplifting ones so much. You are busy, after all, and if a thing works it doesn't demand attention. The ones that pull down are usually pretty easy to ignore, though, if you take just a moment to think about their arguments. I think you'll find most of them are ill-informed, operating on alternate agendas, or just bitter people looking to spread their misery.

    Seriously, man, they just aren't worth your time. Every time you fall for a troll you make them gleeful in their withered, sad little hearts.

    I've seen a lot of the trash talk over the years with the NOVA. Some of it is deserved from the point of view of the poster. That stuff I'd advise taking to heart of starting dialogue around. But most of it is just crap from people too untalented to draw attention to themselves in any productive way. Don't waste your valuable time being concerned about them, since they aren't adding any value to your time at all.

    Just my $.02.

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete