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40k In 40 Minutes 40k in 40 minutes is a set of rules for 40k that let you play a small, balanced game in a short amount of time (40 minutes or less.) The rules were printed some time back in White Dwarf, and are also available online at Patrol Clash. Note that these rules are NOT the same as the 40k in a flash rules in a recent US White Dwarf. Those rules do not have the balance that 40k in 40 Minutes does, so they are less useful in a tournament-style setting, though they still work well among friends. I've written a little about one of my experiences in this style of game in Back to the Basics. These games are short (obviously) and fast-paced, but still allow quite a diversity of units and tactics. I have heard of a few tournaments using these rules, allowing several or more games to be played in a single afternoon. I am, in fact, considering running one or more tournaments along these lines. The ruleset also works well for trying out new units or new tactics, particularly since they can be played again quickly, giving you several opportunities to try out a new idea. If bad dice or a mistake cost you the game, you can still have a couple more during the time it would normally take to play a single game of 40k. I have been struggling lately with putting together some big armies. (As I type this, there are still some partially painted Tyranids staring at me with their beady eyes, and the Fantasy Orcs and Gobbos are feeling unloved.) Of course, I've always got ideas for new themed armies, and now is no exception. It only just occurred to me, however, that the 40k in 40 minutes idea would be perfect for a themed army. It would allow you (or me!) to put together a new army fairly quickly, and allow a representative sampling of most units, but not have so many models to be daunting. By dividing a larger army into chunks, it may also help keep you motivated by just doing these next 400pts, not all 200 Goblins and tons of Wolfriders, etc. Of course, it will have some limitations in this department. As part of it's balance, it limits some of the tougher units and models, meaning that those models wouldn't be able to be part of a standard armylist, though you could always add them as showpieces (or for somewhat larger battles.) Okay, so what armies would I be putting together under this ruleset? Orcs and Goblins: I plan on having several smaller themes within my big Fantasy army. Most of these themes, with the exception of the Giant I'll be using as my BigBigBoss, would fit nicely in a 40k in 40 minutes style of army. I want to have quite a few Wolfriders, and possibly some chariots to go with them. I could easily set up a small group based around mobility, sort of a Ghengis Goblin horde. I'd use a Gobbo Bigboss, either in a chariot or on a Wolf, with a bunch of wolfriders and possibly a few more chariots. I might keep them all as Fast Cavalry, with it's attendant bonuses, or I might equip one or more units of the Wolfriders with light armor, giving them a bit more staying power and a better chance of winning combats. I'll probably end up doing both, since the 40k in 40 minutes rules would let me get in a number of games and try out both possibilities. There is also the standard foot-slogging Orc contingent, with as many of the ladz as I can put my hands on and paint! I would probably have one of my Trolls "leading" this contingent, maybe with a Gobbo Shaman nearby to help out with those sticky leadership rolls! While this list would be pretty slow, it will hit hard when it gets there and it should be tough enough to take plenty of punishment. Den we 'ave da Gobbos! First off, da Nighties: Well, in addition to a bit of magic, the Night Goblin contingent I have planned includes several units of Night Goblins and Fanatics! These nutters hit hard and then any Night Goblins that are left (not having just run away or gotten killed by the Fanatics) clean up whats left. That's the theory anyway :) The Common Goblins will feature more wild magic than the Night Goblins, but back it up with a big, strong unit. (my eventual plans are for a unit of 100 Goblins.) What plans do I have for 40k? Well, I do have a couple that have really grabbed me, but would be ridiculously time-consuming to do as a full army right now. Please note that these are HEAVILY themed armies, and some of them more than a bit on the flippant side. Praetorians: Well, in addition to my general penchant for steampunk-type stuff, my girlfriend is heavily into all things Victorian. Naturally, I think that some Praetorian-themed Imperial Guard might just tempt her into playing. In addition to the standard, colorful guardsmen themselves and a dashing officer or two, I'd want to include one or more ladies in ballgowns (not sure what they'll be, armywise, but they are must-haves.) and a few steampunk/Verne/Wellesian vehicles, which will likely be heavily converted as well. Hello Kitty Space Marines: Yes, I said Hello Kitty. You can get up off the floor now. I know it's been done with Sisters of Battle, but I think it would work well with Space Marines as well. I don't think that the standard helmeted Space Marines would be too hard of a conversion, just add some "ear guards" to the helmets and the conversion work is done. For the helmetless ones, I'd like to find some small Hello Kitty figures of a similar size and just do a head swap. From there, it's just some pink paint and glitter and I'll have an army that will give almost anyone a heart attack, but might just persuade my girlfriend's teenage daughter to play. (Yes, I am evil, Muahahahahaha!) A Nightmare Before Christmas: Finally, to round it all out, I've got a vague idea in the back of my mind about doing one more army. (Just one? Yeah, that'll last!) This is the 10 year anniversary of a Nightmare Before Christmas, and I'd like to do a themed mini-army featuring Jack the Pumpkin King and all his cronies. I'd probably use the Chaos Codex for this one, but aside from the converting, I really don't have much of a clue on what to go with for this one, yet. I just know that it's goth, it's cool in a really weird way, and that I can do lots of bizarre conversions for it. Did I mention that my girlfriend and her daughter both have goth tendencies? Do you sense a theme with some of these armies? If you enjoyed this, email me and let me know |