Evening all,
I was a late entry to the 2010 Tale of Warmahordes that PG_amphoterik set up and ran, until it petered out in around August. However, in the time it was running, I found that it helped motive me and focus me on getting through the rather large pile of unpainted PP stuff I've go around my flat.
Having been a little disappointed by the lack of such an event in 2011, I figured I'd step up to the plate and set one up for 2012. I'm sure I'm not the only person having motivation issues when it comes to painting, even with the Wrath and Domination releases cascading down upon us.
This thread will set out the ground rules, store a FAQ, and maintain a list of those signing up. I'll set up the first WIP thread on January 1st, and the first completions thread on January 30th.
For those interested in joining - the ground rules
What can I paint?
The aim of this Tale is to paint 50pts of miniatures for Hordes and/or Warmachine. Unlike the 2010 Tale, this doesn't have to be for one faction or army, just so long as you paint 50pts over the course of the year. each month, your goal will be to paint a massive 5 points of models for Hordes or Warmachine.
Hang on - that doesn't quite add up
Indeed. I'm fully aware that we all have lives outside of gaming, which may interfere in our abilities to complete a painting project. As a result, each entrant will have two "Get out of painting free" cards, which will be used in any month where you don't complete five points. However, if you have less than two of these cards and you paint ten points or more in a given month, then you'll earn one back.
Time for the FAQ
I'm starting with the FAQ from the 2010 thread, with a couple of tweaks for 2012. IF you've got other questions, please raise them in this thread, and I'll answer them when I get chance.
Q : Can I paint more than 5 points in a month?
A : Yes - we are not here to tell you how and when to paint your stuff, it is great to get ahead. As noted above, posting 10 points or more when you've used a "Get out of painting free" card will earn you one back.
Q - Are we going to be allowed to carry over excess points from the month before into the next month? I.E, if I paint a 9 point model in January, can I carry the 4 points over into February and just paint a 3 point model then?
A - No - the book-keeping starts to get a bit too messy if I need to keep track of that. 'Tis a lot easier for me to say "Player X has posted 6 points in the Month Y Completed thread, therefore they're fine. Player A has only posted 2 points in said thread, so they're using one of their "Get out of painting free" cards.
Q : Can I paint less than 5 points in a month?
A : Yes, but note that not completing five points in a month will trigger the use of one of your "Get out of painting free" cards. You're better off either posting five completed points or nothing in a month - and putting the stuff you've completed towards the following month, to earn the card back.
Q : What happens when I paint an expensive Unit/Jack?
A : This happens a lot. If your Jack/Beast was over 10 points you would simply paint it over two months, the sort of time such an engine of destruction deserves! So you start posting it one month and post no completed figures the first month (unless you want to post WIP), triggering the use of one of your "Get out of painting free" cards, then the second month you post the finished model and all the points get added on - earning back the card you used if the model(s) are worth ten points or more.
Q : What about Warcasters/Warlocks?
A : Consensus so far has been that they should be 'free'. So casters can be built and painted at any point during the year - allowing extra time and detail being spent - as befits such an important focal point of the army. Equally, their 'Jack or Beast points won't count against you, so you won't have to paint more stuff to make up for them.
As Casters/Locks are free, players can feel 'free' to paint multiple casters throughout the year - so long as you have at least one to lead your army of course.
Q - Is it considered cheating to prepare the models for painting before the Tale begins?
A - Not at all. In fact, if you've got models that are already WIP, then finishing them off as part of this Tale is perfectly acceptable.
Q - How will this be organised? Will there be different threads for different factions? Where do I post my progress month-by-month?
A - Each month I'll be posting a WIP thread on the 1st, and a Completed Models thread on the last Monday of the month. The Completed Models thread will accept entries for a predetermined period of time (probably two weeks - I'll also have a provision in place in case people won't be able to post pictures during that time). There will be a stickied Directory thread with links to each individual thread, and a public Google Docs spreadsheet showing how people are getting on.
I'm also looking into the possibility of setting up a factionised "A Tale of Warmahordes 2012 Gallery" on one of the image-hosting websites, so there is a permanent (and filterable) record of what has been achieved.
Q - How are min. units and max. units counted? If I finish three Shocktroopers in January, and the other two in February, does this count as 6 points in January and 3 in February, 9 in February only, or something else?
A - My preference on this is that you count the minimum unit and the expansion to maximum unit as two separate bits. To use your MoW example above, the first outcome would be correct (6 points in Jan, 3 in Feb).
Q - How is a multijack kit counted? The Khador multijack kit makes two 7-point models and two 9-point models. Is a finished one 7 points, 9 points, 8 points (for the average), or something else? Do the extra arms have any point value?
A - I hadn't thought about magnetised plastic 'jacks when I was putting this together, but it is a good question. I'm going to say that if you're building a fully swappable kit, it counts for the most expensive non-character build. So the Khador 'jack would be 9 points, for example.
Q - Do the models have to be based to count? I'm not asking a purist question here, just envisaging a scenario in which I might not want to commit to a particular base right away.
A - I'd prefer to see based models. However, if you're clear that you're not basing as you want to base everything together - or you've not decided on a basing scheme yet - then that will be OK. It would be good to see the based versions before the end of the year, though.
Q : Can I join after January 2012?
A : Certainly - send me a PM, and I'll add you to the list. Anyone joining after the end of June will start with one "Get out of painting free" card, rather than two, but can earn back to two as normal. Equally, I'd only be expecting them to aim for 25 points painted in half a year.
OK, I want to sign up - what do you need to know?
Use this thread to introduce yourself to the other entrants, and get ready for month 1. I'd recommend you cover off the following few points, though:
Intro :
Faction(s)* :
Theme* : (if applicable)
What I plan to paint :
* - I'm not going to hold you to these, but they can help focus people a bit.
Please let me reserve posts two and three in this thread before replying - post two will hold the sign-up list, while post three will be my introduction.
Good luck.


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"Fear is for the enemy...Fear and Bullets."






I really want to try out a completely new army for this "competition" so I'm aiming at 50p Merc's, but there might sneak in a few Menite or Skorne models somewhere as well.



