Adepticon 2013 - Swag Rundown

Here a list of swag I got from Adepticon 2013:
Armortcast Cinematic Effects Slime/Venom Blast
Secret Weapon Creeping Infection Base
Secret Weapon Corpse Fields
Secret Weapon Soft Body Black Wash
Table War Unit Base
Victoria Miniature Adepticon Exclusive
Badger Air Brush Brown Paint
War Gamma Square Base
Fantasy Flight X-wing Miniatures Adepticon Rebel Transport Model
Rust Forge Hesco Barrier
Geek Nation Tours template by Iron Heart Artisans
Iron Heart Artisans Mantic movement tray and objective token
Flames of War Adepticon Objective Token
Flames of War Stug spruce
Flames of War Open Fire! Quick Start Book
Firebase Delta Dice from Firestorm Armada Demo
Firestorm Armada Movement Template
Wreck-Age Staker Model from Demo
Wreck-Age Adepticon Exclusive Security Agent
Dreadball Convention Exclusive Gabe MVP
Ravage Magazine Feb-March Issue
Infinity Quick Start Rules
Kings of War small format Rulebook
Malifaux Digest size Rulebook
Robotech RPG Tactics Zentraedi Regult Adepticon Promo figure
Dark Age March to Immortality Iron on patch
Dark Age Kukulkani Starter Box
Privateer Press Hordes Trollbloods Starter Box
Adepticon Exclusive Glass

Adepticon 2013 - Day 5

On the fifth (and final day), I woke up early to have breakfast at the Egg Harbor Cafe. If you attend Adepticon, I highly recommend this place (as does everyone in the area) because it is affordable and a bit of a walk but worth it.
When I returned, I watched the Clash of Kings Tournament final where the Orc Marauders smashed the Elves. After having a photo session with Ronnie, he revealed new information on future expansions and all I will say is watch Kickstarter on, Friday, April 26.
I was able to finally learn Hordes and I can say, Hordes feels like it has more synergy than Warmachine. Then there was the raffle draw where I was hoping to win the airbrush kit from Badger. I actually won a KR Multicase 160 which was unbelievable. As soon as i got back to my toom, i threw away all the white Mantic boxes and filled the case with the undead army I did not get to play.
We then had a pre-party in Teras' room before the After-Con Mixer. We all shared stories and basically talked hobby. As a group we went down to the dinner before the poker tournament (for others) and game board night (for me). My friends from across the pond found it a travesty that I had not learned Bloodbowl so they schooled me. After the first game, I found out why. Now I want to join the league held at the local hobby shop. I was also able to play the co-op game Pandemic. Co-op in a way that all players try to stop a virus outbreak. Unfortunately, the virus won. D6 Generation sponsored the event and it was a blast!

Adepticon 2013 - Day 4

Well, day 4 did not start very well. I went down early for Mantic's Clash of Kings tournament and registered. An hour later, I asked about any painting requirements as my army was not fully painted. To my dismay, the other players were not happy that my army was not painted. The organizer said he will try to work it out and IF there were an odd number if players, I would instead get a demo for their game Dreadball. Since the organizers decision is final, I agreed. Now that I am thinking about it, it was unfair as I paid to be in the tournament. First thing tomorrow, I will ask Ronnie's (from Mantic) thoughts on this.
It also freed some if my time to get demos done. I played Firestorm Armada, Deepwars, Robotech, and Malifaux. I was able to get a promo figure from Robotech and was convinced to buy a Deepwars Starter.
Then came my Dark Age Tournament. Looking forward to show off my fully painted army, there were only 3 players in attendance. The other 2 players were brand spanking new players with unpainted figures. So we started to set-up with the organizer playing the 4th player. As we were setting up, the organizer asked if we wanted to hear about the new revisions. So for the next few hours, we chit chatted about the new rules and changes to army building. We then played the new rules. I was up against a Brood Eradicate army with Numbskull. I had the same army with a Pudthrower. I won with my Rachets taking down the Numbskull and Sawblades. The organizer then gave all of us starter sets of the Kukulkani. What a great way to end the day.

Adepticon 2013 - Day 3

Today I started the day with a Flames of War Mid-war Tournament. Unfortunately, I ended up with 1-2 record but did get an objective marker for participating (yes more free stuff). Right after that, I just had enough time to drop my bag off in the hotel room before I had to go the Mister Justin's (of Secret Weapon) Hands-on Weathering Class. Interesting enough, he compared other weathering pigment products and explained the good and bad. I had no problem with the rust techniques but the bricks were a challenge. The breaks in between each round of the Flames of War tournament did allow me some time to visit the vendor hall to snap photos of some old and new stuff. Wild West Exodus, Blue Table Painting, Dreadball, Mantic's Kings of War Kickstarter models, Firestorm Armada (by Firebase Delta and Black Ocean), and the best of all Robotech!

Adepticon 2013 - Day 2

Day 2 at Adepticon 2013 started off with breakfast, again, as part of the Geek Nations Tour. We were given the option to play laser tag at the Enchanted Castle and I opted to stay and try out some games. Well, due to the heavy rain and the airlines debacle, Cool Mini or Not did not start demos until after 7 pm.
I did get to meet the guys with Wreck Age (www. wreck-age.net) and played their demo. The demo had a specific mission. I (playing the Drifters) needed to run my boars strapped with bombs and blow-up a barrier while under fire from a Sniper conveniently on a rooftop (the Stakers). The game was very fast paced and easy to learn.
Lunch came around and another Geek Nation Tour perk. The rest of the day was spent wandering around and taking pictures. Then Geek Nation Tours took us off to the Tilted Kilt for dinner.
Enjoy the photos and feel free to comment.

Adepticon 2013 - Swag Bag

Here is the amazing contents of the Adepticon Swag Bag. The yellow shirt was and add-on because I was part of the Geek Nation Tour. More to come!

Adepticon 2013 - Day 1

Well, today I hopped on the plane and had a short 3 hour flight into the Chicago Midway airport. Now, I do have to give kudos to Teras Cassidy from Geek Nation Tours. From the transfers to the tour of the grounds, Teras was a one man show. He walked me to the check-in counter and then gave me a tour while entertaining other tour participants around questions.

The rest of the day I had planned to volunteer to help out the Adepticon staff after I had lunch. So again Teras walked me over to the group and introduced me. The rest of the day was spent sharing stories with everyone else.

The welcome dinner (included in the package) started off a little slow as Teras was again pulled away assisting other participants who arrived late due to flight problems and a storm that rolled in while I was having lunch. While waiting, we all got to know each other. Aussies and Brits all playing Warhammer 40K and Fantasy. It seems that I was the odd man out playing Flames of War, Kings of War and Dark Age.

While we were eating, I got to know some of the volunteer staff and podcasters and then the guest of honor entered - Victoria Lamb! I have to admit I was starstruck being in the presence of the legend herself. Before she gave her speech, we got to meet many podcasters - Screaming Heretic, Overlords, Bad Dice, and OhioHammer. Victoria gave use a history if how she started back in the 80's! When she was going over the number of Golden Demons she has won and some of the reasons she did not win, I just wanted to drool over the figures she brought with her. Which I am happy to present photos of these award winning miniatures.

Dream Pod 9's Aurora Magazine Issue 7.2 and my story

Just follow click the link below and you will find me on page 12!
Aurora Magazine Issue 7.2

In all honesty, all anyone looks for is recognition in the art they work in so allow me this moment on the podium. I have been painting since 2000. I started with re-painting Mage Knight figures or using washes to darken the already painted figures. Once Mage Knight was cancelled by their maker WizKids, I sold all my Mage Knight figures and started a a Menoth Warmachine army by +Privateer Press.


As a hobbyist with a limited budget, I purchased Apple Barrel Craft paints as my medium. Unfortunately, I had to sell this army and put my hobby on hold. Two years later, at the urging on my wife, I one again started to build another army. This time, it was a White Scars Games Workshop army for Warhammer 40,000.

 

This time, I did use Citadel, Vallejo and once again Apple Barrel paints. I had not learned about washes yet but I unknowingly used the same concept by thining down my Apple Barrel Brown and painted the crevices of my models as seen on the Land Raider. My White Scars army was ultimately sold for a Tau Army and a Warriors of Chaos army for Warhammer Fantasy.
 
At this point, I had learned about washes and techniques such as dry brushing. Quickly running out of storage space, I sold my Tau and Warriors of Chaos in exchange for my return to +Privateer Press Warmachine's Khador.


In my search for alternated gaming systems, I found Dark Age Apocalypse which was more known as a skirmish game.

I also found Flames of War by Battlefront Miniatures which due to scale was much faster to paint. (The camoflaged tanks are mine.)

 

This brings me to my latest army in the Heavy Gear Blitz world - Peace River Defense Force.

This may have put a large stumbling block in my Road to Adepticon 2013 but the game system and models are amazing and such a joy to paint. I must admit that I am addicted to painting these models. I have actually painted 5 models within a 24 hour period. I can honestly say I have 2 each of every weapon loadout available for the Warrior gear. Also, you may want to look into the developement of their new video game +Heavy Gear Assault based on the Heavy Gear Blitz world. It's an incredible world.