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Hi welcome to the review of WD 369. I will go through a basic outlook of the magazine and from there give my own evaluations and opinions on the articles. This is based therefore entirely on my opinions and you should read as such since you may have a different view to what I am saying. Now on with the contents:
This issue starts off with the new Isle of blood starter set as a new release. The models look good and I think the set has a decent price tag on it. Whilst there are other releases it is clear that these are just to bump up the number of things released as the issue plainly states out that the Isle of Blood is the main object to focus on. However of particular interest is the release of basic paint sets for all 3 systems and a skavenslaves upgrade pack that gives the option for 5 slaves to have slings.
The issues main articles focus on the Isle of Blood giving us a background that this isle houses an artefact called the phoenix stone. The skaven naturally want to steal this power. The article gives lots of pictures each displaying one of the units in the boxset and giving a little background on each unit in turn which gives a real "feel" to the game and a good way to excite the kids. For older or more experienced gamers this gives us the opportunity to look at the gorgeous models again as well as read the interview with the designers and get an understanding on the isle of blood itself.
The issue carries on with a battle report featuring 200 points a side high elves vs skaven. The contents of the box are used as well as a few reinforcements to expand each army. The eventual winner is.... Well that would be telling and it is up to you to read it.
Next article gives more background and detail into the isle of blood as well as the story behind the invasion, the motives of the skaven for reaching the isle as well as describing the defenders in detail. The battle concludes with the skaven being assaulted by a force led by Prince Tyrion.
A small article featuring the battlefield for next months battle report (the full fight for blood isle featuring Tyrion) There is a picture sequence showing how parts of the battlefield was made for those who wish to make their own. To finish off this focus on WFB a little information is provided about instore activities this month.
The magazine progresses and we get the first 40K articles this issue. Continuing on from last month we have a feature on daemons as a little background on the fall of absolom reach produces some new apocalypse datasheets for daemons. The brotherhood of blood stands out as it requires Kharn from chaos marines to use. After this a few plastic daemon products are advertised but like the article there is no focus on nurgle.
Next there is a War of the Ring article. This describes the authors (Jeremy's) experience in teaching another person how to play WotR. He also presents some ideas for epic battle that might be fun to use. There is a little focus for major armies (gondor, mordor, elves dwarfs and rohan). He also presents what forces he used when introducing the game in case you might want to replicate this.
Next i this months article of Standard Bearer which sees Jervis describing his experiences and joys of organizing tournaments as well as his experiences in some.
The next article is painting masters which shows the work of one Joe Tomaszewski. The article gives a little information on who he is and what he has done for 'eavy metal. There is a showcase of some of his work including a very nice Sigvald, Calgar and Farseer.
Continuing on with the fame of painting up next is the Ask 'eavy metal article. A variety of topics are covered here with power weapons, marine chapters, galadhrim banner, gretchin skin, craftworld eldar armour, tarnishing necrons, cloaks of bats, dead flesh and finally freehand banners being looked at. As someone with little to no painting abilty I always find this helpful as the techniques described are simple and easy to copy. Some painting products are advertised after this article. I would like to say now that I find these advertising quite helpful as they give young and inexperienced people the help to know what they are looking for and what the articles themselves are referring to.
Next is an army masters features featuring Christian Byrne's (more famous for his iron warriors) LotR dwarf/arnor alliance and angmar/mordor alliance armies. The next few pages goes through both armies in a little detail.
Next is the citadel hall of fame. This month Michael Perry (one of the main LotR miniatures designers) nominates the Warhammer Giant kit and gives his reasons as to why.
Next feature is again 40K related and is about the markings of Imperial Guard Tanks. There is ideas for markings for the reader to use as well as camouflage schemes for several types of worlds and little personalization on a few tank turrets.
Last article of note concerns UK games day. For those attending it gives information on what is there as well as a handy map that gives a basic layout to where all the events are held.
The back inside cover gives us a little information of next months stuff. There is a focus on the new high elf releases as well as the aforementioned mega battle for the isle of blood. A war of the ring article on the history of the dwarf holds as new models for the misty mountains and the dwarf holds are released. Additionally there is an article on chaos tainted buildings to use in games of planetstrike.
There is the layout but what do I think. I like the background for the isle of blood because it will introduce the little ones into the hobby as well as the painting articles. However I was not impressed by the lack of material for the older gamers and the war of the ring article which mainly lists battles that either happened in the movies or the book.
My final comments are that if you like WFB or in particular high elves or skaven then this issue is worth picking out. For 40K and LotR players there is not much focus on your systems (to be expected) but there are a few article like the ask 'eavy metal team but not much else. For those attending games day the magazine has a nice article on the event that will help greatly, especially the map.
Based on these judgments I give this issue a rating of 6.5/10
See you next month. Any additional queries may be posted below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
This issue starts off with the new Isle of blood starter set as a new release. The models look good and I think the set has a decent price tag on it. Whilst there are other releases it is clear that these are just to bump up the number of things released as the issue plainly states out that the Isle of Blood is the main object to focus on. However of particular interest is the release of basic paint sets for all 3 systems and a skavenslaves upgrade pack that gives the option for 5 slaves to have slings.
The issues main articles focus on the Isle of Blood giving us a background that this isle houses an artefact called the phoenix stone. The skaven naturally want to steal this power. The article gives lots of pictures each displaying one of the units in the boxset and giving a little background on each unit in turn which gives a real "feel" to the game and a good way to excite the kids. For older or more experienced gamers this gives us the opportunity to look at the gorgeous models again as well as read the interview with the designers and get an understanding on the isle of blood itself.
The issue carries on with a battle report featuring 200 points a side high elves vs skaven. The contents of the box are used as well as a few reinforcements to expand each army. The eventual winner is.... Well that would be telling and it is up to you to read it.
Next article gives more background and detail into the isle of blood as well as the story behind the invasion, the motives of the skaven for reaching the isle as well as describing the defenders in detail. The battle concludes with the skaven being assaulted by a force led by Prince Tyrion.
A small article featuring the battlefield for next months battle report (the full fight for blood isle featuring Tyrion) There is a picture sequence showing how parts of the battlefield was made for those who wish to make their own. To finish off this focus on WFB a little information is provided about instore activities this month.
The magazine progresses and we get the first 40K articles this issue. Continuing on from last month we have a feature on daemons as a little background on the fall of absolom reach produces some new apocalypse datasheets for daemons. The brotherhood of blood stands out as it requires Kharn from chaos marines to use. After this a few plastic daemon products are advertised but like the article there is no focus on nurgle.
Next there is a War of the Ring article. This describes the authors (Jeremy's) experience in teaching another person how to play WotR. He also presents some ideas for epic battle that might be fun to use. There is a little focus for major armies (gondor, mordor, elves dwarfs and rohan). He also presents what forces he used when introducing the game in case you might want to replicate this.
Next i this months article of Standard Bearer which sees Jervis describing his experiences and joys of organizing tournaments as well as his experiences in some.
The next article is painting masters which shows the work of one Joe Tomaszewski. The article gives a little information on who he is and what he has done for 'eavy metal. There is a showcase of some of his work including a very nice Sigvald, Calgar and Farseer.
Continuing on with the fame of painting up next is the Ask 'eavy metal article. A variety of topics are covered here with power weapons, marine chapters, galadhrim banner, gretchin skin, craftworld eldar armour, tarnishing necrons, cloaks of bats, dead flesh and finally freehand banners being looked at. As someone with little to no painting abilty I always find this helpful as the techniques described are simple and easy to copy. Some painting products are advertised after this article. I would like to say now that I find these advertising quite helpful as they give young and inexperienced people the help to know what they are looking for and what the articles themselves are referring to.
Next is an army masters features featuring Christian Byrne's (more famous for his iron warriors) LotR dwarf/arnor alliance and angmar/mordor alliance armies. The next few pages goes through both armies in a little detail.
Next is the citadel hall of fame. This month Michael Perry (one of the main LotR miniatures designers) nominates the Warhammer Giant kit and gives his reasons as to why.
Next feature is again 40K related and is about the markings of Imperial Guard Tanks. There is ideas for markings for the reader to use as well as camouflage schemes for several types of worlds and little personalization on a few tank turrets.
Last article of note concerns UK games day. For those attending it gives information on what is there as well as a handy map that gives a basic layout to where all the events are held.
The back inside cover gives us a little information of next months stuff. There is a focus on the new high elf releases as well as the aforementioned mega battle for the isle of blood. A war of the ring article on the history of the dwarf holds as new models for the misty mountains and the dwarf holds are released. Additionally there is an article on chaos tainted buildings to use in games of planetstrike.
There is the layout but what do I think. I like the background for the isle of blood because it will introduce the little ones into the hobby as well as the painting articles. However I was not impressed by the lack of material for the older gamers and the war of the ring article which mainly lists battles that either happened in the movies or the book.
My final comments are that if you like WFB or in particular high elves or skaven then this issue is worth picking out. For 40K and LotR players there is not much focus on your systems (to be expected) but there are a few article like the ask 'eavy metal team but not much else. For those attending games day the magazine has a nice article on the event that will help greatly, especially the map.
Based on these judgments I give this issue a rating of 6.5/10
See you next month. Any additional queries may be posted below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
