2015 - Im playing to win

So, its this time of year again! I have faction anxiety. I have three factions to choose from, one of which Im familiar with but is one of the most played in the meta right now (Cryx), one of which is fun and hard and really, really good but which I am terrible at playing(Circle). And one which is good and broken but I have not had practise with (Legion). So which to choose?

I have pledged to myself that year 2015 shall be the year where I break out of the x-and-2-bracket and enter the x-and-1 or x-and-0 bracket and in order to give myself a real chance at that I need to do a couple of things, among those:

1. Play the things that give me the biggest advantage against the rest of the field 
2. Stop changing factions (i.e Learn and Master one Faction)
3. Stop caring so much about how I am perceived
4. Become better at closing games

The third one is interesting. I play Cryx now. I dont like to play Gaspy2 because he is considered cheesy. I dont like to field Denny2 (even though I like playing her) for the same reasons. I like to play Skarre2 (always have) cause she supports her army and plays the denial game. No ones think she is the shit. No one complains if I win with her.  

The point is, I am wrong in doing this. Why should I handicap myself this way. I should find the cheesiest, most broken and unfair stuff i can find and annihilate my opponents with it (I don't have to be a d*ck about it, mind you). There is those who can play sub par casters and still beat most other players. I'm not one of those players. I need my broken-ass-stuff. And if people think less off me for it: so be it! I'll bath in their tears and cherish the Lament of Their Women, as I drive them before me! 

2015 - I'm playing to WIN!

 

A new hope

I got circles on my mind these days. After reading some WTC lists I realize circle is the most fun to play and also the best faction. I should play them, I should stick to my guns, learn them and all that. So, ironically, I plan to stop playing Cryx (i.e. not sticking to my guns...) and take up my Circle again after the next tournament. Maybe this time I can get through the boring period of losing and come out the other side a winner. Maybe.

I played a game yesterday against a Denny2 tier 4 list (the NQ one) and had a blast (I played Kruger2)! Which is not a common thing against that type of list. The "quicken Chicken" is IN-SA-NE! Never before has so few models killed so many un-dead (or enslaved) infantry for so few points. It all came down to a 37% assassination from me to win: Denny was incorporeal behind a wall but I aimed with Kruger, needing 12s to hit (and getting sustained attack). I missed the first and second shot (going all in) but the last shot connected, and rolled for damage, after 2 minutes of shaking the dice whilst trash-talking my opponent, a six, a five and a five (needing boxcars). I groaned and scanned my side of the table for one more magic attack (I was feated on so couldnt advance) and found it! My shifting stones UA! I accelerated him with a griffon and shifted forward and proceeded to throw rocks at Deneghra. I missed the first but being only 3 inches from her auto-hit with the blast. Needing 9 to win and rolled 7. Acceleration shot missed but I rolled the nine for damage!!!

The excitement was short though, since we quickly realized that Acceleration gives you a star-action at end of activation, NOT a star-attack. So Denny stayed at 2 life and Kruger got eaten by a Nightmare. But still, one of the most fun games I have had playing warmachine.

2014 Almost done - what am I doing, what have I learned

So, this year is almost over and what have we done (to paraphrase)? lets se:

WARMACHINE/HORDES:

The year began with me playing circle. And complaining. I was beginning the year on a bad losing streak. I could not understand. I have since switched back to Cryx and have had some very minor success (a third and a second place in smaller tournaments). 

We went to Irland (I played Cirlce) and I went 3:3 I think. It was fun though. 

I picked up a complete army of Legion of Everblight which is assembled and awaiting paint. They might have to wait a while still (even if I'm itchy to try out that new ambush unit and Abby2). Cause now I am starting to long for circle again...

WHAT HAS CHANGED:

Why didn't I win using Circle in the beginning of this year? Why would I now? The answer to the first question is that my training games are against the same players I always face in my training games - not the best in Sweden but better ranked than me. And I have come to understand that, in order to win over great players with a faction/team/whathaveyou, you first need to learn how to win with them. I should have played some matches first against some players  at the same level as me or someone with a new faction as well maybe. So, I might give Circle another try. I'm having the itch. I want to play the Goat-Lady again. And mr. Pushy McFlightpants. 

PAINTING?

Yeah. Im doing some of that to. The painting standard of my armies has decreased steadily over the last couple of years and Im not as inspired by that as I used to be. However there is rumored to be a P3 Grand Master painting competition at SmogCon, which I will attend. And enter in at least 2 categories. More on that to come. 

Now I need to go and theory-machine some Circle.