Uncanny Against Darkness (Back To The Rules-Writing)

Ever played Four Against Darkness? Well, you should. It's Ganesha Games' newest game; a standalone, simple, yet engrossing RPG that only requires you and one d6. The best part? The entire rulebook is only $8 and their first two expansions are under $3 each (you can check out their products HERE). This game comes from the same company that brought us all SoBaH (another one of my favorites). Anyway, after I finished my first dungeon I was hooked and decided to expand the game out a bit with some new classes that I've enjoyed from other RPGs.

You can download a copy HERE, but you'll of course need the Four Against Darkness rules first. I will keep this link updated with the latest version as I continue to refine and playtest it.

Uncanny Against Darkness is a fan-made expansion to the official game Four Against Darkness. It was made without the permission of...well, anyone. This is a no-profit, made with love for the game PDF and is only meant to promote Four Against Darkness further. Happy gaming!

Conversion: Imperial Jetbikes Kitbash

This week I'll be looking at a conversion that I've worked on for about a month as the parts for it slowly rolled in. You may remember my review of these bikes over at MWC a ways back, and that's what I used for the bike itself. This wasn't the tricky part, though, but I'll get to that in a bit. After the break I'll walk you through the steps taken to create a Skitarii Jetbike found in my FanDex.

Conversion: Caminus-Priest Unit Complete!

Welcome back! Today I've got a project I've had finished for about a week, but with all of this Necron business going on I haven't had a chance to post about. You may remember my Caminus-Priest project and the voting that went along with it. As for the voting, you people wanted legs, so legs you shall have! As for the conversion, I needed two more of these guys to reach the minimum model count for the unit and decided to wrangle some different poses. More pics after the break.

New Website and Version 3 Up For Download!

That’s right ladies and gents, the long awaited Version 3 of the fandex is up for grabs at www.AdMechFanDex.com so spread the word and enjoy!

As always, if I wrote down every minute change I’ve made from version to version I’d be writing a novel, so here’s a list of the major changes:

• Complexity Value army rule completely overhauled
• Fluff/stories and full color pictures added
• New army rules: In The Wrong Hands and Religious Factions
• New Units: Iron Father, Iron Hands, Tech-Priest Artifex, Termite, Solus Infiltrator, Imperial Jetbikes, Textura, Luceo Rollers, Malchun, Derogo, iAcular, Algaryn and Circom
• Special Weapon and Harness options added to Techmarines
• Armory Point Costs page moved
• Graviton Gun reworked
• Servitors now have the Slow and Purposeful special rule
• Propulsion removed from Cult Abomination
• Tribal Fury added to Skitarii
• Enginseer now has his own entry page and FOC section entry
• Smoke Launchers removed from units/added to Armory
• Electro-Hull change
• Guidance rule change
• Armory has been cleaned up
• MP Hellgun change (again…)
• Servo-Arm/Harness repairs rule changed
• Shock Praetorians removed
• Electro-Priest Special Rules cleaned up
• Machine Cultist Special Rules changes
• Servitor options changed
• Walking Transport Special Rule changes
• Leman Russ weapon/chassis changes
• Gant fire points decreased from 2 to 1
• Phantous overhauled
• Tech-Priest Special Rule added
• Point costs readjusted across the fandex
• Previous FAQ implemented into the current rules
• Overall cleanup of page organization

In addition to this news, further updates including FAQs will be over at www.AdMechFanDex.com from this point forth.

(Poll Closed) Conversion: Caminus-Priest Kitbash

Just a quick post. The poll for whether or not to keep this test model's legs or rip them off in a violent fashion finished last week and it looks like the legs are here to stay. I'd like to thank all those who participated, as this is how the model will remain for the fandex itself.

More conversions on the way, and hopefully a fandex as well. ;)

TLA on 11th Company!

That's right! This week myself and Marcus from MWC made it on The 11th Company episode 71. During Pat's segment, Pat's Corner we discuss MWC's plan for the present and future along with Grey Knights and the AdMech FanDex. Our segment begins at 37:13, but the entire episode is worth listening as usual. As my favorite podcast and a huge source for where I learn my strategies, this interview was very exciting for me. Take a listen and let me know what you think!

Later days!

Rules: Walking Transport

I Like To Think My Walking Transports Are A Little Less Lame Than This

There has been some questions that have come up, in my games and for you playtesters out there, as to the specifics on how the Walking Transport Special Rule in the AdMech FanDex functions. Fear not! I'm here to spell it all out for you with specific scenarios and explanations. First, the actual rule states, "Any model with the Walking Transport Special Rule uses the same movement and shooting rules for walkers (see pages 72-73 of the Warhammer 40,000 rulebook.) This also applies to any passengers firing weapons from the transport. All other normal vehicle rules apply."

AdMech FanDex v5.022811.L FAQ Is Up!

Just a quick post this evening. The newest FAQ is now up for the fandex. Just some minor tweaks you playtesters and I have found in the newest version. The link to the right should now be updated as well. Enjoy:

Page 50 - Cult Servitors Options:

The final option should read; "Each Cult Servitor unit may be led by an Enginseer, he is allowed up to 100 points of equipment from the Armory and Tech-Relics.............+35 pts"

New FanDex On The Horizon

I'll make something perfectly clear at the beginning of this post before I get an inbox full of crudely constructed paragraphs questioning my being well endowed; the AdMech FanDex is not going on the shelf. I love my dex so far, but it's far from completion and out of every tabletop project I have going, it's the one that gets the most attention. The shear amount of money I just spent on models is more than enough to keep me involved in the dex, with or without my fanboy craving for them. With that said, I am a fan of writing and most of all editing. There are few things I'm good at in this world, editing is one of them. The day I find an editing job is the day I'll truly be happy. I'm getting off track here, my point is with the AdMech FanDex needing less and less work done to it, I find myself a little more than bored in the off hours of my day. I'll be quite busy once my lot of AdMech models come in, but until then I've needed a writing-refuge. More after the break.

AdMech FanDex:Base Sizes

As you all know, the new version of the AdMech is out. And if you didn't know that then you may want to come out of the living area known as a rock and click on the following link and download the thing! With the new version out I am ecstatic to report you all love it. Oddly, I have yet to hear anything bad about the new version, as bittersweet as that may be (if I don't hear bad news, I don't have much to work on.) There has been mention of some confusion on what the base sizes of models should be for gameplay purposes. While descriptions in my fandex are very broad so as to not restrict what people wish to make their models as, I do agree there is a need for some guidelines on the base sizes of the models in order for gameplay to work correctly. More after the jump.

Adeptus Mechanicus:Incoming!

Actual Fanbase Attractiveness May Vary

Hello, again. As we're approaching the final few days before v2.0 of the AdMech FanDex, I wanted to take a few minutes to describe some of what you all will be seeing. As of today, the dex is ready to roll, most everything has been finalized and I should be posting the new version on the 28th. The only reason for the delay is I'd like to get in one more day of playtesting before launch. So since things are pretty concrete at this point, I'm going to delve into what new units are awaiting everyone in a couple of days. More after the jump.

FanDex Insight

Hello again, ladies and gents. From the emails I've received I know you all are eager to see the upcoming version 2 of the beta for the Adeptus Mechanicus, and I have to say I'm just as excited if not more so. But before I'm finished up here, I'd like to go a little in depth into how I've come across the changes I've made for the next version of my fandex, and what other fandex creators can do to help themselves along into making their project even better. More info after the jump.

AdMech FanDexFAQ v5.120610.L

Just a quick post today. I have our first FAQ made up for some quick additions, removals and corrections and plan to have a couple more of these before the next version of the FanDex is out. I'd like to take the time to thank everyone for the support and help I've received. I truly didn't expect the amount of help I've been getting. I've gotten through all of your emails and made decisions based on the input of others and my very own brain! I'd like to give a special thanks to a couple of individuals who've done more than their fair share of collaboration on this FanDex: Nick Thom and Derek Reihe. You guys rock. On my side of things (as you can probably tell) I've been in a slump of sorts since the Open-Beta release. I'm not sure where all my motivation has gone, but I'm still trying to be diligent about updates. Speaking of which, coming up after the jump: The first FAQ.

*enter loud and obnoxious noises to get your attention here*

So... Very... Close...

It's been brought to my attention that I haven't put out an update in a while, and all of the fans out there (or at least two that I know of) are eager for more of "The Pro". My ego knows no bounds. So, what update do I have for you all? Outside of the FanDex, not much. Oddly enough Minecraft has been taking up my painting time, and if you value yours don't click on that link. But anywho, the FanDex. I'm happy to report, we're close...

So... Very... Close...

Necron Completion and AdMech Playtesting Continued

It's been a very busy couple of weeks. Car troubles, weddings, boozeseses, etc. I haven't had much time for 40K, but the last couple of days I've finally found some time for some painting of the Necrons.

I'm still working on constructing a lightbox for pictures, so hopefully this is the last time horribly dark pictures will parade around these parts. Click on the pictures for a better view, this can compensate some for lack of proper lighting.

AdMech FanDex Playtesting(Updated)

What in the heck is this? That bed spread hasn't been cleaned in like... And when was the last time that carpet was vacuumed? These are all valid questions, if you were my mother. Since you're not my mother (I assume) you're probably focusing on the pages strewn about my bedroom. So what exactly is going on here? It's the next phase ladies and gents. Step 17 or something in the AdMech FanDex adventure I'm on.

This was the last day of editing in which I wasted countless pieces of paper (or 55) in order to visually see the layout format for the codex. Currently I'm holding in my hand the playtesting draft of the FanDex, which is causing me to type very slowly... So I'll finish up by saying that closed-beta playtesting will run through October, possibly longer depending on how I feel about it and then open-beta playtesting will be available for the masses. And as always, click the link in the top right corner for daily updates.

No More Elves!

Ah yes, no more elves in my life... I also found a nickel in the dryer this afternoon! Today's going to be great day!

Anywho, I bring up this title for two reasons. The Adeptus Mechanicus FanDex I'm working on is the first reason. I know there are some people watching the updates on this project, which is really great. It means there's a want for it. And with how little advertising I'm doing for it so far, coupled with the large amount of hits and followers I'm getting without putting out even a sample page yet makes me feel just dandy. Like I'm back in school where I'd have 37 1/2 people follow me around throughout the day (one of them was a midget.) But I'm getting off track. For those of you following the updates you may have noticed the work time being put into the FanDex is getting a little more thin than it used to be, and I can chalk this up to three problems.

Next Up: Adeptus Mechanicus (Updated)

Update 07/18/10:
Hit a speed bump yesterday so I'm probably behind by a week now in order to iron out some new additions I put off making until a week after the last second. My list of Heavy Support didn't seem hefty enough, so I'll be including a variant of a long favorite in the 40k community. 

Update 07/22/10:
I decided to include my update log on here as well, so enjoy the slow crawl:
06-07-10 – 5th Edition rule updates
06-08-10 – 5th Edition rule updates
06-10-10 – 5th Edition rule updates
06-12-10 – Stat experimentation
06-14-10 – Stat experimentation
06-15-10 – Stat experimentation
06-17-10 – Army Special Rule changes
06-18-10 – Unit Special Rule changes
06-20-10 – Unit Special Rule changes
06-21-10 – Army Special Rule additions
06-22-10 – Stat restructuring
06-24-10 – Stat restructuring
06-26-10 – Grammar and spelling updates
06-27-10 – Stat restructuring
06-29-10 – Unit and Army Special Rule changes
07-01-10 – Question the existence of God and stat restructuring
07-03-10 – Vehicle Special rule experimentation
07-04-10 – Codex structure updates
07-05-10 – Codex structure updates
07-06-10 – Wargear collaboration and restructure
07-07-10 – Armory point value evaluation
07-08-10 – Beginning Army List collaboration
07-09-10 – Army List collaboration and point value evaluation
07-10-10 – Army List collaboration and point value evaluation
07-11-10 – Army List collaboration and point value evaluation
07-12-10 – Army List collaboration and point value evaluation
07-13-10 – Army List collaboration and point value evaluation
07-14-10 – Army List collaboration and point value evaluation
07-15-10 – Army List collaboration and point value evaluation
07-16-10 – Contemplating suicide
07-17-10 – Army List collaboration and point value evaluation
07-18-10 – Army List collaboration and point value evaluation07-21-10 – Restructure of Army List format
07-22-10 – Restructure of Army List format
07-26-10 – Restructure of Army List format
07-28-10 – Restructure of Army List format
07-29-10 – Restructure of Army List format
07-30-10 – Restructure of Army List format
08-02-10 – Restructure of Army List format and continued Army List collaboration
08-05-10 – Restructure of Army List format
08-10-10 – Restructure of Army List format
08-11-10 – Restructure of Army List format
08-13-10 – Final unit addition
08-14-10 – Final unit addition
08-16-10 – Fluff/Lore additions
08-17-10 – Fluff/Lore additions, Cleanup for Rough Draft
08-18-10 - Rough Draft Complete!
08-19-10 - Closed Beta Read-Through for Grammar
08-29-10 - Sneak peek at one of the Special Characters:

09-05-10 - Editing
09-06-10 - Editing
09-07-10 - Editing
09-08-10 - Editing
09-09-10 - Editing
09-10-10 - Editing
09-11-10 - Editing
09-18-10 - Editing
09-19-10 - Editing
09-20-10 - Rule Review and Editing
09-21-10 - Rule Review and Editing
09-22-10 - Rule Review and Editing
09-23-10 - Rule Review and Editing
09-24-10 - Rule Review and Editing
09-25-10 - Rule Review and Editing
09-26-10 - Editing
09-28-10 - Rule Review and Editing
09-29-10 - Editing
10-01-10 - Closed-Beta Playtesting
10-02-10 - Rule Review and Editing
10-03-10 - Rule Review and Editing
10-06-10 - Editing
10-07-10 - Editing
10-13-10 - Editing
10-17-10 - Continued Closed-Beta Playtesting
10-18-10 - Editing
10-19-10 - Editing
10-21-10 - Editing
10-22-10 - Editing
10-23-10 - Editing
10-24-10 - Continued Closed-Beta Playtesting
10-25-10 - Editing
10-27-10 - Editing
10-28-10 - Unit Addition
10-29-10 - Unit Addition
10-31-10 - Editing
11-01-10 - Unit Addition
11-02-10 - Editing
11-04-10 - Editing
11-06-10 - Editing
11-07-10 - Continued Closed-Beta Playtesting
11-08-10 - Editing
11-10-10 - Editing
11-11-10 - Editing
11-13-10 - Editing
11-14-10 - Editing and Continued Closed-Beta Playtesting
11-15-10 - Editing
11-16-10 - Editing
11-17-10 - Open-beta released!
12-06-10 - FAQ for v5.120610.L Released!

Update 02/08/11:
As you all have noticed, I'm no longer putting minimal updates on this post. It's a needless hassle I don't want to deal with. With that, know that I'm working on the FanDex almost every day and I now have a small team working on this rather than just my lonesome self so things are moving along at a great pace. As I mentioned in my post a couple of days ago, you should see the new version of the FanDex before February. The newest version is a lot more clean as far as rules go, "stream-lined" if you will. There are countless major changes and modification that have been made in order for this FanDex to be as playable as possible. The battlereports are still coming in and I would like to thank everyone who's participating very much and I hope the next beta is even more entertaining for everyone.

While I can't toss out all the information I have on the new version (as that would be near impossible for one,) I won't leave you without some detail. Essentially, most of the previous Imperial vehicles from other codices have been removed and/or replaced. This was the complaint I saw the most, too many vehicles we've already seen before. While I personally think it makes sense that the creators of IG and SM vehicles would bring those with them when they go on their Tech Quests since they're always readily available, I do have to agree that it makes the FanDex feel less personal. We have how many SM codices right now? Yeah, no one wants another SM dex, even in partial. So here's the juice.

New unit entries you'll see in the next version:

• Knight Titan
• Tech-Priest Transmechanic
• Phantous
• The Forsaken
• Gant
• Cantharis

Names are all I'm throwing out for now.

Update 02/21/11:
A couple of weeks ago I added a few units to the FanDex that I forgot to post here. Once again, names are all I'm giving out at this time. Worry not, I'm estimating the next version of the FanDex is about one week away.

• Caminus-Priest
• Cult Abomination
• Divexo Beacon

Update 02/28/11:
The 2nd version for beta testing (v5.022811.L) is up! Enjoy!

Update 03/29/11:
The new FAQ is up for the second version of the fandex!

Update 04/04/11:
Clarifications on the Walking Transport Special Rule have been posted.

Update 04/25/11:
I'm pleased to announce I now have a team of four to-be-named fluff writers working hard on the fluff entries for the fandex. I'm excited to turn this fandex into more than a rulebook come the next version. Hopefully those of you that enjoy fluff as well will enjoy what the team has in store for you.

Update 04/29/11:
As some of you might have seen, there has been a series of articles I've written about the AdMech FanDex's past, present and future on MWC. In the third article I mentioned the following units are to be included in the fandex's next version:

• Imperial Jetbikes
• Iron Father
• Iron Hands
• Textura
• Tech-Priest Artifex
• Solus Infiltrator
• Luceo Rollers
• Termite

There may be one more unit included in the next version, but I'm still getting this one down on paper and haven't begun playtesting it yet, so I'm not too hopeful. I'll keep you all posted.

Update 05/17/11:
Announcement of the Fluff-Writing Team.

Update 06/02/11:
Updates here will stop as keeping up with this log is getting a little tedious. With changes happening so rapidly I would be updating this thing daily and that time is better spent elsewhere. Just know the project continues and I'll be updating you all here as time goes on.