Resurrection of the Astulae Adventure Blog - Now Complete

About 15 years ago, I had this bright idea for a blog based adventure game called Astulae. It started out as a "Choose Your Own Adventure" style game with more than a strong hint of the computer game "Myst" thrown in for good measure. 

As I was designing it, things got complicated fast. Very fast. It became a sprawl of dead links and things that I needed to go back to and write more about. And on top of that, I'd created a cypher for the link pages themselves that at one time meant something. But when I returned to them recently, I could not make head nor tail of the cypher I'd used all those years ago, and had long since lost my (physical) notes. 

I turned to artificial intelligence and asked it to figure out my cypher. Which, of course, it did, in next to no time. With this in place, I have been tinkering with it and finishing it off. And today, it is ready to play, and 100% complete-able. So, if text adventure games in the spirit of Myst tickles something in your mind, head over to Astulae.Blogspot.Com and see what you think! Feedback very welcome. 

[Aside, this became the starting point for this roleplaying game that I later published on DriveThruRPG: Astulae which is now a best seller.]

Horus Heresy Review: Spartan

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5/5 stars. An enduring icon. 

Background.

Less common than other land raiders thanks to the expense of production, the Spartan nonetheless sees extensive use in all legions. In essence, it is a large transport carrier, while retaining all the benefits of a land raider's ranged arsenal. 

Strengths. 

An amazing carrying capacity of 26, 14 armour value all round, and a whopping 10 hull points. Las cannon arrays for sponsons, and a more humble twin heavy bolter to the front. 

Laser destroyers are tempting for the better strength and AP. The Gravis heavy bolter is maybe weaker but could be fluffy given the fire rate. 

Replacing the heavy bolter is to taste and I can see a case for the heavy flamer up close and personal, and the twin las cannon will help with more tank hunting. The pintle weapons can reinforce the role as well. Search lights and hunter killer missiles are entirely optional and to taste. 

Weaknesses. 

We are in 5/5 territory due to how often it is fielded, its value, and how often it is played. All players need to have a solution to a spartan ultimately and despite the points value you will see them fielded. 

Builds.

Spartan with laser destroyers, front twin las cannons (410 points). 

A great option for lasering your way across the battlefield and disgorging your passengers at the opportune moment. Take a pintle Multi Melta for extra close up work. 

Spartan with gravis heavy bolter batteries (400 points). 

A dakka style spartan. 

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Land Raider Carrier

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. Iconic in its own way. 

Background.

The Land Raider has been with us from almost the start. Through the Rogue Trader era to present day, this vehicle is a mainstay of the space marine legions and chapters. In 30k the same remains true and this particular unit sees deployment all over the galaxy on both sides of the civil war, and probably beyond.

Strengths. 

Movement rate of 10 combined with a transport capacity of 12. Naturally, it has an armour value of 14 all around which will keep it protected, and 8 hull points.

Sponson las cannons and a front mounted twin heavy bolter round out the armaments. Of course, it is also an assault vehicle and has auto-repair which is good. Don't forget about the smokescreen option too - it is easily over looked. 

In terms of options, the heavy flamer is an interesting swap to make. The front mounted las cannon is attractive for lots of las action. The pintle options are reasonable: havoc launcher for general duty, heavy bolter for more shots but might not be worth the points, heavy flamer is reasonable, and a multi melta is expensive but depends on if you are explicitly tank hunting at closer range. Combi weapons are okay too. I wouldn't bother with the search light, but the hunter killer missile is to taste. 

Weaknesses. 

It is a land raider. Deal with it. 

Builds.

Land Raider with Front Las Cannon (275 points). 

Cheap enough to be very attractive. Add a pintle multi melta to taste for extra tank hunting, and maybe a hunter killer missile if you are feeling lucky. 

Land Raider with front heavy flamer, pintle heavy flamer (275 points). 

Lots of heavy flames being thrown around for when you are up close. 

Warhammer: Manchester

A chance trip to Manchester recently, and as per usual, I sought out the local Warhammer store. This used to be inside the Arndale Centre the last time that I visited but that was over a decade ago now. The store is now Warhammer rather than Games Workshop, and it is physically located on the outside of the shopping centre along the very busy Corporation Street. It is well served by the local tram network at the Exchange Square stop and easy access to all the rest of the shops, buses, and major railway infrastructure in Manchester. 

Let me start by showing you the impressive shop window display. I noted that the old location was amazing, but they've continued the theme of blowing away the competition in the new store as well (apologies for the reflection). 

But when you go inside, the diorama of tyranids and genestealer cults assaulting the Blood Angels just gets even better. 

I mean, check out the tyranid space craft in low orbit here. Let alone what is dropping from the skies. And all those missiles and laser blasts. Furnaces (water on the outside). Okay. I'll shut up. Just look at the images. 

Elsewhere in the store is no different. Some really excellent displays. Horus Heresy caught my eye, of course. 

But also these daemons! I think I feel inspired to try to do some conversions myself for daemons of the ruin storm now...!

And the staff were so friendly with me too. I suspect they remember my visit despite me wanting to be the anonymous shopper that I usually am. I took too many photographs. I regret nothing though. I'm really inspired now!

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Land Speeder Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are solid. 

Background.

The classic Land Speeder comes armed with an over abundance of upgrade options. This unit won't suit some legions or play styles, but it is undeniably going to shape others.

Strengths. 

The movement rate of 16 is one of the best in the entire game and whole units of these beasts will create headaches for opponents. T=5 and W=3 will keep them alive long enough to cause serious damage as well. 

Another multi-marine antigrav tank, Land speeders have solid rules like deep strike, firing protocols, and a native augury scanner (up-gradable to a second weapon). But where the real strength lies is in their upgrade flexibility. 

Weaknesses. 

Ld=8 is problematic.

Builds.

Land Speeder with 2x Multi Meltas (90 points). 

Tank hunting. You might need 2 or 3 of these depending on your opponent. Take hunter-killer missiles to taste. 

Land Speeder with 2x Plasma Cannons (70 points).

This is amazing for the points cost. 

Land Speeder with 2x Volkite Culverins (60 points).

Take a blob of 5 of these to deal with enemy infantry. Remember for volkite weapons: you want to go big!

Land Speeder with 2x Graviton Guns (70 points).

Very nice for the points. Only a couple of these needed per squad.

Land Speeder with 2x Havoc Launchers (55 points).

Sit back and take some shots at things? Take as many or as few as you desire here.

Land Speeder with Heavy Bolter and Heavy Flamer (50 points).

A meat shield for others in the squad, but also deters charges on occasion.

Horus Heresy 3e Review: Javelin Squadron

Warpstone Flux Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4/5 stars. The rules are reasonably good. 

Background.

A more heavy weapon orientated grav craft than the jetbike and similarly able to have good speed and maneuverability. These are comparatively rare constructs and valued by many legions. 

Strengths. 

Good movement rates, T=6 and W=4 make for a much more solid version of the jetbike. 

These multi-marine Land speeders have nice rules like deep strike and firing protocols to make best use of what they are. 

In terms of weapons, the combination of the cyclone missile launcher and heavy bolter is actually not bad at al. Upgrade to two lascannons for long range aggression.

Weaknesses. 

Leave the volkite culverins at home - you can't go "big" with this squad. The heavy flamers have limited utility compared to other squads. Two more heavy bolters is interesting for sheer fire power. And what ever happened to multi meltas compared to second edition?

Builds.

3 Javelins (225 points). 

Exploit the missile launcher and heavy bolter combination. Replace the missiles with 2 more heavy bolters for sheer fire power. 

Javelin with 2 las cannons (80 points).

Long range fire platform for anti-monster or anti-tank duty.