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Ritual flame meets hard tactics as we unpack the Fire Tongue Warriors and the Bullcroak way of war. We start with the culture that shapes every rule: a creation myth binding sea and sky, canoe-borne battles, and a code that prizes honor, warning, and measured conflict. That lens makes the army click. Fire Guardians become more than stones with a buff aura; they’re the living memory of a village. War dances aren’t just noise; they’re psychological warfare that sets tempo before dice ever roll.

From there we move piece by piece through the models changing our lists. Bagadibawm rewards bold positioning, stacking free animi with a localized damage boost that turns continuous fire into a win condition. Vorogger is the sleeper beast: Drag to isolate, Impervious Flesh to shrug chip damage, and Flaming Fists to push damage over the line. Mawga’Bawza steals scenes as a soul-denying conductor who nudges charges and cleanses threats; as a solo she’s potent, and we make the case for a future warlock incarnation. Firespitters deliver range 10 pressure that scales with proximity, while Spirit Shamans provide the anti-magic toolkit that some lists need, while Hexbolt is used to shut down special actions and mage static to tax enemy casters when it matters most.

We also talk real table results. How do you choreograph overlapping auras so continuous fire actually swings the attrition curve? When is Shield Wall worth the tempo hit? Where does a second Vorogger add value, and where does it crowd your plan? Expect honest takes on feats that feel off-theme yet powerful, and guidance on scenario play where Bullcroaks excel by controlling space rather than chasing kills. Plus, hobby wins and paint tips: test masks, heat-weathered effects, and using concept art as a reliable guide to get a 50-point force game-ready without getting stuck.

If you’re into Warmachine strategy, faction lore that matters, and practical list building you can use tonight, this one’s for you. Hit play, subscribe for more deep dives, and tell us your favorite Bullcroak synergy or rule that surprised you and what should we test next?

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What happens when you design a tournament to teach first and stress last? We walk through our blueprint for a welcoming Warmachine event: a 3x3 board, six-inch deployments, 30 points, assassination as the win condition, and no clocks. After rounds of playtesting and terrain tweaks, we landed on a format that respects time without rushing decisions, so newer players can absorb rules, measure cleanly, and still feel the thrill of a decisive assassination run.

We also get candid about list building and restraint. Angus flirts with Crucible Guard combos that layer oil, fire, and boosted damage, while Chris dusts off Menoth with Kreoss, Exemplars, and Cinerators. We weigh power against teaching and how to bring sharp tools but use them to explain lines of play rather than table a newcomer by turn two. Along the way, we talk model choices, why the Retaliator sometimes beats Apollo, and what makes 30-point lists sing on a smaller battlefield.

Lore fans won’t be left out. Our reactions to Craghorn’s story highlight how narrative shapes the factions we love and the armies we paint. Trollkin prejudice, tough choices, and a mercenary path add grit to gameplay, pushing us to build events where theme and mechanics meet. That energy flows into our community push: we’ve opened Discord with regional channels, refreshed our Facebook and Instagram, and started experimenting with recorded games and potential VOD access.

Behind the scenes, we hit download milestones and share a transparent plan to stay ad-free. A “buy me a coffee” link and possible Patreon tiers could fund better audio equipment, video content, and various other things without interrupting your feed. If you want a kinder on-ramp that still brings the heat, join us: find a practice game on Discord, send us your list ideas, and help shape the next event. If you enjoy the show, subscribe, leave a five-star review, and tell us what perks you’d want to see next.

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Plans that started as a simple creative outlet turned into a fast-growing Warmachine community, and we’re taking a breath to recap what worked, what surprised us, and what’s next. We share real wins and fun misfires from past team events, then lay out our Adepticon goals and why you’ll see us roaming in NJT shirts, dice at the ready and schedules packed.

We announce a 30-point beginner-friendly tournament at Second City Games in Highland Park with a clean format that mirrors command starter builds. Expect coaching, list help via Longshanks, and spare painted armies available so newer players can jump in. We also spotlight Kithguard preorders, including practical assembly notes for complex kits, and a listener discount to make starting or expanding an army easier.

There’s heart here too. A listener’s message about loss prompts a candid story about how tabletop gaming can anchor you through grief. Between laughs about juggernaut lists and midnight group chats, we talk about why games matter: structure, friends, and small wins that stack into something bigger. From there we dig into the January rules update saying goodbye to the spell rack, clearer caster identity, likely shifts in lethality and what that means for list diversity, tournament clocks, and on-table decisions for both veterans and newcomers.

We’re exploring recorded games, possible streaming from the shop’s feature table, and maybe even an Iron Kingdoms RPG series if enough of you want it. If you’re excited about Warmachine, curious about the new rules, or looking for a community that will help you get your models built and on the table, you’re in the right place. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a game night, and leave a review with what you want us to stream or cover next.

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Want a blueprint for growing a miniatures community that lasts? We sat down with Stephen to trace a path from a 1997 hobby spark to a thriving Gulf Coast Warmachine network that stretches from Pensacola to Mobile, Mississippi, Georgia, and New Orleans. The through-line is simple and powerful: shape events around people, not just pairings. That means charity brawls with heart, narrative arcs that welcome casual players, and store partnerships that prioritize space, schedule, and support.

We trade notes on beginner on-ramps that actually work, like choosing starter forces with fewer layered rules and designing teaching nights that reward curiosity over perfection. Stephen shares how moderating the Warmachine & Hordes Beginners group informed a “first-contact” ethos: greet with a smile, answer plainly, and make space for new voices. We also explore how online content is fueling growth again, with fresh channels breaking down fundamentals, list-building, and lore without the gatekeeping vibe that scares people away.

Of course, we nerd out on models. The Kithguard trolls have us buzzing about ambush mechanics, kit-bashed aesthetics, and a reimagined gargantuan that looks ready to stomp into stories and tournaments alike. We weigh in on starter boxes like why Frozen and Forgotten lands so well and how to connect paint nights to play nights by looping in school art clubs and youth gamers. The goal isn’t a perfect meta. It’s a ladder anyone can climb: show up, play, learn three things, and come back next month.

Whether you’re rebuilding a scene or just getting your first 30 points on the table, this conversation offers practical steps, honest encouragement, and a reminder that the next champion might start with a borrowed army and a warm welcome. If this resonated, subscribe, share with your playgroup, and leave a review with the one idea you’ll try in your local community.

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Bone charms rattle, crows gather, and an old city wakes. We head into Old Korska to unpack why Old Umbrey feels both feral and frighteningly precise: a subfaction where Zevanna Agha’s legend meets modern rifles, where corpse tokens fuel warbeasts, and where one well-marked prey target disappears under disciplined fire and sudden teeth. If you’ve ever wondered how Baba Yaga energy becomes a tournament plan, this is the map.

We start with the fault lines in Kador’s history—Kardovic’s unification, Umbra’s resentment, and the Old Witch’s long game—then track Bohdan Lesnoi from Greylord infiltrator to architect of Umbreys resurgence. His Bird’s Eye vision and control range set the board, while Strix delivers reactive movement and post-roll boosts that clean up variance. Vorony, the not-so-inconspicuous crow, anchors a corpse economy: absorbing hits with Ancient Shroud, hoarding tokens, and shuttling them to primevals for grievous wounds and charge efficiency. The Witchmarked Totem pressures space with permanent armor debuffs, making every shot and swing hit harder.

We dive into the Chosen of the Witch and the debate between lore fit and raw utility, then show how Galena’s prey engine brings it all together—stacking terrain, curses, and marksmanship to erase priority pieces. On the heavier side, Gorgers become modular answers: pick heads for control or burst, choose Cat-O-Spine Tails to shred screens or Primal Club to break anchors, and use sprays and clouds to punish clumps. If you prefer finesse over brute force, Resnikova seeds forests and turns line-of-sight into a weapon, inviting beasts to strike from cover and fade.

Looking to demo Old Umbrey? We share proxy-friendly tips to protect fragile models and keep games flowing, plus magnetizing advice to future-proof your kits as point costs and rules evolve. Whether you come for the lore or the list tech, Old Umbrey rewards players who like layered decisions—resource routing, terrain shaping, and surgical violence. If this unlocked new ideas or got you hyped to build Umbrey, tap follow, share with a friend who loves Kador deep cuts, and drop a review with the one model you’d field first.

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A fourth Juggernaut just hit the desk, the kids are calling shots at 50 points, and our paint snow turned pink after varnish… so yes, we’re juggling hobby joy, real problems, and a whole lot of Khador. We kick off with why moving from 30 to 50 points unlocks the real game: more warjacks on the table, deeper synergies, and the tension between assassination lines and objective play. Then we hold court on the dreaded snow-bleed issue, comparing Citadel technicals, pigment reactivation, and Speedpaint 1.0 vs 2.0 to help you protect your bases and your sanity.

From there, the mask drops and the knives come out. We break down SKS-6, Khador’s clandestine strike team from Section III, and show how the lore maps tightly to rules. Kaptain Zahara Velkul’s alchemical mask and Field Marshal Prowl convert clouds and cover into stealth and vision control. Razor brings rare Khador accuracy, grenade utility, and a shield-saw that forces bad trades. Sergeant “The Jackal” Lazarenko lives up to his name with the Jackbuster rocket with brutal damage, critical stagger, and Marksman to demolish the right columns. The Hounds arrive with advanced deploy, shield wall resilience, anti-blast assurance, and signature weapons that carve into infantry and heavies alike. If you like tempo theft, precision attrition, and tricks that punish sloppy positioning, this cadre is your toolbox.

We widen the lens to the current Mark IV cadence: character-forward cadres, flavorful trios, and strong caster identities that make list building simple yet sharp. We sketch paths for Old Umbrey around Yana, debate Razor’s point efficiency versus broader chassis, and look ahead to Kithguard reveals and STL drops. Finally, stakes go narrative as we weigh the community’s power over Admiral Boomhowler’s fate with death, survival, or a Cryx turn.  Each with ripples for the meta and our armies. Come for the covert ops and stay for the practical tactics, honest hobby talk, and a few spicy predictions.

If you enjoy the show, follow, share with a wargaming friend, and leave a quick review so more players can find us. What build are you bringing against SKS-6, and are you betting on objectives or the assassination line?

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A rogue with a badge isn’t supposed to be this effective. We open the case file on Allister Caine and the Hellslinger Starter Cadre.  How a rule-breaking gun mage, a rebuilt Black Thirteenth, and a purpose-built warjack named Deuce became Cygnar’s sharpest scalpel on the modern battlefield. From the stolen skyship that saved his daughter to a promotion earned by the spymaster who once hunted him, Caine’s story is messy, human, and surprisingly tactical.

We connect the dots from early gun mage education to the Arcane Tempest’s formal training, mage lock firearms, and the doctrine that made precision fire a strategic pillar. Dixon Lynch’s innovations, the myth of the Hellslinger Phantom, and the recommissioned Black Thirteenth give this cadre real lineage. On the table, that history turns into tools: Caine’s witchmark into calamity sequencing, smart rack picks like Snipe or Deceleration, and Teleport that rescues overreach. Deuce backs the plan with true sight through clouds and stealth, arcane munitions that flex into blast or decrepitation, and focus economy near gun mages that keeps the damage rolling.

Bastian Falk holds the center with leadership that grants Reciprocate—miss us and you get punished—and a rune-forged scattergun that sets models ablaze or breaks armor where it counts. The Black Thirteenth—Ryan, Watts, and Glover—bring brutal damage, Pathfinder, Reposition, and chain attack control that forces your opponent to respect every lane. We share what clicks, what needs finesse, and where lore and balance meet in a cadre that feels fast, surgical, and dangerously fun.

If you love sharp lore, tighter lists, and hobby energy that spills into organized play, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with your local meta, and drop a review with your two must-pick rack spells for Caine.  What combos are you riding into your next game?

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Some messages can’t wait for Monday. Tony sits down on Thanksgiving to share a sincere thank-you to the listeners who turned a casual creative outlet into a lively tabletop community where families, friends, and new faces feel at home.

We talk about why consistency matters during the busiest season of the year and how we’re recording ahead to keep your weekly mental reset on track. Between turkey, paint pots, and dice, we reflect on the simple rituals that hold a hobby together: showing up, sharing wins, and welcoming people in. You’ll hear how bringing kids into the scene deepens the joy of the game, passes on good habits, and keeps the table open to fresh ideas.

There’s practical value here too. We’ve teamed up with TorstenandHarvester.com to offer a time-limited 20% discount for Warmachine, including pre-orders where possible, running from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. If a product you want isn’t listed, message us and we’ll help connect the dots. The bigger picture: partnerships work best when they lower the barriers of entry and make it easier to grow armies, leagues, and friendships.

We’re entering the holidays energized, organized, and optimistic. Expect steady episodes, more listener spotlights, and a continued focus on community-led growth. If you’ve been part of this journey by downloading, sharing, commenting, or teaching a new player, we thank you. Subscribe, leave a quick review, and tell us what would make your local scene stronger; your ideas shape what we build next.

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A thriving miniatures community doesn’t appear out of thin air instead it’s built by people who share tools, swap armies, teach kids, and keep the table welcoming. That’s the heartbeat of this conversation, where we announce a new partnership with Torsten & Harvester, share listener discount codes, and unpack how a small Indiana group turned casual game nights into a supportive Warmachine hub. We dive into favorite factions and talk about what Kithguard’s trapdoors and ambush rules could mean for balance, counterplay, and the health of your local meta.

If you love the hobby side, you’ll find plenty here: FDM and resin printers, speed paints with layered highlights, and a standout kitbash that turns a Gravedigger field gun into a mobile platform without breaking rules. We explore terrain that elevates strategy with forests and rough ground as a base, then thematic features like trenches, moving trains, and hazards that force smarter movement. We also share practical guardrails: avoid complex elevation until rules comfort is high, run Steamroller scenarios casually to learn scoring, and keep table state clear for newer players.

Rules talk matters too. Removing the spell rack brings back distinctive casters and better list diversity, while January’s update might curb auto-picks and give underplayed options room to breathe. Most of all, we celebrate family-friendly play with kids leveling up from 30 to 50 points, painting their warjacks, and discovering the joy of a good plan executed well. Grab the codes, share a photo of your latest game, and tell us how your group is growing. If this episode helped, follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review so more players can find the table.

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A keynote that actually moves the needle deserves more than a hot take, so we sat down and unpacked every change that will shape your next army choice and your next turn. From Kithguard’s midturn ambushes and trapdoor mind games to Crucible Guard’s unshakable status pressure and doubled status damage, there’s real meta movement ahead and a big skill ceiling for players who love sequencing.

We also get practical. Physical rulebooks vs app convenience isn’t a meme when you’re on the clock; clear indexing, fast links, and fewer crashes decide how smoothly games run. The plan to bring in a new app partner, split legacy and prime to reduce load, and focus on performance is exactly the kind of fix that helps every match. Forgefire cards are delayed, but the team’s message is quality over speed, which we support when physical tools need to be fast, durable, and readable.

Model reveals brought equal parts nostalgia and ambition. Deathjack scales up into true menace, the Orgoth “Turkey Dragon” stomps into the spotlight, and Thunderhead crackles with drones and an energy field that demands board respect. Old Umbrey Vilkul stirs debate on aesthetics, while Kithguard lands as a mechanics-forward faction that rewards foresight. The January rules update removes the spell rack and rebalances underplayed casters, aiming to reduce pregame paralysis and center identity-driven lists. And yes, Menoth is back on the horizon, with details locked for Adepticon, plus a narrative campaign that rolls out a tank-riding general ready to be the caster of old, while we hold our breath for the results of Admiral Boomhowler.

If you care about faster tools, sharper rules, and factions that make every inch matter, this conversation is for you. Hit play, tell us what shocked you most, and if you enjoy the show, follow, share it with a friend who plays, and leave a quick rating—what reveal changes your list first?

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