Where To Go From Here?

Catachan Armored Fist

When I gazed back into the world of Warhammer 40k at the mighty Hammer of the Emperor, I saw that the universe had changed from when I last had seen it.  The rules had changed.  Hell, even some of the fluff had changed. What I see now is that Cadians, or some variation of Cadian clones, vastly dominate the endless ranks of guardsman, and to honest, that kind of makes me sad. 

I decided to play a Catachan Guard army for two reasons.  One, I love the idea that Catachan men are hardened into survivalists by their homeworld, who fight for the man next to him and not for some appointed officer or beurecrat hiding behind the "meat shield."  That they respect those who lead by example without needlessly wasting lives and care about each man as much as himself.  Two, I like the variation and personalization you can put into each of the troopers.  The same ol' cookie cutter Cadian hidden under their monotonous uniform and helmets just wasnt enough for me.

Home Sweet Home

Although I am reletively new to the game again, I have learned enough to know that 5th Edition has made Mech crucial and that it is important to be able to move quickly to make or break a game. So although keeping a pure Catachan feel all the time would be nice, I figured that the 23rd will be made up of many Companies that I can field depending on the situation, including Armored Companies.  And since Guard Regiments usually dont recieve reinforcements from their homeworld, I decieded I would kit bash some Cadian bits to kind give the feel that the 23rd has drawn some recruits from some of the destroyed Cadian hordes out there... and only the strong survived! :)

I think over the next few days I will try and post some pics of the army so far and updates as I build it, including a points list.  I think I will also try and include some background into Dawn's Devils and some of the ideas I am kicking around.

My job is summoning me now so I am out!
Later

The Battle Begins....

This is my first serious attempt at both building and Bloging about my 40k army, so in true Deathworld fashion, I throw myself in to either sink or swim.  I began gaming back in 1998 as I saw my cousin painting some reaper miniatures for his local D&D group and imeadiatly was drawn into the world.  I played some 2nd edition  AD&D and soon gravitated towards Magic: The Gathering thanks to my best friend at the time, Dusty.  I frequently visited my nearest gaming store with him to face fresh opponents and by chance, we were invited into a room where I saw my first game of 40K being played.

Guard vs. Eldar

I destinctly remember seeing those classic tanks arrayed across the board, especially those Basilisks and Griffons, and thinking, "Wow, I'm hooked!"  I imeadiatly went home after watching several games where the players were kind enough to explain the rules and answer any questions we had, and set about raising the money to start the hobby myself.  A few short weeks feverishly doing chores to earn enough cash, which felt like forever for a child from humble surroundings, I held in my hands the boxed starter set and a few paints and as Dusty scored his own set, we pooled our collective armies, funds, and skills together.

Game on!

We built scenary with what we had laying in my parents garage, made a table built with a sheet of drywall for the surface in the loft over the garage, and threw unbalanced forces at eachother even when winter made it cold enough to see our breath.  Ah, the joys of inexperienced youth!  I loved the fluff of the Orks that came with the boxed set  and enjoyed watching the green tide crash upon Dustys power armored Space Marines. 

Through it all though, I was always drawn towards the Guard and the puny guardsman's struggle as he faces all the horrors of the dark and bloody future, and I would read through those included sourcebooks religiously, soaking up all the fluff and imagery I could absorb.  I eventually managed to scatch together with my meager budget a small guard contingient, which included a Demolisher, which was my first real tank, to fight alongside the mighty Space Marines.

Time, money, and life eventually pulled me away from the hobby I loved, and for ten+ years I was away, though it was always a flame in the back of my mind.  Dawn of War was released and the flame grew.  Life changed and it grew again.  Now, as I am engaged to get married at the end of December, I return from my struggle with the horrors of the Warp, eager to guide Dawn's Devils to victory against foes of the Imperium!

I hope you enjoy the ride!