Community Editorial - April, 2008
Hello Everybody,

Welcome to my final editorial for the hobby community. After eight years of hobby-tastic fun working for Games Workshop, it’s time for me to hang up my random job title generator and move on to a lawn that looks a little greener.
           
In the last two years of my career I have been responsible for working with the community, and I have to say that I have never had so much fun. Going out on the road; meeting and playing against hobbyists all over the country. In many places I kicked butt, more often than not it was handed to me in a little lead box and told never to return until I had mastered the art of Rex-Kwon-Do.

However, I can’t be gotten rid of that easy; I’ll be staying on as a Grey Knight so you may see me actually working at this year’s Games Day.

What about the community I hear you ask? Well, my replacement is a younger version, not as good looking of course, but he is very enthusiastic and has a lot of hobby experience behind him.

So, please give Kevin Hesketh a nice warm welcome.

Thanks to all those hobbyists I have met on my journeys and played.

Craig Bodycote

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Community Editorial - March, 2008
This month saw me start on the tournament circuit, attending the Warmaster’s Challenge in Waterloo. I thought that I would use my untested Orcs & Goblin army against some of the top players in the country. My great idea lasted me all of one game, when Andrew Tripple beat me on the last turn; I wimped out with Black Orcs who fled a charge of Trolls. I assumed with Skarsnik leading them that they would rally in the next turn, it being the last. Imagine my surprise when the goblins failed to rally.

My day only got better; there were two massacres against me, although I did get a win. But it doesn’t really count because it was against Tom Moskalik (a very nice guy I hasten to add).

So, I’m having a rethink on what to use. I have my Dwarfs, but I used them last season. I have yet to finish my Empire and Vampire Counts, but they won’t be ready until summer at the earliest. For 40K I have my Ultramarines, but again so last season. Maybe I should speed up and get my Chaos Space Marines completed. Decisions, decisions....

If you have any advice on which army to take for the tourneys, then e-mail me at Craig.Bodycote@Games-Workshop.ca

On another note, we are looking for clubs and volunteers to attend this year’s Games Day. You can bring a table or help out in a hobby area like Mad Grox.

If you or your club would like to come down and volunteer, please contact me at Community.Manager@Games-Workshop.ca, you can run games or help out in the painting section. The only stipulation is that you have to be eighteen years or older.

So get planning for the biggest event in the Games Workshop calendar, I’ll see you there!

Craig Bodycote
Community Squig

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Community Editorial - Februay, 2008
Welcome to February, Although I suspect that there is a snowstorm hiding around the corner I know that spring is on the way. This time is also when we start prepping for Games Day and this year is no different. Although Games Day will be, different that is.

This year we are at Exhibition Place, near to the Toronto Football Grounds (or soccer as you Canucks call it). There are more tables, more Mad Grox and more new stuff like a to-scale Battle for Macragge game.

As ever at Games Day, many tables are presented by the Hobby community. Clubs and Independent Retailers work tirelessly to ensure that you have fun playing on the games they have built. So when you are at Games Day, please take the opportunity to try out the community tables, and what’s more, you can vote for your favourite club and trade table.

Last weekend, I went and visited a GCN club in Trenton; The Lost. They were hosting a painting day at their local club venue (military community centre).  My day began before 10am on a Sunday, yes, before 10am. On arriving I was greeted by James Craig, Grey Knight Captain, The Lost’s PR guy, multiple Golden Demon winner and generally all round nice guy.
           
So, after watching everyone set up the room and me not lifting a finger to help, we got down to the painting. Now, as weird as it may sound I don’t actually like painting and I have never been to a painting lesson in all 22 years of being in the hobby. But there was something quite reassuring with James teaching me new techniques (James is also a school teacher, so he fixes you with that teacher stare if you are not paying attention).
           
With myself and 11 other individuals, James was busy running around helping each of us out with our models and different techniques. I had brought my Empire war alter and I wasn’t sure where to begin. Well, with James’s help I was able to create a weathered look that would make the alter appear as if it was really old. Many of my fellow hobbyists were also learning new techniques like non-metal metal and light sourcing (on a titan no less).
           
I found that the four hours had flown by and then I had to head back to the big T.O, but by the end of the day I was profoundly happy with what I had accomplished, learnt new techniques and couldn’t wait to get back and finish my model.

Thanks very much James and the guys (Special shout out to the ‘Sweetapple’).

Watch for these guys at Games Day

Craig Bodycote
Community Development Chef

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Community Editorial - January, 2008
I know it’s still December, but I’ve got to put up January’s editorial because I’m going on holiday over Christmas, and a quarter of January will have passed by before I get to put it online.

This month I thought that I would babble on about a club I visited down in Port Dover (South West Ontario) called Norfolk County War Gaming club. These fine fellows and lady invited me down to take a butchers (English slang for “Have a look”) at their club. So I drove down on my merry way through the wintery countryside of Ontario and arrived at the little lake town of Port Dover, a charming place that I will return to in summer so I can to sit by the beach and drink ice cold beverages.

The club was hosting a tourney of their own making in a scout hut located on the outskirts of town; inside the warm and cosy structure were several players who met me with smiling faces. The homemade gaming boards were already set up and ready to be used, players were gathering their armies ready for the first round of the tourney.

The tourney was split between Warhammer Fantasy and 40K, six players per side. I sat and watched the games, poking my nose in when asked (and sometimes when not) and observed the strategies unfold. I haven’t sat and watched a game in some time, mainly too busy playing myself (I don’t mean against me). I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend that if you get chance you should sit and watch a game, it’s interesting to see how people play, what strategies they are employing, their reaction to their opponent’s cunning tactics and observe which side lady luck is taking.

It was good to see that most of the armies were painted and those that weren’t were in progress. The club hosts painting evenings as a way to promote the painting of armies and I have to say that the standard was quite good seeing as they were self taught.

I had a chance to chat with each of the players over the day, learn a bit about the club and what events they have planned. In the new year, they’ll be looking to foster a relationship with their closest independent retailer, Ron’s Hobby Shop in Simcoe. The club will be hoping to run a series of Hall of Heroes and maybe even Warpstone painting events, by working with the store they can receive these tourney packs for free. Another benefit they’ll receive as a registered club is the loaning of terrain from Games Workshop.

At the end of the day, I had had a great time, the players were happy with the results of the day and after an impromptu discussion about forthcoming releases it was time for me to head back up north.

I would like to say “Thanks” to Peter Ivey for inviting me down and letting me snoop around the club, I definitely think that over time this club will be able to join the GCN (Gaming Club Network).

If you would like any further information on the club, then please contact me at community.manager@games-workshop.ca

Thanks and Have a Happy Holiday

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Community Editorial - December, 2007
Last week I went to Montreal and participated in the Arena event which was hosted by two Grey knights; Jean-Francois and Angela. Now, I really like Montreal as it reminds me of my time of working in Southern France. I always find the hospitality of the Quebecers to be open and friendly, so any opportunity to visit the province I jump at.

The event was held at Concordia University, on the 17th and 18th November. Cory Burns will be throwing up some event coverage soon. I’m going to babble on now about my near victory at the tourney.

Round 1          
Nick Gagnon (Vampire Counts)
Scenario: Middle Ground
Table: 5 – The Burning Wastes (Roll a D6 each turn, roll of a ‘1’ means each unit over a lave stream takes D3 strength 3 wounds)

I’m a big fan of Vampire Counts because you see the army grow before your very eyes and it causes fear. So I knew that I was going to have my hands full, hopefully my Dwarves would hold the line. After a couple of turns of manoeuvring, I saw an opportunity to turn the battle. Nick had left his Banshee too close to my General’s Ironbreakers. So, I easily put the hag out of her misery and overran in to two units of Skeletons; one included a Necromancer and the other harboured Nick’s Vampire General. Needless, to say my King smashed his way through two champions, one Necromancer and finally the Vampire Count himself. The Count nearly got me though; he failed to hit me twice with the ‘Hand of Dust’ spell. So, with luck on my side and a hefty axe the King sliced the leech in two. From then on victory was assured.

Result:            Massacre

Round 2
Matthew Clarke (Lizardmen)
Scenario: Flank Attack
Table: 1 – Delmburg Estate (Control of three courtyards of the fortified manor resulted in 200 bonus victory points)

I was lucky with this army, there was no fat toad. However, there were a lot of Sauruses with razor-sharp teeth and they were coming my way. The battle raged back and forth, both of Matthew’s Saurus units charged right in to combat with my Ironbreakers. I crossed my fingers and hoped the green line would hold. Meanwhile, my Organ gun lived up to its reputation and wiped out a unit of Cold one riders in one blast. As with the previous battle, my Dwarf King smashed his way through two champions and a Battle standard bearer, forcing both units to flee. Unfortunately, my stunty little legs couldn’t catch him and the Lizards escaped. The final nail in the coffin for my scaly friends was that the Saurus general on his mount overran one of my Dwarf units, straight in to my King’s unit. Well, my King decided that he wanted to introduce Mr Axe to the little lizard. The battle ended very shortly after that.

Result: Solid Victory

Round 3
Reuban Vaharadian (High Elves)
Scenario: Hidden Deployment
Table: 12 – No special rules

High Elves! I hate playing against them; at least they didn’t have a big old Dragon to steal my gold with. Dwarfs aren’t exactly fast and well, er, High Elves are very fast.  The battle was very tense and a hell of a lot more strategic than I had bargained for. Again, two units were determined to try and bully my poor old King and his Ironbreakers. A unit of High Elf spearmen and Sword Masters (including General) charged in. So, I placed my Oathstone and swore that I would do or die, mainly because the stone is bloody heavy.

I forgot that with the new edition of High Elves how hard the Sword Masters are. I was starting to think that I had bitten off more than I could chew. Luckily for me, the girly Elves were all pomp and no action (they missed). My King killed another champion and the Ironbreakers saw off the Sword Masters, boy those Elves run funny when they flee. In essence, the High Elves bounced off my Dwarfs and then we just sat there and looked at each other.

With it being the last turn, I couldn’t reach the Elves and they didn’t want another kicking, so the game ended there.

Result: Draw – I scored 320 points and Reuban scored 330. I also voted Reuban as my choice for Best Sportsman (Which he won)

So, by the end of the first day I was to my amazement the overall leader. I tried to convince the guys (Jean-Francois, Angela and Cory Burns) that the tournament should end there and present me with the trophy, but it didn’t fly.

Round 4
Will Paul (Nurgle Daemons)
Scenario: Order of March
Table: 4 – Athel Ishanu (Wizards within 6” of the Elven tree gain an additional magic dice for the turn)

I had never played Will before, but I knew of his reputation. Cory shivers whenever he recounts his games against Will, and Fat Gaz runs out of the room screaming at the mere mention of Will’s name. Nurgle Dameons are damned tough! My plan was to hold them off as long as possible and shoot the bananas out of them. Will flew in his big Prince, I wounded him with my Bolt thrower causing three wounds; first blood to me. 

The prince charged the offending war machine and promptly fell over his own hanging gizzard, a Dwarf engineer “Yawned” and then stabbed the prince in the eye. At this point the prince was so peeved with the fact that his reputation for being hard was in tatters that he disappeared with a pop back to his cozy hell home.

Things were beginning to look up. The rest of the battle was one big brawl, although my Dwarf clansman (including Runesmith and Battle Standard Bearer) were overrun and killed, the battle was quite close. Will’s rather large unit of Daemons (containing Hero on a wee beasty) was slugging it out with my King and Ironbreakers.

At this point it was a draw, and we were at the top of the 6th turn. All I had to do was not lose the combat and I would ….balls…I lost the fight. So, all I have to do is roll nine or less and…..balls….I rolled a ten.

Result: Solid Loss (next time Will, next time)

Round 5
Rahul Pereira (Wood Elves)
Scenario: Treasure Hunt
Table: 3 – Mousillon

Wood Elves, bleeding fast fairies with bows. I pretty much thought that this game would be a draw from the off, as long as I protected my two most expensive units then I knew the Elves would not be able to kill enough of my guys. So, the woods, Treemen, Dryads and Wild Riders killed everything on my left flank and I killed everything on his right flank. I do like Wood Elves though, me thinks a future army to collect.

Result: Draw

Final Standing: 5th Place (out of 24)
This is my best placing at a major tourney, so I have to say that I am rather happy. I had a great time, all my opponents were great sports and fun to play against. The tournament was well run and I had a great time in Montreal.

Thanks

Craig Bodycote
Community Tsar

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Community Editorial - November, 2007

Wow! This month is flying by. At the time of writing, Christmas is only five-and-half weeks away. This is my favourite time of year, lots of parties, carol singing, mince pies (with smuggled in clotted cream from the UK) and of course lots of presents. Like most men, I’m really a big kid inside and I love unwrapping gifts like the next kid. My fingers are crossed for a big set, maybe a Baneblade or two, or even better a Mega-paint set. I have been after this set for years and have never gotten around to it; maybe it’s going to be this year.

I’m currently painting like a machine. I’ve just finished my Ultramarine Assault squad; this is my first army in 22 years of gaming that is actually above a standard 1,700 points force. This is usually because I have a long list of armies that I want to collect next and can’t stick with an army once it’s complete. With my Ultramarines I plan to build an Apocalypse army, couple of Baneblades, more squads, I might even complete a fabled battle company.

After the marines, I then completed painting a Vargulf for our Sneek Peaks that you can see at events. This beautiful model is a combat monster for the forthcoming Vampire Counts in 2008. I can’t say anymore as the Commissar is fingering his pistol and looking my way.

I’ve just started my Black Legion army. For those hobbyists who know me think that I must have been replaced by an intruder or something as I have done nothing but exhort the fact that I am a Loyalist player. Previously I have been unable to create any evil army (Orks, Tau, Eldar and others, all are evil to me) and have played with loyalist armies since first edition 40K. However, I love the new Chaos codex and the models are fantastic. With all the new plastic kits there is so much potential for easily converting most models in the army.

Well, I’d better go as I have to prepare for the ‘Arena’ tournament in Montreal. I’ll be there to lend a hand; I’ll also be bringing my Ultramarines and Dwarfs for a game as well. So, maybe I’ll see you down there.

Cheers

Craig Bodycote

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Community Editorial - October, 2007

Yay! I’ve completed 2,100 points of Ultramarines, just 900 points left to go and I’ll be ready for Apocalypse. I’m not sure what else to get as there are so many choices. Do I get the new awesome Baneblade kit? I would like to paint it up in Ultramarine colours and convert a marine commander riding on top. The other options I’ve been looking at include two more dreadnoughts and the Masters of the Chapter set.

The Baneblade is quite tempting because I could use it in the Rolling Thunder 2 live tank battle on Saturday, 8th December. If you attended last year’s event you’ll know that a lot of fun was had by all and many hundreds of tanks were destroyed. For anyone not familiar with the format, you take your tank in to store and represent your race (Marines, Orks and etc). Every hour the number of kills your tank makes is correlated and sent off to the HQ office in Oakville. The studio guys take all that data and update the web page, so you can see the battle unfold on a national scale over the day.

There is one difference this year and that is you can bring formations and legendary units to the battle. So, go sign up with your local participating independent stockist or Games Workshop hobby centre.

If you are a registered Regiment of Renown club then you can run your own live battle and submit your results.  Interested clubs please e-mail:  Community.Manager@Games-Workshop.ca

Good Luck in your battle

Craig Bodycote

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Community Editorial - September, 2007

In August I went out and visited several independent retailers, clubs and Grey Knights. I managed to pack 3,000km in to just nine days and see the beautiful provinces of British Columbia and Alberta (including Vancouver Island and Jasper).
           

On my trip I had time to fit in five challenges for the Community Beat-Down, listed below is the overview of my battles:

Overview
Well, what a great way to start my challenge run of the west? Mike showed me why Iron Warriors are so feared. The advance of my Ultramarines stalled in the middle of the table, his Defiler managing to destroy a target each turn

until my Termies managed to lay it out. By the end of the day I had lost, but not as badly as it looked as I think points-wise it was closer.

Overview
I knew that as soon as I had finished deployment that I had lost the game. My army was split in to two parts, whilst his guard was all in one corner. The game was over within three rounds and I had to concede the game before I threw my dummy out the pram. Normally, I don’t concede as I believe it’s rather rude and bad sportsman-like, but 75% of my army was destroyed and the remaining 25% was on the far side of the board and in return I had destroyed just 10% of Nick’s force.

Overview
I beat him real good!
Not really, it was a close training mission (Games between Ultramarine armies are always training missions). For most of the game George had the upper hand, but in the last two turns I used my loaded dice to turn the game back in my favour.  My Terminators arrived to save the day for me, wading through and showing everybody why 1st Company is best.

   
Overview
My record was on the up, I was now 2 – 2. It was one hell of a fight against Grant’s Deathguard. The battle was pretty even until the last two turns of the game and yet again I managed to swing it in my favour. I think that Grant tried to cheat as he put the Indian Jones DVD trilogy on in the background as we played and they are my favourite films.

          
Overview
Well and truly got my butt handed to me. Toppy showed my why he has a reputation as a cold hearted Blood Bowl player. I also remembered why I hadn’t played Blood Bowl in five years, I was crap at this game as well.  Within the first half Toppy had scored three touchdowns and was threatening a fourth, I knew it was time to admit defeat and crown Toppy my superior in the game.

Till next time,

Craig B

Community Editorial - August, 2007

With the school year having ended, here at HQ we are busy preparing for the new academic year. I don’t know if you recall from July’s issue of White Dwarf, but Games Workshop has been running a literacy pilot program revolving around Lord of the Rings game.
           
Well, the pilot was such a success that the program will be rolled out to some 70 schools across the board. That means that not only will some 700 boys learn to play scenarios that revolve around the Lord of Rings, but that the hobby will help improve their reading levels.           

On another note; 453! That is my current ranking in the Hall of Heroes league. I’m going to do something about that. I’m planning on heading up to North Bay Fantasy doubles tourney with my gaming partner Fat Gaz and public enemy Cory Burns. I know that I brought it up in the last two editorials, but I mean it this time.           

On the 1st of August I’ll be heading out to B.C and Alberta to do a ten-day tour of independent retailers, clubs and Grey Knights. It’ll give me a chance to catch up with three of my ‘Beat Down’ challengers.

So, till next time.

Craig B

Community Editorial - July, 2007

Wahoo! Summer is here and the new Hall of Heroes season is in full swing. I have a difficult choice deciding which clubs and tournaments to visit this year, may be I should roll a die or put the names in a hat. I know that I have to deal with a couple of Beat-down challenges, starting with a Grey Knight in Oshawa who had the audacity to think that he can defeat me.
           
As we speak, I’m busy painting up my Night Goblin army, ready to play on the tourney circuit. Next month I’ll publish a list of events that I plan on attending, you can come on down and take your chances. I think that I have given James Brunskill (staffer in GW London) a 100 points head start; that I think is now fair, I want to retain the title for staff HoH league champion.
           
And recently, there has been mysterious mutterings around the office, something to do with an Apocalypse or something. There’s a lot of secret coming and goings, groups huddled around big shiny boxes, but I won’t say any more as I think they’re watching me.

Cheers

Community Editorial - June, 2007

Now that my Ultramarines are pretty much finished, I now turn my attention to Warhammer. I want to win me a Nemesis hat! I’ve got my Empire Priest army all put together (2,000 points). For this project I plan on using the Foundation paint range for most of my work. I need to paint as quickly as possible and these new paints will cut down on my time by half (literally). The new Flagellants are cool and are versatile for many conversions.

I’ve got to get back in to the swing of playing in tournaments, I believe that James Brunskill at our London store is on the war-path and has already scored 48 points! I think that I have given him a fair enough head start, so now I can try and defend my title.
 
See you out there pepes.
 
Cheers

Craig B
 
P.S. Don’t worry Lee Smalley, I will be coming to Oshawa to Beat you down very soon!

Community Editorial - May, 2007
 
Wow! What a day? Games Day was awesome/live/sick/bodacious/swell this year. This day just keeps getting better and better each year. Even though we doubled the size of Mad Grox and Ascension of Power tables, it still struggled with the number of hobbyists trashing one another.
The quality of Golden Demon entries was the best yet. Team Montreal repeated their sweep of the awards, even claiming the coveted Slayer Sword. Team Toronto also came away with several awards, we’ll show more of both team’s work later in a future issue of White Dwarf.
Not only did we have another year of great attendance by hobbyists, but we had the largest number of club tables; 17! The competition was hard as the quality of tables was amazing; the winners being Advanced Command Decision with their Firebase Echelon. The club received a trophy, their name on a plaque at the Canadian HQ and $500 of Games Workshop product.
 
The number of independent retailers had also increased to our largest attendance ever: 13! The overall winner was Gryphon Games of Scarborough with their “Reclamation of Duranian IV” table, this even had a lighted area that made the table glow. The store received a trophy, name on a plaque at HQ and will appear in a future White Dwarf issue.
 
The great thing about this year was that it was you, the hobbyist that got the chance to vote for your favourite table and you chose wisely.
 
Well, better go, there is only 353 days left to Games Day.

Cheers

Craig B

Community Editorial - January, 2007
Welcome to the first editorial for the new Community web section. The overhaul has been a long time in coming and it is great to finally see it arrive.

Within this editorial you’ll find me rambling on about all things great and good to do with community; Gaming Club Network, school programs, library clubs, school tournament teams and any other important piece of news
that comes to mind.

You also may have noticed that Commissar Cory Burns has his editorial located right next mine. Well, not only are we vying for your attention but we are knocking heads on the Games Workshop Hall of Heroes staff league table. I’m currently eleven points clear of Cory and I will be attending Conflict Windsor to extend that lead. I’m a little worried though as Cory has a gleam in his eyes and whispers something about a plan.

There are plenty of new areas of the site you should check out:

• Craig’s Community Beat Down – This is where you’ll find me burning a swath of destruction across the country. Check out the dates, challenge me to a game and see if you can defend the honour of your town.

• Regiments of Renown – This section contains details on the new uber-clubs that form the Gaming Club Network. There is also a new section for school and library clubs, these teams can even participate at Conflict events to be the best school team in the province.

• Grey Knights – Now includes an editorial, articles by the Grey Knights and a section for Independent stockists to book a Grey Knight.

• Finally, on the front page you’ll see the new community news reel. It is here that you’ll find where all the action is happening.

There will be monthly updates to the website including a new events section, new events store, an updated Hall of Heroes league template and plenty of other cool stuff.

So, if there is anything that you would like to comment on or add, then drop me a line at community.manager@games-workshop.ca.

See you next month

Craig ‘Bodycount’ Bodycote
Community Manager