Fire/Support - Gloomhaven Tinkerer Guide

Note: the Tinkerer's summons are based on some of Wyrd's old Arcanist models.

I've learned, over the years, that I very often gravitate towards generalists that neither excel at one thing nor do they ever really lack a tool.

These classes and characters tend to be devalued, specifically because they're not very straightforward: They're not tough enough to be the tank; they're not strong enough to be a glass cannon; in this case, the Tinkerer doesn't even have enough support to be dedicated support.

In short, they're tricky and don't tend to be very spectacular, and are often even moderately flawed in their design, since even the designers need to go in without such an obvious direction and that can mean a class doesn't run well, or doesn't run well within the intended role. But, I find them immensely rewarding to play once I understand them, so I thought I'd share some thoughts on Gloomhaven's least-loved class.*

Cult of Personality - Carnac Commodus Conversion, and 8th Edition Astral Claws Thoughts

Okay, Commodus has been burdened with both some pretty awful mechanics and being named after an historical figure whose name looks like "toilet."

The Six P's - Kingdom Death Strategy Guide

Okay, this is a bit of a weird one for me. I'm trying to write a tactics article about a game where you're fighting a cardboard computer instead of other players, and trying to not spoil anything. I guess that makes this my first strategy guide?


This will focus on the early game and some tips for planning ahead, because by the time you're through the mid-game, you'll be pretty well-versed in the system, so this is mostly about getting off the ground and setting up a strong settlement/hunting party.

One More Time, with Feeling! - Tara Podcast and crew core (revised)

I swear, this is the last time I'm revising this set. Honest. I think. Until I get another idea maybe.

...Actually, I have more important news besides describing how I'm compulsive about modeling projects: I've now done my first podcast!

I'm on Schemes & Stones' sixth episode, which is now up though I haven't quite gotten the up courage to listen to my mistakes :P (Oh, crap, is it really an hour and a half?!)

Pepito, the Biggest Death Marshal in the Whole-Wide-World - Hannah Conversion & Tactics

I've done a lot of looking at and re-thinking Hannah and decided that I consider her one of Tara's thematic bunch: Tara was narratively Friekorps, and Hannah has Void-related abilities connected to Horror and Bury mechanics. Also, she can already work in either faction, and isn't seriously limited by not getting her Upgrade out of faction. So...

Industrial Revolution - Mei Feng Tactics

In keeping with aggressive pose, Mei Feng is a powerhouse and anchor of her crew, which I quite enjoy, as I tend towards support commanders, so I'm very much in to the idea of a strong commander who can still run support a little.

She's got a bit of an odd character because, while she's a bouncing death ball and has some useful defensive support, it's her Henchman, Kang, who brings more of the power and offensive support to the crew.

Back from the Dead: Karina and her new upgrade

With Karina's improved rules, I decided it was time to improve her paint job, too.

The Dark-Horse Challenger - Astral Claws Corien Sumatris (plus tactics)

While not my most extensive GW conversion, I think Captain Sumatris might be my favorite.

Sounds of Silence - Tara and Obliteration Tactics

Tara isn't a world killer and likely won't be getting the job done on her own, but is highly versatile and, most importantly (for me, at least), has a cool theme.

Kinda' running out of references, here... Sedition Wars ALIENS homage models

Man, almost done...

Dispatches from Sentinel-Sigma - An Astral Claws article series - Beginnings and 6th editon Review

Some more regular readers may notice that I'm not using the black backdrop I usually have been using- that's because this is actually a somewhat old photograph that I took when I was entering the model in a painting competition. Things have changed since then, which you'll see as I start adding new photos to the series.

Beginnings, and a review of the Forge World 6th edition updates to the Astral Claws

Insert Reference Here... umm, already done. Sedition Wars Homage Characters

Seven months late, but starting in on the second wave of Sedition Wars minis...

Far from Over - Sedition Wars Grendlr, version 2

Since I got two of these beasties, and both liked the original and don't like having duplicates, I decided to try something more spectacular...

We've got Movement! A review and analysis of Arena Rex's playtest documents

A basic review

Trying out the Arena Rex playtest. This will be kind of a stream of consciousness piece, assessing things as I read them, concluding in a battle report that I'm sure will be full of errors and questions.

Color Theory, (Board) Game Theory: OF-1 Nikiita Perostek, Exploding Dice (addition: durability and common attacks)

This mini really pushed my abilities. I started with teal, as what was going to be a reference, but it quickly became something more than that.

Black Operations- Sedition Wars Strategic Scenario analysis, and Vanguard Opticamo

First off, a painting update.

"Better... Stronger... Faster" Magnus Theme list continuation- part 10: revised Magnus Theme List Tactics Article

I couldn't believe that I hadn't photographed my Mangler yet.

A Bounty Hunter with the Heart of Gold - Grim Angus tactics (part 1 of 2)

Having just finished playing a league with just Grim, and him as practically my only Trollblood Warlock (I believe he's the only one I've played more than once), I felt like it was as good a time as any to write down some notes on my tactics with him.

I have notably less experience with Grim than I did with Magnus, but I feel like I'm getting a grasp of Grim, and by extension, now his army.

Knee-jerk: Sedition Wars and the Reflex Phase

Okay, so, after playing a few games of Sedition Wars, I've started to feel I have a grasp of strategy, at least, at a small scale (having only played small games, so far). Until I get more experience, I'll only be commenting on the models I have at least some experience with. I've also avoided a few models like Hurley because their rules aren't quite clear yet.

So, here goes some starting strategy. I'll be discussing ways of preparing for Reflexes, both your own and your opponent's.

The Witching Hour - A discussion of Deneghra's Witching Hour theme list.

I realized that it was time to tackle a new tactics article when I started going in to more and more detail, on one of my dark horse favorites: Deneghra. Now, some of you might be asking yourself, "How is she a dark horse?" The answer is found in her theme list.

You give up a lot for some very specialized advantages, but this is perfectly fine with me, because of what you gain.