When I was young, I was a fan of the works of Steve Jackson and Ian Livingston - particularly their Fighting Fantasy series of adventure books. Over the years I'd collected the main fifty-odd books in the series, and had nice copies of Steve Jackson's Sourcery series as well as some others. This led me into one of their other ventures: Citadel Miniatures and Games Workshop (GWS), via an introduction to HeroQuest - a title that preceded the creation of those brands.

In the years that followed I started to paint models, and collect whatever GWS items I could get my hands on - mostly from carboot sales(including a perfect 3rd edition of Talisman from 1983). My favourite was definitely Advanced HeroQuest and Space Hulk; but I was also quite keen on the smaller scale Space Marine game too. It was my introduction into the 40,000 universe and eventually the Horus Heresy. There was a lot of lore to be learnt, and I'd often read about it online, or in their White Dwarf magazine. I eventually gave up on the hobby though, and sold not just all the books; but the majority of the boxed games and miniatures I'd got too. My painting skills had been awful, and none of my friends ever wanted to play the actual games. In all those years I'd only ever managed to get in one game of HeroQuest, and one of Blood Bowl (these were the days of a polystyrene board).

Whilst I was at University they introduced Lord of the Rings miniatures, and for a couple of years I got back into it. This time I used Citadel paints, and even bought some of the new Dark Eldar race that had been introduced (these later became the Drukari). This time around I was managing a better job of painting, so I guess that came with age and patience rather than the exeperience. Though within a year of starting full-time employment I'd stopped once more, even though I hadn't intended to. Over a decade had passed before I picked up another paintbrush, and that was only because I'd painted a garden ornament during the summer. This however got me back into painting, and I quickly started buying new miniatures to paint, as well as new paintbrushes, paints, and tools. My interest in Warhammer had returned with a vengeance.

This time around I even knew someone else who'd picked up the hobby and had played a few games of Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team. It's like a cutdown version of the game, and sounded like the perfect introduction to gaming. In preparation for this game I needed to decide what Kill Team I'd play. My first thought was Death Korps of Krieg; but these would need fielding as Imperial Guard. I then thought of Drukari; but was warned against them as a first Kill Team as they're not easy to get right. I thought Orks as the customisation options would be many; but there was a chance one of the other players would be using Orks. So... I decided on Adeptus Astartes, and rather than come up with my own Successor Chapter, I went with the original XIII Legion: the Ultramarines.

I looked at the various stats for the different unit types and weapons, and didn't have a clue what any of it meant. I went on what would be fun to paint, what I'd already got, and what would fit into our points limit. And so, the Scions of Pluto, my Ultramarine Kill Team were created.

[Pic of Kill Team]

Bugman's Bar and the Exhibition

After work I headed to Warhammer World in Nottingham, where I crossed paths with Duncan of 'Heavy Metal' fame on my way in. I'd got some spare time before the game so bought a ticket for the exhibition after confirming I could come and go as I please during the day so wouldn't need to see it all in one go. This ticket costs £7.50 which I guess can sound like quite a bit when you think of the price of some other exhibitions; but I think it worth it.

As the exhibition is split into different rooms, I did the first room whilst I waited for friends to arrive. In this first room you're treated to getting to see a bit og GWS history with some of their earliest releases. The boxes games they had were ones I'd never owned, and some of the models they'd got on display from the 1980s were ones I'd not just had; but also some I'd still got. Each of the rooms have a number of big dioramas which showcase different models in different scenarios. In this one there was one for the world-ending 'End Times' which brough about the end of the 'world that was' and the start of the Age of Sigmar.

Some of the smaller dioramas represented Warhammer Quest, and Warhammer Siege - titles I'd not thought of in a long time. There were newer ones too, and even ones from after the End Times that covered the Slyvaneth and the Nighthaunt.

Before I'd quite finished this first room I headed over to Bugman's Bar for food. This bar is named for Josef Bugman who in Warhammer lore is a master brewer. They sell a reasonable amount of food there at reasonable prices; some things are good for taking into the gaming hall with you. For now though I sat in the bar eating a sweet chilli chicken burger. After this brief intermissions whilst chatting to a friend, I made my way back to the exhibition hall.

There wasn't much left to see in the first room, so moved onto the second where the dioramas seemed to get even bigger. There were large outposts with gigantic starships, and assaults on Imperial buildings. Here, if you saw a Titan then there was a good chance it was to the Warhammer 40,000 scale - such as the impressive Ork mechs.

One of them was the Death Korps of Krieg which have a bit of a WW2 look to them, and their diorama too looked like it could have been a European theatre of war. Before the final room, there is a sign on the door asking that nobody uses flashes or torches for the enjoyment of other visitors. What could be different about this room?

The answer? A model to the scale and awesomeness of seeing the gigantic Hogwarts model at the end of the Harry Potter studio tour. This was the Warhammer 40,000 equivalent with the biggest space-themed diorama I've ever seen. This was built to a 28:1 scale, the standard Warhammer scale, yet the miniatures seems so small in comparison to their surroundings. Even the titans were dwarfed by the scale of the buildings. It's one of those you have to see in person to truely appreciate the level of detail and size of this beast.

There were some dioramas after this on the way towards the exit, such as ones with Craftworlds and Necrons; but they couldn't compare. Not even close.

Game 1 - Sweep and Clear

We played this as a three player game with four objective points spread evenly across the map - one in each quadrant. We rolled to determine the order of deployment, and we each took it in turns to deploy in our chosen quadrants. Actus-110, a Skitarii ranger gunner of Alpha Century took the high ground, and the deploying Death Guard and Ultramarines tried their best to take cover where possible. There was paranoia from knowing the range of that sniper; but an Ultramarine scout stayed out in the open, as did a Death Guard Gunner.

The Ultramarines team, Scions of Pluto, made their move first, and were cautious - mostly holding back and readying their weapons where possible. Varius Chronus, the scout, took a shot at the Skitarii sniper; but the sniper saved (after a re-roll). The sniper then shot back at the scout, re-rolled twice, but missed both times. A lucky escape; but Commodus Tarentus: a tactical marine with a plasma rifle, took a shot from the Death Guard gunner and died from two flesh wounds before being able to do anything. Rho-575, a Skitarii Vanguard, was also able to wound Sgt. Felix Antius - an Intercessor. Cassius Nerius, a reiver, took a shot at one of the Poxwalkers and killed it.

In the second turn, the Death Guard moved first, followed by the Ultramarines. Two pox walkers tried to take revenge on Cassius for their slain brethren, but one failed in their charge whilst the other was wounded in the charge as Cassius let off a shot. Whilst Varius readied his sniper rifle for another shot, Felix attempted to run for cover; but was still visible to two Skitarii moving towards him. Perhaps he shouldn’t have announced he was visible.

Varius took another shot at Actus-110, and again missed. It seemed that sniper had a lot of luck on his side. The ranger shot back, and he fails to inflict a wound even with a re-roll. It’s like they were Imperial Stormtroopers - only they could be so imprecise. The Death Guard then take a shot at the ranger, and they too miss. The melee between a pox walker and Cassius then results in no damage.

Delpha-0.4343, a Sicarian Infiltrator Zealot, and Rho-575 then charged Sgt. Felix Antius to perform a melee attack, and their leader, Kor-97/mk24, moved into range to counter any attempts to flee. Various takes yet another shot at Actus, and scores a hit, but the ranger again saves. When he shoots back, the ranger kills the scout. Felix doesn’t fare any better - his defence fails and is killed by Delpha.

As the battle is drawing to a close, it then becomes a dash for the objectives. One Death Guard finally ducks out of cover to take an objective, but is shot down by Actus. A few more Death Guard edge closer to another objective, whilst Mann Fluvius, their Champion, charges into melee at the same objective to attack the two Skitarii waiting there. This didn’t seem to go quite to plan however. Mann Fluvius unleashed a nurgling infestation on one of them, killing him outright; but Ix-99 spent two CP on getting to attack first, and killed the champion before he could use his power fist.

Meanwhilst, Sgt. Magnus Marcellus is killed by the assault plasma gun of Xor-XXVII. All that remains of the Scions of Pluto is a lone Reiver: Cassius - he gravshoots up onto the walkway and charges the gunner; but his melee fails to inflict any damage. It’s a wonder he didn’t lose his nerve and flee the battlefield.

In the end, the Death Guard had battled well; but it was the Skitarii that were victorious over the loyalist and heretical space marines.

Final thoughts…

Kill Team is a very fun game, and a great introduction to the Warhammer 40,000 universe. I have to say it's a little overwhelming though as even with this 'cut-down' version of the ruleset - there's still a lot to learn. I think once I've got to grips with the rules and understand more about what units to deploy when, etc. it'll be even more fun.

Be sure to also check out my gallery of Warhammer photos over on Flickr.