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Hi Folks, I lately received a copy of the Bheta-Decima terrain boxed-set. I mainly bought it in order to complete my collection of Sector mechanicus Terrain, adding a fourth Ferromantic Furnace with a big platform and setting more gantries, but this time at intermediate height. Let´s see what comes into the box and how I have ambivalent feelings about the content. 1. What do we have inside? The GW website is exhaustive enough so no need to give too much details. I will focus on what looks like "oddities" to me: - First, the molding quality is uneven between sprues: the straight platforms are clearly aligned (Staright/aligned.. you get it ?) with the older models. No change there. But the round platform looks odd. details may appear being less developped and bottom side is... More about that latter on. - Second, the change of look for the pillars: it is not really rocket design. Clearly it looks like a lazy work here. However one cannot really say that there are less details than on the former pillars. So why this feeling? I guess, at least for me, that it is related to the lack of void areas. These have been filled as pannels and pillars are resulting bulky (I guess on puerpose). But not getting any hollow area leaves a curious outlook to the whole stuff. While the Boarding action terrain had treated these plain areas in a very good looking fashion, here it is not the case. Additionally all accessories have disappeared: so no handrails, not freed cables hanging around or ladders... Instead you have some square add-ons to represent entry points. In the end it is not really a big deal. I found that mounting the handrails has been a painful process both for storage and gaming ergonomy in general. But it looks better on pics for sure. - Third, the Furnace. No change; the same sprue as before. Nothing to add. - Fourth, the specific "objective markers" sprue. You get a substancial amoount of objective markers. They are large, bulky, and may eventually be used as LoS blocking terrain. It is once again less subtle in design than previous Objective markers designed by GW. I will personaly try not to use them as such, rather putting them on other pieces of terrain to give more volume (for example as hatches on STC Ryza bunkers). Shall you look for Objetcive markers, better buy the Hachette "Imperial Objective" spure on ebay or some Gallowdark terrain (Shadowvault is nice for that). They will look better. - Finally, the mat. We saw the head side. Tail side is in the same mood but eventually with less "open sea" area. Here too, more about that latter. 2. Is it the molding quality or the molding philosophy? The uneasy discrepancy between the sprues is not necesary an issue. But as it sorts out obvious because it comes in the same box. Well, you can´t hide the forest behind the tree, right? There is IMHO a clear and deliberate will of slimming the plastic chunks. The round platform is globally OK on the gaming side but bellow, it is made at the economy. To get less plastic. The consequence is something lighter in terms of weight (which may end up being a benefit as mounting a stable paltforms on the Furnace looks like being a Perious Hike in Perious Environement. I will see when the time will come to paint and glue). But looks by yourself, comparing a "old design platform" with this "new design plaform": The drastic sliming is eventually relevant as the round platform looks like not being design for another purpose than fitting on the furnace. Do not look for any kind of modularity here. It is done to go there, on top of the cylinder, and that´s all. Period. Click Bait design. This is a little bit of a deception, especially if you look at the pillars´ design that may hide something in plain sight. 3. The Pillars. OK, they look odd. But this is secondary. After all, the older ones looked better but once set bellow a platform, you do not really take any benefit of the amount of details available. So More is eventually not Better. What is puzzeling with the Pillars is the poptential purpose behind the design features. You have 2 types of pilars. One type molded into a single piece whilethe another type molded in 2 parts: a Piedestal and the main structure to be set on top. They can be stacked in order to reach twice the height and equalize the old Sector Mechanicus pillars. But for that you need one type of each. This is not anyway making the diffrent design necesary, isn´t it? So, what is the purpose there? Shall we foresee another (future) set using these 2 types of pillars in a distinct manner? Something that may jsutify not using the piedestal? Questions, questions... 4. The mat There is no need to talk about the colours... This is a very personal judgment. But liking it or not there is something striking with this mat: at the moment it is useful only for Kill Team. This is a very important evolution in the design philosophy I feel. And it reached its climax with this set. Initial Kill zones released had a 2 side mat with one side uniformized to be used in conjunction to other kill zone mats (more or less). Thank you WarCom: This is over. This is over for a while some may tell me. Sure, but at least the previous zones were not too marked and still usable in 40k too. Here, a plain sea area and only that on the mat may start to be problematic as you cannot match it with anything. With anything, yet (?). I guess this is one key feature of the "Seasonality" of KT: get the future mats along this one to be able getting a combined area worth playing a 2k pts games of 40k maybe.... 5. Conclusions Well, it is a set that serves its purpose: getting an environement for KT under Perious Environement zones´ rules. The associated "fog of war" rules affecting LoS make useless most of other LoS blocking elements. So why bother putting some into the set? The simplified rules for terrain from 10th also looks like they imprinted their influence: get rid of too much details such as handrails as anyway stuff on gantries will benefit of cover. So there is no need of handrails, isn´t it? Price wise, it is not badly priced. 2 sets of gantries, one ferratonic furnace and its large platform and a mat plus objective markers. If you can get it under discount from a FLGS you might get it for the same price as past edition kill zone environements. And the quantity of stuff is higher that in some past killzones. So, no rant there. This set is not cheap but it ain´t overpriced neither (only if compared with other GW internal references of course...). But the overall impression it left me is the one of a product designed to be temporal, fast consumed and fast forgotten. If it does not cut the heredity bound with past Mechanicus Sector, it does not however looks like it is meant to be a installed in perenity. Said that, I see value in 2 cases mainly: 1. for people like me, already owning some terrain and wishing to have some punctual additions that give something not already included (half height gantries mainly) 2. for pure KT players that do not necesarily need more than that to get a gaming arena But as a base for starting a collection of terrain for 40k... I would advise passing. What do you think? PS: Ohh, and BTW, as a side note: my set came labelled "made in UK", if it is of any relevancy.

=][= DEATHWATCH: SOLO PLAY - 'KILL MARINE' =][= OOC and Discussion. Welcome everyone! This thread is for discussion of the above, any rules queries etc all in the one place. Feel free to discuss both Campaigns we're undertaking, any themes or what you expect to see. Please be aware this is not a Recruitment thread as my player slots are full - but do not let that discourage your participation. I intend that these games form the bedrock of a series of "RPG-Lite" templates we can use to try and address some of the concerns shared by the forum-goers in our Nook. I want to try and make this as fun and engaging for all participants as possible, so ideas, comments and criticism are welcome. Please note that the rules for the moment (for the RPG Forum) stand - I act in my capacity as Frater and GM first and foremost and will only step in as a Moderator if there is any infraction of the Board Rules. If you have any concerns about the game, please do not hesitate to contact me as you would any other GM. Now, with all that said, on with the discussion! Mazer.

=][= DEATHWATCH: SOLO PLAY - KILL MARINE OPERATIONS =][= "Y ou asked for Regiments of the Imperial Guard, demanded support from a flotilla of Imperial Navy Warships, pleaded for the steel rain of drop pods filled with Astartes. You do not understand your problem. All that is required, is my swinging blade to the back of the Xenos commander's neck."- Deathwatch Kill Marine Narvik Redfist 'The Butcher of Traesir' This thread will hold the details for both Characters in the upcoming Solo Play campaigns. + Operatives + Kill Marine: Journeyman, Marfóir Lugh of the Bloodmoon Hunters (TechCaptain) - Operation Midnight Kill Marine: Ravenwing Veteran, Raziel of the Dark Angels (Steel Company) - Operation Deadbolt + Advanced Training + All Characters receive the following: Special Ability: Army Of One (Free, no xp award) Kill Marines are selected for their exceptional training, resolve or sheer wealth of Experience. Effect: Any Character with this Talent may take an Elite Advance at the Base Cost listed on the tables available to them Example: Brother Beliasius is a Tactical marine, but his Personal History supports him having served in the Devastator Companies. He may choose abilities from the Devastator Table for his current Rank, but since he is a Tactical Marine, this would count as an Elite Advance, and so would usually cost 750xp on top of the purchased ability. However, since he has the Army Of One Special Ability, it only costs the original asking price in XP. Special Ability: My Word is my Bond (Free, no xp award) The Kill Marine is a solitary individual who brings fire and death. Required to act on his own initiative, the pomp and ceremony of the Oathing, and the bonds that come with it hold no succour. His mission is the only oath he recognises. Effect: The Character may not benefit from taking any Oaths of Moment, but his singular determination confers a +10 bonus to any Willpower test and may combine with other bonuses to the same characteristic. Special Ability: Not Gonna Die Tonight (Free, no xp award) The Battle Brother has survived many fights by simply understanding how much punishment his body can take and how his own physiology works. Living a life on the edge of war, where he may fall alone and unremembered is not an option with the mission incomplete. A quick tourniquet or synthflesh and cataplasm patch to take the sting off is good enough. Effect: Any Character with this Ability may use the Medicae Advanced Skill at half his Intelligence Stat, but is not trained in the skill beyond use on himself. He must have at least one item of medical equipment in order to use the skill. ++ DRAMATIS PERSONAE (Operation Midnight) ++ Watch Captain Procion, Deathwatch (Iron Knights) Inquisitor-Sentinel Markus Ignacio Hadrax, Ordo Xenos Commander Raphael Tarkus, Master of the Accipiter Nihilus, Ordo Xenos Cantus-Scriptor Karliah S'Juun, Adeptus Sororitas +++ FILES PENDING +++ ++ DRAMATIS PERSONAE (Operation Deadbolt) ++ Watch Commander Mordigael, Deathwatch (Blood Angels) Inquisitor-Adept Tomos Jerrill, Ordo Xenos Master Sergeant of Stormtroopers Jakob Morrab, Ordo Xenos Captain Felicita Yarvin, Mistress of the Xenobane, Ordo Xenos Lance-Serjeant Kraevus, Deathwatch (Red Hunters) Swiftclaw Pack Leader Iorek Grimjaw, Deathwatch (Space Wolves) +++ FILES PENDING +++ + Please Stand By for Incoming Orders + MR.