Procrastination by Numbers

[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Monday 2nd December 2013



Welcome back to Day 2 of the fourth annual OG Games Forgotten Special Character's Advent Calendar. Where each day hidden in my spoiler advent door is a special character from the Warhammer world missing either rules or model or both in the game's current incarnation. More details back on Day 1. But here's your clue for Day 2's character.

Any guesses for today's special character, you're more likely to remember the model than the character. It's a classic army and a classic type of character, and maybe a Rudolph-esque nose?

[spoiler]
2nd December: Oddgit, Night Goblin Shaman





Name: Oddgit, Night Goblin Shaman

Original Points Cost: 184 points

Background: Oddgit is leader of the Night Goblin tribes that associate with the Iron Claw Orcs (who don't have Iron Claws), he is quite adapt at manipulating Grotfang leader of the Tribe. He wishes to avenge the Empire troops which desecrated the Idol of Gork.

Original Appearance: Warhammer Campaign Pack: The Idol of Gork, model released White Dwarf 209 (May 1997)





Last Appearance: Warhammer Campaign Pack: The Idol of Gork.

Special Rules:
Oddgit has the magic item Mad Cap Mushrooms which gives one unit's Fanatics an extra D6 hits on the first unit they collide with. As a result of the special scenario conditions, Oddgit cannot use any spells with Gork's name in it, and always adds +1 to any result on the 'Eadbanger chart.



My Memories of the Character: I actually owned this campaign pack and remember constructing armies involving Oddgit, it was always annoyed me that he wasn't Level 4. I mean why would you take Level 3 – said my 11 year old-self who played the game as Herohammer.

Inclusion in 8th Edition: He'd be an easy inclusion in 8th edition, but I am not sure given most of his special rules are handicaps why you would. Oddgit's model is no longer available from Games Workshop, but there are some classic Night Goblin Shamans you could easily use instead.



With thanks to Ol for providing access to The Idol of Gork campaign book

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[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Tuesday 3rd December 2013



Who could be in our Forgotten Special Character hall of fame today? Well he's got a massive grudge against the Dwarfs and likes to chuck things around. I've said too much haven't I?

[spoiler]
3rd December: Ku'Gath Plaguefather



Name: Ku'Gath Plaguefather

Original Points Cost: 650 points – 7th Edition, 625 points – 8th Edition

Background: Ku'Gath Plaguefather is the Heston Blumenthal of the Daemons of Nurgle concocting his own plagues and testing them on the battlefield by hurling infected Nurglings at the enemy. Only mildly less unhygienic than a stay in the care of the NHS. Ku'Gath hates Snow White and all her allies, as the stunties are resistant to virulent diseases and looks forward to making them all Grumpy, then unwell and dead. He rides on a giant Palanquin of Nurgle carried on a bed of Nurglings.

Original Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Daemons of Chaos – 7th Edition, no model currently available.



Last Appearance: N/A – Currently Available.

Special Rules: In 7th Edition: Ku'Gath acts as a Level 1 Wizard and a pretty nasty stone thrower, wounding on a 2+ with no Armour Saves! In addition to the usual Greater Daemon rules he hates Dwarfs, the feeling is probably mutual.



My Memories of the Character: Despite their reputation I've had very few dealings with the Daemons of Chaos on the battlefield and only a few flicks through their special characters. Plus I've not even seen the 8th edition Daemons book. Sorry to admit my failings as the special character oracle!

Inclusion in 8th Edition: We have rules, but a model is going to be a beast to convert. A Greater Daemon of Nurgle on a palanquin carried by Nurglings. Two options, I think, wait for Games Workshop to remember this character or use the Greasus Goldtooth model and hope no one notices. I mean it's a similar principal just different creatures.



[/spoiler]

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[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Wednesday 4th December 2013



Day 4 on the Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar. Remember it's a character either missing a model or rules in the current 8th edition game. Here's your clue...

Now if you don't remember this character I don't suspect you've ever played Warhammer. It's a classic character who could do with some Gaviscon Double Action. You've got it now haven't you?

[spoiler]
4th December: Grom the Paunch of Misty Mountain



Name: Grom the Paunch of Misty Mountain



Original Points Cost: 257 points – 4th Edition; 255 points – 7th Edition; 285 points – 8th Edition

Background: Grom the Paunch is an immense Goblin after eating Troll flesh at the all-you-can-eat-buffet, he writhes around in agony as his stomach desperately tries to digest the regenerating Troll flesh. After smashing the Empire, Grom took his chariot on a drive on car ferry to Ulthuan before laying waste to Eltharion's land making him really grumpy!



Original Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins – 4th Edition, model released White Dwarf 165 (September 1993)





Last Appearance: N/A – Currently Available.

Special Rules:
Grom's original special rules were simply regeneration and the Axe of Grom. After disappearing in 6th Edition Warhammer he returned in 7th Edition with some new special rules.



All Goblins in Grom's army are immune to the fear caused by Elves. The Axe of Grom causes killing blow on 5+ and Niblit's Banner gives Grom a 5+ Ward Save. The main change in 8th edition was that Niblit rebranded himself as Niblet.



My Memories of the Character: Grom is one of my first special character memories having got a cardboard version included in my first every edition of Warhammer. I then went onto purchase the model to lead my Orc & Goblins, eventually replacing the model much letter after wrecking the original.

Inclusion in 8th Edition: You may think Grom isn't a forgotten Special Character, but despite being listed in the current Warhammer Armies: Orcs & Goblins book, and having a model that has seemingly been out forever. That model has recently disappeared off the Games Workshop website.



Perhaps the old Goblin model is finally going to get updated? In the meantime anyone got some Green stuff and multiple Goblin Chariots?

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Hope you loved it! Please feel free to shout all about us over the social media.

[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Thursday 5th December 2013



The Forgotten Special Character in today's Advent Calendar is a tricky one to guess, he's never been in a Warhammer Army book of his own race, but the colour orange can be associated with him. Any guesses?

[spoiler]
5th December: Garagrim Ironfist



Name: Garagrim Ironfist

Original Points Cost: 305 points

Background: Garagrim Ironfist was the son on Ungrim Ironfist, next in the long line of Slayer Kings of Karak Kadrin. Realising his destiny to save his family from the curse of ginger could be filled, Garagrim vowed to die before his father thus honouring the Slayer grudge and preventing it passing down the family line.

Original Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Storm of Chaos



Last Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Storm of Chaos

Special Rules: Garagrim has the Axes of Kadrin; two runic axes both inscribed with the Grudge Rune and Master Rune of Skalf Blackhammer. He may attack in a whirlwind of death like Doomseekers also featured in Warhammer Armies: Storm of Chaos. Any Giant Slayers in an army led by him may take magic runic weapons worth up to 25 points.



My Memories of the Character: I was absent from the Warhammer scene during the Storm of Chaos. So my only memory on return to Warhammer, was seeing his model on the Games Workshop website, but not in Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs and wondering who the hell he was?!

Inclusion in 8th Edition: The runes used by Garagrim still feature in Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs, so he's pretty easy to build. I probably wouldn't add Doomseekers back into the mix, no one is ready for that (except maybe the writers of Warhammer Armies: Dwarfs? If such people exist?).

The classic model recently disappeared from the Games Workshop website, but to be honest there's countless better Slayer models to choose from.



[/spoiler]

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[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Friday 6th December 2013



Today's Forgotten Special Character, I reckon, is the only one ever with a cat. Worked it out yet?

[spoiler]
6th December: Neferata



Name: Neferata

Original Points Cost: 700 points

Background: Neferata, known as The Queen of Mysteries, is believed to be the same Vampire that fled the sacking of Lahmia over three thousand years ago. She however has been using lots of Boots No. 7 and still looks like the youngest most beautiful woman alive. Her favourite delicacy is Bretonnian Knight as they come packed in their own foil cases. She has made her home in the Silver Pinnacle, the highest peak of the World's Edge Mountains, from where she offers a viewing platform for a quite reasonable price.



Original Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts – 5th Edition, model released White Dwarf 237 (September 1999)





Last Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Vampire Counts – 5th Edition

Special Rules:
Neferata has an additional spell which is cast using her wounds rather than magic cards, with range 24" the first unit in its path suffers D6+2 S5 hits for each wound expended. Additionally she has the Blood Kiss, once per game any character killed by Neferata is turned into a Vampire Thrall (using basic statistics) armed with whatever magic items the character had. She has the following magic items: Dagger of Jet (any model wounded by the dagger also loses one point from either Strength, Toughness or Attacks chosen by Neferata), The Ruby of Lahmia (Neferata automatically regains the first wound suffered each phase, every time used roll a D6 adding the number of wounds already saved, exhausted on a 7+), Bastet (Neferata's cat joins an enemy unit each turn, must be different to previous turn, that unit suffers -1 Ld and rerolls all successful armour saves).



My Memories of the Character: I was confused by what was happening to Undead at this point in the games' history. Though the cat is familiar.

Inclusion in 8th Edition: A monster character from Herohammer was at its worst! Probably none of her individual rules are that broken (with the possible exception of the The Ruby of Lahmia). But I think any more than half of them would be filth, and impossible to remember.

Isabella Von Carstein is the only female Vampire model around at present so I guess she's your best starting point. You just need a cat, younger sister's doll houses might be your best bet!



[/spoiler]

There's a metaphorical chocolate in it for you, if you Tweet and/or comment about us!

[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Saturday 7th December 2013



You've got the jist of it by now haven't you? Here's today's clue...

Who would you employ to announce the rival of the darkest of the darkest lords? Well they're in today's Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar. Do you know who it is?

[spoiler]
7th December: Vardek Crom, Hearld of Archaon



Name: Vardek Crom

Original Points Cost: 230 points

Background: Crom was chieftain of the Kul tribe, he travelled a long and hard journey to challenge Archaon. However upon seeing Archaon he realised he was the Everchosen, and decided it was probably best not to fight, in an absolutely non cowardly move. Vardek Crom went to lead his army through the Dark Lands to draw the armies of Men and Dwarfs away from the main battle.

Original Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Storm of Chaos



Last Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Storm of Chaos

Special Rules:
Vardek Crom primarily leads an army of Chaos Undivided, with selection rules restricting Chaos units of specific marks. Crom must always accept a challenge, in a challenge Crom gains additional attack for each wound he causes if he elects to fight with two hand weapons, or he can use his hand weapon and shield to nullify a challengers weapon to a hand weapon.



My Memories of the Character: Sadly I missed the Storm of Chaos, though sadly not the Storm of Magic, had I been part of it I'd loved the massed Warriors and armies and been all over Vardek Crom. In a non-sexual way of course.

Inclusion in 8th Edition: His rules are too bloody complicated, they need to be simpler!!

Vardek Crom's model no longer exists on the Games Workshop website, I'd recommend this model. Just remember to paint him as Chaos Undivided!



[/spoiler]

Go on give us a RT or I'll send the boys round, possibly the Backstreet Boys, which will be less scary!

[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Sunday 8th December 2013



We're one week in. The excitement is literally non-existent. So I'll shut up and get on with it.

Today's clue is this character is very much long lost, they are female and they'd be handy with a Y-shaped rod. Any thoughts?

Click below to find out:

[spoiler]
8th December: Naieth the Prophetess



Name: Naieth the Prophetess

Original Points Cost: 104 points

Background: Naieth is not a very good mage, so instead she's invented the art of divination, in order to justify her position in Wood Elf society. Earning her keep from foolish people who believe in Astrology and the like, Naieth is able to detect the flow of the Winds of Magic, or so she says.



Original Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Wood Elves – 4th Edition



Last Appearance: Warhammer Armies: Wood Elves – 4th Edition

Special Rules:
Naieth is a Level 1 mage. She is accompanied by Othu the Owl who grants his good luck to one shooting unit every shooting phase allowing them to reroll their rolls to hit, Othu must choose a different unit each turn and characters may not benefit from his ability. Naieth carries the magic item The Rod of Divination which allows her to draw one additional magic card (old school) each magic phase.



My Memories of the Character: Sorry who?! Apparently she's the mage printed on the front of Warhammer Armies: Wood Elves – 4th Edition if the accompanying picture is anything to go by, and I remember that.

Inclusion in 8th Edition: Am I the only one thinking that Othu the Owl is far scarier than Naieth? Updated the magic card for a power/dispel dice I think Naieth is fine for 8th edition – the jury's out on Othu!

Never been a model, but there's a few Wood Elf Spellsinger models you could pick from. Good luck modelling Othu, though the Rod of Divination would be easy enough.



[/spoiler]

Did you know that people who comment on this blog and mention us on Twitter go to heaven? It's true. Really is!

[cunningmatt]

Procrastination by Numbers: Forgotten Special Characters Advent Calendar Monday 9th December 2013



It's Monday again, terribly sorry, but on the plus it's Forgotten Special Advent Calendar time.

A certain vintage of special character today, he fought a war against an old enemy and there was lots of beer involved.

[spoiler]
9th December: Eldroth





Name: Eldroth

Original Points Cost: 220 points

Background: Eldroth was the founder of the Elven Colony of Tal Eldroth – modest fellow. And began trading with the Dwarven Queen Helgar, much to the annoyance of her rival Drong. Dwarfs being Dwarfs this lead to bitter war. Typical.

Original Appearance: Warhammer Campaign Pack: The Grudge of Drong, model released White Dwarf 205 (January 1997)





Last Appearance: Warhammer Campaign Pack: The Grudge of Drong

Special Rules: Eldroth carries The Sword of Tol Eldroth (there was a limit on names for this particular character), which allows him to reroll all failed to hit rolls in combat.



My Memories of the Character: I really liked the idea of the Campaign Packs, though sadly I only ever got one (which I lost) as I was far more excited by the concept of buying models. I do remember this new range of High Elf characters, and being annoyed they were replacing my existing old models! I'm pretty sure this model is in my collection and got a really lame painting job done on it. So lame I cannot photograph it.

Inclusion in 8th Edition: Given his only special rule is a magic item that gives him a rule all High Elves have as standard now, he's pretty easy to put rules together for.

The brilliant High Elf plastic Hero kit is a good place to start here, just remember to use the sword arm. And probably paint the word Eldroth on his base. He'd be annoyed if you didn't make it The Base of Eldroth!



With thanks to Ol for providing access to The Grudge of Drong campaign book

[/spoiler]

Go on feel free to write something.

[roland murat]

something - well you did ask nicely.

[cunningmatt]

Very good