The time as come for the Dark Star GT!  I'm actually pretty excited, since its the first GT I've been to since August.  However, I am slightly disappointed because my army won't be fully painted as planned.  I simply did not have enough time to redo everything with my work schedule this week.  Oh well.  I should have basic 3-colors though and that'll have to do. 

That just means I'll have to play flawlessly to try and get the ultimate goal:  Best General.  I suppose that is always the goal for me.  There are also sub-categories for each army called "Codex" Best General.  The player with the most points using a particular army wins that award.  However, it does require there to be 3 players using that codex.  As I'm the only Black Templars player, that eliminates me from this particular award since NONE OF YOU ARE THERE!  >.<

...I'm just playing.  ;)

Anyway, there are quite a few big names who will be there.  Some of whom I missed out meeting at Nova Open, so I'm hoping to rectify that issue this time around.  As expected, the Top 3 most used codices are Grey Knights, Blood Angels, and Space Wolves.  They account for 42% of the players (25).  There is a grand total of 34 MEQ armies, counting myself.  So my list should fair reasonably well, as its almost certain 3 of my 5 games will be against MEQ of some sort.  I have lots of AP 2/3, so I certainly have excellent DMS scoring.  I obviously won't be charging Grey Knights, or getting anywhere close to them if I can help it, but I do have a reasonable DMCC score as well.

I won't really go into the list, as I've already done that in another post, but this is what I'll be running.  Very mobile, very shooty, and has lots of threats.  The fact that we're playing 1850 points should protect my relative low number of troops.  But the simple fact is that I have no intentions to throw them in harm's way unless I absolutely have to.

HQ:
* Emperor's Champion w/ Black Sword, Bolt Pistol, Armor of Faith, and the Vow: "Accept Any Challenge, No Matter the Odds." [140]

Elites:
* Sword Brethren Terminators: 5 Terminators w/ 2 Cyclone Missile Launchers, 5 Storm Bolters, 5 Power Fists, and Tank-Hunters. [265]
* Sword Brethren Terminators: 5 Terminators w/ 2 Cyclone Missile Launchers, 5 Storm Bolters, 5 Power Fists, and Tank-Hunters. [265]

Troops:
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolt Pistols and Close Combat Weapons, 1 Meltagun & 1 Bolt Pistol and Power Weapon. Mounted in a Razorback w/ Twin-Linked Lascannons and Power of the Machine Spirit. [220]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolt Pistols and Close Combat Weapons, 1 Meltagun & 1 Bolt Pistol and Power Weapon. Mounted in a Razorback w/ Twin-Linked Lascannons and Power of the Machine Spirit. [220]
* Crusader Squad: 5 Initiates w/ 3 Bolt Pistols and Close Combat Weapons, 1 Meltagun & 1 Bolt Pistol and Power Weapon. Mounted in a Razorback w/ Twin-Linked Lascannons and Power of the Machine Spirit. [220]

Fast Attack:
* Land Speeder Squadron: 1 Land Speeder w/ 1 Heavy Bolter and 1 Typhoon Missile Launcher. [70]
* Land Speeder Squadron: 1 Land Speeder w/ 1 Heavy Bolter and 1 Typhoon Missile Launcher. [70]
* Land Speeder Squadron: 1 Land Speeder w/ 1 Heavy Bolter and 1 Typhoon Missile Launcher. [70]

Heavy Support:
* Vindicator w/ Demolisher Cannon, Storm Bolter, and Power of the Machine Spirit.  [155]
* Vindicator w/ Demolisher Cannon, Storm Bolter, and Power of the Machine Spirit.  [155]

Total Points: [1850]

Of course, there will be pictures and battle reports.  My smartphone actually has a decent camera, so I might even be able to make blog posts as the gaming is happening.  It'll be a good test to see how the evolution of the Gunline list fairs in GT play.  Hopefully get a win for my efforts.  Wouldn't it be amusing if the last three major GT wins have been with the Black Templars?  Well, that will certainly be my goal.

This time around, I won't be up until 6am painting my army.  What isn't done by Friday night, simply will remain unfinished.  Its not like I need my army painted anyway (its not required), I just wanted it to be.  Makes it more fun for me and my opponent.  Nor will I have lots of alcohol the night before, which will hinder my ability the next day.  Perhaps the day of (in limited amounts) if the tournament allows it, but I'm not sure on that one.  If we can't, its not a big deal if I can't drink at the tournament.  Not only that, I will definitely eat well and have little snacks with me so I don't get mauled by hunger.  There isn't the 8 game grind that Nova has, but still, a weekend of gaming can get tough.  I'll be much better prepared this time around as opposed to Nova Open.  :)

Too bad 13th Company won't be there doing web-casts.  Wish they were at every major GT.  Its nice to have some support watching from the sidelines.  :D