Better Know A Blogger- Part 20: The Twin-Linked Warlord

This week's Better Know a Blogger features Rudd (AKA Greysplinter) from The Twin-Linked Warlord. 

Rudd's blog is the most recent addition to my blog list, having got in touch with me when I was recently looking for new blogs to read and new participants for this series. 

Rudd's blog is quite different from many of the blogs that I follow. He doesn't post hobby progress or battle reports, but what you will find is a whole host of tactical posts. In Rudd's own words: 

"I started The Twin-Linked Warlord to provide a creative outlet for my hobby thoughts and ideas, especially innovative or "out of the box" tactics, which really interest me. While I definitely appreciate the modelling and fluff side of the hobby (especially well-modelled/painted armies), my main interest is in the gaming itself and all the thinking/strategizing that goes into that aspect of the hobby."

His posts do a great job of breaking down the strongest units in the game and the myriad of combinations that you can make with these powerful units and factions. His most recent post (at the time of writing this) was to look at one of the newest units making a splash in Space Marine armies; the Cataphractii Terminator Captain. He takes a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Captain, as well as suggesting some very potent unit combinations to get the best out of his abilities. 

As well as reviews and analyses on certain units, you will also find a lot of articles proposing a whole host of new rules and suggestions for the game. These include rules for a Decurion-style formation for Grey Knights, rules for Warp Gate Beacons for Chaos Space Marines and specific psychic powers for individual Grey Knights units. 

The Twin-Linked Warlord is a great read for those with a strong leaning towards competitive 40k or

for anyone who likes more unusual rules suggestions and army compositions.

Here are Rudd's answers to my questions:

1. What age did you get into gaming and what started it off?

I started when I was about 25 and I learned about table top 40K, surprisingly enough, via the Dawn of War computer game (great game! Can't wait for number 3- Mike). After I played the game, I started to become more and more interested in the lore/armies, etc. and eventually transitioned into a full table-top player.

2. What was the first model you ever bought/painted?

An old metal Kasrkin Stormtrooper model (which are still one of the cooler models in the game, despite their age, if you ask me) (Agreed- Mike). 

3. What is your favourite aspect of gaming? 

Honestly, I have never really gotten into the painting/modelling side of the hobby, even though I greatly appreciate well-built and painted armies, kind of how a non-musician can really appreciate good music, but is not good at making it themselves ;). Maybe that will change someday, but for now my limited hobby time has gone into playing and my tactics blog.

4. Fondest memory in gaming?

Hmmm, good question… well, one of my favourites was when I was still a relatively new player and I took my Grey Knights (this was back in 4th edition) up against a veteran player who pulled out his Dark Eldar and, I think, was looking to give me a little taste of what it was like to go against an experienced player. Despite this, I was actually able to hold my own and pull out a victory, which I think surprised both of us, and gave me motivation to keep working with Grey Knights, back before they got their 5th edition codex/power boost.

5. What are you working on right now? 

A friend who is an experienced painter gave me some lessons a while back and I have a bunch of Space Marines that I would like to paint as Celestial Lions someday (right now I just have one “test model”), but overall I am working more on integrating my recently purchased Ultramarines into the rest of the “Imperium mix” with my Grey Knights, Angels Sanguine, Space Wolves, Astra Militarum, Inquisition, and various other Space Marine task forces.

6. When you are not conquering the tabletop, what do you do?

Well, outside of 40K, in real life I am an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, so that and my family (married with two kids) are my main focus most of the time. 40K is really my only hobby outside of those two things, as there just isn’t time for too much else.

7. What would you say about your blog to someone who has never read it to draw them in? 

Check it out if you are interested in new/outside the box ideas for playing the game and/or if you want to share innovative ideas back and forth about 40K tactics for any and all armies.

8. What is your favourite article that you have written?

Another tough question… honestly, I am not sure, but one I like a lot is “Astartes Swiss Army Knife – Land Speeder Storm” because I think it is pretty well written, provides some interesting thoughts on a lesser known unit, and helps players innovate with their 40K tactics… all things I hoped to do with the blog in the first place (totally agree, a severely underrated unit in my opinion- Mike).

9. Which rule would you like to see changed or removed entirely?

Soul Blaze! ;) The most worthless USR in the game right now! If I could change it, I would make it so that, while Soul Blaze is “on,” it causes the affected unit to have –D3 Leadership (roll for it each turn), which of course would make it infinitely more useful and impactful on the game.

10. Which of your armies is your favourite?

Right now, probably my Ultramarines. Not only is it well-painted and versatile from a gaming perspective, but it has special significance to me because I added to my collection in conjunction with some meaningful milestones in my real life.

11. Secret wargamer or loud and proud?

In the middle… most of my family knows I do it, and I don’t obsessively hide it, but I don’t advertise it either, especially not at work.

12. Any hobby tips or cheats to share? 

I think one of the best “hidden gems” from a tactical perspective is the Escape Hatch trick when using fortifications. Basically, buy a Fortification and an Escape Hatch upgrade, then place the Escape Hatch 12” toward the enemy DZ. Turn 1 (or later, if you prefer), you can take whatever unit is inside the fortification (even Jump Infantry) and “disembark” it 6” out of the Escape Hatch, netting you basically an 18” move for free (you can still Shoot or Run, but not Charge that same turn). Whether using it to get Centurions into shooting position without Drop Pods or manoeuvring Lychguard downfield to set up a turn 2 charge, it is one of the simplest, but also effective, little tricks that I am aware of.

13. Tournament or Casual?

Well, I generally prefer to be a more competitive player and try to make/bring the toughest lists I can come up with (I really enjoy that aspect of the hobby, actually), but I also like playing with friends and enjoying the casual/social aspect of playing.

14. Nintendo or Sega?

Nintendo.

15. Xbox or Playstation?

Xbox (never had a Playstation)

16. McDonalds or Burger King? 

McDonalds (Burger King is too “heavy” in its food for my tastes, generally).

17. Coke or Pepsi?

Pepsi, though I enjoy Coke as well.

Thanks to Rudd for taking the time to answer my questions. 

If you have a blog and would like to take part in Better Know A Blogger, please contact me at corrm83@gmail.com