Inthefinesthour - Podcast Details

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In the Finest Hour PodcastEp80: Tournament PhilosophiesIn this episode, the hosts talk about their tournament philosophies- how to approach a tournament, what to expect from yourself, and what to prepare for depending on how you think you may do at the event. 2021-10-2552 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp79: Wagh, It Is the OrksIn this episode, we don't scream as loudly as possible into the microphone, deafening everyone who listens. You're welcome! 2021-09-131h 15

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp78: How to Be a Good SportBeing the best player you can be has many aspects, and one of the most important is being a good sportsman. In this episode, the hosts talk about what this aspect means to them as well as some ways you can try and improve your behavior during games and the challenges you may face. 2021-08-301h 01

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp77: Sisters of BattleWhat's up with the new Sisters of Battle codex? We dip our toes into the water with the book, looking at the various orders, units, and stratagems within as well as how to take the army on and what to watch out for. 2021-08-2353 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp76: Crosstalk- US OpenGames Workshop is finally returning to running tournaments. The hosts discuss the format, rules, and what they think of the matter in general. 2021-08-1154 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp75: Defensive vs Offensive PlayIn this episode, we look at playing defensively versus playing offensively- what that means, how it affects your strategy and list design, and when each of them are appropriate. 2021-07-1352 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp74: Best In Faction vs Best OverallWhen you are going to a tournament, it is worth considering what your goals for winning are when writing your list; this episode, we talk about how you should approach things differently when aiming for best of your faction versus winning the whole tournament. 2021-06-2153 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp73: Getting Back Into the GameWe've all been out of the game for a while thanks to COVID; this episode, we talk about how to get back into things. 2021-05-2854 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp72: Charge and Fight PhaseThis episode as part of our series on different phases of the game, we talk about the charge and fight phases together. 2021-05-2053 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp71: Problems and SolutionsThis episode, we look at a ways of approaching list writing that focuses on the sorts of threats that the enemy can throw at you and how you answer those threats. 2021-05-1252 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp70: Discussing SupplementsHow do supplements affect the game, and are they good or bad? How should GW handle them in the future? Our hosts discuss the matter. 2021-05-031h 02

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp69:Imperial and Chaos KnightsWe interview our guest for the episode about Knights, how to play them, and how to beat them as well as their role in the meta. 2021-04-281h 15

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp68: Taking NotesPractice games (and tournament games) are important for getting better, but you won't improve from that practice unless you are able to accurately understand what happened during the game and what went right or wrong. In that respect, taking notes during the game can be a tremendous help, giving you a better (and more permanent) recollection of what went down and how your game plan succeeded or failed. In this episode, we talk about different methods of taking notes, including both paper and electronic media as well as photos and video, and what sorts of things you should pay...2021-03-2956 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp67: The List-Writing ProcessBeing able to write a good list is one of the most fundamental aspects of playing Warhammer 40K; your list is the toolbox that you bring to the table, and so defines what it is you're capable of during a game. But contrary to what the internet may sometimes tell you, writing a list is much more than just choosing the six most efficient units and fielding as many of them as possible. So how do you go about approaching the process of writing- and rewriting- a list? In this episode, we talk about the process that the hosts...2021-03-1558 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp66: Bad MatchupsIf you play at tournaments, sooner or later you are going to run into a bad matchup- the one army that you just aren't prepared to face. But being able to power through disadvantageous situations is one of the biggest indicators of a skilled player, so this episode we talk about how to identify such matchups and what you can do about them. We discuss the ways to look at things during all phases of the encounter- from when you write your list to the game itself to post-game considerations and what lessons you should take away from your...2021-03-0851 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp65: Playing the Mid TablesAs competitive players, we like to focus a lot on the upper strata of the game- what the best players are doing, which lists are finishing top 4, etc. But the reality is that by definition most players do not play at the top tables, they play at the middle tables instead. This episode, we discuss what sorts of obstacles you'll face if you're sitting in the middle of the pack, the unique concerns that you should be thinking about, the types of players you're likely to see, and ways you can work towards your goals even if you aren't...2021-03-011h 00

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp64: FAQ AnalysisThe most recent FAQ for the rulebook and GT mission pack changed a lot of things- most notably including how missions are scored and the wording on several of the secondaries. Our three hosts take a look at what these changes may mean for the game as well as where they think it will push the meta in the upcoming weeks. We also discuss the other changes from the FAQ as well as some more general thoughts about the meta of 9E. 2021-02-2253 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp63:The Psychic PhaseWhile most players are pretty familiar with the different phases of the game, one stands out amongst the others as being a common tripping-up point- the psychic phase. Being that it is the most unusual of the phases (and the one that it's very possible to simply not participate in if you don't take the right units), it should be no surprise this is the case; however, psykers can unlock some incredibly powerful options for many armies and even if you don't use them yourself, it's pays to know how to fight them. This episode, we call on the...2021-02-081h 08

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp62: Being a 40K Content ProducerThe last ten years have seen a revolution in content production for many hobbies, including 40K, and reaching out to audiences and putting out content for the games you love is easier than it has ever been. But actually reaching people can be a bit trickier, as it's easy to get lost in the sea of noise. This episode we bring on a special guest and host of Weshammer to talk with the hosts about how to create a channel for your hobby content, unique avenues for reaching out to audiences, a way to find your niche among creators, a...2021-01-231h 03

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp61: Managing Your CPCommand Points are one of the most important resources that an army has access to in 9th Edition, allowing you to pull of a wide variety of useful tricks and opening up many unit options you couldn't otherwise even attempt. But many players struggle to use their CP effectively, often spending too much early in the game and finding themselves desperately scraping at the slow trickle of incoming CP late game, or end up hoarding too much CP early and lose the game with half or more of their reserves still unspent. In this episode, we take a look...2021-01-041h 01

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp60: Dealing With the Nerf BatIf you play Warhammer competitively, you will inevitably end up on the wrong end of the nerf bat, an unenviable situation. It can suck a lot to have your favorite unit or army severely hampered by changes to the rules, but the good news is that there are things you can do to cope with the situation and maybe even come out of it the stronger. This week, we talk about what to do when the rules shift beneath your feet- do you stick with the army, try something different, or look to another army entirely? All three are...2020-12-2852 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp59: Necrons CrosstalkAlthough it hasn't gotten quite as much excitement drummed up for it as the Space Marine books, the Necron codex in 9th Edition is no joke- it's taken a number of top tournament spots and we have seen several different builds do well, with more likely undiscovered. So this episode, our hosts take you on a tour of the new Necron book and talk about some of the highlights you should be watching for- units, builds, and combos that stand out as well as ways to combat the list and strengths and challenges you should think about with Necrons...2020-11-161h 23

Frontline Gaming NetworkChapter Tactics #182: What Forgeworld's New Role is in 40k 9th EditionToday Pablo, Sean, and Ben talk about the Forgeworld compendium and it's impact on 40k in 9th edition. They also talk about the best competitive forgeworld units and the biggest winners and losers out of the book. Chapter Tactics is a 40k podcast which focuses on promoting better tactical play and situational awareness across all variations of the game. Need help with a list idea? Got a rules question? Want to talk tactics? Then sign up for our Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/chaptertactics) where you can join our official Facebook group page, get in c...2020-11-031h 49

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp58: 3D Printing and Your Army3D printing is a technology that has not only made immense strides over the past ten years but is also one that has the potential to completely change the way we look at our hobby in the future. Since both Shaylynn and Ben have significant experience with 3D printing, either professionally or as a hobby, this episode we talk about what 3D printing means for you in terms of making and converting models. We also discuss conversions and tournament policies, and how best to approach those issues if you have an army you're afraid might not be legal- and...2020-11-021h 01

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp57: Primary MissionsWe- and many other people- have talked a lot about the secondary missions in 9th Edition as well as many of the details of the primary missions, but it's high time we actually buckled down and looked at the core missions themselves and what they may mean for your army. With the objectives and deployments being paired together in specific ways, as well as the unique secondary objective available to each mission, there can be some very big swings in how you want to play each of them; how many objectives to go for, which secondary missions have good s...2020-10-261h 14

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp56: Flipping ObjectivesMore than any previous edition, 9E is a game of playing to the mission in order to win. In most games, that means trying to score points on the primary mission- but how do you do that? In this episode we talk about how you can gain a significant advantage in the score by "flipping" objectives to your side, including talking about when and where you'll want to do it, the kinds of units that excel at it, alternative strategies for armies that may struggle with the idea, and how to defend your own objectives from the enemy's "flip."2020-10-051h 07

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp55: Improving Your CommunityNormally when we talking about improving as a competitive player, we talk about rules interactions, combos, decks, and that sort of thing. But there's another side to competitive play as well- that of the community you play in; after all, a game of 40K played solo is not going to be nearly as exciting! In this episode, we talk about why you should want to improve your community (apart from simple altruism, of course) and how that can benefit you as well as the multitude of ways you can do so. No matter what your skills and situation are...2020-09-281h 00

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp54: TransportsTransports are on the upswing in 9th Edition, with armies from virtually every faction making use of them in a variety of ways. But the rules for transports hardly changed at all from the previous edition, so what is it that is making them so popular? In this episode we talk about how transports are like ogres (they have layers, you see), the surprising variety of ways they can boost your movement, using the hull itself, and ways that your transports can do more than just... transport things. 2020-09-2155 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp53: GK CrosstalkA little bit of a shorter episode this week, as Ben is occupied with other business so Sean and Shaylynn talk about her Grey Knights army in 9th Edition- where it's been, where it is, and where it's going, as well as how it got there. We discuss the various iterations of her list, the principles they were based on, and why they worked (or didn't) as well as what she learned about the army and the game from each of them. 2020-09-1440 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp52: What Is 9th Edition?We've had enough time now to take in the changes and breadth of the new edition, so let's take a moment to examine just what it all means. What sort of armies are we seeing in the new meta? What sort of strategies are they using, and how can those be countered? What sort of features of lists are important in all archetypes, and which ones are more niche? What sort of things should you be scouring your codex to find if you have access to them, and what are more optional? All three hosts give their opinions on...2020-09-071h 10

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp51:Using Strategic ReservesOne of the biggest changes for 9th edition is the introduction of strategic reserves, a concept that will be familiar to players of 7th or prior. Of course, this time around things are significantly different; reserves aren't random but also aren't free, and can enter the battlefield much more flexibly. All of this heralds some extremely significant shifts in how armies play on the tabletop as well as a huge variety of new strategies that you can use to succeed in both the primary and secondary missions. In this episode we take a look at how you can take...2020-08-311h 00

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp50:A Deep Dive on Secondary ObjectivesThose who played many of the alternative formats from last edition, such as ITC, NOVA, Renagade Open, etc, may already be quite familiar with the new system for secondary objectives- but what about the new missions themselves? This episode, we take a good, long look (a touch longer than normal, even!) at these new missions and how they affect gameplay. Which ones are worth taking? Which ones are redundant with each other? Which ones are niche in application? Which ones do the hosts like or dislike? We also discuss what kinds of expectations you should have for scoring them...2020-08-171h 28

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp49: Talkin' About Terrain9th Edition has brought with it a whole host of major changes, not the least of which is the changes to how terrain functions. In this episode, our three hosts dig into the new terrain rules in detail- what they do, what they mean for your army, and how they're going to change how you play the game. Whether you're bringing giant, stompy robots or hordes of fragile infantry, you're going to see some major shifts in what terrain means for your army, no matter the format. 2020-08-1058 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp48: 9th Edition Hot Take9th Ed is here, and we are back! With the combination of rules leaks and the official GW pdf out in the wild, Sean and Shaylynn give their first impressions on the new edition's rules- what's changed, what's important, and some hints of where we think things might be going. We skim the surface lightly on this one, but rest assured- we are going to have a lot to talk about in future episodes discussing more of these things in greater detail. We'll also have another episode coming soon that covers just the mission pack, which we felt was a...2020-07-0456 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp47: DeploymentSome games can be won or lost practically before they even begin- not by the army lists, but in mistakes (or strategic plays) during deployment. Deployment dictates how the whole rest of the game will play out and for the canny player, it offers opportunities to bait the enemy into following your plan even before the first turn happens. In this episode, we talk about some of the common mistakes we see during deployment, as well as ways to avoid them and the big considerations you should be thinking about when putting your units down. Can I get Seized...2020-04-131h 02

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp46: Non-Tournament PracticePlaying at tournaments is an ideal way to practice and improve your 40K skills, but what about when you're stuck in non-ideal situations? This week our three hosts talk about ways to get better at the game when you don't have that option- for example, if you are confined to your house due to pandemic, locked inside due to murderous clowns, or if it turns out that the floor outside is lava. We talk about deployment practice, studying battle reports, doing your homework, and other fun and interesting things that normal people spend their free time on as well...2020-04-0654 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp45: Move BlockingOne of the things we take for granted in 40K is the ability to move around the battlefield- you can move your units wherever you'd like, within the limits of their range. Being able to selectively deny the enemy that freedom is a powerful tool, and one that can completely change the course of a game when used right, whether by ensuring control of objectives, denying charges, or keeping the enemy boxed up in their deployment zone. In this episode, we talk about the ways you can block your opponent's movement- what units to use, where and when to...2020-03-301h 04

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp44: Playing Other ArmiesWhen we start out playing 40K, most players will experiment a bit before finding a faction they like and settling into that, mostly building armies for that faction, perhaps spiced with a bit of allies. But what about moving beyond your home faction? In this episode, we talk about why expanding your experience with armies outside your norm can not only help you grow your knowledge of the game but also grow as a player and be better-prepared in general. We also talk about how to choose your new faction, since not all armies are created equal...2020-03-2355 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp43: Things Bad Players SayLet's be frank here: there are some players out there who never really seem to get any better at the game, no matter how much they play or which army they switch to. They're the guys who are constantly complaining about how bad their luck is, how OP everyone else's army is, how they just needed to make one charge, and so on and on and on. These aren't "bad players" because they lack skill at the game, they're bad because they refuse to learn and because they've put up mental blocks for themselves that prevent them from being...2020-03-1658 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp42: Jargon40K, like every hobby, is filled with jargon- backfield, alpha strike, WAAC, wysiwyg, mech, soup, etc, etc. Why do we use terms like this- it is just to confuse outsiders to the hobby, or does it serve some real purpose in communication? In this episode, we talk about the reasons jargon exists as well as some of the terminology and shorthand you're likely to encounter in the hobby, touching on a number of the most common ones as well as our mutual (or sometimes not) understandings of their meaning. 2020-03-091h 05

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp41: Assessing Mission PacksWe are back! After a bit of a hiatus, Finest Hour is up and recording new episodes again, now with our brand-new cohost Ben Jurek. We dive right back into the thick of things, talking about how to approach a mission pack that you're unfamiliar with- what to look out for before the tournament when writing your list as well as little things to keep an eye on during your games as well as some of the gotchas that we find often ambush players who aren't careful enough. In the second half of the episode we also...2020-03-0257 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp 40: GoalmakingJoined by special guests Eleanor Byler and Jeffrey Hanson, Shaylynn leads a discussion about the tool of goal making, achieving, and failing process and how it relates to your growth as a 40k player. Using examples and inspiration from outside sources- you get to see more about the struggle of goals and why struggle is necessary and important part of the goal making process. -- You can find out more about DOTS RPG here. Music: Dankmus Art: Rylan Woodrow Our Patreon: In the Finest Hour Website: https://www.inth...2019-11-0452 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp39: The HunterThe Hunter has, up until now, gotten a very bad rap- possibly because it was in fact a bad vehicle. However, with the update to the Space Marine codex and the addition of many new rules, a lot of possibilities have opened up for it and we're seeing more Marine players look to take advantage of the things the chassis can bring. In this episode, Josh talks about why he chose the Hunter for his list, how it helped him get the 5th place finish, and why other players looking to Space Marines might want to consider using it...2019-10-2126 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp38: The Allies DebateAre allies a good thing, or not? This week on the show, we do something a little different- Shaylynn and Josh go head-to-head in a discussion about how allies affect the game as well as influence GW's game design philosophies, the internal balance of codices, and more. With Sean morderating, both of them stake out a position and go at it, and only one can be victorious! (Just kidding, it's actually very civil and nuanced discussion on the matter.) 2019-10-0755 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEP 37: Dealing with a New CodexAfter the chaos of the printing presses quiet, there is a held breath as the Chief Librarian opens the New Codex. Once his eyes hit those lofty pages- the meta as we know it begins to stir and shift.... Unlike the pervious episode which was about analyzing a new book, this one is about analyzing the resulting meta shifts in context of this new book. First starting with the inter-faction shifts the book itself causes (such as units getting powered up or down) then onto greater meta implications. — You can find out more abo...2019-09-2357 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp 36: Capital City Bloodbath Post-Tournament AnalysisFirst episode of its type, Josh and Shaylynn do an application episode where they talk about their latest tournament experiences and how to apply things brought up in previous episodes. Specifically Episode 24: Tournament Tips and Episode 32: Post-Tournament Tactics. This episode does feature both Josh and Shaylynn admitting to errors made in and out of their games, good stories, and answers some very thoughtful Listener (Patreons) Questions about general playing approach and advice. This episode offers a unique view into how the Hosts view tournament experiences personally and how insights can be found, even when you are getting thrashed with a...2019-09-021h 01

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp 35: Analyzing Mission Series: Maelstorm MissionsStarting off our examination of the ETC mission set to give our listeners context for what just went down in Europe and why its so important- we decided to hunker down and focus on the Maelstorm aspect of the missions themselves. Maelstorm has some unique features to be aware of when playing 40k and has a rising popularity. It is a system with faults and strengths and we examine all of it. While Sean was unable to join us this episode, we do feature Jason Byrd- a good friend of the show and Named Pacific Northwest Player. Y...2019-08-1959 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp: 34.5 Capital City Bloodbath HottakeWith all the pom poms and hype- Shaylynn and Josh bring you the Capital City Bloodbath Hottake! Straight out of Ottawa!! Aforementioned things to look at: https://thehonestwargamer.com/ https://www.capitalcitybloodbath.com/ https://www.40kstats.com/ https://www.facebook.com/events/1024759151051991/ 2019-08-1812 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp 34: Analyzing List: PlaguebearersWhile the smell in the studio is somewhat under control now, this week we talk about the big stink: Plaguebearers! ‘Plaguebearers’ refers to the Chaos Soup list featuring two maximum (or nearly) size units of to protect a castle of psykers and daemons. This list is then seasoned with 800-900ish points of to taste. Here we dive into the complex synergies of this list archetype and why it has been so successful for so long. And, as always, we also delve into weakness and how-to-bear-it strategies. Josh Death personally took a version of this list to...2019-08-1200 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp33: Do Your ResearchWe talk a lot on our show about the importance of information in this game- but how do you actually go about getting that information, and how does it help you? This episode, the hosts break down some of their study techniques and ways to pick up parts of the game without committing to a ten-hour full reading of every codex out there. Not all information is equal, and not all methods of uptaking it are equally effective- and if you're looking to improve, you'll want to do so in the easiest and most effective manner possible rather than s...2019-07-2959 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp32: Post-Tournament TacticsThe tournament is over, the laurels handed out, the victors taken their prizes- but the work of the competitive player has only just begun. In the aftermath of a tournament, there's always a million questions to ask and a million things to improve, but how does one go about doing so in an organized and effective fashion? In this episode, we look at ways to better analyze your performance and the questions you want to be asking yourself, whether you won or lost. How do you know if your losses were because of bad play or problems...2019-07-221h 02

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp: 27.5 Cross-Talk #02- Running Your First Event (Part 1 of 2)Eleanor returns! And with her is the conundrum of running your first event (an RTT) and a total unawareness of the pitfalls and tricks needed to be successful. Thankfully Shaylynn is the Head TO of the Razor Valley Tournament Series out of Corvallis, OR and has already dealt with this conundrum many a time. Knowledge is shared and nuisances are discussed. (Also Shaylynn was super sleepy which is why she gets a tad bit repetitive). Episode Music: Dankmus Icon Artist: Rylan Woodrow Sponsored by: Mindtaker Miniatures Our Patreon: In the Finest Hour...2019-07-1456 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp31: Heroic InterventionsWe get real specific this time as we buckle down and talk about just one singular rule from the core book and its implications- but one that a lot of players misunderstand, and a rule that a lot of people don't take advantage of (or get caught by.) Heroic Intervention is a rule that didn't really exist in previous editions, so even veterans of the game can get caught off guard by it, but at its core it's actually a very simple rule. That doesn't mean it's an unimportant one, however, as it has myriad applications across a variety o...2019-07-0855 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp30: List Archetype: Ork HordeWhen it comes to horde armies, you're hard-pressed to find one more powerful and influential on the meta these days than Orks. Armed with a plethora of special rules from their many powerful characters (not to mention the many built-in abilities they have), Orks are a threat in all phases of the game and their aggressive pricing along with their excellent stratagems can be a danger to virtually any army in virtually any format. They are not, however, unbeatable, and this week we take a look at the many factors that make them so strong and how...2019-07-0158 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp29: Mathhammer"Everyone talks about, math, but no one ever seems to do anything about it." There's a lot of misconceptions about mathhammer that tend to float around, whether it's not understanding how statistics work and how to apply them, or misusing math and statistics beyond their purposes or even simply distrust of the whole idea of using them in the game because "that's not how my dice roll" or "well, might roll less/more than that." So in this episode, we take sometime to clear up a few of these misconceptions. Of course, if you're math-phobic...2019-06-241h 06

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp 28.5: Gentlemen's GT HottakeExhausted Shaylynns are very slow on hottake editing occasionally. This is a view into the on-floor experience of the Gentlemen's GT. This episode was recorded after the ending of the event (again due to tiredness). Episode Music: Dankmus Icon Artist: Rylan Woodrow Our Patreon: In the Finest Hour Website: https://www.inthefinesthour.com/ Directed by: Sean Morgan Edited by: Shaylynn Allen 2019-06-2212 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp 28.5: Hooded Goblin HottakeExhausted Shaylynns are very slow on hottake editing occasionally. This is a view into the on-floor experience of the Hooded Goblin GT. Episode Music: Dankmus Icon Artist: Rylan Woodrow Our Patreon: In the Finest Hour Website: https://www.inthefinesthour.com/ Directed by: Sean Morgan Edited by: Shaylynn Allen 2019-06-2215 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp28: Attacker or DefenderIt's not 4th Edition anymore, so missions no longer have a formally-declared "attacker" or "defender", but the struggle is still real- which one are you? Identifying your role during a game is paramount, as it determines whether you need to play aggressively or try to conserve your forces, whether you need to hedge your bets or swing wide, whether you need to aim for the long game or try to blow the opponent out before they can do anything. Misassessing your role can lead to an ignomious defeat, so you want to make sure to know which side of t...2019-06-171h 02

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp27: Playing FastWinning games is, of course, important if you're playing competitively, but before you get to that stage there's something else that you need to do- finish your games. 8th Edition tends to be significantly slower to play than previous iterations of the game and a lot of players are struggling to complete six turns these days, even to the point that tournaments have had to institute time policies. How do you dodge the enforcement on that sort of thing without finding yourself too rushed and making mistakes? These week, our hosts give you the strategies and tips you need t...2019-06-101h 01

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp26: Archetypes- KnightsBig, stompy robots; ever since the edition began, way back when we were still just little bitty babbies playing with the indices, Knights have been a boogeyman for players of all sorts, and following their codex release they have been a legitimate competitor on the tournament scene. But what is it that makes Knights so strong? In this episode, we go over the basics of a Knight army- be it pure Knights or the much more common mixed version that includes support from other Imperial factions. We talk about their options and stratagems that you should be aware of...2019-06-031h 00

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp25: Playing From BehindWe'd all rather win games than lose them, but sometimes things don't go as smoothly as we want. So how do you keep in when things start to go south, and how do you recover from mistakes or bad dice? This week In the Finest Hour looks at playing from a losing position and how you can maximize your score as well as your chances of pulling out that victory. We also look at how to handle bad matchups, risk assessment, how to shift your priorities and playstyle, and more in this underdog episode. 2019-05-271h 06

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp25.5: Bay Area Open HottakeThis week we have Shaylynn hosting a very special interview with... Sean? It's a quick look at how the tournament is going and how things are looking for the payers involved. 2019-05-2511 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp24: Tournament TipsGoing to a tournament can be an intimidating experience, but it doesn't need to be- and whether you're a veteran of dozens of events or someone who is considering making the leap for the very first time, we have some tips for you. Not the usual sort, where we tell you obscure rules or strategies for most effectively taking out your opponent's super-cool flavor-of-the-week army, but things that can help you, the person going to the tournament, be more comfortable and happy over the course of the weekend. Not only will it make you happier with the event as a...2019-05-201h 07

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp23: Archetypes- FlyersWhat's the deal, with Flyers? [/Seinfeld] In this first episode of our new series, we take a look at some of the major list archetypes that are in the meta right now and discuss how they function, what makes them strong, where they can fail, and what impact they have on the game. And what better starting point for the game right now than everyone's favorite boogeyman for two full years and running, Flyer Spam? We get you started with a crash-course in how the flyer list operates, the units it typically fields, and talk about some...2019-05-1357 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp22: Improving Your Competitive ListSo you've gotten your list together and done a bunch of practice games and taken it to a tournament, but you're not happy with how it's performing. How do you identify the flaws in the army? How do you know when it's the army underperforming, rather than you making mistakes? And even once you've figured out what you're lacking, how do you add those things in without compromising the core functionality of the army? These questions are at the heart of list design, and they're problems that every player grapples with sooner or later- and in this episode, we...2019-05-061h 08

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp 22.5: CTC HottakeOnce again the yin-yang duo drives into a hottake where we get to hear the on-site tournament experience of the CTC! Episode Music: Dankmus Icon Artist: Rylan Woodrow Sponsored by: Mindtaker Miniatures Our Patreon: In the Finest Hour Website: https://www.inthefinesthour.com/ Directed by: Shaylynn Allen Edited by: Shaylynn Allen 2019-05-0610 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp21: Assessing Skill LevelsThere is a whole spectrum of skill levels of players who play Warhammer 40K, from ones who have to be reminded how shooting attacks work up to the folks who regularly win Major events. Knowing where you are on the scale is a lot more than just a feather in your cap, though- it can guide the kinds of learning that you need to do to improve your game and give you a more realistic assessment of where your failings lie (as well as how you can overcome them.) However, it isn't always easy to self-assess like that, so...2019-04-291h 12

In the Finest Hour PodcastCross-Talk 01- Interrogation by NewbiesThe Good Host steps in to take one for the team, inviting Alex (player returning from 5th edition) and Mike (completely new) to ask her all of the hard getting started in present 40k questions. This episode is the first in the Cross-Talk series that features the behind-the-scenes thinking our hosts have about list-building, Spring FAQ findings, Codex drops, Meta-analysis, and other such important aspects of the 40k experience that just don't phase neatly into a regular episode. These are generally speaking shorter than our main topics (half an hour to an hour) and will be available t...2019-04-2541 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp20: Analyzing Your Opponent's ListThe first thing you probably do at a tournament, after sighing dejectedly at the terrain you'll have to play on once again, is take a look at the army list your opponent hands you- but how much do you actually know about what it says, and which parts of it are important? This week, we take a look at how to understand what's in an opponent's list and what parts of it are going to be critical to the game; we might not be able to help you parse the Full Text Battlescribe Nightmare (no human can, it is...2019-04-221h 07

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp: 19.5 Dallas GT HottakeShaylynn shunts in to assist Josh with another hottake episode: this time featuring the Dallas GT! The aforementioned rising star of 40k is Philip Junghans. Look out for this guy! 2019-04-1520 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp19: NetlistingNetlisting- it's a subject that evokes a lot of strong feelings from some people, but at the end of the day it's really just one more resource that you have access to when writing an army list. In this episode, we take a look at the pros and cons of using netlists- when they can inspire you and guide your list development, but also when they can limit you and stunt your growth as a player. When should you start using netlists? When should you avoid them? How can you move past netlists, and what sort of players will...2019-04-1556 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp18: Analyzing Mission Series #2- ETCWith Sean on vacation, it's a struggle between Good and Evil as Josh and Shaylynn take over things for a week with a very special episode. Ridvan (aka Skari of SkaredCast) is on with our special guest in the next installment of the Analyzing Missions series as he talks to us about the European Team Championship format at length. Skari was vice-captain of the Canadian ETC team in 2018 and has been a consistent attendee in previous years, doing his nation proud, and with some help from Josh (who has attended as a freelancer for various teams) the three of...2019-04-0850 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp: 17.5 Adepticon Hottake 2019Joshua does the boots on the ground and Shaylynn provides some air-support while Sean is busy getting lost in the webway. That's how we do Adepticon Hottakes! Josh shares the latest in 40k gossip as well as setting descriptions so you can have the most informed convention experience should you choose to go at a later date! Episode Music: Dankmus Icon Artist: Rylan Woodrow Sponsored by: Mindtaker Miniatures Our Patreon: In the Finest Hour Website: https://www.inthefinesthour.com/ Directed by: Shaylynn Allen Edited by: Shaylynn Allen 2019-03-3034 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp17: Tempo Part 2A subject too big to cover just once! This week we revisit tempo and really dig into the subject further- what is tempo, and what does it represent in the game? How do you tell it apart from other gameplay mechanics? Why is it so important to winning? We pick apart the big and the small parts of it and break them down into digestible chunks. We talk about how tempo happens in each of the major phases of the game, starting with your own and proceeding to your opponent's- plus, we talk about negative tempo, how to avoid i...2019-03-1858 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp16: SummoningSometimes we like to talk about broad, general subjects- but sometimes, we like to get down to the nitty-gritty. This week on In the Finest Hour, we discuss summoning; coming off the back of an LVO top 8 finish, Josh obviously has a lot to say on the subject, so we dig in deep to the Daemonic Ritual ability and look at it in detail. What the ability does, stratagems that interact with it, units that enhance it, and of course the many units you may want to bring in using it. We talk about why summoning is useful, and...2019-03-111h 06

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp15: Get on a Team!What's the number-one most important thing to improving your 40K game quickly? No, it's not studying lists, or learning target priority, or move-blocking, or any other game skills- it's getting your sad little self on a team! In this episode, we talk about teams- from tiny little two-person teams that you form to travel to tournaments to the big teams that dominate the ATC and ITC circuts, it's no surprise that all of the very best players in the game are on one. Teams give you access to a wealth of resources that you can't find by yourself, and...2019-03-041h 03

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp14: Ladies' NightWhat happens when you accidentally knock two-thirds of the show's hosts into the warp? Aside from assorted cursing in tongues older than mankind itself, you get a 40K Ladies' Night! Shaylynn Allen, Lady of Titan and The Good Host, takes over the center chair this week and is joined by Eleanor Byler (of Team Doll Wars) and Jessica Bowman (of Team Warhammered ) in a very special episode of In the Finest Hour. All three Ladies delve straight into the social contract- a critical component of the competitive experience that is perhaps the most important thing in keeping...2019-02-251h 05

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp13: Sacrificial UnitsAsk not what your army can do for you, but what you can do for your army. In every game we inevitably end up losing some of our units, but in a lot of cases that's not such a bad thing- and in this episode, we look at the roles that sacrificial units can play in your army and how best to make use of them. We talk about how to get yourself in the right frame of mind so as not to be upset about those losses, ways and reasons to sacrifice something, and the most dreaded and w...2019-02-181h 01

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp12: The Command Re-RollThe simplest stratagem in the game, and arguably the most important as well. This time around, we dedicate an entire episode to the humblest of strats in the game and one that everyone has access to. Although it may not seem like much, especially if you haven't played earlier editions of the game, the Command Reroll strat is incredibly important and can be a matter of win-or-lose in innumerable situations. In this episode, we talk about those many uses, how it existence changes the game, and why you need to be thinking about how our when you use this...2019-02-111h 09

In the Finest Hour Podcast12 LVO 2019 HottakeSean and Shaylynn talk LVO 2019. Josh sensibly decided to sleep instead. 2019-02-0931 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp11: Target PriorityRemember when I said I'd kill you last? I lied. This episode is all about choosing your targets- what you can afford to ignore and what you can't, what needs to die and what can wait until next turn. While the movement phase might be the phase that can win you the game, that's hard to do unless you're getting rid of the units in the enemy army that can prevent you from winning. And since you can't kill every unit in their army simultaneously (since it's not 7th Ed anymore), that means picking and choosing your t...2019-02-041h 01

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp10: Hordes vs. ElitesThere's a lot of talk about 8th Edition being a "horde meta," but what does that actually mean for you as a player? In this episode, we explore the relative strengths of both horde armies and elite armies, and how they each function on the tabletop. From movement to board control to objective-holding, both armies can perform a lot of impressive tricks- but if you're going up against them, you're going to need to fight those strategies very differently. As usual, we also have a nod to our tempo episode as we consider how to fight each...2019-01-2858 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp09: First or Second?In every game, at some point, we have to make that fatal decision: do you want the first turn, or the second? Which will benefit your army more? Which is better when it comes to playing the mission? Can you survive letting the other guy get the first hit in, or do you need that edge in firepower and maneuver to make your plan work? This week on the podcast we explore the myriad factors that go into making that decision, including the terrain on your table, the missions (and secondaries) you are playing, your opponent's army, your personal...2019-01-211h 01

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp08: Tempo Tempo, tempo, who's got the tempo? This week on In the Finest Hour we explore a concept that isn't talked about a lot but is pretty fundamental to the game, namely tempo. If you don't play many other games you may not even know what tempo is, exactly, but you've most certainly felt its effects during a match- whether it's because you always seem to be getting the wrong charges off or because you always seem to get onto those objectives a turn too late. Tempo, in short, is the ability to control the pace and flow of a game o...2019-01-1459 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp07: Saturation- Threats vs. Targets This week we've got an important topic to lists of every kind- namely, the difference between giving your opponent a target for their guns and overloading them with things they have to shoot at. Most players recognize, on some level, that having just one of a unit (like vehicles) is often not a great plan, but it's not just because of issues with redundancy in a list- it's also about the kinds of units you give your opponent to shoot at. We talk at length at the various kinds of targets you tend to see on the tabletop as well...2019-01-0755 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp06: Making SpaceIn this week's episode, we talk about the concept of controlling space on the board, breaking it up into several different forms and discussing how each of them can be used during the game as well as why they're important. Whether you're trying to stop reserves from arriving in your backfield, keep the enemy away from your gunline, or hold the center of the board to score objectives, controlling space on the table is fundamental to the game and it's a strategy that top tournament players use constantly. As a reminder, this week is your final chance...2018-12-3159 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp05: Analyzing Missions Series the First, ITC Champions 2018Snowflake Jake has brought us all a wondrous gift on this Snowflake Day, an extra-special start to our new episode series on analyzing and understanding the many different mission formats out there. We're starting with what is the most common format for west coast USA players, the ITC Champions set; we talk about the six primary missions and how they should affect your list-building as well as discussing all eleven secondary missions in detail and which ones you should pick (or avoid) in different situations and lists. Jam-packed full of helpful holiday tips, this is our largest episode yet...2018-12-241h 15

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp04: Writing a Competitive ListStruggling with how to put together a tournament list? Our three hosts talk through the processes they use to formulate a list and the tools they consider critical to succeeding with an army. From single-minded armies that do one thing brutally well to multifaceted generalist lists that bring a tool for every situation, we talk about how you can make your creation come to life. Episode Music: Dankmus (https://soundcloud.com/dankmus/the-box-factory) Icon Artist: Rylan Woodrow (https://www.facebook.com/ArtofRylanWoodrow/) Sponsored by: Vreda Forge (https://www.facebook.com/vredaforge/) Charity Hammer (https://www.charityhammer.com/) Direc...2018-12-171h 00

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp03: Getting Good Mileage Out of PlaytestingPlaytesting is key to doing well at tournaments, but how do you ensure you're getting the most out of the time you spend there? Our three hosts discuss how they approach the process of playtesting, "hard" vs. "soft" games, and ways to mix things up to make sure you're learning as much as you can from your test games. Thanks to Dankmus for our music, and to Rylan Woodrow for the art. Episode Music: Dankmus (https://soundcloud.com/dankmus/the-box-factory) Icon Artist: Rylan Woodrow (https://www.facebook.com/ArtofRylanWoodrow/) Sponsored by: Vreda Forge (https://www.facebook...2018-12-1044 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp02: Analyzing a New CodexCodices have been coming out at a pretty breakneck pace this edition, and they're not done yet- this episode, we talk about the process of examining a new book to try and understand how the three of us pick it apart and zero in on the strongest units, stratagems, and other options. Thanks to Dankmus for the music, and Rylan Woodrow for our art. If you enjoyed the episode, please rate/review us on your podcast service of choice and share the episode with your friends. Episode Music: Dankmus (https://soundcloud.com/dankmus/the-box-factory) Icon Artist...2018-12-1047 min

In the Finest Hour PodcastEp01: Winning and Losing in the Deployment PhaseHave you ever lost a game before it started? You might have! In this episode, Sean, Shay, and Josh talk about how to deploy, how not to deploy, and how to take advantage of your opponent's deployment. If you enjoyed the podcast, please rate/review us or share us with your friends. Episode Music: Dankmus (https://soundcloud.com/dankmus/the-box-factory) Icon/Banner Artist: Rylan Woodrow (https://www.facebook.com/ArtofRylanWoodrow/) Sponsored by: Vreda Forge (https://www.facebook.com/vredaforge/) Directed by: Sean Morgan Recorded by: Shaylynn Allen Edited by: Joshua Death 2018-12-1048 min