"TheTrev0 is back with another 'Ard Boyz preparation article, this time covering the tasks that need to be completed before you begin your army list creation. Study up and you too might have the 'ard bits it takes to compete with your tribe!"



You can read the new article over here.

Be sure to leave a comment on the blog!

The votes have been counted and it's now time to reveal the winners of the Stronghold Awards 2011, as chosen by the Stronghold community!


Best New Ogre Miniature

2011 was a fantastic year for new Ogre miniatures. We saw many great releases from Games Workshop and other miniatures companies, but what new delight rose above all others? It was a pretty close race between the top two...

Runner-up: Ogre Kingdoms Firebelly by Games Workshop
Seen by some as a welcome change in style for Games Workshop, the dynamically posed Firebelly is easily one of their best character miniatures to date - it even won over a few Finecast critics! What could possibly keep it from the top spot? Read on...

Winner: Ogre Kingdoms Stonehorn by Games Workshop
Let it be known that Games Workshop shall henceforth be named 'Gods of Plastic'! Seriously, is there anything they can't do with plastic these days? The Stonehorn is one of many huge new plastic kits from Games Workshop in recent times and is certainly among their most impressive so far! Some were surprised when Games Workshop didn't just go the generic Mammoth route with the new big gribbly for the Ogre army, but I think it's safe to say that this (and its brother, the Thundertusk) was a much more interesting and imaginative direction to take. Nothing looks angrier, stompier, or more dangerous on the gaming table than a lovely big Stonehorn!


Best Gnoblog

Gnoblogs were more popular than ever in 2011, I even started one myself! Which Gnoblog was your favourite? Let's see...

Runner-up: Drinkin' and Modelin' by Randroid
The Drinkin' and Modelin' Gnoblog is quite unlike any other Gnoblog, with Blood Blood and beer (everything a growing Ogre needs!) being the main topics of discussion throughout 2011. Randroid's Blood Bowl teams are a particular highlight for me, each one full of character and flair - great work Randroid!

Winner: Byronic's WiP Thread by Byronic
It's easy to see why Byronic's Gnoblog has left a lasting impression on our community - it's packed with well painted Ogre miniatures! I, and I'm sure many others, will be following Byronic's new Gnoblog with much interest! By the way Byronic, you've earned yourself a spot amongst the Legendary Gnoblogs


Mightiest New Member

1533 new members registered in 2011, the most we've ever had in one year. Here's who you think stood out from the crowd the most!

Runner-up: Danne, Far2Casual, Gutlord Inquisitor (tie)
A trio of great new members in this three-way tie for runner-up! Thanks for joining us and keep up the good work guys

Winner: Byronic
It says a lot when with less than 50 forum posts under his belt, Byronic has made a big enough mark on the Stronghold to win this award. He's helpful, polite, a skilled painter and modeller, and an all-round nice guy! Thanks for being part of our community Byronic!


Best Ogre Kingdoms Unit

The majority of players would agree that the Ogre Kingdoms army received a decent power boost with the arrival of the new army book, but there can only be one unit to rule them all...

Runner-up: Ironblaster, Sabretusk Packs (tie)
Guys, guys! We've got a cannon! A big cannon! It's rather reliable! On a chariot! With a Rhinox pulling it! Oh my...
Meanwhile, Sabretusk "Packs" may be their name, but they don't tend to run about in packs on the table. Cheap diverters, deployment drops, mage hunters, war machine pesterers ahoy!

Winner: Mournfang Cavalry
I think we've fallen in love with their sheer damage potential and decent armour saves. Their charge is one of the deadliest in the game, even more so when given the Dragonhide Banner! Rawr!


Worst Ogre Kingdoms Unit

While the new Ogre Kingdoms army book has fixed a lot of the old book's problems, it still contains a few stinkers. Take a look at what you've picked as the smelliest of them all!

Runner-up: Bragg the Gutsman
A waste of points. Better off with a regular Bruiser. He's got nothing to smile about. Those are just some of the things whispered behind Bragg's back.

Winner: Hunter
It seems that many of us were disappointed that the Hunter didn't get a bigger boost with the new Ogre Kingdoms book. Unfortunately it looks like he's going to continue to be a rare sight on the battlefield, which is a shame as he's quite a characterful unit


Tastiest Meal

The army you believed to be the easiest to beat with Ogre Kingdoms in 2011. Yummy yummy in my tummy!

Runner-up: Vampire Counts
I wonder if we'll fear the bite of their new army book more?

Winner: Tomb Kings
Bring out yer dead...and then we'll grind them up and swallow them down!


Toughest Meat

The army you believed to be the most difficult to beat with Ogre Kingdoms in 2011. RUN AWAY!

Runner-up: The Empire, Warriors of Chaos (tie)
Cannonballs to the gut are scary, and we need to bring more tin-openers.

Winner: Skaven
Those damn dirty rats and their evil machines of doom!


Best Wargaming Website

Where all the cool young Ogres hang out...

Runner-up: Tabletop Gaming News
In my opinion this is the best website around if you want to read all the latest wargaming news in one place - they cover pretty much everything!

Winner: The Ogre Stronghold
FIX! No, not really a fix, but next year the Stronghold probably won't be eligible for this award
Thanks for your support though, it means a lot!


Best Wargaming Podcast

Wargaming podcasts are the perfect listen when you're settling in for a long painting or modelling session. Let's see what your top 2011 podcasts were!

Runner-up: Garagehammer
The Garagehammer guys had some of the best coverage of the new Ogre Kingdoms army book and miniatures last year, a great US-based podcast!

Winner: The Bad Dice Podcast, Heelanhammer (tie)
Two pillars of Warhammer Fantasy podcasting, with hosts extremely well versed in the game. Can't go wrong listening to either of these podcasts!


Hobby Hero 2011

The Hobby Hero award is where we recognise members who've done great things for the Stronghold community. Every year, another member will join the Hobby Heroes. Who takes the spot this year? Find out below...

Runner-up: Eg Giant-tripper
Promoted to Stronghold Guard in 2011 for his excellency across the forum, Eg Giant-tripper did a fantastic job bringing us buckets of tasty Ogre Kingdoms rumours leading up to the release of the new army book, and then submitted a lengthy review of said book for the Bellower blog. Thanks again Eg, you're awesome!

Winner: Wildcard
Who could be a better choice for Hobby Hero 2011 than Wildcard? Easily one of the Stronghold's most valued members, he's a veteran of the Stronghold Guard with years of Ogre Kingdoms experience, he's an army list trend-setter always willing to look outside the box, a keen hobbyist with a sizeable Ogre Kingdoms collection, he came up with the Ogre Achievements system, and he even represented Ogre players and the Stronghold on the Ogre review episode of the Bad Dice podcast! Three belches for Wildcard, our Hobby Hero!


Winning members will receive a Big Name of their choosing and a Pet Gnoblar for each award, runners-up will recive a Pet Gnoblar.

Thanks to everyone who voted and congrats to all the winners!

"Thinking about testing your guts against the 'ard opponents in this year's 'Ard Boyz Warhammer tournaments? TheTrev0 is already gearing up for this year's event and will be bringing us a series of articles outlining his progress. Study up and you too might have the 'ard bits it takes to compete with your tribe!"



You can find the first article in the series over here.

Be sure to post your thoughts in the comments!

Fans of pirate-themed Ogres are in for a treat once more with Titan-forge's latest releases. Cast your good eye over the newest additions to the Bloodsail Island range:

Bloodsail Cannoneers


Gator Cannon


More pictures are available on the Titan-forge website.

The Stronghold has opened up a new front, this time on the blogosphere!

Yes, the Bellower is moving to a blog format - you can check out the new blog right now over here.

Run by Editor Randroid, the type of content you've come to expect from the Bellower webzine will be migrating over to the blog. That includes articles by Stronghold members covering tactics, reviews, painting tutorials, hobby news etc. as well as regular columns such as 'From the Gut' and 'Ask Aunty Doreen'.

If you'd like to submit content for the Bellower or join the Bellower Staff, please get in touch!

Prefer to keep up to date with all Stronghold goings on via the forum? A new 'Bellower Updates' topic has been set up to notify you when a new post is published on the Bellower. Oh, and Aunty Doreen wanted me to remind you to keep the questions coming in her Ask Aunty Doreen topic.

Lastly, to all you PDF lovers out there, this may not be the end of PDF webzines here at the Stronghold - I've already heard rumours of a Stronghold Annual coming in 2012...