Unblooded World Eater

No blood World Eater Legionnaire

On Boxing Day (26 December) I painted up most of my first World Eater.  All I lacked was the Blood for the Blood God paint to do some blood effects on his chain bayonet and armor.  That has been acquired and will be worked on in the New Year most likely.  For now, here are some pictures of my process for painting up the World Eaters.

Each image has the paints used for painting that stage.  I have tried to keep it simple, while still looking good.  I intend to put a little individual detail on each model through a combination of a red-on-white armor segment and blood spatter. While it is hard to see, the armor's eye is actually green.

Lastly, my biggest unresolved detail is what company do my World Eaters represent.  With Kharn, the 8th Company is a natural fit, but there are a lot of 8th Company.  I also want to retain the option of playing them as Loyalist World Eaters and thus do not want pigeon-hole myself. Thoughts?

Chain Bayonets!

Fix Bayonets!

Last night, Tess allowed Jason and I to begin building/reading the Forgeworld order.  Thus far I have completed 5 of 10 tactical Marines, all with Chain Bayonets!

We also picked up some grey primer today, which should make the white build up more straight-forward.  I will be painting them some method other than the Forgeworld recommendation, largely because I have glued the shoulder-pads and backpacks on already.

Depending on how the evening goes; I will have another 5 tactical Marines built.  After that, 5 Rampagers and lastly Kharn, probably just with Cutter and not Gorechild.

Savage XIIth

Sol Invictus gifts have arrived already!

Jason and I settled on starting Zone Mortalis forces as our Christmas gifts this year (he gets mine, I get his).  We agreed to one HQ, Elite, & Troop each, allowing some fluffy forces with characterful units.

With any special units and characters for the XIIIth Legion, Ultramarines, months away and wanting to start a Horus Heresy legion alongside the Eldar project, I decided to start up a force from the XIIth Legion, World Eaters. I will be starting off with troops led by the XII-8's Captain Kharn the Bloody (eventually the Betrayer).  After doing some research, I am also considering having an alternative command for loyalist World Eaters from XII-12 led by Captain Macer Varren.

Works in Progress...

Since my last (and first) post, I think I have accomplished a great deal without having ever actually finished anything!  Like any true Sagittarius, I have begun many new and exciting projects, among them:

    - Designing a Zone Mortalis board and playing a game or two;
    - Converting my own "Blue Falcons" Chapter of Space Marines into Crimson Fists;
    - Custom-building a Crimson Fists captain, who will count-as Pedro Cantor in-game;
    - Building a drop pod (what a nightmare that was!);
    - Buying and building squadrons of Aeronautica Imperialis models - Eldar, Imperial, and Space Marine; and
    - Buying (but not building, yet) a fleet of Imperial cruisers, escorts, and Space Marine strike cruisers for Battlefleet Gothic.

I'll take the bolter; you just stand there and look pretty!

I am now terribly thrilled at the prospect of being able to play a multiphase campaign in space, in the air, and (tactically, at least) on the ground.  I have no plans for getting into Epic at this time, although Rob has always spoken quite highly of it; I have too many other projects to complete, first, and frankly, I don't have the brain-space to learn yet another complicated rule-set.  After all, I still have a thesis to write!  And, now that the decision I have been waiting for is being published, I can really begin my work in earnest.  Once more unto the breach!  Let's take that hill!!  FOR THE EMPEROR!!!

Additionally, around-about the time I began serious work on the Moritat, I also painted a number of my Night Goblins.  Although I have not made very much progress with them, I have nonetheless posted some pictures of them here, as well.

Affording Agency

Sorry, no new models worked on the past two weeks - in adequate motivation and horrible discipline. But I wanted to discuss the importance of ensuring all players in a game have a sense of agency.  It also is a chance to vent.

Agency: 3. action or intervention, especially such as to produce a particular effect.

Importantly, when I lose a game I want to have lost because I failed at something I could correct - short of total army book/codex change!  The only way to fix a loss should not be to scrap an army and start over with a "better" army.

This means identifying tactical errors - poor deployment or committing the wrong unit to combat - or even identifying holes in the army list - a few more Gyrocopters or a unit of Hammers instead of Slayers.  If a loss is assured even if the game goes perfectly, then it is not going to be a fun game for anyone.

Terrian & Board for AoP

Broken Imperial Eagle

For Armies on Parade, I needed a display board and some terrain for the Eldar to be moving through. I picked up the Honored Imperium box set and used the ruined eagle (pictured left) and the ruined Cathedral top.

For the board itself, I used one of the sections of the Realms of Battle board acquired 3 years ago (finally beginning to paint it).  I kept it straightforward with browns and greens, but may need to adjust the amount of grass on the other six sections - they take a lot of flock.

A Wave Serpent for the Dire Avengers

Painted Wave Serpent

In preparation for Armies on Parade this past Saturday (25 Oct 2014), I spent the previous week's evenings painting up a Wave Serpent for my Aliatoc Dire Avengers.

The model assembled readily enough, with a few green stuff touches. My biggest complaint is that the cockpit does not fit properly, which means it has to be secured to the hull versus opening.  Other than that, all the doors and movable parts work.

For the model, I went with Twin Linked Shuriken Cannon for the turret and and Shuriken Cannon upgrade to the catapults.  In addition, I placed what is probably the Crystal Targeting Matrix next to the cockpit.  For games, the upgrades are actually going to be Holofields and Star Engines.

Some progress shots after the break.

Silver at Park Plaza

Alaitoc and its outcasts on move

I took 2nd (of 2 serious entries) for Armies on Parade at Games-Workshop Park Plaza on 25 October.

Wood Elf Glade Guard

First unit of Glade Guard 1/2

So I have finally returned from a summer of little to no hobby related activities. Frankly being up to the hilt in PhD work has severely limited my available time for anything else. In addition I have been to New Mexico, California, and Colorado (not to mention several places in between) in the last 60 days. Enough excuses this fall will hopefully see more work on my wood elf army.

Trees

Completed Trees

For Armies on Parade, I am not doing anything special for the board.  It will be a hill section of the Realms of Battle board with the wrecked imperial eagle, ruined Gothic arch, and forest.  This past weekend/week, I have been working on the trees.  I decided to go with an autumn foliage and try to match the broad flat surfaces to the model bases.

This establishes the color palette for tables worth of terrain going forward in our house.  Any terrain destined for our Realms of Battle board will draw on elements of this.  However, plenty of armies have a different color scheme.

Ineffective Ultramarines

Ancients of Macragge

To put it simply, I have a lot of Ultramarines.  I have been collecting Ultramarines for 18 years As I was graduating from college, I provided my club with a basic army from some of my early miniatures.

However, over this past weekend, I did poorly (in my opinion) versus Dark Angels at both 2,000 points and 1,500 points (different opponents).  Both games were Maelstrom (objective cards).  I felt that my lack of Terminators and general lack AP 3 and AP 2 left me ill-equipped and prolonged the games.

What additions, I should consider?  No real restrictions; I probably do not need more Tactical, Assault, or Devastator squads, Rhinos, Razorbacks, Dreadnoughts, or Scouts.  I am currently considering Terminator Assault Squad (all Lightning Claws), Terminator Squad (Assault Cannon, plus 2 Chainfists), Vindicator tank, or 3-5 Devastator Centurions.

Space Hulk!

Cover Art Poster

We bought Space Hulk!  Robbie (my son) and I have been working on cutting out the miniatures and getting ready to try.  The game is intended for 12+ years of age, but we will see how the 6 year old manages.  Based on the last release, it may very well not be until 2019 or 2020 for another rerelease, at which point he will be 11 or 12.

In addition, it is a great introductory game to the 41st millennium.  The miniatures are outstanding and offer the opportunity to take a break from other projects to paint up something else.

Aliatoc & Five Hexes Eldar - Armies on Parade

Dire Avenger Exarch

Armies on Parade is 25 October and I have decided to build/paint a significant portion of the Aliatoc and Five Hexes Eldar force as an entry!

The plan is for the force to consist of 1 Farseer (painted), 10 Rangers (painted), 10 Dire Avengers (see after the break), a Wave Serpent, a Crimson Hunter (painted), and 2 Vypers (1 already painted).  This will all be on a standard Games Workshop 2' x 2' battlefield section with a standard Games Workshop forest, a few pieces from the Honored Imperium set, and a few of my objective markers.

A decent amount to get done in the next five weeks!  Just finished up five of the Dire Avengers.

OOP Games - Aeronautica, Gothic & Epic

Circling for the kill, 12 Sep 2014

Friday, I took my Aeronautica Imperialis (AI) to my FLGS and introduced the game to two other individuals who were not playing Pathfinder.  Played about 1.5 games until the store had to close.

Both really enjoyed the game.   AI has a fairly straightforward rules set and special rules can be kept at a minimum.  When AI came out, I picked up all the models necessary to play all the small games. Thus I have a wide range of choices to put on the table top.

Sadly, Forgeworld supported AI for only a short-while and when Games Workshop closed down Specialist Games and Battlefleet Gothic (BFG) & Epic Armageddon (EA) with it five to six years ago.  At the time, AI had only been around about two years.

Nothing Crazy...

Well gents and T,  not a whole lot to report here.  Just completed 5 more wraith blades.  A couple pictures below.  Progress is slow as work picks up.  I will try to post more regularly...

Objective Markers & Battle Summaries

Objective(s) Complete!

This weekend has been a hobby-filled weekend.  I played a game of 40k and Fantasy, picked up the new Codex: Grey Knights, and assembled and painted 6 objective markers for 40k.  A very "productive" hobby weekend.

My game of 40k really inspired the need to make objective markers.  At the beginning of the game, my opponent and I numbered clockwise each 2'x2' section and placed a market of some kind in each (4 Inquisitorial henchmen and 2 statues).  I wanted to make sure the markers "hid" the numbers as part of a small diorama on each base.

Quick battle summaries after the break.

Dwarf Nobles

The nobles of Odinfir's Throng

Tonight, I have completed all the Dwarf Lords and Heroes, except for the Dragonslayer/Demonslayer.  Tomorrow, I will seal them with Purity Seal.  I have not gone to the n-th detail on these models; my evolving painting style means the large areas of armor and beards do not get a lot of individual detailing.

One of my disappointments is that the images are just not as sharp as I would like.  After the break, I have pictures of the four newly painted lords/heroes.

Odinfir, Dwarf Lord & 2 battles in M41

Odinfir taking a swing

For my FLGS Fantasy campaign, I am fielding Odinfir as my main character.  He is a Lord on Shieldbearers with a shield and a great weapon to start off.  No magic items, argh!  Sadly, I did not get the opportunity to field Odinfir and his throng against Chaos Demons this weekend.  My opponent never got back to me.

The last step the the Dwarf Lord will be sealing him, but that may wait until I have a few more characters to seal.  I am thinking my next model will be either a Runesmith with great weapon or a Thane with the Battle Standard.  After those two, it will leave two Thanes to paint up.

In other news, got in two games of Warhammer 40,000 this weekend.  A game Friday night, my Eldar (1,000 pts) allied with Astra Militarum (1,000 pts) against Chaos Crimson Slaughter (2,000 pts).  My game Sunday was 2,000 pts, Ultramarines vs Nurgle Chaos Space Marines.

My Return to the painting table.

Well gents and ladies, I have been on a long hiatus, plenty to paint but certain other activities have drawn me away from the much beloved painting table.  That being said, I have returned with a new set of projects, well really all the old projects just expanded upon .  Here is whats on the agenda, plus a box of wraith blades purchased after this photo was taken.

Gyrocopter & Lord

Odinfir throng vanguard

This past week and weekend I worked on my Dwarf Gyrocopter. It was a fun model to paint with nice detailing that the paint really reveals.

My FLGS has just begun a Warhammer Fantasy narrative campaign and for my forces, the Gyrocotper is a critical scouting unit.  In the lead up to the first game, the daring pilot sighted an area of interesting ruins.

I settled a few months ago on red as a unifying color for my Dwarf throng.  I used blue here to more closely associate the Gyrocopter with the sky.  I think I will eventually get at least a second one to run a two ship.  I really like the models and they may just fill the need for Dwarf cavalry.

Cannon Crew!

I hand painted the main cannon featured here months ago.  It was an opportune time to paint up its crew and base the cannon as well.  The crew was painted using basic techniques outlined in "How to Paint Citadel Miniatures."

Cannon and Crew

Gunpowder Core and Beyond

Second Regiment of Thunders

Just finished painting up my second Thunder regiment.  These are from the Battle of Skull Pass and will not be used WYSIWYG.  In games, this unit will have shields and the veteran will not have the handguns.

Runesmith & pseudo-Bachelor

I spent the day at my FLGS painting a Runesmith for my Dwarfs.   For the next 10 days or so, I am a pseudo-Bachelor and have a bit more me-time.  This means more opportunity to paint, just have to be motivated to, spending time at the store does that.

Also, I need to make a "new" list, because no-artillery list was just not doing it. Warmachines really are critical to a Dwarf army.  Where other armies can forgo warmachines, relying on monstrous creatures and magic to weaken hard hitting units, Dwarfs lack both options.  Time to add back in the Organ Guns and Cannons.

The New Wood Elves

Additional Wood Elves for the Wild Hunt

So way back when Rob and Colby first got me into this hobby they took me into a GW shop in So-Cal and urged me to choose an army that looked fun to play. So after looking at several models and thumbing through a few codices I found something in the middle of the wood elves book that made me choose them for my first army. Against the advise of the store owner and at least three strangers in the store I bought the battalion box,  some dice and supplies, and was off to build my first army.

New Rules, Inspiration, & Community

On Friday night, I went to my favorite local gaming store (FLGS) and hung out painting the Eldar Phoenix and waiting to buy the new rulebook just after midnight. (Jason, do not buy a copy, one will be on the way this week!)

So, instead of continuing to work on Dwarfs and my Taking Back the Dark list, I have swung back to slowly working on Eldar. Really, I have no one to blame but myself - I am choosing where my evening time goes.   Between Jason's awe-inspiring near-continuous stream of work and new rules for Dwarfs and 40k as a whole, I just need to focus a bit.

5 Wraithblades

Did up 5 wraithblades for the Iyanden to wrap up last week.  Same colors as the Wraithknight.  Goal is an 1850 Blood Angel Iyanden ally list for a tournament next month.  Should be fun.

Completed Wraith Knight

Finally done after 12+ hours of work...

Taking Back the Dark

Had a nice long weekend of gaming!  I spent Friday evening (8 to midnight) at the store hanging out and painting Irondrakes.  I followed it up with a 2000 pt game and finishing Irondrakes on Saturday (2ish to midnight)!  My Taking Back the Dark list (after the break) was utterly destroyed by the Dark Elves I faced (Dark Elf Sisters of Slaughter negate a lot of the advantages that Dwarfs get).

Irondrakes, The Red Embers

Irondrakes

This weekend I put in some time on my new Irondrakes.  I have used them twice now in 1,000 pt games and they have been superb!  I really enjoy playing my "Taking Back the Dark" theme, I probably needs a better name. I may theme it as an Eight Peaks force eventually.

Mission Accomplished

Well Everyone the Tomb Kings are complete.  I'm quite pleased with how they turned out.  A 500 point list with a built in regiment of renown list, having only purchased 4 boxes and a hero.

Walls & Fences

Sunday morning, I finished up the set of walls and fences that I picked up to increase the amount of terrain available for use at the store.  My son helped a bit and the walls and fences were a good opportunity to practice some core techniques.

All the walls & fences

Yet another Update.

The undead are coming along all too nicely I dare say.  Heavy use of black inks has become a thing, and I will do an at length post on that once the undead are done.

The completed Ushabti

Speaking of Dead Guys

Got cracking on the Tomb Kings army last Thursday.  Figured I'd start small and paint one skeleton...

Death Company and Dead Guys

A progress post for all you who thought I dropped off the face of the earth, which I have not.  

The Death Company and Death Company Dreadnaught

High Elves: Lions, Sisters and Shadows Army

It's about time I contribute something, so here is my High Elf army as it stands now. I chose to build an army around the idea of a group of elves dedicated to defending the northwest coast of Ulthuan from the invasions of the Dark Elves and their brethren. With that in mind, my core units are from Nagarythe and they are supported by units from the neighboring regions of Chrace and Avelorn. Alith Anar, the Shadow King and leader of the Shadow Warriors (the remnants of the noble families of Nagarythe for the most part) is the first model I got and is my centerpiece, for now. He's not quite finished to my liking, but close.

Alith Anar - The Shadow King

Perun Russkin wolf priest assigned
to keep an eye on Bran Redmaw's corruption

So I went ahead and took my first real weekend in a long time. As a way of blowing off steam I started working on my Wolf Priest (see image). I began with the left over lord executioner parts I had lying around from my Bran conversion. Then added a custom Morkai Crozius and a wolf "skull" helmet. Both the plasma pistol and jump pack are magnetized to be swapped with other options if I want to outfit him differently. I then started the base-coat process to see what I thought... he needs more wolf bits I think.

Birthday & Taking Stock

Today, I turned 30.  This means a few gifts and is a good time to review the projects in the list.  Since the release of the new Dwarf armybook, I have picked up a box of Longbreads/Hammers and Ironbreakers/Irondrakes.  For my birthday, I received a new Runesmith/Runelord (pictured) and a Gyrocopter/Gyrobomber.  This all adds to the long list of unpainted Dwarfs I have allowed to languish, nascent Eldar Alaitoc, and the numerous auxiliary Space Marine vehicles.

Runesmith

Narrow Defeat and Motivation

Yesterday, I played a 2,000 pt Warhammer Fantasy game against Dark Elves (sorry no pics, list after the break).  The Dwarfs performed admirable. The Organ Gun earned Most Valuable Unit for me, letting loose somewhere around 15 shots per turn on average and cutting down pointy-eared cavalry and infantry alike.  A unit of Slayers also took to the field, but found itself under withering fire from Repeater Crossbows followed by facing Sisters of Slaughter.  As I discussed with my opponent, playing games inspires painting and modeling and so I need to paint up the second cannon (below), Slayers, Runesmith, and then figure out what follows.

Dwarf Cannon (sans basing)

Legio VII, 564th Company: Moritat Centurion in Mk II Power Armor

Nearly finished, and well enough along to post to the blog, is the Moritat consul for my Horus Heresy Imperial Fists Legion.  Armed with, inter alia, two plasma pistols, artificer armor, and his Chain Fire special rule, this gun-slinging centurion has the potential to be a real nasty customer.  I'm calling him either "Sweet William" or "William the Young."

Crimson Hunter Completed

Completed Alaitoc Crimson Hunter

Today, I put the finishing touches on the first of two Eldar flyers, the second being an already primed Eldar Phoenix (which will have a lot of yellow).  The Crimson Hunter is one of two flyers in Codex: Eldar and an Aspect Warrior.  In the army list, it is also an Exarch.  Since the last post on this model, it has mainly been detail and build-up work.

Suprise Project and another Marine

ALCON,

 
So my buddy Gil and I have initiated another challenge competition between the two of us for the end of April.  We have to each have 500 points of an assigned army built and painted with a 100 point Regiment of Renown list internal to it.  He was given Vampire Counts and I have Tomb Kings to work with.  Above is an initial work shot in the build phase.  I'll be working them alongside my other post Legion project...the Death Company army.  Attached is another newly completed Death Company marine.

Legion Complete

ALCON,

Completed the Legion List today. As posted earlier, here is the complete Army List and pictures.  Painted using a Gray base with Blue Glaze overtop then Black wash.  Finished off by paiting yellow and white on the beasts, and the same plus some silver and leather for Thagrosh.

Caster-
   Thagrosh the Messiah (+5 pts)

  

Current Projects

As promised here is a run down of my current projects. In order of how much thought I have put into them

1. Wood Elves: My oldest and still not complete army. Admittedly in part due to rumors of an April 14 codex release, which caused me to stop buying to see what might be released.
My intention is to own a 2250 pt army. My theme hasn't changed, just a glade of elves "defending" themselves from outsiders. The army is composed of:

Wood Elf Lord: Spellweaver

Lords:
1 Highborn (WIP)
1 Spellweaver (Completed)
Heroes:
2 Wood Elf Nobles: one BSB and one Assassin (WIP)
Special:
6 Treekin (WIP)
Core:
24 Dryads (WIP)
50 Glade Guard/scouts (16 completed, 5 WIP, 29 still need to be purchased)

This collection also provides a ton of options for lower level games.

New Dwarfs & Regiments of Renown

Exciting weekend of Warhammer Fantasy!  Got in three games of Regiments of Renown (2-1) and picked up a box of the new Hammers/Longbeards and ordered the Limited Edition Dwarf Army Book.  This meant late last week I was busy updating some older dwarfs and even starting up some Slayers (pictured).

Howarth's Bar

The last of the Legion.

Finishing up the last of the Legion list, with what is turning into a 3 day project to get the last Archangel done.  Some pictures of the work in progress for this post.  A lot of work with the GW glazes went into this list and I look forward to finding applications for it, potentially on the eldar, but definitely on future models...may try a red variant of the blue skin on the forge world Blood Thirster I've had for years and never done anything with.  Anyways here are some Archangel WIP pictures for the masses.   I'll take some semi-pro pictures of the army and all its components once its all sealed and done.  Enjoy.