Formations in 40k

Cast of Players in progress

Formations have been around since Apoc v1 (released 2007).  However, it is only really in the past year that formations have entered into the core game of 40k and been getting smaller.  While large Apoc formations are still there (see the Grey Knights single formation), it is far more interesting to me to consider the impact of medium (<1,000 pts) and small formations (<500 pts), like Cast of Players for the new Harelquins.  These allow someone to complement an existing army with a different set of models and potentially bring something very different from their main army to the table-top.

Jetbike Progress & Harlequin purchase

In work jetbike

Progress is slow on the Jetbikes, but I have completed the basic blocking of colors on one and am assembling lining them at this point.  We will see if they get some attention this coming week or not.  Hopefully I will have them done by the weekend, when I have a game or two planned.

I also decided to pick up Codex: Harlequins, a Troupe, and the three characters.  This will allow me to either field the Cast of Players formation or The Heroes' Path formation. Together, these units will boost the total Eldar force to around 2,500 points when all completed (hopefully by the beginning of summer).

Sorry for just the brief update, but plenty still in work.

Corsair Jetbikes

Three Five Hexes Jetbikes and their Warlock on Jetbike

When I last played my Eldar, my opponent and I decided I had a definite hole in the list, namely another "infantry" unit.  Previously, the 1,500 point list had a Farseer with 10 Dire Avengers in a Wave Serpent, 10 Banshees in a Wave Serpent, 10+5 Rangers, a Crimson Hunter, 2 Vypers, and a Phoenix.   Including the Phoenix and Crimson Hunter at 1,500 points led to a significant chuck of firepower not being on the table early on and thus concentrated fire against units like the Dire Avengers and Rangers.

My solution is to move the Phoenix to the 1850-2000 point list and bring in a squad of Jetbikes with a Warlock.  This will be the Five Hexes "infantry" and deploy turn 1 alongside the Aspect Warrior.  But how to build Corsair Jetbikes.  I went with a combination of the Dark Eldar Reaver Jetbikes and Eldar Guardian parts and a healthy dose of green stuff.  For the Warlock, I picked up the new Harelquin Skyweaver kit and again mixed in parts form the Dark Eldar Reaver Jetbikes and Eldar Guardians.

More pictures follow.

Second Vyper and Sealing

Pair of Vypers

I finished up my second Vyper today.  There is not much different than the first in terms of techniques applied.  Sorry for not having good progress shots on these.  I will endeavor to provide some progress shots with the Reaver/Skyweavers jetbikes that I am going to use for my Five Hexes jetbikes.  Importantly, builds for yellow take a lot of layers.

A friend asked that I provide a tutorial for sealing models.  I think of this as fairly straightforward, but realized there are some important nuances, after the link.

Blooded World Eaters

First five World Eaters

My first 5 tactical World Eaters are complete (other than sealing, rainy day).  They are out of squad III (see picture past the break) of which every company I am playing, at the time.  They have different blood splatter on their bodies.  I tried to keep the blood in areas that would be sprayed by the Marine slicing into their victims.  It is hard to see in the image, but the blades are covered in Blood for the Blood God paint.

Making a Two-Dimensional Zone Mortalis Board

Dark Angels defend their ship from attack by Saim-Hann Eldar.

A follow-up to my 6 December discussion of how to create a fun, versatile, and durable two-dimensional Zone Mortalis board, with additional pictures of my Zone Mortalis board and how to make a Zone Mortalis board of your very own!  




 

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.