April 25, 2011

Space Marine Test Model Pt. 2


Instead of me fooling around with more test models, I decided to sit down and paint up one of the Magnet Marines. As wisely suggested, I took pictures at different angles this time around, so you can see the whole mini. 


I must admit this single model was quite a pain in my @$$. The Magnets would spin around, so my answer was to glued them in place with the tiniest dab of glue on the joints.  Later I would drop it and the most of the Magnets popped out super glued the arms and not the torso.



Despite the set-backs, I finished out the model. For the most part, I’m pretty pleased with how it looks. It would take a long time to build up an entire army this way, but I think the effort would equal the reward. Now I just have to paint up his other set of war-gear and we can call this model finished.

April 24, 2011

Modified 1500 pt GK List & thoughts



Thought I'd throw a post out here while I have some thoughts on units from this relatively new codex. I've gotten two games in with the Grey Knight book and so far I'm finding it enjoyable. Both were vs Larry's Mechanized Dark Eldar, the first being Kill Points - which I took, and the second being capture and control which resulted in a draw. I'm thinking him and I will be experiencing the growing pains of using a new list together, as we both could easily find a few mistakes we made in those games. That being said, 40k shows its prowess as a great game by being something that you can always get better at.

Here's my updated list with my thoughts in italics:
100 Coteaz - this guy allows me to take =I= henchmen as troops and isn't too shabby for his points cost. Sanctuary played a role by preventing some wyches from charging and I can definately see it coming into play more in the future.

100 Banisher w/Eviscerator, 7 Psykers - bumped these guys up to 7 for the higher Strength. Only drawback to this squad is when they fry themselves.
60 Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer & Dozer Blade

42 2 Plasma, Flamer - I'm not saying this is the best unit ever but I feel like taking a unit like this could be pretty good in the long run. During the first game I played with them, the KP mission, they simply acted as a mobile firebase in their chimera. Their low numbers didn't come into play because that particular transport didn't get destroyed. The second game I had my purifiers take their chimera and put them with the rest of my firebase on my objective. Their plasma did work, and eventually the flamer guy killed like 5 DE Warriors. So far so good.
60 Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer & Dozer Blade

147 3 Banishers w/Eviscerator, Crusader, Flamer, 7 Acolytes - A relatively simple CC troops choice with the ability to carve up armor as well as negate a few saves when it's clutch. The unit is cheap and can fit in a Chimera if I need them to. The flamer is a cheap way to keep them a bit more killy and flexible. Most of the time these guys will slog it up the middle of the battlefield with the transports for cover.

145 Grey Knight Strike Squad w/2 Psycannons, MC Daemonhammer, 2 Nemesis Force Halberds - I was playing these guys as purifiers in the last game but I could tell that they will end up playing more of an anchor to most of my games, shooting and doing cc as a counter-assault unit if need be, so I swapped them over to Strike Squad status to render them scoring. Deep Strike and the ability to hop in a Chimera make the unit versatile.

134 Banisher w/Eviscerator, 2 Jokaero Weaponsmith, Flamer, 5 Acolyte - Jokaero's are cool and they don't seem half bad so far! This is my anchor unit. If I stick Coteaz with them they can be pretty nasty on the 'I've been waiting for you' rule. Very stoked to see a unit with Multi-melta abilty like this and being able to kit the unit out with an Eviscerator and flamer and still keep on the cheap is pretty cool imo. The fact that this unit can just up and move with the rest of my force and still be effective makes this unit one that I'll be watching to see how much I can eek out of them.

150 Dreadnought w/Psybolt Ammunition, Assault Cannon & Missile Launcher - Not the most ideal loadout but hey, it's built and painted so I'm gonna give it a few go arounds. Hasn't been amazing yet but hasn't been bad. S7 Assault Cannons with Rending are cool.

145 Vindicare Assassin - HOly Shit GW!

145 Callidus Assassin - She still seems to be pretty damn good. First game I had her hop out of a unit that was in CC (doing d6 S4 hits during my f-ing movement phase lol) and use her flamer template on another unit. Dipped through a building the next turn due to move through cover and fleet and commenced carvin up some Warriors. Just don't roll horrible on your reserves k thx


270 Dreadknight w/Psycannon, Nemesis Greatsword & Personal Teleporter - HOO HOO! Shunt is pretty fricking cool and if you compare this beast to a Demon Prince (which are good imo) it looks even tastier. The Greatsword might not have a million attacks on the charge but the re-rolls (and cool giant sword) are worth it. Get yourself a cover save though kiddos, that 5+ don't last long unless you roll like me.

1498

EDIT: after a few days, here's my further chopped-down list. Found the points for EA on the Chimeras which is pretty necessary imo

100 Coteaz

76 Acolyte, 7 Psykers
75 Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer, Extra Armor & Dozer Blade

42 2 Plasma, Flamer
75 Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer, Extra Armor & Dozer Blade
147 3 Banishers w/Eviscerator, Crusader, Flamer, 7 Acolytes

140 Grey Knight Strike Squad w/2 Psycannons, Daemonhammer, 2 Nemesis Force Halberds

134 Banisher w/Eviscerator, 2 Jokaero Weaponsmith, Flamer, 5 Acolyte

150 Dreadnought w/Psybolt Ammunition, Assault Cannon & Missile Launcher

145 Vindicare Assassin

145 Callidus Assassin

270 Dreadknight w/Psycannon, Nemesis Greatsword & Personal Teleporter

1499




image used without permission from artist

April 19, 2011

WIP Dreadknight & 1500 Pt List



I didn't get the purifiers painted up yet so I'm gonna use this list for my next game.




100 Coteaz

120 Banisher w/Eviscerator, 6 Psykers, Flamer, 4 Acolytes
75 Chimera w/Extra Armor, Hull Heavy Flamer & Dozer Blade

42 2 Plasma, Flamer
75 Chimera w/Extra Armor, Hull Heavy Flamer & Dozer Blade

143 3 Banishers w/Eviscerator, Crusader, Flamer, 6 Acolytes

134 Banisher w/Eviscerator, 2 Jokaero Weaponsmith, Flamer, 5 Acolyte

150 Dreadnought w/Psybolt Ammunition, Assault Cannon & Missile Launcher

110 Techmarine w/Master Crafted Daemon Hammer, Rad Grenades

145 Vindicare Assassin

145 Callidus Assassin

270 Dreadknight w/Psycannon, Nemesis Greatsword & Personal Teleporter

1499

Space Marine Test Model

I'm not sure where I was going with this scheme. I wanted something metallic, but not silver. I wanted a color that would stand out on the table and at the same time would lend well to my wash-style of painting. After a few tests, we have the model that you see here. What I was trying to go for was... something regal or majestic, but it looks like it’s been in service for a very long time.


I started out with a brown base coat, then follow by Shining gold, then a liberal wash of Leviathan Purple. Next, the highlights, going back to the Shining gold, and then layered with Burnished gold… A little bit of Mithril Silver along all the edges, and finally a coat of Gryphonne Sepia to blend it all together. A few lite coats of Devlan Mud to start the shading, in the final stages, I layered with purple and black wash to help further define and add tint.

The little bit of color on the left shoulder pad is something to add more flair. I may just go back and make it all one solid color or keep it gold. The one thing is... the other marines are hybrids between the stranded kits and the new Death Company set. So, the next one will have more contrast with help of the shoulder pads and other details in the armor.

Any comments or criticisms are always appreciated.

April 14, 2011

Video Battle Report #1 - IG vs DE @ 1500 pts



We've thrown around a few ideas and settled on trying a quick video report. I'd like to encourage everyone to let us know what you think about the game, strategy, video format, etc. We are both pretty new to doing anything like this so bear with us.

One thing we both noticed is how crazy 20/20 hindsight is when you can really pick apart what you did. We learned a lot more from this game and the one we recorded yesterday than we would have if it was only memory serving us. Youtube channel here


Here's the IG list I used:

210 Colonel Straken, Medic, 2x Bodyguard, Krak Grenades, Las Pistols

115 Veteran Squad w/Powerfist, 2x Grenade Launcher, 1x Flamer

105 Veteran Squad w/Powerfist, 2x Grenade Launcher, 1x Flamer
65 Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer & Dozer Blade

105 Veteran Squad w/Powerfist, 2x Grenade Launcher, 1x Flamer
65 Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer & Dozer Blade

115 Veteran Squad w/Powerfist, 3x Melta Gun
55 Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer

150 Hellhound w/Extra Armour & Smoke Launchers

140 Valkyrie w/Multiple Rocket Pods & Sponson Heavy Bolters

160 Manticore

215 Leman Russ Vanquisher w/Pask & Hull Lascannon

1500


Here's the DE list:

The Baroness IE: Baron Systhonyx.

8 Hellions

10 Warriors
Splinter Cannon
Blaster
Raider
Flicker Field
Night Shield--195 Pts.
(2 Units)

10 Wyches
1 w/Shard-net
Heckatrix
Phantom Grenade launcher
Hay Wire Grenades
Raider
Night Shields
Flicker Field

Ravager
Night shields
Flicker Fields
(2 Units)
6 Jet Bikes

2 w/ Heat Lances

3-Trueborn w/ Blasters
Raider
Night Shield
Flicker Field

5 Mandrakes

1495

Painted Crusader (GK Henchman)




I decided to mess around with the GK book this week once I finally really looked into it and realized how much room I had to use my mechanicus models with the army. I threw together a halfway shoddy 1250 list from the stuff I have and a box of purifiers that I picked up. Going forward theres a bunch of stuff I can/will change but for now I"ll just leave you with pics and a list. I will say that I don't think crusader's are good and that I just wanted to finally paint this model and play with it after it's lay around for years. It's a great example of a fantastic model that never quite had anything good to do. He'll probably be sub par and get shelved lulz

100 Coteaz

129 Banisher w/Eviscerator, Jokaero Weaponsmith, 3 Psykers, Flamer, 5 Acolytes
65 Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer & Dozer Blade

1129 Banisher w/Eviscerator, Jokaero Weaponsmith, 3 Psykers, Flamer, 5 Acolyte
65 Chimera w/Hull Heavy Flamer & Dozer Blade

143 3 Banishers w/Eviscerator, Crusader, Flamer, 6 Acolytes

54 2 Plasma, Flamer, 3 Acolytes

150 Dreadnought w/Extra Armour, Psybolt Ammunition, Assault Cannon & Missile Launcher

113 Techmarine w/Daemon Hammer, Rad Grenades, Servo Skull

156 5 Purifiers w/2 Psycannon, Master Crafted Daemonhammer, 2 Nemesis Force Halberds

145 Vindicare Assassin

1249

April 10, 2011

New Dark Eldar army list 1.5K


This is the best I can do with what I have model-wise. I took out all the fun and frills. No more randomness of waiting for reserves. What's left goes all on the table at once, all on the same flank and attacks in unison. For the Eldar, it's not very elegant, seems kinda Orky, but it's worth a try. Stay focused and don't get fancy.  Always remember to play the mission and be mindful of the objectives. I type this crap, but I never seem to do any of it during a game...

The Baroness-- 105Pts. IE: Baron Systhonyx.
8-Hellions-- 128Pts.

10 Warriors
Splinter Cannon
Blaster
Raider
Flicker Field
Night Shield--195 Pts.
2 Units for 390 Pts.

10 Wyches
1 w/Shard-net
Heckatrix
Phantom Grenade launcher
Hay Wire Grenades
Raider
Night Shields
Flicker Field-- 230 Pts.

Ravager
Night shields
Flicker Fields--125 Pts.
2 Units for 250 pts.

6 Jet Bikes
2 w/ Heat lances--156Pts

3-Trueborn w/ Blasters
Raider
Night Shield
Flicker Field--161Pts

5 Mandrakes--75Pts.

Grand total of 1495

The army basically works in three waves. Jet bikes and Mandrakes play disruption, the second wave of Hellions, Warriors and Wychs. Finally, the Ravagers play the support role. I'm aware that not everyone is a big fan of the Night Shield upgrade, but I am. The only silver lining to my last game was watching some of  Z's guns come up short, thanks to the Shields. Just 10 Points to break my opponent out of his rhythm for those first few crucial turns is not be dismissed. They also give you a edge during a Night fight. Go fig...

If there are any blinding errors or omissions? I'd be happy to correct them.

April 08, 2011

Magnetized Space Marines Pt.2

For the time being this is it for the Marine project. I really wish they had some helmets, but that will have to wait. The only minor detail left is to drill out the barrel holes on the pistols.  I feel  pretty accomplished after the project. I’m little wiser about magnets without any major blood loss or inflicting damage to an important model. If the little buggers didn’t eat up so much time, I’d skip out on glue forever. Warning: Magnets are addictive. I keep trying to think of a fun magnet project besides boring Space Marines, but so far I got nothing.


However, before I can paint up one of these marines. There are a few loose ends with the Dark Eldar that need to be handled. After my last embarrassing defeat, I took a good look at my army and made a few adjustments. Then I spent most of yesterday building more Jet Bikes and a trio of Blaster wielding Trueborn.


These guys turn out better then I hope for when I started. They are made of Guardian legs, Wych torsos, and the Blasters are a cut apart Shredders with Blast pistols replacing the end of the barrel. They remind me of pissed off Fire dragons. Anyways, all they need now is Venom to cruise around in and they will be set to blow stuff up!

Edit #1. I fix the slider at the top of the blog. Now the pictures should open up to the larger images. The Headline banner now leads to different related posts.  If something is not working, please let me know. I thank you in advance.

Edit #2. The Pink One likes Snake Monsters... Tee Hee! 

April 03, 2011

Magnetized Space Marines Pt.1

By no means is this a full blown project. I could see it being one, but it would require a fair amount of time to construct an entire army in this manner. For the time being, I’m happy just hobby away at the models I have now and not look at this as another army. 


 
Long story, short… I really liked the way the magnets worked out for my Raiders. So, that got the old gears turning and inspired me to grab a box of the new Blood Angels Death Company. After a good old dig in the Bitz box, I was ready to build some marines.


It takes about 2 hours or so to build one guy, between scratch building the base, deciding the final pose and equipment layout. There are magnets embedded in the torso and in the back as well. The models base is also magnetized. The arms and backpacks have been lined with a a very thin sheet metal cut down to size. I figured it would save me on some magnets in the long run. I’m waiting to put heads on them till I can find something different then the standard/boring Mk. 7 helmets. 

 
 After I did the first one, I had to get some stronger magnets because the all parts would spin around and that annoyed the piss out of me. They still move a little bit but it's not nearly as bad. Other than that set-back, I’ve enjoyed the project so far.  The one pain I have encountered is getting the Bolters to line up properly, but I think that has to do with how far the magnets are drilled into the torso. 

 
These are just the first two and I’m pretty happy with them.  If I can settle on a paint scheme in the near future I’ll get started on painting the one. It’s been ages since I focused on a single mini. I think it will make for a nice change of pace.

April 01, 2011

Would you quit the Hobby if you never won a game?


It’s a simple enough question.  The answer is a most difficult one for it requires brutal self-honesty and evaluation.  I do not ask this question lightly for it’s one I’ve been struggling with for some time now.  I came to the stark realization yesterday, that I’ve not won a single game since July.  No matter the game system, the result is always the same. 

Built my Hrud and they never won a game. 
I painted up a bunch of Tau models to never win a game.
I built the entire city of Mordheim over last summer and won just a single game.
I only won one game in that Fantasy league over in the fall. I had to “cheat” to get that win.
My brand new Dark Eldar are a devastating 0 -5.

It’s not the games, it’s me. I just plain suck Donkey Balls. 

So what would you do? Why waste all my time, money, effort, and my life?  It seems kind of pointless to pour all this energy into the hobby when I’m getting so little in return. It’s all most to the point that’s it not fun anymore. After writing up this long list above, I should just quit now and waste my money on lottery tickets.  I’d probably be better off…