Hobby Update: Bikes, Adepticon Practice, and 30K

The bikes are done. Well, the bikes I need for my Battle Company are done. I just couldn't bring myself to finish the last 4 Ravenwing Command Squad bikers. At least they are base coated and ready to be washed when I get back around to finishing them.

As you can tell from the first pic, I've already moved on to the 7 Rhino/Razorbacks that make up the next portion of my Battle Company. After getting the Betrayal at Calth box set for Christmas, I decided to make my Space Marines army into Pre-Heresy Emperor's Children. That way I can use it for both systems. Luckily a lot of the Dark Angles iconography is similar to the Emperor's Children theme. I figure if I keep the colors consistent then the armies mixture of models will still mesh well. The rest of the month will be spent working on these vehicles and the last 5 man unit of Scouts I need for the 10th Company portion of my Gladius.

 I got in 2 practice games this weekend against Bill Keys and his Tau. Forgetting that I had hit and run nearly cost me the first game. I couldn't get any shots into his Stormsurges because he kept assaulting me. By the end I still managed to eek out the win with only 2 Vehicles left on the board. Had it gone to turn 6 I would have gotten tabled. The second game he was not so lucky. I dick punched him hard this game and he conceded by turn 4. The Adepticon missions are odd. They are similar to Warmachine in that there's a large area that you have to contest or hold to gain cumulative points over the coarse of the game. Fortunately for armies like Battle Company which are almost 100% Objective Secured, this plays to their advantage. Looking forward to more practice with the army this Thursday. 

Hobby Update: Tau Adepticon Army Progress

So I am working every spare moment of time into preparing for Adepticon.  I am bringing a Tau army with 3 Riptides, 2 Stormsurges, a Commander, 8 Drones, and 10 Fire Warriors.  The plan is to finish the Commander, the Drones, and the Fire Warriors by the end of January and I have finished that part.

Next up is the Riptides for February.  Wish me luck!

Tools of the Trade: PART DEUX. TOOL FAST, TOOL FURIOUS

Hello!  So lets talk about a few more handy tools for the modeling wargamer... these things aren't quite necessary, but on my desk, they are indispensable.  And quite a lot of destructive fun!

DREMEL

Now, the Dremel tool isn't totally necessary, but if you really want to do some serious plastic shedding, you gotta get one.  You can use them for drilling holes if you have a steady hand, or get a bit like this one, and use it to create pits and scratches in armor, vehicles, etc... its a great effect.  You got to be careful with this little bastard though, you can take a little too much off of you aren't careful... and if you run this bad boy at too high a setting you will be melting the shit out of your little plastic mens, and you don't want that... one cause it could ruin your models, and two because burning plastic can create some fumes that I'm pretty sure aren't good for you.  This tool is great fun, and when you run it, people in the other room wonder what the fuck you are doing.  Here is a model I did that had some serious Dremel action.  In retrospect maybe too much, but it gives you a good idea of what the Dremel can do in the wrong hands:

The desired effect was corroded, pitted armor.  I think he looks quite pitted. Quite.  Ok, next tool...

DENTAL TOOLZ

Not just for dentists anymore!  Anyone with an interest in semi-professional dentistry might have some sweet tools like this you can borrow, or head down to the ol' dental hobby shop and pick some up.  But really, you should be able to find things like this in a hobby store in the sculpting section.  Or next time you go in for your yearly checkup and fluoride, you swipe the dentists tools when they aren't looking.  And every time, every fucking time they say, "you aren't flossing enough".  Jeezus.  Who has the time to floss?  Anyway, stealing their sweet-ass tools will show 'em.  These are great for modeling and molding your greenstuff and whatever else might need poking and prodding, paint scraping, and general stabby-ness.  Speaking of Green Stuff....

Modelling putty/Green stuff

You will find green stuff at your fave game store, and its actually called Green Stuff.  I bet you cant guess why.  Also pictured here is my favorite modeling medium, Milliput.  Both  are two part modeling compounds, and both get good and hard after a few hours (just like prom night!).  Modeling compound like green stuff is responsible for more shitty "conversions" than I care to count, so it takes some time and a keen sense of editing to make it look like something other than a big fucking blob on your models.  We'll talk about that later... but just some quick notes, work these compounds with wet fingers and tools, or it will stick to everything... and for fucks sake smooth out all those fingerprints.  It is not cool.  Here's a model that I went apeshit crazy on with some Milliput:

The tentacle around the axe, the fleshy bits around the spikes, the eyes, the horn, his chest, the base... all built up with milliput.  This is what happens when you have a lot of time on your hands... sometimes the result is ok, this example is questionable.  Moving on...

HOTT GLOO GUN

One of my favorites, the hot glue gun.  These are mad cheap, so if you are like me and you lose one every few months, you can just buy another... they are like 4 whole dollars.  I cant think of many things I can get for 4 dollars these days... maybe a few double cheeseburgers, or a night with your mom.  But unlike your mom, these things get warm and gooey and are useful.  They are fantastic for gluing together foamboard when you are making awesome buildings, and for gluing your styrofoam and styrene hills together.  I also use them for interesting goo effects, I've gone so far as to use them on the bases of my Nurgle troops, to mimic the look of them standing in puddles of nondescript slime.  There are also colored glue sticks that could be used for some interesting effects... I've also modeled some sweet 'nid drop pods, cracking open with pools of goo spilling out... the only limit is the imagination.  Get one (a hot glue gun, hopefully you already have an imagination).

THE AIR BRUSH

Another nice to have tool that makes life a whole lot easier.  Base coating models with an airbrush is one of the simple pleasures in life we should all experience.  Adding sweet fades, graceful designs and my favorite, OSL (Object Source Lighting) are just a few of the things you can do with some patience, a steady hand and a nice airbrush.  Like a cool breeze off the ocean, a relaxing bubble bath, or the screams of your victims as they try to escape, this is just a joy.  Its great to be able to mix your own colors, to paint models cleanly and evenly, and to graffiti anti government slogans on very small buildings.  A decent setup could cost you as little as 150 to 200 dollars, and it will pay for itself in no time.  Check out the eBay, I'm sure they have plenty of airbrushes and compressors for a decent price.  Mine is a sweet double action deal that allows you to adjust the pressure of the air flow as well as the size of the spray... very handy.  A rule of thumb with these as well, CLEAN THEM OFTEN.  They can get gummed up with paint pretty quickly, so clean after every use.  Clean them at least 3 times as often as you clean yourself, you stinky little monkey.

Ok, so a few odds and ends aside, that's what I have sitting on my awesome desk here.  These tools have made all of my work that much easier and enjoyable.  Again, this is just what I use, and your mileage may vary.  Find the tools that work best with you, experiment and have fun.

-SQUOZE

Tools of the Trade: PART 1, THE TOOLENING

Squoze, Herald of Nurgle here...


I moderate r/warhammer over on Reddit.  I run a weekly thread where noobs can come in and ask noobular type questions, and its a good time.  One of the most common questions I see is "what tools do I need for this hobby?"  Well here you have it.  I have plagiarized my own work here from another blog I ran a few years ago (The Wargaming Anarchists Cookbook) but it seemed a nice place to re-introduce this post.  I hope its a nice starting point for some of you noobs out there.  Enjoy!

KaNife

Here we have the standard tool of tools, the hobby knife.  You want to get the kind with removable replaceable blades, so when they get duller than the current Chaos Space Marine Codex you can replace them.   Unlike this one here.  I will change it when I'm damn good and ready.  In all cases, be fucking careful with these... a fresh blade will slice through your hand like it ain't no thang.. you won't even feel it at first this shit is so sharp.  Next thing you know you are dripping blood on your new pants your mom just bought you, feeling woozy and SLAM!  Head right down on the table amidst your plastic space men parts.  Use caution okay kids?

Sproo Cutta

Here we have the sprue cutter.  This is an invaluable tool.  I use mine for everything... removing parts from sprue, trimming parts, conversions such as cutting off hands and heads, and the occasional back-alley Bris.  Also handy in the bedroom, and fuck, it even makes fries in 7 different ways!  7!  Anyswayze, you want this to safely remove parts from the sprue, cause I know what your little nooby ass is thinking, "I will just twist them till they come off!"  NO, BAD MOVE MY LITTLE HOMBRE.  This is a good way to break those delicate parts, and generally ruin a perfectly good piece of expensive plastic.  Use sprue cutters you goofy bastard.

Supah Gloo

Super glue.  Get some.  I prefer the thicker kind.  This will allow you to add a drop, and it not run all over the goddamn place while you are fumbling to get  the other piece lined up with it.  Use sparingly, or don't listen to me cause I glob this shit on as though the fate of the universe depended on it.  Whatever you decide keep your hands away from your naughty bits if you get some of this on you, nothing is more embarrassing than going to the ER and having to explain to the Doc that you glued your hands to your nutsack while trying to make plastic space men.  Trust me on this.

Plastik Seement

Plastic cement.  This is an option for you, obviously only for gluing plastics.  Thus the name, Plastic cement.  I hate that I have to bring that up, but as usual, I only bring it up cause some goofball has probably tried to glue metals or other shit together with it.  No Mr. Wizard, its time for you to head back to Hogwarts for another semester...  plastic cement is for plastic only.  Anywhoo, I don't like plastic cement as much, because it creates too strong a bond for my taste... sometimes I get all antsy in the pantsy and want to remove an arm or a leg to redo a model, and a superglued joint will snap apart nice and clean... not so with plastic cement, it melts the plastic together, and once its together, its together... if you try to pull any arms off you will find the weaker parts of the model snapping off, and there you are with the elbow joint of your favorite xenos, thinking to yourself, "I need to switch to superglue."

Pin vise

The pin vise... this is a handy little tool that is nothing more than a drill bit on a nifty little handle.  Use this for drilling out gun barrels for that realistic look (pew pew pew!!) or for drilling holes to attach pins, for pinning heavier bits of models together.  Also handy for drilling tiny peepholes in bathroom walls.  Hehehe.

Filez

Get some files!  Super handy for removing those exta bits of plastic, or flattening out pieces to make them fit.  Get different shapes and sizes if you can.  Keep some brushes around to clean them off!

Ok, so I think that's the basic shit to get you started.  Check out any decent hobby store nearby and get your shop on.  At the very least get a hobby knife and some good glue.  Over time you will find the tools that work best for you, and you will soon find out what you really need.  Have fun and don't take yourself too seriously, we are playing with little plastic guys for fucks sake.

Forgeworld Cerastus Knight Lancer: My Imperial Knight Army Expands

Well, it took a LONG time, but I finally got the Cerastus Knight Lancer I had ordered. I absolutely loved this kit. In fact I loved putting this kit together and painting it so much, that I now have another one on the way. That will give me 5 Knights total finishing out my 2000 point Imperial Knight army. Here's some pictures documenting the assembly and painting of this bad boy.

Adepticon!!!

Hey all,

The Law here with an Adepticon posting. I registered for the Friendly tourney this year and am looking forward to my first Adepticon. I'll be running my Raven Guard and though I have to paint several units yet I think the deadline will push me to get it done. I wanted to throw my list out there for some comments and critiques before I get too far along on my painting and don't have time to change it. So with out further delay here is Task Force Talon:

HQ:
Shadow Captain Korvydae (Forgeworld)
Librarian: w/ Plasma Pistol and Force Sword

Elites
Contemptor Pattern Dread: 2 x heavy flamers, 2 dread close combat arms, cyclone missile launcher

Troops:
Scout Squad 1: 4 Sniper rifles, Missile Launcher w/ Flakk,
   
Scout Squad 2: 5 Shotgun,
           - Landspeeder storm w/ Assault Cannon as dedicated transport.

Tactical Squad 1: 4 Tac marines, 1 Sgt w/ power sword and Bolter.
          - Razorback with Twin Linked Assault Cannon

Tactical Squad 2: 9 Tac Marines w/ grav gun and Missile Launcher w/ Flakk. Sgt with Power sword and bolter
         - Rhino

Fast Attack
Assault Squad: 9 Assault Marines w/ 2 plasma pistols and 1 Sgt with twin lighting claws
(Note due to Korvydae special rule they count as troops)

Heavy Support
Storm Raven Gunship with Multi melta and Assault Cannon.

Now I realize that two Forgeworld models may not seem all that friendly to some so I'm torn about that. I can easily use Korvydae as a standard captain for the same amount of points and the contemptor as an Iron Clad. That being said I still have to assemble and paint all the scouts, the rhino, the landspeeder storm and the librarian. Not impossible and I think very doable with the storm probably being the biggest pain.

The overall plan is for the Assault Marines and Korvydae to move up one of the flanks and tear into to enemy infantry. The sniper scouts will be positioned in cover to provide supporting fire as needed and hold a home objective if needed. The small tac squad will be joined by the librarian and hold a home objective and use the Razorback as fire support. The shotgun scouts will basically run around in the Storm doing drive bys and holding/contest objectives late in the game. The full size tac squad will push forward to hold an objective and probably screen the assault marines to some extent. The contemptor rides in the Storm raven and jumps in where his heavy flamers and close combat skills can do work. The storm raven then provides anti tank/ anti flyer support as needed.

New toy from Forge World, Building my Warhound: Part 1

Hi everyone SeeJay here, This is the 1st part of me building my warhound titan.

40k: Blood Angels New Codex

Makers here, been away from the game for awhile as real life has been getting in the way, and after the push for DieCon I got extremely burned out for awhile. 

I have still been picking up the new codexes, supplements, data slates, pamphlets, booklets, biographies, etc...whatever the hell GW comes out with...

But the one that I'm really looking forward too is the Blood Angels codex towards the end of this year.

The problem for me, is that I am noticing a trend.

So many codexes lately have been nerfed into obscurity, specifically ones written by Matt Ward.

And some of them for good reason.

So far the rumors are as follows:

Imperial Knight Update: Transfers and Basing Materials

Like the title says, I got all of the transfers and basing materials on. The transfers went on great. I used Micro Set and Micro Sol then sealed them with Lahmian Medium to give them a matte finish. They look absolutely seamless with the paint job. Zero silvering effect. I am SUPER pleased with it. Now I just need to paint the base and this bad boy is done. I use bark to simulate rocks on my bases. It always works out well. They look great after I paint them up.

Space Marine Scouts

I finished my Space Marine Scouts which gives me a fully painted Space Marine allied detachment. I was pretty satisfied with the way these guys turned out. In my rush to get them finished i forgot to drill the gun barrels. I will definitely go back and do that before these guys hit the table. Now I need to decide what to paint next. I recently sold my Grey Knights and am looking to replace them with an Imperial Knight army. Chances are high that they will be the next things on my table.

Space Marine Centurions and Tigurius

After witnessing the awesomeness that is the Centurion-Star at DieCon and the past few tournaments I've been to, I decided to finally take the plunge and buy some Space Marines. I picked up a box of Centurions, 5 Scouts, and good old Chief Librarian Tigurius. At some point down the line when I have some extra cash, I plan to get 1 more Centurion off of the Ebay. 

I knew I didn't want the standard blue Ultramarines but I still wanted to take Tigurius. That meant I needed to find an Ultramarines Successor Chapter with a color scheme I enjoyed. I ended up going with Hawk Lords. They reminded me a lot of pre-heresy Emperor's Children of which I'm a big fan. Their fluff says they're all about using gunships so eventually I want to pick up a Stormtalon for these guys. Now I just need to paint up my 5 Scouts and I'll be in business.

Raven Guard Fellblade!!!

As some of you may have seen on our Facebook page I began construction of a Fellblade Super Heavy Tank for my Raven Guard this week. I finally finished assembly of it today and thought I'd show it to you guys. So without further ado I give you the the Fellblade "Corvus Ferox" or roughly translated "Raven's Anger". The commander has yet to be named.

Here you can see the partial assembly from earlier this week.

I've added some brass etchings to give it some more character

The lascannon sponsons are magnetized so that they can be swapped out if I choose to.

Added the Forgeworld Rhino Doors

And an overhead shot.

Now I must admit this was a pain to assemble. The worst part by far was putting the treads on. I had to heat them up several times to get them straight and then actually getting them to fit on the tank itself was quite a challenge. Overall, though I've very pleased with how it turned out, not that I could fix anything at this point anyways. I magnetized the crew so that I can pop them out and put on hatches if I feel like it. I gave the commander two combi bolters becuase hey why not. I'll actually use those to represent a pintle mounted weapon if I use one.
The only thing left modelling wise is an inspection to see if there are any gaps I need to fill with green stuff and then its off to paint. I'll be sure to get pictures up when that's done as well.