Tale of Painters Entry 6

Its that time of the month again...

I'm now at the half way point of the LO Tale of Painters challenge, and I'd sad to report that I'm behind schedule with both my 40k and Epic entries. However, that was the case last time, so I'm confident I'll get everything done in the end!

This month I failed to get any work done on the Epic models, which is annoying. I'm going to get my two Warhounds done for next month though, promise!

As for 40k, I managed to pull through and achieve my target, which was:

1 Leman Russ and 1 Infantry Squad w/ Missile Launcher: 215pts

That leaves my Praetorian army currently at 792pts. I'm half way to 1500pts, woohoo!

I've got to say I'm rather proud of this army now. All the Praetorian models are done, a full platoon's worth, and I think I've finally done the figures justice (especially compared to the last paint job I gave them).

Moving on to the armour, I'm still trying to crack this realistic weathering, and I know I'm still a long way off from getting it. That said, I think I'm still moving in the right direction. For this months Russ, I think I may have gone over the top in a few places, but there are a lot of elements that I think really worked - for example I'm starting to get better use out of those pesky weathering powders. Thats what its all about in the end, gradual improvement. Hopefully I can have a few more tricks mastered before I attempt the Marauder...

Anyway, here are some pics, I would really be interested in any comments or criticisms people have. You should be able to click on the photos to get larger versions.

I really must learn to post less photos..!

My goodness...

I recently saw this over at 40k Origins and, as a Praetorian player, I simply had to post it up.

Well, this is my shortest blog post ever. Enjoy!

Battle Missions: The inside scoop!

Right then guys, I have seen and had a good look at the shiny new battle missions book, and I've come to share what I have learned! First off, lets get a good look at the missions themselves, in full:

Chaos Marines

1. Pillage
2. Black Crusade
3. Scorched Earth

Chaos Daemons

1. Night Fight
2. Invasion
3. Fight to the Death

Dark Eldar
1. Dawn Raid
2. Slave Raid
3. Feigned Retreat

Eldar
1. Pre-emptive Strike
2. Flank Attack
3. Mobile Defence

Imperial Guard
1. Prepared Assault
2. War of Attrition
3. Trench Warfare

Necrons
1. Ambush
2. Reconnaissance in Force
3. Implacable Advance

Orks
1. Blitzkrieg
2. Waaagh!
3. Cut & Run

Space Marines
1. Vanguard
2. Surprise Attack
3. All-round Defence

Tau
1. Vertical Envelopment
2. Counter-Attack
3. Fighting Withdrawal

Tyranids
1. First Contact
2. Wave Assault
3. Infestation

Universal
1. Kill Team
2. Linebreaker
3. Clash of Heroes

Quite a list!

So then, what else can I tell you. Well, first the book itself is very nice. Its well put together, some good bits of fluff and some great shots of models/battles.

I'm also happy to say I can allay some fears about the race-specific missions. Although they are clearly designed with each army in mind, this is more from a fluff point of view. It is clear that any army could happily play any mission, indeed this is expressed in the foreword. There is no reason why a Marine army couldn't play the Counter-Attack mission in the role normally filled by Tau, for example. This means we are in effect getting 33 new missions, as opposed to the few for whatever races your gaming group has.

As far the missions themselves go, they are a mixed bag. Some are subtle changes of deployment zone or objective placement, while others are really off the wall or ingenious. My personal favourite so far is a Guard mission that has a random bombardment. This involves cutting out bombardment counters, holding them 36'' above the table and letting them 'flutter' down. Where ever they rest suffers a large blast hit. I think this is a really simple but awesome idea (though not one for tournaments...). There are other similar surprises throughout the book

Finally I'm going to highlight the last three missions. Not only do we see a slightly modified return of Kill Team, but also a hero centric battle where only characters are allowed to kill off other characters. These seem like a real blast to play, and I'll be trying them out as soon as I can.

Anyway, that's all I can recall for now, I hope its been of interest. From first viewing I can recommend the book, I'll be getting a copy when it comes out...

Steampunk-ing it up...

Hey all, I have just noticed this post over at I see lead people. It details a really cool looking model from Mauser Earth miniatures, the 'Streetbot'. Now then, I've avoided putting any steampunk references into my Praetorian army thus far, but this model will be just superb as a Sentinel...



I had best go check my bank balance!

Marauder Destroyer - Built!!

Well then, here is something I have been meaning to post for quite a while! After buying it at the beginning of 2008 I have finally managed to get this monstrosity constructed and I'm very excited indeed!

Now, to be clear from the start, I did not construct this myself. Unlike that brave fellow at The Inner Geek I dont really have the experience or skills to attempt something like this yet. So, knowing I would get a good job I surrendered it to my good friend Jay at Dark Eye Studios. Based in Bristol, UK, this one man shop is a fantastic commission painter and builder and if you want a good job done, consider giving him an email! Anyway, plug over. Back to the big freaking plane...

First off, some shots of the beast itself:

I just love this little shrine in the cockpit, very fluffy indeed!

A couple of bits I want to draw attention to, mainly to show the great work Dark Eye Studios can do. One of my main complaints about the Marauder is its landing gear, which stick out during flight, giving the whole plane the feel of a lander, as opposed to a fighter/bomber.

So, to get round this sticky problem, Jay magnetised the whole malarkey and make up some flush landing pads from plaster card, complete with tread on the bottom! Awesome! As for the wood block, that was to add stability to the interior of the model, giving it a healthy weight and some strength. Not that I intend to drop it.

The world might end if I did...

As good as the landing gear is, the real master stroke of Jays work is below. That right, what every good model plane needs! A flying stand!

Make of a steel rod, its just over 12'' tall, and has really made the Marauder into something special! It also has me itching for my next apoc game. The really good thing is that I have two of the wooden bases, that lift off over the flying stand. This means I can make one display base and one more practical gaming base. Good times!

Thank for reading.

The Emperor really wants you to die...

Kentack VII Campaign - 1. First Moves ' The Land Grab'

Hello all, just a quick post today. Following on from my description of the Kentack Campaign and its background, I thought I'd let you know what our first month had produced.

Launching off from their various starting points, each faction attempted to gain as much as the planets landmass as they could. Early manoeuvres saw the Black Templars thwarting the efforts of the Praetorian Guard to claim Hive Primus by moving into the southern habs. Combat was finally joined when the Guard sent in shock troops to dislodge the Astartes. The ensuing cityfight was a slaughter, and confirmed why Terminators in enclosed spaces should be so feared. The Templars emerged triumphant.

In an attempt to regain the momentum after this disaster, the Guard commanders sanctioned an assault on the Eldar xenos forces at St. Veyda's Dock. This too turned out to be a travesty, with the Guardsmen being destroyed upon planetfall by a highly mobile Eldar force.

However, it was not all plain sailing for the Eldar forces either. Attempting to dislodge the Astartes who had taken up residence at Mining Post Xc-03 the Eldar of Cairas Mythar bit their best to capture its vital structures, but were thwarted. Returning to their sleek grav graft, the Farseers promised revenge.

The final move of the first month of conflict saw the Templars and Guard clashing in an epic scale battle in the plains north of Hive Secondus. Attempting to drive towards the Ecclesiarchical Palace the Templars were ambushed by a force including Superheavy Tanks and scout Titans. Though they fought bravely and tenaciously, the Marines were eventually overwhelmed and forced to withdraw, leaving the Praetorians to celebrate their first victory of the campaign.

As the war dragged into its second month, it was clear that battle had truly been joined, and that it was far from over yet.

Current Campaign Points:

Black Templars (Black): 14pts

Eldar (Blue): 12pts

Imperial Guard (Red): 10pts

Any help for a wee Beardling?

Hello any Longbeards out there. Below I present my first Fantasy list since 2001, so I would love it if people could point out any obvious mistakes, or stupid ideas. This is not supposed to be a competitive list (which will be evident), but I would like it to hold its own. I've tried to get away from any form of gun-line, and I've taken some basic ideas from Podhammer (who's back catalogue I am quickly listening through!), but I have a feeling most people are going to tell me this list is a no-hoper. Still, you've got start somewhere!

So, here it is:

Lords/Heros

Dwarf Lord - 284pts
Shield & Great Weapon
Shield Bearers
MR of Kragg the Grimm, Ro Fury, Ro Striking, Ro Stone, MR of Spite

Runesmith - 149pts
Great Weapon
MR of Balance, Ro Spellbreaking

Thane - 101pts
Great Weapon, Shield
MR of Challenge, Ro Stone

Core

20 Longbeards - 265pts
Shields
Full Command

15 Thunderers - 225pts
Standard & Musician

15 Rangers - 175pts
Shields
Full Command

Special

20 Hammerers - 305pts
Full Command
Shields
Ro Sanctuary

12 Ironbreakers - 211pts
Full Command
Ro Stoicism

Bolt Thrower - 75pts
MR of Immolation

Bolt Thrower - 70pts
MR Penetrating

Rare

Gyrocopter - 140pts

Total - 2000pts

So there it is. The Lord goes with the Hammerers, and the Thane goes with the Ironbreakers, hopefully tying up fast cav and the like with his challenges. Im not sure where I'd put the Runesmith yet, probably with one of the Warrior units. I considered putting him with the Bolt Thrower with MR of Penetrating, to make it less obvious to attack that one first (over the other one that blows up in your face), but I can see that equalling a dead Runesmith.

I would have loved to have fitted Strollaz's banner in there somewhere, but I couldnt find the points. I was amazed how expensive Dwarfs can be! Anyway, please let me know when you all think.

Many thanks!