Age of Sigmar! ... And more Nurgley stuff.

Hi again guys - GR here.

Like I promised, here's some pictures of what I've been working on, for the last week. 2 full units of Blight Kings and a sorcerer for my AoS nurgle warband. I'm really enjoying the simple, fast-paced game, and painting something that's not power armour for a change. Fun stuff, and enjoyable to paint too - I used my "not quite, but almost watercolour" technique on these guys, and used mainly washes and thinned paints on a white undercoat - works wonderfully for Nurgle stuff.

On the workbench I've got:

A heavily converted Maggoth lord with a 2 headed, 4 armed monster
An ENORMOUS Nurgle giant
A lord on a Daemonic steed
... And 3 nurgle trolls.

Hopefully more to come very soon. Click on the pictures for large versions.

A bit of news from GR - and goodbye to Warmachine.

Hi guys - long time, no update (seems to be the standard blog entry introduction here, doesn't it? Sigh.)

At the time I'm having great fun playing Age of Sigmar. I'm assembling a small Nurgle horde, with Blight Kings, converted Nurgle trolls, a Maggoth Lord conversion and an absolutely HUGE Nurgle Giant. Much more to come shortly - I'm very close to having painted 10 blight kings, and they look disgusting. ;)

The Word Bearer project is on hold at the moment - I'm hearing whispers in the Warp about a new Chaos codex not being too far away, so I'm holding on for a bit, to see if there'll be a new plastic Chaos Marine kit, as the present one is very old and very ugly. Perhaps even some other new kits as well? *crosses fingers*


I've totally forgotten to post the pics of my finished Khador jacks - I think they turned out really well, and I like the contrast and pop of the dirty white colour scheme:

 

 

Then why am I finished with Warmachine?

Well... Some of you may remember that I built a blighted troll, which my buddy Jonas offered to trade for the new Ruin character jack; I recently recieved it, and I am appalled by the quality, or lack thereof. The details are practically nonexistent, the fur on his shoulder is almost flat, and theres almost no sharp edges anywhere to be found. And it's not just a bad cast either - another member of my local gaming club got one too, and it has the same problems.

This, combined with the fact that I've been annoyed with the lack of quality and details before (having to paint edges and details on is frustrating) means that I've decided to put my money where my mouth is, and quit Warmachine. Not that I've played a lot, but I think their miniatures plain suck, and are way too expensive for having such lousy quality. Ruin is a 65$ miniature. When I see how the great quality I get from GW, Wyrd/Malifaux or other manufacturers for that kind of cash, I see no reason whatsoever to support Privateer Press - I feel like they're screwing their customers over.No offense intended to anyone who likes WM/H - I think it's a pretty good game, but being a hobbyist first and foremost, they're not giving me value for my money.

So yes - goodbye to Warmachine.

Don't call it a comeback

I january I promised an update soon, and now its the end of August. So lets start with an apology

Sorry, got caught up in reality, and haven’t really done that much hobby stuff it this period. But what have I done you ask?

I wasted some time trying to get back into 40K. Speed painted a unit of Eldar guardians and started on some jetbikes, before I lost the will take is any further. This new “formation/detachment/datasheet” aren’t my cup of tea.

So I return to Warmachine/Hordes and started to put some painting time and gaming time into my Cryx army.

I played around with a couple of warcasters(Skarre2, Scavy, Gaspy1, Goreshade2), but the one I liked playing the most has been Asphyxious the Hellbringer, who is the only warcaster I have gotten done painting.

First of my lists was inspired by Midnightcarniaval, but lately I changed it up and started playing list with a lot of living models and recursion with mechanithralls, and it has been a lot of fun.

My list looks like this

Asphyxious the Hellbringer

- Vociferon

-Cankerworm

10 Bloodgorgers

10 Bloodgorgers

10 satyrix bloodwitches & blood hag

10 satyrix raiders & sea witch

Necrosurgeon & 3 stitchthralls

Necrosurgeon & 3 stitchthralls

6 mechanithralls & Skarlock Commander

Satyrix Raider Captain

General Gerlak Slaughterborn

Saxon Orrik

I played a couple of games with a borrowed unit of bloodgorgors and a brute thrall instead of the Skarlock Commander, before I got my hand on my own.

I feel comfortable playing it into most things, was a bit worried about Bradigus, but I tried it and it went fine. I mostly worried about people with alot of guns, so first off I paired it with goreshade2 theme force. Again bringing a lot of troops with recursion through Goreshades elite cadre, his feat and Tartarus. The lists I tried weren't that original, Kraken, Bane knights, Bane Thralls, Tartatus, Skarlock Thrall, Necrotechs, scrap thralls, and sometimes a cheap arc node. It went fine, but I didn't find it that interesting to play, so I'm looking for an alternative, primarily Scaverous and the witch coven. But more on that later.

Here are some pictures from the painting table of what I have gotten done doing the summer.

Skarlock Thrall

First unit of bloodgorgors, Gerlak is done too, but haven't taken a picture yet.

Bile thralls

Bane Thralls with UA

Bane Lord Tartarus

The Withershadow Combine

Bloodwitches and the blood hag

Some arc nodes

Some combat bone jacks

And last, but not least

my Kraken

/Johan

Dark Angels successor chapter [WIP]

So I love power armor... I mean - I LOOOVE power armor! I just sold my old space marine army, and now I want to do a new one. It might seem crazy, but to me the whole idea of building and painting an army with power is alot more pleasing than actually owning a complete army. Because of this I have decided to start a new project. It might get somewhere, and it might not. That probably depends on the age of sigmar. But until age of sigmar hits the shelves, we wont know for sure if it's worth getting into. So for now this is what I'm going to be painting -

Lo and behold the marine-man-thing

I have been wanting to do this colourscheme for a long time, but it felt a bit redundant to do a second space marine army as long as the old one was still on the shelf.

I will of course be doing freehand on these guys, and as you can see the chapter icon is heavly dark angels inspired

And the tactical symbol is also painted on

Now I just need some flock and tufts on the base, and it's done.

Hope you like it as much as I do - Andreas 2.0

Are you ready for the Age of Sigmar?

Well I am... kind of. I always wanted a skaven army, and should the age of sigmar prove to be a cool skirmish game with round bases, I am all in. As for now, I'll leave it at these 8 rats until we know more about the game.

There will be more Skitarii at some point, but right now GR and I both have other projects we want to work on. I'm just finishing up the last few pages of an exam paper, but some time next week, I'll have som great pictures to show you.

/Andreas 2.0

Kor Gahal - so pretty in pink!

I'm in the process of putting some paint on Kor Gahal.
I originally tried the paint scheme I did on the original possessed earlier in this thread, but I just seemed too dark, and didn't really "pop" on the tabletop. I also thought it was more red than crimson, and therefore a bit more like World Eaters than Word Bearers. So I tried another colour scheme, using Khorne red, then stippled with Vallejo Red, Wild Reder red, and a pink, washed over with Carroburg Crimson. I actually think this is closer to the colour I imagine Word Bearers being, but it's a little daunting painting almost pink marines - I think it looks more crimson than pink, but I could use you guys opinions - does it work, or is it too pink?

 

Btw, I think I'll try another colour for the OSL eyes - I'm thinking Sybarite Green, for a sickly bluish green glow. I just need to get hold of a pot.

Some progress on the Land Raider and a review...

Hi guys, GR here. While 2.0 is fooling around with fantasy miniatures (What? No plasma guns? No power armour? Madness... ) I'm soldiering on with my Word Bearers fling - which is currently evolving into full blown infidelity. ;)

Yesterday I recieved some parts I've ordered for the Land Raider, and I am so impressed with the quality, that I have to write a small review;

The parts come from The Dark Works, a small one man business run by the delightful canadian gentleman known as Peter Lindblad: The Dark Works

He started out on the Bolter and Chainsword forums, with his Black Legion project, lamenting the lack of chaos-specific parts and bits for the Rhino, Predator and Land Raider - something to make it more cool than just "another spiky rhino". Over the course of the last 4 years or so, what started out with him making amazingly tight and precise armour and trims out of plastic card, leaving the rest of us drooling over the looks, has evolved into him making a small business out of it, taking 3d modelling classes, investing in computerguided plastic cutters, and becoming a genuine savant in resin casting. Very impressive, if only for his drive and determination - seldom have I seen anyone so dedicated to his craft.

Check out his thread here - it makes for a great read, lots of tips, where he happily shares all his knowledge and it shows how much he's constantly improving his skills: Legion Rising

Anyway; When he first started offering the Chaos Land Raider trim/armour kit, I was drooling over it - finally a kit that made a Land Raider look all proper and "chaosy" - I had no use for it at the moment thought, having recently finished my Death Guard Land Raider (without trims, alas), so I put the idea on the back burner. However having recently started my Word Bearers, there was no doubt that I wanted, nay, NEEDED a set of his kit. Which brings me to my review;

Customer service/delivery: 10/10. I ordered the kit late sunday evening, and it arrived by thursday noon. Reminding you that the kit crossed the planet, flying from Canada to Denmark, Scandinavia, I don't think it can be done much faster. He also gave a very thorough response to my email with some questions, within 24 hours. Very satisfied.

Packaging: 10/10. The parts arrived safely packed in small plastic bags, inside the box, and most impressively, a personalised letter from Peter, thanking for the business. Nice touch.

Quality of parts/casting: 11/10 (Yes, these go to eleven!). This is where I just can't fathom how he does it.

1) This kit is done before he got his hands on the computer guided cutter. The master for the kit is HAND CUT from plastic card. Yes, hand cut. I've gone through it very thoroughly, and I just can't find a single line or rivet that isn't exactly where it needs to be. Intricate fine lines all around, and I am a stickler for anything crooked. Flabbergastingly good. I think of myself as pretty good with a scalpel and modelling, but this is beyond anything I think I could do.

2) The casts are practically flawless. I've managed to find a total of 1(!) air bubble in the resin in about 25 parts he sent. I've worked with a LOT of Forge World parts; I love most of their models, but sometimes I want to ragequit them because of the quality of their casts - air bubbles, misaligned molds causing extreme mold lines, and totally warped parts. Every part Peter sent was straight as an arrow. This is vastly superior to anything Forge World has ever sent me.

Anyone whos worked with resin casting, know that it isn't easy to get great casts. It's a testament to his perfectionism how good this really is.

3) Fit; Okay, lets be honest; the Land Raider kit is OLD, and in no way lives up to GWs standards today - it just doesnt fit together very good - I had to cram it together with rubber bands, and put heavy books on it while gluing it, to bend some of the parts into shape. That being said, it's all the more impressive that Peters parts fit the Land Raider like a glove - practically no modification, bar the necessary removal of a few rivets and extruding details on the Land Raider is necessary. Brilliantly thought out and executed kit.

Price: Well... It's not a cheap kit by any means. It costs 46 Canadian $ (about 37 US $) for the armour plates. While some may baulk at the price, I think it's worth it and more. I'm into modelling and wargaming because I like the illusion of small warriors battling it out - therefore, quality is a the top of my list. Could I make a Chaos Land Raider without these parts? Sure. Do I want to? Nope, not when I see how much better it makes it look.

I can't see Forge World making a similar kit at a cheaper price, and when you keep in mind that this guy has invested in a computer guided cutter, resin casting tools (vaccum chamber, etc.) and put so much time and effort into this small business, and that the quality is superior to Forge World, the kit is actually a bargain.

Overall: I heartedly recommend this kit to anyone who wants the best they can get. It's just that good. I can't imagine his other kits being any different, so I'll recommend those as well. A big tip of my hat to Peter - I don't get how you do it, but consider me a huge fan. :)

Pics:

 

I mean, come on - just look at how crisp these parts are??? Hand cut? Yep, with the devil now owning your soul, Peter!

Apologies for the long rant, but I think this kit deserves it. :)

I'm cheating too then...

OK, so we know something is coming up with Warhammer fantasy. We also have a faint idea that it might be possible to play with round bases. This is where I start getting interested, and I have started toying with some skaven clan rats. I'm not sure if that is the army I want to play yet, but I had to start somewhere. I will probably paint a unit from a few different armies before I decide sometime around the release of the rulebook. Enough talk - Pictures.

I'm doing cobblestone bases on these guys because I have a vision of doing alot of city terrain for fantasy.

Here are a few pictures of the test model. It's what I would call high tabletop standard for warhammer fantasy which is where I'm most comfortable. If I spend any more time on a single mini, I don't see myself finishing an army :p

Lets see what happens next ;)

Finished Kastelan Robot

Nothin much to say about this. I added the base which makes the model look incredibly cool. I can't wait to see the finished unit. I just don't know if I want to paint another one right now or if I'm going to paint something else.

[WIP] Kastelan Robot - Almost done

I'm soooo close to being done with the first robot here. The pictures can speak for themselves on this one ;)

[WIP] Kastelan Robots - continued

Today I have been working on the second robot. As mentioned earlier, I really wanted it to look like he is running, so I have been cutting and gluing most of the day to make that happen. This is the result.

It isn't perfect, but at least it's alot more dynamic than than Games Workshop inteded (which is good).

Besides this guy, I have started painting the other robot. I was pitched the idea of doing a digital reticle instead of making a completely black screen. Here's the result so far.

I personally think it is a cool effect that outshines the original model by far. The method of painting this however, is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. It requires blending and paper-thin freehand lines that have to be highlighted a few times to give the illusion of a blue glow. I don't think I want to do more than a few of these guys lest I go crazy.

Well thats all for now. I'll hopefully finish this fine piece sometime tomorrow.

Cheers - Andreas 2.0 

Kastelan Robots - (and a feeling that GR is cheating on me)

I'm just kidding about the last thing - Of course GR is cheating on me. If he has an itch, he is going to scratch it with or without my approval ;)

I, however, am not even close to running out of pure 'mechanicus joy'. I love almost everything about the new models, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on the next wave. Right now I'm working on this guy.

The only thing about the kastelan robots, I really dislike, is the eye-screen-thingy. Because of its ridiculous look, I decided to greenstuff over it, as to give the helmet a completely smooth surface on which I can go nuts with freehand! Besides the helmet, I had GR fix the leg to allow for more bend in the knee. I also added an extra gun barrel to the one arm, so that it looks twinlinked even though I used a powerfist part for the other hand. The overall look of this model is (in my book) far superior to what GW has come up with.

The next robot is going to be slightly more challenging as I will try to make it look like it is running. Stay tuned for more in weeks to come.

Cheers - Andreas 2.0

Chaos calls me... Again. ;) Word Bearers Host in the works.

Hi guys, GR here.

As you can see from Andreas' post below, we're still going strong with the Mechanicus project.

Along the line, I discovered that I'm ready to paint red again - I actually enjoy it! Combine this with my old love of the Word Bearers Legion - being the evilest, vilest, fanatical followers of Chaos there is, and having just read 3-4 Word Bearer novels, I got a sudden urge to finally do another project - a Word Bearers host. I almost feel like I'm cheating a bit on Andreas - don't tell him I'm doing this! ;) 

It will consist mainly of units that I find interesting, and trying to avoid using any units (helbrute excepted) from my Death Guard army, and using units I find fascinating in the fluff. I think it'll be a fun army to play.

For now, here's a couple of progress pics on the Land Raider (basically a tracked altar of chaos) and my Coryphaeus, a possessed terminator lord:

As you can see, he's a big boy!

And a colour scheme test mini - I quite like the red - it's dark, while still has definition and "pop".

The Skitarii so far

We haven't gotten around to getting some good pictures of the models, so this is all I can do for now with my phone.

The two walkers make everything look even cooler, and I personally can't wait to get started on the next 10 vanguards! 

So for me the painting schedule looks something like

10 Vanguards

2-4 Kastellan Robots

10 Infiltrators

Some electropriests

5 More rangers

1 More walker of some kind

... And a knight at some point :D