Good News!

I cleaned up the mess. Carry on.

You Suffer Because I'm Bored

Another update that no one will comment on. Sigh. I hate you all.

Regardless, basing for the guardians and dark reapers is moving right along as you can see here:

My other mini-project of re-basing the Chaos Lord Rhavoc the Ancient is nearly done, just need some static grass to spruce it up. And I got a couple layers of blue and grey drybrushing done on the Grand Cruiser Vae Victus.
  

Finally, one picture of the disaster area that is my work bench area in the laundry room. I store the air conditioner unit below my bench during the winter and last night was time to get it out, causing me to make quite the mess. I'll clean it up tonight, I promise!

New Eldar Rumours Have Me Drooling

I've been eagerly following Corey's efforts to combine all the known and rumoured Eldar information into one comprehensive source. He's done an amazing job and kudos to him.

All these rumours and news has me considering what I'm going to do with the army once the new codex comes out. I'm repainting models I consider essential (Scoprions, Reapers, Seers) but that still leaves a large area of models to consider. I really want to pick a theme and go with it this time, instead of last time's "collect multiple squads of every unit type" mentality which saw me balloon to about 100 guardians ( I am not exaggerating).

The question becomes what direction do I take? I've already pontificated about leaving Guardians mostly behind and I still feel that way. The latest rumours suggest that Dire Avengers will be far more viable as a front line troop unit than they were in the past. Not that they were bad in the current codex, it was just that Guardians could do the same job almost as well and got the benefits of larger squads, Warlock leaders, and a heavy weapon. If the Dire Avengers get the abilities so far rumoured, it will give them a superior role in front line duty compared to the guardians and relegate guardian squad to a supporting role just as they should be.

So I have no trouble envisioning a basic core army of 2-3 Dire Avenger Squads and 0-2 supporting Guardians Squads. Rangers could play more of a role in the future as I have seen how they can be used most effectively by Corey and Keith. Its the rest of the army I don't know what I'm going to do with.

In fast attack, I've always liked the idea of jetbikes but hated their cost versus performance. Vypers were the opposite. Swooping Hawks were next to useless in most cases and Shining Spears were in too small squads for such expensive points. I need to see rules before I can select a direction with these guys.

Heavy Support has lots of choices. Dark Reapers are a must have, as are War walkers. I'm looking to buy that launch box set of three. Fire Prism we'll have to see. I like some of the noise coming from that direction, but they have to make it viable compared to the Falcon before I'll consider it. Support Weapons I'm not sure on. They are nice and cheap, but provide only minimal offensive capabilities. And the new poster showing the outline of the new wraithlord has me drooling.

For Elites, Striking Scoprions are the bomb. I've got sixteen of them for a reason and unless their rules really stink, I plan to continue to use them. Howling Banshees are attractive as well. Fire Dragons I have a love/hate relationship with. I love their fluff but was very pissed when their fusion guns got dropped to strength 6. Wraithguard have potential as long as the wraithcannon is re-boosted to deadly status. Warp Spiders will have to wait and see.

The Farseers and warlocks will continue to be the main HQ choice for me, although I may invest in an Autarch depending on rules and model.

Sigh. So far the direction appears to be "a little bit of everything" again. I NEED that codex to help me whittle down the choices!

Dark Reapers Nearing Completion

I was able to put brush to paint and get the Dark Reapers closer to completion. Here are two pictures taken close together with different lighting to show the models.
 

I know on Friday I said I didn't like the blue highlighting on the Dark Reaper Exarch robes but I had a change of heart Sunday morning and decided to leave it for now and get some opinions. There are also little other bits I need to finish but for the greater part of the model, they are done. Next up, basing them and the guardians.

Photo Update

I got some more work done on the Dark Reapers last night, tidying up the black and red and doing some details. I started highlight the black robes on the Exarch with deep blue but it didn't look right so I'm going to go back to black and then highlight with grey. More subtle. I also but black ink on the mask to bring out the details of the face, and after this picture fixed up the grey around that area. More pictures after the weekend.

The base needed re-working on my Chaos Lord in power armour, so starting cleaning that off. Pieces fell off as I was working and it took all my willpower to not throw him in the stripping dip and repaint him. I could do so much better now, but my chaos army is a project for another year. Eldar first.

I traded some old White Dwarf mags for an Imperator titan. Not sure if I'm going to sell him or paint him yet. Both are tempting for different reasons. And also here are some Dark Reapers I got from Dave. They did go straight into the dip.

Legio Fulmineus Grows

I traded a bunch of old White Dwarf magazines I wasn't using for an unpainted Imperator titan. I'll probably never paint it but its a good excuse to do some modeling and converting. And I got a little bit more done on the dark reapers. Hopefully get some pictures out tonight.

Long Weekend

No painting or modeling update today, I spent the weekend away from home. I did play some Twilight Imperium on Friday with Andrew in which he won a military victory over me quite handily, but I saved face with a VP victory.

After a Night of Screwing and Gluing...

I finished the main colours on the weapons of the Dark Reapers last night and got a coat of grey on the cables and helms. Didn't get much more done painting-wise due to the two hour finale of the Amazing Race.

However, I was able to get some gluing and drilling done and completed assembly of my drop pod! All five doors open and close:
  
And here are some traitor guard of the 7th Volistad Regiment for scale:

Dark Reapers making good progress

I got the brown wash coat on last night and then the highlight ivory coat so that the main colours of the weapons are complete. Next is the grey and black areas.

And inbetween waiting for coats of paints to dry, I decided to rebase my Chaos Lord model for Rhaovc the ancient. I was so tempted to strip him completely and repaint him, but that project has to wait for a couple years. I just could see so many things I could do differently and much better. Damn my increasing paint skills!

More painting tonight, pictures tomorrow.

And I need glue for that darn drop pod.

Monday Update

On Friday I got my package from ChaosOrc online store. The six Fightabombaz for Mike for the work he did on my Epic trees and my new Thunderhawk.
 

I also finished washing the pieces of the Drop Pod and began assembly on it until I ran out of glue. Pictures from left to right: Drying, wings assembled, lateral thrusters and two interior walls added.
  

And of course, still giving some love and attention to those Dark Reapers. Next up, brown wash on the weapons.

Dark Reapers

Dark Reapers everyone!

Next, the weapons.

Eldar Progress

It far too early to start counting unhatched chickens, but I couldn't resist thinking about how close I was to having a legal army painted in the new scheme, or in the old scheme yet good enough to avoid repaintng.

New Scheme:
2 Farseers
3 Warlocks
6 Striking Scoprions
3 Dark Reapers
6 Guardians

Old Scheme but Good Enough:
Falcon
6 Jetbikes
5 Warp Spiders
Wave Serpent
2 Vypers

All told, using the Biel Tann codex, that gets me close to 1000 pts. Muhahahahah!

Eldar Progress

It far too early to start counting unhatched chickens, but I couldn't resist thinking about how close I was to having a legal army painted in the new scheme, or in the old scheme yet good enough to avoid repaintng.

New Scheme:
2 Farseers
3 Warlocks
6 Striking Scoprions
3 Dark Reapers
6 Guardians

Old Scheme but Good Enough:
Falcon
6 Jetbikes
5 Warp Spiders
Wave Serpent
2 Vypers

All told, using the Biel Tann codex, that gets me close to 1000 pts. Muhahahahah!

Diatribe On Swooping Hawks

In 2nd edition (May it Forever Rest In Peace) the Eldar codex was a thing of cheddary evilness and Swooping Hawks were one of the nastiest offenders.

These were models armed only with lasguns and the Swooping Hawk Grenade Launcher (SHGL). Before I describe how nasty the SHGL was, let me describe movement. In 2nd Ed, jump packer's moved 18 inches instead of the normal 5 inches for marines. Swooping Hawks, being Eldar, were much fast and could fly 36 inches in a straight line. In addition, you could fly over enemy models. When Swooping Hawks did this, they could choose to drop one krak or frag grenade each on one model they flew over. Imagine: you're a marine squad sneaking up with no enemy in sight and then suddenly 5+ krak grenades drop on your head. Ouch! Of course, you had to roll to hit and to wound and to save, but it was a nasty attack, especially since once the hawks landed they could shoot with their lasguns at another target!

On top of all that fun, they could assault and use their krak grenades against vehicles. Many a dreadnought's last vision was the colourful wings of attacking swooping hawks.

Ah, the good ole days. Third Edition changed all that. Swooping Hawks were gutted to the point of being next to useless and, except for the Exarch, lacking personality. The SHGL became a one time use weapon only good on Deep Striking and being inaccurrate as crap. Sure, the lasguns got upgraded to lasblasters, but with the saving modifier from 2nd Ed removed shooting at anything in power armour became an exercise in futility. More than any other unit in the Eldar range, the basic Swooping Hawk warrior got nerfed.

On the other hand, the Exarch got unbelievable weapons and close combat prowress. So, typically when people take Swooping Hawks it is only as an Exarch delivery system. (Yes, some people take them for fluffy reasons, myself amoung them. We are a sadistic lot)

Anyways, my point is thus: Swooping Hawks need a makeover for the 4th edition Eldar Codex. Bring back something to make them flavourful and decently effective in more situations than they are now, and reduce the ridiculous close combat Exarch to something more reasonable.

Guardians Readys Sir!

This weekend I was able to finish the guardians excepting the bases. I'm waiting to do the bases after I get the Dark Reapers to the same point

Meanwhile, I finally went out the garage where the soaking station is and retrieved my vindicators, hellblasters, and land speeders:

 

Ack

I had to work late last night and then a concert for the kids. No painting for me.

Still Painting

OK, I finished the weapons and completed the grey sections on the cable and faceplate. On two of the guardians, I did the black areas (gem rings, leg and arm tags, helmet) and expect to finish the other two guardians' black areas tonight. After that, Gemification time!

Turn Two Gamble Bites Me In the Ass Again

I had my rematch with Jeff at St Laurent last night and sadly came away defeated once again.

Our 3000 pt armies looked like this:

Black Storm:
Deathwheel
Deathwheel
Feral Titan
Platoon with havocs and rhinos
2 x Platoon with rhinos
2 x  Forlorn Hope with rhinos
Terminators with Daemon Prince
Terminators

Imperial Guard:
Mechanized Infantry
2 x Infantry Platoon
2 x Vulture formations
2 x Shadow Swords
Super Heavy Tank Company - 1 Shadow Sword, 2 Baneblades
2 x Hydra formations
Thunderbolt Squadron

My battle plan was to use mobility to get in close and ravage him at firefights and close combats, with the terminators coming down in turn 2 to nuke the super heavy tanks. Alas turn one saw one deathwheel and the feral titan become victims of the Vultures with no return casualities, and then my main platoon lost a couple rhinos to slow it down. Still, I had my ~750 pts of terminators coming in so I forged bravely ahead.

They teleported in with the Daemon Prince led terminators landing near the super heavy tank company with an eye towards demolishing it with TK and MW attacks, while the second went after a lone shadowsword. Of course, I lost the strategy roll. SIgh. Jeff pounced and assaulted my terminators with his mechanized infantry and with supporting fire wore me down to win the fight and eliminate the threat. The rest of the game was basically an effort by me to prevent Jeff from getting enough objectives to win by killing whatever targets I could. The last deathwheel proved handy by assaulting and breaking a couple formations, and my infantry platoons tried valiantly to hold on, but ultimately my early losses in turn 1 and 2 proved to be too much and after four turns and no goals held by either side, Jeff won on Victory Points by a score of ~1750 to 1050.

Here's a handful of pcitures from turn 1 and early turn 2.

Analysis:

A while back I stopped going for the turn 2 kill with terminators and instead used them for reinforcing and taking objectives. Then recently I started the practice up again and now remember why its a bad idea. If I don't get initiative, I'm doomed. Additionally, Jeff pointed out something that I never realized. If I win the strategy roll in turn 1, then the next turn my +2 advantage is actually only +1 because a tie is a win for the other side. Its so obvious in hindsight, and I wouldn't gamble on a +1 as much as I do on a +2.

Had I won the roll in turn 2 I think the game could have been very different. Simply the chance to whack those superheavy tanks with 2 TK attacks and 5 MW attacks and 5 regular attacks (all hitting on 3+) would have been enough to at least break them I suspect. Alas, it was not meant to be and I must go back to the drawing board. Time to get back to using my terminators more responsibly.

Jeff played a solid game once again, showing why he is at the top of the ladder and climbing. His fairly solid and mobile army is proving to be very difficult for me, especially all those super heavies and those damn vultures.

Cornocopia of Pictures

I got a lot of painting done this weekend and lots of pictures to show it off. We'll start with Epic stuff. The two Forge World buildings I purchased got finally finished after many adventures in priming-stripping-repriming.

I also completed my Ravager titan to give me thoughts of fielding an Adeptus Mechanicus list (corrupted of course!).
   

And here are the titans patrolling a Forge World Tank Factory and other buildings just to give scale of them:

Oh, and here are the finished Havocs and new Obliterators.

Next up I've started to work on my Grand Cruiser for BFG just because its a damn cool model. I am going to use magnets in the side batteries so I can switch from two different types.

Finally , 40K Eldar! I spent most of the weekend working on these guys, but finished models get camera priority. Guardians moving right along, and Dark Reapers entering the highlight stage.
       

I find my painting productivity has gone way up over previous years for three reasons.
1. Instead of working on one project at a time, I find I like being able to switch amoung several model types and spread my attention around. Keeps interest up.

2. My painting skill has increased to a point where I am painting for pride as opposed to simply getting stuff on the table.

3. Got to keep the blog content coming! Yikes!