Liche Priest

Last night I decided to do my Heriophant. Please ignore the base, the whole units will get done together at the end.

Have a great new year guys! See you all in 2012!

Video batrep - Skaven Vs Tomb Kings.

For Christmas this year  I received a lovely little Kodak Mini camcorder. At first I was kind of stuck for things to do with it. Then a friend pointed out I could do a video battle report of the game we we're about to have..

Here's the result.  Its 2000pt game, we rolled for terrain and the scenario (Blood and Glory) before I started filming. I apologise for the lack of models and paint on my part. I'm still building the Tomb king force ready for an event in  about a month.

Return to the Vampire Coast

First a little background. Return to the Vampire coast is a campaign style weekend event at Maelstrom Games run by these guys. Not all armys are represented but there is a campagn pack explained what is and isnt alowd. You may even have access to brand new units. This can and does usualy mean your army/enemys force wont play exactly how your used too.
Now a few of you will remember my chaos troll army wich I took to another of their campaigns back in the spring. If not, heres an image or two to prompt your memorys.

A general army shot whilst out on display after being nominated for best painted.

Im on a roll!

I know another post! Here's an Agoniser. He's a little 'blue~er' then I wanted, but I like it.

Im realy enjoying Warmachine / Hordes at the mo. Expect to see more

I painted something!

Erm... exactly what it say's on the tin.  All constructive critisim is more then welcome.

So my first attempt at a Skorne model. A void spirit.

for some reason it looks darker with the white backdrop. This is the same model, same place. (All I did was put a piece of paper behind it)

and it looks alot lighter.

AGoM VII

Just under a month till the next AGoM, and I've still to decide what I'm going to take. Its down to 3 possible choices.

Option 1 - Daemons
Pretty much the standard fair at this point size. 2 Hordes of 30 'letters with 2 units of 5 flamers. A HoT and a HoK as my BSB. 
Hits like a truck and wrecks face. Problem is its very one dimensional, and a bit too good. I'll end up near the top tables and get my arse handed to me. Its probably a nomination for most cheesy too.

Option 2 - High Elves.
This is fairly text book. Its a level 4 with the Book of Hoeth and a BSB both in a unit of 30 Sea guard. 18 White lions and 5 Dragon Prices with the SoS. Oh and an Eagle.
This force is all about the mage. The choice of lore would be crucial but shadow would probably win out. If the SG block gets to combat the AM is dead. Giving up over 400 Vps! The army is a bit less powerful then the Daemons but still has a good chance to wreck face and not be deemed as cheesy.

Option 3 - Empire
This is what Ive take to the past 2 AGoMs. A standard WAlter and STank combo backed up by a large swordsmen unit and a level 2 life mage. People have gotten wise to the STank getting healed no so that's no longer affective. That and the lore of Shadow being a fairly common choice makes it a big 300 point gamble. On the positive though. I can use this as my backup in case I don't get the other 2 painted.

So thoughts, which would you take?

Project Dorf - Slayer bases

Works started on the Slayer bases. For those that asked this first shot is the  AoW plastic slayer next top a GW miner. As you can see they are pretty much the same size.




Heres the base.



Work in progress. Learnt things from the miners base, no crappy plasti covering every tile. You need to be able to see the bases for templates. Also left the front middle 4 bases plain so I can swap about FC with characters and not destroy the look.

Storm of Magic

Storms of Magic is the latest Warhammer Expansion, enabling battles to be fought amidst devastating magical events as wizards unleash cataclysmic spells and titanic monsters clash in earth-shattering battles.
Storms of magic are epoch-shattering events that unleash terrible and all-powerful arcane energies, unbridled power that allows wizards to shackle titanic beasts to their dominion, or deny their enemies mystical forces that could destroy whole nations in one huge spell.

So the buzz is all over the place at the moment. Storm of Magic is comming, and I'll admit it. I cant wait! I a big big fan of 8th Ed Warhammer and anything that can mix it up a little is welcome.

Youll be seeing more SoM stuff in the future so keep checking back

The Iron Owl - A miniature painting competition

A plug for a comp happening at my FLGS. The Leeds Wargaming Center. I dont know what I'll be entering. But Ive plenty of time to choose!

Cold One Knights - Review.

With Project Dorf on hold for a while, I decided to get cracking with those mini's I always wanted to paint. But didn't have an army for. First out the gate Cold One Knights.

First impressions. 
 The sprues are packed with option. Not just the usual command pieces. There are also extra heads for both the riders and cold ones themselves. As well as different crests for the helmets, multiple shields and 7 different lances. Plenty of choice. On closer inspection I did notice that there are only 2 different cold one torso's. Making them all look like that are caught  in the same freeze frame photo, the different heads do help to make them look individual when assembled though.

Assembly
Assembly is fairly simple, and it has the usual GW instruction pamphlet. The mold lines however are very bad.  I don't know if its a bad batch I have but it just looked like the 2 sides of the mold just didn't line up correctly.  The Cold Ones legs and tails had a huge amounts of flash that needed removing. A pain considering the amount of detail on these models. Unfortunately removing it resulted in a  loss of the detail in those areas.
On on seperate note, why give them the massive plastic oval tabs for feet?  Why not use the usual GW method of the 2 bars and the slotta base? The tabs are hard to mask on the base due to the size of them and they look clunky.

Painting
Ive yet to put brush to plastic, but they look fun to paint. The Cold Ones look amazing when ranked up. The detail on the mounts more then making up for the lack of it on the armoured knights. The chainmail robes of the riders do block a large portion of the cold ones side. It will probably be easyer to do the usual mounted unit thing and paint the rider and mount individualy.

Overall score
A slightly above average 7 out of 10.  Nice models let down by poor molds.

Base - Done

Ok, base is done. Now you can have a propper photo, not a CCPP

Just need some action to happen on it, and a lick of paint or 2.

Project Dorf

Or Dwarf, your call.

This is my 8th Ed army, and Im trying to push myself, and take it to the next level.

My general idea for these bases are its all one massive dwafen dig site / mine. They are trying to uncover some ancient technology to aid them in futures battles. Probably something from the 8th Ed book if the rumors are to be believed. Giant stone constructs / golems.

The first off the post is this unit. 25 Miners. Well, the start of its basing....  CCPP's as standard

Its mostly a learning curve. So Im hoping it will advance my skill both as a painter and a modeler.  More will follow soon :)

Trolls - An update.

So I thought I would update you with what Ive been painting.  All for this campaign Im taking part in this weekend. All these photos are CCPP's

Galrauch

5 Trolls

Started BSB on chariot.

Lots to do, youll get more piccys soon.

Toying with a 3000pt High Elf list

Im trying to not buy anything new, and go back and revisiting all the armys I have but never finished. Wich is pretty much all of em.
Ok heres the first try at a 3K list. Im enjoying playing games at that point level, so I'll be aiming all my armys for that level. Im after a mounted / swift army. So youll see alot of cavalry units and chariots. This makes them stand out from my other fantasy armys.

Lords
[281]Prince - Dragon Armour, Shield, Giant blade, Helm of forune, Talisman of loec, Barded steed.
Expensive I know, but a combat monster and a character killer! 4 ASF attacks at str 7 rerolling to hit and wound and making you reroll passed armour saves. He also has a 1+ save with rerolls to any that fail.
[360]Archmage - lvl 4 life, Seerstaff, Talisman of preservation
Standard Archmage build pretty much. Can choose spells and a 4++ save.
Heroes
[180]Noble - BSB, GW, Dragon Armour, Dawnstone Amulet of light, Barded steed.
A bit meh but not bad for a defensive BSB.
[155]Mage - lvl 2 shadow, Dispell scroll
Its a mage, nuff said. Shadows there so I can swap him with the Archmage should it ever look like he would be in trouble.

Core
[345]35 Spearmen - FC, gleaming pennant.
In a nice 5x7 formation for that steadfast boost. Gleaming pennant as they will be at the back protecting the AM and away from the BSB's bonus. Will be used to charge a unit getting close holding them up for a flank from the mounted units.
[148]13 Archers - Musician
Archers, nuff said.
[137]12 Archers - Musician
A mage in here
[137]12 Archers - Musician
A mage in here

Special
[240]14 Swordmasters - FC
flanking unit
[220]Whitelions - FC, Banner of Eternal flame
Hydra, Hellpit, whatever has bloody regen or is sat in a tower hunting unit.
[192]8 Silver helms - Mus
A means and ways to get my Lord into combat, nothing more. That rank will help me disrupt units when I get the flank. I hope!
[150]5 Dragon princes
Awesome unit, but not the Lord unit. They have a reputation and will be gunned down first.
[85]Tiranoc chariot
Something to support the charges from whatevers close by.

Rare
[100]Bolt Thrower
[100]Bolt thrower
Not great these days realy. But can still be fairly deadly. Specialy if theres a nice Shadow Debuff on its target.
[50]Eagle
[50]Eagle
Warmachine hunter and redirector.

Total - 2984

So got about 15 points to play with.... I would realy like the banner of sorcery too. But Im not overly bothered. Thoughts on the 3K? 2K list on the way soon.

Warshrine Progress

 This is my progress on the Warshrine  of Tzeentch.  At the moment it's about 50% done

Ive decided to go with this colour for the ogre skin. It stands out from the trolls and I can tie in the purple theme in other ways. Like the Tzeentch icon. Hopefully this will be finished tomorrow!

Project Throgg

In about 6 weeks I'll be attending a local campaign weekend, which is all about the fun, and not the win! So I've revived  a project I started about 2 years about. A Warriors of Chaos, troll list.


Heres my first attempt at a colour scheme.

 

So what do you guys think?

The finished Duke Sliscus conversion

Here it is. Parts from 4 different model kits and from 2 different game systems. I think it works well.

Everythings now built. Time to get painting!

Realspace Raid 14 - The Serpents Tale

This is a narative of a game I played. My opponent, Redemptor40k,  is the writer. So all credit goes to him.... fingers crossed he finishes the tale.

The Serpents eyes narrowed as he looked through the half-light towards the ruined chapel where the crippled form of the dreadnought remained.

 ‘Where are they?’ he thought to himself.

The contingent of marines that had been guarding the relic didn’t stand a chance as his best men descended on them in the darkness – their senses were super heightened from the combat drugs he had given them and the neurotoxins in their splinter rifles were tailored to shut down the marines enhanced biology. He had personally despatched the dreadnought with his blast pistol but not before it had activated its distress signal – that was what he was counting on.

He had fulfilled his part of the bargain.

“SLISCUS!” Shouted the Archon. 

The kabal's grav craft skimmed past the landing pad with the Archon stood at the helm of the most ornate raider – he could not see his face but imagined the fury in his eyes behind the leering mask.

Just as he was about to respond there was a scream of thruster jets and the landing pad was licked with flames. Before he even had chance to register the drop pods arrival the space marines were on top of them – before the spent shell casings had hit the ground the bolter rounds were lifting his men off their feet and blowing ragged bloody chunks through their ornate armour, one warrior dived in front of Sliscus as a melta was aimed at him – half the warriors face dissolved as the weapon found its new target.

Such loyalty surprised the Duke, he didn’t know the warriors name but he would remake him if there was enough of him left for the haemonculi.

As he contemplated this he unholstered his blast pistol and in one fluid move aimed it squarely at the helmet of the squad leader – the marine had no time to react and suffered the same fate as the loyal warrior. The rest of Sliscus’s band of warriors opened up on the marines but they could only bring down two more.

Sliscus looked to the distance, Laser Beams cut through the dark sky but found no target, he followed the trajectory back to its source – a Land raider followed by more of the ugly Imperial tanks. The marines had arrived and in force, hopefully the Archon would be happy now.

The bark of bolter fire brought his attention back to the landing pad, nearly half his men were dead or dying and there were still seven marines to kill. He readied his blades as the marines closed in – now it would get interesting….

Realspace Raids -11, 12 and 13.

So Ive been busy getting games in. All practise for the YOT's in a few weeks. A draw, win a loss in that order. Nothing new of note realy, the duke with the large warrior unit is starting to shine. I love that unit!

Speaking of which, Ive started my Duke conversion, heres a shot of the work in progress.

Results:- 7 wins, 3 drawn, 3 losses

Realspace Raid 10

So Im getting more practise for the 40K Yorkshire open heats. Same 1800 point list, new opponent. 

Sisters of Battle. 1 Objective a piece, line up and kill each other. Nothing of note realy, well except he had the worst case of luck. Constantly rolling 1's when wounding, and 5 and 6's for LD checks. The game just fell apart for him. Score 1 more win! One thing however stood out from the battle.

My wyches charged a Penitant Engine, fully expecting to die.  I have never played against them before, and there's no harm trying stuff out. Sixes to hit as usual, with Haywire grenades. Scoring 3 hits, a pen and 2 glance. Imbolising it.  He fluffed his attacks back, next round I was hitting on 4's. Scoring another 3 pens and killing it.  Perfect timing for a follow up charge on a unit of sisters close by. Couldnt have gone any smoother.

On a slight tangent. The Duke is by far one of the best characters in the game in my opption.  Im running him in a 20 strong unit of warriors that, when rapid fireing, gets 48 shots hitting on 3's wounding on 3s and 2 other blasters shots, usualy wounding on 2s at AP2. Thats alot of saves to make. At one point he had to take 18 saves on a unit of 7 sisters. That was with a poor set of rolls to wound from me aswell.


Results:- 6 wins, 2 drawn, 2 losses. Next game I'll do a full report.

The Dark Throne

My next thing to do.

http://tempusfugitives.co.uk/pdf/wfb/The%20Dark%20Throne.pdf

Thats the rules pack. As you can see its a narative driven story. Played over the weekend. I wasnt overly taken by it till I realised I can finaly field my trolls at something, and not cry too much when purple sun wipes them out.

So I need a 1500 point list, a 3000 point list incorperating the 1500 and a watchtower. Now the big thing... I need a THEME!  Something different for them, every bugger goes SNOW!

Here are the lists.

1500

Troll King Throgg
6 Trolls
6 Trolls
3 Dragon Ogres - GW
3 Ogres - mus, standard, GW, CA
Chaos warshrine of Tzeenthc
Hellcannon

Main downside, no BSB. I just cant fit one in and keep the theme.

Heres the 3000.

Troll King Throgg
Galrauch
Tzeentch Hero - BSB, Chariot, extra handweapon, talisman of persiveriance.
6 Trolls
6 Trolls
6 Trolls
3 Dragon Ogres - GW
6 Ogres - mus, standard, GW, CA
Chaos warshrine of Tzeentch
Chaos warshrine of Tzeentch
Hellcannon
6 Warhounds


So, now I have a BSB.  Problem, he breaks fluff. But I can fix that with a rhinox rider counts as. So thoughts? And any ideas for a theme or base style ect?

Realspace Raid 9 - Yeah I missed a few....

Sorry about that guys, Ive played games and just not reported them back. I did however play my 8th and 9ths games yesterday. One against a new chaos player, the other Vs my usual Grey Knight opponent.

If you dont know, Im practsing for the heats of the Yorkshire Open Tournament at the end of Febuary. Its 3 games at1800 points.

Heres what Im taking.

HQ
[140]Archon - Agoniser, Combat Drugs, PGL, Shadowfield
[150]Duke Sliscus

Elite
[180]5 Incubi
Raider - Flickerfield

Troops
[210]20 Warriors - 2 Splinter Cannons, Sybarite
[210]10 Wyches - Hydra Gauntlets, Hekatrix, Agoniser
Raider - Flickerfields
[210]10 Wyches - Hydra Gauntlets, Hekatrix, Agoniser
Raider - Flickerfields
[210]10 Wyches - Hydra Gauntlets, Hekatrix, Agoniser
Raider - Flickerfields

Fast
[130]5 Reavers - 1 Caltrops

Heavy
[115]Ravager - Flickerfield
[115]Ravager - Flickerfield
[115]Ravager - Flickerfield

1800 spot on

Ok tictacs. Duke goes with the base objective holding warriors. This makes the weapons wound on a 3+ aswell. The duke gets 2 rolls on the drugs table. Hoping to get the extra PtP token. If it works, hey I have a 33% chance, Then every unit will have FNP from the get go. The duke also alows the Raiders to deepstrike, removed the cant disembark rule aswell. Im considering holding a Wyche squad back, then deepstriking them in and assaulting the enemy objective holders.


Anyhow totals so far  5 wins, 2 draws, 2 lost.

AGoM VI - Results

Had an awesome time as usual. I realy cant recomend these events enough, there is nothing power gamey about them. Not once was anyone a dick about a rule. Realy guys, the next one is at the bank hol weekend in August, sign up! Its £30 for your ticket and thats 6 games and lunch on both days. Do as I did, buy it then it forces you to actualy paint your army.

One of the nominations for best painted. Also my 5th opponent.

Anyhow the results.

Cheesiest Army : Ben Davis - Dual Hydra Repeater-crossbow-fest
Best Army : Dan Quirk - Daemons of Chaos

Golden Pineapple : Scott Miskin with Orcs & Goblins (emphasis on goblins).

3rd Place : Nick Pym - Daemons of Chaos
2nd Place : Andrew Chesney - High Elves
1st Place : Fabian Quinn - Warriors of Chaos

Best in Race

Beastmen - Stephen Patchett
Bretonnia - Justin Read
Daemons of Chaos - Nick Pym
Dark Elves - Ben Davis
Dwarfs - Ed Stevenson
Empire - Darryl Jones
High Elves - Andrew Chesney
Lizardmen - Daniel Jones
Ogre Kingdoms - Matt Howley
Orcs and Goblins - Lee Ashley
Skaven - Jamie Parsons
Tomb Kings - Paul Redburn
Vampire Counts - Alex Read
Warriors of Chaos - Fabian Quinn
Wood Elves - Tris Buckroyd

Yep I won best in race. I was the highest ranking Empire player at 17th. A personal best, my old one was 24th. I dodged the nomination for most cheesy. Mostly I think to people knowing 8th more. I have however now decided next time, Im bringing flith.... what filth... I dont know. I need help with this....

A Gathering of Might VI

So tomorrow is AGoM VI, a 1500 point WHFB tournament. There are 6 games, 1 of each scenario played over the course of the weekend. The only rule, apart from those in the 8th Ed book, is no special / named characters. I'll be taking the same force I took last time. Mostly due to the fact I dont have anything else fit for it.  Heres my list

Lords
[250]Arch Lector - War alter, Armour of Meteoric Iron

Heroes
[125]Life Wizard - lvl 2, Dispel Scroll
[126]Warrior Priest - Heavy Armour, Shield, Van Horstmans
[93]Captain - BSB, Full Plate, Banner of Eternal Flame.

Core
[247]37 Swordsmen - FC
[90]10 Handgunners - Standard
[90]10 Handgunners - Standard

Special
[100]Great Cannon
[75]Mortar

Rare
[300]Steamtank

Now everyone automaticaly goes "OMG an alter and tank in a 1500 point list!". Yes it looks filth, but its not that bad. Realy....
The Stank can die fairly easy to magic, if they have the right lore. Shadow, Death and Metal can all ruin it in 1 spell.Im not going into the tactics, I dont want to give too much away regarding my game plan. Youll have to check back in a few days and see how it went.