Relictor Sternguard Veteran #2

I have just put the finishing touches to the second of my squad of ten. Here is the latest addition, with cloak as requested by Inner Geek. I have two cloaks so another mini will get the other, one has grey fur and one brown.

This Sternguard is an old Blood Angels Death Company marine with the blood-drop icon on the greave laurel carefully removed and a tiny skull put in its place (fiddly). I also removed the blood-drop icon from the chain on the left thigh. His left kneepad, shoulder trim and bone coloured helmet denotes he is a member of 1st Company, Veteran Company and the right shoulder displays a veteran badge.

I didn't use the converted bolter with drum magazine on this one as I haven't painted it yet and will use that on a marine without a cloak. But, I added a scope befitting of his veteran status. The cloak inside is layered and blended Mechrite Red and Hormagaunt Purple up to Blood Red (a really good organic colour if you are doing Nids), the outer side layered Graveyard Earth to Commando Khaki

Simple Sternguard Bolter Conversion

Continuing my Sternguard theme at the moment, I saw completed versions of these on a friends Photbucket album and thought I'd have a go at it. Really simple effective conversion for upgrading your plastic marines to Sternguard or Characters.

Simple cutting and filing the Rhino Vehicle Accessory Storm Bolter, one gun will give you two magazines. Remove the normal magazine as shown and glue. Scope is from the SM Tactical Weapons Sprue or even the AOBR marines.

Kantor Base was asking about conversions to make some sternguard, hope this helps. Just add some suitable bits from the Black Templar Upgrade box, Dark Angel Veteran Box, Chaos SM Box, Command Squad box or even WFB Chaos Marauders box (I've used some cloaks with a notch cut for the rear of the marine torso - WIP, complete soon.

See my other Simple conversions: Combi-Melta or Vehicle Storm Bolter. Hope these help.

Relictor Sternguard Veteran

So, I have made some slow progress with starting my Sternguard Unit. I'm gonna have a unit of ten so I can field 5 or 10 as appropriate. The thought of all that Special Ammo blasting away the Emperor's enemies is too good to miss! This one was from the original SM Veterans Boxset, I added a bolter sling (Cadian Lasgun strap).

I have been looking around for some backpacks to finish of these guys for some time, I did settle for normal SM backpacks with a painted numeral "I" on them to denote 1st Company but GW recently released a bitz pack containing 1 Chirugeon Backpack (Fabius Bile) and 4 Cypher Fallen Angel Backpacks, needless to say, these were just the ticket and screamed RELICTOR Veterans and the Chirugeon pack will suit my Apothecary (who said a 'lil bit of Chaos is not good for you?) Thank-you GW!

I'll leave you with some other views showing the backpack in all its ghastly glory. Only 9 Veteran Sternguard left...

(Awaiting Superglue from mail order, hence the sticky yellow tack between the backpack and body!)

Heavy Support WIP

Just a quick update to what is on my painting table at the moment. I have recently dispatched an order to www.PaintedFigs.com to paint some of my tanks for me, however, although they provide an excellent 'standard' service, I wanted to do all the fine detailing myself so I sent stripped down versions of the tanks to them. When they return I will embellish them with weathering, touch ups to my exacting specifications and add all these bits and pieces plus transfers etc.

I know the purists out there will say I should do the whole project myself but, hey I haven't that much time and a huge project list (see the right hand bar! A reaver is sitting there calling to be started proper (for you Inner Geek), plus 2 Devestator squads, Veterans, Assault troops, Full Command etc etc) and they are just doing the basecoating and highlighting the basic model. All the time consuming 'boring' bits in my mind and they're super cheap to boot.

As you can see, the devil is in the detail - and this way I get to 'own' the tank again. Troops are different, there is no 'boring' expanses and it is all detail work. My Landraiders will gladly be my own work from top to tail as I want the insides painted too. Look out for the future results of these WIP Vindicators...

Relictors Assault Terminator Squad

So, since I completed the Sergeant and posted here in February, I've been keen to finish the rest of the squad so I have a viable counter to Porn-Star-Jedi's favourite unit he always fields - a five man Assault Terminator Squad with Termie Chaplain. As you can fathom, I am not the fastest of painters, I posted the Serg over a month ago (but I did get a Hellhound done?!) Now here is the five man squad, then soon a Termie Chaplain to beat Porn-Star-Jedi's fav tactic over the head with... Mwagh-a-haha (evil laugh)

The shields are all large due to my reckoning that a 3+ inv save requires something substantial, and the fact that I was keen to use a converted Thunder Hammer and Storm Shield I bought on eBay (think they were originally Lysander's) but not for the Sergeant. The other shields come from the normal Assault Termies box and the Chapter Master's box, however this one required a conversion of my own from the right arm to the left. The Sergeants one was a FW Black Templar shield.

As you can see, they fit the Sergeant quite well (IMHO) and each member displays the Relictor Chapter Badge White Skull around their person echoing the Serg's Storm Shield. Bigger pictures can be found at the Finished Relictors link in the right hand bar >>>

Imperial Guard Vraks Hellhound

As the title suggests, this is a slight departure from my main army but don't fear - the Relictors will receive reinforcements to rival Porn-Star-Jedi's Ultramarines in due course. These are a side project to help keep me stimulated etc, away from the Relictor Grey everything.

I have purchased a LOT of FW Death Korps of Kreig but I also love the 'not so new now' Plastic Cadian Shock Troops - so I decided I would have some normal guard to play alongside my DKK on Vraks simulating the remenants of still Loyal Vraks PDF troops and equipment now incorporated into the DKK Armies. I can either use Codex rules for these elements or use the DKK Imperial Armour datasets for 'counts as' DKK. But before I worry about all the rules, I have about 500 troopers, 15 Leman Russ MBT, Macharius Vanquisher, FW Stormsword, Legio Astorum Reaver and Warhound to paint...

Here is the Hellhound, done as an experiment into resin models - I had never used Resin before so the whole cleaning, filing, constructing this Resin/Plastic hybrid was as much a lesson as it was the start of something else big.

The main colours are from 2 car spray cans with masking tape in between coats to produce the camouflage pattern. The Cadians will be Graveyard Earth/Scab Red and the DKK mainly Scab Red so this will fit in nicely. Detail work and highlights are Citadel colours. The tracks were added after painting for convenience.

Link to Web Album is http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/SiphHorridus/FinishedRelictors

Reinforcements

Prior to the battle report, I had a free weekend for some hardcore painting, and modeling... time for reinforcements!

To add to my force, two Rhino's were added, I need to finish the models with transfers and the tactical markings on the back, however rain prevented me from spraying the markings on them. I also need to add a storm bolter to R2. I was going to add a hunter killer missile, however a storm bolter is standard on the Rhino, - this will be done over the weekend.

Next up is a predator armed with the tank hunting annihilator patten. The marine on the turret has been converted to allow the storm bolter turret to rotate. Originally I was going to paint the marine red, as his left shoulder pad is a mechanicus symbol. After consulting sergeant Chronus profile it hit me that some tanks would be crewed by 'normal' space marines. Within the character profile it cites that there are 50+ marines within the armoury, so why not have a squad designed to operate all armour vehicles? -Thus tread head marine was born. The mechanicus symbol was painted bronze to identify the marine as a 'tread head'. ( i like the idea, I hope you guys do to!!)

To add to the Rhino's, a second drop pod was built, and painted. The model requires the doors to be finished with the yellow/black chevron combination. I've got a third sat waiting to be completed! I love the idea of having a company drop podding into battle, the fear of facing 1 is scary enough.. but 9??? Geezes.

Also I've added pictures of my other projects carried over from my marathon of modelling, I built up my Forgeworld Ultramarine Venerable Dreadnought and Chaplain Dreadnought. I've converted the base of the Venerable Dreadnought so that he is stomping onto a Tyranid warrior body, the positioning of the model is aimed so that it appears that the unfortunate Tyranid has been blasted by a plasma-cannon (its going to leave a mark, for sure... medic!!) The Chaplain Dreadnought is armed for close quarter combat. A Multi-melta for the tougher opposition and a power fist/flamer combi. I've gone for the MkV style arm, I feel it fits with the style of the model, it is the same size as the melta arm so he doesn't look 'wonky'.

As you can see the Dreadnoughts have good company. I really need to crack on and finish all of these dreads!!Also added is a picture of my Assault Termie's, they were awesome in the battle report again against Siph. The sergeant is based on the Lysander model, with the Imperial Fist icons filed away, I like the idea of having veterean sergeants (especially the 1st company) looking venerable with their armour covered in honours - almost looking like a captain. (these guys are pretty much one step from becoming a captain). These guys will be getting a fresh lick of paint, and basing. Once done I'll show you the results!!

..............................Right time to get on with this reaver!!

Battle Report Relictors vs Ultramarines 750pts-ish

Porn-Star-Jedi and myself got together for a pre-cursor warm up 750pt battle before a bigger one later in the week where this result would somehow benefit the victor for the 2nd battle, however, events prevented the later battle so this one was the only one. Nevermind, a little twist to the Scenario and we are away...

##//### Transmission begins...
...Unconfirmed reports have indicated that an unknown power source has been detected in the abandoned wreckage that was once Zevas IV. Gideon Lorr has requested a force of the Emperors finest Ultramarines to investigate the area.

One of his aides made planet fall, however no reports and no contact has been made since.

It is believed a battle unit of Relictors is in the area moving towards the power source, adding to the rumours that the power source is from an unholy chaos relic, or artefact.

Ultramarines are requested to find and escort the aide, and destroy the unholy icon of chaos... at any cost. ###//## Transmission ends.

The forces were roughly Relictor - Chaplain + Assault Sqd, 2 Tac Sqd and Landspeeder, Rhino and Drop Pod. Ultramarines - Chaplain + Termie Assault Sqd, Combat Sqd, Scout Sqd, Tac Sqd and Drop Pod and a Vindicare Assassin. (Points totalled 760pts Relictors, 860pts Ultramarines (Porn-Star-Jedi claims he forgot about the Assassin!) Nevermind...

To go with the scenario, the Engineer had the Relic. He would move D6 inches in Scatter Dice direction at the beginning of each full turn. If one of us was within 2in of Engineer uncontested we would claim escort. Relictors had to claim the Relic, Ultramarines escort and destroy it.

Battle Start

Turn one saw the Landspeeder cruise toward the Vindicare and shoot with the Multi-Melta, the Assassin ducked aside with ease. The Rhino containing the Relictor Tac Sqd sped forward and the Assault Sqd and Relictor Chaplain launched forward using the Jump Packs but remained in the hard cover of the ruins. The Ultramarines Combat Sqd and Scouts ran forward toward the Engineer, who seeing the bright lights of the Rhino ran toward the Relictors - bad idea! Drop Pods and Termies in reserve.

Turn Two - Termies arrive and Landspeeder closes in for kill

Turn Two saw the Ultramarine Termies arrive with the Termie Chaplain, the Scouts moved forward toward the Engineer. The Ultramarine Combat Sqd had a shot at the Landspeeder but missed. The Vindicare shot the Relictor Chaplain taking a wound. Relictors disembark from the Rhino near the Engineer, Assault Sqd closed the distance between them and Ultramarine Combat Sqd and the Landspeeder combat moved to Heavy Flame the Scouts killing 3 and Multi-Melting the Chaplain Termie taking a wound (Rule error - after we realised this should have killed him). The rhino popped smoke to prevent getting Multi-melted the next turn.

Turn Three - Drop Pod into Relictor rear

Turn Three saw the Ultramarine drop pod arrived to harass the Relictor Tac Sqd killing one and the Termies moved toward the Engineer. The Vindicare and Scout Heavy Bolter shot the Landspeeder, shaking the crew. The Relictors surprised by the Drop Pod turned and assaulted the new arrivals joined also by the Relictor Assault Sqd killing only 4 Ultramarines (poor dice rolls). The engineer was now free to move again.

Turn Four - Termies Join Assault and Relictor Drop Pod arrives

Turn Four saw the Termies joining in the melee around the Ultramarine Drop Pod, both Chaplains fought hard but the earlier damage to the Terminator from the Multi-Melta gave the Relictor the upperhand and he fell the Ultramarine priest, but not before 4 other behemoths stepped up to the fray, smashing the Relictor Assault Sqd and causing them to flee. The hard pressed Relictors saw the arrival of the Drop Pod and claimed the Engineer once again, firing everything they had at the Ultramarine Combat Sqd killing 3. The landspeeder sped away to recover.

The Vindicare looks on, choosing his next target.

The Assault phase in Turn Four was the decider, the surviving Ultramarines from the Scout and Combat Sqd charged the newly arrived Relictors, contesting the Engineer. In the assault, bad dice rolls on both sides prevented the all important loses and both sides remained locked. Darn... The Chaplain and Terminators remained locked in combat and the Engineer was left free to roam, no one holding the objective and a draw.

The Chaplain holds on by the skin of his teeth...

State of Play at end of Turn Four

Who knows what a turn five would have produced, the Chaplain would probably died freeing up the Termies whilst the Ultramarine Combat Sqd and Scout remenants would have died freeing up the Relictor Tac Sqd? The Landspeeder and Rhino would have come charging in to save the day only to be shot by the Assassin? Fun draw. I must paint my Terminator Assault Sqd to counter these Ultramarine ones!

From a Ultramarine prespective the battle had lots of twists and turns, drop pods are quickly becoming on of my favourite units. Simply having these bad boys sat waiting to deploy is a great feeling, and also fearful if you are on the receiving end! Special mention has to go to the Assault Terminators, who's goal was to slow the assault marines and tactical sqd. The assualt was bloody, and casaulties were high. Things would of been different if we had a 5th turn.

Relictors Assault Chaplain (Chaplain #1)

I've been busy sorting out a grotty dirty scummy house I own and rent after the tenant did a bunk owing 2 months rent and never cleaning... what do I pay the rental agency management fee's for? All done now, I would live there again.

Anyway, since I was down the southern end of the country, I popped over to Porn-Star-Jedi's place for a wee battle. Battle report coming... but my surprise for him was this little beauty. He was an Ebay purchase, touched up and based and painted in Relictor colours from a rather decent job before hand as a Blood Angel. I sold my unpainted Chaplain of the same design for £6 so this guy cost me a tenner. Not bad.

Thanks, Siph.