Relictors Tactical Squad VI - first half done

A short post, I'm off this weekend to Pornstarjedi's so we should get another battle in under our belts. In the meantine, i've been very slowly adding to my troops choices. These are the first half of my final Tactical Squad. I now have 55 Tactical marines and 5 rhino's for now - one sqd will have a drop pod until i do another APC but that is low down on the eventual project list. I am aiming for an entire Battle Company, plus additional Armoury/Fast/Elite choices.

Next on the list after this squad will be my Assault Troops, adding to the 5 man sqd I painted eons ago - I think the challenge might be to paint those the same style as the assault troops I painted back then, they were something like the 3rd-8th models I'd ever painted.

We'll see...

3000pt Ultramarines VS Relictors Batrep

After our little 10 man confrontation on the Friday eve, we decided to go all out on the Sat afternoon with a mighty 3000pt clash between the 'misguided' Relictors and the 'loyal lapdog' Ultramarines (eachothers words). We had both made some building ruins scenery the day before and both had plenty of heavy armour to test out. The battlelines were drawn across the dining table, 8ft by 3ft allowing a large battlefront and 5 objectives were placed for a Seize Ground mission.

The Relictor force pretty much used Siph's entire painted collection to date, 4 of his 5 Tac Sqds, 3 Vindy, 2 Landspeeders, 2 Predators, Sternguard and Drop Pod, Dred, Assault Sqd with Chaplain and Assault Termies with Librarian plus 'ole faithful Thunderfire Cannon. To counter Pornstarjedi's obvious love of Marneus Calgar, Siph took a Calgar-esque leader. We limited it to 1 mighty hero and a loose FOC (Relictors bought all their heavy armour).

Pornstarjedi took a Crusader with Assault Termies, Landraider with Termies and Calgar, Pred, Whirlwind, 3 Drop Pods, Sternguard, Tac Marines, Assault Sqd, Devastator Sqd, 1 Vindy and a Thunderfire of his own. Pornstar had 3 drop pods in reserve and Drop Pod assault on the cards...
Turn one went to Siph's Relictors and the firing was intense, the UM Thunderfire and Landraider was destroyed, slaying one of the Terminator occupants. A pred shot at the UM Vindy but the lascannon bolt was absorbed, both Landspeeders closed on the right flank but missed with their MultiMeltas towards the UM Pred. On the left flank a Rhino with Tac Sqd and the Assault sqd and Chaplain raced forward. A combat sqd seized an objective by the ruins of a landraider. Elsewhere, rhinos charged forward disgourging their Tac Marines and boxed in the UM Crusader with its Assault Termies cargo - it will be a long walk if they can't destroy the rhino. (We play wrecks stay on board unless a six is rolled on damage table and vehicle explodes). That said, surely 20 something attacks by the Termie cargo with ThunderHammers should result in a messy fireball? Some great shooting from the Relictor lines caused the Combat Sqd on the top of the massive building to flee from the objective they held.
The UM turn started with a drop pod assault, one to counter the Relictor charge on the left flank and one behind the grey heavy armour - Devastators. Some accurate and heavy fire from the UM lines saw 2 of the 3 Relictor Vindicators destroyed and the Thunderfire wrecked. An oversight with the disembarkation from a transport (drop pod) counting as movement meant the Devastators couldn't fire their main weapons this turn, (Oops, a slight miss-calculation on my part- Jedi) hopefully some would survive the next turn. The left flank Relictor charge was checked by the drop pod UM Sternguard and the Relictor Tac Sqd and Assault Sqd took casualties from accurate Vengeance Rounds and Whirlwind ordanance. The fleeing Combat sqd gathered their wits and rallied still within the massive building and now further in cover - they would prove hard to shift.

Reserves for the Relictors were rolled and Marneus Relic-gar (It's so wrong to be facing the God of War! - Jedi) and the sternguard in the drop pod arrived to take out the UM Devastators, the nearby Vindicator had other bigger targets to deal with. Behind the UM lines, two Landspeeders and the flanking Relictor Dred gave some worry to the UM Heavy armour but shooting was ineffective. The Tac Marines in the ruins on the left flank gave some harrassing fire toward the UM Assault Sqd and Sternguard and then a charge from the Relictor Asault Sqd, Chaplain and Tac Sqd survivors unleashed merry hell and killed the UM Sternguard outright. Two drop pods neutralised - one left. The rhino wall in front of the UM Landraider withstood the previous +20 Thunderhammer attacks and sat there a shaken, stunned, immobilised, weapon destroyed husk. Job done well.

The UM second turn started with the arrival of a Tac Sqd behind enemy lines in a drop pod to threaten the thin Relictor rear and the furthest right flank Objective held by a single Combat Sqd. In the centre the foot slogging Assault Termies and Calgar moved toward the centre objective with a Tac Sqd to try and claim the objective next turn and prevent a conter attack from the Relictors Sternguard nearby. A combat sqd took on the surviving Chaplain to tie him up in close combat long enough for the Whirlwind to keep firing and the Techmarine with his Servo Harness to close and prevent him from jump-packing up the large building to contest objectives.The Relictor turn three saw the left flank Tac Sqds move forward breaking from cover to try and reach the objectives in the next turn. A Predator Destructor made sure the UM holed up in the opposite massive building kept their heads down. In the UM rear the Landspeeders had a shot at the UM Pred rear and failed to destroy it! But in the Relictor lines, the Pred Annihilator had better luck and destroyed the UM Vindicator. Slowly all the UM armour was being taken out and Relictors advanced throughout the UM right flank. On the left flank, the Relictor Tac Sqd survivors from the initial assaults ran a suicide mission into the enemy held building in order to prevent the UM advancing out of the door and onto an objective.The Ultramarine turn three started with the drop pod Tac Sqd advance on the Relictor held objective in the fortified ammo bunker and flamer fire failed to kill any of the troops but the later charge felled two of the defenders - next turn the objective would be in UM hands. The Termies in the centre continued their advance, scything down the Relictor Sternguard combat sqd with accurate Storm Bolter and Assault Cannon fire and the Assault Termies made ready for the defence of the centre objective. The Relictor suicide mission into the building was quickly repelled and the survivors fled towards the objective outside! Elsewhere, Marneus called his Orbital Bombard and wiped out the Relictor Combat sqd holding the Landraider wreck objective. (Direct hit with the Orb, bye bye power armour!!-Jedi)

Reserves were rolled and the Relictor assault termies and Librarian came on to charge the UM in the ammo complex aiding their troop survivors and wiped out the UM to a man. The centre looked firmly in UM hands so the Relictors decided to even up the score. Marneus Relic-gar who had been stationary decided to call up an orbital barrage and the Vindicator fired to add his weight of firepower to wipe out the UM Tac sqd holding the objective. Both scattered and the Orby bombardment landed squarly on Marneus Calgar - only his God of War status prevented him from being wiped out. The vindy shot landed on the nearby Termies and slew most of their number. The other Sternguard sqd fired with poisoned rounds (wound on 2+, normal saves) and managed another Assault Termie casualty. The remaining UM Termie was slewn in mortal combat with the Techmarine and some Combat Sqd survivors. Finally the Landspeeders and Dred had some luck and destroyed the UM Pred and damaged the Landraider. On the left flank the Relictors rallied and held the objective, advanced elsewhere to re-claim the Landraider wreck objective and slew the remaining UM Tac sqd troops in CC with the UM Techmarine and Relictor Chaplain. It was 3 to 2 objectives to the Relictors now...A fifth and sixth turn came about, the UM and Marneus charged the Relictors on the left, but failed to kill all the squad so it remained contested, in the centre, Siph's luck finally paid off and Marneus Relic-gar and the Sternguard and some Tac Marines wiped out the remaining UM Termies and Tac sqd leaving a single Sergeant, contesting the centre. This left the Ammo bunker and Wrecked Landraider objectives for the Relictors and the top of the massive building in UM hands - finally a win for the Relictors and not a draw as we often get! It was now 2am.

The Relictors advance over half of the table unopposed.

Siph's notes - Rhino walls can be excellent at slowing down Assault Termies and their Landraiders!, Assault Cannon wielding Termies are still good (everyone including me seem to have a CC 3+ Inv save Termies now), Chaplain with Jumppack still rocks!

Jedi's notes- Devastators are pretty poor coming out of a DP, especially on the first turn, over 200 points wasted! Terminators are pretty good working with a Tactical sqd to clear and claim an objective. Also the new true LOS rules allows you to play a very 'non-space marine tactic of hiding behind cover, very useful when you've got lascannon, auto cannon and demolisher rounds coming in! Marneus will have his revenge Mr Horridus!!

Ultramarines Vs Relictors 10 man confrontation

A weekend of 40k started with a cheeky 10 on 10 marine skirmish. Both sides had a flamer/missile launcher plus a sergeant armed with close combat weapons. We decided that all terrain counted as a 2+ save ('cos Power Armour is 3+ anyway), and that unit coherency did not apply (necromunda style!).
We were using some newly built buildings, Siph took a defensive position in the administratum building, with the UM looking to break down the left flank in numbers.

The game was pretty frantic, with Siph cursing the dice gods once again. Siph's initial attack down one flank resulted in four dead Relictors, falling to bolter shots and close combat. This left 8 UM, against 6 Relictors.

The Relictors changed tactics to sit within the ruins and wait for the UM advance. Spurred on by the earlier success the UM advanced forward! - Could they deliver the killing blow?The tides turned with rapid fire from the now four Relictors holed up in the ruins, cutting down UM one by one until it was 3 on 3.

The final showdown was fought in a crater, 3 relictors charged into 2 UM within the crater striking both down to the loss of 1. The final UM, armed with the missile launcher watched on, and in a desperate charge for victory dived head long into the waiting Relictors. The dice gods smiled at Siph, as he took two wounds to nothing killing the final UM.

The battle was over 15+ turns, having the cover save made the game more interesting as marines searched for, and hugged any cover. Missile launchers were pretty ineffective with all their shooting, the majority of shots missing, and any hits saved on the 2+. Bringing the terrain save to a 2+ actually meant that the Marines used the terrain for once rather than relied on the armour saves. Great fun and a tasty start to the main event on Saturday, 3000pts - hardcore.

AOBR Relictor Marines

Just a quick update of what I'm up to at the moment. I've finally got round to adding my AOBR Marines to the Relictor force. I'm away from home at the mo, so I took my paints and tools with me to work and in my spare time have been doing a little painting. This is the first and second WIP.

These will be added to the Powerfist Sergeant converted from the AOBR Sergeant, posted here . PornstarJedi and I should be able to get another Ultramarine/Relictor bash at some point soon so we'll post about that too.

Speak soon. Siph

Ultramarines Vs Relictors 1200pt Battle Report

Again, the mighty Ultramarines clashed bolter and sword against the heretical Relictors. Both Space Marine forces were given the task to secure the once thriving capitol city of Zevas IV.


Two 1200pt armies would battle over the ruins looking to take and hold 4 key objectives. There was one in each corner, just within deployment zones. The Ultramarines were first to deploy, a five man scout sqd, and a five strong Terminator assault sqd were positioned in the middle of the UM's deployment zone. A Whirlwind, and a 5 man Assault sqd with a jump pack/relic blade equipped Captain were positioned to the left side. The Relictors deployed within the ruins in the centre, taking both objectives. The Thunderfire Cannon was positioned in the middle of the R's deployment zone. A Razorback sat on right flank. An Assault sqd and Chaplain deployed slightly to the left. In reserves the UM had 3 drop pods, 2 containing 10 man tactical sqds, and 1 with a dreadnought. The R's had a 5 man Terminator assault sqd, and a drop pod of 7 Sternguards. Let battle commence!!
Turn 1... Ultramarines first turn started with crash and a bang as 2 drop pods smashed down into the Relictors deployment, using the drop pod assault rules. A dreadnought and 2, 5 man combat tactical sqds charged out ready to take it to the Relictors!! Both the Scouts and the Terminators moved forward to take the objective. The Whirlwind took a shot at the Relictor marines in the ruins, wounding two, but only killing one. The shooting of the tactical combat sqd and the dreadnought was very poor, scoring hits, but no casualties.


The Relictors turn had little in the way of movement, just lots of shooting. The Razorback aimed at the Whirlwind however the dice gods weren't with Siph, as the twin-linked shots missed (a common theme for Siph during the game!) The tactical sqds took aim at the newly arrived dreadnought and UMs, taking only one marine down. The Thunderfire aimed at the sqd of Scouts and blasted 4 of them to dirt (Str 6 Heavy 4, 5 scouts under template, 20 hits!). The Scout sergeant survived.

Turn 2... The drop pod UM Tac Sqd and Dred open fire at the nearest Rel Tac Sqd and Razorback destroying the tank and slaying 2 marines. The Whirlwind takes aim at the thunderfire, with a direct hit! a four is rolled for armour penetration thus only a glancing hit (I wished I had consulted the rules properly- a glancing hit on artillery unit destroys it outright!) a 6 is rolled on the vehicle damage chart, which is reduced to an immobilised result, the return fire from the Relictor lines and support from the Thunderfire sees the UM combat sqd being annihilated.
Turn 3, The third drop pod arrives for the UM, the two combat sqds run towards two objectives, Terminators and the assault marines move steadily forward. The Dreadnought charges into the ruins taking on the tactical squad in close combat. Two marines are bested and the Relictor unit retreats (an inch from the table edge... if only!) but only after immobilising the Dred with a well placed combat blade! (Siph forgot SM had Krak grenades). The Relictors fought back with a drop pod of their own, seven veterans jumped out and rapid fire Vengeance Rounds blast the closest tactical combat sqd to pieces (got to love AP3 rounds). The Thunderfire fireed into the UM Assault Termies and kills one of them. The Relictor Chaplain and Assault sqd follow this up and leap into combat with the UM Assault Termies taking 2 more Termies down and the UM veterans flee from combat - unbelievably the Relictor Assault troops fail to catch them so consolidate toward the UM objective held by the lone Scout sergeant.



Turn 4, Seeing the balance sing massively towards the Relictors, the UM Captain separated from the assault squad and charged towards the 4 man tactical combat sqd holding the objective. In a bold, almost suicidal move, the remaining five UM assault marines charged headlong into the Sternguard. The Sternguard veterans hit back (with their statline 2 attacks) and annihilated the CC troops! Both objectives in the UM deployment zone are taken by the Scout sergeant and the combat tactical sqd from the third drop pod. In the Relictor turn, the other combat sqd near the Relictor objective charge the UM Captain, the Assault Termies finally make it on to the board and charge straight into combat with the immobilised UM Dred smashing it asunder under the 5 Thunder Hammers and the nearby survivors of the rallied Relictor combat squad claim the objective! Elsewhere, the Assault Marines and Chaplain hack the UM Scout Sergeant to pieces and contest the objective from the UM leaving it one objective a piece. If the Tac Sqd engaged with the Capt hack him down they will claim the game - 9 hits, 9 saves, 2 die and combat continues for another turn.




The Games finishes, as the dust settles, 1 objective each! another draw...

Jedi's training points- Thunderfires can be lethal, however the beast should of been destroyed after the Turn 2 Whirlwind salvo. Drop pod assaults are a great way to start a battle, two drop pods crashing down and troops charging forward from the start, however these units are vunerable to getting destroyed in the oppositions next turn. My biggest mistake however is with lightning claws, For charging I should have 4 attacks, with a re-roll for failed hits to wound.. not 2 rolls!!

Siph's training points - Plasma Pistols (and all Pistols) are effectively Assault 1 up to 12" so sergeants can move, shoot and then assault. Sternguard can disembark (move) from a drop pod and rapid fire their bolters up to 12" but can't assault on the turn they disembark. Most importantly - reserve rolls are carried out for each unit in reserve, not one roll for everything - could of got those assault Termies on a lot sooner! The Chaplain should have separated from the assault sqd and assaulted the remaining UM combat sqd holding their objective, thereby contesting it in turn 4.

Jedi's unit was my captain, a suicidal charge into a full tactical squad, with a thunderfire cannon in waiting turned the tide, in contesting an objective.- I suppose thats why he is the captain!

Siph's unit of the match goes to the Thunderfire Cannon and Techmarine. 4 Scouts, a whole Tac combat sqd and a Termie casualty, not bad shooting for 100pts.

Relictors Predator Destructor

Here is my Predator Destructor now finished. This was one of the tanks part painted by paintedfigs.com along with the previously posted Vindicators. Since arrival he has been waiting patiently in the painting queue - but now I've finally thought I should get something larger painted (but only half painting points) so I took out the bits I'd put aside for this and got going.

I've added a Chaos skull chain like all my other vehicles have to continue the Relictor theme, added Aquila, Skull (from WFB shield), Chaos Auto Launchers (smoke), and a Hunter Killer Missile upgrade for some decent Anti Armour beside the Autocannon. I've also painted every rivet, window and sensor lens and weathered the bottom part of the hull to match my other tanks and the Autocannon barrel. Particularly pleased with the blue lens on the turret.

Lastly I added the Transfers and a Scroll to match earlier tanks. This one has a random name 'Vitruvius' taken from the Dark Angel Name Generator (I think found at Bolter & Chainsword?)

I had a varnish frost nightmare when spraying the turret but was immediately fixed by a quick layer of 'Ardcoat to de-mist and then a careful tentative Matt Purity Seal re-spray when dry. You really have to shake the can vigorously - and then shake some more to avoid this hell!

As always, bigger pics in the 'Finished Relictors' gallery >>>>>

Relictor Sternguard Veteran #3

Here is another of my homegrown Sternguard Veterans. I've used a Dark Angel Veteran body with cloak but filed off the chest icon of a Dark Angel sword and added a tiny skull in its place. The converted bolter was made using my conversion method posted here. The helmet is a FW Red Scorpions Sergeant helmet and the back pack is a Cypher backpack like my other Sternguard.

I've used a Terminator Honours shoulder pad and another pad from a Chaos Marine sprue (in keeping with the dubious Relictor practices of dabbling with Chaos artifacts). The cloak was painted using Dheneb Stone foundation paint and a few washes of Delvan Mud and Gryphonne Sepia, with some Graveyard Earth on the recesses too. The shoulder pad rims and bolter casing and helmet are all Bleached Bone.

Seven Sternguard Veterans left... and a Rhino (or Drop Pod following my success at PornStarJedi's house).

Imperial Guard - Vraks PDF Squad

Here is my latest edition to my Imperial Guard (side) project. Now I've finialised the scheme, I will paint many more guard I'm sure. This is the completed ten man squad, I've yet to purchase a new codex so will no doubt add a heavy weapons team in the future etc. but for now this is them.

The main fabric was painted scorched brown/graveyard earth/kommando khaki and the armour scorched brown/scab red. All these guardsmen have their bayonets fixed so the scabbards are all empty ones. For some colour I added the Orkhide Shade green water bottles.

I have purchased some FW Cadian Upgrades so the next squad will have respirators and packs like the guardsman below, again - for some variation the bedmat roll is Mordian Blue. This was a spare back pack as one of the future squad will have a vox on his back. I thought it could visually tie in the next squad with this one. The respirators will tie them in with the DKK these will be fighting alongside. The Sergeant has identification stripes on his helmet rear and a command skull motif on the armour (some might say a juicy target when going over the top ahead of his squad!). The skull atop the aerial on the vox set is from the space marine biker frame.

Comments welcome, bigger pictures available in the 'Finished Relictors' album>>>>

Relictors Thunderfire Techmarine

Here he is finally finished, I must say what a pain this guy was - not to construct, that is self explanatory, but to paint - he is made of a billion pieces! It just went on and on. The Thunderfire Cannon was a piece of cake compared, but all said and done - I love this miniature, his pose is spot on and the actual sculpt is awesome.

His Servo Harness may need pinning in the future as I can see some rough handling or gaming in the future may see those arms being pulled off. I've enjoyed doing a different colour for once, this nice AdMech red was simply Scab Red over a White undercoat, with Blood Red and Blazing Orange highlights. The plasma coils were Mordian Blue, Regal Blue, Enchanted Blue and Skull White blend. I kept the cabling between his legs simple to avoid over complicating the colour scheme on what is a very 'busy' model.

The main parts of the Servo Arms are drybrushed BoltGun Metal however I have used Brazen Brass, Shining Gold, Mithril Silver and Tin Bitz to add variety on gears or pistons or joints. The left shoulder pad is the Relictors Chapter Badge and as such I have left the rim Grey, rather than Black like the rest of my 5th Company and the AdMech shoulder pad has a grey rim also to tie it in, it also helps link the grey arms to the rest of the red torso. I wanted some grey on him, but he loosely follows the Index Astartes colour scheme for Techmarines.

I've also varied the shells - they have a Brazen Brass washed in Devlan Mud cartridge like the Vindicator shells, but the 4 in the Servo Arm are red tipped and the single one in the left Servo Arm is Black/White tipped... Airburst, Surface or Subterranean...

And the final shot is him and his trusty Cannon. I hope you like. (2 Painting Points btw) Bigger pics in the 'Finished Relictors' gallery>>>>>>

Imperial Guard - Vraks Planetary Defence Force

What do you think of my forthcoming (side) project IG paint scheme? I love the Cadian Shock Troop models soo much I want some to accompany my FW Death Korps of Kreig, besides they are a lot cheaper too and ever since RT days, this is how I envisaged the Guard looking. I have an Emperor's Fist Tank Company already made, ready for some painting in the distant future. These guys (only a few squads to start!) will accompany the already done Vraks Hellhound posted earlier, so it was rather fitting I thought to post the flamer trooper first, I'll get a group shot of the first 10 when finished, then it's back to Relictor grey.

They are basically following the GW online Cadian colour scheme but with Scortched Brown basecoat under Scab Red instead of Dark Angel Green/Catachan Green. Uniform cloth, face and details all as GW describes in its 'Painting Your Imperial Guard' step by step tutorial. Flesh is just Tanned Flesh over Dark Flesh, simple scheme to keep the speed up - guardsmen don't come in small groups! I've used the Vox head for this flamer as the fumes/whoosh of the flamer mean he needs a respirator/vox type mouth piece.

Still progressing (albeit very slowly) with the Techmarine for the Thunderfire previously posted. Stick to one project at a time Siph...