UK GamesDay 09

Me and Pornstarjedi are just back from UK Gamesday 09 at the NEC in Birmingham. Pornstar took some pictures and we both had a drunken weekend followed by a hangover morning in the queues to get in. Luckily we both felt rather better once a few purchases were under our belts...

 Inquisitor and John Blanche

There were several displays of the new Space Wolves, below is the 3-1 size marines.

Turn out was as big as last year judging by the queues and crowds around the Forgeworld stall and dining halls! There looked to be fewer gaming tables and dioramas than last year but that may have been because the were more spread out in the bigger halls.
Above is one of my favourite displays, an entire 1st company all with drop pods! -wow! (Jedi)

Forgeworld had several displays, both Imperial and Chaos Reavers were on show. The Chaos monster looks amazing- (Will - if you read this blog AWESOME JOB!!)

Daren Parwood from FW was at hand to tell us about his WIP potential Space Marine Assault Boat, a kind of smaller Thunderhawk type craft, a "Valkyrie for the Marines", ahead of the future Imperial Armour book featuring the Raven Guard. Will Hayes didn't rule out eventually doing a Warlord Titan, but firstly other races needed their 'Reaver and Warhound' class warmachines - this concurred with our last year's discussion reference the Chaos Reaver - now out. Necron and Dark Eldar players will have to wait for GW to release Codexes before you get new FW toys.There was a magnificent Space Wolf and Tyranid Diorama, stunning and big! Rumours abound were comfirmed reference the Tyranids new Codex out in January - I wouldn't be suprised if the forthcoming Ultramarine feature was to include them...
That final bombshell was a flyer given out to the crowds reference the Ultramarines Movie - a supposed 70min CGI film planned for the near future... sign up at http://www.ultramarinesthemovie.com/ for updates.

On a positive note, we both remarked that "Recession, what Recession?!" Good news for our hobby - everyone was as usual buying tonnes and sales looked good - ran out of Stormwind Drop Pods and Demolisher Tanks that I planned to buy! But picked up some Space Wolves I'm planning to use some of the bearded heads and few Relictor skull like pieces - the rest I've put on ebay for some Space Puppy fanboy to snap up. We have two Space Hulk sets each now - Pornstar dropped mine off at the weekend and we both spent far too much money again... oh well!

Warhound Titan WIP Pictures

These are some of the photo updates I was sent during the Warhound's construction. At every stage I was consulted about the details. I sent a colour spread from the Vraks IA book to show what sort of colour scheme I wanted and he took it from there. I'll let the pictures do the talking...I think you would agree, that is an awesome good job done on the details. Next Warhound post will be the finished article in all his glory and details about the artist if you now feel the need to get a similar project up and away. The base matches my Guard and Relictors perfectly and I have just got to sort out a few issues which happened in transit (Special Delivery, Fragile and insured but still it looks like it was treated as a football by our loving post office) and then post pics. Now where are those toes!?...

Something BIG is coming...

An early WIP Update Shot

Okay, the cat (or hound) is out of the bag... I haven't been around much due to work commitments but that does mean I'm not short on hobby cash. So, in true cop out fashion - I commissioned someone else to do a Warhound for me at a reasonable price I might add. Firstly in my defence I must point out that I saw this guy's work on his website and CMON and knew I wouldn't be able to give my Warhound the justice it would now deserve at this stage of my hobby painting skill development, an expensive FW resin boy like this is not one to experiment on, and secondly - ah blow it, I don't care - this is frakkin' awesome. It is due to arrive from the mail today so once I've picked myself off the floor I'll post some pics and steer anyone else out there with more cash than time, or if you want a Golden Daemon standard centrepiece, to his website and Warseer thread.

Pornstarjedi is going to have his Reaver done by Christmas, in time for when I am next back from work! Boo Hoo.

Imperial Guard - Vraks PDF Leman Russ Update

Just a quick update. Basecoated the first tank in it's Camouflage pattern. This is a Company Command Tank hence the Hull Lascannon rather than a Heavy Bolter for the other Squadron Command Tanks, Searchlight, Track Guards, aerials for Improved Comms and he'll also get a Dozer Blade. 7 tanks primed and Red, 3 to go and 9 to 'Beige up'.

Question is - do I keep the dozer blade bare metal or just paint trims of it Camo, or whole blade Camo? And the Hull and Sponson weapons main bodies - Camo or not? What do you guys think?

Imperial Guard - Vraks PDF Leman Russ Project

So I have finally started to apply some paint to the Emperor's Fist Tank Company I assembled last year. They have sat patiently in the cupboard waiting for some spray paint. The plan is to spray them with Primer, then Red, then mask off some of the areas then spray Beige to create a camouflage effect, then wash and finally highlight and detailing - the same process i did for the Hellhound and that came out okay.

These will form the armoured wing of the Vraks Planetary Defence Force I've started to support the DKK forces eventually. I have already posted the first squad and the hellhound in the same red and beige livery.

This will take some time due to being away at work abroad for 11 weeks out of every 15 but hey it pays the mortgage!

Ultramarine Tactical squad 1

Finally I've completed tactical squad 1, for the 2nd company. These guys I first painted up 13-14 years ago! I've updated the paint scheme, and changed the yellow trim from bad moon yellow, to a more subtle golden yellow. I've highlighted the ultramarine blue with a very light fortress grey, and then added additional grey to the prominent areas. (knee pads etc) The final stage was to add black shading around the armour plates to add depth.

The rhino has had the same paint scheme as the marines. The tactical arrow was painted using a masking technique. I used masking tape in the shape of the arrow on top of the blue and sprayed with skull white. This allowed the arrow to be sharp and crisp. I found this technique alot easier than trying to paint the white on top of the blue. Again I added shade with black in the recesses.

Relictors Tactical Squad 6 Complete

Finally, not another Tactical marine to do, 60 done and not a moment too soon. I'm off this weekend back to work abroad so the hobby will take a back seat for a month or so, Pornstarjedi is still up and about though, so 'Weemen' will continue in it's haphazard way.

These guys are the AOBR marines, plus a converted Sergeant using the AOBR Sergeant shoulder pad for the raised tactical arrow. Still have to do the Dred and Termies from AOBR, but pleased these are done. Not sure these will get a Rhino anytime soon as 5 is enough for now, but eventually they will (just for that completed Battle Company!)

Usual paintjob, Codex Grey, Badab Black wash, Fortress Grey highlights and 'Ardcoated pads for a sheen look (also locks the transfer on). I've been using the Micro Sol and Micro Set for transfer application - go buy some, it rocks on curved surfaces.

Beaten last years painting tally with these, and one more ticked off project list. Bigger pics in 'Finished Relictors' album in sidebar>>>>

Finally home... for a wee bit

I have been away from home, but not the hobby, for a couple of months shore based down South but am home for a week before having to go to a proper job and work for a living back at sea starting a new assignment with a new ship.

This does however, provide me with a chance to open up all my latest purchases, (oh and catch up with the wife!) and set about at least prepping them for when I'm home again in the future. I have also got a chance to finish off my last Tactical Sqd, 60 Tac marines done and dusted, I'll post pictures of the final five AOBR (Previous half) marines later this week... next on to Devastators, Assault, Termies etc. etc.

Here's a quick look at my latest terrain piece WIP. I like it, however I've now decided to get another so I can do the other half of the building with a corner piece. Doh, curse you GW! It is exceptionally tall and a great place to lurk those Hvy Wpn Sqds. Yet to base it, add rubble, texture, paint etc. But, it gives you another chance to see it before you go buy yours...

And although I'll be away for great swathes, Pornstarjedi is still a land lubber and (hopefully) painting away (bases Jedi!) and posting...

Ultramarines & Relictors 2000pt Batrep

Another weekend, another cheeky battle between the mighty Ultramarines and the near heretical Relictors. 2000 points (ish) a side. The basic plot was to follow-on from the closely fought UM defeat during the last confrontation.

The scenario was that two critical points had been located around the large ruins that was once a proud imperial city. The Imperial Sanctuary to the north of the ruins and an abandoned chaos temple. (Siph had just picked up the new temple of skulls, great piece of terrain for the Relictors!) to the south. These were the objectives in a take and hold mission...

Deployment was done using the dawn of war rules, one HQ, and two troop choices were deployed, with the rest to follow on turn 1. Both the UM and Rel's deployed one troop choice around the obs, and the troop choices towards the large ruin. Rhino's were deployed close to their respective tactical squads. An UM Librarian was deployed further forward with the tactical marines and a Rel Chaplain with jumppack close to Siph's obj. Siph deployed his infiltrating scouts initially in the newly build watch tower, (which I thought was going to be a pain, Siph thought too isolated) however a quick re-think and they were positioned on the balcony of the ruins, 4 stories above the ground, armed with bolters and a missile launcher.
Turn 1

Relictors turn one saw a charge forward with both Rhinos and a 2 Landspeeder Tornado squadron down each flank. (Siph loves his rhino walls... Jedi). A Dreadnought and Whirlwind moved into support the objective and a 5 man Assault Sqd joined the Chaplain. The Scouts opened fire at the Tactical Sqd below, inflicting 2 casualties, again Siph's rolling for the missile launcher failed and the missile fired at almost point blank range and missed.
In return, UM turn 1 started with the scream of a drop pod assault as a drop pod full of Sternguard crashed just east of the Relictors objectives, just behind the Assault marines, Chaplain and Whirlwind. The Bike Sqd and UM Predator rolled onto the field, with the Assault marines and jumppack equipped Captain charged forward. The shooting phase saw the demise of 3 scouts due to the sharp shooting of the tactical sqd close to the centre ruin, however the sergeant managed to kill himself with this plasma pistol! (Doh. 1.) The Sternguard opened fire, operating as two combat squads, fired at two different units, killing 2 assault marines, and 2 tactical marines, again a 1 was rolled with vengeance rounds, and another armour save failed! two marines dead due to their own weapons!! (Doh! 2. Note to self, more hours of blessing ones weapons is needed.) The Librarian took out another Scout with smite, the remaining scout fled into the ruin.

Relictors turn 2 saw the arrival of the drop pod, and 10 sternguard. The DP landed just by the UM drop pod, and the sternguard wasted no time in blasting their UM counterparts with vengeance rounds killing all of them. The dreadnought destroyed the DP with lascannon fire. The Predator fired its autocannon and a hunterkiller missile at the UM Pred annihilator, again both missed! Both Landspeeders joined in and fired Multimelta shots at the predator, these missed also, one hit but Jedi made his cover save due to the smoke launchers! (cue Siph cursing the dice gods!) The UM turn was a turn that saw the arrival of both the UM Assault Terminators and another drop pod. Both deep-stroke in front of the ruin. The shooting phase saw lots of misses, another UM was killed due to his plasma gun getting hot (Doh! 3). The Predator destroyed on of the Landspeeders with 4 lascannon shots. Another Relictor was killed with heavy bolter fire, and the Librarian added another 2 kills with smite forcing the combat squad to flee.

Turn 3.

The arrival of the Relictors Assault Terminators and Librarian. They arrived close to the UM objective, could they contest the objective? The thunderfire fired upon the combat squad coming out of the Drop Pod and killed 3, causing them to run, the remaining landspeeder fired at the UM Pred missing again. The Pred D fired at the Pred also with the autocannon, this hit but didn't penetrate. The dreadnought fired at the Pred, causing the Storm Bolter to be destroyed (whoopie doo, Siph). Other shooting saw the Whirlwind hit home on the Assault sqd and the UM captain. The Captain was wounded along with one marine.

UM turn 3 saw a massive charge towards the menacing Terminators, all troops, bikers and assualt troops moved into position and all opened fire at the terminators, a ridiculously high number of hits wounded, 3 terminators fell. This resulted in the terminators fleeing. (mighty bolter fire! Jedi) More super bolter fire from the combat squad by the Drop Pod fired at the remaining Landspeeder stunning the crew. The other movement saw the UM Terminators charge through the ruins towards the Relictors objective.

Turn 4.

Turn 4 saw the Relictor Sternguard move towards the terminators, along with the Assualt sqd and chaplain. The Rel terminators rallied however could do nothing apart from look at the numerous weapons pointing their way. The Thunderfire fired upon the combat squad, killing 2. The rest of the turn saw very ineffective shooting. The close combat in the middle of the board between the terminators and assault marines/chaplain/sternguard was a tie, with one kill each.

The UM turn saw the death of the terminators and librarian, again down to numerous shots from pretty much all of the UM force. The final shot was the librarian with smite. Further shooting from the combat squad finally killed the remaining LS.

We rolled to see whether we had another turn, the roll was a 3, another turn!

Turn 5 saw ineffective shooting again, the only success was the Whirlwind taking out a biker. The main part of turn 5 was the close combat in the centre, again the combat was drawn with 2 loses on each side.

UM turn started with a bang as the UM Pred fired and destroyed the dreadnought! (And a cheeky laugh as three six's were rolled to hit/penetrate and on the damage chart! Jedi) The close combat again saw loses on both sides, the chaplain was killed with a thunderhammer blow, as well as three other marines. 1 UM terminator was killed in returned. The dice was rolled for another time but the game ended. A draw!!

Jedi's review - a very good battle which pivoted on several key moments. I really wished I had the guts to deep strike the second Drop Pod and terminators into the relictors deployment zone, this could of turned in the UM favour. My unit of the match was the bolters that took out the terminators and a land speeder. showing that numerous bolter shots have the potential for taking anything out!

Siph's Notes - as soon as my Termies were wiped out, I could only force a draw, but luckily for me Jedi seemed to want to kill them rather than go for the charge toward my objective. Only his Termies came and they slowly died and were 3 turns away from getting there - I tied them up in combat. One day my Landspeeders might actually hit something! Pornstarjedi should have used his bikes best advantage - speed! Oh, and check your points cost - Jedi's armylist was about a few hundred points over 2000 when we started, only a query by me saw him adding it up properly and removing some unengaged models.

And this next picture is for Jedi - haha.

Relictors Predator Annihilator

I have finally finished my 2nd Predator for the Relictors force. It is an expensive choice with the lascannon sponsons but with my dice rolling - i need every cannon shot to penetrate and roll higher than my normal 2 on the damage tables!

This Predator completes my order from Paintedfigs.com, which included the other Pred and the 3 Vindicators (so, half painting points for me). I have added the detailing and weathering and a bucket load of Boltgun Metal rivets! This beauty is also wearing the Extra Armour / Reinforced Armour from Forgeworld, I figured an anti-armour vehicle should at least try to stay alive when up against its prey, normally Pornstarjedi's LR or mirrored Predator Annihilator.
So, welcome 'Septimus', may all your hits be penetrating... Pictures also in 'Finished Relictors' gallery in the sidebar but again in liited pixels as on secondary camera >>>>>