Chapter Master Raldoron, First Captain of the Blood Angels

 

2nd model/unit I finished in Jan 20022 was Raldoron. I followed the scheme described here - Banjo Unchained: Blood Angels Mark 4 Tactical Squad

He was a cool model to work on and came out quite well!

Blood Angels Primaris Assault Marines

 

I ended up selling on the Blood Angels I painted up a couple of years ago... they just didn't turn out as good as I wanted so figured best to flog 'em and start again.

Its been a long process and I'll post to cover the steps so far but this is the first unit of this new Blood Angel scheme I've finished. And arent they cool!

Happy New Year anyone who reads this! All the best for 2022

A Weekend of Gaming at Warhammer World

At the end of April 2018 I spent the weekend gaming at Warhammer World. During my time there I played my first games of Age of Sigmar, Shadespire, 8th edition 40k and Warhammer Quest: Silver Tower! What a weekend it was!! 👍😁

This trip acted as a deadline for completion of my Sylvaneth army and, with a matter of days to spare, I successfully completed my final model, Alarielle!

My gaming partner and I focused on AoS first. We kicked things off with a 500 point game on Friday evening. I didn't do very well... and was tabled on turn 3 (or 4 - I can't quite remember!) A combination of having a poor grip on Sylvaneth special rules and picking a poor selection of units contributed to my treefolk getting swiftly chopped down by my friends Ironjawz! Never the less, it was great to finally play AoS.

Following the practice AoS game, we relocated to Bugmans for some Shadespire! I rocked out my Sepulchral Guard against my friend's Orcs. Once again, I didn't do very well! Poor preparation on my part led to another spanking! It was still great to finally play Shadespire and I'll use the experience to help rebuild my desk now that I have a game under my belt!

On Saturday we had a 40k feature table, Shrine World Boralis IV, booked. This board, I recently noticed, featured in the April edition of White Dwarf! We managed 2 games, the first being a small 50 power level 'warm up', followed by a larger 150 power level battle. We used the open war cards to determine the deployment, objectives and special rules. As I'd been working on my Sylvaneth since last September, I rolled out my old faithful Light Knights Space Marine chapter to face off against my friends Chaos Space Marines. I had aimed to paint up a Primaris Blood Angels army but apparently, there are only 24 hours in a day...

We didn't finish the first game but my friend took the honours in the subsequent battle. I can't remember the exact objective in play during that battle but I think we had to advance and take 3 objectives placed in the enemy players deployment zone. I played a little too conservatively early on as I kept many of my units in the backfield to deny deepstriking... so essentially ran out of turns to push the small advantage I had in the later turns. It was great to finally play 8th edition and we both found it much more streamlined compared to 7th! I also found (generic) Space Marines to be a little too nebulous in terms of the Stratagems available. I'm very much looking forward to fielding my Blood Angels... whenever I get them painted up... as they feel much more thematic/interesting!

On to Sunday! We had the truly wonderful Ruins of Dras’Shiel AoS table booked. I write 'wonderful'... it is a truly beautiful board, however, for a Sylvaneth army wanting to place Wyldwoods, it's a pain as there's very limited room to put them down!

After the spanking I took in our first AoS practice game, I spent Saturday evening creating a cheat sheet to help me learn the special rules I had access to. This helped immeasurably! We played a battleplan which tasked us with capturing objectives which came down as comet fragments throughout turns 1, 2 and 3. It wasn't looking great for me during the early/middle game but I pulled it back to win in the final turn. I thoroughly enjoyed playing a bigger game of AoS and my Sylvaneth did me proud. Alarielle kicked ass!! I can foresee a few purchases to enhance my army capabilities - another unit of Tree-Revenants and a unit of Scythe wielding Kurnoth Hunters will most likely find their way into my collection at some point later in the year.

Finally, as the weekend came to a close on Sunday afternoon, we once again descended on Bugmans- this time for lunch and a quick game of Warhammer Quest: Silver Tower. Again, it was great to finally play a game I'd been interested in since launch. We didn't do too well though, getting killed in the 3rd room. It was still great fun and we can't wait to play again with a bigger group later in the year.

With Silver Tower done, we headed home. This was the 3rd or 4th Warhammer World gaming weekend me and my friend have organised. It was another great weekend and provided lots of hobby motivation for my upcoming projects - 1000 points of Nurgle Deamons and a Ghyhran board, both to be ready for Nerd Day in August 2018!!

2018 Birthday Weekend at Warhammer World

Last year I went to Warhammer World for my birthday and it was great fun. This year I wanted to improve on a single day visit... so the wife and I went for the weekend!

I've been lucky enough to visit Warhammer World 5 times now (i think). It's easy to get caught up in the hyperbole about the place but, after 5 visits, I do feel able to state with a degree of balance, that it's a fantastic place!

The remodelled store and exhibition centre are great. It was good before... but, as with most things relating to GW these days, they've excelled with the changes made. My first 3 visits to WW were with my gaming buddy. He hasn't visited since the remodel and we are both visiting for a gaming weekend at the end of April. I can't wait to see how he reacts (or how much money he spends!!).

As usual, Bugmans was a great place to hang out. I opted for an Engineer Burger one evening. I'm still not entirely sure how I managed to finish it!! It was huge! so tasty though. I sampled a few pints of Blitzers Best as well... cracking pint! Oh, and Bugmans XXXXXX isn't too bad either!

Anyway, my awesome wife presented me with a not insignificant amount of vouchers before we went. I don't think I've ever concentrated so much on choosing what to buy!! Below is a picture of my haul.

I chose:

• Alarielle The Everqueen
• Deimos Pattern Infernus Predator
• Roboute Guilliman
• Redemptor Dreadnought
• Static Grass
• Kurnoth Hunters
• Exclusive Warhammer World Soundtrack
• Greeting From Cadia (I had 50p of vouchers left over...)

I wanted to achieve 2 goals 1) fleshing out my Sylvaneth list so that I could field 2000 points and 2) add some armour to my upcoming Blood Angels force. The Kurnoth Hunters and Alarielle boxed off my Sylvaneth goal... and I now have 2,300 points available! As for the Blood Angels... I don't especially like the Baal Predator model so chose to go for the Infernus Predator instead. The Easy to Build Repemptor Dreadnought, for £25 was a no-brainer. Guilliman was thrown in as he's a great model, he's a sodding Primarch!!! and I believe he has some cool rules ;)

Expect to see these units being painted up rather quicky! 

Blood Angels Draft 1,500 point List.

Today I wanted to cover my draft BA list.

For this 'core' list I have focused on Blood Angels specific models and will try, when I get the chance, to play this as a fast attack, 'in your face' list. One main principle of this list is for the scouts to persue any difficult/remote/backline objectives and thusly call down the Terminators from Deep Strike to bolster their attacking or defensive requirements. The Death Company will arrive in the Storm Raven and so have a good range of options to get to where they are most required. I'll probably combat quad the Tactical Marines so I have 3 x units which can secure objectives and the Assault Marines can support the combat squad which doesnt enter the battle in the Rhino. Throw in the Blood Angels Chaplain with Jump Pack, a Sanguinary Priest & this list starts to feel very much inline how BA should conduct their battles.

HQ

Chaplain [90]
+ bolt pistol
+ jump pack [15]
= 105

Sanguinary Priest [60]
+ chainsword
= 60

Troops

4 Scouts [44]
+ 3× Space Marine shotgun
+ missile launcher [15]
+ 1 Scout Sergeant [11]
+ melta bombs [5]
+ teleport homer [10]
= 85

9 Tactical Marines [126]
+ grav-gun [15]
+ heavy flamer [10]
+ 1 Space Marine Sergeant [14]
+ power weapon [15]
+ inferno pistol [15]
+ melta bombs [5]
= 200
• Rhino
= 45

Elites

5 Death Company Marines [100]
+ power weapon [15]
+ power fist [25]
+ inferno pistol [15]
+ thunder hammer [30]
= 185

4 Assault Terminators [160]
+ 5× thunder hammer and storm shield [20]
+ company standard [20]

+1 Terminator Sergeant
= 290

Fast Attack

4 Assault Marines [68]

+ flamer [5]
+ hand flamer [10]
+ 1 Space Marine Sergeant [17]
+ power fist [25]
+ plasma pistol [15]
+ melta bombs [5]
= 145

Heavy Support

Stormraven Gunship [200]
+ side-sponson hurricane bolters [30]
+ extra armour [5]
= 235

Baal Predator [115]
+ flamestorm cannon
+ sponson heavy flamers [20]
+ storm bolter [5]
+ hunter-killer missile [10]
= 150

1,500 points

Alongside this list I have Commander Dante and a Lord Executioner as options. I will also (most likely) paint up my 30th Anniversary Space Marine as a Blood Angel and use him as part of the tactical squad... just for some added cheese!

In terms of modeling, I'm going to make these units as detailed as possible and replace 40k models, with 30k (Horus Heresy) equivalents, e.g. I will pick up the ForgeWorld Rhino instead of the GW Rhino.

There are a few of reasons for this approach:

1. the models look better!; 
2. Blood Angels were my first army: I feel drawn to many ForgeWorld models as they are based on the early incarnations of, for example, the Rhinos and Land Raiders, which I had back in the early 90's; and 
3. I want, where I can, to have units which could function both in 30k and 40k.

 It's going to be a little while until I can start this project without distraction as I want to complete my Space Marine Army first but I now have a solid list to which I can use to direct my hobbying activities over the next 12 months or so.

Work In Progress: Land Speeder Storm

Todays post covers another current 'work in progress'. This Land Speeder Storm model was my purchase from GW Barcelona store (link to my original post about visiting GW Barcelona here) a couple of years ago. I always wanted to pick up one of these so when faced with choosing something buy from the Barcelona store which wasnt too expensive and could easily be transported home, this was my choice.

So far, as you can see, the model is fully built aside from heads on the Scouts. Why is this you may ask? Well, the traditional GW scout heads look rather rubbish (in my opinion) and after spotting a scout model with an Tempestus Scion 'Beret' Head used (photo below) I knew that was the way I wanted to go. I think the head with Beret gives each scout a realistic military, Second World War S.A.S. vibe, which suits the Land Speeder Storm unit brilliantly.

Trying to push this a little further, I added as many little extra bitz/details onto the hull of the Land Speeder as I could. My goal is to recreate a 40k equivalent to the famous SAS Land Rover as seen below.

Carry on, what what....

Learning 7th & Getting a Spanking!

Before venturing out to the local club, or hosting games at my flat, I need to know the rules a bit better! Thanks to a very accommodating Fiancée I have recently been able to test out my knowledge on her. For this battle I played as Chaos space Marines using the models from Dark Vengeance, whereas my other half played Space Marines; a Terminator Squad and Captain in Terminator armour from my 'Light Knights' Space Marine army.

As you can see in the pictures, we used the X-Wing star field mat as the gaming surface and enhanced the battlefield with a couple of DVDs and candle holders as scenery. 

Obviously she gave me a spanking (tabling me in 3 turns) but it was great to run a small skirmish game and embed some of the basic rules around shooting and combat. Next I will re-run a similar size game but bring in some vehicles/psykers in order to expand my familiarity with those units/phases of the game.

Her Legion Praetor (aka Terminator Captain) wiping out a brave band of Chaos Cultist.

Me, deep in concentration, checking the rules!

My final Chosen model, surrounded. He didn't last very long...

Space Marine Librarian

Today I'm happy to present a finished Space Marine Librarian.

The early promise that this model would turn out to be my best didn't quite pan out. I'm still happy with the end result; I just didn't quite nail it.

Space Marine Legion Praetor

I purchased the Legion Praetor models a couple of years back with a view to painting them up and using them in my 40k Space Marine army (mainly because they are stunning models!). As I'm coming towards the end of painting up units for my Space Marine army, I can focus on more of the independent character models I haven't completed and first up has been this guy. 

I'll use him as a HQ Terminator Captain in my army and want to acknowledge that the unit is from 30k, reflect this age of this amour and in doing so test out some weathering techniques. I have been a big fan of the Advent Calendar painting tutorial videos that GW posted on YouTube in December 2015 (if you haven't seen them; check them out here!) so I decided to follow the tips from the 'Chipping and Scratches' video to add a worn/battered look to the armour. The principle is quite basic and therefore straightforward; Using Rhinox Hide one paints narrow lines randomly across the armour, these were then follow this up with a highlight of Fensirian Grey underneath the Rhinox Hide lines. I don't feel like I applied enough of these lines to 'nail' the look but I'm generally happy with how the effect looks. On future miniatures I will focus on the application of the effect rather than worrying whether the effect looks suitable or not.

Space Marine Sternguard Veteran Squad

This weeks post covers a Sternguard Veteran squad. As is the case with all the newer Space Marine kits, these models are top drawer! Just a with the Vanguard Veteran Squad, these were a pleasure to build and paint.

Before I completed painting these marines, way back in 2014 I was able to deploy them during a couple of battles at Warhammer World. Delivered in a Drop Pod they were used to harass backfield units. I remember that they performed quite well and hopefully, now painted up, they will continue that trend!

I found the robes quite difficult to paint but I think they have tuned out quite well. I'm also not quite sure whether I prefer green eye lenses or red for marines with white helmets.

Space Marine Vanguard Veteran Squad

Whilst it has been a while since my last blog post, I have continued to expand my Space Marine army and have added some new completed units to its numbers. To be honest, since Christmas I have known that I will be getting a new camera so have waiting to post any new blog articles. Now I have it, on with the show!

 One of the units which has waited patiently for its time in the spot light is this Vanguard Veteran Squad. This unit was a pleasure to paint and is, in my opinion anyway, the best standard of painting I have achieved to date. I went with 2 x Thunder hammer/Storm Shield and 2 x Lightning Claw marines to give a bit of balance to the squad. 

I'm most pleased the Storm Shields and how the Relic blade on the sergeant turned out. The white helmets also turned out very well using (base) Celestra Grey -> (shade) Nuln Oil -> (layer 1) Ulthuan Grey -> (layer 2) White Scar .

I Won A Painting Competition...

As part of the 30th Annivery Space Marine events at the local GW store here in Bath, the manager was running a 'design your own space marine chapter' painting competition. Considering how I have been painting a home brew chapter for a while I wanted to paint up a model and enter it for consideration. To my surprise, I won the Intermediate level competition!

My prize is to have a large marine painted up in the colour scheme of the chapter and this model will form the centre piece of scenery which will be used in Warhammer Bath store for years to come. I haven't been back to see the finished result but will post pictures once I have them.

Space Marine Land Raider

Well, hasn't it been a while!

I've been slowly working on this model for about 6 months but yesterday I finally managed to add the remaining few details, move it to the 'completed' column on my rather glacial Kanban board and be in a position to put up a new blog post!

So, why has it taken sooo long? 

Its fair to say that my hobby focus has changed pretty drastically over the last 12 months. It's been nearly 18 months since I last played a game and my hobby partner, who helped provide me with an awful lot of motivation is on a hobbying hiatus. I am also getting married in September next year and weddings are rather expensive! combining that with an addition to plastic crack isn't really going to work.

As I no longer need to get models 'done' asap prior to being used on the battlefields of Warhammer World, I can focus on pushing my painting skill and ability. As a result I have reduced my modelling backlog; this involved the sale of the Assassinarum board game and Death Storm boxed set, amongst other things and will focus on quality over quantity.

This Land Raider is the first example of this new focus. I have used as many of the advanced techniques detailed in the Forgeworld: Advanced Modelling Techniques Volume 1 and whilst it has obviously been a learning experience, I am happy with the result. 

Most of what the book teaches is very different to the basics of base coating, washing and layering. Using harispray, oil paints and white spirit alongside weathering with pigments and using graphite to highlight the tracks... its been a challenge but I hope the results can speak for themselves.

Next up is a Contemptor Dreadnought. It may take me a while to get it completed but I intend to use the same techniques learnt on this model, hopefully with improved results.

5 Man Terminator Squad

What with summer happening, getting engaged and have some mini breaks, its taken a while to get these guys finished... but here they are! It was quite difficult painting these chaps (after not completing a unit for over 12 months) but I feel like it slowly came together as I progressed through the various painting stages. Next up is a Land Raider!

Its Been A While!

So, after a fair few months out of the game due to moving house (twice!) and taking an examination I'm finally ready to get back to some hobbying!

Whilst away from having the time/space to hobby I have been keeping up to date with the glorious GW release schedule and now find myself with quite a backlog of models to keep me busy.

First up, to get me back in the groove, is a 5 man Terminator squad. I painted the armour prior to my break and have started off painting the silver bits this week. Hopefully I'll be able to get these finished in the next couple of weeks and discover that I haven't lost any of the (relative) ability I had developed.

More pics after the break.