WIP Deathwing

A short and sweet post today. I haven't done any painting this week due to being busy all week and having a wedding to attend yesterday (which was fantastic, although Jagerbombs always make it hard to remember what happened!), but I've decided to get my last Deathwing squad together. Just have two more to build and then eventually paint. 

Also, Apocalypse is looking impressive. I'm not going to be picking it up, but the models coming out are amazing. The Tesseract Vault is astonishing! Going to be trying to not spend any money on models for a little while as I have enough to keep me going for a long time, and could do with saving some cash. 

Gravity...Pfft!

I know I only posted yesterday, but then gravity intervened...

Luckily it split right down the joins, so it's an easy fix, but DAYUM! So for the time being I'm gonna work on my three bikes for my Ravenwing Attack Squad instead. 

Also, as it's only a short post, I thought I'd keep up the tradition of posting my pet. This is Jess, my Jack Russell. She's nine and very small for a Russell, but is full of energy! She has to take a lots of pills everyday as the not in the best of health, but she never lets that stop her! Her favourite things about 40k are eating metal plasma cannons, and running off with the odd bolter when I'm not paying attention.

Caliban's Twilight

After completing my Deathwing, I've realised that I want to paint something a bit different to infantry, and decided to get at least one vehicle done. Looking through my box of things to paint, I decided to paint up my Darkshroud, which I've named 'Caliban's Twilight'. I know the model got a lot of flak from the internet for looking clunky and asymmetrical, but I think that adds to the charm. It looks like a relic, something that shouldn't be possible and yet is, and isn't that part of what 40K is about? It's had a subtle highlight of Eshin Grey, and then been washed after with Nuln Oil to tie the highlight in. Shouldn't take long to do, and will fit in nicely I think. I've done the base already, using Astrogranite, and topped off with Scorched Grass and snow flock.

I played Gandy in the week in the Nerd League, and, to be blunt, got hammered. I had one Deathwing Terminator left by the end. Both myself and Gandy came to the conclusion that I hadn't really played badly, but for some reason it all just swung his way. I'm certain the list itself is sound, but I can't quite make it work for me at the moment. More practice needed! Danny and Pootank went head to head, and by turn 3 Pootank's Space Wolves were begging for mercy. Danny's Tau list is a hard one to beat, and Tau can just hurl out the firepower. I had a go at making a list, and came up with this.

1500 Pts - Tau Empire Roster

HQ: Ethereal (1#, 50 pts)

   1 Ethereal, 50 pts ((C:TE, pg. 35, iPad, pg. 58).; Infantry (Character); Failure is Not An Option; Independent Character; Invocation of the Elements; Stubborn)

HQ: Commander (2#, 167 pts)

   1 Commander, 167 pts ((C:TE, pg. 34, iPad, pg. 57).; Infantry (Jetpack, Character); Crisis Battlesuit; Missile Pod x2; Blacksun Filter; Multi-Tracker; Puretide Engram Neurochip; XV8-02 Crisis 'Iridium' Battlesuit; Independent Character; Night Vision; Supporting Fire; Very Bulky; Warlord)

      1 Shield Drone (Infantry (Jetpack); Shield Generator; Supporting Fire)

Elite: XV8 Crisis Team (6#, 192 pts)

   1 XV8 Crisis Team, 192 pts ((C:TE, pg. 40-41, iPad, pg. 64-65).)

      1 Crisis Shas'ui ((C:TE, pg. 40-41, iPad, pg. 64-65).; Infantry (Jetpack); Crisis Battlesuit; Missile Pod x2; Blacksun Filter; Multi-Tracker; Night Vision; Supporting Fire; Very Bulky)

         1 Shield Drone (Infantry (Jetpack); Shield Generator; Supporting Fire)

      1 Crisis Shas'ui ((C:TE, pg. 40-41, iPad, pg. 64-65).; Infantry (Jetpack); Crisis Battlesuit; Missile Pod x2; Blacksun Filter; Multi-Tracker; Night Vision; Supporting Fire; Very Bulky)

         1 Shield Drone (Infantry (Jetpack); Shield Generator; Supporting Fire)

      1 Crisis Shas'ui ((C:TE, pg. 40-41, iPad, pg. 64-65).; Infantry (Jetpack); Crisis Battlesuit; Fusion Blaster x1; Missile Pod x1; Blacksun Filter; Multi-Tracker; Night Vision; Supporting Fire; Very Bulky)

         1 Shield Drone (Infantry (Jetpack); Shield Generator; Supporting Fire)

Elite: XV104 Riptide (1#, 185 pts)

   1 XV104 Riptide, 185 pts ((C:TE, pg. 45 & 100); Nova Reactor; Jet Pack Monstrous Creature; XV104 Riptide Battlesuit; Twin Linked Smart Missile System; Ion Accelerator; Blacksun Filter; Multi-Tracker; Riptide Shield Generator; Night Vision; Supporting Fire)

Troops: Fire Warrior Team (12#, 108 pts)

   1 Fire Warrior Team, 108 pts ((C:TE, pg. 37, iPad, pg. 60).)

      12 Fire Warriors (Infantry; Combat Armour; Pulse Rifle x12; Photon Grenade; Supporting Fire)

Troops: Fire Warrior Team (12#, 108 pts)

   1 Fire Warrior Team, 108 pts ((C:TE, pg. 37, iPad, pg. 60).)

      12 Fire Warriors (Infantry; Combat Armour; Pulse Rifle x12; Photon Grenade; Supporting Fire)

Troops: Fire Warrior Team (12#, 108 pts)

   1 Fire Warrior Team, 108 pts ((C:TE, pg. 37, iPad, pg. 60).)

      12 Fire Warriors (Infantry; Combat Armour; Pulse Rifle x12; Photon Grenade; Supporting Fire)

Troops: Kroot Carnivore Squad (15#, 90 pts)

   1 Kroot Carnivore Squad, 90 pts ((C:TE, pg. 53 & 99))

      15 Kroot ((C:TE, pg. 37); Infantry; Kroot Armour; Kroot Rifle x15; Infiltrate; Move Through Cover; Stealth (Forests))

Fast Attack: Pathfinder Team (5#, 55 pts)

   1 Pathfinder Team, 55 pts ((C:TE, pg. 38, iPad, pg. 61-62))

      5 Pathfinders ((C:TE, pg. 38, iPad, pg. 61-62); Infantry; Photon Grenade; Recon Armour; Markerlight x5; Pulse Carbine x5; Scouts; Supporting Fire)

Fast Attack: Pathfinder Team (5#, 55 pts)

   1 Pathfinder Team, 55 pts ((C:TE, pg. 38, iPad, pg. 61-62))

      5 Pathfinders ((C:TE, pg. 38, iPad, pg. 61-62); Infantry; Photon Grenade; Recon Armour; Markerlight x5; Pulse Carbine x5; Scouts; Supporting Fire)

Fast Attack: Pathfinder Team (5#, 55 pts)

   1 Pathfinder Team, 55 pts ((C:TE, pg. 38, iPad, pg. 61-62))

      5 Pathfinders ((C:TE, pg. 38, iPad, pg. 61-62); Infantry; Photon Grenade; Recon Armour; Markerlight x5; Pulse Carbine x5; Scouts; Supporting Fire)

Heavy Support: Hammerhead Gunship (1#, 146 pts)

   1 Hammerhead Gunship, 146 pts ((C:TE, pg. 50, iPad, pg. 76); Vehicle (Skimmer, Tank); Twin Linked Smart Missile System; Railgun with solid shot; Submunition Rounds; Blacksun Filter; Disruption Pod; Jink; Night Vision)

Heavy Support: XV88 Broadside Team (6#, 178 pts)

   1 XV88 Broadside Team, 178 pts ((C:TE, pg. 42, iPad, pg. 66).)

      1 Broadside Shas'ui ((C:TE, pg. 42, iPad, pg. 66).; Infantry; Broadside Battlesuit; Twin Linked Heavy Rail Rifle; Twin Linked Smart Missile System; Blacksun Filter; Multi-Tracker; Extremely Bulky; Night Vision; Supporting Fire)

         1 Missile Drone (Infantry (Jetpack); Missile Pod; Supporting Fire)

         1 Missile Drone (Infantry (Jetpack); Missile Pod; Supporting Fire)

      1 Broadside Shas'ui ((C:TE, pg. 42, iPad, pg. 66).; Infantry; Broadside Battlesuit; Twin Linked Heavy Rail Rifle; Twin Linked Smart Missile System; Blacksun Filter; Multi-Tracker; Extremely Bulky; Night Vision; Supporting Fire)

         1 Missile Drone (Infantry (Jetpack); Missile Pod; Supporting Fire)

         1 Missile Drone (Infantry (Jetpack); Missile Pod; Supporting Fire)

It's obviously not the most optimised list, but it's something I'd like to build and play with eventually. I really like how Tau look and play, but at the moment I really want to concentrate on the Dark Angels. Maybe next year?

The Deathwing deploy for battle.

In what seems like no time at all, I've managed to whip through Squad Irael and get them painted. I chopped through these relatively quick as I suffered my age old issue of not thinking my painting looks any good until I get to the end. It doesn't help that I overbrushed the bone too much, leaving a small amount of details a little obscured. They don't suffer for it, but I'm not too pleased about it either. I'm also a bit meh about the Cyclone Terminator. I think it's because he doesn't have as much green on his chest emblem, meaning he doesn't seem to quite tie into the unit. I guess I sound quite negative about the whole painting of these, but I'm quite chuffed they're done. I'm especially happy about the sergeant, which has that nice leader aspect going on. They need basing, but I've painted for about 3 hours tonight in poor light, so that can wait until tomorrow!

And also, I got Belial finished! He was actually quite easy to paint, the only problem being that sometimes the paint wouldn't quite stick. I'm putting that down to the white undercoat he was based with. However, he was done over two nights, and now means my army can use Deathwing as Troops. He was also the second model in my army to get fully based with snow and scorched grass flock, and I've also done my Ravenwing Attack Squad. The rest will get done over time.

Speaking of the rest, I did a quick tally of what's been painted. So far, it comes to 1200 points give or take. That's quite a lot for me in 4 months, especially as the units have all been different colours. But I'm showing no signs of slowing down at all. I'm thinking for my next unit after the Deathwing are based, I'm going to paint  another three Ravenwing bikes to bump up the Attack Squad I already have, and at the same time paint my Darkshroud Speeder. Lots of black, but it'll give me a good unit and a painted vehicle. Then...who knows?

Deathwing WIP's and the Grand Master

I've got cracking into my Deathwing squad. At the moment they've had the bone completed, and I'm just in the process of blocking into colours prior to washing them all. I've raced ahead a little, and done the robe on my Sergeant, as I was looking forward to highlighting it, and it's come out looking really good.

You might also notice there appears to be a new Terminator on the right hand side. Well, that's my Belial, made from the Deathwing Command box. He was already painted a shade of bone, but I've redone it to match the rest of my army. I thought I'd get him done at the same time as he will be pretty much the same as the Deathwing squad to paint. Plus, then my army will have three painted Troop choices!

One thing I almost didn't put on my Terminators were the little daggers the Deathwing normally have. However, as I've used some Dark Vengeance models, I wanted the rest of the squad to tie in thematically. I'm going to paint the daggers separately and glue them on later. 

Librarian Xapham, and a list of WIPs

In my last post I said I would start to work on my Deathwing squad, and that's not quite happened. I have a good reason though, which is right below. I realised that I hadn't painted any HQ choices for my army, and now that I had two Troops choices it was high time to get one done to give me a legal army. I decided I wanted some practice painting Terminator armour, and so my Libby in TDA was the obvious choice. He took about 5 hours over three nights to paint and base. I'm especially pleased with his base, as just having it as a plain grey meant there would have been plenty of unused space. I had bought some snow flock recently, and thought 'why not?' I'm very happy with the result, and will be going back to do the same to all of my previouly painted models.

Speaking of which, I decided to take a group shot of what I've completed so far. It's not at the same pace as some painters, but slowly, I'm getting there, and it's starting to look impressive.

So, what next? I had a look through what I had to paint or wanted to start, and came up with the following units. I didn't look for any Tactical marines as I'm going to try and save those until I paint some more from both Wings. These won't be done in any particular order, but I do want to get these done as soon as possible.

Three Ravenwing bikers, to round out my Ravenwing Attack Squad. Using the Standard of Devastation has shown just how good super mobile firepower can be, especially at T5. A full unit of these guys will always find a way into my lists.

A Ravenwing Standard Bearer. I'm looking forward to this. I realise the banner is going to take the most time, but it's far, far preferable instead of trying to paint it on a flat surface. Plus it means I can go all out to make it stand out.

My Deathwing Squad. These guys are getting done next, however they have one more member than they normally would. I got a bit carried away, and forgot I had a TH/SS in the unit! He just needs basecoating and washing and then I'll do them all in one go.

Librarian on a bike. A very useful unit, and means I can then take a mixture of Librarians.

A Rhino for my Tactical Squad. I need to get the hang of painting vehicles, and figure I should start with this tank. It probably won't get used too much as I'm taking a lot of footslogging marines, but having a Rhino to use won't hurt

And finally, the big man himself, Azrael. I just like the model. I think you really have to tailor a list around his abilities, and he's very expensive. But, he can bring a lot of powerful abilities to the table, and in the rare cases I don't take some form of Librarian he's usually my go-to choice.

So, this means I'll have a lot on my plate for the time being. That's not a bad thing though, meaning I have some ideas about how the army will progress. It also gives me a break from Caliban Green, and hopefully means I won't get bored with the Greenwing side of things. That's the dream anyways...

Squad Sahrael complete. Nerd League results.

Well, this has taken about a month longer than I hoped or cared for, but finally, Squad Sahrael of the Sixth Company is finished after I tidy the bases!  Nothing else to add, except I won't be painting any Tactical marines for a while (I wish, I have at least two more squads I need to do), In the background you can see that my Deathwing squad have had their Seraphim Sepia wash and are just drying.

The Nerd League results for this week were...interesting. I played Danny's Tau/Space Wolves list, and let's just say it didn't go to plan. I was very conservative with my deployment, and suffered at the hands of Danny's Crisis Suits. Having two separate missile pods each is hideous to fight against, and he was hammering my army from turn one. By turn four I had very little left, and as such conceded. I don't think I could have done too much to change the game, maybe going second instead and being more aggressive with my Deathwing and Drop Pod deployment. But it was a fun game, and that's all that matters.

In Gandy and Pootank's game, there was a shocking win for the forces of Chaos! Gandy played much better than recently, and I think some of our advice is starting to sink in. It also probably helped that one of his champions managed to roll up Dark Apotheosis and turned into a Daemon Prince! Gandy's was obviously delighted with this game, and as I'm facing him next week it should be a good game all round.

Squad Sahrael WIP (again), Squad Irael, and Nerd League round three

Well, in a shocking state of affairs, I still (!) haven't finished Squad Sahrael. I'm really not very far off though, and in the background is the Rhino these guys will be using. I sprayed it using Army Painter Angel Green spray, so I was a bit concerned with how well the colour would match Caliban Green. Fortunately, it's spot on perfect, meaning my vehicles will be quick and easy to knock out.

However, this squad has made me realise that painting ten guys at a time is just a chore. Sure, it's nice to get them all done at once, but sometimes it's a bit too much, and can leave you demoralised. So in future I'll be tackling any squads over five models in batches. Hopefully this means I won't get too bored with painting the same thing over and over again.

Speaking of which, below is the next thing to be painted, Squad Irael of the Deathwing. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into these as this will mean I'll have a painted unit from each Wing done and dusted. Having split with the girlfriend recently, I've been getting more time to paint, and although it's not really a good thing, at least I can use painting to distract myself. 

Also, I've never painted a full Deathwing Squad, and I know these guys are going to stand out on the board.

Lastly, the Nerd League is starting again this week. We're using the same armies as before, but with new lists. I'm expecting three very different, very hard games, and can't wait to report back with how they all go.