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?

I said I'd finish my Black Knights, and the Greater Good

Told you I'd have them done for the next update! But in all honesty, these guys bogged me down and I was starting to reach the point of giving up with them, so to get them done was a relief. It's a terrible picture, but luckily I will soon be getting the new Galaxy S4. Been playing with the GF's S3, and the camera is amazing, so hopefully I can start to get some more impressive pics up soon

Now, question time...what shall I paint next for the Dark Angels? I have 3 more Ravenwing bikes to paint, plus Sammael and a Darkshroud. But I was also thinking of going for a complete Tactical Squad and the Rhino transport. What are your thoughts readers?

I received my new Tau Codex today, and have been flicking through eagerly. It's a very nice book, and the army itself looks solid. There seems to be options all over the place, and no obvious picks. Well, maybe Broadsides, but only because the model is gorgeous. The lesser HQ's are standouts for me, especially when they can start making your Fire Warriors start pumping out 4 shots each at short range. It's all so tempting. Very tempting. And soon it's my birthday. I may have to invest...

Edit

I now have better pictures of the Knights. Enjoy.