Showcase: Grimgore Ironhide

 Well here it is the first newly painted Orcs and Goblins model in the better part of 3 years.  Icy Orcs Grimgore Ironhide.   Really enjoyed painting it. Used some blue tint on the dead skin to make it look dead and lots of Blood for the Blood God. 

Working on spider riders.  Hopefully I'll be able to afford some new 40k models soon.

Showcase: Custom Sammael

Yes, it's been a while since I did my last models but I finally finished my next (reluctant) project, my custom Sammael model.  I didn't really want to start this guy until I had at least some bikes to go with him, but I really didn't have anything else to do!

The real Sammael model is like $50, finecast and really old. Didn't want to invest that much on something that really wasn't a priority.  But I found this resin bike on ebay for $20 and it's designed for GW miniatures so I gave it a try.

Not only is the model a perfect fit for a GW rider, it just looks amazing.

I didn't quite get the feathers the way I wanted, but doing better would have required a dunk and repaint, and I wasn't up for that at all. It's good enough.

Other then that I'm pretty darn happy with how it came out.

Anyway, pics!

Age of Sigmar

So I finally played a game of AoS, my Orcs vs Gorn Lizardmen Seraphon.  It was a heck of a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed it...despite obvious balance issues.

So after just one game I already have some thoughts. That's the nice thing about a simple ruleset, it does not take long to get a grasp on it.

1. The roll each turn to see who goes first can be rough, especially on turn 2.  however I think if you know that your opponent might get 2 turns in a row, you can plan for that more easily. I didn't know it, so I was super aggressive and it cost me.

2. There is no unit balance. Sure you can play with a framework, like limiting wounds per unit, duplicates, etc but it does not help because some units are simply better then others.  There are comp systems out there, I'll have to look into it..

3. Shooting into/out of combat.  There is no rule that says you can't, but we played it like it does.   I think that really helped especially since I was facing some really potent shooting.

4. A game of remembering!  So many rules in each warscroll that it takes time to remember everything you can do. 

5.  Monsters. I *love* how monsters get weaker as they take wounds. It's a great mechanic I've wanted in 40k for a long time.

6. Multiple combats.  I think this is where the game really shines.  Because you do not resolve each combat separately, but pick units to attack in turn and then resolve the results after everyone is done. This means when involved in multiple combats you can only be sure of having the advantage when it's your turn and then only in the first unit you pick.  You're opponent can pick any other unit involved in other combats, giving him the advantage in that one. It's bloody brilliant if you ask me and ads so much challenge to the game.

I don't know if or when I'll pick it up again, especially how much better the Seraphon are then my O&G, and I don't have another army to play. My cousin does, tomb kings, but that has plenty of broken stuff in it as well..

Anyway that's it for now.

Showcase: Ork Promethium Relay Pipes

Sorry I only had 1 post in November.  For most of the month between recovering from hernia surgery and still getting use to my new diet, I didn't have much energy.

I did get a couple things done though. First was the promethium relay pipes. More of a "repaired" look then a real "looted" look, I went with lots of corrosion, pigments, etc.

Pretty happy with it, even if I don't have any plans to use it in a game.

I also modified one of my unused Nob bikers for use as a mek with KFF and Big Bosspole for the modified warbike-star.

Both the pole and KFF are magnetized.

so that's about it for now, I am really running low on things to work on so I'm not sure what's next.

Orks in the ITC

After a month of muckin' about with da fisheads' it's time to get back to da Waagghh!

Well, to be honest it's because I don't have the models to play the Tau as competitive as I would like..so ya.

Anyway I'm still trying to build up an Ork list for playing in competitive ITC tournaments.  Watching the other lists play I've started to build up my own version, and so far so good.

First, I have to admit I've been totally missing out on the amazeballs that is Tankbustas. Not for any particular reason, but just..well..dunno lol.

Sure, the first game I tried them they didn't have much to do, but that may change.  Also, I need more of them. Right now I have 1 unit of 12, and another unit being worked on. Plus 9 rokkit boys from my 3 main infantry squads.  So since I have 3 units, that's the way I'm going.  Backed up with some lootas as well.

The sad thing is really the start of any competitive Ork list must be Zhadsnark.  You must have the speed to avoid being shot off the table before you can get where you need to be.  A green tide may work, but you'll be investing so much there isn't much left to get objectives, IMO.

Bikes as ObSec troops though is nothing to laugh at..with the speed and survivability to grab those maelstrom points. A unit of 3 can be quite the thorn especially for the low low price of 54 pts..especially doing things like absorbing overwatch.

Anyway those are my thoughts, now the list:

Ork Horde Detachment:
HQ: (warlord) Zhadsnark "Da Rippa"
HQ: Painboy, warbike  *goes without saying
HQ: Warboss, warbike, Da Lucky Stikk, bosspole  *the whole unit at WS5, wee!

Troops: 15 warbikes, nob w/PK&BP
Troops: 6 warbikes, nob w/PK&BP *after the big unit goes down, gives me a little redundancy
Troops: 3 warbikes

Elite: 8 tankbustas, Trukk w/ram
Elite: 8 tankbustas, Trukk w/ram

Heavy: 15 lootas

Fortification: Aegis

Great Waggh! Detachment:
HQ: Big Mek, Warbike, Big Bosspole, KFF, PK *gets a little spendy, but having the KFF (even the normal one) could add just enough resiliency against ignore cover.  Also, fearless FTW!
HQ: Painboy *I had the points, couldn't figure out what to use them on. Giving FNP to the lootas or maybe a tankbusta unit will be nice.

Troops: 10 Grots *little cheaper with the warbikes, and they can sit with the lootas or other objective.
Troops: 3 Warbikes

Elite: 8 tankbustas, Trukk w/ram

So that's it.  A bit different then what I played last week but much better overall.   We'll see how it goes. I still have no answer for a Centstar but meh whatever.

Tau-riffic Tau-tober! - Final thoughts

As my kids gorge on candy and October draws to a close, the Tau codex hits shelves.

- The lack of a completely new codex is very disturbing.  Points needed adjustments almost everywhere, Broadsides needed to be S10 again and maybe some D-weapons for "balance".

- The new detachments and formations look pretty good, but like most some are way better then others.

- Seems like GW is up to the old tricks of limited rules. 

http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Tidewall-Counterstrike-Cadre

Now I don't mind having a whole playable dataslate in a box, but the rules need to be available separately..especially when you consider they are making only 200 copies of the rules..period.

It's really 30 firewarriors, 10 pathfinders and then the fortifications, which isn't much. But what kind of benefits it gives it what matters.   It may not be a Skyhammer Annihilation force, but it may be just as bad.

- Will Tau make it back into high-level tournament play?  Probably not. The one thing Tau does better then anyone is interceptor - which kills a lot of the high level lists (including the aforementioned Skyhammer Annihilation force) but skyfire gets super expensive very quick..especially trying to fight 5+ FMC's.

What's next? I'll probably be messing around with Tau for the next month.

With allies.  Sure, I can't do Orks (Zhadsnark backed up by broadsides? FUCK YA) in ITC rules but I can do...CHAOS!!!

Getting back into hobby time..Bad Moonz Tankbustas

Surgery, 2 days in hospital, 2 more days in bed doped up on Oxycontin, and now finally enough energy to sorta return to normal.

Started these guys before I went under the knife, and was able to finish them over the last 2 days.  12 tankbustas which will be Bad Moonz to go along with my Bad Moonz Trukk.

I only had 3 "normal" rokkets so I had to build the rest. I used mostly the combi-rokket bits from the Meganobz kitz, along with some of the kombi-rokkets from the plastic nobs.  And built a few with pistols.

Pretty darn happy with them, I'll slowly start painting over the next few days...energy still isn't 100% and I have to get back to work.