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Hi all To introduce myself, my name is Ben. I have been a lurker on B&C for a couple of years, keeping up with all the latest goings on in the hobby. However I have probably not painted a model in about 18 years (last time when I was about 17). My first models were Saurus Warriors (8 for £5) I reckon in about 1999. I then had a couple of small WHFB armies and also a couple for 40k (Space Marines, Dark Eldar, Tyranid), but all small - around 1000 pts in the day. I then paused the hobby as many do when I was about 16, but still kept an eye on what was going on as well as reading lots of BL (mainly Horus Heresy). I have now decided to try and pick up where I left off 18 years ago, and start a Word Bearer army. The main reasons being 1) I love most of the new generic CSM models, 2) WB are a cool legion, I am a big fan of ADB's First Heretic and Betrayer, and I think there is more to them than the generic bad guys they are sometimes portrayed as, and 3) I thought painting red would be relatively easy (we shall see!). My vision for the army is several squads of Legionnaires, backed up by Traitor Guard and a Knight. This is how I see the WBs fighting, as opposed to a warband of just Marines. I also think this will look really cool. Hopefully GW will make some more Traitor Guard soon, as I think the only that are available are those from Blackstone Fortress, that come with the Ogryn and Commissar. I see my WBs are still being quite regimented and disciplined, especially compared to say World Eaters or Emperors Children. I think this is because their devotion will have kept them this way, and will be influenced by the will of the Dark Apostle leading them. So rather than just rampaging aimlessly, it will be in the interest of the Dark Apostle to keep them as a coherent fighting force in order to better achieve whatever his objectives are (or the ultimate objectives of the Dark Council). I have no idea if the above combination of different armies is available in the rules as I had not really intended to play after hearing about the bloat in 9th. However literally the day after my Combat Patrol arrived, the news of 10th was broken, with a simplified ruleset and rules for just playing with a Combat Patrol, so that has piqued my interest in playing. In terms of painting, I have managed to put together 5 Legionnaires and paint 2 in a week. I have 2 young kids so I don't have a huge amount of time, so it is largely getting in 15 mins here and there where I can, and a bit of time in the evening after my wife goes to bed! This is my first guy (with the bolter) I followed an online tutorial as had no idea where to start after all these years. I was relatively happy but lots of room for improvement! I tried to highlight the red armour panels but with my brush skills not being great it just looks a bit messy so I don't think I will do that going forward. It is also quite hard when you are new to understand where you should and shouldn't highlight, if you go by the box art it is every single panel, which probably isn't particularly practical for people who aren't painting as a job! I also messed up immediately when I spray undercoated, I overdid it a bit and obscured some of the finer detail on the model! There are also numerous other bits to improve but I won't go through them all now. But overall as I said I was relatively happy, especially for my first model in a long time. I was more happy with fella number 2 (with the chainsword), I think he is much neater and the highlighting is better (maybe a case of less is more). I have to say the models are great, they looks so imposing and I can't help but make the sound of a bolter or chainsword when I look at them! Again he defo needs work, and I will go back and tidy some bits up, but think he is a big improvement on the first. I have some questions if anyone has time to answer: 1. Would appreciate some general constructive criticism and advice. 2. Need some advice on the base, I have used Armageddon Dunes but not massively happy with texture or the colour (washed with Nuln oil then drybrushed with screaming skull). Also I would like to put on some small rocks I see lots of people using, but not sure how to do it? 3. Advice on the blank shoulder pad. I know there are transfers but when I see them I always think they stand out too much and look too clean. 4. Anyone know of any good modern Word Bearers stories. As I said I have read lots of the Heresy so know them from there, and also Anthony Reynolds' WB trilogy, but not much else. 5. Recommendations of good hobby podcasts or youtubes to paint to. I have been watching the Painting Phase which I really like as enjoy the general hobby chat and banter, and also I think the type of painting Peachy shows is more in line with where I am at the moment (i.e. more aimed at beginners or people looking to paint an army quickly). Anyway thanks for reading, I am hoping to add more models as I paint them. I have set myself a target of painting the Combat patrol by the end of June. TLDR: Death to Guilliman, Death to the Lion, Death to the Emperor! (also probably death to Abaddon and anyone else who doesn't exactly agree with us!) Thanks Ben