Apocalypse Lords - Command Squad

[Honda]

<Grr...> Well, this is the second time I posted this info. The first just disappeared when I clicked on the post button. Pity that, I was much more eloquent than I will be the second time around. :(

 

Ok, so I am exploring new areas in my fluff to continue the exercise of filling in some of the blanks. My oldest son is always asking me questions about this and that and projects like this will help keep me honest about their fluff ("No, they don't really deliver pizza on Tuesdays on Argyle V"). I'm also ready for a challenge that will stretch me in ways that I haven't gone before which will become apparent in just a bit.

 

So, the idea of a command squad came with a mental image of banners that kind of developed from looking at pictures in the Black Templars codex. This squad will be lead by Blademaster Li (a librarian) and contain three "Heralds of the Triarchs", two melta guys, and the rest bolters). I also had a hankerin' to do another chaplain.

 

So without further ado, the chaplain...

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40001.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40002.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40003.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40004.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40005.jpg

 

This chaplain is armed as if he were a vet. sgt because he will end up leading his own squad when I get to them.

 

Now for the heralds. Each banner will represent one of the Triarchs, Benkei, Cephas, and Justinian. Each Triarch represents an aspect of the chapter itself, Vigilance, Truth, and Justice.

 

This is Benkei's herald. It represents a depiction of the vision that Benkei received of the Emperor's sacrifice for Mankind

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40017.jpg

 

Here is Cephas herald

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40018.jpg

 

...and here is Justinians

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40015.jpg

 

Somehow, I am going to figure out a way to paint those onto these...

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40020.jpg

 

These are the heralds themselves:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40013.jpg

 

So that's all the progress I made this week. I'm hoping to get the rest of the guys together by next week and possibly primed by then. Then again, the librarian will have a fair amount of conversion work on him, so maybe not. I'll just have to play it by ear.

 

And now, the latest installment of the Space Marine Puppet Theatre, also known as "The Skeleton's Lament"

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/comicrun401a.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/comicrun401b.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/comicrun401c.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/comicrun401d.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/comicrun401e.jpg

 

So, I guess that's about it for this week. C&C greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers,

[tagsta]

looking good so far!

nice idea with the 3 banners

get them painted son!

[Pandora]

That's looking pretty sweet. Don't think I've seen a shield & powerfist combo before on normal power armor. Looks really cool.

 

And I like your little comic strip, made me chuckle. :P

[Honda]

Ah yes, what is it that they say about "best laid plans"? I believe last week, I said I would have the squad finished and possibly primed. :)

 

So, the majority of this weeks work went into my new librarian equivalent, Blademaster Li. I also put together a couple of melta guys as the squad continues to grow.

 

/*LECTURE MODE ON

 

In my chapter, the leadership is maintained through chaplains. Those are the only types of "commanders" I have available. However, I do like the rules for libbys, so there are a few individuals of exceptional ability with a blade, such that it emulates a librarian with Veil of Time. Sometimes the demonstration of their skill is so incredible it frightens the opponent and they run from the Blademaster in fear (i.e. "Fear of Darkness").

 

Blademasters are inclined to take pilgrimages in search of opponents as they continue to perfect their skill with edged weapons. When the circumstances warrant it (e.g. when the Demon codex was released), a Blademaster will accompany a task force and seek out the most dangerous opponent present and best them in combat. Blademasters seek purity of spirit through the perfection of their technique.

 

Because of the nature of the Blademasters form of combat, they are the only individuals in the chapter who do not don protective headgear during battle. They believe (and evidence seems to support this form of thinking) that they are more situationally aware without it. Their brethren are under the impression that they are "not all there" <point index finger towards side of head and make a circle>.

 

None, however, dispute their abilities.

 

/*LECTURE MODE OFF

 

One of the things I wanted to do to personalize my army is make representatives of the guys I game with on a regular basis and this is my rendition of my buddy, Ric. No doubt the others will be struck with jealousy (or not if he turns out crappy :P ) until I create their mini-personae, but that's just the way the creative ball bounces.

 

<patience guys :D >

 

Pics of Li

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40081.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40082.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40083.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40084.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40085.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40087.jpg

 

So I obviously need to putty up his arm. I'm also going to give him a pony tail (short one) and attempt to do some "buzz cut" fu. His armor will be a pale bronze and the naginata will display a variation of my usual power weapon scheme.

 

I know, by now, some of you are wondering "What's with the hand?"

 

Well, I wanted to do something for him besides the usual missile launcher hand (although that is one of the fall back positions) and I kept seeing a cross between Darth Vader's hand when he was instructing the non-believer in the "power of the force" and my clumsy attempt.

 

Honda emulating Darth

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40090.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40091.jpg

 

<Let it be stated for the record that I am unable to cause people to stop breathing by concentrating and pressing my fingers together> <_<

 

So, I got close to what I was envisioning using the Scout Sgts hand. Not sure I like it just yet, so I'll look at it this week and see if it still makes sense. What do you guys/gals think?

 

To complete the squad (currently standing at six bodies) I have four standard troopers with bolters to do up. I'm also going to do an extra bolter guy to swap him out in case:

 

a. Command squads don't get two special weapons in the new codex

b. I need an extra tactical squad, since it appears that they will not be able to get two specials with "traits" going away

 

Well, I think that's it for now. C&C greatly appreciated. Until next week.

 

Cheers,

[inquisitor_bob]

OMG !!!

 

 

I'm not bald !! :ermm:

 

I did take Iaido for a while but we rarely use a sword one handed. :huh:

[Tigris]

Pics of Li

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40081.jpg

 

 

When I saw this pic I thought you had cast the whole thing out of GS, then I realised that it was just the lighting.

 

T

[Honda]

<guitar wail> EXCELLENT!

 

Sorry, I had a "Bill and Ted" moment :sweat:

 

So, pretty good progress was made this week. The construction phase has been completed and the boys are in the garage letting their black basecoat dry. Since I have next week off, I'm pretty jazzed to be getting to the painting phase on Monday.

 

I fiddled around a lot, wanting to add detail to the unit without going overboard. I want them to be distinctive and I'm hoping that the variation on my white/black scheme along with some of the extra attention will help them do that.

 

Anyway, lots of pictures.

 

Group shot

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41086.jpg

 

Heralds of the Triarch

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41080.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41081.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41082.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41083.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41084.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41085.jpg

 

Troopers

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41079.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41078.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41077.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41076.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41075.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41074.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41073.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41072.jpg

 

 

...and now, Blademaster Li

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41066.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41065.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41064.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41067.jpg

 

I shortened up the blade on his naginata after the real "Li" commented on the length. I like it a bit shorter now, though at some point, I want to arm someone with a No Dachi (a katana with a very long blade). I am fairly happy with how he turned out and I look forward to getting some color on him.

 

C&C greatly appreciated. Until next time...

 

Cheers,

[ImperialTemplari]

hey Honda, I love this army, that naginata is great and I am really looking forward to seeing the NoDachi (my favorite Japanese sword), I would only suggest GSing a grip onto the naginata's handle (the usual pattern), the other thing is you should have dropped the standards and gone whole hog with Japanese style back banners. But regardless they are very nice. you get 2 :devil: :tu:

[Honda]

Hey IT!

 

the other thing is you should have dropped the standards and gone whole hog with Japanese style back banners.

 

I actually thought about something similar to that, but to get the correct "feel" (i.e. Japanese), they really would have had to be long and narrow and I didn't feel like I could get the images across that I had come up with on that size of canvas. So I took an easier route.

 

Now having said that, at some point I will be making the "Chapter Master" equivalents and I am looking into the idea of some more traditional Japanese looking banner bearers. So hang onto that idea, we may just be discussing this again.

 

@IB: Hang in there, he won't be bald, the hair is just going to be pretty short.

 

Thanx for the C&C!

[The Angelus Sanctus]

Nice to see you playing with the hobby knife again Honda.

 

Nice work on the comic as always :tu:

 

Only critique i have at this time is the backpack you are using for Li. For me, i feel its just a tad bit smaller than what it should be. Other than that, the thought you've put into your marines is of top rate :tu:

[Honda]

@AS

 

Only critique i have at this time is the backpack you are using for Li. For me, i feel its just a tad bit smaller than what it should be.

 

It's a good point.

 

Yes, it is quite a bit smaller than normal (it's a RT era backpack), but that was intentional. My reasoning behind that has more to do with being practical, than anything else. I envision Li to be very pragmatic sort and mindful of all the spinning involved in using a pole weapon. He would probably consider it bad form to miss a killing stroke due to whacking your backpack or to be unable to reach behind you to get that sneaky git who's approaching from your six o'clock. :)

 

So I do acknowledge that it may throw the "visual" aspect of the figure off a bit compared to a regular trooper, but I really wanted something that functionally mapped to the type of weapon he wields. The smaller backpack "seemed" the right way to go at the time. I guess we'll just have to see. :)

 

Cheers,

[Greysensei]

Brilliant models, brilliant fluff, brilliant execution.

 

 

On a brief note of fluff. I note that a couple of our esteemed martial arts fans have critiqued the poses. I do wing chun (not very mariney I know), but I think that the fluff / arts cross over is hard. For instance, I use a no dachi for strengthening, but I would argue that power armour would open up new martial possibilities, the extra strength and balancing allowing for various styles we cannot envsiage. Just a thought.

 

On a personal note, I am sure there is a japanese sword style called Iajitsu (?) and is the art of the quick draw. I know it would be less dramatic modelling wise, but ever thought of modelling one with his sword sheathed? Draw, behead, shake, sheath.

 

My apologies to any japanese efficiandos!

 

 

Honda, I salute you, a wonderful army in every way!

[Honda]

On a brief note of fluff. I note that a couple of our esteemed martial arts fans have critiqued the poses. I do wing chun (not very mariney I know), but I think that the fluff / arts cross over is hard. For instance, I use a no dachi for strengthening, but I would argue that power armour would open up new martial possibilities, the extra strength and balancing allowing for various styles we cannot envsiage. Just a thought.

 

"When the student is ready, the teacher appears"

 

@Greysensei: I can not tell you how glad I am that you posted. I am looking for "no dachi" poses and it would seem that you might be able help out. Do you have any links to images or pictures of yourself showing how to attack with a no dachi? I'm assuming that there are some poses that are the same as with a katana, but I wonder if there are any that are more characteristic of the no dachi? I vaguely remember something named "the horsecleaver" that I thought was used to dismember charging horses.

 

Does that sound familiar?

 

On a personal note, I am sure there is a japanese sword style called Iajitsu (?) and is the art of the quick draw. I know it would be less dramatic modelling wise, but ever thought of modelling one with his sword sheathed? Draw, behead, shake, sheath.

 

:P

 

Given the swiftness of this type of attack, I have visualized using the devestator kneeling legs in either one of two poses. One has the sword sheathed, the other with the sword extended out, in the act of removing the head. The latter seems to be more of a dynamic pose to me and therefore more suitable for the tabletop. I am also looking into the pose of someone facing front, feet shoulder width apart, one hand on the sheath, the other on the sword handle, but this would be more of a "chapter masters" type of pose, I think.

 

So many poses, so little time... :P

[The Angelus Sanctus]

@AS

 

Only critique i have at this time is the backpack you are using for Li. For me, i feel its just a tad bit smaller than what it should be.

 

It's a good point.

 

Yes, it is quite a bit smaller than normal (it's a RT era backpack), but that was intentional. My reasoning behind that has more to do with being practical, than anything else. I envision Li to be very pragmatic sort and mindful of all the spinning involved in using a pole weapon. He would probably consider it bad form to miss a killing stroke due to whacking your backpack or to be unable to reach behind you to get that sneaky git who's approaching from your six o'clock. :rolleyes:

 

So I do acknowledge that it may throw the "visual" aspect of the figure off a bit compared to a regular trooper, but I really wanted something that functionally mapped to the type of weapon he wields. The smaller backpack "seemed" the right way to go at the time. I guess we'll just have to see. :lol:

 

Cheers,

 

 

I like your rationale behind the pose and backpack. Sounds very reasonable :)

[Honda]

Well, it's not often that I get to post mid-week updates. I guess there are advantages to being on vacation. :D

 

Group shot

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41108.jpg

 

The figures on the left have a thin coat of Dark Angels green applied as the base for the bronze. Those on the right have the first layer of VMC Bronze on them. This is about as dark as the bronze is going to get as I'm going to work in some VMC Silver into the bronze to lighten it up. I like this effect because it keeps the bronze kind of "pale" and light, without being too yellow or orange-ish. I can't say that it's a true bronze, but I do like how it looks an it allows me another metallic option besides gold.

 

A couple troopers

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41118.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41119.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41120.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41121.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41122.jpg

 

Although the pics are a bit dark (not sure why that happened), they at least show where the bronze is. I'm really liking how the second trooper turned out, from a modeling perspective. It isn't a very complicated conversion (need to cut each arm into three pieces), but I like the "attitude" it conveys.

 

Funny anecdote: I remember seeing the second pose in an old WD and thought I'd add it to this squad. So I fiddled and cut and eventually it came together. When I fnally referred back to the picture in the WD, it turned out that I had done just the opposite. Their guy had the gun in the left hand. <shrugs> Who says there aren't benefits to being dyslexic? (and I am) ;)

 

Li

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41130.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41129.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41128.jpg

 

Once I get the armor to the lightness I want, then I will go back and do the line work to hit all the recesses. A majority of the ribbing (whatever the stuff at the back of the knees, elbows, and armpits is called) will be touched up with black before hitting it with Tin Bitz, then Boltgun. After that, those pieces will get multiple coats of thinned Black ink.

 

The green piece of stuff on his right shoulder will be done up as a grey-ish stone. This represents a piece of masonry from the Emperor's palace and is one of the highest battle honors that my chapter awards an individual. Some of my terminators and my other librarian Kensai have this award on their armor.

 

So, a decent amount of progress so far and I'm looking forward to moving them along as the week progresses. I'm targeting the end of next week to have them completed...hmm...maybe. I haven't gotten into painting the banners yet and I think I'm going to be leaking patience out of my ears by the time that is done.

 

C&C greatly appreciated!

 

Cheers,

[Arch«•»Angel]

VMC as in valejo model color? i can totally tell that the pigments are much finer and smoother. but then again, the coverage isnt as good(compared to gw metallics). this is my first time seeing a vmc metallic and knowing it.

[Honda]

VMC as in valejo model color?

 

That is correct.

 

i can totally tell that the pigments are much finer and smoother. but then again, the coverage isnt as good(compared to gw metallics). this is my first time seeing a vmc metallic and knowing it.

 

I like these metallics a lot, but they seem to me to be a bit more finicky than GW metallics. So you end up using multiple layers to get a very solid coat, not that that's bad, just different.

 

I like both companies metallics, it's just that VMC Bronze is more yellow and pale than GW's which is a bit darker and more orange.

 

Cheers,

[Greysensei]

I am honoured by your question, your knowledge of such things is obviously my better. However regarding the no dachi...

 

both the chinese and japanese developed "horsecutting knives", a knife in chinese martial arts broadly being a single edged blade of any length. Such weapons were carried by different warriors castes in each culture, but sdaly my japanese knowledge is nowt in comparison to my chinese, so...

 

the principal behind horse cutting was to stop mounted warriors ramaging through infantry lines, and so they would be near the front of a formation. When cavalry attacked they would drop to one knee, hold the knife horizontally (the extra grip allows you to steady yourself easier...) at chest height and slice the speeding horse at the knees. This would hopefully propel the horse and rider into the lines behind to be easily disposed of.

 

NB this is not a very "western" tactic. If you see English and French styles of anti-cavalry, then your are looking at sharpened posts and army positioning (see Agincourt for description, my apologies to my french gamers in advance). With eastern armies you have sadly, a lot more disposable warriors, and so the inherit dangerous of standing in front of a speeding horse were ignored. Basically stopping the horse was more important than the life of the warrior, indeed I have read reports of these weapons being used against chariots. That can't be healthy.

 

My knowledge of the japanese use of the no dachi is more limited. They are immense weapons, great and intimidating, but I can imagine they were a specialist sword, used by people who had time and space to wield them, I presume therefore they are leader / champion weapons, definately not commoners. This fits perfectly with your army.

 

I would not seek to critise you posses. Power armour and genetic manipulation would allow the arts to be transformed and advanced, i see nothing wrong with a double no dachi style (perhaps used as lightning claws?) One thing I could say was stick to the plan, its working but perhaps diffentiate between the marines with different styles of long knife.

 

I know a better man would have the pics, but search the following:

 

Ma Dao - "Cavalry Saber", similar to katana, slightly longer blade

Tai Cham Dao - "Big Chopper"

Kwan Dao (Green Dragon Shading the Moon Dao) - Broadsword

Goosefeather Broadsword

Big Ring Broadsword

Hand Broadsword

my personal favourite, the Butterfly sword.

 

Particulary, look at the Goosefeather Broadsword, it is a long broadsword with rings on the back which ring like a flock of geese when used. This quote, about a famous Goosefeather user, Pa Tai-Kuan, i feel, is quite mariney:

 

"The sound of his goosefeather broadsword startles even the toughest enemy. When the broadsword ceases ringing, the enemy's head is already on the ground." - William Cheung, Butterfly Knives

 

Hope that this aids. Please post more pics!

[Greysensei]

One more sorry!!

 

A number of katana schools revolved around one strike (it is said that if two equal masters faced each other, they would never move) The quick draw has four components -

 

1.) Draw

2.) Strike

3.) Clean

4.) Sheath

 

3.) Clean is when the sword, after killing the enemy is shook, or tapped, to remove the blood, before sheathing. This could be another pose.

 

I must apologise to any japanese / martial arts fans, these descriptions do not represent the art, but you get the idea. If you are over 18, or the age you have to be to watch horrible-ness in your country of origin, get Shogun Assassin (also know as the Baby Cart series, and Samourai and Son). You will see there are very few posses a samourai woudl have to learn. Timing and mental state are more important than katta as per the chinese. As I said previously I would try and make each of my swords different, and not worry about the posses as much.

[aioannou]

how did you craft that japanese style blade,as i cannot find any similar styles to those anywhere online....

 

ps, love the originality of the marines poses.

 

alex

[ArsGratiaArtis]

Very cool conversions, especially digging the blademaster. What was the head you used on the Chaplain?

[Honda]

Hey there!

 

What was the head you used on the Chaplain?

 

It's a Chaos Warrior head with the top knot cut off and the arrow point on the top of the helmet scraped off. I wanted something for chaplains that looked a little "meaner" than a straight skull and this seemed to work. That and the bits are readily available.

 

how did you craft that japanese style blade,as i cannot find any similar styles to those anywhere online....

 

I think you'll like this answer as it's cheap and easy. I carved it out of sheet plastic. I'm finding that carving your own is about the easiest way to create unique looking blades. You should give it a go as working with sheet plastic is very easy. Just make sure that you smooth the edges once you are happy with the shape so that it doesn't look like a piece of sheet plastic. :)

 

@Greysensei

 

Thank you very much for giving me so much information to digest. I'll keep fiddling around until I find something I like. The descriptions you provided invoke visions of a lone warrior using his No Dachi to cleave jet bikes out of the air. I will definitely explore this more.

 

Kwan Dao (Green Dragon Shading the Moon Dao) - Broadsword

Goosefeather Broadsword

 

Both of these also caught my eye, so I'll do some more research into these and see what I can turn into plastic. I've been looking at the Black Templar codex to use with my chapter and the idea of the Emperor's Champion running around with a No Dachi seems quite fitting.

 

You have been most helpful, Greysensei. Domo

[Honda]

Wow! Go off to play a game of Apocalypse and before you know it, your thread is whacked down to Page 7. Tough crowd. :P

 

Ok, I am in the final detailing stage of this project. Everyone is looking pretty decent, even if I am unable to capture that fact in pictures. So progress to date:

 

The Heralds

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun42130.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun42129.jpg

 

I am including two different shots from the camera because the first looks like I'm trying to add some funky special lighting effect with Photoshop, when in reality, I'm just messing up with my camera. Also, here are the backs of the banners.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun42131.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun42161.jpg

 

I still need to put text on the other two, and I'll more than likely add a wash to the lettering to dull it a bit.

 

The backs started off with Mechrite Red on black base coat, then I added the Baal Red wash to see what would happen. Well, it darkened it, but didn't really do what I thought it was going to do. So I added a layer of Red Gore and that was decent looking, but still not where I wanted it to go. So, then I added Bestial Brown on the high areas, then Vermin Brown. That brought out a lot of light, but didn't look very red. So I went back over it with thinned Red Gore, then highlights with Blood Red, then another wash with Baal Red. That has gotten me to this point.

 

I'm striving for a "rich" deep red color, but not bright. So consider that a WIP.

 

Assorted squad members

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun42141.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun42142.jpg

 

Li

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun42145.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun42146.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun42147.jpg

 

Looking at these photos, the metal work really looks pretty crappy. I am unable to see a lot of the inking that is in the recesses and quite a bit of the base color is bleeding through the bronze. I'm going have to really fiddle with the camera to see if I can get more representative shots. These look a lot more disappointing than they are...<sounds like whining to me> :verymad:

 

And after a long while, a new installment of "The Space Marine Puppet Theatre". <note: all apologies to Budweiser for co-opting their song>

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/comic42-1.jpg

 

 

And now to the battle report:

 

Basically, the board was set up in a L shape, urban on one table, post suburban country side on the other.

 

Left

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/20087-19ApocolypseBattle-Arrowhe-2.jpg

 

Middle

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/20087-19ApocolypseBattle-ArrowheadP.jpg

 

Right

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/20087-19ApocolypseBattle-Arrowhe-1.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42018.jpg

 

They (Bad guy IG) got the urban table. We set up anti-tank obstacles across the board, which pinned them on their table and prevented them from getting a lot of armor by the bend in the “L”, which was where three of the six objectives were. They had soooo much stuff it was unreal, plus Will’s Floating Blimp Warhound, 3 Baneblades, a Shadowsword, something like 10 Lemans, a Deathstrike missile launcher, 3 Vultures, 2 Valkyries, 2 Marauder Destroyers and something like 300 or so infantry. They also had some assassins (2 Vindicare, 1 Callidus) and an Inquisitor with the obligatory psychic hood.

 

Floating Blimp Warhound

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42001.jpg

 

 

So the only thing we deployed were my two scout squads, which I infiltrated to get a flank shot on some tanks, not realizing that he who sets up first, goes first. So they went down in the first few seconds and that was about it for Turn 1.

 

Turn 2, they moved all their stuff to get better lanes of fire, then looked over at us and we said, “Ok, ready for Turn 3?”

 

They looked a little puzzled and said that we had to deploy half of our forces on Turn 2, to which we replied, “No, the rule says we may deploy up to half of our forces, the rest must come in on Turn 3”. So that kind of threw them for a loop. So they moved a little bit on their side, popped some guys out of tunnels on our side, flew their planes over the front lines and now it was “Game On Johnny Drop Pod”.

 

To be continued...

[Honda]

Turn 3

 

The sky got very dark with drop pods blocking out the sun. Ric and I targeted the bend in the L with something like 40 terminators, 4 dreads, and 60 or so tactical troopers. The IG hiding in the ruins suddenly became real quiet and we started hearing things like, “Well, I’m just there to be sacrificed” and “My guys rarely last the game”. The only thing I could think of was, let me help you keep your streak intact.

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42032.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42033.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42034.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42035.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42036.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42037.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42038.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42039.jpg

 

"I'll stop the world and melta with you...", the Leman company is not having a good day

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42042.jpg

 

So between Ric and I, we popped or stunned 4-5 Lemans and did some decent shooting on the hunkered down infantry. Unfortunately, the +4 saves, kept a lot of them around. Also there were a number of rough rider squads just hanging around the back, looking for opportunities. They eventually got to grips with a couple of Ric’s squads and one jumped on me, but I don’t think they were used to running up against termies. Mine had a field day. I took one casualty in each squad and then I wiped them off the board. I also introduced some Storm troopers to the power of FREEM with the heavy flamers on my dreads. Then I shot up the ashes with my a.cannon.

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42046.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42054.jpg

 

On the other side of the board, Rob brought on 3 baneblades, 3 landraiders, and the AA version of the Whirlwind. He also brought on Death Company and a Vet squad. So what we learned about that exercise is that although we had a lot of tanks (for space marines), the IG had more + plus the Warhound. So we got pounded pretty hard. I think we lost just about all the vehicles over the next two turns and most of the infantry. On the plus side, the vet squad (jet packs) and DC whacked something like 80 conscripts, the Deathstrike before it launched, the Shadowsword and a Leman in the follow on explosion…which was sweet.

 

Turn 4, The Empire Strikes Back – So the Imperial Navy decided to weigh in. All their flyboys descended on us and it was brutal. We lost all kinds of stuff, though because I was just infantry I didn’t get much attention, other than my dreads, who got whacked around pretty good. Still, it wasn’t looking very good for our side…except for the fact that Ric and I were still in control of 3 objectives and it was going to be pretty hard for the IG to get there, let alone push us out. They did manage to drop a basi pie plate on one of my squads and whacked 9/10 guys, but for the most part, I was in a lot of cover and all around the objectives.

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42065.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42066.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42067.jpg

 

Introducing another Leman to "Maxwell's Silver Hammer"

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42072.jpg

 

The Apocalypse Lords cleaning out the drop zone

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42078.jpg

 

Turns 5-6: Since we were running out of time, we focused on movement and battles that could change the outcome of the game. So I whacked a Callidus that could have cut one of my squads to below half, but the game saver occurred right after Will had dropped two Storm Trooper squads on the objectives on our side.

 

Whacking a Callidus

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse/071908/DeathRainRun42085.jpg

 

One of them we weren’t going to be able to get to, so that put us at 3 objectives each. The only chance we had was the Grey Knight Grand Master. He happened to be in charge range of the other ST squad who was controlling the other objective. There was a fair amount of pressure on Jeff (our GK guy) as he had been having really crappy rolls all game long. Anyway, he came through in the clutch. The GKGM waded into the ST squad, and between SB shots and his Force weapon, the squad goes below half and we win 3-2.

 

 

All in all, a very wild time and very enjoyable. We will be looking for another game with them in around 3-4 months

 

Cheers,

[Heru]

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun40085.jpg

 

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/hkowabunga/Apocalypse%20Lords/Tacticals/DeathRainRun41066.jpg

Such a shame that you went from brutal Nagamaki (like Soulblighter a major bad guy from the Myth series of Computer Games), to a Naginata (I own one of those myself, works more like a spear than a sword).