The Apocalypse Crusade

[Firepower]

When it comes to white, what I like to do is paint a near-white, and then use pure white as a highlight.  A very light gray is actually pretty easy to paint on smooth, while white is obviously rather unforgiving.  I generally go with a blue-ish gray though, because it's easier than neutral gray.  Although my Templars use a warm off white instead.

 

And/or you could try Vallejo.  I only have Model Air White, which is a bit too thin to paint with a brush, but I've enjoyed my introduction to Vallejo's product line so far.

Edited July 10, 2013 by Firepower

[tvih]

I used to mix a bit of Fortress Gray into the white, sometimes even a bit of bleached bone with my first tabards. But in the end I didn't find it helping any. In a way it only made things more difficult since there was the issue with getting the mix consistent between painting session.

 

I'd try Vallejo, especially for airbrush, but their paints aren't available locally. I need to look for an internet retailer at some point, but even then the availability doesn't seem that great here. I don't know why.

[tvih]

The latest to gnarly boogers:

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-exec-tdacom-ready.jpg

 

First time painting GW metals with the TDA commander (damn the guy is tiny!). Tricky business, that.

 

Speaking of metal, I chide myself for failing at eBaying, had the chance to get 3 metal Sword Brethren for peanuts, but being distracted by another auction and forgetting the automatic increment thingy equals no SB for me. Would've gotten me to just about the right amount of SB to run a max-size WYSIWYG squad.

[Marshal_Roujakis]

Wanted to get a Lord Executioner for the Good old Templars... seemed like a good Castellan for my Fast Asault Battle Company, problem is those Aquilas... I have very little confidence in shaving models and I prefer Grimaldus look on things... (Aquilas on Armour = Lesser Chapter) but that's just me... but seriously though nice work on your new Templars...

[tvih]

Well, there's only really that one aquila in the chest, and it wouldn't be hard to cut out.

[tvih]

Got some new magnets today, supposedly the strongest possible (N52) for the form factor (2x1mm and 3x1mm - I was supposed to get 3x1.5 for that extra strength but messed it up, sigh) because the previous 2x1 magnets just don't have enough strength. Based on how hard it is to pull them apart I'd estimate that these new ones are at least twice as strong. For the 3x1 magnets the difference seems negligible though.

 

This leaves me in a bit of dilemma again though. Do I try to rip out the old, weaker 2x1 magnets? It seems like quite a bit of work at best since I've installed like up to a 100 or something of them, and at worst a nightmare since they probably don't want to come off willingly. Yet it's frustrating having arms come off mid-game, during transport and so forth. I still don't want to glue arms where it is possible to avoid.

 

I'm also considering magnetizing backpacks on models that carry heavy weapons, due to the associated backpack changes. I suppose this will have to wait until the SM codex is out to see for sure if we're in it or not and thus what's up with our heavy weapon dudes. But that still leaves jump pack units too, such as Vanguard and even the regular assault marines. I just wish I didn't have to hold the drill piece with my fingers and had a handle for it instead

 

Other than magnet madness, I've been pondering my ETL vows. I could do two more vows, but frankly I'm getting a bit weary from the effort. I WILL do one more, at least assuming I get the stuff I need for it in time since it's a special kind of thing in a sense... but as much as I hate to say it, it doesn't seem like we're in the contest for winning this thing this year, so I'm not sure I want to go beyond the point of fun for a couple hundred extra points, and thus might not do vow 5. If I do do it, I suppose a squad of assault marines would be reasonably quick to paint.

[tvih]

It looks like my special reinforcements did in fact arrive, and much sooner than anticipated. Bar one, which it seems the (different) seller doesn't seem too interested in actually shipping it 

 

Now I'd just need to get this DA traitor and Calgar out of the way to proceed and contemplate on whether or not to do the extra vow before the special one. At least now I'd have yet another HQ (or two... or three... :P) to vow for it.

[tvih]

"By the Emperor, a traitor!"

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-company-master-ready.jpg

 

"Sound the alarm!"

 

*siren blaring, heavy footsteps approaching fast*

 

*bolters firing, chainswords revving, traitor blood splattering the walls*

 

"You are... *cough* too late. There is... another....... traitor............"

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/azrael-unpainted.jpg

 

Oh 

[tvih]

Pointless rant #15963, you've been warned...

Speaking of Dark Angels, back when I bought DV I figured I'd do some DA allies. I since scrapped that idea. But now that I got Azrael with whom I could troll with unit-wide 4++, that plan is being reconsidered. And this... this is exactly why I hate cutting models. It's so irreversible. I already removed DA insignia from the DV terminators long ago, to be made into Templars. But right now I have trouble with the aesthetics compared to all my tabardy units. And now they could've been troops via Azrael if for some reason playing DA primary. Of course they could still be painted as DA, but lacking the shoulder insignia etc makes them less appealing as such.

This is the same mistake I've made basically... well, two and a half times I suppose, counting the termies. The first was with AoBR tacticals. I cut off the tactical arrows since Templars don't use 'em. To date I've not painted a single one into Templars, and well, frankly don't plan to. The same was done to 4 DV tacticals so far. The tabard guy I don't regret, he's a clear Templar. The rest... well, at least they can be used as C:SM, and having more than 5-6 DA tacticals isn't necessary for a minimal ally squad especially when you only get the one weapon upgrade below 10 models anyway (and I have 5 bolters + plasma cannon left in DA markings, which is fine since I can run either a barebones squad or one with the plasma cannon, as needed). But now there's the termies, too. I basically have enough regular termies + the converted DW tabard group to act as my BT terminator contingent.

So what do I do with these insignia-stripped models? Don't really know. I have regular termies to make into CF/IF as is, and while the DV termies might work decently as Templars barring my tabard obsession (mind you, I've seen some conversions with tabards added, but that'd be easier to do on regular termies still), I don't think so much as CF/IF. The tacticals? Well, dunno. I have enough legs to make an additional 15 multi-pose marines at least, which in addition to the few I've assembled should be enough for CF/IF purposes. So sell the AoBR tacticals? Meh, probably no one would buy the "mutilated" models. The termies at least still look good, so I'm likely keeping them, but what to paint them as, I'm unsure.

It's kinda annoyed to even get so obsessed about this. I mean let's face it, the worth of these "wrongfully converted" models isn't more than peanuts compared to all the money I've spent on models so far, yet it keeps irking me. Pfff. Also, at this rate I'll have a billion different allied etachments, when in fact I've only ever used allies ONCE with my BT, and that was some IG in The Big Game III. The only other time I've used allies was when I played with Orks+CSM

 

Anyway, on a less rant-y note, tomorrow it's time to paint Calgar, hopefully in time before the weekly update.

 

EDIT: Oh, and if there's indeed a new plastic librarian that ends up being cooler than the DV one - which again had the DA stuff removed - then that joins the "argh" list, as I'd probably get the new one for my CF instead! Don't really need two for C:SM...

Edited August 6, 2013 by tvih

[tvih]

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-vow3-complete.jpg

 

I don't really know if Calgar's shade of blue is light enough or not. My room's kinda dim so it seems very dark, but in a flash photo it's obviously brighter. I did try and follow "How to paint Space Marines" for color selection, but... the highlights again turned out very (too?) subtle.

[tvih]

Two matches today. Maybe some pics later, but here's some info (still need a writeup on last week's match too, even the highlights summary was lost to the site database issues).

 

First with 2000 points of my Templars against 1000 points of C:SM and 1000 points of C:BA (different players). A heroic victory where in a might clash between my deathstar (3 TH+SS termies, 2 LC termies, jump Marshal, Jump Chaplain, Techmarine, EC) and the enemy's Chapter Master + 10 Honour Guard my new Emperor's Champion, Krieger, sliced a Chapter Champion in half and then finished a one-wound Chapter master off after my Marshal (the jumpy one on the pic above) had tickled him a bit. My Dread drop podded near some enemy scouts, burned maybe 4 of them, and next turn killed some 5 jump pack Death Company before falling. Good times. Except for my Vindi that killed a grand total of 1 bolter devastator meat shield model. Sigh. The enemy only had point from killing the Vindi (it was Big Guns Never Tire), while I was holding 3 objectives out of 5, killed the Warlord, had linebreaker and the enemy had no objectives when we called it at... the end of round 4, I think. They couldn't have won anymore, and we wanted to start a new 2vs2. Here's a few pics from the "end of match" stage:

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/08082013059.jpg

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/08082013060.jpg

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/08082013061.jpg

 

The second match was my 1500 points of C:SM and 1500 points of Necrons against similarly sized C:SM and Ork detachments. Since my list was pretty heavy on expensive infantry models, it was quite clear it wouldn't go well, with 60 ork boyz, 30 lootas etc on the other side. My Redeemer, carrying 7 Honour Guard, Kantor and a Chaplain went up the left side to meet 30 ork boyz, Old Zogwort, and the enemy Redeemer that had in it Cassius (warlord) and I believe 10 vanguard on foot. My Vindi was there too, but surprise surprise, didn't kill ANYTHING after being shaken because of a failed 3+ cover save *facepalm* and never having time to recover. Necron scarabs ate up the enemy LRR after the guys inside failed to charge the scarabs, and then my Redeemer proceeded to burn I think 5 of them. Next turn they retaliated with melta bombs. Only a single one went through armor, but of course it was a destroyed result. Whoopti-doo, what else is new.

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/08082013062.jpg

 

My honour guard blob charged them (losing one the vanguard overwatch and one to ork boyz overwatch, since I tried to multi-assault but only managed to attack the vanguard), and killed everything except Cassius, who took a single wound from my Chapter Champion.

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/08082013065.jpg

 

Next turn a Stormboyz blob charged into this combat. Kantor intervened in duel, and finished of Cassius. Every remaining honour guard died, and next turn Kantor who only had 2 wounds left fell against the onslaught of the Stormboyz. Sternguard had podded near the Boyz to try and prevent them from charging the Honour guard the same turn the Stormboyz came (which was... turn 3), and killed maybe 9 of them, and sergeant bravely did 2 wounds to Zogworth in challenge, but the whole squad died to the ork charge that same turn.

 

On the other side of the map noteworthy actions included my Ironclad killing ~8 lootas and with only one hull point left (lost two in turn 1 after podding in and flaming the first 4 lootas) survived until the end of game, spending turns 3-5 locked in combat with a boyz mob, killing like maybe 13 of them, including 5 killed with flamers. 5 Vanguard vets arrived in turn two with Heroic Intervention (no scatter thanks to beacon in Dread's drop pod), and immediately killed 2 bolter and 4 missile devastators that had attacked the dread. In retaliation by enemy Boyz and Lootas I lost 3 Vanguard in return, but they wouldn't be dissuaded and next turn annihilated a Lobba squadron. Died off in the orks' following phase, but had by then paid themselves off.

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/08082013064.jpg

 

In the middle I had my troops, 4 sniper scouts and 1 heavy bolter next to the Necron gunline guarding our objective. They killed a few things here and there, nothing too noteworthy. 5 bolter marines were annihilated by the Stormboyz after the honour guard was dead, though at least they killed a few enemies as well.

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/08082013068.jpg

 

In the end I only had 1 drop pod, the 1hp Ironclad and the Scout squad alive. We called it at the end of round 5 at a 4-4 draw - one objective each, Kantor killed their Warlord (ours was the Necron), and the stormboyz had linebreaker (my Ironclad was in their deployment zone, but since vehicles can't get linebreaker...).

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/08082013066.jpg

 

 

Overall fun times were had in both matches, though I wish my Vindi could have some frickin' luck for a change. And that my LRs didn't get single-shotted - well, actually in the first match my LRC did survive the fight, but it didn't really do anything noteworthy either.

Edited August 17, 2013 by tvih

[tvih]

And so my ETL II journey comes to an end:

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-vow4-complete.jpg

 

I wish I could've done these models more justice, but alas I'm no Krikey, which is sorely evident. I'm most happy with the EC, who even with my meager paint job looks so far superior to my previous finecast EC that you could fit all the dead orks of Armageddon between the two in the spectrum of coolness.

[tvih]

Batrep time! This time less lazy and thus with pics.

 

2vs2 with 1500 points of my Templars + 1500 points of Blood Angels vs two 1500 points of C:SM and 1500 points of mixed C:SM and GK. Marine Madness Ahoy!

 

Mission was Relic, with hammer and anvil deployment (or some such - deployed on the short edges). C:SM team went first. Didn't really do much first turn:

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/15082013078.jpg

 

I had deployed my Speeders and my melta bomb-equipped Assault Marines on the same side as the enemy Land Raider, against which I had a MAJOR grudge from the last two matches (it has blown up my LRC and Vindicator, for example, while I never killed it in turn). Inside the LR(R, this time) was a Vanguard unit with Cassius (without jump packs of course, despite some of the models in the following pic having them). Foolishly the LRR came closer to my assault marines, so of course they were happy to oblige and jumped right next to it. My Typhoon Speeder with a multi-melta fired at the thing already, but despite penetrating didn't blow up it. At the same time my Vindicator got down to business, and blew up 3 Paladins and 1 GK terminator. Boo-yah.

 

My other speeder and LRC tried to shoot the enemy Vindicator, but only got a glance through (damned night fight + hiding behind LRR 4+ cover save made a multi-melta penetration miss!).

 

Not much else of note happened in shooting phase, so off my Assault Marines went to charge the enemy LRR. End result...

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/15082013080.jpg

 

Boom, it's gone! One passenger died as well as one of the GKs near it I think, but so did one of my Assault Marines. With angry Vanguards now standing in front of them, they knew their end was near, but stood resolute nonetheless. You can also see a huge hole where the Vindicator left its mark, just "below" the UM Tactical squad (of which one guy managed a cover save against the blast).

 

Next turn, enemy Vindi moved up to the tree, and fired at my LRC. It scattered badly, but still managed a hit. My LRC ended up immobilized. Damn it! GK grand master dude tried a strike as well, but it scattered to the other end of the universe. GK terminators killed one of my Speeders. Enemy Speeder came along the bottom edge and shot my Vindicator through the side armor, destroying its main gun! Bummer! The GK power armor squad killed all three bolter marines from my Crusader squad, leaving plasma gun and plasma cannon alive. Then the inevitable happened - the Vanguard squad charged my assault marines. A brave marine with plasma pistol killed one of the attackers with overwatch! I honestly think this is the first time I've ever killed someone with overwatch. With melee attacks I killed at least one more Vanguard, but was then wiped out. Still, job very well done for that unit.

 

Then, it was time to retaliate. Out of their stricken transport came my deathstar:

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/15082013082.jpg

 

Annoyed by the enemy Vindicator's LRC-disabling antics, my other Land Speeder landed on top of the Coliseum (under which the Relic was located, and to where a lot of enemy scouts were headed) and blasted the Vindicator to kingdom come with its multi-melta. Boom! Similarly my plasma gun & plasma cannon marines enraged and hit the enemy Speeder with all three attacks. It jinked one, but blew up regardless. Vindicator, unfazed by the loss of its Demolisher cannon and knowing that only in death does duty end, killed a GK with its storm bolter! Shooting by the LRC as well as BA forces got rid of the rest of the GK terminators and Paladins, leaving only the GK grand master guy.

 

Finally, my death star charged the Vanguard squad, and starting with Emperor's Champion Krieger slaying the beefed 85-point sergeant with ease killed the whole squad, though losing two terminators of my own to terrible rolls - the first of many to come. Consolidation towards the boys in blue as well as the heretical GK witch master!

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/15082013085.jpg

 

Alas, next turn things went a bit downhill for me. Shooting by the GK power armor squad and the grand master killed I think two of my terminators. The GM and the squad charged me. The GM challenged, Krieger accepted. Bravely Krieger sought to slay the witch and did in fact take one wound off despite the terminator armor, but then took two hits from the thunder hammer, and his Armor of Faith was not enough to protect him from one of the attacks. Outside of the challenge I lost one terminator soon enough, my LC terminator managed to miss all attacks, then I lost a hammernator as well as the clawnator and even my MoS took a single wound because I decided take the hits for him, forgetting the force weapon thing... luckily the GK player forgot to activate it! My MoS only managed to wound with 2 of hits 4 hits and the remaining TH+SS terminator hit and wounded once, so that left one power armor GK standing.

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/15082013086.jpg

 

In our turn my LRC killed off 2-3 UM tacticals from near the relic. The BA Storm Raven also unloaded a squad of Death Company with Dante and a Furioso Dread on the other side of the coliseum, DC next to the tacticals and the Furioso next to the remaining scouts that had been whittled down - one squad had been at this point basically exterminated by Mephiston, while shooting by the BA LR and my other Crusader squad had taken its toll on the other scout squad as well as an enemy Devastator squad. Vindicator struck again, killing an enemy marine with its storm bolter!

 

In the Assault phase my MoS failed utterly, not hitting the GK GM at all in challenge. In turn he got killed by the force weapon. Typical witchery! My single remaining terminator whacked the power armor GK into tiny bits. DC squad was killing UM tacticals at the same time.

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/15082013087.jpg

 

Not much shooting effectual shooting happened on the enemy turn. Vulkan was in a duel with Dante. My terminator was enraged at the loss of his Chaplain as well as the EC at the hands of the GK grand master. Accordingly, he smacked the GM in the face with a thunder hammer, killing him instantly, while simultaneously skillfully blocking the witch's feeble counter-attack. Justice served!

 

After that it was mostly mop-up for turns 4 and 5. Dante and Vulkan were still in the duel for the enemy's turn 4, but the other remaining enemy forces were being overrun already when Vulkan then died.

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/15082013090.jpg

 

The last members of the devastator squad near the DC were killed by the Furioso, who had previously killed some scouts. My two remaining Crusader on that edge stood their ground, and the heavy bolter joined the other crusader squad's plasma cannon as well as my remaining Speeder and several BA units (and even my Vindi's storm bolter, which sadly missed ) in whittling down the other devastator squad at the left edge. The last few scouts were cut down by Mephisto with evil witch power and a charge. And thus at the end of turn 5, the enemy was tabled!

 

Overall, I lost the MoS, EC, 6 terminators, 5 bolter Crusaders and one with plasma gun, one Speeder, got my LRC immobilized and Vindicator's cannon destroyed. The BA only lost 2 marines from the squad that was holding the relic at that point, one hull point from the LR and also one from the lasplas Razorback (and funnily even that was from a gets hot result)... and maybe 1-2 death company models. Dante took two wounds from Vulkan.

 

My melee death star was sadly not quite as effective as in my last two BT matches. My armor saves were ridiculously bad, I failed about one in three or so. But at least the Vindi finally did quite well, as did the assault marines and the surviving speeder. Special commendation to the sole surviving terminator for slaying the abominable GK GM. In retrospect as I forgot to Zeal after the terminators took casualties from the shooting, I might've been able to zeal so far out towards the coliseum enemies that the power armor GKs wouldn't have been able to reach me... but I suppose that would've been cowardly anyway

[tvih]

Since the older completions vanished and don't know if they're coming back at this point, I'll post this ETL II compilation here too for posterity:

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-vow1-complete.jpg

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-vow2-complete.jpg

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-vow3-complete.jpg

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/etl2013-vow4-complete.jpg

[tvih]

Eeep, Ghazghkull Thraka just burst in through my front door and started wrecking the place. Yarrick, Helbrecht and three Calgars are trying to keep his waaaaaghing in check, but for some reason the Calgars are more focused on arguing about which of the new doctrines to use for this battle, of course each arguing for a different one 

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/thraka-madness.jpg

[Urkh]

 but for some reason the Calgars are more focused on arguing about which of the new doctrines to use for this battle, of course each arguing for a different one 

 

 

This made me chuckle

Edited August 16, 2013 by Urkh

[tvih]

Took an accouting of all my matches so far. I've played 32 matches of which 8 are victories (of which 3 from team games) and 4 draws. Funny that as the timer on our venerable codex is now running out, of my last three games with BT all have been victories, although two of them were team games. I think a large factor in this was that I was playing against C:SM mainly, who aren't nowhere near as nutty as some of the xenos. And in general they were fun-oriented rather than minmax games, just the way I like it.

[tvih]

Right, more batrep stuff. First from the 30th of July, which was written as a summary was eaten up by the server problems. Now with some pics!

 

It was a 2vs1 with 1500 of my BT and 1500 of BA vs 3000 of C:SM. Mission was Emperor's Will, and as I recall my side went first.

 

Vindi and LRC with 5 terminators, Marshal, TDA MoS and EC pushed up the left flank towards to ruins (have a peek at the pics farther down to see the layout of the table), one which housed a squad of missile devastators and their side's objective, the other had lascannon devastators and a Thunderfire Cannon. Vindicator got to fire, but didn't hit anything whatsoever. My 5-man shooty and 5-man CC crusaders were near the middle of our side of the table, at our objective, backed up by my two nearby LS Typhoons with multi-meltas, my Venerable Dreadnought and a BA LR with Mephiston inside it. The Typhoons took a hull point off the enemy LRC, and another was taken my the BA LR.

 

The enemy retaliated by stunning my Vindi. No PotMS, no joy. Bah. Enemy's shooting also took out a hull point from each of my Speeders. The enemy LRC disgorged a bunch of terminators (probably 6) + Cassius + Lysander that managed to charge the Speeders and kill them off. Ack! The BA LR was blown up too, as I recall it was by Lysander's melee attacks.

 

Next turn BA DC landed on the right edge of the map, my melee death star disembarked near the missile Devastators, and my CC crusaders and Dreadnought moved in to engage the enemy death star. Shooting by the Dread killed I believe two terminators I think the shooty Crusaders also killed one? Bah, should've rewritten this earlier Regardless, my death star, CC crusaders and the dread all charged successfully, as did Mephiston. The death star might've lost one termie at this point, but at the same time wiped out the entire 10-man Devastator squad, with EC dispatching the Sarge and in his battlefield debut my AoBR Marshal with TH slaying ~5 of them for great justice. In the big furball at the enemy death star my Dread I believe wounded Lysander, and killed a terminator. CC crusaders wounded/killed something, too. Mephiston was in a duel - with Cassius probably? My Dreadnought got blown up and I lost 1-2 crusaders.

 

The enemy LRC moved to harass my LRC and Vindi. Vindi got blown up by it. Lascannon devastator squad killed one of my death star termies, and got a zealing death star in their face for their troubles. No real effect from other shooting. The ongoing combat continued, but I don't think much happened, Cassius might've taken a wound or something boring. A Vanguard squad made a Heroic Intervention next to the DC, and charged.

 

Turn three, my death star charged the other devastator squad. As before, EC killed sarge and my MoS and Marshal wiped out the rest of the squad (though they had take like 2 casualties from shooting by my LRC, so they had 8 left when they got charged. My shooty crusaders assaulted into what was left of the enemy death star, to try and prevent the CC crusaders from getting wiped out. To the best that I can recall what happened during turn three (ours and enemy turn combined) in that combat was that Mephiston killed Cassius, and he and my crusaders together killed Lysander and the remaining 1-2 terminators. I had 2 CC crusaders and 4 shooty ones left after that. The map at that point:

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/30072013053.jpg

 

Turn 4. BA Sanguinary guard had landed near my death star. My EC and MoS joined up with them to assault a tactical squad that had disembarked from a Rhino nearby, while my Marshal and remaining Terminators assaulted the Thunderfire cannon:

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/30072013054.jpg

 

The tactical squad got lucky with overwatch, and killed two of the Sanguinary Guard. Unfazed, the combined squad charged into the tactical squad. EC killed the sarge again, while the MoS and the rest of the SG wiped out the remaining enemy models in one fell swoop. Things hadn't gone as well in the DC vs Vanguard fight, and I believe it was at this point that the last DC finally died, and the remaining Vanguard sergeant and a model with power fist plus a regular dude consolidated towards my MoS + EC, while the SG models (being scoring) had consolidated towards the objective nearby.

 

On the enemy's turn another wild terminator blob suddenly appeared right next to my Crusaders and Mephiston:

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/30072013056.jpg

 

A scout squad that had been pointlessly hiding in a building started moving towards my Crusaders as well. Not much else happened, except the remaining Vanguard jumped close to my MoS+EC. The enemy LRC blew up my 4HP LRC with its assault cannon by rolling 3 hits, 3 rending, of which one a 5 and thus enough to penetrate, and 6 to the result table... sigh!

 

In turn 5 my Marshal and Dante (who had been with SG) moved to try and take revenge on the enemy LRC. Somehow I had lost the last terminator(s) at this point at the TFC. One might've been by the Techmarine, and another shot by the LRC? Because I remember my Marshal zealing towards the LRC. The Sanguinary Guard had reached the objective and were holed up in the building, with the enemy Rhino pecking away at them.

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/30072013058.jpg

 

EC+MoS charged the remaining VG. Again the EC killed the sarge (expensive bugger with LC+PF). MoS killed the other two with his hammer, but unfortunately the power fist model got a hit throught the 4++ and the MoS died, too. Bugger. The EC only had one wound left as well, though I can't recall how he lost the wound - maybe it was overwatch by the Vanguard. Dante tried to shoot the LRC with his infernus pistol, but failed. Marshal charged the LRC, and caused a glancing hit.

 

My shooty Crusaders fired at the new terminator squad, killing at least two models. Mephiston and my CC crusaders charged them. I think my CC Crusaders actually killed 1-2 of them, too, somehow without dying off at that point.

 

On the enemy turn the LRC and Rhino tried to do away with the SG capping the objective, but not with too much success. The melee continued, and I think at this point my Crusaders died, but so did some terminators. Mephiston was again dueling the enemy character, not sure if it was a chaplain or librarian.

 

I'm a bit sketchy with what precisely happened in the combat. The enemy scouts were pressing forward in turn 5, but the terminator combat was "interrupted" at the end of turn 5. I think 2-3 of the terminators were still alive, but had routed.

 

In turn 6 my crusaders shot had retreated to capping range of the objective, and shot a few of the scouts. EC was trying to chase the scouts with no luck. Dante was heading for the remaining terminators. My Marshal charged the LRC again, but didn't manage to destroy it. So annoying! I think the SG killed the Rhino.

 

The enemy scouts pressed towards our objective, and shot at (killing one) and charged the crusaders. For their troubles two of them got killed by my remaining 3 crusaders, while the crusaders passed all the saves. The scouts weren't near enough the objective to contest it while I was still barely within capping range!

 

Then the match ended. We had both objectives, the enemy had the single-hull point LRC and a handful of scouts plus maybe 1-2 terminators while we had 3 crusaders, about 3 sanguinary guard, Dante, 1-wound EC and Mephiston. Though we won handily 7-0 in points, it was certainly a hard-fought battle on both sides! I was very annoyed at the LRC surviving. My test rolls indicated that had the match continued the Marshal would've killed the LRC in turn 7, but sadly it doesn't really count, so it got away with killing my vehicles free and clear. Bah!

 

Anyway, I'm also adding the pics to the 8th of August battle report momentarily.

[tvih]

The most useless thread on the subforum rises from the dead, causing much bemoaning among the battle-brothers!

 

Finally received my veteran reinforcements today, in form of two sternguard and one vanguard box. Also got a LS Storm, a Bastion and a Landing Pad, and of course the codex. And well, through some circumstances on which the details are unnecessary also got a new Aegis Line, though since I don't really need it as such it'll end up being "terrain" at my home table if I get that done (mulling over ordering like ~250 euros worth of GW building terrain thingamabobs to make that happen). Also still waiting on delivery of my... auxiliary reinforcements, shall we say.

 

I'm planning on using some of the non-tabard BT upgrage torsos on the Sternguard. I meant to use the "jump-style" ones on assault marines, but I think they might even work on Sternguard. Somehow the "winged" torso type looks a bit strange on the SG legs, I can't quite put my finger on it - it's as if it doesn't "seat" deeply enough. I suppose it'd require a properly painted model to say for sure. Of course the good thing is I don't ever glue torso to legs so I can swap freely at any time.

 

I was also thinking of using one pair of SG legs to create a new footslogging chapter master, but on second though that seems "unadvisable." It'd prevent me from having 10 "matching" SG to combat squad into 2x5. Plus I had planned to use the Commander box torso for that, but somehow that looks even more "off" on the SG legs than the winged BT upgrade torso. Meh. Should have one of the finecast "full"-tabard veterans to add into the mix, but kinda difficult to just get a single model out of the group.

Edited September 17, 2013 by tvih

[tvih]

Some preliminary Vanguard poses...

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/plastic-vanguard-poses.jpg

 

I love how the model on the right turned out, and the one next to him is decent as well - he's apparently impaling something - but the other three are kinda meh somehow, and not as nice as the finecast ones. But the nice thing about these plastic ones is that the legs are posed so that they work just as well as footsloggers as they do jumpers, unlike the finecast kit.

[tvih]

Hehhehheh. The Man With The Modularity Madness strikes again! Now for something not too often seen, I think. Ever since I first saw the LS Storm, I was curious about them adding the "external" scout models to it, which would seem strange after the passengers have disembarked. At some point I started wondering if something could be done about that. Now, I guess I kinda have my answer...

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/storm-scouts-on-foot.jpg

 

Numbers 1, 3 and 5 obviously will need a proper custom scenic base. Also, number 1 appears to be a slacker - much flogging for him! Number 5 seems to have grown a third hand, which is disturbing. I'm not sure if I'll keep him with a bolter or what, as he's normally the gunner. I considered adding a mounted heavy bolter on a 40mm base for him, but I guess I'll see about that at some point. Could give him a pistol, but having two CC models and three bolters in the squad would seem a bit strange. While number 3 could kinda easily get a different weapon by swapping an arm - though I don't really have extra CC/pistol arms for scout armor - it wouldn't help much with 1 and 2.

 

In general I reckon the squad in the storm ought to be a CC squad, but since they're rocking bolters normally I guess I might just have to roll with that if I actually want to physically have them on the Storm and then off it mid-game But I imagine that to do that quick enough not to bog down the game would require magnetized mounting, and the magnets would be visible when the models aren't embarked, which isn't so nice. I suppose I'll see what's what once I assemble the Storm itself.

 

What's funny though that these poses make them much cooler than the regular scouts. Tempts me to get a second Storm, but then that'd diminish the "uniqueness" of this first squad as I'd end up with an identical second one.

[Brother Jobu]

Some preliminary Vanguard poses...

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/plastic-vanguard-poses.jpg

 

I love how the model on the right turned out, and the one next to him is decent as well - he's apparently impaling something - but the other three are kinda meh somehow, and not as nice as the finecast ones. But the nice thing about these plastic ones is that the legs are posed so that they work just as well as footsloggers as they do jumpers, unlike the finecast kit.

 

 

To me, what throws the first three off is the awkwardness of the legs and arms. In numbers one and two, you have the left leg coming forward while the left arm is extended which looks awkward. It's the same with number three, except it's the right arm and leg. Maybe look at rotating number three's arm down 90 degrees. For the first two, have you tried positioning them as if they're landing from a boost instead of running forward. It might give the squad a more dynamic look.

[Brother Jobu]

Hehhehheh. The Man With The Modularity Madness strikes again! Now for something not too often seen, I think. Ever since I first saw the LS Storm, I was curious about them adding the "external" scout models to it, which would seem strange after the passengers have disembarked. At some point I started wondering if something could be done about that. Now, I guess I kinda have my answer...

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/storm-scouts-on-foot.jpg

 

Numbers 1, 3 and 5 obviously will need a proper custom scenic base. Also, number 1 appears to be a slacker - much flogging for him! Number 5 seems to have grown a third hand, which is disturbing. I'm not sure if I'll keep him with a bolter or what, as he's normally the gunner. I considered adding a mounted heavy bolter on a 40mm base for him, but I guess I'll see about that at some point. Could give him a pistol, but having two CC models and three bolters in the squad would seem a bit strange. While number 3 could kinda easily get a different weapon by swapping an arm - though I don't really have extra CC/pistol arms for scout armor - it wouldn't help much with 1 and 2.

 

In general I reckon the squad in the storm ought to be a CC squad, but since they're rocking bolters normally I guess I might just have to roll with that if I actually want to physically have them on the Storm and then off it mid-game But I imagine that to do that quick enough not to bog down the game would require magnetized mounting, and the magnets would be visible when the models aren't embarked, which isn't so nice. I suppose I'll see what's what once I assemble the Storm itself.

 

What's funny though that these poses make them much cooler than the regular scouts. Tempts me to get a second Storm, but then that'd diminish the "uniqueness" of this first squad as I'd end up with an identical second one.

 

 

Looking at scou neophyte one, what do you think about modeling him as if he's leaping an obstacle? Perhaps hurdling a boulder while charging the enemy.

[tvih]

To me, what throws the first three off is the awkwardness of the legs and arms. In numbers one and two, you have the left leg coming forward while the left arm is extended which looks awkward. It's the same with number three, except it's the right arm and leg. Maybe look at rotating number three's arm down 90 degrees. For the first two, have you tried positioning them as if they're landing from a boost instead of running forward. It might give the squad a more dynamic look.

Well, not having the pistols extended would look kinda lame, too. However arm rotations are easily enough dealt with later on as well, since they'll be magnetized. 

 

Looking at scou neophyte one, what do you think about modeling him as if he's leaping an obstacle? Perhaps hurdling a boulder while charging the enemy.

That was my first thought as well, but it just seems to be that the pose is a bit static and thus awkward for that. His right leg would have to be positioned a bit differently, like more horizontally and/or extended towards his backside (hurdling style). Once I get something to use for the scenic base I suppose I'll see if it can be made to work without touching the legs, but I'm not very hopeful.

[tvih]

Shiny auxiliary reinforcements for the Crusade have arrived...

 

http://www.tvih.net/stuff/wh40k/sisters-and-steel-legion.jpg

 

For the sisters:

- Saint Celestine and Canoness for HQ choices

- a Battle Sister squad with a choice of two special weapons from 2 melta and 2 flamer models, and Sister Superior with a Maul

- a 7-model Retributor Squad with 4 heavy bolters to satisfy my heavy bolter fetish (and since it's sisters we are talking about, that sounds naughty)

 

For the Imperial Guard:

- SL Commissar

- a SL Squad with one heavy weapon (in the picture, the missile launcher)

- SL Lascannon Team, SL Heavy Bolter Team, Vostroyan Lascannon Team

- SL Officer with Power Sword and two Vostroyans with Plasma Gun mean to be in a Platoon Command Squad, but sadly at least for the time being missing two SL Plasma Guns due to a seeming omission by the store through which I ordered

 

The Canoness is such a sweet model. It's too bad the unit itself isn't that great when you compare to the absolute steal for the price that is Celestine.

 

Also missing from the order is a Sisters Immolator, for some reason. Also I guess I should've ordered two more Battle Sisters blisters to be able to use the Retributor squad as a second troop unit if need be... but the overall order was too damn expensive as it was.