Race's Raven Guard

[Darkthorns]

 

For ETL, make sure they are rockin' BEAKY HELMETS! That is an OCD thing of mine, IF YOU HAVE A JUMP PACK, THEN YOU WEAR YOUR BEAKY HELMET! Scouts and Librarians can have bare heads, but otherwise, we, THE SILENT, keep our faces concealed.

Valid.

On that note. Why don't our scouts wear helmets? (Mine do, but thats beside the point.)

I agree, which is why I started giving mine the helmets from DE Scourge

[Race Bannon]

I guess they could wear helmets, though clearly not the "powered" variety.  There really is no reason they couldn't.

[Race Bannon]

Chronicle of the Watchful ++ Part 2 ++ Kill Team

 

In an attempt to take advantage of the RG CT, the Kill Team will need Assault Marines.  If bodies count, then "cheap" = those guys.  Yet, over in the BT forum was a suggestion for them to use a Crusader Squad and use as much of it's flexibility as possible.  This had me thinking - which SM squad has that?  You guessed well - scouts.

 

Assault Demi Squad

- Sgt w/ Lightning Claw

- 1 dude w/ Flamer

 

105 points.  The LC is thematic while giving the Leader some CC punch (figuratively speaking).  The Flamer may seem an odd choice in a skirmish fight, yet it ignores cover and if the fool ... other player groups some dudes together, then burnination.  Also, the dudes in the team keep their choppity chop by limiting to 1 flamer.  I'd like to see if I can get my hands on the Hand Flamer bits from 2nd Edition for that dude too.  Although not accurate, it would follow Rule of Cool to me.

 

Scout Squad

- 7 dudes

- 1 dude w/ Sniper Rifle

- 5 dudes w/ Shotgun

- Sgt w/ Boltgun and Melta Bomb

 

87 points.  The Sniper is for long range KAPOW and is also thematic for a Kill Team.  Shotguns for firepower and the Sergeant gets a Boltgun because ... he's the Sergeant?  I decided he would get the AT weapon on the hopes that a Scout Sergeant would get less attention than the Leader.

 

192 total.

 

As for specialists, I think I'll be able to select them on a per-game basis so not too worried which and who.  Although I would like to model each Specialist differently in some way to show he's that special snowflake.  The alternative is that I don't do anything special and will just have to keep track in my head and on paper. 

 

Much to cogitate on there.

 

Thoughts?

[Geekz_on_fire]

I'd drop the melta bomb for another scout. You have s6 grenades and since your models operate independently, they all get to use them : )

 

I'm torn between 2 lists -

2x scout squads w/ camo cloaks and heavy bolters

1x scout bikes stock

200 pts

 

1x ASM w/ jump packs and 2 flamers

1x scouts with camo cloaks

1x Land speeder storm

200 pts

[Race Bannon]

I thought about bikes. I may give them a try too, but I like the idea of "infantry" in a kill team. Sure, the Assault Squad kinda borks that up a little bit, but ... meh. We're Raven Guard!

Although, the Melta swap for an extra body is not a bad idea at all. Hmm. Another shotgun? WHY NOT!

+++

So, it's been a month since the last addition to my army, yes, it took that long to get the following project completed:

A tank! You will see in pics, this is the 5th tank in whatever unit the hull is in.

Oh yes, it's magnetized. So, I needed to get a lot of parts ready to fit one model. What's missing is a Lascannon RB turret and Lascannon sponsons (both are on the priming box though Having said that:

Rhino for Tactical Squad 2

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Razorback (Heavy Bolter turret) for Tactical Squad 2

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Want an Assault Cannon turret? By the way, that's the ancient metal version from when the Land Raider Crusader was first released (how I held on to that is beyond me).

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Whirlwind 3

Yes, that's the now defunct FW version. I have two more as well

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Predator Destructor 2 (without sponson)

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Predator Annihilator (with Heavy Bolter sponsons)

This pattern I've always called the "Brigand" as a counter to the "Marauder" version that uses an AC turret with LC sponsons, taken from the old Battletech Mech with similar armament. Google that

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Yeah, my next project is NOT going to be a tank

Edited May 6, 2017 by Race Bannon
Changed source links

[WAR]

very nice

[Knight of the Raven]

Helios-pattern whirlwinds and aquila rhino doors? You lucky bastard.

 

I've got a soft spot for the sponsonless predator, especially with the stone eagle doors.

[Race Bannon]

^_^

 

Almost shamefully, I have a need to be a special snowflake around my gaming group (who tends to stick to out-of-the-box playing) and those parts were to that end.  I should have mentioned it but the LC Predator turret is from FW too and I cleaned up the sponson resin bits today for that project).

 

Thank you for looking!

[deathspectersgt7]

Good job on the Tanks . One day I might do one . Hope to see some more Tac Marines here soon.

[Race Bannon]

Thank you! It just so happens that's my next project ^_^

[deathspectersgt7]

Cool I have finally been able to do some painting and some kit put togethers, have 5 new chapters coming soon.

[Race Bannon]

Update time!

Tactical Squad 2

A demi-squaq with a special weapon. I've read a lot about Tactical Squad loadout and settled on a Plasma Gun for the special weapon and Storm Bolter for the Sergeant. "But Race, that's not optimal, everyone knows you chould have the Sergeant pack a Combi-Weapon!" Maybe so. But I enjoy being a special snowflake and the Storm Bolter has a special place in my heart. Plus, it's a little cheaper and I get to use it all the time the dude shoots. Plus, I have A LOT of spare metal bits from when I was an Outrider and was allowed to buy bitz back in the day. I really could/should have used the plastic version though because the metal one was a pain to get right in many ways. Meh.

I thoroughly did not enjoy the decal time with this unit. I may have been rushed one day and that's just not good.

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Profile of the Sergeant. I really liked the halo shoulder pad with the marksman award. It seemed fitting (pun intended) to give it to "the man" with the Storm Bolter. As leader of 2nd Squad he'll be up for promotion soon.

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Profile of the Plasma Gunner. With different pads, I had to get a little creative with the decal sizes and styles. I decided the whole demi-squad would use the hollowed out version of both Chapter badge and squad marker to be different from the other units so far ... and to use up some of those decals too I may keep the theme for when/if I flesh out the rest of the squad.

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Profile of a dude. This to show alternate squad marking locations due to the shoulder pad choice. This dude is using the Mk VI pattern, so since the left pad was studded and Chapter badge on the right pad, the went on the leg.

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Thank you for looking

Edited May 6, 2017 by Race Bannon
Changed source links

[deathspectersgt7]

Looking Good RACE !!! 

[Race Bannon]

Thank you DSS7!

 

As I pondered my next project, I settled on one unit and made a purchase toward that, and then was inspired by a Frater's work with the TDA Captain and thought: I do have TDA Culln started with Ex Tenebris conversion ...

 

So. Yeah. 1st world problem.

[Knight of the Raven]

Pretty tactical demi-squad.

The white is homogeneous, which I know is somethign difficult and bothersome to achieve, but I'm wondering if it would look better if you brushed some Nuln Oil or similar into the recesses.

[Race Bannon]

Thank KotR!

 

I use VGC Pale Grey wash from STC's guide. The real deal looks better than in pic, yet I could have double coated to avoid that excuse.

 

Painting RG is certainly a challenge to me ^_^

[angel robertson]

Really like the matte finish on everything. The way I think of them in novel etc. Not sure why my guns are shiny silver but there we go!!

[Race Bannon]

Thank you ^_^

 

I see a lot of silver guns for RG and I wonder if part of that is influenced by the work in the Codex?

 

I debated going that route and decided to use silver highlights for smaller things.  I used the Codex art that uses greys instead and translated that to my models.  the only gripe I caused for myself is that Nuln Oil washes out the two greys used on the weapons so that they are almost the same post-wash ... makes me wish I stuck to one color :lol:

[Prot]

Did you ever get some kill team games in Race? We're getting into a campaign so I'm curious how you did. I like what you were working on.

[Race Bannon]

Not yet :(  I actually have not been able to play since that post.  I hope I don't read superior when I type that armchairing the unit makes me think it will work very well.  So I feel committed to devoting some models for KT specifically.

[Race Bannon]

Sorry for double-post but I had an epiphany as I sat down for hobby time: how am I going to transport all the stuff I have?!

 

I mean, I do have carry cases: the old-style GW fig case from the early 2K.  I also have a Sobol case with some foam trays.  But I look at all the stuff I have yet to paint and I start to wonder how I'm going to pull it off.  Specifically for when I get some Stormtalon/hawk and especially the Stormraven.  Omg what about Drop Pods?!  Not to mention the two LRs ...

 

I'm sure to solve the problem eventually.  I mean, I don;t feel like I need to invest in cases for the big stuff if I 1) don't own it and 2) have not built it.  But I'll need to right?

 

Ideas?  Thoughts?

[Prot]

Until I went bigtime with Army Transport Sobol and some other companies, I just used the Sobel stuff for infantry, and literally shoe boxed the big stuff with spare foam. It worked fine for me. I've since bought much larger transports as I'm using some large armies at times (IE: transporting Daemonkin is a complete nightmare compared to marines.)

[duz_]

The new cases that great for regular troops and vehicles.

However they fall down when it comes to drop pods and flyers especially with wings on.

I am considering one of the custom options for my larger vehicles and drop pods.

Failing that there is always shoe boxes

[angel robertson]

You can get great customer cases online. Literally the foam you pick individual blocks out to mould around 

[Race Bannon]

Isn't that Battlefoam brand?  I'm on the internet ... I could look that up :lol:  It's something I'll have to start considering reasonably soon.

 

So, I've been working on various small projects:

• Painting a TLLC Predator turret
• Painting the FW Predator LC sponsons
• Make/paint a MM cupola to use on a LR (that doesn't exist :P)
• Minor paint on the FW Red Scorpion Librarian
• Testing the new texture paint "Armageddon Dune" on a son-to-be LotD squad I'm planning.

Basically, I've nothing solidly planned.  Yet I post here now on the heels of a decision: bikes.

 

Sure, they are not in any "Raven Guard" formation, but (to my surprise) I have TEN bikes and an Attack Bike to be built.  That's just mind-blowing to me because I clearly forgot that inventory (except for 4 I scored recently from a fellow Frater on the grounds that I didn't have any bikes).  Digging around my project box, BOOM there were the others.

 

SO, that's a lot of plastic and space on the table.  I'll chew up this project into 3-bike sets for now.  Not sure how I will organize them on the table yet, but that clock is ticking.  Initial thoughts:

 

Sgt dude: Lightning Claw

Dude 1 - Melta Gun

Dude 2 - Just a dude.

 

This will get a squad started that'll have some punch.  Maybe the next three set will be 2 dudes to flesh out a demi-squad and ... another Sgt for a second squad?  Hmm.  That way I could use a White Scar formation or CAD up.

 

Not a bad plan, yet seeking thoughts?