Knightsword's WIP Thread - Count-as Grimnar re-based page 12

[Knightsword]

I picked up more Astrogranite and Valhallan Blizzard on the way back from work yesterday and tried the base again. It would seem the base is tainted in manner similar to the power of Chaos. The moment I started painting it the smell of coffee began emanating from the base  this model now has a permanent scent of mild coffee it would seem, which means the not-Bjorn Dread will also have the same. At least it's a nice smell! On the downside though it's meant that the Valhallan Blizzard loses its white and even after a second coat it's become dirty snow, which I can live with. On the verge of calling this one done. 

 

Also why do all web browsers insist on enlarging photos by about 20%? I actually managed to take fairly crisp photos this time.  

 

Edited May 30 by Knightsword
typo

[Brother Christopher]

16 minutes ago, Knightsword said:

@Brother Christopher Thanks for kind words and feedback. There are a few gaps that I had forgotten to fill after I started painting and hoped wouldn't be noticable once everything was painted. Do you mean the gap behind the tilt shield on the torso just below the circular grill?

 

I meant this bit:

Spoiler

 

This is the only 'gap' that's apparent to me. And I think it's because of how my brain works - somewhat because of its placement, it immediately brings to my mind the 'regular' visor slit on a Dreadnought sarcophagus. And that's not right here, is it? Since he's got a proper head.

 

Looking at the model, I find more and more appreciation for the adjustments you did. Moving the torso and head lower (using bits from a Contemptor kit) improves the balance of the model, too, especially given the added bulk.

[Knightsword]

@Brother Christopher Oh that part. That is actually already filled with green stuff, just not filled to be flush with the trim around it.

[Knightsword]

Ah bumper update today. I've got another two Dreads finished, so here comes a big photo dump. Just realised that my current planned army list has 5 Dreads, I may have a problem.

 

Venerable Brother Guerehet Count-as Bjorn) of the 1st Company

 

 

As yet unnamed Ballistus from the 2nd Company

 

 

[Knightsword]

Now working on a squad of Knights Errant which will count-as Wolf Guard Headtakers, kitted out with swords and shields. I wanted the Bladeguard shields but they're too long to work with the Sword Brethren capes, so I shortened then to more like the size of og Storm Shields.

 

First one below is my favourite. He's got a pair of arms from the Inner Circle Companions box and the Lion's big sword. They all need a bit of tidying up still but I'm super happy with them. There's sixth one on the way to make a full unit.

 

[Terminatorinhell]

I'm really liking the extra armor on the Bjorn proxy 

[ZeroWolf]

These are looking fantastic, really nice work on the dreads. Your not-headtakers are looking pretty dynamic already with the poses

[Brother Christopher]

You're definitely my favourite converter. Making the shields smaller is something that... I haven't thought of but fixes my issue with Bladeguards and the like. Subjectively, a good thing about the first couple of releases in the Primaris range is that they made Marines "more realistic", in the sense that they've upsides the bodies without really increasing the bulk of the weapons. With Bladeguard Veterans and the super-sized shields and uber-holsters dangling between their legs, much of the improvements in the design ethos that I referred to above was undone.

 

I've never given much thought to the new storm shields outside of simple the "well, they're definitely big and unwieldy" reflection. I've never even though of fixing that. And here you are, offering a great solution.

[Knightsword]

On 6/13/2025 at 9:50 AM, Brother Christopher said:

You're definitely my favourite converter. Making the shields smaller is something that... I haven't thought of but fixes my issue with Bladeguards and the like. Subjectively, a good thing about the first couple of releases in the Primaris range is that they made Marines "more realistic", in the sense that they've upsides the bodies without really increasing the bulk of the weapons. With Bladeguard Veterans and the super-sized shields and uber-holsters dangling between their legs, much of the improvements in the design ethos that I referred to above was undone.

 

I've never given much thought to the new storm shields outside of simple the "well, they're definitely big and unwieldy" reflection. I've never even though of fixing that. And here you are, offering a great solution.

 

Well shucks  thank you. I'm wondering what they'll do with the inevitable Assault Terminator shields.

 

I will say that making them smaller did not quite go to plan in terms of neatness. I need to get a proper craft saw to get cleaner cuts.

 

Some easier conversions on the table currently. I've not been happy with the Chapter Master's Storm Bolter arm for a while now and the other day I realised I had a spare Hand of Dominion from another project for my other homebrew chapter. So I've swapped it in and love it. It does however kind of make him resemble the Emperor from the og artwork with the pose, sword and fist. I know it's heresy to say that but that's what comes to mind.

 

 

And second, I've finshed the Captain of the 2nd Company who will count-as Ragnar.

 

[Firedrake Cordova]

They do look great.  

[Knightsword]

Not going to have much hobby time for a while so there won't be many updates, however I wanted to outline my next plans for posterity.

 

In no particular order:

1. Another Wulfen/Venerable Dreadnought using the Saturnine Dreadnought (if I can get it separately on Ebay).

 

2. Second Wolf Guard Headtaker squad with dual weapons. I want to do wrist blades for them. This is based on lore for my Chapter where they are members of an order/sub-sect that uses these weapons in reverence to the warrior who is now interred in my count-as Murderfang. I'm going to use the Sword Brethren lightning claws as a base for making the wrist blades.

 

3. Use the newly revealed Execrator as a base for redoing my count-as Ragnar.

 

4. Since it turns out that Logan Grimnar is on an 80mm base, I now need to make one that my count-as Grimnar's 40mm base can slot into. There'll basically be more dead CSM and/or daemons added to it.

 

5. A Land Raider with Macro Plasma Incinerators on the sponsons. It'll count as either a normal LR, or a Redeemer if  I have the points to fit it in my list. I was originally going to turn a Repulsor into a grav Land Raider with sponsons however I've tabled that idea for now.

Edited Saturday at 09:09 PM by Knightsword
updating post

[Knightsword]

It sucks when adulting gets in the way of hobby time for long stretches. I finally had chance to tick off upscaling the base for my count-as Grimnar and I'm pretty happy with it. The original base was positioned on an 80mm base and then the extra victims were placed so that the original would slot in nicely once the new bits were painted. I still need to work on my photography skills.

 

[space wolf]

Yep, have to say it. I love this thread. I love a good knightly SM chapter. Especially one so chock full of great conversions. On a personal note, its mildly ironic to me, that you are taking a knighly looking SM chapter and using "savage" SM rules for them, when I am doing the exact opposite with my Void Panthers (Using BT rules, with a "savage" looking SM) lol. Anyway these are absolutely stupendous, and cant wait to see more. I'll be following this one closely.

[Knightsword]

12 hours ago, space wolf said:

Yep, have to say it. I love this thread. I love a good knightly SM chapter. Especially one so chock full of great conversions. On a personal note, its mildly ironic to me, that you are taking a knighly looking SM chapter and using "savage" SM rules for them, when I am doing the exact opposite with my Void Panthers (Using BT rules, with a "savage" looking SM) lol. Anyway these are absolutely stupendous, and cant wait to see more. I'll be following this one closely.

 

Thank you! Oh and the irony isn't lost on me, but it was the only way to legally run a sword and board Dreadnought. That's the only thing stopping me running them as BT or DA without just saying they're plain old Brutalis Dreads. I found that I could minimise the savagery by renaming unit abilities in the custom index cards, like changing Murderfang's previous ability to attack if attacked (I forget the name) to something like Galant Riposte. Still describes what was happening, but in a less savage way.

 

I've just realised I'll need to repurpose the Knights Grimm unit as the Hounds of Morkai are no longer a thing. Guess I'll run them as Headtakers as well but say they're the dual wielding variety.

 

Trying to decide on the base for the next Venerable Dread. Can't decide between the Saturnine Dread as the base or another Brutalis with the old school Venerable Dread's sarcophagus. I really like the Saturnine but seeing it next to a Redemptor has made me wonder if it's too big and also not really in keeping with the Primaris theme 

Edited Sunday at 10:36 AM by Knightsword
typo

[space wolf]

Yeah, the Sat Dread is just waaaay too big. Maybe you can use part of it, but thats an expensive kit to buy just to use half of, IMHO.