Sons of Horus 65th Company

[Vykes]

Hah, you and me both Krakendoomcool, mate! I do love the on-stand dreadclaws (I hate the little prickly inner row of teeth, they kept shattering when I put them together so ground the inner ring down a bit) but man, my opponents seem to think, "AAAH, Scary flying spider!" and they get blown out of the sky faster than my Fire Raptors. So they tend to end up just landed and scuttling around... I prefer to think of them as scuttling

I'm a massive fan of the torn up banner look, ever since some of that old Visions of Heresy work showed them as torn to shreds.

Thanks a ton mate. Definitely glad that I could finally put up a full force picture. Now... what to do with the 3rd legion heads and lack of transfers. Ugh, I'm gonna have to freehand, aren't I?

Edit: Picture of what I consider tame, they consider terrifying, and thus usually gets explodified turn 1!

[Vykes]

Well, I suppose I figured out where my 3rd legion heads would go towards, and the 16th are known as headhunters eeeeeeh?

Alright, that was a terrible joke. But I did get my first group of veterans finished today and I'm happy with how they look. Different shade of green though it can be hard to tell, more saturated than the usual mint green I go for in my terran sorts.

So, 65th veterans of Istvaan's Korbikeil breach action are finished.

[Pearson73]

Seems I've missed a few updates since I last checked in!

 

The IIIrd legion helms work really well on the vets, giving a distinct, slightly more regal look about them which sets them above the rank and file. My favourite chap is the one firing his bolter with an open hand thrown out. What arm pieces did you use for them, the leather sections are interesting.

 

I'm liking the faded red pauldrons on volkite support squad Halrus, however I feel they look a little dull without any lighting from the weapons. Though this may just be because I'm used to seeing glowing choom.

 

The command squad and banner bearer are absolutely stellar, the red is lovely and rich. If you have any of the Masters of the Chapter figures left which you haven't sold, I might be interested?

 

The white leather gives a pop to the Justaerin, it's a colour choice I've not seen on them before, though it works just as well as the traditional red.

 

The whole force looks amazing together, you've amassed an impressive collection. Adding some recon marines would be cool and would work with the Vigilator, perhaps they could be given an alternative 'stealth' scheme to keep your interest and motivation; something like the Alpha's Ephrit lot?

[hushrong]

You dog! I saw you post the unpainted minis in the AoD subforum and thought you went EC! Despite your trickery they look great.

 

And what arms does the one-armed aiming marine on the left have? Are those from the custodes?

[Vykes]

Thanks a ton mates, I really do mean it. It helps a lot to keep the motivation up :) Tthe ETL did massively accelerate any planned build I had going :P I'm still mulling over a Mastadon or some more air cover (which includes maybe a Kharybdis or a third Dreadclaw... they fly through the air, so it counts!)

I'll admit, Pearson, that one's my favourite too, with the lad cowering behind the chainsword coming in second. Hushrong nailed it, they're custodes arms (and between Sons of Horus and World Eaters, those bits have come to be invaluable for close combat arms) It's nearly impossible to find the bracers and the old grey-clad Sons of Horus art always seems to show them with red glove/bracers.

I kinda agree on the Volkite squad too, It was more a compromise because my regular opponents kept saying 'are those just old plasma guns?' to which I have to go through the rigamarole of saying, "No, it's a martial death beam..." when it came to my old red glowey volkite charger squad in my EC's. I had to appeal to the common denominator, more so as I get to use them as rubric for 8E for the time being.

I'm glad ya like the command too, I needed something and not much int he 30K range seemed to be able to span that 3-5 man squad, so I was at the shop and picked them up. Aye, I might be able to do something about that, whenever that bloody second lot come in! (I only need 5, and the shop double charged me for the first set then ordered in a second. Though that was weeks ago. Bleh).

I'm a pretty big fan of the white leather on the justaerin as it hits that 'three colour' this and makes the pauldrons stand out all the more. I'm usually pretty surprised they're so rare as I kinda naturally assumed white leather on elites was a normal thing. It got me to double check when I actually checked out the Justaerin colour schemes again (I couldn't remember if it was gold trim or my usual dark gunmetal).

I definitely want to add in 10 recon marines, I'm just kinda stumped on how to arm them (I love just about every weapon combination). But for 8E, I'm stuck as to whether or not I want them as Noise marines with sonic blasters/bolters, or just go straight 30K with sniper rifles. The sonic blaster 'stand ins' I'm mulling over are really something I could use some suggestions on. I was actually thinking of seeing if there was a shapeways Gears of War style heavy carbine with chainblade attachment (much like Artel W's Assault rifle pack or Anvil industries automatic shotguns), or something else that feels more like a 'carbine bolter'. Just gotta overcome that hurdle and they'll definitely be a thing!

Aye, Hushrong mate, I'm almost Alpha Legion level tricksy there. I was tempted, believe me, I was very tempited after seeing Kizzdougs doing the metallic Emperors Children herald. But in the end, I realized how weird it is to have 10K worth of forces and 0 vets. So, might as well trick it out a bit. The limbs are the custodes ones and they do work pretty good for the most part. I wish I'd have extended the waist some, but I still think the mk.III helps add to the appearance some by at least making it a taller profile.

Aye, the new squad is a bit of an homage piece towards some of the cooler Sons of Horus artwork to come out recently. I added the picklehaube bits because I realized I still had some bretonnian helms left and lo and behold, they have a few parts that could work. So the squad has a few more of these and I'll scrap up some more to make another some time, I think.

[Jackalwolf]

Thought I had already commented but I really enjoy that SOH armour pattern you have created!!

[Vykes]

Thanks a ton Grieux, mate!  You know, I was a little worried from a purist point of view about using that kind of power armour, but I looked at some of the pictures and said, "Well no one seems to be doing straight one kind or another by the end of this heresy mess." and went for it... gotta' admit, it's a ton of fun and the pattern is easy to do.  I had meant to save the custodes bits for the grey vet squad I've got coming in, but that plan kinda got fast-tracked.  I'm sorely tempted to add another group like this as part of a wasted platoon, but I'm dangerously low on picklehaub style spikes.  I am starting to think that all the legion specific heads/bodies, more or less, can get switched over to other legions and they look perfectly good. 

[Markus_]

Browsing through this thread has been an absolute treat. What a monstrous undertaking and you've executed it all to such a high standard.
Especially the last set of marines has a great 'Visions' vibe to them as you mentioned your influences.

[Pearson73]

That's a fair point regarding the volkites, I can imagine using a heresy army in 40k does lead to a few compromises. Sniper armed recon marines could be worked as autocannon armed havocs?

 

I'd always advise Anvil for non-standard weapons, though the Primaris Reivers are equipped with bolt-carbines.

 

Congrats on your various ETL accolades too, I hadn't realised quite how much you'd vowed!

[Vykes]

Thanks mates!  Markus, your deathguard (and Word Bearers) are absolutely inspirational, so thanks a ton.  Man, I only wish I could have the same drive for the conversion aspect (these vets were kinda the first tame foray into it beyond just some simple parts matching).  I'm hoping to maybe toss in 1-2 more squads and some recon that will fit that Visions look too.  It's kinda underutilized in the modern representation which is kinda sad as they are so evocative, eh? 

 

Hmmm, recon with sniper rifles as autocannons... I had never considered that Pearson.  That's a really good idea, just up the caliber of the rifle and it'll fit right in, and I have been wanting to get an autocannon squad for taking down primaris. Maybe I can kill a few and steal their carbines :P Anvil does make great parts, what do you think, their heavy sniper rifle convey 'autocannon' enough? Hah, and thanks mate, the ETL badges are pretty great but yeah, even I didn't realize how much went into it until I tallied it up! Maybe next year I'll cut down half the legwork and just get a proper Warlord titan :P

[Pearson73]

The anvil heavy snipers are very heavy duty, so I'd certainly accept it as an autocannon proxy, especially if one considers special ammunition that could be used in it.

 

It always amazes me how much some people manage to get through within the time; I only managed ~1200pts and it was pretty down to the wire with timing.

[hushrong]

Recon sounds like a toughie if you want to translate to 40k CSM. All I can think of are Havocs and you make their rifles like the ol' WW2 anti-tank rifles. If you look up Brother Heinrich's Night Lords he made a really cool rifle for one of his obliterator-weapon teams (two guys on a big base he used for his obliterators). That big rifle would pack a punch I bet so it could pass off as some of their weapon choices.

 

Actually, thinking about that maybe do a team as obliterators. Have a shooter and spotter on a big base and use them with obliterator rules. Like deepstriking is them revealing their firing position or something. Their weapons will be weird because I think they randomize the stats of their guns. You could maybe do one big scenic base with magnets and each marine on their own 32mm that are magnetized as well.

 

As for Noise Marines why not just do up a squad of SoH who are in some Slaaneshi Lodge and through their close brotherhood with the III and sharing many battleifelds they acquired some sweet, sweet sonic weapons?

[Pearson73]

Good idea with the Obliterator weapon teams, I remember Brother Heinrich's looking great and it does match sniper methods.

[hushrong]

I did the same for obliterators on my first go around with my Emperor's Children. I remember Dan the Daemon did it with either his Night Lords or Alpha Legion. Mine did not come out as great as his. That was doubly confirmed when Brother Heinrich made his

[Vykes]

Hah, it's a good idea.  And with that one particularly kneeling scout I bet it would be pretty great to load up a scenic base like that.  Maybe match them with some seekers with combi-weapons to really get across the obliterator 'master key' concept?  Aye, the 40K oblits randomize their guns pretty hard, reason I've been using the Thallax lightning guns as they look a little more 'random tesla sciency' with the internal power packs, arc reactors, etc. 

 

Hmmm, when it comes to noise marines, it's a tough one to keep a similar enough look with the rest of the 16th.  And I'm not sure who'd supply them with sonic guns either, but I keep looking at either some sort of recon or even destroyer marked marines with automatic shotgun (as the sonic guns are assault), or even use the pile of grav I have from breachers. I definitely want em, and might end up just snatching some Kakophonii of the EC's if all else fails :P

[Pearson73]

The kneeling 'Black Ops' sniper and spotter is one of my favourite Anvil kits. I've just remembered, though, that much of the Black Ops/Exo Lords range is going through LCTB in preparation for a revamp, so I'm unsure what's still available.

[Vykes]

Aye, kneeling marines always seem to draw my attention and there's just so few of them (off the top of my head I can only think of the codex space marine plastic command squad, the Raven Guard Mor Deythan, and recon squad). I can't wait to see the Anvil revamp, honestly. They have some really cool 'Exo-Lord' stuff that I'd love to put into recon and specialist squads, even Deathwatch.

Well, right now I'm wondering if I should save my next big push for the 65th for the ETL/ Treachery and Loyalty drives, or go ahead and snap up either a trio of Sicarans or a Mastadon (and of the two, open to suggestions!)

The 65th is also now blooded in Kill Team, with strike force Gemini slaying three legionnaires of the First, and placing a coded missive for one of Maloghurst's operatives on Nun Dessant III. There were no losses and only minor injuries.... Kill Team is pretty fun :P

[Pearson73]

Nice looking team, the fella with the power fist has a cracking pose. I saw your board over in the TitH thread and I must say it looks brilliant, I really need to get the set. 

 

I'm also eagerly awaiting the Exo-Lord reboot, Anvil have always produced very high quality kits, right from the beginning.

 

Though a Mastodon is an impressive hulk, I would actually prefer to see you take on a trio of Sicarans. I think a fully fledged squadron would be a sight to behold, especially if you add a banner for the command again.

[hushrong]

Strike force Gemini looks awesome together. Good to hear their first hunt went well!

 

Personally, out of your two options, I'd pick Mastadon! This is being selfish as I would love to see someone build and paint one. And knowing your work I know it'd be pure eye candy. It's also a very unique vehicle I've never seen in person and have barely seen anyone tackle online. And by online I mean here on B&C since this is my one-stop for hobby fixes.

[Chaeron]

I've just caught up on this thread Vykes, and it's amazing - so much inspiration in one place! Fantastic - such a cohesive, consistently great force. Brilliant

[Vykes]

Hah, thanks a ton, mates!  Aye, it's not the easiest choice buuuut both will get done either way, and almost certainly this year. Heck, wouldn't be surprised if they're both done by the end of summer.  

 

Pearson, aye I'm a pretty big fan of the vet and shaving down those Tartrose power fists as they just look a lot more dynamic than most of the power armour stuff.  Gotta get a second vet squad done up some time soon, along with another light platoon/heavy squad. Man, those terrain sets are just awesome, working my way through putting together another two Killzone terrain boxes right now (hoping to have em done today or tomorrow).  They really are worth it, especially if you can ditch the two kill teams and rules which can almost make up the whole cost of the set.  I'd be on Killteam terrain set #3 if they hadn't been totally sold out at my usual shop. Aye, I need to look into what other raggedy banners I've got for a full squadron, but the Sicarans would definitely be getting the same treatment.  Can't wait to see what Anvil comes up with, I loved their chainaxe sets when I picked them up for a World Eaters group. 

 

Thanks Hushrong, I'm definitely happy with how well Gemini came out against the First Legion, but man those dice were wonky.  Starter set dice seem to be worth their weight in gold as I've been using my Dark Imperium dice for all random hits and I swear the little clear bloodrops are blessed by The Angel himself.  And good point on the Mastodon, you don't see a ton of them 'round, do you?  I'll admit those beasts had to grow on me as they just reminded me a lot of a shoe for the longest time.  Then it sorta just started to feel like a train engine, and from there, it became a land train of death.  I mean, it's not some great mechanical game-breaker engine, but man does it look cool.  And its little appearance as a moving metal island in Fear to Tred was one of my favourite parts of the book (and one of the few parts I actually liked).  

 

Thanks again, Chaeron, I'm just glad I finally got around to actually joining up here on the B&C.  Been an inspiration for me, too. I'd say there's some rhyme or reason to the army and what not, but it's more than no one's rolled up a newspaper and hit me on the nose, telling me to stop yet :P So until that happens, guess the 65th will continue to grow. 

 

Hmm, wonder if I should put up something more text-y and narrative in the AoD section.  Always worth flexing some muscles there. 

[PeteySödes]

Love this stuff all around!  

 

Question for ya, the fur trim on your horus is really nice! Do you remember what colors or methods you used? Im trying to figure out a method for black or just darker fur I'm happy with but am striking out.

[Vykes]

Ooo, good question FearPeteySodes, mate.  I seem to recall Horus's pelt was a bit fiddly.  By memory I recall that it was done mostly with a nuln oil wash over Calthan brown to get the general layout.  But most of the work was using a mix of raw umber, titanium white, lamp black, and a bit of purple water soluable oils from Windsor and Newton to slowly shade the areas where the wash had essentially created a height map.  It was mostly a paint by numbers affair following the colours after that.  

[PeteySödes]

Interesting, I really do need to get on the oil train haha. Thanks for tips!

[Vykes]

Hey, no problem mate!  Yeah, oils are fun (but the dry time is pretty crazy) but really they're more of a method to cheat at wet blending and surface staining.  Alberta weather is stupid dry so most wet blending is harder even with additives, oils bypass that problem and creates some interesting effects.