Some 40k Positivity

[Rik Lightstar]

There's been a few threads lately that are pretty much focused on things that are somewhat negative. As a counterpoint to this I figured I'd start this thread.

 

I'd really like to hear what people have been enjoying about their hobby lately and what new things have brought you some more hobby joy.

 

For me Crusade has been really good fun, adding a bit more meaning to the games I get with my friends (when we're not in lockdown), knowing that when I or they get an upgrade or injury outcome it'll make a difference to the next game.

 

The fact you choose your army (from a predefined list) after finding out your opponent and mission is also a nice change of pace rather than trying to come up with lists that do a bit of everything.

 

Contrast paints have made a big difference for me too when it comes to finishing projects with getting decent results on things like pouches, belts and straps.

 

Having recently moved I've now got a permanent space in which to do my painting which has made a change to how easy it is to do 20-40 minutes here and there combined with working from home (for lockdown reasons) I can now have productive lunch breaks a couple of times a week. I've been catching up with the Horus Heresy audio books while painting too.

 

 

 

 

What's been good for you guys?

 

Rik

[Slave to Darkness]

Only thing keeping me going hobby wise is actually you guys. 

 

On paper crusade seems good, but still too early to say 'yeah I like that gimme more'. Ill just have to sit back and see how things shake out... 

[EmpiricalReed]

I don't really play, in the hobby for the minis, but to say 40K has helped keep me sane these last couple of years is a bit of an understatement.

 

Last 12 months particularly have been incredibly stressful due to some personal and professional circumstances (and that was before Covid turned up!), but being able to sit down and paint Space Marines sends me into something akin to meditation and the relief I feel is something else altogether. That's my big dose of 40K positivity - the hobby is just a fantastic pressure valve for my brain.

 

Oh, and I'd second Contrast paints. What a great additional tool in the painter's toolbox they turned out to be.

[Dark Shepherd]

Ive reread some BL books that were even better second time round

 

Lords of Mars series

Honour Imperialis

Swords of the Empire

Reiksguard

 

And some great new ones

 

Double Eagle

Bonereapers

Spear of the Emperor

Warlords of Karak 8 Peaks

Iron Company

Blackhearts

 

Will third contrast paints.

[Evil Eye]

Contrast paints have absolutely been a blessing. Even if you stick to traditional painting for the main colours on a mini, for getting the annoying tiny bits that need extra work but take forever normally (pouches, grenades, trinkets and other minor details) they're perfect. I've gone from barely getting anything finished to nearly having 1000 points of AoS gobbos done in record time.

 

I'm going to be moving out soon and will have a proper internal fully-equipped hobby space to myself, which is awesome as well. I might actually get some stuff finished now that I'm not relying on daylight/good weather to go out into a shed!

[MARK0SIAN]

I really like what they’ve done with this latest wave of marines. With the Phobos wave I was worried they were taking marines in a weird direction but this is more like it! I also like the fact they’ve equalised the wounds between firstborn and Primaris. Now the difference in durability better reflects the incremental improvement they’re supposed to be over regular marines rather than straight up doubling it.

 

I really like contrast paints and the contrast primers are great whether or not you use contrasts with them.

 

I like that they’ve made terrain matter a lot more this edition.

 

I like the rumour around Black Templars getting some support.

 

I like the ever expanding paint range.

 

I like that GW have taken a lot of the tournament support in house so there isn’t loads of different rule/mission packs floating around.

 

I’m really enjoying the siege of Terra book series so far.

 

I’m liking the concept of combat patrol boxes as a way to start an army and I’m hoping they keep it going beyond marines.

 

Those are the main ones that spring to mind, I’ll add more if I think of any :)

[Bryan Blaire]

The models are very nice and seem like they are getting better as time goes on, detail-wise. I've been glad to see a return to the Supplements for Marine Chapters/gene-lines.

 

Gaming - the Specialist games and Kill Team.

 

I've enjoyed Contrast paints, they are another tool in the toolbox, but definitely not the end all, be all for painting models.

 

Humor returning to GW, even if it seems like it's only used in their advertising now, like Warhammer Community.

[WrathOfTheLion]

I like the newer rules better than 8E. I thought 8E was hot garbage, 9E is on a much better track with more structure, better terrain rules, etc. It has addressed many of the inherent problems with 8E.

 

Contrast paints are excellent. I do not use them as a replacement for traditional paints, but on almost every miniature I do now, there's a place where they're handy for a certain effect.

 

I like the theme and miniatures they've done for DA for HH. Although their support has catastrophically imploded right now, the models are nice and the lore and aesthetic in Book 9 were cool. Perhaps will see a relaunch of some kind next year to refocus it.

 

Recent publications have done a pretty good job at trying to tidy up/retcon the new Primaris/Indomitus lore introduced in 8E into something presentable.

 

Switching DA/BA/SW to supplements has forced GW to address inherent problems in those armies that have existed for multiple editions now.

[NovemberIX]

I'm really digging Aeronautica Imperialis, the models are nicely detailed and the rules are simple enough that I can try and teach my nephews. Dawn of War III was also under 5 bucks recently, so finishing out that trilogy is kinda nice.

[ThePenitentOne]

I'm with you on Crusade, and the information they provided today on the Bespoke Crusade content looks fabulous- I don't play marines, but this information was almost enough to motivate me to finally paint up my Blood Angels Terminators from Space Hulk and bulk the force up to 25 PL.

 

I was happy to see a new Crusade mission pack coming- because it contains only Crusade content, it won't make too big a splash against the Codices the way the Campaign book might.

 

I'm really enjoying White Dwarf Flashpoint articles as well, and I am looking forward to more.

[ranulf the revenant]

I don't really play, in the hobby for the minis, but to say 40K has helped keep me sane these last couple of years is a bit of an understatement.

 

Last 12 months particularly have been incredibly stressful due to some personal and professional circumstances (and that was before Covid turned up!), but being able to sit down and paint Space Marines sends me into something akin to meditation and the relief I feel is something else altogether. That's my big dose of 40K positivity - the hobby is just a fantastic pressure valve for my brain.

 

Oh, and I'd second Contrast paints. What a great additional tool in the painter's toolbox they turned out to be.

I got out of uni in spring, am jobless since that and I'm mostly stuck at home right now, because there isn't much going on in these virus times. Painting, building and, to a limited extent thinking about combos, does certainly help keeping me together in a way. It's just an opportunity to do something constructive and to continually build on.

I have to admit that I use it for procrastination as well.

I recently actually played 40k for the first time, which was a lot of fun.

 

Oh, and my gaming buddy gifted me the new Ragnar model which was very nice.

Edited November 24, 2020 by ranulf the revenant

[Magos Takatus]

I'm really happy because Blood Bowl is becoming more exciting to me because of the new rules and teams inbound. However, that's not specifically 40k.

 

40k has been a blessing for me lately because in between the two lockdowns in the UK I got to play my Mechanicus army on the tabletop. It was really satisfying to have those years painting my now favourite 40k army lead to something. I now have a display cabinet to contain these models and I feel I am improving as a painter over time, though I feel I am taking more shortcuts to get models finished, but hopefully it's not too obvious. 

 

I'm not really feeling the enthusiasm other people have felt for contrast paints but I only own Cygor Brown and Skeleton Horde and I haven't had much success with the former. I'm seen people use them for glazing and blending and they do look handy, I just haven't found a way to incorporate them into my painting style yet.

 

I have to agree with Dark Shepherd on the Lords of Mars books, they were a great read.

 

I am a little daunted by the prospect of painting my Pteraxii but as I'm on a Blood Bowl kick at the moment I am following that muse and getting started on my Orc team. The Pteraxii will have to wait until I get out my airbrush again. :)

[mactire]

There is no positivity in 40K.

 

There is only War. 

[Reskin]

This is exactly what we need bro! Great thread!

 

Too much pessimistic views, myself included as of late, and it just feeds off each other.

 

Speaking positivity helps change a mindset.

 

9edition rules have brought me back to a consistent level of involvement. And I’ve found time to pick up a paint brush after some years away.

[Deafbok]

40k probably saved my marriage during the South African hard lockdown!

 

My wife and I live in a tiny 1-bedroom flat - literally 2 rooms plus a kitchenette - so there was very little room not to be in each other's face the whole time. I got to introduce her to a couple of PC games so she didn't go mad, and I got to paint.

 

I made a MASSIVE dent in my collection - 15 years in the hobby means I essentially have a Firstborn battle company plus a demi-company of Primaris.

 

Finally got to have a small game last week, and I'm absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to putting lists together.

 

The social side of being connected to hobby groups also did a lot for me - special people in this game!

 

Really liking a lot of the fresh ideas coming out of GW at the moment. Everything from rules to model design to expanding into new media.

 

Oh, and I absolutely HAVE to punt Contrast as well - it's amazing over metallic bases!

[Snazzy]

9th edition's secondaries have changed the game in a really profound way.  Sure, there's some common objectives at high level play.  But, 40K has never felt like less of a deathmatch than any time i can remember, other than RT.  I always enjoy edition changes for shaking up the old paradigms.  9th's rules and faction structure changes have been fun also, because with the lockdowns, getting experience is harder.  That has helped to extend the enjoyment of the changes.

 

I'm enjoying the hobby aspect in a way i had not previously.  I'm digging into different techniques and 3rd party vendors for parts and tools.  I've become a big fan of Greenstuff World and their products, Vallejo and AK Interactive.  These seem like simple things.  They have helped reinvigorate my interest in what was previously a chore.  Coincidentally, the encouragement to have a battle ready army through the rules has also reinforced this...

 

Finally, because i am a pessimist, the recent changes to Space Marines have in  away been a boon, as well.  I've been a Space Marine player for over 20 years, and i'm finally over it.  I don't mind them as an opposing force, even seeing the things i don't like being fielded.  There's something about having some distance between the issue that makes it okay.  In strange way, i'm happy to no longer be involved.

[BLACK BLΠFLY]

I like that the developers worked hard to tighten up the rules for ninth edition and get rid of the jank .

[chapter master 454]

"Kinda awesome isn't it?"

"Yep"

"Kinda makes you want to-"

"-Burst into song?"

"Yep"

 

"I love the universe. I love the Xenos range, despite its aged time."

"I love the new edition."

"I love Exterminatus"

"Boom de yadda boom de yadda"

"I love the Raven Guard, I love the tau empire"

"I love my marines"

"I love my giant mechs"

"Boom de yadda boom de yadda"

 

Feel free to add on fellow fraters but thought I would add something. I ain't all gloom and doom! Only when you mention grav plates!

[WARMASTER_]

Crusade has been GW’s best idea for years! finally a casual RPG like setting where I can give my army a back story, honours & promotions so they feel like “my army” instead of some models I spent months painting

 

The modes are just getting better and better! Just looking at stuff that came out 5 years ago blows me a away at the difference

 

The War com team putting out amazing content like VoxCasts so we can to see the faces and minds that make our game

 

8th edition was a great start for me but 9th is spot on better rules all round and less crunchy on points etc feels better play tested too and the new board size means I can actually play “proper” games at home with friends

 

The general art direction of the new edition is bringing back that 2/4th edition vibes and I’m here for it

[MegaVolt87]

"Kinda awesome isn't it?"

"Yep"

"Kinda makes you want to-"

"-Burst into song?"

"Yep"

 

"I love the universe. I love the Xenos range, despite its aged time."

"I love the new edition."

"I love Exterminatus"

"Boom de yadda boom de yadda"

"I love the Raven Guard, I love the tau empire"

"I love my marines"

"I love my giant mechs"

"Boom de yadda boom de yadda"

 

Feel free to add on fellow fraters but thought I would add something. I ain't all gloom and doom! Only when you mention grav plates!

 

Its still cool buying mini's I like most of the range despite GW's shortcomings. Me when I get new mini's- POST TRUK JUST ARIVE (since we doing songs) 

Edited November 24, 2020 by MegaVolt87

[Cpt_Reaper]

2020 has been a total write off for me. I thought I'd have more time to paint models and get through my backlog, except my job has never let up and even working from home has me too exhausted to paint my models.

 

That being said, I have applied paint to my new Guard force, built and basecoated 1 Malcador and I'm in the process of building another.I managed to get a few games in of Crusade with some friends and now I have news that Dark Angels and Drukhari are both getting codexes in January.

 

I managed to pick up a limited edition copy of Lion El'Jonson: Lord of the First and boy was that book amazing. I wish it was longer so I didn't finish it so fast.

 

Yeah, I've had the most fun in 40k in ages.

[WARMASTER_]

Agreed lord of the first has been one of my favourite 40K novels in years Edited November 25, 2020 by BladeOfVengeance

[Firedrake Cordova]

I stopped playing 40K ages ago, as I didn't like the direction things were going (basically becoming Apocalypse), but as my primary interest is in the narrative side of things, Crusade does look rather interesting to me.

 

Over the last few years, I've been getting more and more into the Specialist Games side of things.  The new Necromunda models are excellent, and I love the Aeronautica Imperialis models. I really liked the recent Warhammer Quest releases (Blackstone Fortress & Shadows Over Hammerhal), and Kill Team, too.

 

The new Necron models are lovely - I've finally given in and picked up some Immortals and Warriors, and will add the Flayed Ones when they are released to have a little Kill Team of them.

 

GW realising they'd under-estimated demand for Indomitus and doing something that'd allow those who wanted a copy a better chance of getting one instead of just going "sorry". :)

 

As others have said, Contrast paints are great for little annoying areas on models, and can produce some great effects with a little effort. Similarly, Contrast Medium combined with artist's acrylic inks is also quite useful at times.

 

Black Library bundles coming up on Fanatical and Humble Bundle (I'm rather liking the audio version of "For the Emperor").  GW going back and doing audio versions of Gaunt's Ghosts.

 

On a more general hobby-related note, discovering Vallejo Metal Colour and Darkstar Molten Metals paint lines, and synthetic brushes I'm happy with.

Edited November 25, 2020 by Firedrake Cordova

[LameBeard]

I really like how recent White Dwarfs (Dwarves?) all seem to have some conversion, kit-bash or even unearthing of ancient models. The side of the hobby I love is exploring the universe this way, and it’s a double bonus when the whole White Dwarf doesn’t read like an extended advert for the latest release.

 

(Did you see those Confrontation models!? God I am so old, but made me quite misty-eyed. I actually played that game.)

[TrawlingCleaner]

This is a great idea for a thread! It's so cool to see what's perked everyone up.

 

For me, this has been my most productive year (hobbywise) to date, I actually think I've painted more since March than I have in the previous 2 years combined. Not only have I been more productive but I've reignited my motivation and enjoyment of the hobby that had been dwindling for quite a while. I was slowly getting more and more perfectionist which was lessening the enjoyment and relaxation I was getting out of the hobby.

Crusade also ticks a lot of boxes for me as does 9th edition, I love the way it plays now as a tactical choice rather than smash toys