"Knives In The Void" Painting Challenge 2022

[Valkia the Bloody]

Wow, everyone doing such a great job and showing such creativity!

 

I just finished my second Kill Team for the challenge.

Here they are, the Cunning Cockatiels, in their esteemed glory.

 

Here is the last batch of the team, including their leader, Shaper Marrah Wah.

They are hungry for some sweet and juicy human flesh!

 

And here a group shot of the whole team:

 

Edited December 26, 2022 by Valkia the Bloody

[Valkia the Bloody]

Since I have finished both of my two pledged teams, and I still have a few weeks time for the conclusion of the challenge, I would like to pledge a THIRD team.

 

I, Valkia the Bloody, vow to complete an Intercessor Kill Team of the (redacted by the order of the holy Inquisition and therefore called "Generic Red Marines") to be fully painted and based by the 31st January 2023, and to provide at least minimal fluff/background for them. May the Blood God Khorne take my skull and drink my blood should I fail!

 

I have had these lads sitting on my shelf for a long while now. I actually received 5 of them for free from friends (as gifts), I have only bought the anniversary Sergeant back in the day.

So this is a very cheap way of getting a third team in.

I know these guys might not be the most competitive kill team around, but they were never planned as a Kill Team, they were supposed to be a troop choice, should I ever feel the urge to play 40k with my fledgling Heresy Thousand Sons army (I know, the Dark Gods are most displeased!). I will just paint them up like my other loyal Heresy Thousand Sons.

I have already painted up some Inceptors for them, too, and have a few more Primaris units in store for them. Of course, they are under close supervision by the Inquisitors in my collection, always looking out for signs of mutation and treachery, and their true nature has to be kept secret, hence their name of "Generic Red Marines".

 

[andes]

 

Death Korps of Krieg

143rd Siege Regiment

1st Company Special Operations (“Kill”) Team

Composed of guardsmen taken from across the Co.

“The Three Time Losers”

 

"It was the most impersonal sort of warfare. Within the Death Korps regiments the men were not named, just numbered, so they could quickly be tallied-up and counted off the lists. The regiments would be ordered into battle already knowing how many would be expected to die. By meticulous logis calculations the 88th Siege army could precisely predict the outcome of each battle. What was to be gained, and for how many losses? The lives of the Krieg guardsmen were no more important than the daily fuel consumption rates or the expenditure of artillery shells. The formulae would decide where battles would be fought, and by how many."

- Imperial Armor, Volume 5: The Siege of Vraks, Part One. Pg. 12

 

Watchmaster Kurss Ossen aka “Starch”

Ossen is only NCO with a name in the Regiment. They earned the name during the Siege of Vracks when they were volunteered for a suicide mission so the Co. would meet their deaths quota (the quota was off by one!) and pulled it off, leading to the destruction of a strong heretic force. Fortunately, another Guardsman slipped in the mud and cracked his head on a rock, balancing out the equation. The unfortunate guardsman also got a name, posthumously.

Ossen received their nickname for their habit of referring to team members as “corpse starch”  as in, “Do what you’re told, you walking can of Corpse Starch”

 

Trooper #1 : GM46597-07  aka “Sleepy”

“Sleepy” is widely admired for their ability to sleep anywhere at any time.

 

Trooper #2: GM93458734-4T  aka “Mars”

GM93458734-4T likes to tinker with their Las Rifle, like a Tech Priest of Mars.

 

Zealot: GM982348-11P  aka “Mud”

The team’s Zealot is said to only be satisfied when in the mud and quoting scripture.

 

Medic: ME87324992-S3  aka “Stimpack”

ME87324992-S3’s approach to battlefield first aid is the liberal application of stimpacks.

 

Comms: CS90802341-KX  aka “Chorus”

Chorus received their nickname when the Watchmaster was overheard shouting “Get on that voxcaster like you’re singing the chorus! NOW!”

 

Sniper: GM2363452342-DT  aka “Downtown”

The best marksman in the Company, GM2363452342-DT can make the shot even when shooting from downtown.

 

Spotter: FE90211212-34B  aka “Zero”

FE90211212-34B has the ability to zero in on the target, calling in artillery strikes with amazing precision.

 

Plasma Gunner: GM2313245-ABA  aka “Lucky”

Traditionally, all plasma gunners are nicknamed “Lucky”

 

Grenade Gunner: GM222222534  aka “Twos”

With the unusually long string of twos in their service number, “Twos” was the natural nickname.

[Rusted Boltgun]

Great Guardsmen @andes with fun fluff too. That greatcoat colour really gives them a 'lift' if you know what I mean.

 

I'd assembled and primed one of mine but the complexity of the model had me prevaricating on colour schemes (who am I kidding, it is plain cowardice) and I started my Kroot instead.

 

Said Kroot are still in progress but I stand a good chance of finishing within the challenge deadline. In my non-painting downtime I have been assembling a squad of Phobos marines but there is zero chance they will form part of this event!

[Valkia the Bloody]

Did play around a bit more with that Intercessor Kill Team.

Since I have two "Sergeant" models in the team (one is the snap fit and the other the anniversary one) I had to make sure the "true" leader is easily recognized.

I did a head swap, and now the lower ranking snap fit sergeant has the anniversary head, and the REAL leader wears the Indomitus captain helmet.

He now also carries a book on his armour, to note down any intelligence he finds, because "Knowledge is Power. Guard it well."

 

I still have not done a lot more painting, though.....

 

 

[sitnam]

I have completed my final team for this competition, the Fiends of the Apocalypse 

 

Spoiler

The Fiends are a warband composed of a multitude of mortal followers. Covens of battle-witches, herds of feral Beastmen, companies of hardened storm-troops, and hordes of indentured cultists make up the bulk of the fighting power. Split into the Nine Throngs, each led by a Potentate, the Fiends fight for the Demon Prince Tomasz, the Hidden Blade. Despite the quality of the hardened mortals, Heretic Astartes still form the core of the Warband. With just around two hundred Astartes split between the nine Throngs, the Fiends deploy as elite kill teams alongside the multitude of mortals under their command.

 

This is Squad Brax, of the Fluxating Script Throng. Serving under the Potentate Dhulaanas, Dark Apostle of the Fiends. Even though  other throngs also worship the Changer,  the Fluxating Script are considered zealot fanatics. Many campaigns have been endangered or outright lost as the Fluxating Script diverts resources to obtuse rituals or pyromaniac iconoclasm. Despite these material failures, Tomasz, as a being of both the physical and metaphysical realms, often praises Dhulaanas for his immaterial victories

 

Dhulaanas regularly employs Squad Brax as Iconoclasts, seeking to deface the worship of false gods and slay their spiritual leaders. Brax himself is an novice sorceror. Though he has no born psychic potential, he has curried favor with Neverborn and received various occult tomes  as boons from his Potentate. These gifts have twisted his flesh, with his skin taking a blue pallor and his right arm twisting into a flame spitting nightmare

 

Second to Brax is Leonean, the aspiring champion. Leonean is one of the few original Lions Defiant, the loyal chapter that was betrayed and became the Fiends of the Apocalypse. Armed with his savage power mace and bolt pistol, Leonean takes tactical command whilst Brax conducts arcane ritual.

 

Jaladascar is the most devout of the squad, gifted the honor of bearing the Changers Icon. Jaladascar was a Word Bearer, though of a post Heresy creation. He joined the Fiends after  fighting alongside the Fluxating Script, which turned him away from the “false siblings” to the Changer. With little hunger for glory, Jaladascar is content in spreading the Changing Word and defiling false idols. He takes special pleasure in desecrating the altars of the “false siblings”.

 

Hemet and Cheol, armed respectively  with missile launcher and plasma gun, are both relatively new to the Fiends (relative in that both are only around a century old). Both were inducted from sons of prominent cult leaders within the Fluxating Script, a prominent practice within the Throng. Between their pre-induction nurture and the very nature of the Fluxating Script, both are devout disciples to the Changer.

Edited January 2, 2023 by sitnam

[Valkia the Bloody]

Just finished painting my 3rd Kill Team / vow for this challenge.

 

Meet Sergeant Callimachus- he is part of a top secret Inquisition project. A project initiated by radical inquisitors of the elusive "Red Circle"; it is unthinkable for faithful servants of the Emperor.

Using forbidden gene-seed, they have created a chapter that is only known as "Generic Red Marines".

In reality, these marines carry the gene-seed of Magnus the Red.

Their armour is covered in Oaths of Moment and purity seals and benedictions to prevent mutation and warp-trickery.

These marines are used for fighting evil with evil- can the gene-seed of a traitor still be used to wipe out heresy?

Or is it itself heresy?

The mission of these marines is to acquire as much knowledge as possible, boarding space-hulks, exploring ancient ruins, fighting of rusting constructs in Necron Tombs.

After all, "Knowledge is Power. Guard it well."

Sergeant Callimachus himself carries the book of knowledge, to write down and intelligence he finds. He is armed with his trusted bolter and a sanctified power-sword.

His is followed by his brothers, who prefer the cleansing fire of bolter rounds, except for Brother Seth, who prefers to go up close and personal to the enemy and enjoys the scream of his chain-sword.

This Kill Team has been exploring a space-hulk for some time now.

And now they have run into some foul traitors, who seek to deny them their prize. This will not stand.

 

I am actually quite proud of how they turned out.

For a bunch of models which I got for free, I put quite a lot of effort in. I added script and battle damage all over the armour- these are not shiny soldiers marching on a parade ground. These are experimental tools used by the Inquisition in the shadows, for no eyes to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Lysimachus]

 

War Dogs Chapter, 10th 'Fire Swords' Patrol, 6th Squad (Phobos).

 

Sergeant Faizaan's 6th Squad are the 10th Patrol's scouts and pathfinders. They go to war armed with bolt and blade, darkness and silence.

Sgt Faizaan is a master of infiltration, sabotage and terror tactics. Belochius the Reiver is a killer without comparison. The marksman, Tyrag, the only Astartes to rival 4th Squad's Brother Cha'tan for the honour of being 10th Patrol's finest shot. Helix Adept Caro, as skilled at saving lives as his brethren are at taking them. Old Shaykaar, veteran of the Indomitus Crusade. Finally, Commsman Unvik, known for his lateral thinking and talent for ciphers.

 

 

And that's my 2nd vow complete! Here's a pic to show what I've painted in total due to 'Knives':

 

 

(I wasn't sure about doing the Phobos in a 'stealth' palette, but I think it's worked out ok!)

 

[sitnam]

@Lysimachus I quite like the sealth pallette for the phobos. It still has enough elements in common with the Intercessors to look cohesive

[Arikel]

Hoping to have the Scarlet Sisters of Eternal Flame ready by end of month. Had unexpected sickness in the family take out all my vacation time in november and Christmas was super busy. Got them all parted out and a bit of painting done here and there. 

[Valkia the Bloody]

11 hours ago, Lysimachus said:

 

War Dogs Chapter, 10th 'Fire Swords' Patrol, 6th Squad (Phobos).

 

Sergeant Faizaan's 6th Squad are the 10th Patrol's scouts and pathfinders. They go to war armed with bolt and blade, darkness and silence.

Sgt Faizaan is a master of infiltration, sabotage and terror tactics. Belochius the Reiver is a killer without comparison. The marksman, Tyrag, the only Astartes to rival 4th Squad's Brother Cha'tan for the honour of being 10th Patrol's finest shot. Helix Adept Caro, as skilled at saving lives as his brethren are at taking them. Old Shaykaar, veteran of the Indomitus Crusade. Finally, Commsman Unvik, known for his lateral thinking and talent for ciphers.

 

 

And that's my 2nd vow complete! Here's a pic to show what I've painted in total due to 'Knives':

 

 

 

(I wasn't sure about doing the Phobos in a 'stealth' palette, but I think it's worked out ok!)

 

They look really good.

This limited dark colour scheme fits very well and makes them look menacing and it just works in the setting.

I like it so much, tempted to do another Kill Team along these lines now you have given me the idea!

[Ripper.McGuirl]

I’m up to 7 corsairs with my two most recent: a soulstone slinger and a blademaster.

[sitnam]

@Ripper.McGuirl Extremely cool take on the Corsairs! I like how they lean further into the Drukhari side of things.

[Mazer Rackham]

On 1/8/2023 at 12:11 AM, Lysimachus said:

 

War Dogs Chapter, 10th 'Fire Swords' Patrol, 6th Squad (Phobos).

 

Sergeant Faizaan's 6th Squad are the 10th Patrol's scouts and pathfinders. They go to war armed with bolt and blade, darkness and silence.

Sgt Faizaan is a master of infiltration, sabotage and terror tactics. Belochius the Reiver is a killer without comparison. The marksman, Tyrag, the only Astartes to rival 4th Squad's Brother Cha'tan for the honour of being 10th Patrol's finest shot. Helix Adept Caro, as skilled at saving lives as his brethren are at taking them. Old Shaykaar, veteran of the Indomitus Crusade. Finally, Commsman Unvik, known for his lateral thinking and talent for ciphers.

 

*Does a double-take*

 

Very nice indeed. 

[Ripper.McGuirl]

Not part of my vow, but also working on the Gallowdark terrain. Got quite a bit done the last couple days.

 

 

*UPDATE*
I have a secret hack to make the walls fit easily without struggling to get the caps on and off, and making it take forever to set up or re setup for games. No filing, retrofitting, extra products, or any of that nonsense necessary.

 

The secret:

Edited January 10, 2023 by Ripper.McGuirl
Adding update.

[Valkia the Bloody]

4 hours ago, Ripper.McGuirl said:

Not part of my vow, but also working on the Gallowdark terrain. Got quite a bit done the last couple days.

 

 

*UPDATE*
I have a secret hack to make the walls fit easily without struggling to get the caps on and off, and making it take forever to set up or re setup for games. No filing, retrofitting, extra products, or any of that nonsense necessary.

 

The secret:

This is a brilliant idea.

Thank you for sharing.

 

Also, WOW.

I am so jealous you managed so much great looking terrain in that amount of time. What dedication!

I have been working on 2 lousy panels for the past 4 days and only have finished that today.

[Ripper.McGuirl]

You probably put way more work into yours. I have spent decades in this hobby perfecting my laziness to result ratio haha

This is 4 steps as shown

 

-Prime with Home Depot rattlecans

-cover in chipping fluid

-airbrush one color

-scrape with stiff brush to weather

 

I’ll be quickly picking out large details with contrast paints, but that’s about it.

 

[Valkia the Bloody]

On 1/10/2023 at 10:30 PM, Ripper.McGuirl said:

You probably put way more work into yours. I have spent decades in this hobby perfecting my laziness to result ratio haha

This is 4 steps as shown

 

-Prime with Home Depot rattlecans

-cover in chipping fluid

-airbrush one color

-scrape with stiff brush to weather

 

I’ll be quickly picking out large details with contrast paints, but that’s about it.

 

But it still comes out looking good.

Maybe the airbrush is the secret.

Well, at least you got it perfected so much that the "laziness" does not show!

[Valkia the Bloody]

I am also slowly chipping away at my Gallowdarl terrain, but during the last days, only managed two panels.

This is what I have to show for it....

 

 

 

(more in my WIP thread)

 

Anyways.

I again spent too much time and money on Ebay. I got the Shadowvaults book- originally only for the Necron rules, since I also have a 1500 point Necron army.

But by reading through the book, and then seeing all your awesome dark stealthy teams on here, I felt a string urge to try something similar myself.

However, I did not want to do another Astartes team.

That got me thinking- I could do Inquisition Stromtroopers! Using the Kasrkin rules!

Plus, I always liked the Necromunda Enforcers Models.

So I wet ahead with converting some Inquisition Troopers. They also fit the source material well, since I have recently finished re-reading the Inquisition series by Dan Abnett. Especially the Eisenhorn trilogy- Eisenhorn employs both Arbites and Kasrkin in those books! And I even have his model to paint up sitting on my desk! I mean, what an opportunity. Too good to pass up.

 

So here goes:

I, Valkia the Bloody, vow to complete  a FOURTH Kill Team ("Inquisition Troopers/ Kasrkin"), to be fully painted and based by the 31st January 2023, and to provide at least minimal fluff/background for them. May the Blood God Khorne take my skull and drink my blood should I fail!

 

One of them carries an auspex to mark him as the Recon trooper.

 

 

Another one of them is converted as a medic with a servoarm and the injector pistol of an Apothecary

 

 

Sniper, Commander (power-weapon and pistol) and a grenadier (made the maul into a stick-bomb, which he throws)

 

 

And the special weapons guys- plasmagun, meltagun and volley-gun

 

 

I will paint them up in a limited, dark colourscheme, representing stealth operations. I actually should be able to do them quite quickly (I hope!).

 

As an extra, I might even also get to do HALF of a Necron Team, too. I have all the operatives already, except for the Deathmarks, so I got some used ones off Ebay. Going to paint them up in my simply "Doctor Who Cyberman" colour-scheme of my Necron army. But not sure I will manage that by end of the month.

 

Wow- this now will take me up to 6 (!!) Kill Teams I could now field (Night Lords, Necrons, Navy Breachers, Kroot, Intercessors and now "Kasrkin"). Plus the home made team I am working on on the side.

[Ripper.McGuirl]

Inquisitor stormtroopers as Kasrkin makes perfect sense to me, looking forward to it! I also really like the cool grey you have in there on your walls to play nicely with your orangy rust.

[Trokair]

Small update, squad is comming along nicley. At the current rate I might even make it in time. 

 

 

[Valkia the Bloody]

7 hours ago, Trokair said:

Small update, squad is comming along nicley. At the current rate I might even make it in time. 

 

 

I still think this is a very cool and original idea.

[Dumah]

I'd like to change my vow. I'll be painting my Intercession Kill Team as Dragonspears instead of Crimson Fists.

[Lysimachus]

Amazing work everyone! Vows amended/added.

 

About 2 and a half weeks to go! (I need to work out how to set up a poll so people can vote for their favourites!  )

[Ripper.McGuirl]

On 10/6/2022 at 11:07 AM, Lysimachus said:

I, Ripper.McGuirl vow to complete one Kill Team of Void Dragon Corsairs, to be fully painted and based by the 31st January 2023, and to provide at least minimal fluff/background. May Ynnead curse me to darkness and ruination should I fail!

So I noticed that I never actually posted this as a vow in this thread, I only opted in in the announcement thread, so here it is!