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(Prelude of my journy though WH40K up until this point)
First, I'd like to recall my journey through Warhammer 40k. Mostly so I can finally get it written on paper, and pin down important events like "what year did I start?". (feel free to jump ahead, this is extensive)
Spoiler:
I was first exposed to this game by an elder cousin of mine. I believe I was about 9 years old, and for some reason or another he decided to show me some figures and play. It was not a whole lot of figures, and I only remember two models specifically: a Dark Eldar guy with spiky bits on his helmet (I had to research this years latter, I only knew it as the "spiky head guy" at the time) and a Land Speeder. My cousin said something about capture the flag, and he let me take ALL the guys. He of course took the speeder, which made too much sense about 5 minutes later. I remember moving models in inches and watching the speeder speed off to victory. I took it very well, seeing that it was my blunder for not taking the vehicle that obviously was very speedy. I simply enjoyed the exposure to the new material. It took the idea of making shooty noises with plastic army men and gave it structure and purpose. With the seeds of 40K planted, my cousin left and I quickly forgot the game even existed. Fast forward a couple of years. At the (aprox) age of 15, I discovered some middle school friends were playing some miniature games after school. The discovery was quite literally me following one of my friends who wanted to check in with another friend (who happened to be playing a small game) about playing later that day. I inquired about the game and trying it out, having that strange feeling that I had seen this all before. It was like dejavu, except it was real. (I later saw a picture of a land speeder and that jolted my mind into remembering). I started my adventures with the Battle for Macragge (which to this day I still mispronounce as macreeeee). I started off collecting Space Marines. The Nids eventually went to my friend who reintroduced me to aid his swarm. I had been into plastic models before Warhammer, so the building and painting was just as exciting as playing. I slowly and surely amassed more SMs. Some, like the tactical squad with razerback and the assault marines, I chose because my army needed them. Others, like the Dreadnought and Land Raider Crusader, where bought because they were shiny and awesome. My dedication to craftsmanship of the physical models and my determination to paint my army (and improve in painting), combined with my slow but steady collecting of figures, gives me a very interesting army. It is a cohesively painted, list-wise uncoordinated, and heavily used and loved battle force that has memories and a physical snapshot of my progressing artistic talents. It is still fascinating today.
***PLACE HOLDER UNTIL I DIG UP THE MODELS AND PHOTOGRAPH THEM - SORRY!*****
The Space Marines "finished" themselves when the hobby declined as my friends and I got busy with other things. We got back to it a year or two later (and at some point crossed that point into high school). I started collecting Nids and 5th edition came out. My friends were not nearly as into the painting as I was, and even their overall enthusiasm for the game was eclipsed by me. We still played and had a lot of fun, but not as much as the beginning days. I waned for a bit when they all essentially stopped, but got into my local Games Workshop not long after that. Even grabbed a few Tau. The call of college is what put an end to "Period 2" of my Warhammer playing. Starting halfway though senior year, I put all the figures away into the garage where they stayed for two years. It was a skeleton that I kept deep in my "closet" because I felt I was getting a bit too obsessed over it and that it came off as WAY too nerdy. Actually after freshman year, I brought the figures over to my new apartment. Then they really were in my closet, but I get into to them until later that year. And that brings us to where the Blood Angels started. Here are pics of the rest of my forces before this spoiler section ends.
**Another place holder, mb. I will have them up soon!**
Last year my spring break was pretty uneventful. Friends were going home and no plans were made, and I was fine not spending money on some trip. I decided it was the perfect time to get back into Warhammer. My previous armies had little to no organization thanks to a lack of planning. Instead of continuing my Space Marines or finishing my Nids or Tau, I decided to start with a fresh new army. The BA Codex was the most recent release, so I gave it a look over. I saw blood crazy, partially insane marines with Jump Packs, great Dreadnoughts, fast Vehicles, and a cool new flyer.
So I started Blood Angels with a battle force and a few extra kits.
That were soon joined by my two vehicles I had wanted since I saw them.
I also grabbed me a Furioso Libriarian, since he is 2000% cool. I magnatized his torso and the battle force Rhino (and later the DC back packs, since I couldn't make up my mind).
This WH Period came to a gradual end before school let out for summer. By then the army had been assembled, based, primed, and mostly painted half red with their base color. Somewhere around 1000-1500 points. Literally a year after I first started, I gear up to pick up the army again. After taking a good hard look at my existing list, I have no idea what the I was thinking. Another army of mismatched units. So I sat down and pounded out a few lists (with much thanks to the people on this forum!). It started off as "let me change this original list a bit", then became "let me salvage parts of this list" before it ended up being "screw it, make a decent list then repurpose all the models". I loved DoA the most, but also love my Stormraven and Dreadnought (and armor all around). So I ended up with this idea: make two "separate" forces under the same army. 2000pts DoA, 2000 Pts Mech. And I am not going to borrow figures between the two lists. Both will have all models represented. That way, the forces can fight against each other, they can combine for great Apoc shenanigans, and so they make a great diorama.
Here are my two lists. The DoA is only slightly different from the last itteration, for those of you who have been following/helping me. (PM me if you have something more than a "light suggestion" so I can open a List Thread for the discussion)
[Heavy Support]
2x Predator - 135 each
Auto Cannon, Las Sponsons
Storm Raven - 215
TLMM, TL Las, EA
1970 Points
The Mech list is going on the back burner. I want to completely finish the DoA list before getting into the meat of the Mech. (I guess more metal than meat, but meh) And I plan to pull out all the stops and give it 110% of my effort.
I currently have 30 BA models: 20 Assault Marines, 10 DC. The DC will be harvested to make 5 VV and the other 5 will be watered down into standard troops, Priests, and Sergeants. So my shopping list is 3 Assault Squads for the last bit of bulk, 1 DC for more special bits (and a bit of wiggle room), 1 Sanguinary Guard, two Sang Priest models, and a Chaplin. Dante will be a custom built model, and I have not really planned him out yet. I'm thinking SG and DC bits, maybe a custom axe. And since it is the Angels Sanguine, everyone will have a helmet. Also because its hard to DS through little to no atmosphere without one. I am also getting an air compressor so I can start my adventures in airbrushing! (Although I might have to get a new airbrush, mine old one remains at large...) And to top it all off, custom bits! I have to take a breath, I'm getting too excited. I would like to hear what you guys thing of these custom bits. And if any of you have a recommendation for something i haven't seen, I am all ears! Or eyes, you know, cause its... words.. yea. Back to business:
As a BA player myself I'm looking forward to how this works out. Angels Sanguine have an interesting paint scheme to play with.
The Chapterhouse claws look great, but aren't they meant for Terminator sized models? Might require a bit of conversion work - I look forward to seeing the results. I built mine using wolf claws and regular power fists.
Will watch to see how you get on - good luck!
Laney
2012/04/15 08:10:41
Subject: Re:Angels Sanguine WIP by NpcMaster (with Prelude of my journy though WH40K up until this point)
They are meant for Termies, but their description even says that they are easy to cut down. If I believe that or not, it involves covering up any damage with a shoulder pad. And they are just too sweet to pass up! And speaking of covering up damage, I now have a Furioso Dreadnought with Blood Talons! (for the mech list) It involved delicately removing the Furioso Libriarian face and fist.
And by delicate I mean.....
But its OK!
And now I have materials for a fascinating Objective Marker! Also all of my photos link over to my Picasa Album for the army (that has more photos than I post on this thread, gotta save space!)
Edit: actually he is not done. The under-arm melta some how ran away, so I ordered a replacement off of Ebay today. Also, does any know of any good blood effects? Blood for the Blood Talons!
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2012/04/15 08:14:27
looking great dude, this army (armies?) is gonna be fully proper awesome sick.
Veteran Sergeant wrote:In the grim darkness of the far future, the guy with a rifle is the weakest man on the battlefield, left to quake in terror, hoping the two or three shots he gets do the job before somebody runs screaming across the battlefield to hit him with an energized stick.
Operations are under way. I have also uploaded my newest photos to the Dakka galleries. A whole lot happened the last two days, so here is a three part post.
Part 1: Resupplying
First things first, I had to make sure I had all the tools I needed before digging in. I already have the basic supplies from before, but wanted to expand. The Toolbox post here on Dakka is amazing! I recommend looking it over. The Furioso Dread melta weapon arrived from eBay. It arrived promptly with no issues, I'll buy bits I need from them again.
Thanks Spikey Bits!
Almost as important as new tools are the models you actually use them on! Here are the reinforcements I received on my Birthday from my wonderful family. (Thanks guys )
They might not understand WH, but they can at least appreciate it
Plastic parts: Check. Tools to work with, not so check. As it turns out, I think I am in some sort of miniature hobby Mecca. All the GW's in my area have left, but that gives me more excuse to frequent my FLGS. I live faily close to Game Empire Pasadena and The Whistle Stop (a fantastic model railroad shop), Hobby People (a RC Car and model kit store) is not too far, and I even have a Home Depot 15 mins away non-freeway. I pretty much have access to anything! (now that I say that, I just ran out of tiny magnets.... hahaha). So after figuring out tools and supplies I needed, I went out on my quest. In exchange for about $80-90, here is the plunder I got:
Slate, box, sponge, and tape from Home Depot. Tools from Hobby People. Glues, sanding sticks, and rock bits from Whistle Stop.
My current unit of 10 Death Company had no place in my new lists. So they said their goodbyes, grabbed their magnetized packs (one that was borrowed by the Libby), and traded themselves in. They got me a Gale Force 9 Cutting mat and Tactical Assault and Coherency Template (that's a fun word to say if nothing else!)
Libby looses flight. Not the most cost effective, but better for me and the models that having them sit and collect dust.
After a day of gathering, my tool box was fully stocked and operational. Here is my workspace:
Bits to the left, water to drink to the right (off screen), and yes that is a storage container lid as my working surface.
Part 2: Misc Dread to Furioso, Part 2!
I was moving peices around when I realized I had a Frag Cannon, Magna-Grapple, and a somewhat pointless AoBR Dread wandering around. Time for an upgrade! I had to twist the Dread's arm a bit to get him to go along with the upgrade. And by twisting, I meant ripping off.
.
Apparently I used plastic glue, jokes on me. The rounded blade on the hobby knife was excellent for murdering mold lines, a tip I gleamed from the Toolbox post.
I tried out the super thin super glue on the Frag cannon. It has two settings, in the bottle and EVERYWHERE. Good news: it filled the cracks and generally didn't botch up any details.
The super thin glue got itself a time out. In the time out box.
The Dread is starting to get nervious, looking over at that saw.....
Then came the operation. Using the AWESOME chiseled bladed hobby knife, I cut straight down. His feet got in the way, so I stopped that annoyance. And then cut out some more. And some more. And some more........ It did NOT want to fit. I ended up trimming two small bit off that I shouldn't have, but it all worked out well. Used some super glue to seal the small gaps.
I am so glad this turned out well. Otherwise I would have been tried and convicted of war crimes against Dreadnoughts
Part 3: Basing
I am going to use the slate from Home Depot for the decorative bits of basing. So i took one piece and fragged it.
The one piece filled up two bins.
I then tested different amounts of slate, rocks, and sand on the bases. Ended up liking the ones that were all-rock the most. It goes great with the slate too. With sand out of the picture, I just had to see how much rocks were too much or too little.
That leaves me at my next point. I have new troops to assemble, bases to produce, and some last figures to acquire. I am checking the details of my current models to see if a paint-stripping is in order. I am also debating on whether or not to remove their current bases and replace them, or to just add rocks on top. And now that I am working on things AND have photos posted on Dakka, my next posts should be more frequent to prevent this length.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/05/04 19:49:05
I decided that I would play it safe and remove some paint from my previous models. Into the vat of Simple Green they go!
I noted that the PVA bases peeled right off my old models. So I sanded my fingers off making sure the bases had a bit more for the glue to grab onto.
\
Base Dust! Don't breathe this!
So I super glued slate to the bases and pva glued the "desert field" rocks around them. Here is how it turned out:
I then painted thinned down PVA over the entire base to ensure things stuck and to fill some of the pourous spots on the rocks. It got a bit messy
Here are the Dreadnought bases, closeup of the glued slate and then the completely based Blender Dread.
Putting the models on these bases is a pain. The little rocks are terribly uneven and can make it look like a foot is floating if you are not careful. It takes more work to make it look right, and when it does, it is awesome. The guys with 2 feet on the ground are the worst. So far I am very pleased with the results. Here is a quarter of the old models on bases.
I need four sergeants with power fists. I decided to use DC models to show their veteran status. It will also have great synergy with the Vanguard Veterans, who will also be DC models. (It will look like the VV is a squad made up of squad sergeants). The difference is the Sergeants have a standard helmet that has the small winged skull emblem and antenna. It gives unity between the 4 sergeants, and looks like they have improved comms. Some non-gameing people always ask me if I have to build the models, so here is an image of the pieces (note the torso is two separate pieces) For those of you really looking close, its two DC Powerfists, one Assault Squad PF, and one Honor Guard PF. I also like the poses.
Poses from left to right: Charging forward like a boss, the "Hold position" command, running and gunning, and everyone's favorite "To the skies!"
Group shot
Here is the first wave of new standard troops. Close up of the melta marine. Note the two who do not have the JP Harness, they are donor marines from the Honor Guard. One to bring the Sergent addition to an even 5, and one to fill in for a old model that was somehow lost to the warp (or the Simple Green, really not sure where he ran off to)
So the troops are halfway built, I am working on assembleing the last standard marines and the extra Meltas and Jump Packs should arrive at my FLGS today. Here is the Box-o-MakeSureNoOneElseRunsAway:
Then I got distracted when I found this model hiding in my box. He is gonna be the VV leader. Anyone recognize him? (answer in spoiler) I thought I had lost him, so many excites now. He has no BA iconography, so time to "upgrade" him as only I so delicately can. (the Dreads tried to warn him, had to put them away) Tools used: THE SAW!!!! and the clippers.
Spoiler:
Its the GamesDay Space Marine with Thunderhammer! Wooot!
So the build phase of the army is rapidly nearing completion. The Lightning Claws have been ordered, two Sanguinary Priests are on their way to the FLGS, the JPs and Meltas should be there now, and I am heading back to the workstation.
Keeping my eye on this, as I'm working on my own Sanguine army Always nice to see someone else to copy cool stuff from *cough* I mean get inspiration from
My schedule for building and painting got delayed. Some friends got back in town, some new work opportunities came up, and a little bit of "I got lazy". I feel like this was a good thing though, since 6th Edition dropped just then and blew my old list out of the water. Perhaps it was the Emperor guiding me away from disaster. So anyways, now I am back to list-building. It looks, so far, that only 1 Assault squad is getting dropped, but the Vang Vets finally got cut. Good news: Heavy support is making its way into the list. If all works out, in the form of two Vindicators and a Devastator Missile Squad.
In other news, I found my airbrush! It was with the stuff I had left in Texas, that just this weekend I U-Hauled back to California. Really glad i didn't spend too much time looking for it in the garage, the Emperor again?!?
I have also been re-inspired to work on WH since I have a friend who is looking to join as Orks. I have always wanted to work on Orks, they are just plain fun. And now I can do so through him hahaha.
I was thinking. Another army of mismatched units. So I sat down and pounded out a few lists (with much thanks to the people on this forum!). It started off as "let me change this original list a bit", then became "let me salvage parts of this list" before it ended up being "screw it, make a decent list then repurpose all the models". I loved 
)
Always nice to see someone else to copy cool stuff from *cough* I mean get inspiration from 
3000p
2000p
7500p 