Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

 RandyMcStab wrote:
Good game, nice to see Ultras victorious over the IF wannabes. Do you think the new doctrines are better? I've not managed to take my SM out for a spin yet, been all IG escalation games.

They are differently good. Re-rolls are powerful. And we get a lot of them. If you use the formations, more then we can click off in some games. But I miss some of the wacky tricks. The assault doctrine is now better for winning CC, but doesn’t help you get there. Dev doctrine I never used for relentless, but the re-rolls for snapshots, even in the opponent’s turn, was priceless. Now it’s just a dakka boost.

Yes the rerolls to charge range (obviously VV now get this) was pretty good and I had lots of fun shooting at fliers and doing super overwatch with the previous doctines...

 RandyMcStab wrote:
Yes the rerolls to charge range (obviously VV now get this) was pretty good and I had lots of fun shooting at fliers and doing super overwatch with the previous doctines...

We adapt to the times. I’m a little irritated that our special thing is now open to everyone, but c’est la vie. One of the skills of UMs was using the right doctrine, at the right time, to turn the battle. With the Gladius formation, it’s now “spam tac doc for 3 turns, clean up with the other two as needed” Still nice to keep the doctrines when using a CAD, or other non-battle company formations.

Painting progress, now with a picture!

Wash down on the razor, and the first round of cleanup is started. Used a little black to tidy up some of the blue that got out of hand. Need to hit it with some silver, and do the windshield wipers. Started with the black on the accessories. They will need a silver drybrush, then details. Plugging right along. I’ll probably not be done today to get it in for the month’s goal, but shouldn’t be too far off target.

I think next month’s goal is going to be the rest of the rangers. 4 of them, so that’s my quota. Will also help with my eldar point goal, although not a whole lot. If I do get the wraithlord done, that will help even more. Not sure how I should count MCs on my mini a week goal. He might rate a 2 mini equivalent. Could be more, but he’s old and small.

...and done!



A little overgunned at the moment, but not everything needs to be on at once. I should probably paint up some more empty hatches. And maybe clean up and paint the HBs. Not that there is a whole lot of reason to field HB razors at today’s points. IMHO the old pricing for them was better, the swap of cargo space and firing ports roughly worth the guns. I also need to put some decals on it, and probably the smokelaunchers and searchlight. OK, so it’s not as done as I’d like, but still fieldable.

Razor looks good I always felt they kind of fall behind in normal size 40k games given how many big nasty tanks/antitanks there are.. but they always seemed like something super useful to have in a smaller skirmish, mobile cover and firesupport just seems to make sense.

Nice battle, sounds like a pretty solid victory there

Assault Cannons on a Razorback? Did I miss something?

Razors could always have asscans couldn't they? Just not both at once.

Baal Preds could, I thought it was heavy bolters, lascannons or one las two plasma guns were the options not assault cannons. I only use(d) Twin Las so I could be wrong or forgetful.

PS: Apologies Mr(or Mrs) Grimdork, yes you can have twin assault cannons, had my two most recent codexes to hand and it is an option. I just must've forgotten.

I thought so, but I've never been very up on the current events of space marines (even for all of the marine codices I've owned).

I still like the overgunned variant Nev has displayed

Definitely think that could be a FW variant at some point. I've been using the exact same Twin-Las Razorback since 3rd so I only really paid attention to points cost though I haven't played since 5th ed. Didn't realise twin Assault Cannons or Heavy Flamer were included in the options.

Heh, razorback termanus ultra. Or course if you priced all those guns out to something reasonable, it would end up costing predator prices for a tissue box hull. The TLAsC are magnetized and pop right off if I want to field the TLLC. If I want the assault cannons, I can put a rhino hatch on the back. Stormbolter/empty hatches get swapped around depending on who needs what. I mostly needed it for when I field it as a rhino.

Razorbacks are one of those kits that have a lot more options for what you can field then come in the box. TLHB and TLLC are common, because that’s what’s in the box. LC/TLPG is a legacy option from way back, and still popular. TLAsC you can do if you steal the assault cannons from a LRC/LRR if you want to use GW parts/mounts. I think the closest we ever got to the TLHF option was the immolator.

Of course, FW and 3rd party parts make things a lot easier.

TLHB is inexpensive, but the HBs are kinda meh. I could see the point when they were just 5 more points then a rhino; but not 20.
Both the AsCs and the LCs have some merit to them LCs can sit back and snipe, but what are you doing with the cargo? Still, slot free firepower, can’t complain too much. The AsC seem a good all-around choice for aggressive deployment. You are moving up, so the range is less of an issue, and they can threaten a wide range of targets.

Did a little repair work this morning as well. One of my pods had some loose wings, and the LSS gunner was starting to irritate me. Also sifted around for tank parts to paint up. Need more empty hatches. Might work up a non-Cronos, non-SB gunner driver, just to spice things up a bit.

Interesting thread so far. If you think that Razor is overgunned you should see my Crimson Fists tanks. "Bigger is better" is often the rule there. I like the biker captain's helmet, very cool paint job.

 bossfearless wrote:
Interesting thread so far. If you think that Razor is overgunned you should see my Crimson Fists tanks. "Bigger is better" is often the rule there. I like the biker captain's helmet, very cool paint job.

Thanks. I’m still surprised how crisp that helmet came out. I guess sometimes I just get lucky. I try to keep my stuff gunned at a reasonable level, Codex compliant and all that. Some days the modeler in me looks wistfully at an orc army, and all the dakka I could just stack on models. But another army is not in the budget

Some minor painting progress: Put down the first layer of black for the guns on the eldar rangers. Once again, noticing all sorts of places I should have cleaned up the finecast better. The sooner that damn material is removed from the product lines, the better. The bending, the bubbles, I can deal with. All the oddly places braces and injection points are driving me batty.

Well, when it comes to overgunning, I usually just build some crazy prototype cannon and then find it a codex-approved counts-as. So the "compensation cannon" on my Vindicator is just a regular old Demolisher, despite being built from a Volcano Cannon. I just enjoy the process of conceiving and fabricating something excessive.

Don't forget, a whole bunch of overwhelming-looking firepower can give you a psychological advantage. I can't count the number of times that people focused all their firepower on my "scary" models while ignoring the ones that would do the real damage.

 bossfearless wrote:
Well, when it comes to overgunning, I usually just build some crazy prototype cannon and then find it a codex-approved counts-as. So the "compensation cannon" on my Vindicator is just a regular old Demolisher, despite being built from a Volcano Cannon. I just enjoy the process of conceiving and fabricating something excessive.

Don't forget, a whole bunch of overwhelming-looking firepower can give you a psychological advantage. I can't count the number of times that people focused all their firepower on my "scary" models while ignoring the ones that would do the real damage.

One thing I like about the Ultramarines is that they aren’t flashy. Just a bunch of (relatively) normal guys, holding the line against the threats of the universe. I’ve always left the flashy and over the top stuff for the other chapters, both in models and rules. I hear you about the psych warfare aspect. A lot of that can be done with crappy units, played aggressively. Even a drop podded tactical squad or some scout bikes rampaging though your backfield can draw far more firepower then their damage output demands.

Paint progress:

plugging away on the rangers. I think I just need to do the gold and a few wires, and then all the base coats will be down. I think the thought of painting them is a lit more intimidating then the actual process. Once I have my brush in hand, they just float along. But I dread sitting down to work on them. So many fiddly bits, so irritated with the finecast.

Summer is plugging right along. Now that it’s August, we’re about the halfway point. So I need to sit down and take inventory of what I have primed and ready. Before we know it, fall/winter will be here, and the rattle can will have to wait for next spring. So I need to make sure I’ve got enough stock to last the winter. If I need to build stuff, I need to start now, as I’m not exactly the swiftest worker out there. On the bright side, after close to 2 months of issues, my FLGS finally got in my 2mm magnets. It’s not entirely their fault it took so long, I was MIA for chunks of it. But that was one roadblock keeping me away from the workbench.

What’s in the primed pile:
5 LotD counts-as
Chaplain
C-melta sternguard
Cato Sicarius
Foot captain
Scout sgt.
2 RT captains

5 Fire dragons
5 Dire avengers
Wave serpent
Viper
9 Jetbikes
Jetseer

On the workbench
4 scouts
VV
AM sgt.

To be built
~13 marines of some flavor
5 sniper scouts
LS

Hanging out in dark corners of the basement:
More then a mortal mind can grasp and retain it’s sanity.

OK, so I’m in reasonably good shape. Especially with my bikes=2 minis math. I’d like to get those guys painted faster. My dislike of fielding unpainted minis is really hurting my Eldar. At least I’m getting progress on the rangers, the one unit most likely to warm the shelf. Love their looks, but it you had to pick the worst unit in the codex, they’d be in the running.

I’m getting near the end of things to build. While I’ve got the legs for 13 more power armored guys, what do I need to build? One thing that is in the works is a pending trade with one of the guys from the FLGS. He wants a JP and pair of running legs and has a bunch of spare heavy weapons, including grav cannons, he’s willing to part with. So a few more devs might be in the works. I still have thoughts about putting together a techmarine with a c-beamer on foot. I have the parts for that. Deathwatch marines are also not going to happen. Checked with the regulars last night, and their collective supply of shoulderpads were used by one of them making character minis for an RPG campaign. While I would like some bike HQs, that would require more purchases.

Which are probably not going to happen until mid/late fall. Car maintenance/repair bill took most of the slack out of the budget, so we are a bit in austerity mode over here. But sometime in October I’ll get a paycheck for a summer’s worth of lawn care, and hopefully some new toys a/o cash for my birthday in early November. Still, there is a chunk of stuff in the pile of shame to keep me out of trouble for a while yet.

That seems like a lot of Captains you've got on the list.

 Adamski Alders wrote:
That seems like a lot of Captains you've got on the list.

There is a reason for all of them. Honest. Although to be honest, one of them is only a Lt. (The one on the right)


The guy with the big ol chainsword is there as the new foot captain. Replacing the venerable 3rd edition next to him
SB/powersword used to be good. Even counting as a relic blade, he's mediocre.
Bike captain has one arm magnetized, and is good on the table.
Jump captain has both arms swappable, should be fit to serve for years
TDA is an old, fixed, chunk of metal. But like the rest of my terminators, is in no rush for an upgrade.
Cato Sicarius is there to replace the terminator captain. (Heh, a little UM humor there) I could have just done arms for the new foot captain, but wanted him to have a fixed mini.
Old RT captain. His rank insignia is on his helmet, hanging off his belt. Can't get a good view from this angle.
Old RT lieutenant. He gets to pretend he's a captain, as his position in the chapter was eliminated sometime around 2nd ed.

So there you go. Eight captains. And now I want to go make two more, just to have the whole set.

Poor Severus Agemman, why does everybody want rid of you?

Is that Sicarius made from parts with the new upgrade sprue? And yes you've got to make 2 more Captains otherwise its against the Codex Astartes and you'll get in trouble

I do love the look of that new foot Captain, as well as the paintjobs on the bike and jump Caps.

Yup, both the new guys benefited greatly from the new upgrade sprue. So much goodness on that thing.

I was going to get myself a second upgrade sprue to go with the previous one I bought but they were out of stock in store and on the website. The bitz on it do look quite nice. I think I really like the look of the Sgt/2nd Cap helmet personally.

Productive day on both benches.
Rangers are ready for camo. And any touchups I missed.


Last of the VVs built, and the new AM sarge


Put a magnet in the weapon mount for the WL, and put his leg that kept falling off back on with the help of some greenstuff. Also mounted the back thingie.


Enjoy the rest of your weekends all.

Ooh classic Wraith lord nice, always liked that model. What's in the right hand of the first VV is it a magnet?

 RandyMcStab wrote:
Ooh classic Wraith lord nice, always liked that model. What's in the right hand of the first VV is it a magnet?

Right now the WL is doing a good job of reminding me why plastic is the best material for large models.

That’s the AM sarge, not that there is a huge difference. He’s packing a power maul. Here is an earlier pic:

I ended up cutting the bit with the skull off. It started life as a thunderhammer. But there are not a lot of good mauls out there, and I want to field more. While a nice mace head would be preferable, I think it says “I’m going to beat you to death with a blunt object (that’s not a hammer)” fairly well.

Overall, a productive weekend. Finished off the rangers:

Even based them. So now I can add 60 more points to my eldar total. Lot of work for not a lot of bang. I should re-visit how many points I’ve painted, as some of my accounting is under the old codex. Still need 1k by year’s end to make my goal. The wraithlord should help a bit with that. It’s a little ironic that I’m working on probably the two worst units in an otherwise overpowered codex. I’ll make it up shortly by painting up some bikes

In a bit of decision paralysis on what to do next. Both from a painting and building POV. The last speeder is looking nice, but I’ve also got an idea for a techmarine with a c-beamer. Paint is an argument between banging out some more eldar so I can play them, or more marine captains I don’t need, just because they look cool. I spent a bunch of time just puttering around yesterday. Cut some bits off of sprues and sorted them, put up some posters in the workshop. But also a stroke of madness.
I was thinking about the speeder, and realized that it would be my 4th normal speeder. Each of my bikes squads is 6 marines (4 normal, plus 2 guys on the attack bike). That’s a total of 20 guys, or the assault marine contingent of a battle company. So I dragged out all the guys on my swap shelf and looked into what it would take to get a second battle company. I’ve got a full spare tac squad, and 20 assorted sergeants, special and heavy weapon marines. Halfway there, and most of the hard stuff. I’ve got two squads of RTB01’s who could be stripped down no worries. There are parts to make 13 more marines on the sprues. So 17 more guys needed. Plus a dread, and some support staff.
Then I slapped myself. I don’t need a second company. There are far better things to do with my hobby dollar then get more bolters on the shelf, just to point at them and watch them collect dust. Madness...

Haha, two Companies is the natural progression from the awesomeness of owning one!

Rangers look good!

Liking the VV and the AM Sgt.

Paradigm wrote:Haha, two Companies is the natural progression from the awesomeness of owning one!

Rangers look good!

Adamski Alders wrote:Liking the VV and the AM Sgt.

Thanks. If the 30k plastics are reasonably priced, that might push me over the edge. We’ll see. If not a second company, what to do with the 13 PA bodies on the sprues? I could build more special weapons. I should probably try to make sure I have 4-5 of each (might be a little shy on plasma/melta) just in case I want to do a shooty command squad on foot. Sternguard are always an option. IIRC I’m at 15 now. 5 more brings me up to two full squads. I’d like to reserve some to fill out the deathwatch squad, but that’s being held back by lack of shoulders. I’ve got plans for a techmarine with a c-beamer, but was just looking at the stats on that and getting a lot of “meh”. Sure, at crazy long range it’s awesome, but the bulk of the time it’s going to be S8, AP4 blast. And we know how my scatter die loves me (although BS5 helps here). That’s just a sub-par krack missile.

In the painting progress front, I just put some red down on my viper. Week looks to be rainy, so I’m not sure the WL will be done in time for this month’s challenge. I do have backup plans, but would like it to be him. Still need to get his arms on. He’s not a very complex mini, so once I get him to the paint bench, I suspect he’ll zip across it quickly. But greenstuffing is something I need to be in the right mood for, and have uninterrupted time. Something that’s a little in short supply during the summer months.

OK, so if we assume the GS cures well, I’m done with the build phase on this guy. Speaking of green stuff, I’m about halfway through my supply.


IIRC you got two of those strips in one blister back in the 90s. Halfway done. At this rate I’ll need to buy some more in the mid-2030s

Friday progress shot. While a little humid out, I decided to risk priming. Looks to be clean.



Viper getting some paint. Not a huge amount of detail on it, so going smoothly. Of course, I’ve not started on the gun cradle yet, which could be irritating.

Nothing earthshaking going on, just slow progress.

Enjoy your weekends all.

Edit:
As an aside, I’ve developed psychic powers. Not sure this is an improvement over the walking coffin. Oh well, should only last a few thousand posts...

As a fellow ultramarines player I love how your models are coming out, and as a prospective eldar player I'm interested to see where you take them. Nice work

Good progress, I always did kind of loathe painting 50-60 point units for 40k