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If the result of a gate opening is a storm, and as a result attacks are to proceed quickly (in order to avoid the storm) wouldn't it then follow that the average attack will conclude prior to the onset of the storm and therefore camo based n said storm would be of limited utility during the battle itself? I havent read that part of the fluff in some time, so forgive any misunderstandings.

OK, my delivery arrived on Friday, and now I have had a little time to work on a few bits, here are my thoughts.

In the main, design of parts and fittings are excellent. I took a little time to 'build' both Vulkan cannons for my Leviathan, using the instructions from the Leviathan and reversing the order of the parts for the left hand version worked well, however there are a couple of pointers I can pass along for anyone who has not done these yet.

The 'arm' section parts that fit inside the case of the Vulkan, D11A and D11B, seem to leave a slight seam on my set. to get these flush I will use a technique I learned from an automotive modeller. Firstly I will remove a little more material at the join to give my filler of choice, White Milliput, a better area to bond to and give me less chance of it flaking out when I sand or if it gets knocked a bit. However, paint can react differently to the filler than the plastic - even through an undercoat. so I will carefully smear a little thin superglue over the top once the filler is dry and then sand that down until I am satisfied that the shape is correct and that the filler is completely covered with a thin layer of superglue. Then I will paint as normal.

Also the construction of the ammo feeds is quite tricky if you do it in the wrong order. Start with either VC2-9 or VC2-18 and build the outer side up first, starting at one end and working to the other using parts VC2-10 to VC2-13. Then slide the other face (VC2-18 if you started with VC2-9, or vice versa) and finish with the inner parts VC2-14 to VC2-17.



Mine are not completely glued together yet, I resisted the urge to glue anything that would clamp the two halves of the frame together so that I can take them apart and paint the arm section and the rotating barrel sections separately then mask them with paper and glue the frame sections together and work on any seams there that I had to, then paint the rest of it and remove the paper to show the completed cannons.

As to a paint scheme, I plan on working it fairly close to just metallic for the main structure with different colours for the armour sections and weapons. Possibly some sort of 'Dazzle' camo scheme but just using different greys with no black or white (Or a more traditional WW2 German Khaki camo scheme), along with details such as pilot's name on the cockpit, rank insignia, and unit insignia, probably with some wear and tear such as red lead undercoat showing through in places, maybe even some raw metal in areas that would receive the most wear.

I can't wait, everything looks so amazing...3 weeks since shipped come Thursday, so i shouldn't be too long, this week or next I am thinking...would that be accurate for shipping to Aus? 3-4 weeks seems reasonable.

chaos0xomega wrote:
If the result of a gate opening is a storm, and as a result attacks are to proceed quickly (in order to avoid the storm) wouldn't it then follow that the average attack will conclude prior to the onset of the storm and therefore camo based n said storm would be of limited utility during the battle itself? I havent read that part of the fluff in some time, so forgive any misunderstandings.

I misspoke, probably due to not having read the fluff a dozen times over like I have with other games I play.

From DFGs site:

Re-entry is achieved by using the systems sun and harnessing its immense gravity to tear a hole in space and then sling shot the fleet towards its objective. The results of entering a system without using an active receiving gate are felt system wide as Void space tears into this reality, sending out a broad-spectrum of energy bursts that destroy microprocessors, communication devices and delicate electronics while sending all planets with atmospheres into extremely violent weather patterns. The onset of these conditions will give planetary defenders roughly four to sixteen hours warning that an invasion is imminent. These realities have shaped modern combat and tactics. You will not find microprocessors on military craft or equipment. Radio communications are impossible, only line of sight laser burst communicators are used. The violent planetary weather will not subside for weeks and sometimes months after the incursion.

Combat is conducted in the worst of conditions. Sandstorms, snowstorms and hurricanes are the norm for modern military operations. It is very rare that a commander is willing to wait until conditions improve; as each day passes, the battlefield becomes more water logged or covered with a deep blanket of snow or sand. In two week’s time, it will become impossible to move the heavy Leviathans or armored vehicles through this terrain. Ironically, these kinds of climate conditions have given rise to the Leviathans popularity as a military vehicle. The higher vehicle profile allows them to identify targets that would be obscured at ground level. The use of a TR field to distribute its ponderous weight over a very large area, allows the Leviathan to traverse water logged ground, soft sandy soil or deep snow banks that would leave an unassisted tracked or wheeled vehicle bogged.

So, no "Clear" timeframe of weather unless the conflict drags out long enough for it to do so, which could be weeks or months.

 motyak wrote:
I can't wait, everything looks so amazing...3 weeks since shipped come Thursday, so i shouldn't be too long, this week or next I am thinking...would that be accurate for shipping to Aus? 3-4 weeks seems reasonable.

Check your tracking number. If it's like other Aussie orders, it most likely left HK on March 1st, and it appears they were sent by Sea Freight/Surface Mail, though this was inferred rather than confirmed by Mark. Expect to wait 6-8 weeks from now.

shade1313 wrote:

chaos0xomega wrote:
If the result of a gate opening is a storm, and as a result attacks are to proceed quickly (in order to avoid the storm) wouldn't it then follow that the average attack will conclude prior to the onset of the storm and therefore camo based n said storm would be of limited utility during the battle itself? I havent read that part of the fluff in some time, so forgive any misunderstandings.

I misspoke, probably due to not having read the fluff a dozen times over like I have with other games I play.

From DFGs site:

Re-entry is achieved by using the systems sun and harnessing its immense gravity to tear a hole in space and then sling shot the fleet towards its objective. The results of entering a system without using an active receiving gate are felt system wide as Void space tears into this reality, sending out a broad-spectrum of energy bursts that destroy microprocessors, communication devices and delicate electronics while sending all planets with atmospheres into extremely violent weather patterns. The onset of these conditions will give planetary defenders roughly four to sixteen hours warning that an invasion is imminent. These realities have shaped modern combat and tactics. You will not find microprocessors on military craft or equipment. Radio communications are impossible, only line of sight laser burst communicators are used. The violent planetary weather will not subside for weeks and sometimes months after the incursion.

Combat is conducted in the worst of conditions. Sandstorms, snowstorms and hurricanes are the norm for modern military operations. It is very rare that a commander is willing to wait until conditions improve; as each day passes, the battlefield becomes more water logged or covered with a deep blanket of snow or sand. In two week’s time, it will become impossible to move the heavy Leviathans or armored vehicles through this terrain. Ironically, these kinds of climate conditions have given rise to the Leviathans popularity as a military vehicle. The higher vehicle profile allows them to identify targets that would be obscured at ground level. The use of a TR field to distribute its ponderous weight over a very large area, allows the Leviathan to traverse water logged ground, soft sandy soil or deep snow banks that would leave an unassisted tracked or wheeled vehicle bogged.

So, no "Clear" timeframe of weather unless the conflict drags out long enough for it to do so, which could be weeks or months.

Is it me or are there severe logic faults in that fluff piece? It states that leviathans would be useless after 2 weeks yet they are the vehicle of choice.... the increased height wont do much to aid visual recognition, and given violent winds would likely be a detriment to its mobility, radios can be built with vaccuum tubes etc. Which would be unaffected by emp/solar flare, etc. While line of sight comms would require microprocessors if they could be accomplished at all during a sandstorm, etc...

chaos0xomega wrote:

shade1313 wrote:

chaos0xomega wrote:
If the result of a gate opening is a storm, and as a result attacks are to proceed quickly (in order to avoid the storm) wouldn't it then follow that the average attack will conclude prior to the onset of the storm and therefore camo based n said storm would be of limited utility during the battle itself? I havent read that part of the fluff in some time, so forgive any misunderstandings.

I misspoke, probably due to not having read the fluff a dozen times over like I have with other games I play.

From DFGs site:

Re-entry is achieved by using the systems sun and harnessing its immense gravity to tear a hole in space and then sling shot the fleet towards its objective. The results of entering a system without using an active receiving gate are felt system wide as Void space tears into this reality, sending out a broad-spectrum of energy bursts that destroy microprocessors, communication devices and delicate electronics while sending all planets with atmospheres into extremely violent weather patterns. The onset of these conditions will give planetary defenders roughly four to sixteen hours warning that an invasion is imminent. These realities have shaped modern combat and tactics. You will not find microprocessors on military craft or equipment. Radio communications are impossible, only line of sight laser burst communicators are used. The violent planetary weather will not subside for weeks and sometimes months after the incursion.

Combat is conducted in the worst of conditions. Sandstorms, snowstorms and hurricanes are the norm for modern military operations. It is very rare that a commander is willing to wait until conditions improve; as each day passes, the battlefield becomes more water logged or covered with a deep blanket of snow or sand. In two week’s time, it will become impossible to move the heavy Leviathans or armored vehicles through this terrain. Ironically, these kinds of climate conditions have given rise to the Leviathans popularity as a military vehicle. The higher vehicle profile allows them to identify targets that would be obscured at ground level. The use of a TR field to distribute its ponderous weight over a very large area, allows the Leviathan to traverse water logged ground, soft sandy soil or deep snow banks that would leave an unassisted tracked or wheeled vehicle bogged.

So, no "Clear" timeframe of weather unless the conflict drags out long enough for it to do so, which could be weeks or months.

Is it me or are there severe logic faults in that fluff piece? It states that leviathans would be useless after 2 weeks yet they are the vehicle of choice.... the increased height wont do much to aid visual recognition, and given violent winds would likely be a detriment to its mobility, radios can be built with vaccuum tubes etc. Which would be unaffected by emp/solar flare, etc. While line of sight comms would require microprocessors if they could be accomplished at all during a sandstorm, etc...

I'm quietly ignoring the things that don't make a lot of sense regarding electronics. There's still lots of time for fluff to be fiddled with as Mark gets more people on staff to do the writing and world building besides just his lonesome.

Still it would be good to point them out when you find them, that way Mark at least knows where the holes are, cant fix it if you dont know its there, right? Also, isnt one of the eisenkern command minis a radio operator?

radio may work, but basically only over very short ranges, so worth having even if the are only good for a few hundred meters

(los comms are no good if your buddys behind a wall)

And to me the background implies that the Leviathans are the best choice for heavy weapons platforms, as they are still uasable after the weather means wheeled, then later tracked vehicals are useless.. although eventuially they to can't cope which is why battles tend to be swift affairs, wait too long and yhou cant get your stompy robots out again

 Azazelx wrote:

 motyak wrote:
I can't wait, everything looks so amazing...3 weeks since shipped come Thursday, so i shouldn't be too long, this week or next I am thinking...would that be accurate for shipping to Aus? 3-4 weeks seems reasonable.

Check your tracking number. If it's like other Aussie orders, it most likely left HK on March 1st, and it appears they were sent by Sea Freight/Surface Mail, though this was inferred rather than confirmed by Mark. Expect to wait 6-8 weeks from now.

You are spot on. Ah well. I've got plenty of warmachine to paint until then.

chaos0xomega wrote:
Still it would be good to point them out when you find them, that way Mark at least knows where the holes are, cant fix it if you dont know its there, right? Also, isnt one of the eisenkern command minis a radio operator?

I wonder if 20 years experience working with military avionics and pretty good writing skills is enough to get in on Mark's expansion of his IC team.

I've been slowly painting and building the levi... weathering pigments give the whole thing a super nice texture.

The Secret Weapons fallen leaves are also a super nice touch.

I should be able to post my first few steps on my blog for the stormtroopers tomorrow or tuesday. I will link to it as soon as done.

I'd go for it.

shade1313 wrote:

chaos0xomega wrote:
Still it would be good to point them out when you find them, that way Mark at least knows where the holes are, cant fix it if you dont know its there, right? Also, isnt one of the eisenkern command minis a radio operator?

I wonder if 20 years experience working with military avionics and pretty good writing skills is enough to get in on Mark's expansion of his IC team.

I would go for it, it would be nice to see background material written by people.who know.what theyre talking about. Mark seems pretty busy as of late though, might be a bit before you hear from him.

chaos0xomega wrote:

shade1313 wrote:

chaos0xomega wrote:
Still it would be good to point them out when you find them, that way Mark at least knows where the holes are, cant fix it if you dont know its there, right? Also, isnt one of the eisenkern command minis a radio operator?

I wonder if 20 years experience working with military avionics and pretty good writing skills is enough to get in on Mark's expansion of his IC team.

I would go for it, it would be nice to see background material written by people.who know.what theyre talking about. Mark seems pretty busy as of late though, might be a bit before you hear from him.

I hadn't really thought about it before, I don't have a lot of examples of my writing to let him look over other than the odd research paper.

Paint tests.

First pic is primer; left to right: cheapo WalMart gray primer, Krylon gray primer, hot rod gray primer(very dark gray).
Second pic is same figs drybrushed a bit.
Third pic is same figs with Badab black wash, except for Ada who is washed with a home made black/brown wash

Shade you can kick stuff around with Mathieu and I if you'd like, we've been "writing fluff" for the last little bit and been bouncing them off each other. Never did hear anything from Mark, but the man's busy so I don't fault him.

In Levi building news I have finally found a part of the model I hate. The ankle armor has become my mortal foe. I also found the thigh armor slightly difficult to find the proper placing for.

I'm going to echo SickSix in his EXCELLENT assembly videos (which I watched and reviewed extensively before starting my own build) and suggest you dry fit EVERYTHING.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also the right most figs look freaking awesome timd!

timd wrote:
Paint tests.

First pic is primer; left to right: cheapo WalMart gray primer, Krylon gray primer, hot rod gray primer(very dark gray).
Second pic is same figs drybrushed a bit.

If you're looking for feedback on those three, I think the Krylon looks best.

 Azazelx wrote:

timd wrote:
Paint tests.

First pic is primer; left to right: cheapo WalMart gray primer, Krylon gray primer, hot rod gray primer(very dark gray).
Second pic is same figs drybrushed a bit.

If you're looking for feedback on those three, I think the Krylon looks best.

Krylon is always awesome.

My package (part one) arrived!!

- Two Leviathan Crusaders, each with the Capacitor coolers, extra rotary arms and swords.
- Two Heavy Weapon Squads
- One half-platoon of Storm Troopers
- One Accessory set
- Five each of Ada and the Shadokesh duo.


Can't wait for part two and three!!

 KalashnikovMarine wrote:
Shade you can kick stuff around with Mathieu and I if you'd like, we've been "writing fluff" for the last little bit and been bouncing them off each other. Never did hear anything from Mark, but the man's busy so I don't fault him.

In Levi building news I have finally found a part of the model I hate. The ankle armor has become my mortal foe. I also found the thigh armor slightly difficult to find the proper placing for.

I'm going to echo SickSix in his EXCELLENT assembly videos (which I watched and reviewed extensively before starting my own build) and suggest you dry fit EVERYTHING.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also the right most figs look freaking awesome timd!

Post it on the Dreamforge forums, there are others doing the same there. Keep it centralized otherwise Mark is going to have a ton of sruff to read and very little of it will jive with the rest, meaning its nice but next to useless.

Also apparrently you Marine types have a tendency to use Marine jargon/naval terminology (ex. "Aye aye, sir") when writing about army type units without realizing it... gotta keep you guys in line ;P

I've been putting my Crusader together over the weekend. Pretty fun, all in all. I decided it'll get a Teutonic Knight inspired paint scheme, which calls for a lot of white surfaces and yellow crosses edged in black, which is going to be a pain to do, but there you have it

If you are like me and primarily access the internet via a mobile device, and have been frustrated by your inability to get on the dreamforge site, i may have a solution (it worked for the dreamforge forums):

Download the chrome browser, go to the website (in my case i go directly to the forums, www.dreamforge-games.com/SMF, and check "request desktop site". Voila! At least for android users, dunno about iOS.

Just thought I would share

I second, the Krylon primed one looks best to my eyes. But then again, how much of my opinion was influenced by the fact that you described the left one as "walmart cheapo," I can't tell. Bias is a hard thing. The right-most one seems to have a little too much "texture" to what seem to be flat areas, so that's why I prefer the Krylon one. Although the wash does atenuate some of that effect.

 Mathieu Raymond wrote:
I second, the Krylon primed one looks best to my eyes. But then again, how much of my opinion was influenced by the fact that you described the left one as "walmart cheapo," I can't tell. Bias is a hard thing. The right-most one seems to have a little too much "texture" to what seem to be flat areas, so that's why I prefer the Krylon one. Although the wash does atenuate some of that effect.

Well Walmart Cheapo is a good description! Those things cost less than $2!

Still though I know people who dont mind that fact

I think it all comes down to what effect you want to achieve. Or ease of use.

I bought, many moons ago, an Army Painter can of gray primer. That stuff foamed on my minis, and no matter how quick I did my passes, I always ended up with a thick glop of stuff over the mini, which turned them all into... turds? Can I use that word?

Anyhoo, that was done for me. When I learned to paint using watercolour techniques, I had a real appreciation for GW white primer... but since I don't do competition and it costs 20$, I use either krylon or painter's touch.

This "Walmart Cheapo" stuff can actually work really well if you want it to. I built a spray box and the back wall was made up of a window fan, switch it on to suck out all the excess paint that normally clogs up the details and the effect is brilliant!

 KalashnikovMarine wrote:
Shade you can kick stuff around with Mathieu and I if you'd like, we've been "writing fluff" for the last little bit and been bouncing them off each other. Never did hear anything from Mark, but the man's busy so I don't fault him.

In Levi building news I have finally found a part of the model I hate. The ankle armor has become my mortal foe. I also found the thigh armor slightly difficult to find the proper placing for.

I'm going to echo SickSix in his EXCELLENT assembly videos (which I watched and reviewed extensively before starting my own build) and suggest you dry fit EVERYTHING.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also the right most figs look freaking awesome timd!

What kind of leg poses were you going for, that gave you problems with the armor?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

chaos0xomega wrote:

 KalashnikovMarine wrote:
Shade you can kick stuff around with Mathieu and I if you'd like, we've been "writing fluff" for the last little bit and been bouncing them off each other. Never did hear anything from Mark, but the man's busy so I don't fault him.

In Levi building news I have finally found a part of the model I hate. The ankle armor has become my mortal foe. I also found the thigh armor slightly difficult to find the proper placing for.

I'm going to echo SickSix in his EXCELLENT assembly videos (which I watched and reviewed extensively before starting my own build) and suggest you dry fit EVERYTHING.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also the right most figs look freaking awesome timd!

Post it on the Dreamforge forums, there are others doing the same there. Keep it centralized otherwise Mark is going to have a ton of sruff to read and very little of it will jive with the rest, meaning its nice but next to useless.

Also apparrently you Marine types have a tendency to use Marine jargon/naval terminology (ex. "Aye aye, sir") when writing about army type units without realizing it... gotta keep you guys in line ;P

"Marine types".

I respect the heck of those guys, but I wasn't a Marine.

Has anyone else knocked their Leviathan off the table, gasping in agony and terror as you could do nothing but watch helplessly as it plummeted to the floor and shattered into tiny pieces?

Happened to me last night .. Have to say this is a pretty durable kit.. no damage, and the things that came apart were just the arms, legs and torso that I never glued anyway, so all I had to do was snap everything back in place

I assembled a leg armour last night, and I also had trouble with it, completely due to the fact that I forgot to add a piece first and then because the L1 piece is a beast to fit when you're trying to be careful not to scratch paint. So I would recommend getting L1 onto your ankle before you add any foot armour.