This is definetly some crazy stuff you have posted on here.

Malika, I'm going to have to agree with you there. The mouth piece seems off and somewhat low-tech, almost like it was placed there as an afterthought.

Group shot of what's done so far. Collecting bitz for infantry now. I really want to paint some heavy IG armor and apply what I've learned with this project + new experiments...hance my thoughts in the Legion Blog.



Malika and Valhallan: I've taken the OTT route with my decisions in this army - the most brutal typologies, but I agree, that some small detail where the part joins the head would've been nice.

Ok, I got to put a lid on Legion for a while. Less than month to go until the tournament

The Gene-Stealers will be based on the Tau stealth suit kit. I'm thinking of buying 3 boxes for a squad of nine. Gets me some more drones too?? My friends are helping me out with excess drones too. They will be converted into spinefist ai.

I've been looking at the models, and it should be a fairly simple conversion. Wolverine style claws, new mono sight eye and some of those mouth cables that my Lictor also has. Some filing down of detail and panels into more fitting to TWAR and nice scenic bases of course.

Darker scheme like on the Lictor, but with little bit of the light greyblue and flat blue for marking them out. Possibly some blood on the wolverine claws.

great job, can't wait for more progress.

Holy robotic Mary mother of a mechanical Jesus, that is one of the best looking armies I've ever seen.

Thanks guys - for tonight's progress, here's phase one of the basing factory. 4 object markers, 2 times 10 gaunts and 6 stealers (is the current plan)

Next comes the models on, in poses fitting the basing, then detail on bases and finally sand and sandy paste.

I'm now super excited to get those Stealth suits and to get converting. I have the concept worked out in my head. I also need to dug out my Hierophant sketches and go to work after the tournament. There's going to be a Summercalypse trio of weekends this summer where we will go totally into town with 40k.

As soon as I get the models, I'll convert them and post pics.

Great work as always Migsula, certainly is impressive to see all of those lined up together like that!

I also agree on the mouthpeice on the Screamer Killer, will it have anything else like amplifiers or more cabling? The funnel seems like it's lacking something. Perhaps this is still WIP?

Wonderful painting though, great shade of blue, it that Model Colour or a mix?

Looks really good.

Gundam-Mecha wrote:
Wonderful painting though, great shade of blue, it that Model Colour or a mix?

Model Color "Azure".

Cheers guys. Pics of the stealers by Sunday evening

migsula wrote:

Gundam-Mecha wrote:
Wonderful painting though, great shade of blue, it that Model Colour or a mix?

Model Color "Azure".

Cheers guys. Pics of the stealers by Sunday evening

Thanks Migsula, thats a great shade. Have to try it myself on something one day.

I'm looking forward to seeing how those genestealers come out!

The Stealer desig fits in great with the rest of the AI, but looks a little too sympathic for a killing tool.

Here's progress so far. More agressive poses in order, but mostly it is going to be a neat paint job and off to the tournament during Easter.

I'm really interested to see where you go with those stealth suits and upside-down Tau drones. After looking through this log all the way through + having been a humongous fan of Jade Vessel & Legion I'm going to have to say....it's high time that you put together a tutorial so we can see how you developed that incredible painting style of yours
(If this has already been done/discussed then I apologize for bringing it up)

To make the stealers a little less Teddy-bearish, how about putting some of the tendrils to come from their back, pointing forward and full of sharp emplements (I am thinking ala Fabius Bile)? Should make them touchy-feely.

The only other thought I have is that currently they don't look... fast enough?

Loving the concept though. You do have a grace that touches inanimate objects and makes them... somehow different.

Piousman

Piousman wrote:To make the stealers a little less Teddy-bearish, how about putting some of the tendrils to come from their back, pointing forward and full of sharp emplements (I am thinking ala Fabius Bile)? Should make them touchy-feely.

I was thinking the same but was thinking more of the ID4 aliens.

Yeah, I'll try more tentacles + more hunched, stalking poses.

I like where you are going with these so far, because if nothing else tentacles hey! However, you might want more tentacles and more claws on them, as right now it is not looking like I5 with 100004 attacks.

Had two good games this weekend. Very good practice for the tournament and great fun too - one vs. Tau one vs. SWs. Those 3 kitted out Hammer heads, with the obscured toy from toy heaven and the twin Land Raiders proved more than I simply could handle.

I did manage a narrow win and a tie, so the TWAR remain unbeaten! If not exactly excelling. Few minor swaps to the list and a few more practice games and I should be ok.

This is awesome! Your painting is really unique and natural!

migsula wrote:DAKKADAKKADAKKAAA!!!

Arsenal System "Rampart".
The biggest, baddest TWAR in the army list. It was a *female dog* to photograph because of the size actually.

I tried to work in a feel he's just been through a serious firefight and come up on top. Notice the smoking, still smouldering Baneblade track!



more pics @:
www.pbase.com/migsula/mechzilla

LMK what you think!

Hi Mig! i was wondering is the model in the pic ^ painted by air brush on any parts? or all paint brush?

and also was wondering how did you do the markings? ( blue one / greyish ones )

Thanks!

No airbrush and all markings also hand painted.

I do hope to get an airbrush though. It's more about finding the space to use it though than the purchase that is taking the time

Read through this today after seeing it on the hot threads section (I was actually avoiding it for a while for some reason that seems absolutly absurd now, can't actually remember it now lol) and I have this to say about your modeling Migsula.





Holy.



crap.


Thats about all I can muster after my mind being blown so hard by this. I'm a ravid mecha fan, Armored core, Gundam, Transformers, etc. You name it, I've probably had or have a toy or two from it or build a model (Or 12 as in gundams case ;p). I do however have a suggestion for your Heirophant. I think the leg systems from the 1/100 Seravee Gundam would be perfect (provided my figuring of your Apoc scale is correct)

http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN958433

Not sure if you've seen 00 but the Seravee is an insane heavy weapons platform, and the legs would be a good match to the feel I'm getting from your Heriophant ideas thus far (If the 1/100 Serpent customs Gats are any indication that is). ALso if you feel the need for any more Assualty Carnifexs, 00 has some of the better designed close combat gundams that I've seen in a long time (The titular 00 gundam, the Arche Gundam, and their predesores the Exia and Throne Zwei respectivly, both of the later I 've built in the 1/144 scale )

But enough rambling, good stuff. I hope to see more as the weeks progress. Subb'd

Migsula,

How did you come up with the idea for this to begin with? I have been looking at your TWAR thread for a long time now and would love to do something similar (But I would use 5 star story mechs for the base). How do you alter them enough so that it's not just Gundam models painted differently, but still have that unique flavor.

Do you have any suggestions that someone like myself could pick up a kit and do something like this??

Thanks,
Chappy P!

Breaker,

Thanks man. For the Hierophant, I'm building a set of four legs, to make that instant WYSIWYG link to the biological equivalent. I do love the kit your suggesting though, so may get something like that at some point anyway.


Chappy P,

I liked the way Nids list is built and plays, never could connect with the hive mind though. I had picked up some super nice Gundam from Tokyo and then saw Transformers in theaters. Well what else could happen with those ingredients. It's been two years in the making due to several other projects, and now the secon Transformers movie is about to inspire me for Apocalypse.

My only suggestion is to "just do it". Just pick up a kit you like, bring out your 40k bitz box and see where it goes.

I just have one question about this stuff, if you showed up at a GW store or a GT or whatnot, would they allow you to play with it? I know you have a lot of GW bits etc in there but what is their policy on that?

I hope you don't take this the wrong way... I think if GW doesn't allow this kind of creativity they are totally off their rockers, but is this the kind of thing they would frown upon for tournament play?

The reason I ask is because it is SO inspiring I would love to be able to do a similar project (not mecha 'nids, but just some really crazy counts as army) and I'm wondering how much of the model has to be GW, how much can be scratch, how much can be other kits, etc?

This is one of those projects that keeps luring me back into the hobby. I'm still very tempted to one day work on some BFG scaled stuff in this style, or maybe give it a go with a TWAR machine of my own...it's just that I refuse to spend much money on it so it will be very ghetto. I guess I just need to improve my greenstuff and plastic card skills!

Looking forward to seeing this force done and dusted both because the modelling here is awesome, and I can't wait to see what you do with the Legion!

Be sure to let us know how they fair in the tournament.

Cheers,

Dante

All 16 gaunts, 8 stealers and 3more objective markers are done and based, waiting for primer (tommorw)

Yes. Then a week of painting and a weekend of gaming and TWAR is off for a holiday until circa 24th of June when a certain movie hits and I'm expecting an urge to build the hierophant

Oh, by the way, maybe you should also go see the new Terminator Salvation movie when it comes out. I've got a certain feeling that it might give you more ideas!

Didn't manage to prime until midway sunday, but managed to then make up for some of that by battling through most of the boring work on the 16 "gaunts" I try to keep going strong so I can play some more practice games later in the week.

Got why the Stealth Suits look sympathetic they have Wall-E eyes! I'm sure I won't notice this past painting however.

I have an idea
Make WALL-E!
He has all characteristics 0 but gets a 1+ cute save!

Seriosly though wow
I think the 'stealers will fit in fine, especially if you paint the eyes evil red or something

small update - deadline is Sunday evening

A whole squad of wall-e's
I like the little tendrils coming out, are they from servo skulls?
Ijust wonder because in the legion at Rhisienne thread it looked like you have a LOT of devastator bitz.

Also a bit ot but how do you stop the contacta proffesional glue I see back there from drying out? I have had 3 of those and all of them have blocked up after one or two uses.

Septic wrote:
Also a bit ot but how do you stop the contacta proffesional glue I see back there? I have had 3 of those and all of them have blocked up after one or two uses.

Heating up the dispenser-tube with flame does the trick.

I'm still not so sure about those Genestealers (well stealth suits), to me they still kind look like Stealth Suits, but yeah...I know I won't be disappointed when they're painted!

Yes - the painful part of painting on ALL of them is done!!

Next comes the part I love most, weathering

Then it's the bases and the army is done to 1750pts, fully painted! Just the way I want them (if possible) /well apart from the fact, I'd want 5000pts ). It's so close now. I can't believe it! Been working on them for almost 2 years and I'm immensely pleased with the army. I know how some people have huge reservations and somehow that only makes me like the army more. There isn't a single traditional edge highlight in the army - it's things like that, "your not supposed to do that" things that I've enjoyed quite a bit. It's loosely painted, yet I feel the finish really carries their weight and material feel. Also some of the light effects were a first for me and came out quite nice.

I always liked Nids and the rules, but never could relate to the mindless organic horde. The TWAR click so well. It'll be special to take them to the tournament in a few days. It's ironic how the army's also been dirt cheap to do. The most expensive purchase up to the Stealth suts was ordering those large GW bases :lol: :lol: :lol:

Before the tournament or right after, I shall give you the TWAR family portrait.

Thanks for everyone of all the nice and encouraging comments along the way. I shall return to them now and then, before summer with the huge Hierophant and things like that.

Hey Mig!

Great work as always!! However I am struggling with the XV25/ stealer combo- when someone said teddy bear- that did it for me:-(
I think that the over use of the suit parts (and big feet) take him away from being a merciless killer?

I may be really blind, but I have been trying to find your paint recipies on both this and Warseer, I could swear I have seen them- but can't now find them anywhere?

Could you give a breakdown of the colours/ shades that you use?

cheers

W

WOW yeah thats amazing, but those spinefist still look like up side down drones to me........ not thats bad or anything.

migs, I love your work. and individualy, they look awesome. however, when its all together, your army looks like a scene from gundam, not so much a force of the grim and dark far future.

Ive seen a lot of gundam to 40k conversions, and im rarely impressed. gundams just look to much like gundams to fit with the 40k universe.

all this said, you are probably the best realistic painter I have seen in the last few years, between some of your TWAR and Legion models, you show a lot of creativity and skill. Kudos!

Really nice job, from what I can see, the stealer, stealthies are lookin better, more stalky and extra killy ;D, I look forward to seeing more, and gl with the tourny

All units Irene!!







Some varnish and the whole lot, or 1750 pts + 4 object markers are ready for action.




...also... LEGIOOOOOOONNN!!! here we go

What are the drone models supposed to be?

I really hope that if you ever come back to the TWAR stuff, that you would try out some sort of heavy support/artillery TWAR, some guy with a big ass cannon. Count it as a Biovore!

But for now all I have to say is: "LEGIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!"

Malika2 wrote:What are the drone models supposed to be?

I

Spinefist gaunts.

A little late, I know, but I am just not feeling the genestealers. They look more heavy and well armored than quick and razor edged, which makes me think more of tyrand guard than 'stealers. I think it is the stealth suit front plate that does it... it sort of makes them look like they are wearing life preservers.

Don't get me wrong, they look good, just that they don't quite fit the feeling I attach to genestealers.

That full shot is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! I love how the Termagants and the Spinegaunts have completely different models, how the whole army looks so cohesive and unique , and yet they all suit their Tyranid equivalents perfectly!

Will you treat us to some Battle reports or Battle pictures involving these Migs?
You must be so thrilled to have this almost under wraps! Can I ask, what's your favourite unit in the army overall?

Bottle wrote:That full shot is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! I love how the Termagants and the Spinegaunts have completely different models, how the whole army looks so cohesive and unique , and yet they all suit their Tyranid equivalents perfectly!

Will you treat us to some Battle reports or Battle pictures involving these Migs?
You must be so thrilled to have this almost under wraps! Can I ask, what's your favourite unit in the army overall?

Thanks

I will. It will be fun to see how people react IRL now the whole thing is finished. I've taken them to a tournament once, with stand in Kroot - and the sort of positive and excited buzz they created was much more interactive and fun than the usual "oh those are gorgeous, and silent admiration" that something like the Crescent Guard generated in tournaments.

I am, though it's funny how partly it's the achievement, but more so the freedom now to work on Legion. LOL. I guess for the "artist" it's always the project youre working on that is the fave. But out of TWAR, it's General Splinter (the first flying tyrant) and Night Creeper (The lictor). Hands down the faves and also the most work.

I see the infantry as a necessity for gaming reasons and also to tie in the army to 40k scale - but really the whole project's been about fun and experimenting and excuses to build big fighting machines. I also think the Stealers could've been much more dynamic and aggressive, but then I like them enough and getting the army finished was no more important than getting the unit absolutely right.

Lovin' that groupshot Migs, congrats

Happy to see the army 'done' at last, and while I've been back and forth on the genestealers too (it's the huggy poses that I'm not fond of) I think they work when with the rest of the bots. But I'm not letting you off the hook yet - I think we were promised a heirophant at some point??

Good luck at the tourny

- Salvage

OK, two days of fun - 5th is really by far the best 40k edition... Dice remains tricky though I mean really, throwing so much against mathematics, sadly the wrong way this time, Genestealers always outflankin on the wrong side, Carnifexes thinking they need to always rol 1s etc. + I forgot to use the Lictor in one game and brought some gaunts to combats to give the opponent "free" fearless wounds against the big hitters...a tad rusty I did manage decent results though and had A LOT OF FUN! Lots of war stories. In the last game the Tau player had a flier that I could not really touch (range) and he could shoot at will without any chance of cover. The mission gave him the nomination that everything it kills is doubled in kill points and one of my tyrnats gives him treble the kill points. Guess who he killed first.

I managed tied for 12th overall and it was a massive learning experience. The list will be tweaked and more importantly I begin to understand fully how it works - previous games have been more about seeing how 5th works. I was more to blame than the list, but even it has a lot of tweaking. I had some great opponents, even played the finnish GT winner (from previous weekend) and managed the narrowest win in one of the oddest missions ever.

TWAR got best painted and a really OTT trophy for it. It was nice to see people react to the army and comment it. It makes much more of an impact IRL and on the table.

Gurk on the other hand finished... dead last!!! Free trashtalking for years to come, considering he had a slaanesh CSM army with two flying Lash Princes. He was caught cold with "seize the initiave" twice today and also has a good story to tell about the night before. Me and Gurk will be back with a vengeance now we learned some 40k and will be playing a match this week or weekend with updated lists. We had tons of fun and were again laughing our eyes out on the way home. This is such a fun hobby and there are such magical characters also commanding the armies.

Ropecon is next! The organizers promised they are hosting 40k. And TWAR will be my gaming army for quite some time I would assume. (legion's not gona be fast) And yes, that Hierophant will be done by June and the start of our "Apoc league".

Anyway, I'd really like to thank everyone for their interest.

Congrats, Migsula -- particularly on the recognition for best painted.

What a stunning army! Particularly seeing the group shot -- which brings out all of the variety, detail, and decaying industrial techno weirdness of it.

Congrats on a grand weekend out at the tournament, much robotic-death-dealing I'm sure

I like how the Stealth suit model types really worked out when painted, that is such a diverse piece of kit that (Stealth Suit) I doubt people buy them to -actually- make a Stealth suit considering all the conversion on the internet with parts from that kit.

What a way to round out the blog.. nice run at the tournament, The Painting trophy too boot!

Nice wun brud'da! (too quote 'Human Traffic')

~ Tael.

Dude...I know you are working on other stuff, but as soon as I saw this model I just had to think of you. I mean...just look at it CLICK ME!!!

Cheers - great link!!

Awesome Army!!

I've always looked at the Gundam kits and wondered what could be done with them

What a great shot migs. A superb looking army for sure and I really enjoy the overall look and feel of it. Nicely done sir!

Edit: Woah you posted that like half a year ago. Sorry, I must've missed it. Still doesnt change my opinion though.

Actually - quite topical! I'm taking the boyz out for two games this sunday and am FINALLY starting work on the "Mecha-Hierophant" I needed a brake from Legion, and this project is so different

That's just too much fun!

It's projects like these that excite me the most, where creativity runs rampant, but still fits a logical and consistent theme. You haven't just used scale as a way to determine their identities, but shapes and structures as well. Bravo!

If older threads are going to get resurrected, I'm glad it's quality blogs like this.

Thank you sir! Fun is the right word - this has been the most fun army I've ever done and I also enjoy immensly how it plays. It's active in all the phases and cannot be stunned or pinned - you have to kill them all

This will also be a project where I still have way too many ideas to stop here. And I suspect new Nid Codex somewhere next year will bring new and exciting changes too

Next is the big bad beast for Apoc, but I really want some ravenors and tyrant guard too!

Im waiting with baited breath to see your yake on the heirophant.

I wish you the best of luck and im sure it will b the best TWAR yet.

I've been totally pre-occupied with my other loves in light since october, but now there's a reason to get slightly (to say the least) excited about playing 40k again. Who'd fancy a game??


anyway the TWAR couldn't be happier about the looming genocide that is the new edition of Codex Tyranids, sooo many new TWAR operators and AI aides to convert;

From BOLS:


Well, 3 for 3 guys. Its Wednesday, and Tyranids info is dropping out of the sky around us. Here 's the latest set of pics and info snippets:

Okay, a bunch of new stuff to share with you all thanks to a very nice ninja. First up just a few expanded/clarified/interesting near direct quotes from the product brief...


"Codex: Tyranids contains a whole new set of creatures that are not yet covered by Citadel Miniatures. Enthusiastic players will want to create their own Tyrannofex or Tervigon with the help of the descriptions and images from the bestiary. (The product brief advises that) these can be assembled from a combination of parts of the Carnifex, Trygon and Tyranid Monstrous Arms Bitz Pack."


"Tyranid Warriors - Can be converted to an Alpha Warrior, a Tyranid HQ, which is ideal to lead a growing army of Tyranids or support a Hive Tyrant in its task. (The product brief advises that) you can combine the Tyranid Warriors kit with the new plastic Raveners to represent an Alpha Warrior."


"Trygon - Many parts of this kit are compatible with the Carnifex, enabling customers to create their own Tyranid monstrosities. In addition to the entry in Codex: Tyranids, there is also the option for Trygon with Ravener Brood 'Tunnel Swarm' formation for Apocalypse."


"Mawloc - Special rule is called 'Terror from the Deep' and it can 'smash defenses'." (This may just be flowery descriptive text rather than necessarily in-game function)


"Pyrovore - Are melee monsters that devour their enemies, breaking down the biomass of their victims and then transforming it into a powerful acid attack (in the form of a flamer template)."

That stuff sounds ace!
I'll look forward to seeing what you come up with migsula.

Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!

I was about to post around to look for you since I haven't seen you here in ages! Was getting worried you got lost and wouldn't finish these projects anymore! :(

Yeah your back!

I can't wait to see what you cook up for the rumored flying trygon...

Thanks guys - your enthusiasm is infectious

I'm trying to get my finnish mates up for some games to help with focus. And to hide all my other projects for the time being

Hide them!. Why you should be working on them

Oh...and do add more background stuff to them, like you did in the beginning!

Some pointers:

-Legion at Ressiene (sp?): You had a really cool =I=munda project, then you started the Legion project, then you had the crazy plan of making an entire army out of that Legion project with the same detail and dedication of the =I=munda project. You also mentioned you were going to include fluff in there. What about linking these two projects? Perhaps the TWAR are watching this world from orbit/hidden base and will join in that war?

-Space Hulk: Noticed you started a Space Hulk thread a while ago, what about including some TWAR for Space Hulk? You already have the Genestealer stand ins, I assume they are AI's and not truly independent TWAR's. You might want to build a TWAR which looks like a beefier version of your "Genestealers" which would count as a Broodlord.

-=I=Munda: Earlier in this thread you mentioned sometihng about an infiltrator unit who mingles amongst humans. Will this still come? Could be a cool alternative for a Genestealer Cult!

So for few weeks I have been totally unimpressed and sad about what happened to my carnifexes and wondering what happened to my army - in an odd spin of shortsightedness - only to finally realize that with small modification, my two big ass gunfexes turn into tyrannofexes! They were too big for fexes anyway and now have 6 wounds and cost quarter K points Kill Kill Kill! I can have even bigger and less giant robots! ...now lets have some CAD fun and sen a mechanical trygon tail to printers

I'm trying to suffle a new list together this week.

soooo relieved!

You have your own CAD machine? I mean making a Trygon sized creature must be so expensive! :O

Hi guys,
Migsula, did you finished the miniatures from Space Hulk. I am so impressed with the quality of your work.
I can't wait to see those new mini of yours.

Also, I was wondering, you use some white "plastic" material to size the legs of your space marines conversions. What material is that and where can I find some.

Thanks

The white plastic material is plasticard if I'm not mistaken, called sheet styrene here in the States.

Unless I'm indeed mistaken, Migsula?

Great! thank you!
It seems to be what I am looking for.

Just went through the whole thread, and All i have to say;

Sweet Monkey Jesus on a Pogo Stick!

I haven't seen such an original approach towards a 40K army since.. well.. never, actually.. Love the concept, love the mini's! I salute you, good sir, for sharing such an impressive approach on a Tyranid army!

I'm really happy to see you getting back into the swing of 40k, migs! I came around when you were about halfway through the TWAR project, and I must say that it is, IMHO, the only army to effectively integrate japanese robot models into 40k (even the Tau robots don't quite get the look away from being repainted kits). Definitely excited to see how the new Tyranid codex affects this largely established army and what you'll be adding to it! While you're at it, why not start back up Inquisimunda fever! I remember a time when all I saw in this blog section was =I= stuff, and I loved it!

I will say, I like the idea and your stuff is awesome. But I would like to know what you're going to do for a trygon
I think that would be awesome

You sir, are amazing, and I hate you for it lol. But seriously, I am always impressed with your work. I think what really sells it (besides the amazing paint and basing), is how you choose a theme and stick to it. It really brings out a force full of character and identity which is one of my favorite parts of this hobby.

Nice!